THE COASTS OF THE FLORIDA peninsula deep in the subtropics and Great Britain deep in the north Atlantic may have only one thing in common: at celebratory moments — coronations and World War victories in the case of Britain or July 4th celebrations in the case of Florida — residents can look for miles north or south and see bonfires (Britain) or fireworks (Florida).
Although education is the core focus and mission at Grace Place for Children and Families, the organization’s food pantry is the largest distribution point for the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Collier County.
The day we drove into West Miami to see where Marco Rubio grew up — and where he still lived with his wife and four children only three blocks away, at the end of Southwest 13th Street — Osvaldo “Waddy” Padilla took me home to meet his parents.
Three years have passed since the mass shooting by a deranged gunman killing 20 school children and six adults in Sandy Hook Elementary School. It has been just over a year since a white racist gunned down nine African-Americans attending a Bible study class in an historic A.M.E. church in Charleston.
One of Donald Trump’s political skills is giving widely condemned speeches.
His post-Orlando jeremiad fit the pattern. There is something so inherently inflammatory in Trump’s delivery that he could read the Gettysburg Address and some listeners would wonder how he could possibly say such a thing.
Lighthouse of Collier holds its seventh annual summer camp for local children who are blind or visually impaired. Sessions are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays starting Tuesday, July 5.
¦ Naples Ship Modelers is an informal group dedicated to the hobby of building wooden ship models. Members meet at 9:30 a.m. on the first and third Saturday of the month at the Landmark Naples community in North Naples. The next meetings are July 2 and 16. For more information, call Dick Ritchie at 594-0868 or email dcritchie@comcast.net.
Thirty-six artificial reefs, each comprised of 500 tons of concrete, have been deployed in six offshore locations near Naples and Marco Island over the past year. Pure Image Productions of Naples was stationed with cameras on boats and underwater to record not only the sinking of the reef structures, but the ensuing growth of new ecosystems.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida offers free admission for children every Saturday through July and August. With one paying adult ($12.95), up to four kids can explore the grounds, play games, create crafts and get up close with animals while learning about Southwest Florida’s environments and wildlife.
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus is helping to celebrate his past and that of The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club by reshaping the future of the iconic golf course at the seaside property.
Getting fannies in the seats
Nonmedical use of prescription opioids more than doubled among adults in the U.S. from 2002 to 2013, based on a study from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.
In the wake of the mass shooting at Pulse in Orlando earlier this month, Avow reminds the local community that grief support services are available to anyone experiencing loss. Avow’s bereavement counseling, workshops and support groups are offered at no cost and conducted in a safe, compassionate environment for people who need help in times of grief.
The next support group meetings for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America take place from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, July 7, Aug. 4 and Sept. 1, at Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave. Gastroenterologist Raymond Phillips will address the July meeting and take questions from those in attendance. For more information, call 649-1336. ¦
Americans spent $30.2 billion — $28.3 billion for adults and $1.9 billion for children — out-of-pocket on complementary health approaches, according to a nationwide survey. These approaches include a group of diverse medical and health-care systems, practices and products such as herbal supplements, meditation, chiropractic and yoga.
Having trouble staying anchored in the midst of daily living, Election 2016 and global tensions? Perhaps you can find an oasis in a meditation spiritual intensive program based on the teachings of Eckhart Tolle (“The Power of Now” and “The Art of Presence”). Registration is open for a four-week session that runs Thursday evenings, July 14-Aug.
I recently flew to Mongolia for a 20-day expedition to the Gobi Desert, Hustai National Park and places in between.
So, like most 13-year-olds across the world, I have discovered SnapChat.
To adopt or foster a pet
This week’s adoptable pets are from Brooke’s Legacy Animal Rescue, an all-volunteer, foster home rescue organization. For more information, call 434-7480, email Admin@BrookesLegacyAnimalRescue.org or visit brookeslegacyanimalrescue.com.
Lee and Collier counties hold thousands of acres of federal land, including national parks, from which they receive no property taxes.
SATURDAY, JULY 2
¦ The Naples Dixieland Jazz Band promises some favorite patriotic tunes when it performs from 1-3 p.m. at The Norris Center. 213-3058 or naplesdixielandjazzband.com.
What a difference a year can make. Last year, Universal Pictures was the talk of the town as it broke box office records with strong performances from “Furious 7,” “Jurassic World” and others. This year, Disney is laughing at the pathetic “records” Universal was proud of.
As the seasonal wind blows hot and humid across the peninsula, there are still plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, either as a spectator or as a participant.
Whether you’re watching a hot, stormy afternoon drift by or hosting a late-night party on the covered porch, cocktails are the perfect accompaniment to the rainy season in South Florida.
June
Brit Floyd 8 p.m. Thursday, June 23 Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
Demi Lovato 7 p.m. Friday, June 24 BB&T Center, Sunrise
B.o.B 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 24 State Theatre, St. Petersburg
With summer and its warm sunny days with us once again, it’s prime time for pool and beach parties. And any self-respecting event such as this needs a soundtrack. Fortunately, summer fun has long been a favorite topic for songwriters. So in that spirit, here is a playlist that has some all-time great summer hits, mixed in with a few newer favorites and a wild card or two.
Apava runs 56 feet long. A sturdy wooden hull keeps it afloat. A depth-sounder, global positioning system, marine-radar device and VHF radio ensure its seaworthiness.
You get a shooting in Orlando, a shooting in San Bernardino, shootings in Colorado Springs and Roseburg and Chattanooga and Isla Vista and Fort Hood and Washington and Santa Monica and Newton and way back at Columbine High School.
You get shootings in-between, and shootings in the U.S. all the way back to Boston, in 1776, when Redcoats shot up colonists who hated taxes and tea.
In the wake of the mass murders of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in Orlando, Donald Trump’s assault on the federal judiciary of a few weeks ago seems now like a fender bender, the act of a negligent motorist who barrels through a stop sign, hits a car and just keeps on going as if nothing of conseque
President Barack Obama desperately wanted to be a peacetime president, yet is ending his second term with Islamic terror attacks looming larger than at any time since 9/11. The tide of war isn’t receding, as he famously contended in a speech on the Afghan drawdown in 2011; it is lapping onto our shores.
Since it was founded in 1995, the mission of Classic Chamber Concerts has been to provide world-class music to local audiences and to educate and encourage young people to enjoy classical music.
Thirty-six artificial reefs, each comprised of 500 tons of concrete, have been deployed in six offshore locations near Naples and Marco Island over the past year.
App nauseam
Jewish Family and Community Services of Southwest Florida has received a $250,000 grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation to support the Naples Senior Center.
Women who work long hours may have increased risk for a range of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer, according to new research.
Our favorite project every summer at Florida Weekly is the Pet Lovers special edition that features — what else? — photographs from our readers of the furry, slithery, slobbery, whiskered, feathered, hoofed, amphibious and otherwise non-human companions that help make your lives complete.
As men age, they often produce less testosterone than they did in their youth. Testosterone is a chemical signal that contributes to male characteristics such as a deep voice, facial hair and muscle growth. Men with low levels of testosterone may have symptoms such as fatigue, decreased sexual desire and difficulty walking.
When it comes to treating itchy skin and allergic skin disease in dogs, are some approaches all wet?
To adopt or foster a pet
If you follow this column regularly, surely you’ll be filled with relief to know that not only did I survive my first luxury cruise, I made it back unscathed from my very first week out of these United States — ever.
CAR LOVERS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT TAKing a peek under the hood have a treat in store at The Revs Institute for Automotive Research in Naples.
Some people might be better designed to look at the future than others — prophets or wizards, for example. But we don’t know any of those.
Americans and Floridians, Republicans and Democrats, cowboys and Indians all should now rethink the wealth problem our nation faces, a problem tantamount to dangerous black ice on a winter highway.
