SWFL Insider
Contractors, permits for residential repairs
Contractors, permits for residential repairs
Residents are urged to use caution when hiring a contractor to perform work, only hiring a reputable, licensed contractor specific to the type of work needed. Licenses for work are specific, e.g., tile roofs and shingle roofs require different types of licenses. Residents are encouraged to contact Collier County Contractor Licensing at 239.252.2431 or visit colliercountyfl. gov before hiring a contractor to verify the company’s credentials. Emergency repair work to secure a building (enclosing doors, windows and roofs) does not require a permit currently; all other repair work is required to have a permit. Roof repairs may only be performed by a licensed roofing contractor. Collier County has emergency permitting available at the Growth Management Community Development Dept. Office, 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive, Naples; Heritage Bay Government Services Center, 15450 Collier Blvd., Naples; and at the Immokalee Permitting Office at 310 Alachua Street, Immokalee.
U-Haul disaster relief available at 172 centers
U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box portable container use across Florida as a result of hurricanes Milton and Helene. All 14 U-Haul companies with operations in Florida have made their 172 centers available to offer the disaster relief program. This allows every Floridian to access 30 days of free storage at any U-Haul center in the state to help during the clean-up process from the hurricanes. Participating centers in Southwest Florida are in Naples, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers and Port Charlotte.
$100K match for United Way Disaster Resiliency Fund
In response to Hurricane Milton, Ellen Vanderburg pledged to match donations of up to $100,000 to the United Way of Collier and the Keys Disaster Resiliency Fund. This fund ensures immediate relief and long-term support for the area’s most vulnerable residents in the wake of disaster.
SWFL restaurants serve more than 60,000 meals during Sizzle Dining event
Southwest Florida restaurants participating in Sizzle Dining’s event this fall sold a total of 62,529 meals, said Guy Clarke, organizer of the three-week event in September. The restaurants donate $1 from every meal sold for the dine-with-purpose fundraiser to the Southwest Florida chapter of Blessings in a Backpack, the charity chosen by Sizzle Dining.
The average number of meals served by the 114 participating restaurants during the special prix-fixe promotion was nearly 550. The top three restaurants serving the most Sizzle Dining meals were the Snook Inn on Marco Island with 3,035 meals, The Bay House in North Naples with 2,262 meals and Warren Naples with 1,813 meals, Clarke said.
“It’s better than last year,” he said. “We beat the number, which shows the event can have this many restaurants and still grow, which is a good thing.”
Friends of the Library’s Author Spotlight
The first of two scheduled lectures and book signings that serve as fundraisers by Friends of the Library of Collier County will feature Chanel Cleeton, whose most recent best-seller is the gothic mystery romance The House on Biscayne Bay. The lecture will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at The Norris Center, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples, followed by the book signing. Purchase tickets at collier-friends.org; $49 for current members of the Friends of the Library of Collier County, $59 for nonmembers. All seating is general admission. If tickets sell out, a waiting list will be kept. For more information, email Marlene Haywood at mhaywood@collier-friends.org or call 239.262.8135.
Sails Restaurant brunch series benefits area youth
Sails Restaurant in downtown Naples is hosting two executive brunch events in November supporting Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and Southwest Florida CEO. This ongoing series by Sails, 301 Fifth Ave. S., will support a different youth-based Naples charity each time.
As a kick-off fundraiser to CMON’s annual Night at the Museum, guests will enjoy Sails’ champagne brunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, for $300 per person. The following week, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, guests at $250 per person will support scholarships and programs for the students of SWFL CEO, which helps create entrepreneurial opportunities for students. Sails’ champagne brunch is offered every weekend with seatings at 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 239.360.2000.
Kendra Scott to host jewelry shopping event to support Naples Cancer Advisors
Naples Cancer Advisors, a nonprofit providing consultative oncology services to cancer patients and their families, will partner with Kendra Scott at The Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay in the Shop for Good program, where 20% of all purchases made 4-6 p.m. Oct. 18 will benefit the organization. Founded in 2002, Kendra Scott is a designer’s boutique known for customizable jewelry in a range of colors. The retailer also offers men’s and women’s watches and gifts. With funding from The Cincinnati Cancer Foundation Inc., Naples Cancer Advisors provides consultative oncology services by appointment. These services include second opinions, care coordination, referrals, clinical trial navigation, financial navigation and precision oncology services, such as genetic testing and counseling for cancer patients throughout Southwest Florida.
Antonio Galloni to moderate vintage cellar event in advance of NWWF
The Naples Children & Education Foundation, the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, announced that influential wine critic Antonio Galloni will moderate The Vintage Cellar event Jan. 23, 2025, at Bleu Provence in Old Naples to kick off the 2025 Festival. Galloni is founder, CEO and lead critic for Vinous, which is his vision of a modern wine publication. He covers the wines of Bordeaux, California, Italy and Champagne. As moderator for the exclusive, pre-festival wine tasting and luncheon, Galloni will team with featured sommeliers and the Burgundy- based owner and vintner of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Count Louis-Michel Liger-Belair. Guests will be able to participate in a vertical tasting (2017, 2018 and 2019) of each the Estate’s Vosne-Romanée “Clos du Château”: Monopole, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair; Vosne-Romanée “La Colombière,” Domaine du Comte Liger- Belair; and Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. Wines will be poured by featured sommeliers who are participating throughout the weekend, enhancing appreciation for the unique and rare wines that will be tasted.