LA SCALA NEWS

2nd Quarter 2009 from Andrew Fentiman (603)

Earlier in June, there was a day when only 4 units at La Scala were occupied; probably a new lowest-occupancy record for La Scala. Interestingly, our highest-occupancy record was a day in high-season when 44 out of our 64 units were occupied for one night. Meanwhile, the typical summer rains have started, the lakes are full and road traffic has dissipated. Surprisingly, the better local restaurants still seem to be fairly busy. Driving along ’41 between Naples and Fort Myers, there are more ‘For Lease’ signs in retail/office windows; a sign of the times for commercial real estate. However, here is a fact that may surprise you. In the past four weeks, there have been more properties sold in Lee County than in any other four-week period since Lee County started keeping records! 

QUICK NEWS – Welcome to new owners Randy Hess (802) and Ron & Gail Stratton (1603) ☺ Unfortunately, the Regal 12 movie theater in Bonita at Prado at Spring Creek just closed down ☺ WCI has resurfaced Pelican Colony Boulevard from Bellagio to Las Palmas: hey, that’s a start! ☺

HOUSEKEEPING – In the pool area, please be courteous and put back/straighten chairs and tables if you move them, also folding and putting back the shade umbrellas in their covers before you leave ☼ As always, avoid dragging furniture, banging sliders shut, and having loud conversations on lanais ☼

Avoid opening glass sliders (on opposite sides of your unit) at the same time: the through-draft will slam internal doors shut and may blow dust particles that will set off your smoke detectors ☼

2009 BOARD MEETINGS – The following Board Meetings are scheduled for the remainder of 2009, each starting at 9 a.m. in the Card Room: Wednesday, September 23 (the date has been changed: it was originally the 9th); Wednesday, November 4, (also the Annual Budget Meeting).

RESTAURANTS – A Table Apart is located at 4295 Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs (west of U.S. 41, on the south side of B.B. Road, near Enzos and Wyld’s Café). Tel: (239) 221-8540. www.atableapart.com. Specializing in global cuisine, they are open for dinner, 5-9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Prix fixe and a la carte menus. Two new restaurants have opened at The Mercato (north-east of the U.S. 41 and Vanderbilt Beach Road intersection in North Naples, in the development where Wholefoods is located). Piola (at the east end of The Mercato) is renowned for thin-crust brick oven-baked pizza. Tel: (239) 592-5056. www.piola.it. Open 5 until late. The Pub brings a slice of Britain to The Mercato, with traditional British fare. Open for dinner daily, plus lunch Thursday through Sunday. Tel: (239) 594-2748. 

LA SCALA WEBSITE & WEB FORUM – Don’t forget to look at the redesigned web forum format, now with a calendar of events plus the following ‘Boards’ (and ‘Child Boards’, in parentheses): General (General Discussion, Classifieds); Board of Administration (Board Information, Meeting Minutes); Committees (Documents, HD Upgrade, Social); Resident Info & Events (Book Club, Media Room, Calendar, Membership Meetings); and Community (Airplane Noise, CRC, PLCA, UOC). Please also frequent the website www.LaScalaAtTheColony.com and the web forum at www.LaScalaAtTheColony.com/smf.

Have a great summer……

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