Town-Crier Newspaper December 11, 2009

RPBHS STUDENT COUNCIL TREE SALE

Tanya Quickel Set To Start As New Indian Trail Administrator

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Incoming Indian Trail Improvement District Administrator Tanya Quickel appeared at the Wednesday, Dec. 9 meeting of the ITID Board of Supervisors and received a hero’s welcome.

Quickel, who was ITID’s finance director from 1999 to 2003, left ITID to take a job as deputy director of the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District, where she remained until she came back to ITID. She starts her new job on Monday.

“It’s a pleasure to come to work for Indian Trail,” Quickel told the Town-Crier after the meeting. “We have a number of challenges ahead, and I look forward to working with the board to accomplish their goals.”

ITID President Michelle Damone, who led the effort to recruit

Quickel, said she anticipates a big turnaround at the district.

“I have never been so thrilled in my life,” Damone said. “Her knowledge and her professionalism, her historical knowledge of the district, her finance background and her special district background are going to move this district forward in leaps and bounds into the next decade. We are now going to get back on track and be a model improvement district throughout the state under her leadership.”

Quickel will earn $149,000/ year. She replaces Chris King, who was asked to resign last month after ITID’s risk assessment firm found irregularities in the district’s books. The firm checks the books prior to the district’s annual audit. Quickel will be making $44,000/year more than King.

Quickel went to the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District shortly after former ITID Administrator John Bonde resigned, said Damone, who became reacquainted with Quickel at meetings of the Florida Association of Special Districts where Quickel has served as treasurer.

“She took the position at the Northern Improvement District, which she has been absolutely fantastic at,” Damone said. “She’s been the deputy administrator as well as the finance director.”

Also Wednesday, the board authorized Damone to apply for a permit from the South Florida Water Management District for the new branch library serving The Acreage.

The district and the county are applying jointly for the permit so the Palm Beach County Library

Wellington Tightens Clustering Rules In The Equestrian District

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Clustered developments in the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District will face tighter restrictions under an ordinance amending Wellington’s land development code approved Tuesday, Dec. 8 by the Wellington Village Council.

The ordinance requires several regulations for new clustered developments, including a requirement that developers install equestrian amenities prior to building homes.

Economic Development Director Marty Hodgkins said the new code would restrict clustered developments to a maximum density of three homes per acre. It limits the developments to singlefamily homes, and requires that amenities must be for residents’ use only and accessible to all homes by a bridle trail or similar path that may not cross roads. Additionally, the new rules put a deed restriction in place to give the council more control over the developments.

In a clustered development, the overall density stays the same, but larger recreation areas and open

space allow the developer to build homes on smaller lots.

Mayor Darell Bowen said that while many people oppose the idea of clustering in general, he feels the regulations are necessary to protect the portions of the equestrian area in which clustering is allowed.

“Its my understanding that if we just leave it the way it is, we are far more open to a bad development than we are by implementing these changes,” he said. “It’s safe to say that if we adopt this, the standards will be much tougher than if we don’t.”

Clustered developments will require a conditional use permit, therefore they will have to go before the Wellington Equestrian Committee and the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board before seeking council approval, Hodgkins said.

Clustered developments will continue to be allowed only in one portion of the equestrian area — between Lake Worth and Pierson roads and South Shore Blvd. and 120th Avenue South.

Village Manager Paul Schofield said that the clustered developments are allowed in the area be-

cause of Country Club Estates, a clustered development whose land development order pre-dates Wellington’s comprehensive plan and the creation of the EOZD.

“There is a provision in the state growth management law that says that in adopting a comprehensive plan, we cannot remove a development right associated with an existing development order,” he said.

The restrictions would be similar to those placed on the Binks Forest Golf Club, which was required to first build its golf course before it could build town homes, Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said.

“In essence, what you’re saying is that we currently have clustered developments that are permitted,” he said. “What we’re doing is creating a situation where those clustered developments, if in fact they are approved, would be more scrutinized than under the current conditions that we have in place.”

Many residents had expressed concerns to the council before the meeting about clustered developments mimicking the Equestrian See CLUSTERING, page 20

Budget Cuts Mean Week’s Furlough For Wellington Staffers

By Lauren Miró Town Crier Staff-Report

Most Wellington employees will be spending their holidays on mandatory unpaid furlough this year as the village closes for 10 days starting Friday, Dec. 25. Employees will return to work Monday, Jan. 4.

“We decided it as part of the budget process last year,” Village Manager Paul Schofield said.

“This is not a surprise.”

The plan was introduced in February and discussed with village employees in May and June. It was included in the preliminary budget hearings that were held in July and adopted by the council as part of the 2010 budget.

“We’re really wishing we didn’t have to do [furloughs],” Schofield said. “But you can’t cut $20 million, 20 percent, out of your budget and not have some things suffer.”

This year, the village cut its budget from $103 million to $83 million by instituting cost-saving measures such as a four-day workweek.

“Part of the results of that is we reduced the number of employees. Our employees are not getting any types of raises at all this year, and

they’ve got an unpaid furlough week,” Schofield said, adding that employees handled the news well.

“Our employees are like everybody else. They’re worried about if they’re going to have a job. They are bearing the brunt of economic hard times, and none of them are complaining about it.”

The furlough applies to senior management as well.

“I get to be unpaid just like everybody else,” Schofield said.

“But it’s a lot easier on me than it is on that person who is making $25,000 a year, trying to support a family of three, so I’ve got no complaints about it. It’s the right thing to do.”

The furlough is expected to save the village just under $500,000, which is half a pay period, Schofield said. Health and public safety employees, including the water and wastewater plant operators and others called in for emergencies, will work and get paid. There will be people at the village answering phones in case there is an emergency.

“If we have to call people in, we will call them in,” Schofield said. “We expect that there will be

With Louda Stepping Down, Herzog Eyes Groves Council Seat

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Former Councilwoman Marge Herzog will run for Seat 2 on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council in March. The seat is being vacated by Councilman Dr. Bill Louda, who is not seeking re-election.

Seat 4, occupied by Mayor Dave Browning, will also be up for grabs during the election on Tuesday, March 9.

Herzog, a longtime community activist who currently serves as president of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’Association, served on the council from its creation in March 2007 until March 2009, when she lost a re-election bid to political newcomer Ryan Liang.

Louda, who with Herzog was one of the five elected to the inaugural town council, said he has to

step down because of an increased workload at Florida Atlantic University, where he is a professor.

“I can’t devote the time I need to give the town,” Louda said. “I don’t have the time I need to run around, especially during the week, to get my perspective on some of the special projects I’ve been involved with.” Louda has endorsed Herzog’s bid to replace him. The two have shared similar points of view on many issues, Herzog said. Herzog noted that her past term on the council and long involvement in the community makes her a fit candidate for the seat. “I’m aware of governmental issues and water control issues in the town,” Herzog said. “I feel I’m informed and involved and an active participant.” She said pressing issues in the

HERZOG, page 20

Re-Organized Volunteer Group To Run Baseball In

out a request seeking a new baseball provider. Mayor David Lodwick said he would like the two groups to work together rather than compete for players. “I have the sincere hope that we would really try to get everyone on the same page instead of having two quality programs competing,” Lodwick said. “I

The Village of Royal Palm Beach held its Annual Holiday Festival of Lights on Monday, Dec. 7 at Veterans Park. The event featured the lighting of a 30-foot Christmas tree, photos with Santa, a snow patch, vocal performances by student choirs, snacks and more. Pictured above, Bridget Riddle and Kayla and Rebecca Anaya create stuffed animals for the Bears to the Rescue workshop at the Fire Trucks for Fun booth. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Looming Budget Hole Has County Officials

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Anticipating about $119 million less revenue in 2011, the Palm Beach County Commission held a workshop Wednesday, Dec. 9 seeking ways to cut their budget.

The commissioners heard from all county departments with budgets of $10 million or more, including PalmTran and Community Services. At a previous workshop, they heard from the county’s largest departments: Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, the Palm Beach County Library System, Parks & Recreation and Engineering.

County Administrator Bob Weisman also gave a report on county employee salaries requested by the commissioners.

The average annual salary for county employees is about $72,000, not including Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office salaries, which Weisman said he is still trying to obtain. Weisman said that $72,000 is consistent with a private company with about the same staff size, but less than other area governmental bodies. “We are lower than Broward and less competitive than the South Florida Water Management District,” Weisman noted.

Commissioner Karen Marcus wanted to see salaries from the Solid Waste Authority, but Weisman said the SWA is staffed mostly by contract employees from private firms that might not be willing to share salary information.

Commissioner Jess Santamaria asked about Fire-Rescue salaries compared to Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Weisman said Palm Beach County salaries

Worried

are about 8 percent lower than Broward. Miami-Dade is higher than Broward, but he did not know by how much because he had stopped using them as a comparison.

Palm Tran Executive Director Chuck Cohen said bus service has been expanded in areas such as the recently established state-funded park-and-ride service in Wellington and an express bus service to Martin County. The agency has cut back on night and Sunday routes. Only seven routes now have service after 8 p.m. “If you’re working at a mall or someplace that’s open late, there are only limited opportunities to get home,” Cohen said.

Each workday, Palm Tran operates 120 buses on 34 routes with an average of 35,000 daily trips, Cohen said. The agency also provides 3,000 daily trips in vans for disabled residents. Last year, Palm Tran provided more than 10 million trips for the second time in its history. Palm Tran has seen an increase of about 10,000 daily riders, or about 30 percent, over the past five years and has increased its routes by about 35 percent. Meanwhile, it has recently shaved 22 employees and now has 548 agency workers. Palm Tran’s annual budget from property taxes is almost $30 million, with a total budget of about $69 million. Fewer than half the routes have half-hour or shorter service. Most routes operate on hourly schedules, Cohen said. Some of the poor-performing routes have been eliminated, and more will be considered for elimination if necessary, he added. Some of the trips for disabled

See BUDGET, page 20

County Commission: Leave Church Permit Rules As They Are

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission decided Tuesday, Dec. 8 not to change its permitting process for houses of worship after residents told the commissioners to keep the rules as they are.

Staff attorneys had recommended creating a system to allow places of worship if they met a set of standard regulations, removing the county’s current system that involves a public hearing. A recent federal court ruling indicated that such public hearings could draw lawsuits under the First Amendment’s freedom of worship clause.

County staff offered the commission three options: create a permitting process for places of worship; create a subcommittee to decide issues such as the amount of floor space, location and required buffers; or leave the existing regulations intact.

The existing regulations call for a public hearing before the county commission, which can establish conditions that the church must follow. The issue of what control the county has over the location of churches, especially those in residential areas, is a divisive issue that arises periodically. Last May, for example, the commissioners approved a church on Okeechobee Blvd. just west of Loxahatchee Groves despite the concerns of neighbors. While the county put a strict set of noise and buffering conditions on the church, denying such a request outright is likely to raise legal problems.

George Humphries, president of the West Gun Club Road Property Owners Association, noted that at a public input meeting on Nov. 13, there were concerns about the proposed changes.

“Key among those was concerns that the process of notifying homeowners in a public hearing was eliminated under the proposed change,” Humphries said, adding that the existing process has worked well. “It allows the surrounding neighbors and the church to meet and resolve any issues associated with compatibility. There are people here who will tell you that they have had good experiences with the process.” Humphries said he believes each worship center should be considered individually. “One size does not fit all situations,” he said.

Colleen Gelsomino, president of the Pioneer Road Property Owners Association, said she believes the system has worked.

“I don’t think this can be approached as a mathematical solution meaning that one size fits all,” Gelsomino said. “It doesn’t work that way. Given the fact that no church in Palm Beach County has

ever been denied their First Amendment right, and the current system allows dialogue between the church and the community, I think we should congratulate ourselves on a system and a process that has been successful.”

Commissioner Karen Marcus said she is concerned about the way the code is currently worded because it has allowed some incompatibility in the surrounding neighborhoods.

But Commission Chair Burt Aaronson said he felt the current code is working.

“We’re tied in with certain things by federal law that we cannot deviate from,” he said, particularly leery of any attempt to form a subcommittee tasked with deciding such issues. “My opinion is we have something that’s working… We have never really turned down a church unless it was for zoning reasons if they didn’t comply with zoning, which we have the ability to make them comply with our zoning.”

Commissioner Shelley Vana asked Assistant County Attorney Lenny Berger why the county staff wants to change the zoning code to make it a permitable process not requiring a public hearing.

“It’s just that you’re at risk,” Berger said. “I can’t predict when someone’s going to sue you, but it’s our job to try to prevent that before it happens whenever we can.”

Berger said churches have prevailed in several recent cases that have gone to federal court in the district that includes Palm Beach County.

“Our job is to show you what’s around the curve,” he said. “The applicable law today says that we could have a problem.”

Aaronson said leaving the status quo is the best option, which gives the commission the best ability to protect neighbors.

Commissioner Steven Abrams noted that there have been several lawsuits, including one in Broward County. “It doesn’t always have to do just with lights or buffers,” Abrams said. “It has to do with some underlying issues that result in some very costly and prolonged litigation.”

Abrams said he is concerned that making churches a permitted process would allow the churches to add other uses such as homeless shelters or drug clinics without having to go through the review process for such uses.

Aaronson said the commission has the ability to control such uses under the existing ordinance.

Commissioner Priscilla Taylor made a motion to leave the ordinance the way it is, which carried 6-0 with Commissioner Jeff Koons absent.

A Bright Economic Future Lays Ahead... If We All Work Together

Not too long ago, the terms western communities and bedroom communities were interchangeable. Area residents were largely dependent on eastern Palm Beach County for retail shopping, employment and entertainment. However, the past decade of growth in the region has brought not just an increase in population, but also in the number of businesses, including our very own regional mall. But the county still hasn’t let go of its view that the western communities should remain dependent. Fortunately, there is a major effort underway to bring more industry and businesses to the area while creating muchneeded employment centers. With the Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Task Force coming together, the region’s economic future can be one of self-sufficiency.

Though it’s still in the formative stages, the task force will include representatives from Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee Groves and Greenacres as well as local business leaders who hope to draft a comprehensive economic development plan for the future of the area. Unlike previous plans, the current project comes from within the community and is not subject to the whims of the county or a consulting firm. It is absolutely crucial that this vital project remains business-led, rather than politically led. Without a conscious effort made to stay true to this ideal, the plan could easily be

Louda Supports

Herzog For Lox Town Council

Many already know that I have decided not to seek re-election to the council of the Town of Loxahatchee Groves. The overriding reason for this is that I always want and try to give 110-plus percent to any task that I undertake. With decreasing funding and faculty numbers at Florida Atlantic University, those of us remaining are having to expand our responsibilities. Thus, I must step down from the town council in order to not dilute my efforts for the state and the university.

As an extra push to not run again, I was told in public at a council meeting by Councilman Ron Jarriel that I could not be reelected. As with those influenced by Boss Hogg on The Dukes of Hazard, who am I to argue with that?

I wish the town the very best and offer my full support to Mrs. Marge Herzog, who has stated that she will declare for Seat 2. Marge is the consummate hard worker and has both the knowledge and experience to make a great councilwoman, once again. Please vote for Marge Herzog, Seat 2, Loxahatchee Groves Town Council. Best wishes to all, Happy Holidaze and Merry Christmas. Dr. Bill Louda, Councilman Loxahatchee Groves

Healthcare System Needs Big Change

I find it fascinating after reading comments made by a Wellington resident (Healthcare ‘Reform’ Plan Misses The Mark, Dec. 4) that he can suggest that the healthcare reform plan being considered may be too costly and at the same time be too myopic to see that the present plan is unsustainable. He opposes money being proposed to reform healthcare, stating that minor changes to the present system is all that is needed, and again too myopic to an unsustainable

system would be totally inadequate. His perspective and highly partisan comments reflect no study or understanding of where the present healthcare system stands today.

