COUNTY DROPS WORK ON OVERLAY
ST. THERESE BREAKS GROUND
MPO Re-Opens Project List After Villages Cry Foul
By Mark Lioi and Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Confusion over a submission deadline left officials in both Royal Palm Beach and Wellington fuming over the past week when they were left out of an approval process to get federal economic stimulus funding for local road projects.
But by Thursday, the agency tasked with gathering the submissions tried to wipe the slate clean by re-opening the process and setting a new deadline, which falls next week.
Loxahatchee Groves hosted its Strides of Hope gala last Friday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. Proceeds from the event cover much of the non-profit’s annual operating expenses. Page 5
Artist Hosts Benefit For Wildlife Groups
Loxahatchee Groves artist
Gisela Pferdekamper hosted the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation’s group art show and sale “Wild Things” last Sunday at her studio. Page 7
Lusitano Horse Auction Returns
The weather couldn’t have been better, the horses lovelier or the people nicer. A selected group of 400 prospective buyers from all over the world were invited to visit the 34 horses housed at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center Feb. 1216. Page 18
Online Poll
Wellington Officials Vow White Pine Crackdown
By Mark Lioi
Town-Crier Staff Report
In the wake of a home invasion that ended in a fatal shooting on Wellington’s White Pine Drive, the village is gearing up to take a tougher stance against the problems that plague the residential neighborhood in central Wellington.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reports, a resident living on White Pine Drive was woken in the early morning hours of Feb. 16 when an armed man broke into his home. The resident, a teacher at H.L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens, shot and killed the intruder, who also lived in the neighborhood.
White Pine Drive and the neighboring 12th Fairway are composed mainly of multi-
unit rental properties. Recent years have seen an increase in criminal activity there.
At Tuesday’s Wellington Village Council meeting, Village Manager Paul Schofield acknowledged that the village has been trying to address problems in the neighborhood through efforts such as community policing, code enforcement and licensing of rental units, but that the results so far have not been as successful as hoped.
Schofield said the village is now considering employing techniques used in Boston’s Streetsafe program, an effort to reduce the level of youth violence in some of that city’s most dangerous neighborhoods, with an emphasis on outreach efforts, social services and community partnerships.
PBSO officials and mem-
bers of the village’s Citizens Volunteer Organization will meet with neighborhood residents on March 6, Schofield said, to discuss solutions to the area’s ongoing problems.
But Schofield said the village would also act quickly to launch a “far more proactive” effort with the tools it already has at hand.
“I’ll be putting a proposal to come to you in this year’s budget to take several hundred thousand dollars and put in community activists who will be in those communities in the evenings, they’ll be walking the neighborhoods, talking to people, trying to educate them,” he said. “It will also be my recommendation that we put additional sheriff’s deputies in there, that code enforcement officers go in, and that we simply
See CRIME, page 18
RPB Plans High-Tech Signs
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Royal Palm Beach wants to bring its outdoor communication with residents into the 21st century.
Rather than sandwich boards or marquees requiring manual replacement of messages, the village has accepted bids for electronic signs that will be controlled from a central location.
Senior Planner Bradford O’Brien introduced an ordinance providing for the new, high-tech informational signs at the Feb. 19 meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council meeting.
“The bottom line is we need to be able to quickly communicate with our residents at various times on various issues,” Mayor David Lodwick said. “This method has been identified by the council through the budget process, and now we have bids to replace signs that were totally destroyed in the last hurricanes.”
Lodwick said the new signs would be more effi-
cient. “We’re going to place signs that we can actually program without sending someone out to change copy,” he said. “We will be able to communicate with our residents in a timely manner and have messages hopefully on both sides of it, so people coming and going will know what’s going on. If there’s a state of emergency, they’ll know that. If there’s a boil-water order, we’ll have an opportunity to communicate.”
Village Manager David Farber said the signage is a step up from more conventional forms of communication. He said he hopes to eventually have three or four of the signs placed strategically to enhance residents’ chances of seeing the electronic information. “We will try to arrange it so that almost everybody who travels on the roadway system will see it at one time or another during the day,” he said.
Farber noted that bids have been submitted but one will not be chosen until after the
final reading of the enabling ordinance at the council’s March 5 meeting.
“At this point, we have not determined where we would put the signs,” Farber told the Town-Crier on Thursday.
He added that the village used to have several moveable-type signs. “When I got here, there was one at the entrance to Counterpoint, one at the entrance of La Mancha off of Ponce de Leon and one I believe at Royal Palm Beach Blvd. both north of Okeechobee and south of Okeechobee,” Farber said.
Farber said an employee would go out at least once or twice a week and change the copy. “Over the course of the last couple of hurricanes, I think we only have one left,” Farber said. “We’ve talked about this in the budget process for a couple of years, and we continually held off restoring the manual ones for some time. Hopefully, this will put us back in a position where we can communicate with our citizens on a much more optimal basis.”
Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization Director Randy Whitfield issued a memo to all municipalities asking them to submit one project each for consideration for stimulus funding by March 6.
Whitfield said the Florida Department of Transportation had expected the MPO’s list of projects to be in by last week, and said the MPO would likely run afoul of the FDOT time requirements. “Absolutely,” he said. “But I would rather we did it right than meet their deadline.”
The MPO had already met Feb. 19 and approved its list of priority projects after reviewing each to see if it would qualify for federal funding. But the Town of Loxahatchee Groves had the only western communities transportation project on the MPO’s final priority list, a roundabout at B Road and Okeechobee Blvd. with a price tag of $750,000.
Officials in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, meanwhile, were irate that they missed the submission deadline, saying the MPO did not make clear that it was looming.
Soon after, the two municipalities lodged protests with the MPO over the prioritization process. Wellington’s attorney Jeff Kurtz laid out the village’s case at Tuesday’s meeting of the Wellington Village Council.
“I’m not sure anyone got formal notice of it because the documents they are relying on were e-mails that did not indicate that there was a deadline with respect to the transmittal or that they would be considered at the Thursday, Feb. 19 meeting,” he said.
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto, who represents the village at the MPO and attended the meeting, said she did not know the projects would be approved until she was present at the meeting.
Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick, who currently represents his village at the MPO, told his fellow council members just hours after the MPO meeting took place that he was similarly surprised, and disappointed at the list of candidate projects provided at the meeting.
“It quite surprised me not to see anything from Royal Palm Beach on it,” he said, “and again surprised to see virtually not any money in
there at all for the western communities, that being west of the turnpike — not a scenario that we’re unfamiliar with when we know that roads in the western area are under-funded by $500 million over the past 15 years.”
Officials from both villages said that the core reason for their failure to meet the MPO’s deadline was a lack of proper notice.
“The MPO says they relied on the Department of Transportation for notice, and DOT says they relied on the MPO for notice,” Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield told the Town-Crier Thursday. “The MPO then said, ‘well, we thought the League of Cities was doing it.’” Last week, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved a letter of protest prepared by Village Attorney Trela White.
“Effectively the argument that Ms. White makes is a due-process argument,” Village Manager David Farber said. “You can’t have an expectation that people are going to respond to something unless all people are noticed. We have never to date received any formal notice, or informal notice, from the MPO telling us about how and when and if they would create a process. Actually, we have had projects online since November that are ready to go.” Farber said he had been in contact with municipal staff in Wellington, Greenacres and Palm Beach Gardens, who told him they also did not receive notice.
“We would have been ready for this if we had known that the League of Cities was going to be acting as a clearinghouse,” Farber said. “DOT led us to believe that they would be the place to do it. To have to submit something to someone who never told you that we should be submitting it to them is disconcerting.”
Loxahatchee Groves Town Clerk Matt Lippman said communications from the MPO apparently caused a lot of confusion among municipalities, but that he got an email from the Palm Beach County League of Cities and acted on it. “I think there was a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication about submitting projects and submitting them so they have a list of them,” he said.
Lippman said some communities might have discarded the e-mail, or perhaps were not on the e-mail list or did not sense the urgency to meet the short deadline.
The MPO’s new deadline and invitation for project submissions this week acknowledged the objections voiced by municipalities that felt they had not been properly notified. The new call asks that each interested agency submit only one project for consideration.
Whitfield said that the Palm Beach MPO will have
See MPO, page 18
A Wellington Landmark Goes Dark
By Mark Lioi
Town-Crier Staff Report
Last Sunday evening, the luminaries of the entertainment industry were gathering in Hollywood to honor this year’s Academy Award winners — the most coveted prizes in the world of cinema. Meanwhile, in Wellington, the screens at a local cinematic landmark were lighting up for the last time, as the Silver Screen Cinema played its last evening films before closing its doors for good. Owner Liz Vanino operat-
moving things out. A deliveryman came to cart away rolls of
35mm film, cans containing the last features the theater had shown. She and her staff had to vacate the property by the end of the day. While the theater’s mainstay was showing second-run movies and offering restaurant-quality dining, another specialty was hosting parties for area children. “I’m going to miss these kids — I’m going to miss birthday parties,” she said. “I think we were the only one around doing a birthday party with no minimum of any kind. This is the price per child, you come in, watch a See
Parishioners at St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church celebrated the groundbreaking for construction on a new church building Sunday, Feb. 22. The Knights of Columbus led a processional that included Bishop Gerald Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach, church founder Father Lou Guerin, current church pastor Father Brian Lehnert, the adult choir and the children’s choir. Pictured above, Barbarito blesses the construction grounds.
ST. THERESE BREAKS GROUND
MPO Re-Opens Project List After Villages Cry Foul
By Mark Lioi and Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Confusion over a submission deadline left officials in both Royal Palm Beach and Wellington fuming over the past week when they were left out of an approval process to get federal economic stimulus funding for local road projects.
But by Thursday, the agency tasked with gathering the submissions tried to wipe the slate clean by re-opening the process and setting a new deadline, which falls next week.
mildmannered. Page 2
Vinceremos Hosts Strides Of Hope Gala
The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in Loxahatchee Groves hosted its Strides of Hope gala last Friday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. Proceeds from the event cover much of the non-profit’s annual operating expenses. Page 5
Artist Hosts Benefit For Wildlife Groups
Loxahatchee Groves artist
Gisela Pferdekamper hosted the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation’s group art show and sale “Wild Things” last Sunday at her studio. Page 7
Lusitano Horse Auction Returns
The weather couldn’t have been better, the horses lovelier or the people nicer. A selected group of 400 prospective buyers from all over the world were invited to visit the 34 horses housed at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center Feb. 1216. Page 18
Wellington Officials Vow White Pine Crackdown
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
In the wake of a home invasion that ended in a fatal shooting on Wellington’s White Pine Drive, the village is gearing up to take a tougher stance against the problems that plague the residential neighborhood in central Wellington. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reports, a resident living on White Pine Drive was woken in the early morning hours of Feb. 16 when an armed man broke into his home. The resident, a teacher at H.L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens, shot and killed the intruder, who also lived in the neighborhood.
White Pine Drive and the neighboring 12th Fairway are composed mainly of multi-
unit rental properties. Recent years have seen an increase in criminal activity there.
At Tuesday’s Wellington Village Council meeting, Village Manager Paul Schofield acknowledged that the village has been trying to address problems in the neighborhood through efforts such as community policing, code enforcement and licensing of rental units, but that the results so far have not been as successful as hoped.
Schofield said the village is now considering employing techniques used in Boston’s Streetsafe program, an effort to reduce the level of youth violence in some of that city’s most dangerous neighborhoods, with an emphasis on outreach efforts, social services and community partnerships.
PBSO officials and mem-
bers of the village’s Citizens Volunteer Organization will meet with neighborhood residents on March 6, Schofield said, to discuss solutions to the area’s ongoing problems.
But Schofield said the village would also act quickly to launch a “far more proactive” effort with the tools it already has at hand.
“I’ll be putting a proposal to come to you in this year’s budget to take several hundred thousand dollars and put in community activists who will be in those communities in the evenings, they’ll be walking the neighborhoods, talking to people, trying to educate them,” he said. “It will also be my recommendation that we put additional sheriff’s deputies in there, that code enforcement officers go in, and that we simply
See CRIME, page 18
RPB Plans High-Tech Signs
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Royal Palm Beach wants to bring its outdoor communication with residents into the 21st century.
Rather than sandwich boards or marquees requiring manual replacement of messages, the village has accepted bids for electronic signs that will be controlled from a central location.
Senior Planner Bradford O’Brien introduced an ordinance providing for the new, high-tech informational signs at the Feb. 19 meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council meeting.
“The bottom line is we need to be able to quickly communicate with our residents at various times on various issues,” Mayor David Lodwick said. “This method has been identified by the council through the budget process, and now we have bids to replace signs that were totally destroyed in the last hurricanes.”
Lodwick said the new signs would be more effi-
cient. “We’re going to place signs that we can actually program without sending someone out to change copy,” he said. “We will be able to communicate with our residents in a timely manner and have messages hopefully on both sides of it, so people coming and going will know what’s going on. If there’s a state of emergency, they’ll know that. If there’s a boil-water order, we’ll have an opportunity to communicate.”
Village Manager David Farber said the signage is a step up from more conventional forms of communication. He said he hopes to eventually have three or four of the signs placed strategically to enhance residents’ chances of seeing the electronic information. “We will try to arrange it so that almost everybody who travels on the roadway system will see it at one time or another during the day,” he said.
Farber noted that bids have been submitted but one will not be chosen until after the
final reading of the enabling ordinance at the council’s March 5 meeting.
“At this point, we have not determined where we would put the signs,” Farber told the Town-Crier on Thursday.
He added that the village used to have several moveable-type signs. “When I got here, there was one at the entrance to Counterpoint, one at the entrance of La Mancha off of Ponce de Leon and one I believe at Royal Palm Beach Blvd. both north of Okeechobee and south of Okeechobee,” Farber said.
Farber said an employee would go out at least once or twice a week and change the copy. “Over the course of the last couple of hurricanes, I think we only have one left,” Farber said. “We’ve talked about this in the budget process for a couple of years, and we continually held off restoring the manual ones for some time. Hopefully, this will put us back in a position where we can communicate with our citizens on a much more optimal basis.”
Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization Director Randy Whitfield issued a memo to all municipalities asking them to submit one project each for consideration for stimulus funding by March 6.
Whitfield said the Florida Department of Transportation had expected the MPO’s list of projects to be in by last week, and said the MPO would likely run afoul of the FDOT time requirements. “Absolutely,” he said. “But I would rather we did it right than meet their deadline.”
The MPO had already met Feb. 19 and approved its list of priority projects after reviewing each to see if it would qualify for federal funding. But the Town of Loxahatchee Groves had the only western communities transportation project on the MPO’s final priority list, a roundabout at B Road and Okeechobee Blvd. with a price tag of $750,000.
Officials in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, meanwhile, were irate that they missed the submission deadline, saying the MPO did not make clear that it was looming.
Soon after, the two municipalities lodged protests with the MPO over the prioritization process. Wellington’s attorney Jeff Kurtz laid out the village’s case at Tuesday’s meeting of the Wellington Village Council.
“I’m not sure anyone got formal notice of it because the documents they are relying on were e-mails that did not indicate that there was a deadline with respect to the transmittal or that they would be considered at the Thursday, Feb. 19 meeting,” he said.
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto, who represents the village at the MPO and attended the meeting, said she did not know the projects would be approved until she was present at the meeting.
Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick, who currently represents his village at the MPO, told his fellow council members just hours after the MPO meeting took place that he was similarly surprised, and disappointed at the list of candidate projects provided at the meeting.
“It quite surprised me not to see anything from Royal Palm Beach on it,” he said, “and again surprised to see virtually not any money in
there at all for the western communities, that being west of the turnpike — not a scenario that we’re unfamiliar with when we know that roads in the western area are under-funded by $500 million over the past 15 years.”
Officials from both villages said that the core reason for their failure to meet the MPO’s deadline was a lack of proper notice.
“The MPO says they relied on the Department of Transportation for notice, and DOT says they relied on the MPO for notice,” Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield told the Town-Crier Thursday. “The MPO then said, ‘well, we thought the League of Cities was doing it.’” Last week, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved a letter of protest prepared by Village Attorney Trela White.
“Effectively the argument that Ms. White makes is a due-process argument,” Village Manager David Farber said. “You can’t have an expectation that people are going to respond to something unless all people are noticed. We have never to date received any formal notice, or informal notice, from the MPO telling us about how and when and if they would create a process. Actually, we have had projects online since November that are ready to go.” Farber said he had been in contact with municipal staff in Wellington, Greenacres and Palm Beach Gardens, who told him they also did not receive notice.
“We would have been ready for this if we had known that the League of Cities was going to be acting as a clearinghouse,” Farber said. “DOT led us to believe that they would be the place to do it. To have to submit something to someone who never told you that we should be submitting it to them is disconcerting.”
Loxahatchee Groves Town Clerk Matt Lippman said communications from the MPO apparently caused a lot of confusion among municipalities, but that he got an email from the Palm Beach County League of Cities and acted on it. “I think there was a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication about submitting projects and submitting them so they have a list of them,” he said.
Lippman said some communities might have discarded the e-mail, or perhaps were not on the e-mail list or did not sense the urgency to meet the short deadline.
The MPO’s new deadline and invitation for project submissions this week acknowledged the objections voiced by municipalities that felt they had not been properly notified. The new call asks that each interested agency submit only one project for consideration.
Whitfield said that the Palm Beach MPO will have
See MPO, page 18
A Wellington Landmark Goes Dark
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
Last Sunday evening, the luminaries of the entertainment industry were gathering in Hollywood to honor this year’s Academy Award winners — the most coveted prizes in the world of cinema. Meanwhile, in Wellington, the screens at a local cinematic landmark were lighting up for the last time, as the Silver Screen Cinema played its last evening films before closing its doors for good. Owner Liz Vanino operated the café-style theater with her
to cart away rolls of
35mm film, cans containing the last features the theater had shown. She and her staff had to vacate the property by the end of the day. While the theater’s mainstay was showing second-run movies and offering restaurant-quality dining, another specialty was hosting parties for area children.
“I’m going to miss these kids — I’m going to miss birthday parties,” she said. “I think we were the only one around doing a birthday party with no minimum of any kind. This is the price per child, you come in, watch a See THEATER, page
Parishioners at St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church celebrated the groundbreaking for construction on a new church building Sunday, Feb. 22. The Knights of Columbus led a processional that included Bishop Gerald Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach, church founder Father Lou Guerin, current church pastor Father Brian Lehnert, the adult choir and the children’s choir. Pictured above, Barbarito blesses the construction grounds. STORY &
Solid Waste Authority representative Pat Gleason discusses the proposed landfill sites Tuesday with Acreage residents Dawn and Sarah Al-Buhaisi.
SWA Hosts Landfill Forum In Royal Palm
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
While about 20 members of the public attended a public forum Tuesday in Royal Palm Beach on the Solid Waste Authority’s effort to select a new landfill site, only three spoke and their comments were mild-mannered.
It was a far cry from the previous week’s forum in Wellington, where more than 50 residents attended and more than a dozen spoke, many to angrily challenge the concept of placing a landfill in the central part of the county.
“One of the most difficult things we have to do as an agency, and thank goodness we don’t have to do it often, is site new facilities, especially landfills,” SWA Executive Director Mark Hammond told the audience at Tuesday’s forum, held at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. “The thing with a landfill is it’s a consumable. The day you open that landfill, it’s got a finite life, and it’s just a matter of time before you fill it up and you’ve got to look for another landfill.”
The existing landfill at Jog Road and 45th Street near Palm Beach Gardens has been in operation since 1989, Hammond said. It’s projected to run out of space around 2015.
Hammond said a 1,600acre site was purchased in 1996 west of Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, but when the SWA began the permitting process in 2006, refuge representatives raised objections.
“The refuge folks were
very, very concerned that this facility was right adjacent to the refuge and posed environmental concerns,” Hammond said. “Our staff does not believe that to be the case, but our board was sensitive to that and wanted us to take another look in the Everglades Agricultural Area to see if there might not be another facility that would meet our purposes and have some advantages over that existing site.”
Hammond’s assistant Dan Pellowitz detailed the two sites most favored by the SWA’s selection committee after a search last year. Both are accessible primarily by Southern Blvd.: the SR 80/ US 98 site at the corner of State Road 80 and U.S Highway 98, and the Hundley site on the north side of County Road 880, about four miles west of 20-Mile Bend. The selection committee favored the SR 80/US 98 site although the costs per load have been estimated to be a little higher, Pellowitz explained, and the Hundley site ranked slightly lower because of its proximity to Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, an artificially maintained wetland that filters pollutants out of surface water bound for the Everglades.
Indian Trail Improvement District Supervisor Mike Erickson asked for the rationale behind the selection committee’s preferences.
“In looking at the selections by the site selection committee, I’m not sure why 80/98 wound up number one, when cost-effectively the
See LANDFILL, page 18
Commissioners Stop Work On Overlay Plan
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Palm Beach County Commission voted Wednesday to discontinue work on the Central Western Communities Overlay, once intended as a blueprint for future development of the Acreage/ Loxahatchee area.
Sitting as the Palm Beach County Zoning Board, the commissioners dropped pursuit of the overlay, which started more than a decade ago as the “Sector Plan,” because many large parcels, including the Mecca Farms, Palm Beach Aggregates and Callery-Judge Grove properties, would be unaffected by its guidelines.
The commissioners are still seeking to address the poor road network and lack of transportation funding in the area, which is expected to eventually see the development of thousands more homes, including subdivisions by GL Homes and EB Developers.
Commissioner Shelley Vana pointed out that discontinuing work on the overlay would not make transportation issues in the area disappear.
“I had suggested before that we invite some people from the [Florida] Department of Transportation and do a workshop,” she said. “I would like to do a workshop that talks about the transportation element, all the growth management things, and involve as many people at one time in one place that we can, including some people from Tallahassee who can actually talk to us about some solutions. If we take this away, the
transportation issues are not going to go away.”
County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, who originally requested the abandonment of the overlay effort, said the item should not have come at the end of the commission’s Wednesday agenda, leaving little time for discussion. “This should not have been at the tail end of this meeting today,” he said. “This should be a whole day discussion. This is a very important issue, not something to stick on the end of the agenda for a five-minute discussion.”
Commissioner Karen Marcus reiterated that the overlay would not get the transportation issue resolved.
“Let’s go ahead and say we don’t want to do the overlay but we want to do the transportation forum that Commissioner Vana talked about, I think that Commissioner Santamaria agreed, that’s done in a half-day forum here with all the players to talk about the best way to go about resolving it,” Marcus said.
Planning Director Lorenzo Aghemo agreed that a transportation workshop would be the best route. “A workshop, that’s the best way to do it, but give us direction about the overlay today,” he said. Marcus made a motion to give direction to staff to stop any more movement on the Central Western Communities Overlay but for staff to arrange a transportation forum. The motion passed 4-1 with Commission Chair Jeff Koons opposed and Commissioner Burt Aaronson absent.
‘This should not have been at the tail end of this meeting today. This should be a whole day discussion. This is a very important issue, not something to stick on the end of the agenda.’ — Commissioner Jess Santamaria
St. Therese Breaks Ground On Permanent Church Building
By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report
Parishioners at St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church celebrated the groundbreaking for construction on a new church building Sunday, Feb.
22.
In full regalia, the Knights of Columbus led a processional that included Bishop Gerald Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach, church founder Father Lou Guerin, current church pastor Father Brian Lehnert, the adult choir, and the children’s choir. Children’s choir members wore white choir gowns and gold garland headpieces. Tucked in their midst was quietly reverent four-year-old Allison Fontana dressed as St. Therese.
Bishop Barbarito conducted much of the ceremony,
blessing the crowd and sprinkling holy water on the ground. He thanked parishioners for “cooperating with the good work the Lord has begun” and said that he looks forward to dedicating the new building in the church’s 10th anniversary year, 2010. Father Guerin drew cheers and applause as he reminisced about their early days in borrowed facilities.
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen offered his congratulations. “What makes Wellington what it is, is the strength of our churches and temples. While Christians are being persecuted, you have the faith to step forward and break ground on a new building,” said Bowen, who donated embroidered shirts made by his company, Creative Marketing Products.
Bishop Barbarito and Father Lehnert broke first ground with gold-painted shovels. Following suit were representatives of notable groups, including the diocese, the youth group, the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women, the contractor and the architects.
As the adult choir sang, parishioners laid roses at the feet of a statue of St. Therese, also known as “The Little Flower.”
Celebrants enjoyed a buffet lunch donated by local businesses and coordinated by Judy Phelps. “They opened their arms and hearts to us, and we really appreciate it,” said Phelps, who thanked Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Dave’s Last Resort & Raw Bar, Panda Express, Sal’s Italian Ris-
torante, Campagnolo, Chez Porky’s, the Gypsy Horse, Pei Wei and Whole Foods Market.
Teen band Dimora entertained the group with popular numbers. The band consists of current and former home-schoolers, most of whom are members of St. Therese. Children expended their pent-up energy in bounce houses and on a Velcro wall, bungee run and rock climbing wall provided by A Perfect Party.
As activities continued, Father Lehnert stood back smiling and taking it all in. “This is a good day,” he said.
St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church is located at 11800 Lake Worth Road in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 784-0689.
PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER
The adult choir performs a song.
Dressed as St. Therese, Allison Fontana watches with fellow children’s choir members.
Wellington Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore (right) addresses the gathering.
Rosalee Tumminaro, Lucille Puglisi and Fran Conigliaro lay roses at the feet of St. Therese.
Event food coordinator Judi Phelps (center) with Randy Berman and Joe Colavito of Whole Foods Market.
TOWN-CRIER ENDORSEMENTS
Return Marge Herzog, Elect Ron Jarriel To Groves Council
For the second time in its short history, the Town of Loxahatchee Groves will hold a contested election Tuesday, March 10. Voters will choose from among four candidates running for two available council seats. Whereas the issue of development was critical to candidates in the first election, this year the focus is on the function of government. We considered the candidates’ ideas as well as their willingness to work with other council members… and other governing bodies. While we invite readers to consider our suggestions here, we also recommend examining the candidates in their own words. Check out the second part of our questionand-answer series with the candidates on page 5.
SEAT 3 — In this race, Vice Mayor Marge Herzog is defending her seat against challenger Ryan Liang. A fruit grower by trade, the 30-year-old Liang hopes to be a voice on the council for agricultural interests. He said he decided to run in light of the current dispute between the town council and the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District, which some argue should be made an entity dependent on the town. It’s a hotly contested issue, and Herzog has supported the faction that would favor a dependent district. The Town-Crier does not agree with her on that point, however, that one issue does not outweigh the many good points Herzog brings to the table, especially her many years of experience fighting for the needs of Groves residents. A longtime member and current president of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association, Herzog is perhaps the most familiar face in the Groves community. Liang has good ideas and is clearly interested in the town’s affairs. But while it may be good for the agricultural business to have someone on the council who represents their interests, Liang simply doesn’t match Herzog’s experience and history of community service. The Town-Crier endorses the reelection of Marge Herzog to Loxahatchee Groves Town Council Seat 3.
Kids Bigger Problem In Binks Forest
Are you kidding me? Would you prefer rat-infested, overgrown weeds? Golf course noise is hardly a problem, at least not on the Binks Forest course. The problem is inside the neighborhoods surrounding the golf course. We live near the entrance to our neighborhood on the golf course. We don’t even hear the mowers or people working in the morning. What we hear are all of the teenage idiots who have no respect for others (along with some adults). At all hours of the day or night these people are blasting their music so loud that our windows rattle and we can’t hear each other speak. This is insane. What is wrong with you parents?
Why can’t you teach your children some respect and consideration for others? Do you really think we want to hear this? It can be 7:30 in the morning or 2 in the morning, they are blasting their noise. Weekends are crazy. They let the neighborhood know when they are leaving to go party. Later on we have the pleasure of knowing that they are home safe and sound back to their little nest, as we now have try to get ourselves back to sleep. We know when they are heading off to school and when the little darlings are coming home from school.
Parents, why can’t you tell your kids and their friends to turn the volume down before they reach the neighborhood and not to turn it back up until they are gone? Our HOA does nothing. It seems like whatever the kids here do is OK by them. Be it noise, destruction in the neighborhood or whatever. We have a woman on our HOA board whose son was one of the worst of-
fenders. He would blast his train horn, talk through a loud speaker from his car and blast the loudest bass from his vehicle. This is a college-age kid. When do kids grow up here?
The police do nothing. They rarely patrol here and claim that they cannot do anything unless they witness it. Are there no noise level ordinances here in Wellington? If not, there sure ought to be. Most places in this country, you would be ticketed just for blasting your regular radio, let alone the big bass noise. We need help. Is there anyone out there who has some answers? Unfortunately, we cannot move due to the housing market, otherwise we would have been gone long ago.
Rosemarie Romesburg Wellington
Vote For Martha
With municipal elections about to take place in less than two weeks, I am writing to remind my fellow residents about the great job that Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster has done in representing us, not just in terms of the interests of our village, but also reaching out to the broader western area.
Among other issues, Martha has been a strong supporter of the Roebuck Road construction which, when completed, will ease the tremendous traffic burden that our community’s roads and commuters are bearing. She spoke out strongly in support of home rule, which allows our village to maintain its unique and attractive characteristics.
Martha truly has a stake in our community as she and her family have lived here and enjoyed the benefits of this area for many years. She knows what is important to
SEAT 1 — While the issue of the town versus the district is important to the Seat 3 candidates, it is the inherent difference between the two candidates vying for Seat 1. In the race to fill the seat being vacated by incorporation leader Dave Autrey, who chose not to run for re-election due to health reasons, LGWCD Supervisor Ron Jarriel is pitted against longtime Groves activist Ilene Rindom. Jarriel, a retired firefighter, has served on the LGWCD Board since 2000 and has lived in the Groves for nearly five decades. This puts him in a position of having a solid résumé and the right credentials as a longtime resident — a trait valued highly by the community. Rindom, a nurse, has played an active role in developing the town’s visioning process. She comes into this race with Autrey’s endorsement. Passing the town’s comprehensive plan is among her top priorities. Regarding the role of LGWCD versus the town, Rindom supports keeping the district operational, but as a dependent entity, eliminating its board of supervisors. Jarriel is in favor of maintaining the district in its current form for now, with possible changes in the future only if they are agreed to by both the LGWCD board and the town council. At a time when tensions between the two governing bodies are close to a boiling point, Jarriel is more inclined to work toward a diplomatic solution. While the LGWCD may one day need to become a dependent entity, that day is not today. The community needs to put aside its differences and put the focus on cooperation. Jarriel is the best choice to get that done. The Town-Crier endorses the election of Ron Jarriel to Loxahatchee Groves Town Council Seat 1.
An active electorate leads to a stronger community. Whether you agree or disagree with our opinions, we urge all Loxahatchee Groves voters to go to the polls on Tuesday, March 10 and make your opinions heard.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
us and has served us well on the council and on many boards and councils prior to her being elected.
So I leave it up to you, my fellow Royal Palm Beach residents: do we want someone with a proven record representing us or someone we don’t even know? Vote for Martha on March 10!
Arlene Olinsky Royal Palm Beach
Support For Madrid Street Connection
I live on La Mancha Avenue north of Madrid Street, and I want to say again that I am in favor of the [State Road 7 extension] connection being completed at Madrid Street. I don’t speak for everyone in La Mancha, but I think we should hear from more people than just those who live on Madrid Street. My location also puts me in an impact area of the possibility of cut-through traffic, and [Royal Palm Beach Councilman David] Swift’s comments sound similar to those we heard from those along the roads in The Acreage that will connect. Here is a for-instance, I don’t know exactly where Roebuck Road will connect to the extension, but I imagine by looking at a map it would be somewhere between Madrid and Persimmon. Now without the Madrid connection, if we want to use Roebuck, we will need to exit La Mancha and drive through The Acreage and down one of the connecting roads to get there. Have you ever heard someone say, “you can’t get there from here?” When are Acreage residents going to start saying, “we don’t want you RPB people coming through our neighborhood anymore?” I often go through The Acre-
age to get to Northlake Blvd., and with that connection at Madrid, there would be a decreased impact to the Acreage community once the SR 7 extension makes its way to Northlake. I know these projects are off in the future, but they should be included when considering overall impact.
Let us look at some public safety aspects other than crime. God forbid if you were being carted to the hospital from La Mancha and wanted to go to Wellington Regional. That Madrid connection would offer a more direct route and save precious time. In another scenario, Fire Station 28 is busy and can’t respond to a call in La Mancha. Station 29 located near Belvedere and SR 7 would have a more direct response to La Mancha, again saving time. See, there are arguments for both sides of the issue, and I know the connection can be done anytime. We just should look at the larger picture. Let us get opinions from more of the La Mancha residents.
Garry Gill
Royal Palm Beach
Kudos For Matt Willhite
For almost a year now, freshman Wellington Councilman Matt Willhite has stood up for Wellington residents, challenged special interests, and asked the tough questions that nobody else was asking. His courage, integrity and intelligence are matched only by his determination to serve Wellington’s residents, and we are damn lucky to have him on Wellington’s council. Keep up the good work Matt, we’re counting on you, and don’t let the special interests steal Wellington’s future.
OPINION
Richard Tolbert
Wellington
Put An End To Divisiveness
The Town of Loxahatchee Groves is holding its third election cycle for town council. I, Dennis Lipp, ran unopposed in the town’s second election cycle. On Tuesday, March 10, the voters of the town will have two seats to vote on and four very different candidates to choose from.
