In This Weeks Slice:

• Whitney Houston Tribute 🎤

• Saint Patty’s came early ☘️

• NFL Kickoff Party 🏈

• BOGO Pizza!

• New animals at the Zoo 🦧

IN THE NEWS

Damaged 7 Eleven to reopen in downtown Naples. 🥤Nearly a year after storm surge from Hurricane Ian extensively damaged the longtime 7-Eleven convenience store on Third Street South, plans are underway to rebuild its gutted interior and reopen the store in downtown Naples. (GB)

Marco Island City Council to send letter of disapproval of Army Corps storm risk study. 🌊 There are two vital approaches to reducing flood risk to Marco Island residents—beach berm and dune renourishment and structural measures, such as surge barriers and sea gates. (GB)

Tropical Storm Lee forms, expected to become ‘major hurricane’. 🌪️ It is expected to become a powerful storm this week, with the NHC calling for a Category 4 Major Hurricane in their first cone. Too early to note what intensity it would be if it makes landfall, or completely stays out to sea. (WNK)

Baby Riplee among 4 orangutans now at Naples Zoo. 🦧 Critically endangered Bornean orangutans have arrived at the Naples Zoo for the first time in its 50-year history. Now there are four of these red-haired, great apes at the zoo. They were previous residents of ZooTampa at Lowry Park. (NDN)

THINGS TO DO

Today

🍊 Remembering Whitney Houston. A night of R&B with a tribute to Whitney Houston. LaTraia Savage will be performing and singing some iconic songs of the late legend. Guests will have the opportunity to choose between two shows starting at 5:00pm and 7:30pm while Grappino's culinary team will prepare a 4 Course Dinner. (Design District)

🍊 Sunset Sip and Cycle. Join a 45 minute outdoor spin class presented by Empower Cycle followed by a complimentary cocktail provided by Bambu Tropical Bar & Grille! 6:30pm. (Bayfront)

Tomorrow

🍊 Halfway to Saint Patty’s Day featuring The Rowdy Bards! Dust off your best green attire & join us on the event lawn for a concert from The Rowdy Bards. Jam out to classics from this Irish pub band paying homage to The Clancy Bros., The Pogues, The Dubliners & more. 6:30 - 8:30pm. (Mercato)

Friday

🍊 Comedian Chris Kattan Live at Off the Hook Comedy Club. 6:30pm. (Vanderbilt)

🍊 Live music at Midnight Tavern: Gypsy Blue. 6:30pm. (East Naples)

🍊 Check out a restaurant participating in Sizzle Dining. Sizzle Dining partners with 50+ local restaurants to give you $30, $40, or $50, 3 Course meals. For every Sizzle Dining meal sold, the participating restaurants will donate $1.00 to help feed food insecure elementary children in Southwest Florida. (Restaurants)

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)

🍊 Visit the Orangutans at Naples Zoo! For the first time in Naples Zoo's 50-year history, zookeepers are welcoming critically endangered Bornean orangutans to their animal collection. Open 8:00 - 3:00pm. (Caribbean Gardens)

🍊 Saturday Brunch Party at The Yard, Food and Thought 2. Featuring live music, plus delicious food & drinks! Join us every Saturday from 11:00 - 2:00pm. (Vanderbilt)

Sunday

🍊 NFL Kickoff Party at Ankrolab Brewing. Enjoy $4 pints of Surfin’ Turtle, $1 Wings, and $10 OG Smash Burgers. (Bayshore)

🍊 Live Music at Sea Monkey Tavern: Brad Allison. 5:00 - 8:00pm (Dockside Shops)

Monday

🍊 BOGO pizza all day at Barbatella! (Olde Naples)

Tuesday

🍊 Trivia night at Alchemist Kava. 7:00pm. (East Naples)

HAPPY HOUR 🍹

Bistro 821 has a daily happy hour from 4:00 - 6:00pm and consists of $7 - $8 wines, $7 - $11 cocktails, and $11 - $18 bites! (Olde Naples)

DOWN FOR A DRIVE? 🚘

Sam Hunt: Summer On The Outskirts Tour is coming to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Thursday, the 7th at 7:30pm. (Tampa)

FUN FACT ⛰️

Button Hill is Florida’s highest natural point at a ‘whopping’ 345 feet in elevation. (Source)

GIF OF THE WEEK 🪽