Chris and Dick Dovorany

Quite frankly I don't even know if that is a word but if it is, I do apologize for using it as a slang term. I'm not a journalist I am a realtor.

The fact is that 99.9% of the beaches in Florida DO NOT have any oil on them nor will they in the near or even distant future.

Please believe that statement. I will give you the truth unlike those wonderful people on the evening news. Lets face facts, now that Lindsay Lohan has gone to court, the next best piece of real journalism is the fact that all the beaches of the world are covered in Gulf oil - NOT!!!!

A very tiny section of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and an infinitely small section of the Florida Panhandle has some and I repeat, SOME oil. The municipalities of those affected areas are using devices to stop the oil from progressing towards their shores. For the moment some fishing has been halted BUT the beaches are clear, gorgeous and just waiting for you to enjoy the hospitality of the communities that enjoy Gulf life.

To stay away from these areas at this time is a crime. Prices are at their lowest, merchants will accommodate even the fussiest of guests and I guarantee you a terrific time.

I heard on the national news this morning that "Oil was spotted on the EAST COAST OF FLORIDA". Hogwash!!!!! As it turns out, the story was false but who actually heard that part?

I am begging you to plan a terrific vacation to the Gulf coast.

I walked 5 miles on the beach in Naples this morning and it was pristine and gorgeous as ever. The birds were having their shore breakfast, the joggers were up and down the beach, the tourists were picking up shells and the kids were making sand castles.

It's bad enough that we as a country have to deal with a massive accidental oil spill but now to report that there is oil everywhere is pathetic.

Let me repeat again, there is no oil on 99.9% of the beaches in Florida. None floating, none clumping, none sticking to sand, no oil smell, nothing, nada, not here and not happening at all.

When the news anchors try to tell you there is oil on the beaches, switch...click here for more information.

In order to get a better understanding of the real estate market in Naples, the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) divides the county into a number of areas, sush as North Naples, South Naples, etc. by using postal ZIP codes. One of the more interesting areas is Naples Beach, which consists of ZiP codes 34102, 34103 and 34108, running along the Gulf from Gordon Pass northward to Bluebill Avenue, and eastward to Goodlette Road and slightly beyond.

The farthest south for the Naples Beach designation is 34102 where it was reported that there were twenty single family homes sold during the month of June, 2010. The highest closing price was $10 million for a two story home in Port Royal with 8,000 square feet of living space including five bedrooms and 7.5 baths plus a 4 car attached garage situated on .66 acres. Sliding down slightly with a $7 million price tag is a 5,000 square foot home in Aqualane Shores. The property features 150 feet of beach frontage with views of Naples Walk to Naples Pier. In total, twelve of the closings of single family homes in June for this ZIP were for more than $1 million including properties in Royal Harbor and Olde Naples. This ZIP also recorded sales of 19 condos for the same month. The highest closing cost was $1,405,000 for a 3,163 square foot 3rd floor unit with three bedrooms in Bella Baia in the Moorings.

Just to the north is ZIP code 34103 which recorded 16 closings of single family homes in the month of June, up over 75% from the previous month. Of these sales four were in excess of $1 million, led by the $2,375,000 sale in the Moorings. This home has 3,675 square feet of living space with four bedrooms and three full baths plus 105 feet of water frontage with a boat dock with lift. Two additional Moorings homes plus one in Park Shore make up the million dollars closed group. This ZIP also produced 19 closings of condos this June, with seven of those topping the $1 million price tag. Topping the list with a sales price of $4.750 million is a 4,950 squre foot 3rd floor unit in Seapoint at Naples Cay. Other condos in this ZIP with million dollar sales in June include Enclave at Park Shore, Le Jardin, Le Parc, Seasons at Naples Cay, Villa Mare and Brittany.

The northernmost ZIP area for Naples Beach is 34108 which recorded 23 closings of single family homes in June, 2010 which is exactly the same as the previous month. Located in the Jamestown neighborhood of Pelican Bay, a 4,181 square foot home with 4 bedrooms and 5 baths sold for $2.4 ...click here for more information.

It's July in Naples and what a great time to celebrate with a meal at a favorite restaurant or an opportunity to try someplace new. While the snowbirds only experience long lines and full prices, those of us that are here during the summer months have the chance to explore some of the finest eateries in the world at bargain rates. To get an appreciation of just what is available here is just what was found being advertised in the Naples Daily News this past Friday in the Showcase section. (It pays to get this newspaper because many of these offers require this coupon.)

