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Volume 1, Issue 4 - May/June 2002
   Welcome!

Happy Spring! This issue is packed with local events and information, with a some of our most lovely flowers, orchids! We'll have growing tips and hints, plus a little bit about the lore of the lovely flower. We hope you find this issue helpful and informative. You can always explore past issues by visiting the newsletter archive.

If you would like to be notified of new communiqués monthly, just send your email address to newsletter@carlabontenrealty.com. Don't forget to include your email address! Enjoy!

Real Estate Market News

Waterfront properties have proven to be the hottest market in 2001 and 2002. Fas Your browser doesn't support Java 1.1, or Java is not enabled! t becoming a premium offering, the face of this area's beach, bay and lakefront market is rapidly changing. Prices are increasing very rapidly and are projected to continue as demand soars.

Carla Bonten Realty News

Carla Bonten Rentals is offering a 50% discount on each vacation rental from May 1 to November 30! Don't miss this excellent opportunity to sample a taste of Paradise! Call 239-949-4960 or 877-949-4960 toll free for more information and available properties.

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Carla Bonten Realty has just listed a castle near Toulouse, France! Château de Mauran is a restored castle was decorated in a refined style and the surrounding grounds have exquisite places where you will be able to enjoy the all-encompassing beauty of this fabulous, one-of-a-kind property. Preparations for the construction of a three-hole golf course, a driving range and a tennis court are under way in our own grounds. The ten stylish and spacious guestrooms provide all kinds of imaginable comforts.

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Carla Bonten Realty, Inc. Announces:

2001 Top Producers,
March 2002 Listing Agents

April 2002 Listing/Sales Agents,

The Galli Team

John & Jeanine Galli, Realtors®

John is a native of Hartford, Connecticut and Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been involved with rental and commercial property since 1973. He came down to the Bonita area for 15 years seasonally before moving here in 1992. Jeanine Galli is originally from Rock Island, IL, where she attained her Real Estate license in 1972 and later earned her designation GRI (Graduate of the Realtors Institute). She has been active in Bonita Springs real estate since 1986. John & Jeanine have been consistent multi-million dollar producers and have earned the Bonita Springs Real Estate Board's "Sales Excellence Award" every year since 1994. They are both members of the Florida Association of Realtors, The National Association of Realtors and the Bonita Springs Board of Realtors. Both John and Jeanine love to work with properties such as beachfront condominiums, golf course communities residences and general real estate in the Naples/Bonita Springs area. Call 239-596-1574 or click to email the Gallis.

Gunn Gorne, Realtor®

Gunn Gorne was born and raised in Sweden where she received a teaching degree. She lived in Washington, D.C. for many years during which time she raised a family along with being a director of the Swedish school. During this period, she discovered the beauty of Southwest Florida. After returning to Sweden, Gunn pursued a career in Corporate Event Management at Volvo for ten years while continuing to enjoy vacations in Bonita Springs every year. Today, Gunn is happy to live in Spanish Wells most of the year and enjoy being a part of the exciting and fast developing real estate market in this area.

March 2002 Sales Agent:

Teresa Flack , Realtor®

Teresa was born and educated in Poland, close to the magnificent old city of Cracow. In the 1990's, she moved to Florida with her English husband and their three children and they settled happily in Fort Myers. She soon embarked on further studies, which gave her the required qualifications to become a Realtor. She is a member of the Bonita Springs Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. She keeps herself current with all the latest marketing trends by attending up-to-date training sessions and seminars. Teresa's background ensures her expertise in a wide range of customs, languages and formalities, which has been highly beneficial to both buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. Prior to joining Carla Bonten Realty, Inc., Teresa worked for ERA Beaver Real Estate where she became the 1999 Regional-Semiannual 1st In Customer Satisfaction® Jim Jackson Memorial Award, presented by ERA Franchise Systems, Inc.

Enjoy Our Area!

Orchids
Orchids embody the essence of tropical gardening and our area is perfect for worry-free orchid cultivation. Here are a few wonderful area web sites that offer information to help grow the best of the lovely blooms:

Scrivners Garden Center

Florida Orchid Societies

Orchid Tips

Orchid Care

Orchid Identification

eOrchid.com

The Ghost Orchid of the Fakahatchee Strand

The Orchid Garden

Orchid Lore
Orchid collecting becomes an obsession with some people today as it has through the ages. Susan Orlean in her book, "The Orchid Thief", recants the tale of one such obsessed person who set about to steal the rare and beautiful Ghost Orchid from the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve in SW Florida. If you love orchids, you'll be enchanted and educated by this wonderful book.

