The number of cases cleared by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 9 deputies in Royal Palm Beach jumped 36 percent in 2007 to 28.2 percent compared to 19.1 percent in 2006, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement figures. That clearance was the highest in Royal Palm Beach in nine years and the seventh-highest among all the municipalities in Palm Beach County. Not coincidentally, the Royal Palm Beach Police Department merged with the PBSO in October 2006. Given the greater amount of resources — in personnel and equipment — the PBSO brought to the merger, the increase in the clearance rate number isn’t surprising, although the percentage of the increase is impressive.
Another figure that sticks out isn’t as impressive — on the surface at least. According to the FDLE, the Total Crime Index for Royal Palm Beach in 2007 rose 43.5 percent to 1,342, compared to 935 in 2006. That 2006 figure, however, appears to be an anomaly because the 2007 TCI was just slightly above the village’s nine-year average of 1,298. The TCI is the number of reported crimes during a specific year.
PBSO District 9 Captain Tony Araujo, who commands the PBSO substation in RPB, said citizens shouldn’t be fooled by the TCI increase in 2007 versus 2006. Araujo said that using the nine-year average TCI number of 1,298, the 2007 TCI number was only 44 more incidents than the nine-year average. That’s less than a four-percent increase over the nine-year average,
which extrapolates out to one more incident every eight days.
Even with the four percent increase, that 1,342 TCI was less than in 2002 (1,429), 2003 (1,841) and 2004 (1,568), when the village population each of those years was less than the 2007 figure of 31,864 used by the FDLE in its Uniform Crime Report.
“Was that ’06 number an accurate reflection of the reported crimes that year? I don’t know,” Araujo told the Town-Crier “The one thing I think that’s important is that our relationship is very close. Our constant message to the community is crime prevention and reporting.”
That close relationship District 9 deputies have formed with village residents, Araujo said, has led to the increase in crimes being reported. “We want the
See CRIME, page 20
Ron and Elaine Tomchin. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 27
PBCC Proposal Heads To Council Workshop May 8
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council is continuing to explore the possibility of donating land to build a Palm Beach Community College campus in the village.
After discussing the issue at a meeting Tuesday, council members scheduled a May 8 workshop on the topic.
Speaking on behalf of the college were former Wellington mayor Kathy Foster and PBCC President Dr. Dennis Gallon. Foster is a member of the Business, Technology and Education Board of the Western Communities, the organization that did much of the background work for the proposal, which would put the college campus on more than 60 acres of Wellingtonowned land along State Road 7 near Pierson Road. The land, known as K-Park, is currently earmarked for a future recreation facility with ballfields.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Foster said adding a college campus to Wellington would benefit the village and add to its character. “We have wonderful homes, well-maintained parks and recreational areas, and excellent schools,” Foster said. “Almost every element is in place. We can be much more than a bedroom community. This could be a critical component of a comprehensive community.”
PBCC serves many Wellington residents at its other campuses, Foster said, but only with a long commute, wasting time and gasoline to get an education they could receive close to home.
“A full-service college campus is within our reach,” Foster said. “It can be accomplished on your watch, and not in the far distant future. Of the [PBCC] student enrollment last fall, 13.5 percent live within our communities, and this includes more than 600 new graduates from our high schools. We are proposing to partner with a community college that has a 75-year track record.”
While the vacant K-Park land is currently brush and sand, Foster said it could be a “field of dreams” helping Wellington residents improve themselves through higher education. She noted that a highly educated work force would bring a better standard of living to the community.
Further, Foster said, a PBCC campus could be an economic engine for Wellington.
“A college campus that will bring many benefits to the community,” Foster said. “As a direct impact, it will employ faculty, administration and support staff. Total campus work force at build-out will depend on the programs and facilities located there. We envision a campus comparable in size to the one in Palm Beach Gardens, with 225 faculty and staff and 145 adjunct faculty members. Many other jobs would be created at area businesses.”
Following Foster’s presenta-
tion, Gallon gave council members a primer on PBCC.
“We have four campuses,” Gallon said. “Three of these campuses are located on the I95 corridor. We have another campus in Belle Glade. It’s a nobrainer where the gap is and where PBCC should be in terms of providing access to the citizens of this very large community.”
Gallon characterized his presentation as the start of a discussion on bringing a PBCC campus to Wellington. “It is a delight for us to be here, and we are hoping we will be able to continue the dialogue in the future,” he said. “We have a full commitment to this community. We have individuals from all sectors from this community who are here tonight and who support what we can present to this community. We also have employees from the community, and I’m sure they would relish the notion of coming forward to talk to you about this… I hope you will give us full consideration.”
During the public hearing portion of the meeting, Wellington Equestrian Committee Vice Chair Mike Whitlow said he is supportive of PBCC’s proposal.
“I cannot see a downside to this,” Whitlow said. “I think it’s a wonderful idea for the community as a whole. I would love to go back to college and take some courses that I did not take in grad school. There are a number of people who would like to use the opportunity to have a college campus to broaden their horizons.”
Wellington resident Ruth Kurtz stressed the importance of balancing recreation and education. “Florida has a culture that is seriously out of balance,” Kurtz said. “It oozes recreational opportunities but falls short of educational opportunities. We admire intellectual as well as athletic achievement. It is the intellectual achievement that will serve the mass of the youth, and that will be emotionally and financially rewarding.”
Wellington resident Peter Wein supported the idea, but not necessarily donating the land outright. “As a businessman, I always relied on brainstorming
See PBCC, page 20
Landings Teacher Sandra Coster Wins Dwyer Award
Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
With four finalists for the 2008 William T. Dwyer Excellence in Education Awards hailing from Wellington schools, the odds were good that one might win. And at the awards ceremony held Monday at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Wellington Landings Middle School teacher Sandra Coster did just that, taking home the Dwyer Award in the Career Education category. Other area finalists included Pat Klammer of New Horizons Elementary School, Stacy Nussbaum of Binks Forest Elementary School and Bonnie Rossa of Elbridge Gale Elementary School, all in the Elementary Education category. Coster described her astonish-
ment at hearing her name being called when it came time to hand out the last Dwyer Award.
“As I was sitting at the Dwyer Awards program…I realized just how fortunate I was to be selected to be a finalist,” Coster said. “I thought about my teaching position at Wellington Landings and how honored I was that my fellow teachers selected me to represent the school in the Career Education category for the Dwyer Awards for so many years.”
Coster said she reflected on how lucky she is to be a part of the Wellington Landings team and to have such wonderful students and their parents. But the possibility that she might actually win wasn’t something Coster considered.
“As I watched the video clips of the other Career Education
finalists, I was overwhelmed with their accomplishments, remarkable skills and talents,” she said. “It was a very humbling experience. I started wondering which of the other finalists would be selected as the winner.
When my name was announced I heard it, but I still needed to be convinced by those around me. I was elated, surprised and simply in shock with so many emotions going on at the same time.”
Once she got on stage, Coster said she was tongue-tied and astonished, and could not get over the fact that she had been chosen from among so many talented teachers.
“It was a surreal situation, and now I was expected to say a few words,” Coster said. “As I started to talk, I was having trouble realizing that I had been select-
PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
By
Top Teacher — Dwyer Award winner Sandra Coster holds her trophy as she stands with Wellington Landings Middle School Principal Mario Crocetti at the Kravis Center on Monday.
PHOTO
CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
PBCC’s Dr. Dennis Gallon
Wellington Hopes To Return Storm Fee On ’09 Tax Bill
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
With great trepidation over the uncertainty of further weather and/or legislative calamities, the Wellington Village Council approved a $115 refund to residents assessed for hurricane cleanup expenses in 2005.
The decision was made after a positive mid-year budget report by Village Manager Paul Schofield that village reserves stand at a robust 29 percent of operating expenses after it was enhanced by an unanticipated $3 million refund from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The decision was also made with the understanding that council can reassess residents if another disaster strikes.
“I would love to entertain a motion from someone that would refund the $115 to our residents, and this $115 would be in the form of a tax credit on the bill in 2009,” Mayor Darell Bowen said. “We can’t do it any quicker than that. I would like for us to do it with one caveat that if we get hit with another disaster, we could rescind this to do another assessment.”
Councilman Bob Margolis said he favored a refund but was worried about budget shortfalls at the state level.
“I understand the uncertainty of the future,” Margolis said, “especially with the State Legislature. You and I have always agreed that it’s their [the residents’] money. I think we need to refund it, but I have questions on how to refund it.”
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore seconded the motion, but said he wanted to wait until the end of the legislative session and also until after the village had reviewed the consequences of the property tax reform amendment passed in January. He is also concerned about 11th-hour state legislation that could further burden municipalities.
“I don’t think anyone sitting here doesn’t want to give back the money,” Priore said. “It’s what we promised we would do. I worry about us going forward and restricting ourselves to just the storms. There may be other circumstances that might occur.”
Margolis said he understood Priore’s concerns, but did not want to put more conditions on returning the money.
“I agree with the mayor,” Margolis said. “If we have the additional revenues, we should return them. The village residents have stepped up before, and they will again.”
Margolis amended his motion to state that if the village did not get hit with another hurricane this year, they would refund the money.
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto agreed that it would be worrisome to give the money back, and then be slammed with another hurricane and have to ask the residents for the money again.
“Every one of us agrees we need to find the best way and most efficient way to give back relief,” Benacquisto said. “I am not willing to say we gave it back and then we want to tax again. I am asking us to be cautious. We all agree to give it back, but the timing is something we don’t agree on.”
Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz
suggested that the council adopt a resolution to direct staff to prepare an implementing resolution, and that the resolution be presented during the November/ December 2008 timeframe, after hurricane season.
“That is the timeframe where you would deal with the resolution on the assessments to do it as a refund,” Kurtz said. “There may be another resolution that may change the assessments. You will have all the assessments going out at the same time.”
Margolis made a motion to draft that resolution, which was seconded by Benacquisto. It passed unanimously.
In other business:
• The council unanimously approved the first reading of a rezoning request for the Village Green Center, otherwise known as the Ward Commercial Property, a 15.89-acre parcel on the west side of State Road 7 north of Pierson Road, from Palm Beach County Low Residential Two (RS-2) to Wellington Community Commercial (CC). The second reading of the rezoning petition and master plan is scheduled for May 27. Staff recommendations include a provision that at least three acres be reserved for open space. Commercial and office development will not exceed 182,952 square feet, with no more than 137,214 square feet of commercial/retail uses and no less than 45,738 square feet of general office use.
• The council unanimously approved the final reading of a comprehensive plan amendment for Mystic Equestrian, 4.2 acres of land located west of South Shore Blvd. along the north side of Pierson Road, to change the future land use designation from Residential B to Residential C to allow an eightlot, single-family subdivision.
• The council unanimously approved the final reading of the rezoning and master plan for the Wellington Design Center, 8.35 acres on the east side of State Road 7, about 1.5 miles south of Forest Hill Blvd., from Palm Beach County Agricultural to Wellington Community Commercial, and also for a mix of uses, including a maximum of 96,880 square feet of commercial uses consisting of not more than 79,480 square feet of furniture showroom/design center and not more than 17,400 square feet of related warehouse/storage space.
• The council unanimously approved the first reading of a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for the Whitehorse Financial Center, 1.16 acres located 1.5 miles south of Forest Hill Blvd. on the west side of State Road 7, amending the future land use map from Palm Beach County Low Residential (LR-2) to Village of Wellington Community Commercial, and to allow a 3,700-square-foot financial center to operate within a Community Commercial Zoning District, and a rezoning for the parcel of land from Palm Beach County Agricultural Residential to Wellington Multiple Use Planned Unit Development. The financial institution would have a maximum of three drivethrough lanes and ATM limited to a walkup, which would also limit the evening traffic to the bank.
Wellington Council Approves Midnight Closing For Tavern
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council has given the Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green permission to remain open until midnight beginning June 15.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, representatives from Tavern on the Green asked for approval of a conditional use application extending the hours of operation from 10 p.m. to midnight for serving food and beverages, and up to 1 a.m. for cleanup. The application argued that other restaurants within the village are open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. during the week with later hours on weekends.
Food and beverage establishments such as the Binks Forest Clubhouse, the Players Club, the Wanderers Club at Wellington and the International Polo Club Palm Beach have later operating hours and are also near residential communities, the petitioners argued.
But Tavern on the Green is located within the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District, which requires commercial activities to close completely at 10 p.m., including after-hours maintenance and cleanup.
At its March meeting, the Wellington Equestrian Committee recommended the application go ahead with a closing time of midnight and cleanup by 1 a.m., with the condition that failure to comply could lead to code enforcement citations and prosecution by the village, including
revocation of the conditional use approval, meaning that the restaurant would revert to a closing time of 10 p.m.
The Wellington Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board voted earlier this month to allow the restaurant similar later hours if a series of conditions requested by surrounding residents are met.
Councilman Bob Margolis said he understood the need for the restaurant to be open later to cater to clients who often dine later, but he was concerned about the number of violations that had been adding up at Tavern on the Green. He said he wanted the restaurant to be a good neighbor to the residents in the Equestrian Club Estates and suggested that the restaurant work with them on the issues.
Margolis said that Tavern on the Green is not setting a good example by continuing to stack code violations coming before the special master. “The restaurant doesn’t operate to provide a nuisance,” Margolis told Tavern on the Green representatives present at the meeting, including CEO Michael Desiderio. “I am asking you to work with the residents.”
Mayor Darell Bowen agreed that the hours were restrictive, but added that he felt there should be no second chance if violations occur. “I hope we do whatever we can to see they don’t recur,” Bowen said. “I have no patience once we fix it.”
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Pri-
ore asked for further input about a set deadline of June 15 for mandated improvements to the facility. Such improvements include low-level lighting and a series of traffic controls.
“We wanted to show good faith and prove ourselves to the residents and get the realistic hours so we don’t get the violations,” said attorney Dan Doorakian, who spoke on behalf of the applicant. “We will get these things done timely. We are agreeable to the conditions set forth. We would hope you approve this.”
During the public hearing, several residents of Equestrian Club Estates spoke, mostly in opposition to the request.
Equestrian Club Estates resident Evans Ward said that he and other residents of the community felt let down by the council. Ward said that as late as the previous evening, people were yelling and screaming in the parking lot outside the restaurant, and one car drove off at a high rate of speed. He asked for a compromise closing time of 11 p.m.
“I am a supporter of the horse show, but the noise has gone on almost incessantly,” Ward said. “Machinery is going at 4 a.m. and the music is playing after 11 p.m. I feel that while we support the horse show, the village has failed us. We need quiet. We have had enough. We are looking to Wellington to take care of us and enforce the laws on our books.”
Theresa Lemme, of the law firm St. John, Core and Lemme, representing the Equestrian Club Estates residents, said noise and music goes on into the early morning hours.
“The cars squealing out and the doors slamming shut, and the loud voices are incessant,” Lemme said. “It would be one thing if they closed their doors at 10 p.m. and they complied with the noise ordinances on record. They don’t. I don’t see anything that will be a change. The bottom line is the members of the association prefer that there be a compromise, and that
it be 11 p.m. for closing and 12 a.m. for cleanup.”
Equestrian Club Estates resident Steven Williams, however, said he enjoyed eating at the restaurant, and unlike other residents who spoke, said he did not hear any noises coming from the restaurant. Williams said he hoped the council would approve the request.
“It is the equestrian section of Wellington,” Williams said. “We don’t finish our day until a long time after the average businessman. If people didn’t want it to stay open later, it would not be full as it is. I don’t think any-
one is asking for anything special. We should be able to enjoy ourselves and be served at that point.”
Priore made a motion to approve the request for Tavern on the Green’s conditional use application, which was seconded by Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto. It passed unanimously. With the approval, Tavern on the Green can operate until 11 p.m. with midnight cleanup until June 15. Assuming the conditions are met, the midnight closing and 1 a.m. cleanup go into effect at that point.
PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
National Aquatics Month — At its meeting Tuesday, the Wellington Village Council designated May as National Aquatics Month. Ivy Rosenberg of the Leisure Services Department praised staff for the recent infant swimming program. Pictured here are council members with Rosenberg, Barbara Crawford and Michelle Garvey.
County Should Approve The Latest Callery-Judge Proposal
Callery-Judge Grove’s reconstituted plan to build homes on its 4,000-acre citrus grove will go before the Palm Beach County Commission during a transmittal hearing on Monday. It will be the first real test for Callery-Judge’s new proposal, which has scaled down the number of homes to 2,999 from the 10,000 it had previously sought. If the county commission votes to approve transmittal of the project, Callery-Judge will then go back to the board for a final vote in several weeks. The newest proposal may leave the county no choice except approval, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria told an audience at an overlay district meeting in The Acreage several weeks ago. That’s because the Agricultural Enclave Bill approved by the Florida Legislature allows farmers to develop their property at the same density of adjoining developments. For CalleryJudge, that translates to one home per one and a quarter acres — the same as The Acreage.
Callery-Judge worked for nearly a decade on a project to turn its citrus groves into a “new town” type of community in the style of “new urbanism” that planners have been touting of late. It would have included a town center with shopping amenities, an employment center, a college, a fire station, a library, a community center, a sheriff’s office substation, parks, lakes and green space. It would have included the types of things folks in The Acreage want, such as shopping near home, through roads rather than a gated
Bring PBCC To Wellington
I am writing this letter to express my strong support for securing a Palm Beach Community College campus here [in Wellington]. This is so important to me that I, for one, would be more than happy to see my tax dollars, in the form of the KPark land, used to make sure Wellington does not lose this chance to have a college campus.
Why? There is a real “big picture” answer. In my opinion, Florida has a culture that is seriously out of balance. It is a culture that simply oozes recreational opportunities, but falls very short when it comes to intellectual opportunities.
Our public policy in Wellington to date has reflected that lack of balance. As has been highlighted in recent press reports, the Wellington charter requires the village to provide 10 acres of land for recreation and leisure for every 1,000 residents. Yet nowhere in our charter does it apparently specifically say that the village should provide a certain number of acres of land per 1,000 residents to raise the intellectual capabilities of our citizens.
I ask, what is the message we are sending to our youth if we are willing to invest our tax dollars in land for local ball fields, but not in making land available for higher education? We need to send a message to our youth that we admire intellectual as well as athletic achievement. And quite frankly, it is the intellectual achievement that will serve the mass of our youth well as they enter adulthood and seek to identify careers that are both emotionally and financially rewarding. Let’s face it, very few of them will become professional athletes. Of course, our youth need to learn team play and leadership, but let’s not forget that these are learned in the classroom as well as on the ball field. Bringing PBCC to Wellington will:
• Inspire our youth to raise their career ambitions.
• Make it easier for them, financially and logistically, to get the education they will need to achieve their career goals.
• Make sure that Wellington’s youth can compete for jobs in the competitive economy in which we now live.
• If they choose careers in government, it will help make sure that they have the knowledge to make wise public policy decisions. Of course, the benefits to Wellington of having a campus for PBCC here are not limited to our youth. A PBCC campus here will raise our property values, help our mall and our other businesses to thrive, and raise the stature of Wellington in the county. And, importantly, it will be an accessible asset for our seniors. Most of us are no longer up to feats on the athletic fields, but many of us would greatly enjoy expanding our knowledge. PBCC is wellknown for its tremendous efforts on behalf of the senior community. I know that it is the fashion to be against development. But we need to distinguish between different types of development. We are not talking here about using tax dollars or green space for another strip mall. We are talking about allowing development that will actually change the lives of many, many Wellington residents for the better. And because of this, I urge all those in Wellington who are the potential beneficiaries of a college campus here to take the time to speak up and let the Wellington Village Council know that you support action by the council that will bring PBCC to Wellington.
I can think of no more important decision that the council will make than this one, and I hope that all the members of the council will provide the leadership to make sure PBCC comes to Wellington. Ruth Kurtz Wellington
Learn Golf Etiquette
I would like to go on record as saying that perhaps my criticism of the Binks Forest golf course has been harsher than it should have been, and for that I offer a sincere and public apology to head groundskeeper Tim Haines and his crew. I had the
community, and fewer needed trips to Royal Palm Beach and Wellington.
However, the Palm Beach County Commission voted against the plan nearly a year ago — based not so much on the commercial benefits of the town center concept, but rather on the hard numbers of new residential homes.
Many residents of the western communities rightfully argued that the 10,000 homes at Callery-Judge were a bit too much. But there was not much of an argument against the employment and shopping centers. However, in the new plan, the community gets neither. Callery-Judge, as well as reducing the number of homes, has drastically reduced the amount of commercial space from some 3.8 million square feet to about 235,000 square feet, even though some county staffers urged far more.
Callery-Judge has always been a stellar member of the community and deserves to be treated accordingly. While many opposed the previous development plan, no one accused Callery-Judge of trying to hide or be disingenuous.
It is time to put the Callery-Judge question to rest. With far less residential impact, the new plan is an improvement upon the previous proposal. While we hope that future negotiations might be able to up the amount of commercial space to make The Acreage more self-sufficient, we encourage the county commission to approve Callery-Judge’s revised development project.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
pleasure of discussing my views on the condition of the course with Tim the other day, and he enlightened me on the many challenges he faces daily in trying to bring the course up to the standard he and his employers have set.
Thanks to Tim’s candid assessment of the situation, I now understand the many issues he must deal with; and from what I can see he is doing everything in his power to resolve problems and bring the course back to its former grandeur. While there is still much work to be done, as Tim himself is quick to point out, the progress they have made is to be commended. Faced with vandalism, water restrictions and less than stellar cooperation from Mother Nature — including a drought and cold snaps when we least expect them — Tim and his crew have done an outstanding job. Tim also told me that, on top of all of the other challenges, he is now battling a parasite problem that is causing the fairways to turn brown in some spots and to lose grass altogether in other areas. Anyone who has ever had a lawn in South Florida can empathize with what can be a hard fight to win, but Tim assures me that progress is being made.
It is another type of “pest,” however, that is causing a great deal of damage to the course, and unfortunately there is no magic spray to combat this troublesome creature. I refer to the inconsiderate golfers who, for some reason, choose to ignore signs directing them to drive their carts in a particular direction, so as to keep clear of the areas around the greens. The signs couldn’t be more direct: some read “carts” and sport arrows that are meant to direct the driver to the appropriate path, while others read “cart path only,” or something to that effect. If that isn’t enough to get the point across, bright yellow ropes have been placed in areas where carts are forbidden; however, these same golfers, who for some reason think they are above the rules, choose to either drive around those ropes or take them down and drive over them. Many park within a few inches of the greens and bunkers.
Golf is a game of rules and, equally important, etiquette: you repair your divots, fix your ball marks and allow faster players to play through. You observe and follow the rules and respect the course. If conditions and course management dictate “cart path only,” that’s how you play it. If a sign says “carts this way,” you obey the sign. Why these inconsiderate oafs choose to ignore the very rules that make golf a great game is a mystery to me. You know who you are, and you should be ashamed of yourselves for showing such a lack of respect for the course and the game itself. Do you treat your own property with such disdain? A few full-time rangers would be a step in the right direction to help keep golfers on the right path, so to speak, and I hope management will find the money in their budget to hire them.
In closing, I encourage anyone who enjoys golf to get out and play the course, but do so with the understanding that it’s still new and will take some time to mature. And, please, for the sake of other golfers and the course itself, obey the cart signs and show some respect.
Bill Underwood Wellington
Story Missed
The Point
Regarding last week’s TownCrier article “Groves Council: LGWCD Can Continue Road Stabilization,” the headline is wrong and the content is quite off point.
First, the Town of Loxahatchee Groves does not yet have the purview of road and canal maintenance. At this point in time, the town could not nor would not tell the LGWCD what they can or cannot do within the constraints of their F.S. Chapter 298 bounds. That is, it is still the responsibility of the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District to make road and canal decisions.
Second, and the point of that agenda item, Calvin, Giordano & Associates, the town’s comprehensive planning consultants, asked the council to request the LGWCD to place further road paving on hold until the
comprehensive plan was completed so that all traffic patterns within and through the town could be addressed.
Third, the article reads as though I rescinded my motion to write the letter of request due to pro-paving arguments from the public in attendance. Proand anti-paving arguments were not the issue and were not germane to my decision. For that agenda item, the pro- or antipaving feelings of council members should have been moot; they were in my case. Rather, during discussion, I found out that the LGWCD had already voted not to hold off even if they did receive such a letter.
The LGWCD learned of the town’s intent to ask for such a hold from a letter sent to LGWCD Administrator Clete Saunier by Town Clerk Matthew Lippman. At their meeting on the night before the town’s meeting, the decision not to hear arguments for the stay of road work was made by the LGWCD. Thus, being totally disappointed in the LGWCD, in that they would not wait to hear the planning reasons from our consultants, and thus realizing that our sending such a letter would be in vain, I pulled my motion and voted against the subsequent motion.
Personally, I feel that if the vast majority of those on any road section vote to have their road stabilized with OGEM or anything else, and are willing to pay for that, the process that the LGWCD has in place is fine. However, I do worry about those who will vote against such a move and/or cannot afford the price, as failure to pay will result in a lien on their property, as everyone serviced by the road affected will be included in the billing. Again, pro- or anti-pav-
ing was not the issue — holding off on any changes to the community until all impacts can be studied and weighed was. That is the basis of my extreme disappointment in the LGWCD and others unwilling to wait the few months that our consultants requested. It is time to work collectively rather than separately.
Dr. Bill Louda
Loxahatchee Groves Editor’s Note: Dr. Louda is a member of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council.
An LGWCD Power Play
It’s now obvious that the Town of Loxahatchee Groves is ruled not by a subservient town council but by the muscle-flexing, cold-hearted political machine called the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District. The town council wished to honor the request of the company hired to compile the comprehensive plan that is required to maintain incorporation. They wanted to formally ask the LGWCD to hold off on any road paving for seven months until the comprehensive plan was completed. The LGWCD, which is elected only by the large block landowners, was tipped off to this by Councilman Dennis Lipp at their prior meeting, and they mobilized their political machine accordingly. Instead of showing a spirit of cooperation, the LGWCD was enraged by the town’s audacity to even consider requesting cooperation. They mounted an offensive move to block the request. The town meeting hall was filled the with 20 residents, mostly local business owners, who were obviously led to be-
SEND IN YOUR LETTERS
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com See LETTERS, page 20
Hat’s Off To The Buena Fe Day Labor Referral Center At Acts 2
Always your faithful watchdog, here is a problem I discovered that appears to be solved before it even got out of the gate. At first blush, it seemed the migrant workers problem recently solved in Loxahatchee Groves might just migrate over to The Acreage, where large numbers began to congregate at the corner of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Okeechobee Blvd. waiting for a job to drive by. Some Acreage elected officials called me to wonder: did Loxahatchee Groves just push the new municipality’s problem down the road to The Acreage? One of the first town ordinances Lox Groves passed was to make it unlawful for migrants to gather helter-skelter in the town waiting for an employer to hire them as day laborers.
The town found a willing partner, Acts 2 Worship Center at 13000 Okeechobee Blvd., to step up and provide a building and program, allowing workers to show up for work in a controlled environment for both laborer and employer. The church offers other bonuses such as English lessons, reading programs and a free breakfast. The Day Labor Referral Center — called Buena Fe — also provides safety for the migrant workers who were often preyed upon by gangs of toughs stealing money and other possessions. The workers were easy pickings for thieves, and more of-
By Don Brown
ten than not, they didn’t report the crimes to law enforcement officers.
Officials in The Acreage worried that the same pattern would develop in their community. The Seminole Pratt-Okeechobee corner quickly became the new gathering place for laborers wary of the new Loxahatchee Groves rules. They often numbered more than 25 people. However, The Acreage saw a larger problem. Unlike Loxahatchee Groves — now an incorporated area capable of passing ordinances — The Acreage is still part of unincorporated Palm Beach County and cannot.
I have been critical of Loxahatchee Groves for being inconsiderate of surrounding communities while claiming to “protect” its rural lifestyle. However, in this case, the criticism is not warranted. After hearing from Acreage officials, I looked into the Acts 2 day labor center, and I came
away very impressed by the program. After visiting the center on Monday, I invited Indian Trail Improvement District President Mike Erickson to meet me there the following day. He left equally impressed.
For those readers who don’t know Mr. Erickson, he’s the type of person you can actually see thinking. “I was impressed with the people working at the center. The problems we have both heard about at Okeechobee and Seminole Pratt may have an easier solution than I expected,” he said.
Erickson spotted 21 laborers at the corner at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday. About an hour and a half later, they were gone. He later learned that Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies dropped by the corner and told the workers about the services at Acts 2.
Mr. Erickson picked up some leaflets from Acts 2 employee Abigail Rivera and volunteer Yadira Szucs that he plans to distribute around The Acreage and to fellow ITID board members. “I think we can benefit from the program,” he said. “This is a good example of communities working together.”
Buena Fe now has 80 laborers, mostly Guatemalans, enrolled in its program. About 35 to 60 workers show up nearly every day for jobs. The center is a non-profit corporation and donations are appreciated. Money goes for a variety of pur-
workers wait for work at
poses, including clothing and bicycles for the workers. Acts 2, which donated the building alongside the church, also helps fund the center. In other new programs, Mr. Erickson told me that ITID is kicking off a program called Workers on Watch in which ITID employees are being trained to keep an eye out for trouble while driving around The Acreage. The area has had increasing problems with gangs, and officials hope the extra eyes will help law enforcement react more quickly to criminal activity.
I’m tipping my hat to Loxahatchee Groves, The Acreage and Acts 2 for pro-active programs making the community better.
Migrant
Buena Fe.
Kurtz To Stay On As Wellington Ponders Attorney Search
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Following the announcement by Wellington Village Attorney
Jeff Kurtz on Tuesday that he will move to a new law firm, the Wellington Village Council agreed to hold a workshop to decide whether to put a fulltime attorney on staff. In the meantime, Kurtz will remain the village’s interim attorney.
Kurtz said he will join a partnership with Glen J. Torcivia and Associates and will leave the village’s contracted legal firm, Brinkley, McNerney, Morgan, Solomon, Tatum, Stanley, Lunny & Crosby.
Kurtz has been the village’s legal advisor since 2003 when he replaced Christine Tatum.
The position is a critical one for the council, whose only direct personnel selections are the village manager and the village attorney.
Mayor Darell Bowen said that he and other council members had spent a lot of time talking about the subject at the pre-agenda review the evening before and suggested that the topic be discussed at a workshop.
“We beat this up pretty good last night,” Bowen said. “I would like us to consider a motion that we should as quickly as possible consider setting up a workshop. We should consider our various options. Do we want to go to an in-house attorney or do we want a contract to an outside firm. I think we
should go for RFQs [requests for qualifications]. We need to determine an interim way of having our legal counsel by retaining Jeff on a temporary basis until we make those final decisions or do this some other way.”
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore suggested that Kurtz be their attorney of record until the council decides what to do. He agreed with Bowen that council should consider its options in a workshop format. Priore also noted that municipalities such as Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach all have fulltime in-house attorneys, and perhaps Wellington should consider that option.
“Jeff is leaving his current firm,” Priore said. “We need to
have an attorney. I think we should carry out the motion by reappointing him as a part of the other firm until the council can decide what to do going forward. We need to affirm we have a counsel representation. The workshop is going to tell us if we want to go in-house or if we want to go to an RFQ. If we enact this, we have an attorney of record… My motion specifically would call for us to appoint Jeff as our attorney of record.”
Councilman Bob Margolis agreed that the council needs a workshop to consider its options. Margolis said he supports appointing Kurtz as interim attorney, but that it is not fair to keep him month-to-month until the council decides what it wants to do.
“As we talked yesterday during our agenda review, this village is the fifth-largest municipality in Palm Beach County. It has grown by leaps and bounds. I think we need a full-time attorney. How we get to that point is what we are discussing here. I agree with the motion, but I would like it to be time specific. We need to sit down in a workshop format. I don’t think it’s fair to keep Jeff on a month-tomonth basis. I would like us to do this sooner rather than later.”
Bowen suggested that the workshop take place within the next 90 to 120 days.
Priore said he didn’t see a problem with that timeframe. He also asked that data be obtained from other municipalities to do a comparison.
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto agreed with appointing Kurtz and asked that staff issue a report with points to consider during the workshop with estimates of the timeframe and benefits of having an in-house or contractual attorney.
“We get a white paper from staff,” Benacquisto said. “Here is the time it would take to implement this, whether we do it in-house, or outside, or temporary. In a very short order, we would get an understanding of how long it would take.”
Priore made a motion to appoint Kurtz the attorney of record until the council takes up the issue in a workshop form, which was seconded by Margolis. It passed unanimously.
Congressional Candidate Speaks At Chamber Luncheon
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Congressional candidate Col. Allen West was featured speaker at Wednesday’s Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheon, held at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington.
West is running as a Republican in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District in this year’s election. The seat is currently held by Ron Klein and covers parts of the western communities. West spoke about his military background and the reasons why he was running for Congress.
Luncheon sponsor Victor Connor of Connor Financial Group introduced West. Connor said he heard West speak at a previous event and was impressed with West’s integrity and character.
“When you hear someone with a lot of character and an impeccable background speak, it impresses you,” Connor said.
“Col. West spent 21 years serving in the Army. When he retired, he moved to Florida. He has been in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Connor said the media shows mostly the negative things going on in Iraq. He wanted chamber members to hear about some of the positives, so he invited West to speak.
West thanked Connor for the introduction, but said he wanted to speak about something he thought would be more appropriate for a chamber luncheon.
“What I really think we need to talk about today is what I call a ‘strategic perspective’ and a ‘strategic understanding’ of what is going on in our world today,” West said, “and the state of Iraq and Afghanistan, and in your neighborhoods in Palm Beach County and the United States of America. So instead of telling a lot of war stories, I thought we could share some things.”
West suggested that everyone read The Art of War by sixth-century Chinese author Sun Tzu. The book is a treatise about war but it could prove invaluable to people in business, he said. One of the great quotes from that book, West explained, is that if you know your enemy, and you know yourself, you will always be victorious.
“We are struggling to define what we are fighting against,” West said. “When you are saying we are fighting a global war on terror, that’s actually a misnomer. In order to properly understand what we are talking about, we need to go back and study history. We need to go back to where they came from to understand their ideology. In
622, the religion Islam came to a violent stage. Those are the things that are causing this enemy we are fighting against now and fueling it. We are fighting an ideology that has been here for quite some time. When you understand an ideology you are up against, you understand their goals and objectives.”
West pointed to the city of Dearborn, Mich., which has several mosques. West said he didn’t want the rest of the United States to look like that city, where five times a day there is a call to worship. You have to wonder, he said, how many churches and synagogues exist in Saudi Arabia or in Yemen. West also spoke about vision, and how elected leaders need to see well past their four years in office to 30 to 40 years down the road.
“The problem with this country is vision,” West said. “It is time we start having visionary understanding and visionary leadership that does not look at the two-year or four-year cycle or the immediate sound byte. We need to look out and talk about where this country needs to be in the next 40 or 50 years. Western civilization and our United States Constitution are all great things. We need to protect them and need to hold onto them, not just for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren.”
Benefit For Animals Saturday At
Petco
A five-dollar bill is six inches long. A mile is 5,280 feet long. Picture building a mile-long string of five-dollar bills. On Saturday, April 26, that mile will be assembled four times… and you can help. A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue has joined Paws2Help, the Adopt A Cat
Foundation and the South Florida Bull Terrier Rescue League in a unique fundraising adventure, held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Petco store in Wellington (920 S. State Road 7). Each group is determined to resolve the issues of animal homelessness and overpopulation. Refreshments and loads of freebies are available. Collect pledges from family and friends in other places. The process is easy and fun, and the only limits to the amount of money you can raise are the boundaries of your creativity and imagination. For more information, call Peter Torres at (561) 333-1100.
Chamber Luncheon — Wellington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michela PerilloGreen presents certificates of appreciation to luncheon sponsor Victor Connor (left) and guest speaker Col. Allen West (right).
PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
RPB Stein Mart Employee Arrested For Grand Theft
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
APRIL 11 — A Royal Palm Beach woman was arrested Sunday, April 11 and charged with retail grand theft at the Stein Mart store in Royal Palm Beach. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a store security officer observed 18-year-old Cynthia Suarez, a store employee, give an unauthorized discount on two transactions totaling $61.23. According to the report, Suarez also was observed giving an unknown subject two shirts worth a total of $54.98. During the store’s internal investigation, it was determined that Suarez was responsible for $306.12 in losses. She was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.
APRIL 11 — A woman from Albuquerque, N.M. was arrested for retail theft at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach on Friday, April 11. According to the PBSO report, at approximately 1:25 p.m. 44-year-old Marlissa Degannes was observed by a store security guard concealing several grocery items in her purse. According to the report, Degannes paid for only some of the items and was stopped by a security guard as she attempted to leave the store. Degannes was transported to the county jail.
APRIL 13 — A man was arrested Sunday, April 13 on drug charges at a gas station in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, deputies from the substation in Royal Palm Beach were dispatched to a gas station on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. at approximately 4 p.m. regarding a report of a man slumped over the steering wheel of a car. The man was identified as 25-yearold Thomas Smith of The Acreage. According to the report, when Smith exited the vehicle a deputy saw a glass object fall from a cigarette pack and break into pieces. Two small plastic bags also fell from the cigarette pack. One of the bags contained residue of cocaine and the other contained rock cocaine. According to the report, a deputy searched the cigarette pack and found two small bags of marijuana. The deputy also observed that Smith appeared to be under the influence of narcotics or alcohol. Smith was charged with possession of cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and transported to the county jail.
APRIL 17 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested on a drug charge last Thursday on Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. According to a PBSO report, a
deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington stopped 20year-old Geoffrey Lewis at approximately 8:30 p.m. for driving a vehicle with an expired tag. Lewis admitted to having a small baggy of marijuana in his possession and was given a notice to appear in court.
APRIL 17 — A Belle Glade woman was arrested on a retail theft charge last Thursday at the Macy’s store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 4:30 p.m., 22-year-old Brandhi Shaw attempted to steal $201.90 worth of merchandise from the store. She was transported to the county jail.
APRIL 20 — A West Palm Beach man called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Sunday in reference to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim said his vehicle was parked at Wellington Regional Medical Center at approximately 3 p.m. when the passenger-side window was pried from the doorframe and entry was made to the vehicle. The car stereo was stolen along with $6 in cash.
APRIL 20 — A Wellington woman reported her vehicle was burglarized at a stable in southern Wellington last Sunday. According to a PBSO report, the victim’s Jeep was left unlocked between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. when it was burglarized. Stolen from the vehicle were $500 and a digital camera. There was no suspect information at the time of the report.
APRIL 21 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington arrested a man for possession of drug paraphernalia on Monday. According to a PBSO report, the deputy stopped a car driven by 22-year-old Dan Bostick of Wellington at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Fairlane Farms Road at approximately 1:15 a.m. The deputy found two glass pipes that contained THC in Bostick’s possession. Bostick was given a notice to appear in court.
APRIL 21 — A resident of Indian Mound Road called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday to report a burglary. According to a PBSO report, at sometime between 4 p.m. and midnight last Sunday, entry was made to the victim’s apartment. Stolen from inside were a television, laptop computer, digital camera, cell phone, Social Security card, Argentinean passport and a backpack that contained miscellaneous papers. Damage to the door is estimated at $1,500.
