Homeless

Outrageous, that hole was my Palm Beach mansion home. Nettie Anole

BALANCING ACT

I have a lot of sympathy for associations that have a hard time maintaining a functioning board of directors and keeping out owners and renters who feel no obligation to pay their dues or are generally disruptive in condo living. Condo owners often don't realize that the cooperative enterprise that runs the condo association isn't a separate professional organization they pay dues to every month. To paraphrase 'Lil Abner, "We have met the enemy and he is us!"—only we hope we don't really mean "enemy." The point is WE, the owners, must actively run our associations.

It is not always easy—indeed, it is sometimes nigh to impossible—to find willing, responsible and able condo board members, especially a president. It's that much harder for us in the West Palm Beach CV, because most of our associations are so small in number. You can find a half-dozen board members more easily when you have 50 units to draw from than when you have only 24.

Two severe problems, requiring almost opposite solutions, have arisen in the past several years. The first is the problem of unit owners who stop paying, some of whom simply walk away from their obligations with no sense of responsibility and little regard for their fellow owners, who must take up the slack by paying increased dues.

A partial remedy for this first problem is for owners to be able to rent their properties. In difficult economic times, a hard-pressed owner (perhaps a snowbird) who IS responsible and wants to unload his condo has a larger market. He can sell his unit to someone who wants to rent it, or maybe he himself can rent it.

But the overload of this soon leads into the other problem, already alluded to above: lack of board members, especially in the case of our smaller condo associations. Without an adequately functioning board, things can go to pieces as we have seen and heard about with the attempted takeover by an individual of one of our condo associations. For as more and more owners rent their units, the pool of available association board members shrinks proportionately. This does neither the owners who live here NOR those who rent their properties any good. You need "boots on the ground." Now, in order to save the association, bylaw amendments CUTTING BACK on rentals need to be passed.

It is a balancing act.  

Village Activity

Springtime - listening to birdsong. Just a settin' on the patio watchin' the arecas grow. Nice colors.

Insurance Risk Reduction

We are pleased with our ADA-compliant safety railing (enabled by Dom G and Seacrest). We also have hilited thresholds (ADA Yellow).

If you would like a review of risks around your association call UCO insurance office 683-9189.

Friday Evening

Pronounce Cerabino

Frank Cerabino (pronounced chair--a--BEE--no) grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1977. He spent five years in the Navy, reaching the rank of lieutenant and serving as a public affairs officer aboard an aircraft carrier. After leaving the Navy, he received a master's degree in journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He worked at the City News Bureau.

Told yah, its not 'sarah-bee-no'.

Easy Free Gate Access for Your Friends and Family

Why don't more residents use the easy free Gate Access, rather than running to UCO and paying for passes.  If you are a resident reading this online, you can get Gate Access. Begin with info and password from the ID office in the Clubhouse. (this site is for buying tickets too). Then -

1) ENTER THIS URL IN YOUR BROWSER WINDOW: https://gateaccess.net/

The following dialog box will appear

2) Where it says (Select a Community), drop the menu and select CVWPB

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3) In the user name box type your telephone number that you registered with UCO for the CV call in system, include area code, with no spaces.

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4) You may obtain your password from the
WPRF ID Office at the main clubhouse. Enter it in the password box.

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5) Click on login

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Select Guest list tab to enter a guest, or select Buy Tickets Now to purchase tickets. No need to either call in your guest or come to UCO to purchase Gate-Passes.

FYI: Click on Entry Logs to see your guests back to 2008.

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Dave Israel

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Politeness Translated

https://twitter.com/soverybritish 
or
https://www.facebook.com/soverybritish 

e.g.
"Sorry" - Meanings: 
1. Hello
2. I didn't hear you
3. I heard you but I'm annoyed at what you said
4. You're in my way 
5. Sorry  

Pleiades Dance

The Japanese dance troupe 'Enra' combines light, music and state-of-the-art technology in their wondrous performances. This performance entitled "Pleiades", or the Greek name for the Seven Sisters star cluster, was directed by notable Japanese artist Nobuyuki Hanabusa. Enjoy this stunning meeting of music, dance and light in one fantastic performance!

Pi

What makes 3/14/15 so special for pi fans is that it is the only day this century that will have the first five digits of pi -- 3.1415. Since the next digits are 92653, most people have chosen 9:26 p.m. to mark the ultimate pi moment. (Sticklers can wait for the clock to read 53 seconds.)

Snake Season

All these photos were taken this morning from Clubhouse bridge. I saw more than 7 snakes searching for warm spots between the 'rocks'. I am told that because they are swimming on the surface, they are probably cottonmouths (poisonous). Large family of young ones.

My Association also has a 3ft black racer that likes to sun itself around our patio - a good snake that eats palmetto bugs etc.

UCO Elections next Friday

The 4 Vice Presidents serve staggered 2-yr terms, therefore, 2 position are open for the next election.

The 20 member Executive Board also serves staggered 2-yr terms, therefore 10 positions are open for this election.

Please! you do not have to vote for 2 VP or 10 Executive Board candidates, only vote for the good productive candidates that you know.

Pet and Rental Friendly Associations

Pet and/or Rental Friendly Associations
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Since this chart has expanded to 11 pages, rather than publish them here, I have uploaded it to the Google Cloud. The chart may be accessed via the following link:
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http://goo.gl/kPz8xr
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This link will also be placed in the sidebar on the main Blog.
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Please, if you see errors, let us know so we may correct them. If you can fill in any of the blanks, also do not hesitate to let us know.
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Thanks, Dave Israel

The Last Orangutan Eden

Click for preview

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/last-orangutan-eden/11640/ 

Date changed for GFS Open House

Free Shredding

Show of hands

Haverhill hibiscus are getting tall.  C'mon down snow birds.

GFS Report

GFS store is open but grand opening is not until March 1 when there will be samples and balloons.



GFS looks like good place for UCO to get their economy sizes of paper good, and snacks. 

There are coupons and rewards for shopping there.  Most of the stock is large sizes of highly processed food, but there is some wild caught frozen fish.

Purple Award to Lanny

Purple passion flower in the village, for Lanny's poem (see Fishing comments).

CV Real Estate Lunch!

GFS Marketplace Open House

Mark your calendar!

Individual CV Fishing

I used to feed fish to Beaky until the signs went up. 

Friend Terry without a dock.

Friend Beaky

Bid Cmte members see 3rd class below

Alert to Community Association Volunteers, CAMs and Property Managers:

We appreciate all the energy you put into your work. That's why the theme of this year's PM-EXPO is Re-Energize. RSVP for PM-EXPO and join us on March 3 for free CEU classes and meet the best vendors at South Florida Fairgrounds Convention Center in West Palm Beach.

 

Education and networking should be fun and free for CAM's, Condo/HOA/Co-op volunteers and property managers.
Win Prizes! Get one-on-one advice from experts on the expo floor , meet industry players.

 

   Register for free classes: 

• NOT YOUR ORDINARY BOARD CERTIFICATION! - Jane Bolin, PeytonBolin, PL -  from perspectives of Condominiums and HOAs, Master the Business of your Association - MBA.
• 2015 LEGAL UPDATE - Jeff Rembaum, Kaye Bender Rembaum, P.L. - 2 CEU (LU) - Includes full update on legislation and its effects.
• SPECIAL INTEREST TO BOARD MEMBERS - BUILD RFP - simplify your life when buying services, compare apples-to-apples - Kathryn Danella PCAM monitors expert panel discussion. Interactive format with audience.
• WHAT FINANCING IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR ASSOCIATION? - Janet Romano, Stonegate Bank - 1 CEU (IFM or ELE) - financing common area improvements, hurricane deductibles, legal requirements.
• ASSOCIATION INSURANCE UPDATE - Barry Scarr, Scarr Insurance - 1 CEU (IFM) - update on Citizens and Florida insurance policies for associations.
• COLLECTIONS, BEST PRACTICES - Mitch Drimmer, SNAP Collections by AFS - 1 CEU (IFM) - No amount of delinquencies are acceptable.  Learn about best collection practices from Florida's most renowned expert (winner of FCAJ Readers Choice Award two years in-a-row.)
• SAVE DOLLARS WITH LED LIGHTING - Anthony Vitucci, Bella Power & Light - is your property a candidate?
• SWIMMING POOL HEATING METHODS - Sandy King, Symbiont Services - 1 CEU (OPP).
• WATERPROOF YOUR ASSOCIATION - Jeff Kilgore, stop unnecessarily spending on pressure cleaning.
• TESTING & REMEDIATING MOLD  - Michael Jatoft, Dry-Concepts - 1 CEU (OPP) - how to test, health effects, what needs to be remediated and what doesn't.
• CONCRETE - IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK - Martin Applebaum, Driveway Maintenance - 1 CEU (OPP). New technologies; how to repave failures.

Join us at South Florida Fairgrounds Convention Center. It's a great facility and parking is free.

Education & networking should be fun and free! If you have questions, call 954.684.9973.

The Show: Education and Expo for Condo and HOA Board Members

The Show: Education and Expo for Condo and HOA Board Members and Managers Presented by Florida Community Association Professionals

at the Convention Ctr in WPB, Thursday 15th January, 9-3:30

• Event Date: Jan 15, 2015
• Event Website: http://www.theshowfl.com/wpb/  

Thieves posing as Water Co

County Water Utilities Department Customers Should Beware of Thieves Posing as EmployeesCounty Water Utilities Department Customers Should Beware of Thieves Posing as Employees Recently someone claiming to be a Palm Beach County Water Utilities employee gained access to a home by pretending he was there to test the customer's water.
Recently someone claiming to be a Palm Beach County Water Utilities employee gained access to a home by pretending he was there to test the customer's water.

New Rover phone number

There is no change to the Visitor Call-In System number 689-1759

2015

May your 2015 be filled with wonder and new discoveries.  

Sunset view from Bocce court this week

thanks Marc V

Holiday Playlist

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Listen to the full playlist - Click Here
Bing Crosby It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas	Judy Garland Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas	Andrews Sisters Winter Wonderland	Elvis Presley Oh Little Town of Bethlehem	Perry Como I'll Be Home for Christmas
Louis Armstrong Christmas Night in Harlem	Bing Crosby Silent Night	Bing Crosby & the Andrew Sisters Poppa Santa Claus	Frank Sinatra Ave Maria	Chuck Berry Run Rudolph Run
Nat King Cole Take Me Back to Toyland	Rosemary Clooney Suzy Snowflake	Elvis Presley Blue Christmas	Lionel hampton Boogie Woogie Santa Claus	Johnny Cash I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Frank Sinatra Light a Candle in the Chapel	Perry Como There Is No Christmas like A Home Christmas	Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban Baby, It's Cold Outside	Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock	Gene Autry Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Charlie Brown Christmas Time is Here	Jackson 5 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town	Mariah Carey All I Want for Christmas is You	Celine Dion O’ Holy night	The Mediaeval Baebes We Three Kings

thanks to Baba mail

Ancestry.com

Ancestry is advertising nonstop for the holidays and offering small discounts. 

What they do NOT tell you is that a much bigger discount exists if you are a member of AARP. This is a 30% saving on membership. It will save me $40 on a 6-month world membership. 
- - - BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK.

Alzheimer Help

Among the jewels and antiques of the WPB Saturday morning street fair on Narcissus, just north of the Banyan garage free parking, is the Alzheimer’s store. Usually it is an online store for Alzheimer’s Therapy Products for Comfort & Security but on Saturday mornings, at that time you can discuss concerns with the owner at his booth.

www.alzstore.com Products designed for people with Alzheimer's and Dementia and their Caregivers.

Opera on the Waterfront

WPB must have heard about our opera fans.

December 13, 2:00 p.m., FREE!  Meyer Amphitheatre

More than 100 musicians will come together to present a magical afternoon of live opera featuring the most recognizable arias and ensembles, performed by the combined forces of international opera singers James Valenti and Michael Chioldi, the Palm Beach Opera Young Artists, Orchestra and Chorus.

Delegate Assembly Procedures

IMHO. The Delegate Assembly is a Board of 300+ Directors, it is their job to judge motions, projects, and plans for serving the village. These items have been researched and thoroughly vetted by UCO committees, Officers, and Executive Board. The Delegate Assembly deals with ideas that have been polished and refined.

There may be people with fantastic ideas, but they need to go thru the process. Do not fling ideas at the Delegates without backup and full of unverifiable claims. That only causes confusion and wastes time.

If you have a brand new idea for the village, please DO NOT bring it untested to the Delegate Assembly. Go to UCO where there is a great experience base and the historical searchable database, most ideas are not new. When the idea is properly organised the UCO system will move the idea/plan to the Assembly. Then maybe we can finish on time.

Also spare us from historical regurgitation and whining, we understand some people have unique sensitivities but we should not waste the time of hundreds of residents.

In plainer terms, if you have not bothered to prepare, read, listen, or attend meetings to gather information, the Delegate Assembly is not the place to go to square one with elementary questions, and a lot of whining about having the right to speak and demonstrate your ignorance.