Town-Crier Newspaper April 2, 2010

Diamond, Key Club President Nicole Martinez and Brandon Corsentino. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 22

Private Funding Key To Building Patriot Memorial In Wellington

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Village of Wellington will mark the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with the unveiling of the 9/11 Patriot Memorial.

“This memorial will help us remember over 2,500 people who died that day, and all those whose lives were affected,” said Councilman Matt Willhite, who conceived the project.

The project is being funded privately, through donations to the Wellington Community Foundation, Willhite said. Residents will have the chance to honor those they lost with engraved pavers as part of that private funding.

Donors can elect to pay for a

personalized brick paver, dedicated to whomever they choose, for $50 or $100, or they can fund another part of the project, from a $200 engraved flowerbed marker up to $50,000 for the fountain.

“I think that the private-public partnership will help to bring people together and give them some ownership in the Village of Wellington,” Willhite said. “If you lost someone and you want to honor them, you can do that on an engraved brick.”

Mark Llano of Source One Distributors kicked off funding for the project with a $10,000 donation, Willhite said. The project has received a total $15,000 of its anticipated $70,000 to $80,000 cost. In

addition, the International Polo Club Palm Beach and Equestrian Sport Productions have pledged $5,000 and $10,000, respectively, to the project.

The village expects to begin construction in January 2011, with the project to be finished by Sept. 11, 2011.

The memorial will sit at the entrance to the new Town Center, between Scott’s Place playground and the new Wellington municipal complex. It will feature an eternal flame, a flagpole, benches and a fountain.

“It’s a great location,” Willhite said. “It’s going to be the starting location for all parades. They’ll go from the Patriot Memorial to the

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria confirmed to the Town-Crier this week that he will run for re-election this fall. Santamaria said he made the decision at the behest of numerous supporters who have asked him to seek a second term.

“People have been coming up to me who I have never seen before, total strangers, saying, ‘Commissioner Santamaria, thank you for what you have done for us. Please run for a second term. You are someone we can trust to represent us in government.’ I expected that from my friends, but I never expected it from total strangers,” he said Tuesday. While he never specifically ruled out a second term, Santamaria said his intention was to serve a single four-year term.

“When I ran the first time, I had no intention to run a second time,” he said. “I felt I was going to give four years of my life to the community.”

But no sooner than he was elected, Santamaria recalled people asking about his future plans.

“People would ask me, ‘Are you running? Are you running?’ and I said, ‘I don’t even want to think about it until the beginning of my fourth year,’” he said. “Now into my fourth year, I have to stop saying ‘I intend,’ and say either ‘I will’ or ‘I won’t.’”

and

Wellington Woman Needs Help In Struggle With Lyme Disease

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington resident Diana Galloway is fighting late-stage Lyme disease coupled with mercury poisoning that is causing her organs to fail, while costly treatment to keep her alive is straining her family’s finances.

Although Galloway has been told that it is unlikely she will recover, she holds hope in getting treatment from doctors in Seattle who think they can treat her.

Diana, 36, and her husband Don Galloway are seeking help from the community to help them pay for the treatment that could save her life. They have already spent almost $75,000 of their own money, along with the debt they have accrued on credit cards.

“We’ve exhausted everything we have,” Diana said. “We’ve maxed out credit cards, and my parents have cashed in their CDs to give us money.”

The Galloways moved to Wellington in 2002. Diana worked as

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

a registered nurse at Palms West Hospital, while Don is a fire captain. They have three children, Rebekah, Luke and Adam, who are in the sixth, fifth and third grades at Emerald Cove Middle School and Equestrian Trails Elementary School.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection usually spread by tick bites. It is not common in South Florida, but is quite prevalent in the Northeast and Midwest.

Although she is unsure where she contracted the disease, Diana dates it to when she became sick shortly after a trip to North Carolina in August 2008.

“We had been in North Carolina because my husband’s father passed away,” she recalled.

“About 12 to 14 days after we got back, I got very sick. I had a fever, my whole body hurt.”

Diana went to a walk-in clinic, which gave her antibiotics thinking she had strep throat. But her condition only got worse.

“I continued to get sicker,” she

“Last time we had a great response from the community,” Russell said. “It was pouring rain and we still had between 400 and 500 people come out. This year we expect to sell between 500 and 600 tickets.” Gardens on the tour include an estate garden and one that features a large collection of orchids.

“We wanted to feature different sized gardens with a variety of plants,” Russell said. “All the plants will be labeled. We sent out 10 master gardeners to label them all so visitors know what they’re looking at.”

last time it was offered in 2008, and the garden club is anticipating even more this year. A different set of gardens will be featured.

The club’s selection committee reviewed 22 gardens before settling on the six that will be featured next weekend, Russell said. They chose the gardens based on their aesthetics, the variety of plant

said. “I would have burning pain all over my body. I lost a significant amount of weight to where I had people asking if I had an eating disorder. I went to the doctor, who found I had two different kinds of pneumonia and no immune system.”

After more than a year of doctors, tests, guesses and treatment, Diana was properly diagnosed with Lyme disease on Sept. 16, 2009 — a date she remembers well.

The diagnosis was a mystery for so long because Diana lacked the telltale bull’s-eye rash that is common in about 80 percent of patients with the disease. It was only after she contacted two environmental doctors in New York that anyone even suggested it could be Lyme disease.

Throughout that year before her diagnosis, Diana had been receiving antibiotics for several different diseases.

“I noticed I became significant-

See GALLOWAY, page 20

material, driving distance and, most importantly, the willingness of the owner to participate.

The candidates were chosen based mostly upon word of mouth, Russell said.

“Our club is large — 137 members and growing — and some of our members knew someone who had a great garden,” she said.

Although seven gardens were originally to be featured, an organic vegetable garden was withdrawn after the cold season affected the growth of many of the vegetables that were to be featured, Russell said.

Participants must have their own vehicle and will be given a map, photos and driving directions to each of the sites. They will be

Exhortation to run again came from all directions — while at a restaurant for dinner, in the grocery store, at church and in parking lots.

“This repetition over and over again first and foremost is humbling and heartwarming,” Santamaria said. “As of this past week, I can’t find myself saying ‘no.’ I have discussed this with my wife and children, and although they would prefer I did not, they said they were with me whatever my decision. So the answer is, yes, I’m running.” Santamaria said the main reason he ran the first time was the dishonesty he saw in government.

Santamaria said that up until last month, he was inclined to retire, rather than run again. “My family felt the same way,” he added. “But what has happened over the past month has been somewhat overwhelming.”

See PATRIOT, page 4 By

Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Members of an 18-seat focus group organized to address concerns about elevated cancer rates in The Acreage held their first meeting Wednesday, March 24.

The group was organized by Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone. The group includes a broad spectrum of residents with differing viewpoints, including parents of cancer victims, tradesmen, real estate agents, clergy, a veterinarian, an environmental consultant and an engineer.

Damone also sits on the panel, along with County Commissioner Jess Santamaria.

“It doesn’t matter what people believe,” Damone said, addressing about 40 people attending the meeting. “We’re all Acreage residents, and it’s my hope that Acreage residents feel, with all these differing points of view and backgrounds and experiences, that there is a person on this task force who best represents your point of view.”

The members then introduced themselves and told audience members a little about themselves.

Santamaria, who lives in Royal Palm Beach, said he has been a neighbor to Acreage residents for 36 years. “I have tried to be a pub-

lic servant without the title as a commissioner,” he said. Ron Wagner moved to The Acreage from Cooper City and is in the air conditioning business. Maria Enriquez, wife of ITID Supervisor Carlos Enriquez, has lived in The Acreage for seven years. She described herself as a mother involved with the Girl Scouts and youth soccer as well as the Acreage Landowners’ Association.

“I’m doing this because I feel we need to pull together,” she said.

Realtor Carl Knottnerus, a 23year Acreage resident, said he has lived in three different homes in The Acreage, has two children and has been selling real estate for 31 years. Cathy Probst was born and raised in Palm Beach County and has lived in The Acreage for 20 years. “I’ve been on many boards in leadership roles here in the community and volunteering through the schools,” she said. “I have an 18-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter.”

Mike Nichols, who was later elected vice chair of the focus group, is an environmental consultant who moved to Palm Beach County in 1983 and to The Acreage in 2003. “I’d like to do whatever I can to assist in trying to find See FOCUS GROUP, page 7

Palm Beach Central High School held its second annual St. Baldrick’s Day fundraiser on Thursday, March 25, organized by the school’s Key Club. Last year, PBCHS was the No. 1 fundraising school in the nation, pulling in $51,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which funds childhood cancer research. This year the Broncos raised more than $75,000. Shown above are event organizers Don Meyers, Peri

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Bob Wilson and Ed Portman strike a deal on sports items.

Doug Noe, Carlos Belgrave and Ken Barnett.

Leo Conroy and Debbie Piconcelli buy raffle tickets from Cecil Wray.

Irwin Cohen, Carol O’Brien Snead, Danny Snead and Laurie Cohen.

Event Committee members gather for a group photo.

Joan Thompson with a gift basket she bid on in the silent auction.

Polo’s U.S. Open Underway At IPC

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The 106th U.S. Open Polo Championship tournament is now underway at the International Polo Club Palm Beach and will continue through Sunday, April 18 to close the 2010 Wellington polo season.

“The success of the 2010 polo season has exceeded expectations,” IPC President John Wash said. “Sizeable crowds of polo enthusiasts in attendance every Sunday and an even greater interest from our local community confirm that this season has been an incredible success.”

The 26-goal U.S. Open is one of three major polo tournaments worldwide, along with the British Coronation Cup and Argentine Open. The U.S. Open is considered the most prestigious polo tournament in North America.

Audi is the defending champion and also won in 2006. Las Monjitas has reached the past two finals. Crab Orchard won the crown in 2007 and 2008 but did not play in 2009. In the featured game last Sunday, Audi, which had played poorly earlier this season, got back into gear and defeated Pony Express 14-7. Audi made a team realignment that moved the offenseminded Facundo Pieres to the No. 2 position while sending Inaki Laprida to the back or No. 4 spot. Ten-goaler Pieres scored eight goals, and his brother, Gonzalito Pieres, scored four times for Audi. Patron Mark Ganzi of Wellington and Laprida scored one goal each. Pony Express eight-goaler Carlos Gracida, 49, has won nine U.S. Open titles. His nine-goal teammates are Matias Magrini and Bautista Heguy. Magrini led Pony Express with three goals. Gracida and Bautista Heguy each scored two goals.

Audi suffered an early loss to Crab Orchard during the C.V. Whitney Cup that kept the team from defending its 2009 title in that tournament. Audi also lost to Crab Orchard 18-11 in the Piaget Gold Cup, which nearly eliminat-

ed Audi from the season’s second 26-goal tournament. In an earlier game Sunday, Orchard Hill’s Lucas Criado scored eight goals in a 17-8 victory over Piaget. Pablo MacDonough added six goals and patron Steve Van Andel scored three goals for Orchard Hill.

The U.S. Open will continue at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 3, when Audi plays Piaget. At 10 a.m. Sunday, April 4, Pony Express will play Crab Orchard. At noon, Bendabout/Wanderers will play Las Monjitas, and in the 3 p.m. featured match, Lechuza Caracas will play Valiente.

The public is invited to IPC for Easter festivities on Sunday, April 4. Events will include fieldside Easter Sunday brunch from 2 to 5 p.m., an Easter egg hunt on Piaget Field at 2:30 p.m. and a hat contest during the halftime champagne divot stomp.

The U.S. Open will feature the top players and teams from around the world, including the world’s best player, Crab Orchard’s Adolfo Cambiaso. Other top players include Facundo Pieres with Audi, Juan Martin Nero with Lechuza Caracas, Pablo MacDonough with Orchard Hill and Nicolas Roldan with Piaget. Top-ranked Americans include Roldan (9 goals), Jeff Hall (7 goals) and Mike Azzaro (9 goals) with Bendabout/Wanderers and Julio Arellano (8 goals) with Crab Orchard. Arcalux, the manufacturer of energy efficient lighting systems, has acquired title sponsorship of the USPA 106th U.S. Open Polo Championship. “Arcalux is proud to be the name sponsor for this distinguished and highly respected tournament,” CEO Doug Marty said. “As a leader in environmentally sound products and practices, we saw it fitting to partner with IPC to celebrate this cherished outdoor luxury event.”

The International Polo Club Palm Beach is at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. Tickets cost $20 to $125. Call (561) 2825334 or visit www.international poloclub.com for more info.

Plans For Acreage Community Park Now Include Boardwalk

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors on March 18 approved a boardwalk to connect the north and south portions of Acreage Community Park.

The vote was 4-1 despite supervisors expressing concerns about the $135,000 price tag for the 270foot boardwalk.

The boardwalk would cross a natural wetland at the park site. The cost provided to ITID by the county was $500 per foot. The county asked that a $135,000 budget amendment be included in the agreement if the supervisors want the boardwalk.

“That’s a lot of money,” said Supervisor Carlos Enriquez, who opposed the motion. “Do we really need that boardwalk there?”

Supervisor Carol Jacobs said she would consider the money well-spent.

“I think of the few years that I’ve been on this board and the things we’ve spent $135,000 on, and I think the residents would love a boardwalk,” she said. “I would probably walk it every day. I love that kind off stuff, and I think the people out here do like that. There’s one in Royal Palm Beach that’s gorgeous.” Supervisor Ralph Bair also chafed at the proposed cost to build a boardwalk. “I can’t go $135,000 for a boardwalk,” Bair said. “We’re trying to build everything else. It might look beautiful, but I can’t go $135,000 for a boardwalk. I can’t go $100,000 for a boardwalk.”

“This is not about adding a boardwalk to the site plan in order to be able to go walk on a boardwalk,” Erickson said. “This is about creating connectivity of the north park to the south park, and it’s crucial. You’ve already got parking issues. Once we change 140th, nobody’s going to be parking out on 140th anymore because there will not be parking out there, so you’ve got to create the connectivity off the south parking lot with the north park in order to have functional parking.”

Erickson also pointed out that there are two sections of a health trail on the north and south end that need to be connected.

ITID President Michelle Damone said she favored a boardwalk but was against keeping it open at night.

ITID Engineer Lisa Tropepe said there might be ways to get the boardwalk done less expensively, but Parks & Recreation Director Tim Wojnar pointed out that under an agreement with the county and the contractor that will be constructing other parts of the park in including a children’s park, kiosk and observation tower, the boardwalk must be approved as part of the contract without avoiding an additional mobilization fee by the contractor.

Bair said he would commit to the boardwalk if other elements of the park could be swapped out or postponed indefinitely. Erickson said he would agree to discuss that at a future workshop.

Supervisor Mike Erickson said that without the boardwalk, park visitors would have to walk along 140th Avenue North to get from one end of the park to another.

IPC President John Wash with Doug Marty of sponsor Arcalux. IMAGE COURTESY LILA PHOTO

OUR OPINION

The Acreage Must Once Again Come Together As A Community

It has been almost a year since concerns of a “cancer cluster” began circulating around The Acreage. But what started with a small group of residents has grown to include the entire community. Not only has the issue drawn local and national attention to the area, having a negative effect on real estate values, but it has divided the community and diverted attention away from other matters. Fortunately, the first step has been taken toward getting back on the right path — the formation of an 18-member focus group to discuss the issue and bring all sides to the table, including family members of cancer patients, local officials, Realtors and other residents who have opposing views on the topic.

During the March 18 meeting of the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors — which focused on long overdue plans to bring the State Road 7 extension to Northlake Blvd. — ITID President Michelle Damone pointed out that residents of the nearby Ibis community are working hard to fight the SR 7 connection under the assumption that Acreage residents are too busy with the cancer scare to do anything else. “We need to remind them that we might be handling our own issues over here, but we can handle more than one issue,” she said. “We need to advocate as a community to get that road connected all the way.”

Mourning For Father Mangrum

I just got word today of [Rev.] John [Mangrum]’s passing. I was the founding pastor of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church when John arrived to take over the reins of St. David’s; Michael Jones had been the rector there for about two years. Having served down the road from John’s church in Tampa, I was so ecstatic to see him arrive to lead St. David’s. John became my closest friend, and his heart was larger than anyone I knew. Along with a couple of folks from Gould Corp., we founded a Rotary Club, and John and I welcomed all of the ministers, priests and rabbis in the area to meet weekly at Anna Marie’s coffee shop. There we organized the Wellington Ministers Association, and John proclaimed me the president and him the vice president, and so it remained for the six years I served there. He would never take the presidency of such a motley crew! I was so proud to be his friend and colleague. He taught me a lot about being a pastor in a community and being in the community as a pastor. When sent to another church by the bishop, there was a roast, and John Mangrum was the hit of the evening. He was a pastor to many who were not members of his flock. I count myself as one of them.

John Denmark, Lead Pastor First United Methodist Church of Melbourne

Stop ‘Emergency Grading’ Idea

I read the March 12 Town-Crier article about “emergency road grading” in Loxahatchee Groves. In the article it says there is an existing letter from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue indicating that 43rd Road North is impassible and the road has to be graded immediately.

I live on this road, drive it daily and even checked the road after the recent heavy rainfall. I could

not find any road damage that needs emergency attention. I can tell you the drainage ditch alongside the road spilled over in some lower areas for a short time, leaving some small puddles, which is normal after heavy rainfall and typical for every Loxahatchee dirt road. The town should write a letter to all property owners to the north of the road and urge them to fix their drainage problems. If the town can donate truckloads of fill, I will be glad to spread the fill in the lower areas, and I am sure other landowners with their equipment will join me. As a single dad, the thought that emergency vehicles can’t enter my home worries me. If 43rd Road North or any other private road becomes impassible, residents have to close this portion of the road immediately — not write a letter to LGWCD. The next step would be to inform law enforcement because residents and emergency vehicles are forced to use alternate ways to their home, in my case, either 145th Ave. or 140th Ave. Private roads without an alternative might have to cross a neighbor’s property until road repair is done. Now the time is right to evaluate the road damage. Get estimates and schedule repair. I don’t buy this “emergency road grading” provided by the district for private roads. If residents using private roads to enter their homes are not satisfied with their road conditions, they can grade the roads daily. If they don’t have their own equipment, they have to hire a contractor and pay for it. Or they can trade in their Lexus and buy a pickup truck. There is no place for personal favors to town or district council members, like the fire-rescue letter to the town creating a non-existing emergency situation to benefit private roads. Using their political position and power to improve their property value with taxpayers’ money is wrong.

