Town-Crier Newspaper January 4, 2008

NEW

CHATTING WITH MARK BELLISSIMO, PAGE 8A

A NEW YEAR FOR CAFCI

Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) held their New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance on Monday, Dec. 31 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Guests danced the night away to the music of Sir Winston and Company, enjoying a dinner catered by “Chef G.” Lloyd Grant. Pictured here are outgoing CAFCI President Rhonda Ferrin-Davis, Royal Palm Beach Councilman Fred Pinto and former RPB councilwoman Barbara Isenberg Youresh. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 38A

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Duane Christensen, an unsuccessful candidate for Wellington mayor two years ago, said he intends to challenge Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore for Seat 1 on the Wellington Village Council in the March 11 municipal election.

Christensen, 78, a Palm Beach Polo resident and retired St. Louis businessman, said Priore and other council members have stopped listening to residents, violating the basic democratic principal of rule by the people.

“The reason that I’m running is because Carmine Priore has stopped listening to the people of this village,” he said. “For quite some time he hasn’t listened, but this past summer it became evident that he doesn’t intend to listen to the direction that people want this village to go.”

Christensen cited Priore’s vote last year in favor of a plan to put a commercial development and nursing home in the village’s Equestrian Preserve Area, contrary to the recommendation of the council’s advisory boards.

“The Equestrian Committee and the [Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board] voted against it,” he said. “He had representatives he had appointed to those committees, and he overrode what those members wanted him to do. Why? And I’m going to ask him why in the election.”

Christensen said a survey conducted by the village two years ago asked Wellington residents about their top concerns, and nearly 50 percent replied cited over-development and increasing traffic.

During his own run for mayor, Christensen said he asked residents for their concerns about the future growth and development of Wellington and most gave the same two issues.

He said the council’s resolution in favor of a Callery-Judge Grove plan to develop a massive “new town” west of The Acreage reflects how out of touch council members are with the desires of residents.

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

A 30-year-old Sunrise man on probation for armed robbery in Pennsylvania faces a seconddegree murder charge in the death of a woman whose burning body was found near the parking lot of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Church in Royal Palm Beach Dec. 23.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigators said Thursday they had charged John Liebro with the murder of 24-yearold Katie Brunelle, also of Sunrise.

PBSO Detective Jennifer DeGidio said that cell phone transmission records and informants led her and Detective Jamie Roussel to Liebro, who had worked with Brunelle at a Denny’s restaurant in Hollywood. DeGidio said witnesses told her and Roussel that Liebro was seen leaving the restaurant with Brunelle on Dec. 21.

Liebro has been in custody in the Broward County Jail since last Friday for leaving Broward without permission in violation of his probation. PBSO Violent Crime Division investigators traced Liebro’s movements in Palm Beach County using cell phone tower transmission records of calls from Liebro’s cell phone. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Brunelle died from blunt force trauma to the back of the head, but Roussel said Brunelle’s body indicated she had also been strangled. DeGidio said Liebro spent ten years in a Pennsylvania prison for armed robbery. Although Liebro gave family members and friends various versions of Brunelle’s fate, he has not yet confessed to the crime.

DeGidio said Liebro had taken Brunelle to the house he shared with his girlfriend Michelle Gonzalez in Sunrise af-

ter they left a Margate bar in the early hours of Dec. 22 in an attempt to make Gonzalez jealous. Investigators believe that after the fight with Gonzalez, Liebro drove Brunelle home sometime between 4 and 6 a.m. on Dec. 22.

“An argument broke out in the car between Katie and John. Katie made several statements that she was going to beat up Michelle,” DeGidio said. “John Liebro made several attempts to get Katie to be quiet during that ride home. She continued to yell. At that time John apparently snapped. He stopped the car and proceeded to strangle Katie to death.”

Investigators believe that Brunelle’s head may have struck something in the struggle, which would explain her head injury.

DeGidio said Liebro returned home at approximately 6 a.m. on Dec. 22 and told his girl-

The proposal, known as the Hospitality Shoppes, included an assisted-living facility for seniors that Priore supported. It failed to win the necessary council support and was dropped. However, the council last month agreed to sell villageowned land on State Road 7 to the same assisted-living facility developer.

“This village voted to support the developer,” he said. “The mayor was the only one who didn’t. The problem with that vote is that because 10,000 homes were part of that project, that equates to about 20,000 cars every single day of the week. It would have meant several thousand cars on our roads. That and overbuilding are two things people don’t want. It’s time to put people in office who will listen and take direction and vote accordingly.”

Christensen said his unsuccessful run for mayor two years

See ELECTION, page 38A

Charlie L CharlieLynn ynn T Takes akes Central Florida Job CentralFloridaJob

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington Village Manager Charlie Lynn, set to retire from village service later this month, will be taking a job as deputy manager of The Villages, a large retirement community south of Ocala.

Lynn told the Town-Crier he will begin his new job sometime in February, but intends to re-

main a Wellington resident and commute to work, at least for the time being. “Initially, I’m going to commute back and forth, although I wouldn’t do it daily. I have my family here,” Lynn said Thursday. “My kids are in school here. For my retirement, I’m planning on staying in Wellington.”

Lynn said he is fascinated that The Villages is a series of com-

See LYNN, page 7A

Duane Christensen

Local Hospitals Welcome The Arrival Of 2008’s First Births

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Royal Palm Beach residents

Charles Nodal and Cynthia Mitten celebrated the New Year’s in a very special fashion with the arrival of their son, Charles Jr. at 4:04 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1 at Palms West Hospital. The baby, the couple’s first, weighed in at seven pounds, seven ounces.

Baby Charles was due on Jan. 8 but arrived a week early.

Mitten was in labor from 7 a.m. until 4:04 p.m. on Jan. 1.

“This is the first baby for the family,” Nodal said. “He’s got a lot of nieces and nephews. We’re definitely excited.”

Nodal, 30, and Mitten, 35, said they had planned to visit Mitten’s sister in Loxahatchee on New Year’s Eve, but Mitten’s contractions started and they decided to stay put.

“At around 9 p.m. at night, she was feeling bad with contractions so the doctor told her to come to the hospital,” Nodal said. “We were here New Year’s Eve, so there was no party. They gave her Demerol, and she fell asleep. She woke up later, and it was time for the baby to be born.”

Mitten’s mother Linda, formerly director of environmental services at the hospital, was also present for the baby’s delivery.

Two days after giving birth, Mitten was surprisingly active for a new mom. “I had some rest a couple of days before I

had him,” she said. “I am just not the kind of person to lay down a lot.”

Mitten said she and Nodal put off a planned wedding when they discovered she was pregnant in May.

“We were planning on getting married before we got pregnant,” she laughed. “I have a beautiful ring and gown at home.”

Nodal works for an environmental services firm and Mitten is an accountant, but she plans to take a year off so she can spend time with the new baby, and resume planning the wedding.

“I will probably be a stayat-home mom for about a year,” she said.

Kelly and Brian Hecker of Port St. Lucie also welcomed the New Year with the arrival of their son Chase David Hecker at 3:52 a.m. at Wellington Regional Medical Center.

The couple, who also have four-year-old daughter named Alexia, said they named their son Chase because they both like the name, but that his middle name David honors her father, who passed away last year.

Kelly, 36, and Brian, 33, said they spend part of their time in West Palm Beach because of their jobs. Brian is in the construction business, and Kelly is now the head of her father’s trucking and estimating company.

Kelly said she asked Brian to

take her to the hospital at about midnight, and ended up undergoing an emergency caesarian section, which may have saved the baby’s life.

“We arrived here at 12:15 a.m. on the first,” she said. “The [Times Square] ball just dropped. The fireworks were going off. I told him we had to go. It was my time. I was having pretty bad contractions. When we got here, they eased off. His fluid level was low, and the [umbilical] cord was wrapped around his neck. It’s a good thing they did a C-section.”

Chase came into this world weighing six pounds, one ounce, and arrived about two weeks early.

“I was due on the 14th, but we were praying for the first,” Kelly said.

Jan. 1 was also the birthday of Kelly’s late mother. “My mom passed away in 1995,” she said, “and Jan. 1 is her birthday, so we made it special for her. Dad also would be happy the baby was named after him.”

Kelly said she will spend a few weeks deciding whether to go back to work sooner, or spend more time at home with Chase.

“I can take a bit of time off from work,” she said. “If worse came to worst, I could take him with me. He does nothing but sleep and eat anyway. We have a nanny who takes care of Alexia. She’s too old to take to work.”

Kelly and Brian Hecker of Port St. Lucie with their son Chase.

Charles Nodal and Cynthia Mitten with their son Charles Jr.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Our Opinion

Looking Ahead: Three Things We Would Like To See In 2008

Last week’s edition of the Town-Crier featured a list of 2007’s top ten stories of regional concern. Stories that made the list were not merely important, but also saw significant development, either forward (the reopening of the Binks Forest Golf Course, the formation of Loxahatchee Groves’ government) or not (the county’s denial of Callery-Judge Grove’s development plans). Looking ahead through 2008, there are three very important issues that could easily make the next top-ten list, if they are addressed in a serious manner.

One thing that needs to happen in 2008 is significant progress made toward building the first phase of the State Road 7 extension, which would run from Okeechobee Blvd. north to Persimmon Blvd. in The Acreage. However, without a route and funding in place for the second phase of the project — to take the road to Northlake Blvd. — it won’t be much benefit to The Acreage, especially Persimmon Blvd. residents. County commissioners have held out the possibility of funding the extension to Northlake should the state fail to continue the project. Acreage residents have fought long to make the road a reality, and anything less than the full extension would be unfair, to say the least. If you think traffic is bad now, keep in mind the western communities are still a few years away from build-out.

Which brings us to the issue of future development. Last year saw the demise of the county’s Sector Plan, which was intended to serve as a guide for developing unincorporated rural areas north and west of Royal Palm Beach. Now that it

PBSO Was Right In Mall Arrest

“My freedom ends where somebody else’s begins.” Our society has forgotten this adage. Recently, a young man was arrested at the Mall at Wellington Green, not because the police chose to do so, but because the young man was advised due to a previous circumstance that he was legally disallowed from the mall and,

appears to be gone for good, a new mechanism is needed to better control growth in the undeveloped parts of the western communities. A good model of this could be Wellington’s landmark Equestrian Overlay Zoning District, which clearly defines rules for developers to follow and is designed to allow appropriate development with an eye toward maintaining a specific lifestyle.

If property-tax reform was Tallahassee’s key issue in 2007 (despite the little that lawmakers did about the problem), 2008 should be the year it gets serious about property-insurance reform. Gov. Charlie Crist talked a good talk last year, reprimanding insurance companies who sought to increase premiums. But in the end, the companies had their way, having chosen to simply ignore the governor’s demands and the legislature’s edicts. Hopefully, the issue won’t be overshadowed by property-tax reform this year, allowing state leaders to get serious about enforcing their decisions. Meanwhile, local members of Congress will continue to tackle the issue by pushing for the creation of a national disaster-insurance fund, which would spread the risk of hurricanes, floods, ice storms, earthquakes and wildfires among all property owners nationwide. This would make property insurance (without hurricane coverage) far more affordable to all Floridians.

All three of these issues have been simmering on the backburner far too long. Let’s hope our elected leaders move them up front and center, solving these issues once and for all.

Letters To The Editor

importantly, “warned” of a trespass order. Everything that occurred when he illegally trespassed is solely on his shoulders. In America, we still have the right to disallow people from our properties, residential or commercial, as long as we are not discriminating based upon race, color, creed, etc. Since there is/are a surfeit of minorities at the mall at any given time, and they are not given trespass no-

TOWN-CRIER

tices, this circumstance becomes and individual circumstance, not a general circumstance.

When the police arrive at a circumstance such as a warrant, or even a trespass notice, their responsibility is clear: enforce the notice. When an individual or individuals decide to interfere with that responsibility, the smaller infraction becomes greater. If anyone or everyone could physically dispute an arrest, we would have chaos, yet isn’t this exactly what’s happening?

In their country of origin, Haiti, had they [the arrestees] interfered and/or assaulted or attempted to assault the police, they would have been beaten, jailed indefinitely or perhaps even killed!

America is a nation of laws, and through them we have been successful for more than 230 years. And it all starts here, with each individual citizen’s responsibility. Although those arrested talk about the police using force, they also cry racism and are not happy with the mall rules on behavior and attire, but none of the above is the issue!

Pure and simple: the issue was between the mall and the young man, yet from August to December, neither he nor his parents chose to address the issue with mall management. When the parents of the youth interfered with the proper arrest, when they allegedly struck an officer/officers, they escalated a trespass arrest into possible assault arrests, and that remains the individual responsibility of the parents.

The mall has a right to insist on a certain propriety and decorum, and even a minimum dress code, to produce a healthy environment for shoppers. And considering many of our youth today, I’m sure most families appreciate their diligence.

Don’t Punish Lox Residents For Bills

The Town of Loxahatchee Groves garbage/trash billing that we received was scheduled to be mailed out the first week in October, but due to incomplete information and the fact that some people were getting double garbage bills, town staff needed to go through each of the 1,100 bills to ensure no mistakes were made. The billing information was provided by the Solid Waste Authority.

It’s not the town staff’s fault that the bills went out late since only one person at most times was working on the problem, but our local government’s for not recognizing the problem and authorizing the town’s management company New Community Strategies (NCS) to bring in additional help to resolve the problems and send the bills out by or near the target date, not at Christmas time when most spend their money on their children and loved ones.

The town council was updated at every council meeting by NCS and did nothing to resolve the problem. This was a test of unforeseen events merging together to form one big problem, and the town government failed. As a result our garbage bills are almost three months late, and we have less than 30 days to pay up.

Since the garbage bills were 60-plus days late, shouldn’t we get at least 60 days to pay?

Frank Schiola Loxahatchee Groves

New Year’s List Not In Good Taste

on many of them, but I will focus on one. You wished for Royal Palm Beach Vice Mayor David Swift “a local election campaign that does not feature his wife.” I’ll share one story.

A few years ago, it was election day in RPB, and Dave Swift was up for re-election. I had not had the chance to vote that day and was driving to an appointment that I was late for. I came to RPB Blvd. and Southern, and there by the bank was Dave’s wife Nixie, standing there waving a campaign sign. It was then that I remembered that I had not voted. I could have easily kept on going to my appointment, but after seeing Nixie standing there, I turned my car around and went back and voted. All because a dedicated campaign worker who happened to be the candidate’s wife was standing in the midst of our community, which she probably had been doing all day long.

So, my wish is that you discontinue this “wish list” in the future if it is going to be the way 2008’s list was. Lists like these can be fun when done in a small setting where people are “in” on the “poking fun,” and it is truly funny, especially to the person addressed. But most readers probably do not “get” your “poking fun” at these community leaders, most of whom bring many good things to their communities.

Ginnie

Piechocniski Royal Palm Beach

AAL Football

Caters To All

BARRY S. MANNING Publisher JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor RON BUKLEY Managing Editor JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher DAWN RIVERA General Manager

A young man got “caught with his pants down” and later broke the law. End of subject.

George Unger Wellington

JASON BUDJINSKI Community Editor MARK LIOI

ADVERTISING/ Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson

My New Year’s wish is that you discontinue your annual New Year’s Wishes in the Opinion section. You “humbly offer your not-so-serious New Year’s wishes, poking fun at our community leaders.” After reading them, I found most of them to be extremely mean and nasty, with just a few being just “poking fun.” I could comment

I would like to respond to Mr. [Gregg] Webb’s letters published in the Town-Crier regarding his opinion that the Acreage Athletic League should have weight limits for tackle football. I am not here to give opposing “facts” about weight limits. I mean, we could go back and forth, finding statistics on how many children were hurt this season (which I have yet to

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

If Raising Cash For Charity Is Extortion, I’m Guilty As Charged

The dumbest thing I ever heard a law enforcement officer say was back in the late 1960s when I worked for a small daily newspaper in northeast Nebraska. The police chief in the city was hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at his brandnew jail, which he declared was “escapeproof.” About a week later, a prisoner escaped.

The second dumbest thing I ever heard attributed to a law enforcement officer was that elected officials should stop doing charity work. That edict reportedly came from U.S. Attorney John Kastrenakes, who has been making a career of putting Palm Beach County elected officials in jail for violating what is called the “honest services” law.

According to County Attorney Denise Nieman, Mr. Kastrenakes raised the charity issue when his federal agents became aware that nearly all of the county commissioners had voted in support of various projects after the applicants made financial contributions to some of their favorite charities. Commissioner Addie Greene earned her title as the “queen of charity voting” after her key vote on the Scripps biotechnology center was swayed when Abacoa developer George de Guardiola promised $5 million in aid to minority interests.

I don’t know about you, but Mr. Kastrenakes’ remarks chill my bones. Does he really believe that an elected official would sell his or her vote to a neighbor who might have bought a box of Girl Scout cookies from the official’s daughter? As cynical as I have sometimes been

accused, even I cannot buy the opinion that charity can be construed as a criminal enterprise when engaged in by an elected public official.

Having already plucked the lowest corrupt oranges on the tree, does Mr. Kastrenakes now believe that going after charities is the next easiest target? Since some Boys & Girls Clubs were recipients of a contribution by a second cousin of a developer’s friend, and the developer has a project before a governing board, is that some sort of an “honest services” criminal conspiracy? Will he call a Girl Scout before a federal grand jury to explain her cookie sale to that neighbor? Are charities, like some believe developers are, our enemy? In 42 years of covering politics and working as a volunteer on behalf of numerous charities, I have never heard of such a ludicrous legal (if that is what it is) opinion.

In fact, I have always thought that the only legal form of “extortion” is squeezing a few bucks out of someone for a good charitable cause. I have been the victim of charity extortion, and I have been the extortionist. I’ve never personally witnessed anything akin to a criminal conspiracy unless smiles all around is a crime.

I’m in the extortion business myself with Don’s Team, my drive to raise $5,000 for Relay for Life in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves (which reminds me, I’ll give an update on my campaign soon). I haven’t even started my fund-

‘I have always thought that the only legal form of extortion is squeezing a few bucks out of someone for a good charitable cause. I’ve been the victim of charity extortion, and I have been the extortionist. I’ve never personally witnessed anything akin to a criminal conspiracy unless smiles all around is a crime.’

JOIN IN A TOWN-CRIER POLL!

What issue should be the State Legislature’s top priority in 2008?

A. Property insurance.

B. Property taxes.

C. Education issues.

D. Medicaid.

E. Automobile insurance.

Cast your vote by visiting www.goTownCrier.com and scrolling down to the poll question at the bottom left of the web page. It’s as easy as that!

Previous Question: Should Wellington sports teams have a residency requirement? A. Yes, they should include at least 51 percent village residents: 60 percent; B. Yes, they should include only village residents: 22 percent; C. Yes, but the requirement should vary by sport and type of team: 4 percent; D. No, there should be not be a residency requirement: 14 percent.

raiser for Don’s Team with all the elected officials. I have many friends who are elected officials, and I pledge that I will go to jail with each and every one of them if I have to. Heck, I was supposed to die of leukemia eight months ago anyway. Even though those elected officials are making contributions, they might still be committing a crime, since Mr. Kastrenakes could opine that the contribution is an “honest services” violation because they were “buying” my column when they are up for reelection.

My suggestion to the county commissioners is to redouble their charity work and force Mr. Kastrenakes to either charge them all with violating the “honest services” law or drop this piece of ridiculousness. I can’t think of a nobler reason to go to jail than for helping those less fortunate than ourselves. And I really doubt that his boss, the attorney general, wants him going all over the land charging elected officials with a crime for helping raise money for charity.

Mr. Kastrenakes, I’m certain this column will find its way to you, so I want

Letters

continued from page 4A see proof that the injuries were caused by children who are “overweight or oversized”), or we could get to the heart of this debate: individuals often see things through one viewpoint... their own.

I do not know Mr. Webb, nor do I know his children, so I cannot comment on whether or not Mr. Webb feels his own children are being treated unfairly. What I want to comment on is the fact that the AAL board has all of the Acreage children’s wants and needs in mind. I have five children of my own (who are all average or small for their ages).

None of my children play tackle football. Why do I care about this issue? Well, it is simple. My children love playing sports. My older girls play girls’ flag football and have wanted to play tackle. As a parent, I felt that my girls were too small to play tackle football. My oldest daughter had spent the last two fall seasons watching games from the sidelines. However, this season, the hardworking board of the AAL decided to add co-ed flag football up to 17 years of age.

This fall, my girls played alongside other girls and boys in this new league, and absolutely loved it. To my knowledge, the board members did not have any of their own children in this league, so their only reason for adding this was to give the children of The Acreage more choices and opportunities to play sports.

By not imposing weight limits in tackle, the league is also meeting the needs of many bigger kids that would not be able to play if the AAL used a weight limits system. Even though my

Point of View...

By Don Brown

to ask you personally: could you send me a few bucks for Don’s Team? I promise that I will never do you a favor in return, thus avoiding any appearance of impropriety. And, in the interest of the “honest services” law, I will not only disclose your contribution, I will do so proud that a federal government official was willing to participate in the American practice of giving that I learned from my grandmother.

Shameless self-promotion: To join Don’s Team, just make out a check to Relay for Life and mail it to me, Don Brown, care of the Town-Crier Newspaper, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414.

oldest boy will probably be one of the smallest players next year in the tackle prep division, I still support the AAL’s decision to group children according to their age, rather than their size. As a parent, I have many options: my son can play tackle in The Acreage with kids who will probably be a great deal larger than his 50 pounds, I can sign him up for the new flag league, or I can drive to Wellington or other surrounding areas to allow my son to play with only kids his size. As a wonderful, unique community, we should be concerned with all the children of The Acreage and what is best for all children. Larger children did not choose to be large.

Children should be allowed to experience any sport they choose. The Acreage Athletic League board truly cares about the children of The Acreage. They volunteer thousands of hours each season so that our children can have a well organized and fun football season.

I know only two AAL board members personally, and both of them have children who are average or small in size. I know that the board is not making decisions based on their own hidden agendas. They have worked long and hard developing programs that can involve all of the children of The Acreage.

I urge parents and children who have enjoyed the sports that the AAL has organized to write to the Town-Crier or the Acreage Athletic League to thank them for all of their hard work and for the memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you AAL for all that you do! God Bless!

Molly Harding Loxahatchee

Wal-Mart Employee Arrested For Stealing Envelope Full Of Cash

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

DEC. 20 — A Loxahatchee man was arrested on drug charges Dec. 20 after being pulled over on Okeechobee Blvd. and Lakeview in Royal Palm Beach. According to a Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach stopped 24-year-old Jahmel Taylor at approximately 7:20 p.m. for driving with an expired tag. A background

CRIME NEWS CRIME NEWS

check showed Taylor had an active warrant for failure to appear in court. The deputy also found a plastic bag that contained marijuana under the front seat of Taylor’s car, according to the report. Taylor was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

DEC. 21 — An employee of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach was arrested on petty

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives:

• Conroy Raymond is a black male, 5’11” tall and weighing 300 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 07/26/75. Raymond is wanted on the charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault or battery and aggravated battery. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was 76th Road North in The Acreage. Raymond is wanted as of 01/03/08.

• Randi Seltman is a white female, 5’6” tall and weighing 160 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 12/13/68. Seltman is wanted for grand theft. Her occupation is lab technician. His most recent address was Summerwood Circle in Wellington. Seltman is wanted as of 01/03/08.

Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.

THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, WHICH IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

theft charges Dec. 21. According to a PBSO report, 20-yearold Feanquita Russ of Pahokee took $109 from an envelope a customer accidentally left on the counter near her checkout register at approximately 12:37 p.m. When the customer returned and asked Russ about the envelope under a counter, Russ denied any knowledge of it. Upon contact with a deputy, Russ admitted to having between $107 and $110 dollars on her person, but told the deputy she had

been paid the previous day and didn’t have a bank account. When confronted with the tape, Russ continued to deny taking the envelope, according to the report. Russ was terminated as a Wal-Mart employee, given a verbal trespass warning from a store security officer and given a notice to appear in court.

DEC. 29 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington arrested a Wellington man last Saturday morning on drug charges near the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, the deputy observed 20-year-old Caleb Gerve at a mall bus stop at approximately 11 a.m. The deputy asked Gerve if he had anything illegal in his possession, and Gerve responded that he had marijuana in his sock. Gerve was then transported to

the county jail.

DEC. 30 — A Delray Beach man was arrested for petty theft last Sunday at the Nordstrom store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, 19-year-old Jarrod Clark attempted to leave the store at approximately 5:29 p.m. without paying for a shirt worth $75. Clark was transported to the county jail.

DEC. 31 — A Lake Park man was arrested Monday for defrauding an innkeeper at the Flanagan’s restaurant on State Road 7 in Wellington. According to a PBSO report, 48-yearold Brian Shepherd ordered and consumed alcohol and food at approximately 3:10 p.m., and attempted to leave without paying. Shepherd told the deputy he had no money. Shepherd was transported to the county jail.

Family Arrested After Altercation With Deputies

By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report

DEC. 27 — A 20-year-old Wellington man and several of his family members were arrested last Thursday night at the Mall at Wellington Green.

According to a PBSO report, Frantz Leger had been issued a trespass warning on Aug. 17 for “creating a disturbance.”

While at the mall last Thursday, Leger was recognized in the food court by a mall secu-

rity officer, who was notified that Leger had received a trespass warrant.

However, following Leger’s arrest, several of his family members — including his mother Marthe Leger, 50, father Joseph Leger, 52, sister Samantha Leger, 18, and two cousins — were arrested for various charges after appearing on the scene and clashing with deputies.

Approximately 20 to 30 deputies responded to the incident.

Randi Seltman

Conroy Raymond

New Water Restrictions Take Effect Jan. 15

Starting Jan. 15, the South Florida Water Management District has mandated one-day-aweek watering throughout Palm Beach County.

Mandatory water restrictions have been in effect in South Florida since last March. Prompted by the further lack of rainfall and the rapidly receding Lake Okeechobee levels, Phase III Water Restriction will again be in effect starting Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Phase III is classified as an “extreme water shortage” declaration. Water-use restrictions do not apply to the use of 100 percent reclaimed water, but water use restrictions apply to water from all other sources: public utilities, private wells, and all surface waters such as canals, lakes, ponds and rivers.

Phase III requires that residents will be limited to a oneday-a-week irrigation schedule. The following are general guidelines for homes with less than five acres of land:

• Odd street addresses may

Lynn Taking A New Job

continued from page 1A munity development districts rather than a municipality. It collects revenue from residents through assessments rather than ad valorem taxes and is therefore not vulnerable to the state legislature’s recent tax cut mandate or the property-tax reform on this month’s statewide ballot.

“It’s a whole different system of service delivery, as opposed to municipal government,” he said. “They have many golf courses and recreational facilities for seniors. They are very active seniors.”

The Villages has a larger population than Wellington, and is set to continue growing, Lynn said. “It has a population of 70,000, but it is projected to

Arrest Fight Led To Murder

continued from page 1A friend that Brunelle “would not be a problem to them anymore.”

What Gonzalez apparently didn’t know was that Brunelle’s body was wrapped in a blanket in the front seat of Liebro’s Honda Civic. That night, DeGidio said, Liebro threatened to kill Gonzalez and her nine-year-old son unless she accompanied him to dump Brunelle’s body, and the two headed north in separate cars.

Cell phone tower transmission records later that night placed the two in the area of Crestwood Blvd. and Southern Blvd., DeGidio said. “Shortly after that, Michelle stated she could not go on,” she said. “She was very upset and stopped at the Publix located at that intersection. John continued north on Crestwood Blvd. until he reached Our Lady Queen of the Apostles church. At that time he pulled in and disposed of Katie’s body under a palmetto tree.”

DeGidio said that on Dec. 26, Liebro told Gonzalez they needed to burn his car, and the next day Liebro told police his car had been stolen.

“They went to an area in Mar-

irrigate lawns and landscapes on Mondays between 4 and 8 a.m. or 4 and 8 p.m.

• Even street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays between 4 and 8 a.m. or 4 and 8 p.m.

• Residents and businesses with more than five acres have expanded irrigation hours, between midnight and 8 a.m. or 4 and 11:59 p.m. on their designated irrigation day.

• Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off.

• Low-volume irrigation, including the use of drip and microjet systems that apply water directly to plant root zones, is not restricted but should be voluntarily reduced.

• Additional watering days and times will be allocated for the establishment of new lawns and landscapes.

• No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, pres-

build out at about 100,000,” Lynn said. “It stretches out over three counties. They’re in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties.”

The 54-year-old Lynn said he is also familiar with the area, since he was born there and once served as deputy manager of Ocala. He said he located the job through his contacts in the area. “I know some of the administrators there,” he said. “It’s a beautiful area. Since I’m retiring, it’s appropriate that I’ll be working in a retirement community.”

His salary, he said, will be a little less than what he earned in Wellington, but comparable.

Besides revenue collection, community development districts have different administrative issues than municipalities, Lynn said. “They face different legal requirements and different budgetary issues,” he said. “It’s a whole different way of doing things than state or municipal

gate and set the car on fire,”

DeGidio said. “The state fire marshal’s office determined the car was set on fire in the front passenger floorboard area with gasoline-soaked rags.”

DeGidio said there was no significance in the fact that Liebro dumped Brunelle’s body at a church. “It was just an area where the parking lot was dark,” DeGidio said. “He had cover because there were no lights in the parking lot. It was very easy for him to go to the southern portion of the parking lot.”

DeGidio said Liebro used lamp oil to set Brunelle’s body

sure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides).

• Golf courses must reduce their allocated water use by 45 percent.

The Irrigation Inspection program will be made available until Feb. 15 to all Wellington residents and utility customers who have automatic sprinkler systems. An irrigation technician will review the resident’s current irrigation system settings and show the resident how to adjust, if needed, to comply with the current water restrictions. Call (561) 791-4003 between the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to schedule an appointment.

Wellington code compliance officers regularly work nights and weekends and will be enforcing water restrictions. Due to the severity of the drought, warnings will not be issued. Fines for violations in Wellington are $75 for the first offense and $250 for repeat violations. For more information, visit www.ci.wellington.fl.us.

government, so that’s what I’m excited about. It’s something new and different.”

While Lynn chuckled at the prospect of working in a community with no property tax issues, he noted that community development districts are public agencies but “they have an entirely different financing structure and it’s really more of a private sector corporation.”

Lynn announced his intention to retire in late October and plans to make the break this month, although he has said he will remain available to the Wellington Village Council and staff for consultation.

Community Services Director Paul Schofield will serve as acting village manager until the council locates a new manager.

Lynn has been Wellington’s village manager for 11 years and was the first manager selected by the fledgling village’s first council.

on fire, but it burned very slowly. “It did not completely erupt in flames,” she said, “so we’re not exactly sure how long she had been burning.”

Gonzales will not face criminal charges. “Michelle was threatened,” DeGidio said. “She was in fear for her life and for the life of her son. She was terrified.”

DeGidio said Brunelle was the mother of two children, ages two and four, and estranged from her husband in Broward County because of her problems with drugs and alcohol. Their children had been living with members of Brunelle’s family.

P.W. Chamber’s Inaugural Poker Tournament Feb. 2

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host its inaugural Wild West Poker Tournament & Membership Drive on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Links at Madison Green clubhouse in Royal Palm Beach.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and features professional dealers and tables in a Texas hold ’em tournament. Non-members are invited to participate and learn about the chamber. Prizes will be available. Jeans, boots and a cowboy hat are encouraged. The cost to enter the tournament is $30 per person in advance; tables of ten are available for $300. Space is limited to the first 100 registrants.

The Links at Madison Green clubhouse is located at 2001 Crestwood Blvd. To register or for more information, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com.

Special Arbor Day Celebration

Mounts Botanical Garden, Palm Beach County’s premier horticultural treasure, will host a special Arbor Day celebration Friday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. The event will include a tree dedication held at the new Shade and Color Island. The theme of this family-friendly event is “the Culture of Trees” and will include several VIP speakers, who will focus on the critical role that trees play in people’s lives, a music-filled reception and a proclamation of support from local elected officials. The honorary chair for the celebration is Paul Van der Grift of Palm Beach. RSVP by calling (561) 233-1757 no later than Jan. 15. Mounts Botanical Garden is located at 531 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, visit www.mounts.org.

Random Acts Of Kindness Award

The Palm Beach County School District’s Prevention Center, along with Vintage Worship Gathering in Lake Park, are offering the Random Acts of Kindness Award for Palm Beach County high school students. Applicants for the award must exhibit positive character traits through random acts of kindness, and are encouraged to find creative ways to show kindness to those around them, either individually or as a group. Awards are monetary. Anyone wishing to apply must do so before Jan. 18. The application is available online at www.vintageworshipgathering. org/scholarship.pdf.

Weekly Flea Market Starts Jan. 5

Jesus Our Savior Church in Loxahatchee Groves will host a flea market every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Jan. 5. The church is located at 13771 Okeechobee Blvd. For more information, call (561) 707-4618.

Town Hall Meetings In January

The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office will be holding four town hall meetings all across the county during the month of January to answer questions about the Jan. 29 election and offer demonstrations of the existing voting equipment to be used for the current elections and information on the new voting equipment to be used in the fall election. The first meeting will be at Delray Beach City Hall on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m., followed by Glades Central High School on Jan. 9 at 6 p.m., Palm Beach Community College’s Lake Worth campus on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. and at the FAU North Campus in Jupiter on Jan. 16 at at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.pbcelections. org or call (561) 656-6200.

