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JEAN AMODEA

Title: Correspondent - Features
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Recent Work

Dine in or drive thru at Sumo Sushi Sake in North Naples Published 04/12/2013 at 7 a.m.
The new Sumo Sushi Sake brings trendy Asian cuisine to the masses with a drive-thru option.
Passover marks a time of reflection, observation, abstinence Published 03/22/2013 at 9:51 a.m.
Passover begins at sundown on March 25. From Bonita to Naples to Marco Island, area Jewish congregations.
Erin's Isle lives on in new location in East Naples Published 03/15/2013 at 7 a.m.
Many of us recall the popular television show “Cheers” where “everybody knows your name.”
SW Florida’s own swamp diner: Enjoy gators at Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe Published 03/13/2013 at 7:30 a.m.
Want to get away from it all or leave the usual Naples eating spots behind and go someplace where you can just plain relax?
New community garden sprouting up in Golden Gate Updated 02/28/2013 at 3:01 p.m.
The Golden Gate community is hosting a Garden Swap on the second Tuesday each month.
Sacrificing for Lent: Faithful prepare for 40-day observance that leads them into Easter Published 02/08/2013 at 4 a.m.
Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season, and area preists and pastors share their insight on the holy time.
Light the night: As Hannukkah begins this weekend, local rabbis share their message to Christians Published 12/07/2012 at 3 a.m.
In the midst of frenzied holiday shopping, Christians whose faith stems from that of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would do well to reflect on the holiday of Hanukkah, celebrated worldwide by their Jewish friends and acquaintances.
Light the night: Hanukkah begins at sundown on Saturday, and local Rabbis share their message to Christians Published 12/07/2012 at 3 a.m.
Area Rabbis share their meaning of Hannukah and what Christians should know about this Jewish holiday.
Fall growing reaps bountiful harvests Published 11/16/2012 at 3 a.m.
Now's the time to plant a garden.
Area food banks, churches and shelters collect donations for Thanksgiving, Christmas Published 11/09/2012 at 3 a.m.
Feed the Hungry in Collier County.
Behind the scenes: Marco Island Academy students learn about the hospitality industry Published 09/24/2012 at 2:56 p.m. 11 Comments
Last week during the first of a half dozen tours held at the Marco Island Marriott Resort and Spa (Resort), students learned about aspects of front and back of house operations of the hotel's eight food and beverage outlets including ...
Catholic Jewish Dialogue of Collier County: Fostering a mutual understanding Published 06/22/2012 at 3 a.m.
The Catholic Jewish Dialogue of Collier County.
Absinthe's ambience, cuisine create chic eatery in North Naples Published 04/25/2012 at 6 p.m.
Absinthe, the mysterious and once elusive green-colored, anise-flavored spirit, has been memorialized by Armand Alikaj as the name of his three-year-old North Naples restaurant.
Shell rewards: Marco Island Shell Club awards scholarships; funds next show Published 04/06/2012 at 9:54 a.m.
The Marco Island Shell Club members have had a very busy month. A few weeks ago, they hosted their annual shell show which was attended by more than 2600 people. With something for everyone to enjoy – young to old ...
The CERTIFIED slice: New pizzeria is Truly Organic with Big Apple roots Published 03/28/2012 at 4 a.m.
Jason Chang has created 12 signature pies that not only taste authentic but are made from USDA-certified organic ingredients, as he says, “with no exceptions.”
Ready to see some sea shell art? Marco Island Shell Club annual sale is March 8 through 10 Published 03/01/2012 at 2:14 p.m.
If you don’t already know it, a trip to our local beaches on any given day will produce a treasure trove of souvenirs, all without cost.
Dancing for education: Charter High School to hold fundraiser Published 02/20/2012 at 2:25 p.m. 5 Comments
Touring the Marco Island Academy, a public charter high school, one can easily see that the facility has outgrown its tenants. Students, albeit seriously imbibing math and science lessons and exploding with creativity in art class, need more space to ...
TBE students learn about native shells Published 02/02/2012 at 2:25 p.m.
Marco Island, known as the largest barrier island (four by six miles) within Southwest Florida’s islands has more than three miles of white sand beaches loaded with shells in a variety of distinctive sizes and shapes. Shells like starfish, sandollars, ...
