Annual Showcase raises generous donation for Baker Senior Center Naples Kody and Kristina Gear, Marisa Luizzi, Olga Placeres and Wanda Rodriguez Preferred Travel & Company is pleased to announce that ticket sales to its 2026 Luxury Travel Showcase resulted in a $15,000 donation to Baker Senior Center Naples. The funds will help the non-profit organization provide its wide-ranging social programs and services for older adults. “We are delighted to support Baker Senior Center N

Celebrating Stories That Unite Us The Naples Players has announced its 73rd season, a thoughtfully curated lineup built around the theme celebrating stories that unite us. Sponsored by Porsche Naples, Season 73 spans large-scale musicals, intimate plays, classic works, new productions, and student performances, reflecting the organization’s continued commitment to building community through exceptional access to the power of theatre. “This season represents a real moment of m

From Humble Beginnings to A Beautiful Smile "Regardless of whether that smile is initiated in our brain or in our hearts, Dr. Popescu wants to help people be able to smile with comfort and confidence.” “Designed to Smile” is the slogan Dr. Flavius Popescu came up with as the foundation of his dental career. He treats all his patients with the mindset that we were all intelligently created to smile from the day before we even got our first tooth. From our muscles to our bone s

When Thai cuisine is premade, everything tends to taste similar across restaurants; when it’s authentic like this, you notice distinct layers in every bite.” For our second column in Old Naples News , we couldn’t help but smile at our setting: we’re writing this from a lanai overlooking Fifth Avenue South in Naples, watching the parade of people enjoying our city and hearing clinking glasses drift through the air. After decades in Naples real estate, we’ve learned that the be

chainarong06 April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. This month we bring to light this disease that actor Michael J. Fox has lived with for many decades. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms generally develop slowly over years. The progression of symptoms is often a bit different from one person to another due to the diversity of the diseas

For visitors looking to experience Naples’ creative side, J&C Boulevard , located in the Naples Art District , offers a vibrant destination with nine studios and 14 artists showcasing paintings, sculpture, mixed-media art, interactive classes, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Northline Plaza, Naples Art Studios (2172 J&C Blvd)  is home to artist duo Richard 5   and   Tracy 3  Rosen . The couple’s travels are reflected in their art and the atmosphere of the studio itself. Richard’s wo

A Journey of Impact and Resilience "Capital is not just money, it’s a vision turned into momentum, driven to make an impact. The future belongs to those who dare to fund their vision.” P. Blake Renda is Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Veedor Holdings LLC, a private investment and holding company behind Veedor I, a multi-strategy hybrid investment fund, and purpose-driven ventures including Dragon Horse Agency, Dragon Horse Publishing, and Moxie Creed, headquartered in Naples, Florid

CEO & Executive Artistic Director, The Naples Players "I believe a theatre succeeds when it truly belongs to its community—and that’s how local work can lead nationally.” As CEO and Executive Artistic Director of The Naples Players, Bryce Alexander leads with a clear vision: to help redefine how theatres can impact their communities. Under his leadership, the organization has become one of the most active and ambitious nonprofit theatres in the country, completing a $22 milli

Devoted to his Craft "Keith’s goal is never trend-driven; it is to create jewelry that is timeless and personal, meant to last for generations.” In the discerning world of fine jewelry and diamonds, Keith Diltz, affectionately known as The Diamond Man, stands apart. With a lifetime devoted to the art and discipline of exceptional pieces, Keith approaches diamonds, jewelry, and design not merely as commodities, but as material for enduring design. As the General Manager at Dun

Stewards of Community For the Edwards, financial management is about far more than markets and returns. It’s about stewardship. Robert T. “Bob” Edwards, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Edwards Asset Management, has spent more than 30 years serving families in Naples. Bob is known for disciplined portfolio management, long-term perspective, and thoughtful guidance through complex financial landscapes. His experience counseling both clients and fellow ad

