The Florida Forever Coalition will be sponsoring a Walk-in-the-Woods with your elected officials,
to celebrate the 20th anniversary of state land conservation. Please accept this invitation and join us at 10am on February 20th at the Flagler Trailhead, Snowhill Road for a 5 mile hike to the Econ River in the LB Econ State Forest.
For more information, see the Florida Forever Coalition web site: http://supportfloridaforever.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/CentralFloridaHike.pdf
Our own Kelly Sullivan son and daughter are in Haiti helping with relief efforts
Brother, Sister Provide Aid Haiti (NAVY NEWS SERVICE 27 JAN 10) … Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shentel M. Yarnell
USS CARL VINSON, At Sea — A USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Sailor and his sister have been able to work together to support Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti Jan. 12. Navy Lt. Jared Hernandez, a lawyer on Carl Vinson, and his sister, Brett Hernandez, a Foreign Service Officer for the United States State Department, are both in Haiti supporting of Operation Unified Response. The siblings said they are no strangers to the operations of the military. They grew up in a military family; their father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served in various branches of the United States military, and Jared said their service helped to instill a call to duty. “Vinson Sailors are contributing in ways small and large to the overall success of this mission,” said Lt. Hernandez. “I just hope to be able to contribute in any way that I can.” Ms. Hernandez had been working in the Dominican Republic when the earthquake struck Haiti. The Hernandez family tried to contact her right away to see if she was safe. “When the first earthquake occurred, [my family] saw on the news that buildings were evacuated near where I work in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic,” said Ms. Hernandez. “They wanted to know if I was safe. Upon hearing that I was safe, they wanted to know if I felt it. I was driving home at the time, so I did not feel it.” Brett Hernandez felt her abilities as a Foreign Service Officer made her well equipped to deal with disasters. She volunteered to help with the relief effort and traveled to Haiti shortly after the earthquake. “Foreign Service Officers have an enormous amount of experience with regard to disaster response and relief,” said Brett Hernandez. “They are always there to serve American citizens during and after any disaster that occurs in a foreign country. This is not the first evacuation that I have assisted.” Though both siblings are aiding the relief efforts, their roles are very different. Lt. Hernandez has been working aboard Carl Vinson while Brett Hernandez’ primary duty helping evacuate Haitian-Americans and their family members. “This evacuation is saving lives and will give those lives [that are] saved the opportunity to flourish and give back to Haiti,” said Ms. Hernandez. Lt. Hernandez is proud of the contributions he and his sister are making to the relief effort. “Our nation has always responded during times of need,” he said. “Our assistance reflects the United States’ compassion and commitment to those impacted by this earthquake.” Carl Vinson is conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations for Operation Unified Response under control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSO/C4F). NAVSO/C4F is directing all Naval assets and personnel in support of Joint Task Force Haiti, the joint command element directing U.S. military capabilities support to USAID and the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti. For additional information about U.S. Navy support for Operation Unified Response, visit www.public.navy.mil/comusn avso-c4f, the NAVSO/C4F Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/NAVSOUTH_US4THFLT/262194294725?ref=mf, or Twitter https://twitter.com/NAVSOUTH_4THFLT. Additional information on DoD support to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti is available at http://www.southcom.mil/AppsSC/factFiles.php?id=138. For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.
The county has delayed the meeting which is wonderful , this give us more time to get our job done. Please sign a petition, write a letter or e-mail to your county commissioner listed below. Put up a yard sign.
Orange County Board of County Commissioner Meeting March 9, 2010
Time to be announced
Board of County Commissioners
201 South Rosalind Avenue
County Commission Chambers • 1st Floor • County Administration Center
www.OrangeCountyFL.net
Please note this project would destroy the east side of Orange County and Seminole County. They want to build a city not just a sub division ,and they also want to cross the Econ River with a massive bridge.
If you can not attend the meeting write the Commissioner and ask them to vote NO to RYBOLT PARK:
Florida Hometown Democracy …putting people back in charge of the places where they live.
Amendment 4 is a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution sponsored by Florida Hometown Democracy, a non-partisan, grass-roots group. Over 1,000,000 Florida voters signed the Florida Hometown Democracy petition to qualify this important citizens’ reform for the November 2010 ballot. Amendment 4 will give you, the Florida voter, a vote on growth in your community.
Each of us has a huge stake in growth decisions that can drastically alter our community’s future for generations to come. Each community has adopted its own comprehensive plan: a long-term master plan for sensible growth. Currently, elected city and county commissioners have exclusive power to make changes to the plan. Rising taxes, falling home values, gridlocked roads, dwindling water supplies and Florida’s disappearing beauty are just some of the devastating consequences of Florida politicians’ habit of rubberstamping speculative plan changes.
Hometown Democracy Amendment 4 changes all that by giving voters veto power over these changes to your community’s master plan for growth.
With Amendment 4, your power to vote on growth will enable you to preserve your neighborhood and your community and protect the value of your home.
Sanford, FL - October 21, 2009 - St. Johns River Water Management District along with demands caused by a growing population has created the need for additional water conservation measures. Landscape irrigation accounts for more than half of all household water consumption in Florida. It is critical for everyone’s health and safety that enough water be available for public use throughout Florida’s extended dry season.
During the cooler months November through March, (Eastern Standard Time) when landscaping is in its slow growing period, watering restrictions will limit irrigation to one (1) day a week. Restricting the days and times that water is used for irrigation will reduce the demand on one of our most precious natural resources.
Irrigation using a micro-spray, micro-jet, and drip or bubbler irrigation system is allowed at any time. Irrigation of new landscape is allowed at any time of day on any day for the initial 30 days and every other day for the next 30 days for a total of one 60 day period. Watering in of chemicals, including insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides is allowed at any time of day on any day with 24 hours of application. Watering in of chemicals shall not exceed 1/4 inch of water per application except as otherwise required by law. Irrigation using a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed at any time of day on any day.
Homes with odd numbered or no addresses may water on Saturday. An odd numbered address is one that ends in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9.
Homes with even numbered addresses may water on Sunday. An even numbered address is one that ends in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8.
Nonresidential properties may water on Tuesday.
Water only when needed and not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Restrictions apply to private wells and pumps, ground or surface water and water from public and private utilities.
A rain barrel collects and stores up to 55 gallons of rain water from your roof top. This water can later be used to water your garden, lawn or potted plants. The water normally would flow through your downspout and drain off of your property into the storm drains. This water can reduce your municipal or well water usage, save money, and decrease stormwater pollution.
A rain barrel is a food-grade barrel that has been altered for the collection and storage of rainwater for later use. Most rain barrel systems re-route water from gutters into the barrel and store it for non-potable use. The water collected can not be used for drinking water without suitable treatment, and is most commonly used for gardening and other outdoor watering.
Rain barrels are great for conserving water, reducing stormwater pollution and saving money. They are simple to make and can be decorated to enhance your garden areas and supply you with extra water for your potted plants, bed areas, and even some of your turf. Rain barrel water is not for human consumption.
Obtaining a food grade quality barrel can be difficult. Look in your local phonebook under barrels or containers. Once you have gotten your barrel be sure to wash it with soapy water, a little bleach, and a scrub brush especially if it was recycled.
There are several things you must consider when deciding where to locate your rain barrel. Not all of your down spouts (if you have gutter system) will provide you with the same amount of water. Try to determine the size of the area that is draining into the system.
Rain Barrel Workshops
Milch & Associates, Inc. can provide you and your group with an educational and fun experience constructing and decorating your very own rain barrel. We will provide and deliver all the needed materials to your selected location. You need at least 15 people. The workshop format consists of a short discussion about rainwater harvesting and future water supply issues in the Central Florida. Then we construct the barrels ($75.00 for barrel and supplies) and we can provide the materials to decorate your barrel. ($10.00 supply fee). The workshop can be as short as 1.5 hours without decorating and up to 3 hours with painting. Price may vary depending upon material pricing increases.
Call 407-682-7811 to schedule a workshop or email gabbiemilch@aol.com.
There is a wonderful site called Local Harvest (www.LocalHarvest.org) where you can find local growers of organic foods, farmer’s markets, and other resources for sustainably grown food in your area.
We punched in our local zip code and turned up three local growers we now MUST visit (and we’ll provide reviews once we do):
Fawn Run Farms is a family operated small farm offering fresh eggs and seasonal produce. Our fresh brown eggs are produced by a small but growing flock of naturally raised, free-range hens.
In season, we offer naturally grown produce including tomatoes, squash, onions, specialty lettuces, carrots, beets, and our favorite: fresh blackberries.
Heart of Christmas Farms, LLC is a small hydroponic farm providing locally grown fruit and vegetables to Florida. We are not organic certified, but use organic growing methods to produce the best tasting, healthiest produce possible. We carefully tend our strawberries, herbs, tomatoes, peppers (bell, banana, hot) lettuces and other greens, and other select vegetables and fruit, many of which are heirloom varities. to ensure that you are receiving the best food available.
We are featuring business in the Chuluota area each month. This month we are featuring :
The Chuluota Sportsmans Club located on Willingham Road. The range has been part of our community for a very long time. With urban sprawl all around us there are very few location for peole to go use a gun range. Chuluota Sportsmans Club has been a wonderful part of our community , their goal is to Encourage Organized Shooting Among Citizens of the United States, with a view toward a better knowledge of safe handling and proper care of firearms, as well as improved marksmanship on the part of citizens in our community
Did you know we have our very own Butterfly Breeders right here in Chuluota?
Neither did I! Clearwater Butterfly Company off Curryville Road is run by local butterfly farmers, Gary and Chris Cousins.
Their business is providing beautiful butterflies for special events such as weddings.
Wonder if they give tours??
As flat as Florida is, there are some good mountain bike trails around. In fact, in the Chuluota area there are good hiking, biking, and paddling trails. Plenty of excuses to get out and enjoy the scenery. Don’t believe me? Check out this cute YouTube video of a great bike trail in the Little-Big Econ State Forest.
As flat as Florida is, there are some good mountain bike trails around. In fact, in the Chuluota area there are good hiking, biking, and paddling trails. Plenty of excuses to get out and enjoy the scenery. Don’t believe me? Check out this cute 