Re: New Candidate Certification Form

CALL Alert for September 11, 2008—DBPR Publishes New Candidate Certification Form for Condominium Associations.

As you are aware from our previous CALL Alerts, one of the new laws adopted during the 2008 Legislative Session requires condominium associations to send out with the first notice of the election, a certification form provided by the Division of Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes (“Division”) attesting that he or she has read and understands, to the best of his or her ability, the governing documents of the association and the provisions of the Condominium Act and any applicable rules. This new law does not apply to cooperative associations or homeowners’ association, only condominium associations.

The Division has just published the form. We have attached the form to this CALL Alert. You can also find it at the Division’s website at:
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/lsc/documents/candidate_certification_form.pdf

The form must be sent with the first notice of the election, if the first notice is mailed on or after October 1, 2008 (the effective date of the new law). Please note the new statutory language literally only requires the Association to send the Division’s certification form to the unit owners, but does not require the candidates to send them back to the Association in order to qualify to run for the Board. This may change, if the Division promulgates a rule to the contrary.

Also, if a candidate chooses to sign the certification form, it must be provided to the Association thirty-five (35) days before the election. The Association is required to send any timely submitted certification forms to the unit owners along with the second notice of the election. (The thirty-five (35) day deadline may change if the Division promulgates a rule to the contrary).

Casino Royale

The Internet Movie Database, the site where you can read all about movies, now lets you watch select movies in association with hulu.com. Here, they have Casino Royale - not the recent one, the old one where James Bond was licenced to get killed!

ECOMOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE

Hi all,

As Wall Streets most venerable houses circle the drain and obligation for Billions of dollars in bad loans are shifted onto the backs of the Taxpayer; it occurs to me to remind those who may have missed the boat, to "belly up" for your share of the great giveaway.

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Following is an advisory on the Stimulus Rebate:

Dave Israel

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In March, more than 130 million American households received letters from the IRS, which was giving them general information about economic stimulus payments.

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The letters also advised Americans that to receive a 2008 stimulus payment, they had to file a 2007 tax return. (EVEN IF YOU OWE NO TAX)

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As of June, the IRS has identified 5.2 million retirees and veterans' beneficiaries who potentially are eligible for the stimulus payments.

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Later this summer, the agency will send them a special letter that explains stimulus payment eligibility and how to claim it. The letter will include a sample tax form and an actual tax form that people can complete and mail to the IRS. This will be the second special mailing to reach the older taxpayers.

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The IRS says that about 74 percent of this group are accounted for among the stimulus payments it is currently sending.

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The IRS has issued 76.1 million payments, worth $63.8 billion, based on 2007 tax returns processed to date. The agency expects to issue 124 million payments to Americans by year’s end. Eligible individuals are receiving up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples filing joint returns) plus $300 for eligible children younger than 17.
You have until Oct. 15, 2008 to apply for an economic stimulus payment.

Taxpayers who have already filed using a 1040 Form to comply with the April 15 filing deadline do not need to do anything more to receive their one-time economic stimulus payments.

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People who do not need to file a tax return, but received at least $3,000 from Social Security benefits, veterans benefits, certain railroad retirement benefits and/or earned income in 2007, must submit a simplified version of a 1040A tax form to the IRS in order to receive a stimulus payment.

The minimum payment for this group will be $300 for an individual and $600 for a couple filing jointly.

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The IRS Web site has an online calculator to help estimate your payment.Income tax refunds will be made separately from the stimulus payments.

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All communications will come from the IRS in writing. Avoid providing information to organizations or people who communicate in other ways.

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The IRS will never call or e-mail asking for your Social Security number or bank account information.

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The economic stimulus payment will be issued based on the last two digits of your Social Security number and whether you are receiving the payment by direct deposit or mail.

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The IRS will never send a letter or e-mail asking for a response by phone or e-mail. IRS agents will not ask to come to a person's home for the purpose of an economic stimulus payment.

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Never pay anyone or go through a third-party intermediary to apply for or speed up the payment process.

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Always contact the IRS directly with any questions. To do that, you can call toll free, 800-829-1040 or go to the agency’s Web site, www.irs.gov.

SADIE HAWKINS DAY

Sadie Hawkins Day

The original SHD allowed all unmarried Lassies of Dogpatch to pursue elligible Lads; object! matrimony.

Here in CV perhaps a nice date would be in order.