The primary issue that has divided the town council is the status of the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District. As a matter of public record, at the Dec. 2 council meeting, Councilman David Autrey made a motion to direct staff to draft a local bill making the district dependent on the town. Vice Mayor Marge Herzog seconded the motion. This meeting was the deadline for drafting and filing a local bill with the Palm Beach Legislative Delegation. The motion failed 3-2, with Autrey and Herzog in favor and Mayor Dave Browning, Councilman Dr. Bill Louda and myself opposed. Should the district become part of the town? I believe it should, but not now. Before the town takes on the task of changing the status of the district, we need to get the town’s comprehensive plan through Department of Community Affairs. Once the town’s comp plan is complete, we will need to budget for writing our land development regulations or universal land development codes
(LDR/ULDC). We will also need a bidding process for pre-qualified firms that will guide the town through the process of writing the LDR/ ULDC. Once the LDR/ ULDC is complete, we will go through the same bidding process in order to select a firm to handle applications from property owners for land-use and zoning. We will then establish a means for questions regarding permitting and applications to be answered. There is a lot of work to be done prior to changing the district’s status. Herzog, and by proxy candidate Rindom, are on the record as being opposed to the current status of the district. Herzog has been an outspoken critic of the district for the past two years. Her divisiveness toward the district was ample reason for her removal from the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee by a vote of 3-2. With Louda’s leadership, the district and the town are finding solutions to problems through cooperation and compromise. Will there be equestrian trails built in coordination with any future OGEM stabilization projects? I believe the design of F Road with a trail on the west side of the canal is a good plan to follow.
This is an important election. I believe the next town council needs to get the work of starting up the town completed. Changing the status of the district should not be on the town’s agenda for sever-
See LETTERS, page 5
SEND IN YOUR LETTERS
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090 ; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com
Balance Of Power In Play As Lox Groves Heads To The Polls
The balance of power is about to shift in Loxahatchee Groves — maybe. Here’s the scenario: The first council members elected after incorporation two years ago were Dave Autrey, David Browning, Marge Herzog, Dennis Lipp and Dr. Bill Louda.
A three-member bloc that included Mr. Autrey, Ms. Herzog and Dr. Louda was quickly formed, taking an extreme and uncompromising position on a number of issues, including the hostile takeover of the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District, charged with overseeing roads and canals and governed by a separately elected board.
The highly charged issue led to a split in the community. The acrimony among residents on both sides of the argument spilled out into newspapers and Internet blogs. One group even called for the disincorporation of the town, but apparently the effort was called off at least until after the election.
For his part, Dr. Louda had somewhat of a change of heart, perhaps after reading a consultant’s report that essentially said trying to kill off the LGWCD would cost town taxpayers up to $100,000 and probably not meet with approval from the Florida Legislature that established it. Why? Because the legisla-
Point of View...
By Don Brown
ture is not likely to get involved in an issue that pits one local governmental entity against another. Dr. Louda instead joined the nascent effort to mediate disagreements between the two entities.
But we have an election coming up: Mr. Autrey is stepping down, leaving an open seat being contested by Ilene Rindom, who lost a bid for a council seat two years ago, and LGWCD Supervisor Ron Jarriel. Political newcomer Ryan Liang is facing off against the incumbent Ms. Herzog.
Mr. Jarriel declared that he wants to unify the community and resigned his LGWCD seat to run for the council after learning that Ms. Rindom (seen as a fellow traveler of remaining bloc members Ms. Herzog and Dr. Louda) was running for Mr. Autrey’s seat. Ms. Rindom was handpicked by Mr. Autrey to
replace him (and his scorched-earth position on the district) on the council.
Mr. Lipp, who won re-election last year without opposition, has involved himself in the March 10 election with a stinging nonendorsement letter. His letter does not endorse Mr. Liang; however, it is riddled with reasons for not supporting Ms. Herzog, and to a lesser extent Ms. Rindom. He blames Ms. Herzog and Mr. Autrey for creating the intramural fight with LGWCD over the past two years and gives Dr. Louda credit for getting Ms. Herzog removed from an intergovernmental cooperation committee set up to find a compromise solution for the problem that has split the community. “Although Vice Mayor Herzog has honorably served the town, the public record concerning her lack of willingness to work with the district is reason enough not to re-elect her to the council,” Mr. Lipp wrote.
“I support a dependent water district to the town,” Ms. Herzog confirmed to me Wednesday night. She supports a referendum on the issue, and if voters support her position, it should be taken before the legislature that established the special district, she said. Her response to my inquiry about the consultant’s report about the $100,000 cost and presumed lack of legislative support? “He’s entitled to
his opinion,” she said. “The water control district is not meeting our needs.” Also Wednesday night, Ms. Rindom confirmed that she feels similar to Ms. Herzog. “I’m not sure I believe that report,” she said of the town’s consultant’s conclusions. It should be noted that Dr. Louda has also gotten involved in the election, endorsing Ms. Rindom and Ms. Herzog.
Mr. Liang, who helps run a family nursery business, wants to be the voice for nurseries and agriculture that he said has come under criticism from some members of the town council. He points out that more than half of the land in Loxahatchee Groves is under agricultural use and that the council wants to put agricultural concerns out of business. Ms. Herzog responded, “I have many friends in the agricultural business.”
In the latest candidates’ campaign treasurer reports, Ms. Rindom had raised the most money ($3,620) followed by Mr. Liang ($2,720), Mr. Jarriel ($2,405) and Ms. Herzog ($1,890). Regardless of how this second edition of Loxahatchee Groves Town Council elections turn out, it appears to be a sequel to the first one on the issues folks have been talking about around town, both then and now.
VINCEREMOS HOSTS STRIDES OF HOPE GALA AT
Letters continued from page 4 al years. Although Herzog has honorably served the town, the public record concerning her lack of willingness to work with the district is reason enough not to reelect her to the council. Councilman Dennis Lipp Loxahatchee Groves
Supporting Rindom & Herzog
I direct this to the residents of the Town of Loxahatchee Groves. An important election is near. Tuesday, March 10 will see the election of two seats on our town council. Two of these candidates I have worked with closely over the years and can personally attest to their dedication to our community and strong desire to keep Loxahatchee Groves a sanctuary against the overcrowded hustle-bustle world that is the majority of South Florida. In the early 1990s, I worked with Ilene Rindom as she spearheaded the Loxahatchee Groves neighborhood planning effort, an ef-
fort that came to fruition on June 4, 1996 with its adoption by the Palm Beach County Commission as a statement of our community’s sentiments. Until our incorporation, that document was strongly supported by the commissioners and staff of Palm Beach County. During this process, Ilene knew when to push and when to give way so that each of us would and then could get to our individual tasks. It was her guidance that got us through that several years’ effort.
For many years, I was the president of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association. Toward the end of my tenure on that board, Marge Herzog was vice president, and then was elected (2003) as president, a position that she has served with dignity and diligence since. Currently, she and I serve on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council and, though we may not agree on every item, we always come together for the good of the community.
The above and many other reasons are why I am voting for Ilene Rindom and Marge Herzog for council seats 1
It’s not simply about portfolio holdings and account balances. It’s about your complete life.
You should have a wealth management partner who understands that. Who cares about your personal goals for your family, your business, your future. Who can give you comfort in making decisions that not only support your financial objectives, but that help ensure you have time to do the things you enjoy with those you
and 3 respectively, and why I urge my neighbors to do the same. Vote, participate, have your voice heard. March 10 — see you at the polls.
Councilman Bill Louda
Loxahatchee Groves
Herzog Not Tree-Friendly
Something seems wrong with this picture: a candidate for the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council took out an ad in the Town-Crier with a platform plank something along the lines of “protection of the tree canopy.” She has her campaign signs nailed to live trees. This was done in the 2007 election also when they called themselves the “preservation slate,” and I thought it kind of weird.
Just drive by the Palms West Presbyterian Church and see two signs nailed to live trees. Drive down Folsom and see a sign nailed to a tree there, too. Now that it has been repeated in this election, it makes me wonder how much Marge Herzog cares about trees… or the rest of the platform.
Darlene Crawford
Loxahatchee Groves
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
A group shot of guests who adopted a horse for a year.
David Tonneson and Gabrielle Crovaas have a ball out on the dance floor.
Marybeth Gordon with Dr. Shana and Bradford Chase.
Jack and Wendy Ullrich with Lee and Iseult Broglio.
Volunteers of the year Sarah Lishen, Darlene Landy and Karen Woods.
Arianne Weiss, Lee Sable and Beth Congel.Chef Frederic and Kim Boyer with Alex and Lily Zilo.
Olympian Michael Barisone, announcer Brian Lookabill, WPEC News 12 anchor Suzanne Boyd and Mason Phelps.
Dr. Bradley Weiss and Dr. Cetty Weiss receive a gift.
Burglaries, Thefts In Wellington, RPB
By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report
FEB. 18 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched last Wednesday to the parking lot of the Crossroads Shopping Center in response to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 4 p.m. the victim parked his 2003 Chevy pickup truck in the first parking space because of the lawn equipment he had stored in the truck’s bed. He then entered a nearby restaurant, from where he could see his truck to make sure the equipment was safe. According to the report, the victim left his table for five minutes to use the restroom, during which time someone reached into the bed of the truck and took two Echo lawn blowers, one Echo weedeater and one Kawasaki edger. The total amount of stolen merchandise was valued at $1,850. The case is inactive pending further leads.
FEB. 20 — An employee of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Friday regarding a pair of shoplifters. According to a PBSO report, a store employee observed 36-year-old Yadira Parra and 38-year-old Tania Sanchez, both of West Palm Beach, open miscellaneous items in the shoe department and place them into a shopping cart. They pushed the cart over to the ladies’ apparel department, took the items and placed them into their purses. The pair then proceeded to the exit, passing all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. They were apprehended and the merchandise was recovered. The pair were transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.
between 9 and 10:40 p.m. someone pried open the front door and gained access to the victim’s apartment. Stolen from inside were a 42” Visio plasma TV, an HP laptop computer, a Sony video recorder, $500 in cash and $49 in coins. Latent prints were recovered from two picture frames. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.
FEB. 21 — A Lake Worth man was arrested last Saturday night following a traffic stop on Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation pulled over a vehicle driven by 24-yearold Joseph Nicolas for traveling 70 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone. Upon making contact with Nicolas, the deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the car and noticed that Nicolas was nervous. The deputy asked Nicolas to step outside to the rear of the vehicle, where the deputy noticed a small video camera secured above the license plate. The deputy asked Nicolas why he had the camera; Nicolas said it was for backing up. The deputy then asked what was inside the vehicle, and Nicolas replied that there was marijuana. The deputy found 29.5 grams of marijuana in several baggies. After handcuffing Nicolas, the deputy found a baggy inside his pocket that contained 3.4 grams of cocaine. In addition to possession charges, Nicolas was ticketed for speeding.
FEB. 20 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched last Friday night to the intersection of Greenview Shores Blvd. and Truff Lane regarding an assault. According to a PBSO report, the victim was walking northbound on Greenview Shores Blvd. and was followed by a dark-colored SUV driven by a young white male. The driver fired what appeared to be paintballs at the victim. The victim was not hit.
FEB. 20 — A resident of York Court called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Friday night regarding a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime
FEB. 21 — A resident of Corsica Drive called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Saturday regarding a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim arrived at 7:30 p.m. and discovered the rear sliding door open and her bedroom light on. Stolen was miscellaneous jewelry, a 35mm Nikon camera, a Sony laptop computer and a Sony camcorder. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report. FEB. 22 — A Lake Worth man was arrested for drug possession last Sunday at the Chevron station on Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation observed 25-yearold Roberto Izquerdo leave his vehicle running unattended. The deputy asked Izquerdo if he had drugs on him or in his vehicle, and he replied that he did. A search of the vehicle yielded approximately two grams of marijuana.
NEWS BRIEFS
Garage Sale At RPB Temple
Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach) will host a Giant Garage Sale on Sunday, March 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll find dozens of bargains on new and used items from children’s toys to household items, small appliances and gadgets. The temple is located just north of Veterans Park in the heart of Royal Palm Beach. Hot dogs, sodas and chips will be available for purchase. For more info., call (561) 798-8888.
Duffy’s Helps Relay For Life
Duffy’s Sports Bar in Royal Palm Beach will host a benefit on Monday, March 2 for the American Cancer Society’s 2009 Western Communities Relay for Life, which will take place at Royal Palm Beach High School on Friday, April 24. From 5 to 9 p.m. on March 2, ten percent of all sales will benefit the relay. Duffy’s is located at 11935 Southern Blvd. in the Crestwood Square plaza. For more info., call (561) 7924045.
Beach. Wang is wanted as of 02/26/09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc.com.
Vincent Seavey
Yi Wang
Questions For The Royal Palm Beach Council Candidates
Leading up to the March 10 election, the Town-Crier has asked a series of six questions to the two candidates seeking a seat on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council. Answers to the third and fourth questions are printed here. On March 10, Royal Palm Beach voters will choose between incumbent Martha Webster and challenger Demian Saenz for Council Seat 2.
In a difficult economy, municipal governments may be required to make cuts. In what areas would you look to cut; which areas should remain untouched?
MARTHA WEBSTER: The village management is lean, effective and responsible. Adjustments were made over the past year in anticipation of the reduction of municipal income from Amendment 1 and state and building revenues. I would suggest that continued cuts and re-evaluation of service will be determined by the change in demand on village services. An example is the decline in building permits that correlated to the reduction of personnel and restructuring in community development. There were additional reductions in cost resulting from personnel and service site consolidation.
Personnel can be protected by freezing positions as
they become vacant and creatively consolidating tasks. I will encourage that these strategies that maintain, and in most instances improve, service be employed for the benefit of village residents and staff. Outsourcing services is another method that the village has and will continue to use to increase service, decrease cost and support the local businesses that provide efficient service. I support the village offset decreasing tax and municipal revenues by maximizing building assets, negotiating partnerships and utility franchises as a means of increased revenue. These are the times for positive, creative problem solving. The results, I believe, will improve village operations and quality employment opportunities for our citizens.
DEMIAN SAENZ: First and foremost, we should seek funding from the federal economic stimulus package for all of our capital projects. Winning those funds will help us avoid budget cuts. However, if we’ve exhausted all sources of federal funding, then we will have to closely review the budget for expenditures that we could either reduce or eliminate. I would seek to slow down capital improvement projects. An obvious choice for review is the $22 million plan for Village Commons Park. It is
our single largest expenditure, one that would cost more than an entire year of tax revenue. While the park will be the centerpiece of our village, our priority should always be to maintain services.
Services I would not cut include those related to security and safety. As recent events in neighboring communities show, some people will make the unfortunate decision to turn to crime in tough economic times. We need to strengthen our police presence during these times. I would not cut spending related to safety. Our parks and facilities provide a low-cost alternative for recreation for our residents. In a tight economy, we can expect more residents to use these facilities; we need to make sure these facilities are safe and secure.
Some governments have already begun the process of applying for money available through the recently passed federal economic stimulus package. What types of projects should Royal Palm Beach seek federal help for?
WEBSTER: First and foremost, the stimulus funds are our money, financed by the future indebtedness of our next generation, and as such will carry the financial burden of not just the face value, but interest. Submitted
projects should be responsible and significant for the long-term development of the village.
The criterion to remember when submitting municipal projects that are “shovel ready” is that they are clearly non-conceptual. They must be planned with matching funds where needed, stimulate employment and meet federal guidelines. Nine projects were submitted to the state and the Metropolitan Planning Organization that include components of phases one and two of the Royal Palm Beach Commons project and construction of bike paths including landscaping and improved drainage. The total request is for $24,930,000, which would create 480 jobs.
The application for funding is most competitive and requires diligence and fortitude on the part of the mayor, council and staff. This past week, the village experienced a serious miscommunication in the expressed deadline for funding from the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The mayor, with the support of the council, has responded to fight for the inclusion of these valuable village stimulus projects, and we have every reason to believe they will be funded. I will continue to support the application of stimulus funding that will make an honest difference in
the economy of our community. SAENZ: I was disappointed to recently read that Royal Palm Beach missed the deadline to submit projects that could have been funded by the federal stimulus plan.
The village ignored repeated reminders from the Palm Beach County League of Cities. My opponent sits on the board of the Palm Beach County League of Cities and said last week that “it is important that the village be represented on interlocal boards and agencies that make decisions that impact the village.”
If my opponent’s experience and seats on multiple boards is a help to the village, then why didn’t she keep the council on top of this request?
Why did we miss the deadline?