Guest Article

Technology & You

Does Your Business Need A Web Presence?
by M.E. Parker, President & Owner, Computer Insite

               

As a web designer/developer and a small business owner, I am frequently asked how a web site can enhance a business. Here are a few advantages of owning your own website and a few bits of advice to guide you in the planning and construction process.

Advantages:
1. A website can be an inexpensive method of advertising that allows you flexibility for frequent changes and interactivity.

2. A website can be an easy way for your clients or customers to interact with your business 24 hours a day. Visitors can peruse your site from nearly every country in the world without the need for additional employees to assist them while browsing.

3. Web sites can convey a professional, modern image to your clients.

Sage Advice:
1. Plan, plan, plan! Have a goal and a 2 year projection for the purpose and future of your web site. It will save you money in the end. Ask yourself, "what do I want to accomplish, who is my audience and what is the competition doing?"

2. A website does not have to be a cyberized brochure. You can interact with your clients with the use of chat rooms,guest books, email, forms and online sales. Be prepared, however, for each of these components to carry an additional cost.

3. Before you jump into all the latest enhancements such as Flash animations, video and audio, etc., decide who your audience is. Each of these technologies requires a fast connection to fully enjoy. If your clients will primarily have slower phone line connections, they are not for you.

4. Less is more! Before you clutter up a web site with fifty photos and twirling gizmos, remember that your visitors are there to get information. Keep that your goal and "eye candy" your second priority.

5. Keep your page length short. Studies say that most visitors get bored after scrolling about 2-3 page lengths.

6. Get estimates and start small. Estimates will vary widely in this business. Be sure to find a developer who will agree to be flexible and grow with YOU.

7. Don't hesitate to ask for referrals and check up on the integrity of the design firm you choose. I have many clients come to me who have paid a lot of money and been given no product at all!

8. When registering your web address (known as a "domain name"), be sure that the ownership registration is in your business name and not the name of the developer. This all-to-common practice by developers can mean that in the future, should the relationship between you and your developer end for any reason, you may not own your own domain name!

We hope these few insights can guide you in joining the millions of happy business owners on the Web. For more information or a consultation to develop your own business Web presence, contact Computer Insite at www.computerinsite.com (where you can see an online portfolio) or you may also phone 239-498-0480.

 

Bonita Springs News

It's turtle season! Remember that May-October is sea turtle nesting season on our area's beaches. Remember that all beachfront homes and structures must have outside lights off after dusk. Discover the amazing world of these wonderful creatures at the following web sites:

Turtle Time

Track A Sea Turtle By Satellite

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The Art League of Bonita Springs (ALBS) has great summer plans for all ages! Here are just a few of the events:

  • Art classes for adults and children are planned throughout the summer.
  • There will be changing art shows each month.
  • Six summer art and theater camps for children this summer.

For further information about activities of the Art League or the above events you may call the center at 239-495-8989 or visit the Art League's web page.

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Need an idea of what dining experiences are in our area? Click here for a list of some of the best!

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Area Events:

Bonita Springs Watermelon Festival, Saturday, May 4, 2002, 11-4, Depot Park, Old U.S. 41 and Pennsylvania Street.

The "Land of Giants: Paleo Florida" exhibit at the Fort Myers Historical Museum, 2300 Peck St., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more info, call 332-5955. You can also visit the companion web site.

A Taste Of Collier returns to Third Street South from noon to 4 pm on May 5.

26th annual Great Dock Canoe Race begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at Crayton Cove, 12th Avenue South and Naples Bay. Patriots is this year's theme. More information will follow closer to May. Information: 261-4191.

Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay kicks off its free summer concert series from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 3 with an appearance by Joe "Elvis" Marino and All the Kings Men. TC & Belle, a Top 40 band, entertains Friday, May 10. Because seating is limited, participants are urged to bring lawn chairs. The shops are at 5415 U.S. 41 N. Information: 598-1605.

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Things To Do!

Conservancy Of Southwest Florida: Explore Southwest Florida's natural environment through hands-on exhibits, special programs and presentations, nature trails, boat tours, canoe and kayak rentals.

Swamp Buggy Races: Florida Sports Park is the home of the world famous Swamp Buggy races held every March, May and October, and many other racing, sporting, cultural and social events.

Teddy Bear Museum: The Teddy Bear Museum features nearly 4000 bears from miniature to life-size; antique/limited edition bears, teddy bear art and a gift shop with one-of-a-kind items.

 

Next issue: Real estate news, area information, and more wonderful web sites to visit!