Town-Crier Newspaper December 19, 2014

IT’S HARVEST TIME AT ELBRIDGE GALE SEE STORY, PAGE 3

CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT RPB SCHOOLS SEE STORY, PAGE 7

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TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

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Wellington Approves Amendments, Updated Master Plan Near PBIEC

Volume 35, Number 51 December 19 - December 25, 2014

Serving Palms West Since 1980

THOUSANDS ENJOY HOLIDAY PARADE

The Wellington Village Council approved land use amendments and an updated master plan last week for the residential components of the Wellington Country Place planned unit development. The Country Place PUD covers large swaths of Wellington’s equestrian areas, but last week’s changes focused on roadways near the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Page 3

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

10th Annual ‘Back To Bethlehem’ Transports Visitors Back In Time

Community of Hope Church hosted its 10th annual Back to Bethlehem celebration Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 14. The event took visitors back in time to the City of Bethlehem where they learned about life at the time of Jesus’ birth. Page 5

Caridad Center Families Celebrate The Season At Annual PBIEC Party

On Saturday, Dec. 13, hundreds of Caridad Center client families gathered at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to enjoy face painting, balloons, music, entertainment, lunch, raffles, toys and more. Caridad volunteers and donors worked to make sure that all the families had a bright Christmas.

Page 7

OPINION Policy Likely To Loosen Iron Castro Regime Grip

Hailed as a “Christmas miracle” by some and disparaged as “appeasement” by others, this week’s rapprochement between the U.S. and Cuba is neither. It is simply a recognition that the world has changed since our Cold War-era policy has been in place. What we truly need now is a policy that supports the re-introduction of capitalism in Cuba and uses both a carrot and a stick to change the policies of the regime while strengthening the forces of change. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS................................. 3 - 9 OPINION.................................. 4 CRIME NEWS.......................... 6 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 8 PEOPLE................................. 13 SCHOOLS.......................14 - 15 COLUMNS...................... 16, 25 BUSINESS......................26 - 27 SPORTS..........................31 - 33 CALENDAR............................ 34 CLASSIFIEDS................ 35 - 39 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

The 31st annual Wellington Holiday Parade rolled down Forest Hill Blvd. on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Thousands of spectators lined the road to watch more than 100 parade entries go by. The parade’s grand marshal was Chris Leavitt, star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing-Miami. He was joined by political leaders, school marching bands, dance troupes, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and dozens of community floats. Shown here, Santa ends the parade on the Wellington Rotary Club float. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Town Rejects Minto’s Help In Designing Okeechobee Blvd.

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council on Tuesday declined an invitation by Minto to collaborate on plans for Okeechobee Blvd.

Councilmen Tom Goltzené and Ryan Liang recused themselves from voting because of financial and property interests at the former Callery-Judge Grove land, now being developed as Minto West.

Town Manager Bill Underwood said Minto had reached out to communities surrounding the Minto West project and was offering to assist with issues, including the design of Okeechobee Blvd. as a rural parkway.

“They do want to be good neighbors, at least that’s my understanding,” Underwood said.

He said the developers had agreed to pay for a traffic light

planned by the town at Okeechobee and B Road.

“We asked them specifically if they would meet with county staff to work through an interlocal agreement so that we can prefund the light and get reimbursed,” Underwood said.

He also pointed out to Minto that the town is moving forward with a building moratorium on Okeechobee Blvd., and that Minto had subsequently sent a letter to Mayor Dave Browning indicating that they would like to collaborate on the roadway master plan.

“To my knowledge, they have no intent of running over the town on Okeechobee Blvd.,” Underwood said. “It’s in their best interest, from what I understood, that the town have a good Okeechobee Blvd., as an attractive gateway that not only is good for the town, but

good for them in the future.”

Browning said he and Underwood had sat down with Minto representatives because of concerns about the thoroughfare.

“You all know where I stood on the Minto project,” he said. “I spoke at every meeting I attended against the project. At the same time, I wear two hats. The other one is representing the residents of Loxahatchee Groves. I have to protect the one part that impacts our community more than anything, and that’s Okeechobee Blvd.”

The town had also received a letter from the Indian Trail Improvement District asking for help with a regional plan to resolve Minto West issues.

“I love my neighbors in The Acreage, but they have a different See OKEECHOBEE, page 18

Several Acreage Projects In County Five-Year Plan

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Commission approved its five-year capital and road improvement comprehensive plan update on Tuesday, and included were a number of projects in The Acreage.

The capital plan approved this week includes a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation for The Acreage, plus improvements to 60th Street and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in fiscal year 2015-16, and improvements for Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in 2016-17.

Acreage resident Alex Larson asked why the latter work was budgeted, except for the portion in front of Seminole Ridge High School.

“We’re doing four lanes to the south,” Larson said. “You’ve turned [Seminole Pratt Whitney Road] into a runway between

Sycamore and Okeechobee, and then north of Orange [Blvd.], we’re doing four lanes, but we’re neglecting a little spot in front of Callery-Judge. We’re going to two lanes where a bunch of people have died. Somewhere, those two lanes need to be fixed before we start four-laning the north side.”

Larson added that the existing two lanes are poorly marked.

“You can’t see anything in the rain,” she said. “I drive it every day, and it’s very dangerous. Yet we’re going ahead with the fourlaning above Orange, where I don’t really see it as necessary.”

County Engineer George Webb said the area Larson was talking about is in front of the high school up to 60th Street.

“You heard that when we had extensive discussion when you considered and ultimately approved the Minto West project,” Webb said, addressing the comSee PROJECTS, page 18

PARTY TIME FOR WELLINGTON SENIORS

The Wellington Seniors Club held its annual Holiday Dinner Dance & Installation of Officers on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Wanderers Club. The Whitestone Band played oldies and kept the dance floor filled. Shown here, Carlene Smith, Valerie Parks, Donna Fernandez and Dora Bogholtz sway to the music.

MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5

Saddle Trail Paving Returns To Equestrian Panel For Input Lox Groves Council Drops Referendum On Bond Debt Rules PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington Equestrian Preserve Committee members again reviewed design plans for paving projects in Saddle Trail Park last week, which led to more discussion about the approval process, although their instructions were to stick to the design plan.

In November, the committee voted unanimously to oppose paving of roads in the Saddle Trail community, even though the Wellington Village Council had approved the project unanimously in April based on a request from residents.

Last winter, residents in the southern part of Saddle Trail, south of Greenbriar Blvd., asked the council to help the community by using a special assessment process to pay for the improvements. The project includes building a bridle trail, paving roads, reworking drainage swales and installing new potable water pipelines and fire

hydrants throughout the southern part of Saddle Trail.

At the Dec. 10 meeting, Village Engineer Bill Riebe again presented the plans to the equestrian committee.

“The only real change from what we presented to you in November was that at the last resident meeting, they recommended that we provide openings in the threerail fence for the properties on the opposite side of the bridle trails,” Riebe said, explaining that those residents on the opposite side of the road from the trail will have access through the fence.

The road will be 20 feet wide with 11-foot swales on both sides, and a 14-foot bridle trail.

At the previous meeting, several members objected to plans to remove trees and other vegetation growing in the rights of way.

Committee Chair Linda Elie asked Riebe whether he had asked property owners or if they had contacted him about their views

on removing landscaping as necessary to improve the road.

Riebe said that village staff had sent letters to individual property owners along with aerial diagrams of the plans, noting areas where vegetation would be removed or relocated, as well as mailboxes and water meters. Several owners had contacted village staff with questions about water meters and removing or relocating vegetation.

Riebe said several property owners had asked about the number of water meters they would need if they had more than one lot.

The village is very flexible about that, he said, including providing more than one meter for one lot.

Elie said she noticed that there is still a traffic calming island coming in off of Greenbriar Blvd., and Riebe said that it is to mark that drivers are entering an equestrian community. He added that signs will be installed and the circle will be built so that there is no conflict See SADDLE TRAIL, page 7

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report In a 3-2 vote Tuesday, the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council dropped a referendum to ask voters whether they want to let the council decide on issuing bonds requiring repayment of more than three years, which would have eliminated the charter-required public referendum on long-term debt.

The council did, however, approve several questions to appear on the March 10 ballot.

In a 4-1 vote, the council approved a nonbinding referendum asking voters whether they want roads improved. It also approved the preliminary reading of a referendum to ask residents, if they want roads paved, whether they’d

be willing to pay for them.

The rejected referendum placing long-term borrowing in the hands of the council would have changed a charter provision requiring that voters approve any bonds for longer than a 36-month term.

Councilman Tom Goltzené initially made a motion to approve the question, which carried 3-2 with Councilman Ryan Liang and Mayor Dave Browning opposed, but then Councilman Jim Rockett made a motion to reconsider the question.

Goltzené said he had spoken to many people who would like to see certain capital improvements but do not favor the purchase of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce building See REFERENDUMS, page 4

Wellington Council: Make Foundation Independent

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council last week decided to divest itself from the Wellington Community Foundation and put it in the hands of private citizens appointed by council members.

Following their agenda review meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, council members continued the annual meeting of the foundation from Nov. 11 to discuss the nonprofit’s future.

The foundation was created in 2009 as a private nonprofit to raise money through donations for capital projects, but subsequent inspector general opinions have hamstrung its operations, because council members, who sit as the foundation’s directors, can no longer use their elected position

to benefit private organizations.

Assistant Village Attorney Megan Rogers offered the council several recommendations to fix the problems: outsource the foundation to a council-appointed executive director, dissolve it and shift its $50,000 balance back into the general fund and continue to solicit funds as council members under a Code of Ethics exemption, or appoint an advisory board similar to other existing advisory boards, although they also would be prohibited from using their position to solicit donors.

Vice Mayor John Greene said there had been concerns about an independent advisory board because the council would have to relinquish all authority to a private group.

“At that point, they can adopt

new bylaws and revise things however they want,” Greene said, “but to serve as private citizens using the brand of Wellington for philanthropy throughout the community. There’s no conflict with them because they’re not necessarily sitting as a committee member where they’re part of our government entity.”

Rogers said there would be financial and technical requirements to resolve in order to separate the foundation as it currently stands as a support organization for the village, in order to rectify the ethics concerns.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig had concerns about private citizens’ ability to solicit money because they would be appointed by council members.

Rogers said there would be no

conflict because it would be a onetime appointment and would not be an ongoing body established by the council.

Greene said they would be able to solicit because they would not be considered advisory board members.

“We can’t have any say in what they do, what dollars should be allocated, what their terms would be, whether we like them, we don’t like them,” Greene said, adding that the length of their terms would also be up to them. “They appoint their chairpersons, and it’s completely on them.”

Councilman Howard Coates said with most nonprofits, the reappointments are handled by the boards themselves because there are no shareholders to elect them.

Greene turned to the unresolved

discussion about allocation of existing funds, which were generally not earmarked, except for about $5,000 for the Patriot Memorial and $5,000 for Scott’s Place playground.

“There’s so many great charitable things that go on in this community, to have the right people in place that could create the right exposure and tap into their influence to be able to raise money and then to be able to earmark certain projects, and you can restrict some funds and contributions,” he said.

“That’s probably some latitude that we wouldn’t have if we just kept it going the way that it is.”

Coates said he favored keeping the foundation intact but divesting from the council because members’ hands are tied in terms of See FOUNDATION, page 18

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

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NEWS

Wellington OKs Amendments, Updated Master Plan Near PBIEC

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council approved land use amendments and an updated master plan last week for the residential components of the Wellington Country Place planned unit development.

The Country Place PUD covers large swaths of Wellington’s equestrian areas, but last week’s changes focused on the south side of Pierson Road, east of Gene Mische Way, which contains the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

The changes for the 250-acre parcel also received the approval of neighbor Victoria McCullough, whose property fronting on 40th Street is abutted on three sides by the Country Place residential PUD. McCullough had previously objected to a planned road that she thought ran too close to her Mida Farms property. At her request, a condition was added that will prohibit the east/west roadway

from being closer than 800 feet to her property.

The Country Place amendment was to add access points at the southwest corner of the PUD from Gene Mische Way to 40th Street, one at Palm Beach Point and another at the intersection of 40th Street/Lake Worth Road and South Shore Blvd.

Planning & Development Services Director Tim Stillings said several property owners are part of the application. The site plan approval was required by 2014, but received a plat extension to 2016 due to recent changes to the law.

“They are still coming forward with the amendment and site plan approval to achieve that requirement,” Stillings said, adding that the application complies with master plan amendment criteria.

The master plan adopted in 1976 originally requesting 958 units has undergone a number of iterations since then, Stillings said.

It was reduced to 440 units in 1985 and upped to 479 in 1998, and

included the PBIEC and the barns and veterinary clinic of Dr. Scott Swerdlin.

The 2011 master plan for the 250-acre site is for 479 units, which is the most current plan, except for an amendment in 2013 that received administrative approval to put Gene Mische Way into the master plan.

“The proposed request before you tonight is to add the three access points,” Stillings said.

Other conditions of approval are to require that Pod F be platted, as well as an alternative landscape plan for the buffer along the west side of Gene Mische Way from Pierson Road to 40th Street where parking is currently allowed, and controlled access from 40th Street to Gene Mische Way. The Equestrian Preserve Committee recommended denial 6-1, while the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board recommended approval 3-2. Staff recommended approval.

Attorney Janna Lhota, repre-

senting McCullough, said they had been working with Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo, who runs the equestrian center and is one of the PUD’s primary landowners, to find a solution that resolves both of their concerns.

“We have agreed to a solution that would be included as part of the development order for the master plan, which I will leave for the applicant to bring forth,” Lhota said.

Attorney Tatiana Yaques, representing Wellington Country Place, said Bellissimo and McCullough had agreed to a condition that would resolve her objection.

Yaques pointed out that on the master plan, there is a road planned that will run from South Shore Blvd. through parcel E and travel west, north of Mida Farms, to parcel F. “The realignment was part of the 2011 master plan amendment,” Yaques said. “Ms. McCullough objected to it at that point. What we have agreed to is a condition that

the road will be realigned pursuant to the council’s site plan review, and it’s going to be located at a minimum of 800 feet north of the Mida Farms property line, and that will resolve Ms. McCullough’s objection.”

Engineer Mike Sexton, representing Wellington Country Place, said in addition to the request for the three access points and the agreed-upon realignment of the road running east and west, they had worked with village staff on equestrian bridle paths in the area.

The amended plan will add a bridle path along 40th Street south of Pod F that, along with many of the other bridle paths in the PUD, will be open to the public. Others will be private and dedicated to the property owners association, he said, adding that a private bridle path along Gene Mische Way will be open to PBIEC exhibitors.

Lhota said McCullough’s main concern was having access roads on all three sides of her property, and wanted any roads a minimum

of 800 feet from her property.

“We fully support the application with that condition added,” she said. “For right now, we believe this is a good compromise, and a good step in the right direction between the two parties to try to work together on the issues.”

Vice Mayor John Greene said he appreciated both parties working together to reach a compromise.

“I think it has been clear that we do not oppose development,” Greene said. “We want responsible development, and we want to develop a partnership that allows people to invest in Wellington, but follow the process.”

Greene made a motion to approve the land use amendments, which carried 3-1 with Councilwoman Anne Gerwig opposed due to road design questions.

Councilman Howard Coates did not vote because his law firm has a client in the Country Place PUD. Gerwig made a motion to approve the master plan with its conditions, which carried 4-0.

Elbridge Gale Pleased With Heart Association Partnership

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report It is almost time to harvest Elbridge Gale Elementary School’s new teaching garden, privately funded by the Michael and Annie Falk Foundation, as part of a partnership between the American Heart Association and the School District of Palm Beach County.

American Heart Association representatives Megan Weinstein, Barbara Bogart and Drew Backoff were on hand Wednesday morning to observe the school’s integration of some of the organization’s 30 lesson plans.

Before the tour began, Principal Gail Pasterczyk recounted a

story from Laura Arena, garden club sponsor, about the children harvesting green beans. “Some of the students said, ‘Well, I don’t like green beans.’ They started snapping them fresh just right off and eating them,” Pasterczyk said.

“They were like, ‘These are green beans?’ They had only had either frozen or cooked green beans.”

Now, Pasterczyk said, the students all like their green beans.

“This is what it’s all about,” she said. “It’s so exciting that now all these children who didn’t think they liked this vegetable can say, ‘Oh, we can get fresh green beans, and I will eat them.’ It doesn’t get better than that.”

Emily Sagovac’s fourth-grade class in the garden.

The idea that if children are involved in the growing process, they are more likely to try the vegetables, like them and eat them, really works, Bogart said.

The tour began in the garden, where students explored, checking in on the vegetables. Afterward, the group headed to Arena’s second-grade classroom, where she was reading Tops & Bottoms

by Janet Stevens to the students.

Fourth-grade teacher Emily Sagovac’s class enjoyed green smoothies with fruits and vegetables and worked on a drawing to represent how various colorful fruits and vegetables help fuel and nourish the body.

Fourth-grade teacher Jen Tobin was teaching her class about fruits and vegetables, and teachers Judy Benjamin and Raquel Gandy also read Tops & Bottoms to their classes.

Meanwhile, Nicole Crane led art students in painting rocks to serve as markers for the gardens.

The focus of the day was painting red, orange and yellow tomatoes and peppers.

Shannon Anderson encouraged students to create a healthy plate by sorting bean bags labeled with food items into a healthy meal consisting of at least one fruit, vegetable, carbohydrate and protein.

Emily Sagovac with students and their drawings of how nutrients from fruits and vegetables feed the body.

Laura Arena reads to her second-grade class.

Ivan Cables, Amelia Perusse, Summer Elkin, Summer Lyons, Chloe Moore and Matthew Iticiano (standing) with one of the garden beds.

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

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OUR OPINION

Changing U.S.-Cuba Policy Likely To Loosen Iron Castro Grip Hailed as a “Christmas miracle” by some and disparaged as “appeasement” and “surrender” by others, this week’s rapprochement between the United States and Cuba is neither the end of the world, nor a world-changing breakthrough. It is simply a recognition that the world has changed in the 50-plus years since our Cold War-era policy has been in place.

In today’s multi-lateral world, the United States has diplomatic relations with nearly all of the nations considered our mortal enemies back in the 1960s. Russia has traveled from enemy, to ally and back to enemy. China, a nation we fought two proxy wars against during the Cold War, now exists as our “frenemy” — a regime we deeply distrust, but also our largest trading partner.

The economic sanctions used against rogue nations today are not nearly as rudimentary as the all-encompassing embargo we have against Cuba. In just the past year, we have put wave after wave of targeted economic sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s Russian regime. The goal of the sanctions has been to hurt Putin and his cronies while sparing the Russian people as much as possible.

In Cuba, our policy has shown to have the opposite effect. Top experts in the field

have argued that we have inadvertently prolonged the regime of Fidel and Raul Castro, weakening opposition elements and giving the Castros a convenient scapegoat for all the island nation’s ills.

What we truly need now is a policy that supports the re-introduction of capitalism in Cuba and uses both a carrot and a stick to change the policies of the regime while strengthening the forces of change.

This is not only the opinion of experts in the field, it is more and more likely to be the opinion of Cuban-Americans, especially those born here. At one time, Florida’s Cuban community was monolithically opposed to rapprochement, but today, the community is split, with more and more people wanting to move beyond the one-size-fits-all embargo policy of the 1960s.

While the administration can ease travel bans and establish basic diplomatic relations, the embargo remains U.S. law, and that is unlikely to change in the immediate future. The events of the past week are only the first step in a long process. It is a process that can only be completed by the Cuban people asserting their rights to self-determination, and that eventuality is likely to come quicker due to the changes now being put into effect.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Chamber Thanks WinterFest Supporters

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce another smashing success.

WinterFest 2014 with Vanilla Ice drew record crowds on Dec. 6 and thrilled the audience with the best of performers, emcees and many surprises.

Presented by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Equestrian Sport Productions, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Grand Champions Polo Club and ChukkerTV, the event provided a lineup of holiday performances, phenomenal food vendors, holiday shopping, business and service vendors, a visit from Santa and snow. Local celebrity musical sensation, philanthropist and DIY Network television star Vanilla Ice performed his iconic “Ice Ice Baby,” along with “Play that Funky Music” and several of his celebrated musical hits to an overflowing crowd. Presenting sponsor Mark Bellissimo emceed the time-honored event with the

Grand Champions Polo Club players, local celebrity Michaela Paige from The Voice, Chamber President Dr. Randy Laurich and Co-Chair Johnny Meier of My Community Pharmacy.

The exceptional hard work and dedication of sponsors, vendors and the professionals at PBIEC allow us to celebrate the success of this event. Dr. Laurich and Mr. Meier believe bringing a “hometown” element to WinterFest is what makes it so successful.

Family friendly events such as live, local musical performances, a reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas by Mark Bellissimo, a visit from Santa, the children’s area and a salute to the troops allow participation from the children and the families and make everyone a part of the festivities.

The chamber wishes to thank our sponsors, without whom we could not host such a spectacular event: Equestrian Sport Productions and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the Grand Champions Polo Club, ChukkerTV, the Wellness Experience, My Community Pharmacy, the Law Offices of Greenstein &

Associates, the Law Offices of Alexander L. Domb PA, Armand Professional Services/Armand Exterminating, Prescriptions Plus and Talk 4 Media. A very special thank you to Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Michael Stone and the logistics team at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, as well as Councilwoman Anne Gerwig, Craig Young, Mayor Bob Margolis, Debbie Crompton, Mimi Pastor, Monica Kallas, and Matthew Shoemaker of the School District of Palm Beach County.

Our exceptional WinterFest vendors were: Armand Professional Services/Armand Exterminating Photo Booth, Art Cellar, Bethesda Health, Bootz Culture Camp, Camicissima Milano, Chappy’s Food Cart, ChukkerTV, Doterra Essential Oils, Equestrian Sport Productions, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Grand Champions Polo Club, Hack Tax & Accounting Services, Harrington Law Associates, Hurricane Grill & Wings, India Grill + Bar, Jessie’s Girl, Jordan’s Steak Bistro, Kelk Phillips P.A., Kona Ice, Le-Vel Thrive Experience, Mar-J Medical Supply, My Community

Pharmacy, Navarro Dermatology, Palm Beach Health Center, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Paradise Kettle Corn, Plastic Surgery of Palm Beach/ Aesthetics at Spa Zen, Premier Family Health & Wellness, Psychological Wellness Center, Pure Barre, Roosters Men’s Grooming Center, Shullman Orthodontics, Talk 4 Media.Com, the Keyes Company, the Law Offices of Greenstein & Assoc., the UPS Store, the Wellness Experience of Wellington, Wellington Cosmetic Dentistry and Woof Gang Dog Bakery & Grooming.

We were thrilled to once again offer an amazing VIP Food & Wine Festival boasting the exceptional establishments of Brass Monkey Tavern, Hurricane Grill & Wings, India Grill + Bar, Jordan’s Steak Bistro, Starbucks, Stonewood Grill & Tavern, Trader Joe’s and White Horse Catering. If you have not yet visited these establishments or utilized their catering services, we strongly encourage you to do so!

Our performers could not have been more phenomenal. The talents of our local superstars are

amazing. If you have not heard the following, please make it a point to check them out. Thank you to Michaela Paige, Ashley Barnes, Alyssa Marie Coon, Cheeky Fitness, Nicky Greed, Ki-Juan Minors, Kayla Raquel, Meghan Ritmiller, Sarah Spiritual, Shauna Sweeney, Stanley Toussaint, the Wellington High School Chamber Chorus and the Wellington High School Dance Team. A very special thank you to the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and David Lopez for his exceptional stage expertise.

Vanilla Ice astounds us each year. His spirit of giving and dedication to our community is outstanding. His efforts and those of his team make this event possible. Each is to be commended

and thanked for their generosity and for giving back to Wellington. The chamber is grateful to have the privilege of working with them.

The chamber salutes all the exhibitors, sponsors and our gracious venue host Equestrian Sport Productions for making contributions to Wellington’s unique lifestyle, its economy and this spectacular event. Thanks as well to all our attendees for being part of this event and for being a part of our community. We look forward to seeing you all next year. Happy Holidays!

Michela Perillo-Green, Executive Director Wellington Chamber of Commerce

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail letters@goTownCrier.com.

OPINION

Have You Heard About These Extremely Weird College Courses?

This column comes with special thanks to Time Magazine — they did the research.

Have you heard about these weird college courses? Assuredly these are some of the reasons why some scholars of higher education are increasingly under scrutiny and often verbal attack.

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

For example, Santa Clare University has a class that explores the science of decomposition… yes, the eco-consequences of trash and more. Field trips include landfills and sewage treatment plants. Then, Columbia College in Chicago features “Zombies in Popular Media.” It uses zombie

movies and comics to explore social issues.

“The Science of Harry Potter” is taught at Frostburg State University. It answers physics questions “with a nod to Hogwarts.” Or perhaps your favorite youngster will sign up for “Maple Syrup: The Real Thing.” Here he, or she, can

explore the history and mechanics of maple syrup production.

And certainly let’s not forget “Politicizing Beyonce” available at Rutgers. It will assess “U.S. class, racial, gender and sexual politics through the career of Beyonce.”

Actually, my favorite is “Under-

water Basket Weaving,” although, fortunately, it is not a “for credit” course, at Reed College and the University of California San Diego.

Goodness knows what else is on some college campus that Time Magazine had neither the time nor inclination to chase down.

inside a police car. There will be demonstrations and opportunities to see high-tech equipment.

Participants can expect to learn about local law enforcement, including the Sheriff’s Special Operations and a tour of the Main Detention Center, the courthouse, and the Medical Examiner’s Office. Most of the program consists of classroom-style lectures with interactive presentations, and there is always plenty of time for questions. Lectures will be provided by local, state and federal law enforcement professionals.

The first month of classes will be held at the West Palm Beach

Police Department (600 Banyan Street, West Palm Beach) in the first floor Community Room.

Classes will be at different locations but will remain in the greater West Palm Beach area.

Due to space limitations, the class is limited to the first 50 enrollees. For anyone curious about the criminal justice system, this program offers a valuable opportunity to ask questions and learn from experts. Visit www.pbcgov. org/criminaljustice/academy to register. Registration closes on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. Call (561) 355-4943 for information regarding registration or classes.

have a policy that dictates how they are going to be assessed, but you are asking for general feedback.”

Town Manager Bill Underwood said he thought the concept was to ask whether the council should establish a policy for road improvements.

Liang made a motion to approve the straw-ballot ordinance, which carried 4-1 with Goltzené opposed.

In another 4-1 vote, the council approved the preliminary reading of a referendum that would ask voters whether they’d be willing to pay for road improvements.

Underwood explained that some council members said at the last meeting that if residents wanted road improvements, they should be asked if they would be willing to pay for them through higher taxes or special assessments.

“We are not saying we are going to do the roads, but we are looking for feedback from the residents,” he said.

Rockett said he had a problem with a clause that read “and other improvements,” in addition to road resurfacing.

“We’re not talking about regular maintenance or, for example, of an OGEM road where we go out and fix the edges,” he said. “We’re talking about resurfacing roads.

To me, that is not a maintenance issue.”

Browning said they would have the opportunity to make minor changes before the final reading.

Jarriel made a motion for approval, which carried 4-1 with Goltzené opposed.

The council also approved another ballot question that would remove certain election procedures from the charter and place them in an ordinance, which would allow the town flexibility in some areas, such as canvassing boards and dates for qualifying. Rockett made a motion to approve the ordinance, which carried 4-1 with Goltzené opposed.

NEWS BRIEFS ITID Office Closed For Repairs

The Indian Trail Improvement District’s administration building will be closed for necessary repair work from Dec. 16 through Jan. 4. Administration employees will be relocated to the maintenance building during this period.

All district functions will continue as usual. Permit applications for park reservations and driveways or culverts will be available in the message boxes by the front door of the administration building, or on

Referendums

Several Questions On Ballot

continued from page 1 at Southern Blvd. and F Road for use as a town hall.

“If you’re going to do it, you shouldn’t spend all the money you have,” Goltzené said. “We need options. You don’t want to pay, but you want things done.”

The motion to reconsider carried 3-2 with Councilmen Ron Jarriel and Goltzené opposed, which reopened the item for discussion.

Rockett said he thought the town did not need to borrow money because it has sufficient reserves.

“We still allow for money to be borrowed by referendum,” he said. “I think we are not losing anything. Right now I don’t think we need it.”

the Indian Trail web site at www. indiantrail.com. Call customer service at (561) 793-0874 with any questions.

Wellington’s Olympia Park, Tiger Shark Cove Park ball fields and the Village Park gym will be closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25 and New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, for the holidays. Village Park (outside areas and restrooms only), the Tiger Shark Cove playground, Scott’s Place playground, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas

The Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) will host its 26th annual Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy next month. The 11-week program begins on Monday, Jan. 12 and runs 11 consecutive Mondays with the

exception of several federal holidays. It ends on April 13.

The evening program begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. The free program is open to residents living in Palm Beach County who wish to learn more about the criminal justice system.

The CJC is proud to announce a greater collaboration with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his staff are committed to educating citizens and providing them with knowledge to be informed individuals. The improved curriculum includes learning about cybercrime and homeland security, and going

Liang said he opposed the ordinance because of the wording.

“Whenever we need to borrow, it needs to be identified, and have it put on public record and discussed before potentially borrowing money,” he said. “I don’t feel safe leaving the terms up to the discretion of the town. It could lead to disastrous results.”

Jarriel said he has faith in the council, but the referendum would give residents the ability to say what they want. “There are things we haven’t done in this community that we should have,” he said.

Rockett said residents have the right to decide whether to borrow money for long terms.

“They have a right to a referendum to decide whether to borrow money,” he said. “We don’t need to change it and put it in the council’s hands.”

But Rockett added that he did favor purchasing the chamber of commerce building. “We’re talking about spending on rental

money or putting something into something we’re going to own,” he said.

Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor John Ryan said the question would give residents the opportunity to express themselves, but pointed out that it takes only 200 signatures on a petition to get a referendum on the ballot.

Browning said he was glad that the town does not have a bond debt.

“We are a unique community, probably the only municipality that doesn’t owe money,” he said.

“I have a lot of faith in this council.

I don’t know what the next council up here will look like.”

Rockett made a motion not to place the question on the ballot, which carried 3-2 with Jarriel and Goltzené opposed.

The council did approve a straw ballot asking residents whether they want to see road improvements in the future.

Goltzené said that after rejecting the ordinance to approve longterm borrowing, he thought that ballot question would be pointless.

Jarriel, however, still wanted to hear from the people.

During public comment, resident Keith Harris said he thought that a nonbinding ballot question not addressing specific roads would be confusing.

Goltzené agreed, adding that the town does not have a road policy.

“The question should be, ‘Do we want roads paved?’” he said.

Jarriel said the question would help develop a policy. “There’s nothing wrong with this,” he said.

“It’s to help the council. We don’t have a policy. This is to help determine future policy.”

Finance Advisory & Audit Committee Chair Virginia Standish also called the ordinance vague.

“You are asking people to make general decisions on roads that they are not going to be charged for,” Standish said. “You don’t

Wellington Park Holiday Hours

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 5

NEWS

WELLINGTON SENIORS CLUB CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS AND INSTALLS OFFICERS The Wellington Seniors Club held its annual Holiday Dinner Dance & Installation of Officers on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Wanderers Club. The Whitestone Band played oldies and kept the dance floor filled.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Sylvia and Don Harder.

Alix and Shirley Arnoux.

The Whitestone Band plays for club members.

The newly installed officers of the Wellington Seniors Club.

Estelle Rubin and Howard Trager (seated) with Peg Caliendo and Jerry Springer (standing).

Door prize winners Sal and Cecilia Torrisi, Don Voils and Luke Howlett.

Mary and Tony Alfalla, Eileen and George Kuhnel, and Mae and Tom Loglisci.

10TH ANNUAL ‘BACK TO BETHLEHEM’ TRANSPORTS VISITORS BACK IN TIME

Community of Hope Church hosted its 10th annual Back to Bethlehem celebration Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 14. The event took visitors back in time to the City of Bethlehem where they learned about life at the time of Jesus’ birth. For more information, PHOTOS BY ANDREA UNGER/TOWN-CRIER visit www.gocoh.com.

Seth Broderick, 4, compare muscles with a Roman soldier.

A young pottery merchant in his shop.

Logan, Agnes and Christian Noble at Back to Bethlehem.

Kasey Castle, Jeana Schlechter, Beth and Pastor Dale Locke and Michelle Steckley were on hand to greet visitors.

Page 6

December 19 - December 25, 2014

The Town-Crier

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CRIME NEWS

Boat And Trailer Stolen From Royal Palm Beach Home

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report DEC. 14 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to a home in the La Mancha neighborhood Sunday morning regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked his 1996 Stratos Bass Boat and 1996 EZ Loader trailer in front of his home.

According to the report, when he woke up at 4:30 a.m., his boat and trailer, which were padlocked to his pickup truck, were no longer there. There was no additional information available at the time of the report.

••• DEC. 9 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was called to a vacant home on 96th Lane North in The Acreage last Tuesday afternoon regarding a residential burglary.

According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1 and 2:30 p.m., someone forced open the rear sliding door of the home and removed electrical lines and outside power lines, valued at $2,500, from the residence. Fingerprints were taken at the scene.

DEC. 12 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was contacted by an Acreage resident last Friday to report a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, between Dec. 9 and Dec. 11, someone attempted to use the victim’s IBM Credit Union debit card at www.walmart.com and www.macys.com to purchase various items. According to the report, the victim had the card in her possession at the time of the attempted transactions. The purchases were refused, and the card has been canceled.

DEC. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to Christ Fellowship Church on Southern Blvd. on Sunday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim left his computer bag, containing his computer and wallet, in his unlocked office. According to the report, a volunteer was observed on security footage taking the bag, and then returning the bag to the front desk, claiming it was found in the bathroom. At the time of the report, $38 was missing.

DEC. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a home on South Shore Blvd. on Sunday night regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 2:40 and 8:40 p.m., someone broke the master bedroom window and removed a jewelry box and its contents, valued at approximately $250, from the night stand. DNA evidence and fingerprints were collected at the scene.

DEC. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called Sunday to the Wellington Regional Medical Center campus regarding a case of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, someone broke the passenger window of the victim’s 2004 Toyota Corolla. According to the report, the tinted car windows concealed the victim’s purse, which was on the floor board of the rear passenger seat and was not taken. The vehicle was not entered. According to the report, there was a witness, which might have scared off the perpetrator.

DEC. 15 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to the Isles at Wellington community Monday regarding a case of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, a light pole at the clubhouse was damaged on Friday, Dec. 12 at approximately 10 p.m.

According to the report, the damage is estimated to be $350.

DEC. 15 — A Royal Palm Beach resident contacted the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation Monday regarding a theft.

According to a PBSO report, the victim was at a friend’s home in the Huntington Woods community Sunday and left her Coach key chain wallet on the hood of a vehicle outside and went inside for 10 minutes. According to the report, when the victim returned, her wallet, containing $60, her license, debit card and keys, valued at approximately $110, was missing.

DEC. 15 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was called Monday regarding a stolen tag. According to a PBSO report, the victim was driving her 2002 Ford Explorer home from work on Sunday night when a friend, who was driving behind her, informed her that the vehicle’s license plate was missing. According to the report, the victim last recalled seeing the tag the day before. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

DEC. 15 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called Monday morning to a restaurant on State Road 7 regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, there was a large hole in a broken front glass door of the restaurant. According to the report, the only thing missing inside was the register, which contained approximately $1,800. According to the report, someone used a brick to enter the building and left through the rear door. Fingerprints and DNA evidence were collected at the scene.

DEC. 15 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was contacted by an Acreage resident Monday morning regarding a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, on Dec. 13, the victim’s Bank of America business card was used for several purchases, including a purchase at the Best Buy in Wellington for $5,035 and $2,518 at another Best Buy location, along with four ATM withdrawals for $800 each at various locations. According to the report, the victim was told that someone had called the bank on Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 attempting to increase the card limit. The card has now been canceled and Bank of America is also investigating the incident.

DEC. 15 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to a home in the Cypress Head community Monday regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, the home, which is rented to seasonal tenants, is currently unoccupied. Sometime between Nov. 16 and Dec. 10, someone entered the home and removed a 47-inch LG TV, valued at $845.

According to the report, the victim believes that someone might have walked into the home through the unlocked front door or open garage door in November when she was doing yard work.

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Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Jorge Larios, alias George Larios, is a white male, 5’7” tall and weighing 140 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes and multiple tattoos. His date of birth is 03/03/84. Larios is wanted on felony charges for the violation of probation for uttering forged bills, checks, drafts or notes, grand theft and petit theft.

Larios is also wanted for the violation of probation, causing injury to person or property while DUI. His last known addresses were Eddie Way in Greenacres and Oklahoma Street in West Palm Beach. He is wanted as of 12/11/14.

• Delbert Maynard is a white male, 5’11” tall and weighing 165 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. His date of birth is 11/20/85. Maynard is wanted on felony charges for failure to redeliver leased equipment. His last known address was Jackson Ave. in Greenacres.

He is wanted as of 12/11/14.

Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward.

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Delbert Maynard

THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. CRIMESTOPPERS IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT SHOWN HERE.

The Town-Crier

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 7

NEWS

Felicia Matula Brings Up School Concerns At Crestwood, RPBHS

By Briana D’Andrea Town-Crier Staff Report Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission Member Felicia Matula threw the village’s Education Advisory Board a curveball at its meeting Thursday, Dec. 4 by voicing concerns she has about public schools in the village.

Matula, whose daughter attends Crestwood Middle School, was unhappy that the school’s administration did a staggered early release the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Apparently, she heard it was in response to a number of rumors that a fight was going to break out.

She said she called the school to ask what time she was supposed to pick up her daughter and initially couldn’t get a definitive answer.

Matula said her daughter was released at 3:35 p.m., when someone in the front office told her to pick her daughter up at 3:50 p.m. “The night before and the week before, I received an autocall from the school about the dress code, spirit day and a PTO meeting,” she said.

“If you can communicate those simple things to me, then I think it’s imperative you communicate the big-scale things to me.”

“Did you follow up with the administration afterward and ask why you weren’t informed?”

Board Member Renatta Espinoza asked.

“I did not,” Matula said. “I was told by somebody who works at the school that they did the release because of the rumor of fights. I’m OK with that; I just need to know that my child is being released early.”

“As a parent and having dealt with Crestwood, I’ve always been able to go there and speak with the assistant principal or [Principal] Ms. [Stephanie] Nance, and I’ve always gotten positive results,” Board Vice Chair David Kendle chimed in.

School District Area Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriguez urged parents not to put too much stock in rumors and go directly to the school for information.

“If you find yourself hearing something like that through friends, I would encourage you to immediately call the school as you did, and if you didn’t have any satisfaction, to make sure you get a chance to talk to the principal,” he said.

Rodriguez said that staggered releases typically happen before a break or a holiday. “My area office is an additional place you can find support, and that’s always available,” he said. “I’ll follow up to the robo-calls as a possibility in the future.”

Matula, who has twice run for mayor of Royal Palm Beach and works as chief financial officer with Pinnacle Hotel Management, then segued to another concern she had, about the possibility of her child attending Royal Palm Beach High School.

“I know that funding is impossible to come by and that schools don’t have everything they need at their disposal,” she said. “There is something the village can do. They don’t have a sign. They have a paint job from 18 years ago.”

Matula suggested that the Education Advisory Board contact the Solid Waste Authority to get their hands on stockpiled paint for free.

“We could help facilitate the principal in raising the money and help get the appearance a little better, so that our children are proud of the high school they are at,” she said. “Take the idea and run with

it, but somebody has to do something… it’s an eyesore.”

Espinoza said getting paint is not as easy as it may seem. “I’ve done this many times, but it’s up to the principal. Sometimes with the Solid Waste Authority, it’s a fine line when it comes to donations,” she said.

Royal Palm Beach High School Principal Jesus Armas said he would love a paint job. “Yes, let’s paint the place. The very first day I was there, the assistant principal asked, ‘Can you get the place painted?’” he recalled.

According to Armas, both the Palm Beach County School Board and the Royal Palm Beach Village Council have been trying to get the school painted for years. A recent quote came in from the district at a staggering $680,000. Armas said not only does it take a great deal of prep work, but some of the coral on the columns simply can’t be changed. Instead, he suggested pressure-cleaning the school and repainting all the white areas. That quote came in at about $150,000.

“As far as asking for donations, the district has regulations on the type of paint we can get. It’s cer-

tainly a good suggestion, and I’ll look into it,” Armas said. “If we find the funds, I’m in, and whatever we need to do, I certainly will do. Nobody wants to see it happen more than I do. Unfortunately, it’s expensive.”

Armas noted that the state and district have continued to underfinance high schools, creating a shortage of capital improvement funds. Armas added that the school also needs a new marquee, which has a price tag of over $50,000.

“I know there’s a lot of red tape, but as resident and a parent of a potential student, I’m asking for your help,” Matula said.

She added that she is now taking her daughter to visit choice programs at other high schools after hearing bad stories from other parents who chose to send their children to RPBHS. Matula said she would be interested to know how many students in the area go to schools outside of their district. “When I moved here, I moved here because we had a community high school,” she said.

Armas said that within the last five years, the student population at RPBHS has increased by 200

to 250 students, with more village than non-village kids attending, and that it’s currently at 106 percent of capacity. He added that most are pleased with the school, but there’s a minority who are unhappy.

“We have 2,200 kids,” Armas said. “We are going to have people who come out of that school who are not pleased, but you could go to any school in the district and have that happen. We’ve also had some people come and say it’s the best thing they ever did and whose child had a great experience.”

While Armas said that the school’s perception is different than reality, Matula was not convinced.

“It’s perception… but my perception is my reality. So how do we change the school?” Matula asked.

“By having more people come up here and instead of saying it was a bad perception, saying we had a great experience or we had some ups and we had some downs,” Armas replied. “I want our high school to be a beacon for this community. I want to see this See SCHOOLS, page 18

CARIDAD CENTER FAMILIES CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT ANNUAL PBIEC PARTY On Saturday, Dec. 13, hundreds of Caridad Center client families gathered at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to enjoy face painting, balloons, music, entertainment, lunch, raffles, toys and more. Caridad volunteers and donors worked to make sure that all the families had a bright Christmas, including a visit with Santa and a bag full of gifts to take home. Herman Moreira, PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER owner of Cilantro’s Deli, donated the food for the event. To learn more, visit www.caridad.org.

Mrs. Claus (Betty Moran) with Maycol Sanchez.

Valerie Luengas and Marta Hidalgo won a bike in the raffle.

Caridad and Step By Step Foundation representatives with the Jimenez family, which won a TV in the raffle.

Saddle Trail

Board Still Opposed

continued from page 1 with large trucks navigating through it.

During public comment, Saddle Trail resident Brad Biggs commended the committee on its action at the previous meeting.

“I think you did the right thing,” he said.

Biggs, a lawyer, said a couple of issues had not been brought up. “I think this is an Acme issue and I think it’s a water control district issue, and I think those are water control district lands,” he said, explaining that although the Acme Improvement District is a dependent district, it is a separate taxing body. “I think sometimes people don’t get that.”

He pointed out that his prop-

erty tax bill has separate lines for Acme and Wellington, and Acme controls roads and resurfacing. He predicted those issues would arise in future public hearings. He also pointed out that equestrians are assessed at an increased benefit.

“People have been saying it’s a done deal, and the council has been moving pretty much in lockstep to move this project forward, but it’s not done yet, so I hope they will reconsider some of their actions,” Biggs said.

Committee Member Houston Meigs said he thought the project would affect many more people than just residents of southern Saddle Trail, and asked whether residents outside Saddle Trail had been contacted.

Riebe stressed that the topic of the meeting was not about assessments or the process. “Those types of things are under the purview of the council,” Riebe said. “We’re

Executive Director Laura Kallus, Director of Social Services Scarlett Fave, Development Director Dollene Ewig, Founder/President Connie Berry and event chairs Caroline Moran and Nancy Hooker.

Valeria and Luis Palacios visit with Santa Claus. specifically here tonight to talk about the design details for a project in a neighborhood, which involves equestrian activities.”

He explained that the council had asked him to get the committee’s input on the design details, not whether they liked the project or the special assessment process.

Committee Member Linda Smith-Faver said the committee opposes the project. “We’re sort of being forced into making decisions about a project that we don’t agree should happen,” Smith-Faver said.

“I think the council asked our opinion and then ignored us.”

“Unfortunately, they do have the option of doing that,” Elie said.

Riebe pointed out that some changes were made. For example, equestrian crossing islands were removed at the request of the committee.

Smith-Faver said she considered that a small change and that

members never were asked if they favored paving roads in the Equestrian Preserve Area.

