BURN BAN IN EFFECT FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY

A burn ban has been enacted in St. Johns County, effective December 29, 2010. The burn ban pertains to residential outdoor burning such as leaves, yard debris, fireworks of any kind (including sparklers), campfires, flares or other outdoor burning devices.

EMERGENCY ORDER

MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

RESOLUTION

An Emergency Order was signed by the County Commissioners on December 29th it is a Burn Ban for the next 7 days.

The ban prohibits the use of:

• fireworks including sparklers
• trick noise makers
• flares and the use of outdoor burning devices
• camp fires or outdoor cooking fires except those campfires located within a metal fire ring located within a state park or licensed campground or cooking fires located with in a barbecue grill, hibachi or other similar device specifically intended for cooking
• any other open outdoor burning such as lawn, debris or trash burning

Deputies will be using discretion when dealing with these matters but any one found guilty of violating this order could be charged with a 2nd degree misdemeanor.

The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office is wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year.

Corporal Diana Bryant
St Johns County Sheriff's Office
Crime Prevention
Office: (904) 810-6694
dibryant@sjso.org

One day a week watering starts Nov. 7

Read Article on the St. Johns River Water Management Blog

Originally posted Wednesday, November 3, 2010

With the upcoming change on Sunday to Eastern Standard Time comes a change in the days allowed for lawn and landscape irrigation. Between Sunday (Nov. 7) and March 13, 2011, irrigation throughout the region within the St. Johns River Water Management District is limited to no more than one day a week.

Irrigation has been allowed no more than two days a week since 2006. The move to one day a week is part of increased efforts to conserve our water resources and coincides with the reduced need for irrigation during the cooler months that are typically associated with Eastern Standard Time.

Beginning Nov. 7, if your address ends in an odd number, you can water on Saturdays, and if your address ends in an even number, you can water on Sundays. Nonresidential irrigation can occur on Tuesdays. Watering can only occur before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Some exceptions apply to the rules, and all of the details are on our watering restrictions web page.

Being able to water on a certain day doesn’t mean you have to water. Being aware of rainfall and the reduced water needs of your lawn in the coming months can sometimes eliminate the need for watering much or at all.

So, why are weekend days designated for watering when that’s when many people want to work in their yards? Not everyone has an automatic in-ground irrigation system, and those who use hoses with sprinklers need some weekend time for irrigation. If you want to work in your yard on Saturday morning and your yard is showing signs of needing water and your watering day is Saturday, you may want to water Saturday evening after you complete your yard work.

Why do we limit irrigation? It’s estimated that about half of residential water use goes toward irrigation, and, in many cases, it’s used inefficiently. Freshwater is a finite resource in Florida, and increased conservation will delay the need to implement some expensive alternative water supplies in the future.

Want to learn more? Read the FAQ

Treasure Beach 2010 Christmas Party

Saturday, December 11, 2010 – 6:00 pm
Beacher's Lodge Community Room
Space Limited - For planning purposes, please confirm attendance to Gisela, our party planner, at 471-9496, before Monday, December 6.

Treasure Beach will provide main course of Beef Burgundy, along with Coffee and Soda. You can BYOB. Dishware and utensils will also be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a dish/dessert to compliment the Beef Burgundy. Sign-up list will be provided at November's meeting. Volunteers are still needed to help. If you miss the meeting and want to bring a dish or can help, please call Gisela.

A gift exchange will also be held. Each individual who would like to participate in the gift exchange needs to bring a small gift (look for something at home that you might not need anymore but is still usable, or if bought, no more than $10). The fun of the gift exchange is the surprise! It will be great fun for everyone, owners and renters!!

St. Anastacia Garage Sale

St. Anastasia is having a garage sale this Sat (Nov 6) 8am to 12:30.  Donation drop off is Wed to Fri, 9:30m to 5pm. For large items pick-up ,please call 471-5364.

St. Anastacia Garage Sale

St. Anastasia is having a garage sale this Sat (Nov 6) 8am to 12:30.  Donation drop off is Wed to Fri, 9:30m to 5pm. For large items pick-up ,please call 471-5364.

Lost and Found Notification

On one of my walks in the neighborhood around mid-September, I found something that might be claimed if 1) you can identify what it was that you lost, and 2) provide me with enough information to convince me that it belongs to you! Otherwise, what I found belongs to me and I will then decide on what to do with it!!! If you need to reach me, please check the Publication Policy in this paper for more information.

October Article - FCCJ

During August we heard the sad news that 9 year old Krakatoa (Komodo dragon) had passed away at the Alligator Farm. Since it is estimated that komodo dragons could live an average of 25 years in captivity, this death came as a shock. We actually saw Krakatoa at the end of June when our family was visiting. As with every tragic event, it makes me think more about my own mortality. Each day that God gives us here on earth is a gift. Life is a journey that holds no promises of immortality. We can only hope to be blessed with a long and healthy journey. Special thoughts and prayers go out to all our neighbors who may be suffering in one way or another. Treasure Beach is a special place and I sincerely believe that we do care about each other. Sometimes you just need to ask for help, and sometimes we just need to pay more attention to what's going on.

August was the first month we received a publication called "TIDBITS of St John's County" in our mail box. Although it reads Issue 30 on the front page, I don't ever recall seeing it before. In that very interesting paper I read an article entitled, "Garden Bits" by Linda Stewart Hertz. What caught my eye was the phrase that I so often use in describing the place where I came from "Upstate New York" which made me wonder if Linda grew up anywhere close to where I grew up. I know that New York is a pretty big state but you never know, it could be a small world. I'll have to make a special visit to Ace Hardware just to ask. There are also other interesting articles (Capt. Tommy Tails, Master Strokes, Home Bits, Spotlight on Business, Health Bits, trivia questions and ads with savings opportunities). With everything going more and more electronic, the actual written word on paper will most likely become a thing of the past. One of the things I most enjoy each and every day is the quiet time I spend reading the daily newspaper while drinking a cup of French Vanilla cappuccino.

I meant to bring up the subject of "banana spiders" earlier in August since I first saw a number of them hanging high on the electrical lines along Costanero where I normally take my daily walk. If you've ever accidentally walked into one of their webs, you'll know they can weave some very intricate and strong webs. You might recall that ~ a year or so ago I reported doing research on them (they might look frightening but are really beneficial in keeping other annoying insects under control). The research that I did also indicated that they might be good predictors of whether hurricanes might actually be heading our way. During hurricane season, look for tell tale signs such as banana spiders no longer hanging high up on the electrical lines after being prominently displayed for most of the summer months?

The primaries were over Tuesday, 8/24. At this writing I don't know the total turnout of St. Johns voters (although it was predicted to be low) or the winners/losers. Our next civic responsibility happens during early voting the last two weeks of October or on Tuesday, November 2 (General Election). I understand there will be a number of amendments on the ballot so during these couple of months it will be important for all of us (in order to make an informed decision) to study up on the pros and cons of each amendment. Too often, these contests are won or lost on emotional issues rather than ones based on facts. Please do your homework before you go to the polls! Your vote does count and all candidates running for office appreciate the votes you cast! Penny Halyburton, Supervisor of Elections for St. Johns County maintains a very efficient organization. Her staff, a team of volunteers help to make the voting process easy for every eligible voter to VOTE!

Received the following poem "To Realize" in an email this month. There wasn't an author attached, and when I checked the internet, I could not identify an author, so I believe it belongs to all of us. Enjoy,

To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to a premature baby..

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

Remember....

Hold on tight to the ones you love!

~ Author Unknown ~