NewsDec04

The Social Committee has arranged a myriad of festive holiday activities for residents. Flyers with all of the pertinent details for events will be delivered to your apartment door.

Saturday, December 4, from 4:00 until 6:00, residents are invited to the Renaissance Club Room for the annual decorating party. Assorted refreshments, soft drinks and beer will be served. For those who want liquor or wine, please bring your own.

Owners who are not in residence but plan to be here to attend should inform JoAnn at the Front Desk (941.957.1956). Your r. s. v. p. is due no later than Wednesday, December 1.

Tuesday, December 7, at sundown, is the eve of Hanukkah, or Chanukah as it is often spelled. The lighting of the Menorah will be in the Club Room from 5:00 until 6:00. A sign-up sheet will be available with JoAnn at the Front Desk.

Saturday, January 1, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, plan to be at the annual New Year's Day celebratory brunch. Cheer for your favorite football team as you watch the various bowl games on the Club Room TV and start the New Year in a casual relaxed manner with such tantalizing items as revitalizing Bloody Marys and brunch.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, the December gatherings also have a charitable purpose. The recipients will be some three and four year old children in Sarasota who benefit from programs provided at Children First.

Children First was founded as Sarasota Day Nursery in 1961 by the Junior League of Sarasota in response to the unmet child-care needs of low-income families. In the mid 1970's the organization became a United Way member agency and in 1993 it was awarded the Head Start program for Sarasota County. In 1997 Children First was awarded the Early Head Start program for services to infants and toddlers.

For admission to the Renaissance decorating party in the Club Room on December 4, please bring an unwrapped gift for a three or four year old child or your check payable to Children First. This worthwhile organization is a private, non-profit charity with 501(c) 3 status. The charity's target population is families with children, under the age of five, who have a family income of $18,850 or less, which is below the federal poverty income guidelines.

If you have questions about the charity, or want to help the Social Committee in any way, contact any of these members: Marlene at 362.9584, Gina at 954.7706, Susan at 366.6667 or Sally at 954.0626.

Regrettably, a sufficient number of owners failed to show up at the November 11 Annual Meeting, or to send in their proxy. Therefore a quorum of greater than 50% of the 244 owners was not achieved, and the Annual Meeting could not be held. By law, Florida Condominium Statute mandates an annual meeting of the owners, so we'll have to try again in December.

While official business could not be conducted at the November meeting, important issues were discussed. It was not an official meeting, so the budget for 2005 could not be approved. New Officers, however, could be designated: The new Board, and newly elected officers are:

Within the week all owners will receive a letter advising them about the re-scheduled Owners' Meeting and urgently requesting that they submit a proxy even if they plan to attend. It is critical that we achieve a quorum at the December meeting or there can be no approval of the 2005 budget.

Please immediately execute your proxy and mail or deliver it to the Association, even if you plan to attend the re-scheduled December meeting. You can always retrieve your proxy at the door of the meeting and vote in person.

If you know of an owner who does not intend to use a proxy, or to attend the re-scheduled meeting, please encourage them to complete and submit their proxy. We must not have another delayed Annual Meeting.

Are you getting calls from your friends and relatives in other parts of the world who want to experience a bit of Florida winter sunshine? Have you run out of space in your guest room?

Why not utilize the two Renaissance guest suites that are available on a first come, first served reservation basis right here in the building? When you have your guests stay in a guest suite, it is a perfect way to have visitors and still maintain privacy for them and for you too. Owners or lessees must be in residence for then entire time that the sponsored guests are staying in a guest suite. Guest suites are not available to the general public.

During the season from November through May, the daily suite charge is $120, with a discount price of $100 per night given for rentals of five nights or more. Each suite has a queen-size bed, table and two chairs, microwave oven, small refrigerator, coffeemaker, hair dryer, cable TV, ironing board and iron, silverware and dishes. The proceeds for the rentals go to the Association and help to offset Renaissance maintenance costs.

Pets are not permitted in guest suites, and guests are not permitted to bring a pet on Renaissance I grounds, or into the building. Overnight parking is provided for the guest in the Visitor Lot during each day of the rental.

The Renaissance has guidelines for seasonal wreaths, door ornamentation and religious symbols attached to doors and doorframes. Holiday wreaths, not to exceed 18 inches overall, may be displayed on doors for one week before and after a traditional U.S. or religious holiday. No permanent attachment is permitted. The recommended methods are to use over-door hangers or an arrangement to hook onto your doorknocker. Small, inconspicuous religious icons, such as the traditional Mezuzah, may be attached to the vertical exterior doorframe by the use of double-faced tape. No screws, nails or permanent attachment may be made to the frame.

Of the ten apartments tested by our environmental consultant, three were found to have test results that are less than desirable. Those owners have been notified and were encouraged to follow up with their own advisor to address the matter and correct any deficiencies.