Let’s take a look at some of the statistics provided by the World Health Organization. The United States ranks 37th in the world among industrialized nations in outcome at a cost two and a half times what those nations are paying. Moreover, the United States ranks behind Cuba in infant mortality and just a side comment, the United States ranks behind Canada, our much-maligned neighbor to the north. This all suggests that our healthcare system needs a major overhaul. Without a public option, the insurance industry will continue to raise rates as they have no competition and no market forces to make them control the runaway greed so prevalent in that industry.

The “Party of No” continues to frighten seniors about losses to their benefits through Medicare cutbacks. But the reality is that the cutbacks will be among those in the Medicare Advantage plans because the insurance companies receive 25 percent more than those in traditional Medicare plans, and the cutbacks will not be in services but in perks not covered under Medicare. Insurance company executives cry poor while boasting obscene salaries. All these valid statistics are lost in a sea of partisan articles and comments politicizing serious concerns. We will soon have some 50 million people without healthcare insurance, all of whom have the right under law to go to an emergency room for treatment at an average of $700 a pop, and I’m being conservative. These costs will be passed on to the rest of us in prorated bills for our insurancecovered illnesses.

Republicans are against higher taxes but love deficit spending, which is just borrowing money and deferring taxes to be paid by the poor and middle classes down the line.

Richard Nielsen Royal Palm Beach

taken over by politicians. If so, it stands to lose its grassroots ability to accomplish its mission.

The timing of the task force is important as well. Proceeding with the project now may be better than years ago, when we were riding high on the real estate boom and all-around good fortune, and were afraid to “shake things up” for fear that financial turbulence would result. But now that we’ve seen the worst and know what economic doldrums look like in our area, there’s no reason fear of the unknown should be a factor.

According to Susan Giddings, the chamber’s vice chair for economic development, the idea is that by including government officials and businesses on the task force, it can not only bolster the region as a whole but serve the individual needs of each municipality. You can bet that any plan put forth by the county would employ a one-size-fits-all approach — one that’s ultimately not in the region’s best interest.

The Economic Development Task Force is a way to safeguard future development so the region has its own economic structure that doesn’t rely on the seasonal market, the ups and downs of the retail sector and the ever-changing construction industry. The western communities needs to come together to fight for its own economic future and not let the county dictate its eastern-based economic needs.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Red-Light Cameras Are All About Money

Liar, liar, pants on fire! That is the only response to [Royal Palm Beach] Assistant Village Manager [Ray] Liggins about these redlight cameras (Red-Light Camera Experiment Gets Underway In RPB, Dec. 4). “The goal in this is to make zero dollars,” Liggins said, adding that the red-light cameras were not a way to generate revenue for the village.

What exactly is our liar assistant manager going to do with the extra $79.50 for a first offense, $197.50 for a second offense or $450.50 for subsequent infractions? He is going to do what any politician does with hard-earned tax dollars. Spend them wastefully. I don’t know if red-light cameras are good or bad. What I do know is when a private company installs, manages the program for as little as $17.50 a shot with no other investment from the village than the permissions to fire up this ATM, it is for nothing other than the revenue! So at least be honest and say this is a great new revenue stream for us to fill the trough for these politicians (local, state and federal) to feed out of!

Jim Stephan Boca Raton

Thanks For Supporting Church Project

A special thank-you goes to all those who were instrumental in making this year’s Thanksgiving baskets that fed more than 600 families (average four per family) between the western communities and Belle Glade — a total success.

Pastors Michael and Carolyn Rose and the Royal Palm Covenant Church family wish to thank the many businesses that partnered with us for a successful Thanksgiving giveaway. The following partners were diligent in executing this successful event: the Roy-

al Palm Beach Rotary Club, My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, Costco and J&J Produce. Also, the many volunteers who gave their time and gifts to make this event a success. It is not a small thing when the lives of so many families have been touched by this great act of kindness. Thank you all, and God bless you.

Pastor Michael Rose

Royal Palm Covenant Church Royal Palm Beach

Inspector

General Must Be Independent

If you have lived in Palm Beach County for the last few years, then you are almost certainly aware of the fact that taxpayers have suffered a huge loss of money due to the criminal activity of at least three of our county commissioners. The level of corruption in Palm Beach County political circles is apparently so bad that a grand jury has suggested that an independent inspector general be assigned full-time to review the actions of our county commissioners and other elected officials. Naturally, one would assume that having a full-time inspector general with total access to all of the activities, meetings and records of our county commissioners would help put an end to the corruption problem. Apparently, this is not so. Somehow, the county commissioners have retained the authority to hire and fire the chosen inspector general! How on earth could this possibly happen? If the inspector general’s livelihood depends upon the approval of the very individuals he is inspecting, how can he possibly be considered to be an unbiased inspector? In virtually every other similar situation, individuals with high integrity would announce their obvious conflict of interest and refuse to participate in the process. For instance, a judge who has a conflict of interest in a given case

will have themselves replaced. Why should we expect or accept any less from our county commissioners? It seems to me that if the county commissioners wish to demonstrate that they have some integrity that we can count on, each of them should individually stand up and announce that they will not participate in the selection, hiring or firing of the inspector general. In my opinion, anything less would be an indication that that individual county commissioner cannot be trusted.

Are you listening, commissioners? Will you take this opportunity to show your integrity and do the right thing?

Dr. Michael Sinclair Loxahatchee

Kudos To Michelle Santamaria

Personally, I’m grateful that the Santamaria family not only resides in our county, but their contribution has been outstanding. Having come here from the Philippines, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria had to overcome the obstacles associated with a new home/country, get an education and then succeed in business and starting a family. His family’s history is one of the great American success stories. No connections, no automatic open doors to higher education. No — everything had to come from within. Through studying and hard work, Jess succeeded beyond the wildest dreams of most, and now sits as our non-political county commissioner. His long history of supporting charities continues,

and he accepts no money for his time and effort as our county commissioner.

He gives frequent symposiums on some important subject to get public input — something unheard of before — and he brings experts in the field to assist. This on his dime and time!

During these citizen meetings, his daughter and son (also successful) attend. At these meetings, I have met his (adult) children and am impressed by their knowledge and demeanor. Certainly the apples have not fallen far from the tree.

From a demanding job at the State Attorney’s Office, Michelle Santamaria thought to improve and assist the criminal justice system, and train police in testimony, making them more effective and also better deputies as they know better, during the arrest timeframe, what will be required later. We are in debt to this young inventive woman because her initiated program will ensure that more criminals indeed will go to jail, saving us untold money and the personal affliction of crime. I commend our forward-looking sheriff, and I thank Michelle Santamaria for her acumen, and can only hope that one day a text can be initiated to help not only our state, but perhaps countrywide law enforcement. As a retired police officer, I can state unequivocally this is a boon, a new tool, that will make law enforcement more effective.

In the long run, it will save the taxpayer untold money and will affect crime statistics through a more knowledgeable police force. George Unger Wellington

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

Wellington Breaks Ground On Long-Planned Municipal Complex

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council opened its last meeting of 2009 on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the site of its new municipal complex, the same place they hope to open their first meeting of 2011.

“This has been a long time in coming,” Mayor Darell Bowen said, calling the meeting to order on the grounds of the future building adjacent to the Wellington Community Center’s north parking lot along Forest Hill Blvd. “It’s a great project, and I’m ready to turn the dirt and get it going.”

The 54,000-square-foot, $10.5million building will be the new home of the village’s council chambers and administrative offices, and serve as the centerpiece for the new “Town Center.” The complex will include a clock tower, employee courtyard, council chambers that seat 166 people and a “quick-stop” where residents can pick up permit applications or pay utility bills, said Project Manager Rick Greene.

“It will make us more efficient as a village staff,” Bowen said. “It will make it easier for residents to come and do business with us.”

It will also be a “green building,” which means the village will seek certification through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, Greene said.

In the late 1990s, the village purchased the property that is now the Wellington Community Center, tennis courts and pool, along with an adjacent five-acre lot where the municipal complex will stand.

“We purchased it anticipating that someday we would grow into it, and someday has finally arrived,” Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said. “I wondered at times whether this day would come.” Priore called the building the village’s “new home.”

“We have a centralized location where all our employees can be located,” he said. “We will have total operations out of this building. This is the center of the community. This is where residents can come and see what’s happening, take part in the activities and be a part of what Wellington is all about.”

The Town Center also will include an amphitheater and Scott’s

Place, a boundless playground designed for children of differing abilities.

The municipal building is being funded through extra money in the village’s capital improvements budget and federal stimulus money that Wellington received, as well as impact fees from the boom years.

“What a great thing that we can build this without taxing residents now or in the future,” Councilman Matt Willhite said. “This is expected to save us money.”

Once the building is finished, Bowen expects that it will save the village $500,000 a year, mostly on rent and consolidated communication services.

“We expect that this is going to result in cost savings,” Councilman Howard Coates said. “But I suggest that there will be much more than that. By having the village hall here, you’re going to see an identity that Wellington just hasn’t had. This whole area is really going to become the jewel of Wellington.”

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria urged the council and residents to use the new complex as a tool to unite Wellington in

pursuit of a better quality of life and constant improvement in the community.

“My wish for the village council and all the residents of Wellington, more important than to unify the services, is unifying the community,” he said. Construction is expected to begin on Monday, Dec. 14, and the council hopes to begin operating

out of the building by the end of next year.

“This ultimately is the culmination of where we are as a city, because we’ve grown from a village to a city,” Priore said. “And that’s what this is all about, growth. I’m excited to break the ground, but I’m even more excited in anticipation of cutting the ribbon and opening the facilities.”

Groundbreaking — (Above) Wellington dignitaries dig in, breaking ground on the new municipal complex. (Right) Mayor Darell Bowen presides over the ceremony. PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Maggie, owned by Lori Patterson, gives Santa a kiss.

Brittany and

Wecker and their dogs Kane and Candy pose with Santa.Santa holds

a shih tzu owned by Janine Lambe.

Jackie Konota of Jackie’s Western Stuff.

Callie Wiginton, on Grey, tries to rope a calf. Cory Moesching scores a 77 in bronc riding.

The Rawn family enjoys the day.

Wellington’s Edge Feed & Supply owner Seth Brier and 3R Rodeo Company’s Dale Ray.

The Valiente family watches from the bleachers.

Store Employee Arrested For Grand Theft, False Report

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

NOV. 30 — The clerk of a candy store in the Mall at Wellington Green was arrested last Monday following a falsified robbery and theft of more than $4,000. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, 30-year-old Sara Alvarez told the PBSO she was robbed while depositing store funds at Bank of America. However, statements by Alvarez and her boyfriend were inconsistent, and both later confessed that there had been no robbery. Alvarez said she had acted alone in taking four deposits totaling $4,143.02. The money was recovered from her residence, and Alvarez was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where she was charged with false report of a crime and grand theft.

NOV. 30 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to the Everglades Polo Grounds last Monday in response to a criminal mischief complaint. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 3 p.m. on Nov. 27 and 7:30 a.m. the following morning, someone rammed a gate and gained entry to the property. The gate was found lying on the ground, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

DEC. 3 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Super Target store on Okeechobee Blvd. last Thursday in reference to a shoplifting complaint. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 1:30 p.m. a customer alerted a loss prevention officer that an unknown black female pushed a shopping cart full of Xboxes out of the store without paying for them. Upon reviewing surveillance video, the officer observed the suspect select five Xboxes and two Wii consoles, place them in a cart and push it out the front door. The suspect left in a green Ford Explorer traveling eastbound. The vehicle matched the description of one used in a previous theft. According to the report, the officer said he thought the vehicle belonged to an area shoplifting ring. The stolen merchandise was valued at approximately $1,399.93.

DEC. 3 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to the Mall at Wellington Green last Thursday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 10:30 a.m., 25-year-old Paola Escalante-Gamboa was observed by security cameras in the Dillard’s department store selecting a black top valued at approximately $49. She passed all points of sale and exited the store without paying for the merchandise. She was arrested and taken to the county jail where she was charged with petit theft.

DEC. 5 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to the Mall at Wellington Green last Saturday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, an employee of a restaurant in the food court discovered her wallet was missing from her purse, which she left in the back room. Sometime between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. someone went into

her purse and stole her black wallet containing her license, $88 cash, a credit card and a debit card. The victim cancelled the cards and was notified of several unauthorized charges at a gas station, McDonald’s, Kmart and WalMart. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.

DEC. 7 — A Wellington man discovered this month that his credit card number had been stolen in September after he found more that $1,200 in charges on the account. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, someone purchased an airline ticket through the Internet on the victim’s MasterCard. The unknown suspect(s) also opened an account with AT&T for five phone numbers under the victim’s name. The total amount charged to the card was $1,170.21.

DEC. 8 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded Tuesday to a car repair shop on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. regarding a vandalism complaint. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 12:26 and 12:48 a.m. someone threw a piece of cinderblock through the glass front door of Tilden Car Care, causing approximately $500 in damage and setting off the alarm. The owner of the business locked the front door at approximately 6 p.m. and left. A search of the shop found nothing else missing or damaged. Video surveillance revealed one suspect who threw the cinderblock through the glass, but did not enter the shop. The suspect was wearing a large blue shirt or sweatshirt with long black sleeves, a white stocking or hood on his head, gray shoes and no socks. The victim told the deputy that he recently had an ex-employee removed for trespassing, though it was not clear if he was the suspect on video. There were no witnesses at the time of the report.

DEC. 8 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a home on Sycamore Drive on Tuesday after being flagged down by a victim in regard to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. Tuesday, someone entered the victim’s parked vehicle and stole a gold and diamond watch and its case from the center console. According to the report, deputies had arrested several people Monday night for vehicle burglaries and had found a gold watch. The victim was able to identify the watch, and it was turned back over to him.

DEC. 9 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a home on Hibiscus Drive on Wednesday regarding a vehicle theft. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 5:15 a.m., someone removed a section of chain link fence from the victim’s backyard, bent a pole and stole the victim’s Honda four wheeler. Suspects pushed the vehicle through the neighbor’s yard toward the road before starting it and driving north on Hibiscus. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

Lowayne Green

David Jones

Wellington Rushes Repairs When Broken Pipe Shuts Forest Hill

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

A leaking water pipe on Forest Hill Blvd. at Quercus Lane in Wellington eroded asphalt at the intersection, causing it to collapse under the weight of an FPL truck on Monday, Dec. 7. Northbound lanes on Forest Hill were blocked for most of the day while village crews repaired the damage, Deputy Village Manager John Bonde said. The village’s utilities department received a call about leaking water at about 9 a.m., and minutes later the front end of an FPL

ANNUAL

truck fell through the pavement weakened by the leaking water, Bonde said.

“We had been made aware that there was water there, and within minutes, it had eaten out under the pavement and caused a gap,” Bonde said. “That’s why when the truck drove over it, the pavement collapsed.”

For hours, all northbound lanes of Forest Hill were closed while a tow truck pulled the FPL truck from the hole.

Repair crews had to wait for FPL to bring in a tow truck large enough to lift the utility truck out

of the hole without damaging the truck, Bonde said.

“Our guys were right behind them,” he said. “They found the hole, and they were repairing it. They’ll put temporary pavement in, and if they have to, they’ll come back in and repave over the top of it later when they can make more permanent repairs.”

The public works and utilities departments worked together on the repair. “We’ve got a lot of people involved in this repair because of the timing and how much traffic is involved,” Bonde said.

He added that a crew was there

within nine minutes after receiving a call about water in the area, but during that time, the FPL truck had gotten stuck.

“A car probably would not have caused that, but a big truck puts so much more weight on the roadway,” Bonde said, adding that the large water pipe could have been weakened by construction that has gone on recently in that area.

“You can never anticipate this. In fact, the line is not that old,” Bonde added. “It may have been weakened over a period of time. It’s hard to attribute it to any one thing. It could be just a bad pipe.”

PHOTOS

Bob Johnson from The Acreage poses with

Royal

Cpl. Paul Rubino with Nathan Sutterson.

