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One of Naples’ newest restaurants and late-night spots was buzzing in the middle of a late October afternoon when U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio dropped by 7th Avenue Social for a campaign stop. “My favorite memory of his visit was how when he entered and exited the restaurant it was through our kitchen,” remembered Colin Estrem, the proprietor. Rubio, who days later won a second term in office, felt at home at the place specializing in South Florida cuisine. Estrem said Rubio “took time to greet our mostly Latino staff in Spanish.” What most of the local and network cameras missed was Naples artist Marcus Zotter capturing the senator on canvas (left). Marcus crafts a sketch just as fast as Rubio works a room. His live art skills were definitely tested with this quick stop. Rubio didn’t have a second to spare to take my chicken and waffles suggestion or even eat the hors d’ouerves. He did, though, pause for a photo with the nearly complete portrait before hitting the road. Zotter finished it back at his Roots Gallery studio. …
Former Major League Baseball player John Kruk has acquired a new interest in musical theater. At least when it comes to supporting his daughter, Keira. The Naples resident made three All-Star teams and built blue-collar appeal among fans along the way. Kruk now coaches the varsity softball team at the private school Seacrest, where his kids attend. My wife, Lori Oliver, didn’t initially notice the famous last name when she cast Keira for the lead role of Ariel in the spring 2016 Naples Performing Arts Center production of The Little Mermaid. This past November, Keira again lit up the stage for Coach Lori in a lead role for Seussical. When John first learned Keira’s new love of theater might cut into her softball season, he told her, “Go for it.” John’s wife, Melissa, says, “John couldn’t be more proud of her,” as she pursues her thespian and athletic interests. He’s thrilled to acknowledge a hit’s a hit in either arena. …
Is it just me, or does it always seem like whenever someone wins a big raffle prize for a fundraiser, it’s usually someone who already has everything? Well, that wasn’t the case when the PACE Center for Girls raised $10,800 by raffling off a gorgeous brand-new Infiniti QX50 donated by Fort Myers Infiniti. Tickets were pricey at $100 each, but Sally Kee, who used to work at PACE and is currently a teacher at Heights Elementary School, wanted to support the cause so dear to her heart. She wasn’t present when her name was drawn in November because she was at Heights teaching, but plenty of PACE board members blew up her phone with texts. “Sometimes, I guess the good karma comes full circle,” Sally said when she heard the news. Believe me, no one is more deserving. …
Kellie, where’s your hat? That was the initial question for Kellie Burns (second from left), at the 13th annual Hats in the Garden. Six hundred men and women showed up for the Naples Botanical Garden fundraiser in their finest fashion. This introduction to the Naples social scene fell on the day after the November election. Kellie, who had to give up writing this column because of an ever-tighter time crunch, didn’t have time to make it to Saks 5th Avenue, which offered to outfit her with a hat or fascinator. After going backstage to say hello to the organizers, “a stylist noticed I didn’t have a hat,” Kellie recalled. “So she took the fascinator off her head, sat me down and put it on me.” Kellie later learned her hat was originally a Halloween costume. Once some excess decoration was removed, it was ready to go. The event honored longtime garden Executive Director Brian Holley, who helped grow Naples Botanical Garden into a nationally recognized attraction. Kellie said tears were flowing while guests gave him a standing ovation. …
It’s definitely fundraising season, which means that popular auctioneer Scott Robertson couldn’t be busier. Scott always brings something extra to an auction, and at the Arts for ACT Disco Ball at Harborside in October, Scott (literally) kicked it up a notch. In keeping with the disco theme, Scott gathered together a team of high-stepping volunteers and choreographed a fabulous dance number to The Hustle, which made his entrance—in a white John Travolta-style leisure suit and a custom-painted vest by local artist Loki—a major splash. …
And with season, so comes 2017 Spring Training—and it’s right around the corner. With both the Red Sox and Twins having released their schedules, many Gator fans are keeping their fingers crossed that Heisman trophy winner and former Gator football phenom Tim Tebow will be on the New York Mets roster when they come to town for a game at JetBlue Park on Feb. 24. We’ll keep you posted …
It’s always fun to have a brush with celebrity, but Sunny Lubner, whose family owns Clive Daniel Home in Naples, got two for the price of one when she and some friends headed to Miami in a limo to see Adele in concert in October. It seems former Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton decided to take a break from the campaign trail to attend the concert at the American Airlines Arena. And not only that; Hillary’s box seat was in the same row as Sunny’s. …
Just before the annual Alliance for the Arts fundraiser in November, Executive Director Lydia Black was busy as a bee, to say the very least. First, she was named a Gulfshore Life Woman of the Year and gave a beautiful, heartfelt acceptance speech, all while looking trés elegant in a stunning black gown. She helped her husband, Chris, to start renovating a historic building in the downtown River District for his new office (Chris owns Winged Foot Title). She got ready for a passel of family members from all over the country (and also her native Brazil) to descend upon her home for family reunion, and got ready for her 30-somethingth birthday celebration. So, it probably makes sense that the fundraiser was called Order/Chaos: An Evening on The Edge. Lydia never stopped buzzing around during the fun and successful evening, at one point even ditching her shoes so she could move around faster. When Lydia got on stage to introduce her grandmother, who had come all the way from Brazil, her grandma beamed and Lydia got teary-eyed. Will Prather of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre talked politics with artist/counselor Stacey Brown; actress Liz Abbott and Laura Jane McGee chatted up Bob Cacioppo and Carrie Lund of Florida Repertory Theatre; while Mila Bridger snapped pictures and Christar Damiano danced with a lit-up neon hula hoop. The whole night was chaos at its most delightful.