Our engineering consultant has inspected the building. Preliminary conclusions indicate that water and destructive testing on the exterior of the building is warranted. We anticipate testing to occur before the end of this year.

Our attorney is in contact with the developer and we have engaged an experienced construction litigation attorney in the event we need to take legal action.

In response to a helpful suggestion from a resident, a wire hanger shelf was installed in the recycling area. Residents may place unwanted accumulated wire hangers from the cleaners in that area. Hangers left there will be recycled. As we all know, every little bit of recycling helps.

The December movie will be "The Clearing", starring past Academy Award nominees Robert Redford, Helen Mirren and Willem Dafoe. The Los Angeles Times movie critic labeled this as "an intelligent thriller". This talented cast drew rave reviews in this taut, engrossing thriller about fate, love and missed opportunities. Redford portrays a self-made tycoon kidnapped and now in the most important negotiation ever for his life.

Did you know there is a "Hot Spot" for wireless Internet access available at the Renaissance? This is great news for those of you who travel here with a laptop and do not have some form of high-speed Internet access in your apartment.

One of our residents set up a wireless access point near the North end of the Club Room (by the fireplace lounge area). Residents with wireless access cards in their laptop computers (or laptops with internal Centrino wireless capability) can access the Internet using a high speed, broadband link. Just position yourself and your laptop by the Club Room fireplace. Then log onto your Internet provider - just like sitting at Starbucks, except without an on-line access charge.

December through April is historically the time of year with the most requests for personal use of the common elements, so it is timely to remind everyone about the procedures.

Residents may contact the Reception Desk or the Administrative Office staff to reserve any of the common element facilities such as the Club Room, Media Room, Sitting Room, Massage Rooms and Gas Grill area. The resident will be responsible for all damage and must be in attendance at all times that the facility is in use.

There is a $100 security deposit required to reserve the Club Room and catering kitchen. The facility may not be used for any commercial endeavor or for any unlawful purpose. All of the common area facilities, except for the guest suites, must be cleaned and vacated no later than midnight. In many cases, especially the various December and January holidays, one resident will be using the Club Room at night and another will be using it the following day. Therefore, it is imperative that each resident leave the facility clean and ready for immediate use by the next person.

Parking for guests will be limited to non-reserved open spaces located on Renaissance I property. For events expecting more than 20 vehicles, the resident must arrange in advance for parking management or provide for valet parking.

A guest list for all non-resident attendees must be provided to the management office a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Residents, guests, contractors, entertainers, musicians, or caterers may not use the loading dock, service elevator hallway, lobby, or any common element room to stage or store catering, food or service equipment, or furniture, chairs or tables.

Upholstered furniture, side tables, or carpeting may not be moved in the Club Room. Side chairs and four-seat tables may be repositioned, and those must be returned to their original location at the end of the event.

The Property Manager must approve any loudspeakers, amplified musical instruments, public address systems, and live musical performances at least 24 hours in advance of the event. No glass containers may be brought into the pool, spa or onto the pool deck patio or pool deck areas. Ice Sculptures, beer kegs and coolers are not permitted, except if they are located in the catering kitchen.

The resident assumes all risk of injury, unless caused by the gross negligence of the Association, and shall indemnify the Association from any and all legal action that may be brought against it.

With the start of the winter season, there are now more of our residents living in the building. That means more groceries coming in, more luggage going to and fro, and lots of holiday gifts being brought in and out. Many of those trips will be made easier with the use of the various carts that are here in the building for residents to use.

There are two basket-type carts on the second and third floors. These are kept by the garage entrance on the third floor and in the mailroom on the second floor.

The carts are loaned on the honor system. As a courtesy, the resident who borrows the cart should return it to the location where they got it as soon as they are finished using it. With everyone's cooperation, the carts will be there when other residents want them. Please, never use a cart and then leave it in your apartment, the hallway, the parking garage or an elevator.

Additional carts are available at the front desk. There are two basket-type carts and one large valet cart stored there. Residents are responsible for signing these out and returning them to the front desk.



	Renaissance Times December, 2004 HAPPY HOLIDAYS The Social Committee has arranged a myriad of festive holiday activities for residents. Flyers with all of the pertinent details for events will be delivered to your apartment door. Be sure to note these celebration dates and times on your calendar and then join your neighbors at the Renaissance. Saturday, December 4, from 4:00 until 6:00, residents are invited to the Renaissance Club Room for the annual decorating party. Assorted refreshments, soft drinks and beer will be served. For those who want liquor or wine, please bring your own. Owners who are not in residence but plan to be here to attend should inform JoAnn at the Front Desk (941.957.1956). Your r. s. v. p. is due no later than Wednesday, December 1. Tuesday, December 7, at sundown, is the eve of Hanukkah, or Chanukah as it is often spelled. The lighting of the Menorah will be in the Club Room from 5:00 until 6:00. A sign-up sheet will be available with JoAnn at the Front Desk. Saturday, January 1, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, plan to be at the annual New Year's Day celebratory brunch. Cheer for your favorite football team as you watch the various bowl games on the Club Room TV and start the New Year in a casual relaxed manner with such tantalizing items as revitalizing Bloody Marys and brunch. In keeping with the spirit of the season, the December gatherings also have a charitable purpose. The recipients will be some three and four year old children in Sarasota who benefit from programs provided at Children First. Children First was founded as Sarasota Day Nursery in 1961 by the Junior League of Sarasota in response to the unmet child-care needs of low-income families. In the mid 1970's the organization became a United Way member agency and in 1993 it was awarded the Head Start program for Sarasota County. In 1997 Children First was awarded the Early Head Start program for services to infants and toddlers. For admission to the Renaissance decorating party in the Club Room on December 4, please bring an unwrapped gift for a three or four year old child or your check payable to Children First. This worthwhile organization is a private, non-profit charity with 501(c) 3 status. The charity's target population is families with children, under the age of five, who have a family income of $18,850 or less, which is below the federal poverty income guidelines. If you have questions about the charity, or want to help the Social Committee in any way, contact any of these members: Marlene at 362.9584, Gina at 954.7706, Susan at 366.6667 or Sally at 954.0626. POSTPONED 2004 ANNUAL MEETING Regrettably, a sufficient number of owners failed to show up at the November 11 Annual Meeting, or to send in their proxy. Therefore a quorum of greater than 50% of the 244 owners was not achieved, and the Annual Meeting could not be held. By law, Florida Condominium Statute mandates an annual meeting of the owners, so we'll have to try again in December. While official business could not be conducted at the November meeting, important issues were discussed. It was not an official meeting, so the budget for 2005 could not be approved. New Officers, however, could be designated: The new Board, and newly elected officers are: Charles Bubeck, President (one year remaining on his term in office) Dr. Robert Nerthling, Vice President (one year remaining on his term in office) Bruce VanDuyne, Treasurer (one year remaining on his term in office) Marion Fitzpatrick, Secretary (new member, two-year term) Gary Majer (incumbent, new two-year term) Brian Geery (incumbent, new two-year term) Regina Wagner (incumbent, new two-year term) Within the week all owners will receive a letter advising them about the re-scheduled Owners' Meeting and urgently requesting that they submit a proxy even if they plan to attend. It is critical that we achieve a quorum at the December meeting or there can be no approval of the 2005 budget. Please immediately execute your proxy and mail or deliver it to the Association, even if you plan to attend the re-scheduled December meeting. You can always retrieve your proxy at the door of the meeting and vote in person. If you know of an owner who does not intend to use a proxy, or to attend the re-scheduled meeting, please encourage them to complete and submit their proxy. We must not have another delayed Annual Meeting. GUEST SUITES Are you getting calls from your friends and relatives in other parts of the world who want to experience a bit of Florida winter sunshine? Have you run out of space in your guest room? Why not utilize the two Renaissance guest suites that are available on a first come, first served reservation basis right here in the building? When you have your guests stay in a guest suite, it is a perfect way to have visitors and still maintain privacy for them and for you too. Owners or lessees must be in residence for then entire time that the sponsored guests are staying in a guest suite. Guest suites are not available to the general public. During the season from November through May, the daily suite charge is $120, with a discount price of $100 per night given for rentals of five nights or more. Each suite has a queen-size bed, table and two chairs, microwave oven, small refrigerator, coffeemaker, hair dryer, cable TV, ironing board and iron, silverware and dishes. The proceeds for the rentals go to the Association and help to offset Renaissance maintenance costs. Pets are not permitted in guest suites, and guests are not permitted to bring a pet on Renaissance I grounds, or into the building. Overnight parking is provided for the guest in the Visitor Lot during each day of the rental. DOOR DECORATIONS The Renaissance has guidelines for seasonal wreaths, door ornamentation and religious symbols attached to doors and doorframes. Holiday wreaths, not to exceed 18 inches overall, may be displayed on doors for one week before and after a traditional U.S. or religious holiday. No permanent attachment is permitted. The recommended methods are to use over-door hangers or an arrangement to hook onto your doorknocker. Small, inconspicuous religious icons, such as the traditional Mezuzah, may be attached to the vertical exterior doorframe by the use of double-faced tape. No screws, nails or permanent attachment may be made to the frame. STORM FOLLOW-UP Of the ten apartments tested by our environmental consultant, three were found to have test results that are less than desirable. Those owners have been notified and were encouraged to follow up with their own advisor to address the matter and correct any deficiencies. Our engineering consultant has inspected the building. Preliminary conclusions indicate that water and destructive testing on the exterior of the building is warranted. We anticipate testing to occur before the end of this year. Our attorney is in contact with the developer and we have engaged an experienced construction litigation attorney in the event we need to take legal action. RECYCLING UPDATE In response to a helpful suggestion from a resident, a wire hanger shelf was installed in the recycling area. Residents may place unwanted accumulated wire hangers from the cleaners in that area. Hangers left there will be recycled. As we all know, every little bit of recycling helps. DECEMBER MOVIE The December movie will be "The Clearing", starring past Academy Award nominees Robert Redford, Helen Mirren and Willem Dafoe. The Los Angeles Times movie critic labeled this as "an intelligent thriller". This talented cast drew rave reviews in this taut, engrossing thriller about fate, love and missed opportunities. Redford portrays a self-made tycoon kidnapped and now in the most important negotiation ever for his life. The movie will be shown in the Media Room on Thursday, December 2, at 7:30 pm. Popcorn and sodas will be provided. Contact Numbers Manager's office 941.957.3957 (phone) Manager's fax 941.957.1256 (fax) Manager's new email address RenCondo@comcast.net Manager's Assistant 941.957.1125 Website http://RenCondo.homestead.com Website password ll2 (lower case L's plus a 2) Resident's fax 941.954.9964 (fax) Reception Desk 941.957.1956 Reception email RenConcierge@comcast.net Building Security 941.957.1956 Emergency 911 WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS Did you know there is a "Hot Spot" for wireless Internet access available at the Renaissance? This is great news for those of you who travel here with a laptop and do not have some form of high-speed Internet access in your apartment. One of our residents set up a wireless access point near the North end of the Club Room (by the fireplace lounge area). Residents with wireless access cards in their laptop computers (or laptops with internal Centrino wireless capability) can access the Internet using a high speed, broadband link. Just position yourself and your laptop by the Club Room fireplace. Then log onto your Internet provider - just like sitting at Starbucks, except without an on-line access charge. COMMON ELEMENT RESERVATIONS December through April is historically the time of year with the most requests for personal use of the common elements, so it is timely to remind everyone about the procedures. Residents may contact the Reception Desk or the Administrative Office staff to reserve any of the common element facilities such as the Club Room, Media Room, Sitting Room, Massage Rooms and Gas Grill area. The resident will be responsible for all damage and must be in attendance at all times that the facility is in use. There is a $100 security deposit required to reserve the Club Room and catering kitchen. The facility may not be used for any commercial endeavor or for any unlawful purpose. All of the common area facilities, except for the guest suites, must be cleaned and vacated no later than midnight. In many cases, especially the various December and January holidays, one resident will be using the Club Room at night and another will be using it the following day. Therefore, it is imperative that each resident leave the facility clean and ready for immediate use by the next person. Parking for guests will be limited to non-reserved open spaces located on Renaissance I property. For events expecting more than 20 vehicles, the resident must arrange in advance for parking management or provide for valet parking. A guest list for all non-resident attendees must be provided to the management office a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Residents, guests, contractors, entertainers, musicians, or caterers may not use the loading dock, service elevator hallway, lobby, or any common element room to stage or store catering, food or service equipment, or furniture, chairs or tables. Upholstered furniture, side tables, or carpeting may not be moved in the Club Room. Side chairs and four-seat tables may be repositioned, and those must be returned to their original location at the end of the event. The Property Manager must approve any loudspeakers, amplified musical instruments, public address systems, and live musical performances at least 24 hours in advance of the event. No glass containers may be brought into the pool, spa or onto the pool deck patio or pool deck areas. Ice Sculptures, beer kegs and coolers are not permitted, except if they are located in the catering kitchen. The resident assumes all risk of injury, unless caused by the gross negligence of the Association, and shall indemnify the Association from any and all legal action that may be brought against it. CARTS USE THEM, AND THEN RETURN THEM! With the start of the winter season, there are now more of our residents living in the building. That means more groceries coming in, more luggage going to and fro, and lots of holiday gifts being brought in and out. Many of those trips will be made easier with the use of the various carts that are here in the building for residents to use. There are two basket-type carts on the second and third floors. These are kept by the garage entrance on the third floor and in the mailroom on the second floor. The carts are loaned on the honor system. As a courtesy, the resident who borrows the cart should return it to the location where they got it as soon as they are finished using it. With everyone's cooperation, the carts will be there when other residents want them. Please, never use a cart and then leave it in your apartment, the hallway, the parking garage or an elevator. Additional carts are available at the front desk. There are two basket-type carts and one large valet cart stored there. Residents are responsible for signing these out and returning them to the front desk. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Residents and their guests are reminded: § if your vehicle is illegally parked in the Visitor Parking area § or in someone else's parking spot It is subject to being towed. Please park with care. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __