Venice MainStreet, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and enhancing the character, beauty, and economic vitality of historic downtown Venice.
Submissions to this newsletter are from Venice MainStreet partners.
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A Message from Ronnie Fernandez,
2020 Venice MainStreet President
2020 has been a challenging year, to say the least. Our Venice MainStreet community, however, continues to amaze me in how we all pull together for one mission: preserving and enhancing the character, beauty, and economic vitality of historic downtown Venice. After months of mandatory restrictions, we were finally able to start back up with some smaller events, including the Chocolate Walk, the ever-popular Christmas Walk, and concerts in Centennial Park.
I am proud to call Venice, Florida my home. I am especially proud to be President of the Venice Mainstreet Board of Directors, who continually impress me with their selflessness. Venice MainStreet leads the way in making our community special, vibrant, and inviting for all to enjoy.
Thank you to all who contribute to this community. We look forward to 2021 and welcome our new Venice MainStreet President, Sandra DiPentima of Fifth Third Bank!
- Ronnie Fernandez, Venice MainStreet President
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Shop from the comfort and safety of your home, while supporting our local economy and small businesses.
Here’s a list of Venice MainStreet Partners offering online shopping, phone orders, curbside pick up, shipping, gift cards or other methods of remote shopping.
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Events
(Subject to change or cancellation. Click on website links for information on COVID safety protocols, if provided.)
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15TH | 10AM - 2PM
VENICE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
597 TAMIAMI TRAIL S, VENICE, FL 34285
*This event will be held in the chamber parking lot.
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Are you interested in learning about the many non-profit organizations serving the greater Venice area? Come explore the many opportunities there are to give of your time, talent, and/or treasure and support non-profits.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:
Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
Child Protection Center
Family Promise of South Sarasota County
Friends of Oscar Scherer Park
Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County
Hospital Volunteers of Venice
InStride Therapy
Laurel Civic Association
Mental Health Community Centers
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC)
Senior Friendship Centers
The Venice Symphony
the WareHouse of Venice
Tidewell Hospice
Venice Area Garden Club
Venice Christian School
Venice Heritage
Venice Region Antique Automobile Club
Visit Sarasota County
AND MORE!
We will also have these food trucks on site:
BrewBurgers
British Open Pub
Sharky's Snack Shack
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Ongoing
Classes, Events and Tours
(Subject to change or cancellation)
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Venice Beach
Daily: 8am and 9am
Mondays thru Thursdays: 5pm
FREE
941-408-9642
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Blue Lotus Meditation Center |
Online meditation and classes
Zoom links to participate
DONATIONS APPRECIATED
941-323-8033
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Laughter Yoga Venice
In person: Centennial Park, Saturdays at 10am
Zoom online: Wed. 9:30am,
Thurs. 9:15am & Sat. 10am
FREE
203-856-6427
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Sundays Bingo
Knights Hall, 512 Substation Rd.
Sundays: Doors open at 11:30 Games start at 1pm-4pm
Packages of 14 games start at
$7
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Venice Beach
Sundays 1.5 hours before sunset
FREE
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City Hall
Saturdays 8am-12pm
FREE ENTRY
**MASKS REQUIRED**
941-445-9209
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Downtown Venice
Walking history tours, ghost tours
and group tours available
CONTACT FOR PRICING
Reservations required
817-793-8433
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Hecksher Park (downtown)
Saturdays, Sundays 12-5pm
Reserve your one-hour slot
FREE
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Venice, Florida Named a
Monarch City USA
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Monarch City USA, a nationwide organization, recently named Venice, Fla., as a Monarch City. This means the City is committed to preserve and grow the dwindling monarch butterfly population.
Monarch City USA was created in 2015 in Maple Valley, Washington, according to its website. It is a nonprofit corporation under the Washington state Department of Revenue. The organization strongly encourages America’s 19,000+ municipalities to directly help the monarch butterfly population recover through planting milkweed and nectar plants within their boundaries.
Nearly a billion monarch butterflies have vanished since 1990, according to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Monarchs are critical to nature because they pollinate plants, helping grow many foods humans and animals rely upon.
The City of Venice is grateful to the tireless volunteers who make up Venice Area Beautification Inc. (VABI), Team KVB (Keep Venice Beautiful), and Venice in Bloom, who were instrumental in helping the City achieve this designation.
“Venice being designated as a Monarch City is another feather in our City’s cap,” said Mayor Ron Feinsod. “I believe this will help to increase awareness of our City’s dedication to supporting the environment.”
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Lorraine Anderson
City of Venice Public Information Officer
401 West Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Via City Hall Switchboard: (941) 486-2626 ext. 7401
Direct: (941) 882-7401
www.venicegov.com
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City of Venice Adds 7th Property to
Local Historic Register
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Photos above: 613 W. Venice Ave. then and now
Credit: City of Venice Historical Resources
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Venice City Council recently voted to approve the addition of 613 W. Venice Ave. to the Local Register of Historic Places. This home is considered one of the three residential gems on Venice Avenue built during the time of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in the mid-1920s.
Although built in 1927, the home was not occupied until 1934. Fitzhugh Haensel bought the home as a winter retreat from New York. Haensel started out as a singer, but found success as a booking agent. He would go on to become vice president of Columbia Concerts Incorporated and president of Community Concerts Corporation.
The current owners, Curt and Tommye Whittaker, were proud to list their home on the local register. “We really appreciate Venice’s original 1920s homes, especially the one we are privileged to live in,” Curt Whittaker said. “By placing it on the local register, we feel like we are better protecting the building now and in the long term, encouraging future owners to stay focused on ways to keep it livable and a part of the neighborhood.”
