Business closings on Fort Myers Beach. The sluggish economy and a misconception about oil on our beach has put additional strain on local businesses to make it through the summer.   Several local businesses have closed while others have adopted restricted hours of operation to cope.   Thursday Sept 7, 2010 was the last day for the Beach Theater.  After 10 years in business as the only theater on Fort Myers Beach the owners decided they would have to close.  The last 5 years were a challenge !  Other businesses deciding to close include: Dixie Fish Company, Jimmie B's Rooftop Bar and Luna Rossa Beach Theater was more than a movie house as it also served food and beverages to customers during showings !  It was also a perrenial winner in the " Best Place for Family Fun " in the annual For... 09/15/2010

I’ve had the designation of real estate agent for about two months now, so to say I’m a ‘newbie’ is an understatement. Being a business owner is not a new experience for me. I’ve shared ownership in residential building companies, a log home company, and currently own an interior decorating business. So I am accustomed to self direction, motivation and organization. Got that part down - check. Holding my freshly printed license in my hand, I began to talk with various real estate companies in the greater Fort Myers area. I received numerous solicitations and selected a couple of those companies to speak with. There are several other companies that I selected from referrals and research, and then determined that I wanted to talk with one company located on Fort Myers Beach. You can learn... 09/14/2010

3BED/2BTH BAHAMA STYLE HOME WITH HARD WOOD FLOORS WITH DEEP WATER ACCESS.  Pool.  On canal, Just Off Bay Opposite Preserve!!deepwater, Seawalled Canal. Dock. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  A seven mile island filled with seven miles of beachline and white sand.  Easy access to the mainland by bridges.  Bordered on the south side by Lover's Key and Bonita Springs and on the north side by Fort Myers. A small, intimate island community, quiet and peaceful in the summertime and vibrant and lively in the wintertime. My home for the last 12 years. Terms:  Foreclosure listed at $335,000. LLoyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.comSandals Realtycell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.comListingbook: http://llo... 09/04/2010

Charming updated Spanish Villa with Mexican tile, great private enclosed brick courtyard. Front apartment has two bedrooms and one bath; back unit is a 1/1 with private patio. This home is easily converted back to a single family by opening a lockoff interior door. It is also a great investment opportunity at this price.  Both units are in good condition and would be strong vacation rentals.  Steps to beach and short walk to restaurants and downtown. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida Terms:  Foreclosure listed at $169,900   LLoyd NicholsSandals Realtycell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.comListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahomes.listingbook.com   08/28/2010

  I'm so excited to be creating the very first post to my new blog, Fort Myers and the Beach! Fort Myers Beach is one of the most beautiful, laid back, fun loving, family oriented (and some party time, too!) places to visit, or better yet, to live. Just over the bridge is the greater Fort Myers area, with many gated communities, cultural events, sports centers and more. In future posts I'll talk about things to do and see on Fort Myers Beach, great vacation getaways, homes for sale on Ft Myers Beach, and highlight many of the condo developments that are found from the northern tip of Bowditch Point to the southern end of Estero Island and Lovers Key. It's going to be fun!   08/25/2010

We are approaching the peak of hurricane season here in Southwest Florida.  Mother Nature has spared us anything major since " Charley " in 2004.  The following article is brought to us by the National Assoc of Realtors, Gwen Moran, 3/25/2010.   Hurricane deductibles usually apply only when your home is damaged in a named storm. Image: Gene Dailey/American Red Cross   The Atlantic coast hurricane season lasts from June through November, with the likelihood of storms peaking from August to October. The East Coast and Gulf Coast are most at risk, though damage from wind and rain can extend well inland.Homeowners should assess insurance needs long before a hurricane makes landfall. Most insurers won't issue policies when a storm is imminent. The cost of hurricane insurance depends on a num... 08/24/2010

I had the opportunity to do a home inspection on Fort Myers Beach. Even though August in Florida is mid to upper 90's, the weather on the beach is always pleasant. On this day, there was a nice gulf breeze blowing, and there's nothing like the fresh gulf air. The water was clear and the beach was clean, without even a hint of oil. 08/19/2010

Fort Myers Beach canal home on Wiliams Drive is now Sold !   My clients purchased this executive pool home for use as a winter getaway.  They have many happy family memories to cherish from the time spent here on Fort Myers Beach !  When it came time to consider selling I was called in to advise them of the market conditions and how best to sell this family home.  Our market mirrors the national market except that, being a destination market, we tend to be the last to go in to a correction and the first to come out.   Savvy buyers were sitting on the sidelines waiting for the market to decide where it was going.  Without an adaquate supply of buyers the prices were down compared to previous years. This buyer had very carefully analyzed the market and found which neighborhood was the mos... 08/14/2010

