Happy weekend, Venice! In today’s happening-today edition: Development fee hikes, a donut dive, and a flamingo felting workshop + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Venice protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Proposed fee changes ahead: Venice is proposing hikes to development fees, raising the site and development plan charge from $5,587 to $8,759. Officials say review costs exceed current rates, shifting the burden to applicants -- see the fee hike proposal.
Budget pressures mount: With reimbursements lagging, Sarasota County commissioners approved a $91.8 million hurricane recovery budget amendment funding projects since 2022, amid concerns property tax cuts could force service reductions -- get the full details.
New chapter for child care: Sanddy and Melodie Marchena opened Kiddie Academy of Sarasota on March 2, bringing 12 classrooms, a 6,000-square-foot playground, capacity for 190 children, and plans to participate in VPK -- see the child care opening.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Tiki hut dinner views: Dockside Waterfront Grill nails the “I live here” version of waterfront dining, with breezy tiki hut seating, fresh seafood, and sunset boat-watching that somehow makes weekday stress feel optional. Grab a friend, lean into the coastal calm, and let the marina soundtrack finish the week right.
Local RV hideaway: When you want a low-key spot to park the rig and still be within easy beach-dash range, Florida Pines Mobile Home & RV Park delivers a tidy, neighborly vibe that’s great for weeknight unwinding and weekend resets, no fuss required.
Fresh fairway fix: If your wedges need a reality check and you like seeing familiar faces between swings, The Venice Golf and Country Club pairs a well-kept, strategy-forward layout with a genuinely social vibe, turning weekday rounds into a quick reboot and giving your short game fewer excuses.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐎 June USHJA Outreach H/J Show @ Fox Lea Farm | Saturday (6/20) at 8:00 AM – Hunter jumper folks are taking the ring, and spectators are welcome. It’s honor-system, $10 a person, check in at the show office by the cafe, then sip coffee, applaud politely, and nod like you can spot a good lead.
🌊 June Donut Dive @ South Brohard Beach, Venice Florida. | Saturday (6/20) at 8:30 AM – Think you can balance a donut and your buoyancy? World Oceans Day brings the monthly Donut Dive to South Brohard, where you meet new dive buddies, hunt fossils, and sip hot coffee, because apparently carb-loading counts as training; just bring your certification card.
🎭 aactWorldFest 2026 @ Pinkerton Theatre | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – aactWORLDFEST is bringing global community theatre to Venice Theatre for a week of plays, music, and accents you can actually understand. Think world tour, no TSA. Settle in with your favorite seat cushion, and spring for the full week, $280.
🎨 33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival - Sat & Sun @ Downtown Venice | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Miami Avenue turns into an outdoor gallery this weekend, with top crafters from around the country and free admission, because who doesn’t love a bargain. Stroll, sip something cold, and upgrade the porch from “yard sale eclectic” to “tastefully handmade,” sun hat optional.
🛍 Sip, Shop & Celebrate Dad @ Venice Mercato | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Nothing says Father’s Day like shopping with a drink in hand, which is exactly what you’ll get at Just/Because and Venice Mercato. Sip cocktails, sample Bougie Boards bites, enter raffles, snag real discounts, and find gifts he won’t pretend to like, for once.
🦩 Flamingo Felting Workshop @ The Artistic Flip Flop | Saturday (6/20) at 10:30 AM – Trade doomscrolling for wool stabbing, and make an adorable felted flamingo, finished in a 6-inch hoop and ready to hang. Lisa keeps it truly beginner friendly, all materials included, $35, tropical charm for your walls, and zero previous skills required.
🐶 Walk & Wag Father's Day Corgi Meetup @ Pinebrook Fit Trail | Sunday (6/21) at 8:30 AM – Father’s Day cardio: a corgi strut on Pinebrook Park’s Nature & Fitness Trail in Venice, low on bugs and before the heat kicks in. Meet by the tennis courts, left of the croquet field, then follow the short legs, happy barks, and louder humans. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Venice report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 12%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 104. West wind 2 to 12 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Heat index values as high as 101. West northwest wind 2 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 13%
Sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 2 to 12 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 80. West wind 2 to 9 mph. This house is wildThis upgraded Gran Paradiso estate spans nearly 3,905 square feet with a rare dual-living design, plus a private pool, preserve and pond views, and a 3-car garage setup. The main home delivers 5 bedrooms, remodeled baths, and a redesigned chef’s kitchen, while the separate Next Gen suite adds its own entrance, kitchen, garage, and private living space.
Take a peek inside → |
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