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NOVEMBER 2019
KIMBERLY VINCENT LUXURY REAL ESTATE
WWW.OURNAPLESFLORIDA.COM // 239-444-8298
There aren’t many places in the country where you can begin your Thanksgiving by hopping on a boat in shorts and a T-shirt, but Naples is one of them, and I always take advantage of it! In fact, I’ve been looking forward to doing just that since this time last year. When my husband, John, and I moved to Florida from the Northeast, we started a brand-new Thanksgiving tradition to celebrate all the Sunshine State has to offer. On the morning of Thanksgiving, we invite all of my girlfriends and their husbands over for brunch before our families show up for the day’s big meal. We steam a bunch of lobsters in our kitchen, then everyone piles onto our boat — which we keep docked just behind our house — and we sail out onto the gorgeous blue water. Once we’re bobbing offshore, we drop anchor and break out the lobsters! Take my word for it: There’s nothing better than sipping a mimosa or bloody mary, cracking into a fresh lobster, and laughing with your best friends while you look out over the waves. The cleanup is easy, too, since we just drop our lobster shells back into the ocean! It’s one of my favorite get-togethers of the year and always makes me feel lucky to live in Naples. Of course, the rest of the day is just as precious to me because I get to see A Very Florida Thanksgiving TURKEY, LOBSTER, AND A DAY ON THE WATER
my family. This year, my brother, my sister, and her kids are flying down from North Carolina to visit us and share Thanksgiving, and I can’t wait to see them! My mom, who lives here in Florida, is coming over, too, and I’m particularly thankful to spend the holidays with her this year. In June, she was diagnosed with colon cancer, and, after a round of chemo and an operation to remove the tumor, she’s finally back on her feet. I’m so thankful we caught the cancer and she’s doing well. John and I plan to spoil her with all of the turkey and stuffing she can eat! What I really love about Thanksgiving is that, in my family at least, it’s devoid of the stress that can come with Christmas. There’s no mad scramble to buy the perfect gift or worry whether people will love what you got them. Instead, it’s a time for appreciating what you already have, eating good food, and spending the day with the people you love most. Usually, we have a leisurely meal on the patio (yes, really!) with two or three turkeys and John’s famous seafood stuffing. Even Black Friday can’t ratchet up my stress anymore — after years of owning carts and kiosks in the mall and dealing with the insane midnight rush of customers, I can finally enjoy both Thanksgiving and the day after without the obligation to go anywhere. Personally, I think the deals are just
as good in the week leading up to Christmas as they are on Black Friday — I’d rather get my beauty sleep! If you’re struggling with a cold Thanksgiving this year and thinking longingly of Florida waves and steamed lobsters (I wouldn’t blame you), give me and Vincent a call at 239-444-8298. We’d love to set you up with your very own waterfront getaway in Naples in time for a tropical New Year!
–Kimberly Alvord
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What’s Happening in Naples? 4 HOLIDAY EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS
THANKSGIVING DINNER CRUISE If you want to try out your own version of Kimberly’s very Florida Thanksgiving, head to Naples and board the Naples Princess Thanksgiving Cruise! The ship takes off at 4:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving and offers diners a traditional Thanksgiving spread on the water. This is the event for you if you want to explore Port Royal and the Gulf of Mexico while you eat your turkey.
GRAND ILLUMINATIONS Christmas arrives early at The Village Shops in Naples, which will host its annual tree lighting before November ends! Don’t miss this chance to get in an early visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and treat the kids to a magic show, face painting, and balloon art.
When: Friday, Nov. 29, 5–8 p.m. Where: The Village Shops
When: Thursday, Nov. 28, 4:45 p.m. Where: Port O Call Marina
CHRISTMAS WALK & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY If you can only get to one Christmas event in Naples this year, make it this one! Though the weather is still warm in early December, the holiday spirit will be in full swing with the choirs, dancers, bands, and theater troupes filling Fifth Avenue and the tree lighting conducted by Naples' mayor, Bill Barnett.
THANKSGIVING 5K AT CAMBIER PARK This 5K race course through downtown Naples will ensure you’re ready to tear into the turkey by the time you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner! Even better, it has a charitable bent that’s perfect for the spirit of the holiday. St. Matthew’s House will collect clothes and canned food, and Moe’s Southwest Grill will donate a pound of rice and beans for every racer.
When: Friday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. Where: Fifth Avenue South
When: Thursday, Nov. 28, 7:30 a.m. Where: Cambier Park
SO, YOU WANT TO WRITE A NOVEL Tips for National Novel Writing Month
If the number of participants in the internet-based writing project National Novel Writing Month is any indicator, thousands of people, perhaps even you, have a story to tell. But getting your ideas onto the page can sometimes feel like dragging a stubborn child to their first day of kindergarten. Even the best authors struggle, and you will, too. That being said, keeping these three overarching principles in mind may help.
