Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Naples Illustrated

boasts two Ritz-Carltons, and both are undergoing renovations that are making them even dreamier destinations. That’s already happened at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, which recently debuted The Reservoir, a 14,000-square-foot aquatic play area featuring a 600-foot lazy river (called Drift), three waterslides, and a kiddie splash zone. The golf resort’s new features appeal to the whole family and expand amenities for non-golfers, says marketing spokeswoman Kristen Kelleher. “It’s a great family experience.” The new outdoor Ría restaurant features Latin American flavors from chef Aldo Novoa Rodriguez while six private cabanas at the adults-only pool—each boasting a wet bar, flat-screen television, tableside butler service, and alfresco dishes from Ría—enhance guests’ personal paradise. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is “being fully renovated from top to bottom” and expanding with new luxury accommodations, Kelleher says.…

Oh, how does your garden grow…in a small space? If you live in a condo and covet your friend’s large lanai, create a similar scenario by converting a mousehouse-sized balcony or patio into a welcoming garden spot with decorative planters, scaled-down furniture and blooming tropicals. Just like a lanai is to a house, well-appointed balconies become an extension of your indoor space, enveloping you in calming nature the moment you step outside. Plan out your priorities and how you’ll use a balcony garden. Do you picture yourself cozying up with a book, harvesting herbs and vegetables, or dining alfresco? Is privacy an issue? Envision your balcony retreat, then get started. PLANT PICKS Start by following the golden rule of plantdom: Observe sunlight patterns and weather conditions, says Michael Alfonso, a…

BMW design has become a little, shall we say, eccentric as of late. It seems each model is all swollen kidney grilles, creased and crumpled bodywork, and cartoonish proportions. Case in point: the all-new iX electric sport-ute, which looks like it came from the Etch A Sketch of some sugared-up 4-year-old. But there’s one design masterpiece in the burgeoning BMW lineup that never fails to spin heads and deliver endless oohhs and aahhs: the stunning 8 Series Gran Coupe. This sensuous four-door fastback—with its low-slung bulldog stance, raked-back windshield, and swoopy roofline—is one of the most gorgeous automobiles money can buy. Want to increase the appeal of the 8 Series Gran Coupe even further and ensure you become part of an ultra-exclusive group of owners? Then opt for the Alpina…

Shot on location at Naples Therapeutic Riding Center EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY MAKES A COMMUNITY IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH For longtime Naples residents Paul and Jeannette McCreight, there were few answers on what comes next in the healing process. Paul, a disabled Navy veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), had just participated in an intensive clinical program through Home Base, supported by the Red Sox Foundation, which provides services at no cost to those battling with the invisible wounds of war. The Boston-based program led them to a place closer to home: the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC). NTRC is an organization offering equine-facilitated psychotherapy as a means of improving mental and behavioral health. Its horses provide thousands of hours of service each year. The center has seen significant growth through the…

SHOT ON LOCATION AT LAMORADA AT NAPLES Like many people, Simone Jardim was drawn to Southwest Florida for the weather. She was attending a tennis conference in Naples in December 2015, and it was snowing back at her Michigan home. “I remember sending a photo of the beach to my husband and asking why we lived in Michigan,” Jardim says. When Jardim came back to Naples in April 2016 to play in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, her husband joined her, and they scoured properties with a Realtor. They quit their jobs, sold their house, and moved their family to Naples a few months later without having anything else lined up. “It was a total gamble,” Jardim says. “I did not commit to anything coming here.” The move paid off…

After 18 years as chef/proprietor of Rumrunners in Cape Coral, Todd Johnson has come home to Naples. “Rumrunners was very successful,” he says, “but it was also very big—350 seats and almost 10,000 square feet, so I was never able to do the food I loved doing. I wanted something smaller, and I also wanted to return to Naples, where I’ve lived since 1979.” When his landlord failed to renew the lease, Johnson was able to take advantage of an opportunity at the Naples Bay Resort & Marina. Nosh on Naples Bay opened in January, and it provides a comprehensive view of Johnson’s evolved cooking style. “I love small plates,” he says. “Ordering a lot of different items and sharing them is much more fun than the standard appetizer/entrée/dessert experience.”…

