Town-Crier Newspaper August 28,2009

ROTARY SOCIAL IN ROYAL PALM

An Updated Look Planned For Royal Palm Beach KFC

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach Central Counting On Young

This Year While the Palm Beach Central High School varsity football team suffered big losses with 30 of its players graduating this past spring, including gifted kicker/punter Patrick O’Donnell, the future’s unknowns are not daunting for Head Coach Rod Harris. Page 15

Features

ACC’s DiPace Finds Homes For Horses

Gina DiPace is the operations manager at Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control. When starved or abused horses are seized, she’s the one who cares for them, turns their lives around, and tries to insure that their next home is the right one. Page 16

The Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. plans to update its look. At a meeting Tuesday, the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the changes, but raised concerns about what they saw as the growing abuse of paper signs in windows of KFC and other businesses.

Craig McDonald, an agent with Corporate Property Services, said the restaurant is seeking to remodel the exterior of the existing building, located near the Royal Inn.

“The existing building has a red metal roof and a brick façade,” McDonald said.

“We’re proposing to remove most of the brick, keep the base brick around the building, and replace it with stucco.”

McDonald said the company also plans to remove the mansard roof and replace it with a parapet that will conceal equipment on the roof. They also plan to add awnings and decorative lighting over most of the windows and change the color scheme to more earth tones with some accent colors of red and blue.

The proposed paint colors for the base of the building are brown tones with accent colors of blue and red. The proposed awnings were red with white stripes, but village staff registered concerns with the look of the striped awnings and proposed a solid color. The applicant also

seeks a new wall sign featuring a picture of KFC founder Colonel Sanders. Development Review Coordinator Kevin Erwin said the Colonel Sanders picture, which will be the only sign on the building, is slightly larger than the existing sign but still conforms to code. Erwin said village staff recommended approval of the redesign with the condition that the awnings be solid red.

Commissioner Darrell Lange asked about the striping as opposed to the solid color on the awnings and the tower. “The new cap is larger, and the current one is striped,” he said. “It’s up to the board whether they feel it is too much. I have no problem with striping on the tower. I would prefer the awnings be a solid color.”

Lange said he thought the design was nice, and Commission Chair Jackie Larson agreed, but objected to paper signs in the windows, which she said appears to be a growing trend with Royal Palm Beach businesses. Larson noted that signs exceeding 25 percent of the window space are code violations.

“This is a real updated look with the building, but these paper signs in the window are really tacky,” she said. “From an architectural standpoint, it doesn’t aid in the look of the façade.”

Larson asked about restricting paper signs as a condition, but Lange said he felt it would be inappropriate without going to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council

to propose a restriction or prohibition on window signs for all businesses. Lange said he believes paper signs are a code enforcement issue.

Commission Alternate Tinu Peña made a motion to approve the new design with the condition that the awnings be solid red. It was seconded by Lange and carried 3-0 with several commission members absent.

In other business:

• The commission postponed approval of a special exception to allow an automotive repair service in Royal Commerce Park until the applicant could ascertain whether the parking lot is equipped with storm drains that would trap accidental spillage of oil and grease.

Erwin said village staff had no objections to the application, but had imposed conditions including that the applicant, Chet Biermat, must install oil and grease interceptors to prevent contaminants from getting into the storm water system.

Lange asked about the contamination interceptors, and Biermat said the stalls have grease gutters and the firm that would rent the bay has a state-approved system for containing fluids, which would be hauled off premises, but did not know about interceptors in the storm drains. Lange said the containerization and garage gutters are different than having interceptors in the storm drains.

“The condition is you’re

See ZONERS, page 16

Weitz Gets Nod To Build Wellington’s New Village Hall

By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council stuck with its staff’s recommendation Tuesday and chose the Weitz Company to build a new municipal complex, over the objections of a second-ranked firm that claimed the bidding process was flawed.

Weitz has offered to design and build a municipal complex for the village on Forest Hill Blvd. near the Wellington Community Center for $10.54 million. The 54,000square-foot complex, for which the village had budgeted $14.78 million, would gather village offices together for the first time after a decade of operating in scattered locations.

The council tabled a vote on awarding the contract two weeks ago, after representatives from the second-ranked bidding firm Royal Concrete Concepts took issue with the way Weitz had calculated its price.

Royal Concrete Concepts bid $11.48 million on the project, but company representatives said their company strove to meet the project’s design criteria to the letter, while Weitz made modifications that lowered its estimated costs.

That debate continued Tuesday as the council allowed representatives from each company ten minutes to state their case.

Royal Concrete Vice President John Albert said that while the council two weeks previously had promised a comparison of bids to determine whether adherence to criteria had affected the process, such a comparison had not taken place. “We believe it is crystal-clear, if you look at the discrepancies across the board from all the bidders,

that this process is in fact flawed,” he said. Albert displayed forms from both Weitz and Royal Concrete in which bidders were to break down the costs of various aspects of the project. While Royal Concrete had only filled out each line of the form, Weitz had appended six “clarifications and allowances” at the bottom of a retyped version of the form to justify some lineitem amounts.

Ken Treadwell, general counsel and executive vice president of Royal Concrete, charged that the village’s request for proposals required that all forms be the same, but that Weitz had deviated in several respects by making changes and additions.

“The reason it was not the same is because of the ‘but,’” he said. “But — here is the form, but — here are the changes. It was unfair for all of the bidders to accept this form, because it then puts this recommended bidder in the position to reject the contract in subsequent negotiations because of the buts, because of the qualifications, because of the additions, because of the alternatives.”

Treadwell urged the village to reject all bids and start over, if the only other option would be to choose an unqualified bidder. Weitz President Dennis Gallagher offered personal guarantees that his company would meet the village’s specifications.

“Our team has thoroughly reviewed and responsibly responded to your 700-page criteria packet,” he said. “In spending numerous hours, and at considerable expense, we have challenged ourselves and gone the extra mile to create new ideas which are

See COUNCIL, page 16

Wellington Seeks Volunteers For Water Testing

By Mark Lioi

Town-Crier Staff Report

With health concerns prompting nervous Acreage residents to question their water quality, one would think that Wellington residents would jump at the chance for a water quality test in their homes for free. Apparently, not so much.

While Wellington announced last week that it needs volunteers to provide water samples to check for copper and lead content, as of Thursday, a staff member in charge of the effort said

only one household has so far stepped forward to participate in the free test.

The village must take the samples in compliance with a 1991 federal requirement that all water suppliers annually check drinking water at the customer’s tap for lead and copper content, as these metals can cause health problems. The village is looking for volunteers who live yearround in single-family, onestory homes built between 1983 and 1987. That, UtiliSee WATER, page 16

Scott Blake Takes Over As Panther Run Principal

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

As Panther Run Elementary School aims for another year as an A-rated school, it will do so under new leadership. Scott Blake has been named Panther Run’s new principal, replacing Pierre “P.J.” D’Aoust, who has moved to the top spot at Omni Middle School in Boca Raton. Blake, 44, served as assistant principal at Jupiter High School for five years before coming to Panther Run. He said working with younger students is a breath of fresh air after being with high school and middle school students many years.

“It’s exciting to see the elementary students and how excited they are about being here and learning — not that secondary students are not excited, but it’s not as cool to show that sometimes,” Blake said. “It’s just refreshing, I

guess, to see how excited about learning the students are at Panther Run.”

Blake said he is looking forward to leading the Panther Run family. “Panther Run is an extremely high-performing academic school,” he said. “It excels not only academically, but in the arts as well. It’s very well balanced, well supported by the community and the families that represent this school. The PTO organization is positive, strong and an essential part of this school.”

The teachers perform at the same high level as well, Blake said. “Their expectations are high for the students, and if you compare Panther Run to schools around not only Palm Beach County but the state, Panther Run’s achievement levels are higher than many, many schools throughout the Florida, and that’s something I know the community is very proud of,”

he said. “It’s an honor for me to be named principal of such an achievement-oriented school with a very self-motivated, self-directed staff.”

Blake said the move in Palm Beach County to departmentalization in fourth and fifth grade, where subjects are divided among teachers and fourth and fifth graders change classes similar to middle and high school, is something that Panther Run has been doing for several years. Departmentalization is catching on throughout the state and Panther Run would be an excellent model for other schools to emulate, Blake said.

Since the inception of the school grading system, Panther Run has been an “A” school, partially due to its implementing of departmentalization several years ago. “Once again, this staff has shown that it was above the See BLAKE, page 2

The Rotary Club of Royal Palm Beach held a wine, cheese and hors d’oeuvres social at Veterans Park on the evening of Friday, Aug. 21. Food was supplied by Chef Chris Paul of Wild Orchids Café and his staff, and wine was donated by Costco and Whole Foods Market. Sam Eaton of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue was formally inducted into the club. Pictured above are Terri Wescott and Mike Fehribach with Sam and Ingrid Eaton. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 3

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Panther Run Elementary School Principal Scott Blake

Northlake Change Gets County OK

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Acknowledging a need for commercial services in the area, the Palm Beach County Commission approved a land use amendment on Tuesday to allow a commercial center on an undeveloped lot at the southwest corner of Northlake Blvd and 112th Terrace just east of The Acreage.

The developer requested a land use change from Rural Residential with a density of one unit per five acres, to Commercial Low to allow construction of a retail development on the 9.3-acre site, in an unincorporated area adjacent to the Rustic Lakes community.

A county condition limits the development to no more than 37,274 square feet of space. The property borders two others approved for commercial centers to the east and northeast, neither of which has been developed as of yet.

Marty Perry of Land Design South, agent for the developer, said the site adjoins Bayhill Estates to the west and Rustic Lakes to the south, which he said both favor the center because the residents currently have to drive to Palm Beach Gardens or south to Royal Palm Beach for many commercial services.

An issue with interconnectivity to other commercial sites concerned keeping traffic off Northlake Blvd. in order to get to adjacent plazas, Perry said.

“We don’t have access to 112th Terrace, and that was an issue previously,” Perry said. “That is a private strip of land that’s owned by the residents of Rustic Lakes. We met with them, and they are in support of our current project.”

Perry said with numerous planned residential neighborhoods surrounding the property, the site under discussion is unlikely to be developed under the residential designation. “The area is surrounded by Rustic Lakes and Bayhill Estates, both of which support the development of the site,” Perry said, pointing out that staff acknowledged additional retail and commercial services are needed in the area, with 18,000 residents immediately surrounding the area and another 50,000 from The Acreage.

Blake New Principal

continued from page 1 curve,” Blake said. “They implemented departmentalization many years before most schools were even thinking about it.”

Blake said his move to Panther Run makes sense for both his career and the Panther Run students.

“I had been an assistant principal for seven years, and my next logical career move professionally was to become a principal,” Blake said. “The only area in the K through 12 public education sector that I did not have experience was elementary school, and I think that it is vitally important to understand all levels, both elementary, middle and high school.”

“There is a limited amount of commercial, and Northlake has become a significant traffic artery,” Perry said. “The traffic is essentially high-speed through there, and all the traffic goes east for services in the area.” Perry said the center would have medical offices as well as retail businesses. “If you have to go to a doctor, you have to go south to Royal Palm Beach or you have to go east either into North Palm Beach or Palm Beach Gardens,” he said. “That’s true for restaurants or anything else. Additional commercial as well as medical offices will be a benefit to the area in terms of keeping some of the eastbound trips off of the road. It won’t solve all of the problems, but it will help solve some of them.”

During time for public comment, Howard Kuntz, president of the Bayhill Estates Property Owners Association, said he supports the development because of the scarcity of commercial centers in the area.

“Services are needed, and we continue to support and will support the development and interconnectivity between the development and Bayhill Estates,” Kuntz said. George Hudspeth of 112th Terrace, a member of the board of the Rustic Lakes Property Owners Association, said he had a letter from the association in support of the development.

“As you all know, a couple of years ago we were opposed to this project,” Hudspeth said. “One of the reasons we were opposed to it was because the county was trying to get the two developers to use our road as an ingress and egress. Our road is a private road. We told the county this. We told your staff this, and we had to get our legal advisors there to prove that our road was a private road, and we didn’t want this development on it. It should be coming off Northlake, which it is now.” Hudspeth said his board spent two years working out issues with the developer. A motion to approve the land use change was made by Commissioner Burt Aaronson, which was seconded by Commissioner Shelley Vana and passed 7-0.

which he graduated — teaching business, accounting and computer applications for 10 years from 1989 to 1999. From 1999 to 2001, Blake worked at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts as technology coordinator and then as assistant principal. He moved on to Jupiter Middle School as assistant principal from 2001 to 2002, and helped open Independence Middle School in Abacoa from 2002 to 2003. He then left the school district to work as chief financial officer for the Armory Arts Center in 2003 and 2004 before taking the assistant principal job at Jupiter High School.

He said his middle and high school experience enables him to prepare his elementary children for those grades.

“I know what those schools are like, so I hope that is going to benefit the parents of Panther Run students, especially fourth and fifth graders as they get ready to go to middle school,” Blake said. “I can tell them exactly what it looks like and what to expect.”

Blake said that one of his colleagues, who went from a middle school assistant principal to elementary school principal a few years before him, warned him that at the end of the day, when he sees a herd of students running toward him, not to call for backup because they only want to shake his hand.

“That has been the biggest breath of fresh air for me,” Blake said. “Everywhere I go on this campus, those kids light up when we see each other, and that is an incredible ray of hope there. It’s just great to be here.”

Blake began his educational career at Palm Beach Gardens High School — from

“I’m a product of the Palm Beach County School System,” Blake said. “I’ve lived in Palm Beach Gardens since 1972. I attended Palm Beach Gardens Elementary School, Howell L. Watkins Middle School and Palm Beach Gardens High School.” Blake was born in Fairmount, Ind., moving with his family to Palm Beach Gardens as a child. He is single, though he regards the students at his school as family members. “My children are the 760 students at Panther Run,” he said. Blake received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1988 and his master’s degree in educational leadership in 1999 from Nova Southeastern University. He served from 2002 to 2004 on the board of the School Readiness Coalition, an organization funded through the Palm Beach County Children’s Services Council to provide pre-K services to underprivileged families. He is currently a member of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Board of Directors. Blake said his door is always open to parents and community members.

“That’s my policy,” Blake said. “I’d rather talk about things and work it out than for a problem to go unaddressed.”

ROYAL PALM BEACH ROTARY CLUB HOSTS SOCIAL AT VETERANS PARK

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Liz Bloeser, PBSO Col. Mike Gauger and his wife Phyllis, and Catherine Engel.

Eric Gordon, John Spillane, Ron Tomchin and Elaine Spillane.

Keith Jordano and Terri Wescott induct Sam Eaton.

Sam Eaton addresses his fellow Rotarians.

Chef Chris Paul prepares a tray.Joan Scherer and Eric Gordon.

OUR OPINION

Hurricane Season Is Reaching Its Peak...

Three months into this year’s hurricane season and Florida has paid little mind to the first named storms, merely waving as they passed by into northern waters or the panhandle. While Hurricane Bill and Tropical Storm Danny steered clear of our state, they are only an omen of what could come next.

Following fairly inactive seasons in 2006 and 2007, Tropical Storm Fay blew through Florida last year, bringing flooding and a tornado to Wellington that few expected. Fay was a reminder to even the most skeptical Floridian that these storms possess an uncontrollable and often unpredictable power with the capacity to do damage anywhere they hit — not just at their core.

Fay never made it to hurricane strength, but the damage in its wake shows that Floridians should not be complacent when it comes to hurricane preparedness. The luck South Florida has experienced since the tumultuous hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 is no match for the preparations residents can take to protect their own homes and lives.

Often complacency arises from a false sense of security. While experts have not predicted a dangerous season this year, all it takes is one storm to make a direct hit. Not every storm will pass by, and South Floridians cannot ignore the possibility that the next tropical depression could turn into a deadly hurricane.

While watching the coverage of Bill as it plowed along the northeast coast,

Hooray For Horace!

I just had to write to thank Ernie Zimmerman for his wonderful article “Our Goodwill Ambassador Drives Electric, Does Dirty Work.”

The Village of Wellington is lucky to have such an outgoing employee as Horace Reeves. I have often mentioned to friends about the man with the wave, and how he can bring a smile to my face when I am having a bad day. The moms at my son’s bus stop all talked about looking for Horace and waving back when they see him. — a simple gesture worth a million bucks.

I hope that our children can learn from such a nice man. Horace Reeves is definitely the “Goodwill Ambassador of Wellington.” Denise O’Sullivan Wellington

Support Existing County Watchdog

I’m glad to see that Commissioner Jess Santamaria supports a thorough inspection of county practices and procedures (“Inspector General Is Needed,” Letters, Aug. 7). His involvement and handling of a road-paving project just east of State Road 7 is a contributing factor in the Clerk & Comptroller’s review of the county MSTU (Municipal Taxing Service Unit) program. The clerk’s office notified the board of county commissioners and county administration that a review of the road-paving program would start immediately. County Administrator Bob Weisman told County Clerk Sharon Bock that his staff won’t cooperate with her office’s review of a county road-paving program. If Mr. Weisman has nothing to hide, there shouldn’t be a problem. The county was preparing to start a road project that was going to adversely affect a private road. Notice of the paving project was sent out in March 2008. In June 2008, I approached Commissioner Santamaria for help with the county project, which was about to start in his district. His initial reaction was that his focus was on helping the “forgotten” area of the far western communities. Since my area of concern was “in town,” he wasn’t interested. After about ten minutes of conversation, he personally

offered me $10,000 from his own pocket to help pay for the road, but that was it. Respectfully, I declined that offer and another same offer made days later. Instead, I asked him to do this the right way and handle it through the county the way it should be.

After about 16 months of working with the county commission, county staff and neighborhood residents, Commissioner Santamaria made a motion to petition residents of Palm Beach Ranchettes for paving Fargo Avenue. This motion was made and unanimously approved by the commissioners at the June 2 meeting. Notice was then sent out to property owners in the Ranchettes and an opposition mounted. On July 7, the commissioners unanimously reversed their June decision. Commissioner Santamaria was silent during most of the meeting, never once speaking in favor of his previous motion. After the meeting, I asked him why he didn’t speak up to support the project he had been involved with for over a year. He said, “I wasn’t going to be a dead hero against 200 people.”

The next day, Commissioner Santamaria wrote a memorandum to County Administrator Bob Weisman stating that he felt a big injustice was done. He also stated his intention to reimburse my expenses rather than to follow through with a positive conclusion to the original problem. This is when politician Santamaria stated, “It was about a year later that I realized that homeowners outside of Fargo were also considered to be assessed a portion of the cost.” He then sent letters and e-mails to property owners in an attempt to win back favor. The facts do not support Commissioner Santamaria’s claim.

During the July 22, 2008 county commission meeting, Commissioner Santamaria asked County Engineer George Webb what the cost would be to property owners. Mr. Webb responded that 100 to 200 property owners would be assessed. During numerous personal meetings with Commissioner Santamaria, and during several commission meetings, I stated this road was only 12 properties long. After the July 7, 2009 meeting, memos between Commissioner Santamaria and Mr. Weisman attempted to recreate history to do damage control for Commissioner Santamaria’s public image. Despite my requests for Commissioner Santamaria to

leaving several dead, it is important to remember that four years ago those news cameras were pointed at the western communities as we dealt with the aftermath of the most active storm season in history. This season has not yet reached its peak and has already devastated the lives of some. No one should gamble with their own lives by being caught unprepared at the last moment before a storm washes over Florida.

It is necessary to be prepared for a storm of any strength at any time this season. If you have not already prepared, the time to do so is now; storms are churning out in the Atlantic. Waiting for one’s trajectory to fall over Palm Beach County, you risk the agony of having to battle other panicked shoppers for a limited number of supplies. Battling an oncoming storm is enough work; there’s no need for confrontations at the supermarket. But “storm rage” is what happens when people procrastinate.

If you didn’t already do so in June, devise a plan. Stock up on the necessary supplies and decide whether you’ll hunker down or go to a shelter. Shelters serving the western communities this year include Seminole Ridge High School (4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road) and Palm Beach Central High School (8499 Forest Hill Blvd.). For more information on hurricane preparedness, and how you can be certain that you’re as safe as possible before the storm, visit the National Hurricane Center’s web site at www.nhc.noaa.gov.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

personally visit the road that was the center of the controversy prior to his June 2, 2009 motion, he declined. The entire history can be found at www.upinarms.net.

How can a commissioner tell a citizen he represents that his concern is not for that citizen’s area? How can a commissioner support an idea for more than a year without ever visiting the area in question?

How can a commissioner deny his participation in public meetings that are recorded and televised? How can a commissioner fabricate history? Perhaps memory and recollection of facts are an issue? How can a commissioner call for an investigation without looking into his own house?

The county clerk feels there is justification in the review of the county activities on this issue. Hopefully Commissioner Santamaria will support the county’s existing watchdog with the same passion he has for creating a new watchdog.

Andy Schaller Wellington Editor’s note: The web site noted in Mr. Schaller’s letter is one he operates. Given the nature of Mr. Schaller’s letter, Commissioner Santamaria was asked to respond. His comments follow.

An Open Letter To Mr. Schaller

Dear Mr. Schaller:

You have quite a knack for arranging your convoluted FACTS and figments of your imagination in an illogical, irrelevant sequence to arrive at your desired self-serving conclusion!

The following are the simple relevant FACTS:

1. Sometime in mid-2008, you approached me and asked for assistance in getting your Fargo Avenue paved. I agreed to assist you and also voluntarily offered to personally contribute $10,000 to the Fargo road paving.

2. Over the following approximately 12 months, you presented your case to pave Fargo to the entire Board of County Commissioners numerous times. In addition, you also met with me and the county engineer on many more occasions.

3. You often complained that the county engineer was not very cooperative about your request to pave Fargo. I continued to be very supportive of your request to pave Fargo, and I spent many,

many hours assisting you in your efforts.

4. During the many occasions that you publicly presented your request to pave Fargo, none of your neighbors came to oppose your request. I presumed (as probably the other commissioners also presumed) that you had the support of your neighbors in the Palm Beach Ranchettes community to pave Fargo.

5. Sometime in early 2009, it appeared that you had succeeded in convincing all the commissioners to support the paving of your Fargo Avenue.

6. Finally, on June 2, 2009, the paving of Fargo was placed on the BCC public meeting agenda. During the presentation and public discussion of this item, no one spoke in opposition to the paving of Fargo. Primarily based on the FACT that, at this public meeting, as in the past, no one spoke opposing the paving of Fargo, I made the motion to approve your petition to pave Fargo, and my motion was seconded by Commissioner [Burt] Aaronson, with Commissioner Aaronson adding that all Ranchettes residents who were affected be notified in writing of the action taken. The motion was unanimously approved by all commissioners present.

7. After the June 2, 2009 BCC meeting, the residents of the Ranchettes community, your neighbors, were notified by mail that they were going to be assessed and contribute to the cost of paving Fargo.

8. Soon after the Ranchettes homeowners received the mailing notifying them of their contribution to the cost of paving Fargo, many homeowners started expressing their strong united opposition to contributing to its cost.

9. At the July 7, 2009 “Matters by the Public” county commission meeting, the chamber was filled with your neighbors in the Ranchettes community who had received the mailing requested by Commissioner Aaronson when he seconded my motion to pave Fargo on June 2. About 98 percent of all Ranchettes homeowners who spoke at that meeting in unison (one after the other) very strongly and vehemently expressed their united opposition to contribute any amount toward the paving of your Fargo Avenue! Based on this overwhelming opposition by your neighbors, Commissioner [Steve] Abrams made the motion to delay the paving of Fargo until such time

as the road improvement program was re-established, subject to a new vote by the homeowners in your community. All commissioners in attendance (including myself) unanimously voted in favor of this motion because we all agreed that we should not force over 200 of your neighbors to pay for a major portion of the cost of your road without their consent.

In the United States of America, this is the way democracy is supposed to work — elected government officials, as public servants, are supposed to represent the will of the majority of their constituents, in this case, the will of 98 percent of your neighbors!

Jess R. Santamaria Commissioner, District 6

Stop Corrupt Bond Practices

Current practice and procedures in Palm Beach County take my breath away and challenge credulity. I was, for over 35 years, manager of five hospital departments acting as purchasing agent and technical director, and it astounds me how any reasonable structure drifted from common practices put in place in private institutions.

To say that current practices and procedures are unsafe, financially encouraging corruption, is being generous. Looking through the May 21 investigation report (McAuliffe, Zacks and Johnson), it is replete with financial exceptions, manipulation and out-and-out bias in favor of special interests. Suggestions of corruption fueled by negotiated sales appear, instead of competitive sales, to hold down prices paid out by the county with our tax money. The practice of all bond sales seems inappropriate given Florida Statutes Section 218.385(1) and Government Finance Officers Association recommended practices for AAA counties.

The review of debt issuance practices of 45 other AAA-rated counties nationwide (2000-2008) revealed that Palm Beach County is one of only four counties that

did not issue bonds using a competitive sales method. The Palm Beach County Clerk’s report concludes that the county’s “exclusive use of negotiated sales” has cost Palm Beach County $880,000 in excess underwriting fees and between $440,000 and $1.3 million in unnecessary annual interest expense, and while the county has agreed to adapt a competitive sales preference oversight remains an issue. As has been pointed out by Commissioner Jess Santamaria in the Town-Crier, it is imperative to have an experienced inspector general to oversee transactions, and until we have a competent person in place, we may be stuck “waiting for the other shoe to fall.”

Richard Nielsen

Royal

Palm Beach

Issues With Tanning Letter, Advertisement

This is in response to the letter “Debunking The ‘Killer Beds’ Myth” by David Thorpe, owner of WellingTAN. I understand your reaction to the published studies on tanning by international cancer experts and your response to support your business.

I will not go into detail about the findings, nor either of your responses. However, I would like to voice my outrage of your advertisement on the opposite page of your letter to the editor in the Aug. 21 edition of the Town-Crier The top of your ad states, “Back to School Prep HeadQuarters!” and features two young women that I would assume to be in high school. I find it unethical and reprehensible that your target market for this particular ad would be a group that is very image-conscious and impressionable. I do believe UV exposure can lead to skin cancer, and I cannot imagine there are significant health benefits to tanning for those under the age of 18. I also believe Mr. Thorpe needs to develop some ethics before he goes on his next crusade to defend his business.

Brad Stockwell Royal Palm Beach

Financial Abuse Mars U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs OPINION

How about an inspector general’s report that uses words like “widespread nepotism,” “abuse of authority” and “improper hiring” to describe its findings about the operation of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs? Add to this phrases such as “inappropriate relationship” by one of its bosses, and “act-

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

ed as if she was given a blank check to write monetary awards” about another boss

— does the overall picture become abundantly clear?

Yes, even though their department (Technology Office) was battered by large deficits, former assistant secretary Robert Howard and Jennifer S. Duncan, former executive assistant to Mr. Howard, were involved in awarding $24 million in bo-

nuses to thousands of employees in 2007 and 2008. Howard, who left the department in January, was also accused by the inspector general of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, Katherine Martinez. Ms. Martinez is accused of helping a friend get a job, and maneuvering a transfer of her

own job to Florida despite spending 60 percent of her working hours in Washington.

Ms. Duncan, according to the report, violated anti-nepotism rules by pushing for the hiring of relatives, approved federal money for covering graduate courses for relatives and friends and approved bo-

nuses without the authority to do so. Between 2007 and 2008 she also snatched a $60,000 bonus for herself. Now the Department of Veterans Affairs says it will “aggressively pursue a thorough review… the department will take appropriate corrective actions against policy violators.” Wanna bet?

PHOTOS

Biker Kyle LeValley of Royal Palm Beach catches air.

Villari’s Martial Arts instructor Master Ken Smith gives lessons to Griffin and Gavin Rathona.

Jasmine Smith with “princesses” Nicola Graham and Kamela Boniello.

Julie Perry and Dustin Cook guide horses Bongo and Dallas for sisters Miranda and Morgan Pachter.Christ Fellowship Church’s God’s Kids Praise Team.

Vanessa, Luz and Brandon Cerasani buy lemonade from Tracy Collins at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bercally Cerrato gets a spritz of Vera Wang perfume from Linda Rios.

Diana Albert and Kristina Hubschmitt model their new sunglasses.Brandy Buck and Ashley Limoges browse jewelry.

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Bring this coupon to class at the WELLINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER and take advantage of 50% OFF your joining fee. For more information call Jackie at (305) 904-1474, or visit www.jazzercise.com

Drug Incidents Lead To Arrests In RPB, Wellington

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

AUG. 19 — A Greenacres man was arrested early last Wednesday morning following a traffic stop in Wellington. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, at approximately 4:30 a.m., a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington pulled over a Ford F-150 with a broken tail light on Forest Hill Blvd. Upon making contact with the driver, 24-year-old Jacob Baskins, the deputy discovered that he was in possession of a stolen .357 revolver and five ounces of cocaine. According to the report, the revolver had been stolen during a Wellington burglary last December. Baskins was charged with cocaine trafficking, use of a firearm during a felony, felony in possession of a firearm, grand theft of a firearm, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation.

AUG. 19 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach arrested a man last Wednesday night following a traffic stop on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 10:56 p.m. the deputy made contact with the driver, 22-year-old Kier Ferguson-George, and asked for his license. Ferguson-George said he did not have it, and that his license had been suspended. The deputy ran Ferguson-George’s information through dispatch and learned that his license has been suspended since August 2006 for failure to pay a traffic fine. Ferguson-George was placed under arrest. A subsequent search of his vehicle found a half gram of crack cocaine underneath the ashtray, which Ferguson-George claimed belonged to the vehicle’s previous owner. He was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

AUG. 20 — A Wellington man was arrested on drug charges early last Thursday morning following a traffic stop near the intersection of Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores Blvd. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 12:23 a.m. a deputy from the Wellington substa-

tion pulled over a 2007 Chevy Silverado for an equipment violation. The driver, 21-year-old Thomas Mason, consented to a vehicle search and was found to have approximately one gram of marijuana.

AUG. 21 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Palma Lane at 9:30 p.m. last Friday regarding a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, unknown suspects gained entry by breaking a glass door in the rear of the home while the owners were out of town and stole a 50-inch Samsung TV valued at approximately $3,000. One of the suspects was spotted and confronted by a neighbor. A white van was used and later recovered along with the TV. According to the report, the guardhouse has video of the van, but no suspect information was available at the time of the report.

AUG. 21 — Two Port St. Lucie residents were arrested for drug possession early last Friday morning in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 1:15 a.m. a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation pulled over a red Mazda for speeding at the intersection of Okeechobee and Crestwood boulevards. The driver, 32-year-old Takania Barnes, handed the deputy her license, which had marijuana stuck to it. The deputy also observed a marijuana blunt in the center console. A search of the vehicle found two bags of marijuana in the passenger door panel and two more blunts in the ashtray, totaling 2.4 grams, according to the report. Barnes and her passenger, 25year-old Kaevin Wade, were charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams.

AUG. 22 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road last Saturday afternoon regarding a retail theft. According to a PBSO report, between 3:18 and 3:40 p.m., 31-year-old Raymond Fletcher of The Acreage and 30-year-old James Mertes of the Palm Springs were ob-

See BLOTTER, page 16

PBSO Conducts Prescription Drug Fraud Operation

AUG. 27 — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office executed arrest warrants on 28 Palm Beach County residents charged with doctor shopping and trafficking in pharmaceutical drugs, specifically oxycodone and hydrocodone.

The PBSO District 9 substation in Royal Palm Beach conducted a four-month investigation into illegal doctor shopping. Deputy Steve Tzirtziropoulos, assisted by deputies Tom Petrovick and Aaron Silver, discovered that

the 28 individuals sought on Thursday were responsible for illegally obtaining more than 237,000 prescription pain pills and Xanax during the past 24 months. The street value of these illegally obtained narcotics is more than $3 million.

The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and numerous PBSO districts and units including the Narcotic Division are partnering on this operation.

Traynard Johnson

Sheriff, Port Chair Endorse Aronberg For Attorney General

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach County Sher-

iff Ric Bradshaw and Palm Beach Port Commission Chairman Ed Oppel have thrown their weight behind State Sen. Dave Aronberg, who is seeking election as Florida’s next attorney general in 2010.

The three held a press conference Monday morning at the Port of Palm Beach to announce the endorsements.

Bradshaw said he and Aronberg share the same passion for protecting Florida residents.

“That goes from consumer fraud all the way to port security,” he said. “One thing about Sen. Aronberg is that he’s a voice you can always count on. He’s been a strong advocate for law enforcement. He’s helped us with prescription drug fraud and with sexual predator bills. He’s always been there when I’ve needed him, and he will be there when you need him. It’s my job to put people behind bars. With Sen. Aronberg as your attorney general, they will stay there.”

Bradshaw said he wants to continue a great partnership with Aronberg, who was one of the key legislators behind anti-gang legislation.

“Something that affects the quality of life every day in Palm Beach County was the gang issue,” he said. “He is a strong proponent of making sure that law enforcement had all the tools needed to have to do what it needs to do against gangs. Palm Beach

County was one of the only counties in the United States that reported a reduction in gang violence. A lot of that had to do with the support we got from Sen. Aronberg and other law enforcement agencies. Without a strong advocate like him, and without someone who has the voice every day, it won’t work.”

The Port of Palm Beach has worked diligently to improve security, with Aronberg’s support, Oppel said. “He’s been a champion for us in Tallahassee,” he said. “As a member of the governor’s cabinet, he will be an even greater champion for us.”

Oppel called Aronberg the most qualified attorney general candidate in years. “He brings a lot of common sense, goodness and fairness to the position,” he said. “That’s something we desperately need in the State of Florida.”

Oppel also credited Aronberg for his support of a proposal to create an “inland port” shipping complex in south-central Florida, which he said would create thousands of jobs.

“It is a monumental task, and Sen. Aronberg supported this effort in the State Legislature, and I’m sure as a member of the state cabinet, it will be great to have a voice at that level that will continue to help us get the decision made that we need to bring this critically important project to the State of Florida,” he said.

After thanking Bradshaw and Oppel for their support, Aronberg noted that Florida’s

tough port security laws were modeled on those of the Port of Palm Beach.

“I’m the chair of the port security committee in the Senate,” Aronberg said, “otherwise known as the Military Affairs and Domestic Security Committee, and this past session we had to overhaul the entire port security laws. This was something that was going on for years, and it took years, but we made it happen. We made it happen because we modeled our port security laws after the Port of Palm Beach’s, and it’s something to be proud of that this port has led the state in streamlining the background check process and making our port safer.”

Aronberg said he wants to continue protecting Floridians by giving the attorney

general’s office a wider scope. “The attorney general needs to do a better job and needs to remove the welcome mat from Florida when it comes to consumer fraud,” he said. “Florida continues to look the other way when it comes to foreclosures and mortgage fraud. We are number one in foreclosures, and number one in mortgage fraud. This attorney general seems to have a different focus. We need to broaden the focus of the attorney general’s office.”

Democratic State Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami has also launched a campaign for attorney general in the 2010 race, as has Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, a Republican. Bill McCollum, the current attorney general, is running for governor.

RPB ESTATE SALE BENEFITS LOCAL CHARITIES

An estate sale was held last Saturday at a home in Royal Palm Beach. Sponsored by Hilding & Larson Enterprises, the sale included Edna Hibel artwork, a complete Berkey & Gay 1930s bedroom set, Hummels, a Beaux Arts mirror, armchairs, end tables and much more. The net proceeds of the cash-only sale will be donated to the Vivian Ferrin Memorial Scholarship Fund and My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust.

was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in February. A benefit golf tournament will take place Saturday, Sept. 5 at Sherbrooke Golf & Country Club. For more info., visit www.dannysargent.com.

