|
Good morning, Naples! In today’s edition: Airport wins environmental awards, Michael Connelly lecture series, Jay Leno, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
Progress with local economic impact: Naples Airport was honored with the 2025 Environmental Award and named a 2025 Recycling Champion for green programs like fleet electrification and alternative fuels, while operating without local tax dollars — get all the details.
Behind the fair tents: Southwest Florida’s outdoor art festival season is underway, with Naples kicking off last weekend. Bonita Springs events begin Jan. 10–11, as artists eye rising costs and hope nearby development boosts sales — see what’s planned and at stake.
Friends of the Library series: Bestselling author Michael Connelly will headline the Nick Linn Lecture Series in North Naples, beginning Jan. 12 and running through March 23 with lunch, signings, and other mystery writers — check out the full lineup.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
|
🫶 We got your back
Local shops come alive: The second annual Block Bash returns to the Naples Design District with four dates. It will take place on January 14, February 11, March 11, and April 8. Expect special promotions, in-store events, and in-depth reviews of participating businesses. Get dates and event highlights.
Hands-on local science: Between beach days, the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center offers a mangrove aquarium, a touch tank, and interactive exhibits that scratch the nerdy itch, spark curiosity, and feel fun, not fussy. It’s just enough science to reset your brain while keeping vacation mode fully intact.
Serious burrito craving: Naples’ weeknight hero move: Tacos & Tequila Cantina serves saucy, wet burritos stuffed with carne asada, chicken, or veggies, plus comforting sides. When the fridge is giving you nothing, outsource dinner and feel good about it… warm, messy, and exactly what you wanted.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
|
📆 Around town this weekend
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.
🌳 Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve Fundraiser @ Ankrolab Brewing | Friday (1/9) at 6:00 PM – Ankrolab is pouring pints for our own backyard with a fundraiser for Friends of Big Cypress in Naples. Great beer, live music, fun activities, and raffles, all in service of the swamp we actually like visiting, so you can feel good about your tab.
🤘 The Jake Hair Band @ Whiskey Park | Friday (1/9) at 8:30 PM – Think you know your Waylon from your Merle? The Jake Hair Band rolls in with classic country and honky-tonk, the kind that makes your boots itch, your heart soften, and your two-step remember its manners. Real guitars, real twang, zero pop gloss, good times.
⚙ Koreshan Historic Engine Demonstration @ Koreshan State Park | Saturday (1/10) at 11:30 AM – Craving old-school horsepower that isn’t at the boat ramp? Park Rangers in Koreshan’s industrial yard fire up the same engines the Koreshans used a century ago, all chugs, grease, and charm. Free with paid park admission, free for Florida State Park Pass holders.
🥋 Stranger Danger Kids Self Defense Workshop @ Pole & Aerial Fitness of SWFL | Saturday (1/10) at 2:30 PM – Got a kid who’s either shy or narrating the grocery aisle? This kids self-defense workshop gives them real-world skills to spot unsafe situations, set boundaries, and use their voice, taught playfully without scare tactics, so you can call it confident, not paranoid, parenting in SWFL.
🐢 Drink Beer. Save Turtles @ Ankrolab Brewing Company | Saturday (1/10) at 5:00 PM – Your bar tab counts as philanthropy this Saturday, because Ankrolab is pouring pints for the turtles. Expect beers and cocktails, bluegrass from Swamp Rats, a cornhole tournament with cash to conservation, and ambassador turtles, you can toast, toss bags, learn something, and feel virtuous.
🎯 Vision Boards @ Intuitive Well-Being | Sunday (1/11) at 1:00 PM – Swap resolutions for a vision board workshop with Jen Layden, blending meditation, reflection, and creative collage to sketch the year you actually want. All materials are provided, from magazines to glue, so you can show up with coffee and opinions. Limited space, pre-registration is $45.
🎤 Jay Leno @ Artis—Naples | Sunday (1/11) at 4:00 PM – Nothing beats seeing a late-night legend in our own backyard. Jay Leno brings classic stand-up, clean jokes, and garage tales to Artis-Naples. Make it a grown-up night out, think dinner nearby, easy parking, and laughs you do not have to explain to the kids.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📣 Own or manage a local business?
Meet BaseLocal Business — a free and easy way to get your business happenings in front of our readers.
How it works:
- Sign up (it takes less than 5 minutes)
- We’ll manually verify your business is legit
- Once verified, you’ll be able to share events, news, and special deals with us any time
Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Naples locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.
We also regularly spotlight verified businesses just because we think they’re great.
Click here to get started (it’s free) →
|
📻 Naples report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 80°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 7%
Patchy fog before 9am. Sunny. High near 80, with temperatures falling to around 76 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 6 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 80°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 6 mph.
This house is wild
Magnolia’s split plan delivers four bedrooms and three full baths with effortless flow. A granite kitchen anchors, pairing stainless appliances with a gold trimmed prep island and sunny breakfast nook. Formal living and dining link to the family room, all oriented to the pool and lanai. The primary suite adds a walk in closet and spa bath.
Outside, a resurfaced pool and spa rest on travertine, beside an outdoor kitchen with flat top grill, dishwasher, bar seating, and insulated cover in a picture screen. Updates include a 2019 flat tile roof, 2024 impact glass, and 2022 AC. Autumn Woods brings amenities near beaches, Mercato, and Waterside Shops.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
