Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2021 i Naples Illustrated

Picture this: Two frazzled moms are sitting in the front of a dark gray Suburban, trying very hard to sound professional during a conference call with a public relations and marketing team from Pampers, Proctor & Gamble, and Random House. The year was 2007, and my friend Cathy and I were putting the finishing touches on our book about raising twins (Twin Set: Moms of Multiples Share Survive and Thrive Secrets) and attempting to land a media tour sponsorship with Pampers. We’d hired a babysitter to watch our combined seven kids under the age of 6 inside of her house while we took this important call in her driveway. After we hung up, we both felt fake-ittill-you-make-it relief. Neither one of us was eager to get out of the SUV…

Neapolitans know interior designer Lisa Kahn as the force behind her eponymous design studio as well as the Finding Sanctuary blog and e-commerce site that sells home goods for creating peaceful environs. She’s also the board president of the STARability Foundation and mother of 21-year-old Chloe, who has developmental and intellectual disabilities. The Naples nonprofit foundation works to transform the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing social, vocational, and educational connections, and Chloe has been enriched by its extracurricular programs. STARability has been seeking ways to provide a diverse and steady income stream and opportunities for employment and vocational training for the 30 participants of its Trailblazer Academy and Junior Trailblazer Academy. In early 2019, it opened a home decor and art thrift store, STAR Store Upscale Resale &…

Brenda and Rick Fioretti have Naples real estate coursing through their veins. The couple moved here from the Washington, D.C., area in 1999 and dove in to getting established on the Paradise Coast. Brenda is the managing broker for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty on Fifth Avenue, and Rick is an associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty in the Park Shore office. When they aren’t hosting open houses or signing closing documents, they support the Sunshine Kids Organization, which brings fun and friendship to children fighting cancer, and the Naples Ballet, where Rick is treasurer of the board of trustees. Together, though they love Naples’ beaches and sunsets, the Fiorettis like to escape to expand their horizons. “We love to try different foods from different cultures wherever we…

Shot by Naples Illustrated on location at the Pink House, Miami For buying information, turn to page 173. Fashion editor: Katherine Lande For buying information, turn to page 173. For buying information, turn to page 173. For buying information, turn to page 173. For buying information, turn to page 173. Model: Morgan Louise Fletcher, The Industry Model Mgmt, New York Hair and makeup: Tina Echeverri for Dior Beauty, artist-management.net Digital tech: JP Cunningham Photo assistants: David Friske, Chris Dzsinski…

The Florida Panther might be the state animal, but if you look around, you’ll notice sea turtles adorning numerous Florida specialty license plates. The turtle tag is the second most popular license plate in the state, after the University of Florida, but it goes beyond that. “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” plates have raised more than $5 million dollars over the past three years. It’s money well-spent as these funds are distributed to nonprofits via grant requests for turtle-based projects and initiatives.…

If you can’t get to Sonoma in the near future, let Sonoma come to you. Tom Cassata, owner of Cassata Vineyards in Glen Ellen’s Valley of the Moon, opened Cru Wine Club, a tasting room in Bonita Springs in November. Designed by local publicist Patti Genko, the space holds 12 guests at a communal tasting table. “We’re hosting daily happy hours and bringing in visiting chefs to cater wine dinners,” Genko says. “The atmosphere is warm and cozy, and guests can view virtual presentations of the vineyards as they experience the wines. It gives Tom a chance to explain his winemaking philosophy.” Cassata Vineyards is built on a foundation of bio-sustainable farming, a “spiritual and holistic agricultural approach which encourages soil, plants, and animals to work together.” The vines, which…

Valentine’s Day may create expectations and pressure for some, but Joey Skladany has a solution: Galentine’s Day, observed the day before on February 13. The holiday was “invented” in a 2010 episode of the sitcom Parks and Recreation, and has become a fun alternative for friends of any gender to celebrate their mutual bond. “I’m a huge fan of Galentine’s Day,” says Skladany, author of Basic Bitchen, a guide to stress-free cooking. “It emphasizes the need to be an individual outside of a relationship and encourages everyone to put themselves and their friends first.” Skladany, a Manhattan resident who grew up in Naples, still visits frequently to spend time with his family. The recipes in Basic Bitchen reflect that connection. “I included my mom’s Caesar salad, my sister’s cookies, and…

