It was an immense honor that the VGRC Community Association presented NASA Astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain (Ret.) Sunita “Suni” Williams at the River Club on December 1, 2025.
Residents were captivated by her genuine personality and the captivating description of her life and experiences as an American astronaut. Suni Williams was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998 and has since become a veteran of three space missions. Over her three flights, she has logged an impressive 608 days in space. For more information about her, please refer to her full bio here.
Suni graciously met all requests for photos and chats, bringing immense delight to everyone present. Meeting Suni was truly a memorable event for all the residents who attended. See the video “286 Days in Space with Suni Williams” by clicking here.
From Public Information Officer November 20: We’ve been made aware of an email scam impersonating the City of Venice. If you receive an unexpected message asking for personal information, payment, or urgent action, please use caution.
The City of Venice will NEVER ask you to “wire” funds to pay for services. Remember: All official City of Venice emails end with “venicefl.gov.” If it’s not from that address, it’s not us. Here are a few ways to spot email scams:
Check the sender address. If it doesn’t match our official email, it’s not legitimate.
Look for spelling or grammar mistakes. Many scams contain unusual wording or errors.
Be cautious of urgent or threatening language. Scammers often pressure you to act quickly.
Don’t click unexpected links or attachments. These can lead to malicious sites or install malware.
Verify before responding. When in doubt, contact us directly by calling the Venice Police Department non-emergency number at 941-486-2444.
This article was updated on November 22. The newly constructed Venice Water Booster Station has been operational for several weeks. Located on Gene Green Road, the new station supports the city’s long-term strategy to enhance water service reliability across the city and accommodate future growth in northeast Venice.
Residents can expect several benefits: — More consistent water pressure throughout the day, especially during peak demand periods. — An overall 15% increase in water pressure to homes during low water demand periods and peak water demand periods. — Higher pressure for homes and buildings with second-floor water fixtures that don’t already have private booster pump systems installed. — The new booster station also provides enhanced fire protection by boosting the flow capacity of the fire hydrants during an emergency.
According to the city, the station has significantly stabilized water pressure in the northern part of the city. Before activation, residents north of I-75 experienced daytime pressures ranging from 42 to 46 psi. Since the station came online, consistent readings by City Utilities have been recorded between 48 and 51 psi, with fluctuations limited to just 1 psi throughout the day.
If residents experience low water pressure after these enhancements, it is recommended to check the water fixture aerator screens for clogs or consult a licensed plumber or City Utilities to inspect the back flow preventer line.
A reminder that the 37th Annual Venice Christmas Boat Parade sets sail this Saturday, Dec. 6 in the Intracoastal Waterway. Boats get underway at 6 p.m.
The parade starts just north of the Albee Road Bridge, then continues south down the Intracoastal, around Snake Island, in front of the Venice Yacht Club docks, and proceeds south passing under the North/KMI Bridge, continuing under the W. Venice Ave. Bridge, and ending just before Circus Bridge at MarineMax.
Viewing is available from behind Venice High School ($10 parking is available at VHS; see attached flyer), Marina Park, Legacy Park, along the Venetian Waterway Park trail, and along the Legacy Trail. Parade turn-around is before the Circus Bridge. ***See attached route map, and photos from the 2024 Boat Parade
The Boat Parade travels between 3 to 5 knots. It can take between 45 to 60 minutes for boats to get from the starting point to the North/KMI Bridge, another 10 to 15 minutes to get from the North/KMI Bridge to the W. Venice Ave. Bridge, and another 15 to 30 minutes to get to the parade’s endpoint.
Boats do not make a second trip along the parade route. Once the parade ends at its terminus, boats will travel back to their launch or slip locations. This is not considered part of the parade; when the vessels travel back northbound; their lights will be turned off.
As a reminder, unlike the Holiday Parade downtown, early chair setup is prohibited prior to the day of the Boat Parade.Chairs, blankets, and other items may be placed in viewing areas beginning at noon Saturday, Dec. 6. Please adhere to posted signage and restrictions. Sarasota County and the City of Venice are not responsible for items left unattended before, during or after the Boat Parade. No chairs, blankets, and other items can be placed in the area of the Marina Park Boat Ramp until 5 p.m. the night of the parade, ANY ITEMS PLACED IN THIS AREA PRIOR TO 5 P.M. DEC. 6 WILL BE DISPOSED OF.
The Circus Bridge remains locked down for vehicle traffic only traveling on and off Venice island. The North/KMI Bridge and the W. Venice Avenue Bridge will be locked in the up/open position as the parade approaches and for any returning vessels going back north. Bridges will remain open to allow returning boat traffic to pass through. Leave early, plan ahead, and anticipate additional traffic and detours. Your patience is appreciated.
The annual Christmas Boat Parade is a private event hosted by volunteer residents who donate their time, vessels, and fuel to put on this free community event. The City of Venice issues a Special Event permit to help coordinate bridge closures with the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Sarasota County Government and West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND).
On Wednesday, January 21st, at the River Club, there will be a Resident Orientation which will include a presentation to inform residents of the responsibilities of the various organizations in the Venetian community, including the Community Association, the CDD, the Property Owners Association, as well as the different HOAs. New residents will find this presentation particularly beneficial, while long-time residents may find it a very useful refresher course. A Q&A session will be included, and refreshments will be served. More information will be released in the coming weeks.
Support local businesses and shop fresh by making a habit of visiting the Venice Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Click here for FAQ and also the map of the vendors. The location is in the parking lot behind City Hall at 401 West Venice Ave. The market is open year round.
