Free Concert at Centennial Park, Venice FL Are you looking for things to do this Friday? Come to enjoy a free concert at beautiful Centennial Park located in the center of downtown Venice FL.   Where: Gazebo at Centennial Park, 200 W Venice Av., Venice FL 34285     When: September27, 2013 FridayHours: 7:00pm – 9:00pmWho: All are welcome including your pet Tickets: Free AdmissionTel: 941-484-6722 Who to Contract: email Venice MainStreet     Free Concert The Venice MainStreet has been hosting many live free concerts the past few years in Venice. Remember, every second and fourth Friday will have these free concerts with different group of musicians. The local musician for this week is the Bluestar Band. For those who like to exercise, you are encouraged to dance on the lawn in-front of th... 09/25/2013

  Chestnut Creek Venice FL Real Estate Market Report – 2nd Quarter 2013     Thinking of buying or selling in Chestnut Creek?  Make sure you read this Chestnut Creek Venice FL Real Estate Market Report provided by Kwee Huset Realty, before you make your decision.    To search the current homes for sale in Chestnut Creek Venice FL                                                                                  View Chestnut Creek     Chestnut Creek market report between April 1 and June 30, 2013 as shown:    Total properties sold = 13, 1 short sale, 12 regular resale  Total properties listed for sale = 2, 2 short sale  Total properties pending = 2, 1 short sale, 1 regular resale  Highest sold price = $225,000   Lowest sold price = $134,900  Average sold price = $179,385  Average listing p... 09/24/2013

Things to Do in Venice FL   Venice Florida is one of the most active areas along Florida Gulf Coast!  There is so much to do, you will find something for everyone! Venice offers many FREE activities:   1.     Longest stretch of unspoiled beaches in southwest Florida - boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving in coral reef site. 2.     Children of all ages are welcome to cool off in Centennial Park's Interactive Fountain.   3.     Free concerts at the Gazebo. 4.     Exhibits at the Venice Art Center, Venice Theatre 5.     Walking tour of Venice's historic  homes & Train Depot.     6.     Legacy Trails 10.6 mile- walking, biking, rollerblading. 7.     Varied bird life at the Venice Rookery     8.    Venice's Murals: i) Circus mural at 780 S. Tamiami Trail.                            ii) F... 09/20/2013

  2013 – Smithsonian Magazine, Museum Day Live on September 28   Welcome to Venice Museum on Museum Day Live When: September 28, 2013 Hours: 12:00pm – 4:00pm Where: Triangle Inn 351 Nassau St. South, Venice FL 34285 Who: Everyone and Anyone Tickets: Always Free Admission, print ticket here for the event Normal hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 – 4:00pm Tel: 941-486-2487 Contact information: jhagler@venicegov.com                                     Museum Day Live Is a nationwide special annual event as part of the Smithsonian Magazine, all the participating museums offer free admission to the public with printed tickets.   Permanent Exhibits at Venice Museum There are two exhibits under this category. The first category is an invertebrate and vertebrate fossil collection f... 09/20/2013

  Come and Get It… How? Follow Instructions and Submit Application   Sun Fiesta is one of the most popular annual events in Venice FL. Two sponsors are giving out a $1,000 scholarship to the winners of each category.  Come and get it, if you are a young adult.   How?  Follow instructions and submit application according to the category.    Category I = Miss Sun Fiesta Pageant   When: October 19, 2013Where:  Centennial Park, Venice downtown, FL 34285Award: $1,000 for the winner’s scholarshipRequirements:  1. Women ages 16 – 18                              2. G.P.A. must be 3.5 or above                             3. Minimum 75 hours of community service                             4. One page essay about yourself and your goals for the future                             5. Quality photo ... 09/15/2013

    Thinking of buying or selling in Southwood?  Make sure you read this Southwood Venice FL Real Estate Market Report – 2nd Quarter 2013 provided by Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty, before you take action.    Information for homes for sale in Southwood is as follows:                                                                                                                                            View  Southwood Venice FL in a larger map   Address                        Living area        List Price     BR     BA      Built     4947 Tamarack Trl.    2022                 $188,900      2        2         1989    5025 Seagrass Dr.      1349                    215,000      2        2         1999      5057 Seagrass Dr.      2120                    269,000      2        2         199... 09/14/2013

  Oleander, Poisonous Plants   Oleander is a shrub with beautiful and colorful flowers. It is also one of many poisonous plants.  If it is been consumed by children or any pets, it can kill.                                              The shrub likes full sun and is salt tolerant – being able to grow along the beaches as well as it can stand the polluted air along heavy traffic highways.  You may use cuttings to propagate. It is fast growing. You can prune it into shrub or a small tree. Oleander has a variety of colors: crimson, light pink, pink, red, white and yellow. It begins blooming in the spring, and continues throughout the summer with clusters of showy flowers.   Problem of Oleander: Oleander caterpillar enjoys eating the leaves of the plant and may strip the plant bare, while ... 09/11/2013

 Home Prices in Ventura Village, Venice FL - Market Report August 2013   Real estate market report for Ventura Village, Venice FL provided by Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty D R Horton is the builder of this gated community.  The homes sell out quickly; as of September 6, 2013 only one resale home are available. However there are 7 new home prices ranging between $194,378 and $302,019.   To search new homes for sale in Ventura Village, Venice FL                                     The new homes have living areas from 1,534 square feet to 2,260 square feet. Smaller homes (Villas) have 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom and 2 car garages, and the larger homes (single family) have 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom and 2 car garages.  There are 7 homes under contract prices ranging between $173,000 and $293,119.   ... 09/08/2013

 D R Horton Homes  - Ventura Village in Venice FL Approximately 2 miles to beautiful Manasota Beach, and about 2 miles to banks, public library, restaurants, shopping, dog park are D R Horton Homes - Ventura Village in Venice.  Ventura Village is a gated community which is nestled on SR 776 about ¼ mile south of MRT Lawn & Garden Center. Search homes for sale in Ventura Village Venice FL  View Larger Map This community was developed in 2006 by Kimball Hill Homes and then bought over by D.R. Horton Inc. in 2009. The attached maintenance free villas have affordable monthly fees of $159. The single family homes with low HOA fees of $83 per month include lawn irrigation, community pool, and clubhouse.  No CDD fees and No flood insurance are required.                                D R Horto... 09/07/2013

  September 11th Memorial, 2013 – Venice FL   When: September 11, 2013 Hours: 10:00am – 12:00noon Where: Patriot’s Park at 800 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice FL 34285 Who: All are welcome Tickets: Free Admission & Parking   Organizer: Gene Sweeney of Salt of the Earth USA     There will be a ceremony at Patriot’s Park, commemorating all of those who lost their lives on that day in 2001 at the Twin Towers as well as Pennsylvania and Washing, DC.   September 11th Memorial, 2013   The ceremony will start with a welcome, invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem. Reflection speeches will be given by guest speakers. It will end with a 3 Round Volley, closing remarks and benediction, followed by singing of “God Bless America”   Insider Tips   Arrive early. Remember to bring your hat, pu... 09/05/2013

      Wishing you all have a 2013 Happy Labor Day weekend! I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy your BBQs, picnics or relaxing and spending some quality time with your family and friends. The weather is fine, high in the 80’s and the beaches are crowded in Paradise Venice FL.   09/02/2013

 Life is Precious     What do you think?  Do you agree? If so, tell me about it. Also click like and share it with others. I found this picture on a door at the entrance to a shop in downtown Venice FL.  You just never know what you will come across while walking around, enjoying the beautiful day in Paradise.   09/01/2013

   Sawgrass Venice FL Real Estate Market Snapshot – 2nd Quarter 2013     Real estate market snapshot for homes in Sawgrass Venice FL is provided by Kwee Huset Realty for your over view of how homes for sale performed during the 2nd quarter 2013.     Sawgrass is a stable gated golf community. Currently there are (click to see) 2 properties listed for sale 3 were listed in the 2nd quarter 2013, 0 are pending and 12 properties were sold. All were regular resale. The highest sold price was $473,000, the average sold price $393,775, the median sold price was $389,650 and the lowest sold price $295,000.         Compared to last year’s 2nd quarter, the highest sold price $420,000 went up 12.61% to $473,000 in 2013. The lowest sold price $285,000 went up 3.5% to 295,000 in 2013. The average sol... 08/31/2013

  LEED – 6 Important Elements of Green Building   Q by buyer: What is LEED? A: LEED means Leadership in Energy and Environment Design, and is redefining the way we think about the places where we live, work and learn. As an internationally recognized mark of excellence, LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building, design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.   Q by buyer: what are the 6 important elements of Green Building?  A: 6 important elements of a green building will include the following features: 1. Site   2. Water   3.  Energy  4. Materials  5. Indoor quality air 6. Maintenance and operation.   A Green building will be energy efficient, but an energy efficient building is no... 08/31/2013