Traffic Crash Leaves Man Critically Injured
APRIL 23 — A Wellington man was listed in critical condition following a traffic collision early Wednesday morning. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, 18-year-old Nicholas Marcus was traveling westbound on Lake Worth Road. At 12:26 a.m., he stopped for a red light at the intersection of State Road 7 when a Honda Accord driven by 44-year-old Johnny Batista collided with the back of the
GMC Yukon Marcus was driving. The collision sent the Yukon approximately 143 feet into the intersection; both vehicles came to a rest on the west side of the intersection. Marcus suffered minor injuries and was treated on the scene, according to the report. Batista had to be extricated from his vehicle. He was flown to Delray Medical Center with severe head and leg injuries. — Jason Budjinski
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Agustin Padron, is a white male, 5’11” tall and weighing 150 lbs., with gray hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 05/05/47. Padron is wanted for conspiracy to traffic in cannabis and failure to appear in court on the charges of cultivation of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was 60th Lane North in The Acreage. Padron is wanted as of 04/24/08. • Tiffany Tysinger, a.k.a. Star Lisa Tysinger, Tiffany McGraw and Lisa Star, is a black female, 5’10” tall and weighing 160 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, tattoos on her chest and both arms, and scars on both legs. Her date of birth is 10/21/80. Tysinger is wanted for grand theft burglary of a dwelling (two counts) and failure to appear in court on the charge of driving while license is suspended, cancelled or revoked. Her occupation is cleaner. Her last known address was Barclay Circle in Greenacres. Tysinger is wanted as of 04/24/08. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.
Agustin Padron
Tiffany Tysinger
Mahoney: Bill Will Help First-Time Home Buyers, Reduce Foreclosures
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-District 16) held a roundtable discussion with several different housing entities at the West Palm Beach Housing Authority building in West Palm Beach on Monday, April 21 to get feedback on the proposed Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008. Representatives from various agencies attended the discussion, including the West Palm Beach Housing Authority, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Palm Beach County Housing Financial Authority, the Housing Partnership, the Housing Authority of Stuart, the Martin Community Development and local Realtor associations.
The bill is designed to give breaks to first-time home buyers, address the growing number of foreclosures nationwide and provide stimulus for the slumping real estate market. Mahoney said he has garnered bipartisan support for the bill, which he co-sponsored, although President George W. Bush has indicated he will veto it.
Mahoney said it would provide tax credits to first-time homebuyers, improve access to low-income housing and allow families to deduct property taxes. The legislation was recently introduced by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY), whose committee is expected to pass the bill on to the House of Representatives in a few weeks.
“Even with home prices dropping, the cost of housing makes home ownership in Florida unaffordable for young families,” Mahoney said. “Our ability to attract and retain business here
in Florida is in part dependent on Florida’s ability to provide families the dream of home ownership. Additionally, the bill gives all homeowners who use the standard deduction the ability to deduct up to $700 in property taxes.
The combination of out-of-control homeowner insurance costs and property taxes makes Florida unaffordable and is a major contributor to our recession.”
Mahoney said housing market conditions were a subcomponent of a “perfect storm” of bad economic conditions, including rising gas and food prices, property tax increases and growing unemployment. People cannot afford a home if they can’t buy food or pay skyrocketing gas prices, he said.
Mahoney said he is getting support from both sides of the aisle, including from Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), head of the Financial Services Committee, who has provided him with valuable information based
on his background in the housing market.
The main provisions of the bill give a tax credit to first-time homebuyers for a down payment on a home, the equivalent of an interest-free loan of 10 percent of the purchase price up to $7,500. Taxpayers would be required to repay the credit over 15 years in equal installments. The credit will be phased out for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income over $70,000, or $110,000 for a joint return. For homeowners who claim a standard deduction it provides an additional standard deduction for property taxes of up to $350, or $700 for joint filers.
A temporary increase in mortgage revenue bonds would allow for the issuance of an additional $10 billion of tax-exempt bonds to refinance subprime loans, provide loans to first-time homebuyers and finance the construction of low-income rental housing.
Upcoming Programs At Moksha Yoga Studio In Wellington
Moksha Yoga Studio in Wellington is currently offering the following courses at its facility, located in the Wellington Business Center at 3340 Fairlane Farms Road, Suite 5.
• Restore and Renew Yoga Workshop — This blissful journey into restorative yoga, Thai yoga, aromatherapy and meditation with Lisa Pumper and Joy Kochmer will take place Sunday, April 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. In the workshop, participants will be taken on a blissful journey into relaxation, beginning with standing postures to warm and prepare the body for the restorative sequence. Participants will then be
guided into the restorative sequence of simple postures in which the body is supported by bolsters, pillows and covered with blankets. This will allow participants to open slowly and deeply. While in the postures, participants will receive therapeutic, hands-on Thai adjustments that will let muscular tension dissolve, in turn aiding in the reduction of chronic stress. Participants will then be guided through various relaxation techniques. The workshop ends with a chakra meditation with aromatherapy oils.
• Family Yoga Class — On Saturday, May 3 from 9 to 9:45 a.m., Mok-
sha will offer a class for the whole family, featuring interactive poses, games, music and self-expression through yoga. Partner poses are emphasized. Children ages three to seven are welcome with family members. No yoga experience is necessary. Dress to move! The cost is $15 per participant.
• Children’s Yoga Teacher Training — Interested in teaching yoga to children? The Karma Kids Yoga teachertraining program held May 2-4 is for anyone who loves working with children. The course will provide participants with fun-filled ideas that are engaging and beneficial for kids of all
ages. Moksha’s method of teaching yoga to children incorporates the use of animated poses, props, music, art, games, storytelling and the imagination, to help stimulate their senses, and stretch and strengthen children’s developing bodies. Participants will learn to provide children with the necessary tools to live a healthy, peaceful and well-balanced life. The three-day certification course is held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 2; 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 4. For more information, call Cora Rosen at (561) 427-1767.
Roundtable Discussion — Congressman Tim Mahoney discusses a housing assistance bill with West Palm Beach Housing Authority Executive Director Laurel Robinson. PHOTOS BY
ITID Officials Tour SR7 Site
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
Indian Trail Improvement
District supervisors and administrative staff explored the stillincomplete State Road 7 extension project Wednesday afternoon. Using four-wheel drive vehicles because of some uncompleted roadways, they drove along the route, beginning at a gate at 110th Avenue North and Orange Grove Blvd. The road was not paved at the northern end of the extension, but was covered with asphalt south of the Royal Palm Beach-Acreage border.
“The road is two lanes now,” ITID District Administrator Chris King said, “but the county has done road stabilization work for another two lanes next to this one.” King pointed out how effectively the berm between the road and homes on 110th Avenue North blocked the view of the road from residents. “The berm itself,” he pointed out as he drove past, “is high enough that only the second floor of some houses are even visible. Everyone with a one-story home is blocked off completely. And the top is already being landscaped. As the trees and bushes grow,
they will block the road even more.”
Supervisor Sandra Love Semande said she was pleased that, except at the proposed connections, the road is a good distance away from homes. “I don’t think there will be as much noise as some people fear,” she said. “But of course, we have to wait until everything is finished to know for sure.”
Supervisor Michelle Damone said she was pleased by the landscaping the county is putting down along the road. “The county is keeping its word,” she See TOUR, page 20
Don’t Miss The Acreage Music And Chili Fest This Saturday
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
As organizers of the Acreage Music & Chili Fest, Robert Trepp and Sofia Rossi want everyone from the western communities to join them at Acreage Community Park — even those who aren’t partial to chili. This Saturday’s event, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., is about more than just the food.
“This is a real community event,” Trepp told the TownCrier Monday. “We’ve had a lot of volunteers working on this, trying to make this a real community event. Now we need everyone in the community to come down to enjoy the enter-
tainment, have some great food and meet their neighbors.”
Although the International Chili Society’s cookoff is a regional qualifying event in its annual international competition, the day’s events will focus more on music and sports.
The musical lineup is extensive, featuring country recording artist Jesse Lee, singer-songwriter Tom Jackson, blues-rock singer Teri Catlin, the eclectic Miami-based band Surreal, 2007 Stars of the Future Teen Vocalist of the Year Kimberly Baron, the High Voltage Street Breaks dance show, countryrock band Steel Pony, illusionist-magician Gary Midnight and upcoming singer Beau Deutsch.
For younger guests, Rick Hubbard and the Kazoobie Kazoo Show will be performing all day. Also appearing will be the Xtreme Acreage Cheerleaders. Trepp said a new group of line dancers, the Chili Chicks, will also perform.
“We’re also having sporting events run by the Acreage Athletic League,” Trepp said. “We’ll have baseball, football and soccer competitions all day long, and winners will get gift certificates from the Mall at Wellington Green.”
Besides the chili cookoff, there will be a variety of contests, including the Chili Queen for girls 13 to 17, a princess pageant for girls eight to 12, pie-
eating and watermelon-eating contests, and a ringers horseshoe competition. Youngsters will be invited to visit the kids’ fun zone, which will include character walkarounds, tattoos (of the temporary variety), a rock wall, bounce houses, bungee run, face painting and an inflatable obstacle course.
There will be an admission charge, a difference from the old Indian Palms Chili Cookoff, which the new event replaces.
“In the past, all we really had was the chili,” Trepp said. “This is really a day for celebration, with great music and a lot of family fun. We’ve also kept the price of drinks down to $1 for
everything except beer, and even that is only $3. I told the food vendors to keep the price down as well. And we’re selling a lot of different kind of foods, not just chili.”
Admission is free for kids up to 12, costing $8 per person at the gate for those over 12. However, Trepp noted, tickets cost $6 if purchased through one of the nonprofit organizations affiliated with the event.
“On top of that, each ticket holder can use that ticket for a $5 discount at Pascalli’s at the Publix shopping center for a pizza, and the Acreage Athletic League, one of our non-profits, will charge $5 less for kids to sign up for their teams if they
do so at the event,” Trepp said. “And all those now serving in the military will be allowed in free.”
Advance tickets for the Acreage Music & Chili Fest, produced by Tromsi Inc., are available through the AAL by calling (561) 795-5908, at Kelly’s Dance Studio in the Shoppes at Ibis (10130
or call (561) 420-9509.
Road Construction — High berming blocks homes from seeing the State Road 7 extension, except at the roadway’s planned connections to existing streets, such as this one in Royal Palm Beach. PHOTO BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER
Indian Trail Board Favors Engineering Firm Engenuity Group
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors’ search for a district engineer is almost over. At a meeting Wednesday, four of the five supervisors ranked the civil engineering firm Engenuity Group Inc. as the number-one choice.
The ranking means that if the board can negotiate a contract with Engenuity, it will become the district’s new engineering firm.
A team including ITID President Mike Erickson, District Administrator Chris King and Finance Director Margie Perez was chosen to negotiate financial terms on behalf of ITID. If no agreement can be reached, ITID will negotiate with the second-ranked choice, the coalition headed by current District Engineer Jay Foy, which includes his firm Stormwater J, as well as Craig A. Smith & Associates and MSCW. The third applicant was a coalition put together by Michael B. Schorah & Associates of West Palm Beach.
Members of the board said the overall strength of the engineering group put together by Engenuity was the reason for its high ranking. “Trent Ebersole of McMahon Associates is one of the best traffic engineers in the county,” Erickson said. “He’s part of the Engenuity team and can do a lot for the district. Engenuity and its partners are strong everywhere.”
The supervisors all agreed that Schorah & Associates is not experienced enough with the large-scale projects occasionally required by ITID. “They look very experienced in dealing with finite projects,” Supervisor Michelle Damone said, “but they seem more attuned to municipalities.”
Several of the supervisors expressed frustration over the weakness of Foy’s team. Supervisor Sandra Love Semande said that Foy had done an exceptional job for the district and she did not want to lose him. “But I don’t think the rest of his team is even close to his level,” she said. “Engenuity has a lot of expertise. There were problems with Dan Shalloway and some others, but they’re gone.” Engenuity includes several members of the old engineering
firm SFRN. SFRN partner Shalloway was caught up in the profiteering schemes that sent former county commissioner Warren Newell, another SFRN partner, to jail.
Supervisor Carol Jacobs was also torn by the decision. “I keep going back and forth,” she said. “Too bad we can’t mix the two groups and let Jay [Foy] keep running the water part. But we need a better road system and that has become the bigger challenge for us. I feel Engenuity is what we need now, but I don’t want to lose Jay.”
Supervisor Ralph Bair said that change may be necessary. “Jay is dedicated and does a good job. But I am concerned that he and he alone has all the information,” Bair said. “If something happened to him, we would be in big trouble. Engenuity seems to have a lot of good people and a new energy.”
Erickson also said that Foy had done an excellent job. “But Jay is not as expert in all areas as he is in hydrology and drainage,” he said. “We asked for a design for a roundabout, and we waited for months.”
Furthermore, Erickson said ITID should have a battery of engineers to plead its case.
“When I go down to fight on traffic and roads,” he said, “all they see is a canvas maker. Staff should be there. We need engineers who can speak up and lobby for us everywhere.”
Members of the Engenuity team are not new to ITID. Many were with the old firm Shalloway, Foy, Rayman & Newell (later shortened to SFRN) when they were the district’s engineers from 1991 at 2003.
Engenuity Vice President Lisa Tropepe, who would take the title district engineer, said her firm designed many of the most important projects in the district.
“We designed and oversaw construction of over 55 miles of road,” she said. “We designed and oversaw construction of six neighborhood parks, including Acreage Community Park. We planned, designed, oversaw construction and handled the permitting of many of the most important drainage projects inside the district. And some of the people who led our projects still work for the company.”
Tropepe recalled the “five-
point plan” her company completed. “Royal Palm Beach Colony gave away most of the drainage rights for the district,” she said. “Some old timers remember the National Guard being sent here to evacuate families. We blasted the M-O canal to expand it, built and modified pump systems, built state-ofthe-art monitoring systems for the canal, modified the 40th Street water structure and built the M-2 Basin reservoir. As a result, the district doesn’t get flooded regularly.”
Tropepe said her company’s experience would allow them to handle a transition from the current engineer. “When it comes to these projects, it will be a ‘been there, done that’ situation,” she said. “We can come back seamlessly.”
The district’s needs had changed greatly since 1991, Tropepe said. “Back then, the most important issue was drainage,” she said. “Now it’s roads and traffic calming.”
Engenuity Vice President Keith Jackson, who was in charge of building roads when he worked previously for ITID, told the supervisors that he felt getting the State Road 7 extension completed all the way to Northlake Blvd. is vitally important in creating better traffic flow.
Ebersole, the traffic engineer, said ITID must create an overall traffic plan to ensure that cars are not concentrated on one or two roads. “We can work on a variety of ways to calm traffic,” he said. “We have a lot of tools in our toolbox.”
Erickson asked Ebersole about possible conflicts of interest with other clients. “We have a second firm, Pinder Troutman Consulting, who are very expert, to take over for us if there is a conflict,” Ebersole said. “That way you will always be covered.”
Tropepe said her firm would be on call at all times. “You’ll not only have my cell number but those of all our top people,” she said. “If you need us, we’ll be here. We got out here after hurricanes years ago and we’ll always be ready to help.”
Current engineer Foy, president of Stormwater J Engineering, was with SFRN before starting his own firm and also has a
The Engenuity team at Wednesday’s ITID engineering firm interviews. long history with ITID. “I’ve worked out here 17 and a half years,” he said, “and I’ve been the person who has dealt with just about all the drainage problems since the district began and designed many of its structures,” Foy said. “I know who to speak to if there is a problem. In a few cases, I’m the only person around who has been involved with our agreements with a lot of outside agencies.”
Foy reminded the board that he had gotten a South Florida Water Management District Grant for $500,000 and a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant of $500,000 for design with the expectation that another $3 million will follow in the next phase.
President Gene Schriner of Craig A. Smith & Associates, which does much of the civil engineering for roads in the district, said his company has offices in nearby Wellington. “We can be here in an emergency very quickly,” he said. “We are pleased to provide backup for Stormwater J.” Pamela Richmond, who heads up the transportation group for MSCW Inc., a planning company based in Orlando, was another part of the Foy coalition. “We’re a 30-year-old firm with a lot of expertise in planning and design,” she said. “I’ve worked for the Florida Department of Transportation and the Turnpike Agency. I have very good connections there.”
When Erickson asked about handling the district’s traffic problems from Orlando, Richmond said it would be a plus. “I have no conflicts of interest at all down here,” she said, “and I can get down here in about two hours from my office.”
Michael B. Schorah & Associates Senior Vice President Fred Roth stressed the personal involvement of the firm’s principals in all projects. The company has performed civil engineering projects all over Palm Beach County and has worked directly for the county as project engineers many times. Roth noted that his company is local, with two key members of his team actually living within ITID.
Getting Ready To Relay At Acreage Community Park
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
Now in its second year, organizers of the American Cancer Society’s Acreage/Loxahatchee Groves Relay for Life are working hard to ensure that this year’s event puts the fun in fundraising. The relay will take place overnight on Friday, May 2 at Acreage Community Park on 140th Avenue North in The Acreage.
“We want to make this relay as much fun as possible for everyone involved,” said organizer Michelle Damone, who also serves as an Indian Trail Improvement District supervisor.
“We’re going to have 30 teams, and all of them are looking for a great experience. Our theme is old movies, and we’re going to have a blast.”
The ITID team is doing Viva Las Vegas, Damone said, with Supervisor Ralph Bair doing his Elvis impersonation. “Pierce Hammock is doing Pink Panther with everyone in pink,” she said. “And I’ve heard one of the churches will be using a bible movie theme.”
There will be lots of entertainment presented to keep participants happy. DJ Mark Thomas will be there, as well as several local bands, a few professional
singers and the Chili Chicks line dancers. Local school bands will entertain, as will the Seminole Ridge High School drum line.
“The Acreage Athletic League has donated purple paint to mark the course,” Damone said. “We’ll have a purple carpet for all our local celebrities, and some of the kids are dressing up as paparazzi as part of the fun.”
Damone promises a great time for all the kids who participate.
“We’re going to have special laps,” she said. “We’re going to have pajama laps and bedSee RELAY, page 10
Committee Happy With Indian Trail’s Sidewalk Progress
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
After a five-month hiatus, the Indian Trail Improvement District’s Planning Committee met Monday night at the ITID office, where they praised the district’s progress in creating sidewalks in The Acreage.
“We originally didn’t have money set aside for the work in this year’s budget,” said ITID President Mike Erickson, the committee liaison. “But we realized how important it was to protect our children. Supervisor Sandra Love Semande took the lead on making this a priority and deserves a lot of praise. We’re getting close to the point where we’ll have sidewalks next to every school and park in the district.”
Operations Manager Terry Narrow said his staff is getting ready to put in sidewalks between 40th and 44th streets along 140th Avenue North during the summer break. This will provide more safety for children walking to Golden Grove Elementary School and Western Pines Middle School, further north on 140th Avenue North.
“We also are going to put in sidewalks along Sycamore Drive between 162nd Drive North and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road,” Narrow said. “That will increase safety for kids walking over to the high school and to bus stops along Seminole Pratt Whitney.”
Committee Member Amy Hackney, who lives on 162nd Drive North, praised Narrow’s work. “After not seeing progress for years,” she said, “people on our street have seen it fully paved with sidewalks extending south to Okeechobee Blvd. so our children are safe walking to school there, and now we’ll have a better route over to Seminole Pratt Whitney. Thank you.”
Erickson said one major problem area is near Samuel Friedland Park along Hamlin Blvd. west of 180th Avenue, where there are no sidewalks in an area heavily used by youth.
