Tiara Towers

Sunday, April 19, 2020 - The Boil Water Notice has been lifted.    Drinking water supplies are safe to drink.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

This is an important message from St. Lucie County.

This is an important message from St Lucie County Public Safety. Due to a water main break, all St. Lucie County Utilities water customers on North Hutchinson Island are under a boil water notice now that the water has been restored.

A boil water notice will be in effect until further notice. St. Lucie County Utilities advises that any water used for drinking or cooking be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. Bottled water may be used as an alternative.

This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until further notice. If you have any questions, please contact St. Lucie County Utilities at 772-462-1150.

Thank you.

Shopping Tidbits from Tiara residents

Publix

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays Publix has an early morning hour (7 - 8 am) set aside for senior shoppers.      Several residents tried to go at that time and found that the Publix at Taylor Creek was really really crowded during that hour.     Not a good experience.

Publix advised, by phone, that the best time to shop, least number of people in the store, was from 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.       The experience of one resident who shopped during that time period was very good.    Fewer people in the store.

Publix doesn't yet offer a curbside pickup service at the Taylor Creek Publix.

Using the Instacart delivery service with Publix.   I tried twice.

First the story.

The first time I went online to set up an order, I was told that my order could be delivered 3 days hence.     That was too long for me and I didn't order.    The next time I went online, at about 2:30 pm, I entered my order, and was told that my order could be delivered within 2 hours!!!    for a small expedited fee of $3.99.      I gave that a try.   I was given an estimate of what my order would cost.    Then I had to enter a credit card.   I truly wasn't paying too much attention because I was so thrilled that I could get the order today, and didn't notice that the amount to be billed to my credit card was a lot more than the cost of the groceries.     The shopper contacted me almost immediately by texting to tell me he was shopping now.     I received several texts over the next 20 minutes with questions about my order, and possible substitutions.    I was able to text back and approve the substitution, or say No to it.     At my request I met the shopper at the front door to Tiara.   My receipt was in the bag.     Again, I didn't check it right away, but took my groceries up to the unit.    Then I checked the receipt and my credit card online.    After much checking and texting trying to reach Instacart (no luck there), I finally found some info on the Instacart website that the amount posted to my credit card was a "hold" and that the final amount, based on my delivered order, would be updated and posted within a day or two.     I patiently waited for a few days then checked my credit card online again.   The amount posted was better, much closer to the amount of my groceries.

Here's the caveats that I figured out (hopefully these notes are right, but I can't really confirm):

While you're online with your order, PRINT the estimated order and invoice.     I was never able to find it again.

The actual cost includes a tip for the shopper, any expedited timeframes you approved, and a delivery charge.    My bill was approximately $35 more than the receipt handed me with my groceries, which by the way does not show the tip, or any of the service-related charges.

Evidently the Instacard shopper charges your groceries to an Instacart charge card.   So you do get to see the cost of the groceries.

The amount posted to my credit card had no breakdown of charges, just one flat amount.    I was "ok" with the added $35 but if I do it again, I'll try to minimize any charges for immediate service.

Good point - the shopper was VERY GOOD.  Texted me about substitutions, friendly, accurate.

Plan ahead if you can.    Select a delivery time for next day or 2 days ahead, if you can.   There will be fewer service charge add-ons.

While I was able to respond to texts from my shopper while he was in the store, once I had the groceries in hand and needed to ask questions about the bill, my texts did NOT go through.   Nor could I call that shopper using the phone number he texted from.

BTW, I think the shopper will deliver to your door if you give him the door codes or buzz him/her in when called from the keypad.

 

Walmart

Walmart also has early hours for seniors on Tuesdays, an hour before the store opens.

Walmart also offers a home delivery option.   It looks like the delivery charge is at least $7.95, with a $30 minimum, and probably increases as your order increase in size.

Walmart does offer a free curbside pickup service for grocery shoppers.   According to their website you select the time and the location.  Their employees do your shopping and bring it to your car.   The curbside pickup date is usually also in the future.   You can pick from any of the neighboring Walmart locations.   Note - availability of your items may vary from location to location.     There's a $30 minimum for your order.   I'll give it a try.

Albert Fairclough Jr. died on April 8,2020 at 92 years of age.  He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Julia.  He was a much beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Al was an Army veteran.  He retired from the NYPD after 20 years and then spent the next 20 working for Chrysler.  He moved to Tiara in 2000.  He was a simple man who loved his God, his family and his country.  He will be greatly missed.

While self-distancing within his unit at Tiara (902 S) Al suffered injuries from a fall and was taken to hospice in Saint Lucie where he passed away.    His death was not due to COVID-19.

We remember Al as a great friend and neighbor.

The Tiara Board has posted this update:

Tiara Towers Corona Update —April 3, 2020

The Governor's 2d order is not being praised for its clarity or its influence on local governments. Clarifications will probably be issued.

Essentially, the Governor wants people in Florida to stay at home and to limit their travels to essential destinations AND to continue following Corona recommendations especially social distancing with or without masks.

The current residents at Tiara have spent the past two weeks abiding by the national and State recommended Covid 19 guidelines. New arrivals could impact the safeguards current residents have already established by self-isolating.

We would hope that our Florida owners will choose to follow the Governor's directives from their current location and not visit Tiara. However, there is no mechanism to prevent their arrival here to follow the orders.

We would also hope and advise out of state owners to remain in place out-of-state.

With respect to daily or overnight guests from Florida or other states we would advise and request that they not come unless there are valid and/or serious family-related or medically-related issues.

We would especially recommend that guests not be allowed access to a unit unless the owner is present.

If out-of-state owners do arrive we are advising that they self-quarantine and not use Tiara amenities as per the Governor's directive.

Be safe/be healthy and remember there are volunteers who are willing to help those who are sheltering in place.

Tiara Board

In a recent Tiara Newsletter you heard about the Survey that would be sent out to gather your input regarding whether or not changes should be considered for the Tiara party rooms.     Elliott Merrill has now sent out the email that has that Survey request.    That email appears in your Inbox titled as  Tiara Party Room Survey and sent by towerssurvey@gmail.com.      The email was sent to at least one email address for each Tiara unit, as long as Elliott Merrill had those email addresses.    If you have received that email and opened it you should see the words FILL OUT FORM (mine showed up with a blue background) at the bottom of the form.    You click on those words and a Google forms page opens up in your browser.    The Survey itself is very simple and takes about 1 minute, but it's important to the Board and the Committees.  Your responses (1 per unit please) will help the Board make decisions for the party rooms.

If you haven't received that email with the Survey, please check your Trash or Spam folder to see if it got caught by your filters.  The email was sent out in late March.  I received mine on March 31st.     If you still can't find it perhaps your email is not listed or is incorrectly listed with Elliott Merrill.    If you can't find it send an email to towerssurvey@gmail.com and provide a list of all of your active emails that might be set up with EM or for the Tiara Newsletter and we'll try to figure out what's missing.

There are a very small number of owners who do not have an email address and EM is sending a Survey form through the mail to those owners.

As everyone knows by now, Florida's Governor has issued a "Stay at Home" order if you don't work in an essential service.     For Tiara I'm guessing that means most of us.    I can tell by looking out my windows and over the catwalk that those of us in residence at Tiara are taking it to heart.     There are fewer cars moving on the roads, fewer people in the lobbies or walking the grounds, certainly no parties or card games or gatherings.    We will get through this.    Visitors and travelers are discouraged from coming to Tiara, for our heath and for theirs.      Some snowbirds and renters are actually remaining longer at Tiara when they can, rather than risk traveling to an area known to have greater outbreaks of the virus.

Social distancing is evident at the pool and on the beach, in the elevators and in the lobbies.     Many residents are providing assistance to other residents, making face masks, shopping for essential goods, helping with transportation to doctor visits, and just staying in touch by phone and texting and email.    Tiarans are really a great group!    If you need assistance reach out to the Board or to your neighbors.   I'm sure you'll find someone willing to help!

Tiara remains in great shape.     Our Elliott Merrill employees, David and Gloria, are still with us, still healthy (thanks for that!).    Since we have to stay at home, Tiara is a pretty awesome place to stay.

Many of us have family or friends who are furloughed, or out of work, or even ill due to the virus.    Our hearts and prayers are with them.

Bill Dicker, Board President writes:

Tiara Towers News and Clarification

March 29, 2020

The message from our property manager did not exactly reflect the message the Board wished to convey but as each day goes by it does capture the spirit of directives coming from, or being considered by, federal, state, county and local governments - not to mention advice we are receiving from our attorney and Elliott Merrill’s attorney.

The Board did not want to order that no one have daily or overnight guests. We have received many messages from in-residence owners who do want that.  The Board did not want to forbid the arrival of out of state or Florida hot spot guests but, again, we have received many messages from Tiara residents that we do so.

The Board does want you to think seriously about having guests who have to travel to get here.  There is a risk to them and there is an unknown risk to Tiara residents.  This is especially difficult considering that Easter is not far away.

We have not closed the fitness rooms or the pools because we have noticed that people are social distancing and hope that some government entity does not force us to close them.  Please social distance as you see fit in these areas,  especially the fitness rooms, where we have asked that only one person use the room at a time – cleaning carefully as they use the machines.

As the beaches around us have been closed we have noticed people trying to access the beach through our property.  If you see someone doing this, advise them they are trespassing.  Likewise, please do not give blanket invitations to your friends in the area to visit Tiara to use the pool or the beach whenever they wish.

Tiara Board

Continue reading →

Sataurday, March 28th   Mike Gallagher, Elliott Merrill Account Manager for Tiara wrote:

 

Good afternoon all,

The Board has asked me to send out this advisory.

Owners and tenants already on site should not have over night guests.

Owners not on site should not visit or have guests visit.

Anyone coming on site (from in-state or out) will be asked to self quarantine for 14 days as per the Governor's requirements.

 

All other Community standards apply.

All Visitors must be registered.

All owners must adhere to the occupancy limits for their unit.

Anyone on site should be aware of and maintain "social distancing" as recommended by the CDC guidelines.

As of this morning there were 12 recorded cases and one fatality due to Covid 19 in St Lucie County.

We are sorry for the inconvenience but we are all "better safe than sorry".

 

Mike Gallagher,  CAM

Elliott Merrill

Continue reading →

PUBLIX

Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7-8 a.m for seniors only. This is for customers age 65 and over ONLY. The service will continue until further notice. Publix Pharmacy will also open at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to serve seniors.

DOLLAR GENERAL

First hour of operations each day to senior citizens. They are also planning on closing one hour earlier than the current closing time to allow employees to clean and re-stock, as well as for their health and wellbeing.

WALMART

Hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens. Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time.

TARGET

Reserving the first hour of shopping each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.

WINN-DIXIE

8 – 9 a.m., Monday through Friday, in all stores.

Please remember that we live in an area that has a great number of folks over 60 and that these shopping hours may actually be more popular than expected.

Dear Tiara Neighbors,

Many improvements have been completed in the foyer and party rooms including acquiring new foyer furniture, painting the walls, decorating the lobbies and hanging new drapes in the party rooms. The next task of the Decorating Committee is to update the party room furniture to fit in with the new décor.

The Repurposing Committee has been investigating potential sitting-area furniture.  We want to make the party room more useful, functional, aesthetically pleasing, potentially increase the value of our units, and make Tiara more in line with how other condos are modernizing.  To this end, we could add a new seating area to the room to increase functionality for such purposes as a place to chat with friends, a reading area, or group exercise.

Here are the guiding principles that the Repurposing Committee followed:

1. Social events will remain easy to set up and take down.  As is currently done, seating for all social events will be augmented by folding chairs and folding tables as needed.
2. Card games and Mahjong will be accommodated as before.
3. Money is in the Furniture Reserves for updating the party rooms, so no assessment will be needed. The cost difference between repurposing versus retaining the same configuration is minimal.

After extensive research with the Social Committee and all groups that regularly use the party rooms it has been identified that no more than 5 tables with chairs are ever used.  For parties, folding tables and folding chairs replace most of the normal party room furniture in order to accommodate larger numbers of attendees.

After much study the Repurposing Committee has recommended a layout that includes 5 tables with 2 arm-chairs and 2 side-chairs each and a comfortable seating area for visiting and relaxation.

To assist you, two schematic designs will be provided with the survey.  Diagram B shows the party room with a movable conversation area.  Diagram A shows the current configuration (no change).

The Repurposing Committee recommends a vote for added functionality (Diagram B) and asks for your support. 

Responding to the Survey

The survey will be sent to only the primary email address for your unit.   The Tiara Board expects one response to the survey.    If you have not received the survey within the next week please contact Elliott Merrill at 772-466-2630.