Southwest Florida Holiday Boat Parades

Southwest Florida are you ready for the holidays and enjoying these wonderful cool days? For your enjoyment and to get you into the holiday spirit, there are some outstanding holiday boat parades around Southwest Florida.



Tonight at 6pm, at the Village on Venetian Bay, 4200 Gulf Shore Boulevard North, in Naples is holding their Holiday Boat Parade. On Saturday December 11, Bonita Springs holds their Christmas Boat Parade at 6pm. It starts and ends on Little Hickory Bay, 5025 Bonita Beach Road. The Naples Christmas Boat Parade is on December 11 at 6pm. It starts at the Naples City Dock, 880 12th Avenue South. Marco's Christmas Island Style Boat Parade is on December 18 at 6pm. It starts in Factory Bay and will travel upriver to the Marco Island Yacht Club. The Punta Gorda Boat Parade is on December 18 at 6pm.

Take time with family and friends to experience and have fun watching these parades of light.

photo by Emilo

Enjoy Southwest Florida,

Robin Bishop
swflfun.com
southwestflfun@gmail.com

2010 Hurricane Season Closes

Southwest Florida is thankful that the 2010 Hurricane Season has ended, without directly experiencing the effects of a hurricane. The 2010 season produced 19 named storms of which 12 became hurricanes with five of those storms achieving the status of a Category Three or higher on
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale, according to NOAA. The Islands in the Caribbean were not as fortunate as we were and experienced loss of life and extensive property damage. Our prayers and support have gone out to help those rebuild and recover from this tragedy.


As we move into the off-season for hurricanes we can be thankful that communities along the coast of the US were minimally impacted. Hopefully, future hurricanes will not be as active and cause as much damage. The key take away is to be prepared and have a plan of action in case you are required to evacuate. Remember your personal safety, that of your loved ones and your family is the most important.

photo by CoreBurn

Enjoy Southwest Florida,

Robin Bishop
swflfun.com
southwestflfun@gmail.com

Collier County Adult Education

Southwest Florida are you interested in learning a new skill, taking your hobby to the next level, or wanting to sharpen your computer skills? Have you considered taking a serious look at your local Adult and Community Education Program? The Collier County Adult Education Program offers a number of outstanding classes and instructors on a variety of topics, for a reasonable fee.

Over the last year, I have taken the following courses: Blogging 101, Blogging 102, Social Networking, Marketing & Sales Strategies For Small & Medium Businesses, Finance - Charting Stocks, Finance - Options, Health - Natural Therapies, Square Foot Gardening and Real Estate. I have enjoyed these classes immensely, learned a lot and have met some great people.

If you interested in pursuing a new endeavor, want additional instruction or want to turn your hobby in a business do yourself a favor, and look into your local Adult and Community Education Program.

Enjoy Southwest Florida,

Robin Bishop
swflfun.com
southwestflfun@gmail.com

Swamp Buggy Races

Southwest Florida, come on out ye hear and enjoy the "World Famous Swamp Buggy Races." The weekend gets off to a great start with the Swamp Buggy Parade this Saturday at 10:00 am in Naples. The parade starts just North of the Coastland Mall, and precedes down US 41/Tamiami Trail to 5th Avenue South, in Downtown Naples. Come early, bring your chairs, find a great spot, see the Swamp Buggies that will be racing, and enjoy a mighty fine parade.



Saturday afternoon at the Florida Sports Park, home of the Swamp Buggy Races, features the time trials for Sundays Main Event, "The Budweiser Fall Classic." Kick off your shoes and enjoy a evening of fun with the Swamp Buggy Dance Saturday Night.

Sunday is the big race at the Florida Sports Park. Do yourselves a favor, and come out to see a Southwest Florida Tradition, of Swamp Buggy Racing, that has been taking place for over 60 years. See if your favorite swamp buggy and driver can make it through the famous "Sippy Hole," on their way to victory lane. Watch as the winning driving gets to take a plunge into the murky, muddy water, with the Swamp Buggy Queen.

photo by naplesrealestate

Enjoy Southwest Florida,

Robin Bishop
swflfun.com
southwestflfun@gmail.com

Conservation Of Water

Water is our most precious resource and we can all take steps in an effort to practice water conservation. Here are some tips that will help us in our conservation efforts and extend our water supply.



1. Limit your time in the shower, take a shorter one rather than a longer one.

2. Run the dishwasher only when full.

3. Invest in a front loading washing machine, as it uses less water.

4. Invest in a water saving or high efficiency toilet.

5. Collect rainwater for watering plants and garden.

6. Save the water that is left after cooking vegetables for watering your plants as it contains lots of nutrients for healthier plants.

7. When brushing your teeth, do not run the water while your are brushing your teeth.

8. Make sure there are no dripping faucets inside your house, outside water leaks or hoses that have not been turned off completely, as this can waste a large amount of water.

9. Install water saving or water efficient shower heads.

10. When washing your clothes, do not overfill the washing machine and select the proper water level for the load that you are doing.

It is important not only to practice water conservation, but to make certain that our water supply be kept safe and clean. Our water can become contaminated with pathogens such as Cholera, as it is carried by water. This is why it is important to ensure the safety of our water supply.

Another helpful posting under the topic of conservation, 10 Tips To Lower Your Electric Bill
.
photo by stevendepolo

Enjoy Southwest Florida,

Robin Bishop
swflfun.com
southwestflfun@gmail.com

Fall Activities In Southwest Florida

Hey, Southwest Florida are you looking for something to do with family and friends over this cool Florida Fall Weekend? Have I got the answer for you! This weekend kicks off the start of CityFest, in Naples with an Octoberfest in downtown Naples, on Saturday October 16, from 3pm-9pm.

In Bonita Springs, at Riverside Park, on Old 41 the Caribbean Music Festival will be held, on Saturday October 16, from 1pm-9pm and on Sunday October 17, from 1pm-6pm.

Just to our North on Sanibel, The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting the "Ding" Darling Days. Sunday October 17, is "Family Fun Day" at "Ding" Darling NWR. "Ding" Darling Days is a week long series of events that continues through the 23rd of October.

Come on out and take part in these Fall Festivities.

Enjoy Southwest Florida,

Robin Bishop
swflfun.com
southwestflfun@gmail.com

10 Tips To Lower Your Electric Bill

Hey, who doesn't want to save money and lower their electric bill. In this short post, I will share with you how you can substantially lower your electricity bill by doing a few simple things. Let's make it a priority to save on our electric bill!



1. Contact your local electric company and sign-up for their "On Call" Savings Program. In Florida, FPL, provides the "On Call" Savings Program".

2. Set your thermostat to a set temperature and do not adjust it up or down throughout the day.

3. Purchase a power strip or surge protector to plug your devices into, and when not in use simply toggle the switch that supplies the electrical power to the power strip or surge protector to the off position. This will eliminate any "standby power" that a device draws even when turned off, but still plugged into an electrical outlet.

4. Unplug the washing machine, dryer, lamps, charging devices or counter top appliances that are not used while you are out.

5. Turn off all lights and fans when you leave a room.

6. Replace traditional light bulbs (incandescent bulbs) with CFL Bulbs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) or LED Bulbs as their wattage output is considerably lower.

7. Keep your dryer vent clean and replace your air conditioning filter on a regular basis.

8. Have your air conditioner unit serviced once a year.

9. Turn off the heated dry option on your dishwasher.

10. When replacing old appliances, purchase "Energy Star" rated appliances.

I have personally utilized these tips to substantially lower my own electric bill. These tips will work for anyone who wants to reduce their electric bill.

photo by Velo Steve

Enjoy Southwest Florida,

Robin Bishop
swflfun.com
southwestflfun@gmail.com