Venice MainStreet is delighted to have the Unitarian Universalist Congragation of Venice (UUCOV) join as a Nonprofit Partener this year. UUCOV is a welcoming, caring community encouraging spiritual growth, seeking meaning and pursuing justice. The UUCOV’s vision is to strengthen the UUCOV community, spread the message of Unitarian Universalism, develop greater intergenerational and cultural diversity, promote leadership for environmental stewardship, and promote a fair, just and peaceful world.
In a climate of joy, goodwill and trust, this congregation covenants – to treat one another with kindness and respect, – to listen with openness and acceptance, – to support and protect the environment of which we are all a part, – to solve problems responsibly as we grow and change, – to encourage learning and nurture the growth of diverse human spirits, and – to dedicate time, talent and resources in an effort to make a difference in local and world communities.
UUCOV’s MINISTER: REV. KHLEBER VAN ZANDT V I am so happy to be serving the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice as its first-ever settled minister. Previously, I served for ten years as minister to the First Unitarian Church of Alton, Illinois, and before that, ran a construction business while raising a family in St. Louis, Missouri.
Reared in Texas, I received engineering degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington, then moved to St. Louis where I got involved in business and the community as well as the local Unitarian Universalist church. My lay leadership in that church led me to enter the ministry and attend Eden Theological Seminary near my home in St Louis.
My wife Linda and I have seven children between us, spread all across the continent in CA, MI, MO, PA, and TX. Despite our geographical remoteness, we are a close-knit bunch and find the time to get together whenever we can. Linda and I have found the people of UUCOV to be as warm and welcoming a group of folks as there is. They are people who have decided to make this their spiritual home, and with good reason: there is evident in this place an openness to diversity coupled with a call to action to live out our liberal faith.
I hope you’ll come check us out. I believe you’ll be glad you did.
Downtown Venice is aglow and full of holiday cheer thanks to the hard work and creativity of many of the shops and restaurants that decorated for this holiday season. Each year Venice MainStreet holds a Holiday Window Decorating Contest and invites its downtown Business Partners to participate. Venice MainStreet staff and its Design Committee voted for winners in six different categories. Visit downtown Venice this month and decide which windows are your favorites!
2021 Winners:
Most Creative Window 1st Place: Sunbug 2nd Place: Florida Violins
Most Elegant Window 1st Place: Venice Island Gallery 2nd Place: The Boutique by the Beach
Most Traditional Window 1st Place: Bodrum Restaurant 2nd Place: Heitel Jewelers
Most Creative Use of Merchandise 1st Place: Collectors Gallery & Framery 2nd Place: The Island Bookshop
Most Whimsical Window 1st Place: Croissant and Co. 2nd Place: Eyes on You
Best Use of Lights 1st Place: St. Marco Boutique 2nd Place: Venice Avenue Creamery
There are so many fun ways to discover local Venice history! Here are some great options to explore.
FREE:
Historic Downtown Venice Self-Guided Tour Online map available HERE Pick up a printed map at the Centennial Park Information Kiosk at 200 West Venice Avenue or at the Venice MainStreet Office at 101 West Venice Ave. Suite 23.
Historic Venice Train Depot Explore on your own or take a docent-led tour of the historic 1927 Venice Train Depot. Tours are offered by the Venice Area Historical Society (please check website for tour details). Explore the adjacent Rollins W. Coakley Railroad Park with its statue of the famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus animal trainer, Gunther Gebel Williams; a restored caboose, donated by CSX Corporation; and restored Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus train car installed in 2021. Located at 303 East Venice Ave., Venice FL 34285. veniceareahistoricalsociety.org
Kentucky Military Institute display at San Marco Building Visitors to the historic San Marco on Tampa Avenue can enjoy a display honoring the legacy of the Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) in Venice. Funded by the KMI Alumni Association, in partnership with the Venice Centre Association and its collection, it includes memorabilia, photographs and a documentary on the fascinating history of the military school in Venice from 1933 to 1970. 238 Tampa Avenue West, Venice, FL 34285 Learn more about the San Marco
