Town-Crier Newspaper January 9, 2009

CEREMONY HONORS GUERRY STRIBLING

LITTLE SMILES GIFT GATHERING

A gift-gathering party and fundraising event was held Wednesday night at the Wanderers Club at Wellington to benefit Little Smiles, a local charity that brings joy into the life of ill children. The gift gathering was also geared toward promoting the bigger Stars Ball gala to be held for Little Smiles on Feb. 7 at Binks Forest Golf

Wellington PZA Board Supports Stables At Paddock, Pinewood

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

About 473 homeowners in the Paddock Park and Pinewood neighborhoods might have the opportunity to build stables in their back yards under an ordinance approved Thursday by the Wellington Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board.

Spor

The board’s recommendation will accompany the ordinance when it is reviewed by the Wellington Village Council, probably later this month. Horse stables are currently allowed only in the Equestrian Preserve Area (EPA) in western and southern Wellington, where large lots and equestrian-centered homes and businesses predominate.

The board in December had considered a version that would have given stable rights to only 37 lots along the north end of Paddock Park that abutted a horse trail.

The areas now covered by the proposed ordinance are much wider and divided into four areas:

• Area 1: Paddock Park 1 north of Paddock Drive, south of the FPL transmission line,

ment. Page 25

90-Day Challenge

Returns To Ultima Fitness In Wellington

The Ultima Fitness/Xtreme

Tae Kwon Do 90-Day Fitness Challenge is back for the seventh year with a new, more user-friendly and fun format, according to the fitness club’s co-owner Jill Merrell and event organizer Judy Duany. Page 29

east of Ousley Farms Road and west of the C-3 Canal.

• Area 2: Pinewood Park and Pinewood of Wellington north of the FPL transmission line, south of the C-51 Canal, east of Ousley Farms Road and west of Big Blue Trace.

• Area 3: Pinewood of Wellington north of the FPL transmission line, south of the C-51 Canal, east of Big Blue Trace and west of Forest Hill Blvd.

• Area 4: Pinewood East of Wellington north of the FPL transmission line, south of the C-51 Canal, east of Forest Hill Blvd. and west of Palm Beach Little Ranches.

Qualifying lots would have to be greater than one acre and meet certain criteria for setback, including the ability to accommodate a horse trailer. The oneacre lots must abut at least oneacre lots or public or private rights of way such as roads, canals, public parks, open space or transmission lines. The ordinance would limit the number of stables on a qualifying lot to two and covering no more than 1,250 square feet per acre. Groom’s quarters would not be permitted in order to deter commercial activities.

PZA Board Alternate Alan Johnson said he was surprised that the number of allowable lots had increased that much. “I was confused when I got the packet,” he said. “This came to us as a limited expansion. Now it’s being opened up to 473 plots of land.”

PZA Board Chair Steve Delai said he was concerned about the board making evenhanded decisions. “I have always been keen on asking how many other properties could be affected by a decision,” he said. Staff recommended the exclusion of Area 4 because the Pinewood East neighborhood exhibits a different character than the others and riders would have to cross busy roads to access other equestrian areas, but Board Member Eugene DiFonte recommended keeping it in.

During the public hearing, Scott Modist of Paddock Park said he was opposed to the proposal because most of the houses in his neighborhood were built too far back to accommodate a paddock behind them.

“I don’t think there’s enough room,” Modist said. “My lot is an acre and a third. I spend a lot

See PZA BOARD, page 16

Council Members Raise Concerns About PBCC Plan

By Don Brown Town-Crier Staff Report

Three members of the Wellington Village Council have raised concerns about a proposed lease of the village’s “KPark” property to Palm Beach County Community College for a new campus. Memos submitted in recent weeks to village staff by Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore, Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto and Councilman Matt Willhite cite unanswered questions and other uncertainties about the controversial proposal, in which the college would basically get tax-free use of the land on State Road 7 at no cost.

While Willhite has questioned the proposal since it was first put forward last April, both Priore and Benacquisto have been receptive until recently.

But now Priore is calling for new appraisals of the land because its current value is unknown, and for an arrangement that is “a joint venture and not a giveaway.”

In his memo, Priore proposed an alternative plan by dividing up the 67-acre property into two parcels — 45 acres in the western part of the site reserved for the college campus and athletic fields accessible to village residents, and 22 acres along State Road 7 that would generate revenue with development.

“If we can negotiate a contract that would provide what we want and continue to control a valuable portion of the site for sale or future sale, and get a community college, what is the down side?” he asked.

Priore specifically suggested that the 22 acres “can be sold as a business or office park, a medical arts district, but most importantly, an employment center, thus generating a sales price, impact fees and perpetual taxes to the village as well as ongoing quality employment opportunities,” he wrote in his memo dated Jan. 6. “The college would have available the western rectangle of 45 acres with access from Pierson Road. The return to the village would be the ball fields that are wanted, plus a college campus.”

The reference to ball fields recalls the original purchase of K-Park for development as a recreation facility. Plans for that fell to budget cuts after village staff reported that Wellington would not be able to afford the

upkeep on more athletic fields. Priore wrote that his proposal might offer a way to have those facilities paid for.

“There is a dollar value to capital improvements and ongoing operation and maintenance,” he wrote. “I can support this proposal if, after we have the appraisals and calculations for the dollar value of the ball fields and associated structures, the numbers reflect that an interlocal agreement is a smart one for the village.”

In his memo also dated Jan. 6, Willhite provided a list of 24 comments and questions he said have not been satisfactorily answered, beginning with the lack of an impact analysis of how the college will benefit the village and ending by questioning why the village has moved with such speed to close the deal. In between, Willhite asks whether PBCC has enough money in reserve to pay for the campus, whether the campus would meet traffic concurrency, how many jobs it would generate in the village, how the village could pay down a bond on the K-Park property that by 2013 will amount to some $2 million, and why the council hadn’t ever considered putting the property up for sale in a competitive bid process should it be deemed surplus. He also supported a public referendum before a deal is signed with PBCC. While Willhite originally favored retaining the land for eventual development as a park, he told the Town-Crier Wednesday that he now favors holding onto the property until property values increase and that it would be foolish to give it away to the first who asked. “I think it’s a disservice to consider only one entity for the property,” he said. Willhite said he senses “at lease some movement that other council members are moving in our direction.”

“I doubt that,” Mayor Darrell Bowen told the Town-Crier Wednesday. “I’ve already suggested to Matt that if he has questions, he should pick up the phone and ask someone, like I do. The people of this community want this college. Whatever we do, we have to take the risk. It’s worth it.” Bowen also issued a warning to his fellow council members. “If they don’t support having a college campus in our commu-

See PBCC, page 2

2009 Winter Equestrian Festival Begins 12-Week Run

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The 2009 Winter Equestrian Festival opened this week in Wellington, and organizers said they are taking more steps to make the event a destination for both riders and spectators from all over the world.

On Thursday, the second day of the 12-week festival, the organizers held a press conference at the newly improved Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. Ken Braddick of Equestrian Sport Productions, which took ownership of the shows in 2007, thanked WEF founder Gene Mische for establishing the long-running event in Wellington.

“We all owe a huge thanks to Gene Mische for his vision 30 years ago in creating what is today the Winter Equestrian Festival, the premier winter circuit anywhere in the world, bar none,” Braddick said. “Gene is a great mentor.” It is that vision that has led to a renaissance in equestrian sport — one that has catapulted riders from North America to the forefront of world horsemanship.

Canadian Eric Lamaze, the 2008 individual Olympic gold medallist and currently the No. 1 ranked jumper in the world, said it’s an honor to be a North American rider in the top spot.

“The spot has mostly been

occupied by Europeans,” he said. “Most of the top ten has been occupied by Europeans. Now there’s North Americans in the top ten, and it’s great. To have that title, you have to have great horses and compete hard.”

Although most of the worldclass competitions are in Europe, Lamaze said he felt it’s possible to remain number one while competing at WEF, as it has gained more internationally ranked competitions.

“You have to do quite well for sure, but it’s a good possibility,” Lamaze said. “It depends on what horse you use throughout the circuit, but I’m really trying to use the circuit to give some of my younger horses some mileage, so, hopefully, they’re good enough, they get adapted, and we have a good circuit.”

Laura Kraut, a fellow Wellington resident, winner of numerous Nations Cups and World Cups and a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic gold medal team, said she is fortunate to be rotating three veteran grand prix horses this season.

“I plan to stagger them, and I’ve got some nice young ones that I’ll bring along, jump in and see how they go,” she said.

Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo said he has been working to create an environment where worldranked riders won’t be put at a disadvantage by participating in WEF competitions.

“We’ve had conversations with a number of riders to try to extend the number of worldranking classes,” Bellissimo said. “We can’t do it this year, but I anticipate that next year, this will actually be a great opportunity to aggressively ride for the world rankings. That’s a big goal for us over the next year.” This year, WEF will feature a World Dressage Masters event Jan. 28 - Feb. 1 worth €140,000, the first in a series of four with others to follow in Europe,

Braddick said. Equestrian Sport Productions is part owner of the World Dressage Masters event series, he said. “Mark [Bellissimo] went to Cannes in June last year and negotiated an agreement with World Dressage Masters, where ESP becomes a part owner of the circuit,” Braddick explained. “We have a considerable interest in trying to ensure its success. It will be, we believe, a very special event.” Competitors in the World Dressage Masters include Anky van Grunsven, the most successful musical freestyle competitor in the history of dressage, World Cup finalist Edward Gal and U.S. Olympian

Another highlight competi-

Steffan Peters, Braddick said.

2009 WEF — Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo previews this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival as rider Geoff Teall, WEF founder Gene Mische and sponsor Dennis Shaughnessy of FTI Consulting look on.

Club. (Above) John Ruffa with his son Carson. (Left) Mason Phelps Jr. and Kathy Foster take part in a fashion show. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Bus Will Transport Protesters From Wellington To SWA Meeting Jan. 14

By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report

With the Solid Waste Authority poised to select a site on State Road 80 as a future landfill for Palm Beach County, a bus will take protesters from Wellington to the SWA headquarters to oppose the selection, a Wellington community activist said this week.

Wellington resident Sam Nebb told the Town-Crier Thursday that the bus would leave from the Wellington Community Center at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14 to arrive in time for the 10 a.m. hearing where the SWA Governing Board is scheduled to review a list of three sites for the future landfill.

The SWA’s selection committee is recommending that the governing board, which is composed of the members of the Palm Beach County Commission, choose a property called the Smith site, at the northwest corner of the intersection of

Campus Concerns

continued from page 1 nity, they’ll have to answer for it in their next election,” he said.

“Most residents recognize the importance of a college campus in our community.”

Bowen estimated the campus would generate at least $10 million annually in local economic impact. It would also have a positive impact on property values, he said. “We don’t need to spend a bunch of money to study the obvious,” he said. “[A previous council] spent $1 million to study the K-Park and nothing was ever done.”

Bowen said he is confident that there is enough support among his fellow council members to approve the college deal. Before a formal vote is taken, he said, a new member would likely be appointed to replace former councilman Bob Margolis, who resigned effective Jan. 5.

Bowen said that while Priore made some good points in his memo, he doubted his recommendation to build the campus and ball fields on only 45 acres would provide enough land. And because of depressed real estate and land prices, he said, there is probably not a good market today for commercial development.

Priore’s memo called for appraisals based on the SR 7 frontage, the 22 acres he proposed for commercial development, the remaining 45-acre parcel, and

State Road 80 (Southern Blvd.) and U.S. Highway 98. Nebb said he is incensed at the thought of a continual parade of garbage trucks down Southern Blvd. to the county’s next landfill. “All of that particular transportation of trucks will go through Wellington, and that’s why the protest is being done,” he said.

Nebb said the need for Wellington residents to turn out for the meeting is urgent, as the SWA went through the site selection process without gathering much public input or offering much information.

“I think a lot of people are not too happy about the site selection and there are more sites available that would not impinge on Wellington and would not use Southern Blvd.,” he said. The asking price on the Smith site of about 1,733 acres is $45,000 per acre, or $78 million, according to the SWA. The SWA site selection com-

See

the entire property. “This is the only way we can obtain a realistic value for the site,” he wrote. The property was purchased in 2003 for about $8.5 million, and the village got an offer from a developer just a few months later for double that price. While some have argued that it is now worth $20 million or more, the recent collapse of the real estate market has led many to question its true value.

Benacquisto’s memo dated Dec. 31 also raised the debt service issue, lack of economic impact data and PBCC’s funding strategy and sources, but topping her list is the lack of a commitment on the part of the college to establish a “partnership center” providing programs from other institutions.

“There remain many unanswered questions regarding the proposal to locate a campus of Palm Beach Community College in Wellington,” she wrote. “From the beginning, my support has been conditional on a firm commitment by PBCC to a University Partnership Center. To date, we have seen nothing from PBCC addressing this element of our request.”

She also wanted details about PBCC’s construction timelines, copies of its fiveand ten-year capital plans, traffic concurrency studies, a detailed economic impact analysis and the status of a lease for the council to review.

The council authorized negotiations with PBCC last August. Bowen said the council might vote on a lease agreement as early as this month.

Westbound traffic on Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach was brought to a crawl during rush hour following a multivehicle collision on Tuesday. Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Engine 28 and Rescue 28 responded from Royal Palm Beach, along with the engine and rescue from Station 25 in Wellington. According to a PBCFR report, a vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle, which caused it to collide with a private school bus. There were no serious injuries sustained. (Above) A view of the vehicles involved in the accident. (Below) A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy works the scene.

CEREMONY HONORS EARLY WELLINGTON PIONEER GUERRY STRIBLING

Early Wellington developer Guerry Stribling was honored Thursday morning at the corner of Pierson and Fairlane Farms roads, a stretch recently renamed Stribling Way in honor of Stribling’s contributions to the village. Stribling’s family members and friends attended the brief ceremony, which included comments from Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen, Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore, former county commissioner Ken Adams, noted equestrian Tony Coppola and Stribling himself. Stribling Way runs from Forest Hill Blvd. south on what had been Fairlane Farms Road and curves east toward State Road 7 along what had been Pierson Road. The name of other portions of Pierson and Fairlane Farms roads remain unchanged.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Attendees at the ceremony gather for a group photo.

Bev Pristas, Sandra Stribling and Sandi Quinlan.

Gene Mische chats with Guerry Stribling.Ken Adams and Guerry Stribling.

Iseult and Lee Broglio with Guerry Stribling.

Tony Coppola says a few words.

MLK Day Holds Special Meaning Following Historic Election

Were Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alive today, he would be celebrating his 80th birthday on Jan. 15. Sadly, those 80 years were cut in half by an assassin’s bullet. It has been nearly 41 years since Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn. But for the man who gave his life to advancing the rights of African Americans, he is very much alive, if only in spirit. That is why Dr. King’s birth has been a national holiday since 1986. This year, the date falls on Monday, Jan. 19. It would be an insult to Dr. King to view the holiday merely as time off from work or school. MLK Day is there for a reason — to honor and celebrate the late reverend’s idea that all men and women are created equal and will one day live as such. This year, MLK Day is underscored by the historic event that will take place the following day, Jan. 20, when the United States of America inaugurates Barack Obama as its first African-American president.

In the moments following Obama’s election victory last November, TV pundits wasted no time rounding up former associates of Dr. King and asking if they believed they’d “live to see the day.” For anyone who remember the Jim Crow laws, the thought of a black president might have seemed like a pipe dream. Even at the beginning of

Unger Wrong About Margolis

The recent Town-Crier interview with Wellington Councilman Bob Margolis was a very accurate review of this dedicated public servant. It is really about time that his critic George Unger ( Unger: Margolis An Opportunist, Letters, Dec. 26) stop his needless and totally immature attacks on an individual who has dedicated so much of his time and effort for the benefit of the citizens of Wellington. It’s true that Mr. Margolis has many second thoughts, as do many residents, in regard to the proposed “giveaway” of public land to Palm Beach Community College. In fact, if the majority of the members of council do vote favorably in that regard, sign me up for the first signature on the recall petition. Leonard Schaffel Wellington

Willhite: PBCC

Questions Remain

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the proposed Palm Beach Community College campus on the property the residents of Wellington own. The problem is, this is exactly what it is — property purchased by the residents. This is why I have based my questions and votes on what was in their best interest. I have said publicly and on the record I am not against education or any institution of education. I was elected by the residents to look out for them and their interest, and this is what I am doing. Therefore, I will continue to make everyone aware of all the aspects of the property and any proposal that is being made. This includes details such as the bond the village is still paying, which adds up to approximately $40,000 a month and will continue to do so until the year 2013. My ques-

tion about where the college proposal originated still really hasn’t been answered. A few people have tried to answer the question, but they seem to differ from each other. These are just a few of the questions that I have, and as time goes on, there are many more coming to light.

Proponents of the community college have said that the college campus being built in our back yard will benefit village residents. My question is how?

First of all, the village has an outstanding bond that totals the $8.4 million purchase price. Second, I have asked [Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield] to do a comprehensive evaluation of the K-Park property as a whole. This analysis shows that the village has spent an additional $1 million in staff costs, legal fees, consultant costs and real estate costs. Third, the college is tax-exempt and will not pay any property taxes or impact fees while making improvements to the property. Fourth, the residents of the village will have to continue to fund, through their ad valorem taxes, sheriff’s services, fire-rescue, code enforcement, roads, parks, the building department, public works and general government. Not the least of all, the increase on traffic congestion and roadway damage the college will bring. And with all of this, the college is offering to reimburse the village residents through a $10-a-year lease for 50 years.