The announcement by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett created quite a stir when it was made back in 2010. The two billionaire families jointly launched a campaign called the Giving Pledge. Its purpose was to inspire wealthy people like themselves to pony up big bucks for charitable causes.
Yale English majors are demanding a safe space from Chaucer.
Our new dog, a beautiful Springer spaniel pup named Jessie, has proven capable of many things since we brought her home last month, still developing paw-eye coordination notwithstanding. Being a licensed Cat Lady, I’d forgotten how much time, attention and household items a puppy could cycle through in a day. Here’s a short list of things Jessie has destroyed in four weeks:
The Naples Orchid Society has awarded intern scholarships to Jack Waggoner and Adam Herdman of Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. The two are working at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge this summer under the supervision of refuge supervisory wildlife biologist Mark Danaher and Lawrence Zettler, Ph.D., director of IC’s orchid recovery program.
After receiving input from the general public and stakeholders, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has released four options that commissioners will consider regarding how to control the state’s growing black bear population.
Continuing crisis
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s seventh annual Summerfest lineup presents fun and free activities around Collier County. For more information, call the CCSO Youth Relations Bureau at 252-0144.
¦ Alliance Française de Naples and Denyse Jenkins invite all who enjoy conserving in and listening to French to join the table at noon Thursday, June 16 and 30, at Café Normandie. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the restaurant at 261- 0977. Guests pay for their own meal; there is no other cost.
Demand for travel to Europe remains strong, and AAA summer travel bookings show that Rome and London are at the top of many itineraries this summer.
Americans are also flocking to warmweather destinations in the U.S., Mexico and Caribbean, and are increasingly traveling to Canada to take advantage of favorable exchange rates.
“Join the Dodge rebellion!” It’s a battle cry that served the company well a half century ago, and now they are fulfilling that promise. Well, almost…
Here’s where Collier County Sheriff’s Office traffic enforcement deputies will be the week of June 20-24:
Monday, June 20
Logan Boulevard and Pine Ridge Road: Aggressive driving
Davis Boulevard and Country Barn Road: Speeding
Radio Road and Devonshire Boulevard: Red-light running
Attempting challenging puzzles and reading up on the theory of relativity aren’t the only ways to keep your brain at its finest.
Having trouble staying anchored in the midst of daily living, Election 2016 and global tensions? Perhaps you can find an oasis in a meditation spiritual intensive program based on the teachings of Eckhart Tolle (“The Power of Now” and “The Art of Presence”). Registration is open for a four-week session that runs Thursday evenings, July 14-Aug.
Are you having difficulty traveling throughout Collier County due to a disability? Do you find yourself having to call friends or family for rides to the doctor, work or school, often to find out friends simply aren’t available?
Terracina Grand invites caregivers to its “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” workshops from 9-11:30 a.m. Thursdays through July 7. The free sessions give those who are caring for aging or ailing loved ones tips and resources for reducing stress, preventing burnout and communicating more effectively in challenging situations.
The fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., stroke requires immediate treatment. Understanding the risk factors and knowing the signs and symptoms are crucial to being able to recognize and react if you or someone you are with is having a stroke.
Our hands-down favorite project every summer at Florida Weekly is the Pet Lovers special edition that features — what else? — pictures from you, our readers, of the furry, slithery, slobbery, whiskered, feathered, hoofed, amphibious or otherwise non-human companions that help make your lives complete.
LIKE MOST COMMUNITIES, COLLIER COUNTY relies on a cooperative effort between residents and public organizations to keep a lid on the national addiction crisis.
The Naples Zoo invites Neapolitans to stick their necks out to raise money to help protect and save the world’s giraffe population.
More than a century ago in Douglas County, Kansas, there lived a man named Roger Williams.
I never knew him, nor to my knowledge are we related.
Mr. Williams was the postmaster of Lawrence, a town situated among hilly black oaks and the river-valley cottonwoods stretching some 60 miles west of the Missouri state line, cradle trees of both the Kansas and the Wakarusa rivers.