Phyllis Burke and Teresa

Hession, Marianne Davidson and her husband Ron.

Mary Cauthen of the YWCA with Wellington Women’s Club co-presidents Laurie Piel and Cheryl Rivelli.

LOXAHATCHEE VETERAN HONORED FOR SERVICE

Grand Reopening For Royal Palm Library Dec. 12

After closing in September 2008 for an expansion project, the Royal Palm Beach branch library will be re-open on Saturday, Dec. 12.

A grand re-opening celebration will start at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting. Speakers will include County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick, Library Advisory Board Chair Ellen Winikoff and Library Director John J. Callahan III. Afterward, enjoy a family fun day with many activities and events. Activities include Karl Koppertop’s magic show and balloon making, free pictures with Dewey, Royal Palm Beach High School musicians, violinist Jose Kropp, and crafts and video games all day.

At 20,000 square feet, the newly expanded branch is more than double the size of the old branch and includes:

• Increased access to computers: 36 Internet and word processing computers in the adult, children and teen areas, and additional library catalog computers throughout the building. Free wireless access is available throughout the building.

• More meeting room space, including a large room accommodating 72 people and a room for children’s programming.

• New shelving to allow for more DVDs, CDs and audiobooks.

• More quiet space, including three study rooms

• Two themed areas designed specially for children and teens with ample room for materials and comfortable seating

• A total of 112 parking spaces

— more than double the old number of parking spaces

• An attractive environment in a beautiful natural setting, with lofty and spacious ceilings, an abundance of natural lighting and comfortable seating areas throughout the library

The Royal Palm Beach branch library is located at 500 Civic Center Way. For more information, call (561) 790-6030.

OLQA To Hold A Dedication

Mass Dec. 12

Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Royal Palm Beach will celebrate a dedication mass and ceremony at the newly completed church building on Saturday, Dec. 12.

The Most Reverend Bishop Gerald Barbarito will celebrate the mass and Father Andy Rudnicki will con-celebrate. There will also be more than 25 priests participating.

The dedication mass is the solemn celebration of the new building for the purpose of God. The mass will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a pot-luck luncheon in the multi-celebration building.

The 17-acre campus is located at 100 Crestwood Blvd. South.

The newly completed church is a $6 million project and will seat more than 1,100 guests with integrated seating for the physically challenged. Our Lady Queen of

the Apostles Church is also home to a multi-celebration building, pavilion, festival hall, the priest residence and a parish office center. For more information about the Dec. 12 mass, call (561) 7985661.

Christmas

Musical Dec. 13

At St. Peter’s

The St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Chancel Choir will present its Christmas musical I Hear the Prophet Calling: The Christmas Story From Prophecy to Fulfillment by Pepper Choplin on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary. The piece incorporates the sounds of many different types of American folk music from Appalachian to Zydeco, and will be accompanied by an orchestra including members of the Delray String Quartet and hammered dulcimerist Sally Anderson. At 6:30 p.m. — between the two performances — the church will present “A Taste of Christmas,” a time of fellowship in which everyone can share their favorite holiday treats. St. Peter’s United Methodist Church is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-5712.

Next LGLA Meeting Dec. 17

The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will meet on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at

Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd.). The guest speakers for the evening will be members of the Liang family, who operate Silver Lake Enterprise in Loxahatchee Groves. They have been asked to give an overview of what is involved with starting a grove of lychee and longan trees. They have also been asked to discuss the care and concerns once the trees have been planted and the crops are harvested and sent to market.

For more information about the Dec. 17 meeting, call LGLA President Marge Herzog at (561) 7919875.

Volunteer To Glean Corn For Food Bank

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wellington will collect corn for donation on Saturday, Dec. 19. Church volunteers invite all to join them as they glean the corn fields near Canal Point. The volunteers will go through the corn fields after the mechanical harvesters and pick the high-quality corn that is left. It will then be donated to a local food

THE GOOD TIMES ROLL AT ANNUAL BOYS & GIRLS CLUB DINNER IN WELLINGTON

“Sheriff for a Day” high bidders Dr. Jeffrey Bishop and Dr. Martin Harland with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Joel Zaidspiner.

Rick and Ronda Ayala with Dr. Veronica Pedro-Alexander and Kirk Alexander.

Boys & Girls Club Chair Reed Kellner, Dr. Krishna Tripuraneni, Dr. Muthuswami and Yuma Ramachandram.

Barri Goldfarb, Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto, Maria Becker and Jenny Bailey.

Angie Haggin, Lani and Jeff Dever, Manal Hammad, Mark and Debbie Plaxen, Tereina Stide and Bill Carroll.

Allstate’s Julie Kime gets an award from Dr. Lori Lane and Dr. Arthur Hansen.

Viso LASIK Medspa in Wellington hosted a Holiday Peppermint Party on Dec. 3. Three puppies in training from the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind visited the spa. Ten percent of proceeds from the day’s sales were donated to the foundation. Viso LASIK Medspa is located at 2515 State Road 7, Suite 210. For more info., call (561) 795-4772.

Viso LASIK Medspa’s Ashoka Ganesan, Stephane Merot, Paul Gallivan, Melody Duplooy, Founder and Chief Medical Director Dr. Sal DeCanio, Marisol Ortiz and Marc-Anthony Fraser.Raquel McInnis gives Jolynn Richey a dermal infusion silk peel.

Robbin Juris-Dick, Marisol Ortiz, Melody Duplooy, Diane Esser and Robin Silva.

CONGRESSMAN JOHN CONYERS CELEBRATES 80TH BIRTHDAY

Saturday, Dec.

Ted Deutch and State Senate candidate Peter Burkert, as well as Wellington Village Council members and other area dignitaries. Conyers serves as chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

LEAGUE OF CITIES HOSTS GLADES TRI-CITY BARBECUELOCAL

Whole Foods

Five Percent Day

Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 State Road 7) will hold “Five Percent Day” on Tuesday, Dec. 15 to benefit the South Florida affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

From 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., five percent of the day’s net sales will go to the organization, which will have an information table with giveaway items and additional materials to learn more about the organization, as well as information on how to register for the 19th Annual Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure. At 4:30

p.m. there will also be an informative talk by Komen for the Cure Programs Coordinator Tina Jacobs about the non-profit organization and good breast health. To pre-register, call Whole Foods customer service at (561) 904-4000. For more information about the South Florida affiliate, visit www.komensouthflorida.org or call (800) I’M AWARE.

Donate Used Cell Phones In RPB

The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club is collecting used cell phones as part of a drive to benefit needy families in the community.

The club has partnered with the PaceButler Corporation, a company from Oklahoma City that recycles used cell phones. The phones will be collected and recycled, with the purchase price used to benefit needy families. Used cell phones can be dropped in depository boxes at most Royal Palm Beach elementary schools, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 9 substation, the Royal Inn on Southern Blvd. or Royal Palm Covenant Church on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. The phones must be inactive, and accessories such as SIM cards are not needed. “Not only will this drive bene-

fit needy families from our community, but it will also prevent harmful toxins from ending up in the landfill,” Project Chairman Jim Hart said. For more information, call Hart at (561) 795-4854.

Digital Bookmobile In Wellington

The Palm Beach County Library System will host the Digital Bookmobile at the Wellington branch library on Sunday, Dec. 13 from noon to 5 p.m. Enjoy an impressive download experience in-

side a 74-foot, high-tech tractortrailer. Readers of all ages are invited to engage digital downloading through interactive demonstrations and experience audiobook, eBook, music and video download services at this free event.

The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high-definition monitors, premium sound systems and a variety of portable media players, all of which help visitors explore the download service. Interactive learning stations give visitors an opportunity to search the library’s digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks, au-

diobooks, music and video. Patrons can take advantage of the download service 24/7 online at www.pbclibrary.org, where they can browse the growing collection of titles and check out a digital title with a valid library card. Once downloaded, digital titles can be enjoyed on a computer or transferred to supported mobile devices. Many audio titles can also be burned to audio CD. At the end of the lending period, titles will automatically expire and are returned to the digital collection. There are never late fees or damaged items. For more information, call the library at (561) 790-6070.

An 80th birthday party was held

5 in Wellington for Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D-Michigan). The event was hosted by Victoria McCullough of the Davis-McCullough Foundation. Also in attendance at the birthday party were State Rep. Joe Abruzzo, State Sen.

The Palm Beach County League of Cities held its 40th Annual Tri-City Barbecue Friday, Dec. 4 at the Belle Glade Marina. Hosted by the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay,

State Rep. Joe Abruzzo, Congressman John Conyers, Victoria McCullough and State Sen. Ted Deutch.

Ernie Zimmerman, Tom Wenham, State Rep. Joe Abruzzo, Congressman John Conyers and Al Bennett. Congressman Conyers with Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen.

Representatives from the Town of Loxahatchee Groves.

Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield, PBSO Col. Mike Gauger and Wellington Councilman Matt Willhite.

STUDENTS AT NEW HORIZONS ATTEMPT TO SET WORLD RECORD

New Horizons Elementary School students recently participated in an attempt to set a new Guinness world record for the number of people speed-stacking cups at one time. Approximately 275,000 people all over the world joined together to break last year’s record. The 569 student participants are eagerly waiting for the final results to see if they are now part of this distinguished honor. The event was conducted by New Horizons physical education teacher Ms. Sue Duncan. Pictured above are fifth-grade students Gabby Feliciano, Trevor Lenzi, Capryce Browne and Gabriela Hernandez.

Osceola Creek Scholar-Athletes

Osceola Creek Middle School has announced the recipients of its Scholar-Athlete Award for November. The award is sponsored by the school police and honors varsity athletes who also excel in academics, effort, behavior and school spirit, and serve as role models for others. This month’s honorees carry high grade point averages as well as play varsity sports.

Girls volleyball honored Tricia McCarthy, 13.

“This is Tricia’s first year playing volleyball, and she is improving every day,” Coach Shayne Sanderford said. “I expect her to continue to improve and can’t wait to see her play at the high school level. She has a positive attitude on and off the court, and is a pleasure to have on my team.”

Tricia, an eighth grader with a 3.33 grade point average, wants to enroll in the University of Miami’s nursing program, followed by a career as an emergency room nurse. She is a student council representative and also plays on Osceola Creek’s basketball team.

Boys soccer honored eighth grader Kevin Byrne.

“Kevin is one of the most talented players to come through the Osceola Creek soccer program,” Coach Tony Bugeja said. “He is a State Olympic Developmental Program player. He will be playing college soccer after high school ball. He is academically strong in every subject area. It has

been an honor to have coached such a talented athlete.” Kevin, also 13, has a 5.17 grade point average due to his honors and Advanced Placement courses. Kevin wants to attend either the University of North Carolina, or follow in his dad’s footsteps to the University of Connecticut. Upon graduation, Kevin wants to be a medical doctor. As a member of the National Honor Society, he traveled to England this past summer, where his U-14 soccer team went undefeated and captured the tournament title. Supporting the Scholar-Athlete Award program are Subway and Burger King (located at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd.) and Dairy Queen (at Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards), which donated free food coupons.

Day School students in kindergarten through eighth grade have raised money for children with leukemia and lymphoma through the “Pennies for Patients” program. Several years ago, the school lost a student to cancer, so the project was close to the students’ hearts. The nationwide fundraiser encourages everyone to collect spare change — pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters — to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. The money also helps improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The Poinciana Student Council oversaw the program. “Each class had a collection box, and we had a competition to see whether the elementary classes or middle school classes could bring in the most pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,” Student Council President Alden Thompson said. The middle school classes collected the most money and won a luncheon from Olive Garden for their efforts. All students received tickets for two Miami Heat games. In one week, students raised more than $450 (an average of $7.50 per student), and more than $200,000 was raised nationwide. Students brought in their own money from home or change they found around the house, making it their personal contribution, not their parents’.

(L-R) Osceola Middle School Principal Dave Alfonso, Kevin Byrne, Tricia McCarthy and School Police Officer Sandy Molenda.

Poinciana

Seminole Ridge Gives Big To Harmony House

Once again, the Seminole Ridge High School Interact Club’s annual pre-Thanksgiving food drive was a resounding success. Students from Mrs. Peggy Hand’s English classes earned the gold with 241 food items donated, followed by Mrs. Kathie Rita’s reading classes with 187 and Sgt. Margarita Bonner’s JROTC students with 171.

In addition, Mrs. Hand’s first hour requested that Interact take the money that would have been spent on their first-place party and donate it to Harmony House — a demonstration of their true giving spirit. “Harmony House just picked up 1,400 cans from Seminole Ridge,” Interact sponsor Mrs. Katie Wright said. “You wouldn’t believe how much tidier my classroom is!”

Established in 1993, the Mary

Rubloff Harmony House offers a secure, year-round, 24-hour facility for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. Harmony House West is located in the western communities and offers individual apartments for up to two years for women and their families seeking transitional housing assistance. In other news, the latest blood drive at SRHS registered 213 students and staff, with 165 successfully donating. “Considering that the power went out, and a mobile crashed, which caused unforeseeable backups, we did well,” NHS sponsor Mrs. Shawna Ahmad said. The SRHS National Honor Society thanks all donors again for their support of this campus-wide lifesaving event. The next blood drive will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Education Grants For Binks Forest Teachers

Binks Forest Elementary School teachers Ann Jacob, Karin Haligas and Ann Gormley recently took home two grants during the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County’s awards ceremony. In the project “Addressing Poetry,” students will systematically be taught how to use good writing traits through personal poetry. Mrs. Jacob and Mrs. Haligas will teach the importance of word choice (precise language and phrasing, and sentence fluency), structure, rhythm and cadence along with voice (tone, style, purpose and audience in writing). As a culminating project, the

poetry along with personal photographs will be made into an address book for each student’s family.

The goal of Mrs. Gormley’s program is to provide “shared reading” instruction through the use of non-fiction reading posters and organizers. The students will participate in non-fiction literature circles that will allow them to practice “reading to learn.”

Finally, Mrs. Gormley will incorporate a “Book in the Bag” fluency activity so the students can independently practice fluency and comprehension with their parents.

RPBHS Student Council Selling Christmas Trees

’Tis the season for unique fundraisers, or so Royal Palm Beach High School’s Student Council hopes.

The student council, one of the largest academic groups at RPBHS, has found a new way to raise money. Throughout this year’s holiday season and for the first time ever in the school’s history, the student council is selling Christmas trees now through Dec. 20.

Mr. Justin Arnone, organizer of the sale and student council sponsor, arranged to have the trees sold in a tent bordering the auditorium.

The tent will be open weekdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with all trees priced competitively with those sold at bigger outlets such as Home Depot or Lowe’s.

“Prices of the Christmas trees

next year. Jake Noble

Royal Palm To Award Six Scholarships This Year

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council has announced it will be awarding six $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors residing in Royal Palm Beach. Seniors may pick up an application from their high school guidance office or from the village clerk’s office in village hall (1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). Scholarship applications can be downloaded from the village’s web site at www.royalpalmbeach. com. The completed application must be postmarked no later than

Polo Park Student Kathleen Gerrits Attends Global Youth Forum

Polo Park Middle School stu-

dent Kathleen Gerrits recently returned from Washington, D.C. after attending People to People International’s eighth annual Global Youth Forum. Gerrits was one of more than 200 students ages 13 to 18 who took part in the forum, which was devoted to the theme “Global Sustainability: It’s All Connected.”

Global Youth Forum delegates are committed to People to People’s mission of promoting international understanding and friendship among the world’s people, and arrived prepared to learn how

ran Sethi, named one of the top ten eco-heroes of the planet by the U.K.’s The Independent, asked the students to think about ways in which they can reduce.

Global Footprint Network Executive Director Dr. Mathis Wackernagel stressed the need to remember that there is only one earth. Wackernagel explained the depletion of natural resources and went on to introduce the “Ecological Footprint” (of which he is cocreator), a balance sheet that compares how much nature we have to how much nature we use. Each speaker reminded the students that

no matter their career paths, they can contribute to a sustainable future.

“I learned that anyone can make a difference, even if it is just a small action,” Gerrits said.

Additional conference activities included a presentation by the Anacostia Watershed Society, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the Anacostia River; a scavenger hunt through the National Mall and several Smithsonian museums; lunch with George Washington at the Hard Rock Café; and a trip to the recently opened Newseum.

Seven students contributed additional worldviews to the forum during the International Student Panel session. Panel members hailed from Peru, Macedonia, Jordan, Israel, Bulgaria, Colombia and South Africa. They spoke about their lives and the culture and customs of their countries before participating in a question and answer session with Global Youth Forum delegates.

“I will always remember my experience so I can share it with others,” Gerrits said.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., People to People Interna-

tional was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among peoples of different countries and diverse cultures. Today, the organization has a presence in 135 countries with more than 80,000 families and individuals actively participating in People to People International programs. Visit www.ptpi.org for more information.

Binks Forest teachers at the Education Foundation ceremony.

NCJW ‘Blankee Bee’ At Wycliffe Yields More Than 100 Blankees

More than 50 women took over the card room at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club for three hours on Thursday, Dec. 3 and turned it into a craft room for an old-fashioned “bee.”

Sponsored by the Wycliffe members of the Palm Beach Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, the bee members made more than 100 fleece “blankees” for abused, neglected and abandoned children in Palm Beach County.

“The women were glad to give their time and enjoyed making, wrapping and adding a signed gift tag to each ‘blankee’ they made,” co-chairs Shirley Schwartz and Judy Traub said. “There were lots of smiles and feelings of personal

enjoyment at making something so tangible for such a good cause.”

The blankets will be presented to the Guardian ad Litem Project as holiday gifts for children in shelters and foster care as a result of abuse, neglect or abandonment, as well as for those children who unfortunately will come into the system and are paired up with a volunteer guardian.

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families, and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

Diesti In Documentary

Local Wellington hairstylist

Claudia Diesti has made her mark styling runway hair for photographers and fashion designers, and now her experiences will be included in a 2010 documentary about the industry.

Diesti has lived and worked in Wellington for 11 years, and over the past four years has styled runway hair for designers such as Nichole Miller, Zac Posen, Nikki Hilton and Perry Ellis. “I love the fast-paced, intense pressure needed to handle runway work,” Diesti said. “The audience’s perspective is so calm and well planned. Most don’t see the chaos behind the stage, but that’s where you’ll get noticed.”

Diesti’s accomplishments caught the eye of Joseph Kellner, producer of the upcoming documentary The Real Hair Truth. She was asked to speak about her rise from a young girl who came to the United States with nothing, to her passion for advanced education — an education that has taken her across the U.S., to Europe and Asia.

The documentary will show the ups and downs of the industry and includes interviews with Rusk International educator Phil Stone, YellowStrawberry owner Jesse Briggs and Tampa’s Scott Bentley. All the proceeds will go to scholarships for advanced education, books and tools.

Dinkel Graduates From Florida State University

Frederick and Cynthia Dinkel, longtime residents of The Acreage, have announced the graduation of their daughter Rachel Dinkel from Florida State University.

Rachel graduates on Dec. 12 with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, with honors. She graduated magna cum laude and was the president of Alpha Mu Alpha, a music therapy organization, from 2007 to 2009.

Beginning in January, Rachel will continue her education at FSU, working toward a master’s degree in music therapy.

Estelle Bloom, Joan Arnone, Sandy Painter, Sharon Plonsker, Stacey Arnone and Felice Silverman.

Blankee Bee co-chairs Shirley Schwartz and Judy Traub stand behind more than 100 completed blankees.

Rachel Dinkel

On Sunday, Nov. 29, 18 people finished the 110-mile walk around Lake Okeechobee. This was the 18th year for this event, which is one of Florida’s largest non-fundraising walking events. During the nine days of walking, the participants experienced all varieties of weather and observed many varieties of wildlife.

The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club partnered with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, Two Men and a Truck, Costco, My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust and individual volunteers for Project Thanksgiving. This year’s goal to feed 500 families in the western region was easily surpassed as more than 600 families were fed. Zachary Construction stepped up to the challenge and brought in 240 complete meals for families in South Bay, Pahokee and Belle Glade. Other donations came from the community at large. The challenge was brought to Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club from the Royal Palm Covenant Church, and Rotarians from all over came out in full force to make this challenge a reality. The club and the church would like to thank everyone involved in this project.

DICTIONARY DONATIONS

Scouts Support McDonald House

On Monday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m.,

Junior Girl Scout Troop 20309 of Wellington will make the first of two submissions of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Lauderdale.

The scouts have collected more than 125 pounds of pop tabs, which equals 150,000 pop tabs.

The goal is to have 200 pounds, and the scouts may meet it by the submission date.

The money collected will go to Ronald McDonald House of Fort

Lauderdale to help with its operating costs. The facility charges families only $15 for an overnight stay and in some cases nothing at all. However, the operating costs are much more than that covers. This is how pop tabs tie in. The amount of money collected from the recycler will be donated to Ronald McDonald House to help with its costs. For more information, call Judi Panariello at (561) 798-2333 or (561) 512-6617.

Johnson Completes Coast Guard Training

Coast Guard Seaman Christopher Johnson, son of Diana and Phillip Johnson of Royal Palm Beach, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.

During the eight-week training program, Johnson completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, firefighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.

Chace Sebastian Kessler — son of Jaclyn and Josh Kessler of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 14.

Ryan John Carames — son of Brittany and Shawn Carames of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 16.

David Cordero — son of Patricia and David Cordero of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 18.

Isabella Victoria RadfordMonsant — daughter of Lyra

Recruits received instruction on the Coast Guard’s core values — honor, respect and devotion to duty — and how to apply them in military performance and personal conduct. Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. Recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management. Johnson is a 2009 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.

Eric Bock Graduates Basic Army Training

Private Eric A. Bock graduated from basic combat training for the U.S. Army on Nov. 25. The nineweek program required soldiers to excel physically, mentally and morally in a variety of demanding events. A graduation ceremony was held at Fort Knox, Ky., and marked the completion of his training.

Bock graduated from Glades Day School in 2007 and is the son of Doug and Mimi Bock of The Acreage. He will continue on to advanced individual training in transportation at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

WHO’S NEW!

Radford and Charles Monsant of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 20.

Donovan Glenn Kelley — son of Elizabeth Wilson Kelley and Bryan Kelley of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 21.

Ashanti-London Faith Cawley — daughter of Stephanie Lapaix of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 21.

Kylah Unique Willingham daughter of Lo’Veshia Morgan

and Ja’Quavious Willingham of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 22. Dominic Christopher Cattelane — son of Laura and Christopher Cattelane of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 24.

Moses David-Louis Nelms son of Amber and Jared Nelms of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 24.

Melea Rose Morgan — daughter of Erin and Ryan Morgan of Royal Palm Beach was

born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 25. Ayden Hunder Abraham son of Bethann and Martin Abraham of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 25. Aspen Tawny Perryman — daughter of Anna and Tom Perryman of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 27. Blake Chad Patchin — son of Heidi and Duane Patchin of Wellington and Lake Worth was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 30.

Lt. David Combs, Diane Smith and Lt. Rob Sandt load products donated by Zachary Construction.

Zachary Construction’s Andrew Lewis and Richardo Rodriguez with the PBSO’s Diane Smith and Capt. Eric Coleman and Pastor Michael Rose of Royal Palm Covenant Church.

The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club visited students at Royal Palm Beach Elementary School on Dec. 1 to donate dictionaries. Shown above are Joan Scherer, Kathleen Lehner and RPB Rotary President Keith Jordano with RPBES students.

Project Thanksgiving volunteers gather for a photo.

Eric Bock

Palms West Chamber Luncheon Celebrates A Successful 2009

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce retrospective for 2009 sounded much like the “12 Days of Christmas” as CEO Jaene Miranda reviewed the year: 27 networking events, six member support programs, five educational programs, four new chamber groups, one new building and the 2009 Holiday Parade.

The 2009 parade, which marches down Forest Hill Blvd. on Sunday, Dec. 13, marks the end of the chamber’s year of activities.

“We have such a wonderful organization and staff that works so hard at putting this together,” Miranda said. “I included the holiday parade from last year and the

activities up to now, and also where we are and what we have accomplished this year.”

Miranda’s comments came during the chamber’s final luncheon of the year, held Monday, Dec. 7 at Breakers West.

One of the biggest chamber events this year was the groundbreaking and construction on the chamber’s new building on Southern Blvd., Miranda said. It had been a dream of the chamber for many, many years, and Miranda was glad to see it come to fruition.

The new chamber building will have a 1,000-square-foot community conference room and a 400square-foot executive conference room.

“We also wanted to make sure

we stayed as green as possible, so we saved all of our oaks,” Miranda said. “We are now working on the inside of the building. We are so excited. My understanding is that this building should be completed in January, and by February, we will have a certificate of occupancy so we can move in.”

The chamber’s old modular building will be put to good use.

“Our current building is actually going to be donated to the American Legion, so we will not be doing any demolition on that building, and that’s part of our dream for recycling materials,” she said.

Miranda reminded members about the donation of three cars from luncheon sponsor Royal Palm Toyota. The chamber will be raffling off one each year to help pay for the new building. Santa Claus will pull the winning raffle ticket at the conclusion of the Dec. 13 parade. “That car is valued at $30,000,” Miranda said. “At the end of our holiday parade, we will be pulling the winning ticket.”

The chamber’s new building was a part of the mission of the Palms West Community Foundation, led by Chairwoman Joanna Boynton and Director Maureen Gross. One of the Community Foundation’s kickoff events had been the Community Fitness Run & Walk, which took place Nov. 7 with 600 runners.

Miranda also focused on four new committees, including the very active Young Professionals Group, which has 46 members, with the goal of having 50 by the end of the year. Two other new committees are the Medical Committee and the Economic Development Task Force, and both will be very active over the coming year.

Miranda thanked Vice Chair for Economic Development Susan Giddings for her work on the Economic Development Task Force. “We are excited about that committee and the amount of press Susan has been able to garner,” Miranda said.

The chamber held nine signature events in 2009, and the first one to kick off was the South Florida Green Energy & Climate Conference, which took place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. It was an event that the chamber spearheaded for the entire county.

“It was a very successful firstyear event,” Miranda said. “This next year, we are taking it from the South Florida to the Florida Green Energy & Climate Conference.”

Two other successful events with a lot of attendance were the Taste of the West, and Palms WestFest, which had thousands of people in attendance. The Wellington Fall Festival, which the chamber

POLS ATTEND FLARA MEETING AT AIRPORT HILTON

The Florida Association of Retired Americans held its monthly meeting on Friday, Dec. 4 at the Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach.

The guest speakers included State Sen. Dan Gelber, State Sen. Ted Deutch and State Senate candidate Peter Burkert. For more info., call President Tony Fransetta at (561) 792-8799 or visit www.flara.org.

co-chaired, had 4,000 people attend.

The event drawing the largest crowd was last month’s SalsaFest, which was held at Greenacres Community Park and had a turnout of 12,000 people.

“We would like to thank all the sponsors who were involved,” Miranda said. “The whole community wanted to come out and help us make sure that this event was successful this year.”

The chamber also offered 27 networking events and 12 monthly mixers, and part of the mission of those events was to get chamber members to visit restaurants in the western communities. And there were power networking events, educational events and four Chamber University events designed to teach people to get

more comfortable with business networking.

Next year, Miranda said, the chamber will be hosting candidate forums during the busy election season and a revamped WestFest will be unveiled.

“We will be revamping WestFest,” Miranda said. “We are moving WestFest to Royal Palm Beach. We will do street painting, an art show and have a lot of music. It should be a great festival.” Miranda closed by thanking her hard-working chamber staff and volunteers for their year of dedicated service. “I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support,” she said. For more information about the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com.

addresses

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

State Sen. Ted Deutch

the audience while FLARA President Tony Fransetta looks on.Wellington resident Al Bennett talks with Peter Burkert.

The jazz quintet Spontaneous Combustion performs at Monday’s Palms West Chamber luncheon.

Palms West Chamber of Commerce CEO Jaene Miranda.

Palms West Chamber Membership Director Debi Leed honors Kevin Logsdon as Ambassador of the Month.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

ITID Permit For Library

continued from page 1 System can build on seven acres near the Acreage Shopping Center at Orange Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. Indian Trail traded the land to the county in return for 46 acres of county land that ITID plans to use for the expansion of Acreage Community Park.

“This is a request for authorization for Indian Trail to be copermittee with Palm Beach County with regard to the South Florida Water Management District permit application for The Acreage branch library,” said attorney Mary Viator, who explained that the district had approved a consent order with SFWMD to address wetland issues.

ITID is responsible for about $11,000 in fines assessed against it for filling wetlands on the library site. The county will assume all mitigation costs for the wetland, according to county officials who met with the board last month.

“We are required to submit this environmental resource permit within 30 days of that consent order,” Viator said, explaining that the consent order was approved by the SFWMD on Dec 8.

ITID Engineer Lisa Tropepe said her staff is reviewing a special permit from the county for drainage. It will be submitted to

Baseball League Gets Second Chance

continued from page 1

$1,000 will require the approval of the board of directors. The treasurer will ensure that all league funds are deposited within 72 hours. The president, vice president and treasurer will be authorized to sign checks, and two signatures will be required on all checks.

The league has initiated an affiliation with Nations Baseball, a national-level league that focuses on recreational baseball. “The strength of Nations Baseball is that every child can play,” Houk said. “Nations Baseball understands that the recreational player is the cornerstone of youth baseball.”

The Youth Baseball Association has contracted with Southeastern Security Consultants of Marietta,

Herzog Seeks Council Return

continued from page 1 coming three-year term include the 2010 Census, naming of private roads and finishing the comprehensive plan.

“Loxahatchee Groves has to name a lot of these unnamed roads that are off of the letter roads,” she said. “There’s many private roads where there are multiple homes on them, and if you use your GPS and try to go to an address, it’s very hard to find them.”

Herzog said one of her biggest concerns is getting a complete census count in Loxahatchee Groves, which she believes has been significantly undercounted in the past because there are so many unregistered foreign workers living there who are reluctant to talk to public officials, she said.

“This is the first time we have ever had the town itself be counted individually. Before we were lumped with the county as the unincorporated area,” Herzog said, adding that she has talked with Spanish and Mayan community leaders to help get unregistered foreign workers counted.

The census numbers are used to

Budget County Looks For Cuts

continued from page 3 residents outside the Palm Tran area had been slated for elimination, but were returned to the budget after an outcry from disabled customers.

Cohen said Palm Tran provides door-to-door service, a step above the curb-to-curb service required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “If we provided only curb-to-curb-service, it would save $500,000, but think of the impact to customers,” Cohen said.

Commissioner Shelley Vana asked if Palm Tran could inquire more closely which customers require door-to-door service, but Commissioner Burt Aaronson

the board for approval at a future meeting.

During public comment, community activist Patricia Curry said drainage was one of her concerns for the site.

When the plaza was built, Curry said she thought the open area was to serve as a buffer for the surrounding residences and also catch runoff.

“If somebody asked me why I object to that site for the library, it is because it reminds me of what The Acreage used to look like,” she said. “All the nice trees, slowly but surely every single lot has had those trees destroyed, and that particular parcel still has all the trees. When they wipe that out and cover it with the library and the parking lot, where is all that water going to go?”

ITID Supervisor Carlos Enriquez said part of the process would be analyzing the drainage, and the district engineers are doing that as part of the special permit process.

ITID Supervisor Mike Erickson agreed.

“Obviously, when they come in with the drainage permit, they’ll have to meet all our requirements for drainage,” Erickson said, adding that they need to keep in mind that the permit to the SFWMD is a co-application and the county has agreed to pay for the wetland mitigation. “My hopes are that the mitigation takes place within our district, not that there’s any requirements for it, but my hopes are that it’s in this area.”

