Children First Invites Community to Support Early Literacy Through Annual Book Drive
Children First, a nationally recognized nonprofit delivering high-quality early childhood education and family strengthening programs, kicks off its third annual “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader” book drive on February 1. Spearheaded by community advocate Sheila Birnbaum, the agency is seeking donations of new, age-appropriate books for children ages 5 and under to promote the importance of literacy. Books collected will be placed directly into the hands of children and families served by Children
Jessy's Toy Box Florida Fundraiser!
Now Announcing the ‘Hope on the Run’ 5K Series
The Hope on the Run 5K Series is a community-centered running initiative designed to unite participants of all ages and abilities in support of local survivors of child abuse and children in foster care. This empowering three-race series invites runners, walkers, and supporters to hit the pavement while making a direct impact on local lives. Hosted in a county-wide partnership with Bridge A Life, the Child Protection Center, and The Twig, the Hope on the Run 5K Series celebrates compassion, community
MEET BRACE: A NEW COMMUNITY-WIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCE FORMED BY GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, CENTERSTONE, VENICE PD
Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has partnered with Centerstone and the Venice Police Department (Venice PD) to launch Behavioral Response and Community Engagement (BRACE), a new mental health crisis response initiative designed to provide timely, person-centered support for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. The BRACE program embeds trained mental health professionals into the local emergency response system to respond to nonviolent, mental health-related 911 calls. The program
MY NAME IS OLD BETSY Book Signing on Saturday, February 28
MY NAME IS OLD BETSY is a book about Venice’s first fire engine which survived the Miami Hurricane of 1926 flooded under 14 feet of water, before showing up in Venice where she is celebrating her 100th birthday.“Hop on my shotgun seat and read with me through 100 years of Venice history. Experience the people, places and events along the way through my eyes. If you don’t want to ride shotgun, hop on my tail board and hang on!” Corky Dalton, the author, did not want to write a history book. Instead, he
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UBER ISP Designed to Provide Seamless, Secure, and Always-Reliable Connectivity
UBER ISP delivers next-generation business internet through its Unified Bandwidth Enhanced Resiliency (UBER) Platform—designed to provide seamless, secure, and always-reliable connectivity. Innovative Connectivity SolutionsUBER ISP specializes in robust internet services for businesses of all sizes. Our proprietary CloudConnect platform leverages a decentralized, multi-carrier infrastructure to deliver consistent performance, automatic failover, and enhanced reliability—ensuring your business stays
Community Came Together to Bring Holiday Joy to Clients of the Child Protection Center
The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) is proud to announce the success of its annual Holiday Wish List Drive, during which the Sarasota-DeSoto community came together to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of normalcy to children and families who are healing in the aftermath of child abuse or neglect. Community members, local businesses, faith groups, and organizations contributed gifts, essential items, and support to these resilient survivors and families working to rebuild their lives. CPC’s clients
CENTENNIAL JUBILEE CELEBRATION
TOAST THE VENICE NOKOMIS WOMAN'S CLUB 100 YEARS OF PURPOSE AND PARTNERSHIP AT OUR CENTENNIAL JUBILEE ON FRIDAY NIGHT, MARCH 20, 2026 AT PLANTATION COUNTRY CLUB, 5;30 PM. Tickets: venice-nokomiswomansclub.org $100 per person Sales start 1/2/2026 while they last vnwcevent@gmail.com
Slice of Florida Realty Shares Top 10 Must-Know Home Buying Rules for 2026 – Navigating Post-2024 Changes in Florida
Venice, FL – With the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement changes now fully in effect, Florida home buyers face a transformed landscape requiring more transparency, written agreements, and proactive decision-making. Slice of Florida Realty, a trusted local brokerage serving the Venice area and beyond, is helping buyers stay ahead with a clear, no-fluff educational series: Florida's Top 10 Home Buying Rules for 2026. "This isn't your daddy's home-buying advice," said Steve Martin Smith,
Child Protection Center’s Case Coordinator Awarded Civilian Citation from the Venice Police Department
?The Venice Police Department is proud to recognize the exceptional work of Alexis Davis, a Case Coordinator with the Child Protection Team at the Child Protection Center, for her pivotal role in a complex child abuse investigation. Detective DiGiacomo formally recommended to Lieutenant Goodson that Ms. Davis receive the honor of a Civilian Citation for her professionalism, persistence, and compassion. In July 2024, the North Port Police Department received a Department of Children and Families report
Business Growth in Motion: Practical Success Paths for Venice Entrepreneurs
Running a small business in a tight-knit, coastal economy like Venice means you wear many hats — strategist, marketer, financial planner, and sometimes janitor. Success here isn’t about scaling fast; it’s about sustaining growth, earning loyalty, and staying visible. Below is a resource-rich, deliberately eclectic guide for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to grow smarter, not just bigger. TL;DR Keep your mission visible and measurable. Build financial discipline
The Small Business Survival Guide: Fix These Mistakes Before They Cost You
Launching a small business is exciting — but it’s also a minefield of hidden pitfalls that can silently erode success. Many first-time founders mistake enthusiasm for readiness, or activity for progress. The good news: nearly all of these missteps are avoidable with structure, clarity, and early system design. Below, we’ll map the most common mistakes, show you how to sidestep them, and share tools that help you operate like a pro from day one. 1. Mistake #1: Skipping Strategic Foundations The
From Sidewalk to Search Bar: The Urgent Case for Going Digital
The storefront is no longer the only window into your business. Whether you’re running a neighborhood bakery or an independent clothing boutique, your physical location is just one layer of how people find, judge, and decide to engage with you. In the past, visibility was about street corners and signage. Today, it’s about search bars, smartphones, and fast-scrolling thumbs. A digital presence doesn’t just complement your brick-and-mortar operation—it multiplies its power, acting as a signal, a filter,
CPC Presents 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Walter Lambert
The Child Protection Center (CPC) proudly awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Walter Lambert at the annual Blue Ties & Butterflies Gala. This award honors a career dedicated to protecting children, advancing medical knowledge, and leading transformational change within Florida’s child welfare system. Dr. Lambert has served tirelessly for the past 36 years as a beacon of expertise, compassion, and commitment. As a Child Protection Team (CPT) Medical Director and Associate Statewide Medical
Child Protection Center Honors Four Foundations With Sapphire Award
The Child Protection Center (CPC) proudly presented the Sapphire Award at its annual Blue Ties & Butterflies gala in April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, to four exceptional foundations. The foundations were honored for their enduring support and leadership, which have helped shape the agency's 45-year legacy in the fight against child abuse. In celebration of CPC’s 45th anniversary, the Sapphire Award—named after the traditional 45th anniversary gem—was created to recognize long-standing community
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UBER ISP is proud to announce Reliable Cabinet Designs to our ever-growing family of satisfied customers.
UBER ISP is proud to announce the addition of Reliable Cabinet Designs to our ever-growing family of satisfied customers. Known for our Always On, Always Connected promise, we are dedicated to delivering reliable internet and telecommunications solutions that keep businesses running smoothly and efficiently. These new partnerships reflect our unwavering commitment to providing the connectivity that drives innovation and success in the modern business world. Reliable Cabinet Designs, located in
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Venice, FL Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. Read more for details on how this may impact your business in the future. 1. Determine if