Welcome to the Cantamar Bulletin Board.
Cantamar is a friendly, close-knit community. This page is a means to communicate with each other.
If you have any information you think would be of interest to your neighbors,
please send it to webmaster@cantamarhoa.org.
Maybe you are looking for a babysitter, or want to offer to mow lawns. This is your forum.
(If your posting is timely, let us know when to put it up, and when to remove it.)
We'll also post important stories from the Home Page in case you missed them.

The Board of Directors and Webmaster reserve the right to edit items for content or length. Note that new postings are added to the top; postings get older as you scroll down.

 


Real Estate Update (January 2012)

Do you have friends who'd like to live in our great neighborhood?
The following homes in Cantamar are currently listed for sale:
20503 SW 88 Avenue, listed at $345,000
9024 SW 206 Street, listed at $299,000
20626 SW 90 Place, listed at $265,000

There are currently no homes available for rent.


Property Values in Cantamar (August 2011)

We got this information from a local realtor and wanted to pass it on to homeowners:
We are happy to report that Cantamar property values are weathering the storm. Looking back from August 2010 to August 2011 we can report that in July of this year we achieved the highest average sales price per square foot of the last 12 months -- $107.00 per sq. ft. This is a marked improvement and an indication of an upward market trend. This coupled with a faster absorption rate and low inventory is nothing but good news for our community. At the present time, out of 252 homes in Cantamar, there are only 3 homes listed for sale and 1 home listed for rent. Cantamar has become the community of choice, thanks to the continued joint effort of all our homeowners and renters who are proud to call Cantamar home.


208th Street Improvements Win Award

Congratulations to Rafael Casals, Public Works Director, and the Town of Cutler Bay for winning the 2010 Technical and Management Innovation Award from the South Florida Branch of the American Public Works Association for the SW 208th Street and Tree Master Plan. It was awarded "in recognition of outstanding engineering innovation for the development and implementation of creative ideas, on a transportation project that enhances the goals of Public Works in serving and protecting the public, enhancing our communities and protecting the environment."

We, in Cantamar, can be proud of our contribution to this award with our tireless efforts to get this improvement made.
Thanks to all who participated, and to the Board for continuing to work with the Town on the landscaping improvements.


Found Dog--Palmetto Bay Village Center

This dog was found in the vicinity of the Palmetto Bay Viilage Center (Old Cutler Road and SW 184th Street) the last week in September. If this is your dog, please contact Sam or Adriana at (305) 310-8262 or (786) 261-3074.


Renters' Screening

At the October 2010 Meeting, the manager announced that the changes to our documents to allow for the Screening of Renters had been approved. These changes took effect in March 2011.A mailing describing the requirements will be sent to all owners in February. Click here to read the Amendments to our Documents (PDF). The screening process for new renters is now in place.
Potential renters have to apply to rent in our community, and an interview will be held with them.


208th Street Now Open!

A Tree Planting Ceremony and 208th Street Ribbon Cuttingtook place October 28, 2010
Mayor Vrooman, Council Members Tim Meerbott and Peggy Bell, Town of Cutler Bay staff, our manager James Popadak, and several Cantamar homeowners attended. The Tree Planting Ceremony took place in the morning and celebrated the 700th street tree planted in Cutler Bay. In the afternoon, the Mayor spoke briefly about the 208th Street project, saying how thrilled he was that it had been instigated by residents and picked up by the Town staff. He also said how proud he was that it was the first project
completely undertaken by the Town, and that was probably why it came in on time and under budget. Then the Mayor and the entire group cut the ribbon officially opening the street. Click here for photos of both events.


Is this your dog?

This female chow chow mix dog was picked up by animal control in Cantamar
on Wednesday, September 1, 2010.

 

If this is your dog, please contact Animal Control at 311 right away!

 

 

 


Muscovy Ducks – Fun to watch, but a Hazard

Cantamar residents are graced with enjoying a variety of wildlife, literally right in our own backyards. But residents should be aware of potential hazards posed by some of these wild animals. You've seen the "Muscovy" ducks. These are the ones with odd-looking "growths" (actually "caruncles") on their faces. They actually don't "quack" but they "hiss."

 

These non-native ducks produce a large quantity of droppings, which can soil patios and seriously degrade water quality of our lakes. The droppings present a "significant hazard to the health of humans and their pets." Inter-breeding with other species can decrease their capacity to adapt, resist disease and persist. And they can become aggressive.

 

How can you help? Please DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS. This will encourage them to go elsewhere, and reduce droppings. Keep your children and pets away from them and their droppings, to avoid spread of disease. The Homeowners' Association is in the process of relocating this feral species out of our neighborhood. Your cooperation is appreciated.
(source: University of Florida IFAS Extension) Learn More.


Dog Found

His name is "Coco", but he no longer has his tag on. If you lost this dog, contact:

Andrea: (305) 298-8185; 20644 SW 91st Ct.

 

 


Bunny Found!

Did you lose your bunny?
 
A bunny was found this past Sunday (12/20/09) in the Cantamar neighborhood.

If you are the bunny's owner, contact Elena & Mingo Diaz at 786-306-0808.


Furniture Sale

I am a Cantamar resident and am selling the following furniture:
 
Young America by Stanley Aspen collection made of maple veneers; Northern white hard maple and selected hardwood solids.  Dresser with hutch, nightstand and bookcase.  Retail for $2200 asking $950.  (See photos)
 
Ethan Allen Couch upholstered in premium grade P fabric.  Dimensions are 96L x 38w x 39H.  Barely used -  in like new condition.  Retail for $3000 asking $900.  (See photos)
 
Please call Renee Wendeln at (305) 971-1126 if interested or email rwendeln@bellsouth.net


Recommended Baby Sitter

Maria Ruiz recommends Khadisha Malcolm, a 22-year-old college student who is a fabulous babysitter. "I know her personally since she was 15 years old and can’t say enough about how amazing she is. She is also CPR qualified. Some of our neighbors use her already including myself and I am sure everyone knows her as she worked at our Starbuck’s since its opening." Khadisha is also available for tutoring, and will provide activities when babysitting. She charges $10/hour.

Contact Khadisha at 786-342-4129.


Save on your wastewater bill with a Sub-meter
A great way to save money on the wastewater portion of your bill -- the more expensive portion if you receive both water and sewer services -- is by installing a submeter. Typically, 50% of the water used residentially is used outdoors. Installing a submeter could reduce 50% of the sewage portion of your bill.

To learn more, visit www.miamidade.gov/wasd/save_submeter.asp or call Customer Services at 305-665-7477.


Cantamar on Facebook
Become a Fan of Cantamar on Facebook, a meeting place for parents and kids in the neighborhood.


Traveling??
If you're going to be out of town for an extended length of time, please notify James Popadak at our management company (305-255-0900 or james@tgms.com) to avoid any possible violations while you're gone.


208th Street Plan Update

On February 10, 2010, Mr. Meerbott gave us the update on 208th Street. The bottom line is the groundbreaking for the improvements will be in July,
and the work will be completed by October.
The Town is planning groundbreaking and grand opening events.

View photos/proposed designs.


Report on Turkey Point Safety Meeting

Councilwoman Katy Sorensen convened a meeting at 6:30 pm Thursday evening at South Dade Government Center to discuss Turkey Point and troubling information that they might not be adhering to proper safety protocols. The meeting was attended by elected officials from Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, and Homestead. Despite multiple invitations, FPL refused to send a representative to address the public's concerns pertaining to the agency's safety measures and assurances they are adhering to proper safety protocols.

The meeting was extremely well attended by concerned citizens (many had to remain standing ) and all major news outlets were present. The purpose for the meeting was the elected officials' need for assurances that Turkey Point is being operated in a safe manner and that proper safety protocols are being adhered to by FPL. The need for external monitoring of the company was discussed.

The meeting concluded at 7:15 pm with Ms. Sorensen indicating that two meetings will be held with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the month of April and how she anticipated FPL would send representatives to both. She encouraged all present to attend these meetings and voice their concerns. Cards were passed around so that those who wished to, could write down their concerns. She added how she would ensure these questions were discussed during the two upcoming meetings. The meetings will be held in Homestead. Additional information will be posted on Cutler Bay's government website.

Thanks to Sissy De Jesus for attending the meeting and submitting this report.

For information: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson's office, 305-375-5218.


Online Bill Pay for HOA Dues

We have changed banks to BB&T. If you use an online bill payment system, please use the bill pay account number in your coupon book. The number is listed as Bill Pay Account Number on the coupon. This number is unique to each homeowner’s property address and is required to post online bill pay payments.

Click here for detailed information on paying your HOA dues.

Click here to download the form for automatic debit of your dues from your bank account.


Please Don't Feed the Birds

We all enjoy the beautiful wildlife which graces us. However, please do not feed the birds and ducks in the neighborhood. First of all, it is not healthy for them as they become dependent on people for food. Secondly, it encourages them to use the neighborhood as their bathroom, leaving droppings on patios and porches. This is not healthy for us (particularly children playing in these areas).


Mailbox Replacement

Beautiful Mailbox Company installed the mailboxes throughout Cantamar. They still have the same model currently in the community and can provide replacements. The model is the Key West 100 in Black.

Beautiful Mailbox Company
2360 W. 76th Street,
Hialeah, FL 33016
Phone: 305-403-4820
Toll free: 1-800-856-6983
http://www.beautifulmailbox.com/
Adrian spoke with Deloris there.

Prices (Includes product, installation, and tax):

  • Mailbox (not including palm decoration w/numbers) $53.00
  • Mailbox with Post (Single, includes palm decoration and numbers) $224.70
  • Mailbox with Post (Double, includes palm decoration and numbers) $278.20
  • Post Only Single (Includes palm decoration and numbers. Using existing mailbox) $208.65
  • Post Only Double (Includes palm decoration and numbers. Using existing mailbox) $246.10

Prices subject to change without notice.


Don't lose your ficus

Ficus (Fig) Whitefly Control

The Board of Directors of the Cantamar Homeowners Association has completed treatment of the ficus hedges along 87th and 92nd Avenues and 208th Street to eliminate the Ficus Whitefly infestation.

The Board recommends that individual homeowners with ficus plants treat their plants at the same time in order to eliminate the infestation from the neighborhood. Contact Fred Hein at TruGreen at 305-889-0654 to arrange treatment (at your own expense). Let him know you are a Cantamar homeowner.

The Fig Whitefly infestation is controlled through a two-part application of insecticides and fertilizers. The ficus are treated with a foliar application of liquid insecticide immediately followed by a root zone drench of imidicloprid systemic insecticide.

The first spraying with a liquid contact insecticide will kill as much of the active insect populations as possible and quickly stop further damage to the plants.

The systemic insecticide is applied as a root zone drench along with a liquid fertilizer. The systemic insecticide provides long-term protection against attack from new populations of whiteflies. The fertilizer helps the plant take up and distribute the insecticide and promote the new growth that will help the plant recover from the insect damage.

We are already seeing dead and dying ficus hedges along Old Cutler Road and 87th Avenue north of here. We want to prevent that from happening in Cantamar.

Read more about Ficus (Fig) Whiteflies and how to control them. Download the Report from Miami-Dade County (.pdf). Download the University of Florida Report (.pdf).


Support Group for Young Stroke Survivors

Y.E.S. Young Empowered Survivors, Stroke Survivors Group meets monthly. E-mail yesstrokegroup@bellsouth.net or call Isabel at 786-473-2865 for more information.


Wind Inspections

The My Safe Florida Home program offers eligible homeowners free wind inspections from qualified hurricane mitigation inspectors.

The 2007 Florida Legislature and the Governor passed legislation that modifies some components of the My Safe Florida Home program, including grant criteria. Under the new law, if you received your wind inspection report after May 1, 2007, you will be eligible for a matching grant up to $5,000 if you meet the new eligibility requirements.

Visit www.mysafefloridahome.com.

My mom had them go out to her home, she contacted one of the shutter companies on their list. The total for her shutters was $6500 - the state is paying for 1/2


Well-Owners' Tip -- Beat the Rust

If you have a well and you are noticing rust stains, you could get a 30-gallon Siphoning Feeder System that attaches to your well and add Formula #2000 to it. This will significantly decrease, if not remove all together, all the rust/water hardness.

I just spoke to Evergreen Sprinklers who delivers for free if you buy 4 gallons at a time (@ $22 each) or you could pick up from them. They also do sprinkler repairs and install the Siphoning Feeder Systems.

Warning: The Home Depot stuff doesn't work!! I'm speaking from experience. Just thought I'd share with the neighbors before the rust gets out of control. 


Take Action

Our Management Company along with the Board of Directors needs your help. More complaints on a particular issue might help speed the process of change.

FPL Leaning Poles - Please contact Armando Llauro, FPL Project Mgr for our area, 305-387-7815.

Speeding - To report a speeding problem on your street, call the police non-emergency number 305-4-POLICE (305-476-5423) or Officer John McLaughlin: 305-234-4237. Or report it at MyGovHelp.


Landscape Tips

If your landscape is more than two years old, the support bracing on your trees should be removed. They can damage the tree. The regular trash pick up will not take them. Please dispose of them at the Trash and Recycling Center drop off at 9401 SW 184 Street.

 



County Water Restrictions Eased

New water restrictions took effect Friday, 4/18/08, for Miami-Dade County. It applies to all users. Full details on the restrictions are posted on the South Florida Water Management District website, www.sfwmd.gov/conserve. Below is an extract from that site.

Highlights of the Modified Phase II water shortage order include:

Residents and businesses of Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Monroe, St. Lucie and coastal areas of Lee, Martin and Palm Beach counties, including the City of West Palm Beach, are limited to a two-day-per-week landscape irrigation schedule with two "watering windows:"

  • Odd street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

  • Even street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

  • The SFWMD recommends the efficient use of water, which includes placing a maximum of about three-quarters of an inch to an inch of water once per week on lawns and accomplishing irrigation during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest to reduce evaporation losses.

Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off.

Low-volume irrigation, including the use of drip and microjet systems that apply water directly to plant root zones, is not restricted but should be voluntarily reduced.

Additional watering days and times are allocated for the establishment of new lawns and landscapes.

No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, pressure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides).

Golf courses must reduce their allocated water use by 30 percent.

    HOMEOWNERS' TIPS: SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
    Check your system for leaks or broken sprinkler heads. Turn system on ''test'' mode and watch each zone as it works. Make sure heads are not watering the street, driveway or sidewalks. If there are puddles, you're watering too much. Set timer to water before sunrise to reduce evaporation.

HOMEOWNERS' TIPS: REPAIR LEAK
Check outdoor spigots and inside faucets for leaks. A dripping faucet can waste 1,000 gallons to 2,000 gallons of water a year. A leaking toilet can lose 500 gallons in a day.

HAND WATERING
Confine flowers in pots to one area for watering.

From South Florida Water Management District


Car Break-ins

Last year, a visitor's car was broken into. The passenger's window was smashed and a fanny pack taken (it didn't contain anything valuable.) When the police arrived, they said the current trend is for thieves (i.e., "kids") to break into cars of people who are clearly visiting the homeowner. Apparently, they figure that everyone is distracted and that the guests will most likely leave valuable possessions in the car while visiting in the neighborhood.

So, word of advice to anyone having a party or having friends over -- tell your visitors to remove all items from the car. (This is good advice for residents who park their cars in their driveways, too.)

 



Start a Playgroup

My name is Elena Zervos and I am interested in starting or joining a community playgroup. I have 3 kids of my own. Please email me at xzervos33@yahoo.com if you are interested.