Bougainvillea, Florida Gardening   Bougainvillea is named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French scientist, lawyer and explorer whose name also graces an island in the South Pacific. Its bracts have a showy beautiful variety of colors that stand out from the crowd, and make it popular in landscaping design.     The papery leaves are called bracts, and flowers are in many different colors, including magenta, pink, purple, red, salmon, variegated, white and yellow. The bracts which surround the tiny white flowers are three sided and provide a protective enclosure. It is also referred to as paper flower. The branches have spiky thorns and may grow from 3 to 40 feet.   There are dwarf bougainvillea, shrubs and vines. The dwarf variety is slow growing and the shrub and vine are fast... 11/10/2013

  Brazilian Pepper Tree, (Schinus terebinthifolius) – Invasive Species   The commonly named Brazilian Pepper tree is an invasive plant, which has been called Florida Holly - however it is not a holly.  Its scientific name is Schinus terebinthifolius.  The plant is a native from Brazil, South America.                 Enjoy the video!   Brazilian pepper trees like warm weather and are sensitive to cold.  The tree grows up to about 30 feet tall. It flowers from September to November and its fruits ripen from November to December.     It has clusters of white flowers that form into clusters of bright red fruits/berries among the green leaves. It looks so pretty that some people use it to make a wreath for Christmas decorations.   Birds (especially the migrating robins) love the Brazilian pe... 11/08/2013

  Traffic Update, Venice FL – November 10, 2013    This is an important traffic update for Venice FL residents and all the drivers on the road on Sunday November 10, 2013. Due to the Rev3 Triathlon sporting event, expect traffic delays as follows:   Traffic update – November 10, 2013 Sunday   To avoid running late at your appointment, check the information below and leave your home earlier, so that you may arrive at your destination on time.   Roads                                                                      Time  Harbor Drive (from W. Venice Ave. to Caspersen Beach) 5:00am 4:00pm Venice Ave (from Harbor Dr. to Jacaranda Blvd. traffic circle) 7:30am 10:00am Pinebrook Rd. (from Center Rd. to Laurel Rd. 7:30am 11:30am Center Rd. (from Pinebrook Rd. to Stoneybrook) 7:30am 10:00am ... 11/04/2013

  Pagoda Plant – Ornamental Shrub for Florida Gardening   Pagoda plant is an ornamental shrub that enjoys tropical weather more than the cold. It is a perfect plant for Florida gardening. It originated from the South East Asia.      It is a fast growing plant that can be propagated from semi hardwood cuttings or seeds and does not like to be over watered.  It can also be grown in a flower pot as an indoor plant near windows or doors for sunlight.   They bloom between spring and fall with clusters of showy flowers in tiers like the shape of a pagoda. The orange reddish flowers have some white, stem from one trunk, and will attract bees, butterflies and birds.   Pagoda plant’s leaves are in heart shape.  As the shrub grows taller, the leaves closer to the top will become smaller in shape.... 11/03/2013

  Venice FL Real Estate Market Report – September 2013   Is the real estate market in Venice FL cooling down? Check out the market report - September 2013 for single family homes provided by your real estate agent Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty    There were 151 new listings in the month of September. 44 pending and 97 sold. This report will be divided into three categories as follows:   Market Report for Standard Sales in September 2013    Total new listings                          115  Total pending                               28  Total sold                                     80  The highest sold price                   $825,000  The lowest sold price                    $  70,000  The average sold price                  $269,591  The average days on market         85 The sale pri... 11/01/2013

  Blues Festival, Venice FL – 2013 Exciting news! Venice Florida is hosting its first Venice Brew and Blues Festival next month 2013 by Venice Main Street Inc. and the Tampa-based Suncoast Blues Society. It will attract many blues fans from around the country to town.                                                     image from bing.com   When: November 16, 2013 SaturdayTime: 10:00am – 7:00pmWhere:  vacant land between East Tampa Ave and East Venice on Venetian Waterway on the island. Contact: 941-484-6722 for more informationTickets: $20 in Advance, $25 day of event. Click to buy tickets here or you may get your ticket at one of the following locations:  Blu Island Bistro -         625 Tamiami Trail S, Venice FL 34285 Venice Wine & Coffee – 201 West Venice Ave., Venice FL 34285 Venic... 10/30/2013