For fixed price meals there are many alternatives. Olio on Naples Bay offers your choice of appetizer, salad, main course and a bottle of Sycamore Lane wine for $24.95/person with the opportunity to upgrade your wine and receive $10 off (Sunday through Thursday). Another choice could be Pate's (next to the Ramada Inn on Tamiami Trail North) where a bottle of wine plus salad, potato and the entrée (filet mignon, prime rib, salmon, etc) is available for $15.99/person every night. A little further to the north, at Luna Rossa of Naples you can get an entire dinner for two for $30 which includes a bottle of house wine, appetizer for two, two house salads and two entrees, which include pastas, veal, filet mignon, salmon, N.Y. strip, chicken and grouper. These values are also available on the famous 5^th Avenue South. The very creative Mangrove Café offers two dinners for $29 which includes a bottle of wine, any of their gourmet entrees with salad, starch and veggie. If traditional Italian cuisine is your preference then you might like to try Café Luna with a straight forward menu includes spaghetti & meatballs. chicken piccata and veal parmesan. Their "Veally Good Deal" can be had 7 days a week for just $29.99.

Another popular enticement for those of us that are lucky to be in Naples during the summer is the buy one and get one free deal. Nowhere can you experience this opportunity better than Ridgway Bar & Grill in Olde Naples. With their variety of settings including the open air front porch, the patio garden or indoor seating, and an inspired menu (all items are included in this offer) with outstanding service, you cannot help but be thrilled. Also in Olde Naples you can receive the same bargain at the Old Naples Pub which provides a "lighthearted friendly neighborhood atmosphere" with great burgers and free pickles. The Real Macaw Restaurant & Bar on Bayshore Drive offers this deal (with some exceptions) with their Caribbean- French influenced cuisine. With the purchase of two drinks you can also get this deal at the Wildside Café in Carillon Place.

The 50% off deal can also be very rewarding for the Naples diner although in varying amounts. Located in the Marketplace at Pelican Bay, Panevino Ristorante has a "stimulus...click here for more information.

There are a number of things for which Naples is renowned including white sandy beaches, gourmet restaurants, beautiful weather and superb shopping. Two others are golf and real estate, and when combined they can't be beat. Most everyone is familiar with the open-to-everyone public courses as well as the very private country clubs with their pricey membership fees. Another alternative that may be lesser known is the bundled golf community. This is a golf course development where a full golf membership is included with the purchase of a home in that community. There are a number of bundled golf courses located throughout Naples and they make their presence felt in the local real estate market.

Located in the North Naples area as defined by the Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) in their latest report, Stonebridge Country Club and Cypress Woods Golf and Country Club are two bundled golf communities. There were six condos that closed in the month of June in the North Naples area with two units in Stonebridge tying for the top selling price. One of them that sold for $310,000 was a 1,761 square foot 1^st floor unit with a one car attached garage, while the other was an attached villa with a private pool and a two car attached garage. There were also four single family homes that closed during the month, two in each of the above named communities. The most expensive of these was a 3,124 square foot home in Stonebridge with four bedrooms, three and a half baths, plus pool and spa which sold for $715,000. The lowest closing price for a single family home in the area was $285,000 for a 3 bedroom property in Cypress Woods.

South Naples bundled golf communities recorded five closings this June, all condos. . Located in Juliana Village at Naples Lakes Country Club, which features an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, a 2,030 square foot 1^st floor property closed for $330,000, the highest selling price for a condo for bundled golf in all of Naples for June, 2010. Glades Country Club and Royal Wood also had sales activity during the month.

As defined by NABOR, East Naples registered eight closings during the month of June, including seven condos. Selling for $327,500 was a 3 bedroom ...click here for more information.

What do Mexico, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the Czech Republic have in common? Sure they all belong to the United Nations. How about Peru, Egypt, Ireland, Australia and China? They are nations represented in the Olympic Games. Now add to the list Italy, Kuwait, India, Singapore and Puerto Rico and what do they additionally have in common? They are just fifteen countries where Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate has a presence.

In a statement released earlier this week Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC stated that they have signed an agreement that expands the Coldwell Banker® brand's presence in France and adds Monaco. With the addition of Monaco, the Coldwell Banker international network is now represented in 50 countries and territories on six continents worldwide.

Coldwell Banker France and Monaco is based in Paris, led by Laurent Demeure, president and chief executive officer of Demeure S.A. Previously known as Demeure Immobilier, the company's luxury homes department is Demeure Prestige. Founded in 1920, the group was instrumental in developing France's real estate industry, notably with the creation of one of the nation's premier agent networks.

"We are thrilled that Laurent and his talented team have joined the Coldwell Banker system to give us a renewed presence in France," said Jim Gillespie, chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "Obviously gaining a presence in Monaco, one of the world's most desired destinations, is a major addition to Coldwell Banker Previews International®, our luxury marketing division that caters to the affluent. We believe Laurent's firm aligns very well with the Coldwell Banker brand, combining a rich history with outstanding core values."

"We think the Coldwell Banker brand has great potential for growth in France and Monaco," ...click here for more information.