Atlanta Braves News : Baseball Reigns Supreme in Atlanta

https://tomahawktake.com/2021/11/03/atlanta-braves-news-baseball-reigns-supreme-atlanta/

by Brandon Brosch, October 3, 2021

 Braves are World Series Champions for the first time since 1995, defeating the Astros 7-0 in game 6 in Houston.

The 2020 season ended in heartbreak for the Atlanta Braves, falling just one game short of a trip to the World Series to the Dodger.  Expectations were high before the 2021 season started, but the Braves lost key pieces and could not even break through the .500 mark for most of the campaign.

Losing players like Acuna, Ozuna, and Soroka had many in Braves country wondering what the rest of the season would look like, but against all odds, the Braves turned it around in late August and stayed hot all throughout the postseason.

Even so, nobody gave the Atlanta Braves a chance in the World Series against the Astros:  after all, Houston had been to three finals in the last five years, but the Atlanta bullpen — probably the strongest point of the Braves — held the dangerous Astros at bay throughout the series.

Game one saw the Braves ace of the season Charlie Morton exit early after suffering a fractured right fibula, which had everyone in Braves Country wondering what else could go wrong this season, but exceptional showings from Ian Anderson, Max Fried and Tyler Matzek showed just how resilient this team is.

Max Fried took the mound in game 6. Fried got off to a shaky start through little fault of his own, which included a big scare at first base when Michael Brantley stepped on his ankle during an awkward play.  For a few moments, we all feared Max had suffered a Charlie Morton repeat.

Fried seemed to actually get angry after that, quickly found his form, and was locked in for the remainder of his night, allowing no walks and striking out 6 through six full innings.

Matzek came in and continued his postseason dominance before Will Smith came in and slammed the door on the Astros.

This was the Braves first World Series appearance since 1999 and their first World Series championship since 1999.

Soak it all in, Braves Country! All the heartbreak throughout the years and the “almost had ’em’s” is what makes this victory so sweet.  Baseball is once again supreme in Atlanta.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Atlanta Braves World Series schedule

https://tomahawktake.com/2021/10/24/atlanta-braves-world-series-schedule/

by Alan Carpenter, October 25, 2021

Yes, the Atlanta Braves were the host team vs. the Dodgers, but that doesn’t matter for the World Series.

Still dealing with the euphoria:  our Atlanta Braves are going to the World Series!  They will face Troy Snitker and the Houston Astros starting on Tuesday, October 26th at Minute Maid Park.

Snitker — yes, the son of Braves manager Brian Snitker — is one of the hitting coaches for the Astros.  Somebody has already wondered aloud on twitter whether Brian’s wide is going to get one of those ‘split jerseys’ to pay allegiance to both.

But… about that game schedule:

TUESDAY OCT 26.  8pm EDT.  Braves at Astros; Minute Maid Park, Houston.

WEDNESDAY OCT 27.  8PM EDT.  Braves at Astros; Minute Maid Park, Houston.

Travel Day

FRIDAY OCT 29.  8PM EDT.  Astros at Braves; Truist Park, Atlanta.

SATURDAY OCT 30.  8PM EDT.  Astros at Braves; Truist Park, Atlanta.

The obligatory “if necessary” games:

SUNDAY OCT 31.  8PM EDT.  Astros at Braves; Truist Park, Atlanta.

Travel Day

MONDAY NOV 2.  8PM EDT.  Braves at Astros; Minute Maid Park, Houston.

TUESDAY NOV 3.  8PM EDT.  Braves at Astros; Minute Maid Park, Houston.

All games will be broadcast on the “Big Fox” network (yes… we’re done with Ron Darling for the year… thank heaven above).

After meeting the Astros in the post-season for what seemed every year in the 1990’s, it’s been quite a while since these clubs have even played at all… 2017 to be exact.

That year, of course, was the season of Houston’s tainted championship — though as it happens, most of the members of that club are no longer with the team:  only Altuve, Bregman, Correa, and Gurriel are still there.

But after some 700+ games between these teams, this will be their first matchup for the whole enchilada.  The World Series.

We will have much more to say about this event in the coming days, but I will go ahead and get this on the record now:  Braves take the series in 5 games…. 6 tops.  Lets git ‘r done.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

https://www.wellenparkjournal.com/

October 20, 2021

It WAS A GLORIOUS DAY FOR A GROUNDBREAKING. SMILES AND painted shovels everywhere. Hundreds of invited guests. All coming together to celebrate the beginning of the construction of beautiful Downtown Wellen.

Food and drink were abundant as guests chatted, took photos and milled around in the tent erected on the site of the future downtown.

The many development partners of Wellen Park, local officials and community members used the shovels they artistically painted to begin the earthmoving process. The shovels will be featured as a permanent art installation once Downtown Wellen opens.

“We wanted to do something forward-thinking with the same synergy that one will feel when visiting Downtown Wellen,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park.

The event perfectly captured the lifestyle vibe that has made Wellen Park so attractive to homebuyers.

Guests were able to put together fresh flower bouquets from a mobile floral vendor, enjoy specialty drinks from a retrofitted vintage horse trailer-turned modern boutique bar and participate in an interactive painting station where they decorated pavers that will be used as part of a colorful walkway in the playground area of Downtown.

Downtown Wellen will feature an 80-acre lake, retail shops, numerous dining options, pedestrian-friendly streets and walkways, a permanent food truck park, a great lawn and a Town Hall that will host concerts and events. Residents and visitors alike will enjoy relaxing in the hammock grove and gathering under a giant heritage oak tree, nearly 100 years old.

The food truck park will include one from the Atlanta Braves, serving ballpark fare in Downtown Wellen.

Even the youngest residents will enjoy the downtown space with its natural playground, designed to appear as part of the landscape.

“We are designing a downtown that functions from morning to late evening,” Mr. Severance says. “Take a morning walk, meet for a business lunch or enjoy an evening concert. People want a purpose, with things to do and experiences they will remember.” The spacious downtown will create an environment that is spread out and comfortable. “It will be one of those places you’ll want visit again and again.”

“We are designing a downtown that functions from morning to late evening,” Mr. Severance says. “Take a morning walk, meet for a business lunch or enjoy an evening concert. People want a purpose, with things to do and experiences they will remember.” This is a place you will want to visit again and again.”

“I really believe that Downtown Wellen will be a place where families, couples and members of every generation can make memories. Grandkids will visit over spring break. People will get engaged or married here, maybe celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary,” Mr. Severance says.

“We want to be that spot that helps them make those memories.”

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Halloween at the farm

 https://d.facebook.com/events/1192274771252040?m_entstream_source=timeline

OCT 30

Public · Event · by Inverness Farm

Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM EDT

377 Inverness Rd, Venice, FL 34292-2554

Details

For the first time ‼️ Halloween trunk or treat event at Inverness Farm. We will have a costume party for children, adults AND animals 🥰🤩😍

We will enjoy the day of pony rides and visiting the many animals that live on the farm , from goats, geese , bunny, ducks , mini horses, horses and so many more .🐰🐱🐮🐴🦆🦄🐑🐈🐐

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Five things to know about Sarasota's Legacy Trail

 https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2021/09/23/five-things-know-legacy-trail-between-venice-and-sarasota/5821140001/

Herald Tribune, Staff Report, Sept 23, 2021

When did Sarasota's Legacy Trail open?

The original, 12.5-mile-long Legacy Trail was opened in primitive form in January 2006, and connected the southern portion of the onetime Seaboard Air railroad line right of way from Center Road north to what’s now known as Culverhouse Nature Park. It was later paved in 2008. The original trailhead for Legacy Trail is the Venice Historic Train Depot, which reopened in October 2003 both for historical tours and as a transportation hub for Sarasota County Area Transit. The Legacy Trail also links with its older sibling, the Venetian Waterway Trail. That 9.3-mile trail spans both banks of the Intracoastal Waterway. Its construction was spearheaded by Venice Area Beautification Inc, which is currently working to build an Urban Forest along the Legacy Trail, just south of the Venice Avenue Bridge.

Who can use the Legacy Trail?

While the Legacy Trail is limited to cyclists, runners and walkers, it is also possible to ride a pedal-powered Surrey Ride between late January and mid-April from Sandra Sims Terry Community Center at 509 Collins Road for a 45-minute tour of that original trail section, while learning about the history of the trail, as well as the local wildlife. The free tour is organized by Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, though tax-deductible donations are accepted. COVID-19 safety protocols are in effect for the surrey rides. A four-passenger maximum, along with a 600-pound weight limit are also enforced. Visit https://www.scgov.net/parks to learn more.

