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VGRC Annual Community Hurricane Preparation Meet June 2nd at 5pm

Posted on by Joe Browne

Each year, the Community Association hosts a hurricane preparation meeting for members of the community. Attendance at last year’s meeting was fantastic, including standing room only for late comers and residents commented on how informative it was. Each year there is a wealth of new information shared by our speakers as they reveal changes that may be made because of the previous year’s hurricane season. This year it is predicted that the hurricane season may rival last year’s season and, to that end, education and preparation will be key.

This year’s meeting will be on Monday, June 2nd, at 5:00 pm in the River Club.

In addition to our usual speakers, namely, Assistant City Manager James Clinch and Fire Chief Frank Giddens, the Emergency Manager Chief for Sarasota County, Susan Tapfumaneyei, will also speak. This will be a very informative meeting and will provide community members a forum to ask pressing questions.

As a reminder, here is a map of the 2024 hurricanes. See details here.

City of Venice Utilities Open Houses – Lead & Copper Survey & Eye on Water Enrollment

Posted on by Joe Browne

The City of Venice Utilities Department is hosting two open houses to assist customers in completing the Lead & Copper Survey and signing up for Eye on Water.

Utilities staff will be available at the following locations and times:

  • Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 3 PM to 6 PM Fire Station 1 Community Room, 112 S. Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285
  • Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10 AM to 1 PM Community Hall (within City Hall), 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

In accordance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations, the Utilities Department is conducting an inventory of potable water service materials that may contain lead or copper. To aid in this effort, the City is requesting customers to self-report their water service materials by August 31, 2025 via this link.

For assistance in completing the survey, call the Utilities Department at (941) 480-3333 or visit one of our open houses.

Additionally, the Utilities Department recently launched Eye on Water, a new online portal that allows City Utilities customers to monitor their water usage and set up leak notifications. The application is available on both computers and mobile devices. Customers can sign up at www.eyeonwater.com and watch this instructional video:

Stop by one of City open houses to learn more about your water or wastewater system, get assistance with the survey, or enroll in Eye on Water. The Utilities team looks forward to speaking with you and answering your questions as we work together to protect and improve our Utilities.

Rare Bird Alert in the VGRC! Great White Herons!

Posted on by Joe Browne

What’s odd about the birds in this nest?   The parent is a Great Blue Heron – Blue Morph.  The two chicks are White Morphs (subspecies) which are very rare for this part of Florida.  Both parents are Blue Morphs which makes it even more intriguing.   Some recessive genes at work.

Photos by Nancy Edmondson   

The birds have now fledged but return to the nest in the evenings hoping for one last handout from their parents.  Golfers might see them from the 12th tee – the two islets to the east.   Let’s hope they return next season!

These rarities were first discovered by Marnie Briggs, VGRC resident and local Birder and reported to the birding community via the eBird Rare Bird Alerts messaging.  Rick Cordner led small groups of A-list birders to the site with the permission of the local homeowners – we are grateful to their support.  Thanks to Rick Cordner for this contribution.