Town-Crier Newspaper April 30, 2010

WARM OUTSIDE, CHILI INSIDE

Wellington Pill Mill Crackdown Moves A Step Closer To Reality

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council moved closer to regulating pain management clinics on Tuesday, April 27 when it unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that will define, limit and set standards for such clinics and place a one-year moratorium on new pain clinics in the village.

Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board recommended the ordinance on April 7. However, the council chose to delete three recommended requirements for the clinics: that they can only supply three days worth of medication, that they cannot have a pharmacy on site and that they must take insurance.

“Our hope is that the [state] legislature will draft legislation governing these types of clinics that we will be able to follow in the next year,” Mayor Darell Bowen explained.

A bill to do just that is under consideration by the legislature this week.

Wellington Director of Growth Management Robert Basehart reported that there are several existing legitimate pain

to friends, family and colleagues alike. Page 4

clinics, including one urgent care center and one in the office buildings near Wellington Regional Medical Center.

Councilman Howard Coates wondered whether it is necessary to pass an ordinance regarding pain clinics and asked if it would be sufficient just to put a moratorium on them until the state legislature drafts clear-cut guidelines.

But Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said an ordinance is necessary to separate pain clinics from other medical establishments.

“Right now, our ordinances do not differentiate between one medical specialty and another,” he said. “The first thing this does is it defines what we mean by pain management clinics, so you can begin the regulatory process. In order to implement a moratorium, we have to pass an ordinance, and we have to have an identified definition of what we’re trying to regulate.”

Coates also was concerned that the village would prevent legitimate physicians from coming to the community.

“As I understand it, the moratorium would preclude any legitimate doctors from coming in and

setting up a pain management clinic over the next year,” he said, asking if there is a way for legitimate pain management physicians to come before the council to plead their case.

Kurtz said the ordinance would “eliminate the good with the bad,” but said the village wouldn’t be able to determine which physicians were good and which were bad until they were further regulated by the state.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore noted that state legislation could be signed into law soon.

“Before we go ahead with this, might we not want to see what that bill entails?” he asked. “And then if we’re satisfied with that, just create a moratorium based on that state legislation.” Kurtz said that the council could make changes on second reading. He also reminded council members that starting in December, a state-mandated prescription monitoring system would go into effect that will allow doctors and pharmacists to see all prescriptions issued to a patient.

“It is hoped that will go a long way in addressing this problem,”

See PAIN CLINCS, page 7

Of Premature Paint Jobs

By Ron Bukley

Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission granted “forgiveness” Tuesday to two painting projects that were started before the contractors drew permits.

U-Store It in the Royal Palm Business Park and Shoma Homes on State Road 7 south of Southern Blvd. were granted approval for painting jobs that were either complete or had started — but not without raising the ire of commission members.

Development Review Coordinator Kevin Erwin said U-Store It’s previous colors were white and dark blue, while the new colors are beige and dark tan. “We feel it is an improvement to the site,” Erwin said.

The painting job had been cited and reported to the Building Department by the Code Enforcement Department, he said.

Commissioner Tinu Peña asked representative Thomas Hankey with Accent Building Restoration why the painting was done without a permit, and he said his firm

was not aware that a permit is required for painting.

Commissioner Darrell Lange said penalties should be imposed on projects that start before the permit is pulled.

“A commercial contractor did it?” Lange asked. “I think there needs to be some type of penalty, three times the permit fee or five times the permit fee, and the contractor needs to be licensed. Other than that, I do think it is a big improvement.”

Erwin said penalties are imSee PAINT, page 18

Bidder Accused Of Bribery Puts Wellington Officials In

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

whether village staff knew if there had been an indictment, but Deputy Village

A Bind

Manager John Bonde said that they had no information on the formal charges, but they were aware that Czajkowski had been charged and was out on bond.

Coates, a lawyer, suggested they table the item until the council had all the information.

“I know that everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “But there’s a perception problem that I have with the village doing business with anyone who would have been charged with a crime in terms of what has been alleged here.”

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig disagreed and noted that the village’s bidding process was done legally and the company was qualified to bid. “We went through our

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Almost 100 Royal Palm Beach residents, mostly from northern neighborhoods near the village’s shuttered 165-acre wastewater treatment plant site, attended a workshop Wednesday on the site’s future use.

Mayor Matty Mattioli opened the workshop at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center by noting that the village is in an exploratory phase, examining options for the site. “No decisions will be made tonight,” he said. “It’s a long process. It’s not that complicated, but most importantly, those of you who wish to speak will have the opportunity.”

About 20 people spoke, mostly against suggested uses presented by consultant Collene Walter of Kilday Urban Design Studios. The site, dubbed the Crestwood Redevelopment Area, is on the northern border of the village. Kilday researched the site for future economic development that would provide high-paying jobs and a source of revenue for the village through property taxes and permit and impact fees.

“This property currently does not generate revenue for the village,” Walter said.

Walter’s firm also researched opportunities for a college or university, talking to Florida Atlantic and Lynn universities, and Palm Beach State College.

Market studies done by Goodkin Research found businesses were interested in locating in the western communities, Walter said. The firm found growth potential in life sciences, alternative energy and green technology, and healthcare.

She explained that the village has been cleaning up the property from when it was a wastewater treatment plant. “A lot of the percolation ponds have been filled and a lot of the buildings on the property have been removed,” Walter said.

A significant portion remains unspoiled and could be preserved as an upland and wetland preservation area. The western side of the property also could serve as a buffer to the residents of Saratoga to the west, she said. No endangered species have been identified on the property, although two abandoned gopher tortoise burrows had been found. Walter said some contamination from a former shooting range will have to be removed. Topsoil in overflow percolation ponds will be removed and used as berms, she said.

Traffic studies showed that with development, service standards would be met on all roads except Royal Palm Beach Blvd. between Okeechobee and Southern boulevards. Crestwood Blvd. would serve as access for initial phases, she said, emphasizing that no definite plans had been made.

The first step for making some use of the land would be to change the land-use designation to be an economic development center, which would allow for mixed uses.

Madison Green resident Joanne Dazio said she was concerned about the median on Crestwood Blvd., which is maintained by her homeowners’ association. Acting Village Manager Ray Liggins said negotiations are underway for the See PLANT, page 20

Principal Guarn Sims Leaving RPBHS After Two Years On The Job

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Royal Palm Beach High

School

Principal Guarn Sims announced last week that this year would be his last at his current post. He is leaving RPBHS to become principal at the Village Academy in Delray Beach.

Sims told the school staff of his decision Monday, April 19. He told the Town-Crier that he had intended to stay at RPBHS until he learned over spring break that the position had opened at Village Academy, a unique public school serving grades K-12.

“This is 100 percent my decision,” Sims said Wednesday. “I felt that it was a perfect match. I was really intrigued by this opportunity to have a direct impact on students at the elementary, middle and high school levels.”

Sims came to RPBHS in 2008 from Lantana Middle School. Before that, he was principal at Galaxy Elementary School in Boynton Beach.

Sims said that his time at RPBHS allowed him to be creative when it came to educating

groups of students. “I learned even more to appreciate not compromising my philosophy of students first,” he said. However, his time at the school was overshadowed by high-profile concerns leveled by Royal Palm Beach village officials over the school’s performance, boundaries and violence issues.

Councilman David Swift created a task force to review the situation at RPBHS last year. For Swift, Sims’ departure illustrates a larger problem for the high school. “There have been six principals in 13 years,” he said. “We don’t have a consistency of principals who follow through.” Yet Swift spoke very highly of Sims in comparison to others who have led the school.

“He was like a breath of fresh air,” he said. “The people I worked with thought he really could do something.” Sims feels the situation at RPBHS is looking up and will continue to head in the right direction under new leadership. Although he said he didn’t

ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF SPICES UP WEEKEND AT ACREAGE COMMUNITY PARK

The 2010 Acreage Music & Chili Cookoff took place Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25 at Acreage Community Park. The event featured WIRK 107.9 FM radio personalities, local singers, Nashville recording artists, vendors and of course, chili and salsa judging. New this year were carnival rides. For more info., visit www.acreagechilicookoff.com.

BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS

Julie King and Kat Lytle of J&K Sweet Treats.

Volunteers from Seminole Ridge High School.Singer Nichole Blake keeps the crowd entertained.

Landon Emmons tries the bungee jump ride.

Barney Neilson, Jim Chandler and Doug Reynolds offer salsa samples.

Chili Chick Ilissa Kennedy rides the mechanical bull while Erin Deneen, Lisa Mary Molina and Kara Misnik look on.

Aggregates Gets OK For Expanded Mining Operation

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission last week voted to allow Palm Beach Aggregates to expand its rock mining operation on land west of Loxahatchee.

Several dozen people, including leaders of environmental groups and neighbors, spoke against the application at a hearing Thursday, April 22.

Environmentalists complained that the mining operation pollutes the ecosystem, while neighbors argued that the blasting is disruptive. Some questioned the need for additional mining in light of the sluggish economy.

Sierra Club member Drew Martin, chairman of the Everglades Committee and a member of the Palm Beach County Soil & Water Conservation District, urged the commissioners to put the needs of the public over those of wealthy, connected property owners.

“I think today what we’re really going to see is what drives decisions — a wealthy applicant who can get their way because they have a lot of money, or is it going to be the public, the health of the public and the public’s concern,” Martin said. “You’ve heard some excellent arguments today

and intelligent arguments from the public, and I can’t imagine any intelligent person voting in favor of this rock mining expansion.”

Palm Beach Aggregates received approval to add 2,393.42 acres of land to its current 2,841.11 acres for a total of 5,234.53 acres, according to the county’s staff report. The original site was approved in September 1990 to allow mining of shell rock.

The existing 2,841.11 acres has an excavation plan that will continue through 2011. The 2,393acre excavation project will extend the operation until 2028, with some phases of the original approval lasting to 2036.

About 71 percent of the total area is proposed for excavation, which will create a total 3,706.12 acres of lake/retention area once complete. An existing 1,192-acre pit is now the L-8 Reservoir owned by the South Florida Water Management District.

To the north, northeast and west of the site are current sugar cane fields. To the south, across State Road 80 are additional lands owned by the SFWMD. The closest residential areas are the White Fences community to the east

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Lion Country Safari and the Sluggett property at the corner of Southern Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road both received approval for comprehensive plan changes last week.

At a Palm Beach County Commission transmittal hearing Wednesday, April 21, both projects got the green light for increased density. While the Lion Country project passed easily, the commissioners were divided over the Sluggett proposal.

Lion Country Safari is located on 637 acres on Lion Country Road, 1.7 miles north of Southern Blvd. It received approval for a comp plan change that would take it from the rural to the exurban tier, which would allow it increased underlying density from one home per 10 acres to one home per 2.5 acres on about 50 percent of the land that is undeveloped and not a part of the animal park.

Several residents spoke against the idea. Acreage activist Patricia Curry said the application by Lion Country was spawned by the failed Mecca Farms development that allowed increased density in the area.

“Eventually you have all the areas being developed in a manner that they shouldn’t be developed,” Curry said, adding that she thought that if Lion Country decides at some point in the future to not operate as a commercial recreation area, they should apply for a land use change at that point.

Joanne Davis, representing 1,000 Friends of Florida, said her group opposes the application, primarily because there is no justification or need for increased density in that location.

“We are advocates for keeping the community a little tighter and building where infrastructure already exists. Refortifying some of the older communities in the eastern suburban tier would be more appropriate,” Davis said, adding that she suspected the majority of commissioners were going to say yes to a property owner whose primary goal is to increase its land value for nothing in return.

However, Davis did say she thought county staff had done a good job clustering the development in a manner more desirable than the large-lot sprawl that exists in The Acreage. “This community could be a unique equestrian community and utilize the beautiful vegetation that’s there now,” she said.

Fox Trail resident Nancy Gribble objected, saying that Lion Country Safari Road would not be able to handle the increased traffic.

Commissioner Jess Santamaria pointed out that the undeveloped area has about 38 acres on the western portion that is a recorded conservation easement.

“We should make every effort to preserve the environmentally sensitive areas,” he said.

Commissioner Shelley Vana made a motion to approve the request, which was seconded by Commissioner Jeff Koons and

carried 6-1 with Commissioner Karen Marcus absent. Commission Chair Burt Aaronson noted that many of the concerns raised about the project were zoning, not land use, related. He promised that when it came time for zoning approval, changes would be made to satisfy the concerns of neighbors. In a 4-3 decision, the commissioners approved the Sluggett property application for a land use amendment that would remove conditions on the allowable commercial square footage. Previously, the development was limited to 161,500 square feet of commercial space with no single tenant more than 65,000 square feet. The current change will allow for an unspecified amount of additional square footage and also allow a so-called “big-box” store of about 100,000 square feet, probably a home improvement store, on the property.

Some people spoke in opposition, but Indian Trail Improvement District Supervisor Mike Erickson said his board heard a presentation about the developer’s plans and approved it. “I live in the suburbs, and I drive east every day,” Erickson said. “The more traffic we can capture out there will contribute to less traffic on the roads.” Erickson said a home improvement store would be a nice addition to the community. “Everybody on my board wants a Home Depot,” he said, adding that traffic would be dealt with in future discussions about zoning. “In my opinion, we need these services.” Agent Bob Bentz with Land Design South said the development also received approval from the Palms West Chamber of Commerce and the Acreage Landowners’ Association.

Marcus made a motion to support staff’s recommendation for denial, which was seconded by Santamaria, who pointed out that the property owners had not presented a potential home improvement store willing to locate there. “I want to see some proof that it is going to happen,” he said.

Bentz said the current question is a land use approval. “It would be four years before we get a shovel in the ground,” Bentz said, adding that the current approval is not sufficient for what is being requested. “A Publix is 60,000; Home Depot is 100,000,” he said. “We have no traffic approval. All we’re asking for is the plan to have potential, so we have some level of comfort with what we can do.”

Marcus pointed out that during the last approval process, Sluggett’s agents agreed to limit the square footage to 161,500.

Vana said she planned to support the increase. “There are people saying they support it,” Vana said. “I’m going to support the bigger number because I think it makes sense where it is.”

The motion to deny failed 5-2, with commissioners Marcus and Santamaria in the minority. Vana made a motion to approve the request for transmittal, which was seconded by Commissioner Steven Abrams. That motion carried 4-3 with Koons, Santamaria and Marcus dissenting.

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OUR OPINION

Rest In Peace: We’re All Better For Having Known David Farber

When the Town-Crier published its annual New Year’s Wish List for 2010, the wish for Royal Palm Beach Village Manager David Farber read, “The money to keep his tax rate streak alive,” a reference to the continual tax rate decrease he oversaw each year during his 15-year tenure. Sadly, it would be the last time we had the opportunity to wish anything for Farber, who passed away April 16 after a two-month illness.

Given the current economic doldrums, most municipal governments look at their situation as having to make lemonade out of lemons. When Farber arrived in Royal Palm Beach a decade and a half ago, the economy wasn’t as bad as it is now, yet the village was far from the well-organized operation it is today. As Councilman David Swift told the Town-Crier last week, “We were really robbing Peter to pay Paul. We were really a mess, and Dave turned that all the way around.” Despite the hand he was dealt, Farber forged ahead, not content with making lemonade out of lemons. Rather than letting fiscal constraints box him in, Farber stepped outside of the box to find solutions.

From selling a financially crippling water utility to the county for a handsome profit or merging small fire and police departments with their much larger county counterparts to improve public safety while also cutting costs, it was just part of Farber’s larger overall vision for Royal Palm Beach. A staunch parks advocate, he oversaw the construction of many new parks and the renovation of old ones during his time as manager, not to mention numerous beautification projects throughout the village. And although the past several

Anne Gerwig

Thanks Voters

Thank you to the voters of Wellington for electing me to represent you on the Wellington Village Council. This is an exciting time to be involved in our local government. I would really like to thank my family for their support and confidence in me, along with my fabulous friends who were willing to work hard for my campaign.

I look forward to working with the council, the village manager and the residents. This community is a great place to live, work and play because of our best resource, our residents. Please continue to stay involved and contact me with any concerns or ideas that will benefit us. When we work together, we can all accomplish greater things!

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig Wellington Get Rid Of

The Hills!

Twenty years ago my wife and I bought our house on Sandpiper Avenue overlooking the Royal Palm Beach golf course. I had a pretty view of the third tee, and this view was one of the reasons I bought the house. Sadly the village’s golf course was later leased or sold to a private operator who later went bust. It has been overgrown for the last few years. Eventually the village became the owner again, and a plan was developed for a new park that is now being constructed, complete with lakes and a smaller nine-hole course. I should be pleased, but you might say a problem suddenly cropped up that really caught me by surprise. Never in my wildest imagination did I think the bulldozers were making giant hills. I thought they were piling up the dirt from the lakes they were digging. I thought the village would sell the dirt to pay for the park. I remember reading that in the paper. Silly me — they were building a golf course.

I met with Mr. Chris Marsh, the project manager for the park. He was very kind to come by my house to show me the plans and listen to me and my nearest neighbor complain. He assured us the park will be beautiful and that the golf course design was unique. I suspect the neighbors living on the far side with the lake will enjoy the view. Lakes will line their yards and our hills will rise in the distance forming a wonderful background. However, I told him I will never experience the beauty of the park because all I can see is the ugly 34-foot-high hill that was constructed right off my backyard lot line that blocks my view of everything in every direction except the sky above. These ugly hills line the backyards of every

Legion Auxiliary To Visit The VA

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 Royal Palm Beach will meet on Monday, May 3 at 11 a.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves).

house along Meadowlark to Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

These unbelievably large hills supposedly make it possible for people to play over and around each other when playing golf in a limited space. Whatever the reason, these large hills are a bad idea. They are an eyesore and serve only to provide an attractive nuisance for the kids on bicycles who must think the city has built them a BMX track. Am I the only person who feels hills this high do not belong in South Florida? I understand there is not enough money to finish the golf course at this time. Before that money is allocated, I ask my village leaders to reconsider the golf course plans and remove these hills and restore the area to a Florida typical park on behalf of the community, and not make it some oddity for golfers. If not, perhaps someone on the village council who really likes the hills would like to make me an offer on my house. Something tells me the value of my property just dropped — but there is an excellent view of the hill which is very unique in South Florida. I hear it might also rank as the highest land elevation south of Tallahassee.