“The road is too narrow for us to build there now,” Erickson said. “We need a 30-foot easement on the north side of the street on land owned by the county and the school district. I’ve spoken to commissioners Jess Santamaria and Jeff Koons, and they’re willing to work with us to get permission. If we get it, we’ll build as quickly as we can. It’s hard to drive along that road without dodging kids.”
Erickson told committee members that the county is already preparing to put sidewalks along Coconut Blvd. from Northlake Blvd. to Orange Blvd.
“The last lot just north of Orange is the only problem,” he said. “There’s a drainage problem that has to be solved there.”
Erickson also told the committee that the ITID supervisors are working with the county to see if building a sidewalk on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road between Northlake and Orange boulevards could be made a priority.
“We can’t get county funding for any project on a road that will be improved over the next three years,” he said, “but the work up north on the road could qualify. The county will decide in August.”
The committee voted unanimously to support a letter recommending the building of sidewalks on the road.
Erickson praised Supervisor Michelle Damone for her ef-
Relay In The Acreage May 2
continued from page 9 head laps. We’ll also have games like Twister and Jail & Bail, as well as things like face painting. This is a great event for everyone.” Relay for Life events take place around the country as a way for communities to get together and raise money to fight cancer. The relay will begin on Friday evening, May 2 and run overnight, with relay team members taking turns walking the course. At least one person from each team must be on the course at all times. The first lap is walked by cancer survivors in
forts in negotiating with Palm Beach County and CalleryJudge Grove’s Seminole Improvement District to get a sidewalk built north of Seminole Ridge High School up to the Grove (Winn-Dixie) Marketplace. “It has been very tricky,” he said, “but Michelle has lots of patience.”
The committee also voted to recommend that the ITID board move forward with building a mini-traffic circle at the intersection of 140th Avenue and Temple Blvd. as a pilot project.
Narrow showed pictures of alternatives, particularly chicanes, which require small diversions of roads to keep drivers more alert.
Committee Chair Brian Vasser pointed out that the price for a set of four chicanes at an intersection is $240,000. “If this is a pilot study,” he said, “how many of these would we ever be able to build?” Narrow said most of the chicanes he had photos for were on three-lane streets with room for the road offsets. The Acreage does not have roads wide enough. But Narrow said mini traffic circles are not without flaws. Large trucks would have problems making left turns on them. Committee Member Patricia Curry asked what the reaction of emergency services were to the devices, and Erickson told her they had no real problem with them.
“We have a rounded curb so their trucks can go through without a problem,” Erickson said. “It’s the really big trucks that would have a problem.” Vasser said he was reasonably sure that most truck drivers would figure out a way to deal with the problems, including finding routes that would allow them to avoid making a left at the intersection. “These are the most cost-effective systems we can use,” he said. “They cost about $23,000, according to the figures we have. Let’s try them out.” The other committee members agreed, voting in favor of recommending the study, with Hackney abstaining.
Committee members also discussed problems with traffic because of children waiting at bus stops. Committee Member Dave Snowden said the situation is very dangerous. “I drive out a bit after six in the morning,” he said, “and there are a lot of kids milling around at bus stops with no illumination at all.”
Erickson agreed. “My son is at 140th and Hamlin for a 6:20 a.m. bus,” he said. “There are about a dozen kids waiting around, and no lights.”
Erickson said that although members of the ITID board had been attempting to contact people at the school district to get complete maps of bus routes, their queries have gone unanswered.
“We want to know where the buses go,” he said. “We already know that some of them don’t even go over the approved routes, but we’re reasonably sure the bus stops don’t change. If we know where they are, we could see about getting lights for them. That would not even cost a lot.”
Curry suggested that solar lighting might provide enough energy for the lights, and Vasser suggested they could be on a timer so they go on just before students start arriving for school.
The next meeting of the ITID Planning Committee is scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at the ITID office.
purple T-shirts. Once the sun goes down, a luminaria ceremony is held to honor those who died of the disease.
“This is a tough year for a lot of families,” Damone said. “There’s not a lot of money to spare. That’s why we want everyone involved. All the money raised goes for patient care, research and camps for kids. This is very important. Remember, you can have fun, help a lot of people in crisis and demonstrate to your children the importance of giving to those less fortunate. The kids who take part in the walks never forget it.” Last year’s inaugural relay was very successful, raising over $50,000 when its original goal was $30,000.
For more about the Acreage/ Loxahatchee Groves relay, visit www.acsevents.org/relay or call (561) 366-0013, ext. 5141.
Students were dressed to impress last Friday in the courtyard at Royal Palm Beach High School as they showed off the outfits they planned to wear to the school prom in May. Shown here, students show off dresses and tuxes on the runway.
Elbridge Gale Fifth Graders Study World War II
After learning about the major events of World War II — Pearl Harbor, D-Day, the Holocaust and the atomic bombing of Japan — fifth graders in Nancy Bentz’s class at Elbridge Gale Elementary School debated the United States’ decision to drop atomic bombs in order to end World War II in 1945.
Prior to the debate, they visited web sites and read several books about this time in history, including Sadako by Eleanor Coerr and Ed Young. Known as the Sadako peace story, it is a true story about Sadako Sasaki, a girl from Japan who developed leukemia, just as many did several years after the bombing. When she was in the hospital, a friend told her a legend about the crane: that if a sick person folds 1,000 paper cranes, the gods will
grant her wish and make her well again. Twelve-year-old Sadako made 644 origami cranes before she died in 1955. Sadako’s courage and strength was admired by her fellow students. They finished her 1,000 cranes and folded another 356 after her death. A Folded Crane Club was organized in her honor. Young people collected money and after three years, built a statue of Sadako in Hiroshima Peace Park, where she stands on the Mountain of Paradise, holding a golden crane in outstretched hands. Every year on Peace Day, children hang garlands of paper cranes under the statue.
The Wellington students plan to send a 1,000-crane garland to Hiroshima for Peace Day on Aug. 6.
H.L. Johnson Elementary School held its annual carnival on
Saturday, April 19. The event featured plenty of roast corn, cotton candy, games and other fun activities.
Emily Birney plays a ring toss game.
Fonda Cash holds cotton candy for some of the children climbing the rock wall. 9
Lauren Salzoechner and her dad Mike munch corn with friend Angely Kuntzman.
Karleigh Farrell gets her face painted.
Mara Keating and Ivanna Olivieri with some cotton candy.
Troy Hamilton tries to knock over milk bottles.
Matthew Brady with a squirt gun.
Kaye Barnoske and Cheryl Dunn Bychek peddle roasted corn.
Elbridge Gale fifth graders with their origami cranes.
Crestwood Middle School Students Break Reading Records Again
as their third
The eighth-grade
also recognized seven eighth graders who read all 15 books for three consecutive
A total of 706 readers — 55 percent of the student body at Crestwood Middle School in Royal Palm Beach — participated in the Florida Sunshine State Readers’ Program for 2007-08 by reading three or more novels on the state’s recommended list of newly published books for young adults. In the 2006-07 school year, 664 students achieved this feat, which reflects remarkable growth compared to the 63 students who were Sunshine readers in 1997. This year’s Crestwood readers also topped the progressively higher number of students in previous years who have read all 15 novels on the list. In 2005, 49 students read all 15; in 2006, that number was 66; in 2007, 73 read 15; and this year, 84 students finished the entire list. At banquets of pizza, cookies and lemonade for each grade, the students voted for their favorite books. The Lightning Thief, a fantasy book by Rick Riordan, captured first place. A near second was the realistic fiction novel Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. Crestwood students chose the mystery book The Old Willis Place by Mary
CYPRESS TRAILS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HOLDS MATH AND SCIENCE FAIR
Crestwood’s reading department: Debbie Still, Carol Giarla, Kathy Stackhouse, Marque Drummond, Debbie Basso, Cathy Martino and Lesa McKeen.
Eighth graders who read all 15 books during their three years as students at Crestwood.
Sixth graders who read all 15 novels on the recommended reading list.
Eighth graders who read all 15 novels.
Crestwood’s seventh graders who read all 15 books.
Downing Hahn
favorite.
assembly
years: Jervis Bisasor, Christian Gattereau, Gordon Hendriks, Hannah Mahoney, Amy Ngoh, Logan Vassalotti and Tiffany Williams.
(Left) Cypress Trails Principal Gail Fulford with Alex Ng, who won first place in math and in science. The trophy he is holding stays at Cypress Trails. Each year, staff picks one fifth grader with an outstanding math project and one fifth grader with an outstanding science project, and adds their names to the trophy as a legacy in the school. Alex was chosen for both honors. (Above) Alex’s math project, “Tessellation Sensation.” Sibling winners Justin and Leah Valverde.
Cypress Trials Elementary School recently held its annual math and science fair. Many of the projects went to the district contest at the South Florida Fairgrounds, which took place last week.
Seminole Ridge High School science teacher Karensa Wright is among 14 teachers selected by the Scripps Institute for its 2008 summer internship program. From June 16 to July 25, Wright will work with Scripps professor Kendall Nettles, a cancer biologist, and take part in seminar experiences with teachers and students from 12 other district schools.
Wright said the internship will provide her with practical experience to help her “inspire, educate and teach in the very best way possible — from experience.”
Language Students Earn Superior Honors — Students from the Spanish, French and Ameri-
can Sign Language (ASL) classes attended the Palm Beach County Foreign Language Fair at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach on March 28. Students competed in several performance and project categories, including impromptu speaking, poem memorization, reading comprehension and vocabulary. The Hawks came away with a bundle of awards.
Superior ribbons went to:
• Amelia Kepler (ASL Impromptu Declamation);
• Erik Bernal, Justin Bullard, Steve Carrasquilla, Jessica Hamilton, Emily Perry and Cynthia Torres (Entertainment);
• Alec Spangler (French 1 Reading Comprehension);
Calypso Cats — Panther Run Elementary School’s steel drum band the Calypso Cats performed at Music USA Steel Fest at Universal Studios in Orlando on Friday, April 18. Competing against schools from all over the country, the Calypso Cats band was awarded a Superior rating (the highest rating), a first-place trophy for the highest points in their division and a grand champions trophy with the highest points overall. Band members include Joseph Patalano, Sheida Dadressam, Carolyn Beck, Melanie Greene, Stephen Beck, Julia Carlin, Kyle Beck, Brenden Hall, Nick Ferraro, Jessica Steen, Sommer Englehardt, Gabrielle Reece, Samantha Grubner and Ben Grubner.
• Rachel Coyolan, Dane Enck, Elizabeth Garrity, Casey Long, Meghan Miller, Brittany Moore, Luisa Rojas and Jennifer VanOstrand (Spanish Cultural Project);
• Jacki Camba and Jill Hanrahan (Spanish 1 Vocabulary);
• Adrienne Pearson (Spanish 2 Reading Comprehension); and
• Victoria DiRaimondo, Amelia Kepler, Linzy Marino and Miranda Stanford (ASL Impromptu Declamation);
• Leah McMacken and Bianca Phillippe (French Cultural Project);
• Amy Washington (French 2 Declamation);
• Annie Reynoso and Eva Reynoso (French 2 Reading Comprehension);
• Hazel Canete (French 3 Reading Comprehension);
• Alec Paulus, Stephanie Platerosi and Deanna Ramcharan (Spanish Cultural Project);
• Jacki Camba (Spanish 1 Impromptu);
• Catherine Alvarado (Spanish 3 Impromptu);
• Jill Hanrahan and Taylor Ramey (Spanish 1 Reading Comprehension);
• Alexandra Lao (Spanish 3 Reading Comprehension);
• Ashley Richey (Spanish 4 Declamation);
• Haaris Rosario (Spanish AP Declamation);
• David Galvez (Spanish Speakers 3 Declamation);
• Kenia Campos (Spanish Speakers 3 Impromptu);
• Cynthia Torres (Spanish Speakers AP Declamation); and
• Emmeline Morera (Spanish Speakers AP Impromptu).
Lifters Send Nine to State
Two Acreage Pines Elementary School students placed in this year’s Florida History through Art Contest. Beau Smith placed third and Hannah Nunes placed second in the Elementary Division in the annual contest sponsored by the Historical Society of Palm Beach County and the School District of Palm Beach County. They will be honored at an
award ceremony during the Historical Society’s annual meeting on Tuesday, April 29 at the Jan Claire Kemper Gymnatorium at St. Ann’s Catholic School in West Palm Beach. Their artwork will be on display at the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum located inside the recently restored 1916 County Courthouse in West Palm Beach.
— The boys weightlifting team qualified nine athletes to the state championships in Daytona Beach. Under coach Justin Hilliker, Seminole Ridge has the second most qualifiers to state of any school in Class 2A, with three sectional champions (Colton Coss, Curtis Griswold and Josh Hawks) and and six other state qualifiers (Matt Collado, Jeff Moise, Chauncey Pikini, Sean Rochefort, Austin Rodriguez and Tommy Rodriguez).
Tennis Qualifies for Regionals — Coached by Hawk social studies teacher Joe Rodriguez, the girls tennis team finished second in district competition recently, qualifying for regional match play in Vero Beach. Singles players were Catherine Alvarado, Wendy Aylesworth, Allison Hewitt, Chelsea Perez and Megan Spielhaupter. In doubles, the teams were Aylesworth and Alix Garic, Hewitt and Spielhaupter.
Acreage Pines Students Place In Art Contest
(Above) Hannah Nunes’ entry Founder of Ybor City in Tampa, Florida. (Left) Beau Smith’s Florida’s Cattle King
Acreage Pines students Beau Smith and Hannah Nunes.
Students Visit Hospital — The National Junior Honor Society students at Crestwood Middle School visited the pediatric ward at Palms West Hospital last week to cheer up patients and donate new stuffed animals. It was a great learning experience for students, encouraging patients who were the same age or younger.
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According to the final tally, more than $1.5 million was raised at the 2008 Komen South Florida Race for the Cure in January.
The 17th annual event, held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, welcomed 20,471 participants, including many western communities residents, and honored the more than 1,400 breast cancer survivors in attendance.
Wellington resident and survivor Gricel Shulman won first place in the Women Survivors category with a time of 25:36.
Kay Anderson of Jupiter secured second place with a time of 26:14. Maureen Brown of Boca Raton finished third with 28:22.
Up to 75 percent of the funds raised will stay in South Florida to fund local breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs. The remaining 25 percent will fund breast cancer research programs allocated through Komen’s National Headquarters.
The success of the event inspired this year’s chair, Royal Palm Beach resident Deborah Jaffe.
“It has been my privilege to serve as the 2008 Komen South Florida Race for the Cure chair,” Jaffe said. “My hope is that through Komen’s continued education and research efforts, funded by the annual Race for the Cure, we will find a cure and end this disease forever.”
Highlights of the day included the Kids for the Cure and Tots for the Cure races, individual and team co-ed 5K walks, a onemile fun walk, awards presentation and a moving and memorable survivors ceremony.
The Palm Beach Lightning All-Stars cheerleading squad helped kick off the new “I am the Cure” awareness initiative by motivating the crowd with chants about beating breast cancer. Special guests included West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel and Ellie Goodman, mother of Susan G. Komen, and Nancy Brinker, who established Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982 in honor of her sister Susan, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36.
The Tribute Wall, erected on the Meyer Amphitheatre lawn,
featured inspiring images of the “2008 Warriors in Pink” and provided a place for visitors to post a picture or write messages to friends or family members who lost their battle with breast cancer, as well as honor those who continue the fight. As part of the “Tinkled Pink” program, all the portable toilets stationed on the park lawn were decorated with pink ribbons and messages of hope. Flower gardens along Flagler Drive displayed personalized “Pink Ribbon” signs.
Leading up to the race, nearly 10,000 supporters participated in the South Florida Affiliate’s online pledge program by creating their own Komen fundraising web page. The program, which was designed to encourage people to seek monetary donations from friends, family members and co-workers, helped raise $665,000.
As an incentive to participants, the local affiliate offered prizes to the individuals and teams who raised the most money. Prizes were awarded to the Rosarian Academy, largest school fundraiser; Saint Andrew’s School, largest school fundraiser per capita; Florida Power & Light, largest team fundraiser; Jaffe Crusaders, largest team per capita; Amanda Phillips, largest individual fundraiser; and Jennifer Smith, largest individual survivor fundraiser. In other race results, the firstplace women’s overall winner was Linda Neary-Robb of North Palm Beach with a time of 18:25. Trish Butler of Pompano Beach secured second place overall with 18:46, and Janine Peart of Jupiter placed third with 19:07. The first place men’s overall winner was Ryan Pickering of West Palm Beach with a time of 16:32. Leandro Contreras of Lake Worth was second with 16:43, and Giscaro Titus was third with 16:44. Next year’s Race for the Cure will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 in downtown West Palm Beach. For more information on the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, call (561) 841-0041 or visit www. komensouthflorida.org.
Seatbelt Awareness Week At
Panther Run Elementary
In conjunction with the Florida Highway Patrol, Panther Run Elementary School recently piloted Seatbelt Awareness Week with its second graders. The program was born through the collaborative efforts of FHP Troop L chief surgeon Dr. Bradley S. Feuer and Panther Run Principal P.J. D’Aoust. The program was grade-specific and designed to bring the message of seatbelt safety to help make second graders lifelong seatbelt wearers. Each day, the students did a
short, but specific activity to learn about seatbelt safety. The culminating activity was the “Seatbelt Simulator” demonstration under the direction of Cpl. Gary Baker of Troop L. Later the students took the “Seatbelt Oath” and were sworn in as “junior troopers.” The entire process is being measured using a pre and post test. Dr. Feuer and Principal D’Aoust said they hope the activity will be held annually and that the program can be used in other schools.
Eder Zegarra Completes
Basic Training
Airman Eder J. Zegarra has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, Zegarra studied the Air Force mission, organization and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations. Zegarra is the son of Felix
Dr. Bradley S. Feuer swears in the Junior Troopers.
Airman Eder J. Zegarra Zegarra and Camila Fernandez, both of Wellington. He is a 2007 graduate of Lake Worth High School.
Cpl. Gary Baker discusses seatbelt safety using the FHP simulator in the background.
Author Visits Wellington Elementary — Gerald Sharpe, author of the popular children’s series What Lies Beneath the Bed, visited Wellington Elementary School recently. As he spoke to the students, Sharpe explained that he “hopes his books will encourage children to chase a dream or bring to reality what seems impossible.” Pictured here with Sharpe and a character from his book are fourth graders Kelly Gerboc (left) and Logan Peluso (right).
Morra Wins Gold Key Award
Bianca Morra, a senior student photographer at Royal Palm Beach High School, has received the Gold Key Award, the highest award possible at the national level given by the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. The reception for the student Gold Key Award recipients will be held in June at Carnegie Hall in New York. After receiving the Gold Key Award at the regional level, Bianca’s work went on to be compared with 10,000 pieces from around the country, where she earned outstanding marks from professional artists who re-
viewed her work.
As a winner of the competition, Morra will have the opportunity to exhibit her work at the Reeves Contemporary Art Gallery in New York. At the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 85th anniversary’s celebration, Bianca will join a prestigious group of alumni such as photographer Richard Avedon, Joyce Carol Oates, Tom Otterness, Zac Posen, Sylvia Plath, Robert Redford, Andy Warhol and others. For more information, call RPBHS Photography Teacher Cindy Oakes at (561) 753-4047.
St. Peter’s Kids Sing At Polo — Sixty-one preschool children from St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Child Enrichment Center performed the national anthem at the International Polo Club Palm Beach recently. The preschoolers, ranging in age from three to five stood proud and sang for the parents, teachers, audience and IPC staff. IPC employee Tammie Reed coordinated the opportunity for the children while Music Director Claudine Adkins led the singing.
