Deion Sanders’ Select Teams for Exhibition Game

On July 31 – August 1, 2009 the Naples Gators will welcome NFL star Deion Sanders, former Dallas Cowboy players who will be coaching and his Select Teams from Dallas for a series of exhibition games. Come out and watch Deion Sanders Select Team vs. Naples Gators on Saturday, August 1st at Fleischmann Park Football Field. Freddie McCrary will be an honorary coach for the Gators two teams. McCrary played 12 seasons in the NFL.

Cost of admission: $3.00 for children, $5.00 for adults, paid at the door. Full concession will be available throughout the day.

Here is the agenda for the day:
9:00am Deion Sanders to do meet and greet at field
10:30am Dallas Select Team vs. Naples Gators 125lb team
12:30pm Dallas Select Team vs. Naples Gators 140lb team

If you want to come from out of town and stay the weekend, there are a few rooms left at the Hilton Naples. Make your reservations at www.hiltonnaples.com

Calling All Fisherman

Conservancy Fishing Tournament Slated for October 2-4, 2009. Registration is now open for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida 2009 RedSnook Catch and Release Charity Tournament, scheduled for Oct. 2-4, 2009. This International Game Fish Association certified tournament is open to teams, individuals and junior anglers under age 16. Roland Martin, host of the "Fishing with Roland Martin Show," will again host the three-day tournament. Last year the tournament netted more than $60,000 for the Conservancy. The competition will take place Oct. 3 and 4 and competitors will launch from locations in Naples, Goodland and Chokoloskee. An awards ceremony will follow. Teams can register at www.conservancy.org/redsnook.

Dave Elliott Broadcast Live from Shula's Steak House every Wednesday

FM 98.9’s Dave Elliott will be broadcasting live tonight from 3pm-6pm off the lobby of the Hilton Naples in Shula's Steak House. Make Shula's your "Must Go" place every Wednesday night to listen to Dave Elliott and enjoy Shula's lounge featuring our original Enomatic wine service. There's never an entrance fee and you can enjoy great values such as 2 for 1 drinks on cocktails, wine & beer along with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Wednesday’s have never been so sizzling at Shula’s Steak House!

Calling All Artists

Calling all artists! Three Festivals Accepting Applications

The Naples Art Association is now accepting applications for three national festivals:
The 31st annual Naples National Art Festival which in 2008 was voted the 5th Best Art Festival in the Country by Sunshine Artist magazine, so you don't want to miss it! It will be held on February 20 and 21, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cambier Park.



The exciting Fifth Ave. South shopping and dining district in Naples, FL, is again the site for the 22nd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts, being held March 27-28, 2010. The juried festival features 250 fine artists looking to show during the height of the season in Naples.

A new festival has been added to the Naples Art Association this year:

The inaugural Mercato Fine Arts Festival which will be held on both March 6 and 7, 2010. The von Liebig Art Center is pleased to announce the inaugural Mercato Fine Arts Festival at the Mercato lifestyle center, located at the intersection of Vanderbilt Beach Road and U.S. 41 in North Naples...minutes away from the Hilton Naples Hotel.. The juried festival will showcase works in all media by 125 artists from across the country.

IronMan: Dave Shula of Shula's Steak House

Dave Shula, President of Shula's Steak Houses LLLP, competed in his first IronMan Competition on June 24, 2009 in an impressive 11 hours 46 minutes. He finished 28th in his age bracket out of a total of 2,200 competitors.

Protein is an essential part of an endurance event such as the IronMan and what better protein than a SHULA CUT steak!

The Shula team & Hilton Naples is proud of Dave and would like to congratulate him on such an amazing accomplishment.

Fourth of July Weekend Sold Out at Hilton Naples!

The Hilton Naples is sold out for the Fourth of July Weekend! However, make your reservations now for July 24-26, 2009. Paradise is Priced Perfectly at the Hilton Naples where we are offering you our lowest weekend rate of $79.00! Come hang out at the pool or take our complimentary shuttle to the beach. Mother Nature provides the sun, surf and sand...Our team will provide you with the chairs, umbrellas, towels, water stocked coolers and shuttle ride! Or take advantage to the complimentary bicycles at the Hilton Naples. You can explore the beauty of Naples, FL on your own. You won't find a better value deal than being at the Hilton Naples for the weekend of July 24-26, 2009.

Kick Off Your Independence Day Weekend

Tonight, July 3 from 5pm to 8pm at the Mercato, just minutes north of the Hilton Naples!

Listen to the Funky Blues with a touch of Jazz featuring Mudbone & Mark Fogel while you explore EXPLOSIVE offerings from the following:

• The Pub has extended its Happy Hour from 3-8pm....Cheers!
• McCormick & Schmick's Happy Hour in Naples featuring food & drink specials starting at $1.95 from 3:30-6:00pm
• The Captial Grille will feature complimentary passed appetizers from 4:30-6:30pm in the lounge and enter to win a $100 dining experience.
  

Things to do on Fourth of July in Naples

Celebrate independence day with a weekend of food, fun and fireworks. The annual Naples Independence Day parade begins at 10am Saturday at Third St. S. & Broad Ave. South, turns onto Fifth Ave S. and ends at Cambier Park across from City Hall on Eighth Street S.

The fireworks show at the Naples Pier is scheduled to begin at 9pm.

Fourth Of July Weekend at the Naples Zoo

Active and Retired Military Welcomed at No Charge July 3 - 6, 2009!

In honor of those who serve our country, Naples Zoo is offering free admission to all active and retired military personnel. Military personnel receive this benefit at the Zoo’s ticket box by presenting any valid military identification including member card from a veteran's organization. Plus, adult and child guests in their party can also purchase online tickets at $2 off regular Zoo admission during the weekend.

Collier County Residents FREE every first Saturday of the month - This month the first Saturday happenst to be the Fourth

Watch...Share...Win...Share A Little Sunshine Campaign

The Hilton Naples, featuring Shula’s Steak House is pleased to be part of VISIT FLORIDA‘s “Share A Little Sunshine” campaign.

Share a Little Sunshine is a statewide, resident-driven, tourism industry-inspired, grassroots effort with the potential to infuse much needed revenue into Florida’s economy. The campaign includes a viral video and an e-vite that empowers Florida residents to do their part in helping Florida’s economy by getting back to what matters most—spending time with friends and family. All Floridians have to do is visit http://www.sharealittlesunshine.org/.



Once at the site, Floridians will view a rally video featuring everyday Floridians promoting their own Share a Little Sunshine message while visiting iconic Florida locales. After viewing the rally video, Floridians select one of three free video invitations (family, friends, and romance) and email it to friends and family. In less than two minutes, Florida residents can help the state’s economy.

As a special thank you, those who send invitations will be entered to win one of 12 great Florida getaways in the Sunshare Sweepstakes. Every time a participant sends an invitation they will be entered a chance to win a free Florida getaway. The more they send, the more they will be entered to win.