Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Fourth Session in Water Awareness Series Scheduled

Media Release


January 27, 2010

Fourth Session in Water Awareness Series Scheduled
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 27, 2010

Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010

The Hernando County Utilities Department and Citizens for W.A.T.E.R. invites the public to the fourth session of the Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010 presentation on Friday, February 5, 2010, from 10:00 AM to Noon. The seminar will be held at the Hernando County Utilities Department, 21030 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601. Light refreshments will be provided.

The seminar topic will be: Home Vegetable Gardens ‘Growing the Green-Way’. Many people are interested in growing vegetables and fruits in their own backyards. Learn how to do this with less water, less pesticides and less work--“The Green-Way”. The presentation will be given by Jim Moll, Urban Horticulture Extension Agent with the Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service.

Please call the Hernando County Utilities Department at 352 754-4705 to let us know that you plan to attend.

Board of County Commissioners' Workshop Scheduled

Media Release

January 26, 2010

Board of County Commissioners' Workshop Scheduled
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 26, 2010

The Board of County Commissioners will hold a workshop on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the County Commission Chambers, Room 160, Hernando County Government Center, 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, Florida. The purpose of the workshop is to review and consider an updated version of the County's Economic Development Plan which represents the strategies and resources needed to improve our local economy. The plan is comprised of the following six sections of focus for business development, with a focus on the retention and creation of jobs:

1. Training
2. Education
3. Recruitment
4. Retention
5. Marketing
6. Research

The workshop is open to the public and will be broadcast live on the local government channel, Bright House Channel 622, and webstreamed at www.hernandocounty.us. For more information about the workshop, please contact the Business Development Department at (352) 540-6400.

Free Landscape and Gardening Classes

Media Release

January 22, 2010

Free Landscape and Gardening Classes
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 22, 2010

The Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service will hold a series of free landscape and gardening classes on Mondays at 5:30 at its new location, 1653 Blaise Dr, Brooksville (County Development Building).

The free classes will get you in the mood for Spring and teach you University of Florida research-based techniques and Florida-Friendly ways to have a beautiful yard.

Below is a list of the upcoming classes. Registration is not taken for the classes, first come, first seated:

Mondays - 5:30pm

January 25th - Budget Landscaping - Plant Propagation Made Easy
This program will reveal the secrets of growing plants from cuttings, seeds and division. You will find out just how easy it is to start your own plants and save on your landscape finances.

February 8th - New Laws That Affect Your Landscape
Good news for folks living in deed restricted communities, you now have more options in your landscape! Find out what new laws mean for you and what changes you can make in your yards.

February 15th - Weeding Out Your Landscape Troubles
Are weeds growing faster than you can keep up with them? Are your weeds laughing at your attempts to control them? Learn how you can have the last laugh and rid your yard of those pesky weeds.

March 15th - Blue Flowers of Spring
Spring is here, and with it comes splashes of color for your landscape! This program focuses on colorful spring blooming native plants that will thrive in Hernando County.

March 29th - Flowering Perennials
Florida perennials produce beautiful blooms for years, with very little maintenance. Selection is the key to maximum color and aesthetic enjoyment in Hernando County's unique climate.

These classes are open to the public as well, so tell your friends and family to join us! Call for a class brochure, which lists more Monday evening classes as well as Wednesday 10:00am classes at the Spring Hill Library on Spring Hill Dr.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Why your electric bill might scare you next month

If you have been cranking the heat all week, and inside your home it still feels like Florida, you'll soon pay the price. The colder it is outside, the more it costs to heat a house. And with the frigid weather expected to continue, some could see their January power costs double what they paid in December.

"In this cold weather, customers could run their heat for one week and end up with their bill being more than it is during the hottest month in summer," TECO project manager Kenneth Hernandez said Friday.

Here's why: When it's 90 degrees outside and you're cooling your home to 70, you need only enough energy to lower the temperature 20 degrees. But when it's 30 degrees outside and you're heating your home to 70, you have to use enough energy to effect a 40-degree change in temperature.

"If the normal January temperature is 57 degrees, and now we're in the 30s, the cost to keep your home a constant 70 degrees increases 200 percent," Hernandez said.

Progress Energy spokeswoman Suzanne Grant said that for a house with 1,850 square feet of living space, where the thermostat is set at 68 degrees, it costs about $10 more per day to heat your house in 30-degree weather than it does when it's 50 degrees outside. That's $10 a day times … how many days have we been shivering now?

Another problem, Hernandez said, is that most Floridians don't have furnaces. And when the temperature stays low for long, many heat pumps can't keep up with the demand, so emergency heat kicks in. It costs almost triple — 85 cents an hour on average instead of the usual 30 cents. "And when it's really cold out at night, that backup can run for hours at a time," he said.

If you want to help cut back on consumption — and costs — the power companies offer some suggestions:

• Turn down your thermostat from 74 degrees to 70 and you'll save $65 a month. Every degree under 70 saves another 10 percent on your heating bill.

• Find a comfortable temperature and stick to it. Constantly shifting your thermostat takes extra energy. But if your house will be empty for more than two hours, be sure to turn your thermostat down to 65.

• Use portable heaters sparingly. Running a 1,500-watt heater all day costs $149 a month.

• Lower the temperature on your water heater. Going from 140 degrees to 120 degrees will save an average of $85 a year.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

PHHOA January 2010 Meeting

HOA Meeting

Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 19th @ 7:00 PM at the home of

Al & Marion Walker, 86 Forest Wood Court

If you plan on attending, kindly let

Kurt Naser at 352-796-2473 or knaser@tampabay.rr.com or

Alan Setelius at 352-796-6869 or aseteliu@tampabay.rr.com

know by Wednesday, January 13th so that we can ensure adequate space. Our Annual meeting was well attended and we would need to secure a different location if we have the same turnout.

We hope to see you there!


Important Info:

Your Board of Directors passed your annual budget at our Membership Meeting in November. The assessment is $250, which is the same as last year.

You should be receiving your statement shortly. Kindly remit this ASAP.


A position on the Board will be open as of January 17th. If you are interested please bring your resume to the meeting.

We also need 2 volunteers for the ACC Committee, including a chairperson.

Agenda

  • Update on Mediation Agreement
  • Officers’ Reports
  • Crime Watch Report
  • ACC Report
  • Appointment of BOD / Committee Members

Road Work in Hernando County FYI

Several road work projects are now under way: Citrus Way, from Fort Dade Avenue to Kensington Road, is being widened and overlayed. The project, which began Monday, is expected to last 45 days. Drivers can expect one-way traffic and brief delays. Work also began Monday on Mariner Boulevard, which is being milled and repaved from Maderia Street to Augustine Road, along with side roads, to the end of the curbing.
Work is being done at night and should last about four weeks. Traffic will be maintained on side streets and driveways and motorists are asked for patience during the work. Call Andy Palmer at Hernando County Engineering, (352) 754-4062, ext. 17013.

Preston Hollow 2010 Budget

2010 Budget

Income

Annual Dues - $24,500.00
County Reimb. Lawn Maint. - $1,600.00
Interest Income - $53.00

Total Income - $26,153.00

Expenses

Bank Fees - $43.00
Front Wall - $35.00
Gifts - $50.00
Insurance - $1,085.00
Legal Fees - $6,500.00
Licenses - $150.00
Maintenance – Common Area $185.00
Maintenance – Lawn - $9,650.00
Memberships - $121.00
Office Supplies - $300.00
Postage - $243.00
Rent - $200.00
Rental – Mail Box - $68.00
Repairs – Sprinklers - $918.00
Repairs – Well - $325.00
Utilities - $6,125.00

Total Expenses -$25,998.00

Net Income - $ 155.00
----------------

Annual Assessment -$ 250.00

Crime Watch FYI

2 crimes

New crime has been reported in your area:

Type: Description: Case #: Location: Agency: Date: See it:
THEFT-COIN OPERATED DEVICE 2010-00435 13000 BLOCK OF COUNTY LINE RD Hernando County Sheriff, FL 1/5/2010 Link
TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS 2009-46504 11100 BLOCK OF SPRING HILL DR Hernando County Sheriff, FL 12/29/2009 Link

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Cold Weather Heating Tips from the American Red Cross

Heat home safely

• All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves.

• Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over. Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing.

• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.

• Never leave portable heaters, wood-burning stoves or fireplaces unattended. Turn off before leaving or going to bed.

• Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

Cut heating bills

• Eliminate drafts. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround windows and door moldings. Cover your windows with plastic sheeting. If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out.

• Make sure heat vents aren't blocked by furniture.

• Turn down the thermostat.

• Close off any rooms that aren't in use and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms.

• Insulate your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads. Cold air can seep into the house through them.

• Use heavy curtains to keep cold air out. Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your home, and close them at night. Use fabric snakes or old carpets in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts.

• Turn off vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom when they are no longer needed.

• Set ceiling fans to blow air down.

Dress properly, and don't forget others

• Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing. Don't forget gloves or mittens, and a hat that covers your ears.

• Bring pets indoors. If that's not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.

• Check on people who require special assistance such as elderly living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Source: American Red Cross

How to prepare for Bad Weather Presentation

As part of its campaign to prepare residents for major storms and other dangerous weather events, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office will take part in a statewide tornado drill on Jan. 27.

The drill will be conducted by the National Weather Service starting at 10:10 a.m. as part of Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The sheriff's Emergency Management Division will also host a presentation on how to prepare for severe weather from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Emergency Operations Center, 18900 Cortez Blvd.

Dan Noah of the National Weather Service will be a presenter, and there will be a message from U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite. There will also be information about NOAA weather radios, a chance to win a radio and a presentation on the Hernando County Storm Ready Re-Certification.

Special programming related to severe weather awareness will also be broadcast on the local government channel — Bright House Channel 622 — and streamed on the county government's Web site. Check the program schedule at www.hernandocounty.us/cr/hcgb/program.asp for the latest information.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Water Awareness Session Scheduled

Media Release

December 28, 2009

Water Awareness Session Scheduled
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 28, 2009

Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010

The Hernando County Utilities Department and Citizens for W.A.T.E.R. invite the public to the third session of the Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010 presentation on Friday, January 8, 2010, from 10:00 AM to Noon. The seminar will be held at the Hernando County Utilities Department, 21030 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601. Light refreshments will be provided. The topics will be: “Florida Friendly Landscaping™ in Deed-Restricted Communities” and “Interpreting Senate Bill 2080.” Learn how Florida Senate Bill 2080 affects homeowners’ landscaping choices and homeowners associations’ rules. The seminar will be presented by John Korycki with the Hernando County Extension Service and by Michael Molligan, Communications Director, Southwest Florida Water Management District. Please call (352) 754-4705 and make your reservations to attend.

Directions: To Hernando County Utilities Department-Administration Office
From Spring Hill, travel east on Hwy 50 to the East 50 Truck-Route (Cortez Blvd). Turn right on the Truck-Route (Cortez Blvd.) and continue on for approximately 2.5 miles (past Broad Street/U.S. Hwy 41). The Hernando County Utilities Department is on the right at the corner of South Main Street/Mitchell and Cortez Boulevard. Turn right at the traffic light. 352-754-4037

Sunday, January 3, 2010

2010 Severe Weather Awareness Week Observance

Media Release

December 31, 2009

2010 Severe Weather Awareness Week Observance

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 31, 2009

Hernando County Emergency Management Announces
2010 SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Division, announced today the observance of Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week - January 24-30, 2010.

The annual public awareness campaign will be held in conjunction with the Florida Department of Emergency Management and will include a presentation about how to prepare for severe weather on Monday, January 25th from 1-4 pm at the Emergency Operations Center, located at 18900 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida. The agenda will include presentations by Dan Noah of the National Weather Service, a message from Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, information about NOAA Weather Radios and a chance to win one of several FREE Weather Radios, presentation of the County Storm Ready Re-Certification and a resolution recognizing Severe Weather Awareness Week by County Commissioners.

Special programming related to severe weather awareness will also be broadcast on the local government channel – Bright House Channel 622 – and webstreamed on the County government website. Check the program schedule at http://www.hernandocounty.us/cr/hcgb/program.asp for the latest information.

The weather awareness program also includes Hernando County’s participation in the statewide Tornado Drill to be conducted by the National Weather Service Offices in Florida at on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 10:10 a.m. Eastern Time (9:10 a.m. Central Time).

For more information on Florida’s 2010 Severe Weather Awareness Week go to
www.FloridaDisaster.org/SWAW2010 or speak with the Emergency Management staff at (352) 754-4083.