1. education
2. school

January 2015
Published for 36 years
Twelve Oaks acorn
Reporter/Editor: Rosemarie Middleton
Editor/Publisher: Kim E. Uhlig 991-7843
Internal Concerns
Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make so it is
important to care about the outside as well as the inside. This will help
improve the looks of your neighborhood and help to maintain and increase
property values in Twelve Oaks. .
Everyone should care about his or her property and about our neighborhood.
Check out the following suggestions:
►Unsightly trash or litter in front of homes including non-working
appliances, broken lawn mowers, discarded furniture and old carpeting,
broken mirrors, ladders, empty chlorine containers, flat bed trailers, garbage
and recycle containers, etc., etc., that are placed in front of homes so that
they can be seen by your neighbors, do not make attractive lawn ornaments
nor do they increase property values. Please place these items in your own
back yard or garage.
►Weeds grow all year in Florida! There are a number of yards in Twelve
Oaks that need attention. Step outside and take a good look at your own
yard. Is it time to mow, edge, or just simply care for the yard?
►Back yards should not become trash dumps. In a compact
neighborhood such as ours, one is not allowed to create conditions that
endanger the health or safety of others. Accumulations of junk, trash, and
debris provide ideal breeding grounds for insects, rodents, reptiles, and other
creatures that don’t respect property lines and will migrate to your
neighbor’s property, something they will not appreciate. If reported, Code
Enforcement will site those who allow their back yards to become a dump.
►Utilize your garage, your driveway, or the street in front of your
home and not park your vehicles on front lawns or over sidewalks that block
pedestrian traffic. Fire hydrants and mailboxes should not be blocked at any
time.
►Spruce up the outside! There are a number of homes whose exteriors are
marked by mold, mildew, dry rot, and lack of paint. Consider pressure
washing and / or painting.
►Mailboxes – There are many “sad looking” mailboxes in Twelve Oaks. Is
yours one of them? If so, think about replacing it.
If you are a newcomer to Twelve Oaks, please learn what is and is not
acceptable, regardless of what you may have been told by a real estate agent
or the person who rented you the house. Here are some of the violations that
will get you a visit from the code inspector: Boats/trailers, motor homes, and
travel trailers that exceed size limits or setback requirements; untagged
vehicles parked in the street; commercial vehicles and equipment parked in
the neighborhood at night; dilapidated fences; high grass and weeds;
stagnant pools; highly visible businesses being operated from a residence;
trash/junk/debris allowed to accumulate around the house; furniture
including mattresses placed street-side; and vehicles improperly parked and
blocking sidewalks or access to mailboxes.
Morgan Woods
Recreation Center To
Re-open!
Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department is
planning to re-open the Morgan Woods Recreation Center
playground! A Spring Break Camp for elementary and
middle school age children will be offered March 9 to 13,
2015 from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm. Families can go to
Hillsborough County’s website at
www.hillsboroughcounty.org, click on the “Online Parks &
Recreation Registration” box on the right side of the page,
and follow the directions for creating a household profile.
As time gets closer, they will be able to register online for
this camp. Discounts, with proper lunch letter
documentation presented before registration, will be
available for those who receive free or reduced lunch at
school.
Plans also include offering a traditional summer camp at
Morgan Woods for children ages 5 to12. If both of these
camps are successful, the Recreation Department plans to
move forward with a year round after school program at
Morgan Woods for children ages 5 to 12.
Did Your Dog Drop
Something?
Green “Doggie Bag Dispensers“ and
black trash receptacles, provided by
TOCA, are located at the canal areas
on Kirkwood, Barry Rd, Armand Drive, Overbrook, Rustic
Drive (near Oakmoor), Rustic Drive (near Vassar), by the
lake on Twelve Oaks Blvd. and on Twelve Oaks Blvd.
near Oakview Circle. Dog-walkers are encouraged to take
and use one of the disposable bags that are provided to
clean up after their pet. If you walk your dog in an area
that does not have a dispenser, take a disposal bag with
you. Please dispose of the used bags properly.
2014 TOCA Officers and Directors
Rosemarie Middleton – President
Jeff Berg – Vice President
Janet Owen – Secretary
Chantale Pierre-Louis – Treasurer
Claudia Beran
Marsha Craig
Reggie Henschel
Martha Holmes
Linda Mann
Iraida Pizarro
Mercita Ramos
Sarah Richards
Susan Stringfellow
Officers
885-5753
727-534-1679
886-6286
886-1933
Directors
882-0178
886-7323
884-1932
885-4879
886-8193
503-2711
810-5284
453-0007
280-2496
[email protected]
jeffrey.berg@floridamoves. com
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Twelve Oaks Special District Board of Trustees
[email protected]
Officers:
Rob Edwards, President
884-4321
Rosemarie Middleton Vice President
885-5753
Julie Hirst, Secretary
888-9814
Deborah Presnell, Treasurer
290-8009
Trustees
Marsha Craig
886-7323
Yves Villard
249-0173
Paul Vogel
574-7485
Sarah Richards
453-0007
Duane Estilette
786-0351
TOSD Meeting
Jan. 14, 2015
7:00 pm
Town ‘N Country
Rec Center
Please support the advertisers in this
newsletter as it is due to their support
and IKare Publishing, Inc. that the
ACORN is printed and mailed to every
resident in Twelve Oaks.
Twelve Oaks Ad Prices
TOCA
Business Meeting
Call For
Advertising prices
Jan. 27, 2015
Town ‘N Country
Recreation Center
Email:
[email protected]
www.ikarepublishing.com
991-7843
The Twelve Oaks Ladies
Social Group will meet for
lunch at Senor Tequila Mexican
Grill located at 11115 N. Dale
Mabry (next to the I-Hop) on
Monday, January 26th, 11:30 am. Please join us!
Invite a neighbor or friend. Interested? Call: Marsha
at 886-7323 or Rosemarie at 885-5753.
TOCA MEMBERSHIP
Already a member of TOCA for 2015?
Look for your name in the February Acorn.
Not a member for 2015?
Take the time now to complete and mail the
application on page 6.
Twelve Oaks.. Page 2
Neighborhood Watch
General Coordinator: Position Open
Email Coordinator: Doreen Clauer
[email protected]
Community Resource Deputy:
Deputy Hugh Alter
(813) 247-0330
[email protected]
Sheriff Emergency Number
911
Sheriff (Non-Emergency Dispatcher)
247-8200
Twelve Oaks Official Community
Website
www.TwelveOaksOnline.com
Twelve Oaks Special District
P.O. Box 260352
Tampa, FL 33685-0352
[email protected]
Meetings and Business Hours
7:00 – 9:00 pm on the 2nd Wed. of every
month at the Town ‘N Country
Recreation Center, 6039 Hanley Rd
For County Services Who Do You
Call? Contact Hillsborough County at
635-5400, a one-stop county service and
information center! The center provides
comprehensive information and referral
to all government, health, and social
services in the community. It
coordinates government service requests
and handles complaints quickly and
courteously. This office works with all
county departments to ensure you
receive accurate and timely responses.
Hillsborough County Information – 272-5900
Valued Choice Pharmacy
Quality service is our priority
For new patient with prescriptions purchase
or store gift card
(offer valid one per customer, can’t combine with any other offers, restrictions
may apply, excludes controlled substances, free meds and ED meds)
Expires 01/30/2015
FREE Meds: Metformin,
Lisinopril, HCTZ,
Cephalexin, Amoxicillin,
and Bactrim DS (generic)
- Free Home Delivery
- Low Price For Cash Payers
- Most Major Insurance Plans Accepted
- Compounding Medications
5537 Sheldon Road Suite Y
813-881-0600
COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SERVICE
EC13001826 - Licensed & Bonded
Joe Cruz
11530 Belmack Blvd. S.
Odessa FL 33556
Complete Plumbing
Repair
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Sewer and drain cleaning
Slab Leaks-ultrasonic leak detection
Water Heater Installation and Repair
(Never more than 1 hour labor charge for
electric water heater repairs, plus parts)
Faucet and toilet repairs
Repipes
Fixture replacements
Free Estimates, All Work Guaranteed,
No Travel Charge
Ph: 813.901.8185
Fx: 813.884.5060
Mobile: 813.924.0063
Email: [email protected]
(813) 882-8646
Lic # CFC022569
It’s a new year! Do you know how much your home is
currently worth in todays market? The housing values in
Hillsborough County are increasing. Call me today for a free
no obligation analysis of your homes worth.