Katie Brunelle John Liebro

Bellissimo: Expect Many Changes When WEF Opens Jan. 15

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

With the Winter Equestrian Festival opening Jan. 15, the Town-Crier spoke to newly minted horse show promoter Mark Bellissimo about his new partnership with other members of the equestrian community and their plans to create a worldclass venue in Wellington.

Last summer Bellissimo acquired the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, the venue for both the National Horse Show and the Winter Equestrian Festival, and after a year of strife among high-powered equestrian interests, in November Bellissimo’s Equestrian Sport Productions LLC secured the rights to produce both events.

Bellissimo, who also purchased the old Palm Beach Polo stadium and other nearby properties in southern Wellington, said he wants to combine them into a world-class equestrian facility comparable to European arenas, and he and his partners are in a position to make that happen.

Bellissimo said he is proud of what his new partnership has done to prepare the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club — which he has renamed the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center — for the 2008 CN Winter Equestrian Festival, and that people who attend the WEF will see one of the finest facilities in the United States.

“I’m wasting no time at all making sure our partners are

committed to taking action immediately,” he said. “We’re spending millions of dollars between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15 to make good on that promise. We have about 200 people working there now, and it is going to be spectacular. That’s what we came here to do. I’m in this now to be part of something phenomenal. I think all the partners now working together all have that same goal.”

Drawing the participation of the Wellington community at large is a crucial element of Bellissimo’s plans for the local equestrian economy. “What I think is critical is that we take this asset and make it more accessible and try to tie in the community,” he said. “The amount of commerce and opportunity for people in the village is very significant.”

Besides a major revamping of the competition and spectator areas, Bellissimo said Equestrian Sport Productions is expanding beyond show jumping and dressage to offer more entertainment in addition to other high-quality equestrian events.

“The facility itself is going to change dramatically,” he said. “There’s no more Port-a-Potties. There’s new pathways going around the entire facility. There are new rings, new spectator areas and seating opportunities that didn’t exist before. Our fundamental goal is to make the product more exciting. I think that seeing a horse jump around a ring is exciting for many people, but not all, so what we’re introducing on Jan. 20 is

something never done before in Wellington, a six-bar competition, a speed derby, that’s going to be our kickoff inaugural event. I want people to know that there’s an exciting event and there’s opportunities for seating and opportunities for parking. It’s a more exciting product with higher quality.”

Bellissimo said he recently returned from Europe, where he attended some of the world’s finest indoor horse shows. “They were well run, with high entertainment value as well as a high quality equestrian event,” he said. “It was a corporate mix of entertainment and sport. I think that’s what’s missing in Wellington, and that’s what we’re going to add to the flavor here.”

Bellissimo said Wellington icon Gene Mische of Stadium Jumping, which previously held the rights to the horse shows, and Littlewood Farm owners David Burton and David Burton Jr. still have roles to play.

“[Mische] has a contract with us, and he has been working as a consultant,” Bellissimo said. “I hold Gene in high regard for what he has done for Wellington. I also find that the people who really created the Wellington equestrian environment are Gene and Dave Burton. Dave Burton senior and junior get no credit for building what I think is a tremendous infrastructure for equestrian sport.”

Bellissimo said his initial goal was to gather Mische’s organization and the Burton family together with enough capital to

create the world’s premier equestrian showplace.

“Now we once again have everyone working together,” he said. “So Gene will be a part of this new accord, as will the Burtons, and we will have a new product that really puts together the equestrian aspects of Wellington and coordinates them, as opposed to having certain competing amenities that in many ways were not comple-

menting each other as well as they can and should have.”

Bellissimo said his relations with the Village of Wellington have improved with the resolution of lawsuits between himself and other equestrian interests, but he still senses mistrust among some officials, who seem to be trying to secondguess his motives. An example is the Wellington Village Coun-

See BELLISSIMO, page 23A

Mark Bellissimo of Equestrian Sport Productions

RPB Election Question 3: What Are Your Plans For Village Commons?

From now until the Jan. 29 election, the Town-Crier will ask questions for publication each week to the three candidates seeking the vacant seat on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council. This week’s question: “Royal Palm Beach has big plans in store for ‘Village Commons,’ the new name for the old Tradition Golf Course. What do you think about the current plans? Is there anything you would change?”

TINUADE “TINU” PENA

The idea of having a place where children, adults and seniors can gather and enjoy different programs that will accommodate their specific needs is an enormous initiative that the village should be proud of undertaking. This facility, once finished, will be the epitome for what the council has continued to strive for — that is, to enhance the quality of life of its residents. Therefore, as one of my priorities is based on economic growth and development, I must say I am for the Village Commons development as long as taxpayers are not impacted. It is imperative that our children and seniors have the opportunity to participate in additional programs provided within their own community.

We must not forget that the big plans for “Village Commons” were based on what the people wanted and were conducted through surveys, workshops and a need analysis on the subject matter. So, in support of what the people asked for, I will

not change a thing, as the various programs that will be offered should meet residents’ needs. It is important, however, to keep in mind that as we continue to evolve socially and economically, we as a community will have to keep the ball rolling so that we are in tune with such changes that will ensure that our community’s value and quality of life is sustained through our wish for prosperity. Therefore, you can say that I am a strong advocate for planning for, and providing places and programs for, our residents to enjoy with their families, which I shall strive to continue when elected your councilwoman.

MARTHA WEBSTER

Following two community charettes in 2006, which I attended, a master plan for the 158-acre parcel was presented to the council. It included a community services area, executive golf course, restaurant/sporting center, kayak launch, ceremonial/banquet gardens, shade pavilions, an interactive fountain, public plaza, great lawn, playgrounds, picnic areas, promenade, sculpture garden and various ancillary facilities: entrance, landscaping, lakes, earthwork, utilities, maintenance building and trails. The estimated cost was $42,000,000.

In March 2007, the council added a driving range, 18-hole putting course, combined maintenance facility, and a redesign of the parking and access roads. The decision to fund this mas-

sive project came at a time of soaring property values and increasing tax revenues. However, recent state mandates rolling back property taxes and a decline in property values raises questions about the project itself and future maintenance costs.

Recently, the council expressed concerns about their ability to maintain their 13-year tax reduction trend and deliver primary services in lieu of predicted shortfalls. The magnitude of the project, and the fact it will be a regional draw, raises additional concerns about the traffic and safety impacts on the village. Also, the plan includes minimal environmental preservation goals or elements of natural habitat restoration, and does little to distinguish a clear identity for the village. The revised plan is a common mirror of surrounding communities.

I would like to see a scaledback, less costly version of the plan, one that does not negatively impact surrounding neighborhoods. I would want as much public participation from taxpayers as possible.

DAVID DANGERFIELD

The Village of Royal Palm administration and their support staff have done an excellent job in designing this 150-acre (plus or minus) multi-phase project and community center. This ideal design is slated to have a ninehole golf course. This short course will give our village residents, junior residents and guests the opportunity to enjoy the novice and competitive game of golf. The overall recreational design of the “Village Commons” will be inclusive to parking, food, beverages, rowing/ kayaking, outdoor leisure, recreational activities and the en-

joyment of relaxing on the “Great Lawn”… similar and smaller than the “Great Lawn” in New York City’s Central Park. There will be an additional 27 acres, which will be reserved for future park buildings that will be developed in future phases. Village staff has reviewed this petition and has concluded that the request is compatible with adjacent land uses and is consistent with the village’s comprehensive plan, and consistent with the development standards for the public ownership (PO) zoning district.

As your councilman, I would earnestly and eagerly work with the village officials in enhancing and proceeding with this project, while trying to obtain corporate sponsors. These corporate sponsors will defray some project costs and provide support while maintaining the See QUESTION, page 38A

David Dangerfield Tinuade “Tinu” Pena Martha Webster

Intersection Work Progressing At Orange And Royal Palm

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

The redesigned intersection of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and Orange Blvd. is among projects by Palm Beach County that will improve traffic flow in The Acreage. The new curve allows traffic to flow from one street to the other instead of waiting at the angular intersection there previously.

Meanwhile, signs on 110th Avenue in The Acreage warn of the impending county-funded construction of a State Road 7 extension slated to reach Persimmon Blvd. by the end of 2009. While Indian Trail Improvement District supervisors praised the reshaped Orange Blvd. intersection last month, Supervisor Ralph Bair told the Town-Crier the new curve might encourage speeding.

“The road is so easy to drive it may be very hard to get people to slow down, and we could

have some accidents there,” he said. “We can’t control human nature, and a good smooth road encourages speeding through lights and caution signs.”

ITID President Mike Erickson said that while he was pleased with the work, he was concerned that ITID was not consulted about the design or even on whether the change should have been made. “It will improve traffic flow,” he said, “but I am concerned that we have simply moved the SR 7 traffic problem to our own local streets.”

While the previous board of supervisors was notoriously contentious on the subject of county road plans, the current supervisors are working more closely with the county and with state legislators. The state legislature recently approved funds for the design of a further extension of SR 7 to Northlake Blvd.

“We’ve learned that you can

get further working with people when you aren’t yelling at them all the time,” Erickson said. “The county has been flexible about some funding in case we

have problems getting funding further north, and we have high hopes the state will support us in making certain that the SR 7 extension does reach all the way

to Northlake Blvd. We may not have the authority we want and need, but we will work with anyone to make things better for our residents.”

Loxahatchee Groves’ Comprehensive Plan To Dominate 2008

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Major issues for the Town of Loxahatchee Groves in 2008 will come both from without and within, staff and elected officials said.

Town Clerk Matthew Lippman said his predominant concern is strategic planning for the town, beginning with the comprehensive planning process.

“We’re in the process of getting bids now,” Lippman told the Town-Crier Wednesday. “We will select a planning firm in the next 30 to 60 days.”

The town is close to transmitting a land use plan to the Florida Department of Community Affairs to change the permitted residential density for all of Loxahatchee Groves to one unit per five acres, Lippman said. “Hopefully, that will be com-

ing through in the next 60 to 90 days,” he said. “The only other aspect that we’re focusing on for now is the budget for next year, with the past year as history, we can better plan for future needs. At the crux of everything is the maturity of our planning. On Nov. 1, the moratorium [on new development] is lifted. Hopefully at that point our plan will be done and we can address development and

some of the applicants a little bit better.”

As a fledgling municipality, Loxahatchee Groves was not affected by the recent legislative mandate to roll back ad valorem taxes, Lippman said, but it is still to be determined to what extent a further tax reform amendment would affect the town if approved by a statewide referendum later this month.

Councilman Dr. Bill Louda

cited water management as the most pressing issue for the town, with both global and local implications. “When I begin my environmental chemistry class, I ask students what the most pressing problem is,” he said. “Is it energy? It is not. I look at water as one of our biggest issues, including keeping our canals in Loxahatchee Groves full during drought. We See GROVES, page 23A

Intersection Improvements — Contractors hard at work on the redesigned intersection of Orange and Royal Palm Beach boulevards.

PHOTO BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

SWA Officials Present Landfill Plans To Lox Groves Landowners

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Members of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association posed questions on traffic and safety last week to a proposal to create a new landfill on the western edge of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.

The Solid Waste Authority is planning to build the new landfill on 790 acres of a 1,600-acre site owned by the SWA on State Road 80 (Southern Blvd.) about six miles west of 20-Mile Bend.

SWA Executive Director Mark Hammond and several other SWA representatives gave a lengthy presentation on the plans at the LGLA’s Dec. 27 meeting.

Hammond told LGLA members the SWA needs a new landfill to replace an existing site near the Grassy Waters Preserve. While the SWA is hoping to expand its waste-to-energy conversion facility, which burns some refuse to generate electricity and will reduce landfill demand, Hammond said that the new site would last a half-century without that factored in.

“It will have the capacity of 210 million cubic yards or 50 years of life, given the facilities we presently have — that is, if everything were to stay the same,” he said.

Hammond said the proposed landfill would have a minimal environmental impact on the nearby Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, because of setbacks and other environmental considerations incorporated into its design.

Hammond said the current landfill does not have any impact on either the wildlife in Grassy Waters or water quality, as it is also the water catchment area for the City of West Palm Beach.

Asked by resident Pat Johnson to de-

scribe the traffic impact of the proposed landfill, Hammond said the facility would be accessed via Southern Blvd. and no other roads would be affected. The landfill would generate 300 round trips per day, most of them tractor-trailers, averaging one truck every ten minutes.

Johnson said the landfill and other development would increase the traffic burden on Southern Blvd., at the expense of Loxahatchee Groves residents. “Our concern is that there will be a lot more, depending on development,” she said. “Even though it’s a slight percentage, we are already over capacity. You are also not talking cars but tractor-trailers.”

Hammond said the positive aspect of the landfill’s contribution to traffic would be fewer, larger trucks, each bearing more material to the site.

Other residents asked about the possibility of an alternative site, but Hammond and other SWA representatives said the property on Southern Blvd. presented the least difficulties.

“Finding another alternative site would be difficult,” SWA representative Don Mathis said. “If not here, then where? There are not a lot of alternative sites out there. There are so many different factors. It will be tough to find another location. Martin County doesn’t want it, and Okeechobee would be too far north. You have to deal with your own garbage.”

In other business:

• With no new nominations for LGLA officers for 2008, members elected Marge Herzog as president, Ken Johnson as treasurer, Claus Von Grote as sergeant at arms and Diane Von Grote and Nancy Handwerg as members at large. The slate did not include any nominees for vice president or secretary. Harold Sosonsky made the motion to approve the slate of officers, which was seconded by Claus

Von Grote. It passed unanimously.

• Pat Johnson asked for volunteers for a second local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which will begin training this month. Johnson said 16 volunteers had so far expressed interest, and she was hoping to attract six or seven more members to complete the new team. Johnson also said CERT is trying to raise money to buy supplies such as ham radios, and is planning fundraisers, including a Feb. 19 raffle. “You would be part of a group of trained volunteers who would respond in the case of a natu-

ral disaster or a manmade disaster when the first-responders can’t get to us,” Johnson said. “We know we are so spread out and we are not top priority. This is a way to train civilians to do things in the gap.”

• The next LGLA meeting, scheduled for Jan. 24, will feature speakers from the Rare Species Conservatory as well as a presentation by Florida Department of Transportation officials regarding a developer’s proposal to widen Southern Blvd. toward Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

Landfill Presentation — Solid Waste Authority Executive Director Mark Hammond at last Thursday’s Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association meeting.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Ultima Fitness Kicks Off 90-Day Challenge On Jan. 15

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Ultima Fitness 90-Day Fitness Challenge is an opportunity not just to lose weight or get fit, but to change one’s lifestyle.

Jill Merrell, owner of Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do in Wellington, said this year’s sixth annual challenge is for people who want to take charge of their lives.

“We decided to start a challenge open to anyone in the community, and we would give them 90 days to make a transformation in their body,” she said.

Merrell said the annual challenge, which offers prizes for those who achieve the most progress, is not tied to gym membership.

“You come in and have an initial assessment and have a ‘before’ picture,” she said. “Whether you chose to join our facility and take advantage of what we have to offer or not — you can go out in the community and do it on your own — come back in 90 days and you get another assessment, you get an ‘after’ picture and you write a one-page essay about how this made a difference to you.”

Merrell said reading participants’ essays revealed to her the depth of their experiences. “What we found was people could not believe the difference it made in the quality of their lives,” she said. “They came in thinking, ‘it’s the beginning of the New Year and I’ve got to lose weight,’ but reading the essays about their training, we found this was really something that helped the community as a whole.”

The Town-Crier and the Palms West Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsoring the Fitness Challenge and encouraging other businesses and groups to get involved.

“Not everyone is comfortable in working out or in fit-

ness, but they all know they need to do it and, as much as it is about weight loss, it’s about stress reduction,” Merrell said. “It’s about lowering your cholesterol, and it’s about developing a healthier lifestyle.

We’re hoping that we can not only get people to join the challenge, but get organizations and groups to embrace and make their own little challenges. That we can reduce the stress in their lives, and improve the quality of their lives, by the way that they exercise and eat and take care of themselves is a great concept.”

Participants are judged on overall visual transformation, changes in body composition, officially documented health improvements and their essay. Entry fees of $39 per participant are collected and divided between the top three finishers, with the winner getting 60 percent, the first runner up receiving 30 percent and the second runner up receiving 10 percent. In Ultima’s fourth annual challenge, which drew the largest number of participants, the winner walked away with $2,800, Merrell said.

For the first time this year the challenge includes a youth division for ages 17 and under. National City will provide $300, $150 and $50 gift cards for the top three finishers.

“Youth have participated in the past, but this year we divided it up so that youth were not competing with adults,”

Merrell said. “We also get local businesses to donate gifts, so there’s not only a huge check or gift card, they also get gifts donated from people in the community, so it’s really across-the-board support of the community.”

Merrell said the challenge also offers participants workshops and and gym discounts.