‘Sky’s The Limit’ Polo Ball Reaches New Heights
The International Polo Club Palm Beach removed all boundaries for its biggest celebration of the year “The Sky’s the Limit” Polo Ball, chaired by Marc and Melissa Ganzi, patrons of the Audi polo team, as well as equestrians Michele Grubb and Jack, Cardie and Carol Saunders.
“The event was a huge success,” said Melissa Ganzi, who was the only female to play in April’s quarterfinal round of the 2008 Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship. “I’m so grateful for everyone who supported this event and my team this season.”
The Polo Ball marks the end of the equestrian season and coincides with the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship, the biggest and most prestigious polo tournament in the United States.
The Sky’s the Limit was held under the Ocean Drive Grand
Marquee, which transformed into Club Sky, a fantasy club featuring music by the Soul Survivors, performers, dancers, actors, costumes and surprises.
Among the guests were John Goodman, chairman of Goodman Manufacturing and founder of IPC, and Wellington horse
show promoter Mark Bellissimo. Mrs. Florida 2008 Ashley Maguire also attended the event, along with numerous socialites, polo players, equestrians and supporters of the equestrian community.
“It was quite spectacular to have all of the equestrian com-
munity at one event,” Ganzi said. “It was definitely a magical evening at International Polo.” IPC is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.inter nationalpoloclub.com.
Ashley and Joe Maguire.
Bob Daniels gives polo pointers on the dance floor.
Chairpersons Marc and Melissa Ganzi, Carole and Cardie Saunders, Michele Grubb and Jack Saunders.
Carroll Goodman and Toy Wash.
John Goodman and Mark Bellissimo.
COURTESY LILA PHOTO
After 65 Years, Hans & Lois Wobst Still Laugh Like Newlyweds
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
Longtime Royal Palm Beach residents Hans and Lois Wobst sat quietly at the Royal Palm Beach Garage Sale at Veterans Park last Saturday while friends and neighbors came up to congratulate them on the longevity of their marriage. The couple celebrated their 65th anniversary at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in West Palm Beach on April 12.
A lot of people turned up to say hi, and that’s not surprising; the Wobsts are a delightful couple, and a 65th wedding anniversary is a milestone, indeed.
Hans and Lois were married just before Hans went off as part of the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. “I was born in Germany, the son of a butler,” Hans said. “But my father was butler to U.S. Ambassador to France Andrew Mellon, who brought us to America, and I grew up here.”
Hans served as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 for the 324th Squadron. “We were usually the lead plane when we went on our missions,” he recalled.
Lois credits the longevity of their marriage to her husband’s being the “do-it” man. “I ask him to do things for me,” she
‘I ask him to do things for me, and he always does it. That makes a woman very happy.’
— Lois Wobst on the success of her 65-year marriage
said with a smile, “and he always does it. That makes a woman very happy.”
Hans joked that he felt he had to marry her to keep her on the path of righteousness.
“She told me when we met that she had been the number-one student in all her classes all the way through school,” he said. “Then her brother told me they had gone to school in a oneroom schoolhouse and she had been the only student in her grade. I knew I had to guide her.”
The two of them laughed together as they told their stories — tales likely told countless times before.
Hans became a pastry chef after World War II, and then a caterer in ritzy Southampton on Long Island. “I did parties for many of the richest, most influential people in the world,” he said. “They came to me because I gave top quality at reasonable prices.”
His best advice for any caterer — as well as anyone else
Contest Winners To Be Honored By RPB
The Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board will honor the Arbor Day/Earth Day contest winners on April 28 at 7 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers.
Every year, the Village of Royal Palm Beach sponsors a celebration that brings collaboration between the village and schools in the area to carry out activities that promote care and preservation of the planet. This year, approximately 6,000 students from H.L. Johnson Elementary School, Cypress Trails Elementary School, Royal Palm Beach Elementary School, Crestwood Middle School and Royal Palm Beach High Schools came together to join the celebration “It Takes a Village to Save the Earth.”
The activities that began in January this year ended at each school on April 22 with a morning program featuring speakers, music, contest winners and the planting of trees. During each program, a village council presented the Earth Flag and a plaque to recognize the partnership between the village and the school.
Special thanks go to Robert Miller Jr., owner of the Art of Palms Nursery and Gardens, who donated all the trees to commemorate Arbor Day, and to all teachers, administrators, support staff, school volunteers and parents who made the event such a success.
For more info., call event chair Elaine Guelli at (561) 7938475 or (561) 602-1236.
offering services to other people — is to provide itemized billing. “When people see what they’re paying for,” Hans said, “they’re a lot less likely to be upset at what you charge.”
Lois, who went to school in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, went on to become a legal secretary. The couple has lived in Florida for years. “We remember Royal Palm Beach when it was just a trailer hut on State Road 80,” she said.
They’ve lived in several places around Florida, but settled in Royal Palm Beach 13 years ago.
“We like the people here,” Lois explained. “We’ve always felt so comfortable, and now we have lots of friends.”
LGLA Joins Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful Effort
The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’Association participated in Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful’s cleanup efforts April 18-20.
The cleanup work was spread out over several days because some of the work was done along canal banks, some along Okeechobee Blvd. and some from boats paddled along wide canals that have steep banks. The litter was all taken to a collection site on Okeechobee Blvd.
Volunteers included represen-
tatives of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #367 of Royal Palm Beach, the Loxahatchee Groves Garden Club, Seminole Ridge High School, Royal Palm Beach High School, Community of Hope Church, Zachry Construction Company and the FPL Western Communities Energy Center construction company. For more information about the LGLA or its future activities, call Marge Herzog at (561) 7919875.
Carol Bailey and Ryan Dudding help with the cleanup along Okeechobee Blvd.
Larry Spencer and Russell Withers clean up the canal banks.
Some of the litter that was collected.
Together All These Years — Lois and Hans Wobst of Royal Palm Beach recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
PHOTO BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER
Crab Orchard Once Again Captures U.S. Open Championship
Crab Orchard successfully defended its Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship title last Sunday against a stubborn Las Monjitas team 15-12 before a sellout crowd at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. From the opening bowl-in it was evident both teams were evenly matched and going to fight hard to claim the most coveted title in American polo.
It was Crab Orchard who struck first, but both teams played almost to perfection and scored 13 of the game’s 27 goals in the first two chukkers,
with Crab Orchard holding the advantage 8-5. In the third chukker, the teams exchanged goals. But as time was running out, Nacho and Javier Astrada combined with a pass-and-run combination to score in under 11 seconds from midfield. The crowd went divot stomping, wondering whether Las Monjitas could pull out a victory.
Crab Orchard gave everyone their answer in the fourth as Nachi Heguy added two more of his game total seven goals, to put his team up 12-8. Las Monjitas managed to close the gap in the fifth to 13-11 when Javier Astrada scored three times.
“We missed a couple of goals at both ends early in the sixth, and I think our horses were tired at the end when we committed those fouls,” Las Monjitas’ Eduardo Astrada said.
Crab Orchard had gone to a ball control game, and it was the team’s Jeff Blake, later named Most Valuable Player, who dropped back on defense to turn the plays that set up Adolfo Cambiaso to score two 60-yard penalty goals and put the game out of reach. “We were up by as many as five goals, and we should never have let them get back into the game,” Cambiaso said. “Winning this is what we came for.”
“We put a lot of pressure on
the new guys, and they sure came through for us,” Crab Orchard captain George Rawlings said. “After winning last year, we were the team to beat this time. I traded for Nachi Heguy and Jeff Blake, and they sure became the Crab Orchard team… nothing can compare to winning the U.S. Open.”
When asked about a threepeat, Rawlings said, “I want to savor this victory we just played and won seven straight games. I may just take a year off and savor this.”
Cambiaso earlier had said he would be playing in Argentina next year and would probably not be in Wellington for the winter season.
Cambiaso and Heguy scored seven goals each for the Crab Orchard boys, and Nacho Astrada led his team with six.
Best Playing Pony honors went to Cambiaso’s horse Sylvia, and the Best Horse of the Tournament honors went to Pico Blanco, owned by Nacho Astrada.
The North American Polo League awarded its national championship $100,000 to Skeeterville. Crab Orchard, another NAPL team, earned the Skeeter trophy for its victory. For more information about U.S. Open polo, visit www. internationalpoloclub.com or www.northamericanpololeague. com.
Orchard Hill Wins Hall Of Fame Cup
Orchard Hill defeated Bendabout in the final minute on a goal by Jeff Hall 11-10 to capture the Hall of Fame Cup at the International Polo Club Palm Beach last Saturday.
In the final chukker, Bendabout had taken a 10-9 lead on a goal by Miguel Astrada. At the three-minute mark, brother Alejandro had a penalty shot
blocked and intercepted by Orchard Hill’s Hector Galindo, who passed the ball to Hall. Hall took it down field but was fouled. He converted the penalty shot from 30 yards out and on the ensuing bowl-in with under 57 seconds remaining, took the ball to goal and the victory. “I knew it was my only
chance, I held on and took my time,” Hall said.
“It’s always great to go out with a win,” Orchard Hill captain Steve Van Andel said. “We were shooting for the U.S. Open but only one team can win it, so today is a great ending.” Bendabout, a North American Polo League team, finished the season third in points.
COURTESY
LILA PHOTO
U.S Open Polo Champs — Crab Orchard owner Beverly Rawlings (center) with team members
Jeff Blake, Nachi Heguy, Adolfo Cambiaso and George Rawlings.
Crab Orchard’s Adolfo Cambiaso declares victory.
GOLDEN GROVE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ENJOY SCHOOL’S ANNUAL CARNIVAL
Coster Wins Dwyer Award
continued from page 1 ed, and I still can’t remember what I said. When the awards ceremony was over, it was so
PBCC Workshop
On May 8
continued from page 1 with the people in charge of certain tasks needed to complete a job or action,” he said. “Whether we sell, lease — but not give away — or convince [nearby developer] Centex to be creative with their tract of land, the general location is superb and this type of creation is highly needed for the financial well being of the village.” Wellington Education Committee Chair Marcia Hayden, like other speakers, echoed concerns of parents who had to drive their children to other campuses. “Those parents are extremely excited of the prospect of having PBCC here in the Village of Wellington,” Hayden said. “As a parent of a former Wellington student, my son was enrolled at PBCC. Many of the classes were set at night. I dreaded the drive. The parents of students doing dual enrollment have the same concerns.”
Letters
continued from page 4
lieve that all of their lettered roads were to be paved and seven months was much too long to wait. Councilman Lipp further loaded the deck by pushing for all public comment to be given before the council discussed the issue; which is a complete reversal from all past procedure. This resulted in the trashing of the request to hold off road paving by councilmen, who folded under the pressure of the poorly informed public rush that was orchestrated by the LGWCD. Now we will see how the average landowner will hold up to the second mortgages that many will need to pay for the LGWCD’s and Councilman Lipp’s road paving.
Howard Voren
Loxahatchee Groves
Karch Responds
My previous letter to the editor (“Hypocrisy On ITID Board,” April 11) was appropriately questioning the recent actions of supervisors Mike Erickson and Michelle Damone. It goes on to speak about the plunder of asset purging going on at their hand and to our expense;
heartwarming when several people, including former and present students with their parents, came over to express their congratulations. When the photograph session began, I had a chance to look at the fantastic etched crystal award. All I could think was... wow!”
Originally from West Virginia, Coster has been in Florida for 19 years. As the school’s family and consumer services teacher, she teaches students skills ranging from balancing a checkbook to cooking a meal. Coster has been nominated for a Dwyer Award several times. It was the third time she had been chosen as a finalist and her first win.
Coster said she was tremendously honored, and greatly appreciated the hard work of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, the Education
Attorney Howard Coates said not every child will become a star athlete, and that they need an education to fall back on. “We need to plan for reality,” Coates said. “When you look at young kids in sports, a fraction make it to high school teams and a smaller amount make it to college teams. We have our priorities backward. We need to have a focus on education. Timing is everything. You don’t always have an opportunity like this.”
During their turn to comment, council members quickly came to a consensus that a workshop session should be held to discuss the idea in depth.
Mayor Darell Bowen said he hoped members of the public would return to take part and listen during the workshop.
“We will take this to a workshop as quickly as possible,” he said. “The five of us and staff will have a conversation with you, Dr. Gallon, so we can talk about the issues. There will be a number of public presentations following that you all will participate in. Then it will come back and there will be meaning-
the outright manipulation of legal contract law as it relates to public notice; the breach of constitutional rights as they relate to referendum requirements; their total ignorance, willful distrust and lack of confidence in the public’s wishes as they relate to the hypocritical contract agreement for utilities with Palm Beach County; and perhaps most importantly, their unwillingness to review their actions, devise a more meaningful plan with public input, and enact that plan with public input. After all, it’s our assets they are giving away!
Neither Michelle nor Mike, in their follow-up response, addressed any of these concerns. Instead, they focused on one comment I made at the end as follows: “You are both detrimental to our well-being, and your personal relationship is disgusting and counterproductive to elective service.” They have both barked back in defensive modes that they are not engaged in anything but a “professional relationship” and that my comment has hurt their family. Wow! While my comment stated that their relationship was personal, I never suggested that it was “in-
Foundation of Palm Beach County and other agencies involving in choosing the candidates and winners.
“I am also very grateful to all those at Wellington Landings
Middle School,” she said, “especially our principal Mario Crocetti and the many wonderful people in the Village of Wellington who have provided support and encouragement.”
CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
BY
ful votes. Everyone will have the opportunity to speak.”
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto thanked Gallon and Foster, and said she is looking forward to the workshop. “We have long been committed in the community to have a presence of a higher educational facility,” Benacquisto said. “In bringing it to a workshop, we can have our questions answered and find a way to make this dream a reality. I thank you for your patience as we move through the process.”
Councilman Bob Margolis, who raised concerns about the proposal when it was first brought up earlier this month, said he wished to thank Gallon and the representatives from PBCC in the room that evening, especially for listening to him regarding his concerns on losing recreational space and open space. “I would like to thank Dr. Gallon for coming out here,” Margolis said. “There are possibilities to discuss.”
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said he looked forward to having a “frank and open dis-
timate.” While it is not surprising that their responses are closely choreographed, similar to their votes and board discussions, I find it most interesting that they have both taken the comment to suggest that they are having an affair. Persons jumping toward an unprovoked defensive rhetoric usually have something to hide… enough said. Since Mike makes some outright false allegations about my personal and professional life, I must address them here. After all the hours that our attorneys (at my direction) and myself spent schooling Mike on the water issues, lawsuits and value of the utility, he still has no mastery or understanding of the issues. The utility has been professionally valued at $66 million. They sold it for a few million. The value of the utility is based largely on connections “outside” of The Acreage. Acreage residents would be provided service on a volunteer basis exactly like they purport the county will do with us in their yard sale agreement. Never did the current master plan say there would be mandated hookups. More importantly, the value of
cussion” with all parties involved.
“We want to come to a decision that is both beneficial to the community and the taxpayers of this community, as well as residents and students who live here,” Priore said. “Having a college campus associated with a community, town or village is extremely important and gives the community a great deal of credibility. But we have to move cautiously, and we have to do it in the right way.”
Councilman Matt Willhite said he had been impressed listening to the presentation of Gallon and Foster. “I was a little concerned about this initially,” Willhite said. “Going to workshop is the best thing for this, so we can be able to answer all these questions. The numerous e-mails I got showed that is a topic that needs to be worked on and looked at extensively.”
Priore made a motion for the council to examine the proposal at a workshop on Thursday, May 8. The motion was seconded by Benacquisto and passed unanimously.
a utility is largely based on “future connections” not “mandated connections.” Secondly, Mike commits slander when he states I acted as a paid sub-consultant for a contracted engineering firm with the scope of collecting water samples for their report. While it is true that I collected the samples, I donated the two weeks of time it took because the district did not have the money to pay for either a lab tech or another engineer to collect “certified” samples. This donation of time is synonymous with the 14 years of service I have given this community. Third, Mike seems to blame me for the current engineer’s design omissions on the seven-mile pipeline along the M-Canal. I personally gave Mike written documentation of my correspondence with then district administrator Ed Oppel with warnings that the pipe would not work for many reasons. I later would learn that apparently that pipeline was purposely designed to fail at the mandate of Tony Masilotti. No branch tees, hydrants or chlorination points were provided; all of which I requested. Furthermore, I negotiated a deal where
Crime Residents Reporting Incidents
continued from page 1 citizens to report crime. So when they report a crime, what happens? We capture a number,” Araujo said. “But I want to make very clear that this is not a numbers game. We’re a very safe community. We have more officers on the street than at any time in the history of this community. The officers self initiate a lot of contacts. We want folks to call us and let us know what
the city would greatly reduce or eliminate the debt… something Mike will not talk publicly about. Fourth and last, Mike suggests that his 15 months of freshman public service greatly outweighs my 14-plus years. Dream on, son.
I will close by stating facts.
In 15 short months, they have given away our greatest asset and sole enterprise business; our utility and our easements. They are negotiating “highway” like connections to our “used to be” exclusive easements. They have befriended developers who will use us and then abuse us. They have taken campaign contributions from those who are now included in proposed legislation for district services. They have ignored the public, abused their powers, and misspent finances that belong to us. Our district has been hijacked. Let the residents beware in our upcoming election… do not allow this to happen again. In the meantime, Michelle and Mike… resign immediately! Christopher Karch The Acreage Editor’s Note: Mr. Karch
the crimes are in this community. If we don’t know there is a crime, then we don’t know how to address it.”
A 21-year resident of Royal Palm Beach, Araujo stressed that crime is not linear. It has its up ticks and its down ticks. Plus, Araujo said, the village’s population and business growth over the past nine years has led to more opportunities for people to commit crime in Royal Palm Beach.
“Let’s look at what used to be business pockets or business plazas in those years compared to what we have now,” Araujo said. “Now we have full business corridors. Businesses attract customers. Money and businesses attract criminals. The majority of our crimes continue to be crimes of opportunity, where if citizens took a little bit more time for crime prevention, probably some of those wouldn’t occur.”
continued from page 8 said. “This is going to look very nice.”
Damone pointed out that the county is using fences to block off the water catchment area next to the road. “When you hear people complain about possible damage to water,” she said, “show them this.”
Damone said the area is so nice that she could envision people running alongside it as a jogging area when the work is completed. “The work done here demonstrates that there is no ecological reason why State Road 7 cannot be extended all the way to Northlake Blvd.,” Damone said. “We are next to sensitive land, and it is being protected. The same can be done further north.”
is a former member of the ITID Board of Supervisors.
Golden Grove Elementary School in The Acreage held its annual carnival Saturday, April 19 on the school grounds. As always, there was plenty of ice cream, cotton candy and games for all ages to enjoy.
Mikayla Kroecker plays a bean bag game.
Sierra and Amanda Weiner enjoy ice cream.
Addie Fluegge tried to toss hoops on a bull’s horns.Taylor Caputo and Clayton Harvey toss bolas.
Victoria Clark and Taylor Mitchell with their grandpa.
Andrew Eiseman holds a Jackson chameleon.
Sarah Al-Buhaisi and Caitlin Drake peddle candy.
Finalist Pat Klammer of New Horizons with husband Ken and mom Renee.
Elbridge Gale Assistant Principal Kevin Krieger and Principal Gail Pasterczyk with finalist Bonnie Rossa, her husband Scott and daughter Marci.
Winner Sandra Coster with her father Ken Smith and friend William Dilks.
Finalist Stacy Nussbaum of Binks Forest (third from left) with her family and friends.
PHOTOS
FUN AND LEARNING MARK EARTH DAY AT THE OKEEHEELEE NATURE CENTER
The Okeeheelee Nature Center held an Earth Day celebration last Saturday, featuring a bird walk, nature walk, kids’ crafts, a wildlife movie, dip netting, a butterfly walk and more. The Okeeheelee Nature Center is located at 7715 Forest Hill Blvd. in Okeeheelee Park. For more information, call (561) 233-1400. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Mark Fischer and son Gabriel demonstrate proper care of bonsai trees.