24. Balmaseda, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist formerly with the Miami Herald and currently with the Palm Beach Post, read from her latest novel, Sweet Mary. A book signing followed. For more information about library events, call (561) 7906070. (Above) Balmaseda signs a copy of her book for Acreage resident Jeffrey Philips.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Palm Beach Port Commission Chair Ed Oppel speaks while Sheriff Bradshaw and Sen. Aronberg look on.

State Sen. Dave Aronberg greets voters.

State Sen. Dave Aronberg, flanked by Sheriff Bradshaw and Chairman Oppel, addresses a crowd of supporters Monday at the Port of Palm Beach.

PHOTOS

PBSO Deputy Luis Ledbetter and Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

David Chase checks out some of the dining ware.

Lois Achesly of Hilding & Larson, with Adrienne Ferrin and Vivian Highberg.

Palms West Hospital Celebrates High Core Measure Scores

Last week, Palms West Hospital celebrated its success, earning high marks in patient care from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission Core Measures initiative.

Core measures are the indicators of patient care that if followed provide the highest level of nationally accepted standards for patients. Over the past several years, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has required hospitals to adhere to the highest levels of patient care, specifically in the areas of chest pain, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care improvement.

The hospital’s celebration highlighted the measures of success that the medical,

nursing and interdisciplinary team achieved by “getting to green.” All staff members were invited to partake of cake and refreshments, with these delivered around the clock, recognizing the contributions of all the staffers in this endeavor.

Palms West Hospital’s physicians, staff and leadership are celebrating the work they have done to improve the core measure scores for their patients and the hospital. The Core Measure initiative allows CMS and the Joint Commission to review data trends and to work with hospitals as they use the evidence-based medicine to improve patient care. For the second and third quarters of 2009, Palms West Hospital achieved 100 percent in all

four core measure categories — acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), congestive heart failure, community acquired pneumonia and surgical care infection prevention.

“By achieving 100 percent in all indicators — the national average is 90 percent — we have improved the quality of patient care in our community, focusing on the actual results of care,” Administrative Director for Quality Stacey Yuskas-Demerski said.

Additionally, Palms West Hospital’s mortality rate for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia are all lower than the national average. Numerous studies have shown that when these measures are in place, patients’ health outcomes and quality of life improves.

Palms West Hospital has come a long way within the past 18 months. “It took a focused team of excellent clinical staff, physicians and quality leaders to turn the results around and make our success possible,” Chief Nursing Officer Silvia Stradi said. “Palms West Hospital truly appreciates everyone’s hard work.”

For additional information about core measures, visit the Hospital Compare’s web site at www.hospitalcompare. hhs.gov. There is a time lag of several months between when data is reported from hospitals and when it is posted for the public to review.

While the data reported on Hospital Compare is current as of second quarter 2008, Palms West Hospital is proud

to have internally obtained 100-percent compliance in all core measures categories through the second quarter of

Community Fitness Run/Walk Returns To Wellington Nov. 7

After a year on hiatus, the Palms West Community Foundation, along with volunteer co-chairs Joanna Boynton and Terri Priore, is bringing back the Wellington Community Fitness 5K Run/ Walk. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7.

Participants will gather at the Wellington Plaza with a race kickoff time of 8 a.m.

Runners and walkers will head west along Wellington Trace, turn south onto Big

Blue Trace until they reach the halfway point, and then loop back to the Wellington Plaza. The fitness run features a USTAF certified 5K run and a non-competitive walk — something for everyone, no matter what your level.

The much-anticipated community event dates back to 1997. Run/walk organizers are focused on bringing residents together to promote health and fitness, all while enjoying a good time with

friends and neighbors.

The event donates a portion of the proceeds to a charitable organization. This year the committee has decided to donate net proceeds to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Boynton, an avid runner, has spearheaded the return of this event to Wellington. “So many people in this community have truly missed this event,” she said. “We decid-

ed that this would be the perfect initial project for the Palms West Community Foundation to take on.” Terri Priore was on the initial planning committee and has agreed to step up and cochair the event with Boynton. Priore brings her vast experience from being the chair of the MSABC Walk of the Western Communities for the American Cancer Society last year. During its first 11 years, the community fitness run

had grown to accommodate more than 800 participants.

“I have personally watched this event’s success, grassroots outreach and positive impact within our community,” Boynton said. “I, along with many others, am committed to revitalizing this great fitness-oriented, annual community event in 2009.”

Many area businesses have already committed to sponsoring this event, including Bainbridge, the Boynton Fi-

nancial Group, Cocuy, Burns & Co., Gold Coast Physical Therapy, Graphic-Signs, Sexton Engineering, the Town-Crier newspaper, Wellington The Magazine, Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do, Visions Salon and Wellington Regional Medical Center. To register, or for sponsorship information, visit www. communityfitnessrun.com or call Maureen Gross at (561) 790-6200.

2009, and strives to maintain these excellent results while providing exceptional patient care to the community.

(L-R) Milena Kuzmanovic, Mark Schnelle, Michelle Leaf, Stephanie Brinson and Bob Rohack.

LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY FUNDRAISER AT GYPSY’S HORSE

A fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was held Wednesday at the Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant in the original Wellington Mall. The event was organized by Rick Jackson, who is planning a bike ride on Oct. 25 in honor of his brother Dave, a Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue employee who died of leukemia. PBCFR and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office representatives were on hand. For more info., visit http://pages.teamin training.org/pb/waterway09/rickjackson.

BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

New Organization To Kick Off Concert Series In Wellington

A new non-profit performing arts organization in Wellington has announced a concert series set to kick off in October.

Live Arts Florida will present Brass Evolution, a new band from one of the founding members of Hot Brass Monkey, at Wellington High School’s new performing arts theater on Oct. 17, followed on Nov. 7 by reggae legend Bob Marley’s band the Wailers at the same venue.

The 2009-10 Western Communities Concert Series continues with Bio Ritmo, a Virginia-based nine-piece Latin dance band in December, multi-genre violin virtuoso Mark O’Connor in a solo concert in January, a jazz quintet featuring pianist Co-

peland Davis in February, a blues festival in March, and gospel legends the Blind Boys of Alabama in April.

“We’re going to start out averaging one event per month,” said Wellington resident Win Blodgett, the organization’s chairman and acting executive director.

While Blodgett’s name might not be familiar, anyone involved in the heavy construction industry in Florida knows his 31-year-old family business Holland Pump, which manufactures, sells, rents and services a large variety of pumps and accessories. Blodgett serves as president of rental operations, overseeing seven branch offices in Florida and out-ofstate offices in Texas, South Carolina and Georgia.

Blodgett said Live Arts Florida initially plans to produce musical events ranging from classical, blues, rock and jazz to Latin, reggae, country and gospel, and then broaden its mission to include sponsorship of drama, dance and artistic presentations, educational workshops and exhibitions.

A positive public response to the concert series will give Live Arts Florida a boost toward its goal of invigorating arts and cultural activities in the western communities, Blodgett said. “We really want to get a good response, and kind of a prerequisite to having a performing arts company is support in terms of people coming to performances,” he said. “If we can get a good turnout for the

performances, that will be a good indication of being able to move forward and gain the confidence of philanthropists and those who would be willing to invest in the future.”

The 46-year-old Blodgett is a 10-year Wellington resident and married father of four. An experienced musician from his youth, he studied both jazz performance and anthropology in college, and then worked as a contractor, developer, millwork installer, custom homebuilder and historic home renovator in his hometown of Charlottesville, Va.

All along, Blodgett continued to moonlight as a musician in several bands, performing from New York to South Carolina on the college and club circuit.

Blodgett also became associated with Coran Capshaw, who manages several national acts including the Dave Matthews Band and is recognized as an entrepreneurial genius for his varied business efforts. “Coran gave me a lot of opportunities because he owned a couple of nightclubs and was always promoting concerts,” he said.

Over the years, Blodgett’s groups often served as opening bands for a long list of artists including sideman extraordinaire David Lindley, the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Kingfish, bluesman James Cotton, the Band, the Neville Brothers, Johnny Winter, Emmylou Harris, the Dave Matthews Band, NRBQ, Jimmy Cliff, the Connells, Blues Traveler,

Widespread Panic, Poi Dog Pondering, the Outlaws, the Radiators and Guadalcanal Diary. Blodgett came to Palm Beach County in 1999 to take a job with his father’s company Holland Pump. Because Win Blodgett

See LIVE ARTS, page 16

PHOTOS

Traci Moore, Craig Gerlach and Richard Kingston.Glenda Jackson and Deputy Rick Jackson.

Members of PBCFR and their friends.

Members of the PBCFR Pipes and Drums perform.Catherine Engel and Battalion Chief Nigel Baker.Attendees enjoy the evening at the Gypsy’s Horse.

The King & I — The King & I restaurant is located at 6659 Lake Worth Road. New owners Shella Bravo and Rogelio Epres are thrilled to take over the long-established Greenacres restaurant, which offers Asian fusion cuisine specializing in sushi, Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino cuisine. A full liquor bar with specialty drinks is available. The restaurant offers daily lunch specials, early-bird specials and happy-hour specials. Takeout is also available. For more info., call (561) 964-9994. Pictured above are King & I staff members with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors

My Community Pharmacy — Located in the Kobosko’s Crossing shopping center on Forest Hill Blvd., My Community Pharmacy is a family-owned, independent, fullservice pharmacy. Meroe Meier, one of the family pharmacists, had worked for CVS and as a pharmacist at Delray Medical Center. The pharmacy also offers compounding and infusion (IV) medications, pet medications, diabetic supplies, health and beauty products, and more. Call (561) 753-6768 to transfer your prescription for an in-store $25 credit. Shown above are pharmacy staff members with Palms West Chamber ambassadors.

Vantage Pointe Dance Studios — Specializing in teaching dance to children ages two and up, Vantage Pointe Dance Studios is a family-owned studio founded by Managing Director Gina Schiraldi and Artistic Director J.J. Butler. Butler has a long career as a professional dancer, having taught dance in South Florida for more than 12 years. Schiraldi and Butler teach all styles of dance, including ballet, tap, pointe, hip-hop, lyrical and acro. The studio is located at 4075-B State Road 7. For more info., visit www.vpdancestudios.com or call (561) 965-9898. Pictured above are studio staff and students with Palms West Chamber ambassadors.

All Star Pet-Sitting Now Operating In The Western Communities

All Star Pet Sitting is the brainchild of Wellington resident Tamee Ruderman. She founded All Star Pet Sitting out of her lifelong passion for animals and their well-being. She realizes, though, that passion alone isn’t enough.

“I knew I had the background and education to effectively care for animals, but I wanted to do things right,”

Ruderman said. “Prior to starting All Star, I did a tremendous amount of due diligence to make sure I was a member of the right organizations, had the appropriate licenses to do business in Palm Beach County and was well insured. You’d be surprised how many businesses don’t have all these credentials.”

Prior to launching All Star, Ruderman served as manager of pet care for a well-recognized pet retailer. She has numerous certifications in the administration of medication, safe pet handling as well as avian care, and is constantly seeking opportunities for continuing education.

Many home-based businesses have sprung up lately

New Directors For Nursery Group

The Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association recently announced its new board of directors.

The 2009-10 officers are:

President Mike Graham of Plantique Inc., First Vice

President Joey Quinn of Quinntessence Nursery, Secretary Beth Williams of Sago Landscaping and Treasurer Robbin Avery of Acme Dairy Tree Farm. The Immediate Past President is Tom Scannell of Bougainvillea Growers Inc.

