Venice, FL February 2026

THURSDAY: PAY ONE PRICE AND RIDE ALL RIDES FOR $25

THURSDAY: PAY ONE PRICE AND RIDE ALL RIDES FOR $25

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: PAY ONE PRICE AND RIDE ALL RIDES FOR $30

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: PAY ONE PRICE AND RIDE ALL RIDES FOR $30

37 th

February 19, 20, 21, 22, 2026

Admission for Active Military, Veterans, Police & Fire Fighters w/ ID Starts at 4pm—Thursday & Friday | Starts at NOON—Saturday & Sunday www.ItalianAmericanClubOfVenice.com/Feast/

SCHEDULE:

THURS 4-4:30pm Venice High School Marching Band THURS 5-9pm 301 Travelers Band - The Ultimate Country Rock Experience

SAT 12:30-2:30pm Jimmy Mazz - The Best of Jimmy Mazz Variety Show SAT 3-5:30 Emily & Vincent - The Ricciardi Family: Italian American Favorites SAT 6-9pm Bandana - Classic Rock and Roll

SUN 12:30-3pm Tiger Blue - The Best of Rock n Roll

SUN 3:30-6pm Johnny D & The Rocket 88s - 50’s & 60’s Rock n Roll

SUN 6:30-9pm Sweet Fleet - America’s Premier Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Community & Connection

February carries a special kind of charm. Known for love and romance, and celebrated as the shortest month of the year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on what—and who—we cherish most. Here at “Venice City Lifestyle,” February means our “Love Local,” issue, a subject that’s close to our hearts.

This month, we’re celebrating the people, places, and stories that make Venice extraordinary. From community projects to cultural events, our pages are full of ways to fall in love with our city all over again. Leadership Venice creates community and connection with the making of an inclusive disc golf course for Loveland residents. Meanwhile, the Sarasota Ballet brings audiences together to ponder and enjoy the revival of “Still Life at the Penguin Cafe,” proving that creativity and artistry never goes out of style.

We also honor tradition and community milestones: the Venice Yacht Club celebrates 75 years on the water, a testament to the enduring connections that define our city. And for those inspired by the written word, three local authors reveal how love, loss, and justice shape Venice’s quietly vibrant literary scene, reminding us that stories are the threads that bind us.

Of course, celebrating love often means celebrating generosity, too. Save the date for Agape Flights’ Annual Pie in the Sky Open Hangar Event—a reminder that giving back is one of the most meaningful ways to show love.

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that together, we’re stronger. Every story in these pages reinforces that idea, highlighting the spirit of togetherness that makes Venice thrive. Thank you for allowing us to be part of the life you’re building. Our hope is that this issue helps you love your community just a little more than before.

Here’s to a February filled with love—both local and beyond!

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Charmaine Tincher | charmaine.tincher@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Emily Leinfuss | emily.leinfuss@citylifestyle.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Matthew Day | matthew.day@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Stephanie Churn Lubow, Jacques May, Emily Leinfuss, Gabi De La Rosa

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Brian Glantz - 1st Glantz Media, Frank Atura, Prion Photography

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

inside the issue

Celebrating History, Embracing the Future

The Venice Yacht Club marks 75 years on the water

Still Life, Still Relevant, Still Brilliant

The Sarasota Ballet revives “Still Life at the Penguin Café,” for local audiences

Stories That Shape Venice

Three local authors reveal how love, loss, and justice inspire Venice’s quietly vibrant literary scene

in Action March 7 is Agape Flights’ Annual “Pie in the Sky” open hangar event!

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Venice Area Chamber of Commerce 2025 Small Business of the Year winner Grim Reaper Pest Solutions. Award Sponsor: Visit Sarasota County. 2: VACC 2025 Medium Business of the Year winner Kids Choose Us Pediatric Dentistry. Award Sponsor: Cavanaugh & Co, LLP. 3: VACC 2025 Large Business of the Year winner Storm Smart. Award Sponsor: Venice Gondolier. 4: VACC 2025 New Business of the Year winner Kon Tiki Inn. Award Sponsor: PGT Custom Windows & Doors. 5: VACC 2025 Non-Profit Business of the Year winner Children First. Award Sponsor: Gulf Coast Community Foundation. 6: Incoming VACC 2026 Chair Karen Fordham with 2025 Chair Michael Bacon at the Awards Ceremony. 7: Toasting the VACC’s Five-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are Michael Bacon, Kathy Lehner & Clark Jackson. Photography by Prion Photography

business monthly

Bowled Co Brings Fresh, Inclusive Dining to Wellen Park

Bowled Co has opened a new Florida location in Wellen Park, bringing customizable salads, rice bowls, wraps, smoothies, and açaí bowls to the community. Founded in Schenectady, New York, the fast-growing brand is known for its inclusive motto, “All meal plans welcome.” The location is owned by Mariah Fortune and Greg Landolfo. “As part-time residents, we saw a need for healthy, convenient food. This community values wellness and good eating—Bowled fits perfectly,” said Mariah. bowledco.com.

Scan to read more

Rick Severance Receives Prestigious Clyde Nixon Business Leadership Award

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County awarded Rick Severance, President of Wellen Park, its Clyde Nixon Business Leadership Award. The honor recognizes business excellence, integrity, and community service. Since joining Mattamy Homes in 2019, Severance has led Wellen Park’s transformation into one of the nation’s fastest-selling master-planned communities, strengthening Sarasota County’s economic growth, shaping "not just a business, but a thriving community,” said Sean Bagan, President and CEO of award presenter Helios Technologies. wellenpark.com.

Scan to read more

1000 Miglia Returns to Florida and Venice for Second Annual Race

The City of Venice, Venice MainStreet, and the Venice AACA Car Club will welcome the world-renowned 1000 Miglia to downtown Venice on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. The stop marks the second year Venice has hosted the iconic race on day one of the four-day 1000 Miglia Experience USA Florida, with dozens of historic and modern race cars traveling from Naples to Tampa, drawing car enthusiasts and spectators from across the region. Learn more at veniceaaca.com.

A candid conversation about health, hormones and happiness.

JOIN US FOR VENICE'S 2ND ANNUAL EVENT

WEDNESDAY, FEBR UARY 18, 2026

10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Plantation Golf & Country Club

TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS STARTING AT $125:

Proceeds help SMH bring world-class healthcare to our community.

Celebrating History, Embracing the Future

For 75 years, the Venice Yacht Club has been a place where friendships are forged over sunsets, celebrations carry over from the dock to the dining room, and a shared love of the water binds generations together. In 2026, that legacy takes center stage as the club celebrates its Diamond Jubilee—an anniversary that honors not only its past, but its enduring role in the Venice community.

Founded in February 1951, when a charter was granted by Florida’s State Department, the Venice Yacht Club (VYC) has long been recognized as a traditional yacht club offering boating, social activities, waterfront dining, and holiday celebrations for all ages—young to the young at heart. Over the decades, it has become a cornerstone of community life on Roberts Bay, evolving while remaining rooted in tradition.

That blend of history and forward momentum is what drew Ed Tindall to the role of General Manager and COO just over a year ago. After researching the club, Ed and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Venice with their two adult children to be closer to family as they “aged up.” What excited him most was the VYC’s strong sense of identity. “I found the club’s members to be friendly, kind, witty, and relaxed,” he said. “I’m big on fostering traditions, which the club clearly was too. I wanted something with a history, and a future.”

That history is being celebrated in style. The 75th anniversary festivities officially kicked off during the 2025 Venice Holiday Parade, in partnership with the City of Venice’s 100th anniversary celebration. VYC members built a commemorative float, pulled

by Ed himself in his Jeep, and handed out anniversary flags and challenge coins to the community, sharing the milestone well beyond the clubhouse walls. The celebration will continue through 2026, with members, staff, and Ed all looking ahead to a major anniversary party on April 18, when 250 to 300 members are expected to gather for the club’s largest event of the year.

Adding a lasting artistic tribute, the club commissioned renowned artist Graeme Baxter to create a painting commemorating the Venice Yacht Club and its storied past. Known internationally for his oil paintings and limited editions of iconic golf courses displayed at events like The Ryder Cup, Baxter brought that same reverence and warmth of spirit to Venice. At an October 2025 “Meet the Artist” event, he praised the club’s charm and member’s enthusiasm, calling the evening “truly inspiring” and the community “wonderful.”

While boats are part of the picture—there are 74 slips, and many members keep vessels elsewhere—Ed joked that the VYC is “a social club with a boat problem.” What unites the membership, he said, is a shared love of the water and the club’s unbeatable view of Roberts Bay. That passion fuels a social calendar that, by Ed’s own account, “far exceeds” anything he’s experienced in his decades of prior leadership roles at golf and country clubs. Monthly events are the norm, and members are deeply involved in planning and hosting them, working hand-in-hand with staff in a way Ed describes as both extraordinary and uncommon.

The past year has also underscored the VYC’s resilience. Ed arrived as the club was continuing its recovery from the 2024 hurricanes. Renovations, including the completion of two elevators, the installation of removable flood barriers, and comprehensive emergency planning, helped protect the club’s future.

As it marks three-quarters of a century, the Venice Yacht Club remains rooted in tradition while investing in its future and embracing the community where relationships are built, celebrations unfold, and members sail together into the sunset.

of hope for cancer patients and their families. Today, as our population grows, so does the need for cancer care. The new outpatient Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion will expand critical patient programs and services. Many are fully supported through philanthropy.

You can play a vital role in ensuring that families continue to find the hope and healing they deserve.

Learn how you can make an impact, call 941.917.1286 or visit smhf.org.

THE SARASOTA BALLET REVIVES “STILL LIFE AT THE PENGUIN CAFÉ,” FOR LOCAL AUDIENCES TO LOVE AND PONDER

ARTICLE BY EMILY LEINFUSS

If ballet had a conscience, and a sense of humor, it might look very much like “Still Life at the Penguin Café.” Nearly 40 years after its debut, Sir David Bintley’s beloved and beguiling work returns to the stage with The Sarasota Ballet, proving that a piece can be whimsical, stylish, and deeply affecting all at once. The timing feels especially apt: this is a ballet that will entertain and make an impact – something local audiences are going to love.

Set to the wildly original music of Simon Jeffes and his Penguin Café Orchestra, Still Life is often described as a cautionary environmental tale. But Bintley is quick to clarify that he never meant to lecture.

Bintley shares a long, intertwined history with Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet.

“The best way to lose an audience is to get preachy,” he said. Instead, he entices viewers in with humor, color, and charm. The ballet is populated by endangered and extinct animals, rendered with affection, wit, and theatrical invention, who dance their way through a world that is, quite literally, disappearing beneath their feet.

The title itself is a deliberate pun. “Still life” nods to the classical painting genre, yes, but also to the hope of ‘yet living’.

When the ballet premiered nearly four decades ago, environmental anxiety was present but less urgent. Today, the message resonates with a new sharpness.

“Every time it comes back, I think, ‘It won’t work this time,’” Bentley admitted with a laugh. And yet, it does—perhaps because the combination of humor, humanity, and heartbreak feels more relevant than ever.

The ballet was concieved not with a manifesto, but with music. Initially resistant to

Simon Jeffes’ quirky, folk-inflected score, Bintley experienced a sudden imaginative shift—an image of Noah’s Ark that became the work’s central motif. Further inspired by “The Doomsday Book of Animals: A Natural History of Vanished Species,” the ballet found its emotional core in the idea of extinction and the irreversible loss of what cannot be reclaimed.

That said, for much of its length, the ballet sparkles with comedy, as animals from different corners of the globe, each

Bintley appreciates that our local audiences are already familiar with British ballet  thanks to Webb’s dedication to the works of Sir Frederick Ashton and other masters.

linked to distinct cultural movement styles, move about the stage. Then, about two-thirds of the way through, the mood darkens, as humans begin to appear alongside the animals.

Children, interestingly, have always grasped the ballet’s meaning instinctively, Bintley noted. Over the years it even became part of school curricula in the UK. “The children used to write letters telling me what they thought the ballet was about,” Bintley said. That clarity, born of storytelling rather than sermonizing, has helped the work endure.

For local audiences, there’s an added layer of affection. Bintley shares a long, intertwined history with Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet. The two danced in the same circles as young artists, connected through the Yorkshire Ballet Seminars, and Bintley choreographed early works on Webb and his generation. That professional bond has matured into a shared philosophy: repertory matters, relationships matter, and honoring British ballet heritage can be a living, breathing endeavor rather than a museum exercise.

Bintley believes deeply in returning to companies he knows well. “If you do a lot of work with them, you appreciate the company and its style,” he said. For this production, he’ll send his longtime assistant, Patricia— keeper of the choreography’s sacred texts—to lay the groundwork, before arriving himself to “imbue the piece with a bit of fairy dust.”

Having worked with The Sarasota Ballet several times, Bintley appreciates that our local audiences are already familiar with British ballet, thanks to Webb’s dedication to the works of Sir Frederick Ashton and other masters. He also treasures the simple pleasure of walking down to the water at the end of the day. It’s a small detail, but a telling one: an artist who has spent decades reflecting on what we risk losing finds both solace and inspiration by the sea.

With its instantly recognizable Penguin Café Orchestra score, "Still Life at the Penguin Café" feels timeless, cabaret-like, and quietly devastating. It makes you laugh. It makes you marvel. And then, almost before you realize it, it asks you to care: for Sarasota, for dance, and for the fragile, still-living world we share.

VENICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

TURN VALENTINE’S DAY INTO A WHOLE WEEKEND WITH SEALS & CROFTS 2

Remember when love songs meant something? When Summer Breeze felt like a slow dance in the living room, Diamond Girl sounded like it was written just for you, and harmonies wrapped around your heart like a warm hug? That wasn’t just the ’70s—that was Seals & Crofts setting the mood.

Seals & Crofts 2 brings the soundtrack of romance back to life through Brady Seals and Lua Crofts—family heirs carrying the love, peace, and poetic melodies forward for a new generation. Same timeless songs. Same heartfelt harmonies. A little extra sparkle in the air.

This isn’t just a concert—it’s a date night with your memories. Expect classic hits, fresh arrangements, sweet stories, and rare video tributes honoring Jim and Dash. It’s music that reminds you why you fell in love—with the songs, with the moments, and maybe with each other.

SEALS & CROFTS 2

Venice Performing Arts Center

February 15, 2026 | 7 pm

DON’T MISS OUT GET YOUR TICKETS!

BELONGING AND CONNECTION

Leadership Venice shows heartfelt support by creating an inclusive disc golf course for Loveland residents

Venice Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class of 2025 began their year-long journey knowing they’d learn more about Venice businesses and the Venice community. What they didn’t expect was to be so moved by their tour of Loveland Center, the area nonprofit that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“What moved us most about Loveland wasn’t just the work being done there—it was the sense of belonging,” said class member Bethany Behrmann. “It lit a spark in us to leave something meaningful behind.”

Many class members had heard of Loveland but had never stepped inside until their Health and Human Services Day, when they met residents and experienced the campus’s welcoming and supportive atmosphere. “What moved us most about Loveland wasn’t just the work being done there—it was the sense of belonging,” said class member Bethany Behrmann. “It lit a spark in us to leave something meaningful behind.”

When it came time to select their class project, the group unanimously chose Loveland Center. They wanted to create something joyful, inclusive, and lasting—something that would invite residents outside, encourage movement, and strengthen community connection. The idea for a six-hole frisbee

golf course took shape, and the class pooled their resources, skills, and networks to bring it to life.

Over the next five months, the group coordinated with Rebecca Eldredge, Loveland’s Chief Operating Officer, to design and install the course on campus. Built with accessibility in mind, the new course offers fun, activity, and outdoor engagement for residents of all abilities.

Late last year, Leadership Venice Class of 2025 proudly unveiled the completed project. “This disc golf course is more than a place to play—it’s a place to belong,” said Jillian James, Loveland’s Regional Philanthropy Associate.

Thanks to the commitment of the 2025 class, Loveland Village residents now have a vibrant new outdoor space to enjoy for years to come.

STORIES That SHAPE VENICE

ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE CHURN LUBOW

Venice is often defined by its coastline, its historic downtown, and its easy Gulf-coast rhythm—but look a little closer and you’ll find a community shaped just as much by stories. This month, we’re spotlighting three Venice-based authors whose latest books reflect the range of storytelling happening right here.

From a love letter to the city itself by first time author Lee Grace Mathews, to a gentle, illustrated guide born from personal loss written by former educator Jane Morris, to a fastpaced legal thriller series penned by retired disciplinary attorney Vincent Scarsella, these writers approach their craft from very different places—yet all are driven by a desire to share and connect. Their books preserve local history, offer comfort and hope, and explore justice and ethics. Together, they show that Venice’s literary landscape is as varied and compelling as the people who call it home.

THE HEART OF VENICE

For Lee Grace Mathews, “The Heart of Venice: Celebrating the Charm of Venice, Nokomis, and Osprey, Florida” began with a simple question: “Why is this area so special to me?” She had been asking herself that for years—ever since first visiting Venice as a teenager in the 1970s, vacationing from Memphis with her family and spending long, unhurried days at the beach, combing the sand for treasures.

Those early visits left an imprint. As adulthood carried her into a corporate career, she continued returning to Venice with her husband, drawn by the same mix of natural beauty and historic charm. “It’s so fulfilling to return to the place I never wanted to leave,” she reflected, a line so true she put it in the book.

Nine years ago, she and her husband finally made the move, working remotely while settling into the community that had once been a vacation spot. And then, while driving around town one day, inspiration struck.

“I STARTED feeling THIS WAS a story THAT NEEDED TO BE TOLD. THAT realization BECAME THE seed OF A BOOK SHE’D never expected TO WRITE.”

She realized her attachment to Venice wasn’t only personal—it was shared by many others. “I started feeling this was a story that needed to be told,” she said. That realization became the seed of a book she’d never expected to write.

What emerged is a full-color, small-format gift book that blends history, photography, and heartfelt reflection. Mathews dug into early settler stories, John Nolen’s visionary city plan, and the natural beauty that defines the region. She took most of the photos herself, even incorporating images of shells and sea glass she collected in the 1970s. The book, sold locally at The Island Bookshop, the Venice Museum & Archives, and the Venice Olive Oil Co., offers both longtime residents and newcomers a way to connect more deeply with the community.

“It just has a lot of happiness in it,” she said. What began as a personal love letter has become a shared celebration of the unique convergence of nature and heritage that makes Venice what it is today.

OFFERING SUPPORT

When retired educator Jane Morris began searching for support after becoming estranged from her daughter eight years ago, she discovered that resources on the topic were few and far between. The books she found were insightful but often clinical, dense, or filled with other people’s stories she didn’t have the bandwidth to absorb while grappling with her own. What she wanted was something gentler: a bit of lightheartedness, a way forward.

So, she decided to create the book she wished she’d found. The result is “Getting Through Estrangement: Ways to Cope & Have Hope,” a 21-page guide, available through Amazon.com, that distills the most compassionate, practical lessons she has learned and presents them with warmth and simplicity.

Originally from Missouri, Morris spent 37 years teaching elementary and special-education students before retiring to Venice. Her instinct to help others is lifelong, and when she realized how many people shared her experience—an estimated 17 million Americans, she noted—she felt called to act. She started by developing a six-week estrangement class for her church, which grew into her website, EstrangedParentsAndChildren.org, where she curates articles, videos, and book recommendations.

The idea for the book came to her one night while lying awake. She started imagining a Dr. Seuss-like tone: short rhymes and illustrations that soften a painful topic without trivializing it. She reached out to longtime friend and former colleague Kevin Donahoe, an art teacher whose whimsical character designs captured exactly the warmth she envisioned. His illustrations helped shape the book’s visual identity.

Inside are gentle reminders like “Be forgiving, start living,” accompanied by two boxers embracing in the ring, or a tiny character holding a list of positive traits beneath the words, “Make a list of who you are, and remember you’re a star.” But Morris is careful not to offer false hope. Reconciliation can happen, she affirms, but some relationships may require boundaries instead of reunion.

Morris’s goal with her book is to give people hope and good practices. “People feel embarrassed and don’t know where to turn,” she said. “I want them to know they aren’t alone.” She now speaks to groups large and small, determined to bring light to a very difficult subject. Reach her at support@ EstrangedParentsAndChildren.org.

LAWYER GONE GOOD

As a disciplinary counsel in Buffalo, New York, Vincent Scarsella spent nearly two decades investigating attorneys who committed professional misconduct. Long before he retired in 2010, he knew one thing for certain: these kinds of stories would make for great entertainment.

This Year, SCARSELLA DECIDED TO GO BACK AND Rewrite HIS WHOLE “Lawyers

Gone Bad” SERIES.

After relocating to Florida—first Davenport, then Venice in 2018—Scarsella finally had the time to explore the creative side of a legal world he knew intimately. Between 2015 and 2020, he wrote the four novels that would become his “Lawyers Gone Bad” series. “The premise is simple,” he said. “It’s about a good lawyer going after bad lawyers.”

In 2024, Scarsella adapted the series into a screenplay. What began as a TV concept evolved into a feature film, “One of the Good Ones”, filmed in Buffalo in early 2025. The film is currently on the festival circuit and was screened at Florida’s Dunedin International Film Festival last month.

That success reignited Scarsella’s creative momentum. This year, he decided to go back and rewrite his whole “Lawyers Gone Bad” series. “I ended up liking the screenplay even better than the original novels, so I wanted to update the books," he explained. Plus, I have definitely evolved as a writer over the past ten years.” His “new and completely revised editions” are now available through Amazon.com. The books can be read in sequence or as standalones.

Aside from his legal thrillers, Scarsella also writes speculative fiction, screenplays, short stories, and plays, several of which have been performed at community theaters and colleges. He writes for three hours each day, spends an hour a day on marketing, and still finds time to teach business law classes at Polk State College. “It’s all a labor of love,” Scarsella said. “Challenging, yes— but deeply rewarding.”

Have a chronic condition? You may qualify for a Freedom Chronic Special Needs Plan, a type of Medicare Advantage plan with benefits tailored to you. Plus you can look forward to more in your Social Security check every month.

your Social Security check every month $70 every month for healthy foods* and utilities* $80 allowance every month for OTC items

$335 total benefit value per member, per month!

To find out more about Medicare Advantage enrollment eligibility, visit freedomhealth.com. *The benefits mentioned are Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI). You may qualify for SSBCI if you have a high risk for hospitalization and require intensive care coordination to manage chronic conditions such as Chronic Kidney Diseases, Chronic Lung Disorders, Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure, or Diabetes. For a full list of chronic conditions or to learn more about other eligibility requirements needed to qualify for SSBCI benefits, please refer to Chapter 4 in the plan’s Evidence of Coverage.Freedom Health, Inc. is an HMO C-SNP with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Freedom Health, Inc. depends on contract renewal. We do not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in our health programs and activities. Freedom Health, Inc. konfòm ak lwa sou dwa sivil Federal ki aplikab yo e li pa fè iskriminasyon sou baz ras, koulè, peyi orijin, laj, enfi mite oswa sèks. Kreyòl Ayisyen (French Creole): ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 800-401-2740 (TTY: 711). Hablamos español y podemos ayudarle a encontrar el plan ideal para usted. Llame al 800-401-2740 (TTY: 711). We speak Spanish and can help you find the ideal plan for you. Call 800-401-2740 (TTY: 711). If you speak a language other than English, translation and alternate format services are available to you on a standing basis, free of charge. Just call 800-401-2740 (TTY: 711). From October 1 through March 31, we are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (our office will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). From April 1 until September 30, we are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (our office will be closed on federal holidays). This plan has exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, please contact your agent or the health plan. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B Premium. Y0114_26_3016331_0000_U_M 10/01/2025

Exhibitions. Classes. Concerts. Cafe. Gift Shop. Special Events. Demos. Lectures. Private Rentals. Youth Classes. Public Art. “Colors in Motion” Jan 9 – Feb 10, 2026 Alman-Vogt Solo Exhibit: “Meet my Beatles” by Leoma Lovegrove

Sponsor: Venice City Lifestyle Magazine

FINE ARTS SHOW SATURDAY & SUNDAY, Feb 21 & 22, 9 am-4 pm Fine Arts Auction Reception Mar 10, 5-7 pm Spring Member’s Show Mar 20-April 9 with reception Mar 20, 5-7 pm

CONCERT: Feb 4, 7 pm: The Brown Campbell Blues Band

ARTICLE BY JACQUES MAY, AGAPE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Save the date for Agape Flights’ Annual “Pie in the Sky” open hanger event on March 7

Agape Flights is excited to invite the community to Pie in the Sky 2026, a joyful celebration filled with “Tropical Vibes” inspired by the Caribbean communities it has served for more than four decades. This event is especially meaningful to the ministry, as it offers an opportunity to open its doors, welcome friends old and new, and share the heart and story behind Agape Flights in a warm, personal way. More than just a gathering, Pie in the Sky is a chance to connect, reflect, and celebrate the mission that has guided the organization since its beginning.

There’s fun for all at Agape Flights’ “Pie in the Sky” event on March 7, 2026.

