Page 8 January 27 - February 2, 2012
Connecting Cops & Kids Program Wellington is the first municipality in Florida selected to host the Connecting Cops & Kids training program. Developed by the Fred Rogers Company and provided by a grant through the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, the program is a no-cost training designed to enhance community policing services and public safety by improving law enforcement interactions with children and teens. On Thursday, Feb. 9, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County school resource officers, Wellington’s Safe Neighborhoods Office and local nonprofits will participate in the Connecting Cops & Kids training from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wellington municipal complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). “We are very excited to be among the 20 municipalities nationwide and the only city in Florida selected to host this no-cost training,” Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen said. The Fred Rogers Company, well
Thomas Flannery, M.D.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
NEWS BRIEFS known for producing Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, has produced Connecting Cops & Kids, a video-based professional training program for law enforcement officers and community support agencies. Its goal is to help officers increase their effectiveness when interacting with children. The training is designed to raise officers’ awareness of the tremendous impact their presence has on children and to demonstrate how basic knowledge of childhood development can enhance an officer ’s influence and ability to achieve law enforcement goals. The training includes an in-depth look at how children see police, weighing options during encounters with atrisk youth, partners in crisis, children and trauma. For more information, contact Neighborhood Advocate Meridith Tuckwood at (561) 753-2476. For additional details about the program, visit www.fci.org/cops.
Jim Sackett Invitational Softball Tourney The Jim Sackett Invitational celebrity softball tournament will
Apurv Varia, M.D.
WELLINGTON 10111 Forst Hill Blvd., Suite 255
561.245.4550 561.422.3700 OTHER LOCATIONS: Atlantis - 5053 South Congress Ave., Ste 202 Delray Beach - 4675 Linton Blvd., Ste 203 Boynton Beach - 10301 Hagen Ranch Rd., Ste B 550
Stephen Miller, M.D.
take place Saturday, Feb. 11 at Wellington Village Park. All proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of Abused Children Inc. The tournament will take place at Village Park softball fields 22, 23 and 24 beginning at 8 a.m. This family-friendly event will include food, appearances by local celebrities and softball play. Friends of Abused Children is 26-year-old nonprofit organization serving children in Palm Beach County who have been adjudicated to state care. Proceeds will help support programs and services such as tutoring, sending children to summer camp or safety patrol, purchasing clothes and school uniforms, providing emergency medical and dental care, and offering to send children to enrichment programs such as music lessons or after school athletics. “Jim has been a true community leader, not only on television, but because of his hands-on support of so many local charities,” Friends of Abused Children President Laurie Briggs said. “We are truly grateful for his dedication to the 1,600 children in Palm Beach County who are in foster and shelter care.” Admission costs $5 for adults
Augusto LopezTorres, M.D.
Sherry Ellis, M.D.
and is free for children younger than age 3. For more information, call (561) 659-5005 or (561) 632-1170. Visit www.friendspbc.org for info.
Financial Series For Seniors Wellington seniors can become more financially savvy by attending free financial seminars, including a free lunch, hosted by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. These “Lunch and Learn” financial seminars will take place from noon to 2 p.m. one Thursday per month through May at the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 14B). The seminar dates and themes are as follows: Feb. 16, “Municipal Bonds: Are They Right for You?”; March 22, “To Estate Plan or Not to Estate Plan, That is the Question”; April 19, “The Truth Behind Risk-Free and No-Risk Investments”; and May 17, “What You Need to Know About Social Security.” Participants can pre-register by visiting Village Park at 11700 Pierson Road. The Wellington Community Center will also accept registrations until it closes for con-
struction. In addition, online registration is available by visiting www.wellingtonfl.gov, clicking the Parks & Recreation icon and selecting Online Registration in the left-hand pane. For additional information, contact Senior Services Advocate Howard Trager at (561) 791-4785.
Garden Club To Meet Feb. 6 The Wellington Garden Club will meet Monday, Feb. 6 at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. and a program at 12:15 p.m., presented by Dr. Joe Schaefer. Schaefer is district extension director of the University of Florida/IFAS Florida Extension Services. His degree is in wildlife ecology and conservation, and he has worked with a variety of critters. His presentation is titled “Encounters With Our Wild Neighbors.” Guests are welcome and there is no admission fee, but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, RSVP to Jayne at (561) 791-0273.
EWPB Seeks Nominees Executive Women of the Palm Beaches is seeking nominations for its annual Women In Leadership Awards. The awards are given to three Palm Beach County women who have made outstanding accomplishments in the volunteer, private and public sector, recognizing outstanding accomplishments, generosity of spirit, and a commitment to integrity and diversity. Nominations must be received on or before Friday, Feb. 10. The nominee must have lived or worked in Palm Beach County for at least five years, excel in the category for which she is being nominated and must have made a demonstrated difference in Palm Beach County. More criteria can be found at www.ewpb.org. A nomination form and a 4-inch by 6-inch photo are all that is needed to nominate a friend or co-worker. The form is available online at www. ewpb.org. Those interested may also e-mail info@ewpb.org or call (561) 684-9117 for information. The awards will be presented at the WILA luncheon on May 3.