Celebrate our world ocean!

World Ocean Day Family Festival will take place at the Mote Aquarium Courtyard Sunday, June 7th, 2009 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The festival is FREE with paid admission to Mote Aquarium and free to Mote members. There will be face painting, games, and crafts organized by Mote and other local groups. Participating Organizations include: START (Solutions To Avoid Red Tide), Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Sarasota Chamber Young Professionals Group, 4-H Club, and Florida Native Plant Society Serenoa Chapter.

For more information, please contact Stacy Alexander at 941-388-4441 ext. 509 or stacyalexander@mote.org

A New Hallelujah

Michael W. Smith

Porch GAtor!

Venice, Florida -Animal Control officers remove a pesky porch gator.

DOLPHIN PSA

http://www.dontfeedwilddolphins.org/

http://www.sarasotadolphin.org/

http://www.protectwilddolphins.org/info.html

http://www.dolphinconnection.com/

http://www.dolphins.org/

Give Me Your Eyes

by: Brandon Heath

Venice 1926

Venice E-News February 2009

"A Photographic Journey by Grover Koons” at the Historic Triangle Inn, 351 Nassau St. on the island just around the block from the library. Grover Koons, a photographer, editor and publisher of a Hollansburg, Ohio, newspaper, lived in Venice from 1927 - 1930. During that time he photographed construction sites throughout the city as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers began to make John Nolen’s plan a reality. Koons’ photographs of the construction of the city in 1926 will be on display through April 27, Mondays - Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information, call the Venice Archives and Area Historical Collection in the Triangle Inn, (941) 486-2487.

History at The Inn

The Triangle Inn of Venice is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is also home to the Venice Archives and Area Historical Collection. It's one of the places you can go if you are interested in learning about our area's history. Venice Archives also keeps an on-line collection. The Archives are open January through April: Mon, Tues, and Wednesdays, and then May trough December: Mon. and Wed. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

There is also The Venice Area Historical Society. Check their website for information about tours of the Venice Train depot, their programs, and special events.

Also don't forget about the Venice Historic Trolley Tours to be conducted by The Venice Area Historical Society at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM on Saturdays Jan. 24th, Feb. 07th, Feb. 21st, and March 7th. Reservations required. Tickets can be purchased at The Triangle Inn for $15. or call 486-2487.

Images of Venice

Sunset on a South Venice lake. Image taken less than two weeks ago. The first image is straight from the camera.

The Second image is from a "head to Head" contest between two graphic artists at www.photoshopcontest.com. This was the winning image in the informal contest where graphic artist "gsenthil" won some bragging rights over "draugaer" using the original image as a starting point, and then "chopping" it into whatever their creative minds could come up with.

Click on images for full detail.

Thinking About Volunteering?

A person who loves the water, the community, boating, being active, and involved may find a perfect fit at the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary of Venice. Venice Auxiliary members conduct safety patrols and search-and-rescue missions on our waterways, respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, assist the USCG with homeland security duties, educate Venice Area citizens about America's Water Watch (AWW), a public outreach program, that encourages participants to simply report suspicious activity to the Coast Guard and/or other law enforcement agencies, teach boating safety classes, and conduct free vessel safety checks for recreational boaters. Other members contribute their talents in web design, information technology, public affairs, and a variety of administrative roles. Requirements are simple: volunteers must be U.S. citizens, at least 17 years of age, and able to pass a basic background check. There are no upper age limits or height/weight standards, although for boat crew, volunteers must be physically able to perform certain tasks. Most training is provided free, and includes training as boat crew and coxswain (small boat operator), vessel examiner, boating safety class instructor, public affairs officer, and many others. Another plus is that volunteers can be “on duty” as little or as much as they want; there are no minimum service hours. Interested in becoming a local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer? Call 941-492-5904, 941-488-1900, or 941-496-9574, or visit www.cgauxvenice.com.