Okeeheelee Nature Center Director Clive Pinnock holds Hootie, a screech owl, while he gives a talk about birds of prey.
Youngsters crowd around to pet Buddy the possum.
Volunteer Christine Cork with Hootie.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office technical specialist Barbara Masi and volunteers Theresa Mirolla and Diana Ramer with Bullet and Comet.
Palm Beach County Woodturners member Tim Rowe at his lathe.
Virginia Bowen releases a rehabilitated anhinga.
Storyteller Judge Nelson Bailey aboard Domino.
Jennifer Smith helps Gina Rand make a leaf impression.
Okeeheelee Nature Center Director Clive Pinnock points out differences in owl wing feathers.
The Phantoms Review
REACH FOR THE STARS
at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Reach for the Stars was a knockout... featuring “Dancing for the Stars,” it was nothing less than spectacular!
The Young Friends of the Kravis Center’s 15th anniversary of its “Reach for the Stars” benefit the Kravis Center’s S*T*A*R*S (Student and Teachers Arts Resource) series and education programs was taken to a new level.
We have attended and supported this worthwhile program for the past five years, back when it was held in the main theater lobby. This year’s event, held earlier this month, was moved to the Weiner Banquet Center in the Cohen Pavilion, and on the program was an incredible evening of gourmet food, wines, a silent auction and live entertainment, but there was an added twist, well not the twist, but the cha-cha starring West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel and seven media personalities, along with their professional dance instructor/partners.
“Dancing for the Stars” was a perfect clone of TV’s Dancing with the Stars , with all the glitz and glamour along with celebrity judges. The gorgeous celebrity costumes were designed and donated by Deirdre of London. The dance contest was won by Suzanne Boyd, news anchor for News 12 and Fox 29, who nudged out Mayor Frankel by just one point. (Suzanne’s dress was well worth that extra point… and now the mayor wants a recount!)
We thought that this was the “best of the best” fundraising event in Kravis’s 15year history… and one of the best fun-filled events we covered this season.
Following the “Media vs. the Mayor” dancing competition there was a special performance by United States Latin champions Yulia Zagoruychenko and Riccar-
do Cocchi, who amazed the sold-out crowd with their dancing ability and energetic performance. Then it was our turn to take to the dance floor, and Joe’s first dance was a cha-cha with the star of the evening, Mayor Frankel… she was good and looked beautiful!
Finally, we would like to congratulate all of the Kravis staff, volunteers and organizers, including the local restaurants, wine dealers and dancing studios who donated their time and services to make this event such an overwhelming success. Just like Dancing with the Stars, each celebrity practiced their routine for over 20 hours, and every one of them was a winner and now a much better dancer! We are looking forward to next year, because this one will be hard to top!
This fantastic show was the brainchild of Angelo Caruso from Caruso Dancesport of Palm Beach, who had the pleasure of having Mayor Frankel as his partner. Other dance professionals involved were Kyoung-im Kang from Fred Astaire Dance Studios of North Palm Beach, Warren and Babette Brown from Fred Astaire of Jupiter, Herb Vazques and Sixto Valentin from the Palms Ballroom, and Joe Morley of Dancin Dance Centre.
The Dancing Media was: from News 12 and Fox 29 Suzanne Boyd (Mambo) and Eric Roby (Viennese Waltz); News Channel 25’s Meredith McDonough (Foxtrot) and Bob Kaple (Rumba); News Channel 5’s Tania Rogers (Swing); and WXEL’s Toni May (Tango). The celebrity judges were: Frank Cerabino, columnist with the Palm Beach Post ; Hillie Merritt Mahoney, former Miss Rheingold and TV spokesperson; and Bud Palmer, former NBA star and sportscaster… who gave the extra point to Suzanne!
ST. PETER’S SPRING FAIR GOES ‘UNDERSEA’
St. Peter’s United Methodist Church and Child Enrichment Center in Wellington held its annual Spring Fair Fundraiser on Saturday, April 19. This year’s theme was “Under the Sea Adventure.” The event featured a silent auction with goods donated from Wellington area businesses, food, sea-themed games, bounce houses, entertainment and more.
support the Child Enrichment Center.
Kimmie MacLean
James, Hanna and Emily Allison scoop up toy ducks.
Eryn and Kenna Wioncek make sand art.
Billy Masters and Sam Astern get ready for a race.
Megan and Dylan Fenton have some fun with sand art.
Alexa and Kyla Baal.
Sarah Manuel tests her bowling skills.
Pam Gilbert and Megan Fenton check in a guest.
Worried About All The Troubles Of The World? It’s
Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER
My husband Mark and I were sitting around with a couple of friends last weekend, and we got to talking about how nothing is a problem anymore. We didn’t mean because of our ages or income levels or fabulous stress-free jobs — oh, no, there’s plenty of stuff there to worry about. What we were talking about was how it’s become almost politically incorrect to refer to anything as a “problem.” Instead, we have issues. “I have an issue with that.” “She’s got a lot of issues.” “I loved that car but — issues!” At work, even issues have been banned. An unsolved issue is merely a “challenge.” And you know what we have to do with challenges — surmount them! Heaven help the employee with an “insurmountable” challenge. His head is on the chopping block. After all, this is America! And not just any America — North America. And, just in case you thought we were talking about Canada for a minute — no! We mean the good ol’ US of A, where the men are stronger, the women are prettier and — well, you know how it goes. The point is, we share a can-do spirit! So if the copier is jammed — we fix it! If the deadline is unmeetable — we meet it! And if we’ve left the key to the corporate washroom at home on our dresser — well, we just commute back home and get it! Because copiers and deadlines make the world go ’round. (And washroom keys are absolutely vital.)
Do you remember how this semantics thing happened? Teenagers.
We’d speak to one of these kids when we got to the front of the line at McDonald’s and we’d say, “I’d like a Number One, please. To go.”
And what was this teenager’s response? “No problem.”
The first time I got the “no problem” answer, I had to think and think about it. Had I suggested that, in some way, there was going to be a problem? Is it ordinarily a problem? Did my appearance suggest that I was going to cause a problem?
Or was this teenager just trying to assure me that he had it covered — that what might be a huge problem for someone else behind that counter was not a problem for him, Super Cashier. “No problem” was being said simply to put my mind at ease. Simply to let me relax. No need for me to change my order — there was “no problem.”
Of course, exactly 50 percent of the time, my order was wrong which led me to believe that, despite assurances to the contrary, there had indeed been a problem... and since I didn’t open my little sack until after I drove away, that problem was now my problem.
But I digress. My friend Len was saying that all we have left to us these days are issues and challenges, and this is never made so crystal clear as when you have to consult your attorney. Attorney’s fees seem to be based on a sliding scale of “issue,” “challenge” and “problem.” You may be able to afford the first two, but you’ll never be able to afford the third. “If you’ve got a ‘problem,’ you may as well empty your bank account,” Len said. “You may even go to jail.” Now there’s an issue for you. Maybe even a challenge. But don’t despair. Maybe you can call out for Super Cashier. He’ll save the day by boldly announcing that there is “no problem.”
‘Camelot’ Reminds Us Of The Power Of Myth Throughout History
Watching Camelot at the Kravis Center last weekend reminded me of the power of myth, even today. The show is not one of the great musicals. The pace is slow, although the songs are nice. The production was well-done, led by Lou Diamond Phillips as King Arthur and an exceptional Rachel de Benedet as Queen Guenevere. (The musical spells it that way, but in traditional stories it is spelled Guinevere, and I will use that spelling.)
‘I’ On CULTURE
By Leonard Wechsler
many of the characters appropriately flawed, so they could suffer and be forced to work hard for salvation.
Interestingly, the story in many ways is a retelling of Adam and Eve with Lancelot playing the part of the forbidden fruit. It is the forbidden love that tears down all of Camelot, even though Arthur recognizes that he is being manipulated by his evil illegitimate son Mordred (a good analogy for the serpent, of course).
returning. “Here lies Arthur, the once and future king” was the inscription on his grave, according to lore. Again, a religious reference, this to a second coming.
The tale focuses on the love triangle between Arthur, Guinevere and the dashing Sir Lancelot, the greatest of all the “carnal heroes,” a term used to describe all those knights who were not absolutely perfect. Only Lancelot’s son Galahad measured up, and he was taken bodily into heaven by a host of angels. However, it is the legend of Arthur that is continually renewable. The story of King Arthur and the Round Table, which is not historical, takes on the power of myth. The story (actually a series of interconnected stories) was written by Sir Thomas Malory in the 15th Century and became part of the folklore of England and then America.
People thrilled to the idea of a great king who fought for what is right and really meant to protect them against evil. The idea of “courtly love” where knights would serve ladies without asking for rewards of the flesh was also attractive in an era when the powerful were able to pretty much do as they want when it came to those without power. However, Malory was using the stories as a way of promoting Christian virtues and wanted
The entire story of Arthur — which is wonderfully retold in T.H. White’s The Once and Future King, the source of Camelot — deals with many moral issues, including the search for the Holy Grail to symbolize human perfection. That kind of search was very appealing to the educated folk of Malory’s time and for everyone else in later centuries. We all want heroes; we want the powerful to do the right thing, although it happens far too infrequently.
The people of England, who often suffered through difficult times, could dream about Arthur
Americans of my generation can relate fully to the myth since it ties in with one of our own. Remembering John F. Kennedy’s administration, compared to Camelot, reminds us of our grief for a president killed far before his time. That his term of office was hardly Arthurian in accomplishments hardly matters. Style was more important than substance, and JFK had plenty of that. There’s the oft-quoted line “don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot.” Whenever quoted, they bring back the feeling of sorrow I had when I heard about JFK’s death and the tears I and so many others did when we saw TV footage of his son saluting his father’s coffin. It is the myth that we all worship. We want the hero as leader. And unfortunately, our leaders seldom measure up.
Getting My Computer Fixed Was Quite An Ordeal (And Costly)
For the last couple of weeks I have been computer-less. My old computer has been on the fritz — you know: not working, broken, etc. The main reason I need this computer is to get my columns to the Town-Crier
I am part of the generation brought up not using computers. In today’s world, they use computers for just about everything. They don’t even pick up garbage without a computer. I very rarely go on the Internet; I have no reason or the time to indulge in such a luxury. Every now and then I do like to read my e-mail, and I do like to play free cell with my grandson (he usually wins).
I’ve been going over to my son Brian’s house to use his computer. When my daughter-in-law Ali saw what a terrible typist I was, she offered to type the column for me. Of course, an offer like that I don’t turn down (I hate to type). At this point, I was making the broken computer work for me. When I handed my daughter-in-law my master-
Wondering & Wandering
By Ernie Zimmerman
piece (I mean, my column for typing), I turned away and started playing with my granddaughters. In less then two minutes, my daughter-inlaw appeared, telling me some bad news — she could not read a word I had written. We decided I would dictate the column to her. This worked out better than I expected. My daughter-in-law is a teacher, so I didn’t need the computer to spell-check or make any grammar corrections She did it all. The column was done in
less than half the time it would have taken little old me to type it by myself.
After typing my last column, my daughter-inlaw informed me that she, along with the rest of her family, would not be in town next week. All good things come to an end... I would have to do the typing by myself. But, I already had a solution.
My other son Ronnie is a computer wiz. One of his college degrees is in the subject. I called him and called him and called him. Finally, after a week of begging, then threatening him with bodily harm and removing him from my will, he came to my house to fix my computer. At first he wanted to fix the problem by walking me through it over the phone. I reminded him how much his college education cost me.
When he finally showed up at my house, he arrived with all five of his kids and three of their friends. He also came with his very large dog (a
lab) that happens to love my pool. I thought that was it. Then I saw one more thing coming out of my son’s vehicle. It was his very fat pig. That was when I blew my top. I told him someone (or something) had to go. I went on to say I can’t be a lifeguard for eight kids and a couple of animals. The compromise we reached was for my son to take his very fat pig home ASAP while I watched everyone else. Upon my son’s return (about two hours later), he went right to work on my computer. In what appeared to be ten minutes, he had my computer running like it was brand new.
In the meantime, his kids and dog ate just about everything in my house that I like (cookies, candy, ice cream, etc.). They even ate all of my frozen grape juice bars. They left a full load for the washing machine, and it appeared half the pool water was on the bathroom floor. At this point, See ZIMMERMAN, page 28
FEATURES LION COUNTRY HOSTS PALMS WEST, HISPANIC CHAMBERS
The Palms West Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County held a joint mixer at Lion Country Safari on April 16. In addition to visits by a sloth and a Sicilian donkey, Lion Country Safari Vice President Marc Unterhalter spoke about recent improvements, the state of their economy and other issues.
ROYAL PALM BEACH ANNUAL GARAGE SALE A SUCCESS
The Royal Palm Beach Community Garage Sale was held Saturday, April 19 at Veterans Park. Patrons wandered around the park, looking at their neighbors’ treasures while listening to the live calypso music of Alfred “Obadiah” Colebrook with Accents One & Two. Event organizer Ann Boodheshwar predicted that there will be another garage sale next year, based on the success of this year’s event. “This has been a fun day for everyone,” she said. “It’s a great chance for neighbors to get together.”
PHOTOS BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Hispanic Chamber President Pedro Guilarte, Lion Country Safari Vice President Marc Unterhalter, General Manager Harold Kramer and Palms West Chamber of Commerce President Joanna Boynton.
Nelson Sanchez, Paulita Abrahamsen and Keith Jordano.
Joanna Boynton presents Pedro Guilarte with a certificate of appreciation.
Lion Country Safari’s Jennifer Berthume with Maritza Clark.
Maxine Russell, Marina Grillo and Gretchen Feng.
Lydia Hernandez, Norma Cruz, Rebecca Mondo and her mom Suzanne.
Dael Sidney, Marianne Hall and Jeff Hawley.
RPB Councilman Matty Mattioli and event organizer Anne Boodheshwar.
Vendor Elaine Cresco with Ron and Pat Schulz.
Andres and Meghann Knowles with their wares.
Julie Ann Kelleher, Chloe Pocock, and Shawn and Lois Spatz discuss a deal.
Mariciane Joseph, and Kegy and Kathy Altidor with their purchases.
Vendor Karen Besosa with Stacy and Maria Corona.
Alfred “Obadiah” Colebrook and Accents One & Two perform.
The Palm Beach Harley Owners Group held its 17th Annual Chili Cookoff and Fourth Annual Poker Run last Sunday at John Prince Park in Lake Worth. The event benefited the children’s program at Hospice of Palm Beach County. Events included the Memorial Poker Run, with a first prize
with some of his work.
Zimmerman
My Broken Computer
continued from page 26 my son decided he was going to have dinner at my house. After figuring out what everything cost me, I think it would have been cheaper for me to take my broken computer to a computer store for repairs. As my son was leaving, I told him just that. After giving me a look I thought only my wife could give
me, he told me, “the next time your computer breaks, call someone else to fix it.” (He went on to remind me that he had given me this computer out of the goodness of his heart and that it worked fine for him the six years he used it in school.)
But you know what? All the money in the world could not buy me a night like the one I had with my son’s extended family. I really had a great time, but I don’t dare tell that to my son. It would ruin my reputation for being a grumpy kind of guy.
Brownie Troop Benefits ‘Pennies For Peace’
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Brownie Troop 948 visited BankAtlantic’s Royal Palm Beach branch on Monday, April 21 in conjunction with the Pennies for Peace project, which teaches children the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and educational opportunities to children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The event was the culmination of six weeks of work on the project, which was led by Cheryl Kernus, whose daughter Lena is a troop member. Brownie scouts, moms and leaders
brought in jars of coins and were greeted by BankAtlantic representatives. At the end of the count, the troop made a cashier’s check out to the Pennies for Peace Foundation for a total of $263.65. That means the 16 girls in the troop collected a total of 26,565 pennies. Pennies for Peace is a program of the Central Asia Institute. For more information, visit www.penniesforpeace. org. BankAtlantic in RPB is located at 11161 Southern Blvd. For more information, call (561) 793-3213.
check.
Brownies join BankAtlantic representatives for a group photo.
Troop Leader Kathy Bourque helps some of the scouts sign the giant
The scouts recite the Pledge of Allegiance.The girls get ready to count the pennies they collected.
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Bank representative Sheila Lowe joins the Brownies as they watch the machine count their pennies.
ary visit, Jungle Queen cruise and more. Two separate camps are offered: Junior camp for ages 2 to 5 years and Super camp for ages 5 to 12 years. Planet Kids is open daily from 6:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., Monday through Friday at five convenient locations. See our ad for locations and phone numbers.
• CASPEREY STABLES HORSE CAMP — Casperey Stables is a small, funfilled day camp for children ages seven to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts & crafts and outdoor games, our campers find little time to be bored. Our low counselor/child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer, each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. We have a weekly swim party and end each session with a horse show and family barbecue. Call soon — this small, quality program fills quickly! To learn more about our camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call us at (561) 792-4990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.
• RAVENWOOD RIDING ACADEMY — Ravenwood Riding Academy has been located in Wellington for 20 years. Proprietor and instructor Judie Jenner has been professionally involved with horses for over 30 years. Learn to ride at Camp Giddy-Up! Meet new friends and have fun all summer long learning about horses. The summer program consists of weekly sessions from June through August for children six years and up, with a focus on fun, and an emphasis on safety. Lessons daily, groups are limited to 10 to 12 campers per week and grouped by skill level. All riding equipment and safety stirrups are provided. The program features demonstrations with veterinarians, blacksmiths and equine dentists. Call (561) 7934109 to register today. Hurry, sessions fill up quickly.
• BREAKERS WEST SUMMER CAMP — Camp at Breakers West offers something for everyone. Campers ages five to 14 are invited to join the Breakers West counselors for daily golf, tennis and swimming instruction, field trips, basketball, soccer, arts and crafts, magic shows, cooking classes, wildlife demonstrations, cookouts and more. Breakers West Summer Camp starts June 9 and runs through Aug. 15. Weekly sessions are $300 per camper, per week. Discounts are available to families registering multiple children and/or for multiple sessions. For more information, call (561) 653-6333.
• VILLARI’S SUMMER CAMP — For the first time in 25 years, Villari’s of Wellington is pleased to announce a full-day, nine-week summer camp. After years of research and preparation, we have decided it is time to offer a camp tailored to developing the mental as well as physical skills of your child. Through stretching, strengthening and balancing the bodies and minds of our children, we open a world less intimidating, more interesting and less confusing to them. Let your child experience a summer full of fun, fitness and friends. Call (561) 792-1100 for more info.
• THE LEARNING FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA — The Learning Foundation is a private school, including elementary, middle and high school. We pride ourselves on the personal commitment and attention offered to every child. Our students’ individual educational needs are first — “one to one can make the difference.” McKay and Pride scholarships are accepted. Grade forgiveness and/or acceleration is available for grades nine through 12. Join us for elementary and middle school summer academic camp beginning June 17 for elementary grades and July 8 for high school grades. For more information, call director Debra Thornby at (561) 7956886.
• DREAM BELIEVER STABLES — Enjoy a summer filled with horses at Dream Believer Stables! Learn how to groom, tack and of course ride. Each day has a lesson for campers to learn safety and control of horses. After lunch, we have a fun ride with games or bareback. Space is limited; only 12 campers per week starting May 26 through August; homeschoolers welcome. Camp is for ages five through 16. Call Andrea at (561) 2898515 for more info.
• OKEEHEELEE / PARK RIDGE / JOHN PRINCE SUMMER GOLF CAMPS — Learn the basics of the golf swing and beyond: putting, chipping, pitching and more; personal swing tendencies and swing drills for improvement; on course laying etiquette and strategies; and sound etiquette and knowledge of the basic rules of golf. Okeeheelee camp dates: June 10-13, June 17-20, June 24-27, July 8-11, July 15-18, July 22-25 and Aug. 5-8. Park Ridge camp dates: June 17-20, July 8-11, July 22-25, July 29-Aug. 1, and Aug. 5-8. John Prince Park camp dates: June 10-13, June 24-27, June 30July 3, July 15-18 and July 29-Aug. 1. For complete information, call Michele Berger at (561) 964-4653, ext. 107.
• XTREME TAE KWON DO SUMMER CAMP Join us again for a funfilled summer camp for children ages four to 14. We offer physical and mental fitness and ways to improve your child’s balance and coordination while learning self defense. We also enjoy arts and crafts, and field trips to movies and gymnastics. Come and experience the best summer camp in the west. Two sessions will be offered: Session I from June 9 to June 20 and Session II from July 7 to July 18. Register before the end of April and receive an Xtreme T-shirt. Space is limited; register today. Instructor is child CPR and heartsaver AED certified. Located at 12799 W.Forest Hill Blvd. inside Ultima Fitness. Call (561) 795-2823 for more information.
• FUTURE STARS BASKETBALL CAMP — Held in the Palm Beach Central High School gymnasium, Future Stars is a fun and instructional basketball camp for boys and girls ages six to 17 of all ability levels featuring basketball drills, competitions and games. Campers are grouped by age and ability. All campers will receive a camp T-shirt. Awards will be presented the last afternoon of camp for team winners, competition winners and special recognition. The instructional staff is comprised of high school coaches who are teachers. Lunch may be bought or brought. There will be three weekly session available running from June 16 through July 3. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Call (561) 400-3397 for camp information and registration.
• ARMORY ART CENTER GET CREATIVE SUMMER ART CAMP Jump Start for ages five to seven; Adventures in Art for ages eight to 11; and Studio Art Shops for teens (middle and high school students). An adventure in the visual arts for your young artist! Six sessions starting June 9. The center is located at 1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 832-1776 or visit www.armoryart.org.
• TUTORING CLUB OF WELLINGTON Summer learning loss is a bigger problem than you might think/ Studies have shown that, on average, students lose nearly 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathemetical computation skills over the summer months — nearly one third of a school year! The Tutoring Clubs of America are decicated to helping your child succeed. Summer camp registration is June 2 - June 12. For more information, contact directors Gale Nelson and Jeff Santoloci at Tutoring Club of Welington at (561) 784-4434.
TOWN-CRIER SPORTS & RECREATION
Wellington Tops P.B. Central 9-1 In District Baseball Playoffs
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff report
The Wellington High School baseball team reaped the reward of its District 9-6A championship on Tuesday night. The number-one seed in the district playoffs, WHS defeated numbereight seed Palm Beach Lakes 13-0 in an opening round game in Jupiter. Palm Beach Central advanced with an 11-4 victory over Royal Palm Beach on Monday night (see photos), but lost to Wellington 9-1 in a semifinal game on Wednesday night. Also on Monday night, Jupiter defeated Seminole Ridge 6-2, ending the Hawks’ season at 1214. Seminole Ridge managed only four hits off Warriors starter Brandon Hagan, who struck out nine batters. Jupiter jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning against Hawks starter Mike Amador (2-3) and never looked back. Wellington banged out 13 hits against three overmatched Palm Beach Lakes pitchers and followed a six-run second inning with six runs in the third inning. This was highlighted by junior first baseman Evan Stermer’s two-run home run, his second of the year. Wolverines starter Troy Ferrano and reliever John Piser combined on a no-hitter in the game shortened to five innings because of the 10-run rule.
It was the second time in three games WHS had no-hit an opponent in a fiveinning game; the Wolverines bested Santaluces 10-0 last Wednesday as senior pitcher John Brebbia picked up his
ninth victory of the season.
Going into Wednesday’s game against Palm Beach Central, the Wolverines had out-hit their opponents 466 and outscored them 34-2 in their previous four games. Including the game against Palm Beach Lakes (2-18), Wellington pitchers had allowed only two runs in their previous 24 innings of work. “No matter who we play, if we don’t throw strikes and if we don’t catch ground balls, we’re going to give up runs,” WHS coach Scott Riddle said. “The last six games, really, we’ve caught just about everything that’s been hit, and our pitchers have done a very good job of throwing the ball over the plate. That’s really the story of how we’ve done well.”
Wellington played Jupiter Friday in the district championship game; the score was not available at press time. Before Monday’s game against RPB, the Broncos rebounded after consecutive losses to Park Vista and Cardinal Newman with a 13-hit attack against the three RPB pitchers. Palm Beach Central jumped on Wildcat starter Austin Perez (10-1) for three runs in the first inning and put the game away with five runs off reliever Rob Marcello in the sixth. Starter Kyle Finch struck out 10 Wildcat hitters and went the distance for the Broncos. Devon Travis went four for five, homered and scored three runs for the Broncos. Jordan Brinson homered for RPB, which ended its season 15-11.
Hawk Weightlifter Places Third At State Tournament
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
Seminole Ridge High School junior
Colton Coss finished third in the high school weightlifting state tournament last weekend in Daytona Beach. Competing in the 119-pound weight division, Coss turned in a total weight of 420 pounds — 240 on the bench press, and 180 in the clean and jerk. The overall weight was 10 pounds under his conference-winning total of 430 pounds, but the 240-pound bench press was his career best. Coss was seventh in the state tournament at 119 in 2007.
“Hopefully he’ll win it next year,” SRHS coach Justin Hilliker said. The Hawks took nine lifters to the tournament and finished 20th as a team. Among the individual finishers, Seminole Ridge’s Tommy Rodriguez finished ninth in the 154-pound division with a bench press of 265, and a clean and jerk of 240; Jeff Moise was second at 139 with a bench and clean and jerk of 215 pounds each; Austin Rodriguez was 14th at 119 pounds with a bench of 175, and a clean and jerk of
170; Sean Rochefort was 12th at 129 with bench of 220, and clean and jerk of 175; Matt Collado was 16th at 169 with a bench of 295, and clean and jerk of 225; Josh Hawks was 11th at 183 with a bench of 290, and a clean and jerk of 270; Curtis Griswold was 14th at 199 with a bench of 295, and a clean and jerk of 250; and Chauncey Pikini was 13th at 199 with a bench of 320, and a clean and jerk of 275.
Also, Wellington High School’s Phil Marfisi finished 13th at 238 pounds with a bench of 355 and a clean and jerk of 275, and teammate Bobby Zajicek finished 10th at 219 with a bench of 360 and a clean and jerk of 250.
Hilliker said the competition was a humbling experience for his young team. Seven of the nine Hawk lifters were underclassmen. “They were used to being the big dog down here,” Hilliker said. “When they went up there, they found it was a totally different scene where everybody was really good. I think it will do wonders next year when we go back.”
WHS Lacrosse Boys Defeat Broncos 8-6 In District Championship
By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington High School boys lacrosse team overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the District 3-6A Championship last Thursday night 8-6 over visiting Palm Beach Central.
The Broncos closed the first quarter with a 3-0 lead over Wellington, before the Wolverines began to mount their comeback. Just as Palm Beach Central scored three goals in one quarter, so did Wellington. The game was tied 3-3 at halftime.
But with 40 seconds left in the third quarter, Wolverine Tony Fremuth scored to break the stalemate and give Wellington a 6-5 edge going into the final quarter.
The Wolverines didn’t relinquish the lead, going on to win the title 8-6. Fremuth led Wellington with three goals. Matt Szafaryn, Michael Ferranolo, Greg Nowak, Alex Breslin and Andrew Gionta each scored one goal for WHS.
Vinnie Guido and Julian Owens led the Broncos in scoring. They each had a pair of goals. Jake Millard and Greg Babiak each scored one goal for Palm Beach Central.
In the third quarter, Wellington pulled ahead only to have the Broncos tie the game at 4-4, then again at 5-5. PHOTOS BY LISA KEENEY/TOWN-CRIER FOR MORE PHOTOS, VISIT WWW.WELLINGTONIMAGES.COM
The throw gets past RPB first baseman Julian Landron, and Bronco Alex Hernandez is safe.
Joey Sharkey scores a run for RPB at Monday’s game against Palm Beach Central.
Bronco Alex Bello is safe at first base as the ball gets away from Wildcat Robert Marcello.
Wildcat Jordan Brinson hits a solo home run in the fourth inning.
RPB’s Daniel Morales makes the catch as Bronco Alex Bello slides safely into second base.
RPB’s Seth Karbal slides safely into third base as Dexter Price makes the catch for the Broncos.
Bronco Kevin Peterson helps defend the goal by pushing Wellington’s Tony Fremuth from behind.
Bronco Steve Koch defends as Michael Ferranolo controls the ball.
Bronco Anton Nicola runs down field as Keegan Reilly pursues.
Palm Beach Central’s Blake Rogers passes the ball to a teammate.
Wellington’s Stewart Fisken cradles the ball.
Vinnie Guido, who scored two goals for Palm Beach Central.
Wolverines Matt Szafaryn and Ryan Schell celebrate the win.
Wolverine Ryan Schell holds the ball well beyond the reach of Bronco Carlos Ramos.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Wellington Wrestlers Compete
The Wellington Wrestling Club brought five members to Bayside High School last Saturday to compete in an Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned wrestling tournament.
Wellington High School junior Brian Nelson and freshman Jake Ferrara led the way with third-place finishes in the 125and 140-pound high school divisions respectively.
Additional winners in the high school divisions were Mikolaj Wilga (fourth place), Jacob Barthelemy (fourth place) and Alex Mieses (fifth place).
The Wellington Wrestling Club meets for practice at Village Park on Pierson Road Monday through Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
E-mail graytra@palmbeach. k12.fl.us or call (561) 8278595 for more information on getting your child involved with the Wellington Wrestling Club.
Royal Gemz All-Stars Tryouts
The Royal Gemz All-Stars will be hosting tryouts for the 2008-09 season. The tryouts are open to boys and girls ages four and up. A mandatory parent meeting will be held Monday, May 5 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the Gemz training facility, located at 440 Tall Pines Road, Suite K in West Palm Beach (off Jog Road between Southern Blvd. and Belvedere Road).
There will be a two-week workshop following the parent meeting in which the cheerleaders will learn proper motion placement, jump technique, a dance routine, various stunts and tumbling. Final evaluations will be held on Friday, May 16. Each child will be properly evaluated based on age and skills taught at the workshop.
The Royal Gemz cheerleaders travel throughout Florida competing in various cheerleading championships. The Gemz have won several state and national titles over the past eight years. For more information, visit www.royalgemz.com or call Lori Sedore at (561) 315-5470.
Bassmasters Tourney On Lake Kissimmee
The Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters held their monthly bass fishing tournament April 12 and 13 out of Lake Kissimmee at Lake Kissimmee State Park.
First place was awarded to the team of Walt Zajkowski (boater) with five fish weighing 4 lbs., 15 oz. and partner Tone Young (non-boater) with three fish weighing 4lbs., 14 oz. for a total team weight of 9 lbs., 13 oz.
Second place went to Shawn Lennon (boater) with two fish weighing 8 lbs., 5 oz. and partner Jeff Todd (non-boater) with no fish for a total team weight of 8 lbs., 5 oz.
Third place went to Phil Northrop (boater) with three
fish weighing 4 lbs., 14 oz. and partner Irene Northrop (nonboater) with no fish for a total team weight of 4 lbs., 14 oz.
The Big Fish winner for Saturday was Lennon with a fish weighing 7 lbs., 7 oz. The Big Fish winner for Sunday was Mike Gershberg with a fish weighing 3 lbs., 2 oz.
Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. Tournaments are held the following Sunday. Dues are $25 a year; tournament entry fees are $25 per person. For more information, call Irene at (561) 793-7081.
Wellington Cougars Win NCA Championship
The Wellington Cougars All-Star Senior Co-ed Level 3 cheerleading team won the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) National Championship competition held Friday, April 11 in Daytona Beach.
“This competition is one of the biggest in the nation, so this win is really great for us,” Cougar Coach Christina Reickel said. “The team has really worked hard for this win, and it really paid off.”
The team, sponsored by the Wellington Parks and Recreation Department, practices year-round and competes from November through April.
According to Reickel, this is the first season the Cougars fielded a co-ed team, and having young men participate in the sport really made a difference. Senior Level 3 team members are Mallory Miedema, Olivia Montalbano, Nathalia Takabatake, Elizabeth
Dongilla, Mike Hallenbeck, Tim Schlosser, Lyndsey DiPerro, JoAnna Julianelli, Tiffany Zaccardo, Tory Pepe, Katie Summey, Kelly Benhart, Kelly Spuck, Shane Stuckel, Madison Mockel, Ashley Sgalidarich, Irene Gray, Alicia Inman,
First Place — The Wellington Wild 12-U travel softball team took home first place in three tournaments so far this season, most recently the USSSA Spring Fling held April 13 at Okeeheelee Park. After a long day of five back-to-back games and a rain delay, the girls rallied in three of their four elimination games to win by one run. Pictured here are the players and their coaches.
Chelsea Endres, Kara Merlino, Brittany Rosado and Ashlyn Johnston.
For more information about the Wellington Cougars cheerleading team, or to learn about tryouts, visit www.wellington cheeranddance.com.
Standings as of 4/15/08
Showturf/John
Regular season play has ended in the Royal Palm Beach Youth Baseball League. Playoffs started on Monday at the Bob Marcello Baseball Complex and will conclude with the College World Se-
Tone Young
Walt Zajkowski Phil NorthropShawn Lennon
The Wellington Cougars cheerleading team.
COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR
Saturday, April 26
• The “Our Kids World” show will take place at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27. Children can participate in handson educational activities, be entertained at two stages, meet their favorite sports mascots and television characters, and bounce in the Fun Zone inflatables. Visit www.adayfor kids.com for more info.
• An Acreage Yard Sale will be held Saturday, April 26 at 8 a.m. at 17569 89th Place North (off Hamlin and Mandarin boulevards). Look for the signs. Lots of goodies will be available, including saddles, household items and clothes. Prices will be low; shoppers will be able to fill a bag with clothes for $2. People in need will be welcome to ask for a special deal. Proceeds from the sale will be used to buy diapers and toiletries for foster kids in The Acreage and to pay for a farewell party for Girl Scout Troop 529, the Shooting Stars. Call Brenda at (561) 790-3593 for more info.
• Town of Loxahatchee Groves focus group meetings will take place Saturday, April 26 at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School in three sessions from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. While all sessions are open to members of the public wishing to listen, only the 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. session is open to participation from the general public. For more info., call (561) 793-2418.
• The Acreage Music & Chili Fest will take place Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Acreage Community Park (140th Avenue North and Orange Blvd.). Attractions include live music, a chili cookoff, and rides and activities for the children. Visit www. acreagechilifest.com for info.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Declutter Your Home” on Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Professional organizers Laura Johnston and Lisa Klein will teach you how to part with your unwanted and unused belongings, and rediscover the exciting possibilities of your space. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.
• The final day of Wellington Christian School’s musical presentation of Beauty and the Beast is Saturday, April 26. Show times are 2 and 7 p.m. at Wellington Presbyterian Church, 1000 Wellington Trace. For tickets, call (561) 793-017.
• The King’s Academy (8401 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach) will present its 2008 spring musical Children of Eden Saturday, April 26, and May 2 and 3. Tickets are on sale for $15 center reserved and $12 reserved. Group discounts are available. For more info., call (561) 686-4244, ext. 353 or visit www.tka.net.
Sunday, April 27
• The Eighth Annual Sweet Corn Fiesta will be held in Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Sunday, April 27. The Sweet Corn Fiesta features plenty of fun for the family, food, live music, sweet corn eating contests, an oldfashioned bathing suit contest and a corn shuckin’ contest. All rides, games and activities are free. For more info., call (561) 793-0333.
Tuesday, April 29
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present a Teen Writing Workshop for ages 12 through 17 on Tuesday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. Bring a sample of your writing to share and do a few writing exercises to hone your skills. For more info., call (561) 790-6070.
Wednesday, April 30
• Jeff Hessinger, director of personal evangelism for the Florida Baptist Convention, will lead revival meetings at First Baptist Church of Wellington (12700 Forest Hill Blvd.) from Wednesday, April 30 through Thursday, May 4. The public is invited to the meetings, which will begin at 7 p.m. Call the church office at (561) 7935670 for more info.
Thursday, May 1
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Life with Down Syndrome” on Thursday, May 1 at 2 p.m. for adults. Terri Harmon from the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization will answer questions. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.
• The Wellington Chapter of Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) will host “Art with a Heart” on Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Armory Art Center (1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach). Guests will experience visual
art while listening to live music and enjoying wine and hors d’ouevres. There will also be vendors selling art, jewelry, ceramics and more. Proceeds will go toward summer camp scholarships for JAFCO children. Admission costs $18 per person. Call Rana Roseberg of JAFCO at (561) 372-0103 for more info.
Friday, May 2
• The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club’s annual Scholarship Benefit Golf Tournament, also supporting the family of the late Palm Beach County FireRescue Lt. Rafael “Ray” Vazquez, is scheduled for Friday, May 2 at the Links at Madison Green, 2001 Crestwood Blvd., Royal Palm Beach. For more info., call Terri Wescott at (561) 253-4724 or visit www.rpb rotary.org.
• Christian Homeschool Support of the western communities will hold its monthly parent meeting/park day and annual curriculum swap on Friday, May 2 at 1 p.m. at Kidscape Park, 74th Street North and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in The Acreage. Sell, swap and shop curriculum with other homeschool families, and discuss field trips, park days and co-ops for the 200809 year. There is a discount for early enrollment for the upcoming year. For more info., call (561) 753-4750.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Calling All Artists!” on Friday, May 2 at 2:45 p.m. Children ages five through eight will use the book Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews as inspiration to create their own booklet of colorful drawings. To preregister, call (561) 790-6070.
• Temple Beth Torah (900 Big Blue Trace in Wellington) will celebrate Yom Ha-Atzmaut (Israel’s 60th birthday) on Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, one of the most distinguished rabbis of the Reform movement, speaking on “A Dream of Zion: Americans Reflect on Why Israel Matters.” Call (561) 7932700 for more info.
• The West Palm Beach Antique & Collectibles Show will take place at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) on Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. The show attracts dealers from all over the country. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. For more info., call (561) 793-0333. Saturday, May 3
• The Village of Wellington will hold a USTA Doubles Championship with men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4. The cost is $28 per person; $18 for a second event. Participants must be USTA members. Sign up online at www.usatennis florida.usta.com. Call the pro shop at (561) 791-4775 or Joanne Smith at (561)7980474 for more info.
• The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets American Legion Chapter will hold a golf tournament to raise money for equipment and field trips on Saturday, May 3 at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Signups will be at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The cost is $150 and includes golf and cart, lunch, a free club and a monogrammed shirt. For more info., call Dan Lawrence at (561) 798-9204. Sunday, May 4
• The Wellington Women’s Club will hold its annual spring fundraiser “Champagne and Couture” on Sunday, May 4 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mayacoo Lakes Country Club. The event will include a brunch buffet, a fashion show and silent auction. Tickets are $40 per person. Call Faye Ford at (561) 790-7625 for tickets and additional information.
Monday, May 5
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Baby Story Time” on Mondays, May 5, 12 and 19 at 10:15 a.m. for newborns through eight months and 11:15 a.m. for ages nine to 12 months. Baby will love the rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.
