Bellalago Beacon | Sep-Oct 2021

BEACON

VOLUME 1 0 | I S S UE 5 | S E PTE MB E R/OCTOBER 202 1

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COMMUNIT Y MANAGER

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Don’t be a Litter Bug! Written by Y E S E N I A V É LE Z, LCA M , C O M M U NI T Y ASSO C I ATI O N M A NAGE R

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t is important to remember not to blow grass clippings into the street. Grass clippings in the street ultimately end up in a storm drain where they can build up and cause drainage issues and flooding.

there are people who don’t know that storm sewers do not flow to the landfill or some mysterious “trash collection apparatus.”

Maybe they just don’t realize that they discharge directly into our local ponds and lakes. So perhaps education is the key. If we all share these commonsense reminders with the members of our communities, it might help to keep some of the trash out of our ponds and waterways:

One of the least desirable activities that are performed on a monthly basis is the removal of trash from ponds and lakes that are serviced.

You would not believe the stuff that they pull out of ponds! The usual suspects are plastic bottles, cans, children’s toys, soggy newspapers, plastic grocery bags, paper cups, and hundreds of pieces of Styrofoam.

They also had the pleasure of removing tires, Christmas trees, signs, miscellaneous auto parts, shoes and clothing, dirty diapers, and lots of other disgusting items that won’t be mentioned. All of these items ended up in the water due to waste not being properly disposed of.

It has occurred to me that there is a distinct possibility that maybe

Be aware that the storm sewers in our neighborhoods flow directly into ponds and Lake Toho. Endangered species, gators, fish, turtles, and frogs do not appreciate our trash in their homes.

It’s helpful to bag all garbage when it’s put out by the street for curbside pick-up, and enclose the garbage container with a lid as stipulated in the governing documents. It doesn’t take a very strong gust of wind to topple a can and send the garbage blowing. Trust me – cans and lids are among the items that are frequently removed from ponds.

REMINDER ID CHECKS ID’s are required for usage of the facilities. Make sure that you carry them when utilizing the amenities at all times.

GRANDPARENTS DAY On the first Sunday after Labor Day we celebrate National Grandparents Day. This year the date falls on September 12th. Like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, we also have a whole day dedicated to our grandparents. Grandparents and children have a special B EL L A L AG O B E AC ON

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COMMUNIT Y MANAGER

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connection that is proven to both make grandparents live longer, and also make children more emotionally resilient. Grandparents Day is an opportunity to treasure that connection and spend some quality family time together.

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our lives in unthinkable ways.

It also gave us an appreciation for grandparents and Grandparents Day more than ever before. Far too many of us endured unspeakable hardship and loss. The pandemic also made us cherish connections more. There were scores of multigenerational households and grandfamilies where young and old experienced the pandemic together.

Do something grand and engage with grandma and grandpa on Grandparents Day. It doesn’t have to be your grandparents; it can be a granny or grandpa that may live close by and need some TLC. As our society opens back up, ask yourself this question: How will you look at connecting this Grandparents Day?

GRAND FAMILIES You provide a safe and loving home to your grandchildren or other relatives in your care. We think you are doing something grand for children every day of the year. As part of our celebration of Grandparents Day, we want to recognize, honor, and thank grand families!

GRANDPARENTS AND OLDER ADULTS We’re asking you to commit to do something grand and share your wisdom, perspectives and key civic values with young people and advocate on their behalf.

CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNGER ADULTS

YESENIA VÉLEZ

We’re asking you to commit to do something grand and connect and serve with your grandparents or older adults in Bellalago and Isles of Bellalago.

B EL L A L AG O B E AC ON

87 7-221-6919 YVelez@Evergreen-LM.com

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Compliance Team Violation Report

PHONE NUMBERS Evergreen Customer Service

87 7-221-6919

BELLALAGO Amenity Center Security Main Gate

407-933-3010 407-846-3014

ISLES OF BELLALAGO Amenity Center Security Main Gate

407-343-9175 407-846-1873

HOA ADMIN NUMBERS

Below you will find a report for Bellalago and Isles of Bellalago that details the violations that have been issued between June 21st and August 12th, which total 678. Anyone can contact us directly to address any concerns they may have.

