My Back Ten Feet of Bonita Springs Real Estate 

An avid reader and follower of shiny things, I followed a scoop.it mentioning my blog and also found a link to The Back Ten Feet, the youtube channel, actually.  I followed the shiny things from youtube to their Facebook, to their blog and I got hooked.

Weeks early, I had just happened to have experienced The Butterfly Effect on my blog by posting a picture of a monarch butterfly on a flower.  A reader told me what the plant was so I could coax butterflies into my back yard.  Read also: Monarch Butterfly in Deerwood Bonita Bay

There is a patio behind my house which is circled by a flower bed which is about forty feet in length and about two or three feet wide. A few short weeks after my butterfly post I was gardening for butterflies in the back ten feet which was woefully neglected and for the most part empty.

I’m baby steppin’ it in the gardening arena but I now have a healthy population of Monarchs to keep my Gulf Fritillary company.  I accidentally learned about the Gulf Fritillary years ago after buying a purple passiflora.  I have passiflora growing out my pockets so if you would like on, just give a call or an email and I’ll get one to you.

At any rate, gardening for butterflies in Bonita Springs is fairly easy and a relatively inexpensive hobby. If you’re looking for inspiration there are butterfly gardens at Riverside Park behind the Liles Hotel, Bonita Nature Place on Kent Road and in Bonita Bay at Estero Bay Park.  There’s also an emerging one at my house that you’re welcome to come see.  I’ll do my best to post a picture or two from this point forward.

The picture above is the Moss Rose.  It’s one of the easiest plants to grow and has beautiful, fresh blossoms every day.  I planted a few of them around the shallow terracotta saucer I am using for a bird bath. Today, I saw a blue jay taking a sip.

Things to Do – Take the Causeway to Sanibel Island

Just about thirty minutes away from Bonita Springs is the world famous vacation spot, Sanibel Island.  Home to great beaches and a laid back island atmosphere, Sanibel also has several great attractions to visit.  If you take a day trip from Bonita Springs to Sanibel, take a list of a few things to do while you’re on the island.  Here are some suggestions:

• Visit Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge
• Visit C.R.O.W. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife
• Visit the Sanibel Lighthouse
• Have lunch at The Mucky Duck or The Bubble Room
• Continue your drive and visit Captiva

Wine and Beer Tasting – Wine Pairing

The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Noon invites you to stroll the open-air sidewalks of The Promenade in Bonita Spring as you sample fine wines and beers from around the world with food paired to complement.

The galleries of the Promenade will be open so you can take in original works of art or simply sit and savor your selections as you enjoy a live jazz trio featuring Debbie Orta on vocals, Stu Shelton on keyboards and Bill Peterson on drums.

There is no cost to attend the event.  Wine, beer and food will be available at approximately 2 – 5 tickets per tasting.  Tickets are $1.00 each. Net proceeds will benefit Bonita Springs Assistance Office, Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs and The Wheelchair Foundation.

What:  International Fest of Bonita Springs

When:  Friday April 13, 2012 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Click map above for directions to the event. For More Info: www.InternationalFestBonita.com

Wine and Beer Tasting – Wine Pairing

The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Noon invites you to stroll the open-air sidewalks of The Promenade in Bonita Spring as you sample fine wines and beers from around the world with food paired to complement.

The galleries of the Promenade will be open so you can take in original works of art or simply sit and savor your selections as you enjoy a live jazz trio featuring Debbie Orta on vocals, Stu Shelton on keyboards and Bill Peterson on drums.

There is no cost to attend the event.  Wine, beer and food will be available at approximately 2 – 5 tickets per tasting.  Tickets are $1.00 each. Net proceeds will benefit Bonita Springs Assistance Office, Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs and The Wheelchair Foundation.

What:  International Fest of Bonita Springs

When:  Friday April 13, 2012 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Click map above for directions to the event. For More Info: www.InternationalFestBonita.com

Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed of Florida

As a resident of SWFL for decades I’ve always heard of C.R.E.W. but never visited it.  Finally, during a tour with Leadership Bonita I was able to visit and discover what it was about.  This is certainly the abbreviated version and a means for you to find the website and visit the  CREW. trails yourself. I can share that I certainly waited too long.  So what is CREW?

CREW Land & Water Trust VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The CREW Land and Water Trust is a private, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of the water resources and natural communities in and around the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW). We do that by coordinating the land acquisition, land management, and public use of this 60,000-acre watershed in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. CREW is the largest intact watershed in southwest Florida, straddling Lee and Collier Counties. CREW’s majestic 5,000-acre sawgrass marsh is the headwaters for the entire watershed which includes the National Audubon Society’s famous Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary directly to the south.

In addition to what CREW does for our precious water supply, there over five thousand acres of sawgrass marsh with five miles of walking trails and boardwalks that go through wetlands, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, a pop ash slough.  A variety of the flowers that can easily be found on a walk through the CREW trails is in the photos for you to review.  There are also a variety of birds in the area that can be seen and heard.  Nesting red shoulder hawks were on the edge of one trail we followed.

