In what year was the planned layout of Venice known as the "John Nolen Plan of Venice Historic District" officially added to the

U.S. National Register of Historic Places?

The heart of Venice, Florida transforms this weekend as the 37th Downtown Venice Art Festival takes over West Venice Avenue. 

From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the historic avenue becomes a colorful, open-air gallery, bustling with art lovers and over 100 nationally recognized artists. 

Organized by Howard Alan Events, the festival features everything from paintings and sculpture to photography and mixed media. 

What truly sets this event apart is the chance to meet creators, talk about technique, and even order a custom piece. 

Beyond its “Shark’s Tooth Capital” fame, Venice steps further into the spotlight as a lively arts hub, inviting locals and visitors to fully participate. 

Stroll the palm-lined street, explore boutiques and cafés, and ....

If you missed any Venice Matters past articles, 

you can find it HERE 

Sarasota County has enacted a countywide burn ban due to ongoing drought and the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) surpassing 500, signaling high wildfire risk.

Under this emergency order, almost all open burning—including bonfires and debris fires—are prohibited throughout unincorporated areas, the City of Sarasota, and Venice neighborhoods under county jurisdiction.  

Grilling is still allowed with barbecue pits under three feet wide and two feet tall, and permitted burns authorized by state or county officials may continue.  

The City of Venice typically mirrors Sarasota County’s actions, so residents should monitor local city advisories and official updates.  

Sarasota County Fire Department urges everyone to remove brush near structures, clean roof gutters, grill safely, and report wildfire sightings immediately.  

The ban will lift automatically only after the KBDI remains below 500 for seven straight days. For now, vigilance and ....

Venice High School Indians delivered a commanding 51–14 victory over the Sarasota Sailors, turning a heated district rivalry into a showcase of dominance under Friday night lights.

Venice controlled every aspect of the game, dictating a fast tempo, owning the line of scrimmage, and unleashing explosive plays that quickly put the contest out of reach.

Their offense looked balanced and potent from the start, mixing fast, efficient drives with a defense that consistently stifled Sarasota’s momentum and forced punts.

Junior running back Ira Dale Jr. highlighted the night, powering into the endzone with a 1-yard rushing touchdown that summed up Venice’s red-zone perfection and broke Sarasota’s resistance.

Backed by steady veterans and dynamic skill players....

North Port and Venice are rallying together to support children in need, with the Child Protection Center (CPC) leading the way through impactful local events.

This month’s Celebrity Bartender Challenge in Venice brought in nearly $10,000, thanks to eight Sarasota County “celebrity” bartenders competing to raise vital funds for CPC’s programs aiding families and protecting children from abuse.

The excitement is building toward the highly anticipated Night of Hope & Healing gala, set for November 6, 2025, at the Venice Community Center.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this event promises culinary tastings, signature cocktails, live music, games, and therapy dogs—while reinforcing a serious purpose.

A decade of community support has allowed CPC, accredited by the National Children’s Alliance, to serve thousands of children annually in Sarasota and DeSoto counties.

The resounding local message: when neighbors come together, every child has...

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has evolved from a small cluster of historic cottages on Manasota Key into a nationally recognized creative hub, attracting composers, writers, and visual artists for residencies and community programs.

Recent years have brought major challenges as hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton battered the Sarasota County–owned campus with flooding and damage, complicating repairs and historic preservation due to public-ownership rules and environmental restrictions.

The county leads storm restoration to maintain FEMA eligibility but county-run delays have left the Hermitage frustrated and many buildings offline.

A $172,000 offer for county-managed repairs was declined by the Hermitage, which instead seeks to purchase the site for more control and faster recovery.

As of late 2025, restoration continues at a slow pace; both sides want the campus restored, but .....

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It was added in the year 2009