Tuesday, May 6
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Masquerade!” on Tuesday, May 6 at 3:30 p.m. Children ages nine through 12 will learn about masks in traditions from around the world and create a mask of their own for a masquerade. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070. Send calendar items to: Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 7936090. E-mail: news@gotown crier.com.
A Summer To Remember At Breakers West
Breakers West Summer Membership Benefits
Quality And Durability Are Key At Patio Gallery In Wellington
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
Long-lasting, high-quality furniture is the main focus at Patio Gallery, store co-owner and founder Bill Cittadino said.
“A lot of places sell cheap stuff,” he said. “It looks good the first month it’s outside. After a season or two, it has just lost that luster. After a year or so, you’re going out to buy new stuff. Our furniture is guaranteed for ten, sometimes 15 years.”
Marlo Deckard, Cittadino’s daughter and the store’s co-owner, agreed. “The best patio furniture available is the kind that not only looks good on the showroom floor, but looks good on your patio years later,” she said.
Patio Gallery, which is currently consolidating its North Palm Beach location into its Wellington showroom in the Marketplace at Wycliffe, is one of the longest-lasting outlets for good patio furniture in the county.
“My father founded Together by Pipe, which sold furniture made from PVC — that light plastic tubing — down here in 1979,” Deckard said. “He sold the business in 1986 because he wanted to sell better quality furniture.”
The Cittadinos are longtime Wellington residents. “We moved here from New Jersey
Makeover Program Kickoff
This Saturday
The nationwide launch of the new Maximized Living Makeover program will begin Saturday, April 26 with an expected involvement of over 20,000 participants across the country, including more than 200 in the western communities. The program will kick off Saturday at Palm Beach Central High School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Based on the book Maximized Living Makeover by New York Times bestselling authors Dr. Ben Lerner, Dr. Greg Loman and Dr. Charles Majors, the program begins in Wellington with a powerful, inspirational, fun and fact-filled three-hour kickoff session hosted by Dr. Mat-
when I was very young,” Deckard said. “My mom began teaching at Wellington Elementary School.”
Deckard said the family decided to open a store in Wellington about five years ago. “We love the village, of course, and we began to watch the whole area grow and develop,” she said. “The Mall at Wellington Green opened up, more people moved out here, and we opened a second store.”
Currently, the North Palm Beach store, located at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Northlake Blvd., is clearing its inventory for the consolidation.
“This is a great time for people to come in and get some really good bargains,” Deckard said. “You can’t get better furniture than our brands, and prices are low because it’s easier to deliver them to customers than to take the pieces with us to Wellington.”
She pointed out a clearance area within the North Palm Beach store. “These are some of last year’s models,” Deckard said. “And people can get even better prices on them.”
Cittadino and Deckard recently decided to consolidate their business at the Wellington store because they believe the economy will be far stronger in the western communities than in other parts of the county.
thew Symons of Symons Family Chiropractic, a Maximized Living health center. The program continues with a 30-day “challenge” to apply the essentials of Maximized Living in the daily lives of the participants. Over the past three years, nearly 250,000 people have participated in Maximized Living challenges, and the program continues to expand. Symons will be facilitating the Maximized Living Makeover in Wellington. “We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the Maximized Living Makeover,” he said. “We have a real opportunity to change the health actions, habits and, ultimately, the destiny of this community through cuttingedge information. I believe this event and the information the participants will receive will add
“We sell only the best kinds of patio furniture,” Deckard said. “We sell outdoor wicker, aluminum and cast aluminum, which is solid aluminum and far stronger than the simple aluminum furniture. We also sell outdoor umbrellas, lights and accessories.”
Deckard is proud of the furniture her store sells.
“Many people walk in and say that our outdoor furniture looks as good as some of the regular indoor furniture they’ve seen,” she said. “This furniture lasts longer. You get what you pay for, and we have items that fit everyone’s budget.”
Cittadino said one of the real attractions for many homeowners is that they get so many choices at Patio Gallery.
“We offer a lot of different colors,” he said. “We can use a lot of different accessories, so that when you get our furniture in your home, it really works. People tell us that they don’t really start to use their patios until they get our furniture out there. Then they love to show off and entertain.”
Deckard said one of the biggest advantages for Patio Gallery customers is the experience of the owners and staff.
“My father has been in the business for close to 30 years,” she said. “I’ve been in the business for nearly ten. We’ve
years to their lives and life to their years.”
Designed by Lerner, a former U.S. Olympic Team doctor, the Maximized Living Makeover encourages people to take control of their lives in both mind and body, and live life with purpose.
“The stress and pace of ‘modern living’ and adherence to ‘conventional wisdom’ has led us to the lowest point for health in U.S. history,” Lerner said. “We are currently ranked 30th in the world in our overall health — lower even than Lithuania. It’s not hard for you and your family to become emotionally and physically fit; you just have to know the rules and have the tools. We’ve devised a system that has made it easier, not harder, for people of all ages to be in the greatest shape of their lives
learned about all the different kinds of furniture. There are some places around where the person you deal with for patio furniture was just assigned there an hour before you arrived.”
At Patio Gallery, you get expert advice along with great fur-
— in mind and body. With the support of Maximized Living health center doctors like Dr. Matthew Symons, we are helping thousands achieve what we call ‘Maximized Living.’”
Loman said the goal is to have every man, woman and child to live in abundant health and wellness.
“Sick people are not living the American Dream,” he said.
“With so many difficulties facing our families, our communities and our country, we want to help bring that dream back to life. The Maximized Living Makeover is a step toward making people’s dreams a reality.”
Symons Family Chiropractic is located at 1011 N. State Road 7, Suite D in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 333-8353 or visit www.dr symons.com.
niture. “When it comes to lawn furniture,” Deckard said, “we’re the ones you want to come to. We’ve got enough experience to help anyone, and we’re glad to help.”
Patio Gallery’s Wellington store is located at 4057-B State
Beauty Boot Camp At Viso LASIK Medspas
Renew your tired winter skin this spring with the upcoming Viso LASIK Medspas Beauty Boot Camp on Saturday, April 26. This is the second in a monthly series of special offerings for new and existing clients to experience a range of medspa services, including SilkPeels, Botox and injectable facelifts.
Viso’s med-spa personnel will be offering SilkPeels, a facial peel that combines microdermabrasion with a topical dermaceutical that stimulates new cell growth. For those who choose to book a series of five SilkPeels, there is a 20-percent discount. In addition, Viso will be offer-
are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (561) 434-6111 or visit www.patiogalleryfl.com.
ing Botox injections at a 10-percent discount, and injectables such as Restylane and Juvederm will be available at a discount of $100. Space for the event is limited and by appointment only. Get ready to get whipped (or peeled and primped) into beautiful shape. Viso LASIK Medspas, and its professional team of facial artists, offers progressive medical attention with superior customer service. This newly integrated concept includes a relaxation room, a concierge service and added incentives such as preLASIK massages and three different financing options. Viso LASIK Medspas is located at 2515 State Road 7, Suite 210. For more information, call (561) 795-4772 or visit www. visolasikmedspas.com.
Rocky’s Ace Hardware — Located at 13837 Wellington Trace in the Wellington Marketplace, this family-run business goes back to days when the neighborhood hardware store was literally just around the corner. Established in Springfield, Mass. in 1926 by Rocco “Rocky” J. Falcone, the company is now one of the dominant hardware retailers in the eastern United States. Rocky’s Ace Hardware is a fully stocked, convenient source for hardware as well as items for your home, yard and garden. For more information, call Clare Falcone or Paul Zimmarado at (561) 753-9998 or visit the company’s web site at www.rockys.com. Shown above are Rocky’s Ace Hardware staff members with Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Sports Authority — The Sports Authority is the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain with more than 400 stores in 45 states. In Wellington, the Sports Authority is located at 820 State Road 7. For more information, call Dana Abood at (561) 790-2121 or visit the company’s web site at www.sportsauthority.com. Pictured here are Sports Authority staff members with Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Send business news items to: The Town-Crier Newspaper, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.
WINESTYLES CELEBRATES ‘EVERYTHING
WineStyles in the Pointe at Wellington Green held the winetasting event “Everything Italian” on Friday, April 18. Fabio De Filippi of Tuscany Distributors poured an assortment of red and white wines for guests to enjoy. Representatives from Cromia were on hand to display their extensive array of Italian leather handbags, which were for sale at a special price that evening. In addition, Mr. Food No-Fuss Meals provided a sampling of the Italian dishes featured on their April menu. Entertainment was provided by Joey George, who played guitar and sang for the guests.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Joel and Phyllis Rinebold enjoy the music outside.
Carmine Priore III and wife Terri with Scott and Mary Armand.
Dr. Jolene Reiter.Anita Manuel of Cromia.
Roxanne Flynn and Debbie Randles.
WineStyles owners Tanya and Gary Meade.
Fabio De Filippi of Tuscany Distributors pours a glass of wine for Lucia Nowak.
Transmission Specialist: Full Service Auto Repair And Maintenance
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
The grease Roy Walker wiped off his hands to greet a visitor is a testament to his life’s work. Walker is a transmission man. He established Transmission Specialist in West Palm Beach in 1983, and six months ago moved his family business from its Southern Blvd. location to its new location behind Al Packer Ford West in Royal Palm Beach. Family is a good way to describe Transmission Specialist. Ryan Walker, a 1997 graduate of Palm Beach Lakes High School, is the company’s heir apparent. An automotive fanatic, he has worked full-time in the business for the past six years. “My dad works primarily on transmissions,” Ryan said. “I do all the other kinds of engine work.”
Engines have been Ryan’s passion for as long as can remember. Although he attended Palm Beach Community College to study computer graphics, looking back, there was little doubt about his true calling.
“I didn’t like sitting behind a desk,” Ryan recalled. “I even tried trading stocks for a while. But again, that was sitting behind a desk. I wanted to be out doing things with my hands. I always liked fixing things, and I’ve always been very good with my hands.”
That talent has been passed on to Ryan’s son, two-and-ahalf-year-old Ryan Jr. “It’s scary how advanced he is when it comes to cars,” Ryan said. “He can make out different types of cars. He likes to play with his cars at home, and he likes to come to the shop and look at the cars on the racks. He doesn’t exactly know what they’re doing up there, but he likes to look underneath them.”
Ryan brings home cars the same way a pet lover brings home stray dogs. Currently, he is fixing up a black Toyota Corolla that’s parked a few yards away from Transmission Specialist’s front door. He is also working on a Chevy pickup truck, as well as a friend’s Corvette. When not working, Ryan races a turbo-charged Acura at Moroso Motor Speedway in West Palm Beach.
“That’s a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s strictly for bragging rights with my friends.”
As the saying goes, “it ain’t bragging if you can do it.” In this case, the Walkers can repair just about any kind of car — foreign and domestic — that goes into Transmission Specialist. “We don’t see too many exotic cars like Porsche and Lamborghini because they have their own shops, but we work on everything else,” Ryan said. That work hasn’t gotten any
easier through the years. That is, today’s computer-dependant automatic engines seem to get more complicated each year. The transmission, of course, is the device that is connected to the back of a vehicle’s engine and sends power from the engine to the drive wheels.
Since the mid 1990s, cars have used computers and sensors on transmissions and engines as early-warning devices to detect problems. That “check engine” light that comes on when you’re on vacation? That’s part of the computer’s self-diagnostic ability.
A skilled technician such as Roy or Ryan Walker can plug in test equipment to the computer to locate a problem.
“We’ve just updated the electronic scanner that plugs into the car,” Ryan said. “Sometimes problems are hard to diagnose just by looking at or listening to an engine. That’s why you need the scanner. You can’t really work on a car by guessing. You have to have the right resources.”
At Transmission Specialist, the best resources begin with Roy and Ryan Walker.
Transmission Specialist is located at 587 105th Avenue, Suite 27 in Royal Palm Beach. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. For more information, call (561) 333-6444.
AT&T And Cell Phones For Soldiers Launch Earth Day Challenge
AT&T recently announced that the company will work with Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS) to drive recycling and reduce ewaste through the next year with the goal of doubling the number of cell phones the charity recycles by next Earth Day. CPFS collects and recycles mobile phones and uses the proceeds to buy free phone cards for U.S. military members and their families. Since Earth Day 2007, CPFS has collected more than 900,000 cell phones for recycling. AT&T and CPFS have pledged to work together to help the charity collect more than 1.8 million devices by Earth Day 2009. AT&T cur-
rently supports the charity’s recycling through more than 2,000 AT&T stores in more than 1,100 cities across the U.S. AT&T is expanding that support to include a network of more than 300,000 community volunteers, a national donation drive running through July 2008 and a new online starter kit for donations at www.att.com/recyclewireless. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ewaste is accumulating three times faster than household trash. Since 2004, CPFS has collected more than 1.25 million mobile phones. The charity’s recycling partner, ReCellular, estimates that this has prevent-
ed more than 125 tons of ewaste from entering landfills, including the environmental equivalents of:
• Saving enough energy to power nearly 4,000 U.S. households for a year
• Avoiding the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as removing more than 2,800 passenger cars from the roads for a year
• Keeping more than two tons of toxic materials out of landfills
“With Earth Day and Cell Phones for Soldiers, we’re turning up the volume on cell phone recycling,” said Paul Roth, president of marketing and sales for AT&T’s wireless unit. “So far
this year, our weekly in-store recycling averages are five times what they were in 2007 and 28 times more than the same time in 2006. AT&T is proud to support both of these worthwhile programs.”
One way AT&T is supporting the recycling challenge is through the added support of the AT&T Pioneers. A network of more than 300,000 volunteers is beginning to help expand the charity’s cell phone donation drives into communities across the U.S.
Roughly 100 new donation locations will be established, and volunteers will work to collect phones in corporate offices and community locations from
the days surrounding Earth Day through July 4 to support the environment and to help keep military families connected with free phone cards. AT&T and CPFS are also launching a new online tool designed to support community groups and help individuals launch and conduct their own donation drives with a new electronic “starter kit,” available at www.att.com/recyclewireless.
The tool is available to anyone who would like to run a donation drive with CPFS, and it includes environmental tips, planning tools, camera-ready artwork for recycling bins and other relevant materials. Since AT&T launched its sup-
port, the company has also donated more than 60,000 prepaid phone cards to CPFS to help the charity connect more military families.
In the past two years, AT&T has donated more than $4 million worth of prepaid phone cards to help support U.S. military members and their families. These donations include direct distributions to troops serving in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea, Japan and Europe. To access donation-drive support materials, visit www.att. com/recyclewireless. To donate phones or funds online — and receive a free online Earth Day greeting card — visit www. att.com/holidayconnect.
PHOTO BY STEVE PIKE/TOWN-CRIER
Family Auto Shop — Ryan Walker (left, with Ryan Jr.) and dad Roy of Transmission Specialist in Royal Palm Beach, which has been in operation for more than 25 years.
PALMS WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTINGS
Mya Handmade Cigars — A family business dedicated to the excellence of quality cigar making, Mya Handmade Cigars prides itself on the personal service it offers customers. All cigars are made with long filler and wrappers are carefully selected by experts to deliver superiority in each and every cigar. Mya Handmade Cigars is located at 927 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 659-3230 or e-mail myacigar@bellsouth.net. Pictured here are Mya Handmade Cigars staff with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
New York Style Pizza — Recently opened in the Crossroads shopping center at the corner of Okeechobee and Royal Palm Beach boulevards, New York Style Pizza is a full-service restaurant that offers dine-in, take-out, catering and delivery. Everything is homemade, fresh from the hot oven. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week with weekly specials. To place an order, call (561) 793-4904. Pictured here are owners Giuseppe Badalamenti and Peter Z. with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Crazy Crepes — Located in the Mall at Wellington Green near California Pizza Kitchen, Crazy Crepes offers large dessert crepes with a variety of fillings such as chocolate, caramel, custard, strawberry, banana, blueberry and more. Light meal crepes are also on the menu and include tuna, chicken, ham and cheese, roast beef, and more. For more information, visit Crazy Crepes at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 199A or call (561) 798-0414. Pictured here are owners Michelle Lacson and Kevin Kellogg with Crazy Crepes employees and Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
DJSteaks.com — With free home delivery for residents from Jupiter south to Broward County, DJSteaks.com provides gourmet, restaurant quality food that is cut fresh, packaged individually and then delivered right to your home or office in a professional refrigerated truck. DJSteaks.com delivers only the highest quality beef, seafood, poultry and prepared items to its customers. For more inf., visit www.djsteaks.com. Pictured here are DJSteaks.com staff with chamber ambassadors.
ServiStar — ServiStar recently celebrated the opening of its new location at 6615 Boynton Beach Blvd. in Boynton Beach. The white glove commercial/residential cleaning and property damage restoration company has served South Florida since 1998. Currently contracted with three of the area’s most successful property management companies, ServiStar specializes in daily janitorial service for offices, banks, apartment complexes, storefronts, restaurants and warehouses. For more information, call (800) 521-2217 or (954) 4156337, or visit www.servistarllc.com. Pictured here are ServiStar owners with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Lia Sophia Advisor Helps Pick Perfect Accessories
Prom dress, check. Shoes, check. Hair appointment, check… but what about earrings, bracelets and maybe a necklace? Attending the prom is possibly the most exciting event for any teenage girl. One would think that the dress is the most important part of the outfit, right? Even though the gown is critical, the accessories really complete the look and are equally important, according to Wellington-area Lia Sophia advisor Sylvia Schaefer.
“It is, actually, quite amazing what a difference accessories can make to one’s overall look,” Schaefer said. “Whether it is jewelry or that special purse, accessories definitely add that ‘pizzazz’ we all look for when dressing up, especially at such a formal event like the prom. As prom season arrives, we want to show teenagers in the Wellington community how they can make their appearance perfect for prom night!”
A New York Times article recently sited a survey from Your Prom magazine, which found that the average student spends an estimated $638 on the prom, a $4 billion industry. In addition, 74 percent of girls end up spending a good portion of their money on beauty products like artificial nails and lip gloss during prom season. As the special event becomes more popular, students will probably spend even more than that, Schaefer said, adding that accessories will become increasingly important.
“Whether it is a little bit of sparkle and shine, or a bold color to bring out the tone in the
dress a girl wears, jewelry is essential because it makes you have that ultimate edge over others,” Schaefer said. “Wearing a necklace can really enhance your neckline, and a bracelet can bring attention to your freshly manicured nails. Even the right earrings can be the right touch with your hairstyle — you just can’t lose!”
Lia Sophia is a fashion jewelry company that offers a wide array of selections through inhome demonstrations. According to Schaefer, Lia Sophia is committed to connect women to their dreams, from obtaining trendy jewelry to offering advisors, such as Schaefer, an extensive line of high-quality products and an unparalleled opportunity to own their own business.
Schaefer said the important thing teenagers should remember for the prom is to have a fun, safe night. “The prom is a memorable time for any teenager, and it should be a fashion fabulous night for them, as well,” she added.
For more information about Lia Sophia or prom jewelry trends for 2008, contact Schaefer at www.liasophia. com/sylviaschaefer.
Lia Sophia is a unique direct selling opportunity offering fashion jewelry through personalized in-home demonstrations. The company’s goal is to improve the lifestyles of its advisors, hostesses and customers with products and opportunities. For more information, visit www.liasophia.com or call (800) 487-3323.
Tickets Available For Wellington Chamber’s ‘Flavors’ Event May 9
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce still has tickets available for Flavors 2008, which will take place Friday, May 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington).
Flavors is a major fundraiser for the chamber, and its success will pave the path for the chamber’s upcoming year.
More than 25 restaurants are signed up, and the cost for tickets is $25, which works out to less than $1 per restaurant. Adding to the evening is a 20piece big band, dancing and celebrity judges. Call Michela Perillo-Green at the chamber office at (561) 792-6525 for tickets. For more info., visit www.wellington chamber.com.
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