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A Message from Property Appraiser Gary R. Nikolits, CFA |
On Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, voters approved Amendent One, a change to Florida's Constitution. The new Amendment allows residents with a Save Our Homes assessment cap to transfer all, or a significant portion, of their tax savings to a new property anywhere in the state. The Amendment also doubles the homestead exemption for properties valued at $75,000 or more for all tax levies except school districts. It exempts the first $25,000 in value of equipment used by businesses, and creates a 10% annual assessment cap similar to Save Our Homes, for non-homestead properties.
Amendment One is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008. That means if you have applied for a new homestead exemption for 2008, and are entitled to transfer a homestead assessment difference from an existing homestead exemption for 2007, please file Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference form, DR-501T, with the Property Appraiser's Office by Monday, March 3, 2008. Co-applicants transferring from a different homestead must fill out a separate form. If your previous homestead was in a different county, please include your contact information.
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South Florida Water Management District
Residential Water-Use Restrictions |
Effective 1/15/08 and enforced by local government agencies.
Irrigation:Odd-number address – Monday. Even-number or no number address - Thursday. Choose one 4-hour window – either 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – NOT during both times.
New plantings: Any days except Friday: 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. (in place for 30 days). Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. (in place for 31 to 60 days).
Hand watering: For stressed plants, 10 minutes per day on any day using a single hose with an attached automatic shut-off nozzle.
Vehicle Washing, Pressure Washing, Decorative Fountains and All Other Outdoor Water Use: Allowed anytime; however, voluntary conservation is encouraged. View complete document. |
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Top 9 Catering Considerations When Planning an Event Menu |
by Rob Hard
About.com
1. Know Your Guest Profile
What is the profile of the guests being invited to the event? For example, most business people attend many events throughout the year, and the phrase "rubber chicken circuit" is common among political, business and fundraising circles (and others). To prevent your event from having this description, consider the following:
- The professional level of your guest.
- The frequency your guest attends similar events.
- The location where guests reside.
- The ethnic background of your guests.
2. Know Your Guest Preferences
Understanding the profile of your guest, this allows the event planner to begin considering what menu options to offer. The following will help you better plan to meet their needs:
- Older groups of attendees may prefer a milder menu.
- Attendees concerned about health may prefer more seafood and vetables options.
- Younger or middle-aged attendees may prefer spicier, more adventurous meals.
The idea here is to consider what your guests will enjoy the most based on the type of event you are planning.
3. Provide Menu Choices
Anyone planning an event should offer several choices so that all guests will be pleased with what's available. Some general guidelines:
- Offer at least two choices of entrees (three is better).
- Offer three or more salad dressing options.
- Serve all condiments on the side.
- Offer two dessert options: one very indulgent, one healthy.
4. Incorporate Seasonal and Fresh Items
When selecting the menu, the time of year should play a large factor in determining food and beverage. Take into consideration which items are in season for spring or winter menus. Another important factor is to consider the region or location of the event and popular food items from the area. Incorporate fresh seafood or regionally grown produce.
5. Select a Menu that Fits the Event Schedule
Sometimes the clock will be the greatest guide to determining hte menu for an event. Some examples:
- Box lunches are best if you have 30 minutes or on the go.
- Plated meals usually requires at least 1.5 hours.
- Buffets may be finished in about 1 hour.
- Cocktail receptions require a minimum of 1 hour before dinner.
- Working breakfasts or lunches should incorporate menu items that can hold up for longer periods of time than others.
6. Anticipate Special Needs
Before any event, it is critical for an event planner to find out if any of the guests have a special need so that the catering manager can address those needs prior to the event. Considerations include:
- Food allergies
- Religious requirements
- Dietary restrictions
7. Allow for a Comfortable Room Setup
Choose the appropriate room layout that supports your event objectives. If you're serving a meal, the tables will be filled with used dishes and glassware, in addition to binders, notepads and pens. That's why it's important to choose the best room setup, and allow space for people to move. Examples:
- Boardroom setup should be for a maximum of 15 guests.
- U-shape and rectangle table layout to promote discussion.
- Classroom style is great for a presentation.
- Banquet style promotes small group discussions.
Regardless of the setup, allow for people to spread out. Tip: Setup for 8 in a 10 person banquet table.
8. Create Ethnic or Regional Menus
I'm a huge fan of planning events that have ethnic-specific themes. This allows an event planner and the executive chef to work together to bring region-specific and international foods into your event, and this will definitely please guests. Common ethnic catering includes the following:
- Asian/Chinese/Japanese
- French
- German
- Greek
- Italian
- Mexican
- Middle Eastern
9. Consider the Final Presentation of Food and Beverage
We eat with our eyes and our nose before tasting it. Whether it's served plated or buffet, a catered meal should visually colorful and fragrant. Therefore, the presentation of food should make your guests want to eat it. This means linens and decorations that complement the theme of the meal. If it doesn't look good and smell good, your guests will not be happy.
