Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2022 i Naples Illustrated

WHAT: Women Rock Philanthropy WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples DETAILS: Twelve local, inspiring women leaders who are making a difference through philanthropy and civic engagement were honored. SUPPORTS: Helping to meet the needs of local at-risk women and girls through Women’s Foundation grants.…

Attention royal watchers and tea fanciers: The doyenne of all things royal will hold court at “Afternoon Tea with Lucy Worsley?—Live from England” on March 27 at The Club at Mediterra in Naples. Worsley is chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, author, and host of several popular BBC programs that have aired on PBS. She will explore the history of British tea from Charles II to modern Buckingham Palace garden parties at this virtual event. Guests will enjoy traditional sweet and savory afternoon tea fare, a special-occasion cocktail, and a Q&A with Worsely, who is both a PhD and an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). Tickets for this WGCU Public Media fundraiser are $150. (wgcu.org/events)…

A master plan will soon be finalized for guiding the future of the 208-acre Naples Design District between U.S. 41 and Tenth Street South. The Naples Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) wants to ensure that growth in the trendy design neighbor-hood—which has gradually evolved from an industrial area—has a clear vision for sustaining economic growth, community character, and public and private investment. The planning process was launched last year, and 13 public meetings and charettes have gathered suggestions from stakeholders and the community. The team spearheading the project, called Speak Up Naples, is renowned Miami-based urban planning firm DPZ CoDesign (cofounded by Andrés Duany) and Miami-based marketing and public relations firm IWPR Group. Major objectives include increased parking and accessibility; pedestrian-friendly linkages; beautification and infrastructure improvements; tapping synergies for entertainment and…

Kidney-shaped pools with a diving board perfect for cannonballs may have been the childhood standard, but today’s swimming pools now come in an endless array of shapes and finishes. They are equipped with features that expand their inherent function from mere diversion destination to captivating backyard focal point. As the Vice President of Sales and Operations of Naples-based Nassau Pools Construction, Brian Swinford is both a witness to and participant in this swimming pool evolution. Here, he shares what is on trend and in demand for custom-designed pools in Southwest Florida. (nassaupools.com) NI: What is popular in terms of pool color and what should people consider when selecting a finish? Swinford: We are currently seeing a trend towards more jewel-toned water colors. That usually means a finish with some sort…

Those who aren’t quite ready to take on a private archipelago can still revel in the Gulf of Chiriquí’s magnificence. Say hello to Isla Palenque, a 400-acre private island retreat off Panama’s western mainland that’s a study in tropical, barefoot chic. With eight whimsical beachfront bungalows and a whopping seven beaches, total isolation is within reach on this band of oceanic jungle. Each bungalow is Instagram-ready, thanks to design-forward elements like front porch swings, oversized net hammocks, and open-air bathrooms with bathtubs in the sand. Each bungalow flaunts direct beach access to a wide tract idyllic for ambles, shelling, stargazing, and more. While Isla Palenque will entice those looking to perfect the art of doing nothing, it also promises plenty for the active and intrepid. Guided activities are offered daily,…

Call it the Brady Factor. Before a slightly tipsy Tom Brady famously tossed the Vince Lombardi trophy from boat to boat during the post–Super Bowl floating victory parade through downtown Tampa last year, few U.S. boaters knew about Wajer. But when the former Tampa Bay Bucs quarterback turned up to the party in his silvery-blue, $2 million, 53-foot Wajer power yacht, the world collectively asked, “What the heck kind of boat is that?” It’s a Wajer 55 S from the young Dutch builder Wajer Yachts. Dorus Wajer started the company—which is based in Holland’s ancient Friesland region—in 1992, and it has steadily grown to become one of the favored boutique builders for Europe’s jet set. These days, it’s hard to stand on Quai de l’Epi in St. Tropez’s old port…

Shot on location at Collier County Public Library Headquarters, Naples Local poet Emma Sullivan uses creativity to conceive and contribute Naples resident and local poet Emma Sullivan was not your average middle schooler. Sure, many tweens dabble in poetry writing, but few have their works published in a national publication by grade six—and far fewer pen perspicacious titles like “Existential Crisis” at such a tender age. As Sullivan, now age 20, currently attending Wellesley College in Massachusetts, light-heartedly says, “I was a very intense little sixth-grader.” Sullivan was never keen on sports or typical schoolyard activities. Instead, she was attracted to writing, the arts, and things calling for creativity. While many of her fellow Gen Z-ers know only digital devices, Sullivan composed many of her poems to the clacking of…