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By convention, SHD is November 15th.

Dave

RESUMPTION OF TUESDAY NIGHT KARAOKE

VP Frank Cornish, introduced a new motion to restore Tuesday Night
Karaoke, effective immediately, which was supported by all, many of
whom had previously voted to discontinue it... I know others join me
in appreciation of their reconsideration of the decision that was made
at the August, 2008 Operations Committee Meeting.
The hours are from 6pm to 9pm and will be held in the Party Room of
the Clubhouse...Perhaps sometime in the future, when conditions permit
Tuesday Night's will once more be held outdoors..in the meantime
Do come and enjoy and support the efforts of Tommy & Delores.....AND
of course Friday Nights, hosted by Jack & Cecile...

How Safe Is Your Money

Click Header

Check Banking institutions and make sure your accounts are covered.
Mike

IMPORTANT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING, TUESDAY, SEPT 16TH, 2008 @ 10:00 - CLUBHOUSE.

Please make every effort to attend....one of the topics, will be the
petition I presented on behalf of some 200 residents, at the last
Delegate Assembly Meeting, requesting the re-instituation of Tuesday
night Karakoe, hosted by Tommy & Delores....

Comics Online

If you're not following any comic strips online and you have a Google start page, Go here and pick out some comics to read when you're on the Internet. They have plenty of comics not currently run in the Post.

Seal of Approval

I offer to UCO the following as a seal, courtesy of the site says-it.com.

What Is It?

Does anyone know what they are building or have built on the south, east corner when coming into the village from Haverhill? It looks like there is some kind of antenna coming out of the top of it.

UCO's Budget

Anonymous 9/11 moved to separate thread.”Isn't anybody going to start a discussion of UCO's budget ? This is the time for all the complainers to change what we pay for and what we don't.”

Did you notice the budget footnotes on the recent Treasurer Report?

1. Unreimbursed Legal and Engineering Fees $216,169.49 $27.53/unit

Mediation Payment due May 2009 =$200,000.00

2. 2102 Expenses $348,490

The notes do not seem to refer to anything on the profit & loss sheet, nor do they have dates? I do not remember any delegate questions.

Budget Meeting 9/17 10am RmC clubhouse

TILLMAN THE SKATEBOARDING BULLDOG

Hi all,
Check out this clever pooch.
Dave Israel

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=tillman+the+skateboarding+bulldog&hl=en&emb=0&aq=1&oq=Tillman#

CABLE COMMITTEE MEETING

Cable Committee meeting:
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Our next meeting is as follows:
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Date: September 26, 2008
Day: Friday
Time: 10:00am
Place: Clubhouse
Room: TBD

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Agenda

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Presentation by Bill Adams of CSI Consultants

regarding negotiating the best contract for content and price
and exploring other providers:

a) Satellite

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b) TELCO (AT&T/Verizon)

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c) Power line distribution

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All Unit Owners are encouraged to attend
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Dave Israel

Call Report UPDATE

CALL Alert for September 10, 2008-Florida Insurance Commissioner Orders State Farm to Refund $120 Million to Policyholders for Unpaid Mitigation Discounts

Dear Edward Black of Chatham B Condominium Association, Inc.,

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty yesterday announced that he has ordered State Farm Florida to issue credits or refunds totaling $120 million to current and former policyholders who did not receive discounts for making their homes stronger against hurricanes.

State Farm has identified about 98,000 current or former policyholders to whom it will provide credits or refunds. The persons entitled to the refunds include single-family homeowners, condominium unit owners, and condominium associations.

Current policyholders entitled to the refund will receive a credit to the renewal premium. Former policyholders entitled to the refund will receive a check. The refund must include 7 percent interest on the amount due to each policyholder until paid.

This is certainly good news for owners and associations who took affirmative action to strengthen their homes and condominiums against hurricanes. Many owners and condominium associations have installed hurricane shutters and/or hurricane resistant windows and doors and should have received credits from their insurance companies. If you have not yet taken steps to install hurricane protection, we strongly urge you to consider doing so. If you are an association and are confused about your ability to install hurricane shutters or other hurricane protection, please contact your community association attorney.

If you are a condominium association, keep in mind that a new law was passed during the 2008 Legislative Session that may give your condominium association additional options for installation of hurricane shutters and other hurricane protection.