“It’s going to affect a lot more people than those 70 or 80 people who wanted this, and that’s my concern,” she said. “We’re supposed to be speaking for the entire equestrian community, not just Saddle Trail Park south.”

Committee Vice Chair Michael Whitlow thanked Biggs for opening up the discussion.

“I understand what Mr. Riebe has said about limiting our scope, but that was discussed last night at the council meeting,” Whitlow said. “Once again, people are unhappy with the idea of covering things on a piecemeal basis.”

Elie said that there are design elements the committee needs to address, whether they like the project or not. “If it does go forward, we need to have some input into it,” she said.

Bob Kraut, Caroline Moran, Bobby Kraut and Danny Robert Shaw.

Maria Garcia and Hillary and Daniel Viegra with their toys.

Nicole Sheehan and Brianne Corrado bring out food.

She asked how hedge heights were going to be addressed and enforced so that drivers can see that horses are coming and riders can see that cars are coming.

Riebe said the hedges will be along the property line, and if there is a line-of-sight issue at access points, there are engineering standards and ordinances the village can enforce to see that property owners lower them.

Meigs also asked about property owners’ entry gates. Although they will be required to open inward so they don’t interfere with the bridle path, and the entry button will be within the property line, it would still leave half of a vehicle sitting in the bridle trail while gaining entry.

“That means the entry gate would have to be moved 20 feet into the property,” Meigs said.

Elie agreed, pointing out that she had a delivery truck sitting outside her property recently wait-

ing to gain entry, and horses on the bridle trial had to wait for the truck to get in.

Riebe said that condition exists now. “We are not going to engineer every circumstance,” he said.

Elie said the condition would be happening on a routine basis, forcing horses and riders onto the slippery pavement in order to get around vehicles, but Riebe said it is illegal to block a bridle trail.

“There are other bridle trails in Wellington,” he said, “and we’ve not seen those issues with that type of setup.”

He added that residents had asked for paving because of dust.

He also pointed out that there are a variety of conflicts on the roads already with horses, golf carts, vehicles and pedestrians.

“The dust is so bad in there during the season that there are times that you cannot see down the road,” Riebe said.

Page 8

December 19 - December 25, 2014

The Town-Crier

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NEWS BRIEFS Jan. 7 Ribbon Cutting To Open SR 7 Extension

On Jan. 7, Palm Beach County will officially open the muchanticipated State Road 7 extension from Persimmon Blvd. north to 60th Street, and then continuing west on 60th Street to Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

The new one-mile segment from Persimmon to 60th Street consists of two lanes and will allow drivers to connect to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and relieve some of the current traffic on Persimmon.

The three-quarter-mile 60th Street connection to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. has a total of three lanes (one in each direction and a center turn lane).

Both roadway segments were designed by KF Group Consultants and constructed under a county contract with J.W. Cheatham. The total project cost was $9 million.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at the project’s southern end.

Construction of 60th Street

North from 120th Avenue North to Royal Palm Beach Blvd., and replacement of the existing Royal Palm Beach Blvd. bridge over the M Canal is scheduled to begin next spring.

Garden Club To Meet Jan. 5

The Wellington Garden Club will meet Monday, Jan. 5 in the Greenview Room at the Wellington Community Center with a business meeting at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. and a program on “Elegance in Floral Design” presented by Petal Harvill.

Harvill is a master floral designer and owner of Petal Designs in Boca Raton. Her company provides floral design concepts for hotels, resorts, commercial interiors, home decor and social events.

With her background in French, Dutch and Asian designs, Harvill specializes in innovative displays.

With vast international experience, she is always on the lookout for color trends and ideas in floral design. She will demonstrate her talents and creativity and share

some beautiful examples of her work.

Guests are welcome to the free meeting, but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, call Carol Coleman at (561) 792-2290. For more information, visit www.wellington gardenclub.org.

Fair Run/Walk Dec. 27 At Okeeheelee

A crowd of dedicated and recreational runners is anticipated for the South Florida Fair’s fourth annual 5K run/walk at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27 at Okeeheelee Park. Every participant will receive a free running shirt and one free admission ticket to the fair, along with a quick energy breakfast, finisher’s medal, goodie bag, bib number and refreshments after the race.

Entry fees are $35 on the day of the race and $15 for students 18 and younger. To save $5, register on or before Dec. 26 at www.southfloridafair.com. All entry fees are non-refundable and registration is non-transferable.

Parking is free.

A pre-race packet pickup is available on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Fit2Run in the Mall at Wellington Green. Race day packet pick-up is available from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at Okeeheelee Park. Registrations the day of the event will take place at the Micanopy Pavilion before the race. The 5K run is timed with a disposable timing tag from AccuChip that will be distributed in each participant’s packet attached to the bib number.

The top three male and female finishers for overall and masters will receive a customized award.

The top three male and female finishers in each age group will receive a customized medal. For more information, contact Lorie Stinson at (561) 790-5245 or lorie@southfloridafair.com.

briar Blvd. and features more than 30 different varieties of native trees and shrubs.

The arboretum offers homeowners, landscapers and arborists an opportunity to view and evaluate a wide variety of trees and shrubs that are native to the area. It is a serene place where visitors can relax while learning more about plants well-suited to the soils and climate of Palm Beach County.

The living display serves as a resource to assist homeowners in selecting plants for their yard.

Each species is identified by a marker that provides the common name, scientific name and the size at maturity.

For more information, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov.

Wellington Arboretum Open To Public

Learn To ‘Farm Your Backyard’

Wellington’s arboretum, also known as the Tree & Shrub Identification Area, is now open to the public.

The educational area is located at Greenbriar Park at 2965 Green-

Learn the secrets of vegetable gardening in South Florida with Arthur Kirstein and Melissa Allman from the Office of Agricultural Economic Development at a special workshop on Saturday, Jan. 10.

The focus of this workshop is on using established agricultural techniques for successful small area vegetable establishment.

Crop maintenance and harvesting will also be covered. A tour of the Mounts Botanical Garden vegetable garden will complete the program.

The free program is limited to the first 100 individuals to sign up. To register for the workshop, e-mail Melissa Allman at mallman@pbcgov.org.

The class takes place Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Palm Beach county Cooperative Extension Service Exhibit Hall A at 559 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach.

‘Nutcracker’ At WHS Dec. 20-21

Wellington Ballet Theatre invites the community to its performances of The Nutcracker on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Wellington High School theater.

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Page 9

NEWS

THE 31ST ANNUAL WELLINGTON HOLIDAY PARADE ROLLS DOWN FOREST HILL

The 31st annual Wellington Holiday Parade rolled down Forest Hill Blvd. on Sunday, Dec. 14. Thousands of spectators lined the road to watch more than 100 parade entries go by. The parade’s grand marshal was Chris Leavitt, star of Bravo’s Million Dollar ListingMiami. He was joined by political leaders, school marching bands, dance troupes, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER County Fire-Rescue and dozens of community floats.

Elvis rocks his way down Forest Hill Blvd.

Grand Marshal Chris Leavitt, star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing-Miami.

Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis throws candy.

The Palm Beach Central High School marching band.

Loxahatchee Groves Mayor David Browning.

State Rep. Mark Pafford.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

Miss FL US International Alexi Gropper.

Toy Roxanne Wash and grandson Ayden James Wash ride with the International Polo Club float.

Cheerleaders from Elbridge Gale Elementary School.

The entry from KemKids Dance Studio.

The Think Pink Kids march in the parade.

The Royal Palm Beach High School marching band.

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Nonprofit Wellington Cares Celebrates Many Successes Over The Past Year

Wellington Cares held its third annual meeting on Thursday, Dec. 4 at Casa Tequila in Wellington.

Guests were welcomed at the door and received a gift bag with items from Bethesda Hospital West, Florida Community Bank, the Prettelt Center for Family Health and Think Big. Executive Director Kathy Foster welcomed guests, volunteers, participants and dignitaries to the event.

Foster began by informing attendees of the organization’s successes over the past year, including that the organization performed more than 450 volunteer hours, trained 13 new volunteers and received more than $34,000 in cash and in-kind donations.

“On behalf of the board of directors of Wellington Cares, I’m delighted to have the volunteers and participants we do,” Foster said. “We’re blessed to live in the Village of Wellington where people care about each other.”

Foster continued by thanking the Town-Crier newspaper and the Great Charity Challenge for their support over the years, and announced a new grant from the Quantum Foundation, as well as the organization’s goals for next year.

All in attendance also received a raffle ticket for a holiday gift

bag and a poinsettia donated by Lowe’s Home Improvement in Royal Palm Beach.

“We are truly fortunate to have an organization like Wellington Cares in our community,” Wellington Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said. “It helps strengthen our village and attracts residents.”

The afternoon concluded with testimonials read by Volunteer Coordinator Diane Gutman and awards presented to volunteers Barbara Amato for donating 72 hours and Ann Brinson for donating 52 hours. “When you have this much fun, it isn’t work,” Brinson said.

Former board member and volunteer Melody Domb was also recognized for her continued support of the organization.

Wellington Cares is a community-based, not-for-profit organization committed to coordinating volunteers of all ages to assist in enabling persons over the age of 65 to remain in their home with the support of the Wellington community, residents and local organizations. Visit www.wellingtoncaresorg.com for more information.

December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 13

Wellington Resident Releases Documentary On Memorial Markers Markers is a new release from NYCEFLix and documentarian Richard Jackson, a Wellington resident. The film explores Florida’s unique memorial marker program and a few of the lives affected by these tragedies.

Every year, more than 2,000 people die on Florida’s roadways, and another 28,000 die nationwide. In the aftermath, families and friends often mark the accident site with flowers, cards or something that helps them express their grief. Some states offer a means for families to memorialize lost loved ones in select areas to avoid interference with the right of way.

Florida is the only state that allows for a state-manufactured marker at the accident site at no cost to the grieving family.

Thousands of 15-inch white discs dot Florida’s streets and highways holding the names and memories of those taken in an auto fatality. Markers carries a message to all drivers about vehicle safety

and loss; and how we process grief.

Currently making the film festival circuit, Markers is traveling the country bringing a message of safety and hope designed for all. For more info., visit www. nyceflix.com.

(Top right) Diane Gutman, Ann Brinson and Kathy Foster. (Bottom right) Kathy Foster with Melody Domb.

Alcazar, Bateson-Chandler Honored By USDF

After a year of impressive achievements in the dressage arena, Alcazar, owned by Jane Forbes Clark, earned the Adequan/USDF Dressage Horse of the Year YearEnd Award for his performances in the Intermediate II level with Katherine Bateson-Chandler of Wellington.

The Adequan/USDF Year-End Awards are presented to select riders and horses that have had an entire year of high scores in competition. Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar received the award with their year’s impressive mean score of 71.941 percent.

Internationally successful Grand Prix champion Bateson-Chandler has competed on Alcazar for the past two years.

“He has the perfect temperament for a competition horse — very brave and self confident.

He has presence and is extremely trainable,” she said.

The 9-year-old dark bay gelding and Bateson-Chandler have had numerous successes leading up to receiving the year-end honor. Earlier this year, they earned the FEI High Point award after winning the FEI Intermediate II division at the Kentucky Dressage Association CDI in May. Clark, a long-time supporter of high-performance equestrian sports around the world, purchased Alcazar in 2012. The horse was an excellent fit for Bateson-Chandler, who has ridden and trained Clark’s horses for eight years.

Bateson-Chandler spends her summers training and competing in Europe with Alcazar and her other top mounts, including Clark’s KWPN Wellnetta. In Europe, Bateson-Chandler trains

Sally Tamblin and Marge Herzog deliver holiday items to Mary Phillips at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.

American Legion Auxiliary Delivers Items To Veterans

Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar. with Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Hester. her star equine partners, visit www.

For more information about kbcdressage.com.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit #367 of Royal Palm Beach gathered at Hilary’s Restaurant on Dec. 3 to prepare holiday donations for the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.

American Legion Auxiliary District 11 President Linda Grevera helped American Legion Auxiliary Unit #367 members Nikki Provenzano and Kathleen Boyer assemble the items donated by each member.

Members selected a personal hygiene item from a list of suggested things needed and bought 20 of them to put one in each of the 20 holiday packages.

Sally Tamblin and Marge Herzog delivered holiday items to Mary Phillips at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, who will distribute the personal hygiene and food items, socks and underwear to the veterans where it will do the most good.

Page 14

December 19 - December 25, 2014

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SCHOOL NEWS

Chemistry Teacher Takes Volunteering To Worldwide Lengths

Helping the less fortunate, particularly children, is something teacher Kate Kilian learned from her parents when she was just a child herself.

Now a chemistry teacher at the Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches, Kilian’s burning passion to help others resulted in a list of charity projects too long to list and has inspired a legion of students to volunteer in the community.

Kilian, 30, of Jupiter, has spent the past two summer and winter breaks in Cambodia. At first, she ran community health programs to help primary schools in the war-ravaged country that was once

the site of massive genocide.

Then Kilian taught English to 58 students between the ages of four and eight at an impoverished Cambodian school. She has also written an entire curriculum to help one Cambodian school teach children from as young as four up to 19 years old.

Kilian grew up traveling with her parents as they did volunteer medical work around the world, so helping is just second nature for her.

When she is back at Oxbridge teaching chemistry, Kilian said she takes the lessons she learned volunteering in Cambodia and

EXPLORING PILGRIMS AT NEW HORIZONS

brings it into her classroom. “I don’t accept late work because my students in Cambodia never miss an assignment,” she said.

Kilian spends every weekend and much of her free time volunteering to help children in Palm Beach County and tries to get Oxbridge students involved as much as possible.

Once a month, she takes students to the Quantum House, a nonprofit home where parents stay while their children are undergoing serious medical procedures in Palm Beach County. Kilian and her students make dinners and even birthday cakes for the families at Quantum.

She and some of her students, like junior Brianna McGovern, work with a tutoring program for homeless children at the Lord’s Place, a West Palm Beach charity that tackles homelessness and

child poverty issues.

Kilian also works with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County coaching third and fifth graders to compete in the Science Olympiad, a series of labs and scientific competitions that will take place in February.

Kilian runs a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Night at Oxbridge where about 40 of her students hold a fair for about 100 underprivileged and homeless elementary school students from around the county to teach them the fun of learning science.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, she is helping the Salvation Army collect toys for Christmas, organizing an outreach program that will have her students playing bingo with senior citizens and planning a Christmas party to benefit the Lord’s Place.

“Oxbridge really encourages me

Teacher Katie Kilian with a student. and makes it all possible by giving School Teachers of the Year by me the time off and the support I the Northern Palm Beach County need to make all these programs Chamber of Commerce.

Learn more about the Oxbridge possible,” she said.

It’s no surprise that Kilian was Academy of the Palm Beaches at named one of the 2014 High www.oapb.org.

SRHS Students Win For Tech Conference Design

The School District of Palm Beach County’s technology conference committee has chosen the winning designs in the 2015 Technology Conference Mickey Schemer Program Cover Design Competition, and among the winners were two Seminole Ridge High School digital design students.

“It was a pleasure to review the amazing designs submitted by students, and it was an extremely difficult process to select the winners,” Committee Member Melissa Lander said.

