Living With Alligators - Piney-Z

Piney-Z flyer
July - August 2004
Living With Alligators
Piney-Z is surrounded on three sides by city parkland. Our natural setting provides beauty and recreation
for our residents, and adds value to our homes. Living next door to a chain of lakes means we will
inevitably come across alligators. Some residents have spotted alligators in Lake Piney-Z and adjacent
water retention ponds. Alligators and humans have shared habitat for many centuries. Although alligator
attacks are rare, you should take precautions to reduce potential conflicts with alligators.
They Aren't Going Away
Until very recently, Piney-Z was a wild, natural lake. Being adjacent to Lower Lake
Lafayette, there will always be an endless supply of alligators. Lake Piney-Z isn't a swimming lake or a water-skiing lake. It is managed for its fish and wildlife potential. The City
plans to install alligator warning signs around the park in the near future.
If you encounter an alligator that poses a serious threat to human safety, call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
toll-free at 1-888-404-3922. Cell phone customers can call *FWC or #FWC depending on the service carrier.
Alligator Safety Tips
• Leave alligators alone. State law prohibits people from killing, harassing, molesting or attempting to move alligators. The
potential for being bitten or injured by a provoked alligator is high.
• NEVER feed or entice alligators—it's dangerous and illegal. Alligators will overcome their natural fear of humans and
associate them with food.
• Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at most boat ramps or fish camps. Although you are not intentionally feeding
alligators when you dispose of fish scraps in water, the end result can be the same—feeding.
• Closely supervise children when playing in or around water. Never allow small children to play by themselves near water.
• Don't swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might contain alligators. Swim only during daylight hours.
Alligators most actively feed at dusk, dawn or at night.
• Don't allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in waters not known to be free of alligators or in designated swimming areas
with humans. Dogs suffer many more attacks than humans, probably because dogs more closely resemble natural prey
items of large alligators. Alligators are more likely to attack small animals than larger ones.
• Never remove any alligators from their natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is a violation of state law to do so.
Alligators do not become tame in captivity and handling even small ones may result in bites.
• Enjoy viewing and photographing wild alligators. Remember, they're an important part of Florida's natural history, as well as
an integral component of many freshwater ecosystems.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten by an alligator. Alligators harbor a very infectious bacteria, and even
minor bites may require special treatment.
• Inform others that feeding alligators is a violation of state law and that by feeding alligators, people create problems for
others who want to use the water for recreational purposes.
Although the majority of the problems with alligators relate to their being in places where they aren't wanted, a small number tragically involve alligator attacks. The number of alligator attacks that occur annually has remained constant in spite of
the increased potential for alligator-human interaction.
Alligators are an important part of Florida's heritage and play an important role in the ecology of Florida's wetlands. An
understanding of these facts and broader knowledge of alligator behavior helps ensure that humans and alligators continue
their long-term coexistence.
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Piney-Z flyer
July in the Tallahassee Garden
Contributed by Katherine LaRosa, Master Gardener Volunteer with the University of
Florida IFAS Extension in Leon County.
Summer weather is fickle. For a while it may seem that we are
having rain once a day and then we realize that we have been
without rain for several days. Try to keep track. Hot July
temperature can dry the soil quickly. If its been three or
four days since the last rainfall, it’s time to start watering
those plants that need it, including vegetable gardens, container plants, sunny lawns, and shrubs, trees and other plants
planted within the last year. Water deeply and only as needed.
This encourages deeper root systems that can reach moisture
deep in the soil. Frequent light sprinklings encourage plant
roots to grow near the surface of the soil where they are
easily stressed by extreme heat and drought.
Trees and Shrubs: Prune hydrangeas right after bloom. Cut the faded flowers from
each stem. Flower buds are formed in late summer and early fall, so prune promptly
to avoid removing next year's flowers. To root cuttings remove leaves from the bottom
of the stem, cut off any flowers keeping two pairs of leaves, stick in potting soil, keep
moist.
Bulbs, Rhizomes, Corms and Tubers: Dig and divide crowded spring-blooming bulbs
once the foliage has turned brown. Divide daffodils, daylilies and iris and replant the
best clumps. Discard the diseased or damaged material. Groom caladiums, removing
any old or damaged looking foliage and any flowers that form. Thin out cannas and
gingers. Cut canna stalks after bloom and fertilize. Remove old buds and stems from
daylilies to encourage re-bloom.
Flowers: The nighttime heat of summer is one of the main reasons for the decline of
annual bedding plants. Some warm season bedding plants that were planted in the
spring may not be able to make it all the way through the summer. Replace these with
more heat loving annuals or tropical flowers. Try coleus, butterfly bush (Buddleia), zinnia, sunflowers, ornamental sweet potatoes, celosia (cockscomb), firebush (Hamelia),
Mexican heather, and pentas. Finish pinching the tips of chrysanthemums and feed
them with a balanced fertilizer. Continue deadheading annuals and perennials. Cut
back the leggy growth on annuals such as impatiens or begonias and fertilize to
encourage new growth.
Lawn care: Inspect your lawn frequently so that problems can be identified and managed early. Spittlebugs (only in centipede), and chinch bugs or gray leaf spot fungus in
St. Augustine are common problems in midsummer. Slime molds, grayish powdery
growth on the grass surface, can be common in rainy weather. They are harmless to
the grass and can be removed with a hard spray of water. Avoid applications of weed
control products to St. Augustine and centipede grass in July and August. Wait until the
cooler weather of fall to limit stress.
Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs: Plant eggplant and tomatoes toward the end of the
month for a fall harvest. Choose a heat tolerant tomato. Do not plant the same vegetable type in the same spot year after year. Other vegetables that can be planted this
month include eggplant, peppers, Lima beans, southern peas, pumpkin, squash and
melons. Begin seeding tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli for transplanting later into the fall garden. Blueberries frequently have their second growth flush in the summer months. Fertilize with a fertilizer for acid loving
plants. Remember that blueberries prefer a soil pH of 5.0-5.5. Keep herbs cut back to
encourage new growth. Many herbs can be frozen, dried or used to make flavored
vinegars.
www.pineyz.com
HOA Board
email: [email protected]
Mildred Kelly
President 877-5191
Claudia Vaccaro
Vice-President 671-4339
Kyle W. Roberts
Secretary 877-9867
Evelyn Schneider
Financial Officer 877-8606
Doris Kalle
Committee Liaison 942-2010
Committees
Architectural Control (ACC)
Tom Cooper 216-3958
Dick Mergy 877-6855
S.K. Nayak 942-2298
Community Standards
Larry Pushor 878-7473
Ashok Jain 513-1872
Appeals
Vince Del Marco 656-6155
Crime Watch
Drew and Joanne Maholanyi
877-6633
Social Events
Currently Seeking Members
HOA Board Meetings
All meetings are held in the
Lodge. Everyone is welcome.
• 6:00pm July 13, 2004
• 7:00pm July 29, 2004
Annual Meeting and Elections
Campaign Signs
Campaign signs in yards
and common areas are a
violation of the Covenants
and Restrictions.
Page 3
Piney-Z flyer
What You Should Know About Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted to humans by the bite of infected deer
ticks and caused more than 23,000 infections in the United States in 2002. It is most common during the late spring and summer months in the U.S. Individuals in residential
areas surrounded by tick-infested woods or overgrown brush are at risk of getting Lyme
disease. Persons who work or play in their yard, participate in recreational activities such
as hiking, camping, fishing and hunting, or engage in outdoor occupations may also be at
risk of getting Lyme disease.
Symptoms
Within days to weeks following a tick bite, 80% of patients will have a red, slowly expanding "bull's-eye" rash (called erythema migrans), accompanied by general tiredness, fever,
headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, and joint pain. If untreated, weeks to months later
some patients may develop arthritis, including intermittent episodes of swelling and pain in
the large joints; neurologic abnormalities, such as aseptic meningitis, facial palsy, motor
and sensory nerve inflammation (radiculoneuritis) and inflammation of the brain
(encephalitis); and, rarely, cardiac problems, such as atrioventricular block, acute inflammation of the tissues surrounding the heart (myopericarditis) or enlarged heart (cardiomegaly).
Prevention
Avoid tick habitats. Whenever possible, avoid entering areas that are likely to be infested with ticks, particularly in spring and summer when nymphal ticks feed. Ticks favor a
moist, shaded environment, especially areas with leaf litter and low-lying vegetation in
wooded, brushy or overgrown grassy habitat. Both deer and rodent hosts must be abundant to maintain the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi. Sources for information on the distribution of ticks in an area include state and local health departments, park personnel, and
agricultural extension services.
Use personal protection measures. If you are going to be in areas that are tick infested, wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be spotted more easily and removed
before becoming attached. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and tucking pants into socks or
boot tops may help keep ticks from reaching your skin. Ticks are usually located close to
the ground, so wearing high rubber boots may provide additional protection.
The risk of tick attachment can also be reduced by applying insect repellents containing
DEET to clothes and exposed skin, and applying permethrin (which kills ticks on contact)
to clothes. DEET can be used safely on children and adults. Be sure to follow the directions on the insect repellant to reduce the possibility of toxicity.
Perform a tick check and remove attached ticks. Embedded ticks should be removed
using fine-tipped tweezers. DO NOT use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other
products. Grasp the tick firmly as close to the skin as possible. With a steady motion, pull
the tick's body away from the skin. The tick's mouthparts may remain in the skin, but do
not be alarmed. The bacteria that cause Lyme disease are contained in the tick's midgut
or salivary glands. Cleanse the area with an antiseptic.
Taking preventive antibiotics after a tick bite. Individuals who are bitten by a deer tick
should remove the tick promptly, and may wish to consult with their health care provider.
Persons should promptly seek medical attention if they develop any signs and symptoms
of early Lyme disease.
Treatment
Most people can be successfully treated with antibiotic therapy when diagnosed in the
early stages of Lyme disease.