“What we offer to all the contestants, whether they are members or not, is workshops throughout the 90 days,” she

said. “We offer a two-week membership to all contestants and some special rates. The $39 for the contest gets them in the contest, but besides the two free weeks, we offer specials to all contestants. The feedback we’ve gotten from participants is that it had a great impact on their lives.”

Merrell cites Palms West Chamber of Commerce President Joanna Boynton as an outstanding example.

“She was always one who worked out, but she didn’t always worry about taking care of Joanna. Getting into the challenge made her realize that she had to place some empha-

sis on her life,” Merrell said. “She’s a busy woman. She is involved with everything in the community. Besides her business, she has two small children, besides the philanthropy she does. She decided it was time to take care of herself and to understand that you need to take care of yourself in order to be productive.”

The challenge is more than just a weight-loss competition, Merrell stressed. “This contest is not just about who can lose the most weight,” she said.

“This is about people making transformations in their lives.

It’s about reducing the things that are not good for them and

increasing the things that are good for them. All these people are winners once they’ve made the commitment to make a difference in their lives, but people like the contest. They like the money, so the more people participate, the more the prize money goes up.”

The 90-Day Challenge registration period ends Jan. 15. Entry forms and competitors’ guides are available at Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do in the Wellington Plaza at 12799 W. Forest Hill Blvd., and online at Ultima’s web site, www.ultimafitness.com. Call (561) 795-2823 for more information.

Fitness Challenge — Ultima Fitness owner Jill Merrell with Palms West Chamber of Commerce President Joanna Boynton and Fitness Challenge organizer Bob Heil.

PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Perfect Smile Dentistry Offers A Wide Range Of Dental Services

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Dentists Barbara Bates and Rasmi Akel of Perfect Smile Dentistry use the cutting-edge technology of Invisalign braces and Lumineer dental veneers to create smiles that are, as the name says, perfect.

Dr. Bates said Invisalign braces are a quantum leap ahead of traditional metal braces. “Right from the start, there is a real difference,” she said. “Patients start by getting a digital model of how their teeth are aligned, as well as a picture of the final result. A new plastic plate is changed every two weeks, each one slightly different from the one before. As a result, the process works twice as fast.”

Dr. Akel said the removable plastic plates offer another advantage. “That allows patients to brush their teeth completely,” he said. “With braces, a lot of patients had spots and stains on their teeth because they had not been able to brush in some spots for years. Now we cannot only prevent stains, we can combine the whole process with bleaching. When we’re finished, you really do have a perfect smile.”

Invisalign, the two dentists say, is the hottest improvement in orthodontics in many years. By changing the plastic plates every two weeks, they can guide the teeth into their proper alignment far more efficiently.

“The use of digital modeling

is what really makes a difference,” Akel said. “We know exactly how each tooth is supposed to move and exactly when it should move. And the computer breaks up the movement into very tiny segments that are easily monitored.”

Bates said the differences in the changing plates are minute.

“There is only a tiny bit of difference between a set of plates and the one that comes just before it,” she said. “But a dentist can make sure that the movement did take place over the two weeks and take corrective action immediately if there is a problem.”

Akel said his patients are thrilled at the start of treatment to see computer-generated images of the results they can expect. “Getting that when we start provides a great motivation,” he said. “Some of my patients tell me that they like to look at the pictures all the time because they can imagine how great their smiles will be.”

Bates demonstrated one of the Invisalign plates. “Look how clear they are,” she said. “They’re almost impossible to see. Some of our parents remember all the metal braces they had to wear and how unsightly they were. They talk about being called ‘metal mouth’ and how they were afraid to kiss anyone. Now no one can really even see them. And the best part is, they work even better than the metal.”

Lumineers are very thin tooth veneers that are put on with little or no dental preparation. They are porcelain and are as thin as contact lenses. They can be used to correct tooth discoloration, noticeable gaps, permanent stains and broken or misshapen teeth. They can even bond to existing crowns and bridgework. Installation requires no shots needed and can usually be done in two visits.

“I just had a patient who was the father of a bride getting married next month in New Jersey,” Bates said. “He thought his teeth were really unsightly. He came in, took one look at this system and got started. I’ll have the new teeth in next week, and he’ll look like a new man at the wedding.”

Although they are best known for their cosmetic and restorative dentistry, the two dentists do all types of dental work. They fill cavities, build bridges and crowns, whiten teeth, and perform root canal therapy and extraction as well as periodontal work. They accept many types of insurance, although both said that purely cosmetic dental treatments are usually not covered. Many plans cover orthodontics for teenagers, but not for adults. Perfect Smile Dentistry, however, is usually able to work out financial options with their patients.

Bates grew up in New Jersey but earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida. Akel grew up in Israel and attended college there.

Both have also had further advanced training under the Advanced Education for General Dentists program. The two attended dental school together as part of the first graduating class of dentists at Nova Southeastern University.

Both dentists say treating their own children gave them good experience for working with kids. “Some of my patients call me the ‘mommy dentist,’” Bates smiled.

Perfect Smile Dentistry provides a comfortable environment, allowing patients to listen to their favorite music or watch a movie through DVD goggles during treatment. The initial

exam is very thorough, Akel said.

“We do a careful first exam,” he said. “We tour the office with our new patients and do digital X-rays, an oral cancer screening and a periodontal evaluation. We want our patients to know what we will do with them.”

Perfect Smile Dentistry is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd., Suite 208 in Wellington and is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The practice also has a Boynton Beach location.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (561) 204-4494 or visit www. perfectsmiledentistry.com.

Smile Doctors — Perfect Smile Dentistry’s Dr. Rasmi Akel and Dr. Barbara Bates in their Wellington office.

Many Events Lined Up For Autism Speaks Week March 24-28

Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright, joined by local parents and advocates, recently announced an unprecedented South Florida autism awareness and fundraising initiative to take place during the last week in March.

Autism Speaks Week — March 2430 — will include a multi-part news series broadcast on NBC stations WPTV and WTVJ, and Miami’s Telemundo 51, the ING Direct Ride Now South Florida fundraising motorcycle event, a live telethon, an online auction and a gala concert for Autism Speaks featuring Lionel Richie.

According to the most recent Department of Education statistics, Florida ranks sixth in the United States in the number of children receiving services for autism.

“Autism is a national health crisis that is affecting families in every corner of this country, from Florida to Alaska,” Bob Wright said. “Autism Speaks Week will shine a spotlight on the struggles of South Florida families and inform people about what they can do to improve the lives of individuals with autism in their community.”

“Our hope is that this series of events will increase the level of understanding and acceptance,” Suzanne Wright added. “The money we raise will help Autism Speaks fund autism research and support community organizations here in South Florida and across the United States that provide critical services to children and adults with autism.”

• Television News Series, March 24 to 28 — NBC stations WPTV in West Palm Beach, WTVJ in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Spanish language station Telemundo 51 will join forces to

focus all of South Florida on the escalating numbers of people affected by autism. Throughout the week, the stations will carry both national and local stories focusing on South Florida residents during morning and evening newscasts.

• Online Auction, March 24-28

An online auction event, sponsored by AT&T and accessed through the web site of the three television stations, will allow the public to bid on a range of unique items and experiences, with all proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks. The auction items include family entertainment, such as admissions to Disney World, Lion Country Safari and the Palm Beach Zoo and kids birthday parties at Rapids Water Park, Boomers and Miami Children’s Museum; sporting events, including tickets to the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills in Michigan, a spot in the NYC Marathon and tickets to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa; rounds of golf at leading private courses, including Trump International in Palm Beach; brunch for four at the exclusive Mar-aLago Club in Palm Beach; celebrity experiences with VIP seats and meet-andgreets at various concerts in South Florida; tickets for four in NewsChannel 5’s VIP box for a concert at Sound Advice Amphitheatre; memorabilia from some of South Florida’s biggest stars; jewelry, including a Chopard watch valued at $6,500, and a specially selected item by Ivanka Trump from her new jewelry line; and a unique three-wheeled electric bike, called the BugE, signed by celebrities.

• ING Direct Ride Now South Florida, Saturday, March 29 — Starting from motorcycle dealerships across South Florida, thousands of bikers — many with

Concert for Autism Speaks — Honorary event co-chairs Donald and Melania Trump flank chairs Bob and Suzanne Wright.

friends or family members who have autism — are expected to ride to Pompano Racetrack for a motorcycle vendor fair and music festival. Tickets for participants range from $30 to $150, with all proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks. Participants will be encouraged to ask friends, family and co-workers to support their efforts with donations. This event is part of the national Autism Speaks ING Direct Ride Now program, which will take place in eight cities in 2008.

• Telethon and Broadcast of ‘Autism Every Day,’ Saturday, March 29 — WPTV will broadcast the critically acclaimed documentary “Autism Every Day” at 8 p.m., followed by a live telethon event from 9 to 11 p.m. originating from the WPTV studios and simulcast in the Miami market on WTVJ. Hosted

by the anchor teams from both stations, the telethon (sponsored by AT&T) will also include announcements of winning online auction bidders and a live auction of additional special items.

• Concert for Autism Speaks, Sunday, March 30 — Autism Speaks Week will culminate with the fourth Concert for Autism Speaks at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. Headlined by legendary singer/songwriter Lionel Richie, the evening of entertainment will be emceed by Tom Brokaw of NBC News. Honorary co-chairs for the event are Billi & Bernie Marcus and Melania & Donald Trump. Bob and Suzanne Wright are the event chairs.

For more information about Autism Speaks Week, visit www.autismspeaks. org.

Wellington Rec Offering Winter Tai Chi Classes

Learn slow gentle movements combined with breathing that will balance the body and mind and lubricate the joints, in tai chi courses offered by the Village of Wellington’s Leisure Services Department.

“People who practice tai chi are less anxious, depressed and nervous and have better self-esteem,” said Wojtek Chodzko Zajko, Ph.D., a tai chi expert and head of the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. “You could argue tai chi is a good component to a total holistic attitude toward health, and that people who practice tai chi are more likely to engage in healthy eating behavior that encourages weight loss.”

A total of three sessions will be offered on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. this winter and spring: Session I is from Jan. 4 to Feb. 15; Session II is from Feb. 22 to March 28 and Session III is from April 4 to May 9. Bring a water bottle, towel and remember to wear comfortable shoes. Each session is $30 per resident and $37.50 per non-resident. A valid Park Player Pass is required with registration.

For more information, call the Wellington Community Center at (561) 753-2484. If you are registering for the first time, be sure to register in person at two convenient locations: the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) or the Village Park Gymnasium (11700 Pierson Road).

You can also register online at http:// rec.ci.wellington.fl.us with your household ID number.

2008

Red Cross Designers’

Show

House Continues Strong With Party At Boutique Chairman’s Home

A recent cocktail reception honored the hard work and dedication of the designers, landscape designers and committee members for the 2008 American Red Cross Designers’ Show House.

Frank Maguire, the Boutique Chairman for the 2008 Designers’ Show House, and his wife Molly hosted the event at their stunning Manalapan home, offering champagne, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in a beautiful waterfront setting.

“As we get closer to opening the 2008 American Red Cross Designers’ Show House to the public, we continue to celebrate the hard work of our talented designers and dedicated committee members,” General Chairman Desmond Keogh said. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the Maguires for hosting such a wonderful party in honor of the Designers’ Show House participants this year.”

The 2008 Designers’ Show House, benefiting the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, brings together an exclusive showcase of “Palm Beach style” featured in rooms designed by acclaimed interior designers from across the U.S. and the South Florida area who will transform the ultra-luxurious, 9,180-square-foot Tower Suite at 2700 North Ocean on Singer Island room by room, showcasing their individual talents and styles. The theme of this year’s Show House is inspired by the event’s honorary chair Lilly Pulitzer.

For the first time in its history, the Show House will be in a luxury oceanfront condominium, as 16 interior and landscape designers are inspired by the beautiful ocean and the incomparable style that is Palm Beach. The event will also incor-

porate the terraces, with landscape designers lending their artistic touches to the Show House.

This year’s theme “Palm Beach Style” will demonstrate how nature’s palette meets luxury island living. With a color palette ranging from pale to electric yellow-greens to mellow pistachios verging on mint, the theme will be a reminder of why people live in or visit Palm Beach.

The 32nd Annual Designers’ Show

House will be open to the public from Jan. 17 to Feb. 16. General admission tickets are $30. Special pricing is available for groups of ten or more. The Show House will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter. For more information, or to reserve tickets, call (561) 833-7711 or visit www. redcrossshowhouse.org.

Victoria Amory with Frank & Molly Maguire

TAILWAGGERS AGILITY TRIALS AT THE JIM BRANDON CENTER

The Tailwaggers Learning Center hosted AKC Agility Trials Dec. 19 to Jan. 1 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on Forest Hill Blvd. The competition featured an agility course with a set pattern of obstacles — tunnels, jumps, weave poles, etc. Dogs followed their owners’ direction as they went through the obstacle course. For more information about Tailwaggers, call (561) 804WAGS or visit www.tailwaggers.org.

Paige O’Donnell with Barbie, a three-year-old border Collie. A Chihuahua makes its way down the A-frame.

Spor ts Injuries

Spinal Injec tions

Spinal Cord Stimulators

B otox Injec tions

Chronic Pain Management

Stroke

Spinal

Pamela Downey with dog Sophie and Maggie Bielecky with Lizzie.

Gayle York of Royal Palm Beach with first-place winners Jett and Kobe.

PHOTOS BY

Caren Culley and Dylan relax between competitions.

ACTORS, ARTISTS AND MORE AT THE TRI COUNTY COMIC CON

The Tri County Comic Con took place Dec. 28-30 at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). One dollar from each ticket went to cure spina bifida. After getting free comic books and raffle tickets upon entrance, guests browsed through comic books, artwork and other hard-to-find items, and met celebrities such as Star Trek’s Walter Koenig, Priscilla Barnes of Three’s Company and various horror film stars. For more info., visit www. tricountycomiccon.com.

Actor Walter Koenig of Star Trek fame.

Jeremy Morrisson and brother Tyler won first place in the Iron Man costume contest.

Alexandria Drovich and her fiance Tony Castillo stand by a display of Castillo’s illustrations.

Professional wrestlers Greg “the Hammer” Valentine, Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart, Roy Wayne Harris (a.k.a. the Honky Tonk Man) and Mike Jones (a.k.a. Virgil).

Crazy Ed’s Comics owner Ed Savitt with a copy of X-Men #1 (1963), priced at $1,800.

Indian Trail Improvement District Supervisor Ralph Bair with actress Priscilla Barnes.

CN Winter Equestrian Festival Competitor

Todd Minikus riding for the USA in the 2007 Derby at La Baule, France.

Photo: Ken

Groves Focus On Southern

continued from page 10A have relied on them historically since 1917 for agriculture, fire suppression, maintaining our well fields for drinking water and as we’ve become more and more drained by peripheral development, we need to keep our canals and well water at historic levels.”

Louda said that will require working closely with the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District. Lippman said the town will appeal to the South Florida Water Management District to keep more water in Loxahatchee Groves in order to maintain fire protection, supply nursery growers and keep well fields charged. “As we learned from the recent water workshop, it is a big concern,” he said. “We are taking the route of a variance request through the South Florida Water Management District to be able to maintain our water levels.”

Another hot topic for 2008 will be manure, Lippman said. The town is expecting a forthcoming presentation from a University of Florida technician on a process that turns manure and other wastes into a liquid or gas fuel.

Among other issues, Louda said a new FPL power plant

Bellissimo WEF To Open

continued from page 8A

cil’s mixed reaction to his offer to sponsor and expand the village’s “Just an Egg Hunt” event, although he said village staff welcomed his offer to put up $25,000 in the face of diminishing village revenue.

“I was asked to sponsor it. I stepped up. What impressed me was the level of enthusiasm of the village staff,” he said. “The group all seemed to get excited about it, and it expanded. In the end I think it can be a highly productive event to maintain the integrity of the existing event.”

Bellissimo said he also saw the event as a way to bring Wellington residents together with the village’s horse enthusiasts, whom he calls the “equestrian court.”

“I admit it was also a bit self-

planned near 20-Mile Bend and a landfill proposed for a site just west of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge are potential pollution threats. He said the county acted foolishly in agreeing to sell the power plant millions of gallons of reclaimed water daily that could otherwise water roadway medians, golf courses and crops, reducing the amount of potable water consumed for the same purposes.

Louda stressed the importance of controlling and slowing development along the Southern Blvd./State Road 80 corridor. “We need time to plan our State Road 80 front before it gets ripped out from under us by [the Florida Department of Transportation],” he said. “Okeechobee Blvd., if that power plant and landfill go in there, I think it will be a pull to the old thoroughfare plan to extend Okeechobee all the way out to 20-Mile Bend and link up with [State Road] 880.”

