Calendar of Events, May - June, 2013
 

ONGOING

Chef Rolf’s New Florida Kitchen^® cooking show airs 12:30 to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on SNN Comcast Channel 6. Repeats 12:30 to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Historic Venice Train Depot Tours, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays with the last tour beginning at 12:30 p.m. Climb aboard the Venice Historic Train Depot, located on Seaboard Avenue in Venice. Info: 941-412-0151, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit VeniceHistory.com.

First Saturday of the Month – Historic KMI Campus & Building Tour, 1 p.m. at Venice Centre Mall, 238 Tampa Avenue West on Venice Island. Reservations are requested. Info: 941-416-8229, VeniceCentreMall.com, or visit Suite 238-A in the Mall.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays – Visit the Venice Museum & Archives, 351 Nassau Street S., in downtown Venice, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through June 12 to view the exhibition, The Kentucky Military Institute: Celebrating 37 Years in Venice. Info: 941-486-2487 or VeniceGov.com/archives.

Wednesdays – Free wine tasting, 3 to 6 p.m. at Brindley’s Liquor, Wine & Gourmet Store, 421 S. Tamiami Trail on Venice Island. Stop by and sample a variety of wines, cheeses and spreads. Info: Bill, 941-488-5989.

Thursdays – Free spirit tasting, 3 to 6 p.m. at Brindley’s Liquor, Wine & Gourmet Store, 421 S. Tamiami Trail on Venice Island. Stop by and sample a variety of spirits, cheeses and spreads. Info: Bill, 941-488-5989.

Saturdays – Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the corner of Tampa and Nokomis avenues in downtown Venice. Shoppers will find a variety of fresh produce, plants and herbs, homemade bread and pastries, candles, soaps, honey, jewelry, and much more. Info: 941-234-6321.

Saturdays – Free Tasting, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Venice Olive Oil Company, 101 W. Venice Avenue, Suite 5, on Venice Island. Visitors are invited to stop by and sample a variety of spreads, ‘Wind and Willow’ dips, gourmet olives, and more. Info: 941-483-4200.

MAY

3—View from the KMI Balcony, 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Venice Centre Mall, 238 Tampa Avenue W. on Venice Island. Take a tour of one of the penthouse suites in the historical KMI building featuring a balcony view overlooking Centennial Park. Refreshments provided. Second tour date scheduled for same time on June 7. Info: 941-488-6262.

4—Myakka River Oyster Bar Car Show, noon to 3 p.m. at 121 Plamore Drive, just past River Road in South Venice. Bring your classic car, enjoy lunch on the beautiful Myakka River, meet Candy Girl from 107.9 WSRZ and listen to live music. Special prizes and best-of-show trophies will also be presented. No registration fee. Next show June 1, same time. Info: 941-423-9616.

10—Free Concert in the Park, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Centennial Park Gazebo on the Island of Venice. Kid Red is scheduled to perform. Bring a chair or blanket. Info: 941-484-6722 or VeniceMainStreet.com.

10 and 11—Sidewalk Sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Avenues of downtown Venice. Info: 941-484-6722 or VeniceMainStreet.com.

15—Olive Oil and Wine Sampling, 4:30 to 6 p.m. at The Olive Grove of Venice, 248 Tampa Avenue West in the Venice Centre Mall on the Island. A sampling of different Mediterranean olive oils, vinegars and featured wines will be offered. Cost: $20/ person. RSVP required; seating limited. Info: 941-374-8888.

18—Nokomis Beach Youth Fishing Tournament, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Nokomis Beach, 100 Casey Key Road, Nokomis. Children will enjoy catching and releasing fish. Bring pole and tackle box; bait provided. Prizes and awards to be presented. Participating children must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Pre-registration preferred. Cost: $1. Info: 941-486-2753.

19—Performance by Piña Colada Duo, 2 p.m. at Bentley’s Boutique Hotel, 1660 Tamiami Trail, Osprey. Enjoy music by keyboardist George DeJong and saxophonist Chad Conte as they perform poolside at the hotel’s Osprey Beach Tiki Bar & Grill. Info: 941-321-7024 or InnerwaveMusic.com.

21—Union or Confederate: Divided Loyalties, 7 p.m. in the Mark Manor building at Village on the Isle, 930 S. Tamiami Trail on Venice Island. Scheduled guest speaker Larry Evans, journalist and Civil War Roundtable member, to discuss how the Civil War caused families to split. Free program. Info: 941-412-0151 or VeniceHistory.com.

, 4 to 8 p.m. in downtown Venice. Sample over 80 craft and import beers while listening to great music. Participants must be 21 or older and present valid ID upon arrival. Admission includes armband and glass for tasting. Tickets: $30 until May 24; $40 at event. Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or VeniceBrewBash.com.

JUNE

7—Beer, Wine and Cheese Tasting, 6 to 8 p.m. at Brindley’s Liquor, Wine & Gourmet Store, 421 S. Tamiami Trail on Venice Island. Cost: $15/person which includes one free $5 tasting card to redeem in one of the four liquor and wine tasting stations during their next visit. Participants can also receive 10% off bottles of the featured wines and 10% off their total purchase of 6 or more bottles of wine. Proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Info: Bill, 941-488-5989.

15 and 16—21st Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Miami Avenue in beautiful downtown Venice. Peruse booths filled with paintings, stained glass, photography, personalized products for children and pets, and much more. Admission: Free. Info: ArtFestival.com

16—Father’s Day Compass Event, 9 a.m. to noon at Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. Get outside and learn how to use a compass. Beginners and more advanced courses available. Lunch provided at no charge. Pre-registration begins June 1. Info: 941-483-5956.

19—Olive Oil and Wine Sampling, 4:30 to 6 p.m. at The Olive Grove of Venice, 248 Tampa Avenue West in the Venice Centre Mall on the Island. A sampling of different Mediterranean olive oils, vinegars and featured wines will be offered. Cost: $20/ person. RSVP required, as seating is limited. Info: 941-374-8888.

21—Free Concert in the Park, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Centennial Park Gazebo on the Island of Venice. David Smash Band is scheduled to perform. Bring a chair or blanket. Info: 941-484-6722 or VeniceMainStreet.com.