Some have said the village will benefit from the business college students could bring. My initial reaction is that the village is not a business that any student could help fund. Yes, a restaurant or clothing store could see additional clients, but the students would not be putting money into an ad valorem account. Additionally, many students in colleges don’t have extra money to be spending on lunch break, not to mention some of these students would already be

the 2008 election cycle, the idea that Obama could win the Democratic Party nomination, let alone the general election, was far from conventional wisdom. But he did, proving that Dr. King’s message of equality might be more prophetic than idealistic. Obama showed the world that for change to occur, there must first be someone willing to take the first step. That is precisely what Dr. King did.

If any one person can be heralded as an icon of the American civil rights movement, it is Dr. King. When he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, Dr. King was the youngest person to have ever received the honor. On Monday, Jan. 19, spend some time reflecting on Dr. King’s message, not just how much of his dream has since become reality, but also how much left there is to be achieved in the name of equality.

For those interested in honoring the day with their community, the Seventh Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held Jan. 19 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at 10 a.m., hosted by the Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement and the Village of Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call CAFCI at (561) 791-9087.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

residents, and we are already gaining by their residential status.

Mayor Darell Bowen, a proponent of the college campus, has said that professors will come to Wellington and purchase homes, and this will help our tax base and potentially help with our foreclosures. The college [representatives], through their proposals, have shown that in 26 years they will employee only 216 full-time employees. However, aren’t there already professors living in Wellington who are traveling to other campuses? Wouldn’t these professors just transfer to the local campus, thereby not helping us at all?

In the end, this may be a great opportunity for the village to embark upon. However, with the current economy, the college’s inability to fund a new campus, and the lack of information and answers, I don’t think it is a beneficial project for us at this time or place. With the expediency that this project has taken on and too many questions unanswered, I will continue to ask why here and why now, and why should Wellington’s residents fund this project without any financial assistance from any other community for the next 50 years?

Matt Willhite Wellington Councilman

Village Will

Miss Margolis

Relative to the recent letter from George Unger about [former Wellington councilman] Bob Margolis as compared with your article and interview in last week’s paper on the same individual, I would like to take a few minutes to express my opinion.

I have known Mr. Margolis for 25 years in many respects — as a person, company executive employee, friend, family leader, dedicated public person/politician and as his campaign treasurer. There is no one who I

know or have known over my years who could uphold the ethics, business practices and community devotion to the Village of Wellington better than this man.

Bob has made every effort to consider all directives of the community before making any decision on the council. He has spent enormous time and effort to assist the citizens of the village. As a current member of the Wellington Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board after many years of service, I know the respect that is shown by many, many committee volunteers for the council, as well as to Mr. Margolis. His sound-thinking policies and thorough analysis have always guided him to make the most beneficial decision for the community.

I can officially state that Mr. Margolis had no plans to cause or assure any reinstatement to the council; as a matter of fact, he repeatedly told me that he was finished on the council as a result of his decision to run for supervisor of elections. It is only the community support and interest of other council members that has brought that possibility to the public. Bob had examined running for many political spots well before and during his tenure on council, but it took intensive thought when he decided to finally consider the supervisor of elections position. He does not go after any available spot, as Mr. Unger asserts.

Furthermore, I disagree with Mr. Unger’s comments that Bob Margolis would not have been an excellent supervisor of elections. His talents as well as business training and management expertise would have surely excelled the supervisor’s office into a new era of clean and efficient reporting, and full accounting disclosure, with the clerk of court’s oversight. It even appears that the newly elected supervisor is following Bob’s good suggestions already. Bob has exhibited good leadership

on council and, quite honestly, was the one person who took an extreme gander into tackling the economics of the village. He jumped on the crucial issues, including that of our senior community, and always strived to make sure safety and availability was apparent within our parks and recreation areas for children and their parents to enjoy.

As for the discussed college campus donation, I know that is one difficult issue for any sophisticated council member, where all positive and negative sides of this business proposal must be considered in depth due to the long-term impact and effects to the citizens of the village. In tough and depressed financial environments, where governments are forced to curb their budgets and save property taxes, is it not difficult to easily commit to turning over extremely valuable land in return for local academia with huge unknown future returns to the village and citizens?

So to you, Mr. Unger, any person who has the nasty, despicable character to take a belowthe-belt shot and refer a professional, ethical and capable person to a dogcatcher’s job, might be a candidate themself for that spot. However, be cautious since I understand that you have to pick up as well as you can dish it out.

Craig Bachove Wellington Nelson’s Council Suggestions

to members of the Wellington Village Council. Dear Council Members: Shortly you will have the task of appointing a council member for the seat vacated by Bob Margolis after his attempt to run for higher office. The person you appoint will serve until the March 2010 election, when that person will need to campaign for the council seat if they wish to continue to serve. In March 2008, we had some excellent people take the time and expend the energy and money to campaign for a council seat. It was the first election cycle for Wellington in which all people running for council seats were highly qualified and had strong public support. The result was that Dr. Carmine Priore retained his council seat and Matt Willhite filled the seat once held by Laurie Cohen, who did not run for re-election. The result of the 2008 election showed strong public support for Howard Coates, who received a total of 3,323 votes for the election and runoff election for council (which is more total votes than the 3,095 votes Mr. Willhite received); Duane Christensen, who received 2,033 votes; Tim Shields, who received 664 votes; and Dr. Fred Van Dusen, who received 521 votes. All four of these gentlemen can bring varied expertise and experience to the council. Mr. Coates is an excellent attorney who would bring the legal wisdom so well supplied when Laurie Cohen was on council. Mr. Christensen has excellent business experience, Mr. Shields has the strong educational experience to carry on the

Editor’s note: The following letter, written by Wellington Chamber of Commerce President Mike Nelson, is addressed See LETTERS, page 16

Have Commission Aspirations? The Line Forms To The Left

Will he or not? That’s the question a host of potential candidates are asking themselves about whether District 6 Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will seek re-election or step down after a single term as he has hinted several times he might do.

Mr. Santamaria’s current term expires in 2010. Campaigns for the county commission and other major state and county offices typically begin about a year from the primary election date, when candidates begin testing the water and start jockeying for front-runner status. And although they cannot begin raising contributions until they file papers with the supervisor of elections office and open campaign accounts, they can trawl for financial commitments. Mr. Santamaria largely financed his own campaign in 2006 and there is no reason to expect him not to do the same if he seeks re-election. That gives him plenty of time to run out the calendar before making an announcement either way. In the meantime, others with county commission fever are forced to sit and wait — especially Mr. Santamaria’s fellow Democrats. I’ll float a few names here so you can keep your eye on them over the next several months:

• In Royal Palm Beach, keep your eyes on Councilman Fred Pinto. He joined the council six years ago when his mentor, the late Vivian Ferrin, retired. He is currently running for his fourth term with no opponents yet in sight. Mr. Pinto, a Democrat, told me several months ago that he would like to run for county commissioner if Mr. Santamaria opts out.

• RPB Mayor David Lodwick, a Republican, was under a lot of pressure in 2006 to throw his hat into the ring, and he considered it for several weeks before taking himself out of the mix. How-

By Don Brown

ever, his frequent commutes to a second home in North Carolina have sparked speculation that he will not seek another term as mayor in 2010.

• Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone, a Democrat, has long expressed an interest in the county commission. She has a strong base of support in The Acreage community of some 50,000 residents, many critical of what they consider treatment as second-class citizens by the county.

• ITID Supervisor Mike Erickson, a Republican, showed early interest in the county commission post after he was elected to the board two years ago. However, that interest has apparently waned in recent months while he tackles such major issues as roads and possible incorporation of The Acreage.

• Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dennis Lipp, a Democrat, has told me in the past that he would be interested in succeeding Mr. Santamaria. Mr. Lipp is a close confidante of the commissioner, who appointed him to the prestigious Palm Beach County Planning Commission, formerly the Land Use Advisory Board.

• Wellington Mayor Darrell Bowen, a Republican, has not expressed any public interest in a county commission seat. However, several strong supporters are privately urging him to run. Mr.

Bowen is wrapping up his first year as mayor after ousting popular former Mayor Tom Wenham. He wasted no time finding council allies and has been a strong leader.

• Former Wellington Councilman Bob Margolis, a Democrat, lost the Supervisor of Elections race in November to Susan Bucher. That unsuccessful run cost him his council seat because of a state law requiring him to resign to seek another office. He could be re-appointed to his seat by the current four council members later this month, but some suggest he has his sights a bit higher. He has been named a possible successor should

Mr. Santamaria choose not to run... or he may run for mayor.

• Wellington Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore, a Republican, previously showed interest in being a county commissioner, but now tells me he has ruled it out. He was recently named president of the Florida League of Cities, keeping him too busy to launch a new political campaign. You may be able to add a few names to this list. None of this speculation probably means much, because Mr. Santamaria remains the deciding factor.

Too Much Congressional ‘Oversight’

There is little doubt that if one had the stamina (mental and physical) plus a seriously inquiring mind, there could be a fulltime job, plus overtime, in writing criticisms of the United States Congress. How, for example, can this august body of legislators even attempt to rationalize that the House of Representatives assigns some 16 committees plus 40 subcommittees for oversight of the nation’s Department of Homeland Security? Not to be totally outflanked, the Senate assigns 14 committees and 18 subcommittees to the same task.

In essence we are talking about Washington’s legislative branches forcing the depart-

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

ment’s bureaucrats to be jostled back, forth and in between by an endless array of publicityseeking politicians. Of course, each of these congressional “governors” are pecking away with their back-home concerns of major import. Let’s be realistic... our country remains under serious threat from an ever-growing list of terrorists worldwide. If any department of our govern-

ment needs to both focused and monitored full time, it should be Homeland Security. For that to happen, several dozen of the Congressional leeches are going to make sacrifices, give up committee perks and organize single-entity committees to check and recheck operations, plans and policies. Next time a Washington legislator questions why Congress has almost as low a rating as outgoing President Bush, they need to look no further than the current joke the Congress currently foists on the vitally important Department of Homeland Security. That certainly tells a story, but it is not a pretty one.

A gift-gathering party and fundraising event was held Wednesday night at the Wanderers Club at Wellington to benefit Little Smiles, a local charity that brings joy into the life of youngsters with various illnesses. The gift gathering was also geared toward promoting the bigger Stars Ball gala to be held for Little Smiles on Feb. 7 at Binks Forest Golf Club. Models wore clothing supplied by JuJu Designs and Jos A. Bank. Little Smiles President Bill Tavernise and founder Paul Donohue made some comments, along with Little Smiles clients Justin Syden and Carson Ruffa. For more information about Little Smiles, call (561) 383-7274. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Cathy Birelacque, Bernie Madsen, Michela Perillo-Green and Diane Frankle.

Irma Saenz, Karin Harden and Rommy Revson.

Amanda Gegnon, Alison Rogan and Erika Landry.

Diana Tashman addresses the crowd.

Bill Tavernise and Jason Blum.

Gene Mische, Kathy Foster, Mike Nelson and Mason Phelps.

Bland and Erika Eng with Terri and Carmine Priore III.

Sherry and Darell Bowen with John and Linda Herring. Justin Syden

By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report

JAN. 5 — A Lake Worth woman was arrested Monday night following a hit-and-run traffic collision in Wellington. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim was traveling westbound on Forest Hill Blvd. at approximately 6 p.m. when she stopped at the intersection with State Road 7. While waiting at the intersection, her vehicle was struck from behind by a Jeep driven by 28-year-old Brynne Kasica. The victim made contact with Kasica, who said she would pull over, but instead turned left onto SR 7 and continued traveling northbound. A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to the victim’s call and tracked Kasica to a home on West Court. The deputy made contact with Kasica, and she admitted to causing the collision and leaving the scene. She was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury and driving with a suspended license. She was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

• • •

JAN. 1 — A man was arrested last Thursday following a traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was traveling eastbound on Southern Blvd. at approximately 9 p.m. when he pulled over 25-year-old Roberto Reyes for driving 62 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone.

The deputy contacted Reyes, who said he didn’t know his date of birth. Further investigation revealed that Reyes’ driver’s license had seven suspensions and he had failed to appear in court regarding traffic summonses. Reyes was arrested and taken to the county jail. He was issued several citations.

JAN. 2 — A Palm Beach Gardens man was arrested last Friday after he was caught driving a stolen motorcycle in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was traveling southbound on RPB Blvd. when he observed a motorcycle with an unreadable license plate operated by a driver without proper eye protection.

The deputy made a traffic stop and learned that the vehicle’s license plate had expired in 2005 and was registered to an unknown vehicle. The deputy also discovered that the vehicle identification number had been scratched off the left fork. But there was a VIN on the right fork, and the deputy was informed by dispatch that the bike had been stolen. The driver, 21year-old Damen Kasper, was arrested for grand theft.

JAN. 2 — A man was arrested last Friday for disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest at the Royal Palm Ale House. According to a PBSO report, the owner of the restaurant called the Royal Palm Beach substation regarding 32-year-old Jordan Gillikin, whom the owner said was trespassing, stemming from an incident eight months ago. When the deputy made contact with Gillikin, he became argumentative and resisted being handcuffed. A trespass form was generated, and the case was cleared with the arrest.

JAN. 3 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched last Saturday to a home on Chapparel Way in response to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 the following morning, someone entered the victim’s 2008 Dodge Charger and

stole $40 cash from the center console. Also burglarized was the victim’s daughter’s vehicle, which was parked next to the Charger. The owner’s manual was stolen.

JAN. 4 — A resident of Easthampton Circle called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Sunday regarding the theft of auto parts. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked her silver 2008 Honda Fit in her driveway at approximately 7:30 p.m. last Saturday. When she checked on the vehicle at 7 a.m. the following morning, she discovered that someone had stolen the rear left tire. Upon further investigation, the victim noticed that the lug nuts on both passenger-side tires had been loosened. Also, the right sideskirt had been damaged. The victim estimated the total amount of damage at approximately $1,200. There was no suspect information at the time of the report.

JAN. 4 — An Acreage man was arrested on drug charges last Sunday following a traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was traveling eastbound on Southern Blvd. when he observed a vehicle with a cracked windshield and faulty brake light. The deputy further witnessed the driver, 18-year-old Noah Goelz, toss marijuana out of the window. The deputy made contact with Goelz and retrieved the marijuana, which weighed approximately 2.1 grams. Goelz was arrested and issued traffic citations. Also arrested was a juvenile passenger, who was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

JAN. 6 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded early Tuesday morning to the Colonial Bank branch on State Road 7 regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, the deputy was dispatched to the bank at approximately 2 a.m. in reference to an alarm activated on an ATM. The machine’s doors had been pried open with an unknown object, possibly attached to a vehicle, according to the report. The deputy discovered tire marks that led from the machine, over a berm and onto SR 7. A manila folder containing miscellaneous papers was located at the scene, possibly left behind by an unknown suspect.

JAN. 6 — An employee of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach Tuesday regarding a shoplifter. According to a PBSO report, a store security officer observed a male juvenile enter the toy department, select several trading cards and conceal them in his pants pocket. The juvenile then attempted to exit the store without paying for the merchandise. He was apprehended and taken to the loss prevention office. The juvenile was then placed under arrest and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

JAN. 8 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched Thursday morning to a home on Oak Shadow Way regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and 6:45 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s unlocked Toyota 4Runner and stole a pair of sunglasses and an unspecified amount of coins. Other vehicle burglaries were reported to have taken place around the same time at other residences on Oak Shadow Way. There was no suspect information at the time of the report.

Fantasia Cook

CAFCI To Host MLK Celebration

The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will present the Seventh Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way).

A reception will take place from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and include a continental breakfast. The program will take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

As always, the event is free to the community and promises to be a very interesting, fulfilling and exciting experience. For more information about the event, call Elet Cyris at (561) 791-9087.

Garage Sale

Jan. 31 At RPB

Veterans Park

Is your home and garage filled with boxes of toys? Closets and dressers overflowing with children’s clothing? Then drop on by the Village of Royal Palm Beach’s community garage sale on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Park (located at the intersection of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and Sparrow Drive).

Musical entertainment will be provided by Mike Powers and Tanya Marie, and refresh-

ments will be available at the Wild Orchids Café. Vendors interested in reserving a space can do so at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). An open 10’x10’ space will be assigned for $15 per space; covered spaces cost $30. Tables and chairs may also be rented for a nominal fee.

Pre-registration is required and spaces go quickly, so register soon. The deadline for vendor space applications is Jan. 23. For more information about the community garage sale, call the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149.

First Night Concert Series In Royal Palm

The Village of Royal Palm Beach hosts its First Night Concert Series on the first night of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Veterans Park (located at the intersection of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and Sparrow Drive).

The next concert will take place on Sunday, Feb. 1. The series is booked through May. Guests are encouraged to set up lounge chairs or have a seat at the amphitheater to enjoy the various performing acts. Enjoy a relaxing night in the park while listening to the sounds of pop, rock, folk and Motown.

When the weather is nice, bands will play at the main

amphitheater. Concerts will be moved to the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center in the case of inclement weather.

For more information about the First Night Concert Series, call the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 7905149.

