1/25/24

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.

Welcome Venice MainStreet, Inc.'s

2024 Board of Directors

President James Haas, Twist Boutique and SunBug

Vice President & Treasurer Becky Leake, Crews Bank & Trust

Secretary Laurie Sparr, Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Venice Campus

Andrew Britton, Britton Law Group

Kim Farrell, Fox Lea Farm, Inc.

Helen Moore, Michael Saunders & Company

Hector Pescio, Made in Italy

Tracy Silver, Venice Wine & Coffee Company

Annetta Smith, FifthThird Bank

Angela Balsinger Snyder, First International Title – Venice Office

Thank you, Kim Farrell, Annetta Smith and Angela Balsinger Snyder for joining the team and Hector Pescio for stepping in to help us last year and continuing on board this year.

Thank you to our outgoing 2023 board members who devoted so much time and energy to Venice MainStreet. You will be missed!

Sandra DiPentima, FifthThird Bank

Ronnie Fernandez, Venice Florida Tours

Jeannie Gomes, Hotel Venezia

Cindy Lodge, Community Volunteer

To learn more about what Venice MainStreet, Inc. accomplished in 2023 (besides making this handy newsletter), please see our Annual Report below. If you love what we do for the Venice community, please consider donating or volunteering!

Twist Boutique and Sunbug featured

on ABC7’s Suncoast View

Venice MainStreet Inc’s President James Haas and Norhala Houck, owners of Twist Boutique and Sunbug were featured on ABC7’s Suncoast View on January 23rd along with their colorful, trending products. In celebration of Sunbug’s 40th Anniversary and Twist’s 5th Anniversary in downtown Venice, James and Norhala invited viewers to visit the side-by-side boutiques on Friday, January 26th and Saturday, the 27th from 9:30am to 5:30pm to enjoy free gifts with purchase, prizes and fun! Photo and video credit: ABC7 Suncoast View

Twist Boutique, 137 W Venice Ave. & SunBug, 141 W Venice Ave.

Friday, January 26th

January 26 @ 7:00 pm

Venice Performing Arts Center

1 Indian Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

Self-Care Center

321 Nokomis Ave S Suite D, Venice, FL 34285

101 W Venice Ave, Suite 8, Venice, Florida 34285

941-412-4616

January 28 @ 3:00 pm

Venice Performing Arts Center

1 Indian Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

February 3 @ 7:00 pm

Venice Performing Arts Center

1 Indian Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

Opening Feb. 5, the Venice Museum will exhibit the story of modern architecture in the City with Florida Modern: The Sarasota School of Architecture in Venice. Using many images found in the Venice Historical Resource’s collection, visitors will be surprised to learn about how many buildings were designed here by such prominent architects such as Victor Lundy, Paul Rudolph and Ralph Twitchell.  

This exhibit shows off some of the more well-known places, such as the Herron House. But did you know that one architect designed a dentist’s office while another designed a popular watering hole? Learn about what we have and what we have no more.  

Florida Modern runs Feb. 5, 2024, to Jan. 15, 2025. The Venice Museum is located at 351 Nassau St. S., across the street from Blalock Park. Hours are Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and the first and third Saturdays of the month, October through April, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit venicemuseum.org or call 941-486-2487. The Venice Museum is part of the City of Venice’s Division of Historical Resources.

Seminars

Learn from the experts. We’re proud to conduct free educational

seminars led by our experienced Wealth Strategists.

Registration required

February 7 @10am

Selecting a Successor Trustee to Minimize Stress on Family

Register HERE for 2/7

February 13 @10am

Will and Trusts: Creation and Funding

Register HERE for 2/13

February 15 @10am

Out-of-State Wills & Trusts and the Benefits of Florida Residency

Register HERE for 2/15

Crews Bank & Trust

207 S Tamiami Trail, Venice FL 34285

February 7 @ 7:30 pm

Venice Performing Arts Center

1 Indian Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

Invitation to Impact

February 8 at 5:30pm

Venice Musicale’s February Concert Event

 “Will You Be My Valentine?”

February 15, 2024, 3:00 PM

By Jean Barlow

for Venice Musicale

Our next concert asks, “Will You Be My Valentine?” Continuing our monthly series in the New Year, this event celebrates all things love, and will be staged on Thursday, February 15, 2024, 3:00 PM, at Venice Public Library. Covering the subject of affection over time, this array of musical selections will include a range from classical through the Great American Songbook, and some from film and theatre as well. Including some favored Venice Musicale “regulars,” we also welcome back by popular demand the Venice Dulcimer String Ensemble, a group of about a dozen dulcimer artists, with Sue Fitz as leader. Vocal solos and duets as well as instrumental selections will be included in the program. 

We look forward to having you with us as we present songs of love at this time of Valentine’s Day. So, bring along your significant other or your friend—the concert is free and open to the public! For information about the organization and to donate to our Scholarship mission, please visit us at: venicemusicale.org.

JAN 19 - FEB 18

Raymond Center at Venice Theatre

140 Tampa Ave W., Venice, FL 34285

941-488-1115

Venice Region Antique Automobile Club of America

941-893-4664

941-893-4664

Carillon Recitals

Saturdays at 10am

Venice Performing Arts Center

Abundant parking is available but only limited seating is provided. Attendees may listen from their cars or bring their own seating. Recitals last 30-45 minutes and take place rain or shine (but not when electrical storms are nearby).

Hecksher Park

Daiquiri Deck Island of Venice

300 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285

Reserve your issue or subscribe here

VeniceGulfCoastLivingMagazine.com 

Create timeless memories with Gilly Francis Events

941-716-2767

gillyfrancis65@gmail.com

SERVICES

Home watch services

Vendor key-in services

Custom concierge services

(941) 237-0544 

136 – 138 West Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

(941) 488-4128

Business Partners

Venice Print Center

Nonprofit Partner

Plantation Community Foundation

Community Partners

Jo Gruenwald

Aaron Willoughby

Concert Series Sponsor



Platinum Sponsors

Silver Community Sponsors

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end of the newsletter!

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