WOW To Do List: Blessing of the Fleet, more
SEPTEMBER
Safari Squad – Doc McChinn
From 10 until 11 a.m., Sept. 22, at the Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples. Bring a stuffed animal and a veterinarian will give it a check-up. Safari Squad programs feature an animal encounter, storybook reading, an arts and crafts project, and free-choice play stations, all focused on a new theme each month. For 3-to-5-year-olds. $12 for non-member child/adult pair, $10 for member child/adult pair, $5 per additional child or adult. Register online, napleszoo.org/safarisquad. education@napleszoo.org.
More:3 To Do: Art on display; Happy Hour for Hope
More:3 To Know: Celebrate with CJ’s
Disney On Ice: ‘Mickey’s Search Party’
Through Sept. 23 at Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Help Mickey Mouse and his friends follow Captain Hook’s treasure map and look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell in immersive, fantastic worlds. Tickets start at $20. Information: Disneyonice.com.
Museum Day Live! at the Naples Depot Museum
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Naples Depot Museum, 1051 Fifth Avenue S., Naples. In the spirit of the Smithsonian Museums, which offer free admission every day, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors on Sept. 22, 2018 for free. 239-262-6525. www.colliermuseums.com.
Morris Herstein: A Fusion of Fotos
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Sept. 26 through Nov. 3, at The Naples Art Association, 585 Park St., Naples. a Meet Photographer event featuring Morris Herstein at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3 for “An Illustrated Walk-Through - Morris Herstein: A Fusion of Fotos.” Free. Naplesart.org. 239-262-6517.
Naples Women’s Leadership Summit
From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 through 29, at Hodges University, 2647 Professional Circle, Naples. The League of Courageous Women, in partnership with Hodges University, is inviting women to attend the First Annual Women’s Leadership Summit, an event intended to help young women develop the critical life skills of confidence, goal setting, leadership and mentorship. Opening dinner Friday, Sept. 28, with a keynote presentation and team building exercises. The Summit will begin Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 a.m. starting with breakfast and leading into a full agenda of speakers, break-out sessions and socials. Boxed lunches will be provided. Tickets range $75 to $149. Information: Leagueofcourageouswomen.com.
National Estuaries Day Rookery Bay 40th anniversary event
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. This annual event includes staff-narrated boat tours introductory 30-minute kayaking trips and stand-up paddle boarding demos on Henderson Creek, Estuary Encounter interactive marine life exhibit, kids' crafts, Junior Scientist activities, behind-the-scenes tours of the science labs, films, a food truck and more. Free. VIP passes available, skip lines and get front-row seating, $25. Information: Rookerybay.org/calendar. 239-530-5940.
Blessing of the Fleet
Before you know it, we'll be eating delicious fresh stone crab claws again! But, do we think about the boats that go out at 4 a.m. each morning, whatever the weather? They will set their traps soon to pull them up laden with the rare local goodies on Oct. 15 when the season for harvesting officially begins. To make sure they have a good send off, Everglades City is holding its annual "Blessing of the Stone Crab Fleet" on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the historic Rod & Gun Club on the Barron River. The event starts at 10a.m. with fun for all the family and ends at 1 p.m. after the contest results are announced. There will be Arts & Crafts booths, music, raffles, and bake sales. Local pastors will bless each boat at around 10:30 a.m. The celebration is being organized by the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation. Information: www.evergladeshistorical.org or Marya at 239-695-2905.
ONGOING
Art Classes for qualified middle, high school students
Marco Island Center for the Arts invites interested students to apply to the popular Young Artists Academy. This prominent program offers free art classes for middle and high school students who are talented and are interested in creating art. To be eligible for the program, a student must be in Grades 6-12. Also, grade appropriate home-schooled children can apply. Applications will not be accepted after Sept. 24. Information: marcoislandart.com.
Daytime Pickle Ball at the Marco YMCA
The daytime pickle ball courts are now available. Players can enjoy the advanced round robins on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and those who are beginners or intermediates can play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Time frame for all is 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. The program is free to members and only $15 for others. Instructional clinics are slated to begin in October 2018. www.marcoymca.org.
English classes
6-8 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday at the Pelican Community Center, 5800 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. Free. Themes include: transportation, a day at the beach, summer vacation, Independence Day, etc. Coffee and iced tea will be provided. Information: call/text 239-307-7336.
‘The Lure of Florida Fishing’
Through Sept. 29 in the Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 U.S. 41 E., Naples. Exhibit celebrates the history of Florida sport fishing. Information: 239-252-8476.
Interactive exhibit: ‘I Remember Marco’
The Marco Island Historical Society’s (MIHS) interactive exhibit, “I Remember Marco,” at the Marco Island Historical Museum. The exhibit is open to the public until Oct. 4, and admission is free. Visitors are invited to share stories and recollections about Marco Island and its history by participating in photo opportunities to share via social media, interactive question stations, and recording responses to the exhibit’s memory-inspiring Marco Island artifacts and images. Prizes will be awarded to selected participants. The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive, and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and the site is handicapped accessible. For general information visit www.themihs.org or call 239-389-6447.