  Rev3 Triathlon in Venice FL – 2013   Welcome Back! Residents of Venice FL are so excited that the Half Rev3 Triathlon 2013 coming to town for the second year in a row. It will attract many athletes and visitors from around the world.   When:               November 8 -10, 2013  Friday to SundayWhere:             1600 South Harbor Dr. Venice FL 34285 ( Start and Finish location)To register: http://rev3tri.com/news/team-rev3-2014-application-form/Cost: FreePurse Prize:      $50,000(HalfRev)Local sponsors: Chiropractic Sports Medicine, Lake Venice Golf Club, Power Bar, Sharky’s on the Pier Restaurant, Tempo Cyclery, TriBling and Visit Sarasota County.     This multi variation of sporting event attracted about 1000 athletes and 550 volunteers last year. It also improved the local businesse... 10/26/2013

In VeniceFlorida you will find the popular community of Stoneybrook.  This 900 home, gated community was recently voted by Builder Magazine as one of the TOP 10 BEST SELLING communities in America. The community center includes a resort-style swimming pool, a kid’s splash pool, and an in-line skating park. For grown-ups, there’s health club with an on-site-activity director, aerobics studio and four lighted tennis courts. For kids of all ages, there’s a basketball court, two sand volleyball courts, greenbelt, tot lot and a multi-purpose sports field.  Stoneybrook is minutes away from some of our areas most beautiful beaches, close to lots of fantastic shopping and short drive to our area’s famous cultural activities. Selling your house in today's market takes more than knowing how to co... 10/23/2013

  Homemade Halloween Decorations - Venice FL   Halloween is approaching, are you looking for some ideas for your homemade Halloween decorations?  I found these homemade items that were for sale from the 2013 Venice Sun Fiesta this afternoon. I got permission to take these pictures and would like to share with all my readers and friends in the Rain.         Enjoy and Happy Sunday!       10/20/2013

  2013 Make a Difference Day – Venice FL   One person can make a difference in someone’s life by something as simple as smiling to a stranger to make them feel welcome.              image from www.handsonnetwork.com   In 2013 make a difference day falls on October 26, which is a Saturday. By giving back to your community you can make a difference that changes lives.  Many people do good things to help others, brighten their day and give them hope. You are welcome to participate in any one of the following projects, and make a difference.    Make a Difference Day Events    The “Warehouse”     A youth group in Venice is painting a house - entire outside in one day for a disabled person. A great day with fun, bring your friends and parents.   When:    October 26, 2013 SaturdayTime:     10:... 10/17/2013

  Firefighter in Florida – What Do These  Signs Mean?   What do these signs mean?          Lightweight Truss Roof             Lightweight Truss Roof & Floor                                              Lightweight Truss Floor   Answer by a firefighter in Florida: According to Florida Statue, Section 633.027, (2008). The owner of any commercial, industrial or multi-family residential building of three units or more constructed of light frame trusses, to install a symbol adopted by the rule of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.  Light frame truss type construction means a type of construction whose primary structural elements are formed by a system of repetitive wood or light gauge steel framing members. This rule also establishes the dimensions, color, and location of the symbol to be appl... 10/16/2013

  Venice Florida – Paradise   Why I chose Venice FL? Originally I migrated from Kuantan Pahang.  The ninth largest city in Malaysia, which is located along the east coast facing the South China Sea. The year round temperature high is about 90°F. It is similar to Venice FL.            Venice Florida Beaches Venice Florida has warm bright sunshine, beautiful sunsets and six sandy beaches with cool breezes in a serene and peaceful environment. You feel so relaxed and refreshed. At the same time you may enjoy the wild life like dolphins dancing in the water, manatees swimming around, the pelicans diving for their dinner. You may fish or watch others fishing at the South Jetty. Beginning in May through October, you may see loggerhead turtles (a protected species) nesting on the beaches – the... 10/10/2013

  Australian-pine – Invasive Species   Australian pine is native to Australia and Southeast Asia.  It is an evergreen tree which may grow up to 150 feet in height and strangle the surrounding plants, covering them with pine needles. It grows in poor soil and young shoots grow from the aggressive roots, spreading out easily and uncontrollably.   Enjoy the video!    This tree reproduces by suckering. You may see many small trees growing from around the base of the big tree.   Some people using this pine tree as a windbreak or along the property lines. It has no leaves, however it has plenty of needles with many joints; each joint is about one inch in length. It takes a lot of time to rake the needles, if left alone; no other plant can grow under the thick layers of pine needles.   To avoi... 10/09/2013

  Venice FL Real Estate Market Reports – August 2013   The Real Estate Market in Venice FL has a positive outlook. It will show in this report - which is for all type of residential properties listed and sold in the month of August 2013 with supporting data.   To search homes for sale in Venice FL.      Market Report for August 2013 - Sold     214 residential properties were sold, reflecting an increase of 36.3% from 157 in 2012. The average sold price was $205,515 which went up 14.55% from $179,406 in 2012. 21 units were REO (real estate owned by the bank) down by 1 unit from 22, and the average sold price in this category was $105,884, down 18.16% from $129,384 in 2012. To search REO homes for sale in Venice FL. There were 12 short sales (down from 23 in 2012) with average sold price ... 10/04/2013

  Allamanda – Florida Gardening   The allamanda plant has vibrant yellow beautiful flowers in the shape of a bell or trumpet, which is made up of five lobed petals. The leaves look glossy and thick in dark green color. They help to brighten up a Florida garden.    To see video here     The buds are brownish before they bloom.  After blooming season is over a prickle pod or fruit will be formed.   The plant has hard wood branches. It will be best to prune the plant in spring to encourage new grow for more branches, leaves and blooms. It has milky sap when it has been trimmed, and you may use the cuttings to propagate. The plant likes full sun or partial shade. It grows well with well drained, acidic soils and is fair with salt tolerance.  Small frogs enjoy the allamanda plant, and it wil... 10/02/2013

  26th Annual Car Show Hosted by AACA – Venice FL on 10/6/2013   AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) is hosting the 26th Annual Car Show at the beautiful Centennial Park in the downtown area of Venice Florida. More than 200 antique and new cars will be displayed.     When: October 6, 2013 – Sunday Registration: 8:00am – 11:00am Judging Time: 11:00am sharp Award Presentation: 3:00pm Where: Centennial Park, 200 W Venice Av. Venice FL 34285 Tickets: $25 per car for the competition Tickets: Free Admission to see the show Contact: 941-493-3780 or email veniceaaca@gmail.com for more information   View Centennial Park Venice FL 34285 in a larger map   Notes for the 26th Annual Car Show Competitors   UL approved (ABC) Fire Extinguisher is Mandatory to enter Show Field. It must be displaye... 09/30/2013

Venice FL – 26th Annual Consumer Expo – Organized by VACC   It is the time again for the free 26th annual Consumer Expo event in Venice FL. It is organized by VACC – Venice Area Chamber of Commerce with media sponsors: the Herald Tribune Media Group and Clear Chanel Media & Entertainment.       26th Annual Consumer Expo All are welcome – young and seniors to this event. It will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 4 & 5, 2013. It opens from 9:00am to 3:00pm on both days. It is a free event - no admission, free parking and free information as well as $100 free gift by lucky draw 5 times a day – best of all you are not required to buy anything or to be present to win. The show is located at Venice Community Center at 326 S Nokomis Ave. Venice FL 34285. For more information please ca... 09/29/2013

6 Ways to Build Your Trust in a Relationship   Trust plays an important part in our lives. It is not something we can take for granted. It takes times to build our trust in a relationship and it will not grow overnight. Once we lose it, it is difficult to rebuild it again.   The following are the six ways on how to build your trust in a relationship:-   1. Be trustworthy- Keep your promises and do according to what you say - even it is a small thing so that the other party will not be disappointed. Especially when you are dealing with a customer, it means repeating and referral businesses. 2. Be honest and tell the truth- It is easier to accept and forgive the truth than been caught in a lie and lose your credibility. If a mistake is made apologize, explain and fix it immediately. 3. Be... 09/28/2013

Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) – Florida Gardening   Plumbago is a native plant to Florida, and is also found in South Africa. It’s name means lead in Latin (the Plumbago auriculata plant was once used to treat lead poisoning). It is a tender fast growing shrub and blooms with clusters of blue or white flowers.         Plumbago Florida Gardening   Plumbagos like full sunlight, well drained enriched soils, and do not like salt. Many people use them as a border, along the drive way as low hedges, or as stand-alone a specimen. They are popular plants in Southwest Florida. The plant will grow to 5 feet, however it can easily be pruned from 2 to 4 feet tall to keep the plant in shape, encourage new growth, and blooms.       It has green leaves which are about 2 inches long. The flowers have ... 09/27/2013

  Pelican Pointe Venice FL Real Estate Market Reports – 2nd Quarter 2013    As a buyer and seller for single family homes or villas in Pelican Pointe Venice FL, you may want to know the 2nd quarter 2013 real estate market report to make a better decision.   To view homes for sale in Pelican Pointe   Inventory is low in Pelican Pointe. Currently there are 8 single family homes and 7 villas that are listed for sale.   The following market report is for single family homes - the 2nd quarter 2013 from April 1to June 30.    Total properties sold = 16, all were regular resale.    Total properties listed for sale = 3 The highest sold price = $603,000 The lowest sold price = $162,500 The average sold price = $336,706 The average listing price = $354,650  The average sold price per square foot =... 09/26/2013