April 2007 - On Top of the World Communities Info

4 The World News® April 2007FromDebbie’s DeskDebbie ClarkGood day to all. It is April and, to put an endto the rumors, I am back and we have quite afull schedule for the upcoming months. Gettingright into it I will start with the monthlyschedule for Happy Hours at the Arbor Club.• April 6: no happy hour; Good Friday• April 13: Barry & Nancy: Beach Party HappyHour• April 20: Ray & Kay• April 27: Robert ArthurAlso in April, we will have the Bi-AnnualRags to Riches sale from 9 a.m. to noon onFriday, April 13, at the Arbor Conference Center,Suites A through H. There will be doughnutsand coffee sold by the S.P.C.A. in SuiteD; so even if you cannot find some sort oftreasure, you can always purchase a doughnutand a cup of coffee to support your localchapter of the S.P.C.A.The second event for the month of Aprilwill be on Friday, April 20: Volunteer 200from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arbor ConferenceCenter. This is an event where local agenciescome out and explain the services that theyoffer, so that they can find volunteers to helptheir cause. These agencies include the localhospice, hospitals, police departments, andmany others. So if you are interested in volunteeringsome time, please come out to theArbor Conference Center and see if there is anagency present that you would like to donatesome time to.In April, Theresa will be venturing to theHard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa on Tuesday,April 10, and then on Thursday, April 26.The cost per person is $20. The bus leavesfrom the H&R Parking Lot and we request thatyou be in the parking lot at 7:30 a.m.Into the month of May there are quite afew items that I would like to touch upon. OnFriday, May 4, we will have a Cinco de MayoHappy Hour with Dunning Shaw. If you aregoing to attend this one, please arrive early;when Dunning Shaw performs, the Arbor Clubtends to fill up very fast.Another item for the month of May will bea true High Tea, which will be held at the ArborClub from 3 to 5 p.m. This tea is open toOn Top of the World, Candler and Indigo ladiesand their guests. You may sign up at theH&R office Monday through Friday between 8a.m. and 4 p.m. The cost will be $6 per person.Also please remember to bring your ownfavorite teacup.I usually do not venture into more thanone month ahead but I need to make you alsoaware of some items for the month of June.On Friday, June 8, we will hold a dinner theaterHappy Hour at the Cultural Center. MurderSShe Wrote, Inc. is bringing “Murder on the19th Hole.” You may purchase your tickets forPhoto by Larry ResnickResidents dance the evening away at the March 2 Arbor Club Happy Hour.this event beginning Monday, April 16, at theArbor Club and the cost per person is $25.Also, on Tuesday, June 19, we will ventureto the Sterling Casino, which is out of PortCanaveral. You may begin signing up for thistrip at the H&R office, Monday through Friday,8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost per person is $14.Well, I believe I have given you enough toponder and to decide what you would like todo in the months of April, May and June. Thereare still more trips coming up like in July andSeptember. We will be heading to St. Petersburgto watch the Devil Rays take on the NewYork Yankees and then the Boston Red Sox.Please watch my articles for when we will startregistrations for these two trips along withChannel 17/19 and the bulletin boards.I believe that is all for the month of April;be safe, have fun, and I will speak to all of youagain in the month of May. On Top of theWorld CentralLynette VermillionDaylight savings time turned out to be achallenge for electronic calendars. It seemsthe software companies were not ready fordaylight savings to come two weeks early. So,for the first few days, electronic calendarswere out of sync with actual time of day. Overthe last two weeks, all is back to normal andno more excuses for missing a meeting.Lawn WateringIn my last column, I talked about new waterrestrictions. Lawns may be watered only onceperweek. Hand watering is allowed as previouslystated, however the hose must havean automatic shut off device. Please refer towww.otoqinfo.com for more information onwatering restrictions.Roofing ScheduleThe following is a list of the buildings thatare scheduled to start within the next 90 days.Due to weather conditions, we are unable toprovide exact dates. Buildings: 2160, 2164,2165-1A, 2166, 2168, 2177, 2189, 2191, 2199,2402. The schedule is posted on the www.ontopoftheworldinfo.comand updated as additionalunits are authorized for re-roofing tobegin.Gate Access ControlWe are transitioning to our new gate company.Guardsmark took over the helm March30. Residents should expect to be stoppedand checked prior to entering the communityif they do not have an operable decal. Thosewho have guests coming after 6 p.m. must advisethe gate that the guest will be arriving orthe guest may be turned away — Main Gate,854-8935 and Candler Gate, 861-5378. Wehave updated our procedures with the newgate company and will continue to do so duringthe transition. The gate policy may changeto tighten controls in the future. There tendsto be a fine line between good service and accesscontrol. Some residents will be thrilledwith what they perceive to be better serviceand tighter controls while others will dislikethem immensely. Remember if you have anafter-hours emergency, call 236-OTOW (6869)and not the gate. This number is answered bya trained representative to better direct yourcall.Golf CartsGolf carts should stay on the golf cart pathprovided and not travel on Southwest 90thTerrace. Curb cuts have been installed tomake the transition from path through intersectionmore comfortable. We ask all of golfcart owners/drivers to travel golf cart pathswhere provided.Restrictions on Use of Certain WordsA number of residents have asked aboutthe rumor that they may not use On Top ofthe World as part of their club name. Thereare restrictions on the use of certain words orphrases “On Top of the World,” “Colonnades,”“Bay Laurel,” “Indigo East,” “Candler Hills,”“Earl Township” or “Circle Square Ranch” orany derivative of any of the foregoing , in anyprinted or promotional material without priorwritten consent. Any new club would need tomake a formal request to On Top of the WorldCommunities, describing the club, the use ofthe name and provide a copy of the bylaws.Satellite DishesModifications must be requested to install asatellite dish. All applications for such approvalmust clearly show that the DBS installationshall not violate any of the provisions of theDeclaration. Approvals will not be granted unlessthe installation is in full compliance withthe Declaration and with the minimum standardsoutlined in the “Mandatory MinimumStandards for DBS Device Installation and Antennas.”The purpose of these minimum standardsis to assure the safety of residents andsurrounding properties from installation ofdevices. The satellite dish may be required tobe screened or landscaped so as to be hiddenfrom view, may not be placed in any positionwhere it can create a safety hazard or potentialnuisance and must be able to withstand a110 mph force wind.SolicitationOn Top of the World Communities has anapproved list of contractors who have furnishedevidence of insurance, workers compand license if required. If a contractor ends upat your door soliciting business, verify withCustomer Service that they are an approvedcontractor. We have had a number of residentswho have paid upfront for work that isnot performed or not performed to their satisfaction.Once the money is paid and the contractoris gone, you may be faced with a muchmore expensive project to complete.On Top of the World Communities, Inc. andyour board do not endorse or recommend anyindividual contractors. We do keep a recordof contractors that meet minimum criteriaand that do work or have worked successfullywith our residents.Please advise Customer Service of anyonesoliciting at your door. Ask for their name,company and a copy of the flyer so that wemay contact the vendor to address their violationof our no solicitation rule.We are removing signs from roadways,yards and in common areas. Solicitation is notallowed by vendors, service companies or anyoccupant in the community. Also, no vehicle,home or other item may be advertised for saleon the exterior of any Residential Unit or anycommon property, including streets, parksand along roadways. It is your community andyour Board is working to keep it presentable.Phone Solicitation & Telemarketing FraudTelemarketing fraud is a multi-billion dollarbusiness in the United States. Every year,thousands of consumers lose as little as afew dollars to as much as their life savings totelephone con artists. The Federal Trade Commission(FTC) encourages you to be skepticalwhen you hear a phone solicitation.Unlike most other crimes, telemarketingInsurance forautomobiles, property, long-term care & golf cartsCall: Shannon • Amy • GaryNorman Financial & Insurance Services, Inc.Jasmine Square • 6144 SW Highway 200351-4020fraud requires one essential element: victimparticipation. We’re all potential targets, but,if you’re age 60 or older, you may be a specialtarget for people who sell bogus products andservices by phone. Women living alone arespecial targets of these scam artists.Often it’s hard to know whether a sales callis legitimate. Telephone con artists are skilledat sounding believable. You may be promisedfree gifts, prizes or vacations — or the “investmentof a lifetime” — but only if you act“right away.” It may sound like a really gooddeal but it probably is not. Don’t give awayyour money.Protect yourself by not allowing the telemarketerto pressure you to make an immediatedecision or give your credit card, checkingaccount or Social Security number to unknowncallers. Don’t invest your money withan unknown caller who insists you make upyour mind immediately. Don’t send cash bymessenger or overnight mail. If you use cash,you may lose your right to dispute fraudulentcharges. Be wary of callers saying they are lawenforcement officers who will help you getyour money back “for a fee.”It’s illegal for a telemarketer to call you ifyou’ve asked not to be called. In fact, the federalgovernment has created the National DoNot Call Registry — the free, easy way to reducethe telemarketing calls you get at home.To register, or to get information, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call toll-free 1-888-382-1222(TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone youwant to register.To learn more about how to protect yourselffrom telemarketing fraud, just go on lineand Google “Phone Solicitation Scams” or dolike I do, just hang up.Let me know of items you would like to hearmore about for next month’s column. 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