Venice MainStreet, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and enhancing the character, beauty, and economic vitality of historic downtown Venice and surrounding areas. | |
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Exhibit Reception
Friday, May 23rd from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
FREE EVENT!
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Fireworks Display: Following the concert
Tickets: $23–$43, available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling the CoolToday Park Box Office at 941-413-5004
| Available at 2 locations! | |
May 26th at 10 a.m.
American Legion NO-VEL Post 159 will once again host the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Venice at 10 a.m. May 26 at Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd.
Parade of colors, patriotic music, speeches, wreath ceremony, rifle salute, playing of memorial taps. The public is invited to honor the valor and sacrifice of those who served their country with unwavering courage and gave their lives in service to defend our freedoms. Bring chairs and water to stay hydrated.
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San Marco of Venice
305-B West Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285
941-800-7280
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Sharky’s on the Pier, located “smack dab on the Gulf” at 1600 Harbor Drive South in Venice, Fla., is elated to announce the completion of its most significant renovation project to date. In partnership with the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, Sharky’s will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 29th at 9 a.m. to officially reveal its stunning upgrades to the local Venice community.
Originally scheduled for completion in November 2024, the $2.5 million project faced unexpected delays due to storm damage from back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Persevering through setbacks and persisting with resilience, this “generational rebuild” has upgraded Sharky’s iconic beachfront dining experience for locals and tourists alike.
“It’s beautiful; I’m so proud of the project,” Venice Pier Group President Justin Pachota said. “I’m extremely proud of our team, who allowed for construction to continue during a busy time of year, and of the work J2 Solutions did to keep the restaurant moving while the renovations were getting done.”
Highlights of the renovation include:
· A fully refurbished Tiki Bar, featuring 360-degree seating, full-service and a custom bar top designed by local artists from Cacticorn Designs and Ocean Gems Jewelry & Décor. The beautiful, beachy design is embedded with shark’s teeth - a fitting homage to Venice’s title as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World."
· A redesigned and redecorated indoor dining room, equipped with improved air conditioning, upgraded kitchen functionality and top-notch equipment.
· An expanded, open-air and shaded rooftop dining area to accommodate more guests and private events.
· An upgraded outdoor patio intended for year-round use and redesigned to keep guests comfortable throughout all seasons.
· Kitchen and service bar enhancements for our staff workplace enjoyment and efficiency
Sharky’s on the Pier
1600 Harbor Drive S., Venice, FL 34285
941-488-1456
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Savor Sarasota
June 1 - 20
This year, in celebration of Savor Sarasota’s 20th anniversary, over 50 restaurants throughout Sarasota County will offer multi-course menus from June 1–20, with lunch for just $25 per person and dinner for $45 per person.
Savor Sarasota is more than just an annual dining event. It's a celebration of Sarasota's diverse culinary landscape, from the barrier islands of Longboat Key and Lido Key to the downtowns of Venice, Sarasota and Englewood—and the talented local chefs who bring it all to life.
Whether you're craving classic comfort food, international cuisine or contemporary creations, chef-curated menus allow you to sample a variety of dishes and flavors while taking advantage of stellar deals. Mark your calendars as we celebrate 20 years of Savor Sarasota!
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Please join us on Wednesday, June 4, for
the next Caregiver Support Group meeting!
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128 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285
(941) 587-4063
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Solis Hall, 19745 Wellen Pk Blvd, Venice, FL 34293
$40 includes networking, food, beverage and the interactive workshop
Workshop Description:
What if bliss wasn’t something to chase—but something to practice?
Join us for an uplifting and interactive session designed to help you reconnect with your joy, reclaim your energy, and remember your worth. Rooted in the transformative insights of the book Unpacking Bliss, this workshop blends personal storytelling, guided reflection, and simple daily rituals that promote resilience from the inside out.