What were other names proposed for the Legacy Trail?

The Friends of the Legacy Trail formed in December 2006, under the cumbersome moniker of “The Friends of the Venice to Sarasota Rails-to-Trails," with a goal of raising funds to help improve the trail. It was later changed to the Friends of the Legacy Trail, shortly after the Sarasota County Commission voted to change the trail’s name in May 2007. That name beat out other contenders such as “Palmer Parkway,” in honor of Bertha Honore Palmer; “Elephant Walk;” and “Circus Trail” which were meant to honor the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and its use of the rail line to travel to is winter home in Venice. 

When will the Legacy Trail be completed?

The push to extend the Legacy Trail north to Payne Park in Sarasota and then south/east toward North Port from Nokomis received support of 70.6% of voters in November 2018, as they approved a $65 million bond issue to pay for the work. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic fostered a dramatic rise in use of the trail from roughly 225,000 riders annually to more than 400,000. The northern extension of the trail is being built in three sections. A 2.75-mile portion of that extension, spanning from Bahia Vista Street to just south of Proctor Road, opened in July. The entire northern extension is anticipated to open in late 2021. Technically, an unimproved section of the trail already connects through to North Port via a bridge connecting the Carlton Reserve to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is already open. A paved trail connecting with a trailhead at Calera Street near Price Boulevard is anticipated to open in in early 2022 as well.

When is the Legacy Trail open and where is it?

The Legacy Trail is open every day from 6 a.m. to sunset. You can access the Legacy Trail at any point along its track, but there are also trailheads that offer free parking and a convenient place to rest. Some also offer restrooms and other amenities.

Culverhouse Nature Park, 7301 Mcintosh Road, Sarasota

Legacy Trail Access-McIntosh Road, 7905 Mcintosh Road, Sarasota

Osprey Junction Trailhead, 939 E. Bay St., Osprey

Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey

Laurel Park and Sandra Sims Terry Community Center, 509 Collins Road, Laurel.

Nokomis Community Park, 234 Nippino Trail E., Nokomis

Nokomis Riverview Park, 251 Riverview Dr. S, Nokomis

Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice

Historic Venice Train Depot, 303 E. Venice Ave., Venice

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

9/11 Memorials Honor Victims, 20th Anniversary In Sarasota County

 https://patch.com/florida/sarasota/9-11-memorial-events-honor-victims-20th-anniversary-attacks

Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff     Tue, Sep 7, 2021 

Events throughout Sarasota County will honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and mark the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. (Shutterstock)

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. More than 3,000 people died on 9/11 and memorial services organized throughout Sarasota County honor the victims of these terrorist attacks.

Sarasota National Cemetery

A 20th anniversary commemoration will take place Saturday, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72 in Sarasota. The commemoration continues the tradition that began Sept. 11, 2001, when the Sarasota Ministerial Association first held a prayer vigil at J.D. Hamel Park.

The names of each person who died during the 9/11 attacks will be read during the ceremony. Those attending Saturday have the option of standing for specific individuals who died during the Sarasota Fire Department's Tolling of the Bell and when the bagpipers play "Amazing Grace."

Congressman Greg Steube, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Venice Diocese, Bishop Dabney Tylor Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, NAACP President Trevor Harvey, Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, and local police and fire chiefs, mayors, and commissioners will participate in the event.

A 70-plus community chorus will also perform during the commemoration.

Special commemorative coins have been minted to mark the occasion, and will be presented to Sarasota's first responders, veterans, active-duty military, Sarasota Elks Lodge members and 9/11 survivors in attendance. A procession of all clergy and distinguished presenters will begin the service.

The first 500 attendees arriving at the commemoration will be given red and white and blue flowers to be placed in a mesh that will eventually become the American flag located in front of the stage.

City of North Port virtual service and Remember the Fallen Memorial 5K Run

North Port Fire Rescue will host a virtual event Saturday at 9 a.m. on the city of North Port's Facebook page. The memorial service will include a flag raising, ringing of the bell and a few speakers. It can be viewed online here.

The city's annual Remember the Fallen Memorial 5K Run will be held virtually this year as well because of the spike in COVID-19 cases. 

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

USF Sarasota-Manatee will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Friday at 8:15 a.m. with a flag-raising event before shifting to the campus courtyard for guest speakers, patriotic music, and the participation of local first responders and representatives of the Armed Forces. Light refreshments will be served afterward in the Selby auditorium.

Among the speakers will be USF Sarasota-Manatee campus Regional Chancellor Karen A. Holbrook and retired New York City firefighter Garrett C. Lindgren.

A member of Rescue Company 3, Lindgren was among the first responders at the World Trade Center immediately following the collapse of the north tower. He was later among the rescuers at ground zero from Sept. 11 to Dec. 15, 200 and suffered career-ending injuries while searching through rubble.

City of Venice 9/11 memorial service

The city of Venice will host a 9/11 memorial service Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd.

The event will feature guest speakers and patriotic music. Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs and social distance. Cold water will be provided.

 Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Florida zoo receives orphaned baby manatee rescued off Venice coast

https://nbc-2.com/news/state/2021/08/31/florida-zoo-receives-orphaned-baby-manatee-rescued-off-venice-coast/

by Katelyn Massarelli  9:37 PM EDT, Wed September 01, 2021 

 TAMPA, Fla. – Zoo Tampa received a tiny patient this week, and she is the smallest rescued orphaned Manatee calf the zoo has treated!

The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center received the baby manatee. The center is one of only two places that takes orphan calves in, according to zoo officials.

The female manatee weighed in at 44 pounds and was found in the Gulf of Mexico near Venice.

She was rescued by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission field staff.

Zoo Tampa officials said she is doing well under the car and watch of the zoo’s Animal Care team and Veterinary team.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Pets Are Hungry Too

 https://mayorsfeedthehungry.org/events/

Saturday Aug. 28th, 2021, 9am – 12 pm

Cool Today Park, 18800 S. West Villages Parkway, Venice, FL 34293, Spring training home of the Atlanta Braves.

Pets are Hungry Too – A dog food drive, in conjunction with The National PTSD Service Association (NPSA), to benefit persons, pets, and veterans struggling to feed their four-legged fur babies due to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Pets are Hungry Too“ is Saturday Aug. 28th, 9am – 12 pm, at Cool Today Park, 18800 S. West Villages Parkway, Venice, FL 34293.

Our members tell us that about 40% of the people they serve at our food pantries come with pets and often share what little food they have with their pets.

The main goal is to get food for the service dogs; however, we also need pet food for the dogs and cats of the other people who come to us for food.

About The National PTSD Service Association

The National PTSD Service Association, Inc. is a nonprofit agency that provides service dogs by clinical referral at no cost to veterans and public safety personnel in need, empowering them to live fulfilled lives. With 22 suicides a day to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the National PTSD Service Association is providing a solution that works: highly-trained service dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD. To learn more, visit https://www.nationalptsdserviceassociation.org/.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Downtown Wellen Park breaks ground Wednesday

By CRAIG GARRETT Staff Writer Aug 17, 2021 Updated 4 hrs ago

A rendering suggests what Wellen Park may look like some time in the near future.

IMAGE PROVIDED

 NORTH PORT — Pitched as North Port's new entertainment district, Downtown Wellen Park officially breaks ground Wednesday.

The mix of retail, dining and lakefront recreation is the centerpiece district of several upscale neighborhoods, the Atlanta Braves spring training complex, the Marketplace plaza, anchored by a Publix, and other amenities.

That area centered at Tamiami Trail and Mercado Drive sprawls over several hundred acres and also includes a North Port police/fire rescue station to service the city’s western edge. That opens next year. Assisted living and new housing are included in Downtown Wellen Park. Opening is planned for late 2022, a spokesperson said.

“Everybody gets what they’re asking for” in the new district, North Port Mayor Jill Luke said of Downtown Wellen Park. “I’m just so excited.”

Wellen Park is the renamed West Villages, a planned community covering some 11,000 acres.

Downtown Wellen Park will become its retail business hub. The enterprise had also opened a welcome center in the adjacent Marketplace plaza.

The largest four trees inside the perimeter — one with a 96-inch diameter and well over 100 years old, all salvaged from the property — will flank the entryway to the project, a welcoming canopy of green that will provide a “sense of place,” said Rick Severance, Wellen Park president, “that doesn’t feel brand new.”

The other trees get sprinkled around the development — including an 80-acre lake, restaurants, shops, concert and festival areas, a food-truck park, splash pad and a kid play area.

Downtown Wellen will serve as the premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination for our growing community. Part of the Wellen way of life, this welcoming, walkable destination will have something special for everyone, from great eateries to stylish shops and exquisite sunsets.

The first phase should open by 2022, Severance said. At build-out, Wellen Park will contain some 20,000 homes and 50,000 residents, or about two-thirds of North Port’s current population.

As Downtown Wellen Park takes shape, North Port has also boosted its campaign to push its activity centers, nine downtown-like districts within the city.

Activity centers — not to be confused with fitness hubs such as the George Mullen Activity Center — were meant for walkability or riding a bike to work, bringing retail and employment zones, for instance. Housing and recreation are part of that mix.

These districts date to 1997 and were a retooling then of the city’s future. The idea was a greater mix of retail and jobs with its housing. One district may feature medical professionals, another light-industrial businesses or corporate offices.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

North Port's Legacy Trail breaks ground Monday, 'everybody's super excited'

 https://www.yoursun.com/northport/news/north-ports-legacy-trail-breaks-ground-monday-everybodys-super-excited

By CRAIG GARRETT Staff Writer 

Updated Jun 12, 2021

NORTH PORT — The city’s portion of Sarasota County’s Legacy Trail breaks ground Monday.

North Port’s Legacy Trail Connector will be nearly 4 miles of paved trails. Two other routes in North Port are planned: The South Powerline, which is an improved shell-packed road, and a more natural trail surface through Deer Prairie Creek Preserve.

The North Port package of trails is part of Sarasota County’s Legacy Trail, a $65 million project funded in a 2018 voter referendum. Some 400,000 annual users reportedly use the Legacy Trail that connects Sarasota, Osprey, Nokomis, Venice and South Venice.

The trail is a wide, smoothly paved path for walkers/joggers, rollerbladers and bicyclists. There are trailheads, parking areas and seating along differing route distances.

North Port’s Connector is “one of the most exciting things as a parks director,” said Nicole Rissler, executive director with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

The bigger picture is linking Florida in a so-called rails-to-trails movement of walking and biking trails. Many of those trails are converted rail lines, hundreds of miles criss-crossing the state, linking cities, providing transportation alternatives, drawing visitors and boosting eco-tourism.

A North Port Connector will run nearly 4 miles of paved pathways along the Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, “where one can go to experience native habitats, including pine flatwoods, prairie hammocks, and seasonal wetlands,” according to information on the Friends of Legacy Trail website. That nonprofit was started in 2016 to further The Legacy Trail, a Sarasota County park.

“Once the connector gets to North Port, it’ll be a wonderful asset to our community here,” Friends of the Legacy Trail-North Port coordinator Sharon Donovan had said.

The Legacy Trail's North Port Connector ground-breaking is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at 1045 Calera St., at the end of West Price Boulevard.

Those three connections are:

• Powerline Trail, connecting Border Road through the Carlton Reserve and Big Slough Preserves to Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

• Deer Prairie Creek Route, connecting the east end of Forbes Trail to the south entrance of Deer Prairie Creek. That starts Monday.

• Schewe Route running along Interstate 75 before turning south and eventually connecting with Warm Mineral Springs. North Port city commissioners this month approved a $9.2 million upgrade package at the Springs with the Legacy Trail as a future component.

“A different experience in different parts” of the Trail, Rissler said. “Everybody’s super excited.”

Sarasota County’s original Legacy Trail dates to around 2004. The county bought a former railroad corridor for about $12 million. That 12.5-mile project runs from Sarasota to Venice. It is popular with walkers, bikers, inline skaters and others; so popular, in fact, that devices had been added along the trail to count daily users.

Trail use in the last year had exploded, Donovan said, “indicating a great interest in outdoor recreation, especially during the pandemic, when people are looking for safe things to do.”

North Port’s mayor had long pushed for a connecting trail to the city, in her time having covered “every inch” of the Legacy Trail, riding, rollerblading and walking it, Mayor Jill Luke said.

“It’s outdoors, it’s nature,” she said. “I love it.”

North Port Connector ground-breaking is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at 1045 Calera St., at the end of West Price Boulevard.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179