Feeling burnt out at work? You’re not the only one—which is why workplace mental health is this month’s focus of the Mind Your Mind initiative at Naples-based David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC). The initiative commenced after DLC noticed rising numbers of mental health issues pre-pandemic, followed by the delivery of a record number of services in 2021. Spotlighted each month is a different mental health issue, from isolation to children’s mental health to substance abuse recovery. According to DLC president and CEO Scott Burgess, the yearlong project aims to raise awareness and provide support for mental health challenges in the community. If residents take one thing from the Mind Your Mind initiative, Burgess wants it to be not feeling ashamed or worried about seeking help. “You can’t…

NAPLES WOMAN’S CLUB WHAT: A Culinary Adventure That Gives Back WHERE: Eighteen premier restaurants, Naples DETAILS: A series of multiple-course chef luncheons at local restaurants in January, February, and March raised funds for four local food pantries. Patrons and participants purchased a ticket or table and were informed before each month’s event where their mystery dining location would be. SUPPORTS: Meals of Hope, Meals on Wheels, St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, and the Judy Sullivan Resource Center of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice MEDIA SPONSOR: Naples Illustrated PATH2FREEDOM WHAT: Sixth Annual Red Gala WHERE: Hilton Naples DETAILS: Cocktails, dinner, and silent and live auctions SUPPORTS: Providing a safe environment and longterm recovery programs for adolescent girls rescued from human trafficking JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER NAPLES WHAT: Groundbreaking for the Nina Iser…

A movement to restore the Bank of Everglades in Everglades City has crystalized since Naples resident Robert Flick gifted the half-million-dollar historic landmark to the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation in March 2021. It was the first bank in Collier County in 1923 and inhabited its two-story home on Broadway Avenue from 1927 to 1962. It was later used as a newspaper office and a bed and breakfast but has deteriorated after sitting empty for several years. The nonprofit has worked with a contractor to clean out the building and remove upstairs partitions, has teamed with a pro bono architect, and has been raising money to fund the renovation project. Marya Repko, preservation society secretary and the author of some 15 regional history books, says facilities will be updated…

STYLE NOTES FUNCTION FIRST: Go hands-free with crossbody and belt bags. ULTRA UNIFORM: Opt for accessories with utilitarian details. TREK CHIC: Update your look with sporty sandals.…

When a retired Indiana couple decided to buy a seasonal condo in Monaco Beach Club, it had the views and the Southwest Florida vibes they were seeking, except it was in dire need of not just a refresh, but a complete overhaul. The couple had rented in Park Shore for years before deciding to buy their three-bedroom condo midway up the 18-story high-rise. There was one obvious challenge: It had not been changed since the tower went up in Park Shore in 1983. In that era, highly compartmentalized dwellings were de rigueur—a sharp contrast to open floor plans popular today. Why not take maximum advantage of the Gulf of Mexico views? After exploring their neighbors’ updated units and contemplating how airy their residence could be, the couple embarked on a…

You won’t find it listed in The New England Journal of Medicine or even on WebMD, but there’s a condition afflicting buyers of trawlerstyle motor yachts. It’s called SAS—short for speed anxiety syndrome—and it’s on the rise. These owners know they’ll spend 99 percent of their cruising days watching the world go by at a nice-and-easy 9 or 10 knots, ensuring no rum punch ever spills. And yet, should they need to open the taps and get home fast—say, at the first sign of a thunderhead or the impending arrival of happy hour at the yacht club—they want their vessel to deliver. With the SAS sufferer in mind, French trawler yacht builder Beneteau has introduced a gorgeous new flagship known as the Grand Trawler 62. While it was designed to…

Cozy contentment. It’s that feeling when you bond with a book, cuddle with your kids, or stroll barefoot on a beach. Those with lingering effects from the pandemic may need it now more than ever. If that includes you, try a Danish philosophy that wraps all soul-healing and heart-warming succor into one word: hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). Like croissants and Christmas trees, it originated in Europe—in this case, Scandinavia. Danes, who claim to be the happiest folk on earth, are sometimes credited with coining the term in the 1800s to signify coziness, comfort, and camaraderie. But it comes from six-teenth-century Norway’s hugga, a word meaning “to comfort” that’s linked to “hug.” During long, bleak winters, Scandinavians always needed hygge. Now we, with our own long, bleak isolation also may need to…

