The Naples Press - February 21, 2025

3A | RED TIDE ABATES

 Red tide algae bloom that had affected Collier shores has lessened, for now

Aten

Q: What is being constructed on the west side of Collier Boulevard about a quarter mile south of Golden Gate Parkway? Huge parcel. – Dennis Hanlon, Naples

Q: Any news on the Arthrex/ Golden Gate Golf Course? I thought construction would have started by now. – Finlay White, Naples

A: The future use for the 54-yearold Golden Gate Golf Course was still unknown in 2019 when the property was purchased by Collier County government for $29.1 million. Few people could have envisioned everything planned for the 167 acres at Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard, but a series of groundbreaking redevelopment projects now underway there is opening eyes.

“This is a very special location. It was the last large piece of open space in the urban area of Collier County. You won’t find another piece of property in the urban area like this,” Collier County Commissioner Burt L. Saunders said. “So, to me, this was a mustpurchase, and the board had the foresight to do that.”

Time was ticking at the time of the purchase six years ago because the former owner of the golf course had applied to build about 750 residential units on the property.

“That’s when I jumped in and basically said for the benefit of the Golden Gate community, but also for the entire county, we can

See ATEN KNOWS, Page 7A

0 51497 40346 1

Ukraine’s struggles

FEAR FROM AFAR

Ukrainian natives, friends see smoke-filled future in war’s year 3

By Harriet Howard Heithaus harriet.heithaus@naplespress.com

On Feb. 24, Ukraine begins year three of fighting a war with Russia many in the world thought would not last past week three. It’s an observance Southwest Floridians with ties to Ukraine fear won’t be the last.

The Ukrainian community in Collier County — in fact, in all of Southwest Florida — is strong,

and a number of refugees have been invited here for at least temporary resettlement. So the war in that country is a natural topic for a group of Ukrainian-heritage Neapolitans, immigrants and an Estero man who travels around Ukraine every three months. The group met to discuss a future they care deeply about, and while their politics may be different, they agree on what they want for Ukraine.

“What needs to happen is we need to have peace,” declared Halyna Traversa, a retired at-

torney in Estero who is a native of Ukraine. “The people in Ukraine are tired. They’re exhausted. It’s true they’re having a hard time recruiting to fight. They’re trying to keep young men at home so they can be there as a future generation.”

Real peace would come with a four-part package “in my fantasies,” continued Vera Eliashevsky, a winter Naples resident and a member of the sister city organization linking Chicago with Kyiv since 1991:

See UKRAINE, Page 9A

Collier Sheriff plans to increase immigration arrest powers

By Aisling Swift

Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk wants to expand his immigration powers to be more proactive, allowing him to reinstate a federal program to allow deputies to arrest immigrants with criminal pasts who are here illegally.

The sheriff made his remarks to the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 11, two days before Gov. Ron DeSantis signed stringent anti-immigrant laws — the strongest nationwide — to carry

out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan.

“We’re not talking about good, hard-working people who want to be here for a better life,” Rambosk said. “We’re talking about people who are taking advantage of our residents in Collier County … They’re involved in everything from domestic violence to child molestation to aggravated battery to battery on law enforcement [officers].”

Rambosk was in Washington, D.C., a week earlier for a confidential briefing with border czar Tom Homan and other border security and border-patrol officials. Homan, who served as acting U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement director during Trump’s last administration, is in charge of the nation’s borders. Rambosk said he asked Homan to give Collier the authority to reinstate the 287(g) law-enforcement program so the county can investigate immigrants here illegally.

“ … We have the longest-standing, most producSee CCSO, Page 11A

Therese

Steve

Jean

ADVERTISING:

SWFL INSIDER

Celebrate National Margarita Day

PRODUCTION MANAGER

ADMINISTRATION:

ADVERTISING SERVICES MANAGER/ REPRINT SALES & DISTRIBUTION

Jim Schwartzel PRESIDENT

OFFICE ADDRESS

26101 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 Call or text 239.498.8501

National Margarita Day is set for Saturday, Feb. 22, and both Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach and Compass Hotel By Margaritaville Naples are celebrating. At Compass Hotel, there’s booze in the blender, special offers and chances to win big prizes on National Margarita Day, according to information provided. Guests can try multiple flavors with the newly introduced Margarita Flight for $25, or take their pick of any Signature Margarita and get a commemorative “5 O’Clock Somewhere” cup for $20. Additionally, guests who share a Margaritaville-inspired photo will be entered to win a Staycation at Compass Naples, and those who follow Compass Naples social media channels will be entered to win free margaritas, tickets to see the Florida Everblades and more. For more information, go to margaritavilleresorts.com

Tickets available to hear Michael Phelps speak

Tickets are available for the March 12 Kids’ Minds Matter Signature Gala in Naples featuring swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time. Phelps will share how he learned to put equal emphasis on his physical and mental health after living with depression and anxiety for years. The event is designed to increase awareness and education around the perceived mental and behavioral health crisis, and raise necessary funds to expand services for children and families. The theme for the event is “The Ripple Effect: Creating Circles of Support for Children,” diving deeper into the effects of supporting children’s mental health on every member of the family, as well as the entire community.

Since 2016, Kids’ Minds Matter has raised money and awareness to improve access to pediatric mental and behavioral health care in this region through Lee Health and Golisano Children’s Hospital, and their community partners. Last year, the event raised a record $2.2 million.

Kids’ Minds Matter founders Scott Spiezle and Susan Goldy serve as the 2025 honorary co-chairs, and the event is co-chaired by Debbie and Bill Toler. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Arthrex One in Naples. Registration is $500 per ticket. For information about the event,

sponsorship opportunities and to register, visit kidsmindsmatter.com/ gala

Grey Oaks Cares raises $750,000

Grey Oaks Country Club has launched Grey Oaks Cares, a philanthropic initiative that recently raised $750,000 for 50 local charities during its inaugural single-day golf tournament on Jan. 24. Primary beneficiaries include Grace Place, Guadalupe Center, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee, Providence House, St. Matthew’s House, STARability Foundation, The Shelter for Abused Women and Warrior Homes of Collier County.

Rookery Bay group receives $240,000 gift

Friends of Rookery Bay has received a $240,000 gift from the estate of Elizabeth A. McCarthy, an art teacher in the Detroit area who retired to Naples in 1987 with her husband, Henry, who worked for Uniroyal. McCarthy died in 2022 and left estate gifts to six nonprofit organizations across the country. McCarthy’s brother, John Hedlund, noted that his sister enjoyed canoeing in Rookery Bay Research Reserve with family and friends. “We are extremely grateful to Betsy for her generosity and to her brother, John, the trustee of her estate,

for such an impactful gift,” said Athan Barkoukis, executive director for the Friends of Rookery Bay. “The family’s passion for nature and this unique part of the Western Everglades will be sustained through education, research and conservation programs funded by this incredible donation, one of the largest individual contributions in our nonprofit organization’s 37-year history.” Learn more at  rookerybay. org  or call 239.530.5972.

Foundation donates

$25M to Habitat Collier Habitat for Humanity of Collier County announced a $25 million gift from the Schoen Foundation during a recent home dedication ceremony celebrating homeowners in the nonprofit organization’s North Naples community, Songbird at Whippoorwill. The gift marks one of the largest philanthropic contributions in Naples history. The nonprofit says the donation will provide critical resources for Habitat’s ongoing efforts to expand affordable homeownership opportunities at a time when rising costs continue to push housing further out of reach for many local families. The Schoen Foundation’s partnership with Habitat Collier spans more than two decades, with a shared commitment to strengthening the community through stable, affordable housing. Its latest gift will help Habitat acquire land, prepare sites and fund infrastructure costs to support the construction of future homes amid rising costs.

Collier foundation awards

$10,000 grant to DLC

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Barron Collier Jr. Foundation to support its Veterans’ Services Program. DLC’s Veterans’ Services Program provides compassionate, personalized care for individuals experiencing behavioral health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and co-occurring substance use challenges. Funds from the grant will be used to help veterans in need of inpatient, outpatient and community-based services receive clinical and psychiatric support care navigation, case management, clinical supervision and other services. In fiscal year 2024, DLC cared for 127 veterans, providing 4,132 services to them. To learn more about services and programs offered by David Lawrence Centers, visit  dlcenters.org

COLLIER NOW

Airport executive director:

Impractical, improper to close parking lots at night

By John L. Guerra

The executive director of Naples Airport said the airport cannot lock parking lots to discourage pilots from taking off during the voluntary flight curfew.

Mary Young, president of the Old Naples Association, suggested a policy of closing the parking lot at night after an incident at the beginning of this year when a private pilot took off during the airport’s voluntary 10 p.m.-7 a.m. flight curfew. The aircraft climbed, lost power, then crash-landed in thick fog shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day. The aircraft hit two buildings before coming to rest. Neither the pilot nor his passengers were hurt.

The pilot in the incident followed proper procedure to access his airplane, according to an airport official.

“Why make it easy for these people to break our curfew?” Young asked Executive Director Christopher Rozansky and commissioners during January’s Naples Airport Authority meeting. “Why not lock the parking lot at night? If someone wants to land at night, don’t expect to get your car out of our parking lot.”

Rozansky told The Naples Press  that it’s neither practical nor legal for the NAA to do so.

“The NAA only manages three parking lots, and they are integrated with entrance roads to many tenant facilities on the airport,” Rozansky said. “That makes it impractical and potentially violates lease agreements to close them at night.”

In addition, Rozansky said, “There are more than 35 parking lots for private businesses and/or hangars that are publicly accessible. And we have no legal way to limit access to those.” Rozansky also said security gates that provide access to the airfield at those parking lots are always locked or secured, and access is granted via airport-issued badges or by escort from someone with a badge.

Petition seeks to prevent tower construction

Nearly 1,500 people have signed an online petition to stop the proposed construction of a 350-foot communications tower in Big Cypress National Preserve; a process that would involve county, state and federal government agencies.  Jack Shealy, a resident of Ochopee and leader of the Jack Shealy Band, launched the petition on Feb. 10 on change.org

“Look at the giant tower of power in Everglades City,” Shealy said. “The eyesore they built right off the steps of the courthouse. Everyone wishes they had done what I’m doing now.”

The Collier County Planning Commission unanimously approved, on Feb. 6, a conditional-use permit to construct a 350-foot communications tower at 40808 Tamiami Trail E., the site of the Ochopee Fire Control Station 66 of Greater Naples Fire Rescue. This decision is to be followed by a public hearing with the Collier County Commission, scheduled 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 25.

By Therese McDevitt

A red tide bloom that has been spreading for miles off the Gulf coast of Florida since November has killed wildlife and caused respiratory issues for humans from Naples to Boca Grande, but experts said that onshore effects are lessening in Collier County — at least for now.

Since the beginning of this year, dead fish and birds have been found on beaches and inlets in Lee County, especially on Sanibel and Captiva islands, and several in Collier County including Barefoot Beach, Vanderbilt Beach, Delnor-Wiggins State Park, Outer Clam Bay and Vanderbilt Lagoon, as a result of the toxins released by red tide.

A dead dolphin also was found on Sand Dollar Island in Collier County, with tests now being done by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to determine if red tide was the cause.

What causes red tide?

Red tide in Florida — or what scientists call a harmful algal bloom or HAB — is caused by high concentrations of a single-celled algae called Karenia

brevis , which occurs naturally in the Gulf, according to the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. A May 2024 SCCF blog said that while anecdotal

ry, “the extent, severity and duration of blooms are now far more intense than they were historically” due to “increased nutrient loading into waterways from agriculture and human development.” In a mid-February interview, Rick Bartleson, an SCCF Marine Lab research scientist, said these

Shealy was the only member of the public at the Planning Commission meeting speaking in opposition to the proposal, citing a deed that restricted anything other than fire rescue on the property.

The property proposed for the new tower was deeded to the county 47 years ago, nearly to the day, for the express purpose of fire prevention, according to public records.

Shealy’s namesake grandfather was a firefighter involved in establishing the Ochopee fire department in 1977. The Shealys’ neighbor at that time, Ester Davison, signed the warranty deed on Feb. 15, 1977, that states: “This conveyance is made for the purpose of providing property to be used for fire protection and associated uses, and if the premises fail to be used for such purposes, or are ever used for any other purpose, then the land shall immediately revert to the Grantor, her heirs or as-

‘Because churches are closing their doors’

Pastor’s simple statement underscores this congregation’s philosophy on growth

By Aisling Swift

After nearly 15 years of growth in a former furniture showroom, Naples Community Church cleared its first hurdle to raze the old building and adjacent restaurant to construct a larger, resilient contemporary church.

The plans were years in the making after the church began meeting on Sunday afternoons in a home, moved to a community room at a local bank, then space at NCH Baker Hospital and then Naples High School, before leasing a commercial building at 849 Seventh Ave. S. for Easter services in 2009.

“It’s divine intervention,” Michael Lister, the church’s Board president, said of lining up an architect, builder, project manager and backup financing and receiving two city approvals. “Our former president has said from the outset, ‘If God intends this to happen, it’s going to happen.’”

The Naples Planning Advisory Board unanimously voted to amend a 2010 conditional-use petition that allowed the church to operate in the east portion of the commercial building and approved an agreement for off-site parking on an adjacent lot at 950 Sixth Ave. S.

The recommendation, which goes before City Council on March 19, includes several requirements, including allowing the public to use the parking lot when it’s not being used by the church. Before it can apply for a building permit, the church must get final design approval by the city Design Review Board.

The planned construction comes at a time when churches are dwindling. The Nation-

al Council of Churches estimates 100,000 churches — about one-quarter of the existing number — will close nationwide in the next several years.

“I’ve been asked several times why we’re building a church when churches are closing their doors and I say because churches are closing their doors,” Pastor Kirt Anderson told the Board, noting the non-denominational church’s mission is to serve the city.

“I believe that the church has a significant future of service going forward, so that’s why we’re here.”

Land-use attorney Clay Brooker said the growing church needs space for expansion. The new building will be about 30,000 square feet, with 316 seats in the sanctuary, an increase from 222. Construction will be done

in two phases to allow services and activities to continue during the building process.

Architect David Corban’s plans would transform the two-story commercial building into a contemporary church with stainedglass windows, an expansive entryway and fellowship room and courtyard. The building would be elevated and resilient to hurricanes and flooding; it’s currently 4.5 feet below FEMA standards.

“Goals were set out for what should be accomplished with the new building, and first on Pastor Kirt’s list was ‘We want it to feel like a church,’” Brooker told the Board. “Now it doesn’t really feel like a church.”

In March 2010, City Council approved a conditional-use petition to allow a church under two conditions. If increased seating

is needed, the church had to address parking needs. It also had to work with the property owner to decrease the effects of site lighting on neighboring properties.

Three years later, in January 2013, the church purchased the 0.08-acre lot and building for $2.25 million. But as the congregation grew, parking became tight.

In April 2015, Council approved a rightof-way application allowing it to use up to 15 spaces in a nearby city-owned parking lot at the southeast corner of Eighth Street South and Eighth Avenue South for valet service on Sunday mornings. In 2021, property records show, the church purchased 0.36 acres at 950 Sixth Ave. S. to expand parking, and Lister said a neighboring office building also allows parishioners to park there.

The church currently occupies the east portion of the building, while the west portion is leased by a restaurant, Seventh South Craft Food + Drink, and other commercial uses. Brooker pointed out that removing those uses will decrease traffic.

Code requires one parking space per four seats, 79 spaces total. The church will use 35 spaces on the church parcel at Seventh Avenue South and Ninth Street South; 29 spaces on the church-owned parking lot about 250 feet eastward; and 15 spaces in the city lot 480 feet away. The additional parking satisfies a requirement that it be no more than 600 feet away.

Brooker said the church will replace a 25-year-old stormwater management system and add a new system at the offsite parking lot, “significantly improving existing drainage.” That, along with landscaping, will more than double the previous area — reducing flooding and erosion.

City Council again rejects outdoor dining for Olde Naples Building

By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com

Naples City Council rejected an outdoor dining proposal for the historic Olde Naples Building on Third Street South.

The unanimous Feb. 5 decision to deny a magistrate’s settlement opinion came as a complete surprise to prolific restaurateur Rick Doody, a seasonal resident of North Naples who signed a lease three years ago to create a high-end classic American grill in the 1921 building that the Camalier family has owned for more than 40 years. When landlord Chris Camalier told him the vote was unanimous, Doody congratulated Camalier, thinking that the outdoor dining issue was unanimously approved. Then, Camalier told him it was unanimously opposed.

“Needless to say, I was flabbergasted. I don’t know what to say,” Doody said. “The bottom line: I don’t understand. I don’t get this City Council. We are building a restaurant that would stand the test of time and last a couple of generations just like Lindey’s, our restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. We can do that here.”

Because many Naples restaurants have the majority of their seating outside, Doody isn’t sure a restaurant there can compete without al fresco dining.

“It wouldn’t be as successful. Every other restaurant down there has outdoor dining,” he said. “It would be like competing with one hand tied behind my back.”

Doody, who was co-creator of the Bravo Brio Restaurant Group and now operates restaurants in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, loves Florida and is trying to grow his hospitality business in the Sunshine State, where he already has venues in Sarasota

and Winter Park. When he signed the Naples lease in January 2022, he had hoped to launch it first but, hours after the recent City Council meeting, he was shocked by the outcome.

“I’m just trying to understand the legal thought. I don’t get it,” Doody said. “The magistrate ruled in our favor for outdoor dining. Why hire a magistrate if you‘re not going to listen to him?”

Special magistrate

In June 2023, City Council voted to deny an outdoor dining application for the Olde Naples Building because it failed to meet the parking requirements in the city’s land development code. Olde Naples Building LLC challenged the denial and initiated a state proceeding known as the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act, or FLUEDRA, by which a special magistrate reviews the facts and issues a report and recommendations.

On Dec. 27, Special Magistrate

Derek Rooney issued a report concluding that the city’s 2023 denial of the outdoor dining application “was unreasonable and unfairly burdens Olde Naples Building LLC’s use of their real property,” and recommended a compromise in an effort to avoid further litigation. The compromise involved reducing the outdoor dining area and demolishing the building’s mezzanine to decrease parking requirements.

Because the building was constructed prior to the city’s incorporation and before the adoption of regulations requiring property owners to provide off-street parking, there are no physical parking spaces on the site. The building is considered a legal nonconforming structure, according to the city planning department.

“In September of 2011, former Planning Director Robin Singer issued an administrative determination that the last permitted use of the property operated with a parking deficit of 76 parking spaces and

that the building was established as a lawful nonconformity. She determined that while there are no spaces provided for this building, it was functional with a 76-space parking deficit. The building is a nonconformity due to its noncompliant parking,” the city planning department reports.

During the City Council meeting on Feb. 5, Council member Ray Christman said City Council made the correct decision in June 2023 to deny the outdoor dining permit.

“I think the FLUEDRA magistrate’s proposal of sort of, figuratively speaking, splitting the baby in half sounds good on the surface — we all like compromises — but it really doesn’t reconcile itself from a legal standpoint with what our code requires,” Christman said. “So, I remain holding the same position that I held in June of 2023, and I think we should reject the magistrate’s proposal and continue to require the petitioner to provide the parking for the outdoor dining, if they

wish to move in that direction.”

After about 90 minutes of discussion, Christman made a motion to reject the magistrate’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Council member Beth Petrunoff and a roll call revealed a unanimous decision to deny the outdoor dining request and compromise.

Vacant since 2006

Built in 1921, the Olde Naples Building on the corner of Third Street and Broad Avenue South has been vacant since 2006, when Fantozzi’s of Olde Naples closed after operating a deli/wine and cheese shop there for 20 years. That historic building at 1148 Third St. S. is notable for being home to Naples’ first movie theater, playhouse, doctor’s office, library, church and real estate office while also hosting the city’s first council meetings and high school graduation. The property has been approved for an upscale restaurant next to the future Old Naples Hotel under construction.

Joel Grant, a seasonal resident from Ohio who has a home in the Vineyards community of Naples, loves Lindey’s in Columbus and hopes Doody can still bring a similar concept to Naples. Grant and his family have good memories of the restaurant and have been there many times, including for their son’s rehearsal dinner. “I hope they work it out. It’s a great restaurant,” he said. “It would be a real loss if it doesn’t happen.”

The future, though, of Doody’s restaurant in downtown Naples remains unknown.

“With no outdoor dining, it makes it hard,” Doody said. “I wish I could tell you more. I really don’t have any answers. It’s unfortunate because it’s a great corner, a great building and great potential.”

Golden Gate facility clears planning hurdles

By Aisling Swift

Plans for a substance-abuse recovery home for up to 20 men in Golden Gate were unanimously approved by the Collier County Planning Commission, despite neighbors opposing adding a second group home to the property.

Planning commissioners recommended approving nonprofit David Lawrence Centers’ Hope Home II on 0.47 acres at 3150 62nd St. SW and rezoning the property from mixed-use to an institutional-use subdistrict. The petitions will go before the Board of County Commissioners on March 25 for a final decision.

DLC’s land-use attorney, Rich Yovanovich, called neighbors’ claims that it would increase crime a “scare tactic” and provided an expert from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office to cite statistics disputing the claims. And DLC Chief Operating Officer Nancy Dauphinais told commissioners the Centers researched several larger recovery homes in Florida, but smaller recovery homes are more successful.

“They all are operating in residential neighborhoods, next to brand-new homes where construction is going up, and people are moving in — not away from those neighborhoods,” Dauphinais said of the house, which will look like a single-family home. “… Most research supports that there are lower crime rates, lower rates of homelessness and lower rates of recidivism in com -

DLC’s land-use attorney, Rich Yovanovich, called neighbors’ claims that it would increase crime a “scare tactic” ...

munities that have recovery residences.”

She noted more than 50 studies show no effect on property values, while some even found values increase because the homes promote community stability.

Although DLC’s request is inconsistent with the goals and policies of the county’s urban Golden Gate Estates Master Plan, county staff agreed there’s a need for recovery residences near DLC (off Golden Gate Parkway), the county’s main mental health provider — which also is moving forward on a $50 million, 87-bed expansion, the Collier County Behavioral Health Center, under a county partnership.

DLC’s application noted the Collier County Strategic Plan recommends supporting organizations that provide human services, including mental health services, to benefit the county, and the County Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Strategic Plan recommended “dramatically increasing” homes for residents recovering from sub -

stance-abuse disorders.

The property originally was developed as a single-family home in 1980. In 2019, DLC purchased it for $630,000 and converted the house into a five-bedroom, three-bathroom recovery home for six men, a family-care residence focusing on drug rehabilitation. Under the Estates zoning designation, such properties are allowed so long as they’re separated from homes by 1,000 feet and there are no more than six patients. DLC’s proposed growth management plan amendment would establish a new institutional subdistrict to allow the second recovery residence.

A waiting list

Hope Home, which opened in 2020, is “democratically run as a functional equivalent to a family” and any resident who returns to alcohol or substance abuse is evicted. Two senior residents supervise the home, which is certified by the Florida Association of Recovery Residents and follows National Association of Recovery Residences standards.

DLC noted that since opening, there’s been a waiting list and residents consistently achieved long-term sobriety, 100% returned to gainful employment and there were no law enforcement issues.

Residents stay six to nine months, a minimum of three. To move in, they must have completed an extensive residential treatment program. A typical new resident’s day could include intensive outpatient services, support group meetings such as AA or NA,

working on the 12 steps and seeking employment — but most have jobs. They’re required to adhere to a curfew, do housekeeping chores, attend weekly house meetings with a DLC peer specialist and check in weekly with the senior resident.

DLC already made concessions to neighbors, reducing the home to one story and agreeing to add a 10-foot wall around the property and a dedicated pathway to walk to the bus stop and DLC.

Planning & Zoning Director Mike Bosi said DLC originally proposed a 15,000-square-foot home for 30 men, but county staff suggested 26 total on the property. He noted required setbacks and other property restrictions mean activity won’t be directed toward abutting neighbors on 60th Street Southwest, but to the west, the canal and the Interstate 75 ramp.

“With that and with the restrictions, we really think that it will be on the outskirts of the individual neighborhood and not provide a negative detrimental effect,” Bosi told commissioners.

Neighbors cited concerns regarding possible increases in robberies, burglaries and other crimes, noting studies show about 55% of clients return to substance abuse after staying in sober houses.

Dauphinais disputed those statistics, but conceded that if a client doesn’t maintain long-term sobriety, and relapses, it’s a chronic medical condition similar to diabetes, or heart disease — meaning symptoms may recur, but patients are medically managed.

Bayshore-Sugden bridge breaks ground

Some 20 years after its inception, the Bayshore neighborhood is on the verge of access to Sugden Regional Park, and that park’s visitors will have access to Bayshore Drive businesses — its art galleries, minimarket, restaurants, coffee house, winery and brewery. Visitors and some 50 to 60 residents, at left,  and officials came to the Feb. 6 groundbreaking at 4115 Bayshore Drive, for a project that will include a 400foot lighted promenade, with benches and decorative refuse bins, and an elevated 1,350-foot boardwalk through wetlands and uplands and over pond areas to connect with Sugden Park, at 4284 Avalon Drive. County officials and staff, above, turning the first shovelfuls of earth for the new bridge are, from left, Tami Scott, CRA project manager; County Commissioner Dan Kowal; Al Schantzen, CRA advisory board member; Shirley Garcia, CRA program manager; and Kristen Hood, Karen Beatty and Maurice Gutierrez, all members of the CRA advisory board. The pedestrian-only pathway will allow bicycles but no vehicles, except a critical-need emergency vehicle. The bridge and walkway are expected to be completed by March 2026.

Photos by Harriet Howard Heithaus

PARKING LOTS

“Some gates are managed by the airport, but most are on tenant- or business-leased property at the airport,” he said.

“We are unable to restrict access to those because of lease agreements.”

Because the terminal operated by the airport is not open after 10 p.m., Rozansky said, the NAA provides an after-hours phone number to an overnight employee who can grant access to those individuals whose aircraft is parked at the airport.

“We are reviewing those procedures with the City of Naples Police Department,” he said.

In response to noise concerns, another resident suggested during the meeting that the NAA institute dispersed departures and a left-hand turn during takeoff for Runway 05/23.

“We must strive for more noise relief for residents,” she told commissioners. “The season is sure to be a frustrating one with a jet overhead every 1 to 3 minutes.”

“About the citizen’s suggestion to disperse flights to other runways, the NAA nor any other local government has the ability to do that,” Rozansky said. “Runway use is based on prevailing winds for safety and use is determined by air traffic control under the regulation of the FAA.”

During the Jan. 16 meeting, the NAA gave the go-ahead for new flight procedures that could reduce flight noise at the airport.

Chris Bauer, president and CEO of Hughes Aerospace Corporation of Woodlands, Texas, told NAA commissioners that increasing the glide angle of some approaching aircraft from 3 degrees to 3.5 degrees will “keep the noise higher longer,” which could affect nearby residents less.

The NAA in December 2023 asked Hughes Aerospace to develop the procedures for each runway. The result is not only safer, more efficient instrument approaches, but should result in quieter flights, Hughes officials told commissioners.

AIMING FOR A MILLION

WINK’s March to a Million Meals benefits Grace Place Food Pantry

By Aisling Swift

The line of residents at Grace Place Food Pantry in Golden Gate slowly inches forward on a Friday afternoon, pushing blue shopping carts and stopping at tables arrayed with meats, poultry, produce, dairy, canned and boxed foods to select what they want.

The food bank, which is open from 1-4 p.m., feeds about 350 families without charge weekly and distributed 609,000 pounds of food last year, according to CEO Lära Fisher. That’s worth about $1.17 million, making it Collier County’s largest food distribution site.

“In a community where many of our neighbors work multiple jobs to make ends meet and feed their children, having reliable access to nutritious food makes a profound difference,” Fisher said. “Each Friday, we see firsthand how this program strengthens our community and helps ensure no family has to choose between putting food on the table and paying other essential bills.”

WINK’s March to a Million Meals fundraiser, which continues through February, plays a critical role in funding the food pantry and other food-distribution programs.

Donations help Harry Chapin Food Bank purchase nutritious food and distribute it to Southwest Florida’s shelters, soup kitchens and pantries.

Food that would otherwise go to waste is donated by supermarkets,

ATEN KNOWS

food manufacturers, farms and community food drives and distributed to hungry children, families and seniors through programs that feed more than 250,000 residents monthly.

Last year, Harry Chapin Food Bank and its 175 partner agencies, including Grace Place, distributed 39.5 million pounds of food, including 10.5 million in fresh produce. Of that, 1.354 million meals were paid for by WINK News viewers who donated to March to a Million Meals;

do something better with this property,” Saunders said.

That may be an understatement, considering what is in store for that land. For starters, the former 18-hole golf course will become The Gate, a nine-hole, par35 community course that will operate as a nonprofit entity with discounted rates for Collier residents. The dynamic new course is designed by professional golfer Peter Jacobsen and his Jacobsen-Hardy Golf Course Design. The county and its community partners broke ground Feb. 10 for The Gate.

“It’s going to be a unique golf course. First of all, it’s going to be a full-size, nine-hole course,” Saunders said. “Along with each of the golf holes, they are also designing an area where kids can tee off, but they won’t be in the play of the main course. It will be parallel to the main course.”

MHK Architecture has designed about 18,000 square feet of amenities situated in a campus-style setting. Expect a pro shop, high-tech driving range and an illuminated 18-hole Himalayas-style putting course available for both day and nighttime practice. The Oakwood Grill, a 175-seat casual restaurant, will offer an upscale menu in an open-air, scenic environment; and an events pavilion will have spaces for community gatherings and dining.

“The golf course will remain a Collier County golf course operated by the Arthrex Foundation through contracts with their operator,” Saunders said. “In addition, they are facilitating all the construction of the First Tee facility run by Cindy Darland. It’s going to be a very fine facility for our kids.”

Targeted to open with the new course in 2026, the First Tee Academy and learning center is expected to be among the nicest in the country. Its nonprofit youth golf programs help build a strong foundation for skills, character and confidence on and off the course. Upon having its own facility, First Tee plans to double its enrollment here to serve 2,000 young people, said Darland, executive director of First Tee of Naples/ Collier.

each donated dollar provides $2 in meals. To contribute, go to winkfeedsfamilies.com.

‘Hunger crisis is growing’

Last year, the food bank distributed 10.6% more meals than in 2023, an additional three million, including about 12.6 million pounds in Collier County, a 5% increase.

“Despite tremendous commercial growth and affluence in Southwest Florida, the hunger crisis is growing in our community,” said Richard

LeBer, president and CEO, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. “So many of our neighbors — children, seniors, veterans and others — do not have reliable access to healthy, nutritious food, and it’s our mission to lead this community in the fight to end hunger.”

Grace Place Food Pantry benefits the nonprofit’s other mission, boosting literacy for children and families.

“We know that proper nutrition is absolutely essential for our students’ ability to focus, learn and reach their

“We’re just grateful to be a part of The Gate Golf Club, and we can’t wait to open our doors in 15 months and welcome all the kids and the community of Naples,” she said.

Adjacent to First Tee and the golf center will be the high-tech driving range, expected to be about 300 yards.

“They can order food from there and there will be a sitting area behind each hitting bay, and it will have technology so that you’ll get some kind of a reading as to how good your shot was after you hit the ball,” Saunders said.

Nine holes and more

The old golf course will have many other community components, including a 120bed veterans nursing home that the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs said will be a model for the nation. More than a nursing home, it will be a long-term healthcare community with rehabilitation and adult day care services, Saunders said.

“We are putting stuff into this nursing home that you don’t find in veterans nursing homes anywhere in the country,” he said.

full potential in the classroom,” Fisher said.

Residents — mostly seniors and families — used to begin lining up for food hours before opening on Friday mornings, she said, adding, “We’ve gone to a ticket system so people don’t need to wait in line all day.”

Dairy is always popular, she said, along with meat products, such as poultry, pork or beef, with about 70% still wrapped in containers from Publix or other supermarkets.

Grace Place purchases food from Harry Chapin Food Bank, in addition to other food sources, and receives donations by nonprofits and other groups. A recent $100,000 donation, Fisher said, will enable it to purchase a lot more food.

“Anything that children will eat is very popular,” Fisher said, noting that that includes shelf-stable products such as macaroni and cheese and cereal.

Many food pantries provide bags of food for families, but Grace Place Food Pantry is set up as a farmers market, with tables beneath white tents.

“We use a client-choice model, which allows families to pick the food that they want, and that reduces the amount of waste,” Fisher said. “Peanut butter is one of the very few shelf-stable forms of protein, so you would automatically give that to a household. But if the children are allergic to it, it may go to waste. By allowing families to pick what they will eat, there’s a great deal of dignity in that.”

The county is providing the land and some of the funding for the veterans home, but the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs will own and operate the facility. The project still needs federal funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which the county is confident it will receive this year.

More attainable housing also is part of the former golf course in two multifamily residential projects already under construction at opposite ends of the county acreage.

Renaissance Hall at Old Course, a workforce housing project with some units reserved for seniors and veterans, is being built along Collier Boulevard on more than 25 acres on the southeastern leg of the golf course property. Rural Neighborhoods has contracted with DeAngelis Diamond to build the three-story residential structures, which will have more than 250 one-, twoand three-bedroom units.

Abutting the old golf course along Golden Gate Parkway, the former Golden Gate Inn and Quality Inn & Suites Golf Resort is being transformed into more than 200 rent-restricted contemporary studio apartments by Styx Cos., a South Carolinabased developer.

The long-vacant, two-story building at 4110 Golden Gate Parkway that formerly was home to JD Jags Ribhouse & Grill and banquet center space is planned to be remodeled into a veterans community center. “It will house numerous veterans organizations and provide numerous veterans services to the entire veteran community,” Saunders said.

At one time, The Naples Museum of Military History was going to relocate from the Naples Airport to this golf course property, but it is now planned to move to the county’s Freedom Park, farther west on Golden Gate Parkway in Naples.

The existing Golf Crest of Naples Condominium buildings near the corner of Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard are privately owned residences and not part of the county redevelopment projects.

The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.

Caxambas Park boat ramp reopens, another closes

By Naples Press Staff

• The return of all Ukrainian land, including Crimea, which Russia seized and then organized an annexation election for in 2014.

• Reparations for the extensive damage and loss of life. This group is aware that there is some $300 billion in Russian funds in the USA that they feel could be used.

• The prosecution of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion.

• The return of Ukrainian children moved to Russia, subjected to “Russification” programs and adopted by Russian families. The number who have been separated from their Ukrainian families or removed from state institutions ranges from 19,000 to several hundred thousand.

A war with unknown issues

The last issue, Bohdan Hirniak said, is one that has not received the publicity and support it should have, despite the fact it initiated International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Putin, who has supported forced adoptions and enacted legislation to facilitate them.

“These children were kidnapped,” declared Hirniak, a native of Lviv, who lives in Naples and Chicago now.

Many of the Americans weighing in on aid to Ukraine know little of its story, added Jim Gamache, a Miromar Lakes resident who has been to the country three times, and has begun working on strategic equipment with Ukrainians.

“From my talks to people here, there’s a general lack of knowledge about what is the largest country in Europe, and the largest Christian country in Europe,” he said. “And they go to church.”

Two strong principles

The current frustration is that the new administration’s rules are changing by the day, perhaps by the hour.

Eliashevsky, a winter Naples resident and a member of the sister city organization that has linked Chicago with Kyiv since 1991, said she had read recently about U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance contradicting new Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s remarks about Ukraine not returning to its 2014 borders

or joining NATO.

“It was totally different from what Hegseth said,” she said, relieved. (But as if to prove her point, Hegseth repeated his remarks on the news cycle following their conversation.)

“There was a lot of hope placed in Trump coming into office, thinking that he might be able to somehow bring peace. I think based on his pronouncements yesterday and the day before yesterday, there’s been a lot of disappointment,” Traversa said.

“Biden wasn’t fabulous either,” she added. “He was much too cautious and much too slow, and this war should have been over in six months.”

Suggestions that Ukraine would not join NATO and that Russia could keep land it had gained will be the standoff. Natalie Santarsiero, of Naples, is president of the Naples branch of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, and she worried about any proposed concessions to Russia that would let it keep the land it is controlling now. That land, she said, is critical territory.

“I originally thought this war began because of [Ukraine’s announcement about joining NATO], but more recently I’ve realized it’s the land he wants,” Santarsiero said, referring to Putin. “He wants a corridor to Crimea.”

That was a common feeling of people in conversation. Russia is already nearly surrounded by NATO allies to the west, as Hirniak, a winter Naples resident, pointed out: Poland, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania — even Azerbaijan is considered an associate member. To object to one country’s membership

isn’t logical, the group agreed. In controlling the long strip of eastern Ukraine it has claimed, however, Russia would have not only a wide direct corridor to Crimea, which it forcibly annexed, but it would gain probably 70% of Ukraine’s access to the Black and Azov seas through which grain and minerals are shipped.

According to Hirniak, that wide corridor also is a doorstep to the rest of Ukraine.

“Russia over the centuries has exhibited an appetite [for] Ukraine, a huge appetite — imperialism in its worst way. As an example of the ugliness of their imperialism is that recently they kidnapped 25,000 children, Ukrainian children, [and] moved them to Russia; not because the kids wanted to go or their parents wanted to leave them, but because Russia is running short of — I’m going to put this in quotes — ‘Slavic’ people. And Russia sees itself a Slavic nation,” Hirniak declared. That land will be, unfortunately, the deal-breaker on both sides, the group agreed.

“When you look at this situation, we are stuck,” said Olena Shevchenko, who came here just before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. There was some conversation in the group that the larger powers may suggest a compromise to make the eastern part of the country something of a demilitarized zone, an occupied area. They don’t like it. Gamache, who has been to Ukraine for three humanitarian missions and has begun working with its military on some strategic equipment, saw such a truce as futile.

“That might make it stop,” he said. “But it won’t end.”

‘Raise the level of care’

Naples initiative removes barriers to second-opinion cancer consultations

By Aisling Swift

Not seeking a second opinion or consultation for a cancer diagnosis or treatment plan could result in a misdiagnosis, limited options, emotional and mental turmoil, physical pain and loss of life-saving care.

Lana Uhrig

However, getting a second opinion for a cancer diagnosis or treatment plan can have its own costs, including high fees, time and overwhelming stress.

A new initiative in Naples aims to eliminate these barriers.  Naples Cancer Advisors offers free, by-appointment consultative oncology services, including second opinions, care coordination, referrals, clinical trial navigation, financial navigation and precision oncology services. Through collaboration with physicians and healthcare professionals, the organization

makes expert opinions accessible to all adults in Southwest Florida.

Lana Uhrig, executive director, said Naples Cancer Advisors is the only area operation of its kind that she knows of. It is modeled after Cincinnati Cancer Advisors, founded by Dr. William Barrett, co-director of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. He launched the initiative about five years ago after receiving 150 requests annually for second opinions on cancer treatment.

“He just thought, ‘Wow, there’s a real need for this,’” Uhrig said. “He started the foundation because the idea of charging for a second opinion if you’re not going to go the next step of treating people — there’s not a model where it would make a lot of sense to charge people.”

Naples, a longtime vacation spot for Barrett, became the natural choice for expansion. With two in-office physicians, a nurse practitioner, an extensive network and telehealth capabilities, Naples Cancer Advisors assists patients at various stages of their diagnosis.

“We have had patients who come to us when they’ve first gotten a diagnosis, before they have even seen an oncologist,” she said.

The founding location also tells what type of care clients that are in other stages can receive.

“We had a woman who had metastatic breast cancer, and she’d been going through treatments for a number of years,” Uhrig said. That patient saved about $20,000 for what it would have cost her to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center for a second opinion and medical workups, she said.

The organization is careful about choosing its consultants.

“When we’re recruiting our physicians, it’s not just the fact that they’re extremely smart and at the top of their game and understand their specialties,” Uhrig said. “It’s also their emotional intelligence and ability to communicate.”

The idea is to collaborate with existing providers rather than compete with them.

“Our goal is never to make another physician look bad,” she said. “Our goal is to raise the level of care in our community. We’re finding that we’re being a resource to physicians, too, not a competition, but an adjunct in support and mentorship.”

Since its opening in April 2024, Naples Can-

Putting the ‘spa’

cer Advisors has seen more than 100 patients and can serve 200 to 300 annually. However, Uhrig emphasizes quality over quantity, noting that consultations can take six to eight hours to ensure thorough understanding, referrals and coordination with existing providers. All this is to minimize the burden patients might experience during a highly challenging ordeal.

“When you get that diagnosis of cancer, it’s a very overwhelming time,” Uhrig said. “You hear those words, ‘I have cancer,’ and oftentimes you don’t hear anything else after that. Your mind just can’t absorb it all, so patients and their families go home after initial visits just overwhelmed with information and sometimes don’t fully understand what’s going on.”

Support from Neapolitans is essential for the new branch — currently fueled by Cincinnati-based philanthropic efforts as it establishes its footing — to sustain its mission.

“We don’t ask patients for an insurance card. We don’t send patients a bill. We don’t ask for payment of any kind,” Uhrig said. “We work completely off donations and the generosity of the community.”

back into the med spa experience

By Jean L.

Since its opening in November, Von & Co Medical Aesthetics Studio has been redefining the med spa. With a focus on patient-centric care and a commitment to providing a fivestar experience, the studio seeks to stand among the finest local resort hotel spas. Highquality facial revitalization solutions and treatments are designed to address various skin issues and turn back the clock.

After weeding through hundreds of iterations of names for their medical spa, Julie Penn, president, said that she and her co-founders — Dr. Brandon Kirsch, chief medical and experience officer, and a silent partner — came up with the word “Von,” an Icelandic word for “hope.”

“Von also signifies a sense of resilience and an uplifted spirit that we felt best represented our brand,” Penn said. “Our goal is to differentiate ourselves by creating a calming, warm and w environment [so] that, through every moment, our guests feel well-cared for.

“We create curated experiences for each guest while providing world-class treatments. We accommodate guests’ schedules by opening seven days a week.”

Advanced providers include nurses and aestheticians with more than 35 years of combined experience.

Kirsch, a board-certified dermatologist and winner of local awards, oversees all care and reviews treatment plans and pre- and post-procedure photos to ensure the studio’s standards are met.

The concept for the medical spa was meticulously planned and executed over two years, with emerging healthcare marrying best-in-class outcomes with exceptional guest experiences as a business model that is distinguished by its staff.

“Thoroughly curated through a rigorous and highly selective recruitment process — think Ivy League — our team is aligned in delivering an elevated, differentiated experience and industry-leading results to every guest,” Kirsch said. “We strive for excellence in everything we do and refuse to settle for anything less. This shared commitment is what makes Von & Co stand out.”

The facility

Entering the 4,000-square-foot facility is akin to stepping into a hotel lobby with floor-

to-ceiling windows and being greeted by a concierge. To the left is a lounge to de-stress and enjoy tea, fruit-infused water or a beverage from a cold case that holds kombucha, wellness shots and juices. To the lobby right, a To Go Bar retail area offers medical-grade skin care products for guests who wish to augment their in-studio treatments with an at-home skincare regimen.

Ten rooms are available, including three private consultation pods for analyses and seven treatment rooms.

“We considered the five senses in the design and execution of the rooms, which have up and down lighting, light jazz music and serene decor for a pleasing aesthetic,” Penn said. Curated treatments begin with an initial medical review and consultation.

VON & CO MEDICAL AESTHETICS STUDIO

Where: 2120 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (corner of Tamiami Trail and Golden Gate Parkway, next to Food & Thought).

Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 9 a.m.5 p.m. Friday-Sunday Contact: vonandcoaesthetics.com or 239.799.4866

“We believe in a personalized approach to skincare,” Penn said. “We use a machine called Visia to analyze the skin’s levels and determine its true age. Based on this analysis, we create individualized treatment plans that are custom-tailored to treat various skin concerns. Our popular lasers help resurface the skin and create glowy results that last for months. Treatments include neurotoxins, fillers, lasers and a full array of signature peels, facials and hydrafacials. A unique SaltFacial exfoliates, hydrates and heals the skin with natural sea salt, ultrasound and LED light that effectively treat acne and scarring. We also offer hair restoration and hair removal.”

Brooke Gialamas has been receiving treatments, including the Moxi laser, the neurotoxin Dysport and fillers such as Restylane, and routinely gets hydrafacials and dermaplaning.

“The concierge team makes scheduling easy, especially on the weekends,” Gialamas said. “The Moxi treatment is one of my favorites because it is a laser with little downtime, so you can continue your week without hiding your face. The experience is a little spicy, but the team ensures you are comfortable. The process goes by quickly, caring for any melasma that flares from the Florida sun. The spa is beautiful, and the client experience is exceptional. I’m choosing to invest in myself and my appearance while I’m there, and it’s nice to know that the team is just as invested in making that a magical experience.”

Giving back

On Feb. 6, the Studio hosted about 70 people at an open house to benefit the Naples-based Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Penn says there are plans to have other events in future months.

signs.”

Despite Shealy’s appeal to deny approval regarding this site, the Planning Commission moved ahead with it.

Collier County attorneys, including Derek Perry, advised the Planning Commission that Collier County’s current ownership of the land would allow them to move forward despite the restrictions on the deed. The only problem could come if the County were to sell the land, their counsel advised.

The government’s need for the new tower comes because the federal government is planning to demolish the current one on U.S. 41 and State Road 29 in Carnestown. Collier County had sold this land to the federal government. Now, the National Park Service wants to demolish the communications tower on that Carnestown site to develop a new welcome center there, officials said. The National Park Service did not respond to requests for comment or information about retaining or rebuilding the tower in the same location.

“This impending loss poses a severe threat to first responders’ ability to communicate effectively, including the loss of cellular coverage in the area,” said Connie Deane, public information coordinator with Collier County transportation. “Over the past two and a half years, efforts have been made in collaboration with the Florida Department of Management Services to identify a suitable replacement site.”

The needs of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office; Collier County Fire and EMS; State Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) and federal agencies are all dependent on a tower, she said.

“Additionally, cellular providers, including FirstNet and Verizon Wireless, expressed interest in utilizing the site to enhance communication capabilities for first responders,” Deane said.

Providing cellular service through leases with phone companies is a commercial endeavor rather than a fire use, Shealy said.

“Without immediate action, first responders will face significant com-

munication challenges, reducing response times and overall effectiveness in life-threatening emergencies.

The relocation of this tower is not optional; it is a necessity for maintaining public safety and emergency coordination across the region,” Deane said.

Shealy and the petition signers feel that the location abutting the Shealy property, which includes the Trail Lakes Campground and ecotours, with tribal communities and environmentally sensitive areas nearby, is not the right place for a 350-foot cell tower. Shealy cited aesthetics and human health as among reasons for preferring a different location.

The site is near panther habitat and close to where an animal crossing had been planned, he said.

“The 364 feet of linear fence around this tower will cause irreparable damage to wildlife,” Shealy said.

“When animals run into a fence, they typically turn around and run back into the road.”

The planned tower is adjacent to where several generations of Shealys currently live and operate Skunk Ape Headquarters, the No. 1 Roadside Attraction in Florida and No. 2 in the country, according to a 2024 USA Today readers’ poll.

Although Collier County Commissioners have yet to vote on the conditional use permit, their general approval was described in a  July 15, 2024, letter signed by Collier County Manager Amy Patterson. She wrote the letter on behalf of Collier County Commissioners, acting as the governing board of Ochopee Fire Rescue Station 66. In it she states that the communication tower is an essential use for fire protection and associated uses consistent with the deed conveying the land to the county.

Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro of District 1, which includes Ochopee and Carnestown, responded to residents’ concerns.

“A petition with 10,000 signatures in this early stage is of minimal value. I’m just telling you the truth,” LoCastro wrote.

He welcomed public comment at the County Commission meeting in March.

The exact tower location could change, but overall, LoCastro supports more towers for better cell signal and for cases of emergency, he wrote.

and wasn’t renewed by the federal government, so only the jail-enforcement model is being used.

tive and flagship-recognized 287(g) program in the nation,” he said. “… We identified 485 potential candidates for backgrounding and investigation. We don’t know how many of those are still remaining in Collier County, but they all had a link to Collier County.”

The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement officers to conduct immigration-enforcement tasks under ICE supervision. ICE trains officers to identify, process and detain immigration offenders. Collier County Sheriff’s Office has used 287(g) for 17 years, but in 2012, its law-enforcement agreement ended

When someone is arrested and booked into jail, they’re asked if they’re a U.S. resident. If they can’t prove it, deputies conduct background checks. About 15 intake deputies are trained to build a case, which enables Collier to hold the arrestees for ICE under an immigration detainer.

“We ship those to Immigration & Customs Enforcement in Fort Myers,” Rambosk said of paperwork, adding ICE reviews it and sends Collier information.

If those arrested are not here legally, he said, they finish their sentences and are sent to Krome Service Processing Center in Miami for an immigration hearing.

Lessons from leaders

Local business and community leaders shared their inspirational career journeys with high school seniors and guests and answered questions from students at The Immokalee Foundation’s third annual CEO Leadership Summit on Feb. 6 at Arthrex One conference center in North Naples. The Immokalee Foundation’s high school seniors had the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers and professionals in attendance. Business leaders shared their inspiration, career journeys and encouragement that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Emceed by WINK News anchor Chris Cifatte, the event’s panel of speakers featured Greg Brisson, president of BCB Homes Inc.; Leslie Ricciardelli, superintendent of Collier County Public Schools; local entrepreneur John Tobe; Dr. Kristen Dimas of Healthcare Network; and Adria Starkey, Collier County president of FineMark National Bank. Above, Starkey shares her story while Tobe and Dimas look on. Below, Ricciardelli, left, is pictured with Noemi Perez, president and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation. Photos courtesy The

“It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort to do that and it makes a significant difference,” Rambosk said, adding that Collier has sent ICE over 11,500 detainees, including 8,500 criminals who committed crimes here.

Of those, he said, more than 7,500 were sent back to 70 different countries, including Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Russia and China. Each 287(g) inmate had an average of one felony and four misdemeanors, over 60,000 charges over 17 years.

Under the jail-enforcement model, deputized officers can question suspected non-citizens arrested on local or state charges, while the law-enforcement model allows deputies to arrest people on ICE administrative warrants.

That allows deputies to investigate people who came here illegally, checking for a history of gang membership, felony arrests or illegal entry.

“We look at people who are here with criminal backgrounds who have the potential for committing additional crimes in our community,” he added.

He asked Homan to expand Collier’s Intergovernmental Service Agreement, an ICE contract that allows Collier to detain inmates for immigration proceedings. Immokalee Jail Center isn’t being used as much as it was, he said, so it could be used for ICE detention. Records show Immokalee Jail Center can hold 192 inmates, while Naples Jail Center has a capacity of 1,112.

Just prior to joining 287(g), Rambosk said Collier held 1,251 inmates

in Naples Jail Center and Immokalee Jail Center. It was the hefty holding costs that prompted his office to join 287(g) for reimbursement. The cost to house an inmate in Florida jails is about $59.57 daily.

The average jail population today is about 750, sometimes below 700, he said, “And certainly the 287(g) program is part of that.”

Board Chairman Burt Saunders noted commissioners have never turned down Rambosk’s funding requests, adding, “If you do need more money, I’m sure that this board will find a way to get it to you because we’ve all said repeatedly, there’s nothing more important in terms of government services than keeping our citizens safe from crime and violence.”

blooms have been occurring in the Gulf “for as long as history has been recording facts” about it, but there has been an increase in densities and lengths of blooms over the years as Florida was developed.

“So, the more nutrients [anything that feeds the bloom] we add to the Gulf, the more nutrients there are out there for it to take in, resulting in bigger, longer-lasting blooms.”

The City of Naples National Resources website says red tide is a harmful algal bloom “that typically forms offshore and produces a toxin that can affect both marine life and humans. Once onshore, it can be exacerbated by human activities, including excessive use of plant fertilizers, littering and an increasing amount of stormwater runoff from impervious areas. Reducing the use of fertilizers and increasing permeable surfaces can assist with combating red tide.” Collier levels coming down

Rhonda Watkins, Collier County pollution control environmental supervisor, said in an email response on Feb. 13 that red tide was still present “at very low concentrations at our northern beaches,” according to samples collected earlier in the week.

Watkins said the levels were coming down since the previous week, which had included medium counts at Barefoot Beach; counts were down to “very low” at Barefoot Beach on Feb. 10.

Levels at Vanderbilt Beach were listed as “very low” on Feb. 10, while counts at Seagate, Naples Pier and South Marco Beaches showed “not present” on Feb. 10.

New counts were done on Feb. 13 but results were not posted on the County’s red tide website as of press time.

“Dead fish continue to wash up on our northern beaches and staff are raking the beaches to remove the dead fish as they come in,” Watkins said. “The Barefoot Beach State Preserve and Delnor-Wiggins State Park are not raked, as these are protected nature preserves.”

Watkins said that signs warning beachgo -

ers that red tide may be present “have been deployed at every beach access and boat ramp since early November 2024 when the red tide bloom was identified offshore of Collier County.”

As of mid-February, Watkins said there were two separate patches of red tide that were “worse” to the north in Lee County and offshore of Collier County, with forecast movement at the time to the north.

“However, any northwesterly or southwesterly winds could push either bloom patch closer inshore to Collier County beaches,” Watkins said.

As of Feb. 14, Collier County’s red tide website was advising that “respiratory irritation is possible at all Collier County beaches with onshore winds. People with chronic respiratory illnesses should avoid going to the beach.”

Warning signs remain

In an interview on Feb. 13, Katie Laakkonen, Naples senior environmental specialist, said signage alerting beachgoers to the potential of red tide will remain up on city beaches.

Signage is currently posted at city beaches including Lowdermilk Park, Seventh Avenue North, Eighth Avenue South, 11th Avenue South, Broad Avenue and 12th Avenue South.

She also said, “as of [Feb. 12], we have not had dead fish on any city beaches.”

Laakkonen said when it comes to keeping beachgoers informed about potential risks, including respiratory issues from red tide, the city collaborates with Collier County and the Florida Department of Health-Collier County staff.

“We work closely with Collier County, and we have protocols in place where we ‘flip’ the signs at the beach ends to notify beachgoers of potential red tide,” Laakkonen said. “If we see that a bloom has formed and has the potential to impact the shoreline, we all coordinate to make sure we have the proper signage to alert the public.”

Laakkonen said that when it comes to possible respiratory irritations — which may affect some people more than others — “conditions change hour by hour, day by day,

depending on currents and winds, so those signs remain up just to alert people that this is a potential impact they may feel.”

Effects felt by wildlife Ralph Arwood, an environmentalist and pilot who has been shooting aerial photographs and video of algal blooms for eight years, said that this is the largest red tide bloom he has seen.

“Fortunately, it hasn’t been right along the shoreline,” Arwood said in an interview. “For several weeks it was starting 5 or 6 miles offshore and going farther offshore than I can usually fly, so it was at least 20 miles out. It was a huge area of red tide, and it certainly has to have affected a lot of the fish and the animals and the birds. But I can’t tell you exactly what the effect has been along the shoreline since the worst of it was not really at the shore.”

Arwood, who said he provides his aerial photos and videos to environmental organizations, including Calusa Waterkeeper, SCCF and others, said that while consequences to humans on shore may be minimal at this time, “from the wildlife perspective, it doesn’t really matter when it gets to the shore or not, they’re still affected by it.”

He told WINK News in a mid-February interview that “if wildlife gets stuck in the middle of this [red tide bloom], it’s got a long way to go to get to clean water.”

Bartleson at the SCCF Marine Lab agreed that it is difficult to quantify the numbers, but said, “We have millions of tons of sea life that pass away with each of these red tides.”

Location, location and ideal size

When life happens, buyers consider smaller homes

By

Much like Goldilocks, homebuyers in Florida can decide what is too big, too small or just right. Over the past two decades, the National Association of Home Builders has monitored trends in home sizes. While here in Southwest Florida, luxury residences are abundant, some buyers look for homes more suited to their needs and economic fluctuations.

Factors such as mortgage rates, utility costs and post-pandemic alterations to work/life balance figure into deciding what size home is “just right.”

The National Association of Home Builders conducted a survey showing that, over a two-decade period, there has been a decrease in the amount of space seen as ideal. By 2023 the ideal median square footage requested by buyers amounted to 2117 square feet; approximately 200 square feet smaller than calculated in previous surveys.

In addition to the economic benefits of a smaller home, our region includes an aging demographic often downsizing from large properties to something more suitable to their mobility.

“What I have seen is people being completely overwhelmed by the house,” Realtor Alexandra Janz said. “What once fit the demands of their lifestyle and family members now goes unused. They often no longer have the energy to handle homes of this size.”

Janz, along with her husband Juergen Haeringer, work both overseas and in Naples at their company Alexandra Janz International Properties. They have assisted clients worldwide, and know here in Flor-

While here

in

Southwest Florida, luxury residences are abundant, some buyers look for homes more suited to their needs and economic fluctuations.

ida, downsizing appeals to an aging demographic.

“Often bedrooms once filled with children are empty, yet still require upkeep and electricity,” she said. On the other hand, “a lot of times dealing with a downsizing client is not for every real estate agent; it takes a certain amount of patience to help owners at a difficult time.”

According to the National Council on Aging, downsizing makes sense for those entering their golden years in the Sunshine State. If your larger home contains spaces no longer used or now inaccessible, it might make sense to choose a home more scaled to your daily activities.

Maintenance of large lawns, pools and other family amenities is also a consideration in the size of a home, whether downsizing or looking for a more functional property. Even those nowhere near their golden years are placing a value on peace of mind and economic security in relation to their home size. The National Association of Home Builders noted that 35% of buyers surveyed would be willing to compromise on square footage in exchange for a better price and the financial security it provides.

Mark Washburn of Naples Condo Boutique said, “a downsizing trend common in Naples is near-retirement baby boomers selling their large, Midwestern home in a luxury suburb. They downsize to high-end condos here in Naples. The response to several new condominium complexes is tracking with this data.” Whether downsizing is motivated by age, health, lifestyle or budget concerns, finding the right property can be a fruitful time.

“We have to take our time with our clients,” Janz said. “A home is a place of memories.”

Naples beach restoration improvements project to begin construction

Construction will begin in late February or early March for the Naples Beach Restoration & Water Quality Improvements Project, city officials said.

Crews will start on Third Street North between Broad Avenue North and First Avenue North, working from north to south. Construction crews will replace stormwater pipes and inlets, followed by the milling and paving of the roadway when the drainage work has concluded. The majority of the construction will be within the existing roadway pavement; therefore, the outside right of way should not be affected. Work is expected to occur from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays; however, some night and weekend work may be necessary. Construction is expected to take about six months to complete in this segment before the contractor moves its operation to Gulf Shore Boulevard.

Delray Beach developer purchases

Naples condo project site for $92.5M

Kolter Urban, an urban infill and residential condominium affiliate of Delray Beach developer The Kolter Group, announced the $92.5 million purchase of the 3.07-acre former site of Executive Club at the Moorings condo complex at 3300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. in Naples.

Executive Club was a four-story mid-rise built in 1969 and demolished in 2023. The property last sold in 2023 for $60 million to Youngquist Brothers, which, in 2023, planned two eight-story condo buildings totaling 51 units, city planning documents show.

Kolter Urban officials didn’t disclose its plans for the site, but the website for Naplesbased MHK Architecture, which is designing the new project, shows renderings of a 112,800-square-foot condo complex.

In March 2024, The Kolter Group purchased the beachfront Bahama Club condo complex at 1121 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. for $102.6 million and slated the site for redevelopment.

Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade taps

Warrior Homes of Collier founder as grand marshal

The 49th annual Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade tapped Warrior Homes of Collier Founder and President Dale Mullin as grand marshal for the 2025 event.

A Vietnam War veteran and retired Fortune 500 executive, Mullin founded the nonprofit a decade ago with a mission of ensuring that no Collier County veteran in need is left behind.

In the past five years, the organization has opened six homes for veterans in Naples, with 39 available beds serving a total of 87 residents ranging in age from 33 to 91. The parade will take place at 11 a.m. March 15 in downtown Naples.

Warrior Homes of Collier celebrates mortgage milestone

Warrior Homes of Collier, a nonprofit with a mission of ensuring that no veteran in need is left behind, announced the early payment of a $2.7 million loan that financed the purchase of Delta House, its largest property.

The supportive housing complex in East Naples, with 10 apartments for up to 20 veterans, was purchased in 2022 and is the first of the organization’s six local residences to serve both male and female veterans.

Naples area residential real estate inventory continues to increase

According to Naples Area Board of Realtors data, overall residential real estate inventory in the Naples area increased 36% in December, with new listings rising 26%.

Last month, 5,695 pieces of inventory were on the market, with 1,184 new listings. Meanwhile, there were 626 pending sales, a 7% year-over-year increase, and 594 overall closed sales, a 5% increase.

Homes spent an average of 84 days on the market, selling for a median closed price of $600,000.

Week of Jan. 27-31

SALES

Neco 765 5th Avenue South LLC purchased 19,675 square feet of retail space at 765799 Fifth Avenue S. in Naples from Nighthawk Group 765 LLC for $29.5 million. Doug Olson and Matt Fredrickson of Trinity Commercial Group represented the seller, and Rob Carroll, CCIM, MAI, and Patrick Fraley, CCIM, of Investment Properties Corp. represented the buyer.

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

With each issue of The Naples Press  that includes a real estate page, we will ask a real estate professional a question about issues of the day. For this edition, we spoke to W.T. Pearson, a broker associate with Premier Commercial, Inc.

Q: Why are so many downtown Naples locations being demolished?

A: Downtown Naples has always been a distinct and dynamic sector within the Southwest Florida real estate market. As a Naples native, I feel a deep connection to the longstanding staples of my hometown. While it’s bittersweet to see them replaced by new luxury developments, it’s important to remember that change is inevitable — there is a time and a season for everything.

In recent years, our community has experienced unprecedented expansion, fueled by an influx of new residents and visitors from around the world. This surge in demand has driven residential home prices to record highs, spurred new developments and strengthened job growth across the region.

In commercial real estate, growth follows the rooftops — when the population rises, so does the demand for commercial services. According to the basic principles of supply and demand, when supply is limited and demand increases, prices rise accordingly. We have now reached a tipping point where the scarcity of commercial space has driven prices high enough to justify new construction.

In a typical market cycle, hyper-supply marks the end of the expansion phase, as an oversupply of new construction leads to price corrections before equilibrium is restored.

But what happens when there isn’t enough commercially zoned land for hyper-supply to occur? Initially, prices will continue to climb, and older buildings will be redeveloped to maximize value. However, an unbalanced market inevitably leads to decreased consumer spending, economic strain and even political unrest.

So, why are all of our favorite locations being demolished? The simple answer: there isn’t sufficient supply of commercially zoned land to meet the growing demand for commercial services in our community. Naples — and Collier County as a whole — must expand its supply of commercially entitled land to accommodate the region’s growing needs. Without it, our community will face shortages in essential services, including healthcare, food options, childcare, education and employment opportunities. Proactive planning is critical to ensuring sustainable growth and maintaining the high quality of life that makes Naples so desirable.

W.T. Pearson is a commercial real estate broker with Premier Commercial, Inc., a Lutgert Company. A Naples native, he specializes in the sale and leasing of office, industrial, retail, investment and redevelopment properties across all of Southwest Florida. For inquiries, contact Pearson at 239.992.1200 or wt@premiermail.net.

What happens when there isn’t enough commercially zoned land for hyper-supply to occur? Initially, prices will continue to climb, and older buildings will be redeveloped to maximize value.

represented the seller, and Doug DeSantis of Strategic Realty represented the buyer.

Carlo F. Zampogna, trustee of the Horseshoe Land Trust, purchased a 4.78-acre commercial site at 3073 Horseshoe Drive N. in Naples from 3073 Horseshoe Drive LLC for $5,553,000. Dave Wallace, CCIM, SIOR, and David Wallace of CRE Consultants represented the seller, and Ann Zampogna of Premiere Plus represented the buyer.

LEASES

Keep LLC leased a 2,400-square-foot space in Charleston Square,1400 Gulf Shore Blvd., Suite 184, in Naples from Charleston Square of Naples LLC. Biagio Bernardo and Bill Young of Lee & Associates Naples-Fort Myers represented the lessor and lessee.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Address

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.

Occupancy Early 2026

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

A rts & LEISURE

Ongoing events

‘The Lehman Trilogy’

Various times TuesdaysSundays through March 2 at Gulfshore Playhouse, 100 Goodlette-Frank Road., Naples. The saga of three brothers who change the American economic culture. $40-124. gulfshoreplayhouse.org

‘Death of a Salesman’

Various times WednesdaysSaturdays through March 2, Studio Theatre at Sugden Community Theatre, 701 Fifth Ave. S. Naples. Sold out; see the website to be added to the wait list. naplesplayers.org or 239.263.7990

This weekend

(Feb. 21, 22, 23)

National Art Fair

Various times Feb. 21-23 at Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave. S., Naples. The 46th annual National Art Fair showcases a juried selection of fine art and crafts across 17 categories, including painting, jewelry, ceramics, metal, sculpture and wood. $10 suggested donation. naplesart. org/national-art-fair

Wind concert at Moorings

7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Drive, Naples. Virtuosic winds can play everything from symphonies to the lullabies, and the Symphonic Winds of Southwest Florida make it their mission to show that virtuosity. Among works on  the program: Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. This concert supports Music Foundation scholarships with its freewill offering. No ticket required.

‘Hooray for Hollywood

Noir’ Part One

10 a.m. Feb. 21 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Rick Harris’ “Hooray for Hollywood” series explores the dark and stylish world of film noir, tracing its evolution from the 1940s to the neo-noirs of the 1980s with classic and lesserknown examples of the genre. $55. artisnaples.org

The Drifters in Concert

Various times Feb. 21-22 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. SOLD OUT. The Drifters bring their timeless R&B and doo-wop sound to Artis—Naples’ Daniels Pavilion, performing beloved hits including “Under the Boardwalk” and “This Magic Moment.” artisnaples.org

‘Sublime Sibelius’

7:30 p.m. Feb. 21-22 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Conductor Kevin John Edusei will lead the Naples Philharmonic in performances of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, featuring violinist Yamen Saadi, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10. $15-$79. artisnaples.org

Southwest Florida Shootout

2025

Various times Feb. 22 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium, 3865 City Gate Blvd. S., Naples. The Southwest Florida Shootout 2025 showcases Division I lacrosse, high school matchups, military honors and a mini rock concert. $15-$80. southwestfloridashootout.com

CALENDAR

MAKING ORCHESTRAL HISTORY

7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. SOLD OUT Feb. 28. Remember “Pomp and Circumstance,” the march that every graduating class enters to? They premiered it. Holst’s “The Planets”? This orchestra premiered the complete edition. The historic London Symphony Orchestra is about to make some history here with its debut in Southwest Florida at Artis Naples, with its energetic conductor, Sir Antonio Pappano. There are few tickets left, but well worth getting for its dynamic mix of works by Walker, Bernstein, Walton, Elgar and Mahler. $103-$168. artisnaples.org

‘Conflict & Peace’

3 p.m. Feb. 22 at Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Drive, Naples. The Naples Community Orchestra presents a concert exploring themes of conflict and peace through powerful music. $40. naplescommunityorchestra.org

Essentials of Digital

Photography Workshop

9:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at Rookery Bay, 300 Tower Road, Naples. A photography workshop teaches the essentials of using your camera’s shutter, aperture, ISO and drive modes to create powerful images, led by a seasoned instructor with more than 35 years of experience. $55. rookerybay.org

Midland concert

8 p.m. Feb. 22 at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, 506 S. 1st St., Immokalee. Midland, the acclaimed country music trio, brings “The Get Lucky Tour” to Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, featuring opening act Pug Johnson. $55-$231. casino. hardrock.com/immokalee

Arts and Crafts Fair

Feb. 22-23 at Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. The Marco Island Clay Guild will showcase local ceramic artists at an outdoor event. Free. marcoislandart.org

‘An Evening with Isaac Mizrahi’ Various times. Feb. 23 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Isaac Mizrahi takes the stage with a lively mix of music, storytelling and sharp humor, blending his flair for fashion and performance into a one-of-a-kind show. $62. artisnaples.org

Paul Anka Performance

7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. SOLD OUT. Paul Anka delivers an evening of iconic melodies and storytelling, bringing his signature charm and decades of musical artistry to the stage. artisnaples.org

Next week (Feb. 24-27)

‘Hooray for Hollywood Noir’ Part Two

10 a.m. Feb. 24 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. In the second installment of his “Hooray for Hollywood” series, Rick Harris delves deeper into the film noir genre, showcasing clips from renowned and overlooked classics of this American cinematic style. $55. artisnaples.org

Art Flick

10 a.m. Feb. 25 at Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. Harold and Maude (1971) follows a young man and an eccentric older woman exploring life’s meaning through an unexpected romance, part of a no-cost film series with discussions. Free. marcoislandart.org

‘Buddhist Bells and Dragons’ 10:30 a.m. Feb. 25 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Dr. Sherry Fowler explores the cultural and artistic significance of Buddhist temple bells in Japan, highlighting their role in rituals and their history of theft and recovery. $59. artisnaples.org

Mozart’s ‘Dissonance’ Quartet

3 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 2 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. The Sypert Salon Chamber Music Series presents Mozart’s “Dissonance” Quartet, featuring the Naples Philharmonic musicians performing Reicha’s Horn Quintet and Mozart’s String Quartet K. 465, known as “Dissonance.” $49. artisnaples.org

Musical Interludes

5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. Award-winning jazz pianist and composer Ben Rosenblum brings his internationally touring trio to the stage, celebrated for their technical mastery and emotional depth. $25-$30.

Naples. Chris Richards and Naoko Neatley, esteemed members of the London Symphony Orchestra, will offer master classes that provide unique insights into the art of performance and musicianship. Free general admission. artisnaples.org

Old Growth Forest Network Milestone Hike

8:30 a.m. March 1 at Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 375 Sanctuary Road W., Naples. A guided hike explores ancient bald cypress trees, showcasing their preservation during the past 70 years. corkscrew.audubon.org

Classic Hits with Chris Ruggiero

Various times March 1 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Chris Ruggiero brings the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll to life, performing timeless classics with a fresh and enthusiastic perspective. $62. artisnaples.org

‘116 Years of Broadway’

Various times March 1 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Neil Berg’s “116 Years of Broadway” brings together Broadway veterans to perform a selection of timeless songs from the stage. $69-$105. artisnaples.org

marcoislandart.org

‘A Conversation with James McBride’

7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. James McBride, author of The Color of Water , talks about his latest novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store , offering insights into his creative process and experiences. Elaine Newton hosts. $54-$65. artisnaples.org

Art After Hours

6 p.m. Feb. 26 at The Baker Museum, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Guests can immerse themselves in art, enjoy live music and discover a dynamic cultural experience, all while exploring current exhibitions. Free. artisnaples.org

‘All That Jazz’

Various times Feb. 26 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. SOLD OUT. Steve Wilson, a distinguished saxophonist, collaborates with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra to present a selection of jazz standards, bebop classics and original compositions. artisnaples.org

London Symphony Orchestra

7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. SOLD OUT Feb. 28. The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano, brings a dynamic mix of works by Walker, Bernstein, Walton, Elgar and Mahler. $103$168. artisnaples.org

Next weekend (Feb. 28-March 2)

Disco ladies

7-9 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Norris Center, 755 Eighth St. S., Naples. A musical tribute to “The Ladies of Disco” with the Girls of Motown. Resist the temptation to boogie right onto the stage. Eventbrite. com $33.85

Master Classes

3:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Artis— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd.,

Country Jam Naples

4 p.m. March 1 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium, 3865 City Gate Blvd. South, Naples. Country Jam Naples features performances by Justin Moore, Walker Montgomery and Jay Webb, bringing high-energy country music to the stage. $75$160. countryjamnaples.com

The Beach Boys

Various times March 2 at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. SOLD OUT. The Beach Boys perform their iconic hits, bringing the sound of surf, sun and harmony to the stage. artisnaples.org

COVER STORY

Wine, cars leave, arts arrive in Naples

By Harriet Howard Heithaus harriet.heithaus@naplespress.com

March madness will be preceded by the February Culture Wallop in Naples.

• There’s the second season concert of a community orchestra that is soaring with new feathers — and which packed the house in its opening show.

• Opera Naples’ al fresco Festival Under the Stars has upped its entertainment an octave with a third full-cast production and a longer span — 2 ½ weeks.

Finally, a new festival organized through United Arts Collier offers the entire county a chance to put on dancing shoes.

Naples Community Orchestra: ‘Conflict and Peace’

Anyone who was at the January Naples Community Orchestra concert at Moorings Presbyterian Church got the message: This is an organization in ascendancy.

The pews were filled. The window seats along the walls were filled. People were standing in the back to hear the orchestra perform Rachmaninoff, Verdi and Beethoven.

Janice Jacks, orchestra president, attributed the response to a number of factors, but chief among them is a new push in marketing and a reason for that marketing: The NCO has become a focused orchestra under its new director, Alvin Ho.

“He’s young. He’s energetic. He’s planned repertoire that A. we can play and B. is challenging,” she said.

The concerts are thematically programmed. The upcoming concert Saturday contrasts “Conflict and Peace,” with Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 and Shostakovich’s funeral march from The Great Citizen, a Soviet film. That programming, admitted their director bluntly, is hard work.

“There are marketing concerns” — i.e., what does the audience want to hear? — “and there are also instrumentations, and levels [of proficiency], what the orchestra really needs for improvement,” he said. “It’s a long-

term game, always, to grow an ensemble.”

Ho arrived at a low point. The orchestra had been performing with guest conductors for a season after then-Music Director Max Rabinovitsj had retired and the restraints of the COVID-19 pandemic had only recently been loosened.

Still, the 55-member orchestra had bedrock: A number of music teachers play in it and two members of the philharmonic play when their schedules permit, and it had determined members of the community.

The orchestra had also had good guidance in the basics from Rabinovitsj, who had wisely introduced the idea of a partnership with Artis—Naples for rehearsal space. It consequently brought them Ho, an assistant conductor with the Naples Philharmonic.

Ho began experimenting with repertoire and emphasizing the need to understand the music, not just the timing.

“Very often we just count,” he said. “That’s

not enough. You’ve got to know the music inside.”

That will be an educational experience for all of them on the program Feb. 22. Ho said he hadn’t even heard of the Shostakovich work until last year. It has a grandeur that builds subtly, and the orchestra members must pay close attention — as always, Ho emphasized — to their fellow performers and the conductor to hold the mood.

Ho has a good deal of experience in educational conducting. He curated his own student orchestra in his native Hong Kong and later worked with students of the Royal Conservatoire as part of his contract with the BBC Scottish Symphony.

He is also a music director with strong credentials: first prize at the Princess Astrid International Conducting Competition in Trondheim, Norway; a Karajan Conducting Fellowship with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; and appointment as a Bruno

Walter Conducting Fellow at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in the U.S. Ho studied with Riccardo Muti during the latter’s tenure as Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director.

“Probably a sense of drama, a sense of singing, phrasing — phrasing is a big thing I learned from him. Generally orchestras don’t phrase so much now, because we’re all technically correct,” he said with a chuckle. That may result in perfect, but less moving, music. “To create musical phrases requires a lot of input from the musicians.”

There’s a sense of storytelling in a symphony just as there is in theater, he emphasized: “There’s a narrative, for sure, in a piece like Beethoven’s Fifth.” Naples Community Orchestra’s next concert is 3 p.m. Feb. 22 at Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Drive, Naples. Tickets are $40, online at naplescommunityorchestra.org

Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars

Most organizations celebrating their fifth anniversary would clink glasses for a toast that they had arrived. Opera Naples’ Festival Under the Stars instead added a full production to its load.

The al fresco festival that takes over Cambier Park west beginning Thursday is the product of an organization that is working in a number of potentially long-range directions. This year it inaugurated a vocal academy with high-voltage teachers. Among them: opera stars baritone Sherill Milnes and tenor Bruce Ford, as well as the artistic director and the head of music from San Francisco Opera, Carrie-Ann Matheson and John Churchwell. Its Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Vocal Academy is one part of a partnership with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation on projects that this organization hopes will lead to a full-scale home for the opera and a museum for the legendary singer. The other part is a resurrection of the international Luciano Pavarotti Vocal Competition, with the best rewards a singer

OUT & ABOUT

Scene to be Seen, Naples Art Institute’s annual fundraising fashion runway show, was held Feb. 8 at Naples Grande Beach Resort. The event features clothing from local and regional artists and designers who use unusual fabrics or materials. Included were a live auction and a runway show grand finale.

by Liz Gorman

Gala will honor accomplished women who foster the arts

By Jean L.

The International Network of Creatives will honor six influential women under the broad canopy of the arts at its second annual Spring into the Arts Gala Luncheon and Fashion Show, 11 a.m. on March 5 at Naples Grande Beach Resort.

With more than 400 guests expected to attend, the gala promises a day of gourmet dining, high-profile auctions, an art exhibition and live music by the Zach Bartholomew Trio. It aims to raise awareness about the International Network of Creatives’ mission of improving lives, honoring distinguished women who influence arts and culture and highlighting the expanding Arts in Recovery program. According to INC founder and President Dr. William Barnett, this event is not just a celebration, but a significant step toward a more vibrant and inclusive arts community in Southwest Florida.

The 2025 honorees are:

• Honorary gala chair Emily James, a visual artist, is most known for her landscapes, seascapes, abstract, contemporary work and portraiture. On display at her art gallery, acclaimed as “Best in Naples,” are sea, beach and tropical works.

“As a painter, you get lost in the creative process, and it’s a healing and peaceful place. Dr. Barnett’s goal for those with issues is to help them see the healing beauty of art and in being creative.”

• Patty Baker, known for her philanthropy, is a veritable patron of arts, a London and Broadway producer of shows including Beautiful Gypsy To Kill a Mockingbird and more. She was a Tony Award recipient in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

• Harriet Heithaus, a senior editor at The Naples Press who has brought the best in theatre, art and culture to local readers with her reporting.

• Lois Thome of WINK News, recognized as “Best News Anchor,” is the gala’s

MORE INFO

What: Spring into the Arts Gala Luncheon and Fashion Show

When: 11 a.m. March 5

Where: Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples

Tickets: incswfl.ticketspice.com/spring-intothe-arts-gala ; sponsorships available

What: International Network of Creatives Where: 405 5th Avenue South, Naples Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Contact: internationalnetworkofcreatives.org or 239.234.2745

What: Emily James Art Where: 750 5th Avenue South, #111, Naples Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon5 p.m. Sunday

Contact: emilyjamesart. com or 239.529.6001 or 239.825.8094 (call for appointments)

mistress of ceremonies and has been cited as one of the “Top Women of the Year” by Gulfshore Life magazine.

• Jeanie Darnell, professor of music and head of vocal studies at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music, is a concert artist in the U.S. and throughout Europe.

• Sue Huff, marketing and manage-

See ARTS, Page 7B

By Kelly J.

OUTDOORS

Python hunters take on Year of the Snake

Year of the Snake is an ominous name for 2025 from the perspective of many of Florida’s Burmese python hunters.

In the lunar calendar, Year of the Snake takes on a meaning that is beyond symbolic for the people tackling the python invasion. For the hunters, it’s a year of attempting more than ever before to solve a problem created by humans releasing pets into the wild over the course of several decades. The hunters are seeking to shed that proverbial skin.

“It is kind of ironic that it’s the Year of the Snake,” said python huntress Amy Siewe, who leads guided hunts out of Port of the Isles Marina in Naples. ”It’s definitely the year of the Burmese python, but we don’t want it to be.”

The behemoths are competing with native snakes, diminishing biodiversity and consuming the state’s animals nearly unchecked.

“We’re not even making a dent,” Siewe said.

Mentored by Donna Kalil, who won an Emmy award for the documentary Donna Kalil, Python Huntress, Siewe was among approximately 100 bounty hunters hired by the state to hunt pythons, but now works independent of the government, allowing her to speak to the media.

‘Numbers don’t lie’

In addition to financial incentives for hunters, tangible benefits include that each of the non-native apex predators removed from Florida could save 100 or more native animals each year. Pythons have consumed as much as 90% of the mammals in the Everglades, according to studies conducted by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. While hunters help mitigate the losses of native species and biodiversity with each snake they remove, it’s an environmental battle that’s nearly impossible to win.

“Everyone is supposed to be optimistic, but numbers don’t lie,” Siewe said. “If you look at it from the 10,000-foot view, it’s kind

of depressing.

“What is the point?” she pondered aloud. “We have no way of combatting this with our current methods,” she said, while continuing to hunt pythons daily and lead tours of the hunts.

Kalil has removed about 1,000 snakes during the past 10 years for the South Florida Water Management District. That contribution is significant, as the team is approaching 10,000 snakes removed from the Everglades since 2017. Despite the challenges, just nearing

this milestone gave python hunter Dusty Crum hope.

“The exponential factor of that alone, I believe we’re making a difference,” said Crum, who owns a pizza restaurant in Everglades City and has used his python-hunting prowess to attract the attention of television programs.

Since 2000, more than 23,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from Florida terrain and reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, according to Lisa Thompson,

an FWC communications officer.

‘It’s not their fault’ While pythons are an infestation in Florida, they are endangered in their native home of Myanmar, mostly due to habitat loss and poaching. Their skin is tanned to make valuable leather items, and the meat is a delicacy in Vietnam and other areas. Some Florida hunters eat it despite reportedly high mercury content.

Still, hunters tell of the magnificence of the animals — whether en-

Free online Python Patrol training with an FWC biologist occurs on the third Thursday of each month from 7- 8 p.m. with the next training March 21 on myfwc.com. Python Patrol teaches how to identify, capture and humanely kill pythons, as well as other information. The direct link is myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/python/patrol.

dangered in one area of the planet or invasive in another. Crum uses every part of the snake for a purpose, and when euthanizing the snake, he says a prayer over them. “I tell them it’s not their fault,” Crum said.

Burmese pythons are non-venomous snakes that grow to about 16 feet in the wild, and many grow longer. There is no natural predator to the snake, though alligators have killed several.

The Burmese pythons are ambush predators. Their numbers in the Everglades are unknown but are often estimated at 100,000 to 300,000.

“Babies are two feet long coming out of the egg,” Siewe said.

Year of the Snake and its meaning

By Kelly J. Farrell

This Lunar New Year, also sometimes called the Chinese, Vietnamese or Tibetan New Year, is known as Year of the Snake, and more specifically Year of the Wood Snake. It started on Jan. 29 — a bit earlier than many years. There are slight variations in the zodiac among these cultures, but the New Year is often celebrated with a two-week kickoff from the new moon to the full moon.

Kim Nguyen and Megan Healey are two Naples-area residents who celebrated with their families. For them, the holiday included ritual, symbolism and intention, they said.

“My family has always celebrated it. We’re Vietnamese,” said Nguyen, a yoga teacher and Realtor whose family lives on a fruit farm in Naples.

This time of year is known as Tet and is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture, she said.

“You want to set the tone now for what you want to do for the entire year,” said Nguyen.

Her fiancée, Healey, also a yoga teacher and a personal chef, reflected on the meaning of this Year of the Snake locally in terms of the area’s Burmese pythons that are native to Myanmar.

“They are very resilient, adaptive, intuitive — and that’s how they survived in a space where they don’t belong,” Healey said. “That’s snake energy. We can have those qualities too,” she said.

The Chinese zodiac is organized by years, in contrast to the Western zodiac classified by months. The Year of the Snake occurs every 12 years. For example, people born in the years 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and so on — each 12 years — are snake signs. There are 11 other animals, each with different qualities, and they may be affected by the Year of the Snake differently.

Further, there are five elements, and in 2025 the element is wood.

Wood makes fire burn, so these two elements dominate the year.

There are stories behind the animals and the signs, Nguyen said.

The key story is about a race between these animals and how they approached the race differently.

“The snake, being charming, sneaky, mysterious, clever, hid in the hoof of a horse to cross the river, scared the horse and kind of ends up winning that race,” Nguyen said.

In Florida terms, Healey add-

ment guru, brings a background in graphic arts, broadcasting and theater to her dealings with Southwest Florida businesses and nonprofits.

Fundraiser for INC

The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the INC Arts for Recovery Life Skills Program. This program, which has been providing hope and healing to those battling addictions for 11 years, offers a blend of artistic expression and

ed, “In a way, the pet breeder is the horse and the python got a ride across the water and ends up taking over while the people are scared of them. The snake medicine is shedding your skin and being willing to let go.”

The Lunar New Year is an opportunity to reflect on the qualities of the snake and what they represent to us, and to evolve in the coming months. Much as Nguyen and Healey “shed” extraneous items in their home, people in general may need to shed the attributes that led to the imbalance in the ecosystem

practical life skills. It features presentations by poets, musicians, artists and Biblical teachers, and is set to expand this spring to support those facing trauma and mental illness.

“Our enhanced life skills program will launch this spring for those battling other challenges like trauma and mental illness,” Barnett said. “We will be upskilling and re-skilling persons; uncovering and encouraging the nurturing of skills already in place; and teaching new skills to acclimate with their daily lives for success in mind, body and soul.”

The program will be in cohorts of 24 people for 10 weekly sessions, ending with a career

and do similarly in their personal lives.

Nguyen and her family celebrated in traditional ways, with the auspicious color of red, including offering red envelopes with well-wishes for each other that include prosperity and happiness.

The altar to the ancestors is always set up in her family’s household, she said.

“It’s an extra-big altar now,” Nguyen said, as she headed into a New Year celebration with family.

“In Chinese culture, the snake is the most enigmatic animal among

fair. Classes will include art, dance and health and fitness, and will teach skills such as balancing checkbooks, buying and cooking food and managing a home. “We will show participants how to build positive and healthy relationships and connect them to a supportive faith community to face life challenges successfully,” Barnett said. “NAMI Collier has given us space until we can find a larger permanent space.”

INC is a Southwest Florida faith-based global nonprofit that disciples and teaches creatives of all persuasions, involving them in acts of kindness and outreach. It brings hope and healing to the underprivileged and adults

the 12 zodiac animals. People born in a Year of the Snake are supposed to be the most intuitive. Snakes tend to act according to their own judgments while remaining private and reticent. They are determined to accomplish their goals and hate to fail,” Chinese cultural writer Cynthia Li said.

How that will play out among the Burmese pythons, indigenous snake species and humans, is all yet to be seen.

One thing is very likely, though: Chinese astrologers forecast this year is to be one with many changes.

battling addiction and mental illness. Other INC programs include Creatives Connect Groups, where creatives grow, reflect and proclaim Christ in their lives and work, and Get Creative, a faith-based community outreach to underprivileged families that brings hope and healing through music, art, writing, drama and storytelling.

“I started the organization in 1992 in New York City,” Barnett said. “We relocated to Naples in 2003 and incorporated in 2012. We have some 500 members in Africa, Japan, Russia, Romania and Greece, 200 of which are in Florida. Each year, we touch the lives of over 400 adults in recovery.”

FOREVERGLADES

Florida’s Burmese pythons live with a lung parasite that is deadly to native snakes with smaller lungs.  Due to several factors including pathogens, sending pythons back to their native country — where they balance the ecosystem with tigers as predators and other species as prey — has thus far not been a viable option, said Thomas Lockyear, manager of Museum of the Everglades, who compiled the Museum’s python exhibit in fall 2024.

Slow travelers

One of the few advantages hunters may have is that pythons are relatively slow travelers, at about one mile per hour, biologists estimate.

Snakes’ forked tongues allow them to sense chemicals — particularly biochemicals — in multiple directions, giving them cues of the details of surrounding prey.

Burmese pythons are semi-aquatic reptiles that can remain under water as long as 30 minutes and have been found as far as 20 miles offshore, as evidenced by Macbeth “Lil Mac” Collins catching one while stone crabbing. Pythons can also climb trees. Usually though, they’re caught on land not far off main roads, particularly U.S. 41 in the Everglades.

Hunters take down these snakes, each often weighing hundreds of pounds, one at a time.

“This is the only animal in the world that is hunted that you catch alive by hand,” Siewe said.

“I hate that we have to kill them.”

They are euthanized with a single shot to the brain to minimize suffering.

“It takes an average of 12 hours to

get one snake,” Siewe said. “We’re getting whipped by these pythons.”

FWC has approximately 50 contractors on a team called PATRIC, aka Python Action Team — Removing Invasive Constrictors. Also, SFWMD has a python elimination program with another 50 contractors.

Contractors are paid $13 or $18 per hour, depending on the area. Additionally, these freelancers earn

$50 for each python up to 4 feet long, plus $25 for each additional foot. They also receive $200 per nest removal that is field-verified by FWC. So, a snake hunter can easily make $350 or even $500 for some snakes.

Entrepreneurial opportunities

But many hunters find other

ways to make money. Siewe, for example, found it more economical to stop contracting with the state and to offer guided hunts instead. These cost $1,800 for three people to go python hunting for about five hours, not including gratuity.

Others, including Crum, supplement bounty income in numerous ways, including selling snakeskin items from a room in his Everglades City pizza shop, Wild Man’s Pizza, Pasta and Pythons, as well as proceeds he receives from TV shows, which include “Guardians of the Glades” on Discovery Channel and the current season of “Swamp People: Serpent Invasion” on the History Channel.

Some less notorious — and often less skillful — snake hunters travel U.S. 41 in the Everglades looking for snakes.

“One man had a snake with one of his shoes in his hand and the other shoe on his foot,” Siewe recalled.

He had no idea how to kill it, she said, so she helped him.

“I promise you. We make it look easier than it actually is,” she said.

Snakes work together

Scientist Ian Bartoszek of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been tracking snakes with radio transmitters since 2013. His work revealed the snakes work together to hunt. Further, heavy snakes are more dangerous than long ones, as evidenced by a 250-pound female that was several feet shorter than a 125-pound male and was found to have gobbled up many more animals than the lighter male.

Scientists may be able to use the pet trade’s popularity of albinism as a weakness in the genetics to eventually sterilize pythons, and if this is even possible, it may be among the only conceivable ways

that pythons could ever be permanently extracted from the Florida landscape, Lockyear said.

“My solution is if they could develop X-ray vision for vegetation, we could be in good shape,” Siewe said.

If the Year of the Snake does not bring a solution to the python invasion, then Burmese pythons could soon reach a century as state residents. Pythons — which have an average lifespan of 25 years — were first reported in the Everglades as early as the 1930s, Lockyear said.

One significant source of pythons in the wild was an exotic pet breeding facility outside Miami during Hurricane Andrew in 1992, according to news reports of the time. But DNA testing has confirmed there have been numerous releases of snakes, not just this one source, Lockyear said.

Now, Burmese pythons are not legal pets in Florida nor can their meat be sold for food. The Year of the Snake may attract more people to a python wallet or purse for good luck, though. Wild Man’s Pizza, Pasta and Pythons may have among the largest selection of python skin merchandise in the area, from jewelry to wallets, belts, purses, boots and motorcycle seats, among other items. It is certainly Year of the Snake at Wild Man’s, where hunters can put their python on their pizzas, and buy with money or trade, including for a snake. It’s the only business known to accept python as payment.

Only farmed python is legal to sell for food, but hunters can choose to eat their own catch, if mercury warnings don’t deter them, Crum said.

“They taste like alligator meat but without the fishy taste,” he said.

could hope for: contracts with several opera companies.

It has the blessing and participation of Nicoletta Pavarotti, his widow. She’ll spend an evening of the festival sharing inside stories of the famous tenor, a populist star whose opera fame didn’t stop him from enjoying duets with pop singers such as Bono and Sting.

Those among us saying “Whew” should borrow energy from Ramón Tebar, Opera Naples artistic director.

“We’re always looking to add new things, to give as much variety as we can in styles of opera, in types of events, of concerts,” he declared. “We started the festival five years ago with only four performances, but we already had a concert with orchestra, then we had a Broadway musical, West Side Story [in dance]. Then we had a popular opera.

“And since then we’ve been expanding in performances and the length of the period from one week to 2½ this year, with 10 performances.”

Having three operas has allowed him to offer one from both the classical (Mozart’s Magic Flute ) and romantic genres (Puccini’s La Boheme ), as well as a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, The Mikado . He’s excited for audiences to hear several singers from the academy and a winner from the competition in the opening night Pavarotti Voices Concert Feb. 27.

At least two of those are family-friendly, he added: “ The Magic Flute has this mix of mystery magic and also fun, which appeals not only to connoisseurs but to families,” he said. The opera’s most famous character, in fact, doesn’t hold the magic flute: It’s Papageno, the bird-brained forest dweller who is forever looking for a wife.

One of the festival’s popular events already is directed toward children: Family Day, this year 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 1 at Cambier Park west, including free crafts, games, music by the Opera Naples Youth Chorus and a noon performance of The Ugly Duckling . (Opera Naples thoughtfully

provides coffee for parents who bring their children early.)

Opera fatigue is not a worry here. Festival

Under the Stars advertises around Florida and the South, bringing in a good number of outsiders, he and Melanie Kalnins, executive director of Opera Naples, agreed.

“What we do is to build a cultural destination, and a practical cultural destination, if you want. We are the only winter outdoor festival in America — I would venture to say, even in Europe,” Tebar said. The festival puts the entire city on display, he suggested.

“They can see the cultural offerings, the operas, and they can enjoy the beach and the restaurants, as well.”

“We know that at least 12% come from Lee County, so that’s a nice stat,” Kalnins noted. Surveys they’re taking in collaboration with the Collier County Visitors and Tourist Bureau show an increase in out-of-town traffic for those weeks.

Kalnins also says her experience has been that the festival “is becoming a real source

that both showcases the stars and offers the absolute beginner a space in which to learn. A free therapeutic dance session adds to the width of needs it hopes to address, according to United Arts Collier, the muscle behind this festival.

It’s a new concept in the city that has not been showcased before, according to its organizers, but that means there’s good room for growth.

First up are performances from virtuosos known internationally, including Melissa Hough, principal dancer and also a choreographer in the Norwegian Ballet. There’s Yusha-Marie Sorzano, former dancer, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and founding co-artistic director of Zeitgeist Dance Theatre; and Francie Huber, of the Paul Taylor Dance Company; along with a dancer from Ballet Rhode Island. Gulfshore Ballet of Fort Myers will offer a work, as well.

of civic pride for people. This is a major cultural event that happens in the heart of Naples during the heart of season.”

The opera has added seats already, expanding its audience capacity from 600 to 750, and ticket sales are 40% ahead of where they were last year.

“What I’ve seen in my 10 years in Naples is that it’s getting more cultural,” Tebar said. “The new playhouse (Gulfshore) and Artis—Naples, they have something almost every day and most of them are full. It’s not a question of having audiences, but of giving them the variety.”

That’s why there is again an evening of dance, this year Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty , with Gulfshore Ballet, the Fort Myers company.

For a full schedule of events and tickets, see operanaples.org

A festival for virtuosos and footloose fledglings

The Naples International Dance Festival celebrates that graceful art in a weekend

A number of the stars for the first night will teach master classes and the beginner classes Feb. 22. Madeline Trigilio, who has been working as its organizer, said there are perhaps five more spaces in the beginner classes. Ballet shoes and leotards are not a requirement: a willing spirit and some clothing that allows movement are all that’s needed, she said. The organization emphasized that offer extends to both men and women.

“It’s a lot of prep stuff right now. We’re learning as we go. I’m really excited for it,” Trigilio said the week before the festival.

For those who prefer to be a dance observer, there’s a concert of stars Feb. 21, and a showcase of emerging choreographers, whose dances may be making their premieres here, Feb. 22.

The Friday and Saturday evening performances are at Norris Community Center. The classes are at Spotlight Dance Co., 2343 Vanderbilt Beach Road (Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt), Units 606 and 608, except for the Parkinson’s class. That will be at River Park Community Center, 301 11th St. N.

For a complete schedule and tickets to the Naples International Dance Festival’s offerings, see unitedartscollier.org

OUT & ABOUT

Zoobilee, Naples Zoo’s premier annual fundraising event, had a “Feast with the Beasts” theme this year. Hundreds sampled bites and cocktails from local chefs and mixologists, while checking out the zoo’s animal exhibits at night.

Photography by Liz Gorman

COMICS & PUZZLES

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. TELEVISION: How many castaways are on “Gilligan’s Island”?

1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the highest mountain in Canada?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which Asian nation’s nickname is “Land of the Thunder Dragon”?

2. TELEVISION: Who is the host of the long-running reality series "Survivor"?

3. LITERATURE: Which animals represent the Communist Party in "Animal Farm"?

3. LITERATURE: What is author

J.K. Rowling’s real first name?

4. U.S. STATES: Which state is the birthplace of the singer Elvis?

5. ASTRONOMY: How long does it take the moon to orbit the Earth?

4. SCIENCE: What is a type of material that can’t carry an electrical charge?

5. U.S. STATES: Which state’s nickname is “The Last Frontier”?

6. MEASUREMENTS: How many quarts are in a half gallon?

6. MOVIES: What is the score Elle receives on her law school admission test in "Legally Blonde"?

7. MOVIES: Which famous landmark is featured in the movie “Rebel Without a Cause”?

7. AD SLOGANS: Which product's slogan is "Is It In You?"?

8. LANGUAGE: What is an eraser called in the United Kingdom?

9. SCIENCE: What are the four primary precious metals?

8. ANATOMY: What does the cerebellum control in the human brain?

10. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Valentine's Day arose from which Roman ritual? © 2025

9. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Where is the late Jimmy Carter’s presidential library located?

10. HISTORY: When did the Great Fire of London occur? Answers

1. Seven.

2. Bhutan.

3. Joanne.

4. An insulator. 5. Alaska.

6. Two.

7. Griffith Observatory. 8. Movement and balance. 9. Atlanta, Georgia. 10. 1666. © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

THE NAPLES PRESS CROSSWORD

SPORTS

Eagles hope to soar before they peak

Speaking of Sports

David Wasson

For those truly in the know, every college basketball season is actually made up of three distinctly different sub-seasons: non-conference, conference and March.

And if you ever are blessed to spend more than 10 minutes with FGCU men’s basketball coach Pat Chambers, he will educate you that the 11 other months of the Gregorian calendar are all prelude to what *really* matters.

March, when the NCAA Tournament happens.

Chambers and his teams aim for peak performance in March, and the 2024-25 Eagles are certainly trending to just that goal.

Following a 5-8 non-conference start to the season, FGCU is rolling through the Atlantic Sun Conference slate and peaking at the perfect time.

The players are practicing what their veteran coach preaches.

“I always want my teams to be playing their best basketball in March, when tournament time rolls around,” Chambers is fond of saying. “It’s all about working every day to get that little bit better to where we are playing our best in March.”

The non-conference portion of FGCU’s season, as the record would suggest, was rocky for FGCU. Part of that is strictly by design, as Chambers and Co. don’t deign to play a cupcake schedule — instead opting for test after test

after test in an attempt to prepare for the rigors of conference play.

That’s why the Eagles went to UNC Greensboro and TCU and Drake and LSU, all losses. That’s why the Eagles welcomed in FIU and went across the state to play Florida Atlantic, both victories. Those six games were a microcosm of the goal to play up instead of down before January rolls around.

Once the calendar flipped to 2025 and Power 4/Final Four teams were replaced by ASUN opponents, FGCU’s colors immediately started showing. The Green

& Blue won five straight and six of their first seven to get to first place, then earned a couple of road victories at Jacksonville and North Florida to stay there.

Chambers’ squad is doing it with defense. The Eagles were holding opponents to the worst field goal percentage in the conference over the first half of the season and were also ranked second in the ASUN in scoring defense — one of just two teams in the league to allow fewer than 70 points per game.

A major reason why the FGCU defense has been so intense is the addition of graduate guard Zavi -

an McLean. The former Columbia standout (one of two former Ivy Leaguers on FGCU’s roster, along with former Princeton big man Keeshawn Kellman) delivers baseline-to-baseline intensity and an unparallelled level of opponent harassment.

But you still gotta put the ball in the basket, and FGCU enjoys a variety of methods to do just that.

Kicking it down low to the 6-foot8 Kellman has been a solid option for two seasons, as he finished second in the country last year with a .684 field goal percentage. And Dallion Johnson, who transferred

to Southwest Florida from Penn State prior to 2023-24, is enjoying a scoring campaign hovering around 16 points per game (which is almost 6 ppg above last season’s mark).

But as any coach, Chambers or otherwise, will tell you, what you want most from your team is continued improvement. FGCU has proven that its non-conference travails weren’t disappointments. Instead, they were learning opportunities. The Eagles steadily sloughed off the scar tissue associated with losses and learned the lessons of defeat.

Folks who pay attention to history also will note how hard it is to escape the past, and FGCU’s past, both recent and not, is tricky. Chambers’ first two Eagles squads struggled more than soared down the stretch, and the air approaching March only gets thinner. Also, as each passing year hits the rearview mirror, that’s one more year removed from the magical 2013 Dunk City run that put FGCU on the map.

PR buzz aside, FGCU — in its third season with veteran coach Chambers at the helm — appears poised to clamp down on the ASUN and enter the pressure cooker that is March with a clear heart and even clearer intentions. Do the Eagles punch their ticket and again become part of the Madness?

Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson airs weekdays from 3-5 p.m. on Southwest Florida’s Fox Sports Radio (105.9 FM in Collier County) and streaming on FoxSportsFM.com.

‘CAN BE A CHALLENGE’

FC Naples coach strives for ‘team culture’ with 12 nationalities on roster

By Randy Kambic

The members of FC Naples, the city’s first professional soccer team, are all highly proficient in the many fundamentals of the game and have notched individual achievements.

Yet, perhaps a more important shared characteristic is that virtually all of them have been integral parts of winning soccer programs, either in Southwest Florida, around the United States or overseas.

For while the dazzle of ball control or a booming free kick may be electrifying to watch, what counts most is putting the ball in the opponent’s net, with teamwork being the paramount ingredient to such success. Passion for harmonious, cohesive play has been on full display recently, with the team’s highly anticipated first-ever game in the national USL League One — against the Chattanooga Red Wolves at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at Paradise Coast Sports Complex — fast approaching.

“With 23 players, 12 different nationalities and in our first year, it can be a challenge creating a team culture,” FC Naples Head Coach and Sporting Director Matt “Gaffa” Poland said. “They’ve been doing really well, but we have to be patient.” He added he has arranged for many off-field outings for the players for further bonding.

“Communication … we’re always build-

HOME GAME SCHEDULE

7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, Chattanooga Red Wolves

7 p.m. Saturday, March 15, Forward Madison

7 p.m. Saturday, March 29, Portland Hearts of Pine

7 p.m. Saturday, April 12, Richmond Kickers

7 p.m. Saturday, April 19, One Knoxville

7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, Charleston Battery

8 p.m. Sunday, May 25, Union Omaha

8 p.m. Saturday, June 14, Chattanooga Red Wolves

8 p.m. Friday, July 4, Tampa Bay Rowdies

8 p.m. Saturday, July 12, Westchester

8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, South Georgia Tormenta

8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, Texoma

7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, Westchester

7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, Greenville Triumph

7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, AV Alta

7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, Spokane Velocity

7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Charlotte Independence

ing chemistry,” said winger Sebastian Joffre, whose addition to the roster on Feb. 10 creates another dimension of excitement. The Bolivia native grew up in Naples and played for the Gulf Coast High School Sharks, for whom he scored a game-winning goal in overtime in the Class 4A state championship game as a senior in 2018. “Everyone knows their roles.”

Joffre, who has competed in Brazil, England, Belgium and the U.S. — most recently playing in 19 games for Real Monarchs in MLS Next Pro, scoring three goals — is excited to be playing in Naples again.

“It’s great to be back home,” he said. “I can’t wait to play in front of the community.”

“He’s explosive, dynamic,” said Poland, adding he was already familiar with Joffre, having coached the winger four years ago. He also believes Joffre’s play will “inspire youngsters in the community. It’s a realistic dream to play pro soccer,” the coach said.

“We’re learning from each other,” said another recent signing, midfielder and Milwaukee native Luka Prpa. He has extensive experience playing for MLS Next Pro’s Chicago Fire II, for whom he recorded nine goals and nine

assists in 41 appearances during the last two seasons. “We’re a close group, on and off the field,” he said.

Prpa also excelled in the USL Championship league, playing more than 50 matches for Hartford Athletic and Rio Grande Valley.

Attacking midfielder Jayden Onen, the team’s first signee last December, is happy to contribute, regardless of how.

“I like to create, whether at the end of a play or if I’m setting up someone else,” said the North London native who played for both Sheffield and Reading in the English Football League and Lexington in United Soccer League, earning a nomination for its Young Player of the Year award in 2023. “We’re learning about each other more and more,” he said.

The rest of the current player roster is:

Striker Karsen Henderlong, a native of Valparaiso, Indiana, who played for Indy Eleven in the USL last year and was a first team AllBig East selection in 2021 for Indiana University; forward Tyler Pasnik, who played for Scotland’s Rangers club and Huntsville City in Major League Soccer Next Pro; and forward Justin Weiss, selected twice to the firstteam All-Big Ten while playing for Indiana University.

Midfielders Kevin O’Connor, a veteran of Cork City and Ireland’s U21 National Team, the Europa League and English Championship; Chris Heckenberg, who played two seasons for South Georgia Tormenta; Marc Torrellas, who earned positions on both the 2023 and 2024 USL League Two Team of the Year with Chicago City and the Des Moines Men-

Playing soccer in Paradise

The inaugural United Soccer League season for FC Naples will include 17 regular season home games at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples. On opening night, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, FC Naples will host the Chattanooga Red Wolves. Subsequent USL League One home games will be played on Saturdays (13), a Sunday, a Friday and a Wednesday. The local team also will play 18 away games.

Wednesday, Feb. 26th, 12PM-2PM Friday, Feb. 28th, 12PM-2PM

Friday, Mar. 7th, 12PM-2PM Wednesday, Mar. 12th, 12PM-2PM Wednesday, Mar. 19th, 12PM-2PM Fleming's Prime Steakhouse 8985 Tamiami Trail N. Naples, FL 34108