Town-Crier Newspaper April 3. 2009

PBCHS STUDENTS RAISE BIG MONEY FOR ST. BALDRICK’S

Opinion

Season Of Rebirth:

Is It Time For An Economic Recovery?

With the Passover and Easter holidays on the horizon, it is a time for redemption, rebirth and hope for the future. It is fitting, perhaps, that the dour economic news that has plagued the United States over the past year and a half may be taking a turn for the better. Now there is a semblance of light at the end of this anxiety-filled tunnel. These next two weeks are a time to embrace that light. Page 4

Features

Temple Hosts

Copeland Davis Concert In RPB

Temple Beth Zion presented pianist Copeland Davis in concert last Sunday at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Davis played songs from his new CD Endangered Species as well as old favorites. Page 5

Palm Beach Central High School’s Key Club hosted its first St. Baldrick’s Day fundraiser to benefit childhood cancer research March 26. The Key Club exceeded its goal of $20,000 and presented St. Baldrick’s Board Member Francis Feeney with a check edited on the spot from $40,000 to $45,000.

Don Meyers and Patrice

Delayed SR 7 Traffic Signal Awaiting Delivery Of Poles

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

It might not be readily evident, but a traffic signal is set to go in on State Road 7 at the entrance to Royal Palm Beach’s Victoria Grove community soon, Palm Beach County Assistant Traffic Director Mo Al-Turk confirmed this week.

Al-Turk told the Town-Crier on Wednesday that the project was paid for by developers more than two years ago. However, a series of design errors, bidding delays and delivery problems caused a lag in installation of the light.

“Our contractor has done most of the work,” he said. “We are done with the work underground, and the footing is in place. We are waiting for poles to be delivered. The poles were scheduled to be delivered a week from yesterday. For some reason that has not happened. We called the contractors today, and they are contacting the manufacturer to see why they are so late, so they could be delivered any time now.”

Once that happens, the

Delayed Signal — The ground work has already been done for the new traffic signal in front of the Victoria Grove community.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report

A month ago, the value of the Village of Wellington’s KPark property on State Road 7 was a matter of opinion. A recent appraisal of the 67.7acre parcel has settled that question somewhat, but the worth of the appraisal itself is also a matter of opinion.

The appraisal was conducted at the request of several members of the Wellington Village Council, who might decide this month whether to turn the property over to Palm Beach Community College as the site of a fifth campus for the school. The proposal has stirred controversy because PBCC would be paying only a token sum for a long-term lease of the land, and would not be required to pay taxes.

The appraisal, conducted by the West Palm Beach firm Anderson & Carr, put the value of the entire K-Park parcel at $14.7 million under its current Community Facilities zoning. The appraisal also took into account two other scenarios. With the land commercially zoned, it would be worth $29.5 million. If the land were divided, some 22 acres along State Road 7 opened to commercial uses would be worth $11.5 million, while the remaining 46.7 acres under a civic use designation would be worth $9 million.

The village bought the land in 2003, when it carried a residential designation, for $8.5 million, but the appraiser warned against using that transaction for any comparison to present conditions.

“It’s not worth $14 million because nobody is going to come in and buy this property for $14 million and only put a park there,” he said. “If the village were selling it, they would want some kind of, as we’ve said, biotech, industry, job center, things like that.” Bowen said he had not bothered to go over the details included in the appraisal. “Don’t know, don’t care,” he said. “It’s irrelevant, really. The value of that property to the village is what we’ve got in it — that’s the value to us.”

Village Manager Paul Schofield said the appraisal was an unusual step because the village is not contemplating a sale, but that it was able to answer council members’ questions about the value of the property, and public speculation that had prices ranging from $10 million to $50 million. “It is a reputable appraiser’s best estimate of value,” he said.

The village and the college have been trading draft versions of a lease agreement for months, and in a workshop last month some council and staff members expressed disappointment with the college’s latest version of the agreement.

Spor ts

Broncos Defeat Wolverines To Claim Outback Rivals Cup In the season’s second and final match-up on Friday, March 27, the Palm Beach Central High School boys lacrosse team escaped overtime by a few seconds to beat rival Wellington High School 6-5, claiming the coveted Outback Rivals Cup for the second time in the competition’s two-year history. Page 17

light will go up in a matter of weeks.

Philip Levine, a resident of the Shoma Homes community, which shares the Victoria Grove exit to State Road 7, said he has been frustrated with the apparent lack of progress getting the light installed.

“I’ve been living here for five and a half years now,” he said. “I was one of the first residents in, and Shoma said they’re going to install a traffic light.”

Levine said he inquired about the light last April in an e-mail to County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, who replied that he had contacted the county traffic division, which told him that the permits had gone through, the contractor had been selected

Polo’s U.S. Open Tourney Underway In Wellington

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The 105th U.S. Open Polo Championship got underway at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington this week. The tournament — which caps South Florida’s winter polo season — runs through April with the finals on Sunday, April 26. Eight teams are entered in the 26-goal tournament, which is ranked as one of the three great polo tournaments in the world, along

with the British and Argentine opens.

Considered the foremost polo tournament in the United States, the U.S. Open was played primarily in New York in its first half-century, until 1954, when it moved to Oak Brook, Ill. From 1978, the tournament was played in Texas, California, Kentucky, Florida and Tennessee before settling in South Florida in 1996. It has been held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach since 2004.

Club spokesman Tim O’Connor said the favored teams going into the series this year are Lechuza Caracas and Audi.

“The Audi team won the C.V. Whitney Cup [Feb. 28March 8], which was the first 26-goal series of 2009 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach,” O’Connor said. “Last Sunday was the [Piaget] Gold Cup final, which was won by Lechuza Caracas. Those teams look like they

Mayor Darell Bowen, a staunch advocate of the PBCC deal who in January expressed doubt that the land would fetch the same price the village paid in 2003, said Thursday that the appraisal itself is not worth the paper it was printed on due to the present condition of the real estate market.

“The figure is not solid,” he said. “There are no buyers for that kind of property, there is no financing for that kind of property.”

But Councilman Matt Willhite, who has expressed consistent doubts about the proposal for the college campus, disagrees. “Wellington [Regional Medical Center] said they want to purchase some to put a medical school there,” he said. “We had a hotel that wanted to buy some. We had an ice rink that wanted to buy some.”

Willhite said that while he recognizes Bowen’s background in the real estate business, the mayor would nevertheless try to downplay the property’s value. Willhite said he trusts the higher figure for the land’s value, because any potential buyer would also be seeking a landuse change in order to develop it.

Schofield, who has been involved in the negotiations with the college, said the appraisal does not figure in those discussions. “The values established in the appraisal are not part of my negotiating directions,” he said. Instead, Schofield noted, the village is very much interested in an assertive construction timeline for the campus — the draft the council reviewed last month suggested construction might not begin until 2017.

Aside from what is to be built and when, Schofield said, the village is expecting more particulars on how PBCC plans to finance construction, and also wants some firm details on a partnership plan that would involve other college-level institutions offering classes on the campus.

The village is also expecting PBCC to remove language that made Wellington responsible for paying for whatever improvements have been made to the property in the event that the college defaults on the lease. “There’s no way that I could recommend to the council that they enter into a lease where if the lessor defaults, then we have to pay them for the value of the land,” Schofield said.

On Thursday afternoon, Schofield was awaiting receipt of a new draft of the lease agreement from the college. The village is trying to schedule a vote on the lease at the council’s April 14 meeting.

“I have instructions to have See PBCC, page 18

PBSO Arrests 15 For ‘Doctor Shopping’ Pills

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigators have arrested 15 people on charges involving “doctor shopping” for pharmaceutical drugs in the western communities, PBSO officials said Wednesday.

The amount of drugs collected by the suspects totaled more than 73,000 prescription pills worth an estimated $1.2 million, according to Capt. Karl Durr, head of the PBSO’s narcotics investigation unit. Durr said the arrests are the result of a three-month joint investigation involving his

officers and those in Royal Palm Beach, after the PBSO District 9 “Street Team” in the village noticed patterns in pharmaceutical-related arrests.

“They came to us with the problem, and we worked on this jointly, using our resources with narcotics agents coming out here teaming up with their Street Team,” Durr told the Town-Crier In each case, a suspect was going to multiple doctors to obtain prescriptions for the same ailment, which Durr said is illegal regardless of whether the illness is genuine.

have a back problem, for example, a disk problem in their lower back, but they see multiple doctors in one day then go to multiple pharmacies, get those prescriptions filled and sell them on the street,” Durr explained. Durr said Florida has become a source for pharmaceuticals distributed in other states such as Kentucky, Tennessee and even New York, where they fetch a higher price on the street. “This is not just a state problem or a western communities problem,” Durr said. “It’s everywhere.”

The drugs involved include

“Usually they claim they See DRUG BUST, page 18

Drug Bust — Members of the Royal Palm Beach District 9 Street Team were instrumental in the drug bust. Shown are (L-R) deputies Aaron Silver, Dave Duplantis, Steve Tzirtziropoulos and Ron Thaeter. PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

(Above) Key Club cosponsors

Elysee, flanked by student event organizers Natalia Vighetto and Brandon Corsentino. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 10 PHOTO BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

Joe Abruzzo Pleased With Progress On Bills In Tallahassee

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Freshman State Rep. Joe Abruzzo (D-District 85) has already had a busy 2009 legislative session, and late last month he told the Town-Crier that eight of the nine bills he has introduced are moving along nicely.

“I have had three bills that passed committee,” Abruzzo said. “House Bill 167, which is my Energy Star related tax exemption; House Bill 169, which is the Nicole Hornstein bill; and then I have a bill, House Bill 717, which passed the first committee recently.

It strengthens the school-tocareer training programs.”

HB 167 would lift the sales tax on energy-efficient appliances, while HB 169 would require juvenile equestrians to wear helmets while riding on public land.

a year. We need to make sure everyone’s insured.”

HB 717 makes changes to an existing state program training students to work in the restaurant and hotel industries.

Abruzzo, whose District 85 covers most of Wellington and parts of Loxahatchee, said he is also sponsoring a bill that would require the state to raise teacher pay to the national average, with State Sen. Frederica Wilson (DMiami) sponsoring the Senate version. He is also working with State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres) on a bill urging Congress to pass legislation that establishes a national universal healthcare program with comprehensive range of benefits.

“When we say universal healthcare, we want every Floridian to have healthcare,” Abruzzo said. “My big concern is that there are those who are insured through work or private companies who are really subsidizing those without insurance. The average insured Floridian pays $3,000

Another of the bills Abruzzo has introduced would require fingerprinting and background checks for those who work in summer camps.

“This will be on a statewide level,” Abruzzo said. “Right now, statewide, we do not require fingerprinting and background checks for camp personnel. I believe it’s extremely important that the people who are conducting activities with our children do not have any issues in their background that parents need to be concerned about.” Abruzzo, a Wellington resident, said he looks forward to being a real champion for his constituents in the difficult year ahead. “I am excited to be working on behalf of our community in Tallahassee,” he said. “I have been able to have some early successes by reaching across the aisle and trying to pass good legislation and dealing with issues that primarily impact our economy during these dire economic times.”

RPB Council Corrects Cultural Center Zoning

By Ron Bukley

Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved the first reading of an ordinance Thursday that would correct a zoning error that has been on the books since the early 1990s when the village purchased the land where the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center stands.

The ordinance would rezone the 6.1-acre tract south of Civic Center Way and west of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. from “office commercial” to “public ownership.” Aside from the cultural center, the land also includes Palm Beach County’s Mid-Western Communities Service Center building.

“It goes back to when the village originally bought the land,” Mayor David Lodwick said. “It was originally all zoned commercial office. It has our building on it, but I think it has the county building as well. The change will properly designate that the property is owned by the public and it won’t be a private commercial office development.”

Vice Mayor Matty Mattioli made a motion to approve the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilman David Swift. It passed unanimously. Second reading and adoption is scheduled for April 16.

In other business:

awaiting word on federal stimulus package money that would make general improvements to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. from Okeechobee Blvd. to 40th Street.

• Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Coleman gave a report on the recent arrest of more than a dozen people apprehended in Royal Palm Beach and charged with obtaining and selling pharmaceutical drugs in Royal Palm Beach (see related story, page 1). Coleman’s report led council members to unanimously approve a motion to send a letter to State Sen. Dave Aronberg supporting Senate Bill 614 and House Bill 143, which would require pharmaceutical dispensers to use biometric scanning devices such as fingerprints or retinal scans to identify people attempting to fill prescriptions for certain controlled substances.

Councilwoman Martha Webster said biometrics would offer more security and privacy than electronic cross-referencing, which has been recommended in another bill pending in Tallahassee.

• The council also approved a $1,500 study for the engineering firm Erdman Anthony to conduct a study of the Victoria Grove community with special attention to intersection signage and marking, stop signs, no parking signs and speed limit signs. Erdman Anthony will prepare a written report of any deficiencies found and recommendations for any items that would need to be corrected for the community to be in compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

• The council approved a resolution supporting an application for a transportation enhancement project grant from the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization to fund bike paths along Crestwood Blvd. from Royal Palm Beach Blvd. to Saratoga Blvd. “It’s part of a bigger project, actually, that includes the drainage and bike paths along that whole northern portion of Crestwood Blvd.,” Lodwick said.

The resolution will demonstrate the village’s commitment to construct improvements to Crestwood Blvd. North for purposes of securing additional matching funding for the project through the MPO, according to the staff report. The item was on the council’s consent agenda, which passed unanimously.

Lodwick told the TownCrier that the village is also

• The council also made several appointments to advisory boards. Richard Durr and Jackie Larson were reappointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission, Ellen LaVoie, Una James and Deborah Still were re-appointed, and Elaine Ealy and Miranda Russel were appointed to the Education Advisory Board. John Ruffa, Brian Newsholme, Phyllis Katz and Tony Smith were re-appointed to their regular seats on the Recreation Advisory Board, while Jay Boodheshaw was reappointed as an alternate.

State Rep. Joe Abruzzo in Tallahassee. PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

WELLINGTON’S EDGE FEED & SUPPLY GRAND OPENING IN LOX GROVES

PHOTOS

Riders Jessica Rheney and John and Seth Ingram.

Wellington’s Edge General Manager Bill Caroselli cooks up some food with Chris Barrios of Tree’s Wings.

Julia LeFemine and her horse Rebel with Stacey Rhinehart and her horse Jesse.

Members of the Chili Chicks were on hand.

Don Meadows of Manna Pro with his wife Jeri. Keith Price and Moe Chowdhury of Pizzano’s Pizza.

OUR OPINION

The Season Of Rebirth: Time For An Economic Recovery?

This coming Wednesday marks the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover, starting at sundown and lasting until the night of April 16. In between falls Easter Sunday, which is celebrated this year on April 12. Both holidays share the similar themes of redemption, rebirth and renewal, as well as hope for the future. It is fitting, perhaps, that the dour economic news that has plagued the United States over the past year and a half may be taking a turn for the better. Although it is too early to predict the end of the recession, and there are signs that certain elements may get worse before they get better (most notably, the national jobless rate), this week’s surge of the Dow Jones Industrial Average brought good news on Thursday when it rose above 8,000 for the first time in nearly two months. This marks a four-week period for the Dow that has seen its biggest percentage gain since 1933, when the United States began its recovery from the Great Depression. Regardless of your political affiliation or personal feelings about the president’s economic agenda, it is important that everyone put the welfare of the country first. Rush Limbaugh caused an uproar recently when he said he wanted President Barack Obama to fail. Most political pundits and commentators attacked him for being brash and unpatriotic. Others chose their words carefully as they offered support for Limbaugh. Either way, it became an unnecessary circus created during the

Santamaria: Outrage, Not Frustration

After a recent Solid Waste Authority Board meeting, Palm Beach Post reporter

Ms. [Jennifer] Sorentrue called me on the phone and asked, “why did you turn down the board’s nomination to be vice chairman of the SWA?” I inadvertently might have said I was “frustrated” as a result of recent events. However, she only reported 50 percent of my responses in her article. The proper word for what I was really feeling was “outrage!” I am totally outraged at the Board of County Commissioners’ lack of concern for the county’s possible paying over 360 percent of the appraised market value for landfill sites in western Palm Beach County with taxpayers’ money! I am outraged at my fellow county commissioners giving away hundreds of transfer development rights (TDRs) last month to three developers for $1 each (actually free), when most of these same commissioners had priced these TDRs at $50,000 each to recover some of the millions of taxpayer dollars used to purchase and protect environmentally sensitive lands!

I am outraged that we circumvent a good county policy like requiring “concurrency” — having adequate roads in place before development can commence, by later using a bad county policy like CRALLS (constrained roadway at lower levels of service) — thus allowing development of more homes and more commercial buildings on already over-capacity roads!

Why does our government pay too much when we buy private land, and charge too little when we sell our public land? Why does government give away valuable develop-

ment rights for free (under the guise of workforce housing, when in fact we now have thousands of affordable workforce homes for sale) when we are so short of funds right now for much-needed services? Why do we keep on adding traffic on our already overcrowded roads? During campaigns, you will hear many candidates say, “we don’t want another Broward.” After they get elected, what do they do? They make decisions that give us another Broward. Martin County is now saying, “we don’t want another Palm Beach!”

When will this insanity end? When “We, the People” finally express our “outrage,” stand up and be counted and say “enough!” If we don’t do it soon, we will continue to get “the government we deserve.” We certainly do not deserve what we have been getting. The recent Post article implied I may give up and quit due to “frustration.” If I were you, I wouldn’t bet on it. Find out from those who really know me. Ask Don Brown. Jess Santamaria County Commissioner District 6

Common Sense Needed On PBCC Plan

In staying with the spirit of County Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s advice to get more involved in our local politics, I feel I should voice my opinions to you regarding the K-Park giveaway.

The first question I would ask is, why would the village give away a $30 million piece of property that leaves taxpayers with a $40,000-amonth payment on a bond that is not to be paid off for another four years? And Palm Beach Community College would get this land absolute-

Here’s a letter I’m suggesting that Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone send to Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick. Not that Mr. Lodwick has done anything wrong, but his community is a good example of how things can go right for an incorporated village, compared to an unincorporated second cousin of a community located in the county’s basement. Dear Mayor Lodwick:

I want to congratulate you for your village’s success in getting the county to at least forward your request for some Obama lottery cash (I mean stimulus funds) for sprucing up Royal Palm Beach Blvd. west of Okeechobee Blvd. Kudos all around for your people. They deserve it. We in The Acreage were also trying to get some of that stimulus money, but the county has figured out a way to block phone calls from our neck of the woods. We haven’t seen any county money since one of our residents won a small-claims case for overpaying a dog license fee a few years ago.

I want you to know that our Acreage motorists will certainly enjoy driving on that new stretch of road while we’re winding our way through your wonderful village on our way to work and back each day. Heck, we’ve been taking carloads of our children to Royal Palm Beach for years now just to walk on your sidewalks. We don’t want them to forget what they look like just in case the county ever decides we’re worthy of getting back some of our hard-earned tax dollars from our residents still

worst economic crisis most of us can remember. Unfortunately, with the balance of political power solidly in the Democrats’ court, the spirit of bipartisanship Americans were hoping for under President Obama has yet to materialize.

The president cannot be blamed, though. Obama made repeated efforts to appeal to Republican lawmakers, and in many cases they have done little more than offer a blanket “no” in response. Still, it is understandable that they might behave that way given their predicament — having lost the presidential election and more seats in Congress. With little else to lose, GOP lawmakers have only their principals to stand on, and so they did, offering an economic plan this week to counter President Obama’s. Unfortunately, the end result of all this amounts to little more than a PR show for a few prominent lawmakers. The economy — and in many cases, the American people — are still hurting.

It would be nice if the Easter and Passover holidays had a lasting effect on Washington. However, it wasn’t long ago that economic predictions had Joe and Jane Public thinking the world was ending. Now there is a semblance of light at the end of this anxiety-filled tunnel. These next two weeks are a time to embrace that light. Things may get worse before they get better. But they won’t get better until we crawl out of the tunnel.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ly free.

The second question I would ask is why the land is being given to a group that will bring in no property taxes or impact fees, increase traffic volume and bring very little additional business to our village. We are heading for more lean times for the taxpayers in Wellington. It would be much more prudent to offer this property for sale, pay off the bond and put the sale money toward a contingency fund for emergencies/ problems in the future.

I feel that this “giveaway” has few, if any, benefits for the citizens of Wellington. There are numerous unanswered questions regarding when the college would be built. How would it be financed in these difficult financial times? What is the commitment of the State Legislature to earmark money for this project? How many Wellington students would be enrolled? What will the traffic impact be? Who would pay for the increase of police and firefighters?

There are certainly better uses of our tax dollars than to give any entity a $30 million tax-free “gift.” Profits from the sale of this property could be used as a “buffer” for future financial problems, or fire and police services. This land could be used for recreational purposes, as first identified in the Wellington’s comprehensive plan, for a senior citizens’ living facility or even a medical college, as was once suggested. None of these uses should be contingent upon a giveaway of the K-Park land. Wellington may be a wealthy community, but we are not so wealthy as to be able to give away $30 million of the Wellington taxpayers’ money for ANY reason!

My entire professional career was spent as a principal or superintendent of schools. I believe in education, but I

By Don Brown

lucky enough to have homes and jobs.

I also hope you and your residents enjoy that snazzy, brand-new library expansion we helped you get by not holding the county library bureaucrat-in-chief hostage for the money they promised us for our first library ever. We’ve been working on that deal for a couple of years now, so I reckon another 20 years of neglect won’t make that much of a difference. Shoot, we all know that we can’t miss what we never had (hee, hee). Not to worry though. We’ll just use that new road to bus our children to your lovely village to use your expanded and modernized-beyond-belief library. Oops, I forgot for a second that we never got one of those old Palm Tran buses that all the municipalities got a few years ago. We’ll just carpool in a caravan. Your residents will just think a never-ending parade is passing by. Sometimes when it rains, it just pours and pours. You might recall that we were in line to get a much-needed fire-rescue station house. The county decided to build it in Belle

say “no” to the giveaway of a valuable Wellington resource.

I am just one more citizen asking you to use common sense and to do what is best for the interests of Wellington. I hope more citizens will get involved and let our council know your feelings.

Dr. Wesley Boughner Wellington Dr. Louda On The Landfill

There it is in black and white. The Town-Crier quoted Mr. Mark Hammond, executive director of the Solid Waste Authority, that “the transportation costs go up the farther west you go.” And he gave the estimate of, “for every mile of additional transportation, one-way mile, that adds about $30 million to the transportation cost overall.”

Ostensibly that is a per-year additional cost.

Given that another newspaper aptly noted that aesthetics should not dictate the site plus the enormous transportation costs finally acknowledged by the SWA, it is time to lobby the Palm Beach County Commission to place the new landfill along the eastern transportation corridor. Place the landfill closest to the largest waste-generation areas, and the overall costs for all go way down. Granted, there would be a higher initial land cost, but multiply many of these “oneway mile” costs that Mr. Hammond gives and you have the land costs offset in the first few months.

Landscape it, turn it into a ski area, collect the natural gas and power street lights, but put it east!

Putting the landfill anywhere near natural areas or other surface water areas is environmentally bad, but look to the bottom line — your bottom line — wastehauling costs. Put it east and

save millions at least, perhaps billions in a decade!

Dr. J. William Louda Loxahatchee Groves

Sohn: Unger Ignores Facts

I suppose it is easier and more in character for George Unger to insult me and question my intelligence and my ethics rather than address the actual facts concerning the contemplated K-Park land donation by the Village of Wellington to Palm Beach Community College and the crime situation in Wellington. Ironically, Mr. Unger should be the first one up in arms opposing PBCC coming to Wellington if he in fact read his own letter and understood the significance of the statistics he cited and was seemingly fed by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

According to his statistics, the Mall at Wellington Green appears to be the major source of crime in this community. As Mr. Unger stated, a third of the larcenies are committed in the mall and more than half of the mall crimes are committed by youthful non-Wellingtonians. I suppose the remaining 925 larcenies and other crimes committed in this community in 2007 and 2008 are not of concern to Mr. Unger since they occurred outside the mall.

For Mr. Unger’s edification, the K-Park site is just south of the Mall at Wellington Green, and if the PBCC land donation is approved, it will bring teenagers and young adults from all over

Palm Beach County to the mall and Wellington. While some may stroll the mall for legitimate shopping, others will be simply looking for an opportunity to commit crimes, according to Mr. Unger. I wonder how the owners, managers, tenants and non-criminal patrons of the mall feel about that?

Although in his recent letter Mr. Unger has accused me of skewing statistics for my own purposes, he is the one who completely ignored all of the crime statistics other than larcenies, as well as the significant increase in violent offenses (robberies, etc.) in Wellington from 2007 to 2008. The explanation should be obvious. When you can’t properly explain statistics, you ignore them and hope nobody notices. Well, Mr. Unger, people did notice, and maybe it is time you did, too. Again, rather than addressing our differences in a professional manner, Mr. Unger has found it necessary to personally attack me and a former employee of my Wellington business. In doing so, Mr. Unger falsely stated that he had been advised that Linda Margolis was employed by my business, when the actual facts are that Mr. Unger entered my business during business hours and proceeded to verbally abuse Mrs. Margolis regarding his personal feelings about her husband, former councilman and vice mayor Bob Margolis. When Mr. Unger’s abuse became disruptive, I had to request that he exit the premises or I would call the sheriff’s office to remove him. CuriSee LETTERS, page 18

But It Should Be!

Glade instead. I hope they enjoy it. Well, we still have two stations. Oops, make that one. The other one is being closed because the lease on the Seminole Pratt Whitney Road shopping center location is expiring in September. I’m going to ask the rest of the members of the Indian Trail Improvement District Board to pass a resolution banning fires more than a mile or two from our single remaining station across from the ITID office. Of course, all of our road money was diverted to Palm Tran so they can improve bus service that doesn’t even run to The Acreage.

Mr. Mayor, this might be an opportunity for both of us. You may recall that we were thinking of incorporating our own community several years ago. That would have made us the largest municipality in the western communities, and we could have had a lot of clout that might even have reached all the way to the White House, where all those stimulus greenbacks are stored today.

Our short-lived consideration of incorporation fell into a black hole, which brings me to an idea I had the other day while driving through your community to buy gasoline for my car. Why don’t you annex The Acreage? Sort of join forces against the evildoers on the east coast. We already have common roots in the early development of our communities. We’re sort of like brothers and sisters — or at least first cousins. By my own calculation, our 55,000 residents combined with your 35,000 or so nice folks would make us the Point

largest municipality in Palm Beach County. Talk about your power surge! (We could talk later about a strategy to move the county seat to Royal Palm Beach.)

I think with all that has happened to us over the past several years, I could make a pretty compelling case for the value of incorporation to both communities. I think I could convince our folks in The Acreage to just get out of the government business altogether and throw ourselves at the mercy of the wonderful people of Royal Palm Beach. We wouldn’t be like that pesky Loxahatchee Groves where the water control district and town council are fighting for power. Each of our communities has neighborhoods with more people than Loxahatchee Groves, for heaven’s sake! Since I know you are always interested in the welfare of your neighbors in The Acreage, I’m heading off to Tallahassee for the second time in two weeks to see if I can beg, borrow or steal a few of those stimulus bucks. We still need about $4 million to finish our community park and build some sidewalks, both of which the county promised us several years ago. Wish me luck.

By the way, I don’t want to sound like a gatecrasher, but do you think you could get me an invite to the ribbon cutting of your new road and library? It’s been so long since I’ve been to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, I can’t even remember what to wear. No mon, no fun, your Acreage hon, Michelle Damone, President, ITID

Marty and Harriet Mushel, Joan Karasick, Lois Asher, Selma Gleit, Jeannie Seltzer and Jack Asher.

Mary Davis helps Copeland Davis sign CDs for Jane Ginsburgh (center).

Copeland and Mary Davis with Rabbi Bertram Kieffer.

(Front row, L-R) Marjorie Aiken, Marjorie Schleifer and Margaret Granda; (back row) Victoria Santamaria, Adrienne Ferrin and Elet Cyris.

Obediah Colebrook, Temple Beth Zion’s Rabbi Bertram Kieffer and Steve Petrone.

Copeland Davis performs a number.

Rick Nelson entertains.

Comptroller Don Shelton, Manager Carl Desant, interior designer Nina Schwinghammer and General Manager Dan Desant.

Port St. Lucie Man Arrested After A Car Chase In RPB

By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report

MARCH 29 — A Port St. Lucie man was arrested early last Sunday morning after a car chase that involved deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was dispatched to the Bella Terra community in response to a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, the deputy observed a gray Dodge PK driven by 35year-old Reinaldo Cordero parked in a grassy area near a lake. The deputy flashed his headlights to indicate a traffic stop, but Cordero sped away, driving through the arms at the security gate and heading northbound on State Road 7 before turning into the Willows neighborhood. A second PBSO deputy followed Cordero, who pulled onto Raven Court. One of the deputies opened the door of Cordero’s vehicle, reached inside and removed the keys from the ignition. As the deputy attempted to take physical control of Cordero, he struck the deputy in the neck with his hand. Both deputies tried to gain control of Cordero, who continued to resist. One of the deputies drew his dart-firing stun gun and warned Cordero that he would use it if Cordero continued to disobey the deputy’s commands. According to the report, Cordero continued his aggressive actions, and the deputy used the device on him. Cordero fell from the driver’s seat and into the roadway, continuing to thrash his arms in an attempt to strike the deputies. He was eventually subdued and placed under arrest. A search after the arrest revealed that Cordero was in possession of marijuana. He was charged with fleeing a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief and possession of marijuana under 20 grams.

• • •

MARCH 26 — A resident of Sparrow Drive called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Thursday regarding a grand theft. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 7:45 a.m. the victim secured her residence and left for work. When she returned at approximately 4 p.m., the victim discovered that the front door was unlocked and numerous items had been stolen. A search of the home revealed that someone entered through a bedroom window. Taken from inside were a 42” LCD television from the living room, along with a jewelry box containing approximately $5,250 worth of women’s rings and $900 worth of miscellaneous earrings and necklaces. The suspect also rummaged through the master bedroom furniture drawers. One latent print was recovered from a bedroom door handle.

MARCH 28 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded last Saturday to the intersection of Big Blue Trace and Paddock Drive in reference to a vehi-

cle fire. According to a PBSO report, the deputy arrived at 2:18 a.m. to find a 1999 black Buick Century fully engulfed in flames. An investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen sometime between 5 p.m. last Friday and 2:15 a.m. the following morning. The registered owner was notified. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MARCH 29 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched early last Sunday morning to La Mancha Avenue in reference to a suspicious vehicle. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 5 a.m. the deputy observed 24-year-old Erik Pettit of Royal Palm Beach stumble on and off a sidewalk. The deputy approached Pettit and noticed he smelled of alcohol. Pettit consented to a search, and the deputy found a yellow pill bottle containing marijuana. Pettit was charged with possession under 20 grams and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.