Louda said he looks forward to the development of the town’s comprehensive plan, which will be done through meetings with the public, inviting resident input and planning. “We need to get the comp plan rolling and get it close to completion,” he said. Another concern of Louda is the proposed connection of E Road to 140th Avenue North, a project that is supposed to be

serving from my perspective to expose the community to the equestrian court. I think there has been a resistance of bringing the two worlds together,” he said. “We came up with many creative ideas, and the numbers got high, but it was an opportunity for us to do the right thing. We put the village through a lot, unintentionally, but it was a gesture to represent our interest in the community. What I think evolved was a cynicism that came from people trying to assume the worst.”

While Bellissimo said he still wants to make his concept work, he doesn’t want to get bogged down in debates about his intentions.

“I’m too busy to get into that sideshow,” he said. “The only self-serving element of this was trying to connect dots. I was very clear from day one what those intentions were. I will say

deleted from the county’s road plan. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” he said.

Council members say the link could eventually become a major thoroughfare that would divide Loxahatchee Groves.

Councilman Dave Autrey said the primary reason Loxahatchee Groves incorporated was to preserve a lifestyle. “As every day unfolds, there is external pressure from developers as we try to develop a comp plan,” he said.

Autrey said a key element of the comprehensive plan will be the future of the Southern Blvd. corridor. “The Southern corridor is our financial future in the short and long term,” he said.

Autrey explained that he expects the town’s revenues will flatten while the cost of services rises, as Loxahatchee Groves matures in the next few decades. Through smart management, especially of the Southern Blvd. corridor, those services can be maintained while avoiding undue burdens to residents, he said.

“If we do this correctly, I believe we can fund those services through smart growth planning and land use management along the Southern corridor that won’t affect the interior, so we don’t have to raise taxes for the average person,” Autrey said.

this: the equestrian world will appreciate the Village of Wellington and Wellington will appreciate the equestrian court when they are fully mixed and they understand the value of what exists in the community.”

Bellissimo said his ultimate goal is building equestrian competition in Wellington into an enduring, multi-season industry rather than what he describes as a “multi-meet carnival.”

“It will become a mature industry for Wellington,” he said. “I don’t believe it was ever architected with the right amount of capital to make it a durable industry. Now that we own the property, we’re not worried about whether it’s going to move. The horse show is going to be here now and for decades to come.”

For more about the 2008 CN Winter Equestrian Festival, visit www.equestriansport.com. 795-1404

Seminole Ridge Falls To Taravella In Adidas Soccer Tourney

By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report SOCCER SOCCER

on to face the winners of the Jupiter-versus-Deerfield game Thursday.

Junior

The three-day tournament opened Wednesday at Village Park in Wellington. Teams competed in a round robin and elimination tournament format.

Tourney Nets Eighth Consecutive Win For Wellington Boys

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report SOCCER SOCCER

Wellington High School boys soccer coach Mike Aronson’s post-game advice to his team on Wednesday night might have been his best. “Go home and get warm,” Aronson said after the Wolverines defeated Orlando’s Timber Creek 3-0 in the first round of the Adidas Palm Beach High School Invitational at Village Park in Wellington, as the temperature dropped below 50 degrees.

Wellington (13-3) won its eighth consecutive game, handing Timber Creek its first loss of the season. The Wolverines broke a scoreless tie at halftime on sophomore Max Zoete’s goal midway through the second half and added goals by seniors Adam Cipriano and Marcus DiLallo to put the game out of reach. “We played well considering the wind and the cold,” Aronson said.

The Wolverines, runner-up in the Class 6A state tournament last season, got solid goal keep-

ing from sophomore Aaron Dupere, who turned back several Timber Creek shots in the second half. The victory was Wellington’s fourth shutout in its past five games. The Wolverines haven’t allowed more than two goals to any opponent this season.

“This game was pretty typical of the way we’ve played all season,” Aronson said. “We’ve played well at times. I wish we were healthier. We’ve got a lot of guys banged up.”

Wellington played the winner of the American Heritage-Delray/Lake Highland Prep on Thursday night. Scores were not available by press time. On the girls’ side, Wellington easily handled the South Florida Heat club 8-0. The Lady Wolverines (15-2-1), who played the winner of the American HeritageDelray/Edgewater on Thursday night, have won nine consecutive games and recorded five consecutive shutouts.

Wellington High School senior Marcus DiLallo and junior Woody Bach outflank a Timber Creek player and run down the ball.

PHOTO BY LISA KEENEY/TOWN-CRIER

The Seminole Ridge High School boys varsity soccer team fell 6-1 to J.P. Taravella High School of Coral Springs during Wednesday’s action at the Adidas Palm Beach Invitational Soccer Tournament.

Brayden Titley scored the lone SRHS goal late in the second half. The Hawks went

Final scores were not available by press time.

SRHS junior Justin Falk (right) passes the ball.

PHOTOS BY LISA KEENEY/TOWN-CRIER

SRHS goalie Michael MacInnes chases down the ball.

Seminole Ridge junior Michael Fioramonti makes a power kick for the Hawks.

Hawk sophomore Brett Bonincontri controls the ball. Hawk junior Brayden Titley gets a head on the ball.

SRHS junior Scott Monaghan kicks the ball downfield.

Get Your Tickets — Reserved seating is now available for the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

Reserved Seating And Food At WEF

Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is offering individual reserved seating with in-seat a la carte food service for the first time during the 2008 CN Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

The WEF begins its 12-week season at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington on Jan. 16 and runs through April 6.

Six hundred flip-up stadium-style seats are being installed on the south side of the main Internationale Arena in front of what used to be the Jockey Club, which has been renamed the International Club. The Internationale Arena is the centerpiece of high performance equestrian events at the PBIEC.

The “premier” seats are sold in increments of two seats at an introductory price of $500 per seat for all WEF events during the entire 12 weeks from Jan. 16 through April 6. The price works out to about $40 per seat per week. Reservations can be made by sending an email to tickets@equestriansport.com or going to the WEF’s official web site, www.equestriansport.com, and clicking on “Tickets.”

Seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The date and time stamp of the e-mail received by ESP will determine the order of priority.

The reserved seating includes light menu waiter service from the Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green that can be charged by pre-registered credit card. Valet parking will be available at the front gate for all major events for the first year.

The same priority order will apply to all future reserved seating offerings, so that the next time seats are offered for reservation, those who are first in line for the premier seating will be given priority for new seating.

“We have had many requests for reserved seating,” said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Equestrian Sport Productions, the management company for PBIEC, including WEF. “This limited offering allows more families to have designated high quality seating for our events. For those interested, we encourage you to act early as we do not anticipate this limited amount of seating to last long.”

Bassmasters Hold Annual Classic

The Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters held their end-of-the-year, two-day Classic Tournament Dec. 15 and 16 on the Lake Osborne chain.

The 2007 title was won by Mike Gershberg (boater) with a two-day total of 10 fish weighing 26 lbs., 1 oz.

Gershberg also won the team title with 10 fish weighing 26 lbs., 1 oz. and a draw weight (non-boater) of five fish weighing 8 lbs., 11 oz. for a total team weight of 34 lbs., 12 oz. In second were

Mike O’Connor (boater) with nine fish weighing 12 lbs., 7 oz. and Tone Young (non-boater) with 10 fish weighing 14 lbs., 3 oz. for a team weight of 26 lbs., 10 oz. In third were Stuart Shoemaker (boater) with eight fish weighing 14 lbs., 12 oz. and partner Maria Shoemaker (non-boater) with five fish weighing 8 lbs., 11 oz. for a total team weight of 23 lbs., 7 oz.

Phil Northrop caught the big fish on Saturday, weighing 4 lbs., 9 oz. Gershberg caught the big fish on Sunday of 4 lbs., 10 oz. Gershberg had the individual heaviest weight with 10 fish, weighing 26 lbs., 1 oz. Northrop was second with nine fish weighing 17 lbs., 8 oz. Stuart Shoemaker was third with eight fish at 14 lb., 12 oz.

Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters meet-

ings are held on the second Thursday of each month at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. Tournaments are held the following Sunday. Dues are $25 a year; tournament entry fees are $25. For more info., call Irene at (561) 793-7081.

Mike Gershberg

Tone Young

Mike O’Connor

Upcoming Recreation Programs In Royal

Palm

The Village of Royal Palm Beach is accepting registration for various programs at the RPB Recreation Center (100 Sweet Bay Lane). The programs include:

• Early Release Day Events — If you attend middle or high school in Royal Palm Beach, or are a resident age 12 or older, you are invited to attend “Early Release Day” special events held at the recreation center Jan. 24 to Feb. 28 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Qualifying teens are asked to pre-register with a parental signature and pay $1 per event or $5 for all remaining events held during the 200708 school year. Events include exclusive use of the recreation center game room, gym and activity room with an interactive DJ/dance under adult supervision.

• Affordable Early Childhood Activity Program — Registration is underway at the recreation center for classes

that begin the last week of January. Classes are held at 9 and 10:30 a.m., each lasting an hour and a half. The eightweek session includes “Super Sensational Science” and “ABC Fun With George & His Curious Friends” on Tuesdays; “Creative Kids Corner” and “Stories You Can Count On” on Wednesdays; “It’s a Jungle Out There,” “Too Fun: Mom, Dad & Me” and “Moving and Grooving” on Thursdays. The cost is $75 for residents and $90 for non-residents.

• Story Time — This free program starts Friday, Jan. 18 and will take place every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Veterans Park Amphitheater on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Children are invited to enjoy a story, have a picnic and bring swimsuits for the interactive fountain.

• Special Populations Adaptive Soccer Program — This free, six-week program will be held at the Katz fields at the recreation center. Soccer play and skill

RPB Girls Place Second In Tourney

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

Christmas holiday tournaments did not bring good cheer to western communities basketball teams. The most successful team was the Royal Palm Beach Lady Wildcats, who finished second in the KSA Holiday Classic in Orlando.

Royal Palm Beach (10-7) defeated East Bay 53-35 and Fieldston 53-31 in its first games, but lost 39-37 to host Osceola in the championship game last Saturday. Patrice Collie led the Lady Wildcats with 14 points. Collie, a sophomore forward, scored eight against East Bay; against Fieldston, she scored 16, to go along with eight rebounds and five assists.

Also on Dec. 29, Seminole Ridge got 15 points from senior guard Allen Lopez but lost to Christian Academy of

BASKETBALL BASKETBALL

Louisville, Ky., 60-52 in the Hall of Fame Classic in Stuart.

In the Playground Shootout at Fort Walton Beach on Dec. 27, Lebanon (Tenn.) beat the Palm Beach Central boys 52-47 despite 19 points from junior guard Chandler Morford.

Also on Dec. 27, Park Vista outscored Royal Palm Beach 10-4 in overtime to win 66-60 in the Cobra Holiday Tournament in Boynton Beach. The Wildcats (3-9) were led by Justin Lord’s 12 points. Holiday tournament action continued this week as the Wellington High School boys began defense of their title at the University Tournament in Fort Lauderdale. The Wolverines (7-6) played Miami Country Day Thursday night.

development will take place Fridays from 7 to 8 p.m. starting Jan. 18 and continuing to March 2. A volunteer adult must accompany all children.

For more information about any of these programs, call the recreation center at (561) 790-5124.

Register Now For AYSO Spring Soccer Season

American Youth Soccer Organization Region 345 invites girls and boys between the ages of four and 18 (by Jan. 31) to sign up for the spring season, which runs from Jan. 18 through March 29 at Okeeheelee Park.

AYSO Region 345 is a non-competitive, recreational league with no standings. New and experienced players are welcome. The registration fee is $85 and includes a basic uniform (shirt, shorts, socks), insurance, a trophy and a subscription to Playsoccer magazine.

Players must bring a birth certificate and be accompanied by a parent to be registered. First-time AYSO players may sign up to play on the same team with a returning player if they register together. Registration will be held on Saturday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be a fill-in registration for spots still available. Registration will be held on a first come, first served basis. There are separate boys and girls teams with two-year age brackets. Players will practice twice a week with games taking place on Saturdays.

Because of the possibility of violence in youth sports, the AYSO has enforced a policy requiring one parent for every child to attend a mandatory parent orientation before a child can register. For more information, contact Janet Petrone at fjp4@aol.com.

The AYSO was founded on the concept of “everyone plays… balanced teams… positive coaching… open registration.” Each child plays at least half

of each game. The AYSO is a national organization with an all-volunteer staff of board members, coaches, referees, etc., and is looking for coaches and referees for the spring season. Free coach clinics will be held Saturday, Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, contact Rolf Born at (561) 714-4005 or rolf@jam-renterprises.com. A referee clinic will be held Saturday, Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Frank Petrone at (561) 202-5379 or fplsoccer@aol.com.

All AYSO 345 games and practices are held at Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, call the AYSO office at (561) 642-5449, e-mail region345@aol.com or visit www. ayso345.com.

Wellington Offers Senior Aerobics Program

The National Center for Health Statistics reported that exercise can slow and even reverse many components of the aging process. The Village of Wellington’s Senior Aerobics program, instructed by Lynn Spoor, is offered to everyone ages 50 and older.

A total of four sessions will be offered every month, once a week on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center beginning in January. Each monthly session is $30 per resident and $37.50 per non-resident. A valid Park Player Pass is required with registration.

For more information, call the Wellington Community Center at (561) 753-2484. If you are registering for the first time, be sure to register in person at either of the following locations: the Wellington Community Center (12165 West Forest Hill Blvd.) or Village Park Gymnasium (11700 Pierson Road). You can also register online at http:// rec.ci.wellington.fl.us with your household ID number.

Osceola Creek Recognizes Scholar-Athletes For November

Osceola Creek Middle School recently announced its recipients of the Scholar-Athlete Award for November. The award is sponsored by the School Police and honors varsity athletes who also excel in academics, effort, behavior and school spirit, and serve as a role model for others. November’s honorees — all eighth graders — carry high grade-point averages and play varsity sports.

Softball honored Alana Tabel. “Alana was selected as our Osceola Creek scholar athlete for her participation in softball,” head coach Debbie Galavan said. “She is one of the captains on the girls softball team. She has played for Osceola Creek for three years. But even more importantly, Alana has been an integral member of the team. She is a true leader in both the academic arena and the sports arena. She talks to her teammates, giving them encouragement and guidance when needed. She exemplifies a true sportsmanshiplike attitude. She plays hard and always gives 100 percent. The team has become dependent on Alana’s ability to smoke the opposing team’s batters. Her fastball has been clocked as high as 63 miles per hour. The team is really going to suffer a loss next year without Alana on the mound. The one thing that usually brings a smile to Alana’s face is watching them swing at a change up. The batter nearly ends up twisted like a pretzel. Oh what a sight!

It’s for these reasons and many more that Alana was selected as our scholar athlete this month. Alana sports a 4.0 grade point average and has perfect attendance.”

Tabel wants to attend the University of Michigan as a sports management major. Chosen Sixth-Grade Athlete of the Year, she has been a threesport athlete every year at Osceola Creek. She also did community-service work at Frontier Elementary School’s Christmas Shop.

Matt Fioramonti was honored by the boys soccer team. Fioramonti, who also plays on Osceola Creek’s volleyball team, wants to attend Ohio State University and ultimately play professional football. Fioramonti, who was soccer’s Rookie of the Year as a sixth grader, also has perfect attendance to go along with his 3.90 GPA. “It has been a pleasure coaching Matt for the past three seasons,” Coach Tony Bugeja said. “Matt is a one of the greatest student athletes I have ever coached. He is a true leader and is respected by his peers. Matt will succeed in life and be a strong leader for the community. Osceola Creek is proud to announce Mathew Fioramonti as our student athlete of the month.”

Girls volleyball honored Cami Larrea. “Cami is very quiet and has a great attitude and excellent sportsmanship and is on her way to becoming a great athlete,” coach Shayne Sanderford said.

“She’s a great asset to the team, and I love having the chance to coach her. I look forward to seeing her play at the high school level next year.” Larrea is carrying a 4.0 GPA and a 99-percent attendance record. Larrea, who is also on Osceola Creek’s basketball and track teams, wants to attend the University of Florida. Her career goal is to be a surgeon.

Supporting Osceola Creek’s Student-Athlete program are Moroso Motorsports, which donated free passes to the honorees, Subway and Burger King (located at Seminole-Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd.) and Dairy Queen (Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards), which donated free food coupons.

WRMC Auxiliary Scholarship Applications Are Now Available At Local High Schools

The Friends of Wellington Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Inc. will once again offer college scholarships to high school seniors pursuing careers in the healthcare field.

The Camilla Combs Memorial Scholarship Fund grants awards to graduating high school seniors pursuing careers in human healthcare and medically related fields who reside in the following zip codes: 33406, 33411, 33413, 33414, 33415, 33417, 33460, 33461, 33463, 33467 and 33470. Consideration for an award will be based on the

following criteria: academic competency, extracurricular activities, community service, financial need and acceptance by an accredited college or university. Applications are now available in the guidance offices of the following high schools: Wellington High School, Seminole Ridge High School, Palm Beach Lakes High School, Royal Palm Beach High School, John I. Leonard High School, Lake Worth High School and Forest Hill High School.

Qualified seniors attending

private school and living in the above mentioned zip codes may pick up an application from one of these area high schools as well.

All completed applications must by received by the scholarship chair by March 14. Applications will be reviewed and qualifying applicants will be interviewed by a Scholarship Committee in late March. Winners will be announced in April.

The Friends of Wellington Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Inc. is a non-profit volunteer organization of WRMC.

Student-Athletes of the Month — (L-R) Alana Tabel, Matt Fioramonti and Cami Larrea with Principal Dave Alfonso and Officer Sandy Molenda.

For New Year’s, I Followed The In-Crowd... To Disney World

Sometimes I like to be “in with the incrowd” as we used to say in the ’80s — or was that the ’60s? Oh dear… I’ve become so far removed from any crowd that I don’t even remember.

But I set out to change all that on New Year’s Eve. I was determined to “feel the buzz” or “head up with the down low” or “get jiggy with it.” Whatever it took to step into the 21st century.

So Mark took me to Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World — a safe, sanitized, happiest-place-on-Earth sort of New Year’s Eve that he correctly assumed would be just about my re-entry speed.

It cost $99 per person to get in to Pleasure Island on New Year’s Eve, and that seemed pretty reasonable. When we got to the front of the ticket line, I asked the “cast member” exactly how many people ol’ Walt was planning to cram in there

that night. She pleasantly and regretfully informed me that she wasn’t allowed to say, but upon entering, Mark estimated 50,000. Times $99, Pleasure Island revenues wouldn’t be exactly hurting.

And here’s what we got for our money — admission to all the “clubs,” a cardboard top hat and horn, a plastic flute of champagne at midnight and all the food we wanted. Drinks were extra. At one place, Mark had a cocktail, I had tap water, we shared some (complimentary?) popcorn and the bill came to $15. Plus tip.

But I didn’t care about the drinks, really. I was happy with water or cranberry juice. Yet I had to sample all the food — several times. The food was great. There were shrimp skewers, pork shanks, chicken broccoli stir-fry, lo mein, two salads, beef sirloin medallions

with fabulous mashed potatoes, and chocolate-hazelnut crepes topped with raspberries and whipped cream — yum!

Eventually, I looked up to discover that the “in-crowd” wasn’t doing much eating. In fact, the numbers of the in-crowd had swelled. Mark upped his estimate to 100,000. Times $99.

And I felt sort of out of place. All the cool guys were in black and all the cool girls were in spandex t-shirts (okay, maybe they were dresses) and four-inch acrylic heels. I had “dressed up” by putting on my best black slacks and my “Disneyland Paris” sweatshirt. Turned out I was the only one in a sweatshirt. Compared to my scantily clad cohorts, I was ready for an Arctic expedition. (Note I say “cohorts,” as if we really were all in the in-crowd together… hahahaha.)

Nevertheless, I wanted the true Dis-

ney experience, so Mark took me to each of the dance clubs in turn where, thanks to the miracle of alcohol (theirs), we blended in beautifully. My favorite club was Mannequins, where the show dancers were human disco balls, clad in mirror-encrusted leotards. Their movements caused shafts of bright white light to stream out among us audience members and we got to spin around on a revolving dance floor. I was mesmerized.

Fifty Years Did Much To Diminish This ‘Miracle’ In My Eyes

Christmas Day was lovely, and I used the opportunity to watch movies. The Fox Movie Channel gave me the opportunity to watch the original 1947 Miracle on 34th Street... and the 1997 remake.

The differences between the two films were striking. Of course, Santa was the key figure. Was he real, as he insisted? But while Santa did not change much, everyone else seemed different.

The original movie began with an old man (Santa, of course) wandering through Manhattan. He stops to tell a man decorating a shop window that he has the reindeer in the wrong order. Then he wanders over to where the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is beginning and replaces the drunk who was supposed to play Santa. In the new version, at a street corner a kid asks him if he is Santa, and he replies that he is. Sort of ruins the joke when it comes right away. But this is the modern world, and writers think we need a fast pace.

In the original film, the woman in charge of the parade (Maureen O’Hara) seems to be the only female executive

I’ve

around, and since she rejects the idea of a real Santa or any kind of dreaming, she seems a perfect symbol of what the public expects of a successful woman in business. Things have changed there.

She is not even upset when she discovers her adorable eight-year-old daughter (a wondrously young Natalie Wood) alone in an apartment with a man. And the door was closed! Boy, have things changed.

The differences between the two versions of the film go far deeper than blackand-white and color. The second film cost a lot more. It is also far more complex. After all, would people simply sit through a film stressing a lot of personal feelings? In the old film, we have a lot of time for complex interaction between all the characters. Even “old man Macy” and “old man Gimble” have a chance to show feelings, to seem like decent people. Only a nasty psychologist, who seems obviously more deranged than anyone else, serves as villain.

In the remake, the writers came up with a whole group of spies and industrial competitors. While the old

movie had business leaders actually cooperating and getting along, there was none of that in the newer one. Businessmen are bad and always use unfair tricks.

Instead of simple magic, we had some mumbo-jumbo James Bond-style hijinks. The characters in the original — the politico, the judge desperate to do the right thing, the slow-witted but sweet janitor — were replaced by cardboard imitations. Kris Kringle was not set to be condemned by an angry psychologist but by an evil business competitor.

Even the ending lost some flair. The original had that great scene with postal workers deciding to send their Santa Claus mail to the old man on trial, and the real climax of the movie comes as they pile loads of mail on the judge’s bench. In the remake, the young girl (Mara Wilson) explains gravely to the judge that since American money has “In God We Trust” on it and we can’t prove the existence of God, we should accept Santa Claus.

So much for love and wonder. Santa is not more than a merchandise tool, with

On My Mind...

By Leonard Wechsler

a poorly hidden message about the existence of God, something a bit strange in a movie about a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus.

The first movie is a classic. My daughter, who somehow never remembered seeing the original movie, was glued to the TV set for the original but found other things to do when the remake came on. She understands the difference between classics and second-rate copies. I have a feeling that all of us will be watching the original for decades to come. It is truly a shame that so many recent movies, even the original ones, seem like poor copies of earlier ones. Maybe that’s why they attract fewer viewers.

Met Some Pigs In My Time, But None Quite Like This

The other day I had brunch at the zoo. No, I didn’t have to travel to the zoo in West Palm Beach, and I didn’t go to Lion Country Safari. All I had to do was go to the home of number-two son Ronnie — and I am not talking about my grandkids who live under his roof. I am talking about the animals that populate his estate.

Every time I go there something new is waiting to greet me. This time it was a potbellied pig. This pig did not look like any of the pigs I have run across in my life (Porky, Wilbur, the three little pigs, certain humans, etc.) This potbelly is in a league of its own.

When I asked my son what the pig’s name was, his reply was a simple one. He couldn’t tell me. I was starting to wonder why he was being so secretive

about the pig’s name. He went on to tell me that the kids call it by a different name every time they see it, so they haven’t really decided what to name the pig.

My next question was, why a pig? My son and his wife Ashley are steady visitors to the pound. He told me the pound had four pigs they wanted to give him. They had a mommy pig, a daddy pig and two babies. He decided one of the baby pigs was enough for now (smart choice). Before I could ask another question, my brother-in-law Mark, who came along for the ride, put his two cents in.

Mark is a vet and he loves animals as much as my son and his family do. He gave the pig a quick exam and proclaimed it as healthy as a pig could be.

Mark went on to say pigs are very

smart animals. He added that they are as smart as dogs, if not smarter. And they aren’t as messy as people think they are. He pointed out to us that a pig will usually keep going to the bathroom in the same area. They don’t go sniffing around for half an hour looking for the perfect spot like a dog does. He also said that with the proper training, potbellied pigs make great house pets.

At this point, the pig decided it was time to leave his pen and make a dash for freedom. It took my son and his wife more than two hours to capture the little guy. Come to think of it, the pig did look pretty smart every time my son went to grab him. Score one for the pig.

The pig has many friends in his new home. Ronnie has two dogs. One short

Wondering And Wandering

With Ernie Zimmerman

and elongated (basset hound), and a very large lab. Both of these dogs came out of the pound, and both came very well trained. The basset hound knows how to open doors from the inside of the house (even locked doors). No one has to let her out. She does it all by herself. The lab also knows all sorts of tricks. See ZIMMERMAN, page 38A

Saturday, Jan. 5

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will continue Marc Salem’s “Mind Games Extra” in the Rinker Playhouse through Sunday, Jan. 6. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35. For more info., call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.

• On Saturday, Jan. 5, Grassy Waters Preserve invites the public to join a naturalist for a boardwalk tour to discover what’s happening in the marsh. Learn about Grassy Waters while getting up close and personal with the plants and animals. The activity will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Charles W. Bingham Wilderness Pavilion. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for children. Register 24 hours in advance by calling (561) 804-4985. Grassy Waters Preserve is located at 8264 Northlake Blvd. just east of Ibis.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold Drop-in Story Time Saturday, Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. As part of National Soup Month, families are invited to come sip, slurp and sit down to hear stories all about soups. The program is for ages two and up. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Sunday, Jan. 6

• Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach will hold a workshop to assist people undergoing grief. The free, daylong program will take place Sunday, Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in collaboration with the Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Palm Beach County. For more info., call the Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service at (561) 2380420 or visit www.jfcsonline. com.

• The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach will present “Oshogatsu” on Sunday, Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The traditional Japanese New Year celebratory festival includes games and entertainment throughout the museum and its gardens. The cost is $5 for non-members; free for museum members and children six and under. For more info., call (561) 495-0233 or visit www.morikami.org.

• Al Matos and his pops group will perform Sunday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. at Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach). Matos and his band have been dubbed the “Kings of Swing.” Tickets are $25 per person. Light refreshments will be served at no additional cost. For tickets, call (561) 798-8888. Monday, Jan. 7

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present Winter Story Time for ages nine months to five years beginning Monday, Jan. 7. Call (561) 790-6030 for more info. or to pre-register.

• Celebrate the new moon of the month of Aquarius with the Kabbalah Center (8411 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton) on Monday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The event costs $26 (free for Aquarians). For more info., call (561) 488-8826. Tuesday, Jan. 8

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature the adult series Siblings Without Rivalry on Tuesdays, Jan. 8 through Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Youth Services Librarian Julienne Marks will lead the workshop for parents. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Western Communities Football League will hold its annual meeting and boardmember elections on Tuesday, Jan. 8. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at Wellington Village Park gym on Pierson Road. Any member wishing to be nominated for an open board seat should contact Mike Pignato at (561) 313-4219. For more info., visit the WCFL web site at www.wcflfootballcheer. com.

Wednesday, Jan. 9

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present Celebrate Yourself and Others Wednesdays, Jan. 9 through March 19 at 3:30 p.m. The weekly program for ages six and up focuses on different themes using books, stories, music and artwork for participants to discover themselves and the world. Parents may stay and participate. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The ten-week course “Gift of the Bible” begins Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. (course fee: $220) and the eight-week course “Power of Kabbalah” begins Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. (course fee: $270) both at the Kabbalah Center (8411 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton). For more info., call (561) 488-8826.

Thursday, Jan. 10

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. to discuss ideas for teen programs. Enjoy snacks, conversation and good ideas. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present Pizza & Pages: Everlost for teens Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Participants are invited to eat pizza while they discuss Everlost by Neal Shusterman. Pick up a copy of the book at the children’s desk. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

Friday, Jan. 11

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present Magic Tricks on Friday, Jan. 11 at 2:45 p.m. for ages five to nine. Learn how to do tricks to astound friends and family. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Palm Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present the PalmBeach3 Contemporary Art Fair Jan. 11-14. The fair features 100 international dealers in contemporary art, photography and design. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and noon to 6 p.m. Monday. A one-day pass is $15; $25 with a catalogue. For info., call (561) 209-1308.

Saturday, Jan. 12

• The Ninth Annual Sidelines Equestrian Triathlon will be held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club on Saturday, Jan. 12. The Sidelines Equestrian Triathlon raises money for the Equestrian Aid Foundation, which is dedicated to helping all equestrians in their time of need. For more info., call Samantha Charles at (561) 8184502.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Presidents and their First Ladies, Dramatically Speaking: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt” Saturday, Jan. 12 at noon for adults. William and Sue Wills will present the story of the Roosevelts. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• Rooms to Go’s Wellington

show room (161 South State Road 7) will feature special guest Cindy Crawford on Saturday, Jan. 12 from noon to 2 p.m. For more info., call (561) 422-8884 or visit www.roomsto go.com.

Sunday, Jan. 13

• The Joe Barry Memorial Cup Polo Tournament will be held Sunday, Jan. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 27 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue S., Wellington). In addition to polo, there will be a children’s play area, autographs and more. For more info., call (561) 204-5687.

Monday, Jan. 14

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present the Glenn Miller Orchestra on Monday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more info., call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 15

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 11:45 a.m. at Stonewood Grill in the Pointe at Wellington Green. The guest speaker will be Jorge Pesquera, new CEO of the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau. RSVP to (561) 790-6200 by Jan. 11.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Socrates Café on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. for adults. Join in a discussion on a variety of thought-provoking subjects such as friendship, life’s purpose, working, tolerance and more. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present Anime Grab Bag on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. for teens. Stop by for some popcorn and see what’s inside the anime grab bag. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Johnny Mathis on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. For tickets, call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit www. kravis.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 16

• The JC Penney store in the Mall at Wellington Green will be a registration site for the 17th Annual Komen South Florida Race for the Cure on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The race will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19 on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. For more info., visit www.komensouthflorida.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present Seniors: What 211 Can Do For You on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. for adults. Patrice Schroeder will describe the invaluable free services offered by 211. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a membership mixer on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at AmTrust Bank, located at 6404 Lake Worth Road. For directions, call (561) 432-8715. RSVP to (561) 790-6200.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present the Joffrey Ballet featuring the music of the Beach Boys, Motown and Prince in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall at 8 p.m. For tickets, call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.

Trust Launches Literature Series

The Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches is proud to host a new 30-day community reading campaign in collaboration with the Wellington Barnes & Noble book store and presented by Comerica Bank. “Literature to Life” launches this weekend in Wellington with the bestseller, Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees

This new and innovative approach to bring literature to our community not only features a traditional book reading initiative, but brings the book to life on the stage! Produced and professionally staged by the American Place Theater in New York City, this verbatim theatrical adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd’s New York Times bestseller is set to become an annual event.

The 2008 campaign is launched by Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham and members of the Wellington Village Council with a celebration Sunday, Jan. 6 at Barnes & Noble. The event starts at noon with a presentation at 2 p.m. Comerica Bank representatives will be there to present a $20,000 check, and Barnes & Noble representatives will present hundreds of donated books. Fifteen percent of store sales from Jan. 6-12 will be donated to the Cultural Trust Literature Campaign.

A proclamation to officially designate each January as Wellington Reads Month is slated for the first council meeting of the year, which will be held Tuesday, Jan. 8.

“There is nothing more important in life than literacy,” Wenham said. “As mayor, I urge all Wellington residents to participate in Wellington Reads Month. I hope to see many of our residents at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Sunday.”

For the entire month of January, all Wellington residents are encouraged to join in and read The Secret Life of Bees Set during the civil rights movement, the book is about a young girl’s search

for the truth about her mother, which leads her to three beekeeping sisters and the discovery of the real meaning of family.

As a pilot program, Literature to Life will also be launched at two Wellington public schools this season. Wellington High School and Wellington Landings Middle School will both receive hundreds of donated books for their language arts departments, as well as complimentary presentations of the show in their auditoriums in February. More than 2,500 kids will participate in Literature to Life 2008.

“Our school is too excited about this program. All the teachers want every student to experience this show,” said Amy Yuzenas, Wellington Landings’ gifted language arts teacher.

For more information, call (561) 3334948, ext. 303 or visit www.cultural trustpb.org.

Palmer Consultant For Wellington Antique Show

The national publication Cottages and Gardens as well as Wellington The Magazine have signed on as sponsors for the Wellington Antique Show & Heritage Festival, which will take place March 89 on the grounds of the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches near the Mall at Wellington Green.

In addition, Palms West Chamber of Commerce CEO Emeritus Vivian Palmer has been retained to handle sponsorship coordination. Palmer, who retired from her position as the chamber’s executive director last year, currently works in the fields of community, media and public relations as a business consultant.

“Vivian is a valuable asset to our organization, particularly in this, our inaugural year,” festival organizer Deborah Welky said. “She is obviously already working hard to line up corporate sponsorships to enhance our event, and we are so pleased to be able

to have the advertising coverage our two high-end magazine publications will provide.”

The Wellington Antique Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Grand Marquee tent on the grounds of the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches, immediately behind Fuddruckers restaurant and the Hampton Inn on Forest Hill Blvd. Approximately 100 antiques dealers from throughout the southeastern United States will be participating both inside and outside the tent. Visitor admission is free; parking is $5 per car.

“I was delighted to be able to attract out-of-state dealers from as far away as California to Wellington for this show,” Welky said. “Best of all, they are bringing high-end merchandise including Wedgwood, sterling, books and 19thcentury brass as well as historical and equestrian items.”

Potential sponsors are asked to contact Palmer at (561) 358-1703 for details. Antiques dealers may call Welky at (561) 795-5916 for more information or to request an application. Booth costs range from $149 to $399 depending on size and location.

Kiwanis Foundation Awards Scholarships

The Kiwanis Club of West Palm Beach Foundation recently awarded scholarships to 94 local students. The holiday student luncheon was held Dec. 26 at the Airport Hilton Hotel in West Palm Beach and included more than 175 students, parents, family members and West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club members. The students received their second half checks for the current term. This school year, the Kiwanis Club of West Palm Beach Foundation is awarding a record $192,600 in grants.

Applications are available for the 200809 academic year. To be eligible, high school seniors must reside and attend school within a boundary bordered from PGA Blvd. south to Hypoluxo Road and west to the Glades area. The student must have an overall 3.0 grade point average, a record of community service and family income generally below $75,000. Applications are available at high school guidance offices, or you may download it from www.picanomedia.com. For more information, call (561) 793-4332.

Recipients of Kiwanis Club of West Palm Beach Foundation scholarships.

Wellington Art Society’s Annual ArtWalk Returns Jan. 19-20

The Wellington Art Society’s annual open home/studio tour

ArtWalk 2008 will take Saturday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 20 from noon to 4 p.m.

The theme for this year’s tour is “Opening Doors to Creativity” and once again the event looks to do just that. ArtWalk 2008 will feature the work of 17 artists in 12 studios of society members in and around the Wellington area. A wide variety of artistic disciplines will be represented, including sculpture, ceramics, photography, mixed media and, of course, paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolors.

Participating artists include Marianne Davidson, Ron Davidson, Gail Erickson, Ursula Fernandez, Norman Gitzen, Adrianne Hetherington, Richard Infantino, Corinne Ingerman, Joanne MacLeod, MAG, Tito Mangiola, Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi, Susan Rose, Linda Rovolis, Jean Talbott, Penny Thorsen and Nancy Tilles.

As in previous years, the first stop on the tour is the society’s information tent, located next to the tennis courts at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), where maps and guide booklets will be available. From there participants can visit the various studios and see the creative process first hand, chatting with the artists and enjoying the art on display, which will be available for sale during the event. Because the tickets are good for both days of the event, this self-

guided tour can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

The ArtWalk 2008 Committee includes Event Chair Linda Rovolis, Donna Donelan, MAG, Susan Rose, Jean Talbott and Penny Thorsen.

Tickets for ArtWalk 2008 are $15 for adults, with children under 18 admitted free. Advance tickets are available at three Wellington locations: Alligator Art gallery and frame shop, Vines to Wines and the Art of Life gallery and frame shop, or online at the society’s web site, www.wellingtonart society.org. Tickets will also be available at the Wellington Art Society information tent on event days. Proceeds from the event support the society’s

programs, including its scholarship fund, which over the years has assisted local high school seniors planning to attend college to pursue a degree — and a career — in the field of art.

Founded in 1981, the Wellington Art Society is a nonprofit charitable organization. Its mission is to educate and encourage originality and productivity among its members and area youth through programs designed to further the advancement of cultural endeavors in the western communities.

For more information on ArtWalk 2008 or the Wellington Art Society, call (561) 7951691.

Ceramic artist Gail Erickson sculpts while her daughter Brianna models at last year’s ArtWalk.

Leonarda and Tito Mangiola with Susan Rose at ArtWalk 2007.

Artist Norman Gitzen with guests at his studio.

joined in a holiday party Dec. 20 at the Harvin Center in Royal Palm Beach. Along with music by

was

and

are leaders and girls from Troop 673 at the Harvin Center.

YWCA Daycare Children Entertain Seniors — Ms. Ruth Jackson and assistant Diane McFarland recently brought 20 daycare children from the Royal Palm Beach YWCA to entertain seniors at the Harvin Center. Seniors joined the children to sing Christmas songs such as “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Shown above are daycare children with their teachers.

Wellington’s Shulamit Hadassah Offers New Weight-Loss Program

Shulamit Hadassah’s Wellington chapter will kick off a new program Feb. 1 to motivate their members to take better care of their health: Shulamit Slimmers. Being overweight is no longer just a matter of vanity; it increases one’s risk for many different kinds of cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease and even depression. Health and medicine is an area in which Hadassah works to improve lives through research and education.

The Shulamit Slimmers’ goal is to introduce and inspire members to try various methods of exercise. It is not meant to replace any diet or program members may already have in place. Club Fitness, Curves, Energy Express and Fit Studio will be donating classes and demonstrations. Other classes include belly dancing, water aerobics, tai chi, tango and Torah yoga.

The program will include lectures discussing and comparing various major diets, tips for eating out and hypnosis for eating less. The Shulamit Slimmers will meet at various exercise venues in the Wellington area for 12 weeks Feb. 1

through April 17. All participants will maintain any program they choose while having the opportunity to try new and various exercise methods, as well as developing support with co-members.

Meetings will be held Thursdays at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There is an $18 participation fee for the 12 weeks. The program is open to anyone — even those not needing to lose weight but wanting to experiment with different forms of exercise. Anyone who joins Hadassah is welcomed.

For those members wanting additional motivation and/or are interested in a competition, there will be a 50-50 kitty. Members choosing to participate in the competition will put $10 in the first week. The member who loses the most inches (total hips, waist and bust) at the end of the 12 weeks will win half the money that was put in the kitty; the remaining money will go to a Hadassah project of their choice.

To register for the Shulamit Slimmers program, e-mail Sue Friedman at friedsuz@yahoo.com or call (561) 3128310 after 7 p.m.

Acting Workshop At Wellington JCC

The Wellington branch of the Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches (13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A-15) will hold acting classes on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Led by Juilliard-trained actor/producer David Allen Case, children will learn the basics of acting through engaging in theater games and improv exercises. They will have the opportunity to improve their confidence through performing in the acting envi-

ronment. All experience levels are welcome. Classes for ages 10 to 14 will be held Wednesdays starting Jan. 16; the cost is $10 for six half-hour classes. The time is to be determined. Classes for ages seven to nine will take place on Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. starting Jan. 18; the cost is $85 for six one-hour classes.

For more information or to register call Sharon at (561) 253-6030. Visit the JCC online at www.jcconline.com.

Girl Scouts Visit Harvin Center — Girl Scout Troop 673 in Loxahatchee

Dick Carmine, a gift exchange

held,

nine young scouts served seniors their holiday dinner. Afterward, they sang Christmas songs and concluded with a badge ceremony. Pictured here

First Communicants — A group of youths recently received their First Communion at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Wellington. (L-R) Front row: Alison Martin, Christen Zubka, Connor Hannafey and Paul Holpit. Back row: Gabriele SaChaves, Ilene Martin, Leanne Martin and Andrew Holpit. The Rev. Marjorie Weiss is the pastor of the congregation. Worship services are Sundays at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Mann Celebrates 75th — Barry, David and Leslie Mann, their spouses and children, wish a happy birthday to their mother Flora Jean Weissman Mann of Wellington, who will be 75 on Jan. 12. Flora and her husband Jay (pictured above) celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 12. Kudos also to Jay, who scored holes-in-one on consecutive weeks in December.

Kenneth Croll, George Lucier Report For Navy Duty

Navy Seaman Recruit Kenneth Croll, son of Cynthia and Douglas Croll of Royal Palm Beach, and Navy Lt. George W. Lucier, son of Linda Lucier of Wellington and George

Isabel Hafft — daughter of Karinna and Michael Hafft of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Nov. 28.

Riley Nicole Keehan daughter of Christine and Mick Keehan of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 7.

Francisco Gabriel Porrata — son of Claudia Giovanelli and Umberto Luis Porrata of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 10.

Alexa Noel Anderson daughter of Kathy and Stephen Anderson of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 10.

Rikki Coral Grace Crossland — daughter of Nicole Renee Beatty and Robert Crossland of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 10.

Sofia Elizabeth Bornia daughter of Elizabeth and Manuel Bornia of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional

Lucier Sr. of Lake Worth, recently reported for duty aboard the Precommissioning Unit George H. W. Bush, based at Newport News, Va. Croll is a 2006 graduate of

Medical Center on Dec. 11.

Ferron Brandon Bent Jr. — son of Tamarah Hector and Brandon Bent of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 11.

Caleb Andrew McNally son of Julie and Ryan McNally of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 11.

Melanie Ava Espinoza daughter of Krystal Payne and Joseph Espinoza of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 11.

Madison Elizabeth Troyer — daughter of Amanda Elizabeth and James Edward Troyer was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 12.

Jade Susan Guderyon daughter of Fawn and Matthew Guderyon of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 12.

Leana Elise Angeles daughter of Eliselot and David Angeles of The Acreage was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 13.

Royal Palm Beach High School. He joined the Navy in March 2007. Lucier is a 1990 graduate of John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres. He joined the Navy in June 1993.

Ava Sophia Whitenton daughter of Melissa and Chris Whitenton of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 14.

Alyssa Lynn Taylor daughter of Debra Ann and Jeffrey Alan Helms Jr. of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 14.

Robert Allen Snyder IV son of Natasha and Robert Snyder of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 17.

Alexandra Isabel Hickey daughter of Jennifer and Patrick Hickey of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 18.

Dylan Edward Peek — son of Autumn and Brian Peek of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 18.

Jon Dominic Elvira — son of Jeanet and Dominic Elvira of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 19.

CIRCUS BRINGS HIGH-FLYING ACTS TO AMERICRAFT EXPO CENTER

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s action-packed circus show “Boom a Ring” took place Dec. 26-31 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Opening night was sold out. Presented by host Justin Case, the show featured white tigers, Asian elephants, acrobats and other eye-catching performers. For more info., visit www.ringling.com.

Frank

Olga Kashina with five-year-old

Lopez.

Santa (a.k.a. Ron Bedder) relaxes after the holidays.

Kinsey Schorr of Wellington hangs from the trapeze bar with a little help from Vladamir and Ilia of the Negrey Troupe.

Caden Cline and dad Eric meet Vas the clown.

Leon Ustinov and Evgeny Shobik help six-year-old Matthew Grabasch jump-rope.

Diana Vedyashkina presents a Dachsund dog act.

CAFCI HOSTS NEW YEAR’S DINNER DANCE IN ROYAL PALM BEACH

The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) held its New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance Monday, Dec. 31 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). The evening began at 9 p.m. with dinner catered by Lloyd Grant (a.k.a. Chef G). Sir Winston and Company provided entertainment, as guests danced into the early-morning hours. For more info., visit www.cafci.net.

Question Plans For Park

continued from page 9A quality, diversity and the family enrichment of this great community. I would propose designing a “dog park” and a village Olympic-size lap and dive pool. This “aquatic center” would encourage health and fitness, along with swim and dive competitions. I also envision concert fundraisers for charity. These events will be staffed by trained volunteers, and the revenues will be shared with the charitable organization and the village for operational costs.

As a village, we have grown in leaps and bounds. The past and current administrations have done a fine job in formulating and strategizing the anticipated growth of Royal Palm Beach without relinquishing the quality of life and family. When elected as your councilman, I will have the same vision and commitment for our community’s future.

Election Christensen To Run

continued from page 1A ago began at the request of some residents who felt the council was not listening to the people. He said he started late and raised only about 25 percent of the amount incumbent Mayor Tom Wenham raised for his campaign, but still managed to garner 44 percent of the vote. Two years later, he said, residents are still raising the same complaints, but more sharply and critically. Should he win re-election, Priore is in line to become the president of the Florida League of Cities.

In addition to Priore, Mayor Tom Wenham and Councilwoman Laurie Cohen are also up for re-election. Wellington Chamber of Commerce President Darell Bowen is challenging Wenham. Cohen has not yet drawn opposition. The deadline for candidates to file is Feb. 12.

Zimmerman A Day At The Zoo

continued from page 29A

She does the usual dog stuff like shake, sit, roll over, etc. But her claim to fame is knowing how to jump on the trampoline and do tricks. And if I say so myself, she is very good at it.

A black cat is also a member of this family. The cat also came from the pound. I am positive this cat was born on Halloween. He doesn’t do any tricks, but he does bring a dead mouse to the front door almost every day. I am amazed at how well the cat and the dogs get along. They really like each other. They play and tease each other all the time.

But it is very clear who is in charge — the cat. The pig and the basset hound have taken a liking to each other. Maybe the basset hound reminds the pig of his mother.

Now the rabbit and the hedgehog,

they’re a different story. They don’t get along with anyone. Sometimes I think they don’t even like themselves. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about the killer fish. The only thing I know about them is that they must stay separated from each other, and you have to feed them every other day.

It feels like every time I show up at my son’s house there is either a new grandchild or a new animal to greet me. While I was enjoying my brunch, the phone rang. It was the pound, because when my son came back to the table he started telling his wife about a goat and a horse waiting to be adopted. According to my son, the goat and the horse have been together for a long time, and the pound did not want to separate them. The kids were excited. OK, I was excited too.

I can’t wait to see the new additions to my son’s household the next time I visit.

Winsom Martin, Ernie Garvey and Beverly Robinson with Layla, Steve and Dawn Alinsky.

Cynthia Hamm, Donna Cyris-Hall and Janice Iglesias-Gordon.

O.G. Smith pours the champagne.

Nova and Radcliffe “Woody” Brown ready for a toast.

Sissia Gillespie, Beverly Fisher and Gem Herman.

Gloria Greene enjoys the evening.

Guests dance to the sounds of Sir Winston and Company.

Steve Petrone with Barbara Isenberg Youresh, her husband Dave Youresh and mother Esther Moak.

Jaunai Walker, Tinuade “Tinu” Pena, former RPB councilwoman Barbara Isenberg Youresh and Marjorie Schleifer.

Winsom Martin and O.G. Smith.

PHOTOS BY DENISE

PALMS WEST

A TOWN-CRIER Publication Business,

New Owners, New Services NewOwners,NewServices At Capricious Salon In AtCapriciousSalonIn W Wellington ellington

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Although the ownership has changed at Capricious Salon & Spa in Wellington, clients are still greeted by the same familiar faces. New owners Mary Leigh Zahn and Armineh Gharakhani, who took over the salon in December, also offer a popular hair-removal technique called threading.

“We’re very blessed,” Zahn said. “We wanted to open a nice small place but were able to take over here, where there were already a lot of good customers, and we’ve quickly made so many friends.”

Gharakhani, the threading specialist, partnered with Zahn last summer. “This past July I came to Mary Leigh and suggested we open a small salon,” Gharakhani said. “I’ve been doing threading here in Wellington for 20 years but wanted a friend to handle the business end. Then I started to work here temporarily and asked owner Oneina Abellon for suggestions in finding some space. Oneina wanted to spend more time with her family, so Mary Leigh and I were able to buy her out.”

“It was a very friendly buy-

out,” Abellon confirmed. “I still work here, doing hair for my old customers. But I have more time at home, and I like that.”

Capricious is a full-service spa, offering a variety of hair treatments for both women and men. “We cut, style, color, do highlights and perms,” stylist Kim Torriera said. “We do a whole range of hair services including some really special thickening and rejuvenation treatments.”

Gharakhani has a large client base for her threading technique.

“This is a treatment from the Middle East,” she said. “I use thread to trim hair from different places on the face. It’s particularly important for women who are allergic to other kinds of treatment.”

Patron Lindsey Erekson said she appreciates threading treatments. “Waxing my eyebrows caused all sorts of irritation,” she said. “I would break out. This is very gentle and very simple.”

Gharakhani’s customers hail from near and far. “I have more than a thousand women who come to see me,” she said. “They’re from all over the county, from all over South Florida. I even have people from

out of state. One woman I know comes down from North Carolina for treatments.”

“I’ve been coming to Armineh for over 20 years,” client Lisa Ameral said. “I live in Massachusetts but I do have business in Florida, and when I fly down, I always come here. Armineh is unique. You can’t find other people who do what she does.”

Gharakhani and Zahn have retained the staff employed at Capricious. “Everyone loves them. Why should we change?” Zahn asked. “We’ve even been able to expand. Patty Paris, who is a favorite nail technician for a lot of people, just joined the staff. She’s a specialist with acrylic nails and does all of the specialties that are so popular. She also does great repairs when needed.”

Zahn and Gharakhani are both longtime Wellington residents. “I was a customer of Armineh, and then we became good friends,” Zahn said. “I’ve known her for 15 years. When she wanted to go into business, she asked me to help her by handling the business end. So I make certain that our clients get their appointments right and the services they need. Most of our clients know about the hair and

nail services but more are finding out about the threading, and of course the other specialized spa services like waxing, facials and massage.” Capricious Salon is located in the Shoppes at Chancellor at 12020 South Shore Blvd., Suite

300 and is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (561) 793-9960.

New Ownership — Capricious Salon owners Armineh Gharakhani and Mary Leigh Zahn in their Wellington salon.

Frank Zocco’s Auto Repair Moves To Wellington Business Center

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

A cornerstone of the Wellington auto repair community has moved to a new location. Frank Zocco’s Auto Repair, located for more than 17 years at the nowclosed Mobil station on Forest Hill Blvd. near Wellington Trace, is still in business at the Wellington Business Center on Fairlane Farms Road, just south of Pierson Road.

“We had to relocate due to the gasoline storage tanks failing their inspection,” owner Frank Zocco said. “Mobil decided not to go ahead with the tank replacement, so they closed the site. We had a 30-day notice to relocate to another site, so we found this facility here.”

Zocco, who was at the old Mobil station on Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach for five years before moving to Wellington, said his latest location, which opened in July, allows him and his fellow mechanics Ken Green and Jerry Zabkiewicz room to provide even better service.

“We’re a little larger than we were,” Zocco said. “We’ve got three bays here now, with one truck lift, so we can service the polo and equestrian people now, where we couldn’t so much do that at the Mobil station.”

Green explained that their equipment now can accommodate the wider dual-wheel trucks commonly used to tow horse trailers, and their new location is closer to the equestrian-oriented southern part of Welling-

ton. The three automotive technicians are qualified to service virtually any vehicle or pickup truck.

“We do pretty much a full spectrum of auto repair, except bodywork or paint,” Zocco said.

“We do a lot of the foreign as well as domestic auto needs, including Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Bentleys, Rolls Royce.”

“All the high-end European stuff,” Green said. “We have all the diagnostic tools necessary to identify problems correctly the first time. We still try to keep a small-town atmosphere with our customers and make them feel at home and comfortable. A lot of people grew up with that. A lot of people like that, not some big conglomerate that does not know them.”

The master technicians are Automotive Service Excellence certified and receive training updates six times a year, where they are tested in many different automotive service areas: engine performance, engine repair, automatic and manual transmission repair, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical systems, and heating and air conditioning.

“We keep up to date on the latest techniques,” Green said. The shop also has diagnostic software to service most makes. “We have most of everything we need to take care of our customers’ vehicles,” Green said.

Zocco is a Royal Palm Beach resident, and Green and Zabkiewicz are Wellington residents, so it is even more important for

them to give good service, because they see their customers regularly in the community.

“We really go the extra mile to meet their needs,” Green said. “We live in this town, and we see them regularly. We want a hometown feeling where we can say hi to everyone.”

“Going the extra mile” means keeping an eye on potential trouble in customers’ vehicles. “We try to head off potential problems so they don’t break down,” Green

said. “They rely on us to do that because they are not in the habit of looking under their hood, and if they do, they don’t know what they’re looking at. So they rely on us to say, ‘Mrs. Johnson, your fan belt is starting to crack’ or ‘I saw an oil leak starting to develop.’ We don’t use highpressure sales techniques. We tell them what they need to avoid potential breakdowns and keep them safe and on the road. We’ve been in town long enough that now we’re start-

ing to take care of our customers’ children.”

The facility is also American Automobile Association-approved, Zocco said. While AAA members are eligible for a free 21-point automobile checkup when they come in, Zocco said they try to extend that service to everyone.

Frank Zocco’s Auto Repair is located in the Wellington Business Center at 3380 Fairlane Farms Road, Suites 3 and 4. For more information, call (561) 798-9194.

Auto Repairs — Frank Zocco, Jerry Zabkiewicz and Ken Green inside their new location in the Wellington Business Center.

PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Bounce House: Rental Deals On Dozens Of Inflatables

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

Jaezy Diaz bounces from job to job. Normally that’s not a good thing, but Diaz is in the bouncing business as coowner of Wellington Bounce House along with her husband Robert Santana.

For nearly three years Diaz and Santana have owned and operated Wellington Bounce House, which supplies all kinds of party-rental equipment to Palm Beach County residents and businesses.

That equipment includes an assortment of more than 40 inflatables, tables, chairs and even “fun food” such as sno-cone, cotton candy and popcorn machines.

Wellington Bounce House specializes in company picnics, birthday parties, baby showers, fundraisers, school functions, church events, day camps and grand openings.

“We have bounces houses, slides, obstacles courses, even a dunk tank,” Diaz said. “A lot of the obstacle courses go to school events. Some of it depends on how much property people have. A lot of people in Wellington, for example, just rent simple bounce houses.”

Diaz said she and Santana started the business with about ten bounce houses in stock, and kept adding on from there. “I have Cars, SpiderMan, Tinkerbell, SpongeBob, really almost anything that’s popular,” she said.

The bounce houses are available for rent any day of the year. A six-hour rental starts at $100 for a basic bounce house, up to around $750 for an obstacle course that has three slides and a climbing wall.

That price includes set-up and take

down of each unit. Diaz recently brought in snow machines and bubble machines that start at $65 each.

Diaz said her company has built a reputation on providing clean, wellmaintained bounce houses “As soon as they get back, we clean them,” she said.

Her sister Amylie Quiles, who does the cleaning, agrees.

“We clean them inside and outside. It’s a great workout,” she said. “We have to go to the house or business, roll them, bring them back, unload them, unroll them, clean them and roll them up again.”

Diaz said Wellington Bounce House may rent out as many as 16 bounces houses out on any given weekend. “I think the fewest I’ve ever had out is four,” she said. “The spring and summer are busiest. Even the fall is busy. A couple months ago I had 20 bounces houses out. This time of year, ‘the season’ is usually slow.”

The company delivers rentals using two trucks. “One truck goes to the northern part of Palm Beach County and one goes to the southern part,” Diaz said. “Or I’ll split it east and west, whichever is easier.”

Wellington Bounce House customers, by the way, aren’t limited to children.

“We’ve had them for all adults,” Quiles said. “It was for somebody’s birthday party.”

The most popular bounce house? “My three-in-one jungle island,” Diaz said. “It’s a regular bounce house, a climbing wall and a slide.”

For information about Wellington Bounce House, call Diaz or Santana at (561) 662-0745 or visit the company’s web site at www.wellingtonbounce. com.

Wellington Bounce House — (Above) Jaezy Diaz (left) with son Abriyel Laboy, Jay Quiles, Yalexus Nieves, Alieza Nieves, Edwin Laboy and Amylie Quiles. (Below) One of the bounce houses the company has in stock.

PHOTOS

ROOMS

TO GO HOSTS

GRAND OPENING FOR NEW SHOW ROOM

Rooms to Go opened its Wellington showroom to customers Saturday, Dec. 29. The store is located at 161 South State Road 7. The occasion was marked by a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, which included the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, local officials and executive directors of the Home Safe and Families First non-profit organizations, both of which will benefit from a portion of opening-day sales. KOOL 105.5 FM’s Skip Kelly was on hand to give out prizes and sign people up for raffles. For more about Rooms to Go, visit www.roomstogo.com.

Susan Katzker of Wellington wins a prize from Skip Kelly of KOOL 105.5 FM.

Donna White of Royal Palm Beach is comfortable in the Beachside model living room.

Sammie Mellina and mom Beth sign up for the raffle.

Families First Executive Director Julie Swindler, Rooms to Go Vice President of Sales Southeast Region Jack Curtis and Home Safe Development Director Taryn Wheat.

Kim Cullom tests a king-size Sealy Posturepedic mattress.

Representatives from Rooms to Go and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce gather for the ribbon cutting.

PHOTOS BY DENISE

Antique & Collectibles Show Puts A New Twist In Appraisal Clinics

The West Palm Beach Antique and Collectibles Show will kick off the New Year at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Jan. 4-6 with a new slant. In addition to offering the unique array of dealers, merchandise and services that has become the show’s trademark, the January edition will offer appraisals to visitors in a new, more informative and flexible format.

This time the show has engaged veteran show dealer, auctioneer and appraiser Jay Kielstock to handle the appraisal duties. But rather than try to be a one-man appraisal band, Kielstock will act as a coordinator who is able draw on the accumulated knowledge of the dealers in the show. A visitor wishing to have an item appraised will fill out a short form describing the item. Kielstock will then call on the services of a dealer in the appropriate category to give an in-person appraisal of the item of interest to the visitor.

Kielstock was a dealer in art pottery at the West Palm Beach Show for over 15 years until he became a fulltime auctioneer as the owner of J.K. Galleries in Boca Raton. His area of special knowledge is porcelain and art glass, but he also knows almost everyone in the antiques and collectibles business, especially in South Florida, and will have no trouble prevailing on dealers for an appraisal outside his area of expertise.

Kielstock has already used the format in a smaller form to provide an Antiques Roadshow-like experience for senior citizens and young collector groups. There is a $5 per item charge for appraisal services. All proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on behalf of Team in Training.

In addition, the show will also feature other special services for visitors such as glass and por-

celain repair, jewelry repair, silver and gold plating and doll repair. The West Palm Beach Antique and Collectibles Show is the focal point for hundreds of dealers and collectors of antique furniture, china, silver, glassware, jewelry linens, fine art, kitchenalia, toys and dolls, decorative accessories, fine collectibles and an almost endless variety of other areas of special interest. Whatever your special interest may be, it can probably be found here.

The show entrance may not be able to accommodate visitors bringing large items such as sofas or other furniture. Visitors who would like appraisal services for large items are encouraged to bring photographs, although results may vary. Weaponry is discouraged and may be refused entry to the show. Items purchased at the show are not eligible to be appraised.

The South Florida Fairgrounds is located off Southern Blvd., approximately 1.5 miles west of Florida’s Turnpike, one

mile east of State Road 7. Show hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Daily admission is $6.50 for adults with a senior rate of $5.50 for 62 and over, and multi-day tickets are available for $11 on Friday and Saturday. Children under 12 are admitted free. There is no charge for parking at the fairgrounds. For more information, call (561) 640-3433 or visit www. wpbantiques.com.

Home Show At Fairgrounds In February

The West Palm Beach Home & Garden Show will return to the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center in February. Guests can spend three days Feb. 15-17 gathering a multitude of tips and ideas on how to improve their homes and gardens. More than 500 exhibitors will feature the latest trends in home improvement, decorating and gardening, including some of the newest products in the marketplace. Experts will conduct live interactive seminars and demonstrations.

Show features include the Palm Beach Post Home Improvement Stage featuring various home improvement celebrities and local experts; the Real Estate Resource Center featuring specialists in real estate, fi-

nancing, banking and insurance; the Outdoor Cooking & Demonstration Stage featuring Chef Robert Catherine, author of the Romantic Dinners for Two cookbook and instructional DVD, which promotes healthy relationships and keeps couples connected; and the Pet Pavilion featuring the show’s first “Doggie Fashion Show” along with numerous pet-related exhibitors and products.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. tickets are $9 for adults, $4.50 for children six to 12, free for children five and under and $6 for seniors Friday only. For more information, visit www.floridahomeshows.com or call (888) 254-0882, ext. 319.

Women’s Chamber Mixer Jan. 9 In West Palm

The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County will host a networking mixer on Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The venue for this event will be Gramercy Court, 2501 North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. The evening will include networking drawings, prizes and refreshments. The cost is

$15 for members and $20 for guests. To schedule reservations or obtain more info., call (561) 253-0236 or visit www. womenschamber.biz.

The Women’s Chamber of Commerce exists to position its members for business success and to maximize their impact on commerce and the community. Visit www.womenschamber.biz and see what professional and working women in Palm Beach County are doing. The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County office is located at 2001 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 300-B in West Palm Beach.

For more info., e-mail Executive Director Patricia Taras at patt@womenschamber.biz.

Appraiser Jay Kielstock

P.W. Chamber’s Upcoming Events

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will present the first luncheon of its 25th-anniversary year on Tuesday, Jan. 15 featuring keynote speaker Jorge Pesquera, newly appointed president and CEO of the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau. The event will take place at Stonewood Grill and Tavern, at 10120 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Pointe at Wellington Green, starting at 11:45 a.m.

A graduate of Cornell University, Pesquera was recently recognized as Hotel Association Executive of the Year and holds a host of leadership roles in industry associations. In his new role, Pesquera heads Palm Beach County’s number-one industry, tourism, which has a $2.8-billion impact on the local economy. The cost is $15 for members in advance, $25 for members at the door and $25 for non-members. RSVP by noon on Friday, Jan. 11.

The four-day interactive course Leadership Palms West 2008 will kickoff with a cocktail reception hosted by the South Florida Fair on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The first day of the session begins on Wednesday, Jan. 30 and will continue for one day each month in February, March and April. Tuition is $250 for members and $400 for non-members, and covers breakfast, lunch, supplies and transportation to selected sites. Enrollment is limited to 30 candidates. Graduation will take place at the chamber’s May luncheon. Sign up now for this exciting program. Applications must be received no later than Jan. 11.

The chamber will hold a business after-hours mixer on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at AmTrust Bank (6404 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres). The monthly networking event is open to members and non-members interested in meeting others in the local business community. The cost is $10 for members in advance, $15

for members at the door and $20 for non-members. RSVP by noon on Jan. 16.

On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the chamber will feature its Women in Business program from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mayacoo Lakes Country Club (9697 Mayacoo Lakes Club Drive). The featured keynote speakers will be Mary Ellen Sheets and her daughter Melanie Bergeron. Sheets is founder and chair of Two Men and a Truck; Bergeron is the company’s CEO. Learn how an empty-nester took a $350 investment and created an internationally franchised company with more than 180 locations in the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The cost is $25 for members and $40 for nonmembers.

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce is delighted to once again present the largest two-day family festival out in the western communities: the 15th Annual WestFest Land & Sea Festival, March 1-2 at Okeeheelee Park. In celebration of the chamber’s 25th anniversary, changes have been made to the event. The chamber will bring in national musical artists and working to make this the “green” event for Palm Beach County. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 1 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 2. Vendor booths are available now. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1. Anyone interested in sponsoring or underwriting the event should call Palms West Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jaene Miranda at (561) 790-6200.

CCCS Offers Tips On Dealing With Debt

Even before they finish up the holiday leftovers and put away the presents and decorations, reality will set in for many consumers who overspent this holiday season. As credit card statements arrive in the mail, the cheer and joy of the season will turn to panic and fear for those

who piled holiday charges onto an already-heavy debt load.

“This is the time of year for many consumers when the joy of the holiday season becomes a distant memory and the consequences of overspending begin to set in,” said Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast (CCCS).

Excessive debt can be a burden on your emotional and physical health. Facing the problem and developing strategies to reduce and eliminate your debts can help beat the post-holiday blues and put you on the right track for financial security.

CCCS offers these tips to help consumers get started on a strategy to reduce and eliminate debt:

• Make a New Year’s resolution to balance your checkbook — Do this each time you receive a paycheck to ensure that you are not spending more than the amount you make.

• Keep track of your bills — Designate a filing cabinet or secured box for bills and financial statements. Make separate files for bank statements, tax documents, credit card bills, medical receipts, mortgage statements and other records. Keep up with due dates.

• Create a monthly budget — Your budget is your spending plan. To create a budget plan, determine your monthly income and recurring expenses like rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, food, transportation costs, tuition, savings, entertainment and personal grooming. Then identify other recurring and periodic expenses like clothing, home maintenance, gifts, insurance and vacations.

• Prioritize your expenses and spending — After writing down your expenses, prioritize them based on your “needs versus wants.” Set spending limits and estimate costs for each expense. If any funds are left over after monthly expenses are paid, split them between debt reduction and savings. Pay down high-interest credit card bills and loans. Use extra

funds to increase your savings and look for ways to reduce daily spending. Bringing your lunch instead of eating out and skipping that morning coffee and muffin can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings each month.

• Develop a diversified savings plan — Savings should not be limited to retirement planning. It’s important to save for a down payment on a home or vehicle, or for uncovered medical expenses. Make regular deposits in an interest-bearing account. Take advantage of employer-sponsored benefits, such as retirement and flexible spending accounts.

• Recognize the early warning signs of debt trouble — You may be approaching a debt crisis if: you’re behind on the mortgage or rent and utilities, you’re using credit to buy items you should be able to buy with cash, you’re skipping some payments to make others, you’re getting notices or calls from bill collectors, or if more than 25 percent of your take-home pay is going to credit card debt.

• Don’t suffer in silence; take action and get help — If you are feeling overwhelmed, there are steps you can take. If you know you are going to have problems making payments, you can contact your creditors to explain your situation and what you’re doing to meet your debt obligations. Depending on the creditors’ policies and your situation, credit and payment history, you may be able to negotiate the amount of your next payment or a lower interest rate. Remember, your creditors would rather keep you as a customer than lose you to bankruptcy or foreclosure. You can also work with a certified credit counselor who will help you assess your situation and develop a plan of action.

CCCS provides confidential budget counseling, money management education, debt-management programs and other services to help consumers. Call (800) 330-CCCS or visit www.cccsinc. org for more information.

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