eNEWS is a free e-mail newsletter with items about Greater Sun City Center, Florida. If you want to be added to the distribution list, send a simple "please add me to your list" to:  jbowker@tampabay.rr.com eNEWS News of Greater Sun City Center by email Volume 10, Number 19                                             May 13, 2008 WHAT’S NEW AT WAL-MART? GASOLINE        They started construction a couple of days ago and, we’re told, it will only take two weeks to finish building a new gasoline station on the Wal-Mart property at the corner of State Road 674 and US-301.  It will be open by the end of May, they say. (Thanks, Ruth!)      The Murphy Oil Company has arrangements with Wal-Mart for gasoline stations at their SuperCenters.  You will be able to use major credit cards at the pumps -- but if you want a 3-cent-per-gallon price reduction you will need a Wal-Mart credit card.      There are two classes of Wal-Mart credit card. If you qualify, you will receive a Discover Card and, for folks who may not quite make those qualifications, there is a standard Wal-Mart credit card. You can apply for the card at a check-out counter if you show them your driver’s license and another regular credit card, and answer a half-dozen questions. The new card will be mailed to you.        Ed. Note:  That corner has begged for a gas station -- but I had rather hoped it would be on this side of US-301 so as to be accessible to gasoline-powered golf carts.   GIANT BOOK SALE Bag of Books for a Buck!        This Saturday, May 17, will feature an enormous book sale at the SouthShore Regional Library on 19th Avenue.  As you come into the library, you will be handed a bag for stuffing all the books you want -- and the cost as you leave will be One Dollar for the bag regardless of how many books you’ve been able to put in it. The types of books will range from romance novel paperbacks to some rather elegant hard cover novels and collector items. A Silent Auction table will be featured for books of particular value.     The sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.      The proceeds go directly to the Friends of the SouthShore Library in support of the adult, teen and youth programs that have proven so popular in the short time the library has been open. Donations of books are always welcome.      Directions:  From Sun City Center, go on 674 to the traffic light across from Bob Evans restaurant and turn right onto Cypress Creek Boulevard. Drive to its end (about 2 miles). Turn right on 19th Avenue, and the library is the first large building on your left. The address is 15816 Beth Shields Drive. For further information call 634-1396.   YOUR HELP IS NEEDED        Our all-volunteer Emergency Squad needs vehicle washers. The ambulances and vans must be immaculate, of course, and each Saturday morning, they are given a special cleaning starting at 4:00 a.m.  With summer vacations coming up, they need some folks who could at least give a hand for the next few months. If you would be able to pitch in, please call Marty Gifford at 633-1411, Ext. 429.   INTERNET RADIO        I keep seeing warnings that the Internet is slowly replacing the need for newspapers.  Now the question arises about the continued need for radio, at least as we know it today.      Penny Fletcher, who has been welcomed into our homes for years through her writings in local weekly newspapers, can now be heard on the Internet. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons starting at 3:00 p.m., just go to: www.pennyfletcher.com      She will be speaking on a variety of topics -- she has recently completed a new book called “Soft News” and another book is nearing completion for her to tell about.      This is all so new I haven’t had a chance to try it out -- but if it works well, maybe Sun City Center should consider a similar technology for communicating with its residents.     MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY       Sun City Center will observe our traditional Memorial Day Ceremony starting at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 26th in the Theater of the Kings Point Clubhouse.  Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. for open general attendance seating.  All invited guests with reserved seating are requested to be seated not later than 9:45 a.m.      This ceremony is sponsored by the combined military veterans organizations of Sun City Center and is supported by many participating community service organizations.      The focus of this Memorial Day ceremony is to honor all community veterans with special tribute paid to those veterans who have died since May, 2007. To date there are 150 such veterans to be recognized by a Last Roll Call which will be conducted concurrently with our traditional SCC Living Flag Tribute.      Our featured speaker will be Colonel Stephen M. Fisher, Commander, 816th Contingency Response Group, 621st Contingency Response Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. A musical interlude and tribute to the military services will be provided by the Trinity Baptist Church Choir and Friends, directed by Mr. James Feist.     