MARCH 29 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched last Sunday to a home on Westhampton Circle regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5 p.m. last Friday and 2 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the house and stole a laptop computer and an iPod.

MARCH 30 — A resident of Polo Lakes Drive called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11 p.m. last Sunday and 7:45 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole a garage-door opener, Sony video camera, an iPod and its cable. The deputy was unable to recover latent prints from the vehicle.

MARCH 31 — A woman was arrested Tuesday for shoplifting at the Dillard’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, 33year-old Joanna Lopez was apprehended after stealing $224 worth of merchandise. She was issued a notice to appear in court and released.

APRIL 1 — An employee of the Denny’s restaurant on Civic Center Way called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach early Wednesday morning regarding a theft. According to the PBSO report, at approximately 2:25 a.m. three unidentified males entered the restaurant and ordered breakfast. The suspects then exited without paying for their meals, leaving the parking lot in a black Honda with a loud muffler, according to the complainant. The suspects traveled southbound on Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

APRIL 1 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach met with an RPB resident Wednesday regarding online fraud. According to the PBSO report, the victim said he made contact online with a person idenSee BLOTTER, page 7

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

• Todd Blomquist is a white male, 5’11” tall and weighing 230 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 06/20/68. Blomquist is wanted for battery on a police officer. His occupation is unknown. He is currently at large. Blomquist is wanted as of 04/02/09.

• Kedy Sansaricq is a black male, 5’8” tall and weighing 170 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 10/15/67. Sansaricq is wanted for grand theft of a motor vehicle. His occupation is tile work. His last known address was Sunflower Circle in Royal Palm Beach. Sansaricq is wanted as of 04/02/ 09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.

Todd Blomquist

Kedy Sansaricq

Low-Budget Sci-Fi Flick Filmed At G&M Ranch In Lox Groves

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Some people might say a trip to Loxahatchee Groves is like a trip back in time.

So maybe it’s not unusual that the cast and crew of a low-budget movie found themselves at G&M Ranch in Loxahatchee Groves for 20 days in March and early April shooting The Encounter, which is about a time-traveler who visits the present day to collect DNA that is badly needed in the future.

The cast and crew of The Encounter are finishing up the feature-length, video-format production on a budget that comes largely out of director Bob Ladrach’s pocket.

“The best way to describe this is it was a way for me to produce a movie that would not take a whole lot of resources, but could continue a career in filmmaking,” said Ladrach, a graphic designer and illustrator who has also done work in television commercials and the development of virtual-reality video games.

Ladrach met his production manager John Hamblin through a production company that expressed interest in financing the film, but the chance for funding fell through when the economy went sour. “They were going to put lots of money behind it,” Ladrach said.

Ladrach said he and Hamblin had already worked six months on the script, getting test reads and bringing in actors and working on a web site to promote the movie. He said they decided to see the project through despite the setback.

“We had a choice to make,” he said, “either stop the production and lose basically everything we had… but it seemed that that didn’t do justice for the amount of effort we had done and the amount of interest we had received, so we decided to move ahead with a no-budget or low-budget film and see what happens.”

They advertised in several movie resource publications and on the web and started generating some interest.

“We started getting hits from some really good actors, including some with film experience who had some film credits already, and things started falling together,”

Ladrach said.

The film’s 11 cast members range in experience from community college students to veteran actors. Among them is Russian actress Svetlana Bondareva in the lead role as Zoa, a time traveler from the future whose craft crash-lands in the present. Bondareva paid her own airfare from Moscow to play the part, Ladrach said.

Fedor Steer plays the mysterious monk Buscadero, another time traveler from the future stranded in the present.

Gordon Tobul, playing Dr. Martel, has the most experience of the cast having acted onstage and in several commercials.

Mike Carroll and his veterinarian wife Dr. Ginnie Carroll invited the Encounter crew to their G&M Ranch in Loxahatchee Groves, allowed a “space ship” set to be constructed in their back yard and offered the use of many items that the Carrolls, who are collectors and restor-

ers of memorabilia, had lying around, including cafe tables and chairs that they had set up for use during parties at their ranch.

Ladrach and Hamblin had scouted numerous other possible locations, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park and John Prince Park, but the ranch proved ideal.

“We were astounded to find that the same scenes we had written in the movie pretty much fit 90 percent of what Mike had here at G&M Ranch,” Ladrach said. “It was incredible.

Even the Carrolls’ dog Quasimodo, a hunchbacked and friendly pound pooch, got a role as Zoa’s dog from the future.

Hamblin put together a 20day shoot, some days lasting 12 to 14 hours. “It had to be put together around everybody’s schedule because we’re not paying them,” Ladrach said. “They were coming here around their own schedules.”

Ladrach said a lot of the help was available due to a recent slowdown in the film industry in Florida. “You want to stay in your craft,” he said. “You want to stay current in your art, so this has been a prime time for us to shoot and do this kind of production.”

Ladrach estimates that he has spent about $5,000 on the production, which finished shooting this week. He said he plans on spending another six months editing about 15 hours of footage down to just over an hour and creating the special effects. He estimates the end result will be worth $250,000 to $300,000.

The next step will be get-

Russian actress Svetlana Bondareva stars in the film as time traveler Zoa.The cast and crew during a break from shooting. ting trying to get interest from distributors by showing the movie at film festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, the Toronto International Film Festival and festivals in Los Angeles and New York, Hamblin said.

“If we can get in one or two of those shows, that’s where the film distributors go,” Hamblin said. For more about The Encounter, visit www.encounter themovie.com.

LEADERSHIP PALM BEACH COUNTY HOSTS EVENT AT PLAYERS CLUB

Leadership Palm Beach County held a recruiting event Wednesday at the Players Club restaurant in Wellington.

Speakers included LPBC President Brian Edwards, Executive Director Krista Springer Basore, program graduate Silvia Garcia, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and others. For more information about Leadership Palm Beach County, visit www.leadershippbc.org.

Light Delayed

Two Years

continued from page 1 and the light should be installed within nine months. Levine said he was delighted to see workers at the intersection in January.

“They were going like gangbusters, installing the pad and conduit,” Levine said. However, when construction stopped after the pads were finished, Levine’s delight turned to disappointment.

He estimated that the poles would take only a week or two to install once they arrive.

The project was originally to be built by the Village of Royal Palm Beach, which had collected the money from the developer, Al-Turk said. The village had the signal designed and tried to bid it out during a booming economy two years ago, but could not get any bids on it.

“They turned to us for help. We have an annual contract because we have so many signals that we have

“All the unforeseen potential problems that could ever happen on a project happened on this particular one,” AlTurk said.

Blotter

continued from page 6 tified as Theresa Miller of London. During their online chats, she asked the victim for help sending money to Nigeria. She wired $2,400 to his bank account, and he withdrew the money and wired it to an address in Nigeria. The following day, a representative from the victim’s bank called and told him that the check he deposited was from a non-existing account, and that he would be responsible for the charge-back.

U.S. Open Eight Teams

continued from page 1 will be the top two teams in the tournament.”

When the two teams faced off in the final round of the 26-goal Piaget Gold Cup last weekend, Lechuza Caracas scored five goals in the final chukker, defeating Audi 1110. The two teams have some of the strongest players in the world, O’Connor said. Lechuza’s Martin Nero was named most valuable player

built continually,” Al-Turk said. The county accepted the assignment but found errors in the design, Al-Turk said. “We had to go back to the consultant and have them corrected, and then we had to go back to the state and get new permits because the permits had expired by then,” he said.

Once that was done, AlTurk noted, the contractor realized the consultant had placed a footing for one of the poles too close to a ditch on the east side of the road, and it had to be redesigned. “Be-

in the British Open, is rated at ten goals and was a top competitor in Argentina. “He is complemented really well with Sapo Caset and Nicolas Espain,” O’Connor said. Espain scored the winning goal with 22 seconds remaining in the final chukker of the Piaget Gold Cup to be named MVP. The team captain is one-goaler Victor Vargas. The Audi team will also have a strong presence with the three Pieres brothers: tengoaler Facundo, nine-goaler Gonzalito and six-goaler Nicolas, O’Connor said. Team captain is one-goaler Marc Ganzi.

cause that is a mast arm, it takes longer to be ordered and manufactured,” he said. “It takes them 12 to 18 weeks lead time to manufacture the pole.”

Levine said the signal is badly needed because getting in and out of the development is hazardous. In order to go north on State Road 7, one must make a right and then a U-turn, or cut through to the Publix and Lowe’s shopping centers to the north.

“Our intersection is very dangerous to cross,” Levine said. “My biggest concern is

“Gonzalito is actually rated ten in many countries, including Argentina. The United States will continue to evaluate and look at him, but this year they left him at nine goals,” O’Connor said. Lechuza and Audi also probably have the strongest strings of horses, O’Connor added. “They’ve gone out and traded throughout the offseason to come in with a strong string,” he said. “I think the Audi team has close to 100 head of horses that they can draw from, as does Lechuza.” Each team might use 40 different horses in a game,

that until this light gets put in, there’s going to be an accident some day.”

Turning left into the intersection from State Road 7 in the evening or in the rain is very scary, Levine added, noting that plans for a new 330-unit apartment complex to the east of Victoria Grove will increase the need for the light. “It’s a common area,” Levine said. “You’re going to see increased traffic flow, and it also factors into the safety of people just walking around. There are a lot of reasons why this light really needs to get installed.”

‘All the unforeseen potential problems that could ever happen on a project happened on this particular one.’ — Palm Beach County Assistant Traffic Director Mo Al-Turk

O’Connor said, with as many as ten horses per player and usually no fewer than six.

“The speed of the game dictates having fresh horses because it’s a flat-out sport,” O’Connor said. “They get tired. It all plays into the mix. In the early part of the season during the 20-goal games the players usually bring six horses per team, but at this level of competition they really want to win the U.S. Open.”

The other teams in

John Hamblin and Bob Ladrach with Mike Carroll of G&M Ranch on the film’s set.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Al Zucaro with Regis and Tom Wenham.

Monte Resnick, Krista Springer Basore, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, Silvia Garcia, Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and Don Dufresne.

Kathy Foster, Mike Nelson, Mike Sexton, Geoff Sluggett and Silvia Garcia.

LaToya Ricketts, Earnie Ellison and Eugenia Millender.

Alicia Foster and Michael Coady of Riverside Bank. Toby Basore and Eric Gordon.

Monte Resnick, Eugenia Millender and Brian Edwards.

WPB Police Captain Gets Backup In His Fight Against ALS

By Brooke Kelly Special to the Town-Crier

His sneakers pounded the pavement for miles at a time, four days a week. The remaining three days of the week, his arms grew tired from lifting weights. It was a rigorous routine from October 2007 to February 2008, as West Palm Beach Police Capt. Daniel Sargent trained for the FBI National Academy program. A year later, his right arm showed signs of weakness, while both arms twitched.

The 47-year-old Wellington resident has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease in which motor neurons send messages to the muscles, but they aren’t received.

In January 2008, after a day of training, something seemed off to Sargent’s wife Mary, who noticed that both of his arms were twitching. Sargent took the twitching as a sign he was training hard and working muscles he hadn’t used in a while, so he

ignored looking further into it. Mary didn’t put it off, though. “They tell you not to look things up online because you put something in your mind, so I didn’t, but she did,” Sargent said. After he completed and passed the three-month training program in Quantico, Va., the twitching continued. Sargent finally went for a checkup in October 2008, but his family doctor said he had only over-exerted his muscles. Sargent’s next visit was to a neurologist, who gave him a similar diagnosis, that he was working out too hard and had pinched a nerve in his shoulders. It wasn’t until last December, when Sargent visited Dr. Ram Ayyar, a neuromuscular specialist at the University of Miami, that progress was made. On Feb. 19, 2009 Sargent was diagnosed with ALS.

ALS is also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Although its causes are unknown, there are six types of genes associated with the

disease, but none are in Sargent’s family. “Things just happen,” Ayyar explained. News of Sargent’s diagnosis soon spread throughout his office. When the news reached Lt. Thomas Wills, a friend and colleague of 26 years, things were set into motion. Wills posted benefit events on a web site the Police Benevolent Association of Palm Beach County made for Sargent in support of his condition.

“I don’t want to see him worrying about things,” Wills said. “He’s the first to volunteer with everyone else. Now people need to step up for him.”

On March 23, Wills and Officer John Scollo held a fundraiser for Sargent at Grease Burger Bar in West Palm Beach. Wills and Sgt. Dan Henry also established “Team Sargent” for the Walk to Defeat ALS, to be held in Jupiter’s Abacoa on April 25.

“Danny came to me when he received his diagnosis, and I’ve assisted him ever since,” Henry said.

While there is no cure for ALS, Henry, who has a family history of the disease, told Sargent about his aunt who is using a Chinese herb in her fight against the disorder.

“I’m in the second week of using it,” Sargent said. “They say you get tired easily in the first two weeks, but I haven’t felt any fatigueness — knock on wood — and after that you start noticing a difference.”

While Sargent’s work family is there for him from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, his actual family is there for him the rest of the time.

Daniel and Mary Sargent have been married for 25 years. They have two children: 15-year-old son Sean and 21-year-old daughter Kelley, a student at Florida State University.

“I’m just worried that my family won’t be taken care of if I’m not here,” Sargent said. “But work is taking care of me.”

Sargent and his family and friends are not alone in the fight. He has received support

from West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel. “It’s unbelievable,” Sargent said.

Most people diagnosed with ALS are given a lifespan of two to five years. However, Ayyar said the progression in each patient is different. Sargent is optimistic.

“They tell you two to five years,” Sargent said. “I’m going to fight to the end — trust me.” For more information about the April 25 Walk to Defeat ALS, visit www. dannysargent.com or www. als-florida.org.

PHOTO BY BROOKE KELLY

Battling ALS — West Palm Beach Police Capt. Daniel Sargent in his downtown office.

4-H HOSTS CLOVER BENEFIT AT JIM BRANDON EQUESTRIAN CENTER

The Palm Beach County 4-H Equestrian Clubs hosted the Clover Benefit last Saturday and Sunday at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in celebration of the Florida 4-H centennial. With the theme “100 Years in the Making,” the event featured riding competitions, trail rides, a poker run, prize hunt and more. The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center is located at 7500 Forest Hill Blvd. For more information about 4-H, visit www.pbcgov.org/coopext/4h.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Temple Beth Torah Party Showcase

Temple Beth Torah in Wellington will host a major party showcase on Sunday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Party-related vendors from all over the area will be on hand to showcase their services and products.

“With over 30 vendors anticipated, this will be an ideal opportunity for anyone planning a party over the next two years to shop for services in one place at one time,” said Devon Cohen, the temple board member coordinating the event. “This is not only for bar/bat mitzvahs but for any type of party or event you might be planning.”

Vendors participating have agreed to give away raffle prizes valued at more than $100 each.

Photography, videography, reception halls, music, catering, entertainment, invitations and bakeries are just some of the business types that will be present. Temple Beth Torah is a synagogue located at 900 Big Blue Trace. It is home to more than 450 families with a preschool and religious school of more than 200 children in each. For more information, call (561) 793-2700 or visit www.templebethtorah.net.

CAFCI Youth Talent Show

Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement

NEWS BRIEFS

(CAFCI) will host its Youth Talent Show on Saturday, April 18 at 5 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Auditions are scheduled for Thursday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at the Harvin Center (1030 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). Individuals and groups are welcome to perform. For more information, call Nadine at (561) 351-6895.

Learn To Let Go Of Clutter

If you want to quit living in CHAOS (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome) and need help restoring your cluttered home to order, join Kathy Andio in her “Let Go of Clutter Workshop” on Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m.

to noon at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center (100 Sweet Bay Lane). The cost is $19. For more information, call Andio at (561) 627-1386 or visit www.letgo ofclutter.net.

Harley Event To Benefit Hospice

The 18th Annual Palm Beach Harley Owners Group Chili Cookoff and Fifth Annual Saddletime Mike Memorial Poker Run will take place Sunday, April 19 to benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County’s children’s programs.

The poker run starts at 10 a.m. at Boonie’s restaurant (14555 Southern Blvd., Lox-

ahatchee Groves) and ends at 2 p.m. at Palm Beach HarleyDavidson (2955 45th Street, West Palm Beach). The cost is $10 per hand or three hands for $20. The chili cookoff will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at Palm Beach Harley-Davidson, featuring the culinary classics of local chili masters (with samples for $1) and music by DJ Storm. For more information, call (561) 307-6639 or visit www. hpbcf.org.

Art Society Meeting

The last regular Wellington Art Society meeting of the 2008-09 season will feature a demo by pottery artist Barb Powell on the basics of cre-

ating clay pottery using a potter’s wheel. Powell, a society member from Royal Palm Beach, has been “working the wheel” for 15 years and will share her experience and some of her work.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 14 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a brief business meeting at 7 p.m., with the demo starting about 7:15 p.m. While the meeting is free and open to the public, there is a $5 fee for the demo for non-society members.

For more information, visit www.wellingtonartsociety. org or call President Adrianne Hetherington at (561) 7847561.

Margo Kane watches Diana Myers of Becton Farms hunter braid quarter horse Allie’s mane.

Jamie Alvarez gives her horse Lucky a kiss.

Katie Myers aboard Wise Charger.

Katie Jones on Mr. Sophisticated and Kaela Feick on Grand Mira.

Cristina Burwell of sponsor Silver Spurs Equestrian Emporium with Buddy.

Fearnley Flickas co-leader Barbara Howard Olson with Ashley Howard on Snickers.

PBCHS Key Club Raises $45,000 For St. Baldrick’s Foundation

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach Central High

School’s Key Club members figured they would ease into their inaugural St. Baldrick’s Day event to benefit cancer research.

Principal Dr. Mathew Shoemaker encouraged the group and promised to have his head shaved if theirs managed to become the numberone St. Baldrick’s fundraiser in the state… until donations quickly started rolling in. Shoemaker reconsidered and upped the ante to being number-one in the nation. By 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, Shoemaker was bald.

“People often get down on teenagers,” Shoemaker said. “Look what they can do when they have a purpose.”

The Key Club exceeded its goal of $20,000 and presented St. Baldrick’s Board Member Francis Feeney with a

check edited on the spot from $40,000 to $45,000. PBCHS ranked as the number-one high school nationwide for donations and number of volunteer “shavees.”

For $5 advance wristbands, some 1,500 students skipped class to witness more than 100 peers, faculty and administrators go hairless, including seven girls and one female teacher. More than 30 others gave up ten inches or more in pigtails to Locks of Love.

Key Club co-sponsor Don Meyers was overwhelmed.

“These kids are amazing,” he said, acknowledging the event leadership efforts of masters of ceremonies Natalia Vighetto and Brandon Corsentino.

Two cancer survivors brought tears and cheers as they shared their stories and their thanks. PBCHS freshman Cassie McClanahan

missed most of the middle school experience due to chemotherapy treatments that she finally finished in November 2008. “The drugs took my hair, but they saved my life,” she said.

Ten-year-old Joe Joe Matuella, having fought leukemia between the ages of two and nine, relished his first year with a full head of hair but drew thunderous applause as he vowed to shave it off that day “so that other kids don’t have to go through what I went through.”

His mother Suzanne, a former teacher under Shoemaker and now herself the principal at Pioneer Park Elementary School, choked with emotion, telling the group that she was honored to be in the presence of America’s future.

As witnesses cheered them on, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard

Pipes & Drums proudly led lusciously locked participants in a parade around the gym. Local volunteer stylists and barbers fired up their razors, and the buzzing began.

Varsity cheerleaders performed, games were played, the Break Dance Club mesmerized their peers with strength and agility, and the indoor percussion band shook the gym with their show “Clockworks.”

Started in 2000, St. Baldrick’s is the world’s numberone fundraising event for childhood cancer research, Feeney said. Volunteers shave their heads to show solidarity with children fighting cancer.

“These students show such great spirit, generosity and kindness,” Feeney told the crowd before turning to the volunteers and adding, “you are superstars, and I’m so proud of you.”

METRO COOKING SHOW AT THE FAIRGROUNDS

Paula Deen

The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show took place last weekend at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Food Network sensations Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, and Pat and Gina Neely discussed tips, tricks and ways to plan for a party or event. The event featured numerous vendors selling cookware and small appliances, cutlery, kitchen gadgets, linens and more. For more info., visit www.metrocooking. com.

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Principal Dr. Matthew Shoemaker, Suzanne and Joe Joe Matuella, and Francis Feeney.

Viviana Calero and Shelby Grant hold hands as they say goodbye to their long hair.

PBCHS Math teacher and certified stylist Jennifer Peggs toys with principal Dr. Mathew Shoemaker.

Palm Beach Central students cheer on the “shavees.”

Bob Gitto with daughters Arianne and Chiara

Members of the PBSO Honor Guard Pipes & Drums lead volunteers in a parade.

Dockside Market’s Marie Kohut, Donna Wilson and Marina Glavota give out samples of their cakes.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, April 4

• The Armory Art Center will conclude its reprise timeline exhibition of the life and accomplishments of Robert M. Montgomery Jr. in the Colaciello Gallery on Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibition includes photographs, articles and memorabilia from Montgomery’s life. For more info., call Ilene Adams at (561) 832-1776, ext. 21 or e-mail ilene.adams@armory art.org.

• The West Palm Beach Antique & Collectibles Show will continue Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). Call (561) 640-3433 for more into.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., WPB) will continue Palm Beach Opera’s La Boheme through Monday, April 6. The performances will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Call (561) 833-7888 or visit www. pbopera.org for tickets.

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold a walk in John Prince Park on Saturday, April 4. Walkers will meet at 7:30 a.m. and walk for about one hour before going to breakfast together. Call Paul at (561) 963-9906 for more info.

• The Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Cruise-In will take place Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Al Packer Ford West (10601 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach). Entry into the car show is free and all makes and models are welcome. The first 100 entries will receive two free tickets to the Seventh Annual BarrettJackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction April 9-11 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. For info., call Jeff Leed at (561) 790-1100.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Drop-in Story Times” on Saturdays in April at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. for ages two and up. Gather around for stories about bears, birds and buzzing bees. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Asphalt Angels will host their annual Spring Fling & Car Show Dinner/ Dance on Saturday, April 4 at John Prince Park (4759 South Congress Avenue, Lake Worth). A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County. The car show will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the dinner/dance will take place from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Call Jamie Chandler at (561) 312-5964 or visit www. asphaltangelscarclub.com for more info. Sunday, April 5

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold a four- to five-hour walk in Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Jupiter on Sunday, April 5. Hikers will meet at the entrance gate at 8 a.m. Shorter hikes will be available. Call Mary at (561) 391-7942 for info.

• The “Splash & Dash for Cash” will take place on Sunday, April 5 at 9 a.m. the Wellington Aquatic Complex (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Events will include a 50-yard swim/one-mile run for ages seven and eight; a 100-yard swim/one-mile run for ages nine-12; a 200-yard swim/ one-mile run for ages 13-19; and a 200-yard swim/twomile run for adults. For more info., visit www.splitmaster timing.com.

• The Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt for dogs and puppies on Sunday, April 5, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Following the hunt, there will be a “Doggie Easter Bonnet Contest.” This free and fun event will take place at the main shelter at 7100 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. Pre-register by calling (561) 233-1284. Monday, April 6

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Baby Story Time” Mondays in April at 9:30 a.m. for under nine months and 11:15 a.m. for ten to 18 months. Your baby will love the rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 in Royal Palm Beach will meet on

Monday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at the Palms West Presbyterian Church on Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves. For more info., call President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875 or Secretary Margie Bonner at (561) 712-4905.

• Cici’s Pizza (30243028 Jog Road, Greenacres) will reduce the price of its buffet and all takeout pizzas on Monday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The first 100 people will win one free buffet a month for one full year. The first 50 people who order pizzas will win one free large pizza a month for one full year. Call Lottie Gatewood at (561) 6833287 for more info.

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will host a presentation on “Interpreting the Weather” by Channel 25 meteorologist Eric Burris on Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. at the Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.). Refreshments will be served. Call Sherry at (561) 963-9906 for more info.

Tuesday, April 7

• Network Professionals Inc. of Palm Beach County will feature an evening of networking hosted by Keith Jordano of the Jordano Insurance Group Inc. on Tuesday, April 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gator’s Dockside (4075 S. State Road 7). To RSVP, call (561) 969-9554, (561) 213-1502 or e-mail charlie @npiflorida.com.

Wednesday, April 8

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Flick Lit: Curious George” on Wednesday, April 8 at 3:30 p.m. for ages six to 12. Don’t miss the games and crafts, all centered on the curious monkey who finds adventure with the man in a yellow hat. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

Thursday, April 9

• The Seventh Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction will be held Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). Call (480) 421-6694 or visit www.barrett-jackson.com for more info.

• Palm Beach Atlantic University will host an open house at its Wellington campus on Thursday, April 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for prospective students to learn about the university’s accelerated evening and graduate degree programs. The free and informative event will be held at 1035 State Road 7, Suite H in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 803-2850. Friday, April 10

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Science Club: Bubble Gum” on Friday, April 10 at 3 p.m. for ages eight and up. Participants will make their own tutti frutti, watermelon swirl or blueberry bubble gum. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present “A Salute to the Music of Frank Sinatra” Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m. each night. Steve Lippia, direct from Las Vegas, joins Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops to immortalize Sinatra’s music. Call (561) 832-7677 or visit www.palm beachpops.org for tickets. Saturday, April 11 • The Village of Wellington will host its Annual Egg Hunt for children ages one to ten on Saturday, April 11 at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). The event will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and will be divided according to the following age groups: ages two and under, three to four, five to seven and eight to ten. For more info., call (561) 791-4005.

• Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will hold its annual picnic on Saturday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to sundown at the Micanopy Pavilion at Okeeheelee Park. The cost of admission for adults is a $15 donation; the cost is $5 for children under 12. For more info., call Henworth Ferguson at (561) 784-8804.

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

Evelyn Strunk Of PBCHS Launches Cancer Society Fundraiser

Palm Beach Central High School student Evelyn Strunk came up with the idea to make bracelets from buttons to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Strunk’s grandmother is suffering from cancer, and she wanted to do something to help. With the help of her mother Jean Morris, Strunk used random buttons laced together to form Xs and Os. They are called Hugs and Kisses. (The buttons were donated, so more money goes to the cure.) The idea has grown tremendously and

now there is a core team of PBCHS students who gather every Sunday at the Morris home to organize the buttons, make packets to send out to be assembled at local Wellington schools, complete orders and brainstorm more ideas. Recently, a group of women gathered at the home of Manda Galin to assemble bracelets (and buy tons of them) to help “button down a cure!” Morris was thrilled with the amount of money raised. Those who attended the fundraiser include Mor-

ris, Manda Galin, Eve Sauer, Wendy McCullom, Paula Jaffe, Tristan Dawson, Valerie Mendelsohn, Jen Baxt, Marcie Singer, Cindy Davis, Michelle Brandfon, Michelle Curry, Tara Kolnick, Laurie Chaplin, Amy Chatoff and Leslie Camche. A donation of $5 will get you a random button bracelet; a donation of $10 will get you a men’s all leather with button enclosure bracelet; and a donation of $15 will get you a designer or special-order bracelet). To purchase Hugs and

Kisses bracelets and $5 cufflinks, call Jean at (561) 2556420. Adult and child sizes are available. Those wishing to can also help by collecting and dropping off buttons and wearing your hugs and kisses bracelets. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. There will be a Hugs and Kisses booth at the Relay for Life on Friday, April 17 at Palm Beach Central High School. To join the “hugs and kisses” team or make a donation online, visit www.main.acs events.org/goto/xoxoxo.

RPB Author Larry Weld Pens Instructive Children’s Book

Any adult who has spent time with children knows that stories are essential teaching tools that make learning a fun activity. With his new book Counting With Silly Critters (published by AuthorHouse), Royal Palm Beach author Larry Weld offers a colorful, educational treat to preschoolers and the adults who encourage them to try new skills.

Weld combines clever rhymes and captivating illus-

Clayton, McGriff To Wed In Paris This Weekend

Cheryl Clayton and Roy McGriff Jr. were set to be married on Friday, April 3 at the American Church in Paris, France.

Cheryl was born in Sacramento, Calif. to Wallace and Bernice Clayton. She received her bachelor’s degree from Georgia State and her law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Texas before moving to Washington, D.C. Though her practice is based there, Clayton gets to do most of her work from home in Wellington.

Roy Jr. was born Fort Pierce to Roy and Janice McGriff. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in education at Nova Southeastern University. He teaches second grade students in

Cheryl Clayton and Roy McGriff Jr.

Palm Beach County. He has practiced karate for many years and holds a sixth-degree black belt.

Cheryl and Roy met in 2002 when they were introduced by mutual friends while on a weekend trip to Philadelphia.

trations to engage young learners in a game of numbers that has them counting to 10 before they know it. The story is centered around imaginative creatures like a Skurtle, Snird, Pabbit, Zeebiraff and more.

From there the fun begins, as Counting With Silly Critters takes preschoolers through their numbers while capturing their imaginations with how all these outrageous animals came to be.

Cicchini To Attend EMU

Camille Cicchini, a senior at Royal Palm Beach High School, has accepted a spot on the Eastern Michigan University women’s gymnastics team. She has also been awarded the National Scholars Program Scholarship, the Regents Scholarship and the Honors Scholarship for being accepted into the EMU Honor’s College. Cicchini will be graduating in May and plans to study nursing.

Kathryn Mudrick On Dean’s List

Kathryn Aldee Mudrick of Wellington, a senior at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, was named to the dean’s honor list for outstanding academic achievement

Weld’s idea for this book came from a dream he had. He explains the origin of his dream, which was born from a lifelong love of storytelling.

“I grew up in Michigan with three younger sisters and a mother with a passion for doing things with children,” Weld said. “We used to bring orphans home for the holidays. My mother would tell me to read to them, and I really enjoyed the stories. When I had a family of my

for the fall 2008 semester. Students with a quality point average of 3.6 or higher for a semester’s work (on a 4.0 scale) are placed on the dean’s honor list. With a student body of approximately 2,600, Gettysburg College is a highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences located on a 200-acre campus adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park. The college was established in 1832.

Horn Makes Washington U. Dean’s List

Douglas Horn of Wellington was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2008 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Horn is a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School and is enrolled in the

own, I read the same stories to my sons. I guess they got so ingrained in my head that it was natural I would dream about it.”

Weld was born and raised in Michigan. He served in the military from 1967 to 1971.

After his service, Weld moved to Florida, where he started a family. He coached Little League baseball while his sons played the sport, and the family also became involved in Cub Scouts and

university’s College of Arts & Sciences.

To qualify for the dean’s list in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Washington University is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching and research, and it draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 125 countries. More than 13,500 undergraduate, graduate and professional students enroll each year.

The university’s 3,140 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law, School of Medicine and the George Warren Brown School of Social Work.

Boy Scouts. Weld was the curator of a botanical garden for seven years. In this position, he would teach children from local schools about horticulture. “My whole life has been centered around kids, and it just comes natural that I would write these books,” he said.

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, visit www.authorhouse.com.

Twenty-two Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University. The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

Karmelin On Hartford Dean’s List

The University of Hartford recently announced that Amanda Karmelin of Wellington was named to its dean’s list for the fall 2008 semester. Located in West Hartford, Conn., the University of Hartford is an independent, comprehensive institution of higher education, offering educational and career programs of study in its seven schools and colleges.

Larry Weld

Bracelet Benefit — Guests at Manda Galin’s house assemble bracelets to raise money for the

Pike Helps C.A.R. Chapter Win State Awards

Wellington resident Keilly Pike led the Fifer George Weissenfels Society Children of the American Revolution of Palm Beach to top honors. The society captured state awards as the Most Outstanding Society and State President’s Award among others.

The 78th Florida C.A.R. conference was held last weekend at the Quorum Hotel and Executive Center in Tampa. The Palm Beach society had a delegation of eight members. Pike, also state chaplain, and Tyler Smith of Boca Raton, state corresponding secretery, attended the event as executive board members. Also in attendance were past state president

April Pearson of Deerfield Beach, local society Vice President Kaitlin Matyskiel and her brother Robert of Lake Worth, Graham and Zoanne Learner of North Palm Beach, and Zachary Pike, also of Wellington.

Elections for the 2009-10 executive board placed Keilly Pike as state recording secretary, Kaitlin Matyskiel as state corresponding secretary and Zoanne Learner as state historian.

The Children of the American Revolution is a patriotic organization promoting love of country, the flag and heritage. For more information, contact Mrs. Martha Pearson at (954) 426-2150.

Stacy-Ann Simone Smith

Stacy-Ann Simone Smith of Wellington was one of 17 students who received a doctor of chiropractic degree from Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, S.C. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Smith is the daughter of Osbourne and Sandra Smith.

The doctor of chiropractic program at Sherman College requires students to complete more than 4,600 hours (14

quarters) of classroom and laboratory study, which includes an internship in the college’s Chiropractic Health Center. To enter the program, students must have at least three years of college-level courses, including courses in the sciences.

Sherman College, located in the upstate South Carolina, is home to a diverse student body representing 26 states and 15 countries. Stu-

dents graduate with the knowledge, skills and passion to enjoy success and make a real impact on the health and lives of their future patients.

Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic is accredited to award the doctor of chiropractic degree by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education and the Commission on Colleges of

the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. On its 80-acre campus in Spartanburg, the college operates a Chiropractic Health Center open to the public where students intern under the supervision of licensed doctors of chiropractic. For more information, call (864) 578-8770, ext. 242.

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

Contreras Completes Air Force Basic Training

Air Force Airman Daniel Contreras recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, Contreras studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches; and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, fieldtraining exercises and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training receive credits toward an associate’s degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force.

Gunther Makes SMU Honor Roll

Christian Gunther, a resident of Wellington and a freshman at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, has been listed on the university’s honor roll with distinction.

To be listed on the SMU honor roll with distinction, students must be in the top ten percent of their school of

is a 2007 graduate of Wellington High School.

record. SMU’s fall 2008 enrollment included 6,110 undergraduate students. A private university located in the heart of Dallas, SMU is building on the vision of its founders, who imagined a distinguished center for learning emerging from the spirit of the city. Today, 11,000 students benefit from the national opportunities and international reach afforded by the quality of SMU’s seven degreegranting schools.

Cold & Cough

& Flu

Cuts & Scrapes

& Bronchitis

Strains & Sprains Ear & Sinus Infection

Daniel Contreras

Contreras is the son of Liduvina Contreras of Wellington. He

Keilly Pike holds the Society of the Year trophy.

Wellington High School DECA Students To Compete In Anaheim

Wellington High School DECA members recently competed at the state competitions in Orlando. They were among 1,500 students competing to earn a spot at national competition in Anaheim, Calif.

The following 16 WHS DECA students from will continue on to the national competition: Kelsey Foster, first place, Fashion Promotion Plan; Brandon Marlow, first place, Quick Serve Restaurant; Kelsey Stroze, first place, Accounting; Jessica Beckner, third place,

Hotel & Lodging Services; Lindsey Johnston, fourth place, Apparel & Accessories Marketing; Shannon Willard, third place, Business Services Marketing; Vinny Losito, fifth place, Automotive Marketing; Stephen Bender, third place, Sports & Entertainment; Brendan Carroll, Team Marketing; Catie Dipersico, fifth place, Buying & Merchandising; Amiee Boyum, Team Marketing; Tyler Stewart, fourth place, Travel & Tourism; Peter Spezia, Team Marketing; Sarah

Bacchus, Senior Management; Megan McDonald, Institute; and Megan Stojack, Leadership Development Training. These students will be representing Florida as they compete with nearly 15,000 students from all over the United States and beyond. It is also a very expensive undertaking. There are two ways an individual or business can help get these students to nationals. One can sponsor a student to get him or her to nationals, or help the group by purchasing an

advertisement on the WHS DECA national T-shirt! There are three levels of sponsorship. The Bronze level is $100 and will get your name on the back of the shirt. The Silver level is $250 and will get your company’s logo on the shirt. The gold level of sponsorship is $500 and will get your logo on the shirt and the sign that will hang in the school store for a one-year period.

For additinal information, call WHS DECA sponsor Susan May at (561) 7954919.

WLMS Administrators, Teachers Shave The Way To Conquer Cancer

and Assistant Principal

for the cause.

STUDENTS SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

During the month of March, many area schools were asked to participate in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Shaving the Way to Cure Cancer national event.

Wellington Landings Middle School managed to raise more than $6,000 from eager students who pledged money to not only see teachers and staff go bald, but to also have a chance to do some of the shaving themselves.

Willing shaving participants from WLMS includ-

ed Principal Eric Paul, Assistant Principal Jim Riley, and teachers Jay Cohen, Jim Barbera and Brian Mulally, while Assistant Principal Damian Milanek and teacher Frank Watson agreed to lose most of their hair for the cause.

Donations of haircutting services were provided by Belkys Neuman of Supercuts in Wellington’s Town Square plaza (561-790-5300) and David Porter of Wellington Barber (561-791-9180). — Lois Spatz

SRHS Tri-M Honor Society Inducts 2009 Members

The Seminole Ridge High School Tri-M Music Honor Society held its 2009 inductions on Thursday, March 19. The Hawk inductees were as follows: Tania Chatelain, Crystal Corona, Leelah Greenspan, Nicole Hulen, Jenny Hunter, Savannah Kowalski, Ronit Liberman, Mary Mathews, Adrienne Pearson, Shelby Todd, Taylor Wesley and Lorelle Wrice. Tri-M also honored three staff members as inductees: Principal Dr. Lynne K. McGee, National Honor Society advisor Mrs. Shawna Ahmad and Spanish National Honor Society advisor Mrs. Patricia McKillican.

The school would like to offer a special thank-you go to its Army JROTC color guard for their presentation of the national colors.

• Tennis Hawks Advance

in District Play — In March 24 match play versus Palm Beach Gardens, the SRHS boys double of Alex Cohen and Anthony Pinder earned a 9-8 tie-breaker win, and the girls double of Alix Garic and Allison Hewitt won 8-6. In the March 25 match against Wellington High School, Allison and Alix again dominated the court with an 8-0 win.

The duo is currently 6-0 in district doubles play. Garic is 6-0 in district singles play as well. Against Gardens, she took her match 6-4, 6-1; against Wellington, Garic took it 8-1.

• The Flock is Back — Flock a neighbor or friend while helping the Seminole Ridge Project Graduation committee raise money for its May 20 night of fun! Call Julie Kowalski at (561) 6329110 for details.

Golden Grove Registration of address (i.e. utility bills, lease or contract). Out-ofcounty or state applicants must bring their original birth certificate, original Florida DH680 blue immunization Shot records, the Florida yellow physical (Form 3040) and two proofs of address.

Golden Grove Elementary School will start accepting kindergarten and new student registration for 2009-10 on Monday, April 13. Kindergarten roundup will be held on April 30 at 8:30 a.m. To complete incounty registrations, applicants will need two proofs

Principal Eric Paul announces that teacher Frank Watson

Damian Milanek are willing to give up most of their hair

David Porter of Wellington Barbers gives teacher Jim Barbera a close shave.

Wellington High School DECA members.

St. Peter’s Child Enrichment Center Preschool students sang the national anthem on Sunday, March 29 before a match at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. Led by their music teacher Claudine Adkins, more than 30 students sang the anthem prior to the start of the match. The children and their families were invited to attend the match and festivities. Pictured above are some of the students singing the national anthem.

The “flock” of flamingos are back on sale at SRHS.

RIBBON CUTTING FOR BLEACHBRIGHT

BleachBright — Located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 177 in the Mall at Wellington Green, BleachBright Tooth Whitening works at the speed of light to rejuvenate your smile with a new technology for teeth whitening. The treatment works with only one 15-minute treatment and will brighten teeth two to eight shades. The treatment is effective, affordable and safe. BleachBright is located on the lower level of the mall, near Nordstrom and Fit2run. For more information, call Ryan Wagner at (561) 793-8338 or visit the company’s web site at www. bleachbrightonline.com. Shown above are BleachBright staff members with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.

Kohl’s Department Store Opens In RPB

Kohl’s Department Store officially opened its doors on April 1 in Royal Palm Beach after a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials. The new location created approximately 150 jobs for local residents. Located at 8751 Southern Blvd., the store is one of four to open in Florida this spring. The new locations bring the total of Kohl’s stores in the state to 47 and will offer tremendous values to help customers stretch their budgets. With its new location,

Kohl’s is making a positive environmental impact. The Royal Palm Beach store is one of 18 stores built according to a design that is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) precertified at the silver level by the U.S. Green Building Council.

All new Kohl’s stores feature an inviting exterior to welcome customers with outdoor seating and music; glass showcase windows at each entrance; and redesigned juniors, intimates, jewelry, chil-

dren’s and footwear departments. In addition, customers will experience spacious fitting rooms with lounge areas, updated restrooms and modernized checkouts for their comfort and convenience.

To celebrate the opening of its newest stores, Kohl’s will offer grand opening specials throughout the store on world-class exclusive and national brands for her, him, kids, beauty and the home such as Simply Vera-Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, Elle, Abbey Dawn designed by

Avril Lavigne, American Beauty, Apt. 9, Chaps, Jumping Beans, Food Network, Nike, Levi’s, Carter’s, Cuisinart and KitchenAid. In every market it serves, Kohl’s helps shoppers get more for their money. It has excellent customer service endorsed by the National Retail Federation for four consecutive years and an industry-leading return policy. For more information, visit Kohl’s corporate web site at www.kohls.com.

Riverside Bank Offers Local Scholarships

Riverside National Bank remains committed to education by providing college scholarships to local youth. For the past three years, Riverside has offered the scholarship program, and each year they award $1,000 to 18 college students throughout Florida.

Students are selected based

on their academic goals, community service and essays about why they feel they deserve the money. Students attending either a two- or fouryear post-secondary school are eligible to enter.

These scholarships are unique because the students can use the money any way they want to help offset the

expense of a college education. The application and rules are posted on Riverside’s web site at www. riversidenb.com. Applications can be submitted online or by mail. The current 2009 scholarship program deadline is May 31. Since 1982, Riverside National Bank has been helping people across Florida manage their money and achieve financial goals through a hometown style of banking. Its hometown style of banking has made Riverside one of Florida’s largest, independent and locally owned community banks serving customers in 40 home towns throughout Florida.

CCCS Offers Advice For Coping With A Recent Job Loss

As unemployment reaches its highest level in decades, more and more families are facing reduced incomes and the financial challenges that come with job loss. At Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, counselors working with consumers who have lost a job find that taking quick action can mean the difference between a temporary setback and a financial disaster.

“While you might not be able to anticipate being unemployed, you can minimize the financial impact that comes with the loss of a job,” CCCS President Jessica Cecere said.

If you find yourself suddenly unemployed, CCCS recommends taking these first steps:

• Look into unemployment benefits — If you are unemployed through no fault of your own, you may

qualify for unemployment benefits. In Florida, you are eligible for benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation web site (www.floridajobs.org/ unemployment) has helpful information about qualifying and requesting unemployment benefits.

• Look for additional income — If you have more than one wage earner in your household, explore opportunities to earn additional money through overtime. To help sustain your finances while you look for your next job, consider taking on part-time or seasonal employment — it can provide both extra money and flexibility to go on job interviews. Contact local temporary agencies or your local workforce development agency to explore opportunities for employment as well as training opportunities that might help qualify

you for a position in another industry.

• Prioritize your expenses

— Many people are juggling a variety of debt, but it’s a priority to make your mortgage payment before paying other bills. Falling behind on your mortgage payment will put your house at risk, especially in states where lenders don’t need to utilize the court system to foreclose on a home. After your mortgage, car payments, insurance premiums and food should follow on your priority list.

• Notify your creditors If you are unable to make the minimum payments due on credit cards or other revolving credit, immediately notify your creditors. You may be able to get your interest rate reduced or your payment plan modified. Even if you can’t make a full payment, Cecere suggested paying something toward the debt. “Deferring or skipping payments increases the debt, extends the

life of the debt and will likely result in quickly mounting fees,” she said.

• Reduce spending wherever possible — Take a realistic look at your monthly expenses and identify areas that can be reduced or eliminated. Entertainment costs are easiest to eliminate. Skip dining out and rent movies instead of going to the theater. Review your cable and cell phone plans to see if the cost can be reduced. Consider foregoing them altogether. There may be a fee to cancel a contract, but it will likely be much less expensive than having monthly fees, late fees and interest building up over time.

• Things to Avoid — Try and avoid incurring any new debt. Resist the temptation to take cash advances on credit cards or to do business with small loan retailers, many who charge astronomical interest rates on the money they lend. While a home-equity

loan may help create a temporary cash flow, it has longterm implications and is not recommended. If possible, avoid tapping into retirement accounts or your 401K, as the significant penalties and tax implications may far outweigh the temporary financial benefit.

• Seek help — Utilize community resources to help bridge the gap. Emergency assistance for your utility bill may be available, and local food banks can help provide basic necessities. Contact the local United Way (www. unitedway.org) or the local 211 Information and Referral Service (dial 211 or visit www.211.org) for information on emergency services available in your community. For help getting your finances in order, CCCS offers free, confidential counseling via telephone at (800) 330CCCS and online at www. cccsinc.org and www.cccsen espanol.org.

• Plan for the unexpected — Even if you haven’t lost a job, it is a good idea to create a savings plan now that will help financially prepare you for any potential life-altering event. Make saving part of your budget, and set aside a portion of your income in a savings account until you have at least three to six months of living expenses. Work now to reduce and eliminate your debt and strive to maintain a budget that doesn’t involve spending more than you make. While it may not take away the pain that comes from losing a job, it can certainly provide peace of mind during a very stressful time. CCCS is a United Way partner and is certified by the Center for Non-Profit Excellence, accredited by the Council on Accreditation, and is a member of National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Broncos Defeat Wolverines To Claim Outback Rivals Cup

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

In the season’s second and final match-up on Friday, March 27, the Palm Beach Central High School boys lacrosse team escaped overtime by a few seconds to beat hometown rival Wellington High School 6-5, claiming the coveted Outback Rivals Cup for the second time in the competition’s two-year history. Players had difficulty mustering energy and enthusiasm

in the game’s first half on this first day of spring break, but halftime pep talks inspired fierce competition for a nailbiting second half.

High scorers for the Broncos were junior Julian Owens, with three goals and one assist, and senior Greg Babiak, with two goals and one assist. Freshman goalie Trent Abel tallied a remarkable 19 saves in his third week in that position. Wolverine high scorers were junior Keegan Reilly,

with three goals, and junior Willy Shulman, with one goal and three assists. In a double overtime game two weeks earlier, the Wolverines defeated the Broncos 13-12.

Wolverines assistant coach and Lake Worth Outback Steakhouse owner Kevin Reilly sponsored the cup in the spirit of serious but friendly community rivalry. “We love all these boys,” Reilly said, “but I really wanted that cup.”

Seminole Ridge Senior Pat Lecroy Wins NHSI Home Run Derby

There were 24 competitors from 12 schools taking a crack at clearing the outfield wall last Sunday at the Florida Collegiate Summer League’s National High School Invitational Home Run Derby. But only Pat Lecroy of Seminole Ridge High School did enough to capture the title as he wowed the crowd by sending 13 pitches deep for home runs at historic Sanford Memorial Stadium.

Lecroy started early and left the yard often as he hammered out nine home runs in the opening round before eventually running through his allotted ten outs. “It took a lot out of me, it took a lot of energy,” Lecroy said of the opening-round onslaught. “But I was seeing the ball

good and my swing was doing good.” Lecroy’s swing held up when it mattered most once he stepped to the plate as the last of six batters who advanced to what was supposed to be the final round. Also moving on were Jacob Parker of Mosley High School, Spencer Buck of Orangewood Christian, Jesse Weiss of Windward School, and Kevin Gregg and Grant Porter of All Saints Academy.

But before Lecroy was due up, it was Porter who put himself in position to take home the hardware by going yard three times in the round. He had already tallied four dingers in the first round, which held up as the second most among the field. Late in Lecroy’s at-bat in

CRESTWOOD RUNNER WINS BIG AT MEET

The Crestwood Middle School boys and girls track-andfield team competed in the Bob Hayes Middle School Invitational Track-and-Field Meet on Friday, March 20 in Jacksonville. Isidro Peart Jr., an eighth grader at Crestwood, placed first in the 100-meter hurdles with an official time of 15:04. He also placed second in the 400-meter dash. For the past 39 years, the Bob Hayes Invitational has been a focal point for young track-andfield participants from the southeastern United States. Crestwood Middle School was the only middle school in Palm Beach County to compete in the events. Pictured above are Peart and Coach Mark Drummond.

the second round, as he was running thin on outs, the fouryear starter at first base bounced a shot off the top of the right-centerfield wall near the 385 marker to force a tiebreaker round with Porter. And yet again, with the pressure on and one out left while needing just one homer to win it all, Lecroy cranked out the winning home run to the celebratory applause of teammates and fans.

“I just had to come clutch in the end there on that last out to get the hit,” he said.

Apparently, it has been a theme of sorts for the senior, as Seminole Ridge coach Trent Pendergast credits Lecroy with “three big-time clutch home runs for us this season.”

Lecroy has been with the

Hawk baseball team throughout all four years of its existence. “It’s nice to see him have this level of success as a senior and be able to go out on a good note like this,” Pendergast said.

Seminole Ridge went on to the 16-team NHSI Tournament in Sanford, where games were played throughout the week. The results were not available by press time.

“It’s great to get away, it’s great for team building,” Pendergast said of competing at the NHSI. “These guys get along so much better after coming back from a trip like this, and we’ve got a great group of kids this year, so it’ll be nice for them to spend a week here and play hard for four games.”

AYSO Fall Registration Starts Saturday

American Youth Soccer Organization Region 345, a non-competitive recreational soccer and all-volunteer league, invites girls and boys between the ages of four and 18 (by July 31) to sign up to play soccer in the fall 2009 season, which will take place Aug. 17 to Nov. 21. Both new and experienced players are welcome. The registration fee is $75 for one child per family and $70 for each additional sibling. The cost includes a basic uniform (shirt, shorts, socks), insurance, a trophy at end of the season and a subscription to Playsoccer magazine. The league has separate boys and girls teams, and all teams practice twice a week with a game on Saturday; practice and games take place at Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.). New players must bring a birth certificate, and a parent or guardian must attend a parent-orientation class. The 45minute parent-orientation class will take place Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the AYSO soccer activity building at the Okeeheelee Park soccer fields. First-time AYSO players may sign up to play on the same team with a returning player if they register together. Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 at the AYSO

activity building. The league will hold registration for a Challenger Soccer Camp from July 27 to July 31. Registration for ages four and five will take place from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. to noon; the cost is $76. Registration for ages six to 16 will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 9 p.m.; the cost is $101. Registration fees cover the camp, T-shirt and soccer ball. Register online at www.challengersports.com before June 10 and receive a free jersey. The league will hold a free

The

AYSO coaching clinic on Saturday, May 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for anyone interested in coaching. For more information, contact Rolf Born at (561) 7144005 or e-mail rolf@jamrenterprises.com. A free referee clinic will take place Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for anyone interested. For more information, contact Frank Petrone at (561) 967-8251 or e-mail fip4@aol.com. These are great ways to give back to the community and to earn community service hours.

“We are expecting to have over 120 teams this year, so we are looking for sponsors, volunteer coaches and volunteer referees,” Region 345 Commissioner Rose Arsenault said. “New coaches are being trained now, and we will be limiting the amount of children to register in regard to how many coaches we have. It is best to register early because teams will fill up fast.”

For more information, visit www.ayso345.com, e-mail region345@aol.com or call (561) 642-5449.

Wellington Roller Hockey Player Of The Week: Eric Arteaga

The Wellington Roller Hockey League’s Player of the Week is 14-year-old Eric Arteaga, who plays goalie for the Senior Division’s Red Wings. His jersey number is 12. Arteaga’s favorite professional hockey team is the Ottawa Senators, and his favorite player is Peter Forsberg. Arteaga’s favorite video game is “Skate,” and his favorite food is baby back ribs. He can play the drums for two hours non-stop.

Arteaga loves the pressure that comes with playing the goalie position. Since age 12 he has played in the junior and senior divisions continuously improving his skills. Arteaga wants to play roller hockey at the high school level next fall.

On Saturday, March 21, Arteaga was instrumental in his team victory against the Sharks making several impressive saves in the last minute of the game.

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

Pat Lecroy takes a swing during last Sunday’s home run derby.

Eric Arteaga

Trevor Abel is guarded by Zack Shulman of WHS. PBCHS players and coaches with the Outback Rivals Cup. PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

Many Have Fond Memories Of The Old Pine Grove Stables

Some years ago, there existed a strange and unique place in the western communities: Pine Grove Stables. To get there, you headed east on Forest Hill Blvd. (then a two-lane road), turned south onto Pinehurst Drive, went maybe a quarter of a mile, then turned left onto an unmarked dirt road that rambled a short distance, made a sharp left turn and ended at a metal gate that opened onto a largish round sandy area.

The stable, a pile of lumber and masonry that most definitely had seen better days, was previously a county stockade for prisoners who were taken out to work on roadsides each day, or so the story went. It had three wings of back-to-back box stalls that radiated out from a sort of central tower. Under the tower was housed the tack room and central tacking-up place. The whole thing looked like it would come down in the first good stiff breeze. (This was before a spate of hurricanes came to visit and opened our eyes to just that possibility.) It was a living demonstration of benign neglect.

There were additional stalls in outlying areas concocted of odd bits of boards, small paddocks enclosed with salvaged wire, gates that rested on the ground and were attached to the fences by hay strings, and a large, oval ring enclosed by an eclectic fence: part wire, part chain-link, part whatever happened to be handy. As things broke or fell apart, which happens fairly frequently when housing horses, they were repaired with whatever one could find: the proverbial bubblegum and baling wire.

The bathroom was a place you only visited in a dire emergency. The toilets had never

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

been cleaned in living memory, toilet paper was only occasionally available and you had to battle your way through thick cobwebs to get there. The kids dubbed it Frankenstein’s Bathroom, which wasn’t far off the mark.

The late Paula Scowden owned and operated Pine Grove Stables, and rare was the day when her place wasn’t swarming with kids of all ages and riding abilities. Every day after school and all day on Saturday, there were kids everywhere — riding horses, leading horses, brushing horses, bathing horses, sitting around and eating lunch and talking about horses, riding in a lesson or heading out on a trail.

I kept a horse there for a few years and marveled at the way the place managed to carry on. One interesting fact was that everyone who boarded a horse there paid a different price, depending on when they started. Each year the price went up, but your board never did: you paid what you had always paid. There were boarders there paying half what I paid, and boarders paying double, all for the same service.

The “lessons” were some of the most interesting I’d ever seen. The ring was large and sandy and surrounded by turnout areas some-

times roamed by loose horses (which spooked everyone in the ring when they ran and bucked). Gradually people would tack up their horses and head out to the ring. There was only the one ring, which also held a collection of homemade jumps, in about the same condition as everything else.

Little kids would be riding the school’s older horses, which would only walk or sometimes be coaxed into an arthritic jog. There were older kids on better school horses that were able to trot and canter, boarders who could actually ride; everyone from rank beginners who didn’t know how to hold their reins, to people who could jump and were practicing for a show. All in the same ring at the same time, anywhere from 10 to 20 people and horses.

Paula would be busy talking with friends or parents. Eventually she’d wander out to the ring and sit on a metal drum turned on its side (part of a jump), often still talking with someone. Once in a while she’d sing out, “everyone trot!” And everyone who could trot would trot, raising a hellacious dust cloud. After maybe five minutes she’d sing out, “walk and reverse.” And we would. Then after a bit it was time to trot again. Eventually the beginners would guide their horses into the center and stand clustered around, while the ones who were able would canter both ways. Then we’d take turns jumping, then we’d all head out on a trail, Paula sitting on one of her school horses and ambling along at the rear.

These were lessons in name only, and it wasn’t unusual for some kid to ride over to Paula, who was still distractedly talking, and

The entrance to the late, great

tell her that someone had just fallen off. Amazingly, no one seemed to get seriously hurt, and a lot of kids actually learned how to ride there, more through osmosis than anything else. Paula did take a lot of kids to the two local shows then available, the Palm Beach County Mounted Posse and the Palm Beach County Horsemen’s Association shows, and gave a lot of kids a great opportunity to participate in riding for a very affordable fee. As I recall, the lessons were only $10 and lasted anywhere from an hour to two, including the walkout on the trail afterward, and the allday Saturday sessions were $20. Pine Grove became history two decades ago this year. The land where it stood is now occupied by Okeeheelee Middle School. The River Bridge community, Jim Brandon Equestrian Center and Okeeheelee Park now cover the trails we once rode on. But many still have a lot of fond memories of “Nana” Scowden and Pine Grove Stables.

PBC SPORTS COMMISSION HONORS BLAKE, BRASOVAN AND MISCHE

Golden Grove Health Fair Promotes Healthy Eating Habits

By Candace Marchsteiner

Town-Crier Staff Report

On Wacky Wednesday in the midst of school spirit week last week, the Golden Grove Elementary School Gators learned about a variety of healthy food choices and even sampled creative treats like strawberry-headed gators with blueberry eyes at an on-campus health fair.

Nutrition specialists from the district’s food service department hold the event in two different schools annually. This academic year, Golden Grove joined Emerald Cove Middle School to benefit from the “eat right” theme.

“We promote the holistic child, teaching them to eat right and move their bodies,” Nutrition and Wellness Pro-

RPBHS Project Graduation Meeting

The 2009 Royal Palm Beach High School Project Graduation Committee will meet every Monday at 7 p.m. at the school until graduation day on May 18. Currently, the group is working on decorations for the party and filling volunteer slots for upcoming concerts and SunFest. Parents and guardians of students in the Class of 2010 are invited to learn what will need to be done next year. For more information, call Cheryl at (561) 723-8298 or Karen at (561) 371-8377.

Drug Bust Overdoses Common

continued from page 1 Oxycontin, Roxicodone, methadone and Xanax.

“These are highly addictive drugs,” District 9 commander Capt. Eric Coleman said. Palm Beach County sees more than 300 pharmaceutical overdose deaths each year. “We almost have one overdose death a day,” PBSO Public Information Officer Teri Barbera told the TownCrier. “They’re mixing these things, and they don’t know what they’re doing.”

motion Assistant Director Paula Triana explained.

“Within the last three years, we’ve adopted more of a Euro philosophy of good oils and nuts along with a lower intake of carbs,” Support Manager Vickie Deskin said.

In preparation for the exhibit that included honeybees, food texture sampling and education, and both common and little-known tropical fruits such as the chocolate pudding fruit, students colored placemats laminated for lunch use or made chef hats.

Volunteer vendors lined the cafeteria’s perimeter.

“These vendors are great with kids,” said teacher Stephanie Field.

“They’re excited about what they’re sharing and are get-

Weedoo Comes To Wellington

Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen will join Palm Beach Aquatics representatives on Monday, April 6 at 3 p.m. to demonstrate the electric, ecofriendly skimming vessel the Weedoo in the Wellington canal system.

The demonstration will launch a water craft that is totally free of fossil fuel use and is one of two that exist. The demonstration will take place at 14000 Greenbriar Blvd. For more information, call the Palm Beach Aquatics office at (561)719-8900 or visit www.pbaquatics.com.

“That’s the real issue,” Coleman said. “This is the new crack cocaine, or worse, because it is readily accessible.”

Durr said he did not see nearly as many overdoses during the height of the crack cocaine epidemic as he is currently seeing with pharmaceuticals.

Durr and Coleman said the problem with illegally obtained pharmaceuticals involves people with legitimate pain who have become addicted to the drugs as well as those who turn to the black market either to buy or sell them. “Some of them sell them at street level for $30 a pill,” Coleman said. “The

ting the kids excited about it, too.”

After brains and bellies were sufficiently full of healthy food information and lunch, students headed back to class with a bag of souvenirs that included the break-

Letters

continued from page 4 ous that he omitted this from his letter.

He also makes a snide reference that I am not presently sitting on a village committee. Again, what he curiously omits is that my decision to not seek re-appointment as a voting member of the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board was voluntary, while his departure from the Code Enforcement Board was not voluntary on his part and was based on the council disbanding the Code Enforcement Board and replacing it with a special master system.

Unfortunately, Mr. Unger continues to blame the prior

majority of these folks are unemployed. It has a peripheral effect.”

Addiction to pharmaceuticals drives addicts to commit home and car burglaries, shoplifting and other crimes to get money to support their habit, Coleman said.

The PBSO has adopted a three-pronged approach to pharmaceutical abuse, working through enforcement, education and legislation.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this problem,” Durr said. “This is a social problem.”

Barbera said the PBSO’s education program includes getting people to turn in old unused prescription drugs

Magical Delivery For tips, recipes and nutrition advice, visit www.fruits andveggiesmorematters.org. Kids coloring pages and games can be found at www. foodschamps.org.

council, particularly Bob Margolis and Tom Wenham, for the downfall of Wellington because they had the good sense to disband the Code Enforcement Board.