James Rockett, Loxahatchee Groves town councilman and 43rd Road North property owner, should know.

Craig Perkins Loxahatchee Groves

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

In addition to the creation of the focus group, the Palm Beach County Health Department’s new Acreage Neighborhood Information Center hopefully will go a long way in helping residents separate fact from fiction as well as keeping the department up to date regarding the situation on the ground in The Acreage. The center will also offer mental health counseling, which we recommend to anyone experiencing unusual amounts of anxiety about the cancer cluster. It doesn’t mean you’re crazy; choosing to treat your anxiety is more “sane” than pretending it doesn’t exist.

If there’s one thing Acreage residents have learned over the past several months, it’s that perception is reality. Whether the cause is something in the water or soil, or something else not related to the environment, the fact is The Acreage as a community is not in a good place right now. And while it is impossible to predict when things will return to “normal” for the area, we can only hope that the worst is over.

We’re pleased that The Acreage is coming together as a community to find a way out of this situation, rather than point fingers and throw mud. For anyone who lives in The Acreage and would like to see things improve, we urge you to attend the next meeting of the focus group, set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 8 at the ITID office located at 13476 61st Street North.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The People Chose Gerwig

Editor’s note: The following is in response to last week’s article “Gerwig Elected To Wellington Council.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Ernie Zimmerman’s comment after his second resounding loss to Anne Gerwig for Seat 2 on the Wellington Village Council, though surprisingly, I agree with his statement.

Mr. Zimmerman spoke the truth when he stated, “I wanted to win, but if the people decided not to have me, they deserve the government they voted for.” Though speaking with a mouth full of sour grapes, he was indeed correct. By choosing Anne Gerwig, Wellington is getting exactly what they deserve — a competent, ethical, hardworking woman who has served this community well as a volunteer for many years. Now the voters have chosen her to continue to do so as their councilwoman.

Marge Fitzgerald Wellington

Remembering Rev. Mangrum

We will never forget Father John Mangrum. Years ago, he was a very regular patron at our restaurant, the Oleander Buffet. He was an asset for us, and we will never forget him. Bless Him! We thought so much of Father Mangrum. Even though we have moved, we still keep in touch with your newspaper via the Internet. He did a lot to help our business. We were in the Kmart plaza for seven years, but the rent just kept going up and up, and we finally closed the business.

Father Mangrum did a story on our restaurant as “Johnny the Stroller” in your Jan. 4-5, 1992 edition. It was a very nice story, which to this day we still have framed and hanging on our “restaurant wall.”

Bill and Carol Anstis Scottsboro, Ala.

Acreage Reliever Road Is Not SR 7

The article in the March 26 issue talks about extending State Road 7 to 60th Street North. That would be awesome; however, you show that SR 7 currently stops at Persimmon, [which] is incorrect — that is where the Acreage Reliever Road ends, not SR 7. As per the County of Palm Beach when this road was built, they said that they have a permit to build the reliever road, and not SR 7, or has everyone forgotten the fight with the state over this section of SR 7, which was to run straight through and connect to Northlake Blvd. just east of Ibis? Sounds like Acreage residents are going to get screwed by the county again.

Tom Chandler The Acreage

Wellington Needs Money For K-Park

In the latest Wellington election, K-Park was the No. 1 issue between the candidates. Despite the fact that Palm Beach State College has no money and has little chance of getting any to build a campus, the two winning candidates are chomping at the bit to get K-Park on the agenda again.

Anne Gerwig has clearly stated that she has a conflict of interest, and would recuse herself on this issue since her husband works with PBSC. She is now a council member, so she should not say another word on PBSC and KPark.

Wellington faces the greatest fiscal challenge in its history, and while meeting that challenge, it is unbelievable that we would even consider giving away 65 acres of land. Our budget has been reduced from $103 million to $85 million and is projected to be even lower in 2011.

Despite what Mayor Darell Bowen would like us to believe, K-Park is worth around $30 million according to an independent appraisal. Would any prudent per-

OPINION

After 14 seasons as an outstanding tackle with the Philadelphia Eagles (he retired in 2009), Jon Runyon, at 36, has decided to run for Congress. Runyon selected the 3rd Congressional District in New Jersey as the place he looks to represent as a Republican. Let’s take a further look. Runyon expects to campaign as a conservative who opposes big government and federal stimulus spending. While the line for Republican candidates for this seat has not formed yet, Runyon’s name recognition and personal wealth (he earned $39.9 million over his National Football League career) should stand him in good “stance” (no pun intended). However, the once-gritty lineman has only been a Republican for some four months, which sours his name in some political quarters. And by the way, Runyon, the conservative thinker, is pro-choice! Incidentally, Runyon has another interesting distinction. In 2006, in a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated magazine, Jon Runyon was voted by his peers in the NFL the second-dirtiest player in the league. Then too, there is the curious situation of

son give away a parcel of land that represents 35 percent of our budget? Let’s not forget that we are still paying $40,000 a month on this land.

It is important to remember that K-Park was re-zoned. It was agricultural, then a park, and currently park and civil use. We can again zone it to be the “best use” for Wellington. Let’s do that, and find an owner who will pay for the land, pay impact fees, pay taxes and bring jobs to Wellington. Morley Alperstein Wellington

Greed Behind Cancer Cluster

I have recently discovered the true cause of the Acreage cancer cluster. First off, it’s not the water, the soil, Chinese drywall or Pratt & Whitney. Let me explain.

If you go to the hardware store, you can buy 4” PVC water main pipe for about $2 per foot. Multiply that times the typical 200-foot frontage of the average Acreage homesite and you get $400. Add a generous $600 for labor to bury it and you come to $1,000. Now split that with the guy across the street and you get $500 per household to install pipes for city water.

The county wants $17,000 to bury the same exact pipe. That leaves a difference of $16,500 that is unaccounted for. Where does that money go? It goes into

someone’s back pocket, that’s where.

So there you have the real reason for the cancer cluster in The Acreage — greed.

Dennis Hawkins The Acreage Charity Thanks

Bellissimos

On behalf of the board of directors, volunteers and beneficiaries of the Children, Hope & Horses Organization, please allow me to thank the Bellissimo family for their most philanthropic endeavor, the inaugural FTI Great Charity Challenge. For many smaller charities such as Children, Hope & Horses, the challenge allowed us to immediately grow our foundation financially while gaining exposure to our sister organizations and the Wellington community overall. We especially would like to thank our sponsor Ms. Maura Thatcher and the exceptional riding team of Hayley Jayne, Kelsey Thatcher and Maggie Jayne. Last but not least, we want to thank the Wellington residents who supported this event! The Bellissimo family has certainly changed the face of our organization, and we look forward to this event growing each year and having the opportunity to work with such wonderful people in the Wellington community. Diane Frankle Children, Hope & Horses

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

Runyon For Congress?

the property taxes on his 35-acre estate in Mount Laurel. It seems Runyon, in calculating his taxes, paid $57,000 in 2009 on the five acres where he resides, but he paid just $468 on the rest of the property, home to four donkeys. Thus, in the animal husbandry thinking of the possible future legislator, this 30 acres qualifies as bona fide farmland!

Well, were I to live in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District would I be inclined to vote for Runyon? He obviously likes money, he certainly should be ready for Washington’s “dirty political wars,” and the man is both an expert on taxes and agriculture. Not a bad resume for a 36-year-old Congressman — or is it?

continued from page 1 Veterans’ Memorial. It’s really tying things together.”

The memorial’s crowning jewel will be a piece of the wreckage from the World Trade Center, which had to be authorized by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“It’s just a piece of steel, but it represents all of the lives lost that day,” Willhite said, comparing it to having a piece of the Berlin Wall. “It’s something that has to be signed off on by a judge, because [the World Trade Center] is considered a crime scene. And there’s a stipulation that it has to be transported with pride.”

To do that, Willhite hopes to bring a sheriff’s escort with him and village staff to pick up the piece and return it to the village, marked by a ceremony when it arrives. He also hopes to affix a

GPS locator on the artifact so residents can go online and follow its line of travel from New York.

The idea for the Patriot Memorial came to Willhite after a resident e-mailed to complain that the village hadn’t lowered its flags to half-staff on Patriot Day (Sept. 11).

Willhite, who is a firefighter, began thinking about ways to commemorate that day.

Although he learned that Palm Beach Gardens was building a small memorial with its own 9/11 artifact, he found that there were

no other memorials dedicated specifically to 9/11 in Palm Beach County.

Although Willhite said he has heard some residents criticize the memorial for being too nationalistic, he said that overall the project is meant to honor the heroes from 9/11 and those in the community who were affected by the tragedy.

The name of the memorial was chosen after former President George W. Bush designated Sept. 11 as Patriot Day.

“I’m not trying to get into na-

tional politics,” Willhite said. “I’m trying to have people remember what happened on that day. I wanted to honor the heroes in this community in a different way. We already have the Veterans’ Memorial, but we don’t have anything like this in our community right now.”

He hopes that the memorial will be a place for families to gather, sit on a shady bench beneath the pergolas that will line the memorial, and reflect on the events of that tragic day.

“Sept. 11, 2001 was a significant time for this generation,” Willhite said. “It changed the course of history. In 20 years, people might not remember the impact that day had.” Donations made through the Wellington Community Foundation are tax-deductible. More information about donating can be found on the village’s web site at www.wellingtonfl.gov under the latest news. For more about the project, call Project Manager Nicole Evangelista at (561) 7914733 or e-mail nevangelista@ wellingtonfl.gov.

WELLINGTON PAP CORPS CANCER RESEARCH UNIT HOSTS SPRING

Cheryl Fisher of Portrait Transformations displays her artwork.

Peter Caulfield Jr., Samantha Caulfield, cancer survivor Carson Ruffa and Carol Caulfield.

LWHS Culinary Academy’s Justin Vega, Kyle Haye, instructor Angelo Liquori, Vernice Davis and Jonathan Castorela.

Teresa Gomez with Alicia Foster at the Scentsy candles booth.Ruth Behrman with Joyce Kraszeski of Orchid Acres.

Tribute card seller Norma Fine.

Man Arrested For Battery On Mall Subway Employee

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

MARCH 30 — A Wellington man was arrested for battery Tuesday evening after he assaulted a Mall at Wellington Green food court employee. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a Subway sandwich shop in the mall’s food court after 19-year-old Antonio Esparza threw a footlong sandwich at an employee. According to the report, Esparza was angry and threw the sub in the employee’s face. Esparza was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where he was charged with battery. •

MARCH 24 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home in Pinewood Manor last Wednesday regarding a delayed vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim was notified that someone had been caught using his credit card. The victim said that he parked his SUV outside his home around 8 p.m. on Friday, March 12, and at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 14 he discovered that his Swiss Army black computer bag was missing. The bag contained the victim’s credit cards, $125 cash, a check for $500 made out to cash, two checkbooks and a Verizon air card. According to the report, the victim had been at a restaurant near the intersection of Crestwood and Southern boulevards on Friday, March 12 and may have left his vehicle unlocked. The SUV was locked while in the victim’s driveway, and there was no damage done to it. The stolen items were valued at approximately $824. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.

MARCH 24 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched to a home on 75th Lane North last Wednesday evening regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8 p.m. last Tuesday and 7:15 p.m. the following day, someone cut the security cable to the victim’s Toro riding lawnmower and stole it. The lawnmower is described as a red, 42-inch riding mower with a 20 horsepower Kohler Courage twincam engine. It was valued at approximately $750. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

of Forest Hill and Olympia boulevards. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 5 a.m. a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington discovered 20-yearold Garrett Coutts asleep behind the wheel of his 2004 Pontiac Sunfire with the engine running. The deputy made contact with Coutts, who agreed to submit to a roadside sobriety test. Coutts failed the test and was arrested. He was taken to the county jail where breath tests revealed he had a .106 bloodalcohol level. Coutts was charged with driving under the influence.

MARCH 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a business on Business Parkway last Friday morning regarding a vessel theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6 p.m. last Thursday and 8 a.m. the following morning, someone cut the chain on the business’ gate and stole the victim’s 41-foot Apache powerboat from inside the fenced enclosure. Links from the chain were entered into evidence, but DNA evidence could not be taken from the gate. The boat is valued at approximately $200,000. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MARCH 28 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a restaurant on Okeechobee Blvd. last Sunday afternoon in response to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victims entered the restaurant at approximately 1:30 p.m. and when they returned an hour later, they discovered that the driver’s-side window of their van had been broken with an unknown tool. A purse, GPS unit and an iPod were stolen from the front passenger floorboards. The stolen items were valued at approximately $540. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MARCH 29 — A resident of Sugar Pond Manor called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday afternoon to report a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8:30 a.m. last Thursday and 3 p.m. Monday, someone burglarized the victim’s home. The victim said she found her rear sliding glass door unlocked. Suspect(s) entered the master bedroom closet and took a gold chain and a digital camera. They also went into the nightstand drawer and took two gold bangles. The stolen items were valued at approximately $850. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MARCH 25 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home in the Isles at Wellington last Thursday evening in response to an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 5 p.m. the victim parked his Mercedes-Benz C280 Sport in his driveway, and when he went outside half an hour later, he found a dent on his hood approximately the size of a skateboard wheel. The victim said he has been having problems with a group of juveniles in the area who refuse to move from the street to let cars by. The cost to repair the hood was estimated at approximately $200. There were no witnesses at the time of the report.

MARCH 26 — A Wellington man was arrested early last Friday morning for drunken driving after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car at the intersection

MARCH 29 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded Monday morning to a home on Citrus Grove Blvd. regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 21 and 10:30 a.m. Monday, someone stole the wheels and tires off the victim’s 2006 Nissan Altima, leaving the car on cement blocks. There was no other damage to the vehicle. The stolen items were valued at approximately $3,700. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MARCH 30 — A resident of Counterpoint Estates called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday to report a case of fraud. According to a PBSO re-

BLOTTER, page 20

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives:

• Renford Earle is a black male, 6’ tall and weighing 200 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He has a scar on his lip and may have a shaved head. His date of birth is 12/01/ 55. Earle is wanted for failure to appear on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a marked police car, possession of marijuana and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Lily Road in Wellington. Earle is wanted as of 04/01/10. • Benjamin Godfrey is a white male, 6’2” tall and weighing 170 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 09/03/ 68. Godfrey is wanted for failure to appear on charges of possession of cocaine and possession of paraphernalia, and violation of supervised own recognizance for possession of cocaine and paraphernalia. His occupation is laborer. His last known address was Key Lime Blvd. in The Acreage. Godfrey is wanted as of 04/01/10. 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.

Renford Earle

Benjamin Godfrey

See

County Finalizes Moratorium On New Pain Management Clinics

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission enacted a one-year moratorium Wednesday on accepting zoning applications and requests for zoning approval for pain management clinics.

The ordinance was approved unanimously on its second and final reading.

The moratorium is intended to quell the growing number of pain clinics, which are reported to dispense hundreds or even thousands of painkillers to clients who commonly abuse them or sell them, often taking them to states where the sale of prescription drugs is more strictly regulated.

Commissioner Karen Marcus said she has received calls from as far away as Kentucky requesting copies of the ordinance, adding that several Florida law enforcement agencies have also asked for copies. Pinellas County recently enacted its own ordinance, she noted.

Commission Chairman Burt

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

With the legislative session in high gear, State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo (D-Wellington) has introduced a number of bills, including several with strong chances of becoming law.

Last year, Abruzzo broke the record for a freshman representative getting bills passed, including the Energy Star Bill. That bill drew $17.6 million in federal stimulus funding that will enable Florida consumers to get a 20-percent discount on energy-efficient appliances between April 16 and 25.

This year, Abruzzo is co-sponsoring HB 225, which would require that pain clinics be owned and operated by a licensed physician and places a 72-hour limit on the quantity of painkillers that can be dispensed directly from pain clinics.

“The speaker’s office recommended that John Legg (R-Pasco) and myself do a joint bill, so that’s our bill, and that is the bill that is moving and will be passed out of the House,” Abruzzo told the Town-Crier Abruzzo noted that there are several bills regulating pain clinics working their way through Tallahassee.

“HB 225, in my strong opinion, will be the legislation that actual-

Aaronson said he has received numerous letters from people favoring the enactment of a permanent ordinance or state statute.

“We should continue writing letters to the state,” Aaronson said, crediting Marcus with leading the way to get the moratorium enacted but stressing the need for a state law regulating pain clinics. “I think that this board once again ought to get in contact with our lobbyist up in Tallahassee and really fight to make sure that what we’re doing on pain clinics is something that needs to be passed statewide, not just on a countywide basis,” Aaronson said.

Aaronson said he is planning a lobbying trip to Tallahassee in a few weeks and encouraged other commissioners to do the same.

Marcus said there is support in the legislature for stricter regulation of pain clinics, but the Florida Medical Association is resisting one of the more important components of the legislation, which mandates that pain clinics

ly has the best chance of passing in the legislature this year,” he said.

As a member of the National Guard, Abruzzo said HB 395 is very important to him. That bill would create a new organization for military families to receive support when their loved ones are fighting overseas or if they need assistance in a hardship situation.

