FACT

Sizzle Dining Celebrates Record-Breaking 10th Anniversary

Sizzle Dining marked its 10th anniversary with its most successful year yet, selling 105,655 meals and raising funds for Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida. One dollar from every meal sold benefits the nonprofit, which helps provide food to children in need. This year’s success was supported by the generosity of participating restaurants. Bone Hook Brewing doubled its contribution to $2 per meal, raising $626, while Buck & Rider, a new seafood restaurant coming soon to Waterside Shops in Naples, contributed $766 to support the cause, even before opening its doors. The milestone year featured a record 137 participating restaurants across Southwest Florida, from Cape Coral to Marco Island. Throughout September, diners enjoyed specially priced, multi-course prix-fixe menus while helping make a difference in the local community.

FIND

Naples Beach Getting an $8 Million Sand Refresh

Naples Beach is set for an $8 million beach-renourishment project, with work expected to begin in late October and finish before the end of 2026. The project will add approximately 208,200 tons of sand along 3.5 miles of coastline, from Doctors Pass to just south of 21st Avenue South. The goal is to restore sand lost to erosion and help protect the shoreline. Beaches are expected to remain open during construction, although some areas may have temporary access restrictions. The project is funded initially through Collier County tourist development taxes, with additional reimbursement funding being pursued.