Ga. to do background checks, which has a more thorough system than the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which the former organization used, Houk said.

The league’s new rules include a mandatory divisional coaching clinic that will be held prior to opening day.

“We are fine-tuning a coach and manager evaluation program, and we’re going to partner with a local sports academy to assist in our coaching and player clinics,” Houk said.

The league stresses safety, effort and fun over winning, he said, adding that it has researched pitch counts and formulated a regulated count system following recommendations of USA Baseball Coaching and the American Sports Medicine Institute. Houk said the league’s position is that kids have a better chance of learning baseball if they are having fun. “Effort, enthusiasm, development of baseball skills and

allocate large amounts of federal, state and county dollars. Herzog would also like to resolve Callery-Judge Grove’s objections to the town’s proposed comprehensive plan over traffic issues on Okeechobee Blvd.

While Herzog was tagged by some as “anti-nursery” in last year’s campaign, she stressed that is not the case. “I think having nurseries here is very important, and I think having a balance of equestrian here is also very important,” she said. “It’s part of what makes us who we are.” Herzog said she supports the extension of Seminole-Pratt Whitney Road to the Beeline Highway, which has no money assigned to it in Palm Beach County’s current road plan.

“I think it’s critical that the bottleneck be eliminated,” she said. “We need to see that we have more emergency routes out.” She also wants to work on the installation of fire hydrants in cooperation with FPL and Palm Beach County Water Utilities to get reclaimed water lines installed north and south along Okeechobee Blvd. so the town has better firefighting ability not related to canal water use. “It would make fire safety a lot better here,” she said. Herzog, who once advocated making the Loxahatchee Groves

said providing only curbside service might prove problematic.

“If you’re a disabled person, even if you are able to walk to the curb, it could be raining out, could be 95-degree heat,” he said. “We’re giving a level of service somewhat above what the ADA says, but I wouldn’t want to be the one standing out in the rain.”

Community Services is a slightly smaller department, using $20.6 million of property tax money to provide programs to seniors and poorer residents. Its programs include Head Start, the county’s senior meals program and senior services, including adult day care. Director Channell Wilkins said the agency leverages about $2 in federal and state money for every $1 local funding. It conducts more than 200 Head Start classes and provides programs for veterans and migrant farm workers.

Weisman said the services the agency provides are somewhat

ITID Presentations — (Above) Members of the Acreage Horseman’s Association presented the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors with a collage of equestrian photographs at their meeting Wednesday, Dec. 9 in appreciation of their support of events and improvements at Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park. (Below) Also Dec. 9, Maria Enriquez of the Acreage Landowners’ Association presented the Indian Trail Board of Supervisors with helmets for skateboarders who don’t have one when they are at the district’s skateboard park. Shown here is Enriquez (third from right) with ITID supervisors.

fun are the goals for every season,” he said.

Palm Beach Little League President James Evans said he felt it was a misconception by the Recreation Advisory Board that Little League is about travel baseball.

“It is not, in any way, shape or form,” Evans said. “We work very hard and diligently to not just put kids on the field and say, ‘It’s all fun,’ or to put kids on the field and say, ‘It’s all competition.’ There’s a balance in there that we’re trying to define for every kid. Some kids do want to go out there and play just for fun, and that’s fine. We totally support that. That’s what recreational ball is there for, and that’s what we’re there for. Some want a little more competition, so we provide some extra clinics for that.”

Evans’ group may become a partner with the Youth Baseball Association, if the two groups can work out differences in some of their rules, Recchio said. The two leagues already held a meeting

Water Control District a depen-

dent district to the town, said she is pleased that the town and the district appear to have established a working relationship after an initial period of conflict.

“There seems to be a better way for the transfer of funds,” she said. “They have an interlocal agreement where funds are moved back and forth without so much opposition, and then there seems to be more cooperation with the intergovernmental meetings going on.”

Herzog added that her stand to make the water control district dependent was used against her during last year’s campaign, but said her advocacy on the issue was in response to what she felt she was hearing from people in the town.

Herzog expects to see challengers for the seat, although she did not know who might decide to run against her. “Knowing Loxahatchee Groves as we know it, I’m sure there will be one or more who will come out,” she said.

While Louda said his decision not to seek re-election was mostly work related and also because he wants a bit more personal time, there were town-related issues that played into the decision.

Louda said he has been frustrated with what he sees as a lower standard of environmental re-

invisible, but have been ranked highly by the county, even though some of its services, such as Head Start and senior services, are not statutorily mandated.

Commissioner Steven Abrams asked if there is a gap between what is mandated and what it enhanced through local money, and Weisman said there are both mandated services and those that are paid for with local dollars.

“I’ll shorthand it now based on the Palm Tran discussion. We’re back to the curb versus the door,” Abrams said. “At some point we have to make a general policy decision to the extent that these programs affect our ad valorem bottom line. It may be that we leave this alone and go to other solutions to deal with the shortfall.”

Aaronson said it would be beneficial to have a complete list of county services that are mandated and those that are not to be used in future discussions.

Holiday Boutique Set For Dec. 13 In The Aero Club

A holiday boutique will be held on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Aero Club Pilot House in Wellington. From 1 to 6 p.m., guests will be able to browse through a selection of clothing, jewelry, accessories and various gifts. A skydiving Santa will be on hand for photos.

each purchase. The Aero Club Pilot House is located at 15675 Take Off Place. For more information about the boutique, call Lea at (561) 3513544 or e-mail lea@bustyque. com.

New Year, New Programs: Wellington Recreation Announces Offerings

The New Year brings not only new resolutions, but also two new classes and two new instructors to the Wellington Parks & Recreation Department. If your 2010 New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, certified fitness trainer Dede McDonald is instructing a new class titled “Love Your Body.” It will be held Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). The class offers a new approach to total body fitness by combining cardio, core, weight training, yoga, Pilates and nutrition. It is sure to be fun, motivating and life-changing for people of all ages, skills and fitness levels. For more information, call (561) 827-5959 to speak with McDonald, or e-mail ddishere49 @hotmail.com.

If your resolution is to learn another language, Wellington now offers a new interactive and innovative Spanish class titled “Spanish Fun for Adults.” The class will be held at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) and will combine language and culture for an hour of fun and learning for adults. Instructor Margarita DiPasquale will offer beginner classes Mondays at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and intermediate classes Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. For more information, call DiPasquale at (702) 2777020 or e-mail her at maleca01@ aol.com. If you have questions about these or any other recreation programs or registration, call the Wellington Community Center at (561) 753-2484 or Village Park at (561) 791-4005.

about collaborating, which went well, he added.

“There is no animosity between the two groups,” Recchio said. “The issue came down to some of the playing rules during the recreational season. Both sides agreed to look at those rules and see how they can come together, making it known that there is going to be one provider.”

Both sides agreed to get together again in a few weeks, he said.

Lodwick said he was impressed with the two leagues’ willingness to work together.

“I appreciate the attitude,” Lodwick said. “My thought is that if you put a group together to start it, get the enrollments done, and then you can have a general election of the board from the people of who they want to lead the association at that point. Hopefully, in the end, we can have a board with the right set of rules and have an election of a board that will make sense.”

Marge Herzog

source management regulations than he would have preferred from his fellow council members.

“We’ve got industrial operations that don’t belong in Loxahatchee Groves at all,” he said. “Nobody wants to act on it. Everybody’s saying, ‘How can we get these people grandfathered in?’ Why do they need to be grandfathered in?”

He’s also frustrated with the board’s pro-agriculture position at the expense of other residents and equestrians, he said. “I don’t see any of the pure residents or any of the equestrians coming forward any more,” he said. “They also are part of the community.”

“If you’re going to look at this budget, you’re going to have to look at cutting programs. Cutting an employee here and an employee there is not going to cut the mustard,” Aaronson said. “It should be left to the county administrator who we can keep and who he doesn’t want to keep.”

But such a philosophy might not be where the county wants to go, Aaronson said.

“If we took all the things that weren’t mandated and eliminated them, you would see a drastic change in the budget,” he said. “By the same token, I think what you would see is a drastic change in the quality of life in Palm Beach County.”

Commissioners also asked for a report on what county services are duplicative to those offered elsewhere.

Weisman said he would follow up on questions and report back to the commission early next year.

Clustering New Rules Get Council Approval

continued from page 1 Club on Lake Worth Road, where many residents don’t own horses or have anything to do with them.

“What this provision does is make it so you have to be serious about clustering so we don’t face the same problems that we had with the Equestrian Club,” Schofield said. “What the ordinance says is if you want to put clustering in those areas, you can. But if you want to do clustering, you have to put in the common amenities up front.”

Cynthia Gardner, former chair of the Equestrian Committee, opposed the idea of clustering at the PZA Board meeting, but said she felt like the council was taking a step in the right direction.

“What we didn’t want to have happen is another Equestrian Club, which is a residential community sitting in the middle of the equestrian preserve,” she said, adding that she thinks clustering can be a good thing if the development focuses on the equestrian lifestyle.

Wade Byrd, representing the International Polo Club Palm Beach, wanted the provisions for clustering to remain unchanged.

“The reason we ask that is because currently it gives a landowner flexibility,” he said. “If you want to have the equestrian overlay district continue to grow and prosper, and you want the equestrian activities, then you must have the flexibility in these ordinances that gives these planners and land-

Furlough

owners a chance to do that.” The council approved the first reading of the ordinance 4-0 with Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto absent.

In other business, the council decided to give companies from the western communities and Palm Beach County preference on Village of Wellington bids.

The local preference resolution allows companies from Palm Beach County or the western communities to match a low bid from an outside contractor if it falls within five percent of the bid.

Additionally, when reviewing a company’s qualifications, bonus points will be given to local companies. Palm Beach County companies will be given 3 bonus points on a 100-point scale and western communities companies will get 5 bonus points on a 100point scale.

“If there’s 100 points total and you have 98 points and you’re a local company, you’ll get three or five extra points,” Schofield said. Priore said he was concerned that a non-local company with better price and qualifications would be passed over due to the resolution.

“I’m really concerned about vendors that are coming from outside the community that may be extremely qualified to provide the services but will ultimately say, ‘We’re already five points down before we’ve even started the process,’” he said, adding that he’d like to see the policy put forth on a trial basis.

Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said that since the preference policy is being passed as a resolution, “eliminating it will be relatively simple to make happen.”

15 Years Of Service — Royal Palm Beach Assistant Parks & Recreation Director JoAnn Rowe received a plaque for 15 years of service at the Royal Palm Beach Village Council meeting on Thursday, Dec. 3. She is shown here with Mayor David Lodwick.

PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

U.S. Rider Can Help When The Unexpected Occurs

It’s every horseman’s worst nightmare: being involved in a traffic accident while hauling your horse. Luckily, U.S. Rider is there to help. “We started this company nine years ago to provide roadside assistance to people traveling with their horses,” U.S. Rider’s Mark Cole said. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 25

Live Arts Florida Presents Bio Ritmo Dec. 12

Live Arts Florida and Equestrian Sport Productions will present a concert by the Latin band Bio Ritmo on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington as part of Live Arts Florida’s Western Communities Concert Series. Page 30

BUSINESS

Gracious Homes Realty

Opens Wellington Office

Realtors Jacqueline and Paul Morris have fulfilled a longtime dream by opening their own real estate company, Gracious Homes Realty Inc. They have leased an office in the Lake Wellington Professional Centre on Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. Page 33

Spor ts

PBCHS Boys Aim To Step Up Their Game

The Palm Beach Central High School boys basketball team’s focus is on building team character, basic skills and a strong basketball program — things they hope will benefit the school in the future. “We’re trying to change the culture and the mindset,” said Coach Pete Karas, who led the Broncos to a disappointing 6-18 season last year. Page 39

U.S. Rider Is There To Help When The Unexpected Occurs

It’s every horseman’s worst nightmare: being involved in a traffic accident while hauling your horse. I’ve personally been involved in three, although I wasn’t driving in any of them. However, my horses were in those trailers. The worst one was when we were returning from a show on Florida’s west coast. One of the trailer’s tires blew. Flames were shooting up from the flapping rubber. We were hauling six horses on a two-lane road in the middle of the cane fields, nothing around us as far as we could see, and no place to get off the road.

Miraculously, we spotted a cattle-loading station, complete with a small fenced enclosure and a dirt road. We pulled off, unloaded the horses, and then found out there was no way to get the spare tire unattached. A helpful octogenarian eventually came to our aid, and we eventually made it home safe and sound. We were lucky. But some aren’t. That’s why U.S. Rider was started.

“We’re all about safety,” U.S. Rider Managing Member Mark Cole said. “We started this company nine years ago to provide roadside assistance to people traveling with their horses. You have no control over accidents, but most incidents are preventable. One of our most important goals is to educate horse owners about easily avoidable dangers.”

Mark noted that many people buy a horse and then decide to get a trailer. They sometimes end up driving a heavy vehicle, puling a heavy trailer, without any formal training. Perhaps they ask advice from a friend, but often they just learn by doing.

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

“Dangerous,” he said. “It can cause great harm to you, to others on the road, and to your horse. The old adage is correct: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

U.S. Rider is like AAA for people hauling horses. While AAA is great for most motorists, it won’t help if you get stuck while hauling a horse. U.S. Rider fills this important niche. “If you get into trouble while hauling, you can’t just call your garden-variety wrecker,” Mark noted. “Some tow vehicles are bigger than the tow trucks!”

U.S. Rider is available 24/7 to render whatever assistance might be needed. Some people haul a two-horse, bumper-pull trailer. Some have a four-horse trailer with living quarters. Or they might have a six-horse gooseneck trailer. “Each incident is different,” Mark said. “There’s always an unknown entity to deal with.”

U.S. Rider is prepared to make quick repairs, if that’s possible: running out of gas, getting locked out, fixing a flat, charging a battery, replacing a belt, repacking wheel bearings, freeing up locked electrical trailer brakes. If that’s not possible, U.S. Rider will

tow the vehicle and/or trailer to a nearby garage where more extensive repairs can be made. But more importantly, U.S. Rider can send another trailer, if necessary, to bring the horses to safety. They can even haul the horses to emergency overnight stabling.

If there are injuries to a horse, U.S. Rider has contacts with the American Association of Equine Practitioners and can have a vet or farrier respond quickly.

The yearly costs are quite reasonable. The first year is $119, plus a $29 activation fee, paid only once as long as you remain a member. A second member of your household can also join for $79 with no activation fee. A percentage of the profit is donated to the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training, which educates fire-rescue personnel, first responders, veterinarians and horse enthusiasts about techniques and procedures to assist large animals involved in transportation accidents and other emergencies.

Mark strongly encourages all horse trailer owners to have a competent and knowledgeable mechanic check out their trailer at least once a year, especially if the trailer hasn’t been checked in a while. He especially suggests looking over the wiring.

The U.S. Rider web site has many helpful tips, including a checklist of things to do before starting out on a trip. These include having the wheel bearings checked and carrying a spare wheel bearing, looking for rotted or worn spots on the tires, checking tire pressure, making sure the safety chains are securely connected, making sure the ball and

When you’re caught in a bad situation, U.S. Rider can help.

hitch match well, seeing that all electrical lights and signals are working, testing the trailer brake controller, seeing that all doors close securely, and checking your headlights. It also lists the recommended contents of human and equine first aid kits.

U.S. Rider advises horse owners not to depend on others to hitch their trailer. “The driver is ultimately responsible,” Mark said. “Even if someone else actually does the hitching, the driver should always go behind them to double-check.”

For more information, call (800) 844-1409 or visit www.usrider.org.

Haunted Holiday: My Fake Christmas Tree Has It Out For Me

Money was tight this year, so that meant going into the attic and dragging down that fake Christmas tree I bought at a thrift shop four years ago. My intention was to keep it as a spare in case I ever decided to decorate the patio or something. But now that I’ve irresponsibly overspent on things like car insurance and electricity, I thought I’d drag it downstairs and give it one season of glory in the living room.

I hate fake Christmas trees, and I guess this one knew it, because it fought me every step of the way. It poked me with bristly branches when I dragged it out of its corner. It clung desperately to the banister against all laws of physics. It fell into three pieces when I dragged it across the floor. There’s a heartwarming holiday sound... clang! I guarantee you, if a tree falls in the forest, the sound no one hears is clang!

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

I miserably plopped the three sections onto the floor and assembled the tree. Oh, good. No treetop. I stomped back up into the attic to get it, but it was not there.

I dumped out every box of holiday greenery looking for it. No.

I probed the spidery recesses of the rafters. Nothing.

Then I remembered... I had used only the top piece last year, as a tabletop decoration in

one of the bedrooms. And now it was gone.

I ransacked the closets, the garage, the laundry room. I tore apart the linen closet, the pantry, the back hall. I looked under the couch and in the trunk of my car — places that made no sense whatsoever... but I was desperate.

In the living room, I could hear the rest of the fake tree laughing.

Mark came home just as I hurled a wreath at the door. He ducked. “What’s that about? What’s the matter?”

I spat, “I’m decorating.”

“So now we just throw things and hope they’ll stick somewhere?”

“The top of the tree is missing.”

“No.”

“Yes. It must’ve gotten thrown out with the wrapping paper.”

“No way. But what are you going to do?”

“What can I do? I’m jamming this star

down on top of that middle peg there.”

“You can’t!”

“Watch me.” I stuffed the star into place. It bobbled and shook, but it stayed, albeit askew. My son Charlie came in, took one look at the “tree” and burst into hysterics. When Mark explained what happened, Charlie asked, “Why don’t you just take the stand off one of the other little trees and put it on top using duct tape and a dowel?”

Mark and Charlie did it for me. I was in no mood.

I have to admit, it looks OK. The top is a little too narrow... its needles are longer than those on the bottom... and it’s the wrong shade of green, but who cares?

The Christmas tree is up. Hang 250 glass balls on it and it’ll be fine.

Santa is not that judgmental, and I have cookies to bake.

De Niro Shines In ‘Everybody’s Fine,’ A Movie About Real Life

We had high hopes for Everybody’s Fine this weekend because, after all, it starred Robert De Niro, probably just about everyone’s favorite actor (at least of my generation). And we were not disappointed. For us, being able to discuss a movie and relate it to our own lives and those of friends is the highest possible tribute.

And it certainly is a pleasure to deal with a movie about real feelings. Most of the movies this year have featured either explosions or quick laughs at one of another performer’s onscreen boo-boos. This is a quiet film that focuses on the increasing distances, both emotional and physical, that have grown within families.

De Niro plays Frank Goode, a man who recently lost his wife and starts to center his life on an expected visit from his four children. When all of them cancel, he decides to visit them as a way of reconnecting. Unable to fly, he takes trains and buses, generally focusing on the phone lines that connect his wide-flung family, lines that he spent a lifetime covering in insulation. The lines repre-

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

sent the typical communication, the connection between family members. Frank finds nothing is as he imagined. His oldest son, a New York artist, is not around. His daughter Amy (Kate Beckinsale) is a successful Chicago advertising executive whose life is crashing down around her while Frank seems to focus only on her success. His son Robert (Sam Rockwell), who he imagined was a symphony conductor, is a percussionist. And daughter Rosie (Drew Barrymore), who seems successful, has secrets of her own.

The movie focuses on how families often have secrets, even within themselves. Frank, we learn, has never focused on his children’s

problems, spending his life working hard to provide for them and constantly pushing them to succeed. As a result, while his wife was alive, he had become an outsider.

Finally, after his own personal crisis, we realize that he had seen all the clues under the surface, the personal problems that all his children had hidden, as well as the final tragedy that he had never foreseen. Quietly and effectively, the movie examines the breakdown of communication.

The cast is excellent. Barrymore, in a far smaller than normal part, really shines. But De Niro dominates the film. For much of the movie, he is cut off and repressed in terms of his own feelings. When he finally breaks through, his shock and pain are clearly communicated and felt by the audience. The producers of the movie are talking up the idea of an Academy Award for De Niro, and he might well be coming up to the podium.

Why has communication broken down so much? Years ago, families all lived close to each other. My parents had siblings close by, and everybody visited each other, sometimes

perhaps a bit too much. My folks knew everyone’s problems and gossiped about them, occasionally giving good advice, always giving emotional support.

But we live in a new world where parents seem to be living vicariously through their children. Too often, we push our children to be something other than what they want to be or can achieve. My two daughters are very different, with different skills and interests. While I always encouraged them, I realized that they had different skill sets, different interests. One size life does not fit all. I learned through hard experience that being proud of the fact that I have two very accomplished, happy daughters was enough. Both do exceptionally well in different ways and are respected by those who know them.

Everybody’s Fine reminds us that our children’s happiness comes before standard measures of success. It is better to be happy as a successful percussionist than being unhappy as a second-rate conductor. See the movie. There are no explosions, but a lot of real people dealing with life.

Wrong Turn Lets Me Rekindle My Love Affair With The Library

The other day, I was driving on Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. In the course of this ride, I mistakenly made a left turn instead of a right. When I realized the mistake, I pulled into the first driveway I came across to make a Uturn.

The place where I decided to make the Uturn turned out to be a place I had not been to in a long time. It was the Wellington branch of the Palm Beach County Public Library. I am ashamed to admit I have not been in this building since the construction ended that enlarged the building. I am, however, a cardcarrying member of this institution.

As I was about to complete my U-turn, I noticed a parking lot on the side of the building that I had never seen before. The thing that struck me most about this parking lot (no, not another car) was the fact that it was full of cars. I got curious about why all the cars were there. Was this the new park-and-ride commuter lot that opened a couple of weeks ago? No, that’s over by the mall.

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

I decided to pull into the parking lot to see what was going on. I thought maybe I would come across a major story. (No pun intended.)

As I started to look for a parking spot, I realized that there were none to be had. I had to wait for someone to come out of the library and grab their parking spot as they left.

As I started to walk to where I thought the front door was, I realized that the front door had moved. As I entered the new front door, I was shocked to see how beautiful this redone

library looked. This was only the first shock, however.

The library was full. There was hardly an empty seat to be had. There were about 20 computers that were available for the public to use. During my visit, every computer was in use. As I looked over the shoulders of some of the computers users, I saw some folks on Facebook, some looking up what appeared to be important information, and others giving me dirty looks for looking over their shoulders.

I then remembered that the library had newspapers and magazines to read for free. I decided right then and there that I would be doing some reading. I grabbed a copy of the local daily, and spent 15 minutes reading it from cover to cover. Why pay for it when I can read it for free? Next on my list was The New York Times. This fine newspaper took me much longer to read. It was a good thing I was reading the Times in the library, where there were a few dictionaries for reference. I

don’t know why, but the library did not have copies of my favorite New York dailies, the Post and the Daily News

When I decided to check the time, I was shocked to see that four hours had gone by since I made my wrong turn. I have decided I will go to the library at least twice a week now. From now on, all the folks that I have breakfast meetings with will have to meet me at the library. I have to watch my waistline. I will have my first meeting there this Sunday. Yes the library is open. The doors open at noon on Sunday.

I always knew I paid taxes to keep the library system in working order. I am happy to report my library taxes, unlike those going to some other government agencies, have been used wisely. If you are like I was and have not paid a visit to the Wellington library in more years than we care to remember, I don’t think you will be sorry if you made a wrong turn into the library parking lot. I think you will enjoy the experience.

Live Arts Florida Presents Bio Ritmo Concert Dec. 12 At PBIEC

Live Arts Florida and Equestrian Sport Productions will present a concert by the Latin band Bio Ritmo on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. The event is part of Live Arts Florida’s Western Communities Concert Series, the third of ten concerts held by the new non-profit performing arts organization.

The Bio Ritmo concert, which was previously scheduled to be held at Wellington High School’s performing arts theater, has been moved to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and will take place outside, weather permitting.

Equestrian Sport Productions’ Katherine and Mark Bellissimo, who have a history of supporting the cultural arts in the western communities, will host the concert. “Mark and I are very pleased to assist Live Arts Florida in bringing music to our

western communities,” Katherine Bellissimo said.

Formed in 1991, Bio Ritmo is recognized internationally as one of the leading bands preserving the roots of salsa classica while taking this music to its next level. Its compositions are original, inspired by the Nuyorican salsa craze that raged during the 1970s, while incorporating other unusual influences such as electronica, afro-beat, Brazilian pop, disco and Middle Eastern grooves.

Bio Ritmo has not only inspired and gained the highest respect of dancers and Latin-music connoisseurs but is also celebrated for traversing the typical boundaries of Latin music, attracting a wide variety of fans and admirers from across the listening spectrum. The band’s latest album, Bionico, was featured on the 2008 top ten Latin tropical albums and hailed by the San Francisco Bay Guardian as “one of the

best Latin releases of the year.” The Washington Post added, “stylish and innovative, Bio Ritmo has morphed into a suave, sexy, rhythmic beast.”

The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center is located at 14440 Pierson Road in Wellington. Doors to the event will open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and food, and Bio Ritmo will perform at 8 p.m. A full cash bar and catering will be provided by the White Horse Tavern.

Tickets to the concert costs $20 in advance and $25 at the gate, and can be purchased by visiting www.tickets.liveartsfl.org or by calling (888) 841-ARTS from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sponsors of Live Arts Florida include Wellington The Magazine, the Town-Crier newspaper and Phelps Media Group International. Additional sponsorships are welcome. Other groups on the Live Arts Florida concert series calendar include

New Exhibit At CGMS Gallery Dec. 20

John McCoy, Amelia Costa, Norman Gitzen and Lois Herrick will be the featured artists at the Dec. 20 gallery opening of Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone Cooperative Gallery at 605 Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth.

The opening will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Gitzen and Costa appear in the 2010 calendar “Palm Beach Artists Uncovered,” which will be available at the opening.

Wellington-area artist Norman Gitzen has gained fame in the region as an artist and more. His appearances as a centaur are now rivaling his fame as the creator of the massive mermaid sculpture once banned at a prominent art exhibit. Both the centaur and the mermaid will make an appearance on Dec. 20, along with a wide array of Gitzen’s work including hammered bronze jewelry, judaica, mantle pieces and his famous sculptures.

Gitzen is an avid conservationist with portions of his sales helping to fund the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation. He is currently crafting impressive sculptures that feature enormous gemstones set in bronze sculptures and mounted in stone. Gitzen is working on several major commissions obtained through the gallery.

Boynton Beach artists John McCoy and Amelia Costa are a married team working in clay but with diverse approaches to the medium. McCoy is the founder of the ceramics department at Florida Atlantic University. His prolific body of functional work is on display in the gallery at remarkably affordable prices. McCoy’s porcelain work is sweeping and elegant, and his

wood-fired and soda-fired stoneware pieces fly off of the shelves. McCoy’s beautiful forms and glaze techniques attract as many fellow artists as they do the purchasing public. Costa creates dramatic sculptural pieces as well as decorative functional ware. An accomplished painter as well as ceramics artist, she combines both skills in her highly popular tropical depictions of the Florida landscape on the surface of her pieces.

Palm Beach Gardens artist Lois Herrick is a ball of artistic energy cranking out large colorful pieces replete with and reflective of selfgenerated myths and flights of creative genius. Her works are owned by some of the most famous collectors in the area including Ivana Trump. Legally blind since the age of 17 with only peripheral vision, Herrick entices art lovers with her ability to create form, drama, color and joy in the pieces she presents.

six-time CMA Musician of the Year and Grammy Award-winning multigenre virtuoso violinist Mark O’Connor, Donna the Buffalo, the famous Scot-Celtic band the Tan-

nahill Weavers and Gospel greats the Blind Boys of Alabama. To learn more about Live Arts Florida, or to become a sponsor, visit www.liveartsfl.org.

Kravis Center Presents Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Dec. 17

As part of its annual benefit concert series, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Thursday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

This year’s concerts feature guest conductor and solo violinist Pinchas Zukerman, who will lead the orchestra in a program of Haydn, Bruch and Tchaikovsky. Maestro Zukerman shares the stage with cellist Amanda Forsyth.

“Artists Uncovered” is the creation of local master photographer Durga Garcia, who is the official photographer of the Clay-GlassMetal-Stone Gallery and Flamingo Clay Studio. Twelve of the artists in the gallery have bared themselves as a fundraiser for their non-profit organization, Flamingo Clay Studio. All proceeds will go toward providing affordable studio and gallery space for artists. The calendar is on sale in the gallery. A wine tasting, courtesy of artist and wine broker Barbara Eden, will take place.

Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone Cooperative Gallery is sponsored by the Flamingo Clay Studio, a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide affordable studio and gallery space for three-dimensional artists. The gallery is located at 605 Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth. For more information, call (561) 588-8344 or visit www.clay glassmetalstone.com.

The performance will begin with a pre-concert reception and dinner, and include a post-concert backstage reception for select guests.

Known as the “Heartbeat of a Nation,” the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra stands as a powerful symbol of freedom and peace in its role as the cultural emissary of the State of Israel. Since its inception in 1936, the IPO has been dedicated to presenting the world’s greatest classical music to audiences in Israel and worldwide.

The orchestra’s international travel, as Israel’s ambassador, maintains its position at the forefront of cultural diplomacy and the international music scene.

All proceeds from the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Benefit Concerts help ensure the financial security of the IPO.

Zukerman has remained a phenomenon in the music world for four decades. His musical genius, prodigious technique and unwaver-

ing artistic standards are a marvel to audiences and critics. Zukerman was named music director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1998, and he continues to guest conduct and perform with the world’s finest orchestras.

This season also marks his first as principal guest conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. Zukerman’s extensive discography contains more than 100 titles and has earned 21 Grammy nominations and two awards: “Best Chamber Music Performance” in 1980 and “Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra” in 1981. He also leads the Zukerman Chamber Players (founded in 2003), which has performed more than 100 concerts worldwide and recorded four albums. Zukerman has been an intricate part of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s history for over 40 years.

Acclaimed as both soloist and chamber musician, Juno Awardwinning cellist Forsyth has earned praise from audiences and critics alike, and has appeared with orchestras throughout the world. Forsyth is currently principal cellist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa where she also appears frequently as a soloist and is a founding member of the Zukerman Chamber Players.

To purchase tickets, call the Kravis Center’s box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.

Bio Ritmo performs Saturday, Dec. 12 in Wellington.

At Rest by Lois Herrick.

Gracious Homes Realty owners Jacqueline and Paul Morris

Gracious Homes Realty Opens Wellington Office

Jacqueline and Paul Morris are pleased to announce that they have fulfilled a dream by opening their own real estate company, Gracious Homes Realty Inc. They have leased an office in the Lake Wellington Professional Centre on Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington.

If you have lived in the western communities for a while, chances are you may have heard of Jacqueline and Paul. They’ve been top producing real estate agents in the Wellington and Royal Palm Beach area for more than 10 years. The Morris family bought their first home in Wellington’s Edge in 1996 and were among the first families to buy in the Olympia community, where they currently live with their four children: Kerstin, 14; Kyle, 12; Justin, 10; and Julia, six.

Jacqueline and Paul have sold nearly 400 homes in Palm Beach County and are recognized as experts in their field.

Times have changed in the real estate industry due in large part to many technological advances and the power of the Internet.

“Our business no longer requires a large brick-and-mortar setting with all of the overhead dragging you down,” Paul Morris said. “We would much rather spend that money on marketing our clients’ property to the world and generating more sales.”

Their focus with the new company will be to offer high quality real estate marketing and services to all clients regardless of price range. While traditional sales are key, they are also experienced with short sales, corporate relocations, bank-owned properties and rentals.