Rooney Sworn In As Member Of Congress

United States Congressman Tom Rooney (R-North Palm Beach) was recently sworn in as a member of the 111th Congress.

This is the start of Rooney’s first term representing Florida’s 16th Congressional District, which includes parts of the western communities.

“I am honored to represent the people of Florida’s 16th Congressional District,” Rooney said. “America is facing several tough challenges in the near future that we must meet head on. I pledge to work tirelessly for the people of Florida and to represent them with honor and integrity.”

After being sworn in, Rooney went to work as an original co-sponsor of the Stop the Congressional Pay-Raise Act, which would block the automatic $4,700 pay raise for members of Congress. Rooney said he is committed to returning fiscal discipline to Washington and finding ways to hold the line on government spending.

Fire Displaces Wellington Residents

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue crews responded Tuesday to a difficult fire in a four-unit townhouse building on Regal Court South in Wellington. Engine 25, under the command of Capt. Jay Ackerman, was the first unit on the scene and found smoke visible from the eaves all around the two-story structure. Firefighters deployed three pre-connected hose lines while others evacuated residents and rescued pets from the smoky apartments.

A fire hydrant near the scene malfunctioned, causing fire-

fighters to have to lay out two hose lines from Engine 25 to another fire hydrant around the block at the entrance to the complex. The fire, the second in the same structure within two weeks, displaced all of the residents of the apartments, and the Red Cross was called in to assist. A total of four fire engines, two rescue units, an air supply unit, a ladder truck, two district chiefs and an EMS officer responded to the mid-morning fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

PHOTOS COURTESY CAPT. MARK CARR/PBCFR

Engine 34 firemedic Rich Nicoletta and driver Larry Lawler.

Firemedic Rich Nicoletta before entering the building.

Fire-Rescue personnel confer before entering the apartment.

2009 Season Gets Underway At The International Polo Club

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The 2009 polo season is underway at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Celebrate polo’s return on Wellington Day, Sunday, Jan. 11 with a matchup from the 20-goal Joe Barry Memorial Cup Tournament.

Pre-game festivities, including the opening of a new public pavilion with live music, champagne bars and other activities, will begin at 1 p.m. Food and beverages will be available.

Sunday’s 3 p.m. match features San Saba, led by actor Tommy Lee Jones, against either EFG Bank or Isla Carroll, who faced off on Thursday.

The tournament’s four other teams — Patagones, Lucchese, Mt. Brilliant and BTA — are playing in elimination brackets leading up to semifinals on Wednesday, Jan. 14. The two teams to emerge from the semifinals will face off on Sunday, Jan. 18, on the IPC’s Field 1 at 3 p.m.

“In this particular tournament, the Barry Cup is single-elimination,” International Polo Club spokesman Tim O’Connor said. “There will be a consolation bracket so each team will get at least two games.”

The tournament’s final consolation match will be played on Field 2 on Sunday, Jan. 18 at noon.

O’Connor said that while seven 20-goal teams are playing in the Barry Cup tournament, two more will be participating in other 20-goal tournaments this season. “Nine teams will participate in the Ylvisaker and Iglehart [cup tournaments], which are coming up,” he said. “The added teams will be Audi and Lechuza Caracas.”

The Ylvisaker Cup Jan. 25 through Feb. 1 and the Iglehart Cup Feb. 8-22 are both doubleelimination tournaments, but the single-elimination Barry Cup is an upbeat kickoff for the polo season, International Polo Club owner John Goodman said.

“It’s a fun way to start the season because you’ve got to win every game to go on,” Goodman said.

One of the highlights of the 2009 season is the eccentric Westchester Cup, taking place on American soil for the first

time in 70 years, on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The Westchester Cup pits selected U.S. players against players from Great Britain. It began in 1886, when members of the Newport Polo Club in Rhode Island challenged British players to a best-of-three series at Westchester Polo Club in Newport. The U.S. lost in two decisive matches, 10-4 and 14-2, according to the polo club. The last time the Westchester Cup was played on American soil was in 1939, O’Connor said. It has been played 14 times over the span of the tournament.

“The first time it was won by the United States was in 1909, and 2009 marks the 100th year since that first victory,” O’Connor said. “It’s played without any regularity. Whoever the team is that lost the last time then has to challenge the other at some point in time. The last time this match was played was in 1997 in Great Britain, and unfortunately the U.S. lost at that time, so they are the ones who have challenged Great Britain through the U.S. Polo Association, and they have accepted.”

The tournament was organized by and will benefit the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame on Lake Worth Road in suburban Lake Worth and will be sponsored by the U.S. Polo Association and the American International Polo Foundation.

Players for the United States team will be eight-goaler Adam Snow, nine-goaler Mike Azzaro, eight-goaler Nicholas Roldan and six-goaler Jeff Blake, with alternate eight-goaler Julio Arellano.

Players for the British team are seven-goaler Luke Tomlinson, six-goaler Mark Tomlinson, seven-goaler James Beim and nine-goaler Eduardo Novillo Astrada.

“We’re very excited and honored to host this prestigious tournament,” Goodman said. “Whenever countries play countries, and it’s such an old tournament, it’s very important and very exciting.”

The 2009 season at the IPC kicks into high gear with a field of seven 26-goal teams competing in the C.V. Whitney Cup March 1-8, the Piaget Gold Cup March 15-29 and the Stanford

U.S. Open Polo Championship April 5-26.

Organizers encouraged area residents to come out and experience the game of polo and the improved trappings at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

“Polo is a place to come every Sunday,” said Linda Soper of the Dune Road Group, which is coordinating social activities at the club this season. “It’s inexpensive, and with the econo-

Board To Discuss Dump Site

continued from page 2 mittee also ranked two other sites. Its second choice, called the Hundley site, is four miles west of 20-Mile Bend on the north side of County Road 880. The asking price for the 1,493 acres is $54.1 million, or $36,250 per acre. The third-ranked Okeelanta

my and the market, this is a great entertainment venue for families.”

O’Connor said local residents should avail themselves of the luxury of witnessing top-level sports competition right in their own back yard.

“The good thing is people in Palm Beach County don’t have to travel far to see world-class polo,” he said.

Goodman said the club wants to expose more people to polo.

Site, 1,642 acres about seven miles southwest of South Bay, is owned by the Okeelanta sugar-growing concern, which is seeking a trade for the 1,600 acres currently owned by the SWA. That site, originally intended for the future landfill, was ruled out last year due to concerns that it is too close to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The agenda item for Wednesday’s SWA board meeting recommends the board authorize staff to start negotiations on the

“We’re trying to create an ambiance so people can come out and escape and enjoy themselves, the green grass, nature and horses,” he said. Goodman said the club made a great investment in improved field drainage this year in order to reduce schedule delays in the aftermath of rain.

“We’ve invested a lot in the property this year,” Goodman said. “We really hope the people of Wellington will come out and support us. It’s $15 for

top-ranked Smith site and bring back a negotiated contract. Officials in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington have voiced complaints that they were not invited to participate much in the selection process. Last summer, the Wellington Village Council passed a resolution rejecting the three alternate sites under review and urging a reconsideration of the original site. Nebb declined to say who was funding the charter of a bus from Wellington to SWA headquarters. “It’s being donated by someone,” he said. “They don’t

care to be announced, but they want to donate to the protest.” Nebb said the bus would leave at 9 a.m. sharp. “That may be too early for some people,” he said. “A lot of people may want to take their own transport if that’s too early, but if they don’t know how to get there, at least they’ll have an opportunity to be taken there.”

The SWA offices and hearing chamber are located at 7501 N. Jog Road in West Palm Beach. For more information about the landfill project, visit www.swa. org.

International Polo Club President John Wash welcomes polo fans to the 2009 season, starting with Wellington Day on Jan. 11. (L-R) Owen Rinehart, U.S. team Westchester Cup coach; George DuPont, director of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame; IPC spokesman Tim O’Connor; Wash; IPC founder John Goodman; and IPC Director of Polo Operations Jimmy Newman.

TAILWAGGERS HOLDS AGILITY TRIALS AT JIM BRANDON EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Tailwaggers Learning Center sponsored USDAA Agility Trials Jan. 1-4 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on Forest Hill

Blvd. Dogs ran through a course while navigating obstacles and were guided by owners using only hand signals and voice commands. Some of the challenges included jumping over bars, jumping through a tire, going through a chute, going up and over an A-frame, and weaving through a set of poles. For more info., contact Tailwaggers Learning Center at (561) 804-WAGS or visit www.tailwaggers.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

January Events At Temple Beth Torah

Temple Beth Torah in Wellington has several upcoming special services and events planned:

• On the evening of Friday, Jan. 9, Camp Coleman Associate Director Andi Solomon will be the guest speaker. The evening will honor past and future Union for Reform Judaism Coleman campers at a casual, camp-style service. Also at the service will be Lesley Levin of the Jewish Federation, who will have information regarding camp scholarships. Services begin at 7:30 p.m.

NEWS BRIEFS

Friday evening services at Temple Beth Torah begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday morning services begin at 9:45 a.m., preceded by Torah study at 9 a.m. Birthday blessings occur the first week of each month.

• Temple Beth Torah’s Membership Committee will present Bowl-a-Rama 2009 on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Palm Beach Strike Zone (6591 S. Military Trail, Lake Worth). For more information, call Jennifer Goldstein at (561) 779-5770 or Alice Rosenblatt at (561) 7950402.

• Mitzvah Day will be Sunday, March 1. For more information, call Greg Levi at (561) 289-8998.

• On Saturday, Jan. 10, a special “Shabbat of Songs” will take place at 11:15 a.m. featuring the Tufts University co-ed Jewish a capella group. Later that afternoon, the temple will conclude Shabbat with a short Havdalah service followed by a free concert by Shir Appeal with a special guest appearance by the Temple Beth Torah junior choir.

The Sisterhood of Temple Beth Torah runs a well-stocked Judaica boutique. It includes hostess gifts, children’s gifts, gifts for Jewish lifecycle events, ritual items, holiday items and books. For more information about the boutique, call the temple office at (561) 793-2700 and ask for the boutique’s voice mail if a volunteer is not available.

Temple Beth Torah is located at 900 Big Blue Trace. For more information, visit www.temple bethtorah.net.

Jan. 21 Forum To Discuss County Overlay

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a community forum on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. center court at the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the county’s proposed overlay to guide future development of 43,000 acres of unincorporated land located west of Royal Palm Beach between Northlake and Southern boulevards. The overlay would replace the sector plan, which was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 2005 but was found not to be in compliance with state requirements; it

was subsequently repealed.

The Jan. 21 meeting will update residents on the planning effort to date and seek public comment and input on issues and topics related to development in the area. For more information, call the Palm Beach County Planning Division at (561) 233-5300.

New Cancer Support Group

In Wellington

Amy Steinberg At Silver Screen

Peter Wein’s radio show Peter’s Livingroom and My B Network will present a solo performance by Amy Steinberg on Friday, Jan. 30 at the Silver Screen Cinema Café & Comedy Club in Wellington. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the show will start at 8:30 p.m. The cost is $32.95 and includes dinner and the show. The club is located at 12795 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington Plaza. RSVP to (561) 795-3001.

Meetings for cancer survivors and patients are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., center court in the original Wellington Mall. Also, meetings for a cancer caregivers support group are held on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m., also center court in the original Wellington Mall. For more info., call (561) 7984110 or e-mail palmbeach cancerfoundationinc@yahoo. com.

Cheryl Huffman of Wellington with Minnie, a border collie that won two ribbons last Sunday.

Jammy jumps over the hurdle with direction from owner Amy Marrish.

Pappillons Quest and Rebecca with owner Nancy Rudolph.

Yellow labrador Morgan with owner Alice Hartnoll.

Rat terrier Maggy gets love from owner Bill Becker.

Sheila Croghan with Justice and Sonya Cerron with Jimmy.

WEST PALM BEACH ANTIQUES FESTIVAL ARRIVES AT S.F. FAIRGROUNDS

The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival took place Jan. 2-4 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Formerly known as the West Palm Beach Antiques & Collectibles Show, the event is under new ownership. The festival featured an array of jewelry, paintings, furniture, clothes and various knickknacks as well as repair and goldplating services. For more info., visit www.wpbantiques.com.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Deborah and Howard Sabarra buy some items from Rob Glisson of Plant Dynamics Inc. in Loxahatchee.

Mark Glenn repairs a diamond ring band.

Edwin Birnbaum with a “vampire killing kit” circa 1890.

Dorothy Loud of Dorothy’s Antiques helps Ronnie Yudell try on a hat made in the 1950s.

Doreen Langford of Glendors Splendors with cookie jars dated from the 1940s to 1960s.

Tony and Janet Gould of the English Antique Co. with some Victorian-era paintings and antiques.

Sue Rosenberg buys a necklace from Carol Flower of Glitz & Glitter.

Kaleidoscope To Salute 100 Years Of Culture In Palm Beach County

Guests to Kaleidoscope 2009

can “Go Back 100.” The popular family-friendly event will take place on Sunday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown West Palm Beach, providing the community an opportunity to learn about their neighbors from around the world and see the cultural diversity in their own back yard.

This year, visitors will not only be able to embark on a free trip around the world, but they will also learn about the many cultures and rich history that make up Palm Beach County.

The “Go Back 100” theme will educate students, teachers, parents and event patrons about the history of the area as the festival marks the Palm Beach County and School District of Palm Beach County centennials.

This day-long multicultural festival will feature villages from around the world, an international bazaar, ethnic foods and refreshments, an interactive kid’s area and two stages of

multicultural entertainment. Kaleidoscope is a free event to be enjoyed by the entire family and is produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County. At Kaleidoscope, students from participating Palm Beach County schools partner with local cultural groups to explore and learn about their culture. The cultural groups work together with the students for approximately four months sharing their knowledge and creating an authentic representation of that culture in the form of a mini Epcot-style “village” they build onsite at the event.

This year, guests can experience and explore 15 different cultural villages at Kaleidoscope including Botswana, England, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Guatemala Maya, Greece, Haiti, India, Israel, Jamaica, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and a special historical Centennial Village.

Palm Beach County and the School District of Palm Beach County are celebrating their centennials this year. To help celebrate 100 years of Palm Beach County, Kaleidoscope will not only offer a look to neighbors around the world, but will also offer a look back in time to the diverse and rich history of this community. Along Flagler Drive, guests can revisit the 1900s by viewing historic Ford Model T cars, visiting with Henry Flagler and the Barefoot Mailman, and visiting the special School District Centennial Village that will include a replica of the one-room Little Red Schoolhouse, the first school in southeast Florida.

For Kaleidoscope 2009, the West Palm Beach Public Library will present “Around the World in Eight Hours” to help kids learn about each country and collect their own Kaleidoscope souvenir. Kids will be introduced to one of the popular modes of transportation of the

Christmas Auction At WCS A Success

Wellington Christian School held its annual auction “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 6 at the newly renovated Binks Forest Golf Club. More than 160 friends, family members and community supporters of WCS, including Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and area Publix supermarket managers, attended the semi-formal gala event. Karen Ferreri and Nancy Schurter co-chaired the event.

Attendees were entertained throughout the evening by students from the WCS high school fine arts department. Choir members costumed as traditional carolers serenaded, and the drama department presented scenes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Roaming throughout the crowd were the Ghost of Christmas Present and a living Christmas tree, both of which sold raffle tickets or gift certificates.

WCS Band Director Kristen Castiglione provided dinner music.

Silent and live auctions raised more than $45,000 to enhance the school’s academic programs, which serve early childhood through the 12th

WCS students dressed in theme for the auction.

grade. The silent auction included more than 45 items, and the live auction featured items such as a one-week stay in a Tuscan villa, hot-air balloon rides and tickets to a Celine

Dion performance.

For more information about Wellington Christian School, call Judy Wagner at (561) 7931017, ext. 2620 or visit www. wellingtonchristian.org.

1900s, the steamboat, and receive a ticket holder for their journey around the world. As they travel to each country throughout the event, they will receive a unique ticket at each port of call that will teach them about their travels to that country. When kids have completed their trip “Around the World in Eight Hours,” they will also have a unique Kaleidoscope souvenir reminiscent of travels in the 1900s. Children can also travel back in time and enjoy lots of fun and activities at the “Turn of the Century All-American Kids Area,” presented by the West Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department. Here, children can learn about 1900s Palm Beach County history and participate in activities and games that were popular 100 years ago, including hopscotch, hoop races, marbles and more. Kids can also participate in a craft and make their own 1900s toy, a wooden top.

Kaleidoscope is known for celebrating cultural diversity, and this year is no exception, with tons of different international entertainment and the remarkable Celtic rock headliner the Young Dubliners, all for free! With three parades that march throughout the festival and two stages filled with unique ethnic performers such as a Japanese drum group, a Scottish pipe and drum band, a Brazilian dance group, a mariachi band and Native American dancers, everyone is sure to come across a sample of music and dance from around the world. The Young Dubliners will perform at the Meyer Amphitheatre at 3 p.m. Guests can also check out student performances on the Kaleidoscope stage, just south of the Meyer Amphitheatre. Guests are sure to be thrilled with this year’s entertainment lineup.