Attorney Final Notice of Violation

11

On Hold Extension Requested

37

Exterior Cleaning / Maintenance

1

Exterior Cleaning / Maintenance

9

Landscaping

5

Install Prohibited

1

Landscaping Self Help

1

Items Left Out

1

Community Association Manager Yesenia Vélez

87 7-221-6919 Y Velez@ Evergreen-LM.com

Paint

2

Landscaping

12

Parking / Vehicles

1

Landscaping Self Help

1

Wash Tile Roof

1

Paint House Requirement

2

Facilities Club Manager Doug Dingee

87 7-221-6919 DDingee@ Evergreen-LM.com

Attorney Notice of Violation

30

Road and Traffic Regulations

1

Damage to Sidewalk

1

Wash Tile Roof

10

Exterior Cleaning / Maintenance

6

Resolved

236

Garbage Receptacle / Waste

2

Clean Shingle Roof

Landscaping

10

Damage to Sidewalk

2

Mailbox

1

Exterior Cleaning / Maintenance

21

Parking / Vehicles

5

Exterior Decoration(s)

1

Sign(s)

2

Garbage Receptacle / Waste

27

Wash Tile Roof

3

Install Prohibited

2

First Notice of Violation

60

Installed Required Approval

1

Exterior Cleaning / Maintenance

7

Items Left Out

13

Garbage Receptacle / Waste

5

Landscaping

67

Installed Required Approval

1

Landscaping Self Help

6

Items Left Out

5

Leasing / Occupancy

3

Landscaping

21

Lighting

1

Landscaping Self Help

3

Non-Permitted Structures and Vehicles

1

Leasing / Occupancy

1

Nuisance

7

Nuisance

2

Paint

1

Paint

1

Parking / Vehicles

60

Parking / Vehicles

10

Pets / Animals

2

Wash Tile Roof

4

Play Equipment

4

Lifestyles Director Amy Mallinder

Fitness Director Giselle Rodriguez Compliance Manager Jose Chaparro

Membership

87 7-221-6919 AMallinder@ Evergreen-LM.com 407-852-8286 GRodriguez@ Evergreen-LM.com 87 7-221-6919 JChaparro@ Evergreen-LM.com 407-343-9175 BellalagoLeases@ Evergreen-LM.com

HOA Account Issues & Irrigation Work Orders Customer Care

87 7-221-6919 CustomerService@ Evergreen-LM.com

HOURS OF OPERATION BELLALAGO & ISLES OF BELLALAGO AMENITY CENTERS Monday - Friday Saturday & Sunday

6am - 9pm 8am - 9pm

POOL HOURS* Monday - Friday Saturday & Sunday

Usually Dawn - Dusk 8am - Dusk

*Subject to change. Check boards at each pool.

BELLALAGO RECREATION CENTER* Hours Vary Daily *Please refer to the Weekly Lifestyle Newsletter for Recreation Center hours, as they are subject to change.

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Friendly Reminder

275

Clean Shingle Roof

3

Sign(s)

3

1

Wash Tile Roof

11

Damage to HOA Property

1

Self Help Notice

1

Exterior Cleaning / Maintenance

13

Landscaping Self Help

1

Garbage Receptacle / Waste

22

Sent to Attorney

1

Install Prohibited

6

Parking / Vehicles

1

Installed Required Approval

1

Void

27

Irrigation Maintenance / Repair

1

Exterior Cleaning / Maintenance

1

Items Left Out

12

Garbage Receptacle / Waste

1

Landscaping

106

Items Left Out

1

Landscaping Self Help

18

Landscaping

7

Leasing / Occupancy

4

Leasing / Occupancy

1

Mailbox

3

Parking / Vehicles

15

Nuisance

6

Wash Tile Roof

1

Parking / Vehicles

51

Pets / Animals

4

Sign(s)

3

Wash Tile Roof

23

Total

678

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FITNESS & WELLNESS

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Fitness Class Schedule Current Class Schedules are Posted in the Amenity Centers and on the BellalagoHOA.com Calendar

AQ UA FITNESS

postures or standing postures to help increase mobility, range of motion and reduce stress.

MONDAY-FRIDAY » 11:15AM BELLALAGO POOL

A low impact cardio and strength workout for all fitness levels. This class utilizes water weights, aqua gloves and pool noodles to achieve a unique total body workout. Swimming is not required.

TEEN FIT TUESDAYS » 7PM

Join Instructor Nikki for a fun-filled Teen Fitness class for ages 13-17.

Parental supervision or consent required with ID.

B ODY SCULPTING WEDNESDAY » 6:30PM

TOTA L TO N IN G

Non-aerobic, muscle-toning class designed to define, sculpt and build lean muscle.