Sincerely,Yeline Goin and David Muller, Co-Executive DirectorsCommunity Association Leadership Lobby (CALL)

SOLUTION TO X-WORD OF 09/09/08

Hi All,

Here is the solution to the X-Word puzzle posted 09/09/2008.

I hope you all had fun with it.

Look for another devious brain teaser soon.

Dave

X-WORD SOLUTION BY ELAINE

Solution by Elaine

Hi All,

we may indeed have a budding X-Word puzzle Queen;
unlike the pretender to the throne; The Nutmegger.

Elaine's solution, while not devoid of error, is undoubtedly novel in it's approach to square filling.
Shortly, I shall Post the correct solution.

Good try Elaine; it simply means that my next X-Word will be even more devious.

Dave Israel

Unsafe on the Okee corridor

At the last Delegate mtg. our sheriff issued warnings about the Okeechobee corridor shopping centers outside the village. There have been muggings (w/baseball bat).
Now you can have your own Taser. Over $350 but it does come in pink. http://www.taserontv.com/
What if the bad guys get Tasers too?
Don't shop at night by yourself.

Is your bank safe?

Is your bank safe? Now you can find out.
Washington Mutual 1 star – lowest rated
Everbank (online) 4 stars – sound
There are 8 banks in FL with 5 stars, superior.
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/safesound/ss_home.asp

X-Word Sept. 09, 2008

X-Word by Dave

Here is another Nutmegger crusher.

This one will tease your brain for sure.

Click to enlarge.

Dave Israel

HURRICANE IKE UPDATE

Hi All,

Latest data puts us in the range of 20 - 30% probability of winds of 35 knots, circa 39MPH.

Keep updated on the path of this storm.

Click once and then click again for large clear image.

Dave Israel

Medics Ambulance

At the meeting on Friday Debbie from Medics Ambulance made a very nice speech about our wheelchair service. They would like to change the contract that AMR has worked by for many years. Debbie led us to believe that very few people would be effected by stoping this service. Wheelchair service is the most expensive part of the service that Medics supplies under our contract. If we stop this service and allow Medics to continue receiving payment, this would be a windfall for them. I contacted AMR ambulance, They are the largest ambulance company in the country. According to AMR the real numbers for the previous year that they provided the service was 2,284 non-medical wheelchair trips, and 586 non-medical stretcher van trips. This is what our contract pays for. They do not deserve the to be paid without this coverage. If they want more money lets cancel them. I do have a message from AMR, they say " It seems that her presentation was very self serving. Hopefully, not all the Board members were duped.

HURRICANE IKE LOOKING BETTER FOR WPB

Hurricane IKE projected track looking less likely for landfall in WPB.

BUT

These storm tracks ar notoriously erratic; so be prepared!

Dave Israel

Palm Beach Mall

Dillards at the Palm Beach Mall is closing October 31, 2008. Many of you may not care, but to me it’s another loss for our community. I remember coming to the Palm Beach Mall well over 20 years ago, before I even lived here. It was a wonderful, thriving mall with Jordan Marsh, Burdines, Sear, Penny’s, many fabulous stores and great places to eat. You could go there any hour, any day and find many people strolling, shopping, just enjoying themselves.

I just can’t see how Penny’s, Sears and Macy’s will be able to hold on much longer with one less store. Oh sure, we still have Palm Beach Gardens and the Wellington Mall. They are a bit of a drive and you can’t consider them our neighborhood mall.

Maybe I’m overreacting, but to tell you the truth, I’m still grieving over the Outlet Mall and the Cross-County Mall. Now there was a good place to get a nice slice of pizza. Anybody remember? And then there was Freddie’s. Oh, how I loved Freddie’s. Anybody remember Freddie’s?

Oh well, as it’s been said, “times, they are a changin….”

chris

Becker & Poliakoff Call Report

Hi All!

The following is the latest edition of the report on Emergency Powers, not effective until 10-1-08!

Ed

CALL Alert for September 5, 2008 – New Emergency Powers Law to Take Effect on October 1, 2008~
Dear Edward Black of Chatham B Condominium Association, Inc.,
With hurricane season in full swing, we wanted to remind you about a new emergency powers law adopted during the 2008 Legislative Session. As a result of Florida’s hurricane experiences in 2004 and 2005, the Florida Advisory Council on Condominiums recommended that the Legislature consider granting extraordinary powers to boards of directors in the aftermath of hurricanes. As a result of those recommendations, the Legislature drafted a new section of the Florida Condominium Act, Section 718.1265, which is entitled “Association Emergency Powers”. This new law goes into effect on October 1, 2008. Therefore, it will not necessarily apply to emergencies that occur prior to that date.

