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Have A Happier New Year!

Welcome back to Naples Max in 2010!  My last post of 2009 was wishing you a Merry Christmas and yes, I did intend to stay off the net and out in the world until after the holiday.  The holiday just turned out to be MLK day (plus a few, who's counting?).

I haven't ignored this blog completely, however.  Just a few days after the New Year I added the Happiness Project badge in the middle column.  Clicking on the badge will take you to The Happiness Project, a blog by Gretchen Rubin, author of the best selling book The Happiness Project - what else?  The book is an account of the year she spent test driving theories and studies of how to be happier.

At the passing of each year we mindlessly tell one another Happy New Year, we make and share resolutions often breaking them in the first few days and weeks of January.  The thing about making a list of resolutions is that they often involve some sort of denial; quitting smoking, drinking, eating simple carbs...  Or worse yet they involve some Hurculean effort on your part; run a marathon, starting your own business, finally master that foreign language you studied in high school, leaving you defeated before you can get a proper start.

This year I resolve to be happier.  That's it.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  If you would like to start your own happiness project this year just click on the badge to your right and join me and thousands of others as we embark on a Happier New Year. 

Mindfully Wishing You The Happiest of New Years!

Maxine

Merry Christmas From Naples Max!

Wishing you all the best! 

 

Naples New Years Weekend Art Festival

Celebrating its' fourteenth year in Naples, the New Year's Weekend Art Festival will be held this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, December 26th and December 27th on Fifth Avenue South.  This is one of the most well attended, looked forward to art events of the year.

No matter your taste, style or preferred media, Howard Alan Events brings together the best local and national artists each year - you're sure to find something that you just can't live without!  This is your chance to not only purchase fabulous art but to meet the artists.  Want to commission a custom piece?  Just ask the artist.  In addition to some of my favorite restaraunts, food vendors are also positioned on the street for a quick bite or drink.  Wear your walking shoes - you don't want to miss a thing!

Homemade Horse Treats: The Perfect Gift For Your Posse

I'll admit it.  I'm a carrier.  Don't be afraid, it's not H1N1 or even the common cold; I'm a carrier of calories.  As someone that loves to bake, this is my favorite time of the year.  I love everything about it from creating yummy treats to finding festive ways to wrap and deliver the goodies.

One of the most popular posts on the old NaplesMax site was this recipe for Oat Balls.  They are super easy to make and just one look at the ingredient list will tell you that the horses just love them.  This recipe is easily doubled or tripled depending on the number of friends you are baking for.  This makes a great gift for the people that you ride with all year long.  Who doesn't like getting goodies for their horses? 

Oat Balls

• 1 cup Oatmeal
• 1 cup Bran Cereal (any brand)
• 1 cup Carrots (finely chopped)
• 1 t Salt
• 2 T Brown Sugar
• 2 T Vegatable Oil
• 1/4 cup Water
• 1/4 cup Molasses

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray cookie sheet with Pam.  Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.  Lightly oil your hands so that the dough doesn't stick to them.  Roll into 1 inch balls, place on pan and bake for 15 minutes.  Cookie balls may be placed close together since they do not flatten or loose shape.

I've had this recipe in my file for so long I don't even remember where it originated or I would be only too happy to give credit where credit is due.  These are a hit with horses and their staff people.  

 

DAS: Collier Commissioners Save Thousands Of Lives With The Stroke of A Pen

Christmas came early for animal lovers throughout Collier County last week.  Members of the Collier County Commission voted to add adoption to the mission statement of Domestic Animal Services.  Not only that but they formed a partnership with the Collier Community Cat Coalition  on a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats.  Yay!

In August when the county was setting its budget for the year, DAS announced that it would cease adoptions.  It was a shocking announcement that brought to light the fact that adoption was not a part of their mission statement.  Without adoption that meant only one way out for the animals that found their way to the county shelter.  (Can it really be called a shelter anymore in this case?)  Not surprisingly the backlash was immediate and strong.  And yet at the time the mission statement was rewritten adoption was still not included.  The commissioners are to be commended for righting this wrong.

**The above photo is our dog, Dixie.  She joined our family ten years ago when she was four years old.  Her then-family loved her enough to realize that they didn't have the amount of time to devote to her that she needed.  We can't imagine our lives without her.  "Used" pets rock!

Barn Dance To Benefit Naples Equestrian Challenge Set For Saturday, Nov. 14

It's time to boogie, people!  The Boot Strap Boogie is the annual fund-raising extravaganza held at Naples Equestrian Challenge to benefit the therapeutic riding program.  It is quickly becoming one of the premier fund-raising events in Naples and I can tell you from experience it is definitely the most fun!

Dress up in your finest jeans and boots, eat, drink, dance, ride the mechanical bull, lasso the hay calf, play a little Pony Pie Bingo and do it all for a great cause with some of the most wonderful people in Naples.

I am beginning my fifth year as a volunteer with Naples Equestrian Challenge and I only wish that I could do half as much for this program as it does for me.  Horses + Therapy = Magic is true for everyone connected with this program.  I could go on and on but they tell their own story far better than I ever will.  Click to visit them here.

To purchase a raffle ticket, Pony Pie Bingo card, an event ticket or become a sponser it's not too late!  Just head on over to Naples Equestrian Challenge and you can do it all on line. 

 

Happy Halloween!

First Time Home Buyer Credit Extended - Not Yet!

Over the last several days I have seen some pretty misleading headlines on the web and in print with regard to the first time home buyer credit.  I have also had a couple of phone calls from clients telling me that the credit has been extended and expanded.

Why should this concern me?  Or you?  In my case my clients were using the misinformation to make some very important decisions.  Don't be misled.  NO new legislation has been passed. 

The very latest news is that the Senate has reached a tentative agreement to extend this program until December 2010.  A tentative agreement in the Senate is about as good as a verbal offer for real estate - not worth the paper it's written on.

As we all remember from eighth grade civics class (and School House Rock - "I'm just a Bill") in order for a bill to be made into law it must first pass a vote in the Senate and the House of Representatives before it lands on the President's desk.

Will it pass as proposed?  Maybe.  Will changes have to be made to get enough votes?  Maybe.  Will it be vetoed?  Maybe.  As it stands now there are just too many maybes to even discuss the particulars of the current proposal.  Do I think that some form of extension and expansion will pass?  Yes, but I wouldn't make my decisions based on a maybe.

What about you?  Do you feel that the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit should be extended?  Do you think that it should be expanded to include all buyers of primary residences?  Please share your ideas in the comments.

Golden Gate Estates Zoning For Horses

Stretching from just east of Livingston Road almost to Immokalee, Golden Gate Estates is the largest subdivision in Collier County.  It is also the only subdivision in the county with its own zoning code.

Estates Zoning can best be described as a blend of residential and rural with a sprinkling of mixed use.  This unique zoning makes Golden Gate Estates perfect for the equestrian.

The smallest lots in the area are 1.13 acres.  These lots were split to this size many years ago prior to a change in the zoning and are considered to be "grandfathered in".  Minimum lot area under the current code is 2.25 acres with no maximum.  What size will best fit you will depend on the number of horses that you intend to keep and the facilities needed for your activities.

Two horses per acre are allowed.  And yes, agricultural zoning and exemptions may be available for properties that are at least five acres in size.  However horses do not qualify for either one.  The exception to this rule would be if you had cattle and the horses were used to work the cattle.

From raw land to luxury homes with state of the art facilities you are bound to find the property of your horsey dreams in Golden Gate Estates!

More information about Golden Gate Estates and other equestrian communities is on the way.  If you have any specific questions you would like to see addressed in future posts or need answers now just leave me a comment, call or email.  I'm always happy to help - I love this stuff!

 

Frivolous Friday - Ever Get The Feeling You're Being Watched?

 I had some unexpected company on my latest trip to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.   As I made my way round the lettuce lake this guy (or gal?) swam beside me as I walked the boardwalk.  He paused when I paused to get out my binoculars in search of birds.  Maybe he was hoping I would lean over that railing just a little more --,===,='<

For more information about Corkscrew Swamp and a slide show of the walk on the wild side I took in March click here

Got something to share on Frivolous Friday - a gorgeous photo, art, favorite blog post?  Send me an email & I'll put your name up in pixels and give you some link love <3