Look at our ranking!!

Maybe it has something to do with all cocktails I consume because my time in Florida is usually stress free.     http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5474137?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Wishing all the dads a very Happy Fathers Day!!

Only in Florida 2!!!

Wow!! And to think we are spending four times for our US born children to attend college. So, if I understand this correctly we are rewarding those who have broken the law by coming to this country illegally.  http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2014/06/09/florida-governor-signs-bill-that-will-provide-in-state-tuition-to-undocumented/

Only in Florida!!!

So, what are the qualifications for Congressman? http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/09/3446650/miller-florida-climate-denial/

Take a look at this.....

This was emailed to me by a 40 something year old friend who still hasn't moved out of his parents house so based on that it's hard to tell if this is true or him just being jealous!!! I guess if it's on the internet it must be true...http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/05/29/companies-are-rushing-make-money-on-land-they-know-will-be-unusable-few-years/

Remembering the Fallen!!

Wishing you all a Happy Memorial Day and a reminder to please take time to honor the men and women who died while serving in the country's armed forces and those who have served and continue to serve. 

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo; No more on Life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few. On Fame's eternal camping-ground 5 Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead.

Victoria's Secret Heist!!!

A noon hour theft cost the Victoria's Secret in the Coastland Mall in Naples almost $5000 in merchandise Thursday. The manager found that 60 bras and 140 panties valued at $4,984.00 were taken. Unfortunately the store lacked video footage making it even more difficult to apprehend these offenders. Island Cove residents should be on heightened alert for any scrupulous individuals walking their pets while wearing silk panties and lace push up bras (EVERYONE is a suspect). On a side note, had this same theft occurred in the men's undergarment section the total loss would have been estimated to be $17.48. 

Boathouse opens in Cape Coral

A new watering hole is opening up just in time for your holiday weekend. Thursday marked the grand opening of the The Boathouse Tiki Bar and Grill at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. The restaurant takes the place of the old KC's Riverstop. The restaurant also offers valet service to alleviate some of the parking concerns. The best solution for that problem is to stumble in and stumble out....no driving involved!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORI!!

Happy Belated Birthday to one of our own...Lori Hatt turned young on May 19th and is just getting younger and younger!!! We can only assume Jerry, being the Hopeless Romantic, gave you beautiful flowers, wrote you a poem and took you to a wonderful restaurant (where the hockey game was on, of course).

Doggie Dining!

Lee County is looking into a new law that would allow you to bring your dog to restaurants, and eat with your four-legged friend outside. I would venture to guess not everyone thinks this is a good idea.    If approved it doesn't mean you'll start seeing dogs at all of the restaurants. It will be up to each restaurant to decide if it will allow dogs or not. I can honestly say I'm not a big fan of this and for several reasons. First, I'm not even sure if the owner has bathed prior to coming to the restaurant let alone his pet. There has to some sort of transfer of germs involved in this scenario. Secondly, who's to say all of these pets are going to get along......not a big fan of barking dogs at dinner. In addition I am, as are many others, allergic to cat dander...what happens then? I understand service dogs but to bring your pet to a restaurant is going a little above and beyond. 

Last Chance To Have Your Lanai Painted!!!

On the Island Cove website there is a post informing owners that this is your last chance to have your lanai painted before the painting company leaves our premises. Hell, I don't remember receiving a first chance. Anyway, a form must be filled out and the request returned to the paint company before they depart. Let's be honest, if you are not a full-time resident you do not stand a chance of being updated on any Island Cove activity.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

We would like to wish all the mothers a very Happy Mothers Day. 

Ok, where were we?

Sorry for the lack of posts but we've been busy tending to other needs.....guess there's been news on the Land Use issue, of which you can find a current update on the Island Cove website. Based on what we've read a big "thank you" goes out to all those who came out to the meeting to show support for Island Cove.....and a special "thanks" to Dan for organizing the gathering and more importantly for speaking on our behalf. If you want results you have to participate whether by appearing at the meetings or simply expressing your opinion in a letter. Thanks to all.

Follow Up?

So, what became of the owners only meeting held the other day regarding the upcoming Land Use hearing? What is our next course of action? Has any new news crossed the desk of our management? Why is it so difficult to obtain any information? Why is it WE (and We know who We are) have no problem posting signs and newsletters re: parking, lock boxes, signing in at the pool, door mats, window displays, screen door violators, glass bottles and food in the club house, Dixie Land Band concert, overweight...oversized fat pets and dog booboo pick up...the list goes on and on.....but the items of importance we can't or don't even acknowledge or attempt to notify owners??? Damn!! That was a long sentence...but you get the idea. Our new informational website should be Facebook under "Friends of Island Cove".....I'm done. GO HAWKS!!

Letter Completed!

Since I will not be able to attend any of the hearings regarding the land use proposal, I wrote a letter to express my concerns. I chose to take a different approach and avoid the obvious concerns/complaints......by that I mean I did not discuss ...congestion adjacent to our property resulting from these additional units, which are damages suffered alike by all property owners similarly situated. This would just be a increased traffic condition consistent with all urban living. I did not discuss flooding or other water issues....I did not discuss increased crime, noise or other nuisance issues or visual intrusions on peace and privacy mainly because I would not be able to substantiate those claims. I also did not discuss home value depreciation....basically because I am not a real estate agent. All of these concerns, I feel, would have been or could be shot down with the simplest of rebuttals. Instead I spoke of the environmental value of what those wetlands represent and it's importance to society. The number of birds is increasing, more wildlife now inhabit the area, and the vegetation is recovering. It’s becoming more natural, purer, and more pleasant. Clean air. Clean water. Too many people take these for granted and what most of us don't realize is that without wetlands, we wouldn't have either. I think you understand the path I chose to take.....be creative. Speak to what means the most to you....

URGENT!!!!

I'm assuming many of you have already received a letter from the City of Cape Coral regarding a request for a Future Land Use brought forth by Brandenburg Properties of Florida. If you have not received the aforementioned letter I will attach a copy of it to this post. The land in question is east of the Island Cove Complex or behind buildings 2,4,6,8 and 10.  Brandenburg Properties is requesting a zoning change from single family homes to multi family units thereby allowing them to construct 700 residential units. This proposal can be read in depth at www.capecoral.net/publichearing under LU13-003. Although it's lengthy reading, it would be in your best interest to look it over and make your own opinion as to whether it's a good idea or bad. As previously posted there have been several other proposals over the years to develop the land in question, fortunately none have come to fruition. There is a owners only meeting scheduled for April 30th @ 7p.m. regarding this matter ....unfortunately I will not be able to attend so if any of you are in attendance please post any information. Just FYI I will be writing a letter to express my displeasure (for lack of a better term) regarding this proposal. I will post updates and opinions over the next few days.

Great Video!

Looks like our property value just went UP^^^^^^^http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KEH1gY_SQg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

"Paradise Preserve"

We can only hope this isn't back on the table...http://www.landadvisors.com/pdf/FLLE30600-99264.pdf

Reason For Concern?

Has anyone received a letter from the City of Cape Coral regarding a public hearing to discuss Future Land use? I'm hoping they're not discussing the area across from our complex but if so this should be of major concern. If anybody has any further information regarding this could you please keep us posted.

Broken Gate??

Please tell us this isn't true.....is the gate broken again??  If so, how long has it been broke and has it been repaired yet? I don't know about the rest of you but I'm about at my wits end with this gate situation already. There has to be a better solution then these bandaid repairs we continue to make especially considering that gate is the main source of security at the front entrance. Rumor has it we've hired a new company to service the main entrance and apparently they've recommended some major changes. Attached is a photo of the proposed NEW gate...

According to the new company our old gate remotes should still work. 

What's Been Going On!!

So, has anything exciting happened in the month we've been absent???  I see there was an Annual Meeting held on April 4th and since we were unable to attend we logged on to the Island Cove website to review the minutes. WHAT!!! We have a new President?? Oh, these minutes are from October 4, 2012....maybe there's something in the News Letter section......here it is...no, this is from Sept, 2012....WOW! and to think we thought WE had some catching up to do after only a month. Anyway now that that's off our chest, give us some good news!!!! Any announcements....weddings, graduations, pregnancies...wait, you're all too old for those. How about anniversaries, birthdays...etc. Keep us posted!!!   

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Happy Easter!!! May you all have a wonderful day!

We're Back!!!!

By popular demand we've been asked to resurrect the blog....so here we are.

No news is......well, bad news!!

As we have posted before we are looking for any Island Cove news, or Cape Coral news, or Southwest Florida news, to keep the blog interesting. If you have any news or anything you would like to discuss please post.......

Cape Coral moves on sign ordinance

All signs Monday pointed to Cape Coral City Council members wishing to address community concerns involving the sign ordinance and then putting the issue behind them as soon as possible.
Cape Coral’s long-awaited new sign ordinance will still take effect April 1 — but council has left the door open to make adjustments to language addressing window coverage, feather banners and A-frame signs.The new ordinance, which is not that different from the one in place, is intended to more fairly enforce regulations. One difference, though: it removes sign wavers from the public right-of-way. No word on whether we will have to remove any of the signage surrounding our pool though. 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

We would like to wish Missy and Pete a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and the wishes of many more to come......I know Pete is gonna kill me for this but I can't keep it in any longer. Missy, when Pete and I were out getting liquored up he told me "If he had his life to live over again…next time he would find you sooner so that he could love you longer."  Then we hugged and he wouldn't let go.....that's the part of the story I was holding in. 

Fire Assessment Bill

The City of Cape Coral has mailed the bills for the City's fire service assessment to 136,000 property owners.  The bills will be payable 30 days from receipt of the bill. If you are wondering what this is: The Fire Services Assessment is part of the city’s approach to obtaining an additional $20 million for capital improvements and infrastructure costs, as well as diversifying its revenue streams to wean off its financial dependency on ad valorem taxes. In other words the city needs the money to repave roads and replace equipment ignored for years after the recession. First estimated to be  $150.00, your bill should read something in the vicinity of  $90.00. If it's much less don't feel left out, I'll send you a portion of mine to make up the difference. 

Southwest Florida Beach Video.....

A  great video about Sanibel and the beaches of Southwest Florida.......        http://youtu.be/kPWhZqnoScA

Failed retirement plan.....

Now that I am entering the waning years of my life it's time to start plotting my retirement. So in my desperate search for a retirement plan I discovered this.....Quicken Loans, the nation’s third largest mortgage lender announced it has teamed with Yahoo Sports as the technology provider for the now named ‘Quicken Loans Billion Dollar Bracket Challenge with Yahoo Sports’ contest. There it is, just pick the winning basketball teams in this years NCAA basketball tourney and I'm a billion dollars richer. Unfortunately, my first selection, Ohio State, loses in the first round...to Dayton......I don't even know where Dayton is........so now I'm back to square one. For crushing my retirement plan and more importantly my dreams I will never talk to a Ohio resident again...........unless they're buying of course!!!!!

Real Estate summary for Cape Coral.

Average price per square foot for Cape Coral FL was $104, an increase of 5.1% compared to the same period last year. The median sales price for homes in Cape Coral FL for Dec 13 to Mar 14 was $146,250 based on 838 home sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median home sales price increased 7.3%, or $10,000, and the number of home sales decreased 27.4%. There are currently 5,708 resale and new homes in Cape Coral including 19 open houses, as well as 2,886 homes in the pre-foreclosure, auction, or bank-owned stages of the foreclosure process. The average listing price for homes for sale in Cape Coral FL was $300,277 for the week ending Mar 12, which represents a decrease of 1.7%, or $5,188, compared to the prior week. Cape Coral home values have gone up 17.6% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will rise 8.1% within the next year. The median rent price in Cape Coral is $1,249. Time to sell and move to Detroit!!!!

We are better then this...............right????

The homeowners association at Regent's Park in Naples is telling one of its residents, the pink ribbon she displays as a breast cancer survivor is a violation rules and must come down. Linda Karp was shocked when she received a letter last night telling her to take down the pink ribbon that means so much to her. She said the pink ribbon is a symbol of courage and survival for the battle she won against breast cancer sixteen years ago. The H.O.A. where Linda resides stated they are prepared to take legal action against her if she does not remove the pink ribbon......from INSIDE her condo. This woman fought what she believed was the fight of her life, now she's forced to fight another against these clowns. "I want them to leave me alone. It's a pink ribbon... I'm not removing it," Karp said. What can I say.....G@D Bless You.......or May the Force Be With You (I don't want to offend anyone).

New Island Cove Resident!

We understand we have a new Island Cove resident......Welcome Cora !

That's looking like a 25.1 lb dog though!!!!!

Lanai Painting

I'm glad someone commented on this in the Social Club post because I recall reading it somewhere but haven't seen anything on it since. From what I remember the mailing said they were to begin painting the remaining floors of the buildings and if anyone was interested in having their lanai painted it would cost $80.00....(don't hold me to that price, I'm working off a bad memory). Unfortunately I haven't seen or heard anything since then......I searched the entire website and couldn't find anything. Why do I bother? If anyone has any additional or updated info regarding this please post. As always, don't forget........sign in at the pool!!!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In case we indulge in a little too much green beer we'd like to wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day.....and for those of us who have suffered through one of the coldest winters in recent memory....St. Patrick's Day is a promise of spring. 

Several Changes

As previously posted, the new pump or fountain has been installed in the pond to replace the tired old one.....in addition, construction has begun on building the "bridges" to cross over from the carport to the sidewalk. We have obtained a photo of one of the completed bridges but nothing on the fountain as of yet....if anybody has seen either one of these completed projects and would care to comment or post a photo it would be nice to know how they turned out.