Naples artist Joan Sonnenberg had to wait to celebrate her December birthday due to pandemic uncertainty, but patience is surely something she has at 90 years of age. A solo exhibit of her work is on display at Emillions Art, which represents her, and the gallery is inviting fans, collectors, and friends to gather on February 18 to fête her from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will be required to wear masks and sign up for a timeslot. In her work, Sonnenberg explains that she strives “to convey the harmonious coexistence of abstraction and realism, transcending and encompassing both doctrines.” She has practiced printmaking, photography, painting, and drawing, and says she continues to “explore new approaches, using charcoal, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, and gesso on both canvas and paper.” Her work…

What if there really was such a thing as a crystal ball that could offer a glimpse into the future? When it comes to the rapid evolution of society, there’s no need for smoke and mirrors. In its eleventh season, the Imagine Solutions Conference is a real-time ideas platform for exploring some of today’s biggest issues and monumental shifts and how they will shape or impact the future and present answers to pressing challenges. Race, gender, climate change, medical research, international affairs, you name it: Chances are high that those behind this event with the tagline “Big Ideas. Top Experts” are giving it close consideration. Imagine Solutions conferences and seminars are the products of the nonprofit Searching for Solutions Institute, founded in Naples in 2008. Its stated aim is “to…

Nestled among courtyards, plazas, fountains, and abundant colorful flowers, the attractive shops of the Third Street South historic district are brimming with timeless fashions, world-class art, and posh home decor. QUIDLEY & COMPANY FINE ART Gallery director and private art dealer Chris Quidley first had galleries in Nantucket and Boston. In 2016, he opened on Broad Avenue South. The son of a painter and a frame-maker, Quidley worked at Christie’s auction house and multiple galleries before striking out on his own. Representing dozens of preeminent contemporary artists, Quidley understands what’s trending in this market. New York artist Kevin Barrett’s painted aluminum Venus Maquette sculpture ($8,000) measures 28 inches by 12 inches. (quidleyandco.com) BRUNO Bruno Dhain co-owns this smartly curated gift store, which offers a mix of on-trend jewelry, handbags, and…

Southern states pride themselves on great food, and coastal Alabama is no exception. Prepare to feast on some of the country’s freshest seafood, often at restaurants that are part of the pro-environment movement. Begin at DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen (desotosseafoodkitchen.com), a no-frills locals’ haunt, famous for its Old Bay–seasoned, peel-and-eat Royal Red shrimp and pecan-crusted catch of the day topped with béarnaise sauce. Start every meal with a basket of piping hot yeast rolls (wheat, brown, or white) accompanied by whipped honey butter. Be sure to request a side of the decadent sweet potato casserole, which doubles as dessert. For endless summer vibes, lunch or imbibe at The Gulf (thegulf.com), a sprawling, fast-casual beach club where patrons order from a pick-up window and then chillax on picnic benches, eclectic dining tables,…

Gracefully teetering on her red-bottomed stilettos and dressed to the nines, Amy Baier effortlessly exudes stylish elegance, but the fashion aficionado is also a fitness buff who is equally at ease in a pair of sneakers and workout clothes. Amy is a multifaceted mother of two boys, Paul, age 13, and Daniel, age 10, who’s been married to Fox News Chief Political Anchor Bret Baier for 16 years. She is immaculately groomed, yet, make no mistake, she’s a resilient hockey mom who regularly gets Daniel to the ice rink fed, dressed, and ready to go for his crack-of-dawn practice. “I’m a very hands-on sports mom,” she says. “They play a lot of golf; Paul tries to play every day, and Daniel, three times a week, because he does travel hockey…

It’s not often that you can dine out and do a good deed at the same time, but Lulu’s Kitchen provides that opportunity. Opened in October, Lulu’s is located on the campus of St. Matthew’s House in East Naples. It contains a state-of-the-art restaurant with an 8,000-square-foot kitchen, a drive-through, and indoor seating for 65 at the Fresh Start Café. The new venture was made possible in part by a generous donation from the Holecek Family Foundation. “This facility gives us the ability to consolidate all of our culinary operations under one roof,” says St. Matthew’s COO Steve Brooder. “We can cook for the café, run our Delicious by Design catering company, and provide all the mission meals for our residents and clients.” The building is also home to the…

If you’re looking to naturally protect your family from the flu, elderberry may become your new line of defense. Studies indicate that this superfood can stimulate the immune system and provide antiviral and antibacterial effects. High in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, elderberry may help lessen cold and flu symptoms, according to licensed dietitian Betsy Opyt of Healthy Concepts Consulting in Naples. Elderberries aren’t easy to find and can be toxic if prepared incorrectly. Fortu - nately, elderberry supplements in the form of capsules, syrup, and powder are readily available. One company, New Chapter, even has elderberry gummies specially formulated for kids, delivering the benefits of elderberries with fruit as the only sweetener. Opyt suggests adding elderberry powder to chia pudding, sprinkling it on yogurt or oatmeal, or using it…

1. Combine some of the best of the Southwest Florida outdoors with a hike that includes a stretch of beach, a nature trail, and an observation tower at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. 2. Check out local wildlife from a 2.25-mile boardwalk at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. On this kid-friendly walk, you’re sure to spot an array of indigenous animals and discover native flora, including the country’s largest oldgrowth bald cypress forest. 3. Get outdoors in the very center of Naples. The Naples Preserve boardwalk takes you on a 0.4-mile exploration of the city’s early ecosystem. 4. Want more of an adventure? Hike a 2.2-or 3.5-mile loop alongside the swamp on the Sabal Palm Trail. Take advantage of the dry season to avoid trail flooding.…

A bronze sculpture by the late artist Kathy Spalding is now a permanent fixture at Naples’ Baker Park. Spalding was a longtime resident who gained an international reputation for her life-like nature studies. One of her large loggerhead turtles was used to create the mold for the Community Foundation of Collier County’s “Turtles on the Town” fundraising campaign for arts and the environment. Local artists decorated 50 turtles, which were auctioned off in early 2016 and are now on display at public and private properties across town. Although Spalding passed away in 2014, her husband, Ken McCubbins, is carrying on her artistic legacy. He donated the 36-inch-long, 28-inch-wide Scorpion sculpture to the City of Naples in the name of Friends of Rookery Bay. It is the second permanent art installation…

Lisa Gregorisch Dempsey and her husband, Gary, have been married for 30 years this March but have been living in Naples for only two of them. This dynamic duo met in Denver in January 1990, when Lisa was working as an executive news producer; Gary was a police officer in charge of the gang unit, and she arrived on the scene to report a story. Sparks flew between the two big personalities, and marriage followed one year later. They lived the majority of their married life together in Calabasas, California, not too far from the Kardashians. In the Los Angeles area, Lisa shifted from hard news to entertainment news and is now the senior executive producer at Extra TV and works regularly with Billy Bush and other famous faces. Gary…

Twenty-four years ago, during a fraternity and sorority mixer at Iowa State University, Pason Gaddis was smitten with his now wife of 21 years, Renée. Back then, Pason was studying business administration and working for the school newspaper, and Renée was attending design school. After graduating, Pason says he wanted to “work in a growing market at a wonderful publisher,” so he landed in Southwest Florida and is currently CEO and president of Florida Media Group, which owns Florida Weekly. Renée soon followed, leaving behind her family with five siblings to forge her own career path in the Naples area. She’s been running her successful interior design business, Renée Gaddis Interiors, for several years. Pason jokes that one hobby he has in common with his wife is work. Another is…

Mary Catherine White giggles a lot during a conversation, but don’t assume that means she is not 100 percent serious about her real estate business, Naples White House Realty. It just reveals that she is bursting with happiness—because she gets to live and work in Old Naples. White first came to Naples on vacation to visit her brother in the 1980s and was enchanted by its tropical beauty and low-key living. Fast-forward to 2000, when she and her husband, Gary, decided to make a big change, close her design business in St. Louis, Missouri, and try something new. “Why not Naples?” they thought. “My husband is a natural salesman,” White says, “so when he pinpointed Naples real estate as something for us to go into together, I was sure he’d…

Greater love hath no man for his dog, that he would name a restaurant after him. Ziggy D’Amico’s Whiskey Bar and Diner, which opened in November in the former D’Amico & Sons space on Ninth Street North, immortalizes Richard D’Amico’s departed border collie. There are many changes from the Italian restaurant that was popular for decades: Ziggy’s has a full liquor license and an upscale gastropub menu designed to appeal to a wider range of customers. Of course, the terrace is dog-friendly. “D’Amico & Sons was successful, but it was time for a change,” says Michael Smith, director of operations for the D’Amico & Partners full-service restaurants. “Naples is evolving, and we wanted to reach out to a younger clientele.” Ziggy’s has a pizza oven that burns Florida white oak,…

THE LISTINGS The Naples area is packed with an abundance of great eateries, serving up food and drinks to satisfy every palate. Naples Illustrated has rounded up details on can’tmiss places for dining delights. ★ =NI ’s Dining Hall of Fame* *Dining establishments that have won three or more Dining Awards in the same category are inducted into NI’s Dining Hall of Fame. AMERICAN 7TH AVENUE SOCIAL Eclectic fare and craft cocktails. 849 Seventh Ave. S., Naples (7thavenuesocial.com) ALEXANDER’S The tastes of American and European cuisine commingle at this fine dining establishment. 4077 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (alexandersnaples.com) BALEEN AT LAPLAYA BEACH & GOLF RESORT Dine amid tropical surroundings indoors or on the patio. 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples (laplayaresort.com) BISTRO 821 A long-time favorite, thanks to executive chef Jesse Housman’s…

Why eat chocolate when you can rub it on your face and get glowing skin? This month, the spa at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is incorporating classic Valentine’s treats into its specials, from a custom-blended oil containing cacao extract to a creme brûlée lotion with vanilla, cacao, and cinnamon. “Cacao is really powerful,” says spa director Shawn Shortall. “It’s packed with antioxidants so it’s really great at protecting and repairing skin.” He adds that the spa’s Sweet Escape treatment helps to plump the skin and reduce redness and swelling. With this longtime family-owned hotel scheduled to close in May, it’s one of the last opportunities to enjoy the spa’s unique treatments before the property is redeveloped. Shortall suggests making the most of the experience by starting with…

Even though there is a COVID-19 vaccine in circulation, many people are still reeling from the chaos the pandemic has caused in their lives and are in need of help. Whether it’s obtaining health insurance, finding tutors or behavioral help for kids, accessing medical treatments, or more, the Collier Resource Center (CRC) wants to be of assistance. The center’s founder, Nina Gray, has lived in Naples for more than 40 years. Noticing that many people couldn’t find the services they required, she started the center in 2016 to connect residents with the extensive community resources that already exist. With community donations, the center has built a wheelchair ramp for a 91-year-old woman’s home, provided gas cards for a mother to see her children in the hospital, and helped an undocumented…

GOINGS ON & PERFORMANCES 1 Norman Rockwell: Part Two, lecture with Joan Jacobs, Artis—Naples, $45. (artisnaples.org) 2 Friends of the Collier County Library Nick Linn Lecture Series, virtual lecture with authors Beatriz Williams, Karen White, and Lauren Willig discussing All the Ways We Said Goodbye: A Novel of the Ritz Paris, $300. (collier-friends.org) 2 TNP Drive-In Movie Night: Twister, 300 Eighth Street South, Naples, also Feb. 3, $20. (naplesplayers.org) 2 World of Lloyd Webber Concert, Naples Art, $50. (gulfshoreopera.org) 3 Art Alive, Naples Art District, studio and gallery tours of 50 professional artists, also Feb. 13, free. (naplesartdistrict.com) 3 Lunch & Lecture Series: Frida & Diego, Mexico, Marriage, and Marks, an exploration of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo’s relationship and impact on twentieth-century art, Center for Performing Arts, Bonita Springs,…

BUYING INFORMATION TABLE OF CONTENTS AND PAGE 86 Cold-shoulder gathered dress ($1,995), Rosie Assoulin, Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, Naples, saksfifthavenue.com; lambskin sandals ($1,050), embellished sequin handbag (price upon request), Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, Naples, chanel.com. PAGE 87 Sequin wide-leg pants ($2,290), Carolina Herrera, Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, Naples, saksfifthavenue.com; embellished silk organza top ($6,850), Cruise 2021 handbag ($4,100), Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, Naples, chanel.com; retro vibe double-breasted jacket with shoulder pads ($3,400), Louis Vuitton, Waterside Shops, Naples, us.louisvuitton.com; Maisel 100 napa leather shoes in latte/silver ($1,995), Jimmy Choo, jimmychoo.com. PAGE 88 Technicolor yellow cotton rib and stitch short dress ($990), Salvatore Ferragamo, Waterside Shops, Naples, ferragamo.com; Constellation earrings with white sapphires set in 18-karat gold ($13,850), Irene Lummertz Jewelry, irenelummertz.com. Bodysuit ($495), Altuzarra, Saks…