Nourishing Your Body One of the rewarding aspects of being a holistic medical doctor is that you get to learn about the medicinal benefits of various foods and how to use them in your practice. Today I will highlight some of these important functional foods. Take a look at the cantaloupe for example. One cup of cantaloupe provides 110 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin A in the form of beta carotene. This cleansing antioxidant combines with the melon’

Relationships Beyond Wealth Management "I believe that at the end of my career, I’ll remember the human stories, and the deep sense of gratitude that comes from knowing I played a meaningful role in them.” Early in my career, I met a entrepreneur who was building his business from nothing more than exceptional skill, a pickup truck, and unwavering work ethic. His success accelerated quickly, but his personal financial life hadn’t kept pace. Together, we established the fundam

Leading with Vision through Musical Theatre "When people walk into the theatre, I want them to leave the world outside for a while — to laugh, feel something real, and remember how powerful live performance can be.” Mark Danni, founding artistic director of TheatreZone, Naples’ premier professional musical theatre, has built a career defined by artistry, mentorship, and vision. A Buffalo, New York native, he began playing drums at age 10 and was performing with theatre “pit”

The largest migration of wealth in history Chris Christensen, President and CEO Generational Strategies Group "Our goal is to safeguard each client’s financial well-being from generation to generation.” “We are in the process of the largest migration of wealth in history. The baby boom generation is passing on unprecedented assets amassed during the post-WWII economic boom to the new generations: Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Now in their mid 60s to 80s, boomers shifting int

NPD Corporal Jeff Perry with Max Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs, a Naples-based non-profit organization that provides no-cost, highly skilled assistance dogs to combat-wounded veterans, first responders, and children with life-changing disabilities, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Naples Police Department to launch a Children’s Courtroom Assistance Program. This new initiative will serve the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida to provide compassionate, trauma-inform

Gareth Rockliffe Fine Art Photography An intimate conversation with the chef whose restaurant sparked the dining renaissance of Fifth Avenue South It was Valentine's Day, 1994. Jesse Housman, age 32, was serving the first dinner in his career as a chef. He could never have imagined that one day he'd own that restaurant. Or that 32 years later, Bistro 821 would remain the longest running restaurant on Fifth Avenue South. Finding my passion "My father, a scientist, had hoped th

"Success brings opportunity, and the greatest opportunity of all is to reinvest in the communities that shaped our journey.” Photography by Akilah Townsend Few leaders shape communities as profoundly as they shape companies. David Hoffmann has spent his career doing both. As founder and chairman of Hoffmann Family of Companies, he oversees one of the world’s largest family owned enterprises—an organization of more than 26,000 employees and over 200 brands and properties spann

"Zhang Financial was founded on a simple principle: our clients’ interests must come first, always. As an independent, fee-only fiduciary, we accept no commissions, sell no products, and receive no third-party incentives, ensuring that our success is fully aligned with the success of our clients." Pictured: Charles Zhang, CFP®, MBA, MSFS, ChFC®; Lynn Chen-Zhang, CFP®, CPA, PFS™, MBA, MS; and Alex Zhang, JD, CFA, CFP®, at Zhang Financial Headquarters Charles Zhang, CFP®, MBA,

Leading with Purpose in Healthcare "Healthcare should be easy with less challenges, not a system that creates frustration. My work is about putting patients first.” Jamie L. Ulmer’s career has been defined by service, leadership, and a commitment to building healthcare systems that work for the communities they serve. His leadership draws from experience across healthcare delivery, public health, and military service. Ulmer now serves as the President and Chief Executive Offi

The Timeless Style of Tailored Excellence He studies how a client lives, works, travels, and socializes before recommending a single piece." Gareth Rockliffe Fine Art Photography For more than thirty years in business, and over fifteen serving Southwest Florida, Joseph Wendt has helped shape the way leaders, professionals, and families present themselves to the world. His work is not simply about clothing, but about confidence, presence, and the quiet power of dressing with i