Drug Free Collier and its partners recently hosted a community forum to address the growing heroin and opiate epidemic that is making headlines. With hundreds of local residents in attendance, it’s clear that Collier County is seeing the impact of this national epidemic. “The number one cause of death nationwide is no longer car crashes, it’s overdoses,” said Dr. Andrew Kolodny, featured speaker […]
by Sandra Lee Buxton Politics. The word itself can evoke a visceral response and at times, well let’s call it a spirited discussion. Now if you want to talk politics then join friends for dinner, if you want to learn about politics then talk to Gina Hahn. She is not only a local legend but is known and well […]
A child’s luck of the draw? by Ron McGinty No child picks their parents. It is a God given right to have children. There is no pre-testing of suitability, stability, mental health, drug-free testing or other requirements to get pregnant. Fortunately, income is not a requirement to be a loving parent. I have experienced responsible and loving parents in slums […]
by Spencer Smith United Way of Collier County Volunteer Collier isn’t just a catchy name; it’s United Way of Collier County’s grassroots program dedicated to the improvement of our community. In addition to posting a plethora of volunteer opportunities on their website, such as tutoring, lifeguarding, and food distribution, they also coordinate with a wide variety of charities to help those in […]
by Laurel Meny In the past 100 years, the number of Americans age 65 years and older has grown tenfold and accounts for 13 percent of the population. By 2030, this age group is expected to reach 70 million. Not only are we living longer, but we are searching for meaningful ways to stay engaged. At the Naples Art Association (NAA), we have […]
by Juliana Meek and Kristine Meek Dear Artsperts: My husband and I have just moved into a home here in Naples. We haven’t yet agreed on where to hang a painting and we have it, along with all of our memorabilia, genealogy records, cut-glass collection, and past tax records, in our garage. We aren’t used to not having basements, attics, or […]
by Tim L. Tetzlaff Naples Zoo Director of Conservation Just as Naples has grown in population, so have healthcare options for area residents. The same is also true for the rare wildlife in Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. Along with specialist consulting veterinarians, the Zoo now has both a full-time veterinarian and veterinary technician to monitor the health of the animals. […]
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor Americans Veterans for their service and sacrifices. These American heroes are transported to Washington D.C. to visit, and reflect at their memorials while connecting with other Veterans. I recently had the privilege of flying on the Mission 10 flight, which left Naples airport with all female Veterans. […]
The colorful carved wooden “Welcome to Naples” signs, surrounded by lush greenery, beautifully landscaped medians, architecturally striking businesses and luxurious homes are your first clues that Naples, Florida is an affluent community set in a tropical paradise. But these gorgeous surroundings can be deceiving, representing a fragment of the residents that live in this seaside community. Statistics for poverty levels and teen pregnancy may […]
by Claudia Polzin Consultant to Nonprofits Off-Season – August, September and October – and for some of this time our main focus is unfortunately consumed with possible hurricanes. But since there is nothing we can do to control this fact of life in SW Florida – let’s focus on what we can control – finding hidden jazz gems around our town. By […]