“This is a dream of mine that I’ve always wanted to do,” Mr. Wallenda, a 32-year-old father of three, said on Thursday, sitting on the pool deck of a hotel here and surveying the waterworks in the distance. “I get chills thinking about it.”

Niagara Falls has a long history of attracting stuntmen, and stuntwomen, eager to taste the thrill, and the fame, of plunging over the cascade packed into wine barrels, rubber inner tubes or hot water tanks. Annie Taylor, a 63-year-old schoolteacher, pioneered the barrel plunge in 1901 and lived to tell about it. Other daredevils followed; not everyone fared as well.

High-wire artist Nik Wallenda defied gravity Friday March 19th, 2010 at approximately 12 Noon when he walked across a wire suspended between the 32-story towers of High Point Place in downtown Ft. Myers.  (The luxury condominium towers are located on West First Street between McGregor Boulevard and the Caloosahatchee River.) Looming 397-feet above the ground, High Point Place represents the highest “Skywalk” ever completed by Nik Wallenda whose family is universally-renowned for such daring feats and who, himself, has performed similar aerial acrobatics as part of his coast-to-coast “Walk Across America Tour”.  

Watch CNN video coverage

“High Point Place will be noted not only as the tallest upscale condominium in southwest Florida, but the location of Mr. Wallenda’s record-breaking skywalk as well.” says Joseph Cameratta, of Cameratta Companies, the developer of High Point Place.

VISIT HIGH POINT PLACE THIS WEEKEND ON YOUR WAY TO THE EVENTS! OPEN SAT-SUN 12-5PM

PHIL VASSAR IN CONCERT AT CENTENNIAL PARK

Vassar, is a Virginia-born songwriter and musician and made his mark in Nashville as an acclaimed artist with 7 albums produced and recently featured in Country Weekly.  Phil’s known for his fabulous songwriting abilities, spectacular voice as well as his compelling and entertaining piano skills.  He’s been named the ACSCAP Songwriter of the Year and has taken top honors from the Academy of Country Music, Billboard MusicRow and has been honored by the Country Music Awards.

He will perform hits from artists including Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, Collin Raye and many more.  He will also perform such hits as “Just Another Day inParadise,” “In a Real Love,” “Last Day of My Life,” “Carlene,” and “My Next Thirty Years.”

Ticket prices are: $10 dollars in advance and $15 at the event.  Click HERE for tickets. Entrance to park opens at 5pm with opening performances beginning at 6:30pm and Phil Vassar taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. This event will be the 2011 Taste of the Town kickoff which will be held on Sunday, November 6^th from 11am-5pm.

TASTE OF THE TOWN AT CENTENNIAL PARK

The Junior League of Fort Myers will be hosting the 2011 Taste of the Town on November 6^th from 11am-5pm atCentennialPark in Downtown, Fort Myers.  This year, there are over 40 restaurants participating, a $600 cash prize Corn Toss Tournament, a fabulous band line-up on two stages and tons of entertainment for the kids. 

Entrance to the park is $5 and children under 12 enter FREE.  Once in the park, you may purchase food and beverage tickets, which can be used to make purchases from all the food and beverage vendors in the Park.  The Junior League of Fort Myers will also be accepting canned goods at the park entrance that will benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. 

There are more than 40 restaurants already signed-up to provide the tastiest food around.

◊ Click here to see the latest restaurant list

What does this mean???  In this crazy real estate market, there are many things to be aware of when making a new home purchase.

Location…

Price… 

Fees…

HOA stability…

Financability…

If a condo has been Fannie Mae approved, any lender is able to finance the building. 

In order to receive Fannie Mae approval a condo has to apply and meet certain requirements

• Building must be at least 50% owner-occupied.
• No more than 15% of the total units in a
  project can be 30 days or more past due on the payment of association
  assessments.
• No more than 10% of Total Units Owned by Single Entity.
• The project’s budget must be “adequate.” While there are no specific guidelines to follow to determine a budget’s adequacy, the budget should allocate a portion of income (at least 10%) to replacement reserves and adequately fund insurance deductibles.

This approval allows you to rest easy knowing that your new building is in a good stable financial position.  You do not need to expect assessments, because the reserves are funded.  You do not need to expect a fee increase because other owners are not paying their fees.  You do not need to expect to be buying into a building full of tenants, or empty units purchased in bulk by investors.  And best of all, this will expedite the financing timeframe by being pre-approved.

