Best Bets

Daily News staff

Febraury 11, 2005

Here are our recommendations for the best bets for things to do and see in Naples and across Southwest Florida.

FRIDAY, FEB. 11

Good, clean fun

Christian comedians Kerri Pomarolli, who's appeared in comedy sketches on "The Tonight Show," and Ron McGeehee, a "Last Comic Standing Finalist," will perform at a Single Adult Comedy Night. The show takes place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Naples, 3000 Orange Blossom Drive. Information: 596-8600, ext. 243. $10.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, FEB. 11-13

Last chance for the fair

The Collier County Fair winds down this weekend with rides, games, livestock shows, entertainment and food through Sunday at the Collier County Fairgrounds, off Immokalee Road, 10 miles east of I-75. Admission is $8 for people 12 and older, $4 for children 6-11, and free for children 5 and younger. Parking is $5. Ride tickets are $1 each. Unlimited-ride armbands are $15. Hours and discounts: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11 (Unlimited-ride armbands valid 10 p.m.-1 a.m.); noon to midnight Saturday, Feb. 12 ($1 admission for seniors and car club members with ID); noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13 ($5 admission or $10 including armband). Information: www.colliercountyfair.com or 455-1444

Go Greek

St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church hosts its Greek Festival — featuring Greek food, wine, pastries, live music and Greek items for sale — from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The church is located at 7100 Airport-Pulling Road N. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 12. Information: 591-3430.

FRIDAY-MONDAY, FEB. 11-14

Pieces of history

Two WWII bombers — a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a North American B-25 — will be at the Marco Island Executive Airport this week as part of the Wings of Freedom Tour in celebration of the 60th anniversary of WWII.

Thirty-minute flights aboard the B-17 are available for a tax-deductible donation of $400 per person. Twenty-five-minute flights in the B-25 are available for $375 per person for forward-compartment passengers and $300 for rear-compartment passengers. Reservations are recommended; call (978) 562-9182.

For those who'd rather keep their feet on the ground, the aircraft — restored to 1944 condition — will be on display from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. The airport is located at 2003 Mainsail Drive, off Collier Boulevard south of U.S. 41 East. To help cover maintenance, donations of $7 for adults and $3 for children are requested by the non-profit Collings Foundation. Veterans and families are encouraged to come and share their experiences with visitors.

Information: 262-0015 or www.collingsfoundation.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, FEB. 12-13

The Collier Model Aeronautic Club invites the public to Naples Fun Fly, a remote-control plane fly-in featuring daredevil demos. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, on Roost Road. Take 951 south of Collier Boulevard to Manatee Road and make a right on Roost Road. For participants, there is a $10 landing fee. Spectators are admitted free. Information: 793-7339.

Got a green thumb?Naples Botanical Garden hosts an orchid show and sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. The garden is located at 4820 Bayshore Drive. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for children 6-12, and free for Naples Botanical Garden members. Information: 643-7275, ext. 12.

SATURDAY, FEB. 12

Rockin' for the Red Cross

Twelve bands will perform at Hero Fest, a benefit for the Collier County American Red Cross, which will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. The bands include: Remember Me, 7 Blue Skies, Chaefin, Longview, Since the Weekend, Softly Underground, Long Way Home, Tomato Division, Phoenix Falling, Fake Problems and Ranger Bob. The event, which also includes raffles and food concessions, takes place on the football field at St. John Neumann High School, 3000 53rd St. Tickets are $7 at the gate. Information: 596-6868.

MONDAY, FEB. 14

Heavenly evening

Evening Under the Stars includes celestial love stories, sky tour and desserts, 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers; (239) 3435. $25, per couple; $15, singles; $10, children. Register by Feb. 11.

TUESDAY

Jazz at Germain

The Boston Pops, with Keith Lockhart conducting, presents "All That Jazz" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15 at Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Tickets are $30, $40 and $60. Information: (239) 334-3309 or www.ticketmaster.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16

Master of improv

Comedian Martin Short, former Saturday Night Live star and movie actor, performs at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Tickets are $69. The Phil is located at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. Information: 597-1900 or www.thephil.org.

Vietnam War vet speaks

Hal Moore, author of "We Were Soldiers," will talk about leadership, preparation and dedication, at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Homer Helter's World War II Military Relics Store. Moore commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry during initial engagements between American troops and the Viet Cong. The store is located in the Shirley Street Antique Mall at 5510 Shirley St. Information: 592-9882.