Piney-Z CDD
Lance Rogers, Property Manager,
656-4007
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm
Fridays 10am-3pm
or by appointment
Board Members
Ed Livingston, Chair
(850) 914-3242
Jim Ward, District Manager
(954) 753-5841
Jan Bridges
Grace Dansby
Sam Diconcillio
Kim Murphy
CDD Corporate Offices
10300 NW 11 Manor
Coral Springs, FL 33071
(954) 753-0380
CDD Board Meetings
August 9, 2004 at 1:00pm
September 2, 2004 at 6:00pm
Piney-Z Lodge
Swimming Pool Hours
(Weather Permitting)
May 29 - August 13:
Open: Seven days per week
10:00am - 8:30pm
August 14 - October 17:
Open: Saturdays and Sundays
10:00am until Dusk
Closed: Weekdays
The pool will also be open
Monday, September 6 (Labor Day
observed).
The Fitness Center is Open
5am-10pm daily.
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Piney-Z flyer
Summer Pet Safety
Time to get out with the family (and likely a family pet or
two) and enjoy recreational activities. Awareness of summer
dangers for pets will ensure that all of the fun isn't spoiled by an
unsuspected emergency or illness.
Heat Stroke—Most people are aware that leaving a pet in a
locked car on a 100°F day would be dangerous. However,
seemingly mild days pose great danger too. Driving around,
parking, and leaving your pet in the car for "just a minute" can be deadly. An 85°F day
can heat up the interior of a car to 120°-130°F in 30 minutes or less—even with the windows cracked.
Jogging is also dangerous this time of year. So your dog jogs everyday with you and is in
excellent shape—why alter the routine? As the weather warms, humans alter the type and
amount of clothing worn, and we sweat more. Dogs are still jogging in their winter coat (or
a slightly lighter version) and can only cool themselves by panting and a small amount of
sweating through the foot pads. Not enough! Many dogs, especially the 'athletes' will keep
running, no matter what, to stay up with their owner. Change the routine to early morning
or late evening to prevent heat stroke.
Signs of heat stroke include, but are not limited to, body temperatures of 104°-110°F,
excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue and gums, staggering, stupor, seizures,
bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma, death. Brachycephalic breeds (the short-nosed
breeds, such as Bulldogs and Pugs), large heavy-coated breeds, and those dogs with
heart or respiratory problems are more at risk for heat stroke.
If you suspect heat stroke in your pet, seek veterinary attention immediately! Use cool
water, not ice water, to cool your pet. Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood
vessels and impede cooling. Do not aid cooling below 103°F—some animals can actually
get HYPOthermic (too cold). Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach
your veterinarian. Just because your animal is cooled and "appears" okay, do not assume
everything is fine. Internal organs such as liver, kidneys, brain, etc., are definitely affected
by the body temperature elevation, and blood tests and veterinary examination are needed to assess this. There is also a blood problem, called DIC (Disseminated Intravascular
Coagulation) that can be a secondary complication to heat stroke, and can be fatal.
Water Safety—Many people head for the lakes and rivers this time of year, and the family
dog is often part of the fun. However, not all dogs are excellent swimmers by nature—
especially if Fido has an underlying health problem such as heart disease or obesity.
Consider protecting your pet just like your human family—with a life preserver. If your pet
is knocked off of the boat or is tired/cold from choppy water or sudden storm, a life jacket
could be what saves your pet's life.
Antifreeze is actually a year-round hazard. With the warmer temperatures of summer,
cars overheat and may leak antifreeze (the bright green liquid found oozing from a car
with the engine fan on). Also, people changing their antifreeze may spill or leave unused
antifreeze out where pets can access it. Antifreeze tastes sweet and is inviting to pets
(and children). It is also extremely toxic in very small amounts. Call your veterinarian (or
physician) immediately if ingestion is suspected. Propylene glycol is a safe alternative to
antifreeze (ethylene glycol). While it does cost a little more, it may be worth the piece of
mind.
Summer Travel
Finally, if you travel with your pet, consider researching the veterinary clinics/hospitals in
the area you are visiting before the need arises. It is better to be prepared for an emergency and not have one happen than to panic in an emergency situation, wasting valuable time.
Upcoming
Important Meetings
Thursday, July 29
7:00pm in the Lodge
Homeowners Association
Annual Meeting and
Election of Officers
Property owners will receive by
mail a proxy form and a questionnaire for those who would
like to be considered for the
three available positions on the
HOA Board.
Thursday, September 2
6:00pm in the Lodge
CDD Public Hearing on
Assessment Fees
for 2004-2005
The CDD Board of Supervisors
will hear from the public on the
proposed Piney-Z CDD budget.
A proposed budget was adopted by the Board on June 9.
The proposed budget will be
available for review after July
12 online, in the Lodge, and at
the September meeting.
Following the public hearing,
the Board of Supervisors will
adopt a final budget for October
1, 2004 through September 30,
2005, which will determine special assessments on Piney-Z
property owners.
Newsletter Suggestions
Tell us how you like the
newsletter and what you’d like
to see included in future issues.
Contact HOA Board VP Claudia
Vaccaro at 671-4339 or email
[email protected].