LA SCALA NEWS

4th Quarter 2007 from Andrew Fentiman (603)

As I write, ice and snow storms blanket the north-east while T.S. Olga scoots past Cuba and then fizzles out; contrasting weather for December, indeed! During 2007, one hurricane, one tropical storm and three tropical depressions struck the U.S. (none in Southwest Florida), contrary to dire predictions. 2005 saw 28 named storms, 2007 only 15. After two years of erroneous hurricane forecasts (2006 & 2007), it will be interesting to see what the computer models predict for the 2008 hurricane season.

QUICK NEWS - Work is starting on the prep and re-paint of La Scala’s exterior; your patience and understanding is appreciated, during the course of this important project ☼ 9 untouched ‘decorator-ready’ units remain ☼ Fran is no longer with us, at the front desk. Hans has joined us, to take over the night shift. Please introduce yourself, when you see him ☼ New Pelican Landing directory is available at the PLCA office ☼ Alamin & Ozden Hoodbhoy (602) and Chuck Fritsch & Cindy Walpole (704) invite you to join them for an informal La Scala New Year's Eve party at 9 p.m. in the Social Room. Please bring your favorite food and drink to celebrate. If you can come, R.S.V.P. to Al at HIA5964@aol.com ☼ Trivia question, if you recall WCI’s first grand party at La Scala - with a quartet playing classical music, dressed in period costumes - how much do you think that party cost WCI? ☼

HOUSEKEEPING – “I can hear every word.” Please be sensitive when talking or making phone calls on your screened lanai or open balcony (not sure why we all shout on our cell phones!). Sound carries, so let’s not disturb our neighbors by slamming glass sliders and dragging patio furniture ☺ Recycle Rooms: please break down cardboard boxes flat, putting all cardboard in the appropriate bins (no cardboard on the floor); the recyclers will no longer accept loose cardboard. Styrofoam is not recyclable; either bag the ‘peanuts’ and send down the trash chute or put oversize Styrofoam blocks in trash bags and leave them outside the trash room door (Fetty will take care of them) ☺ Let Joseph/Isabella know if you are using someone else’s storage cage ☺ Remember, if your elevator doors are ‘locked’, your newspaper will be in the Mail Room ☺ Park in your parking spaces, to leave guest parking (under the white trellises) free for guests ☺ Both passenger elevators are tested every Tuesday morning, meaning they are out of service from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST (11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., during Daylight Savings Time). The two service elevators still operate, during the test ☺ Extra keyfobs ($10) and gate-clickers ($28) can be obtained from Isabella ☺ If you are having guests stay in your unit, without being in residence yourself, help them get oriented by asking them to introduce themselves to Joseph & Isabella as soon as practical after they arrive ☺ Keep a copy of the La Scala Rules handy, for your guests ☺

SOCIAL COMMITTEE UPDATE (Char Lupke) – No Sunset Happy Hour on Friday January 4^th, due to the big party on Saturday January 5^th. High-season events at La Scala include:

◊ Saturday January 5, 2008 : Happy New Year Party, Social Room, 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

◊ Friday February 1, 2008 : Sunset Happy Hour, Social Room/Lanai, 5 p.m. ‘till.

◊ Sunday February 3, 2008 : SuperBowl Party, Social Room.

Contact Char Lupke, Chairperson, at clupke@comcast.net if you wish to join the Social Committee, or you have suggestions for additional events.

HYATT DISCOUNT – Pelican Landing residents get a 15% discount at Tanglewood, Restaurant, Tarpon Bay Restaurant, Corkscrew Bar & Grill and Braxton’s Restaurant (Raptor Bay). The discount is for dining only and is not available for catering or meals on holidays or during special events.

You must present a valid PLCA I.D. card to get the discount. Don’t forget to calculate the gratuity before the discount. Hyatt main number: (239) 444-1234.

BONITA SPRINGS MAYORAL CANDIDATES - Pelican Landing will host the four Bonita Springs mayoral candidates, Jay Arend, Michael Fulker, Ben Nelson, and Robert Vandegrift, on Thursday, January 10 @ 7pm at the Community Center. If you wish to attend, RSVP to the PLCA office at FrontDesk@PelicanLanding.com or (239) 947-5977.

FUN – SUGDEN COMMUNITY THEATRE: 701 5th Avenue South, Naples. www.NaplesPlayers.com. Tickets: (239) 263-7990. Theatre: The bedroom farce Perfect Wedding plays from January 16^th to February 9^th, 2008. Foreign Films: The Lives of Others (Germany) on Jan 20; The Italian (Russia) on Feb 9; After the Wedding (Denmark) on Mar 16; Emanuel’s Gift (U.S.A.) on Mar 30.

KAYAK OR CANOE SPRING CREEK: In addition to our own Canoe/Kayak Park next to Palermo, Colony owners can also use the kayaks and canoes at Spring Creek Park in Pelican Landing. This is a fun alternative because you can either explore the upper reaches of Spring Creek (it even goes under U.S. 41) or you can head downstream to Estero Bay. Collect your paddles, lifejacket and padlock key from the Pelican Landing Gatehouse on Pelican’s Nest Drive, also filling out the form and leaving your I.D. with the gate guard. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy!

RESTAURANTS: Vacarillas is at Suite 12-13, 25221 Bernwood Drive in Bonita Springs (off Old 41. Tel: (239) 498-8866. It’s the only Argentinian-Italian restaurant in Bonita. Good food and wine and nice atmosphere. Johnny’s Italian Cuisine (used to be Blue Moon Café) is at 24850 Old 41 in Bonita Springs. Tel: (239) 949-8470. It has a new owner, new look, new chef & menu, definitely worth a visit.

MY DINNER FACTORY (coming in February 2008): 25987 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 107, Bonita Springs (Bonita Commons is the strip mall that contains The Picture Factory). Tel: (239) 948-1688. People who like to cook but don't have the time or desire to do the prep and cleanup will have a nearby solution. The South Fort Myers location opened in September 2005 and the 1,300-square-foot Bonita Springs location will be the first franchise. Janet Blanchard will run this store with her mother and father. "We trim the meats and pound them and butterfly them, whatever is necessary for the recipe, and then we also chop, slice and dice the vegetables and the ingredients. Customers can reserve time at the store's professional kitchen to make three, eight or 12 entrees. They can choose from 14 menu options that change every month. Each recipe serves four to six people. They are stored in containers that can be popped in the oven that night or frozen for later. For those who just want to do the cooking in the oven or freezing for later, My Dinner Factory sells eight or 12 entrees in disposable containers for pickup or delivery." www.mydinnerfactory.com

LA SCALA WEBSITE & WEB FORUM – Please look at the website from time to time, also looking at the web forum and posting your comments there. The website and web forum are for the benefit and interest of all Members:

- La Scala website: www.LaScalaAtTheColony.com.

- La Scala web forum: www.LaScalaAtTheColony.com/smf

Happy Holidays, to you and yours…….

ANDREW

Cell: (239) 405-3455. E-mail: acfentiman@comcast.net