Lupus support
The Marco/Naples lupus support group meets the third Saturday of each month at Physicians Regional Medical Center, 8300 Collier Blvd, Naples. Meetings are held from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Palm Dining Room. Open to all patients, families and interested parties. Learn to live and cope with Lupus, get current information. Contact Marilyn, 239-398-4800 or Jan, 239-389-2749.
Round Robin Tennis
Round Robin Tennis is available at various times and days for men and women at the Greater Marco Family YMCA, 101 Sand Hill Street, Marco Island. Eight clay courts are available. Round Robins are free to Marco YMCA members and $15 for community participants. Players must register to play in Round Robins. Registration or information: 239-394-3144, ext. 224.
OCTOBER
Monday night Bingo returns
Monday Night Bingo returns to the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, 991 Winterberry Road, Monday, Oct. 1, its 20th year. The Bingo Committee, most of whom have been with the game for 20 years, are ready for the Monday night game. “They are the factor in the success of the game,” said Bernie Seidman, a member of the committee. A complimentary supper is served to each player-kosher hot dog, pickles, sauerkraut, relish, and onions served on a special roll. In addition, pastry, ice-cream, fruit, coffee and tea are served free of charge. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Bonanza is posted at 6:15 and the game is called at 7. Hot bBall brings additional prize money. Sue Baum, chair, stated there are still large pots of money left from last season to be won. “We promise a season of great Bingo,” she said. The game is open to the pubic. Information: 239-642-0800.
‘Peter and the Starcatcher’
Oct. 3 through 28, in Blackburn Hall at Sugden Theatre, 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. $40 for adults, $35 for subscribers. Naplesplayers.org. 239-263-7990.
Dick Shanahan Memorial Golf Tournament
The Marco Police Foundation will host its annual Dick Shananhan Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 6. The “four-player scramble” event will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. and a “shotgun” start at 8:30. Golfers will gather after the competition for lunch and prizes around 1 p.m. This year’s tournament takes place on the newly redesigned golf course at the Island Country Country Club on Marco Island. This will be the first community tournament, open to the general public, on the new course and promises to be a special treat for players. Those wishing to play in the tournament ($125 per player) or purchase hole sponsorships ($100) can contact Joe Granda at 389-2823, Curt Koon at 389-4511, or e-mail CofCJs@PalsPlaces.com.
'Boating Skills & Seamanship’
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is holding a summer session of our safe boating course ‘Boating Skills & Seamanship’ starting Oct. 8. The session is a four-week course which is held on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7 until 9:30 p.m. Participants get educated on many boating topics and get a 400-page boating text. The sessions include navigation, rules of the road, weather, handling your Boat, etc. Information: Joe Riccio, cgauxcourses@gmail.com or 239-384-7416.
Spaghetti dinner fundraiser
From 4:30 until 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9, the Knights of Columbus San Marco Council #6344 will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the police and fire foundations in the San Marco Parish Center The cost will be $12 per person with $5 for children under 12. Dinner includes spaghetti with marinara sauce, meatballs, Italian sausage, salad, Italian bread, and dessert with beverages and cash bar. Take out is also available. This event is open to the public and everyone is invited. Information: 239-389-5633 or www.marcoknights.com.
Marco boat show
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12 to 14, Rose Marina, 951 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island. The Marco Boat is the largest premier in-water recreational show in the Naples-Marco Island area. The show will feature displays by Marinas, Boat dealers, and other marine related businesses. One-Day admission: $5. Children 10 and under are free with a paying adult. Information: marcoboatshow.com.
K of C Bingo
On Thursday, Oct. 18, the Knights of Columbus San Marco Council #6344 will host a Bingo night fundraiser in the San Marco Parish Center with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo starts at 7. Bingo will run every Thursday from Oct. 18 through Nov. 15. Bingo will resume on Jan. 3. This event is open to the public and everyone is invited. Come join us for an evening of fun and games and celebrate the 41th anniversary of K of C Bingo. Information: 239-389-5633 or visit our website at www.marcoknights.com.
Naples Boo at the Zoo
Friday through Sunday, Oct. 19 to 21, at the Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Naples. This family event features trick-or-treating, education stations, a game garden and a costume contest with three categories with prizes each day. The highlight of this event is watching rare animals going wild “carving” pumpkins and other treats with tooth, horn and claw. Costume contests will be held every day at 1 p.m. Information: napleszoo.org/visitor-information.
Mangrove trimming and regulations
At 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. This half day course will provide landscape professionals with knowledge and skills related to mangrove maintenance, and will consist of a combination of demonstrations, hands-on learning, discussion and lecture. Rookerybay.org/calendar. Information: 239-530-5940.
NOVEMBER
Four One-Act Comedies
8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28 through Dec. 16, at the Marco Players theater, 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Tickets range $32 to $34. Themarcoplayers.com.
For more event listings, navigate to the Entertainment section and click on the WOW To Do List at marconews.com. Calendar items must be emailed to mail@marconews.com and should be submitted at least a week before desired publication.