The new law permits a condominium association board of directors, unless prohibited by the condominium documents, to take the following actions in response to damage caused by an event for which a state of emergency has been declared by the Governor: ·

Meeting Notices:
The new law permits the conduct of board and membership meetings without following the customary notice requirements of the Condominium Act. Notice may be given “as is practicable.” Public service announcements and radio broadcasts are mentioned among the types of notices that may be used. ·

Cancelling Meetings:
The association can cancel and reschedule any association meeting that had previously been scheduled, and which may not be practicable to hold due to the emergency. ·

Special Assistant Officers:
The association may name assistant officers who are not directors, who shall have the same authority as the Association’s executive officers, as may be helpful during a state of emergency to accommodate the incapacity or unavailability of any association officer. ·

Office Location:
The association may relocate its principal office or designate an alternative principal office. ·

Government Cleanup:
The association is authorized to enter into agreements with local counties and municipalities to assist counties and municipalities with debris removement. ·

Disaster Plans:
The association is empowered to implement a disaster plan before or immediately following the event for which a state emergency is declared. The Association’s emergency plan may include shutting down or shutting off elevators, electricity, water, sewer, security systems, or air conditioners. ·

Declare Condominium Property Off-Limits:
Based upon the advice of emergency management officials or a licensed professional (such as an engineer), the Board may determine any portion of the condominium property unavailable for entry or occupancy by unit owners and other persons. ·

Evacuation:
The new law permits the association to require the evacuation of the condominium property in the event of a mandatory evacuation order in the locale in which the condominium is located. The law goes on to provide that if any unit owner or other occupant fails or refuses to evacuate the condominium property where the board has so ordered, the association is immune from liability arising from injuries to such persons. ·

Re-Opening Condominium Property:
The board of directors, based upon advice of emergency management officials or a licensed professional, may determine when the condominium can be safely inhabited or occupied after a disaster. ·

Mitigation of Damage:
In one of the more significant clauses of the new law, the association is empowered to mitigate further damage, including contracting for the removal of debris, and the prevention or mitigation of the spread of mold. The association is empowered to remove and dispose of wet drywall, insulation, carpet, cabinetry, or other fixtures on or within the condominium property, even if the unit owner is obligated by the declaration or law to insure or replace those items. The association is also empowered to remove personal property from a unit. ·

Dry-Out:
The new law empowers the association to contract, on behalf of any unit owner or unit owners, for services necessary to prevent further damage. Such services include the drying of units, the boarding of broken windows or doors, and the replacement of damaged air conditioning systems so as to provide climate control. Unit owners are responsible to reimburse the association. · Special Assessments: The board is empowered to levy special assessments in response to catastrophes, without regard to any provision in the condominium documents which may require unit owner approval of special assessments. ·

Borrow Money:
The association is empowered, without unit owner approval, to borrow money and pledge association assets as collateral.

The new law states that the special powers authorized under the law are limited to that time reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the association and condominium occupants. Further, these powers are limited to those cases where the board’s action is reasonably necessary to mitigate further damage and make emergency repairs.

We hope that none of these measures will be required in the near future and that you are not adversely affected by this hurricane season. However, it is best to be prepared and to understand your rights before a disaster strikes.

Sincerely,Yeline Goin and David Muller, Co-Executive Directors
Community Association Leadership Lobby (CALL)

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE PREMIUM DISCOUNTS

Hi all,
Does the word "mitigation" mean anything to you?

It refers to actions taken by your Association or by you the Unit Owner to Mitigate (reduce) potential damage from a Windstorm event.

Be aware that you may rate a significant discount on your Homeowners Insurance Premium, if your building has a new roof or if you have installed Hurricane shutters or Code compliant High Impact Glass.

Start here:

https://apps.fldfs.com/WindMitigation/

Go to this Site; select your Company name in the window to obtain the required form/information needed to apply for the discount.

If your Insurance companies name is not on the list, call them and ask for the information on their Windstorm Mitigation program.

Hurricane Protection Pays:

Choose your company to find out how your investment in hurricane-resistant building techniques can save you money and protect your family against storm damage.

