101ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
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Westlake Council To Discuss Cassel Departure At Meeting
By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report
The Westlake City Council has called a special meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 26 to discuss what comes next in the wake of the surprise announcement by longtime City Manager Kenneth Cassel that he will be leaving his position as of Friday, Sept. 26. Cassel is the only municipal manager that Westlake has had, beginning with its incorporation in 2016. Prior to that, Cassel became manager of the Seminole Improvement District (SID) in 2013, a position he still holds. SID provides most of the infrastructure for Westlake.
RPB’s Demetrius Sherrod Serves As A Referee In Four Sports Royal Palm Beach resident Demetrius Sherrod maintains a unique niche in the world of sports. As a high school student growing up in the 1970s, he was a two-sport athlete at John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres. Today, he’s involved in four high school sports as a referee. Page 17
Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said he was surprised by Cassel’s decision but, “It’ll shake things up in a positive way. Ken’s leaving will open up some opportunities for discussion and change.”
Cassel, who is employed by
Inframark Inc., a national community management company, told council members of his decision on Monday, Aug. 11. He also is leaving Inframark, but he will remain for a time in a consulting role for the company as it relates to Westlake and the several other government entities he oversees.
For years, however, most of his time has been focused on Westlake, he said this week.
Still, several council members expressed frustration with what they perceive as a short window in which to find a replacement.
“I don’t think the amount of time he gave us was right,” Councilman Gary Werner said this week.
Cassel told council members that he and his wife are moving to Central Florida to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
“We’re happy for him. We truly are,” Councilwoman Charlotte Leonard said this week. “It’s won-
derful to be able to spend time with your grandchildren and family… [but] I wish we had more time to go through the possibilities and alternatives.”
“I gave them 45 days’ notice, which is longer than most people give,” Cassel said this week. “Plus, my contract is with Inframark, not with the city.”
Cassel pointed out that Inframark is required to provide a city manager under the current contract. However, that fact has left council members wondering how much say they will have in the choice of who is running Westlake day-to-day.
Chris Tarase, Inframark’s president for community management, said Tuesday that the choice of the next manager will be a “collaborative process” between Inframark and the city.
Tarase said he plans to attend the
Gloria Salazar New Principal At Wellington’s New Horizons
By Christopher Vargas Town-Crier Staff Report
New Horizons Elementary School in Wellington began the new school year under the leadership of Principal Gloria Salazar, a veteran educator with deep connections to the community.
For Salazar, the position is not just a new role, but a return to familiar ground. She attended fifth grade at New Horizons as a child, and said those experiences continue to shape her career in education.
“This isn’t just another school to me,” Salazar said, reminiscing about her time at New Horizons.
“It’s the place where my own educational journey took a significant step forward. Those positive memories have stayed with me.”
She grew up in Wellington and has lived in the community since she was a child. Salazar’s career in education began as a classroom
teacher before she moved into administration, serving as an assistant principal and later as principal at Jupiter Elementary School for the past three years.
“My proudest accomplishment was leading the school to significant academic progress,” Salazar explained. “This was a direct result of a collaborative effort to ensure that every student received the support they needed to succeed.”
Under her leadership, Jupiter Elementary saw achievement gaps close among different student populations.
Salazar credits this progress to a strong culture of professional learning for teachers. She established weekly professional learning communities where educators could share best practices, collaborate on lesson plans and receive targeted coaching.
“This investment in our teach-
ers’ craft directly contributed to our students’ academic progress,” she said.
Salazar’s return to New Horizons also aligns with the school’s well-known dual-language International Spanish Academy program. As a bilingual Hispanic who grew up in the western communities, she sees herself as “a natural bridge between the school and our
Wellington Council OKs ‘Marketplace’ Mixed-Use Project
By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report
feet for professional office and medical space, retail and restaurants broken up into eight separate buildings. The new approvals lower the amount of commercial space but add an 80-room hotel and 89 multifamily homes. To be developed by Wellington
Lifestyle Partners (WLP), the project is coupled with two residential club communities and an expansion of the equestrian showgrounds, previously approved. Unlike those projects, given the OK last year, the “Marketplace” parcel is not in the village’s Equestrian Overlay Zoning District and already had vested commercial development rights.
“This is a continued conversation of an ambition we started almost two and a half years ago about how to make Wellington’s future secure, and how to ensure that it is the premier horse sport destination for generations to come,” WLP CEO Doug McMahon said.
Specifically, the council approved a change to the Future Land Use Map from commercial to mixed use, approved a new master plan for Pod 12 of the Wellington Planned Unit Development (PUD) and
dents who will be learning there. You can’t see them, but the fingerprints of Principal Dwan Moore Ross are on all of it, and much more.
“It was a rare opportunity,” Ross said this week. “I was able to work very closely with the architects and builders. I was given a clean slate to create.”
What Ross created is a $41.7 million, 95,990-square-foot facility to eventually house 971 students. When the doors opened
on Monday, Aug. 11, a total of 631 students arrived to an enthusiastic welcome from 44 teachers, school staff and administrators. Also on hand to greet, meet and encourage students and faculty were Palm Beach County School District Superintendent Michael Burke and District 6 School Board Member Marcia Andrews, who represents most of the county west of State Road 7. “It was marvelous,” said Andrews, who also is the board’s vice chair. “Everyone is so excited to be at the school.”
Saddle View is the first new elementary school built in the western communities in more than a decade. Students from Arden previously were being bused or driven five miles east to Welling-
ton’s Binks Forest Elementary School, which was built in 1999 with a capacity for 1,206 students. In April, the enrollment at Binks was 1,278 and expected to top 1,400 in the near future without relief.
Saddle View was rushed to completion two years ahead of schedule to relieve the pressure on Binks and add a convenient, welcoming space that echoes Arden’s “agrihood” concept.
“I wanted it to be a huge reflection of the community itself,” Ross said. “I really feel we replicated the Arden community ethos… The classrooms are so beautiful and inviting.”
Arden is a master-planned community of 2,300 homes spanning
Greater Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County jointly held a Chamber After Dark event on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Masala Mantra Indian Cuisine in Royal Palm Beach. It was a night of networking, connection and collaboration. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres,
PHOTO BY MARGARET HUNT/TOWN-CRIER
Project 425,
Patriot Guard Riders and
groups helped World War II veteran Carmin Yannotta celebrate his 101st birthday on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Mission BBQ in Royal Palm Beach. Project 425 brought a number of military vehicles to support the birthday celebration. Shown here are Project 425 representatives with World War II veteran Carmin Yannotta. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7
See SALAZAR, page 12
Gloria Salazar
Pair Of Ocelots Join Panther Ridge Family
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report
As of mid-June, Delilah is no longer the only ocelot at the Panther Ridge Conservation Center in Loxahatchee Groves. She has been joined by Evita and Manolo.
“They’re young adults, from Africa, who are genetically unrelated and are a breeding pair,” Animal Curator Sadie Ryan said.
“They’re a brand-new bloodline for the North American population in captivity.”
They join 22-year-old Delilah, the “grandma ocelot” and oldest resident at Panther Ridge.
In the wild, ocelots typically live 10 to 12 years; but with human care, they can live into their late teens, perhaps early to mid-20s, with the oldest on record living to 26 years old. Cody, a Panther Ridge resident, lived to be 25. Delilah is now geriatric, and the matriarch of Panther Ridge. Like
all the other animals, the ocelots get almost anything they could dream of — care, quality food, enrichment, engagement, activities, habitat protection, medical care and more — which is part of what helps them live longer lives.
“We give individualized care to every single cat here,” Ryan said. “And we focus mainly on species preservation, conservation and education, to make sure that these animals don’t go extinct within our lifetime, which, unfortunately, might be a sad reality in the future.”
In North America, there are less than 100 ocelots left. There’s a small population in South Texas, and that’s about it. They’re considered endangered in the United States, but they are doing well in Central America and South America.
Which is why introducing the new blood lines from three-year-
olds Evita and Manolo, and their future offspring, is so important. They’ve been growing up together and are settling in at Panther Ridge.
“Every time we get a new animal, it’s important for our conservation work and diversifying the captive gene pool,” Ryan said. “It’s exciting to have two new, unrelated bloodlines of ocelots in captivity, and helping to preserve this endangered species.”
Ryan has been at Panther Ridge for nine years and has raised countless cats, and she is looking forward to raising more.
“We hope they’ll start breeding very soon, but we’re definitely not rushing them,” Ryan said. “They’re extremely bonded, and we’re hoping magic happens as they settle in here, and they start making adorable little babies.”
Evita has a reserved and shy personality; she enjoys enrichment,
especially perfumes, colognes and other scents. Manolo is more laid back and chill, Ryan said. Manolo is beginning to enjoy enrichment, and he enjoys hanging out in the tree house in their spacious enclosure with plenty of things to explore.
You can visit Delilah and many of the other residents at Panther Ridge by scheduling a tour, which is available twice a day by appointment. There are also cheetah walks/painting experiences, and big cat or small cat experiences.
Evita and Manolo are still settling in, so they won’t be on the tours just yet, but there are plenty of other residents to see and learn about. Ryan is anticipating that the new arrivals will be ready to be seen during Twilight Hours, which return Saturday, Oct. 25.
During the once monthly Twilight Hours, visitors are able
BY
Acreage Teen Grows Business Around Trending Isopod Pet Trade
By Denis Eirikis Town-Crier Staff Report
A new trend in pet-keeping is sweeping the nation, and 13-yearold Acreage resident Jonah Wald is helping make it happen. One of the fastest growing niches in the pet hobby, isopods are small crustaceans that are easy to care for and make excellent pets. Jonah is breeding and selling them through his “Not So Creepy Crawlies” business. With more than 10,000 species in the wild, isopods are small, landdwelling crustaceans that come in various shapes and sizes. They are often the size of coins, ranging from dull gray wild varieties to fanciful and colorful varieties that many enthusiasts find attractive.
Bioactive terrariums and vivariums are a hot topic in the pet business because they are spaceefficient and easy to care for. Isopods help keep terrariums healthy because they eat dead plant waste, aerate the soil and make nutrients available for plants. For years, isopods have been kept not as pets in themselves, but as “clean-up crews” for reptile enclosures. That changed around 10 years ago when attractive “rubber ducky isopods” were discovered in a limestone cave in Thailand and introduced to the international pet trade. Popularity of the hobby exploded during the pandemic, and now breeders sell a wide variety of colorful species, including rare and apparently desired isopods that
can cost hundreds of dollars each. Large pet chains are jumping in and offering products like isopod enclosures.
Jonah originally bought isopods as clean-up crews for his reptile tank and fell in love.
“There is just something about these little guys that make me and some other people happy,” he explained.
He “caught the bug” and now has about 20 species of isopods, some of which he sells starting at 10 for $10 for “dairy cow” isopods, with the “rubber ducky” and “atlas” varieties going for $10 each. Each species of isopod demands slightly different parameters, with most species loving humidity, while others prefer more
arid environments. They are easy to care for and only need to be fed products like fish food or yeast flakes once a week.
“My personal favorites are my ‘titan’ isopods,” Jonah said. “They are large, active and fun to watch.”
Priced at $100 for 10, he noted that the titans are his most expensive variety. Jonah’s best sellers are dairy cow isopods, which are the most hardy and suitable for beginners.
“Jonah discovered isopods
about three or four years ago, and he is so into it that it has become a family journey,” said Lauren Wald, his mother. “This weekend, we are hitting a reptile trade show in Daytona Beach, where isopods will be featured.”
A large room in their house boasts 22 species of beautifully displayed isopods, frogs, tortoises, lizards and millipedes.
Jonah’s 15-year-old sister, Gracelynn, has also been along for the journey, but at a bit of a
distance. “I like the isopods
Wellington Sets Qualifying Dates For March 2026 Municipal Election
By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report
The Village of Wellington will hold a municipal election on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, to fill two available seats on the Wellington Village Council. Both seats will be open, with Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind, the Seat 2 incumbent, and Councilman John McGovern, the Seat 3 incumbent, stepping down due to term limits.
At a meeting Tuesday, Aug. 12, the council unanimously set the qualifying period for the upcoming election to run from noon on Tuesday, Nov. 4 until noon on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
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While Wellington’s charter calls for qualifying dates starting in late January, they can be set earlier each election cycle by ordinance. Current policy from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office, based on interpretations of state law, requires candidates to be qualified at least 95 days prior to an election to have sufficient time to prepare, print and test municipal ballots. Wellington has set qualifying dates in November for the past several election cycles.