Contact City Historical Resources Manager Harry Klinkhamer at 941-486-2490 or email [email protected].
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The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation selected a graphic (shown above) of the Walter Farley House in Venice, Florida for its holiday cards this year.
The message included the following:
This year's card was inspired by the Walter Farley House in Venice, a midcentury modern treasure included on our 2020 Florida's 11 to Save. Built in 1956, the Walter Farley House was designed by famed Sarasota School Architect Ralph Twitchell as the home and studio of Walter Farley, the author of the Black Stallion series of books. Walter and his wife Rosemary were tightly integrated into Venice and its literary community and were founding members of the Friends of the Venice Library.
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Venice MainStreet Partners
-Announcements-
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Puttin' on the Ritz Salon and Spa
205 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice, FL 34285
941-488-6650
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Mary Erickson Fine Paintings
40% of all of my studio sales
will go to
Big Brothers and Big Sisters
through December
As the pandemic continues to cause job loss and evictions, more Americans than ever are standing in line for food and having trouble paying their bills. Big Brothers and Big Sisters aides hard working single parent families from Sarasota, Venice and North Port. Those more fortunate among us are looking for opportunities to help. Imagine how much your purchase will help...
Studio visits are by appointment only.
Please call me at 704-219-0391 to arrange a showing.
Merry Christmas !
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Mary Erickson, Florida Morning- Caspersen, 14" x 14", Oil on panel |
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Sunday, February 7, 2021
Noon to 6 p.m.
Mary Erickson will be partnering with Joy Mahler at Big Brothers & Big Sisters to raise funds for those in their organization in need. We are hosting an Open Patio and Studio Tour, in Venice, Florida from Noon to 6 p.m. at 216 Palermo Place.
Forty percent of all sales (40%) and 100% of the proceeds of a raffled painting will be given directly to BBBS of the Suncoast. New paintings will be on display outside on the patio, which leads into the studio. Guests can enter through the patio gates from Riviera Street. Assorted Dove chocolates and Champagne will offered. Masks, and social distancing guidelines will be adhered to. Please join us!
If you would like to donate directly, please go to: https://bbbssun.org/donate-online/
I will also be donating an original painting for raffle. All 100% of proceeds will benefit BBBS.
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Celebration Corner
303A West Venice Ave. Venice, FL 34285
941-484-2206
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The elves on the shelf are all being very naughty today as they are getting ready to a glass of bubbles tonight as a team . They have been doing lots and lots of wrapping and deliveries of gifts.
Thank you to all our wonderful customers for supporting us.
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205 West Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285
(941) 485-0319
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Cafe Venice, 101 W. Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 |
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136 W Venice Ave # 138, Venice, FL 34285
(941) 488-4128
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Commemorate Venice History
with a Tropical Shirt
The Venice Museum and Venice Heritage are excited to announce the sale of the “Lost Buildings of Venice” tropical shirts. Rather than highlighting historic buildings in a coffee-table book, you can now proudly wear your support for historic preservation and help preserve the history and lost architecture of our City.
We commissioned a master Hawaiian print artist to design these shirts. They are made in the USA of fine high thread count combed cotton and feature a matched pocket (on men’s shirts) and authentic coconut buttons. Sizes range from S-2XL for women and S-3XL for men.
The shirt includes seven buildings in Venice and one in Nokomis: Venice Beach Casino, Ringling Circus Arena, Gulf Theatre, Hotel Villa Nokomis, Park View Hotel, Horse & Chaise, Venice-Nokomis Presbyterian Church Drive-In, and Venice-Nokomis Bank. They are also decorated with the John Nolen Plan of Venice, shark’s teeth, and the City flower — a hibiscus.
Each shirt includes a flyer giving a brief history of each building. The cost is $75 tax included; proceeds support both organizations in promoting historic preservation in Venice.
LEGO® Old Betsy Sets Available
In addition, there are still a limited number of LEGO® Old Betsy sets available that make a unique gift. Sales of this toy replica of the City’s historic fire engine helps support its upkeep and maintenance. The 219-piece set is available for $50 tax included.
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Shirts and Old Betsy sets may be purchased at the Venice Museum, 351 Nassau St. S. on the island of Venice, during open hours (M-W, 10-1) or online from Venice Heritage at www.veniceheritage.org. |
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Say hello to Yamato! He is a great family pet who’s just missing a family. Sweet as can be and very unique looking, he has a wonderful personality. Yamato likes to head butt and rub up against you to show you he appreciates you!
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Meet, Mattie May! She is a special needs 10-month-old girl that needs a special family! Don't think her wheels slow her down. Full of spunk and spirit, she LOVES the company of other dogs, playing with toys, and being close to her loved ones.
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656 S. Tamiami Trail, Rialto Shopping Plaza
9 am to 5 pm Mon-Sat
6781 San Casa Drive, Englewood, FL 34224
Phone: (941) 474-7884
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CITY OF VENICE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
LOCAL COVID-19 RESOURCES
HURRICANE & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
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VISIT VENICE: THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
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VISIT VENICE: THINGS TO DO
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VENICE MAINSTREET ONLINE DIRECTORY: |
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We truly appreciate
your support
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Thank you to the following Partner for renewing
this week with Venice MainStreet:
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Nonprofit Partner
Friends of the Venice Public Library
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Venice MainStreet, Inc. is a nonprofit committed to preserving and enhancing the character, beauty, and economic vitality of historic downtown Venice.
Venice MainStreet Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit registered with the Florida Division of Consumer Services. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) www.floridaconsumerhelp.com [s. 496.412(1)(c), F.S.]
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