TUESDAY & THURSDAY » 10AM

A full body workout that combines sculpting exercises and strength training, designed to tone and strengthen all areas of the body.

F I T KIDS SATURDAY » 10AM & 11AM

YIN YAN G YO GA

Join Instructor Nikki for a fun-filled Fit Kids class at 10am for ages 6-8, and 11am for ages 9-12. Parental supervision required.

THURSDAY » 6PM

Join instructor Tanya at Isles of Bellalago for an invigorating 30 minute Power Flow followed by 25 minutes of Gentle Yoga to unwind and release tension. All yoga levels are welcome!

F LOW YOGA FRIDAY » 9AM

Focuses on form and alignment of the body. Designed to help improve strength, flexibility, balance and bring peace to both the body and mind. Great for beginner to intermediate levels.

YO GA WEDNESDAY » 10AM

A class that has a gentle way to improve your posture, balance, and coordination in which includes mediation and relaxation.

H AT HA YOGA MONDAY AT 10AM » THURSDAY AT 9AM

Focuses on form and alignment of the body. Class is designed to help improve strength, flexibility, balance and bring peace to both the body and mind. Great for beginner to intermediate levels 1 and 2.

Z U MBA®

K I C K BOXING

This dance-based fitness class incorporates Latin and International music and dance, while offering a balanced blend of cardio and muscle toning benefits.

MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY » 9AM ZUMBA PM: TUESDAY AT 6PM » WEDNESDAY AT 7:30PM AND THURSDAY AT 7PM

FRIDAY » 10AM

High-energy workout combining martial art techniques to help build stamina, improve coordination and flexibility.

Z U MBA® TO NIN G

SE ATED YOGA

MONDAY » 6PM

A class for those who want to party, but put extra emphasis on toning and sculpting to define those muscles!

WEDNESDAY » 12PM

Allows participants with limited mobility to use chair for seated B EL L A L AG O B E AC ON

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FITNESS & WELLNESS

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Family Health & Fitness Day

Written by GI SE L L E RO D RI GU E Z, FI TNE SS & W E L L NES S DIRECTOR

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amily Health and Wellness has and always will be very important.

The key to having success as a family is working together. The last Saturday in September is recognized as “Family Health and Fitness Day USA” and we would love to encourage you to join instructor Nikki for a Family Yoga class on Saturday, September 25th at 12pm. RSVP is required for this class.

WAYS YOUR FAMILY CAN IMPROVE HEALTH & WELLNESS 1. Incorporate vegetables in every meal.

2. Bring the kids to the grocery store and help them understand their different options.

3. Go for a daily walk as a family.

4. Get in the kitchen and cook together. Have some friendly competition “Top Chef ” style.

5. Find outside/outdoor activities, such as hiking or a scavenger hunt in the city.

6. Have everyone grab their bike and go for a ride.

Activities such as these above will help unite the family. This will also help grow the bond amongst each other. You will notice growth and together you can develop new skills.

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FA C I L I T I E S

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Beautifying Our Community Written by DO U G D I NGE E , FAC I L I TI E S C LU B M A NAGE R

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hy not fall in love with Bellalago? This is a question I always ask myself as I come in every morning to work. Our Maintenance Department, working as a team with our vendors, is dedicated to improving the surroundings and buildings, so that you as our resident have no doubt that BELLALAGO IS THE PLACE TO LIVE and that beautifying this community is our number one priority.

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Painting on all fences and monuments Installation of pavers at Isles of Bellalago pool deck Seawall repair Painting of the exterior walls at Flip Flops; also installed two benches for the convenience of our residents as they wait outside or just want to sit and enjoy an ice cream • Installed new signs identifying our bridges and we are in the process of making all necessary repairs • Pressure wash the curbing and repair of the roads as needed

During the past few weeks, you might have noticed that we are working throughout the community, painting buildings, enhancing landscape and identifying areas that need to be addressed, not only by our department, but by outside vendors, like the repair of our fountains and cleaning of the lakes.

These are only a few of the many projects that we are proud to have accomplished and in the process of completing. There are still many other projects to be completed but we are compromise with delivering the best of service and that I can guarantee you is our motivation at our Maintenance Department. So, feel free to come by and let us know how we can keep improving our community. Remember ... we are a TEAM and teams work together to win and BELLALAGO IS THE TROPHY.

PROJECTS UPDATES Allow me to go over a few of the many projects that are taking place and have been completed in our community below.

• New windbreaker nets were installed at the Tennis court • We are in the process of installing solar lights by the resident’s mailbox • Pedestrian crosswalk lines have been repainted and are ready for our students • Sidewalk repairs were completed at Bellalago Drive • Replaced all sand filters for our Bellalago spa, slide and lap pools B EL L A L AG O B E AC ON

DOUG DINGEE 87 7-221-6919 DDingee@Evergreen-LM.com

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COMPLIANCE

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Fall Reminders

Written by JOSE C H APA R RO, LCA M , C M CA , C O MP L I A NC E M A NAGE R

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e have been getting an influx of complaints regarding pets this last quarter. Many residents have pets in Bellalago, and I wanted to share proper pet etiquette in an HOA community.

growth of algae and weeds in the water. Ultimately, because you own your dog, what waste your dog makes is your responsibility to pick up.

It’s not only a rule in our HOA, it’s also the law to clean up after your pet, plus it’s just good manners!

PET WASTE

GARBAGE/PICKUP DATES & RULES

One of our biggest complaints is residents not picking up after their dogs. Picking up after your dog is not only common courtesy but your duty as a pet owner. When feces are left lying in yards, grassy areas, and sidewalks, the smell can quickly become overwhelming.

Another common violation is garbage and/or garbage bins left out in public view and/or on the wrong dates. In Bellalago, Monday is trash and bulk pickup and Friday is landscape and recycling. In Isles of Bellalago, trash and bulk get picked up on Wednesday and recycle/ yard waste gets picked up on Tuesday. There are times when residents have a large amount of trash or large items like furniture, and in this case, residents would have to call Advanced Disposal at 407-605-3892 for directions. They will give you a date to put the larger items out for special pickup.

Additionally, the parasites and bacteria in dog waste can spread disease to other dogs. E. coli and salmonella are some of the bacteria which are carried in dog waste. Additionally, Coronavirus, Giardiasis, Parvovirus, along with several types of worms can be passed along by dog waste. The parasites and bacteria can stay in the soil for years, and by not picking up after your dog, you are putting other residents’ pets at risk of exposure to harmful bacteria.

JOSE CHAPARRO

If dog waste is not disposed correctly it can also pollute water. When your furry friend does his business and the waste ends up in the water, it decomposes and releases harmful nutrients that will cause excessive B EL L A L AG O B E AC ON

87 7-221-6919 JChaparro@Evergreen-LM.com

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LIFEST YLE EVENTS

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Back to School Bash

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C O M M U N I T Y S TA N D A R D S

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Family Safety Tips for Fall Written by O S CA R G O N Z AL E Z, A RC C O O RD I NATO R / HOA C O M P L I A NC E O FFI C E R

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others, go to a few homes on your street, or visit just a few friends you know well.

ctober is Fire Prevention Month, so let’s make sure we are looking when cooking! Did you know unattended cooking accounts for one third of all house fires and related burn injuries? Here are a few useful cooking tips:

4. Social distance - leave lots of space between others.

5. Plan ahead to avoid contact. Neighbors should wear masks and gloves and stay outside their front door or at the end of their driveway or yard, so kids don’t have to touch door surfaces.

Instead of having kids reach into a communal candy bowl, they should use gloves to hand out individual bags to each child and set up a one-way route to avoid crowding.

• Unplug appliances when not in use • Be attentive and alert when cooking • Keep stove area clear of paper towels, pot holders or anything else that burns • Keep kids at a safe distance • Turn handles inward to prevent “knocking over” • Keep a fire extinguisher handy

6. Take precautions while prepping goody bags. If you are the one preparing goody bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after prepping bags.

A fire extinguisher can be cost effective way to protect your home and love ones from a disaster. All fire extinguishers have an expiration date, don’t forget to replace them before they expire. Don’t forget, a working smoke detector only takes a moment to check the batteries.

7. Practice good hand hygiene. Remember to have kids use hand sanitizer in between homes to further reduce risk.

TRICK-OR-TREATING

8. Stay home if you might be sick. If any of your family members are feeling sick or think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, please stay home and quarantine!

1. Wear a mask (and not just the costume kind). Keep in mind that most costume masks alone aren’t effective at stopping the spread of germs. So make sure your child wears at least a twoply face mask, and check that they can breathe comfortably if they are also going to use a costume mask. A better way to go – a Halloween-themed two-ply face mask!

2. Limit the group size. Keep your child’s trick-or-treating group to just siblings or a close friend or two.

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3. Limit the houses you visit. To limit unnecessary exposure to B EL L A L AG O B E AC ON

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FOOD & BEVER AGE

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Oktoberfest at Flip Flops Written by E M AN U E L QU I RO S, FO O D & BE VE R AGE D I RECTO R

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his September and October we will be celebrating Oktoberfest at Flip Flops. Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest. It is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

It is a folk festival running from mid-to-late September to the first Sunday in October, with more than six million people from around the world attending the event every year. They enjoy good food and good beer during the festival. Though this festival began in Munich, Bavaria, two centuries ago in 1810, towns around the world continue to replicate the main event, which typically occurs over 16 beer, music and würst-laden days annually.

for you to try from various brewers, such as Yuengling, Warsteiner, and Sierra Nevada. What makes an Oktoberfest beer, other than trademark? Traditionally speaking, these are dark-colored lagers brewed to about 5.5%-6% ABV in March, dubbed Märzen, and slowly fermented throughout the summer months to allow rich malt flavors to develop.

We are going through some changes at Flip Flops to make sure you have a great experience, new products, new drink menu, new staff, but along the way we do have some hiccups. If you feel you have had a bad experience, please feel free to contact me personally so I can address the situation and deal with it in a timely manner. Thank you for being patient through all our changes!

While this event began originally on October 12, 1810 as a festival honoring the marriage of Kronprinz Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, the decision in 1811 to repeat the affair made this the annual event we now know. Locals decided the better weather of late September was more favorable for a festival, so they moved the event up a few calendar weeks.

M A N N Y Q UI RO S

We will have Samuel Adams Oktoberfest on draft through October, with Chef offering some German Style specials for lunch and dinner.

We will also have several other different Oktoberfest beers in bottles B EL L A L AG O B E AC ON

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LIFEST YLE EVENTS

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Taste of Tennessee

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LIFEST YLE EVENTS

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September & October

For more details, visit BellalagoHOA.com or see the front desk staff for assistance. Event details subject to change.

L A D I ES CARD C LUB

B O O K CLU B

EVERY THURSDAY » 1PM

MONDAYS, SEPTEMBER 13TH & OCTOBER 11TH » 7PM

Join the Card Club Thursdays in the Bellalago Recreation Center.

D O M I NOES CLUB

Join the Book Club on the second Monday of every month in the Bellalago Recreation Center. Sign in required with Bellalago ID. No food, soft drinks only.

EVERY TUESDAY » 6PM-9PM BELLALAGO RECREATION CENTER

FO O D TR U CK TU ES DAYS

Join the Dominoes Club every Tuesday.

TUESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 14TH, 21ST & 28TH » 5PM-8PM BELLALAGO RECREATION CENTER

M E N ’S GAME NIGHT

Food Trucks: 14th - Tainted Treats & Sweets; 21st - Pizza a Cone; and 28th - Oh My Dogs.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST & OCTOBER 6TH » 6:30PM FLIP FLOPS BAR & GRILLE “ FREE

LU N CH & S CR IPT CA LLIG R AP HY

Test your skills and try your luck amongst your fellow residents! Soft drinks will be provided.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH » 12:30PM » RECREATION CENTER

L I VE MUSIC WITH VI NNI E HI NES

Each ticket is $20, which includes lunch, instruction, demonstration, and a Sip and Script beginner calligraphy kit which is yours to keep.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD » 7PM-9PM FLIP FLOPS BAR & GRILLE

A B BA TR IB U TE BA N D CO N CERT

Make a reservation at FlipFlopsReservations@Evergreen-LM.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH » 5:30PM-9PM » SHOW AT 6:30PM BELLALAGO BOAT DOCK

J U R ASSIC PARK MOT HER SO N DAT E NI G HT Join us for “Date Night with Your Son” Jurassic Park style! Build your own Dino, Dinosaur fossils, Dino Bites, and more.

Join us under the big top tent for a night of ABBA! Watch a 90-minute show with the ABBA tribute band performing all the hits while enjoying some local food trucks (Seafood Bandits, Paula’s Jamaican Grill, and Churros & Cream), along with a cash bar. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for kids. Chairs will be provided for your comfort.

L A B O R DAY POO L PART Y

LUNCH & LE ARN: WEIGHT LOSS Q&A

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH » 11AM-2PM BELLALAGO & ISLES OF BELLALAGO POOLS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND » 12:30PM-1:30PM BELLALAGO RECREATION CENTER

Enjoy pool side games with our favorite DJ’s! Food Trucks: Up in Smoke BBQ at Bellalago and PJ’s BBQ at Isles of Bellalago.

With Dr. Cesare Peraglie, Colon, Rectal & Bariatric Surgeon. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP required.

A D U LT BINGO

FIR E A R MS CLU B

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH & OCTOBER 8TH » 7PM-9PM BELLALAGO RECREATION CENTER

SATURDAYS, SEPTEMBER 25TH & OCTOBER 30TH » 9AM ISLES OF BELLALAGO

B-I-N-G-O! Coffee is on us. Residents and guests must be 13+.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH & OCTOBER 9TH » 11AM-1PM BELLALAGO RECREATION CENTER

We meet to discuss our common interest in firearms; provide a venue for sharing knowledge, instruction, and activities designed to help firearms owners be responsible and proficient in their ownership and use of firearms; and to reduce the risk of accidents in their possession and use. No firearms are permitted in Club facilities.

Join your fellow craft loving residents to discuss new projects and learn from each other. Bellalago ID required upon check in.

MOV IE NIG HT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH » 6PM-8PM BELLALAGO RECREATION CENTER

C R A FT CLUB

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH » 8PM » BOAT DOCK AREA

NATIONAL DAY OF ENCOUR AGEMENT COOKIES SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH » AMENITY CENTERS

HELL A L AG O

Stop by either Amenity Center for a complimentary enouragement cookie, while supplies last.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23RD » 6PM-9PM » BOAT DOCK AREA

B EL L A L AG O B E AC ON

Fireworks will begin at 9pm. More information coming soon.

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FISHING CLUB

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The Incredible Shrinking Shoreline Written by ST E V E N MO RI N, RE SI D E NT, BE L L A L AGO FI SHI NG C LU B

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erosion. Shoreline plantings act as a barrier that will slow water flow, filter out sediment and harmful pollutants. Natural aquatic grasses and plants that grow in the water buffer wave energy, prevent shoreline washout and provide valuable habitat for Bellalago’s fish and wildlife.

he next time you take a look at the shoreline of Lake Bellalago, pay attention to what you see. Hopefully you see a nice stable water edge with gently lapping waves. That is what we want. Unfortunately, more and more often, we see barren soil and a sharp edge that signals shoreline erosion. That means that the lake is slowing chipping away at the shoreline as wave action from boats, wind and storms are shrinking your backyard and erasing critical wildlife habitat.

In an effort to help preserve the quality of Lake Bellalago, protect the environment and enhance property value for all of our residents, the newly formed Lakes and Ponds Management Committee has established a five-year plan to stabilize our shorelines. This plan, which is being developed with the University of Florida, consists of more carefully controlling invasive vegetation around the lake and establishing a shoreline “buffer” zone of plants which are part of the natural Florida environment.

Shoreline erosion causes major problems with the water quality in Lake Bellalago, for waterfront property owners and for all residents that depend on the lake to enhance our property values and quality of life. Rainwater or irrigation runoff contains sediment which settles in the lake and alters the eco-system. It introduces pollutants, causes the water to lose its natural clarity and damages native aquatic plants that fish and wildlife depend on for habitat and food. Overtime, erosion can also damage property values. We have all heard about beaches disappearing. Studies on Michigan’s Lake Superior have found that some areas show a loss of up to ten feet of shoreline per year! The same thing can occur right here in our neighborhood as valuable waterfront property is gradually worn away.

One of the steps in the plan will be to reestablish native, erosion controlling plants in selected areas of the lake. Together with Evergreen, the committee has arranged with a vendor to plant native Florida Arrowhead (Bull Tongue) and Soft-stem Bulrush plants along selected portions of the shoreline.

Another critical aspect of the plan is to engage the cooperation of lake front property owners to let the professionals handle weed control along the shoreline. Spraying, clear-cutting or removing these valuable native plants has a direct negative impact on the environment and on the value of all of our property. Our HOA contracts for a service with highly trained employees to help control lakeside weed growth. Please let the experts (with a little help from Mother Nature) handle it!

The good news is that the solution is pretty simple and mother nature has the answer. Erosion control with plants and vegetation is the most simple, natural and aesthetically pleasing fix. Turfgrass lawns are not effective at controlling shoreline erosion because their root system is weak and does not deeply penetrate into the soil. Native aquatic plants create a root system that binds the soil and prevents Shore erosion with no native plants.

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Arrowhead plants transplanted to new locations.

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Native Arrowhead plants stabilize the shoreline.

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