The 2026 Wellington election has already drawn several announced candidates. Three have filed paperwork with the Village
McGovern for Seat 3 in 2022. Webber, an attorney and member of the Wellington Education Committee, ran unsuccessfully for Seat 1 in 2024. That race was eventually won by Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri after a runoff. Levin, a member of Wellington’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, has not run for a council seat before. The election will be for fouryear terms ending in March 2030.
Clerk’s Office: Johnny Meier and John “Jay” Carl Webber for Seat 2, and Stephen A. Levin for Seat 3. Meier, a Wellington business owner, ran unsuccessfully against
See OCELOTS, page 12
Manolo (above) and Evita (right) now call the Panther Ridge facility their home. PHOTOS
way better than my brother’s exotic cockroaches,” she said. “They are way easier on the eyes.” Jonah is not alone. Another isopod dealer, Jake’s Cleanup Crew, has been operating out of Boynton Beach for more than a year. Jake Siman, 12, and his mother Alysha breed isopods and sell them at various trade shows. “Jake originally bought some for his reptile tank and fell in love,”
(Left) The popular “rubber ducky” isopods. (Right) Jonah and Lauren Wald with terrariums. PHOTOS BY DENIS EIRIKIS/TOWN-CRIER See ISOPODS, page 7
Wellington Will Spend $22 Million In Capital Projects Next Year
By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report
The Village of Wellington will spend just under $22 million in capital improvement projects as part of its budget for fiscal year
2026. The Wellington Village Council heard a presentation on what is included at a CIP workshop held Thursday, Aug. 7. The CIP money in the budget breaks down to $9.1 million in utility projects, $7.1 million in ongoing programs and $5.4 million in one-time projects.
The largest individual utility projects include $1.7 million for water supply improvements, $3.7 million for the water treatment plant, and $3.6 million for water repump and storage. There is $1.6 million toward the ongoing stormwater pump improvements. Other large, one-time non-utility projects are $1.7 million for a new Public Safety Annex and $1 million for improvements at Wellington Town Center.
Much of Wellington’s capital work has been planned for years.
At the workshop, Deputy Village Manager Tanya Quickel noted that
the $22 million this year is included as part of a five-year capital improvement plan of $117 million.
“Surface water management is at the forefront of a multi-year stormwater pump station improvement program,” Quickel said. “We have available funding for this of $1 to $1.5 million a year from nonad valorem assessments.”
She added that the village is aggressively pursuing grants to help pay for these projects. There’s currently $10 million in active grant funding, Quickel noted, bringing the 12-year total to $27 million.
Village Engineer Jonathan Reinsvold went over the various capital projects, including the Pump Station #2 Rehabilitation in southern Wellington, as well as smaller projects at six other pump stations across the village, and the addition of a 10th pump station on the east side of the village.
The multi-year ongoing expansion of the Wellington Environmental Preserve will wrap up in fiscal year 2026 with $750,000 in the budget for additional plantings and trees.
Road and traffic projects in-
clude $400,000 for traffic signal improvements and $1.2 million for a roundabout at the main entrance to Village Park. There is also $900,000 in the budget for trail improvements, with a focus on the bridle trail in Section 34 in the southeastern part of Wellington.
There is also money in the budget for the construction of a roundabout at Lake Worth Road and 120th Avenue South. That project was approved in 2024, and full design plans should be completed by this November, with construction beginning next spring.
“We hope to be under construction during summer of next year in order to minimize impacts to the schools and equestrian season,” Reinsvold said.
Capital projects in progress include the new Wellington Aquatics Center, the Wellington Sports Academy, streetscaping on Big Blue Trace, new tennis and padel courts at the Wellington Tennis Center, and the Public Safety Annex, which will serve as a new substation for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
“The sheriff’s station is under design currently, and we will be working through that during fiscal year 2026,” Reinsvold noted.
Construction on the new pool facility is moving forward, with a topping-off ceremony scheduled for the end of August, completion by mid-November and a grand opening in January 2026, Reinsvold said. The Wellington Sports Academy also hopes to be open sometime this fall.
Utility Director Anjuli Panse went over the utility capital projects.
“The replacement and rehabilitation projects we do under this plan are designed to extend the life of our infrastructure as long as possible, which is the most effective way to maintain it in the long run,” she said, adding that the projects will allow the utility to expand with growth and keep up with new regulations.
Major initiatives include the continued replacement of water meters across the village, which is a $4 million program with funding still pending. Panse said that the project will come before
the council in more detail later this year. The work at the Water Treatment Plant includes upgrades and expansions to the membrane system.
Utility work includes $1.1 million for expansion of the village’s southern well field.
“Our 10-year plan includes the construction of five new wells between 2025 and 2035. This will provide additional needed capacity for growth,” Panse said.
Council members supported continued, incremental investments into the utility system.
“Making those investments saves us money in the long run,”
Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind said.
Councilman John McGovern had questions about the new PBSO substation, which still has unfunded future phases of $15 million.
“What is the plan to get us to the end of that?” he asked.
Quickel replied that while design work is in the budget, construction will take place in future years. Some money will likely come from the sale of the 10-acre civic site near the Mall at Wellington Green, she noted. There is
also the possibility for some grant funding.
McGovern also wanted to have a more in-depth discussion about what will happen to the land at Wellington Town Center after the new aquatics center opens.
Village Manager Jim Barnes said that discussion will happen in upcoming months. Up first will be a bid process for the demolition of the old pool site, which he expects to begin by the end of the year. One idea is to use some of the existing infrastructure there to have a fountain play area.
McGovern said that he wants to see a heavy focus on green space there.
As for Wellington’s overall budget process, the budgets for the Acme Improvement District, the water/wastewater utility, solid waste and the Saddle Trail Park Neighborhood Improvement District were approved at the council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Looking ahead, the formal budget hearings and adoptions are set for Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 18. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Detailed Planning, Execution Put Brakes On ‘Carmageddon’
By Louis Hillary Park
Town-Crier
Staff Report
Indian Trail Improvement Dis-
trict Supervisor Richard Vassalotti was, like most people along the Northlake Blvd. corridor and throughout The Acreage, not looking forward to the railroad work near the Beeline Highway scheduled to close Northlake from Aug. 1 through Aug. 10. During an information meeting about the closure, one local resident lamented, “We are literally going to be trapped like prisoners.”
Maybe it wasn’t going to be that bad, but as a Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue captain, Vassalotti once had to shut down Northlake, one of the area’s few east-west links, due to a major accident. He remembered vividly what a traffic mess it created.
“And that was years ago,” said Vassalotti, who is now retired. “We didn’t have Westlake then. Or Avenir. And The Acreage was much smaller.”
So, he was expecting serious problems when CSX announced plans to shut down Northlake in both directions to repair railroad tracks used for freight and passenger lines.
Instead, “it was much, much better than anyone anticipated,” Vassalotti said this week. “I was ecstatic… I can’t say enough about our residents. They altered scheduled trips. They did what they had to do to make it work.”
From county officials and local residents alike, there was a collective sigh of relief as the work week and rush hours progressed without the multi-hour delays that some projected. However, the 45,000
cars per day that normally used the Northlake-Beeline intersection were forced to follow detours to Okeechobee or Southern boulevards, which could add as much as 35 miles to a trip.
In The Acreage, there were considerable delays as a high volume of rush hour traffic worked its way south on Coconut Blvd. to connect with Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and the State 7 Extension.
Some traffic stack-ups also were reported on Okeechobee Blvd. west of Crestwood Blvd., where it narrows to two lanes in the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, and on the approach to Southern via Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.
Working around the clock, CSX completed its work a day early on Saturday, Aug. 9, with about 36 hours to spare ahead the opening of schools on Monday, Aug. 11.
Westlake City Manager Ken-
neth Cassel said that within his municipality, few problems were seen on its major artery, Seminole Pratt, after warnings to prepare for the closure as if a hurricane were bearing down.
“In our city, it was kind of amazing,” Cassel said, reflecting on the non-event it turned out to be.
That non-event came thanks to a great deal of detailed planning and hard work during the closure by the Palm Beach County Engineer’s Office led by David Ricks, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Capt. Robert Sandt and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue under the command of District Chief Amanda Vomero, among others, ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson said.
“The sheriff’s office kept everything moving,” he said. “Considering everything, it went really well.”
So well, in fact, that Hanson was able direct ITID workers to remove barriers established on the south side of Northlake to keep impatient drivers from trying to find a faster route south on Hall and Grapeview boulevards, and 140th Avenue North.
“On the first day, we had those roads closed down [to southbound turns],” Hanson said. “On the second day, we opened the barriers up early. For the rest of the week, we left the roads open.” Hanson added that for the most part, people were respectful.
“I think everyone on the ITID staff did a great job,” ITID President Elizabeth Accomando said. “We planned for the worst, but,
overall, it was not as bad as we expected. “If nothing else, it was good practice for a hurricane evacuation.”
Meanwhile, Acreage residents are scheduled to have at least another 30 days of much more limited delays at the intersection of Seminole Pratt and Northlake, according to county officials. It is part of the ongoing widening project along Seminole Pratt and Northlake.
Westbound Northlake motorists are being directed to a left turn only onto southbound Seminole Pratt. Likewise, northbound Seminole Pratt drivers are being directed to a right-turn-only onto eastbound Northlake. For the duration of the traffic shift, a portion of Seminole Pratt will be closed between Hamlin and Murcott boulevards.
New State Law Forces Wellington To Change Waterway Rules
By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council reluctantly approved an ordinance Tuesday, Aug. 12 amending Wellington’s code to remove restrictions on fuel type and address boat speeds and activities in the village’s waterways.
The change is required due to Senate Bill 1388, which was passed into law and signed by the governor in May called the “Watercraft Energy Source Freedom Act,” which prohibits restrictions across the State of Florida based on the energy source used to power watercrafts.
“The proposed amendment
Marketplace Approved
continued from page 1 a conditional use permit necessary to build the hotel.
McMahon said the project is “not just another shopping center,” but rather “a community destination.” He noted that changes have been made to the project after getting feedback from residents. “This is a destination asset for all of Wellington to use and enjoy,” McMahon said. Speaking for the applicant, land planner Donaldson Hearing gave the council an overview of the site plan. “The design has been done with a great deal of intentionality,” he said. He said that “mixed use” is a higher standard than just commercial zoning and more sustainable in the long term. Hearing noted that the design promotes pedestrian connectivity and has a floor area ratio (FAR) that is well below Wellington’s maximum.
McMahon said that the project will be a “revenue generator” for the village and will provide a walkable “downtown” area that Wellington lacks.
“It is something that is going to feel very, very different than the shopping centers that we are used to here in South Florida,” he said, adding that it will include a walkable main street with a hotel and luxury condominiums, Class A
addresses the prohibition while maintaining the intent of the chapter to maintain slow speeds and prohibit water sports activities on Wellington’s canals, lakes and water bodies,” Planning, Zoning & Building Director Tim Stillings said.
Village Attorney Laurie Cohen stressed that this change is necessary due to a state preemption of Wellington’s authority to continue to allow electric-powered crafts but not gas-powered ones.
“No one here wants gas motors on Lake Wellington, but that is out of our control, so I suggest that you contact your state representatives and complain to them,”
office space, restaurants and retail space at the ground level, all with a modern design.
McMahon added that the 80room “boutique” hotel will be “appropriate for year-round in Wellington, but wildly appropriate for the horse sport season.”
Traffic engineer Bryan Kelley, speaking for the applicant, went over the included roadway changes, both at the site, and nearby at Pierson Road and Gracida Street.
Kelley said that there will be a reduction in peak use traffic when compared to the previous all-commercial approval, adding that the mix of uses will create different traffic peaks.
“This is not a reduction in real-world traffic,” Mayor Michael Napoleone pointed out. “This is a reduction in potential traffic.”
“It is a reduction from what is vested, but we still meet the village’s traffic performance standards,” Kelley replied. Kelley said that they have calculated the maximum parking demand at 629 spaces, which is being provided for mostly through a parking garage. However, there is a monitoring condition regarding parking for 10 years, and, if needed, a second parking garage can be created, bringing 144 additional spaces.
Councilwoman Maria Antuña asked why they will not just build the extra parking while construction is ongoing.
Mayor Michael Napoleone said.
The village’s noise ordinance, along with requirements for no idling and no wake speeds, are designed to limit the problems associated with gas motors on village lakes.
“It is a difficult position for us to be in, but, unfortunately, the legislature no longer allows us to regulate it, and we have to change it,” Cohen said.
About a dozen residents were on hand to oppose the change, but most understood that the council was not in favor of gas-powered boats but were forced to make the change.
Several asked for help lobbying
“We do not want to build an extra bunch of spaces that we believe are not going to be used,” Kelley said.
There will be monitoring regarding the need for an additional traffic signal, Kelley added. That will continue for at least 24 months from the last certificate of occupancy, but he did not think an additional light would be warranted.
The council wanted to make sure that traffic is monitored on Fridays and Saturdays during the equestrian season, which was added as a condition of approval.
“We have to make sure you are capturing the traffic counts when there is traffic,” Napoleone said.
There is also a condition to verify if there is enough stacking on nearby streets to avoid traffic backups. Kelley noted that the planned access points were part of the original approval, and a rightout was added onto Greenview Shores Blvd.
“That will allow for a lot better optionality for drivers leaving the site,” Kelley said.
“We designed this site to provide as much maneuverability as we can.”
There will also be vehicular connectivity to the adjacent Saddle Shops commercial plaza to the south.
Other requirements include a continuous landscape buffer around the property and ongoing coordination with the nearby residents in the Equestrian Walk com-
Tallahassee for an exemption and also stepped-up enforcement of the remaining rules. They also added that gas motors make waves, and waves damage the shoreline.
“Your hands are tied in terms of this bill, but they are not tied in terms of regulation and enforcement, and that’s the biggest issue for us,” said Michael Imber, an attorney and president of the Lakepoint homeowners’ association. “We don’t have a lake constable, and maybe we need one.” Imber said that he and others will be lobbying Tallahassee to include an exemption for non-navigable, man-made lakes.
munity to minimize the impact of the development itself, and also the construction period.
“This process gives us the ability to exact conditions on the developer to improve their plan and make it more compatible with what we actually need to have happen,” Napoleone noted before opening the floor to comments from the public.
Public comments were mixed, with most of the people opposed to the project citing traffic concerns.
Gail Tower was worried about the difficulties around construction and didn’t think the proposal fit the area. “I chose Wellington because it wasn’t Boca. It didn’t have all this flash. It had something I considered soul. It was more family oriented with less traffic, less strangers and less people,” she said.
Angel Perez, a student at the University of Florida, said that the people who work there will not be able to afford to live in Wellington. He asked the council to “direct a corridor-level traffic study and housing impact analysis funded by the applicant before any final action.”
Larry Falk said that Wellington is missing a “downtown” place to gather. He supported the plan. “I think it is going to be a great project,” Falk said.
Joanne Weiner of the Palm Beach International Academy, located in the only building currently on the site, will need to relocate
Jack Brownson wanted to make sure that jet skis are forbidden, which they are in the ordinance, and asked about having posted no wake and speed limit rules. He also was worried about safety for the rowers at the Florida Rowing Center, which operates on the lake.
“They go backward, and they will not see a boat with a gas motor on that is flying 25, 30 miles per hour,” Brownson said. Councilman John McGovern asked if part of the lake can be restricted to certain activities, and Cohen said that could be possible, but that would also restrict the existing electric-powered boats.
before construction begins. She stressed that “we will not be shutting our doors in Wellington” and asked the council, village staff and others for whatever help they can provide during this transition.
When it came time for council discussion, Napoleone asked for the status of negotiations regarding an agreement with the adjacent Equestrian Walk community.
“Please tell us how you plan to mitigate the impacts on the neighbors during the construction process,” he said.
McMahon said that his company works to keep “neat and tidy” construction sites with fencing, scrims and watering down dust if it’s dry. “This will be a small and tight site, so it will have to be highly organized in order to execute this project,” he said.
He added that the people he has been speaking to are generally supportive of the end result as “a place to show off Wellington that is not the showgrounds.”
The council had questions regarding building heights. McMahon said that the approval allows heights up to 35 feet. There have been discussions about going four stories at the hotel, as some designs suggest, but that would require an additional variance from the council in the future, which is not being requested at this time.
The council was not happy about having the traffic monitoring end after two years, since it
Councilwoman Maria Antuña asked if there were existing speed and wake signs on the lake, and Village Manager Jim Barnes said there were not because they were not necessary before. “I expect that we will have to enhance the existing signage that we have,” Barnes agreed. Some tweaks to the item’s wording may be done before the ordinance comes back for its final reading. When the council voted unanimously to approved the change, Napoleone said that they were doing it “reluctantly” and urged residents again to contact their state legislators.
needs to be considered after the club communities, Wellington North and Wellington South, are completed and operating. Developers agreed to increase the traffic monitoring conditions to five years from the certificate of occupancy.
Councilman John McGovern asked if there is a demand for Class A office space in the area.
“Our experience in developing club communities is that they create demand for it,” McMahon said, adding that it would not be a single large business, but a number of smaller businesses, like private wealth, attorneys, health and wellness, totaling about 49,000 square feet. He added that the residential portion will generally be second or third story over retail.
“It would be new for Wellington, but there is a lot of precedence for it. We believe the one- and two-bedrooms would be appealing for people here seasonally,” McMahon said. The council also added conditions to make sure that commercial portions of the project are built before or at the same time as the residential portions, to avoid the issues at other developments, where residential was built, but the commercial lagged behind. The three items related to the project were then approved unanimously with the updated conditions.
GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION FOR ITHINK FINANCIAL IN
A grand opening celebration was held Tuesday, Aug. 19 for the new location of iThink
cluded a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of
Commerce of Palm Beach County, as well as a live appearance by representatives of Sunny
Palm Beach were also in attendance. The new iThink Financial branch is located at 11317 Okeechobee
Learn more at www.ithinkfi.org.
Rep. Gerwig To Mark Fentanyl Awareness Day
State Rep. Anne Gerwig (R-District 93) has announced a community partnership event with Palm Beach State College to mark National Fentanyl Awareness Day on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Earlier this year, Gerwig successfully sponsored legislation aligning Florida with the national observance of Fentanyl Awareness Day (Aug. 21), recognizing the urgent need to combat the dangers of fentanyl in local communities.
To commemorate the day, Gerwig and Palm Beach State College will host an awareness event at PBSC’s Loxahatchee Groves
campus on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 9 to 11 a.m.
During the event, students and community members will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition and Rebel Recovery.
These organizations will provide educational materials and resources along the campus walkway, raising awareness about fentanyl’s risks and offering prevention and recovery support. At 10 a.m., Gerwig will be joined by community partners for a brief speaking engagement to highlight the importance of awareness, prevention and collaboration
NEWS BRIEFS
in addressing the fentanyl crisis.
“Fentanyl is devastating families across Florida and the nation,” Gerwig said. “This event is about saving lives through education, awareness and community partnerships. I’m grateful to Palm Beach State College and our local partners for standing together to protect our students and neighbors.”
The event is free and open to students, faculty and community members.
Criminal Justice Academy Begins Session Sept. 17
The Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission (CJC), in
ROYAL PALM BEACH
partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), is proud to announce the milestone 50th session of the Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy.
This special session will run from Sept. 17 through Dec. 17, meeting each Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m., excluding the week of Thanksgiving.
All sessions will be held at PBSO Headquarters, located at 3228 Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach, in the Community Room. Dinner will be served each evening, and participants age 14 and older are welcome to attend.
The Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at how Palm Beach County’s criminal justice system works. From law
enforcement and the courts to corrections and community programs, participants will engage directly with professionals in the field. Whether you are simply curious or a committed skeptic, this course is designed for you. At the end of the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion recognizing their participation and commitment to understanding the criminal justice system.
For more information, or to register, contact the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission at (561) 355-2332 or visit www.pbc.gov/criminaljustice.
Love To Sing?
The Robert Sharon Chorale is
holding auditions for new members. The chorale performs music of all genres — classical, pop, ethnic, spiritual, Broadway and more. So, if you enjoy singing and want to be a part of a wonderful musical organization, come and audition. Sight-reading is a bonus, but not a requirement. The chorale meets Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the chorus room (Room 335) of the Vera Lea Rinker School of Music and Fine Arts at Palm Beach Atlantic University (326 Acacia Road, West Palm Beach). For more information, and to schedule your audition, contact Dr. Robert Sharon at (561) MUSIC-45 or rbsharon@bellsouth.net. Learn more at www.robertsharonchorale. com.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Assistant Branch Manager Thomas Bordonaro, Branch Manager Taylor Musumeci, Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps, CEO Michael Miller, Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas, Mayor Jeff Hmara and Chamber CEO Mary Lou Bedford during the ribbon cutting.
Mayor Jeff Hmara with iThink’s Kristina Smallwood.
Ben Sturgell, Mary Lou Bedford, Jeff Kolhagen, Nicole Heffelfinger, Michael Miller, Sylvia Sharps, Richard Valuntas, Jeff Hmara, Taylor Musumeci and Stephen Johnson.
iThink CEO Michael Miller with Mayor Jeff Hmara.
Linda Foutty enjoys some candy.
Assistant Branch Manager Thomas Bordonaro, Mayor Jeff Hmara and Branch Manager Taylor Musumeci.
Sunny 107.9’s Marissa Colangelo, Tracy St. George and Kel Lutz.
iThink CEO Michael Miller, Councilwoman Jan Rodusky, Chamber CEO Mary Lou Bedford and iThink’s Stephen Johnson.
Branch Manager Taylor Musumeci, Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps, CEO Michael Miller, Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas, Mayor Jeff Hmara and Chamber CEO Mary Lou Bedford.
Details Released For New ‘Wingrove Academy’ Private School At K-Park
Developers behind a new private school at Wellington’s K-Park property announced its official name this week.
Announced on Tuesday, Aug. 18, the school will be known as Wingrove Academy. The new nonprofit, independent school will serve students in pre-K through grade 12.
Developed by ElevateED, an education management organization, Wingrove Academy will offer a forward-focused education that integrates rigorous academics, vibrant visual and performing arts, championship-level athletics and whole-child development — all within a purpose-built, sustainable campus.
Founded on a vision of excellence, innovation and resilience, Wingrove Academy will prepare its students to become tomorrow’s leaders and changemakers. The school is slated for initial enrollment for pre-K through grade eight in August 2028, with its inaugural
high school class following in August 2029.
The Wingrove Academy name underscores the school’s guiding ethos of aspiration grounded in purpose and a distinctive pedagogical approach. Specifically, “wing” speaks to instilling a soaring ambition and the confidence to explore and develop critical thinking, while nurturing resilience and self-reliance. “Grove” references the school’s expansive home, recognizing that thriving communities nurture thriving students, where sustainable growth is rooted in wellness, integrity and belonging. It also evokes values such as kindness, responsibility and purpose, deepened by an awareness of, and respect for, the world around us.
ElevateED founder and CEO Karen Yung, an educational visionary renowned for inspiring and promoting excellence in global education, will be spearheading the development of the school,
alongside ElevateED President Marianne Rehn, who brings an extensive background in pioneering and managing schools with high-quality educational, arts and sports offerings.
“Wingrove Academy will be an unparalleled, future-focused school that nurtures learners with not just academic skills but also the resilience, adaptability and global perspective to pursue their passions and lead and serve with clarity, compassion and purpose,” Yung said. “Wellington is the perfect location to launch such a vision: a vibrant village with a clear passion for exceptional education and authentic connections. With our partners at Related Ross, we are committed to helping Wingrove bring this transformative learning environment to life for families, while uplifting and giving back to the local community as a fully nonprofit school.”
The portions of K-Park fronting State Road 7, adjacent to
the school, will be developed by Related Ross. Both projects are pending a final sale agreement and additional approvals from the Village of Wellington.
“Wingrove Academy’s top-tier educational offerings, purposebuilt for the way kids learn today, are essential to developing Palm Beach County’s full potential as a magnet for growing businesses and thriving culture,” CEO & Chairman Stephen Ross said. “ElevateED brings deep, international experience in launching and managing other world-class educational organizations, a commitment to cultivating a valuesbased approach, and foresight in anticipating how best to address the whole-child needs of students. Florida, and particularly the Gold Coast/West Palm Beach area, is attracting the brightest minds from around the world, and I believe the establishment of a worldclass educational institution like Wingrove will only accelerate the tremendous growth we are experiencing and solidify the area’s reputation as the place to be.”
Wingrove Academy will provide a rigorous pursuit of excellence across all programs, and individualized support for students looking to excel at the highest levels in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), athletics and more.
The campus design will be executed by renowned architect David Manfredi, CEO and founding principal of Elkus Manfredi, breaking traditional architectural boundaries with seamlessly connected, cutting-edge indoor facilities and inspiring outdoor environments that facilitate constant learning and engagement with the surrounding world.
“Wingrove Academy will offer
Veteran Groups Help WWII Vet Carmin Yannotta Celebrate 101st Birthday At Mission BBQ In RPB
Project 425, the Patriot Guard Riders and other groups helped World War II veteran Carmin Yannotta celebrate his 101st birthday on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Mission BBQ in Royal Palm Beach. Project 425 brought a number of military vehicles to support the birthday celebration. They were joined by motorcycles from the Patriot Guard and four engines from Palm Beach County FireRescue, as well as about a dozen uniformed first responders. At exactly noon, the whole restaurant, including the kitchen staff, fell silent as the national anthem was played and Yannotta’s biography was read aloud. Later, a birthday cake came out to continue the celebration. Yannotta served in the U.S. Army in the 179th Engineer Combat Battalion, 3rd Army. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and his highest rank was corporal.
continued from page 3
Alysha said. “Since then, we have been into breeding and have sold thousands.”
Isopod expert and dealer Sydney Blair explained, “The hobby is brand new and exploding rapidly. There are already hundreds of dealers, hundreds of thousands of folks in online isopod forums, and even the big national pet stores are getting involved selling isopods and isopod enclosures.”
As the hobby becomes more popular, some sellers are commanding up to $600 each for the rare scarlet isopod.
Blair is affiliated with Tesoros Frogs, a nonprofit group at the forefront of the conservation of Colombian tropical frogs.
“One of the beautiful things about keeping isopods and bioactive terraria is that the owners experience not only beauty, but they become more aware of ecology and the interdependence of life,” Blair explained.
Lauren Wald has been very pleased with the effect that Not
So Creepy Crawlies has had on the family.
“Jonah, who is home-schooled, is learning about business, managing money, time management, ecology, biology and more,” she said, adding that the whole family has digested so many hours on YouTube and other sites learning their trade and keeping up with hobby trends. “Whoever would have thought we would have landed here, as isopod enthusiasts.”
For more information about Not So Creepy Crawlies, e-mail nscreepycrawlies@gmail.com.
“Jonah, who is home-schooled, is learning about business, managing money, time management, ecology, biology and more,” Lauren Wald said. “Whoever would have thought we would have landed here, as isopod enthusiasts.”
rigorous, values-based instruction in academics, arts and athletics that prioritizes the holistic development of every student,” Rehn said. “Our team of education experts will support Wingrove students in not only excelling in the classroom, on the stage and on the field, but also providing opportunities to cultivate their unique passions, and, importantly, thrive
underway for an innovative, experienced and top-caliber educator to serve as Wingrove’s founding head of school. Visit www.wingroveacademy. org to learn more about Wingrove Academy.
The Village of Royal Palm Beach was well-represented at the Florida League of Cities 2025 Annual Conference, which was held Aug. 14-16 at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Among the attendees was Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps, who was attending the League of Cities event for the first time as an elected official. She enjoyed the experience and
“Every
and respect for residents, promotes their independence and individuality, and offers a variety of amenities, activities and programs.
(Above) The school building, as seen from the lake.
(Below) A street-level view of the school with its modern design.
Project 425 representatives with World War II veteran Carmin Yannotta.
101-year-old Carmin Yannotta blows out the candles on his birthday cake.
Military vehicles were provided by Project 425.
There were four Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue engines on site.
Motorcycles from the Patriot Guard Riders in front of the restaurant.
Len Johnson, Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps, Carolyn Hmara, Mayor Jeff Hmara and Councilwoman Jan Rodusky.
Young entrepreneur Jonah Wald with a turtle. PHOTO BY DENIS
FALL YOUTH PROGRAMS ~ SEPTEMBER 8TH TO NOVEMBER 21ST
Co-Ed Program For Middle & High School Age Students No Prior Rowing Experience Needed Two Session Options Mon. Tues. Wed. 3:30 to 5 (or) 5 to 6:30
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Paul Baker, Lascelles Harris, Tony Brown and Henworth Ferguson play dominoes.
Paula Ferguson writes a thank-you note.
Audrey Campbell, Thalia Lauren, Yvonne Elliott and Jannette Sharpe-Paul play a game of Jenga.
Lloyd Swaby, Mayor Jeff Hmara and Robin Ferguson.
CAFCI board members Paul Baker, Carolyn Hmara, Rhonda Ferrin-Davis, Genieve White, Doreen Baker, Yvonne Elliott and Marva Wilks.
Marva Wilks, Alvin Nembhard, Rhonda Ferrin-Davis and Dr. Winston Davis.
Radcliffe Woody Brown, Yvonne Wright, Carolyn Hmara, Nova Brown, Genieve White and Alvin Nembhard of the Relay for Life Committee.
Robin Ferguson, Genieve White, Micaela Ferguson, Jannette Sharpe-Paul, Doreen Baker and Paul Baker of the Cultural Diversity Event Committee.
Carolyn Hmara, Yvonne Wright, Yvonne Elliott, Thalia Lauren, Audrey Campbell and Nova Brown.
Caren Muir, Thalia Lauren and Barbara Walker of the Newsletter Committee. (Junette Powell not shown.)
Mayor Jeff Hmara shares up to date information about Royal Palm Beach.
Micaela Ferguson, Robin Ferguson and Marva Wilks of the Membership Committee.
Hollywoof Pet Grooming Has Been Serving Local Pet Needs For 25 Years
ITID Meeting Hanson Contract
Extended
continued from page 1
acres. However, property owners in Unit 20 are required to have at least 5.5 acres, meaning the cost of supporting the Aggregate Department alone would be almost $327. A property owner with 40 acres would see a $2,377 increase just to fund the Aggregates Department. With the change, most other ITID property owners will see a $1.76 assessment increase to $61.20 to cover the Aggregates Department.
ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson said that over the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, he and his team will attempt to find alternatives so that Unit 20 resi-
Salazar Principal At New Horizons
continued from page 1
Spanish-speaking families,” and hopes to serve as a positive role model for students.
“I know first-hand the immense importance of not only speaking two languages, but also becoming truly biliterate and bicultural,” Salazar said. “I want our students to see their heritage and language as assets to be proud of.” For her first year, Salazar’s top priorities are student achievement, community engagement and cre-
services and more to the local community.
Owner Tammy Leigh Gerner moved to Royal Palm Beach in 1989 and started soon after working as a bather for a local grooming company to make extra money,
dents can benefit from the cheaper aggregates that will initially be dug from the M-2 Impoundment and later from the M-1.
In other business, the supervisors voted 4-0 to give Hanson a 5 percent pay raise, which will boost his annual base salary to approximately $231,000.
Hanson’s request that his contract be extended to 2032 also was approved. His contract was set to run out in September 2029.
Hanson said he made the request for the contract extension for two reasons.
First, he said, there are several major projects he would like to see through to completion — mainly the M-1 Impoundment, also known as the “640 acres.”
Second is his desire to see ITID residents retain their semi-rural lifestyle amid the growing urban and development pressures on all Palm Beach County properties.
“I don’t want to see residents
ating a unified school culture. She does not plan immediate program changes, instead choosing to observe and listen before implementing new initiatives.
“I believe the most impactful and sustainable changes come from a deep understanding of a school’s strengths, challenges and culture,” she said. “I would be able to work collaboratively with the community to determine what is needed.”
Her approach to leadership emphasizes inclusivity and respect for all members of the school community.
“Students, staff and families deserve to feel safe, valued and respected,” Salazar said. “I see this as a foundational priority that
while also working full-time as a dental assistant in Wellington.
“In 1992, I started hands-on learning how to groom,” Tammy recalled. “I have also been a vet tech for more than 15 years between Long Island, N.Y., and here in South Florida for small and large animals.”
Taking care of animals has been a lifelong passion for Tammy.
“I’ve loved dogs and cats since childhood,” she said. “I felt connected and unconditional love from them, and that helped out through difficult times.”
Tammy started Hollywoof more than a quarter century ago.
“I specialize in tartar removal
here lose what they have to external forces,” Hanson said.
Out of a possible 5, Hanson earned a 4.97 rating from supervisors prior to the vote.
Hanson’s new salary puts him in the midrange of other special district and municipal managers in the area. The average salary increase for similar managers this year is between 4 and 6 percent, according to research done by Supervisor Richard Vassalotti.
“I think you are an above average administrator,” Vassalotti said.
“So, I’m very comfortable with what Mr. Hanson is requesting.”
“You’re a great leader… [and] you do a great job shifting gears,” Accomando said. “The fluidity with which you are able to move [among changing priorities] is much appreciated.”
“We’re very fortunate that you would be willing to stay with us through 2032,” Supervisor Patricia Farrell added.
influences every aspect of the school.”
Looking ahead, Salazar hopes to leave a lasting impact through collaboration and high expectations.
“As a new principal, I first want to learn from the community by listening to the students, staff and families about the school’s strengths, and what their hopes are for the future,” she said. “My goal is to use those insights to leave a lasting impact by building a culture of collaboration and fostering sustained student success, both academically and personally.”
The previous principal at New Horizons was Dana Pallaria, who is now the principal at Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School in Martin County.
and am blessed that groomers trust me enough to send their clients to me as well,” she said. “Pet sitting is very popular here at Hollywoof, because not only is a vet tech on staff, but we never leave pets unattended. We are here 24/7 when there are any pets staying with us.”
Tammy is proud of the service she provides the animals in her care. “I am the only groomer on staff and personally know each pet, and they are 100 percent comfortable with me and not stressed being handled by a different groomer each appointment,” she explained. “I pride myself on having one-onone, personalized relationships with my fur babies and know each pet personality.”
While most of the services provided are all about dogs, there is
Cassel
Leaving In September
continued from page 1 special meeting and share several options with the council.
“Ken has been a great asset,” Vice Mayor Greg Langowski said this week. “He knows everything about the city there is to know… [but] we don’t want to be left in the lurch.”
Westlake’s situation is especially problematic, Langowski said, because the municipality has never had a deputy city manager, leaving no obvious person to step into Cassel’s shoes.
One of the thorniest issues and perhaps greatest opportunities provided by Cassel’s departure will be the possible separation of the city manager and district manager roles, Leonard said.
Ocelots
New At Panther Ridge
continued from page 3 to observe the cats during their more active evening hours, stroll through Panther Ridge at your own pace, learn about the cats, enjoy food and drinks, and be greeted by cheetah ambassadors upon arrival. Event tickets are available at www.pantherridge.org/tours/ twilight-hours.
Panther Ridge is a unique facility in that visitors can get incred-
Hollywoof’s Tammy Leigh Gerner specializes in tartar removal. also a feline on the premises.
“I have a cat named Bella Blue, who is Hollywoof’s mascot,” Tammy explained, adding that she is the only groomer in Palm Beach County with more than 20 years of experience grooming kitties. “I also specialize in hard-to-handle
“Perhaps it was best for the city and the district 10 years ago,” she said. “But is it best for the city now?”
“My constituents have expressed a lot of concerns to me about having the same person in both roles,” Werner said. “It creates the appearance of a conflict of interest.”
Cassel is quick to point out that early on, he sought and received a ruling from the Florida Office of Inspectors General stating that there is no conflict.
Still, said Langowski, “It looks shady.”
“I want to know what the council’s options are,” he said. “And I want a separation between SID and the city.”
O’Connor said he had already had several talks with Cassel regarding the city-district issue.
“I told him he had to choose,” O’Connor said. “I hoped he
ibly close to the cats, which isn’t possible in many other scenarios, and can even hear them vocalize.
After suffering tornado damage during last year’s hurricane season, Panther Ridge is gearing up for the height of hurricane season once again. They’re making more preparations, including an additional hurricane shelter. For anyone looking to help, it’s possible to make a donation on the nonprofit’s web site, and there’s a wish list of supplies, as well as an Amazon wish list.
Some of the supplies they could always use are tall white trash bags, black garbage bags, Dawn dish soap, bleach, Simple Green,
would choose the city.” The three-person SID board is chosen by property owners. Under SID rules, each homeowner gets one vote, no matter the size of his or her lot. Otherwise, each landowner gets one vote per acre. That currently gives Minto Communities USA, the community’s largest landowner and developer, de facto control of the SID board.
“The city council has been contained inside a box by Minto, Inframark and Ken,” Werner said. “The question is, do we want to continue to be controlled and contained?”
O’Connor said that according to the city charter, the council can hire whomever it pleases as city manager, as long as that person is a contract employee and not a direct employee.
“The city manager serves at the pleasure of the city council,” he said. “Period. End of story.”
medium-sized gloves, paper towels and toilet paper. Perfumes and colognes, as well as spices, are great for enrichment, and perfumes and colognes don’t need to be new, if there’s something you don’t like, one of the cats will. Of course, financial donations and visits always help. Ryan estimated that the cost of feeding the cats has tripled in the last few years. Panther Ridge also hosts private special events such as birthday parties, corporate events and field trips. To learn more, donate, book a tour, sponsor a cat or order something off the Amazon wish list, visit www.pantherridge.org.
Hollywoof is located at 250 Business Park Way in RPB.
Mascot Bella Blue with one of Hollywoof’s canine clients.
Hollywoof Pet Grooming & Care in Royal Palm Beach recently celebrated its 25th anniversary of providing grooming, pet sitting
CAPSTONE AT ROYAL PALM SENIOR LIVING HOLDS FUN CARNIVAL
The Capstone at Royal Palm Senior Living hosted a fun-filled Carnival Fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 9. The event raised money for the Capstone’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team, helping to support the Alzheimer’s Association in its efforts in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Capstone is located at 10621 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. Learn more at www.capstoneroyalpalm.com.
DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
PHOTOS BY
‘Flight Deck’ The Newest Interactive Exhibit At Cox Science Center
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium (CSCA) is excited to announce its newest hands-on exhibit, Flight Deck. The new exhibit is open and already soaring in popularity.
Designed to ignite curiosity and inspire future aviators, engineers
and explorers, Flight Deck offers an immersive flight simulation experience unlike anything guests have encountered before.
Flight Deck is funded by Bill and Renay Meyer, whose vision and generosity have lifted the exhibit off the ground. Their commitment to inspiring the next generation shines through in their words.
“Mankind has always been fascinated with flight, but few people ever get the opportunity to fly an aircraft and experience what it is like to be a pilot,” said Bill Meyer, a CSCA board member. “The Flight Deck gives everyone the chance to experience flight like never before. We are proud to foster an interest in science that comes from visiting the science center and participating in Flight Deck’s simulators and drones. Whether you’re a budding
pilot, STEM enthusiast or simply looking for an unforgettable adventure, Flight Deck invites you to take control and soar. Together, we’re inspiring future innovators — one flight at a time.”
Flight Deck features two stateof-the-art airplane flight simulators, alongside two remote-control aircraft simulators. Equipped with realistic controls, authentic flight dynamics and stunning 180-degree wrap-around visuals, visitors age eight and up can pilot aircraft, perform aerobatic maneuvers and enjoy breathtaking views — all within the safe, stimulating environment of the science center.
As the science center prepares to triple its size and reach by 2027, Flight Deck plays a vital role in maintaining engaging, hands-on experiences during this growth.
“Immersion was our top priority. We wanted visitors to truly feel like they were flying, which meant using 180-degree wrap-around screens, realistic controls and a darkened, high-tech environment that focuses attention on the skies,” said Esteban Parchuc, director of exhibits and design for CSCA.
“From mastering takeoffs and landings to the most popular stunt — flying under the Eiffel Tower — Flight Deck captures the excitement of aviation while teaching essential STEM principles.”
Located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium features more than 80 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon aquarium, a digital planetarium and an outdoor science trail. The current traveling exhibit, Mission
A future pilot checks out Flight Deck at the science center. Aerospace, will be on display through Sept. 28. General admission for adults is $26; $24 for teens ages 13 to 17 and seniors ages 60 and older; $22 for children ages 3 to 12; and free for children under 3 years of age and CSCA members. For more information, call (561) 832-1988 or visit www. coxsciencecenter.org.
Mayor Jeff Hmara with Capstone’s Director of Sales Denae Woodward.
Deloris Musgrove throws a beanbag as David Brooks looks on.
Rebecca, Rosman and Reyna Acosta.
Ardella Barnard enjoys ice cream.
Dino the Artist drew Sandra Areinoff.
Doreen and Bruce Barkdoll.
Marilyn Walsh puts tickets in a box to win a basket.
Walk for Alzheimer’s Manager Nina Sharpe with Grace Mueller at the ring toss game.
Fran Ehlers, Pamela Ripple and Gloria Laracuente.
Lloyd and Peggy Rice with Doris Wolman.
Exhibit sponsors Renay and Bill Meyer.
Jodie Arnold of DEX Imaging with Women’s Chamber Vice President Reisha Roopchand Allen.
Gina Perez and Julie Clark.
Rudy Romero and Adam Haas.
Jodie Arnold of DEX Imaging with Women’s Chamber Executive Director Selena Samios.
Melody Domb addresses the gathering.
Lina Senseman and Jenny Rodman.
Attendees enjoy a live performance.
Sonali Mendiratta and Amiti Mamgain.
Reisha Roopchand Allen of the Women’s Chamber addresses attendees.
Danielle Lea and Shannon Kane.
Stephanie Edison addresses the guests.
Reisha Roopchand Allen of the Women’s Chamber with Adam Haas of All Temp Solutions.
Saddle View New School Near Arden
continued from page 1
1,200 acres off Southern Blvd. near 20-Mile Bend. It was built around a central agri-amenity concept. More than 80 percent of the homes are built and sold.
When complete, Arden likely will have a population of 7,000 to 9,000. It is scheduled to include 175 acres of lakes — including a mile-long central lake — alongside roughly 500 acres of parks, playgrounds and open green space. “I feel so blessed, so honored to be part of this community,” said Ross, who praised the school’s Parent Teacher Organization
(PTO) for their help providing meals to teachers as they hustled to get classrooms ready in a short five-day turnaround before meetthe-teacher day. “It was an incredible effort on everyone’s part.”
Saddle View showcases forward-thinking design on a campus that includes solar panels for power and education; hydroponic classrooms; a butterfly garden;
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) eSports clubs; an esports curriculum; and specialized services for students with autism. There’s also a voluntary pre-kindergarten program. Scholastically, the school features the Ron Clark Academy house system. In Clark’s system, each “house” has unique properties, such as its own color, sym-
bols, history and more. Over time, each house takes on its own values and personality, driven by the culture of the students and staff within it. Through fun competitions, communication and intrapersonal skills are developed. Those academic, technological and sustainability touches make
School Board Member Marcia Andrews and Superintendent Michael Burke arrive at the school on opening day.
A “Welcome Colts” sign greets students on opening day.
A mural greets students upon entering the new school.
Students make their way into the school on the first day.
Instructional Superintendent Dr. Vivian Green, Chief Operating Officer Joseph Sanches and School Board Member Marcia Andrews. Students were all smiles on the first day of school.
Instructional Superintendent Dr. Vivian Green, Principal Dwan Moore Ross, School Board Member Marcia Andrews and Superintendent Michael Burke greet students as they arrive.
The media center stands ready for the arrival of students. A classroom is prepared for the arrival of its first-ever students. School Board Member Marcia Andrews in the reception area.
2025 Fall Football Season Now Underway At Area High Schools
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report
The 2025 high school football season is now underway. After playing kickoff classic games as a pre-season tune-up for the regular season on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, the regular season officially started with varsity games on Thursday, Aug. 21 and Friday, Aug. 22.
This season, there are five varsity programs that the Town-Crier
will track — Wellington High School, Palm Beach Central High School, Royal Palm Beach High School, Seminole Ridge High School and the King’s Academy. Two of those programs, Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, have new head coaches this season. Pete Walker is now the head coach at WHS, while Samuel Curry is now in charge of the football program at RPBHS.
Wellington High School Walker, now entering his 23rd year as a high school head football coach, was pleased with his team’s 34-0 kickoff classic shutout victory against Suncoast High School on Friday, Aug. 15.
“Our defense played very well and held our opponent scoreless. We were able to play a lot of players, and we ran the ball better than I thought we would,” Walker explained.
Wellington opens its season with a pair of Thursday night away games. Its season opener was on Aug. 21 at Centennial High School in Port St. Lucie. The result was not available at press time.
Wellington’s second game will be at Lake Worth High School on Thursday, Aug. 28. Wellington’s home opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5 against the Cobras from Park Vista High School.
Walker likes the mindset of the players on his roster.
“I have a group of players who are working hard in practice,” he said. “I really like their character.”
Walker has 40 players on his varsity squad this fall. The starting quarterback this season will be senior Jonathan Paul, who was
Wellington’s starting quarterback last year as well.
Palm Beach Central High School — At Palm Beach Central, head coach Kevin Thompson is expecting another strong season from his squad of teenage Broncos.
According to Thompson, the team’s pre-season classic game against Atlantic High School was very beneficial, despite losing the contest by one point in overtime.
“Our players learned from the Atlantic game. Our practices this week have been spirited. In practice, our players have been lockedin and focused,” Thompson said.
He is expecting big seasons from his three starting linebackers — Cameron Dwyer, Antoine Sharp and David Harmon.
“Our linebackers are the strength of the defense,” Thompson said.
The Broncos open their season at home on Friday, Aug. 22 against Pahokee. The Bronco fans are expected to wear neon shirts, as it’s “Neon Night” at Palm Beach Central. The following week, the Broncos travel south to play West Boca Raton High School, which won the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class
RPB’s Demetrius Sherrod Serves As A Referee In Four Sports
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report
Royal Palm Beach resident
Demetrius Sherrod maintains a unique niche in the world of sports.
As a high school student growing up in the 1970s, he was a two-sport athlete at John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres. Today, he’s involved in four high school sports as a referee.
“At 170 pounds, I played offensive tackle and middle linebacker
on the football team. On the basketball team, I played center and forward,” recalled Sherrod, now 66, who graduated from John I. Leonard in 1977 and has called Palm Beach County home since 1971. “Back then, I was 6-foot-2, and I could jump quite high.”
“I’ve been officiating high school basketball since 2006, tackle football since 2012, flag football since 2016 and volleyball since 2019,” Sherrod explained.
He has lost track of how many middle school, junior varsity and varsity games he has worked as an official, with a whistle hanging around his neck.
Nowadays, Sherrod remains deeply involved in the high school sports scene in Palm Beach County. He officiates high school football and girls volleyball in the fall; boys and girls basketball in the winter; and girls flag football and boys volleyball in the spring.
After graduating from John I. Leonard, he attended college in Mississippi, eventually graduating with a degree in psychology and mental health from Tougaloo College. Upon graduation, he returned to Palm Beach County, where he has stayed, and he has no plans to leave.
“I’m retired now after working for the State of Florida for 37 years in the criminal justice system,” Sherrod said. “I worked in the prisons, first as a correctional officer and finally as a contract manager.”
So, it would be accurate to say that Sherrod has been enforcing rules for people to follow his entire adult life — first in the prison system, and later on volleyball courts, basketball courts and the football gridiron.
Despite being retired from the criminal justice system, Sherrod enjoys keeping busy as a “whistle blower,” though exclusively in scholastic sports.
When he’s not enforcing the rules of a high school sports contest, he’s out playing golf three or four times a week at either the Village Golf Club, the Okeeheelee Golf Course or the Palm Beach National Golf Club.
“I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends,” Sherrod said. “When I’m not officiating, I love watching professional and collegiate sports, including
TKA Girls Volleyball Team Focused On Strong Season This Fall
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report
This year’s girls varsity volleyball team from the King’s Academy is focused on going further than last year’s very talented team.
Last fall, TKA won its fifthstraight Class 3A, District 12 girls volleyball title, which was the 21st in school history. However, the squad’s successful season came to an end when the Lions fell in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 3A regional semifinals, losing in three straight sets to Berkeley Prep last October. Unfortunately, this year’s team no longer has Kelly Kinney playing as an outside hitter. She has graduated and is now playing at
the University of Minnesota. But, fortunately, the cupboards are not bare, so to speak, as head coach Bethany Avila has a talented roster of returners and newcomers on this year’s team.
This year’s 12-player team is led by three co-captains. They are senior middle blocker Bella Pons, senior libero Alanis Molina and junior outside hitter Miranda Knoll.
Another key member of the team will be freshman outside hitter Mikayla Matuszko, who played last year as an eighth grader. Since last season, Matuszko, who stands 6-foot-3, has practiced extensively with USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program.
Despite being a freshman, the tall and talented Matuszko will play
a major role on the team this fall, both offensively, as an outside hitter, and defensively, as a middle blocker at the net.
Senior Gabby Rodriguez is an all-around player who adds depth to the lineup and is a spiritual leader on the team.
Another key part of the rotation is sophomore setter Jordan Molnar. According to Avila, Molnar is the top 2028 setter in Florida.
“Jordan is a 6-foot-2 setter who puts up a huge block on the outsides we play against and is always poised and so athletic,” Avila said.
Other key returning members of the team are senior Gabriella Fernandez, senior setter Hunter Saltalamacchia, junior defensive specialist Evelyn Brunetti and ju-
nior outside hitter Ava Maldonado.
The Lions opened their 2025 season with a pair of victories on Thursday, Aug. 14 at home against Jupiter Christian (25-10, 25-15, 25-7) and on Tuesday, Aug. 19 on the road against Pope John Paul II Academy (25-11, 25-13, 25–18). A key early game on the schedule will be a home match on Tuesday, Sept. 2 against the Westminster Christian Warriors from Miami, the reigning FHSAA Class 2A state champions.
“We are looking forward to an incredible season,” Avila said.
Ultimately, the girls varsity volleyball team from TKA is focused on reaching the FHSAA’s Class 3A state finals, which will be held on Nov. 5 at the Winter Haven Health Center.
The King’s Academy 2025 girls varsity volleyball team. PHOTO BY DEREK CHIRCH
tennis. I also enjoy bike riding, clocking some 26 miles on my longest ride.” Sherrod is not the only member of his family who enjoys being a high school sports official.
“It has truly become a family affair, as I have two brothers, a nephew, and this year, with absolute joy, I am happy to bring
Brothers Val Sherrod and Demetrius Sherrod on the volleyball court.
Demetrius Sherrod (second from the right) on the sidelines with other football referees.
FOOTBALL, page 20
Basketball referees Charles Metcalf and Demetrius Sherrod.
Kevin Thompson returns this season as head football coach at Palm Beach Central High School.
Lee S. Freidman, MD
Randy S. Katz, MD
Steven M. Naids, MD
Megan A. Rowlands, MD
James M. Walsh, OD
Pat Moore: A Passionate, Dedicated And Respected Umpire
By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report
Pat Moore recently returned home from an 18-game World Series baseball experience in Branson, Missouri. He wasn’t there as a
player, coach, manager, journalist, broadcaster, fan or parent. Instead, he was one of 17 specially selected umpires from across the United States who worked this year’s Babe Ruth Major 70 World Series.
The Solid Gold Twirlers, the local baton twirling and pom team from Royal Palm Beach High School’s Adult and Community Education Program, recently qualified to represent Florida and the western communities at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Texas. The team brought home six gold, two silver and numerous individual medals. The team would like to thank their hometown for its support. The Solid Gold Twirlers invite anyone in grades K through 12 to come twirl and be part of the Solid Gold “twirling family.” The team performs locally and always gives back to the community. For more information, call the school at (561) 7534071 or text Coach Debbey at (561) 719-9023.
For 12 days in mid-August, Moore worked 18 games as an umpire, six of which were as the home plate ump. While in Branson, he umpired baseball games for two different age groups — 12U and 16U. It was a busy trip.
“On some days, I worked two games, and when I wasn’t working a game, I was often watching many of the baseball games,” said Moore, 49, who has now worked seven Babe Ruth World Series events as an umpire.
Moore noted that when he watches a baseball game at any level, he’s not just focused on the players.
“When I watch a game, I’m as focused on watching the performance of the umpires as I am the actual players in the game,” Moore said. “I am a better umpire when I watch more experienced umpires in action.”
One of the highlights of his Branson baseball experience was being selected to work the World Series championship game for the 12U age group.
“I was the right-field-line umpire for the championship game of 12U division between a Japanese team and the team from Altamonte Springs, Florida,” Moore said. “The team from Japan won.”
Moore’s performance as an umpire drew a rave review from Steve Tellefsen, the president and CEO of the Babe Ruth League.
“Pat was an outstanding um-
pire at the Cal Ripken Major 70 World Series,” Tellefsen said. “He handled himself with professionalism on and off the field, and his knowledge of the game and calm presence made him a tremendous asset to the umpiring crew. We were fortunate to have him there. Pat is a great representative for Babe Ruth League Inc. and projected such a positive image.”
Moore is a genuine baseball lifer. In addition to being a baseball umpire throughout the year, working nearly 200 games annually, he is the head coach of the varsity baseball team at Berean Christian School.
Moore also teaches geometry and statistics at Berean. He’s been the head coach at Berean for the last five years, and this is his 11th year teaching students at the school.
Moore’s reasoning for being a baseball umpire are the same ones that motivate him to be a coach.
“I love the game, and I like the chance to give back a little to a game that has given me so much,” Moore said.
While Moore’s travel expenses to and from Branson were paid for — as were his living expenses while in Branson — he was not paid anything for his professional expertise as an umpire on the baseball diamond. Rather, he was a true volunteer who remains passionate and dedicated to the game of baseball.
Wellington Will Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With Two
As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the Village of Wellington is hosting two events in recognition of the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. Hispanic Heritage Month Leaders Forum — Wellington’s Hispanic Heritage Month Leaders Forum celebrates the vibrant contributions of Hispanic Americans who have played a vital role in shaping the community. The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The forum provides a unique
Special Events In September
opportunity for attendees to connect with influential leaders from the Hispanic and Latino communities of Wellington and Palm Beach County. Engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions and forge valuable relationships as people come together to share experiences, successes and lessons learned. Light refreshments will be served. The forum is free to attend. Registration is required as spaces are limited. Register through Eventbrite at wellingtonhhmleadersforum. eventbrite.com. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/ hhmleadersforum for more infor-
mation and the list of speakers. Hispanic Heritage Night — In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the village is hosting a free Hispanic Heritage Night on Friday, Sept. 19, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Join in honoring the rich heritage and continued impact of Hispanic Americans. Hispanic Heritage Night will feature a variety of activities, DJ music and dancing, food trucks, traditional and interactive dance performances and vendors, along with presentations and performances by multiple Latinos in Action (LIA) groups from the School District of Palm Beach County. Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/
Pat Moore (left) with other umpires in Palm Beach Gardens at a past Babe Ruth League baseball game.
Umpire Pat Moore with Babe Ruth League President & CEO Steve Tellefsen.
Assistant Village Manager Ed De La Vega will serve as moderator of the Hispanic Heritage Month Leaders Forum.
Football Season Now Underway
continued from page 17
quarterback is a returner from last year’s team, senior Chance Routson.
Royal Palm Beach High School — After earning a spot in the FHSAA’s Class 5A playoffs last year, RPBHS is expected to continue its winning ways, despite the fact that former head coach Chuck Kenyon has moved on to continue his football coaching career in Georgia.
Under the guidance of new head coach Samuel Curry, the Wildcats played very well in their 35-2 kickoff classic win against South Fork High School.
“Our defense played well and created five turnovers,” Curry said.
The Wildcats play two out of their first three games at home. The season and home opener will be Friday, Aug. 22 against Port St. Lucie High School. In week two, the Wildcats will travel to Greenacres to play John I. Leonard High School on Thursday, Aug.
28. In week three, Royal Palm Beach will host the Chargers from Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach.
For Royal Palm Beach, the offense will be led by junior quarterback Max Griner, who was also last year’s starting signal caller. Curry said his squad is physi-
cally fit and focused on starting the season in a victorious fashion.
“We are in great shape, and we are ready to start the season,” said Curry, who noted that he will dress 58 players on the varsity squad in the season opener. “We had a strong off-season conditioning program this past summer.”
Seminole Ridge High School — The Hawks football team opens the season on the road in Belle Glade against Glades Central High School on Friday, Aug. 22. The following Friday, Aug. 29, Seminole Ridge has its home opener
against the Sharks from visiting Spanish River High School.
Next up, in week three, the Hawks will host the Blue Devils from Pahokee High School.
Looming large on Seminole Ridge’s schedule is its week four game at home against West Boca Raton High School, the current Class 6A state champions.
The King’s Academy — At TKA, the Lions, under the direction of head coach Dan Burack, are ready for the upcoming season.
“Our players are gritty, and they don’t shy away from contact,”
Burack said. “I feel good about our team.”
On Friday, Aug. 15, TKA won its kickoff classic game against Park Vista High School, 14-7. That victory was hard-earned. The points for TKA came from a pick-six by Ben McPherson and a touchdown by the offense.
“Against Park Vista, we generated six turnovers,” Burack noted. “The defense played well.
Linebacker Levi Champion led the way with 18 tackles.”
TKA opens its regular season on Friday, Aug. 22 on the road against longtime rival Saint Andrew’s School from Boca Raton.
In week two, the Lions will play their home opener on Friday, Aug. 29 against Fort Pierce Westwood Academy. In week three, TKA will host longtime rival Gulliver Prep on Thursday, Sept. 4.
Burack likes the competitive attitude of this year’s team, which had a productive summer of off-season conditioning.
“We are young on offense and really good on defense,” Burack said. This year’s team is hoping to go deeper into the FHSAA’s Class 2A playoffs than last year’s very successful unit, which reached the Class 2A regional semifinals.
Habitat For Humanity To Host Inaugural Sporting Clay Tournament On Sept. 26
Take aim for a powerful cause.
Join Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County at its Inaugural Sporting Clay Tournament, benefiting the organization’s Veterans Build 2025 initiative.
The event will take place Friday, Sept. 26, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Quail Creek Sporting Ranch in Okeechobee.
Led by co-chairs Carey Clarke, Anthony Nastase, Jon Raybuck and Chad Ryan, this exciting new fundraiser blends friendly competition with meaningful impact, raising vital funds to support affordable housing for Palm Beach County veterans.
“We can’t repay the debt of service, but we can honor it,” said Jennifer Thomason, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County. “Through Veterans Build, we’re working to ensure those who
served our country have the safe, stable homes they deserve.”
Participants will enjoy a day filled with camaraderie and community, complete with a morning shooting competition on Quail Creek’s scenic range, breakfast and lunch, live music and exclusive Habitat-branded whiskey, and networking with business and civic leaders from across the region Beginners are welcome. Shooting experience is not necessary. Foursomes are available for $1,500 and include all event amenities, including guns, hearing protection, ammunition and targets. Sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500 and offer branding benefits, shooter spots and recognition throughout the event. Branding-only sponsorships are also available starting at $1,500. All proceeds will directly benefit Habitat’s Veterans Build program, which partners with veterans to provide affordable homeownership, critical home repairs and volunteer opportunities. To register or become a sponsor, visit www.habitatgreaterpbc.org or contact Zenia Mackey at zenia. mackey@habitatgreaterpbc.org or Dayana Rooks at dayana.rooks@ habitatgreaterpbc.org.
Samuel Curry is the new head coach at Royal Palm Beach High School.
Demetrice Rolle is a promising returnee on the RPBHS football squad.
Seminole Ridge’s Donovan Mays stiff-arms a Palm Beach Gardens defender last season.
PHOTO BY RICHARD AREYZAGA JR.
The King’s Academy 2025 varsity football team.
PHOTO BY DEREK CHIRCH
Event co-chairs Jon Raybuck, Carey Clarke, Anthony Nastase and Chad Ryan. PHOTO COURTESY MASTERWING CREATIVE AGENCY
Dr. Jonathan Shaw Addresses Royal Palm Beach Rotary On Active Aging
Local orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Shaw, a hip and knee specialist at the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, recently spoke to Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club members during its breakfast at Hilary’s Restaurant and Royal Deli.
As a trusted medical professional in the community, Shaw shared his expert insights on the importance of active aging and maintaining joint health, emphasizing how mobility and preventative care can improve the quality of life for older adults.
Shaw’s presentation reinforced how safe measures like stretching
and eating healthy can support joint health and make physical activity more accessible for older adults. He also discussed the different conditions that may occur as people age, the situations where surgery would be necessary, being aware of pain and symptoms, and when to seek help. Shaw also offered attendees insight into modern procedures, such as same-day hip replacements.