And finally, a trip around the world would not be complete without tasting the savory foods

of each country and doing a little souvenir shopping. Kaleidoscope will feature savory foods from various countries around the globe to ensure guests have both a delightful and delicious time. Kaleidoscope will also feature an international shopping bazaar with unique vendors selling arts and crafts from around the world. Kaleidoscope has been judged the “Best Educational Event” and “Best Community Outreach Event” by the International Festivals & Events Association. This year’s participating sponsors include National City, Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach Post La Palma , 97.9 fm WRMF, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Comcast, the West Palm Beach Marriott, the Children’s Services Council, Coca-Cola and Panera Bread. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (561) 822-1515 or visit www. wpb.org.

‘Elvis And The Shoemaker’ Jan. 31 At WHS

The Wellington High School Drama Club will present Elvis and the Shoemaker on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This will be the first show in the school’s new performing arts theater at 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.

The charming tale features

rapping elves and, of course, the King himself. Ruben and Edith, a down-on-his-luck shoemaker and his wife, live by the motto “every good deed comes back to you tenfold.”

When Crazy Al and his discount shoe outlet threaten to put Ruben out of business, the

elves come to Ruben’s rescue. This zany takeoff on the classic fairy tale features plenty of audience participation and promises to be fun for all ages, from six to 60. Tickets cost $5 for adults and children, and can be purchased at the door.

SRHS Principal Wins Library Media Award

Seminole Ridge High School

Principal Dr. Lynne McGee recently received the Principal Advocate of Excellence of the Year in School Library Media Programs award. The award is given annually to two outstanding school principals, one secondary and one elementary, who are currently in office and represent K-12 school principals from Florida.

The winners were honored with a plaque and an honorari-

um at the 36th Annual Florida Association of Media in Education conference (FAME) in Kissimmee. This is an annual professional meeting of the organization of school library media specialists and individuals in related educational fields. The award underscores the importance of forward-thinking school principals to the longterm success of school libraries and, ultimately, students. This award honors those school prin-

cipals who support the vital role of the school library in the educational program, those who have sponsored the promotion of effective school library media programs and services, and it recognizes the collaborative and influential role of the school principal in developing successful school library programs. For more information, call SRHS library media specialist and FAME member Carole Koester at (561) 422-2699.

RPBHS Project Graduation Meeting Jan. 12

The Royal Palm Beach High School Project Graduation Committee will hold its next meeting on Monday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at the school. This all-volunteer group is looking for more

parents from the class of 2009 as well as the parents of 2010 to come to this meeting. All other volunteers are welcome, and there are open spots for the group’s upcoming events to

raise money for this free allnight, drug-free and alcohol-free party for upcoming graduates. Call Cheryl at (561) 723-8298 or Karen at (561) 371-8377 for more information.

Mason Phelps Recalls 2008 Olympics For Wellington Rotarians

Nicole’s Village Tavern in Wellington hosted the Wellington Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon on Tuesday featuring guest speaker Mason Phelps Jr., president of Phelps Media Group International. Phelps spoke to club members about his experiences traveling to China for the equestrian competitions of the 2008 Olympic Games.

As president of PMG, an equestrian public relations firm, Phelps spent 12 days in Hong Kong and experienced all of the equestrian competition firsthand. “It was a long journey to Hong Kong,” Phelps said. “We stayed there through the heat and the smog and even a typhoon, but the organizing committee did a wonderful job producing the event.”

Throughout the days of competition, between 30,000 and 40,000 spectators packed the stadiums to watch the world’s best horses and riders compete. “It was a very impressive operation getting all of those people in and out,” Phelps said. Most events were held be-

Aaron Wundrack Completes Marine Corps

Marine Corps PFC Aaron B. Wundrack recently completed the Marine Corps Basic Enlisted Supply Course. During the course with Marine Corps Combat Service

Michael

Robins

Army Pvt. Michael P. Robins has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. The training consists of basic infantry training and advanced individual training. During the nine weeks of basic combat training, Robins received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courte-

Support Schools Training Command in Camp Lejeune, N.C., Wundrack and other students learned to use supply publications and catalogs, general accounting and the basics

Course

of naval correspondence.

Wundrack joined the United States Marine Corps in June 2008. He is a 2008 graduate of Wellington High School.

Completes Infantryman Training

sy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills and Army history.

tween 7 and 11 p.m. to avoid the oppressive heat of the sun, but the nights were only slightly cooler. While in Hong Kong, Phelps said he enjoyed the outstanding Chinese entertainment, but was most impressed with the incredible level of talent competing. “All in all, it was a great experience,” he said. “We were pleased that the dressage team did well and the jumping was spectacular. I am very happy that our team came home with several medals.”

Rotary members were thrilled to have Phelps share his accounts of the competitions.

“We like to hear and know what is going on in the equestrian world here in Wellington, and we really enjoyed hearing him speak,” said Frank Young, president-elect of the Wellington

Rotary Club. “The Olympics is such an excellent, interesting topic, and he did a great job. When we enjoy someone, we

WHO’S NEW

Allyson Jayden Lawrence daughter of Ruth-Allyson and Rodwell Lawrence of Royal Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Dec. 6.

like to try and have them back. He did another great job, and we would love to have him back again.”

New Staff Member Joins

Vinceremos

The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in Loxahatchee Groves has hired Carly Brown as its new head instructor and barn manager. Brown has quickly won everyone’s heart with her charming personality and love for the riders.

Brown graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in animal science/equine industry last spring. In college, she volunteered at Horses Helping People in Williston and the Marion Therapeutic Riding Center in Ocala.

West Hospital on Dec. 26.

The advanced individual training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.

Kirstyn Agra Lowry daughter of Jeldrys and Ryan Joseph Lowry of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 15.

Robins is the son of Ken and Diane Wilder of Royal Palm Beach. He is a 2008 graduate of Glades Day School in Belle Glade.

Ava Marissa Martinez and Aiden Joshua Martinez twin daughter and son of Marisol and Ricardo Martinez of Royal Palm Beach were born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 16.

Daniela Lopez — daughter

of Vera and Walter Lopez of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 17. Mark Ryan Willhite — son of Alexis and Matt Willhite of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 24.

Rebeca Isabela Munoz daughter of Maria and Francisco Munoz of Loxahatchee was born at Palms West Hospital on Dec. 26.

Jay’Lynn Nikkole Roberts — daughter of Gene Gardiner and Gregory Roberts of West Palm Beach was born at Palms

An’Twanique La’Shandy McFarland — daughter of Sheena La’Von Davis and Antoine McFarland of Wellington was born at Palms West Hospital on Dec. 27. Lillian Elizabeth Whitten daughter of Meghan and Josiah Whitten of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Dec. 31.

Abigail Lynn Rodgerson daughter of Elena Monte and Christopher Rodgerson of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Jan. 1.

Barry Manning, Mason Phelps and Ben Boynton at Nicole’s Village Tavern in Wellington.

Susan Giddings and Mason Phelps.

Carly Brown riding Jamie.

2009’S FIRST BABY BORN AT PALMS WEST HOSPITAL

Tanisha Hall and Pharouke Williams of West Palm Beach are the proud parents of the first baby born at Palms West Hospital this year. Daughter Ariauna Alexa Williams was born on Jan. 1 at 11:04 a.m., weighing five pounds, six ounces. Pictured above is Tanisha Hall with her new daughter.

Gerrits To Attend Obama Inauguration

Kathleen Gerrits, a student at Polo Park Middle School in Wellington, was recently accepted into the presidential inauguration program People to People. Gerrits will join a select group of returning People to People travelers from around the world to celebrate this monumental event Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C.

This special delegation will witness the swearing-in of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America and listen to his inaugural address. The students will also gain insight into American leaders throughout history during discussions with politi-

cal experts, have access to the U.S. Capitol and National Archives, and explore Washington’s treasured monuments and memorials.

As a successful People to People delegate, Gerrits earned an exclusive invitation to this unique program.

The program is coordinated by People to People Leadership Programs to fulfill the vision President Dwight D. Eisenhower had for fostering world citizenship when he founded People to People during his presidency in 1956.

For more information, visit www. peopletopeople.com.

Bassmasters Crown 2008 Award Winners

The Royal Palm Bassmasters held their 2008 End-of-Year Award Picnic on Jan. 3 at Todd Robiner Park in Royal Palm Beach. This picnic is held annually to give the club members and their families a chance to get together for a day of barbecue, bank fishing and socializing as awards are presented for the past year’s achievements.

The awards are based on a 12-month fishing season in which points, weight and number of fish caught determine the award winners. The winners are as follows:

• “Angler of the Year” was awarded to Mike Gershberg with a total of 539 points.

• “Non-Boater Angler of the Year” was awarded to Jeff Helms with a total of 459 points.

• “Classic Champion” was awarded to Mike O’Connor with 20 lbs., 7 oz.

• Second place “Classic Champion” was awarded to Gershberg with 17 lbs., 14 oz.

• Third place “Classic Champion” was awarded to Stuart Shoemaker with 15 lbs., 3 oz.

• “Most Live Releases” was awarded to Gershberg with 36 bass.

• “Most Weight for a Single Day

Catch” was awarded to O’Connor with 14 lbs., 13 oz.

• “Rookie of the Year” was awarded to Mike Madden with a total of 437 points. Bassmasters would like to congratulate all winners and club members for an excellent year of

Celebrities Tend Bar For Easter Seals Benefit

2nd Annual South Florida Camp Fairs

Sunday, February 8,

Raton Hotel 2000 NW 19th Street, Boca Raton

Easter Seals “celebrity bartenders” will be shaking and stirring at the Doubletree Hotel in Palm Beach Gardens on Jan. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. Join event co-chairs Virginia Lang of Wild 95.5 FM and Jay Cashmere of WPTV NewsChannel 5 as they raise funds for the children with special needs and disabilities at Easter Seals.

“Easter Seals’ own celebrities will bring together a great group of supporters in an effort to raise funds for the children we serve,” said Rhonda Clinton, executive director of Easter Seals Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Region. “We are excited to hold the event at the newly renovated Doubletree Hotel and are grateful to be working with a great team.”

Sharing the bar with Cashmere and Lang will be Easter Seals Tiptoe Through the Tulips committee member Donna Lewis, Easter Seals board member Rick Sartory and Dr. Travis Thompson. Guests will be treated to complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments while they enjoy the musical entertainment of Jammin’ Jim and a chance to win great raffle prizes. For more information, call Johanna Job at (561) 640-9521 or visit www. fl.easterseals.com.

Easter Seals’ Rhonda Clinton and the Doubletree Hotel’s Nicole Castonguay are getting ready for the Jan. 15 event.

Royal Palm Bassmasters award winners display their plaques.

Jan. 10 Memorial Service Will Honor The Lives Of Artist Susan Bradford, Son Alex

By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report

Area residents will gather Saturday, Jan. 10 in Wellington to remember prominent local artist Susan Bradford and her son Alex. Susan Bradford, 46, was known locally for her oil paintings, murals and trompe l’oeil effects, and 16-year-old Alex Bradford was a junior at Wellington High School and an avid Boy Scout. The two Wellington

residents were killed in a traffic accident in northern Florida on Dec. 28. Friends and family will celebrate their lives at a memorial service at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington on Saturday at 10 a.m. Susan grew up in rural Alabama were she attended high school without formal art training, but was deeply involved in painting and drawing from a young age and gained a local reputation for her work in her

teens. “Everyone has a calling, and she had hers since she was nine years old,” her husband Gary told the Town-Crier Thursday.

Soon after entering Faulkner State Junior College, Susan won a full art scholarship to the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where she studied sculpture, oil painting, photography, drawing and graphic design.

The couple, who met in high school, were married in 1980

Letters

continued from page 4 great educational efforts of Ms. Benacquisto, and Dr. Van Dusen has strong law enforcement experience.

All of you who will make this appointment appreciate and understand the sacrifices it takes to run for public office, for you have all run for the positions you now hold. You know the time, energy and commitment it takes to run for office. Each of the above ran excellent campaigns and presented themselves in a fashion of professionalism and fairness. All are people whom a great number of Wellington residents wanted to have serve on council. Any of these four are people Wellington residents could take pride in as our next councilman. I don’t know which ones have tossed their hats in the ring, but whoever of the four should be the only ones you consider as Mr. Margolis’ replacement. To appoint anyone who has not exhibited the determination and dedication for public office all of you did when you ran for office and that all four of the above have exhibited is simply not good public policy. In closing, I would like to thank those in the community who have asked me to consider applying for the appointment. I am deeply flattered, but whenever someone suggests I run for office I think of the old Groucho Marx line, “I would never join a club that would have me as a member.” Any of the four above are far more qualified than me.

Mike Nelson Wellington

Unger Still Not Impressed By

Bob Margolis

Editor’s note: The following letter is in response to the article “Margolis Reflects On His Six Years Of Council Service” published last week. Create a problem and then take credit for fixing it! Despite innumerable complaints from Binks Forest residents and pages upon pages of (computerdriven) code enforcement violations, it took over one and a half years for a single trial for a violation, and then mysteriously, the transcript disappeared. That, Mr. [Bob] Margolis, is your fault as an elected official; the buck stopped at your desk! When citizens (Binks) came

Moksha Yoga To Host Several Workshops

to a council meeting, you refused to let them talk, even though it was an agenda item! When [former mayor] Tom Wenham stated, “there will never be a house on a golf course while I’m mayor,” you applauded. And then several months later you voted for a zoning change to facilitate putting houses on our golf course. Had the village, under your tutelage, done its job, perhaps the golf course would never have had to negotiate for houses. You brought up the property value, leaving us (the residents) little choice but to support development. You take credit for getting rid of the all-volunteer village code board, but you neglect to state that for eight to nine months you refused to meet with your code board, despite monthly formal requests by the board, and two requests from your fellow council member Dr. Carmine Priore. You didn’t do your job! Lastly, but most interesting and important, I take exception to your statement, “I’m not saying Wellington government is dishonest, but I’ve always believed that perception is reality, and there needs to be better dissemination of information to all council people and to all who ask.” Bob, you talk about perception and then you throw out the word “dishonesty,” a trigger word no matter the words that follow, you just slandered people through innuendo! Let’s see now, you’ve been on the council how many years, and only now that you are leaving do you speak out? What have you been doing and where have you been all these years?

Either you didn’t do your job correcting this, or it’s sour grapes, of which there seem to be a lot of lately. I believe and know it to be the latter!

George Unger Wellington

Another Great Fishing Tourney

At the 18th Annual Children’s Holiday Fishing Classic on Saturday, Dec. 20 on Lake Wellington, the hunt for “Big Guy” continued. The 135 junior anglers, their parents and relatives witnessed the feeding of the giant grass carp that live in Lake Wellington before the 9 a.m. start of the tournament. But these prehistoric behemoths proved too wily to hook and bring in for pictures and a weigh-in, because

and had two sons: Alex and Taylor, who is now 20. Gary said his wife had an enthusiasm that was infectious.

“When she went into a room, she became the center of attention not because she was the loudest or the tallest, but because of her charisma and her energy,” he said. “Everything she did she did with a lot of passion.”

While Susan was successful in several media and did some work for commercial clients, the interior walls of many homes in the local area are graced with her murals and decorations, as well as her paintings and sculptures.

“She enjoyed being with people and being in people’s homes, and leaving things behind in people’s homes,” Gary recalled. “She pretty much befriended everybody she did work for.”

Alex, who was deeply involved in the Boy Scouts of America’s Venturing program, was a Life Scout about six months from reaching the level of Eagle Scout, his father said. An adventurous young man with an endearing sense of humor, especially toward himself, Alex was well liked in his classes at WHS and adept at computers and electronics, Gary said. “In his engineering and drafting classes, he had become almost a folk hero at the school with his computing abilities,” he said.

The family’s commitment to scouting helped forge friendships in Wellington, where they settled in 1990. Janet Woodrow said she met Susan at a Cub Scout roundup soon after they arrived.

“You know what she was? She was a motivator,” Woodrow recalled. “She would get you to get out and do things that you probably wouldn’t have done if it hadn’t been for her. She introduced us to the ocean — she was like, ‘come on, let’s go out on the boat — we gotta go do that.’ She wasn’t about doing things two weeks from now, but right away. She was very spur-of-themoment; she was very spontaneous — she lived life to the fullest.”

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington.

after 9 a.m. they scattered and weren’t seen again all day. The children caught and released over 200 fish from a threepound, two-ounce giant blue tilapia to little one-ounce bullhead minnows, so all species were represented.

We can’t thank Barbara Crawford and the staff at the Wellington Community Center enough for the clean facilities, which is no small task considering two dozen ducks and 12 pelicans now call the dock area home. It was great to see Lt. John Reed (retired), Lee Le Blane and Lou Gonzales of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, who assisted and brought the awards entertainment, a Florida alligator we nicknamed “Tim Tebow.” John has been with this event since the beginning and gets a big kick out of working with the kids. Bass pro Mike Jones was on hand with his son Justin, who assisted aspiring young bass pro Christina Kenny, along with Oliver Williams and Samantha Sawyer performing the weighins. Mike’s grandson, four-yearold Sebastian Edwards, finished third in the six and under division.

The more than 140 free tackle prizes we distributed to the children were a result of a generous $300 donation from the Lake Wellington Professional Centre and a $250 tackle donation from Gander Mountain of Palm Beach Gardens. The beautiful fish trophies were donated by Visual Images of Royal Palm Beach, and the bread bait was donated by the Courtyard Shops Publix with live worms provided free from Loxahatchee Bait & Tackle. Happy Holidays, and maybe we’ll catch up with “Big Guy” next year.

Tom Sawyer Wellington

Benacquisto Should Take Own Advice

Bravo, Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto! We, the people of Wellington, commend your efforts to make us aware of the Solid Waste Authority’s proposed dump site on Southern Blvd., so close to our beloved village (Letters, Dec. 26).

Thank you for remembering that we, the people, have a say in all matters Wellington, and that our input is crucial to any

Moksha Yoga Studio (3340 Fairlane Farms Road, Suite 5, Wellington) will host the beginner yoga workshop “Anatomy of Vinyasa” Saturdays, Jan. 10, 17 and 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. For all of those new to yoga or wanting to dig a little deeper, this is their opportunity to explore vinyasa from the inside out and expand their knowledge of a vinyasa flow yoga practice. Taught by Janet Meredith, the workshop will explore anatomy, the universal principles of alignment, sun salutations, pranayama and bandhas. Each session will be followed by an extra-juicy savasana. Bo Forbes will lead “Elemental Yoga” Friday through Sunday, Jan. 23-25. Forbes is a leading clinical psychologist, yoga teacher and yoga therapist in the Boston area.

PZA Board Supports Stables

continued from page 1 of time in the back, and most of us have pools. I’m concerned about smell. If my neighbors build on our side, it will be very, very close. We have dinner out there a lot, and I’m not sure how the smell would work.”

Community Development

Director Marty Hodgkins said the original Wellington PUD did not have a restriction on the building of stables, but when the equestrian overlay was enacted, the option was removed from lots that had not already built stables. The areas in question had not been included in the equestrian overlay because they were less than two acres.

Delai said the Paddock Park area was also excluded from the overlay because it had not developed with an equestrian orientation but gravitated more toward big homes with swimming pools and cottages.

decision regarding the well-being of our village. Thank you, too for reminding us of when and where the meeting dedicated to the dump site hearing is taking place.

As you are well aware, many of us are so busy that we barely glance at a newspaper, turn on a TV or bother to see what goes on in the world outside our tiny radius. And even though the burden should fall not on you but on us to be kept current, we appreciate your efforts.

Please feel free to continue reminding us in an equal fashion on all issues. Please apply the same standard to the proposed giveaway of the K-Park property to Palm Beach Community College that you are so brilliantly championing on the dump site. Certainly the giveaway of 67-plus acres to PBCC is worthy of our attention and input as well, is it not? Why haven’t you been so diligent in getting the word out about what the council is proposing to do with our $40 million piece of property?

Let me take a moment to quote you, quoting the council in your letter to the Town-Crier on Dec. 26: “if a new landfill site must be selected, then the selection process should take place in the open and with the full knowledge and input of the residents of the western communities.” Let’s try that quote with one small substitution: “if the giving away of 67-plus acres at an estimated value of $40 million to PBCC is to take place, then the selection process should take place in the open and with the full knowledge and input of the residents of the Village of Wellington.” There, now the same standard is applied to arguably the single most-important issue facing the village in several years. Thank you as well for your previous letter to the Town-Crier stating that unless your “vision” is met in its entirety, you would not support this gift to PBCC. We are holding you to that, Councilwoman Benacquisto. A single building or a few rooms dedicated to your idea of a “shell” university with many participants from all over the state is merely a veiled effort by Mayor [Darell Bowen] to secure your vote. Stand by your principles and uphold your standards. We are counting on you. Liz Iliff Wellington

Moksha will host the training program “Stretch Results” on Sunday, Feb. 1. Stretch Results is a pure flexibility program that works on the principle that when muscles are short and tight they draw bones closer together resulting in poor postural alignment and joint mobility. Poor range of movement inhibits many potential clients from adhering to a regular exercise program. On Sunday, Feb. 8, Moksha will hold the workshop “Restore and Renew” from 4 to 6 p.m. Led by Lisa Pumper and Joy Kochmer, the workshop will help you reduce stress and anxiety and allow you to surrender to two hours of blissful relaxation. The cost is $55. The cost is $95 for all three sessions. For more information, call (561) 427-1767 or visit www.mokshayogastudio. com.

about how qualification for eligibility would be determined. Hodgkins said each lot in the area is unique, but that many of the houses have setbacks of 70 or 80 feet from the street right of way and would probably not have ample space for stables. “We would have to do individual assessments,” he said. “If someone wants to put in a stable, we would ask them to show us the trailer parking area.” DiFonte made a motion to recommend approval of the ordinance. “I see this as a positive thing,” he said. “If I lived there, of course I’m an equestrian person, I would want that opportunity restored.”

PZA Board Member Morley Alperstein said he felt most of the people there who would be eligible to build stables would not act on it if it were restored. “I personally think it’s a good idea, too,” he said.

Resident Al Boyd of Stirrup Lane, whose 12-year-old daughter Madison led a petition drive last year to allow stables in Paddock Park, said many residents who signed the petition did not realize they had lost a previous right to build stables.

“Almost everyone on Stirrup Lane was unaware the law had been changed,” Boyd said. “I don’t think everyone is going to go out and build a stable, but they want to retain that option.”

Boyd said one objector at the board’s December meeting had registered concerns about horses destroying lawns, but Boyd showed pictures of homes on small lots with stables and two horses that had perfectly manicured lawns, as well as pictures of homes with stables and horses that he said he felt would be undesirable.

Delai said they would be appropriate to send to the Architectural Review Committee.

PZA Board Member Craig Bachove said he was concerned

WEF Plans For The Future

continued from page 1 sulting, which provides consulting services around the world and recently opened corporate offices in West Palm Beach.

“They are well known for their involvement in equestrian activities,” Braddick said. “Here in Wellington, they have for several years sponsored the Rider Challenge, which is probably one of the most hotly contested series for $200,000.”

FTI Executive Chairman Dennis Shaughnessy said his company is proud to be associated with WEF and equestrian sports in general. The firm is a well known-problem solver in the corporate world. “We are the largest restructuring company in the world,” Shaughnessy said. “We are in 26 countries, and we are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Sports are very important to FTI.”

Shaughnessy said he has a very personal passion for sponsoring equestrian events. “It has been a great partnership not only here at WEF, beginning with Gene and I sitting down one day and trying to figure out how to come up with a different kind of prize, and we came up with the Rider Challenge,” he recalled.

Shaughnessy equated his own company’s performance to the horse-and-rider equation in equestrian competition.

“We think it’s the ultimate definition of professionalism and trust,” he said. “You have a

Delai said his concern was that since those neighborhoods did not develop as equestrian areas, dissonance would result and some parts would see significant congregations of stables and others none.

“I hate to come down on the wrong side of a decision,” Delai said “I’m not going to support it, but I think the majority of the board supports it.” DiFonte, who lives in the equestrian overlay, said the intent would be to allow the opportunity for some residents to have one or two horses so mom or dad and the children can go riding, not like his area where there is heavy horse activity all day.

“The fact that it is on an equestrian trail merits that we return to the original rights for this land,” DiFonte said.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to ride over to the neighbor’s and go for ride, rather than jog or drive? I see it as a significant benefit, not a detriment at all.” DiFonte’s motion for approval was seconded by PZA Board Alternate Alphonso Hernandez. It passed 3-2 with Bachove and Delai opposed.

phenomenal animal in these horses that are great athletes, but the horses have to trust the rider’s judgment, when they’re going to negotiate the jumps, how they’re going to leave out strides, put in strides and they have to trust the rider’s judgment of how to negotiate the courses. I think it epitomizes our relationship with our clients. They have to trust us to use our judgment to solve complex problems. This is a great, exciting sport. We think it’s a sport that deserves much more media attention.”

One way to help equestrian sports would be to put more capital and money behind the prizes and arrange events in series so people can keep track of them in the media, Shaughnessy said.

“That’s the reason Gene and I came up with the Rider Challenge, as a way of keeping score with the riders over a whole series of events, rather than just have it be event by event by event,” Shaughnessy said. “I’m hopeful that what Mark is trying to accomplish here with his team can be projected into some of the other fine venues and come up with something that is not only financially rewarding for the riders and owners, but will help elevate the posture of the sport not only in the media, but introduce to a broader market how exciting and beautiful these events are.”

The 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continues through March 29 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). For tickets, visit www. equestriansport.com or call (561) 793-5867.

Well-known Wellington artist Susan Bradford, who died Dec. 28 with her son Alex in a tragic accident, is shown here in front of one of her signature murals. PHOTO BY SUSAN LERNER/WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE

ER Doctors Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Center Opens In Wellington

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

Physicians from throughout South Florida joined Palms West Chamber of Commerce members on Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of ER Doctors Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Center in Wellington.

Located at 3319 State Road 7, Suite 102, in the Palomino Park Professional Center and staffed by four practicing emergency room doctors, the center offers the unique advantage of minor emergency care and traumatic urgent care. Within Palomino Park is a network of collaborating medical facilities and specialists, including a diagnostic center and cardiologists, said staff physician Dr. Yolanda Gonzalez, who is also an emergency room doctor at Lawnwood

Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce.

“We chose Palomino Park because it includes a lot of medical facilities and doctors in just about every specialty,” said Dr. Benny Menendez, staff physician and director of emergency services for Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.

“It’s also a growing community,” added Wellington resident Dr. Frances Rodriguez, staff physician and ER department medical director at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Both Broward General and St. Mary’s are trauma centers.

The open house was primarily for local physicians. The center does not seek to do followup care, but rather refer patients to their primary doctors for con-

tinuing care and forward records for patient files.

“We’re looking to be an asset, not a competition,” said Dr. Robert Nisenbaum, a staff physician and ER doctor with Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach. “If there’s something a doctor can’t treat in the office, like giving IVs or taking X-rays, they can refer them to us. We have a pleasant environment, friendly staff, and it’s economically to a patient’s advantage.”

ER Doctors accepts all major insurance plans but will not turn away uninsured patients.

“Whatever the office co-pay is for a physician is what we charge, so it’s a lot more convenient and less expensive than an ER,” Rodriguez said. “Many people don’t realize that. And we’re here when primary doc-

tors can’t be, whether it’s after hours, on holidays or if they’re overbooked.”

In addition to eight examination rooms, one equipped for critical care, ER Doctors features X-ray equipment and a slit lamp for eye examinations. “Most walk-ins don’t have optical equipment,” Menendez said.

With the lamp, doctors can check eyes for abrasions, lacerations, foreign bodies and diseases. For now, the center draws blood and sends it to the nearby Quest Diagnostics laboratory.

Once licensing is completed, ER Doctors will house its own lab.

ER Doctors Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Center is open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. For more information, call (561) 333-4000 or visit www.myerdoctors.com.

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

Radiographer Susanne Allan reviews a digital X-ray image. Dr. Benny Menendez examines Sandra Nisenbaum’s eyes.

Alicia Martinez, Rosalind Menendez and Debbie Kwon.

Jose Calvo, Regis and Tom Wenham, Dr. Frances Rodriguez and Tensy Caine.

Dr. Daniel Ghiragossian, Dr. Eliezer Hernandez and Dr. Mauricio Melhado enjoy chicken meatballs.

Office manager Patty McDermott shows Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen the patient discharge area.

Dr. Benny Menendez examines Jeffrey Gonzalez.

(Front row, L-R) radiographer Susanne Allan, office manager Patty McDermott and EMT Virgilio Gonzalez; (back row) Dr. Robert Nisenbaum, Dr. Frances Rodriguez, Dr. Yolanda Gonzalez and Dr. Benny Menendez.

Dr. Jorge Acevedo, Denise Delaney, Dr. Frances Rodriguez and Bobby Ewing.

ER Doctors staff members join Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors for a ribbon cutting.

The Phantoms Preview

The 2009 Shows At The Lake Worth Playhouse

2009 brings another topnotch lineup from the Lake Worth Playhouse, kicking-off with Nunsense, one of our favorite productions!

• Nunsense , Jan. 16 to Feb. 1 — A hilarious talent show is staged by the five survivors at the Little Sisters of Hoboken nunnery intent on raising funds to bury four of their dearly departed sisters who lost a bout with botulism brought on by Sister Julia’s homemade vichyssoise. This musical comedy by Dan Groggin won the Outer Critics’ Circle award for best off-Broadway musical, Best Book and Best Music.

• The Crucible, Feb. 27 to March 15 — Arthur Miller’s Tony Award-winning drama famously details the mass hysteria that led to the tragic 1692 Salem witch trials. The accusations of a group of misguided girls set a tense town on a mad witch hunt that pits neighbor against neighbor and changes lives forever. Written in 1953 at the height of McCarthyism, Miller’s provocative play parallels the events of his time and delivers a dramatic study in “the conflict between a man’s raw deeds and his conception of himself.”

• Send in the Queens , March 27 and 28 — Lake Worth’s Pride Week drag show is back by popular demand for two nights only! General admission costs $35. In addition, there will be a drag show benefit fundraiser. Admission costs are determined by the following donation categories: Supporter, $50; Benefactor (reserved seating), $100; Queen (reserved seating), $500. The cost includes a pre-show cocktail party at 7 p.m. in the playhouse rehearsal hall and an after-party with the cast at the Cottage restaurant (522 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth).

• Always… Patsy Cline , April 17 to May 3 — This is Ted Swindley’s tribute to the

legendary country singer whose career was cut short when she died in a plane crash at the age of 30. Based on the true story of Cline’s friendship with a fan she wrote to from the time they met at a Texas honky-tonk in 1961 until her tragic death in 1963, the show features many of the singer’s unforgettable hits, including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Walking After Midnight.”

Main stage productions run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., select Sundays at 7 p.m., and select Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Single ticket prices are $25 to $29. Subscriptions range from $66 (the Snowbird Special) to $240 (VIP dinner and dress). Complimentary valet parking is available to subscribers.

The Lake Worth Playhouse is located at 713 Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth. To purchase tickets to any of these upcoming shows, or for additional information, call the Lake Worth Playhouse at (561) 586-6410 or visit www.lake worthplayhouse.org.

Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are featured writers for the Town-Crier newspaper. Comments are welcome at thephantomdiners@aol.com.

P.B. Light Opera To Present ‘The Chocolate Soldier’

The Palm Beach Light Opera Company will present its first production, a concert production of The Chocolate Soldier with music by Oscar Straus and libretto by Stanislaus Stange on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.

All performances will be at the Kaplan Jewish Community Center auditorium (3151 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach). The Chocolate Soldier will feature a cast and orchestra of 30 directed by Joseph N. Rubin.

After its 1908 premiere in Vienna, The Chocolate Soldier opened on Broadway in 1909 and ran 296 performances. It was successfully revived on Broadway six times, most recently in 1947. The 1941 film version staring Nelson Eddy and Risë Stevens kept the some of the score but replaced the original plot, which is based on Shaw’s Arms And The Man

One of the most beloved operettas of all time, The Chocolate Soldier was constantly revived by stock and amateur companies all over the country, but has not been seen in recent decades. Oscar Straus’ score contains the immortal song “My Hero.” The Palm Beach Light Opera Company’s production marks the 100th anniversary of the Broadway premiere.

The Chocolate Soldier is a hilarious romantic comic op-

era set in 1885 Bulgaria, in which Bumerli, a wisecracking but cowardly soldier of the Serbian infantry, lands in a Bulgarian woman’s bedroom in an attempt to escape from both the enemy — and his own army. Uproarious incidents occur as the woman Nadina and her mother and cousin try to hide Bumerli from the dimwitted Bulgarian army, and later attempt to cover up the scandal when the men of the house return from the war. An allaround riotous plot with a magnificent musical score, The Chocolate Soldier is an unforgettable ride you won’t want to miss.

The Palm Beach Light Opera Company’s 2009 season will continue with a concert production of Victor Herbert’s Sweethearts (1913) March 1315 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Victor Herbert’s birth.

The Palm Beach Light Opera Company is a newly formed non-profit theater company based in Palm Beach. It is dedicated to the preservation and performance of classic operettas. Founded and incorporated in 2008 by Executive Director Joseph N. Rubin, the Palm Beach Light Opera Company is a volunteer-based organization providing talented singers and musicians in the South Florida community with

the opportunity to perform in operetta productions. Tickets to The Chocolate Soldier cost $25 general admission and $20 for students. To purchase tickets, or for ad-

Arbor Day Celebration At Mounts

Mounts Botanical Garden, Palm Beach County’s premier horticultural treasure, will host a special Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, Jan. 16 at 9:30 a.m.

The event will include a tree planting and dedication to be held in the Mounts herb garden. The theme of this family-friendly event is “Going Green: A Celebration of Trees” and will include several VIP speakers who will focus on the critical role that trees play in people’s lives, a welcoming reception and a proclamation of support from local elected officials.

Mounts board member Beverly M. Miller, president of Stepping Up and Out, is coordinating the event. Speakers will include:

• Mike Zimmerman, president

of the Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden and owner of Zimmerman Tree Service

• Allen Sistrunk, Mounts garden director

• Audrey Norman, Palm Beach County Extension Service Director for the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension. Her topic is “Growing Green: Extension in Our Well Being”

• Geoffrey Sagrans, assistant director of materials management at the Breakers Hotel, whose topic is “Palm Beach Going Green”

• Deborah Levulis, extension agent/master gardener coordinator for Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension, whose topic is “Trees for Our Well-Being”

• Steven J. Royer, director of development for the Friends of

ditional information, call (561) 582-0593, e-mail pblightopera @yahoo.com or visit the Palm Beach Light Opera Company’s web site at www.pblightopera. com.

Botanical Garden

Mounts Botanical Garden, whose topic is “Our Future in Trees”

• Cantor Elaine Shapiro, who will celebrate the dedication of a Tamarind tree in the herb garden RSVP by Jan. 12 by calling Mounts Botanical Garden at (561) 233-1757.

Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska in 1872. Originator J. Sterling Morton, a journalist from Detroit, moved to the Nebraska Territory in 1854.

Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden. Mounts displays tropical and subtropical plants from around the world, including plants native to Florida, exotic trees, tropical fruit, herbs, citrus, palms and

more. As a component of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service, and through its affiliation with the University of Florida, Mounts is the place to connect with extension horticulturists, master gardeners, the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program, and professional horticultural advisors. Mounts also offers a variety of horticultural classes and workshops. Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, Mounts Botanical Garden is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The suggested donation for entry to the garden is $5 per person. For more information, visit www.mounts.org.

The “sisters” from the play Nunsense.

Cast members from The Chocolate Soldier

My New Year: Emergency L.A. Nervous Breakdown Housecall

I was actually invited to four New Year’s Eve parties this year, which may not be a lot for some people, but for me was some kind of record. In an odd sort of way, I felt validated as a human being — there were people out there who liked me. Of course, my life being what it is, I didn’t get to go to even one. That’s because on Dec. 29, my sister called from L.A., where she was having a nervous breakdown in the parking lot of a Ralph’s Supermarket. I couldn’t begrudge her the breakdown — she deserved it. She’s had one heck of a year, and the holidays definitely have what it takes to push someone over the edge. But I knew that it would take me a day to get out there, at least two days to tear away at her cloud until we found some remnant of a silver lining, and a day to get back. So I

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

told my husband to go on ahead, drink an eggnog for me and let our hosts know I was really, really sorry to have missed the fun.

Then I packed my bags.

When I got to California, my sister wasn’t able to meet me at the gate. In fact, she wasn’t able to meet me at all because she was in Cancun — not

on a fabulous vacation, but because she is a flight attendant and had to work. She left me a phone message telling me where to find her car and keys and said I should have “no problem” navigating the Los Angeles freeways to her home 30 minutes away. I can barely navigate my way to the post office a mile from my own home, but when my only sister is ready to crack, I do not whine about things I’m pretty sure I cannot do. I just do them. Worse, I had to do everything in reverse to pick her up the next night. Her dashboard lights were out; the north-south freeway near the airport becomes an east-west freeway near her home, and when I saw a street name I recognized (Vine), I ended up downtown at Hollywood and Vine — a fun side trip but in the wrong direction. I asked a

non-native for help, and he told me to take “oneone” which, without the accent, turns out to be “101.” I finally just looked to the sky and followed the planes.

Reunited at last, Pam gave me a hug and told me she’d “picked up an extra trip” the next night, which would pay her $750 because it was on New Year’s Eve. She seemed to be doing a little better! So I sent her on her way and did what I do best — clean. I scrubbed her floor, cleaned out the fridge, took down the Christmas tree and packed everything away. Then I took the lights off the outside of the house. Upon her return, she was so happy that all talk of guns, ropes and cyanide was history. As for me, I discovered that there are other ways to be validated as a human being.

‘Valkyrie’ Perhaps Too Lenient On Horrors of Nazi Germany

Valkyrie is a reasonably good movie designed to memorialize the brave men who attempted to end World War II in 1944 by assassinating Adolf Hitler and overthrowing the Nazi regime. Ironically, it focuses so much on the internal politics and wavering courage of so many of the conspirators that Hitler’s supporters actually look somewhat purer. Hooray for Hollywood!

The movie’s problem is it’s all too neat and clean. After a brief mention in the beginning of the film, the Holocaust is not mentioned. The real reason behind the plot, the fear that Germany’s enemies (particularly the Russians) were closing in, was mentioned only in passing. Hitler (David Bamber) does not appear often and comes across as a cipher. If most of us (except those in Britain, where teaching about the Holocaust has become controversial and is often skipped) did not know how evil he was, he would

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

seem innocuous. The assorted people around him is finally able to connect Major Otto Remer (Thomas Kretschmann) to Hitler. Remer, the man who puts down the revolt, is shown as a brave and dedicated Nazi.

The plotters are shown as a mixed lot, many of whom are incapable of making a decision. Eventually our hero, Tom Cruise as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, makes his move without waiting for

the others, and as a result they do virtually nothing until he reappears on the scene after escaping from Hitler’s headquarters after the bombing.

The scenes that follow, as Stauffenberg and his fellow plotters attempt to take Berlin and other key cities as part of their coup, are easily the best in the film. I would guess the audience was rooting for them to win as the good guys. Of course, in accordance with history, the Nazis won. And since most of the Nazis shown were good looking and believed in their loyalty, the deaths of the plotters did not seem nearly as horrific as they should have been. Cruise’s death by firing squad was not much more dramatic than those of the lesser stars.

It was a strange film. To its credit, it sheds light on a historical event that is often overlooked.

Many people assume all the Germans loved Hitler, when that was not true. There was opposi-

tion, although it was very quiet and very limited. Before the Germans themselves actually begin to get battered, there were almost no voices heard opposing Hitler. Of course, after the war, most Germans were quick to protest that they had never really liked the man.

The truth, as usual, is in the middle, and the movie attempts to show that. Unfortunately, by stressing the bumbling nature of the plotters and their unwillingness to act compared to the direct action of the Nazi true believers, the plotters’ decency is ignored. But the movie holds the audience’s attention and does focus on a long-forgotten element of history. It is not the best movie of the season, but it is certainly not the worst. In essence, it is a Hollywood version of sincere, decent and moral. Had it been more historical and perhaps more antiNazi, I would have enjoyed it more.

As 2009 Gets Rolling, I Find I Have Plenty To Wonder About

Gather the kids and the grandkids: it’s that time of the year again. It’s time for my “wondering column.”

I wonder if I will keep any of the many New Year’s resolutions I made. I have already broken at least a dozen of them… I wonder if Presidentelect Obama will grant Canal Point Elementary’s Damon Weaver the interview he deserves. He earned it. He already has plane tickets and a place to stay in Washington when Obama raises his right hand…

I wonder if ESPN’s search engine will once again pick up my column as it did a couple of weeks ago when I wrote about Damon’s trip to a Miami Heat game. Maybe if I write more about the Miami Heat they will…

I wonder when the financial situation that we are stuck in will come to an end. I wonder how many more folks will lose their homes this year. I hope none…

I wonder how bad the hurricane guys will try to scare us this year. I also wonder if we will be spared from the big one in 2009. I hope so…

I wonder if the people of the western communities will allow a garbage dump to be built in our

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

back yard. I wonder if the people realize the traffic it would create on Southern Blvd. and in the towns and villages in the area Southern Blvd. passes through. I wonder if people know how much garbage falls off of these very large trucks onto the roadside as the trucks make their way to the dump. If you don’t believe me, just take a ride down Haverhill Road near their beautiful dump and you will see the mass of garbage on the side of the road…

I wonder if the members of the Wellington Village Council will appoint me as their next councilman. I can dream, can’t I? …

I wonder how many people bet at the start of the football season that the Miami Dolphins make

the playoffs. I don’t think there were many… I wonder if the New York Yankees have heard the country is in a financial crisis…

I wonder if Don Brown will get a new oven. I also wonder if Don will now go out for breakfast… I wonder (and hope) a cure for cancer and heart disease will be found in our lifetime… I wonder if I will ever write a book…

I wonder how many more grandchildren my kids and the man upstairs will bless me with. Another one is due to arrive in March… I wonder how I would look in a beard and a moustache… I wonder why I can never win the lottery. I keep trying, but so far no luck…

I wonder if people will ever stop talking on their cell phones while they are driving. I wonder if these folks think they are so important that they must talk on the phone while behind the wheel. I would disagree. I also wonder how folks can drive while putting on makeup, shaving or eating a three-course meal… I wonder why gas stations are allowed to sell cold beer. Who do they think is drinking the beer they are selling? It’s not the folks walking by their gas stations, it’s the folks who are driving those

very powerful cars that most car makers can’t give away nowadays… I wonder when the car companies will lower their prices — maybe then they will be able to sell their very-overpriced cars… I wonder how many of these companies will actually go out of business. I think as long as the government is giving them our money, none of them will…

I wonder if we will see a point in our lifetime when no wars are taking place on Planet Earth. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all could get along with each other? Again, I can dream, can’t I? I wonder if I will see a military draft again in this country. I do feel a strong wind coming… I wonder how low the gas prices will go before they start going up again. And you can bet your bottom dollar they will go up… I wonder if this year we start seeing ads for Christmas right after Labor Day. I am sure we will… I wonder why people still gas up their cars here in the western communities, as most of us know gas prices are much cheaper on State Road 7 and points east… If you want to add to my list of wonders, just drop me a line care of the Town-Crier

TOWN-CRIER SPORTS & RECREATION

Wellington Wave Hosts Soccer Tournament At Village Park

By Paul Gaba Town-Crier Staff Report

More than 30 travel soccer teams from across the state took to the fields

Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 3 and 4 at Wellington Village Park on Pierson Road to participate in the Second Annual Wellington Wave Shoot-Out Tournament.

Ten championships were won in various girls divisions, while 15 boys champions were crowned, with youths ranging from eight to 18 years of age

competing. Local champs included the Wellington U-9 girls blue team (Penta), the Wellington U-11 boys white team, the Wellington Wave U-13 boys white team, the Royal Palm Beach Strikers U-13 girls team and the Wellington Wave U-15 boys team (Breton). The tournament was originally scheduled for last October, but had to be moved due to inclement weather. For more information about the Wellington Wave Soccer Club, visit www. wellingtonsoccer.com.

PHOTOS BY PAUL GABA/TOWN-CRIER

Casperey Stables Offers Comprehensive Horsemanship Lessons

One Saturday in November found me visiting two different barn/yard sales. The contrast between the two was interesting.

I started out at Needlepoint Farm in The Acreage, run by Deborah Darwin, who also worked for The Barn Book for 12 years. She ran the small barn, which she rented from the owner who lived in the main house on the property. She lived in the barn apartment. The property is now in foreclosure, but Darwin was upbeat about moving to the town of Chiefland, just west of Ocala.

“I can’t afford to live here, even though I make a six-figure income,” she said. “It’s too hard for a single person. The taxes and insurance just kill you.” She was selling a little of everything — tack, gates, horse blankets, bits, saddles, girths, a refrigerator, odds and ends, furniture, and a ton of

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

nice horse collectibles, especially Breyer models. She also had a nice mare for sale. The mare, a two-year-old American Saddlebred, stood in a stall, pushing her nose through the bars, friendly and curious. “She’s a great mare,” Darwin said. “She just needs a new home.”

People wandered in and out, and there seemed to be more looking than buying. It was quiet, sad — another dream gone. “It’ll be OK,” Darwin said. “I’ll be moving in with some friends and helping them run their farm.”

The second barn/yard sale was held at Casperey Stables on D Road in Loxahatchee Groves. Lori Cooper owns and manages the stable, which is situated on ten acres and has 34 stalls that stay “mostly pretty full.” There are two lighted, irrigated, footed rings, grassy turnout, hot- and cold-water wash racks, fly sprayers and fans in the stalls, and a round pen. There are some trails on the property and more close by. This barn was bustling. There were people and horses everywhere. Cooper explained that the yard sale was the boarders’ idea. It seemed that every-

one had stuff they needed to get rid of, so they decided to host the sale. Everyone had a small booth area, and a few “outsiders” rented booth space for $5. There were craft items, boots, saddles, horse models, Christmas ornaments, some furniture — a little of everything. And everywhere kids running, talking, looking at stuff.

“The main thing that sets us apart from the big show barns is that we’re family-oriented and kidfriendly,” Cooper explained. “We’re not fancy. We’re clean and neat and safe and competitive at shows, but our main goal is our people, not how well we do at shows.”

There’s full and partial board available, at prices ranging from $240 to $550. Cooper also said custom packages are available to meet everyone’s specific needs.

Casperey Stables offers complete horsemanship lessons, so students learn not just to ride but how to care for the horses and do barn chores. Group and private lessons are available, as well as riding camps during the summer and during winter and spring breaks. “We accept children between the ages of seven and 14. It’s co-ed, and there are three riding activities every day, including a lesson, a cavaletti or vaulting lesson, and mounted games,” Cooper explained. “Some kids bring their own horses, and some ride our school horses. They can also do a partial lease on a school horse for three days a week.” Cooper has taught riding for 26 years. She started out in Broward County, then moved up to Loxahatchee Groves in 2002 because “it got too crowded down there.”

Casperey offers lots of things to get involved with. In October, a group took 12 horses to a beach ride on Hutchinson Island. There was a costume contest for Halloween (Cooper’s horse came as the Incredible Hulk), and in December a Christmas parade, stall-decorating contest and Toys for Tots drive.

“I love being here, riding with my friends,” said Cooper’s 14-year-old daughter Carrie. Her friends were all eager to chime in. “I started coming here three years ago, to the summer camp,” said Brenna Harker of Wellington, 13. “I had ridden at one barn before I came here, but I stayed here. These are the best people. They’re amazing. They always support you, and don’t bring you down.”

“I’ve been taking lessons here for two years, and now I’m leasing a horse,” said Jamie Lauginiger of Royal Palm Beach, 14. “I’ve really learned a lot here. My riding position is a whole lot better. The trails are nice, and they have amazing trainers.”

Sierra Montuori of Loxahatchee, 13, said she became a better rider by riding different horses, switching around a lot and getting used to different horse personalities. “Anyone who loves horses and wants to learn about them and riding would love this place,” she said. “It’s all about riding and having fun.”

“We have a lot of fun with the horses, but we’re also about building friendships,” Cooper said.

For more information on Casperey Stables, call (561) 792-4990.

Some of Casperey Stables’ students.

Dylan Siegal (right) prepares to head a throw-in.

Marco Navarette (left) goes for a block.

Tournament volunteers Usha Vargas and Laura Kandare with Wellington Wave President Sam Falzone at the information table.

Manuela Correa (left) controls the ball.

Robert Budd in action.

Assane Dial (16) vies for the ball.

Team Amadou U-8 player Alex Lawson (38) attacks the ball while Jordan Caro (25) looks on.Wellington Wave U-15 boys team players Austin Mills (18) and Robert Budd (22) angle for the ball.

Referee Barry Grubb with goalie Maximo Vanja.

Wolverine Wrestlers Look To Compete In State Championship

In recent memory, it has been the baseball and soccer teams dominating the athletic spectrum at Wellington High School. Names like DiLallo, Lenhart and Brasovan are heard continually on the school’s announcements. The school’s wrestling team has seemed to operate under the radar. That is, until this year.

Senior Zach Pincus, who is ranked fourth in Florida for his weight class, and senior Brian Nelson have set the tone for the Wellington wrestling team this season. Along with fellow senior Anthony Dedi, the boys have gotten off to a strong 16-4 start.

Proving to be a dominant force throughout the area, the boys have won numerous meets against high-quality opponents. Jupiter and Seminole Ridge high schools continue to be major competition for WHS. However, the highlight of the year came against crosstown rival Palm Beach Central.

Although unable to gain a team victory, Nelson made a bold statement by defeating PBCHS wrestler Matthew

Wolverine Watch

By Josh Hyber

Dooley in an individual match. Dooley, ranked sixth in the state, lost to Nelson 7-2. “Brian is having a great year and has improved a lot,” WHS Coach Travis Gray said. On Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, WHS wrestlers tested their skills at a tournament in Port St. Lucie. Pincus wrestled in a weight class two levels higher than his own and still came away with a second-place finish. In his weight class, Nelson finished in a respectable fifth place.

Sophomore Jake Ferrara, who presently has a record of 19-3, is a bright spot in the future of the WHS program. Participating in the Port St. Lucie event, Ferrara was injured. However, he still managed to take second place. “Jake has progressed quite a bit and is

taking care of his competition,” Gray said. “I hope we can have him back for the rest of the year.”

The boys are now looking ahead to do post-season damage at the state meet. As for Pincus, he is ready to conclude his high school career with a bang. Currently 22-1, the team leader is ready to become a state champion. “Zach is a good all-around captain on and off the mat,” Gray said. “He’s helped our team in many ways.”

The next major tournament on the Wellington wrestling calendar is the county championship Jan. 16 and 17. If things continue to go their way, the Wolverines will compete in the state championship in late February.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Wellington’s boys varsity basketball team could not help leaving its locker room in silence on Tuesday. You could have heard a pin drop. “We should have beaten that team by 50,” one of the players sighed. Hosting the St. Andrews

Scots, the Wolverines fell apart in the second half and went on to lose 48-38.

In the first half, however, the Wolverines had the momentum. Early in the first quarter, sophomore guard Scott Witkowski made two clean blocks on consecutive plays. The second block started a nice fast break, which led to a Mike Randell three-point play.

The Wolverines had the game well under control, with senior Milton Cook and sophomore Davis Martin off to hot starts. With a solid cushion of a lead, Head Coach Matt Colin substituted players frequently. After picking up his first foul, he even took out senior forward Rahiem Smalls. The first frame ended with the Wolverines leading 1410.

In the second quarter, the Wolverines continued their fine play. Randell, along with senior Ricardo Gutierrez, played well. It got to the point that with just fewer than five minutes to play in the half, St. Andrews’ entire lineup was substituted.

The change worked; the

GIANTS WELLINGTON YOUTH BASEBALL CHAMPS

Scots were noticeably faster up and down the court. In the third quarter, they capitalized with their new look, scoring with an up-tempo offense and playing pressure defense. Wolverine guards Randell, Witkowski and junior Tyler Wood had a hard time bringing the ball up the floor and could not get the offense rolling.

“I was hoping we would gain composure and take care of the basketball,” Colin said.

In the blink of an eye, the score was tied 27-27. The Wolverines answered with a run of their own. With St. Andrews not having scored a basket since tying the game, Randell hit a perfect three-point ball from the top of the key, bringing the score to 34-27. WHS was back in stride.

But not for long. St. Andrews quickly battled back, hitting several jump shots and going to the foul line often. The game was tied 38-38. An unusual formation from St. Andrews’ offense brought the ball up the court with just less than three minutes remaining. The Scots held the ball and eventually called a timeout.

After a St. Andrews player drained two clutch free-throws, Colin called a timeout of his own. “We always try to have two options off an inbounds play,” Colin said. “We were really looking for a play to the basket.”

Trailing now by two, they did just that. Sophomore forward/ center Rex Kirby, who wears number 33, did his best Patrick Ewing imitation (sorry Heat fans, I’m from New York) by posting up his defender. However, the attempt hit the rim and bounced wide. Several lastminute desperation shots by Witkowski and Randell did not fall. The buzzer finally sounded with the Wolverines being shutout in the last few minutes of the game.

Suarez AYSO Youth Coach Of The Year

James Suarez, a coach with the American Youth Soccer Organization Region 1521 (Acreage/Loxahatchee), was recently named Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation’s “Youth Coach of the Year” for 2008. He will receive his award on Thursday, Jan. 15 at a Council of Youth League Presidents meeting held at the Okeeheelee Nature Center.

In his nomination letter, AYSO Region 1521 Commissioner Lisa Seltzer praised Suarez for his work with the league.

“[In] his first season, he coached one of our U-10 boys teams and quickly became our most requested coach,” Seltzer wrote. “I have been told by many parents of his ability to pass on his knowledge and passion for soccer to their children. More importantly to me, as AYSO is a recreational league where everyone plays,

James has been able to make all of the players on his team, regardless of their skill level, feel included and has helped them improve. It’s easy to coach a team where everyone is a superstar, but being able to keep your practices informative and challenging for every player, from a new player to travel-quality player, is the test of a true coach. He was also the coach of one of our first AYSO State Games teams, and he and his boys represented our region admirably.” Since 1964, AYSO has led the way in youth sports. AYSO was the first youth sports organization to mandate that every child must play in every game and with the AYSO Kids Zone program, every child is ensured a positive environment to play soccer. For more information about the AYSO Region 1521, visit www.ayso1521.net.

“We have to be a tougher group — grow up and grow up quickly,” Colin said. Basketball is said to be a game of stretches, or “runs,” and the game between the Wolverines and the Scots was just that. But unfortunately for Wellington, the stretches came at the wrong times, and they fell short in the end. Wellington Youth Baseball 78 Division San Francisco Giants recently earned the title of league champions. With two outs and a runner on second, lead-off hitter Paulie Morra hit a two-run home run to win the semifinal game. Then, in the championship game against an undefeated team that beat the Giants in the regular season, Sean McCalister hit a threerun home run to give his team the lead. Dane Manning made a great play at the pitcher’s mound and threw to first for the out and an upset victory. The Giants are led by Coach Paul Morra, Coach Jeff Orloff, Pitcher/Coach Brian Noonan, Coach Chris Manning, Coach Scott McAllister and Coach Brad Roeth. (Right) The Giants are Jeff Orloff Jr., Paulie Morra, Anthony Rios, Dane Manning, Eli Roeth, Noan Noonan, Angel Tiburcio, Gabe Packer, Sean McAllister, Philip Aursnes and Kessler Spector.

PHOTO COURTESY JACKELINE ORLOFF

Karen Connelly

Equestrian

Margie Engle Wins Equestrian Properties $25,000 Grand Prix

four days before the start of

the 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which kicked off Wednesday. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center is home to the Winter Equestrian Festival and the site of the first outdoor Nations Cup held in the United States. The competition areas include the 360’ x 280’ all-weather International Arena, the Bertalan DeNemethy Arena, Mogavero Ring and Grand Hunter Field in addition to several other competition rings. The competition and warm-up rings have allweather footing. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www. equestriansport.com or call (561) 793-5867.

Outback 40-Goal Challenge Feb. 14

Michelob Ultra, sponsored by former high-goal patron Adolphus A. Busch IV, will play EFG Bank in the 2009 Outback 40goal Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. “Michelob Ultra Polo is honored to participate in this event because it helps those in polo who need it the most,” said Busch, a former high-goal player who continues to sponsor the sport in various ways throughout the United States. “Polo is a great sport. I miss playing, but by being a sponsor I still feel a part of the game.”

The world’s best players are

scheduled to play in the annual exhibition game, including all four members of Ellerstina, which captured the prestigious Argentine Open with a 13-12 overtime victory over La Dolfina in mid-December in Buenos Aires. Facundo Pieres, the second-youngest 10-goaler in the history of the sport, Gonzalito Pieres, Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero are all expected to play in the Outback Challenge. Another player expected to participate includes seventime Argentine Open champion Mariano Aguerre, who plays for White Birch in the United States.

“It’s like an all-star game,”

Busch said. “This is an incredible game to watch, and the cause is very important to me.” Proceeds from the gate, a VIP dinner, and silent and live auctions will benefit the Polo Players Support Group, which provides financial assistance to seriously injured or ill polo players or grooms. Among the players who have received financial help is Rob Walton, an eightgoaler who was injured in 1995 while playing in Malaysia. To date, the Polo Players Support Group has provided financial assistance to more than two dozen seriously injured or ill players and grooms.

Walkathon To Benefit Needy Children

Temple Beth Torah’s youth group will hold a walkathon on Sunday, Jan. 11 to benefit Camp Jenny, a four-day camp for underprivileged children in Atlanta run by Jewish youth from across the Southeastern United States.

Titled “Miles for Smiles,” the Jan. 11 walkathon is the social action project of the temple’s youth group. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. at Temple Beth Torah (900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington). Walkers seek sponsorships from individuals, families and companies who are willing to donate money. All of the money raised will go directly to Camp Jenny. In past years, Camp Jenny has

been partnered with the Study Hall, an after-school program for children in a badly troubled inner-city area of Atlanta called Peoplestown. The Study Hall gives the children ongoing attention and enhanced learning opportunities such as tutoring and field trips. The students who meet the goals of the program are given the opportunity to attend Camp Jenny. These children are handpicked by their teachers and principals to attend the camp.

Camp Jenny is held annually during Memorial Day weekend at the campus of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Coleman in Cleveland, Ga. It was named in memory of Jenny Rosenthal following her death in 1987. Camp Jenny is totally funded, directed and operated by youth groups from the North American Federation of Temple Youth of the URJ’s southeast region, of which Temple Beth Torah’s group is an active member. In the past years, the Temple Beth Torah youth group raised $1,800, $3,000, $5,000, $7,800 and $10,000 for Camp Jenny. This year the goal is to raise $10,000. The cost to send one child to Camp Jenny is $450. The youth group’s goal is to send 22 children to the camp. For more information, call Temple Beth Torah Youth Director Jessica Starkschall at (561) 209-2616 or e-mail youth director@templebethtorah.net.

of

Properties with Margie Engle and Hidden Creek’s Tosca.

PHOTO COURTESY KEN BRADDICK/HORSESPORT USA

Saturday, Jan. 10

• Congregation B’nai Avraham (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6, in the original Wellington Mall) will host its first Family Shabbat Service designed for school-age children and their families on Saturday, Jan. 10. The family Shabbat format will continue on the second Saturday of each month. Service begins at 9 a.m. and is followed by a kiddush (a light Shabbat meal). For info., call (561) 793-4347 or e-mail info@congregation bnaiavraham.com.

• The Folke Peterson Wildlife Center (10948 Acme Road, Wellington) will hold its inaugural family fun day fundraiser “Call of the Wild” on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with food and festivities for the whole family. Admission is free, but some activities will require a small fee. There will also be inexpensive snacks and lunch available at the Back Porch Bistro. For more info., call (561) 793-2473 or visit www.fp wildlife.org.

• Beverly Blanchette of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts will offer a Monologue Audition Workshop at Lee Harris Music Lessons in Wellington (11360 Fortune Circle, Suite E-1) on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop fee is $95. The suggested age is ten to 17. To register for the workshop, call Blanchette at (561) 333-0931 or e-mail bblanchette@bell south.net.

• The Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach Community College (4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth) will present the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats as part of its Saturday Family Fun Series on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

These actors, athletes and artists combine acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes and theatrics to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty. All seats are $12. For more info., call (561) 868-3309.

• Larry Vick of the Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County will explain how a major DNA project helped solve a Revolutionary War mystery at their meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Palm Beach County Public Library on Summit Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The Genographic Project is tracing the migration of man from Africa to the far corners of the world. The meeting is open to the public. For more info., call (561) 6163455 or e-mail ancestry@ bellsouth.net

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present the movie Funny Girl with Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Gosman Amphitheatre. Tickets are $5. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info. Sunday, Jan. 11

bee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present “American Big Band” on Monday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis. org for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold an English Exchange on Mondays, Jan. 12 and 26 at 1 p.m. for adults. Practice English conversation skills with Literacy AmeriCorps member Paula Alexander. Basic Englishspeaking skills are required. Call (561) 649-5495 to preregister.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present violinist Itzhak Perlman with pianist Rohan de Silva in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall on Monday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for info. Tuesday, Jan. 13

• The next meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Na’amatSharon Club will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 11:30 a.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). A light lunch will be followed by a short business meeting. The guest speaker will be Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits. There is a small fee for lunch. For info., call Annette Haber at (561) 793-1484.

• The January meeting of the Wellington Art Society will spotlight artist Norma Winter on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Winter will give a demonstration on the art of silk painting. The meeting will begin with light refreshments at 6:30 p.m., followed by a brief business meeting at 7 p.m. The demonstration will start at 7:15 p.m. For more info., visit www. wellingtonartsociety.org or call Adrianne Hetherington at (561) 784-7561.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Five Secrets to Permanent Weight Loss” on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. for adults. Chiropractor Dr. Sabrina Morgen will explain how your metabolism works and share secrets that can lead to increased energy, weight loss and better health. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington branch of the Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches (13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A-15) will host the seminar “Body Fat: Fact, Fiction, & How to Lose It!” on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. with Evolution Wellness Center owner Bryan Nichols and Dr. Craig Selinger of Selinger Chiropractic & Acupuncture. Healthy refreshments will be served. The cost is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. For more info., call Sharon at (561) 253-6030.

Wednesday, Jan. 14

• The first Sunday games of the 2009 polo season will take place at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Jan. 11 with a round of the 20-goal Joe Barry Memorial Cup, which runs through Sunday, Jan. 18. The International Polo Club is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For tickets, brunch reservations or more information, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.internationalpoloclub. com.

• The Diamond Vision Elite 17-U travel baseball team will hold tryouts for its summer team on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. at Palm Beach Community College’s Lake Worth campus (4200 Congress Avenue). For info., call (561) 385-2693.

• Temple Beth Tikvah (4550 Jog Road, Greenacres) will present “Jewels of Jewish Music” with Nat Titanoff and Dr. Maxine Schackman on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. They will present a musical slide show highlighting the golden age of Jewish entertainment. The evening is free and open to the public. Call (561) 9673600 for more info.

Monday, Jan. 12

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a Chamber Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 12 at 7:45 a.m. at the Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant in the original Wellington Mall. For more info., call Anitra Harmon at (561) 790-6200.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Baby Story Time” on Mondays, Jan. 12 and 26 at 9:30 a.m. for infants under nine months and 11:15 a.m. for ages 10 to 18 months. Your baby will love the rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeecho-

• On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Wellington branch of the Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches (13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A-15) will show you how to Organize Your Photos for the New Year. Come to this free informational session at 9:15 a.m. to learn how to enjoy your precious memories. RSVP to Sharon at (561) 253-6030. Friday, Jan. 16

• The 2009 South Florida Fair will open at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Southern Blvd. on Friday, Jan. 16 and continue until Feb. 1, offering two weeks of fascinating exhibits, great entertainment, games, rides and tasty fair food. For more info., visit www. southfloridafair.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present its Discover the World Book Discussion Series on Friday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. for adults. Barbara Harnick will lead a discussion of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Wellington branch. Call (561) 7906070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Science Club: Snowflakes” on Friday, Jan. 16 at 3:30 p.m. for ages eight and up. No two snowflakes are alike. Participants will see this is true by looking at snow crystal morphology. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• A Gift Gathering Party to support the Wellington Rotary Club’s March gala will be held on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at the home of event chair Karen Hardin (9847 Royal Cardigan Way, Wellington). For info., call Hardin at (561) 324-1149 or e-mail kjhsedona@aol.com. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 7936090. E-mail: news@gotown crier.com.

Annual 90-Day Challenge Returns To Wellington’s Ultima Fitness

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Ultima Fitness/Xtreme

Tae Kwon Do 90-Day Fitness

Challenge is back for the seventh year with a new, more userfriendly and fun format, according to the fitness club’s co-owner Jill Merrell and event organizer Judy Duany.

“Last year it was all about body transformation, photos and an essay,” Duany said. “It required everyone to write an essay and take pictures. This year it’s more of a motivational program. They can choose from different activities each week.”

This year’s Fitness Challenge does not require before-and-after pictures or an essay on how the challenge has changed their lives, although participants can earn points for them, and the number of points determines the winner.

“It’s really based on how many points participants have this year,” Duany said. “The person who wins this year will be the person who completes the most activities.”

Merrell said the challenge is not focused solely on weight loss. “This isn’t the ‘biggest losers’ that people see on TV,” she said. “This is about people making a change in their life to improve the quality of their health and mental fitness.”

Each week, a new set of activities will be posted on a bulletin board in the gym, Duany said.

“You will get more points for a bigger change, because this is about transforming your body and getting more fit,” Merrell said. “At the end there will be a large number of points given to the person who loses the most amount of body fat and the person who gains the most muscle. They will receive credit if they’ve lowered their blood pressure, if they’ve improved their cholesterol or heart rate or if they’ve done things to improve their overall fitness.”

The contest will encourage participants to engage in things they have never tried, Merrell said. “If all they’ve ever done is take a cardio class and never did strength training, they cannot change their body like that,” she said. “People who get stuck in the same rut get an adaptation syndrome in fitness. We’re try-

ing to get people to step out of their comfort zone and try different things to improve the quality of their life.”

Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tai

Kwon Do offers about 45 activities including group fitness classes, Duany said. Participants will be able to attend a wide variety of selected classes to earn points, including mixed martial arts, tai kwon do and yoga.

“We have a whole bunch of different cardiovascular exercises available, or combinations that incorporates the bike, the treadmill or the Stairmaster,” Duany said.

Participants will earn credit for using strength machines other than what they are accustomed to or engaging in activities they don’t normally do, such as push-ups or sit-ups.

“If they have only done situps a certain way, if they try it a different way, we’ve taught them something new and they’ve got additional points,” Duany said.

Merrell said that while the program is open to club members, newcomers can join the club for the challenge at a reduced rate.

“We’ve offered a deeply discounted rate for the 90 days for members of the community who want to come in and participate in the Fitness Challenge, all of the workshops, the training, everything that comes with the 90day challenge,” she said.

Duany has been involved with the Fitness Challenge since it was conceived seven years ago as a recovery program for holiday overindulgence.

“This is Judy’s passion to keep this thing going,” Merrell said. “There’s a lot of work that goes into it, but the goal of our organization is to see people lead a healthier, happier life, and we know if they use these tools, they can do it. This is the kickstart at the beginning of the year to give them all of the tools possible. It’s not to see who has the leanest body. It’s to see people feel good about themselves.”

Merrell said fitness involves not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well.

“The way that we improve as a person is to try something new,” she said. “We want people to say, ‘this is fun; I like it here. Not only have I improved

my fitness, I’ve improved my mental fitness. I’ve met new people; I’ve enjoyed the social interaction of coming here.’ We have people who came here as kids and now they’re coming in here now their kids. It’s a very family-friendly, non-threatening environment.”

Duany added that the definition of fitness has come a long way since the 1970s. “It’s not just strength training, running on the treadmill, and jumping up and down,” she said. “That’s the way some people think of it. People think they can’t do it because they have arthritis or fibromyalgia. There are so many activities that we offer here; there are many options that the trainers can show them.”

The only mandatory item for the Fitness Challenge will be a body fat analysis, Duany said.

Last year the 83 participants took off a total of 663 pounds, an average of almost eight pounds per person, Merrell said. The winner will receive a cash prize, a total makeover at Visions Hair Salon and a day of relaxation at European Day Spa, in addition to other donated prizes.

Other participants will be in a raffle, earning tickets for each five points they have acquired during the challenge.

“Last year we had a top three and that was it, so the rest of the people didn’t get anything even if they worked really, really hard,” Duany said. “We didn’t want that to happen. The more things they do, the better chance they will have of winning something.”

Merrell said the true value of the 90-Day Fitness Challenge lies in self-improvement.

“If you come in here and you’ve moved your body and you feel good about yourself and you’ve made some social interaction, that may be what you’re looking to get out of it,” she said. “The goal is to become healthier in mind, body and spirit. So much of being healthy and being physically fit has to do with the mind. We live in a society that is overly stressed. The demands that are placed upon us, on our time and now with things going on with the economy, politics and everything else, people are really stressed. I think what you

need to do is slow down and say, ‘what am I doing to take care of myself?’”

The registration fee for Ultima’s 90-Day Fitness Challenge is $25 per participant, and includes a challenge t-

shirt, before-and-after bodyfat analyses and admission to all challenge workshops. Registration is ongoing through Sunday, Jan. 18. For more information, call Ultima

Fitness Challenge — (Above) Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do owners Jill Merrell and Justin Merrell and office manager Judy Duany in front of the 90-Day Fitness Challenge bulletin board. (Below) Jill Merrell and last year’s second-place fitness challenge winner Christina Armstrong.

Fitness at (561) 795-

PHOTOS BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

WRMC Campus Adopts No-Smoking Policy

Wellington Regional Medical Center has made a New Year’s resolution. Effective Jan. 1, the hospital and medical campus has become smoke-free. This means that no tobacco of any kind is permitted inside or anywhere outside on the hospital property — not in lobby entrances, parking lots or other outdoor areas around the hospital’s campus. Promoting a healthier lifestyle within the hospital community

is a goal of the hospital. There are many dangers associated with smoking and secondhand smoke such as increased risk of heart disease, cancers of the mouth, throat and lungs, and respiratory diseases such as COPD, to name a few.

“As an organization of healthcare professionals, we care about the health of our patients, employees and our community,” WRMC Chief Executive Officer Kevin DiLa-

llo said. “Becoming a completely tobacco-free workplace lets the community know that we encourage and support a healthy lifestyle.”

Support systems have been in place throughout 2008, giving staff of the hospital and medical offices ample time to prepare for the implementation of the new policy. Wellington Regional Medical Center remains committed to providing ongoing education and support

to assist employees, physicians, patients, volunteers and vendors.

Wellington Regional Medical Center invites everyone to join the smoke-free movement and quit as well. Learn more about the benefits of quitting and get tips on smoking cessation at www.wellington regional.com. Click on “Health Information.” Under “Wellness,” click on “Smoking Cessation.”

New Research Study For Foot And Leg Ulcers

Americans are living longer, but living longer means our aging population is at greater risk for acquiring disease. For those with high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease (PAD) is of particular concern.

PAD, often described as “poor circulation,” is diagnosed when the large arteries of the leg narrow, thereby restricting blood flow. The tissues then become starved of the blood, nutrients and oxygen they need, and in the dis-

eases’s most advanced form, skin ulcers begin to develop. At this stage of PAD, called critical limb ischemia (CLI), the health threat is serious. The threat is so serious that it is difficult to grasp, but the fact is that PAD at the stage of CLI presents the likelihood of amputation or even death. At this time, there are no prescription drugs available to effectively treat CLI, and there are limited treatments available that will delay or prevent amputation.

While these facts present a grim outlook, there is hope thanks to a unique new opportunity. Dr. Wael Tamim, a Fort Lauderdale-based physician, is currently conducting an investigational research study for PAD at the stage of CLI with foot and/or leg ulcers. It is anticipated that the investigational study medication may promote new blood vessel growth and may delay the time to amputation and/or death.

The research study is currently seeking qualified partic-

County Offering Course On Neighborhood Revitalization

Palm Beach County’s Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) is proud to once again offer the Resident Education to Action Program (REAP), a sixweek, hands-on educational program providing community revitalization and civic leadership development. The program is intended to help residents who are interested in improving their neighborhoods. The theme this year is “Unity in the Community.” REAP supports the formation of neighborhood associations and empowers residents to seek a better quality of life. Through this course, residents will gain knowledge of innovative ways to solve neighborhood issues. Course topics will be: Successful Neighborhood Revitalization, Approaches to Community Organizing and Strengthening, Sustaining Neighborhood Economics, Project Safe Neighborhood, Building Healthy

Neighborhoods, and Civic Engagement: A Call to Action. Residents will also be provided an overview on OCR’s programs and initiatives as well as learn more about county government, community resources and services that are available for neighborhood improvements. One mission of REAP is to provide an opportunity for county residents to acquire a greater knowledge of and appreciation for government through active participation in the process. Residents will perform a mock commission meeting and showcase their strategies to local county and city officials. Participants will be given the opportunity to apply for a grant through the America’s Next Top Neighborhood Award Grant Program. Participants will also complete a community service project. Sessions are facilitated using a variety of innovative

techniques including group activities, lectures, guest speakers, individual outside work and oral presentations. The course and all materials are free but a commitment for the entire six-week course is required. Seating is limited and available on a firstcome, first-served basis.

There are two upcoming REAP courses:

• Western Palm Beach County — Jan. 22 to Feb. 26, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Palm Beach Community College, 1977 College Drive, Belle Glade.

• Central Palm Beach County — March 17 to April 21, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Palm Beach County Vista Center, 2300 N. Jog Road, West Palm Beach.

To register for REAP, or for additional information regarding the program, visit www.pbc gov.com/ocr or contact REAP Coordinator LaToya Ricketts at (561) 233-5239 or lrickett@ pbcgov.org.

ipants. Individuals must be 50 years of age or older with stable skin ulcers or non-infected gangrene on a foot or leg, diagnosed with PAD at the stage of CLI and be unsuitable for bypass or revascularization. Additional criteria also apply.

If you or someone you know suffers with skin ulcers due to peripheral artery disease at the stage of critical limb ischemia, call (888) 853-4656 or visit www.tamarisstudy.com to determine eligibility.

Screening For Stroke And Osteoporosis To Be Offered This Month

Area residents interested in reducing their risk of having a stroke will have two opportunities to be screened this month.

Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will be at the St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church (1063 N. Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach) on Jan. 15 and at the Living Word Lutheran Church (2116 Lantana Road, Lantana) on Jan. 19.

Appointments will begin at 9 a.m. The complete screening package now includes a new heart rhythm screening which checks for irregular heartbeat, a major risk factor for stroke.

A stroke, also known as a “brain attack,” is ranked as the third-leading cause of death in the United States and often occurs without warning. In fact, four out of five people who suffer a stroke have no apparent warning signs prior to the stroke.

The good news is that with early detection, 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

Screenings are painless, accurate and affordable. They help identify potential health problems such as blocked arteries, irregular heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysms and hardening of the arteries in the legs, which is a strong predictor of heart disease. A bone-density screening to assess osteoporosis risk will also be offered and is appropriate for both men and women. Since its inception in 1993, Life Line Screening has screened more than six million people, and currently screen more than a million people each year at more than 20,000 screening events nationwide. The cost to register for a wellness package with heart rhythm is $149. All five screenings take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Finger-stick blood tests and liver-enzyme screenings are also available. For more information, call (800) 697-9721 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.

Two Exhibitions Opening At Armory

The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach opens the new year with its well-know International Ceramics Invitational, showcasing works by some of the world’s finest functional and sculptural ceramic artists.

Included in this exhibition are works by Wesley Anderegg, Bennett Bean, Susan Beiner, Syd Carpenter, John Chalk, Christine Federighi, Andrea Gill, John Gill, Chris Gustin, Wayne Higby, Marc Leuthold, Richard Notkin, Don Reitz, Bonnie Seeman, Michael Sherrill, James Shrosbree, Nan Smith and Patti Warashina. For all ceramic collectors, this is a must-see show with new and exciting work by many of the ceramists. Most works will be for sale, ranging in value from $600 to $20,000. The exhibition includes very large sculptural works as well as fantasy functional work in extraordinary as well as practical sizes. This exhibition will be in the Montgomery Gallery, opening Jan. 9 and unning through Jan. 23. Some

of the ceramists are expected to attend the opening reception. Also opening on Friday, Jan. 9 is a colorful, fun and fantastic exhibition and installation by Roberley Bell called “Wonder.” Bell’s work has addressed concerns related to the construct of landscape and looks at the nature of nature. Bell’s public garden projects express a continuing interest in gardens and the built American landscape. This show will be in the Kraft Sculpture Garden and in the Colaciel-

lo

through Jan. 23. Bell will be attending the opening reception on Friday, Jan. 9. With more than a dozen stateof-the-art studios, over 100 course offerings and an annual student population of nearly 3,000, the Armory Art Center is West Palm Beach’s only community art center. The Armory Art Center is located at 1700 Parker Ave. For more information, or to sign up for classes, visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 832-1776.

Hispanic Chamber To Host Luncheon Jan. 14

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County will host a networking luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Airport Hilton (150 Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach). The guest speaker will be Wal-Mart Public Affairs & Government Relations Senior Man-

ager Michelle Azel Belaire. WalMart is the presenting sponsor. The cost is $25 for members in advance, $30 for members at the door and $35 for non-members. For more information, call the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at (561) 832-1986 or visit the chamber’s web site at www.pbhchamber.com.

Paul Martinelli To Speak At Women’s Club Dinner Feb. 5

The Wellington Women’s Club invites the public to attend a dinner meeting on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. The special guest will be internationally known public speaker Paul Martinelli. He is the teaching and business partner of Bob Proctor, a philosopher and one of the main instructors in the popular DVD The Secret, which explores the law of attraction. As a dynamic entrepreneur and president of Life Success Consulting, Martinelli teaches people how to achieve their dreams. Prior to teaming up with Proctor, Martinelli worked with the

Guardian Angels to help bring education and security to some of the most challenged neighborhoods in the United States. Martinelli is also a recipient of Northwood University’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award. Come join in this entertaining and informative night. The guest fee for the evening is $30 and includes a full dinner and the program. To make a reservation for the Feb. 5 dinner meeting, contact Mair Armand at (561) 6350011 or mair@armandpest. com by Sunday, Feb. 1. For additional information, call Stacy Kaufman at (561) 6325165.

Start The New Year By Getting Debt Problems Under Control

For consumers struggling with debt, a debt management plan can provide the step-bystep guide to help get them back on sound financial ground. At Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, certified counselors help consumers determine whether they can tackle their financial challenges through budgeting and reduced spending, or if the structure of a debt management plan would be more effective.

“A debt management plan is particularly helpful for consumers who are struggling to make even the minimum payment on their credit cards,” CCCS President Jessica Cecere said. “Ultimately, the plan serves the dual purpose of helping consumers repay their debts and helping creditors receive the money owed to them.”

A debt management plan, or DMP, is a repayment plan that provides a systematic method for paying down your outstanding debt. Consumers make a single payment to an agency like CCCS, which distributes the funds to creditors. CCCS works with both clients and creditors to design a debt repayment program that minimizes monthly

payments, interest and related fees, providing a manageable tailored plan for the client.

The repayment period varies based on amount owed and the repayment terms. The average debt management plan is structured to repay debt in 36 to 60 months. Debt can quickly become overwhelming if you ignore the warning signs. Look for the following warning signs and take action to avoid compounding the problem:

• Using credit cards to cover daily living expenses

• Making only minimum payments on credit cards, or struggling to make even minimum payments

• Carrying multiple credit cards and rotating their use to juggle balances and due dates

• Making payments late or missing payments for more than one month

• Charging more each month on your credit cards than you are paying toward the balance

• Credit cards that are at or close to their limit

• Not knowing how much you owe

• Calls from creditors

• Taking out loans or using equity in your home to pay off debt

• An interruption in income would cause immediate difficulty paying bills

“Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away,” Cecere said. “Getting help at the first sign of trouble can make the difference between a financial setback and a financial disaster.”

The key to reclaiming your financial independence is recognizing the need for help and getting it.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service is a non-profit community-service agency that provides confidential budget counseling, money management education, debt management programs, bankruptcy counseling and education, and comprehensive housing counseling.

Headquartered in West Palm Beach, CCCS also has offices in Boca Raton and Port St. Lucie and satellite service in Stuart. At CCCS, certified counselors are available to help you evaluate your financial situation and find the solution that best suits you.

For more information on debt management plans, or to talk with a counselor about your options for a debt-free life, call (800) 330-CCCS or visit www. cccsinc.org.

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the

Ice & Dice Casino Night Feb. 20

The Florida Panthers Foundation recently announced that the Fourth Annual Ice & Dice Casino Night will be held on Friday, Feb. 20 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa (3555 South Ocean Drive, Hollywood).

The event will feature the entire Florida Panthers team serving as dealers at the Las Vegasstyle event. Individual tickets are available to the public at $250, with each guest receiving $250 in gaming chips. Proceeds will benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

The evening will also feature dancing, live entertainment, themed bars and dinner stations, a first-class silent auction, amazing casino prizes and an exciting live auction. Auction items may include tickets to the Masters golf tournament, an F-16 fighter jet flight experience, private chauffer-driven Napa Valley wine tours, Colorado ski vacations and more.

Ice & Dice is sponsored by the Boca Raton Florist, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Dex Imaging, Fox Sports Florida, Dr. Steven

D. Gelbard, Dillard’s, Gulfstream Park, Mayors, the Miami Herald, Millennium Laser Eye Centers, Print Basics, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Southern Formals and We Take the Cake.

“The highlight of our fundraising activities is our annual Ice & Dice Casino Night, and I am proud to announce that this year’s event will once again be held at the Westin Diplomat,” Florida Panthers Foundation Chairman Stu Siegel said. “With the generous support of our sponsors, players, staff and the

entire organization, this year’s Ice & Dice will be a memorable night full of surprises and incredible entertainment.” Sunrise Sports & Entertainment is the premier company of its kind in South Florida. Home to more than 200 events annually and the Florida Panthers hockey club, the BankAtlantic Center is consistently a top-15 worldwide venue, according to Pollstar magazine. The center welcomes more than

P.W. Chamber Breakfast Jan. 12 At Gypsy’s Horse

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold its a breakfast meeting on Monday, Jan. 12 at 7:45 a.m. at the Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant in Wellington (12794 Forest Hill Blvd.). The guest speaker will be County Commissioner Jess Santamaria. The cost will be $15 for chamber members in advance, $20 for members at the door and $25 for non-members. For more information, contact Anitra Harmon at (561) 7906200 or anitra@palmswest. com, or visit the chamber’s web site at www.palmswest.com.

Paul Martinelli

new Starbucks Coffee café in Greenacres, located at 3991 Jog Road at the northwest corner of Jog and Lake Worth roads. The new location includes drive-through and wi-fi Internet service. For more info., call (561) 596-0379. Pictured here is store manager Mery Paulino and her staff with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and Greenacres Mayor Sam Ferreri.

Cell: 370-5293 THOMAS YACULLO, INC. — All types of Home Repairs, Handyman Services, 20 Years Experience, professional workmanship, reliable, dependable & inexpensive. Wellington resident. Free Estimates. 561-383-8893. SPECIALIZING IN KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

ANMAR CO. —James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528

MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-723-5836 WWW.GARABAR.COM Discount pricing. Remodeling & Repairs •Kitchens • Baths •Additions • Painting • Doors • Windows. No Deposit Until Permit • Credit Cards Accepted. 561-3376798 Lic. #CCC1327252 & CGC1510976

HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inspections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811

sured. Wellington Resident 25 years. 561-601-6458. Jeremy James Plumbing, Inc.

ELITE POOL CLEANING —"You dealt with the rest now deal with the best" All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinator, heaters, leak detection. 561791-5073. Inquire about 1 months free service.

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-309-6975 BD

PROPERTY CLEANOUT & MAINTENANCE SERVICE - Lawn Care/ Pressure Cleaning. Ins/Lic/Bonded Commercial/Residential. 561-333-8388 Foreclosure Cleanout Solution Corp.

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U13677. 967-5580. BD ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763. BD ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC-0067207 WWW.GARABAR.COM — Now is the time for the Best Prices. Re-roof & Repairs. No Deposit Until Permit Credit cards accepted. Free Estimate. 561-337-6798. Lic.#CCC1327252 & CGC1510976 IDEAL ROOFING SYSTEMS — Residential • Commercial • Licensed Bonded • Insured. New Construction Reroofs • Repairs • Roof Tile • Shingles Metal Roofs • Flat Decks • MaintenanceContracts info@idealroofingsystems.com. Palm Beach/Broward Office: 561753-7663 Fax: 561-753-7696. St. Lucie/Indian River. Office: 772-2886440. Fax: 772-287-9008. 11101 S. Crown Way #6, Wellington, FL 33414. Lic. #CCC1326453 HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, residential, commercial, reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.561-8426120. Lic.#CCC1328598

LOOKING FOR FULL —-TIME EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER - must be willing to drive 1 child to school. General housekeeping 6 am - 1 pm. Salary negotiable. Driver's License & Vehicle required. Background check. 561-5126892

CASE MANAGER — Case manage middle/high school students, recruit/ retain volunteers in Glades area. Public speaking. Computer lit. 80% incounty travel. AA/BS. Office in Pahokee. Non profit organization. Low 30's. Send resume to takestockinchild@att.net

WANTED: Live in Nanny for 3 children in Lake Worth Fl. Contact Shaney Weaver for more information at (954) 562-5254 PART-TIME MEDICAL ASSISTANTwith pediatric experience needed. 561793-3232 Earn $1,000 - $3,200 a month