J. Kyle Foster | Naples Daily News
Tigertail Beach and outlying Sand Dollar Island on Marco Island have been renourished after damage from storms in 2024.
Naples-based coastal engineering firm Humiston & Moore implemented what will be an ongoing plan to protect the natural elements, the water quality and the homes and condos behind them, reusing sand pushed by the storms instead of importing it. This north part of Marco Island has been retreating over the past few decades at a rate of 40 to 50 feet a year, said Humiston & Moore Vice President Mohamed Dabees, who presented results of the project at the Marco Island City Council meeting Tuesday night.
About 200,000 yards of sand was used for the renourishment.
“That project is a ground-breaking project, because it set a very good precedent of working with nature in the sense that it’s not a typical project where we’re building hard structures. It’s a project that uses land force to make energy dissipation from storms,” Dabees said at the Feb. 18 meeting.
“(Hurricane) Irma started the collapse of that system,” he said. That’s when Marco and Dabees started to create this ongoing plan for using Sand Dollar Island, considered a spit, the lagoon and the surrounding mangroves to create a protective barrier. Each protecting the other. The spit that serves as a berm, the sand, the float (or marked) channel, the lagoon and the mangroves serve to absorb the energy caused by storms. All of which help protect the buildings and the rest of the island behind them.
Read the full story and see photos and video on naplesnews.com.
A popular eclectic new American restaurant in Naples has been named one of the best in the country. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News
Bicyclette Cookshop in Naples made USA TODAY’s list of best restaurants in the country.
The USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year 2025 list, released today, features 44 restaurants, including everything from fine-dining restaurants to tiki bars and burger shacks.
The restaurants were selected by USA Today Network food journalists across the country, based on the establishments they know, love and recommend.
What happens when a wunderkind chef teams with a retired McDonald’s president on a new restaurant?
The ultra-fun Bicyclette Cookshop, where deliciously playful food in an industrial strip-mall setting boasts clever surprises without feeling twee or pretentious.
Like Rene Magritte, the surrealist painter who presented familiar objects and subjects in unfamiliar ways, executive chef-partner Kayla Pfeiffer ― a Food Network “Chopped” champ uses food as her medium ― next-leveling classic comfort fare where every intentional ingredient is well thought out.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
For more information about buying a home in the Naples, Florida area contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Dave Osborn | Naples Daily News
The 21st annual Cars on 5th brought thousands to downtown Naples on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Exotic cars filled Fifth Avenue South as auto enthusiasts enjoyed seeing so many cool rides up close.
The event ― organized by the Naples chapter of the Ferrari Club of America ― is part of what’s become the Naples Automotive Experience weekend. Comedian Jay Leno was in town for the weekend.
The Naples Automotive Experience benefits the St. Matthew’s House, with 100% of the proceeds going to the nonprofit. The 2024 event raised $1.7 million.
See lots of photos from the 2025 and 2024 Cars on 5th event on naplesnews.com.
For more information about buying a home in the Naples, Florida area, contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Kendall Little | Naples Daily News
After suffering damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is officially open again.
Restoration crews have been hard at work to get the beach back in tip-top shape for locals to enjoy.
Here’s what we know about Delnor-Wiggins reopening.
When did Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park reopen?
Delnor-Wiggins opened on Tuesday Feb. 4 at 8 a.m.
Park staff announced the reopening through a Facebook post on the Friends of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park page.
“Please drive slow and be respectful of our park, the staff and our volunteers,” the Delnor-Wiggins website states.
Read the full post on naplesnews.com.
For more information about buying a home in the Naples, Florida area contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Fort Myers News-Press
A Naples family has donated millions to a local environmental group that’s been a part of the local community since 1964.
John and Carol Walter gifted a $25 million grant to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida recently, enough to completely redo the organization’s nature center while also funding key work in the future.
“It’s the largest gift in our history and is one of the larger gifts in our community,” said Rob Moher, president and CEO of the Conservancy. “It’s a magnificent gift, particularly for a conservation organization. It’s probably unheard of, but it’s actually a grant and it comes down to their generosity and their family’s feeling to support our community and our mission. This was a family decision, a generational decision to leave a legacy.”
John Walter served on the Conservancy board of director for years.
“Making a commitment like this is putting a lot of trust into our vision,” Moher said. “I felt very proud and I look forward to executing this over the next five years.”
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Ellessandra Taormino | Special to the Daily News
For a lot of people, coffee is a staple in everyday life. As a college student in New York City, I know it is certainly a staple in mine. For this reason, every time I come home to Naples from school, I am immediately on the lookout for new coffee shops.
Given my short but fruitful career as a coffee-lover, I have compiled a list of the places around town which ensure that, regardless of where you are in Naples, you too can enjoy a great cup of coffee.
- Narrative Coffee Roasters
- Kunjani Craft Coffee & Gallery
- Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii
- Bean to Cup Coffee Lounge
- Bontà Bakery
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
For more information about buying a home in the Naples, Florida area contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