Got Oil ?  Nope !  We've all seen that great ad campaign by the milk industry with a faceshot of a celeb and milk on the upper lip.  It communicates so much with so few words !  It certainly reminds us to pick up some milk on the way home doesn't it ?  One of my favorites is the Danica Patrick ad.  Great job of combining a very recognizable celeb face and the trademark milk on the upper lip ! So what is my point ?  Easy.  Check out this darling little girl playing along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline on Fort Myers Beach ! There is no oil here and none within several hundred miles.  The good folks at NOAA tell us there is less than a 1% chance of any oil coming to Fort Myers Beach !  That's great news for anyone planning a vacation here or considering buying property here !  Kayden let Gra... 08/07/2010

We do know that the BP Oil Spill had and has a drastic impact on the economy of the coast of Louisiana, Texas and the Florida Panhandle, not to mention nature itself. We have seen the pictures of pelicans, over and over on the TV news, and other majestic birds covered with oil, and clips of shore lines being flooded with oil. Its a sad sight to see and like many we pray for an end to all this misery. We have witnessed hard working people holding to their business by a thread, fishermen going for a "last time", we have seen the horrendous mistakes and the cover ups from BP. What I don't understand is the misinformation or lack off regarding our own shore line in Southwest Florida. Our beaches are clean, period. Scientists told us that chances of the oil hitting our beaches is 1 percent. ... 07/28/2010

    I would have to call it the Idea of Order in Estero island…or Fort Myers Beach but I don’t think the ghost of Wallace Stevens would appreciate. My wife is a big admirer of his esoterically magical and musical poems. They take you away on a journey of its own.These are views of the Island of Fort Myers Beach along the gulf of Mexico.Wallace Stevens is timeless. The true title is The Idea of Order At Key West. His uncanny genius stays alive from one Florida island to another.   The Idea of Order at Key West Wallace StevensShe sang beyond the genius of the sea.The water never formed to mind or voice,Like a body wholly body, flutteringIts empty sleeves; and yet its mimic motionMade constant cry, caused constantly a cry,That was not ours although we understood,Inhuman, of the veritable o... 07/27/2010

During the last 3 months there has been a lot of speculation about the dreadful BP Oil Leak and specially about its impact on our beaches, the economy, the tourism, the livelihood of the businesses depending on the fishing industry and how much it will cripple the lives of dozens of species.  Surely, tourism has been down along Southwest Florida and both Lee and Collier county have sued BP and many businesses who are already feeling the pinch from a tough economy, have followed suit. Some Hotels along Southwest Florida have even offered money back guaranty if their customers find any trace of oil from the BP leak on our beaches. Actually they mentioned any oil.  I want to be very clear with this last matter on the BP Oil Leak and SWFL and the present state of our beaches: We have no oi... 07/26/2010

Oasis at the Beach, with an incredible Tropical pool, waterfall and fountain. Weekly rental permitted. which makes this home a good investment.  Surrounded by lush landscaping, including avocado, mango, lemon and banana trees, there is a partial view of the Gulf and just a stroll to the white sugary sand. Built in Bar-B-Q.  2 story home with loft.  3 bedrooms/2 baths.  Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  A small island town located in Southwest Florida, A happening place to be in winter; a peaceful retreat in summer.  Seven miles of beachline.  Terms:  Listed at $300,000 LLoyd Nichols Realtorlloydn@aol.comSandals Realtycell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.comListingbook: http://lloydnswfloridahom... 07/24/2010

Of course, there are pluses galore in choosing summer for your Florida vacation.  For instant, everything from hotels to restaurants is less expensive.  It's less crowded and that peaceful walk on the beach is more easily accomplished.   My town of Fort Myers Beach is particular welcoming in summer.  Our seven miles of sugary white sand is sometimes filled:  with seashells, that is.  In summer, the shells seem to collect more on our shoreline than in winter.  It can be a great family time, too, and don't leave the pooch at home.  There are lodgings here that will welcome them, too: Of the big resorts, the Casa Playa is pet friendly.  The Lighthouse accepts small pets only. As for motels and inns, there are the Surf and Us, Wild Wave, the Gulf Motel, the Periwinkle Motel and also the Anc... 07/18/2010