TBE students get lesson in recycling through art Published 01/28/2012 at 12:56 p.m.
If Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” were at Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE) on a recent Friday, she would surely have reason to exclaim “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!”
Komoon creatively commingles 3 cuisines: Thai, sushi and ceviche Published 01/25/2012 at 4 a.m.
Komoon blends three cuisines artfully and tastefully.
Bartering an alternative for businesses Published 01/22/2012 at noon
Trading, swapping or bartering are options for businesses in today's challenging economy.
Throttle up: ATV repair shops booming in Southwest Florida Published 01/08/2012 at 9:50 a.m.
For those who enjoy all-terrain vehicles, Southwest Florida ATV repair shops abound to help off-roading aficionados.
Home front: Cool pooch pouches, LEED home and rainbarrels Published 12/09/2011 at 4 a.m.
Home Front: news from the home improvement community in Lee and Collier counties.
Get Growing: News from the garden community in Lee and Collier counties Published 11/18/2011 at 4 a.m.
News from the gardening community.
Home Front: shred party, cellphone remote, quilting contest Published 11/17/2011 at 1 p.m.
News from the home community.
Path to success: Feel right at home at Trail Cafe & Grill Published 10/28/2011 at 12:04 p.m.
Christopher and Trish Jubinville say they just want you to feel as though you’re sitting in their home kitchen. That’s the philosophy behind the warm ambience and homestyle food at the chef husband-and-wife team’s Trail Café & Grill in North ...
Targeted exercise therapy gives COPD patients a new, stronger life Published 09/20/2011 at 6 a.m.
Once relegated to using oxygen for 24 hours a day, Charlie Hill can now breathe without oxygen through the daylight hours. He can even carry on a conversation while using a stationary bicycle. Hill said he has been able to ...
Overcoming enormous obstacles, Marco Island Montessori Academy opens Tuesday Published 09/04/2011 at noon
Although Island Montessori Academy (IMA) has a delayed start date, the school will open today (Tuesday), ready to greet a crop of 31 students eager to stretch their wings learning via the innovative Montessori method. Founded in 2005, by Lisa ...
Lending a hand: Christ-based charity offers hope to those in need Published 09/03/2011 at 6 a.m.
A sad story, too often heard, is that of hard-working folks losing jobs and homes in this lean economy. One such woman, after moving to Southwest Florida suffered such a loss, and contacted Bonita’s Love INC for help starting over. ...
Southwest Florida   Bluegrass growing again with regular shows and stars Published 08/18/2011 at 6 a.m.
The number of Neapolitan bluegrass aficionados is growing as folks realize there’s something fresh and friendly in all that pickin’ and strummin.’ Local musician Russ Morrison is doing his part to bring awareness of this feel-good art to Southwest Floridians ...
Southwest Florida music   Bluegrass growing again with regular shows and stars Published 08/18/2011 at 6 a.m.
The number of Neapolitan bluegrass aficionados is growing as folks realize there’s something fresh and friendly in all that pickin’ and strummin.’
No longer homeless: Emmaus House opens its doors to needy men Updated 08/02/2011 at 7:04 p.m.
“Jesus Christ is my driving force in life now.” With that mantra, retiree Brian Sears has found a new mission in life that occupies his time, while benefiting the community and the cause of Christ — the Emmaus House in ...
School’s out, but some Marco Island kids just won’t stop learning Published 07/01/2011 at 12:39 p.m.
Even though school’s out for summer, an excited Shamus Coyle, who is going into the first grade, wanted to stop by his school and show his principal, Jory Westberry of Tommie Barfield Elementary the prize he received for already reading ...
Enroll your child now, encourages TBE principal Published 07/01/2011 at 12:10 p.m.
Due to the harrowing task of planning new classes, securing new teachers and predicting possible enrollment, Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE) Principal Jory Westberry urges parents to register their children as soon as possible. “For example, if I know now that ...
Latitude features flair for Florida fusion food Published 06/23/2011 at noon
Latitude, a new local entry in smart casual dining featuring Florida fusion cuisine, boasts that it has “the right attitude.” Occupying the former space of Café Italia in the Naples Walk shopping center, the restaurant is poised for success, judging ...
