Hello from Naples!
In September several local restaurants participated in Sizzle Dining, an annual event where participating restaurants offer special 2-course lunch menus for $19-$24 and 3-course dinner menus from $29-$39. $1 from each meal ordered during Sizzle Dining is donated to Blessings in a Backpack. Sizzle Dining is a great opportunity to discover some wonderful local restaurants while supporting a great charity. We took full advantage of the event and enjoyed some delicious meals at The Continental, Chez Guy and Veranda E. These are restaurants where a single entrée can easily set you back $39 so this event is a great way to explore some of SW Florida’s high-end restaurants without the sticker shock.
Here’s an Interesting Article from Florida Weekly: Naples Players Announce $15 Million Revitalization Project
The Naples Players announced a $15 million capital project to renovate and re-imagine its home on 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples. Plans for the revitalized facility include significant improvements to the existing theaters and the creation of an additional theater designed to anchor the organization’s Educational Theatre program, serving students of all ages and abilities. To date, TNP has raised over 60% of the construction cost — and local philanthropists Jay and Patty Baker have pledged $2 million in matching funds to help continue the current momentum.
In 1994, The City of Naples invited The Naples Players to build a theater on 5th Avenue South in a joint effort to build downtown into a destination for entertainment, dining and shopping. TNP is now the anchor of a thriving downtown area, providing theater and education programs that serve the local community and beyond. Since embarking on this partnership, the programs and impact to the community have experienced significant growth, yet the building remains as it was when it first opened more than 20 years ago.
“The time has come for a renewed facility that will serve the vision of Naples for many more years to come,” said Bryce Alexander, CEO and executive artistic director. “With more than 60,000 annual audience members, over 650 annual volunteers, and more than 10,000 children and adults served in arts education, we are thrilled to continue to serve our community as a hub for downtown Naples and Southwest Florida.”
Visionary lead donors have named each of the three theaters in the facility. The major performance hall is named by Patty and Jay Baker as “The Kizzie Theater;” the blackbox theater named by Henry Price will be known as “The Price Studio Theater;” and the new educational theater will be “The Tanya & Denny Glass Educational Theater.”
Several prominent spaces are named in honor of generous supporters. David Byron and Vicky C. Smith have named the Mezzanine level; and John and Joanne Fisher have named the new sunset terrace on the North side of the building. Dozens of additional donors have contributed to the campaign, including every member of The Naples Players Board of Directors.
This renovation project will increase TNP’s ability to serve the community. With partnerships with more than 22 community organizations including Collier County Public Schools, STARability, Grace Place, The Alzheimer’ Association SW Florida Chapter, and The Arlington, among others, the upgraded facility will provide spaces that will allow programs and partnerships to grow and thrive. Included in this transformational project will be:
- The Kizzie Theater – A 450-seat proscenium theater with the David Byron and Vicky C. Smith Mezzanine level
- The Price Studio Theater – A 105-seat black box theater for major season programs
- The Glass Educational Theater – A 105-seat black box educational theater
- Three student rehearsal halls and classrooms
- New adult rehearsal rooms capable of hosting workshops, readings and showcases, including the Terry Libby Rehearsal Hall, and the Bob Brady & Kathleen Callahan Rehearsal Hall.
- An expanded scene shop for volunteers
- A state-of-the-art costume shop for volunteers
- A new green room and volunteer lounge, and 6 new dressing rooms
- A community atrium, with a café and information center open to the public during the day
- The John & Joanne Fisher Rooftop Terrace
- Brand new acoustics and audio support, including the Peggy & James Monson Audio Center; and the Alan & Liz Jaffe Orchestra Pit
Driven by more than 700 volunteers annually, The Naples Players has continued to live-up to its promise to deliver community-oriented programs and performances. Founded in the local living room of Henry and Mary Watkins in 1953, almost 70 years later, the Naples Players local legacy of service continues.
Official September 2021 Climate Data at Naples Airport:
September 2020 |
YTD 2020 |
September 2021 |
YTD 2021 |
Normal YTD |
|
Rainfall in Inches |
10.78 |
36.09 |
9.72 |
25.02 |
35.21 |
Record High Sept. Rainfall |
20.84 (2001) |
||||
Record Low Sept. Rainfall |
1.23 (2019) |
||||
High Sept. Temperature |
96 |
95 |
|||
Low Sept. Temperature |
71 |
71 |
|||
Record High Sept. Temperature |
98 (1974) |
||||
Record Low Sept. Temperature |
65 (2000) |
Temperatures in September were just about normal for the month. The normal average max temperature in September is 89.7 and we recorded 89.6. Rainfall was below normal in September and our rain deficit for the year is now just over 9 inches. We have little hope of making up the deficit as we are entering the dry season. Total average rainfall over the next three months is about 7 inches.
Book Review: “The Sentinel” by Lee Child and Andrew Child
I thought this was going to be a continuation of the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child that began over 20 years ago…the 25th book! I could tell something was different about Jack Reacher early in my reading of “The Sentinel”. Then I found out why: Lee Child collaborated with his younger brother Andrew for this instalment in the bestselling Jack Reacher series and The Sentinel is the first book in the new partnership.
Publisher Transworld announced a new four-book deal in the series, to be co-authored by Lee and Andrew Child. Andrew Child, already a suspense and thriller writer under his birth name Andrew Grant is set to take over the series thereafter.
I really wanted to enjoy the book…I really wanted Andrew Child to succeed in writing Jack Reacher. But he didn’t. Andrew can’t talk like Reacher and as far as I’m concerned, the series is over.
Right there, within our very first encounter with Reacher in this book, I find myself saying, Reacher wouldn’t say that, and then, worse still, Reacher wouldn’t DO that.
If he doesn’t talk like Reacher and he doesn’t act like Reacher, well, he’s just not Reacher.
I’m so disappointed. This book wasn’t a bad read, it just wasn’t a Jack Reacher book. These books by Lee Child were my favorite fiction series and now it’s done for me. Sort of like when they had Tom Cruise play Jack Reacher in a motion picture…the epitome of miscasting!
Here are a few reviews on Amazon…
“When he decided to stop writing any more books Lee Child said he considered letting Reacher die, alone, in a motel room somewhere. How I wish he had. It would have been a more fitting end to a character that I’ve loved and followed for years than the murderous attempt by Child’s brother to keep Reacher going. This isn’t Reacher. It makes me wonder whether Andrew Child has even read any of the previous Reacher books. I’m so sad. So disappointed. This is a shallow attempt by Andrew Child and I’m sorry to say that I won’t be buying any more Reacher books. Unless Lee Child is so horrified by his brother’s assassination of a fabulous character that he decides to take up the reins again. Please. Pretty please.”
“Started this book tonight and was so disappointed and disgusted by the amateurish writing—dialogue, plot both are just infantile. I doubt that anyone but Child’s brother wrote this novel—it is palpably stupid.
I stopped after about 3 chapters and deleted it from my iPad…PLEASE don’t buy it—don’t incentivize this inane authorship on what was a great series…”
“To be fair this is much better than some of these reviews would have you believe.
The plot is more interesting and involving than several of the previous entries in the series – it certainly has more twists and surprises. Some of the elements to it could have felt more developed (e.g., the town is under a ransomware attack – eh?), and overall, the narrative could be a bit more focused, but never mind. Overall, it’s very engaging.”
Restaurant Recommendation: The Local 5323 Airport Pulling Rd. Naples
We dined here last night with family before heading to the Gulf Coast High School football game…and band performance! The Local is an unassuming restaurant in a strip mall near Bed Bath and Beyond. It is a hidden gem and we all had excellent dinners. Founded by Owner and Naples veteran Executive Chef Jeff Mitchell, a classically trained chef and wine expert with 20 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industry, The Local was inspired by Florida’s abundant local bounty and long growing season.
Chef Jeff works closely with local ranchers, farmers, sea mongers, and artisans to source products with integrity, flavor and soul. With this commitment to local ingredients, the team changes the menu daily based on the day’s delivery. Grass fed beefs, meats from sustainable farmers, local seafood, and the freshest local produce in Naples and Southwest Florida appeal to carnivores and piscivores as well as healthy diners including, gluten-free, vegans and vegetarians.
Here are a few reviews on Trip Advisor:
“This is one restaurant that we ALWAYS hit when in town. The food is consistently excellent, forever fresh & yet, they always have our favs. The “Kung Pao” avocado is a must & uniquely Chef Jeff’s. We had the “soup of the day” …super flavorful & the carbonara is consistently one of the best around with homemade pasta. Can’t wait for our next stop in Naples.”
“Had a luncheon today with 12 ladies. Server was excellent! Everyone enjoyed their food, and the chef visited us to check in and brought us dessert. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and will return!”
“We had the BEST experience here. The wait staff was super friendly and knowledgeable about gluten free needs. Almost every dish could be made GF. The flavors were incredible. The Pork Ragu was probably the best I’ve ever had. My husband and I ordered multiple apps/entrees/desserts and we were blown away.”