ACTUALLY WRITE You may think this step is intuitive, but how often have you sat down in front of a computer, or with a pen and paper, waiting for inspiration that never came? Here’s what you need to know: Even if you’re the finest storyteller in the land, your first drafts are going to be very rough. Embrace bad writing as a necessary part of the process. To begin, just write something . REVISE Writing gets you started, but revision gets you to the finish line. Once you get some pages written, scrutinize them. Change words, remove paragraphs, and be willing to raze entire chapters to the ground. Be a ruthless critic of your own work, over and over again. What remains in the ashes will be the elements you’re truly pleased with, and this remnant can become the foundation for a great story. No magic guide will get your novel finished, much less picked up by a publisher. But if you write (even if just for yourself), revise, and read every day, you may come to enjoy the process regardless of how long it takes to finish. That is a success worth striving for.
READ If you want to become a great
writer, consider the novels on your shelves as guides. Every famous author was once in your shoes, and, eventually, their writing appealed to a publishing agent, who in turn got it printed and into your hands. To inspire your
own writing, read different genres and search out story
elements you enjoy. The breadth of a writer’s ability is often found in the range of authors they’ve read.
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ARE YOUR TAXES TOO HIGH? Try Moving to Florida
If you thought that the year-round sunshine and gorgeous ocean views were the only reasons people flock to Florida, think again. According to just about every Top 10 list, tax benefits are right up there with the Sunshine State’s beautiful weather, fantastic beaches, and top-notch attractions. If you haven’t considered them, start now! Here’s a quick rundown of the tax breaks that make taking up residence in Florida a smart move. NO STATE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX Of all of the tax benefits Floridians enjoy, this one is probably the biggest. Because there is no state individual income tax in Florida — a perk that only six other states enjoy — you’ll be able to save more of your paycheck for activities you enjoy. Plus, income from other sources like Social Security, pensions, and IRA or 401(k) accounts are also tax-free. Even better, this rule is part of the state constitution, so it’s particularly difficult to reverse and likely to stick around. NO STATE ESTATE OR INHERITANCE TAX As of 2005, Florida’s constitution also bars estate or inheritance taxes on the state level, so people who pass
away here are able to leave an additional portion of their savings and assets to loved ones. In addition to warm weather that promotes good health, this provision attracts thousands of retirees to Florida each year. In 2018, more than 80,000 of them flocked to the Sunshine State! AVERAGE STATE SALES AND PROPERTY TAXES While they are enforced, Florida’s state property and sales taxes hover near or below the national average. With a few exceptions on specific goods and in individual counties, the sales tax rate in Florida is 6%. Louisiana, by comparison, has a 10% tax rate, and Tennessee charges 9.5%. On the property tax front, SmartAsset reports that Florida’s property tax rate sits at roughly 1.02%, which is below the national average. By establishing Florida residency with a part- or full-time home, you too can reap these tax benefits! If you’re ready to save — and enjoy some of the country’s best beaches to boot — reach out to Kimberly-Vincent Luxury Real Estate today at 239-444-8298. We’d love to help you find your dream home!
The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich
TAKE A Break
INGREDIENTS
• 2 slices sourdough bread • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 slices Swiss cheese
• 1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey • 3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce • 1/3 cup leftover dressing or stuffing • 2 tbsp leftover gravy • 1 tbsp butter, room temperature
Note: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the leftovers required.
DIRECTIONS
1. Coat inside of each bread slice with mustard and a slice of cheese. Place turkey and cranberry sauce on one slice and dressing and gravy on the other. 2. Combine sandwich and spread butter on both sides. 3. In a panini maker or large skillet, grill until crispy and golden brown. 4. Slice and serve.
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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A Very Florida Thanksgiving Inside This Issue 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 Holiday Events You Won’t Want to Miss How to Write a Novel Are Your Taxes Too High? The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich Stay in a Real Castle
Carcassonne THE REAL MAGIC KINGDOM
Every year, tourists flock to Disney’s “Magic Kingdom” and marvel at Cinderella's iconic castle. As fun as it is to see this Florida-based attraction, it would be even more magical to step back in time and visit a real medieval citadel. What if you could walk the same ramparts as Roman legionnaires and climb the same towers as French kings? If this idea gives you goosebumps, pack your bags for Carcassonne, France. A four-hour train ride from Paris, towering above the rolling vineyards of southern France, you’ll find
and overlooks the inner ramparts of the fortress. With medieval tapestries and gorgeous woodwork in the hotel’s interior, you’ll feel like you’re living among French royalty. Of course, if you’d prefer lodging with the commoners, plenty of quaint bed-and-breakfasts exist just across the Aude river. With rustic cafes, fresh crepes, and bustling crowds making their way down the twisting cobblestone streets, the surface-level experience of Carcassonne would be enticing to anyone wanting to explore the French countryside. But for those who want to delve into the history of this storied castle, grand narratives await you. Just walking the walls of Carcassonne paints a picture of the past. While the outer fortifications were built by Louis IX and Phillip III, a section of the inner wall is far older. The red brick used in this part of the construction dates back to before the existence of France itself. Roman troops first fortified the hillside town around 100 BCE, giving every stone of this site a story to tell. If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing medieval life for yourself, your adventure awaits in Carcassonne.
one of the most intact, accessible castles in Europe. With sweeping, concentric walls and 53 elegant towers, the Cité de Carcassonne is a breathtaking sight. Once an impenetrable border fortress between the kingdoms of France and Aragon, the gates now stand open to anyone curious enough to walk its cobblestone streets. In fact, you can stay in the ancient city yourself. The five-star Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne occupies a former bishop’s palace
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