Venice, FL December 2022

FASCINATING PEOPLE. FASCINATING LIVES.

The active, wellness-centered lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of in a community filled with fun and (you guessed it) fascinating people. Spacious residences and amenities that put the good life right at your fingertips. A hoppin’ social calendar that includes exercise classes, lifelong learning, celebrations and events including our wildly popular “VOTI Cabaret”. If you’re bored here, there’s a good chance you’ll be bored anywhere. Seriously.

Add guaranteed priority access to 5-star healthcare and you’ve got the perfect combination of independence and security you’ll only find at Venice’s only licensed Life Plan Community (also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, or CCRC).

Ride. Enjoy. Live life to its fullest. Repeat.

PUBLISHER Charmaine Tincher charmaine.tincher@citylifestyle.com

Holidays & Giving

The holiday season and the coming New Year have always evoked a sense of gratitude for me, and this year it shines even stronger. I’m thankful to have made it through 2022 with the support of my friends, family, and you, the Venice community. I’d like to take this opportunity to extend that thanks to all of you – readers and advertisers alike – who have helped make Venice City Lifestyle possible.

The stories of our community’s resilience and fortitude since September are so heartfelt! Our City Scene pages are full of evidence of that, and so is the fea ture, “Faith in Action,” showing how Lakeside Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church Charities Emergency Response Team worked together to help others.

The spirit of the holidays is a mighty force and, when combined with the power of gratitude, it can see us through any trial or tribulation. Happily, practicing gratitude is just one of the many nuggets of sage expert advice you will find in “Happy, Healthy, Less-Stress Holiday Tips.” Similarly, we asked four community members to weigh in – not only on what they’re grateful for, but also what they hope for and, on the lighter side, their favor ite holiday traditions in “Our Community Speaks.”

As is only right this time of year, Venice City Lifestyle highlighted some great, local holiday shopping ideas. We live in such a diverse area that it took a variety of gift guides, offering treasures galore, to cover it all. And, talking about area treasures, “Sarasota Ballet Soars,” shines a spotlight on the renowned company’s Program 4, which will dance onto the stage in 2023.

As recovery from the damage from Hurricane Ian lingers on and changes form I have no doubt that we will all continue to take care of those in our community that need assistance. My hope for us all this season is to feel love and peace, and that we remember to extend grace, empathy and good cheer everywhere we go, to everyone we meet.

A special December ‘Happy Birthday,’ with love, to my granddaughter Grace and my grandson Jonathan. May all your wishes come true!

CHARMAINE TINCHER,

IN

Downtown Wellen is getting ready to paint the town red … and every vibrant joyful hue on the color wheel. Wellen Park has commissioned murals by three Florida artists to commemorate the upcoming opening of the region’s newest destination.

“The murals will capture the unique character of Wellen Park and downtown and illustrate the community’s heartfelt connections,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing at Wellen Park. “We understand the importance of public art in conveying a sense of place and were impressed by the passion for color and joy our finalists demonstrated in their submissions.”

Wellen Park partnered with the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County to introduce the Downtown Wellen Mural Project, which attracted 23 entries. The selected muralists are Port Charlotte artist Laura Pommier, Ivan Roque of Miami and Central Florida based artist Christian Stanley. The artists worked through November and December to complete their murals, in time for Wellen Park’s soft opening in mid-January.

Located on buildings and structures throughout downtown, the vivid murals will serve as ambassadors to Wellen Park’s joyful lifestyle, waterfront vibe and whimsical side. They also provide the ultimate selfie backdrop.

“Any time you bring art into someone’s life, that’s what matters,” said Pommier whose work already appears in Wellen Park – the “Blooms” mural adorning the Wellen Park Welcome Center. “Murals really draw in the public. You take a blank concrete wall and create something pleasant and bigger than life, adding an artistic vibe which is really important to what people see their lives as being. For the artist, murals are what we leave behind.”

For Roque who has worked with Microsoft and McDonalds, his Downtown Wellen mural marks a milestone – his first commission on Florida’s Gulf coast.

“I’ve been fortunate to paint murals in four different countries and 13 states, but I’ve been trying to get on the west coast of Florida for years,” he said. “I’m super excited.”

Murals, said Roque, give a community an identity, create a first impression and connect the public to accessible art. “Someone who’s not even into art, who won’t walk into a gallery can look at a mural and think about art in a space that’s not intimidating,” he said. “It’s art for the people.”

Stanley moonlighted as a muralist before leaving a full-time job as a graphic designer a year ago.

“It’s always exciting to get the call about a new commission,” said the artist whose work adorns buildings, restaurants and districts throughout Orlando, including the University of Central Florida, his alma mater. “I always welcome people to stop by, watch and chat when I’m painting. Murals represent a community and add to its enjoyment.”

A must-visit regional gathering hub for shopping, dining, entertainment and outdoor recreation, pedestrian-friendly Downtown Wellen features the 80-acre Grand Lake, unique parks, play areas and a 2.8-mile walking and jogging trail will open to the public in January. Learn more about Downtown Wellen, its featured murals, and living at Wellen Park by phone, online or at the Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m

Past murals of the selected Downtown Wellen muralists: Ivan Roque (above), Christian Stanley (below left), Laura Pommier (below right)

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: Michael Bacon’s family is all smiles at Shuck N’ Ale’s post-Hurricane Ian benefit event. 2: Boca Royale Golf & Country Club’s Scott and Eric served up drinks and food to go post Hurricane Ian. 3: Pops Sunset Grill put the pieces back together post-Ian, opening 18 days later. 4: United Way of SSC staff and volunteers gather around supplies donated by iHeartRadio, 94.9 TNT, and Kix Country 92.9 on behalf of their communities. 5: The Jenkins Auto Group generously donated supplies from Ocala for distribution to those in need by UWSSC. 6: Pastor Josh Davis of Winfield Community Church delivered a large donation of supplies from Ohio for UWSSC staff and volunteers to distribute.

7: Gap Inc. associate Karen Davis and Banana Republic’s Kristina Barrow worked with staff and other Gap Inc. stores to gather supplies for those affected by Hurricane Ian.

STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY

CHARMAINE TINCHER

JAIDEN JOHNSON

JAIDEN JOHNSON

JAIDEN JOHNSON

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8: Megan Randall and Casey Robinette from Habitat South Sarasota County Restore handed out tee shirts donated by UWSCC. 9: Emily Shaw, North Port Chamber of Commerce membership coordinator, offers free hot meals to those in need. 10: Move Mountains provides commu nity service opportunities for children, which helps them build empathy, and practice teamwork and leadership. 11: Young professionals Jaiden, Christina, Matt, Angie, and Eric volunteer to distribute food, water and supplies. 12: Don, Eric, Christina and Sarah serving hot meals in North Port donated by Anna Maria Oyster Bar. 13: Mary Beth Hansen, owner of Nokomis’ Paradise Grill, prepared 750 meals for kids in North Port. 14: Lena and Ashley of Pregnancy Solutions donated to those in need post Hurricane Ian.

CHRISTINA MCCAULEY

CHRISTINA MCCAULEY

DENNIS BRAGG

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business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Nancy’s Home Watch Management Service Saves the Post-Hurricane Day

Nancy’s Concierge Services offers everything from transportation to party plan ning, but after Hurricane Ian, the Home Watch management services saved the day. Nancy’s team began by clearing tree debris so emergency vehicles could get through to those in need. Then they started serving clients: gathering and stor ing outdoor furniture and plants, fixing shutters, and more. Next, Nancy’s team secured appointments with repair service companies in order to get clients’ homes back to normal. nancysconciergeservices.com.

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Holiday Concert Tradition with Venice Symphony & Key Chorale

The Venice Symphony, together with the Sarasota Key Chorale symphonic chorus, continue a holiday tradition on December 16 and 17 at the Venice Performing Arts Center. The two iconic, area musical groups will perform classic carols, fresh new arrangements, music from your favorite films (including “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”), and timeless works from “The Nutcracker Suite” and “Babes in Toyland.” thevenicesymphony.org

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Child Protection Center Receives Funding from Sisterhood for Good

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) was selected by Sisterhood for Good to receive funding that’s earmarked to assist the nonprofit in providing the neces sary equipment for mental health services for children and families suffering the traumas of child abuse in the community.  “Every grant dollar received by CPC positively impacts young victims of abuse and supports their journey of heal ing,” says Doug Staley, CPC’s Executive Director. cpcsarasota.org.

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Photography The Venice Symphony

Photography Stephanie Snow Photography

Kenneth Proudfoot Launches Nokomis Institute

Kenneth Proudfoot is a writer, musician, and teacher. He’s written books and pro duced two documentaries. His recording, “Morning Song,” has one million-plus streams, and he’s a former Peace Corps volunteer. Kenneth recently started Nokomis Institute to promote Nokomis and teach visitors about area sea life, including fish, birds, and mammals. A free weekly presentation at Nokomis Beach begins this month. Find the Institute at facebook.com/Nokomis2021.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAKESIDE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF VENICE

HURRICANE IAN

WORKING TOGETHER: LAKESIDE LUTHERAN CHURCH & LUTHERAN CHURCH CHARITIES EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

“FAITH IN ACTION” FOR CLEANUP

When 18 Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Emergency Response Team members arrived at Venice’s Lakeside Lutheran Church (LLC) in early October, they immediately got serious about help ing to clean up the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian.

Graciously welcomed by LLC’s Pastor David Dahlke, the team’s first project was the removal of damaged trees at LLC itself. Then they headed to Redeemer Lutheran Church & School in Englewood, which had experienced heavy damage.

In all, the LCC volunteers spent three weeks assessing damage and helping others in the Venice, Englewood and Port Charlotte area recover from Hurricane Ian. The effort included Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte and several area homes.

During that time LLC parishioners prepared breakfast for the hardworking crews before they began their workday and, in the evening, additional parishioners prepared dinner and planned meals for the next day.

Working together: it’s FAITH IN ACTION!

ARTICLE BY EMILY LEINFUSS

Macarena Gimenez in Sir Frederick Ashton's Facade (Photography by Frank Atura).

The Sarasota Ballet will ring in the new year with Program 4 - Love & Betrayal - featuring a splendidly imaginative mix of new and classic dance performances.

The triple bill, which runs January 27-30, 2023 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, opens with two world premieres. The first is “Frequency Hurtz” by company dancer Arcadian Broad and the next, “Shades of Spring,” was created by acclaimed choreogra pher Jessica Lang.

The program will close with “Façade,” a beloved Sir Frederick Ashton ballet known for providing viewers with high art and sheer enjoy ment, with a dash of genteel camp in the mix.

Lauren Ostrander, Yuri Nonaka, Emelia Perkins, and Arcadian Broad in Jessica Lang's "Shades of Spring" (Photography by Frank Atura).

"Shades of Spring" Choreographer Jessica Lang (Photography by Kazu).

Danielle Brown and Maximiliano Iglesias in Sir Frederick Ashton’s “Facade.” (Photography by Frank Atura).

Arcadian Broad calls “Frequency Hurtz’s” an "exploration of the way the brain perceives audio and visual frequencies, translated into dance, and then filtered through the viewer’s opinion." He adds that contrary to the play on words for the title, "you’ll find that these frequencies are soothing, pro found, and exciting.” The dancer gained recognition for cho reographing ballets for Orlando Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and DanceWorks Chicago.

Choreographer Jessica Lang’s “Shades of Spring” was created directly for the Sarasota Ballet to perform (a world premiere) at New York City’s Joyce Theater in August 2022. The New York Times’s Brian Seibert called it “fresh, inventive and pretty.” Seibert wrote that “the video projections by Roxane Revon give the dance a background of nature: roots and flowers and their watery reflections. The choreography picks up on the theme with images of insect life and daisy-chain connectedness.”

The evening finale, “Façade,” is Sir Frederick Ashton’s tongue-in-cheek tribute to the Bloomsbury Movement,

orchestrated with composer Sir William Walton’s knowing take on the popular songs and dances of the twenties. The magazine DanceTabs, called it “a series of giggles, poking fun at social conventions, folk dances and music hall frolics."

Founded in 1987 by Jean Weidner Goldstein, The Sarasota Ballet has continually grown and evolved through the years, led by its esteemed directors Eddy Toussaint and Robert de Warren. But it wasn’t until January 2007, when the current director, Iain Webb, took the reins, that the company began to achieve the national and international recognition it enjoys today.

Program 4 is a brilliant example of how Iain did it. "It is a perfect example of what I call the DNA of The Sarasota Ballet," he explains. "Respecting and preserving ballet history with one of the dancers' favorite works - Sir Fredrick Ashton’s "Facade," performing the Sarasota Premiere of Jessica Lang's "Shades of Spring" - one of today's leading choreographers, and then look ing to the future with a world premiere by Arcadian Broad, who is one of our own multi-talented soloist dancers."

Arcadian Broad, a soloist with The Sarasota Ballet, is the choreographer and composer of the world premiere of “Frequency Hurtz.” Photography by Jerry Kestel.

THE PERFECT GIFT

NAPOLITANO

(l-r) Judy Jankowski, Bob Heggan, Nicole Kennedy, Pamela Fiume

OUR COMMUNITY SPEAKS

WHAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR

ARTICLE BY EMILY LEINFUSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY

A few months ago, four members of the Osprey Nokomis Florida Chamber of Commerce (ONFCC) won the chance to answer questions about the holidays and gratitude for this issue of Venice City Lifestyle.

It was a good place to find our subjects: ONFCC’s (ospreyno komisflorida.com) mission is to encourage and promote a positive, balanced, vital economy, and to make the Osprey Nokomis area a very special place in which to live, work and play.

About the same time, a study from the American Psychological Association reported that gratitude fosters life satisfaction, confirm ing what we’ve known instinctively – giving thanks enhances happiness.

More specifically, practicing and expressing gratitude boosts the neurotransmitters that help us feel pleasure, happiness, and well-be ing, and reduces the “stress hormone” cortisol. It also improves physical health by slowing neurodegeneration, decreasing inflam mation, lowering blood pressure, and improving cardiac function.

holiday traditions

“I am grateful to be alive. To give back to the community both personally and pro fessionally. For my family and friends. To have been able to move to my community of choice. For the generous community that I live in.” UWSSC.org

“I love how the holidays bring us together.” - PF

“Baking and decorating Christmas cookies with my whole family while listening to Christmas music. Also, binge watching all the classic Christmas movies with my mom and my dog.” - NK

“Personally, I’m thankful for my family and the good graces that God has given me. As an organization we are grateful and thankful for our supporters. As a result of their monetary support (New World Celts) can award upwards of $2000 a year in scholarships and up to $1000 a year in sponsorship for events.” newworldceltsinc. org/venice--fl.html

“Decorating my home for Christmas. Décor goes up Thanksgiving weekend and comes down after the Feast of the Three Kings.” - JJ

“Going to church on Christmas Eve to be with friends and family. My other great joy is watching my two grand sons open their gifts.” - BH

hopes for 2023

“I’m grateful for my family: especially my mom and grandparents, my best friends of 20+ years, my incredible job where I get to work with my uncle every day, my health, and to be surrounded by amazing influences in the community who help me grow daily.” myalldry.com/florida-gulf-coast/

“Good health and harmony in my life and my family.” - BH

“To meet new people in the commu nity and to continue to help others in need.” - NK

“(An Earth) where everyone’s focus is “service to others” not “service to self.” - PF

“I’m most thankful for the humans in my life: family, friends, and ‘Bammers’ (custom ers). We’re all “perfect” in our imperfections, and I appreciate all the love, sharing, les sons, and wisdom I receive from the people I encounter each day.” bigbambikes.com

“Continued health and prosperity for myself, my family and friends, and for my community.” - JJ

BOB HEGGAN JR., PRESIDENT, NEW WORLD CELTS – VENICE CHAPTER.

PAMELA FIUME, OWNER, BIG BAM EBIKES.

NICOLE KENNEDY, ALL DRY SERVICES OF FLORIDA GULF COAST .

JUDY JANKOWSKI, VICE PRESIDENT OF PHILANTHROPY, UNITED WAY OF SOUTH SARASOTA COUNTY.

Evoo Holiday Gift Sets

IDEAL FOR FOODIES, HOSTESS GIFTS & EVERYONE!

Venice Olive Oil Co.’s 100-percent extra virgin olive oils and top-quality balsamic vinegars add flavor to any dish, promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage creative cooking, and provide a wonderful journey of the senses. Shop in store, or order online, for holiday gifts your family and friends will love. veniceoliveoil.com

Artisano Gift Set

2 oz. 18-year-old Balsamic, 2 oz. extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), and dipping dish. $19.99

Home for the Holidays Sampler Set & Cookbook

Six 60 ml. bottles of flavored EVOO: Vermont Maple, Cranberry Pear, Elderberry, Garlic, Butter, and Rosemary. $45.99

Deluxe Dipping Set & Gourmet Dipping Set

Deluxe set includes 18-year-old balsamic, ultra-premium EVOO, seasoning mix and Tapi pour spouts.  $58.99

Gourmet Set comes with six seasoning blends, one 200 ml. ultra-premium EVOO, dipping dish set and pouring spout. $52.99

2. 5. 30

Carrier Gift Sets

Both gift sets feature 18-year-old balsamic and Tuscan herb olive oil. The 200 ml. bottles are $34.99, and the 375 ml. bottles are $44.99.

Mini Sampler Sets

Choose between two, four, and six bottles of flavored EVOO starting at $12.99.

3. 6.

Customer Favorites Gift Set

18-year-old balsamic, one 200 ml, Tuscan herb olive oil, one 200 ml. cranberry pear balsamic, and one 200 ml. blood orange olive oil. $61.99

Happy, Healthy, Less-Stress Holiday Tips

The winter holidays are a time for joy and celebration, but they may also add stress and unneces sary distraction to our lives. From the disruption of healthy habits, to the added demands of shopping, visitors or visiting, it’s important to have a game plan. That’s why Venice City Lifestyle asked two ex perts to weigh in on how to reduce the stress and increase the YES! factor on holiday cheer.

Cultivating Holiday Peace of Mind

By Laurie Heller

The holidays are meant to be a time of happiness and cheer, but the reality is they can be stressful. Trying too hard, being too busy, or holding on to set expectations can create overwhelm. This season, why not aim toward peace of mind? You got this!

• Reflect – Contemplate what the spirit of the season really means to you and align your holiday goals to fit those core beliefs. Practice gratitude.

• Discern – What didn’t work last year? What was most stressful? Exclude it this year.

• Stay IRL (in real life) – Eliminate or limit your use of social media. Those mesmerizing venues tend to showcase excess and the unattainable.

• Foster Family Traditions – Develop new holiday observances that feel good to you, such as walks on the beach, donating a stuffed toy to hospitalized kids, or making up your own words to carols.

• Ignore Negative Self-Talk – Internal messages like ‘I’m not doing enough’, ‘I always spend too much money’, or ‘If I don’t __ I’ll feel guilty’ do us no good. Breathe, find a meditation video on YouTube, or step out into nature and let it all go.

• Boundaries – Set realistic ones that help you feel in control and at peace: financial (be careful with those credit cards), energy (get rest, don’t burn the candle at both ends), drinking or eating too much (can make you “should” on yourself afterwards).

Laurie Heller, LPC, LMHC provides counseling services at Venice Island’s terra-firma-counseling-center.com. She is also a therapist at Venice Elementary via The Florida Center for Early Childhood.

Wellness = Happy Holidays

By Deniese Kragel

The holidays are notorious for tanking healthy habits. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, we tend to stop exercising and eat too much, resulting in an average weight gain of around 15 pounds. Don’t let that be you!

• Keep Wellness Front and Center – Emphasize moving more and eating thoughtfully. Maintain healthy habits and start new ones, like walking in the morning and going on active excur sions with your family, friends, or on your own.

• Start Now – Don’t wait for Jan. 1 resolutions. Join a gym, take that Pilates or yoga class, or book a fitness trainer or nutritionist today. The adage, “wherever you go…there you are” also applies to “whenever.”

• Plan and Prepare – Keep healthy snacks like fresh fruit, vege tables, and nuts available. Always take some with you, and your water bottle, when you go out.

• Party Smart – Don’t go to a celebration hungry. Identify the ‘lessthan-healthy’ foods you can’t live without and have a small por tion. For each cocktail drink just as much water.

• Gift Wellness – A healthy cookbook, fresh exercise gear, a fruit or vegetable subscription, or a water or air purifier are only a few of the many possibilities.

• Rest and Relax – Take time each day to wind down. Just a few minutes of quiet time can help recharge your body and mind.

Deniese Kragel is a Wellness Coach with Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s RENEW (Restore and Empower though Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness) Program. Reach her on Instagram at deniese_kragel.

The City Lifestyle Giving Campaign

Now in its third year, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign will give away $300,000 this holiday season to help individual community members who would benefit from a helping hand during their time of need. But they need YOUR HELP to make it happen! Maybe you know of a single parent strug gling to provide, an elderly person who has experienced loss, a child enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a finan cial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need—even if nobody else does.

To preserve and protect the dignity of every recipient, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely con fidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized in ANY way. (Even those who nominate others may remain anonymous if they choose.)

Last year, City Lifestyle was able to give to more than 70 recipients all over the country by sending checks in the mail through New Year’s Eve. (This year, the goal is to double that number with checks ranging in amounts up to $3,000 each.) With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed.

“We believe in giving back and serving the communi ties where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

Together with Matthew Perry, Chief Sales Officer, Steven adds that the outpouring and gratitude from the recipients was overwhelming and affirmed that this is a tradition they want to continue.

“We believe God has blessed our company with contin ued success,” Matthew adds, “so we in turn want to be a blessing to others.”

City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving pro gram whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep doing it on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is so rewarding that it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster that culture of generosity.”

“This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

Where has the campaign gifted?

To submit a nomination, follow @citylifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

DECEMBER 3RD

The Venice Christmas Boat Parade

INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY FROM ALBEE RD. BRIDGE, NOKOMIS TO VENICE'S CIRCUS BRIDGE | 6:00 PM

Spectators line the north (at South Nokomis Beach) and south (at North Venice Beach) jetties, and through out the downtown and Venice waterfront areas, to view the brightly lit and colorfully decorated Christmas boats as they move along the Intracoastal Waterway. venicechristmasboatparade.com

DECEMBER 3RD

4th Annual Braves Tomahawk Family Fun 5K event

COOLTODAY PARK | 7:30 AM - 10 AM

Enjoy a fan favorite and family fun 5K event at CoolToday Park, the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves. Race to benefit the Atlanta Braves Foundation. cooltodaypark.com

DECEMBER 5TH

Venice Concert Band: Holiday Splendor

VENICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | 7:00 PM

Join the Venice Concert Band as it performs many of the traditional sounds of the season. You will also be treated to a few selections with happy and surprising twists! $10-$12. veniceperformingartscenter.com

DECEMBER 6TH

Venice High School Orchestra Holiday Concert

VENICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | 7:00 PM

Venice High’s Symphonic, Philharmonic, and Chamber Orchestras (grades 9-12) join forces to perform this free, seasonally-themed concert. Donations accepted. veniceperformingartscenter.com

DECEMBER 9TH- 10TH

The Nutcracker by The Sarasota Ballet School

VENICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | 7:00 PM ON 10/9 AND 3:00 PM ON 10/10

This new production of The Nutcracker represents an exciting partnership between The Sarasota Ballet School, the Venice Symphony, and the Venice Institute for the Performing Arts. The holiday favorite features enchant ing sets and an array of stunning costumes by the internationally renowned ballet designer Peter Farmer. Addi tional performance on December 18 at 5:30 PM at the Sarasota Opera House. sarasotaballet.org

DECEMBER 10TH

8th Annual Bicycles International Glow Ride

MAXINE BARRITT PARK | 7:00 P.M.

Join Bicycles International for the 8th Annual Glow Ride, a fun casual 7.5-mile ride to light up Venice Island. Gear up your bikes with front and rear lamps and grab your helmet (these items are required). Bust out the flair, light up your bike and get ready to ride the streets. (Costumes encouraged!) info@bicyclesinternationalfl.com

DECEMBER 9TH

Friday Night Concert in the Park Featuring George Durham and Company Band

CENTENNIAL PARK - HISTORIC DOWNTOWN | 7:00 PM

Join the fun at the Friday Night Concert Series at the gazebo in Centennial Park. Hosted by Venice Main Street every second and fourth Friday of each month. Free. Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs and blankets. For more information go to visitvenicefl.org/friday-night-concert-series

DECEMBER 10TH

2nd Annual MarineMax Venice Boston Whaler Charity Fishing Tournament

MARINEMAX VENICE | ALL DAY FISHING, 5 PM WEIGH-IN

Calling all Boston Whaler Owners! Join MarineMax Venice for the second annual Boston Whaler Owners Fish ing Tournament in support of The Special Olympic Charity. Cast off for the day in your own time. Be sure to be at the MarineMax Venice Marina fuel dock for weigh-in by 5:00 PM. Then stay for the Awards and after party. $50. 941.485.3388

DECEMBER 10TH

Winter Arts & Crafts Show

VENICE COMMUNITY CENTER | 10 AM-3 PM

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift, check out these 75+ local vendors offering unique, hand made crafts. Food concession on site. Free parking. Free admission. Venice Community Center is at 326 S. Nokomis Ave. scgov.net/government/parks-recreation-and-natural-resources/find-a-park/specialty-parks/ venice-community-center

DECEMBER 16TH-17TH

Sarasota Ballet Program 3 "At Night"

SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE | 7:30 PM

Enjoy a trio of ballets by two ballet greats: Sir Frederick Ashton and Jerome Robbins. The performance begins with Ashton’s bright and joyous “Les Patineurs” (The Skaters). Next, “In the Night” is Robbins’ take on the complexities of relationship, and closing the program will be Robbins’ “Fancy Free.” Sarasotaballet.org

DECEMBER 16TH-17TH

Holiday Harmony: The Venice Symphony & Key Chorale

VENICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | 7:30 PM (FRIDAY & SATURDAY), 3:30 PM (SATURDAY)

Don't miss this annual holiday tradition of classic carols, fresh new arrangements, music from your favor ite films, including "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and timeless works from "The Nutcracker Suite" and "Babes in Toyland."  thevenicesymphony.org

DECEMBER 17TH

Sock Giveaway at Lakeside Lutheran Church

LAKESIDE LUTHERAN CHURCH | 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

Enjoy a Sock Giveaway AND a custom-made Christmas stocking made by Lakeside’s stitch and chatter minis try. The community is welcome to simply drive through the campus to meet the congregation and pick up a gift of JOY and Celebration. Lakeside Lutheran Church is at 2401 Tamiami Trail S in Venice. lakesidelutheran.net

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Gifts For You

LOOK, FEEL & BE YOUR BEST SELF

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVING Put Yourself on Your Holiday Gifting List You Deserve It!

01 Enjoy carefree coastal apparel and great gifts for your favorite golfer, ten nis or pickleball player at Kristine Grace Resort Wear (kristine-grace.com)./ Let your holidays sparkle with 02 lab grown diamond jewelry, or golf in high style with 03 Tee-Girl Jewelry from Classic Creations in Diamonds & Gold (ClassicCreationsJewelers.com). / 04 Go faster, easier and on trend with the Bagi Bike B-10 Street Plus FOLDING electric bike from Big Bam eBikes (big bambikes.com). / 05 Gift yourself or someone you love Morpheus8 - the ground breaking radiofrequency micro-channeling system for rejuvenating, resurfacing and tightening skin, available at The Contour Day Spa.  (thecontourdayspa.com).

/ 06  Complement that beautiful smile with up-to-the-minute treatments, medi cal-grade skincare, and more at Davis & Beyer. (venicedentist.com/facial-skin-spa).

Morpheus8 Skin Rejuvenation at The Contour Day Spa

Bagi Bike, Big Bam eBikes

Tee Girl Ring, Classic Creations

Davis & Beyer Skincare

Lab-Grown Diamonds, Classic Creations

San Soleil, Kristine Grace