Naples Real Estate: Here are the September 2021 Naples/Bonita market statistics.
For the first nine months of 2021, there were 16,863 closed sales in all of Naples and Bonita. This compares with 11,436 closed sales for the same period last year. Sales have remained strong, although the pace has slowed primarily due to lack of homes available. YTD home sales are up 47% from last year.
Here’s an interesting table comparing the first nine months of 2021 to last year:
Closed Sales |
Total |
Under $300,000 |
$300,000 to $700,000 |
$700,001 to $1,000,000 |
$1,000,001 to $3,000,000 |
Over $3,000,000 |
YTD Sept. 2020 |
11,436 |
4,291 |
5,046 |
756 |
1,063 |
280 |
YTD Sept. 2021 |
16,863 |
4,708 |
7,959 |
1,652 |
1,982 |
562 |
Difference |
+5,427 |
+418 |
+2913 |
+896 |
+919 |
+282 |
% Change |
+47% |
+110% |
+58% |
+119% |
+86% |
+101% |
Every category we measure is significantly ahead of last year at the end of September. Naples real estate sales continue to be strong although the pace is slowing. Realtors in Naples are saying they’ve never seen a market like this and it continues to be a strong a seller’s market.
The inventory of available resale property remains down from last year and continues to decrease. As the following table shows, the level of inventory varies by price point:
Inventory as of October 4, 2021 |
Total |
Under $300,000 |
$300,000 to $700,000 |
$700,001 to $1,000,000 |
$1,000,001 to $3,000,000 |
Over $3,000,000 |
Number Sold Last 12 months |
21,955 |
6,383 |
10,214 |
2,074 |
2,546 |
738 |
Average Number Sold per Month |
1,830 |
532 |
851 |
173 |
212 |
62 |
Total Available for Sale |
1,258 |
140 |
528 |
183 |
249 |
158 |
Months of Supply October 4, 2021 |
<1 |
<1 |
<1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Inventory fell last month by just over 1% to 1,258 homes. After 12 monthly decreases in a row, supply finally rose by 141 homes in July only to fall back again in August and September to 1,258 homes. Average monthly supply is less than 1 month. It’s hard to believe how little inventory of homes we have in Naples. Most Realtors consider a six-month supply of homes to be a balanced market. For comparison, the high point of available home inventory was June of 2007 when there were 11,601 listed in the MLS system for Naples and Bonita!
Kensington Real Estate:
Kensington is the golf course community where Rae and Fred live. Golf and Social memberships are available at Kensington, although none is required to buy here. Golf memberships have sold well this year, and there is now a waiting list for the first time in the history of the club. As of October 4, 2021, there is only 1 active listing in Kensington. This is highly unusual. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Kensington as of October 4, 2021:
Type of Property |
Number |
Lowest Price |
Highest Price |
Avg. Price per Sq. Ft. |
Avg. Days on Mkt. |
Estate Homes |
0 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Villas |
1 |
$890,000 |
$890,000 |
$403 |
6 |
Coach Homes |
0 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Total |
0 |
There have been 59 closed sales in the past 12-month period. As of October 4, 2021, there are 2 sales pending and 1 sale pending with contingencies at Kensington.
Riverstone Real Estate:
Riverstone is the community where Jeff and Nicola live. Riverstone has numerous amenities available for residents to enjoy. You can spend days swimming and relaxing at the community resort-style pool, playing tennis, taking a fitness class or socializing in the community’s private clubhouse. Here’s a look at the MLS market in Riverstone as of October 4, 2021:
Property |
Number for Sale |
Lowest Price |
Highest Price |
Avg. Asking Price Per Sq. Ft. |
Avg. Days on Market |
Riverstone |
4 |
$749,000 |
$1,975,000 |
$356 |
66 |
Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently on the market thru MLS:
|
|
$500,000 to $599,999 |
$600,000 to $699,999 |
$700,000 to $799,999 |
$800,000 to $899,999 |
$900,000 and Over |
Number for Sale |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
Average Price per Sq. Ft. |
NA |
NA |
$304 |
NA |
$374 |
Average Number of Days on Market |
NA |
NA |
44 |
NA |
73 |
Available inventory is one more than last month. As of October 4, there were 4 active listings, 4 pending sales and 4 pending sales with contingencies. The MLS system lists 98 homes sold in the last 12 months. With average monthly sales at 8.2, this means there is less than one month of inventory at Riverstone.
Give us a call if we can help with any real estate questions you have at 239-398-0028 (Rae) or 239-451-9351 (Nicola).