VENICE TO CELEBRATE WORLD CIRCUS DAY: PARADE, PERFORMERS, MUSIC- ALL INVITED
Plans are underway to stir memories and create new ones as Venice’s Circus Arts Foundation is planning a fun-filled gala on April 16th to celebrate World Circus Day.
With planning now proceeding and not complete, the non-profit group working to bring Venice back as a destination for Circus lovers as it was in the days when John Ringling North built the Circus Arena, has in mind a parade across the Circus Bridge, (on the sidewalks-no elephants invited), with citizens invited to dress
Posted By Ed Martin at 8:37 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Wednesday, 30
The Land Development Barbarians Are At The Gate-Legislature To
Prohibit Citizen Votes on Development
In an excellent article in The Herald Tribune, (March 29, 2011) Zac Anderson reports on legislation pending in Tallahassee which sponsors say turns control of development over to the local governments, however, it prevents them from really exercising local control. It is a classic example of misleading advertising by its sponsors. (If this wasn’t a family website, I might call it lying.) “We’re not going to be Big Brother anymore,” state Representative Rich Workman, (R-Melbourne) is quoted by
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 7:18 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Monday, 28
Carlesimo, Always a "Quick Study," Violates the Sunshine Law.
Bennett Points It Out: Holic Steps In.
During his campaign for office Emilio Carlesimo bragged that he was expert on the Sunshine Law, having served on the Fire Fighter's pension board, and was very critical of others.
Sunday, he wrote the MAYOR AND COUNCIL, complaining about Acting City Manager Nancy Woodley suspending the Short term rental ordinance and calling for action at an upcoming Council meeting.
In laymans' terms the Sunshine Law prohibits two or more members from discussing and debating an issue t
Posted By Ed Martin at 7:32 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Saturday, 26
A REQUEST FOR VISION
Ed.note: This guest editorial by Venice resident Tom Brener appeared in the Venice Gondolier Sun, March 26,2011. Ordinarily I would link to it, but the Gondo's link email service is not working. Tom's article is thoughtful and worth reading.
*****
The city of Venice is currently evaluating an unsolicited application to develop the Venice airport property. This project combines a marina and resort hotel with a functioning algae farm. The farm would produce jet fuel from
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:56 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Thursday, 24
THE OTHER WOMAN
I met Peggy, when she was 18, sitting on the floor, singing with a group at a party. I saw her beautiful green eyes and heard her uncanny ability to harmonize with virtually any song. By the second date, unspoken between us, we each decided we had found the other half.
Soon after, I confessed that I was on the rebound and that I had never gotten over my first love, a violet-eyed beauty I first saw when we were both 12. It was an unrequited love on my part, my love-goddess was unaware of
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:01 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Navy Seal Marcus Bell Tells of Bravery in Action.
A graduation speech at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, with a short lead-in video worth watching. Thanks, Richard Francis who called our attention to it.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Montgomery Bell High School.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:55 PM in Category:Guest Bloggers
Tuesday, 22
Two Organizations Bring More Jazz to Venice-South County Jazz Society and Sarasota Jazz Society.
Tuesday evening, the South County Jazz Society had a "Jam Session" at Snook Haven. With a trio including Tommy Goodman on piano, Dominick Mancini on Bass and Dane Hassan on drums, various guest artists sat in for a couple of tunes. Vibist Jack Fanning, president of the SCJS, provided additional life and swing to the trio. Guest highlights included singer Kitt Moran and husband/pianist Mike and regular Venice Snowbird, Dick Smolens who sings and lectures at Venice Library and elsewhere through t
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Inside Venice Facebook.
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:18 PM in Category:Inside Venice
BREAKING NEWS-COUNCIL VOTES TO CONTINUE CITIZEN BOARD MEMBERSHIP; RECONSIDER IN SIX MONTHS
By a 4-3 vote City Council voted to allow current Boards and the number of members to stay in place and be reconsidered in six months. Mayor Holic, who advocated for reduced numbers of volunteer citizen Board and Commission Members voted against the continuation as did Council Members Gates and Carlesimo.
(Because of the late hour of the evening Council Meeting, more detail will be available tomorrow.)
Marshall Happer made a thoughtful presentation on continuing the Pl
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:46 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Monday, 21
Continuing Discussion About KMI Venting: Owner to Venice Building Office. Photos on IV Facebook.
This letter to Inside Venice is From Dennis Abe, Resident of Building.
"The owner and 99.9% of us condo owners would like to see the continued operation of the French cuisine that has been cooked and served in that spot for 35 years.
My letter inquiring about why they increased requirements after permit was granted. "
***
Vince LaPorta
Building Official
City of Venice
March 9, 2011
Hello Vince,
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Inside Venice Facebook.