Joseph Hosick Royal Palm Beach

‘Not Dangerous’ Is Not Correct

In last week’s article “Experts: Water Studies Do Not Show Cancer Cluster Cause,” it stated that I said that radium and radon were found in well waters “not at dangerous levels.” This is incorrect. I stated that in 22 percent of the wells (17 out of 77 or one out of five), Radium-226 was higher to much higher (6 to 20+ pico Curies per Liter) than the EPA-designated maximum (5 pCi/L) allowable before remediation was required. The “not at dangerous” levels may have come from my discussion of radium level in water after passing through wellmaintained filtering/softening systems.

The bottom line is that about 22 percent of the shallow (35- to 50foot) wells for which I was provided data have significantly elevated levels of naturally occurring radium and that a geological study should be undertaken in order to delineate the best aquifers for all of us in the central western communities.

As radium is strongly linked to bone cancer and as its daughter nuclide, radon, is a lung cancer causing agent, we need to minimize our exposure to these when known and when possible.

I thank you for allowing this correction to be brought forward to my neighbors.

Dr. Bill Louda Loxahatchee Groves

years have seen an influx of new businesses coming to the village, they were mostly relegated to the outer corridor, away from the village’s parks system and central residential areas. It’s vintage Farber — Royal Palm Beach benefits from additional tax dollars brought in by new business while preserving the aesthetics of the village’s core.

On a personal level, the Town-Crier always found Farber a pleasure to deal with. Whether it was a quick phone call or a face-to-face meeting, his gregarious nature and desire to explain village business certainly made our job easier. That was the prevailing sentiment among council members as well, especially former Mayor David Lodwick, who spent more than a decade working alongside Farber. Anyone who ever attended one of the council’s annual performance reviews of Farber can attest to the admiration and respect emanating from the dais.

No doubt those will be some big shoes to fill, and it’s probably unfair to expect anyone to step in where Farber left off. Still, we hope the council can find someone with those same leadership qualities and sincerity of spirit. David Farber was able to look at the village not as an inanimate object, but as something of an adopted child. In the end, that’s what set him apart from the average administrator — his deep-seated love for the community he served.

We can only hope that if Farber is up there looking down over Royal Palm Beach, he will continue to like what he sees. We’ll miss you, Dave!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Greed Will Be Our Downfall

The refrain used to be “the rich and the poor” (the aristocracy and the peasants), and so we left Europe in droves to seek political, religious and yes, economic freedom! We abhorred titles such as kings, queens, lords and masters, only we replaced them with more insidious titles such as CEOs, board members and lobbyists (retired military and congressional leaders).

Perhaps it was better in the olden days. After all, some kings were beneficent, and their domiciles consisted only of winter and summer palaces. Today the dwellings of our “legal loophole” leaders reside on all of our premier waterfront properties by the sea and inland. They permeate our ski resorts, and when that is insufficient, foreign shores beckon them! Some even go out west, where the buffalo used to roam.

The new dawn is the old dawn, and the middle class has shrunken not unlike a desert spring in the summer. We have fallen for their tunes, hook, line and sinker. The words liberal and conservative have become mal-mots, and our news is but editorial. We have learned to despise fellow Americans because they are from a different party, even though we agree on most issues.

The Dems have finally figured out how to get into power by politicking against someone not running (Bush) and by cozying up to big business (learning from Republicans).

All this has given us a “new aristocracy,” and the good ol’ days are here again! Woe onto us as India and China surge forward while we sink into a morass initiated, sponsored and perpetuated by our greed. We have met the enemy and the enemy is us. Neither Communism, Fascism or militant extremists could defeat us, but greed has.

History doth repeat itself. There is no king with his hands in my pocket, instead there are so many hands, I cannot distinguish mine from that of others.

George Unger

Wellington

Inland Port Needs A Free Enterprise Zone

Residents of Palm Beach County are saddled with the burden of supporting the failed communities of South Bay, Pahokee and Belle Glade.

I recently asked to speak to the local officials of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay. On Wednesday, April 21, I presented a proposal to the Tri-City Coalition that would require Florida State Senators [Dave] Aronberg and [Larce-

NEWS BRIEFS

The members will be car-pooling to the VA Medical Center in Riviera Beach for a tour of the facility. The tour will be conducted by Ed McKeon, the American Legion service officer assigned to the medical center. While there, members will visit the Fisher House, the nursing home unit and the main medical building to learn about the services offered through each facility. The members will have lunch at the VA cafeteria and shop at the gift store before returning home. Contact Unit President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875 for more information about this meeting.

SR 7 Extension Meeting May 5

nia] Bullard to sponsor a bill in the Florida Legislature to create a free enterprise zone in their area. The plan would certainly create thousands of jobs, one job at a time, and lift the burden of support from Palm Beach County taxpayers.

The Glades has more than 40 percent unemployed, high crime and most of the services are supplied by the county. The 120 acres owned by South Bay is a perfect location for a free enterprise zone and could tip the scales in favor of the Glades for the inland port.

It was my impression that the reception by the tri-city officials was polite but cool. They certainly did not allow me sufficient time to scratch the surface of the proposal. Now is not the time for more talk, now is the time to take action.

The preamble for the proposed free enterprise zone sets forth its purpose, which is to stimulate business and industrial growth in the depressed areas of the state by relaxing regulatory controls that impede private investment, provide government grants, remove taxes from public utilities bills, energy credits and suspend the application of Florida’s sales tax for all goods produced in the enterprise zone. By creating employee-owned enterprises, residents will not only have permanent private sector jobs, but will have an investment in the economic success of the area.

Unfortunately, more needs to be done to end the cycle of poverty, illegal drug dealings and random killings. While County Commissioner Jess Santamaria has allocated county taxpayer money to infrastructure, he has not seen one private sector job created through his efforts. The latest idea of playing classical music in the streets to stop crime is not unique. It was tried nine years ago in West Palm Beach. Gangs destroyed the speakers. The music ended, but the crime continued.

Support the free enterprise zone.

Frank Morelli Wellington

Thanks For Making Flavors A Success!

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce Flavors 2010 was a smashing success. Our event attracted more than 500 village residents! We wish to thank our host venue, our vendors, our sponsors and our residents for this success.

Flavors of Wellington brings together the best of the best Wellington Chamber restaurants, catering venues, wholesale and gourmet markets, as well as country clubs who showcase

The Florida Department of Transportation is planning a workshop on a proposal to continue the State Road 7 extension to Northlake Blvd. on Wednesday, May 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at 151 Civic Center Way. Department representatives will be on hand to discuss the project and answer questions. Written comments will also be accepted during the workshop. For more info., call DOT Project Manager Beatriz Caicedo-Maddison at (954) 777-4336 or e-mail beatriz. caicedo@dot.state.fl.us. Visit www.sr7extension.com for additional information.

their businesses, products, menus and exceptional service staff. This event could not happen without their participation, and we are so grateful to each of them for joining us that Friday evening.

Each year our attendees enjoy an evening of dining and dancing to the Music Masters International 20-piece stage band. We literally receive calls five months in advance each year with people hoping to see the Music Masters. Their unique music makes this event unlike any other.

Congratulations to our winners of the evening: Kontiki, “Best Taste”; Binks Forest Golf Club, “Best Plate Presentation”; A Piece of Cake by Elena, “Best Display”; and the White Horse Tavern, “Best Dessert”; and all our fantastic showcase vendors: A Piece of Cake By Elena, Binks Forest Golf Club, Buca di Beppo, Christy’s New York Cheesecake, Costco Wholesale, Elegant Swirls, Foster’s Grille, I’m Greek Today, Jason’s Deli, Kontiki, Moe’s Southwest Grill, PyroGrill, Rita’s Italian Ice, Romeo’s Italian Restaurant, Sushi Yama Siam, Tree’s Wings & Ribs, Verve Vemma, Westside Bagels Too, White Horse Tavern and Whole Foods Market. If you have not visited any of these establishments in the past, please make it a point to stop in and try them out! Each one offers a unique flair, and why go anywhere else when we have so many exceptional choices right here? Plus, you will be supporting our local economy!

The event staff at Equestrian Sport Productions is nothing less than superb. Without the exceptional generosity of the Bellissimos and the logistical expertise of Susanne Russell and her exemplary event staff, this event would not have been possible. This group of consummate professionals allowed this evening to happen without fail, and our gratitude to them is beyond measure.

We could not be a success without our sponsors and host committee. Our deepest gratitude goes out to Mark Bellissimo, Michael Stone, Elizabeth Hedley and Susanne Russell of Equestrian Sport Productions; Don Kiselewski and Carmine Priore III of FPL, our Platinum Sponsor; our Valet Sponsors Jonathan Porges of Donald K. Porges CPA and the Law Offices of Alec L. Domb, P.A.; and our Silver Sponsors Ultra Cleaners and Floridian Community Bank.

Our exceptional chairmen for the event were Alec L. Domb Esq. and John Mercer. The host committee included chamber ambassadors Mark Bozicevic, Steve Vlahakis, Bob Wolff, Bob Salerno, Jonathan Porges, Jeremy Slusher, Darlene Curti and Denise Carpenter, and especially Susan Turturici, who works hand in

In last week’s article “Local Musicians Sound Off At The Monthly Acreage Community Jam,” singer Nichole Blake was misidentified in a photograph. The Town-Crier regrets whatever confusion this might have caused. hand with our vendors each year. Special thanks to our incredible board of directors who supported the outstanding sales for this event: Bill Tavernise, Diana Tashman, Mike Nelson, Darell Bowen, Nan Martin, Priscilla Thomasevich, Victor Connor, Dean Turney, Michael Stone, John Wash, Todd Higley, Cheri Pavlik, Marc Wiskoff and of course, Alec Domb! Thank you to our VIP table sponsors: A World Realty, Alan Gerwig & Associates, Anne Desormier-Cartwright, Bill and Andrea Tavernise, Creative Marketing Products, Donald K. Porges CPA, Equestrian Sport Productions, Floridian Community Bank, FPL, Hedrick Brothers Construction, Lake Wellington Professional Centre, the Law Offices of Alec L. Domb, Mike Nelson and Kathy Foster, Nan E. Martin, Equine Sales and Training and Snaffle Bit Farm, Phelps Media Group, Prescriptions Plus, Raymond James Financial Services, the Connor Financial Group, Riverside Bank, Shields Technology, Ultra Cleaners, the Village of Wellington and the Wellington Cancer Research Unit of the Papanicolaou Corps. Celebrity judges were Roxanne Stein of WPTV NewsChannel 5, Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen, Carmine Priore III of FPL, Michael Stone of Equestrian Sport Productions, Cindy Bovay, Lieutenant Col. Allen West and Miss Florida Gold Coast Outstanding Teen Aubrey West. The Wellington Chamber also wishes to thank the Town-Crier and Village of Wellington for their support in the promotion of Flavors. With their consideration, many, many residents learned of our event and attended as a result of their efforts. Last but not least, we want to thank the Wellington residents and Wellington Chamber of Commerce members who support this event each year. You make it a pleasure hosting Flavors, and with your participation, we can only grow this event each year and make it the “signature tasting event” in Wellington! For more information about the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and upcoming chamber events, please call (561) 7926525.

Michela Perillo-Green, Executive Director Wellington Chamber of Commerce

For The Record

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090 ; or you can e-mail them to letters@ goTownCrier.com

OFFICERS TAKE OATH AT ANNUAL PALMS WEST CHAMBER INSTALLATION GALA

Frank and Herta Suess.

Pat Gleason and West Palm Beach City Commissioner Kim Mitchell.

Kevin DiLallo presents a plaque of appreciation to Anita Foster.

Nancy Marshall, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel and Marina Pesquera.

Incoming Chairman Carmine Priore III is sworn in by his father, Wellington Mayor Pro Tempore Dr. Carmine Priore.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

New chamber board members are sworn in.

Outgoing president Kevin DiLallo is recognized: (L-R) Carmine Priore III, Dr. Amos Dare, DiLallo, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria and Dennis Witkowski.

Dennis and Maureen Witkowski.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Arrests Made For Armed Burglaries In The Acreage

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

APRIL 21 — An Acreage man was arrested last Wednesday morning for the armed burglary of a home on 93rd Road North. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, at approximately 11:36 a.m., a neighbor was driving by the victim’s home and saw a blue ATV in the driveway that didn’t belong to the victim. The neighbor called the victim at work, who told him to check the home. While checking the victim’s home, the neighbor observed 33-year-old Wilfredo Perez on the back porch crouched over the victim’s gun safe with three guns laying on the floor beside him. According to the report, when confronted by the neighbor, Perez said that someone had given him the safe; he then walked inside the victim’s home. The neighbor left to call 911, and then followed Perez to his home on Banyan Blvd. after he fled. A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation arrived at Perez’s home and found Perez hiding in the master bathroom with the victim’s jewelry in the garbage can. The deputy also recovered a cell phone, a Play Station 3, $300 cash, a rifle and a shotgun. The stolen items were valued at approximately $6,150. According to the report, Perez said he committed the burglary with a second suspect. Perez was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where he was charged with armed burglary and grand theft. At the time of the report, attempts were being made to locate the second suspect.

APRIL 21 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested last Wednesday evening for carrying a concealed weapon after a traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach’s Crossroads Plaza. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was in an unmarked car at a gas station in the plaza when he observed a Jeep driven by 21-year-old Lorenzo Araujo speeding through the parking lot. The deputy followed Araujo and observed that his license plate was improperly displayed, that the vehicle had no rear-view mirror and that it had a broken taillight. He observed Araujo run a stop sign and initiated a traffic stop. The deputy requested Araujo’s information, and when Araujo opened the center console, the deputy noticed the butt of a gun inside the console. According to the report, Araujo closed the console and began walking away from the vehicle. He was detained, and an investigation of the vehicle found he was in possession of a loaded .45 caliber Taurus semiautomatic pistol that was reported stolen in 2006. Araujo was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

APRIL 21 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested on shoplifting charges last Wednesday after he was caught trying to steal items from the Solstice sunglass store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation responded to the store after a store employee observed 20-year-old Richard Workinger III conceal black Gucci sunglasses in his rear pocket and exit the store. According to the report, the employee called mall security, which followed

Workinger to his friend’s vehicle. The sunglasses were valued at $295. Workinger was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with theft.

APRIL 22 — A resident of 74th Street North called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation last Thursday morning to report a burglary in progress. According to a PBSO report, the victim’s neighbor observed a maroon Cadillac parked behind the victim’s home and saw three male suspects enter the home and load items into the car. The suspects left before deputies arrived, but they were able to intercept the suspects and conduct a traffic stop. Deputies made contact with 21-year-old Michael Salmeron and 18-year-old Jesus Batista-Torres, both of Lake Worth, and a juvenile. The victim’s stolen property, valued at approximately $5,600, was found inside the vehicle. Deputies also discovered a loaded pistol on the floorboard between the driver and front passenger seat, which was reported stolen in a burglary earlier this month. Salmeron and Batista-Torres were arrested and taken to the county jail where they were charged with armed burglary and grand theft.

APRIL 22 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home in Sugar Pond Manor last Thursday morning regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. last Wednesday and 7 a.m. the following morning, someone stole the victim’s 2005 white Ford F-450 from his driveway. There were no signs of forced entry and a canvass was conducted without results. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

APRIL 23 — A resident of Bedford Mews called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Friday to report a burglary. According to a PBSO report, a neighbor reported that last Wednesday and Thursday, unknown suspects had entered the victim’s home. The suspects used a large garbage can to jump over the back fence, then pried the lock on the sliding glass door to gain access to the home. According to the report, an unknown amount of jewelry was taken, but other valuable items were left behind. The victim was out of town at the time of the burglary. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

APRIL 23 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested on shoplifting charges last Friday after he was caught trying to steal items from the Nordstrom department store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation responded to the store after 29-year-old Benetto Fortune was caught stealing a pair of Rayban sunglasses and a David Donahue tie. The stolen items were valued at approximately $234. Fortune was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with theft.

APRIL 25 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home on Norris Road last Sunday morning in regard to a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim discovered she was missing jewelry and pills from a kitchen cabinet. The victim checked the home and discovered several win-

See BLOTTER, page 20

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Zachariah Chapman is a white male, 5’8” tall and weighing 135 lbs., with blond hair and blue eyes. He has a scar on his shoulder. His date of birth is 07/31/73. Chapman is wanted for possession of a Schedule IV substance (two counts). His occupation is surveyor. His last known address was Granada Street in Royal Palm Beach. Chapman is wanted as of 04/29/ 10. • Cardaryll Davis is a black male, 5’5” tall and weighing 135 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his right arm. His date of birth is 07/30/89. Davis is wanted for failure to appear on charges of dealing in stolen property and petit theft. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was La Mancha Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Davis is wanted as of 04/29/10. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc.com.

Zachariah Chapman

Cardaryll Davis

Wellington Seeks Volunteers For ‘Hurricane Helpers’ Program

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Village of Wellington has launched its Hurricane Helpers program to match volunteers with residents who need assistance before and after a storm.

This will be the second year for the program, which pairs residents in need with volunteers to help with everything from putting up shutters to checking on them after a storm, Community Programs Director Ivy Fivey said.

“The purpose is to match residents who have a need with volunteers who live in their neighbor-

hood, so that in post-disaster recovery, someone is right there who can communicate with them and help them,” Fivey said. The program is run through the village’s emergency management department, but residents wishing to sign up for help or to volunteer can contact the Safe Neighborhoods office at (561) 791-4796.

“Because Safe Neighborhoods is so out there in the community with our neighborhood advocates, who know the people, we’re having residents call that office,” Fivey said. “They’re keeping track

of all the volunteers and the people requesting help.”

Residents must register by June 1 and provide their full name, address, phone number, the neighborhood they live in and the type of assistance requested.

In the event that a power failure prevents phone service after a storm, volunteers can check on any neighbor in need of assistance, Fivey said. If no volunteers are available, the Safe Neighborhoods office will make phone calls when phones begin working, or visit registered residents as soon as the roads are clear.

Although the program is for anyone who needs help, Fivey said senior citizens in particular could benefit from the program.

“It’s a very good program for seniors who may need some assistance putting up shutters before a hurricane or storm,” she said. “Or they may need help with general planning, hurricane preparation and even grocery shopping before a storm.”

The village has partnered with the Wellington Radio Club to connect ham radio operators to the village’s emergency operations center during and after a

storm, Fivey said. The village is seeking ham radio operators in Wellington neighborhoods to help communicate with the village.

“That way, if cell phones and land lines aren’t working, we can have one operator in each neighborhood who can report in to us and can actually walk around the neighborhood to the homes and find out what’s going on,” Fivey said. “We will have the Wellington Radio Club liaison in our Emergency Operations Center with us so he can communicate to all of his ham operators dis-

persed in the neighborhoods. We already have a pretty good start with that. We just need to link the operators with the volunteers and the volunteers with people in need.”

The village hopes volunteers will come forward for all types of assistance and help the program have another successful year, Fivey said.

“It’s only as good as our volunteers make it, so the more volunteers who sign up in the various neighborhoods, the more comprehensive it will be,” she said.

Wellington Man To Direct County’s New Commission On Ethics

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson said last week that strong progress is being made on the implementation of a grand jury’s recommendations to combat corruption in Palm Beach County.

Johnson, a Wellington resident who serves as senior counsel for the Public Integrity Unit of the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, spoke at a forum hosted by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria on Wednesday, April 21.

The forum took place just days before Johnson was thrust into a far more highprofile role in the fight against public corruption.

On Saturday, April 24, Johnson was named executive director of the newly created Palm Beach County Inspector General’s Office. In that role, he will serve as the chief administrator for the newly

Pain Clinics Wellington Regulations

continued from page 1

Kurtz said. “Or at least it will eliminate deniability that the physicians who misuse their licenses have right now.”

Village Manager Paul Schofield suggested that council vote on the ordinance and move its second reading to the second meeting in May rather than the first, so the council will know what the state legislature does. “The first reading does not commit you to adoption,” he said. “That will give you an opportunity to make any modifications at the time.”

Coates asked whether the village received feedback from any local hospitals.

Basehart said the village sent notices

formed Commission on Ethics.

“The state of ethics in Palm Beach County is good,” Johnson said at the forum, referring to the Palm Beach County Grand Jury Winter Term status report regarding public corruption issues published April 9.

The grand jury found that the county has made great strides in the past year reversing the erosion of public trust in local government.

The updated report made several recommendations for further reforms, which included goals for transparency, ethics and the development of effective governmental oversight. The county has done a good job in moving quickly to execute those goals, the report concluded.

“It’s basically a report card on the grand jury recommendations of 2009,” Johnson said, adding that Santamaria and other commissioners quickly enacted a Com-

to the three existing clinics as well as the hospital when the ordinance was recommended by the PZA Board. He said that Eric Olsen, chief operating officer at Wellington Regional Medical Center, said the hospital might have some concerns and is reviewing the issue.

Bowen was concerned that if the village doesn’t take action, Wellington would be one of the few remaining areas where pain clinics can freely operate.

“The fact of the matter is we have to move along on this because we can’t take the risk of being one of the few municipalities left in the county that they can come and open pain clinics,” he said. “We could end up being the haven for them if we don’t move along with this thing.”

Coates made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance, which passed unanimously.

mission on Ethics and created the inspector general’s office in the wake of indictments of several public officials and business leaders.

Johnson pointed out that Palm Beach County achieved in several months what took Miami-Dade County several years to do in creating an ethics commission and inspector general’s position.

“They are to be congratulated,” Johnson said. “It’s a source of pride with regard to what we can accomplish in government for the people in terms of making us all secure and making our political environment ethical.”

Palm Beach County residents will vote in November whether to amend the charter to create the Commission on Ethics, the Inspector General’s Office and the Code of Ethics.

The home rule amendment of 2008 also requires a majority vote of municipal residents and other taxing entities to come under the jurisdiction of the commission and inspector general. “Right now, with all the good work of the county commission and the county administration, these ordinances only apply to the county in terms of county vendors and county government.” Johnson said.

The existing ordinances and proposed amendments include revenue-producing county entities such as the Airport and Solid Waste authorities, but not municipalities, Johnson said. “It doesn’t apply to Wellington, it doesn’t apply to Royal Palm Beach, it doesn’t apply to Greenacres,” he said. “That’s the public’s job in November. These items will be on the ballot. It’s the public’s job in each municipality to vote these ordinances into your own local home rule jurisdictions.”

The county commission has nothing to do with the selection of the inspector general or its executive director, Johnson said.

The Commission on Ethics sits in fouryear, staggered terms. Current members are former U.S. Attorney Bruce Reinhart, retired Judge Edward Rodgers, attorney Manuel Farach, former Internal Revenue Service forensic accountant Rob Harbison and Florida Atlantic University ethics professor Robin Fiore. Johnson described Rodgers, the chairman, as an icon and legend in the community. “You need to have people on the commission who are looked up to and impeccable in their ethics,” he said.

The Commission on Ethics will also select the inspector general, Johnson said.

“The interviews are on May 4 and 5,” Johnson told the Town-Crier on Wednesday. “They selected me on the same day as the interviews, so I would anticipate the selection process will be on the fifth, but they can always reconvene. There is no time limit.”

The ethics commission will start with a small staff and a small budget, which Johnson said likely will grow. The executive director and inspector general will be the “nuts and bolts” of the Commission on Ethics, but the key to the effectiveness of the commission will be outreach and proactiveness, he said.

“There should be an ethics awareness week where you go out into the schools,” he said, “maybe even a scholarship fund and an essay contest. These are the kind of things that will get the community involved.”

Johnson said there is still much work remaining to be done, including the enactment of state statutes. He said State Attorney Michael McAuliffe is pursuing that in Tallahassee, but the efforts are being met with some resistance. “Politicians as a rule do not like watchdogs watching them,” Johnson said.

The grand jury has reviewed and sup-

Alan Johnson

ported several bills pending this legislative session, including Offenses Committed Under Color of Law (SB 734/HB 489), Substantial Assistance (SB874/HB 615) and Violations of County Ordinances (SB 1980/HB 1301). Also, a bill called the Restoring Faith in Public Office Act, drafted by McAuliffe and State Attorney Mike Satz of the 17th Judicial Circuit, would amend Florida Statute 838.022 to capture corruption currently addressed in part by the federal Honest Services law. Three county commissioners were prosecuted by the federal government under the Honest Services law.

“There are politicians that are on board and pushing these bills, but sadly, some of them, some of the good ones, are not being taken seriously up in Tallahassee,” Johnson said.

LOTS OF OUTDOOR FAMILY FUN AT DISCOVERY KEY’S ANNUAL SPRING CARNIVAL

10th annual Sweet Corn

a bountiful supply of the world’s

took place Sunday, April 25 in Yesteryear

corn and other delicious food,

were

and

including the old-fashioned swimsuit contest, corn-shucking contests and a professional corn-eating contest.

Dr. David Simon with the staff from his office.

Lori and Kevin Sedore of Digital DJ.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

“Pirate” Dr. Larry Kawa entertains the kids. Shannon Jones makes a new friend.

Jeweler Suzanne Alvarez chats with Paula Fishman about jewelry.

Gianluca Gray and his dad Luke play some golf.

Anna Pearson in the dunk tank.

Swimsuit competitors Judy Loftus, Becky Kobussen, first-place winner Laura Burgess and Becki Powell.

Hannah and Holly Moritz won in their respective age groups.

Professional corn-eating contest winner Joe LaRue, who set a new record by eating 46 ears of corn.

Fiesta

Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds. In addition to

sweetest

there

children’s rides

games, music and competitions,

INDEPENDENT IMAGING MARKS TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY

Sign Up Now For Acreage Cheerleading

Sign-ups for the Acreage Athletic League’s recreation cheerleading will be held every Saturday in May from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Acreage Community Park. The league is for girls and boys ages 5 to 17, and birth certificates are required at sign-up. A registration fee of $100 is due at time of sign-up. Checks should be made payable to Acreage Cheerleading.

For more information, call Marisa at (561) 248-3319 or visit the Acreage Cheerleading web site at www.acreagecheer.9f.com.

Nominations For The Grace Hoadley Dodge Award

The YWCA of Palm Beach County is seeking nominations for its Grace Hoadley Dodge Award presented annually to a woman residing in Palm Beach County who has overcome adversity and, in the process of doing so, has not only empowered herself but has also created empowerment opportunities for other women.

Nominees should have inspired others to embrace challenges, to recognize that courage is nothing more than triumph over fear, and to believe that strength is born of hope and faith. These accomplishments should have been achieved with dignity and a commitment to

peace, justice and freedom. Grace Hoadley Dodge began her career as a social worker and philanthropist, initiated tenement reform in 1879, was instrumental in the development of the Teachers’ College, which became part of Columbia University in 1889, held one of the first seats for women on New York City’s Board of Education, helped establish the Girls’ Public School Athletic League and served as the first president of the YWCA of the USA.

The award will be presented in June at the YWCA’s annual volunteer recognition luncheon. The deadline for nominations is 4 p.m. on Friday, May 14. For more information, or to request a nomination form, call the YWCA at (561) 640-0050.

St. Michael Church To Hold VBS June 7-11

St. Michael Lutheran Church in Wellington’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday, June 7-11 from 6 to 8 p.m. daily. This year’s VBS will be a blast — a Baobab blast. The safarithemed VBS will include Grassland Games, Kalahari Crafts, Serengeti Science, Savannah Storytelling, Madagascar Music and Safari Snacks. It will feature five animals (zebra, giraffe, elephant, monkey and meerkat) to help children to learn about trust, love, following, caring and sharing.

VBS is open to all children from age 4 through the sixth grade. For

more information, call the church at (561) 793-4999 or e-mail stmelc @bellsouth.net.

RPB Phone Service For Hearing Impaired

The hearing impaired can now contact the Village of Royal Palm Beach’s main telephone number using the Florida Relay Service (FRS). This service is accessed by dialing 711. It is a free communication service exchange between people who use specialized telephones to people who use standard telephones. When an FRS call comes in you will hear, “Florida Relay Operator, have you ever received a relay call before?” If you tell the operator that you have never had a relay call before, the operator will quickly explain how it works and translate the exchange between you and the caller. For more information, visit www.ftri.org.

Buckler’s Craft Fair May 15-16 At Fairgrounds

Buckler’s Craft Fair will return to the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16. The show will feature professional craftsmen and artists from the southeastern United States. Grab a friend and come browse through unique one-of-a-kind

items and gifts, custom home décor, sample delicious fudge and gourmet delights, try on custommade gold and silver jewelry, find that perfect piece of handcrafted furniture. You’ll also find country and traditional crafts, folk art, dolls, hair accessories, candles, baskets, baby items and much

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Independent Imaging participated in Take Your Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 22 at its two locations, 3347 State Road 7, Suite 100 in Wellington, and 11337 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. (Above) Sharon Mineo, who works in the marketing department at the Wellington location, with her children Alex, Julie and Sam. (Below) The Mineo kids with Dr. Eric Baumel.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET CELEBRATES EARTH DAY WITH SIERRA

Paisley Millhausen volunteers to help whisk.

Tony

Sierra Club members Sheila Calderon, John Swick, Joan Harrison and Kay Gates.

Ashley Maguire next to her photo as Mrs. Florida.

Whole Foods Marketing Director Lauren Belinsky and volunteer Elaine Neto scoop dough into cupcake tins.

Julie Woogen accepts a muffin sample from Wendy Slosberg.Chef Ursula Rafer and nutritionist Maureen Buchbinder.

Chef Ursula Rafer offers Sierra Club volunteers some muffins.

‘Bowling For Cookies’ Raises Over $8,000 For Olivia Armand Foundation

The Olivia Grace Armand Foundation held its first fundraiser “Bowling for Cookies” on Sunday, April 25 at Greenacres Bowl. Proceeds will go to the foundation, which supports pediatric nurses. The fundraiser was a tremendous success, generating more than $8,000 in donations. Olivia Grace “Cookie” Armand was born with a rare metabolic storage disorder called mucolipidosis II or “I cell.” She, as well as her brother Mikey, 3, were born missing the lysosomal enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates in the cells.

Olivia passed away late last year. Mikey was on hand at the inaugural event. A follow-up fundraising event will take place in August in New York. Meanwhile, the foundation is selling items to raise money, including awareness bracelets ($3 each or two for $5), Olivia Grace Armand Foundation lapel pins ($10), t-shirts ($15, youth; $20, adult) and polo shirts ($45). To make a donation, or for more information, e-mail Trish Armand at trish@oliviascookiejar.org or visit www.oliviagracearmand foundation.com.

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue fire safety specialist Jeff Heinz with his gear.

Foundation supporters with event DJ Skip Kelley.

P.W. Hospital ER nurse Leslie Delderfield shows Shadarea Montgomery and Amanda Chardon how to do CPR.

Suzi Caprise, Trish Caprise Armand, Mikey and Frank Caprise.

Melanie Rodriguez and Alexandra Vivas in their swag from Palms West Hospital.

Polo magazine’s Gwen Rizzo and Suzanne DeBough.

Volunteer coordinator Carey McGovern with event coordinator Cynthia Wiebke and volunteer Faith Ahik.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Seminole Ridge Singers Earn State Honors

Members of the Seminole Ridge High School choral groups, as well as the groups themselves, earned honors at the recent Florida Vocal Association state assessments. Earning a rating of “Superior” were soloists Tania Chatelain and Lorelle Wrice, the Thamyris women’s concert ensemble/chamber show choir, and the mixed chamber show choir. Earning a rating of “Excellent” were the SRHS chamber ensemble/combined women’s chorus/Thamyris junior varsity show choir.

• Music Society Elects Officers

— The SRHS Tri-M Honor Society, the national society for instrumental and choral music, has elected its officers for the coming school year. The school congratulates Nick Hoffman, president; Savannah Kowalski, vice president; Ronit Liberman, secretary; Michael Canlas, treasurer; and Taylor Wesley, historian.

• Hawk Artists Win Cash Awards

— Two SRHS artists were award winners at the 14th annual Women in the Visual Arts “Spring Celebration of High School Art”

at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton. Bobby Hamilton was awarded $200 for his graphite drawing Child, and Brianne Codner was awarded $250 for her mixed media Self-Portrait

• Hawks Create Handmade Books — As part of a year-long interdisciplinary project, Seminole Ridge students in advanced art and literary magazine courses have created handmade artist books through a cooperative effort between John Cutrone, the Jaffe Center for Book Arts program coordinator, and SRHS teachers Gwenn Seuling and Carly Gates. The artist books will be on display from May 7-21 in an exhibition at the center, located in the Wimberly Library on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus. The exhibition’s opening reception will be Friday, May 7 at 7 p.m.

• First Poetry Slam a Success — The SRHS National English Honor Society held its first poetry slam on April 21. Twenty-three poets entered the contest for a cash prize, and more than 100 students

Brianne Codner with her mixed-media Self-Portrait attended the slam. The judges, SRHS teachers Sandy Aragon, Linda Janney, Lynn Moylan, Daryl Ross and Paula Yeater-Villa, selected two winners: Tamikka

Robins and Miranda Stackhouse, who each received a cash prize of $40. Society sponsors Carly Gates and Carrie Zimmerman plan to make the slam an annual event.

New Horizons Students Celebrate Citizenship

New Horizons Elementary School students participated in “Celebrate Citizenship,” the annual event that focuses on how to make the community a better place to live, work, play and learn.

Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen welcomed guests and read the Village of Wellington Arbor Day proclamation. Gifted teacher Diane Serrano and her recycle team reminded students to recycle plastic, aluminum cans, paper and glass to save precious resources. Mark Stephens, a landscape maintenance operations supervisor with the village, talked about the importance of planting trees to provide oxygen and presented

each student with a tree seedling to plant at home.

Guidance counselor Lynne Bray reminded students of the importance of beautifying the community by picking up trash. Principal Betsy Cardozo, Assistant Principal Mickey Simmel and Bray honored the Character Counts students, who were nominated by their teachers for showing character throughout the school year. At New Horizons, showing citizenship by improving the community and showing character are encouraged. Students live by the challenge, “I have the power to make good choices, now go do the right thing!”

Panther Run Marks Physical Education Week

Panther Run Elementary School will celebrate National Physical Education and Sports Week May 3-7. The school invites all parents/guardians and community members to join in the celebration. Several special guests will be on hand to speak with children and their families about the importance of living a healthy, physical-

ly active lifestyle. Invited guests include: Dennis Bega from the U.S. Department of Education, former NFL players Leonard Marshall and Marvin Jones, James Lee and Emanuel Cook of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evan Cohen of ESPN 760, Jupiter Hammerheads mascot Hamilton R. Head and Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen, among

other surprise guests.

During the weeklong event, Panther Run will be hosting a sports equipment drive to benefit the Tyler McLellan Foundation, whose mission is to keep children involved in youth sports throughout South Florida.

“All of the students, teachers and staff members are looking forward to the event,” Panther Run

physical education teacher Christopher Cain said. “Last year, Panther Run finished first in the country in NASPE and Polar’s Physical Education Fun for Everyone contest held in conjunction with the event.”

For more information, contact Cain at (561) 804-3900 or via email at cain@palmbeach.k12.fl. us.

Students Of The Month — (L-R) Will Smith, Nyla Williams and Andrea Forrester with Principal Robert Hatcher.

Western Pines Honors Students Of The Month For April

Each month, the teachers from a specific department at Western Pines Middle School nominate a student of the month. For the month of April, the math department has nominated students from grades six through eight as representing the best from Western Pines. Principal Robert Hatcher is once again proud to present these leaders of tomorrow.

The sixth-grade student of the month is Andrea Forrester. Andrea is always kind and polite. She is willing to help anyone who asks, and she goes out of her way to help the many students in the class that she tutors. Andrea is an awesome student who is very studious, fre-

quently earning the highest scores on tests. Will Smith, the seventh-grade student of the month, has a positive attitude that is reflected in his work. Will is

by

peers and teachers. Will is always willing to lend a hand to other students when they are in need of help. The eighth-grade student of the month is Nyla Williams. Nyla is a very conscientious student who always strives to do her best. She participates daily in class and does what she can to help those around her. Nyla is also active within the community and is an excellent role model for her peers.

Elbridge Gale Students Place In Chess Championship

Students from Elbridge Gale Elementary School competed in the 2010 Florida Scholastic Chess League Superstate VII Miami Championships. The team results are as follows: K-1 Open, fourth place; K-3 U500, second place; and K-5 U600, eighth place. The individual results are: Alexander Bowers,

fifth place; Robin Greenstein, top female in states; Anthony Limauro, 12th place out of 85; and Kiernan

Alex

Elana Groves and Paul

each received honorable mention. The students had the chance to meet with the Women’s World Chess Champion and Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk.

Abesamis,

Dowling,

McCue

Principal Betsy Cardozo with Character Counts recipients and their families.

READY FOR PROM NIGHT

Wellington High School held its prom on the evening of Saturday, April 10 at the Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace. Shown here are pictures of WHS students before the prom. This year’s prom theme was Mardi Gras. These students arrived in a limo owned by Ernest Benevento of Wellington’s A Limo for You. (Above, L-R) Jennifer Wallace, Joseph Wallace, Victoria Davy, Paddylin Fernandez, Sharonda Hagan, Veaunita Stocker, Jesus Hernandez and Evan

Crestwood Readers Shine With

Their Sunshine Books

Sixty-three percent of the Crestwood Middle School student body (759 readers) participated in the Florida Sunshine State Readers’ Program for 2009-10. These students chose to read three or more novels on the state’s recommended list of newly published books for young adults.

This year, 59 students finished the entire list of 15 books. The Crestwood staff also accepted the challenge of becoming Sunshine Readers. Twenty-eight adults became Sunshine readers and earned t-shirts for their efforts.

To honor their achievement, the Sunshine Readers attended the annual banquets, one for each grade level. After being treated to pizza, cookies and lemonade, the students voted for their favorite books. Runaway, a realistic fiction by Wendy Van Draanen, captured

first place. In second place was Found, a fantasy by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Crestwood students chose the comedy Schooled for third place.

The highlight of the eighthgrade assembly was recognizing nine outstanding readers. These eighth-graders read all 15 books for three consecutive years: Eli Gorgevski-Sharpe, Soo Ngoh, Ben Dorcelus, Jhanelle Bisasor, Cyrille Unico, Vanessa Para, Kayla Cunha, Maria Garcia and Willene Nazaire.

Sunshine Readers sponsor Debbie Still has submitted Crestwood’s votes to the state organization and she is awaiting the state results.

Most of all, the students and staff are eagerly waiting for the list of books for 2010-11, so they can read more great books. The Children’s House of Wellington celebrated Earth Day by holding a “wasteless” lunch

Baumel. (Below) The crew enjoys the limo ride.

PHOTO BY ERIC BAUMEL

Wellington Rotary Club Presents Student Of The Quarter Awards

The Wellington Rotary Club recently presented its Student of the Quarter awards for the third school quarter ending in March. This quarter’s recipients were Palm Beach Central High School senior Brandon Corsentino and Wellington High School senior Ana Potes. Presentations were made at the quarterly dinner meeting of the club on Thursday, April 22 at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club. Attending the awards presentation and dinner were Corsentino’s mother Dana Corsentino and Potes’ mother Martha Gomez, who were extremely proud of their children’s accomplishments both inside and outside the school environment.

Corsentino’s and Potes’ acceptance speeches to the club demonstrated their ability and desire

to help others while thanking the Rotary Club, school faculty and family for their nominations and support.

Both exemplary students were selected from numerous candidates at their respective schools by faculty as the students who “proved himself to be beneficial to the school, religious organization or the community as a whole” by performing some type of service or act(s) demonstrating the Rotary International motto “Service Above Self.”

Also in attendance was the new Interact liaison for Wellington High School, teacher volunteer Elizabeth Lundy, who praised the students’ selections in her conversations with Rotary Club board members by stating that, “both of these students presented the spirit necessary to motivate their fellow

students as well as support the community in anyway possible.”

Corsentino and Potes are still very much involved in community, charity, religious, school and neighborhood endeavors. They plan to make every effort to continue their volunteer activities through their college careers and beyond. Both display solid values and extraordinary character.

Corsentino has been involved for the last few years with numerous community and school extra curricular activities totaling more than 600 hours including varsity football, Beta Club, Key Club, National Honor Society and the Rotary Interact Club. He has taken part in projects and activities outside of school such as the Relay for Life, veterans support activities, Buddy Walk, UNICEF, beach cleanups, book drives, gift-

wrapping services and more, all while maintaining a near-perfect 4.0 grade point average during his high school years. Corsentino has won numerous recognitions through other outside projects.

Potes’ interests run the gamut from being an altar server at St. Rita Catholic Church to working the information desk and emergency room information service at Palms West Hospital. Her extra curricular school activities include French Honor Society, National Honor Society, Chemistry Honor Society, Rotary Interact Club and varsity volleyball at WHS. Potes is always punctual and a class leader, according to her peers and teachers.

The Wellington Rotary Student of the Quarter Award and dinner is sponsored by Comerica Bank and presented to “deserving stu-

Area Church Members Pick Corn For The Needy

Eighty volunteers gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints parking lot in Wellington for a Day of Service on Saturday, April 24. After words of encouragement from County Commissioner Jess Santamaria and Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen, the group headed to Belle Glade to pick corn for the CROS Ministries food bank. The results: 428 boxes of corn filling an entire truck.

The band of 80 volunteers was just one of many groups of church members and others scattered throughout 12 southeastern states

from Texas to Virginia and Kentucky to Florida, along with areas in Illinois and Indiana. Overall, more than 100,000 volunteers participated in the Southeastern U.S. and had an impact on many more lives as well as hundreds of communities. The corn picked in Belle Glade, for example, will help feed 10,000 people.

“With the economy the way it is and so many people in need, this certainly is an extremely worthwhile community project,” Santamaria said.

Volunteers picked corn from 9 a.m. until almost noon and it turned out to be quite a family event.

Many volunteers brought their children to help out. They got to see where the corn comes from that ends up on dinner tables and had the opportunity to not just see

people render service to others, but to do so themselves.

Bowen was excited about the opportunity and thanked everyone for their participation. “My only regret is that I cannot join you today,” he said. “But do invite me again next time!”

Bishop Mark Watson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints noted the deeper meaning behind the project.

“This project is the kind of thing Christ would have us do. ‘Feed my sheep,’ he said. Of course, he was talking about their spiritual well-being, but it is hard to be spiritual when you are hungry,” Watson said. “I am thrilled with all the people who came and participated.”

The activity was followed by a picnic for all the volunteers. The menu? Hot dogs, chips, brownies

and, of course, all the raw corn they could eat. Raw corn, you say?

“This stuff is really good,” Rick Williams said. “I wonder why people bother to cook it.”

Students Named ‘Do The Write Thing’ Finalists

Their essays about youth violence have earned seventh graders Joelishia Banfield and Chad Bonincontri cash prizes in the Do the Write Thing Challenge, a program that offers middle school students an opportunity to offer suggestions for curbing teenage violence.

Banfield, who attends Osceola Creek Middle School, and Bonincontri, who attends Western Pines Middle School, were cho-

sen by the Palm Beach County Steering Committee of the National Campaign to Stop Violence as the second- and third-place winners, respectively, in the Do the Write Thing Challenge. They will be recognized Monday, May 10 at a luncheon at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, where they will receive cash prizes. More than 180 Palm Beach County public middle school stu-

dents were selected as finalists and will be honored at the luncheon with their teachers, principals and parents. Community leaders will speak and approximately 40 students will read brief passages from their entries.

The program offers Palm Beach County sixth, seventh and eighth grade students an opportunity to write essays or poems to reflect on the impact of violence on their lives and to examine what they as

individuals can do to reduce youth violence. This year, 13,685 students participated.

The William H. Pitt Foundation will present $500 grants to the principals whose schools had the highest participation in the program.

West Palm Beach law firm Larmoyeux & Bone is providing administrative support for organizing and directing the efforts of the steering committee.

who are not necessarily the school valedictorians nor are grade point averages a deciding factor in the selection process,”

Temple Board Member Sara Marcus and Village of Wellington employee Robert Anderson watch as preschoolers plant trees. opportunity to help plant the trees as their parents looked on. Discussions about Earth Day will continue in the classrooms where children continued to learn about recycling and other ways they can help the environment.

Temple Beth Torah Preschool Students Celebrate Earth Day

The Village of Wellington donated saplings to children at Temple Beth Torah Leonie Arguetty Preschool to help the students learn about Earth Day. The celebration took place Thursday, April 22 at the preschool. Children learned that they can replenish their environment by planting trees. The trees that were planted in the children’s play area will also provide additional shade. All preschool children had the

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

dents

program chair Jay Broder said. For more information, visit the Wellington Rotary Club’s web site at www.wellingtonrotary.org.

Jay Broder presents Brandon Corsentino (left) and Ana Potes (right) with the Student of the Quarter Award.

Summer Yates with her box of corn.

Cara Young (front row, center) with cast members from Palm Beach Opera’s production of Carmen

Wellington’s Cara Young Performs With P.B. Opera

Wellington resident and Bak Middle School seventh-grade vocal student Cara Young recently completed six performances onstage at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Young performed with the Palm Beach Opera in Carmen, the opera’s final production of the season. Young, 12, was joined by some of her colleagues from the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, who participated in the children’s chorus portion of the famed French opera by Georges Bizet.

This was Young’s second appearance with Palm Beach Opera, having also performed a solo in last year’s production of La Boheme Young has also been awarded a solo in the Young Singers’ upcoming spring concert “One Voice” on Saturday, May 15 at the Kravis Center’s Dreyfoos Hall. The concert will feature the singing talents of Palm Beach County children. For more information about the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, visit www.yspb.org.

New Officers Installed For Chief Tiger Tail Society

The Chief Tiger Tail Society of the Children of the American Revolution met Sunday, April 18 at Wellington Village Park to celebrate Earth Day.

Newly elected Wellington Councilwoman Anne Gerwig installed the new officers alongside the banks of the Peaceful Waters Sanctuary. Wellington resident Talia “Libby” Fradkin is the new president. The children took their oath of office, and Gerwig closed the ceremony with a brief prayer. The national theme for 2010 is “Save Our Springs,” and activities will be planned around the theme. Each member took home seeds and seedlings from the exhibit to add to their existing gardens.

Massimo Alfio Carbonetto — son of Megan Carrigan and Alfio Carbonetto of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 1.

Deanna Ronelle Amenold daughter of Amanda Tutwiler and Joseph Amenold of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 3.

Bentley Paige Peterson daughter of Amber and Glade Peterson of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 5.

Isabella Giavana Regalado — daughter of Gina and Constanti-

no Regalado of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 5.

Adam McCormick “Mac” Funk Jr. — son of Mariol Bosque-Vidal and Adam Funk of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 9.

Francisco Javier Tamargo Jr. — son of Jessica and Francisco Tamargo of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 9.

Kennedy Morgan Ferriera Hamilton — daughter of Shawn and Michael Hamilton of Wellington was born March 12 at Well-

ington Regional Medical Center. Ezequiel Negron — son of Saritza Castillo and Juan Negron of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 17.

Albert Harrison Hasbrouck — son of Beth Ann and Isaac Hasbrouck of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 21.

Hayden Samantha Master — daughter of Janice and Jonathan Master of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on March 24.

Autumn Faith Foley daughter of Amber and Michael

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig installs the officers: (L-R) Vice President Samantha Mouring, Registrar Ariana Mouring, President Talia Fradkin and Treasurer Kaitlyn Mouring.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig with President Talia Fradkin.

Foley of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on April 7. Michael Aaron Wetterer son of Ada and Howard Wetterer of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on April 9. Katie Railyn — daughter of Heather Hughes and Steve Stokke of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on April 16.

Collin Richard Sweetnam son of Allison and Shane Sweetnam of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on April 16.

County Hopes To Offer Public Access To Pond Cypress Natural Area

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management Department held an open house for people to review plans for public access to the Pond Cypress Natural Area on Tuesday at the Royal Palm Beach library.

However, the project has a major stumbling block.

“We have no money right now,” said ERM biologist Sandy Mann, who explained that what money the department has must be channeled to natural areas that were purchased with matching grants and ERM has contractual commitments.

The 1,737-acre Pond Cypress Natural Area is northeast of Royal Palm Beach, east of The Acreage and west of the West Palm Beach Water Catchment area, which ERM officials hope to connect to in order to recycle the high quality water in the natural area and better control water levels.

Plans call for a public access area opposite the intersection of Orange Grove Blvd. and the State Road 7 extension, with a quartermile handicapped-accessible trail

Paint

Zoners Irked

continued from page 1 posed on projects that begin before a permit is granted. “We do charge four times the permit fee if it was done without a permit,” Erwin said.

to an observation tower, as well as a network of other trails for people who are not afraid to get their feet wet, Mann said.

“We have wet prairie out there, we have prairie hammock. We have some mesic flatwoods and hydric flatwoods,” Mann said. “Hydric flatwoods are some wetlands and some transitional areas. It depends on how much water they get. It can go either way. It’s very much a wetland.”

The area is encased with berms on the west and south by the SR 7 extension, on the east by the berming of the Water Catchment Area and on the north by the berming of the M-1 Canal, she said.

The southern 1,192 acres, originally known as the Fox property, were donated to the county in 1994. The northern 544 acres were acquired in 2006 as part of a property exchange with Minto Communities Inc. Minto owned a piece of pristine land on what is now the northern section of property, which was traded for a relatively low environmental quality piece of land on the southern end of the property, where the Porto Sol

Commissioner Genevieve Lambiase also chafed at granting approval after the fact. “I like the colors, despite the contractor neglecting to apply for a permit. That is the job of the contractor,” she said.

neighborhood is now under construction.

The county expects to acquire another 80.3 acres currently owned by the state within the now obsolete SR 7 range line alignment immediately east of the natural area. The county also hopes to obtain a license and right of entry to 60.5 acres of land running along the west side of the Water Catchment Area through an interlocal agreement with West Palm Beach.

The natural area was purchased in order to preserve important remnants of flatwoods, swamps, marshes and hammocks, as well as native vegetation communities and wildlife populations. Secondary purposes are to provide for passive recreation, environmental education and scientific research.

Water overflow is released into Royal Palm Beach and eventually to the C-51 Canal, where much of it goes to the Lake Worth Lagoon, Mann said.

“We do have the outfalls that were put in as part of the Acreage Reliever Road,” she said. “We would prefer that water not go to tide because it’s wasted. It’s good,

clean water. Over what we need, we would like it to go for environmental purposes, for rehydrating the preserve area, providing more habitats for snail kites as necessary and for the Water Catchment Area.”

Natural Resources Stewardship Division Manager Dave Gillings said ERM has a policy to give an appropriate amount of access to areas purchased with public funds.

“We’re trying to provide the most environmentally friendly public access to all of our sites, so this is what we think is the appropriate access for this very wet site,” he said.

Other sites purchased with matching funds have a contractual obligation to install public-use facilities. Natural areas with contractual obligations and no public facilities yet include the Hungryland Slough on the Beeline Highway, Cypress Creek in Jupiter, Pine Glades at the Beeline Highway and Indiantown Road, Lake Park Scrub on Silver Beach Road east of Congress Blvd. and the Acreage Pines Natural Area, which ERM is developing in cooperation with the Indian Trail Im-

provement District. ITID is devel-

oping a more active park adjacent to the natural area that will provide access, Gillings said. The Hungryland Slough is dependent on the extension of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road to provide access, he said.

A total of 17 county natural areas currently have public access. “We have 30-something sites, so we have a ways to go,” Gillings said. ERM will accept written comments on plans for the Pond Cypress Natural Area until May 7.

Commission Chair Jackie Larson said the number of times the commission grants approvals after the fact is getting out of hand.

“I’ve lost track of the number of times we’ve had to forgive rather than grant approval,” she said.

“We need to do something to say, ‘We’re tired of it.’”

Hankey said he had never done work in Royal Palm Beach before, but Lambiase pointed out that work done in the village must be by a licensed contractor and they need to have the proper applications and be registered with the village to do work.

Commissioner Barbara Powell made a motion to grant approval, which was seconded by Lambiase and passed 5-0.

The commission also granted approval for a painting project at Shoma Homes that had started.

The colors are pastel and complement each other, Erwin said, explaining that the development is several years old and must be regularly repainted to maintain an acceptable appearance. Erwin said that project also had been reported by code enforcement.

“We should send a letter to the village council asking them to impose severe penalties,” Lange said. “We get 12 of these a year.”

Lange said he liked the color scheme for the homes, but pointed out that the commission has required that buildings be repainted if it decides that the colors are not appropriate.

Erwin said he would post a notice on the village web site informing people of the requirements for permits. He noted that the contractor did stop work immediately after receiving the violation notice.

Larson said that village staff should compile a list of homeowners’ associations and send letters reminding them of the permitting

requirements for projects, adding, “I think we should deny it just to get someone’s attention.”

However, Peña made a motion to approve the project, which also passed 5-0.

In other business, the commissioners granted approval for the Links at Madison Green to convert a portion of the pro shop into additional dining, convert the cart barn into a new pro shop and locker room, and provide a temporary structure for the carts on a slab that will become the permanent cart barn. Applicant John Szerdi said the improvements are to accommodate a growing number of golfers. “Sometimes during tournaments it gets a little congested,” Szerdi said. “We think that’s another great improvement.”

But Lange said he felt the new plans, including the enclosing of an outdoor dining patio area and the design of the new cart barn, were not flattering. He explained that he felt the proposed dining room enclosure removed important design elements of the building. “You’re taking away the few things that make it the least bit interesting,” Lange said, saying that the proposed golf building will be “just a rectangle.”

After discussion, Lange made a motion to approve the project with conditions that the applicant work with village staff to have a false portico on the north and south sides of the existing pro shop locker room and eliminate the enclosure of the veranda on the south portion of the restaurant in the existing clubhouse/restaurant building. Powell seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 with Lambiase opposed. The commission also recommended approval of an application by Western Academy Charter School in the Royal Plaza to expand into an adjacent leased area in the shopping center. The application would change the square footage from 12,679 to 21,633 square feet of floor space. The new area will be used for a cafeteria, recreation space, classrooms and bathrooms, according to the application.

The maximum number of students will remain the same and only the floor area is increasing. The request also includes minor alterations to the traffic circulation patterns designed to improve traffic flow. Village staff recommended approval of the application, which passed unanimously.

Environmental Resources Management Program Supervisor Sandy Mann discusses plans for public facilities at Pond Cypress Natural Area

Event At RPB’s Temple Beth Zion Explores U.S.-Israel Relations

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach this week urged caution for those who want to condemn the administration of President Barack Obama for being antiIsrael.

Dr. Luis Fleischman made his remarks at a western communities briefing on U.S.-Israel relations Sunday, April 25 at Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach

He credited the U.S. Congress and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for “getting the message” that the Jewish community is concerned about relations between Israel and the United States.

Those concerns were intensified after many people thought President Obama slighted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Netanyahu’s recent visit to the U.S., which followed an episode where the Israeli government announced a controversial settlement increase while Vice President Joe Biden was visiting, perceived by many as an insult to the United States.

“People should not rush to say this president is anti-Israel,” Fleischman said. “That statement is widely, widely exaggerated. I ask you to not be carried away by that statement. That does not mean the policy is right.”

Other guests at the briefing were Eliezer Rivlin, a spokesman for the Israeli Consulate; Temple Beth Zion Rabbi Bertram Kieffer; Rabbi Michael Korman of Congrega-

Plant Traffic Tops Concerns

continued from page 1 village to take over maintenance of the median.

Dazio and other residents also raised concerns about an increase in traffic on Crestwood if the development should take place, pointing out that traffic already is heavy and consistently exceeds the 35 mph speed limit.

“School kids walk all the way to Saratoga after the school buses let them off,” Dazio said. “I can’t get in and out of the golf course because traffic is so quick.”

Al Dopman of Sunflower Circle said he wants to protect his community, which is to the east across the M-1 Canal from the site.

He said he had heard discussion of buffers for Saratoga to the west of the site, but not to the east. “We

Bid Council Divided

continued from page 1 process to determine that there was not any kind of tainting,” she said. “The custodian of the information was the village clerk, it was a sealed bid and honestly, when someone comes to submit paperwork and is qualified, we don’t know if they’ve been charged in the past with anything either.”

Gerwig said she would approve awarding the bid. “They’re qualified to bid, they’re bondable, and our bid process is done above reproach,” she said.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore stressed that the bid was obtained legally. “I don’t want to send a message to the community that we’re dealing with a company that has some criminal activity,” he said. “It was a sealed bid. There was no negotiation.”

Priore noted that this is a onetime job and the council would have to rebid the contract if it did not award the bid. “They’re going to do their job, and then they’re

Mining Aggregates Expansion

continued from page 3 across a 500-foot right of way and the Lazy F Ranch, currently a tree farm zoned for future residential development.

County staff recommended approval of the request, reporting that with a number of conditions, officials anticipate no conflicts with adjoining properties.

Commissioner Shelley Vana asked if a study had been conducted to determine the best areas for mining. Planning, Zoning & Building Director Barbara Alterman said the idea had been discussed at a mining summit but never implemented.

Attorney Ernie Cox, representing Palm Beach Aggregates, said the site has been identified by the SFWMD as a potential C-51 Canal reservoir, although the applicant was not proposing that under the current request. Planner Kerry Kilday, also representing Palm Beach Aggregates, said with set-

tion Anshei Sholom; Rabbi Michael Simon of Temple Beth Kodesh; and Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli. The event commemorated Israel’s 62nd birthday and many of the guests wore blue and white in honor of the colors of Israel’s flag and also carried small blue and white flags.

Kieffer read letters from Netanyahu, Obama and Congressman Ron Klein (D-District 22) on the subject of U.S.-Israel relations.

Netanyahu’s letter noted that Israel’s Independence Day celebrated the restoration of Jewish sovereignty.

“There is no other example that I know of in the history of nations in which a scattered people, practically left for dead, have been able to reassert its national land,” Netanyahu wrote. “Israel is fast becoming a regional economic power and one of the world’s leading technological powers… This incredible burst of creativity promises a great future for the Jewish people and for all mankind.”

The Obama letter was to a Jewish leader who had written about his concerns regarding policy toward Israel.

“For over 60 years,” Obama wrote, “American presidents have believed that pursuing peace between Arabs and Israelis is in the national security interest of the United States. I share that understanding and made the pursuit of peace, including a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, a top priority from my first day in office.”

live in beautiful neighborhoods,” he said. “I really see that uglifying the neighborhood.”

Jackie Larson, a member of the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission, said she was concerned about planning future development with the number of commercial vacancies in the village.

Larson, a chemist, added that she doubted that biotech would support local jobs. “The biotech was sexy, but we don’t have that level of science here,” she said.

“Ask Jupiter, they’re hiring scientists from all over the world. I hate to say this, but our local colleges don’t have people qualified to be lab techs. I don’t mean to be degrading, but science is not that sexy. Go to the local high school and ask how many students have an interest in science and math.”

Larson said a trade school might be a more realistic facility. “Those sorts of things are what our demo-

done,” he said. “The individual company that does this has an excellent record of performing this responsibility. I don’t want to do business with anybody who has been proven to be a criminal, but that hasn’t happened. Our situation with the bid is we either have to accept this bid or we have to eliminate all bids and reopen this under a second bid process.”

But Vice Mayor Matt Willhite said it is the village’s responsibility to do what is right with the information available.

“Unfortunately, us having the knowledge that the principal was arrested for a possible impropriety does put the onus on us to decide what we feel is right,” he said. Although he understood Gerwig’s point, Willhite noted that the village’s bidding contract prohibits bids from anyone who has been convicted of a felony.

“We are unfortunately in limbo here where there could be a felony charge or there may not be,” he said. “We’re supposed to look out for the benefit of our residents, not only monetarily, but morally and ethically, for what needs to be done. There was an arrest, and there are possible charges pend-

backs, the nearest residences are a half-mile to a mile away.

A letter from the SFWMD stated that the applicant would need to do studies to determine that the new site has similar geology and hydrology to the existing mine and goes on to note that the new mine could be an asset to water plans for the county. “I have an expert here who can testify to that,” Kilday said. “It may have potential to complement the existing Everglades restoration efforts.”

During public comment, Acreage resident Diana Demarest said the existing pit had been touted as a water reservoir for The Acreage and then plans were changed. “My understanding is that we have already done this once,” she said. “We spent $217 million for a pit of water that’s not fit to drink.” Demarest expressed further concerns about possible contamination of the aquifer from the mining operation.

Tom Warnke said he had been studying how the aquifer operates and has learned that the pits do not replenish water as fast as evaporation takes it away. “The net loss

Obama noted that he is “deeply committed to fulfilling the important role the United States must play for peace to be realized. In order for any agreement to endure, peace cannot be imposed from the outside. It must be negotiated directly by the leaders who are required to make the hard choices and the compromises that history requires. We are determined to help them because the status quo does not serve the interests of Israel, the Palestinians or the United States.”

Obama stressed that the United States would not turn its back on Israel.

“We have a special relationship with Israel, and that will not change,” he wrote. “Our countries are bound together by shared values, deep and interwoven connec-

graphics are,” she said.

Civil engineer Rick Boyette of The Acreage said he was concerned about traffic going to The Acreage. He also disputed the report of no species of concern on the site. “There are nesting bald eagles there, in the middle of the site,” he said. “There are nesting great horned owls and ospreys. That’s something I did not hear brought up.”

Boyette said he would rather see the area turned into a passive use.

Jeff Hmarra of Madison Green was concerned with traffic. “What possibilities are there for alleviating the traffic issues on Crestwood?” he asked. “I can’t think of a viable alternative. There seems to be an inevitable disastrous traffic impact.”

He also shared concerns about the community’s ability to support technical industries. As a teacher at Palm Beach Atlantic University, he said local students don’t

ing. We probably should not award this to this company at this time.”

But Priore said the village would be judging the company before Czajkowski had his day in court.

“You’re not guilty until proven guilty, and we’re convicting this person before a hearing, before a trial,” he said. “I have a real problem with that because I’ve seen in the past where individuals’ reputations and businesses are terribly damaged when they’re really caught in some sort of crosshair.”

Should the village rebid the contract, Chaz Equipment Co. Inc. would still meet all qualifications and could still be awarded the contract again. Willhite suggested the village look into modifying its policies for bidders in the future.

Mayor Darell Bowen worried that by rebidding, the village would be throwing money away.

“Here we have a situation where this bid is $9,000 less than the next bid,” he said. “We have a contractor that has done good work for us… And if we put this out to bid, it’s going to cost us all more money. Why do we want to throw more money at something when we

of water takes away from our water supply in Palm Beach County,” Warnke said, urging the county not to approve the mining expansion.

Seepage tests were conducted on the L-8 Reservoir to assess water retention and it was shown to be largely impervious, said geologist Steve Lamb, representing Palm Beach Aggregates. The water present in the current pit does have residual salt content from the original mining operation, but it is currently being drawn out and replaced with clean water, he said.

Commissioner Jeff Koons said the new pit has good potential for helping the county’s water restoration plan. “I spent a lot of time working on water issues the last 18 months,” Koons said. “This unique location, I would have rather it come through as a regional water supply, but I think this offers a real opportunity for the region and various systems to have water at certain times of the year.”

The C-51 Basin has more than 330 million gallons a year released to tide currently, which is more

tions, and mutual interests. Many of the same forces that threaten Israel also threaten the United States and our efforts to secure peace and stability in the Middle East, and our alliance with Israel serves our national security interests.”

Klein’s comments came from a statement he made on the floor of the House of Representatives in recognition of Israeli Independence Day.

“I am proud to be a supporter of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship,” he stated. “We are stronger through our friendship. We are safer through our cooperation, and in this uncertain world, the U.S. and Israel need each other.”

Kieffer noted that Klein is expected to visit the temple in the near future.

have the skill levels or inclination.

“I’ve had conversations with the local kids, and they are not interested. Quite frankly, they don’t have the tools.”

During closing comments, Councilman David Swift said finding a proper use for the site was a vision of former Village Manager David Farber, who died April 16. “He wanted to figure how to make it a gem, something all of our residents would be proud of,” Swift said. Swift said he shared the concerns of residents. “Most of my money is invested in my home, and I took a great deal of effort to find a good place to live, and I think you did, too. To change that, there’s got to be some really good reasons to do it,” he said. “I would be looking for our consultants and staff to make a convincing presentation that you’re going to buy, not that I’m going to buy. I want to hear it from you that this is good.”

have a contractor that has performed very well in the past?”

Coates said his concern is not with the charges against the company’s owner, but with the appearance of the village. “We as a village have the prerogative to determine who we want to do business with, and that decision transcends simply the narrow inquiry as to whether there’s been a felony conviction,” he said. “If someone has acted in a manner that we think is inconsistent with the code of conduct that we uphold for ourselves as well as our village, then we have the right to say ‘you may qualify on every other point, but we just don’t want to do business with you.’”

Willhite agreed, and noted that Palm Beach County already has a tarnished reputation.

“This county has a bad enough reputation with impropriety to begin with,” he said. “I think we’re just compounding that by continuing to give contracts to companies that have been accused of improprieties that I think will potentially hurt us in the future.”

The council voted 3-2 to award the bid with Coates and Willhite dissenting.

than all the potable water permits held by utilities in the county, he said.

However, Commissioner Jess Santamaria said the mining summit consensus was to do a comprehensive study of the effects of mining in the Everglades and there has not been a sincere effort to follow up.

“We have had four applications that have been approved since the summit,” Santamaria said. “We’re going to hear the same thing. It’s going to be the applicant with their experts saying there is no problem and the opposition, the environmentalists and other groups, saying there is a problem.”

Commission Chairman Burt Aaronson said a study would not help because the county is governed by the state and subject to all its regulatory agencies.

“The state is still the one that gives the final permits,” Aaronson said.

Koons made a motion to approve the application. The motion passed 5-2 with Santamaria and Commissioner Karen Marcus opposed.

In his remarks, Fleischman said that Israel is not sure the Palestinians are ready for self-governance, and to push that policy on Israel in the form of a two-state solution at this point would have disastrous results.

He suggested that the United States must remember who said yes each time agreements were proposed, and how Israel’s opponents constantly said no to proposals, including discussion about Israel’s borders.

“Israel has been generous,” Fleischman said. “The question is what is going to happen in the future. There is a difference in opinion between Israel and the United States government. The U.S. believes that the Palestinians are ready to build their own state, and they will be able to rule over the

Sims Heads South

continued from page 1

achieve all the goals he set two years ago, Sims said the school is in better shape than when he started.

“The school has a tremendous amount of opportunity,” he said.

“It’s in much better shape today than it was two years ago.” This year, more ninthgrade students enrolled in Advanced Placement classes than ever before, Sims said. Additionally, more than 250 students will graduate with an industry certification because of the school’s programs.

“We’ve done some terrific things in the last two years and made terrific progress,” he said. “The incoming principal is inheriting a school with a stronger academic foundation today than it had two years ago.”

While his replacement has not yet been named, he offered some advice. “No. 1, bond with staff even more,” Sims said. “Be sure to continue with academic accountability, and continue to enhance every aspect of the school. It has fantastic potential.”

But, he noted, the job isn’t without challenges.

“Over 60 percent of incoming ninth graders are Level 1 and Level 2,” he said. “The dynamics have changed. There are more remedial students that the school has to account for. But there are so many students willing to do better. As principal, it’s your job to be sure that students produce academically, no matter who comes through the gate.”

Sims said he would miss the students the most.

“They are students who respect the administration and position of principal,” he said. “I was proud that I always had an open-door policy with both staff and students. And the students weren’t intimidated, just respectful.”

Sims said he also would miss the support of the community. “I want to publicly thank the citizens of the Village of Royal Palm Beach, the teachers, students and staff for all their support during my tenure,” he said.

He will send off the Class of 2010 with the commencement address on May 17. “I’m going to be there to say bon voyage to my seniors,” he said. Swift said Sims’ departure will certainly be a setback to the work of his task force.

“It’s a big problem for me,” Swift said. “We were basically

Blotter continued from page 6 dows with broken locks. According to the report, the victim has had workers doing landscaping at the home for the past two months while she and her husband work. There were no witnesses at the time of the report. APRIL 25 — A Royal Palm Beach woman called the PBSO substation

Palestinians, including Hamas. The Israelis are saying they don’t think they are ready. I believe that Israel has a concern over that. I don’t know how it can be resolved.”

Any agreement must have clear guarantees of Israel’s safety and survival, he said.

“If the administration pushes Israel to accept an agreement not good for Israeli security, it will be disastrous,” Fleischman said. “In 2007, less than two years after Israel withdrew from Gaza, the West Bank was invaded by Hamas, and Israel did not receive the proper security. I think this administration needs to be reminded who has said yes to these agreements and to listen very carefully to the security concerns of the State of Israel.”

depending on Mr. Sims, who made a presentation to us [the task force] last fall and said he could turn this thing around.”

Longtime Royal Palm Beach education activist Tamara Cook, who has sent two children through RPBHS with two more entering ninth grade, was disappointed with Sims’ decision.

“I feel like we started something we weren’t able to finish,” she said. “I’m sad that there was no follow-through.”

Cook said that Royal Palm Beach seems to be a “stepping stool” for principals who move on to other schools or positions. When Sims arrived, Cook said she felt things would look up. “He had the right intentions,” she said. “He implemented a lot of good programs.”

Sims spoke highly of Swift’s task force and recommended the incoming principal work with the village on school issues.

“The task force has done very positive things,” Sims said. “We’ve been able to increase marketing for the school by at least 60 percent. The marketing subcommittee has increased awareness about the school and its programs to various middle schools. We’ve gotten terrific benefits out of the multiple meetings we’ve had.”

Although Swift recognized the progress the task force has made, he worried that Sims’ leaving is an indication that he wasn’t receiving support from the school district to implement its ideas.

“I can’t blame him for wanting to go somewhere else,” Swift said. “I’m not in his shoes, and I don’t know if he was supported. It seems like Royal Palm Beach doesn’t get much help at all.”

The school district has contacted the village, parents and staff to compile a list of qualities they’d like to see in the next principal, Swift said. “At least they’re talking to us,” he said. An informal meeting, held Wednesday night, allowed attendees to have input in the hiring of the next principal. A memo from Acting Village Manager Ray Liggins to School District Chief of Staff Ann Killets listed five desired traits, including a principal with experience turning around a D-rated school, one who would be unafraid of removing the wrong teachers and administrators, one who would be visible in the school and community, and one who preferably lived in the area.

Cook said a town meeting is planned in the near future to assure parents that the village is doing the best it can to help the school get on the right track.

“There are a lot of good things going on there that people don’t see,” Cook said. “It has been overshadowed by the bad.”

Rabbi Alan Ciner of the New Synagogue of Palm Beach, Rabbi Bertram Kieffer of Temple Beth Zion, Eliezer Rivlin of the Israeli Consulate, JCRC Executive Director Dr. Luis Fleischman, Rabbi Michael Korman of Congregation Anshei Shalom and Temple Beth Zion President Robert Solomon. JCRC

Dr. Luis FleischmanRabbi Bertram Kieffer PHOTOS

Sims

International Polo Club Palm Beach would like to thank the Village of Wellington, and spectators from all over South Florida, for their support and patronage, helping us make this an incredible Polo Season. For Information

or

internationalpoloclub.com

photography by: LILA PHOTO

Free Spirit Friesians: Lessons On Majestic Horses

From a breeding and boarding facility on 80 acres in Wellington, Marissa and Leif Aho run Free Spirit Friesians, a program that allows anyone the opportunity to ride this majestic breed, seemingly right out of a movie set.

Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 25

Red Hot Hatters Volunteer At Hugs And Kisses In RPB

Members of the Red Hot Hatters gathered April 20 at Hugs and Kisses in Royal Palm Beach to sort buttons that people have donated to make bracelets. Hugs and Kisses assists with living and medical expenses for cancer patients facing financial hardship. Page 26

Client-Centered Approach Keeps Loyal Customers Coming Back To Love Nails

Wellington’s Love Nails is determined to keep customers coming back for more memorable experiences. Love Nails is a full-service nail salon that offers services including manicures, spa pedicures, waxing, facials and more. The salon is open seven days a week for their clients’ convenience. Page 33

Spor ts

PBCHS Boys Volleyball

Aims For District Tourney

The Palm Beach Central High School boys varsity volleyball team is confident that its preseason goal is within reach. “Our goal for the season is obviously always to have a good district run,” coach Andrew Elder said. “And with this team, our goal is to get to state. This is the first year we’ve had that we feel like we can actually get there if they play as a team.” Page 37

Free Spirit Friesians Offers Lessons On Majestic Horses

The ad that caught my eye offered something I had never seen: riding lessons on Friesians, so I called and spoke with owner Marissa Aho. The breeding and boarding facility is on 80 acres in Wellington.

Friesians originally came from Friesland, a province in The Netherlands. They are the fabulous-looking black horses you see in movies such as Ladyhawke, Mask of Zorro, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. Friesians were used by knights in the Middle Ages. In the 1700s and 1800s, they made popular carriage horses and were used in trotting races.

They have a majestic look to them because of their long, arched necks and high head carriage. They are always black, with lush, thick manes and tails, and wavy “feathers:” long, silky hair on the lower legs, deliberately left untrimmed. They have great presence and elegance. Because of their relative rarity and breeding, they tend to be expensive. Having a chance to ride one seemed like a nice opportunity.

Aho started riding when she was four years old and did a little bit of everything: hunters, jumpers, dressage, Western, even stick and ball polo. She fell in love with Friesians when she was 14 and riding other people’s horses. One of those other people had a Friesian named Sir Galahad, and Aho was determined to ride him. She did, and about a year later managed to talk her parents into buying her a Friesian, a 17-hand gelding named Rebel. Later, she added a mare.

Eventually, she hooked up with Shaana Pritchard from the International Dressage Academy and, with the help of her husband

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

and parents, started Free Spirit Friesians, which specializes in breeding sport horse-type Friesians, and also boards and trains horses, and offers lessons. They have seven Friesians, including a yearling and a two-year-old.

“What I like best about Friesians is that they have really good minds,” Aho said. “They’re wonderfully sweet and very easy to work with. They excel at driving and at dressage. That’s about all I do now, dressage, some pleasure driving and a little jumping.”

Aho said Friesians are not built to be natural jumpers, but were originally bred to be driving horses: horses that pull carriages. Their natural high action (picking their hooves up relatively higher than other horses) makes them a good pick for the dressage ring. Her husband, Leif Aho, is in charge of the lessons, which cost $50 an hour for a private lesson. She thought it would be wonderful to use their Friesians as lesson horses because they’re so quiet and sensible. It’s also a great way to introduce people to this beautiful breed. “We offer lessons for beginners through advanced riders,” Marissa said. “Everything from people who don’t know how to post to more advanced dressage lessons.”

Right now there are three Friesians being used in the lesson program. Zoey is a 16.1hand, eight-year-old mare. Aho described her as being very safe.

“You can put a six-year-old child up on Zoey, and she’ll take care of him,” she said. “But if she has a rider who knows more, she’s willing to do more. She’s a lot of fun to ride.”

Pippin is a 17-hand, 12-year-old gelding. He has a super personality and is a really “pretty guy.”

Tiffany is a 16.3-hand, 12-year-old mare that was Aho’s first broodmare. Tiffany has had four foals and is schooling third level dressage.

“She’s got the smoothest trot ever,” Aho said. “She’s very responsive to her rider and is terrific at teaching new riders the art of horsemanship.”

Tamara Ploskunak of Royal Palm Beach has always loved Friesians. “They’re so beautiful and majestic,” she said. “They have this fairy tale look to them. They take my breath away.”

About a year ago a friend saw the ad for Free Spirit Friesians, and that’s all it took. Tamara now rides there twice a week, and being able to ride this special breed is like a dream come true.

“It’s exhilarating,” she said. “I’m only 5foot-1 and maybe 110 pounds, and I’m up there on Zoey, this huge mare. I feel like I’m on top of the world. But she’s a great mare, very easy to ride and control. She never takes advantage of me. She’s steady and always does what I ask her to do.”

Ploskunak said that just about anyone

would enjoy riding at Free Spirit. She characterizes the Ahos as patient and kind.

“Even if you’re a novice rider, they’re going to build up your confidence, not knock you down,” Ploskunak said. “They’re not at all snobby or stuck up. And the basic dressage which they teach is bound to help anyone, no matter what kind of riding you want to do. Learning how to be light in the hands and have a horse work off your aids is necessary no matter if you want to jump fences or ride Western. I’d highly recommend Free Spirit to anyone: men, women, children, young or old. And besides — you’re riding Friesians!”

For more information, call Free Spirit Friesians at (561) 762-7410 or visit www.free spiritfriesians.com.

Zoey, one of the Ahos’ Friesians, in action.

I’m Just About Ready For ‘The Senior Moment Game Show’

Not that I would ever admit to being a senior personally, but some of the people I associate with have been claiming “senior moments” — you know, those times when you walk into the next room and can’t remember why you’re there. You don’t have to be a senior to have these moments, but I was thinking — this is a good idea for a game show.

While The Alzheimer’s Hour would be a bit crass, something simple like The Senior Moment Game Show might actually take hold. I know I would watch it. Not only that, I’d participate.

Alex Trebek would be the host, of course. He has the most experience. And the show itself would be set up along the lines of Jeopardy!

The show would open with some music, maybe the theme from The Way We Were, and Alex would come out amid wild applause. He’d approach our podiums and read from a card as a way of reminding us of our first

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

names. Then the game would begin. Categories could be “Things I Don’t Remember,” “Things I Lost,” “Thing I Don’t Care About Anymore” and “Potpourri.”

In the first category, Alex would hold up a set of car keys and we’d buzz in if we eventually recognized them as our own. In the second category, we’d ring in if we suddenly remembered where we’d left them. In the third category, we’d be asked to remember the birthday of our first spouse and “Potpourri” would be an amalgamation.

When it was my turn, I’d go right for “Potpourri.”

Alex: “The answer is: Devastation.”

Me: “What is ‘my cooking?’”

I would win $200 and go for $400 in the same category.

Alex: “The answer is: Golf.”

Me: “What did Tiger Woods used to like best?”

Going for $600.

Alex: “The answer is: Income Tax.”

Me: “What cost a lot more in 2008 than it does now?”

Another correct answer. Now let’s see if I can earn $800.

Alex: “Downtown West Palm Beach.”

Me: “What has been under construction since 1973?”

And the $1,000 answer:

Alex: “Somewhere out there.”

Me: “What is, ‘Where did I park my car?’”

A master of the game, I would immediate-

ly begin bragging to my friends that, while I may not be able to remember why I went into the next room, I have a pretty good handle on everything that matters.

I think The Senior Moment Game Show could go a long way toward helping me regain my confidence in life. Maybe I could even earn some extra money by writing sample questions on 3-by-5 cards and sending them in. Things like, “Which street was your firstborn child’s elementary school on?” and “Who catered your 10th anniversary party?” All these questions could be lumped into one category where the answer would be the same for everything, namely, “Who needs to know?”

When Alex admits that no one needs to know, the seniors are declared victorious. Just like in real life.

I’m a regular Mark Burnett. Don’t know who he is? Try Google... that usually helps me with my senior moments, too!

A Big Loss For Us All: My Memories Of RPB’s David Farber

Longtime Royal Palm Beach Village Manager David Farber died April 16. It was a tragic loss for all of us here in the western communities. Everyone who met David will miss him. He, more than anyone else, is responsible for the efficient government of Royal Palm Beach. I covered the village for this newspaper on and off for five years and quickly learned that David was the man who made the village run and run well. Further, he seemed to do it not only with efficiency, but with a casual, friendly style that made local government seem easy.

I met him early in 2004 at a Royal Palm Beach Village Council meeting as I filled in for another reporter. Matty Mattioli introduced me to David, who quickly asked after the reporter I was replacing, something typical of the man. He quickly learned names and seemed, by osmosis, to learn about almost everyone.

I had been covering Indian Trail Improvement District meetings in The Acreage for months, listening to more accusations and bitterness than action. Imagine my shock when residents came up to the podium asking for help and received it quickly. Votes on the council were almost always unanimous because the council members seemed to agree

Red

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

that whatever the village manager wanted was right. “He gets the job done,” one of the council members told me. “He makes sure that each of the council members knows exactly what’s happening and answers all our questions. If one of us finds a problem, he makes sure it’s handled before we ever vote on it. That’s why meetings go so smoothly.”

When I took over the Royal Palm Beach beat, I spent hours in David’s office getting background on village happenings. As fathers of particularly wonderful daughters, we exchanged boasts in between discussions (arguments) about baseball, local and national politics and personalities. But I also learned how a village should be run.

“Hire the best people you possibly can,” he said, “and then treat them well, constantly remind them of how wonderful they are, and

suddenly you have an experienced group of people going all out to meet our goals.”

I took dozens of photos of village workers being recognized for working 10, 15 and 20 years. That kind of loyalty worked. Things got done and done well, not perfectly. A perfect government would be scary. But the people at the bottom of the organization chart seemed to recognize the importance of serving the people as much as those at the top. I never heard anyone complain about being ignored or abused by staff; instead, people even praised the code enforcement officers, possibly a first in South Florida.

I once asked David how his village was able to cut its tax rate every year while its neighbors were raising them. “Most governments say they treat the people’s money like their own,” he joked, “and they spend them on projects without worrying about how they’ll ever pay the money back. Some of them spend their own money like that.”

The Farber method was to make sure money was available before moving forward with a project. He built parks, he improved roads and always had money available. The bike paths winding through the village were often funded by grants from larger governments.

He was particularly proud of his arrange-

ments to turn the village’s safety over to Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Not only did the village get the use of even more resources than it had before, but most of the same people, the ones the people in the village knew and trusted, were still doing their jobs. And the cost to the village went down. His work with water utilities not only ensured good water for the village, something we have all seen as vital recently, but wound up providing money to pay for the new large park as part of an annuity for the village’s future. While other governments worry about resources, Royal Palm Beach is doing just fine. David showed how much he could care about everyone when St. Bernard Parish near New Orleans, where he had worked before coming to South Florida, was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. He helped raise money to help the people there and brought some of their leaders to us here in Florida to give us a better understanding of the devastation.

So, David not only has his monument in daughters Leah and Rachel, but in a strong, prosperous well-managed village that provides a good life for thousands of good people. They will remember him fondly, as they should. I’ll miss him as well. Adios, David.

Hot Hatters Volunteer At Hugs And Kisses In Royal Palm

Members of the Red Hot Hatters of Royal Palm Beach gathered April 20 at Hugs and Kisses in Royal Palm Beach to sort buttons that people have donated to make bracelets. When the buttons come into the center, they have to be cleaned and sorted and put into containers. Then they are sorted into matching colors and sizes. They need volunteers to do this task.

The bracelets are made from four-hole buttons, and when properly attached form

the “X” (kiss) on the “O” (hug) button. Hugs and Kisses assists with living and medical expenses for cancer patients facing financial hardship. The buttons are not sold, but a donation is required to help raise money to help patients.

Hugs and Kisses is located next to Bealls at 10131 Southern Blvd. For more information, or to find out how you can make a donation, call (561) 819-9471 or visit the Hugs and Kisses web site at www.hugsandkissesinc.org.

Ruby Morris checks out the two-hole button curtains made by local teenagers.

The Red Hot Hatters show off their new bracelets.

Tickets On Sale For ‘Cats’ June 22-27 Run At The Kravis Center

A scene from Cats, which opens June 22 at the Kravis Center.

Cats, the show that revolutionized musical theater, is coming to the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach June 22-27 for eight performances. Tickets are on sale now at the Kravis Center box office or through Ticketmaster.

Produced by Cats-Eye LLC, the national tour of Cats is the only production in North America sanctioned by Andrew Lloyd Webber. With original direction by Trevor Nunn and choreography by Gillian Lynne, this is the Cats credited with the British invasion of Broadway. The national tour of Cats recently celebrated its 27th anniversary season, holding its place as the longest continuously touring Broadway musical in history.

On May 11, 1981, Cats opened at the New London Theatre in the West End. Eight years later it celebrated its first important milestone: after 3,358 performances, Cats be-

came the longest running musical in the history of British theater. Cats played its final performance on its 21st birthday, May 11, 2002.

Cats opened on Broadway Oct. 7, 1982 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City and continued to live up to its motto: “Now and Forever.” On June 19, 1997, Cats became the longest-running musical on Broadway. It ended its 18-year run on Sept. 10, 2000 with 7,485 performances. That record was broken by The Phantom of the Opera on Jan. 9, 2006 when Phantom celebrated its 7,486th curtain.

Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats won seven 1983 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting and Best Costumes.

In October 1991, Cats became the longest continuously touring show in American theater history. Five

continents, 26 countries, more than eight and a half million audience members and 27 years later, Cats is still America’s most loved family musical. Celebrating not only 27 years, but the birth of the musical spectacular, Cats is still revolutionary and awe-inspiring.

Now that it has been seen by millions of audience members worldwide, it is time to celebrate with the whole family the magic, mystery and wonder of Cats.

Performances of Cats will take place Tuesday, June 22 at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, June 23 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Thursday, June 24 at 8 p.m.; Friday, June 25 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 26 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $20. To purchase tickets, call the Kravis Center box office at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471, or visit www. kravis.org/cats or www.ticket master.com. For information about group rates, call (561) 651-4438.

‘Distracted’ Onstage Now Through May 16 At Caldwell Theatre

The Caldwell Theatre Company completes its season with the timely production of Lisa Loomer’s Distracted onstage now through May 16.

Fresh from its triumphant production at the Roundabout Theatre in New York, Distracted is a comedic look at the Cara family coping with their nine-year-old son, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“It is astounding how Ms. Loomer has blended the humor of Distracted without sacrificing the poignancy,” said Clive Cholerton, artistic director of Caldwell Theatre Company and director of Distracted. “You are literally laughing hysterically at one moment then finding your eyes well up with tears a moment later. What sets Distracted apart, however, is the extent to which the Cara family is essentially used as a metaphor for our modern-day, wired society.”

Taking advantage of the educational opportunities associated with Distracted, Caldwell has scheduled a series of “Talk Back” events utilizing a diverse choice of professionals with ADHD expertise. “We wanted to represent the various disciplines: psychology, psychiatry, homeopathy and public education, which are presented in the play,” Cholerton said. “The script begs discussion after the fact, and we were thrilled to have a forum where we could facilitate that dialogue.”

The cast is spearheaded by South Florida’s premier leading lady, Laura Turnbull in the central role of Mama. “As a mother of two, myself, I was instantly drawn to the character,” Turnbull said. “Her combination of staunch parental advocate juxtaposed with flighty suburban housewife, is a challenge to revel in.”

Joining Turnbull is Stephen G. Anthony, back in South Florida af-

ter an extended run of Hank Williams: Lost Highway in New York and on tour, inhabiting the role of Dad. Rounding out the cast is Kim Cozort, Kim Ostrenko, Lela Elam, Nikki Bromberg, Michael McKeever and Brian Inerfield in the pivotal role of Jessie, the nine-year-old with ADHD.

The design team for Distracted includes Tim Bennett, scenic design; Chris Hill, lighting design; Deborah Veres, property design; Alberto Arroyo, costume design; and Sean Lawson, projection design. “This is far and away the most sophisticated projection design we’ve taken on at Caldwell,” Lawson said. “This play demanded that we represent this 24/7 information and data world and project it in a way that both enhanced the action but at times almost competes with it. Other times we just wanted to get inside the head of Jessie and give some insight into an ADHD mind.”

“This is one of the most timely and relevant productions that we’ve done at Caldwell,” Cholerton said. “Quite frankly, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t know at least one person coping with ADHD. Oddly enough though, while it is talked about a lot, there is little consensus as to treatment. Fortunately for us, this leads to great theater in the portrayal of the conflicting points of view.”

Performance times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $34 to $55 for adults depending upon seating and date of performance. Tickets cost $10 for students.

Dates and times for “Talk Back,” an informal discussion about Distracted with the director, cast and crew, are as follows: Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m.; Wednesday, May 5 at 2 p.m.; and Friday, May 14 at 8 p.m.

The theater is located at 7901 N.

Federal Highway in Boca Raton. To purchase tickets, or for additional information, call the box office at (561) 241-7432 or (877) 247-7432, or visit the Caldwell Theatre Company’s web site at www.caldwell theatre.com.

P.B. Dramaworks Master Playwright Series Features Noel Coward

Palm Beach Dramaworks will continue the third year of its new endeavor the “Master Playwright Series,” examining the life, work and contributions of the world’s great playwrights, sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker. The final offering of the series will be devoted to Noel Coward and has been underwritten by the Noel Coward Foundation, its first grant to an American regional theater.

On May 10, 11, 17 and 18, scenes from Coward’s plays will be per-

formed along with musical accompaniment as part of the “Noel Coward Overview” followed by a reading of Hay Fever on May 24 and 25, and June 1 and 4. In addition to the readings, each evening will see audience members invited to participate in a discussion and overview of the work and themes. Dramaworks Board Chairman Mark Perlberg will host and moderate the overview, having consulted with Barry Day, the foremost authority on Coward.

Written in 1924, Hay Fever, a comedy of manners that made Noel Coward one of the most popular playwrights of the 1930s and ’40s, is set in an English country house in the 1920s. Four members of the eccentric Bliss family each invite a guest for the weekend. Self-centered and outlandish behavior soon causes their houseguests to flee, all to the oblivion of the Bliss family. Performance times are as follows: “Noel Coward Overview,” Monday, May 10 and Tuesday, May 11 at 7

p.m., and Monday, May 17 and Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m.; Hay Fever, Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25 at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m.; and Friday, June 4 at 3 p.m. Individual tickets to each segment may be purchased for $15. Purchases can be made by calling the box office at (561) 514-4042, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or online at www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

The theater is located at 322 Banyan Blvd. in downtown West Palm

Beach, between Dixie Highway and Olive Avenue. Parking is offered across the street for a nominal fee, or in the city garage at the corner of Olive Avenue and Banyan Blvd. Palm Beach Dramaworks is a non-profit, professional theater and is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the South Florida Theatre League, Southeastern Theatre Conference, Florida Professional Theatres Association, Florida Theatre Conference and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council.

Client-Centered Approach Keeps Loyal Customers Coming Back To Love Nails

By Damon Webb Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington’s Love Nails is determined to keep customers coming back for more memorable experiences. Love Nails is a full-service nail salon that offers services including manicures, spa pedicures, waxing, facials and much more. The salon is open seven days a week for their clients’ convenience.

Owners Van and My Huynh feel settled in their ownership of the nail salon since they bought Love Nails two years ago. After 12 years of working for other nail salons in the area, My’s dream was to own her own salon. When the opportunity presented itself, the Huynhs jumped at the chance to buy the shop. They wanted to stay in the area and expand on the salon’s current clientele.

The Huynhs’ approach to their new business is simple: all customers will receive the best services the salon has to offer with an emphasis on great customer service. Over time, this has allowed each individual client to feel special and get to know the staff on a personal level. The atmosphere of the salon is warm and laid-back. Doing business this way has increased the number of walk-ins the salon receives on a daily basis.

“We always have specials going on for our customers,” Van Huynh said. “We try to make sure to provide good service at an affordable price. We also provide coupons that are delivered to residents in the area.”

Love Nails aims to provide a high level of service in a timely manner with customer satisfaction being its No. 1 priority. It was the salon’s attention to detail and customer service that led to Love Nails winning the “Best of the West 2009” award.

Looking toward the future, Van Huynh said

the salon will continue to operate the way it has been.

“We will continue on with the same game plan: to be consistent in excellent customer service and quality,” he said. “We will continue to pay attention to details and let our work speak for itself. We feel fortunate to have the support of the residents. We want to create an inviting atmosphere for everyone who walks through the door. The clients that we currently serve have been very loyal to us. That says a lot with so many nail salons in the area. Our location is in the center of Wellington, and it’s a great neighborhood to be a part of.”

Love Nails is located at 13860 Wellington Trace, Suite 11, at the northern corner of the Courtyard Shops plaza in Wellington. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (561) 333-9321.

Love Nails co-owner My Huynh with employee Anna Dong.

PHOTOS BY DAMON WEBB/TOWN-CRIER

The salon’s nail techs work with clients.

Chamber, Pyrogrill Launch Business Of The Month Program

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Pyrogrill to launch the “Pyrogrill Business of the Month” program.

Located on Forest Hill Blvd. in front of the Mall at Wellington Green, Pyrogrill is working hard to make local business culture one of community involvement and would like to reward others for making the right choices.

Each month, Pyrogrill will offer a lunch for 10 people for the business the Wellington Chamber of Commerce selection committee chooses.

Criteria will be based on community involvement and good deeds done locally.

“Pyrogrill is corporately dedicated to bettering the communities we sell food in,” Pyrogrill President

Clark Beaty said. “Our philosophy includes starting with the youth of an area. We do this through local school partnerships and ongoing education and youth performance group fundraising. We wanted to honor other businesses that are making local commitments in these and other areas in the Wellington community. When I was thinking about how to do so, I realized there is no

better way to show our appreciation than by providing the exact service we value most, our food. At that moment, the idea for the Pyrogrill Business of the Month program was born.”

To become eligible, simply call, fax or e-mail your story. Tell what your business does locally to enhance the community and share the good deeds of employees. The pro-

gram begins May 3, but you can begin sending in your good deeds any time.

Pyrogrill is located at 10590 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, call (561) 798-4099 or visit www.pyrogrill.com.

Clerk Presents Year-End Financial Review To County Commission

Palm Beach County’s revenues from property taxes and other sources declined for the second straight year as property values continued to fall. But the county’s spending remained flat, Clerk Sharon Bock told the Board of County Commissioners during her annual year-end financial report.

Bock’s report, delivered Tuesday, April 20 at the Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting, included detailed information about the county’s finances, from investment portfolio performance to the amount of county debt. This is the fourth year Bock has presented the

board with the year-end review, based on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

“This is an opportunity for the Board of County Commissioners to review its past in preparation for the future,” Bock said. “My hope is that we can stimulate a public dialogue on the county’s fiscal future before budgets are set for next year.”

Among the highlights from Bock’s report:

• General fund tax revenue dropped by 9 percent, or $63 million, to approximately $612 million in fiscal year 2009. That’s down

from $675 million in 2008 and $718 million in 2007.

• The county’s savings account (or general fund balance) also declined for the second year in a row. The general fund balance was $181 million at the end of fiscal year 2009, down 18 percent from 2008.

• The county’s total debt — which includes bonded debt, notes, commercial paper and loans — increased last year by 21 percent, to $2.29 billion.

• Although cash used for day-today operating expenses dropped by $101 million, general government expenses increased by $10 million.

Bock’s report also included several recommendations for county commissioners for the coming year, including reviewing debt using a portfolio-based approach vs. an issue-by-issue approach; adopting comprehensive reserve policies; adopting comprehensive fund balance policies; and consolidating all county investments into one portfolio to reduce costs and maximize interest earnings.

Also released April 20 was the fourth edition of “Checks & Balances: Your Guide to County Finances,” an easy-to-read report that puts information about county revenue

and spending right at citizens’ fingertips. This user-friendly guide, produced annually by the Clerk & Comptroller’s office, gives citizens helpful information to understand their county government, answering questions about how taxpayers’ money is spent, effects of the sluggish economy, the impact of tax reform and much more.

An online version of “Checks & Balances,” as well as the year-end financial review presentation, the annual investment guide and other financial information is available at the clerk’s office web site at www. mypalmbeachclerk.com.

For additional information about the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, call (561) 792-6525 or visit www.wellingtonchamber.com. Send business news items to: The Town-Crier Newspaper, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

Science Of Fitness Inaugural Health Clinic

By Damon Webb Town-Crier Staff Report

Science of Fitness hosted its inaugural “Spring into Action” health clinic on Wednesday, April 14 at its location in West Palm Beach. The event was an introduction to the community. The purpose was to allow adults and children to come in and receive a health evaluation and learn important information on fitness and wellness.

“This event marks our official opening to the community,” Science of Fitness owner/master trainer Reginald Stewart said. “I’m excited to finally have the opportunity to show the community all the wonderful services we can provide. Health plays such a vital role in our everyday life. It’s one of the fundamentals that affect our daily performance.”

The special event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Many of the neighboring businesses were excited to have the event so close by, as it provided a great en-

vironment for networking. Live demonstrations on the equipment were also a highlight. Among the attendees were Col. Michael Gauger of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Springs Mayor John M. “Mike” Davis and Shirley Horn, an account executive with SM Wolf Trading.

There were many local businesses that supported the event and what it set out to accomplish. By the conclusion of the event, they became business partners with Science of Fitness. Ari Globerman of Back to Life Healing Arts provided complimentary massages and information on Rolfing. Diane Deppen of Jason’s Deli in Wellington provided refreshments and nutritional information. Mike Wilson of Fit2Run in the Mall at Wellington Green provided information and a raffle prize. Representatives from Wellington’s Sanda Gané European Day Spa provided gift certificates. L’Occitane provided sample skincare products and information. There were

other businesses that expressed interest in future events hosted by the fitness facility.

“The businesses have been great,” Stewart said. “It’s important in this economic climate to align yourself with businesses and people who can aid in each others’ growth. It’s all about relationships at the end of the day. It’s a very important part to any business, and we are glad to have them along for the journey.”

Science of Fitness is an exclusive one-on-one personal training facility determined to help clients achieve their fitness goals. Certified personal trainers are on hand to create a fitness and wellness program tailored to clients’ needs for guaranteed results. Science of Fitness is located at 4364 Forest Hill Blvd., in the Syms Plaza on the southeast corner of Military Trail. For more info., call (561) 642-4892 or visit www. scienceoffitnesspt.com.

Wellington Chamber Looking For Young Professionals

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce recently launched its Young Professionals Organization, which was created to provide a networking environment within the chamber for its young professionals to network and grow the chamber and the community. The chamber is looking for 40 good men and woman under 40 who want their businesses to grow while taking the chamber to the next level.

The group will coordinate networking events, day trips, social networking events and business coaching opportunities. Any business owner or associate of that business is welcome, though they must be a chamber member in good standing.

Each month, one individual will be recognized at a chamber luncheon as well as through various social media networking and chamber newsletters for

their efforts in the community, whether entrepreneurial or charitable.

All chamber members’ skills are welcome, from coaches to community leaders and beyond. YPO chairs are Chris Zeller and Thomas Leinwol, and Fernanda Yanez is in charge of membership recruitment.

The chamber will introduce the YPO at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 19 at Binks Forest Golf Club (400 Binks Forest Drive, Wellington). State Attorney Michael McAuliffe will be the featured speaker.

Registration and networking will take place from 11:30 a.m. to noon, and the luncheon begins promptly at noon.

Admission is $20 for chamber members with RSVP, $25 for members at the door and $30 for nonmembers. To RSVP, call (561) 792-6525.

Science of Fitness owner Reginald Stewart and Palm Springs Mayor John Davis lead the ribbon cutting.

PHOTO BY DAMON WEBB/TOWN-CRIER

PBCHS Boys Volleyball Team Ready For District Tourney

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach Central High School boys varsity volleyball team is confident that its pre-season goal is within reach.

“Our goal for the season is obviously always to have a good district run,” coach Andrew Elder said. “And with this team, our goal is to get to state. This is the first year we’ve had that we feel like we can actually get there if they play as a team.”

The Broncos (17-5) are preparing to meet top competitors Park Vista and Wellington when district competition begins next week.

Senior co-captains Brandon May and Joey Palmer, who are outside hitters, have been instrumental in the Broncos’ success this season.

“They can both put the ball away pretty much at will,” Elder said.

Seniors Spenser Foley, Kevin

Grenauer, David Shilling and Edward Santiago, junior Jake Goldstein and sophomore Nikolas Nelson are other key members of the team.

Elder has been impressed all season by the team’s talent and camaraderie.

“The team gets along very well,” he said. “They’re a bunch of really smart kids who, most of them, have been playing with each other now for two or three years. They all know each other. They get along. They hang out with each other outside school, which helps as well.”

The Broncos defeated Suncoast 25-19, 23-25, 25-22, 25-16 on Monday, April 26 at home. The secondgame loss was a result of the team “playing down,” Elder said.

“We just kind of slacked off,” he said. “It’s something we’ve been prone to do this season, playing down to our opponents’ level. And

there was a lot of miscommunication. Usually we play as a much more jelled team, and it just wasn’t there tonight.”

The team played after three days off, and almost two weeks without practice, Elder said. “We haven’t had much chance to practice in two weeks,” he said. “We’ve been playing, playing, playing.”

May led the Broncos with 23 kills, 11 service points and six aces. Palmer had seven kills, 11 service points and three aces. Foley contributed 11 kills, while Goldstein contributed one kill, eight service points and two aces.

Elder will push the team as it heads into district play.

“We have to make sure that we play at the same level the whole time,” he said. “And understand that when you get to districts, you play until you lose. So you have to play at your peak the entire time.”

Wellington Wave U-16 Soccer Boys Are State Champions

The Wellington Wave U-16 boys soccer team became the U.S. Youth Soccer U-16 Florida state champions following an impressive victory over Hunter’s Creek Fire in the final of the 2010 President’s Cup held in Auburndale, Fla.

The team will travel in June to Broken Arrow, Okla. to represent the Wellington Soccer Club and the State of Florida in the Region III President’s Cup.

The championship match proved to be an exciting 1-0 victory, with the lone goal scored by Joey Coleman off an assist from Austin Mills.

“When the ball came to me, I broke down the left side of the field

and saw Joey breaking toward the goal,” Mills recalled. “Once I got past my defender, I centered the ball, and Joey was able to tap it in. It was a perfect goal, and I was so happy that we were able to finish the play.”

A day before the decisive victory over Hunter’s Creek, the Wellington Wave thoroughly dominated the Wesley Chapel Flames in a semi-final match, winning 5-0.

“It was a team effort this entire weekend,” mid-fielder Mike Bauman said. “Our offense pressured the other teams, forcing them into mistakes, which created scoring chances for us. Our defense kept the

competition off-balance and totally shut down their attack. Dillon came up big in goal and made a great save against Hunter’s Creek.”

Coleman, Mills and Bauman, along with teammates Ignacio Albornoz, Ryan Allen, Robert Budd, Blake Cinilia, Ramon Flores, Dillon Gilliano, Andres Gomez, Johnny Lee, Mikey McMahon, Marco Navarette, Brandon Owens, Andres Parada, Diego San, Jorge Santana-Reyes and Eric Vargas, are looking forward to competing for a regional title June 10-13 in Broken Arrow.

“This past weekend our boys showed their class, both on and off

the field,” coach Edner Breton said after the trophy presentation. “I am very proud of them for the way they performed. I am told that we were the talk of the tournament because of the attractive style of soccer we play. Looking forward to Oklahoma, we’ll be competing at the national level, not just state, and I expect the competition to be tough. However, we are going there with great expectations, because, if we play our style and perform the way we did in Auburndale, there aren’t many teams that can beat us at the U-161evel. It’s not going to be easy, but we are going there to try and win the whole thing.”

The players are currently planning several fundraisers to offset expenses associated with the Oklahoma tournament.

A car wash is scheduled for Sunday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Blockbuster Video in the Wellington Plaza (at the corner of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill Blvd.).

The team is also seeking sponsorships. If you would like to sponsor the Wellington Wave U-16 boys soccer team, call Suzanne Bauman at (561) 762-3164.

For additional information about the Wellington Soccer Club, visit www.wellingtonsoccer.com.

Jake Goldstein sets the ball while Spenser Foley lines up to spike.

Brandon May spikes the ball.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Joey Palmer serves.

Edward Santiago sets the ball while Jake Goldstein and Spenser Foley prepare to spike.

SEMINOLE RIDGE SOCCER STAR SIGNS WITH BREVARD

Seminole Ridge High School soccer player Daryl Fuentes has signed a scholarship agreement to play for Brevard Community College in Melbourne. Fuentes, who began playing soccer at age 5, earned 18 goals for SRHS this season and provided seven assists. Throughout her career as a soccer player, she can boast 64 goals and 29 assists. Shown above are: (front row, L-R) BCC coach Jeff Carr, Daryl Fuentes and her father Nick; (back row) SRHS Athletic Director Scott Parks, girls soccer coach Allen Gerfers and Principal Dr. Lynne McGee.

BEREAN CHEER SQUAD VICTORIOUS IN WINTER HAVEN

Members of Berean Christian School’s varsity cheerleading squad came home with smiles on their faces and an extra-large trophy for the school’s trophy case. The girls competed at Polk State College in Winter Haven on April 10 at the Spring Break Fun Fest competition. The meet was hosted by Florida Cheer & Dance. The Berean girls took first place in the varsity tumbling category. The squad consists of girls in the seventh through 12th grades. The girls are coached by Aimee Yocum, a cheerleader at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Berean Christian School is located at 8350 Okeechobee Blvd. For more information, visit the school’s web site at www.bcsbulldogs.org. Pictured above are the Berean cheerleaders with the giant trophy after the April 10 competition in Winter Haven.

8-U INDIANS WIN SPRING BREAK BASH

The 8-U Okeeheelee Indians went unbeaten in the 2010 Lake Worth Spring Break Bash. Along with playing great defense, the team pounded 17 home runs over the fence in its five victories, including four in the 11-3 win over the West Boca Panthers in the championship game. The team was led by Jacob Baughman (six home runs), Griffin Lampton (two home runs), Raul Cepero (two home runs) and Cameron Faurot (two home runs). Home runs were also hit by Greyson Snow, Zachary Epstein, Charlie Nichols, Fernando Zermeno and Mitchell Knight. Pictured above are: (front row, L-R) Cameron Faurot and Fernando Zermeno; (second row) Raul Cepero, Michael Hamm, Justin Gregory, Jacob Baughman, Greyson Snow, Steven Passeggiatta, Zachary Epstein, Charlie Nichols, Gavin Ross, Guillermo Garcia, Griffin Lampton and Mitchell Knight; (back row) coaches Rob Snow, Tim Lampton, Dave Epstein and John Baughman.

SPORTS & RECREATION

CATS Competes At ‘Arabian Nights’ Wellington Wrestler Luke Ready Goes 6-2

At Ohio

Tournament

Luke Ready of Wellington, ranked fourth in the nation (AllAmerican), competed at the Ohio Tournament of Champions over the weekend of April 24 and 25.

The nation’s largest one-day individuals tournament took place Saturday, April 24 at the Columbus Convention Center. More than 2,700 wrestlers were registered. On Saturday, Ready entered in the Junior 110-pound weight division with 35 kids in his bracket from around the country. Ready wrestled eight matches, winning six and losing two.

On Sunday, Ready and Florida Heat Wave team member Zachary Sherman wrestled duals for Penn State Gold. The team took first place in Team Duals.

Ready is a 12-year-old attending Emerald Cove Middle School. He started wrestling with the Wellington Warriors when he was seven years old.

Ready now trains with the Police Athletic League wrestling club in Royal Palm Beach under the direction of coach Barry Staats and with

Luke Ready

the Florida Heat Wave travel team with coach Gary Sherman. Ready is set to go to the Virginia nationals in May.

CATS of Wellington gymnasts recently competed in the Arabian Nights competition.

In Level 2, Angela Lares scored a 9.5 on vault, 9.350 on bars and 9.3 on floor. Michela Frozini scored a 9.6 on vault, 9.3 on floor and 9.150 on beam. Alexandra Lares scored a 9.5 on vault, 9.2 on beam and 9.0 on bars. Alexa Alvarez scored a 9.02 on vault and 8.850 on beam.

In Level 3, Ranaya Lindsay scored a 9.250 on floor, 9.150 on beam, 9.50 on bars winning third place, 9.40 on vault winning second place and winning third place all around. Bianca Sileo scored a 9.0 on bars for fourth place, 9.1 on beam for second place, 9.2 on floor for first place, 9.5 on vault and second place all around. Sidney Glaubrecht scored a 9.050 on beam, 9.3 on vault for fourth place and 9.6 on bars winning first place. Faith Campuguolo scored a 9.2 on vault, 9.0 on bars and 8.850 on beam. Samantha Baez scored 8.9 on floor, 9.0 on vault and 9.0 bars.

In Level 4, Isabella Padilla scored a 9.150 on vault, 9.275 on floor to win third place, 9.050 on beam for first place and first place for all around. Sophia Ringvald scored a 8.975 on floor, 9.075 on vault, 9.0 on bars winning third place and a

newest awards.

fourth place all around. Alexia Moraes scored a 8.9 on floor, taking fourth place and 9.025 on vault. Mia Frozini scored a 8.950 on vault and 8.975 on floor. Gabriella Hernandez scored a 9.25 on vault and 8.650 on floor. Together the girls brought home the fourth-place team trophy.

For the Level 5 team, Rayven Glaubrecht won third place on bars, second place on beam, second place on vault and first place on floor, earning first place all around. Michela Arbocco won third place on floor, first place on beam and first place on bars, winning second place all around. Angela Chandler scored 8.6 on bars, winning fourth place. In Level 7/8 optionals, Vanessa Vergara stood strong with a 9.075 for her vault and 8.525 for her floor routine.

The CATS girls are coached by Margarita Martinez, Felipe Restrepo and Mario Restrepo. For more information, or to learn about joining this award-winning team, call (561) 795-3393.

The girls from CATS Gymnastics in Wellington pose with their

Academy for Child Enrichment — In the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Academy for Child Enrichment offers free all-day VPK. Infants through after-school day and night care, 6:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, meals included. Qualified staff. Se habla Espanol. Special rates for all registration. The Academy for Child Enrichment is located at 700 Camellia Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 798-3452 or visit www.smallworldpbc.com for more info.

Camp Giddy-Up — Ravenwood Riding Academy has been located in Wellington for 20 years. Licensed and insured, with all safety equipment provided, they are located on a beautiful, safe and clean farm with plenty of shade. Ravenwood is now accepting 12 students per session, ages 6-13. Camp hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Campers learn safety, horse care and grooming, with riding lessons daily, as well as scheduled visits with a blacksmith, horse vet and equine dentist. Weekly sessions are $200. Sibling discounts or multi-session discounts are available. Camp Giddy-Up has a full staff and a hands-on director. Register today by calling (561) 793-4109 or visit www.ravenwood ridingacademy.com. Hurry, sessions fill up quickly!

Dianne M. Morin Home Cooking Summer Camp — The Home Cooking Summer Camp program is a hands-on experience where all campers will work in groups based on their level of cooking experience. Everyone will participate in making various aspects of their meal. In addition to general cooking techniques, campers will be instructed on safe food handling, equipment safety and table etiquette. Campers will learn how to read a recipe, prepare and cook delicious and healthy dishes with an emphasis on nutrition. All campers will take home a copy of the recipes which they create. For more information or to register, call (561) 722-4429 or visit www.diannemmorininc.com

CampHours: 8:30am-3:00pm

ExtendedHours: 7:00am-6:00pm

2’s,3’s,4’sACTIVITIES: •ComputerLab•AnimalShows •AlphabetGames•Water/SensoryPlay •CreativeWriting•PuppetShows •Science&Cooking•Music&Movement •Swimming(3’s&up)•TrainRides

ENTERINGKINDERGARTENACTIVITIES: •On-SiteSwimming•Reading/MathGames •WritingCenter•CreativeWriting •ScienceThemes•GeographySkills •Sports&PlayBall® •VideoGameRoom •ComputerLabs•In-houseFieldTrips

FIRST&SECONDGRADEACTIVITIES: •On-SiteSwimming•Sports&PlayBall® •ComputerLabs•ScienceLabs •MusicClasses•CreativeWriting •ArtClasses•EnrichmentEvents •VideoGameRoom•In-HouseFieldTrips

Private&GroupSwimLessons byAmericanRedCrossCertifiedInstructors Experienced&MatureStaff

Good Earth Farm Summer Camp — At the Good Earth Farm, home of Chocolate Chip Animal Rescue Inc., a not-for-profit large animal sanctuary, children ages seven to 11 learn to care for and respect animals on a real farm at the Horseback Riding & Animal Lovers Camp. The farm features horses, miniature horses, ponies, a donkey, pigs, ducks, geese, sheep, parrots, llamas and alpacas. Summer camp runs from June 6 through July 30, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each special half day for kids includes working with horses, miniature horses, alpacas, llamas and exotic birds, riding lessons, fine arts and crafts, candy, soap making and felting, grooming horses and llama/alpaca care. Sign up now. The camp needs 10 children minimum and 25 maximum. Call Nancy Fried-Tobin at (561) 792-2666 for details. Also, every Wednesday, Good Earth Farm offers group riding for $35 a class, ages four and up at 4 p.m. with an adult walking the child while on the pony; register separately. Fifteen years and up needed as counselor assistants includes one free riding lesson per week plus community service hours. High Touch High Tech — High Touch High Tech has been providing hands-on science experiments to children in South Florida for over 15 years. They bring science to life for children in preschool through middle school. Up until now, Ann and Mike Ezratty, the owners of the South Florida region, and their team of professional scientists, have gone into your child’s school. Now, for the first time ever, they have a facility in Wellington offering summer camp programs and birthday parties beginning June 2010 at a new location off of Pierson Road. The camp offers affordable pricing, hands-on science experiments with lots of cool science take-homes, nature experiences as well as art projects that relate to the scientific investigations. High Touch High Tech knows that children are naturally curious and taps into their natural curiosity to provide them with safe, exciting and fun experiments to help them understand the world around them with the ultimate goal of giving children the tools to be able to think scientifically in order to solve problems. Expect really awesome fun as kids erupt volcanoes, pan for gems, launch rockets, make ice cream, grow plants, make fossils, dissect owl pellets and much, much more! Come visit as High Touch High Tech creates their all new hands-on science laboratory! Space is limited to 20 young scientists. High Touch High Tech is located at 3080 Fairlane Farms Rd., Suite 2. Call (561) 7923785 today.

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

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

Royal Palm Beach Youth Players Summer Camp 2010 — The Village of Royal Palm Beach is hosting three camps this summer:

• Summer Dive-In Acting Camp — In this perfect-sized group, campers of all levels will easily explore and have fun while building performance experience. Instructors skilled in small and large group activities “set the stage” for delivering lines, creating costume flair and a little hip-hop toward a Super Skit! Friends and family are welcome to the finale on the last day. Camp runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 14 - June 18 for ages 7 to 14 with a minimum of eight campers to a maximum of 24. The cost is $175 for RPB residents; $195 for non-residents. For more information, call (561) 790-5149 or register online at www. royalpalmbeach.com for a five-percent discount.

• Summer Movie Spoof Camp — You go see ’em, we’ll spoof ’em! Last year we transformed Transformers… this year we’ll re-do scenes, change-up some artwork and improvise our way ’til showtime! Family and friends are welcome to see our summer blockbuster… with a twist! Camp runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 12 - July 16 for ages 7 to 14 with a minimum of eight campers to a maximum of 24. The cost is $175 for RPB residents; $195 for non-residents. Art materials and camp t-shirt included. For more information, call (561) 790-5149 or register online at www.royalpalmbeach.com for a five-percent discount.

• Lucky Starz Productions — Lucky Starz presents “A Beautiful Me” Empowerment Camp for girls ages 8 to 16 hosted by the Village of Royal Palm Beach. Campers will learn to build self-esteem, etiquette, make new friends, introduction to public speaking, introduction to modeling, skin care and makeup for teens. Each camper will receive “A Beautiful Me” camp t-shirt. Camp includes a tea party and fashion show featuring all camp participants. There are two sessions: June 7 - 11 and June 21 - 25 running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $175 for RPB residents; $195 for non-residents. For more information, call (561) 790-5149 or register online at www.royalpalmbeach.com for a five-percent discount or visit www.luckystarzproductions.com.

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

TNT Gymnastics Center — TNT is offering a great summer program with flexible hours and fun-filled days. They provide a safe, positive environment for your child to enhance self-esteem and physical fitness through gymnastics, trampolines, rock climbing, group games, arts & crafts, water play, martial arts and much more! TNT owner Tina Tyska is a former Class 1 gymnast coached by two-time Olympian Kim Chase. She has 25 years of coaching experience, including toddlers thru Level 9 gymnasts as well as special-needs children. TNT Gymnastics is located at 3120 Fairlane Farms Road in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 383-TNT1 (8681).

Zolet Arts Academy — Zolet Arts Academy is in its 20th year offering professional fine arts classes in the original Wellington Mall. The summer camp program runs Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with four separate weekly schedules starting June 7 for ages 6-8 and 9-14 in drawing, painting, sculpture and crafts. No two days are alike and feature rotating subjects and media: acrylics, watercolors, tempera, fingerpaints, chalk and oil pastels, charcoal, pen and inks, block and mono printing, 3D collage, wood, clay, tile, papier mache, textiles and observational drawing/shading for audition prep. Zolet offers individualized instruction for all skill levels and a perfect time-limited curriculum for rainy afternoons. Take-home completed work daily. The total cost of $165/week includes all free supplies. For more info., call (561) 793-6489.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, May 1

• The annual Royal Palm Beach Community Garage Sale will be held Saturday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Park (1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). The park will be filled with vendors selling their treasures. Musical entertainment and refreshments will be available through Royal Palm Beach Primary Providers. Overflow parking will be available at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center with a free shuttle bus. For more info., call (561) 790-5149.

• Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach) will host Synaplex Shabbat on Saturday, May 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Various activities will be offered throughout the day. Call (561) 798-8888 or visit www.templebethzion.net for info.

• The Museum of Lifestyle and Fashion History (801 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 483, in the Boynton Beach Mall) will feature the permanent exhibit “Fashion Treasures” from the museum’s collection beginning Saturday, May 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info., Call (561) 2432662 or visit www.mlfhmuseum.org.

• The Hispano-Latino Cultural Alliance will host a Cinco de Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 1 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Old School Square (51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach). For more info., call (561) 276-3396 or visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com.

• The Armory Art Center will feature ArtA-Palooza on Saturday, May 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Narcissus Avenue in downtown West Palm Beach. Art-A-Palooza is a day for children and their families to experience art together through hands-on art activities. It is a benefit for the Armory’s youth scholarship and outreach program. For more info., call (561) 832-1776, ext. 33 or visit www.armoryart.org.

• The West Palm Beach public library (100 Clematis Street) will feature “Bytes & Bits: Safe & Sound” on Saturday, May 1 at 1:30 p.m. Learn how to clean up your computer’s hard drive and protect it from viruses. Call (561) 868-7760 or visit www.mycity library.org to pre-register.

• The fundraising event “Aneta Rocks” will be held Saturday, May 1 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the American Polish Club (4725 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres). The event will benefit Palms West Hospital employee Aneta Nichols, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. There will be live music, children’s activities, vendors, food

and fun for the whole family. For more info., call (561) 289-6481 or e-mail cancersucks anetarocks@hotmail.com.

• Boy Scout Troop 208 will host a Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction on Monday, May 1 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church (13645 Paddock Drive, Wellington). The dinner includes spaghetti with homemade vegetarian or meat sauce, garlic bread, salad, a drink and dessert. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for children. Buy tickets online at www.troop 208.myevent.com.

• Keep Flippin’ Gymnastics will perform “The Sounds of Music” at the Palm Beach State College Eissey Campus Theatre (11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens) on Saturday, May 1 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m. It will be a unique gymnastic tumbling and apparatus revue. Call (561) 745-2511 or visit www.keepflippin. com for more info.

• Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will present financial assistance awards to four graduating high school students on Saturday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at the Harvin Center (1030 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach). The presentation will take place at the general membership meeting featuring guest speaker Inlet Grove High School Principal Dr. Emma Banks. For more info., call (561) 791-9087.

Sunday, May 2

• Waste away awhile in “Margaritaville” with the Wellington Women’s Club on Sunday, May 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Proceeds will support the YWCA of Palm Beach County’s Mary Rubloff Harmony House, a shelter for abused women and their children, and college scholarships for area graduates. The cost is a $40 donation. To purchase tickets, call Allyson Samiljan at (561) 798-6741.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature writer Andrew Gross on Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m. for adults. Meet this best-selling author as he talks about his latest book Reckless. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The West Palm Beach public library (100 Clematis Street) will host “Music for a Sunday Afternoon” on Sunday, May 2 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The event will feature a steel drum performance by the Chobee Steelers. Call (561) 868-7701 or visit www.mycity library.org for more info.

See CALENDAR, page 44

On the ride home, she can’t stop talking about camp. I hear happy stories about her friends and teachers. She proudly shows me her latest work of art. She smiles and giggles recounting her day. I know I made the right choice. —Beth

TEMPLE BETH TORAH Leonie Arguetty Preschool Camp

15 MOS. TO KINDERGARTEN • 8 WEEKS, FULL & PART-TIME

Weekly Entertainment: Magic & Animal Shows • Storytellers

Loving & Nurturing Environment Secure Facility New Playground Theme Weeks Arts & Crafts Gymnastics Computer Skills Sports Nature Cooking Water Play

For info call Director, Sandy Wilensky at 561.793.2649 900 Big Blue Trace | Wellington | psdirector@templebethtorah.net

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 43 Tuesday, May 4

• Binks Forest Elementary School will host its Kindergarten Roundup on Tuesday, May 4 at 8:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Registration packets will be available. To register, a child must be five years old by Sept. 1. To complete the registration packet, parents must supply the child’s original birth certificate, a Florida certificate of immunization, a school physical form dated after Aug. 17, 2009, and two proof-of-residence documents. For info., call (561) 904-9800.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “A Gift for Mom” on Tuesday, May 4 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 5 to 9. Bring a picture of yourself and make a present for your mother. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register.

• The international dance sensation Burn the Floor will perform at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts from Tuesday, May 4 through Sunday, May 9. Call (561) 832SHOW or visit www.kravis.org for tickets.

Wednesday, May 5

• Acreage Pines Elementary School (14200 Orange Blvd.) will host its Kindergarten Roundup on Wednesday, May 5 at 8:15 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Important information will be discussed regarding the 2010-11 school year and registration packets will be available. Anyone unable to attend can stop by after May 5 to pick up a packet. For more info., call (561) 904-9507.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “Mexican Folk Tales” on Wednesday, May 5 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 4 to 6. Call (561) 790-6030 to preregister.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will hold “Family Bilingual Story” on Wednesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 3 to 5. Join library staff for a fun family story time in English and Spanish. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• B.B. King’s Blues Club at CityPlace will host two performances by its legendary namesake on Wednesday, May 5 and Thursday, May 6. Tickets start at $75 per person for standing-room only, with several seated dinner packages also available. For more info., call (561) 420-8600 or visit www.bbkingclubs.com.

• The Lighthouse Center for the Arts (373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta) will hold the 40th Annual K-12 Community Student Exhibition May 5-28. Call (561) 746-3101 or visit www.lighthousearts.org for more info.

Thursday, May 6

• The West Palm Beach public library (100 Clematis St., West Palm Beach) will feature the program “Excel 1 & 2” on Thursday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This intensive class covers the basics of Microsoft Excel 2007 and more. A lunch break will be provided from noon to 1 p.m. Computer lab registration is required. Call (561) 868-7760 or visit www.mycitylibrary.org for more info.

• The Greater Palm Beach Area chapter of the American Red Cross will host its annual Heroes for the American Red Cross kickoff party on Thursday, May 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the PGA Commons courtyard between Sushi Jo and Ouzo Blue restaurants on PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. The event will feature drinks, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a DJ, belly dancers and a Chinese raffle. A suggested donation of $5 will be good for one Hero-tini drink ticket. For more info., call Melissa Perzanowski at (561) 746-1532 or e-mail perzanowskim@redcross-pbc.org.

• The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will meet Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall (1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). For more info., call (561) 790-5100. Friday, May 7

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “Mother’s Day Story Time” on Friday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 4 to 6. Celebrate mothers in children’s literature and make a simple craft. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Acreage Pines Elementary School will hold its annual Fox Family Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 7. The event is free and open to the public. It will feature fun, food and entertainment for all. Vendor and sponsor space is available. For more info., contact the PTA office at acreagepinespta @gmail.com or call (561) 904-9500.

• ThinkPINKkids Wellington will host its second annual 5k “Walk to Win the Battle Against Breast Cancer” on Friday, May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington High School track. The family-friendly event will feature performances by the WHS dance team, varsity and JV cheerleaders, and many other groups. Registration may be completed online at www.thinkpinkkids.com or before the start of the walk at 6 p.m. The student registration fee is $10; the adult fee is $20. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. Email: news@gotowncrier.com.

and parking. Private home in Lake Park. No pets. 561841-7670 561-315-3259

CABANA APARTMENT - tile, A/C Kitchenette, bath, french doors overlook pool. References required $650/month. Also, available single barn apartment $450/month. Call 966-8791

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

Highly Desired & Experienced Companion/Caregiver for Elderly. Assist with shopping, Dr. Appt., light housekeeping. References available. Flexible with vehicle. 561-7290277

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

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

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

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

DRIVEWAYS — - Free estimates. A &

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

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

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

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

VOLUNTEER AT AN ANIMAL

SANCTUARY HORSE FARM - 14 and up, community Service. 7922666

TEACHERS/TUTORS P/T

Flexible Hrs. Great Pay. MATH • STUDY SKILLS

SAT/ACT Certification/Experience Required Fax: 828-8128

Email:tutorking@wpb3331980.com

LEAD PRESCHOOL TEACHERSMust have 45 hr. certificate & current CDA a plus. 3 year old & VPK Teacher needed F/T 561-793-5641

P/T LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE — Help needed EAST to WEST LANDSCAPING, LLC. 561644-5547

URGENT! — Owner Operators Needed Stepdeck/Flatbed/ Dry Vans. Local/Regional/OTR. Paid Weekly! 85% of gross; 40% advance. 1-888-880-5922

P.T. MEDICAL ASSISTANT — NEEDED for busy medical office. Pediatric Experience a must. Fax resume. 561-793-0490

Dental Assistant: Wellington upscale dental office, 2 Saturdays per month a requirement, must have experience and expanded duties certificate, excellent pay and benefits. Please call 561 204 4494 and fax resume to 561 204 2840.

Dental Office Assistant Manager: Minimum two years dental experience, two Saturdays per month required, must have knowledge of PPO dental insurance, breakdowns and verification. Excellent pay and benefits. Please call 561 204 4494 and fax resume to 561 204 2840.

GREAT OP PORTUNITY FOR CHAIR RENTAL — Stylists, Barber, Nail Technician. For immediate Hire. Shampoo Assistants. Call 3332838 or 784-3948

WELLINGTON AREA PROFESSIONAL 38 YEAR OLD MALELooking for room to rent for 3 to 4 months (up to $550 monthly) 305851-7985 or 765-896-8893 or Email Chris@dragonpc-online.com

ROOMMATE WANTED - Female seeking female roommate to share furnished single family waterfront home in nice Wellington neighborhood. All utilities included plus, directTV & Internet. $750 per month. References & stable employment required. For more information call 561-385-5199

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

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

J.C. TEETS & CO. — Concierge Accounting. discreet, confidential, individualized service to manage all of your personalized financial needs.Visit us at www.jcteets.com or call 561-632-0635

CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL 793-3576

MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL

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

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

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

DOORS & WINDOWS, INC. IMPACT WINDOWS

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

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

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Well. Resident. PIANO LESSONS FOR CHILDREN — Ages 4 – 17 Lessons are effective, stress free, and FUN. Serving all of Palm Beach County. 561-358-3932

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

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

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

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 309-6975