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Hello Naples! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Whole Foods-backed 82-acre development, a sustainable wine program, and gold and silver heating up + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Inside an 82-acre vision: Whole Foods Market is planned to anchor a new East Naples center at Davis and Santa Barbara, with shops, homes, and a nature preserve. Groundbreaking is expected in 2027 — get project details and timeline.
New sips with purpose: The Local in Naples has introduced a sustainability-focused wine program, with more by-the-glass options and bottles from small producers in France, Italy, and lesser-known regions like Portugal and Sicily — explore the updated wine program.
International support powers new hub: Wonder Gardens and the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs celebrated a Chickee Hut dedication on Feb. 19, replacing a structure lost to Hurricane Ian. It will host classes and events — see who made it possible.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Tapas night upgrade: Paella’s Mediterranean Fusion, a cozy family-run Spanish spot from former Lamoraga chef Juan Perez, serves shareable tapas and paella in house mix, vegetarian, meat, and black squid-ink styles. Expect saffron, seafood, and crackly socarrat, plus easy pours and unfussy charm.
Weekend-ready gear: Whether you’re paddle-curious or planning an Everglades escape, Naples Outfitters keeps it simple with kayaks, SUPs, and trail-ready packs, plus local know-how that spares you rookie mistakes. Their crew sizes up your goals and tunes a setup that fits, so weekends feel easy.
Movie night, upgraded: Paragon Pavilion pairs sink-in luxury recliners with the Axis15 Extreme screen for big-feel showings, plus the Naples Cinematheque series when you’re craving a classic. Think low-effort, high-reward entertainment… a simple, polished night out that makes you breathe a little easier.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🐍 Herpetology for Kids @ CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Whether your kid calls every lizard a dinosaur, or you want an excuse to explore CREW, this herpetology hike delivers. Local herpetologist Shane Johnson leads a search for snakes, frogs, and lizards, with ecology, natural history, and muddy shoes. Meet at the Main Parking Lot.
👪 Family and Community Day @ Baker Park | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Free family day at Baker Park, with kid-friendly opera, hands-on music, and the usual suspects, bounce house and face painting. Catch Jack and the Beanstalk by Opera Naples, then let the kids bang boom whackers, make instruments, and try on costumes. Culture without homework.
🍵 Pot of Gold Tea Party @ Hyatt Place Fort Myers Estero | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Bring your inner Downton Abbey and appetite for tiny sandwiches to a Pot of Gold Tea Party that makes manners fun, etiquette charming, and teatime magical. We could use a reminder that napkins go on laps. Register by February 28, 2026, before the scones vanish.
🎉 Fiesta Bonita Springs 2025 @ Riverside Park, Bonita Springs | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to ditch errands and enjoy Bonita, this is it. Free entry at Riverside Park with live music, kid-friendly fun, food, and a celebration of culture, plus local vendors worth supporting. Bring the neighbors, stay for the vibe.
🐶 Wine & Wags @ R.A.D Corkscrew Winery | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Feel like you and the dog both need a reset? Head to RAD Winery’s farm in Estero for a low-drama afternoon of good wine, fresh air, and tail wags, plus local pet vendors, rescue pups, and the kind of community you actually want to see.
🌿 March Break Day @ Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary | Monday (3/9) at 10:00 AM – Bring the kids to Corkscrew Swamp for March Break Day, with interpretive tables and free one-hour guided boardwalk tours included with regular admission. Spots go fast, so swing by the admissions desk early, enjoy the quiet, and let the swamp do the tiring.
🎸 ACMA Songwriters @ Koreshan State Park | Tuesday (3/10) at 7:00 PM – If you prefer crickets and killer lyrics to crowded bars, bring a chair to Koreshan for ACMA’s all-original songwriter showcase under the stars. Expect acoustic Americana from Ray Boone, Bob Williams, and Dhruva Stephenson, with tickets $10 including parking, kids under 12 free.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Naples report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 83°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 32%
A chance of rain showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 78 in the afternoon. Northeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 46%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This 8,250+ square foot beachfront residence claims half of the 17th floor at The Regent, showcasing endless Gulf vistas and artisan marble and wood floors. Highlights include a grand salon, six-seat media theater, private office and library, chef’s kitchen with gas and Sub-Zero, a dual-bath primary suite, three-car parking, and resort-caliber amenities including 24-hour staff, guest suites, pool and spa.
Take a peek inside →
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