Life + Culture

Four Girl Scouts, Four Lasting Legacies

Girl Scouts gold award recipients tackle mental health, animal welfare, accessibility, and environmental challenges Article by Emily Leinfuss From helping vulnerable animals and supporting teen mental health to rebuilding therapeutic spaces and protecting local beaches, four members of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida  (GSGF) are proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful difference. GSGF, which serves girls throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties, recently recognized four...

Sports + Recreation

Adventures at Kid- and Pet-Friendly Parks

From playgrounds to wilderness escapes, area parks offer plenty to discover Article by Edited by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Sarasota County Looking for a place where kids can burn off energy, discover wildlife and maybe even spark a lifelong love of nature? Megan Eidel, Sarasota County’s Parks, Natural Areas, and Trails (PNT) Manager, and the PNT team shared their top recommendations for family-friendly outdoor adventures around Venice. Among Eidel’s personal favorites are North Jetty...

Sports + Recreation

More Than Champions

The Venice Indians baseball team exits their 2026 season with budding talent, scholastic excellence, and lessons that will last a lifetime Article by Jessie Marie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz/1st Glantz Media The Venice Indians’ 2026 baseball season was unlike any other, both on and off the field. While the team secured a record 32 wins, outstanding player stats, and a shot at the State Championship title, they also built a fellowship founded on shared goals and a sense of...

Education

Scholarships Built on Vision

VIPA celebrates student apprentices, honors Bonnie Hartley and awards its first apprentice scholarships Article and Photography by The Venice Institute for Performing Arts (VIPA) recently recognized the achievements of its student apprentices while also honoring one of the people most responsible for the program’s success: Bonnie B. Hartley, Ph.D. A VIPA founder and the driving force behind the Venice High School Apprenticeship Program, Hartley helped create an opportunity that teaches far...

Shopping

Know Your Pet, Choose Better Toys

The best playthings match your companion’s instincts, energy level and unique quirks Article and Photography by Walk into any pet store and you'll find shelves packed with squeaky toys, puzzle games, feather wands and chew bones. But the best toy isn't necessarily the newest or most expensive. Choosing wisely means considering your pet's size, personality, instincts and play style while making safety a priority. The biggest secret? Know your own pet. Some dogs would happily chase a tennis...

Real Estate

It's a Lifestyle You can't believe!

Venice, Florida Has No Shortage of Great Communities — Here's One You'll Fall in Love WithIf you've spent any time exploring Venice, you already know the secret: this town is full of communities that make you feel like you're on vacation every single day. From the shops, restaurants, and live music on Venice Island to the everyday convenience of having Detwiler's Farm Market just five minutes away for the freshest produce around, Venice offers a quality of life that's hard to match. And 620...

Life + Culture

Wild Myakka Wonders

Nature photographer Brian Glantz captures the delicate and fierce beauty of Myakka River State Park Article by Jessie Marie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz/1st Glantz Media Myakka River State Park contains 58 square miles of outdoor adventure and serenity. Otters, turtles, and fish swim in the Myakka River while alligators gather in large numbers to rest on the shore, and deer, bobcats, raccoons, and more than 100 species of birds grace the subtropical forests and dry prairies. The park’s...

Education

Investing in Tomorrow

The STSCC and Target Masters honor and support local students Article by Jessie Marie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz/1st Glantz Media This year, the Shark Tooth Sports Car Club (STSCC) and Target Masters gathered at Venice City Hall to honor high school seniors Luke Kenneth Hamilton and Alexis “Lexi” Karajman, respectively, for their achievements in the classroom and beyond. Throughout their educational careers, Hamilton and Karajman have demonstrated a deep appreciation for and devotion...

Life + Culture

Unveiling 75 Years of Friendship

The VYC’s Diamond Jubilee celebrates tradition, companionship, and extraordinary art Article by Jessie Marie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz/1st Glantz Media The Venice Yacht Club’s Diamond Jubilee celebrated not just a milestone anniversary, but the camaraderie, friendship, and shared love of the water that have defined the club for 75 years. From the energetic music emanating through the building to the Italian themed desserts, wines, and charcuterie upstairs and fresh seafood and...

Food + Beverage

Five Nine Grill & Tavern Comes to Osprey

Popular Bradenton favorite brings scratch-made comfort food, brunch and community spirit to Osprey Article and Photography by Emily Leinfuss Food lovers in Venice, Nokomis and Osprey now have a new spot to explore with the arrival of Five Nine Grill & Tavern, the popular Bradenton restaurant known for its elevated comfort food, welcoming atmosphere and scratch-made Southern-inspired specialties. Situated in the former Bay Leaf space at Blackburn Point Plaza on South Tamiami Trail, the new...