Stephanie Rose, Realtor ®
Proud Veteran Spouse and Twelve Oaks Resident
Email: [email protected]
5010 W. Kennedy Blvd. 2nd Floor
Tampa, FL 33609
CELL: (813) 765-2253
Florida’s #1 Realtor
Of Choice!
Welcome / Sunshine
Welcome New Residents
Oscar Ruiz & family…………………….7507 Amber
Kenneth Pilcher & family……………7506 Clearview
Edith Suazo & Michelle Vidal…………...7509 Barry
Jorge Alvarez……………………7530 Twelve Oaks
Sonia Lopez & Carmen Delgado………...7310 Barry
Happy New Year! Happy New Home! We hope that
you enjoyed a special holiday season in your new home
and that you will enjoy many more holidays living in
Twelve Oaks. I encourage you to be proud of YOUR
community and take an interest in keeping it beautiful.
Join our civic association. Get involved! Take the
time to read The Acorn, our monthly community
newsletter, visit our community website –
www.TwelveOaksOnline.com, and sign up to receive
Neighborhood Watch email notices. These are the best
ways to stay informed about what is happening in and
around our community. Twelve Oaks Civic
Association (TOCA) general membership meetings are
held quarterly. The next meeting is Tuesday,
February 24th at 7:00 pm. at the Parks and
Recreation building located on the campus of
Morgan Woods Elementary School on Armand
Drive. We would love to meet you and welcome you.
Questions? Concerns? Please call any TOCA Board
member. You will find our phone numbers and email
addresses on page 2 of this newsletter.
News in Brief
2015 TOCA Board of Directors — Following the election of 7 Directors at the November
TOCA General Membership Meeting, Board members met and elected officers for 2015.
Twelve Oaks Civic Association officers for 2015 are: Rosemarie Middleton, President; Jeff
Berg, Vice President; Chantale Pierre-Louis, Treasurer; and Janet Owen, Secretary. The
Board of Directors includes Claudia Beran, Marsha Craig, Reggie Henschel, Martha Holmes,
Linda Mann, Iraida Pizarro, Mercita Ramos, Sarah Richards, and Susan Stringfellow. The
first TOCA Business Meeting for 2015 will be held January 27 at the Town ‘N Country Recreation Center, 6039 Hanley Rd. (located on the south side of Webb Middle School). TOCA
business meetings are open to all residents.
School News: Morgan Woods Elementary ― Students in grades 1 – 4 are sure to get excited
about reading January 22nd when Michael Sterns, a children’s author and storyteller, will visit
the school. His books include Kokopelli and the Butterfly, Kokopelli and the Two Tribes, and
Kokopelli and the Island of Change.
Important dates for parents to remember:
Jan. 6 — Students return to school
Jan. 6 — 4th Grade Safety Presentation / Bullies
Jan. 9 — 3rd Grade Firearm & Safety Presentation
Jan. 12-16 — Literacy Week – “Reading Accelerates Success”
Jan. 13 — Chick-fil-A Spirit Night
Jan.19 — Martin Luther King Jr. birthday observed
School Holiday
Jan.20 — Student Holiday – Teacher Work Day
Jan.22 — Kindergarten Roundup
Jan.22 — Michael Sterns, Author, visits grades 1-4
Jan 30 — Field Day
Questions? Contact the school office @ 872-5369.
School Choice — School Choice provides parents and legal guardians with children entering
grades K-11 the opportunity to choose three non-magnet schools or Career & Technical Education programs. Parents may choose from a list of schools with space available. Transportation
may be limited or not available in some areas. Choice Programs include Attendance Area,
Magnet Programs, School Choice, Career & Technical Programs, and Choice Hardship. The
application period for Elementary schools ends Feb. 11, 2015. For additional information, call
the Choice Information Line at 272-4692
Sunshine Thoughts 2015: A new year is a reminder
to celebrate all the things that are good in your world –
the people you love, the places
you are part of, the memories you
hold on to, and those unforgettable
moments when you close your
eyes and breathe in life with a
smile. May the New Year bring to
you and your family the sweetness
of prosperity, the freshness of new beginnings, and the
blessings of peace. Happy New Year to all Twelve
Oaks residents!
