Page 60 - LIN_January 2025_web-file

Naples' Extremes for Better or Worse

by Jeff Lytle appy New Year! Hang on tight, as Before many areas of the state could bounce back from
we size up Naples’ extreme winter Hurricane Ian in 2022, Florida got whacked by three of the five
Hseason crammed with non-profit and Gulf hurricanes of the past year. Hurricanes Debby, Helene and
charitable events. Milton came in August, September and October respectively.
They are stacked with no space to spare -- Extreme damages to homes and businesses sent insurance
as dense as condos on a beachfront lot. companies and legislators scrambling.
The City of Naples remains the hub of this Rainfall alone, from storms and normal summer downpours,
extreme activity even though it is dwarfed by illustrates the extremes of our state’s wet and dry months – with the
growth beyond the city limits. dry months coming when we need water the most to meet demands
Keep in mind the following summary of tourist seasons’ peak populations.
of highlights includes only events on public city property such Temperatures also come in streaks, with blazing heat setting new
as Cambier Park and Fleischmann Park. There are others spread records and cold snaps threatening cash crops.
throughout Collier County parks and countless fundraising galas at Likewise, Florida’s economy is prone to soaring highs and
local hotels. crippling lows – boom or bust -- tied to the housing market, despite
Check online to see which ones require tickets. perennial calls to diversify what makes us tick.
Fundraising festivals kick off Jan. 3 at Cambier with the Naples Blips in tourism resonate in service industry employment and
Art Institute’s New Year’s Art Fair. tax receipts, reminding us how much the economy depends on the
Eight days later, the Naples Artcrafters take over Fleischmann, guests we love to resent.
while at Cambier, also on Jan. 11, the Nash (short for Nashville) Driven in part by tourism, even the restaurant industry is given
to Naples songwriters festival/concert raises money for Habitat to extremes. Eating places cluster in locales such as East and North
for Humanity in Collier and Hacienda of Hope for children in Naples, while other areas remain dining deserts.
Ecuador. Two prime examples of extremes seem related – wealth and the
The Empty Bowls showcase charity event is set for Jan. 18 at arts.
Cambier, featuring one-of-a-kind handmade ceramic bowls for The arts require money to launch and thrive, and there is lots
sampling savory soups from restaurants and country clubs. Founded of money coming together simultaneously to unveil a refurbished
in 2007, Empty Bowls has awarded more than $1 million in grants Naples Players home base on Fifth Avenue and an all-new
since 2018 to food charities such as Meals of Hope and Our Daily Gulfshore Playhouse a few blocks to the east – with a total cost
Bread food pantry. nearing $100 million.
On the same weekend, at Fleischmann, the 28th Annual Naples Successful fundraising for those and more arts projects taps a
Art Festival holds court. philanthropy tradition for residents who move here with money
Cars on Fifth, with 400 luxury vehicles on display, cruises into rather than earn it here.
town on Feb. 8, for what organizers call the largest event of the Many of those residents invest in other philanthropy for
year, to benefit St. Matthew’s House homeless shelter. The expo has education and medical care to help the legions of the poor, many of
grown to a whole weekend, starting on Feb. 6 with a concert by Jay whom work at service industry jobs on which the whole community
Leno, one of America’s most famous car fans, at Hertz Arena. There depends. Irony: many of the laborers who build, maintain and
is even a raffle to win a new Corvette. re-roof our homes and manicure our country clubs will never own
Add in the various farmers markets, food festivals, Evenings homes or play golf.
on Fifth, a swamp buggy parade, India Fest, opera and a Girls of The notion of extremes even shows in the rankings of America’s
Motown revue, and you have a sample of what’s coming up in and best places to live or retire. One recent tribute to Naples cautioned
out of downtown. that the draw for the well-to-do comes at the cost of more
A calendar to keep track might be a good last minute or belated affordable housing.
gift idea. Florida’s reputation as a state of extremes remains intact.
Another side to extremes Being average sometimes might be more sustainable?
Meanwhile, local extremes transcend festivities and fundraising. Jeff Lytle has covered and commented on Southwest Florida since
Extreme weather leads the way. 1979. Reach him at jlytle1951@gmail.com

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