With a focus on hip and knee care, Shaw specializes in minimally invasive joint replacements, robotic-assisted surgery, revision procedures and nonoperative treatments for arthritis. He completed
Carlos Reyes, A PBSC Student From RPB, Receives The Chime Workforce Scholarship
Palm Beach State College student Carlos Reyes has been awarded the inaugural Chime Workforce Scholarship of $1,000 through the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.
The Chime Workforce Scholarship helps students cover the cost of tuition, fees and other educational expenses related to completing their degree or certificate program. It is awarded to students enrolled in certificate or associate degree workforce development programs at two-year colleges.
“Carlos has demonstrated exceptional dedication to his academic and professional goals, and we’re proud to see his hard work recognized with this scholarship,” said Daniel Alvarez, PTK advisor of the Delta Omicron chapter at PBSC. “He truly represents the values of Phi Theta Kappa and the potential of our students here at Palm Beach State College.”
Reyes, from Royal Palm Beach, is one of 200 students selected to receive the scholarship, which recognizes high-achieving college students pursuing career and technical education. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on academic excellence, engagement, leadership potential and career readiness.
Reyes is currently pursuing a degree in computer programming at PBSC. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa’s Delta Omicron chapter, an international honor society recognizing academic
achievement at associate degree-granting colleges.
“At the Chime Scholars Foundation, we believe that career and technical education opens doors to financial progress and longterm opportunity,” said Jeni Izuel, president of the Chime Scholars Foundation. “We’re proud to support students who are working hard to gain in-demand skills and build better futures for themselves and their families.”
The Chime Scholars Foundation provides support for individuals pursuing higher education, including college, workforce training and trade school.
advanced training at the internationally recognized Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and is an active member of both the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Committed to helping people protect their joints and perform at their best, Shaw continues to serve the Palm Beach community with expertise and compassion.
The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club has a longstanding dedication to “service above self,” bringing together business, professional and community leaders to address real-world challenges
with passion and vision. Hosting Shaw reflected this commitment by fostering awareness about active aging and joint health — key factors in improving community wellness and empowering individuals to lead healthier, more independent lives.
Shaw’s presentation not only educated members but also nurtured the club’s mission to promote integrity, service and the advancement of well-being in the Royal Palm Beach community.
For more information about Shaw and the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, visit www. pboi.com.
Melvin Corredor Joins County As Building Official
Palm Beach County’s Planning, Zoning & Building Department recently announced the appointment of Melvin Corredor as the county’s new building official, effective Aug. 18.
Corredor brings more than 20 years of combined public and private sector experience, with a strong background in construction management, permitting, inspections and building code compliance. Prior to joining PZB, he was the building department manager at the Village of Wellington. He led process improvements, technology upgrades and customer service enhancements, improving the delivery of building services.
His career also includes private construction industry experience in project management and supervisory roles.
A certified general and roofing contractor, Corredor holds more than 11 professional licenses from the State of Florida. He also holds the master code professional certification, the highest designation awarded by the International Code Council. Additionally, the Building Officials Association of Florida awarded Corredor its Plans Examiner of the Year award in 2021, reflecting his technical expertise, leadership and unwavering commitment to public safety.
Corredor is a graduate of the
University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA. Fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, he is known for his focus on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. His leadership philosophy emphasizes servant leadership, integrity, accountability and building trust within his team and the community.
Corredor is committed to ensuring that the county’s building division delivers timely, consistent and professional service in support of safe, resilient and sustainable development throughout Palm Beach County.
YMCA Joins Community To Honor 3-Year-Old Kyrie Larry
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, community members gathered at the YMCA of the Palm Beaches’ Aquatic Center where the Boca West Children’s Foundation presented the YMCA with a sizable adaptive swim instruction grant in honor of the life of Kyrie Larry, a three-year-old boy with autism who tragically drowned earlier this year.
During the heartfelt ceremony, YMCA President & CEO Timothy Coffield presented a commemorative plaque of Kyrie to his grandfather, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kenneth “Coach T” Torrence. An identical plaque now hangs inside the entryway of the aquatic center, serving as a lasting reminder of the YMCA and Boca West Children’s Foundation’s dedication to preventing such tragedies.
Boca West Children’s Foundation Executive Director Pamela
Weinroth presented a $10,000 donation in Kyrie’s honor to benefit the Y’s Adaptive Swimming Program, a specialized initiative that equips children with physical and cognitive challenges, including autism, with lifesaving water safety skills. For children on the autism spectrum, who are naturally drawn to water and often face heightened drowning risks, learning to swim can mean the difference between danger and safety.
“Kyrie’s memory will forever be a part of the YMCA of the Palm Beaches’ Adaptive Swim Program,” Coffield said. “His story reinforces why our commitment to adaptive swim instruction is so essential. Every child deserves the skills, confidence and respect for water that will keep them safe — no matter their abilities. We are deeply grateful to the Boca West Children’s Foundation for helping us continue this lifesaving work.”
The YMCA of the Palm Beaches has served the Palm Beach County community for more than 100 years, providing essential programs, activities and services for thousands of children, seniors and families annually. It’s new community center at Lake Lytal Park is scheduled to open in late 2026. For more information, visit www.ymcapalmbeaches.org.
Carlos Reyes
County Commissioner Joel Flores, Tim Coffield of the YMCA, Deputy Kenneth “Coach T” Torrence and Pamela Weinroth of the Boca West Children’s Foundation. PHOTO COURTESY GAIL V. HAINES
Melvin Corredor
Royal Palm Beach Mayor Jeff Hmara; Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Andre Blackwood, Walter Imperatore; Jeffrey Fine, Eric Gordon and Councilwoman Sylvia Sharpe.
WELLINGTON ELEMENTARY WELCOMES TEACHERS
Several Palm Beach Central High School students participated in prestigious scientific internships over the summer.
Junior Alayna Garland recently completed a six-week summer internship at UF Scripps. She was one of 15 students selected from Palm Beach and Martin counties to participate. Garland was in the lab of Dr. William Ja and used Drosophila to study the effects of socialization on sleep patterns. She plans to continue her research at Scripps, and as part of the experimental science program at Palm Beach Central.
Pace Center For Girls Appoints Javid Khan Board Chair
The Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach, a second-chance school dedicated to providing girls and young women with opportunities for a better future through education, counseling and advocacy, recently announced that Javid Khan, a leader at NextEra Energy, will serve as its new board chair. Khan, who joined NextEra in 2021, currently leads the Renewable Operational Center of Work Excellence and Analytics team at NextEra Energy Resources. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the power
and utility sector, Khan has held key roles at organizations such as National Grid, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Consumers Energy, as well as strategic consulting positions at PwC and Accenture. Throughout his career, Khan has led complex organizational initiatives, built cross-sector partnerships and driven long-term impact — skills that will greatly support Pace Palm Beach’s ongoing efforts to empower girls and young women in Palm Beach County. His commitment to community-focused leadership and
strategic growth aligns strongly with Pace’s mission of providing girls with a second chance through the extensive programs and re sources it offers.
“I am honored to be the new board chair at the Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach,” Khan said. “I look forward to supporting the organization’s continued impact in Palm Beach County and contrib uting to a future where every girl has the opportunity to realize her full potential.”
Joining Khan in leadership and governance are five newly
His leadership and vision will be invaluable as we continue to help more girls and young women in
HOMETOWN HEROES
appointed board members: Annamaria Burns of Verizon, Blanca Lopez Mackrey of State Farm,
Alayna Garland recently completed her summer internship at UF Scripps.
PreK Team: (Front) Stella O’Brien, Laura Ann Bell, Julie Weiland and Sarah Lanouette, and (back) Sara Chong and Cathy Eckstein.
Principal Dr. Maria Vaughan, data processor Debi Meoni, administrative assistant Doris Cabrera-Jerez, Assistant Principal Donna Dekersky and bookkeeper Blanca Perez.
Third Grade Team: (Seated) Stephanie Morrison, Dave Morrison and Mike Bruscell, and (standing) Katie Stephens, Natalie Powers, Karlie Young, Brianna McEntee and Denise Castillo Chang.
Cadets hold the colors during the ceremony. Royal Palm Beach Mayor Jeff Hmara addresses the new cadets.
Mark Morrison Supports Kids Through Trip To Wellington Green
British R&B star and Palm Beach Gardens resident Mark Morrison, known globally for his multi-platinum anthem “Return of the Mack,” recently staged a meaningful return — this time in the spirit of generosity and giving back.
On Monday, Aug. 4, Morrison hosted a back-to-school shopping spree at the Mall at Wellington Green for more than 30 children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties and Coastal Middle & High School.
The mall opened early so kids could shop for school shoes, socks and select clothing at Foot Locker and Foot Locker Kids.
One especially touching moment came when eight-year-old Apollo Acevedo began crying after realizing he wasn’t on the list to receive shoes. “I wanted to get shoes, but I wasn’t on the list, so I started to get sad,” he shared.
Upon hearing this, Morrison immediately stepped in and bought Apollo a new pair of sneakers on the spot.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Morrison, I really appreciate this!” Apollo beamed.
“When I was young, I could never afford name-brand trainers, and I never forgot how that felt. No child should have to walk into
school feeling like they don’t belong. If I can change that for even one kid, it’s worth it,” Morrison said.
Morrison’s legacy goes beyond music. While “Return of the Mack” hit No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling more than eight million copies worldwide, his current focus includes mentorship and community impact. His catalog has now surpassed one billion Spotify streams and one billion views on TikTok.
Yvette Acevedo Flores, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, expressed deep appreciation.
“Families are trying to stretch every dollar for back-to-school shopping, so when Mark Morrison offered each of our kids a new pair of shoes, we were so happy,” Flores said. “Everyone had a great time shopping at Foot Locker, and we’re so appreciative to Mark for giving our kids this wonderful opportunity.”
Lisa Collum, owner of Coastal Middle & High School in Lake Park, also shared her gratitude.
“Back to school isn’t easy for every kid, so to be able to provide shoes for students is so exciting for them,” Collum said. “Something as normal as shoes can really
change a student’s life as they enter the school year. This has been an amazing opportunity, and we’re grateful.”
The Mall at Wellington Green was proud to host Mark Morrison’s philanthropic event.
“The mall opened early so
Adita Yrizarry-Lang Joins Team At Balance Fitness
Adita Yrizarry-Lang has joined the team at Balance Fitness in Welington.
Yrizarry-Lang is a “SuperPower” aficionado and mother of two. Her journey started as a fitness instructor 30-plus years ago. Since then, she expanded her endeavors, from a biomechanics and resistance training expert to nutritional guru, mind-body coach, author and women’s advocate for healthy living.
She has written SuperPowers: A Busy Woman’s Guide to Health and Happiness and SuperPowers of the Family Kitchen. She also holds a degree in holistic nutrition, is a level three holistic lifestyle coach through the Chek Institute and has been accredited by several health organizations. She has trained thousands of fitness professionals worldwide and often speaks at schools, Fortune 500 companies and private organizations on the benefits of quality foods, longevity and amazing health.
Yrizarry-Lang’s mission is to
Adita Yrizarry-Lang is now part of the team at Balance Fitness in Wellington. encourage individuals to “live inspired.” She wants to bring out the challenges and offer solutions. Also at Balance Fitness is an upcoming program called “Optimal Health Reset,” a transformative four-week journey starting Monday, Sept. 8, designed to realign your habits, energize your body and bring your wellness goals to life.
Each week, the program will dive deep into one of the four key pillars of health, making it easy to apply simple, realistic changes that deliver powerful results. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, boost energy or simply feel better in your body, this is your opportunity to reset and thrive. Learn more at www.gobalancefitness. com/product/optimal-health-reset.
the kids could enjoy a special shopping experience before we opened to the public at 10 a.m.,”
Marketing Director Julie Schalm
said. “Creating joyful, confidence-building moments like this is exactly the kind of impact we’re proud to support.”
Advanced Surgical Physicians Welcomes Dr. Michael Shockley
Advanced Surgical Physicians (ASP) recently announced the addition of Dr. Michael Shockley to its team of expert surgeons.
A board-certified general surgeon with specialized training in minimally invasive, foregut and bariatric surgery, Shockley joins ASP after completing a highly competitive fellowship in Advanced GI Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
His extensive training also includes a general surgery residency at the University of Central Florida/HCA Consortium of Greater Orlando, where he served as an administrative chief resident. His expertise encompasses a wide range of surgical procedures with a focus on cutting-edge laparoscopic, endoscopic and robotic techniques.
“Dr. Shockley’s background and skills are an outstanding addition to our practice,” Dr. Andrew Shapiro said. “His expertise in minimally invasive and bariatric procedures will continue to add
New Stores Open At The Mall At Wellington Green
Two new retail destinations are joining the more than 160 stores at the Mall at Wellington Green. Exotic Snack Guys and Foreign Currency Express add to the growing and robust offerings at this lifestyle destination in Wellington.
Exotic Snack Guys — Get ready to snack your way around the world! Exotic Snack Guys is launching its newest brick-andmortar location on Sept. 1 at the Mall at Wellington Green. This bold destination will feature a flavorful lineup of international goodies sourced from more than 40 countries.
Known for a constantly rotating inventory of rare, trending and globally inspired snacks — from Japanese Kit Kats, Korean ramen and Swedish gummies to Indian masala chips, French sodas, Mexican candies and Middle Eastern chocolates — this store delivers something exciting for every adventurous eater. In addition to snacks, the 2,300-square-foot location will offer imported cereals, international cookies, instant noodles, novelty drinks, exotic pickles and flavored potato chips in bold varieties. Located near the indoor children’s playground, the Wellington shop will also debut limited-edition releases, a loyalty rewards program, and curated mystery boxes ideal for gifting or exploring new global flavors. Customers can also request custom or hardto-find items, including nostalgic childhood treats. For more information, visit
of
www.exoticsnackguys.com call (224) 308-4809.
Foreign Currency Express — A leading provider of foreign currency exchange and money exchange, Foreign Currency Express is opening its newest location at the Mall at Wellington Green on Sept. 1. The 200-square-foot space, located on the second floor near Macy’s, will offer convenient access for travelers, tourists and residents throughout Palm Beach County.
Owned and operated by Lourdes Manso Harris, Foreign Currency Express has built a strong reputation over 16 years for providing fast, secure and customer-focused service in South Florida.
The company specializes in buying and selling more than 70
foreign currencies, including the Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Mexican Peso, Argentine Peso, Swiss Franc, Japanese Yen, Chinese Yuan, Israeli Shekel and Iraqi Dinar. All currencies are available the same day or next day with no minimum or maximum transaction requirements, wait times or need for pre-ordering through banks.
In addition to currency exchange, Foreign Currency Express will provide Florida Goldbacks and inflation-resistant gold-backed currency notes, as well as online ordering.
For more information, visit www.theforeigncurrencyexpress. com or call (954) 410-2922. Palazzo Couture Expansion — Palazzo Couture recently
to the excellence in patient care that Advanced Surgical Physicians provides. We are thrilled to welcome a surgeon of his caliber to our team.”
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Shockley is an award-winning physician, recognized with the Fellowship Golden Scalpel Award and multiple Residency Legacy Achievement Awards. His commitment to surgical education is demonstrated through his various lectures and research publications, including work on venous thromboembolism risk and bariatric surgery. Shockley is also a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons.
Shockley’s comprehensive approach to patient care and dedication to utilizing the latest surgical technologies will be a valuable asset to the Wellington community
and Palm Beach County at large. Advanced Surgical Physicians provides expert breast, hernia, gallbladder and general surgical care. Learn more at www.toplinemd. com/advanced-surgical-physicians or call (561) 333-1335.
See Vision Eye Institute Welcomes Dr. Kylie Barto
See Vision Eye Institute recently welcomed Dr. Kylie Barto to its growing clinical team. With a strong foundation in ocular disease management and post-surgical care, Barto expands the practice’s ability to deliver timely, personalized and outcomes-focused care across Palm Beach County.
A graduate of Nova Southeastern University, Barto brings a deep commitment to excellence in optometric care, with a special focus on ocular surface disease, post-operative management and comprehensive eye health. She will work in close partnership with Dr. Jason Gorscak, founder
and chief medical officer of See Vision Eye Institute and a leading authority in advanced cataract and refractive surgery.
“We conducted a national search to find the right doctor who shares our philosophy of care,” Gorscak said. “Dr. Barto stood out from the start. She’s collaborative, clinically sharp and most importantly, committed to doing what’s best for every patient. With her on board, we’re making care more accessible — without ever compromising on quality.”
This new addition aligns with See Vision Eye Institute’s longterm strategy to meet growing
demand while preserving the concierge-level experience that has defined the practice. Her role will also enhance support for referring physicians who rely on See Vision’s clinical team for comprehensive ophthalmology and surgical care.
“Every patient and referring provider can feel absolute confidence in the care we deliver — care that’s seamless, intentional and efficient at every step,” CEO Myra Cherchio said. “Our mission is to remove every barrier to exceptional eye care and change lives by restoring clarity and freedom from glasses. From the first call
IDA Development Enhances Easterseals Therapy Arena
Florida.
IDA Development is honored to support the life-changing work being done at Easterseals Southwest Florida and remains committed to building infrastructure that makes a real impact.
“At IDA Development, we believe that the structures we work on should do more than just stand — they should serve. Supporting Easterseals Southwest Florida in creating a safe and welcoming therapy arena is more than a project for us; it’s a privilege. We’re proud to contribute to a place
where healing, growth and joy happen every day,” IDA Development President Harry Knopp said. With more than 30 years of experience, IDA Development turns visions into reality — whether it’s a covered, outdoor or mirrored arena, custom barn, or IDA steel barn or building. They guide clients through every step of the planning and building process, tailoring solutions to meet each individual’s needs, timeline and budget. For more information, visit www.idadevelops.com or contact Knopp at (561) 486-0502 or at harryk@idadevelops.com.
to the final follow-up, we make the experience as frictionless and personalized as the transformative results we provide.”
See Vision Eye Institute has become a trusted destination in Palm Beach County for patients seeking precision, innovation and concierge-level care — earning hundreds of five-star reviews for its patient experience and surgical outcomes. See Vision Eye Institute is located in Homeland Plaza at 5165 S. State Road 7. To learn more, or to refer a patient, visit www. seevisioneye.com or call (561) 621-2020.
Students from Coastal Middle & High School during the shopping spree.
Students, with their purchases, surround Mark Morrison’s car.
British R&B star Mark Morrison hosted the back-to-school event.
Apollo Acevedo (right) with his mother and brother. Sandy Collier Big Brothers Big Sisters with and Foot Locker staff.
Dr. Kylie Barto and Dr. Jason Gorscak
See Vision Eye Institute. PHOTO
Palazzo Couture recently expanded into a new, larger location.
Dr. Michael Shockley
Spending Time With Mom Can Be Confusing... For Both Of Us
Lucidity continues to elude my 96-yearold mother, and I have to admit, it’s as amusing as it is sad. On the phone, she told me, “I never realized how wet these floors are. All my floors are covered with a half-inch of water.” Her floors are carpeted, but a month ago, I had told her about the water covering the carpeted floor at my store when the creek behind it overflowed. Hmm.
“Bend down and touch it, mom. Is your hand wet?”
“Oh.” One time when I was visiting, she found a basket of laundry that someone had left on the community jigsaw puzzle table and, instead of leaving it there for them to discover later, she told me she was going
to “find out where it goes.” Against my protestations, she went into another apartment (completely out of character for her) but it was, thankfully, vacant. Then she tried another door — locked — went into the trash chute room to look around and eventually found the laundry room. When I said that would be the
second-best place to leave it (the puzzle table being the first), she told me not to put it there, that she wanted to go through it first. What? She pulled out a few towels and dishrags (“I’m going to bring these home...”) but when she came to a sweater and shirt that she didn’t recognize, she realized it belonged to someone else after all and let me put everything back. Then she said, “Oh, Debbie! You’ve forgotten your little dog!” I told her I had never owned a dog, and we eventually figured out she meant my sister’s dog, out in California. At 4 p.m. on Thursdays only, her assisted living place — located so close to “Beer City” Milwaukee — serves drinks.
Promptly at 3:30 p.m., mom wanted to go down and sit in the lobby and wait for them. My insistence that the day was Saturday fell on deaf ears, so we sat down there until 5:30 p.m. — one of us, expectantly. We left only because dinner was being delivered to her room at 6 p.m., and she’d worked up an appetite. By 6:45 p.m., we were back at the puzzle table with sodas (small consolation) and one of us (sigh) spilled her soda all over the place. An honest mistake, but now puzzle pieces were quickly coming apart in three layers. I rushed to mom’s apartment to get two towels and began blotting. As for mom, she spent the next 35 minutes arranging and rearranging 20 assorted pieces on her towel — some wet,
some dry. I also couldn’t help but wonder if she’d had some sort of laundry premonition earlier about needing extra towels. All this being said, I don’t want you to think that my mother is not intelligent. She’s brilliant. Immediately upon her graduation from high school, she was offered a job by the FBI. So she’s just having a little trouble with her brain right now, trouble that is not expected to get better any time soon. Yet, to this day, she does an amazing job of summing things up. “Debbie, you have no idea how much information is spinning around inside my head.”
My guess is: all the information she’s ever learned. All the time. Except when she needs it.
‘Nobody 2’ Movie Offers A Fun Mixture Of Action And Comedy
‘I’
On CULTURE
By Leonard Wechsler
As expected from the title, Nobody 2 is a sequel. So, while the premise is not particularly new, the people behind the movie had to make it bigger and bloodier than the first. The title refers to the main character, who in the first, pretty good, film refers to himself as “nobody” while being interrogated. The original, one of the first ones out after the worst of the pandemic, did OK at the box office and that was enough. We find the main character Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) putting in long hours for a character called The Barber (Colin Salmon) as an assassin to pay off a debt he owes after destroying a Russian crime family in the first film. The work has pushed him away from his family, particularly his wife Becca (Connie Nielsen). So, he plans a family vacation to Plummerville, which has a big amusement park, agreeing with his wife that he will leave his life as “Nobody” behind him for a bit. His son Brady (Gage Munroe) gets into trouble for fighting another kid, Max (Lucius Hoyos), and the family is kicked out. But an employee smacks Hutch’s little daughter, and he beats the guy up.
is part of a smuggling route that Wyatt has to pay off in order to operate. Wyatt’s son Max is kidnapped. That leads to many complications, as Lendina (Sharon Stone), who runs the route, has her own demands. Hutch gathers his own family to battle the forces of evil. And, well, see the film if you can’t figure out what happens.
The owner of the park, Wyatt (John Ortiz), Max’s father, and a corrupt sheriff Abel (Colin Hanks) go after the family with the sheriff planning to kill them all. To complicate matters, Hutch finds out from his brother Harry (RZA) that the park
Hutch is typical of many heroes in American films. The family man who basically is not interested in being a bully or even fighting until his own family is threatened. The prototype was Gary Cooper as Sheriff Will Kane in High Noon. And we have seen him so often. But Hutch stands out in many ways because of his imperfections. He makes mistakes that lead to more problems. In other words, he’s more like the rest of us.
The cast is very good. Odenkirk is at the center, and he shows the man in all his imperfections, but at the same time,
he allows the strengths to come through in the quiet scenes, not just the very good actions scenes. Nielsen comes across as a strong foil for him. She is no doormat, and is as willing to stand up for what is right as much as her man. The rest of the family is also good. RZA plays well as the loyal adopted brother Harry, bringing an interesting blend of irony to the picture. Of course, Christopher Lloyd really takes over the screen as Hutch and Harry’s dad David, a former FBI agent. Gage Munroe as Hutch’s son and Lucius Hoyos as Max were also good. John Ortiz is very good as the bad, but not in the long run all bad, villain. Colin Hanks fills that role very well. Sharon Stone played her villainous role over the top, which also worked well. The action scenes were really good. Although I am reasonably certain that many of the modern tricks for creating disaster scenes were used, things felt real. The biggest difference between this sequel and the original is that this film was turned into an action/comedy. It is funnier than the original, possibly because a theme park is a more relaxing place. Director Timo Tjahjanto changed the general motif. The first movie was sort of a takeoff of the John Wick films. This is a bit more of National Lampoon’s Vacation. It slows down for some nice comedy set pieces in between the action sequences. Hutch Mansell is a Clark Griswold with a tough guy interior. And he manages to mess up things
WHITE GLOVES
St. Jude’s Novena
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St.Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day by the 8th day, your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you, St Jude for granting my petition.
