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

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

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

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

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

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

Completion and Grand Opening Anticipated in Early 2027 Genesis of Naples, privately owned and operated by the Zellers family of Naples since 2018, is proud to announce that construction has officially begun on its new, stand-alone Genesis facility at the intersection of Pine Ridge Road and Interstate 75 in North Naples. For family members and the entire team, this groundbreaking represents far more than the start of a building — it is the realization of a dream that has endur

maxbelchenko As we step into cooler winter weather, I have been reflecting on the importance of health and wellness, not just in the traditional sense, but in the small and meaningful choices we make each day. Wellness does not always require a strict routine or a gym membership. Sometimes it is about slowing down enough to appreciate what is right in front of us. For me, prayer and gratitude are at the heart of staying grounded. Beginning or ending the day with a quiet momen

In the late 1990s, Golden Gate Middle School students created a classroom project on the Holocaust called “Out of the Ashes.” Led by teachers David Bell and Michelle Lee, the seventh graders did more than just review their history textbook. They interviewed with local residents who were Holocaust survivors and concentration camp liberators. Learning the personal stories of these eyewitnesses to history changed the students. Going forward, they vowed to share with everyone the

How the Naples Garden Club puts the Environment in the Forefront When you hear garden club, the first thing you think of is flowers, but not so true with Naples Garden Club. Since 1953, the club has brought both an award-winning flower show and a sell-out house & garden tour to our community each year. Floral design and horticulture have been at the heart of the club, but recently this organization has become more engaged in the environment. Club leaders have ignited this com

Over $30 Million Raised Benefitting Vulverable Children in Collier County Live Auction | Photos courtesy of the Naples Children Foundation The 26th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) “Picture This” culminated this weekend following an exhilarating live auction, raising more than $30 million to benefit the most vulnerable children in Collier County. This incredible support brings the total amount raised by the NWWF to more than $366 million since its inception in 2001.

Through Generous Gift from Naples residents Bill and Nena Beynon Community Bread Basket, Inc., one of Weirton’s most vital charitable organizations, is celebrating a major milestone with the announcement of its new permanent home at 3265 Main Street in downtown Weirton. The property, a former WesBanco Bank branch office, was recently purchased by Bill and Nena Beynon, current residents of Naples, Florida, who maintain deep roots in West Virginia. Bill Beynon, originally from

wavebreakmedia | shutterstock Lately, I have been reflecting on what truly makes Naples such a special place to call home. Beyond our natural beauty and quality of life, it is the people who give of themselves every day. I think of community leaders, some whose names make headlines or appear on the façades of buildings, and others who work quietly under the radar. I think of people who lead nonprofits, civic efforts, women’s groups, business organizations, and environmental

"With close ties to the business community in Naples, Jennifer specializes in point-to-point customer care from retirees to high profile executives relocating to Florida.” Jennifer Gibson is an entrepreneur, a top-performing real estate agent, a builder, and a residential designer in Southwest Florida. She began her business journey at the age of six working at her family’s gas station and car wash in Pennsylvania. As a result of living in a godly family, she acquired a stron

"My goal was to create a fabulous setting offering the finest in luxury goods while offering the highest quality customer service." In 2010, in Baltimore, I had a dream. It was my vision to create an elegant space with a wide variety of luxury, beautiful, high-end designer and vintage clothing and accessories for sale at far below retail prices. A place where customers could find unique and stunning pieces without breaking the bank. My goal was to create a fabulous setting of

Baker Senior Center Naples, a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive programs and social services to support older adults and their families, has announced the passing of its Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jaclynn Faffer. A visionary leader and innovator, Dr. Faffer was the leading advocate for seniors in our community. Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Faffer was a fearless professional and systems builder in the field of human services, with over

Artist Danell Somers, Chef Marina Nikolic On February 12, from 6–9 p.m., creativity takes center stage in the Naples Art District as Palette to Palate  returns. Hosted by SOHO Design Group at 1610 Trade Center Way, guests are invited to experience culinary dishes inspired by original artworks by Naples Art District artists. This year, accomplished chefs will participate, including restaurant owners, private chefs, Michelin-trained professionals with experience in the yachting