Together, we’ll explore how even in the midst of chaos, small acts of presence and care can fuel our nervous systems, anchor us in our purpose, and spark lasting wellbeing. Whether you’re feeling burned out, on the edge of a breakthrough, or somewhere in between, this is your invitation to pause, reset, and tap into the everyday practices that lead to a more joyful and resilient life.
Come curious. Leave lighter. Live blissfully.
First 25 registrants will receive a free copy of Dr. Stacie Herrera's book Unpacking Bliss.
Unpacking Bliss: The Suitcase Theory of Life
In Unpacking Bliss, sisters and cofounders of HumanizEDU, Dr. Stacie Herrera and Sandi Herrera, invite you on a transformative journey to rediscover your natural state of joy. Drawing from neuroscience, lived experience, and deep self-reflection, this empowering guide helps you break free from limiting beliefs and unconscious patterns. You’ll learn to align with your values, embrace your unique strengths, and build authentic, meaningful connections—with yourself and others.
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☀️ Summer Day Camp at Emmanuel Lutheran Church ☀️
Looking for a fun, faith-filled way for your kids to spend summer break?
Join us for Day Camp at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, FL,
hosted by the amazing team from Luther Springs!
🗓️ June 23–27
🕘 9 AM – 3 PM each day
📍 Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Venice, FL
790 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34285
(941) 488-4942
👧👦 Open to kids graduated kindergarten thru going into 5th grade
Limited number of scholarships available
Each day will be full of exciting games, crafts, music, Bible stories, and outdoor
fun— led by trained counselors from Luther Springs. It’s a week of unforgettable memories, new friendships, and growing in faith!
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Adventure awaits at the LAKEFRONT!
Join us June 21–25, from 6–8 PM at our Lakefront Church Campus
for a week of faith-filled fun your kids won’t forget!
🎯 Games • 🎶 Music • 📖 Bible Lessons • 🍿 Supper • 💦 Outdoor Fun
🧒 For kids entering 1st–5th grade (Fall 2025)
⚠️ Space is limited!
📲 Register online today to save your spot!
Don’t miss out on this amazing summer adventure where we dive
into God’s Word and build lasting memories!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 30th
The Lakefront Church | 3100 Executive Dr | Venice, FL 34292
Phone: (941) 485-1314
| Explore a range of options from full-day camps to week-long specialty camps. | | |
Discover the Art of Healing and Harmony
At Chi Energy, we believe in the transformative power of Qigong to enhance your health, wellness, and overall quality of life. Nestled in the heart of Venice, FL, we provide a serene and supportive environment where you can learn the ancient practice of Qigong under the guidance of our experienced instructors.
We will guide you through gentle, easy-to-follow movements designed to unblock and enhance the flow of vital energy throughout your body. By mobilizing your joints and gently massaging your organs, these exercises promote overall wellness. With regular practice, you'll notice your mind becoming calmer and more peaceful, leading to a profound sense of health and well-being.
THURSDAY QIGONG CLASSES
Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285
Level 1 from 9am-9:50am and Level 2 from 10am-11am
First class is free
$10 per class
Chi Energy Florida
david@chi-energy.net
941-483-0293
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PLEASE NOTE:
Temporary fountain closure
The Interactive Children’s Fountain at Centennial Park in Venice will be closed from Tuesday, May 27 through Monday, June 30 as the City of Venice completes a refurbishment project. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this work.
| | | | Downtown Venice, Hecksher Park | | Photo L to R: Dr. Ben Brotemarkle, Florida Historical Society Executive Director, presents Jon Watson, Venice Curator and Collections Manager, with the Hampton Dunn Digital Media Award on May 15. Photo courtesy of Gisselle Concepcion, Media Production Specialist, Florida Historical Society | | |
Venice’s Historic Newspaper Website Receives Award
On May 15, 2025, as part of their annual Public History Forum in Orlando, Fla., the Florida Historical Society presented Jon Watson, City of Venice’s Curator and Collections Manager, the Hampton Dunn Digital Media Award.