Executive chef/proprietor Jeff Mitchell of The Local reached back to his childhood recently when he added this vegan mushroom risotto to his menu. “My grandmother made a similar risotto when I was younger,” he recalls. “Like most kids, I didn’t like mushrooms, but as my tastes began to develop, I loved the rich, earthy, and creamy flavors this dish offers.” To prepare it, he first cooks Arborio rice with onions, garlic, and mus - rooms sourced from a local grower. He adds vegetable stock and white wine in three stages, stirring the rice throughout the process, and he fi - ishes the dish with fresh peas, truffle oil, and pea tendrils “It’s become a staple item on our menu,” Mitchell says. “Some customers order it as a main course, and…

At The Vine Room, Philip McCabe wants to take you on a journey around the world through the lens of cocktails. The upscale speakeasy’s innovative menu is based on four “chapters” (North and South America, Europe, and Asia). Each of the four contains both original craft cocktails and riffs on familiar classics conjured up via cutting-edge techniques like house-made foams and infusions. One or two of the chapters are available each evening. “I always thought it would be amazing to sit in one place and experience flavors from around the globe,” says McCabe. “My goal was to provide a unique experience that Naples didn’t have—like The Chronicles of Narnia, where guests are transported into an enchanted space when they walk through the door.” While The Vine Room may not be…

WHAT: Grand opening of East Coast luxury fashion boutique WHERE: The Royal Poinciana Plaza, Palm Beach DETAILS: Marissa and Burt Hartington, who founded the acclaimed Marissa Collections in Naples in 1975, hosted a grand opening of their second boutique with their son Jay Hartington, marketing, jewelry, and menswear manager, in early December.…

WHAT: Groundbreaking for new, permanent center DETAILS: The 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building being raised on a 13.7-acre site on Autumn Oaks Lane in North Naples is expected to open by the end of this year. Local philanthropists Patty and Jay Baker donated $5 million to the $30 million capital campaign. SUPPORTS: One-stop emotional, educational, wellness, and social services for 1,400 seniors.…

The Spa at Naples Grande Beach Resort has debuted three self-guided, touchless spa treatments that can be done in-room, poolside, or beachside. NuCalm, Avacen, and CryoLyft Pro are technology-enabled treatments that don’t require the touch of a masseuse or aesthetician. Through the NuCalm app, quality headphones or earbuds, and a processing disc attached to the wrist, neuroacoustic software delivers a broad range of frequencies to cells throughout the body to stimulate a deep state of relaxation. Avacen is a muscle-relaxing device that eliminates toxins and improves circulation through thermotherapy and negative pressure, according to the spa. The noninvasive CryoLyft Pro machine uses pulsed ultrasound, cavitation, bipolar radio frequency, and semiconducting cooling technology to selectively destroy fat cells. All the resort’s spa treatments, many delivered in an inside-outside spa village, are…

The landscape is one place where bright, bold color is universally accepted in its unaltered, Technicolor glory. The region’s year-round, subtropical climate provides an ideal platform for creating an eye-popping garden or adding uplifting, colorful accents to the yard. Just don’t overdo it, says Kathy Matias-Vanoy, a former New York interior designer who owns and operates Tropical Creations of Naples with her husband, Oliver Vanoy. Overzealous homeowners sometimes go overboard with a “confetti garden,” she says. “Less is more, even with plants.” There are a variety of ways to incorporate color into the landscape?—with bromeliads, flowerin groundcovers and shrubs, plots of wildflowers or perennials, dedicated garden beds, or centerpiece trees. PLACEMENT AND SELECTIONS When deciding where to plant, consider your home’s curb appeal and the backyard, “where you likely spend…

New Orleans boasts a unique charm as diverse as its dialects. Nowhere else will you find street corners radiating with jazz ensembles and dotted with people waiting in line to indulge in fried dough. It’s upbeat and steeped in tradition, with culture aplenty. And now the new Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans stands at the ready to enhance your visit to the Crescent City. Like much of the city, the property has survived and thrived over the years. Before evolving into the crown jewel it is today, the structure housed the former World Trade Center. A three-year, half-billion-dollar renovation has turned the skyscraper into a modern marvel spanning 34 stories and topped by an observation deck with panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River. Lead designer Bill Rooney…

Del Mar, the latest venture from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, opened in late December in the former Café Lurcat location at 494 Fifth Avenue South, Naples. The restaurant specializes in light, flavorful Mediterranean cuisine with inflences from Greece, Southern Spain, Morocco, France, Italy, and Turkey. General Manager Rick Giannasi is already known to local diners as the manager at Ocean Prime since 2016. The kitchen is led by executive chef David Vilchez, who was inspired by the flvors and techniques of his grandmother’s cooking and trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Los Angeles. Vilchez supervises an extensive menu that begins with an assortment of Middle Eastern dips and spreads. Main courses include oven-roasted shellfish, grilled whole fish, duc confit agnolotti, and lobster spaghetti. “Our Mediterranean menu reflects the way people are…

Having your head in the clouds doesn’t mean that you’re lazy or wasting time. In fact, daydreaming may have multiple health benefits. “I think that daydreaming could be along the lines of meditative, and it can be healing,” says Lea Leonard, LCSW, a psychotherapist who’s board-certified in neurofeedback and owns Wings of Change in Naples. “You can come back [from daydreaming] and feel regenerated because you’ve just changed your thought process.” Research backs daydreaming’s positive effects. A recent Academy of Management Journal study found that daydreaming may help increase creativity at work for some individuals, while a study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that daydreaming may help people adjust to life transitions. Daydreaming isn’t always helpful, however, and if your thoughts trend toward the negative, Leonard recommends redirecting them.…

APPROXIMATELY ONE IN FIVE AMERICAN ADULTS USE A SMARTWATCH OR OTHER WEARABLE FITNESS DEVICE FOR EVERYTHING FROM TRACKING THEIR WORKOUTS AND SLEEP TO MONITORING HEART HEALTH. “IF YOU’RE GOING TO USE A WATCH, GET FAMILIAR WITH IT; BE AWARE OF WHAT’S NORMAL [AND] WHAT’S ABNORMAL,” ADVISES JULIAN J. JAVIER, MD, A CARDIOVASCULAR SPECIALIST AT NAPLES CARDIAC & ENDOVASCULAR CENTER. IF YOU NOTICE SOMETHING UNUSUAL OR IF YOUR HEART RATE FREQUENTLY MEASURES BELOW 50 OR ABOVE 100, HE SUGGESTS TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR. “ALSO, IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, [OR] NOT FEELING WELL, ALWAYS DOCUMENT THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE IT AND CHECK WHAT YOUR HEART RATE WAS DOING DURING THAT TIME,” ADDS JAVIER. HE NOTES THAT WHILE DEVICES CAN BE GREAT FOR EXERCISE AND CAN SOMETIMES DETECT HEART…

Learn about efforts to control the population of the new apex predator in the Everglades—Burmese pythons—and the impacts of climate change locally and around the world at the expanded and renovated Susan and William Dalton Discovery Center. The interactive, hands-on center at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida reopened in December following a $5 million project that added the new John & Carol Walter Discovery Wing featuring digital and augmented reality exhibits. The Dalton Discovery Center opened in 2012 at the Conservancy Nature Center, which still features Florida animals, educational programs, and the Little Explorer Play Zone. “From human development and habitat fragmentation to invasive species and human-driven climate change, the new Dalton Discovery Center puts the impacts we are having on our planet front and center,” says Conservancy Director of…

WHAT: Table Wars WHERE: Silverspot Cinema at Mercato DETAILS: Award-winning, Naples-based interior designer Wilfredo Emanuel gathered friends and colleagues for the screening of the premiere episode of HGTV’s new seven-episode series, Table Wars. He was selected from thousands of contestants to appear in the competition series featuring eight contestants charged with designing the best-themed dining environment, which was judged by Martha Stewart, Tamera Mowry-Housley, and Chris Hessney.…

