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INSIDE County Questions SFWMD Rep On Water Regulations, Planning

Volume 32, Number 25 June 24 - June 30, 2011

KICKOFF PARTY FOR RUN/WALK

Members of the Palm Beach County Commission grilled a representative from the South Florida Water Management District on Tuesday regarding steps the agency is taking to make sure that South Florida has enough water. Page 3

Lox Council Selects Three Firms For Hurricane Hauling

The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council on Tuesday approved hurricane debris removal haulers, as well as a debris monitor and manager. Page 4

Wellington Presents An Engaging Neil Diamond Tribute Show

The Wellington Amphitheater hosted a Neil Diamond tribute concert Saturday, June 18 starring Neil Zirconia, “the Ultimate Faux Diamond.” Accompanied by his wife Lori, Zirconia sang all the popular Neil Diamond songs before a large and appreciative audience. Page 5

Orangetheory Offers A New Workout Approach

Orangetheory Fitness in Royal Palm Beach offers a scientific approach to exercise programs.

The studio opened earlier this year in the Southern Palm Crossing plaza near Marshalls and will host a blood drive as part of its grand opening celebration Saturday, June 25.

Page 11

OPINION Get Serious About Water Conservation

Here in South Florida, we’re torn between two water extremes, with very little room in between. At one extreme (drought), there’s a lack of water. The other extreme (hurricane) leads to flooding, property damage and power outages. Things won’t improve until we see a change to this imbalance — and that means getting serious about water conservation. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 14 OPINION ................................ 4 CRIME NEWS ........................ 6 NEWS BRIEFS .......................8 SCHOOLS .............................15 PEOPLE........................ 16 - 17 COLUMNS .................... 23 - 24 ENTERTAINMENT ................29 BUSINESS ...................31 - 33 SPORTS .......................37 - 40 CALENDAR...................42 - 43 CLASSIFIEDS ...............44 - 49 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

A kick off party was held for the Palms West Community Foundation’s 2011 Community Fitness Run/Walk on Tuesday, June 21 at Beef Wellington Steakhouse & Social Club. The Community Fitness Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5 and will benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County. Shown here are event co-chairs Joanna Boynton and Terri Priore, Hospice of Palm Beach County Special Events Manager Lauryn Barry, Palms West Community Foundation Director of Development Maureen Gross and Beef Wellington Steakhouse & Social Club Manager Cheryl McNamee. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7 PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Goldenrod Closure Up For Council Discussion June 28

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The issue of whether to close a portion of Goldenrod Road will be brought before the Wellington Village Council on Tuesday, June 28, and officials are hoping residents will attend to provide input on the matter.

Citing issues of traffic safety and crime prevention, Wellington proposed in March to close off Goldenrod Road east of Greenview Shores Blvd. at the C-5 Canal, as the road turns into Azure Avenue, and building a new park for the community.

“There have been some issues in the neighborhood that [law enforcement] has dealt with… issues of property management and crime,” Deputy Village Manager John Bonde said. “A lot of the units in the area are rental units, and landlords are not doing a great job screening their tenants. We are trying to do what we can to resolve it.”

Though a decision on whether to close the road hasn’t been finalized, the council will discuss the issue at its meeting to give staff direction.

“We plan to take the issue to the council and see what they are thinking,” Bonde said. “It has moved along a couple of steps, but we haven’t finalized it. We want

to make sure that council is aware of all the issues.”

Part of this, he said, is letting residents weigh in on the matter in front of council members. In a series of resident input meetings in March, many residents were in favor of the plan, although some were opposed.

“We had public meetings,” Bonde said, “and they were wellattended. The council has had the opportunity to review those minutes and tapes. This is an opportunity to allow property owners and residents to voice their opinions again.”

Additionally, he noted, Wellington consulted with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the School District of Palm Beach County.

In particular, he said, Wellington hopes to hear from landlords in the neighborhood. Wellington has been reaching out to the landlords through programs providing training, information and best practices for how to screen tenants and attract good tenants to their properties.

“In some areas,” Bonde said, “we’ve had real success with being able to get nonresident landlords to come together and talk about those issues. We encourage them to do a better job maintain-

ing the properties and working on screening tenants so they don’t cause problems in the community.”

Bonde pointed out that working with landlords helped to resolve issues with tenants in the 12th Fairway/White Pine neighborhood without needing to close the road.

“I don’t know if that will happen in Goldenrod,” he said. “The property owners and the landlords are a big part of the equation. If they’ve not been to the table with us, we have a problem. Now if they can come together, the owners and neighbors, and turn it around, we have a vested interest in that happening.”

Bonde explained that closing roads helps to not only keep out crime but also contain it once it occurs.

Such a concept was employed successfully in West Palm Beach’s Northwood community, Bonde said.

“Northwood was crime-ridden along U.S. 1,” he said, “and when the Northwood Association came in, they worked with the city and closed the roadways off U.S. 1 to keep it from seeping into the neighborhood. It turned the whole neighborhood around.”

Bonde said that Wellington staff See GOLDENROD, page 18

County OKs Hamlin Water Pipe

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Commission approved a special assessment Tuesday for some residents of Hamlin Blvd. in The Acreage to pay for the installation of a water main.

The project was approved by a majority of the affected homeowners, and it will enable them to connect to the county water system.

The 6-inch, 2,685-foot water main will be available to 11 residents who now have private wells and will also bring five water hydrants. Although residents will not be required to hook up, they will be required to pay an equal share for the water main, according to

County Water Utilities Director Bevin Beaudet.

The work will be done by AKA Services at a cost of $109,682.42, which will be paid by individual property owners at $9,923.99 per parcel. The owners may pay it off over 20 years with equal annual payments of principal and 5.5 percent interest. The total project cost is $146,974.47, which includes the cost of surveying, design, drafting, permitting, construction, inspection, administration and construction contingency.

Commissioner Priscilla Taylor asked about the majority approval of the project. “In reading this, it showed 67 percent of the respondents, and I guess it was suf-

ficient for them to do the project, but what about the individuals who did not submit or the ones who did not sign the petition; are they required to hook up to this line, or are they not?” she asked.

Assistant County Administrator Shannon LaRocque said they are not required to hook up, but they do have to pay the assessment.

“So, if they have to pay the assessment, they might as well hook up to the line, correct?” Taylor asked.

Beaudet said there are two elements of the cost, the water main and the actual hookup.

“There were three people opposed; there were two people who See HAMLIN, page 18

Serving Palms West Since 1980

Divided RPB Council Agrees To Three-Year Contract For Liggins

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report In a 3-2 decision last week, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council extended the term of its contract with Village Manager Ray Liggins from one to three years — partially reversing a decision made two weeks earlier.

Liggins, previously the assistant village manager and village engineer, took over as village manager in early 2010 when former Village Manager David Farber fell ill and later died. At the time, Liggins was given a one-year contract to be Farber’s replacement.

On June 2, the council voted 32 to grant Liggins an additional one-year contract, rather than the five-year contract he had requested. At that meeting, the council also voted to cut Liggins’ salary from $176,619 to $165,000. Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas and Councilman Fred Pinto dissented on both decisions at the June 2 meeting.

Mayor Matty Mattioli, who voted with the majority June 2, pointed out at the June 16 meeting that Liggins had not yet signed the new contract and was asking the council to consider a three-year term as a compromise.

Mattioli added that Liggins has an option of returning to his pre-

vious position as assistant village manager at a salary greater than what he was being offered as manager, and with fewer restrictions.

“I have spoken with the village manager, and I would like to reopen this topic for limited discussion only as to the term of the agreement with the manager,” Mattioli said.

Valuntas said that he and Pinto had favored a longer term during the original discussion, while the majority voted for a one-year term under a motion made by Councilman David Swift and seconded by Councilwoman Martha Webster.

“We were split on this issue,” said Valuntas, who also suggested three years as a compromise.

Mattioli agreed that three years would be an adequate compromise. “That would kind of satisfy everyone, hopefully,” Mattioli said, explaining that Liggins had told him that he would agree to the reduced salary and sign the contract if it had a longer term. “I felt he gave a little, we gave a little, we met in the middle, and we have a contract.”

Swift and Webster, however, did not want the manager’s contract to exceed the two-year terms of council members. “I could go with two, but three is sort of out See LIGGINS, page 18

HIGH TECH CAMP

High Touch High Tech in Wellington is holding summer camp for kids ages 5 to 11 now through Aug. 12. High Touch High Tech is a hands-on science lab where science is fun. Shown above are Julia Hardwick, Nicole Block, Karla Tejesus and Marissa Reason with a butterfly habitat.

MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 11 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Gerwig Invites Activists To Get Involved Locally

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington Councilwoman Anne Gerwig was the guest speaker at the Palms West Republican Club meeting Wednesday held at the Players Club Restaurant in Wellington.

With a year under her belt on the council, Gerwig shared what she learned going through the campaigning and election process, as well as serving in local government, and encouraged members to get involved in some way.

“When I decided to run,” she said, “I knew the most important

thing about city government would be to know your city. But I didn’t really know why that mattered so much. We provide services. We know what services you want because we live here; we’re one of you. The most important thing is that you are connected to your city.”

Gerwig said that she was encouraged by friends, neighbors and associates to run for the open seat of term-limited Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto, now a state senator.

Gerwig encouraged anyone See GOP CLUB, page 3

Changes To Growth Rules Have County Engineer Alarmed

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report County Engineer George Webb predicted last week that the state legislature’s deregulation of traffic concurrency and elimination of the state Department of Community Affairs will gravely affect the quality of life in Palm Beach County.

Webb spoke at County Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s monthly forum Wednesday, June 15.

As of July 1, the DCA, which evaluates development applications, will no longer exist. Webb said the state has been tinkering

with growth management and decided that this year was the time to make its move, citing the effort to spur economic growth in the state.

“The part that I’m going to talk about involves transportation and traffic concurrency,” Webb said, explaining that developers have been required to pay for roads that will be affected by their projects.

Webb said since the 1980s, Palm Beach County has had some of the toughest concurrency rules.

Webb said development and transportation are directly related. “Development creates traffic; infrastructure gets built to move traf-

fic,” Webb said. “When do you build new roads to accommodate development? If you build them at the same time, it is called concurrency.”

Webb explained that the state got involved with concurrency in 1985 when it decided that local governments’ roads were not keeping up with development. In 1987, Palm Beach County adopted its first traffic performance standard for the county, and in 1988, voters approved a countywide referendum to include municipalities, he said.

“In 1990, we adopted that countywide standard, and we’ve been

adhering to that,” Webb said.

“Palm Beach County has had the ability even in municipalities to determine what that impact of development is and to say, ‘No, you shouldn’t build it like that,’ or, ‘Yes, you look like you’re going to solve your capacity problems.’”

In 2003, the county shifted from a daily capacity standard to a peakhour standard, and in 2009, the state began to intervene, saying some of the standards were too tough on developers. The DCA announced that it would not require urban counties such as Palm Beach to have traffic concurrency, Webb said.

“It didn’t change us because it was optional at that time,” Webb said. “In 2011, the world changed again, but more significantly.”

The enactment of House Bill 7207 no longer requires concurrency at any level, giving local governments total control, Webb said.

Using a “hypothetical” example of a developer on Southern Blvd. west of Loxahatchee Groves wanting to build 2,000 units on 1,200 acres, Webb said that before the new law, the developer would have to do a traffic study. If the study decreed the road needed to See WEBB, page 18

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June 24 - June 30, 2011

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Page 3

NEWS

County Questions SFWMD On Water Regulations, Future Planning

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Members of the Palm Beach County Commission grilled a representative from the South Florida Water Management District on Tuesday regarding steps the agency is taking to make sure that South Florida has enough water.

Dean Powell, chief of the Water Supply Bureau for the SFWMD, gave a report on the lower east coast water supply plan and wound up responding to tough questions from commissioners concerned about a shrinking water supply.

“So, the goal is to make sure there is enough water, drought or no drought, for agriculture, environment and people?” Commission Chair Karen Marcus asked.

Powell said his staff plans that “there should be enough water without restricting people” in situations including up to a one-in10-year drought.

Marcus asked how Everglades restoration affects the water supply, and Powell said the first regional water supply plan for the lower east coast was the precur-

GOP Club

Gerwig Speaks

continued from page 1 supporting a candidate next election cycle to work hard for them, noting that voter turnout as well as financing play a large part in the way elections go.

“I had never run for anything,” she said. “When my consultant told me that it would cost $30,000 to get elected to a council seat that pays $3,600 a year, I thought it had to be wrong.”

Gerwig noted that three seats, including the mayor’s, would be up for election next year. “We’ll have an open seat,” she noted. “[Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore] is term-limited.”

Gerwig said that the experience of campaigning and serving has been rewarding, noting that the council is the closest governing body to its residents.

“It’s more a public service than any other type of government,” she said, “because we’re the closest to [residents]. You see me in the grocery store. So if you don’t like the fact that I pulled all the

sor to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

“We focused on the Everglades, and we realized it was too big for a state effort,” Powell said. “That’s when we did a restudy that worked into CERP.” “Everglades restoration seems to have paused,” Marcus said, and Powell agreed.

“It’s probably the funding that has paused more than anything,” Powell said.

Commissioner Priscilla Taylor asked about issues that have cropped up during the current drought, particularly concerning West Palm Beach, whose potable water reservoir is nearly dried up.

“We get the clouds, and we’re still not getting the rain,” Taylor said. “I know it’s West Palm Beach, and West Palm put the restrictions on. Do you get involved in this at all at some point?”

“We’re very involved,” Powell said. “We’ve had a lot of discussions with them. We’re working cooperatively with them because they’ve got to get some variances from the Department of Environmental Protection. We’re tracking

it daily; our staff is working very closely with them.”

The SFWMD is working on getting a temporary permit to pump water to West Palm Beach from the 16,000-acre A-1 Reservoir, which Powell said is slightly salty but suitable when mixed with fresher water. “Their main solution, probably as an interim measure, is to build a sump area that they can pump out of their lakes down a little bit deeper,” he said.

Powell said the most help the SFWMD was able to offer was to impose watering restrictions for Palm Beach and South Palm Beach, which are under contract with West Palm Beach for water and have a reputation for being some of the heaviest water users.

“We implemented restrictions that covered South Palm Beach and Palm Beach because West Palm Beach couldn’t do it,” he said.

Taylor also criticized countywide watering restrictions, which the SFWMD currently has set at twice a week for most areas. “We should go to one day for the whole county,” Taylor said.

Commissioner Paulette Burdi-

ck said she was very upset that the L-8 Reservoir at Palm Beach Aggregates, which was purchased by the SFWMD to supply water to Loxahatchee Slough and the West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area, is not operational.

“I live in West Palm Beach, and I’m not happy when you say ‘It’s just a little bit of this and a little bit of that,’ when you have to ask the Department of Health to waive standards that are important to everybody,” Burdick said. “Residents should have healthy, quality water, and what’s happening in West Palm is very problematic to me and many of my neighbors.”

Burdick said Palm Beach Aggregates was supposed to supply water to West Palm Beach, along with the western communities, but has been plagued by poor water quality standards.

“We have a lot of chlorides in that water,” she said. “Can you explain to me, with all the brilliant minds that did all of the modeling, the engineers that worked on the project, how this occurred?”

Powell said the problem was not with the modeling, explaining that the purpose of the reservoir is to

stop signs out of your neighborhood… or lowered the speed limit, you see me to tell me.”

Gerwig noted that Wellington is unique in that a majority of its residents are registered Democrats, yet it has elected a heavily Republican council, although the elections themselves are non-partisan.

“We have more registered Democrats than we do Republicans,” she said. “But out of our five council seats, four are held by Republicans.”

She noted, however, that council candidates don’t run on the same type of platform that is used in national elections. “There’s a good reason for that,” Gerwig said. “Our choices are different than the national discussions that you have.”

In her time as a councilwoman, Gerwig has noticed that residents seem to get involved only with issues they are passionate about.

“We have about six people show up to our meetings,” she said, “unless it’s something controversial. They’re the same six people, and we thank them for coming because it’s important that they’re there.”

She said she would encourage

residents to continue to get involved, and not just on the issues that affect them. “I encourage all residents to be informed about what we’re doing,” she said. “And if you don’t like it, speak up.”

Speaking on the issue of closing a portion of Goldenrod Road due to traffic safety and crime concerns, Gerwig noted that resident input would help the council make the decision.

“If eight people come there and tell us something different than [what we’ve heard from staff],” she said, “it really does sway you emotionally. We’ve seen some votes changed where at agenda review we feel one way, but people show up at the meeting and votes go differently than I’d anticipated.”

Another way for people to get involved is through committees.

Gerwig said she believes that they are a good way for members of the community to weigh in on issues regularly.

“I like the interaction with the community,” she said. “I think it gets more people involved. So I fought to maintain the committees that we had.”

Recently, the big issue has been

balancing Wellington’s budget, which Gerwig said has been heavily cut over the past few years but still must be scaled back more.

Luckily, she said, Wellington discovered that its property values didn’t drop as much as expected.

“We were looking at some pretty serious staff cuts or cuts to levels of services,” she said. “We really didn’t want to raise [our tax rate], but we found that we wouldn’t have to do as bad cuts.”

Gerwig said that when she heard that there might be heavy staff cuts, she was concerned, but understood.

“We are not an employment center,” she said. “We are a service provider. If we cannot afford the services and we have to lay some people off, then I’m sorry, but that’s what has to be done.”

Overall, Gerwig said her experience had been “challenging, but fun.”

“It’s the most rewarding thing that I’ve done besides raising my three kids and building my house,” she said.

In other business, Palm Beach County Republican Chairman Sid Dinerstein called for members of the club to support Congressman

collect excess surface water from the L-8 Basin, which includes central Palm Beach County, and store it in the reservoir, which is happening. The problem is that a $50 million pump to get the water out and push it up the M Canal to the Grassy Waters Preserve and the West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area has not been built.

“This is a federal-state partnership,” Powell said. “To get the federal funding, we have to complete the federal planning process.

There’s a lot to it, but we would really like to get that... $50 million worth of facilities.”

He said that once the pump station is running, the system will work as it is supposed to and the chlorides will diminish as the system is used.

Acreage resident Alex Larson said water priorities need to be reset in South Florida. “Everybody needs to start coming back to the table because we’re all stakeholders in water, and, as you can see, there is not enough water,” she said. “We’re watering golf courses instead of growing vegetables. Golf courses are cutting back 15 percent, farmers are

cutting back 45 percent. There’s something wrong with that equation.”

Taylor said she was concerned about farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area who are saying they stand to lose up to 50 percent of their crops because they are not able to irrigate. “Are there exceptions to the rules in cases like that?” Taylor asked.

Powell said the agricultural areas dependent on water from Lake Okeechobee are physically unable to draw water now. At a lake level of under 10 feet, he said, “you cannot gravity-flow water out of the lake. It’s physically impossible… so we install temporary pumps that have limited capacity.

We’re getting them as much water as we can, 45 to 50 percent of what they need, but it’s physically all we can get to them now.”

Taylor said that many farmers may go out of business under the present conditions, and Powell agreed the situation is bad.