“The funding that is set up will assure a public-private partnership, which will be able to take in private donations as well, cannot be raided and used for other purposes in the legislature,” he said, noting that the bill has passed all committees and is headed to the floor.

HB 435, the Marketable Record Title Act, would guarantee that land purchased by the state for environmental purposes or natural resources cannot be claimed by anyone by a “wild deed” — a deed that has not shown up in title searches.

“We’ve run into situations where people have been trying to claim deed to property that we the taxpayers have purchased,” he explained. “This bill will say, no, if this land is purchased by taxpayers for environmental purposes or natural resources, no one can try to claim deed on the land. It ensures that that land stays pris-

cannot dispense more than 72 hours of pain medication. “They are fighting that strongly, so we need to focus on that,” Marcus said.

Marcus clarified that the bill under discussion does not regulate dispensing of prescriptions, but of the drug itself from the pain clinic, and Aaronson said he did not understand why the FMA is fighting it.

“They’re fighting something that is causing great problems for everybody, and I can’t understand it,” he said. “I think it’s about time that we and the Florida Association of Counties and the state legislature not buckle to these doctors, these ‘pill mills,’ if you will. That’s why I say we have to go up and lobby as well.”

Commissioner Steven Abrams said there is also resistance from local medical organizations such as the Palm Beach County Medical Society.

“I know they’re going into Boca Raton opposing their ordinance and maybe other municipalities,”

tine and owned by us, the Floridians who purchased it.”

HB 435 is on the house floor, and Abruzzo expects the chamber to pass it. “We’ll be moving it out of the House shortly,” he said.

HB 765, the Animal Protection Act, will increase the penalties for horse slaughter for human consumption and raise standards under which a veterinarian can conduct a practice, including prohibiting a practice by a veterinarian with a criminal record against animals. Abruzzo noted that the text of the bill was written with the assistance of Wellington veterinarian Scott Swerdlin.

“This is near and dear to our hearts in Wellington. This is going to address horse slaughter in the state. This is truly a Wellington hometown bill that also tightens up some veterinarian standards,” said Abruzzo, who added that HB 765 should head to the floor soon.

HB 1241, which Abruzzo said is also ready for the floor, will prohibit the taxing of service fees when people book hotel rooms online, he said.

“We don’t tax services in the State of Florida, and there has been an attempt by some other legislatures to start taxing that service fee, which will drive up our hotel rates, which would obviously

Abrams said. “Certainly, we know these folks and can communicate with them. To me, it’s a lack of communication on what the intent is behind the provisions.”

Marcus said representatives from the Palm Beach County Medical Society were at a meeting held by the county to work on the ordinance.

“The president of the Palm Beach chapter happens to be a pain management specialist, however, he doesn’t do it through prescriptions,” Marcus said. “He does it through procedures, but he was very concerned.”

Marcus asserted that if doctors’ groups don’t want more regulation, they need to do a better job policing their own.

“They have pushed back to us locally, so I think we should push back to them and say they need to regulate their own better,” she said. “When they get reprimanded or sent up to Tallahassee, apparently there’s not a whole lot that happens to them.”

Aaronson recommended send-

drive down occupancy rates, and we can’t afford that,” he said.

“This is the wrong time to be taxing one of the most important industries in Florida.”

Abruzzo said local governments should like HB 1331, which would require the state government when building or improving or maintaining roads and hence obstructing businesses, to apply for certain levels of approval from local government before commencing.

ing a letter to the Palm Beach County Medical Society, indicating their intention to lobby for tighter state regulation and requesting their help.

“They live here in Palm Beach County,” Aaronson said. “They know what’s happening. You read the papers and you know how many people are dying because they’re able to go in and get thousands of pills at a time.”

He also recommended sending a copy of the letter to the Palm Beach County League of Cities asking it to join.

The League of Cities has asked that municipalities enact moratoriums and ordinances controlling pain clinics, but county staff members said Wednesday that they did not have a tally of cities that have enacted such ordinances.

Locally, Wellington and Loxahatchee Groves have enacted moratoriums, while the Royal Palm Beach Village Council was scheduled to hold the first reading of a proposed ordinance on Thursday, April 1.

“This would ensure that local government has a stronger say before we just wave our magic wand and decide that we’d like to start building in a community, so I think that this is a great local government bill and extremely business friendly,” Abruzzo said, noting that HB 1331 is just one stop away from the house floor.

HB 1335, which would reclassify teen “sexting,” also is one stop away from the floor. “The bill would decriminalize the first offense of sexting,” he said, an activity where a minor sends a sexually explicit picture to another minor through a cell phone or other electronic device. “Right now,

currently it’s a felony and if they’re convicted even as a minor, they have to register as a sex offender into their 40s. It basically ruins their lives.”

Under HB 1335 the first offense is not a crime and carries a penalty of $25 and/or eight hours of community service. The second and third offenses are misdemeanors and the fourth offense is a felony. “We are lessening the punishment and giving these children a chance to not ruin their lives over youthful indiscretions,” Abruzzo said.

Another bill sponsored by Abruzzo is HB 1441, the Internet Poker Consumer Protection and Revenue Generation Act. The bill would create legal online poker to be provided by card room providers through a state Internet poker network.

Abruzzo said he does not expect it to pass this year because of gaming negotiations with the Seminole Tribe, but he wanted to get it filed as a test.

HB 1441 is the first internet poker bill in the nation, he said. “It would legalize, regulate and

Abrams noted that some of the municipalities are enacting ordinances more stringent than what the state is considering.

The Broward County Grand Jury Interim Report on the Proliferation of Pain Clinics in South Florida dated Nov. 19, 2009 was taken into consideration in drafting the Palm Beach County ordinance, according to the county staff report.

The grand jury report found that from August 2008 to November 2009, a new pain clinic opened in Broward and Palm Beach counties an average of every three days.

The grand jury heard testimony from law enforcement officials that criminal activity increases in areas where pain management clinics are located.

News reports have described a “pipeline” of drug traffic from South Florida pain management clinics to users in other states, such as Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio, according to the staff report.

collect fees for Internet poker,” Abruzzo explained. “We identified that there are over a million players that we know of, and it’s probably much greater than that. We identified them through IP addresses playing overseas in these unregulated forms of online poker.” Similar Internet poker legislation is being considered on the federal level, but that would bring in much less revenue for Florida, Abruzzo said. “If we do it ourselves, it wouldn’t go to the feds,” he said. “We could keep the majority of it here in the state, so I believe this bill will have legs next year. When I took up this issue, I knew it would be a two-year project, mainly because of the Seminole deal... This bill will definitely bring a significant amount of revenue to our state. There’s estimates of about $600,000 a day or $200 million [annually] if we pass this exact bill, and that’s a very conservative figure.” Abruzzo said Internet poker is being played illegally overseas and the players are not protected. Through local regulation, they would have legal recourse. “I think this was a very good idea where we’re going to be able to generate a large amount of revenue without hitting average Floridians on taxes,” he said.

LGLA MEMBERS ENJOY A RELAXING MARCH MEETING WITH DINNER AND MUSIC

Focus Group Next Meeting

April 8

continued from page 1 what the issues are and find solutions,” Nichols said. Karen Keogh is a stay-at-home mom who has lived in The Acreage more than 20 years. She volunteers at Seminole Ridge High School and at Acreage Community Park. Donald Felicella does consulting work in the field of traffic accident reconstruction. He moved to The Acreage four years ago from Broward County and has three children.

Veterinarian Linda Abbott has lived and worked in The Acreage

for the past 10 years. She has a six-year-old daughter and started her own business in The Acreage two years ago.

Tracy Newfield has lived in The Acreage since 2001 when her daughter was 10 months old. “I am here as the mother of a child who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor cancer,” Newfield said. “I am here as my child’s advocate.”

Pastor Mickey Oliphant, a 25year resident of Fox Trail, is the pastor at Cornerstone Fellowship Church in The Acreage. He has been selling real estate in the area for 38 years and is concerned about declining property values. Longtime community activist Patricia Curry has been a resident of The Acreage since 1980, living in the same house. “I drink the water. I have two daughters and both were born and raised here in

Instead of its usual monthly meeting, the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association hosted a potluck dinner and live performance by the Old Timers Band at Palms West Presbyterian Church on Thursday, March 25. Angela Johnson of the Census Bureau spoke briefly before the dinner and music. The food was spread out inside and landowners helped themselves and then headed outside after Johnson spoke.

The Acreage,” Curry said. Curry said she sides with those who don’t believe there is enough evidence supporting a cancer cluster. “While I sympathize with families who have suffered cancer incidences, I don’t believe there is an environmental cause in our community,” she said. “This is probably why I am on this focus group, because some people yell a lot louder than others.”

Andrew Narcus, who was later elected chair of the panel, is a registered professional engineer who has lived in The Acreage for 13 years. He has two daughters in elementary school.

Bill Featherston moved to The Acreage five years ago from Davie with his wife and son. “My business is also run off of my property to some extent, so I have a very strong commercial interest

as well,” Featherston said, adding that his son died in September from a brain tumor.

Other focus group members include Diana Demarest, Leanne Reid and TJ Gitto. Speaking last, Damone noted that she has been an Acreage resident for 13 years and has two teenage children. Aside from her work with ITID, she has a background in the mortgage industry.

For its first task, the group reached agreement on a mission statement drafted by Narcus, which includes the objectives to provide ongoing support to the cancer cluster investigation and represent Acreage residents in direct communication with local, state and federal government agencies by acting as a liaison between the community and investigating teams.

Keogh stressed that if any contaminant is found, it is important to stick together as residents. “We were once a vital community, and we need to restore that,” she said.

Santamaria said the ultimate objective should be to conclude that The Acreage is a safe, good community. “It is a good community,” Santamaria said. “That’s why you’re here. We want to prove that. The reason you’re here is it’s a great community.” Oliphant said he is concerned about “media hype” over cancer in The Acreage that has already gone nationwide.

“As a homeowner here and as a Realtor for 38 years, we’ve already seen our economy whacked considerably, and this on top of it,” he said. “I’m seeing us concerned about the scientific parts. I guess I’m asking myself, is this group concerned about the media hype and is this group concerned about the potential devaluing of our property?”

The group also shared questions they would like answered, which will be studied and categorized for further review at the focus group’s next meeting set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 8 at the ITID office. Damone encouraged members to give names and/or types of professionals they would like to have make presentations.

In other business, the focus group heard a presentation from Doc Kokol, the director of communications for the Palm Beach

The Old Timers Band performs.LGLA members chat inside the church.

LGLA members relax and enjoy the live music.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo

Acreage Focus Group members Andrew Narcus, Bill Featherston and Michelle Damone discuss plans for the group’s next meeting on Thursday, April 8.

RALLY FOR THE CURE GOLF TOURNEY IN RPB

NACA Offers Assistance For Homeowners

The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), a non-profit community advocacy organization and HUD-certified counseling agency, will return to Wellington this Saturday to assist homeowners looking for mortgage solutions.

NACA is funded in part by government grants and has secured contracts with the largest lenders in the country. A fee is paid to the organization by the lender for each successful loan modification performed.

Pre-registration workshops for the upcoming “Save the Dream” event will be held Saturday, April 3 from 9 to 11 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).

NACA works directly with the lenders/servicers who will be onsite at the “Save the Dream” event to provide same-day solutions. NACA counselors can help you re-underwrite or restructure mortgages to an affordable monthly payment.

The “Save the Dream” event will run 24 hours a day Thursday, April 15 through Monday, April 19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach).

Priority service will be assigned to those who register in advance. Residents are encouraged to preregister at the NACA web site at www.naca.com or by calling (888) 499-6222.

Earth Day At Temple Beth Torah Preschool

The Village of Wellington has donated saplings to children at Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool to help the students learn about Earth Day.

During a celebration set to take place Thursday, April 22 at 9:15 a.m. at the preschool, children will learn that they can make a difference by planting trees to replenish the environment. Trees will be planted in the children’s play area to provide additional shade. All children participating will have the opportunity to help plant the trees as their parents look on. Discussions about Earth Day will continue in the classrooms, where children will learn about recycling and other ways they can help the environment.

Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool is located at 900 Big Blue Trace in Wellington. For more information, call the preschool office at (561) 793-2649.

Author Cary Bayer To Teach Class On Peace

Cary Bayer, a New York- and Florida-based life coach who has worked with Oscar-winner Alan Arkin, David Steinberg and Quality Inns, will come to Lake Worth to teach a class to help people become at peace with anyone in their lives. “How to be at Peace with Any-

one” will take place Saturday, April 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Yoga Inner Peace (3964 Lake Worth Road).

Bayer will draw from his book Relationships 101 to present a systematic three-part written process that enables them to forgive those who have broken their hearts. Rare is the person who doesn’t have unresolved issues with an exspouse, parent, boss, current spouse, deceased parent or exboss, for example.

People spend thousands of dollars in therapy trying to resolve these conflicts. Bayer’s workshop can help people clear the past and develop happier relationships with others in the future.

In this class, students will make progress toward finishing the first two of these three steps that are vital for physical, emotional and financial health, and will enable them to become at peace with anyone they’ve ever known.

“The tools I teach have been used by students for many years, so I can vouch for their effectiveness,” said Bayer, who lives with his wife of 23 years in their homes on the ocean in Hillsboro Beach, Fla., and in the mountains in Woodstock, New York.

Client Linda Cohen of Boca Raton commented on Bayer’s relationship work. “I’ve seen therapists for many years and, believe me, none of them have anything on Cary Bayer,” she said.

The cost for the class is $10 when paid by April 7; afterward, the cost is $15. For more information about the April 10 event, call Yoga Inner Peace at (561) 6418888.

County To Offer Accessibility Training

To help raise public awareness of the requirements under Florida’s Accessibility Code for Building Construction, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act, the Palm Beach County Office of Equal Opportunity and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County will present a training program Thursday, April 22 at the West Palm Beach Marriott (1001 Okeechobee Blvd.).

The program will be conducted by architect Larry Schneider and Angel Watson of the Caring and Sharing Center for Independent Living in Pinellas and Pasco counties. The training is designed primarily for architects, engineers, developers and builders, code enforcement officers, and disability advocates.

The program will be divided into two tracks. Track I will take place from 8 a.m. to noon; Track II will run from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held April 22 at the Marriott. Interested parties may attend either track. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. The registration deadline is April 15. April marks the 42nd anniversary of enactment of the federal Fair Housing Law, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. For more information on accessibility training, contact Pamela Guerrier at (561) 355-2558 or pguerrie@pbcgov.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

The inaugural Susan G. Komen Rally for the Cure Golf Tournament was held Sunday, March 28 at the Links at Madison Green in Royal Palm Beach. After the tournament, dinner was served and awards were presented for longest drive, closest to the pin, worst score and best score. (Above) Danny Scafati, Dennis Maxfield, Sean Daly, Toni Handegard, Glenn and Terri Wescott, Mark Solomons and Al Mezzoni. (Below) Al Coco, Mike King and Nelson Strom advise Pat Strom on her putt.

CROWD ENJOYS AN EVENING OF COMEDY, MAGIC & MUSIC IN ROYAL PALM BEACH

Donna and David Nummela.

Katherine and Mark Bellissimo, County Commissioner Steve Abrams, Al Bennett and Al Malefatto.

John and Barb Ray, Cynthia Gilliam and Paul Baker.

Don Dufresne, Commissioner Steve Abrams and Jim Ritter.

Vocalist Michael Rapposelli sings.

The Village of Royal Palm Beach presented a “Fantastic

Palm Beach Cultural Center. The event featured performances by magician/illusionist Mitchell J. Davie, singer Michael Rapposelli and comedian Jeff Laub.

Donna Nummela assists magician/illusionist Mitchell Davie. Comedian Jeff Laub entertains the crowd.

Mitchell Davie performs a card trick.

The McLean Team follows their leader as they begin their walk to defeat

McLean Team: where “attitude is king.”Mark, Helene and Michael McLean with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

Alan Herzlin greets fellow temple members.

Rabbi Stephen Pinsky gives out prizes to youngsters for finding the Afikomen.

Rabbi Stephen Pinsky with some young Seder attendees. Cantor Carrie Barry and Rabbi Stephen Pinsky.

Albert and Silvia Shoengold with Harriet Kaye.

Rabbi Stephen Pinsky, Alan Herzlin and Eric Bakerman.

Audi Defeats Pony Express As U.S. Open Action Gets Underway

Facundo Pieres scored eight goals, including three straight in the fourth chukker, to lead Audi to a 14-7 victory over Pony Express in the first round of the U.S. Open Championship on Sunday, March 28 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Pieres scored five times in the first half when Audi opened an 83 lead. Gonzalito Pieres finished with four goals for Audi. Matias Magrini led Pony Express with three goals. In Sunday’s first match, Orchard Hill defeated Piaget 17-8 behind eight goals by Lucas Criado. Orchard Hill led 10-3 after three chukkers. Audi (1-0) played Crab Orchard (0-0) and Orchard Hill (1-0) faced Pony Express (0-1) in Wednes-

day’s matches. Results were not available at press time. On Saturday, Audi plays Piaget at 3 p.m. Sunday’s matches are Pony Express vs. Crab Orchard at 10 a.m., Bendabout/Wanderers vs. Las Monjitas at noon, and Lechuza Caracas vs. Valiente at 3 p.m. Tickets for the Nespresso Grande Pavilion range from $50 to $100. General admission tick-

ets are available for $20, lawn seating for $35 and box seats for $125. The Wellington Zone is open to the public and is free of charge. Parking is $5. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.inter nationalpoloclub.com or call the box office at (561) 282-5334. For field assignments, call the polo hot line at (561) 282-5290.

Big Week For McLain Ward As 2010 WEF Approaches Conclusion

Sapphire, ridden by McLain Ward, won the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5*, on Saturday, March 27 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. The event was the highlight of the 2010 Winter Equestrian Fes-

tival and drew a crowd of more than 9,000, a record for an equestrian event in Wellington. Ward, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Sapphire repeated their victory from last year. Laura Kraut aboard Cedric was second, and Todd Minikus

on Pavarotti finished third.

The class was the final qualifier of the $100,000 FTI Rider Challenge, with the top four riders of the circuit earning bonus checks. The top four riders were Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil, who earned $50,000; Pablo Barrios of Venezuela, who received $25,000; Ward ($15,000); and Kraut ($10,000).

The course designer was Conrad Homfeld of Wellington. He designed a 14 numbered obstacle track for the first round, which had 40 entries. Four riders finished clear to advance to the timed jump-off.

Ward and Sapphire had no faults and finished in 34.89 seconds. Kraut and Cedric were clocked in 36.02 seconds and also had no faults, and Minikus and Pavarotti, also riding clear, finished in 36.84 seconds. Pessoa and Let’s Fly were timed in 35.97 seconds but had four faults and finished fourth.

“It’s a nice way to finish the circuit, and I think Sapphire is round-

ing into good form for the FEI World Cup Finals.” Ward said.

“I’m so lucky to have this horse and the people around me. She just keeps giving and giving and giving.”

The 11th week of WEF also had a full schedule of jumper, hunter and equitation classes.

Christina Kelly rode Radio Flyer to victory in last Wednesday’s $8,000 Sentient Jet 1.45m Jumper timed first-round class. Lauren Hough and Prezioso S were second, with Marilyn Little-Meredith and Udonna third.

This year’s final $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup victory went to Ward and Rothchild. Second place in the class went to Eric Lamaze of Canada, who was aboard Hickstead. Yann Candele of Canada and Pitareusa finished third.

Ward won his third event of the week on Sunday when he rode his own Oh’ D Eole to victory in $20,000 Suncast 1.50m Classic.

“It’s been a great week; I wish they were always like this,” Ward said. “We always have a plan, and

I have a great team of people around me. …We had a plan through the circuit and sometimes you get lucky and it all comes together.”

The highlight for junior riders this season was the George Morris Excellence in Equitation Exhibition on Friday, March 26. Victoria Birdsall and Baheera finished first in the class. Schaefer Raposa and Coronado were second, and Abigail McArdle riding Apartico was third.

Birdsall, 17, of Topsfield, Mass., was awarded the WEF Equitation Championship. Baheera won the Best Turned Out Horse award.

Chris Payne rode Gracious to first place in the Draper Therapies Baby Green Hunter Championship on Thursday, March 25. The reserve championship ribbon was awarded to Ken Smith and Charlestown.

Pony riders kicked off their weekend of competition on Friday with the WIHS Pony Equitation.

received a high score of 86 to secure the win over Porter Allen, who was awarded an 85 for second place.

The first division of Junior Hunters finished competing on Saturday when the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Championship was presented to Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee and Blessed. She also earned the reserve championship aboard Way Cool. The Children’s Hunter divisions wrapped up competition on Sunday. Beverly Catlett aboard Venlo won Taylor Harris Insurance Services Children’s Medal 15-17 competition. Chelsea Huss was victorious with Aljano Jr. in the Sentient Jet Children’s Hunter 15-17. For full results, visit www. shownet.biz or www.equestrian sport.com.

McLain Ward rides Sapphire to victory.

McKayla Langmeier, a nineyear-old Connecticut resident, rode Victoria Press’ small pony Blackberry to the win in the WIHS Pony Equitation. Langmeier

(Above) Audi’s Facundo Pieres. (Left) Gonzalito Pieres of Audi battles Bautista Heguy of Pony Express.

(L-R) Hector Galindo of Orchard Hill, Juan Bollini of Piaget and Lucas Criado of Orchard Hill. PHOTOS BY ALEX PACHECO

Loxahatchee Country Preschool Students Learn About Agriculture

Farm Bureau member and Loxahatchee resident Gina Sauber read to after-school children on March 23 at Loxahatchee Country Preschool in Loxahatchee Groves.

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom Inc. (FAITC) has announced the seventh annual Florida Agriculture Literacy Day. In support of FAITC’s mission of helping teachers and students gain a better understanding of Florida agriculture, FAITC and the Florida Department of Agriculture & Con-

sumer Services declared Tuesday, March 23 Florida Agriculture Literacy Day 2010. Florida agriculture industry volunteers were asked to visit elementary school classrooms around the state and read the new book Green Florida Farms, specially written for the event, and talk with students about the importance of Florida agriculture. Schools or teachers interested in having this book read to students should send an e-mail to gina sauber@aol.com.

Western Academy Students ‘Name That Book’

Western Academy Charter School, a public charter school in Royal Palm Beach, recently kicked off the spring academic competitions with the Name That Book Club.

The program is sponsored by campus librarian Carrie Pena and is a take-off from a program she sponsored while working as school librarian with a charter school chain in Houston, Texas. At Western Academy, the program consists of two divisions: a K-2 and a 3-5 division.

Each division works with a separate reading list of approximately 32 titles with publication dates within the past three years. The reading selections are not only excellent pieces of literature by well-known authors, but they are contemporary as well.

Contestants work under Pena’s guidance, in small teams or inde-

pendently to read each title from their reading list in preparation for the spring meet in May. While doing so, the students are trained in many significant reading skills, participate in team discussions of element analysis, research authors to deliver oral reports and integrate Renaissance Learning technology by participating in the Accelerated Reading program on the NEO 2 keyboards.

The competition will conclude with a team meet hosted by Western Academy in May. The event will have three rounds in each division, and the winning team in each division will receive a trophy and have their names engraved on a plaque to be displayed in the school lobby.

If your elementary school campus is interested in participating, contact Pena at carrie.pena@palm beach.k12.fl.us for details.

Binks Forest Cheerleaders Join WLMS Squad

The Binks Forest Elementary School cheerleaders joined their older counterparts from Wellington Landings Middle School during a basketball game against Polo Park Middle School on Friday, March 17.

The Binks Forest cheerleaders learned some of the Gators’ cheers and performed them with the Wellington Landings cheerleaders. Both squads enjoyed the game, especially when the younger girls watched the older

girls perform their halftime routine. The cheerleaders from Binks Forest were excited to watch the Wellington Landings squad throw stunts and tumble across the basketball court.

“When they returned to practice the next week, they were ready to tumble and stunt ‘like the Landings Girls,’” Binks Forest coach Heather Brodnicki said.

Brodnicki and Landings coach Nancy Courtney hope to have the girls perform together again next year.

PHOTO BY LISA DEZOLT

Gina Sauber reads to a group of after-school children at Loxahatchee Country Preschool.

Western Academy students discuss their books.

Binks Forest cheerleaders cheer on the WLMS team.

Seminole Ridge To Host Annual Ridge Classic Fundraiser On April 10

The Seminole Ridge High School athletic department will host the second annual Ridge Classic golf tournament fundraiser Saturday, April 10 at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington.

Entry is $125 per golfer ($500 for a foursome); the SRHS student entry fee is $100. Tee time is 1:30 p.m. “There are great prizes, and refreshments and dinner are included in the price,” SRHS Athletic Director Scott Parks said.

For more information, or to sign up, call (561) 422-2611.

• Road Cleanup — The SRHS National Honor Society held a road cleanup the morning of Saturday, March 20 along Okeechobee Blvd. and down A to F roads, gathering a truckload of trash and leaving the Loxahatchee Groves roads much cleaner.

• Hawk Battalion Brings Home Gold — The Hawk Battalion competed in 19 events last weekend at Jupiter High School, going up against 14 other schools from Brevard and Palm Beach counties. Cadets Ian Banks and Ryan Espinoza took first place in the “Male Dual” competition, and cadet Sean Galavan took second place in the “Knock Out” competition. The battalion had a great time competing and building camaraderie with cadets from other schools.

• “Fundreds” Student Artwork Off to D.C. — SRHS students are done creating their “fundreds,” works of art resembling a $100 bill, and the fundreds collection truck has come and gone. As an area collection center, Seminole Ridge took in 2,510 fundreds ($25,100) from six schools, with 309 of those fundreds created by the Hawks. The fundreds are on their way to Washington, D.C., where they will join fundreds from across the nation to be presented

Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association President Marge Herzog said she “personally thank[s] everyone from the Seminole Ridge National Honor Society who gave up their Saturday morning to make Loxahatchee Groves look better. Town residents were impressed with the number of students who turned out to clean up our streets.” NHS member John Hill said, “It’s amazing to see what, and how much, people discard!” Pat Soucy added, “It’s nice to help the community, and it’s great to see that we’re doing something good for the environment.”

BINKS FOREST HELPS GOVE PREPARE FOR FCAT

Binks Forest Elementary School students and parents recently delivered FCAT boxes of encouragement to Gove Elementary School, Binks Forest’s sister school. This has become a tradition for Binks Forest students over the past few years to encourage their friends at Gove to do their best on the FCAT exam. Shown above is the group from Binks Forest with their donations at Gove Elementary School.

to the U.S. Treasury Department. The goal is for Congress to match the fundreds at face value to pay for cleaning the lead-poisoned soil of New Orleans.

Fundred coordinator and SRHS art teacher Gwenn Seuling is proud of the students’ effort. “Here’s to all the artists who have just proven that art can create social change,” she said.

• Multicultural Night — The world languages department will host its third annual Multicultural Night Dinner & Show on Friday, April 16 at SRHS.

Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria, and the show will follow at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Catered by Pollo Tropical, the dinner will include a choice of chicken or pork, black beans and rice, plantains, a roll and beverage. The show will spotlight the school’s most talented students, who will perform a variety of acts promoting cultural awareness.

Pre-event tickets are on sale now. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Contact any world languages teacher for more information.

• College Readiness Initiative for Juniors — Florida law re-

quires high schools to evaluate before the beginning of senior year the college readiness of each student who indicates an interest in college education and who meets standardized test score requirements. The College Readiness initiative is administered only through the Palm Beach State

RPBHS Launches New Invest Program

Royal Palm Beach High School will soon be launching the Invest program in cooperation with the insurance industry. Juniors and seniors will learn all aspects of the insurance business, including products, programs and underwriting. They will also have a chance to run mock insurance companies and compete for scholarships at the local, state and national levels.

The Invest program will give students real-life experiences on building a resume, applying for a job, obtaining an internship, participating in job shadowing days, and at the same time learn about all the different aspects of the insurance industry and how it impacts everyone’s lives.

Leading managers will be assisting throughout the program, and RPBHS will become a model for other high schools in Palm Beach County that are interested on implementing it next year. Darrel Schwartz, an international glo-

bal business and entrepreneurship academy teacher at RPBHS attended the national Invest teachers workshop in Washington, D.C. Invest is a school-to-work insurance program that teams with high schools and community college educators to provide a useful insurance curriculum for students.

Additionally, Schwartz was approved by the Griffith Foundation to attend St. John’s University in New York City July 12-23 to take their insurance graduate course on risk management. “I am looking forward to this great opportunity. I was approved for an all-expenses-paid room, board and tuition program,” Schwartz said. “I will be able to enhance the education and materials that I will be delivering to my students next fall for our Invest program at Royal Palm Beach.” For additional information about the Invest program, visit www.iiaba.net/eprise/main/invest/ students/students.html.

New Horizons Elementary School students recently participated in “Spirit Night” at Chick-Fil-A in the Mall at Wellington Green. Students and their parents met with friends and teachers for a great time together. New Horizons appreciates the support of Chick-Fil-A, which has helped the school by providing donations, speakers and kids’ meal rewards for special events. Pictured above is Cheryl Lay’s fourth-grade class with the Chick-Fil-A cow.

Hawk Battalion — (Front row, L-R) Sean Galavan, Ian Banks and Jonathan Fernandez; (back row) LTC Hans Hunt, Savannah Perryman, Vincent Sileo, Kyle Chiovarou, Michael Brown, Ryan Espinoza, Robert Kollmar, Tyler Freece, Ashley Rice, Jeremy Potts, Eric Phan, Janiska Rolle, Chris Rodriguez and MSG Margarita Bonner.

Dr. Steven Miller Takes Part In Sleep Awareness Week Activities

On the night of Tuesday, March 9, Wellington dentist Dr. Steven Miller participated in the Jupiter Medical Center’s celebration of National Sleep Awareness Week. Miller sponsored a table at the sleep apnea equipment fair for dental oral appliances that treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. Lectures were given Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights on different aspects of sleep apnea. The Jupiter Medical Center sponsors the AWAKE (Alert, Well And Keeping Energetic) network of support groups, a chapter of the American Sleep Apnea Association (www.sleepapnea.org).

“I hope the western communi-

ties sleep physicians will come together and sponsor a chapter for our growing population,” Miller said. “From what I see in my Dental Sleep Center practice, there is a definite need for it.”

The most common warning signs for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are frequent and loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and waking up during the night with a choking sound or gasping for breath. Often it is the bed partner who recognizes these symptoms. OSA is a serious medical condition that affects an estimated 20 million people in the United States. Dangers related to OSA include severe daytime sleepiness, an increased risk of high blood

Two Graduate Air Force Training

Kavon Deacon and Airman

Amanda Miolan graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Deacon and Miolan completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward

an associate’s degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. Deacon is the son of Elna Deacon of Royal Palm Beach and brother of Tosha Deacon of Miami. He is a 2008 graduate of Miami Southridge Senior High School.

Miolan is the daughter of Lynnette Sanchez and Jose Miolan of Royal Palm Beach. She is a 2009 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.

pressure and higher rates of heart attack and stroke.

Until the 1990s, the only treatment for sleep apnea was the continuous positive airway pressure machine known as the CPAP. CPAP devices are the gold standard for the treatment of sleep apnea. Unfortunately, more than 50 percent of CPAP wearers do not continue their use of this lifesaving device after the first year.

Oral appliances for treating this condition are recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for being as effective as a CPAP for treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea. A side benefit is that the snoring is eliminated as well. Not all people

with sleep apnea snore. For severe sleep apnea, it can lessen the morbidity for those patients who refuse to wear a CPAP. Miller works closely with physicians in order to maximize the care of sleep apnea patients.

Miller is a member of the American Sleep Apnea Association and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). For more than two years, dental sleep medicine has been part of his family and aesthetic dental practice in Wellington.

After attending the AADSM annual meeting in Seattle last June, Miller purchased a Watermark medical ARES home sleep

BENYON, SNEED TO WED

Mr. and Mrs. J. Scott Benyon of Wellington have announced the engagement of

Counihan Graduates Army OSUT Training

Army Pfc. Thomas C. Counihan IV has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville, Mo. The course of instruction included basic military training and advanced individual training (AIT).

During AIT, Counihan completed the combat engineer course to perform basic combat construction and rigging operations; operate light and heavy engineerwheeled and armor-tracked vehicles while participating in combat mobility, countermobility and sur-

monitoring device. It is used to objectively check the efficiency of the oral appliance. This medical device was recently highlighted on The Dr. Oz Show about sleep apnea as well as on the local NBC affiliate subsequent to the show. Watermark medical is a Boca Raton-based company. Call Miller’s office at the Dental Sleep Center of Wellington at (561) 798-5553 for a complimentary screening questionnaire on sleep apnea, devised by Dr. David White of the Harvard Medical School.

More information on snoring and sleep apnea can be found at www.dscofwellington.com.

vivability operations; assist in assembly and maintenance of military standard float and fixed bridges; prepare, install and prime firing systems for demolition and explosives; arm, disarm and install anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate mines by visual means or with mine detector; and recognize and neutralize land mines, firing devices and booby traps.

Counihan is the son of Thomas C. Counihan III of The Acreage and a 2008 graduate of Seminole Ridge High School.

The Jewish War Veterans Post 684 recently presented a $5,000 check to the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The check is to be used for homeless veterans, indigent veterans,

Military Trail. For more information, visit the facility’s web site at www.westpalm beach.va.gov or call (800) 972-8262. Pictured above are: (L-R) Senior Vice Commander Larry Schmookler, Quartermaster Jules Horowitz,

Kavon DeaconAmanda Miolan

Dr. Steven Miller

their daughter Angela Leigh Benyon to Lance Corporal Jake Sneed, USMC Reserves, of Panama City Beach, Fla. Jake is the son of David and Patricia Sneed of Panama City Beach. Both Angela and Jake will graduate from Stetson University on May 8 and will pursue graduate degrees. A June 2011 wedding is planned in West Palm Beach.

‘FLAVORS OF THE WORLD’ PARTY AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET IN WELLINGTON

More than 400 people came out to the Flavors of the World block party at Whole Foods Market in Wellington. The event featured a free tasting around the store. Each department had an international dish representing a country that benefits from the Whole Planet Foundation, an organization that empowers women through microcredit. Participants voted on their favorite dish and had the chance to win free products while enjoying live African music.

Wellington Rotarian Sebastian ‘Lefty’ Ripa Dies At 99

Sebastian “Lefty” Ripa died peacefully on March 17 in Irvine, Calif., where he had been spending time with his daughter and her family this winter. He was 99. Ripa was the loving husband for 70 years of the late Rita Levesque of Fall River, Mass.

Born in Newport, R.I. on Oct. 25, 1910, Ripa was the son of the late Maria Brunetto and Joseph Ripa. He is survived by his daughter Marie and her husband Thomas Maguire of Little Compton, R.I. and Irvine, as well as his sister Ann Warner of Middletown,

R.I. Ripa was predeceased by two daughters, Jeanne Brady Cooney of Little Compton and Nancy Sweetser of New York, and a son, Joseph Ripa. He leaves 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and friends.

Ripa was a retired mason contractor and former owner of the Hi-Way Bowl in Middletown. He was president of the Newport Rotary Club in 1954 and a member of the Wellington Rotary Club. He was a Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree of Knights of Columbus.

He was a communicant of St. Rita Catholic Church in Wellington and recently St. John Neumann Church of Irvine. He served on the Newport Board of Review for 17 years and was the charter president of the Newport Horseman’s Association.

