The Poinsettia Heights NEWS - Apr-May 2010

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St. Patty’s festival draws crowd to Downtown Fort Lauderdale by Andrea Freygang, BrowardNETOnline.com Downtown Fort Lauderdale was crowded as we arrived to enjoy the annual St. Patrick’s Day festival and pa-rade. Amidst the sea of green, families and friends gath-ered to celebrate, enjoy good Irish food, play the chil-dren’s activities, and most of all, check out the hour long parade down Las Olas Blvd. We settled on Timpano’s Chophouse and Martini Bar to have a late lunch and

watch the parade go by. Sitting out-side, it was the perfect vantage point to enjoy a delicious lunch and watch–just steps from our table was the parade. If you’ve never been, the food was great and the service was impeccable, though I person-ally didn’t like the Caesar dressing, but the onion rings were tasty with a wonderful presentation and the

soups were also good. The server even went on a hunt to find us when the food was served (we were parade watching at the curb). Dignitaries and local organizations from across Broward County and Fort Lauderdale filled the parade, from Broward Mayor Ken Keechl to Gov. Charlie Crist with Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler as well as City Com-missioner Charlotte Rodstrom, Congressman Ron Klein, numberous bands, bag pipe players, local groups and restaurants.

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April 21st & May 19th

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THE OFFICIAL POINSETTIA HEIGHTS NEWSLETTER APRIL / MAY 2010

Photos by: Clay Wieland Photography

The

News h eights oinsettia

2 The Official Publication of the Poinsettia Heights Civic Association

APRIL / MAY 2010

Publisher RiverView Publishing

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Copyright 2010, RiverView Publishing, 513 SE 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without express written consent from publisher. The publisher reserves the right to reject any ad-vertising or copy they regard as harmful to the public good or deemed to be libelous. The publisher is not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, copy or photo misrepresen-tation by advertiser. Liability shall not exceed the cost of the portion of the space occupied by such error or advertising items of informa-tion. Under no circumstances shall the pub-lisher be held liable for incidental or conse-quential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish on a timely manner, except as limited to the liabilities as stated above.

2010 BOARD of DIRECTORS

President &Treasurer Ron Weinbaum

954.566.4877 / [email protected]

Vice President Gabriel Ocasio-Davila


Alex Collazo 954.564.0571 / [email protected]

Marlene Pagel


Ken Hahn 954.465.5506 / [email protected]

Jon Weiss


Mark Elderkin 954-485-9910 / [email protected]

Jodi Pearl

954-864-1270 / [email protected]

Mike Vonder Meulen 954.612.3203 / [email protected]

All Officers are elected annually. Secretary position is open.

Poinsettia Heights Civic Association

The Poinsettia Heights NEWS 3

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MESSAGE FROM CITY COMMISSIONER

CHARLOTTE RODSTROM Dear Friends and Neighbors, After seventeen years downtown, Fort Lauderdale once again became the venue for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade was a huge suc-

cess and fun for all. I am sure you have been hearing about the different events planned throughout the city. The next event “Where The Boys Are/Connie Francis’ Great American Beach Party” promises to be another highlight of the season. The event is free and is scheduled to take place on Fort Lauderdale Beach May 28 - 29, 2010. The preliminary plans feature an oldies dance party featuring classic hits and soulful sounds of the 50s and 60s; games and activities for the entire family including hula hoop contests, limbo dancing and beach blanket bingo; and A1A will be transformed into an out-door museum with classic cars including hot rods, rag tops and muscle cars that made the era famous. On a general City of Fort Lauderdale note, as you probably already know, the city manager’s contract was not renewed and the commission will go over ideas shortly for the future plan. It is my firm belief that under new management our city will thrive. The Budget is probably the biggest issue we will face in the immediate future with a possible 16% decrease in ad valorem revenues alone in the upcoming year according to the Property Appraiser’s Office with the potential of a $50 mil-lion budget deficit looming. We will be tasked with crafting a budget that reduces spending and yet serves the needs of the residents. Many of you have expressed to me your desire for us not to raise taxes. Balancing your needs given the current budget situation will be my top priority. The Budget Advisory Board re-convened to provide expert advice over the next few years as important decisions are made. The Budget Advisory Board consists of a group of highly qualified volunteers in the field of finance, both munici-pal and private. Joint budget meetings between the advisory board and the city commission have already begun and plans are in the works to continue more public meetings over the next few months. The next joint meeting is scheduled for April 6, 2010. A recent issue of interest to Poinsettia Heights is the long-range plan for using the Florida East Coast Railroad for a pos-sible local line with a stop at 13th Street. In past the FEC did not permit passenger trains to operate on their tracks, it now appears they are reconsidering their position. The economic development that will occur from this transit system idea is very exciting. I serve on the Metropolitan Planning Organiza-tion (MPO) and we work in conjunction with the Florida De-partment of Transportation (FDOT) in order to bring new and innovated ideas to the forefront. The FEC local passenger train is just one of the great concepts being considered for the future. Another topic that is starting to emerge is the replacement of the bridge over the Middle River on Sunrise Blvd. This bridge is scheduled to be replaced in 2013, but plans and public meetings are in process. I will be sending out an announce-ment to your Homeowner’s Board with the exact dates and times as soon as I receive the schedule from FDOT so that you may mark your calendars and save the date.

As a reminder, I host two public meetings per month in addition to attending homeowner meetings at your request. The District Two Community meeting is held the Monday evening prior to the first Tuesday Commission meeting every month and focuses on items of interest as well as the upcoming agenda. The second meeting is held on the third Thursday, and focuses on crime, code enforce-ment and foreclosure issues. Please feel free to contact my office for times and locations if you are interested in attending. If you would like to receive information via the internet, please send your e-mail address to [email protected]. If you want to meet at City Hall, just give my assistant Neesa a call at 954-828-5923 and she will be happy to make the arrangements. Thank you. Sincerely, Charlotte


APRIL / MAY 2010

If you think “Peak Oil” is going to be the critical com-modity issue, think again. Oil may be

just one of our problems; “Peak Water” is a critical issue right now. “Peak Water” is when the rate of demand for water is higher than the rate of replenishment. Currently the yearly water deficit in the United States is 3,700 billion gallons. That’s right - 3,700 Billion with a “B”. According to the United States Green Building Council, Americans use 3,700 Billion more gallons per year than they return to natural water systems like aquifers and other water sources. On a global level, the use of water by in-dustry and agriculture is huge. United Na-tions’ calculations suggest that more than one third of the world’s population is now under conditions of “water stress” and the percentage of those affected will continue to increase. Locally, what can we do as individual homeowners? To start, we can ask our-selves the question, how much water do we use? I’ll venture to guess that most of us can’t answer that question, unless you live in a self-sustainable environment such as a boat. Those who live onboard boats probably know exactly how much water they use, the reason being that in a self sustainable environment you have an inti-mate relationship with your water sources and that the quantity of water you have access to is finite. When you turn on the faucet at home, the water just comes out and gives the impression of being infinite. To answer the question, what is your fami-lies yearly water use, take a look at your water bill, I think you’ll be surprised. If you use city water to irrigate your lawn, I think you’ll be stunned with the answer being in the hundreds of thousand gallons per year. Water efficiency measures can reduce wa-ter usage significantly. Water efficiencies are created in the selection of the land-scaping you plant in your yard and how it is irrigated. Plant species selection, use of captured rainwater and recycled wastewa-ter are all strategies for reducing the use of city and under ground water resources. Water use reduction is achieved by using high efficiency plumbing fixtures and the reuse of rain and gray water. Gray water is any water that has been used other than from the toilet. This includes dishwashing, bathing and laundry water and for non-

potable applications like irrigation. (A re-cent amendment to the Florida Building Code disallows the use of gray water for irrigation although it can be used for flush-ing toilets after treatment.) Water capture is a critical piece of the puz-zle in reducing your water use. In the Baha-mas, where in some places the only water source is rainwater, capture strategies be-come required with the use of below house cisterns being the norm. The question arises: If I could capture all the rainwater that falls on my roof, how many gallons would that be? Moreover, would this quan-tity of water, along with other efficiencies and reductions, be able to cover all of my water requirements for the year.

