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Parcels from Paradise – July 2026

Posted on by Karl Seidel

Now in its 16th year of publication.

July 2026

Keeping You Updated

The Endless Story of Mission Valley and Laurel Rd.

One of the most frequent questions Parcels hears is: “What are they building at the corner of Mission Valley and Laurel Road?” Since it appears to be a private residence, details have been limited.

There are many subcontractors, and they park at the kennels across the street. When asked when the project would be completed, the foreman replied, “We don’t know. The owner keeps requesting changes at the site.”

Sounds Delicious, …But Be Patient

Whataburger is scheduled to come to the Venice Crossings shopping center on Laurel Rd. The menu includes its classic burger and many other choices for burger fans to enjoy.

Water, Water… No Where.

Water restrictions remain in place. Residents should review the difference between irrigation water and potable water and follow the current schedules and restrictions.

Visit www.vgrcca.org for more information and helpful links.

Parcels from Paradise – Keeping Venetian Residents Connected…

Grand Opening a Success

The new Northeast Venice Park on Laurel Road officially opened in June. Features include separate dog parks, eight pickleball courts, a walking trail, adult fitness equipment, and playground equipment.

Just For Your Reading Pleasure

Keeping it Clean

Japanese fans are known for cleaning up their sections after major events. It is a simple idea worth borrowing here at home.

Where’s the Canned Mushrooms?

Walmart employees are using translation apps to help customers overcome language barriers and find what they need.

Hot as You Know What

Heat stroke can happen quickly. Stay hydrated, take breaks, and pay attention to how you feel outdoors.

Cheesesteak Craze

G Boys Cheesesteaks in Jacaranda Plaza has opened, drawing long lines and plenty of local excitement.

Futurecast

Craft Fair in November

Member Market & Craft Fair
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Place: River Club
Time: 10am – 2pm

Venice Theatre

Venice Theatre continues its recovery and is offering a full season of shows, classes, workshops, and auditions.

Golf Course Improvements

The golf course is undergoing renovations with nine holes closed at a time. Residents are reminded that the golf course is strictly private.

Snook Haven Coming Back

Snook Haven is expected to reopen in fall 2026 after an $8.75 million renovation, with casual outdoor dining and live entertainment expected.

Community Association Updates

Answering the Call

HRT volunteers helped distribute approximately 200 updated 2026 Hurricane Guides at the Farmers Market.

Wanted: Competent Photographer

The Community Association is seeking an experienced volunteer photographer for community events. Send your name, email, and phone number to vgrcca@gmail.com.

Ajax Shoe Drive

Ajax is supporting Twig with a shoe drive. Donations and shoes are welcome contributions.

Have You Been to Spanish Point?

Spanish Point is a 33-acre historic site on Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey, now part of Selby Gardens. Guided tours are available between 11am and 3:30pm.

Final Thoughts

Can You Read?

Important community information is shared by email from the POA, CDD, River Club, and Community Association. Residents are encouraged to open and read these messages for safety and general welfare.

“Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much”
~ H. Keller

Membership Enrollment Form

Your Venetian Golf and River Club Community Association membership demonstrates the value you place on living in this community.

Your membership helps support:

  • Monthly publication of Parcels from Paradise
  • Continuation of the Hurricane Response Team
  • Support for community messaging
  • Seminars and events including Shredfest, Bike-O-Rama, CPR training, and expert presentations

There are two ways to join:

1. Online at www.vgrcca.org/membership

2. Mail a check payable to VGRC Community Association to:
Membership
230 Padova Way
North Venice, FL 34275

Membership Dues Per Household

  • Three Years — $70
  • Two Years — $50
  • One Year — $30

Name and Additional Name: _____________________________

Preferred Telephone #’s: _____________________________

All E-mail Addresses: _____________________________

Venetian Address: _____________________________

Other Mailing Address: _____________________________

Thank you for reading PARCELS. Visit: www.vgrcca.org

Water, Water… No where

Posted on by John Manoush

We have seen various alerts about this topic since at least April, and restrictions have not yet ended.  Homeowners should be aware of this not only to avoid being fined but also because it is the right thing to do.  Be aware of the distinction between irrigation water and potable (city) water, because the restrictions and penalties are different for each.  Irrigation at VGRC (using reclaimed water) is managed by our CDD, who specifies when irrigation can be done depending on your address.  Click HERE to open the current CDD schedule.  Currently, irrigation is limited to one period per week, usually in the early a.m. hours.  Irrigating outside of allowed times can subject you to a warning or fine from our POA, who monitors for compliance.  Residents should not attempt to adjust their irrigation timers without full knowledge of the CDD requirements or consultation with their landscaping service, if applicable.