We should seek funding for all outstanding capital projects that are “shovel ready,” a requirement of the stimulus package. The 2009 village budget shows more than 50 projects with a total estimated cost of $42 million. Village Commons Park represents $22 million of that spending. Seeking funds for the park should be a priority; it is our single largest expenditure. Securing federal funding for the park will help us continue to keep taxes low while delivering the services our citizens need. We need to be aggressive and act with urgency. Communities to the south such as Boca Raton submitted every project they have. Competition for these funds is tough. We cannot afford to miss another deadline.
Royal Palm Zoners OK Smaller Models For Minto’s PortoSol
By Ron Bukley
The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission recommended architectural approval of new, smaller models Tuesday to go with the recently downsized lots at Minto Communities’ PortoSol development. Jan Polson with Cotleur & Hearing spoke on behalf of Minto. “As you remember, we came before you last month for a site plan amendment as well as an architectural change on the building colors at PortoSol,” she said.
“I’m happy to say that the council approved the amendment last week, and we’re
now coming forward with our models for our future units. We’re here tonight to ask for approval of the ten elevations in the package.”
Last week, the council granted approval for Minto to increase the number of units in its 251-acre development north of Okeechobee Blvd. and west of the SuperTarget store from 443 to 499. Development Review Coordinator Kevin Irwin told the zoning commissioners Tuesday that the designs are similar to other Minto models, which will be on display at Olympia in Wellington starting this weekend. The designs range from a
2,448-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath with a two-car garage for $329,900 to a 5,073-squarefoot five-bedroom with library, sitting room, five and a half baths and a three-car garage for $724,900.
Polson said original designs are still available, in addition to the new smaller designs.
“We did not downsize all the lots,” she said. “There are 80-foot lots for the estate homes, there’s a range of 55s, some 60s and 70s.”
John Carter, vice president of Minto Communities, said the new designs are smaller to fit with the small-
er lots approved last week.
“There are also some new floor plans that we came up with, which could fit on 55foot lots or 65-foot lots,” Carter said. “This is really oriented toward the smaller lots and changing some of the floor plans to accommodate that market we’re now pursuing.”
Commissioner Leonard Urban asked what the reason was for changing some of the elements of the floor plan. “Is that just the size of the structure that you’ve downgraded?” Urban asked.
Polson said the changes were to keep pace with market conditions.
“We wanted to create the lots that were in the most demand, and those were the smaller 50-foot lots,” she said. “In order to keep up with and try to generate some more interest in the market, we also have come in with some additional designs for the homes on those smaller lots. These are in addition to the previous architecture that this board approved.”
Urban observed that some of the exterior design features on the new models were missing, such as rectangular designs on the garage doors. “That little feature is missing from these models,” Urban said. “Is this just to lessen the
cost of all of these structures?” Carter said that was not the primary goal.
“As we went through and did our design development for these models, we tried to preserve the integrity of the theme that was there, so that as you drive down the street, you don’t see new versus old, if you will,” Carter said. “I know our architects are very sensitive to not putting a lot of intricate detail on a smaller structure, because it looks very busy.”
Vice Chairman Richard Durr made a motion to approve the application, which passed 4-0.
ST. DAVID’S CHURCH HOSTS PANCAKE DINNER ON SHROVE TUESDAY
In honor of Shrove Tuesday and as a fundraiser for St. David’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church in Wellington, church members and friends served up pancakes Tuesday evening at the church. St. David’s is located at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For more information about church programs, call (561) 793-1976 or visit www.saintdavidsinthepines.org.
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
(Front row, L-R) Artists Jackie Harris, Karen McGovern, Patricia Powers, Karin Billings, Rollin McGrail and Jill Elisofon; (back row) Norm Gitzen and Gisela Pferdekamper.
Jackie Harris gives a raku demo while Pam Link assists.
Sculptor Norm Gitzen with parents Anne and Norman.
Courtney Dye, artist Jackie Harris and Betsy Tyler.
Carole Hartless talks to artist Karin Schlueter Billings about her oil and canvas painting Amalfi
Uwe Dreyer and Robin Smith enjoy the gardens.
Martha WebsterDemian Saenz
Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wells family gathers for a group photo.Robert Bresnahan with his friend Andrew Elmore.
Lawrence Logan, Kathleen Lannaman, Ivonne Palmer and Gil Atkinson enjoy a relaxing evening.
IDEAL STUDENTS VISIT PIZZANO’S PIZZA IN RPB
Twenty-one kindergarteners from Ideal Elementary School went on a field trip last Thursday to visit Pizzano’s Pizza in Royal Palm Beach. Five students at a time went into the kitchen to learn about how to prepare pizza and pasta.
They got to see pizza dough tossed in the air, knead dough and make garlic breadsticks. The students also saw the huge oven baking the pizza and the walk-in freezer. Pizzano’s Pizza is located at 601 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. For more info., call (561) 790-2345.
Purim Carnival March 8 In Wellington
Wellington’s Congregation B’nai Avraham will host a Purim carnival on Sunday, March 8 from 3 to 6 p.m. Festivities will include face painting, games, balloon sculpting and more. Children are encouraged to participate in the costume parade. Holiday food will include the traditional Hamentashen.
Admission is $18 per family, which includes five tickets that can be used toward food and activities. The synagogue is located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6, in the original Wellington Mall. For more information, call (561) 793-4347 or e-mail info@congregationbnai avraham.com.
RPBHS Project Graduation Meeting
The next meeting of the 2009 Royal Palm Beach High School Project Graduation Committee is scheduled for Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. at the school.
Parents and guardians of students in the Class of 2010 are invited to learn what will need to be done for the next class to take over. The earlier the Class of 2010 gets together, the easier the transition.
The 2009 group is moving
along with continued fundraising, gift-giving and planning for the graduation party. Project Graduation is meeting every other week now, working on various projects. The committees are currently looking for more workers and donations of any kind. For more information, call Cheryl at (561) 723-8298 or Karen at (561) 371-8377.
Rosa Durando To Speak At March 5 Event
Audubon Society of the Everglades Conservation Committee Chair Rosa Durando will speak Thursday, March 5 during a panel discussion about environmental pioneer Rachel Carson’s legacy. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the South Florida Water Management District auditorium (3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach). Durando was just awarded the 1000 Points of Light Certificate for Conservation by Gov. Charlie Crist. The discussion follows the showing of the video Sense of Wonder: Rachel Carson’s Love for the Natural World and Her Fight to Defend It The evening is sponsored by the Palm Beach County Planning Congress. To RSVP or for more information, visit www.pbc planningcongress.org.
The children sing “I Am a Pizza,” led by teachers Corinne Muller and Lauren Merritt.
The students watch Patrick Kahn toss pizza dough.
Kids pat dough strips and put them in the
Corinne Muller and Patrick Kahn look on.
Teachers Lauren Merritt and Corinne Muller and Vice Principal Annmarie Mitchell serve spaghetti to students Croix Kordick and Brooke Elder.
GRAND OPENING HELD FOR NEW IMAGING FACILITY IN WELLINGTON
A grand opening and ribbon cutting was held last Thursday for Independent Imaging Advanced Diagnostic Solutions’ state-of-the-art facility located at 3347 State Road 7, Suite 100, in the Palomino Professional Park in Wellington. Present for the event were members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, local dignitaries, representatives of Palms West Hospital and Wellington Regional Medical Center, as well as local doctors.
The Friends of Scouting Pacesetter Luncheon, a benefit event for the Boy Scouts of America, was held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts last Thursday. The keynote speaker was famed former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who was introduced by Congressman Tom Rooney (R-District 16) and Boy Scouts representatives. The event raised $300,000.
(Seated, L-R) Mike Arechabala, Bruno Perree, Ed More and Keith Hardy; (standing) Camine Priore III, Bill Reichel and Roxane Kennedy.
Terry Bradshaw signs a football for Congressman Tom Rooney while Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Ramiccio looks on. Terry Bradshaw signs autographs.
Wellington Chamber of Commerce members Victor Connor, Janna Zaidspiner and Bob Wolff.
Dr. Humberto Porrata, Dr. Robert Campitelli and Dr. Amos Dare.
A ribbon cutting with Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Cardiology Partners representatives.
Debbie Aleksander, Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto and Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen with his wife Sherry.
Dr. Rajendra Bansal and Dr. Eric Baumel.
Palms West Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Silvia Stradi and CEO Bland Eng with Dr. Diego Rubinowicz and Dr. Marcos Kornstein.
SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL BAND HOST BBQ & FAMILY FUN DAY
The Seminole Ridge High School Hawk Band hosted its Fourth Annual BBQ & Family Fun Day last Saturday on school grounds. The event featured a classic car show, craft and vendor fair, and silent and live auctions with auctioneer Bob Nichols. Entertainment was provided by the Hawk bands, local middle school bands, elementary school groups, performances by local dance studios, a rock wall, bounce houses, monkey jump and a Guitar Hero contest.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Tony and Jacob Elfring inside a Huey helicopter.
PBSO Col. Michael Gauger judges a 1966 Corvette while George Unger keeps a tally.
Junior ROTC Hawk Batallion members do pushups.
The Chili Chicks dance to “Cotton Eye Joe.”
Alex Hofmann climbs the rock wall.
Wellington All-Star Cheerleaders do a lift.
The SRHS Varsity Winter Guard perform.
LGES music teacher Laurie Brisson with Cory Cabrera and Giuseppe Roman.
Hannah Sitman and Patrick Dearty play Guitar Hero.
Jerry, Debbie and Dustyn Jordan (right) get food from MacKenzie Nezbed, Lori Reeder and Edeline Kendle.
“I found something at the mall that fits me perfectly!”
JOIN US FOR THE EXCITING KICK-OFF EVENT
The Mall at Wellington Green’s Mall Terrain, All-Weather Walking Club Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m.
Event will be held at the FIT2RUN store on the lower level near Nordstrom
Featured speaker from New Balance to discuss “Selecting the Right Fit”
• Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast
• Sample delicious and nutritious smoothies
• Have a professional gait analysis
• Plus giftcards, giveaways and more!
Membership in Mall Terrain is FREE! As a member you’ll enjoy:
• Climate-controlled way to meet your fitness goals
• Secure environment
• Free gift with enrollment
• Member discounts
• So much more!
Seminole Ridge Art Students Again Take Part In Memory Project
Seminole Ridge High School 2-D art students have again created portraits for Ecuadorian orphans via the Memory Project, a non-profit organization that delivers those portraits to underprivileged children who might not otherwise have a visual record of their youth.
Hawk artists Katie Aucoin, Arnold Castillo, Lindsey Cheek, Brianne Codner, Alexandra Davis, Anthony Garcia, Tangi Melendez, Amy Minker, Kamisa Mitchell, Ptah Quammie, Natanya Robinson, Yunior “J.R.” Rubido, Angelique Scherette, Mike Schulz and Steven Wong created this year’s portraits under the guidance of art teacher Gwenn Seuling.
“Many of these kids asked for their portraits to be hung
on the walls of their homes,” said Ben Schumaker of the Memory Project, who delivered the portraits to their reallife counterparts. “For the youngest kids, orphanage workers said they would hang the portraits on their cribs. The kids showed their portraits to friends and caregivers with beaming smiles. There were countless indications of the portraits’ immediate value, and the reaction of one small girl in particular stuck in my mind. When I held her portraits up, she turned to a group of other kids and shouted, ‘guess who that is!’ Then, pointing at herself, she was proud to say, ‘me!’” Seuling would like to thank Vera Fried and Carole Seuling for their generosity in funding the submission costs
for several of the portraits for the students. For more information about the Memory Project, visit www.the memoryproject.org.
• Lacrosse Hawks Defeat Benjamin — The Lady Hawks lacrosse team recently defeated Benjamin at home to give SRHS a 2-0 record to start their season. The game was give-and-take the entire time, but the Hawks were victorious after hard-fought defensive and offensive struggles. Jacque Eckles scored five goals, Christina Taylor scored four, and Haley Larson and Cynthia Torres each scored singles for a final score of 11-9.
• Senior Awarded Comcast Scholarship — Hawk senior Cynthia Torres has been selected as a recipient of
the 2009 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes seniors for commitment to community service, academic achievement and demonstrated leadership. Torres will receive a one-time grant of $1,000 to use toward her college expenses.
• Brescacin Places Second In Film Contest — Hawk Casandra Brescacin was one of three students from high schools in Palm Beach County presented with awards for competing in the Director’s Chair, a statewide contest in which Florida students created commercials to promote the service “Ask a Librarian.” Brescacin placed second in the contest. Palm Beach County Library System Director John J. Callahan III presented
Golden Grove Hosts Annual Spelling Bee
Golden Grove Elementary School in The Acreage held its annual Spelling Bee competition on Thursday, Feb. 12 in the school cafeteria. The top two spellers from each class in the fourth and fifth grades participated in the event. The class winners were chosen either by having a class spelling bee or just selecting the best spellers from each class.
Principal Kathryn Koerner, along with Guidance Counselor Lori Bednarek and primary teachers Melissa Ruddick, Terri Pentz and Carol Lenhart made it all possible. Koerner gave the opening remarks and introduced the judges.
Golden Grove was honored to have its business partners serve as judges for the annual Spelling Bee. The Golden Grove Gators greatly appreciated the businesses that took the time to serve in that capacity. The judges were BankAtlantic Branch Manager Kyle Vanderwende, Beef O’ Brady’s owner Bob Camerlinck, Acreage Rotary Club President Richard Helton and Pierce Hammock Elementary School Principal Jeff Eassa. Bednarek served as chief judge.
Bednarek called out approximately 50 words before the champion emerged. The champion speller was Danielle Bomar from Mrs. Dora Budd’s fifth-grade class, and the runner-up was Alexis Ruiz from Mrs. Robin Levin’s fifth-grade class. It was the word “cabana” that stumped Ruiz and was spelled correctly by Bomar. Both students will represent Golden Grove in the Palm Beach County Scripps Spelling Bee on Feb. 28 at St. Andrews School.
Fourth- and fifth-grade students were in the audience, along with a few parents. At the end of the competition, Koerner gave participation awards to all contestants. The spelling bee lasted about 30 minutes.
Frontier’s Family Literacy Night At Barnes & Noble
The faculty, staff and administration at Frontier Elementary School are still celebrating after hosting Family Literacy Night on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Barnes & Noble store near the Mall at Wellington Green. From 5 to 9 p.m., more than 200 students performed various literacy activities and drew a crowd of more than 600 people to join in this celebration of literacy. Children were in every corner of the store, reciting poems, performing Reader’s Theater, singing, performing puppet shows, playing handbells, guitars and reading original writing pieces. There was even a physical education station where children as well as adults had to read and follow along on a giant floor game to work on fitness.
The literacy showcase put a spotlight on the talents exhibited by Frontier students and was an example of why Frontier continues to be one of the school district’s highest-performing schools. It is just one of the many events
offered by the school in which parents are able to share in their child’s literacy success. During the program at Barnes & Noble, parents, grandparents, neighbors and community members interacted with the various activities and supported Frontier Elementary by purchasing books and materials with a portion of these sales going to the school as a fundraiser. The event was organized by the Frontier Elementary School Literacy Team in partnership with Barnes & Noble representative Mary Ann Heide.
“It was a tremendous event for our school as well as our community to focus our attention on literacy and its importance,” Ross said. “To see everyone engaged in activities, families reading, classes performing, and children doing individual readings and musical performances was amazing.”
For more information about future Frontier events, call Ross or Linda Fisk at (561) 904-9900.
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Memory Project — Ecuadorian orphans Sebastian and Rosita with portraits painted by Seminole Ridge students Arnold Castillo and Yunior Rubido respectively.
(Above) Golden Grove spelling champion Danielle Bomar and runner-up Alexis Ruiz with their certificates of congratulations. (Below) Spelling bee contestants gather for a group photo.
READING COUNTS AT PANTHER RUN
Panther Run Elementary School fourth grader Kayla Truong reached 1,000 points in the Palm Beach County School District’s “Reading Counts” program. The average score for most kids throughout school is between 150 and 200 points. When Kayla’s teacher Jamie Senese asked her what comes to mind when she thinks of reading, Kayla replied, “mystery, fantasy, adventures — all that stuff.” Pictured above, Principal P.J. D’Aoust presents Kayla with a Reading Counts certificate during the school’s morning newscast on WPRE.
ARTIGRAS YOUTH ART CONTEST WINNERS
Panther Run Elementary School students Alexa Azzinaro and Brendan Beaubien each won second place recently at the ArtiGras youth art competition. Their artwork will be displayed throughout Palm Beach County over the next year. Azzinaro and Beaubien are in the fourth and second grades respectively. Pictured above are the two students with art teacher Lyda Barerra.
Cypress Trails Book Drive Helps Glades Kids
Cypress Trails Elementary School Business Partnership Coordinator Paula Beauchesne and Media Specialist Tasha Peart recently organized a book drive to benefit schools that may not have the additional funds to purchase some of the “extras” for their students.
The team soon discovered they would have one of the most successful book drives in the history of the school and were very appreciative of the generous book donations
made by the students, parents and staff.
At the completion of the book drive, there were 16 boxes of quality books for nearly every grade level.
Several West Area schools received books for their students, including Suzanne Mawhinney, a teacher at Kathryn E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary School, who received four boxes.
Mawhinney credits teachers Beauchesne and Peart
Cypress Trails Thanks Its Business Partners
Cypress Trails Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach would like to thank its business partners National Deli, Riverside Bank, Connelly’s and Albertsons for their donations and support to the school-wide initiative Million Minute Reading Challenge, which was launched at the beginning of the current school year.
On Jan. 14, Cypress Trails held a family reading night and with the support of the Parent-Teacher Organiza-
tion. All attendees enjoyed free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and sodas while listening to stories being read aloud and doing crafts.
The goal of the Million Minute Reading Challenge was to recognize the importance of reading together as a family as well as rewarding students for meeting individual reading goals in the Million Minute Challenge.
For more information, call Library Media Specialist Tasha Burke-Peart at (561) 904-9000.
for sharing books with students at Canal Point Elementary.
“When a student gets a new book, it’s like opening a gift. They get so excited!” Mawhinney said.
In addition, Pahokee Elementary School Principal Vivian Green and Assistant Principal Tracy Gaugler were very grateful to receive books for their students.
“Cypress Trails Elementary parents and students are to be commended for their gen-
erous contribution of books for the students in the Glades area,” West Area Volunteer Coordinator Kathryn Zaccagnino said. Any remaining books will be given to the South Africa Project that is handled through the Division of Instructional Resources, as part of a larger effort to send instructional and reading materials to South Africa. For more information, call Kathryn Zaccagnino at (561) 985-2046.
Suncoast To Present ‘Aida’ March 5-7
Suncoast High School students, directed by Chorus/ Drama Director Leanora Wilkinson and Band Director Ernest Brown, will perform Aida at the school’s Kay Carnes Theater on Thursday, March 5 through Saturday, March 7.
Bursting with energy and teeming with vibrant song and dance, Aida is a story of a love triangle between an enslaved Nubian princess, a privileged daughter of an Egyptian pharaoh and a soldier they both love that could
alter history forever. Based on Giuseppe Verdi’s classic opera, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Tony- and Grammywinning pop-rock powerhouse turns the legendary tale of Aida into an exhilarating and rousing musical event. Show time is 7 p.m. each night with a matinee performance on Saturday, March 7 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 before March 5 and $15 after. RSVP to Leanora Wilkinson at (561) 882-3427 or leanora.wilkinson@palm beach.k12.fl.us.
IDEAL Preschool Students Attend Royal Ball
Preschool students at Ideal Elementary School celebrated St. Valentine’s Day by attending the annual Royal Ball during the school day on Feb. 13.
Students and teachers dressed as princes, princesses and knights and enjoyed a day filled with Valentine’s activities including a walk to Hilary’s restaurant for ice cream and cookies.
Valentine’s Day also marked the beginning of a lesson plan relating to the human body where the preschool students learned about the cardiovascular, muscular and skeletal systems.
For more information about Ideal Elementary School and Dream Middle School, visit www.dream ideal.com.
Royal Ball — Preschool teacher Mrs. Connie Anderson illustrates the difference between an anatomical heart and a Valentine heart.
COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR
Saturday, Feb. 28
• The Winter Equestrian Festival continues through March 29 with a series of weekly show jumping and dressage competitions at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, located at 14440 Pierson Road in Wellington. Shows run Wednesday through Sunday, culminating with a grand prix. For tickets, call (561) 793-5867 or visit www.equestriansport.com.
• The Delray Beach International Tennis Championship will continue through Sunday, March 1 at the Delray Beach Tennis Center (201 W. Atlantic Avenue). The event features the brightest stars of tennis as well as entertainment, food, exhibit booths and more. Call (561) 330-6000 or visit www.yellowtennisball. com for more info.
• Palm Beach Opera will continue Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) through Monday, March 2. Call (561) 833-7888 or visit www. kravis.org for more info.
• A community yard sale hosted by Grace Fellowship Church will take place on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church’s Acreage campus (75th Road North and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road). For info., call (561) 8275990 or e-mail cindy_potts @bereanwpb.org.
• Community of Hope Church in Loxahatchee Groves (14101 Okeechobee Blvd.) will host a free “good sense” budget seminar in two parts on Saturdays, Feb. 28 and March 14 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The seminar will provide practical training in principles of money management that will help attendees meet financial goals, reduce debt, develop a personalized spending plan and gain financial freedom. For more info., call (561) 753-8883 or e-mail info@gocoh. com.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!” on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. for ages two and up. The event will include stories and activities in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.
• The Maltz Jupiter Theatre (1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter) will present The Velveteen Rabbit on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. This musical adaptation features a nursery filled with toys and their dreams of being real. Tickets cost $12. Call (561) 743-2666 or go to www.jupitertheatre.org for more info.
• Loggerhead Marinelife Center of Juno Beach (14200 Highway 1, Juno Beach) will hold its Loggerhead Luau on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. This creative “blue-tie” event is an inaugural fundraiser to benefit the center’s sea turtle rehabilitation program. Enjoy live music, tropical drinks, dinner and dancing under the stars. For more info., visit www.marinelife. org/luau or call (561) 6278280.
Sunday, March 1
• The 19th Annual Red Cross Polo Luncheon & Auction , hosted by the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area chapter, will be held on Sunday, March 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington (3667 120th Avenue South). Enjoy a fabulous lunch, world-class polo, and silent and live auctions to benefit the Red Cross. Tickets cost $250 per person. For more information, call (561) 833-7711 or visit www.redcross-pbc.org.
• The Palm Beach Kennel Club (1111 North Congress Ave., West Palm Beach) will hold a St. Patrick’s Day Preview Party on Sunday, March 1 at 11:30 a.m. Get the party started with Irish food and drink specials throughout the month. See the Rooney’s Pub Classic featuring PBKC’s fastest sprinters. Call (561) 6832222 or visit www.pbkennel club.com for more info.
• The Maltz Jupiter Theatre (1001 East Indiantown Road, Jupiter) will host “Movie Madness” on Sunday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Musical Director Owen Seward will lead the 60piece orchestra in his renditions of classic movie
soundtracks. Tickets are $25. Call (561) 743-2666 or visit www.jupitertheatre. org for more info. Monday, March 2
• PGA National Resort & Spa (400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens) will host the Honda Classic on Monday, March 2 through Sunday, March 8 featuring golf’s top players. Call (561) 7992747 for more info.
• Temple Beth Tikvah’s (4550 Jog Road, Greenacres) final Adult Education Class will be “Famous Jewish Singers in Opera” instructed by Cantor Irving Grossman Monday through Thursday, March 2-5 from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $5 for temple members and $10 for non-members, which includes refreshments. Call (561) 967-3600 to reserve a space or sign up.
• The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 in Royal Palm Beach will meet on Monday, March 2 at 11 a.m. at the Palms West Presbyterian Church on Okeechobee Blvd. For more info., call President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875 or Secretary Margie Bonner at (561) 712-4905.
Tuesday, March 3
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “What’s in a Name?” on Tuesday, March 3 at 2:30 p.m. for ages four and up. Listen to stories about characters with unusual names, then play name games. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Wednesday, March 4
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present its Discover the World Book Discussion Series on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Sara Harris will lead a discussion of Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.
Thursday, March 5
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present a Teen Writing Workshop on Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 through 17. Debbie Reed Fischer, author of Braless in Wonderland, will offer writing advice and answer questions. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• The 2009 polo season will continue Thursday, March 5 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach with the start of the 26-goal USPA Piaget Gold Cup. Gold Cup play will continue until Sunday, March 29. The International Polo Club is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 2045687 or visit www.inter nationalpoloclub.com. • Sunsport Gardens naturist resort (14125 North Road, Loxahatchee Groves) will host a Loxahatchee Groves Town Council Candidates Forum on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. All residents are welcome free of charge. Dining will be available at Sunsport’s restaurant prior to the forum. For more info., call Morley Schloss at (561) 791-1361. Friday, March 6 • Pierce Hammock Elementary School, located at 14255 Hamlin Blvd. in The Acreage, will host its Third Annual Western Communities Fair Friday through Sunday, March 6-8. Call (561) 651-0400 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “One Potato, Two” on Friday, March 6 at 11 a.m. for ages two and up. The program will feature stories, finger plays, songs and crafts. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• The Maltz Jupiter Theatre (1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter) will present “Salute to Broadway” on Friday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Call (561) 743-2666 or visit www. jupitertheatre.org for more info. Saturday, March 7
• The Second Annual W.B. Ingalls Memorial Prostate Health & Cancer Seminar will be held Saturday, March 7 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuition is $20 per person; $30 per couple. Register by calling (561) 7766666 or visit www.myhir.org. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier.com.
RUTH KEEN HONORS FOUR CHAPLAINS
Ruth Keen (above) helped conduct the Chapel of Four Chaplains service at a recent meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 of Royal Palm Beach. This service pays honor to the four chaplains who gave up their life for the sake of others on the torpedoed ship Dorchester during World War II. Each year during the month of February, members of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary hold memorial services to show gratitude for the sacrifices made by these brave chaplains. For more information about the American Legion Auxiliary, call Marge Herzog at (561) 7919875.
PIANO STUDENTS PLAY FOR SENIORS
Sylvia Skoller and her piano students performed on Friday, Feb. 20 on the Marilyn and Stanley Katz seniors campus at Tradition of the Palm Beaches. This is the third consecutive year that Skoller and her students have performed for the residents of this senior community. Morse Lifecare Management Clinical Director Judy Uzzi and Tradition Activities Director Vardit Bakal coordinated the event. It was an honor and pleasure for Skoller and her students to entertain seniors in the community. Pictured above is Skoller with her students (front row, L-R) Brendan Boudreau, Sam Chen, Alyssa Uzzi, Wendy Huang and Nina Mangiola; (back row) Stefan Katz, Kathrine Boswell, Kelsie Boudreau, Nikki Shaffer and Daniele Boudreau.
Troop 122’s Levi Stahl Earns Eagle Scout
On Saturday, Feb. 7, Levi Stahl, along with his fellow scouts, friends and family, celebrated his appointment to the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor given by the Boy Scouts of America. Found worthy of this rank on Nov. 24, Stahl joins the ranks of only four percent of those who enter scouting who go on to achieve the rank of Eagle.
Stahl, who is a member of Troop 122 in Loxahatchee, was the first scout to receive the gold 80-hour service patch for community service at Tanah Keetah Boy Scout Reservation, where he has spent the past three summers on summer camp staff. Stahl taught climbing and challenging outdoor personal experience to others. He has also taught the Police Explorers and the ROTC, which he has now joined at school.
With his BSA lifeguard
and CPR training, Stahl was able to be on staff at the aquatics area of summer camp.
Stahl’s service project will be known and used for a long time. He chose to make arm boards for the American Red Cross. They were put on all of the disaster relief trucks and will be used in all of their training classes.
Stahl was also inducted into the Order of the Arrow, which is the BSA’s national honor society, through which he was able to take part in conferences around the United States and gain a lot of life experiences using his scouting skills. He also journeyed to Mississippi to Camp Tiak to help with disaster cleanup of a devastated camp.
He is now a member of the Hitchiti dancers, where he performs in honor of the Native American dancer. He placed third at his first dance competition. Stahl said that scouting has given him a lot of different experiences to take through life.
Strong Support For Red Cross Polo Lunch
The 19th Annual Red Cross Polo Luncheon & Auction will take place Sunday, March 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.
Themed “East Goes West,” volunteers and supporters will make the trek westward from the coastline of Palm Beach to Wellington to celebrate with celebrities, worldclass polo players, dignitaries and well-wishers for an afternoon of support and friendship, all to benefit the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area chapter. Pierre Cardin will be the international honorary chair. Among the supporters will be special guests Tito Puente Jr. and Jon Secada. Sharing in the afternoon’s festivities will be world-renowned French painter/sculptor Breteau (the official painter of NASA), who has donated an original polo-inspired work of art created for the auction. Also enjoying the luncheon and polo game will be honorary chairs Mr. and Mrs. Tim Gannon, honorary polo chair Mike Azzaro and honorary auction
chair extraordinaire David Miller.
“I have been involved both with the Red Cross and polo for years, and although this community always embraces the support of this essential organization, I have never felt such passion and commitment for our cause,” said Wellington resident Denise Alexander, who has chaired the event for the past two years. “We are fortunate to have an extraordinary committee dedicated to creating an exceptional event by re-infusing the polo luncheon with a sense of community and family.”
Beginning at 11:30 a.m., the event will feature a silent auction boasting a collection of spectacular and unique international items such as rare artwork, exotic vacations and sparkling jewels.
Following the silent auction, there will be a lunch, live entertainment and live auction featuring more extraordinary items including an exclusive private polo lesson with ten-goaler Mike Azzaro, cruise packages, catered
parties and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Entertainment will be provided by the BroadBand Orchestra, a collection of international allstar musicians. The devoted committee for 2009 includes Vice Chair Leslie Ginn, Auction Chair Maria Power, Decorating Chair Pascale Duwat, and co-chairs Nick Coniglio, Shane Ames, Jack Elkins, Sara Columbo,
SAMPLE BALLOT
Rachel E.
and Sonia
Tickets to the event are $200 per person with a limited amount of Young Friends tickets available for $125. Veranda VIP seating is available. All proceeds will benefit the Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area chapter. For more information, call (561) 833-7711 or visit www.red cross-pbc.org.
YOUR POLLING LOCATION is listed on your Voter ID Card. You must notify the Elections Office if you move from the address listed on your Voter ID Card. If you are unsure of the polling location of your new Precinct, call 561-656-6200. The polls are open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P. M. on Election Day. SU CENTRO ELECTORAL está nombrado en su Tarjeta de Identificación Electoral. Tendrá que informar a la Oficina de Elecciones si se muda de la dirección nombrada en su Tarjeta de Identificación Electoral.Si no está seguro del lugar donde debe votar en su nuevo distrito electoral, llame al 561-656-6200. LAS URNAS ESTAN ABIERTAS DE LAS 7 AM A LAS
de Florida, una Tarjeta de Identificación de Florida expedida según s. 322.051, F.S., o cualquier otra identificación con foto aceptable.
Polo Luncheon Committee — Seated (L-R) Pascale Duwat, Tim Gannon, Leslie Ginn, Lily Capehart, Brad Alexander and Jack Elkins; (standing) Nick Coniglio, Ray Wakefield, David Miller, Shane Ames, Christie Gannon and Denise Alexander.
Pinedo
Tita Populou.
Eagle Scout Levi Stahl
‘Green House’ — Quantum House Operations Manager Colette McKnight, Marriott Human Resources Coordinator Nancy Brooks, Marriott Area Human Resources Director Aimee Mangold, National Recycling Services sales representative Kelly Hanna and Quantum House Executive Director Robi Jurney.
Quantum House Going ‘Green’
Quantum House has been making a conscious effort to become more environmentally friendly for the past two years. The house, located at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, has paid special attention during a recent remodel, using no VOC paint, off-gassed carpet and energy-efficient lighting, thermostats and appliances. A volunteer crew of master gardeners has even worked to create an amazing butterfly garden in the back yard using recycled mulch and donated plants. The staff felt that these changes were necessary for a healthier environment for Quantum House families and for long-term cost savings. The one environmentally friendly aspect the house was not able to implement on its own was a recycling program. The extra cost of recycling is not built into the organization’s tight budget.
Quantum House Executive Director Robi Jurney expressed the lack of recycling to some of the management team from the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott. As the first full-service “green-certified” Marriott on Florida’s East Coast, the hotel went to work on a program right away. The recycling company that the hotel uses, National Recy-
cling Services, put together a proposal and Marriott agreed to underwrite the program at Quantum House. “It is exciting and our pleasure to sponsor Quantum House’s Green initiative,” Human Resources Coordinator Nancy Brooks said. “Palm Beach Gardens Marriott is a green lodging hotel and as such it is very rewarding to see other hospitality properties follow suit. Quantum House will be providing their guests with in-room recycling opportunities as I hope to do at the Marriott.” The mission of National Recycling Services is to envision clean, prosperous communities built upon the foundations of sustainable business practice and individual responsibility. National Recycling Services representative Kelly Hanna will train the Quantum House staff on green recycling practices that will be incorporated by the families that stay at the house in times of need. Quantum House is a ten-suite facility that provides “a caring place to call home” for families whose children are being treated for a critical illness or injury in Palm Beach County. For more information, call Bryn Little at (561) 4940515.
Turk Joins Oasis Compassion Agency Board
Oasis Compassion Agency in Greenacres recently announced the addition of Wellington resident Paul Turk Jr. to its board of directors. Turk was born in Utica, N.Y. and graduated with honors from Syracuse University in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 1979, Turk graduated with high honors from Stetson University College of Law. Turk practices law with the firm of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in West Palm Beach and is a Florida Bar board-certified civil trial lawyer. His practice focuses on
complex commercial litigation and eminent domain. Turk has been married to his wife Katherine since 1974. The couple has three children: Diana, Gregory and Carolyn.
Paul and Katherine Turk are active members of St. Rita Catholic Church in Wellington; both are extraordinary ministers at the church. Turk is also a member of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County Board of Directors and a member of the Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers.
Oasis Compassion Agency
is committed to showing God’s love in practical ways by addressing the physical and spiritual needs of the impoverished in central Palm Beach County. The agency works with clients to identify roadblocks to success, devises a plan to overcome them and acts on that plan. Oasis meets clients at their points of need through its food pantry, clothing ministry, prayer and Biblical counseling, and through its career center.
For more information, call (561) 967-4066 or visit www. oasiscompassion.org.
WellingTAN Among The Nation’s Top Salons
Looking Fit magazine, a national trade publication supporting the indoor tanning industry, recently named WellingTAN one of the top 250 salons in the nation.
Since 2000, Looking Fit’s editors have worked diligently to identify the top 250 indoor tanning salons in the industry. Published in the Feb. 15 issue of the magazine, the award identifies WellingTAN as one of the most innovative, dynamic and fastest-growing indoor tanning salons in the United States.
The success of the salons that were chosen can be attributed to a number of factors, including their professionalism, commitment to education and superior customer service. Year after year, the indoor tanning industry grows in direct proportion to consumer confidence gained through knowledgeable tanning salon owners and operators who have the welfare of their customers in mind.
‘Palm Beach County Saves’ Event Feb. 28
The Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension is pleased to be partnering with local financial institutions and other groups to observe America Saves Week Feb. 22 to March 1.
During this celebration week, individuals and families nationwide are encouraged to save, reduce debt and build an emergency saving fund. They are also encouraged to make a commitment toward building a wealthier future by making their money work harder for them.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, the Extension Service and its partners will host a Palm Beach County Saves event at the Extension Office (559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day’s activities will include educational workshops
for adults and children, shredding of personal documents that are no longer needed, a free credit report, and the unclaimed money search kiosk. In addition, a number of agencies and organizations will be on hand to answer questions and provide resources.
Workshop topics include foreclosure prevention, credit and debt management, how to save, and protecting yourself from fraud and identity theft.
There will be no charge for the event. Door prizes donated by local financial institutions and businesses include savings bonds, gift certificates and gift cards. For more information about Palm Beach County Saves Week, call Family & Consumer Sciences at (561) 233-1742.
The U.S. indoor tanning industry represents more than 25,000 freestanding tanning salons that have an economic impact of more than $5 billion. The industry promotes moderate, sensible and responsible tanning — indoors and outdoors.
WellingTAN is located at 12797 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6-A, in the Wellington Plaza. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (561) 383-8883 or visit www.wellingtan.com.
To celebrate its arrival in Royal Palm Beach, casual dining restaurant Max & Erma’s recently gave away a year’s worth of tortilla soup to 100 lucky guests. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Palms West Chamber of Commerce also was held. Located at 11111 Southern Blvd., Max & Erma’s is known for such favorites as tortilla soup, “garbage burgers” and delectable fresh-baked cookies. Call (561) 383-8878 or visit www.maxandermas.com for more info. Pictured above are restaurant staff members with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Intimacy 101: Strengthening the Bonds of Love Saturday, March 7, 9:30 AM
Maureen Whelihan, MD, Gynecologist
Susan Lee, Ed.D., LCSW, Certified Sex Therapist
John Stripling, MD, Urologist
Stanley Althof, Ph.D., Certified Sex Therapist
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Michelle Beck-Torres, MD, Gynecologist
Jerry Singer, MD, Urologist
Vincent Apicella, DO, Family Practice Physician
KC Valentine, DPT, CFMT Doctor, Physical Therapy
Ben Epstein, Pharm.D.
Miriam Davis, LCSW, Certified Sex Therapist
Paul Turk Jr.
WHS Boys Tennis Team Expects Another Season Of Solid Play
With a surplus of state-ranked teams spread across Wellington High School, one has continued to fly under the radar. A diversified squad with three seniors and three top-six sophomores, the WHS boys tennis team is on the verge of another strong season.
Seniors Stephen Bender and Sean Dargan are the team’s first- and fourth-ranked players, and solidify an otherwise young group. Last year’s team gained experience with three freshmen in the top six, which has carried over greatly to this year. The team also has senior Cory Wagshol, last season’s number-oneranked player, who is returning from a left elbow injury.
The current season, however, opened with some controversy. Due to eligibility issues, Wagshol and sophomore Ben Montoya were unable to compete against Royal Palm Beach on Feb.17 in the season opener. Instead, sophomore Doug Conti filled the void and played in the number-four position. “I was excited,” Conti said after winning the match 8-6 without showing nervousness. “Winning felt really good, especially since I wasn’t supposed to start.”
Sophomore Travis Michaud also moved up a rank. Playing as the number two, Michaud easily defeated his competition 8-2. “It feels great to start the year off well,” he said.
The individual success prompted the team to an overall 6-1 victory.
The next day, the group opened its home schedule against Palm Beach Gardens. Sophomore Ben Aqua, who tested a broken ankle for the first time in five weeks, stepped into
Wolverine Watch
By Josh Hyber
the number-four spot and easily won his match 8-2. Aqua is one of many players on the roster dealing with an injury. Dargan and his opponent played a tough match, with Dargan edging a close win, 9-7.
The following afternoon, the Wolverines completed a three-day, three-match winning streak against Seminole Ridge. Aqua and Michaud each won their matches, 8-0 and 82 respectively. The team as a whole won 7-0.
The team traveled to Belle Glade on Tuesday to take on Glades Central. The boys easily took down their opponent in another 8-0 shutout. “We started the year the way we should have,” Aqua said.
With a solid core of seniors and seasoned young players, the outlook for the WHS tennis team is encouraging. According to some of the players, a lack of talent on other local and regional teams will help them in their state playoff push.
The Wolverines took on rival Palm Beach Central on Thursday, but results were not available at presstime.
GIRL LACROSSE
The Lady Wolverines lacrosse team host-
Wellington Wave Wins In Jupiter
The Wellington Wave U12 girls travel soccer team won the Victory division in the Jupiter Presidents’ Cup on Presidents’ Day weekend at Jupiter Community Park.
The Wave girls won the tournament division by winning four straight shutout games. Goal keeper Victoria Merz allowed no goals throughout the games with outstanding defensive support from fullbacks Leah Heysler and Marissa Sunshine, and sweeper Agatha Argeros. The offense was led by striker Kayla Puzon, center mid Nicole Linn, and wings Sabrina Cedeno-Tobon, Morgan Sullivan, Emily Ebersole, Nandi Eastmond and Madison Free, who kept the opposing defense off balance and created numerous
scoring opportunities for the Wave.
This is the first tournament win for the U-12 girls, coached by Scott Heysler with assistant coach Alonzo Cedeno and manager Patrick Linn.
The Wave U-12 girls compete in the Palm Beach Soccer League early season and the Florida United Soccer Association regular season, and the team is a mix of first, second and third-year players who are part of the Wellington Wave Soccer Club. Team members are Agatha Argeros, Sabrina CedenoTobon, Nandi Eastmond, Emily Ebersole, Madison Free, Leah Heysler, Nicole Linn, Victoria Merz, Kayla Puzon, Morgan Sullivan and Marissa Sunshine.
ed Palm Beach Central on Tuesday. Junior Gloria Kelly, sophomore Katie Shea and freshman Olivia DiCarlantonio scored three goals each in a 15-5 victory.
The girls were on cruise control early in the game, maintaining possession for the majority of the first half. The speed of junior Grace Thompson, who recorded one goal on the night, added a nice spark to a great passing performance from Shea and DiCarlantonio.
In the second half of the game, Shea continued her excellent play. Heather Cooper also had a fine half. The Broncos did, however, make a scoring push to test the Wolverines. Bronco Aly Goldstein scored two quick goals to cut the Wolverine lead to 10-5. But junior Meredith Kurtz responded with two goals of her own. With four seconds remaining in the game, junior Danielle Boudreau scored the 15th goal of the night for the Wolverines.
“I knew the game was going to be physical, so I was relieved that we won, even though I didn’t think we played to our best ability,” DiCarlantonio said.
The team will test its ability on Thursday, March 5 against the Park Vista Cobras.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Last Thursday, the WHS boys varsity basketball team ended its finest season in recent memory. First-year coach Matt Colin and senior forward Rahiem Smalls led the Wolverines to the state’s final 32 teams for the first time in seven years.
To get there, the Wolverines upset Palm Beach Lakes High School in the district semi-
finals. Smalls scored 22 points and sophomore guard Scott Witkowski had 21. The team won 60-52 to advance to the district finals, earning them a place in the regional playoffs. There they traveled to Lantana to take on Santaluces High School. Colin, back at the school where he played his high school ball, coached with high-spirited emotion. “I was very excited, along with the players though, we were just excited to make it that far,” he said.
Guard Mike Randell had a team-high 17 points, boasted by three three-pointers. Senior forwards Milton Cook and Victor Jones ended their high school careers with a combined three points. “They both played well defensively, and Victor did a good job not allowing his guy to score,” Colin said. “They ran a trap [defense] so our guards had to give up the ball quickly.”
Ultimately, the Wolverines fell to Santaluces by a score of 55-36, ending the team’s season.
Disappointing, but a learning experience nonetheless. The team’s future looks like it could potentially start Colin’s goal, which is to become a local powerhouse. Witkowski will return for another year, with two additional guards joining him, juniors Javel Williams and Tyler Wood. Sophomore forwards Rex Kirby, the team’s Energizer Bunny, and Davis Martin will also be back. Look for forward Brynjar Gudmundson to have a great increase in playing time. Of course, this is all just speculation; many things can occur over one summer.
Royal Palm Bassmasters Fish Okeetantie
The Royal Palm Bassmasters held their monthly tournament on Lake Okeechobee out of the Okeetantie area on Feb. 15.
First place was awarded to the team of Phil Northrop (boater) with three fish weighing 5 lbs., 10 oz. and partner Irene Northrop (nonboater) with two fish weighing 3 lbs., 2 oz. for a total team weight of 8 lbs., 12 oz.
Second place was awarded to the team of Robbie Thompson (boater) with one fish weighing 4 lbs., 6 oz. and partner Anita Kane (nonboater) with no fish weighed in for a total team weight of 4 lbs., 6 oz.
Third place was awarded to the team of Tom Brown (boater) with two fish weighing 3 lbs. and a draw partner (non-boater) with one fish weighing 13 oz. for a total team weight of 3 lbs., 13 oz.
The Big Fish and Calcutta was awarded to Robbie Thompson for a 4 lb., 6 oz. bass. Bassmasters meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center (151 Civic Center Way). Royal Palm Bassmasters tournaments are held the following Sunday. For more information, call President Mike Gershberg at (561) 371-5652.
Palm Beach Wicked Pride 14-U Champs
The Palm Beach Wicked Pride 14-U-A softball team, based at Okeeheelee Park, recently competed in the USSSA Winter World Series tournament held in Kissimmee Feb. 14-15. Led by dominating pitching, outstanding offense and impenetrable defense, the Wicked Pride finished the tournament undefeated with a record of 7-0, including five shutouts. Notably, Wicked player Corrie Boggess hit an over-the-fence home run in the championship game. Pitchers Maddie Hir, Boggess and Michaela Sihler turned in outstanding
Wellington Roller Hockey Player Of The Week: Tauben Brenner
The Wellington Roller Hockey League’s Player of the Week is nine-year-old Tauben Brenner, who plays forward for the Training Division’s Tampa Bay Lightning. His jersey number is 11, and he shoots left.
Brenner’s favorite professional hockey team is the Florida Panthers, his favorite video game is Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, and his favorite foods are mashed potatoes and Salisbury steak. Brenner loves to
build Lego airplanes.
One of the stronger skaters on his team, Brenner is an excellent passer and one of the few players who can thread a pass through a small opening during a game. He is extremely determined and loves to complete. Brenner is an excellent listener and is able to follow instruction extremely well. He is well-liked by his teammates and is one of the more popular players on his team.
performances on the mound.
The Wicked Pride became the Winter 14-U national champs by winning the tournament, and the team earned a paid berth to the USSSA National Tournament, which will be held at Disney in July. The girls added the title to their 12-U FAST National Title, which they earned in July 2008. The Wicked Pride continued their winning ways despite moving up into the 14-U age division.
Players include Maddie Hir, Celine Besman, Sara Vazquez, Rissy Mangini, Sarah Good, Michele May,
Rebuilding Year For WCS Baseball
The Wellington Christian School baseball program has started its campaign in rebuild mode this season. After losing 11 of 15 players from the 2008 squad due to seven graduations and four transfers, expectations are guarded.
“In a small school like ours, there are great opportunities for incoming students to fulfill their dreams instead of sitting on the bench wondering what could have been,”
Coach Mike Drahos said.
“Several of our players have made the best of those oppor-
tunities and were rewarded for all their hard work.”
One example is pitcher
Scott Roselli, who graduated last year and received a full scholarship to pitch at St. Leo’s College in Kissimmee.
The following WCS graduates are all attending college: Logan Baker (Colorado State University), Josh Frabitore (Florida State University), Seumus Hardman (Edison College), Eric Kooienga (Universal Technical Institute) and Joey Lelonek (Palm Beach Community College).
This year’s staff ace Kevin
Goff has made a commitment to a major college to be announced soon. Junior Pitcher Dan Roselli and junior catcher Tyler Clark are on the radar screens of several interested colleges. Senior third baseman Bryan Clark is also receiving attention from local colleges. The 2009 team will feature returning players Goff, Roselli, Tyler and Bryan Clark, second baseman Nick Potenza and short stop J.J. Salazar, and new players Jeremy Panakos, Mitch Adler, Connor Clark, Casey Colantuoni and Jim Curtiss.
Irene and Phil Northrop
The Wellington Wave U-12 girls travel soccer team.
Kristen Garceau, Haily Stroempl, Jenni Gianantonio, Michaela Sihler and Corrie Boggess. The team is coached by Dave Hir, Matt Besman, Mike Good and Bill Kimble. For more info., visit www.pbwickedfastpitch.com.
The Palm Beach Wicked Pride 14-U-A softball team.
Tauben Brenner
A Lovely Evening At The Lusitano Collection Horse Auction
The weather couldn’t have been better, the horses lovelier or the people nicer. A selected group of 400 prospective buyers from all over the world were invited to visit the 34 horses housed at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center Feb. 12-16. These specially selected Lusitano horses — six mares, three geldings and 25 stallions — were this year’s offerings at the Lusitano Collection International Exhibition, highlighting Lusitanos from two of the most important breeding farms in Brazil: Interagro Farms and Coudelaria Rocas do Vouga.
Lusitanos perform well in a variety of disciplines, including dressage, jumping and driving. Their quiet temperaments make them popular with people who also just enjoy pleasure riding and driving. Their smaller size, typically 15 to 16.2 hands, also makes them ideal as mounts for women who may not be as comfortable riding larger Warmbloods.
This year’s collection was the second auctioned in the U.S., with previous Lusitano exhibitions held for three years in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Susan Apple owns the Apple Organization, the North Miami Beach public relations firm publicizing the event, but was also on hand as a prospective buyer. Apple has been riding and eventing for years and said her 20-yearold Warmblood is getting along in years. She previously only knew Warmbloods well, but then she met the Lusitanos.
“This is the smoothest ride I’ve ever had in my life,” Apple said. “They’re beautiful in dressage, great for hunting and jumpers. They’re so versatile, they’ve completely won me over. I know I’m crazy, but I’m going to bid on one tonight. I have this one horse picked out. Each bidder gets a booklet telling about the horses, their pedigrees, and even comments about each horse’s personality. Then you get a video, so you can see them
MPO
One Project Per Agency
continued from page 1 only $25 million available for local roadway projects, which justifies the limitation of one project per agency. He
Crime White Pine Crackdown
continued from page 1 take the position that it is our community and it is time to take it back.”
Schofield said he would recommend that the village make more aggressive attempts to get landlords to comply with village codes and clean up their properties, and ensure that they are doing the required background checks on tenants claiming subsidized housing benefits.
Councilman Matt Willhite acknowledged that in making a more aggressive effort to tackle problems in the White Pine Drive and 12th Fairway neighborhood, the village would inevitably make mistakes and cause unnecessary grief to some, especially through a strict approach to code enforcement. But he stressed that the village must keep public safety a top priority.