As an example, let’s use a hypothetical house: 4 persons living there, three bed-rooms, two baths and 2,000 square feet with a 24-inch overhang all the way around that is surrounded by a 7,500 square foot yard. The roof would have an area of ap-proximately 2,400 square feet. It rains ap-proximately 64 inches a year in Fort Lauderdale. With that roof area it would be possible to capture right around 95,000 thousand gallons per year. Answering the previous question, if that quantity could take care of all our water requirements, with some help, yes. All that is required is a change in our water usage habits. If the building codes allowed for the use of gray water to irrigate landscaping and you were allowed to filter rainwater for drinkable use, neither of which is allowed, then you poten-tially would not require any city water at all. Consider the thought of being water

autonomous. Here are some ballpark numbers to estab-lish how much water we use in the before and after scenarios based on the criteria above. Average for the United States’ yearly domestic water consumption for a family of four would be 165,000 gallons. Irrigating a 7,500 square foot yard twice a week during the 7-month dry season only, would be 150,000 gallons. Total water re-quirements are then roughly 315,000 gal-lons. With the same water use habits, but using water saving fixtures, the domestic water use would go down to 120,000 gal-lons. In addition, with a change from a sprinkler to drip irrigation system the water use would be cut in half to be about 75,000

gallons. Total water required is now quite a bit less at 195,000 gallons. If the gray water could be recycled, which would be about 65 percent of the total domestic water use or 78,000 gallons and then added to the 95,000 gallons collected from harvesting rainwater, this would be a total of 173,000 gallons. That would just be 22,000 gallons short of being self-sufficient, but with a 293,000-gallon savings over the first exam-ple. The day that there is no water run-ning from the tap is not quite here, but with the continuing development that is South Florida’s main industry, that day may be sooner than you think.

For the complete use of collected and recy-cled water, the current building codes would need to be revised. Yet with the con-scientious use of water, the installation of water saving fixtures, implementation of a drip irrigation system and thoughtful plant/landscape selections, water independence could be accomplished. In the interest of reducing our water footprints the “Knower of All Things” says, “In the land of sun and fun we don’t flush for number one.” About the Author: William Hoffman is an architect & LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional who de-signs and builds sustainable new homes & home renovations. He welcomes your com-ments and questions. Contact info: 954-561-1642 or HoffmanArchitecture.com

THE TROPICAL ARCHITECT REDUX By William Hoffman……Architect

YOUR H2O FOOTPRINT

Photo Credit: Anthony Browell

Architect Glenn Murcutt’s, Magney House, Bingie Point, New South Wales Australia, collects and funnels water though it’s water collection downspout at the roof’s central spine.


APRIL / MAY 2010

Any Dog Can Bite

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Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pup can bite if provoked. Most people are bitten by their own dog or one they know. Some owners actu-ally promote aggression in their dogs or allow aggression to go un-checked. Although media reports and rumors often give the impression that certain breeds of dog are more likely to bite, there is little scientific evidence to support those claims. From nips to bites to actual attacks, dog bites are a serious problem. Dog bite victims requiring medical atten-tion in the United States number approximately 800,000 annually. Count-less more bite injuries go untreated. On average, about a dozen people die each year from dog bite injuries. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to address this problem.

What's a dog owner to do? Carefully select your pet. Puppies should not be obtained on impulse. Before and after selection, your veterinarian is your best source for infor-mation about behavior, health and suitability. Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy so it feels at ease around people and other animals. Gradually expose your puppy to a variety of situations under controlled circumstances; continue that expo-sure on a regular basis as your dog gets older. Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased. Wait until your child is older. Because so many dog bite injuries happen to young children, it is suggested that parents wait to get a dog until chil-dren are older than 4 years of age. Train your dog. The basic commands "sit," "stay," "no," and "come" can be incorporated into fun activities that build a bond of obedience and trust between pets and people. Avoid highly excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war. Use a leash in public to ensure you are able to control your dog. Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control and other health care are important because how your dog feels directly affects how it be-haves. Neuter your pet. The available science suggests neutered dogs may be less likely to bite. Be a responsible pet owner. License your dog with your community as required. Obey leash laws. If you have a fenced yard, make sure the gates are secure. Dogs are social animals; spending time with your pet is important. Dogs that are frequently left alone have a greater chance of developing behavioral problems. Walk and exercise your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation. Be alert. Know your dog. Be alert to signs of illness. Also watch for signs your dog is uncomfortable or behaving aggressively.

How can my family and I avoid being bitten? Be cautious around strange dogs and treat your own pet with respect. Because children are the most common victims of dog bites, parents and caregivers should: • NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog. • Be alert for potentially dangerous situations. • Teach their children – including toddlers – to be careful around pets. Children must be taught NOT to approach strange dogs or try to pet dogs by reaching through fences. Teach children to ask permission from the dog's owner before petting the dog.

Other tips that may prevent or stop a dog attack Don't run past a dog. Dogs naturally love to chase and catch things. Don't give them a reason to be come excited or aggressive. Never disturb a dog that's caring for puppies, sleeping or eating. Never reach through or over a fence to pet a dog. Dogs can be protective of their territory, and may interpret your action as a threat. If a dog approaches to sniff you, stay still. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you are not a threat. If you are threatened by a dog, remain calm. Don't scream or yell. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don't turn and run. If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.

Dogs are wonderful companions. By acting responsibly, owners not only reduce dog bite injuries,

but also enhance the relationship they have with their dog.



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My doctor tells me that I’m tipping the scales, when I went in for my yearly checkup. He said more exercise was necessary to shed my extra pounds. “Like what kind of exercise?” I inquired. I picked up a paper clip last week does that count? He just stared at me in the eyes and smugly replied, “Here is a list, follow it and kiss those pounds goodbye.” This so called list was very depressing, but I suddenly had a brilliant idea. I would do some vigorous exer-cises, make numerous trips to the fridge, eat all I wanted and burn it all off before it took root. That night I ate a bowl of chocolate pudding and whip cream, then borrowed one of the kid’s bikes and pedaled around the block thirty times. It was hard work but I paid my dues. The next day I ate forty potato chips. This time I skated around the block forty times (once for each chip). Oh yes I could feel those pounds melting away. The following afternoon I found a chocolate covered Easter bunny hidden in the freezer. I decided to land-scape the yard and paint the house to work it off. A few friends invited us for a lobster dinner that evening. A baked potato and the butter and sour cream alone was going to have me

rowing back and forth across Lake Michigan for two weeks to bal-ance the calories. Suddenly and epic flash told me I was borrowing on my food and putting IOU’s in the fridge. I owed Habitat for Humanity two hours for carpentry, for using cream instead of milk in my coffee, three miles of jogging for a Dunkin Donut covered in sprinkles, and washing the car every weekend for the next three years for a scrumptious piece of birthday cake. I called my doctor and told him I was in hock until my last child went to college and the only way I could ever catch up was to hire on as an oarsman on a pirate ship. “Heave ho me hearties!” he quoted as he hung up to make the arrangements.

Diet? What Diet? written by Marie Coy


APRIL / MAY 2010

The Poinsettia Heights NEWS - Apr-May 2010

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