Eddie Swing sharpened our knives and other implements for us on November 22 in the golf course parking lot. His ‘dance card’ was full with all appointments taken as residents took advantage of his expertise. Eddie’s grandfather in North Carolina started the family tradition.
His customer, resident Jack Pritchard, bought knives made from Chinese artillery shells by a master craftsman in Taiwan. The original steel was a Chinese artillery shell shot from canon on the mainland. From a craftsman in the Republic of China to our local craftsman in Venice — Eddie Swing.
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.
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.
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.
