Author: Joe Browne
Home Depot may be coming to Venice
According to the August 21st edition of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the Home Depot will be located near a planned Walmart expected on Laurel Road across from the Laurel-Nokomis School.
Avoid Expensive Water Bills with Eye On Water
Have you ever discovered a running toilet after it cost you hundreds of dollars? You’re not alone — and the City of Venice has made it easier to prevent this from happening again.
This writer experienced one in the past month and EyeOnWater saved us hundreds of dollars.
The solution is Eye On Water, a free app available on either the App Store or the Google Play Store. Once registered, you will be able to see your water usage. That capability is available on your computer as well at eyeonwater.com. Once you register using your name, address, and water account number, you’ll be able to monitor your water usage daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. Most importantly, you can set up leak alerts to catch problems early — before they become costly.
There are over 17,000 water meters within the city limits, and each one communicates directly with the city. If a flow above the alert you choose (such as one gallon per hour) is detected for every hour over a 24-hour period, the system can detect it and send you an alert — making this tool especially valuable for part-time residents who aren’t always around to spot issues and who don’t wish to shut their water off when away for an extended period. It appears you can set alerts for less than one gallon per hour if desired.
The Community Association is happy to help you get started — just contact us at vgrccaweb@gmail.com for help.
Or you can watch a video on how to install the app HERE. See comprehensive instructions on how to operate HERE.
Eagles Nests Nearby the Venetian (originally posted January 2025)
One of the coolest things about living in the Venice area is how close we are to all these amazing parks, preserves, and reserves. It’s like we’re surrounded by nature’s own playground! One of the highlights is definitely getting to see eagles and other wildlife in their natural habitat. There are several eagle nests right in our backyard, and it’s all thanks to folks like Venetian resident Rick Cordner, an Audubon Eagle Watch Volunteer, who keeps a close watch on these nests and shares his observations.
If you’re curious, check out the Audubon Florida EagleWatch Public Nest Map. You’ll spot some nests really close to us. If you go to these nests, suggest you bring binoculars.
SA058 & SA080 at Oscar Scherer Park, on the left. On Sunday mornings, Park volunteers have scopes set up for viewing SA058. See map on the left. (There is some concern about this nest — after incubation, both adults were recently seen away from the nest.). SA080 is a bit of a trek out to marker 12A.
SA011 is in Scherer Thaxton Preserve (see trail map) off Honore Avenue. This nest is close to Marker 10 on the map.
The image on the left is a photo of eagles at SA096. This nest is just north of us off Gene Green Road — the road does not extend the entire way to the nest. It is recommended to visit this nest only on Sundays to avoid cement trucks and other commercial traffic along the road.
The image on the right is at SA088 which is in a cell tower off Laurel Road on Vistera Blvd. The eagles have been building a nest in the east tower, however, the nest needs to be checked for recent occupancy.
The Audubon EagleWatch Program is pretty awesome too. They’ve got over 600 volunteers keeping an eye on more than 1000 eagle nests across Florida, spreading awareness and working hard on conservation efforts for these magnificent birds.
If you’re thinking about volunteering or just observing these nests, remember to do so respectfully. Please don’t disturb the nests, and keep your distance – at least 330 feet away on the ground. Let’s help keep these eagles safe and sound in their homes! Pictures of the eagles were supplied by Rick Cordner.
City of Venice Newsletter for April
Please enjoy the April 2026 edition of the Venice City E-News by clicking on this image or the link below. Navigate the City’s e-newsletter by using the left and right arrows on your keyboard, or flip to the next page by using the arrows on the viewing screen. Explore additional resources and information by clicking on hyperlinks. Click here for the website location April 2026 Newsletter. The issue contains an update on Northeast Park, flood insurance discounts, placement of the John Nolen statue, an intercostal project, city council meeting recap, flood and evacuation zones, and much more. Enjoy!