Timacuan Community Services

What to do after the Freeze

The recent cold snap has caused widespread damage to many landscapes. Many of your plants may not survive because of the extended cold weather and the severity of the cold damage on the plants. When it comes to cold-damaged ornamental plants, don't be too hasty with pruning shears, says a University of Florida horticulturalist.

"Cutting away dead or dying leaves and branches may not he such a good idea, said Bob Black, associate professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. "With most landscape ornamentals, you can't tell how much damage has been done until the plant starts new growth in the spring." By pruning now, he said, you may cut away live wood that doesn't have to be lost. Also. leaves and branches that have already been killed by freezing temperatures can help protect parts of the plant that have not been damaged. "If you cut live wood, later freezes will do more damage than would have been done if dead parts had been left on the plant," Black said. "If you're determined to prune now, remember to cover whatever remains of your plant to protect it during the cold weather ahead."

With some of the more tender landscape and patio ornamentals. the cold may have killed everything above the soil line. But these plants- including rubber plants, philodendrons. poinsettia and others - may surprise you by sending up new shoots come spring time. So don't give up on them until warmer weather arrives, he said.

With azaleas, the cold usually will damage flower buds and stems," Black said. "You'll notice bud damage at blooming time when the plant produces few or no flowers. Stem damage will show up later in the spring and early summer when some branches die. That will be the time for the pruning shears - always cut back to living wood."

Black said you also may see bud damage and some leaf burn on Camellias. Buds will either drop from the plant or open only part-way and show a brown center. Leaf damage should not be too much of a problem. As new leaves come out in the spring, the old, damaged leaves will drop off the plant.

(This information was provided by Nanak's Landscaping.)

10 Questions - 10 Minutes
To Define who we are as a Nation

The time for the 2010 census is fast approaching, and we thought it would be helpful for you to know some facts about this very important effort to record who we are as a nation. The results of the census help determine how we are represented, and how we share in the monies allocated from our taxes, so it's important that the result be as accurate as possible. The link below will take you to a brief but concise summary of the key facts you should know before you complete your census form or answer questions from a census taker.

Facts about the 2010 Census

Next Shred-A-Thon January 30th

Lake Mary is holding its 4th Shred-A-Thon on January 30^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lake Mary Senior Center, located at 911 Wallace Court. At the three previous events, almost 1200 participants shredded more than 50 tons of material.

Residents and small businesses can shred up to three boxes or shopping bags of material at NO CHARGE. Additional boxes or bags are $5 each. Monetary donations will be accepted. All proceeds go to fund Senior Center programs and activities. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 407-585-1466.

Crystal Lake Preserve Update - 1/7/10

The 40-acre Crystal Lake Preserve (adjacent to the homes along Musago and Teton in Fairway Hills) has been surveyed in preparation for the installation of the perimeter fence. The green, vinyl coated chain link fence will have a 10-foot setback from the property line to allow for natural screening.

The fence was approved as part of the agreement between the Crystal Lake Preserve Foundation, owner of the property, and the City of Lake Mary. The agreement also changed the zoning of the preserve to prevent it from ever being developed.

Currently, bulldozers are being used to re-clear the 50-foot wide fire break along the front of the Preserve. This will ensure that the homes adjacent to the Preserve are protected from a fire jumping to the residential properties and will also permit access by fire equipment if required. This activity should be completed within a week.

If you have any questions, please contact Gary Schindler in Community Development at the City of Lake Mary. His phone number is 407-585-1442, or email him at gschindler@lakemaryfl.com.

For a summary of the history behind the Crystal Lake Preserve, click here or go to the News and Events menu.

Thanks! We have 15 volunteers for the 9 member Covenants Review Committee

Our thanks to everyone who has volunteered to serve on the Covenants Review Committee. The TCSA Board of Directors will hold a special meeting at the TGC Grill Room on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 7-8 p.m. to determine the outline and procedures for the Covenants Review Committee (CRC). This will include determinations of committee structure/sub-committee structure and members. Assignments of tasks, frequency of meetings and Board responsibilities. Selected committee members will be notified as soon as possible following the meeting on the 13th.

There will be no other topics discussed at this meeting. The next regular board meeting will be on January 25th.

Reminder: Quarterly Assessment Due January 4th, 2010

We have had several requests from residents to post a reminder each time the quarterly assessment is due. The next installment on the annual assessment ($207) is due by January 4, 2010. Quarterly assessments are due on the first business day of: January, April, July and October. If mailing your payment, please make sure to include the coupon that was sent to you this month (December). If you don't have the coupon book, or you are paying your assessment online through your financial institution, please make sure to include your account number. Payments without account numbers will delay your account being credited on a timely basis. The address for both USPS and online payments is:

Timacuan Community Services Association
P.O. Box 628207, Orlando, FL 32862-8207

Once a Week Watering Restrictions went into Effect November 1st

As noted in a previous eblast, residental properties are now permitted to water only once a week until next March when Daylight Savings Tme goes back into effect. Until then, even number addresses water on Sunday, odd addresses on Saturday. No watering during the week. Other rules that apply include: water only when needed and not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and water for no more than one hour per zone. For full details, click on the link below or go to lakemaryfl.com and enter “51.20” in the search field to view the new city ordinance.

Water Restrictions

Are you registered for Community Alerts?

Community alerts are sent out by the city and the association to keep you up to date on information that affects you as a Timacuan resident. This includes emergency alerts relating to crime or other conditions which may affect your safety. If your current email address is included in your profile on the website, You will automatically receive any alerts that are sent out by the association. If you are not sure your email address is up to date or you haven't added it to your profile, send an email to community@timacuan.org with your name and current email address and we will check it for you.

For added protection, we also recommend that you sign up for the City of Lake Mary alert service. The city alerts cover Police, Fire and Public Works alerts. To register for city alerts, go to lakemaryfl.com and scroll down to the section covering alert registration on the main page.

Lake Mary Secure Lock Box Program

Developed for senior citizens, disabled citizens or shut-ins, this program provides a secure lock box that contains a key to your home similar to a real estate lock box. The only people with the combination to the lock box are the homeowner and police/EMT. This will allow safe access to a home without breaking doors or windows in the event of an emergency if the person is incapacitated and needs immediate care. If there are any seniors or disabled folks in our neighborhood who would like to sign up for this program, please call the non-emergency number (407-585-1300) and speak to the police department about signing up.