Short sales now account for a large part of the business, and Gracious Homes Realty has adapted to this fact. Jacqueline and Paul have an affiliation with a successful local real estate attorney’s office that handles the short

sale negotiations with the banks involved. This free legal service provides their clients a direct source to an attorney who can provide expert legal advice during the short sale process. “Short sales can be tricky, and anyone selling a property this way should most definitely have an attorney available to provide guidance with the many issues involved,” Paul Morris said.

“Distinctive Marketing of Fine Homes” is the tag line of Gracious Homes Realty. Its marketing plan includes exposure on more than 12 of the best national and international web sites, glossy property brochures, direct mail campaigns, print media advertising and more. Beyond marketing, Jacqueline Morris said the secret to their success has been the professionalism and integrity shown to not only their clients, but to their fellow agents in the business as well. “Other agents like doing business with us,” she said.

Whatever the reason, their statistics speak volumes. Gracious Homes Realty offers buyers and sellers an extremely valuable service consisting of complimentary automated email alerts. Buyers will be notified immediately about new listings that meet their criteria while sellers will appreciate the automated e-mail alerts detailing new competing listings, price changes or recent sales in their neighborhood. Other complimentary services include a home staging consultation and a market evaluation of your home’s present value.

The Gracious Homes Realty office is located at 12230 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 162, Wellington. To contact Jacqueline and Paul Morris, call (561) 685-9457. For more information about the company and its services, visit www.gracioushomesrealty.com.

Ship & Shore Taking Reservations For ‘Oasis Of The Seas’

Sharon Wardle, president of the Acreage-based Ship & Shore Meeting & Event Planning, recently returned from a visit to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and was among the first to experience Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated and newest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas is the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, spanning 16 decks, encompass-

ing 225,282 gross registered tons, carrying 5,400 guests at double occupancy and featuring 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new “neighborhood” concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.

Some of the unique features on-

board Oasis of the Seas include the Central Park neighborhood, the first park at sea with more than 12,000 plants and trees; the Boardwalk neighborhood, a family-oriented environment with a hand-carved carousel; the AquaTheater, an amphitheater that serves as a pool by day and a dazzling oceanfront aquatic theater by night, a thrilling zip wire ride that races diagonally 90 feet above the Boardwalk; and new categories of onboard accom-

modations, including 28 bi-level loft suites with double-height, floor-toceiling windows offering incomparable vistas.

The ship sails throughout the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale on seven-night cruises. For more information, or to book reservations, call Ship & Shore Meeting & Event Planning at (561) 204-2128, e-mail shipshoreevents@bellsouth.net or visit www.shipandshoreevents.com or www.oasisoftheseas.com.

CCCS: Don’t Take A ‘Payment Holiday’ From Your Mortgage

Homeowners seeking to take a “payment holiday” from their mortgage need to consider other alternatives to make certain they do not become delinquent on their most important asset — their home.

“Some homeowners call us in December asking if they can take a ‘payment holiday,’ but we advise them to consider other options,” said Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. “We know many people are stretching their budgets to pay for gifts and other holiday expenses, but it’s important that they make their mort-

gage payment and look elsewhere to cut expenses.”

Here are some potential options to consider:

• Use your emergency account — It’s OK to tap into your emergency savings to help fill the gaps in your expenses during the holidays. But realize that it may have taken you months or even years to build this account and you should not drain it in one month to make purchases that you really can’t afford. If you do utilize a portion of your emergency savings to make a holiday purchase, your top priority should be to replenish your savings account as soon as possible.

• Keep expenses under control — Be realistic about your holiday expenses and understand the consequences of spending money on gifts that should be used for your mortgage payment. Despite reduced prices on many items, this is not the time to spend money on non-essential items.

• Revisit your gift-giving list — Look for ways to reduce the number of gifts you have to buy or the amount you must spend. Approach your family and friends about drawing names for adults so that only one gift purchase is required.

• Communication helps — Don’t be afraid to mention to family and

friends that money is tight. You’ll often be relieved by their reaction. Set expectations about what you plan to spend. Also keep in mind that most people remember the holidays for reasons other than gifts, such as visiting with friends and relatives, traditions that were celebrated and the dinner that was served.

• Be creative — Framed photographs or inexpensive scrapbooks that you put together or have done online are always a hit. Spend a weekend baking and give containers of goodies to neighbors and coworkers. Maybe the people on your gift list would prefer a service to a tangible item. Who wouldn’t like a

commitment for getting the car washed, a free night of babysitting, the dog walked or even the dinner cooked?

• Speak to a nonprofit housing counselor — If you implement these ideas and there isn’t enough money to make the mortgage payment, call a nonprofit credit counseling agency and schedule an appointment to speak with a housing counselor. A counselor can make recommendations to help reduce your spending and can also provide some options that may lead to a reduced mortgage payment.

For more info., call (800) 330CCCS or visit www.cccsinc.org.

Sharon Wardle

Clerk Honored For Financial Reporting Hoag Pens Foreward For Equestrian Book

In a proclamation sponsored by Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson, the Board of County Commissioners declared Dec. 2 as “Financial Reporting Excellence Day” in Palm Beach County.

Presented at a recent county commission meeting, the proclamation celebrates 20 years of an awardwinning comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). Produced annually by the Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, the CAFR provides the public with a complete accounting of all county revenues, expenditures, assets and liabilities at the conclusion of each fiscal year. It has received a certificate of achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association every year since 1989.

“My staff and I are so proud to share this achievement with you and the citizens of Palm Beach County,” Clerk & Comproller Sharon Bock said. “The CAFR is imperative for open, transparent and accountable government. We’re proud to have worked together to make this an award-winning publication for the past 20 years.”

The CAFR and other county financial information are available on the clerk’s web site at www.mypalm

County Clerk Sharon Bock, County Commissioner Burt Aaronson and the Clerk’s Financial Reporting team. beachclerk.com. Citizens interested in learning how their tax dollars are managed by county government may want to also check out the CAFR’s condensed sister publication, “Checks & Balances: Your Guide to County Finances.” The easy-to-read citizen’s report contains user-friendly information ranging from the impact of a down

economy on government revenue to the effects of tax reform. For the third-straight year since its inception, “Checks & Balances” has received the GFOA’s “Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting” award. For more information about the clerk’s office, visit www.mypalmbeachclerk.com or call (561) 355-2996.

It’s no mystery why bestselling author Tami Hoag has written the foreward for a new book on Shetland ponies and miniature horses — Hoag is a fan of small equines.

Hoag, who has 14 New York Times bestsellers to her name, penned the foreward for the new book The Big Book of Small Equines: A Celebration of Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies.

“I asked my parents for a pony every chance I got when I was growing up,” Hoag recalled, adding that her dreams came true when her parents bought her a Shetland pony named Dan. “He was my best friend and my confidant, and he taught me joy and confidence.”

In the foreward to The Big Book of Small Equines, Hoag wrote that Dan was the dream pony that every horse-crazy kid imagines. “My very first horse show was with Dan,” she wrote. “I drove him in a homemade cart with wheels salvaged from a Model-A car. We placed fifth out of five, but I got a big pink ribbon and never looked back.”

Today, Hoag competes at the highest level of the sport of dressage. The Big Book of Small

Equines: A Celebration of Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies, written by Johnny Robb and Jan Westmark, details the love affair America has with miniature horses and Shetland ponies. The book is filled with colorful stories of small equines, as well as beautiful fullpage color photographs from some of the country’s most recognized equine photographers.

Hoag, who will always have fond memories of her early days on the back of a Shetland pony, has incorporated her love for equines of all sizes into two of her bestselling novels. Dark Horse and Alibi Man take place amidst the exciting action of the show jumping world and are based in Wellington.

While Hoag fans will be pleased to read her contributions in the foreward of the small equine book, they will also be thrilled with Hoag’s latest mystery. Deeper Than The Dead will arrive in bookstores on Dec. 28. For more information on Hoag, or to see a list of her novels, including Kill the Messenger, Cry Wolf, Still Waters, Lucky’s Lady, Dust To Dust and Ashes To Ashes, visit her web site at www.tamihoag.com.

Managing Mind-Body Fitness Through The Holidays

By Lynette Laufenberg Special to the Town-Crier

We have approached the best time of the year! Or the worst time, depending upon how you view the holiday season. It is the best time for celebrating with friends and family, participating in family traditions and taking the time to express your love for others through the spirit of the season. On the other hand, it is the most difficult time of year to stick to your exercise regimen, maintain healthy eating habits and manage your stress. I think we all feel the pressure during November and December to stay on course with each of these things. But you can make a conscious choice to change the way you do things this holiday season. Let’s begin by focusing on the end result…

As you head into the New Year, how often have you felt the pressure of having a huge mountain to climb knowing you have gained ten pounds and let yourself get a little sloppy throughout the holidays? Is this reminiscent of years past? How wonderful would it be when you turn the calendar this Jan. 1 to feel

great about your body and look back on your holiday season knowing you maintained your fitness regimen and kept your indulgences within reason? I am hoping that each of you will make the effort to keep up with your exercise program during this busy time of the year.

How do you find the time? Schedule it into your calendar! Meet a friend or make an appointment with one of our certified personal trainers. For many working professionals, busy moms and active students, fitness must be an appointment on the daily schedule that you need to keep, just like your meetings, sports events and activities. You need to make time for yourself and hold yourself accountable. If you can keep this habit alive during the holiday season, you will be better able to handle the stress of any time of the year. Fitness is not only about keeping our bodies healthy, but also our minds!

What about your diet? How can you expect to stay on the right nutrition track when you have parties to attend, fresh-baked holiday goodies are at every office and business

you visit, and co-workers give you wine and cheese as a gift? The answer is moderation — everything in moderation! If you know you have a party to attend on Friday night, plan in advance during the week to make sure you eat clean and keep it strict. If you are looking for nutritional guidelines, make an appointment with our Nutritional Services Department for a specific meal plan. Having something to follow can help take the pressure off making independent choices when it comes to what to eat.

Above all, I believe managing stress is the key component to leading a healthy lifestyle. If our stress level gets out of hand, it takes a toll on our bodies, our attitude and our spirit. On a daily basis, we need to discover ways to incorporate stressreducing activities, such as exercising, meditating, reading, getting a massage or quiet breathing. Find the things that work for you, to distance yourself from the hectic pace of the holidays. At the gym, consider taking a yoga class, Pilates class or indoor cycling class. These are all mind-body classes to internalize

your workout and let your mind be the powerful force that it already is. Use it to your advantage.

We all want to feel good about ourselves and our bodies. Self confidence is such an important part of who we are. As a trainer, seeing my clients improve their self-esteem is one of the greatest rewards of all.

Every year for the past eight years, Ultima Fitness has offered the 90-Day Challenge, which encourages competitors to strive for their best overall health and well-being that they can achieve in 90 days. Some of the greatest success stories have come out of this motivational program! And most of the winners have continued to keep up with their fitness even after the 90 days has ended.

What will you accomplish this year? Remember that we are always here to help you achieve your fitness goals. Stop in to check us out. We would be glad to show you around and give you a free week. Here’s to your health and wellness throughout the holiday season and on into the New Year.

Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do is located in the Wellington Plaza at 12799 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, call (561) 7952823.

Lynette Laufenberg is fitness/program director at Ultima Fitness/ Xtreme Tae Kwon Do. She is an ACE-certified personal trainer and group fitness Instructor.

Health & Fitness Spotlight Sponsored By Ultima Fitness Of Wellington

Lynette Laufenberg

Bronco Basketball Boys Aim To Step Up Their Game This Year

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach Central High School boys varsity basketball team’s focus this season is on building team character, basic skills and a strong basketball program — things they hope will benefit the school in the future.

“We’re trying to change the culture and the mindset here,” said Coach Pete Karas, who led the Broncos to a disappointing 6-18 season last year. “I want them to have a commitment to improving themselves and the program.”

Karas said he hopes to maintain the program year-round, giving the Broncos a chance to train in the offseason and improve for when they have to compete.

“This team is going to be integral in turning this school’s basketball team into a basketball program,” he said.

Along with junior varsity coach Aaron Standish, Karas is focused on improving the players’ basic skills at all levels of competition. This will help maintain a steady stream of players who can easily transition from the junior varsity team to varsity without needing additional training.

“The basics seem to be lost these days,” Karas said. “Other teams are a lot more athletic, but they don’t have the basic skills to play the game, and without those skills, they can’t win.”

Karas hopes to teach the basics so the Broncos can “play solid” when they get on the court. To do this, he is teaching them a “more cerebral” game so that they can learn and understand the sport to play it well.

Karas said that his team isn’t made up of the best athletes, but instead he has a group of committed, smart and responsible players who want to work hard to be competitive this year.

“We’re not the most athletic team, but what we lack in athletics, we make up in character,” he said. “I have a great team. They show up and work hard. I don’t worry about them throughout the school day. They really want to play.”

This year’s team is full of new faces, Karas said. Returning players include junior Max Martial, who started as a sophomore, senior Julian Owens, a third-year starter, and senior Greg Etienne, a second-year starter.

“The kids we needed to come back, came back,” Karas said. “They’re good leaders. They’re dedicated to this team.”

Missing this year are Roody St. Germaine, who graduated, Kendall Johnson, who transferred to Wellington High School, and Gabriel Wendel, who chose not to play this year, Karas said.

However, the holes on the roster have allowed room for new players, including juniors Jamal Smith,

Neira’s talent came as a surprise to Karas. “He has scored in the double figures all three games,” the coach said. “He’s not a big kid, but he plays a smart game.”

Also new to the team are transfer students Earl Bailey, a junior, and Michael Mann, a senior, who at 6’5” is the tallest player on the team.

The Broncos are currently 1-3 after losing to West Boca on Dec. 2 and Lake Worth on Dec. 8. They’re back in action against Santaluces on Friday, Dec. 11. They will travel to Royal Palm Beach High School on Friday, Dec. 18 for a key district game.

Returning Players Strengthen Hawk Boys Basketball Team

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Seminole Ridge High School boys varsity basketball team is looking for better defense and more wins this season.

“My hope is that we will be, for sure, winning 14 to 15 games this season,” said Coach Jason Pitman, who has led the Hawks for three seasons. “That’s really the measure of a good team — being able to win 14 or 15 games.”

Last season, the Hawks came close to this goal, finishing with a 12-13 record. “But we lost two games in double-overtime, one in overtime, and another game on a last-second shot,” Pitman said.

Pitman added that the team’s strength would come from its depth on the bench this season. “This is the first year that we’ve had a lot of returning depth,” he said, explaining that foul trouble won’t affect the team because of the number of good players.

The Hawks have eight returning seniors this season — a far cry from three years ago, when the team had

eight players total. Last year, the roster stood at 11 players, and this year’s squad has been built up to 14.

“We feel like we’ve gotten to the point where we’ve built the team,” Pitman said. “The struggle that we have is that everybody’s in a new role.”

There are five varsity football players on the team this season, and because of the Hawks football success this season, they have been able to practice for only two weeks.

“Those are five key people,” Pitman said. “Three of them start for us. We have to fit all those guys in and let them find their roles.”

Pitman said the Hawks’ biggest issue this season is defense. “Our offense is solid, but our defense needs lots of work,” he said. “It’s just a lack of experience. Our philosophy is that everyone has to work together to stop the basketball from going to the basket. When those guys aren’t around, it takes a while for chemistry to get going.”

To remedy this, the team practices in the off-season and on breaks. In fact, they practiced every day but

Thanksgiving over the recent holiday break. “We’d love to take a vacation, but we have to come in and work to get our chemistry going,” Pitman said.

Returning this season is senior Woodley Cadet, who also plays on the Hawks’ varsity football team and has signed to play for the University of Central Florida next year. “He’s our best returning player — our best defender and our best offensive player,” Pitman said. “He was one of only two people in the county last season to have doublefigure points and double-figure rebounds.”