FNGLA directors include:

Deb Joneck of Coastal Nurseries, Todd Bachman of Florida Cast Equipment, Lyn Cacella of Farm Credit of South Florida, Stan Hall of A NuLeaf Nursery, Steve Las-

siter of Hadden Landscape Inc., Matt Miller of ProSource One, Spring Seeley of Croton Connection, Bill Schall of the University of Florida IFAS Extension Service, Dave Self of Wyld West Annuals, Bill Smith of Habilitation Center Nursery and John Stewart of AmeriGrow.

The 200-member association is the third-largest chapter in the state and includes individuals and businesses that are involved with or support the green nursery industry within Palm Beach County.

“FNGLA members agree that they and their businesses benefit greatly when state and local leaders, industry regulators, legislative repre-

sentatives and consumers have one strong trade organization representing the green nursery industry statewide and then locally through chapters, like ours in Palm Beach County,” Graham said Palm Beach County is home to over 500 wholesale nurseries. Annual sales from the industry are approximately $161 million, making the green nursery industry the third-largest agricultural commodity produced in Palm Beach County (behind sugar and vegetables).

Florida’s nursery, landscape and turfgrass industries have an economic impact of more than $20 billion and provide more than 20,000 Florida jobs. For more info., visit www.pbfngla.com.

due to the economy, with many of them simply launching a basic web site and printing some business cards. This wouldn’t work for Ruderman. Some of these extra steps created an extra investment in time and expense, but she doesn’t like shortcuts.

“To some, pet sitting is simply having someone look in on your animals,” Ruder-

man said. “It’s a lot more than that. Our pets are beloved members of our family. Having their ‘parents’ out of the house can sometimes be stressful. I make sure none of their routines are interrupted. And there’s never a shortage of love and belly rubs.”

If Ruderman’s clients are on vacation, she augments her service by cycling lights and window treatments, bringing in the mail and making the house look occupied. The “pet parents” will have the peace of mind that their home and loved ones are being looked after by a professional. For those who work long hours, she provides a lunchtime walk service. For more information, visit www.allstar-petsitting.com.

P.W. Chamber Building Underway

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce is taking steps to preserve plant life in preparation for construction of its new building in Loxahatchee Groves.

Earthmovers pushed, dug and pulled four statuesque oak trees recently from the area that is becoming the new home of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce building. But the trees aren’t going far.

As part of the overall development plan, the four oaks and 16 cabbage palms were relocated to be used later in the landscape plan for the property.

“This is the next step that will allow the building itself to commence,” said John Southard, vice chairman of

facilities for the chamber and senior project manager for Balfour Beatty Construction. Actual construction is set to begin soon.

“The oaks were probably 40 to 50 feet tall, I would think, and probably 30-plus years old,” said Scott Armand of Armand Professional Services, who is overseeing the landscaping for the project.

“They were relocated to our little tree farm on the property until we get the building done.”

Overall, the tree canopy the area is known for will be greatly enhanced when the project is complete, to include not only the relocated trees but 40 additional ones, Armand said.

The landscape plan fea-

tures native plants and includes bald cypress, live oak and South Florida slash pine trees, muhly grass, green coco plum, red bay, white indigo berry and cardboard palms. The Palms West Chamber of Commerce advocates for a healthy business environment, providing outstanding member services, benefits, education and information, thereby enhancing the quality of life in the community. The new chamber offices will provide a suitable building in which business and community-based groups could hold meetings, seminars and classes. For more information, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www. palmswest.com.

Merlin, Eckman To Wed

Timothy Shawn Merlin and Carla Marie Eckman are engaged to wed on Jan. 9, 2010.

The ceremony will take place at Palms West Presbyterian Church in Loxahatchee Groves with a reception at the Poinciana Country Club in Lake Worth.

Merlin, the son of Matthew and Harriet Merlin of Royal Palm Beach, is serving in the United States Air Force as a helicopter engineer.

Eckman, the daughter of Charles and Carol Eckman of Royal Palm Beach, is a student at Florida Atlantic University and will graduate in December with a bachelor’s

McLeod Graduates Air Force Training

Air Force Airman 1st Class

David McLeod recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

McLeod completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. McLeod is the son of John and Patricia McLeod of Royal Palm Beach. He graduated in 2005 from Palm Beach Central High School and re-

BEAR LADIES LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Bear Ladies of Coco Wood Lakes need more volunteers to knit or crochet teddy bears and other creatures for sick children in South Florida regional hospitals. In their fifth year, the Bear Ladies delivered more than 4,500 hand-knit teddy bears and other toys to sick or bedridden children at Palms West Hospital, Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Chris Everet Children’s Hospital, the Dan Marino Center at Miami Children’s Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. For more info., call Shirley Swartz (561) 6388584 or Harriette Lonsway (561) 499-7886.

Kennedy Graduates Cum Laude From UCF

tive

John F. Kennedy Jr., son of Jack and Joyce Kennedy formerly of Wellington, recently graduated cum laude from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Kennedy interned last fall for the Mosaic Wealth Management Group in Orlando and was hired by the company part-time in January. Upon graduation, he began working full-time, received his real

estate license and purchased his first home.

Kennedy, a Bright Futures scholar, was on the president’s honor roll three times and the dean’s list every other semester.

Kennedy is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Delta Epsilon Iota, the UCF Real Estate Club, the UCF Financial Management Association, the Golden Key International Honor Society and is ac-

John F. Kennedy Jr.

David McLeod ceived an associate’s degree in 2007 from Lincoln College of Technology in West Palm Beach.

The Bear Ladies of Coco Wood Lakes with teddy bears they made.

Carla Eckman and Timothy Merlin

Kenyan Singer Performs At Benefit For African Orphans

Kenyan singer Karen “Kaz” Lucas recently teamed up with popular local Kenyan band Positively Africa for a benefit concert where funds were raised for orphans and at-risk youth in Kenya. The event was hosted by Home Décor from Around the World by AfroCenter (formerly the Afro Center Gallery and Gift Shop) in downtown West Palm Beach.

More than 75 participants enjoyed free, live afro-jazz music, a vibrant dance performance, raffle prizes and complimentary refreshments while they contributed toward the mission of a local non-profit organization, the Wellington-based Dream Sponsors Inc.

Dream Sponsors board members presented information on their project in Kenya while featuring three specific orphans in dire need of sponsorship, highlighting each child’s dream and specific career goals.

Guests also heard from Democratic Republic of Congo native Fiston Kahindo, a board member and active volunteer with the organization who gave personal accounts of his tough time in Africa after losing both parents and seeking refuge in Kenya. Kahindo later found the support of an American family, who helped him journey to the U.S., obtain welldeserved scholarships and change his life by giving him

the opportunity to be successful.

Lucas, who was visiting Florida for the first time, arrived two days after headlining a concert in Atlanta, Ga., which was held in remembrance of the victims of the 1998 U.S. embassy terrorist attacks in Kenya and Tanzania.

“I am thrilled and honored to perform in support of such humanitarian causes and for organizations such as Dream Sponsors,” Lucas said. “This gives me the opportunity to give back and support my birth country while I am here in the United States promoting my music and pursuing my own dreams.”

Dream Sponsors Inc. is a

Wellington-based non-profit organization committed to creating networks of support through meaningful sponsorships designed to assist orphan youth in Africa with emotional support, basic needs and the financial means to transform their dreams into reality. The organization is also raffling off a week-long vacation stay at a beautiful North Carolina log home that sleeps ten. The winner will be announced Nov. 7 at a special event hosted by Whole Foods Market in Wellington. Tickets are on sale now.

For more information visit www.dreamsponsorsinc.org, call the office at (561) 7952223 or call Alexandra Sanguinetti at (954) 802-4119.

CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION HOSTS ‘PACKET PARTY’

On Aug. 16, the Children of the American Revolution Chief Tiger Tail Society hosted the South Florida Packet Party at the Lantana Recreation Center. During the packet party, society members enjoyed snacks, games and performed skits related to the state CAR theme of “Preserving Florida’s Waterways” and the national theme of “Reflections of Independence.” Local societies will plan their yearly events around these two themes.

POTTERY LESSON

Earnie Kepler, a member of Palms West Presbyterian Church in Loxahatchee Groves, used his skills as a potter to illustrate Pastor Gary Cecil’s sermon from Jeremiah. The anthem, sung by the Choir and Praise Band and titled “The Potter’s Hand,” emphasized the message. Pictured right, Kepler puts his pottery skills to use at the church.

Lylian Marie Robles daughter of Dora Ramos and Frank Robles Jr. of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Aug. 13. Ava Marie McNamara — daughter of Jessica Julianelli and Joseph McNamara of Wellington was born at Palms West Hospi-

WHO’S NEW!

tal on Aug. 13.

Emma Marie Bailey daughter of Kristy and Benjamin Bailey of Royal Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Aug. 16. Angelina Brianna Turner — daughter of Sandra and Bryan Turner of Lake Worth was born at Palms West Hospital on Aug. 17.

Angelina Del Rio daughter of Delilah and Julio Fernando Del Rio of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Aug. 17. Reese Elle Normann daughter of Megan and Michael Normann of Wellington was born at Palms West Hospital on Aug. 20.

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

Chief Tiger Tail Society Vice President Talia Fradkin and President Kaitlyn Mouring.

Chloe Annabella Caroselli — daughter of Danielle and William Caroselli Jr. of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Aug. 20. Colin James Mulligan son of Jamie Fitzgerald and Jeremy Mulligan of Greenacres was born at Palms West Hospital on Aug. 20.

Members of the Chief Tiger Tail, Feifer George and Swamp Fox societies gather for a group photo.

Chief Tiger Tail Society members.

Kenyan vocalist Karen “Kaz” Lucas performs with the band Positively Africa at a recent benefit conert.

Saturday, Aug. 29

• The Wellington Travel Basketball Association will host its inaugural Fundraising Golf Classic at the Binks Forest Golf Club on Saturday, Aug. 29 beginning at 7:30 a.m. with a complimentary continental breakfast, followed by a putting contest and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament will be followed by an afternoon buffet lunch and prize ceremony. Entry fees cost $150 per person. For $15, non-golfers can attend the luncheon and bid on the silent auction items and enter to win raffle prizes. For additional info., visit www.wellington travelbasketball.org or call Chris Fratalia at (561) 2529530.

• The Village of Wellington’s Girls Fall Softball League will begin on Saturday, Aug. 29. The league includes beginners and experienced players ages five to 14. All recreational games will be played at Tiger Shark Cove Park (13800 Greenbriar Blvd.). Registration is $80 for Wellington residents and $100 for non-residents. The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 28. Player evaluations will be held Saturday, Aug. 29. For more info., call Programs Coordinator Jill Denoff at (561) 791-4786.

• A free Social Media Marketing Seminar will take place Saturday, Aug. 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the West Palm Beach library (411 Clematis Street). Peter Ferrigan will discuss strategies to help promote your business. RSVP to (561) 307-7898.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Scrapbooking for the Family” on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 2:30 p.m. for ages five and up. Learn new techniques and create your own designs. Bring your own pictures and memorabilia. Basic materials will be supplied. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The USTA Summer Smash Regional Tennis Championships will be held at Delray Beach Tennis Center (201 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach) Saturday, Aug. 29 through Tuesday, Sept. 1. Call (561) 3306000 for more info.

Sunday, Aug. 30

hold “Teen Writing Workshop: Writing the Novel, Part I” on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. During this four-session series, participants will learn how to create a novellength work of fiction. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Village Hall (1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). For more info., call (561) 790-5100. Monday, Sept. 7

• The Palm Beach Kennel Club (1111 North Congress Ave., West Palm Beach) will host the $20,000 Labor Day Puppy Stakes on Monday, Sept. 7 at 11:30 a.m., featuring PBKC’s top youngsters, an afternoon of fun and excitement, as well as prize drawings and young greyhounds to pet. Admission is $1. Visit www.pb kennelclub.com or call (561) 683-2222 for more info.