Do The Math! Students can receive homework help every Thursday night from 6:00 – 7:00
pm on Education Channel Bright House # 6124 or Verizon FIOS # 32 – Tutors begin taking
calls at 5:30 pm. For math help call 813-840-7260! Produced by Hillsborough County Public
Schools
January Dates To Remember:
Jan.5 – Public schools resume from Winter Break
Jan.14 – TOSD meeting
Jan.19 – Martin Luther King Jr. birthday observed
School Holiday
Jan.20 – Non-Student Day – Teacher Work Day
Jan.26 – Twelve Oaks’ Ladies Luncheon – Senor
Taquila Mexican Grill
Jan.27 – TOCA
Business Meeting
Town ‘N Country Garden Circle will meet Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Town ‘N Country Recreation Center, 6029 Hanley Road, Tampa, (north side of Webb Middle School) at 11:30
am. Following a “Brown Bag” lunch and brief meeting, Lucy Hoyt, Master Gardner, will discuss “Container Gardens”. ¶ Garden Circle members will volunteer at the Children’s Gasparilla
Parade January 24 and at the Tampa Garden Club’s Charity Beer Garden booth during the Gasparilla Parade January 31. Residents are encouraged to stop by and support the Garden Club. ¶
The TnC Garden Circle is focused on beautifying the community and educating members. The
meetings provide programs on flower arranging and a wide variety of information of value to a
gardener. Twelve Oaks gardeners, from brown thumbs to green thumbs, are welcome. For
information contact Claudia LeFevre-Lowry @ 813-855-8866 or Sharon Tischer Cooper @ 813
-886-2015.
Twelve Oaks.. Page 4
Town ’N Country Youth Council will meet Sun., Jan. 4 from 2 - 3:30 at the Town ‘N Country
Regional Library. The YC provides community service hours to teens for college scholarships
and National Honor Society membership. This month teens will be volunteering at the Tampa
Garden Club Center and at Rocky Creek Senior Village. Teens will also work with the Town
‘N Country Garden Circle maintaining the grounds at Shimberg Gardens, Jackson Springs Park,
and Town ‘N Country Park. The YC is part of Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and
Conservation Department and is open to all Town ‘N Country (including Twelve Oaks) teens
ages 12-17 who are attending school. For additional information about the Youth Council or to
request a membership application contact program chairman, Sherry Vennett at 813-624-2753.
Visit the Town ‘N Country Library: Book discussions, English conversational skills, computer classes in English and Spanish, e-books and e-readers, used book sales, activities for toddlers, teens and adults, and more are offered at our local library. (NOTE: The Library will be
closed Jan. 1 and 19) ► Every Friday at 10:30 “Get Into Fitness Today (GIFT)” will be available for adults only. Want to get healthier? This 12-week series, developed by the Florida
Department of Health in Hillsborough County, will provide information to improve health and
to develop healthier habits overall. Each class will include 30 minutes of light exercise and
there will be a mid-series trip to a local grocery store where participants will learn more about
dietary labels and shopping for healthy meals. (Limited to 10 participants
Continued page 6
News In Brief Continued...
Registration required) ►“Dispelling Common Misperceptions About Trees”
will be the topic of discussion at the Master Gardener Program on Thursday,
Jan. 8 at 6:30 pm (see paragraph below). ►A book discussion for English
Learners on The Wall: Growing Up Behind The Iron Curtain, by Peter Sis will
take place Monday, Jan. 12 at 11:00. Copies of the book are available at the
library. ►Jan.23 celebrate Black History month by attending “Why Mosquitoes
Buzz In Peoples Ears”, a puppet show presented by the Creative Arts Theatre of
the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department. Mosquito wants to make
himself seem important, so he tells a big lie! You will encounter puppets,
masks, dance, and African rhythms as you explore the wide range of emotions
that are evoked in this award-winning story. ►For information on these and
other library activities visit the Town ‘N Country website, click on Schedule of
Events or call (813) 801-6722.
The Hillsborough County Extension Service offers free plant clinics each
month at the Town and Country Library. The programs are given by
volunteer Master Gardeners that are trained by the University of Florida. All
information is research-based by the University. January’s topic is
“Dispelling Common Misperceptions About Trees”. Participants will learn
about the care and maintenance of trees and how to keep them healthy. The
program, offered to adults, will be held on Thursday, Jan.8 at 6:30 pm.