Taking the gold in the contest was Nicholas Fernandez, and

New Horizons Elementary School second graders learned that most citizens of the United States are “pilgrims” who emigrated from other countries. Students researched the country of their origin and traveled through “Ellis Island” to understand what many of their relatives experienced. Dual Language students, after reading Molly’s Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen, created clothespin dolls dressed as early Americans, Indians and various countries of their ancestors. Shown here are second grade Dual Language students with their teacher, Barbara Garcia.

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taking the bronze was Stephanie Novoa. Manuel Moya of the Informational Technology Academy teaches both.

Fernandez’ winning design will be featured as the 2015 school district technology conference program cover, and he’ll receive a $500 award and a selection of Adobe digital design software.

Novoa will receive a $100 award.

These two Hawks, and their teacher, will be recognized as special guests at the conference’s opening session Feb. 16.

Debaters Make the Sweet Sixteen — In competition recently at George Mason University’s

Nicholas Fernandez’s winning design.

annual “Patriot Games” invitational speech and debate tournament in Virginia, Landen Fresch and Erika Thompson broke to double-octo finals in the Public Forum event — in the top 16 of 300 teams — and competed flawlessly in extemporaneous speaking as well. In addition, Madison Bailey and Andrew Garcia scored first place in a Duo Interpretation event, just missing the break to quarterfinals.

Thespians Earn Superior Designation — Several Hawk thespians earned the highest ratings from the judges of the District 15 individual events

competition held on campus Dec. 6. Congrats to Kelsie Brown and David Madigan for their Superior in duet acting, and to Jessica Quiggle for her Superior in monologues. These students move on to state-level competition in Tampa this spring.

Hawk Wrestler Ranks High — Congratulations to SRHS athlete Jarrod Smiley for a great job Dec. 6 at the Jensen Beach Wrestling Tournament.

“Eight of the 10 teams competing were state-ranked, and yet Jarrod finished the tournament with a 9-0 record,” noted coach Frank Lasagna.

Stephanie Novoa’s design took third place.

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Page 15

SCHOOL NEWS

RPBHS Dancers Perform ‘Dance With Me’ PBCHS STUDENT TAKES The Royal Palm Beach High School dancers and their master choreographer and teacher Michele Blecher presented an outstanding dance performance, “Dance with Me,” on Dec. 4.

The RPB Dancers and the Wildcat Dancers Dance Team performed 22 dance routines all choreographed by Blecher in dance forms ranging from ballet, jazz, and musical theater to contemporary and lyrical.

Five soloists accented the 22 large group routines. The show was a smashing success, starting with the dance team’s salute to the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces, “American Soldier,” and ending

SECOND IN COMPETITION

The Royal Palm Beach High School dance team. with the hundred dancers danc- “Dance with Me.” The dancers standing ovation at the end of their ing in sync to their grand finale, reward was a sold-out crowd and finale routine.

Max Cooper, a Palm Beach Central High School Information Technology Academy student, has taken second place in the district wide competition for this year’s Technology Conference cover design. Shown here is Cooper’s design.

WES Participates In ‘Christmas With The Chimps’ At The Safari Teacher Ruthann Retterbush’s second grade class recently participated in Lion Country Safari’s “Christmas with the Chimps.”

Students wrapped boxes that will be filled with treats to provide environmental enrichment for the chimps.

Lion Country Safari asked schools to participate in this program in order to provide the animals an opportunity to enhance

their lifestyle.

Students will be watching the chimps open and investigate their gifts via a virtual field trip made possible by Palm Beach County’s Science Program partnering with Lion Country Safari. The students can’t wait to see the chimps open their presents.

(Right) Wellington Elementary Students with boxes for chimps.

Palm Beach State College Selected As Finalist For National Curriculum Award Palm Beach State College’s alternative scheduling/combined courses curriculum model is a finalist for a national 2015 Bellwether Award.

The college is one of 10 finalists in the Instructional Programs and Services category, co-sponsored by the National Council of Instructional Administrators, which highlights programs or activities designed and successfully implemented to support teaching and learning in community and state colleges.

The college will participate in the final phase of the competition at the Community College Futures Assembly Jan. 24-27 in Orlando.

A panel of national experts will select one winner announced on Jan. 27.

The alternative scheduling/com-

bined courses curriculum model has helped to improve low pass rates and shorten the time it takes for students to complete college preparatory course work.

During the initial pilot, the model combined prep and intermediate algebra courses, allowing students to complete both courses in a single semester. It required students to attend class four days a week and complete assigned homework virtually every day. During the first eight weeks, they took introductory algebra. During the second eight weeks, they moved as a cohort to intermediate algebra, which was offered during the same class period, in the same classroom and taught by the same professor.

The combined courses became known as “combo classes” and resulted in success rates of up to 80

percent, approximately 30 percent higher than the state and national average.

“Combo classes have been a natural fit for the changing learning styles of students observed over the past decade,” said Gail Burkett, associate professor of algebra. “Older students are still accustomed to lecture but react very favorably to the cohorts and engagement that results in these sections. Younger students thrive on the interaction and collaboration.”

PBSC also implemented “combo classes” in four levels of math, both prep and credit, as well as reading and English.

Other finalists in the Instructional Programs & Services category are: Chipola College, Fla.; Cuyahoga Community College,

Ohio; Maricopa County Community College District, Ariz.; Norco College, Calif.; Sinclair Community College, Ohio; South Mountain Community College, Ariz.; the Community College of Baltimore County, Md.; Walla Walla Community College, Wash.; and Wallace Community College in Dothan, Ala. The Community College Futures Assembly convenes annually to serve as a think tank in identifying critical issues facing the future of community and state colleges, and to recognize Bellwether finalist colleges as trend-setting institutions.

Serving 48,000 students annually, PBSC is the largest institution of higher education in Palm Beach County. For more info., visit www. palmbeachstate.edu.

Polo Park students displaying the 1,528 cans they collected.

Polo Park NJHS Collects Cans During Food Drive

The Polo Park Middle School National Junior Honor Society recently held its second annual canned food drive and raised a whopping 1,528 non-perishable items that were donated to Food for Families. The project is run in conjunction with WPTV News Channel 5 and donates foods to less fortunate families in need during the holiday season.

The NJHS students at Polo Park encouraged the entire student body to participate by hanging posters and fliers around the campus and going into each social studies class to personally inspire their classmates. “Last year, the NJHS collected more than 1,400 cans,

and our goal was to beat that number,” NJHS Secretary Anna Ortisi said. “I’m really proud of how hard we worked and how much our school showed we care about the community. We had so many cans that we were able to spell out ‘Polo Park NJHS’ in giant letters in front of our school.”

This is the 30th year of News Channel 5 hosting this event, with Polo Park now contributing nearly 3,000 canned goods in just two years. This service project, along with a toy drive and donation to Palms West Hospital every December, are examples of the dedication to the community that Polo Park and its NJHS believe in.

Page 16

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FEATURES

‘Exodus: Gods And Kings’ Pales In Comparison To Classic Film Some movies should never be remade.

Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments is one of them, yet Ridley Scott has tried a new version, Exodus: Gods and Kings, which is not nearly as good.

It is not a really bad movie. It is wellmade, the special effects are reasonably good, and the acting, if not brilliant, is adequate. But as I was watching, I really missed Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner.

The older movie seems a bit campy and the special effects were pre-computer, yet there was a majesty about the story. In the new movie, there are far more trivialities.

Since probably everyone knows the basic story, there is no reason for a long summary. Moses grows up a prince, finds out he’s a Hebrew, leads his tribe through the tribulations of the 10 plagues and then leads them out of Egypt, parting the Red Sea as he leaves. Basically, both movies tell the same story. However, the new film focuses on how Pharaoh Seti (John Turturro) loves Moses (Christian Bale), his nephew, more than he does his son and heir Ramses (Joel Edgerton). They hear a prediction that the one who saves the other will be a savior, and when Moses actually does save Ramses in battle, things get dicey.

When Ramses, now pharaoh, learns that Moses is actually a Hebrew, he exiles him. We then have a charming love story with Moses and Zipporah (Maria Valverde). “God” (Issac Andrews), who it seems to look (and often behaves) like a 10-year-old boy, demands he leave to free his people. He goes back, trains a whole group of fighters who launch a guerrilla war, until God gets ticked off by how slow things are going and sends the 10 plagues. That leads to the Exodus and, of course, the required scene of crossing

the Red Sea, which is presented as being done through a tsunami. After the crossing, Moses returns to his wife and son and, well, sort of introduces them to their 400,000 new relatives.

You might note that rather a lot of the story was not actually in the Bible. And while the additions and changes make the characters somewhat more approachable, they take away from the main point of the whole story. I liked the love scenes, but was not as thrilled with the Hollywood notion of God; it seemed a real distraction.

Presenting Ramses cooing over his baby and constantly saying that his son could sleep well because he was so wellloved made me wonder whether this was a sort of Freudian interpretation of the Bible.

We have the sibling rivalry, the hatred of Ramses’ mother (Sigourney Weaver) for Moses, the father who was unloved, demonstrating love for his son. Of course, we usually see Ramses as the bad guy, and it looked like Scott was trying to explain away his nastiness.

The acting was good. All of the performers are competent. Bale carried most of the film and portrayed a pretty reasonable Moses. Unfortunately, Moses is the center of the whole story. Heston, with his booming voice and admirable solidity, took over the role so completely that Bale fades in comparison. Edgerton is probably a better actor than his predecessor in the role, but Brynner had enormous charisma, seeming to enjoy being the bad guy. Edgerton seems more like a modern bureaucrat regretfully telling those he rules that unfortunately, they are not going to get what they consider fair. Turturro was a bit over the top and could have done without all the eye makeup. I liked Ben Kingsley and Aaron Paul as two of the

Hebrew leaders. They handled their parts with dignity. Valverde was lovely; her scenes with Bale were charming, even though they had almost nothing else to do with the film.

It helps when the people behind a biblical film actually believe in what they are filming. Scott did what he could to minimize a lot of possible religious issues, but

could not avoid the plagues, although he did have an Egyptian scientist try to find a scientific explanation, which did fall flat.

This is not a bad movie; it is just not really all that good a film. The older version now seems a bit dated, but people watch it every year because it speaks to something inside them. This film will merely make some money and then disappear.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

’Twas The Week Before Christmas...

He finds his wife happy, She’s humming a tune!

The kids fall asleep by the light of the moon.

’Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the town, everybody is rushing, no sitting around.

Deborah Welky is

There is shopping and wrapping, So much still to do!

Some cookies need baking, and the fancy breads, too.

The Sonic BOOMER

“Thanks so much for the break,” she says with a smile.

And he hugs her and winks “It was fun… for awhile.”

There are concerts to go to, TV shows and parades, the Nutcracker play and the new Ice Capades.

He heads for the movies (Finds one rated “G”) Buys two tubs of popcorn, four drinks and can-dy.

And that’s how it is When you have a few kids.

It’s work and it’s play And it’s slip-ups and skids.

At some point mom cracks, and she says to her guy, “Take these kids for the day or I will start to cry!”

He’s there for two hours (The kids have a blast) But they don’t head for home yet, Dad makes the day last.

But on Christmas morning, you’ll know it’s all worth it.

Watching kids go insane ’cuz you made their day perfect.

So dad packed up the tots (and they’re grateful he did...

No one wants to be there once mom flips her lid.)

He let the kids romp at the mall’s indoor playspace While he sips on a coffee and puts on his game face.

And when they are grown, with some kids of their own, you will swear that your family’s the best that you’ve known.

Now, dad, he’s a rock, see?

The holiday clatter simply won’t affect him.

It just doesn’t matter.

When the kids are exhausted From jumping and hopping, Dad brings them back home, And he’s even been shopping!

Merry Christmas from the Sonic Boomer and everyone at the Welky family!

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Page 17

NEWS

HOLIDAY-THEMED LUNCH WRAPS UP THE YEAR FOR WELLINGTON CHAMBER

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce held its annual holiday luncheon Friday, Dec. 12 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s International Club. Under the direction of Bradford Chase, students from the Wellington High School chamber chorus sang their unique take on classic holiday songs, while chamber members mingled during the last luncheon of the year.

PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Cecilia Nunez de Villavicencio, Stacy Sims, Maggie Alexander and Wendy Gonzalez.

Cathy Crowther, Mike Nelson and Kathy Foster enjoy the luncheon.

Marsha Morris, Judith Lauro and Jason Hickey of Trader Joe’s brought sweet treats.

Wellington High School chamber chorus members were on hand to perform holiday classics.

Darell and Sherry Bowen with Susan Guinan.

Debbie Crompton, Kathleen Williams and Sharon Lasko.

WYCLIFFE BRINGS OUT WALKERS, BIKE RIDERS FOR BIG CHARITABLE EVENT

The Wycliffe Charities Foundation, in conjunction with the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club, hosted the 25th annual BikeWalkathon on Sunday, Dec. 14. This year saw approximately 150 participated in the “Tour de Wycliffe” fundraiser for the foundation, which supports PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER Palm Beach County charities. For more info, visit www.wycliffecc.com.

Wycliffe Charities Foundation President Marjorie Goldner, event organizer Norman Primost and Wycliffe Director of Fitness Lynn Mandigo.

Walkers enjoy their stroll around the course.

Participants in the 12-mile bike ride.

Page 18

December 19 - December 25, 2014

The Town-Crier

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NEWS

‘Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Musical Visits Kravis Dec. 23 Fifty years after the beloved stop-motion animated television classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer made its network television debut, the longest-running

and highest-rated television special comes to life, on stage with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical (www.rudolphthemusical.com).

The tour is visiting 25 cities through Dec. 27, stopping at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, Dec. 23 for two shows, at 2 and 7 p.m.

A scene from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, on stage at the Kravis Center Dec. 23.

The world’s most famous reindeer and his holly jolly cast of iconic characters including Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snow Monster star in a musical so faithful to the original show that it practically transports audience members into a television special.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical is a new tradition for families and theatregoers of all ages,” Producing Partner Jonathan Flom said. “Audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive thanks to our creative team and the incredibly talented cast lead by Lexy Baeza starring as Rudolph. Lexy won the role not only because of her experience and talent, but because she was able to emulate Rudolph’s voice better than anyone else.”

The story tells the tale of a young Rudolph who, because of the appearance of his bright, shining nose, is ousted from the

Mary Wilson Of The Supremes Brings Lena Horne To Life Coming to the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center on Tuesday, Jan. 6 is James Gavin’s Stormy Weather: The Music of Lena Horne. The show stars Mary Wilson of the Supremes singing the songs that made Lena Horne famous.

Stormy Weather is a multimedia concert featuring a narrator (James Gavin, author of the book, Stormy Weather), Mary Wilson, a trio of jazz musicians, and rare audio and video footage from Lena Horne’s life.

The show is a “living, breathing,

Okeechobee

Minto’s Help Not Wanted

continued from page 1 interest than I do,” Browning said.

“I believe they would do everything they could to protect 60th and Persimmon, even at the cost of Okeechobee. I have to lean the other way because Okeechobee is our lifeline.”

Although Minto had offered to help with design, Browning said he thought it was the town’s responsibility to work with the county, because it is a county road.

During public comment, attorney Ralf Brookes, who has been retained by the anti-Minto West group ALERTS (Acreage Loxahatchee Engaged Residents Taking a Stand), pointed out that the town had passed a resolution opposing the Minto West project.

He warned against allowing Okeechobee Blvd. to become a highway similar to Southern Blvd. and physically divide the town.

“We don’t want to see Okeechobee bisect the town,” Brookes said.

biography,” combining story, song and visual images to give a defining portrait of an American icon.

Thrilling arrangements include “Stormy Weather,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Yesterday When I Was Young” and many others.

The Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center is located on Palm Beach State College’s Belle Glade Campus at 1977 College Drive in Belle Glade.

For more information, call the box office at (561) 993-1160 or visit www.dollyhand.org.

“We ask you to reject this agreement.”

He also pointed out that Minto West has the ability to attend future public workshops on the road to provide input.

Former Councilman Dr. Bill Louda said he saw the offer as being intended to get E Road/140th Street back on the thoroughfare plan.

“The county plan right now is for Okeechobee four-laned to E Road,” Louda said. “Think about that. That is a ploy to get the E Road/140th connection back.”

Finance Advisory & Audit Committee Chair Virginia Standish said that the town is capable of hiring its own engineers.

“Minto will serve Minto,” Standish said. “We would like to think that the Town of Loxahatchee Groves is competent enough to hire people who can take care of this town. There is no reason to collaborate with Minto.”

Planning & Zoning Board Member Lawrence Corning said he appreciated Browning’s statement of a difference of interest between the residents of The Acreage and of Loxahatchee Groves.

“I sit on the board of ALERTS,” he said. “I have become much

Projects

County Updates Its Plan

Mary Wilson as Lena Horne in Stormy Weather. more familiar with the people and issues of those in The Acreage.”

He said the objective should be to balance the interests of all. “You really have to look at things in different contexts,” Corning said.

“The idea of divide and conquer is as old as it gets.”

Cotleur & Hearing’s Donaldson Hearing, representing Minto, said the offer made by himself and Minto Regional Vice President John Carter when they met with the mayor was genuine.

“We heard of the need, and we offered to volunteer our expertise,” Hearing said. “It happens to be that our firm has an extensive amount of expertise dealing with transportation planning. Our offer was to use our time and talents any way you want.”

Councilman Jim Rockett was hesitant to work with Minto developers after they had gotten what he believed was more density than should be allowed, and he thought there was plausibility to Louda’s comment about resurrecting plans for an E Road/140th connection.

“My concern when I saw this was us compromising our beliefs and/or being in bed with Minto,” Rockett said. “Thanks for your concern, but that’s not something

that we’re interested in at this moment. What we are interested in is that we maintain Okeechobee Blvd. throughout our town as a two-lane-only thoroughfare. If you truly want to assist us, help us maintain a two-lane road and a rural vista view.”

Vice Mayor Ron Jarriel agreed that Okeechobee should be no wider than two lanes. “We can take a two-lane road and make it better for the residents of Loxahatchee Groves by adding turn lanes and different things to make access to Okeechobee Blvd. possible without getting killed,” he said. “The red light is our top priority.”

Jarriel said he had seen two-lane rural vista parkways and liked them.

Browning pointed out that the county already has determined that it will take Okeechobee to four lanes when the time comes, and that the town would have a limited role in planning the road.

“If nobody wants Minto’s help, so be it,” he said. “But we have to realize that they are our neighbors.”

Jarriel made a motion to let Minto assist the town in designing the roadway, which died for the lack of a second.

‘My concern when I saw this was us compromising our beliefs and/or being in bed with Minto,’ Councilman Jim Rockett said. ‘Thanks for your concern, but that’s not something that we’re interested in at this moment. What we are interested in is that we maintain Okeechobee Blvd. throughout our town as a two-lane-only thoroughfare.’

Foundation

Divest It From Village

continued from page 1 what they can do with the foundation.

“I agree with you,” Coates said.

“I think the name is a nice force for a private group that would want to take over fundraising for charitable organizations for this community.”

Coates also favored appointing board members who would decide how they are going to appoint an executive director.

Gerwig was concerned that the original purpose of the foundation was to raise money for capital projects, and the council has the ability to do that. “Are we creating a situation where we are competing with the Wellington Community Foundation for projects that we want to be involved in?” she asked.

Coates said the council has not been very effective as a fun-

Reindeer Games in Christmastown. He flees town, meets up with new friends Hermey and Yukon, and a series of funny and endearing adventures ensue, including a visit to the Island of Misfit Toys.

Rudolph journeys home, where a snowstorm of epic proportions is threatening Christmas. Can Rudolph save his family and friends and help Santa save the holiday?

This year, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center is encouraging parents to use the relatable story of Rudolph to address the issue of bullying with their children.

“Just like Rudolph, each of us shines bright in our own way. If we can embrace things that make us different, the world will be a brighter place,” Flom said.

To help guide a discussion before or after watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, parents and educators can access resources that use the story as a platform for teaching important lessons by visiting www.pacer.org/ ShineBright.

The touring version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical is directed by Dana Soli-

draising organization. “The short answer is, yeah, we are competing, but we really aren’t big on going out and seeking charitable fundraising to begin with,” he said.

Mayor Bob Margolis said that although the council is allowed to fundraise for the village itself, he thought it could draw perceptions of a conflict.

“My opinion is I’m not going to do that,” Margolis said. “If we had a board to do it, I’d feel comfortable for them to do that.”

Greene agreed that council

members had not been actively fundraising for capital projects.

“We all have busy schedules, and to add another layer of responsibility to raise money for capital projects, I don’t think it has been done,” he said.

Gerwig made a motion for the council to divest the foundation from Wellington government and to give each council member 45 days to appoint someone to replace them, pending IRS approval. The motion carried 4-0 with Councilman Matt Willhite absent.

continued from page 1 missioners. “They are responsible for the construction of that roadway. Minto has already started the design on that roadway, and you required that as part of your approval to make that a priority to have that built.”

Webb explained that the county’s five-year plan only reflects money being spent by the county, not developer-funded projects.

“As a developer project, it would not show up in here, but it is a priority,” he said. “It is moving forward, and we want to get it in sooner than later.”

Commissioner Melissa McKinlay asked Webb whether he would consider looking at the roadway markings in the meantime.

“I do agree with Ms. Larson,” McKinlay said. “I’ve driven that section of the road, and when it’s really dark at night, it is hard to see those markings.”

County plans call for Seminole Pratt road improvements from Orange Blvd. to Northlake Blvd. in 2016 at a cost of $6.8 million, improvements to the Seminole Pratt/Northlake Blvd. intersection at a cost of $3.5 million, and Northlake Blvd. east of Seminole Pratt to west of Hall Blvd. in 2016 at a cost of $3 million.

Schools

RPBHS Concerns

continued from page 7 school represent this community in every way possible. I want to see our school be the best, period.”

Armas also said that he’s sure the 23 other high schools in the district have their fair share of problems.

“I always say that we are better today than we were yesterday, and we’ll be better tomorrow than we were today, and I believe that,” Armas said. “I refuse to allow the actions of some kids and then a bad perception to bring us down with what we do with our kids on a daily basis.”

Armas encouraged every parent in the community to go to the school’s open house and speak with the teachers and learn about the educators and the people

mando and produced by Michael Cohl & S2BN’s Alison Spiriti and Justin Sudds.

For more information, visit www.rudolphthemusical.com.

Tickets to the show at Kravis start at $20 and may be purchased at the Kravis Center’s web site at www.kravis.org; by calling the box office at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471; or in person at the Kravis Center box office, located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach.

2014 is the 50th anniversary of the first broadcast of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the longestrunning and highest-rated holiday special of all time. The anniversary celebration includes a major tie-in with the U.S. Postal Service, tribute promos from CBS, new products and programs across all retail channels, a collector’s edition DVD and Blu-ray with new bonus material, new theme park and in-mall attractions, a Carnegie Hall concert tribute and a social media campaign (#ShineBright) that celebrates uniqueness in association with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

Other improvements include 60th Street from 140th Avenue North to east of 120th Avenue North in 2015 at a cost of $900,000, and 60th Street west of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and 60th Street/Royal Palm Beach Blvd. intersection improvements in 2015 at a cost of $5.6 million.

Plans for the controversial Roebuck Road extension from Jog Road to State Road 7 are in the plan for 2019 at a cost of $50 million.

Commissioner Paulette Burdick made a motion to approve the road plan, which carried 7-0.

The county has budgeted $600,000 in 2016 for the design and preparation for a PBSO substation in The Acreage. There is $6 million earmarked in 2017 to build it. Minto West has dedicated 7 acres for a governmental area, including the PBSO’s District 15 substation, which is currently located in a county building in Royal Palm Beach.

The plan also calls for improvements at Okeeheelee Park, including a golf course concession expansion at $150,000, athletic complex drainage improvements at $150,000, construction of a south boating center at $500,000 and south development phase III of $550,000 in 2015. The county plans to spend more than $3 million at Okeeheelee over the next five years.

Commissioner Priscilla Taylor made a motion to approve the capital plan, which carried 7-0. who really care about the kids at RPBHS. “I don’t want anybody who doesn’t want to be there, to be there. I really don’t. We want parents to send their kids to us… but I’m not here to convince anybody,” Armas said. “I’m proud of who we are and what we are, and I want people who want to be with us, because then we can move forward and do great things.”

Armas continued that it’s hard to compare different people’s experiences at school. “School is what you make it,” he said.

“I don’t want anyone to be defensive,” Matula said. “I’ve heard about a lot of people who have had great experiences there.”

“I’m not in any way defensive,” Armas replied. “We try to be the very best that we can be. We have a vision; we try to further our vision every day. The perception is what it is, and if somebody wants to be a part of us, then come see us.”

The Town-Crier

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 19

CALLING ALL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH TIES TO THE WELLINGTON COMMUNIT Y

Are you part of a nonprofit organization with ties to the Wellington community? We want to hear from you! Kicking off our “Wellington Gives” campaign with our January 2015 issue, Wellington The Magazine will be featuring a different nonprofit organization’s mission and cause each month. We want to partner with local organizations and help them achieve their goals by sharing their histories, missions and impact they have on the community. The criteria for submitting organizations is simple: they must be registered nonprofit organizations with an active 501(c)3 status, and have an office in Wellington, have a board member or other organization official live in Wellington or hold a major fundraiser within Wellington. If you are part of an organization that meets the criteria, or know one that is, submit a nomination today! Only 12 nonprofits will be selected and featured in this series, so submit your nomination today!

Visit www.wellingtonthemagazine.com and look for the “Teamwork” icon (pictured above), click on it and complete the submission form — it’s that easy!

C O M I N G TO G E T H E R TO C R E AT E A B E T T E R C O M M U N I T Y

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

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The Town-Crier

NEWS

ROYAL PALM BEACH THANKS VOLUNTEERS WITH HOLIDAY LUNCHEON EVENT

Royal Palm Beach held a Volunteer Appreciation Holiday Luncheon on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Madison Green Golf Club. The buffet luncheon event is held each year to reward the hard work and dedication put forth by the village’s many volunteers.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Diane Smith and Rich Ivancic with Tim and Kim Leyendecker.

Al Magersuppe, Margie Bonner and Gloria Ferrara.

Dorris Mendez-Weeks, Lawrence Logan and Kitty Lannaman.

Volunteers Prude Belle, Vinette Tracy, Gloy George and Lorna Pearson.

Janice Lyes, Adelle Marlatt and Maria Gallaro.

Mychelle and Mike Russell with Karen and Bill Parks.

COMMUNITY ENJOYS WINTER WONDERLAND AT WELLINGTON AMPHITHEATER

The Village of Wellington hosted ZMC Entertainment’s “Home for the Holidays” Winter Wonderland show Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Wellington Amphitheater. The event featured local performers singing and dancing to songs of the season. Holiday characters held PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER a brief reception after the show.

Phil Christian and Rudolph sing “Run Run Rudolph.”

(Above) Addison, Jimmy, Robin and Tyler Johnson. (Right) Brandon, Allyson and mom Grace Bodden.

Santa arrives on stage to tell a story.

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Page 21

“Join us! We’d love you to be a part of our family.”

Photography by LILA PHOTO

– Justin Thompson, General Manager, The Wanderers Club, with his family.

Dues-Only Membership – No Initiation Fee Required Full Golf or Social Memberships Available Traditional golf with no tee times, tennis, and fitness • Casual dining at The Duke’s Bar, Veranda, and poolside Fine dining at Stables Restaurant • A junior Olympic-size pool, kiddie pool, and play area • Year-round social calendar and child-friendly programs The Wanderers Club is Wellington’s family-friendly, private country club.

For membership information, call 561.795.3501. membership@wanderersclubwellington.com • wanderersclubwellington.com 1900 Aero Club Drive • Wellington, FL 33414 Dues-Only Membership may be recalled once the Club Membership reaches its full complement, beginning with the last in, unless the then established membership deposit is paid. All memberships are prorated as of initiation date.

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

The Town-Crier

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The Perfect Match Polo and Brunch

Experience the energy of world-class polo and brunch at the International Polo Club. Delicious food, champagne, celebrity sightings, music, fashion and, of course, polo.

Every Sunday at 3 p.m. through April 19 The Pavilion opens at 2 p.m.

Join us at The Pavilion for the after-party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For ticket options, please visit InternationalPoloClub.com or call 561.204.5687.

3667 120th Avenue South Wellington, Florida 33414

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Crystal Pena’s Company Offers Many Services

Despite her youth, Crystal Pena knows exactly what she wants to do with her life. Although she is only 19, Crystal owns and operates her own horse service company called Equus Unlimited. “We’re still relatively small, but I have hopes that we’ll be growing much bigger,” she said. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 25

December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 23

Wolverines Take Three Awards At Groza Banquet

Wellington High School was one of the big winners on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the 23rd annual Lou Groza Place-Kicker Awards Banquet. Wellington won three awards, with coach Tom Abel winning Coach of the Year and kicker Alex Ng taking Kicker of the Year, and the entire squad honored as Team of the Year. Page 31

Shopping Spree

A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business

Oak Restaurant & Wine Bar Opens In RPB

Oak Bistro & Wine Bar held its grand opening celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 3 in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping center on Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. The restaurant is between Rack Room Shoes and Stein Mart. The bistro has an impressive wine list and tapas menu, as well as a team of owners and staff with the knowledge, experience and passion to please customers. Page 26

5

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Sports SRHS Basketball Defeats Jupiter

The Seminole Ridge High School boys basketball squad hosted rival Jupiter High School on Dec. 12 and held on to defeat the Warriors 64-56. Jihadu Brunner-Brown put up 26 points and one three-pointer for the Hawks. Jackson Yohn and Jonathan McPhee each had a threepointer. The Hawks are 5-4 on the season. Page 31

THIS WEEK’S INDEX TAILS FROM THE TRAILS............................. 25 BUSINESS NEWS....................................26-27 SPORTS & RECREATION.........................31-33 COMMUNITY CALENDAR............................. 34 CLASSIFIEDS......................................... 35-38

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Page 24

December 19 - December 25, 2014

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FEATURES

December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 25

Crystal Pena’s Company Offers A Variety Of Services

Despite her youth, Crystal Pena knows exactly what she wants to do with her life and is well on her way toward achieving it. Although she is only 19, Crystal owns and operates her own horse service company.

“I started it in 2010, and at that time I called it Crystal Equine Services,” she explained.

“I decided to rename it in 2012 and picked Equus Unlimited. We’re still relatively small, but I have hopes that we’ll be growing much bigger.”

Crystal is pleased at her venture’s success and sees only good things in the future. Equus Unlimited serves all of Palm Beach County, and its services include full and part-time grooms, horse and pet sitting, horse clipping, exercise riding, sheath cleaning, breaking and training, and local horse transport.

“Basically, we’re able to help people with anything equine-related,” she said. “We work year-round but, of course, we’re much busier during the main horse show season from December through April.”

Crystal’s background includes both English and Western riding. She began riding at age 7, and showed hunters for three years.

Then she morphed into the higher fences of jumpers and did that for another six years.

Finally, it was barrel racing that captured her attention.

Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/Horse TalkFL or stop by the Tales from the Trails page on Facebook and click “like.”

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg “I’m comfortable riding any sort of horse and any sort of discipline,” she said. “I’ve also done a little basic dressage.”

Crystal’s idea for a business is interestingly simple. She hires experienced horse people, contracts for jobs and then sends them out to complete the work. She does some of the jobs herself, including the training, breaking and horse transportation, but she employs others to help out, paying them a guaranteed fee and keeping the difference between that and what the customer pays.

Equus Unlimited charges reasonable rates.

Body clipping ranges from $100 to $150.

Exercise riding is $35 for a half-hour and $45 for a full hour. Full-time grooms are $600 a week, and part-time grooms are $12.50 per hour. Breaking and training runs $400 a month if the horse is brought to Crystal’s facility, or $500 if she travels to yours. Horse transportation depends on the mileage but is also reasonably priced.

And she’s looking to hire more people.

“This is a great way for someone to earn a little extra money, working either part-time

Crystal Pena rides her personal horse Princesa. or full-time,” Crystal said. “We’re always stalls, turning out horses, hot-walking them, looking for more employees. We could al- tacking and untacking them. ways use grooms. They should have horse “Our employees must have reliable transshow experience and know how to work portation, have a good work ethic and show with horses.” up promptly on time, and be able to work on Typical duties include feeding, mucking out See ROSENBERG, page 33

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

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BUSINESS NEWS

Oak Restaurant & Wine Bar Opens In Royal Palm Beach Oak Bistro & Wine Bar held its grand opening celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 3 in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping center on Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. The restaurant is between Rack Room Shoes and Stein Mart.

The bistro has an impressive wine list and tapas menu, as well as a team of owners and staff with the knowledge, experience and passion

to please customers. Fresh menu items range from cheese boards and handcrafted paninis to honey stout wings. The restaurant features 70 wines, 16 craft beers and a bottomless mimosa Sunday brunch.

The Oak Bistro & Wine Bar is open daily at 4 p.m.; Sunday brunch begins at 11:30 a.m.

For more information, call (561) 753-6217 or visit www.oakrpb.com .

Oak Bistro & Wine Bar is now open in Southern Palm Crossing shopping center, featuring a long wine list and tapas menu, craft beers, cheese boards, paninis and wings.

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BUSINESS NEWS

December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 27

Pre-Adopt A Peggy Adams Shelter Animal, Grant Helps And Get Special Delivery On Christmas Day Children’s

The holiday season is an ideal time for welcoming a new pet into your life. Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League has a wide variety of adorable cats, kittens, dogs and puppies looking for their forever loving home. For those who pre-adopt any available shelter animal before Dec. 21, the league will make a special delivery to your home Christmas morning.

For those who’ve been thinking about adopting a furry friend, there is no better time than now. To encourage adoptions, the league will let you name your own price to help make sure these wonderful animals find a loving family.

“If you’ve ever thought about adopting an animal, this is your

Amber and Dude are just two of the pets available for adoption. chance to be a hero, to save a life — and to add a loving, furry friend to your home,” Executive Director

Rich Anderson said. “We have hundreds of adorable dogs and cats waiting in line to get out of the shel-

ter and into loving homes in time for the holidays,” he added.

Special deliveries are available for Palm Beach County residents only from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 25. All pre-adoptions must be done in person at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, 3100 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach, and paid in full prior to delivery.

All adoptable pets may be viewed online at www.peggyadams.org.

This web site is updated every hour.

Pet parents will have to meet all league adoption requirements.

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League’s adoption center is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.peggy adams.org or call (561) 686-3663.

Creation Station A Hit At Palm Beach County Main Library Families, teenagers, college students, seniors and small-business entrepreneurs all are experiencing the Creation Station digital media lab and recording studio at the Main Library of the Palm Beach County Library System, located at 3650 Summit Blvd. in West Palm Beach.

The latest in hardware and software technology is available for free, seven days a week, to create content: videos, podcasts, photos and music; participate in equipment orientations; and

showcase created content at www.createpbc.org.

“We all know how important it is to have digital skills in this day and age, and Creation Station offers the tools to develop these abilities using a variety of technologies,” said Adam Davis, the main library’s branch manager.

Residents can explore and create multimedia content by shooting, recording and editing video and audio; communicate their ideas and share podcasts and vodcasts; record and mix music;

scan, edit and share digital images; and transfer VHS, photo negatives and slides into digital files.

The Creation Station has Apple iMacs, iPads, video and digital cameras, a photo scanner, sound recording and video/audio editing equipment, a green screen, Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro X, a GoPro Hero camcorder and much more.

To reserve a session at the Creation Station, call (561) 233-2600 or visit www.createpbc.org.

Healing Institute

The Children’s Healing Institute recently received a $3,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida, which will support the Small Steps to Good Health project.

The project will provide nutritional education workshops for vulnerable families with small children.

Its goal is to educate mothers on the benefits of healthful eating for themselves and their children, and to decrease the risk of child obesity through the creation of healthy menus for families on a budget.

“We are so excited to be able to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida on this project,” said Dr. Sandy Munoz, CEO of the Children’s Healing Institute.

“The Children’s Healing Institute is doing important work,” said Jason Cornet, McDonald’s owner-operator who initiated the RMHC grant request.

For information about the Children’s Healing Institute, visit www. childrenshealinginstitute.org.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 31

WHS Football Wins Three Awards At Groza Banquet

By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington High School was one of the big winners on Tuesday, Dec. 9 when the 23rd annual Lou Groza Place-Kicker Awards Banquet was held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

The event was coordinated by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and presented by the Orange Bowl. The award is named after arguably the most prolific kicker in National Football League history, Lou Groza.

One of the keynote speakers at

the prestigious event was Florida Atlantic University’s head football coach, Charlie Partridge. Also in attendance was legendary coach Howard Schnellenberger and former NFL quarterback Steve Walsh, head coach at Cardinal Newman High School.

The Wellington High School football team received nominations in all four local categories: Coach Tom Abel for Coach of the Year, Alex Ng for Kicker of the Year, Shannon Patrick for Player of the Year and the Wolverines for the Team of the Year award.

An emotional Wellington Coach Tom Abel thanks his coaching staff during his acceptance speech.

Wellington won three of the four categories, with Abel and Ng taking their awards, and the entire squad honored as Team of the Year.

Coach Abel, in just his third year taking over Wellington’s squad, after back-to-back 4-6 records, led the team to an impressive 11-2 overall record, an unbeaten district record at 4-0, the District 9-8A title and an appearance at the regional finals. The team’s record and two playoff wins were the best performance in the school’s 26-year history.

Abel’s additional contributions

were orchestrating the squad’s aerial assault on offense, tallying more than 2,600 yards passing and averaging 40 points per game. His defense held teams to less than a touchdown in four of 10 games.

“A lot of hard work finally paid off,” Abel said. “I have the hardest-working staff in Palm Beach County. We stayed up endless nights to watch film, and then we’d do what we had to do.”

Wellington’s Ng proved all season why he deserved this award. He kicked five field goals, the longest at 42 yards, while connecting on

54 extra points after touchdowns.

Ng also demonstrated his skill of perfecting the onside kick, launching an incredible nine successful ones during the season.

During the Wolverines’ 42-15 playoff-clinching victory over rival Seminole Ridge, Wellington achieved three extra offensive possessions by recovering three onside kicks. All season, the coaches titled Ng as a threat to other teams and called the onside kick an offensive weapon, not a sign of desperation.

The Wolverines’ conversion rate See GROZA, page 33

The Wellington High School football team poses with its Team of the Year award after the ceremony.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

Sem Ridge Basketball Holds On To Defeat Jupiter 64-56

By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report The Seminole Ridge High School boys varsity basketball squad hosted rival Jupiter High School on Friday, Dec. 12 and held on to defeat the Warriors 64-56.

Out of the gate, the Hawks took a commanding 20-6 lead, giving Jupiter little time to put together any kind of counterattack with just under two minutes remaining in the first period. Jupiter did manage to find a brief rhythm to put up nine points and close the gap, finishing out the period down 20-15.

The Hawks twice had a 15-point lead, but by the end of the second period, Seminole Ridge was able to sustain its offense to maintain a ninepoint lead, closing the half 34-25.

During the second half, Jupiter seemed to pressure a Hawk defense that at times would bend but not break. The Hawks came up big offensively when needed to maintain the lead they held throughout the contest.

At the end of the third period, Jupiter rallied to come within six points 49-43, but it was too little and too late for the Warriors. Jupiter’s

offense could not go toe-to-toe with the powerful Hawk offense, as Seminole Ridge relied on quick counterattacks off of rebounds, which proved costly for the Warriors.

Seminole Ridge finished strong with 15 points in the fourth period, and held Jupiter to just 13 point to hold on for the 64-56 victory.

Jihadu Brunner-Brown put up 26 points and one three-pointer for the Hawks. Jackson Yohn and Jonathan McPhee each had a three-pointer.

The Hawks are 5-4 on the season. They next play at Palm Beach Gardens High School on Friday, Dec. 19.

Hawk guard Jihadu BrunnerBrown goes up for a shot.

Hawk Evyn Lewis takes his shot.

Seminole Ridge guard Jonathan McPhee tries to get around a Jupiter defender.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

Page 32

December 19 - December 25, 2014

The Town-Crier

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Royal Palm Bassmasters Host Fishing Tourney On Lake Okeechobee The Royal Palm Bassmasters held its monthly fishing tournament on Nov. 16 out of the Scott Driver/ Okeetantee boat ramp on Lake Okeechobee.

First place was won by the team of Punk Duff (boater) with five fish weighing 8 lbs., 14 oz., and partner Dede Duff (co-angler) with five fish weighing 9 lbs., 3 oz., for a team weight of 18 lbs, 1 oz.

Second place was awarded to

Phil Northrop (boater) with four fish weighing 7 lbs., and partner Mike O’Connor (co-angler) with five fish weighing 6 lbs., 14 oz., for a team total of 13 lbs., 14 oz.

Third place was awarded to the team of Jim Ryba (boater) with five fish weighing 7 lbs., 3 oz. and a dummy weight of 3 lbs., 14 oz. for a team weight of 11 lbs., 1 oz.

The big fish of the November tournament was caught by Bill

Latham. It was a bass weighing 3 lbs.

The Royal Palm Bassmasters meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center at 100 Sweet Bay Lane. The club is now accepting applications for new boater and non-boater members. For more info., e-mail rpbassmasters@ gmail.com or visit www.royalpalmbassmasters.org.

WELLINGTON WILD GIRLS GIVE BACK Mike O’Connor

Bill Latham

Dede Duff

Punk Duff

On Dec. 10, the Wellington Wild girls fast pitch travel softball teams hosted their annual “Wild Gives Back” fundraiser. This year, the girls collected new, unwrapped toys for all ages to be donated to the Kids Cancer Foundation, which provides hope and support to local children and families battling cancer.

Shown here are players with the collected toys. For more info., visit www.wellingtonwild.net.

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Rosenberg

Crystal Pena Of Equus Unlimited

continued from page 25 their own as well as be part of a team and get along well with others,” she said.

Last year, Crystal had five employees. This year, the company is growing. She thinks she’ll need at least 10, and now is when she’s gearing up for the upcoming season.

The most popular service is body clipping. She would also like to hire an experienced braider, so she can add that to her list of services.

“I enjoy working with horses and people,” Crystal said. “Training horses is a lot of fun and gives me a great deal of satisfaction. Typically, I do either 30, 60 or 90 days of training with a horse, either at my facility or at the client’s barn.

Her two main specialties are barrel racing and hunter/jumper.

“I can teach a horse the pattern, or help with tighter turns. For hunters, I can teach a horse anything from cavaletti to bigger fences,” she said.

“I’m also experienced in helping clients deal with problems they may be experiencing with their horses.

Common issues are things like

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SPORTS & RECREATION bucking, rearing, being barn-sour or buddy-sour, any jumping issues, or anything else that might crop up.

For example, some barrel horses have a problem with going in or out of an arena gate at a show. I’ve dealt with all of these problems and can be of service in helping others to overcome them.”

Robbie Partain lives in The Acreage with her four horses. She has used Crystal’s services a number of times. “She has done some riding for me, and has also taken care of my horses,” Robbie said. “She is especially good at clipping. Amazing, really — the best I’ve ever used.

She is meticulous and really gets them ready for shows. I’d highly recommend her to anyone.”

Heidi Lengyel, owner of Wall Street farm, is also a customer.

“Crystal body-clips horses for me,” Heidi said. “She is very good, very dependable, courteous and professional. She shows up promptly and gets the job done, even if the horse is acting up.”

Tammie Rheney has also used Equus Unlimited. Her Acreage home includes eight horses.

“Crystal is a great young local equestrian who is skilled in many different disciplines,” she said. “I used to barrel race, and I always used her for clipping. Now I mostly ride pleasure and a little reining. I still

use her for clipping and training.

What I like about her training is that she is always using positive things rather than negative ones. She is all about praise rather than punishment.

She has a gentle way about her. I’d

December 19 - December 25, 2014

definitely recommend her and her services. She’s very trustworthy.”

Crystal said that what gives her the most satisfaction is helping out the horses and making her customers happy.

Page 33

If you are interested in employing Equus Unlimited or possibly signing on as an employee, call Crystal at (561) 889-8680 or visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ EquusUnltd.

Groza

Three Big Awards

continued from page 31 with the onside kick was over 50 percent.

“It was very unexpected,” Ng said. “I wasn’t even prepared to give a speech.”

The final award was the Team of the Year. Wellington’s thirdyear performance earned them the coveted trophy. After finishing 4-6 last year and losing all three district games, the Wolverines went 9-1 in the regular season this year, went unbeaten in District 9-8A at 4-0, totaled two playoff wins, won the District 9-8A championship for the first time since 2010 with a 23-17 win over Palm Beach Gardens, and earned a regional final appearance.