Posted By Dennis Abe at 4:32 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Saturday, 19
Venice News: What Should Your Government Choose-Less Citizen Participation or Minimal Savings?
"What is disturbing to me is that rather than searching for ways to make the City government more inclusive and make its decisions more transparent, the exact opposite seems to be the direction these proposals are advancing."
*****
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 City Council will consider recommendations put forward by Acting City Manager Nancy Woodley at the request of Mayor John Holic. Mayor Holic had suggested, early in his tenure, that the City eliminate or merge boards and commissions and
Posted By Ed Martin at 8:39 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Thursday, 17
April 10, 2011 Free Concert, Jazz in Venice, Centennial Park 2-4p.m
our last 'Joy of Jazz' concert in Centennial Park on Sunday, April 10th from 2-4pm. If you could help spread the word around that would be very helpful.
Thanks, Mike
'Jennifer Leigh and her New Digs' brings her 5 piece group to Venice for the last concert in the FREE 'Joy of Jazz' series. Jennifer and her guys will provide a high energy multi-genre' performance of Jazz, Blues, Swing with a little Rock on the side. They are real crowd pleasers who do their utmost to bring
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:47 PM in Category:Jazz Corner
Free Concert in Venice Sponsored by Sarasota Jazz Society.
Sunday, April 10, Centennial Park 2 p.m.
Mike Dowd, Venice coordinator for the SJS Venice concerts send along the following announcement.
Our last 'Joy of Jazz' concert in Centennial Park on Sunday, April 10th from 2-4pm.
'Jennifer Leigh and her New Digs' brings her 5 piece group to Venice for the last concert in the FREE 'Joy of Jazz' series. Jennifer and her guys will provide a high energy multi-genre' performance of Jazz, Blues, Swing with a little Rock on the side. They are real crowd pleasers who do
Economic Development Task Force Considers Airport Development: Stirs Dormant Citizen Concerns.
For several years several members of the Economic Development Task Force have been pressing for airport development. That, in itself, is a reasonable area for City planning, study, evaluation, etc.
The question of concern is what form that development might take and where it might occur.
In 2007 the Council at that time was confronted with a series of unsolicited proposals for development at the airport. While the City had not had a public request for proposals, the C
Posted By Ed Martin at 7:19 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Tuesday, 15
INSIDE VENICE VISITS 'THIS WEEK IN SARASOTA' AND FINDS AN EDITORIAL ON PUBLIC POLICY AND HAPPENINGS.
This Week In Sarasota is a good source for information about our suburb. I check it out for visitors to supplement a visit to Ringling, etc. I found an op-ed by "The Twisler" on public policy and creativity that I thought might be of interest.
Meanwhile with the VT, music, art, restaurants, etc. we seldom need to make the trek, still last week's all-Beethoven concert by the Sarasota Symphony was worth the trip.
Enjoy.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the This Week in Sarasota.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:43 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Monday, 14
THE GOOD LIFE-CIRCUS, SCONES, BICYLING AND DOWNTOWN AMBIANCE
The Circus Arena Project is already benefiting Venice. It is not something that will not contribute until it is rebuilt. It is and has been happening since the project was launched.
This last weekend The Circus Arts Foundation provided some world-quality, (no exaggeration), entertainment, under the Big Top in the old K-Mart lot. As the Foundation, an all-volunteer effort, gains in experience in promotion and gains public attention, instead of a few hundred being transported by
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:56 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Matthew Dowd of the National Journal Takes a Look at Pop Taste and Politics.
Mike Dowd of Venice and I are jazz fan buddies, Mike arranges the Jazz Club of Sarasota concerts here. His son, Matthew, writes for the prestigious National Journal in DC.
When I was in Washington the National Journal was a solid reporting, highly trusted source. I expect it still is, but it has gone from a plain, grey, newsletter, to a more colorful display, or at least its website has.
Matthew's column is interesting. Check it out.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the The National Journal.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:18 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Friday, 11
Chamber Claims It Loves Retirees, (It should) But They Forget Chairman Jim Clinch's Public Comments
When I first met with Chamber leadership at my invitation as Mayor, the group, (including some very nice people), expressed their concern about "anti-business" feelings and, to my memory, the word retirees was mentioned. However, there are no notes and memories may differ, so let's go to Jim Clinch's views memorialized by the Gondolier. Clinch, as he wrote had just finished his term as elected Chairman of the Chamber, which did not, as I remember, repudiate his views.
If you are
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Venice Gondolier Sun.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:04 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Thursday, 10
Exclusive News Coverage By Inside Venice--You Read It Here First.
MAYOR HOLIC SUGGESTS MAJOR CHANGES
At the end of the Meeting when Council Members report and raise issues the Mayor raised a very significant change in the City's Charter. He wanted Council's okay to ask the City Attorney to draft a number of significant changes. His intention to raise the issue was indicated in the publicly announced agenda, but there was no newspaper coverage nor was the TV rebroadcast capturing the video. Sound should be available, but may require payment by the public for a disc.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:56 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Wednesday, 9
Council "Three Stooges" Reject Mayor Holic's Recommendation to Negotiate City Manager with Woodley
Mayor John Holic asked Council for permission to negotiate with Acting City Manager, Nancy Woodley, to fill the open City Manager position.
Who opposed the idea? - Council Members Emilio Carlesimo, Jeanette Gates and Bob Daniels.
These are the three members who rushed to judgment on dismissing City Manager Isaac Turner, after two of the three had served three months, and the third, Carlesimo, had a change of heart after evaluating Turner on all 15 points of his perf
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Venice Gondolier Sun.
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:11 AM in Category:Inside Venice
Monday, 7
How Should The City Decide On The Number on Council and Length of Terms?
Tomorrow, Tuesday March 8th, Council will hear a proposal from Mayor John Holic in which he proposes some very significant changes in Venice government.
The Mayor proposes reducing the Council from seven members to five. He proposes four year terms rather than three year terms. (He has not commented on how many terms might be permitted.) He also proposes changing the city elections from the current cycle which has an election for two members, then an election for another two mem
The New York Times asked Gallup Polls to come up with the happiest man in America, based on their statistical survey of happiness in American Cities and statistical areas.
Gallup said the happiest man in America would be tall, Asian, Jewish, over 65, living in Hawaii, and making more than $120,000 a year. The Times found him! Click the link below
Note: we may think its Paradise, but Sarasota County is only average in the U.S. in happiness according to Gallup
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the The New York Times.
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:33 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Saturday, 5
Meet Karen Happer--A Tennis Promotional for Charity Super Star.
Many Venice residents know that Marshall Happer, A Planning Commissioner and former Mayoral candidate was the chief of the international tennis championships and head of the U.S. Tennis Association. Fewer may know of the promotional and charitable tennis leadership of Karen Happer, who formerly ran the Austalian Open, the only woman to head a Grand Slam event.
See the Herald Tribune's story on her local charitable efforts.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:58 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Venice Women's (Girl's?) Team Scores in Ram Invitational.
Although I began writing for newspapers as a "stringer" on high school sports for NEWSDAY, and followed up as sports editor and then co-editor-in-chief of the MUHLENBERG WEEKLY, I have not ventured into sports in Inside Venice, but I follow several Venice teams, this one because I have a friend who is a runner and football because of watching neighbors' children grow up and play.
from the Venice Gondolier Sun:
Ellis was one of five Venice girls who placed in two individu
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:17 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Friday, 4
Jackson Labs Comes to County: Gulf Coast Comm. Foundation of Venice, USF, Sara. M. and County Effort
In this week the GCCFV,(nee Venice Foundation), has made two huge, significant, contributions to the area and the nation. The first was a program for veterans which should be a national model and the second is combining with others to bring a state of the art research facility to Sarasota County. The direct economic benefits and spin-offs are a huge step forward away from over-dependency on housing development. Here is an announcement from the Foundation.
Posted By Ed Martin at 7:27 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Natalie Portman and James Franco Destroy Dumb Actors Stereotype
Outside Venice--neither Portman nor Franco live in Venice, except in the Cinema. However, having been married to an actress and having met many more through her work, I have long since learned that not all actors are dumb blonds or Charlie Sheen.
Last week I learned that Portman has degrees in Neuroscience, and based on her achievements must be in a very small group of people who are extremely gifted, not just intellectually, but artistically.
In today's NY Times is an
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the New York Times.
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:45 AM in Category:Inside Venice
Thursday, 3
Irritation About Defacing Kentucky Military Academy Building Leads to Questions About New Restaurant
Editor's Note: I received the following article, (today), as a comment under a story I wrote some time ago about the circumstances surrounding the moving of Le Petite Jardin to E. Venice Avenue. It was submitted by Frank at El Patio Hotel.
A comment to an older article would not receive the readers' attention that I thought might be valuable to City officials and residents, so I am publishing it as a new blog entry from a reader not part of the editorial staff of Inside Venice.
Posted By Frank at 3:37 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Wednesday, 2
Dr. Nancy Woodley As City Manager?
Dr. Woodley received a Doctorate Degree in Engineering from the University of Alabama, (not too many women of her graduate school era had that achievement.) I received a Masters Degree in Speech Therapy from the University of Alabama and taught there later. Therefore, I support the Mayor's recommendation that she be named City Manager. (This has nothing to do with football and Florida.)
But seriously—when Nancy Woodley became Acting City Manager after Marty Black retired, manageme
