The February
REMINDER 2011
**The Towers of Jacksonville*1400 Le Baron Ave*Jacksonville, FL 32207**(904)398-3406*Florida Relay 711**
Celebrating Local Elections Forthcoming
February
International Friendship
Month
Black History Month
Cherry Month
Groundhog Day
February 2 Well it is that time again to get out there and VOTE for our
local government leaders. MARCH 22, 2011 is the
Chinese New Year Preliminary Election for:
February 3 MAYOR
CITY COUNCILMEN
Super Bowl XLV CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE
February 6 PROPERTY APPRAISER
TAX COLLECTOR
Jell-O Week
We notice all the signs posted everywhere as we travel along but
February 6-12 what do we know about each candidate? Take time to know
those running; what are their goals and what are their values??
Get a Different Name Day Watch local programs for candidate debates. Be prepared to
February 13 vote on March 22, 2011.
Ferris Wheel Day & Please remember when you are in the common areas and are
Valentine’s Day speaking about local politicians (those present, past and future)
that you do not impose your opinion on others. We are not here
February 14
to campaign for anyone and those that vote have their own
opinions on who they would like to see elected.
Presidents’ Day (U.S.)
February 21 See the ACTIVITY CORNER for specifics on absentee ballots.
International Polar Bear Day To QUOTE Mark Twain: “It’s better to keep quiet and have
February 27 people think you stupid, than to talk and confirm it.”
18 RESIDENTS and 2 STAFF MEMBERS
CELEBRATED THEIR BIRTHDAYS WITH
NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS!
Mmmmm!!!
February 2011
February 2011
Great American Novelist
The novelist John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902. Steinbeck is considered one of
America’s greatest writers. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel The Grapes of Wrath, and wrote
Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, and Cannery Row. Having lived through the Great Depression, his
best works were about families struggling to get by during those Dust Bowl years. One of Steinbeck’s
greatest inspirations was his friend Ed Ricketts, a marine biologist. Steinbeck used to travel with
Ricketts up and down the California coast, collecting biological specimens and taking a break from his
writing career. In fact, many of Steinbeck’s characters were modeled after Ricketts. In 1962,
Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, and in 1964 he was awarded the United States
Medal of Freedom by President Lyndon Johnson.
February 2011
FROM THE As mentioned in the front page article regarding
absentee ballots, I have placed a form on the
ACTIVITY CORNER counter top in the lobby for you to LIST YOUR
NAME if you want the Supervisor of Elections to
send representatives to you in order to VOTE. The
schedule DATE for the Representative to come to
The Towers is March 9, 2011. The actual voting
date is March 22, 2011 and The Towers’ bus will
take Residents to our voting precinct that day.
IF YOU will be away and cannot vote on March
22, 2011 then you can vote early by placing your
name on the list.
NOW it is FEBRUARY, the month of friendship PLEASE print ONLY your name as designated on
and love, VALENTINE’S DAY! the form and then “sign” where designated. DO
AND then there is the SUPER BOWL. NOT put your BIRTH DATE on the list as I will
Of course, there are many reasons to celebrate and place the birth dates on the form before I fax the
this month at The Towers we will be a part. form to the Supervisor of Elections office.
I MUST HAVE THIS FORM FAXED BACK
BE SURE to place your February calendar in a TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
place where you will see it daily so as to be aware OFFICE BY FEBRUARY 11, 2011.
of the scheduled activities this month.
REMEMBER: chair exercise every Tuesday and
Thursday; Produce Man every Tuesday; Bingo
every Monday and Saturday; Vespers every
Sunday; APEX Wellness every Tuesday/Thursday CHILI COOK OFF
(free blood pressure and blood sugar checks);
and of course, GROCERY SHOPPING
every Friday.
YES, I am looking for ENTRIES to a CHILI
COOK OFF which will be held on Wednesday,
THIS month our MOVIE time features the 2-23-11 (National Chili Day is 2-24-11). COME
25th Anniversary of the GOLDEN GIRLS. ONE; COME ALL to taste the delicious chili.
Join us for an hour or so of laughter The judges will consist of The Towers Staff
(it does the heart good). which will have no clue as to whose CHILI they
are tasting. The Residents are invited to come
The first Wednesday (2-2-11) and eat the chili at a mere $1.00 per bowl.
CHAT with DAWN PRIZES and FUN! Flyers will be posted around
and I am asking for you to come and the building with more DETAILS!!
BRING your BAG LUNCH
along with your ideas for having fun.
Stay prepared and safe on the new day dawning,
Dawn
February 2011
Hang up if someone calls unsolicited asking
for your Medicare number in connection with a
survey or other purpose.
FROM YOUR SERVICE COORDINATOR
Do not lend your Medicare number or identity
"Keep your faith in beautiful things; to someone else to be used to obtain a service.
in the sun when it is hidden, It's illegal.
in the Spring when it is gone."
- Roy R. Gibson More information:
http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov or 800-633-
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! 4227. To report Medicare fraud,
I hope you all realize you always have someone to HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov or 800-447-8477.
love everyday…YOU!
Be a part of your Resident Council!!! Be a part
There is a lot of information and warnings in this of your COMMUNITY!
months’ newsletter.
WARNING: If you are called by someone claiming Resident Council “informal” meeting February
they need you to give them money for someone you 14, 2011 at 1:30pm.
may or may not know, please get their telephone
number and tell them you will call them back. Call Until next month, take care of yourselves and stay
the person the caller is claiming to call about and safe.
see if what the person is claiming is true. DO NOT
EVER GIVE THEM YOUR INFORMATION; i.e.; Many Hugs,
Medicare, Social Security, Bank, etc. information! Dorris
Now onto what’s happening this month and some
helpful information:
February 1, 8, 15, 22 – Wellness Clinic –
10am– 12pm "Be mindful of how you approach time.
February 3, 10, 17, 24 – Wellness Clinic– 2pm Watching the clock is not the same as watching
– 4pm
the sun rise."
February 17 – Heart health presentation @
1:00pm
How Medicare patients can avoid Transportation help:
identity theft:
Fred-Cathedral Resident 239-1350
Guard your Medicare and Social Security Promise Transportation 374-3152 or
numbers as carefully as credit cards. 624-0655
Be suspicious of someone on the phone or in JTA Connexion application 265-6001
person offering cash, gifts or free services in
exchange for your Medicare number.
Do not give your personal information to sales
agents who contact you uninvited. They are not
allowed to call or visit unless you agree in
advance.
February 2011
From the Maintenance Crew:
Hello Everyone,
Call the Front Desk and request pest treatment if
Let’s cover the facility heating set up. Our current
you see any critters in your apartment.
system can only provide hot or cold air to the
entire building, not both at the same time. The
Now let’s talk about lighting. All light fixtures are
system is switched manually by the Maintenance
manufactured for specific light bulb “sizes”,
Staff. It is not automatic. To accommodate many
meaning maximum wattage ratings. Our fixtures
different people with this system, the following
are standard fixtures and have the following
guidelines are used. When the outside air
maximum ratings: range hood bulbs cannot be
temperature is forecast to remain below 50
bigger than 40W, ceiling fixtures 60W, and bath
degrees, the heat is on. If the temperature is
fixtures 100W. Please do not put yourself and your
forecast to exceed 65 degrees, the air conditioner
neighbors at risk using higher wattage bulbs.
is turned on. If the temperature is in between,
neither is on. You can contact ext 104 or look in
Turner Pest Control is scheduled to do these floors
the Receptionist’s window to see what is operating
this month:
at any time. If you are cold, please call ext 104 and
11th Floor – Feb 1st
let us know. Please do not use your oven or stove
12th Floor – Feb 8th
burners as a space heater. That is a very
1st Floor – Feb 15th
dangerous fire hazard and destroys the range as
2nd Floor – Feb 22nd
well. You cannot be replaced and the damage to
plus work orders received each week. If you have
the range cannot be repaired. A good option is to
seen any pests, submit a work order for treatment
purchase a portable electric heater. They are
as soon as possible.
available at most department and home supply
stores for a cost of $20 & up. And don’t forget, all
Again, please help us. We want to keep The
portable heaters are required to be checked by
Towers looking good & in good operating
Maintenance to be issued a letter authorizing use
condition. Submit all work orders, potential
in your apartment. Please be safe.
problems, and suggestions to the Receptionist’s
desk, ext. 104.
I’d like to cover pest control and your “role” in
that process. Pests are looking for food, water and
shelter. The hardest for them to find is a steady
supply of food. Pests eat nearly anything and can
Thank you.
thrive on the crumbs that fall on the floor when
you butter your toast, trash that sits too long in
See you ‘round the building,
your apartment and even the liquid spills that may
Rod - extension 105,
get between the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets.
Tanya, Leon, Alberto, & James
Here is where I’m going. If any food or liquid is
not cleaned up in short order, the pests are moving
in. This can also affect all your neighbors.
Keeping a clean home is the BEST defense against
having a pest problem. The second is preventative
pest treatment and for that, we have Turner Pest
Control. Our guy is here to do prevention
treatment every Tuesday. You can see the floors
and dates scheduled in this article each month.
February 2011
From the Administrator
KW/hour Consumption/Sq.Ft.
Happy Valentine's Day...
Apt Type Jan. 2011 Jan. 2010
and President's Day and Groundhog Day and Black Studio 235.07 268.03
History Month...and according to a variety of Internet 1-Bedroom 376.71 429.53
calendars, February also celebrates American History
Month, American Heart Month, International Friendship
Month, National Wild Bird Feeding Month, Responsible It can be seen from the table that the average daily
Pet Owners' Month, National Cherry Month, National temperature was 2% cooler for the month this year
Grapefruit Month, National Embroidery Month, National than the year before. This resulted in less
Snack Food Month, and Children's Dental Health Month! consumption and some cost savings. None-the-less,
(Think there's a connection between those last two?) the total cost of electricity was $15,691.20.
Whew---that's a lot to think about this month---and I
didn't even include all the other days and weeks of
significance in February! But perhaps Valentine's Day is Please take the time to read Dorris’ column this
the one significant day this month that touches us all, in month. Be aware that someone is trying a “scam” to
many different ways. It's a day to celebrate love and get money from you. Don’t let yourself be a victim.
relationships---shared with husbands, wives, children,
parents, romantic partners, friends, teachers, and others
we love and who love us. On the one hand, Valentine's May the Creator of us all keep you safe.
Day---like many other occasions---could be seen as an
over-commercialized day that generates big bucks for Michael McClernon
the greeting card, candy, floral, and other industries. On
the other hand, we can make Valentine's Day---and the
whole month, if we choose---a time to renew and
strengthen the many important relationships in our lives.
It can also be a time to think about our relationships with
grown children, grandchildren and the many others who
have touched our lives
As always, energy cost is an important topic. Here
are the January statistics:
Cost
Apt Type Jan. 2011 Jan. 2010
Studio $27.36 $28.70
1-Bedroom $43.84 $46.00
Avg. Temp1 50oF. 51oF.
(1Jacksonville Naval Air Station as of billing period)