The best part of visiting the CREW trails is that they are free, open seven days per week from sun up to sundown.  The CREW trails are great if you’re looking for Things To Do with kids or just things to do in Bonita Springs or Estero.  It’s a short drive and free and free is for me!  Click the map for directions.

To learn more about CREW visit their official website: www.crewtrust.org questions about crew can be directed to crewtrust@earthlink.net or 239-657-2253.

CREW Land & Water Trust

23998 Corkscrew Road

Estero, Florida 33928

239-657-2253

Things To Do Children’s Museum of Naples Florida

The Children’s Museum of Naples, Florida is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 2002. It is an environment that has been developed to educationally encourage exploration and discovery. The Children’s Museum of Naples is a safe and wonderful place which inspires children and families to have fun while learning together.

Children’s Museum of Naples Florida VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples

is a two-story 30,000 square foot dynamic space that including ten permanent and temporary exhibit galleries, a Family Resource Library, classrooms, birthday party room, meeting rooms, restaurant and gift shop as well as space for staff, volunteers and ongoing operations. All of the facilities at the Children’s Museum are designed to be fully accessible.

The exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Naples blend state-of-the-art technology with a replication of the natural world and human communities.  Developed by experts in child psychology, museum master planning and exhibit design this experiential play fosters creativity, curiosity, empathy and self-esteem.  Play allows children to develop the social skills needed to cooperate with others, sharpen their senses as a means for exploration, strengthen gross and fine motor skills and develop problem solving techniques.

Programs at the Children’s Museum of Naples include; community festivals, summer camp, after-school programs, art classes, field trips, outreach programs, parenting workshops, preschool groups and more.

The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is the first cultural institution in Collier County and primarily devoted to connecting play with learning and a hugely important addition to the cultural attractions in our community.

The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is an active member of the Association of Children’s Museums.

If you’re looking for things to do, things to do with kids, things to do indoors, the Children’s Museum of Naples is just for you.  Access from Lee County, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Estero is convenient via I-75 at the Immokalee Road exit.

Children’s Museum of Naples Mission Statement: “To provide an exciting, inspiring environment where children and their families play, learn and dream together”.

Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
15080 Livingston Rd
Naples, FL 34109

239-514-0084

To learn more about the museum, hours of operations, admission fees and annual passes, click here:

The Galisano Children’s Museum of Naples Florida

Art and Craft Festival at The Promenade Bonita Springs

Things to do

  in Bonita Springs, Florida!  Save the dates for this years Bonita Springs Art Festival in sunny Bonita Springs, Florida!  Click the map for directions to the The Promenade. 

To contact the Center for The Arts to learn more about attending or becoming a vendor click Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs.

January 14-15, 2012
February 11-12, 2012
March 10-11, 2012

Free Things to Do in Bonita Springs Estero

When:  Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 10:00am until Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 5:00p.m.

Where: Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero, FL

Description: Ring in the New Year with us at the Coconut Point Art Festival at Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida, just north of Bonita Springs, Florida on US 41/Tamiami Trail.  Featuring the finest artists in the country and a vast array of quality handmade art appealing to a variety of tastes and budgets.  Admission is Free and Open to the Public.

Festival goers will be able to comfortably stroll among the spacious isles of gallery style booths located on the parking fields of Coconut Point and explore the original art on display and for sale! Artists will be on site to discuss their art.  http://coconutpointnewyears.eventbrite.com/.  Click Map for directions:

Coconut Point Mall

Bonita Springs Boat Parade December 10, 2011

Looking for things to do in Bonita Springs?  The 26th Annual Bonita Springs holiday boat parade is set for December 10, 2011 and is brought to you by Bonita Springs Rotary Club Noon.

Details with meeting locations and the captain’s dinner are as follows:

• Sign Up: Captain’s Dinner is December 6th at The Fish House at 6:00 p.m. for Captains and First Mates, only … or visit Bay Water Boat Club and Rentals for a sign-up sheet.
• Parade Date: December 10, 2011
• The Location: The Fish House ~ 4685 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 is the sign up location and the beginning of the parade route.
• The Route: The boat parade begins at the Fish House, goes up the Imperial River to east of US 41 Tamiami Trail to approximately Flossmoor Drive where it turns around and returns to the Barefoot Boat Club for the after party.
• The After Party: The Boat Parade after party is at The Fish House, also. 
• Prizes!:  This year there are five new boat parade prize categories.  $500 for 1st Place, $300 for 2nd Place, $200 for 3rd Place.

For more information, call Bay Waters Boat Rentals 239-495-0455 and visit www.BonitaBoatParade.com  

You can also print a Boat Parade Flyer by clicking here: Bonita Springs Boat Parade Flyer

Traveling Vietnam Wall in Bonita Springs, Florida

Enjoy the video above of the Patriot Guard escort motorcade of the Vietnam Wall pulling into Riverside Park in Downtown Bonita Springs, Florida.  Dec. 1-4 a replica of part of the Vietnam Wall will displayed at Riverside Park on Old 41 Road in downtown Bonita Springs, Florida.  Click the map below for directions to the park: