On Sunday, experience the Tour de Parks bike ride beginning at 7:00 a.m. from the depot along our famous Legacy Trail. Just this past weekend, Terry and I rode the trail crossing over the new 41 bridge. What a great experience that was..the view was spectacular and the exercise was exhilerating! This will be great fun for both the “young” and “young at heart”.

Also on Sunday, from 8:00 to 3:30, join the fun in the Centennial Park on the Island of Venice at the Fire Ant Follies Car Show.
The residents of Venice are so fortunate to have year-around planned activities where we can enjoy the beautiful weather and ambiance of our great city. Our visitors return every year to experience the best lifestyle there is to offer on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Venice is not just about the beach..its about a lifestyle.

If you are a visitor and feeling drawn to own a home here in Venice, please contact my office at www.wheeler-homes.com or call 941.496.8700 and one of our experienced and dedicated agents will be happy to assist you. If you just want information, we can help you with that also. Whatever you need, we are here to assist you as we have for the past 28 years. Wheeler Real Estate is very proud of our area and we would love to share the experience with you.

The City is planning several celebrations to honor this great event.

It will begin with a beach bash on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Venice Public Beach. There will be food, music, volleyball, yoga, kayaking, sailing and much more. Bring the entire family and enjoy the beautiful Florida sunshine and fun times on the beach.

Watch for more information about upcoming events on my blog and also in Wheeler Real Estate’s quarterly newsletter, “The Paradise Story”. If you aren’t already receiving this newsletter, go directly to our website www.wheeler-homes.com and sign up today.

Our friends and customers love this newsletter packed full of Venice news, real estate for sale, and many local links. Don’t forget, if you are in the market to purchase a home anywhere on the gulf coast in southwest Florida, our Wheeler website provides easy-to-use customized searching with endless options.

Stayed tuned…it’s going to be a great 2012 in beautiful, sunny Venice.

It doesn’t seem possible, but 24 years ago, Terry and I started a new life in beautiful Venice, Florida!

What an adventure it has been. I well remember the feeling that would overcome me as I drove over the south bridge to the “Island” to work every day. The picture perfect water views made me feel like I was on a permanent vacation in paradise. After 24 years, I still feel like I’m on vacation….most days.

Our beautiful, sandy beaches continue to provide me with a sense of peace and tranquility. Each gorgeous sunset is unique and more breathtaking. Terry and I especially love Caspersen Beach and the many new parks where we enjoy picnics and precious family time with our children and grandchildren. There’s even a beach for our four legged friends, Paw Park. I respect our city and county governments for everything they do to build and protect these special amenities.

The palm-lined historic Main Street shopping district called “The Island Avenues” grows more enchanting with every year. There is something for everyone from cafes to gourmet restaurants…darling boutiques…antiques…outdoor concerts…art festivals and so much more.

When we first moved here, I wondered how I would adjust to the “holidays” without the cold, snowy weather. Well…the transformation was amazing. Venice Avenue lined with decorated and lit palm trees..holiday music filling the streets..young and old alike cheering at the annual Christmas Parade.. the annual “Christmas Walk”.. the annual “Boat Parade”..the list goes on and on.  Christmas in Venice is a treasure.

When our youngest daughter was a child, a favorite pastime was going to the south Jetty and walking hand in hand with her while skipping and jumping on the big rocks that line the waterway. It always makes me smile and my heart ache just a little whenever I go back and watch the children at play. You haven’t experienced the Venice lifestyle until you have seen the dolphins playing in the waterways at the Jetty….it’s so popular that during “season” it’s difficult to even find a parking space.

24 years ago, Venice took my breath away and it still does. It’s the “City on the Gulf”, the “Sharkstooth Capital of the World” and a community full of wonderful people and great businesses. It just keeps getting better…Come share it with us!

“Yesterday is gone..tomorrow is uncertain..today is here, so USE it and experience everything Venice has to offer”

The following are a few guidelines to repairing your credit.

1)  Run your credit report.  There are three credit reporting agencies, and each could have slightly different information.  Not all creditors report to all three agencies, thus you should make sure that you check each one.  (See links at the end of this article.)

2)  Challenge inaccuracies.  If something appears on your credit report that is damaging and incorrect, challenge it.  To do so, write a few letters:  one to each credit reporting agency where the inaccuracy is reported and one to the creditor that reported the incorrect information.  Write a separate letter for each inaccuracy.  The credit reporting agency is obligated to explore your complaint.

3)  Work with creditors.  If there is a negative item on your credit report, contact the creditor and attempt to resolve it.  Although past history of late payments will not be removed, establishing an agreed upon payment plan can sometimes reduce a debt or make it more manageable.  This will result in a better track record going forward.

4) Pay down credit cards.  Try to chip away at your credit card balances.  One measure that contributes to credit scores is the available credit versus the credit used.  Keeping some unused credit reflects positively on your credit report.

5) Establish new credit.  Begin with a secured credit card with a small line of credit.  Pay it on time every month.  Keep the balance at less than 30% of your allowed amount.  Starting today… pay everything on time.  Even one day late for some creditors may be reported as a 30 day late on your credit report.

Familiarize yourself with your rights.  The Federal Trade Commission Enforces the Fair Credit Act.  Although you may have debt, and your credit report may have taken a “hit”, you still have rights.

To read more about those rights visit this site:

http://business.ftc.gov/credit-and-finance

The long awaited construction of the US 41 overpass will soon be completed. What a wonderful day that will be for everyone. I can’t wait to see the phenomenal views from the top of this bridge.  Preparations for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony are set for Saturday, November 5th from 9 am to 1 pm at the Venice Train Depot. If you are interested in supporting this exciting Sarasota County rails-to-trails project, you may visit www.legacytrailfriends.org to learn how you can become a Friend of The Legacy Trail Ambassador or Business Partner. This website also provides maps and other general information. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you on the trails – what a great way to enjoy our community, get some exercise, and delight in the warm Florida sunshine.

We, as residents of Venice, feel especially connected to this tragic event. Regrettably, some of the terrorists took flying lessons at our own Venice Airport and lived in our community. President George W. Bush was in Sarasota at Emma Booker Elementary School in a classroom when he was told about the attacks. Also, just recently, the Fallen Heroes Memorial was approved by the city and county to be placed in the 3.5-acre Patriots Park in Venice. This memorial is especially meaningful as the centerpiece is a 4,000 pound, 27 inch wide steel beam salvaged from Tower One of the World Trade Center. How wonderful that all men, women and children will be physically able to go to a memorial park in Venice, Florida where they can honor our fallen military, police and firefighters.

Once again, we can be proud of our Venice community and proud to be an American. I hope that you will take time out of your schedule this weekend to attend one of the many 9-11 memorial events taking place in the area. On Sunday afternoon at 3:00, there will be a Commemorative Ground Breaking of the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Patriots Park in Venice. Show your support of this truly wonderful event.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

For those of us that live in Venice, we are only about 30 minutes south of this natural treasure on Siesta Key. Many times, I have walked this beach at sunset, enjoyed picnics, and even attended beautiful romantic weddings overlooking the crystal clear water. Siesta Key also has many restaurants and shops to explore after a day at the beach.

Siesta Key is only one of several islands located along Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. In close proximity to Venice, there is Casey Key, Venice Island, and Manasota Key. Everyone loves watching the dolphins at play and kids of all ages love seaching for shark’s teeth. There’s also great fishing plus  delicious food, snacks and your favorite beverage at  Sharkey’s On The Pier restaurant.  So, if you are looking for the same fun in the sun, but prefer fewer people in a less crowded environment, you will want to check these out. The Florida Gulf Coast is the perfect summer family vacation destination. See you at the beach!

“At the beach…just another day in paradise”

In addition to its practical tasks at hand, each agency in the County has also articulated a mission that incorporates a commitment to the environment. The thousands of ponds, rivers, lakes and natural preserves in this area, sets us apart. The protection of those resources ensures the continuity and quality of life for area residents… human, bird, animal and fish.

What is sustainability? In the realm of ecology, it is defined as “a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals in the very long term. It’s about protecting our natural resources, our water quality and ensuring our quality of life.

The “Rain Barrel Harvesting Program” educates the public on the benefits of gathering rainwater, and provides the rain barrels and classes in using them. Harvesting rain water can reduce your use of potable water and save you money. Collecting rain water recharges the groundwater and reduces polluting run-off. The gathered rainwater can be used for water on lawns and gardens.

Low Impact Design is a new method of dealing with rainwater and runoff. It is a mixture of engineering, architecture and landscaping innovations. Sarasota County is committed to Low Impact Design, and sustainability. The use of alternative fuels, the promotion of local agriculture, all of these initiatives are on the minds of the Sarasota County Commissioners and the County agencies.

These two initiatives are just the tip of the iceberg. We are fortunate to reside in a county that recognizes the importance of a commitment to “Green”.

Read about the action plans in the area of:

• Environmental conservation
• Water conservation
• Waste reduction
• Energy reduction
• Transportation
• Facilities/construction
• Community design and development

Visit the Sarasota County “Roadmap to Sustainability.” to learn more about the many firsts in Sarasota County and the many outstanding initiatives underway

This fall, Venice Middle School will claim to be the first public middle school in the United States to offer the Young Marines program as an all-day option. Students don’t necessarily have to be interested in joining the military to participate in this program.

In addition to academics, the girls and boys will learn basic skills for life…leadership, teamwork, physical fitness, and what it takes to be a good citizen..values and skills intended to last a lifetime in any career choice.

All students throughout the Sarasota School System can apply because this program gives VMS magnet school status. What an opportunity for our young people to develop character and service to mankind. Venice should be proud that we are helping to develop the minds and hearts of this future generation. They will be the leaders of our country and will have the ability to change the world.

This gives us hope for the future. On this Memorial Day weekend, I am so grateful to be an American. My Dad was in the Army and fought in World War II and my son was in the Air Force, so I am especially thankful for all the brave men and women who defended us then and still do so today.

I honor and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“If you want to set the world right, start with yourself.” Robert C. Savage

Me?? Blog?? The decision to begin blogging was huge for me. What do I blog about? Will it be interesting to others? What can I say about real estate in Venice Florida that hasn’t already been said?

Well, here I am and, thanks to the encouragement from friends, I’m ready to stretch my mind and go. I’m looking forward to reading comments from all of you as I’m hoping the blog will be very interactive. I think you will find it interesting and informative as well as heartfelt. I love to brainstorm, hear other points of view, make new friends, and learn something new every day.

I’m ready to begin the journey together.

“Remember the turtle ~~ he never makes any progress until he sticks his neck out”