We just wanted everyone to know that the 2023 Holiday Tree Lighting is scheduled for December 9, 2023 and our Annual Christmas Boat Bash will be held this year on Saturday December 2nd, 2023.
Learn More about the 2023 Holiday Tree Lighting.
Learn More about the 2023 Christmas Boat Bash.
Top honors for the prestigious 2022 America in Bloom National Awards Program were announced during the 2022 America In Bloom Symposium & Awards Celebration held September 29 – October 1 in St Louis and Washington, Missouri.
The City of Venice was awarded:
The AIB Awards were presented to the City of Venice City Council on Tuesday, October 26th by Bob Vedder, VABI Board Member and Team Leader of VABI’s Bloom Team.
Two judges from America in Bloom spent three days back in February touring Venice with Bob Vedder. Dozens of community members met with the judges going over every aspect of the Venice community, from the arts to historic preservation, Urban Forest, and the environment. They were very impressed with our community. The judges last day were celebrated with a VABI Volunteer Recognition BBQ! The Village on the Isle, Finns, Cafe Venice, and VABI sponsored the Judges visit.
Awards were presented that reflect excellence in the areas of community vitality, floral displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental efforts, celebration of heritage, overall impression, and community involvement.
The 2022 Venice awards were the direct result of VABI volunteers and the Venice Public Works Department that make Venice a beautiful place to work, live and play on a daily basis. The Public Works department helps keep our beautiful landscaping and flower baskets in great shape.
Venice Area Beautification, Inc (VABI) is a non-profit organization focusing on projects that enhance our community for every resident. VABI embraces a vision of Venice that retains its small-town flavor and history. VABI’s vision is to help “build community” in the Greater Venice area. Planning is focused on timeless projects that offer all residents and visitors safe places to walk, discover the enchantment of nature, connect to neighborhoods and parks, and experience outdoor art and sculpture. VABI’s collaborative efforts are a hallmark for what can happen when individual donors, volunteers, foundations, organizations, governmental agencies, and environmental groups are willing to work together.
For more information about America in Bloom, visit www.americainbloom.org.
Saturday, December 3rd @ 5:30pm
Venice Area Beautification, Inc., 257 Tamiami Trail North, Venice
(located under the North Bridge on the Island)
Call: (941) 483-6103
Email: a[email protected]
Dear Holiday Tree Decorator:
The Venice Holiday Tree Lighting event, unfortunately, has been cancelled this year due to the damage done to the Monty Andrews Arboretum at Blalock Park from Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022.
Some of the trees in the park were destroyed and had to be removed. Other trees sustained major damage. The Arboretum crew, along with the Public Works Department and the Arborist from the City of Venice have assessed the status of the remaining trees in the park and have concluded that it is best to CANCEL the Tree Lighting Event for this year.
Each year, when we hold the event, tree irrigation is halted due to electrical and extension cords being present. In normal circumstances, healthy trees can withstand water being withheld for weeks. After the damage and stress to the trees from Hurricane Ian, not being able to irrigate the park for almost 2 months would further damage the trees and we are in fear of losing even more beautiful trees in the park. There is also a safety concern that damaged or stressed trees could fall while people decorate or there could be tripping hazards from stakes and ropes that are supporting damaged trees.
For all these reasons, instead of having individuals decorate the trees in the park this year, VABI, (Venice Area Beautification), KVB (Keep Venice Beautiful) and the MAAC (Monty Andrews Arboretum Crew) will decorate the edges of Blalock Park so everyone can enjoy the lights as they drive around the park. The Bicycles International Glow Ride, the bike ride around the park, will still be happening on Saturday, December 10, 2022, arriving at the park approximately 7:20 to 7:30 pm. However, the park will NOT be open during the evening hours due to safety concerns.
We will miss our magical Venice tradition of decorating all the trees in the Arboretum. It is important to consider the trees and what is best for their health and well-being so we will be able to enjoy the trees for years to come.
We plan to continue our tradition of decorating and lighting the trees again next year when they will be healed and healthy.
Sincerely,
Jan Lugar, Chair
Holiday Tree Lighting Committee
Our new Venice in Bloom Team Picture Poster is available for just a $20 Donation.
Contact VABI office at 941-207-8224.
Proceeds go to the Downtown Beautification fund.
Keep an eye on John Nolen Park. It’s a work in progress with a whole new look with upgrades, flowers, plants and more!
VABI Volunteer Appreciation BBQ was held April 20th at the Historic Train Station recognizing VABI Volunteers and a meet and greet with the AIB judges.
Judges from America in Bloom visited Venice April 20th – 21st for a two-day Assessment of Venice.
…By donating to Venice Area Beautification Inc. through the 24-hour Giving Challenge April 26th (NOON) through April 27th (NOON)! We believe each one of us can impact what Venice Area Beautification Inc. does for our community by contributing during this event.
Venice Area Beautification Inc. has a unique opportunity to have your donated funds matched. The Patterson Foundation will match donations up to $100 per individual. To make a secure donation, go online at GivingPartnerChallenge.org. Look up Venice Area Beautification Inc. (do not use the acronym VABI). This 24-hour giving event begins at NOON April 26th and ends at NOON April 27,2022.
At the end of your donation, there is a “message box” where you can enter your choice of what VABI project you would like your donation to fund; Venice in Bloom Team, Public Art, Monty Andrews Arboretum Crew, Venice Urban Forest, Keep Venice Beautiful Team, and Holiday Lighting at West Blalock Park.
Contact the VABI office at 941-207-8224 or [email protected] if you have any questions. Come back to our website at vabi.org for all the latest updates on VABI projects.
Thank you for your support. Your generosity ensures we can continue improving and preserving our “dream” now and into the future.
Sincerely,
Nancy Woodley
VABI President
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FLORIDA STATUTE 496.411, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALL (800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES REGISTRATION #H1407. Percentage of each contribution that is received by this organization: 100%
Venice Plein Air (VPA), is an organization started in 2003 to serve outdoor painters in Venice and their mission is to celebrate the historical Venice area and keep it recorded in the arts. Once annually, on the 3rd Saturday in January, VPA organizes an outdoor painting event at our beautiful Venice Urban Forest.
Want to be a part of recording history in the making and painting outdoors with others? Our annual 3rd Saturday in January at Venice’s Urban Forest is this coming Saturday! Artists recording its growth in paint as we support our community in the process! Venice Area Beautification, Inc. does so much around our beautiful town and the Venice Urban Forest is one of our areas greatest gifts for generations to come!
All are invited – Urban Sketchers, Watercolor, Acrylic, Oil… first timers or seasoned professionals. The volunteers that make the Forest beautiful for us all will be working, and painters are welcomed to spread out too. No sign ups or fees, just outdoor painting camaraderie!
Look for painters starting around 8:30ish… it’s as simple as that!
Visit our website: VenicePleinAir.com
Making the City of Venice a beautiful place to live, work and play!
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