For more information call Hugh Howath at 642-0719.   HURRICANE SEASON        Hurricane Season starts June 1st.  Sun City Center is NOT in an evacuation area.  Hillsborough County Emergency Management would rather our residents not go to shelters because this would take up space that will be needed for residents of mandatory evacuation areas unless the resident feels it is absolutely necessary.       The closest shelter to Sun City Center is Shields Middle School on 19th Avenue next to the SouthShore Library.  If you require a "special needs" shelter, reservations must be made BEFORE JUNE 1st.  Reservation forms are available at the CA Office or online at www.hillsboroughcounty.org.    And, in Closing,        In a recent eNEWS edition I mentioned that the IRS has all the information they need from you for processing your “Economic Stimulus” check. I should have added that you must file a tax return for the year 2007 to become eligible for that check.  If you have any questions, call Don Frederick at 634-4200, or Frank Yanacek at 633-9056.   John Bowker eNEWS News of Greater Sun City Center by email Volume 10, Number 18                                             May 7, 2008 APRIL HOUSING SALES HERE Are things turning around for us?   Sun City Center (Single Family Homes) 25 Homes Sold FYI - 2 Condos sold in the Toscana/Renaissance area. Average sales price for the 2 was $323,000.   Kings  Point  (Condos) 30 Condos sold   (Thanks, Jay.  Jay has lots more about prices, the time it took to sell the houses and more. Readers here can get on his mailing list at:  Jay@JaySparkman.com)        In fact, I understand we will hear even more good news at next week’s CA Board Meeting about the number of closings in Sun City Center.  That meeting will be at 9 a.m. in the Rollins Theater on Wednesday, May 14.   THE NEWS of Sun City Center        The staff of our all volunteer publication met today to review the latest version of a proposed policy under consideration by the CA Board.  The News is one of the few CA organizations without a policy in the CA’s Policy Book and, since its content represents an extension of the membership, the Board feels the editorial responsibility should be spelled out. The staff feels the proposed policy would place too many restrictions on their work. The matter is on next week’s CA Board meeting agenda (see item above).   ABOUT THOSE TAX REFUNDS A reader gives us fresh perspectives and insight   Hello John,      I joined the Seniors vs. Crime Project based here in SCC and I would like you to get the word out on a scam that’s going around.      The official looking message from info@irs.gov claimed that I had a refund coming to me and asked me to provide some needed information to expedite the refund.  If you are eligible for an “Economic Stimulus Refund”, the IRS already has all the information it needs to send you what’s due.      Also, you should alert your readers that if they did not have a refund on their taxes when they filed their 2007 returns they will not get the Economic Stimulus Rebate Check right away. Anyone like me that had taxes due will not see that rebate check, if they qualify for one, until the beginning of June at the earliest.  That's because our returns will not be keyed into the IRS system until all the returns containing refunds are processed. All the news programs failed to mention this fact. (Thanks, Art)   AARP TAX-AIDE RESULTS Community Support and volunteers key to the effort        30 Sun City Center resident volunteers in the Sun City Center Tax-Aide program assisted over 3,200 people this year with tax information and in filing 1040 Forms. Additionally, they assisted many shut-ins with their taxes.      The Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center and the Community Association provided support to make possible the electronic filing of returns. The SCC Computer Club assisted with training and storage facilities and the United Community Church continued to provide space and critical support as it has done for 19 years.      This is a remarkable service.  For further information about this AARP Tax-Aide program, call Don Frederick at 634-4200.   TROUBLES WITH MEDICARE? How about Veterans’ Affairs or the IRS?        Representative Adam Putnam has a representative (Anne Bell) who comes here the third Wednesday of each month (May 21) in the Pelican Room from 2:15 – 2:45 PM.  She is available to help residents with any problems with the Federal government.       The Pelican Room is next to the Ceramics Clubrooms and next to the Lawn Bowling Greens on the Central Campus. Her visit is coordinated through the CA Office; call 633-3500. (Thanks, Ed)  APRIL WEATHER Weather observations at 714 Fox Hills Drive, Sun City Center Rain for month of April: 3.73 inches Wind   High of 40 MPH on April 5th from the East Temp:  High   91.2 on April 24; Low    47.1 on April 16 And, in Closing,        A variety of things in this edition in no particular order.   >  Don’t ever give ANY phone caller the three-digit code written on the back of your credit card(s). The bad guys can get your credit card number easily, and all they need to wipe you out is that additional three number code.  (Thanks, Dave) > You should be alert during the next few days. DO NOT OPEN any message with an attachment entitled "POSTCARD'' regardless of who sent it to you. It is a very destructive virus that can ruin your computer. (Thanks, Burt) >  I see the Florida Water Works is at it again. That is NOT a government agency; they offer a free test of your drinking water .. oh, and they sell water conditioning equipment. You’ll learn all about their product if you invite them into your house. (Thanks, Verna) > A reader reports that Adelino's Restaurant in Ruskin, has excellent Italian fare. It is located in the old K-Mart building (19th Avenue just down from US 41 at McDonalds), the outside approach is quite bland, but inside, both the service and food is very good.  It can be accessed either from an outside door or through the flea market inside the building. Prices reasonable.  (Thanks Lee)   / John Bowker   eNEWS News of Greater Sun City Center by email   Volume 10, Number 17                                     April 23, 2008   A COUNTY VIOLATION It may cost us a lot of money         Among the contributions to this community by WCI is the care and mowing of the median strips along North and South Pebble Beach Boulevard.  We are in danger of losing this benefit from WCI unless we can stop one of our residents from walking their dog on the North Pebble Beach median in the area in front of the library and not picking up the dropped feces.  The mowers used by WCI on that median tend to throw droppings back onto the operator and, understandably, the workers are upset. The CA describes the dog as “large” in its release to eNEWS and suggests that the dog walk may be occurring at night.      Not everyone receives eNEWS, so if you are aware of the owner who may be ignoring the county ordinance that requires dog feces to be immediately removed by the owner, call 633-3500. You can leave a message after hours; you don’t need to leave your name.      Keeping that median looking neat is essential to maintaining the house values all over town since visitors often see that area first during an inspection visit. It would be quite costly for the CA to pick up the costs of mowing and care of that median strip.    PUBLIC WORKSHOP TOMORROW Community Hall at 1:30 p.m.   All residents of the Greater Sun City Center area are invited to attend this meeting that will focus on recreation, commercial development, and the environment we want to develop for senior citizens in the years ahead.  Note that this meeting is not designed to deal with current issues. The need is to look years ahead to establish what the residents want so future development plans won’t conflict with this vision. The views of all attendees will be solicited but, of course, you can attend just to hear what plans are being discussed.      Community Hall is located at 1910 South Pebble Beach Boulevard.   NEW ENGLAND CLUB PARTY       Members of the Community Association who have a connection to any of the six New England states are invited to get together for a wine social in the Florida Room starting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30. The club is providing a selection of wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and lots of atmosphere.  Each attendee is asked to bring finger foods to share with your fellow New Englanders.  Admission is free and no reservations are needed.  A New Englander, by the way, is anyone born, educated, employed, stationed, resident or linked through marriage to any of the six states. Questions should be addressed to Bill Blackham at 633-1676.   MORE DEVELOPMENT IN TOWN        St. John the Divine Episcopal Church is having a "ground-breaking" on the new church property on East Del Webb Blvd. on May 25 at 4:00 p.m.  Bishop Dabney Smith of the Diocese of Southwest Florida will be there along with the clergy, leaders, parishioners & friends of the church for the long-awaited event!      St. John the Divine Episcopal Church will become a two-campus church when the one on E. Del Webb is completed.  It will be the first in the Diocese of SW Florida with a two-campus church. One in Ruskin and one in Sun City Center.   GADABOUTS ON SCHEDULE      Regular monthly meetings of the Sun City Center Gadabouts will resume Saturday, May 17.  Gadabout's president, Emil Marotta, is successfully recuperating from triple by-pass surgery and extends his thanks for the many best wishes sent by Gadabout members.  The travel club is open to all Sun City Center and Kings Point residents, and all are welcome to attend. (Thanks, Art) THE LIONS HAVE MOVED        The Lions Club has moved to a new location for its semi-monthly meetings.  The new location is Ozzie’s Buffet and Grill and lunch is scheduled for the period 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon with the formal meeting immediately following.  The Lions meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.  The cost will be approximately $7.50.   KIDS AGAINST HUNGER Sunday, April 27        Have you ever worked on an assembly line? You'll have your chance this coming Sunday in our Community Hall from 1 - 3 p.m.  The need is to fill bags with nutritionally balanced meals for the kids. The Rotary International will host this event with help from the Kiwanis, Lions, Men's Club, Woman's Club, Beth El Mission. The Interfaith Council. has underwritten the cost of the food we will be packaging. For ten cents a bag, thousands of people locally and internationally can receive these meals.      To volunteer in this effort, call Ed Knecht at 633-3588 or Bronko Lobo at 642-8531.      And, in Closing,        One of our Realtors has opened a new ‘blog’ relating to how things are going in town. He points out that, in March, 23 houses were sold in Sun City Center and 14 in Kings Point.  That’s a wonderful improvement over sales just a month or two ago. If you would like to learn more about his reports, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with him.        There is another free weekly e-mail service in town you should also “subscribe” to called Ads and Events. It covers many of the upcoming special events you may otherwise miss, and even includes a bunch of “For Sale” items just like a community bulletin board.  You should send your request for Ads and Events to:  sccfreeads@tampabay.rr.com   /John Bowker      eNEWS News of Greater Sun City Center by email Volume 10, Number 16                                      April 11, 2008 NEIL ROTHFELD APPOINTED        At its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 9, the Community Association Board of Directors appointed Neil Rothfeld to fill the vacancy on its board through January 7, 2009.  Neil has been serving as Association Treasurer since October 2006.      All of the CA Officers are now also CA Directors; Paul Wheat is President, Ed Barnes is Vice President, Don Schings is Secretary, and Neil Rothfeld will continue as Treasurer.    COMMUNITY PLAN        Residents of: Cypress Creek, Fairway Palms, Freedom Village, La Paloma, Montero Village, Valencia Lakes, Ventana, Kings Point and Sun City Center may want to attend a public workshop tomorrow (Saturday, April 12) at 9:30 a.m. in Community Hall at 1910 South Pebble Beach Blvd. The purpose of this workshop is to provide a brief status report on plans brought forth to date, and to continue to solicit ideas and input from all residents in those communities shown above.      Shortly, when the plan has been completed, it will be processed through the County staff for approval by the Board of County Commissioners for inclusion in the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan.      The list of topics presently under study includes health services, transportation, land use, communications, recreation, education, commercial development and safety. (This effort should not be confused with the ongoing work regarding the appearance of house and business properties in Sun City Center.)    KINGS POINT READERS The Federation Board is Seeking Two Volunteers to Serve on the Recreational Facilities Executive Committee The Federation Board will continue accepting applications from Kings Point residents who wish to be candidates for appointment to the Recreational Facilities Executive Committee until April 21, 2008. There are two one (1) year openings.      To be considered for appointment, send a letter of interest attached to a resume outlining your background or experiences you feel would be helpful to the committee. Drop off your letter and resume addressed to Karen Jean Renzi, Board Secretary, at the Federation Office, 1902 Clubhouse Drive, Sun City Center, Fl 33573 or drop off your information materials to Sterling Management, 1904 Clubhouse Drive, addressed to Karen Jean Renzi, Board Secretary. The Federation Board is seeking at least one person with a background in accounting, budgeting, and/or financial management.      The other position can be filled with a person who has a working knowledge or some experiences in one of the following areas; large recreation facilities, recreation programs, security, transportation, insurance, human relations, communications or a history of volunteering in community service projects.      For additional information contact Karen Jean Renzi, Federation Board Secretary at   karenjean-fed@tampabay.rr.com    (Thank you KPINFO)   LIBRARY BOOKS Special Collection on New England         Programs at the new 19th Avenue SouthShore Regional Library for teens and adults are sponsored in part by the sale of donated books. Recently, a family donated 21 books by Edward Rowe Snow who documented his life with stories about Cape Cod, lighthouses along the New England coast, and life on the coast and at sea in general.      Normally, donated fiction books at the Book Sale Room are sold for $1.00, but these look a little special, especially as a collection. These books have been well read, but are pretty clean and would serve very well in someone’s home library. If you might like to bid on this set of 21 books, please respond to this e-mail. I can arrange to show you the books, of course.      And, by the way, if you have books of any kind you would like to donate to this library, respond to this e-mail and I’ll arrange to pick them up from you.   TAX DEADLINES APPROACHING        The AARP sponsors a free tax return preparation program for middle and low income taxpayers until April 15.           In Sun City Center, come to the United Community Church (Corner of North Pebble Beach Blvd and La Jolla Drive) - Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.             Shut-ins, Call Don Frederick, 634-4200 for Appointment.   And, in Closing,   >>This may be a bit too subtle, but I laughed my head off when I saw this Michigan license plate parked by our library.  All that was written on it was:  O I H O      I guess some rivalries will never go away.   >>If you send me a change of address, please include your old address. For security purposes, I do not give my distributor your name when adding a new address. That makes it impossible to delete an old address without knowing what it was.   >>While you’re watching golf Sunday afternoon, I’m hoping you’ll see a shot where the ball careens off toward the trees, but ends up on the green right next to the pin. If that happens, you will have witnessed a “Bowker”.  I kid you not!  Just go to: http://www.worldgolf.com/wglibrary/reference/dictionary/bpage.html  and scroll down to:      bowker:  This refers to a shot that appears to be horrible and then hits a tree, a rock,      a spectator, etc. and bounces back into play. Sample usage: "I would have bogeyed the      fourth hole but I got a bowker." Pronounced "bough-kur". The best part is, the originator even pronounced our name correctly!     /John Bowker eNEWS News of Greater Sun City Center by email Volume 10, Number 15                                             April 3, 2008 SUN CITY DRUG STORE CLOSES        One of the oldest establishments in Sun City Center has sold its drug business to Walgreens. The change took place on Monday this week. All other items in the store are now on sale at greatly reduced prices. Shipments via UPS should be taken to their site in the building next to Publix in the Kings Crossing Shopping Center.   GADABOUT MEETING POSTPONED        The April Gadabout meeting, scheduled for April 19 in the Florida room, has been postponed. A new meeting date is being arranged and I will try to alert you to it here. This does not affect any of the upcoming Gadabout trips. (Thanks, Art) KINGS POINT FEDERATION DIRECTORS The Kings Point Information Newsletter, KPINFO, reported the results of the recent election for 2008-2009 Federation Board Directors:      President – Richard Singer      Vice President – Pat Boussie      Corporation’s Secretary – Karen Jean Renzi      Treasurer – Bob Greene      Directors: Ray Glover, Paul Hunt, Betty Krajewski, Jim Kulp, Paul Monnette               Corporate Secretary: Karen Jean Renzi   The Meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for April 4 has been postponed to April 18, at 9:30 a.m. The April Membership Meeting will immediately follow that Board Meeting in the Clubhouse Borini Theater.  (Thanks, Dick)   Kings Point Unit Owners interested in working on any of the Federation Committees should make contact with Karen Jean Renzi at karenjean-fed@tampabay.rr.com     Committees are:  Community Planning, Roads & Drainage, Buildings, Contracts, Insurance, Landscape & Irrigation, Electricity & Irrigation Pump System, Documents, Finance, Communications, Golf Cart , Greater SCC Beautification Corp K.P. Directors   WEATHER FOR MARCH By Jim Spencer at 714 Fox Hills Drive Temperature:  Hi   90.5 on 3/30, Low   43.3 on 3/25 Rain during March   2.86 inches; Year to Date 8.55 inches Wind   Hi  35.0 MPH on 3/8 from East   TAX DEADLINES APPROACHING FREE TAX HELP AVAILABLE        The AARP sponsors a tax return preparation program for middle and low income taxpayers until April 15.           In Sun City Center, come to the United Community Church (Corner of North Pebble Beach Blvd and La Jolla Drive) - Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.             Shut-ins, Call Don Frederick, 634-4200 for Appointment.   OPERATION MEDICINE CHEST        The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will be conducting "Operation Medicine Chest" on Friday, April 18,  from 8 - 11:30 a.m. at Community Hall. This is your opportunity to dispose of old prescription drugs without running the risk of polluting our water supply. If you have such drugs that are no longer of use to you, please put them in a ziplock bag and drive them over to Community Hall that morning. Just come up to the front entryway, drop them in the large box that the Deputies will have there, and leave. No record is kept, no speeches, nothing to sign or pay for. The Sheriff's Office incinerates those drugs.      As an added bonus, the little plastic pill bottles the drugs probably came in should be washed out, and the labels should be soaked and removed. Then take the empty pill bottles to the Sawdust Engineers room next to the outdoor pool on the Central Campus. They use those bottles as filler packaging (the same as you and I use bubble wrap) when they ship one of those Personal Energy Transport vehicles they make here overseas.   ARE YOUR CLOTHES OVERHEATED?        If you notice that your clothes coming out of the clothes drier are hotter than they used to be, it could be a warning signal that your exhaust vent is plugged. In the extreme, it wouldn't take much to ignite that flimsy stuff.      If you notice zippers being too hot to handle, you might want to check the venting system to see if it's plugged. If you have trouble doing that, there are companies that can help you.      As with any need for hiring outside help, please check at the reception desk in the CA Office, 1009 North Pebble Beach, to see lists of all sorts of contractors who are licensed, insured and often bonded -- you'll know you're dealing with a real company that way. (Thanks, Lou)   /John Bowker      eNEWS News of Greater Sun City Center by email Volume 10, Number 14                                             March 28, 2008 THREE CANDIDATES APPLY        Three candidates for the open seat on the Community Association Board of Directors had submitted applications by today’s 3 p.m. deadline.  Several years ago in a similar situation, I embarrassed at least one resident of Sun City Center who had applied but then withdrew when the interviews were held the following week. So this year I resisted the temptation even to ask for the three names in advance of the Board’s vote on April 9.      The present CA Board will interview the candidates sometime prior to the April 9 regular Board Meeting and will then vote on the candidates at that meeting for the one remaining open term of office that ends on January 7, 2009.     MEMBERSHIP MEETING REPORT        I was disappointed at the low turnout for our spring Membership Meeting hosted by the Sun City Center Community Association this past Wednesday evening. There are only two such meetings a year where formal presentations are made to the CA members by the CA Board or by the chairs of committees established by the CA Board.    1.  FORMAL FINANCIAL REPORT :   Neil Rothfeld presented a full financial report, followed by an “Unqualified Opinion” of the recently completed year-end audit of our 2007 books by the Dwight Darby & Company.  (That means they found no issues with our accounts.)      Neil also pointed out that, while a projection had been made 6 months ago for the 2008 budget that 15 homes should be sold each month, in fact 52 homes had been sold in the first three months of 2008, 19 of them in March netting us $22,800 in Transfer Fees for this month alone.   2.  PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS:       Walt Cawein, chair of the Sun City Center Minimum Housing & Property Maintenance Standards presented a report of his 15-member task force showing how the large Service Sign on SR-674 was replaced; how Ewing Smith raised money from the county to plant 50 trees around town, and how they are now working with the businesses at the south end of West Del Webb Blvd to upgrade their property (across from the Baptist Church).       Regarding minimum standards for private residences, the work of the committee is strictly concerned with “curb appeal” -- how the property looks from the street. The end result, ideally, will be for the county to approve an amendment to our age restriction overlay so that the minimum property standards will apply to all residences in town.      Whatever they come up with will be voted on by all the property owners in Sun City Center before it is submitted to the county for approval.  But before that happens, the task force will need to coordinate the plans with county zoning, land development, code enforcement and legal people. They will be briefing everyone, including those who are mainly affected, before asking for a vote by all the residents on the proposal.   3.  SAVE OUR HOSPITAL:       CA Vice President Ed Barnes gave an update on his effort with Janet Wilson and Jim Duffy to prevent the moving of in-patient services at South Bay Hospital to Big Bend Road.  Two appeals have been filed with the State, one by St. Joseph’s Hospital and another by Tampa General Hospital in opposition to the South Bay proposal.      He pointed out how the growth in this part of South County should easily support a second hospital. At this time, South Bay has the highest utilization rate of any Hillsborough County Hospital. We note that the Hillsborough County commissioners have approved the nearly $112 million project that will widen US-301 from two lanes to six in the southern part of the county between Gibsonton Drive and Sun City Center Boulevard to support area growth.      In spite of this evidence, we learned that both State Representative Ron Regan and State Senator Ronda Storms have declined to support our committee work to stop the reduction of hospital beds in this part of South County.   4.  SENIOR SAFETY ZONE - SEXUAL PREDATOR DESIGNATION:      Our application is being approved this week by the county and will cover all of Sun City Center. Signs will be erected shortly. With the county approval, no predator can reside permanently here and can only visit for 5 days in one calendar year. The zone extends out for 1,000 feet out from the approved area.  (There is one Sexual Predator living in Sun City Center and he is ‘grandfathered in’ so will not be forced to move.)   5.  2011 MARKS OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY:      Paul Wheat reminded us that, in 2011, Sun City Center will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. Now is the time to take a long look at what forms of celebration might be considered, he said. Anyone interested in suggesting what might be done should come to the Armstrong Room on Wednesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. for a brief “brainstorming” session. Anyone with related experience would be particularly welcome.      Some of the thoughts kicked around following Paul’s reminder were that the new café planned for the Atrium Building might fit in well as a 50th Project; or the preparation of a commemorative website designed to tell our story as well as to attract people to Sun City Center; wall displays throughout our facilities of commissioned photos and art work showing our development  . If you have any thoughts, let’s get them out for consideration starting Wednesday night, April 2nd at 7 p.m.  Questions: 633-1427   And, in Closing,        I mentioned my disappointment in the attendance at the Membership Meeting and I’m wondering if the meeting conflicted with something that drew residents away. Are many residents really not interested in what’s going on in town?  Maybe they didn’t know about the meeting or forgot?       If there is something the CA could do better, I’d like to hear from you and I’ll pass on any helpful comments to the CA Board after deleting your name. ----------------      In re-reading my report a few days ago about the purchase of tables and chairs for Community Hall -- I got the part about the chairs right, but my clumsy wording should have pointed out that the 60 six-foot tables cost about $10,000 with the money coming from an approximately even split between the Replacement Fund and the Operations Fund, and both of those are derived from budgeted amounts in our annual membership dues. / John Bowker eNEWS News of Greater Sun City Center by email and more on: www.enewsOnline.org Volume 10, Number 13                                               March 23 , 2008 TAX “STIMULUS” REBATE ”Super Saturday” is March 29th!        To qualify for the rebate, you must file a 2007 Income Tax Return. To receive the payment, your income must be at least $3,000, which includes Social Security, Railroad Retirement Benefits, Veterans Disability Compensation, and pension or survivors benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007.      On Saturday, March 29, AARP Volunteers will be available at United Community Church N. Pebble Beach Blvd. at LaJolla Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to prepare and E-file 2007 Tax Returns for STIMULUS PAYMENT ONLY.      This is a FREE Service. Please bring Social Security Statements and any other tax documents reporting income. For more information call Don Frederick at 633-2375 or 634-3502.   GOLF CART REGISTRATION Tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday        If you own a golf cart in Sun City Center, you should be sure to have it registered with the Security Patrol each year. As you know, there are only about 5 different keys manufactured for golf carts (that's because the country club owners have many carts and they want to have one key fit them all). This also means that it's easy for someone to get confused about which cart is his, and may get all the way home and still not realize they've just stolen someone else's cart.      The Sheriff's Office will have personnel on hand at the Prince of Peace Church parking lot (enter from Valley Forge Blvd between Rte 674 and Fordham Drive) on March 24, 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to be sure your cart is operating safely (nobody fails that test, by the way). They will have the latest golf cart rules information, and to jot down your cart's serial number along with the Sun City Center sticker they will put on your cart. This applies to Kings Point golf carts too, of course.   NEW GOLF & SOCIAL CLUB Crucial Meeting this week        All members of the Men's and Women's Golf Association (9 and 18 hole clubs) are urged to attend the meeting of the newly formed SCC Golf & Social Club at the Community Hall, 1910 South Pebble Beach Blvd, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday,  March 26th. The Golf & Social Club board, and President Larry Brown, need your input on improving the quality of golf in Sun City Center.   FREE TAX HELP AVAILABLE  Tax Deadlines Approaching        The AARP sponsors a tax return preparation program for middle and low income taxpayers until April 15.      Come to the United Community Church - Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays. & Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.      For available daily appointments call 633-2375. Tax Office Phone 634-3502.      Shut-ins, Call Don Frederick, 634-4200 for Appointment.   NEW CHAIRS AND TABLES        CA Director Ann Marie Leblanc had a pretty good day on Tuesday last week. First, she received commendations from her fellow Board members and congratulations from the presidents of our clubs and home owner associations for the well-planned FunFest held last weekend. And then three club representatives stepped forward to give her checks of at least $1,000 each for the Chair Fund Ann Marie invented, developed and led right through to its satisfactory conclusion -- all in less than one year. She raised $60,000 for that project and learned at the Tuesday meeting, that the new 6-foot tables are already arriving at Community Hall. The new chairs will be here by the second week of April -- and it's all paid for without a penny coming from our dues!  Nice job, Ann Marie!   YOU CAN BUY THE TABLES AND CHAIRS!        The 5-foot diameter round tables that we have used in Community Hall for many years are being retired and are now on sale for just $5.00 each. If your organization could use one or more, call 633-3500.  The brown padded chairs, and the colorful plastic covered chairs that have been used in Community Hall for the past half dozen years or more will go on sale shortly too at $2.00 each.  I’m told there may be ways to help you actually move the tables and chairs for your local needs. This sale is open to EVERYone!   And, in Closing,        Please, please keep your spare house key location information up to date for use by the Emergency Squad. If they know you need help inside your home, but the doors are all locked, they have to call (and wait for) the Sheriff’s office to send someone to break the door down. The Emergency Squad and the Fire/Rescue people cannot do that. Just fill out the card at the Emergency Squad office, and then remember to update it with any changes later on.  (Thanks, Sarah)        I regret to tell you that the chocolate bunny I offered as a prize several months ago has been … well, is no longer available for that purpose.  HAPPY EASTER. / John Bowker          THE I.R.S. DOES NOT USE E-MAIL!      eNEWS has received many reports in 2008 that the IRS is seeking information in preparation for sending out the Stimulus Rebate checks. That is not true. Yes, I know the e-mails have the IRS symbol and they look for all the world legitimate, but they are NOT. If you have responded to any requests for information about your income, your taxes, or your bank account in any way by means of e-mail, please go to your bank tomorrow morning and check on the status of your account.  By the way, your bank won't use e-mail either .. and neither will your credit card companies. Those requests for information, and warnings to you about closing your account, are all false!  Don't believe me? Just call any company on the telephone that asks you for bank check numbers, etc. And be sure to use the company's real telephone number, NOT the telephone number included in the e-mail you're checking on because the telephone number they give you in the e-mail is back in the office of the miserable crooks who are sending you the e-mail in the first place.                                                         eNEWS                             News of Greater Sun City Center by email                                          Highlights from earlier editions     NEW CLUBS BOOKLET:      A new 26-page booklet has been composed by Roz Cruthis and the Information Center Staff showing basic details of our clubs and a few organizations.      Please look in on that booklet. It is now posted on our website at:  http://www.enewsOnline.org   Click on “Club Listing”    If there is any entry needing a change, reply to this eNEWS message and I'll see that it is taken care of.      ...from eNEWS August 26, 2007                IS THIS SIDEWALK DANGEROUS?      Yes, enough of you responded to my first showing of some of these that we can't let it just go without county review any longer.  I am in touch with Commissioner Higginbotham's office to see what might be considered.  This is a tough time for the county to find money, particularly for a project like this that's been on our plate since 1978.  But we'll see what can be done. It is difficult to understand why anyone would design a sidewalk in this way. The Del Webb sidewalks were not narrowed as you see here, and the most recent WCI sidewalks recognize this danger by straightening out the edge over street drains. There are well over 150 of these narrowed sidewalks in Sun City Center.