WOW To Do List: Book titles inspire September art
SEPTEMBER
Introspection in Preparation for the Jewish New Year
The Jewish community is observing September as a season of spiritual introspection leading up to the new moon inaugurating Rosh haShanah, the Jewish new year, at the end of the month. As Rabbi Mark Gross of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island explains it, “before we can merit the fresh start represented by the New Year, the entire previous month calls for the spiritual discipline we call cheshbon ha-nefesh, an audit of our souls.” Just as important, the Rabbi points out, is the activity of reaching out to and mending fence with family and friends. Part of that process is the daily recitation of the S’lichot penitential prayers, and attendance at a culminating late-night S’lichot program and service on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 21. Those interested in acquiring a free meditative booklet of S’lichot prayers, or more information about the Saturday night S’lichot event, are invited to contact the Synagogue office at 991 Winterberry Drive, 239-642-0800.
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National Estuaries Day Celebration
From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Sept. 28. Free admission and free activities (including boat rides and kayaking). Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is celebrating National Estuaries Day with a free day of fun and activities at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. This free event includes entrance to the Environmental Learning Center, staff-narrated boat trips, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding demos, touch tanks, live animal presentations, crafts, Junior Scientist lab activities and more! Additionally, foods truck will be on site during lunch hours. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
Happy Hour for Hope
Marco Island Meals of Hope’s September “Happy Hour for Hope” will be Monday, Sept. 30, at Pinchers, 591 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island. Live entertainment will be provided by Rosetta Stone. Happy Hours for Hope are fundraisers for Marco Island’s Meals of Hope. The $20 admission fee is a donation, not a ticket. The funds help the organization buy food for its packaging event in November. Information: 239- 642-6020 or mohmi.org.
ONGOING
Book titles inspire September art
Marco Island Center for the Arts is inviting the public to view the main gallery exhibition “Tall Tale Title – Art Inspired by Book Titles.” This call to artist mixed media show in the Lauritzen Gallery encourages artists to create artwork based on book titles. The exhibition can be seen from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Sept. 3-24. Information: marcoislandart.org.
In the Rush Gallery: Husband and wife photographers Dale and Gail Horn will be exhibiting their popular destination travel photographs. Their images are printed on aluminum giving the work clarity, vibrancy, sharpness and durability.
In the La Petite Galerie: Rob Eder, the Arts & Humanities Instructor from Marco Island Academy, is stepping out of the classroom to exhibit his most recent art works. He has called the manipulated digital images of scarves and flowers from his garden “pictures.” His work is printed with archival quality inks on Plexiglas, canvas, paper and aluminum. Rob Eder said the images represent the flow of “chi” and growth.
Rookery Bay
Touch, see and explore Southwest Florida’s coastal environment at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. Experience hands-on, interactive exhibits including marine-life touch tanks and habitat displays. Enjoy trails, naturalist-led programs, nature-viewing bridge over the water and more. Kids and adults alike can explore the center and discover the plants, fish and wildlife that call Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s 110,000 acres home. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 6-12, and free for kids under 6. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
‘Building A Dream’
Entitled “Building A Dream,” the exhibit is the 25 year history of the Marco Island Historical Society. The exhibit will be on display from now through Sept. 26, in the museum’s Sandlin Gallery thanks, in part, to a generous grant from the Island Country Club Charitable Foundation. The exhibit tells the story of what began as a small-but-passionate friends’ group ultimately resulted in the construction of an award-winning institution now staffed by a team of career professionals. This exhibit celebrates the 25th anniversary of the MIHS by looking back at its history, exploring not only how the organization’s role has changed since its establishment, but also asking the visitor where it goes from here. The museum is located at 180 South Heathwood Drive, Marco Island.
Science Saturdays
Rookery Bay’s Science Saturdays are now year-round and free for kids 12 and under. Different coastal theme each Saturday. Admission $5 for adults, free for kids 12 and under. Enjoy eco-crafts, a presentation, a featured film and our “Lessons in Laboratories” program from 11-11:45 a.m. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
Senior Softball
The Marco Island Senior Softball League has resumed play at Winterberry Park on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Pick-up games are scheduled each of those days at 8:15 a.m. Anybody interested in a friendly game of softball can participate, with all skill levels welcomed. While the minimum age for regular league games is 55, age limits are not strictly enforced for pick-up games. Information: 239-642-2930.
Key Marco Cat
The Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS) celebrates its 25th Anniversary with the culmination of their quest to bring home the enigmatic Key Marco Cat and other rare 500 to 1,500-year-old Pre-Columbian Native American artifacts discovered on Marco Island in 1896. The artifacts return on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. They will be showcased in an exhibit at the Marco Island Historical Museum from now through April 2021. The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call 239.389.6447 or visit www.theMIHS.org.
Naturalist-Led Kayak Tours
Join Rookery Bay Research Reserve for a kayak adventure into the beautiful back waters of Rookery Bay Reserve with our exclusive ecotour partner, Rising Tide Explorers! All the guides are active local biologists, certified naturalists and certified kayaking instructors making them the most qualified guides in the region. The whole family can enjoy a memorable and educational adventure into the estuary. With our kayak tours, guests paddle through beautiful mangrove tunnels, teeming mudflats and intricate oyster reefs while searching for amazing wildlife like sea stars, large snails, birds, dolphins and manatees! Get out and explore the backwaters Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Visit rookerybay.org to register for tours today. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
Calling all friends over 60
Join the Marco YMCA and Our Daily Bread Food Pantry for a free lunch the third Wednesday of each month at Marco Lutheran Church. With the support of local restaurants, businesses and sponsors, a luncheon (free of charge) is open to all area residents “60 or better.” Each monthly event includes a time for networking, lunch, a program, and door prizes. Rides are also offered. Information: 706-566-8532.
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
Three Special Events for the Jewish New Year
The local Jewish community is sponsoring three notable spiritual experiences in upcoming weeks, associated with the advent of the New Year on the Hebrew calendar. A Tashlich ceremony at JCMI will be conducted by Rabbi Gross and Cantorial Soloist Jacobsen at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1. Oct. 4 marks Shabbat Shuvah, “the Sabbath of Return,” the dramatic midpoint of the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur. Worship at 7:30 that Friday night will feature some of the characteristic melodies of the High Holy Days, and help mark this Sabbath service as a distinctive occasion with special spiritual significance. In the final run-up to The Day of Atonement, the Congregation will be paying a visit to the Marco Island Cemetery Jewish Garden at 11 a.m., Oct. 6. The cemetery is at the southwest corner of Bald Eagle and West Elkcam. All other New Year programs convene at the Synagogue, 991 Winterberry Drive. For more information, including scheduling of all New Year programs and events, or to secure a seat for Yom Kippur worship, call 239-642-0800 or see our website www.marcojcmi.com.
The Common Good Conference
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 777 Mooring Line Drive, Naples. A Church for Monday: The Common Good Conference is a one-day, multi-site gathering to help equip and encourage attendees to more thoughtfully connect their faith and their work, embrace God’s calling in all aspects of life, and explore ways the Church can be a faithful presence in our communities. This conference is opened to the public and will include local and national speakers. Tickets are $39 until Sept. 15 and $59 after this date. Information: 239-596-7990, commongoodconference.com.
Auditions
Auditions for “The Golden Charm of Marco Island” will be held at the Mackle Park Community Center from 1 until 3 p.m., Sunday Oct. 6. The production is seeking as many as five men and five women (some double casting is possible; a costume designer, props person, and technical director, as well as other crew to help run the show. Rehearsals will begin in early January, 2020. All cast and crew will receive a stipend of $100 each, as well as several opportunities for additional income. For those who would like to make an appointment or cannot make it to the audition, email sharkeyetheater@gmail.com.
Left Bank Art Fest
First show of the season, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Marco Island YMCA, outdoors in the grassy lot on the corner of San Marco Road and Sandhill Street. Juried artists include photographers, jewelry, paintings, pottery, glass, metal and more. Free admission and parking. Information: 239-290-7927.
World Habitat Day
World Habitat Day, Oct. 7, reminds people of the basic need for adequate shelter. In order to build an adequate shelter for ourselves, we must nurture and support a healthy ecosystem or environment. Visit the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center for buy one get one free entrance on Oct. 7 and find out how Rookery Bay Research Reserve helps keep our estuary ecosystem thriving! Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
Essentials of Digital Photography
From 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Oct. 7; $55. If you want to get the best pictures possible, and truly understanding your camera’s features, this camera workshop is for you. The class covers the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your camera's shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create images with impact and creativity. Sonny Saunders has over 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
NOVEMBER
Local Author Book Fair
From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at the South Regional Public Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples. Authors are provided a table where they can display their books, talk with the public and sell their books. There will also be food trucks and activities for the whole family. Free. Information: 239-252-7542, collierlibrary.org.
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.