WHAT: Groundbreaking for the Baker Theatre and Education Center WHERE: Corner of First Avenue South and Goodlette-Frank Road DETAILS: More than 300 attended the event, including local officials and lead donors, with performances by Lora Lee Gayer, Nick Duckart, and Michael Hicks. The building—with two performance venues, an educational wing, rehearsal spaces, and a café—is projected to open by fall 2023.…

WEAR THE LOOK FLOWER ACCENTS: Opt for a bold or graphic take on floral prints and accessories. PLATFORM SHOES: Colorful styles instantly elevate your ensemble. WOVEN HANDBAG: This is the ultimate addition to a spring/summer wardrobe.…

Friendly people, a lower population density, and an abundance of activities capped with electrifying sunsets are a few reasons Jeanne and Mike Petrolino moved from Coral Springs on Florida’s East Coast to Naples. “We were coming here to visit on weekends and finally asked ourselves, ‘What are we doing?’” Jeanne says. Mike commutes periodically to the East Coast for his job as a vice president for Lennar Corp. For years, the couple had their eyes on relocating to Collier County; they owned a lot on Marco Island and visited the island community frequently. However, Mike and Jeanne, who have two adult sons, “concluded Naples was more active and has more to do,” he says. “We like Naples. Here, we can walk to a private beach, and it’s an awesome neighborhood.”…

Lost within the jungle-cloaked splendor of western Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí, Islas Secas presents a private island vacation in tune with what modern travelers crave: next-level immersion in nature without compromising ultraluxury. An entire unspoiled archipelago underscored by palm-studded beaches, towering volcanic cliffs, and species-rich cobalt waters, Islas Secas initially unfolds as a magical nature reserve spanning 14 islands and approximately 20 nautical miles. But at the core of this verdant paradise lies an eponymous seven-unit resort that’s light on earth yet heavy on service, amenities, and details. At first, it’s hard to fully comprehend the scope of Islas Secas’ natural bounty. In all directions, as far as the eye can see, virgin islands rise one after another. One surfaces as a quintessential white-sand marvel, the next a windswept, skyscraping…

To quote the comedic thespian Will Ferrell from his 2006 NASCARthemed cinematic romp Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, “America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed.” Talladega also gave the world a few other equally illuminating, speed-focused Ferrell observations, including “If you ain’t first, you’re last,” along with the pointed, go-for-it refrain of “Shake and bake.” Crush the throttle on Bentley’s newest speed demon, the 2022 Continental GT Speed, feel the thrust of its 650-horsepower twin-turbo 12-cylinder, and you too will have the urge to shout “Shake and bake!” But quietly please; it tends to scare passengers. Bentley proudly boasts that this latest all-wheel-drive GT Speed is the most dynamic road car in its more than 100-year history. The accolade for the speediest Bentley, however, still goes…

Fans of craft brews, mark your calendars for March 5, the day the Naples North Rotary Club sponsors its eleventh annual Craft Beer Fest at Bayfront Place. More than 30 breweries will pour 100-plus craft brews from noon to 4 p.m., accompanied by food pairings from local restaurants such as Tavern on the Bay, The Turtle Club, Alice Sweetwater’s Bar & Grille, and EJ’s Bayfront Café. At the end of the day, the restaurants compete for People’s Choice and Brewer’s Choice awards for best pairing. “Our formula is simple: good food, good beer, camaraderie, and a fun atmosphere,” says Dennis DiGiacomo Jr., Rotary Club past president and public relations director. “All of our servers and volunteers have been through the TIPS [Training for Intervention ProcedureS] Certification, so we’re ready to…

Anyone who has scrambled over the past year to hire workers, paid higher prices at the checkout, or languished on a waiting list for a refrigerator knows that the tentacles of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated shutdown in the spring of 2020 have stretched far beyond the immediate health crisis. The economy also took a big hit and is still struggling to recover. “We shut down the economy and now we’re coming to the realization that you can’t just plug it back in,” says Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting. Consumers have been barraged with doomand-gloom predictions of chronic supplychain disruptions, inflation, labor shortages, and higher employment costs. “What we’re seeing in the economy is analogous to what we’ve seen among those…