Wednesday, Sept. 9

• The Wellington Art Society will kick off its 200910 season with its annual open house and membership drive on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). There will also be information on membership and the group’s upcoming events and demonstrations, as well as a raffle and refreshments. Admission is free. For more info., call Wellington Art Society President Adrianne Hetherington at (561) 784-7561.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Magic School Bus Adventures” on Wednesdays, Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 6:30 p.m. for ages five and up. Explore concepts in nature and science with Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus gang. Themes include “Explore the Senses,” “In the Time of Dinosaurs,” “Baked in a Cake” and “Inside the Human Body.” Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• St. David’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church in Wellington will host a Ministry Fair and Barbecue on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 11:30 a.m. The community is invited for a day of fun with friends and family as well as plenty of hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. All proceeds will benefit the St. David’s Youth Group. St. David’s-in-thePines offers Sunday services of Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10 a.m. with Sunday school. The church is located at 465 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., call Debbie at (561) 793-3828, Alison at (561) 801-3105 or the church office at (561) 793-1976.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7) in Wellington will host a movie screening of The Story of Stuff on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled, humorous look at the underside of production and consumption. Enjoy popcorn, drinks and a discussion following the film. Pre-register by calling (561) 904-4000.

Monday, Aug. 31

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7) in Wellington will host “Be Good to Your Whole Body” covering the basics for kids and teens on Monday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Join Mike Thompson from the Whole Body Department as he discusses which vitamins are most important for kids and teens. Get questions answered and receive free samples. Pre-register by calling (561) 904-4000.

Thursday, Sept. 3

• The Wellington Women’s Club will kick off its 2009-10 season with a dinner meeting on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Players Club (13410 South Shore Blvd., Wellington).

Returning members and guests will enjoy a “welcome back” reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by dinner and speaker Suzanne Turner, CEO of the YWCA of Palm Beach County. Guests are welcome for a fee of $30. To RSVP, call Allyson Samiljan at (561) 7986741.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a “Writers’ Critique Workshop” on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. for adults. Offer and accept constructive criticism and comments to improve your fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere led by Florida Writers’ Association member Mark Adduci. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Thursday, Sept. 10

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “The Magic Secrets Magic Show” on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 3:30 p. m. for ages five and up. See magician John Cesta with a story of magic, inspiration, music and audience participation. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold a Mini Biz Expo center court in the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. Four-foot display tables are available to members for $25. Call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com for more info.

• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host an After-Hours Networking Reception at the 7th Chukker Restaurant at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free for chamber members and $10 for guests. RVSP by Sept. 7 to (561) 792-6525.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold a Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meeting on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Call (561) 790-6070 for more information.

Friday, Sept. 11

• The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will host “Sushi & Stroll” on Friday, Sept 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meander through the gardens at your own pace and take advantage of a self-guided audio tour. Admission is free to museum members and children under 3, $5 for non-members. For more info., visit www.morikami. org.

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

Palm Beach Central Counting On Young Talent This Year

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

While the Palm Beach Central High School varsity football team suffered big losses with 30 of its players graduating this past spring, including gifted kicker/punter Patrick O’Donnell, the future’s unknowns are not daunting for Head Coach Rod Harris.

“We’re very young,” Harris said. “We only have 13 seniors on the team this year. The bulk of our roster is sophomores and juniors, but it’s an exciting group of young men who could be real special if they stay together. We will never replace [O’Donnell]. He’s the best kicker I’ve ever seen, but we have a couple of guys who are going to do OK.”

Doing “OK” could be an understatement. Bronco strength comes in the form of its front defensive line, including middle linebacker and captain John Larsh. “They’re going to run a lot

harder than they have in the past,” Harris said. “We’ve got more team speed, I think, than in the past.”

The offense’s coaching staff boasts two “new” faces with years of county experience and strong reputations. Offensive line coach David O’Neal and offensive coordinator Donald Louvier are friends who wanted to coach together. “They work extremely well together,” Harris said. “It’s an opportunity, and I couldn’t be happier to have them on the staff.”

Harris, who was promoted to head coach just eight days before spring conditioning started last year, described the coaching additions as a “winwin” for the program.

“Coach O’Neal is the best O-line coach in the county,” Harris said. “He really has [the players] working together, and of course, we have pretty good size. We’ve always had size. He’s methodical. He makes the kids do it right or else they do it again.

He has seen every defense imaginable, so he already knows the adjustments way in advance. He’s an amazing coach, an amazing person and he’ll always get the most out of his players.”

Captain and center guard

Shane McDermott agreed. “This is the hardest we’ve ever worked in summer, ever,” he said. “We’ve been running, running and more running. We’ve worked hard-

er in the weight room. Our new coaching staff is more experienced. We’re way more disciplined this year, and practices are more intense.”

McDermott is already committed to the University of Miami for his college career. Other outstanding returning players include defensive back and captain Peniel Jean, tight end Max Marshall, quarterback Torrence

Kearney and cornerback Chris Waiters, who had a “phenomenal” 2008 season. New talent to watch includes wide receivers Angelo Jean-Louis and E.J. Sandania, and safety Neil Ross. Harris also expects big things from running back Andrew Harrison.

The Broncos will have to come out fighting. Their first game is slated for Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. against Roy-

al Palm Beach High School. “They’ve had tremendous success over the years, and we have never beaten them,” Harris said. The second game is against Glades Central High School. “We’re going right into the fire the first two games,” Harris said. “Our young team is talented but hasn’t been through many battles, so we’re going to throw the pups out and see if they bite.”

Seminole Ridge Football Team Harbors Playoff Aspirations

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

The Seminole Ridge High School varsity football team begins the new year with a familiar goal: securing a spot in the playoffs.

The Hawks finished 7-3 last season, leaving the team just shy of competing in the district playoffs. Coach Matt Dickmann said his team lost by only 15 points combined all season — something he hopes to change this year.

“The goal this year, of course, is to make it to the playoffs,” Dickmann told the Town-Crier Monday. “Last year we gave up some really big plays that cost us some of those 15 points, and then we didn’t make big plays when we needed them.”

The biggest change for the team this year is that the Hawks will be competing in Class 6A, District 8 with Palm Beach Central High School. Last year, Seminole Ridge competed against Vero Beach High School, Jupiter

High School and Palm Beach Gardens High School in District 7. This season, the Hawks have strength on their side; players have broken every weight record held in the school. Dickmann said that although other teams may have more speed, which has been a weakness for the Hawks in the past, he thinks that his team’s strength will be instrumental in blocking those big plays and allowing his offense to make some big plays of its own. “It’s hard to improve on overall team speed,” he said. “I’m hoping we can be more physical to where it just won’t matter.”

The Hawks have a varsity team of 40 players this season, with only eight returning starters — four on offense and four on defense. The team took a loss of 13 starters for this season, all of whom were recruited to play college football. Returning starters this season include: offensive lineman and captain Eric Poppert, running back Javian Wrisper, wide receiver Jeacky Charles, running back Austin Williams and free safety Woodley Cadet, who has committed to play for the University of Central Florida. All of them are two- or three-time returning starters, resulting in a team with a lot

of experience on the field, Dickmann said. Regarding changes from last season, Dickmann said there will be few. Many of the varsity players have had a lot of playing time, which means they have the experience necessary to play hard. “Last year some of it was a little new for some of them,” he

Adams Makes List Of Top Golf Teachers

World-renowned golf instructor Mike Adams of the Wanderers Club at Wellington, whose pupils have included touring pros, presidents and award-winning actors, was ranked number 31 on Golf Digest magazine’s prestigious “America’s 50 Greatest Teachers” list.

Adams, who is entering his second season as the club’s teaching professional, is ranked number nine in Florida and number 31 overall, according to Golf Digest’s exclusive list of top teaching talent.

“We’re honored that Mike

has been recognized by Golf Digest and his peers as one of the top teachers in the country,” Wanderers Club Director of Golf Justin Thompson said. “Mike is a phenomenal asset to the club and our members, and we’re proud to have him on our team.”

Golf Digest began publishing its list of top golf teachers in 2000, utilizing a peer voting system on the state and national level to build the Best Teacher lists, compiled every two years. The entire list was published in the August edition of Golf Digest

“It’s an honor to be on a list with so many other great teachers,” Adams said. “My goal is to help golfers at the Wanderers Club enjoy this sport as much as I do.”

Adams, who has written 11 books about golf, has been the personal teacher of tour players and celebrities including Briny Baird, Brett Wetterich, Dudley Hart, Mark Brooks, Michelle McGann, Rosie Jones, Betsy King and Mike Sposa. Former students include Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas, Jim Palmer, Keanu Reeves, Willie Nelson, Kenny G. and Tom Lan-

Local Golf Girl Earning Many Accolades

Twelve-year-old Sumner

Young has been playing golf for a little more than two and a half years, having switched over from playing soccer due to ankle problems.

A seventh grader at Western Pines Middle School in The Acreage, Young started playing golf in Palm Beach Gardens with head PGA pro Kevin Kearns before moving on to the Okeeheelee Golf Course where she joined the Junior Golf Foundation of America, owned and operated by ex-LPGA pro Donna White. Young has also played two years on the Palm Beach

Tri-County Golf Team managed by the JGFA. She recently finished the 2009 West Palm U.S. Kids Tour with enough points to earn the Player of the Year trophy. She also gets to play in the U.S. Kids World Championship in Pinehurst, N.C. in 2010 for being Player of the Year. Young is also sponsored by the California golf company Geek Golf, where she is the youngest player on the team roster. This season, Young started working with Martin Hall, ranked in the top 50 teachers in the U.S. by Golf Digest magazine.

said regarding the organization of the program. “This year the kids definitely have a better grasp of everything.”

According to Ken Klammer, coach of the freshman team, part of the success of the Hawks can be attributed to a good feeder program that begins with the freshman football team and ends with varsity. The Hawks’ freshman team has remained undefeated for the past two seasons, and many players have moved on to play for the junior varsity and varsity teams. The SRHS football season officially begins with the Hawks visiting John I. Leonard High School on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.

Gunn Wins At AAU National Track Meet

Although Royal Palm Beach resident Emarkis Gunn has been on the awards podium for every track meet he has competed in, he has never stood at the top spot. But that changed earlier this month when he competed at the AAU National Track Meet in Des Moines, Iowa. The meet was held at the historic Drake University.

Gunn, a member of the RPB-based Track Boys Club, won the 400-meter hurdles in the Intermediate division with a time of 53.89. He secured his spot in the final by blazing by his competitors in the preliminary heat. Gunn ran his race from Lane 8, which is considered the hardest lane to run in. He was also the national runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles. Gunn was on his way to a second national championship when he stumbled over the last hurdle and was nipped into second at the finish line. Gunn was a member of the 4x100 relay quartet that finished second as well.

Other contributors to the team are Gary Holmes (Intermediate), who placed second in the 100 and 200 meters and ran a blistering leg on the relay; Steven Louis, who placed sixth in 400 hurdles (Young Men’s division); Daniel Thermidor, who placed sixth in the 400 hurdles (Intermediate); and Tremane McCullough, who placed seventh in high jump (Intermediate). The team is coached by Marque Drummond.

Wellington Wave U-14 White Team Celebrates Win Over Blue

The Wellington Wave Soccer Club’s two U-14 teams crashed into each other last Saturday at Village Park on Pierson Road. With the blistering heat brewing up early in the morning, the girls took the field at 10 a.m.

The U-14 blue team took on the U-14 white team for club bragging rights. The white team came out on top, but not without having been through a battle. The blue team fought all the way until the final whistle. The white team struck first with Brittany Alaniz taking a shot in the 12th minute. It wasn’t long before the white team struck again. Just before the water break, Alaniz took another ball and

fired it into the left corner of the net past the blue team’s goalkeeper. The Wave blue team decided it was time to fight back and mustered some offensive pressure with Claudia Petrizzi and Kaitlyn Anders moving the ball up the field. Amanda Nardi found the pass she needed up the center to Tanieri Rivera, who punched it in to make the score 2-1. The white team returned the favor just before the end of the half when Alyse Hausman launched a shot into the back of the net, making the score 3-1 at the end of the period. The blue team came out in the second half with some ad-

justments made by Coach Kevin Bovett, putting together some nice plays and possessions. But the girls could not finish as they pressured the white defense. Late in the contest, the white team found another hole in the blue defense when Manuela Correa landed a shot into the net, making it 4-1. The blue team fought back, putting together some nice offensive pressure. Credit goes out to goalkeeper Antoinette Walton for stepping up and filling in as keeper for both teams, since she plays for both teams when there are no schedule conflicts.

