Venice Main Street Shopping and Dining in Paradise

Along the majestic palm-lined main street (or W. Venice Ave) of historic Downtown Venice, one is captivated by the array of brightly colored shops and restaurants. This area has much to offer to both tourists and locals alike. Whether it’s shopping, dining, or taking in a show, there are lots of things to keep you busy in Paradise.

Shopping is one of the highlights of downtown. There is something for everyone. When it comes to fashion, you’ll find chic, trendy styles at Uptown Girl and Jo-Lee’s Boutique; island and resort wear at Sun Bug, The Scarlet Macaw, and St. Marco Boutique; children’s designs at Nana’s; and for the men, Captain’s Landing has all the best name brands. Gifts and accessories are easy to find at the Green Parrot Gift Shop, Fraser’s Island Nook, and Mrs. Candlewick’s Shoppe. And who can go shopping in Venice without browsing through the seashells at Sea Pleasures and Treasures?

If you love to decorate like I do, Seaside Chic has it all. I immediately fell in love with the casual and elegant designs this home furnishing store has to offer. Transform your home into a seaside oasis with their expert help.

What will it be for lunch or dinner today? Japanese at Bushido, Italian at Cassariano’s, continental at Café Venice, French at LePetit Jardin, or good old American fare at TJ Carney’s. For dessert, head over to Bresler’s for some homemade ice-cream or Kilwin’s for their outstanding chocolates and fudge.

Now it’s time to relax and enjoy a show at the Venice Theater (formerly the Venice Little Theater), one of the largest and most active community theaters in the country. There are always some great shows on the venue so a season pass is the best deal.

Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the properties listed on Sarasota Barrier Island's of Casey Key, Manasota Key, Island of Venice, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat or Bird Key. Call 941.350.5035

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

708 Casey Key Road Nokomis, Florida The Herron Group Nick Herron 941-350-5035 RE/MAX Aliance Group

708 Casey Key Road
Wonderful Casey Key Get-A-Way--- Key West Style---Cottage, Bay views, New Boat Dock and Deeded Beach Easement Across the Street To Deep Sandy Beach, Lovely New Large Decks Front and Back to Enjoy the Sunrise and Sun Sets and the Great Breezes, Vaulted Cei ilings Ceramic Tile Floors, Three Car Garage, Room for Pool in the Private Landscaped Fenced Yard, Three bedrooms, bath and a half upstairs and two bedroom one bath apartment down (non-conforming) Least expensive Bay front on Casey Key reduced to $1,175,000 Sold furnished Nick Herron 941-350-5035

Beach, Bay or Back Nine...Live the Dream

Sarasota Barrier Island Turtle Update

As of June 13, 2009 Mote Marine reports of turtle nesting activity for 2009:

Longboat Key Manatee County: There were 43 Nests and 30 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Longboat Key Sarasota County: There were 41 Nests and 29 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Lido Beach: There were 3 Nests and 15 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Siesta Key: There were 43 Nests and 52 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and 1 Nest and 1 False Crawl for Green Turtles.

Casey Key: There were 148 Nests and 99 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Venice Beach: There were 67 Nests and 28 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Totals as of June 13, 2009: There were 345 Nest and 253 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and 1 Nest and 1 False Crawl for Green Turtles.

A little background on these two types of turtles: Provided by NESTS: Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival

Loggerhead

Scientific name: Caretta caretta. The loggerhead's
Common name is derived from the size of its head.
Appearance: Adults and sub adults have a reddish brown
Carapace (upper shell) and a dull brown to
Yellowish plastron (lower shell).
Size: Most adults weigh between 250 and 350 pounds
And have a carapace between 3 and 4 feet long.
Reproduction: Loggerheads return to their nesting
Beach at intervals of 2, 3 or more years during their
Nesting season, which runs from May through September.
They lay 4 to 7 nests per season. The average
Number of eggs per nest is usually between 100 to 126.
Eggs incubate for about 60 days.

Green Turtle

Scientific name: Chelonia mydas. The green turtle's common
Name is derived from the green color of the fat that lies
Just under the upper and lower shell.
Appearance: A single pair of scales on the front of its head
Distinguishes the green turtle.
Size: Adults weigh between 225 and 350 pounds and
Measure between 3 and 4 feet.
Reproduction: Green turtles return to their nesting beach
In intervals of 2, 3 or more years. They lay an average of 3 to
5 egg clutches during the nesting season, which runs from
June through September, but a female may lay as many as
10 clutches. Greens lay about 115 eggs per clutch, which
Incubate in about 60 days.

Another interesting fact about Sea Turtles:

Research indicates that the sex of an embryo is determined sometime after fertilization, as the embryo develops, and may be temperature dependent. Lower nest temperatures produce more males; higher temperatures produce more females.
As always Mote Marine is looking for volunteers to be involved in the Turtle Program during the five plus month period, starting May 1 to Nov 1 each year.

The Turtles Nesting on the Sarasota Barrier Islands just adds to the ambience of living and enjoying the lifestyle of the Sarasota Barrier Islands. If you would like to look at any of the properties on any of Sarasota Barrier Islands (Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Venice Island, Manasota Key, or Longboat Key) the Herron Group, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron 941-350-5035 with RE/MAX Alliance Group are ready to show you.

Island Prayers and the charmed Casey Key Community Library

Not a day goes by without discovering new reasons to absolutely adore Casey Key, Florida. The Blackburn Point swing bridge is undergoing repair for the month of June, but I took a visitor on a Casey Key joyride from the tip to the top of all eight-miles of luxuriant island the other day. As we prepared to turn the convertible around near the bridge, we impulsively pulled into the parking lot of the Casey Key Library. Located at 800 Blackburn Point Road just across from the Casey Key Fish House, this community-inspired gem of a library would have charmed our socks off, had we been wearing any. But we’d been enjoying the beach just moments before so…no socks.

We were greeted by volunteer librarian and Casey Key resident Connie Davis, whose warm smile and generous welcome made us feel like old friends. We learned that the Casey Key Library is an independent not-for-profit corporation, founded in 1984 by resident Marion Shaw in her spacious garage. This is a computer-free, low-tech, gracious operation complete with a card catalog and self check-out. The library is stocked with hardcover bestsellers and treasures, most of which are less than two years old, and its community room hosts meetings and neighbors. The library is open to residents of Casey Key who are members of the Casey Key Association, and has become quite the neighborhood gathering place.

The Casey Key Library not only provides an impressive collection of spellbinding reads, it also serves the greater good. Two or three neighbor-friendly fundraisers per year generate monies that support literacy programs and local schools. The day we stopped in, a book by a local resident lay open on the desk and I checked it out immediately. It was the stunning “Island Prayers” by author and photographer Jack Perkins, former NBC news correspondent and host of A&E’s “Biography.” Such a fitting book to read later at day’s end as I enjoyed another sunset on Casey Key, Florida.

Living on the barrier island of Casey Key, Florida, is truly “living the dream.” The Casey Key Library simply adds to the dream life of this friendly, welcoming community. Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the properties listed on Sarasota’s Barrier Island of Casey Key. Call 941.350.5035.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream