Save the World! with electric cars

I've seen the little pumps around town but never thought much about them. They're the Electric vehicle charge stations for those eco friendly vegan bunny hugger vehicle owners, right?

 Does anyone actually use them? I was certain they would fall away to the side quickly like those electric generating devices. You know the ones people were supposedly running out to install on their homes so they could charge back the electric companies for unused electric. 
I figured people would start using them to lock their bikes to at the very most.

But then I was forwarded this email to Bill Neron of Tavares economic development. Maybe I'm wrong?

From: Christopher G
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2012 11:47 AM
To: Bill Neron
Subject: Had a great day in Tavares

Dear Mr. Neron, I just had such a wonderful day in Tavares yesterday, I felt compelled to send a thank you note.  You see, I drove from Oviedo to Tavares to take a ride on the Cannonball Express with my family.  In addition, we planned a picnic and playing in Wooton park.  Before leaving I had a decision to make.  Do I take the family in the minivan, or use my new Chevy Volt.  I checked my ChargePoint app and found that you have installed several EV charging stations in that immediate area.  So, we piled in the Volt.  I was very surprised to find the charging station located in a great spot, and even more importantly, that it was free.  I have owned this car for little more than a month, but have yet to find a public charging station in a usable location.  To get back to the point, we had a great day!  We love the park and the restaurants in that area.  And now we also thank the city of Tavares for putting in EV charging stations as well as making it free.  It allowed my family to make the round trip at a cost of about $2.  I hope to make the trip back again soon. Sincerely, Chris G Well there it is. Now I'm starting to think about it. $2 round trip to Oviedo? Every time I fill my gas tank it costs me $50. Even worse, every time I start my car, I emit CO2.  Co2 is supposed to accelerate global warming, nox (nitrogen oxides) which causes acid rain, promotes further global warming, causes smog (which can lead to respiratory problems), and destroys ozone, which protect us from uv radiation. Residue from the gas is even suspected to cause cancer! OK, so maybe I might look into one of these Electric Vehicles. It seems like the RIGHT thing to do for fellow man and the environment.  Tavares, FL has four EV stations already and it looks like I won't be the only one out here willing to save the world.........but I'm not going vegan! FACTS: There are four locations for the units: Prop Shop at the Seaplane Base Train Platform on Main Street Tavares City Hall Parking Lot Main Street in front of County Property Appraiser's Office (Near Parking Garage) You must have a ChargePoint Account and a chargepass card before you have access to the charging stations.  Buy your charge card at the Tavares Prop Shop, in Wooton Park, for $5.00. Sign up is free and there is no additional cost for each time you charge your vehicle. For assistance with sign up you must call the 24 hour service at 1-888-758-4389

Help Freedom Fly

 Round and Round we go, where we'll stop...I know!
Its the brand new Roundabout located at the intersection of Main St. and Sinclair Ave. in downtown Tavares, Florida and it can take you to the many restaurants in the downtown waterfront entertainment district, the parking garage, the courthouse or back where you came from.
On August 13, 2012, construction began on the roundabout as part of the downtown revitalization plan and once completed is expected to improve traffic flow and beautify one of the main entrances into the City of Tavares.
 Construction is expected to be completed sometime in December 2012.
Donations are being sought to help erect a 60ft flagpole with a 12ft x 18ft American flag in the center.
 Donations of $100 or more will get their name inscribed on a monument next to the flag. Be a part of history and help the Freedom Flag Fly.

Donations are tax deductible For more info call 352.742.6264

One man's Trash....is ART through Oct 18

Ever sit with someone and look at the same thing but see something totally different?

 When we were kids we played this game called Thinkblot. It was a game where you pulled a card with a black splotch on a white back ground. A dice is rolled and when a subject like "Animal" or "Food" came up, you had to write down as many things you could "see" in the style of a Rorschach test. 

 To have someone point out a giraffe eating a carrot from the top of a tree seems silly. It WAS silly and yet it was also eye opening. To see something suddenly that you didn't see just moments earlier can be inspiring. After all these years, I can still look at a coffee stain on a piece of paper and see images of landscapes and animals playing.

Now comes the art of Richard Reep to Tavares, FL with his exhibit to show YOU what HE sees in everyday items around us.

The Phenomenology of Reinvention

Reuse and recycling is front and center in the art of Richard Reep, whose collection “The Phenomenology of Reinvention” is currently on display at Tavares City Hall, 201 E. Main Street, Tavares.

Reep has harvested a wide variety of materials and recombined them into stunning, thoughtful tributes to life. He gives homage to the original creators of the resources such as lumbermen, ironmongers, carpenters and writers, but his compositions, while containing hints of the original works, bring forth new meanings.

Reep says, “… these projects exploit some of the overlooked meaning of which our life-world is capable. Neither virtual, nor artificed, nor particularly finished, they represent a moment in time where discarded wood, books, and pieces of equipment are reinvented, and serve a new purposed, while still retaining their original form.”

The artwork of Richard Reep will be on display through October 18, 2012. To contact the artist - rtreep@gmail.com or 407.408.4953.