“The drought at this time of year is particularly serious,” Powell said. “We expect it to be raining, and the crops have a high watering requirement.”

GOP Club Meeting — Palms West Republican Club Treasurer Rober t McKeen and President Paul Krayeski with speakers Wellington Councilwoman Anne Ger wig and Palm Beach County Republican Chairman Sid Dinerstein.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER Allen West’s re-election ballot petition.

“In a redistricting cycle,” he said, “you do not have to live in the person’s district to sign their petition because no one knows what their district is. Literally, you

can live anywhere in the State of Florida and sign a petition for anyone running for Congress or the state legislature.”

For more information about the Palms West Republican Club, visit www.wellingtongop.com.

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June 24 - June 30, 2011

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OUR OPINION

Drought Or No Drought, We Must Do Better At Water Conservation With the City of West Palm Beach’s water catchment area drying up and Lake Okeechobee too low to serve as a backup, desperate times call for desperate measures.

The South Florida Water Management District took heavy measures this week to deal with West Palm Beach’s growing drought woes. Following news that the city’s water supply is almost empty, the district obtained permission from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to take water from the L-8 Reservoir and send it to West Palm Beach. The catch is that the salt level must be reduced substantially. And although this has been done in the past, using water from Lake Okeechobee to dilute it, the current conditions make this process all the more difficult. With the lake’s level at a near record low, it might not have enough water to bring down the salt level to the target amount.

Unfortunately, this is only one of several large-scale problems caused by the current drought. While there are a few temporary measures that can be taken, such as the L-8 project and a similar plan to pump water to West Palm Beach from the A-1 Reservoir, the long-term plan still amounts to praying for the summer rains to begin in earnest ASAP. The sad truth is that the only thing that can save us from this drought right now is a major storm. Of course, this would create an entirely new problem to deal with and, worse yet, likely reveal our ongoing vulnerabilities in preparation.

The severity of the drought is caused by two things: lack of rain and excessive water

consumption. That’s why restricting lawn irrigation is the SFWMD’s first line of defense against water shortages. Speaking to the Palm Beach County Commission this week, SFWMD Water Supply Bureau Chief Dean Powell said the most effective thing his district has done for West Palm Beach was imposing strict lawn-watering restrictions not only that city, but also the towns of Palm Beach and South Palm Beach, both known as heavy water users. Here in the western communities, two-day-a-week watering is still allowed, but if the drought persists, you can expect that to change.

During the summer months, it seems we’re torn between two extremes, with very little room in between. At one extreme (drought), there’s a lack of water, which affects everything from our diet and hygiene to the quality of our natural environment. The other extreme (hurricane) leads to possible flooding, property damage and power outages. Things won’t improve for our state until we see a change in this imbalance. We must strive to do everything we can to work toward a balance, and that means getting serious about water conservation.

It may be discouraging to think of how little water you save from cutting your shower time by five minutes. But if you consider those savings over a year, as well as reductions in water consumption in the kitchen, on the lawn and other areas, a single person can make a difference. To deny that an individual can have an impact on the drought is not only selfish; it’s also ignorant. But above all right now, it’s dangerous.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Kudos To The Town Council...

But Now What?

It Takes A Village To Raise A Village

LGWCD Referendum On June 27

Kudos to the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council. Though it took them a while to go with vox populi.

They finally decided, enough, let a Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) administrative hearing decide on the ridiculous meddling of Callery-Judge Grove into the town’s comprehensive plan, which was approved by both Palm Beach County and the DCA several years ago.

But wait, our “esteemed” governor just signed Senate Bill 2156, which eliminated the DCA. So does Loxahatchee Groves now have to wait for the new Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to get organized, set up their rules and regulations, review our comp plan, review the external micromanagement attempt of Callery-Judge and finally get to a hearing on or about Nov. 17, 2028?

Oh well, the beat goes on and on and on… zzz.

Bill Louda Loxahatchee Groves

The Village of Wellington will celebrate Independence Day on July 4 at Village Park. As we remember those who gave their lives for our country and fought for our freedom, we should reflect on what gives us strength today.

Our almost 16-year-old village gets its strength from its residents.

It’s only right that the village offices look out on Scott’s Place and the Patriot Memorial. By remembering those with special needs and those who have fallen, we grow stronger as a community and as a village. Our soldiers are not just soldiers, but sons, daughters, fathers, mothers and neighbors.

Each resident needs to be “an army of one.” One person can’t build an entire park, but a group of dedicated volunteers can — just look at Tiger Shark Cove Park.

You can sign your children up for sports and watch, or you can be a coach, too. The choice is yours. It takes a village to raise a village.

Get involved and volunteer.

Talia Fradkin Wellington

On June 27, the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District will be holding a referendum vote to determine if one or more (probably two) supervisors will be elected by popular vote. Currently, all are elected using a one-acre, onevote method. Both methods have pros and cons, and both should be considered when electing our supervisors. You must be a landowner to vote using either method, but there are differences.

The popular vote method is biased toward residents with the small landowner having an equal vote to the larger resident landowner. The one-acre, one-vote method is biased toward the large landowners, many of whom are not residents. Many services provided by the district, such as drainage, cost based on land area, and the larger landowner should have a stronger vote regarding these types of service. Some services, such as roads, benefit all residents equally and should not only be assessed that way; those directly affected should also be equally

represented. Bottom line: both methods should be used.

There are also some major differences in the way each type of election is held. One-acre, onevote elections are similar to corporate board elections with each landowner having one vote for each acre they own. Votes can also be cast by a proxy where authority is given to someone else to vote in your place. This type of voting is not required to follow Florida constitutional requirements and can be biased by some proxy collectors to support the “corporate line.”

A popular vote by qualified electors is a lot different. You must be a registered voter with a residence in the district (have a photo ID). That list is easily provided by the Supervisor of Elections. You must also be a landowner or the spouse of a landowner. That list does not exist and is practically impossible to make. As a result, the Florida Attorney General wrote in AGO 80-06, that if you make a sworn affidavit that you or your spouse are a property owner and provide the property address, you are qualified to vote.

Another major difference is popular voting must follow the Flori-

da Constitution and the Supervisor of Elections guidelines.

All elections must be by direct and secret vote; proxies are not allowed but absentee ballots are.

In addition, each voter is entitled to: • Vote and have his or her vote accurately counted.

• Cast a vote if he or she is in line at the official closing of the polls at 7:30 p.m.

• Ask for and receive assistance in voting.

• Receive up to two replacement ballots if he or she makes a mistake prior to the ballot being cast.

• An explanation if his or her registration is in question.

• If his or her registration is in question, cast a provisional ballot.

• Written instructions to use

when voting, and, upon request, oral instructions in voting from election officers.

• Vote free from coercion or intimidation by elections officers or any other person.

• Vote on a voting system that is in working condition and that will allow votes to be accurately cast .

In Florida, the polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. This poll will be held at the LGWCD office and not at the normal polling location, and will be open until 7:30 p.m. If any of these rights are violated, the referendum may be declared invalid and/or whoever violated your rights could be subject to criminal prosecution.

Don Williams Loxahatchee Groves

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

Are These Two High School Stars The Future Of Tennis In America?

With American tennis in the doldrums, without anyone currently on the pro circuit seemingly ready to anchor a revival, perhaps a couple of high school teenagers will lead the way.

Without a single American male in the top ten rankings and both Serena and Venus Williams battling a series of injuries on the

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin women’s side of the sport, let’s take a closer look at this pair of

high school “wonder kids.”

In Marietta, Ga., Emily Zabor led her Walton High School team to its eighth-straight state championship in a row and 147th straight match win.

Zabor, an All-American high school selection, was undefeated in individual play. Next year, she plans to be serving up aces

for the University of Alabama team.

In Winetka, Ill., Robert Stineman, a senior at New Trier High School, became the first male athlete to win back-to-back state championships and led the Tevians to a second straight team title. He captured the United States Tennis Association’s boys

18 singles National Open in February, is the Midwest Player of the Year and ranked No. 6 nationally. Next year the students at Stanford University will get to watch Stineman’s on-court wizardry.

P.S.: Hats off to Steven Perry and Tyler Walls of Maxwell High in Maxwell, Calif. They

combined to set a national record for no-hitters in a season recording an astounding 11! In the state’s D-V Championship, the fireballing tandem shut out Tulilake 11-0.

Walls struck out 14 batters in six innings, and Perry mopped up by striking out the last three batters.

NEWS

Lox Council Chooses Three Firms For Hurricane Debris Hauling

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council on Tuesday approved hurricane debris removal haulers, as well as a debris monitor and manager.

Town Manager Frank Spence said that of the eight respondents, only two were local, Bergeron Land Development of Fort Lauderdale, which has an office in Royal Palm Beach, and C&C Loader Services of Royal Palm Beach. “It’s not uncommon for cities to award two contracts to two different firms so there is always a backup contractor available,” Spence said.

Councilman Ron Jarriel said he would like to see C&C Loader Services as the primary contract, but also be able to make use of Bergeron’s more extensive array of equipment.

Vice Mayor Ryan Liang said his top selection would be Bergeron because of its experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “I’m sure C&C could do the job, but I’m not sure about their experience with FEMA,” Liang said.

Councilman Jim Rockett favored adding a third vendor from out of the area to the mix in case the local area is hit hard and the local vendors are overloaded or incapacitated due to the storm. “I would like to have a backup out of harm’s way,” Rockett said. “If our first choice is hindered, we can make a second call to someone else.”

He suggested Tag Grinding Services of Alabama as the additional backup. “I would like to at least have us consider one out-of-state choice, whomever it may be,” he said. “I just happened to pick Tag based on presentations and pricing.”

Rockett also had concerns about some of the pricing he saw for services such as right-of-way clearing, which changed the apparent low bidders.

“When I look at right-of-way clearing and management, that to me might be the biggest and most important thing,” Rockett said, adding that he regretted not having the opportunity to ask Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Administrator Clete Saunier what the itemized costs were

for the Hurricane Wilma cleanup.

Browning said his first choice was Bergeron because the firm had letters of recommendation, with Tag as his second choice.

Rockett made a motion to make Bergeron the first choice, C&C the second choice and Tag the third choice. Liang seconded the motion, and it carried 4-0, with Councilman Tom Goltzené absent.

During public comment, Frank Schiola said he felt that having three options was a wise move.

“We could have widespread destruction,” Schiola said. “We could have three companies in here because there is so much damage.”

The council selected O’Brien’s Response Management of Fort Lauderdale, the only respondent to the request for qualifications, as its debris monitor. Rockett made the motion, which also carried 40.

The council also selected the sole respondent, GRD Solutions, for debris management. That motion also carried 4-0.

In other business, the council discussed the feasibility of creating lakes to improve the water re-

tention capacity for the town and the district, which has had to ask for variances from the South Florida Water Management District to pump water from the C-51 Canal after the district was placed on notice that it had to reduce the amount of water it back-pumped.

Rockett suggested that the council set a goal for improving water retention and asked Saunier about his views on increasing the number or area of lakes and ponds in order to improve water capacity.

Saunier said he thought more ponds might not be the most effective solution. “Back in 2007, we had a drought workshop and invited South Florida Water Management District personnel to attend,” Saunier said.

The meeting focused on the status of Lake Okeechobee and the feasibility of digging retention areas to hold water during the dry season.

“What I tried to explain at the time was that we are all on a lake of water called the groundwater table, and right now that groundwater table is about three feet lower — more in some places — than

it normally is,” Saunier said. “If you put water in a lake, it’s only going to be indicative of what that underground lake is at. Pumping water is only robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Saunier said he felt that a more efficient and possibly less expensive alternative, although still costly, would be to dig a series of groundwater wells at strategic locations in the district and pump water into the canal system in periods of extreme drought. He pointed out that the SFWMD still would be the permitting agency and would probably limit the ability to pump from the wells.

“That may be an alternative, and maybe they will have an understanding of how critical our situation is with fire protection, as long as we can show that those pumps are placed in such an area that they do not impact surrounding potable wells for residential and commercial use,” Saunier said.

As an illustration, Saunier said one inch of water over the district is equal to 220 million gallons. A 120-acre lake, which was discussed at the water workshop, would have to be at least 10 feet

deep to hold the same amount of water, he said. “That’s a lot of water,” he noted, explaining that 220 million gallons is two-thirds of the district’s maximum monthly allowance to back-pump from the C-51 Canal.

Saunier asked that alternatives be brought to the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee meeting for further discussion.

Rockett hoped that recent heavy rains have helped the situation.

“What we’ve seen the last day is that Mother Nature is much more effective at filling ponds than we are at back-pumping water,” Rockett said.

The council also gave preliminary approval to an ordinance requiring the registration of abandoned property and establishing maintenance and security requirements.

The ordinance had been revised since previous meetings so that it applied to abandoned real property but would no longer apply to occupied property.

Rockett made a motion to approve the ordinance, which carried 4-0. Final adoption is set for Tuesday, July 5.

‘It’s not uncommon for cities to award two contracts to two different firms so there is always a backup contractor available.’

Town Manager Frank Spence THE

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NEWS

WELLINGTON AMPHITHEATER PRESENTS AN ENGAGING NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE The Wellington Amphitheater hosted a Neil Diamond tribute concert Saturday, June 18 starring Neil Zirconia, “the Ultimate Faux Diamond.” Accompanied by his wife Lori, Zirconia sang all the popular Neil Diamond songs before a large and appreciative audiPHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER ence. CHECK OUT VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM.

Neil Zirconia and his wife Lori engage the audience.

Nadine Siverman gets a rose from Neil Zirconia.

Alma Walker, Dale Utrata, and Twigg and Kevin Morris.

Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen with his wife Sherry.

Benjamin, Matthew, Sarah and Cheryl Dubbrin.

The Coombs and Bodner families enjoy the evening.

AREA GIRL SCOUTS EARN SILVER AWARD FOR BUILDING BUTTERFLY GARDEN Members of Girl Scout Cadette Troop 20961 gathered Saturday, June 18 at the Peggy Adams Rescue League to officially open its new butterfly garden, built by members of the troop for their Girl Scout Silver Award project. The troop held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and live butterfly release. The Girl Scout Silver Award represents a girl’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and her community as she grows and w orks t o improve her life and the lives of others.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

Dan Lif tman, assistant to U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings, cuts the ribbon to open the garden.

The troop members release their butterflies.

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A view of the garden built by scouts Victoria Beuthien, Kaitlyn Blatchford, Lindsey Carioti, Rachel Collins, Kara Crompton and Be thany Enriquez.

Page 6

June 24 - June 30, 2011

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CRIME NEWS

Vandals Strike Wellington Homes

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report JUNE 18 — Residents of several Wellington neighborhoods called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to report acts of vandalism over the past week.

According to one PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. last Friday and 9 a.m. the following morning, someone caused approximately $350 in damage to two lights on a sign at the front entrance of Pinewood Manor.

There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

According to a separate PBSO report, a resident of the Isles at Wellington called the substation Monday after he discovered that someone used a blunt object to cause damage to his mailbox. The incident occurred sometime between 10 p.m. last Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday. The victim discovered his mailbox in a neighbor’s palm tree. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. According to a third PBSO report, another mailbox was vandalized sometime between 11 p.m. last Sunday and 8 a.m. the following morning. According to the report, the perpetrator(s) pulled the victim’s mailbox out of the ground and left it, causing approximately $80 in damage. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. According to a fourth PBSO report, a resident of Sugar Pond Manor reported that sometime between 5 and 9 p.m. last Saturday, someone used a blunt object and struck his side door causing approximately $100 in damage. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. According to a fifth PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m.

Monday and 6:30 a.m. the following morning, someone used a white rock to break the rear windshield of the victim’s car, parked in Sugar Pond Manor. The perpetrator(s) caused approximately $500 in damages. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

••• JUNE 17 — A Wellington man was arrested last Friday evening on drug charges following a traffic stop near the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Montauk Drive. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation conducted a stop on a tan 2006 Ford at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Montauk Drive. After making contact with the driver, 32-year-old Jason Dzwonkiewicz, the deputy observed in plain view what appeared to be a marijuana joint. Dzwonkiewicz was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams.

JUNE 18 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Kmart store on State Road 7 last Saturday afternoon regarding a theft.

According to a PBSO report, the victim said her wallet had been stolen from her handbag while she was shopping inside the store sometime between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

According to the report, the victim believed that someone unzipped her bag while it was on her shoulder and removed her wallet.

The stolen wallet contained $700 cash and the victim’s credit cards.

There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JUNE 18 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a gymnastics

studio on Forest Hill Blvd. regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim said that she was at the business for a birthday party and had left her purse under a chair at approximately 5:30 p.m.

When she returned to the chair at approximately 7 p.m., she discovered that her purse, containing her cell phone and credit cards, was missing. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JUNE 18 — A Royal Palm Beach woman was arrested last Saturday on charges of petty theft following the report of a theft at the Kmart store on Southern Blvd.

According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the store after the victim called to report that her purse had been removed from her shopping cart while she was inside the store. The deputy reviewed surveillance video footage and observed the suspect, a Hispanic female wearing a red shirt and black pants, walk past the victim’s shopping cart and remove the purse while the victim’s back was turned. According to the report, the deputy then responded to the Walmart Supercenter on Belvedere Road where he located the suspect, 46-year-old Guillermina Narvaez. The purse and its contents were returned to the victim. Narvaez was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where she was charged with petty theft.

JUNE 18 — A resident of Sugar Pond Manor called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Saturday morning to report a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9 p.m. last Friday and 1 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole a camera, credit card and approximately $10 cash. According to the report, the card was used at a Shell gas station in Wellington. Video surveillance footage was available, and the suspect is described as a white male approximately 18 years old.

JUNE 19 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a business on Business Parkway last Sunday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, surveillance video footage revealed that between 1:55 and 3:05 a.m., three unknown black male suspects entered the business’ compound and stole 600 feet of copper wire valued at approximately $5,706. According to the report, two black males, described as stocky and wearing all black, jumped over the wall on the southwest side of the compound while a third black male suspect in jean shorts waited outside with a vehicle. The suspects used a forklift to remove a large wire reel from the rack where the wire is stored and, using the forklift, moved it through an opening that was cut into the fence.

According to the report, the suspects then loaded the wire reel into their vehicle and fled. The vehicle is described as a two-tone Ford Explorer or Expedition with white on the top and another dark color on the bottom.

JUNE 20 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested along with a juvenile Monday on charges of burglary after they were caught stealing a bicycle. According to a PBSO report, a witness called the Royal Palm Beach subSee BLOTTER, page 18

Crime Stoppers of P alm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Robin Davis is a black female, 5’7” tall and weighing 120 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 04/20/65.

Davis is wanted on a felony charge of giv ing a f alse name causing adverse effect, fraudulent use of personal identification information and driver’s license, and a second felony charge of violation of probation for reckless driving and resisting a law enforcement officer. Her occupation is unkno wn. Her last known address was Northumberland Circle in Wellington. Davis is w anted as of 06/23/11.

• Jose Govantes is a white male, 5’4” tall and weighing 155 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 11/28/67.

Govantes is wanted for failure to appear on charges of traf ficking in marijuana, conspiracy to traffic in marijuana, possession of cocaine and possession/pr oduction of paraphernalia. His occupation is unkno wn.

His last known address was Hamlin Blvd. in The Acreage. Govantes is wanted as of 06/23/11.

Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime St oppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc.com.

Robin Davis

Jose Govantes

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

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Page 7

NEWS

No Funding, Confusing Mission Leads RPB To Drop Starace Fund

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Citing a lack of financing sources and a convoluted purpose, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week decided to temporarily discontinue the Tommy Starace Fund.

The Tommy Starace Fund, named after the late son of former Councilwoman Carmela Starace, was implemented to help children whose parents could not afford to put them in athletic or recreational programs.

The fund is limited to sources other than ad valorem taxes, and has been funded in the past through a charity golf tournament.

In recent years, the tournament has been cancelled due to lack of participation.

At the June 16 council meeting, Parks & Recreation Director Lou

Recchio reviewed proposed new guidelines for the fund, which included basing eligibility on children who qualify for the free school lunch program, and opening it up to age groups over 18 if the fund exceeds $4,000.

Recchio said the fund was created in 1996 and was available on a first-come, first-served basis for children between ages 5 and 18.

The maximum a single family could receive was $100. Twenty percent of the money could go to a single organization.

In 1998, the policy was revised to say that the organization must be village-based, although the funded event could be outside Royal Palm Beach. They also set up grant programs for area schools and a policy as to how the funds would be distributed.

“There were two major issues

that we thought needed to be addressed,” Recchio said. “One was the first-come, first-served basis, and the other was the age limitation of 5 to 18.”

Recchio said his staff was seeking to extend the eligibility to adults or groups within the village who lack sufficient money to participate in recreational or civic activities.

The source of financing would continue to be private donations, gifts or money raised from fundraisers or service organizations.

“What we’re saying is that taxpayers’ dollars will not be expended for this account,” Recchio said.

The revised program also would give priority to children who participate in the free or reduced-price school lunch program. “We’ve never had guidelines for incomes, and what we’re

suggesting here is that if you’re eligible for the free or reducedlunch program at the school level, the income threshold of your home warrants financial help,” Recchio said.

Mayor Matty Mattioli said he did not like the direction the policy was taking, which was originally to assist underprivileged children.

“For example, a kid is a pretty good baseball player, but he needs baseball shoes,” Mattioli said.

“Now, we have families, we have organizations, using it — where are we going with this thing? We were going to have the Tommy Starace Fund to help underprivileged children. This organization thing bothers me a lot.”

Councilwoman Martha Webster pointed out that contributions to the fund have been minimal.

“The last attempt was the Mayor’s Golf Tournament, which didn’t work,” Webster said.

The future of the fund came up earlier this year when it was suggested that the sale of engraved paver bricks for the new Commons Park could be used to fund the program, but the council didn’t feel comfortable putting that money in the Tommy Starace Fund.

“What’s happening here is it’s a fund with great opportunity, but it’s a fund with no money, and we don’t seem to be able to come to consensus on how it can be funded,” Webster said. “I think the whole point is, do we feel comfortable with it, can we do something with it by getting money into it and being able to disburse it? If not, should we continue to have a fund that we can’t use?”

Webster said in the current

economy, the fund is needed, but the economy is also making financing it difficult.

Councilman Fred Pinto said he felt the fund never had a clear purpose. “I don’t know if this is a business we should be in,” Pinto said. “I don’t know why we’re discussing it, to be honest with you.”

Mattioli said further discussion was probably irrelevant. “We can discuss this thing until six o’clock tomorrow morning, but if we don’t have a funding source, it ain’t going nowhere, and I don’t want it in the budget,” he said.

Swift made a motion to terminate the Tommy Starace account for the next two years unless a funding source should arise, transferring the remaining funds into the village’s scholarship fund. The motion carried 5-0.

P.W. COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HOSTS KICKOFF FOR COMMUNITY FITNESS RUN

A kickof f party was held for the Palms West Community Foundation’s 2011 Community Fitness Run/Walk on Tuesday, June 21 at Beef Wellington Steakhouse & Social Club. The Community Fitness Run/Walk will be held Satur day, Nov. 5 and will benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County. F or more info., call Maureen Gross at (561) 790-6200.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

Event co-chairs Joanna Boynton and Terri Priore with Denise O’Sullivan and Joanna Kopsos.

Terri, Marissa and Marie Priore enjoy the evening.

Director of Development for the Palms West Community Foundation Maureen Gross, Hospice of Palm Beach’s Laur yn Barry and Cath y Olson, and Debi Leed.

Susan Odell, Don Gross, Dale Pickford and Maggie Zeller.

Jay and Helen Strauss.

Visions Salon Marketing Manager Sherri Giles and owner Tom Monticello with Ultima Fitness’ Jill and John Merrell.

Pine Tree Board Asks Wellington To Keep Up On Road Maintenance

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Travis Deering was re-elected to the Pine Tree Water Control District Board of Supervisors at the district’s annual meeting Monday, June 20 at the Wellington Municipal Complex.

The Pine Tree district oversees drainage and roads off Flying Cow Road in western Wellington.

The area, known as Rustic Ranches, annexed into Wellington in 2004.

After three years, Deering’s term was set to expire this month.

No other nominees from the floor came forward, however, and he was elected with nine in-person votes and two proxies, representing 2,901.64 acres.

In other business, during the regular meeting of the board, Deering brought up issues of road maintenance, and said he was concerned that the dirt roads were becoming sloppy after rainfall.

Deering said that it might indicate that the amount of rock on

the road is decreasing.

Wellington Public Works Director Mitchell Fleury said he assessed the roads after the last board meeting, when the issue was first raised, and found them to be stable. “I personally rode every road,” he said. “The edges look a little high, but I couldn’t find any unstable material. I even had our engineer take a look, and he thought that they were probably the best roads we had in Wellington.”

Fleury said that on June 14, the village had substantial rainfall, so he reassessed the roads and found two small pockets of water but did not find other issues.

“There was no slick material,” he said. “I checked them again this morning, we had a half-inch of rain, and I got a small report from my guys that we need a few small loads [of rock].”

But Deering worried about those puddles. “If we went out there tonight,” he said, “you can visibly see the large puddles.

There’s a half-inch of water with an inch of slop on the top.”

Fleury said that his department would be putting down material over any troublesome areas.

Deering said he just wanted to call attention to it. “To bring it

back when there are craters and potholes is hard,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s one load or six loads, if we at least address it. I just want to make sure going forward that we are topping these rocks off every six or nine months.”

Fleury explained that one of the difficulties of maintaining the roads was that it had to be suitable for horses, meaning he could not use the same rock he would for cars.

“It’s not the road base that we

would like to use,” he said, noting that the equestrian-approved material is used throughout Wellington. “[The material] is hard, it holds up well under traffic, but when it rains, it’s going to get texture.”

Steckler: Office Has Had Successful First Year

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Inspector General Sheryl Steckler reported on the progress of her office at the monthly community forum hosted by Commissioner Jess Santamaria at the original Wellington Mall on Wednesday, June 15.

Steckler said her office has been hiring staff and that after only nine months in operation, it is already uncovering both ethical and criminal malfeasance in the county.

The Office of the Inspector General, along with the Commission on Ethics and Code of Eth-

ics, were created two years ago in response to a recommendation by a grand jury that investigated corruption in the county after three county commissioners and several city officials went to jail.

Steckler credited residents, many of them attending the meeting that evening, with supporting the creation of the offices, their approval as a county charter amendment and subsequent approval by residents of all 38 municipalities. She said the most recent round of challenges for her office was at a charter review meeting earlier that day, where

they are reworking the ordinance to make it fit with the municipalities.

“The original intent was only to add the municipalities, not change anything,” Steckler said. “If any of you watched the dynamics of this, it was much more than that, including trying to define our role.

But at the end of the day, the people did prevail, and we have a very good ordinance. It’s better than when it started. We’ve raised our mark for my office, and we continue to hold government accountable by not streamlining or defining what we do.”

Steckler said that because her office is not very large, it does have to prioritize its work. “The ultimate goal is to change the culture here,” she said. “The more we can get out there and the more we can prevent things from happening… that’s a good thing. The day we can wake up and not read about somebody else being arrested for corruption is a good day.

That’s our goal; that’s where we’re headed.”

Steckler said another good thing that came out of the meeting was the addition of subcontractors as See STECKLER, page 18

Page 8

June 24 - June 30, 2011

Blyweiss To Lecture On Environmental Toxins Dr. David Blyweiss, a functional medicine expert, will discuss how to “Rid Your Life of Environmental Toxins” Wednesday, June 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center (4800 N. Federal Highway, Suite B301, Boca Raton).

Since World War II, more than 80,000 chemicals have been introduced into the air we breathe. The most common health issues that result from these chemicals are autoimmune diseases, bone marrow and brain cancers, birth defects, infertility, obesity and diabetes.

They’re also known risk factors for the four A’s of childhood: allergies, asthma, ASS/ADHD and autism.

The environmental toxins have wreaked devastation on human health. According to the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control: • More than 150 autoimmune diseases exist. It is estimated that 50 million Americans live with an autoimmune disease. These diseases are the fourth-largest cause of disability among women in America.

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children. It affects 3 to 5 percent of children worldwide. Suggested numbers estimate 4.7 percent of American adults have ADHD. • While statistics vary, it’s estimated one in 110 children in America have autism. Members of

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NEWS BRIEFS Women’s Summer Golf Clinic In RPB The Palms West Chamber of Commerce Women in Business will host the 2011 Women’s Summer Golf Clinic Fridays, July 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Links at Madison Green. Each week will feature strategic lessons for short game, long game and putting. Participants will play three holes the final week. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a glass of wine after each session. The cost is $45 per week. For more information, or to register, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www. palmswest.com.

P.W. Hospital’s Hurricane Tips For Patients Dr. Da vid Blyweiss any race and creed can have autism, but boys are four to five times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

Learn about environmental toxins and the importance of supervised detox by joining Blyweiss at the Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center. His talk will feature strategies to help cleanse and enhance your life and health.

To RSVP for the June 29 lecture, contact Roslyn at (561) 8860974 or via e-mail at roslyn@ smacboca.com.

For further information, visit www.smacboca.com/functional _medicine.html.

With hurricane season underway, Palms West Hospital encourages patients and the community to be prepared by developing a health and medical hurricane preparedness plan.

The following pointers, provided by the Palm Beach County Medical Society, will aid in creating your health and medical hurricane plan.

Consult with your physician and your medical supply vendors to make sure you are adequately prepared in the event of a hurricane striking.

Certain medical conditions require special provisions to avoid complications that can be brought on by the destruction of a hurri-

cane. Examples of this include: • For oxygen-dependent patients, backup electrical power for concentrators or backup oxygen cylinders will be needed. Also ask your vendor what their plan is to replenish your oxygen supply after the storm.

• For insulin-dependent patients, backup electrical power to keep insulin refrigerated will be needed.

• Pregnant women with highrisk pregnancies or at 36 weeks or beyond should consult with their physician.

• Bedridden or immobile patients should make sure that their caregiver will be with them during the storm.

• Medication-dependent patients must maintain at least a twoweek supply of critical medication in the event retail pharmacies or doctor’s offices are closed for an extended period.

• Dialysis patients will need to receive dialysis just prior to the storm and pre-schedule an appointment for post-storm dialysis.

During a hurricane, patients must prepare for the worst-case scenario because: • Pharmacies will begin closing 24 hours prior to landfall.

• There might be widespread loss of power throughout the county for up to two weeks or longer.

• Most dialysis centers have made arrangements for emergency services. Patients should check with their case worker or physician regarding their particular center’s capabilities and seek instructions from them for continuity of

care should a storm impact the center.

• Many doctor’s offices could be closed as a result of damage or lack of power.

• Medical supply vendors will stop delivering oxygen cylinders prior to threatening weather.

• Ambulance services will stop responding once conditions outside become threatening (45 mph).

Palms West Hospital asks the community to keep these important things in mind regarding hospitals should a hurricane hit this season: hospitals are not an option for general sheltering during a hurricane; hospitals are reserved as the place to treat life-threatening situations; hospitals will continue to accept emergency patients; and hospitals are not able to dispense medication to the public, so patients must make arrangements to have at least a two-week supply on hand through their physician and retail pharmacy.

For a complete copy of the brochure “Hurricane Preparedness for Patients,” call (561) 753-4247 or stop by Palms West Hospital.

Wellington Offers Defensive Measures Grants Wellington is assisting homeowners improve neighborhood safety and correct code violations through its new Defensive Measures Grant Program.

The grant is only available to homeowners in Wellington’s transitional neighborhoods, including the 12th Fairway/White Pine, Folkestone/Yarmouth, Golden-

rod, Guilford, Hawthorne, Montauk Village, Periwinkle, Sturbridge and Westhampton. There is a total of $75,000 in reimbursable funds available. In an effort to maximize assistance, awards are limited to $500 per household.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, and there is no deadline to apply.

Applications will continue to be accepted until all available funds have been awarded. Selected applicants will be contacted by Wellington’s Neighborhood Services Department.

“Just the simple act of adding exterior lighting can go a long way toward improving neighborhood security,” Neighborhood Services Manager Tracey Lamport said.

The grant program is designed to provide financial incentives for property owners in transitional communities who would like to improve exterior safety lighting and safety through crime prevention strategies. Interested homeowners must submit a completed application, proof of occupancy, a brief description of the proposed improvements, documentation showing where the improvements are to be made and any applicable code compliance documentation.

Priority will be given to residents who apply as a group either as attached or unattached homes.

Applications are available at Wellington’s Safe Neighborhoods Office located at 1100 Wellington Trace and electronically at www. wellingtonfl.gov/departments/ neighborhood-services.html. For additional information, call the Helping Residents With Needs line at (561) 791-HRWN (4796).

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June 24 - June 30, 2011

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NEWS

West Palm Beach Carnival Returns To The South Florida Fairgrounds

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report In honor of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, the Palm Beach Multicultural Organization hosted the fourth annual West Palm Beach Carnival on Saturday, June 18 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The carnival was a celebration of the Caribbean culture and people. From the colorful costumes to the steel drums (a popular instrument used in Calyspo music), spectators lined the sidelines as each carnival band of masquerad-

ers came parading down the road.

Every band had its own style depending on what they were representing.

As the masqueraders passed, people cheered and danced along to the music.

The event also included Caribbean food, live performances from Caribbean artists, and vendors selling Caribbean-inspired products and crafts.

The event raised money for the Palm Beach School for Autism, a school dedicated to helping children with autism. The

Father and son Darell and Dylan Boigris with Maria Nunez.

school’s mission is to assist in the development level of children with autism in a positive work environment.

The Palm Beach Multicultural Organization is an organization made up of a group of board members who are dedicated to continuing and preserving the West Palm Beach Carnival.

For more information about the West Palm Beach Carnival or the Palm Beach Multicultural Organization, visit the organization’s web site at www.west palmbeachcarnival.com.

Rachel Zamora with her kids Nina, Nicholas and Nicole.

Kelsey Brannock, Lance Desrouleaux and Kelsey Watson in traditional Haitian carnival attire

Masqueraders make music during the parade.

Kay Zene with Bonnie, Nyla,Tasha, Marissa & Tashawn Mullings.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

KIDS, ADULTS LEARN ALL ABOUT BUTTERFLIES AT ROYAL PALM BEACH LIBRARY The Royal Palm Beach library hosted the program “All About Butterflies” on Saturday, June 18. Colleen Wiggins of Butterflies on Wheels brought butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalises for close-up viewing. Wiggins gave suggestions for making a butterfly garden and discussed which plants attract butterflies. For more info., call Wiggins at (561) 791-9473. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Kaile Gomez, Christopher Palma, Sally Hebert and Roger Newmon won prizes.

Colleen Wiggins, Alex Shaw, Steven Arias, and Gabrielle and Danielle Armstrong entertain.

Gabrielle Armstrong looks for butterflies.

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Page 11

NEWS

Orangetheory Fitness Offers A New Approach To Working Out

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Orangetheory Fitness in Royal Palm Beach offers a scientific approach to exercise programs.

The studio opened earlier this year in the Southern Palm Crossing plaza near Marshalls. Orangetheory will host a blood drive as part of its grand opening celebration Saturday, June 25.

Orangetheory Studio Manager Ira Bell anticipates that the event will be engaging and informative, where people can learn about the center while giving back to the community.

“Many of our neighbors did not even know who we were,” he said.

“And this is a way to give back while exposing ourselves to the community.”

There will be raffles with prizes including a facial spa package, and five-minute chair massages from nearby Massage Envy, which will also be participating.

Many other companies, such as Costco and Cupcake Cottage, will have booths. Members who donate blood will receive a free fitness session worth $25. “This is a way to encourage people to give to the Community Blood Centers of South Florida because the blood supply is pretty low right now,” Bell said.

The Royal Palm Beach Orange-

Fitness coach Bradley Jones demonstrates one of the machines.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

theory Fitness location is a stateof-the-art facility with specially made free-motion treadmills, rowing machines that make you feel as if you were actually in the water, stationary bicycle machines and TRX suspension training straps.

The center is based on Orange Science, a new approach to fitness developed by the founder of Orangetheory Fitness, Ellen Latham, a Pilates expert for 35 years.

Latham wanted to develop a fitness plan that would focus not only on strength and flexibility, but also on fat-burning. Orange Science incorporates all areas of fitness, from cardiovascular to functionality training. By combining all the elements together in a one-hour session, members get a full-body workout and burn more calories.

“At other gyms, you would probably have to take three or four classes to get the one experience you get here,” Bell said. “When a person leaves an Orangetheory class, they are burning fat for the next 24 to 36 hours.”

New member Diana Reyes really enjoys the new approach to burning fat. “I like it. It’s fastpaced. I just had a baby four months ago,” she said, “and I’ve done Pilates for four months, but it’s more toning than burning.”

Before each workout session, all members must fasten a moni-

tor around their waist, which constantly monitors their heart rate and fat-burning level. Members are also able to monitor their levels and progress on a large, flatpanel television screen on the wall above the treadmill machines.

Classes are conducted in a group setting, with coaches encouraging and monitoring members as they work out. Each member works out at his or her own pace in a resistance-based training. “I’m not used to working out a lot, and I’m not athletic,” Reyes said. “I like this style better because you get to set your own pace, and there’s the ups and downs and you get to recover.”

Stephanie Susu, the center’s receptionist, recently recovered from a life-threatening brain tumor and decided to begin a workout regimen at the center.

“I started coming here four times a week, and I lost 22 pounds in a month. It was right after my surgery, and they helped me with my food and refining all my workouts,” she said.

Orangetheory Fitness has several fitness coaches on hand. They all teach the group exercise classes, which combine all the elements of fitness training. “We try to switch it up, and each session is different,” coach Ashlee Hodges said. “We never do the same routine as we did in the last session.”

The center has three member-

Orangetheory Manager Ira Bell with gym coaches Ashlee Hodges, Kim Bos and Bradley Jones.

