Now You Know: 'Landmark sale' for waterfront villa
A waterfront villa has set a new benchmark in luxury real estate, according to a press release from Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.
Located at 1000 Royal Marco Way, Villa 6, sold for $7.5 million. “This transaction is tied for the second-highest condominium sale in Marco Island’s history and stands as the highest-priced villa sale ever recorded in the prestigious Hideaway Beach community,” reads the release.
The transaction was made by Jim and Nikki Prange of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s Marco Island office.
“This record-setting sale offers a rare blend of seclusion, elegance, and coastal beauty,” said Jim and Nikki Prange. “The demand for high-end coastal properties in Hideaway Beach continues to grow, and this record-breaking sale underscores the desirability of this exclusive community.”
Collier Clerk of Courts hosts Passport Saturday
The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court is hosting “Passport Saturday” from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., March 29, at the Heritage Bay Government Services Center located at 15450 Collier Blvd., Naples.
It’s a one-day event held to accommodate residents who are planning to apply for a United States passport but are unable to do so during regular hours.
To be eligible to participate, residents must either be a first-time passport applicant or their previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago. Passport applications for minors can also be submitted but require additional documentation.
Most other passport applications can be renewed through the mail.
Applicants must bring all required documentation including proof of U.S. Citizenship, proof of identity, a recent color passport photograph, check or money order for application fees, and completed application forms. For a separate fee of $15.90 per applicant, a passport picture can be taken at the Passport Saturday event.
Learn more at CollierClerk.com/Passports.
Calusa Blueway speaker series on ‘Florida’s First Water People’
“Florida’s First Water People – Mound House/Mound Key” will be the final talk in the series. It is set for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center, located at 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers.
The Mound House’s Adam Knight will speak about the Calusa, this area’s first paddlers and how they used two of the Blueway’s popular locations.
“I think we’re extremely lucky to have Calusa sites like the Mound House and Mound Key open to paddlers along the Calusa Blueway,” said Calusa Blueway Coordinator Mike Hammond of Lee County Parks & Recreation. “Adam’s wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm bring these sites back to life. It’s going to be a fun night learning about the trail’s namesake.”
For more information and directions to the program, contact Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center at 239-533-6850.
Garden Council Flower Show
The Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council will present a National Garden Club Standard Flower Show on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 at the Garden Council in Fort Myers.
The Theme of the flower show is “Dreaming in an English Country Garden.” It honors the outgoing council president, Sylvia Swartz, who is a native of England.
The event will include horticulture exhibits of “cut specimens and container grown plants, floral designs, and botanical arts/artistic crafts.”
The floral design sections reflect aspects of British culture, including London Museums, British food and children’s books.
The Garden Council building is located at 2166 Virginia Avenue in Fort Myers, adjacent to the Edison Ford Winter Estates. The show is open to the public from 1 until 4 p.m., Friday, April 4, and from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5; admission and parking are free.
Big Waters’ ‘Wild About Nature’ festival returns
The Wild About Nature Festival is from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. returns Saturday, April 5 at the not-for-profit land trust’s Bay Preserve headquarters, 400 Palmetto Avenue, Osprey.
There will be over 25 exhibitors. All festival activities are free.
Activities include tree climbing, nature printing, native plant planting, animal encounters, face-painting, crafts, games and more.
Multiple food trucks will also be onsite including Bonanno’s Bagels, Clean Plate Club SRQ, Currywurst, The Empanada Girl, Blended Bonanza and Kona Ice.
The Garbage-Men band will be there for a live performance. Teaching sustainability through music, The Garbage-Men promote recycling, reuse, and community service by playing music on instruments made from recycled and repurposed materials. They will perform from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
“I say this every year, but this year’s festival is going to bigger and better than ever before,” said Sam Valentin, Big Water’s director of marketing and events. “And it’s true! We have some really great new organizations joining us including the Sidewalk Science Center with daytime astronomy, longtime favorite activities like kayaking with Get Up and Go Kayaking, plus special performances and fun guest appearances. There’s something for everyone at Wild About Nature and though technically it’s a children’s festival, it’s a great time for nature lovers of all ages!”
Registration is not required but Big Waters requests people RVSP through Facebook event. All parking is offsite at First Baptist Church of Osprey, Victory Baptist Church, the historic Osprey Library and Evie’s on the Bay.
Call to artists
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium recently announced a Call to Artists for its first-ever Arts and Crafts Fair, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., May 10. The event will showcase artists and artisans whose original, handcrafted work is “inspired by the beauty of nature, animals and space.”
The center is seeking vendors who “create art and crafts that celebrate the natural world and the cosmos. Whether your medium is visual art, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, textiles, or another craft, we welcome your creations that connect with the themes of nature and space in a positive and inspiring way.”
The event will also have a select group of featured artists. If you would like to be considered as a featured artist, apply by emailing volunteer@calusanature.org. Include details about your work, and we will be in touch about next steps.
For more information and to apply for featured artist opportunities, contact Laina Kessler, event coordinator via email at lkessler@calusanature.org.