AUTOMOBILE PARKING - Marsh Creek Owners … · not to follow the Community Standards for automobile parking ... but the new locations and equipment ... either Board or Committee member,

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It is becoming increasingly evident that many residents of Marsh Creek choose not to follow the Community Standards for automobile parking outlined in the Governing Documents. These standards, requiring owners to utilize their full garage space to park their motor vehicles, were established to promote the overall appearance and ambiance of our environment and can be found in paragraph II( 8) of the Community Standards. We are all aware of communities, some quite close to Marsh Creek, where the density of parked vehicles overpowers the appearance of the neighborhood. Marsh Creek has not yet descended to such a level, but regrettably some of our more uncaring residents seem willing to nudge it in that direction. During an early morning ride- around on Sunday 11/21 by the Compliance Committee, 149 homes (25% of homes in the community) had 223 motor vehicles parked in their driveways. As it was 7-30am, it’s a reasonable assumption that none of these vehicles had been garaged overnight .Sometimes, there are legitimate and understandable reasons why family circumstances cause homeowners to utilize their driveways to park vehicles overnight, but personal convenience, laziness, or a garage full of household paraphernalia are not among them. Nor is this about an overbearing Compliance Committee trying to regulate how home owners use their property. We all agreed to follow the Guiding Principles of the community when we acquired our property. Out of mutual respect for our neighbors, all home owners have an obligation to honor those commitments and contribute to the positive impact of neighborhood landscaping efforts by parking their vehicles behind closed garage doors.

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VISIT US ONLINEVisit the online version of the

Marsh Creek News Journal

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NewsJournalVOL. 10, NO. 5MARCH 2011 Published for and distributed free to the Marsh Creek Community since 2001

Here we are, ready for Spring and the greening process beginning again. Speaking of green, a note about our financial situation: Through careful scrutiny of our expenditures by our Finance Committee, led by Hugh Peters, we finished the past year within budget and have determined that there will be no need to increase the quarterly assessment for this year. Remember, it was $13 a quarter higher two years ago!The Roads and Common Properties Committee, headed by Bruce Strauss, and the Patio Homes Committee with Charlie Compton at the helm, have plans in place for ensuring that the community will be green and lush again this year. Unfortunately, the large variable to these plans is rainfall, which seems to be illusive at best. Alex Becker is our rainfall expert, but he is unwilling to take responsibility for the lack of it. Bruce and Marilyn Draper are looking extensively at the plantings on common properties to insure that we have flowers, bushes and trees that will continue to thrive in our draught and unusually cold environment. Charlie is looking at the grass situation to determine the best method of countering the onset of weeds that we experience every year. Patio home owners will be receiving an information sheet about the upcoming grass growing season and what to anticipate with regards to weed eradication. The information will also be posted on the website.Alex Becker of the Roads and Common Properties Committee oversaw the recent updates to our barcode readers at each gate. The minor interruptions may have seemed like an inconvenience, but the new locations and equipment modifications will ensure a much safer and secure entry. The likelihood of a gate closing on a vehicle has been greatly reduced, along with the attendant liability issues. The bottom line is: a safer gate and dollar savings at the same time. I think Neil Beck and his security team did a good job of minimizing the impact of the changes on the residents. If you haven’t been to the Marsh Creek website lately, I encourage you to do so. Neil Beck and Sandy Brown do a great job of keeping it up to date with recent news that is relevant to our residents. As well, they have added links and video segments that give you some very useful computer information, as well as some lighthearted humor. The website is a very valuable tool in providing you with information and it is just a click away.Recently I have been notified that my articles are unfair competition to the sleeping pill industry, so I will keep this to a minimum. Trust me when I tell you that each and every volunteer, either Board or Committee member, is giving a lot of time and effort to make the community all it can be. You are invited to become one of them!

Tim Palmer

B y T i m Pa l m e r

B y m a r s h C r e e k O w n e r s a s s O C i aT i O n

AUTOMOBILE PARKING IN MARSH CREEK

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In February and March we will be pruning oak trees as part of our annual rotating 35 oak tree schedule and we will prune the A-1-A Canopy area.The annual rotating 35 oak tree schedule will focus on completing the Villas area oaks on Common Property (CP) along Fiddler’s Dr. and both CP and patio lots on Ria Mirada. We will also prune oaks on Wandering Lakes Lane. Please watch for the trucks and Tree men in February. Please drive slowly, allow more time, and keep the workers safe in these work zones.Tree Medic will be pleased to schedule private home tree work at the time. For an appointment call Dena at 794-0003 or Eddie at 669-5028. The A-1-A Canopy area between A-1-A and the bridge behind the Guard House will be pruned in February/ March. We will try to avoid schedule conflicts with the school buses during the days of tree work. Please watch for the trucks and Tree men. Please instruct students to keep a safe distance from the work zone. Allow extra time when driving in the work zone to keep everyone safe.Shaw Tree Service will be pleased to schedule private home tree work at the time. For an appointment call 794-7053.The MCOA thanks you all for your cooperation as we work together to keep Marsh Creek beautiful.

B y m a r s h C r e e k O w n e r s a s s O C i aT i O n

OAK TREE PRUNING

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Month YtD Month YtD % Change 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 ALL 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 ALL vs. last yearJAn 4 4 7 4 4 7 6 4.2 3.5 3.5 4.2 3.5 3.5 2.5 0%

FEB 4 7 8 11 6 2.8 4.0 7.0 7.5 3.1

MAR 6 11 14 22 6 3.6 9.8 10.6 17.3 3.4

APR 4 4 18 26 6 6.4 1.7 17.0 19.0 2.9

MAY 9 4 27 30 6 18.2 5.5 35.2 24.5 3.3

JUn 9 4 36 34 8 8.4 1.7 43.6 26.2 5.2

JUL 13 4 49 38 9 6.1 4.6 49.7 30.8 5.8

AUG 8 10 57 48 8 5.1 4.5 54.8 35.3 5.7

SEP 5 3 62 51 10 5.3 1.8 60.1 37.1 7

oCt 2 1 64 52 8 0.5 0.7 60.6 37.8 5.5

noV 5 2 69 54 4 1.4 0.3 62.0 38.1 2.3

DEC 9 3 78 57 6 6.0 0.6 67.9 38.7 2.8

totAL 78 57 7 83 67.9 38.7 49.5

we had 3.5 inches of rainfall in January spread over 7 days.January rainfall was the same as last year. this report is also available on our Community web site (MCoa.us). two additional columns have been added to the report showing the 90 year averages of days of rain and monthly rain amounts. they are labeled aLL. Attention Owners of Patio/Villa HomesPlease note any lawn problems at your home or that of a out of town neighbor.

report it to May Management or via a stressed Grass form on our web site (MCoa.us).

rain amounts (in inches)rain days

Note: rainfall is measured by the MCoa Patio Homes Committee 2/13/11

If you participated in the 50’s Party last year you will remember (well some of us may…) the fabulous time everyone had listening to nostalgic songs dance numbers and dancing away the hours – many dressed up in colorful outfits of the era!Same game – different era this year! We are planning on the Nostalgia Band to provide the music. Joe’s gang in the kitchen will put on the timely sixties food items on an ample buffet table – all you can eat! A Drawing By Chance will win a substantial cash prize of at least $1,000 for the lucky winner!Come hear the music of The Monkees, Etta James – “At Last – My love has come along!” The Beach Boys, and, of course, the Beatles!Acquisition: DEFINIUM AMX 700 - a Mobile Digital Radiographic System (bedside X-Ray) will be purchased for the Emergency Room. Proceeds from the Sixties Party will be applied toward this goal. More details about this extraordinary device in the next MCNJ issue.Congratulations to Sue Foley for agreeing to chair this important fundraiser for the second year! For additional information: Call Sue at 461-1624

thursday March 22, 2011 - 10 aM until 8 PM

Friday March 24, 2011 - 10 aM until 6 PM

Saturday March 25, 2011 - 10 aM until 5 PM

20,000 new and used books. Like new hardback bestsellers with dust jackets, $2 each. Most other books priced at $1. Mass Market paperbacks 50 cents. Children’s books 25 cents to $1. Videocas-settes, audio Books, Cds $1. dVds $2. approximately 500 special priced items include sets of books, books by local authors or about st. augustine. signed, first editions, deluxe editions, and like-new Coffee table titles $3 to $50

For information, Call don Guttinger (904) 471-5228

Marsh Creek Connectors to Host Spring FundraiserP e T e O rv i s - Contributing Editor

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH LIBRARY ANNUAL SPRING BOOK SALE

Y’all Come dredge up and celebrate your memories of the Sixties Era. A Fundraiser for Flagler Hospital Connectors on Saturday April 2, 6:30-10:30 is the time! Marsh Creek Clubhouse is the place. Tickets: $60.00 each. Proceeds to Flagler Health Care Foundation. Invitations will be mailed to each Marsh Creek resident and club member.

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1 - Marsh Creek Connectors presented the first in our series of informative health seminars on Tuesday January 25th. The subject was UNDERSTANDING RADIOLOGY which was an extraordinarily thorough explanation of all the various Radiology applications used at Flagler Hospital to diagnose and treat patients for a wide variety of medical conditions.Doctor Arif S. Kidwai presented a very easy to understand Power Point explanation of each major type of radiology with actual views of the results.

We learned the differences between X-Ray, CAT Scan and MRI and other specialized pictures as well as why the

addition of “contrast” greatly enhances the resulting image detail. Attendees were able to ask specific questions which elicited detailed discussion with Dr. Kidwai. Doctor Robert Talliaferro and Marsh Creek resident Dr. Milton Mendehall volunteered additional comments and detail to richly enhance the meeting. All attendees acclaimed this presentation as enormously successful and educational.

2 – The next “What’s Up Doc?” Seminar is planned for Thursday April 7 at 5PM in the clubhouse. The subject this time will be Oh!

My Aching Back! - a subject of vital interest to most Creek residents. Doctor Miguel Machado – also a March Creek resident - and Dr. David Greenwald will present various details about the causes and cures for various types of spinal problems. Marsh Creek HomeshowPeggy Gachet and Greg Crum recruited a selection of invited vendors who have perform home improvement services in Marsh Creek on Saturday January 29. Over 20 vendors attended with table tops displays. The program also included four highly qualified consultants discussing elements

The Marsh Creek Connectors –

HAPPENINGS

Dr. Mendenhall, Cachet, Talliaferro

Arif S KIdwai, Lee Oliver, Orvis

Marsh Creek Country Club Members, Residents and Guests

would like to thank our Sponsors for their generosity in the support of our chosen Charities

A1A DISCOUNT BEVERAGES

Benefits will go to the Joanne Arnett Tutschek Fund,

providing breast cancer diagnostic procedures through

Flagler Health Care Foundation & The Bailey Family Center for Caring,

the new hospice center at Flagler Hospital

Tim’s Wine-Market

of Law, Insurance, Tax and Decorating topics, each hosting a 45 minute session regarding their specialties.Huge FREE Hot Dogs were also offered to make this event a very popular opportunity for residents to have face to face conversations with vendors. Proceeds of this event were very generously donated to the Flagler Health Care Foundation.

P e T e O rv i s Contributing Editor

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The MCWA is open to all women who belong to the Marsh Creek Country Club. We are both a social and philanthropic organization of caring and fun-loving women. Why not come visit us as a guest at our March or April luncheons and consider becoming a member for the 2011-2012 Season? You can visit our website www.marshcreekwomen.org to see the benefits of membership, photographs of previous events, charities that we assist, and information about upcoming social and fund-raising events. Be sure to check out the Orientation section on our website that explains in detail about our organization. It is starting to feel like spring which means you should get your brushes, cameras, sculptures, and crafts ready. We are calling all artists to submit their art pieces to The Eleventh Annual Marsh Creek Arts and Craft Show. The show will take place on April 12th, 13th, and 14th at the Marsh Creek Country Club. Complete details and the registration form are available on our website www.marshcreekwomen.org. We look forward to viewing your new and exciting expressions of creativity. At our March 9th luncheon meeting we will be presenting checks to the Joanne Arnett Tutschek Fund, a breast cancer diagnostic program, and the Bailey Family Center for Caring, our new hospice in-patient center at Flagler Hospital. In 2010 we were able to give each of these foundations $5,000. We hope this year’s checks will be at least $5,000 each (once we tally the results of our February 25th Wine-Tasting Fundraiser). Throughout the year, MCWA has also given help to the St. John’s County Council on Aging Sunshine Center, the Betty Griffin House Sexual Assault Recovery Center at Flagler Hospital, St. Augustine Youth Services Trails Program, St. Francis House,

St. Gerard’s Home, and St. John’s County Social Services Drop-In Center. The assistance that we provide for these local charities would not be possible without the continue support of our members, the Marsh Creek Country Club community, and local corporate sponsors. As the 2010-2011 season of the Marsh Creek Women Association comes to a close, we would like to give a special thank you to our own Marsh Creek Country Club and Hyundai of St. Augustine for their above and beyond continuous support of our Community Outreach. The Community Outreach Committee, led by Pam Celestino, Mimi Ianuzzi, and Beverly Goodwin, deserves our applause and thank you for an outstanding year of helping our community.The social part of our season will end with two luncheons. A

B y D o n n a S . D ’ a m i c o

MARSH CREEK WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION special thank you goes to our Vice-President Peggy Cutrino, who planned the marvelous programs and lunch menus for the 2010-2011 Season. Our March 9, 2011, luncheon program will be the Musical Theatre Vocal Company of the Florida School of the Arts. Come enjoy an exuberant, exciting performance by an ensemble of music majors as they dazzle us with show tunes. At this March luncheon meeting, we will be voting on the MCWA By-Laws and introducing the slate of officers for the 2011-2012 Season. For lunch, Chef Joe is preparing spinach quiche with a side salad served with raspberry vinaigrette and fresh fruit garnish and rolls and butter. Dessert will be vanilla ice cream with toasted almonds topped with chocolate and caramel sauce. Our April 13, 2011 luncheon program is “The Razzle Dazzle Art Show,” better known as the Eleventh Annual Marsh Creek Arts and Craft Show, where artists of Marsh Creek will display examples of their talent and creativity. We will vote for and install our 2011-2012 officers at this luncheon

meeting. Chef Joe will be serving herb encrusted chicken breast with tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella served with hummus, kalamata olives, sliced pickles and pita bread. Dessert is a wonderful spring treat, strawberry parfait over vanilla ice cream.We hope you plan on attending these last two luncheon programs for our 2010-2011 Season. Be sure to make your reservations by calling the Marsh Creek Country Club’s front desk at 461-1101. We look forward to seeing you.Our next social outing will be on March 18, 2011. It will be a bus trip to the Winter Park, Florida, Art Show. You can stroll through the fantastic art displays, go for a boat ride,

or take a tour of the Morse Museum. We are trying to arrange for an afternoon of bowling at the Anastasia Bowling Lanes for April. If we can arrange this event, details will be on our website. A warm thank you is given to all the MCWA Board, Committee Chairs, and Committee members for all their hard work that gave us another successful MCWA year. Everyone says “Congratulations and Kudos” and a special thank you to our President Cheryl Steimle, who has led us through another wonderful and exciting season of the MCWA! It has been a “Dazzling” year! We hope to see all of you back for the 2011-2012 Season!

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In recent years the term “Glass Ceiling” has become common as an indicator of the limitations women face when attempting to reach higher positions in business and government. while it may have been in place when Doris Guidi was pursuing her career, it only served as a temporary obstacle to her intellect, focus and determination. For Doris, broken glass was all around her most of the time. Read on! Doris Guidi is a New York City native, although she was born in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts while her parents were vacationing. Her parents had emigrated from england to New York City in pursuit of the best possible education for their children. Doris started her life in academia very early. She qualified for admittance in the Hunter College Model elementary school, a specialty school for advanced educational techniques that was run by the New York Board of Higher education. Upon completing the sixth grade, she qualified for admittance to the Hunter middle school and later qualified again for admittance to the high school. During those formative school years, Doris excelled in mathematics and science. Following graduation from high school, Doris won the Macintosh Award, an academic, four year scholarship to the University of Rochester for individuals of scottish ancestry. while there she majored in Biology with minors in Chemistry and education, with the intent of becoming a physician. Toward the end of her years at University of Rochester, Doris met a handsome young engineering student named Bill Guidi who was attending near-by syracuse University and her career focus changed. After graduation from U of R, she won a teaching fellowship in Biology at syracuse University with the intent of earning a Master’s degree in education.Doris and Bill married after his graduation from syracuse University and the young couple moved to england where Bill worked for ITT. The time in

B y T i m P a l m e r

Doris GuiDi – ColleGe Professor, enerGetiC leaDer

england was a great opportunity for Doris to renew relationships with her parent’s relatives who continued to live in the “Old Country”. During the two years in england, Doris worked as a substitute teacher at the junior high school level. As well, while living in the Oxford area, she became a student at the famous Oxford University where she studied Physiology. After two years in england, Doris and Bill returned to Hartsdale, New York where Doris became an assistant researcher for new products for a major pharmaceutical company. After a year in Hartsdale, it was off to Munich, Germany for two years and lots of travel throughout europe and, as well, the arrival of their son eric. The two years in Germany went by quickly and Doris, Bill and eric returned to the Us and settled on Long Island, New York where their daughter Cynthia was born. Doris worked as a teacher while the children were young and took courses at Long Island University, which led to a Masters Degree in Medical Biology. Afterward, she was offered a position as an Academic Advisor at LIU and that was the beginning of a 22 year career with the University. while working for LIU, Doris entered and completed studies for a Doctorate (ed.D.) in Medical ethics at Fairleigh-Dickinson University in Hackensack, New Jersey.Back at Long Island University, Doris’s career flourished. In sequence, her positions were: Director, Nuclear Medicine Technology Program as well as Instructor of Medical Biology; Director of the Office of Life experience; Chairperson of the Health science Department and, later, Assistant Dean of Health Professions. In 1986 she was named Provost of the C.w Post Campus, Long Island University. Doris was the first and only female to date to hold the Provost position at the LIU Post Campus. In 1995 she retired and was designated Professor emeritus at LIU.Doris’s activities were not limited to the academic community. she

has served on numerous boards and councils in the New York area and, as well, in st. Augustine. she is a Trustee at the whitney Laboratory for Marine sciences (part of the University of Florida, across from Marine Land), a continuing consultant to Flagler College on the establishment of an environmental sciences curriculum and a speaker for women’s leadership programs. The list of publications, presentations and honors received during Doris’s career would add several pages to this article, but suffice it to say, many people and organizations have recognized her intellect and leadership abilities. Doris and Bill became familiar with st. Augustine early in their lives. Looking for a location to get a respite from the winter snows of syracuse, the young couple decided

that st. Augustine would be a good place to vacation. They enjoyed their experience in the Oldest City and began visiting whenever their work schedules and vacation times allowed. They eventually purchased a condominium on the beach, which led to even more enjoyment of the town. In 2006 they built their home in Marsh Creek, planning on it being a second home to their residence on Long Island. Time (and probably cold New York winters) has since increased their presence in st. Augustine and they intend to be here full time in the future.Aside from parent’s relatives, Doris and Bill still have a connection to england – their daughter Cynthia lives there with her husband and three children. The lure of europe, england and grandchildren has taken the Guidis

back on numerous occasions, from which they have logged 37 transatlantic ship crossings. Their son, eric, pursued the career his mother once thought of – medicine – and is a successful orthopaedic surgeon in the washington DC area, where he resides with his wife and three children.Doris has continued her active lifestyle while here in st. Augustine. when not playing tennis with one of two teams here in Marsh Creek, she and husband Bill are active in the st. Augustine Art Association and are volunteer whale watchers.Hopefully, the expression “Glass Ceiling” will someday be as old fashioned as studebaker automobiles. And when it is, Doris Guidi will be one of those who made it happen.

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A momentous event occurred in Marsh Creek on January 5th. Cleopatra--or was it Liz Taylor dressed as Cleo?--or was it Nancy Erion pretending to be Liz playing Cleo? No matter. The Book Club, again sparsely attended, was entertained with a synopsis of Liz’s marital escapades. Nancy brought Liz to life in all her bawdiness. How to Be a Movie Star by William Mann, although overly long for my tastes, was a better book than I thought it would be. I came from the reading of it with a better understanding of this larger than life, but very complex, star--and with a bit more respect for her than I thought possible.

There are some authors whose books I always read; James Lee Burke is one such writer. I particularly like his Dave Robicheaux series. Over the holidays I devoured The Glass Rainbow, his 17th in that series. Now I sit on tenterhooks for the 18th as I came away with unanswered questions. If you have not discovered James Lee Burke, I urge you to head for the library now. Start with one of his earlier Robicheaux novels such as Neon Rain or Black Cherry Blues so that you can

become familiar with Dave’s background and the cast of recurring characters. And I do mean “characters”! You won’t be disappointed.

February 2nd found people gathering in the Men’s Card Room for a lively discussion of Kathryn Stockett’s The Help, led by Eileen Fitzpatrick. When asked if anyone did not enjoy the novel, based on the author’s own experiences but set in the turbulent 60’s, only Harry Metz said, “So - So!” A 3rd person observer, Miss Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minnie--we see the story unfold through these very different perspectives. A book is proposed, telling of the relationships of a group of black women with the white families for whom they work. The strife surrounding Jackson, Mississippi, makes these women very reluctant to share their experiences. But share they do--and the results shake up the whole town, black and white alike. Following the process of the book’s creation makes for a very moving story, one we all recommend.

Join us the first Wednesday of March at 7 PM to talk about Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. His argument about what makes people succeed is a bit unusual and Nancy Perry will guide us through his peculiar logic. See you then. You don’t have to have read the book to learn what Book Club members thought of it, so come. Meanwhile, curl up with a favorite author’s works and enjoy!!

B y m a r T y r o u n D

The Bespectacled Reader

Marty Round

“Hello Neighbors, Here’s a recipe called Panzanella from a friend who recently visited our fair city. she is the owner/operator and fabulous cook of a farmhouse Inn in tuscany. Hope you enjoy it, we did! Please share your favorite recipes and send them to [email protected] and we will publish them.

Thank you!” Louise

Panzanella Recipe• Ingredients for 8/10 people• Time of preparation: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:• Tuscan bread

(better if it’s old of some days);• 2 cucumbers; 4 white onions;• 6 tomatoes; basil; tuna fish;• Extra virgin olive oil; salt and pepper.

METHOD OF PREPARATION:Take the bread old of some days and put it in a container with water, so that it will become softer. (it will takes about 15-20 minutes).Cut all the vegetables: cucumbers in thin slices, onions in slices and then put them into water and a bit of white vinegar to turn off their strong flavours, tomatoes in pieces, chop the basil.Take out and squeeze the bread from the water, so that it will be dry and take the onions out from the vinegar.In a bowl put the bread and mix it with a fork so that you’ll crash all the pieces, then add the cucumbers, the onions and the tomatoes. Mix everything. If you like, to have a better taste you can add tuna fish and mix everything again. Then add the chopped basil, pour olive oil and add salt and pepper. Mix everything and then put it in the fridge, just to serve it cold as an appetizer or vegetable.

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I have been absolutely delighted with the response to e-News. All the comments I have been getting after each edition are positive and people are happy to be getting a regular source of relevant information for the community and the area. If that is to continue, it depends on your support.Up to now e-News has had a limited number of items for sale but I need more! Especially in a gated community like ours where we don’t have garage sales and it isn’t convenient to sell things through the newspaper, putting your items in e-News is the best and easiest thing to do. We even sold a car through e-News a couple of months ago so we know it can work. So, if your garage is filled with wonderful things you don’t want anymore and you want to find a new home for them, let me have the details and I’ll put them in e-News. One person’s castaways are another person’s treasures.Our recommendations section has also had a positive response but we really need to fill out the breadth of suppliers that we can recommend to our neighbors. House cleaners are the most common recommendation I get asked for. I know many of you have house cleaners and, in today’s economy, some of them might just be looking for more work. So if you have someone to recommend, first ask him/her if he/she wants more work then let me know who and how to make contact. Finally, e-News can be a conduit for promoting your organizational events. Organizations like the Marsh Creek Women’s Association and the Marsh Creek Connectors are already using e-News to promote their events. But, it can be even more basic than that. Do you have a bike group that rides every Monday down to the beach that invites new members or a bridge group looking for new players? Advertise in e-News. There might just be some people out there looking for what you have to offer. Thanks again for your support. Keep it coming!Neil

By neil Beck

News

If your garage is filled with wonderful things you don’t want anymore and you want to find a new home for them, let me have the details and I’ll put them in e-News.

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Our first two articles discussed the St. Johns County Utility Department’s (SJCUD) waste treatment plant immediately north of Marsh Creek, the use of reclaimed wastewater by the Club to irrigate the golf course, and how our lakes are connected and maintained. We also mentioned the discussions between the MCOA and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) regarding MCOA use of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation purposes. The recent long drought saw our lakes recede to levels never before experienced (see photos), which has caused problems with operating and maintaining our irrigation systems. These problems make the use of reclaimed wastewater to supplement the lake levels an option worth considering. So what does the future hold for this precious community resource? To answer this question, it’s helpful to understand Florida’s unique history, current situation, and future challenges regarding water usage. Florida is blessed with an abundance of water sources. Our state is home to 10,000 miles of rivers and streams, 700 springs, and 7,800 lakes. We sit atop an aquifer containing an estimated 1 quadrillion gallons, from which over 90% of our state’s population obtains its water. These aquifer withdrawals have increased as population has grown, and, in fact, have outstripped the ability of our often copious, but usually erratic, rainfall to replenish it. These trends run counter to most other states where despite population growth, withdrawals have flattened thanks to conservation and greater efficiencies. Nationally, water usage has been declining for the

past 30 years. Our profligacy has resulted in four of the five Florida water-management districts, including SJRWMD, predicting that traditional groundwater sources will be insufficient to meet future demands. The projected shortfalls in groundwater are increasing the importance of water conservation, reclaimed wastewater use, and the development of alternative water supplies such as brackish groundwater, surface water, and seawater. While natural causes contribute to the shortage (for instance, the 1998-2001 drought was the worst in Florida’s recorded history), man-made causes are the predominate ones. Agriculture is the state’s biggest user (48% of consumption), and it accounts for the largest ag irrigation usage east of the Mississippi. As with overall water use, Florida’s ag consumption is running counter to the national trend of declining usage. Florida’s 1,200 golf courses are another big user. We have more than any other state, with an estimated 134,000 acres, of which 90% are irrigated. But most are efficient water users due to cost concerns, and our club’s use of treated waste water makes it part of a small, but fortunately growing, trend to reduce groundwater usage. A special note here concerns the bottled water industry. There are about 60 bottling-related companies with Florida operations, and while their withdrawals are minor compared to those mentioned above, they do so at no charge for the resource. In Florida, where other users are being asked to cut groundwater pumping, and where citizens

continued on page 15

WATER PART III: FLORIDA’S FUTURE

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Now while some of this is tongue-in-cheek, taken as a totality, the above list, as absurd as it may seem, does reflect a number of associations that Americans make about the Japanese. America’s relationship with Japan has been a long and complex one, evolving in a very tortuous and often tragic manner. America and Japan, though, in the long run, have given each other a great deal that is positive, despite the distrust, suspicion and hostility that has frequently characterized our relationship since Commodore Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay in 1854. Japan’s own history, like that of many nations, has been tumultuous and violent. The long period of the Tokugawa Shogunate prior to the arrival of U.S. warships was especially so.


There are always things that one misses when one travels anywhere. Time constraints, cancelations, schedule changes, delays, too many options -- there is always something one could have seen, should have seen, might have seen, if only ... well, you get the idea. So, before I tell you what the Sabatellas, Thomsens and VanZantens did see in the land of the rising sun, here are some things we missed:a fat farm for overweight sumo wrestlersa restaurant serving deep-fried sushi and sashimia home for retired Kamikaze pilotsa forest of giant Bonzai treesa reform school for wayward Geishasa filthy subway platform or a littered streeta late arrival of the Bullet traina free refill on a sodaa meal for under $20.00an apology for Pearl Harbora Zen Buddhist monk with anger management issuesa street vendor selling knockoff samurai swords made in L.a.a city without a ramen noodle shop or a Macdonalds

Special Section thru page 14

Lake Chuzenji / near Nikko

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Bullet train / Kyoto stationBackstreets of Tokyo

The Bronze Buddha - Tdaiji Temple / NaraHiroshima / near Ground Zero

Japanese society itself is extremely complex, still reflecting the rigid social stratification of its feudal past. The Japanese language is a labyrinth of social conventions and honorifics imbedded in its morphology and syntax, reflecting the speaker’s social status relative to the person whom he is addressing. Yet now, after hundreds of years of contact with Europeans, specifically the Dutch and English, and over 150 years with the Americans, and after its humiliating defeat in WW2, Japan has emerged as a highly industrialized democracy and critical economic and military partner to us and the European Union.We arrived in Tokyo at night and in light rain. The city was ablaze with light and neon signs. One of the world’s largest cities, it is a maze of streets and highways. Everywhere there are high-rises and skyscrapers. Traffic everywhere, Tokyo has most of the characteristics of any large Western city. And why not? -- it was devastated by fire-bombing in WW2. Little is left of the old Tokyo. From the Ginza to Roppongi, much of Tokyo sparkles. It is only in the older pockets such as the markets, the back streets, and Buddhist and Shinto temples where the more traditional Japan is to be found.Several hours outside of Tokyo is a different word -- rural, alpine, serene. The Toshogu Shrine at Nikko, which houses the the mausoleum of the first Tokugawa shogun (Ieyasu), is a magnificent reminder of an earlier age.Southwest of Tokyo lies Mount Fuji, still revered as a site for pilgrims seeking to connect with Japan’s spiritual past. Nearby set in the spectacular Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, is the hot-springs resort town of Hakone.Kyoto is a city of more than a thousand temples, one of the most magnificent of which is SanJuSan, containing a thousand fuller than life size statues of the Buddha. The Kinkakuji or Golden Temple is an exquisite architectural masterpiece on a shimmering lake and surrounded by an enchanted Japanese garden. Another worthwhile site is the 17th century Nijo castle, built by Ieyasu (the first Shogun) in 1603. Ironically, it became the site where the first Meiji Emperor abolished the Shogunate in in 1867. We also got to experience a Kaiseki dinner -- an elaborate and meticulously presented meal reflecting the Japanese sense of harmony between food and nature.Hiroshima’s history is steeped in complexity, in horror, and in tragedy of unprecedented proportions. A single human mind cannot wrap itself around such an event that changed the world forever. I will leave it to others to judge -- the task of history is primarily to record. That is obviously far more easily said than done. However one may view the past, to stand at what was ground zero on August 6, 1945 cannot leave one emotionally untouched.

Nijo Castle / Kyoto

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Kinkakuji - The Golden Temple / Kyoto

Sensoji / Tokyo


Tokyo Miyajima

Shrine at Nikko

The World Heritage site of the Shrine of Itsukushima on the island of Miyajima is a picture postcard of tranquility that lies in the shadow of Hiroshima. In a sense these two very different places, yet in close proximity, represent a conflicting duality of Japan and its past.The Todaiji Temple at Nara is reputedly the world’s largest wooden structure and contains the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha.Osaka is yet another of Japan’s great urban centers. In its center is the magnificent Osaka Castle set on a hill overlooking the city. It, too, is a reminder of Japan’s medieval past. Though the Castle itself is a 20th century creation, it evokes the Shogun era when the original castle, built by Hideyoshi (another warlord) was destroyed by the armies if Ieyasu in 1615 and rebuilt to demonstrate the power and prestige of the new Shogun.On our last day, we rode the Bullet Train from Osaka back to Tokyo where we got our transfer to the airport. It was drizzling again like it was on our arrival. We had seen Japan for a few brief moments, still suspended between the old and new, a place where the past is revered, yet the quest for the modern is relentless, the attention to detail is an obsession, the streets are clean, the trains run on time, and the people are so much like us, and yet so very different. If nothing else, Japan keeps one intrigued.

Mount Fuji


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Miyajima Toshogu Shrine / Nikko

The Imperial Gardens / Tokyo

Sanjusan Gendo -Kyoto

Kaiseki Dinner Market in Kyoto

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face steep water-rate hikes, the concept of charging for groundwater usage may be on the horizon. Land development has contributed to our declining water availability and quality in several ways. Coastal communities, such as Marsh Creek, have been in great demand, but their development has resulted in wetland destruction. Florida has lost over 9.5 million acres, more than any other state. Of particular concern is the effect this may have on local climate patterns, i.e. reduced rainfall. Not only does development withdraw groundwater, it also may inhibit replenishment of the aquifer, or divert stormwater from wetlands to rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Residential water use in Florida is about 107,000 gallons per household per year, of which more than half is used for irrigating our lawns and gardens. Amazingly, another 15% leaks out of broken pipes and faulty valves! A contributing cost factor to providing potable water, is our state’s belated recognition of the effects of pollution. As of 1960, there was only one sewage-treatment plant in the state, as almost all

municipalities (including those in St. Johns County) dumped raw sewage straight into rivers, the Atlantic, or the Gulf. Other pollution sources include fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, siltation and sedimentation from land development activities, agricultural operations, and septic tanks, all of which Florida uses/has in abundance.How will Florida meet its dire need for water in coming years? Some of the state’s largest and fastest growing areas are looking for alternative sources such as desalination, surface water, and brackish groundwater, as well as diversion between different parts of the state. Last year, a suburb of Orlando sought unsuccessfully to siphon over 200,000 gallons a day from a tributary of the St. Johns River. Another answer could be to establish a “water market”, where consumption permits would be bought and sold. Certainly more accurate pricing of water could reduce consumption, as shown in a 2005 study by Florida’s water management districts. Privatizing water utilities is being tried in various parts of the country to reduce costs and improve efficiency, but

WATER PART III: FLORIDA’S FUTUREthe jury’s still out. Atlanta is an example of a privatization effort that has failed to generate the expected savings. Other areas have seen unsatisfactory water quality, especially where one private supplier dominates. Bottom line – ownership of this most necessary of resources should remain with the public, although more efficient ways of distribution, treatment, and usage must be implemented to reverse the state’s consumption trends.There are tried and proven methods to conserve water, and Marsh Creek, both the club and owners’ association, continues to lead in such efforts. We use reclaimed wastewater for

irrigation and carefully monitor our irrigation systems to detect leaks and breaks. Selection of trees, shrubs, and flowers in the common areas are influenced by their water demands, and more use of mulch, and less of grass, also reduces groundwater usage. Each homeowner can help by: 1) irrigating according to the SJRWMD guidelines (currently once a week + no more than 1 hour per zone);2) checking your faucets and toilets for drips + leaks; ; 3) monitoring your water + sewer bill to track consumption (the SJCUD website has several good conservation tips), and;

4) retrofitting your home to meet Bronze Florida Water Star standards http://floridaswater.com/floridawaterstar/residential.html ). Our lowered lake levels are a good reminder of just how important water is to the Marsh Creek experience and property values. Doing your part to conserve will help insure the availability of this precious commodity in the future.

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Queen Palm or Phoenix Sylvestri?Have you hired professionals to remove fronds, remove boots, fertilize with low nitrogen slow release palm fertilizer, or teat your palm trees with imidachloprid drenches to the root area to prevent weevil infestation and spreading diseases? Do your palms look healthy?To keep your date palms healthy The American Palm Society recommends the following:1) When trimming, be sure the professional you hire sterilizes the hand saws or reciprocating saws being used before trimming each tree to prevent spreading diseases. Chainsaws cannot be sterilized so it is best not to use them.Sterilizing is made simple by soaking blades in pure bleach for five minutes. See articles cited below for other techniques.2) When trimming, remove only dead fronds and never cut fronds

B y m a r i ly n D r a P e r

SAVING YOUR SPECIMEN DATE PALMSabove the horizon line (above the 90 degree angle with the trunk). When removing boots or skinning the trunk, it is critical to avoid wounding the trunk as this may be fatal to the tree.3) When fertilizing, use low nitrogen slow release fertilizers like SHUR-GRO 8-4-12 or Florida’s Finest 8-2-12-4 in early March, June, and September. Mature trees may require 5 lbs. of fertilizer at each of these three treatments ( a total of 15 lbs. per tree per year).Young trees need smaller amounts. 4) When designing your landscape, leave areas under these palms’ canopies with no grass, and no ground cover that requires regular watering as these are desert palms which prefer dry airy ground around their trunks.5) When planning irrigation, do not install heads that shoot water on a palm tree trunk and

do not over-water palms. Less water is better for these trees.6) Since many diseases are spread by the giant palm weevil, it is recommended that you treat your specimen date palms with a preventative root drench of imidachloprid once in spring and once in fall each year. Imidachloprid is available locally.If you can do these 6 things for your specimen date palms, you are more likely to have healthy green trees says the American Palm Society.For further information please read:1) “A Key to Common Palm Disorders and Diseases in the

Continental United States” by Broschat & Elliott, Vol.48930 20052) “New Diseases of Palms in Florida” by Monica Elliott, UNF/IFAS, Ft. Lauderdale Research & Edu. Center.3) Google “The American Palm Society”, search topics on disease, care and maintenance of date palms.You may also want to attend meetings of the local branch of The American Palm Society at St. Augustine Beach City Hall on the third Wed. of each month at 7:00 pm. You may want to consult an expert.

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The St. Augustine Art Association presents the Judith Ryan Williams Nature & Wildlife Juried Fine Art Exhibition. July 1 - Aug 28, 2011. Seeking 2D & 3D Representational original works depicting nature in all forms landscapes, seascapes, skies, mountains, forests, marshes, plants, birds, fish, animals, etc. No photography (to participate in the Nature Photo Contest see web site). $5000 in awards; $2500 top prize. Digital images are due May 2. Download Prospectus at www.staaa.org. Contact (904) 824-2310 for additional information.CALLING ALL ART and NATURE LOVERS: Don’t miss this exciting International

Nature & Wildlife Exhibition! You will have July and August to view some of the most

outstanding original nature and wildlife artwork to visit our area: paintings, sculpture, fiber, printmaking, pastels and more.The show opens July 1st with the “WILD ART SAFARI ARTIST AWARDS & PATRONS PREVIEW PARTY.” Last year’s party was a sell out so RSVP early, Don your khakis and don’t miss it! Additional information on “Nature Events” including lectures, films, and Summer Art Camp programs will be advertised in the Marsh Creek News Journal, the Record, the Times Union, and on the Art

Association web site www.staaa.org or call (904) 824-2310.Proceeds from these events will benefit the community art exhibitions and educational programs of the St. Augustine Art Association, a non-profit arts organization founded in 1924 to promote artistic excellence and foster appreciation of the arts.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS: NATURE & WILDLIFE EXHIBITION 2011

B y m a r y J o W i l S o n

Mary Jo Wilson

DeOriola-Cortada, Alfonso & Pilar317 Marshside Drive Northfrom spain

Raymond, Howard & Matilda Christoffersonson: Hudson361 Marsh Point Circle323-620-2080from Los Angeles, California

styles, David & Stephanie Children: Molly & Maggie601 Teeside [email protected] Palm Coast, Florida

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EXHIBITSFeb 7-28 “Figure & Portrait Show”March 4-27 “Clay, Collage, Cutting Edge” & “The 6th Annual St Johns All-County High School Show” Sponsored by Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLCReceiving: Tues & Wed, Mar 1 & 2, 12-7pmApril 1-May 1 “Spring Members Show” Receiving: Tues & Wed Mar 29 & 30, 12-7pmMay 6-29 “Global Latitudes” Receiving: Tues & Wed May 3 & 4, 12-7pmJune 3-26 “Honors Show” Receiving: May 31 & June 1, 12-7pmAll Artists Awards are presented at 7pm at the First Friday Art Walk each month. For show details and entry forms visit HYPERLINK “http://www.staaa.org” www.staaa.org or call 904-824-2310.WORKSHOPS & EVENTS: Space is limited, call Elyse at 904-824-2310 to sign up

HAPPENINGS AT THE ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION“Portrait Painting Intensive Workshop” with Richard Weaver, Sat & Sun Feb 19 & 20, 10am-4pm, Acrylics or non-toxic oils, Fee: $275 includes Continental breakfast and lunch. “Landscape Painting” with Roger Bansemer, Sat & Sun May 21 & 22, 10am-4pm, Acrylics or non-toxic oils, Beginners-Advanced, Fee: $275 includes Continental breakfast and lunch. “Small Wonders Miniatures” with Allison Watson—check web site or call for time & dateANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP: Thurs March 10, 6-7pm; 2011 Annual & Financial Report; distribution of Election Ballots for Board of Directors & Endowment Board; RSVP for limited seatingMEET & GREET POTLUCK: Wed, March 23, 6-8pm, $3, a dish to serve six and a friend; last opportunity to turn in election ballotsLECTURE: Thursday, April 7, 7-9pm,“Portraits & Personalities of the Lost Colony, an Oral History” Free, but reservations required because of limited seatingEXCITING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: call Elyse at 904-824-2310 to sign upArtifacts Exhibit: A committee is now forming to develop

the st. augustine art association will host the first installed juried exhibit of Florida’s Birding and PhotoFest, april 27 - May 29. Best of show Prize is $1,000.

PhotoFest is a 4-day event of classes, workshops, guided tours, lectures and more. Photographers from all around the globe will gather in st. augustine for this exciting event. Get all the information and download Prospectus at http://floridasbirdingandphotofest.com (click on Photo Contest).

the Nature & wildlife Photo exhibition will be installed in the Marguerita Phillips North Gallery april 27 – May 29, 2011. artist award Ceremony/Meet & Greet reception, wed april 27, 2011 at 6:30pm at st. augustine art association. Public art walk opening: May 6, 5-9pm

NATURE & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST & EXHIBITION

B y D i a n e B r a D l e y and assemble a museum exhibit of rare 16th century artifacts unearthed at the Art Association. Be a part of our living history.Docent Training: Sat, March 26, 9am-noon; training is free and includes brunch; For all acting docents and volunteers interested in becoming docentsShow Committee: Feb 23, 11am; Input and ideas for the 2011-12 Show Season.Sculpture Garden: Seeking Landscape architects, landscapers, fundraisers, and 3D artists submissions for consideration. Help in developing plans for an outdoor sculpture garden at the Art Association.

The St Augustine Art Association, located at 22 Marine St. in the heart of the Historic District, is open FREE to the public Tues-Sat 12-4pm, Sun 2-5pm, closed Mondays and Holidays. Become a member and help us supports the arts in St Johns County. For membership and other information go to www.staaa.org, call 904-824-2310 or email us at [email protected]. Join on line, in person or by mail.

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THE MC CHORUS AND ALLEGRO BELL RINGERS UNITE FOR A CONCERT

The MC Chorus visited the Allegro just before Christmas to entertain the residents with the singing of traditional holiday tunes to the delight of all present. It was a wonderful show performed with great energy and with voices that make the Boston Pops sound off key. After MC finished their program the Allegro Bell Ringers took the stage and did a delightful presentation of many of our favorite holiday songs. They had rehearsed their bell ringing for weeks and their preparation paid off; they sounded great and got a standing ovation.


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eek THE CLYDE E. LASSEN STATE VETERANS HOME

The newly built Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home located at 4650 State Road 16 was opened in September of 2010. Lt. Clyde E. Lassen, who died in 1994, is a Navy war hero having received a Medal of Honor while serving in Viet Nam and is the first Navy veteran to have his name on a state nursing home. Not only is it a beautifully designed first rate facility serving those who fought for our country, it is the first “green” nursing home in Florida, built using nationally accepted environmental benchmarks. The facility has the capacity to house 120 Veterans and presently has 35 residents. Their main purpose, of course, is to serve our Veterans, which is done so well with class and dignity. One section of the facility is reserved for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and another section is for ambulatory nursing care patients. Veterans who have lived at least one year in the state of Florida are eligible to reside there.

For the past few months, Mary Jo and her very special friends at the Allegro have been knitting and crocheting lap blankets to donate to the Veterans. Additionally, three other Marsh Creek residents also contributed to this project. Most generous yarn and lap blanket contributions were made by Alice Stevens, Joan Humphrey, Carol Baucum, and Carol’s mother, Ruth Raymond. On Saturday, January 8, 2011 a group from the Allegro were taken by bus to the nursing home to present the handmade blankets to the Veterans. It was an exciting time for our Allegro friends to give, and for our Veterans to receive the lap blankets. Fifteen blankets were donated, which together with blankets provided by other organizations made it possible for each Veteran to receive one. We all left with a warm feeling, knowing that we were in some small way able to add a bit of comfort to these deserving Veterans.If you or someone you know has any yarn they would like to donate to the Allegro ladies, please call me at 461-0688 and I will be happy to pick it up, or drop it off on my front stoop anytime at 213 Marshside Drive. Your donations will be put to good use by these energetic ladies.


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If you use a computer you probably use email. Receiving email is fairly cut and dry: we know not to click on suspicious links, divulge personal information, open attachments from strangers or send money to Nigeria. Sending email is more complicated. Did you know that leaving the Subject field blank in an email can get it flagged as spam? Always include a brief, descriptive subject, and please, just one topic per email. I have noticed that most recipients will only read/absorb/remember the first topic in an email. Of course this doesn’t apply to those newsy emails for friends and family.To avoid embarrassment, never send an emotionally charged email at night. Wait until the morning and see if you still feel the same way! Another way to avoid embarrassing emails is to fill in the T0: Field after you have finished and checked your message. The Send button is just too easy to hit accidentally. Please compose your emails with care, using spell check and

correct punctuation. USING ALL CAPS IS CONSIDERED SHOUTING and using all lowercase letters looks unpolished.Forwarding email is tricky and is where many of us, even with the best intentions, really drop the ball. Here are a few don’ts:Don’t forward anything without editing out all the other email addresses, headers and commentary from all the other forwarders. Knowing the art of copy and paste is crucial. Please see the end of this article for more on that.If you must forward to more than one person, put your email address in the TO: field and all the others that you are sending to in the BCC: field. If you don’t know how to do this, then find out how. Sharing others’ email addresses with those they do not know is a violation of their privacy.Don’t forward emails that say to do so. If an email says to

