Home Front
Briefs and news of note

Something new, something gamey and an elusive blue
Coming soon to a wall near you: The latest color, vapor.

The birthday express line needs help
Every once in a while, a sense of urgency accompanies a reader's request. Usually a special surprise is involved, and it's always fun to be involved, even indirectly, in bringing it about.

Board meeting not a forum for members
Question: What are an owner's legal rights about asking questions or commenting during a board meeting? Several of us attended a board meeting last night but were blocked, as usual, from speaking. Our board's policy is that members may speak, ask questions or receive feedback for a total of five minutes at the beginning or end of each meeting. If the board cannot address the issues adequately in that time, we are asked to put our additional comments in writing and the board will get back to us. We are not allowed to speak, ask questions or vote while the meeting is in session.

Readers share useful tips
From time to time, readers e-mail me information that others might find useful. Here are the latest offerings from cyberspace.

Web site offers contractors disaster aid
ORLANDO -- Florida building contractors have formed a Disaster Contractor Network to deal more effectively with the next great disaster that strikes the state.

Whether acid-rich or acid-poor, neutralize your soil
In many ways, Central Florida is two distinct places, each with its own mixed blessings. Folks gardening near the coast catch the brunt of hurricanes and salty sea spray, but they have milder freezes, protected by warm Gulf waters. Inland homeowners and gardeners are denied sea breezes but often get the summer monsoons a bit earlier.