The Town 'N Country Senior Center provides stimulating activities including
health, wellness, educational programs, opportunities for socialization, and
nutritious meals in an environment for active, independent adults 50 years of age
and older. Located on the first floor of the Town ‘N Country Library, the Center
is open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. (NOTE: The Center will be
closed Jan.1 and 19). Cardio fitness, Zumba, Yoga, Tai Chi, and exercise
classes including cardio fitness are offered. On any given day, guests could be
working out in classes or alone in the fitness center, watching movies, gardening
in the center’s outdoor garden, playing Wii games, participating in art classes,
creative writing classes, playing billiards, ping-pong, bridge, bingo, mahjongg,
pinochle, and canasta. Computers are available for use and the Center provides
computer training. Seniors learn about Medicare, how to manage prescriptions,
good nutrition, and the importance of having blood pressure checks. Special
programs for January include:
Jan. 7 @ 11:30 – Florida Healthy Living Campaign presents: “Strawberries”
Jan. 14 @ 9:00 – AARP Smart Driver Course (Pre-registration required)
Jan. 15 @ 9:00 – Art / Talent Festival at MOSI
Jan. 19 @ 9:00 – SHINE Representative – Call Center to schedule an
appointment
Jan. 20 @ 11:30 – Health & Wellness presentation: “7Dimensions of
Wellness”
Jan. 29 @ 1:00 — USF Osher Lifelong Learning Institute presentation (Preregistration required)
For a calendar of events or additional information about the Town ‘N Country
Senior Center call (813) 873-6336.
2015 Children’s Gasparilla Parade is Saturday, Jan. 24 on Tampa’s
beautiful Bayshore Blvd. This alcohol free event includes a bicycle and
pedestrian Safety Rodeo (11:00 am), the Pre-Schoolers’ Stroll (1:30 pm), the
Gasparilla Air Invasion (3:00 pm), the Children’s Gasparilla Parade (3:30
pm), and at 7:00 pm. the Pirotechnic Extravaganza, a re-creation of the
imaginary sea battle between the pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla
and the City of Tampa. These activities set the scene for the colorful and
festive 2015 Gasparilla Pirate Fest that will take place Jan. 31. The
Gasparilla Pirate Fest includes the historic Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of
the Pirates presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. All events are free to
the public.
Homestead Exemption ― The state constitution of Florida allows up to
$50,000 to be deducted from the assessed value of a primary residence. The
deadline to file for a homestead exemption application is March 1, unless it falls
on a weekend or legal holiday, then it would extend to the next business day, to
have it apply for that year. You must own and have lived in the house as of
January 1, of that year to qualify. You may pre-qualify for homestead yearround for the following year. Once homestead is granted, it is automatically
renewed. For additional information and to learn about special discounts that
are available visit http://www.hcpafl.org/.
Twelve Oaks.. Page 6
Twelve Oaks Civic Association
Post Office Box 261012
Tampa, Florida 33685-1012
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
TAMPA FL
PERMIT NO. 1741
IKare Publishing is provided all articles in this
newsletter by the BOD or residents.
IKare Publishing is not responsible for content.
Your Realtor For Life.. Glenna Rubin!
When experience counts Count on experience
Selling HUNDREDS of homes since 1978--some more than once and
many times to children of original Buyers. Starting as a Twelve Oaks
resident, on Meadow Drive, from summer of 1975 to winter 1982.
As the wife of a USAF pilot, both of us growing up in Boston suburbs,
we were fortunate to have lived and/or traveled all over the world for 23 years.
Twelve years in upstate New York, almost four years in Germany and four years
in the Philippines. Then we retired at Mac Dill AFB. During those years we moved 17
times, so I know well the trials and tribulations of being both a Seller and a Buyer.
I can offer you my years of knowledge in traditional and short sales as well as free
staging advice and free Market Analysis so call Glenna at:
Broker-Associate
Cell 813-495-7434
Office: 813-908-8500
.
Email:
[email protected]
All you have to do is use an advertiser
in this issue! Yes, It’s that easy! When you need something
done in your home, or any services available in this newsletter
call on the advertisers that give your community a free
newsletter! Your community does not pay for your newsletter.
The advertisers in this newsletter pay to print and mail each
issue.
Email [email protected] and tell us the company you
used, your full name, address and phone number. Upon
verifying the information, we will select a winning name at
random each month.