You wouldnt think that a seven mile island would have a 56 acre natural sanctuary, but the Matanzas Pass Preserve is located on the seaside island town of Fort Myers Beach, Florida.   The entrance is on Bay Road, behing Beach Elementary School.  Containing 1.25 miles of trails that wind through the canopies of mangroves and an oak hammock, it's a great place to take walk.  There is plentiful wildlife and native Blueway Paddling Trail, so you can also paddle and enjoy the beauty and peace of the preserve.  An unspoiled sabal palm and live oak hammock will greet you as you enter.  After crossing two bridges on the entry trail, you will find a boardwalk that winds through the mangrove swamp. At the end of the boardwalk, a pavilion overlooking the water provides a spectacular view of the Es... 07/16/2010

    Fort Myers Beach, Florida Lee County History FORT MYERS BEACH   The Town of Fort Myers Beach has the history of Estero Island spans back over 2,000 years when the Calusa Indians constructed shell mounds along the bayside of our island. As the ruling chiefdom in south Florida, the Calusa resisted Spanish colonization including attempts by the conquistador Ponce de León in 1513 and 1521 (during the latter encounter he was mortally wounded by the Calusa). The Calusa met their demise almost 150 years later due to increasing hostilities, disease, and political and economic upheaval. From the late seventeenth to the mid-nineteenth century the political landscape of southwest Florida was dynamic as the territory changed hands between British and Spanish control. Between times of turmoil, C... 07/14/2010

I have been promising myself a trip to the local Fort Myers Beach shrimp fleet.  Today was my chance.  The shrimp fleet nestles in our back bay when not on extended trips into the Gulf.  Most refer to harvesting shrimp as " fishing " or simply " shrimping ".  The boats trawl for shrimp and typically stay in the Gulf for 30 days before returning to offload the catch. Shrimp caught in the Gulf  ( wild caught ) are a beautiful pink in color.  Local shrimpers compete with imported shrimp mainly from Viet Nam.  Most imported shrimp are raised in " shrimp farms " where millions of baby shrimp are held in ponds until adulthood.  Shrimp do not do well in close proximity to each other !  To control disease they are sprayed with chemicals which allow them to live packed close together.  The down ... 07/05/2010

Breakfast at Wimbledon.  The Men's Finals are today.  The tradition is to have a breakfast of strawberries and cream in front of the TV set and enjoy the event.  The year, Spain's Rafael Nadal takes on the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych, who vanquished top-seeded Roger Federer in the quarters and No. 3 Novak Djokovic in the semi finals. Nadal will be going for his eighth Grand Slam title and second of the year, as he already won the French Open.  Being a tennis player and fan, I am watching the match, although I am opting for eggs instead of strawberries. As for Independence Day, the Fort Myers Beach parade starts at 1:00.  It begins at Topps Supermarket on Estero Boulevard and will end at the Square.  It's raining at the moment, not necessarily a bad thing, as it's a light rain will ke... 07/04/2010

Charming updated Spanish Villa with Mexican tile, great private enclosed courtyard. Front apartment has two bedrooms and one bath; back unit is a 1/1 with private patio. This property has made a great seasonal rental and vacation hideaway for owners. Just steps away from the beach access, restaurants, shops and all the fun of Times Square. 2009 Taxes $2711. Where:  Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  Fort Myers Beach, othewise known as Estero Island, is an intimate seven mile island located in Southwest Florida.  Seven Miles of white sand and beachline.  A happening place in season, a quiet peaceful retreat off season. Terms:  A foreclosure listed $189,900. LLoyd Nichols   Realtorlloydn@aol.comSandals Realtycell: 239-810-2980office: 239-463-5217Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/lloydn Web... 07/03/2010

Fourth of July, 2010 on Fort Myers Beach will be observed on Sunday this year.  Visitors and residents alike wiil be treated to a July 4th parade with fireworks to follow.  The parade will assemble in the parking lot of Topps Supermarket and proceed north on Estero BHlvd to our downtown area.  Parade watchers will line estero Blvd for this fun annual event.  Starting time for the parade will be 1 PM on Sunday. Fireworks will highlight the fun filled day starting just after dusk.  The volunteers, supporters and fund raisers have been working all year and have an amazing pyro-technic display planned.  Each year the fireworks seem to get bigger and better.  This year's display will last about 40 minutes from the floating site just off the pier.                       Parking will be at a pr... 07/02/2010