ShredFest-JunkFest Saturday Feb 22nd — now includes Goodwill!

Shredfest/Junkfest is one of the most popular events in our community. It is sponsored by the VGRC Community Association which is asking for donations to supplement expenses, such as the costs for the shredding and junk haulers to visit the Venetian.

The “fest “takes place this Saturday, February 22nd, 8:30 am -10:30 am in the River Club Parking lot. For those who are new to the VGRC, this once-a-year, rain or shine event enables residents to bring about anything to this event for the purpose of being shredded (paper, personal records) or junked (chairs, toilets, etc.). No hazardous waste material though.

For those who have secured documents, you will see firsthand your documents being consumed in the shredding truck

Read the instructions, PLEASE. The event will open at 8:30 am and close promptly at 10:30 am

Remember when attending this year’s Shredfest/Junkfest: Drive slowly through the event but keep moving. Pay attention to where you should drop off your stuff. Know how to unlock your trunk … our volunteers need to move fast. Look for the Bucket Boys to make your donations.

Junkfest can take t.v’s, computers, printers, etc., are all good. No on tires, chemicals and paints. 

LATE BREAKING NEWS…GOODWILL WILL ALSO BE THERE on SATURDAY!

A line of cars next to a truck offering document shredding

Dona Bay Watershed Restoration Project Phase III

The Venetian Golf and River Club is located in 2 watersheds — the Dona Bay Watershed and the Myakka Bay Watershed. 

The Dona Bay Watershed has grown significantly in the past 100 years.  Decades of projects have enlarged the watershed — Dona Bay receives freshwater runoff from nearly 100 square miles which has resulted in nutrient pollution. 

The Dona Bay Watershed Management Plan is designed to reverse this trend by not only restoring the watershed and reducing the freshwater flow to Dona Bay, but also redirecting up to 15 million gallons a day to the public water supply. This map shows Dona Bay Surface Water Storage Facility, created during Phase 2.

Currently, the project is in Phase 3, which focuses on replenishing the aquifer. This involves drilling aquifer recharge wells in the southeast corner of the water storage facility. This will reduce the amount of freshwater entering Dona Bay, leading to improved salinity and water quality in the estuary. It’s also estimated this will significantly reduce nitrogen input into the bay by 75,000 to 150,000 pounds annually.

A crucial part of Phase 3 is the exploratory well drilling project which is to begin this summer.

See report for additional information.

Venice City Utilities Expects Early Completion of the Water Booster Station 

The project to improve water pressure in northeast Venice entails construction of a Water Booster Station directly to the north of the Venetian.  We last reported  that, according to the presentation by the Director of Venice Utilities at the March 2024 Town Hall Meeting, the Water Booster Station would be operational in late 2025.

It is now anticipated by the Utilities Director that the construction will be completed ahead of schedule and that the booster station may be in operation this summer!  Hooray Venice City and Utilities!

This is an artist’s rendition of the booster station, looking from its south. According to estimates, the station will also enhance water quality and generally improve potable water service to the community.  An emergency interconnect with Sarasota County’s potable water system is included.  A landscaped berm on the south side of the facility will be built to shield the new facility from view.  Overall project cost is estimated to be $23.5m.

SRO for Community Association Presentation “History of Venice”

On February 10, the VGRC Community Association hosted Dr. Josh Goodman, Historical Resources Manager for Sarasota County, who gave a standing room only audience an entertaining historical sweep of the origins of Venice from its earliest settlers in the area, right up to its in corporation as a city on May 9, 1927.

Bertha Matilde Palmer (née Honoré; May 22, 1849 – May 5, 1918)

Venice Main Street Weekly

Venice MainStreet, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and enhancing the character, beauty, and economic vitality of historic downtown Venice and surrounding areas. See webpage.

City of Venice Newsletter for February 2025

Please enjoy the February edition of the Venice City E-News by clicking on 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 February 2025 City of Venice Newsletter.

Community Association board meeting to be held Monday, March 17th at 10:00 AM

The next VGRC Community Association Board meeting will be held at the River Club on Monday, March 17th at 10:00 am. Agenda to be published. Residents are welcome!