Monday, June 22, 2026
A new 7-mile road just opened across the Estates
Get tomorrow’s brief free — in your inbox by 7 AM.
Sunny and climbing to 93 today, with the usual afternoon storm building off the Gulf right on schedule. The big one: after years of detours, the Vanderbilt Beach Road extension is finally open — seven fresh miles of six-lane road cutting clear across the Estates.
Today
Clean Gulf, and a morning beach window
FWC's newest samples show red tide not present at any Collier beach, from Vanderbilt down to South Marco, so the water's clean. With high tide at 7:15 and storms due by afternoon, a morning beach run is the move.
A free iPhone class at the library today
If your camera roll is chaos or you never cracked the Pro camera settings, Collier County libraries are running a free, hands-on iPhone Pro session today — no charge, just show up.
Local News
Vanderbilt Beach Road extension is open
The seven-mile, six-lane stretch opened to traffic June 12, finally linking the Estates to Collier Boulevard with bike and pedestrian paths the whole way. There's a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. July 1 at Vanderbilt and Collier if you want to make it official.
A new Publix — and a ramen house — for North Naples
Tim Aten reports the long-stalled Publix at Gateway Shoppes should finally break ground soon and open by summer 2027, and it's bringing two restaurants with it: Luna Mesa and a Ramen House. Some relief on the way for anyone tired of the drive to the nearest store.
150 seniors got hurricane kits before the season hits
FPL teamed up with the Collier County Senior Center last Friday to hand more than 150 older neighbors shelf-stable food, water and prep guides. A good nudge that it's time the rest of us restocked the storm closet, too — we're in it through November.
Food & Drink
Fifth Avenue's summer prix-fixe is back
The third annual Flavors of Fifth runs July 8 through Sept. 30, with prix-fixe menus at a range of price points across the downtown restaurants. The kind of deal that only surfaces once the snowbirds are gone.
Charlie Palmer will run the 2027 Wine Festival kitchen
The award-winning chef was just named chef de cuisine for the 27th Naples Winter Wine Festival, set for Jan. 29–31 and benefiting the Naples Children Foundation. Worth circling now — it's the marquee charity weekend on every local's winter calendar.