In This Weeks Slice:

• Get your luau on 🌺

• Fireworks at the Ritz 🎆

• Free Zoo admission 🐊 

• New hotel and restaurant coming downtown 🏨

IN THE NEWS

State of emergency declared in Collier County ahead of Idalia. 🌨️ Tropical Storm Idalia continues marching toward Florida triggering a state of emergency from the Collier County Board of County Commissioners. (WNK)

Hotel will replace Pastrami Dan’s retail strip in Naples. 🏨 In addition to planning 18 transient lodging units in the Aquarius Hotel, the Stojkoskis’ Aqua local dining concept will share the ground floor of the hotel with a parking garage for the project. Aqua will fill the 6,486 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, which includes more than 1,700 square feet of outdoor dining. (GB)

Hodges University permanently closing next year. ✏️ Citing declining enrollment and financial challenges, Hodges University plans to permanently close by the end of next August, the president of the Fort Myers-based university announced Friday. (GB)

Aldi to buy Winn-Dixie and Harveys. 🛒 In a major deal in Florida’s grocery industry, Aldi announced it is buying Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket. (NFW)

THINGS TO DO

Today

🍊 Stay safe during Hurricane Idalia. (Preparedness Resources)

Tomorrow

🍊 Jon Rudnitsy comes to Off The Hook Comedy Club. 6:45pm. (Vanderbilt)

🍊 Moonrise, Martini’s + Music - a networking event to mingle with old friends and meet some new ones, with our beautiful Naples Bay as a backdrop. 5:00 - 7:00pm. (Bayfront)

Friday - September 🌻

🍊 Labor Day Sidewalk Sale at The Village Shops on Venetian Bay. Enjoy great savings with a stunning waterfront setting as you stroll through the outdoor tables and racks adorned with top-quality merchandise at discounted prices. All Weekend. (Venetian Bay) 

Saturday

🍊 Third Street Farmers Market has fresh produce, flowers, pastas, seafood, pastries & baked goods, prepared foods, jams, relishes, fresh roasted coffee and much more. 7:30 - 11:30am (Olde Naples)

🍊 Vanderbilt Farmers Market is North Naples largest, longest running, year round, pet & family friendly Farmers Market! 8:00 - 12:00pm (Vanderbilt)

🍊 Free Saturday at Naples Zoo for Collier County Residents, all day long up until 3:30 p.m. with no coupon required - just proof of residency for all adults. 9:00 - 4:30pm. (Caribbean Gardens)

🍊 Aloha Luau Party at Seed to Table to help support Wildfire Relief efforts in Maui. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to American Red Cross Maui Wildfire Relief. Featuring live music by Gypsy Blue from 4:00 - 7:00pm and Anthem Band from 8:00 - 10:00pm. (Immokalee Road)

Sunday

🍊 Waterlily Weekend at Naples Botanical Garden. The Garden curates a growing collection of waterlilies with nearly 500 diverse specimens on display throughout our many aquatic gardens. 9:00 - 2:00pm. (Bayshore)

🍊 Labor Day Chef BBQ at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. Join us for an evening of delicious chef prepared BBQ with family-friendly entertainment. 5:00 - 9:00pm. Fireworks display at 9:00pm. (Tiburon)

🍊 Labor Day Weekend Party at Whiskey Park with Matty Jollie 6:00 - 9:00pm & Moonstone Riders 9:30pm. (Airport)

Monday - Labor Day ☀️

🍊 5k to benefit Fostering Success. 7:30am. (Baker Park)

Tuesday

🍊 Taco Tuesday at Rocco’s Tacos. Enjoy $28 All You Can Eat Tacos, $5 Mexican Draft Beers, $7 Margaritas. All day & night. (Mercato)

HAPPY HOUR 🍹

The Hampton Social’s happy hour (Mercato) is daily from 3:00 - 6:00 and means:

• 1/2 off Rosé

• $5 Mixed Cocktails

• $7 Shrimp Tempura Tacos

• $12 Smash Burgers

DOWN FOR A DRIVE? 🚘

The University of Miami Hurricanes take on Miami (Ohio) in their season opener this Friday, the 1st at 7:00pm. (Hard Rock Stadium)

FUN FACT 🚀

Floridas name originates from when Ponce de Leon stumbled upon the land on his quest for the Fountain of Youth, and claimed the land for Spain, calling it La Florida - the Spanish name for flowery, covered with flowers, or abounding in flowers. (Source)

GIF OF THE WEEK ☔️