The City of Venice and the SW Florida Water Management District issued a bulletin on April 3 restricting the use of potable water for landscape watering and car washing.  Although the bulletin carried an end date of July 1, the restrictions have now been extended to October 1.  Watering with sprinklers is restricted to Tuesdays and Thursdays depending on your address, while hand watering or use of soaker hoses may be done any day but only between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.  It is a rather complicated formula best seen by clicking HERE to view the City of Venice webpage.  Violation of these government restrictions may result in a citation or fine of $75.

Please do your part to understand and comply with these important requirements. [posted July 6, 2026]

Our HRT shares knowledge with the city-wide community at 2026 Hurricane Expo

Posted on by Karl Seidel

The City of Venice hosted another Hurricane Expo on Friday, May 29th at the Venice Community Center. For the second consecutive year, city officials invited our HRT to host a table and to share information with attendees on how to create and maintain a community hurricane response team program. The VGRC was the only community asked to participate and showcase its program, and there was a great deal of interest and appreciation expressed by those who stopped by. A couple attendees said that they had a group of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members who are activated after a storm; but unfortunately, most of those with whom we spoke said that there was no team in their community and agreed that one was needed. Handouts with an outline of our program contents and contact information was provided to anyone who was interested. City officials stopped by the booth and, as in the past, applauded the community for such a wonderful program.

“Staying Connected When the Cell Towers Are Down: A Guide to Satellite Texting” by Joe Browne

Posted on by Karl Seidel

Emergency Communications
Staying Connected When the Cell Towers Are Down: A Guide to Satellite Texting


This informal guide covers how to use these life-saving features on an iPhone, with a brief look at similar options for Android below.

When severe weather or power outages take down local cell towers and Wi-Fi, modern smartphones can now act as satellite
communicators. This means you can bypass the cell network entirely by pointing your phone at satellites orbiting in space. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105097#:~:text=Satellite%20features%20on%20iPhone,family%2C%20and%20share%20your%20location.

1. Reaching First Responders (Emergency SOS)

If you are in a life-threatening situation (such as a medical emergency or severe accident) and have no cell service, your iPhone can contact 911 dispatchers directly. https://mashable.com/article/apple-emergencysos-via-satellite-iphone-14-nowlive#:~:text=Emergency%20SOS%20on%20iPhone%3A%20How,emergency%20services%20through%20your%20iPhone.

2. Contacting Loved Ones (Messages via Satellite)

You don’t have to be in a 911-level emergency to use the satellite. If you just need to tell your family you are safe after a storm, you can send standard text messages. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105097#:~:text=Satellite%20features%20on%20iPhone,family%2C%20and%20share%20your%20location.

  • Who has this capability: You need an iPhone 14, 15, 16 or 17, and your phone must be updated to iOS 18 or newer.
  • How to use it: When your phone loses all cell and Wi-Fi service, open your normal Messages app. A prompt will appear at the top of the screen offering to use the satellite connection.
  • What happens next: The phone will guide you to point your device toward a satellite. Once connected, you can text your friends and family.
  • Keep in mind: Satellite signals travel a long way and are much slower than regular cell service. A short text may take a minute or more to send. You cannot send photos, videos, or group texts—only words and emojis

How to Practice Safely (The Connection Demo)

The best time to learn how to connect to a satellite is before an emergency happens. Apple includes a risk-free “Demo Mode” that lets you practice aiming your phone at a real satellite without actually calling 911. https://mashable.com/article/apple-emergency-sos-via-satellite-iphone-14-now-live#:~:text=The%20demo%20will%20temporarily%20disable,and%20receive%20messages%20via%20satellite.

1.Step Outside:

You must be outdoors with a clear view of the sky. Trees, tall buildings, and roofs will block the satellite signal.

2.Open the Control Center:

Swipe down from the very top-right corner of your iPhone screen.

3.Tap the Cellular Icon:

Look for the button with the antenna icon on the right side of the Control Center and tap it.

4.Select Satellite:

Tap the Satellite option, then select Try Demo. (Note: This will temporarily turn off your cell service and Wi-Fi to simulate a power outage).

5.Follow the On-Screen Tracker:

The screen will show a radar graphic. Simply turn your body left or right as the arrows instruct until your phone connects with a satellite passing overhead.

Once you are done practicing, you can exit the demo, and your normal phone service will immediately return.

What About Android Phones?

Android devices also offer satellite connections, though the method depends on the phone you have: https://www.att.com/device-support/article/wireless/000107337/Google/GoogleGGX8B

Where to Learn More

For official details and troubleshooting directly from Apple, you can read their comprehensive guide: Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone.

Residents Visit Venice Water Booster Station

Posted on by Joe Browne

On April 14th, residents visited Venice’s water booster station off Gene Green Road.  The visit was sponsored by the VGRC Community Association and was very informative of the impact of the WBS to Venice, operations of utilities during an emergency, and the general strategy of water treatment and distribution in Venice.  Residents appreciated the opportunity to visit the site, engage in a free-flow Q&A, and receive very knowledgeable information from city officials.

The main benefits of the WBS are stabilization of the water pressure levels and an increase in reliability pressure levels to facilitate firefighting water requirements. Go HERE to read the full article.

Community Forum 2026

Posted on by Joe Browne

The VGRC Community Association presented “Community Forum 2026” on March 16, 2026 to a packed house at the Venetian River Club.

Information updates by Tom Jones concerning external developments outside the gates included: 

  • Venice Crossings Shopping Center home to a Walmart and Home Depot to be constructed on Laurel Road
  • the Village at Laurel and Jacaranda across from the VGRC entrance,
  • two hotels being built nearby, one on Laurel Road and another on Pinebrook Road
  • the newly constructed Water Booster Station close to and northwest of the community, and
  • other issues in the city of Venice and Sarasota County.


Mayor Nick Pachota spoke on the Water Booster Station and issues related to water pressure for NE Venice, upcoming elections for seats on the council, the status of property taxes in the state, the new city Fire Station under construction on Venice Avenue next to the Police Department, and the need to either harden the city water treatment plant or move it elsewhere since it sits in a flood plain.

Dr. Joe Neunder, County Commissioner for District 4, spoke about the long awaited construction on Laurel Road for its widening to 4 lanes. He expects construction to begin by December of this year, although it could start sooner. Dr. Neunder also briefly described the strategic plan for the county, the budget and traffic issues in the city, as well as county preparations for hurricanes and the opening of Midnight Pass.

In addition to external developments, representatives from the CDD and the POA gave updates. CDD Vice Chairman Cheryl Harmon Terrana spoke on the newly hired amenity management company for the River Club, budget issues, staffing stabilization at the River Club, access to the community and the use of the Ciltadella Road exit There are no plans to upgrade this exit until the shopping center is open across the street. Finally, Cheryl discussed the need to update the irrigation system in the community. Barbara Silkworth of the POA described the need for volunteers for the HOA and POA boards and the committees. Barbara stressed the need to give the Venetian a “Wow!” factor by replacing landscaping, especially hardwood trees which were either destroyed by hurricanes and disease or were removed prematurely.

Cheryl Harmon Terrana
Barbara Silkworth

The highlight of the forum was the presentation of the Gratitude Awards to John Moeckel, Steve Thomaston, Pamela Henard and Nancy Spokowski. This was the third year that gratitude awards were presented to residents and has become the most rewarding feature of these annual gatherings. The true strength of a community like ours is found in the quiet, selfless actions of the people who live here. This award was created for those who make the community a better place to live.

John Moeckel and Tom Jones
Steve Thomaston and Steve Hefler
Sharon George and Pamela Henard
Darlene Schimberg and Nancy Spokowski

For those who could not attend the forum in the River Club or the LaSala room, the Community Association organized a live TV presentation and a “Zoom” feature so that others could view the proceedings from outside the main dining room or from home. While the video quality was excellent, the audio was not. The reconstructed video with improved audio is available on our YouTube Channel. Click on the yellow card on the YouTube page to view the video.

The Community Association sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience or frustration to those residents who participated in the Zoom session and those in the LaSala room for the sound distortion of the presentations. 

For those who wish to reference the various handouts used by Tom Jones for his presentation of external developments in the area during the video:

Page 1 Agenda

Page 2 Survey Topics
Page 3 NE Venice Map
Page 4 NE Venice Development Data
Page 5 Milano Shopping Center Map

Preparing Your Final Wishes

Posted on by Joe Browne

On Tuesday, March 10th, the Community Association hosted their 17th  “Knock Your Socks Off” Seminar at the River Club titled “Preparing your Final Wishes”. The Presenter,  Mr Darwin Reeck, spent an hour advising fifty community members about actions recommended for people to complete before the death of a loved one. Mr. Reeck has years of experience assisting people plan memorial and burial services as the Director of Lay Ministries at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church along with being a Family Service Coordinator at Toale Brothers Funeral Home.

Click HERE for the After Death Comprehensive Checklist of Actions.

A seminar delves into the reasons behind trusts and their inherent value

Posted on by Joe Browne

Al Pandl visited the Venetian for the third year to educate residents about the importance of protecting their assets for their heirs as well as the processes involved. Pandl explained the terminology and potential predators who may attempt to exploit these assets.   The seminar sponsored by the Community Association took place on February 3, 2026

What is and how to avoid probate was a primary topic. The seminar covered various options, including power of attorney, living wills, and healthcare POAs. It also explained Florida-specific laws and the state tax structure. The goal was to provide residents with the knowledge and tools to protect their assets from potential threats.