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3A | OUTDOOR EXPENSE Naples mulls idea of charging restaurants
yearly fee for outdoor dining on public property
Tim Aten Knows Tim Aten
Changes coming to N. Naples center
J A N . 3 1 - F E B . 6 , 2025
13A | A BOLD STEP
5B | SHOW GOES ON
changing tastes, hits the mark
show shine without its star
Philharmonic teamwork makes
The French, refashioned to meet
NWWF celebrates 25 years
Wine Fest auction sets record, raises more than $34 million
Q: I hear Zookie’s on Immokalee has been sold and will be converted into an Italian restaurant. Are you hearing anything? — David Reese, Naples Q: Is it true that Zookie’s bar and grill was sold to The Oasis bar and grill? — Ivan Traverzo, Naples A: Sonny’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar will be the new name for the longtime Zookie’s Sports Bar & Grill off Immokalee Road in North Naples. Although changes have been noticed during the last two months, the full transition will be official by Valentine’s Day. Dan Latino, who owns and operates The Oasis in the spot of the original Pelican Larry’s Raw Bar & Grill on Pine Ridge Road, purchased Zookie’s in December from Mark Marzucco, who retired after operating the business for more than 15 years. “Zookie was Mark’s dad’s nickname and Sonny is my dad’s nickname,” Latino said. “So, I kind of liked the name, plus it went hand in hand. It kind of worked out well.” With the new name comes a cosmetic rebrand and menu changes, including the addition of Chicago-style pizza, both pan and thin crust. “I’ve got three pizzerias in Chicago, so I’m bringing the recipe down,” he said. “We’re going to do everything from scratch — the dough, the cheese, the sauce, everything. We have some entrees See ATEN KNOWS, Page 6A
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Winning bidder Pam Washkewicz celebrates with her table at the 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival live auction. Photo by AP Alexander
By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com
The silver anniversary was a golden opportunity for the Naples Winter Wine Festival. The 25th annual wine festival proved to be another record-breaking event, with its live auction on Jan. 25 bringing in more than $34 million to benefit at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County. This brings the total amount raised to more than $336 million since the Naples Children & Education Foundation began the annual local charity event in 2001. “Thank you for your irrational generosity,” NCEF Chairman of the Board Dale Medford said during the Jan. 26 celebratory brunch at
the end of the festival. About 650 attendees at this year’s auction arrived ready for an exciting event under a huge tent with crystal chandeliers outside The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón in North Naples. They found excitement and much more, with 52 one-of-a-kind auction lots with unique vehicles; travel and culinary opportunities; and wines from respected vineyards from around the world. “How fun of a day was that? It was crazy,” said Rick Germain, one of the trustees organizing this year’s milestone festival. He thanked participants for their generosity throughout the weekend.
MORE WINE FESTIVAL COVERAGE INSIDE • Airport vintner dinner flies past wintry weather with supplied heating, pre-meal venue change 7B • Day of wining and dining leads up to record-setting auction 8B • When they arrived, Napa Valley vintners got the VIP treatment at Naples Airport. See photos, 9B
See AUCTION, Page 8A
‘It’s all for the kids’
Meet the Kids Day: the why behind the wine By Therese McDevitt terry.mcdevitt@naplespress.com
It was a rare chilly day for Southwest Florida, but the atmosphere inside Hayes Hall at Artis—Naples was nothing but warm for the Naples Winter Wine Festival and Naples Children & Education Foundation’s “Meet the Kids Day” on Jan. 24. Nothing brings the mission of NWWF and
NCEF to life like this event, held each year to help Festival patrons connect with the children whose lives they touch with their philanthropy. Meet the Kids offers donors the chance to learn more about NCEF-supported programs at the colorful booths and tables lining the lobby, galleries and hallways at the visual and performing arts venue. At this year’s event, kids attending with the 57 represented programs were asked to dress as their
future selves, which meant there were plenty of doctors, nurses, police officers, astronauts, construction workers, ballerinas and airplane pilots on hand. NCEF CEO Maria Jimenez-Lara reflected on what she thinks the day means to everyone involved. “It’s our 25th anniversary, so it’s 25 years of See MEET THE KIDS, Page 9A
MORNINGS Taylor Petras
Corey Lazar
Lindsey Sablan
Zach Maloch
Rachel Cox-Rosen