Lord-Higel House Constructed in 1896 by Joseph Lord, the Lord-Higel House is the second oldest house in Sarasota County. 409 Granada Ave., Venice, FL 34285 veniceheritage.org
Sarasota County Auto Tours The Sarasota County Centennial Committee is pleased to announce the release of its auto tours available on a free app. Explore Sarasota County’s notable landmarks and places of interest. As you travel from place to place we’ll take you back in time. Hear the stories and see the sights that are part of the colorful history of Sarasota County, Florida. Audio narration and travel directions will trigger automatically as you drive (with GPS location services enabled on your phone). Auto Tours include the following: BAYFRONT, BEE RIDGE, COURTHOUSE AREA, DOWNTOWN/5 POINTS, ENGLEWOOD, FRUITVILLE to MIAKKA, PHILLIPPI, and VAMO to LAUREL. Narrated history tour download available HERE
Venice Museum & Archives Located in the historic Triangle Inn listed on National Register of Historic Places. Docent-led tours available. Current Exhibits: Woody Thayer: Venice’s Eyes and Ears of the 1950s, February 6, 2023 through January 17, 2024 Historic Homes of Venice: The Work of Artist Patricia Everson, Dec. 5, 2022 through July 26, 2023 351 Nassau Street South, Venice, FL 34285 (941) 486-2487 venicemuseum.org
Venice Quest Scavenger Hunt Presented by Venice Area Chamber of Commerce. Download free Scavify App at Google Play or AppStore. – FantaSea Mermaids & Seahorses Quest – History – Arts & Culture – Downtown/Venice Beach Walk – Young at Heart – Shark Spotting – Search for Fairy Doors – Venice Public Library Centennial Quest venicechamber.com ________________________________________________ NEED TICKETS OR RESERVATIONS:
Sarasota Suncoast Tours/ Key Culinary Tours Offers Sarasota County area ghost tours, family adventure tours, private group sightseeing trolley or mini bus tours, and food tours. Venice tours include International Wine Walk Tour, Historic Venice Culinary Tour and Shark’s Teeth & More Family Adventure. keyculinarytours.com sarasotasuncoasttours.com
Architectural Walking Tours
Offered by Venice Museum & Archives Seasonal walking tours (typically January through April)
Explore historic neighborhoods and architecture on Venice island led by Architectural Historian, Sebastian Liseo. venicemuseum.org
Venice Florida Tours Offers Venice history walking, bicycling, ghost tours, as well as tours by golf cart. Private tours are also available upon request. venicefltours.com
We are so happy to welcome back our amazing group of Venice MainStreet Downtown Ambassadors with our 2021 Volunteer Strut (11/15/21). During the peak tourist season, they will be manning the information kiosk in Centennial Park, helping us distrubute event fliers to our downtown merchant partners and helping us staff our upcoming events. Venice MainStreet could not exist without their time, talents and dedication to our community. Thank you, “Downtowners!”
Attending the Volunteer Strut: Joe & Pat Colonnese Mikey Eberhart Syd & Margo Emmons Barbara Feltquate Ronnie Fernandez Arlene Ferrick Jo Gruenwald James Haas Bill & Trish Harris Larry & Tracy Ivey Rod Nafziger Linda Nelson Ambrose Nolan Shirley Pollack Verna Silk Harry & Gail Thompson Dee Wright
December 2, 2021 from 5-8pm in Historic Downtown Venice Free to the public!
Presented by Venice MainStreet, the downtown Venice Christmas Walk is a shopping and dining promotion to support local small businesses. Enjoy extended hours at local shops, treats, live music and the twinkle of lights on decorated trees along Miami, Tampa and West Venice avenues. Take a stroll and delight in the warm glow of decorated holiday storefront windows. Find out who won Venice MainStreet’s awards for Most Creative, Most Elegant, Most Traditional, Most Creative Use of Merchandise, Most Whimsical, and Best Use of Lights.
SANTA CLAUS LOCATIONS 5-6 pm- Tangi & Jess, 310 West Venice Avenue 6-7pm- Fountain Park at intersection of Miami Avenue West and Nokomis Ave/Ponce de Leon 7-7:30pm- Roaming Miami Ave. West 7:30-8pm-Bodrum Restaurant, 225 Miami Ave. West
ROAMING SINGERS/MUSICIANS 5-6pm- Venetian Harmony Chorus 6-7pm- The Venice Chorale Holiday Singers 7-8pm- Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum
LOCATIONS WITH LIVE MUSIC Bain– Daiquiri Deck, 300 W Venice Ave. George DeJong– Gulf Shores Realty, 351 W Venice Ave. Kenny Moolenaar (steel drums)– Burgundy Square Cafe and Bodrum, 225-227 Miami Ave. W Nick Sperry– Venice Wine and Coffee Co., 201 W Venice Ave. Sam Domicolo– Cafe Venice, 101 W Venice Ave. Swinging Bridge– Venice Avenue Creamery, 249 W Venice Ave.
PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: MIAMI AVE Abby’s on Miami Bodrum Restaurant Burgundy Square Cafe Crate & Marrow Deb Peter’s Coaching Down Island Way Boutique Earth Treasures Fifi’s of Venice Gulf Soles Island Organics Mothers Cupboard Spice Shoppe Nest Venice The Island Bookshop Venice Locale NOKOMIS AVENUE Collectors Gallery & Framery Horse & Chaise Rentals & Property Management Michael Saunders & Co. TAMPA AVENUE Door Belle Dinners
WEST VENICE AVENUE Aqua Silks Studio B & B Bootery Bonnell’s Boutique & Winery Cafe Venice Captain’s Landing Cassariano Italian Eatery Celebration Corner Century 21 Schmidt Real Estate Ciao Gelato Coldwell Banker Realty Croissant & Co. Daiquiri Deck DanaTyler Deborah’s Quilt Basket Dick’s Shoes of Venice DKE, Inc. ERA Preferred Properties of Venice Eyes on You Florida Oil & Vinegar Company Florida Violins Gulf Shores Realty Heitel Jewelers Island Gift Nook Island Life Hammock Co. Laurie Jean & Co. Lisa’s Classic Rose Kristine Grace Resort Wear Kyrstyna’s Designs Made in Italy Old Venice Pub Patchington RE/MAX Platinum Realty Ristorante San Marco Rose & Leo Scarlet Macaw Resort Wear Sea Pleasures & Treasures Seed & Bean Market Shirt Stop Smoky Mountain Handmade Candles St. Marco Boutique SunBug Tangi & Jess The Boutique by the Beach The Soda Fountain/Vinnie’s Pizzeria Things I Like Trattoria da Mino Twist Boutique Venice Avenue Creamery Venice Island Gallery Venice Olive Oil Company Venice Wine & Coffee Co. Waves of Light
Venice MainStreet’s CEO, Kara Morgan, made her tenth appearance on ABC7’s Suncoast View on 11/11/21 to promote historic downtown Venice. The segment featured Venice Olive Oil Company and its recent expansion; Nest Venice’s ethically sourced global goods; and handcrafted, local works at Venice Locale. Downtown Venice is the perfect place for your holiday shopping at these and other Venice MainStreet partner stores!
Mary’s lovely “Venice Path” painting was selected by the panel of judges on the Venice MainStreet Design Committee, Venice MainStreet Board of Directors, and Howard Alan of Howard Alan Events (the organizer of the art festival). This is Mary’s fifth winning painting over the festival’s 25+ year history of holding poster contests. Her artwork was also featured during the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th annual festivals.
Posters of Mary’s painting will be available for sale at the upcoming art festival on November 6th-7th at the Venice MainStreet booth. Mary will be there to sign posters. Artist Heather McCullough, winner of the 2020 poster contest, will also be at the booth promoting her artwork, which is featured on beach totes newly offered this year.
Thank you to Leah Sherman at Collectors Gallery & Framery for hosting the unveiling event and to Lueanne Wood, PA, of Gulf Shores Realty for sponsoring the bubbly Champagne!
Paving will start Friday, November 5th, on Calle De Las Tiendas Alley between W. Venice Avenue and Miami Avenue from S. Nokomis Avenue west to S. Miami Avenue. Milling of the roadway surface will be completed on Friday with paving starting on Monday, November 8th. All trash and recyclables will be picked up on Monday morning as trash pick-up will not be available during paving operations. Please make sure all recyclables and trash are out by 5 a.m. Monday morning. Depending on weather condition, paving is estimated to be complete by Thursday. The alley will be closed to all traffic during paving operations. Deliveries will need to avoid these days or conducted from W. Venice Avenue or W. Miami Avenue.
• No Parking on Friday and Monday thru Thursday allowed in or near the alley or behind the businesses in the 200 and 300 block. • Alley will be closed to traffic from Nokomis Avenue west to S. Miami Avenue Monday through Thursday and in areas being milled on Friday. No work is scheduled for Saturday or Sunday. • Use caution when walking or driving on milled areas due to uneven pavement. • Motorists are urged to use caution as crews work in and near the alley.
For more information, please contact City Engineer Kathleen Weeden at 941-882-7409 or kweeden@venicefl.gov .
Photo and information provided by Cordy Crane, Executive Assistant City Manager’s Office City of Venice 401 W. Venice Avenue Venice, FL 34285 941-882-7398 ccrane@venicefl.gov
Thank you, Velasquez-Pierce Family Dentistry, for joining Venice MainStreet as a Business Partner! Velasquez-Pierce Family Dentistry uses advanced technology, modern techniques, and years of experience to ensure that your treatments are as pain-free as possible. Its dental team will make sure that you feel welcome and relaxed, and only receive the treatments you need at an affordable price. Services are also offered in Spanish.
Dr. Ximena Velasquez-Pierce offers a full range of dental services for the entire family. Because she was an orthodontist in Colombia before coming to the United States, she also offers professional orthodontic treatments, in addition to comprehensive family dentistry. The practice has been serving the Venice area community for 17 years. Dr. Ximena Velasquez-Pierce took it over in October 2016 and she and her team are excited to continue providing trustworthy, professional dental care.
1872 South Tamiami Trail, Suite E Venice, Florida 34293 (941) 497-4997 drmakesmesmile.com
Welcome, Florida Violins, to downtown Venice and thank you for joining Venice MainStreet as a Business Partner! Florida Violins, owned by DaVid Pineda-Huezo and Tirza Kosche Pineda, is a full service restoration, fabrication, sales and rental of fine violins, viola, cello and their bows. IStrad is its brand of elegantly and beautifully designed electric and acoustic instruments and bows.
DaVid Pineda-Huezo is a documented Fellow and President of the Violin Intercontinental Forum, Inc. and is USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) compliant to do certified appraisals.
Located in Historic Downtown Venice: 325 West Venice Avenue, Suite D Venice, Florida 34285 941-244-6040 941-227-6784 floridaviolins.com