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House Panel Hears HOA Horror Stories During Hearing in Pembroke Pines |
By Joe Kollin | Sun-Sentinel
January 27, 2008
PEMBROKE PINES - Owners telling "horror stories" about their condo and homeowner associations on Saturday demanded Florida lawmakers rein in the power of their boards of directors.
The demands came as a newly created State House investigatory committee conducted the first of five statewide public hearings.
Lawmakers are listening to the demands, said one of the seven members of the Select Committee on Condominium & Homeowner Association Governance.
"Tallahassee had the idea that there was no problem, that it was just a few disgruntled owners, but the problem is huge," state Rep. Juan Zapata, R-Miami, said he and others have learned.
The committee, which will also meet later in Miami Beach, Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee, hopes to help owners despite opposition from "special interest groups trying to maintain the status quo," Zapata said, referring to entrenched boards and their law firms.
During the seven-hour hearing at the Broward Community College south campus people were so eager to tell their stories that the chairman, state Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami, set a three-minute speaking limit.
"I received a letter from my board attorney saying that my criticism was not welcome at board meetings," said Joseph Franze, a former president of the homeowners association at Nautica in Boynton Beach. "Do I have the right to speak?"
Michael Cochran, director of the state Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums & Mobile Homes, said nothing in the homeowner law allows the board to silence owners, although individual documents may limit speakers to three minutes.
"Homeowner and condo associations are the new American villages but, unfortunately, many have turned into Salem villages with witches when they should be democracies," said Michael Van Dyk, a longtime crusader for homeowner rights from North Miami Beach.
Bill Raphan, who heads state condo Ombudsman Danille R. Carroll's Fort Lauderdale office, asked how many in the audience believed they live in a democracy. One hand rose from the 250 or so people in attendance.
"There are no checks and balances, the owners elect a board and then there is nothing more for the owners to do, and this is no good," said Armando Jose Namis, an owner at the Plaza East condo in Fort Lauderdale.
John Hickey of Lincolnwood Towers, a Hollywood condo, said his community is deteriorating because investors who own units don't care about the quality of life of permanent residents like him.
"Because we don't have the votes, we can't get on the board," said Hickey.
Robaina, the committee chairman, can be contacted at Julio .robaina@myfloridahouse.gov or 305-442-6868 |
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How to Detect a Leak in Your Pool |
How to Detect a Leak in Your Pool
A 1/16” hole in a pool will result in a water lose of nearly 500 gallons of water every 24 hours. This will increase your water consumption and your water bill by over $600 per year.
A pool leak can erode the ground around your pool, patio and home.
Your swimming pool will lose water due to evaporation and 1/8” of water lose a day is normal. This figure will change based on the amount of usage and whether or not you have water falls or water features. Humidity will also impact evaporation rates.
You can perform a simple test to determine if your pool may potentially have a leak.
- Place a water tight bucket on the first step in your pool
- Fill the bucket with water until the water line in the bucket is even with the water line of the pool
- After a day or so you find your swimming pool water line is lower than the water line in the bucket, you may have a water leak
This test assumes that the water in the bucket has the same environmental impacts being applied as the swimming pool.
If you perform this test and you think you have a leak, you can try to determine what may be causing the leak.
Perform the same test again but this time, make sure the pool pump equipment is turned off for the duration of the test. If you find that the swimming pool and bucket have similar water loss, your pool leak may be associated with the plumbing. If the test shows you have the same water loss, the leak may be in the pool shell.
Regardless of where the leak may be coming from, it is time to call a swimming pool company that has the ability to test and repair your pool. |
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The Most Important Maintenance for Any Dryer is a Clear Exhaust
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Many dryer failures usually result from an improperly maintained vent system. This causes premature failure of the bearings, elements, ignitors and other critical parts.
Improper venting or a clogged vent will give the following results:
- Long drying times
- Clothes are hot at end of cycle – this is not good for Perma-Press items
- Dryer is noisier than usual
- Clothes still hot and damp after cycle ends
- Automatic sensors fail to shut off
Premature failure of heating element, motor or bearings. |
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How To Hire a Handyman |
You can save time and return visits if you follow these steps when hiring a handyman:
- Go through your home and make a list of all the items that require attention. Items such as fix sink, change light switch or problem with door.
- Add any items that require installation. Items such as ceiling fans, light switches, assemble new grill, etc.
- Prioritize the items on your list.
- Contact your handyman and review the prioritized list. This will help the handyman determine the size of the job and more accurately schedule the work.
Many handymen can cover a broad range of tasks and specialize in their field of expertise. Make sure your handyman is capable to perform each project.
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