Willhite suggested the village explore the possibility of imposing further rules on landlords, such as denying them the right to a rental license once the property in question is connected to a certain amount of criminal activity.
“Public safety is paramount and so important here,” he said. “I think everything is on the table, and we’ll do whatever we can.”
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto asked when the council could expect to review any action plans from village staff, and Schofield said he would have something ready by the council’s second meeting in March, which takes place March 31.
“The reason we have to bring it back that fast is because the public perception being what it is, it is time to move forward while we can, with everybody concentrating on crime,” Schofield said. “You know, we’ve been talking about it for six years, and it has not been getting better over six years.”
Problems plaguing a few neighborhoods could endanger the quality of life that so
Tales From The Trails
By Ellen Rosenberg
going.”
Apple said she was impressed with the advance information and had to go see them in person. “During the week, any bidders can go and try the horses out,” she said. “It’s like having a private dressage lesson. There’s a vet on the premises, and each horse has a complete set of x-rays. It’s such a wonderful, completely honest experience. No wonder previous buyers come back to buy from the collection again and again.”
Apple said she felt a special connection with the horse she had her eyes on, named Azeite do Vouga. “This one I’ve picked out has the smoothest gait I’ve ever felt,” she said. “It’s like riding on a cloud. He was so comfortable and responsive to me; much more sensitive and willing than a Warmblood. He’s smart and sweet, and I’m so nervous that I’m shaking like a leaf.”
The Welcoming Reception and Showcase Parade of Horses took place the evening of Feb. 19, and the auction the following evening. A tent was set up inside the covered arena at the Jim Brandon Center. Couples mingled, enjoying cocktails and small talk. Millie McCoy of Wellington came to bid on one special horse she had tried during the week. She previously bought a Lusitano in France five years ago and wanted another one.
“I love their incredible sensitivity,” McCoy said. “I haven’t really ridden much since December, so I was a little apprehensive getting on a strange horse. But he was so easy to ride, I couldn’t believe it. These horses do best with a soft, thoughtful rider, like me. You can’t be really rough or forceful with them if you want to bring out their best. I like how very rideable and responsive they are.”
The auction event began at 6:30 p.m. The tables were set with candles and white-roses arrangements. The floor was Astroturf, and small iron chandeliers hung from the central tent pole. A fountain burbled at the tent entrance. The lighting was subdued, and potted plants were everywhere. Two six-foot-tall propane heaters provided some relief from the cool evening, which dipped to 52 degrees. Toward the end of the evening, clusters of people surrounded the silver heaters.
noted that with that constraint in effect, even on the list the MPO assembled last week, there were some projects that would not get a share. “When we cut it down to one project per agency, we were still over $36 million just on the short list we had before.” The new invitation for sub-
many people moved to Wellington to enjoy, noted Councilman Howard Coates. “If you look at Wellington as a whole, the crime rate is actually one of the lowest in Palm Beach County, but that is hiding a potentially large problem in this community,” he said.
Besides taking a tough stance on landlords and code enforcement, Coates also asked Schofield to consider crafting measures that would specifically address tenants who create problems. “I don’t think there has been a lot of focus on that aspect of it, but I think that’s one area that we’re going to have to look at, and I would ask you to do so,” he said.
The neighborhood meeting for White Pine Drive and 12th Fairway residents will take place at the Wellington Community Center on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. One of the objectives of the meeting will be to establish a crime watch program for the neighborhood. Also on Tuesday, the council unanimously approved the conveyance of a stretch of right of way for Lake Worth Road to Far Niente Stables VI, the company that owns the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The land, amounting to about five acres, extends along the south side of the horse show facility, was originally intended as the future route of Lake Worth Road and begins about 1.25 miles west of the South Shore Blvd. intersection with the existing Lake Worth Road. As the further westward extension of the road will not be built, the village deemed the property surplus and of no real use to anyone but the property to the north.
Mayor Darell Bowen asked Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz to make clear that the land was not of any particular use.
Kurtz confirmed that the village could not benefit in any way by continued ownership of the property. “Once the transfer takes place, it will be placed back on the tax rolls and be subject to taxes and assessments,” he said.
The festivities began when men with large drums slung from their shoulders provided the background beat to five women dressed in Carnivale outfits — extravagant feathered headdresses, and sparkly bikini tops and thongs. They danced around for a while, weaving through the tables. Then 17-year-old Luiza de Almeida, the youngest-ever Olympic equestrian, did a short exhibition ride on Samba, the gray Lusitano stallion she rode in the Olympics and is her competition mount at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
The bidding got underway at 7:30 p.m., and each horse was brought into the arena and ridden around. In the background, ten-footwide flat screen displayed each horse’s name and breeding, and showed footage of the horse running at liberty and being ridden and shown.
The first horse sold for $52,000. The next was passed at $20,000, not having met its reserve, and so it went. Horse after horse was shown and sold. Only eight didn’t meet their reserve. The highest price paid was $65,000, and the lowest $16,000. Horses not meeting their reserve would be for sale the following day, for the reserve price plus $5,000.
The auctioneer was in fine voice, waiting patiently if bidders needed to phone someone to authorize a higher bid, sometimes chastising people not to wave at someone by mistake. He was helped by two men out among the tables, cajoling that extra thousand. One of them literally threw himself into his work.
“What’s another thousand when you’ve come this far?” he’d plead, always with a
smile and a great sense of humor. When he got the next bid, he’d scream, jump in the air, and pump his fist. Here was a man who thoroughly enjoyed his job and made others feel good about their choices.
One of the most amusing moments came when one horse on display suddenly noticed the huge flat screen behind him, showing himself running around! The horse absolutely stopped dead and stood there, totally transfixed, for about a minute, watching himself run around a pasture. Then the rider gently asked him to move on, and he did.
The last two horses offered were a pair of talented gray Lusitanos pulling a beautiful carriage, but the high bid on the pair, $28,000, didn’t meet the reserve.
Apple was shaking and in tears before the auction started. The horse she had chosen — the horse that had chosen her — was up sixth.
“That’s way too early,” she said, shaking her head. “I won’t get him. There’ll still be a lot of people bidding them. He’s going to go for too much.”
But bidding on Azeite do Vouga started slowly, with only a few people bidding. A few minutes later, when it was over, Susan was in tears; this time they were tears of joy. She had won her horse, the one she had to have, for $33,000.
missions means that all municipalities can offer a new submission if they desire to do so, while those who have already submitted projects can allow them to remain in consideration.
“We can consider those if the agencies that have submitted them want to continue them, or if they want to change their project, they can do that,” Whitfield said. “All I’m concerned with is what projects I have on my desk next Friday.”
Whitfield also noted that in prioritizing local projects, the MPO is rating projects ac-
Theater Gone Dark
continued from page 1 movie, have your pizza, your popcorn, your soda, and the parents would say, ‘oh, what if the parents stay?’ Well, they can sit down and watch the movie, no charge. ‘Well, what if I tell you 20 kids are coming and only five show up?’ You only pay for five — it was easy as that.”
Vanino said the theater began having serious financial troubles last year, as prices rose sharply on restaurant mainstays such as flour and cheese. “We tried to survive by just keeping it the way it was without raising the prices, and it just killed us,” she said. “We just couldn’t do it.”
Another blow was a weak summer season. While many local businesses quiet down in the summer months, Vanino said the Silver Screen has done a healthy trade with summer camps and schools who bring hordes of kids to the theater. While such business had always been good, she said that tighter budgets in 2008 meant that fewer families sent their kids to camp, and camps had less
Landfill Two Sites Ranked
continued from page 2
Hundley site is long-term cheaper,” Erickson said. “It’s also out of sight from the entrances to the western communities, which is a big issue I heard throughout the communities out here. Was it strictly the closeness to STA 1 West?”
Pellowitz said five of the eight members of the site selection committee gave the SR 80/US 98 site top ranking, while three members ranked the Hundley site on top.
cording to the number of jobs they would create and how fast work could get underway, in line with the stated philosophy of the federal economic stimulus program. But the state officials who make the final decision on what projects get funded may have a different set of criteria in mind, he cautioned. “When the elected officials are meeting, they’re a little unpredictable,” Whitfield said.
Officials in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach expressed satisfaction Thursday with the MPO’s attempt to remedy the situation.
money for entertainment.
“We would normally do very well during the summer, and then that money would tide us over during the September and October lull,” she said. “But it was behind from the summer, and that’s when we started falling behind.”
A year ago, the Silver Screen acquired a full liquor license and expanded its offerings to include live entertainment such as bands and comedians, and while Vanino said the shows were popular, that component still couldn’t secure the theater’s financial situation.
One serious drawback to having a movie theater in the plaza was the lack of a marquee sign on either Forest Hill Blvd. or Wellington Trace to display current features or even make passersby aware that the theater was there.
Vanino said she begged the village repeatedly to allow a sign on the road, but her requests were always denied due to the village’s code restrictions on signage. “We had so many obstacles that I think, had we had that sign out there, people would have been aware that we were here,” she said.
“What it really came down to in the end analysis is, there are those who favor a more remote location and weren’t really too concerned about STA 1 West, and there were those who wanted it as far away from the refuge as possible.”
Erickson asked about the proximity of the current site to the West Palm Beach water supply.
Hammond said the city’s water catchment area is about 3,000 feet from the footprint of the landfill. The Hundley site is about 500 feet from STA-1W.
“So your current facility is right next to a water supply and your number-two
“I think they found that through their investigation and our investigation as well that the original system was just fundamentally flawed and they’re looking to fix it, which is a very good thing, and we thank them for doing so,” Lodwick told the TownCrier. “Things like this move through the system quickly and have a heightened chance of things not going perfectly, and I think every effort is being made to set it right. It doesn’t mean that we’re going to get funded or that someone else won’t. I just want to make sure that all the
Vanino said she owes about six months of back rent, at about $7,500 a month. The financial situation became so bad that recently she had tried to sell the business in order to keep it alive.
“We weren’t able to pay the rent, and we were actually trying to sell,” she said. “We had two good people in that wanted to continue what we were doing. We wanted what we started to continue, but the people tried to borrow from the banks and it just wouldn’t work at this time. The banks weren’t lending.”
Vanino said the theater, the original cinema in Wellington, had been closed for five years when she and her husband took it over and opened it up again. She said they knew they would have to do something different in order to compete with the multiplex cinemas that had taken over the industry, so they decided to offer a cinema café. And the customers she drew, many of them regulars, came for the food as much as the movies. “Always the best,” Vanino said. “Nothing was second-rate here as far as the food goes.”
But Vanino acknowledged
selection was based on proximity to water in an environmental area that is polluted and filters to an environmental area?” Erickson asked.
“I’m not going to speak for committee members,” Hammond said. “They looked at the criteria and came up with their ranking. The board might very well come up with a decision quite different than the ranking.”
Loxahatchee Groves resident Frank Schiola asked about the traffic impact from the two top-ranked sites on Southern Blvd., and Pellowitz said Southern Blvd. would see about a one percent increase in traffic, adding that
municipalities have an equal chance.”
Lodwick was not ready to say which of several projects his village would submit, but Schofield said Wellington would offer a project to involving a substantial facelift to Forest Hill Blvd. worth about $4.5 million, including landscaping, drainage improvements, lighting and roadway resurfacing.
“We believe they have done the right thing, yes,” Schofield said of the MPO’s decision to re-opening the submission process.
the difficulty of trying to make a business out of a large space that draws customers only on evenings and weekends. “It’s 4,500 square feet of empty space until about five o’clock at night,” she said. “You need to do seminars here, senior citizen clubs, you just need to be able to do something here — lunch and a movie — we were never able to do it. Most families have a mom and a dad who are working.” The theater’s closing will put 14 people out of work. Vanino, a Wellington resident, said she will go back to working as a real estate agent with Equestrian Properties. Meanwhile, in lieu of the rent, she is leaving the place virtually intact, which would please anyone with the funds and the inclination to open up a cinema café in Wellington. “We told them we would leave them all the equipment because we owe them rent,” she said. “We’re leaving them over $300,000 worth of equipment in this place — projection, tables chairs, kitchen, everything. Someone could walk in tomorrow, call the phone company and start business. They could.”
SWA trucks are rigidly monitored for weight.
Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Marge Herzog presented a resolution from the town asking the SWA to consider railways as an alternative transportation for solid waste to the new site. The meeting was the second of three scheduled in the western communities. The final forum was held in Belle Glade on Thursday, Feb. 26. More information on the landfill sites is available on the SWA’s web site at www. swa.org/westernlandfill.htm. The SWA Governing Board is scheduled to hold another hearing on the selection of a landfill site March 18.
Luiza Tavares de Almeida on Samba.
(Above) Susan Apple, with her husband Stephen Marcus, watch the bidding. (Left) Susan’s dream horse Azeite do Vouga in the ring. (Below) David and Millie McCoy. PHOTOS COURTESY BRETT HUFZIGER
I’m Sure Motorists Still Shorn Like Sheep In Michigan Town
Just a tip for those heading back up north: don’t drive through Lena, Mich. It’s a picturesque little hamlet, but you don’t want to go there.
My father, who has been walking the earth for 79 years and driving it for 63, got his one and only ticket there. I was just a kid, but I remember it like it was yesterday: we were packed like sardines into the un-air-conditioned Buick for the annual eight-hour trek to visit my grandparents, when suddenly lights flashed and my dad pulled over to the side of the road. We didn’t even know what was happening, as it had never happened before. We just assumed my little brother had to go to the bathroom again.
But then Dad got out of the car and accompanied a police officer down the road. When he came back, he was waving a slip of paper
Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER
and fuming. “It’s a speed trap, that’s what it is!” he shouted to my mother.
“Calm down, Emmett,” my mother cautioned, jerking her head in the direction of the back seat. “The kids…”
“The kids should know! The kids should be forewarned!” he ranted. “You come over a hill on a highway with a posted speed of 50 miles per hour and there, at the bottom of the
hill is a new sign with a speed limit of 25. But you can’t see it because it’s got a big branch draped across it! And even if you could there’s no time to slow down!”
“I doubt that it was intentionally draped…”
“Oh, don’t tell me that wasn’t intentional! There were plenty of places to put that sign, but nooo…”
Then my mother, who is from a town equally as tiny as Lena, made a grave error. She said, “well, these small-town cops have to get the money for new uniforms somehow.”
I actually thought the vein in my dad’s neck was going to pop, spewing venom and blood right into the backseat. Instead, he defused his anger by hollering and yelling and even cursing the rest of the way to Grandma’s. Then he retold the story to every aunt, uncle and cousin who’d listen. None of them had ever
gotten a ticket in Lena. “It’s because you had an out-of-state license plate,” they told him. The drive back to Milwaukee took nine hours because Dad made a huge detour around Lena. “I’ll mail them the money for this ticket, but they’re not getting one more red cent out of me!” Dad promised as we headed in the wrong direction over a really bad road. “They’re not getting my gas money, my lunch money — they’re not getting so much as a dime for a soda out of me!”
And we never saw Lena again. The township was established in 1834 for the express purpose of paying a bounty on wolves, and it was my father’s opinion that the hunters were still out there — they were just rounding up out-of-towners now. So for the thousands of you planning that drive through the Wolverine State, consider this fair warning.
Limit The Oscars To Only Commercially Successful Movies
Another Academy Awards show comes and goes. Yawn! Fewer people watch each year, providing a wonderful example of correlation between shrinking audience and the increasing hours of hype around the show. In the 1970s, two thirds of Americans watched the awards. Now less than a third do.
ABC and E! Television spent hours before the show promoting the notion of watching celebrities strolling down the red carpet wearing gowns that no one can afford, while a group of catty women and men discuss their fashion sense. My wife likes that part of the Oscars, which has nothing at all to do with movies, better than the ceremony itself.
I’m sure about 90 percent of the audience, including myself, has no real interest in most of the awards. They could have a lovely show the evening before the big event and give out the awards for art direction, sound mixing,
‘I’ On CULTURE
By Leonard Wechsler
sound editing and probably half the other awards. That would shorten the event, or even better, leave more time for the awards most of us are interested in, like who wins for acting. A bigger problem, however, is that the academy continues its practice of nominating pictures and performers that almost no one has seen. Three of the five Best Picture nominees: Frost/Nixon Milk and The Reader were ob-
viously selected more for their themes that the Hollywood elite is more interested in, than in looking for movies that people watch. This year’s Hotel for Dogs had a bigger audience than any of the above. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was very well done, a triumph of technical expertise. And as expected, Slumdog Millionaire won the Best Picture award, not surprising since it also won for screenplay and directing. It was the prohibitive favorite since the competition was so pitiful.
Watching the show was at times awkward. The song-and-dance numbers were painful, the one exception being when Anne Hathaway did a Richard Nixon impersonation. I only fell asleep once, which is not bad. My own suggestion for improvement would be make films clear a bar in order to be considered for Oscars. It does not have to
My Wife Has Sacrificed Our Patio
Once again my wife Sharon has decided on her own to help improve our nation’s economy. She did this by telling me last month that we needed to resurface our patio and pool deck. My wife’s plan was to cover up the Chattahoochee paving by applying a spray deck finish over it.
At first I thought my wife was nuts. I like the way my Chattahoochee patio looks, and I also like the way it feels on my feet when I walk barefoot on it.
Of course, a Chattahoochee patio requires a lot of maintenance to keep it looking good. Every year we would have to pressure-clean and then seal it with some very expensive chemicals. In the last couple of years, these chemicals have been very hard to find in our local stores. And this year we couldn’t find the chemicals at all. Some stores did mention to me that maybe, if I was lucky, I might be able to find the “special chemicals” I needed in a store in Broward. But my trip there was fruitless. There were no chemicals to be found.
Wondering & Wandering
By Ernie Zimmerman
When my pool guy came to service my pool, he reminded me that a lot of my Chattahoochee pebbles were coming loose. He agreed with my wife about the possible need for a spray deck patio. He went on to say that he services a lot of pools, and my pool deck is the only one he does that still has a Chattahoochee surface. He went on to remind me that he does a lot of pools inside the Polo Club. I think he was telling me in a very polite way that my Chattahoochee is outdated. That was all my wife had to hear. She is opposed to owning anything old (except me). Her mind
be all that high. Make it $50 million in the theaters, which essentially means that maybe half the people who watch a single showing of an average hit TV show wind up seeing the film over the weeks and months it is out. That would have taken out three of the nominated movies and a large number of the performers. The Academy Awards broadcast with the most viewers in the past 20 years was the year that Titanic won. Why? Because so many of us were able to root for the picture since we had seen it. I guess more people will go to see Slumdog because it won, and that’s good since they will not only be uplifted a bit but learn more than a bit about a different culture. And they’ll probably enjoy themselves. I expect that the three lower-grossing movies will be on DVD soon and will only be viewed by those who have seen just about everything else.
For The Good Of The Nation
was made up: “we needed a new patio now — not tomorrow, not next week, but now.”
You don’t stand in the way of a runaway train. Through the years I have learned that when my wife starts to act like this, all logic is tossed out the window. It is her way or the highway. Knowing my wife is a clean freak, I tried to explain to her what a mess it was going to be to replace our patio. I also reminded her that we had a French drain built into the Chattahoochee. I couldn’t shake my wife. The mess we were about to encounter didn’t bother her at all.
Within a week, my wife called her favorite construction company (she is the only woman I know who has a construction company on speed dial) and the work on my patio was underway. It took four days to complete the job, and yes, it was a mess for most of those four days, but my wife didn’t blink.
As we were waiting for our new patio to dry so we could move our patio furniture back in, my wife had another great idea (I knew
this was coming). She didn’t want to put the “old” patio furniture back. She decided we needed a new set. Before I could voice my useless opinion about this new development, my wife gave the guys working on my patio all of my beloved patio furniture. They were very happy to accept the furniture (why wouldn’t they be? It was in great shape). My wife didn’t have to ask them twice. Later I reminded my wife that she had already given them a cash tip. Of course this brought on the “Sharon Look.” At this point I knew I had lost another battle. It didn’t matter to my wife that there wasn’t anything wrong with my patio furniture. Her only statement to me (it sounded like a victory speech) was, “a new patio needs new furniture — who in their right mind would put old furniture on a new patio?” (Me, that’s who.) I must admit my new patio and furniture look great, and I can only hope my $7,000 contribution to our economy gave it the jumpstart it so badly needs.
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Will Your Air Conditioner Be Affected By Rule Changes?
By Randy Poulette
We are coming upon a new era in the air conditioning industry that will eventually affect everyone. Regulations and laws that were passed some time ago are now starting to affect you.
In 1987, an international environmental agreement called the Montreal Protocol put forth the requirements which began the worldwide phase-out of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). These requirements led to the CFC phase-out in 1996. In 1992, the amendment to the Montreal Protocol set a schedule for the phaseout of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), which is carried out in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Title VI of the Clean Air Act.
R-22, sometimes referred to as Freon, is a HCFC that has been top refrigerant choice for residential air conditioning systems for over 40 years. Subsequently, R-22 released into the atmosphere from leaks and such contributes to the world’s ozone depletion.
The phaseout schedule for all HCFCs is as follows:
your existing equipment is going to become more and more expensive.
By Jan. 1, 2004, the U.S. was required, by the Montreal Protocol, to reduce its consumption of all HCFCs by 35 percent below the baseline cap. To accomplish this, the EPA allocated 100 percent of the consumption and production to individual companies.
By Jan. 1, 2010, refrigerant manufacturers will not be able to produce R-22 for any new production of air conditioning equipment. HCFCs will only be produced to service existing equipment. Equipment manufacturers will also not be able to produce any new equipment containing R-22.
By Jan. 1, 2020, HCFC production will halt. Only recovered and recycled refrigerant will be available to service existing equipment.
So what is the alternative to R-22? There are many refrigerants that have been developed as alternatives, but only one stands out. R-410A, which was introduced as Puron by Carrier, is the new industry standard. R-410A is actually more energy efficient than R-22, but runs at higher pressures and with different oil. This means that it will not work in equipment built for R-22.
What does this mean for you the consumer? In the coming years, the cost of R-22 will increase as the result of less supply. The EPA thinks that the lengthy phase-out period will provide a smooth transition, unlike the R-12 phaseout in the automotive industry, but they make no guarantees that the service cost will not increase. As a licensed contractor, I have seen firsthand the increase in price of R-22 in the last two to three years. So servicing
Since manufacturers only have the remainder of this year to produce an inventory, the availability of R-22-compatible units will be on the decline in the coming years. This is going to limit your options as a consumer. Also, you are going to have to weigh the pros and cons of only replacing one half of your system if it breaks down. If you only replace your condensing unit and your air handler breaks down a few years later, there might not be any R-22-compatible systems left. This would result in replacing your condensing unit again to make the switch to R410A. If you are buying a new home being built after 2010, it will automatically have R410A.
On a positive note, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on Feb. 17, which has increased the tax credits to homeowners for purchases including a/c systems for 2009 through 1010. Instead of receiving a flat $300 for a high-efficiency purchase, you will receive 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500. But they also raised the qualification from 15 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) to 16 SEER.
So my take on all of this is that if you can afford to make the switch to R-410A, now is the time. Replacing your system with a highefficiency R-410A system will save you headaches and money in the future.
If you have any further questions on this topic or any other related to air conditioning, please feel free to call me at (561) 790-3275. For more information on the web, visit www.epa.gov, www.hardinet.org and www.energystar.gov.
Randy Poulette owns Randy Poulette Air Conditioning LLC in Royal Palm Beach.
Randy Poulette
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Broadway Hit ‘Legally Blonde’ At Kravis Center March 17-22
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is proud to present the South Florida premiere of Legally Blonde: The Musical March 1722.
Sorority star Elle Woods doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
In its first year on Broadway, Legally
Blonde: The Musical earned seven 2007 Tony Award nominations, ten 2007 Drama Desk Award Nominations, a 2007 Outer Critics Circle Award, and the chorus of the musical was honored by Actors’ Equity Association’s Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs with the first ever ACCA Award.
Becky Gulsvig, the Elle understudy in the original Broadway cast, plays the role in the tour. As on Broadway, Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell is the director and choreographer. Music and lyrics are by both Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and the book is
by Heather Hach. The production features scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller, orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke and sound design by ACME Sound Partners.
The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $25 to $88. For more info., call (561) 8327469 or visit www.kravis.org.
Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
SNL Alum Joe Piscopo At Maltz For Benefit Concert March 23
Joe Piscopo, a Saturday Night Live cast member from the 1980s, will be performing a benefit concert at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre on Monday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. for the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA). This show will be filled with comedy, impersonations and music.
The benefit concert will be a tribute to “Ol’ Blue Eyes” Frank Sinatra. Piscopo tours with his own original Big Band tribute to Sinatra, as well as his multimedia comedy show. He also starred on Broadway as disc jockey Vince Fontaine in Grease. Live performances have always been an important part of Pis-
copo’s career. He has long been one of America’s most popular comedy concert performers, filling arenas and casino showrooms from coast to coast.
In 1980, Piscopo was chosen to join a newly formed ensemble charged with one of the most difficult tasks in TV history — replacing the original cast of Saturday Night Live. His work on SNL naturally led to Hollywood and starring roles in such smash hits as Wise Guys with Danny DeVito and Johnny Dangerously with Michael Keaton.
Tickets are $50 with proceeds benefiting the theatre’s COPA program. For more in-
formation, call the box office at (561) 5752223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org.
COPA offers classes in dance, voice, acting and musical theatre, as well as workshops featuring local and national talent throughout the year. COPA performances will be Les Miserables on April 24 & 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on May 8 & 9 at 7:30 p.m.
As a not-for-profit theatre, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, recognizing the importance of arts education for youth, has made its mission to “entertain, educate and inspire.” COPA of-
fers a challenging, innovative and quality theatre experience to students of every ability and provides professional theatre training and tools to develop their imagination and selfesteem.
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is an award-winning professional not-for-profit regional theatre dedicated to the performing arts whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire our community. The theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and is located east of U.S. Highway 1 at 1001 East Indiantown Road and State Road A1A in Jupiter.
Cuillo Centre For The Arts Presents ‘A Jew Grows In Brooklyn’
The Cuillo Centre for the Arts in West Palm Beach presents Jake Ehrenreich’s A Jew Grows in Brooklyn now through April 5.
A Jew Grows in Brooklyn is a touching, poignant and hilarious new smash musical comedy about a family and a young boy’s quest for the American Dream. The show has been playing to sold-out standing ovations. The New York Times raves “dazzling, funny, sweet, touching, affectionate, beautiful, a lot in common with Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays.”
The New York Daily News wrote, “A Jew Grows in Brooklyn is a ball! Show stopping!” Bloomberg Radio simply called it “sensational,” while WOR radio said it is, “a delightful journey down memory lane, packed with all the joy, tenderness and heartbreak of being a Jew.”
Tickets cost $35.50 to $55. The state-ofthe-art Cuillo Centre for the Arts is home to a variety of events from stage plays to corporate meetings, fundraisers, fashion shows, weddings and more. Other productions include the Cuillo Uncorked series that takes place every Thursday night. The Cuillo Centre is located at 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 8359226 or visit the Cuillo Centre’s web site at www.cuillocentre.com.
Jake Ehrenreich
Jake Ehrenreich gets into character in A Jew Grows in Brooklyn
A scene from Legally Blonde.
PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS
WELLINGTON’S EDGE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE — This Saturday, February 28, 8 a.m – Noon (Across from Mall at Wellington Green)
CHATSWORTH VILLAGE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE — This Saturday, February 28, 8 a.m –Noon. Clothing, computer items, fishing items and more. 1828 Lindsey Ct. (Off of Greenview Shores)
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ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. No. U14736. 7988978. BD
JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. ––– Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. Call 798-4964. Lic.#U18473
LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Ask for Paul 561-309-8290.
COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident.
PAINTING — HOME PAINTING Interior - Exterior. $1290 +tax up to 2500 sq. ft. (walls area) 561-674HOME(4663) Masterpiece Painting Contractors Inc. CC U#21111 Lic./ Ins.
CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE ESTIMATES. Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years experience. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Insured Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701
BRITT PHOTOGRAPHY — Wedding invitation photos, Valentine photos, Special events. Steve 561317-5813
Waterheaters, garbage disposals, faucet repair & replacement service. New construction. Licensed. Bonded. Insured. Wellington Resident 25 years. 561-601-6458. Jeremy James Plumbing, Inc.
ELITE POOL CLEANING —"You dealt with the rest now deal with the best" All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinator, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073. Inquire about 1 months free service.
J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-3096975 BD GRIME STOPPERS - Pressure cleaning, commercial & residential, houses, driveways, patios, screen enclosures, sidewalks. References available.561-779-1081
PROPERTY CLEANOUT & MAINTENANCE SERVICE - Lawn Care/ Pressure Cleaning. Ins/Lic/Bonded Commercial/Residential. 561-3338388 Foreclosure Cleanout Solution Corp.
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U13677.967-5580.
ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.
ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING
ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC0067207
WWW.GARABAR.COM — Now is the time for the Best Prices. Re-roof & Repairs. No Deposit Until Permit Credit cards accepted. Free Estimate. Call 561-337-6798 Lic.#CCC1327252 & CGC1510976
IDEAL ROOFING SYSTEMS — Residential/ Commercial • Licensed Bonded/Insured. New Construction Reroofs • Repairs • Roof Tile • Shingles Metal Roofs • Flat Decks Maintenance Contracts visit us at info@idealroofingsystems.com. Palm Beach/Broward Office: 561753-7663 Fax: 561-753-7696. St. Lucie/Indian River. Office: 772-2886440. Fax: 772-287-9008. 11101 S. Crown Way #6, Wellington, FL 33414. Lic. #CCC1326453
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
CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 798-3132.
Gutters, downspouts, vinyl/aluminum siding, windows & doors, aluminum railing. Screen enclosures (Repaired & Replaced), carports, porches, and patios. Lic. U17189. P&M Siding Contractors. 561-7919777
ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 8630955
AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 561-568-6099, 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213
AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC —
Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004 Lic. #U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990
MATH TUTOR — Algebra I, II and Geometry. Call Chris (561) 3463608
FCAT SPECIAL ONE FREE WEEK IN-HOME TUTORING — All subjects • Pre-K - Adult • SAT/ACT Study Skills • Reading 333-1980 ClubZtutoring.com America's Largest In-Home Tutoring Co.
PAPERHANGING & PAINTING BY
DEBI — Professional Installation & Removal of Paper. Interior Painting, decorative finishes, clean & reliable. Quality work with a woman’s touch. 26 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263
INSTALLING TILE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR 25 YEARS — Free estimates, residential/commercial, bathroom remodeling, floors, walls, backsplashes, custom design GOLDEN TILE INSTALLATION 561-662-9258 WE DO IT ALL! — Stump Grinding Dead Pine Removal. All Phases of Tree Services. Lic. and Ins. 561373-6117
WATER CONDITIONERS FROM $499.00 —- Reverse osmosis units for the whole house. Mention this ad for equipment checkup and water analysis $19.99561-6896151
NEW 2008 CHEVY SUBURBAN LTZ $41,912 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY AVEO $12,516 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY IMPALA
$16,904 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY COLORADO
$22,203 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY EQUINOX
$19,190 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY 1500 EXT. CAB.
$15,910 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY COBOLT COUPE $12,905 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY HHR $15,9001-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY TRAVERSE
$23,782 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CHEVY MALIBU
$17,465 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. $49,925 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2008 CADILLAC STS
$36,073 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE
$55,442 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2008 CADILLAC DTS
$33,322 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 CADILLAC CTS
$29,186 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2007 CADILLAC CTS (DEMO) $24,984 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE
$29,475 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 BUICK LUCERNE
$21,956 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2008 PONTIAC G6 $16,843 - 1-800-876-6788
NEW 2009 PONTIAC G8 SEDAN
$28,025 - 1-800-876-6788
SELL YOUR VEHICLE HERE CALL PALMS WEST THIS WEEK AT793-7606 TODAY!
USED 2008 CHEVY IMPALA
$10,984 - 1-800-876-6788
USED 2001 OLDS INTRIGUE
$4,984 - 1-800-876-6788
USED 1997 CHEVY ¾ TON EXT. CAB PICK-UP $4,684 - 1-800-8766788
USED 2005 FORD FOCUS $5,984 1-800-876-6788
USED 2008 CHEVY MALIBU
$10,984 - 1-800-876-6788
USED 2007 CHRYSLER 300 $13,984 - 1-800-876-6788
USED 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX $6,984 - 1-800-876-6788
USED 2006 CADILLAC STS — Clean, must see! $24, 984 1-800876-6788
2002 FORD F350 - Triton V10 engine, supercrew cab, toolbox, bedliner, towing package. Great condition. Must see, 93,000 miles. $7500.00 OBO. Call Will at 561236-4573
1998 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK — Green 124,000 + miles 8 cylinder. big tires, hitch. $3,795 firm. 315-1508
2001 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEEleather, cruise control, great/reliable automobile. Good condition. $5,200 561-202-5388
1997 GREY SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE — new a/c, clean & well maintained. Engine & transmission in excellent condition and new top. Feel free to take it to a mechanic & check it out. Mint condition. $3500 (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422
1990 RED MAZDA MIATA CONVERTIBLE — mint condition incl. hard top. New clutch, tune-up in excellent condition. Great on gas. (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422
$2,500
USED 2007 CHYRSLER SEBRING TOURING EDITION — 10,000 miles, full power, $12,984 $24, 984 1-800-876-6788
