Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Venice, FL.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Venice, FL, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Venice, FL, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933
VENICE – ShorePoint Health Venice Hospital closed its doors at noon Thursday – ending a 71-year run for the healthcare facility on the island.Officials with ShorePoint He...
VENICE – ShorePoint Health Venice Hospital closed its doors at noon Thursday – ending a 71-year run for the healthcare facility on the island.
Officials with ShorePoint Health, which is owned by Franklin, Tennessee-based Community Health Systems Inc., blamed the closure on the opening of the Venice campus of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in November.
CHS refused several attempts by Sarasota Memorial Health Care System to lease all or part of the facility, which sought to maintain easy access to hospital services on the island.
Health care changes:Community Health Systems Inc. closes ShorePoint Venice Hospital
A ShorePoint Health spokesman said via email Wednesday that no formal proposal was made.
“No other healthcare provider has presented a formal proposal to provide any kind of ongoing healthcare services in the current hospital location,” spokesman Rolando Irizarry wrote.
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System President & CEO David Verinder said the hospital tried on three separate occasions to open negotiations.
The day SMH learned of the plans to close ShorePoint Venice, two of the hospital's financial consultants – who also do business with CHS – reached out about the companies entering into negotiations.
“Basically they were both told ‘We were not interested in having any conversations with SMH,’” Verinder said. “Then I’d say a couple days later, like two days later, Craig Conti reaches out to me and says he’d like to have a meeting.”
Conti is a vice president and senior acquisitions and development officer for CHS, and a conference call was scheduled for Aug. 31, with Verinder, SMH Chief Legal Officer Carol Ann Kalish, and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Limbocker on the line with Conti.
SMH-Venice:Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice campus fulfills artistic vision as it prepares to open
Earlier: CHS buys hospitals from HMA for $7.6 billion
Verinder explained that SMH – which tried to buy the hospital from CHS in 2015 at a cost between $80 million and $85 million – was interested in leasing the emergency room or the entire facility in an effort to maintain services on the island.
Conti said that CHS had no interest since he was confident the property would sell quickly.
Verinder said while that may happen, it could take a couple of years for the buyer to follow due diligence, ranging from soil samples to zoning changes. The lease he envisioned could have terminated with the sale of the building.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice Campus President Sharon Roush sent Conti a follow-up email on Sept. 8 noting that after ShorePoint closed its ER on Aug. 29, the hospital had seen a surge in admissions and ER visits.
“We are a 110-bed facility and not designed to accommodate the patients needing care in the community without Shore Point here,” she wrote and again asked about a possible lease of medical space.
The Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice campus opened in November 2021 as a 110-bed facility. Once the ShorePoint closure was announced, extra space was converted to create more treatment and triage rooms in the emergency care center, Sarasota Memorial spokeswoman Kim Savage said in an email.
Expansion efforts will add 68 new private patient suites to the hospital, which is located at the intersection of Laurel and Pinebrook roads by early 2024.
That should be followed soon after by an expansion of the emergency department and a surgical suite.
The facility opened on Dec. 3, 1951, as South Sarasota Memorial Hospital and was renamed Venice Memorial Hospital in February 1952. The current 67-year-old facility opened in 1955.
Plumbing issues led to raw sewage leaks and other issues at the hospital in 2015-16, which contributed to an erosion of public confidence in the hospital.
Related: Employee sues ShorePoint Venice over short notice of closure
Both CHS and Sarasota Memorial received final approval on certificates of need to build new hospitals in Venice in July 2018.
Sarasota Memorial broke ground in April 2019, while CHS never got farther than receiving approval of the zoning required to build a 210-bed campus on East Venice Avenue.
Earl Midlam, a former Venice City Council member who worked for 27 years as an orthopedic technician at the Venice hospital, is worried about the impact on the community.
“This is scary, what’s going to happen in season,” Midlam said. “Sarasota Memorial is already full – the emergency rooms – and we’re not in the season.”
