Bridgewater - the 10th Lakewood Ranch "village"

Lakewood Ranch expanded again this past year. Lakewood Ranch, the largest green-certified master planned community in the United States has added its 10th community. Each such community in Lakewood Ranch is referred to as a "village" and this latest addition is named Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch. Bridgewater is a gated "village" south of State Road 64 and east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. After ground-breaking in 2013, homes are now for sale in this newest village.

Lennar Homes is building about 290 new estate and manor homes in 10 different floor plans with 2 and 3-car garages in this new "all maintenance-free" community.

Manor homes range from 1,677 to 2,529 square feet with 4 to 6 bedrooms and 2 to 4 1/2 baths priced from the low $300's.

The estate homes, being built or larger lots, range from 2,361 to 3,814 square feet with 3 to 5 bedrooms and 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 baths with prices starting in the high $300's and reaching up into the high $500's.

All Lennar-built homes is Bridgewater come with the company's signature “Everything’s Included” set of features including granite kitchen countertops, wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances, crown moldings throughout the home, brick paver driveways and large decks, as well as Spanish tile roofs. Lennar also offers what they call "NextGen” models aimed at multi-generational families. These homes include a "home within a home," essentially an senior living space with its own bedroom, bath and kitchenette.

Bridgewater is to include a fitness center, spa and swimming pools. Residents of Bridgewater enjoy a resort-style lifestyle in a community with top-rated schools amidst natural areas and lakes while at the same time being conveniently close to both p-rivate and public golf courses, the beaches on Anna Maria Island , parks, miles of trails, shopping, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and all the cultural amenities both here in Lakewood Ranch and in Downtown Sarasota.

"Ponies for Pups" Raises Money for Pet Adoptions

Friends, volunteers, polo enthusiasts and dog lovers of all breeds, shapes and sizes enjoyed watching a polo match with their four-legged friends at the Sarasota Polo Club here in Lakewood Ranch last Saturday to raise money to support the care of rescued dogs and cats.

This year's fifth annual edition of the "Ponies for Pups" event was a fundraiser for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, a Lakewood Ranch nonprofit no-kill animal shelter staffed mostly by volunteers. Last year, Nate's Honor Animal Rescue saved the lives of over a thousand animals thanks, in part, to the $10,000 raised at last year's charity polo match, but this year's event has taken on an extra importance. Nate's Honor Animal Rescue recently took in 86 dogs and cats after a raid at a local animal sanctuary in Manatee County. To accomplish this huge rescue operation, the non-profit reached out to the community for help, not only for supplies and assistance, but for temporary foster care of the rescued animals. And the Lakewood Ranch community stepped up to the need.

Karen Slomba, associate director of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue said, ""We were overwhelmed with how the community showed their support for animal welfare by such an outpouring of donations, from food, to blankets, cleaning supplies, and money to pay for the animals' medical costs."

Since it was founded in 1991, the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch has been providing exhilarating polo matches on their 130 acres of magnificently groomed grounds. In addition to the weekly matches every Sunday afternoon during the season from mid-December to early April, the club supports several charitable events like this one each season. Last month, the polo club held their 4th annual "Polo Under the Palms" event and, based upon its success, created an independent nonprofit corporation called Little Owl Charities, which will raise money for and boost awareness of organizations that pursue advances in research, education and treatment of cancer.

The Sarasota Polo Club is just one of the many amenities that make Lakewood Ranch such an attractive place to live. Lakewood Ranch, if you're unfamiliar with it, is a 17,500 acre master-planned community in Manatee County Florida where their motto is "where families become neighbors, neighbors become family and everyone enjoys a sense of community."

Lakewood Ranch real estate offerings include everything from condos, townhomes and single-family homes to elegant multi-million dollar custom estates. With A-rated schools, boutique shops, gourmet and casual restaurants, a medical center, public and private golf courses, an athletic center with lighted tennis courts and over 150 miles of sidewalks and trails, it's not difficult to see why Lakewood Ranch has become such a magnet for families of all sizes and all ages.

Attractive 2/2 Maintenance-Free Home Available in Lakewood Ranch

Here is a reasonably priced 2 bedroom, 2 bath maintenance-free home with a southern exposure giving you breathtaking view of a lake a scenic lake and the golf course from the lanai and your heated pool or while reclining next to your English garden patio. This 1,837 sq ft home is within walking distance of the Rosedale clubhouse and golf course.

With beautiful ceramic tile floors in all the main living areas and crown moldings throughout, this is a light and bright home. Sliding doors and windows overlook the garden courtyard and the screened lanai, pool and the scenic view beyond. The kitchen was completely remodeled and updated in 2012 with all new cabinet fronts, granite counter tops, stainless sink and all-new appliances including aFrench door refrigerator, convection oven, microwave and dishwasher. There's even a recipe desk and storage.

The master bedroom enjoys the lake view, walk-in closet, double vanities, garden tub and separate glass-enclosed shower. And, there's a guest bedroom plus a den, plenty of storage and an security system. A new air conditioner was installed in 2013. Rosedale families have access to excellent schools at Braden River Elementary, Braden River Middle School and Lakewood Ranch High School.

And, to complete the picture, this home is located in a wonderful golf course community. The 18-hole Rosedale golf course winds its way among sparkling lakes and woodlands offering both challenge and breathtaking scenery to the lucky few who live in this delightful community. The 22,000 sq ft Rosedale Golf & Country Club clubhouse with tennis courts, a heated junior olympic-size pool, fitness center and full-service dining room is the center of community activity. Those seeking a community with an active and outgoing lifestyle will find Rosedale to their liking.

At 8,726 52nd Drive East, this home now priced at $349,000 won't last long on today's very active Bradenton FL real estate market. Call me today at 941-228-2321 to arrange to tour this attractive and reasonably priced home before its too late.

Arts Festivals at Lakewood Ranch

Arts and culture play a major role in fulfilling the experience we like to call the Lakewood Ranch lifestyle. Many arts and cultural events and festivals are held in Lakewood Ranch and among them the 14th Annual "Fine Arts Festival" held this past weekend was one of the most enjoyable. Open and free to the public from 10AM to 5PM Saturday, March 14th and 10AM to 4PM Sunday, March 15th, the event

Celebrated artists from all over the United States took part in the event held on Lakewood Ranch's "Main Street." For those not familiar with Lakewood Ranch, Main Street is an outdoor venue of both stylish boutique and famous-brand stores, restaurants, theater and even a miniature golf course; a comfortable place to spend an afternoon or evening. The Main Street pavilion hosts special events, farmers markets, concerts and festivals throughout the year making this the focal point of the community and Lakewood Ranch's version of "downtown."

Many of the artists displaying their art this weekend came from as far away as Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to take part in the Lakewood Ranch fine art experience. From illustrations, paintings and mixed media to photography, glass art, pottery and jewelry, there was something t please everyone's artistic taste and style and pocketbook. The event, in addition to providing a way to observe and buy some originals works, also gave those who came a chance to converse one-on-one with the artists themselves.

As in past years, ArtCenter Manatee, a Bradenton artist retreat with galleries, an art library, gift shop, classes, and a children's summer art camp, serves as the host for this well-visited event.

f you missed the Fine Arts Festival, Main Street will the site of the 12th annual juried "Art at the Ranch" art show and sale on Mach 19th and 20th. This two-day show will present over 65 talented artists from around the country displaying a variety of media including sculpture, glass, tile, woodworking, photography, mixed media, pottery, jewelry, pastel, oil and watercolor painting. Parking and admission, as is the case for most Main Street events and festivals, will be free.