Innehållsförteckning för January 2023 från Naples Illustrated

On the morning of February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Missiles, rockets, and airstrikes hit across the country, including in the capital city of Kyiv, displacing millions of people and causing millions to flee the country. Additionally, there were tens of thousands of deaths. Self-taught artist Nancy Iannitelli, who moved to Naples from Massachusetts in 1990, considers herself “deeply sensitive” and was moved to create a painting in response to the news about Ukraine’s displaced citizens. At the time, she had no canvas nearby, so she used a remnant of fabric, stretching it and painting directly on the cloth. To her delight, she discovered the colors of the fabric enhanced the artwork and added an extra layer of dimension to the result. Turn the page for more on Iannitelli and…

Elizabeth Strong moved to Naples from the northeast three years ago. Newly retired from a fulfilling career in business, she was eager to learn more about Collier County and discover possibilities with both nonprofit and civic organizations that would allow her to meaningfully contribute to her newly adopted home. She found that opportunity with Greater Naples Leadership (GNL), a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 to provide proven leaders with a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about Collier County’s challenges and to encourage the use of their skills individually and collectively in helping to better the community. The GNL Masters Program educates highly accomplished men and women regarding issues in Collier County through a series of nine in-depth sessions covering all major aspects of community life. Each year, GNL accepts a…

STYLE NOTES X MI AMOR: Opt for romantic details like lace, tassels, and pearls. READY TO RIDE: Saddle-style handbags are making a chic comeback. LEG UP: Update your shoe game with a modern take on the loafer. modern take on the loafer.…

Whether your guest accommodations are tailored to a specific individual or designed for myriad visitors, simple touches—such as stocking up on your guests’ favorite coffee or tea, leaving a note in the room with the Wi-Fi password, or filling a drawer with travelsize toiletries—all say welcome. Providing fuss-free, relaxed accommodations will make visitors’ stays more pleasant—for guests and hosts alike. Of course, considering these on a larger scale helps, too. Hear from six local design experts as they share their thoughts for creating restful, appealing guest spaces. COZY AND COMFY Based on her client’s request for a primarily white room, Megan Hickman, lead designer at Freestyle Interiors, composed a cheerful space with this cozy and inviting guest room. Accent pillows in a variety of pastel-colored fabrics, a pleated white duvet…

Hurricanes are hazards of Southwest Florida living. It goes without saying the beautiful landscapes surrounding our homes and gardens are vulnerable to high winds and flooding risks. When Hurricane Ian came ashore on Florida’s Gulf Coast on September 28, 2022—just shy of a category 5 storm—it brought 155 mph winds and a storm surge reaching higher than 13 feet in some areas. National Public Radio reports that it was one of only four hurricanes of that strength to have made landfall in the continental United States to date. Lawrence Perillo, a certified arborist with a bachelor’s degree in plant science, is a partner at Blue Landscape Contracting Group in Naples. Hurricane season is not his favorite time of the year. Perillo has lived in the area for 30 years and…

It’s time to recalibrate how we think about luxury cars. No longer is it about purring 12-cylinder engines, smooth-shifting 10-speed automatics, and having more leather than a Hermès boutique. All you’ll need is one drive in the 2023 all-electric BMW i7 to know that the luxury automobile rule book has not only been torn up, but it’s been unceremoniously tossed in the dumpster too. This is the new benchmark in passenger car refinement, ride smoothness, and interior comfort. Did I mention the jaw-dropping 31-inch Theater Screen? At the tap of a button, this mega-monitor folds down out of a recess in the roof lining. It can stream your favorite programs courtesy of Amazon Fire TV connectivity, playing through the car’s 655-watt, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound. Want a true…

BEST RAW BAR: The Claw Bar The Claw Bar is as modish and beautiful as the hotel where it’s found: Bellasera Resort. The black and gold tones in the dining room present a lovely backdrop for photos, and at night, the terrace seating with its dim lighting sets the stage for romance. However, people don’t just come here for the exceptional ambience, they come for the stellar seafood and raw bar. The raw bar itself, by the way, is nestled by a semicircle of chairs, and showcases great views of the catch. The seafood towers are magnificent feats and full of shrimp, oysters, crab, mussels, and more—as well as customizable in combinations. Unique to The Claw Bar, patrons can also order a flight of caviar. (theclawbar.com) Runner Up: Captain &…

