North Florida Retirement Village (aka The Village) is located in Gainesville, Florida and offers a variety of retirement lifestyles, from independent to assisted living.  The 104-acre campus is a place of natural beauty, with small ponds, native pines and live oak trees, which were carefully preserved during its construction.  Yet, it is only 10 minutes from major shopping malls, theaters and restaurants.  It is also close to the University Of Florida.  The Village provides world-class healthcare, recreational activities, cultural events and more.

Independent living facilities come in several configurations, from individual cottage homes at Cottage Place to luxury apartments at Magnolia Grand, Magnolia Grand South and Lake House.  Resort-style apartments are available at The Cypress and Tower Villas.  

Assisted living options provide for residents who require varying levels of medical and living assistance on a regular basis.                          

- Rose Court is a 50-room assisted living center designed for those who require some assistance with daily living.  Residents can decorate their private rooms with personal possessions and furnishings. 

- Jasmine Pointe is the newest facility, offering 60 larger accommodations, many suitable for couples.  Efficiency dwellings are perfect for single occupancy, while one bedroom accommodations are available for single or double occupancy.

- Azalea Trace is a 20-room residence for people with memory impairment.  The limited number of residents allows staff to focus on individual attention, increased security, and the enhancement of social interaction. 

All residents have access to a 24-hour healthcare staff, housekeeping and linen services, scheduled transportation and a comprehensive daily activities program, three meals serves restaurant-style each day, a resident-activated alert system, assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming, and ongoing monitoring of health needs and medications.   

Whichever lifestyle a resident chooses, they have access to The Tower Club. The Tower Club is a luxurious clubhouse which offers residents a cafe-style dining area, private dining areas for special occasions, the Windjammer Lounge, a computer cyber center and reading room, a health and fitness center, an art studio with ceramics kiln, a heated outdoor pool and hot tub and two outdoor tennis courts.  Additionally, there is “Clippers” hair salon, offering barber and beautician services.  The William E. Rion Auditorium is available for themed dinners, performances and more. 

North Florida Retirement Village recently purchased a 15-Passenger Electro Bubble Buddy Low Speed Vehicle with a full enclosure and running boards from GatorMoto Utility Vehicles.  They use it for transportation around their beautiful campus.

To learn more about North Florida Retirement Village, visit their website at http://www.thevillageonline.com/.

The University Of Central Florida in Orlando has taken a giant step toward becoming a more environmentally friendly campus by providing electric vehicle users a way to charge their vehicles.   

Located in the D1 parking lot on the east side of Memory Mall, the carport uses solar panels to produce electricity which can then be used to charge electric vehicles.  Construction began last November, and the station opened in January.  The total cost of the project was about $380,000, which includes the cost of structural construction, solar panels and electronic hardware.  The cost was covered by a research grant from the Florida Energy Systems Corporation.  

Unless a vehicle uses more than 10 kilowatt-hours of power, there is no charge for using the carport.  

The carport has four parking spots.  Each space has a standard 120-volt, 20-amp outlet and two of the spaces will also include 240-volt 20-amp outlets to support larger vehicles.  The pedestals are also reconfigurable to provide for future vehicle charging configurations as they are developed and come into use. 

The facility will first serve as a test bed for research and provide UCF with a way to charge its fleet of plug-in electric vehicles.  It will be made available to students as the demand for this service grows. 

To learn more, visit http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/solar-charging-station-planned-for-student-use-1.2162596.

The biggest rollout of electric vehicle infrastructure in the world is about to begin in the United States.
 
Urban planners are now deciding the locations of more than 11,000 charging stations in 11 major cities.  Their goal is to have them up and running by the end of 2010, when Nissan and General Motors are expected to begin selling the first mass-market electric cars.  This could be good news for all electric vehicle owners.
 
Last year, the Department Of Energy awarded a $99.8 million contract to Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (eTec), an electric transportation research and development firm, to build electric vehicle charging networks in five states.  Construction is due to begin soon and completion is expected to take about 36 months.
 
By this summer, charging infrastructure will be deployed in the following areas:  Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; San Diego, CA; Portland, OR; Eugene, OR; Corvallis, OR; Seattle, WA; Nashville, TN and Chattanooga, TN. 
 
The current plan is to offer Level 2 and Level 3 charging.  Level 2 charging systems recharge electric vehicles in 4-6 hours utilizing 220 volt power.  Typically, they are used for overnight charging at home or at a business that operates a fleet of electric vehicles.  Level 3 charging is often referred to as fast charging.  It allows electric vehicles to be recharged in minutes rather than hours.  Two hundred fifty Level 3 chargers will be deployed in high-density areas of each of the five launch markets and in major transportation corridors to allow electric vehicle users to commute between major cities.
 
A demonstration period of 2 years is planned, so that transportation officials can evaluate the program.  Hopefully, the results will be good enough to expand the charging station network to include more locations.
 
For more information on the EV Project, visit the website at http://www.theevproject.com.

We are always looking for new sources of information for fellow electric vehicle enthusiasts, and we have a new resource to share – the Electric Auto Association!
 
This not-for-profit group was formed as a 501(c)(3) charitable/educational corporation in 1967 in San Jose, California.  Their current headquarters are located in Aptos, California
 
Their purpose is:
 
1.  To act as a source of information for their members, other organizations and the public on the current state of electric vehicle technology worldwide.

2.  To encourage experimentation in building electric vehicles, focusing on improving energy and resource efficiency, reducing emissions and improving vehicle safety.

3.  To promote and organize public exhibits of electric vehicles built by members and others in order to inform the public on the progress of electric vehicle technology and conduct public opinion polls.

4.  To use all media, such as newsletters, websites, information packages and other paper and electronic media designed to inform the public and promote the use of electric vehicles.
 
With chapters in 30 states, Canada and Europe, they are spreading the word worldwide that electric vehicles are a clean, easy and fun method of transportation.  The Association also has educational chapters located at Alamance Community College in Graham, NC; Appalachian State University in Boone, NC; West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, and James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.  The National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA) in Santa Rosa, CA is considered a specialty a chapter of The Electric Auto Association.
 
The group’s website (http://www.eaaev.org/) offers great information on all types of electric vehicles, from LSVs and NEVs to the electric and hybrid production models coming from the large automobile manufacturers.  They also produce a monthly newsletter, Current Events, that offers timely news and information about the state of electric vehicle technology, availability and related legislation. 

In their brochure, Plug Or Pump?, they make a very valid point about the future of electric vehicles: “The price of gasoline will continue to rise.  As the production volume of EVs increases, the purchase price will decrease.  Each mile, each year, gas-powered cars add  more pollution and greenhouse gases into the environment.  As the electrical grid gets cleaner, by increasing the use of renewable energy sources (mandated by law), EVs will continue to get cleaner!”  Sounds like a great argument for going electric, doesn’t it?

The Association For The Advancement Of Sustainability In Higher Education (AASHE) is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future.  It is a member-driven, independent 501(c)(3) corporation, providing resources, professional development and a network of support to institutions of higher learning to enable them to model and advance sustainability in everything they do. 

In 2001, the Education For Sustainability Western Network (EFS West) was established thanks to funding from the Compton Foundation and support from Second Nature.  EFS West served college campuses in the western US and Canada. 

In 2004, EFS West held its first North American Conference On Sustainability In Higher Education in Portland, Oregon.  The success of this conference, coupled with increasing demand for EFS West’s resources, led to the creation of AASHE.  

In 2006, AASHE held its first conference in Tempe, Arizona.  Over 650 people attended.  By the time AASHE held its next conference in 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina, attendance had grown to 1700.  Even more people are expected to attend the 2010 conference, scheduled for October in Denver, Colorado. 

AASHE sponsors activities designed to make sustainable practices the norm in higher education; facilitate institutional efforts to integrate sustainability into teaching, research, operations and other areas; educate others regarding best practices and resource sharing; support all campus sectors in meeting sustainability goals; increase dialog among individuals, institutions and external partners to speed the adoption of sustainable practices; and influence education policy so that sustainability is a priority at the local, state and national levels. 

Through their business and membership office in Lexington, Kentucky and their executive office in Denver, Colorado, AASHE continues to advance the cause of sustainability across US and Canadian college and university campuses.  If their members continue to make sustainability a priority in their lives after graduation, they will certainly make this world a cleaner and greener place for all of us in the future!  We at GatorMoto Utility Vehicles applaud their efforts and urge colleges and universities that are not members to look into all that AASHE has to offer. 

For more information, visit their website at http://www.aashe.org.

Not many successful businesses can say that they were founded by a teenager, but Aqua East Surf Shop in Atlantic Beach, Florida is one of them. Surfer/skater Sandy Forsyth was 19 years old at the time that he opened his first surf shop in 1973.                                                                       

He learned to surf during the summer of his eighth grade year on a 9′6″ Velzy board that he purchased from a department store. Surf shops, as we know them today, were few and far between. 
 
A few years later, he began building surfboards in his parents’ garage and on April 1, 1973, he opened his first Aqua East Surf Shop in a small store about the size of his bedroom. After a while, he found that building boards and running a store didn’t leave him much time for the things he really loved – surfing and skating. He gave up building surfboards and concentrated on making his store the best possible, leaving him time to surf, skate, and test product.  
 
Aqua East Surf Shop grew in popularity, largely because its owner knew first hand what surfers and skaters wanted, since he was both. Soon the shop doubled in size and in 1983, Sandy built his own 5,000 square foot building. While a lot of people thought he was crazy, his customers appreciated the fact that the additional space allowed him to bring them more clothing (especially women’s), more surfboards and more accessories.  
 
In 1988 he opened his first superstore in Neptune Beach, Florida, giving him the chance to expand his inventory to not only include surfboards and clothing, but also skateboards, swimwear and equipment for other sports he really loved. In 1999, Sandy opened a second superstore in St. Augustine.  

Aqua East Surf Shop now carries not only items for surfing and skating, but also snowboarding, kayaking and wakeboarding. Every year, Aqua East’s employees go to a snowboard demo where they get to try out next year’s boards, bindings and boots to decide what to carry the next year. 
 
Aqua East has its own Surf, Skate and Wakeboarding teams, and many of the competitors have done well. Some have even won the USSC, the NSSA, the ESA, Pro Contests and other contests. The first female joined their team in 1974. 
 
Aqua East has always supported the sports they love through ESA, SurfRider Foundation, Wave Masters, public skate parks, beach access, and other environmental concerns.   They also sponsor surf contests, skate contest, wakeboard contests, and kayaking tours.                                           
 
Sandy is gone now, “surfing the perfect wave”, but his love of the outdoors, particularly the water, lives on with his stores and employees. Sandy believed that these sports were good to him and his “crew” and that it was their obligation to give back.

Sandy’s daughters Shauna and Andrea, and Shauna’s husband Adam, take very seriously this commitment to preserve and protect the environment and recently purchased a GatorMoto Utility Vehicles 6 passenger Electro Bubble Buddy, which Shauna and Andrea use to commute between home and the store. They have even equipped the back seat with child safety seats for Shauna and Adam’s two young sons, Austin and Colton! They hope that they can serve as an example to others and raise awareness about the ecological issues that face us all. As their website says, “We did not inherit the Earth, but instead we borrow it from future generations. Let’s leave it a better place than we found it.”

Gary Rhodes of GatorMoto Utility Vehicles recently attended the Florida Sheriffs Association 2010 Administrative Management & Jail Conference at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida.  

The four-day event included a trade show, featuring products for use in criminal justice and jail applications and many opportunities were provided for the attendees to view and learn about existing and new technologies to help them perform their jobs faster, better, and more safely. 

Seminars were also held, covering many diverse topics including Ethics, Leadership Training, the ADA and its applications in a jail environment, and Crisis Intervention.  There were also round table discussions regarding Finance, Human Resources, SWAT Liability and Hot Topics In Corrections.    

This event drew more than 150 representatives of Florida Sheriff’s Departments and Crime Labs, as well as Corrections Officers and members of various County governments.  It provided a chance to learn new information, explore new technologies and ideas, and share experiences with other members of law enforcement.  

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles introduced the attendees to our 4 Passenger Low Speed Electro Enclosed Police Vehicle.  We thank the Florida Sheriffs Association for the opportunity to attend this informative event and we look forward to attending the next conference in Ft. Lauderdale in July.

Florida Statute Title XXIII (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 316 (State Uniform Traffic Control), Section 2122 provides for the operation of low speed vehicles and mini trucks on certain Florida roadways. 

•  A Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) or mini truck may be operated only on Florida streets where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.  This does not prohibit an LSV or mini truck from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph.
• A Low Speed Vehicle must be equipped with head lights, stop lights, turn signals, tail lights, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rear view mirrors, windshields, seat belts and a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
• A Low Speed Vehicle or mini truck must be registered and insured in accordance with Florida law.
• Anyone operating a Low Speed Vehicle or mini truck must have in his or her possession a valid driver’s license.
• A county, municipality, or the Florida DOT may prohibit the operation of these vehicles on any road under their respective jurisdictions if they determine that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

For the complete text of the Florida law, visit the Florida Senate’s website at  http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC2122.HTM&Title=-%3e2008-%3eCh0316-%3eSection%202122

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles is pleased to introduce its Paramedic Buddy Low Speed Vehicle.  Seating 2 passengers and accommodating a full-size stretcher, it is the perfect vehicle for a first aid facility, college campus, stadium, park, beach, public event or anywhere else where fuel spills could be a concern. 

This street legal vehicle features head lights, tail lights, brake lights, windshield wiper, parking brake, turn signals, horn, back up alert signal, on-board charger, Curtis controller, Trojan batteries, hydraulic braking system, rack & pinion steering, independent suspension, and full dashboard instrumentation.  

The EMS package features Whelen flashing lights, Whelen PA system, Whelen siren, first aid kit, backboard holder and storage, aluminum cabinets for supply storage, aluminum deck for easy maintenance, stretcher lockdown, and fire extinguisher.  It even has provisions for a medic to do whatever is necessary while en route! 

This rugged vehicle is constructed of fiberglass with a steel frame and will run up to 40 miles on a full charge and maintain speeds of up to 25 mph.  It boasts a 12:49:1 axle ratio for climbing and will carry a maximum load of 1500 lbs.  

Options include custom graphics, custom body color, storage cover, quick charging system, full weather enclosure, DVD player with monitor, heating system and back up cameras.                                                                                               

With a price of $16,995.(plus shipping and handling where applicable), this vehicle is economical to purchase as well as to run.  And the best part is that it is eligible for the federal 10% tax credit — up to $2,500!  Flexible lease/loan programs are available, and can be delivered nationwide. 

Visit our website at  http://www.gatormotoutilityvehicles.com/low-speed-vehicles-6.php for more details.

A Final Thought:  With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, the management and staff of GatorMoto Utility Vehicles wish to honor those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States Of America and her allies.  Your dedication and sacrifice make it possible for all of us to enjoy the privileges of living in “The Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave”.  We will never forget ….

We would like to introduce you to our client, Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin.  This beautiful place is owned and operated by the City Of Madison Parks Division in partnership with the non-profit Olbrich Botanical Society.

In 1921, Michael B. Olbrich purchased the first parcel of land along Lake Monona which would eventually become Olbrich Park.  In 1952, the first structures were constructed in what is now Olbrich’s Sunken Garden.  Today, Olbrich Botanical Gardens is comprised of 16 acres of outdoor display gardens and the indoor tropical Bolz Conservatory. 

Much of the Botanical Gardens’ focus is on sustainability, which they teach by example, conserving resources and using environmentally friendly gardening methods.  By growing plants appropriate to the specific location in which they are planted, the plants need less water, less chemical pesticides, and less chemical fertilizer to flourish.  Beneficial insects are introduced to provide protection from destructive insects and their damage.  Staff and volunteers pull weeds by hand to minimize the use of chemicals.                                                            

Olbrich Botanical Gardens has won numerous awards including the Award For Garden Excellence in 2005, The American Hosta Society Display Garden Award in 2004, The Honor Award for the Sunken Garden from The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society Of Landscape Architects in 1998 and was named one of Horticulture Magazine’s 10 Most Inspirational Gardens In North America in 2004. 

The Gardens are open to the public for tours every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and June 19th for “Rhapsody In Bloom”.  Outdoor garden admission is free, while admission to the Bolz Conservatory is $1, with children under five being free.  They also offer many special events throughout the the year.                                                               

Olbrich also provides a 12-passenger electric tram (purchased from GatorMoto Utility Vehicles) which has been modified to accommodate a person in a wheelchair.  The tram travels a circular route around the Gardens, allowing riders to get on and off at a number of stops to enjoy various areas.  During the ride, passengers hear an interpretive message about Olbrich’s history, gardens and sustainable gardening practices.

To learn more about Olbrich Botanical Gardens, visit their website at: http://www.olbrich.org/.

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles is proud to support Olbrich Botanical Gardens in their sustainability program.  We urge you to pay them a visit if you are in the Madison, Wisconsin area.  It is sure to be a family outing you will not forget!