B y : S a n D y B r o W n

“forward to all your friends” or a certain number of people, do yourself and everyone else a favor and hit “delete”.Do not ever forward the updated version of snail mail chain letters, those that instruct you to send things like books, recipes, postcards or even money to those on the list. Trust me, most of the people you send this type of demand to will break the chain and will hold a grudge against you forever.Be careful when forwarding emails about politics or religion. Others may not appreciate your POV.If you forward an email that turns out to be a hoax, own up to it by sending an apology follow-up email to those you sent it to originally. Check out those virus warnings and other emails that

are forwarded in bulk at Snopes.com. They are almost always hoaxes or urban legends and in many cases have been circulating via email for a long time, often for years.In researching this article I found a website that is eye opening, often humorous and full of information about scams and hoaxes. Check out www.hoax-slayer.com.* If you have never learned to copy and paste you will be amazed at how it will change the way you use your computer. In many instances, instead of trying to “clean up” an email that you want to forward, you will be able to copy only the content that you wish to share and paste it into a new email. Cut, copy and paste works in just about every application and can totally

eliminate retyping. To watch an excellent video tutorial on our website’s homepage visit www.mcoa.us. In just minutes you, too can learn to copy and paste like a pro.

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The Democratic administration and the Republicans finally came to an agreement concerning tax policy. On December 17th, 2010 the President signed new legislation which made many changes to Income Taxes and Estate Taxes. This article only addresses Estate Taxes.Unfortunately, the “deal” is only for two years, but that is what we have to work with and I hope that Congress will eventually make these provisions permanent. I would be thrilled to see evidence of “permanency” from Congress.As approved and signed by the President, the new law sets the Estate Tax Credit at Five Million Dollars per individual (Ten Million per couple) and the Estate Tax rate for all assets over Five Million will be 35%.The most intriguing change in Estate Taxes involves what has become to be known as “portability”. This means that the Estate Tax credit for a deceased spouse can be transferred to the surviving spouse to the end that the surviving spouse could have an Estate Tax credit of Ten Million dollars. In the past, a deceased spouse’s credit could not be transferred to the surviving spouse so each credit had to be preserved individually and was generally done by creating two trusts.Those trusts may now create unintended consequences and slight modifications may be necessary to avoid unfortunate results. Many of the older trusts were designed to split the trust assets into two trusts upon the death of the grantor which were often referred to as a marital trust and family trust. These

can create some extra work for the surviving spouse and limit the surviving spouse’s access to the funds in the deceased spouse’s trust. These comments refer to tax issues but there still may be other good reasons for a husband and wife to keep separate trusts. Therefore, you should review your trusts and current financial situation with an estate planner who has knowledge of Federal Estate Taxes to assure that your current trust provisions are still appropriate.One more item needs to be considered. For individuals who died during 2010, the heirs must make a choice. First, they may apply the new tax laws to the 2010 estate and receive a stepped up basis on the decedent’s assets, but possibly pay Estate Taxes. This requires the Personal Representative of the estate to file an Estate Tax Return. Or, in the alternative, since there were no Estate Taxes in 2010, the heirs can elect out of the Estate Tax but will inherit the decedent’s assets with a limited stepped up basis. There are too many variables in these options to explain it all in this article.Review of your estate planning documents on a regular basis is recommended and the new tax laws make that now more imperative.

On September 24, 2007 Community Hospice of NE Florida and Flagler Hospital broke ground on a new state-of-the-art hospice inpatient care center to be built at Flagler Hospital in St Augustine. The center has been made possible through generous gifts from many individuals including the Gay and Mark Bailey family of St. Augustine for which the center has been named. It should be noted that the MC Womens Association was also involved in this project by sponsoring various fund raising events over the past two years. This 11,000 square foot addition to the Flagler Hospital complex is located just west of the main entrance. The Hospice which will serve the short term, acute end-of-life care needs for residents of Saint Johns County includes 12 private patient rooms, staff offices, a chapel as well as family gathering areas with a kitchen and lounge areas. Care will be provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week and be staffed by medical personnel, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social service specialists and spiritual counselors in a unique

homelike setting, complete with gardens and walkways. On December 10, 2010 the Bailey Family Center for Caring was opened for viewing by those who had helped fund this approximately 5 Million dollar project. The hospice was opened to patients in January. Installed in the main entrance hall are two large impressive glass mosaics created by well-known MC resident, Manila Clough. Manila calls her mosaics “bookends” because they are both views from Anastasia Island: one of a beach which is the view east, and the other is a marsh scene looking west. The town of St. Augustine appears in the distance of the marsh scene and the St. Augustine lighthouse appears in the distance in the beach scene. Each of these works of art measure 8 feet by 6 feet and have received great praise by all who have viewed them. Manila is the artist who also created the triptych of wading birds installed in the Library on the Island and a similar wading birds triptych which was installed on the west end of the Tranquility Garden at Flagler Hospital.

IMPORTANT ESTATE TAX LAW CHANGES

BAILEY FAMILY CENTER FOR CARINGB y m a r y J o W i l S o n

B y D aV i D m . a n D r e W S , aT T o r n e y aT l aW

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The January Marsh Creek Blood Drive was very successful. The winter blood drive brought in a total of 25 units. 22 units of blood were collected on the bloodmobile and 3 units were collected at the Blood Donor Center. Special thanks to Jeffrey Bartlett, He made an ALYX donation, which counts as a double donation. Charlie Compton made a double platelet donation at the Blood Center for which we are very grateful. We had two first time donors for MC. They were Patricia Piper and Joan Kaiser. Also milestones were reached for Kim Rossi who reached the two gallon mark, as well as Richard and Pat McCormack who both reached the one gallon mark. Those who participated in our spring blood drive were: James Anderson, Jeffrey Bartlett, Ann Clayton, Peter Clayton, Charlie Compton, Brian Gale, Michelle Grobman, Ria Houtenbos, Sonny Hubbs, Dick Hull, Joan Kaiser, Lawrence Karjala, Camille Kay, Sylvia Koridek, Joseph Lopinto, Pat Lopinto, Pat

McCormack, Richard McCormack, Nancy McGrath, Patricia Piper, Gilles Renaud, Pat Richardson, Kim Rossi, Kathy Salvani, Joseph Wilson, Mary Jo Wilson, and Franz Zimmer.We had the pleasure of having five very personable, energetic and caring mobile unit collection specialists working on the bloodmobile. They were Amy E, Amy J, Maria, Theresa, and John.The next blood drive in Marsh Creek is scheduled for Monday April 11th. Please mark that date on your calendar and do your best to participate. On behalf of the Blood Alliance and those who will benefit from this precious gift, I want to thank all of those who were kind enough to participate. When you give blood, you give life!

JANUARY 2011 BLOOD DRIVE BRINGS IN TOTAL OF 25 UNITSB y m a r y J o W i l S o n

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