However, Pitman doesn’t consider the Hawks exclusively a big-man team. “We have so many big guys, it’s both,” he said.

Also returning this year are Jeacky Charles, Joe DeCamillo and David Galvez, all who played on the team as sophomores. DeCamillo started every game last year and is now captain of the squad. “He’s an extremely important player,” Pitman said. “He’s a good ball handler and a great leader.”

Charles, also on the football team, played as a sophomore and started as a junior, but was unable to play after a shoulder injury last year, and Galvez was unable to play last season due to an ACL injury.

New to the team this year is Jarrod Kuse, the team’s second leading scorer. Graduating last year were Bibi Alvarez, who was the

leading scorer, and Brandon Rainford, who was the first four-year varsity member in Seminole Ridge history.

Off to a 1-3 start, the Hawks hope to turn their luck around when they visit Jupiter on Friday, Dec. 11. The Hawks will host Berean Christian School on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

The Palm Beach Central boys varsity basketball team.

Daniel Broecker and Mauricio Neira.

The Seminole Ridge boys varsity basketball team. PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Bronco Coach Pete Karas demonstrates a passing drill with Michael Mann.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Julian Owens tries to block Gerard O’Connell.

WELLINGTON U-11 BLUE TEAM MAKES FINALS AT PLANTATION TOURNAMENT

The Wellington U-11 boys blue team made the finals at the 2009 Plantation Thanksgiving Tournament, one of South Florida’s top soccer tournaments. To reach the finals, the boys had to defeat two previously undefeated teams, West Pines Gold and Fort Lauderdale Select. In the finals, the Wellington team lost in a defensive battle 2-1 to the Weston FC Lasers. Coached by Kevin Allahar, the team includes the following players: (L-R) Yoni Spencer, Matt Lyras, Camilo Cedeno, Nick Carroccio, Peyton Brooks, Evan Waldt, Adrian Villatoro, MichaelAngelo Mignone, Adam Virgili, Brayden Ivaniszyn and Patrick Keenan. Not pictured: Mateo Durango.

HAMMERHEADS FIRST AT FALL BALL CLASSIC

The Royal Palm Beach Hammerheads 8-U travel baseball team placed first out of eight teams Nov. 21 at the Florida Premier League Fall Ball Classic baseball tournament. The Hammerheads defeated the Coral Springs Sandlot 9-1. The Hammerheads also won the USSSA Turkey Shoot-Out tournament held over the holiday weekend in Coral Springs. These victories are a huge accomplishment for the team, which has been playing together since 2008. The Royal Palm Beach Hammerheads include: Nick Hoffman, Christopher Marrero, Austin Wallace, Ryan Pinto, Christian Adams, Daulton Frank, Sean Smith, Toby Seevers, Cameron Smith, Gavin Scott and Christian Stephens. The team is coached by Dave Marrero, Don Hoffman, Mike Wallace, Chris Adams and Fred Pinto.

Florida Brain Cancer Walk

The 2010 Florida Brain Cancer Walk is scheduled for Saturday, March 27, 2010 at John Prince Park in Lake Worth. This 5K Run/Walk will mark the inaugural event hosted by Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure in Florida.

The Florida Brain Cancer Walk is open to participants of all fitness levels, and individuals will have the option to run or walk the course. While competitive runners are given the opportunity to be chip timed, the true spirit of the event encourages walkers and runners alike to enjoy in the community around them and celebrate their fundraising efforts together at this wonderfully spirited event.

Family/friend teams and corporate teams will come together with corporate sponsor partners to enjoy a day of fun, food and music, while providing hope and support to all friends and family members affected by this horrible disease.

On the day of the walk, registration opens at 6:30 a.m., the 5K walk/ run begins at 8 a.m., and the Kids Fun Run begins at 9 a.m.

To sign up, or for more information, visit www.floridabraincancer walk.org.

PRO BALL COBRAS WIN THANKSGIVING TOURNEY Tomeu Wins At Holiday & Horses Show

Kaely Tomeu and Spy Coast Farm’s Ella ’Czar won the $1,500 Low Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic at the Equestrian Sport Productions Holiday & Horses show at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. The Wellington Collection, makers of highquality affordable hunt jackets, sponsored the event.

Tomeu piloted the five-year-old TB/WB cross mare to the classic win, and Tomeu’s trip into the winner’s circle earned her a new jacket from the Wellington Collection. “It is wonderful to watch the excitement on the faces of the winners each week when they realize they are winning a jacket,” Wellington Collection President Cindy Screnci said.

Legendary equitation trainer Frank Madden endorses jackets from the Wellington Collection. “The Wellington Collection has designed and produced a classic hunt coat that is very affordable without sacrificing quality,” he said.

Screnci is pleased with how popular the jackets are becoming. “Our jackets are becoming a must-have in rider’s closets because they are affordable, high quality, fit great and are made with a great, breathable

fabric — everything that adds up to a winning combination,” Screnci said. “Youth jackets in the Wellington Collection are $99 while adult jackets range from $149 to $289. The jackets are not only affordable but are made with fabrics that look great, are lightweight and feature wicking properties that wick the sweat away from the rider.”

Another winning attribute of the

Wellington Collection jackets is the fact that they are machine washable.

“Being machine washable is definitely a big bonus,” Screnci said. “I suggest that the jackets be machine washed and then dried on a light spin, then taken out and hung up.”

For more information about the Wellington Collection, visit www. thewellingtoncollection.smugmug. com.

The Pro Ball Cobras 12-U travel baseball team won the USSSA Jupiter Thanksgiving Tournament in the 12-U division. The team went undefeated, and this is the second consecutive year the Cobras won the tournament. Team members include: (front row, L-R)

Manny Bejerano, Mathew Careccia, Dylan Santalo, German Torres and Rylan Snow; (middle row) Joey Polak, Raphael Castillo, Bryan Hernandez, Bruce Martin, Jorge Hernando and Alejandro Rodriguez; (back row) coaches Rich Polak, Yosvani Hernandez and Jorge Hernando, and Manager Oscar Santalo.

Kaely Tomeu on Ella ‘Czar PHOTO COURTESY MANCINI PHOTOS

West Boca Tops WHS Soccer Girls Wolverine Watch

Off to a disappointing 6-4 start, the Wellington High School girls varsity soccer team was in much need of a win on Dec. 7 against rival West Boca High School. In a fairly quiet game, eyes opened abruptly toward the middle of the second half.

Trailing 1-0, the Lady Wolverines needed a momentum swing to ignite their play. Attempting to play a ball off their heads, junior defender Kaelin Ferreira and freshmen defender Savannah Wrye collided, falling to the ground instantly. Wrye regained composure roughly five minutes later, and escaped with a headache and pain in her mouth. She later said that her teeth went into Ferreira’s forehead.

Ferreira, though, still lay on the field. After about ten minutes, she was taken off the field on a golf cart. She was taken to Wellington Regional Medical Center, and after an x-ray of her neck and a CAT scan, results showed no imminent damage. As tough a player as Ferreira is, hustling all over the field and not afraid to sacrifice herself, seeing her down for as long as she was meant it had to be serious.

As Ferreira left the field, the Bulls put a shot past senior goalkeeper Sam Bandremer to make the score 2-0. West Boca scored another goal in the game’s final minutes, closing the match 3-0.

According to Coach Michael Kozlowski, the girls are expected to play on Friday, Dec. 11 against Royal Palm Beach High

By Josh Hyber

School. However, on Dec. 7, Ferreira still questioned whether she would be able to play.

Beyond the Dec. 11 game against the Wildcats, WHS will visit Spanish River High School on Dec. 14. The Lady Wolverines will also participate in the annual Adidas Palm Beach Classic held at Village Park Dec. 21-23.

Also on Dec. 7, another game between Wellington and West Boca took place after the girls game — a match between the boys soccer teams. This time, Wellington took the upper hand with a 3-2 victory.

The Wolverines trailed 1-0 at halftime before an onslaught of goals in the second half. Junior Nick Brewer got the team started with a goal five minutes in. With only eight minutes remaining in the game, senior Brandon Servellon pulled the team ahead 2-1. The senior again scored with three minutes left to secure the victory. The Bulls scored an unimportant goal in the game’s closing moments.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, Dec. 12

• The Wellington High School Drama Club will present Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. and noon at the WHS theater (2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.). Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at the door on the day of performance. E-mail Dennis Schaber at dschaber@att.net for more info.

• Buckler’s Craft Fair will return to the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Call (386) 8600092 or visit www.bucklerpromotions.com for more info.

• The Gardens Mall will host a Musicthon for the Palm Beach County Teachers Association on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Bloomingdale’s Court. Local children will delight mall-goers throughout the day by playing music to benefit the Children’s Hospice of Palm Beach County. The event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. For more info., call (561) 998-1995 or e-mail abagner@tilson pr.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Meet the Author: John Radanovich” for adults on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Meet music journalist John Radanovich and get the scoop on Wildman of Rhythm: The Life and Music of Benny Moré, the singer known as the Cuban Sinatra. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Live Arts Florida will feature Latin music sensation Bio Ritmo on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. To purchase tickets, call (888) 841-ARTS or visit www.tickets.liveartsfl.org.

• The Fourth Annual Christmas Fiesta Gala to benefit the Puerto Rican Organization for Cultural Enhancement and Reaffirmation (PROCER) will take place on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Players Club in Wellington. Tickets are $75 per person. For more info., call (561) 7897370 or visit www.procercultural.org.

• The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will hold its annual progressive dinner on Saturday, Dec. 12. In addition to dinner there will also be piano music performed by Sharyn Lapsley during the appetizer time and a variety of guitar music and

singing by Bill Butler during dessert. Call LGLA President Marge Herzog at (561) 7919875 for more info.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present “The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller” by Chip Davis on Saturday, Dec. 12. Call (561) 651-4257 or visit www.kravis.org for more info.

Sunday, Dec. 13

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold its 26th Annual Holiday Parade on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. along Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. The event will kickoff with the Seventh Annual Holiday Mile Run/Walk. For more info., call (561) 7906200 or visit www. palmswest.com.

Monday, Dec. 14

• The Diabetes Research Institute Wellington Golf Classic will take place on Monday, Dec. 14 at the Wanderers Club at Wellington. Raffle winners will have the chance to play a few holes with LPGA professional golfer and Palm Beach County native Michelle McGann. The cost is $250 per person or $800 per foursome. To register, call the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at (800) 321-3437, visit www.vintagesdri. org or e-mail vintagesdri@gmail.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Tween Scene: Gift Making” for ages eight and up on Monday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Make small gifts for the special people in your life. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Meet the Author: Eliot Kleinberg” for adults on Monday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Chat, ask questions and get the scoop on Wicked Palm Beach: Lifestyles of the Rich and Heinous. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Jazz Arts Music Society of Palm Beach will present “An Evening of Duke Ellington” with Ted Howe on Monday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace. Call (877) 722- 2820 or visit www.jamsociety.org for more info.

• The Delray Beach Playhouse (950 NW Ninth Street, Delray Beach) will present “Love Makes the World Go ’Round: The Songs of Bob Merrill” Monday, Dec. 14 through Tuesday, Dec. 29. Call (561) 2721281, ext. 4 or visit www.delraybeach playhouse.com for more info.

Tuesday, Dec. 15

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 44 Drive) will feature “Anime Grab Bag” for ages 12 to 17 on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Get a sneak peek at some of the coolest new anime titles. Pocky will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Wellington Travel Baseball Tryouts will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. The following age groups will try out at Olympia Park: ages eight (Field 4), nine (Field 3), 11 (Field 6) and 12 (Field 5). Tryouts for age 14 will be held on Field 21 at Village Park on Pierson Road. For more info., call (561) 289-9998.

• Kretzer Piano and the Rotary Club of West Palm Beach will present the finalists from Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches’ “Watch a Rising Star” scholarship vocal competition in concert on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace. Call (866) 449-2489 or visit www.kretzerpiano.com for more info.

• The Society of the Four Arts (2 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach) will host the Palm Beach Symphony for an evening of “Concert Music by Opera Composers” with guest conductor Ramón Tebar on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 655-7226 or visit www. fourarts.org for more info. Wednesday, Dec. 16

ety for Philosophical Inquiry initiated the concept for this discussion led by Marji Chapman. Call (561) 790-6070 for info.

• The Palm Beach Gardens Concert Band will present its annual holiday concert on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre (1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter). Call (561) 972-6132 or visit www.jupitretheatre.org for more info. Thursday, Dec. 17

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Teen Game Night” on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Play Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero and board games. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will present the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zuckerman conductor and solo violinist and Amanda Forsyth solo cello in Dreyfoos Hall on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 651-4257 or visit www.kravis.org for more info.

Friday, Dec. 18

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Express Yourself: Book Discussion Series” on Friday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. Barbara Harnick will lead a discussion of Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Sign up and check out the book. Call (561) 790-6070 for info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “I Love My Family” for ages three to five on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 10:15 a.m. Celebrate family with stories, songs and a craft. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club featuring Herve Jaubert, author of Escape from Dubai. RSVP to (561) 792-6525.

• The Sisterhood at Temple Beth Tikvah (4550 Jog Road, Greenacres) will host a luncheon and card party on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 11:30 a.m. The cost $16.50. Call (561) 967-3600 to RSVP.

• The Wellington Jewish Center will present Yoel Sharabi in concert on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The concert is free, but a donation of $18 is suggested. Supper and Chanukah food will be available for purchase. For more info., contact Rabbi Mendy Muskal at (561) 333-4663 or rabbim@bellsouth.net.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Socrates Café for adults on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. The Soci-

• A Christmas Concert to Benefit the Lord’s Place will be held on Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at Bryant Park, located along the Intracoastal Waterway in downtown Lake Worth. The event will showcase favorite Christmas music performed by In the Walk worship team and local churches. Donations of cash, food and clothing to the Lord’s Place will be accepted. For more info., call (561) 543-1986 or visit www.inthewalk. com or www.thelordsplace.org.

• Palm Beach Dramaworks will open Copenhagen, the Tony Award-winning play by Michael Frayn on Friday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. at the company’s theater (322 Banyan Blvd., West Palm Beach). Performances will continue until Jan. 31. For ticket info., call the box office at (561) 514-4042 or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

Saturday, Dec. 19

• The Flagler Museum will offer holiday evening tours Saturday through Wednesday, Dec. 19-23 at 7 p.m. Call (561) 655-2833 or visit www.flaglermuseum.us for info. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. Email: news@gotowncrier.com.

THIS WEEKEND! DEC. 12TH & Dec. 13th, 9am - 3pm - No Early Birds Equestrian Items for horse and rider. RV supplies - 5th Wheel hitch - car jack, home items. Silver pieces, tools, books and electrical items. Roll top desk. New dog collars belts and fleece jackets plus much more. 561-846-1441 for directions.

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HOME FURNISHINGS FOR SALE - Everything needed for 2 bedroom apt. or groom's quarters; white leather couch, loveseat & rocker, entertainment center, dining table, china cabinet, kingsize & queensize mattresses/box springs & frames, all kitchenware & small appliances, all linens, iron, ironing board and more $1.950 all (not sold separately) 561795-5916

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RJA PAINTING AND DECORATING, INC. - Interior , Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial. License #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561-793-5455 561-6627102

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

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident. CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE EST.Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years exp. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Ins. Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701

PALM BEACH PET SERVICES LLC - Pet Sitting, dogwalking, www.PalmbeachServices.com 1866-648-1150 Lic. Bonded, Insured

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

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

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-3096975 BD

CLASSIFIEDS CALL 793-7606

GRIME STOPPERS - Pressure cleaning, commercial & residential, houses, driveways, patios, screen enclosures, sidewalks. References available.561-779-1081

RESUMÉ’S R US — Resumé writing, cover letters, advice/counseling. Mention this ad for special rates. www.Ineedaresumenow.com 561-228-1378

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

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, residential, commercial, reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.561-842-6120 or 561784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598

ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763. ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded.