News to Make Your Day !

Tig, Tallulah & I were at the dog park in Estero Wednesday morning, when we learned from another dog owner that.........

TRADER  JOE'S IS COMING TO NAPLES!!

Now for those neighbors that are familiar with Trader Joe's, no additional explanation is needed, other than TJ's is moving into the building that Borders Books vacated on 41 in North Naples, just south of Immokolee Road.  It's a huge building, about 14,000 sq. ft., and that information is stunning, because in the Chicago area, where I'm from, the TJ's are usually about 3,000 sq. ft. in storefront & maybe bit less space in back, so this looks to be a very large store.

For neighbors not familiar with Trader Joe's and the goodies it sells, here's a YouTube video you can click on that will quickly & cleverly tell you all you need to know about TJ's and how it could change your life.

This is how the local newspaper announced the news of the future store.

Trader Joe’s grocery store coming to Naples

NAPLES — The rumors are no longer rumors about Trader Joe’s coming to Florida.

“It’s absolutely true,” said Alison Mochizuki, a spokeswoman for the trendy grocery store chain.

The chain, with a cult-like following, will open its first Florida store in North Naples, at a former Borders bookstore at 10600 U.S. 41 North, in Granada Shoppes south of Immokalee Road. The 14,000-square-foot grocery store will open later this year. A lease was recently signed.

“There are a lot of foodies in the area,” Mochizuki said. “We consider ourselves a neighborhood grocery store and it seems like a wonderful neighborhood for us to be part of.”

Trader Joe’s, headquartered in Monrovia, Calif., carries the basics, along with exotic foods. Most of the store’s groceries – about 80 percent – are sold under the Trader Joe’s name. Some of the more popular items include a roasted seaweed snack, a truffle mousse pate made out of chicken and a frozen, ready-to-eat mandarin orange chicken dinner.

Store employees wear Hawaiian-themed shirts, as “traders on the culinary seas.”

The chain is also known for its bargain $2 Charles Shaw wine, which the local store will carry.

Trader Joe’s has 360 locations in 30 states. Another one will open Friday in Chicago.

Asked if there would be other locations in Florida, Mochizuki said she had no comment. “We don’t have anything else to announce right now,” she said.

Anything the grocer sells under its own label doesn’t have artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

“We cut out the middleman whenever possible and we buy direct,” Mochizuki said. “In order to keep our costs down, we don’t do branded television advertising. We don’t do the weekly newspaper advertising. So we do limited advertising.”

A few times a year, the grocer sends out its “Fearless Flyer” to residents near its stores. Each flyer highlights a selection of interesting products. The flyer has been described as a cross between Consumer Reports and Mad Magazine.

A story published in Fortune magazine more than a year ago made it appear that Trader Joe’s was unlikely to expand to Florida because the state is so far from its distribution centers. According to the story, insiders said it would be difficult for the company to efficiently get products to the state. Mochizuki had no comment about that.

Karen Polacek, who lives in Estero, said news of Trader Joe’s coming to Southwest Florida made her day on Wednesday.

“We shop at the Trader Joe’s in Minneapolis and also are fans of their counterpart Aldi’s - still hoping they will bring one of those to the area,” she said in an email.

She said Trader Joe’s will get an instant following from all the people who moved to the Southwest Florida from other areas where there are stores.

“They are usually small stores with great products. They package for both families, but also in a small quantity for one or two,” she said.

Jean Cochrane, an East Naples resident, said she’s eager for the store to open.

“I’m very happy,” she said. I’m from outside of Chicago and we love it. We like Aldi’s too.”

Cochrane said she’ll still shop at her nearby Publix because it’s so convenient, but she’ll go to Trader Joe’s for specialty items.

“They have such a variety and good products, very nice,” she said.

Now, the nearest stores are in Georgia.

Trader Joe’s Company started out as a chain of convenience stores in southern California, known as Pronto Markets, in 1958. In 1967, Pronto Markets became Trader Joe’s, which at first operated as small wine and cheese shops.

Over the last 40 years, Trader Joe’s has evolved and grown as a national grocer. It offers more than 2,000 unique grocery items under its label. The company does not sell its products online.

An opening date has not yet been set for the store in North Naples. Look for an announcement soon.

© 2011 Naples Daily News. All rights reserved.

I realize that there are plenty of residents here at Forest Villas that don't venture further south than the Walgreen's at Alico Road for their prescriptions.  I assure you there is a whole HUGE & BEAUTIFUL world that awaits you if you will gather all your courage and venture south a bit.  

Now there's not much chance that you'll head there for a carton of milk, but maybe, a few neighbors might want to make an impromtu 'Field Trip' once a month.  Have one neighbor drive, so you dont' get lost, & hit the store when you're looking for some FREE excitement, fresh bread, produce that doesn't cost a fortune, and lots of private label foods made without preservatives.


I've been writing Trader Joe's, trying to entice them here since Publix left their Island Park Road location.  I thought TJ's would be a perfect complement to our neighborhood.  Maybe it will still happen, if they do well in North Naples.

Their fresh made salsa is one of my favorites, along with their char-grilled balsamic vinegar marinated chicken breast. I seem to recall being able to purchase small sized desserts like New York Style cheese cakes for $5 in the frozen food aisle.  In comparison, I purchased a coconut cake at The Fresh Market for my brother-in-law's birthday & it set me back $19 !!  


I use their huge bars of Lemon Verbena French Milled soap in my shower that cost about $1.  Purchase soup stocks, chips and crackers that are a fraction of the price at the big chains, and I purchase treats for Tig & Tallulah when I'm up north and can stock up.

You're not going to find 12 pork chops in a package at TJ's, but for families of one or two people, you'll find great fresh foods, cheeses to die for, & did I mention WINE?

Before I moved to Florida, TJ's provided me with the very best Pinot Grigio I ever purchased for $3.99 per bottle.  Believe me when I tell you that Total Wine & Spirits, not to mention Publix, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods & SweetBay are NOT pleased with the news that TJ's is moving into their neighborhood.

The atmosphere is very laid back & the employees are very friendly & helpful.  Let's just say that you won't ever see a Publix employee performing in the manner captured on this Trader Joe's Dance-Off video.  These boys know how to have some fun, even if their ability to actually dance could be questioned!

http://www.traderjoes.com/

This blog is in no way affiliated with the Forest Villas HOA

Hurricane Irene & FV Street Status

Not much is happening down here in Forest Villas this week.  I feel fortunate that we dodged a bullet with Hurricane Irene.  No real effects from the storm.  We had one day where the breezes picked up & the temperature dropped a few degrees.  Just enough to make it feel like summer was on the wane, and then BAM!!!  We're back into the mid 90's again and sweltering heat & humidity.

HURRICANE IRENE

There was a FV Board Meeting this week. One of the items discussed was the report from the Paving Committee, which I was a member of along with Ed Hargedan, Paul Schierberl & Ben Bubala. 

Center Road Seaming Popping Open

The streets seemed to have hit a tipping point in their condition this year.  There has been cracking & some minor openings in the asphalt surface.   But this summer, when you walk the streets, the intersections are covered in pea-sized gravel covering the surface.  The asphalt appears to be decomposing.  The oil product that glues the gravel together in the asphalt has just evaporated & worn away due to our severe weather.  Street conditions like this cant' t be repaired with a layer of seal coat.  The roads seem to require a more comprehensive solution.

Disintegrating Parking Lot Surface

Ed Hargedan prepared a brief presentation regarding the conclusions & recommendation from the Paving Committee that met over the spring & summer.


The committee requested proposals from a number of paving contractors, & interviewed some finalists to ask questions & ascertain how the work would be accomplished.  Ajax Paving came back with the lowest bid, but also the best crew to do the work.  They can do the work in about 3-4 days, as compared with 7-8 days from other contractors.  And because they have large scale equipment, they can install the asphalt without the typical center seam.  Cracked asphalt will be milled off, & new asphalt will match the level of manholes & gutters.


Last year's quotes for this work were $10-$20k higher.  Asphalt prices are low right now because of a drop in the per barrel oil price, and it was recommended by the committee that this was the right time to take advantage of a season without hurricanes & that lower asphalt price.

The HOA has saved for 23 years for road resurfacing. In 1988, a barrel of oil was $14.90.  Who could have predicted that it would be more than $85.85 per barrel 23 years later?  The HOA will have almost enough paving funds saved towards the resurfacing at the end of the year, & will only be required to kick in a small amount from the HOA reserves to get the project paid for.

The committee recommended the work be done between October & November, after hurricane season, but before most of the part-time residents arrive.


It will be nice to have everything look nice at the same time.  New streets, new mailboxes, new coach lights & grass that looks better than it has in the last 5 years I've lived here.

Crispers restaurant in Bonita Springs has closed it's doors.  Carl's Patio is moving into the storefront that formerly housed Robb & Stucky Patio in Fort Myers on 41.

Clive Lubner, the former CEO of Robb & stucky, has announced he & his son, Daniel, are opening a new home furnishings venture in the old R&S Naples store called Clive Daniel Home in October.  At the same time he announced that the Naples showroom would no longer have that "Tuscan Feeling" because "that is just not the style Southwest Florida is looking for".  Aren't you glad you didn't spend $$$ on the Tuscan furniture that R&S pushed for years?


Bye for now, & have a great week. 
 bj, tig & tallulah

   

This blog is in no way affiliated with the Forest Villas HOA. 

Mid August Update - Rising Prices, Groceries, Roofs & Diseased Palms

Gas prices going up again down here.  It was $3.65 per gallon for 87 grade at Hess last Friday.  Why are the prices going up?  I hear there are tankers full of oil not pulling into port, waiting for the prices to rise again.  I'm taking comfort that gas is not as high has my sister is paying outside Chicago.  Their gas is back up to over $4 per gallon.


But my little car is a gas guzzler.  I'm going to have to switch to this 

to get me back & forth to Publix, which is also no bargain.  Publix has very little competition to keep prices from rising, now that Albertson's is gone. When I visited up north last year, I noticed prices for grocery items were about 20-30% cheaper than what we're paying down here.


The new Publix at Alico Commons doesn't have nearly as many customers as some of the other Publix in the area.  Because there are so few customers, the stock doesn't move as quickly.  I've noticed that goods on shelves are often near or past their expiration dates.  Be careful when you shop there.

Many of us had our roofs replaced in 2006.  I'm very happy with the results,...... but thought I'd report that for the 2nd time this year, there is a leak in my new roof. 

  

The first leak was discovered in January, in my guest room, when my sister & her husband came to visit.  Called Dr. Goodroof, & they were out the next day to fix the problem, which involved a broken tile (?) & coating some flashing with tar.  


What is disturbing is that both leaks have occurred in the EXACT SAME SPOTS where the old roof leaked.  Perhaps I'm not the only resident with leaks in their new roof.  Anyone who has had a leak fixed since the new roofs went on, please email me with your info so we can keep track of these occurances.  If there are enough of these leaks, we might have to call a PowWow to discuss our options.

Finally, sorry to report that yet another one of my palm trees has contracted Ganoderma Butt Rot.

Queen Palm with "Conk" Fungus at base of tree trunk

Here is a description of the tree disease found on-line.


 Ganoderma zonatum

Description
Ganoderma butt rot is a relatively new and lethal disease of Florida palm trees. It is caused by a fungus, Ganoderma zonatum, which invades the base or butt of palm trees up to a height of three to four feet above the ground. The disease was first discovered in Florida in 1994 and in only a few years it has spread to infect palms throughout the state. At this time, it cannot be said with certainty that there are any palm trees resistant to ganoderma butt rot.
The ganoderma zonatum fungus most often invades a palm tree by means of a wound at the base of the tree. The fungus then begins to rapidly work its way through the tree’s butt area essentially rotting the wood. Once the fungus has worked its way through the centre of the tree to the surface, it forms a fruiting body called a ‘conk’, a spongy, whitish mushroom-like growth which grows to form a horizontal disc extending out from the bark.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is currently no effective treatment for ganoderma butt rot. By the time the conk has appeared on the bark, the tree is effectively dead and must be removed. While the wood above the butt area can be safely mulched, use extreme care when disposing of the butt wood in order to avoid spreading the fungus to other palms. Wrap the wood in plastic and dispose of it by incineration or take it to a landfill. Sterilize all tools and even be careful with clothing and gloves.
While there is no sure-fire way of preventing ganoderma butt rot infestation, the danger can be reduced by avoiding injuring the trunks of the palm trees on your property. Be especially careful when using lawnmowers and other gardening implements. Should you suspect a ganoderma butt rot infestation on your property, consult with your local forestry officials for information and advice.

Close Up of "Conk" Fungus

My stand of Areca Palms, on the side of my villa, are dying a slow death, and now I'm about to lose this 40' palm in the side/front of the villa.  


In the last year or so, there have been at least 3 other trees in Forest Villas that had to be removed due to this disease.  Once this fungus has invaded the soil around the tree, you cannot replace the dying palm with another palm.  The disease will simply make it's way to the new tree.  If you find you have a palm with this disease, it's a good idea to report it to the FVHOA.

Sorry, this posting is kind of a 'downer'.  The good news is that it's sunny & warm every day, & the mosquitoes seem to have called off their offensive for the time being.


Have a great weekend, bj

This is my personal blog, not affiliated in anyway with the FVHOA.

A Luncheon & Benefits of the Summer

Ibis in my pine tree

Two weeks ago I received an invitation to attend a luncheon given by Pauline Stabile. I hesitated at first, thinking that I shouldn't take the time away from work.  (For those of you who don't know what I do, and think that I am merely a "lady of leisure", I assure you, that concept could not be further from the truth.  I sell & design sign & display systems.) But I finally decided to take a time-out from business and go to the luncheon.

Pauline is a fabulous cook!  She treated the women who attended to home-cooked items, & made "from scratch" baked desserts.  The luncheon had a good turnout with lively conversations, & I came away thinking about what really nice women live here in Forest Villas.

Thanks again, Pauline.  It was a delightful way to spend a few hours during the summer!

Summer Rain & Heat

Now for one of the best benefits of the hot & wet summers down here.   Here are 2 pictures of the same Royal Poinciana tree that was planted in the Nature Preserve Area between my villa & the Simone's villa in 2009. Look at the difference in the size of the tree.  The first picture was taken in June 2010, the second July 2011.

Tree in June of 2010

The only disappointment is that the tree didn't bloom this year.  Early in the spring, Andy Simone & I thought the tree might not make it after the cold winter. But it rallied in May, & has been full & lush ever since.  

In the next few years, I expect the tree to spread to almost the full distance between the two villas.  The trees grow to 40 feet in height & 60 feet in width.

If you travel through the older portions of Fort Myers proper, you'll see ancient Royal Poinciana trees usually placed on the west side of many of the older homes. These trees were considered natural "air conditioning" for homes.  They provide dappled shade, and do well in hurricanes & wind storms due to their broad yet lacey growth pattern.  The trees bloom May - June, & can have either yellow or red-orange blossoms.  

Old Royal Poinciana in Fort Myers

And for a bit more comment on trees close to me.  Here is a picture of the Live Oak tree that my roofmates, Paul & Sandy, planted in their backyard back in 2006, & another picture of the tree today.

The Live Oak is that small tree on the far left of the picture

The Live Oak is that big tree on the far left of the picture

Really remarkable growth when you have pictures to compare.  The first picture was taken about 6 months after Hurricane Wilma blew through, so you can also see how the pine tree flourished after the damage of the storm.


Paul tells me that he always has little live oaks in his nature preserve area sprouting from the acorns the trees drop.  He's offering the small Live Oak saplings to anyone willing to do the transplant.  These trees would be great sun buffers for those villas exposed to that intense western light in the late afternoons & for those owners looking to put more "FOREST" into the Forest Villas.


Wishing you a great week!  bj

This is my personal blog NOT affiliated with the FVHOA

Welcome to "Notes from the Neighborhood"

Just thought I’d occasionally post some pictures & notes about what’s going on at Forest Villas.

Blogs are new technology, and I admit that I’m a novice at this, but they seem to be the current day version of neighbors talking over the back fence. 

Can't promise I'm going to post items on a regular basis.  You'll hear from me when some thing's happening in the neighborhood worth mentioning.  If you sign up, then posts will be delivered to your email each time they're published.

.Rain, rain, hope it stays, & comes back day after day

Although it arrived late again this year, the rainy season has finally started down here in Fort Myers.  Not getting the typical afternoon rains, but showers on a regular enough basis to keep the ponds full & the grass green.

Speaking of grass, after much spraying & attention, the lawns are almost free of Dollar Weed that plagued our yards for years.  The lawns are lush & vibrant due to the fertilizer in May, and now the almost daily showers.  However, a few lawns are being attacked again this year by cinch bugs. They are voracious!

Cinch Bugs cause huge brown patches of dead grass in the lawns

The first sign of the bugs shows up as portions of the lawn turning yellow. Then almost overnight the same patches turn brown and die.  The lawns are being treated, but it’s going to take some time to recover.

Cinch Bug damage can be extensive if not caught early

   
The bugs are pretty crafty.  Last year my front lawn was treated.  This year the bugs showed up in my side and back lawns where they feasted until the treatments began.  

Good News!.................New Roofs at Forest Villas !!

Tearing off the Old Roof

Dr. Goodroof is back in the neighborhood!  2 more residents have contracted for the new concrete tile roofs that most residents installed back in 2006.  Yep that's right......it's been almost 5 years since the majority of new roofs went on! 

For those of us keeping score, that means of the total 66 villas, only 8 villas (4 buildings) still remain with the old roofs.  3 of those villas are listed on the MLS as 'short sales" for $90-110k.  YIKES!

Third Day of Re-Roofing

Wishing you a great rest of the weekend.      bj

This is my personal blog NOT affiliated with the FVHOA.