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March 10th, 2010 posted by: JoNell at 11:03 AM  It's not every day that we are able to show the unique aspects of our destination to the editor of a publication as prestigious as National Geographic Traveler, but this was indeed the case the third weekend in February. Last year I noticed that NGT editor Keith Bellows was on the list of speakers for the Imagine Solutions Conference, a new annual event that brings some of the best and brightest minds in the world to Naples to inspire local leaders. I contacted Mr. Bellows and suggested he take some...[Read More] February 24th, 2010 posted by: JoNell at 5:02 PM  The annual Naples Winter Wine Festival celebrated its 10th year in style the last weekend in January, raising more than $8 million for children's charities in Collier County. The annual festival, recognized as the richest charity wine auction in the country, provides memorable experiences for festival attendees in return for their generous philanthropic spirit. I was fortunate to be a press liaison for the vintner dinner held at the Pelican Bay penthouse home of trustees Ron and Barbara Balser, co-hosted by Jerry and Adria Starkey. The theme was Beyond the Blue Horizon, inspired in part by the Balser's impressive Picasso...[Read More] November 2nd, 2009 posted by: JoNell at 2:11 PM  Painter Jo-Ann Sanborn noticed a lot of empty storefronts at the Esplanade shopping, dining and condominium community where she lives on Marco Island. So, in a flash of brilliance, she wondered if it would be possible to turn those depressing, empty storefronts into colorful artist studios. Thanks to the cooperative agreement worked out between The Art League Marco Island Center for the Arts, the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts and Lutgert Companies, her dream has become reality! The Artist Colony at the Esplanade is open and it really brightens up this center. Be sure to add this to your...[Read More] September 9th, 2009 posted by: JoNell at 10:09 AM  Too many times when environmental concerns run up against the rights of land owners and developers, with government regulators somewhere in between, all sides wind up in court. Solutions may be poor compromises that end up infringing on land owner’s rights and ultimately not really benefitting water quality, endangered species and land preservation. With the creation of the progressive Florida Panther Protection Program in Collier County, there is actual hope that a reasonable, science-based plan will be enacted that provides incentives to land owners and real hope for the Florida panther. The program is the brain child and legacy of the...[Read More] August 4th, 2009 posted by: JoNell at 3:08 PM  In trying economic times, a number of charities and community projects have suffered from lack of support. In spite of declining revenues from corporate and association meeting business, the Hilton Naples, however elected recently to provide over 100 room nights in support of a first-ever matchup between the Naples Gators youth football team and Deion Sander's The Truth youth teams from Dallas, Texas. It seems Deion Sanders and the coach of the Naples Gators had met and shared common philosophies and goals, so a match was arranged. Then, the planning got underway to bring two Dallas youth teams to Naples. Hilton Naples...[Read More] July 20th, 2009 posted by: JoNell at 3:07 PM  Naples Zoo is in the midst of its Lions, Tigers and Bears 09 summer extravaganza. The lions include two South African lion cubs that now reside at Naples Zoo and that will eventurally participate in the Association for Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. For their big first birthday celebration this past Sunday they were treated to special lion-friendly ice cakes, frozen with milk and beef blood. Zoo guests watched the cubs tear into their ice cakes during the Meet the Keeper presentation at their exhibit in Lagoon Loop. I happened to go by the zoo last week and spent...[Read More] July 17th, 2009 posted by: JoNell at 4:07 PM  I headed out to Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary the other day to get a peak at the blooming ghost orchid. The Super Ghost, a rare multi-bloom specimen of an endangered species, is blooming for the third consecutive summer since it was discovered. Since the sanctuary let me know that buds were visible, I worked with area hotels and restaurants to put together some pretty wonderful rates, values, packages and deals. If you're planning a visit to Naples or Everglades City between now and the end of August, be sure to check out our Web page with ghost orchid specials. The sanctuary...[Read More] June 23rd, 2009 posted by: JoNell at 12:06 PM  The annual wackfest, an insanely good party with terrific music, by the way, known as Spammy Jammy is ON for the evening of June 27 at Little Bar in the village of Goodland on Marco Island. In short, visitors and Islanders dress up in pajamas and honor sculptures made from last year's hurricane food supply of Spam. Can you say...Spamapple in the shape of a pineapple, or Spamela Anderson in the shape of, well, you know. But to more eloquently explain the raison d'etre of this bacchanal, I turn to the immortal words of head Spammer himself, Little Bar owner Ray...[Read More] June 11th, 2009 posted by: JoNell at 9:06 AM  Took a tour of the rapidly growing Naples Botanical Garden this week with several other CVB staff members. This long awaited gem is evolving into a world class attraction. Known as the "Gardens With Latitude," Naples Botanical Garden will feature gardens of the 26th parallel, North and South, including gardens of Florida, the Caribbean, Brazil and Asia, along with an interactive Children's Garden. The garden will also feature the world's first public collection of all registered plumeria species, over 300 cultivars along with future registered cultivars. Plumeria is a genus of seven or eight species native to the tropical and...[Read More] June 2nd, 2009 posted by: JoNell at 2:06 PM  I love the taste of salt, but that's not all there is to like at Naples' new downtown restaurant Sea Salt. Chef Fabrizio Aielli, who had a large following with his three Washington D.C. restaurants, brought his talents to Naples and developed Sea Salt as a new concept restaurant and market. The restaurant made an almost instant splash with a postive review in Gourmet just weeks after opening. Three distinctive salts are served upon arrival, which you can mix with olive oil for bread dipping or sprinkle on your entree. I went for lunch the other day...[Read More] |
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