Mr. Unger still refuses to accept the fact that he was a major reason for the council voting to disband the Code Enforcement Board, as he was verbally abusive to residents who came before the board for code enforcement citations.

It is truly a shame that anger and bitterness permeate Mr. Unger’s daily life and he cannot put whatever talents he may possess to more productive uses and purposes. Unlike Mr. Unger, who is

and going into schools to educate young people.

“We’re trying to educate the kids, these teenagers that are purchasing these pills on the street, trying to get them to come forward and tell us what they know, or if they are using to stop using and stop selling,” she said.

The PBSO’s campaign, Operation Medicine Cabinet, encourages people to turn in old or unnecessary drugs in their homes to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. The department’s first campaign two months ago resulted in the collection of more than 60,000 pills, Durr said. Durr said the PBSO sup-

apparently tied to his computer and whose remaining retirement years are devoted to letter-writing, I own and run two businesses and cannot devote any more time to a running dialogue with Mr. Unger concerning the K-Park donation and other aspects of village government.

As they say, “all good things must come to an end,” and I sincerely hope that Mr. Unger discovers that there is life outside his office and computer. If not, it will be truly tragic to witness one’s golden years being obliterated by anger, bitterness and contempt.

Howard Sohn Wellington

ports state legislation that would set up a computer networking system enabling doctors and pharmacies to check patient records, not only for prescriptions but general medical history as well.

“Doctor shopping is the result of what we call an open-end system in the medical field where the pharmacist, the doctor and the patient have no communication as to what’s going on,” Durr said.

“In Kentucky, they have what they call the PDMP, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. Anytime there is a prescription issued for a patient, it’s entered into the database and shared by the

A Lease

continued from page 1 it on for the meeting on the 14th, which is 12 days from today,” he said. “The other part of that equation is that the council wants ten days to review the lease. I have to get the lease out to them tomorrow in order to make that timeframe.” Willhite expressed some skepticism about the lease agreement’s timely arrival. “The last time they told him he would have the lease agreement by Friday, it was two months later,” he said.

pharmacist and physician. We don’t have that in Florida.”

People in the 35 states that currently have PDMPs are coming to Florida, fraudulently obtaining prescriptions and taking the pharmaceuticals back to their state and selling them, Durr said.

“We’re easy prey, and they’re getting their pharmaceuticals, distributing them and getting premium prices out of state,” he said. A PDMP would promote better healthcare in general, Durr said, because it would also alert doctors and pharmacists to other medical issues such as dangerous prescription drug combinations.

Professional Athlete of the Year Jeff Blake with Joe Ceravolo and Patty Dent of the sports commission.

Mike Nelson and Kathy Foster with honoree Gene Mische and Katherine and Mark Bellissimo.

Carol Coleman, Victoria McCullough, Jennifer Swanson and Brad Gaver of Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue.

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

fast mystery DVD Max’s

Golden Grove Assistant Principal Linda Edgecomb and Principal Kathryn Koerner with fourth graders.

Fifth graders Rachael Labes and Kailey Dzwonkiewicz enjoy a healthy lunch.

My Courage Blooms Anew With The First Breath Of Spring

Some people skydive; others swim the English Channel; still others climb Mount Everest. I too like to hurtle myself out of my comfort zone every once in awhile. I peel off my “wife and mother” label, throw caution to the wind and embrace a brand new experience. Last month, for instance, I (hold your breath!) planted a garden.

Yes, it’s true. A city child, I am basically terrified of the so-called “great” outdoors and everything in it, viewing Mother Nature less as a kindly woman in a flowing gown and more as someone who’s lurking just outside my front door, trying to kill me.

As a child, ventures into the back yard resulted in sunburn, frostbite and, once, an allergic reaction to wasps that sent me to the emergency room (where a misdiagnosis by Dr. Quack resulted in my being confined to bed for six months).

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

So it wasn’t until recently that I got up the nerve to take on Mother Nature again.

“Mom” had sent a flood of torrential rain onto my patio (see how she hates me?) and the underground sluice popped our hot tub up out of the ground. (One may argue that if we had fixed the tub’s leak, it would’ve been able to hold water, making it too heavy to pop — but this is inconsequential, really.) For months, I looked out my window at that big

ugly bathtub dangling pipes and watched as my patio stones fell into the gap one by one. Finally I grabbed a reciprocating saw, loudly buzz-sawed the tub to pieces and hauled it to the curb.

All that remained was the hole.

As a gift, my husband purchased a load of dirt (known as “sand” in South Florida) and had it dumped in the driveway. Sixty-five wheelbarrow loads later, I had the hole filled in. Ta-da! Safe, flat — and barren. Something would have to be done.

I considered flowers, but I had never planted flowers before. Indeed, I had never planted anything before. At my old house, when a coconut dropped out of one of our trees and landed on the front lawn, I approached it as if an alien ship had landed and — typical Earth being that I am — immediately hacked it to bits with a machete.

That’s the kind of relationship I had with flora. Yet, as I was saying, I was feeling courageous, so I went to the nearest garden center and loaded up on plants. I chose them by color — green for the back row, purple for the next row, orange for the next and yellow up front. I shoved them into the ground and poured some water on top. Done.

Mother Nature countered with a drought, forcing me to go outside every few days and sprinkle the withering little balls of green (I think they’re called marigolds) using a garden hose.

So here it is 30 days later and the marigolds are thriving! They’re going to live! And — they look pretty!

Bolstered by this success, I may trim the hedges next month.

Julia Roberts In ‘Duplicity’ Didn’t Ask What Audrey Would Do

Duplicity is a caper film that tries to be a modern version of either Charade or How to Steal a Million but unfortunately falls far short. It lacks the aura of fear so strong in Charade, not surprising since it has no villains who can match the ones in the older film, and Julia Roberts is never in danger. Unfortunately, she also lacks Audrey Hepburn’s charm... and Clive Owen is certainly no Cary Grant, nor even Peter O’Toole.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

member Pretty Woman fondly recall that even though she played a hooker in that film, we never saw Roberts in a sexual way without a bit of romance. That, of course, seems very outdated in our so-called sophisticated times.

Since the movie begins with her betraying Owens, it is not surprising that the one element involved throughout fits the movie’s title. Neither of the two leads really trusts the other, even to the end.

Audrey never slept with the men she was involved with until at least a proposal of marriage, which usually came at the end.

This movie begins with a seduction done so CIA operative Roberts can purloin secrets from MI6 agent Owens. Those of us who re-

As a result, what we have is a joyless caper film in which no one trusts anyone else and for very good reason. All the people involved seem to know is betrayal. One tycoon who leads a major conglomerate (Tom Wilkinson) has a secret product that rival mogul Paul Giamatti wants. We never see a major character, or even a minor one, who is not shady. Roberts is a counterintelligence pro working for both sides at the same time while collaborating with Owen in a plot to steal the secret for themselves. In older movies of this sort, there was always a magnetism between the stars, one built on anticipation. The protagonists were the good guys even if they were breaking the law.

There are many twists and turns, but the plot device of having flashbacks to explain what the audience has already seen is an obvious stylistic ploy and one that just does not work. After the first one or two, it is clear what the two leads are essentially planning, and since we already know the results, it gets a bit boring.

The film jumps from place to place giving the impression of speed and actual action. Jumping from Dubai to Rome to New York

Have You Tried To Buy Some Bullets Lately?

What is happening to our civilized county? Every day the headlines tell of something tragic that has happened in our own back yard. The headlines also tell us about the sad things happening in the rest of the country and the world. Just last week we had a 15-year-old gunned down in Belle Glade, right in front of his home. Another person was killed by gunshots in suburban West Palm Beach. A daughter kept her mother’s body in her home for the last six years. And these headlines are only the tip of the iceberg.

Are we going mad as a society? I left good old Brooklyn to raise my young family in a safe environment. Palm Beach County at that time seemed like the perfect place to live. (I still think it is as close as you can get to a perfect place to live in an imperfect world!)

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

to London back to New York, etc., does just about nothing for the plot but might help to convince the not very sharp that a lot is happening. The whole film could have been shot in any one of those cities without losing anything. In many ways, this is a very sad movie. There is no one to root for. The protagonists are looking to make a fortune by stealing an industrial secret. If they can’t love each other, why should we love them? We need stars again, performers who can make us care because they do. In How to Steal, Hepburn was robbing an art gallery in order to save her father, so audiences cheered her on. Anyway, if you have nothing at all better to do, you can go see Duplicity. Better yet, rent one of the old caper films for a enjoyable evening. Perhaps Julia and other actresses need a new aphorism: what would Audrey do?

And If So, Why?

problems so many other people must deal with. They are laughing all the way to the bank. Have you tried to buy bullets lately? Most are in short supply.

I wonder who, if anyone, sold the guns to the young man in Oakland who killed four cops who were just doing their job, trying to protect the citizens of Oakland. A fifth police officer was wounded. These brave heroes were laid to rest last week.

world’s policeman? Bring the troops home to protect our borders. I can’t understand why people still vacation in Mexico. I guess they like to live on the edge.

Gun sales are at record levels across the country. Is crime the reason why? Do folks want to protect themselves from the violence that appears to be sweeping this country? Some think the laws about gun ownership are going to change under President Obama, which might explain the rush to buy guns. Gun dealers are not suffering the economic

But New York City has now become one of the safest big cities in the country to live in, crime-wise. I have to ask how safe we are in South Florida. I would say not as safe as we were 20 years ago.

The Mexican government is blaming the lax gun laws in America for the surge in their murder rate along the border. The majority of the guns used in the drug war are apparently bought in the United States and then smuggled over the border. The violence from this so-called drug war is now starting to come over to our side of the border with Mexico. I have been asking for years (on my radio show, columns and to anyone who would listen to me), who elected the United States the

The $64,000 question is how to stop the violence going on across our country and the world. Many people have had ideas, but so far none of them are working. New York City may be the exception. When Rudy Giuliani was mayor, he had a simple idea: if the cops went after the petty crime, it would slow down the big crime. Guess what: he was correct. New York City discovered that in many cases the folks doing the petty crime were the same ones doing the major crimes. Getting these people off the streets helped lower the crime rate. To this day this approach is still working. We do live in a strange world, and I think now is the time to change it to a safer and better world for everyone.

Everglades Youth Conservation Camp

American Camping Association Accredited

Send Your Child for 5 Nights & 6 Days of Sleep-Away Camp. Boys & Girls Ages 8 -14

6 Fantastic Weeks of Camp Starting June 28

$325 - $420/Week

Environmental Education • Outdoor Adventure • Fishing • Hiking Archery • Canoeing • Swimming

Pine Jog Day Camp

9 Weeks of Full - Day Camp

June 8 - August 7 • 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks Provided Full Summer or Weekly Options

$25 - Registration Fee • $150 - $175/Week

Weekly Environmental Themes & Activities Low Student-to-Instructor Ratio

For More Information

Call 561-686-6600 or visit www.pinejog.fau.edu

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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 8 through Aug. 7. Extended care is available. For more information, call (561) 832-1776 or visit us at www.ArmoryArt.org.

Breakers West Summer Camp — Enjoy the summer of a lifetime! Breakers West Summer Camp offers something for everyone. Campers, ages 5-14, are invited to join the Breakers West counselors for instruction in golf, tennis and swimming, as well as tons of other exciting activities including baseball, basketball, soccer, arts and crafts, cooking classes, wildlife demonstrations, and so much more! Breakers West Summer Camp is available Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting June 8 through Aug. 14 (excluding June 29 - July 3). Weekly sessions are $275 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. Space is limited, so don’t wait to reserve your place at Breakers West Summer Camp 2009, where it’s fun for all and all for fun. For more information, or to register, call (561) 659-8466, extension 7765.

Building Up Sports Academy Inc. — We will be hosting nine sports camps in Royal Palm Beach and over 60 camps in Palm Beach County this summer. Our professional and well-trained staff will teach, entertain and keep campers moving with a variety of drills and games during camp. We offer fishing, baseball, cheerleading, soccer and much more! We teach sportsmanship and team-building skills as well as specific sport skills. We end the week with an awards ceremony. All campers receive a sports medal, T-shirt and daily snack and juice. We offer the Itty Bitty Camp for ages 4-6 and the All Star Camp for ages 7-12. For more info., call (561) 601-5248 or (561) 790-5124 to register. Foxtail Farm of Palm Beach County — Foxtail Farm offers horseback riding lessons, trails, horse health, horse anatomy, demos, arts and crafts, nature walks and outside sports. It is a breakthrough into the world of horses for pleasure, showing or pet. Sessions run June 8 - June 26, July 6 - July 24, and Aug. 3Aug. 14 for a total of eight weeks this summer. The camp was one of the first horse camps in Palm Beach County. The owner has been training, riding and competing for over 45 years. It offers children a balanced, correct and centered seat from the beginning. The cost is $275 per week with discounts for more than three weeks or more than one child per family. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no aftercare charge. For more info., call (561) 255-4037 or visit Patric5Mor@ aol.com.

Good Earth Farm — Good Earth Farm gives your child the opportunity to work with horses, ponies, minis, llamas and farm animals plus exotic birds. This summer we are bringing in alpacas to have more fun! Our day begins with English horseback riding lessons for beginners as well as advanced kids. Trainers are certified and can teach hunt, seat jumping and dressage, horse science and horse care. We also offer real painting and crafts, cooking in our kid-friendly kitchen, swimming with a certified lifeguard, and kayaking in our lake. We will do agility training with our llamas and alpacas, jumping them and teaching them tricks, and let’s not forget our collection of mini horses that love to be braided, groomed, glittered and decorated! For more info., call Nancy at (561) 792-2666.

Grassy Waters “Owl”rageous Summer Camp — Grassy Waters is centrally located on Jog Road, two miles north of Okeechobee Blvd. Four sessions are available, two weeks per session, June 8 through July 31. The cost is $285 per session ($295 for last session, which includes a Sea World trip) and $50 registration fee. Field trips include: Rapids, Wannado City, Miami Seaquarium, skating, Lion Country Safari, Sea World and more!

We use charter busses for all field trips. Call (561) 383-9030 or e-mail preddy@palmbeach.k12.fl.us for more information. Loxahatchee Country Preschool — The Loxahatchee Country Preschool has been here for 19 years and provides a safe environment with small ratios for our summer campers, which means our children are well supervised. Throughout the summer, our camp program offers arts and crafts, field trips (which our management team attends), swimming lessons in our swimming pool, Spanish lessons, movies, a bounce house, golf, bowling and more in-house activities. A free pizza lunch will be provided on Fridays. Our school provides a safe environment for our children, while providing an excellent educational program! In a letter sent to our school, the Kings Academy said, “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 affordable, fun-filled summer dance camps for kids age three and up throughout June, July and August. We have three great dance camps to choose from, including: special half-day “Mini Camps” for kids ages 3-6, full-day dance camps for ages 6-11 that follow a new theme each session, and dance intensives for the more serious dancer age 11 and up. Half-day and single-day rates are available during some of the camps. For more information, call (561) 792-9757 or visit www.movement artsdanceacademy.com.

Palm Beach Riding Academy — Palm Beach Riding Academy will be offering spring and summer camps for 2009. We are proud to offer a unique equestrian experience including riding lessons and instruction in horse care, as well as games for children. There will be trips to the horse show and polo grounds. We will also be able to offer adult sessions. The academy is located at the corner of Pierson Road and South Shore Blvd. Recently featured events have included the Palm Beach Steeplechase and the Palm Beach Jumper Derby. Times and dates to be announced to accommodate school schedules. For more info., Call Kate Turner at (561) 644-7179.

Pine Jog Environmental Education Center/Florida Atlantic University — Pine Jog offers parents several summer options. The Everglades Youth Conservation Camp provides week long, sleep-away sessions focusing on environmental education and outdoor adventures including archery, fishing, canoeing, swimming and hiking. The Pine Jog Summer Camp provides full-day/ all-summer or full-day/weekly options. Each week has a different environmental theme with outdoor exploration, nature crafts, recreation and more. All programs provide low child-to-instructor ratios, qualified staff and a safe environment for your child to engage in new experiences and learn more about our natural environment. For more information, call (561) 686-6600 or visit www.pinejog.fau.edu.

Ravenwood Riding Academy — Ravenwood has been located in Wellington for 20 years. Learn to ride at Camp Giddy-Up! Meet new friends and have fun all summer long learning about horses. The summer program consists of weekly sessions from June through August for children six years and up, with a focus on fun and an emphasis on safety. Lessons are offered daily with groups are limited to 10 to 12 campers per week and grouped by skill level. All riding equipment and safety stirrups are provided. The program features demonstrations with veterinarians, blacksmiths and equine dentists. Ravenwood is licensed and insured. Register today by calling (561) 793-4109 or visiting www. ravenwoodridingacademy.com. Hurry, sessions will fill up quickly.

Scuba Works Scuba Summer Camp — This summer, your child can spend a week with Scuba Works in Jupiter and earn a PADI Jr. Open Water Certification. Student divers will attend classes in Open Water SCUBA Diving and will work with an instructor for two days in the pool. As part of their training, students will dive four times in the ocean with an instructor. Successful candi-

dates will be certified as a Junior Open Water Diver through the world’s most recognized dive certification, the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI). Camp is Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost for the camp is $350 and is open to students 10 to 14 years of age. Call (561) 575-3483 for more info.

St. David’s Episcopal School — St. David’s provides a fun and educational summer experience. This year’s theme is “Camp Swampy” where we will learn about the creatures God created for life in the swamp. Each week will feature a different animal through games, songs, and arts and crafts. Sign up for two, three or five days, and choose our your own weeks. For students entering Kindergarten in the fall, Summer VPK is also available. Fall registration is also underway for two year olds (potty trained) through first grade. Stop by or call (561) 793-1272 for a tour. St. David’s is located at 465 W. Forest Hill Blvd. (northwest corner of Forest Hill and Wellington Trace).

Tae Kwona Drama — Tae Kwona Drama is an original summer camp bringing together Tae Kwon Do and acting. Located at Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do, our skilled instructors, sixth degree black belt Master Pope from Xtreme Tae Kwon Do and Juilliard-trained actor and teacher David Case, have created a great week of activities which playfully weaves the two disciplines. Campers will have a chance to learn the basics of acting and Tae Kwon Do while increasing their confidence and respect for both disciplines. Camp Tae Kwona Drama runs June 15-19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.TaeKwona Drama.com or call (561) 795-2823

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. Our ratios are small and our staff is dedicated and caring. We have 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. Ask about our summer youth program for elementary age children as well. We are located at 129 Sparrow Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 798-3737 for more info.

The Gymnastics Revolution — Gymnastics summer camp at The Gymnastics Revolution are fun-filled days of gymnastics games, fitness, movies, crafts, enrichment, field trips to the Rapids Water Park and much more. Your child will have lots of gymnastics from professional, certified gymnastics coaches. Come and enjoy our trampolines, 30-foot tumbletrak and real competition equipment. Weekly themes include Olympic Week, Winter in July, Hot Days of Summer, Mad Science, International Extravaganza, Cooking with Chef David (kids will cook actual food with a local chef from the Florida Culinary Institute), and more. Movies will be shown on our large screen TGR Cinema Wall. Karoake will never be the same with our Karoake stage and show. The week before school starts, parents are invited to see a show put on by the campers. Gymnastics camp is for boys and girls ages four to 14. Full days from from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with half days from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Half days are available for boys and girls ages three and up. You can register by the day or by the week. Camp runs June 5 through Aug. 14. Call (561) 848-4577 for more information or visit www. thegymnasticsrevolution.com.

The Open Doorway Inc. — The Open Doorway is a private school for children with autism, Asperger and related disorders. Since 2000, the school has been offering behavior intervention and a variety of other programs. Our summer camp focus is on academic and social programs. The camp is divided into five twoweek themes with a field trip. In the morning, academics are worked on; in the afternoon, the students are able to participate in fun, structured social activities. This summer’s focus is on Florida. Some of the field trips will include an FPL power plant, an Indian tribe and an alligator farm. For more info., call (561) 434-2788 or visit www.theopendoorway.com.

Breakers West Summer Camp 2009

Palm Beach Puppies Now Offers Grooming Service

Palm Beach Puppies, located in the Pointe at Wellington Green, isn’t your average pet store. In fact, this upscale puppy boutique look more like a high-end baby store featuring fabulous accessories — and now you can have your dog groomed there as well!

The puppies are presented in cribs, complete with side bumpers and mobiles. A beach theme is carried throughout the shop, with brightly colored murals on the walls and tiki huts under which customers can bond with the puppy of their choice.

In December 2008, Palm Beach Puppies merged with Fancy Pups, a well-established grooming salon in Lake Worth. The Wellington location is flourishing with the addition of Fancy Pups. The professionalism and expertise of groomer/owners Rhonda and Ken Fiore has evolved into a winning combination. The majority of their customers have followed them to their new location, and

many of the new puppy and dog owners from the Palm Beach Puppy clientele have signed on to enjoy the Fancy Pups service.

“The timing was truly perfect,” said Palm Beach Puppies owner Ryan Garson. “Rhonda and Ken wanted to get into a more ‘upscale’ locale and expand their business, and we were in desperate need of responsible and talented groomers to answer the tremendous demand from our customers. Rhonda and Ken are the best groomers in Palm Beach County. Every dog that they groom looks great, and their owners are always happy!”

With the edition of the grooming service, Palm Beach Puppies can now truly say, “we offer a complete array of services for your four-legged best friend!”

Palm Beach Puppies is located at 10240 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Pointe at Wellington Green. For more info., call (561) 4222220 or visit www.palmbeachpuppies.com.

Palm Beach Puppies owner Ryan Garson with groomer Rhonda Fiore.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Palm Beach Symphony’s Final Concert Of Season April 7

The Palm Beach Symphony’s final concert of the season will take place on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum (One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach).

Titled “Symphonic Music for a Spring Evening,” the program will consist of four fairly wellknown orchestral works: Carl Maria von Weber’s overture to the opera Oberon, Poem for Flute and Orchestra by the American impressionist composer Charles Tomlinson Griffes, the Romeo and Juliet Suite by Pyotr Il’ych Tchaikovsky and Antonín Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88.

Karen Dixon, the orchestra’s principal flutist, will be the featured soloist in the Griffes work, which will receive one of its rare performances. Ramón Tebar, the symphony’s resident conductor, will lead the orchestra in this program.

Poem dates from 1918, just as Griffes’s music was starting to attract widespread attention. It was inspired in part by Georges Barrère, then principal flutist with the New York Symphony Orchestra. Barrère gave the work’s premiere with the New York Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Walter Damrosch.

It is a happy coincidence that

the serious listener at this concert will also have the opportunity to enjoy an entire exhibit of American impressionist paintings by visiting the Society of Four Arts between now and April 15.

The exhibit, which is called “American Impressionism: Paintings from the Phillips Collection,” provides a fascinating introduction to the school of American impressionist painters just as the Griffes work offers the concertgoer an unusual chance to hear a landmark musical work from the school of American impressionist composers.

Ramón Tebar has chosen to devote the second half of the con-

cert to a reading of Antonin Dvorák’s Eighth Symphony. For Dvorák, the work represented a breakthrough of sorts. “Here I am a poet as well as a musician,” he told a friend. The near-rhapsodic unfolding of musical ideas and moods seemed to Dvorák to represent a new level of artistry as well as a more secure integration of the folk idioms of his native land into a coherent and uniquely personal musical voice.

For general information, call the symphony’s office at (561) 6552657 or via e-mail at palmbch symphony@bellsouth.net. For ticket information, call the box office at (561) 602-6720.

Maltz Concludes Emerging Artist Series With ‘Dani Girl’

As a part of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Emerging Artist Series in Musical Theater Playwriting, a reading of the musical Dani Girl, will be performed Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. on the theater’s stage. This reading, free and open to the public, was written by Michael Kooman with book and lyrics by Christopher Dimond. The theater’s Emerging Artist Series in Musical Theater Playwriting is made possible through a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fund at the Community Foundation for

Palm Beach and Martin Counties. This musical was selected among 48 nationwide submissions. A panel of five theater professionals unanimously chose Dani Girl for the final reading of the season.

Emerging Artist Committee members include Maltz Jupiter Theatre Associate Producer Rachel Blavatnik, Stuart News theater critic Hap Erstein, Broadway producer Rodger Hess, Maltz Jupiter Theatre Artistic Director Andrew Kato and former Burt Reynolds Institute for Theatre Training di-

rector Tom Sommerville.

The musical focuses on Dani, a precocious nine-year-old who finds herself face to face with a life-threatening disease. Together with her teddy bear, imaginary guardian angel, and socially awkward hospital roommate, Dani embarks on a magical quest to reclaim her health. As she traverses the realms of fantasy and reality, Dani discovers what it means to really live. Simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, Dani Girl is a tale of life in the face of death, hope in the face of despair, and

Inhouse Reunion Concert April 10

The Cuillo Centre for the Arts in West Palm Beach will present a one-night-only performance by Inhouse on Friday, April 10 at 8 p.m. on the main stage. Featured as part of the Cuillo Centre for the Arts’ first annual Spring Music Series, it will be the band’s first performance in a decade.

Fronted by twin sisters Gin and Evi Weintraub, along with Andy Stein, Phil Kalasz and Steve Williams, Inhouse was one of the most popular groups in Florida between 1992 and 1999.

“There have been talks in the band of the possibility of recording new material down the road, which will be available on iTunes,” Gin Weintraub said. “But for now, we are happy to recon-

nect with all of the friends and fans who have encouraged us to play the music that we love. We expect the energy in the room will be amazing.”

The vocal harmony and eclectic style of guitar rhythm won them a loyal following and a great reputation as a band to see and hear. The twins’ vocal talents have been described as “birds in flight, climbing and swooping and reuniting in the space of a few bars.”

Harmonies like this are, for the most part, out of reach for even the most seasoned singers and musicians, and something that seems effortless for the Weintraub twins.

Inhouse has shared billings with such diverse acts as Peter Framp-

ton, Pat Benatar, the Neville Brothers, Lilith Fair, Natalie Merchant, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, and Fleetwood Mac.

With three well-received albums under their belt — Five Wooden Chairs , The Beautiful Soup and Waking Juliet — Inhouse will surely impress and please both new and seasoned fans. CDs and T-shirts will be available for purchase in the Cuillo Centre for the Arts’ main lobby.

The Cuillo Centre for the Arts is located at 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (561) 835-9226 or visit the Cuillo Centre’s web site at www. cuillocentre.com.

the indomitable power of the human imagination.

Dani Girl has been through workshops at the Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices Festival, American Conservatory Theatre, the ASCAP/Disney Musical Theater workshop and CAP21. The reading was also recently awarded the KC/ACTF Musical Theatre Award. Writers Kooman and Dimond met while students at Carnegie Mellon University and are proud members of the Dramatists Guild and ASCAP.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is a

professional not-for-profit regional theater dedicated to the performing arts whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire the community. It is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and is located at 1001 East Indiantown Road, east of U.S. Highway 1 at A1A. For more information about the reading and the Emerging Artist Series in Musical Theater Playwriting, call (561) 575-2223 or visit online at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s web site at www.jupiter theatre.org.

Nickelback Ticket Deals Available This Weekend

Nickelback is coming to West Palm Beach’s Cruzan Amphitheatre on Saturday, April 25, and this weekend you can pick up festival lawn tickets for just $15. From 10 a.m. Friday, April 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday, April 5 festival lawn tickets will be available for $15. Reserved-seat tickets will be available for $75 and $45. In addition, there will be no service charge at Cruzan’s National City Box Office; the box office is open only on Friday and Saturday.

Nickelback’s tours have grossed in excess of $100 million thus far, and the band has sold more than 30 million al-

bums worldwide. Dark Horse is Nickelback’s first release since the immensely popular All the Right Reasons, released in 2005. In support of the album, the band has recently appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the American Music Awards. Tickets are available exclusively and only at www.livenation. com, by calling (877) 598-8698 (the toll-free Live Nation ticketing phone number) and at Cruzan’s National City Box Office. All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes as well as service and handling charges.

Ramón Tebar

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DRIVER WANTED - for Wellington Cab./Wellington Town Car. FT/PT Retirees Welcome. Call 333-0181

EXEPERIENCED SECRETARY — needed for busy Loxahatchee one person office. Must be able to multitask, work independently, have good written and verbal skills. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Quick Books. Payroll experience a plus. Mon. - Fri. approx. 30-35 hrs per week.Fax resume to 561-791-0442 or e-mail to JEMTRANS1@yahoo.com

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$2,500

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The only non-profit petting zoo in the area. — featuring parrots, mini horses, ponies, pony rides, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and Llamas and more and farm club. 561-7922666

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

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MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COM-

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HIGH QUALITY LAMINATE FLOORING — at affordable prices. Hardwood floors. No deposit until delivery. Contractors welcome. Western Communities resident. Family owned and Operated. Licensed and Insured. Se Habla Español 561-568-6099

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XTREME CONSTRUCTION LLC -

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BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior

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ANMAR CO. —James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-2488528

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A Personalized Lawn Care Service that you can afford. Call Dave for a free estimate 561-262-4623 or email dmtonkin@bellsouth.net Monarch Lawn Care

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COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident.

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ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING

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FORECLOSURE - 5 + Acres. Terrific Investment offered at $189K. Call Brett Balfara with Nautica Realty for this and other foreclosures in the Western Communities. 561714-9942

Periwinkle Place in Wellington just blocks from schools and shopping -- cottage style 2 bedroom/2 bath home Recently remodeled with faux painted walls, beadboard, glass-paned cupboards, top-of-theline appliances (fridge with water purifier, stacking washer/dryer, air/ heat, etc.), satellite TV hookup, lots of closet space, full size pantry. For info or to arrange a home tour, call Mark at (561) 722-6444.

4 BEDROOM, 2 BATH HOME - For rent, $1,900 per month. Available March 1st. For more information call (561) 385-3605 FULLY FURNISHED SINGLE FAMILY HOME ON PRIVATE CANAL LOT — Sparkling pool & lawn service included $2,200/month. Bob Faske with Illustrated Properties 561–346-6267

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

Gutters, downspouts, vinyl/aluminum siding, windows & doors, aluminum railing. Screen enclosures (Repaired & Replaced), carports, porches, and patios. Lic. U17189. P&M Siding Contractors. 561-7919777

ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 8630955

LODGES,LAKE FRONT,

HOMES - Land for sale in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. Serving, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and Hiawassee, Georgia. Great time to invest in your 2nd home. Pat Macey. 706-455-6294 cell RE/MAX AROUND THE MOUNTAINS ENOTAH REALTY. 1800-346-0455.