A cat is missing from Live Oak Preserve.  Please see the attached flyer.  The family is expanding their search and need the residents of Covington Estates to join them in keeping your eyes out for Niko.

Our summer rains have been routinely generous. You lawn requires about an inch of water per week during the growing season, less during fall and winter. Our summer rainfall patterns have been providing the water your landscape and lawn needs to make a good summer show of healthy green growth.

Your rain sensor should be keeping your irrigation system off when your yard receives significant rainfall. If you haven’t seen a reduction in your irrigation use, please check your rain sensor and controller settings to take advantage of easy water savings now.

Here are five resources from the City of Tampa Water Department to help you to “save water save cash” during this season of plentiful rain:

1. Don’t know how to test your rain sensor? Use the Rain Sensor Checkup link to learn to check your rain sensor in 4 easy steps.
2. Still running your irrigation system without a functional rain sensor? Eligible customers can receive a free rain sensor. Use the FREE Rain Sensors link to order it online.
3. Wondering how much money your irrigation use adds to your water bill? Use our simple online Irrigation Calculator to estimate irrigation costs. Just plug in the number of minutes you plan to run each zone.
4. Experiencing high irrigation use? Can’t figure out why? Request a free irrigation evaluation by emailing: SaveWater@tampagov.net. Give your name, number and best time to reach you.
5. Installing new sod or landscape? Read “8 Things to know about Irrigating New Lawns and Landscape” before you order your sod. Consider using the 30-day establishment plan developed by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS.)

Looking ahead, weather experts are predicting a wetter than normal winter with higher than average rainfall through the start of 2016. Don’t miss out on the easy water savings. Get ready to dial back the run times on your irrigation controller using these seasonal settings from UF/IFAS:

Table 1.Seasonal irrigation run times for spray and rotor zones.

Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo and FREE DAY at MOSI!  The 2015 Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo encourages Bay area residents to “Be Ready”

What:         2015 Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo
When:        Saturday, May 30th, 10 am – 4 pm
Where:       MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa

The City of Tampa and Hillsborough County, in partnership with MOSI, will host the 2015 Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 30th, at the Museum of Science & Industry. Admission to the Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo is FREE, and will include access to MOSI’s exhibit galleries. In addition, Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo guests can enjoy one documentary film in the Florida Hospital IMAX® Dome Theatre for only $5 per person (children under 2 admitted FREE).

At the EXPO, attendees will learn what to do before, during and after a storm.  Residents will learn the importance of having a solid disaster plan in place well in advance so that they can quickly recover after a storm.  Additionally, MOSI’s STEAMpunks will provide science demonstrations and activities, while the adults enjoy a variety of speakers and vendors. Attendees also will have the chance to win one of two Kindle Fire HDs.

The Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo attendees will be able to attend question-and-answer weather panels, held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., to hear from meteorologists representing local news stations and the National Weather Service. Additionally, a public safety panel will be held at noon and a cybersecurity panel will be held at 2 p.m. Additional sessions on pet care and preparation techniques will also take place throughout the day.

 For more information visit www.TampaBayHurricaneExpo.com.

Covington Estates HOA would like to remind residents that:

• No parking is permitted on the common areas, including streets
• Vehicles are not permitted to block the sidewalks at any time
• Residents need to adhere to the posted 20-miles per hour speed limit

With the warmer temperatures and school being out for the summer, many children and adults alike are out and about throughout our community.

Please take the time to remind all of the drivers in your household as well as visitors to obey the speed limit, come to a complete stop at the stop signs, and drive cautiously throughout Covington Estates.

At 20 mph the stopping distance needed is 69 feet. Statistics have shown that the incident of pedestrians and bicyclists hit by a car are three times higher in a residential neighborhood that those recorded on the highways.

Thank you for your cooperation. Keep Covington Estates Safe!