Ripa was dedicated to community service as a member of the Rotary Club with award-winning perfect attendance for 63 years. He believed in the caring commitment, universal respect, camaraderie and guiding principles of the Rotary Club and was

named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was named “Wellington Rotarian of the Century” in 2005.

Ripa was a former member of the Wellington Golf & Country Club and a member of the Wellington Seniors Club. A humble, confident and proud man, he continued to grow for his entire life. After almost 100 years, Ripa touched many people’s lives. Anyone who has a story about Lefty that they would like to share with his family, e-mail it to sfr999@earthlink.net. Ripa’s family wants to keep his memory alive

for his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and would greatly appreciate your contributions.

A mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, March 27 at St. Mary’s Church in Newport. Burial followed in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Visiting hours were held March 26 in Newport’s O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home. Donations may be made in his memory to Companion Hospice, 2041 W. Orangewood, Orange, CA 92868 or the Newport Rotary Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 164, Newport, RI 02840.

It's our job to help you maintain and improve your smile. Our new technologies such as

The Mead family tries their luck, spinning the big wheel.

Whole Foods Market employee Carmen Ormeno.Richard Womble and Melissa Pritt.

Sebastian ‘Lefty’ Ripa WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY LISA KEENEY

LOTS OF CLASSIC CARS ON DISPLAY AT BARRETT-JACKSON’S CRUISE-IN EVENT

Barrett-Jackson hosted its third annual Cruise-In on Sunday, March 28 at Wayne Akers Ford in Lake Worth. More than 125 collector cars were on hand as well as hundreds of car enthusiasts, who took part in raffle drawings to win Barrett-Jackson logo merchandise. The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction is being held April 1-3 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. For more info., visit www.barrettjackson.com.

Galloway Raising Money For Treatment

In Seattle

continued from page 1 ly more sick,” she said. “It raised questions about mercury poisoning. The problem is that the medical community thinks that antibiotics and vaccines carry such a small amount of mercury that it won’t hurt, but mercury can wreak havoc on the body.”

The mercury complicated Diana’s treatment because Lyme disease causes a deficiency in liver function and weakens the body’s ability to fight off poisons.

“The two things go hand-inhand,” Diana said. “You can’t just aggressively kill off the Lyme and not treat the mercury poisoning.”

Once she was diagnosed, Diana

Garden Tour

On April 10

continued from page 1 able to visit each garden at their leisure from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additionally, the club will have a garden boutique and plant sale, along with raffles, at the First Baptist Church of Wellington (12700 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), Russell said. Raffle items include a Sylvester palm tree, the design of a butterfly garden by a professional landscaper, and beautifully planted container gardens.

The event also will feature an art tent hosted by the Wellington Art Society.

All proceeds go directly to the Wellington Garden Club and will help benefit several of the club’s causes, including Habitat for Humanity landscape projects, scholarships for horticultural majors at Palm Beach State College, youth scholarships to nature and environmental camps, the Junior Garden Club support for four Wellington schools and community beautification projects.

Event sponsors include Botanical Visions, Whole Foods Market, the International Polo Club Palm Beach, Equestrian Sport

Santamaria Running For Re-Election

continued from page 1 He said there was a big difference in being aware of corruption and being confronted with it firsthand.

“I knew that there were a lot of things wrong, but once you’re in there, you realize it’s even worse than you thought,” he said. “I was faced with the reality that this is really bad.”

In the wake of corruption scandals that sent several county commissioners to jail, he said his primary focus over the past four years has been to put anti-corruption protections in place. The most

had to see several specialists, and the bills began to pile up as her insurance claims continued to be rejected.

“Insurance only covers up to 28 days of antibiotic therapy,” she said. “If I had had the rash and gotten a diagnosis earlier, they might have paid for treatment.”

However, at this late stage of the disease, all of her organs have been affected by the disease and are beginning to fail.

After nearly giving up hope, the family found Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt’s practice in Seattle, which specializes in treating the combination of metal poisoning and Lyme disease. His treatment may be her only hope, but medical and housing costs are estimated at $10,000 a month and insurance will not cover it, Don said.

“The only thing we can do at this point is give her the treatment she needs,” Don said. “There’s a risk she could die from the treatment, but they’re positive they can help. In the meantime, we’re re-

searching ways to help eliminate the metals and build her immune system. It’s so weak that if she catches a cold, it could kill her.”

Klinghardt’s practice has helped other patients with the disease, including one patient whose symptoms were as bad as Diana’s, she said.

“They’ve helped a lot of people suffering from the same symptoms I have,” Diana said. “They’re not God, but they think they can help me.”

The family hoped to move her to Seattle early this month, but Diana’s worsened condition and their strained finances have pushed the date back.

Life with Lyme disease is very different for the former nurse, who stopped working in November. Because of complications from the metal poisoning, Diana experiences seizures. Wireless devices, certain foods, products or health treatments can cause them. As a result, she cannot be around most electronics, is on a strictly

and

Productions, the Bushel Stop and Sanctuary Garden. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Giverny Garden Center in Jupiter (550 Center St.), the Whole Foods Market on State Road 7 in Wellington, or the Delray Garden Center (3827 W. Atlantic Ave.).

significant of which was the creation of the inspector general’s office.

“An inspector general is the best thing that has happened to Palm Beach County, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “Because of what has happened, we have been called ‘corruption county.’ But now we have the inspector general and the ethics commission. That to me is going to change that image of corruption. I think now we’re going to get rid of that stigma.”

Santamaria said that he is glad that the final draft of the inspector general ordinance increased the independence of the position. “It’s at least 95 percent independent now,” he said. “How did we get it

Day-of-event tickets are available for $20 at the First Baptist Church of Wellington (12700 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Children 15 and under are free. For more information, visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org, e-mail gardentourtix@aol.com or call (561) 790-4347.

independent? We finally got the community to speak out.”

Santamaria added that getting the public involved has been another of his goals as a commissioner and will continue to be if he is re-elected.

“You’ve heard me say many times how we’re going to get the government we deserve, so we’ve got to get the public involved,” he said. “We’ve got to get the public to participate in government. Well, we are seeing that.”

Santamaria said he has been pleased at the interest in the monthly community forums he holds at the original Wellington Mall.

“I have supported community involvement in any form,” he said.

organic diet and can only use certain products. She also has lost the use of her right arm and experiences constant pain.

“A lot of the little things that people would do on their own have caused me to have a seizure,” she said.

The disease has changed the family’s life.

“I try to work as much as I can to keep the house afloat,” Don said. “When I’m gone for 24 hours at a time, her parents help out with the kids and running errands. I don’t know how I could get things done without them.”

When bills continued to pile up, Diana’s parents began to use their credit cards to pay for her treatment. Her father came out of retirement to help pay for her medical costs, and her mother helps Diana with the children and household tasks.

“I’m not comfortable being with my own children alone,” Diana said. “If something were to happen, I would not be in any con-

dition to take them to the hospital. And if something happened to me, I wouldn’t want them alone in the house.” But Diana’s children are familiar with their mother’s condition and have even stood by her side during seizures.

“Anybody who speaks out and participates is really doing good for the democratic system.”

Public participation is the best way to fight corruption, he said. “We still have a long way to go, but we are on our way to getting more public involvement,” Santamaria said. “That’s what’s going to change things. That’s what’s going to give us the government that we want. That’s going to be my No. 1 priority over the next four years.”

Santamaria noted that it was community participation that struck down the plan for 10,000 homes to be built on the CalleryJudge Grove property in Loxahatchee.

“It was packed,” he recalled.

“That’s what we need. That’s what is going to make things happen.”

Santamaria said he depends on the public to attain effective change. “I definitely can’t do it alone,” he said. “Whenever I don’t get public support, I lose out on the vote. We win every time I have public support. We won with the Callery-Judge issue; we won with the landfill issue; and we won with the inspector general issue. When the public shows up, we win.”

Santamaria said he intends to file his re-election papers next week. Two others have also filed for the District 6 seat, Michael Jackson of South Bay and Elissa Pearl of Royal Palm Beach. Both, like Santamaria, are running as Democrats.

“When this first started, my goal was to keep things as normal as possible for the kids,” Don said. “But I see that it’s getting to them. They bicker a lot more. They see the effect this has on her because of her sensitivity to [electronics], which has been the biggest setback. We’ve had to change a lot; it’s not like business as usual.” And finances are the hardest part. Because of her special needs, Diana is spending beyond her means to buy organic products, leaving little left over to pay for necessities for the family like food and clothing.

To raise money, they will hold a benefit on Saturday, May 22 at the American Polish Club in Lake Worth. The family also is accepting donations through the Firefighters Benevolent Association. For more information, or to donate money, food, clothes or other items, visit www.helpsave diana.org.

“All I can ask for is prayers and for people to look at the web site and pass it along to everyone they know,” Diana said.

continued from page 6 port, the victim logged on to her bank account last Tuesday and discovered three suspicious charges on her account totaling $1,101. The charges were made at unknown addresses in Mission Bay and Delray Beach. The victim still has her card and said she used it last at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road early last Monday morning. According to the report, the charges appear to come from an ATM. The victim said she has cancelled her card and her bank has credited the money back to her. There were no suspects at the time of the report. MARCH 30 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched Tuesday evening to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Pierson Road regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m. last Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday, someone stole the victim’s blue Pace American trailer from the southern area of the show grounds. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

Blotter

There are six stops on the garden tour, including these two. (Above) A shady yard full of begonias, ferns

water gardens. (Right) A large property with many red accents. PHOTOS

Before & After — (Left) Wellington resident Diana Galloway before her battle with Lyme disease. (Right) Diana today.

Bruce Haase Sr. and his son Bruce Jr. with

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

People’s Choice Award winner Jesus Garcia of Wellington with his 2009 Roush “Black Jack” Mustang.

Wellington businesswomen Andrea Plevin and Jane Bloom.

Winners Dr. Catherine Lowe and Johanna Kandel after the ceremony.

Dr. Catherine Lowe, Past President Gayle Landen and Vive magazine Publisher Margarita Abrishami.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PALM BEACH CENTRAL RAISES

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

English teacher Joy Ostasse and her students, who gave their ponytails to Locks of Love.

These Lady Broncos shaved their heads for the cause.

Pittsburgh Steeler Tyrone Carter assists Joni Lengyel with cutting Antario Scruggs’ braids.

Margarita Rodriguez holds Jordana Goetz-Stern’s ponytail, which went to Locks of Love.

Teachers who went bald for St. Baldrick’s Day.

Principal Dr. Matthew Shoemaker gets his head shaved.

Easter Sunday Festivities

Field Side Easter Sunday Brunch 2 - 5 PM Easter Egg Hunt on Piaget Field 2:30 PM Featured Match Piaget Field 3:00 PM Hat Contest during Half Time Champagne Divot Stomp with Special Prizes Mascots from

Used Tack From ‘Susan The Saddle Diva’

If you’re in the market for used saddles or tack, Susan the Saddle Diva will be holding her spring tack sale Saturday, April 10 from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. in The Acreage. To find your own hidden treasures, just follow those little pink signs! Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 27

Wellington’s Inaugural Ironhorse Motorcycle Ride

The first Wellington Ironhorse Motorcycle Ride drew more than 30 enthusiasts Saturday, March 27 for an afternoon ride around Lake Okeechobee. “It was really a great day,” Village Manager Paul Schofield said. “We were expecting maybe 10 to 15 people, and I was thrilled to see that double that came out.” Page 41

A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

BUSINESS

Great Service At The Right Price At Lake Wellington Professional Centre

Lake Wellington Professional Centre has taken the executive suite concept to the next level and is working to set the bar even higher. Offering a wide range of office sizes and layouts, virtual offices and day offices, its recent renovations have made the facility one of the best values in Wellington and the western communities. Page 35

Spor ts

RPBHS Volleyball

Boys Hopeful About The District Tourney

The Royal Palm Beach High School boys varsity volleyball team hopes several new players and a better team spirit will be the springboard to a successful season as the Wildcats work toward the district tournament.

Page 41

‘Susan The Saddle Diva’ Specializes In Used Saddles & Tack

I met Susan the Saddle Diva (“That’s how everyone knows me; I never use my last name!”) a few years ago when I wanted to get a small, cheap western saddle for one of my horses.

I was looking for something comfortable and serviceable, and because the horse was young and green and had a tad too much energy for me, I feared he’d buck me out of my little English saddle way too easily. It was a Saturday, and while driving around on my various errands, I saw a series of small, bright pink signs pointing the way toward a big tack sale in The Acreage. I eventually found myself at 16856 94th St., off Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. It was Susan’s house.

The saddles were lined up on freestanding racks in front of the open garage and down the driveway. There were tons of bridles, bins of bits, mounds of saddle pads, heaps of halters, gobs of grooming utensils — in short, there was some of everything. Susan met me with a smile and waved vaguely toward everything.

“Remember, the more you buy, the cheaper it gets,” she said.

I spotted about the most horrible, ugly, beaten up western saddle I’d ever seen, but the darn thing was comfortable, and it was really cheap.

“You get a free saddle pad and cinch with each saddle,” Susan said. “And that saddle, I know it looks pretty rough, but it’s still got a lot of years left in it, and all the important parts are in good shape.”

I half-decided on it, but I had to look around

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

some more. One saddle was sort of sitting out front, in the place of honor, and it was the most beautiful western saddle I’d ever seen. I circled around it a few times, and then touched it gently.

Susan smiled. She knew a sucker when she saw one.

“What is this?” I asked, and she proceeded to tell me. It was one of the early trophy saddles given to the year-end high point rider at the Palm Beach County Mounted Posse show. Down the fender were the initials PBCMSP (“That was back when they included ‘Sheriff’ in the name”) and the year: ’83. It looked as if it had been made yesterday. Oh yes, this was a special western saddle. Even worse, it was talking to me.

“I don’t want to know, but I have to ask,” I said, knowing I had no business even thinking the unthinkable. “How much is it?”

“That’s one special saddle,” Susan replied. “I’m not even sure I should sell it. The gal who had it maybe rode in it two or three times, then kept it in a closet all these years. It’s a McLelland, just about the best saddle ever made. And, of course, that one’s one of a kind.

It’s a piece of Palm Beach County history.”

This was worse. Much worse.

Then she told me the price. No, I was definitely not getting the saddle. Still…

“Could I just sit in it, even though I’m not buying it?”

“Of course, help yourself.”

I sat. I shook my head. My god, this saddle was something else.

“It’s gorgeous,” I said. “But there’s no way I can afford it. Still, it was nice even seeing it and getting to sit in it. I’d better stick with the old beaten up, affordable one.”

I got to know Susan the Saddle Diva fairly well. I went to other sales and ran into her at feed stores and other horsey venues. She told me how she got started collecting and selling saddles.

A number of years ago, while browsing at a yard sale, she noticed a beautiful black western parade saddle, covered in silver, with a matching breast collar. She asked the man how much he wanted, and he told her to make an offer. She offered $25, and the saddle was hers. A short time later, she had another, matching one.

“I have a tack addiction,” Susan said. “I simply love beautiful, old, quality tack. I can’t resist it.”

Susan especially loves McLelland western saddles, perhaps because her first saddle was a McLelland. She was nine years old, living in a small town south of Boston, and one Sunday after church her daddy took her off to a “surprise.” It was the home of a rodeo cowboy who had just gotten divorced. All he had left was a fork, a spoon, a knife, a plate, a cup, a horse and a saddle. The cowboy put a halter and lead rope on the horse, a pinto named Cactus Pete, and her daddy threw Susan up on his back.

“I was wearing a white puffy communiontype dress,” Susan said. “The horse didn’t even have a saddle. The cowboy assured us the horse was as gentle as can be. The next See SADDLE DIVA, page 28

Susan the Saddle Diva will be holding her spring tack sale on Saturday, April 10.

Easter Always Brings Me Back To My Idealized Childhood

Sunday is Easter and you know what that means — chocolate stains on pastel dresses.

As we age, the magic of holidays like Christmas and Easter sometimes fades. Even though we clapped our hands to bring Tinker Bell back to life and pledged to Peter Pan that we’d never grow up, some of us did.

But those of us who grew up soon realized that there was a lot of work involved in bringing our loving-hands-at-home holidays up to Hollywood’s standards.

The commercialization of Christmas went from a silent night with one star to an earlymorning extravaganza requiring months of shopping, days in the kitchen and elaborate pre-event staging. All that, and no elves to help out!

And look what happened to Neverland. Our black-and-white television show went from magic to poof when we realized that Peter Pan was really stage actress Mary Martin. And when Michael Jackson stole the name for his ranch, we just gave up. Neverland as we knew it was no more.

But Easter has somehow survived. Yes,

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

there is a greater push to fill baskets and buy clothes, but not like at Christmas. I credit the fact that Easter keeps jumping around on the calendar, keeping us guessing. When it shows up in early March, we nearly miss it. When it lies low until April, we almost forget about it. There’s no time for merchandising hype. So the celebration of Easter hasn’t changed much through the years. There are little girls in hats and patent leather shoes. There are little boys in vests and bowties. And there is Easter grass all over the house, sparkling and twinkling among the fibers of the rug — until you bend to pick it up, of course. Then it disappears, hiding until you straighten up.

My brother and I used to draw pictures of what we called “The Easter Egg Factory.”

These Rube Goldberg-like drawings were filled with gears and pulleys and conveyor belts. They had chickens at the top and vats of dye at the bottom. We’d spend hours working on these drawings and, I have to admit, my brother’s were always far better than mine. Today, he’s a machinist at the factory that made the original Hula Hoop. That’s as it should be. I’m a humor writer, which explains why my hens laid more eggs (bada-boom).

One year my grandmother gave me a hat so beautiful that it came in its own special box. This white organdy confection was completely mesmerizing to me. It had two satin ribbons down the back and a bunch of tiny flowers at the back of its wide fluffy brim. I don’t know how I really looked in it, but I imagined something along the lines of Princess Grace.

I wore it every Sunday for eight years. I probably would’ve worn it to prom, but...

The flowers were the first to go. Ravaged by Wisconsin winters, their little petals blew

‘The Marriage Ref’ Is Truly A Sorry

The Marriage Ref seemed like a sure thing to NBC executives. After all, it was the brainchild of Jerry Seinfeld, a star back from the time when people actually watched the network. Remember when there were a whole series of shows we watched because they were really funny? And Seinfeld was a very different show even then. It was about nothing, but very funny nothing.

The Marriage Ref is not particularly funny. As a matter of fact, the best thing to be said about it is that it is unbelievably dumb. Other words, like nasty, vicious and unbelievably callow would fit better.

The basic premise is that normal everyday people have problems in their marriages. As someone who has been married for a long time, I can verify that is the case. Seinfeld told interviewers that he had occasionally been asked to referee marital disputes among his friends and thought it would be great if that kind of service could be provided to a wider audience.

So who are these referees? Well, we’ve had Alec Baldwin, the perfect person to talk about dealing with children in a broken home, es-

Saddle Diva

Sale On April 10

continued from page 27

thing I knew, I was flying through the air, bucked off. I was thrilled.”

Susan’s daddy bought her the horse, which she renamed Cherokee. He paid $90 for the horse and $60 for the saddle. Susan was curious why the saddle cost almost as much as the horse. The cowboy explained that it was a McLelland, one of the greatest saddles made.

Cherokee turned out to be a fabulous first horse. Susan spent hours riding it each day. Years later, when Susan was married, her family moved to South Florida. It was 1997, and one day as they were driving down Dixie Highway, Susan couldn’t believe it. There was the shop, the home of McLelland’s Saddlery.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

pecially after tapes of his calling his daughter all sorts of names came out. And then there was Larry David, just finishing his latest divorce. Madonna, another guest, also is an ideal relationship specialist.

And these are the supposed experts.

The couples who bring the problems seem to come from local loony bins. Instead of dealing with the guy buying a car a bit too expensive or a wife’s shopping spree or problems with kids, we get the guy who loved his dog and insisted on having it stuffed and placed in his living room over the objections of his wife. And there is the wife who not only kept her late husband’s ashes on her mantle over the objections of her new husband, but also

She had to go in. She was knocked out by the fabulous handwork, the quality and craftsmanship. But, she had no horses.

That didn’t last long. She adopted Buckaroo, a Saddlebred with severe founder, which rendered it lame. A year later, however, she was able to ride it. And now that she had a horse again, she needed some tack.

“I saw that many times people have just one saddle for sale at a yard sale, or just a couple of items,” she said. “It’s hard to sell that, because most people aren’t looking for tack and don’t want to spend what a saddle is really worth. I thought it would make a lot more sense to collect a lot of different saddles, different makes, types and sizes, and then horse people could come and pick out just what they need.”

Unfortunately Buckaroo died, so Susan found another needy Saddlebred, Tabasco.

off one by one. The satin ribbon was next. It started with a tiny little frayed part and ended with a zzzzzip when I tried to pull that part off. Over the years, the elastic band under my chin had become a droopy mess, and the hat’s heavenly white organdy had taken a definite turn to the dark side.

“I think it’s time to retire the hat,” my mother coaxed gently one Sunday when she’d noticed people in church looking at me as if I was an orphan.

“No-o-o-o!” I yelled, clutching it to my 12year-old bosom. The elastic band fell off and puddled softly on the floor.

My mother raised an eyebrow.

So the hat was retired. “Retired” meant it would sit on my closet shelf for a week or so, then get pushed to the back by sweaters and jeans, then get surreptitiously spirited to the trash bin.

Yet Easter is a time of renewal and rebirth.

Believing that, I know that if I get to heaven there will be a crisp white organdy hat in a very fancy box waiting just for me.

And probably Grandma, too.

Excuse For Television

the first husband’s prosthetic leg, still wearing a white sock. Then there is the husband who wants a stripper’s pole in the bedroom, the wife who wants to keep her living room so neat she doesn’t want her husband to go in it, the guy who wants to take off his wedding ring when he plays basketball, and so forth. Come on! Even the referees think the whole thing is a complete joke. And the audience, assuming there is a real one, actually laughs at the incredible stupidity of the whole thing. I thought the problems of Jerry Springer’s guests were ridiculous when I watched that show to do a review, but they were supposed to be the lowest scum of the earth.

On one Marriage Ref episode, Madonna and David were horrified that a wife would offer specific sex acts if the man did certain cleaning chores around the house. Of course, there is an unspoken rule in most relationships that both partners should work around the house. If one partner does not fully do the chores, the resulting bad feelings will not improve the couple’s love life. Instead of noting that fact, both celebrities accused the

And that meant she got to collect more saddles. Eventually, what she did was find interesting saddles, use them for about a year, and then add them to the “for sale” collection.

Susan runs her tack sales twice a year, spring and fall. It’s geared more toward the backyard horse keeper than the high-end show person, although everyone’s welcome. Each saddle is checked out to make sure it’s safe, and Susan personally cleans and conditions the leather. “My tack sales are always a ton of fun,” Susan said. “Everyone runs into someone they know.”

Susan’s sales include a little of everything — chaps, hats, bridles, pads, boots (both human and horse), girths and cinches, grooming supplies, halters, reins, training aids — anything you can use on or around a horse, except whips, chains and spurs. Plus, if you buy a saddle and it doesn’t fit either you or

woman of prostitution. Of course, considering the amount of money both have, it is doubtful that either has done household chores for years. And the audience seemed to love it.

This show is a miserable excuse for a comedy. If something makes you laugh, you’ll probably feel cheap immediately afterward. Ratings have plummeted. The jokes are weak. And no one who has a personal assistant and a staff should be allowed to give advice to real people.

Seinfeld might have had a better show by allowing normal folks to make suggestions about celebrities’ marriages. I would enjoy making a few jokes about Madonna and her relationships, and I could probably advise Baldwin about treating his kids with a bit of respect. And I feel pretty certain that the kinds of problems the rich and infamous have would be more fun than the ones presented on this show.

If you have not already seen it, forget it ever existed. If you have watched it, you have my condolences. If you really love it, you are lost.

the horse, you can bring it back within a couple of days to try another one.

“Sometimes I won’t buy a saddle from someone if it has sentimental value,” Susan said. “I’ll talk a person out of selling a cherished saddle or the one they learned to ride in, telling them they may regret letting it go. I tell them to think it over and if they still want to sell it, they have my number and can always call me. Nobody ever regrets keeping ‘Old Faithful.’”

By the way, that trophy McLelland saddle I couldn‘t afford? It’s sitting on a saddle rack in my guest bedroom. Susan made me promise to keep it in the house.

Interested in finding your own treasures? Susan will be holding her spring tack sale Saturday, April 10 from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information, call her at (561) 2041421, or just follow those little pink signs…

Breakers West Summer Camp 2010

Academy for Child Enrichment — In the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Academy for Child Enrichment offers free all day VPK. Infants through after-school day and night care, 6:30 a.m. to midnight (Monday through Friday), meals included. Qualified staff. Se habla Espanol. Special rates for all registration. The Academy for Child Enrichment is located at 700 Camellia Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 798-3452 or visit www.smallworldpbc.com for info. Armory Art Center — The Armory Art Center is excited to bring a series of theme-based sessions to elementary school children for this year’s summer camp. Experienced instructors have developed projects relating to the themes of each week. Activities are age-appropriate and focus on your child’s artistic and creative development. One-week sessions run from June 7 through Aug. 6. Extended care is available. For more information, call (561) 832-1776 or visit at www.ArmoryArt.org.

Breakers West Summer Camp — Enjoy the summer of a lifetime! Breakers West Summer Camp offers something for everyone.Campers, ages five to 14, are invited to join the Breakers West counselors for daily swimming instruction, as well golf, tennis, basketball and soccer play. Campers will also enjoy arts & crafts, cooking classes, wildlife demonstrations, science experiments, magic shows and much more. Breakers West Summer Camp is available Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 7 through Aug. 13 (excluding July 5-9). Weekly sessions are $300 per camper, per week, with a one-time registration fee of $35, which includes a camp essentials gift bag. Discounts are available to families registering multiple children and/or for multiple sessions. This summer, Breakers West is also pleased to offer sessions for professional golf and tennis instruction and after care. Space is limited, so don’t wait to reserve your place at Breakers West Summer Camp 2010. For more information, or to register, call (561) 653-6333.

Everglades Youth Conservation Camp — Make the Florida Everglades your child’s backyard this summer. The Everglades Youth Conservation Camp (EYCC) is located in the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area in western Palm Beach County. The residential summer camp program is for campers eight to 14 years old. The EYCC also offers a junior counselor program. Also, the FAU/Pine Jog Summer Day Camp is the perfect balance of environmental education, arts, culture, sports and outdoor fun. Pine Jog will be offering a full summer program for children who have completed grades K-5. Visit www.pinejog.fau.edu for more information on either program.

Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool If your child is between 2 and 6 years old, “Summer of Fun” Enrichment Camp at Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool is the place to be! Here, your child will enjoy a variety of fun activities that will make them smile, while promoting learning and social development. Activities include: arts & crafts, gymnastics, computers, sports, nature, cooking, water play and our new, state-of-the-art playground. They’re sure to love our weekly entertainment, including magic shows, storytellers and animal shows. All of this in a loving and nurturing environment. Eight Weeks, Full & Part-Time. Free summer VPK. Now enrolling for Preschool 2010-2011. Call Sandy for more info: 561-793-2649 or psdirector@templebethtorah.net

Loxahatchee Country Preschool — The Loxahatchee Country Preschool has been here for 20 years and provides a safe environment with small ratios for summer campers, which means children are well supervised. Throughout the summer, the camp program offers arts and crafts, field trips (which the management team attends), swimming lessons in the school’s swimming pool, Spanish lessons, movies, a bounce house, golf, bowling and more in-house activities. A free pizza lunch will be provided on Fridays. It’s a safe environment while providing an excellent educational program! In a letter sent to the school, the Kings Academy wrote, “What preschools are better prepared for Kings? Loxahatchee Country Preschool was mentioned with enthusiasm!” Call (561) 790-1780 for more information.

Movement Arts Dance Academy Movement Arts will be holding seven weeks of fun-filled summer camp. Weekly themed mini camps for ages three to five will run the weeks of June 14, July 19 and July 26. Students will have fun with arts & crafts and games in addition to learning several styles of dance. Full day camps for ages six to 11 will be held from June 21 through July 16. Classes will include ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and more. A performance will be held at the end of each twoweek session. The studio is conveniently located on State Road 7 just south of Okeechobee Blvd. For more information, call (561) 792-9757 or visit www.movementartsdanceacademy.com.

Noah’s Ark — Noah’s Ark is located on Okeechobee Blvd in Loxahatchee Groves. They offer free all-day VPK. Lower rates and special registration for fall. Meals are included. Noah’s Ark offers care for infants and preschool children as well as after-school care. Se habla Espanol. Conveniently located at 14563 Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves elementary schools. Call (561) 753-6624 for more info.

Scuba Works — This summer, your child (ages eight to 16) can spend a week with Scuba Works and earn a PADI Jr. Open Water Certification, a PADI Jr. Advanced Open Water Certification or a PADI Master Seal Team Certification. Student divers will attend classes on SCUBA diving and Reef Check, an underwater environmentalist course, spend time in the pool and dive two days in the ocean! The courses run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The courses are taught by PADI five-star certified instructors and are limited to 12 student divers per session. Student divers will need a mask, fins and snorkel. For more info., call (561) 575-DIVE or visit www.scubaworks.com. Temple Beth Zion Preschool — Temple Beth Zion is where children of all faiths learn and play together. The preschool offers a fun-filled summer program in a safe, loving environment. The ratios are small and the staff is dedicated and caring. TBZ has a strong academic program with small classes during the school year. Registration is now open for the summer and for fall sessions of preschool and religious school. The school is APPLE accredited and offers free VPK pre-kindergarten with no hidden fees. Temple Beth Zion is located at 129 Sparrow Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 798-3737 for more information.

The Camp at St. David’s — The Camp at St. David’s is designed for young children ages three to eight and summer VPK is also available. This year’s theme is “Under the Sea” and each week, campers will investigate creatures that live in God’s oceans. Activities include Bible stories, crafts, water play, music and movie day. Camp runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Sign up for two days or five days, one week or the whole summer. For more info., call (561) 793-1272.

Wellington Art Society Features Harlan Hoffman, Marie Lentine

The next meeting of the Wellington Art Society will feature an exploration into the abstract. Noted artist and Armory Art Center instructor Harlan G. Hoffman will conduct a demonstration on experimental expressionism and figurative art technique at the society’s April 14 general membership meeting at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).

Hoffman established a silk screen printing studio in the SoHo district of New York City, where several ex-

amples of his fabrics and wall covering designs were placed in the Cooper Hewitt Museum archives. In 1989, he moved his business to San Francisco, retiring in 1998 — or so he thought.

In 2002, Hoffman was appointed to the faculty of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and three years later to the Art Institute of California. Relocating to West Palm Beach in 2008, he has been lecturing and providing presentations on existential painting and creativity at Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College and the Palm Beach Club, among others. He is currently an instructor at the Armory Art Center.

“You can do anything in art providing you don’t do it twice,” said Hoffman, who has done postgraduate work in philosophy. “Painters can often be blocked… the simplest way to get through these things is to listen to our intuition. Identify what we are really feeling, and then act on that.”

Hoffman considers himself an explorer, not a conceptualist, and starts every painting with a feeling rather than a plan. For more information about Hoffman, visit his web site at www.justharlan.com.

The Wellington Art Society meet-

ing will be held Wednesday, April 14 in the card room at the Wellington Community Center, the society’s new home. Light refreshments will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m., with a brief business meeting at 7 p.m., immediately followed by the Hoffman demo. While the meeting is free and open to the public, there is a $5 fee for non-members wishing to participate in the demo.

The public is also invited to visit the Wellington Art Society’s new permanent exhibit space at the Wellington Community Center, featuring works by society members. These original works are available for sale and will be rotated quarterly as part of the village’s Art in Public Places program.

In other Wellington Art Society news, the society is currently featuring the work of Marie Lentine in its online Gallery Show, located at www.wellingtonartsociety.org. Her work will be featured until the end of April.

Lentine works in acrylics and watercolor, along with creating batik, murals and jewelry designs. Since coming to Florida in 1981, she has designed everything from t-shirts to custom hand-painted fabrics for interior designers, eventually moving to murals and commissioned paintings. A Wellington Art Society

member-artist, Lentine is also a holistic health educator, stress management consultant and yoga instructor in Palm Beach.

Lentine found her artistic voice through many years of teaching yoga. “There is a continuity in my work that emerges from deep within, wanting to express the beauty of life and life’s little lessons that are not always apparent,” she said. “Each piece, you could say, is a self portrait of where I was at that time in my life.”

Among the works featured in the online exhibit are several paintings from Lentine’s “Life Is Not All Black and White” series, which was created along with an original poem that begins with the words, “Life is not all black and white/though some folks think it is so… to live in the have-tos, cannots and shoulds, instead of in the suppose!”

Check out Lentine’s work by visiting the Gallery Show section on the society’s web site now through April 30. Her artwork is available for purchase or commission.

The Wellington Art Society is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, providing both local and regional artists the platform to share their work, learn more about their craft and serve the community through their art.

A charitable organization, the Wellington Art Society’s mission is to educate and encourage originality and productivity among its members and area youth through programs designed to further the advancement of cultural endeavors in the western communities.

For more information, call Wellington Art Society President Adrianne Hetherington at (561) 7847561.

The Phantoms Recommend The Green Gourmet In Delray Beach

An organic restaurant and green market in Delray Beach.

Delray Beach is getting greener thanks to the efforts of Wellington’s own Joey Giannuzzi, the popular chef/owner of the Green Gourmet.

Joey’s pioneer family was one of the first 100 families to reside in Wellington. He is a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School, a leader in environmental issues and, as he puts it, “I’m just a guy who loves food and sharing my love for organic cooking.”

The Green Gourmet opened last November to an eagerly awaiting community; however, Chef Joey is no stranger to the area. Prior to opening this new establishment, located in the Shoppes at Addison Place South in Delray Beach, he was the executive chef at Henry’s Restaurant in Delray for eight years.

“There is something special about owning your own place,” Chef Joey said. “The challenges of this industry are unique. You are judged by every mouthful of food, and it must be perfect. Organic foods are a natural evolvement to bring awareness about healthy food to everyone, and most of my customers think of the Green Gourmet as their food sanctuary, which is incredibly gratifying to me. We offer healthy, delicious food, which is prepared simply from the freshest organic ingredients available. It is a joy to create these dishes, and it is fun to serve diners who believe in what we are doing.”

Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are

Specials of the day for lunch or dinner depends on what looks the best at the local vendors. Chef Joey selects the freshest and bestlooking meats and seafood to be served on the day’s special menu.

Everything in the deli case is made fresh every day and displayed with taste-tempting varieties of fully prepared entrees, salads, soups, sandwiches, pasta, veggies, side dishes, cheeses, fruit smoothies and desserts. They also do private catering for your next event or office party.

We enjoyed our evening along with our friend Sharon, and found it to be very friendly, cozy and inviting. Everything that is not organic is recycled, including the glasses, dishes and silverware, so nothing matches, it just all blends in green. Even the take-home containers are environmentally friendly!

The nightly specials are served with your choice of homemade soup or garden salad. The offerings that night were: baked chicken roulade stuffed with goat cheese and spinach ($17), pomegranate-glazed wild king salmon ($23), oven-roasted half chicken ($18), vanilla rum-glazed wild mahi mahi ($21), and red wine-braised beef stew with roasted new potatoes ($19).

Our entrée selection was a very difficult choice as everything looked so good. Kathryn selected the salmon, which was served with golden raisin cous cous and sautéed spinach, along with her favorite, split pea soup…

yummy. Sharon opted for the mahi mahi, deliciously served with warm five-bean salad and avocado mousse, along with her favorite, tomato bisque soup. Joe could not resist the lure of the deli case and chose wild grilled shrimp ($10) and vegan vegetable lasagna ($9).

A great way to flavorfully enhance your meal is with a bottle of wine or beer, better yet if organic. There is a variety of interesting organic white and red wines from Italy, Argentina, Chile and California ($12 to $23) along with organic beers for only $3.

Joey has also coordinated an organic green market situated in the parking lot outside the deli/restaurant. Shoppers can choose from a variety of luscious organic produce including a variety of organic lettuces and tomatoes, as well as apples, bananas, strawberries, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, plums, peppers, carrots, cauliflower and melons.

The Green Gourmet is located at 16950 Jog Road in Delray Beach. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Eat in or grab some food to go. The organic green market is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

For additional information or home delivery, call the Green Gourmet at (561) 4552466 or visit www.thegreengourmetdelray. com, and please tell them that Joe and Kathryn, the Phantoms, recommended you go green at the Green Gourmet restaurant and green market!

PHOTO BY JOE WOOLF

Green Gourmet owner and chef Joey Giannuzzi

Jill by Harlan G. Hoffman.

Marie Lentine

Suites At Lake Wellington: Great Service, Right Price

Lake Wellington Professional Centre has taken the executive suite concept to the next level and is working to set the bar even higher. Offering a wide range of office sizes and layouts, virtual offices and day offices, its recent renovations have made the facility one of the best values in Wellington and the western communities.

Lake Wellington Professional Centre provides a professional atmosphere for your business and guests. When a business’ clients arrive in the grand lobby, they will be greeted by the friendly staff and warm ambiance. The lobby boasts a warm decor with marble flooring, faux finished walls and a dark wood staircase that hugs the wall, all surrounding the main focal point, the lakefront conference room. This state-of-the-art board room is host to all the necessities needed to run your meeting efficiently and professionally: seating for 12, a 36-inch LCD TV with cable, Wi-Fi, table network connections and teleconferencing, all with a peaceful and serene view of Lake Wellington.

Lake Wellington Professional Centre’s hidden treasure is what ultimately makes the facility unique and sets it apart from any other executive suite facility in the western communities — the lakefront veranda. The seemingly never-ending lanai has seating capacity for about 35 people, it is the perfect atmosphere to host an outdoor gathering.

With more than 100 suites home to Lake Wellington Professional Centre, many being one-of-a-kind, you are sure to find the perfect fit for your business. Many suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Lake Wellington and offer the choice of first or second floor.

The staff members at Lake Wellington Professional Centre have a passion for what they do. Their success is based on your success, so with that in mind, Lake Wellington Pro-

Easter

fessional Centre offers a variety of services to help businesses thrive. One of those services is answering the phone for tenants with professionalism and directing the caller to the right place efficiently. Additionally, Lake Wellington staff members greet clients when they show up and announce their arrival, even offering them gourmet coffee while the clients wait in the lobby. Whether you are at the office or on the road, your clients will feel your company working for them every step of the way. Some additional services include administrative assistance, fax, mailing, and Federal Express/UPS pick-up and delivery.

The friendly staff, lakefront offices and veranda, gourmet coffee and state-of-the-art facility are just some of the reasons to stop by for a tour. Lake Wellington Professional Centre offers a variety of packages and sizes starting at $75 per month. Their dedication and professionalism have given them the ability to help businesses succeed since 1995.

Lake Wellington Professional Centre is located at 12230 W. Forest Hill Blvd. behind the Wellington Community Center. For additional information, call (561) 227-1500 or visit www.lakewellington.com.

ComeenjoyabountifulfamilyorientedEasterfeastatWhiteHorseTavern!

Brunchmenuincludes:RoastedRackofLambwithMint-DemiSauce,SeafoodSelections, CarvingStationfeaturingPrimeRibwithNatural-AjuorCreamyHorseradish,RoastedLegofLamb, OmeletteStation,Mimosa,BloodyMaryBar,AssortedDessert,justtolistafew.

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Lake Wellington Professional Centre staff: (L-R) receptionist Samantha Tosner, owner Ken Adams, manager Diane Brockway and assistant Valerie Flannery.

PHOTOS BY SUSAN LERNER/WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE

The entrance to Lake Wellington Professional Centre.

Margarita Abrishami To Chair Oasis Luncheon

Margarita Abrishami, award-winning publisher of Vive magazine and co-founder of the Vive Community Foundation, has been chosen as the honorary chair for the fifth annual Dream Makeover Luncheon sponsored by the Oasis Compassion Agency. The event will take place Saturday, April 17 at Indian Springs Country Club in Boynton Beach.

Oasis, headquartered at 10th Avenue North and Jog Road in Greenacres, is in its seventh year of helping struggling families in central Palm Beach County. This year, Oasis will help stabilize more than 800 families, providing courses and counseling in such areas as nutrition, personal finance and job placement. The agency has also announced that it will be opening its long-awaited women’s center in July. All proceeds from the luncheon will go toward build-out and remodeling costs.

“Oasis Compassion mirrors my personal commitment to help the less fortunate in the most direct and most impactful ways possible,” Abrishami said. “Their new women’s center will positively influence and impact the lives of many women locally, and I am proud to have

been chosen this year’s honorary chair of their annual fundraising luncheon. I hope the local Palm Beach community joins us to help Oasis Compassion help those that need it the most, right here in Palm Beach County.”

Tickets for the luncheon cost $45 per person and are available at www.oasiscompassion.org or by calling (561) 967-4066.

First-Time Home Buyer Seminar

On April 12

The Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches Foundation Inc. (RAPBF) will host a first-time home buyers seminar on Saturday, April 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Robb & Stucky Boutique (3801 Design Center Drive, Palm Beach Gardens).

The seminar is free and will include light refreshments. A variety of topics will be addressed, including: first-time home buyer programs, the buying process, the $8,000 tax credit, down payment assistance programs, FHA and conforming home limits, the pre-approval process and more. The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after Jan. 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010.

This session will be led by a Realtor member of the RAPB, who will explain the benefits of using a Realtor, a first-time home buyer specialist and a mortgage lender.

There is a limited number of seats available. RSVP to Ruben Frias at (561) 688-1352 or e-mail rfrias@ rapb.com.

P.W. CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING FOR ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Village of Royal Palm Beach and the Palms West Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inaugural Royal Palm Art & Music Festival held Saturday and Sunday, March 20 and 21. The event was a collaboration between the chamber and the village, and featured two days of street painting, live music, games, contests, a light show and much more. Pictured above are Palms West Chamber of Commerce representatives with members of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council and County Commissioner Jess Santamaria.

Margarita Abrishami

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New Chronic Sinus Infection Treatment At Palms West Hospital

A clinically proven, minimally invasive technology for treating chronic sinus inflammation is now available at Palms West Hospital. The Balloon Sinuplasty system by Acclarent uses a small catheter and balloon to quickly open and expand blocked sinuses.

Sinusitis is one of the most common chronic health problems in the U.S., afflicting 37 million Americans each year. Patients suffer headaches, congestion, fatigue and other symptoms. This condition significantly impacts an individual’s physical, functional and emotional quality of life.

Historically, sinusitis patients were limited to two treatment options: medical therapy such as antibiotics and topical nasal steroids, or conventional sinus surgery such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).

Medical therapy can help alleviate symptoms in as many as 80 percent of patients but is inadequate for the rest. For them, sinus surgery is often the best option. However, FESS is a conventional surgery that requires bone and tissue removal in order to open up blocked sinus passageways. To avoid this, approximately 900,000 patients each year

elect to live with painful sinus conditions.

There is an alternative solution in endoscopic sinus surgery with the Balloon Sinuplasty technology by Acclarent. A small, flexible balloon catheter is placed through a nostril into the blocked sinus passageway. The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function.

Dr. Napoleon Bequer is one of the first physicians in this area to offer this technology.

“The Balloon Sinuplasty device by Acclarent is a true advance in

sinus care because in many cases it can be done without removing any tissue or bone,” Bequer said. “That means faster recovery times and less post-procedure discomfort. In fact, many of my patients have been able to return to normal activities within 24 hours and have had significant improvement in their symptoms.”

Sinusitis patients who are considering their options can learn more about the Balloon Sinuplasty technology by contacting Palms West Hospital at (561) 753-4247 or by visiting www.balloonsinuplasty. com.

Palm Beach Contract Furniture Offering New Design Services

Wellington-based office furnishings supply firm Palm Beach Contract Furniture has announced that it now offers an interior design service to complement its large line of office furnishings including desks, chairs, conference suites and other professional office furnishings.

While smaller than many national companies, PBCF is still able to offer the same or lower prices than its competitors while offering per-

sonalized, one-on-one service.

“I’m a much smaller company,” PBCF President Al Paglia said. “Instead of a national client base, I specialize in all of South Florida, and that means each client is so much more important to me… I make sure they are completely satisfied. Now that I have an interior designer on my team, I am truly set apart from other companies in this field.”

Recent clients such as the Break-

ers agree. The owners of Palm Beach Urology Associates, one of PBCF’s latest clients, consulted with PBCF designer Beth Keller to make sure the colors of the new chairs and furnishings matched with the current design of their office. The result is an office that seamlessly flows with form, function and proper design.

Keller brings more than 30 years of experience in design, specializ-

ing in office and other professional environments. She is a welcome addition to PBCF and will move the company to the next level in service and design.

“The average worker spends over eight hours a day in an office environment, and with proper design and workspace flow, his or her time can become much more productive,” Keller said.

Palm Beach Contract Furniture is

a full-service office furnishings supply and delivery company located at 11586 Pierson Road, Suite L-11, Wellington. Since 2002, PBCF has served businesses, healthcare facilities, houses of worship, schools and the hospitality industry. The firm is certified with the local, state and federal government on the GSA schedule. For more information, call (561) 793-6789 or visit www.pbcfi. com.

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

Dr. Napoleon Bequer

RPBHS Boys Volleyball Team Hopeful About District Tourney

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach High School boys varsity volleyball team hopes several new players and a better team spirit will be the springboard to a successful season as the Wildcats work toward the district tournament.

“It’s a new team,” said head coach Sal Ciano, who began coaching as an assistant at Royal Palm Beach High School in 1998. “They’re all new to the game. We had one returning varsity player. I graduated a whole team last year.”

This year, Ciano will concentrate on getting his new players the experience necessary to compete in the district against Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, William T. Dwyer, Palm Beach Lakes, Seminole Ridge and Suncoast high schools.

“It’s a rebuilding year,” he said. “There’s not a lot of experience. We’re just trying to win.”

The Wildcats graduated starting seniors Justin Mills, Jonathan Brotman, Brad Zambito, Matt Richardson and Marvin Payne, along with reserve seniors Justin Lord, Tyler Eves and Eric Patterson.

Junior Ryan Moody returns to the team. New members include seniors Ryan and Justin Dudding, John Merulla and Tyler De Lavalla; jun-

ior libero Daniel Sharkey, and juniors Dominic Williams and Jeff Behan.

Although the team stands to lose more members to graduation this year, Ciano is optimistic about the Wildcats’ future.

“We’ve got a pretty good [junior varsity] team,” he said. “We’ll be all right.”

The Wildcats (2-5) lost to Jupiter on Thursday, March 25 at home. The Warriors (4-3) defeated the Wildcats 25-16, 25-12 and 25-20.

Royal Palm Beach took the lead early in the first set and was beating the Warriors 6-3 only a few minutes in. But it didn’t last long as Jupiter took control, and the Wildcats struggled the remainder of the game.

Although the Wildcats fought through the first and third games, they seemed to slip in the second game where they scored only 12 points, something Ciano attributes to lacking a seasoned team.

“There’s a lack of experience there,” he said. “They just lost their focus.”

The Wildcats also played without Moody, who was injured, Ciano said.

Williams was the leading scorer for the Wildcats, with seven kills,

six service points, two aces and five blocks.

Ciano remains optimistic about the remainder of the season.

“I think they will have a better second half [of the season] than they did first half,” he said. “I think we’re going to surprise a few people in the second half.”

Wellington Hosts Its Inaugural Ironhorse Motorcycle Ride

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The inaugural Wellington Ironhorse Motorcycle Ride drew more than 30 motorcycle enthusiasts from Wellington on Saturday, March 27 for an afternoon ride around Lake Okeechobee.

“It was really a great day,” Village Manager Paul Schofield said.

“I think we were expecting maybe 10 to 15 people, and I was thrilled to see that double that came out.”

Twenty-nine motorcycles, one high-powered scooter ridden by Deputy Village Manager John Bonde, and 40 riders departed from the Wellington Community Center at 10 a.m. for a 165-mile trek around Lake Okeechobee.

The group stopped for lunch and to take pictures at the edge of the lake.

Although it was the first ride for Wellington as a community, village staff members have gone on several long rides together, Schofield said.

The community ride was the brainchild of village staff members

Gus Arnold and Nicole Evangelista, who suggested opening the rides to motorcycle enthusiasts throughout Wellington, Schofield said.

The event was meant to bring the community together and allow residents to meet people with similar interests. “The great thing about these rides is that you get to meet new people,” Schofield said.

“That’s why long rides always have a break for lunch — so you can sit and talk with people you might not have met otherwise.”

Many participants encouraged the village to plan more rides for the community.

“Everyone really enjoyed it,” Schofield said. “It was a beautiful day, and we had a good time.”

John Merulla sets the ball.

Dan Sharkey receives the ball.

Ryan Moody sets the ball while Will Rucker waits to spike.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Village Manager Paul Schofield gets ready to lead the ride.

Mark and Lana Segal, Wellington Councilwoman-elect Anne Gerwig and her husband Alan, and Deanna and Larry Mayer.

Mark and Lana Segal wave goodbye. PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Swimmers Shine Despite Difficulties

The Wahoo of Wellington Swim Club recently competed at the Division 2 Championship and Junior Olympic swim meets.

At Division 2, the team had 20 personal best times and seven new Junior Olympic cuts were obtained. Many personal best times were earned at the Junior Olympic meet as well.

“Overall, the team had outstanding results,” head coach Rich Whalen said. “I am extremely proud of all our swimmers. They truly showed their determination and commitment to the sport, especially given the situation we are in.”

The situation Whalen re-

ferred to is the ongoing renovation at the Wellington Aquatics Complex. Since the renovation started last September, the team has been without a home pool to swim in. Swim practices have been sporadic. At first, the young swimmers practiced at the Royal Inn in Royal Palm Beach while the older swimmers practiced at the Santaluces High School pool. But practice ended quickly because those pools are not equipped with heaters and the weather turned cold exceptionally early this year. “Our only resort was to have the swimmers run and train on dry land until Lake Worth High School offered us the

use of their pool about a month ago,” Whalen said. “Basically our swimmers had three to four weeks to train for both meets.”

The team usually practices six days a week for one and a half to two hours a day. Some swimmers practice twice a day. The team recently changed its name from the Wellington Swim Team to the Wahoo of Wellington Swim Club or WOW for short. “A new pool brings a new beginning,” Whalen said. “The swimmers picked their new team name since the wahoo is one of the fastest fish in the ocean. But honestly, it’s the commitment and determination of each and every swim-

mer on the team that truly amazes me. They are the real WOW of our team.”

Renovation of the pool is expected to be completed by mid May. To raise money for new training equipment and a computer timing system, the team will host a golf tournament on April 18 at the Links of Madison Green in Royal Palm Beach. Sponsorships are welcomed and members of the community are invited to participate.

For more information about the Wahoo of Wellington Swim Club, visit www. wellingtonswimming.com or contact Dale Mutschler at dlynnchem@bellsouth.net or (732) 713-1452.

LeBrun Wins MLGT Golf Tourney In RPB

On Wednesday, March 24, Steve LeBrun of West Palm Beach aced the 16th hole en route to his second consecutive victory on the Minor League Golf Tour.

LeBrun hit 3-iron at the 211-yard 16th hole to climax his two-stroke margin of vic-

tory at the Links at Madison Green in Royal Palm Beach. He totaled 69-66 (135) with six birdies and three bogeys on March 23, five birdies and a bogey prior to his hole-inone at his third-last hole.

It was LeBrun’s 19th career MLGT victory, his sixth

this year and second that week. He also won March 22 on the Estate course at PGA National.

LeBrun earned $1,000 on March 22 and $1,700 on March 24.

Brandon Smith, also of West Palm Beach, was the

runner-up on 70-67 (137). He had 10 birdies and three bogeys, and received $1,100.

The MLGT’s 28th tournament of the year had 38 entries and returned $8,922 in prize money.

For information, visit www.minorleaguegolf.com.

WELLINGTON TRAVEL BASKETBALL TEAM WINS HOOPS CLASSIC

Acreage Pop Warner Football Registration

Registration for the new Acreage 2010 Pop Warner Football League will begin on Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Fellowship Church (13969 Orange Blvd.). The league is open to all children ages seven to 15 who live in The Acreage and the surrounding area. Call Lance Bradford at (561) 7925492 for registration information. For more information about Pop Warner football, visit www.popwarner.com.

The Wellington travel basketball ninth grade gold team Division 2, won the “24-7 Hoops Classic” tournament held on March 28 in Fort Lauderdale. Shown above are team members and coaches with the trophies.

RPBHS Dance Department Hosts Annual Dancers Banquet

Royal Palm Beach High School’s Dance Department held its annual Dancers Banquet on March 26 at the Players Club in Wellington. This is a major kickoff event for the dance department’s ending dance season.

The dancers banquet begins the dancers’ final series of events for the year.

The banquet was attended by the entire RPBHS Dance Department, the Wildcat Dancers dance team, Tapazz dance troupe and chaperons Michele Blecher (master teacher and RPBHS dance di-

rector), Nora Bernstein and Linda Rosencrantz.

The banquet included a sitdown dinner scrupulously prepared by the Players Club, a night of dancing by Kenny Mondo Productions and dance awards.

The night not only celebrated a phenomenal dance season and excellence by the dancers, but also Blecher’s being nominated and chosen for the “Nobel Educator of Distinction” award presented to her by the National Society of High School Scholars.

RPBHS also recognized several of its own dancers for their outstanding achievement in the 2009-10 dance season.

These distinguished dance awards were voted on by the dancers’ peers. The first awards given on this night of celebration were to the Wildcat Dancers dance team captain and co-captain Alexa Blecher, a senior who will be attending Stetson University on an academic scholarship this fall, and sophomore Briana Coomer.

The “Best Dancer 2010”

award was presented to second runner-up sophomore Lucas Gonzalez and the winner of “Best Dancer 2010” was senior Alexa Blecher. The dancers will compete in a national dance competition in April. They also have two shows coming up, “Pocahontas” on Wednesday, April 28 and “Remembering Patrick Swayze” on Monday, May 10. Tickets cost $5 each, and no tickets will be sold at the door.

For more information, call Michele Blecher at (561) 792-8694.

Women’s Tackle Football Season Opener April 3 At PBCHS

There was a time when football was only recognized as a men’s sport. But then along came the Independent Women’s Football League and that is no longer the case. In Palm Beach County, the women’s tackle football team is the Palm Beach Punishers, which has a current roster of 32 players. The team will play its season opener Saturday, April 3 at 7 p.m. at Palm

Beach Central High School (8499 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) against the visiting Miami Fury.

The season started in October, hosting a two-day tryout with approximately 60 women attending. The selected women went through a preseason filled with tough training sessions and back-tobasics drills. For most of players, this is the first time

putting on pads and a helmet. But for the veterans, it’s a brewing excitement that will only get stronger come game time.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Punishers’ fourth season,” said Sarah Beauchamp. “For such a young team that isn’t in a major athletic city, we have really made bigger strides than the 2-6 record from last season.”

Within the eight-game schedule, the Punishers have four away games in Baton Rouge, Miami and North Carolina, with additional home games played on April 17, May 22 and June 5.

The Palm Beach Punishers provide women in Palm Beach County and the surrounding areas an opportunity to participate in full contact, IWFL rules football. The

Punishers teach women the rules and proper techniques necessary to successfully participate in the sport of tackle football while maintaining morally outstanding sportsmanship. The Punishers were founded in 2006 and have continued to build a program that has exceeded its goals each year.

For more information about the team, visit www.

palmbeachpunishers.com. Founded in 2000, the IWFL is the only recognized professional women’s tackle football league. Offering participation levels appropriate for all markets, the IWFL has taken the lead in the development of women’s football for future generations. For more information about the IWFL, visit www.iwflsports. com.

The RPBHS dancers with master teacher and dance director Michele Blecher.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, April 3

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold a one-hour walk on Saturday, April 3 at 7:30 a.m. in John Prince Park on the east side of Congress Avenue between Sixth Avenue South and Lantana Road. Call Paul at (561) 9639906 for more info.

• The Flagler Museum (Cocoanut Row and Whitehall Way, Palm Beach) will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Egg Roll on Saturday, April 3 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Children of all ages are invited to hunt for more than 3,000 eggs and participate in the Gilded Age tradition of egg rolling. Festivities include a visit by the Easter Bunny, face painting and children’s art activities. The egg hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m. Call (561) 655-2833 or visit www.flagler museum.us for more info.

• The 2010 Wellington Egg Hunt for children ages 1 to 10 will take place Saturday, April 3 at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). It will be held on the baseball and softball fields located at the southeast quadrant of the park. The village encourages everyone to arrive early as there may be heavy traffic. The first age group will begin promptly at 10 a.m. For more info., call (561) 7914005.

• Registration for the coming season of Acreage Tackle Football will take place at Acreage Community Park April 3, 10 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and April 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. The $180 registration fee includes a game jersey with the player’s name on the back, game pants, belt and matching socks. There is a $5 per child discount for parents who register more than one child. Visit www.acreageyouthfootball.com for more info.

• Grace Fellowship Church in The Acreage will hold an Easter Egg Hunt and Barbecue on Saturday, April 3 on the church property (75th Road North and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road just north of Publix). The Easter egg hunt will start at 10 a.m. followed by the barbecue at 11 a.m. Call Pastor Jim Sims at (561) 333-4222, ext. 244 for more info.

• The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will feature the family program “Accordion Book Making” on Saturday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $2 with paid museum admission. For more info., call (561) 495-0233, ext. 237.

• The Inaugural International Gay Polo

Tournament will be held Saturday, April 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Grand Champions Polo Club at the corner of Lake Worth Road and South Shore Blvd. Call (561) 868-1807 or visit www.gaypolo.com for tickets or info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach) will feature “Peep Towers” on Saturday, April 3 at 3 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Using spaghetti and marshmallow Peeps, can you build a tower taller than the other teams? Materials will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

Sunday, April 4

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will host a five-hour walk Sunday, April 4 at 8 a.m. through Jonathan Dickenson State Park in Jupiter. Meet at the park entrance parking lot. Bring plenty of water. For more info., call Mary at (561) 391-7942 or Lois at (561) 434-0373.

• Grace Fellowship Church in The Acreage will hold its Easter Sunday Celebration on Sunday, April 4 in the Seminole Ridge High School auditorium. Enjoy an Easter breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and stay for worship services at 9 or 10:45 a.m. Call (561) 333-4222, ext. 244 for more info.

Monday, April 5

• The Wellington Garden Club will meet Monday, April 5 at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The luncheon and business meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. with the program following at 1 p.m. The featured speaker will be Joanne Williams, a widely traveled, published and accomplished freelance photographer specializing in wildlife and nature. The public is invited. A light lunch will be served. Seating is limited. RSVP to (561) 793-6013 or (561) 798-9217.

Tuesday, April 6

• The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will host Ikenobo Ikebana Flower Arrangement Classes in a four-week session beginning Tuesday, April 6. Classes will be from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost is $60 for members and $70 for non-members, plus a flower fee of $60 for all four weeks payable to the instructor. Advance registration is required. For more info., call (561) 4950233, ext. 210.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach) will feature “Tongue Twisters” on Tuesday, April 6 at 3:30 p.m. for ages four to seven. Cele-

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 46 brate National Poetry Month with a tongue twister competition and humorous poetry. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Open Mic Night” on Tuesday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Perform poetry, short prose, an essay or a dance. Play an instrument or sing a song. Bring friends to cheer for you! Pick up the rules when you pre-register. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Audubon Society of the Everglades will hold its annual meeting and pot-luck dinner on Tuesday, April 6 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center (6301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach). Call (561) 742-7791 or visit www.auduboneverglades.org for more info.

• The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council will meet on Tuesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. at the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Office (101 West D Road). Call (561) 793-2418 for more info.

Wednesday, April 7

• The Miami Dolphins will host a Football Drills and Skills Training Camp for students in third through fifth grades on Wednesday, April 7 at 10 a.m. at H.L. Johnson Elementary School. Call Stephanie Fountain at (561) 254-4640 for more info.

• The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will feature “Introduction to Japanese Writing Through Calligraphy” in a three-week session on Wednesdays beginning April 7. The cost is $55 for members and $60 for non-members. Classes will run from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Advance registration is required. For more info., call (561) 4950233, ext. 210.

• Award-winning author Barbara Flores will hold an eight-session Class on Memoir and Essay Writing beginning Wednesday, April 7 at Palm Springs Middle School (1560 Kirk Road). Classes will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $55 plus a reading fee. Call (561) 357-5027 to register.

Thursday, April 8

• Students from nine Palm Beach County high schools and over 60 local environmental professionals will come together for the Palm Beach County Envirothon on Thursday, April 8 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach) sponsored by the Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation District. Call (561) 734-8303 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern

Drive) will host a Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meeting on Thursday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Scrabble Anniversary” on Thursday, April 8 at 7 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Test your vocabulary during a Scrabble competition or try your hand at other games. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Friday, April 9

• The 48th Annual Delray Affair will take place Friday through Sunday, April 9-11. Enjoy top-notch artists and craft persons, home-cooked foods and more. There is no admission. Call (561) 279-0907 or visit www.delrayaffair.com for more info.

• Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School will host its annual Spring Carnival on Friday, April 9 from 4 to 9 p.m. on school grounds. The event is free and will feature bounce houses, interactive games, a silent auction, vendors and entertainment. All ages are welcome; children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. For more info., contact the PTO at (561) 904-9238 or loxpto@yahoo.com.

• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s signature event Flavors of Wellington will take place on Friday, April 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Attendees will enjoy an evening of dining and dancing to the 20piece stage band Music Masters International as well as the opportunity to sample fare from more than 25 local eateries. For sponsorship, advertising or ticket info., call (561) 792-6525.

Saturday, April 10

• The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 2010 Great Strides Walk will take place on Saturday, April 10 at 8 a.m. at Wellington Landings Middle School. For more info., visit http://greatstrides.cff.org or call (561) 6839965.

• Emerald Cove Middle School in Wellington will host a Giant Garage Sale on Saturday, April 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school courtyard. Participants can rent a table for $20 or come to pick up some bargains. Profits will be split between St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and to purchase technology for classrooms. E-mail freese@ palmbeach.k12.fl.us for more info.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. Email: news@gotowncrier.com.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM12 month training/action program in the U.S./Caribbean Assist Community to improve economy and install inexpensive /clean energy supplies.510-734-6777 Anthony@ccgtg.org www.IICDmichigan.org

VOLUNTEER AT AN ANIMAL

SANCTUARY HORSE FARM - 14 and up, community Service. (561) 792-2666

TEACHERS/TUTORS P/T

Flexible Hrs. Great Pay. MATH • STUDY SKILLS SAT/ACT

Certification/Experience Required Fax: 828-8128

Email:tutorking@wpb3331980.com

WANTED: SERIOUS PEOPLE

Work from anywhere 24/7 up to $1,500 - $5,000 P/T/F/T complete info & training www.DOTHISBIZ.com

SENIOR GARDENER - Palm Beach area employer seeks experienced horticulturist for large private estate. Qualified candidates will have related experience in a similar position, long-term intent and verifiable references. Certification/degree in arboriculture or botany preferred. Duties include; performing tree assessments, diagnosing plant health problems, managing vendor contracts. Must have working knowledge of CAD/CAM technology. General schedule Monday through Friday. Compensation package commensurate with experience. Please send resume to: pknmichaels@gmail.com

DRIVERS WANTED - FT/PT for Wellington Cab/Wellington Limo. Retirees welcome. Call 333-0181

LEAD PRESCHOOL TEACHERSMust have 45 hr. certificate & current CDA a plus. 3 year old & VPK Teacher needed Full Time. 561-7935641

SALES CULLIGAN WATER — is hiring Palm Beach County Commercial Sales Reps Call 847-4301417or Jim.Olsen@culligan.com

DEPENDABLE RANCH WORKER

NEEDED — Must be experienced with horses. Must speak English and have proper I-9 documents. Call Gary 561-307-1546

PART-TIME LANDSCAPING & MAINTENANCE - Help needed. EAST TO WEST LANDSCAPING, LLC. 561-644-5547

HAIR STYLIST CHAIR FOR RENT — in Royal Palm Beach Salon call 561-317-1579 for info.

THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 3RD, 7:00 a.m. - to benefit the Len Miret Memorial Scholarship fund - items include, jewelry & much more. (West of Seminole Pratt , off of Banyan)

THIS SATRDAY, APRIL 3rd , 9am12pm - Clothes, costume jewelry, knick knacks / misc. items. 11902 Donlin Drive -(In Park Place, 12th Fairway & Forest Hill Blvd.) in Wellington.

1997 GREY SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE — new a/c, clean & well maintained. Engine & transmission in excellent condition and new top. Feel free to take it to a mechanic & check it out. Mint condition. $3,300 (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422

1991 TOYOTA CAMRY - 4 door white, A/C radio runs great. $3,000 call 798-0270

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE -3 bedroom, 2 baths, single wide 3 car parking. $8,500 OBO. (561) 2018805

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

A/C SALES & SERVICE — New, used, scratch & dent. If you used anyone but Glover’s A/C, you probably paid too much! U10163. 7937388

ARE YOUR TREES READY FOR A HURRICANE? — Florida Arborists has highly trained professionals to provide superior and quality services. 561-568-7500

ALUMINUM WHEELS - F150 5 Bolt Pattern, other parts 561-670-8221 N GUAGE TRAIN LOVERS ONLY - N GAUGE ONLY ENGINES & LOCOMOTIVES — from Kato • SantaFe • Atlas • Concor • Lifelike • Rock Island • Mini Tricks • Bachman • New York Central • Amtrak • Lima. Call Sheri for appointment 797-1434. Outdoor Sale will be this Saturday, April 3rd 9 am to 12 Noon, 11902 Donlin Drive (In Park Place, 12th Fairway & Forest Hill Blvd.) in Wellington.

WELLINGTON BARN BUILDER— Repairs/remodeler.Get an expert that can do it right! EUROPEAN QUALITY AT AN affordable price. 30 years experience, licensed and insured. Homes, condos, bath, kitchens, additions, small stuff. Call 561-723-5837 561-792-2666. ALAN TOBIN CONSTRUCTION, INC. CGC1513577

J.C. TEETS & CO. — Get your general ledger ready for tax season today! Professional. affordable fullservice bookkeeping. Quickbooks Expert. Call 561-632-0635

MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL

ROOM FOR RENT — Prof. "Male or Female" Furnished Bedroom-use of all amenities washer/dryer. Community Pool $600 Mo. 236-9702

BEAUTIFUL TOWNHOUSE — in Royal Palm Beach, gated community, 3/3 ½ all large rooms. 7030590. Ask for Kevin.

BUILDING CLEANINGS SPECIALISTS — • Pressure Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Residential Cleaning • Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608

HOUSECLEANING - Reliable with long term clients. Over 12 years experience. References available. Karen 561-632-2271

HOUSECLEANING - 20 years experience. Excellent local references. Shopping available. 561572-1782

20 YEARS IN THE CLEANING BUSINESS — in Western Communities and surrounding areas. Great references. Call for free estimates.Brenda 561-460-8380

CLEANING BY LISA - Condos • Townhomes • Houses • Reliable • Good Rates Great references will run errands too!! Call 307-7916

CLEANING & MORE - House Cleaning - Errands - Childcare & More. Available 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday - Friday Very organized, honest & experienced Woman having good driving record & references. Call 561-255-3607

COMPUTER REPAIR — We come to you! After hours and weekends services available. Spyware/ Adware/Virus Removal, Networking, Wireless, Backup Data, Upgrades. Call Anytime. 561-7135276

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support &troubleshooting www .mobiletec.net. 561-248-2611

D.J. COMPUTER - Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3339433 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach

ADDITIONS, ROOFING, PATIOS & REMODELING - Cell 561-202-7036 561-798-6448 Licensed & Insured. CBC 1250306 CCC1326386

DADS DOORS & WINDOWS, INC. IMPACT WINDOWS & HURRICANE SHUTTERS — Sliding Glass Doors, Mirrors & Shower Doors. 561-355-8331 U 19958 U20177

CASTLE ROCK, A DRYWALL CO. — “BUILDING ON EXCELLENCE” Framing /Hanging /Finishing Popcorn and Wallpaper Removal Drywall Repairs & Remodels Custom Built-Ins “TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR GREAT PRICES”Licensed & Insured Lic. #SCC131150623 Eric Rouleau 561-307-5202

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH AN ELDERLY OR ILL LOVED ONE? Wellington resident available Tuesday evening 6 pm – 11 pm $25 per hour includes light housekeeping and laundry. Excellent references. Call 561-662-1072 or 561-791-3469

STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For info l 1-888-333-9903

GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, Leather repairs, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689 THE MASTER HANDYMAN — no job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers Tom (954) 444-3178

ANMAR CO.— James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll

HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inpections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811

LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE - Your local Geico office has been saving people money for over 70 years. Contact (561) 616-5944 for a free rate quote.

GET REAL AUTO INSURANCE — that comes with a Real Agent. Farm Bureau Insurance. Auto • Home • Life, Marc Piven, Agent 561-792-1991Wellington.

Mold & Mildew Inspections — Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811

RJA PAINTING AND DECORATING, INC. - Interior , Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial. License #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561-793-5455 561-662-7102

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. - Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964. Lic. #U18473

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Well. Resident.

PEST CONTROL - WHY EXTERMINATE? Call Gentle Bee Removal 561-670-8221

LOVIN PETS HOUSECALLS GREAT RATES- pet sitting. Lic. Bonded & Insured. Call 561-3085167 Mornings & Evenings only.

LICENSED PLUMBER - Beat any legitimate estimate. A/C service lowest price. Complete service, new construction, replacement. CFC1426242 CAC058610 Bonded & Insured. 561-601-6458 CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

POOL PLASTERING AND RESURFACING — Lic. U19996. 561722-7690.

ELITE POOL SERVICE — You dealt with the rest now deal with the best.” All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinators, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 309-6975 GRIME STOPPERS - Pressure cleaning, commercial & residential, houses, driveways, patios, screen enclosures, sidewalks. Ref. available. 561-779-1081

PSYCHIC READINGS $10.00 Special by Samantha. 1 FREE QUESTION by phone 561-541-0113

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting.Carpentry.Lic. #U13677.967-5580.

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, res/comm.reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted. 561-842-6120 or 561-784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598

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

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC0067207

SECURITY - American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 798-3132.

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004