CHECK OUT VIDEO FROM ORANGETHEORY FITNESS AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM. ship plans. The most popular is the nament. “Whenever there is a 5k elite member package, which most run or walk, or anything like that, people who join opt for, Bell said. we like to donate our coaching serIt consists of six sessions a month vices as well,” Bell said. “We also that can roll over to the next month try to do other things to give back if they’re not all used. to the community because we are The single membership plan of- not just here to take, we are here fers a pay-as-you-go system; you to give.” purchase sessions as needed. OrThe grand opening this weekange Basic offers two sessions per end is a way to give back to the month. Members are able to add community by soliciting blood dosessions to any package they nations while teaching a new apchoose. proach to fitness. “We are the only Orangetheory Fitness aims to scientific-based fitness studio in get involved in the community. the nation right now,” Bell said.

For example, they recently particFor further information about ipated in the Palms West Cham- Orangetheory Fitness, visit www. ber of Commerce’s Taste of the orangetheoryfitness.com or call West event and also donated the Royal Palm Beach location at coaching time for a local golf tour- (561) 753-8111.

SCIENCE IS A BLAST AT WELLINGTON’S HIGH TOUCH HIGH TECH SUMMER CAMP High Touch High Tech in Wellington is holding summer camp for kids ages 5 to 11 now through Aug. 12. High Touch High Tech is a hands-on science lab where science is fun. Children can observe bugs in the bushes and see rocks under a magnifying glass. There are arts and crafts and games with a science theme. For more info., visit www.sciencemadefunsfl.net or call (561) 632-8686.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Lead scientist Jessica Ezratty makes a volcano errupt.

Science counselor Marisa Goldfinger shows a leopard gecko to David Goldberg, Marissa Reason, and Jack and Julia Har dwick.

Jeremy Goldberg, Benton Stalcup, Jonathan Goldberg and Connor Zaniewski examine minerals.

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Page 13

NEWS

Donna Tucci’s School Of Dance Presents Annual Recital At RPBHS

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Donna Tucci’s School of Dance hosted its 17th annual recital Saturday, June 18 at Royal Palm Beach High School. This year’s recital theme, “Motown Madness,” was a tribute to Motown music.

The performances included various forms of dance from ballet to hip-hop, and the performers’ ages range from 3 years old to adults.

Donna Tucci, owner and founder of the dance school, said some students spend the entire year practicing for the event. “We put on events throughout the year,

Marissa Intoppa, Bianca Labady, Vicki Marinucci, Jill Polywoda and Erika Rasso per form “Ruthless Gravity.”

but this is their final performance of the year — the big bash — and the children are just so excited to perform,” Tucci said.

The Royal Palm Beach High School auditorium was filled with proud parents and family members cheering on the children. Tucci attributes the children’s success to the dedication of both parents and students. “Especially now with the struggling economy, the parents still drive them to practice,” Tucci said. “Some children, when they start to get more serious, come three or four times a week.”

The recital began with a solo performance by Kristina Negron, who sang the Motown classic “Respect.” In order to be selected for a solo, a student must be a high school senior with a good attendance record and grades, minimum of three years of volunteer service, and an all-around exemplary student.

One of the performances was a tribute to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. There was also a performance featuring the Dreams Come True Dancers.

Children and adults with special needs were able to perform a dance routine, which is part of Tucci’s special needs dance program.

“I have a background in physical therapy, and that is why I geared this dance program toward

Jayla Francois, Alanna Moore, Abbygail Mosley, Kelisyah Rober son, Gabriella Sanchez, Veronica Sordelet, Emma Winchester and Sofia Zapata perform “Rainbow Connection.” special needs,” Tucci said.

Donna Tucci’s School of Dance has been in the community since 1994. The school offers dance classes for age 3 and up. The classes offered are jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, Pilates, salsa and modern, as well as developmental dance for children with special needs, taught under the direction of Tucci and physical therapist Mary Pengelley.

“I try to keep my prices at a good rate so that way everyone can afford it,” Tucci said, “and I gear my school for everyone.”

Tucci, originally from Detroit, Mich., has been a dance instructor since she was 14 years old. She received an associate’s degree in

applied science from Macomb Community College and is a licensed assistant physical therapist in the State of Florida. Some of her training comes from studying at the American Ballet Theatre in New York and Marygrove College in Michigan.

“We go all around the community performing for events,” Tucci said. “Dance is a good way to build the children’s confidence and attitude.”

Donna Tucci’s School of Dance is located at 10245 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, in the Village Shoppes plaza. For more information, visit www.donna tuccidance.com.

Legacy members Charlotte Cagiano, Shelby Graham, Bianca Labady, Victoria Marinucci, Emma Parssi, Jill Polywoda and Erika Rasso.

Ellie Burns, Gabriella Burns, Vanessa Labady, Jamie Miranda, Leah Rodriguez, Adrienne Walsh and Emily Woodson.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

CUSTOMERS ENJOY A DAY OF FUN PRIZES AT AT&T WELLINGTON GREEN STORE The AT&T Wellington Green store hosted a special in-store “fun day” event Saturday, June 18. There were activities for adults and children, including face painting, chair massages and prizes. Food was provided by Jason’s Deli, and WRMF’s Deena Lang gave out PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER prizes. The store is located at 2545 S. State Road 7. For more info., call (561) 793-3682.

Massage Envy’s Penny Moore gives Isabel Bas a massage.

Binks Forest Head Golf Pro Wheeler Stewart gives Marie DiSalvo her prize.

Vicci Savoie wins a prize from WRMF Morning Show host Deena Lang.

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NEWS

Whole Foods Market Hosts First-Ever ‘Best Butcher’ Competition

By Jessica Gregoire and presentation of the meat. The working at Whole Foods, he Chansky said. “Stew meat and Town-Crier Staff Report judges examined and probed the owned a butcher shop in Palm trimmings were set aside for hamThe first-ever Best Butcher meat. Then the winner was an- Beach Gardens. He said he is con- burgers.”

Competition was held Friday, June nounced: Charlie Couch, butcher fident he can win the entire comThe Whole Foods Market Best 17 at Whole Foods Market in at Whole Foods Wellington.

Butcher competition was created petition.

Wellington.

The store was overwhelmed The winner of each regional by the Global Meat Coordinator The competing butchers who with cheers and excitement as competition goes to the Brooklyn, Theo Weening and the marketing came from the Whole Foods Mar- Couch smiled and waved.

N.Y. meat packing district for the team, which also coordinated the ket locations in Wellington, Palm “I’ve been doing this for 40 global competition of Whole event. “It has never been done Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, Cor- years,” Couch said. “I’ve got a lot Foods Market butchers, called before,” Chansky said. al Springs, Fort Lauderdale and of experience because I work here “Battle Under the Brooklyn Associate Marketing CoordinaPlantation were competing in front 40 hours a week, and I do this all Bridge,” on July 24. tor Briana Madrid said the comof a crowd of fans for title of local day long, every day.”

The butchers were given petition was developed to get peosemifinalist.

Couch will compete June 28 at pounds of meat on a cutting board ple familiar with their butcher.

Spectators held up signs with 11 a.m. at the Whole Foods Mar- with multiple cutting knives.

“This is a way to help our customthe names of their favorite butch- ket in Boca Raton in the final sub“The meats used were whole ers identify with their butchers and er. They cheered on as the com- regional competition, noted Exec- shoulder cuts, which were made get to know the face behind the petition progressed. utive Marketing Coordinator Russ into shoulder roast, shoulder counter,” Madrid said. “So they After an estimated 20 minutes Benblatt. steaks, flat-iron cuts, which are can know who is cutting their of cutting, the competition was Couch has been an employee at very popular right now in the res- meat, and where it comes from, over and the butchers were then Whole Foods Market in Welling- taurants. It’s an inexpensive cut,” because it’s more than just a cut judged on speed, precise cutting ton since the store opened. Before Regional Meat Coordinator Scott of meat.”

CHECK OUT VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM OR WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/TOWNCRIERNEWS.

The butchers prepare for competition.

Richie, Andy and Rick Summers show support for Charlie Couch, a.k .a. “the Duke of Wellington.”

Charlie Couch on his way to winning the semifinals competition.

The crowd watches the competitors cut the meat.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Area Professionals Raise More Than $300,000 For Cancer Research The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) concluded its Annual Man and Woman of the Year campaign. The grand finale celebration, which was presented by Mercedes-Benz, took place at the Cohen Pavilion on Friday, June 10 and drew a crowd of more than 200 friends and supporters of LLS. The grand finale celebration began with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Guests then moved into the ballroom for the awards program and live auction.

This year, the candidates secured some very exciting auction items.

The masters of ceremonies, Meredith McDonough and Paul LaGrone of WPBF Channel 25, announced the winners after all the

donations were tallied. The 2011 Woman of the Year is Jennifer Martin of Bodhi Hot Yoga and the 2011 Man of the Year is Jason Brian of Autocricket.com. They raised a combined $139,000.

This year’s candidates raised money in honor of Boy of the Year Daniel Jaramillo and Girl of the Year Abby Alonzo, who attended the event with their families.

These children know first-hand what it means to battle a blood cancer, but more importantly they know the power of teamwork.

A handful of candidates were able to come together to help raise more than $300,000 during their ten-week fundraising campaign.

In addition to Brian and Martin, the candidates were Mary Aguiar

of Christine D. Hanley & Associates; Kristi Lei Bryan of Kristi Lei Interiors; Denise Fraile of Verati Design; Donna Lewis of SunTrust Bank; Adam Lipson and Chris Grubb; Miles McGrane of Cole, Scott & Kissane P.A.; Jeff Neve of PNC Bank; Dr. Lorne Stitsky of Personal Choice Family Practice; Lindsay Tapp of Caregiver Services; Ilya Tatarov of LostEvidence; and Gretta Vitta of Powerful Marketing Co. All proceeds from the event will be used by LLS to fund its mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. For more information, call Darby Collins at (561) 775-9954.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw with Abby Alonzo and Daniel Jaramillo.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Socie ty Woman of the Year Jennifer Martin and Man of the Year Jason Brian.

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Page 15

SCHOOL NEWS

Palm Beach State Dedicates Fire-Training Tower At Lake Worth Campus Palm Beach State College celebrated the completion of its new fire-training tower with an opening ceremony on Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14 at the PBSC Fire Academy complex on the Lake Worth campus.

The five-story structure — the most advanced of its kind in South Florida — was used to conduct sophisticated training drills for area fire-rescue units as well as Palm Beach State’s Fire Academy students.

Local fire-rescue units and the public were invited to attend the opening ceremony, which featured a presentation of colors by the West Palm Beach Fire-Rescue Honor Guard and music by the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Pipes and Drums. Local firefighters, including recent Palm Beach State graduate Michael Frattaruolo Jr. of West Palm Beach FireRescue, rappelled down the side of the fire-training tower to unfurl a 20-by-40foot American flag. A ceremonial fire hose “uncoupling” took place, in lieu of a ribbon cutting, with PBSC President Dennis P. Gallon disconnecting fire hose sections stretched across the front of the tower.

“There’s a lot of excitement at the fire academy about our new training tower,” said Barbara Cipriano, associate dean for public safety programs at the college, which include fire science, criminal justice, emergency management and emergency medical services. “The tower re-

flects all our efforts and commitment to turning out the best prepared firefighters, capable of handling any situation.”

The fire-training tower is part of the 147,000-square-foot public safety training center being developed on the campus. Like the indoor firing range completed last year, the fire-training tower was designed by Stephen Boruff, AIA, Architects & Planners Inc. and constructed by Balfour Beatty Construction.

“This tower fulfills a real need for Palm Beach State and the community,” said Kerry Weiss, interim director and lead instructor of the college’s fire academy. “Its unique features allow us to create training simulations that are as close to the real thing as possible.”

The tower’s multi-tiered design means students can practice high-rise building rescue techniques one day and single- and two-story house fire rescues the next. No actual fire will be used in the tower — the fire academy has a separate “burn building” and a full complement of burn props for live fire training. Rather, the tower’s function is to train firefighters in all aspects of fire-rescue and survival.

One distinctive feature is the tower’s high-rise alarm system, which tells the status of the heat and smoke detectors and water sprinklers on each floor. It mimics those found in high-rise buildings, but with one difference: the tower’s system is programmable, allowing instructors to preset conditions for different fire scenar-

ios. Trainees won’t know what to expect and will need to evaluate alarm status on the spot. Alarm sounds and strobe lights add to the realism of the training. All training employs redundant safety measures and mannequins.

Other features include a fully operational elevator covering three of the five floors, allowing for simulations involving passenger rescue; an isolated fourth floor will be used for rescues of trapped victims from confined spaces; a floor cutout on the fifth story allows for exercises involving floor breaks that often endanger firefighters as well as victims; and the tower’s roof has davits for hoisting tools and equipment, or hanging scaffolding to simulate a scaffolding rescue.

The tower will serve the fire academy students, area firefighters taking advanced courses with the college’s public safety continuing education division, local firerescue units conducting training modules, and those pursuing the college’s fire science technology degree.

“Firefighters never stop training, and this facility will be heavily used by both students and firefighters from South Florida, and potentially those from other states,” Weiss said. “We look forward to giving this tower a workout.”

For more information about the firetraining tower, call (561) 868-3993. For more information about the college’s public safety programs, visit www.palmbeach state.edu and click on “Areas of Study.”

Palm Beach State College’s new fire-training tower before the dedication.

Serving more than 52,000 students annually, Palm Beach State College is the largest institution of higher education in Palm Beach County, providing bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees, professional certificates, career training

and lifelong learning. Established in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, it offers more than 100 programs of study at locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens and Belle Glade.

Hundreds Of Families Gather For HIPPY Program Graduation In WPB

Students line up during the HIPPY graduation at Gaines Park.

Recently, 177 five-year-olds graduated from the HIPPY Program during the Center for Family Services’ annual HIPPY Community Event: HIPPY Awareness Day at Gaines Park in West Palm Beach. The theme was “Celebrating Families” and was hosted by Gaines Park and the Pleasant City Multicultural Center, and funded by the Healthy Beginnings Systems at Children’s Services Council. More than 400 adults and children attended the fun day.

Dancers from around the world performed at the HIPPY Awareness Day event, and there was a carnival for the children to enjoy.

There also was a parade of flags with children from more than 15 countries being represented in the HIPPY program, and if all that wasn’t enough, Ronald McDonald himself made an appearance. HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) is an instructional homebased program designed to help parents learn how to teach their

three-, four- and five-year-old children. Parents are empowered to be their children’s first teachers and create an educational environment in the home that promotes literacy. The program is the largest in the State of Florida, placing Florida second on a national and international scale.

“We are so proud of all of these children for what they have accomplished through the HIPPY program,” said Dorla Leslie, CEO of the Center for Family Services. “This was a wonderful and inspiring day for all involved.”

HIPPY is a proven alternative to universal pre-kindergarten and an excellent source for school readiness. HIPPY includes ageappropriate intervention activities, which pursue the best interests of the child while encouraging a family commitment to fostering school readiness skills.

There are five sites in Palm Beach County serving 14 geographical areas: West Palm Beach, Westgate, Pleasant City, Riviera

Beach, Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Boynton, Delray Beach, Moore Haven, Clewiston, Immokalee, South Bay, Pahokee and Belle Glade. All HIPPY sites were awarded Stellar Program Status by HIPPY USA for performing exemplary service to families and children.

Nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation, the Center for Family Services is a 50year-old nonprofit social services organization whose mission is strengthening families through counseling, education and homeless intervention.

The agency provides a full spectrum of services for homeless families with children and families at risk for homelessness; substance abuse treatment programs; as well as specialized therapy for children who are victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence.

For more information, call Stanton Collemer at (561) 616-1257, e-mail scollemer@ctrfam.org or visit www.ctrfam.org.

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Big Catch For Young Author Tina Carreiro Publishes First Novel Wellington Angler Ethan Govier Ethan Govier of Wellington begged his dad Brian to take him on one of his many fishing expeditions. And on June 4, aboard the Blue Heron II out of Jupiter, the young angler had quite a day of fishing.

Ethan, only 8 years old and weighing 50 pounds, caught a 50pound smoker kingfish on a sardine in 115 feet of water just southwest of the Jupiter Inlet.

The fight lasted 30 minutes as Ethan struggled with his reel loaded with only 25-pound test line.

Finally, after several attempts, Ethan — with the help of Capt.

Tim Bailey — landed the fish in the boat. It was a great day for the Goviers, with pool winnings of $90. After numerous photos were taken of the kingfish, it was eventually smoked for some good eating.

Ethan’s fish is currently pending as the International Game Fish Association’s junior world record kingfish.

The following Saturday, June 6, Ethan decided to try his luck again, but this time going for snappers aboard the Miss Blue Heron out of Riviera Beach. To everyone’s amazement, Ethan did it again and landed a 10-pound mutton snapper. This time he took

First-time author and West Palm Beach native Tina Carreiro has written a paranormal romance/ thriller titled Power of the Moon, which takes place in the West Palm Beach area.

After trying to help a homeless man whose aura has him marked for death, Mia is in more trouble than she knows. Soon she meets Det. Cole Barnett, a man who shatters her world in more ways than one, and shows her a world of fear as well as desire.

Carreiro began her love for writing romance and addiction to the paranormal at a young age.

She still resides in Palm Beach

County with her two children and her husband.

The original idea for Power of the Moon came many years ago while riding along with her husband on duty. The idea is the concept behind a government “task force,” such as Men in Black, and what elements of control law enforcement would have to possess if given the strength of paranormal creatures.

Carreiro also co-hosts the paranormal Internet radio show “Encounters Live,” and her love for the paranormal keeps her writing.

According to her web site, Car-

reiro has been confirmed as one of the authors attending the 2011 Scarefestcon, which will take place in Kentucky this coming September.

Power of the Moon is available now in e-book form through Amazon.com and Smashwords.

The print version will be available on July 4, published by Firefly and Wisp.

For information about purchasing the book, visit www.fire flyandwisp.com.

For more information about author Tina Carreiro, visit the book’s web site at www.powerof themoon.net.

Susan Alex Receives Speech Pathologist Award

Ethan Govier poses next to the 50-pound smoker kingfish he caught on June 4. home $120 in pool winnings and incredible mutton mango ceviche.

For more information about Blue Heron Fishing, call (561) 844-3573, visit its web site at www.blueheronfishing.com or look for it on Facebook.

Longtime Royal Palm Beach resident Susan Alex was honored at the 2011 Florida SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association convention held May 28 on Marco Island.

FLASHA is a state professional organization of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Alex was the recipient of the esteemed Rhonda Work School Clinician of the Year Award in recognition of her exemplary commitment and contribution to the delivery of audiology and speech-language pathology services in Florida’s public schools.

Earning this award qualifies

Alex to be Florida’s nominee for the American Speech Language Hearing Association’s Van Hattum Award, which was established to advance the work of school-based professionals in serving persons with communication disorders.

Alex currently serves in an administrative role as exceptional student education (ESE) program planner for speech, language, deaf, hard-of-hearing, dual sensory impaired, audiology and pre-kindergarten programs for the School District of Palm Beach County (the 11th largest district in the nation).

Alex oversees all aspects of

services for more than 15,000 students who meet eligibility within the above categories. She provides clinical support to more than 300 speech-language pathologists within the local school district.

In addition to her school district responsibilities, Alex has served as chair for the Gold Coast Consortium, which represents SLPs in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Professionals within the group work collaboratively as they share their knowledge and understanding of topics related to state rules and their impact on

school district guidelines and procedures.

Alex earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speechlanguage pathology from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.

She has been employed in her chosen profession since 1989.

In addition to her very busy work schedule, Alex is the proud parent of two teenage daughters who are active in athletics at their high school, as well as in community sports programs.

Alex and her husband Brian (also an educator) spend countless hours as team parents on softball fields at practice and games, as well as on the road to tournaments.

Send Palms West People items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

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June 24 - June 30, 2011

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Parssi Wins National Scholastic Gold Medal Wellington High School student Allison Parssi, who begins her senior year this fall, has joined the ranks of renowned writers and artists — including Joyce Carol Oates, Robert Redford, Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath and Andy Warhol — as a gold medal recipient of the National Scholastic Art and Writing Award. This award has honored the talent and creativity of young artists for nearly 90 years.

Parssi was one of 585 gold medal winners, out of more than 185,000 entries nationwide. Her winning photograph, a black-andwhite composition, is titled Converse. Parssi received her gold medal at an awards ceremony, at(Lef t) Wellington High School photography teacher Barbara Brubaker and Allison Parssi after the award ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

tended an honors reception at Carnegie Hall and saw her work hanging in an exhibition alongside the other gold medal winners.

As an added bonus, she saw the new Harry Potter exhibit and visited several museums. “It’s been a tremendous amount of fun,” said Parssi, who was granted a couple of days away from school to make the trip.

Parssi was accompanied on her journey by her photography teacher Barbara Brubaker and another of Brubaker’s students, sophomore Carolina Tello, who won a national silver medal in the competition.

Parssi said she was “awed” at the sight of the Empire State Building, which had been bathed in gold light the night of the awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall, in honor of the gold medal winners. “It was just amazing,” she said.

Eduardo Matias and Ashley Frezza.

Frezza, Matias Wed Commissioners Honor DTWT Ambassadors In Fort Lauderdale Christina Gambale, a sixthgrader from West Palm Beach who attends Palm Springs Middle School, and Jacob Wesson, an eighth-grader from Wellington attending the Bak Middle School of the Arts, received certificates of acknowledgment from the Palm Beach County Commission for their winning essays addressing youth violence in the Do the Write Thing Challenge.

More than 19,000 Palm Beach County middle school students participated in this year’s challenge, a program from the National Campaign to Stop Violence.

As the first-place girl and boy ambassadors for Palm Beach County, Gambale and Wesson will receive an all-expenses-paid trip in July to Washington, D.C.,

where they and other ambassadors from around the country will be honored in a national ceremony.

Bill Bone, a West Palm Beach trial lawyer and chairman of the Palm Beach County Steering Committee for the Do the Write Thing Challenge, introduced Gambale and Wesson to the commissioners.

The program gives Palm Beach County sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students an opportunity to examine the impact of violence on their lives through written essays or poems reflecting on what they can do as individuals to reduce youth violence.

For more information about the Do the Write Thing Challenge, call Bone or Alan Gallardo at (561) 832-0623.

Mark and Lisa Frezza of Wellington announce the marriage of their youngest daughter, Ashley Marie Frezza, to Eduardo Matias.

The wedding ceremony was held May 7 at the il Lugano Hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

Frezza graduated from Kaplan University in November 2010 with an associate’s degree and is continuing on to pursue her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

She is employed currently by a prestigious commercial real estate firm in Boca Raton. Matias attends Broward Community College and is expected to finish his degree in dietetics and nutrition at the end of this year. He is maintaining his Bill Bone, Christina Gambale, Jacob Wesson and County Commissioner Paule tte Burdick.

Gregory Beck Graduates Army Infantry Training Army Pvt. Gregory Beck II has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. The training consists of basic infantry training and advanced individual training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, Beck received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map read-

ing, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions.

Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

The advanced individual training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-per sonnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field

firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.

Beck is the son of Greg Beck of The Acreage. He graduated in 2009 from Berean Christian School.

career as a chef at a local restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.

The wedding party included Kerri Frezza, sister of the bride, who served as the maid of honor; bridesmaid Nicole Parker; bridesmaid Meghan DiRobbio; Jaysen and Junior Matias, brothers of the groom, who served as the best men; and groomsman Javier Feliciano. The mini wedding party consisted of ring bearer Agustin Barcenas Jr. (the bride’s nephew and godson), ringbearer Santino Matias (the groom’s nephew) and flowergirl Eliana Marie Curiel (the bride’s goddaughter).

The couple currently resides in Fort Lauderdale.

Flores Graduates Army Basic Training Army Pvt. Danielle Flores has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, Flores studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and

bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, the military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and fieldtraining exercises.

Flores is the granddaughter of Jack and Ruth Harness of Royal Palm Beach.

Page 18

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NEWS Liggins

3-2 Vote For Three-Year Contract

An illustration showing where off icials propose to close Goldenrod, as well as where Wellington hopes to build a new neighborhood park.

Goldenrod

Council To Discuss Closure

continued from page 1 believes the same can be done in certain troubled neighborhoods.

“A road closure contains crime, and it adds value to the neighborhood,” he said.

Along with crime, residents also raised concerns about people speeding through Sugar Pond Manor on their way out through Goldenrod. During public meetings in March, it was the main reason residents favored the closure.

Bonde said that the two issues, crime and traffic safety, are often related. And by weeding out problem tenants, the number of people speeding on the road could lessen.

“Some of it is the same people causing the problem,” he said.

“We can address speeding a couple of different ways. There are

physical ways to deal with that, such as the road closure, roundabouts and other means. There is also enforcement. We would certainly add speed enforcement in there to address that issue. And once people realize that it hurts their finances to keep speeding, they’re likely to stop.”

Part of the plan to close the road includes purchasing a vacant lot to provide a neighborhood park to the area, Bonde said.

“One thing that was a concern if we did remove the canal crossing,” he said, “was that the people on the west side of the canal would no longer have access to [Azure Park].”

He noted, however, that the lot Wellington planned to buy between Hyacinth Place and Exotica Lane on Goldenrod was posing a problem.

“We don’t have a willing seller,” he said. “We may have to do a condemnation on that lot. We will be bringing that information to the council as a companion issue, because it’s important that we

The Wellington Village Council will discuss the controversial plan on June 28. give the residents access to a neighborhood park, and it’s even closer to their homes.”

No matter how residents feel about the closure, Bonde said that Wellington hopes to see the community come out to provide input.

“We expect to get public input,” he said. “We expect people to be passionate.”

continued from page 1 of the ballpark for me,” Swift said.

Mattioli said that if Liggins did not agree to the new contract, it would throw the village into a sudden search for a new manager when they need managerial consistency as they face increased budgetary concerns.

Furthermore, having Liggins back as an assistant manager would also put the village in a position of too much management, Mattioli said, with Liggins basically teaching a new manager.

Valuntas said he favored a longer-term contract because of budget challenges the village faces over the next several years. “The next budget year is going to be extremely difficult, and I don’t think it’s going to behoove us or the manager to be in the middle of one of the biggest budget sessions ever and be worrying about his job and negotiating his contract,” Valuntas said.

Webster asked Liggins to explain why he felt the council should extend the contract to three years. Liggins said he agreed with Valuntas’ comments about next year’s budget. He said he also felt the past year had gone well. “Over the course of the last year, I have not had a complaint from the council,” Liggins said. “I think it creates some stability to have a manager with a longer term than one year.”

But Webster said there had been a number of issues that put the

Hamlin

County OKs Water Pipe

Steckler

Nine Months On The Job

Webb

New Law To Bring Changes

continued from page 1 be expanded to six lanes, the developer could have: waited until the state improved the road; reduced the project so it would not have as significant an impact on the road; or financed the road construction himself, or committed with a local government to get the road improved. In any of those cases, the road would be improved at the same time or before the project was done, Webb said.

In the recent legislative session, he said, developers were able to convince lawmakers that strict adherence to concurrency slows or stops growth and hurts the economy.

Webb said that is not true because the county already has 166 approved residential projects (with 44,000-plus units) that have yet to be built and 466 commercial projects (with 45 million square feet) under the old concurrency standards that could be built now.

“A mall is a million square feet, so I’ve tried to put it in perspective,” Webb said. “The legislature was convinced that, whether it’s us or elsewhere around the state,

that we were slowing down the economy.”

Webb said he is most concerned about a requirement that developers will contribute their “proportional share” to see that roads are improved, which he said enables developers to now say that there were pre-existing deficiencies that they should not be responsible for.

Under the proportionate share rule, the developer on Southern Blvd. would pay a hypothetical 40 percent of the cost to widen Southern to six lanes in the future, and in return the county has to allow him to build the project and put his traffic on the four-lane road.

“What does that do to government? I now have a check that I can spend to improve 40 percent of that roadway,” Webb said. “I can’t build 40 percent of the road.

I’ve got to build 100 percent, but the developer gets to immediately start building houses and putting traffic out there, and the next thing we know the road is over capacity.”

He said people ask him if the local option gas tax could fill part of the gap, but he pointed out that the county is allocating a progressively larger percentage of that toward mass transit.

“Outrage is close to what I feel about this situation,” Webb said.

“I’m so proud of what Palm Beach County has done in the last 20some-odd years, as far as manag-

ing our growth. We have probably 90 percent of our road system that functions at the good, high level of service that the citizens told the county commissioners that they wanted.”

Webb said the county has been absorbing about 25,000 new residents per year and the roads have kept up.

“I will put us against anybody around the country as far as that track record, and we’ve done that because of how tough the board has been and how they’ve insisted that true concurrency happen here in Palm Beach County,” he said. “The state legislature has now stepped in.”

Webb noted that he asked one of the people who helped write the legislation how road improvements can now be paid for, and he told him that local governments will probably have to increase, perhaps double, impact fees.

Webb pointed out that Palm Beach County has not increased its impact fees in years and that local governments around the state are suspending impact fees in an effort to promote development.

“I think this is a major mistake,” Webb said. “It’s a major problem here in Palm Beach County, but it’s a state law. We’re going to adhere to it and we’re going to change our rules and regulations to play the cards we’ve been dealt.”

Swift said. “That was just kind of naiveté in how to plan projects and how to present them and how to get the citizens on board. There’s room for improvement. That’s all I’m saying.”

Valuntas said the treatment plant site was part of his campaign platform and he had discussed it extensively with Farber. “This was something David Farber was very excited about, and he sold me on it,” Valuntas said. “In hindsight, we should have done the good work that Councilwoman Webster did beforehand, before this was ever proposed.”

Valuntas said he felt Liggins did well handling sometimes-contentious meetings with residents. “I thought, particularly at the meeting where it seemed everybody was yelling at him, he really displayed a lot of grace under pressure,” Valuntas said.

Regarding the Commons Park hills, Pinto said he had several discussions with Farber about the plan. “It was Farber who put forward the plan, not Mr. Liggins,” Pinto said, explaining that he had told Farber he was dissatisfied with the hills before the project started. “Ray inherited a plan that was passed long before he took the role of village manager.”

Pinto said he felt it was the council’s responsibility to ensure continuity in government. “You can’t have a leadership team without some stability,” Pinto said.

“Not extending his contract more than a year is sending a message that we do not have confidence in our senior leader’s leadership ability.”

Mattioli’s motion to extend Liggins’ contract to three years carried 3-2, with Webster and Swift opposed.

‘I don’t want to beat up Ray specifically for all these things. That was just kind of naiveté in how to plan projects and how to present them and how to get the citizens on board. There’s room for improvement. That’s all I’m saying.’

Councilman David Swift

continued from page 1 didn’t respond; and there were five people who responded in the positive,” Beaudet said.

Two of the lots are owned by one person, according to the staff report.

“There’s an element of cost in the assessment, and that’s for putting in the pipelines, the fire hydrants and everything in front of

A look at the stretch of Goldenrod under consideration for closure.

council in confrontational positions with the public. “I am going to take a few minutes to point out a few things that occurred during this year,” she said. “One of the projects that we had difficulty from, that the citizens were very unhappy about, was the Royal Palm Beach Blvd. road improvements, and we had a lot of outrage about how that project has not gotten done.”

She added that the council also took flak from neighboring residents about the hills that were constructed at the Commons Park project, one of which, it was later revealed, contained arsenic residue from fertilizer in soil excavated from the abandoned golf course.

“Try as we could to resolve some of those problems, we put our faith in you,” Webster said.

“We wound up with our backs to the wall in a situation where to take down the last offensive hill would have cost us $1.6 million... The work did not get completed as it should.”

Swift said he was not happy with the resolution of decommissioned wastewater plant issues.

“I’m looking for a better term than ‘half cooked,’ but the whole concept that we could put together a package and run it past the citizens of Saratoga without ever having known what was going to be built there in my view was folly,” Swift said. “Councilwoman Webster saved the day by going back and renegotiating those issues with the community, and at least people understand what we’re trying to do now.”

Swift said it all leads back to the village manager.

“I don’t want to beat up Ray specifically for all these things,”

continued from page 7 well as contractors to the parties that come under the inspector general’s jurisdiction. “The ordinance originally only talked about contractors,” she said. “It did not extend down to the lower tier level of subcontractors, so now it does.

Now we have full and complete access all the way down to watch the money and where it goes.”

There is now also a requirement for the county administrator and other municipal managers to report criminal activity to her office, such as bribery, theft, fraud and any kind of misuse over $5,000.

“They are required now to promptly report that to my office,” Steckler said.

Her office plans to watch different departments at work and send out recommendations when room for change is seen. “Those types of reports will end up on our web site,” she said.

Steckler will meet twice a year with the Inspector General Committee, which selected her and will choose future inspector generals.

That committee is made up of the members of the Commission on Ethics, the public defender and the state attorney. “We’ll be able to talk about what we are doing and what we have accomplished and all the good things we hope to continue in the future,” Steckler said of the upcoming August meeting.

Steckler said she has been

Blotter continued from page 6 station after he observed 19year-old Brandon Reynolds and a juvenile removing a bike from a home on Sparrow Drive. Deputies responded to the scene and detained Reynolds and the juvenile at Veterans Park. The witness positively identified them.

A second bicycle was found on the ground, and deputies were able to locate the victim who said that no one had permission to remove it. Reynolds was taken to the county jail where he was charged with burglary to an occupied dwelling, while the juvenile was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

JUNE 21 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal

the street,” Beaudet said. “If someone doesn’t want the water, that’s all they have to pay. If someone wants the water, they have to pay the connection fee for the meter hookup.”

Taylor asked about the two residents who did not respond, and Beaudet said they had been sent two petition forms. “Sometimes, people don’t want to take a side in a neighborhood argument,” Beaudet said.

Commissioner Burt Aaronson made a motion to approve the project, which was seconded by

Commissioner Shelley Vana and carried unanimously.

As per a 2008 agreement between the county and Indian Trail Improvement District, the county will allocate up to $500,000 to provide financial support for 10 percent of the total cost for assessment projects within the ITID boundaries.

The county water utilities department has contributed $239,618.53 for previous projects and will contribute $14,697.48 for the Hamlin Blvd. project, according to the staff report.

pleased with the number of complaints her office has taken so far.

“It’s hard to believe I’ve been here almost a year,” she said. “My personal goal was to get at least 200 complaints coming in, and sure enough, we actually have 204 responses, and we still have a few weeks to go, so I figure we had a pretty good year.”

She said she is starting to see why Palm Beach County is sometimes called a “pay to play” county, explaining that they recently uncovered a contractor that qualified to be awarded a contract under a small business requirement and actually subcontracted the project to a non-small business.

“The county commission asked in one of the board meetings not too long ago why local businesses are not coming forward and winning bids, or making bids,” Steckler said. “We’re actually going to try and answer that question for you.”

She said contacts have been made in the construction industry.

“We’re starting to see some indicators as to why, but we need to prove it,” she said. “We want to make sure the playing field is even for everyone. When you come in to do a bid, it should be about your product. It should be a very equitable process, and whether or not that is happening, we’re going to be digging into more and more, not only with the county, but with the municipalities as well.”

Steckler said many questions have been swirling around how much the Inspector General’s Office is going to cost. She said in the first nine months her office has

been open, it has spent about 30 percent, $433,000, of the $1.5 million her office was budgeted for, and the office has questioned costs amounting to $300,000.

“That’s pretty good for its first year,” Steckler said. “That doesn’t mean we recovered it, we’re just questioning cost; but eventually we will start to recover and question more and more, so this office will pay for itself even though that’s not the goal.”

Steckler said her contract-auditing teams are starting to take shape. A former deputy inspector general for the Department of the Treasury has been hired to head the audit team, and an engineer has been hired for the contracting team.

She said her own department is monitored by the Inspector General Committee. It is also peer-reviewed every three years, and she is seeking accreditation for next year.

“Accreditation is very hard to get, but it holds you accountable; so I find it very important that we do that,” Steckler said.

She said her investigative unit is building databases for auditing and contract oversight; she hopes eventually to monitor every contract with every municipality.

“It is going to be an intelligence database, and as the years go on, this will be an amazing system to be able to data-mine and see what’s going on in the county and who’s getting what,” Steckler said.

“We’re very excited about that. It doesn’t exist now in this county at all.”

Palm Beach was dispatched to a home in Madison Green on Tuesday night regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 10:30 p.m., someone pried open the rear sliding glass door of the vacant home and stole four ceiling fixtures from the living room and bedrooms. Additionally, the perpetrator(s) damaged the stovetop and oven area trying to remove the appliances. The stolen items were valued at approximately $1,050. According to the report, a white work truck was seen in the area that day being used by a white male. DNA evidence was taken at the scene.

JUNE 21 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested early Tuesday morning on charges of

drunken driving following a report of a suspicious vehicle. According to a PBSO report, a resident of Madison Green called the Royal Palm Beach substation to report a suspicious vehicle. The deputy observed a gray Mazda 3 with its lights off sitting at the gate. According to the report, the deputy made contact with the driver, 39year-old Robert Sinclair, who was in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition and the vehicle running. After conducting a DUI investigation, Sinclair was arrested.

A search of his vehicle revealed 23 pills of alprazolam (Xanax).

Sinclair was taken to the county jail where he was charged with driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance.

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Christopher Gerard Aguirre December 17, 1982 — June 24, 2006

He has slipped away into the next room.

Whatever he was to each of us, he still is.

Call him by his name; speak to him in a familiar way which you always have.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes he made.

Play, smile, think of him, and pray for him.

Let his name be a household word like it always was.

Let it be spoken without effort.

One brief moment and all will be as it was before — only better.

Infinitely happier — we will all be together with Christ.

We love and miss you; You are forever in our hearts.

Your loving Family and Friends

Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation www.christophermemorial.org

June 24 - June 30, 2011

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‘Natural Horsemanship’ The Focus At Angel Smile Farm

As boarding facilities go, Angel Smile F arm in Loxahatchee Groves is about as small and intimate as you can get. The large barn and comfy paddocks have only f our boarders. But the place has a very comfortable feel to it. The details are looked after. The horses are relaxed, safe. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23

June 24 - June 30, 2011

Page 21

It Has Been A Good Ride, But It’s Time To Move On

After two and a half years of covering sports at Wellington High School, Town-Crier columnist Josh Hyber is moving on. Soon he will move to New York to attend Syracuse University. In his final column, Hyber looks back on his various experiences as a high school sports journalist. Josh Hyber’s Column, Page 37

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business WEI Network To Celebrate The Grand Opening Of New RPB Studio On July 6

To celebrate his studio’s recent relocation to the west ern communities, WEI Network o wner Peter Wein will host a grand opening Wednesday, July 6 at 1 p.m. The studio, which hosts Wein’s Internet radio station, is now located in Royal Palm Beach’s Royal Plaza. The World Entertainment Information Network represents a wide range of interests from community news, green living and sustainability to health, opinions and more. Page 31

Sports TKA Hosts Heath Evans Foundation 7-On-7 Championship

The Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7 Championship returned to the King’s Academy for its sixth year last Saturday, pitting some of the best football teams in the countr y against each other in a modified flag-football format. Tampa Plant High School took home the trophy. Page 37

THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES .......................23-24 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ..................... 29 BUSINESS NEWS .................................31-33 SPORTS & RECREATION ......................37-40 COMMUNITY CALENDAR .................... 42-43 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 44-49

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June 24 - June 30, 2011

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Page 23

FEATURES

‘Natural Horsemanship’ Is The Focus At Angel Smile Farm It’s certainly not a large or thriving establishment. As boarding facilities go, this is about as small and intimate as you can get.

The large barn and comfy paddocks have only four boarders. But the place has a very comfortable feel to it. Visiting, you become aware of how calm things are. The details are looked after. The horses are relaxed, safe.

Maurette Hanson has owned and run Angel Smile Farm for 11 years, first in Wellington, and now out of a barn on C Road in Loxahatchee Groves. She boards and trains horses. Josie Graham, 16, keeps her horse Denver there.

“I used to ride at another barn,” Graham said. “I was leasing a horse, but then it died.

My trainer came here, and I came with her.

She was helping me look for a horse to buy. I wanted my own horse, a horse I could bond with. In February, we started searching.”

Finding the perfect horse was not easy. “We looked all over — down in Miami, lots of places out here,” Graham recalled. “I think we must have looked at almost every horse that was for sale. It was overwhelming. I never felt a connection with any one of them. They were more like riding a vehicle than being with a living creature.”

When her trainer moved to another barn, Graham stayed with Hanson and continued the search. “I really liked it here. It’s very Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/ HorseTalkFL.

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg peaceful. It has a good vibe,” she said. “Then one day, Maurette saw this tiny little ad in Horse and Tack magazine. It didn’t say much, but it did list the horse’s bloodlines. The horse was located in Brooksville, on the west coast of Florida. Maurette’s parents live there, and she said the horse was worth looking at, and since she was going to visit her parents anyway, she’d stop by to see him.”

“By this time, I really knew what Josie wanted,” Hanson said. “When I got there, I saw that this horse was a really good prospect for her. He was quiet, sweet, not at all scary. I knew this was the horse for her. I called her up and told her about him. I said that this horse needed to come home with me.

Josie said OK, and I wrote out a check.”

And that’s how Denver, a 12-year-old palomino Quarter Horse, came back to Angel Smile Farm, sight unseen by his new owner one April day.

“He’s perfect. He’s lovely,” Graham said.

“He’s got a wonderful personality — so smart and curious. Just seeing him learn new things is really worth it. I can really feel the bond

between us. We treat each other with real respect. It‘s a perfect match.”

Graham takes lessons from Hanson off and on. She likes how demanding she is, and also how she lets students work at their own pace.

“My whole criteria incorporates Natural Horsemanship techniques toward building the equine-human relationship,” Hanson explained. “When I started in 2000, my vision was to create a safe, nurturing environment for people and horses. I became certified with NARHA and became a therapeutic riding instructor. I’m the program director at Horses for Heroes at Vinceremos. And even though I enjoy that work tremendously, I’m at a crossroads. I’ve worked long and hard to get here, and I want to move up to that next level. It’s time to focus on this and make it all happen. I envision a permanent home, a facility of my own. My goal is to add more programs and continue showing people how they can improve their relationship with their equine partners.”

Hanson said she doesn’t teach any particular discipline, such as English, Western or dressage. It’s more about the balanced classical seat, which translates as the basis for every riding style. As for her farm’s name, well, that’s an interesting story.

“A dear friend of mine had a dream one night,” Hanson recalled. “The next morning, she told me that I was supposed to own my own barn and name it Angel Smile Farm. At the time, I had no concept of owning a barn.”

And so, she did. Hanson wants to put all of

Josie Graham and Denver with Maurette Hanson. her energy into building her business now, promoting the horse-human partnership through Natural Horsemanship.

“I love the peace and quite here,” Graham said. “And Maurette is the perfect teacher for anyone who wants to understand more about horses’ psychology rather than just getting on and riding.”

For more information, call Maurette Hanson at (561) 914-1718.

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FEATURES

I Can’t Hide Anymore... Find Me On Facebook & Twitter I have never been a good communicator.

Good communicators go into sales.

Bad communicators become writers.

Good communicators pursue joyful faceto-face encounters with fellow human beings, truly believing that they can enhance and improve the lives of those around them with whatever product they’re selling.

Bad communicators hide behind their keyboards in a desperate attempt to share their thoughts while avoiding any feedback, convinced that any and all feedback coming their way will be negative. There’s relative anonymity — and by the time the newspaper or magazine or book comes out, you’ve had time to high-tail it to Wyoming or wherever else you feel safe.

I’ve always enjoyed being a writer.

But now look what’s happened.

Writers have become ensnarled in the World Wide Web. Actually, anyone who can Get your Sonic Boomer humor every day!

Follow Deborah Welky on Twitter at twitter.com/TheSonicBoomer. On Facebook, stop by “The Sonic Boomer” page and click the “Like” button.

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER type is tangled up in there, but writers seem especially vulnerable. Suddenly, people want to hear what we have to say, and they want to hear it right now. They want us to appear on their computer screens whenever they click us, chat with us via Facebook, and now follow us on Twitter!

For those two or three of you out there who are not familiar with Twitter, it’s a form of electronic communication that will alert you whenever anyone you’re interested in has blurted out a sentence.

You’d think the primary usage of this program would be for cops chasing perpetrators (“He just dived into the bushes!”) or armies coordinating an advance (“No, no, no! You go east; I’m going west!”), but no. The prima-

ry use of Twitter seems to be stalking celebrities.

“But, Debbie,” you ask, “aren’t the celebrities already on Facebook? Don’t they have blogs so their fans can see what they do all day?”

Well, yes, Virginia, they do. But day-old news is not enough anymore, thanks to our fast-paced and abundantly curious society.

Not only that, but I’ve heard tell of celebrities who have paid writers to do their Facebook pages and blog for them! Can you imagine?

Press people! The scourge of Hollywood!

How are any of us supposed to know what Dakota Fanning had for lunch if she’s at some fancy restaurant and her writer is holed up in a dingy office somewhere?

No, Twitter is the way to go. After all, no one wants to run down to Wolfgang Puck’s the day after Dakota was there unless, of course, they simply want to eat — and that’s unlikely.

Look around any restaurant these days, and people’s heads are bent over their cell phones.

Hardly anyone is engaging in a joyful face-toface encounter. That’s old school.

Now here’s the funny part (because this is,

after all, a humor column). My editor has suggested (rather strongly) that I set up both Facebook and Twitter accounts. Can you believe it? When he first told me, I laughed so hard my nose snorted a little bit.

But then I saw the look on his face. This idea seemed really important to him. And he’s the one who is supposed to know about these things.

So I have started attending Twitter lessons at his office. And it looks like the hardest part will be keeping my blathering to 140 characters (where even a space counts as one) and finding something worthwhile to say.

I can do it! I will start frequenting Wolfgang Puck’s instead of McDonald’s! I will seek out interesting adventures every hour on the hour! I will entertain my followers with witty observations!

I can do it! In fact, I bet I can sum up this entire 600-word column in less than 140 characters. Just watch me: “The Sonic Boomer comes to Facebook and Twitter. Share in the hilarity! See what humor writers do all day! (And stop that snickering!)”

‘Green Lantern’ Film A Poor Collection Of Special Effects I know a lot of people have been waiting eagerly for the new movie Green Lantern, but, frankly, it is a muddled mess. It does have the required special effects, but since a lot of those involve improbable flying through space and other fun things that have no basis in reality, they basically involve saying “Wow” for a few seconds and wondering what the next one would be while trying to decide how many times you should go to the candy stand. A lot of people will go to the movie, and a lot will be disappointed.

The character Green Lantern, also known as ace pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), was always a second-tier character for Marvel Comics. That creates the first big problem.

With Superman and Batman, we know who they are. They can spend a quickie couple of minutes on the back story and then get on with a plot.

In this movie, a large part of the time is spent explaining that millions of years before the Earth was formed, a group of beings called the Guardians of the Universe used the green essence of willpower to create an intergalactic police force to protect people. They split the universe into 3,600 sectors, with one Green Lantern per sector. The strongest of all the

‘The Tempest’ Part Of P.B. Shakespeare Festival July 14-17 The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival will present The Tempest at Seabreeze Amphitheater Thursday through Sunday, July 14 to 17 at 8 p.m. at Carlin Park (750 S. A1A, Jupiter).

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. with pre-show entertainment provided by the court jester.

Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets; pets on leashes are welcome. Vendors will be on site.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler Green Lanterns was Abin Sur of Sector 2814, who defeated Parallax, a being made up completely of fear, and imprisoned him in the Lost Sector (Sector 666). Cute. And this has very little to do with the actual story but takes up time. The first part of the movie could be compared to the whole prequel trilogy of Star Wars but without the good times.

Beware, spoilers ahead! If you don’t want to know the plot, stop now...

Hal Jordan winds up at a site where Abin Sur has crashed and is appointed to be a Green Lantern. He winds up at a weird planet called Oa, is insulted for only being human and leaves.

In the meantime, back here on Earth, scientist Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) performs an autopsy on Abin Sur but gets a piece Admission is free, but a donation of $5 per adult is requested. For more information about the performance, call (561) 966-7099 or visit www.pbcparks.com.

Special Summer Event Set For June 27 At Loggerhead Fitness The owner of Loggerhead Fitness is offering his fitness facility to invite locals and local businesses in to take advantage of summer’s lazy days.

More than 15 local businesses will pool into

of Parallax inside him, which mutates him. Finding out that his own father betrayed him, he tries to kill dad, U.S. Sen. Robert Hammond (Tim Robbins), by telekinetically sabotaging his helicopter at a party. But Hal uses his Green Lantern powers to save the senator and all of the party guests — including his girlfriend Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), who recognizes him under the suit and mask and does a great acting job by not laughing.

Shortly after, Hal encounters Hector and realizes that Parallax is on his way to Earth.

There’s a lot of talk about how Parallax uses the yellow essence of fear (another brilliant notion), and Hal is sent back to Earth, where he saves Carol and pulls Parallax, hardly one of the best special-effects villains (looks like a fried octopus) into the sun. He is saved and becomes the official Green Lantern for Earth.

To prepare for a sequel (please, please, no!) the most obnoxious of the Green Lanterns takes on evil powers so he becomes the next villain.

I know that I’ve mentioned more about the plot than the acting, something not surprising when most of the actors are so deep in makeup that Lawrence Olivier could not have given a good performance. Reynolds looks

buff, assuming the muscles are not special effects, and only has to look stubborn. Peter Sarsgaard as Hector chews up the scenery as the eccentric scientist turned evil villain. Tim Robbins is OK. Blake Lively is attractive in a role that calls for only that.

I will not call this a really bad movie, although it is the weakest I have seen this summer. Too many of the special effects were obviously fake, the back story took up so much time that the plot was minimal, many key characters were far too deep in makeup, and the story itself was boring. It is a movie that cost a lot to make: an estimated $300 million. Last week’s Super 8 cost a sixth of that. If you have not seen the Super 8 movie, see that instead of this film.

It is a well-intentioned bomb, and it has a lot of the elements of a big movie. But it really needs more plot. A lot more of it. We root for Batman and Spider-man because they become real characters. That is the big difference between this film and those spectacular, winning movies. Here, if that weird-looking octopus weren’t so impersonal, you could root for it instead of Hal Jordan.

Miss this one. It’s not worth the price of a ticket, much less the popcorn.

Loggerhead Fitness on Monday, June 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. to shop, learn and mingle. The event is called “Ladies Night of Indulgence,” though everyone is invited.

Attendees will enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres, soothing music and pampering — all while choosing from a variety of indulgent services ranging from foot massages and mini-facials to nail manicures, and with information from doctors and financial advisors.

“Since the day we opened, our mindset has always been to be very involved in community efforts,” Loggerhead Fitness owner Rick Opton said. “In summer, the days are slower and all of us local businesses can benefit by

networking and teaming together to offer more reasons for people to come out and enjoy what we have to offer.”

This evening is free of charge. Guests should reserve in advance, as attendance will be limited to maintain a relaxing atmosphere.

To RSVP, call (561) 694-0708 or register at www. ladiesnightpalmbeach.com.

Loggerhead Fitness is an alternative to the franchise gym, offering an enjoyable, non-intimidating environment where you will feel welcomed and noticed.

The facility is located at 901 Donald Ross Road in Juno Beach. For more information, call (561) 625-3011.

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• ACADEMY F OR CHILD ENRICHMENT — In the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Academy for Child Enrichment offers free VPK. Infants through after school day and night care, 6:30 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. Meals included. Se habla Español. Special rates for fall registration. Visit www.smallworldpbc.com for more info. The academy is located at 700 Camellia Dr., RPB. Phone: (561) 798-3458. Fax: (561) 793-6995.

•LOXAHATCHEE COUNTRY PRESCHOOL — Loxahatchee Country Preschool at 16245 Okeechobee Blvd. has been serving the area for more than 20 years. It is Apple and Gold Seal accredited. Owners Anita and Frank Rizzo purchased the school in 1998. They introduced educational diversity into the curriculum. A Quality Counts School for 21 years! The school tuition includes Spanish lessons, gymnastics, computer and swimming lessons. Their method of self-paced discovery recognizes that all children do not mature and develop at the same rate. They striv e to achiev e a feeling of self-esteem through per sonal discover y and accom plishment. The non-sectarian philosophy promo tes social development through understanding diversity and appreciation of cultural dif ferences. Snacks are included in the tuition price. For more info., call (561) 790-1780.

•NOAH’S ARK — Noah’s Ark is located on Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves. They of fer free VPK, low rates and special registration for fall. They offer care for infants and preschool children as well as after-school care. Se habla Español. Noah’s Ark is conveniently locat ed at 14563 Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves elementary schools. Call (561) 753-6624 for more info.

•SACRED HEART SCHOOL — Sacred Heart is committed to cultiv ating the intellectual, creative, social, moral and spiritual needs of each student. They provide students with an environment that will challenge and encourage them to reach their potential, preparing them for the competitive nature of the w orld. Sacred Heart’s bask etball, soccer and softball teams consistently rank in the top three in the league; the marching, concert and jazz bands have taken top honor s locally and in statewide competitions; their Odysse y of the Mind teams have placed in the top five at the state level. Sacred Heart School will prepare your child for lif e… with love! For more info., call (561) 582-2242 or visit www.sacredheartschoollak eworth.com.

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• ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL — St. David’s is a small Christian school located at the northwest corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. Their mission is to minister t o each child and family by providing an environment of love, security, belonging and learning. They are committed to low student-teacher ratios (Kindergar ten and fir st grade never have more than 12 students per teacher). A combination of the A Beka and Creative curriculums is used for all students ages two and a half through f irst grade. The combined curriculum allows for teaming through student play and exploration, along with the use of workbooks and teacherguided activities. Visit www.stdavidsepiscopalschool.com or call (561) 793-1272 for info.

• THE LEARNING FOUNDATION — The Learning Foundation is a private school located in Royal Palm Beach. The academic program f ocuses on the diverse needs of students. The program, for third through 12th graders, helps build a student’s self-esteem in order for them to achieve their academic goals. Elementary and middle school hours are Monda y through Friday, 8:30 a.m. t o 2 p.m. with before and after care service available. High school hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; students are required to attend 5 hours each day. The Learning Foundation’s motto “Teaching our Youth How t o Learn” is intergraded into every lesson. For more information, call (561) 795-6886.

• THE LITTLE PLACE PRESCHOOL — The Little Place Preschool has served the western communities for more than 33 years. There are two convenient W ellington locations now taking fall registrations. The Little Place offers preschool programs for ages one through five, of fering full-day and half-day programs, and school-aged programs are offered for ages 6 through 8. Named “Best of the West” for tw o years. Contact the Little Place at 1040 Wellington Trace at (561) 793-5860, or 2995 Greenbriar Blvd. at (561) 790-0808.

• ST. ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL — St. Ann Catholic School opened as the first parochial school in Palm Beach County on Sept. 24, 1923. The school served students in Kindergar ten through grade 12 until 1960 when the high school was transferred to Cardinal Newman High School.

St. Ann School continues to ser ve the West Palm Beach area. As the school approaches its 88th bir thday, they celebrate their status as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for both the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Primary Years Programme (PYP). St. Ann School is proud to have been the fir st Catholic school in the nation to of fer both IB programs!

St. Ann Catholic School is located at 324 N. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 832-3676.

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Jove Comedy Experience At The Atlantic Theater On June 25

The Jove Comedy Experience’s Frank Licari and Jesse Furman.

The Jove Comedy Experience will present Weiners and Losers Saturday, June 25 at 8 p.m. at the Atlantic Theater in Jupiter at 8 p.m.

A comedic look at recent events including former Congressman Anthony Weiner and the Miami Heat, this professional comedy theater production contains original sketch comedy, improvised scenes based on audience suggestions and musical theater numbers.

If laughter truly is the best medicine, then the Jove Comedy Experience has been curing what ails South Florida for the past six-plus years. Formed in the fall of 2004, the Jove Comedy Experience has been spreading the comedic gospel from charity events to sold-out shows at the Atlantic Theater.

Shows offer audiences written sketch comedy, similar to what you

might see on Saturday Night Live, to live audience participation in which cast members get suggestions from the audience and create a comedic suggestion from one word, similar to what was seen on Whose Line Is it Anyway? Jove performances also include song parodies and video sketches, offering a unique blend of high-energy entertainment.

The Jove Comedy Experience comprises professional actors and comedians Frank Licari and Jesse Furman. They share a common goal of providing a professional and unique comedy experience like no other in South Florida. The Jove Comedy Experience is the longestrunning improv and sketch comedy troupe in Palm Beach County.

They were awarded Best in Show and a Gold Award at the 2009

ADDY Awards for a series of seven commercials created for the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. In 2006, the Jove Comedy Experience received an IMPY Award for Best Sketch Troupe in South Florida. Recently, Licari and Furman shot a commercial for Duffy’s Sports Grill, appearing across South Florida.

Tickets cost $15 in advance and $17 at the door, and can be purchased by calling the Atlantic Theater box office at (561) 575-4942 or by visiting www.theatlantic theater.com. The Atlantic Theater is located at 6743 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 34, in Jupiter. For more information about this performance or the Jove Comedy Experience, contact Jesse Furman at (561) 5754942 or jesse@atlanticartsacademy. com, or visit www.thejove.net.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum Free For Military Families The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum has announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and more than 1,300 museums across America to offer free admission to all active-duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2011.

Leadership support has been provided by the MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/ bluestarmuseums.

“Blue Star Museums may be the program at the NEA of which I am proudest,” NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said. “Blue Star Museums recognizes and thanks our military families for all they are doing for our country, and simultaneous-

ly begins young people on a path to becoming lifelong museum-goers.”

This year, more than 1,300 museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, including more than 500 new museums this year. This year’s Blue Star museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers and 70 children’s museums.

“We are thrilled that 300,000 military family members visited our partner museums in the summer of 2010,” Blue Star Families Chair Kathy Roth-Douquet said. “We hope to exceed that number this year as the military community takes advantage of the rich cultural heritage they defend and protect every day.

We appreciate the NEA and the na-

tion’s museums who chose to partner with us. We also are grateful to our friends at the MetLife Foundation, the lead supporter of the Blue Star museums outreach initiative, whose generous donation helps make our work possible.”

Kathleen Glover, assistant director of the lighthouse and museum, is also excited about the program.

“The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum considers it an honor to participate in this national program that serves and recognizes the men and women of our armed forces for their commitment and dedication to protecting our country,” she said.

The Blue Star Museums program will be offered at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum until Sept.

4. Admission is free for regular daytime tours to active-duty military in-

cluding Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and active duty National Guard and active duty Reserve members with a valid Geneva Convention CA card. Up to five immediate military family members are admitted free with the ID holder. Even if your spouse is deployed, you and your family can still enjoy these benefits by presenting your DD Form 1173 ID card.

For more information on the Blue Star Museum program, visit www. arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is located at 500 Captain Armour’s Way in Jupiter. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with the last lighthouse tour leaving at 4 p.m. For more information about the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, visit www.jupiter lighthouse.org.

Lighthouse ArtCenter Features Exhibit ‘On Grandpop’s Lap’

Cathy Helowicz with nephew Zachary, on whom she based the story On Grandpop’s Lap.

Summertime means story time at the Lighthouse ArtCenter. It also means the marriage of books and art at the Tequesta museum, where an acclaimed children’s book will be featured in an interactive exhibition for visitors of all ages.

“On Grandpop’s Lap: Bringing the Art of Storytelling and Children Together” is both a young readerfriendly presentation of On Grandpop’s Lap, a children’s book by Cathy Helowicz, and a step-by-step guide to bookmaking.

“The aim of the exhibition is to entertain children through art and literature in a way that also will be interesting and educational to adults,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Executive Director Katie Deits said.

The story is Helowicz’s fond ac-

count of a special day shared between her late father and his grandson, Zachary. A 2005 review in Writers Digest described the story as “poignant and touching… the illustrations are simple but evocative with definite kid appeal.”

Pages of the book will be displayed at a kid-friendly height along gallery walls. “What a wonderful opportunity for parents and grandparents to instill a love of art and books in their children and grandchildren,” Deits said. “You can’t put a price on a gift like that.”

Docent readings for children of On Grandpop’s Lap will take place Mondays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse ArtCenter.

“My dad’s favorite saying was,

‘occupy your mind,’” Helowicz said.

“On Grandpop’s Lap: Bringing the Art of Storytelling and Children Together” features a reading tour of the published book along the museum walls, and a writers guide that includes original storyboard sketches leading up to the finished product.

“I only wish he were alive now to see what that helped to create,” Helowicz said.

Helowicz, a full-time writer and a native of Annapolis, Md., wrote the story after the death of her father, Frank Helowicz. It was published by Bodkin Pointe Press in 2004. Since its publication, Helowicz has given several group readings of On Grandpop’s Lap and holds

book-making seminars. She currently resides in Jupiter with her golden retriever Rudy and is inspired by the children around her to create new stories.

Helowicz is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Florida SCBWI and the Independent Book Publishers Marketing Association.

She also serves on the boards for the Lighthouse ArtCenter, as well as the MdDS Balance Disorder Foundation.

The Lighthouse ArtCenter is located in Gallery Square North, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, one-half mile west of U.S. Highway 1. For more information on the Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, call (561) 7463101 visit www.lighthousearts.org.

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BUSINESS NEWS

WEI Network owner Peter Wein at the Palms W est Chamber of Commerce’s recent Taste of the West event.

PHOTO BY DAMON WEBB/T OWN-CRIER

WEI Network To Celebrate Grand Opening Of New RPB Studio On July 6

By Damon Webb Town-Crier Staff Report To celebrate his studio’s recent relocation to the western communities, WEI Network owner Peter Wein will host a grand opening Wednesday, July 6 at 1 p.m. The studio, which hosts Wein’s Internet radio station, is now located in Royal Palm Beach’s Royal Plaza.

The WEI Network, or World Entertainment Information Network, is as diverse as the name suggests.

“When it came time to choose a name for the station, I wanted something that would allow for a range of ideas and topics,” Wein said. “The station delivers a broad spectrum of shows and entertainment.”

Wein started his own show called Peter’s Livingroom four years ago on another radio station. As his show began to gain momentum and become more popular, he took on the moniker the “Ed Sullivan of radio.” The title referred to his ongoing goal to discover and showcase local talent. After successfully hosting his show for a long period of time, Wein decided to part from the existing station and start his own. He saw where the media and the broadcasting industry were heading and wanted to be a part of the next phrase, offering a clear vision for the kind of station he wanted to create, Wein said.

The WEI Network represents a wide range of interests from community news, green living and sustainability to health, opinions and more. The objective is to deliver the facts of the story and let the listeners draw their own conclusions based on those facts given, he said. Entertainment is also a major component to the station.

“There has been a void in Palm Beach County as far as affordable entertainment is

concerned,” Wein said. “We have been proactive in bringing entertainment to various venues and locations with in the area for affordable prices. We have a vast talent pool in our back yard. We make sure to support middle and high school art programs.”

Wein has become a go-to guy for local talent. He has been able to partner up with artists regionally and nationally. Performing artists are always looking for places to express themselves and perform. This is another reason Wein has come back to the western communities.

“This is my home base,” he said. “I felt it was time to come back home. We produce and host events throughout South Florida, but the western communities is where it all started. There has been so much growth in the area, and I am excited for what the future holds. Current times dictate the need for more entertainment. It’s more important now more than ever to help create and support entertainment in your local area and community.”

The July 6 celebration will start at 1 p.m. and include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Palms West Chamber of Commerce. The business community as well as the general public is invited. “I’m looking forward to the event and connecting with the people,” Wein said. “This area is my core base, and I’m happy to be back. There are so many projects I can’t wait to create and be a part of this year.”

The WEI Network is located at 650-9 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 827-4223 or visit www.weinetwork.com. To RSVP for the event, call the office and leave a message at (561) 290-4597, or e-mail Wein at peter@ weinetwork.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Dr. Alina Alonso Elected To National Health Officials Board Palm Beach County Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso has been elected to serve a two-year term beginning in July on the Board of Directors of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).

NACCHO represents the nation’s 2,800 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities.

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve on the board of NACCHO, a forward-thinking organiza-

tion that promotes health advocacy involving all aspects of a community,” Alonso said. “In these challenging times, these values will only help to enhance health outcomes for the people of Palm Beach County, the State of Florida, and the nation.”

Alonso joins two other Florida Health officers, Dr. Kevin Sherin of the Orange County Health Department and Winifred Holland, representing the Bradford/Union County Health Departments on the board.

“The people of Florida will be well represented by Dr. Alonso, Ms. Holland and Dr. Sherin on the NACCHO board,” Florida Surgeon Gen-

eral Dr. Frank Farmer Jr. said.

“Their dedication to promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Florida should bring innovative thinking from their wide experience serving the Sunshine State’s diverse community.”

Alonso is a family practice physician by training, and has been a preventive medicine/public health servant to the residents of Palm Beach County since 1989. As director, she oversees the operations of one of the largest and nationally recognized county health departments.

Her leadership of the professional staff provides a full range of prima-

ry and preventive services through seven strategically placed health centers: Environmental Public Health, WIC, Nutrition, School Health, Epidemiology, Preparedness and Community Health.

Alonso has trained in bio-chemical terrorism and weapons of mass destruction since 1997, and handled the clinical operations of the first case of inhalation anthrax in the United States that occurred in 2001.

She has extensive training in communicable and emergent diseases.

For more on National Association of County and City Health Officials, visit www.naccho.org.

Dr. Alina Alonso

New Customer Service Tool Added To Tax Collector Web Site Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon has announced that customer wait times for highvolume services are now available at the agency’s web site at www.tax collectorpbc.com.

The wait times postings are the latest customer service tool Gannon developed to help customers plan visits to any of her office’s eight locations. “We all lead busy lives and we can get frustrated with long waits,” Gannon said. “I hope that adding wait times to our web site

will be a useful time saving measure for our customers.”

The impetus for adding customer wait times was the 2010 Florida Legislature’s action to transfer driver’s license services to the state’s tax collectors. That mandate came with the new federal requirement to issue Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state identification cards.

To be Real ID compliant, people must visit a service center in person. Once there, they complete a complicated and lengthy identity

documentation procedure. Real ID compliance fueled a large increase in the number of customers who must visit a service center. Lines and long wait times was the result.

While driver’s license services are the main focus of the wait time information, Gannon posts other high-volume services such as registration and property tax transactions. Wait times are posted in real time, which means customers should use the information as approximate and as a guide.

Travel time and the ebb and flow of customers into a service center means actual wait times will likely change by the time a customer arrives from home, office or the road.

Gannon also recently added the ability for customers to schedule appointments. This tool is useful for clients who like to plan ahead.

“We are committed to helping our clients have the best experience possible at our offices,” Gannon said. “Wait times are designed for walk-in clients and do not apply to

those who have appointments.”

Other time-saving tips include: 1) don’t wait until the last minute; 2) bring all federally required original documents with you; 3) find out what documents you need by clicking the “License To Drive” button on the agency’s home page; 4) avoid the first or last days of the month; 5) avoid Mondays and Fridays; Tuesdays through Thursdays tend to be less busy; and 6) the Delray Service Center is the busiest location.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Gardens Mall Hosts Fashion Show The Gardens Mall recently presented its annual signature bridal event Happily Ever After to a soldout crowd in the Grand Court.

The event included a spectacular runway fashion show of designer wedding dresses presented by Wellington’s Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon, while guests enjoyed champagne and light bites. Each guest received a platinum passport for entry into 18 lavish, in-store events hosted by iconic brands such as Tiffany and Co., Montblanc, Godiva and Hamilton Jewelers, to see fabulous wed-

Scott Harvey-Lewis and his fiancée Viviana Bueiz.

ding cakes and bridal merchandise, and to enjoy food and beverage tastings.

Top fashion models in the runway show included Miss Miami 2011 Nicole Vega and Natasha Dominguez, the former Miss Venezuela. Proceeds went to support Little Smiles, a nonprofit organization that provides toys, games, DVDs, computers, VIP outings and more to children who are in local hospitals, hospices and shelters. For more information about the Gardens Mall, visit www.thegardensmall.com.

Raina R uelle of Little Smiles and Virgina Lang of WILD 95.5.

The Bacio Bacio team of Denya Lerman, Lenyce Boyd, Alisa King and Maribeth Adamski.

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Pike Appointed To Florida Justice Association Board Attorney Michael J. Pike, a Wellington resident and partner in the law firm of Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman, recently was appointed by the Palm Beach County Justice Association to serve on the Board of Directors of the Florida Justice Association to represent the interest of the Palm Beach County Justice Association and its membership.

The Florida Justice Association (FJA) is dedicated to strengthening and upholding Florida’s civil justice system and protecting the rights of Florida’s citizens and consumers.

FJA works in the legislative, political and public arenas to ensure that Floridians know and understand the importance of their rights to justice and to make certain that these rights, which are at the very core of what it means to be American, are safeguarded and protected.

To learn more about the Florida Justice Association, visit the FJA’s web site at www.floridajustice association.org.

Established in 1985, the Palm Beach County Justice Association is dedicated to inspiring excellence in advocacy, upholding the honor and dignity of the legal profession, and encouraging the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity of civil trial lawyers in Palm Beach County.

To learn more about the Palm Beach County Justice Association, visit www.pbctla.org.

Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman, a West Palm Beach litigation firm, focuses on commercial litigation, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, marital and family law, insurance bad faith, sexual assault and battery, RICO, employment law, and legal malpractice. The firm is headquartered at 303 Banyan Boulevard, Suite 400 and may be contacted at (561) 8422820.

Additional information about Michael Pike and Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman can be found at the firm’s web site at www.bclclaw. com.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

TKA Hosts Heath Evans Foundation 7-On-7 Championship

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Heath Evans Foundation 7on-7 Championship returned to the King’s Academy for its sixth year Saturday, June 18, pitting some of the best football teams in the country against each other in a modified flag-football format.

Tampa Plant High School took home the trophy after edging out Miami Booker T. Washington High

School 31-27 in the championship game, securing the team’s first title.

The 16-team tournament split teams into divisions to play in a round-robin format in the morning.

Then, a single-elimination competition in the afternoon determined the championship game.

Plant also won the Lineman Challenge, a series of events including a 185-pound bench press rep combine-style and flipping a large tire

Tampa Plant’s Wesley Bullock runs in a touchdown.

over a 30-yard course for time.

The tournament benefits the Heath Evans Foundation, started by New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans. Evans got the idea for the foundation after learning that his wife Beth Ann was sexually abused as a child. Together they started the Heath Evans Foundation, which provides free counseling in order to foster hope and healing in the lives of children and families affected by sexual abuse.

The foundation is committed to breaking the cycle of abuse through healing the psychological, physical and spiritual wounds inflicted on innocent children, and to bring hope and healing to the young victims of sexual abuse.

The 7-on-7 Championship is an opportunity for the foundation to not only raise money, but more importantly, educate the community about sexual abuse.

For additional information about the 7-on-7 Championship or the Heath Evans Foundation, visit the organization’s web site at www. heathevans.org.

Plant head coach Robert Weiner (right) and players with the trophy.

Larry Mathis avoids a Plant flag pull as he runs down the field.

Plant’s James Few throws against St. Thomas Aquinas.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

It Has Been A Good Ride, But It’s Time To Move On (And Look Back) To all of my followers and supporters, this is it. The two and a half years that I’ve covered Wellington High School sports for the Town-Crier has reached its conclusion. This will be the final time the face you see to the right of these words will occupy this space.

In three months, I will take my talents to Syracuse University.

(I had to get my stab at LeBron James out of the way.)

At first, I underestimated the readership my column would receive. Before I wrote for this newspaper, I received it at my house and read it solely for the sports. I remember my mom wrote a paragraph about my brother Jason’s youth roller hockey team winning the Wellington recreation league championship. It wasn’t even a thought that someday I would contribute.

My column has reached far more people than I ever imagined. On the first day of school this year, a teacher read my name on the roll call, looked up and said, “Oh, I love reading your stuff in the Crier.” Even after graduating last month, three people have approached me (whom I had never met) telling me that they read my column and asked about my future.

I have such fond memories of covering events at WHS, and also when I’ve had to cover games at Palm Beach Central, Royal Palm Beach, Seminole Ridge, Lake Worth and Spanish River high schools. I can safely say that I’ve covered every sports team at Wellington in the last three years, even if it was just a few paragraphs.

Over the past four years, I have immersed myself in Wellington athletics. I can recall so many WHS sporting events. Even before I started with the Town-Crier, the foremost memory that comes to mind is watching the girls varsity soccer team win the 2008 Class

Wolverine Watch

By Josh Hyber 6A state championship game in penalty kicks at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

I remember being annoyed that mostly every football play during my freshman year was a run by quarterback Chad Endres. I vividly remember the night Phil Marfisi was taken off the field by Trauma Hawk, and on a rainy night three years later when Grant Smallridge was taken off in an ambulance.

I remember standing on the sidelines during a preseason game against Jupiter and having the student section chant my name. I recall watching friend Ryan McGovern play quarterback for Suncoast against Wellington.

Other football memories include watching friends Tyler Bergman, Nick Brewer and Chris Thomas.

The girls soccer team was my favorite to follow. I had friends on the team who played key roles as freshmen (Natalie Puñal, Kaelin Ferreira and Brittany Wallrath), and whose roles grew as sophomores (Melissa Welch and Chelsea McCaulley). I’ll remember the fun times with coach Michael Kozlowski, the always freezing winter tournament at Village Park, the great goaltending of Sam Bandremer, Sarah Lenhart always giving me positive remarks about my column and always wanting to be quoted, and of course Ashlii-Rae Smith’s “shot heard around the world” that clinched the state championship.

I would stand in the last row of the football

bleachers on some nights, watching boys and girls soccer games while simultaneously watching softball and baseball games. (I would hope not to have tests the days after these nights.) I remember peeking over my shoulder to watch an Alex Tannone at-bat and on the next pitch him hitting a home run that came in my direction. I’ll remember watching Mitch Morales play defense, Tannone and Peter Rivera hitting home runs, Jordan Hernandez running the bases, Tommy Kirchner and, of course, Andrew Istler on the mound.

The second-greatest WHS game I’ve ever witnessed (after the girls soccer championship) came this year when the baseball team completed a comeback against Lake Worth, winning 12-10 after trailing 8-1.

My interest also grew this year for the girls softball team. Even though I occasionally messed up the outfielders’ positions in my articles (sorry, Alyssa Cheatham), with Puñal playing high school softball for the first time and sophomore pitcher Corrie Boggess dominating, it was a fun team to watch. With only two graduating, the team will surely be in the hunt for a state championship next year.

During the past four years, I’ve seen both the football and boys varsity basketball teams grow. The football team improved from losing 40-7 against Seminole Ridge my freshman year to losing a close 18-11 back-andforth thriller against them this year. (For the record, that was the third-most exciting WHS sporting event I witnessed.) Also, as I wrote in the student newspaper this year, I thought the boys varsity basketball team was the best team at Wellington this year (and I stand by that). Coach Matt Colin has turned the program into one to keep an eye on.

While I will remember these good times, there have also been the bad: season-ending losses, player injuries and team drama, to

name a few. Writing-wise, I won’t name names, but there have been coaches and teachers upset with material I’ve written. I admit I’m not perfect, and I have done wrong things during my writing career. Some I’m even ashamed to say. But overall they will help me in the future, and I am better because of it.

I could take up numerous paragraphs thanking all of the people who have made this possible. But I do want to thank Joshua Manning and Jason Budjinski at the Town-Crier first and foremost for taking a chance on a high school sophomore. I appreciate the teachers and coaches at WHS for always being there for whatever I needed. To all the players and coaches, thank you for the inside team access, quotes and stories.

I’m grateful for the people who have directly helped me with my articles: Dakota Grealy-Miró, Mike Lebowitz, Ben Aqua, Billy Morosco, Matt Remz, Alex Brunner, Zared Strauch and Sharihan Amra for giving me feedback, positive and negative. To Francesca Ranieri and Mr. Jim Rigolo for taking pictures. And a special thanks to Brittany Wallrath for all the phone numbers and scoops — you don’t know how much you helped me, and I greatly appreciate it.

To get as cliché as possible, all good things must come to an end. Gretzky hung up his skates, Michael took off the Air Jordans, Joe Montana just didn’t look right in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform, and Willie Mays couldn’t be the “Shea Hey Kid” as a member of the New York Mets. I may be moving on, but as legendary singer/songwriter Paul Simon once wrote, “I am leaving, I am leaving/ but the fighter still remains.”

I do not know when I will begin writing for a newspaper in Syracuse, but when I do I will post all of the articles on my Facebook group, Josh Hyber-Sports Writer.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

PALM BEACH PRIDE WINS AREA VOLLEYBALL BOYS COMPETE IN BRIANA COX TOURNAMENT FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH TOURNAMENT

The Palm Beach Pride 8U-B girls fast-pitch softball team finished f irst in the Briana Marie Cox Memorial Tournament held at Okeeheelee Park earlier this month. It was the t eam’s first championship win. The team went 5-0 and won the title game in the bottom of the fifth inning by a score of 5-4 against the Coral Springs Panthers. The Palm Beach Pride 8U-B plays at Okeeheelee Park.

Team members are Rosie Tomas, Brooke Bogatz, Bella Deusanio, Halle Dube, Danielle Dallas, Adrianna Torella, Alex Parent, Ashley Trevino, Amanda Golson, Carolina Vallejo, Larissa Grillo, Ayanna Luevano and Yanitza Gonzalez. The manager is Frank Tomas, and the coaches are Paul Parent, Robert Grillo and Tony Torella.

Volleyball players from all over South Florida entered the Florida Beach Volleyball Tournament on Father’s Day, June 19, at Fort Lauderdale beach. Tournament play star ted at 7 a.m., and the boys played until 2 p.m. After seven hours soaking in the sun, Royal Palm Beach boys par ticipating in the U-18 division took the top three places, dominating the tournament. Pictured above, Alex Ng and Jacob Torres brought home the gold (left), Devin Wallace and Stefan Nicols brought home the silver (middle), and Ethan Dennis and Jonathan Pavicic brought home the bronze (right).

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SPORTS & RECREATION

SAMANTHA HELD TAKES FIRST AT USFS EVENT Wellington resident Samantha Held took first place at the United States Figure Skating Basic Skill Series skating competition at Kendall Ice Arena on June 5.

This was the final in a series of four competitions held throughout the year.

Held will be entering sixth grade at Polo Park Middle School next year and has been skating since January 2010 at Palm Beach Ice Zone on Lake Worth Road.

She has a love of skating and looks forward to continuing her training and competing.

Samantha Held

Send sports news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

Forbes Named New Baseball Coach At Palm Beach State

Palm Beach State College has announced that Kyle Forbes is the new head baseball coach for the Panthers. Forbes was named interim coach last year, replacing Alex Morales, who resigned last December to accept a chief scouting position with the Washington Nationals organization.

Forbes was an assistant coach under Morales from 2005 to 2010, and in 2011 led the Panthers to a 26-20 overall (12-12 in the Southern Conference.)

“It is an honor to coach the baseball team here at Palm Beach State,” Forbes said. “The program has a tradition of excellence, and I look forward to guiding our players in the right direction. We have a solid group of returning players for 2012.

The combination of these returners and an outstanding recruiting class should make for an exciting season next year.”

Forbes grew up in Boynton Beach and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1988. He lettered in three varsity sports, swimming, basketball and baseball, and was named the Athlete of the Year by the Boca/ Delray News in 1987.

Forbes played catcher at nearby Palm Beach Atlantic University. In 1989, he was named to the NAIA District 25 All-Academic Team.

Forbes began his coaching career in 1990 at Florida Atlantic University as an assistant coach under Kevin Cooney.

In the two years Forbes was at FAU, the team was ranked in the top ten in the country. In 1994, Forbes was hired as the head baseball coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

During his nine seasons at the helm, Forbes amassed an overall record of 244 wins and 198 losses.

The Sailfish qualified for the postseason six times and were ranked as high as eighth in the NAIA national baseball poll. In the past two seasons, Forbes has served as pitching coach at Northwood University under the tutelage of coach Rick Smoaliak. In the two years that Forbes was at Northwood, the Seahawks had a record of 73-43.

Forbes has been an associate scout for three major league organizations. He was an associate scout for the Cleveland Indians from 1993 to 1995, the Milwaukee Brewers

Kyle Forbes from 1995 to 2000 and the Atlanta Braves from 2001 to 2010.

Forbes received a bachelor’s degree from FAU in 1992 and a master’s degree in education from FAU in 2007.

For more information about the PBSC baseball team, visit www. palmbeachstate.edu/mensbaseball. xml.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday, June 25 • The June Flea Market & Garage Sale will be held Saturday, June 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. Admission is $3; free for children under 12. For booth info., e-mail annabell@southfloridafair.com or call (561) 790-5219.

• Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Militar y Trail, West Palm Beach) will host its “Tropical Fruit Festival” on Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Palm Beach chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International will show off the delicious world of tasty tropical fruit. Admission is $5. For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www. mounts.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “One World, Many Sounds” on Saturday, June 25 at 10:15 a.m. for age 2 and up. Hear the flavor of countries from around the world performed by the Clarion Handbell Choir. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The Palms West Amateur Radio Club will demonstrate amateur radio Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26 at Okeeheelee Park as part of the annual Field Day event, during which thousands of amateur radio operators gather at locations across the nation to show off emergency capabilities.

The club invites the public to visit any time between noon on June 25 and 2 p.m. on June 26 to see ham radio in action. To learn more, visit www.emergency-radio.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a meeting of its Chess Club on Saturday, June 25 at 2:30 p.m. for age 8 and up. Basic game knowledge required.

Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “Father’s Day Story Time” on Saturday, June 25 at 4:30 p.m. for ages 4 to 6. Celebrate dads with stories, songs and a simple craft. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

Monday, June 27 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Positively Africa!” on Monday, June 27 at 2 p.m. for all ages. Julius and Julia Sanna will help kids experience music and culture by playing African musical instruments. Learn simple Swahili songs. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Craft Time” on Monday, June 27 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 6 to 9. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Legos” on Monday, June 27 at 4 p.m. for age 8 and up. Builders create their own vehicles or buildings out of Lego pieces. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• GardensArt, sponsored by the City of Palm Beach Gardens, will present “Creative Focus,” a photography and digital art exhibition by Melinda Moore in the lobby of Palm Beach Gardens City Hall (10500 N. Military Trail) starting Monday, June 27 and running through Aug. 25. A reception with music and refreshments will be held on Wednesday, June 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. City Hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more info., visit www.pbgfl.com or call (561) 630-1100.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Fear Factor” on Monday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17, featuring trivia, physical challenges and gross food. Can you push past your fear? Gross snacks will be provided. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Annual Meeting will take place Monday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the district office (101 West D Road). Call (561) 793-0884 or visit www.lgwcd.org for info.

Tuesday, June 28 • The Palm Beach County Commission will hold a workshop Tuesday, June 28 at 9:30 a.m. in the Government Center’s Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers (301 N. Olive Ave., sixth floor, West Palm Beach).

Visit www.pbcgov.com for more info.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host “Block Party: Teams’ Choice!” on Tuesday, June 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Experience a new way to shop for dinner. Enjoy free samples around the store and a chance to vote for your favorite sample. No registration is necessary for this free event. Call (561) 904-4000 for info.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 for more info.

Wednesday, June 29 • The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host its Business Tune-up Series on Wednesday, June 29 at 7:30 a.m. at the chamber office (13901 Southern Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves). Call Mary Lou BedSee CALENDAR, page 43

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 42 ford at (561) 790-6200 or e-mail marylou @palmswest.com for more info.

• Jean Morris of Hugs and Kisses will be the guest speaker at the Acreage/Loxahatchee Rotary Club meeting Wednesday, June 29 at 8 a.m. at Cornerstone Fellowship Church (13969 Orange Blvd.). Call Roland Greenspan at (561) 792-6704 or e-mail acreagerotary@aol.com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Teen Game Day” on Wednesday, June 29 at 4 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Play Nintendo Wii and board games.

Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “An Evening with Royal Palm Readers” on Wednesday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. This month’s pick is My Ántonia by Willa Cather. Sign up and check out the book. Call (561) 790-6030 for more info.

Thursday, June 30 • Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host “Buon Appetito!

Cooking Italian” on Thur sday, June 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Join chef Joe as he demonstrates the basics of Italian cooking, simple and fresh with natural ingredients. There is no charge. Call (561) 904-4000 to preregister.

Friday, July 1 • The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will be held Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.). Dealers from all over the country will show and sell a vast array of antiques, collectibles and decorative accessories. Visit www.south floridafair.com for more info.

• The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 Forest Hill Blvd.) will show the movie Independence Day (PG) on Friday, July 1 at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. Call (561) 753-2484 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

Saturday, July 2 • A Gun Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.). This event features a wide collection of guns, ammo, knives, hunting supplies and accessories. A concealed weapons course will be available. Admission is $8.

Visit www.flgunshows.com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Happy Birthday, USA”

for age 2 and up Saturday, July 2 at 10:15 a.m. Celebrate our nation’s birthday with storytelling, music and a craft. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Monday, July 4 • Royal Palm Beach will host its StarSpangled Spectacular Independence Day celebration and the Red, White & Blue Fishing Tournament on Monday, July 4 at Lakeside Challenger Park from 6 a.m. to midnight with fireworks at about 9 p.m. Visit www.royalpalmbeach.com for more info.

• Royal Palm Beach will host its annual Firecracker Golf Tournament on Monday, July 4 at the Village Golf Club. The scramble format tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The tournament will include cart and green fees, 50/50 raffle, prizes, a longest-drive contest and closestto-the-pin contest. A barbecue lunch will be provided. Golfers are asked to pre-register at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way) or the Village Golf Club (122 Country Club Drive). The cost is $60 per player, $240 per foursome and $100 per hole sponsor. For more info., call (561) 790-5149.

• Wellington will celebrate the Fourth of July with a pool par ty from noon to 5 p.m. at the Aquatics Complex (12150 Forest Hill Blvd.), and the Family Fourth celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road), followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

• West Palm Beach will host its Fourth on Flagler Celebration on Monday, July 4 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Lake Pavilion at the Waterfront Commons (101 S. Flagler Drive). Visit www.wpb.org/waterfront or call (561) 822-1515 for info.

Tuesday, July 5 • The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council will meet Tuesday, July 5 at 7 p.m. at the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District office (101 W est D Road). Visit www. loxahatcheegroves.org for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Summer Story Time” on Tuesday, July 5 at 10:15 a.m. for age 5 and under. Sessions continue through the end of July. Check the library’s schedule for weekday morning story times. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. Email: news@gotowncrier.com.

June 24 - June 30, 2011

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HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER in Wellington needs CERTIFIED PART TIME TEACHERS new and experienced elementary & secondary teachers wanted to instruct K-12 in Reading, Math, SAT/ACT Exam Prep. No lesson plans or homework, paid training and flexible hours.

Please e-mail resume to marlenegiraud@hlcwellington.com or call 561-594-1920 and leave a message VOLUNTEER NEEDED — 14 years and over for community service. Have fun with animals & kids 792-2666 WINDOW INSTALLERS W ANTED Lic. & ins. subcontractors only. Top Pay. No Brokers. Call Matt 561714-8490 DRIVERS WANTED — Full-Time/ Part-Time W ellington Town-Car NIGHT DISPATCHER — for Wellington Town-Car. Call for details 561-333-0181 CHRISTY’S BAKERY NEEDS — Counter help. Experienced only.

2 shifts 5:30am - 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Drop of resume.

The Pointe@Wellington Green.

10160 Forest Hilll Blvd.

CAMP COUNSELORS NEEDED FOR CAMP GIDDY UP NEEDS COMMUNITYSERVICES HOURS? — Call for info 793-4109 14 and over w/horse experience.

PART-TIME HELP NEEDED — For busy Accounting office. Must know Excel, Microsoft Word. Fax resume 561-333-2680.

PART-TIME LEGAL ASSISTANT — wanted for busy Legal office. Must know Word Perfect, Wills,Trusts & Estates & heavy phones. Fax Resume to 561-333-2680 PART TIME ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR — needed for community association in Wellington. 20-28 hrs per week; $12.00 per hr. Must be creative with good computer skills: Word, Excel, Publisher and Power Point. E m a i l R e s u m e t o : tkiser@capitalrealtyadvisors.com

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. —Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "W e are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225.

Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

AUDIO PLUS ELECTRONICS — for all your electronic needs, home theater, stereo, plasma TV, satellite, security systems, computer systems. 561-471-1161

JJJ AUTOMOTIVE,INC. — we’re looking out for you! John Lawson.

561-204-2855 600 Royal Palm Commerce Rd. Suite E, RPB. Lic. #MV52657

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Sof tware setup, support &troubleshooting w w w.mobiletec.net.

561-248-2611 D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jef f 561333-1923 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach We accept major credit cards.

DRIVEWAYS — Free estimates.

A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed. Lic.& Ins. 100045062 561-667-7716

BACHE DEVELOPMENT INC. — General Contractor Christopher G. Bache 561-662-8353 CGC 1510884. New construction, barns, kitchens, baths, complete remodeling, flooring, painting. Residential and commercial visit us at www.bachedevelopment.com

95 HONDA ACCORD LX — 4 door a/c automatic 88,000 miles good tires, tan exterior, 4 cylinder.

561-718-2822 $3,250

20 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER 2010 — Asking $11,000.00 Please call 561-889-8201

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT— in Wellington Commerce Park off Pierson Road. Furnished or Unfurnished 575 Sq. Ft. with beautiful view of water. 2 upscale private offices, reception area, bathroom and storageloft. Available Immediately $600 per month (561) 722-7195

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THE MASTER HANDYMAN — All Types of Home Repairs & Improvements. No job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers. See me on Angies List. Tom (561) 801-2010 or (954) 444-3178 Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS INC. REMODEL & REPAIRS — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood rep air, door inst allation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets / countertop s, wood flooring.

Bonded and Insured U#19699. Call 791-9900 or 628-9215 TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL T ODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD 793-3576

ANMAR CO.—James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craf tman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back!

Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528

HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inpections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811

FOREST HILL ENGINEERING — wind mitigation/4 point inspections BN#3054 DO IT NOW before it’s too late! 561-718-2822

HOUSECLEANING — 20 yrs experience. Excellent local references.

Shopping available. 561-572-1782 VERAS HOME SERVICES — House cleaning, Pet Sitting, HOme Organization, window cleaning, and much more! References, honest & reliable. 561-598-0311 HOUSECLEANING AND MORE — affordable high quality work. Flexible, honest reliable, years of experience with excellent references.

For more information call 561-3197884 HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACTORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777

BOB CAVANAGH ALLSTATE INSURANCE Auto • Home • Life • Renters • Motorcycle • RV • Golfcart • Boat Serving the Western Communities for 24 years Call for a quote 798-3056, or visit our website. www.allstateagencies.com/ rCavanagh

GREENTEAM LANDSCAPING — We make your grass look greener than the other side Call now 561337-0658. www.greenteamllc.com LANDSCAPE & DESIGN — Commercial & Residential. We meet your needs. Free Est. Tree Trimming, Landscape & Maintenance, Small & Large Gardens. 954-4718034 TNT LAWN CARE — Quality Work & Dependable Service. In Business Since 1989 Monthly Lawn service, yard clean-up & mulching. Expert hedge & tree trimming 561-6448683 TO PLACE AD CALL 793-7376

MOLD & MILDEW INSPECTIONS Air Quality Testing, leak detection.

US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811.

RJA PAINTING & DECORATING, INC. — Interior Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial.Lic. #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561793-5455 561-662-7102 J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established in 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 visit our website at

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666.

Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident

SPECIALIZING IN BATHROOM REMODELING — Free estimates serving South Florida since 1980.

Quality you expect, service you deserve. License, bonded and insured. U21006 561-662-9258

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

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

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

Interior & Exterior p ainting.

Certified pressure cleaning & p ainting contractor . Lic. #U21552 Call Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS DON HARTMANN ROOFING — Roof painting, Carpentry. Lic. #U13677 967-5580 HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SER VICE — Free estimates, Residential /commercial .

Rep airs: Shingles, Flat s & tiles, Rotted Facia, & Decking. We also do Flat Roof Coating and Pressure Cleaning credit cards accepted.

561-293-0891 Lic.#CCC1328598 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 561-3090134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207

CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576 GET RESULTS CALL TODAY ROBERT CHERRY ROOFING INC Reroofing - Rep air - Waterproofing 561-791-2612 or 954-741-4580 State Lic.& Ins. #CCC-1326048

SECURITY — American owned local security comp any in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening.

Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed!

CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com ST AN’S SCREEN SERVICE — Pool & Patio since 1973. Call for a free estimate. 561-319-2838 lic. & Ins.

ACCORDION SHUTTERS — Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985.

U-17189 561-791-9777

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

WE DO WINDOWS — 20 years professional window cleaning. Residential/Commercial references available. Lic. & Ins. 561-313-7098

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

5 ACRES OF LAND FOR SALE — between Okeechobee & Southern North of Palms West Hospital off Folsom (West on Casey Rd.) motivated to sell $130,000 561-5028026

2/2 NEW APPLIANCES — good condition “The T rails” good area. pool and amenities. 561-714-8376 561-793-1718 $900 monthly. Cable included.

CONDO FOR RENT— year round rental $650 per month. Includes all utilities except electric large 1 bedroom, 2 bath condo. Quiet end unit, 1st floor, waterview, over 55 no pets.

Call 401-942-6840.

TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL T ODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD 793-3576

TOWNHOME FOR RENT — 2 / 2 2 car garage. Lakefront seasonal or annual lease. No Pets 561-6442019 STUDIO APT. FOR RENT — spanish tile, furnished on farm. References required. $595/month 9668791 ON FARM SINGLE STUDIO APARTMENT — Tile/AC $595 per month. References required.

Wellington Call 561-966-8791 RENTAL HOUSE IN WELLINGTON — Three Bedroom, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage, in Wellington.

Backyard fenced with canal, and pool. Beautiful Neighborhood, quiet cul-de-sac. Serious calls only 561656-9705

RLS4634 DPBR STATE OF FLORIDA — Serving Acreage, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Palm Beach Country Estates, Jupiter Farms and Coastal areas East Florida Site Planning, Dep Compliance Assured Mapping. 561-5960184 Cell Call for a Quote.

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Legal Notice No. 545 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: AMERICAN MOVIE PROPS

Located at: 14806 Tangerine Blvd.

Loxahatchee, FL 33470 County of Palm Beach, Florida and intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations State of Florida,forthwith Andrea Beckowitz Publish :Town-Crier Newspapers Date: 6-24-11

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