NOTICES-REMINDERS

Valley Crest News...February Yard Tips click here -->YOUR PLANTATION YARD AND GARDEN February Updates from Dennis Latiak, HOA Manager To bring everyone up to date on what’s happening at the Plantation:   The Manor pickle ball courts were resurfaced. During the week of Feb 8th the Tennis courts and walkways will be resurfaced. The Fishing pier at the Manor will be torn down and a new pier is being built.  The week of February 8th, weather permitting, the Glen Eagle roads will be resurfaced.  Bushes will be planted at the retention area between The Plantation and White Marsh the week of Feb 1. Ashley pool marcite is finished and the pool edge coping is being re-grouted and should be open for sun bathers and cold water swimmers by Feb 8th.  The geo-thermal system and well drilling will begin the week of Feb 1.  The 4th and last Manor outside staircase is being constructed and will be installed in February.  Valley Crest is surveying the results from the January freeze and will be replacing any sod and plant damage; mulch for the common areas and the trimming of the palm trees will take place the latter part of March.  There is a Homeowners Association Board of Directors meeting on Friday Feb. 5th at Hermitage Hall at 10:00 am.  Work is proceeding on the Plaza – no news on the opening date as yet.  We would like to ask The Plantation Residents who personally know someone or has been touched by cancer to participate in the American Cancer Society RELAY FOR LIFE for the West Lake area. The event will take place at the SOuthpointe Baptist Church on April 23rd.  Please join us in supporting the efforts to make this a successful event to honor survivors by either joining a team or donating to the American Cancer Society; information can be obtained at any activity center.  The Plantation has committed to being the major supporter of this event and already has many teams’ volunteers and donations for this cause.    ________________Notice:_______________________ Stored supplies at Activity Centers should not be taken from the building unless authorized by the owner/group of the supplies.  HOA Manager, Dennis Latiak   webmaster note:  It has come to my attention that things are missing from the Ashley Hall Center: The 2nd Friday of the Month Euchre group is missing their cards, plastic boxes, wooden score counters, score tallies plastic name holders, and a brocade bag that held these items.  If you have know of the whereabouts of these items, please return them to Ashley Hall.  The Euchre group would be very appreciative. ________________________________________________________ RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE STANDARDS WASTE MANAGEMENT (352) 787-4416 Your bill will be on your Property Tax Bill at the end of the year. Office Hours: 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. MONDAY THRU FRIDAY Garbage/Trash pick-up is on Tuesday and Friday for Everyone   Recycled pick-up for residents North of Plantation Blvd-Monday Recycled pick-up for residents South of Plantation Blvd.-Tuesday Do not put out before 5pm the day before pickup Garbage needs to go out by 6am the day of pickup NOTE: Do not use RED Colored bags for garbage, these are for Hazardous Medical waste ONLY!   Residential garbage and rubbish: Placed in standard 20 – 30 gallon trash cans or sealed bags, container weighing no more than 40 pounds. Boxes: flattened and bundled (now accepted on recycling days) All residential waste must be placed at curbside within 3 – 5 feet of the edge of the traveled portion of the street. Garbage cans must have handles, tight fitting lids, be free of sharp and  jagged edges, with bottoms intact. All broken glass should be wrapped in newspaper and placed only in a garbage can. Yard trash capable of being containerized should be placed in a standard garbage can or disposable container. Cans or bags of grass and/ or leaves should weigh no more than 40 pounds. Yard trash should be placed with household garbage for easy pick up.  Tree limbs and waste building materials must not exceed 4 feet in length. They should be stacked parallel to each other and tied & bundled. These items should be stacked with the household trash for easier pick up. Trash should not be stacked over water or gas meters or under low hanging tree limbs or utility wires. No paint or oil cans will be picked up; neither will any hazardous wastes such as lawn or pool chemicals, etc. The Lake County Hazardous Waste Disposal unit comes once a year.  No tires will be accepted. Call to arrange pick-up of appliances. Trash containers should be kept free of excessive ants, wasp or bee hives, etc., and all kinds of rodents. ______________________________________________________ POOL RULES & POOL SCHEDULES NEW ONLINE: PLANTATION HOA ORIENTATION BOOKLET CLICK THE LINK BELOW CRIME WATCH NEWS Better Business Bureau Cautions about Census Scams 10/9/2009 Over the next 18 months, 1.4 million U.S. Census workers will be surveying the population of the country to gather demographic information about everyone living here.  As the 2010 census process begins, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Central Florida advises citizens to cooperate carefully in order to avoid becoming a victim of census-related scams. Citizens are required by law to respond to the U.S. Census Bureau’s requests for information. Census data will be used in allocation of more than $300 billion in federal funds as well as in determining the number of Congressional representatives that each state is allowed. “Most people are understandably cautious about giving out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, but the Census is an exception to the rule,” said Judy Pepper, President/CEO of the Central Florida BBB. “Scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when participating in the Census, so they take advantage of this opportunity by posing as government workers to get access to personal financial information.” The BBB and local media have gotten calls from citizens who have been approached by census workers, but are uncertain about giving out personal information. The BBB has been in contact with local census officials, who have urged Central Florida residents to call the US Census Bureau at (800) 923-8282 if they have concerns. The BBB offers the following advice to help distinguish between bona fide Census workers and con artists: U.S. Census workers will have identification, a handheld device and a confidentiality notice. Caution: never invite strangers into your home. U.S. Census workers will not ask for your Social Security number or any information about bank or credit card accounts. U.S. Census workers will not ask you for money or say that you owe money. U.S. Census workers will not harass or intimidate you. U.S. Census workers will not contact you by email – only by phone, by mail or in person. For more information regarding the 2010 Census, visit the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov. Census to Begin With the U.S.. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to  become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice: **If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a hand held device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home. **Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM  HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social  Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau. AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by E- mail, so be on the lookout for E-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an E-mail that are  supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. '3' steps, STR .  Read and  Learn!  Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. STROKE:  Remember  the 1st Three Letters....S.T.R. Now  doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three  simple questions: S  *Ask  the individual to SMILE. T  *Ask  the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE  (Coherently)(i.e. It is sunny out  today.) R*Ask  him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. If  he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call  emergency numberimmediatelyand describe the symptoms to  the dispatcher. New  Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your  Tongue NOTE:  Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick'  out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one  side or the other,that  is also an indication of a stroke. A  cardiologist says if everyone shares this with information with 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be  saved.  I  have done my part. Will  you? NOTICE: AMENITIES PAYMENT INFORMATION for 2010 APPROVED BY THE HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 11/20/09: THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN THE AMENITIES FEE Coupon Books for 2010 will be sent out mid-December.  Those residents who use direct debit will not be receiving a coupon book. click here to download form: AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT FOR DEBIT Webmaster's note:  Due to a recent request to have services listed, a memorial album has been created. Click on the 'In Memoriam' link and view the page with the album In Memoriam CLICK HERE TO VIEW PLANTATION PLAZA DETAILS Lost & Found items that have been turned in to the Activity Centers are listed on the Lost & Found page of this website: click here -----> Lost & Found webmaster note:  the information below was confirmed by a call to Genie Garage Door company on 7/21/09 Subject: Warning DO NOT USE CFL light bulbs in your garage door opener (at least not Genie openers). I put some in mine months ago to save energy and get brighter light with lower power. They worked for a while, then one day I noticed the opener "humming". I touched it and it was red hot! The motor windings had heated up and were dripping melted insulation out of the opener. I pulled the plug and let it cool down and tried it. It worked twice, then quit. I figured it was just old, and needed replacement. WRONG, it was the CFLs! (I had some suspicion they might not work as they don't work with most dimmers or circuits that don't use an actual switch or relay to turn them on). I bought and installed a new Genie opener and called Genie's 800 number, just to check if CFLs would be OK in it. They said, "ABSOLUTELY NOT! If you do, the opener will try to run and burn itself out!" (exactly what mine did). Turns out, the opener uses electronic switching and not relays to turn on the light bulbs. This circuit is like a dimmer and IS NOT compatible with most CFL bulbs. I even used bulbs that were supposed to be dimmable, but it still ended up frying the electronics. When that goes, so do other parts of the circuit that drives the motor and tries to run it at a lower power. It can't actually turn and just ends up heating up until it fails. I'm glad I caught mine before it caught fire. It was VERY HOT! I was surprised the thermal overloads hadn't stopped it.  Tell everyone you know, DO NOT PUT CFL bulbs in your garage door opener, this is a safety hazard!   Pass it on, PLEASE. ___________________________________________________________ Webmaster note.... The city of Leesburg has an online home energy audit available, but I found it difficult to easily find the link referred to in the message below, so I am giving it to you here:                     http://www.energydepot.com/fmpares/index.asp?mu=16 CONCERT SERIES 2009 - 2010 Purchase your reserved seating ticket at The Manor. Reminder.... There are two reasons among many, why you should keep your pets under supervision and leashed..... Reason #1...sometimes they sleep... photos submitted by Fred Roth Reason #2... sometimes they don't!  Information on Water Conservation added to website.  Click on link below.... WATER SAFETY SIMON SAYS.....   Just a common sense safety reminder:  Lock your vehicle when you park your car. Close your garage door if you leave your home. Keep your door locked when you are away.         The following Away Form is available at the HOA Administration Office also. Subject: Never kill a black snake All my life I've been told not to kill black snakes because they kill poisonous snakes, but this is the first time I've actually seen proof.  The guy who snapped this photo said the rattler was still rattling all the way down!!!     RENTAL LIST IS AVAILABLE AT ALL ACTIVITY CENTERS and on website. NOTICE RE: PLANTATION TIMES NEWS ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS... Please submit ALL articles for the Plantation Times by the 10th of the month via email to palnews@aol.com   Text of article must be submitted as MS Word.doc file attachment or article typed (or copy/pasted) in text area of email to palnews@aol.com   Photos can be submitted as .jpg attachements   PLEASE FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES, THANK YOU.   The Plantation Times Publisher, Karen Sloan If you have questions, feel free to call 326-1250  _____________________________________________________ ICE - 'In Case of Emergency' We all carry our mobile (cell) phones with names and numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.    If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our cell phone but wouldn't know who to call.  Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?  Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign. The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during an emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency). The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scene of an accident, there were always cell phones with victims, but he didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, emergency service personnel and hospital staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number stored in your cell phone as 'ICE.'  For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3, etc. A great idea that will make a difference!  Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our cell phones today! A special thank you to Ray Cox of River Crest for submitting the slogan above. Concerned about the drought?  Want to learn more about FLORIDA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING? <---click here Don't Forget: Prior to making any modifications on your lot you will need to submit an ARC request form to the Administration office.  Details are on the ARC webpage. CLICK HERE---->ARC REQUEST FORM rev.3-07 Reminders: Golfers:  Please USE Golf Cart Paths where provided.  For the safety of others, do not speed on cart paths.   Walkers:  Please DO NOT cut through the hedges.  The HOA Office has received numerous complaints of residents, with their pets, cutting through the hedges.    Garbage - Garbage is picked up on Tuesday.  Please DO NOT put your trash out before 5 p.m. Monday evening.  This INCLUDES yard debris.  A second garbage pickup is done on Friday (NOT recycling).  Please DO NOT put your trash out before 5 p.m. Thursday evening.  This INCLUDES yard debris.   Recycling is picked up on Monday or Tuesday depending on the neighborhood you live in.   Yard Post Light - Be sure your yard post light IS working.  This is our security lighting in lieu of street lamps.  If you have to replace your bulb, consider replacing with the new "pigtail" flourescent bulb equal to the highest wattage for the lamp post.   