entertainment | theater | in the park | special events | artz | lectures | museums/nature

1-28 Disappearing Wetlands, Conservancy Nature Center. Explores the Louisiana Bayou in comparison to the Everglades, offering a unique look at ecosystems that are disappearing.

1-28 The Maple Leaf: An American Civil War Shipwreck, Collier County Museum, Naples. Exhibit features artifacts recovered from the Union army transport ship, a reproduction of the Civil War era torpedo that sunk the ship, photographs and an informational video.

Alligator Amblers, 1 Off Road Biking. 9 Sunset Hike 18-20 Pioneer Days. 23 Day Hike.

1, 8, 15, 21 Naturalist Talks at Naples Preserve, at Naples Preserve. Talks by Dr. Gary Pettit about our animals and environment. 1 Airplants. 8 Muscadine Grape. 15 Dogfennel. 21 Beauty Berry.

3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 Naturalist Talks at Naples Pier, at Naples Pier. Talks by Dr. Gary Pettit about our animals and environment. 3-4 Tunicates.

Olive Shell. 17-18 Orange-barred Sulphur butterfly. 24-25 Sea Grape.

6, 13, 20, 27 Gulf Coast Skimmers Water Ski Show, Lake Avalon, Sugden Regional Park. Free water ski show featuring music and events to benefit the Gulf Coast Skimmers Youth Outreach Program.

11 Mending Broken Hearts, Shelter for Abused Women & Children at Registry Resort. Reception and silent auction, luncheon with guest speaker Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson.

11-13 Greek Festival, At St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church. Enjoy Greek food, wine, pastries and live music. Greek cultural items, authentic Greek dances and fun.

12 Cattle Barons' Ball, American Cancer Society. A fund raiser with western fare, live and silent auctions, casino style gaming and entertainment for fun evening.

18-20 Naples Shell Craft Show, At Naples Womanπs Club. Shell art work exhibit.

18-20 Palm Beach Jewelry & Antique Show, Palm Beach County Convention Center. A prestigious event with over two hundred international exhibitors.

19 Discovery Ball, American Heart Association at The Registry Resort. A benefit to fight heart disease includes auction and gala evening.

22-23 Home & Design Expo, at Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. This show includes design seminars, exhibitors of home design product and services.

22-24 Wet Paint Auction 2005, at IronStone Bank. For two days more than 50 artist paint on location and the artwork is auctioned at the gala. The proceeds benefit The Mental Health Association of Collier County. See Map on page 15.

28 Maya Angelou, at Florida Gulf Coast University. Distinguished Lecture Series features Dr. Angelou.

26 Skim Jam, At Naples Pier. Beach event for kids and teens for amateur/professional skim boarding competition.

26 Ikebana Exhibit, At The Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The annual exhibition of Ikebana chapter of Naples includes demonstrations.

26-27 Authors & Books Festival, Naples Press Club. More than 60 authors will be selling and signing books. www.authorsandbooksfestival.org