The discounts insurers must provide for mitigation improvements on your home are currently submitted to the Office in percent ranges.

For example, the discount for installing approved shutters to windows may be listed by your insurance company as 20% - 60%.

The reason for the range is because many factors may affect the actual discount.

A house on a barrier island with shutters may not get the same discount as a house with shutters in the middle of the state.

Commissioner McCarty found these ranges unacceptable and of no real value for consumers wanting to make informed decisions about hardening their homes (and reducing their premiums).

He proposed a Rule in January 2006, which was adopted by the Financial Services Commission, requiring companies to calculate exact discounts for every one of their policyholders, based on the location, age, and construction techniques of every home.

This Rule requires insurers to begin using this new policyholder-specific information on March 1, 2007. Remember, the current discount data is given in ranges; policyholder-specific information will be available next March. Please note: The insurance companies provided the discount information below.

While the Office analyzes the data submissions for completeness and reasonability, the data has not been formally audited or verified.



Dave Israel

GAS STATIONS WITH GENERATORS

Hi All,
The following is extracted from the CV Q & A

Author: Jules Sitnick (---.miatflad.dynamic.covad.net)Date:

09-05-08 14:42

I have an official list of all gas stations in PBC with generators in case of emergencies after the storm. Also the Publix at Crosstown Plaza has a generator in case anyone can go out for food. Will try to get the list over to UCO office for those interested.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your BLOGMEISTER appends the following Web reference:

http://www.pbcgov.com/hurricane/pdf/Gas_Stations_Generators.pdf

Dave Israel

Storm Blog Canned Cookbook

Get your favorite cans in stock and you are ready for hurricanes.
Lazy cold recipe is a chilled salad, with canned chicken, one can mexicorn niblets, one can rinsed black beans, some frozen baby peas, sweet chopped onions, season, add other things if you like.
Lazy hot recipe, sauté plenty sweet chopped onions, add one can Italian diced tomatoes, one can Italian cut drained green beans, one can drained white beans, any stock, garlic, any meat like smoked turkey sausage, or chicken, whatever. (Italian seasoning is important). You could make this, freeze it and then eat when power is out as it thaws.
If you have no electricity, no ice, no bbq, *^#@* you will still eat.

SOLUTION TO 09/01/2008 X-WORD

Correct solution to 09/01/2008 X-Word puzzle

Dave Israel

X-WORD SOLUTION

solution attempt by Nutmegger

The first attempted solution of the X-Word puzzle posted on 09/01/2008 has been received, click on puzzle for full size;

unfortunately it contains five (5) incorrect entries.

Shortly we will publish the correct solution.

better luck next time Nutmegger.

Dave Israel

Wheelchair Van Service

Medics Ambulance provides the following Wheelchair Service for the residents of Century Village.

• Fully staffed and trained Wheelchair Van and driver
• Resident must provide own wheelchair
• Operating Hours Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm
• Pick up and drop off must be within Palm Beach County
• Service is intended to for use by residents with medical infirmaries and shall not be us as a private taxi service
• Service may only be used for transport to and from nursing homes, hospitals, medical rehabilitation centers, general practitioners or primary care physicians and scan center
• Residence must schedule transportation a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
• Appointments are made on a first come first serve basis and are subject to availability
• Transport service only and does not provide any medical attention during transport

Medics Ambulance Service 561-659-7400

Borrowing from Comcast Forums

The 15 Forum Guidelines are more than you ever need to be polite online. Click on title.
Our Blog had 'trolls' and I didn’t even know they were trolls. Note 'repeating is spamming', etc. I am not suggesting we change our ways, but this is a handy reference.
http://community.comcast.net/comcastportal/board/message?board.id=ForumGuidelines&message.id=2&jump=true

Tuesday Night Karakoe Update

With a trio of storms congregating, this subject may seem insignificent,
however, it it our very own "Hurricane".. A petition has been circulated
to re instate the above..it will be presented to President George Loewenstein, as COO (chief operations officer), at Friday's Delegate
Assembly meeting....with dignity....
At this time, I believe there is a need for audio tape recordings, of
every committee meeting, to avoid confusion as to "who said what,
as well as which committee members" attended. Everyone is human
errors do occur..let's make every effort to minimize them...furthermore
only thoese committee members "familiar" with the subject at hand
should make decisions that affect all....( in this case Karakoe, perhaps
2 or 3 of the committe members, who voted have ever attended more than once).

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER - NOAA SITE

Hi All,
With a Conga line of storms training across the Atlantic; I have placed yet another Storm Tracker Site on the BLOG.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml

This URL will be permanent under "Favorite Sites" in the Sidebar.

Be ready, just in case!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ZCZC MIATWOAT ALL

TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL

800 AM EDT THU SEP 4 2008

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IS ISSUING ADVISORIES ON TROPICAL
STORM HANNA...LOCATED ABOUT 280 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF NASSAU IN THE BAHAMAS...ON HURRICANE IKE...LOCATED ABOUT 550 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS...AND ON TROPICAL STORM JOSEPHINE...LOCATED ABOUT 465 MILES WEST OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.

THE HYROMETEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION CENTER IS ISSUING ADVISORIES ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION GUSTAV...LOCATED INLAND ABOUT 80 MILES NORTHWEST OF LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS.

ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.
$$

FORECASTER BEVEN

NNNN
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Dave Israel

CABLE TV CHANGEOVER TO DIGITAL - RESPONSE

Hi Lannie Et-Al
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This question has arisen before on this BLOG, and clearly is somewhat confusing. Let’s look at it again.
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Digital Transition involves BROADCAST over the air transmission; it will mean a change in Broadcast frequencies and Modulation of the signal from mixed AM/FM to QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation).
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This means that if you receive your TV on old style Yagi roof top or set top Rabbit ear antennae, using an old style Analog TV set, you will no longer be able to receive or demodulate the new TV signals.
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We receive our TV signals, here in CV via a cable system which puts a Coaxial cable into every unit. Therefore, the entire issue of Digital Transition is obviated by the fact that COMCAST must do all of the conversion of the new digital signals before we ever see the signals. In other words; Digital Transition will not affect us at this level. In yet other words, we will continue to receive all signals provided by COMCAST in our Special Enhanced Basic Cable (SEBC) package.
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Herein lies the rub; as a sequelae to Digital Transition, COMCAST will continue to move certain channels out of our SEBC package; careful observers will note that they have already moved a number of our original channels to higher tiers of service, out of the range of our cable ready TV tuners; this is termed Realignment, it results from a COMCAST business decision, not from any technical requirement of Digital Transition. Believe it or not, our contract with COMCAST allows for some Realignment. However, one must ask how many channels can COMCAST take away, before their action is viewed as tantamount to Breach of Contract. This issue will of course be raised with COMCAST from the point of view that reduced service should bring reduce rates.
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This brings us to the issue of the Set-Top-Box (STB). The STB is a multifunction TV receiver which happens to contain a TV Tuner, Demodulator and a Computer MODEM all in one.
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Do not confuse the STB with the Government sponsored Converter Box (CB) which only deals with Broadcast over the air TV signals, you might consider a CB if you have a battery powered TV for emergency use during a power failure, in which case you will use a Rabbit ear antenna.
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COMCAST wants to rent to each Unit Owner in CV a STB at a cost which they consider “nominal”. There is much concern on our part as to multi-TV unit owners and what the total cost would be for additional boxes for each additional TV set.
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These STB’s are, according to COMCAST, the only route to recovering the Realigned channels that we are losing. The attitude of your Cable Committee is that the contract does not allow for such a change, and we shall be most vigorous in our talks with COMCAST on this issue.
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So, what is the “bottom line” on the matter of Digital Transition (DT);
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1) Do nothing now; DT will not preclude your receiving the COMCAST SEBC channels on your Cable Ready TV.
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2) The SEBC Channel lineup will slowly change due to Realignment; we will make every effort to enforce the contract and slow this Realignment to a stop.
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3) The issues of the STB and the need and cost thereof will not go away; but may safely be explored in the context of other possible content providers; such as Satellite TV and TELCO services such as FIOS. As we approach the time for renegotiation of our contract, your Cable Committee will be vigorous in pursuing the best mix of content and cost.
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Your input and involvement is desired, attend meetings of the Cable committee and bring ideas.
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Dave Israel

Cable TV Changeover to Digital

I sure do appreciate all the work Larry Kall did to keep us informed on matters such as the coming cable TV conversion to digital and the changeover to different kinds of Freon in refrigerators and air-conditioners. I am sorry to hear of his sudden passing, a great loss to the Village.