As Agape Flights steps into its 46th year of service, its purpose remains unchanged: to serve Christ by serving His missionaries. Since the very first flight in 1980, the organization has supported mission partners throughout the Caribbean, helping them reach the people God has called them to serve. Each journey represents God’s Agape love through supplies delivered, relationships strengthened, and the love of Jesus carried across the islands. Agape Flights is honored to stand behind these missionaries so they can focus fully on their calling.

Pie in the Sky 2026 will take place on March 7, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and is completely free to attend. Guests are invited to enjoy great food, fun games, and a live auction, along with interactive experiences for all ages. Attendees can explore both Agape Flights aircraft on static display, step into the Flight Simulator, and participate in hands-on activities designed to bring the mission to life.

At its core, Agape Flights exists to serve its mission partners so they can share hope, compassion, and the love of Christ throughout the Caribbean. As the organization looks ahead with gratitude and faith, it invites those who feel called to partner with

“AGAPE FLIGHTS EXISTS TO SERVE ITS MISSION PARTNERS SO THEY CAN SHARE HOPE, COMPASSION, AND THE LOVE OF CHRIST THROUGHOUT THE CARIBBEAN.

the mission to reach out to Shelly Watkins, Director of Donor Engagement, at DevelopmentDirector@AgapeFlights.com or 941-488-0990. We would love to see you there and share this incredible day together.

DIS COVER THE VALAIS REGION OF SWITZERLAND, WHERE ALPINE TRAILS, THERMAL SPRINGS, AND LOCAL TRADITIONS CREATE RESTORATIVE TRAVEL.

AN ALPINE ESCAPE

In Switzerland’s Valais region, wellness and adventure are always part of the same itinerary. Morning could bring a high-alpine hike, afternoon a soak in mineral-rich springs, and evening a table set with traditional cuisine, always including delicious wine and cheese. For travelers, the best part will be finding the perfect balance between exploring the outdoors and relaxing with wellness-infused activities in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

A CAR-FREE ALPINE ADVENTURE IN ALETSCH ARENA

An easy train ride from Zurich lands visitors in the Aletsch Arena, a high-alpine region on the south side of the Bernese Alps, home to three villages: Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp. Known for its ski slopes in winter and hiking in summer, the area is entirely car-free, making walking and local buses the main modes of transportation through its quaint chalet-lined streets.

One of the main attractions of the ski-in/ski-out area is the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 12-mile glacier is visible from several vantage points, shaping every experience in the area.

WHERE TO STAY

ARTICLE BY GABI DE LA ROSA

Located in the heart of Bettmeralp, Hotel Panorama provides no-fuss accommodations steps away from the picturesque Chapel Maria Zum Schnee. The hotel’s restaurant offers delicious regional cuisine, including raclette paired with Swiss wine. A good bottle of Pinot Noir or Gamay is also easy to come by because the Valais region of Switzerland is one of the largest wine-producing areas in the country, with vineyards dotting the steep slopes of the Rhône Valley. In addition to wine and cheese, eating cholera, a covered vegetable pie invented in the region during the cholera epidemic, is a must.

WHAT TO DO

Begin at Viewpoint Moosfluh, the closest and lowest vantage point of the Aletsch Glacier. From there, trailheads lead to Villa Cassel, once the home of a British financier and now a museum focused on history and conservation. The hike passes through a thousand-yearold forest with views of both the glacier and the Matterhorn.

Walk over Goms Bridge, a nearly 1,000-foot-long suspension bridge that connects two hiking areas over the Rhône River. For a final look at the majestic glacier, take the cable car to Viewpoint Eggishorn. At nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, it offers panoramic views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Jungfraujoch, or the “Top of Europe,” and the most comprehensive view of the Aletsch Glacier.

HISTORY AND ALPS MEET IN MARTIGNY

A short train ride takes visitors to one of the largest cities in the Valais region of Switzerland. The city is a crossroads between Italy and France, with a history dating back to Roman times. Visitors can tour Roman ruins, including a well-preserved amphitheater, ancient settlements, and Roman baths.

WHERE TO STAY

Martigny Boutique Hotel is minutes from the train station and is one of the few establishments in the city employing people with disabilities. The light and bright hotel provides a comfortable base for exploring the city.

WHAT TO DO

Take the steepest funicular in the world, the Mont-Blanc Express, on a scenic ascent through the Alps. The funicular connects to a smaller train that leads to the Trient Valley on the French-Swiss border, where, at the top, a full day of activity begins. Hiking, biking, zip-lining, or traversing the Emosson Dam, which straddles France and Switzerland, are all options. The crystal clear blue waters of Emosson Lake are perfect for a picnic or a break between adventures.

Back in Martigny, Barryland, the only theme park in the world dedicated to St. Bernard dogs, offers a look at the history of the dog, bred by monks in the 17th century for alpine rescue work. The Barry Foundation, founded in 2005, continues to preserve the breed and educate visitors about it. Guests can watch the dogs train, play, and interact as they learn about their role in the region.

Roman influence remains visible across the city, including at Les Bains Publics at Hotel Borsari, where visitors can soak in cement wine barrels located in the hotel’s spa. The baths sit on the site of a former wine tank factory and offer a circuit of hot and cold pools in a historically inspired, wine-colored setting.

Shop Local!

Discover sophisticated and elegant décor at Breakwater Home

Fashions in Downtown Wellen Park. We’ll help you enhance your space with exquisite coastal-inspired and transitional decor from around the world. We continually add new inventory to our collection. Stop by to see what’s new. Visit Breakwater Home Fashions today.

19795 Wellen Park Blvd, Ste B, Venice • 941-584-5234 • breakwaterfl.com

Mon - Appt Only • Tue 9am-5pm • Wed - Sat - 10am-9pm • Sun - 9am-2pm

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS FEBRUARY 2026

events

FEBRUARY 15TH

Seals & Crofts II

Venice Performing Arts Center | 7:00 PM

Experience the timeless sound of Seals & Crofts 2, featuring Brady Seals and Lua Crofts. This authentic next-generation tribute reimagines classic hits like “Summer Breeze” and “Diamond Girl,” blending nostalgia with fresh energy. Expect heartfelt performances that honor the originals while creating a vibrant, contemporary concert experience. veniceperformingartscenter.com

FEBRUARY 15TH

The Jewish Food Festival

Jewish Congregation of Venice | 10:00 AM

Celebrate the delicious diversity of Jewish foods and culture. Enjoy entertainment, a raffle, vendor booths and wonderful Jewish food like corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, stuffed cabbage, chopped liver, knishes, kugel, matzo ball and cabbage soups, homemade Jewish pastries and more! 10 a.m.-3 p.m. jewishcongregationofvenice.org

FEBRUARY 18TH

Women & Medicine - Venice, Sarasota Memorial Health Care Foundation

Plantation Golf & Country Club | 10:30 AM

This year's Women & Medicine – Venice explores the theme “Health, Hormones and Happiness” through an engaging expert-led conversation. Featured speakers include Amanda Kane M.D., FACOG Board-Certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Sharfi Sarker M.D., FACS, Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Breast Surgeon, Sonia Sharma M.D., Board-Certified Endocrinologist and other experts. Guests enjoy wellness exhibits and a lively, informative lunchtime panel discussion. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. smhf.org/event/women-medicine

FEBRUARY 19TH - 22ND

The 37th Annual Venice Italian Feast & Carnival

The Italian American Club of Venice at 1375 Ringling Drive | 4:00 PM

Experience a four-day celebration of Italian culture at the Venice Italian Feast & Carnival. Savor authentic cuisine, Italian traditions, live music, vendors, food, rides and games, carnival treats and more. Starts at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Free parking, Kids under 10 are free. italianamericanclubofvenice.com/feast

FEBRUARY 21ST - 22ND

Venice Art Center's Annual Fine Arts Show & Sale

Venice Art Center | 9:00 AM

The Annual Fine Arts Show & Sale from Venice Art Center features prints, acrylics, oils, watercolors, mixed media, jewelry, glass, pottery, textiles and more, plus an outdoor café. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $4 for members, $5 for non-members. veniceartcenter.com

FEBRUARY 27TH - MARCH 2ND

Sarasota Ballet Program Five: Martha Graham Dance Company

FSU Center for the Performing Arts | 7:30 PM

The Sarasota Ballet's Program Five proudly presents the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company in celebration of that company’s 100th anniversary. Founded in 1926 by dance pioneer Martha Graham, this iconic ensemble presents groundbreaking modern works that have shaped generations and redefined American dance. sarasotaballet.org