Watering Schedule - Check your neighborhood watering days (available on website>Water page).  Set your timers to water from midnight until 10 a.m., and/or 4 p.m. until midnight.  DO NOT water any other days of the week.  NO watering during the hours of 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.   House Numbers - Be sure your house number IS visible from the street in the event of an emergency, service call, delivery and/or visitor.   Next of Kin - In the event of an emergency, PLEASE be sure someone knows next of kin to contact.        Have you seen the Plantation Times in Color???      View it online.  Go to tab on left:    Plantation Times     and click on the link>PLANTATION TIMES.   Enjoy!    ************************************************************************************ ALL ACTIVITY CENTERS ARE WIRELESS!!!!   HERMITAGE HALL, ASHLEY HALL,  AND THE MANOR HAVE HIGH SPEED WIRELESS ACCESS FOR LAPTOPS   ANY RESIDENT AND/OR THEIR GUEST WHO HAVE A LAPTOP WITH WIRELESS CAPABILITIES CAN NOW USE THEIR LAPTAP IN THESE BUILDINGS.  iN  ADDITION, YOU WILL NOW FIND A PUBLIC COMPUTER AVAILABLE AT aSHLEY HALL AND HERMITAGE HALL.    ______________________________________________________ DO's...    Correct use of a disabled     parking permit.     1. Hang permit on your rearview mirror. 2. Hang permit so expiration date can be seen. 3. Have permit registration with you at all times. 4. make sure permit is not expired. 5. Park properly in disabled space. 6. Remove permit before driving. 7. Get permit replaced immediately if lost. 8. Return permit to DMV if permit is no longer   needed. 9. Always use YOUR OWN PERMIT ONLY. 10. Be courteous to police or parking official.   DON'Ts... Incorrect use/abuse of a disabled parking permit. 1. Don't use someone else's permit (including relative). 2. Don't park in Access Aisle (Stripped Area). Fine for parking in Access Aisle is $250.00 even with a permit. 3. Don't drive with permit hanging on rearview mirror. 4. Don't use expired permit. 5. Don't put permit on dash with expiration date covered up. 6. Don't let anyone else use your permit including close family members and relatives. (Permits are registered one permit per name. Permit registered to person not vehicle). Read your neighborhood news online....Announcements & News. Click here for Neighborhood News ********************************************************************** Re:  Vehicle Bar Codes   New or replacement Bar Code stickers can be picked up at the HOA Administration Office. You will not need a bar code replacement unless you have an inoperative one, you are replacing a vehicle, or you are a new resident. ********************************************************************** Click here for Emergency Preparedness Updates Check your sprinklers frequently. For information about Recycling and Trash pick-up call Waste Management:  787-4416     . SAFETY SIMON SAYS...... Staying with "awareness" as our theme we can see that being aware not only helps us in reducing the odds of becoming a victim to crime it can also help us in protecting ourselves from becoming an accident victim.  Throughout our community we can see a number of people making assumptions.  When driving a car you might assume because we are a quiet community with minimal traffic you would only need to slow down and look and not come to a complete stop at a stop sign before continuing.  Same when driving a golf cart.  A number of drivers of both cars and golf carts allow their pets to sit on their laps assuming that as a driver they still have complete control of their vehicle.  A walker, jogger or bicyclist while wearing both ear pieces to listen to their music assume that they can still "hear" oncoming traffic or other dangers.  In all of the above examples the assumption of safety is mistaken.   Be aware instead.  Be aware that even with our minimal traffic accidents do happen.  Make sure to stop and look before continuing.  Be aware that it takes only a split second for an accident to happen.  A pet in your arm, though you and your pet may be enjoying the ride, can be a disadvantage and distraction in that spit second.  What safety does your pet enjoy in case of a collision and the vehicle's air bag employs?  Or your pet is thrown from the golf cart?   Injuries do occur even at slow speeds.  And when you are out and about listening to your music through your headphones be totally aware of your surroundings at all times.  Drivers may assume that you can hear them approaching while you assume that drivers see you and are looking out for you.  Both assumptions could result with you getting hurt.  And would you be able to hear a "bad guy" approaching?  Yes, even here we are not immune to the criminal element. So be safe.  Be aware.   If you have interesting pictures to share, please email your .jpg photos to hoasloan@aol.com or bring your camera card to the Administration office, attn: Karen Email announcements to palnews@aol.com Karen Sloan - Webmaster copyright 2007 click here to send news to ----> palnews@aol.com <---send email