After news broke of the ShorePoint Venice closure, the Chamber opened its offices to job fairs conducted by HCA Healthcare hospitals, and Sarasota Memorial organized a job fair at Hotel Venezia.
Savage said in an email that the hospital has been aggressively hiring healthcare workers – including more than 90 from ShorePoint – since the closure was announced.
ShorePoint Health is still offering out-patient surgeries, wound care, and imaging services at its ShorePoint Health Park on Jacaranda Boulevard, and ShorePoint Health medical offices are still open.
The company has also worked with staff to find placement at its hospitals in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. Both hospitals are roughly 40 minutes away from the Venice hospital campus.
Earlier:Englewood Hospital starts $10 million expansion
Emergency services personnel has been talking with officials from both hospitals, as it transitioned back to having only one hospital in the city.
“Before SMH Venice came about, we only had one hospital so essentially our operations remain the same,” Venice Fire Chief Frank Giddens said. “Really nothing has changed on our end.”
In addition to steps taken to increase service capacity at the SMH Venice campus, Sarasota Memorial has also expanded hours and services at its network of imaging and outpatient centers, including outpatient rehabilitation services at Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center at Blackburn Point.
“The truth is, we’re going to do whatever it takes to take care of the people in the community,” Verinder said. “We have a history of that – a 100-year history of doing that – and we’re not going to let the community suffer because of somebody else’s poor actions.”
Earle Kimel primarily covers south Sarasota County for the Herald-Tribune and can be reached at [email protected] Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune.
VENICE -- Bob and Mary Kuziel walked downtown Venice on Tampa Avenue searching for cell or internet Thursday morning about 8 a.m.The Venice residents had weathered the storm in their condo on the ground floor of the nine-story Costa Brava condo building.Bob Kuziel said they watched the rain come in sideways over Roberts Bay."We're trying to get in touch with people to let them know we are okay," Mary Kuziel said....
VENICE -- Bob and Mary Kuziel walked downtown Venice on Tampa Avenue searching for cell or internet Thursday morning about 8 a.m.
The Venice residents had weathered the storm in their condo on the ground floor of the nine-story Costa Brava condo building.
Bob Kuziel said they watched the rain come in sideways over Roberts Bay.
"We're trying to get in touch with people to let them know we are okay," Mary Kuziel said.
Sign up to a special texting group for updates on Hurricane Ian and its aftermath
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Instead, they found Venice Little Theater devastated by Hurricane Ian. The near-Category 5 storm had ripped through the local landmark just over the north bridge to the island of Venice.
Bob Kuziel said his grandkids have attended drama camp at the theater and it's a great place for seniors to spend time. He said it was sad to see it in this state.
“Due to the devastating impact and damage from Hurricane Ian, Venice Theatre is suspending all activity until further notice,” Murray Chase, producing executive director of the Venice Theatre, said in a text message. “We will be making announcements as soon S we have more information.
“Thank you for your calls and messages of support,” he added. “With the help of out community, we will be back stronger than ever!”
While the fear had been that storm surge would plunge Venice under feet of water, it appears Ian's worst damage has come from winds in Venice.
A little farther south in Venice at the Municipal Airport Mobile Home Park, many trailers had extensive roof damage. Cotton-candy pink insulation and twisted metal roof debris was strewn throughout the property.
Doris Welch has owned a manufactured home in the park since 1997, but only owned the mobile home -- where the aluminum roof was now peeled like an orange -- since 2005.
She said she weathered the storm at a friend's property about 10 minutes away. But on the ride over she worried that her property would be flattened.
"We know what mother nature can do with winds that high," she said. "It was inevitable."
While the damage looked bad, with parts of the roof flipped back, Welch thought the majority of the roof held and expected that it wasn't too severe.
Venice Municipal Airport, about half-mile from the mobile home park, had severe damage to several hangers.
"I lost two planes," Andre Ghawi said. "They were in the hangar. The hanger doesn't exist anymore. You don't figure on something like this happening."