Solid play on the blue team came from Alyssa Randell,

Lindsey Guthrie, Makayla Barrantes and Molly Cuthbertson. They kept the match interesting and entertaining throughout, but in the end, the Wave white team’s accurate shots earned them club bragging rights. Both teams are in the FLUGSA Division 1 and are required to face off. Most of the girls know each other and have played together in previous seasons, so it made for an eventful day. The Wave blue team is now 1-1, and will face the Royal Palm Beach white team this Saturday at home. The Wave white team is 1-0 and will play the Royal Palm Beach black team, also on Saturday at home.

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

Wave blue team players Claudia Petrizzi and Taniera Rivera work together on offense.

Offensive coordinator Donald Louvier oversees practice.

Captains Peniel Jean, Shane McDermott and John Larsh.

Mike Adams

Sumner Young with her Player of the Year trophy. dry as well as former presidents Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.

Emarkis Gunn

Woodley Cadet, Javian Wrisper, SRHS Coach Matt Dickmann and Eric Poppert.

The Hawks practice while Dickmann observes.

Animal Care & Control’s DiPace Helps Horses Find Homes

Gina DiPace is the operations manager at Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control. When starved or abused horses are seized, she’s the one who cares for them, turns their lives around, and tries to insure that their next home is the right one.

“One of our new innovations is getting pictures of all the livestock online now,” DiPace said. “This makes it a lot easier for people to see what we have available without having to make the trip. It’s a great aid in having these guys get adopted.”

In the past, all livestock, from pigs to chickens to goats to horses, was simply auctioned off to the highest bidder. Now, DiPace said, they have more control of who gets which animal. They can go out and check to make sure the new owner has adequate space and housing.

“This works a lot better,” DiPace said. “We go out and do a site inspection, checking for shelter and good fencing. We’re not necessarily looking to get the highest price for the animal. Rather, we want it to go to the best home.” If an animal has been seized due to neglect or cruelty, DiPace also makes sure it doesn’t go back to the original owner.

“One of the main problems we run into is that people see a horse and think it’s pretty, so they buy it, but they don’t truly understand how much care is involved,” she said. “I don’t think they want to be mean or cruel. It’s more a case of ignorance or irresponsibility. A lot of times, when they first bring the horse home, there’s enough grass that the horse can manage to survive. But after that, the grass gets eaten down to sand, so by the second year,

Zoners

Awning

Issues

continued from page 1 going to install grease and oil interceptors into the storm drain system,” Lange said. “To keep it out of the storm system you have to install it. That means digging up part of the existing parking lot.”

Lange made a motion to postpone the item to Sept. 22, which carried 3-0.

• The commission recommended denial of an application by Motor City Car Wash to add a 20-by-40-foot canopy at its existing car wash on State Road 7. The canopy, which would match another existing canopy on the site, would cover three parking spaces in front of the building and be a courtesy waiting area for cars that had been cleaned and detailed.

Erwin said village staff would not ordinarily have brought the question before

Council Bidding Process Questioned

continued from page 1 fully functional and add value to your project.”

Gallagher added that the form in question was the only one in the proposal that his firm had modified. “In reality, we didn’t have to say anything; we didn’t have to put anything on the bottom of that bid form,” he said. “In our view, we are being forthright and transparent in our submittal.”

Village Manager Paul Schofield noted that while the integrity of himself and his staff had been called into question in the dispute, he considered that the forms submitted from the bidders were essentially comparable. He noted that the proposals or oral presentations from all five short-listed bidders contained clarifications and qualifications, Weitz’s addendum at the bottom of the form in question being but one example. “The fact that they put clar-

Live Arts Concert Series Planned

continued from page 9 of his experience in the two worlds of business and the performing arts, he said he sees the necessity of balancing optimism with good business sense, and takes a longview perspective on building and shaping Live Arts Florida.

“In the early years, we can take advantage of existing community resources,” he said. “In fact, I was inspired when I learned of Wellington High School’s new $12 million performing arts theater. I was blown away when I toured the theater and saw how professional and comfortable it is.”

Blodgett said he was not involved in the Cultural Trust

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

the horse starts to lose weight, and now we get the call on the skinny or neglected horse. Some of these poor horses are so sad.”

Animal Care & Control takes seized horses to its facility on Belvedere Road just west of Florida’s Turnpike where there is a barn and large, shady, grassy paddocks.

“We put thin horses on a strict feeding program,” DiPace said. “We have a vet out right away to advise us. A vet is always on call. We often start the thin horses on Equine Senior, which is nutritionally complete and easily digestible, and make sure they always have free choice-quality hay in front of them at all times. Some of these poor horses haven’t seen regular feed and hay for a long time.”

The horses rotate through the pastures so the grass stays green. Typically, they’re turned out to graze during the morning and brought in later in the afternoon. Horses normally prefer to eat all day long; they’re grazing animals, and they do best when they have something nutritious to munch on throughout the day.

Horses end up at Animal Care & Control in different ways. Donated horses are given up by the owners, usually because they can no longer afford to keep and feed them. Some-

the commission, but there are concerns about aesthetics.

“Just to make sure everybody is comfortable with it, we brought it here for your approval, because it is a rather large awning and will block some of the architectural features contemplated in the original site plan,” he said. Village staff, however, recommended approval of the canopy.

Lange said he did not like the appearance the new awning would create in front of the building, adding that there was discussion about the appearance of the existing canopy when the car wash was first approved. He said he would prefer to have seen a canopy away from the building.

“When I’m looking at this from the road, all I’m going to see is awning,” Lange said. “Quite frankly, I don’t see that as aesthetically pleasing at all. You’re covering up the entire building.”

Kevin Crane of Jones Aw-

ifications at the end of the division of costs did not affect the scoring,” he said. During the council’s discussion, village staff clarified that cost was only one of several factors weighed in the selection, including design, the capacity of the firms and their prior experience in similar projects. Royal Concrete, which was founded by Royal Palm Beach developer Wally Sanger, lobbied for local preference. Weitz is a national company, although several of its team members live in Wellington.

Councilman Matt Willhite noted that he had opposed the costly project from the start, and as it would likely go forward, he would weigh price above all other considerations. “I don’t think either company is local,” he said. “Neither one of them is based in Wellington; neither one of them bases all their operations in Palm Beach County.”

Willhite said the council should follow the staff recommendation and choose Weitz, or else start the process again from scratch. Mayor Darell Bowen said he found himself in agreement with that sentiment, but not-

of the Palm Beaches, but understands how many were disappointed by the collapse of that Wellington-based organization last year.

“Many of these citizens and businesses invested their time, hearts, and for some, finances,” he said. “I appreciate that a lot of people were hurt and disillusioned when it fell apart. At the same time, during the last three years our economy has been really suffering. But while in every crisis there is danger, there is also opportunity. I think there remains an opportunity to build a non-profit performing arts company that will enrich our community.”

But Blodgett recognizes that in order to build that organization, he will also need help.

“Building a non-profit performing arts company is going to involve some risk-taking as well as a long-term commitment by many peo-

times, however, the horse is old or sick, and the owner is trying to avoid the cost of having it put down. DiPace said they try to work with owners who need financial assistance, and try to find alternative solutions for them or affordable options.

“If it’s a severe or fatal problem, like founder or intestinal problems, and they’re at their wit’s end, then we do the right thing and help them out,” DiPace said. “We have no problem taking in horses like this and helping to end their suffering.”

Other times, horses are donated because the owner has become ill or is in some other way physically unable to care for it any longer. DiPace recalled one horse that came from the family of an elderly woman who’d been moved to a nursing home. They’d tried keeping the horse for a while, but had no interest or experience. By the time DiPace got it, it was starting to get thin, and its feet were horribly overgrown. After three months of care, the horse was adopted into a new home.

Other horses are strays. DiPace said that sometimes these horses find their way back to the original owners, but more often they end up injured in car accidents or show clear signs of abuse or neglect. Many times the owners never show up to claim them.

DiPace said she is also seeing increasing numbers of abandoned horses, some simply left behind when a property goes into foreclosure. These she tries to send to a horse rescue organization. Such organizations also get any horses that have emotional problems that might make them unsuitable for adoption.

A horse has a pretty good life under DiPace’s watchful eye. In addition to regular

Gina DiPace with a horse at the Animal Care & Control barn.

meals and vet care, they get washed and groomed daily, their hooves are trimmed, teeth floated and vaccinations administered. They have clean stalls and are watched over by dedicated and knowledgeable people.

“We give them the care they deserve,” DiPace said. “As times get worse financially, I’m afraid we may see more horses end up here. I hope that people who are considering adding a horse to their family will remember to check us out. For the most part, these horses have done nothing wrong. They’re here through no fault of their own. There’s nothing better than rescuing a soul, and giving a shelter horse a good home.”

For more information, call Animal Care & Control at (561) 233-1200, or visit www. pbcgov.com/publicsafety/animalcare.

nings & Canvas said the owner had wanted to include the canopy in the original application a year ago but had budget constraints. “This is much smaller than the other canopy,” Crane said, adding that it would also be much lower than the existing canopy and would not conceal the parapets of the building.

Crane said it is important to keep detailed cars dry until they are picked up.

Lange suggested the applicant make a motion to postpone the question until they come back with a different location, or it could head to the village council with a recommendation for denial.

Crane and agent David Daszkal said they preferred to keep the canopy where it was proposed. Lange made a motion to recommend denial of the application, which carried 3-0.

Decisions of the zoning commission are advisory. The final decision rests with the village council.

ed that the village should strive for the best deal possible.

“The real question to me is, are we really getting the best bottom line,” he said. “And I know in the business world, when we get to this point we start squeezing a little bit, probably to see where we can really end up at, and here we seem ready to just go ahead and take the first lowest bid.”

Ultimately, Bowen’s vote was the only one cast against a motion to accept the Weitz bid.

Councilman Howard Coates and Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto voiced concern about taking action that would put the project in jeopardy, as restarting the process would take several months, provoke possible legal challenges and add to the village’s costs.

Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore noted that the village staff selection committee had ranked Weitz’s proposal superior on several factors beside cost.

The Weitz proposal suggests site work on the complex could begin before the year’s end, with the project substantially completed by December 2010.

ple,” he said. “It will require a lot of underwriting and giving of time, talent and treasure. I want Live Arts Florida to be a four-star non-profit performing arts company that ultimately has assets one and a half to two times annual revenues. But the reality is that a young performing arts company needs funds to develop programming and funds to hire skilled talent to help grow the organization. I think I have, over the past 25 years, developed the right set of business management skills to steer us on a safe course and be a good steward of assets.”

For more information on Live Arts Florida and the 2009-10 Western Communities Concert Series, visit www.liveartsfl.org or call (561) 346-ARTS. For tickets, visit http://tickets.liveartsfl. org or call the Live Arts ticketing call center at (888) 841ARTS from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Volunteer Orientation At Vinceremos

The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (13330 Sixth Court North, Loxahatchee Groves) will hold new volunteer orientation on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. Anyone who would like to volunteer for any of the Vinceremos programs is encouraged to attend. The center is accepting volunteers age 13 and older. Call Vinceremos at (561) 792-9900 to sign up.

Gigantic Garage Sale Returns

The 19th Annual Gigantic Garage Sale returns on Saturday, Aug. 29 to the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. From toys, clothing and jewelry to furniture, electronics, books, movies and more, this once-a-year rummage has it all, including the kitchen sink. Guests can search through tens of thousands of attic treasures under one airconditioned roof. Admission to the sale is

Water Free Test

continued from page 1 ties Director Bill Riebe said, is because those were the last years that builders used solder with a high lead content in residential plumbing. “Since then, building codes have changed; no longer is there lead in the solder as you put it together, so it’s a very specific age group of homes.”

