AED - In an emergency knowing the location of the closest AED may save the life of a friend, neighbor or loved one. But what is an AED?

 

In Verona we have THREE community AEDs. They are:

• At the mailbox kiosk
• Across from  606 San Joaquin Rd
• Across 840 Pacific Ridge

IF you download the phone app “PulsePoint AED” (it’s yellow) it will display your nearest AED when you’re out and about. I have it on my phone, and think you should too!

CONCIERGE - One of the greatest resources we have in Solivita is our wonderful concierge, Shelley DeStefano. She is a delight and so, so helpful. If you are not sure who to call, what to do, or how to get information reach out to Shelley at 863-427-7100, (Monday through Friday 9:30 am until 5:00 pm.), or via e-mail at 

 

Or better yet, visit her at the concierge desk in the administration building, where she can assist you to:

• Scan and e-mail documents
• Send faxes
• Make copies
• Laminate
• Purchase stamps
• Register your golf cart
• Get lists of services as well as brochures and magazines of things to do in Florida 

You may also register your license plate for the LPR system at the Concierge desk. If you do, please make sure you bring your vehicle registration and a form of ID. 

EMERGENCIES - The neighborhood captain or captain's team is not who you contact in an emergency.  For a life-threatening emergency, always call 911 before doing anything else. And when you do, make sure to say you are located in POLK COUNTY.

 

EVENT TICKETS -  Lifestyle Activities event tickets go on sale in the ballroom the first working day of the month before the event takes place.  For example, if you would like to purchase tickets for an event taking place in June, tickets will be on sale the first working day of May. After the first working day, tickets are on sale (up to 3 days prior to the event) at the Lifestyles Office (above the Marketplace Bistro) from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Complete information, including, how to return tickets if you can't make it to the event, can be found at the Activities Web Page.

 

FLAGS - If you would like to be included in the “Flags Over Solivita" Program, where American Flags are placed in your lawn on major holidays, please visit the veterans web page at https://veteransclubofsolivita.com/ for complete information. For a small donation they will install, remove, maintain, and store your flag for an entire year.  100% of your contributions goes to support charities and the veterans club.

 

HURRICANE INFO - We have been lucky here in Solivita when it comes to hurricanes, but you never know what the next storm will do to us. It is better to be safe than sorry. It is good practice to make sure you are prepared in advance, and not wait to the last minurte. The Solivita web site has a lot of helpful information. Some are old postings, but they are still valid. So, when you have a chance, check out the information posted at https://www.solivitahoa.com/std.php?lID=100222163#sthash.f3GUl6yb.dBybX3HZ.dpbs  

 

In addition, Polk County sends out various alerts to your phone if you register for the messages. For information about the alerts they send go to AlertPolk.com.  

 

And finally, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has a Hurricane Center website, which is the official federal government source for tropical storm information featuring frequent updates on storms as well as many links to preparedness information. NOAA is at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

 

NEW RESIDENTS - If you're new to Verona and haven't been visited by either our neighborhood captain or one of our street leaders have no fear, I will be making the rounds soon to welcome you. When I stop by I will have a new resident form to complete, and I will attempt to answer any questions you have, and if I don't know the answer, I will do my best to get answer as quickly as possible. But most importantly, I want to know about you, what you would like to see me do here in Verona, and what your interests are, and what would get you out of the house to attend neighborhood events.

 

 

RECYCLING, TRASH and YARD WASTE - All recycling, trash and yard waste is to be put out by the curb on the designated days before 6:00 AM. If you are physically or medically unable to place your refuse curbside for pick-up, Polk County Waste & Recycling does offer a Backdoor Service. The service is available to those who complete the Back Door Service Application and meet all the requirements. For more information, please call customer care at (863) 284-4319.

Recycling and yard waste is picked up on Tuesdays. For recycling, you can only use the 65-gallon yellow-topped, wheeled recycling bins provided by Polk County. And only a few types of items are recycable in Polk County.

• Aluminum cans
• Tin cans
• Cardboard
• Newspaper
• White paper
• Opaque/translucent plastic (milk/OJ containers

You cannot recycle magazines or any type of glossy paper, including glossy gift wrap. You also cannot recycle soap detergent containers, water bottles, soda bottles, or other shiny plastics.

If you have large bulk items to get rid of you may place two items curbside. Bulk items do not require scheduling. Drivers will make note of bulk items curbside as they move along their routes. Bulk items will be collected within three business days of being reported or observed; however, if bulk items are placed at the curb in between services, you will need to schedule a pick up by calling the Waste and Recycling Customer Care team (863) 284-4319 or submitting an online request. Once your two items are picked up, you may place two more items out for pickup.

Having said that, it's best to call 863-284-4319 or submit the online request in all situations to ensure your bulk items are picked up timely.

Yard waste is limited to routine yard waste--any vegetative matter resulting from routine residential lawn and landscaping maintenance, which includes:

• Shrub and tree trimmings
• Grass clippings
• Palm fronds
• Branches

Routine yard waste does NOT include:

• Whole trees/tree trunks
• Stumps/logs
• Root systems
• Land clearing debris (i.e. rocks, bushes)

Grass trimmings and leaves must be bagged or containerized for collection. Bundles, bags, or containers of yard waste should weigh less than 50 pounds each. Routine Yard Waste outside of a container should be no more than six feet in length and/or no more than six inches in diameter.

Trash is picked up on Wednesdays.

You must use an official Polk County gray rolling cart. There are three cart sizes--35,  65, and 95 gallon carts. If the cart you have is too large or small you can request a roll cart change by calling (863) 284-4319.

Additionally, four times per year you are allowed to place 5 additional bags of garbage beside the garbage cart for collection.

The following holidays may effect the day your refuse is picked up.

• New Years Day
• Memorial Day
• Fourth of July
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

When there is holiday, recycling and/or garbage is picked up the next day, unless the holiday occurs on Saturday or Sunday, then the collection schedule is not affected by that holiday.

R2R RESOURCE CENTER - The Resident To Resident Resource Center, or R2R Resource Center, is located  is located above the Bistro (open Monday thru Friday 9am – 12pm noon).  Their mission is to connect  residents and resources to build a thriving Solivita community. The R2R Resource Center is a volunteer-run center, designed to offer the residents of Solivita a wide range of resources and services including:

• Monthly workshops such as: “Getting Around Outside the Gates”, “Our Furry Companions”, “Volunteer Opportunities Outside Solivita”.
• Providing residents Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) medical equipment for short-term needs (e.g., wheelchairs, canes, scooters, walkers, etc.)
• Taking information from residents for the yearly detector battery replacement in June by CERT.
• Assisting with Solivita's AED project
• Maintain information for such services as: home healthcare, handyman, house sitters, transportation, pets, etc.
• And more!

If you have questions about whom to contact about an issue, or are unsure who to go to for answers, contact them at 863-236-9973 or solivitar2r@gmail.com. They will work with you to find the help you need. For more information visit their web page at https://www.solivitahoa.com/std.php?lID=100744368

WILDLIFE - We have all kinds of wildlife roaming the streets, not just our precious neighbors.  PLEASE obey traffic laws and speed limits.   Check out the "Photo Gallery" link on the top left to see pictures of our beautiful wildlife (and lots more).  To learn about the wildlife you will see in Solivita, CLICK