Page 4 - PGA Community News - October '21

Page 4, PGA C.A.N.! October 2021 October 2021

Northern Notes

Owls – Silent And Effective ability to hear where a sound is coming from without moving though the campus has expanded, breeding pairs still exist on
the grounds.
their heads. Owls can also funnel sound toward their ears by
Predators manipulating different types of feathers around the ears and face. Next time you’re outside in wooded areas around dawn or
They are silent predators. Both primary and secondary dusk, look up; or if you’re in an open area, watch your step and
By Katie Roundtree, Finance feathers have comb-like structures at the edge of the feather that keep an eye out for ground burrows. You may be lucky enough to
Director, Northern Palm Beach are responsible for muffling the sound of the air going over the catch a glimpse of one of nature’s most accomplished predators.
County Improvement District wing – this essentially makes an owl virtually silent in flight. In NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet waste
Florida is home to five addition, an owl’s feathers can separate from each other on the is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, using up oxygen
resident species of owls, same wing; therefore, the air flows over each of the individual and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and
including the barn owl, barred feathers and their comb-like structures, which maximizes how ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet
owl, burrowing owl, eastern silently owls fly. waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae
screech owl and great horned Most of these species of owls are fairly common, however, growth. Perhaps most importantly, it is considered a significant
owl. The largest of these owls the burrowing owl is Florida’s only state-designated threatened source of pathogens like fecal coliform, a disease-causing
is the great horned owl, which species of owl. Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus bacteria.
is generally 18 to 25 inches tall, was designated as a burrowing owl sanctuary in 1971 and even Source: Cornell University Cornell Lab of Ornithology
followed by the barred owl and
barn owl. The eastern screech owl and burrowing owls are the
smaller species and measure only about 6 to 10 inches tall. All
cavities or nesting boxes. Burrowing owls live in areas with Oxbridge Academy on the Move
but the burrowing owl prefer to live high in trees, in either tree
wide-open spaces and little vegetation and spend most of their
time on the ground or in burrows. What does an acclaimed co-educational, independent newly appointed athletic director Stan Ross, also the
Each of the species school – known for instilling values, building boys’ lacrosse coach. “Oxbridge paused the football
have their own distinctive character, emphasizing diversity, and creating a program in 2018 with some safety concerns with some
characteristics, but they all curriculum suited for individual choice – do when of the games on the schedule and other reorganization
have one thing in common, it reaches its 10-year milestone? In the case of decisions.” Ross adds. “COVID-19 delayed our plans
they are voracious eaters
and can consume thousands Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach it adds a a little, however we feel we are ready for the return of
of small rodents in a year. middle school for grades seven and eight and brings football as a junior varsity sport next fall and varsity
Because of this, they are a back one of its signature athletic programs, football competition in the years to come.”
welcome addition in most along with a return of its cheerleading team. The
farms and neighborhoods. Oxbridge Academy Middle School opened its doors The athletic program also includes baseball,
Owls are mainly nocturnal in August and football is set to return to campus in basketball, cross-country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse,
creatures and have developed some amazing adaptations to be the fall of 2022. sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, track & field,
successful hunters, such as the ability to rotate their heads 270 tennis, girls volleyball, and girls flag football. Over
degrees, ears that are offset on the sides of their head in order to “When we began planning for our 10-year anniversary the years, many Oxbridge student-athletes have
pinpoint location of prey, the ability to control feathers on their and identified ways to build on our strong foundation, received scholarships to play at the next level in
dish-shaped face to direct sounds into their ears, and comb-like a middle school and bringing back our football college.
structures on their feathers to silence them in flight. program were a big part of the conversation,”
Owls cannot move their eyes in their eye sockets like humans
and most other animals. Instead, they can rotate their heads up to explained Oxbridge Head of School Ralph Maurer. Academically, Oxbridge boasts an average class
270 degrees (not 360 degrees like sometimes believed) in order The school’s 10-year milestone also coincided with size of 14, a 9:1 student/faculty ratio, and a faculty
to view their surroundings. The unusually high number of light- several other important factors: more families moving of which 77% have advanced degrees, including
sensitive cells in their eyes, their large pupils, and a reflective into the area and an increasing demand for private 13% with doctorates. Oxbridge is also proud of its
layer behind the retina give them excellent nocturnal vision, school education. The timing is right, and so is the unique, signature programs: Artificial Intelligence
useful when hunting at night or navigating dark forests. mission. (AI), Aviation, Cambridge (England) Scholars, and
Their ability to locate prey by sound alone is the most accurate Independent Research. The school’s Model U.N. and
of any animal that has ever been tested. Owls can catch mice in “Adding middle school grades means preparing debate teams and its theater students consistently
complete darkness in the lab, or find prey hidden by vegetation students at a younger age to be world citizens receive statewide awards and recognition. The
or snow out in the real world. Their ears are placed unevenly on and future leaders who are caring, confident, number of extra-curricular options grows as students
their head and point in slightly different directions, giving the compassionate, critical thinkers,” Maurer continues. are encouraged to bring new ideas for clubs. Oxbridge
“It gives younger students from all walks of life the also emphasizes community service, which includes
opportunity to benefit from a culture that nurtures tutoring students, clothing and toy drives, and beach
PGA POA Jottings from page 1
and instills values such as integrity, honesty, respect, clean ups.
Also, with all the heavy rains, we’ve had calls and gratitude. It will help them develop character and
about standing water. The main roads and some of the discover their passions at an earlier age and prepare It’s your turn to discover Oxbridge.
communities such as Marlwood, Burwick, Thurston and them for a seamless transition to our high school.”
Glengary, were built with swale systems which are designed For more information about Oxbridge Academy,
to hold water and allow some of it to percolate into the “Bringing back our football program adds another e-mail admission@oapb.org or call (561) 972-9826.
ground while some runs to the storm drains which empty fantastic athletic program and enhances opportunities
into the lakes. When we get several inches in an hour or two, for our student body and school spirit,” explains
it takes a while for the water to go down. The record that I’m
aware of was 30” of rain overnight in January, 1998. The Paid Advertisement
roads were under water but when the rain stopped in late
morning, the roads cleared by 3:00 p.m. and all the standing
water was down after about 24 hours. I guess we have to
be patient while the giant pumps on the western boundary
pump the water out to keep PGA from truly flooding. The
system is working — just takes a little while. Dreaming up the ideal
The POA website (www.pga-poa.com) has a lot of retirement is your job.
information that is helpful, including the contact phone
number for your neighborhood’s management company. Helping you get there
You’ll find the link under “Communities” at the top of the
page. There is also a “Helpful Phone Numbers” section on is ours.
the left – You’ll find a ton of contact numbers, such as the
gas company, phone company, FPL, alligator hotline, golf To learn more about why
course maintenance, local schools, driver’s license and tax Edward Jones makes sense for you
collector, the City, etc. call my o ce today.
FINAL REMINDER FOR ASSESSMENTS
The final notices are being mailed so if you didn’t pay
the annual assessment to PGA POA by July 1st, or if you
paid late, the computer will be generating final reminders Sally S Stahl, AAMS®
before accounts get referred to collection. Since everything Financial Advisor www.edwardjones.com
in PGA is my fault (even when it isn’t) please don’t say I M e m b P I S r e C
didn’t tell you: If there is any reason you can’t pay, please 1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
call the POA at 561-627-2800. Jupiter, FL 33458
Wishing all of you a safe and happy Fall (and a fun 561-748-7600
Halloween too….Yea Candy!) – Remember, BE NICE,
BE COURTEOUS AND PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY.