3A | DINING CHANGES
Naples alters its outdoor dining regulations, increases permit fees
Tim Aten Knows Tim Aten
More businesses coming to the Estates
Q: Did the gas station at the corner of Everglades and Oil Well ever get approved? If it did, do you know what station is being built? Did the gas station at Oil Well and Hawthorn by the new Publix get final approval and, if it did, is it still a Circle K? Any more information about other tenants that might occupy the area by Hawthorn and Oil Well besides Publix, 5/3 bank and the apartments would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for all your knowledge about what is being built in Collier County! – Scott Bohm, Golden Gate Estates
A: New gas stations planned along Oil Well Road in Golden Gate Estates have not been formally proposed yet, but preliminary plans show that a couple of them are being considered for new development projects.
In January, 7-Eleven purchased three residential lots on the northwest corner of Oil Well and Everglades Boulevard, Collier County property records show, but the Texas-based company has yet to file documents to rezone the property for commercial use or to propose a site development plan for a convenience store and gas pumps there. At one point, a conceptual plan showed that Circle K had planned a 5,200-square-foot store, gas pumps, a 4,490-square-foot, 125-foot tunnel car wash and a stormwater pond, but those plans were cancelled. While the property has been acquired by 7-Eleven, Circle K is looking to land about 1.5 miles west at an outparcel
See ATEN KNOWS, Page 6A
0 51497 40346 1
BIG CATS’ DILEMMA
By Therese McDevitt terry.mcdevitt@naplespress.com
As the human population of Southwest Florida continues to grow, so do the perils that face the endangered Florida panther.
After 2024, when 29 panthers were killed by vehicles, environmental organizations including the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity are sounding alarms as several large-scale developments continue to make their way through federal and state
permitting processes that could eventually lead to more than 33,400 new homes — in areas of Lee and Collier counties that include prime habitat of the panther and other endangered species.
The Conservancy estimates the projected cumulative growth from five pending developments and a mine — Bellmar, Rural Lands West and Immokalee Road Rural Village in Collier County, and Florida Farm Development Corkscrew Road, Kingston and the Troyer Bros. Mine in Lee County — would mean 80,845 residents in the proposed housing developments and more than 260,000 vehicle trips daily through areas where panthers are already in-
creasingly vulnerable.
To date in 2025, two panthers have been killed by vehicles, which are the leading cause of death for the animals, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Experts estimate the current Florida panther population at 120 to 230 total.
Permitting process brings sense of urgency
Sierra Club, the Conservancy and the Center for
City of Naples to use county park for Naples Pier demolition haul
By Aisling Swift
Collier County will allow Naples to use a portion of Bayview Park to haul Naples Pier debris to a barge twice weekly for up to six months before construction begins on the new $26.3 million pier. But demolition on the pier, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022, won’t begin until after U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval. Demo-
lition and construction are expected to take 1½ years.
The interlocal agreement with the city, unanimously approved by the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25, will enable city contractor Shoreline Foundation Inc. to use eight boat-trailer spaces. Dump trucks will use a portion of the docks twice weekly to unload debris removed from Naples Pier, which suffered catastrophic damage during the hurricane Sept. 28, 2022. The 4-acre park is located at 1575 Danford St., off Thomasson
Drive in East Naples.
“We sometimes forget that Bayview Park was actually donated to the county by the city, so this is a partnership that goes back in time to the beginning of the park itself,” John Dunnuck, the county’s executive director of facilities and redevelopment, told commissioners. “… Their target obviously would be to get as much done before hurricane season as possible.”
A panther named Athena is seen through glass at the Naples Zoo. Athena was rescued from the wild after being abandoned by her mother and has been raised in captivity.
Photo by Liz Gorman
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SWFL INSIDER
Vote buoys efforts to restore cottages
Restoration of three 1920s-era historic fishing cottages at MarGood Harbor Park, now dilapidated and boarded up, is expected to be completed by July.
The Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 26 approved a third amendment to an agreement with the state Division of Historical Resources, which provided a grant for half the $512,872 cost and extended completion time by six months.
Collier purchased the 2.76-acre park, at 321 Pear Tree Ave. in Goodland, for $2.5 million in 2005, using a Florida Forever grant through the Florida Communities Trust. The sellers wanted to ensure the property wouldn’t be transformed into high-rise buildings by a developer.
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Operated through the county’s Parks & Recreation Division, the park was developed and features the MarGood History & Community Center, which once was a community theater, as well as a playground, canoe and kayak launch, pathways, pavilions and other recreational amenities.
Acquiring, managing and restoration has cost about $8 million, half paid for by the state, including architectural work on the cottages. The remaining grant requirement is to restore the cottages, which the state designated historic in 2015.
Tamiami Angel Funds
invests in hospital bed hygiene company
Angel investors from Tamiami Angel Fund V invested $354,000 in Trinity Guardion, a company that makes reusable bed barriers for hospitals. The company created the Soteria Bed Barrier to protect hospital beds and mattresses from patient soiling, helping to reduce contamination, extend the life of mattresses and cut room turnaround time; it received Food and Drug Administration clearance in late 2022. The company recently expanded its offering with the launch of the Soteria Neonatal Mattress Barrier, a microbiological barrier and disinfecting service designed specifically for neonatal care using a newly developed first-in-kind radio-frequency identification tracking system. Capital raised from Tamiami Angel Funds and other investors will be used to build the sales force, boost marketing and increase production.
The Club at Olde Cypress begins multimillion-dollar clubhouse renovation
The Club at Olde Cypress in North Naples launched its multimillion-dollar
clubhouse renovation, club owner Stock Development announced. Scheduled for completion by the end of the year, the project includes the expansion of the bar, members’ grille room and main dining room. The redesigned space will feature a wraparound bar with increased seating. The renovation also will introduce a new outdoor bar and terrace, complemented by a full-service kitchen featuring a pizza oven for artisan-baked creations. Expanded alfresco and covered dining options allow for views of the golf course and surrounding preserves. New spaces include a multipurpose gathering space, a wine-tasting room, a golf simulator room, a club room and three bocce ball courts.
Nighttime lane closures planned on Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge
Overnight lane closures began on Collier Boulevard at the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge in both directions and will last through March 12, Florida Department of Transportation officials said. Maintenance work, including drilling and fiber cable installation on the bridge, will take place 7 p.m.-6 a.m. nightly. The bridge will remain open during the scheduled work, but motorists may experience slow-moving traffic and delays. To avoid potential congestion, motorists can seek alternate routes, such as County Road 92 or San Marco Road.
Preferred Travel & Co. donates $20K to Boys & Girls Club of Collier County
Preferred Travel & Company announced that ticket sales to its 2025 Luxury Travel Show resulted in a $20,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. The funds will help the nonprofit organization provide its after-school and out-of-school programming. With locations in Naples and Immokalee, Boys & Girls Club provides young people with opportunities to engage in programs that help them achieve academic success, take charge of their health by building healthy habits that will stick with them throughout their lives and foster the skills they need to become leaders in their communities, according to information provided.
Utility construction work begins on Bonita Beach Road
Collier County Public Utilities is conducting work to replace the transmission water main on Bonita Beach Road through March 17. The water main, located near 5025 Bonita Beach
Road, has recently developed a series of leaks, county officials said. The main is the only potable and firefighting water source for Barefoot Bay Court and Lely Barefoot Beach subdivision, including Barefoot Beach County Park. This work was prioritized as part of the Enterprise Asset Management program that prevents a water main failure before it occurs. Work will take place primarily in the evenings, 6 p.m.-6 a.m. While the contractor is on-site, the southern eastbound lane of Bonita Beach Road will be closed to traffic. The sidewalk will close to pedestrians on the south side of Bonita Beach Road from Lely Barefoot Beach Boulevard to West Avenue.
Champions Gala raises record-breaking $1.1M Champions For Learning’s Night for Champions Gala on Feb. 15 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, raised a record-breaking amount, more than $1.1 million for students and educators in Collier County. Of the more than 200 students enrolled in the nonprofit’s student programs, 89% come from households living at or below the national poverty line. Its educator programs work with more than 400 educators in traditional public, charter and private schools in the county.
Wine Women & Shoes raises more than $260K
More than 300 supporters of the nonprofit Naples Cancer Advisors gathered at the Naples Yacht Club for the second annual Wine Women & Shoes. The fundraising event generated more than $260,000 to support Naples Cancer Advisors in its mission of providing free, expert oncology consultations to cancer patients and families throughout Southwest Florida. These critical services include second opinions, care coordination, referrals, clinical trial navigation, financial navigation and precision oncology services.
Collier County 100 Club’s annual dinner set for March 19
Retired four-star Gen. Timothy M. Ray will be the featured speaker at the Collier County 100 Club’s annual dinner March 19 at Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail N. The 36-year Air Force veteran served as head of Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command from August 2018 until his retirement in August 2021. Collier County 100 Club’s mission is to financially assist first responders and their families in times of tragedy. Tickets for the dinner are $100.
COLLIER NOW
GOVERNMENT EDUCATION HEALTH HOUSING
HEALTHCARE
Treat, prevent, cure, educate
Mobile
clinic’s new location provides essential care to people in need
after a certain encounter.
By Larissa Rodriguez
Premier Mobile Health Services is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2018 by Dr. Nadine “Deanie” Singh with the purpose of bringing health care screenings to patients without insurance and below the poverty line. Singh’s inspiration for this concept started in 2015, when she completed her thesis for her master’s degree about the idea of a mobile health clinic. But her passion to provide for those without access to care was kickstarted
“In 2018 I met a young African American who was 24 years old, who was in hypertensive urgency and renal failure,” Singh said. “He told me the last time he saw a doctor was when he was in high school to do a sports physical. Since then, he hasn’t been seen — and so I made it my life mission to make sure I never meet another Joseph at 24 years old, with hypertensive urgency and renal failure.”
The company started in Immokalee as a for-profit organization charging $50 for each screening, but many prospective patients couldn’t afford it. Fast forward to today and the
service is free of charge for patients; the company now visits five locations around Lee and Collier counties, with its newest location coming back to where it started in Immokalee.
“We have realized the need is far greater than one can imagine,” Singh said. “When a mobile clinic pulls up there on the weekend, either Saturday or Sunday, there is anywhere from 20 to 40 people lined up for care.”
The Immokalee location is possible through a $30,000 grant from the Moorings Park Foundation.
‘National search’
As
needs rise,
county
struggles to hire MedFlight mechanics
By Aisling Swift
Help Wanted: Helicopter mechanic for Collier County MedFlight, the aviation unit at Naples Airport that flies advanced life support paramedics to accident scenes and other emergencies. Its helicopters also transport patients to trauma centers and other hospitals.
The full-time position pays $30.05 to $39.36 an hour, according to the ad Collier County posted on indeed.com, governmentjobs.com ziprecruiter. com and other online job boards, but finding a chopper mechanic is not easy. MedFlight has not been able to find a new mechanic for two years, county officials said last week.
Collier County Manager Amy Patterson told the Collier County Commission last week that the hire is a challenge.
“We’re having a very difficult time hiring helicopter mechanics,” Patterson told commissioners at their Feb. 25 meeting. “Without a helicopter mechanic, you have no helicopter.”
There is no danger that MedFlight won’t fly its missions, but the organization has relied on a single mechanic — Bhagwandass Ramatour, MedFlight maintenance director — for too long, Patterson said.
Downtown Naples restaurants using city property for outdoor dining will now be required to have 8 feet of walking space next to tables, and will face increased fees.
City Council on Feb. 20 unanimously voted to amend its outdoor dining regulations to add three feet to the required walking space and to increase permit fees, with some doubling.
Although the Planning Advisory Board recommended 15 restaurants with a 5-foot path using public property for outdoor dining be grandfathered in, Council cited concern regarding overcrowded sidewalks and safety and wanted further changes, including considering parking requirements. The changes require two hearings, but because Council desired further amendments, there will be two more hearings.
“This was a safety issue, people being able to safely pass outdoor dining on public property,” Mayor Teresa Heitmann said before the vote.
Most outdoor dining establishments are on private property and don’t
exceed 100 square feet, but 15 restaurants within the Fifth Avenue South Overlay District have permits to use public space. City records show the two with the largest spaces are Vergina, at 700 Fifth Ave. S., with 15 tables and 42 seats; and Bistro 821, at 821 Fifth Ave. S., with 12 tables and 38 seats.
The vote came after a hearing and the unanimous recommendation of the city’s Planning Advisory Board last month. Discussions and public hearings began in 2023 and involved restaurateurs and the Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District.
Hearings and a decision were delayed due to possible implications of Senate Bill 250, which became law in July 2023. It prohibits municipalities affected by hurricanes Ian and Nicole from making further restrictions on private properties until after October 2026. Because the proposal didn’t involve private property, it moved forward.
A hearing to amend the ordinance to increase permit fees for outdoor dining on public property, as well as private property, will be held at a later date. In the past, permit application fees were $200 if City Council approval wasn’t required, and $500 if it is. Outdoor dining permits all now require Council approval.
“We do have one helicopter mechanic now … and he’s amazing, very committed to the program,” she told commissioners. Patterson said she’s talked to the Collier Sheriff’s Office about sharing resources, and planned to speak to Mosquito Control, which also uses helicopters.
Collier County spokesman John Mullins told The Naples Press that county officials and MedFlight would like to create an in-house training program for chopper mechanics at Naples Airport.
“After a recent meeting with MedFlight leadership, we have developed a strategy to post for several helicopter mechanic positions ranging from an internship-level program to an experi-
See CLINIC, Page 9A
By Aisling Swift
Gustavo Hernandez (top left) and other volunteers draw blood from a patient.
Photo by Larissa Rodriguez
WINK’s March to a Million Meals surpasses 1.5M
WINK News viewers set the tone early in last month’s March to a Million Meals campaign, donating a couple hundred thousand meals to Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida in the first week before finishing strong. As of 3 p.m. March 3, viewers raised more than $753,000, amounting to 1,506,447 meals.
Beginning two decades ago as the WINK News Feeds Families Hunger Walk, the campaign evolved into the March to a Millon Meals online donation format during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last three years,
Biological Diversity, with Earth Justice serving as legal counsel, scored a victory in 2024 when a federal court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish & Wildlife violated the Endangered Species Act by transferring Florida’s wetland permitting authority under section 404 of the Clean Water Act to the state, according to Sierra Club materials.
The 2024 decision reversed a move made in 2020 which had allowed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to “oversee development permits in ecologically sensitive areas without adequate protections for endangered species like the Florida panther.”
For environmental advocates, the ongoing sense of urgency stems from the fact that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — which in 2024 took over the 404 wetland permitting process from the state — is now in the process of reviewing these permitting applications, all of which are at different phases and could be decided at any time.
Amber Crooks, senior environmental policy adviser with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples, said that protecting the panther from the effects of development in sensitive areas means protecting other species also, along with interests important to humans.
“We talk about the other endangered animals that use the same habitat, but for us human-centric folks, we also want to have clean and abundant drinking water,” Crooks said. “We want to have fresh and clean water resources, our wetlands protected, our public lands preserved, and all those things overlap with panther habitat. So, the goal is one and the same in terms of protecting the areas that are important for the panther: They also have importance for those kinds of things, as well as agriculture.”
Elise Bennett serves as the Florida and Caribbean director and senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity in St. Petersburg, and she said that research indicates an increase in panther deaths by car crashes with exponentially more traffic on the roads if these projects are approved.
“The real problem that we’ve seen across time with these projects is that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which is responsible for ensuring their (panther) conservation, has not been accounting for the overall impact to the species’ health and well-being because of these car crashes and because of this loss of habitat,” Bennett said.
“And so, yet again, as these projects move through the Army Corps of Engineers’ permitting process, we’re seeing, in those analyses, significant concerns that the agency is not considering the cumulative impact of all these threats. It’s that idea of a ‘death by a thousand cuts.’ No [single] project may be the one you can point to and say that this is going to drive a species to extinction, but if you look at them all in their entirety, that’s the undeniable outcome.”
Permit process moving forward
Crooks of the Conservancy cited the importance of the permitting program being back under the auspices of the Army Corps of Engineers, since she said the state’s program was “flawed” and not consistent with the Endangered Species Act.
“Not only did we get that framework back, including more stringent Clean Water Act requirements, they do have to be compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act,” Crooks said. “The projects should all be getting a formal biological opinion with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These are all important foundational environmental laws and important protections now
viewers helped the station surpass 4 million meals donated.
Harry Chapin Food Bank rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to children, families and seniors who are hungry through a series of food distribution programs that feed more than a quarter of a million people each month.
In 2024, Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed 39.5 million pounds of food through its feeding network, a 10.6% increase over the prior year that equates to an additional 3 million meals
meals donated
served to neighbors across Southwest Florida. The nonprofit’s 2024 Community Impact Report documents an increase in food distributions across all five counties it serves, including 2% in Charlotte, 5% in Collier, 16% in Lee and 16% in Hendry.
At many of the distributions, the food bank hands out food boxes that can serve four people for five days. The boxes contain oatmeal, spaghetti and sauce, macaroni and cheese, tuna and peanut butter, as well as canned soups and fruits. Two food distribution programs focused on
Licensed to protect
The Panther Crossing campaign at Naples Zoo offers visitors an opportunity to help protect Florida panthers by committing to observe posted speed limits in designated panther crossing areas. Information on the program — and on official Florida panther license plates — can be found at panthercrossing.org
Save the Florida Panther Day
Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge will host its annual Save the Florida Panther Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. The one-day event offers visitors access to areas that are normally closed to the public, with activities including swamp walks and buggy tours through panther territory; wildlife exhibits and educational talks; guided habitat hikes; and family-friendly activities. Admission is free but registration is required at floridapanther.org/events
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge 12085 Florida State Road 29 South, Immokalee
that framework has been restored back with the federal entity.”
She noted, however, that the state appealed the 2024 ruling and that case is now pending before the courts.
Asked what the Conservancy is doing as the permit process is pending, she said the organization has asked that public hearings be held before decisions are made.
“We’ve been asking for those meetings and also for an Environmental Impact Statement during their review,” Crooks said. “And the Conservancy, just like before, has been commenting, providing our scientific, legal and technical information to the agencies by way of letter, by way of expert reports and by way of meetings with these agencies.”
Sierra Club, too, is pushing for public hearings before any final approvals are given that would see any or all of these projects move forward, according to Michael McGrath, lead organizer.
“The hope is that the Army Corps of Engineers would hold a public hearing with sufficient notice — ideally more than 60 days — to give stakeholders within the region the opportunity to express concerns around these various developments,” McGrath said. “The likelihood of that is uncertain, but it’s something that groups of environmentalists and conservationists have been advocating for, and we’re hopeful that they will want to make sure that the voices of various stakeholders and not just developers are heard in that forum.”
A spokesperson for the Army Corps of Engineers responded in writing to questions from The Naples Press regarding permit status and timing for each of the six projects, and whether there would be public hearings for any or all of them.
Regarding Troyer Mine, Bellmar, Rural
children saw large year-over-year spikes. Harry’s Helpings, which provides supplemental food kits for families through education providers, agency partners, community events and community centers, distributed 261,000 pounds of food in 2024, a 31.2% year-over-year increase. The In-School Pantry Program, which supplies shelf-stable foods to families through school pantries, distributed 741,000 pounds of food last year, a 28.2% increase.
• Adam Regan
National Historic Preservation Act and tribal coordination,” Bebb said.
Regarding next steps and timing for FFD, she said, “Once all information is received and we have ensured compliance with all applicable laws, the decision document will be finalized and a permit decision will be made.” She said the Corps estimates “the decision would be completed within 30 days following receipt of all information, including completion of all consultations.”
For Immokalee Road Rural Village, Bebb said the Jacksonville District is currently waiting for Section 7 formal consultation from U.S. Fish and Wildlife to be complete.
According to USFWS, it is finishing up a request for additional information for the applicant and is anticipating having that to the district soon.
“Once consultation is complete, the district will finish the decision document and draft the proffered permit,” Bebb said in the response. “Once the proffered permit is signed by the applicant, it will be sent back to the district for signature, which will complete the permit.” Bebb said there was not a request for a public hearing during the public notice process for the Immokalee Road Rural Village permit.
A future in the wild — or in captivity?
In January, representatives from Sierra Club, the Conservancy and the Center for Biological Diversity hosted a group of conservationists, community members and media for what they billed as a “Panther Country Tour de Sprawl” through areas of potential development and through public lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor “at risk of losing conservation value due to sprawling mega-developments like Kingston, Bellmar and Rural Lands West,” according to the organizers.
The tour also included stops at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.
Lands West and Kingston, Public Affairs Specialist Peggy Bebb with the Corps’ Jacksonville District office said, “At this time, the Corps is not planning a public hearing for any of the project.” Regarding the FFD Corkscrew Road project, she said, “A public hearing was requested, and a final decision has not been made on this request. The Corps is not currently planning a public hearing.”
In terms of status and timing, Bebb said the 404 permit application process for Troyer Mine is “currently in review status, with the public notice having been posted and Endangered Species Act consultation in process.” She said next steps would include conducting an “approved jurisdictional determination and responding to any issues addressed during the ESA consultation.” The final decision timeline is unknown, according to Bebb.
Bellmar, Rural Lands West and Kingston are all currently still under review, she said. “Kingston is approaching issuance of the [404] permit, while the others are still working through the process (internal coordinations and Endangered Species Act).”
As for next steps and timing, “Kingston is set to be issued within a month, pending any major corrections from the supervisory chain or Office of Counsel. Bellmar and Rural Lands West have longer timelines, as consultation needs [to be] finalized and the decision documents will need to be carefully reviewed,” Bebb said in the written response.
For the FFD Corkscrew Road project, Bebb said formal consultation with the USFWS was initiated on Feb. 25.
“The project is currently going through the rest of the process, including requesting information from the applicant on alternatives and proposed compensatory mitigation, and determining next steps for compliance with the
And in what could serve as a possible foreshadowing of the future for the species, the tour of panther country concluded at Naples Zoo, which is known for its involvement in conservation efforts around the globe.
It serves as home to Athena, an eight-yearold Florida panther who has lived at the zoo since she was rescued in Big Cypress National Preserve by biologists in 2017 after being left behind by her mother. After unsuccessful attempts to reunite the kitten with her family, the decision was made to remove her from the wild, according to information on Naples Zoo’s website. Athena is a quiet, reserved animal who gradually made herself visible as visitors waited to observe her in the spacious, shady enclosure she inhabits.
Environmental organizations working for the species’ survival are hopeful that the Florida panther will thrive again in its natural habitat, not just in captivity, and that future generations of Floridians will know that the big cats still make their home among the state’s remaining wild lands.
“I think what people need to realize is that the panther really is on the edge of extinction, and if we continue on the path we’re going right now, there’s not going to be a future where the panther survives in Florida,” McGrath said. “If we continue to bulldoze over their habitat, we’re just going to continue to see them imperiled.
“It’s really a sad scenario, but I’m hopeful that considering the legal victories we’ve had over the years related to re-federalizing the 404 wetland program — and also having the full power of the Endangered Species Act — that state agencies will come to their senses and be able to deny these big developments, for the future of Florida and for the future of the Florida panther.”
Amber Crooks, senior environmental policy adviser for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, points out how the proposed development of Big Cypress would encroach on land where panthers roam freely.
Photo by Liz Gorman
Sun-N-Fun Lagoon likely to open soon
By Aisling Swift
After being closed 17 months, Collier County’s top water park is expected to reopen this weekend — pending successful inspections.
Sun-N-Fun Lagoon, located in North Collier Regional Park at 15000 Livingston Road in North Naples, has been closed since October 2023 due to aging pumps and other old equipment that needed repairs or replacements.
Although nearby residents who attended the Bayshore Gateway Triangle Advisory Board meeting on Feb. 6 asked that other sites, such as Naples Landings, be considered, Dunnuck said Bayview Park was the most efficient. The contractor and city officials told residents other sites weren’t feasible.
“With the size of the barge and the needs and the distance, it would raise the cost,” Dunnuck said. “Plus, the barge actually would not fit in the Naples Landing area to remove the material.” Residents were assured debris won’t spill onto Danforth Street. Due to concerns about park traffic and pedestrians, the advisory board has also agreed to work with residents on a sidewalk as part of a future roadway and stormwater maintenance project.
Under the interlocal agreement, the boat ramp will remain open to the public. A barge will be docked at Bayview Park no more than two days per week for four to six months, and when it isn’t docked, the public can access the entire dock. Naples Pier debris from above and below water will be dried out, offloaded, sorted and hauled to the park.
The work will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays only; no work will take place on weekends or holidays unless the city and county managers agree. Due to the closure of the county’s Collier Boulevard Boating Park’s ramp, which is undergoing construction and could lead to more boaters at Bayview Park, the city and county will monitor that to address any issues.
Dunnuck said 34 parking spaces on Hamilton Avenue, half a mile from the park, are rarely filled, so he doesn’t expect traffic problems, but Naples Police agreed to monitor it and provide additional security as boaters unload vessels.
The city also agreed to provide gravel for the area.
After commissioners cited various concerns, the city agreed to provide periodic reports and Bob Middleton, city public works director, said if needed, a shuttle to the Hamilton Avenue parking area could be provided.
“We may demobilize the area for a certain holiday, but don’t want to do that, because that just adds costs to the project,” Middleton said.
It’s the seventh resurrection of 137-year-old Naples Pier, located at the west end of 12th Avenue South. Only 100 feet stood after Hurricane Ian and that section reopened in November 2022. But 460 feet suffered significant damage, including 140 feet containing more than 30 pilings and a shelter at the end that collapsed and sank into the Gulf of Mexico. Waves completely gutted Cosmos on the Pier’s concession area, shelter and storage structures, and the waves lifted framing and decking for public showers.
More than 1 million visitors head to the iconic landmark yearly to watch sunsets, fish, socialize, exercise, eat and watch wildlife. Built in 1888 for people traveling by boat, it’s been rebuilt six times after hurricanes, most recently after Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Costs for the stronger, higher, more resilient pier will come from federal funds, including about $14 million in FEMA reimbursements, state grants, $11 million in bonds, $2 million in county tourist development taxes, the city’s beach fund and public donations, including from the Collier Community Foundation.
The project team includes construction, engineering and inspection firm Turrell, Hall & Associates Inc., MHK Architecture of Naples, City Engineer Dan Ohrenstein and Project Manager Bruce Selfon, a former federal government employee the city hired to assist with regulatory issues and permitting.
To donate to help rebuild Naples Pier, go to: bit.ly/donatetonaplespier
the level of enforcement required to monitor outdoor dining on public property, they determined fees should be “increased substantially.” The change mirrors permit fees in the Town of Palm Beach, on Florida’s east coast.
“This has been a truly collaborative effort between many divisions,” James Hanrahan, interim parks director, told county commissioners Feb. 26, adding staff worked nights, weekends and holidays and numerous contractors were hired. “When you bring that many people in to get something done … they knocked it out fairly quickly.”
In addition to private contractors, divisions included Parks & Recreation, Growth Management, Development Review, Building Plan Review, Operations & Regulatory Management, Finance, Public Utilities, Transportation and the Office of Management & Budget.
The 6.1-acre water park, which opened in 2006, features six pools, five water slides, a Lazy River, an interactive, illuminated splash pad, water-dumping buckets and water pistols.
Previously it was operated daily from Memorial Day weekend until schools reopened in August. But because maintenance was more reactive than proactive, it required electrical upgrades, repairs and replacements of slides, diving boards, old motors and pumps, which will speed up the 300,000-gallon Lazy River and boost filtration. Pools were redone; tanks, ventilation and geothermal systems were replaced; joints were sealed; new floors were added; bathrooms, LED lighting and landscaping were improved; and gates and fences were repaired.
Parks & Rec staff planned to reopen it last summer, but an engineering assessment found numerous problems, including massive leaks in
the interactive water feature that caused 10,000 gallons of water loss daily.
The delay was compounded because some parts are no longer made and had to be fabricated or refurbished; contractors were busy and faced delays getting parts; and there was a lack of bidders. County staff directed residents to the county’s newest aquatics park, Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, and other county parks with aquatics centers — Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Park, Golden Gate Community Park and Immokalee Sports Complex.
Sun-N-Fun draws more than 90,000 unique visitors annually, including more than 50,000 during season, October through May. Toddlers up to age 3 aren’t charged; it’s $6 for children up to 4 feet tall; $11 for county residents, with discounts for seniors and veterans; and non-county residents pay $13. Rates may change under future private management.
A public solicitation seeking proposals to manage the county’s five water parks resulted in the selection of Georgia-based StandGuard Aquatics Inc., which is undergoing negotiations before commissioners vote on an agreement. StandGuard Aquatics Inc. has worked with more than 100 governments and handles all facets of water parks, including programs, staff, maintenance, marketing, retail and risk management.
Hanrahan said most repair work focused on Pump House 1, “the heart” of the park, where pumps and motors were replaced with stronger versions and will ensure pools are safely filtered. The boost in horsepower and variable-frequency drives use less power, putting less stress on the motor when starting or stopping, which will extend the life of the motor and reduce maintenance costs.
Development Review Director Jaime Cook said installation of new fans and inspections will continue before Saturday, but a temporary fix on a section of stairs will be replaced after
See SUN-N-FUN, Page 7A
The $2-per-square-foot annual permit fee to use public property would rise to a flat $1,000, plus $50 per seat, while a yearly permit for outdoor seating on private property would double from $50 to $100. A yearly $50 administrative fee to allow dogs in dining establishments would change to a $100 initial permit fee.
Restaurants in other city areas are within planned unit developments, so seating is on private property.
The change requires an 8-foot-clear distance or 50% of the sidewalk, whichever is greater, that must be free of all obstructions, such as umbrellas, chairs and tables, at all times to allow adequate pedestrian flow. Martin said that means chairs cannot be moved into the sidewalk area and restaurant employees cannot stand in the clear area handing out menus or inviting diners inside.
“That’s not an arbitrary number,” Erica Martin, city planner, said of the 8-foot clear path alongside outdoor dining. “It is the requirement for a commercial sidewalk, so the suggestion was we should make our clear distance consistent with what we would require a public sidewalk to be in a commercial district.”
The outdoor dining area must be adjacent to the building facade, with the clear area between the dining area and the edge of the pavement or landscaping. For umbrellas, there must be 7 feet of vertical clearance from the pavement or sidewalk, and tables and chairs must be oriented so chairs can be pulled out parallel to the sidewalk.
Staff recommended raising fees after reviewing several similar municipalities. Due to
Under the Naples code, an outdoor dining permit is a conditional use, but the city manager may suspend it if one or more conditions are in violation, such as restricting pedestrian movement or public health, safety or welfare.
The permit would go before City Council for reconsideration and possible revocation after two verified violations within a year, or if a verified violation wasn’t corrected.
In the past two years, no restaurants were brought before Council or the Code Enforcement Board because violations are generally immediately remedied. But Council member Beth Petrunoff and others agreed outdoor dining should be controlled, especially on Fifth Avenue South.
“This really proliferated during COVID,” she said, adding she counted 800 to 1,000 seats.
Martin agreed, adding that in the past, every outdoor dining request was approved. “There is not a mechanism in your code to limit the number of restaurants per block per acre,” she added.
Petrunoff noted the increase in seats helps restaurants absorb high rents.
Vice Mayor Terry Hutchison questioned why parking and other requirements weren’t considered years ago, when permitting so much outdoor dining. Martin noted the Fifth Avenue South Special Overlay District was designed to redevelop the district and “make it a vibrant downtown … to drive business.”
Hutchison and others contended it’s now a problem, and City Attorney Matthew McConnell agreed to bring the revised resolution to the next hearing.
Naples Pier debris area at Bayview Park. Contributed photo
at the Shoppes at Orange Blossom.
While still in a pre-application stage, an early conceptual site plan shows that Circle K proposes a 2.13acre outparcel site on the northeast corner of Oil Well Road and Big Corkscrew Drive, a new intersection that will lead to the entrance of Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park.
The preliminary plan shows a 4,000-square-foot convenience store fronted by six dual-sided gasoline fueling dispensers.
East of the proposed site for the gas station, plans for a few other outparcels already are under review by the county. Plans submitted for three buildings include a restaurant drive-thru, a drive-thru coffeehouse, a dental office and a tire service store.
Architectural plans filed with the county in February show that those proposed businesses are Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks, Heartland Dental and Mavis Tires & Brakes.
Plans for a 2,300-square-foot Chipotle freestanding restaurant show indoor and outdoor seating and a “Chipotlane” pick-up window.
Plans submitted for Mavis Tires & Brakes include a 3,124-square-foot service area, a 1,886-square-foot tire storage area and a 1,377-square-foot showroom in a freestanding building. A third building will be shared by a 2,313-square-foot Starbucks drivethru and a 4,260-square-foot dental office, submitted plans show.
A 1,300-square foot Tropical Smoothie Cafe is one of two restaurant spaces expected for the eastern end of an inline retail strip that adjoins the future Publix supermarket at 1715 Oil Well Road, immediately east of the football field at Palmetto Ridge High School.
The exterior shell nears completion for Publix and the adjoining retail shops, which will include Publix Liquors, Great Clips hair salon and Encore Nail Bar. Two other units are still available and Fifth Third Bank has signed on for a future outparcel building in front of the strip. Since Florida-based WMG Development broke ground last summer on The Shoppes at Orange Blossom, a major construction zone
consumes the entire acreage with the building of a lift station and the development’s infrastructure, including Big Corkscrew Drive, a new public road off Oil Well that will run between the new Publix supermarket and a future apartment complex while eventually connecting to Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park. Interior roads under construction are Workman Way and Champs Avenue. Workman will run east-
west from Big Corkscrew Drive to Hawthorn Road, the approach to Orange Blossom Ranch’s entrance; Champs will run north-south from Oil Well to Workman, splitting the outparcel lots fronting the future luxury apartments: the 384-unit Emblem at Orange Blossom, being developed by Quarterra Multifamily, a spinoff of Lennar Corp.
Filling up
Q: I heard a rumor that RaceTrac backed out of the new Tractor Supply location and a Wawa is going in. Do you have any info on this? – Mike Paulins, Golden Gate Estates
A: Plans for the gas station outparcel still aren’t ready for prime time in front of the new Tractor Supply Co. store readying to launch on the northwest corner of Golden Gate Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard in Golden Gate Estates. Nevertheless, a convenience store with gas pumps still is a proposed use on one of two outparcels on that
corner development of about 10 acres owned by HSC Orangetree LLC, a corporation registered to H. Ray Hix Jr. of Alabama.
“Right now, it’s planned to be Circle K,” Hix said. “We’re under agreement with them.”
During a pre-application meeting last August with Collier County Growth Management, the developer proposed a Circle K project consisting of a 5,200-square-foot convenience store with 12 fueling positions on the corner of Wilson and Golden Gate boulevards, county records show.
A specific commercial tenant has not been named yet for the other outparcel lot on the northeast corner of Golden Gate Boulevard and First Street Northwest, but Hix believes it could be an auto parts store, although that deal has not been completed.
Tractor Supply is targeted to have a soft opening near the end of March and a grand opening in April for its nearly 24,000-square-foot store at 77 Golden Gate Blvd., said a corporate communications representative for the Tennessee-based company that operates a chain of stores selling products for agriculture, lawn and garden, home improvement, animal care and more. The new store features the rural lifestyle retailer’s latest prototype with an outdoor garden area, a feed center and a fenced outdoor display area.
The only other Tractor Supply store in Collier County has operated since 2008 at 13235 Tamiami Trail E. in East Naples. The publicly traded company has more than 2,200 retail stores nationwide, including regional locations in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and LaBelle.
The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim. aten@naplespress.com.
Publix supermarket is targeted to open later this year in the Shoppes at Orange Blossom next to Palmetto Ridge High School on Oil Well Road in Golden Gate Estates. Photos by Tim Aten
Tractor Supply Co.’s second Collier County store is targeted to open in March on the corner of Wilson and Golden Gate boulevards in Golden Gate Estates.
ENVIRONMENT
‘We have a lot more than one warrior’
Prayer walkers continue as EPA faces lawsuit over toxic road trial
By Kelly J. Farrell
Environmental groups and Indigenous-led prayer walkers are putting up roadblocks to prevent toxic fertilizer waste from being used in more Florida roadways.
The Center for Biological Diversity, an Arizona-based nonprofit organization, sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 19 for approving the use of radioactive phosphogypsum in road construction at Mosaic’s New Wales facility in Mulberry, located east of Tampa.
Around Christmastime, the EPA approved the industry-led pilot study of using phosphogypsum — a radioactive waste created by manufacturing phosphorus fertilizer — in a road trial conducted by fertilizer giant Mosaic.
“‘Environmental Protection Agency?’ What kind of a name is that for someone trying to do the opposite for the environment?” Ochopee resident Garrett Stuart pondered aloud.
Prayer walks through Everglades
Monthly prayer walks across the Everglades were held in 2023 and 2024 to raise awareness of this radioactive material that is currently mounting to more than 20 stacks, about 300 feet in height, with millions of gallons of acidic wastewater atop each, amounting to more than one billion tons of the solid waste material in Florida alone.
The Indigenous-led ceremonies now take a slightly different form. The prayer walks were organized by Stuart, who is of Lakota descent. He was guided by longtime environmental activist Betty Osceola, also of Ochopee, a member of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida’s Panther Clan and of Seminole and Scottish Gladesmen descent.
The Indigenous cultures’ special connection with the Earth imparts wisdom along the walks, which included participants from Naples as well as from other countries.
“It’s very distressing when you’ve been out on these walks — and they’re really grueling walks — and we stay in prayer and keep walking in a good way to save the environ-
ment; and to have these people who have no heart and no connection to the environment other than the green dollar. It’s a heartbreaking decision,” said prayer walker Robert Rosa, chairman of the American Indian Movement of Florida, regarding the EPA’s road project approval.
Rosa holds hope, though, that the recently approved private road pilot project can still be blocked from turning into public roads being comprised of the radioactive waste, he said.
“Something my Aunty Betty [Osceola] told me once is that there only needs to be one warrior for the rest of the people to have hope,” Stuart said. “We have a lot more than one warrior. We have a whole community of warriors to come together; not just for the planet, but also for the individual, for this group and for nature too.”
Prayer walkers continue pushing back by increasing awareness while environmental, road-worker and health advocacy groups, led by the Center for Biological Diversity, battle the EPA through legal channels.
“When Florida isn’t healthy, our economy suffers,” said prayer walker Jessica Namath, an activist and daughter of football legend Joe Namath.
“Florida runs on ecotourism and a healthy environment, unless you’re only here for Disney,” agreed Stuart.
The walks continue in a different way in everyone’s individual lives since the monthly walks ended in 2024. Still, everyone is invited to
participate, they said.
“I don’t have awesome lawyers, but I have awesome abilities to pray,” said Stuart. “Everybody uses their abilities.”
“Once you learn to walk, when you leave the walk, you’re still walking in prayer,” Rosa said.
“You’re educating, you’re taking everything you have and bringing it to the rest of the world. It’s like a light. The beauty of the walk and the understanding you receive, the love you receive, you want to share that light and your life becomes the prayer walk.
“You’re like a little bee taking pollen flower to flower and it starts a full bloom,” he added.
Simplifying the complexities
“We need to keep reaching more people and having them understand the complexities of what they’re doing and the danger of what they’re doing,” Rosa said of the phosphogypsum creators.
“The EPA has long prohibited using phosphogypsum in roads because it contains uranium and radium that produce radionuclides linked to higher risks of cancer and genetic damage,” wrote Ragan Whitlock, a Florida-based attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.
The EPA has deemed phosphogypsum, or PG for short, too dangerous to leave the company’s private land, requiring the stacks. The fertilizer industry adds approximately 40 million tons more each year, and
estimates that 5.2 tons of phosphogypsum is produced for every ton of phosphoric acid, the EPA reports.
The EPA opened public comment on Mosaic’s road project just as Hurricane Milton was barreling toward Tampa, leaving roads crumbling into waterways and gypstacks leaking. Even with Floridians scrambling in the wake of the storm, tens of thousands of comments in opposition were filed with the EPA. Still, the agency approved the project EPA on Dec. 23, 2024, and the science from it, to be gathered by Mosaic, could be used to determine if phosphogypsum can be used in other roads.
“The EPA is directly contradicting its own science and regulations by tripling the permitted cancer risk to the public and ignoring key radiation pathways,” Whitlock said of the project’s approval.
EPA spokeswoman Shayla Powell has maintained that each road project will be decided individually.
The dangers
Four years since the state dumped 215 million gallons of toxic, radioactive waste from the Piney Point facility into Tampa Bay, the EPA has not taken appropriate steps to prevent the next phosphate pollution disaster, Whitlock said.
Mosaic Co. reports billions of dollars in annual income, and does not use enough of that money to properly dispose of the waste created, according to critics.
This Mulberry site, the location
of the new road trial, experienced at least four major sinkholes, including one in 2016 that dumped more than 200 million gallons of process wastewater and an unknown amount of radioactive phosphogypsum into the Floridan aquifer, Whitlock said.
“Radium-226, found in phosphogypsum, has a 1,600-year radioactive decay half-life. In addition to high concentrations of radioactive materials, phosphogypsum and process wastewater can also contain carcinogens and heavy toxic metals like antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, fluoride, lead, mercury, nickel, silver, sulfur, thallium and zinc,” Whitlock warned.
Mosaic
“Any road constructed with PG would be of at least the same quality as roads built with conventional materials,” Mosaic spokeswoman Jackie Barron has said in previous interviews, prior to the most recent lawsuit filing.
Finding a use for the material is logical and is allowed in foreign countries, Barron has said.
The road trial will be conducted over 18 months and Mosaic will evaluate performance and effects to the environment, she said.
“We want people to know this is a safe resource, not a waste,” she added.
Getting involved in solutions
The multi-faceted problems created by fertilizer manufacturing and fertilizer use will require many solutions and each individual can play a role, prayer walkers advise.
Stuart, who is a biologist, warned that phosphorous is a finite source. It may be gone in a few decades, so the process for growing food and plants will need to change, he said.
Everyone can play a part in the solutions, even if they can’t join a prayer walk, Namath said, whether it’s raising awareness, letter writing, researching, participating in government meetings or walking on the beach and in nature.
“Find what you’re good at, find what you enjoy and use it to do good,” she said.
enced helicopter mechanic II,” Mullins said.
The county’s human resources office will handle all applications.
“The exact number of positions hired will be influenced by the number of qualified candidate applications received,” Mullins said.
Collier County MedFlight isn’t the only organization having difficulty finding chopper mechanics in Florida — or the rest of the country, for that matter. Raytheon Corp., one of the largest employers of aviation mechanics and technicians, said there is a severe shortage of skilled mechanics around the country. According to The Boeing Company’s Pilot and Technician Outlook, there will be a need for 610,000 new aviation maintenance technicians over the next 20 years.
One reason for the shortage: Young people prefer the computer-aided design, architectural and engineering side of the aviation industry.
Ronald Dupont III, 19, is studying to be an aviation maintenance
mechanic at Charlotte Technical College. “Trip,” as his friends call him, said he’s in a class of about 15 students learning airframe, power plant, electronics, hydraulics and other aspects of maintenance.
A lot of young people with whom he studies prefer the engineering path, which is drawing and designing airframes and other systems in a “nice office,” rather than getting their hands dirty as they turn a wrench under an engine cowling. Dupont plans to specialize in the technical skill of sheet metal riveting.
“People don’t want to work in the weather conditions, like up in Boston, where it’s cold, snowy and you’re working outside in a hangar,” he said. “Mechanical work is done right on the ramp, in the heat and sun of South Florida. If there’s lightning, you have to go inside and wait another nine minutes for the all-clear.
Guys don’t want those kinds of work conditions.”
That certainly doesn’t mean MedFlight won’t eventually find another helicopter mechanic, perhaps by partnering with public schools, another suggestion Patterson made to the commissioners. The idea
is to mentor high school and college mechanic trainees by promising them jobs once they earn their certification.
Collier County Public Schools — through Lorenzo Walker Technical College in Naples — offers aircraft airframe mechanics and aircraft powerplant mechanics programs pointing toward a vast array of career opportunities “ranging from general aviation to commercial aviation; from aircraft or component manufacturers to aircraft repair and overhaul at both domestic and foreign fixed base operations,” the district said.
Such partnerships may be the answer for the dearth of helicopter mechanics in Collier County.
“We will be looking to not only train mechanics but also recruit experienced mechanics via this national search,” Mullins said.
Mechanics must perform daily inspections on the aircraft, as well as any scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. All tasks are performed under the guidelines outlined in the FAA Part 135 regulations and the manufacturer’s technical publications, MedFlight said.
From page 5A SUN-N-FUN
spring break (March 10-14). She expected Sun-N-Fun will pass all inspections this week.
Brian DeLony, facilities director, said metal on stairs will be removed and fiberglass-coated treads will make them easier to climb and maintain. Lazy River’s primary drains were updated to meet state standards, ensuring no one can be “sucked down and held down underwater.”
The splash pad had similar work done to ensure drains complied with the 2008 VGB Pool & Spa Safety Act — named after 7-year-old twin Virginia “Graeme” Baker, a Virginia resident who drowned in 2002 after being trapped underwater by the powerful suction of a faulty hot-tub drain cover.
So far, more than $3.2 million has been spent and another $8 million in work — including $5 million for the Lazy River — will be done beginning March 23, when Sun-N-Fun closes for more repairs through May. Work at Golden Gate’s aquatics center also will be completed by this weekend.
Hanrahan told commissioners they’re also looking for a vendor to operate a concession area. Commission Chair Burt Saunders and Commissioner Bill McDaniel questioned the $5 million in additional Lazy River expenses, noting they can assess its popularity after being closed for so long and determine whether to spend more.
Commissioner Chris Hall, whose district covers the park, said they hoped that a study to determine whether it’s a tourist draw will enable Collier to use tourist-development funds, not taxpayer money, to cover repairs.
“I’ve been the one cracking the whip to get this open by spring break,” Hall said. “This park wasn’t dead, but it was bleeding at the jugular and was quickly … going to die … What we’ve accomplished to this day is remarkable.
“To me, Sun-N-Fun is the slides, and I’m so tickled that those are going to be open,” he added. “I’m going to go to the top and scream like a girl.”
Garrett Stuart of Ochopee conducts a ceremony along U.S. 41 during monthly prayer walks across the Everglades
Photo by Kelly J. Farrell
HEALTH
When hairstyle doesn’t match lifestyle
Navigating solutions to one of Florida’s most pressing body image issues
By Melanie Pagan
Hair loss is a prevalent problem, even here in the sun-soaked paradise of Southwest Florida. Recent data from Ruffians’ analysis using Google Keyword Planner reveals that Florida residents search for “hair loss” an average of 31,986 times per month.
Dr. Jason Dudas of Aesthetic Surgery Center in Naples said population trends and genetic predisposition are the true culprits of the widespread cosmetic issue’s presence in Collier County.
“It’s so pervasive. It really affects potentially almost everybody,” Dudas said. “There are some nutritional, lifestyle or other factors involved, but the vast majority of hair loss is genetic. What’s going on specifically in Florida is a huge population influx, and they’re bringing genetic likelihood of hair loss with them.”
Southwest Florida sees a steady stream of retirees relocating, including those who have been dealing with hair loss for decades. Postmenopausal women, in particular, experience hair thinning as they age, while men of all ages seek treatment for self-esteem, competitiveness and dating prospects.
“Young men are big consumers of hair restoration services. I think it affects their confidence, body image and how they perceive themselves as available or desirable in the dating market.”
—Dr. Jason Dudas of Aesthetic Surgery Center in Naples
“Young men are big consumers of hair restoration services,” Dudas said. “I think it affects their confidence, body image and how they perceive themselves as available or desirable in the dating market.”
Middle-aged men, meanwhile, might turn to hair restoration after “starting to feel self-conscious about looking a little older and want to keep that competitive youth,” Dudas added. “It’s about confidence.”
No matter the gender, Naples’ elite lifestyle is regularly showcased through polished experiences, and individuals may face pressure to maintain a certain image as a result.
“Whether it’s men or women, Collier County is a very affluent community of people who look nice at their clubs and their boats and their life,” Dudas said. “They want to be able to have sort of a hairstyle that matches the rest of their lifestyle.”
Hair loss treatment options range from medications to surgical procedures. Dudas said that they can include oral medications to slow hair loss, topical products, minor procedures such as injections or laser-based treatments. Supplements and beauty products can optimize scalp health, but many patients Dudas sees ultimately choose a hair transplant procedure.
“For patients that have the means, that’s where they want to invest their expendable income,” he said, noting that procedures in a sophisticated market such as Naples might range from $10,000 for minimal treatment to above $25,000 for full coverage. While lower-cost options might exist elsewhere, Dudas warned against clinics that prioritize marketing tactics over medical expertise.
“They’re cutting corners in some way in order to offer that low price, so it’s just a ‘buyer beware,’” he said. “The real key is to consult with someone who knows hair restoration and let them guide you through the process. Ask them direct questions to find your best options and bang for your buck. A really good consultant is going to give you good information that is not going to have their own personal interest in mind.”
Ultimately, Dudas emphasized that hair loss isn’t just about appearance, but self-perception.
“People want to look good to feel confident about themselves and also to appeal to potential romantic interests,” he said. In Collier County, where lifestyle and image can easily intersect, hair restoration might feel like an investment in self-assurance to people starting that keyboard search for some resolve.
Skin cancer cases rising
Prevention, new strategies in the spotlight
By Melanie Pagan
Collier County’s sun-drenched landscape comes with a risk: skin cancer. As skin cancer rates continue to climb across the U.S., Florida remains one of the states most affected by this growing public health concern.
“We’re usually in the top three in terms of states with incidences of skin cancer each year,” said Dr. Bobbi Brady, partner at The Woodruff Institute, which offers dermatological care in Naples. “We’re overall at a higher risk than the rest of the nation, usually because of the UV exposure.”
Diagnoses of the three main skin cancer types — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma — continue to climb. About one in five Amer-
icans are estimated to have a skin cancer in their lifetime.
Sun exposure is the primary cause, but detection advancements, longer lifespans and cultural trends such as tanning beds have increased diagnoses, Brady said. “Fifty years ago, people didn’t live as long. Most skin cancers happen at higher rates as people get older. It’s also about prioritizing health issues.”
Environmental factors play a role, too. “As the ozone layer gets thinner, we get more UVB rays to
the surface of the earth,” she said.
As warmer months approach, dermatologists stress prevention, early detection and treatment. Sunscreen remains essential despite concerns regarding chemical ingredients. Dr. Gerardo Lugo of Naples Dermatology said there is no scientific evidence that it is harmful.
“Information about sunscreens causing hormonal effects or causing cancer themselves is totally, totally wrong,” Lugo said. “There’s no study done that proves that any sunscreen is carcinogenic or the hormonal effects of sunscreen in humans would be of any magnitude,” except for a study with mice, which he suggests is misleading. “They almost bathe the mice in the sunscreen,” he said. “Obviously, when you have that type of exposure, you’re going to have a side effect. But then you extrapolate that infor-
mation to humans, and it becomes confusing.”
For those still wary, mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide offer safe alternatives. “Wearing sun protective hats and shirts really helps the highly exposed areas,” Brady said, recommending SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every 90 minutes. Avoiding direct sunlight from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. also helps.
“In the middle of the day, the UV Index is the highest in Florida, especially toward the summer months,” Brady said. “We hit an index of about 11 every day, which means hazardous to human life.”
Annual full-body skin exams are advised, with those at higher risk needing checks every six months. Lugo said self-checks should also monitor moles for discoloration, asymmetry, irregular edges, size and evolution.
Naples Dermatology is the first practice in Collier County to offer Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy, known as GentleCure. Lugo said this method eliminates cancerous cells using low-dose radiation. Studies show it can be as effective as surgery. However, it requires a time commitment of multiple sessions over six weeks.
Other treatments, depending on skin cancer type, size, detection stage and location on the body, can range from topical treatments to surgical excision and Mohs surgery.
Awareness is key to reducing the rising incidence of skin cancer, detecting it early and offering a wider variety of treatment options.
“The earlier you find it, the easier it is to treat,” Brady said, “the less likely it is to cause any harm to your overall life.”
Dr. Bobbi Brady
Dr. Gerardo Lugo
Michigan-based mattress company follows customers to Naples
By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com
Michigan-based Harbor Springs Mattress Co. followed its customers more than 1,500 miles south to Naples.
The bespoke mattress store was launched in early January by spouses Dar Charlebois and Rory Karpathian, who on March 6 celebrated the grand opening of their new showroom, at the northwestern corner of U.S. 41 and First Avenue South in Naples. Based in Harbor Springs, Michigan, near the top of The Mitten State, Harbor Springs Mattress was encouraged by its customers with seasonal homes in Naples to open its fourth store and first location outside of Michigan.
“We had been hearing for years and years that we would do really well down here,” said Charlebois, president and co-owner of the company. “I would say two years ago we had enough orders that we sent our own delivery truck down with 10 to 12 mattresses scattered throughout Southwest Florida. At that point, we definitely knew it was time.”
Company founder Karpathian and Charlebois are seasonal residents now, too, enjoying life in Naples. “We absolutely love it,” she said.
The couple warmly welcomes customers to share their perspective of benefiting someone’s well-being and health through helping them sleep better.
“I think we’re one of the last mom-and-pop mattress manufacturers left in almost all the United States, and definitely with the quality and the way that we make it,” Charlebois said. “We, as owners, always try to have a very strong presence when we open a new store, and people really resonate with that.”
Each Harbor Springs mattress is made to order with all-natural fibers in what becomes a personal experience for patrons. The showroom displays examples of what’s inside each two-sided mattress so customers can actually see, feel, touch and even smell the craftsmanship.
“We have a small, curated collection of mattresses,” Charlebois said. “Our artisan hand-tufting to an innerspring means we add our layers around the innerspring and then hand-drive tufting straps all the way through to the innersprings to hold that compression in place.”
The Naples showroom strives to be more a gallery than the typical mattress store. It even offers a bar for coffee and spirits to provide a more heartwarming experience.
“We try really hard to make the experience relaxing, and I feel like our showroom does not feel or resemble a typical mattress store,” Charlebois said. “All of our furniture and fixtures are also handcrafted, all natural. It has a very soft, soothing, high-end feel that’s also accessible.”
Harbor Springs Mattress has created a bespoke niche to firmly set itself apart from the ubiquitous national mattress chains that pro-
mote products with average lifespans of fewer than 10 years. Harbor Springs’ craftsmanship positions it well above average.
“We hand-tuft the old-fashioned way to make a mattress last 25 years. I think that’s almost unheard of in our industry,” Charlebois said. “We’ve been doing that for 20 years.”
Unfortunately, some mattress companies manufacture products with “planned obsolescence,” a business strategy that intentionally designs products to fail or become obsolete after a certain period of time. The goal, of course, is to compel consumers to buy new products to replace them.
“It never used to be that way,” said Charlebois, noting that her husband ran some of the biggest factories in North America for bedding manufacturers. “He was one of the last people to know how to make a hand-tufted innerspring mattress. He just took a leap of faith and brought that back to life, trusting that
people would be that interested in that level of quality, which was just falling by the wayside. Mattresses nowadays are one-sided instead of two-sided, box springs no longer include springs, and those changes are on purpose to make your mattress wear out quicker and be replaced sooner because most of the mattress companies left in the United States are owned by a few investment groups, so they want your mattress to wear out quicker.”
Slowly but surely, clients are discovering the Naples showroom, Charlebois said.
“So many people who already have our mattress or their family has our mattress have come in just to welcome us or to congratulate us. It’s been so heartwarming,” she said. “People are just so appreciative of what we do and how we do it. That’s really heartwarming.”
Customers gush online about the support and comfort of Harbor Springs’ mattresses.
“It just feels so good for something you spend eight hours so intimately with,” she said. “I think many of our customers are just relieved when they find us. We’re just so transparent and trustworthy. Our warranty is not pro-rated; it’s very simple.”
A Harbor Springs Mattress bed is made to order and quickly shipped. It’s about five to six weeks from the time a mattress is selected until its white-glove delivery to customers’ homes.
The 1,500-square-foot Harbor Springs Mattress store is one of three retail units in Stella Naples, a mixed-use development completed last year at 82 Ninth St. S. Visual Comfort & Co. and Old Naples Concierge Medicine fill the other two ground-floor commercial spaces in a three-story building that includes 10 luxury residential condominiums.
Stella Naples is an upscale redevelopment project on the site of the former Sea Shell Motel, which operated for nearly 75 years at that location. The 30-room independent motel was purchased by Brookline Companies for $4.9 million in 2018 and was razed in 2019 to make way for Stella.
“I’m so delighted that we were awarded this grant,” Singh said. “Having a mobile clinic there on the weekend is just really alleviating some of that stress of taking a day off and losing a day’s pay and not being able to put food on the table or continue to provide them with a shelter.”
This grant allows Premier Mobile to extend its care to those in the rural Naples community who are 60 and older.
“That is a very fragile population,” Singh said. “They’re unique in [that] sometimes they don’t qualify for Medicaid, but they’re not at the age for Medicare. And if you can catch a disease process developing early, then you can have … longevity so they can enjoy their retirement years.” Premier Mobile Health has a brick-and-mortar walk-in clinic in Fort Myers, but Singh is looking to extend care to Golden Gate and add another permanent site in Immokalee. She also hopes to have donors and volunteers help on weekends in the future.
‘Give them a solution’ Gustavo Hernandez, 21, is a volunteer with Premier Health Services, working primarily at the Immokalee location. He started
volunteering as a part of the Global Medical Brigades club at Florida Gulf Coast University.
“It was really nice to see how we can impact the local community and specifically … health in Immokalee, because I am from Immokalee, my family’s from Immokalee — so I like to give to my own community, as well,” he said.
Hernandez has seen firsthand the effects on the ones who are frequent visitors and those who may be firsttime patients.
“Most of the time, they do not have a doctor where they can go to for either monthly checkups or if they have some sort of annoyance with their medical health problems; they always come to see us, and we
always try to give them a solution,” Hernandez said. “We always try to encourage patients to come back and get that follow-up treatment, as well.”
One of the patients who Premier Mobile has seen multiple times is Ana Luisa, 47. It had been two years since she visited a doctor. She visited Premier Mobile during the event
called Project SEED on Feb. 16, and found she had high blood pressure and needed to be seen again on Feb. 22.
“Right now, I don’t have the resources to pay for a doctor because it’s very, very hard, there’s no work and no day work,” she said in Spanish. “I saw that they were understanding, I trusted [them] to see what was happening, if they could help me.”
This is why she came back a week later: because she trusted them with her care.
Many patients, such as Luisa, in the Immokalee area don’t speak English; they are mostly Creole or Spanish speakers. Because of this, Premier Mobile needs bilingual volunteers such as Hernandez to talk to them. Others who still want to help but maybe are not fluent in other languages use some translation apps to break down the language barrier.
Singh recommends those who want to see where the mobile clinic will be on any weekend visit its website at premiermobilehealth.org
“We were doing a very robust schedule, but because of the limitation in funding, we are down to nine stops now, either nine or 10 stops,” Singh said. “We can treat, prevent, cure, because at Premier Mobile, we educate our population, we assess, we follow up and most importantly, the patient, they’re so receptive to the care.”
Dar Charlebois, president and co-owner of Harbor Springs Mattress Co., relaxes in the showroom of the company’s new Naples location at 82 Ninth St. S. Photo by Ed Chappell
Dr. Nadine “Deanie” Singh stands outside the Premier Mobile Health Services bus. Photo by Larissa Rodriguez
The Art of Living Vibrantly
Naples offers wealth of retirement options
By Melanie Pefinis
Recently this column discussed the new younger demographic calling the Naples area home. While this shift is noticeable, we can still boast of a large number of retirees enjoying their golden years in the golden sunshine.
With 36% of residents aged 65 years or older, the warmth and outdoor lifestyle of Naples continue to draw those from cooler climates wanting to spend their time on our shores.
Both snowbirds and permanent residents make up this sizable percentage, so it is no wonder that Naples continues to appear on lists of “most attractive retirement cities” in various publications. In a U.S. News And World Report 2024-25 assessment, Naples outshone nearly 150 other cities for livability, health care, taxes and quality of life.
“We were totally unfamiliar with this area,” resident Rozanne Denardo said. “My husband was a banker, and he did a mortgage for a woman buying a house here.” The couple, residents of upstate New York at the time, were invited to stay in the home after the buyer settled, and fell in love with the area.
“We loved it here,” she said. “We first bought a one-bedroom condo off Vanderbilt Beach. Then we upgraded to a two-bedroom and eventually, we bought a house. We’ve
SALES
been here 10 years.”
The Denardos continued moving to larger homes as their needs evolved, indicating that the variety of residences in the region is substantial. Homes exist that are appropriate for those of modest means, as well as those who build sprawling mansions.
GOBankingRates recently published an analysis of the country’s 50 richest retirement destinations.
The criteria were based on the latest information from the U.S. Cen-
TRANSACTIONS
Week of Feb. 10-14
sus Bureau and found that Naples ranks among the top 10 richest cities for retirees.
Ray Marek of GOBankingRates said, “Affordability is the top priority for most soon-to-be retirees. But it tends to be a different story for the wealthy, who set their sights on exclusive communities.”
For the report, median incomes were factored into the evaluation of several towns, all with populations of 15,000 or more residents. Naples came out on top.
Spazio Marble & Granite Inc. purchased a 20,648-square-foot building on 1.15 acres at 1958 Trade Center Way in North Naples from Naples Warehouse LLC for $6,665,000. Jeff Buckler, SIOR, and Zachary Buckler of Lee & Associates Naples-Fort Myers represented the seller.
Miromar Pools LLC purchased 5,004 square feet of commercial space at 1902 Elsa St. in North Naples from Elsa Investors LLC for $1.9 million. Christine McManus, CCIM, SIOR, of Investment Properties Corp. represented the seller, and Al Baeza of RE/MAX Gulf Coast Realty represented the buyer.
Strada GCM LLC purchased a 2,292-square-foot office condominium at 9015 Strada Stell Court, Suite 101, in North Naples from HSS Ventures LLC for $1.15 million. Eric Edwards, CCIM, of LSI Companies Inc. represented the seller, and Bill Klohn and Kyle Campins of Bayfront Realty LLC represented the buyer.
Three Naples ZIP codes rank in the top 2% of the 10,000 nationwide locations analyzed.
Rural and peaceful ZIP Code 34114 offers newer communities and a relaxed way of life. Even with all its features, rentals average $235 less for high-end apartments than the city’s renowned luxury rent rates. Even the most premium units in these areas come in nearly $100 below Naples’ average. ZIP Code 34105 also made the cut. With its mix of luxury residences and family neighborhoods, this location is prized for its proximity to downtown Naples. Renters save nearly $200 per month from the city’s average at some communities within this area.
While that ranking might intimidate those of more modest means, the appeal of Southwest Florida is not out of reach for those hoping to relocate to the region.
Esther Urmosi, communications specialist with RentCafe, shared the results of another study. Her company assessed 200 national ZIP Codes offering deluxe apartments. The ranking calculated which postal codes included rents more affordable than the city’s average for luxury residences.
BRIEFS
With its mix of retail, old Florida bungalows, gated communities, shopping and restaurants, ZIP Code 34109 also included some properties where rents averaged less than the Naples norm. This family-friendly postal code is home to schools, shopping and the Naples YMCA. Rents here can be found for approximately $100 below the statistical area average. This range of residential options in the Naples area is as plentiful as the attractions that continue to bring retirees to its shores. We have one report declaring Naples as among the top 10 wealthiest retirement communities, and a second assuring those monitoring their retirement expenditures that there is something for them, as well.
Residential real estate sales, inventory increase in Naples area
The Naples area residential real estate market saw a 40% spike in inventory and a 12% increase in overall closed sales in January, according to data from the Naples Area Board of Realtors. There were 6,808 pieces of inventory last month, including 2,233 new listings, a 23% increase from January 2023. There was a total of 551 overall closed sales and 933 overall pending sales, an 8% year-over-year decrease. Homes spent an average of 92 days on the market with a median closed price of $659,000.
Enclave of Naples begins phase one of renovation
North Naples-based Studio CGU announced the first phase of renovations at the Enclave of Naples condo complex at 601 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. in Naples. The first phase focuses on a complete overhaul of the condominium’s existing social room, bringing updates to the fitness center and social room and adding amenities, including a steam room, full catering kitchen, social bar and high-end finishes. Phase two will include renovation of the pool, deck and pavilion, while phase three includes lobby renovation and expansion. Finally, phase four will consist of hardscape and landscape improvements.
Naples attracts high-end retirees who live in luxurious homes, but there are residential options for people in all income brackets.
Photo courtesy Kristi Kramer
As an icon rises along the Vanderbilt Beach skyline, there will be a new address in Naples to surpass all others. With coastal residences of unrivaled space and finishes, 50,000 square feet of inspired amenities, and impeccable service by the first name in luxury, every moment of every day will be yours to enjoy at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Naples. A rare opportunity reserved for the few, the time to select your residence is now.
The best time to select one of these incomparable homes for yourself is now. 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road Suite 106, Naples, Florida 34109 Phone 239-249-6260 The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Naples Pricing from $5.2 million. RCRNaples.com
rts & LEISURE
Ongoing events
‘Noises Off’
Various times through March 20 at Gulfshore Playhouse, 100 Goodlette-Frank Road S., Naples. Gulfshore Playhouse production of the classic British farce of an eccentric troupe of actors stumbling through a flop called Nothing On. As the company moves from rehearsals to performances, things go from chaotic to spectacularly catastrophic both onstage and off. $39-$109. gulfshoreplayhouse.org or 239.261.7529
Those historic little homes
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays now through June 7 at the Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S. Heathwood Drive, Marco Island. Marco Island Historical Society presents “The Florida House,” a trip back in time to 1960s Marco Island. See the homes as the Mackle Brothers envisioned them, as the latest and greatest Florida architecture for Marco. “The Florida House” marks and celebrates the 60th anniversary of modern Marco Island and the construction of the island’s first model homes by the Mackle Brothers and Deltona Corporation. Free public reception 4-5:30 p.m. March 13. Free. colliermuseums.com
Matisse at NAI
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays through April 13 at Naples Art Institute, 795 Park Ave., Naples. “Art in Balance: Matisse and His Illustrated Works” features a selection of more than 140 works that reveal Henri Matisse’s genius as a printmaker and his unique approach to composition, color and form. Spanning from the late 1930s through his final years. $15, $10 members. naplesart.org or 239.262.6517
‘The Cher Show’
7:30 p.m. through March 9, 2 p.m. March 8 and 9 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. See Hot Ticket
Everglades exhibition
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays–Saturdays, noon–4 p.m. Sundays March 8 through Sept. 21 at The Baker Museum, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. “Entangled in the Mangroves: Florida Everglades Through Installation” features the work of nine Florida-based artists who explore the critical importance of the Everglades through diverse media, including painting, photography, ceramics, film, poetry and installation. The exhibition highlights its ecological and cultural importance and the urgent need for its preservation. Curated by Curator of Modern Art Dianne BrásFeliciano, Ph.D. $10, $5 students or full-time military with ID, $1 for SNAP benefits visitors. artisnaples.org
This weekend (March 7, 8, 9)
‘La Bohème’
7 p.m. March 6 and 8 at Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S., Naples. Opera Naples’ Festival Under the Stars presents Giacomo Puccini’s opera about young Bohemians living and loving in Paris. $28-$1,500 for front table of six. operanaples.org
Big Band bops
7 p.m. March 7 at Norris
CALENDAR
NEEDLE AND THREAD CREATIONS STAR
Suzi Bloemker-stitched Becky Hogg embroidery piece titled “Kingfisher.” It’s part of the upcoming Neapolitan Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America show March 11-13. Photo courtesy embroiderynaples.org
Noon-4 p.m. March 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 12 and 13 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church ballroom, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples. The Neapolitan Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America brings out its best work for its annual show and sale. See a variety of embroidery types such as crewel, needlepoint, thread painting, surface, counted cross-stitch and more. There’s a demonstration of various embroidery techniques and a boutique for purchase of handmade Christmas ornaments, books, threads, hoops, ribbons and anything embroidery related. A “tea cup” auction offers chances to win special embroidered pieces that are donated. $7 donation. embroiderynaples.org
Community Center, 755 Eighth St. S., Naples. The Naples Big Band puts out hit after hit from the 1940s and ’50s. $30 at eventbrite.com
‘The Mikado’
7 p.m. March 7 and 7:30 p.m. March 9 at Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S., Naples. Opera Naples’ Festival Under the Stars puts on Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera set in a fictional Japanese town of Titipu. $28-$152. operanaples.org or 239.963.9050
Temptations/Four Tops
8 p.m. March 7 at Seminole Casino Immokalee, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. Joined by The Four Tops, The Temptations are celebrating 40 years of making music. See them perform their No. 1 Pop singles: “My Girl,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Just My Imagination” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” $125. Attendees must be 21+. casino.hardrock.com
30th annual Quilt Show
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at New Hope Ministries, 7675 Davis Blvd., Naples. The Naples Quilters Guild show, “Stitches in Time” is the primary fundraising event for the organization. Attendees can enter a quilt raffle and shop at the boutique. $10. naplesquiltersguild.org
Immokalee Cattle Drive and Jamboree
7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. March 8 at Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, 1215 Roberts Ave.,
landing, Jane ditches Shirley for a fling. Shirley wanders the island, meets a Greek taverna owner and begins to find the joy in life again. marcoislandart.org
The Art of Needlework
10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 11-13 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Ballroom, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples. See the Featured item. embroiderynaples.org
‘Man of La Mancha’
Various times March 12-April 13 in the Kizzie Theatre at Sugden Community Theatre, 501 S. Fifth Ave., Naples. Naples Players’ production of the popular musical inspired by Cervantes’ 17th-century masterwork. The play-within-a-play tells the story of the elderly knight’s slightly addled but chivalrous quest to right all wrongs in the world. It includes the classic numbers such as “The Impossible Dream” and “Dulcinea.” $50-$55. naplesplayers. org or 239.263.7990
Piano Talks: Panorama
7 p.m. March 13 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Jodie DeSalvo continues her “Piano Talks” series. Grammy-nominated Liam Teague joins DeSalvo for a steel pan performance. $58. artisnaples.org
‘The House of Doors’ 10 a.m. March 13 and 15 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Elaine Newton gives a lecture on Tan Twan Eng’s The House of Doors, a novel set in 1920s colonial Malaya. $50. artisnaples.org
Beethoven’s Ninth returns
Next weekend (March 14, 15, 16)
Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade
11 a.m. March 15. You don’t have to be Irish to love this parade, said to be the largest south of Savannah. Neapolitans gather for the annual Naples St. Patrick Foundation parade. It starts at the corner of Third Street South and 10th Avenue, turns east onto Fifth Avenue South and then east on Eighth Street South to end in front of Naples City Hall. It is the largest privately funded parade in Florida. naplesparade.com
‘Sleeping Beauty’
2 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 15 at Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave., Naples. Opera Naples’ Festival Under the Stars puts on Sleeping Beauty with Gulfshore Ballet. $39-$119. operanaples.org or 239.963.9050
Naples Flower Show
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, at The Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Attendees can see floral designs, exotic plants, temporary gardens, educational displays and more. $25 for adults. $10 for children 4-17. naplesgardenclub.org
Immokalee. Experience history come to life at the Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch. Bring a seat and watch the cattle herd mooo-ving on down Main Street, Immokalee, on State Road 29 in an old-fashioned cattle drive. There’s a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. ($8, cash only) to support the local 4-H, a lineup of live entertainment, stands and food trucks. Road closures begin at 9, but there’s bus service to Main Street. colliermuseums.com or 239.252.2611
Next week (March 10-13)
Naples Divas
5:30 p.m. social; 6:15 p.m. serenade March 10 at Larimart Gallery, 2359 Vanderbilt Blvd., Galleria Plaza, Suite 410, Naples. A trio of Naples divas — Mary Stolper, flute; Jodie DeSalvo, piano; and Daniela Shtereva, violin — make beautiful music alone and together. $40 for beverages, nibbles and concert at artsplanetnaples.org
‘Shirley Valentine’ on Marco 10 am. (doors open at 9:45 a.m.)
March 11 at Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. One of the center’s free art film series. Shirley Valentine, a housewife from Liverpool, England, needs a change in her life before she has another conversation with the walls. When her friend Jane invites her on a trip to a Greek island, Shirley jumps at the chance. But upon
7:30 p.m. March 13-15 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Beethoven’s masterwork, the symphony broke barriers with its call to worldwide family, broke new ground with its incorporation of choral and instrument in a symphony and has possibly broken all records except one (held by his Symphony No. 5) for most recorded symphony. These performances bring two choruses—the Naples Philharmonic Chorus and the Chancel Choir of Moorings Presbyterian Church—as well as the Naples Philharmonic and four soloists, together with Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director at Artis—Naples, conducting. $29-$79. artisnaples.org or 239.597.1900
The Lew Del Gatto All-Stars 4 p.m. March 16 at North Naples Church, 6000 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples. “Jazz in the Afternoon” brings sax virtuoso Lew Del Gatto and his friends — James Suggs, trumpet; Herb Bruce, trombone; pianist Jerry Stawski; bassist Kevin Mauldin; drummer and vocalist Patricia Dean. Free general admission, $25 VIP on eventbrite.com
Nathan Gunn, baritone 4 p.m. March 16 at Trinity-by-theCove Episcopal Church, 553 Galleon Drive, Naples. Operatic baritone Nathan Gunn is acclaimed for his diverse career bridging the genres of opera, musical theater and recital. His portrayal of Papageno in The Magic Flute was in the first-ever live HD broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera. He was the winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s first Beverly Sills award and has worked with musical theater stars such as Kelli O’Hara and Audra McDonald. Free, but registration required at trinitybythecove.com
CHER’S BEAT GOES ON 7:30 p.m. through March 9, 2 p.m. March 8 and 9 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. The Tony awardwinning musical story of the indominable Cher • singer, actress, mom • with all her hard work, her well-known pop hits with Sonny Bono (“I Got You Babe,” “The Beat Goes On”) and her solo career (“If I Could Turn Back Time,” “Believe”). $129-$155. artisnaples.org or 239.597.1900
HOT TICKET
Meredith Mashburn Photography
COVER STORY
On stage next season: Dickens and rock stars and dogs in the nighttime
By Harriet Howard Heithaus harriet.heithaus@naplespress.com
TheatreZone loves Broadway, but it’s not the only defining address any longer, and next year’s opening play, Grumpy Old Men: the Musical will prove it to Naples audiences.
Founder and Artistic Producer Mark Danni announced the 2025-26 season this week, and the Bengay powered feud over aging, friendship and the silver-haired siren next door opens it.
“It made a splash at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, which is known for introducing new pieces, and then it did not go to Broadway but it has had a lot of regional success,” Danni observed. The Ogunquit is known as an incubator for Broadway, and all its plays are watched for production potential.
“People have been mentioning it to me — ‘You should do Grumpy Old Men. It would be great in your space.’”
So he’s taking their advice.
The musical, based on the film starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret, had pedigreed parents. Neil Berg, Broadway producer known for his own touring productions of rock ‘n’ roll and Broadway tributes, crafted the melodies, and Nick Meglin, longtime copywriter for MAD magazine, wrote the lyrics.
Next year’s season jumps from the intimacy of an American neighborhood to the gritty streets of London in the 18th century. Oliver! may be most known by the public from its sweeping film version, but Danni sees plenty of potential for the smaller stage. And what about a cast? The star is only around 10 years old, and many of the voices for the ensemble are of orphanage children and the pickpocket waifs who befriend Oliver.
Danni’s not worried about casting for the ensemble in a city with strong youth music programs. And the stars come out: “These kids come from all over to audition — high-power kids — for the leads,” he marveled.
He is, of course, high on Gutenberg: The Musical, because Danni had seen it on Broadway and had gotten commitments from its two stars, Adolpho Blaire and Larry Alexander, before he even requested first rights.
“I said, ‘The only way I’m doing this is if the two of you play these parts,’” Danni recalled. He called both actors triple threats — overthe-top funny in comedies, fan favorites of TheatreZone audiences and extremely professional actors. Gutenberg follows two bumbling Broadway wannabes as they try to sell their dreadful musical on the movable type monarch. The comic question: Will it ever get to the stage?
Here is the entire 2025-26 season. All plays are in the G&L Theatre at the Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Road.
Season tickets are on sale at theatre.zone or 888.966.3352, extension 1. Home for the Holidays Dec. 1921. This is a TheatreZone tradition reimagined every year, and celebrating its ninth annual production
with beloved Christmas songs and some soon-to-be favorites, elaborate costume and dance. Hanukkah, too? Of course.
Grumpy Old Men: The Musical Jan. 8-18. It’s not enough that the two central characters in this musical take their curmudgeonly tendencies out on each other; a stunning new neighbor moves in across the street from them and they become Medicare-age romantic rivals. With a book by Dan Remmes, score by Neil Berg — a familiar name from his appearances at Artis—Naples — and lyrics by Nick Meglin.
Gutenberg: The Musical Feb. 5-15. Starring Larry Alexander and Adolpho Blaire, who play off each other in a way that makes the Harlem Globetrotters look slo-mo. The two are cast as enthusiastic producers of what they believe will be a Broadway box office hit. Unfortunately, it’s awful to everyone but them.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story March 5-15. The story of the rock ‘n’ roll icon whose life was cut short by a tragic plane crash, but who had already left an indelible legend with hits including “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Oh, Boy!” and “Rave On.” It recalls his historic Apollo Theater debut, his time with The Crickets and his whirlwind romance and marriage.
Oliver! June 4-14. The triple-Tony stage musical based on the Charles Dickens classic of an orphan looking for his forever family, with book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. It spawned such standards as “Consider Yourself,” “Where Is Love?” and “As Long as He Needs Me.”
Gulfshore Playhouse
In the second season in its new home on Goodlette-Frank Road, Gulfshore Playhouse has embraced a broad theatrical spectrum, and its personnel are proud of that.
“We run the gamut in terms of genre, time period and style, and I know each and every show will be a huge crowd-pleaser,” said Kristen Coury, founder, CEO and producing artistic director of Gulfshore Playhouse, in the news release announcing the season.
There’s a holiday musical, the organization’s second in nearly 20 years, in White Christmas. And from Broadway, the jukebox bio of one of the Brill building’s star writers in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
One of the series may take a bit more digesting than others: Edward Albee’s acid drama, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The playwright’s masterpiece never fails to shock the audience with its blend of frank discussion
and veiled references.
Coury is taking no chances with Virginia Woolf: She’s directing it herself.
Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Struthers Studio; Oct. 23-Nov. 23. A couple play mind games with fuses attached during a post faculty-reception drink with a younger couple from the university where the senior pair’s husband works. It is one of Edward Albee’s most heavily layered plays.
White Christmas Nov. 14-Dec. 21 weaves the classic seasonal tale of two song-and-dance teams who fall for each other, with a trial by fire of misunderstandings and the work of saving a Vermont inn owned by the two men’s former commanding general. Full of Irving Berlin songs that have become standards, such as “Blue Skies” and “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.”
The Mousetrap Jan. 15-Feb. 15.
The long-running West End Agatha Christie murder mystery is set in a snowbound country estate where the dinner guests learn there is a murderer among them who plans to strike. And does.
