Discover Venice 2021-2022
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1433156
A 95-year-old woman was shopping in the Venice Target store the other day. She was asking an employee to help her set up her new cellphone. He told her she needed to go to the Target Superstore in Sarasota. The city of Venice is approaching its 95th birthday. By an act of the state legislature, Venice became a city – and ceased being designated as a town – on May 9, 1927. While some things, like setting up a phone, may still require trips to the county seat, after 95 years it's easy to look around Venice and believe that we are otherwise doing OK without help from Sarasota. Venice Theatre producing executive director Murray Chase likes to say that his facility is the gateway to Venice. Sitting on the southern side of the North Bridge, he has a point. There is nothing like feeling the wind at your back when – after a long day of being elsewhere – you drive home and cross one of the three bridges to Venice island. But everyone knows that residents of and businesses in Laurel, Nokomis, Osprey, South Venice, Venice Gardens and the Jacaranda community also contribute to making Venice a special place; many of the recreational and entertainment options that Sarasota offers are also here. Perhaps the gateways are Historic Spanish Point in Osprey and Plantation Golf & Country Club. The beach is both a gateway and a destination. Discover Venice for 2021 includes information regarding many things you'd want to do while living in paradise. From Chase's theatre to the Venice Art Center to The Venice Symphony, Chorale and Concert Band, there are many ways to be entertained. The beautiful parks are accessible year-round in nice weather. Meanwhile, the consensus among hungry people is that Venice is far more of a dining destination now than 27 years ago when this reporter crossed one of those bridges for the first time and made Venice his home. The dining guide herein bears that out. Letter from the editor This magazine is published in November and reprinted in February 2022. It's inserted in the Venice Gondolier both times. Keep it on your coffee table. Put it next to your computer. Stash it in your car. Just remember, the stories won't help you driving through Sarasota. – Ed Scott Sponsored by DISCOVER VENICE DISCOVER VENICE 2021-2022 6