The award is named in honor of the late Hampton Dunn, a longtime newspaper and television journalist. The award recognizes outstanding digital media projects expanding knowledge of Florida history.
The City was given the award for the Venice Digital Local Newspaper Project. This is a 5-year-long project working with Backstage Library Works and World Archives in digitizing over 72,000 pages of local historic newspapers, including the Venice News from 1926-1928 and the Venice Gondolier from 1946-1983.
Concerning the project, Watson stated:
“The website has had a huge impact not only in finding information fast and effectively through the keyword search function on the website but also in a preservation capacity, with the public able to view the content without the original papers becoming damaged from use.”
The newspapers have been uploaded through th website: veniceflmuseum.newspaperarchive.com. The website is accessible and free to the public through research appointments at the Julia Cousins Laning and Dale Laning Archives & Research Center at 224 Milan Ave. W. The public can also view the newspaper collection at home for an annual fee of $29.99.
For any questions or to make an appointment at the Archives & Research Center, please contact Jon Watson at 941-313-5456 or jwatson@venicefl.gov.
| | Photo L to R: Christine Lawton-Clark, Taylor Ranch Elementary Teacher; Tara Spielman, Taylor Ranch Elementary Principal; and Jesse Lazarus, Venice-Nokomis Rotary Teacher of the Year Committee Chair | | |
Venice-Nokomis Rotary Names Christine Lawton-Clark
as 2025 Teacher of the Year
The Venice-Nokomis Rotary is proud to announce Christine Lawton-Clark of Taylor Ranch Elementary School as the recipient of the 2025 Teacher of the Year Award. Now in its 35th year, this prestigious honor is awarded annually to an outstanding educator in South Sarasota County, nominated by peers and selected by a Rotary committee in recognition of exceptional service, dedication, and impact in the classroom and beyond.
Christine Lawton-Clark exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a professional educator and lifelong learner. For 28 years, she has dedicated her career to teaching K-2 exceptional student education (ESE), with 27 of those years proudly spent at Taylor Ranch Elementary. Her classroom includes students with autism, developmental delays, physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and behavioral challenges—yet under her care, these students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Mrs. Lawton-Clark was born with cerebral palsy, a personal challenge she has never let define her limits or dampen her spirit. Though she no longer drives and now uses a walker for mobility, she remains a daily, unwavering presence in her classroom—an inspiration to colleagues and students alike. Her commitment to her students goes beyond curriculum; it is a commitment to possibility, dignity, and empowerment.
"Christine doesn't just teach her students—they grow with her," said Taylor Ranch Elementary Principal, Tara Spielman, who nominated her. "She sees their potential even when others don’t, because she knows firsthand how easy it is to be underestimated. She walks in their shoes every day."
Stepping into her classroom, visitors will notice a calm, highly structured, and peaceful learning environment. Students are actively engaged in standards-based instruction, and the results speak for themselves: significant progress in academic performance, behavior, and social development.
As this year's Teacher of the Year, Christine Lawton-Clark reminds us all that great educators do more than teach—they lead with empathy, courage, and resilience. She is not only shaping young minds but also shaping a more inclusive and compassionate community.
The Venice-Nokomis Rotary congratulates Mrs. Lawton-Clark on this well-deserved recognition and thanks all educators across South Sarasota County for their unwavering dedication to excellence.
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Modern Creations Hair Salon
456 U.S. 41 Bypass N, Venice, FL 34285
| 230 Tampa Ave W Suite B, Venice, FL 34285 | |
Puttin' on the Ritz Salon & Spa
205 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285
(941) 488-6650
| 233 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285 | |
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Submissions to this newsletter are from Venice MainStreet Partners that pay an annual partnership. To join, please go to VisitVeniceFL.org.
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Venice MainStreet, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and enhancing the character, beauty, and economic vitality of historic downtown Venice and surrounding areas.
Venice MainStreet Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered with the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISIT WWW.FDACS.GOV. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. [s.496.405(1)(c), F.S.] Registration # CH50211
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