I still do not understand what will be involved in the switch to digital TV next February, though. In the June UCO Reporter, Larry’s article included a copy of a fax sent him by a Comcast spokesperson in Philadelphia, saying, “there should be no impact whatsoever on Comcast customers.” The fax went on to say, “…we will convert the new broadcast digital signals back into analog signals at our headends so that customers who do not have or want a digital box or new TV will continue to receive the channels in the same way they receive them today without having to do anything.”

In the July Reporter, there seems to be no reference to this. Instead, it speaks of the necessity for set-top boxes, even if one buys a new digital TV, although it goes on to say that the set-top boxes will be built into some of the new digital TVs. The August Reporter also says a set-top box will be required for each TV set. As I understand it, there will be a charge for set-top boxes.

In the August 11 Palm Beach Post (Local Business section), however, there was a lengthy article on the changeover to digital in which it said that only persons with rabbit ears TVs would be affected. It said: “The [digital] switch applies only to TV viewers who still get their programs over the air,” and two sentences later, “The other 83% subscribe to cable or satellite TV.” The article was titled “Rabbit Ears TV Watchers Are Getting Ready for the Digital Switch.”

I know you are working on this matter, Dave Israel, and we certainly appreciate your stepping in to carry on following Larry Kall’s good work, but can you clarify where the Village stands with this? Most of us in the Village have cable TV. As the Post article suggests, will the digital changeover NOT affect those of us who have cable? Or will we, for some reason peculiar to the Village, still require set-top boxes, for which we’ll have to pay? And if set-top boxes will be required, can these only be rented (by the Village as a whole and/or individuals), or can they be bought outright?

Thank you.

Lanny Howe

Professor Israel's Puzzle

Hi David:

Today I spent the day with my daughter to celebrate her birthday
even though her birthday is Sept. 3. She is a teacher at Dwyer H.S.
and on Wednesday evenings she teaches ESOL at FAU so we
celebrated her birthday today. I didn't get on your Blog until around
7:00 PM tonight and I saw you granted my wish for a puzzle that
takes brains to do it. When I read 16 Across (Lilly Loses) I lmao
when I wrote in the answer which is "Nutmegger Fails."
Guess what Dr. David Israel, Phd I found errors in your puzzle.
Do you find that impossible??? The first one is you better learn
how to spell.....50 Across....carnivorous mamal????? There is no
such word as MAMAL. The next error I find is 22 Down. Manitoba
(abbr...) you only have 2 spaces....The abbr. for Manitoba takes 3
spaces (MAN) is the answer. The other one that bothers me is
11 Down. You have "name of -" and would you please tell me
name of what? I'm going to bed now and tomorrow I will look
for your answers to my BLOG.

Good Night David

The Nutmegger

Another Right Winger Off The Reservation.

So much for abstinence-only education

Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:35:23 AM PDT


The 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is pregnant, Palin said on Monday in an announcement intended to knock down rumors by liberal bloggers that Palin faked her own pregnancy to cover up for her child.

Bristol Palin, one of Alaska Gov. Palin's five children with her husband, Todd, is about five months pregnant and is going to keep the child and marry the father, the Palins said in a statement released by the campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Maybe one more abstinence-only supporting politicians will realize the limits of such an approach. Teens will do what they will do. It's obvious Bristol would've been better served with a discussion about safe sex. Instead, she's now facing a shotgun wedding to the baby's father

Channel 63

Congratulations, Ken and Ed, Channel 63 never looked this good. Your system of putting the meetings in the same time spot every hour is excellent. Now, may I make a suggestion? Be careful how you use red, either backgrounds or type; they are difficult, in most cases, to look at. Especially a red on red is almost nonreadable. Please don't take any of this as a minus. The job that's being done is very professional. Thumbs up!

Safe Driving Classes

The new schedule for safe driving classes beginning 9 am and ending at 1 pm, squeezed all in one day, is difficult for most seniors. It used to be run two hours on two different days. I think most people would prefer the old time schedule. I know the present schedule is difficult for me.

X-WORD BY DAVE 01/09/2008

x-word by Dave 01/09/2008

Hi all,

for those not enjoying the online puzzle, here is a hard copy to print and solve.

click on the puzzle, it will expand to full page which you may print.

This puzzle is quite difficult, and designed to give the Nutmegger a challenge, let me know what you all think

Dave Israel