Robert Helmick joined a flying club three years ago that helps him spread the cost of a plane over several other owners.
He said he drove down from Sarasota to check on his 1968 Beachcraft Musketeer on Thursday morning. When he got there, he was worried, pointing to a hanger that had been destroyed and the plane inside damaged.
But this time, Helmick was spared.
While the doors of the hanger where his plane was stored were blown off, the only apparent damage to the plane was a scrape on the propeller, likely caused by the door as they blew out.
"I'm in shock," he said, he added, saying, "This is just crazy."
Staff Writer Earle Kimel contributed to this report.
VENICE, FL — Live performances have returned to the Venice Theatre, which was damaged during Hurricane Ian at the end of September.The venue’s 90-seat black box Pinkerton Theatre reopened Friday with its scheduled performances of “The Cemetery Club.”“Catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ian caused Venice Theatre's entire main building to be deemed uninhabitable an...
VENICE, FL — Live performances have returned to the Venice Theatre, which was damaged during Hurricane Ian at the end of September.
The venue’s 90-seat black box Pinkerton Theatre reopened Friday with its scheduled performances of “The Cemetery Club.”
“Catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ian caused Venice Theatre's entire main building to be deemed uninhabitable and unsafe for public use,” the venue said in a Jan. 18 email newsletter. “Now, just three months and 23 days after the hurricane destroyed the back wall of the structure and lifted the roof off the main stage house, the theatre has been granted a certificate of occupancy to use the … Pinkerton Theatre.”
The Pinkerton Theatre is found on the Tampa Avenue campus on the west side of the main building.
"Only with the entire community working together, could this be accomplished. City of Venice officials made the process as efficient as possible,” Murray Chase, producing/executive director, said. “Magnum Builders and its subcontractors have been working tirelessly. Sweet Sparkman Architecture quickly provided the legal specifications for temporary use. Our staff has been moving forward with great energy. And, of course, the emotional and financial support of foundations, donors, patrons and volunteers have kept us afloat. I am excited about this milestone in our recovery."
Before portions of Venice Theatre could reopen, the building required full water mitigation, including replacing 90 percent of the drywall and carpet, the venue said.
The theater also needed a full rerun of electric lines through the building, replacement of air conditioning, new fire alarm equipment and sprinkler monitoring, a new life safety plan, roof repair, and more before it could reopen.
It will take more than a year to complete work on the building.
“The Cemetery Club,” the first show in the main building since “The Revolutionists” was forced to close early because of Ian, runs through Feb. 12. The show is sold out.
The next show scheduled for the Pinkerton Theatre is “Arabian Nights,” which runs Feb. 24 through March 5.
For the theater’s full schedule of events, including those taking place at other venues throughout the community, visit www.venicetheatre.org.
NORTH PORT – Roughly three years after Mattamy Homes created Downtown Wellen Park, the town center – positioned along a constructed 80-acre lake and anchored by a 97-year-old heritage oak tree and Great Lawn – is coming to life. Shops and restaurants that are part of the first phase should open throughout the spring.“Downtown Wellen Park is open to everyone, it’s not just residents, and that’s the intention, said Rick Severance, president of Mattamy Homes’ Wellen Park Division. ...
NORTH PORT – Roughly three years after Mattamy Homes created Downtown Wellen Park, the town center – positioned along a constructed 80-acre lake and anchored by a 97-year-old heritage oak tree and Great Lawn – is coming to life. Shops and restaurants that are part of the first phase should open throughout the spring.
“Downtown Wellen Park is open to everyone, it’s not just residents, and that’s the intention, said Rick Severance, president of Mattamy Homes’ Wellen Park Division. “We care as much about the guys that want to live here – it’s aspirational – or they want this to be a part of what they do on a weekend basis and they may not be residents of Wellen Park but maybe they’re residents of Englewood, maybe they’re residents of North Port, Sarasota.”
For now, the best way to get to Downtown Wellen Park is via Sunglow Boulevard.
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From U.S. 41, visitors can either turn south on Preto Boulevard then east on Sunglow to the town center or turn south on West Villages Parkway, then west into the shopping center.
A turn south on Wellen Park Boulevard – which will someday connect to U.S. 41 by a roundabout – leads to existing parking lots and angle-in parking near Solis Hall and Villani & Co. Steak Seafood and Raw Bar.
Here are five things to know about Downtown Wellen Park:
Twenty-six oak trees that dotted the former Thomas Ranch were moved from various locations to line a three-mile path encircling the lake.
The showpiece of the million-dollar relocation effort is a 97-year-old live oak heritage tree that has already been popular with adventurous climbers.
“Not only does it create the right sense of place, it gives us shade where we don’t have a lot of shade and we need it in this area – especially during the summer,” Severance said.
While Downtown Wellen Park will offer retail options not available online, services such as Florida Lakes Vein Center and Florida Lakes Spa, and be home to a boutique hotel, most residents surveyed wanted upscale restaurant options.
Five restaurants and an ice cream shop are among the businesses set to open in the first phase of Downtown Wellen.
Brothers David and Dennis Valentino and partner Mark Costanzo will operate The Banyan House Restaurant, which will include indoor and outdoor seating and sunset views, as well as serve as the exclusive caterer for events at Solis Hall.
The Valentinos will also operate Acqua Pazza Coastal Italian.
Oak & Stone Craft Beer and Artisan Pizza offers a rooftop bar view of the lake at sunset.
Wellen Park has a special purpose license, allowing people who grab a beer at Oak & Stone to carry it outside to other public seating areas.
Tommy Villani, who already operates Irma's Tacos, Craft Beer and Tequila Bar in Wellen Park, plans to open Villani & Co., a steak, seafood and raw bar on Wellen Park Boulevard, across the street from the Great Lawn.
Solis Hall – a combined event venue and performance stage – fronts the Great Lawn, where people can bring chairs to attend a free weekly concert series, set for 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays.
The green hosts yoga from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays and Zumba form 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays.
Also debuting later this year is Saturday movie nights, alternating family-friendly films and more sophisticated offerings.
Cornhole and live music are set for Wellen Wednesdays at The Yard, anchored by three retrofitted shipping containers that provide casual food service. Two of the three locations – Pop Dawgs and Claw & Co. – are open for events, while a third vendor featuring Mediterranean food is to open this spring.
Mattamy Homes founder and CEO Peter Gilgan is promoting a healthy lifestyle. More than 20 miles of trails connect all of Wellen Park, including the trail around the lake. It’s not surprising that Kind Vibes Outfitters – which rents bicycles, electric bicycles and kayaks – is among the first stores to open.
Downtown Wellen features a public dock, where people can launch canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, though motorized watercraft are not allowed.
The lake is also stocked with a variety of fish for catch-and-release anglers.
Before COVID-19, the typical age of prospective Wellen Park homeowner was 63, Severance said. Since then buyers have skewed significantly younger, with more families moving in.
A splash pad area offers a cool respite to youngsters like 3-year-old Emerson Cate, who stopped by on Feb. 22.
“I think it’s great here,” Jillian Cate said as Emerson darted through the water jets. “There hasn’t been much for young families to do and with this new addition there’s going to be a lot to do here.”
Down the path, a unique Nature Play playground offers all-ages adventures.
The Canopy Green, behind Solis Hall, features artificial turf and offers opportunities for children to unwind, especially when it's used as a showcase for Habitat Cottages that will eventually be auctioned off as part of a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.
VENICE, Florida — Battling rising floodwaters on boat and horseback, rescuers plucked stranded residents from their homes and herded cattle to higher ground as the Myakka River overflowed its banks Saturday.Locals and rescuers, long familiar with how hurricanes push water into their neighborhoods, said Hurricane Ian drove unusually high flooding, which came three days after the storm’s passage.The heavy storm surge was exacerbated by hours of pounding rainfall in Central Florida – leading to dee...