When John Colon came to Naples for a family visit in 2015, he fell in love with the city and decided to stay. One thing he noticed was a lack of good Spanish cuisine, so he began a quest to find the right location and partner to launch an authentic restaurant. Ultimately, he met Dr. Orlando Fernandez, owner of Barbosa Kitchen on Fourth Avenue North. The two men realized they shared the same vision. Colon bought out the retiring chef, Edgar Barbosa, and entered into a partnership with Fernandez. They expanded into the space next door, redesigned, rebranded, and opened as Bodega Olé. “I always felt Naples needed a high-end, fine-dining Spanish restaurant,” says Colon. “I worked as a restaurant manager at the Four Seasons hotels in [Los Angeles] and…

1 RECOGNIZE BURNOUT SO YOU CAN ADDRESS IT. Workplace burnout can affect your career but may have serious ramifications on health, too. Research published in PLOS One found that burnout was associated with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, persistent fatigue, and depression—among others. If you notice burnout symptoms, don’t ignore them. 2 TALK WITH YOUR WORK MANAGER. Sometimes, burnout can be caused by unclear job requirements, lack of support, or feeling that you’re unable to do your job to your full potential. Having an open conversation with your manager may allow you to address some of these issues. 3 IMPROVEYOUR WORK-LIFE BALANCE. Maintaining a healthy balance between your work and your personal life may help reduce stress and burnout. Establishing boundaries, such as avoiding replying to work emails on the…

Good posture benefits your health, but it’s about more than sitting (or standing) up straight. Over a lifetime of constant leaning or bending, “your spine actually begins to weaken,” explains Dr. T. Foster Bryant, a chiropractor and exercise physiologist who owns MovMnt Spine & Rehab in Naples. The best way to fix your posture is to understand any issues with your spine, he notes, which starts with X-ray and then treatments like bracing to support realignment. There are also steps you can take on your own. Bryant suggests holding your smartphone up in front of you when using it, and positioning your computer screen and televison slightly above eye level. When sitting, place a small pillow in the middle of your back for support. Bryant also recommends following an active…

Wonder Gardens recently dedicated the Jim and Julie Oberweis Golden Pheasant Pavilion in one of the garden’s four Victorian-era solariums. The Oberweises, who live in Bonita Bay, donated $75,000 to create the exhibit where four golden pheasants and a mated pair of violet turacos fly freely and wander the enclosure’s lush landscape and waterfall. “Their donation covers the creation of the exhibit and its ongoing care and maintenance,” says Wonder Gardens President/CEO David Rahahe:tih Webb. “It also supports the care of the birds,” which were chosen for this exhibit’s habitat. (A limited number of visitors each day can purchase food to hand-feed the birds.) The solariums, built in France, were donated to the Wonder Gardens in 2018. The Oberweises recently became full-time Bonita Springs residents after Jim’s retirement as chairman and…

Cheers to the patrons of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, who outdid themselves by raising a record $23 million-plus at the twenty-second annual event themed “Rise Up: Twenty Twenty TWOgether” in January at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. The wine festival raises money for the Naples Children & Education Foundation, which funds 50 nonprofits’ health, education, and mental health programs supporting underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. The top luxury auction lot—“Million Dollar Meal: All for the Kids”—sold for $1 million to 40 couples who contributed $25,000 each. They will partake in an intimate cocktail and wine reception and multi-course meal prepared and hosted at Bleu Provence by coowners Lysielle and Jacques Cariot. (napleswinefestival.com)…

Remember Superman’s Fortress of Solitude? It was an icy place of solace where the superhero would go to reflect and recharge. Turns out, this type of haven is just as valuable to mortals as those with X-ray vision. Creating an area in your home that serves as your escape and place of rejuvenation can help you manage daily stress and promote balance in your life. The first step? Identify a space that you can completely dedicate to your goal of Zen. A room that has more than one purpose will likely not be as effective given the inherent visual and mental distractions. Once you’ve chosen your location, move on to creating the perfect space based on what comforts you. YOUR ZEN: Tranquility YOUR SPACE: A Soothing Sanctuary PLAYING TO THE…

If you haven’t been to downtown Tampa in a while, there are a lot of new experiences, places, bites, and sights in store. The city is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, propelled in part by its championshipwinning sports teams and an infusion of millennials planting roots and raising families in the area. Leading the way is the Tampa Riverwalk and Channel District. Here, next door to the Amalie Arena, you’ll find the new JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, a sleek addition to the skyline that acts as a chic second home for travelers and locals alike. From top to bottom, this property combines sophisticated surrounds with an inviting atmosphere inclusive of restaurants, amenities, and unique accommodations. A standout offering among the hotel’s 519 rooms and suites are the Stay Well…

For buying information, turn to page 215. Fashion editor: Katherine Lande For buying information, turn to page 215. For buying information, turn to page 215. For buying information, turn to page 215. For buying information, turn to page 215. Model: Nykhor Paul, One Management, New York Hair and makeup: Kateri Giehl, Intellectual Property Digital tech: Dayvid Lemmon Fashion assistant: Roxy Rooney Photography assistants: Rob Karlsson, Alejandro De Laet…

Philipp Pfunder, a Paso Robles, California-based winemaker, was born in Germany and moved to Miami at age 10. While learning his craft, he studied in New Zealand and worked harvests each year in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. When he wants to relax, he comes to Naples. “My mother moved here 30 years ago, and my sister also lives in town,” says Pfunder. “I’ve always felt at home in Naples—for many years, it was really the only home I had.” After stints at Bordeaux’s Château Angélus and Napa’s Screaming Eagle and HdV, Pfunder visited Paso Robles on vacation. It was love at first sight. “I had no idea that California was so well-suited to Rhône varieties,” he says. Pfunder is currently the winemaker at Law Estate Wines, a boutique…

For those of us focused on healthy living and social responsibility, the content of what we consume is becoming more and more important. Grape growing and wine production—two areas traditionally not subjected to much scrutiny—are suddenly being examined for practices that are beneficial to both individuals and the community. Terms such as organic, biodynamic, sustainable, and natural are appearing on wine labels, without any explanation of what they mean. Here, we provide a brief guide. ORGANIC: To be certified as organic by either the USDA or CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), producers must pass a lengthy examination of both their vineyard and cellar practices. If a wine is labeled as certified organic, it has been grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers and it does not contain any added sulfites.…

Pursuing substance abuse treatment while in a local jail, one young woman rediscovered her dream of working in real estate—and achieved it. “Fast forward to today, she’s sold so many homes and helped so many people that are in recovery,” says Together on Purpose co-founder Rose Young, who worked with the woman and recently attended her wedding. Rose and her husband, Vaughn Young, started the Naples-based nonprofit to support people in life transitions, particularly those reentering the community from incarceration. However, the organization assists veterans who need help and youths transitioning to college, too. The Youngs use their backgrounds—Rose’s work in addiction counseling and Vaughn’s personal experiences and expertise as a career coordinator—to connect with clients and fill in gaps where support is needed. “It’s not enough to just give…

A new fitness studio in Naples, Fountain X, offers ways to monitor and improve your overall health that go beyond physical training and nutritional guidance. While fitness is a key part of health, these services often are segmented, notes Shawn Buchheit, global vice president of business development for Fountain Life, the studio’s parent company. According to Buchheit, Fountain X brings these services together with the goal of “making fitness an extension of health care [and] health care an extension of fitness.” The studio offers group classes, personal training, and AI-based equipment that provides a personalized workout, but it also helps members recover with laser therapy, chiropractic services, and infrared saunas. Fountain X then steps even further into health care through its collaboration with Fountain Life. Members can take a range…

Where can you meet three New York Times best-selling authors at the same venue while supporting young survivors of human trafficking? At the Afternoon with Authors event April 14 in the downtown clubhouse of the Naples Woman’s Club. The discussion panel will feature Patti Callahan Henry, Kate Quinn, and Weina Dai Randel—three acclaimed writers recognized for their historical fiction. Stacy Vermylen, club spokeswoman, says the three authors are attending pro bono to support Path2Freedom, a local treatment and rehabilitation shelter for young trafficking victims, including teens and foster children. Naples author Dianna Rostad (You Belong Here Now, 2021, William Morrow/HarperCollins) chaired the event committee. Rostad “is bringing us the strongest group of authors we have ever had,” says Vermylen. “Historical fiction is an extremely popular genre, especially among our local…