 Labor Day weekend 2013 - Venice FL Events Labor Day weekend is here.  Besides BBQ there are other fun things to do around the area by yourself or with family and friends of all ages (including your dog), and they are free. This information is provided by the courtesy of Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty                                  5th Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival This is one of the popular craft events in Venice. There are 75 vendors – artists and craftsmen from all over the State to promote and share their handmade products. Exhibit items include arts, handmade clothing, handbags, leather bags, hair accessories, handmade cards, jewelry, stained glass,  wooden carved objects, woven baskets and many more.   There is something for everybody to buy as a souvenir. Affordable pric... 08/30/2013

 Publix Newest Grocery Store in Nokomis Florida   Publix newest grocery store located at Plaza Venezia, 2438 Laurel Road East, Nokomis Florida was opened yesterday on August 29, 2013. The Store Manager is Mr. Mike Lawless.                            Publix Store Hours Their store is open seven days a week, the hours are as follow:  7:00am to 10:00pm from Monday to Saturday.  7:00am to 9:00pm on Sunday  Tel: 941-484-8426 They have a drive through pharmacy as well: Open Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 8:00pm Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm Tel: 941-488-2459   Publix is one of the top growth grocery stores in Florida.  They are ready for the fall to welcome all the winter residents when they are back. This new store is situated at a convenient location on the co... 08/30/2013

Sold – Costa Brava, Condo in Downtown Venice FL   Kwee Huset of Kwee Huset Realty just sold another property at Costa Brava, 232 Saint Augustine Avenue #606, Venice, FL.   Currently only one unit is listed for sale in Costa Brava… click here to see the update       From Renters into Buyers A couple called me and was looking for a seasonal rental in 2014. I mentioned to them that I do not handle rentals; however I could help them to look for an affordable condo to buy for a vacation home as well as an investment. I showing them the expenses of renting compared to owning a condo unit and paying monthly maintenance fees.  Venice is designated as a Bicycle friend community so It got them excited because their son likes to bike.   They wanted a place that was move in condition and within wal... 08/29/2013

           Homestead Exemption in Sarasota County Florida - Part 1   Q: What is the history of the Homestead Exemption? A: The Great Depression began in 1929. As the Depression deepened, many Florida property owners found themselves unable to pay their property taxes and in serious danger of losing their homes. In response in 1933, State Representative Dwight Rogers of Fort Lauderdale proposed and successfully passed legislation to place the $5,000 Homestead Exemption Amendment on the state ballot. Florida's voters overwhelmingly approved the Homestead Exemption Amendment in 1934. The initial Homestead Exemption exempted the first $5,000 of value from ad valorem taxes. Over the years the exemption amount was increased to $25,000. In January 2008, voters adopted a constitutional amendme... 08/26/2013

Plantation Country Club Homes for Sale, Venice, Florida   The Sarasota Florida real estate market teems with communities developed around a Golfing Lifestyle but few can match the richness of the residential choices offered by one of the Plantation Country Club Homes for Sale in Venice. This area of Venice is subdivided into more than twenty-two neighborhoods developed within an area of 1,300 acres. The Plantation Golf and Country Club subdivisions include Garden of St. Andrews, Augusta Villas, Westchester Gardens, Farmington Vistas, Fairway Village, and the Reserves. The Plantation Country Club is between  Tamiami Trail and Center Road, and all within a short distance to  Interstate 75, which further enhances the strategic location of the property. Moreover, The Plantation is in a loca... 08/26/2013

  Ixora – Florida Gardening Ixora is also known as Flame of the woods.  It is a colorful flowering shrub that favors warm climates. The plant is native to East Indies and a popular landscaping shrub in tropical or subtropical zones throughout the world.   Variety of Ixora There are dwarf and regular ixora with many species. Dwarf is slow growing and the plant has a small leaf while the regular has a bigger leaf. The plant produces a large cluster of tiny flowers in a ball-shaped. The flowers have a variety of colors like reddish orange (most common for the dwarf), pink (Nora Grant most common for big leaf), and yellow.         Uses of Ixora Many people as well as commercial property owners use ixora to create one of the brightest and colorful hedges around the house, the drive way or th... 08/25/2013