VENICE, Florida — Battling rising floodwaters on boat and horseback, rescuers plucked stranded residents from their homes and herded cattle to higher ground as the Myakka River overflowed its banks Saturday.
Locals and rescuers, long familiar with how hurricanes push water into their neighborhoods, said Hurricane Ian drove unusually high flooding, which came three days after the storm’s passage.
The heavy storm surge was exacerbated by hours of pounding rainfall in Central Florida – leading to deep inland flooding. Several longtime residents blamed new developments for destroying historic floodplains able to soak up the water.
“We’re used to flooding, but we’ve never seen anything like this,” said Jennifer Stringer, 50, a high school teacher who has lived alongside the river since 2011. “All that water has no place to go.”
The high waters forced a nearly 24-hour closure of Interstate 75 over the river as engineers assessed the damage to bridge piers about seven miles inland from the coast. The closure caused massive traffic jams Friday night as returning evacuees struggled to get home.
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Stringer said when she left her house two days earlier, water was 6 inches below the front door of her stilt home. The water was significantly higher Saturday, and she worried what she’d find as she boarded a small boat to float down the road into her neighborhood.
By Saturday afternoon, a flotilla of boats was buzzing around the neighborhood, from small fishing boats to kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Bruce Phillips, 61, grimly climbed aboard a borrowed kayak to paddle to his longtime home off Border Road, near the Sleeping Turtles park. He and his family have lived there for 45 years, and he feared what he'd find.
Phillips evacuated his elderly mother before the storm arrived, and came back Saturday to check on the property. Phillips remembered minor flooding during previous storms and floating around on 55-gallon drums as a kid. Ian, he said, was different.
"It’s the worst I’ve ever seen it here," he said.
Most of the flooding took place inland of Venice, impacting several cattle and horse ranches, including Stepping Stones Farms, where volunteers swam eight horses out to dry land Saturday.
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“You see the water and it’s like, 'man that’s a lot of water.' It’s crazy," said Jason White, 40, who helped tear down fences so his friends could remove the animals. "But the horses intuitively know what to do.”
Chelsea Sunderman, 33, rode out out on a horse named Ringo, snapping a selfie midswim. She said she helped rescue a calf the night before, and returned Saturday to help other volunteers with the horses.
"I can't believe we did that," Sunderman said after loading Ringo into a horse trailer for evacuation.
Scott Benge, 54, who owns Stepping Stones Farm, said bringing the horses to a safe barn where they could be fed and watered was an immense relief. He said he and his family had been wading through the waters as they rose, trying to keep the horses fed, watered and safe.
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“It’s a huge burden lifted off our shoulders," he said. "We can ride in a boat, but the horses can’t.”
About a half a mile away, Keith Stafford, 27, sat in the bed of his pickup looking out at the water surrounding his home. Stafford and his friends drove through the water earlier in the day when it had been lower.
“We’re OK, but this is definitely the highest I’ve seen it here. We went through Hurricane Charley and it didn’t even come close to what we’re seeing," he said. "Now we’ve got our own private island."
Authorities had no reports of deaths from the flooding, but were concerned about the safety of a Sarasota County water treatment plant.
Late Saturday afternoon, the waters were still rising, and Nikki Duyn worried aloud about her neighbors and livestock.
Duyn's home was spared, but she fretted about the cows and goats still stuck on grassy islands within the flooded areas. Her family spent several days helping extract horses and other livestock from the flood zones, and Duyn shared their work on TiKTok to her 56,000 followers, prompting a flood of requests for help.
As the sun began to descend over the flooded neighborhood, Duyn fretted there wasn't enough time to help everyone, despite the best efforts of her husband and his large extended family.
Even her 12-year-old son, Cody, was pressed into service as a rescue boat captain, zooming over the top of fences, dodging submerged mailboxes and circling neighbor's flooded yards.
“It just keeps coming,” Duyn said.