Riebe said that September marks an unusual second time the village must take samples to check for copper and lead. The first time, in May and June, the village took its customary approach of sending letters to the several thousand homes that fit the criteria for the test. “It took an inordinate amount of effort to get the people we needed for our sample,” he said.

This time, instead of a mass mailing, the village is relying more on advertising through the village’s web site and cable television station to attract the 60 households it needs to get the federally required number of samples.

Riebe noted that Welling-

Blotter

continued from page 6 served stealing fishing equipment, a pistol holder and bullets. Fletcher and Mertes placed the items in a WalMart shopping bag and proceeded to exit the store without attempting to purchase the items. They were stopped by Wal-Mart security, and when neither could produce a receipt, Fletcher fled the store on foot while Mertes was detained and escorted to the security office. A short time later, Fletcher re-entered the store and hid inside the instore McDonald’s restaurant to avoid being seen. He was spotted and also detained.

NEWS BRIEFS

only $2. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call the fairgrounds at (561) 793-0333 or visit www. southfloridafair.com.

Cheerleaders

Plan Events

The Acreage Xtreme Cheerleaders have several events planned in the coming months.

The group will hold a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2

p.m. at Southern Self Storage located at 8452 Okeechobee Blvd., just east of Sansbury’s Way). Another car wash will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Southern Self Storage. On Sunday, Sept. 27, the cheerleaders will hold a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Acreage Community Park. The cost to rent a 10’x10’ space is $10 (individuals) or $20 (businesses). For more information about the yard sale, e-mail Donna Turpin at turpin_donna@ yahoo.com.

ton monitors its water quality at a variety of points in the system on a daily basis, but must make a special effort to conform to this particular quality standard.

“All the other water quality rules that are out there, we pull samples; we have sample points that are easy to get to, and we can do all those things,” he said. “The lead and copper rule is a little bit different because what we’re doing is actually testing water quality inside the house. The water we deliver to the home, there’s no issue with that. It’s all related to the plumbing internal to the home.”

Wellington Lab Technician Laurie Hand, who is in charge of gathering the samples, said that of 20,000 Wellington households that receive village water, about 2,000 fit the criteria for the test. She said previous mailings to targeted households got a fair response, drawn from a spreadsheet of qualifying households she has compiled and updated over several years.

“Actually, I made a lot of phone calls to try to drum up

The stolen items were worth approximately $100.84, according to the report.

AUG. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Lake Shore Drive on Wednesday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. the following morning, the victim’s unloaded .38 special snubnose revolver, valued at approximately $300, was stolen from his unlocked vehicle. The victim had the gun cleaned and forgot to remove it from the vehicle, leaving it in a bag inside the center console, according to

business,” she said. “I have a lot of luck making individual phone calls, but I don’t have time to do it like that.” Hand said that since 1992, when the Acme Improvement District was responsible for the local tests, only 27 homes have been identified as having water with copper or lead levels of any concern. That, she said, is because it’s all relatively modern construction.

“Wellington is so new in the scheme of things,” she said. “This lead and copper program is something they have a lot of trouble with in the northeast. And the reason is that the buildings were sometimes built in the 1800s up there, and they’re built with lead lines. We don’t have that kind of a situation here.”

Hand encouraged qualified households to participate in the sample. Village staff will deliver and collect the sample bottles. For more information, visit the village web site at www.ci.wellington. fl.us and click on the “Drinking Water Testing” link in the news box, or call Hand at (561) 791-4149.

the report. No other valuables were removed and there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

AUG. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Hawthorne Place on Wednesday regarding a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6:50 and 11:21 a.m. someone broke the back window of the home and stole several electronic items, shoes, clothing and a box of .45-caliber bullets. The stolen items are valued at approximately $1,823. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

Employee of the Month — The Village of Wellington recognized Financial Analyst/Budget Coordinator Christine Rappolt on Tuesday as its employee of the month for July. Noting her positive attitude, Village Manager Paul Schofield said he could speak from personal experience that Rappolt had spent many late nights involved in preparing the village’s budget. Shown here is Rappolt with Schofield (far right) and members of the Wellington Village Council.

PHOTO BY MARK LIOI/TOWN-CRIER

It’s

Not That I’ve Lost The Plot; I Just Haven’t Found It Yet!

I’ve written a novel! I did it with the help of Chris Baty, whose book No Plot? No Problem! helps you complete an entire 50,000word novel in a month. By following Baty’s explicit instructions, I wrote a book in just 30 days. However, the book has a problem. Namely, no plot.

Oh, I have several great scenes and wonderful character development, but the book has no reason to exist. Worse, because of my wonderful character development, I now have almost-real people knocking around inside my brain: “What about us? When are you going to get back to us? What happened to us after the fireworks went off inside the church during Shelly’s wedding, huh? Huh?”

I read the first part of the novel to my husband Mark, warning him in advance that the book had taken a turn toward romance, a genre I personally hate. (It’s amazing what comes out of your head when you’re required

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

to write 1,700 words a day without thinking.)

But Mark’s a good sport, so the reading commenced. Unpredictably, he reacted more strongly than I thought, falling absolutely in love with the heroine, worrying obsessively about the hero and hating the female villain with a passion that scared me.

“Why don’t you write her out of the book?” he demanded after one particularly nasty chapter. “She’s scum. I hate her.”

How to explain to him that he was supposed

to hate her? That what made the book interesting was her controlling, deceitful, hateful personality?

So the character development is fine. I mean, I’ve even got a nosy neighbor, an amusing friend and a snooty cat to keep the reader entertained, but the stars of the show just sort of seem to be plugging along. What intensely interesting result are these people hoping to accomplish?

A friend suggested adding a subplot, a little storyline that runs parallel to the main story, bobbing up whenever the author hits a brick wall. I have a great subplot. The subplot is as magnificent as can be. What I don’t have is a plot!

I cannot blame Chris Baty for this. Early on, he said we should make ourselves a little timeline of events; an outline, if you will. But not me. Oh, no. I was going to plunge right in and see what happened. Amuse myself.

When I got around to reading Mark the second part of the novel, he was distressed when another guy started to move in on the heroine (my subplot).

“What does he think he’s doing?” Mark shouted. “Why doesn’t he leave her alone and go off with the villain? Oh, this is terrible.” Again, I was happy with his response because it showed he truly cared about my characters. But if I got rid of the subplot, I would have no plot at all!

And another thing concerned me. “You’re not reading real people into this, are you?” I asked. “Say you and me? Because this book has nothing at all to do with you and me.” He said he knew that. So I’m back to square one — fascinating characters without a mission. Hey! I know what I’ll do! I’ll ask the people in my head what they want to do. Because they’re really getting quite loud in there.

Tarantino’s Latest A Great Film About Films, Not History

Quentin Tarantino ignores historical reality as he presents his own fantasy, a remarkably effective one, of World War II in Inglourious Basterds. The idea of a group of ferocious Jewish GIs killing the top Nazi leadership to end World War II is an appealing one, and Tarantino’s film manages to make its two and a half hours both gripping and powerful. The notion of Hitler, Goering, Goebbels and Bormann being killed by tough Jews is, well, delicious. The film in many ways is more about movies than about history. Despite the previews, the film is not only about Brad Pitt’s group of really nasty soldiers, but also about the French Jew Shosanna (Mélanie Laurent) who survives the murder of her family by “Jew hunter” Col. Landa (Christoph Waltz, in an amazing performance) and gets the opportunity for revenge.

Tarantino makes Landa the most interesting character, a man of many layers who mix-

I’d

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

es banality with cunning and a total amorality. The character would be a perfect politician today. In the opening chapter of the movie, Landa’s interrogation of a French farmer is both quiet and horribly frightening as he forces the man to reveal the existence and location of a terrified Jewish family hiding under his floorboards. The dialogue is spare; the eyes of the actors telling. You see only the terrified eyes of the family as Landa cheerfully calls his soldiers in to blast them, al-

though a teenage daughter escapes. Landa is a malignant, lingering presence throughout. That first sequence lends a meaningful air to much of the hilarity of the next episode where Lt. Aldo “the Apache” Raine (Pitt) and his men gleefully wipe out Germans. There is the typical Tarantino violence, although in this film the gruesome elements are generally over quickly. The action then shifts to Paris where Shosanna, the girl who escaped Landa earlier, now runs a movie theater, while hiding in plain sight. She is admired by German war hero Fredrick Zoller (Daniel Brühl) who pressures the German high command to hold the premiere of a film about his exploits at her theater. She plots to kill them all. The cast is uniformly excellent. Waltz was brilliant; he won an award for the part at the Cannes Film Festival and might well be honored at Oscar time. He would deserve it. He managed to present his mixture of banality,

racism, terror, violence and amorality in three languages without missing a beat. Laurent was also excellent, carrying her scenes with just the right mixture of determination and panic required. A scene where she has to meet several very high-ranking Nazis, finally meeting Landa, was masterful. It was difficult to breathe watching the scene between the two actors. And it was all done in French! Tarantino is a superb director. Although there has been criticism of the film because it mixed genres a bit (there was more than a bit of spaghetti western in it as well as an obvious bow to The Dirty Dozen; indeed the title and premise are borrowed, of sorts, from an Italian B-movie that knocks off the latter), but they did not interfere with the grand canvas of the final picture. This is easily Tarantino’s best film since Pulp Fiction, and I recommend it heartily. It probably is the best film of the summer.

Be Jealous Of My Son Except That I’m So Proud Of Him

I very rarely, if ever, toot my own horn (beep, beep). But for the last couple of weeks I have been tooting all over the place. Why, you ask? Because of my son Brian.

Brian is the teacher and guiding hand behind Damon Weaver, a very bright young man who attends Kathryn E. Cunningham Canal Point Elementary School who is the reporter for the school’s television news show. Although Damon is only in the sixth grade (elementary schools in the Glades go up to the sixth grade), he has landed interviews with Vice President Joe Biden (as a candidate), Oprah Winfrey and many more. But the interview Damon wanted the most always seemed just a little out of his reach. Damon’s dream was a face-to-face interview with President Barack Obama. He has been chasing this dream for over eight months. In some cases, dreams do come true. Damon’s dream came true two weeks ago.

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

A couple of Tuesdays ago, Brian got the call that he and Damon had been waiting for.

The White House has my son on speed dial. The Secret Service even has a code name for him (I am not allowed to divulge it). When Brian finished mowing the lawn and called the White House back, a high-ranking presidential aide told him to be in Washington that Thursday morning for the interview Damon has been waiting for.

My son was in a state of shock. After all, it

was still summer vacation, and he wondered if he would be able to find Damon on such short notice, get plane tickets, etc. Luckily none of that turned out to be a problem. Late that Wednesday afternoon, Damon, his mother and my son got on a direct flight from PBIA to the District of Columbia.

All Wednesday and into Thursday morning, phone calls and e-mails went back and forth between my son and the White House. One thing the White House did request was that Damon’s visit be kept secret until the White House released the interview information after 6 p.m. on Thursday. Of course, my son did not have a problem with that. He even made me raise my right hand and swear not to tell anyone. It was hard, but I did.

The only mistake I made was not going to Washington with my son and Damon. My son told me he could get me into the White House, but he knows how I feel about flying and also

knows I won’t wear a necktie. Thus, I didn’t go. Big mistake on my part. President Obama and my son spent some quality time together after the interview. My son even has photos to prove that. I am now very jealous of him. After all, what’s left to do in the news business after you have interviewed the president? So far almost 500,000 folks have viewed the interview via the Internet. And if you haven’t seen the interview yet, visit www.you tube.com/canalpointkectv. My son has accomplished in his short life something I have been trying to do for more than 25 years. While I have met a few famous folks in my life, they’re nowhere near the number my son has met. Almost every day he is in contact with someone I would love to meet. I am as proud as a peacock about his success. OK, I admit it: I am more excited about all that’s been happening to my son than my son is. Just call me a proud father.