Statistically, Wellington put together 3,619 total yards on offense.

Defensively, they held opposing teams to less than 18 points per game and recorded two shutouts.

Wellington place kicker Alex Ng accepts his award for kicker of the year.

PHOTO BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

Page 34

December 19 - December 25, 2014

Saturday, Dec. 20 • The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center 7500 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a Palm Beach Classic Horse Show on Saturday, Dec. 20. For more information, call (561) 966-7090.

• A Gun Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 at the South Florida Fairgrounds featuring a wide collection of guns, ammo, knives, hunting supplies and accessories.

For more info., visit www.flgunshows.com.

• The Arthritis Foundation will host its Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis on Saturday, Dec. 20 at John Prince Park (4759 S. Congress Ave, Lake Worth) at the Center Drive Pavilion. Registration is at 6:30 a.m., and the run starts at 7:30 a.m. Visit www.2014jbrlakeworth.kintera.org for more info.

• Wellington Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and Bass Pro Shops, will host the 24th annual Children’s Holiday Fishing Classic for children 15 years old and younger at the Wellington Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 20. Registration will take place from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by the fishing tournament from 9 to 11 a.m. Afterward, there will be awards and “fish tales” until noon. For more info., call (561) 791-4005.

• The Wellington Green Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 283-5856 for more info.

• Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host “All About Deer: The Kind That Can’t Fly” for families and all ages Saturday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Okeeheelee doesn’t have Rudolph, but they do have a herd of white-tail deer.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour with a naturalist and learn about the lives of deer. The cost is $3 per person. Reservations are required. Visit www. pbcparks.com/nature or call (561) 233-1400 for more info.

• Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will host a Pete the Cat Saves Christmas story time, activity and snack Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

• Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will host performances by the St. Juliana’s and Discovery Key dancers Saturday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

• The Multilingual Language and Cultural Society French Book Club (210 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach) will meet Saturday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. This month’s meeting, for intermediate and advanced students and speakers, will feature Demain j’arrete by Gilles Legardinier.

For more info., visit www.multilingualsociety.org.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd,) will host Fuyu Tosho-Con: Manga Meals and Anime Art for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Fuyu is Japanese for winter and toshokan is Japanese for library. Fuyu Tosho-Con is the library’s winter festival of manga and anime. Learn how to make a tasty traditional winter treat and a crafty work of art while preparing for Cosplay Café. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Anime Club for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Meet other teens who enjoy watching and talking about anime and share your knowledge about manga. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Wellington Ballet Theatre will present The Nutcracker in the Wellington High School auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.wellingtonballettheatre.org.

Sunday, Dec. 21 • Audubon Society of the Everglades will host a bird count at Stormwater Treatment Area 1E on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 a.m. Contact Linda (561) 742-7791 or e-mail asetripinfo@gmail. com to register.

• The Acreage Green Market will take place Sunday, Dec.21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Acreage Community Park (6701 140th Ave. North). For more info., visit www.acreagegreenmarket.com or call (561) 723-3898.

• The Royal Palm Beach Green Market & Bazaar will take place Sunday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park. For more info., visit www.rpbgreenmarket. com or call (561) 792-9260.

• The Good Earth Farm Children’s Petting Zoo on B Road in Loxahatchee Groves is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The nonprofit rescues large farm animals and has an area for smaller children to touch and learn about the farm. The cost is $16 for kids 6 months to 90 pounds and $12 everybody else. Call (561) 792-2666 for more info.

• Clinics Can Help, the largest nonprofit medical reuse organization in Florida, will be wrapping gifts and collecting donations at the Wellington Barnes & Noble on Sunday, Dec. 21 and Tuesday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more info., visit www.clinicscanhelp.org or call (561) 640-2995.

• Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will host “The First Day of Winter” story time, activity and snack Sunday, Dec. 21 at noon. Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

• The Clematis District will host Sunday on the Waterfront on Sunday, Dec. 21 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring the Aloha Islanders’ Tropical Holiday Spectacular. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended for this free, family friendly concert. Santa will be there for free photos and activities for kids. For more info., visit www.wpb. org.

Monday, Dec. 22 • Participants age 18 and over are encouraged to join the new Disc Golf League at Okeeheelee Park. Eight weekly match plays will take place, plus playoffs with three team divisions. T-shirts will be supplied to players, along with trophies for winners. League dates are Jan. 5 through March 1. The fee is $40 per person and the league is limited to 40 participants. Registration is open until Dec. 22. For more info., visit www.pbcparks.com or call Adam Shackmann at (561) 963-6722.

Friday, Dec. 26 • CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach will host Live Entertainment on the Plaza on Friday Dec. 26 from 7 to 11 p.m. featuring Groove Merchant performing a pop variety. For more info., call (561) 366-1000.

• The South Florida Science Center & Aquarium will host Winter Wonders Nights at the Museum on Friday, Dec. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. Activities include a Let it Snow planetarium show, a sub-zero comet demonstration, frosty clouds, polymer snow, microscopic crystals and 3D snowflakes.

Admission is $14.50 for adults $13 for seniors, $11 for children ages 3 to 12 and $6 for member adults. For more info., call (561) 832-1988.

• Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will host an “It’s Time for Kwanzaa” story time, activity and snack Friday, Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

Saturday, Dec. 27 • The Miami City Ballet will present George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker from Saturday, Dec. 27 through Tuesday, Dec. 30 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). For more info., call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.

• The Wellington Green Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 283-5856 for more info.

• Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will host a “Happy New Year!” story time, activity and snack Saturday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

• CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach will host Live Entertainment on the Plaza featuring the Valerie Tyson Band performing R&B Soul on Saturday Dec. 27 from 7 to 11 p.m. For more info., call (561) 366-1000.

Monday, Dec. 29 • The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County will offer Winter Break Camps in six

The Town-Crier locations throughout the county, including the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club (1080 Wellington Trace). Winter Break Camp, is available Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 29 to Dec. 31 and Monday, Jan. 9. Annual membership at any Boys & Girls Club costs $30, and break camp is an additional $10 per day. Clubs are open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. For more info., call Wellington Club Director Kenda Peterson at (561) 790-0343.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Wii U Gaming for ages 7 to 12 on Monday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. Challenge yourself and your friends by playing some of your favorite Wii U games. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Lego Bricks for ages 6 to 12 on Monday, Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. Builders create vehicles or buildings out of Lego bricks. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Wednesday, Dec. 31 • Audubon Society of the Everglades will host a special holiday bird walk Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8 a.m. at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (13026 Jog Road, Delray Beach). Visit www.auduboneverglades.org for more info.

• CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach will host a New Year’s Eve Celebration on Wednesday Dec. 31 with snowfall every hour, live music

by Jeff Harding and Quick Fix, a variety of dining and entertainment options. For more info., call (561) 366-1000.

Sunday, Jan. 4 • The International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington) will open the 2015 polo season on Sunday, Jan. 4 with the Herbie Pennell Cup. For more info., visit www.inter nationalpoloclub.com or call (561) 204-5687.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414 or e-mail news@gotowncrier.com.

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES A/C AND REFRIGERATION JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. “We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks” 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

CLEANING - HOME/OFFICE WE CLEAN OFFICES & PRIVATE HOMES — Licensed & Insured. Call for an estimate and to schedule your apartment. Discount for Central Palm Beach County Chamber members and to all new clients for first cleaning. 561-385-8243 Lic. #2012-252779

COMPUTER REPAIR D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-333-1923 Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach. We accept major credit cards.

DRIVEWAY REPAIR D R I V E W AY S — F r e e e s t i m a t e s A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed.

L i c.& Ins. 1 0 0 0 4 5 0 6 2 5 61-667-7716

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Int./Ext. residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident |

PLUMBING

JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

PRESSURE CLEANING J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior painting.

Certified pressure cleaning & painti n g c o n t r a c t o r. L i c . # U 2 1 5 5 2 C a l l Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www. jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

ROOFING ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC-0067207

ERRANDS

SECURITY

PICKUP GROCERIES HOME AND PET SUPPLIES — Kitchen organizing wait for appointments in your home, etc.

References available. 561-707-2834

SECURITY — American owned local security company in business 30 plus years.

Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

FLOORING C O M P L E T E F L O O R I N G R E M O VA L ! B E S T R AT E S ! A L L T Y P E S O F FLOORS! — Your local flooring store and more. www.buyithereflooring.com 561-333-2306 buyithere7@gmail.com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS ANMAR CO.—James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC1327426 561-248-8528

HOUSECLEANING EXPERIENCED — reliable local references. Pet sitting available. Call Charlene 561-572-1782 HOUSEKEEPING — detail orientated, experienced, reliable, trustworthy housekeeper, seeks full time/part time position additional duties laundry, ironing, loving pet care, shopping, running errands, etc. Referneces furnished upon request, Florida resident over 20 years, born in Maine call 561-324-5166 or 561-656-1777

SCREENING JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990

TIRES/AUTO REPAIRS TIRES/AUTO REPAIRS— Located behind Al Packer West off Southern Blvd. Tires for autos, trucks and commercial vehicles. 561-790-7228.

587 105 Ave. N. Unit 28, Royal Palm Beach.

TREE SERVICE TREES TRIMMED AND REMOVED — 561-798-0412 D.M. YOUNG TREE SERVICE. Family Owned & Operated Lic. & Insured 1992-12121 Visit our website at dmyoungtreeservice.com

LAWN SERVICE

WALLPAPERING

YELLOWHAMMER LAWN SERVICE — High Quality, affordable yard maintenance serving the Loxahatchee area. NO CONTRACTS!.

Locally Owned & Operated. 561-320-1118

PAPERHANGING BY DEBI — Professional Installation,Removal. Repair of Paper.

Neat, Clean & Reliable. Quality work with a woman’s touch. 30 years experience.

No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263

NEW FLOORING BUY IT HERE FLOORING — Kitchen and Bath. Now available. Complete one stop shopping. Stop on By! Pike Road - Between Southern and Belvedere. West Palm Beach - Open 7 Days!!! 561-333-2300

PAINTING J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential. Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 or visit ourwebsite at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473

WATER TREATMENT NEED A NEW WATER SYSTEM! — Let us come out and give you an estimate. Call Mike 561-792-5400

PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL 561-793-7606

December 19 - December 25, 2014

Page 35

EMPLOYMENT

OFFICE SPACE

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE

BOOKKEEPER NEEDED — part-time, experienced in QuickBooks, flexible hours.

Please fax resume to 561-791-0952

LAW OFFICE TO SHARE: ROYAL PALM BEACH/WELLINGTON Fully furnished executive office $550 per month additional secretarial office $200. Incudes all utilities, use of copier/scanner, use of conference room, reception, kitchen, file cabinets, 561793-1200 ext. 1

Notice Under Fictitious Name Florida Statute 865.09 Public notice is hereby given that the undersigned desires to engage in business under the fictitious name of:

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER IN WELLINGTON — Now hiring certified teachers.$10-$15/hour. Call 561-594-1920 E-mail: MarleneGiraud@hlcwellington.com

DRIVERS: $5,000 Sign-On Bonus!

— Great pay! Consistent Freight, Great Miles on this Regional Account.

Werner Enterprises: 1-855-517-2488 TRUCK DRIVER FOR PLANT NURSERY — Local and instate deliveries with box truck, CDL, not required Excelsa Gardens 561-790-3789 HAIRSTYLISTS NAIL TECHS — (3 Tech Stations available) PT Facialist who also does waxing. PT Assistant Wanted For Wellington Salon Established 25 Years.

Please call or text 561-568-9817 or send resume to (comments) www.samjons.com G R E AT L O C AT I O N - B O N U S F O R FOLLOWING-CONFIDENTIAL.

T E A C H I N G A S S I S TA N T N E E D ED — 2PM - 6PM Monday - Friday. Experience Preferred. 561-793-5860 EXPERIENCED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN — Minimum of 3 years experience required! Looking for honest, dependable team player. Email resume to drp@thecourtyardanimalhospital.com

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT HOUSEKEEPING — Detail orientated, experienced, reliable, trustworthy housekeeper, seeks full time/part time position additional duties laundry, ironing, loving pet care, shopping, running errands, etc. references furnished upon request, Florida resident over 20 years, born in Maine call 561-324-5166 or 561-656-1777.

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT - GREENACRES ROOMMATE TO SHARE — 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment - Purdy & Jog Road. $550 per month.

Looking for under 35 years old. 954-296-3748

TENNESSEE LAND FOR SALE TENNESSEE LAND — 12 Acres for sale in Equestrian neighborhood with 3 miles of riding trails. Call Dixon Te a m K e l l e r W i l l i a m s 4 2 3 - 8 8 3 - 0 6 5 6

HOUSE FOR SALE - WELLINGTON OWNER FINANCING — For lovely 4BR/41/2 BA Custom pool home with georgous sunsets on the lake in Polo West Asking $618,000. MUST SEE! 3 0 2 - 3 4 4 - 4 4 6 8

Legal Notice No. 584

MICHAEL REYNOLDS INSURANCE SERVICE Located at:

13873 Wellington Trace Suite B13 Wellington, FL 33414

County of Palm Beach, Florida and intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations State of Florida,forthwith Michael Reynolds Publish :Town-Crier Newspapers Date: 12-19-14

TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS 793-7606

FOR SALE EASY BIZ NUMBER — for Wellington and Royal Palm Beach! Available immediately.

Call 561-795-7777 and leave a message.

Page 36 December 19 - December 25, 2014

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HERE’S MY CARD

561-308-4774 www.deborahrassocounseling.com

Lic & Insured CFC057392, CAC1817688

SEPTIC & DRAINFIELD SPECIALISTS

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HERE’S MY CARD

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Page 38 December 19 - December 25, 2014

PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S

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WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

New Location!

New Showroom!

CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE!

561-333-2306 TOLL FREE: 855-808-8555

WE DO NOT SELL CHEAP FLOORING CHEAPER

WE SELL THE BEST FOR LESS! 766 Pike Road • West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (Between Southern Blvd. & Belvedere)

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE CALL 793-7606

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PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

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WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS FOR AS LOW AS $21 A WEEK*

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December 19 - December 25, 2014

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Featuring a $10,000 Welcome Stake and USEF Computer List Grand Prix at all Holiday Series shows.

Holiday & Horses CSI2*-W November 26-30, 2014 Premier (AA) 5* Jumper Rated Closing Date - November 19th

Year End Awards Show December 6-7, 2014 Regional 2 (C) 4* Jumper Rated Closing Date - November 28th

Holiday Festival I

December 12-14, 2014 National (A) 4* Jumper Rated Closing Date - December 5th

Holiday Festival II

December 16-18, 2014 National (A) 4* Jumper Rated Closing Date - December 8th

Holiday Festival III

December 19-21, 2014 National (A) 4* Jumper Rated Closing Date - December 12th

Holiday Finale

December 31 - January 4, 2015 Premier (AA) 5* Jumper Rated Closing Date - December 22nd

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 3400 Equestrian Club Drive | Wellington, Florida 33414 | 561.793.JUMP (5867) www.equestriansport.com

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