So come pick out your new condo at High Point Place!  Sales Office open daily, call to schedule an appointment 239.334.4164.

What is a “Zombie Walk”?
A Zombie Walk is an organized public gathering of two or more people who dress up in zombie costumes and make-up. Usually taking place in an urban center, the participants make their way around the city streets in a somewhat orderly fashion, lurching, limping and gnawing their way as they go. During the event participants are encouraged to remain in character and to communicate only in a manner consistent with zombies (such as grunts, groans and slurred moans calling for “BRAINS!!!”). Zombie Walks are free events, and with the exception of “Zombie Pub Crawls”, most are family-friendly.

The earliest zombie walk on record was in Sacramento, California in 2001. Billed as “The Zombie Parade,” it has since become an annual event. Since then, zombie walks have occurred all across the United States and around the world. Many zombie walks have been staged as “hunger marches” with the intent to raise awareness about world hunger and collect items for food banks. At ZOMBICON we encourage everyone to bring canned food donations for the Harry Chapin food bank of Southwest Florida.

Join Us for The 5th Annual Fort Myers Zombie Walk
Each year ZOMBICON begins with a Zombie Walk. To participate, assemble behind The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (Bay Street, between Jackson and Lee) by 5:45p.m. on October 15th, “dressed to kill!” The walk will be led by members of the “Good Squad”. Please familiarize yourself with the ZOMBIE WALK RULES. After a brief tour of downtown we will return to the front of The SBDAC for our FIRST EVER Zombie Wedding!  All participants are encouraged to take the FREE “Walk-Like-A-Zombie” Acting Workshop at The Florida Rep Studio Space (2267 First St.) at 4:30p.m. The Zombie Walk is a free and family-friendly event, so zombies of all ages are welcome to join in.

How Many Zombies does it take…. TO SET A WORLD RECORD?

The first World Record for the “Largest Gathering of Zombies” was set on October 29th, 2006, at The Monroeville Mall in Pittsburgh, PA, which had been the location of George Romero’s seminal zombie film “Dawn of The Dead”. Organized by the “It’s Alive Show”, 894 participants were counted and verified by Guinness for inclusion in their book. The following year, 1,024 zombies returned to the mall on October 28th 2007, to break their own record.

Since then, zombie walks around the world have gained popularity and grown in size. Record numbers have been reported across the United States, in Canada, New Zealand, and The United Kingdom. However, due to Guinness’ stringent requirements for tabulating and verifying the numbers of participants, most all of these gatherings have not been officially recognized.

In recent years an official world record of 4,026 participants was set on August 6th 2009, at ‘The Big Chill Festival’ in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. Last October 30th, this was broken by a narrow margin during the New Jersey Zombie Walk, at the Asbury Park Boardwalk, when 4,093 participants were counted. This now stands as the current record for the “Largest Gathering of Zombies” as cited by Guinness.

Last year during ZOMBICON, event organizers and local police estimated that approximately 10,000 zombies roamed the streets of downtown Fort Myers, unofficially shattering the world record! Now, this October 15th, YOU can help us to make it Official!

At ZOMBICON 2011, we will attempt to break the New Jersey Record and put our town on the World Map!
If you would like to volunteer to help make this happen, send an email to undead@zombicon.com

Each year, the Southwest Florida Symphony Society holds its signature event “Designer Showcase” in one of the premier properties in Lee County. More than 3000 people are expected to tour the Designer Showcase property.  The top designer for Cameratta Companies, Laura Youmans, has selected Unit 2308 to be showcased in the event at High Point Place, downtown Fort Myers.  Laura was the designer of the past 2 Superior Home Award Winning Models.  She is anticipating this new model to be complete by November 15^th for a sneak preview.    

The 2012 Designer Showcase will be held February 3rd – February 12th in correlation with the Edison Festival of Light, Artfest Fort Myers, and Artwalk. The Showcase model will be available for exclusive viewing to ticket holders and VIP Preview Gala attendees. The Symphony Society is an all-volunteer organization that supports the Southwest Florida Symphony, which debuted in 1961 and is dedicated to orchestral programs that provide artistic excellence and vibrant programming to more than 40,000 people each year. For more information, visit www.swflso.org.

ALSO… High Point Place will once again be featured in the Lee BIA 2012 Parade of Homes.  The Parade of Homes runs the first 3 weekends in February.  Last year we had a record breaking attendance of approximately 2,000 people that toured our model and Cameratta Companies won the Superior Home Award.  The award winning model is now sold and Laura Youmans has selected Unit 2005 to be entered in this year’s event.

October marks three-year anniversary for Downtown Fort Myers Art Walk

Art Walk has withstood the test of time and the economy. In October, the monthly art event will mark its third successful year as part of the revitalization of downtown Fort Myers.The next monthly Art Walk will take place on Friday, Oct. 7, with local art galleries and art stops featuring new exhibits and shows. This regular cultural event draws between 1,500 and 2,500 people each month to the downtown River District.Then on Saturday, Oct. 8, the organizers of Art Walk will bring back its seasonal Saturday Art Fair. A new twist this year is the art fair is now a juried event and will showcase individual artists at tables along the sidewalks of First Street. The Saturday Art Fair will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend.The monthly Art Walk runs from 6 to 10 p.m. on the first Fridays of every month. The October Art Walk will include more than a dozen art galleries and art stops and will feature new art shows, live music, and the traditional after party.On Thursday, Oct. 6, the Art League of Fort Myers will host a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. at Harborside Event Center to showcase the annual Cele-BRA-tion exhibit.

Some highlights of the Friday, Oct. 7 Art Walk:

- Art of the Olympians: An Exhibition of 21 International Olympian Artists in the Olympian Art Gallery and in the Olympic Sport Museum the Table Tennis Showcase is still showing with the opportunity to play against the robot.

- Art League of Fort Myers: Opening reception for Color and Form exhibit.

- Arts for ACT Gallery: Opening reception for new show featuring artists Cathy Logan, Chris Catti, and Kim Kraft-Beckler.

- daas Gallery: Opening reception for Chroma-Tone: The Art of Veron Ennis

- Gallery Showcase and Information Center at IberiaBank (Bayview Court at First Street). Art Walk T-shirts are available at this location as well as buttons, maps, and brochures.

- The Franklin Shops: Artwork featuring Audubon 2nd Edition Prints, Blind Dog Photography, Bryson Lunger Art, Dan-Signs, Joe Rossi Art Studio, Leoma Love Grove Gallery, Lourdes Mora-Shay Art, The Mad Hatter Gallery, Natasha Cuevas Photography, Ocasio Casa, and Vincent Valle Photography.

- HOWL Gallery: Opening reception for Bride of the Sugar Ninjas exhibit, an all female comic book artist collective.

- In One Instant: Opening of Perspectives: Through the Lenses of Florida Photographic Collaborative, a collection of works by 10 photographers of Florida Photographic Collaborative.

- Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center: Art Walks the Runway: Art Couture Fashion Show by Helen Gerro and Maria Pia Malerba; One-act play by Edison College: “Chronicles Simpkins Will Cut Your Ass” by Rolin Jones.

- Savvy on First: Artist Penne Atkinson casting original designs in resin jewelry using found objects, dried flowers & more.

- Space 39 Gallery:  Dark Art 5 Exhibit

- Syzygy Gallery: Opening for exhibit featuring artist Pat Cleveland.

Have you been researching online and looking for a vacation place, or planning ahead for retirement?  High Point Place is the most desirable waterfront condo tower in Fort Myers.  The project is financially stable with almost 85% of the original developer inventory sold out.  The condo fees are low at $510/mth for all necessary utilities besides electricity and internet and that also includes all of the previously mentioned amenities.  The reserve account is fully funded and High Point Place is a Fannie Mae approved project so financing is no issue. 

All types of condos are still available – brand new, never-been-lived-in, with a 1-year warranty included.  From the 9th floor to the 32nd floor… From 1800 – 2200sf… From hardwood floors to tile to granite to 10 foot ceilings… All available from $330,000 – $499,000.

Our on-staff designer, Laura Youmans, is currently hard at work on two brand new models for the upcoming selling season.  Her 8 previous fully furnished models have all sold, but can still be viewed here.  Also recently, she just completed work on some newly upgraded unfurnished condos now available for sale.  Call for details or to schedule a showing 239.334.4164.

Residence #906 – $360,000 – Hickory wood flooring, custom moldings in elevator lobby and hallways

Residence #1410 – $350,000 – Dark bamboo wood flooring

Residence #1710 – $360,000 – Granite kitchen countertops, custom moldings in elevator lobby and hallways

Music Walk is an all ages event that starts at 7 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. or close at many venues. Free parking available. Music Walk partners and venues include: HOWL Gallery/Tattoo, Spirits of Bacchus, Space 39, Red Rock Saloon, United Cafe, French Connection Cafe, The Franklins Shops, Enjewel, Happenings Magazine, Hotel Indigo, Twisted Vine Bistro, Indigo Room, Harborside Event Center, Coloring The World, City Tavern, Downtown House of Pizza, World Famous Cigar Bar, Hideaway Sports Bar, Morgan House, The Veranda Restaurant, Market America Realty, Syzygy Gallery, Main Street Antiques, WinkNews6, Classic Rock 94.5, Cool Hand Luc’s, and AmeriDry. Each month brings more people to Music Walk, with an estimated 4,000 attendees to the 1 Year Anniversary event. Music Walk is organized by Andy Howl of HOWL Gallery/Tattoo, with help from Dee Hohimer, Suzy Lewis, and Jamie Kuser of Happenings Magazine.

Music Walk is a River District Alliance event. The River District Alliance is a non-profit organization that manages events and unifies business owners in the Fort Myers River District. Tune into WINK News 6 Friday morning, September 16th, from 8-9 a.m. for the monthly Music Walk Morning Show feature.

Highlights of this Saturdays Music Walk include:

HOWL Gallery/Tattoo – Featuring popular local ska band AFTER THE FACT. Plus The High Chiefs from Naples and special guest Victims of Circumstance from Tampa. On display inside the gallery is art work by world famous rock concert poster artist Derek Hess.

Spirits of Bacchus – Featuring live music by Cadence Wednesday

French Connection – Featuring blues by Bill Metts

Franklin Shops – Featuring “Student Night on the River”, North Fort Myers High School Center for the Arts Orchestra, directed by John McDonald. Also featuring Anna Jordan.

Red Rock Saloon – Featuring Stolen Fruit on stage and Harold Antoine on steel drums outside.

Downtown House of Pizza – Featuring music by Adam McCardell.

Hotel Indigo – Featuring Tribal Love in the lounge and a saxophonist in Vino de Notte restaurant.

Sidney Berne Davis Art Center – Featuring Riddum Runway reggae concert and fashion show.

City Tavern – Featuring The Drunk Monkeys. Starts at 9:30 p.m.

Hideaway Sports Bar – Featuring blues guitar by Mike Imbasciani.

Indigo Room – Featuring live music by rockabilly band Memphis56.

Syzygy Gallery – Featuring music by Terry Lynn

Twisted Vine – Live music by Patrick Jerome

The Veranda – Enjoy the musical stylings of Gary Goetz at our famous Piano Bar. … and much more!

Walkable neighborhoods offer surprising benefits to the environment, our health, our finances, and our communities.

Environment: Cars are a leading cause of climate change. Your feet are zero-pollution transportation machines.

Health: The average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 6-10 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood.

Finances: One point of Walk Score is worth up to $3,000 of value for your property. Read the research report.

Communities: Studies show that for every 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10%.

Within 1 mile – First Watch Restaurant, Bennett’s Fresh Roast Coffee, Publix Supermarket, CVS Pharmacy,  Edison Park Elementary, Fort Myers High School, Centennial Park, Lee County Library, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

March 2005

I have lived downtown Fort Myers since January 2005 and have seen a lot of changes over the past 7 years.  Cameratta Companies has been one of the pioneers in the redevelopment of downtown Fort Myers with High Point Place opening for occupancy the end of 2006.  Currently, High Point Place is over 80% SOLD OUT and well occupied with permanent and part time residents. 

January 2008

High Point Place is now the most desirable downtown adress with its premiere location across from First Street Village and Publix Supermarket, next to Legacy Harbour Marina and walking distance to The Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Centennial Park, Harborside Convention Center, Art Walk, Music Walk, and all of the downtown shops and restaurants.  Stay tuned for fun facts, sales updates, and River District news and events…