Winter Blues If you’ve ever skied the French Alps, there’s a good chance you’ve warmed up with an après-ski mug of Verte Chaud. The regional hot chocolate, which translates to “hot green,” is spiked with green Chartreuse, the herbal liqueur made nearby by the Carthusian monks. With heady notes of pine and lavender, the liqueur is as invigorating as the Alpine air. A new year calls for a new take on the classic, and this one replaces dark chocolate with white chocolate and bright botanicals for a blissfully blue drink. SERVES 2 1 ½ cups full-fat coconut milk4 oz. white chocolate, finely chopped1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (seeds scraped)2 oz. of floral syrup (recipe below) Pinch of salt1 ½ oz. green Chartreuse1 ½ oz. Mezcal Verde Amarás GARNISH: roasted marshmallows…

Works of art that tastefully complement the cuisine can elevate a restaurant experience, offering a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. In downtown Naples, Bistro 821 has always been associated with local art, says chef and owner Jesse Housman. “When we first opened in 1994, we commissioned some of our most beloved paintings to be done by Doug Sampson. Doug’s legacy of excellent art continues at the bistro.” He adds, “Many of the people in these paintings are real original customers and friends.” Housman discovered local artisan Ed Koehler and added many of his metal creations—including metal “mangrove” light fixtures. “We also support local galleries, and we have some rotating pieces as well,” Housman says. “We have been partnering with [Fifth Avenue South gallery] Emillions Art to…

Don’t despair if you’re dealing loss, thinning or brittle locks, or slow-growing hair. The issue may be a nutritional deficiency, potentially treatable by vitamins and supplements. According to Dr. Brandon Kirsch—board-certified dermatologist, founder of Kirsch Dermatology in Naples, and medical director at musely.com—you may see changes within two to six months of addressing a deficiency. Kirsch cautions not to overdo it, though. “Too much of any hair-promoting vitamins or supplements can actually cause hair loss and other signs of systemic toxicity,” he says. He also explains that your hair reflects your overall health, so it’s important to pursue a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising, and reducing stress, to get the beautiful tresses you’re seeking. Hair is important for self-confidence, he adds. If you’re having…

Naples-based nonprofit House of Gaia seeks to build social inclusion and celebrate diversity in the community. President and founder Maria Luisa M. Carter decided to start the nonprofit—with its name meaning “House of Earth”—in 2008, drawing on her background in international travel and experience across other cultures. “I felt the urge of serving Naples and bringing all these cultural aspects to the community,” she recalls. The organization pursues its mission through a variety of classes and programs open to people of all ages and backgrounds, from drum circles to family art classes to Reiki and Zen meditation. As Carter works to help build community, she says she enjoys seeing kids in the organization grow up and bring their own children to classes and to volunteer. “At our center, is a…

The Immokalee Foundation was recently honored to receive a $25,000 gift from the Women of Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church. Located in the Port Royal community of Naples, the church has a robust history of giving to worthy causes throughout Southwest Florida. The Women of Trinity made the 45-mile drive to Immokalee to learn how to best serve the students of The Immokalee Foundation. “It was truly an honor to take the Women of Trinity on a tour of Immokalee and personally share more about the impact the foundation makes in the lives of our students,” said Noemi Y. Perez, president and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation. “We are so grateful for their generous support and look forward to making an even greater impact together.” Even with scholarships that help to cover…

Traditionally, saunas have been relegated to basements or unused corners of a home or backyard. Today’s custom saunas, however, are taking center stage. What’s changed? Just about everything. “Aesthetically, saunas have come a long way by incorporating different materials such as Himalayan salt, stone, tile, and LED lighting,” says Robert Collins, president of Innovative Saunas & Cellars. “These features make for a great highlight to any space [and they] deliver many health benefits.” Himalayan salt therapy has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, with salt rooms popping up everywhere. Exposure to salt has numerous purported benefits. When inhaled, salt particles cause mucus to thin, aiding those with breathing conditions. Exposure to salt-saturated air is also said to naturally boost skin’s hydration. By incorporating Himalayan salt panels into your…

Norwegian Prima Five years and more than a billion dollars in the making, the justlaunched Norwegian Prima marks the first in an entire Prima class of ships by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). The 143,535-ton, 20-deck, 1,646-stateroom megaship is packed with firsts—big and small—plus groundbreaking amenities catering to all ages and vacation types. Recreation reaches new heights—literally—on the world’s only threelevel racetrack at sea, the Prima Speedway, which snakes around the ship’s upper decks. Below, discover a colossal outdoor game zone that features everything from a cozy dart bar to 3D Ping-Pong tables and the fastest (and scariest) slide in the industry, The Drop, a 10-story freefall from deck 18 to 8. Countering the white-knuckled thrills, serenity beckons in a multimillion-dollar sculpture garden (with installations by famed artist Alexander Krivosheiw) as…

Picture this: You’re Captain Nemo at the controls of your very own submarine, exploring the briny deep, communing with sea monsters, unearthing sunken treasure—and all for the price of a Ferrari. This fantasy is possible when you get behind the controls of the remarkable new Nemo submersible from Holland’s U-Boat Worx. Offered as either a one- or two-seater, with a dive rating of 330 feet, it’s currently the only private, production-built sub in the world. Launched, literally, in 2021, the first Nemos sold for more than a million bucks. But with production ramping up, the company has slashed the price of the one-person Nemo to $545,000, and the two-person to $590,000—roughly the cost of a new Ferrari SF90 Stradale with a few options. “The beauty of the Nemo is that…

COCKTAIL: Ziggy’s Redemption, Ziggy D’Amico’s Whiskey Bar & Diner This is a twist on a classic New Orleans Boulevardier. It’s barrel aged, which helps to mellow and marry components that at first glance may seem like odd bedfellows, such as Redemption Rye Whiskey and Campari. With a little oak and a bit of vanilla, it ignites the pre-dinner palate. APPETIZER: Ahi Tuna Tartare, Sea Salt This colorful tower-like dish features bright green, crushed avocado as a base. Beautiful red ahi tuna tartare makes up the bulk of the tower, which is topped by a long, thin crostini sprinkled with microgreens. The plate is drizzled in Peruvian chili sauce. It’s stunning and sensational in every way. SOUP: Aash Soup, Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro Comforting, flavorful, and downright addicting, the soup is…

For Naples residents and Napa Valley vintners Jessica and Chris Zazo, everything’s just wine and dandy. The newly minted Mr. and Mrs. tied the knot in November at a Napa Valley vineyard, capping off a year that saw their Hailstone Vineyards Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon capture gold at the prestigious Texsom International Wine Awards in Dallas. The honor is just one of many earned by Hailstone during the past decade; however, one prize in particular stands out. In 2019, the winery’s 32 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc won best of show at the Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition in Houston. Because the annual contest takes place in a state where everything is big, the award isn’t the customary gold medal. “It’s a giant belt buckle like the ones rodeo champions win,” Chris…

Cozying up to the fire—it’s what we want to do when the weather cools down—even if in Southwest Florida when the air-conditioning is on standby. The Bay House offers a warm, inviting feel with a beautiful puzzle of spaces, each with its own personality, providing inviting spots for drinking and dining. The restaurant’s side porch and tavern rooms feature fireplaces to gather in groups, whether aflame or not. If this is the vibe you crave, request seating in these spots when you make a reservation. The Bay House’s garden features a firepit, making it an ideal spot to savor a glass of whiskey or snifter of brandy. The atmosphere is more casual in this alfresco area with glowing bistro lights and heat lamps for those times when the mercury drops.…

Inflation, rising interest rates, a volatile stock market, and the threat of recession. We’ve seen it all before, but not always in the same combination. No one likes to lose money, but regardless of the variety of factors at play, the same question will always arise among investors: Where should I put my money now? “The very first thing we have to recognize is that humans have a built-in bias to want to do something,” says William Luther, associate professor in the economics department at the Florida Atlantic University College of Business. “No one wants to see a portfolio drop by 20 percent, but as counterintuitive and uncomfortable as it is, the correct answer is often to do nothing different.” Investors with a well-diversified portfolio in low-fee exchange-traded funds or…

GOINGS ON & PERFORMANCES 1 Johnsonville Nightlights in the Garden, light displays, music, food, and more, Naples Botanical Garden, visit website for tickets. (naplesgarden.org) 3 Nick Linn Lecture Series, featuring Fiona Davis, author of The Magnolia Palace, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, tickets sold as a series package, $500-$675. (collier-friends.org) Naples Philharmonic Pops: Broadway Blockbusters, under direction of Jack Everly, principal pops conductor, Hayes Hall, Artis—Naples, to Jan. 7, $68 and up. (artisnaples.org) 5 Bette, Babs, and Beyond, a tribute to pop music’s leading ladies, Daniels Pavilion, Artis—Naples, $63. (artisnaples.org) 7 Mud Row, opening night with post-show reception, Norris Center, Naples, through Jan. 29, $85. (gulfshoreplayhouse.org) 9 Paul Anka, the legendary lonely boy returns, Hayes Hall, Artis—Naples, $99 and up. (artisnaples.org) 11 The Game’s Afoot, The Naples Players, Blackburn Hall, Sugden Community…

RED CARPET RECEPTION WHAT: Premiere episode of MotorTrend TV’s Ride of Your Life WHERE: CMX CinéBistro Coastland, Naples DETAILS: Designer Wilfredo Emanuel planned and organized an evening reception and premiere party for Courtney Hansen, the creator, executive producer, and narrator of her new show Ride of Your Life, and friends. GOLFERS GATHER WHAT: Greater Naples Chamber 2022 Golf Classic WHERE: The Club at The Strand, Naples DETAILS: Presented by Gallagher Insurance, the Greater Naples Chamber hosted its annual golf event for members, attracting 122 golfers and 25 business parties. Golfers had the opportunity to create meaningful connections in a fun and interactive environment. SHY WOLF SCRAMBLE WHAT: Second Annual Shy Wolf Scramble WHERE: Heritage Bay Golf and Country Club, Naples DETAILS: Participating teams competed in a best-shot format in various golf…

Friday afternoon: Check into the 189-key oceanfront property, which was modeled after a luxury ocean liner. Glass-lined balconies give way to soothing interiors by famed London-based firm Tara Bernerd & Partners. The rooms themselves merge Fort Lauderdale’s yachting heritage with mid-century modern panache, underscored by pale linen walls, silver Roman travertine–finished floors, and walnut-trimmed furnishings. Friday night: Indulge in a culinary adventure at signature restaurant Evelyn’s, where chef Brandon Salomon and his all-star team raise the bar on eastern Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy classics perfected plus contemporary remixes in a seductive, Martin Brudnizki–designed space. Gastronomic highlights include the truffle hummus (laced with black winter truffle, organic mushrooms grown in Loxahatchee, and white truffle oil), the tangy pear and apple fattoush, and the wood-smoked, pomegranate-glazed Ora King salmon skewers. Saturday morning: Rise and shine…

BEST STEAK: Jimmy P’s Charred The Pepper family opened Jimmy P’s butcher shop in 1985 and over the years has expanded to include restaurants. Not only can you buy beautiful, quality cuts of meat, but you can also have the experts cook them for you. Cuts of all shapes and sizes are available, from an 8-ounce filet to a huge tomahawk ribeye. Jimmy P’s cases and menus are full of everything from Japanese Wagyu and Berkshire heritage pork to organic salmon, Colorado lamb, and almost everything in between. (jimmypssteaks.com) Runner Up: Chops City Grill A Fifth Avenue South fave for decades, Chops is chic, and the chefs have the know-how to prepare a steak to perfection. You’ll not only find American Wagyu on the menu but also Japanese Wagyu and…

Events of the season are already underway, and anticipation is building for the twenty-third Naples Winter Wine Festival, which will take place February 3-5, one week later than typically scheduled, at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. Some of the biggest and hottest names in the wine world are making the trip again this year, including the festival’s honored vintner, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild. He will be recognized for his many contributions to the wine industry and help create a weekend of one-of-a-kind experiences alongside an impressive lineup of internationally acclaimed vintners, chefs, and featured sommeliers. Newly Michelin-starred chef John Tesar stars as chef de cuisine. Nationally acclaimed Tesar specializes in modern American cuisine prepared with European techniques and is a James Beard–nominated chef, a Bravo TV…

To get through a tough workout session or even a long day at work, you need endurance. “When someone’s training for endurance, it’s something that can carry over even into their business life because they’re working themselves through adversity,” says Anthony Vessecchia, a fitness trainer and owner of Body Crafters Inc. Whether you’re under stress on the job or trying to meet a deadline, “you’ll learn how to break through that barrier, just like you would if you were having to run a race,” he explains. With benefits to your everyday life, increasing endurance is an important step, but how can you get there? Vessecchia recommends interval training, whether it’s running or rowing for 30 seconds then alternating with a lower intensity. “The biggest and most important thing is to…

Founded in 1982, the Hyacinth Concert Series of Moorings Presbyterian Church brings unique and inspiring programs of music to the Naples community. For the past 40 years, tens of thousands of music lovers have enjoyed more than 150 concerts. Numerous world-renowned artists have performed in the sanctuary where resonant acoustics, a handcrafted Fazioli grand piano, and organs boasting 4,315 pipes, deliver a broad spectrum of sound and a superlative listening experience. Christopher Dekker, director of music at Moorings Presbyterian Church, regards this season’s lineup of six concerts, including Grammy Award–winning organist and chair of the organ department at the famed Julliard School, Paul Jacobs, as “bigger and better than ever.” In the wake of the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian, he emphasizes the importance of community gatherings. “Music has the…

It’s said a leopard doesn’t change its spots—and Janet, a 3-year-old clouded leopard at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, is living proof. This pretty kitty is the ideal ambassador for her wild counterparts, reputed to be solitary and stubborn. “When it’s time to sleep, that’s what she does; when it’s time for zoomies, there’s no stopping her,” says Leah Kligerman, trainer in the zoo’s Animal Ambassador Program. Clouded leopards are superior climbers, equipped with rotating hind ankles that allow these arboreal creatures to descend from trees headfirst. Janet’s species is named for its cloud-like markings, which provide camouflage in the dappled light of a native Asian forest habitat.…