The newly renovated South County Regional Library, at 21100 Three Oaks Parkway in Estero, will reopen to the public at 9 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 18.
The 32,343 square foot building, which opened in 1996, underwent complete interior renovation along with system updates and exterior updates.
The interior renovations include an automatic materials handling system; an expanded area for children with play areas; public computers; study rooms and dedicated space for Friends of the Library.
Construction began in September 2024. The $10 million project was paid from existing library funds.
Regular operating hours are 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
The public is invited to an official ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., Jan. 7.
Naples Cancer Advisors to benefit from shopping event
Naples Cancer Advisors, a non-profit organization providing free consultative oncology services to cancer patients and their families across Southwest Florida, recently announced that it will partner with Daniella Ortiz on Third Street South in Old Naples for a shopping event in which 20 percent of all purchases will be donated to the organization.
Launched in Palm Beach in 2006, Daniella Ortiz offers a collection of luxury handbags, elegant jewelry and unique accessories. All merchandise is designed, handcrafted and shipped from Argentia.
The Naples boutique is located at 1185 Third St. S. From 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18, shoppers will have the opportunity to enjoy wine, champagne and light bites while supporting Naples Cancer Advisors.
“We are delighted to participate in this wonderful program,” said Nikki Audia, director of philanthropy and community engagement for Naples Cancer Advisors. “We encourage everyone to come out and do their holiday shopping while benefitting cancer patients and their families in our community.”
For more information, visit NaplesCancerAdvisors.org.
The Retreat at W Space celebrates grand opening in Bonita Springs
The Retreat at W Space celebrated its official grand opening on Dec. 10, welcoming the community to its new home at 3300 Bonita Beach Road SW, Suite 126, Bonita Springs.
The celebration marked the start of a “new kind of beauty and wellness experience in Southwest Florida.” Part salon, part med spa, and part event center, The Retreat blends luxury services with a mission “rooted in community, connection, and support.”
Learn more at wspacellc.com.
Baby roseate spoonbill monitoring
The Everglades Science Center has a busy season ahead as staff prepare to monitor nesting roseate spoonbills across Florida.
The team plans to monitor 63 keys within Florida Bay, with sites scheduled for visitation once per season, three times per season, monthly, or weekly, depending on bird nesting activity and historic trends.
At the nesting sites, researchers will climb into the mangroves to determine whether Roseate Spoonbills are nesting there and place tags on nests. They have special permits and permissions to conduct these studies using mirrors and cameras, as well as visual observations.
The goal? To monitor individual nests through each step of the breeding process, from nest building to egg incubation to fledging. The Roseate Spoonbill is a critical indicator species for Florida Bay and the Everglades— nesting success or failure points to Everglades restoration impacts and/or the ongoing impacts of a changing climate.
In 2003, Audubon scientists began applying leg bands to chicks in nests in Florida Bay and in Tampa Bay at the Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary. In 2013, staff also began banding birds hatching from nests at St. Augustine Alligator Farm. In total, Audubon has banded about 3,000 Roseate Spoonbills. Banding spoonbill chicks has led to a greater understanding of dispersal rates and behavioral structures after the nesting season has ended.
Audubon is asking interested photographers and birders to record banded spoonbills. Each band resight earns the spotter a special sticker and contributes to critical population data for this iconic Florida species.
In 2025, Audubon received 24 reports of banded spoonbills. Have you seen one? Submit sightings at audubon.org/florida/spoonbills. Anyone who submits a report in 2025 will receive a limited-edition sticker.
Reminders: Grumpy Goat Coffee holiday tasting; Renaissance Faire
The Venezia Renaissance Faire returns to Bonita Springs for two weekends, running from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Jan. 10 and 11; 17and 18.
“Minstrels weave through the crowd, jesters tumble across the lanes, knights clank past in armor that gleams under colorful banners and tapestries.”
Tickets: Adults $20, children (3–13); $12, with weekend/family passes and online discounts available. Information: veneziarenaissancefaire.com – limited tickets available at the gate.
Grumpy Goat Coffee will host its holiday Sips & Bites free tasting event from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18.
The Grumpy Goat Coffee roastery is located at 28280 Old 41 Rd., Unit 11, Bonita Springs. The tasting event is open to the public. Attendees can meet their local master coffee roaster and other local artisan food and beverage experts and enjoy samples of their creations in a casual, happy hour style setting.For more details visit grumpygoat.com.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Now You Know: Estero library reopens; W Space grand opening, more
Reporting by Will Watts, Special to The Banner / Naples Daily News
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