Circle Forward, by Deb Hiett, Struthers Studio, Jan. 29-March
1. This world premiere from a New Works Festival pits a counselor who lost her husband 17 years ago against a teenager who claims to be his reincarnation — and who knows eerily intimate things about him.
Hiett’s Miss Keller Has No Second Book also premiered here in 2018.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, March 5-April 4. The witty drawing room comedy of two young men who have become Ernest in their alter egos to woo and win the women they love.
Dear Jack, Dear Louise Struthers Studio, March 26-April 26, tells the story of a World War II correspondence between two people trying to get to each other across the Atlantic.
Playwright Ken Ludwig based it on the lives of his own parents.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, April 30-May 31. Musical biography of the famous songwriter with the hits she wrote for others such as “(You Make Me Feel Like)
A Natural Woman” and her own (“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” “So Far Away”).
Naples Players
One of its musicals may be about little women, but women are big for Naples Players. And understandably, because they’re getting fare such as 9 to 5, in which three female office employees exact hilarious revenge on their lecherous boss, and A Piece of My Heart, following the lives of six American women who worked in Vietnam during the 1960s war.
“Some of that is by accident and some of that is [because in] most community-based theaters, the audience is 60% to 65% women, and that’s the case here, too,” observed Bryce Alexander, Naples Players CEO and executive artistic director.
“Traditionally, theater seasons are very men-heavy, and so we tried to break the mold this year in both technology and casting to demonstrate the way you can tell important community stories,” he said. Among the female stories are Ada and the Machine Little Women, the Musical and Piece of My Heart, all stories of women’s persistence through adversities.
There’s another theme at work, too, and it’s bringing the 2013 Tony winner, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, to the Price Studio Theatre. It’s a play that requires tremendous technological assistance to re-create the mind of its autistic central character, Christopher Boone.
“This year we tried to do The Play That Goes Wrong to demonstrate the prowess we had in the big theater. So we chose Curious Incident to demonstrate the true capabilities of the small theater,” he said. “We’re talking about pretty extraordinary projections throughout the theater to give that incredible experience as if he’s flying through the stars.”
Those capabilities require a nearly 360-degree sky with constellations and its central character must “fly” around the stage in the hands of black-shrouded characters. Both are in the plans, he said.
Directors for the season haven’t been announced, because he and the theater’s new producing artistic director, Phillip Fazio, have yet to sit down and make those decisions. But there already is an arm up for the director slot.
“I have a particular affinity for it, so don’t be surprised if it happens to be me,” Alexander added, with chuckle.
All plays are in the mainstage Kizzie Theatre unless otherwise noted. Season tickets are on sale at naplesplayers.org or 239.263.7990. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street June 25-July 27. The edgiest Stephen Sondheim musical ever, about a barber with a sharp razor and a pie maker who needs fillings; they make a deadly contract to supply each other’s needs in a down-and-out 18th-century London.
And Then There Were None Oct. 1-19. Agatha Christie’s chilling tale of a group who find themselves marooned on an island, and it’s not one populated by Gilligan and the Skipper. The stranded strangers begin to die, one by one, by some mysterious hand.
Ada and the Engine Oct. 15Nov. 9 in the Price Studio Theatre. Playwright Laura Gunderson
This season’s laugh-out-loud comedy at Gulfshore Playhouse is Noises Off! shown here during its current run through March 16. Next season the classic is The Importance of Being Earnest Contributed photo
TheatreZone
Adolpho Blaire and Larry Alexander play Broadway producer wannabes, but with the world’s worst subject for a musical — Gutenberg — at TheatreZone next season. Contributed photo
Turning the tables for good
By Harriet Howard Heithaus harriet.heithaus@naplespress.com
“Artfully arranged” was the theme, but “brilliantly built” would have worked as well for the League Club’s seventh annual Naples Tables, where table centerpieces rose to 9 feet and one corner table even created its own sitting room.
Fadia Bechara of At Faro and David Burman from Mister Style had assembled their own organic look with handwoven palm mats, reed baskets and ceramics which were lowered repeatedly into ocean water to create their salt patina. The two Naples furniture and accessory designers have their own businesses but often collaborate.
“He likes all my ideas and I like all his ideas,” Bechara said. The two had lobbied for more of a plantation aura with two comfy reed peacock chairs — “my grandparents’,” Burman said proudly — at the table.
A number of tables had sentiment behind them. Ginger Williamson and Colin Dungan of Abbie Joan Design and Remodel had created an homage to Dungan’s mother.
“His mother passed last year and she was sort of a Chihuly collector,” Williamson explained of their theme, “Chihuly in the Garden.”
“We had a $500 budget so a lot of this is handmade,” she added. She and Dungan had created “moss” placemats and a crystalline bouquet by painting, then heating, plastic plates in an oven.
“The more you melt it, the more
it just curls up into a little flower,” she offered.
The pair’s only splurge was a tangerine-swirl blown-glass bowl, done in the style of the famous glass artist, at each table setting.
Art works came to this year’s event, pieces such as Paula Brody’s ribbon-effect paper seascape, hung above a shared table for her Inspirations Artist & Design Gallery and Vintage & Nouveau, an online florist with multiples of blue in a floral outlay.
Chad Jensen and his team at Method and Concept had brought a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Naples Winter Wine Festival to its table. A plaster cast of the Bacchus sculptures around town presided over it with a planting break at the top filled, of course, with grapes. The entire table, with molded sculpture chargers, was decorated in grapey abandon.
All of the 52 tables are a tribute to the power of this signature fundraiser for the League Club. Last year some 35 charities and nonprofits received $683,000 in grants and the organization contributed an additional $10,000 toward Collier Comes Together Hurricane Fund.
“We’ve loved playing off the art of anticipation, the art of hospitality, and our guest speaker, Alex Hitz — his book is The Art of the Host ,” said Ann Burbridge, vice-president of fundraising events for the League Club, of this year’s event. Even better, she said, are the results of the Naples Tables approach to fundraising: In its seven years, it has been the primary donor to the organization’s $7.3 million in grants.
The Next Generation of Orthopedic Care in Southwest Florida
Ahilan Sivaganesan, MD
Richard de Asla,
Scott Thompson, MD
Jeffrey D. Stimac, MD
Smith, MD
ABOVE: A table sponsored by Abbie Joan Design & Remodel, designed by Abbie Sladick, for the Naples Tables event presented by The League Club at the Ritz-Tiburón.
LEFT: A table sponsored by At Faro/ Mister Style, designed by Fadia Bechara and David Burman, for the event.
Photos by Chris Tilley
OUT & ABOUT
More than 200 supporters of Naples Cancer Advisors turned out at the Naples Yacht Club for the nonprofit organization’s second annual Wine Women & Shoes fundraiser. The event raised more than $260,000 to support the agency in its mission to provide free consultative oncology services to cancer patients and their families.
The annual Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars hosted a family day in Cambier Park on March 1. Families tried on costumes, played with props, made musical instruments and jumped in the moon bounce, with a performance of The Ugly Duckling as well. Opera Naples hosts an annual festival, and this year’s performances include La bohème and The Mikado
Photography by Helen Werner
Photography by Liz Gorman
Nicoleta Kakaes, Vivian Wong, Deborah Houk, Anne Marie Tremaine
Nikki Audia, Pamela Dunn, Lisa Swain
Pamela Curley, Sheemy Suh, Jen Barker
Carmen Grifferty, Janice Page Co-Chairs Candy Nanke, Candice Kochenour
Gabriela Mateus, Jesi Crane, Jessi Norvell
Linda Meak, Katy Tetta
Opera Naples volunteer Kylie Hubbard gives temporary tattoos. A local girl gets her face painted by Captain Black during the festival. Amy Giacometti puts on a puppet show for Olena and Valentina Giacometti.
Robin Shuford Frank, Opera Naples director of education and community outreach, introduces The Ugly Duckling
Casie Saint Laurent watches as son Jordy plays with a handmade maraca.
Opera Naples resident artists perform The Ugly Duckling.
Opera Naples volunteer Samantha Kyle shows off some of the costumes.
There were costumes, props, arts and crafts, and an opera performance for kids during the family day.
COMICS & PUZZLES
1. LITERATURE: Who lives at 4 Privet Drive?
2. TELEVISION: Which 1980s sitcom featured the Keaton family?
3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the first American-born president?
4. COMICS: What is Deadpool's profession?
5. AD SLOGANS: Which makeup company's slogan is "Maybe she's born with it"?
6. HISTORY: Which battles marked the beginning of the American Revolution?
7. INVENTIONS: The 1904 World's Fair introduced which fluffy confection?
8. MOVIES: In which year were the first Oscars awarded?
9. MEASUREMENTS: What does 1 gallon of water weigh?
10. GEOGRAPHY: What are the colors of the Italian flag?
2025 King
OLIVE
By Emi Burdge
THE NAPLES PRESS CROSSWORD
88
91
96
No better way to sea
Don your sea legs to fish, connect with water life and marvel at coastline wonders
By Jean L. Amodea
The shorelines of the opulent homes dotting the southern tip of Naples’ coastline can only be imagined as one drives down Gulf Shore Boulevard. However, embarking on a Pure Florida sightseeing sunset cruise to Naples Bay and into a Port Royal canal offers a glimpse at the backyards of the luxurious homes that bear addresses of some of the city’s most affluent residents.
“We cruise into the bay to see mansions and to get up close to nature as we pass by island mangrove forests outlining the coast,” said Pure Florida owner Harry Julian, whose team of experienced staff members ensures a safe and informative journey.
“Then, we slow down to see the dolphins and manatees that call our waterways home. We may even glimpse deer and even boar.”
The vessels’ amiable captains and mates provide historical and ecological narration replete with tidbits of Naples lore, landmarks and facts about native water life and flying fowl. The vessel then motors to the Gulf of Mexico for dazzling sunset vistas with background music; drinks and snacks are available for purchase.
The Dolphin Watch Eco Cruise is a three-hour tour centered on the wildlife and ecosystem — perfect for all ages, nature photographers, beach lovers and shelling fans.
“It’s packed with information about the mangroves and their protection, dolphins and their behaviors, birds like eagles, ospreys, spoonbills and herons, and we cruise by eagles’ nests, hoping to see them,”
From page 3B
Julian said. “The boat docks at Keewaydin Island for up to an hour so guests can depart, take a walk on the white-sand beach, collect seashell treasures or dip their toes in the tepid Gulf waters. Shelling bags and guidance are given about which shells can be gathered and which must remain untouched to preserve and protect the island sanctuaries.”
Misty Dyer has been cruising with Pure Florida since 2016 and enjoys Capt. Chris Shields’ jokes and informed narration about the mangroves. “We have rented the boats, gone fishing, shelling, and have taken the eco-tours and the sunset cruises,” Dyer said. “There is no
loves delving into the lives of lesser known, but world-changing, inventors, and Ada King Lovelace of Victorian England was one. She first sensed the practical applications of Charles Babbage’s computing machine for making fabric and other assimilative tasks. The play follows her discoveries and their ramifications for the men around her.
Little Women, the Musical Nov 19-Dec. 21. Louisa May Alcott’s story of the indomitable March sisters and their fraught, yet close-knit, journey to adulthood during the Civil War is set to music. It’s a family-friendly play but one that deals with reality: spurned love, death, the hardships of wartime.
Beau Jest Jan. 14-Feb. 15. Sarah’s conservative parents want to see her in a traditional romantic relationship. So to keep the peace, Sarah hires a boyfriend. What could go wrong? The facade, of course, begins to crack and there are surprises in store for all sides of this familial group in the James Sherman comedy.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime, at the Price Studio Theatre Feb.
better way to see the Naples sunsets with some bubbly, and we have seen dolphins on every trip, frolicking in the Double Sunshine’s wake.”
Pure Florida also offers fishing aficionados the chance to sail farther and faster into deeper waters — up to 100 miles offshore — to snag bigger fish such as grouper and snapper.
Blaine Lokhorst is a regular angler on deep-sea fishing excursions.
“I guarantee you will catch fish, and it is not uncommon to catch over a dozen lane snapper,” Lokhorst said.
The captain and first mate assist customers with the rules and regulations regarding length restric-
4-March 1. Based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, the play takes us through the shattered life of Christopher Boone, a bright teen on the autism spectrum whose parents have split and whose true friend, the neighborhood dog, is shot. He decides to sleuth out the dog killer and it embroils him in adventures he had not bargained for.
9 to 5 March 11-April 12, 2026. Dolly Parton wrote the lyrics and melodies and Patricia Resnick the book for this tuneful romp through a daring uprising among three office workers who are fed up with their notoriously womanizing boss.
A Piece of My Heart in the Price Studio Theatre April 1-26. Shirley Lauro’s play tells the true stories of six courageous women — a career Army officer, an American Red Cross volunteer, three nurses and an entertainer — who worked with American forces during the Vietnam War, and how their experiences changed their lives.
Much Ado About Nothing in the Price Studio Theatre May 6-24. It’s Shakespeare at his brightest and funniest in this tale of two budding romances that are threatened by back-fence talk and misunderstandings. It’s also Shakespeare up close and personal with the intimate seating in the studio theater.
tions. Lokhorst said if you listen to them, “you will have the best day of fishing.
“I have caught everything from tuna to black grouper, gag grouper, porgy, mutton snapper, American red snapper, mangrove snapper, a six-foot nurse shark, vermilion snapper, yellowtail snapper, amberjack, triggerfish, kingfish and rudderfish among other fish,” Lokhorst said, sounding like the author of a book on fish species.
Fishing trips run three-and-a-half hours backwater to 12-hour, longrange, deep-sea outings.
“We provide a license, bait, hooks, rods and reels; anglers can bring
What: Tour company with dolphin ecotours with shelling, sunset and sightseeing cruises, fishing charters, personal watercraft and boat rentals
Where: Tin City Waterfront Shops, 1200 5th Avenue S., Suite 501, Naples
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Contact: purefl.com or 239.263.4949; call for prices, departure dates and times
More: Restrooms, drinks and snacks (for purchase) are available on board
food, drinks and beer, and your catch will be cleaned,” Julian added. “We have something for everyone; offer top-rate customer service; go above and beyond as far as looking after our customers and staff; and treat everyone like family.”
Julian’s pedigree as a seaman goes back seven generations to New Zealand mariners. In 2009, the Julian family patriarch assumed ownership of the business formerly known as Cruise Naples, which had two vessels and nine employees. It was re-branded as Pure Florida, and today, with 30 employees, the fleet has swelled to 20 vessels. Jet Ski rentals and private charters are available.
Willy Loman (Bob Cappetta) and his wife, Linda (Rhonda Davis), share a tender moment — one of too few during Willy’s life in Death of a Salesman in the 2024-2025 Naples Players season. Contributed photo
SPORTS Another goal reached as FC Naples takes the field
By David Wasson
We here in Collier County are blessed with an abundance of sports.
Our high school football teams are perennially among the state’s best. Our golf is world class, as evidenced by the troika of tour events that annually call Collier County home. The offshore fishing is unreal, and onshore, our little slice of sandy ground is one of the epicenters of pickleball.
Athletes, both active and retired, flock to our neighborhoods to enjoy life without having to shovel snow or deal with pesky fans — instead, they can simply live the good life outside the microscope of the sport that helped make their bones.
Despite all that, and until this weekend, Collier County residents have never had a professional sports team to truly call our own.
That changes Saturday night.
FC Naples, Naples’ first professional sports franchise, officially begins its journey by playing in its inaugural United Soccer League League One soccer match against the Chattanooga Red Wolves at Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
Having a professional team of our own is a huge step forward in this area’s evolution, as pro sports here have been limited in our past to annual tournaments and celebrity sightings. In other words, all those athletes and teams have been from somewhere else.
But FC Naples? Put simply, they’re our hometown team.
Roberto Moreno, the team’s CEO, saw the
By Randy Kambic
potential in Collier County almost immediately back in 2023 and — alongside USL deputy CEO Justin Papadakis — worked behind the scenes to start building FC Naples literally from scratch. That meant negotiating with the Paradise Coast Sports Complex management staff and the Collier County Commission to determine whether professional soccer was the right fit for our area.
And it clearly is, as evidenced by the hundreds of season-ticket members FC Naples signed up shortly after the team was officially named in June of last year. FC Naples logos started popping up on commercial signage. Fan T-shirts and decorative scarves are all over Collier County.
Once head coach and sporting director Matt Poland was hired to begin assembling
the team itself, FC Naples truly started becoming a reality. From the first new player — midfielder Jayden Onen from London will forever hold that honor — to the most recent, Poland’s roster took shape as 2024 barreled toward 2025.
In so many ways, and perhaps without it being a part of the grand vision when Phase 1 construction was completed in 2020, Paradise Coast Sports Complex is a perfectly unique home for FC Naples. The stadium’s 5,000-fan capacity, with grassy berms in addition to shaded seating and party decks, has been used for hundreds of games and events since its debut. But the infrastructure Collier County built out of the native scrubland near the intersection of Collier Boulevard and I-75 is truly tailor-made for a professional soccer
franchise, and FC Naples has branded itself to the venue with ease.
Collier County itself also has embraced the team, as Commissioner Rick LoCastro — at one point critical of Paradise Coast Sports Complex early in his tenure — has been spotted at several season ticket member events and is a frequent, vocal proponent of FC Naples. Watching Moreno at fan events is a test to see how many times he can say “thank you” to fans as he strides through the stadium. And Poland, who has called Marco Island home for more than a decade, embraces chatting up fans as much as he does working his whistle during team workouts.
The inaugural FC Naples roster, a healthy mix of ages ranging from 19 to 34, brings with it a tremendous amount of international and professional experience. It also has Collier County flavor, with midfielder Thomas Bowe hailing from Naples. Attacker Sebastian Joffre was on Gulf Coast High School’s 2018 state championship team.
Time will tell, of course, whether FC Naples will be an immediate on-field force — starting with Saturday night’s test against the Chattanooga Red Wolves. USL League One sports 14 teams this season, with more national expansion coming. Growing championship chemistry from scratch is certainly a challenge, too, though Poland and company make it clear that they want to win and win now. But the real winners here are Collier County residents. The congratulations go to all the sports fans here who have been aching for a professional team to call our own and root for with all our passion.
FC Naples is here.
Motivated to keep moving
Local runner returns to Boston Marathon to aid cancer research
Overcoming multiple health issues to be in the Boston Marathon last year, Naples seasonal resident Rick Ricciardi said seeing his daughter Caroline at two separate spots along the route, including at the dreaded Heartbreak Hill, “was such a boost.” Along with her roadside encouragement again when he takes his second consecutive run at the event on April 21 to raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, he also looks forward to meeting someone who gave him extra motivation to cross the fabled finish line near Copley Square last year. Ricciardi, who began running in grade school, had run approximately 10 marathons in his native New Jersey (where he spends his summers) and the region until he had to cease long distances when he was 45 due to experiencing laryngospasms. After treatment, he would jog two to three miles at a time on a regular basis. But then he developed atrial fibrillation about two years ago.
“I went on beta blockers to help control my heart rate, which worked,” he said. About six months later, “Caroline, who does multiple myeloma cancer research for Dana-Farber in Boston, suggested I join their race team. She was treating a Massachusetts State Police trooper and told him I was going to run. With all that
he was going through, I didn’t want her to have to tell him that I quit.”
Afterward, the two exchanged letters and gifts — a Boston Marathon T-shirt and a state trooper hat.
“Meeting him this time around will be amazing,” said Ricciardi.
The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team members receive fundraising support, training guidance
from 1976 Boston Marathon Men’s Open Division champion Jack Fultz and team training runs.
“He (Fultz) is awesome,” Ricciardi said. To help him prepare for last year’s race, Fultz “suggested that I adopt a run-walk method — five minutes running and one minute walking. He said, ‘It’ll bring your heart rate down. You’ll be able to run longer.’ He was right.”
Ricciardi, 71, an environmental scientist, is trying to raise $15,000 for the cause.
“I’m reaching out to many of my work contacts,” he said. His training for the 26-mile, 385yard course currently consists of running about 35 miles a week — usually about 7- or 13-mile runs with rest days in between — along with cross-training. “I sometimes have
to back off on this a little, but I’m hoping to up it to 18- to 20-mile runs soon.”
His runs from the home he shares with his wife Cheryl near Vanderbilt Beach are often along Vanderbilt Drive up to or near Bonita Springs and back. “It’s a really nice stretch,” he said.
He’ll be one of 500-plus DFMC members in the U.S. and worldwide who’ll participate in the 129th edition of the race to collectively raise $8.5 million for cancer research at DFCI. This will be the 36th year such a team has been assembled; $132 million has been raised so far.
Running through his mind
On his first encounter with Heartbreak Hill, an uphill climb at mile 20: “It wasn’t quite as steep as I thought it’d be, but it was still tough. I hadn’t done long distances for a few months before due to a hip flexor problem.”
The pride he holds for the work of his daughter, who graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, is manifested in several ways. “She loves it. She has always wanted to care for people. The Dana-Farber people are doing incredible work.”
To donate to the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, either directly via Ricciardi or on a general basis, visit rundfmc.org, call 617.632.1970 or email dfmc@dfci.harvard.edu Follow DFMC on Facebook: Facebook/marathonchallenge. On Twitter: #RunDFMC.
Winger Tyler Pasnik is guarded as he moves the ball down the pitch during
recent
Naples practice at Paradise Coast Sports Complex. Photo courtesy FC Naples
Rick Ricciardi looks forward to meeting the Massachusetts State Police trooper who sent him a hat when he runs in his second consecutive Boston Marathon on April 21 to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Photo by Randy Kambic
Get the ball rolling
Almost 800 season ticket holders were in attendance and hundreds of autographs were signed as FC Naples, the city’s new professional soccer team, held a practice game open to its most fervent fans on Feb. 23 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex. FC Naples will play the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in the first game of its inaugural season in League One of the United Soccer League at 7 p.m. March 8 at the complex. Photos courtesy FC Naples
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A requiem for the First Baptist Academy football program
Speaking of Sports
David Wasson
Supposedly, the old saying goes that all good things must come to an end.
I don’t believe any of that — on the contrary, the objective is usually to keep good things going as long as practically possible and by any ethical means necessary.
Too bad the folks at First Baptist Academy don’t feel the same way.
News broke a week or so back that FBA was parting ways with Billy Sparacio, who literally built the Lions’ football program out of the dirt behind the private school and church off Livingston Road. Sparacio, who was FBA’s founding athletic director, as well as the only football coach the Lions had ever known, was simply gone.
Coaches who have won a state title and 127 games at a program assembled from thin air don’t just leave a program that was still successfully chugging along. Such is the case with the 53-year-old Sparacio, who likely would have remained on the sidelines at FBA for as long as he physically and mentally wanted.
Instead, FBA decided to go a different way. A drastically different way.
FBA decided to de-emphasize athletics — Sparacio’s athletic program, in fact — in favor of being a school that prioritizes elite academic promise, as well as exceptional spiritual futures.
Now is a good time to throw in an important disclaimer: I am not saying schools shouldn’t be about school. On the contrary, schools should be all about school when class is in session. Which is why you won’t find me uttering a single solitary harsh word about the quality of education offered at First Baptist Academy.
But why is it necessary for FBA to lean into academics and spirituality at the cost of athletics?
Back in 2007, Sparacio’s mission was clear: build First Baptist Academy an athletic program. And that’s exactly what the former Barron Collier coach did — both by serving as football coach and by hiring Scott Stewart not long after as coach of the boys’ basketball team.
Sparacio, like all coaches at all fledgling programs, experienced growing pains in those early years. But it wasn’t long until FBA started to contend both among Southwest Florida small schools and statewide. In all, the Lions won eight district and six regional titles, culminating in the Class 1S football championship in 2022 — the first team from Naples to do so since 2007. And the rest of the athletics offerings at FBA have also enjoyed success.
Getting there meant Sparacio (who along with FBA’s Head of School, Dr. Ryan Dupeé, declined comment for this column) started to lure athletes to FBA — within the school’s “need of family” guidelines — to come play, learn and grow spiritually at FBA. There is nothing in the FHSAA bylaws against this practice, and the state doesn’t examine financial records of schools. Which meant Sparacio soon found himself in a bit of an athletic arms race with other private schools who can work those gray areas. Did some FBA students receive athletic scholarships? Not under the precise definition of the term, certainly, as that would be against FHSAA bylaws. But anyone with a
working cerebral cortex can discern that FBA suddenly finding All-State and future Division I-caliber athletes on both sides of the football
wasn’t just a happy accident. It is important to note that this phenomenon is not contained to FBA and private schools in the state.
Billy Sparacio won 127 games and a state championship as head coach of the First Baptist Academy football team.
It’s the Wild West out here; essentially, anyone can “move” anywhere now and play football at one school or the next. In fact, there very likely is at least one public school coach right now reading this who is working similar back channels and gray areas to lure athletes. And that coach is doing it not with the promise of a private-school education, but with tools that would make you shake your head in dismay like mine does when I hear about it. Speculation is that as many as 32 athletes at FBA fell under that “happy accident” category in the 2024-25 school year. That’s a figure that built
up over time, of course, but at some point it apparently reached a point that FBA felt the academic/spiritual vs. athletic balance was out of whack. And when FBA advertised for a “director of athletic ministries” position — with many if not most of the job responsibilities that Sparacio carried — in addition to both the football coach and basketball coach being informed that the gray area they enjoyed was starting to get colored in by academics instead of athletics … Sparacio walked.
Can you possibly blame him? When the ground shifts so seismically under you that the entire model of how you operate no longer exists, you either accept it or turn in your whistle. Which is what Sparacio did, even though his son Sam is set to be a senior on the football team in 202526.
What happens to the talented football players the Lions had returning on the roster is anyone’s guess, though it’s my highly educated guess that the wind they’ll end up in will blow them to a similar deal at Community School of Naples, or to public school programs either in Collier County or outside our boundaries that offer them potential college exposure under successful Friday night lights.
And FBA, or whatever form of FBA is left behind? Well, the Lions will almost undoubtedly and practically overnight become about as talent-rich as Canterbury in Lee County, another private school that de-emphasized athletics not too long ago.
Gone are the annual rivalry games with CSN and Bishop Verot, instantly replaced by blowouts.
Gone are the deep runs into the playoffs.
Gone is likely a lion’s share of community support that comes from winning a ton of football games.
Gone is Billy Sparacio as the face and heartbeat of the FBA Lions.
What becomes of athletics at a school when it de-emphasizes athletics?
Look no further than First Baptist Academy. It’ll be at the bottom of the standings, that 2022 banner now just a relic of a different time.
Photos courtesy Billy Sparacio
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