PHOTO GALLERY: Discrimination hits an anguishing level in Holocaust Published 06/10/2011 at 10:10 a.m. 2 Comments
“Of the 12 million people killed during the Holocaust, six million were Jewish and 1 1/2 million of those were children,” said Amy Macera-Snyder, addressing wide-eyed, attentive fourth grade students at Tommie Barfield Elementary School (TBE).
Born to dance – Marco Island Charter Middle School student Breana Wielgos Published 05/30/2011 at 12:31 p.m. 1 Comment
Breana Wielgos wants to be a dancer someday and she seems to be destined to realize her dream. Since early on – in fact before she was born – her mother, Kathy said that while carrying her daughter, each time ...
BUSINESS MONDAY: Students looking for summer jobs should get to work Published 05/29/2011 at 10 a.m.
Students seeking summer employment should prepare to send out at least 50 resumes. And, they should look for a summer job close to a future career choice, said Michael C. Brown, owner of BanyanBrown Solutions Inc., a Naples full-service staffing ...
PHOTOS: TBE students learn the science behind a good education Published 05/27/2011 at 2:06 p.m.
Science Fair 2011 was held at Tommie Barfield Elementary and proved that students internalized the components of the scientific method, which is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments.
Foreclosure workshop provides answers for residents POLL Published 05/21/2011 at 10:28 a.m. 3 Comments
A Naples homeowner since the 1970s, John Segrove says a recent foreclosure workshop helped him to see his options more clearly.
PHOTO GALLERY: TBE celebrates with artists, authors Published 05/12/2011 at 12:53 p.m.
Tommie Barfield Elementary students celebrated the culmination of a year’s worth of original art and books with families at their annual Authors and Artists Night on Tuesday.
TBE students learn how to be ‘coastal caretakers’ Published 05/12/2011 at 12:37 p.m.
Leaving books and pencils behind last week, Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE) fourth graders donned water shoes and sunscreen and headed to the unique eco-system of Tigertail Beach to learn with hands on experiences.
BUSINESS MONDAY: Benfield furniture closes after nearly 50 years in Naples Published 05/01/2011 at 9:50 a.m.
From sofas and dinettes to mattresses, wall art and silk plants — anything for a condo at reasonable prices — Benfield’s Furniture had it all. In operation since 1964 and considered one of Naples’ oldest businesses, the Davis Boulevard store ...
Loaded up and truckin: Collier, Lee businesses busy hauling cars north Published 04/27/2011 at 2:39 p.m.
Some part-time Southwest Floridians may head north in a plane but their wheels stay grounded.
Get your claws quick: Restaurants to try for stone crabs before the season ends May 15 Published 04/27/2011 at 10:21 a.m.
Get your crab claws before it’s too late. The end of stone crab season is fast approaching on May 15, so if you have not yet indulged in the sought-after delicacy, plan to get out to any number of local ...
Put on the kettle Published 04/12/2011 at midnight
Frequently new fitness training methods appear on the scene promising to be the best at burning calories or producing faster body slimming results. The latest such training program, however is a centuries-old one — using Russian kettlebells to tone the ...
TBE physical education instructor Tim Coyle named Teacher of the Year Published 04/01/2011 at 11:28 a.m.
A surprise visit from his boss’s boss shocked Tim Coyle on Tuesday on Marco Island. The Tommie Barfield Elementary physical education teacher was caught off-guard when Dennis Thompson, Collier County Superintendent of Schools, stopped by for a quick visit, to ...
New home-based business sells women a purse for all occasions — with exchangeable looks Published 03/31/2011 at 4:54 p.m.
The latest entry in the world of ladies handbags, the Miche Bag, billed as “One Bag Endless Possibilities” has found its way to Southwest Florida.
‘I promise to read’: Golden Terrace students take reading oath as part of ‘Read Across America’ Published 03/29/2011 at 4:09 p.m.
“So I take this oath, to make reading my way, of feeding my brain, what it needs every day.” So goes the last verse of a readers’ oath recited by students at Golden Terrace Elementary School, on a recent Friday, ...
BUSINESS MONDAY: Cellphone ads, promos focus of Naples company Updated 03/27/2011 at 11:23 a.m.
You’re staying at a Las Vegas casino and an ad or promotion pops up on your cell phone. There’s a good chance that information was provided by Proximus Mobility, a Naples-based company that offers digital content to consumers’ mobile phones ...
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