CONGRESS COMES TO WEST PALM
PATRIOTIC FUN... AND FISHING!
er Marco Rubio, now running for a U.S. Senate seat, addressed the Palm Beach County Young Republicans at Roxy’s in downtown West Palm Beach on June 30. Page 9
College Assist: 15 Years Of Helping Students Achieve For 15 years, College Assist in the original Wellington Mall has served the western communities as an after-school tutoring center. Jonathan Iverson has been at the helm of the tutoring service since purchasing College Assist from founder Glenna McLean last July. Page 12
Online Poll
Should Wellington take more of a role in maintaining hedges?
A. Yes! The village should be in charge of maintaining all thoroughfare hedges.
B. No! It is the property owner’s responsibility. Wellington should just strictly enforce codes.
C. Stop worrying so much about fences and hedges!
Cast your vote by visiting www.goTownCrier.com and scrolling down to the poll question at the bottom left of the page.
Wellington and Royal Palm Beach held their respective Fourth of July celebrations last weekend.
(Above) Leora and Eliana Zimmerman show off their red, white and blue hats at Wellington’s Family Fourth Celebration at Village Park on Pierson Road.
MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 3
(Left) Nicholas and Ed McGregor took first place in the Adult/Child category at Royal Palm Beach’s 19th Annual Red, White & Blue Fourth of July Fishing Tournament at Lakeside Challenger Park, hosted by the Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters.
MORE PHOTOS, PAGES 5 & 11
Folke Peterson To Continue Some Educational Programs
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Palm Beach County Commission approved a grant of $10,000 Tuesday to help fund educational programs at the Folke Peterson Wildlife Center, which has announced it will close in less than a month for lack of funds.
The recreational assistance grant, good through October, will help the center cover the cost of programs such as school presentations and educational trail tours.
Folke Peterson Executive Director Heather Landstrom told commissioners that despite the closure, the wildlife rehabilitation center is not canceling educational pro-
grams it has already scheduled.
“You have certainly heard that Folke Peterson Wildlife Center is another victim of the economy,” Landstrom said. “Like many other nonprofit organizations in our county, we are suffering. Our board of directors recently made the painful decision to temporarily close the doors of the rehab center and public sanctuary. The educational program, which in the past year educated about 6,000 young people about Florida’s wildlife and ecology, will continue.”
More than 350 animals in rehabilitation will be released back to the wild when they are well enough or relocated
to other licensed rehabilitation centers, Landstrom said. Folke Peterson will keep animals used in educational programs.
“We are holding on to our precious educational animals, some of them rare species that we are hesitant to send to other facilities even in this time of closure because they are so precious,” Landstrom said. “We have trained them to work with children, and it would be a great loss to the young people of Palm Beach County if we send our endangered swallowtail kite or our owls or our hawks or our eagle out of the county.”
The center, located near the intersection of Southern
See FOLKE, page 7
New Technology Helping Village Get Storm-Ready
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
No one who was in South Florida in 2004 and 2005 will forget the destructive impact of hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma. With the 2009 hurricane season underway, though, many residents don’t realize that those terrifying events of a few years ago have yielded a sort of dividend in preparing for future storms.
Wellington Assistant Village Manager John Bonde, the village’s emergency management director, said Thursday that the storms that caused so much damage spurred local governments to invest in better technology to handle the next crisis.
Bonde said Palm Beach County has just invested in a new software package called Web EOC that ties its emergency operations center into
all county agencies and departments, as well as municipal EOCs. As one of the system’s end users, Bonde was trained on its use last week.
“Emergency managers will all be given passwords, and once you go into it, you can see what’s going on throughout Palm Beach County and what preparations are being made,” he said. “If you have specific requests for aid or supplies or something to communicate, either a condition or event, you can go in there and become part of that Web EOC group.”
Bonde said that disaster management communications previously relied largely on telephone systems, vulnerable not only to storm damage but also frequently overwhelmed with traffic during emergencies. Messages conveyed through tele-
See STORM, page 4
RPB Budget Gives Residents Small Tax Reduction
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Despite a significant drop in property values, the Village of Royal Palm Beach is looking to reduce its property tax rate by two percent for the coming fiscal year.
The reduction would bring the tax rate for property owners in the village from 1.97 mills to 1.93 mills. A homeowner with a property assessed at $200,000 with a $50,000 homestead exemption would pay $289.50 next year in village taxes at that rate.
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council discussed the millage rate reduction at a budget workshop Thursday.
“I’m here with a sort of bittersweet message,” Village Manager David Farber said. “I have prepared a budget that has the 15th straight tax rate reduction. There have been years when that tax rate reduction actually created more revenue, so it was not a true tax decrease, although last year it was. This year it will be a significant tax decrease.”
Farber said the recent transfer of police service to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office as well as the sale of the water utilities department to the county helped the village weather what he called a “perfect storm of economic and legislative turmoil.” Still, he noted that among few line-item increases in the draft budget, the one
for PBSO services is the largest, with the current year’s expenditure of $6,506,553 rising by $444,059 to $6,950,612 next year.
“When you compare the cost of their services to ours when we were in the police business, they are a huge bargain, but frankly they have the collective bargaining to deal with,” Farber said.
The village’s budget contains a 2.81-percent cost-ofliving increase and an average merit increase of three percent for all employees. However, the budget eliminates 11 village staff positions, all of which are already vacant, he said.
Farber explained that the proposed budget utilizes a carryover of about $1.3 million from the current year to fill in gaps for next year, rather than carry that money forward for capital projects as it usually does.
“Whatever money we don’t spend from the previous year is used for the next year’s capital budget,” Farber said. “It is that money that is essentially filling the gap in our operational side that is putting us in a position that we can operate a much smaller government but still provide the taxpayers some tax relief.”
Another measure taken to reduce the millage rate was to defer a number of capital projects and purchases for the
See BUDGET, page 7
Wellington Zoners Want Hedges Maintained
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board took a dim view of minor changes to rules on hedge heights last week, instead suggesting that the village take a more comprehensive look at revising its ordinance on fences and hedges. The PZA Board reviewed a proposal July 2 to amend village codes to allow an eight-foot height on most hedges. Currently the standard maximum height is six feet, although Wellington residents are allowed eight-foot hedges under certain conditions, such as a lot size of more than an acre or location along a major thoroughfare.
The current rules, approved in 2007, followed a public outcry over another set of rules approved five years earlier that required residents along thoroughfares to install a combination of a vinylcoated chain-link fence and
an irrigated hedge. The earlier ordinance was scheduled to become mandatory in 2007, but many residents learned of it only after replacing fences and hedges destroyed by hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.
Staff rationale for suggesting the two-foot increase in hedge height is that it would make enforcement of height and trimming rules easier.
Board Member Steve Delai said the current fencing regulations are ineffective in maintaining a neat appearance along Wellington’s thoroughfares.
“I expressed concern when it came to the board the first time that I didn’t think the ordinance was enforceable or workable by staff,” Delai said. “There are probably hundreds of individual property owners who have individual responsibility for keeping the thoroughfares in the Village of Wellington looking nice.”
Delai explained that the now-defunct First Wellington master homeowners’ association handled the maintenance of roadway landscapes before Wellington incorporated. After First Wellington was disbanded in 2000, maintenance became the responsibility of individual property owners. He said many rights of way in Wellington are not consistent or have not improved since the 2007 ordinance was approved.
“I’m not faulting staff,” Delai said. “I believe staff is doing the best it can with what they have. I just don’t believe it’s within their power to get that many homeowners to provide any consistency in the way those right-ofways look. I don’t think changing the heights from six to eight feet is going to make a dime’s worth of difference in the way this village looks.”
Delai showed a slide presentation of photos he took during a tour of the village,
including one of a hedge about 24 feet tall and another about 20 feet. He showed other thoroughfares that have sparse landscaping, none, or a mixture of plants, and other sections of road that have board fencing with no planting and one section with a dying ficus hedge that lost its water supply when the property owner installed a wood fence.
Delai said the village should take responsibility for maintaining hedges along thoroughfares. “I believe only the village can take care of the thoroughfares in a manner which makes Wellington look nice,” he said. With several new faces on the Wellington Village Council since the 2007 ordinance was passed, Delai said he thought they might be willing to consider a more comprehensive ordinance.
“I would recommend that we ask staff to ask the board to relook at this issue and try
to come up with something that really addresses the way Wellington presents itself,” Delai said.
Board Alternate Morley Alperstein noted the village’s current plans for a major facelift of the Forest Hill Blvd. right of way. “I think they’re getting federal money to do it,” he said. “They were going to attack this problem and just do it on their own, with irrigation from the curb to the property owner’s line. Once Forest Hill was done, their plan was to do every other major thoroughfare. That’s their master plan as I’m aware of it.” Planning & Zoning Manager David Flinchum said the plans for Forest Hill do not include privately owned hedges. “A lot of the photographs shown tonight were on private property,” he said. “It’s going to require some revision to fence and hedge placement, but as far as this See HEDGES, page 18
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN AND CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Hearing Spotlights National Disaster Insurance Proposal
By Carol Porter
Town-Crier Staff Report
Congressmen Ron Klein of Florida and Dennis Moore of Kansas heard testimony from Florida residents and insurance experts at a July 2 hearing in West Palm Beach on a proposed nationwide disaster insurance plan.
Klein, whose 22nd Congressional District includes much of the western communities, is spearheading an effort to create legislation that would allow states to pool the risks of natural disasters in an attempt to stabilize rising insurance costs. He is the main House sponsor of the Homeowners Defense Act of 2009. The Senate version is sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson (DFL). The U.S. House of Representatives passed similar legislation last year, but it stalled in Senate committee hearings.
Both Klein and Moore sit on the House Financial Services Committee, which con-
ducted the field hearing in the West Palm Beach City Commission chambers. In his preliminary comments, Moore said the creation of a nationwide risk pool makes sense, noting the disastrous effects of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and other gulf states and the 2007 destruction of Greensburg, Kan. by a tornado.
“This is not just a Florida problem, as some have suggested,” Moore said. “All along the gulf coast and Atlantic coast, other states have been ravaged by hurricanes. California has had earthquakes, and a number of states have been devastated by wildfires. How these devastating tragedies impact the affordability and availability of homeowners’ insurance is a national problem that demands a national response.” Klein agreed. “One of the misconceptions is that this is about coastal areas and the
New Owners Bringing Wellington’s Silver Screen Back To Life
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
ple said local interest has been very encouraging.
Closed since February, a familiar local landmark is in the process of reopening as the Silver Screen Theater & More.
The new operators of the longstanding cinema and café in the Wellington Plaza on Forest Hill Blvd. are Colleen Kosiba and Bill Bramer, who live in North Lauderdale.
Taking over the Silver Screen has been a yearlong process for Kosiba, who is officially the sole business owner.
Kosiba, an Ohio native who worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years, said she decided to buy a business last summer and started looking for opportunities, with the notion of a café or diner in mind. Bramer used to enjoy movies at the Cinema ’n’ Drafthouse in Broward County and explained the concept to Kosiba, and they came upon the listing for the Silver Screen two days later. It seemed like just what they wanted, and even more so when they came up to Wellington to have a look.
“I fell in love with the place — the character, the atmosphere,” Bramer said.
But with the economy going sour last year, getting a bank to finance the purchase proved impossible. “I tried for six months to get funding,” Kosiba said.
When the Silver Screen closed last February, the business and much of its furnishings and equipment were left in the hands of landlord the Bainbridge Group.
“In late March, Bainbridge called me up and said, ‘Colleen, we have about a dozen people interested — are you still interested?’ I said, sure!”
Kosiba won out over the other contenders and signed the lease for the theater on April 15, and has since been repairing and sprucing up the interior, making arrangements with suppliers such as food and beverage distributors, and getting the necessary permits and licenses in order.
That last item has proved a stumbling block to the reopening, as Kosiba discovered the previous owners were in arrears on taxes on the company’s assets. She said she is working with county officials to resolve the problem and get the business up and running, but hesitates to fix an opening date. “I’ve done that four times already,” she said. In the meantime, the cou-
“We must get 20 calls a day,” Kosiba said. “Asking whether we’re taking applications or what movies we’re playing,” Bramer added. Kosiba said she has heard from several former Silver Screen employees and is eager to put them back to work. As a novice business owner, she said she is looking for as much knowledgeable input as possible. “I’m not a stupid person,” she said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, you surround yourself with people who do.” The couple said the Silver Screen’s slightly revised title reflects their notions of what the cinema/café will offer — second-run movies and good food as before, but other entertainment as well. The space would serve well for bingo sessions, private parties, fundraising events and live entertainers. “We want to do a lot more events,” Kosiba said.
The cinema may also offer foreign films and screenings of classics like Casablanca and Harold and Maude or Hitchcock films, they said. Kosiba said the Silver Screen will still specialize in good, reasonably priced food. “We’ll be serving all-American food,” she said. “We’re going to do homemade meatballs, pierogis, a nice burger, good chicken wings, meatloaf.”
Movie general admission will be priced at $5, or $4 for children and seniors, and Kosiba said nothing on her menu will cost more than $12.99. “We’re going to be the affordable place for families to go for dining and entertainment,” she said.
Kosiba works as a flight attendant, while Bramer runs a Broward-based pool maintenance business, occupations that allow them the flexibility needed to get their new business started. Each owns a house in Broward County, and they said they will commute until they can sell them and move to Wellington. Kosiba and Bramer said they were surprised and charmed by the friendliness of people in the village, whether welcoming them as businesspeople or chatting in a checkout line. “It almost feels like I’m back in Cleveland, Ohio,” Kosiba said.
The Silver Screen Theater & More is
National Disaster Insurance — Congressmen Dennis Moore of Kansas and Ron Klein of Florida listen to testi-
WELLINGTON HOSTS A PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION AT VILLAGE PARK
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Rumour Hazit: Glen Evertsen, Shan Cash, Terry Harms and Peter Petrillo.
Apple pie-eating contest winner Kalie Galeda (left) with fellow contestant Abbey Rexhepi.
Youngsters compete in a sack race.
Contestants face off in the watermelon-eating contest.Tom Wenham with Karin and Kevin McLellan.
Jenny the Clown (Jennifer Snow) decorates Aihber and Akaisha Khan.
OUR OPINION
The Time Is Now For A National Disaster Insurance Plan
This week, the Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors approved a ten-percent rate increase on premiums. The state-run insurer of last resort, Citizens has long catered to homeowners living in high-risk areas or owning older homes. Unfortunately, the Citizens rate hike comes on the heels of State Farm announcing that it will leave Florida. Following Gov. Charlie Crist’s vetoing legislation that would have allowed the insurance company unregulated insurance rates, State Farm — Florida’s largest property insurer — said it can no longer afford to do business here. This would be bad news in a good market. With the market continuing its current slump, the timing couldn’t be worse for Florida’s homeowners. But the time is right for one thing, and that’s a national disaster insurance plan.
This isn’t the first time the Town-Crier has voiced support for a plan such as the one currently being sponsored by Congressman Ron Klein and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. We’ve been arguing the merits of a national plan for years now. And each time the topic comes up, it seems more critical to the state’s future than before — and more palatable to the rest of the country as well. In the time since our first editorial on the issue in February 2007, Kansas has been struck by a rash of tornados (May 2007) and California has been ravaged by a series of wildfires (October 2007 and summer 2008). Meanwhile, hurricane activity has been eerily absent in Florida. Not only that, while property values have declined, property insurance rates are still going up.
Opposition to a national disaster insurance plan comes from politicians in
Praise For Palms West ER Staff
I am sending this e-mail to communicate to you the exceptional job done by the Palms West Hospital ER staff on [a recent] Friday night. At 2 a.m. the ER received report of a chest pain coming in by fire-rescue, ETA five minutes. As usual the staff prepared themselves for the arrival.
Unknown to the ER, at this same time a major two-vehicle head-on collision occurred at the entrance to the hospital. A driver, along with two passengers heading east, crossed over three lanes of traffic and hit a family of five head-on. I was leaving the hospital, and the entrance was obstructed by the accident. As I got out of my car, I found one passenger who was ejected from the truck. Several other injured passengers were lying in the roadway. The first rescue engine pulled up. We stabilized the ejected patient, who was soon thereafter Trauma Hawked to St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Two patients were transported to triage by a taxi that had stopped, and multiple other rescue vehicles were on scene. One by one, stretchers of patients were wheeled into the ER where they were met with the most timely, professional staff I have ever seen. Patients were triaged, tests were ordered and treatments
administered in a way that would make anyone exceptionally proud to be a part of this team. Also, just as the last rescue arrived from the street, a pediatric transfer from Raulerson Hospital rolled in the door. The mass casualty was not a drill, and there was no real preparation, but the staff demonstrated such an unbelievable act of nursing care it would be terrible not to recognize when they performed above and beyond expectations.
Mary Jo Walsh-Watson Palms West Hospital
Responding To Rabin Column
Editor’s note: The following is in response to Jules Rabin’s column published June 19.
Mr. Rabin, I read your opinions regularly. This one I have to comment on. Did they say that after the universal healthcare bill is passed that they will just turn those emergency room visitors away? Do you really believe this statement, “uninsured people don’t get primary care, so they end up going to emergency rooms for things that could have been prevented had they access to primary care”? Emergency room is primary care. If it weren’t, they would be hospitalized. Come on sir, you are better than this!
Also, I am grieved to read
“low-risk” states who don’t think their constituents should pay for what happens in “high-risk” states. The problem is that there really aren’t many parts of the country that are safe from natural disasters. Further, insurance payments would be based on risk, and those in lower-risk areas would pay less than those in higher-risk areas. It is a concept that has worked well for flood insurance.
The next time there’s a catastrophe on the level of Hurricane Katrina, you can guarantee it will be a national problem. The government (both federal and state) is always the insurer of last resort and will be there to clean up the mess after the fact. Having a disaster insurance program in place will allow for better planning and a more organized response to the financial devastation wrought by Mother Nature. Those fearful of “more big government” due to a disaster insurance plan have no reason to worry. The goal is not for government to take over the industry, but rather to allow for a more competitive insurance marketplace with more and cheaper options for all homeowners. Natural disasters can occur anywhere, and it is unfair that Floridians should be penalized, as we are under the current system. California still awaits “the big one,” New England isn’t looking forward to the next blizzard, and next spring could bring more floodwaters to the Midwest. Any of these scenarios could take place over the next year. Merely hoping that they won’t is not a real plan. States shouldn’t have to wait for a federal life preserver after a disaster. We’re all in the same boat, and it’s time we shared the responsibility.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
of the passing of Don Brown. He was able to deal with delicate and serious subjects with lighthearted humor. He was always on the right side of the issue, with simple but brilliant solutions to vexing problems. I will miss him. Frank Morelli Wellington
Aaronson: County Is Ready For A Storm
As this is hurricane season, I would like to share the county’s hurricane preparations with you. Palm Beach County is in charge of evacuation and recovery actions. The county’s Emergency Management Division, is responsible for maintaining and developing contingency plans for major disasters. The county’s hurricane response and recovery plans have proven effective in the past and are periodically reviewed and updated. The cities have worked with the county to develop a response to provide public safety and health services to those areas affected by a hurricane. Before, during and after a hurricane, county staff and state and federal representatives are housed at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in West Palm Beach. Florida Power & Light representatives are also at the EOC coordinating power restoration
efforts with the county. This entire team is dedicated to saving lives, protecting property and getting us back to full operation as soon as possible.
Traffic Division Director Dan Weisberg advises that there are approximately 1,000 traffic signal heads throughout the county. As a hurricane approaches, engineering staff takes down signal heads as determined by the county engineer. These are stored to use after the storm passes. Engineering has a threefold plan for replacing/repairing traffic signals: assess for damages, make the roads safe (repair fallen wires, downed signal heads) and make temporary repairs, and finally, bring in outside help for permanent repairs. Priority is given to major intersections and schools.
Division Chief Jim St. Pierre from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue reports that there is a new location for its command center. Each fire rescue station will have a station manager who will communicate with the command center. He reminds us that when winds reach 40 miles per hour, service is stopped and 911 calls are stacked until the winds die down. When the winds subside, calls are returned, situations are evaluated and service is continued.
The Water Utilities Department has delivered and connected generators to service the lift stations after a hurri-
cane. There are a number of homeowners’ associations that have bought generators through the county that will service the lift stations within their communities. The agreement does stipulate that if a hurricane has not affected the community, the generators will be moved to areas in the county that were damaged. If your community is interested in discussing purchasing generators, please contact your county commissioner.
The Solid Waste Authority reminds us not to put vegetation at the curb when a hurricane is approaching. It is impossible to collect and process all vegetation before a hurricane hits. In hurricaneforce winds, excessive debris may pose a danger not only to you but your neighbors as well.
Finally, I cannot stress enough how important it is for you as a resident, as a family or as a community to be prepared during this hurricane season. We care about you, and we are here to help you all we can before, during and after a hurricane. However, ultimately you are responsible for your own safety. I would urge all of you to make your plans if you
have not or to review your plans to be sure that you are prepared.
County Commissioner Burt Aaronson, District 5
Vote For Fair
Redistricting In Florida
After the completion of the U.S. Census in 2010, Florida will have the opportunity to establish fair, legal and sensible voting districts. We, the voters of Florida, can assure we are taking care of ourselves. We have an obligation to sign constitutional amendment forms to assure the establishment of non-partisan standards to follow in establishing fair voting districts. Currently, there are districts that ramble and make no sense. Let’s correct this situation by voting for nonpartisan standards that will prevent playing games with our votes.
Each voting precinct has constitutional amendment forms. Contact your precinct captains and obtain, sign and submit the forms. It is your opportunity to do yourself and the community a favor.
Ben Friedman Boynton Beach
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090 ; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTown Crier.com
There’s No End In Sight For The Multitude Of New Bank Fees
Footloose and...
By Jules W. Rabin
So what are all of the top banking executives doing these days when not developing plans for government bailouts? I suspect they are looking at their day-to-day operations and scheming to come up with new fees and charges to inflict on you and me. Close inspection tells us that many banks will stick you with a fee if you close an account within 90 days.
Storm Hurricane Ready
continued from page 1 phone conversations are also susceptible to interpretation by the people taking the calls, he said.
“This will probably be a major improvement in the way we communicate among EOCs, among agencies, should there be an event that requires us to do so,” he said.
Of course, the new system assumes that emergency workers will be able to access the Internet, but Bonde said the village has that angle covered with a newly installed system of wireless connection antennas and backup electrical power sources.
A month ago, Bonde said, the village completed installation of a network of “distributive antennas” that can establish a wireless Internet
connection within about a quarter-mile range and pipe the signal through fiber-optic cables buried underground.
“Instead of the old model of wireless, where there’s a big tower and everybody has to reach the tower and the further you get away from it the weaker the signal gets, the new system uses fiber-optic cable that’s buried in the ground, and about every seventh or tenth [utility] pole, there’s a tiny micro antenna on top,” Bonde explained. “You’re not exposed like you are with a big tower, and each circle overlaps another circle, so you have continuity of signal everywhere you go throughout the village.”
Bonde said the new network is part of the backbone of the village’s data system, and is used by the Building Department to upload and transfer data such as inspection reports and photographs
Some even push it if the closure is within six months. Then there is the hated “teller fee” if you overwork a bank employee by depositing or withdrawing money. The banks try to mask this monstrosity of a fee by calling it “excessive use” after one or two freebee visits to
from construction sites.
Bonde said the system was originally developed for cellular telephone service providers, and many village residents’ calls may be traveling through the same fiber-optic network as village data, without them being aware of it.
The way the distributive antenna system works offers a big advantage for emergency communications because it does not depend on a keystone piece of infrastructure like a central transmission tower. Even the loss of one antenna or another will not compromise the system, Bonde said.
“Being that it’s buried in the ground, the likelihood of it being disrupted is considerably less,” he said. “Disruptions of excavation projects are most likely, but that’s not hurricane-related… The backbone works like a big hub, and if it does get cut, it backs up the other way.”
the teller’s cage a month. Supposedly, the old trick of charging you a fee on your personal checking account had gone bye-bye. Yet some banks are sneaking it back in with a flat fee or transaction fee for moving your own money. Then too, some banks are charging for phone inquir-
To both track hurricanes and prepare for them, the village uses a computer program called HurrEvac, developed especially for government emergency management teams that must make evacuation decisions. The program contains all sorts of data on historical hurricanes and their impacts, Bonde said.
“It tracks hurricanes, real ones, but then you can mock up a hurricane,” he said. “It actually allows you to set up a what-if scenario, create an imaginary storm and put in wind speeds and rainfall amounts, and track and all of that, and then you can step through it to see what effects it would have.”
The software was used in mid-June when about 40 village staffers involved in emergency management conducted a drill in reaction to one such imaginary storm.
The staff walked into the
ies or even ordering new checks. Also, some still demand an annual membership fee on credit cards.
Between convoluted ATM fees, overdraft fees and currency conversion charges, our friendly banking brethren are picking up an ongoing handful of important extra bucks. Of
village’s EOC on Pierson Road not knowing what the situation would be, and the scenario they were presented with was a Category 3 storm bearing down on Palm Beach County, Bonde said.
“We had to make preparations, we had to step through the exercises and steps the village would take and staff would take,” he said. “We know that when an emergency comes, we’re prepared in the sense that we know what our duties are, we know what our responsibilities are.”
On Thursday, the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration announced that the equatorial oceanic warming trend known as El Niño had begun to develop in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño, which occurs every few years, tends to suppress hurricane activity in the Atlantic, according to NOAA officials.
However, Bonde said this
course, the “bouncedcheck” fee has been around forever, but have you noticed what they charge for it now?
Thinking of a possible new banking affiliation? My suggestion is that you thoroughly investigate the newcomer’s current policy on fees and charges.
latest bit of positive information doesn’t mean the village will get complacent, because a hurricane season that produces only one major storm is a bad one if that storm makes landfall in Palm Beach County.
“Yes, it’s encouraging news, in a way,” Bonde said. “I say I’m a reluctant emergency management director because I’d rather not do the job — I’d rather forget the whole thing and just have a warm, rainy summer and a wonderful fall and winter. I’d be real happy without a storm, but you have to be prepared at the same time. I think we’re pretty well prepared. The good news is that many of the staff members that are involved were involved in 2004 and 2005, so we have people that have experience. Prior to 2004 and 2005, we had no staff with experience. Frankly, we were never hit like that.”
Andy Wallace enjoys the fireworks with his son Wesley.Kyra, Dylan and Justin Baker.
Royal Palm Beach Councilman David Swift, Vice Mayor Matty Mattioli and Nixie Swift.
Matty Mattioli and County Commissioner Jess Santamaria with his wife Victoria.
Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster with her husband Gary.
The Harris family heads the patriotic party.
Jessica Ramos gets into the spirit of the day.The Hallman family.
Ruth Hamlyn and Marge Herzog.
Man Threatened With Box Cutter In Royal Palm Beach
By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report
JULY 1 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault last Wednesday at the Crestwood Square shopping plaza in Royal Palm Beach. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a man and woman were in the parking lot outside the Publix supermarket when they noticed a black utility truck was parked in front of their vehicle, blocking it from moving. They contacted the owner of the truck, 44-yearold Christopher Santoro, and asked him to move it. According to the report, as the couple drove away, Santoro followed them. He parked his truck in front of their vehicle, preventing them from turning, and verbally threatened them. At this time, the male victim exited his vehicle, and Santoro approached him with a box cutter. The victim backed off, and Santoro returned to his truck and fled to Southern Blvd., according to the report. The victim provided the PBSO with a suspect description and tag number. A PBSO deputy later spotted Santoro’s truck, and he was pulled over at the intersection of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7. The victim was transported to the location, and a positive identification was made. Santoro was placed under arrest and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.
JULY 1 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested on theft and drug charges at the Super Target store in Royal Palm Beach last Wednesday. According to a PBSO report, a store security officer observed 38-year-old Arvester Anderson select items from the fragrance department, remove them from their boxes and conceal them in his pants pockets. Anderson then exited the store without paying for the merchandise. He entered a vehicle and attempted to leave but was apprehended. The stolen property was returned, and a post-arrest search of Anderson revealed that he was in possession of 2.6 grams of crack cocaine. He was placed under arrest and taken to the county jail.
JULY 3 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched last Friday to Regal Cinemas on State Road 7 regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked his 2005 Nissan Altima at approximately 8 p.m. and returned three hours later to discover the rear passenger-side window had been broken. The center console had been broken, and the $1,000 cash that had been stored inside was missing. Latent prints were collected from the rearview mirrors and placed into evidence. A similar incident occurred at the Regal Cinemas parking lot on July 5. According to a separate PBSO report, the rear passenger-side
window of a Toyota sedan had been broken. The victim said items inside the vehicle had been moved, but nothing was stolen.
JULY 3 — An employee of a construction business called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Friday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5 p.m. last Thursday and 7 a.m. the following morning, someone entered a construction site on Fox Trail Road and stole 50 feet of copper piping, valued at approximately $250. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.
JULY 4 — A Belle Glade man was arrested last Saturday following a traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was conducting traffic enforcement when he observed a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Eduardo Vasquez traveling at a high rate of speed on Okeechobee Blvd. The deputy clocked the vehicle at 71 miles per hour in a 50-mph zone. Upon making contact with Vasquez, the deputy discovered that he did not have a driver’s license. Vasquez was arrested and taken to the county jail.
JULY 6 — A resident of Turnstone Drive called the PBSO substation in Wellington Monday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9:30 p.m. last Sunday and 5:45 a.m. the following morning, someone punched in the driver’s side door lock on the victim’s Ford F-150 pickup truck. The only thing stolen from the truck was a business cardholder. However, damage to the lock was estimated at $500. There were no suspects at the time of the report.
JULY 6 — Two Royal Palm Beach women were arrested for grand theft Monday at the Macy’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, 50-year-old Martha Rodriguez and 24year-old Katherine Rodriguez were observed selecting clothing items and entering a fitting room. When they left the room, there were no signs of the merchandise. They were apprehended by store security and later placed under arrest. The total amount of stolen merchandise valued $393.
JULY 6 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded Monday to the Tree Tops community regarding a criminal mischief complaint. According to a PBSO report, sometime overnight last Sunday someone burned a line in the plastic display case containing HOA notices. The suspect also attempted to burn a line in a wood panel of the HOA building, threw all the outdoor patio furniture into the pool and clogged the toilets with paper towels. The total See BLOTTER, page 7
Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.
Gerilyn Henn
Tanya Perham
PBCHS Student To Serve As National President Of FBLA
In late June, Mauricio Escobar climbed the steps to the stage of the National Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Conference in Anaheim, Calif. There the Palm Beach Central High School student delivered a passionate and compelling campaign speech that rocked the convention of nearly 10,000 attendees and won him the presidency of the oldest and largest student business organization in the country.
“This is one truly remarkable young man,” PBCHS Principal Dr. Matthew Shoemaker said. “I tell him often that I will be voting for him for president of the U.S. one day — he’s that good! Mauricio’s humble nature, combined with his charismatic, authentic leadership abilities, will place him at the forefront of the next generation of America’s rising stars.”
Escobar’s platform for his election was to increase communication to all members
and advisers, raise more middle-level chapters and continue efforts to make FBLA the number-one student organization in the U.S. He plans to increase communication through the use of technology and the creative efforts of his national team. Escobar’s campaign manager, fellow student and FBLA member Yanellis Gonzalez, played a key role in his successful run for office.
Escobar was previously elected by a landslide to the
Wellington’s ‘Go Green Team’ Plans Initiatives
The Village of Wellington recently announced the formation of its “Go Green Team,” which includes members of village staff from a wide range of departments, combining diverse backgrounds in planning, solid waste, building, graphic design, finance and marketing.
The Go Green mission is to provide leadership, professional recommendations and education to move the village closer to becoming a “sustainable community.” A sustainable community is one that develops in a manner that meets the needs of the present but does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It is a concept that can be applied to virtually any activity but is most often associated with economic, environmental and/or community development.
Go Green intends to roll out several initiatives in the coming months, including an enhanced recycling program, a green procurement policy and a variety of other policy initiatives including the creation of a sustainable development element for the village’s comprehensive plan.
“A comprehensive plan is simply a state-required blueprint to guide community development, and the sustainable development element will provide stability to future generations,” Planning &
Budget Tough Year For RPB Finances
continued from page 1 2010 fiscal year to 2011, Farber said, pointing out that no new cars, significant office equipment or computer equipment appear on the draft budget.
Mayor David Lodwick said he was pleased that village staff was able to achieve yet another millage rate decrease.
“This was a good job of putting this together and finding a way to give our taxpayers yet again a little more bang for their buck, which we are grateful for,” he said. Farber said he wanted to clarify that the measures are somewhat artificially filling the gap.
“We can’t live without a capital budget forever,” he said. “I do believe that we will be able to recover and be in a healthy position four or five years from now.”
Councilman David Swift, who is employed by the South Florida Water Management District, said he was glad to see employees receiving raises. “I work for gov-
presidency of the state FBLA and has also served as president of the local chapter, which is the largest in the state. He is likely the first Hispanic president the organization has ever had.
“No matter what happens each day, the journey I take is amazing and I feel like a winner, regardless of what the outcome appears to be,” Escobar said.
Escobar will leave Tuesday, July 14 to conduct his first national meeting in Vir-
Zoning Manager David Flinchum explained. Currently, the village has begun to implement green practices in day-to-day operational activities. For example, the village has started the “Go Green, Go Paperless” initiative in which employees and residents are encouraged to complete village business without using paper and better utilizing technology. Employees are utilizing electronic ways to communicate and are scanning documents instead of copying them. Residents are able to conduct business with the village by utilizing a variety of paperless methods (various opportunities are available at www.ci.wellington.fl.us).
Other energy-saving initiatives are as simple as the village’s enhanced recycling programs, turning off lights, powering down computers or installing timers on air conditioners and other electrical apparatus. Residents will notice the results of other green initiatives around town, including the installation of LED (light-emitting diode)
lighting used for outdoor parks and median lighting and at the tennis courts, native median planting, additional reuse water used for median and parkland irrigation, and LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) new construction of municipal facilities.
The village has been able to utilize federal stimulus grant dollars to initiate many of these green practices. For example, the village is participating in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. This grant is provided to assist qualifying entities in implementing energy and conservation strategies.
The village is preparing a guide for going green that will provide direction for internal village practices and protocol.
The Go Green Team anticipates a number of announcements in the near future and invites anyone with questions or suggestions to call Bill Nemser at (561) 753-2581.
Santamaria Forum July 15
County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a community forum Wednesday, July 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the center court at the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The topics will be hurricane preparedness and a follow-up on the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s recently released grand jury report. Other issues will be addressed, time permitting. For more information, call Santamaria’s office at (561) 355-6300.
ernment,” he said. “Nobody in government is getting raises. At the water management district, we have not had a raise for the last three years. I am very pleased to sit here and offer folks increases. From what I’ve seen over the last year, they deserve it.”
Lodwick agreed. “If you do the simple math, you are asking more from less people,” he said. “If you are asking more from fewer people, you need to reward them appropriately.”
Finance Director Stan Hochman said the downturn in the economy has been devastating at all levels. “The revenue collection by the state is down dramatically from all sorts of revenue streams,” he said. “We are all very aware that our investment earnings are not the highest they have ever been.”
The draft budget reflects impacts on the village’s revenue sources. Revenue from ad valorem taxes are down by $890,000, state revenues are $500,000 less that the previous year and miscellaneous revenues, primarily interest earnings, have dropped by $121,000.
The village’s total 2010 budget as proposed is $55,379,216, Hochman said.
‘We can’t live without a capital budget forever. I do believe that we will be able to recover and be in a healthy position four or five years from now.’
Blotter
— Village Manager David Farber
continued from page 6 value of damage is estimated at $500. There is no suspect information.
JULY 8 — A Bedford
Mews resident called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Wednesday in reference to a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between noon and 12:15 p.m., someone smashed a front window and entered the master bedroom. Approximately $200 in cash and a men’s gold-diamond ring had been stolen from a jewelry box on a dresser. The rear screened enclosure had been ripped, indicating that the suspect may have
checked the back before entering through the front window. DNA evidence was taken, but there was no suspect information at the time of the report. The case is inactive pending further investigative leads.
JULY 8 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched Wednesday to a home on Coral Breeze Drive regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked her unlocked SUV at approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday. When she returned to the vehicle at approximately 9:15 the following morning, she discovered that someone had gained entrance
For the general fund of almost $21 million, 18 percent will be derived from ad valorem tax. “I don’t remember the last time it was under 20 percent,” he said.
Other taxes and fees account for 24 percent, licenses and permits another 14 percent, and the remainder is from intergovernmental sources, transfers and fines, Hochman said.
In expenditures from the general fund, staff salaries are 36 percent. Contractual services including the PBSO are 37 percent.
Capital improvements account for 60 percent of the budget at about $34 million, Hochman said, due largely to the inclusion of projects that run several years, such as the development of Royal Palm Commons Park, improvements on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. north, the La Mancha bike path and drainage, and the Camellia Park renovation.
Village Engineer Ray Liggins said construction projects have been retained in the budget because market conditions favor them. “More often than not these contractors are happy to get this work and they are willing to start and ready to start,” he said.
Liggins said a large part of the $3.1 million Royal Palm Beach Blvd. improvement project would be funded through a $2 million federal economic stimulus grant.
Public hearings on the proposed budget will be held in September. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
through one of the doors and removed a JVC DVD/CD player/radio. The deputy processed the scene for latent prints but was unsuccessful. There was no further information at the time of the report.
JULY 8 — An Emerald Forest resident called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Wednesday regarding a criminal mischief incident. According to a PBSO report, the southwest rear window had been smashed by a patio brick. It appeared that entrance had been made into the residence, but nothing had been stolen. The cost of damage to the window is approximately $500.
ginia. He will visit Washington, D.C. and meet with U.S. senators to discuss Perkins funding and other concerns related to career education. He and his mentor/chaperone Tammy Skinner will travel throughout the country, representing FBLA in all five regions of the U.S. throughout this coming year.
Escobar and his family — siblings Claudia and Sandra and parents Leon and Piedad Escobar — live in Wellington.
MUSIC AT ST. PETER’S CHURCH
The St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Chancel Choir presented its performance “Of Faith and Freedom” on Sunday, July 5 during the Wellington church’s worship services. Music Director Joseph Farrar was joined by special guest pianist Copeland Davis. For more information, call (561) 793-5712 or visit www.stpeters-umc.org. Pictured above, Davis (front) performs a song with Farrar and the Chancel Choir.
Animal Care & Control Offers Crucial Community Services
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
A Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control field supervisor recently offered members of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association insight into the day-today operations of his agency.
Lt. Wesley White told LGLA members at their June 25 meeting that Animal Care & Control has facilities on Belvedere Road and in Pahokee. The main Belvedere Road facility opened in 1969, and Animal Care & Control became a division of the Public Safety Department in 1974. Services include animal law enforcement, an adoption program, educational programs and tours to schools, low-cost spay and neutering services, and rescue of abused domestic animals and livestock.
Animal Care & Control’s shelter can house up to 500 animals comfortably, White said, but the agency must eventually euthanize 65 percent of the animals that arrive there. Another 21 percent are adopted, and eight percent are claimed by their owners.
“This is an open-admission facility,” White said. “You can show up and turn an animal in. We are government. So we deal with euthanizing. You have other shelters that say they are no-kill. No-kill shelters can only take so many animals. We have to take them.”
White said people turn their animals in to the shelter for many reasons, such as allergies, a lack of time or money to care for the animals, rental rules and potential problems with a new baby in the home. A recent increase
Folke Center Hopes To Re-Open
continued from page 1 Blvd. and State Road 7, is fulfilling obligations it has for the summer, Landstrom said, but is not scheduling future educational programs.
“It is our hope that our closure will be very brief,” Landstrom said. “We are talking to several organizations about partnerships that will allow us to continue to fulfill not just our education program, but also our wildlife rehabilitation program in the future.”
Assistant County Administrator Jon Van Arnam said the county grant would cover about a third of the educational programs the center has
in animals arriving at the facility includes more purebreds, which was uncommon in previous years.
“We are starting to see more and more of that,” White said. “We are starting to see more purebreds.”
To encourage people to adopt animals, White said the agency offers $100 incentive vouchers good for a spay or neuter procedure with participating veterinarians. “Most of the vets have been working with us pretty well on this,” he said. “Unfortunately there are not a lot of people taking advantage of this. Hopefully in the future, once the word gets out, they will start taking advantage of it.”
While Animal Care & Control takes in some animals during hurricanes, those in evacuation and flood zones take precedence, White said. Also, those who bring their animals to the shelter have to stay with them, and cannot leave the animals there.
“Once they leave, they may not come back,” he said. “They will go home and see that there are things that need to be taken care of and forget to come back for the animal.”
LGLA President Marge Herzog asked if the agency screens the people adopting animals to make sure they are not reselling them for profit. White said a person is limited to adopting two animals, and any more would set off a red flag. “No one person can come in and get five or six of those type of dogs,” White said. “If they try to do that, we know there is a profit being made somewhere.”
Herzog also asked White about the most unusual animal he had seen. White said
scheduled. “It is to cover some of the expenses that are roughly estimated at $29,000,” Van Arnam said.
Commissioner Karen Marcus thanked Landstrom for clarifying that Folke Peterson’s educational programs are not being discontinued.
“I was not aware of that, and it sounded like everything was closing,” Marcus said. “I think it’s important for people to know that you’re still doing that component of it.”
Commission Chairman Jeff Koons said Palm Beach County has some of the best educational natural areas in the nation, many of which are at least partially funded by the county. “Gumbo Limbo in east Boca, Riverbend Park, Pine Jog, the majority of those things are delivered through county agencies,” Koons said. “There’s all sorts
iguanas rate among the unusual, but topping them are tarantulas. While iguanas are considered a nuisance, Animal Care & Control does not trap them. “We won’t come pick them up unless they are sick or injured,” White said. “That’s the same with any wildlife.” With hurricane season underway, White urged residents who own horses to make arrangements for them in advance. “You need to make a reservation now if you plan on taking it to a boarder,” he said. “If you plan on leaving with your horse, you need to plan the route together. If you plan on staying home, and you have a barn, and it’s sturdy, you might want to leave the horse in there. Just take all the stuff out, and make sure it’s sturdy. If you leave the horse in the pasture, make sure it’s free of debris. You also might want to put the telephone number on the horse’s tag or braid it into the horse’s tail.” White also cautioned dog owners who visit dog parks because of the current high risk presented by the contagious canine parvovirus.
“We are experiencing that at Animal Care & Control,” White said. “I have never seen it this bad. We have stages where we ask visitors and employees to put the soles of their shoes in bleach. Right now, we are doing all we can to disinfect our place. It’s hard for a government agency to do that.” Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control is located at 7100 Belvedere Road just west of Florida’s Turnpike. For more information, call (561) 233-1200.
of places to go, and it’s very educational.” Marcus made a motion to approve the funding, which was seconded by Commissioner Shelley Vana and carried unanimously. Landstrom said most of the animals in rehabilitation at the center are being moved to the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter or the Wildlife Care Center in Fort Lauderdale. Some of the more than 50 animals that cannot be released due to the extent of their injuries will go to other nature centers, zoos or museums. For assistance with injured wildlife in Palm Beach County, the public is asked to call the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at (561) 575-3399 or the Wildlife Care Center at (954) 524-4302. For more information about Folke Peterson, call (561) 793-2473.
PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Mauricio Escobar
Inaugural Royal Palm Music Festival
W4CY Radio, in conjunction with Wellington Dental and Wild Orchids Café, will host the inaugural Royal Palm Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Veterans Park in Royal Palm Beach.
After months of talking about where and how to create this event, Peter Wein of W4CY and Jordan Cherkinsky of Wellington Dental met with Chef Chris Paul of Wild Orchids Café and plans for the event started to come together. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 8, spectators will enjoy a day and evening of talent that ranges from local artists to well-known artists from all over the state.
There will be the likes of Marie Nofsinger, recording artist J.D. Danner, Steelin’ Time, Rick Seguso, Chad and Heather, the Southern Shores Bluegrass Band, Andrew Bayuk, Norm McDonald and many more.
Seguso, a well-known artist of equestrian and musicrelated paintings, will be auctioning off art with portions of the proceeds going to charity. Also in attendance will be a handful of local merchants passing out information about their businesses. Wild Orchids will offer reserved tables that will include the festival and food for $25. Those not planning on eating are encouraged to bring their
own chairs and enjoy the sounds of the day. A $5 (or more) donation is suggested for those not choosing the reserved seating. A pre-festival open mic and concert will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 3 to 9 p.m. to offer a taste of what the full day event will bring to Royal Palm Beach. Exhibitor tables and sponsorships are still available. For more information, call Cherkinsky at (561) 713-0255 or Wein at (561) 827-4223, e-mail royalpalmfestival@bellsouth. net or visit www.royalpalm festival.com.
Local Drive To Benefit School
Anne Crane, a local mother and Wellington resident for over 15 years, has teamed up with a company called Terracycle to make a difference in the community. Crane is currently collecting Capri Sun and Kool-Aid juice pouches, Mars candy wrappers and Nabisco cookie bags and wrappers, in exchange for donations to Binks Forest Elementary School. Terracycle will donate two cents per wrapper or pouch and will send money directly to the school. Crane is asking other local parents and residents for their help in collecting the items. Terracycle uses an assortment of non-recyclable materials, like the pouches and wrappers, and turns them into purses, totes, office supplies
and more. To learn more about Terracycle, visit www. terracycle.net.
Terracycle has given Crane some of its products to give away as well. To win a tote or pencil case, visit mommy hastowork.blogspot.com, where she will be awarding them through a contest.
“I wanted to help the environment and help our kids,” Crane said.
To help Crane save the planet and give money to area schools, contact her at mommyhastowork@aol. com.
Everglades Benefit In Wellington
Arthur R. Marshall Foundation President Nancy Marshall recently announced plans for the non-profit organization’s “Jazz It Up! for the Everglades” on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. in the original Wellington Mall. The event will be a combination cocktail party, dinner and jazz concert. Highlights will include the Champion of the Everglades awards and musical performances by Copeland Davis and Matt Savage.
The second annual Champion of the Everglades awards will be presented in three categories: Elected Official, Individual and Organization. The 2008 recipients were Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, environmental philanthropist Mary Barley and the
South Florida Water Management District. This year’s three Champion of the Everglades award winners will be announced in the coming months.
Davis, a pianist, earned a standing ovation following his first performance on NBC’s The Tonight Show, and later made memorable appearances on Good Morning America and his own PBS special. With his gospel roots and classical training, Davis has earned worldwide acclaim as a jazz innovator who has been strongly influenced by Beethoven.
Born in 1992, Savage was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, a form of autism, at age three. By age six, he had taught himself to read piano music. After studying classical piano for less than a year, he discovered jazz, which became his main focus. An accomplished musician and composer, Savage has released several albums, both as a solo performer and as part of the Matt Savage Trio. He has performed with Chaka Khan and other popular singers, and has received numerous awards, including being signed in 2003 to Bösendorfer pianos, the only child to be so recognized in the company’s 175-year history. Savage has toured the world, performing for heads of state and even headlining at Carnegie Hall.
“Holding a successful annual fundraiser is vital to the support of the Marshall Foun-
Everglades Benefit — Jazz It Up! for the Everglades Honorary
dation’s grassroots environmental education programs that serve thousands of families every year,” Marshall said. “Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once declared, ‘Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.’ At the Marshall Foundation, we want to help every student in our community to connect with nature. They will make the difference because they are our future!”
County Commissioner Jess Santamaria and his wife Victoria will serve as grand benefactors of Jazz It Up!, with longtime cultural philanthropists Sydelle Meyer and Joyce McLendon as honorary chairs, and Roberta Drey as event chair.
The original Wellington Mall is located on the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. Tickets cost $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of ten. For additional information, call (561) 805-TREE (8733) or visit www.art marshall.org.
Cancer Survivors
Meet Tuesday
A meeting for cancer survivors and patients will be held on Tuesday, July 14, center court in the original Wellington Mall. For more information, call (561) 7984110 or (561) 436-3900.
Chair Sydelle Meyer with Marshall Foundation President Nancy Marshall.
Rubio To Young Republicans: Help Me Build The New GOP
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Former state house speaker Marco Rubio, eyeing a U.S. Senate seat, urged local Young Republicans last week to join him in his quest to rescue a doomed nation.
Rubio, addressing the Palm Beach County Young Republicans at Roxy’s in downtown West Palm Beach June 30, retired from the State Legislature last year after eight years in office. He told club members he was inspired to enter the 2010 U.S. Senate race because of the “dramatic and rapid change in direction” in the country since the beginning of the year.
Disaster Hearing
In WPB
continued from page 2 people in big houses and big condominiums,” he said. “Hurricanes cross the state, and they hit everyone. What I have expressed to many people is that we are all in this together — 300 million people are a part of a solution when a natural disaster strikes.”
In his testimony at the hearing, Fort Lauderdale resident Ivan Itkin said the homeowners’ association in his highrise condominium has had difficulty in getting insurance. Although he and his fellow residents have done everything possible to protect their homes, including putting in shutters, he said he is
worried that the carrier, staterun Citizens Property Insurance, would cancel on them if they file a large claim.
“It is quite obvious we are not adequately protected,” Itkin said. “We need another solution. We need a catastrophic insurance program like national flood insurance, and a program that will provide protection against all natural disasters. I believe that Congress needs to pass this.”
Realtor Cynthia Shelton of Lake Mary, speaking on behalf of the Florida Association of Realtors, said the insurance crisis is having a detrimental impact on home sales.
“A strong real estate market is the linchpin of a healthy economy, generating jobs, wages, tax revenues and a demand for goods and servic-
“Many of us in this room have never known anything but liberty and prosperity, but liberty and prosperity are not a birthright,” Rubio said. “The liberty and prosperity that each of us inherited from our parents and our grandparents were the result of sacrifices and difficult decisions that were made by people who came before us in leadership. All of this is a product of a constitution that limited the size and scope of government. All of that is in peril because the government we have today is not a government whose powers come from the consent of the governed.”
Rubio painted a picture of a federal government asserting itself in “every aspect of our economic and our personal lives” and posing solutions to every problem in the country. “We are basically asking the federal government to solve problems it should not be solving and spend money it doesn’t have, and there is a problem with that,” he said. “There has never been an entity, a person, or a family, or a corporation that can survive spending money it does not have.”
Rubio dangled the possi-
es,” Shelton said. “In order to maintain a strong economy, the vitality of residential and commercial real estate must be safeguarded. The limited availability and high cost of insurance, therefore, not only threatens the ability of current property owners to hold onto their properties, but it also slows the rate of housing and commercial investment in these communities.”
Joseph Grill, senior vice president of sales and management for the Floridabased insurance provider Weekes & Callaway, said that while he doubted that lower insurance rates would spur much improvement in the housing market and the local economy, Florida property owners are in a dangerous position because most major insurers have fled the state.
“The market consists al-
bility of future generations inheriting a country worse off than that of their parents and ancestors. “That is what is happening in Washington,” he said. “I refuse to be a part of a generation of Americans that has been the first one since the country formed that fails to deal with the issues before us.”
A conservative from Miami-Dade County, Rubio is expected to face Gov. Charlie Crist in what could be a contentious primary election to decide the Republican candidate for the Senate seat, currently held by the retiring Sen. Mel Martinez, also a Republican.
Rubio said the Obama administration is not interested in solutions, but in passing off problems to future generations, and is taking a course that will make America a place where rags-to-riches experiences are only a memory.
“What will exist is an $11.5 trillion deficit that is growing, and it will have to be paid back through higher taxes,” he said. “It will be harder to start a business, and it will be harder to profit, and it will make it increasingly difficult in this country to get ahead.
most entirely of startup companies, many of whom will not be able to sustain a substantial or perhaps less-thansubstantial hurricane,” he said. “This will put enormous pressure on state catastrophe and guaranty funds, which ultimately will lead back to the consumer.”
Monroe County insurance reform activist Colleen Repetto said that in 2004, a 1,900-square-foot home built to withstand 150-mph winds was paying $3,000 a year in windstorm premiums. By 2006, the same home, having never filed a wind claim, was billed $15,900 for a one-year premium. She said it is unconscionable to expect a lower- or middle-income homeowner to pay such a price for coverage of a home with considerable hurricane defenses.
Former state senator Steve
We are one of the few nations in the history of the world where people who come from nothing can grow to be billionaires. That social mobility is threatened.”
While Rubio offered that both major political parties are responsible for the nation’s problems, he acknowledged that his own Republican Party failed to address important issues such as tax reform, the deficit and government spending in the many years it held a majority in Congress. As a result, the party lost a lot of credibility, he said.
“So people look at the brand and say the Republican Party does not stand for what it says it stands for, or ‘we don’t know what you stand for,’” Rubio said. “The Democratic Party is basically doing everything they said they would do when they got into power.”
After transitioning in recent years from being a party of leadership to a party of fundraising and pollwatching, the Republican Party must concentrate again on leadership rather than popularity to regain its majority status, Rubio said, and that includes choosing
Geller of Cooper City said he has traveled the country speaking on the need for national disaster coverage. He noted that a hurricane of historic magnitude could strike New Jersey as well as Florida, and that the most catastrophic disaster to hit the nation would more likely be volcanic or seismic in nature.
At any rate, he noted, nationwide catastrophe coverage only consists of the National Flood Insurance Program.
“This committee knows that the flood program operates at a deficit,” Geller said.
“What you may not know, while the rest of the country says that Florida should deal with its own issues, is that almost every state runs a deficit, while one state pays more into the flood program than it receives. That state is Florida, which subsidizes the nat-
the right candidates.
“We don’t need people in D.C. or in Tallahassee who are manipulators of public opinion and who will say or do anything to get elected, who will stand on any side of an issue, depending on what the latest political trends are,” Rubio said. “Popularity is basically the product of people doing anything they can do to get good headlines in tomorrow’s paper. I can tell you that Moses did not have good approval ratings while he was in the desert. I can tell you Abraham Lincoln did not have good approval ratings the entire time he was in office. Winston Churchill, one of the greatest leaders in the history of western civilization, was voted out of office.” Rubio urged the Young Republicans to join him in a grassroots effort that would reflect the values of voters and reestablish the GOP as a coherent national party.
“I hope to be one of a number of people across the country who run on a platform like this,” he said. “This great nation that was left to you by your parents is not guaranteed for our children or grandchildren. It is not guaranteed even for you.”
ural disasters in the rest of the country. If any of the natural disasters I mentioned occurs, Congress will have to step in, or else face a collapse of the financial system.” Geller said the nation would be better off if prepared for such an inevitability, rather than addressing the problem after the worst has occurred.
“We know that the federal government will step in after a major catastrophe occurs in this nation,” he said. “By passing legislation in advance, Congress can act and prepare for the worst, instead of having to react. This preparation will also dramatically reduce insurance premiums and benefit taxpayers all across this nation. We’re not asking for a handout, just a hand. We need your help.”
Marco Rubio addresses the Young Republicans June 30.
Annual Fourth Of July Fishing Tournament Returns To RPB
The Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters hosted the 19th Annual Red, White & Blue Fourth of July Fishing Tournament at Lakeside Challenger Park last Saturday. Daniel Hall caught the big bass, which weighed 3 lbs., 7 oz. Emily Dotson caught the big fish (other), which weighed 3 lbs., 7 oz. The rest of the results, in weight of total fish caught, are as follows:
• Six & Under (Other) —
First place went to John Dotson, 3 lbs., 15 oz.; second place went to Christopher Lewkutz, 3 lbs.; and third place went to Zoe Gershberg, 2 lbs., 9 oz.
• Six & Under (Bass)
First place went to Taylor Bensema, 1 lb., 7 oz.
• Seven to Nine (Other) —
First place went to Kyle Danchok, 10 lbs., 12 oz.; second
place went to Sawyer Colucci, 7 lbs., 10 oz.; and third place went to Emily Dotson, 5 lbs., 13 oz.
• Seven to Nine (Bass) — First place went to Daniel Hall, 6 lbs., 10 oz.; second place went to Hunter Demers, 5 lbs., 8 oz.; and third place went to Karina Calter, 1 lb., 11 oz.
• Ten to 12 (Other) — First place went to Lincoln Colucci, 5 lbs., 12 oz.; second place went to Jesse Moree, 4 lbs., 11 oz.; and third place went to Alec Bensema, 1 lb., 12 oz.
• Ten to 12 (Bass) — First place went to Ronnie Demers, 6 lbs., 10 oz.; second place went to Cheyanne Mathis, 5 lbs., 7 oz.; and third place went to Trevor Kenny, 3 lbs.
• Thirteen to 19 (Other) —
First place went to Peter Pacheco, 5 lbs., 10 oz.; sec-
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
ond place went to Dustin Marks, 4 lbs., 5 oz.; and third place went to Savannah Freyman, 3 lbs., 7 oz.
• Thirteen to 19 (Bass) —
First place went to Kimberly Danchak, 3 lbs., 7 oz.; second place went to Brandon Bartholow, 2 lbs.; and third place went to Tyler Hubbs, 1 lb., 10 oz.
• Adult/Child (Other) — First place went to Nick and Ed McGregor, 11 lbs., 12 oz.; second place went to Joe and Joseph Noto, 6 lbs., 5 oz.; and third place went to Maiyoli and Oceana Gershberg, 5 lbs., 5 oz.
• Adult/Child (Bass) — First place went to Joe and Justin Rivers, 7 lbs., 4 oz.; second place went to Shon and Brandon Hinkle, 5 lbs., 11 oz.; and third place went to Scot and Josh Schwartz, 5 lbs., 10 oz.
Ten to 12 winners Lincoln Colucci, Jesse Moree and Alec Bensema.
Adult/Child winners Ed and Nicholas McGregor, Joe and Joseph Noto, Maiyoli and Oceana Gershberg.Jesse Moree
Kyle Danchak
Scot and Josh Schwartz
Tyler Hubbs
Shon and Brandon Hinkle
Emily Dotson with her big catch.
Six and Under winners John Dotson, Christopher Lewkutz and Zoe Gershberg.
Seven to Nine winners Kyle Danchak, Sawyer Colucci and Emily Dotson.
Dylan Smith waits for the fish to bite.
College Assist: 15 Years Of Helping Students Achieve
By Kristina Webb Town-Crier Staff Report
For 15 years, College Assist in the original Wellington Mall has served the western communities as an afterschool tutoring center, helping hundreds of students achieve their goals in the classroom.
Jonathan Iverson has been at the helm of the tutoring service since purchasing College Assist from founder Glenna McLean last July. McLean opened College Assist after working for a franchise tutoring company and seeing a need for more personalized tutoring services in the western communities.
Holding a master’s degree in education from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky.,
Iverson believes in the power of an educated mentor. “All of our teachers are well-qualified, and all have teaching experience in the classroom,” he said.
Iverson has made a few changes to College Assist in the last year, including an update to the SAT and ACT preparation course offerings and the introduction of his own materials. Perhaps the
most significant change was phasing out McLean’s fulltime private school for grades 7 through 12. “It required a high level of dependence on the teachers,” Iverson said. “I could only afford to pay three teachers.”
While the private school was McLean’s niche, Iverson has worked to establish his own. Most tutoring centers are geared toward younger students, he said. However, College Assist appeals to mostly high school students who are seeking SAT or ACT preparation courses.
Iverson said he prefers to hire tutors who are in their mid-twenties, because this age bracket can better relate with middle and high school students. However, he said, that’s not all that sets College Assist apart from franchise tutoring corporations.
“We’re not like a lot of the other places, because all we do is one-on-one tutoring,” Iverson said. “We’re not going to give your kid tests and then tell you they’re way behind. We are here for kids who want to learn. It’s all about preparing for the next level.”
Iverson’s background is in the classroom. His time as a substitute teacher for public schools in Louisville offered some perspective on the value of creating relationships with students, experience he put to use as a teacher at Jupiter Christian School.
College Assist has Saturday morning SAT prep classes, as well as many other courses in specialized areas. “We do some interaction with home-school kids,” Iverson said. “If the parents don’t feel comfortable teaching a subject, then they can come in for tutoring.”
For children who are home-schooled, College Assist administers the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills.
Becki Fiorello has brought her son Gino to College Assist for Iowa testing for the past three years. “Jonathan is very flexible in his scheduling,” Fiorello said. “If I’ve ever had any questions, he is very helpful.”
Last summer, Gino took a course at College Assist to help him learn the many facets of the Texas Instruments graphic calculator. “He learned so much,” Fiorello
said, adding that the course helped Gino with his geometry as well. “They’re very good. I wish more people knew about them.”
College Assist also enables young riders in town for the Winter Equestrian Festival to continue their studies. Iverson receives the work from their schools up north, then helps the students as they complete projects, homework and reading assignments. “Those are some pretty responsible kids,” Iverson said. “They always work hard.”
FCAT preparation courses at College Assist are usually taken by students in lower grade levels, Iverson said, although some middle and high school students participate as well.
“Unfortunately for a lot of students, usually around the time of FCAT, the teachers have to do nothing but FCAT prep,” he said. “After that, they have so much to catch up on. We offer tutoring for those students as well.”
During the summer, many students want to brush up on certain subjects in preparation for the next school year, Iverson said.
“Many of the students are going from public to private school, and they are afraid that they’ll be behind,” he said. “We help them prepare for whatever they may face.”
For more information about College Assist, call (561) 791-0606 or visit www. collegeassist.org.
‘A NIGHT OF GREASE’
Poinciana Day School
middle school students recently presented A Night of Grease at Palm Beach Atlantic University. The students wrote their own script and made their own props, costumes as well as posters and programs. Teacher Jenni Amestoy provided guidance and encouragement to students throughout the production.
College Assist owner Jonathan Iverson.
A display highlights many of the services available at College Assist.
For an appointment at the Health and Wellness Center in Palm Beach, please call toll-free 1.877.463.2010.
The Cleveland Clinic Florida Health and Wellness Center is now open in CityPlace Tower.
If you live in Palm Beach, you now have access to Cleveland Clinic’s world-class care right in your own community. Cleveland Clinic Florida Health and Wellness Center brings our renowned brand of medicine right to you. Defined by expert collaboration and highly advanced treatments, our unique approach always puts patients first. Make an appointment today, and discover why we are consistently recognized as one of the nation’s leading academic medical institutions—and the first choice of patients worldwide.
• Highly-trained specialists collaborate for team approach to care
• Most advanced technology and treatments available
• Backed by the full resources of the Cleveland Clinic, an international research institution and medical pioneer
INAUGURAL TYLER’S DAY RAISES $4,000
The inaugural Tyler’s Day fundraiser held June 27 at Palm Beach Central High School proved to be a fun-filled day for adults and youngsters alike. But in addition to the sports celebrities, basketball games and live entertainment, the event served to benefit the Tyler McLellan Foundation, spreading the word while raising $4,000. The foundation is designed to help lower-income families cover the cost of items not paid for by registration or the school, such as cleats and camp fees. For more info., visit www.tylermclellanfoundation.org. Pictured above are volunteers Kim McKee and Jeanne Thompson.
PHOTO BY KRISTINA WEBB/TOWN-CRIER
SENIORS
CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center hosted a free Fourth of July celebration for seniors last week. To kick off the event, Ricky Carchia sung the national anthem, and Dick Carmine entertained the audience with songs from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, ending the program with a selection of patriotic songs. Guests enjoyed a menu that included finger foods, beverages and desserts. Pictured above, Carmine performs for the seniors.
Wellington Deputy Wins ‘Real Hero’ Award
The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross honored 16 local heroes during the eighth annual Real Heroes Award Luncheon on Wednesday, June 24. Nearly 300 guests gathered in the Harriet Himmel Theatre at CityPlace to show their appreciation for those who demonstrated courage, kindness and character through acts of heroism. This year’s special honoree was Dr. Jean Malecki, director of the Palm Beach County Health Department for the past 17 years.
Among the recipients was Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Anthony DelPlato of Wellington, who was one of four PBSO deputies to win the Law Enforcement Award.
“We launched the Real Heroes Luncheon eight years ago to shine a spotlight on those who have truly gone above and beyond for individuals or the community,” said Larry Casey, CEO of the Greater Palm Beach Area
Chapter of the American Red Cross. “Every year we honor not only heroic servicemen and women, but those who proved themselves to be heroes when faced with a splitsecond decisions to sacrifice their own safety for the life of another.”
A panel of community leaders reviewed more than 100 qualified nominations for award recipients in a variety of categories. The luncheon was hosted by WPBF News anchorwoman Tiffany Kenney and included a patriotic display of the presentation of colors ceremony demonstrated by the PBSO Color Guard. The event was supported by community leaders and local celebrities including: Tara Pregnolato on behalf of the Palm Beach Post ; Sunny 104.3 FM’s Rick Shockley; Diane Smith of the PBSO, Joseph Karp of Karp Law Firm on behalf of Michael and Mary Zolde; and WPBF 25 News Director Kyle Grimes.
For more than 90 years, the
American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American
Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency. It depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the American Red Cross, or to make a donation, call (561) 833-7711 or visit www.red cross-pbc.org.
Kovacs, White Earn TD Bank Scholarships
TD Bank recently announced the recipients of its annual American Dream Scholarship program, which awards $1,000 to local graduating seniors who achieve both academic excellence and serve the community. In the western communities, TD Bank gave scholarships to Meagan Kovacs and Julia White.
Kovacs is a Wellington resident who graduated from Wellington High School.
Kovacs plans to attend Yale University in New Haven, Conn., and major in cognitive science. Throughout high school, Kovacs was active in the National Honor Society, band, the Music Honor Society and was a National Merit commended student.
White is a Lake Worth resident who graduated from Palm Beach Central High School. She plans to attend the University of Miami in Coral Gables and major in
Mudrick Graduates Gettysburg College
Kathryn Aldee Mudrick of Wellington graduated cum laude from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Penn., with a bachelor’s degree in globalization studies and political science on May 17. With a student body of approximately 2,600, Gettysburg College is a highly se-
lective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences located on a 200-acre campus adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park. The college was founded in 1832. For more information about Gettysburg College, visit www.gettysburg.edu.
neuroscience. Throughout high school, White was active in the National Honor Society, the vocal ensemble group and received the AP Scholar with Honor award.
The American Dream Scholarships program awarded scholarships to 225 community service-oriented high school seniors within the bank’s market area of more than 1,000 stores from Maine to Florida. TD Bank donated $225,000 in scholarship dol-
lars this year. Nearly 5,000 students sought scholarships from the program. A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank provides financial and other support to educational, community, human service, arts and healthrelated programs, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families.
WHO’S NEW!
Emily Shoshannah Shay — daughter of Barbara Rodriguez and Adam Shay of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on June 15.
Isabella Joy Crane daughter of Luisa and Casey Crane of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on June 17.
Tristen Dale De Chabert
— son of Heather Lynn and Alexandre Philippe De Chabert of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on June 19. Andrew Bradly Eberly — son of Sumone Denise Harvey and Dale Mathew Eberly Jr. of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on June 20.
Real Heroes — Law Enforcement Award winners Pilot Deputy Dave Humphrey, Pilot Deputy Chris Santa, Deputy Anthony DelPlato and Deputy Charles Rhoads.
Salerno Named Ambassador Of The Month
Bob Salerno
Riverside National Bank has honored Jo-Ann DiLallo and Paula Beauchesne with the prestigious Hometown Hero Award. They were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the western communities.
DiLallo has chaired Wellington High School’s Project Graduation events for three years and has also served for the past ten years as team manager of the Wellington Soccer Club.
“Jo-Ann is an outstanding individual, and it gives us great pleasure to recognize her for all she does for the people of Wellington,” Riverside Bank’s Wellington Office Manager Alicia Foster said.
Beauchesne was recognized for her many years of hard work and dedication as Cypress Trails Elementary School’s business partner coordinator.
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has named Bob Salerno as it Ambassador of the Month for July. Salerno is owner and operator of Ultra Cleaners, a full-service dry cleaning company with six locations in Palm Beach County, with its headquarters in Wellington. Founded in 2005, Ultra Cleaners offers high-quality dry cleaning, expert alterations and repairs, shoe repair, suede and leather cleaning, and area rug cleaning. Ultra Cleaners also provides valet service to all homes in Wellington.
ident of the Palm Beach Executive Network and a board member of the Boynton Beach Police Foundation.
Additionally, Salerno is a member of the Wellington Rotary Club and helped spearhead a holiday party in which homeless people from the Lord’s Place were fed in conjunction with My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust. He is also the pres-
Salerno resides in Wellington and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He has been married to his wife Carri for 17 years, and they have two children: Paige, 16, and Jayme, 13. For more information, call Salerno at (800) 519-1130.
Riverside Bank Awards DiLallo, Beauchesne
“Paula is a wonderful business partner and is an advocate for the school,” Riverside’s Royal Palm Beach Office Manager Alisha Melott said. “She has brought in many wonderful business partners over the years, and we are proud to be affiliated with her and the school.”
Since 1982, Riverside Bank has been helping people across Florida manage their money and achieve financial goals through a hometown style of banking.
The bank is known in the home towns it serves for friendly service, helpful solutions and local decisionmaking, as well as local community involvement. Its hometown style of banking has made Riverside one of Florida’s largest independent and locally owned community banks, serving customers in 40 communities throughout Florida.
Ecker Finishes Palms West Hospital Residency
Palms West Hospital, in partnership with the Palm Beach Centre for Graduate Medical Education, recently announced the graduation of Dr. Christina Ecker, the first pediatrician to complete the pediatric residency program. Ecker, who is pediatric board-certified, will join the local pediatric practice of Dr. Susan Shamaskin of the Pediatric Center of Wellington. Ecker said she is looking forward to practicing medicine in the western communities, where she trained and currently lives. She has built
many relationships with local attending physicians and looks forward to working closer with them.
Ecker lives in Royal Palm Beach with her husband and two children. “I would like to thank all of the attending physicians who were involved in my training, as well as my fellow residents and the Palms West Hospital staff who have supported me both personally and professionally throughout my training,” Ecker said. “It has been a long journey, and as I close this chapter in my life, I look for-
ward to my future as a pedia-
trician serving the growing pediatric population of the western communities.”
Being among the first residents in the program, Ecker believes she paved the way for those who followed her in the program. She said she is glad to see how the program has grown and takes pride in knowing she was part of the process. Ecker’s involvement with the PBCGME program at Palms West Hospital does not end here; she will continue to be involved with the program as an instructor.
FLORIDA LOTTERY OPENS NEW OFFICE
Developer McCraney Property Company congratulates the Florida Lottery on its new regional office, located in the Vista Center at 6965 Vista Parkway North, Suite 1, in West Palm Beach. McCraney Property Company completed the build-out in time for the June 22 grand opening. Vista Business Park features 494 acres of commercial/industrial property strategically located at the northwest corner of Okeechobee Blvd. and Florida’s Turnpike. For more info., call Joana Donovan at (561) 478-4300 or visit www.mccraneyproperty.com. Pictured above are the McCraney Property Company team, Florida Lottery District Manager Robert Ashbaugh and Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Pamela Dean Named To Palm Healthcare Board Of Trustees
The Palm Healthcare Foundation recently named Wellington resident Pamela Dean as one of four new board members. Dean will serve on the Audit, Development and Community Investment committees. She currently works as the Florida regional president/managing director at Harris Private Bank. Dean graduated from Northwood University, where she received a degree in business administration.
Pamela Dean
Dean and her husband Lindsey have two children. Other new members of the Palm Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees are Dr. David Dodson, Dr. Mark Rubenstein and Pete Martinez. The Palm Healthcare Foundation is the leading public healthcare foundation in Palm Beach County. The board of trustees helps oversee the mission of the foundation, including asset management, grant making and fundraising.
(Above) Jo-Ann DiLallo with Alicia Foster. (Below) Alisha Melott, Paula Beauchesne and Crystal Lancaster.
Dr. Christina Ecker
COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR
Saturday, July 11
• Florida United Numismatists will conclude its Summer Fun Show on Saturday, July 11 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) featuring top coin dealers and collecting enthusiasts from the United States and around the world. Call (561) 366-3000 or visit www. funtopics.com for more info.
• The Jupiter Tequesta Dog Club will continue its shows at the Americraft Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.) Saturday and Sunday July 11 and 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
General admission costs $3; children under 12 will be admitted free. Call (561) 697-9634 or visit www.jtdc. org for more info.
• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will meet on July 11 at 8 a.m. in front of Publix in the Jupiter Farms shopping center on Indiantown Road to explore some of the newer hiking trails in that area. For more info., call Paul at (561) 963-9906.
• John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (10900 SR 703, North Palm Beach) will feature a “Scavenger Hunt on the Beach” Saturday, July 11 at 11 a.m. Join a park ranger and look for sea beans, shells, native plants and more. To RSVP, call (561) 624-6952. The activity is free with park admission of $5 per carload.
• Pistache French Bistro on Clematis Street will host a free, Parisian-themed street party on Saturday, July 11 from noon to 9 p.m. in honor of Bastille Day. Festivities will include wine tastings, cooking demos, art exhibits, street vendors, special menus, live music and a other French fun. The event is free and open to the public. For more info., call (561) 833-5090 or visit www.pistachewpb.com.
• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7 in Wellington) will host “Sauce It Up!” on Saturday, July 11 at 2 p.m. Join Everardo Branford of Branford’s Original Hot Sauces as he teaches how to make fabulous dishes using his grandmother’s secret sauce. To pre-register, call (561) 904-4000.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) Chess Club will meet Saturday, July 11 at 2:30 p.m. Chess fans ages eight and up will practice strategy skills with other players. Basic chess knowledge is required. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070. Sunday, July 12
• John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (10900 SR 703, A1A, in North Palm Beach) will feature volunteer orientation on Sunday, July 12 at 1 p.m. Park staff is looking for enthusiastic individuals to be school guides, assist in exotic plant removal, lead daily nature walks, assist with kayak tours and work in the gift shop. To RSVP, call (561) 624-6952.
• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7 in Wellington) will host “Flavors of Cuba” on Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m. Get ready to host your own fiesta with these authentic Cuban dishes. The cost is $5. To pre-register, call (561) 904-4000.
Monday, July 13
work of art using them. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Dungeons & Dragons Program on Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Get back to your roots by role-playing the oldfashioned way. Snacks will be provided. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.
• The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 for more info.
Wednesday, July 15
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Stories & So Much More” on Wednesdays in July at 6:30 p.m. for ages five through eight. The library is taking story time to the next level for school-age children with games, activities, crafts, stories and more. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Socrates Café” on Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. The Society for Philosophical Inquiry initiated the concept for this discussion led by Marji Chapman. Find out this month’s thought-provoking topic when you pre-register by calling (561) 790-6070. Thursday, July 16
• The Palm Beach County Sports Commission will host the Kids’ Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches on Thursday and Friday, July 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The festival will feature more than 40 different prominent organizations conducting interactive sport clinics and activities. The cost is $17 per child. Parents will be admitted free. For more info., visit www. palmbeachsports.com/kff or contact Rachel Miller at (561) 233-3178 or rmiller@ palmbeachsports.com.
• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7 in Wellington) will host “Going Green with Carlos” for kids ages eight to 12 on Thursday, July 16 at 4 p.m. Join the store’s Green Mission leader as he teaches kids how to be more green. Kids will play recycle bingo, answer green trivia questions and have many chances to win environmentally friendly products. To pre-register, call (561) 904-4000.
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host an After-Hours Networking Event on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Foster’s Grille, located at 11071 Southern Blvd., Suite 100 in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping plaza in Royal Palm Beach. RSVP to Catherine Engel at (561) 790-6200 or catherine @palmswest.com.
• American Legion Post 390 in Wellington will hold its first official installation of officers on Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Station 30 (9610 Stribling Way, Wellington). Former Wellington mayor Tom Wenham will be installed as the new commander. Refreshments will be served. For more info., call (918) 810-2520.
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon on Monday, July 13 at 11:45 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits will be the guest speaker. RSVP to Anitra Harmon at (561) 790-6200 or anitra@palmswest.com.
• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7 in Wellington) will host “Dine with the Doc!” on Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Tim DeCanio, a board-certified chiropractic neurologist. Learn the secrets of living the life you always dreamed of without medications or surgery. Complimentary massages and health screening will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on a firstcome, first-served basis. To pre-register, call (561) 9044000.
Tuesday, July 14
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Art for Tweens: Stamp It!” on Tuesday, July 14 at 2 p.m. for ages nine and up. Participants will make several different types of stamps, then create a
• The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival will return July 16-19 and July 23-26 at the Seabreeze Amphitheatre (750 South A1A, Jupiter) with the Shakespeare by the Sea XIX production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The suggested donation is $5. For more info., call (561) 575-7336 or visit the festival’s web site at www.pbshakespeare.org. Saturday, July 18 • The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold a stroll in Okeeheelee Park on Saturday, July 18. Join a lively group for fun and adventure in the park. Meet at the west entrance parking lot at 7:30 a.m. Call Paul at (561) 9639906 for more info.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Meet the Author: Nancy J. Cohen” Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. for adults. Chat, ask questions and get the scoop on her new book Killer Knots. A book signing will follow. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier.com.
Frontier Track Club Competes At Hershey State Finals
Twenty-two members of the Frontier Track Club of Loxahatchee competed in the Hershey Track & Field State Finals in Altamonte Springs on June 27. In the nine- to ten-year-old category, Frontier earned the following honors: Jordyn Frank placed second in the softball throw; Zahra Jamalodeen fourth in the 400yard dash and fifth in the 200yard dash; Brady Pennypacker placed fourth in the 400yard dash; Samantha Steiner placed fourth in the 50-yard dash; the team of Jordyn Frank, Samantha Steiner,
Makeda Charles and Kristi Kemper placed second in the girls 4x100 relay; and the team of Thomas Kelly, Brady Pennypacker, Stefano Napolitano and Spencer Daly placed fourth in the boys 4x100 relay. Frontier earned the following awards in the 11- to 12year-old category: Christian Gonzalez placed second in the softball throw and second in the 800-yard dash; Sean Edwards placed fourth in the 200-yard dash; Jamie Seren placed fifth in the 800-yard dash and eighth in the 400yard dash; and Madeline Har-
ding placed sixth in the 800yard dash. The girls 11-12 relay team of Erin Chase, Jamie Chase, Sabrina Belizaire and Madeline Harding placed sixth in the 4x100 relay. The boys 11-12 relay team of Sean Edwards, Christian Gonzalez, Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Carr earned third in the 4x100 relay. In the 13-14-year-old age group, Madison Harding placed seventh in the softball throw and Anisa Kornegay placed eighth in the 200-yard dash. The Frontier Track Club is coached by Sharon Patelsky.
Wellington Swim Team Tunes Up For The Junior Olympics
The Wellington Swim Team is preparing to match what perhaps was the best showing that Wellington swimming has had in 12 years, winning the 10-andunder division at the Winter Junior Olympics. The team had 33 swimmers competing in the recent Coral Springs International Invitational Championship.
“We had a very successful meet,” Head Coach Rich Whalen said. “Our swimmers are training very hard and have their goals in mind at every practice. I am surprised to be where we are at this point in the season. It can only mean we should see some outstanding swims at the Junior Olympics.”
The Wellington Swim Team has a very strong age group team, and the 10-andunder boys are defending champions for the team title. “The 11-12 girls and 13and-over girls have improved this season, and should be competitive and make a run for a top ten finish,” Whalen said. The team was led by its new 10-year-old swimming sensation Jared Ingram. Ingram, who lives in Wellington, had a great Winter Junior Olympics. He became one of the top swimmers in
the 10-and-under age group. Now he wants to own it. Ingram competed in seven events, winning three events and breaking a team record in the 50 fly. Ingram won the 50 fly in team record time of 33.91. Tanner Fuller was the most outstanding 10-and-under boy in Florida over the last year aged up to 11, and that was the first of his team records to fall. Ingram also won the 100 fly and 50 free as well as placing in the top three in all his events. Wellington is seeking a fifth consecutive individual high point trophy in the Junior Olympic Championship Meet in the tenand-under age group. Ingram finished third in the Winter Junior Olympic high point race and has had appearances on the Florida Gold Coast all-star team.
The ten-and-under girls team was led by Lacy Phillips and Grace Cozad. Phillips, who will age up a week before this summer’s Junior Olympics, had outstanding swims last weekend. Phillips swam nine events and placed in the top six in every event. She also made her 11-12 Junior Olympic cuts in several events. Cozad placed in the top eight in four of her six events, while achieving two
personal bests.
Fuller, who is now 11 years old, swam in nine individual events in Coral Springs. This was his first real competition long course meet since moving up to the 11-12 age group. “Tanner is still one of the best swimmers in his age group,” Whalen said. “He is ranked in the top ten in every event in the FGC.”
Fuller won all seven gold medals at the short course USA Swimming Junior Olympics in March and won six out of nine medals at the Coral Springs International meet. Fuller had six personal-best swims in the meet. He is looking forward to being in the hunt for top swimmer again at the Summer Junior Olympics this year.
Fabiana Ingram looked to score big, and like her brother she did so this past spring by making the Florida Gold Coast all-star team. “Fabianna is preparing for her seventh Junior Olympics, and she is swimming great right now both in meets and at practice,” Whalen said. “Both her butterfly and backstroke swims made her a finalist in the last two Junior Olympic championship meets, and we are looking for her to compete for the gold medal this summer. She is improving in
every race. Her performance this past weekend was spectacular!”
Fabiana placed in the top seven in all her seven events. She achieved all personalbest times and set a new Wellington team record in the 1112 200 backstroke.
Emily Deem, a 13-year-old swimmer from Royal Palm Beach, is hoping to continue her appearances in the finals at the Junior Olympics. She has been swimming since July 2005 and has just aged up to the 13-14 age group.
“This girl is a true competitor, she always works hard and wants to win, be it practice meet or whatever she does,” Assistant Coach Paul Vowels said.
Deem acknowledged that a good work ethic is key to being a good swimmer. “The coaches have taught me that hard work and commitment pays off; the harder I work, the better I swim and the faster I get,” she said.
Deem said she wants to continue her quest as Junior Olympic finalist. She placed in seven out of nine events and improved her times in every event last weekend.
“Emily, who will be in eighth grade next year, would [make the finals] at the regional high school championships in any event,” Whalen said. “She is that good, and that much better than high school swimmers.”
Goode Water Ski Championships Return
USA Water Ski recently announced that the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches will host the 2009 Goode Water Ski National Championships Aug. 11-15. It marks the 11th year the event will be hosted by the club and held at Okeeheelee Park. The 67th Goode Water Ski National Championships is presented by Speedo.
“We are thrilled that the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches will host the 2009 Nationals,” said Jim Grew, president of USA Water Ski and the American Water Ski Associ-
ation. “The site is truly ideal for such an event and always draws great attention to the sport.”
More than 800 of the nation’s top water ski athletes from across the United States will compete for national titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall in respective age divisions and two open divisions. Advancement to the national championships is earned through placement on the national rankings list for respective divisions.
“The Ski Club of the Palm Beaches is looking forward
to hosting of the 2009 Goode Water Ski National Championships at Okeeheelee Park,” said Charlotte Melchers, tournament chairman of the 2009 Nationals. “Palm Beach County and the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches designed this site with events like the nationals in mind. Five lakes and continuous skiing cannot be duplicated anywhere else at this time.”
The first national championships were held in 1939 at Jones Beach in Long Island, N.Y. Except for three years during World War II
(1942-1944), the Nationals have been held every year since 1939.
The American Water Ski Association is one of nine sport disciplines of USA Water Ski. USA Water Ski is affiliated with the International Water Ski Federation and is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and Pan-American Sports Organization as the national governing body of organized water skiing in the U.S.
For more information, visit www.usawaterski.org.
Winsor Inducted Into WMU Hall Of Fame
The Western Michigan University Athletics Hall of Fame committee announced its Class of 2009 inductees and made history in the process. For the first time in the history of the WMU Athletic Hall of Fame, a team will be inducted. In fact there will be two, as the 1964 and 1965 national champion men’s cross-country teams will go into the Hall of Fame with five other deserving individuals.
One of the inductees is Wellington resident Steve Winsor (1977-81), a tennis player who has three MAC individual titles and one team championship as a captain in 1981. He is a two-time allMAC honoree as a junior and senior, MAC champion at number-one singles and number-one doubles as a senior. Winsor has 183 career wins that put him atop the WMU all-time wins list for four years (currently ranking
seventh of all time). With a .738 winning percentage, Winsor ranks second only to R.J. Dunkle (.807) for those who are in the top 20 on the all-time wins list. More impressive than all of this is Winsor’s 20-match win streak at number-one singles his junior year that culminated in a final national ranking of number 48, the highest final ranking ever for a Bronco men’s tennis player. Winsor was one of two players in
the top 50 nationally from a Midwest mid-major school (Wichita State was the other). He finished fourth in the Midwest behind only three Big 10 players. Winsor has been ranked as high as number 23 nationally in the 45 years and older category.
The 2009 class will officially be inducted into the WMU Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 16 at Western Michigan University’s Fetzer Center.
Adding to the top performances in the 13-and-over girls team was Jessie Costan, a standout 13-year-old breaststroker with a bright future. She has placed in the top eight for the last three Junior Olympics and is looking to improve and compete for the gold medal in breaststroke events this summer. Costan, who will be a freshman this fall, has already surpassed the high school regional finalist times. She placed third in the 100 with a time of 1:21.33 and fourth in the 200 breast with a time of 3:01.71. Costan also placed third in the 50
breaststroke with a time of 38.01.
The 13-and-over girls team was rounded out by Natalia Tyson, who placed in the top six in the 100 and 200 backstroke and is looking forward to an outstanding Junior Olympics.
The Wellington Swim Team will compete in Plantation at the end of July in the Summer Junior Olympics. Anyone interested in joining the Wellington swim team can come by the Wellington Aquatic Center from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
For more information, visit the swim team’s web site at www.wellingtonswimming. com.
A newcomer to the ring, 15-year-old Lauren Philmus of Wellington did remarkably well in the Palm Beach County Horseman’s Association horse show held Father’s Day weekend at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Pierson Road.
On Saturday, June 20, Philmus placed second and third in the U.S. Cross Rails Hunter Division. She placed third Saturday and Sunday in the U.S. Cross Rails Equitation. It was her first time showing at a PBCHA event. Philmus rode Stetson of the Free Spirit Riding Academy. Philmus is a sophomore at Wellington High School. She is a straight-A student and is ranked in the top five percent of her school. Her community service work includes volunteering for the youth ministry at St. Rita Catholic Church, the Good Earth Farm and Camp Giddy-Up at Ravenwood Farm. When Philmus is not at the barn, she can
Madeline Harding with Coach Sharon Patelsky.
The 11-12 4x100 relay team of Erin Chase, Jamie Chase, Madeline Harding and Sabrina Belizaire.
Lauren Philmus with Stetson.
Ten-year-old Jared Ingram competes in Coral Springs.
Jon Ingram Teaches And Promotes The Sport Of Reining Tales
Jon Ingram of Loxahatchee has been riding all his life. He began as a real cowboy and worked cows in California, New Mexico and Wyoming. In addition to running cattle for big ranches, he also rode bulls in rodeos, trained horses and even worked as a wrangler in the movies. A few of his more famous clients were Harrison Ford, Lee Marvin and Martin Sheen. Ingram really liked riding and training cutting horses, but tired of buying cattle all the time; fresh cattle are needed in cutting, and it got expensive. So about 20 years ago, he got into reining. He was a founding member of the first reining horse association in Idaho in the early 1980s. He moved to Florida nine years ago and helped found the South Florida Reining Horse Association. Two years ago
From The Trails
By Ellen Rosenberg
he settled in Loxahatchee, opening Ingram Training Stable with his wife Laurie and son Seth.
“Some people call reining western dressage,” Ingram said. “It’s amazingly technical and challenging. The thing I like best about it is that you never quit learning. There’s always room to get better. There’s just no end to it.”
Most people picture horses spinning rapidly in both directions and doing long, sliding stops when they think of reining. There’s certainly a lot of that, but there’s much more to it. According to the National Reining Horse Association rules, to rein a horse is not only to guide it, but also to control its every movement.
Ingram said reining has become highly competitive and even a couple of little bobbles may be enough to knock a rider out of the money. A well-trained reining horse doesn’t come cheap. An entry-level horse or a nice yearling prospect may run $10,000 to $20,000. An open, non-pro horse that can win consistently goes for $65,000 or more. A good mare that can throw winning babies may go for $100,000, while a top breeding stallion may go for more than $1 million.
“When you’re looking for a good reining horse, you want something small and symmetrical,” Ingram said. “Round neck, strong quarters, good bone and feet, and standing 14.1 to 15.1 hands. Nothing tall. You got to be low to spin that fast. A lot of Quarter Horses have been bred for reining. You want a horse that’s basically quiet and has a lot of power.”
Ingram’s son Seth loves the way reining is very precise but also very fast. “Reining appeals to a wide variety of people,” he said. “You can take it as far as you want. It can be done at a real fast pace, so it gets your adrenaline up. It’s like dressage turned loose.”
Ingram said it takes at least two years of steady work to train a reining horse. The basics are the same as those used in dressage. Most important is teaching a horse to be supple and light, very responsive to the rider’s least movement.
“Reining is all done on a loose rein, with virtually no mouth contact,” Ingram said. “The degree of difficulty increases with the speed of the event. Good riding is good riding, regardless of whether you’re riding English or Western. It’s all about good horsemanship.”
Ingram should know: he has won nine world championships in reining. In addition to training horses for customers, he also teaches, either on the client’s horse or on one of his own well-trained horses. Student Jimmy Tucker of Palm Beach Gardens had absolutely no background in riding two years ago when he saw a television program called Inside Reining and thought it “looked kinda fun.”
His wife got him lessons with Ingram for a
Christmas present, and he was hooked.
“It’s a very disciplined kind of riding,” Tucker said. “I was looking for something I could compete in at any age. This is great. I used to play golf every day. Now I’ve quit golfing and instead, I ride every day. I love the rapport you develop with the horse. It’s challenging, because the horse has a mind of his own, but Ingram has taught me so much that I have a real good foundation, which is important. I like that I can compete against other people who are at my level and look semi-gracious while doing so. This is really rewarding, a real blast. I wish I’d found this years ago.”
For more information, call Ingram at (561) 626-1429, or visit www.ingramtraining.com.
Acreage Teenager Chris Smith Aims For Rodeo Stardom
By Kristina Webb Town-Crier Staff Report
At first glance, Chris Smith seems a typical teenager. A pair of blue jeans and cowboy boots, and a polite demeanor punctuated by a boisterous laugh. He attends Seminole Ridge High School, where he will be a senior in the fall.
But looks don’t reveal that Smith is a cancer survivor. Diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumor at age two, Smith now only has his left kidney. Despite this, the Acreage resident is a rodeo champion. Smith, 18, first became interested in competition rodeo riding as a boy. “My dad started taking me to rodeos when I was younger, and I
always wanted to ride,” he said. “My mom and dad didn’t think it was a good idea for a while because of my kidney, but I finally talked them into it.”
He began competing at 15, when he had a “rough ride” at a high school-level rodeo tournament in Kissimmee. “That was a learning year,” he said, laughing. Although it was his rookie year, Smith managed to qualify for several national tournaments.
Smith has excelled in the past year, winning tournaments across the state. Last month, he was named the Wrangler Bareback, Saddle Bronc and All-Around Champion for the Florida State High School
Medoff wondered whether the amended ordinance would be enforced by the village.
“The single most important thing is, what is the will of the council going to be with this?” he asked.
continued from page 1 being corrected by the Forest Hill Blvd. concept, it’s not part of that.”
Flinchum said some of the council members had mentioned building walls along Forest Hill Blvd. and staff is collecting cost estimates, which have been around $70 a foot. He added that he hoped the property owners along the Forest Hill Blvd. right of way would take a sense of pride in the new public right of way and change the maintenance practices on their property, but Delai said he doubted the look of thoroughfares would be resolved through property owners.
“Unless the village takes responsibility for that, and if it gets done over a ten-year period, so be it,” Delai said. “I think some kind of a wall system is going to be the answer.”
Board Member Alan Medoff said the village’s own landscaping does not follow code in areas such as Tiger Shark Cove Park, where the hedges are inside the fencing instead of outside. He added that some parks have no hedges.
“We are setting a particularly bad example by not going ahead and putting landscaping on the outside of all village-owned property along these major thoroughfares,” he said.
“Are they going to take a strong position that we’re going to get this ordinance passed and start enforcing this? Otherwise, it’s just wasting everybody’s time.”
Board Member Gene DiFonte said the council should repair years of bad planning.
“It’s time to step up to the plate and get money from the feds or get money from us and put up some permanent walls in our right of way, and put some landscaping in our right of way,” he said.
Board Alternate Alan Johnson agreed that the draft ordinance was insufficient.
“This is a Band-Aid, and apparently staff is requesting this because it will make their lives easier,” he said. “In the long run, the village is going to need to step up and take over. I would recommend that you send this on, but with a strong proviso that it is in essence a BandAid.”
But Delai made a motion to recommend rejecting the ordinance, which was seconded by DiFonte.
Delai said the rejection would send a message to the council that the board is concerned about the appearance of the village’s rights of way and wants to see a more comprehensive approach than raising the height limit on hedges. The motion to reject passed unanimously.
Finals Rodeo in Okeechobee. With this, Smith won a spot on the Florida state team to compete at the national level.
Smith is headed to Farmington, N.M., this month to compete in the 61st Annual National High School Finals Rodeo. The event, billed as the world’s largest rodeo, will feature 1,500 contestants from 41 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia. Smith will be competing for his share of more than $200,000 in prize money and more than $325,000 in scholarships.
But Smith said it’s not just about winning championships. “My mind is not focused on the prizes,” he said. “It’s about riding like a champ the
whole time, every time you get on, and letting the standings and all the points fall into place.”
During the summer, Smith practices riding with friends in Okeechobee on weekends. He has developed a close circle of peers that he practices with, saying that his camaraderie with those in the rodeo community is much stronger than with his classmates at school. “Down here, a lot of kids just really don’t understand and think it’s no fun,” he said.
On weekdays, Smith spends his time working to support his travel to rodeo tournaments. “I take odd jobs here and there,” he said. “I’ll do some ranching
County Awarded National Park Service Grant
The National Park Service has awarded a grant of $40,790 to Palm Beach County through the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP). The funds will be used to create a final report to delineate the Second Seminole War battlefields at the Loxahatchee River in the county’s Riverbend Park. The report will combine past research with new findings to help formulate a method of protecting the battlefield and providing educational programs.
Florida’s three Seminole Wars, spanning 1817-1858, were the longest and most expensive conflict undertaken by the federal government in its day. The battle that occurred at the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter on Jan. 24, 1838 was the last major battle of this tragic conflict.
The ABPP grants assist in the preservation and protection of historic battle sites from all wars fought on American soil.
For more information about the Second Seminole War Battlefield on the Loxahatchee River, call (561) 966-6686.
‘Winter In July’ At The Zoo
The coldest weekend of the summer will be Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12 when the Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach is turned into a winter wonderland from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.
There will be 40 tons of snow at the zoo’s annual “Winter in July.”
And for this weekend only, Palm Beach Zoo will have scores of iceage fossils on display. Guests at Winter in July will be able to take part in the following:
• Fossil digs presented by Jurassic Parts
• Shark-tooth necklace making
• Children’s entertainment
• Animal encounters
• Arctic-themed stories
• Meet the “Snow Queen”
• Learn about sun safety
Additional fees are required for fossil digs and necklace making. Winter in July is co-sponsored by South Florida Parenting magazine and Panera Bread. Sun safety materials will be provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation and Armchem.
The Palm Beach Zoo is located in Dreher Park. The park entrance is on Southern Blvd. just east of I95. Admission is $12.95 for adults, $9.95 for seniors 60 and up, $8.95 for children three to 12, and free for zoo members and children under three. For more information, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.
‘Tons’ Of Babies At Lion Country
Summer is here, and for Lion Country Safari that means many new babies have arrived. Within the past several weeks, four baby eland, four baby impala and six baby goats have been born. More babies are expected in the coming weeks. The impala are visible to the pub-
work, and sometimes I’ll be doing plumbing.”
Although he occasionally wins cash prizes at rodeos, most of the money Smith earns goes toward travel expenses, entrance fees and the many other costs involved with traveling to competitions. “It’s just so expensive,” he said. “You spend so much money getting from place to place.”
Smith’s long-term goal is to win the gold National Circuit Championship belt buckle, an award given by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to the winners of eight events at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo held in Pocatello, Idaho.
Smith said that because rodeo riders run a risk of abdominal injuries, he knows he is taking chances with only one kidney to depend on, but he is undaunted. He stays focused on his primary goal and what he needs to do to reach it. “It takes a lot of trying and a lot of traveling, and you’re going to spend a lot of money,” he said. “You’re actually going to lose more than you gain. But it’s worth it.”
As a high school student, Smith does not let his busy schedule get the best of his studies. “I actually do all right,” he said. “My teachers are flexible. They have been so understanding.”
With the upcoming school year being his last at SRHS, Smith has already looked into college, and several universities have expressed interest in having him as a part of their rodeo teams. “I’m interested in a few, but I’m really thinking about Panola College in east Texas,” he said.
Before heading to Farmington for the National High School Finals, Smith will go to Shawnee, Okla., to compete in the International Finals Youth Rodeo on July 13.
“I’m looking at this as just another ride,” he said. “I hope that I do well in both, but even if I don’t, I’ll still be trying for a pro championship.”
lic in a maternity pen just before the lion section. The impala is one of the most agile of all the antelope species. They range from southern Africa to the northern limits of east Africa. They weigh 100 to 135 lbs. and stand 28 to 36 inches tall. The males’ graceful lyre-shaped horns are 18 to 37 inches long; the females have no horns. The impala is typically found at grassland and woodland edges, usually very close to water.
The eland babies are with the herd in the Serengeti Plains area of the drive-through preserve. The eland is the largest of the African antelope species, males reach six feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 1,500 lbs. Both males and females have straight, screw-like horns that can grow to three feet long. A flap of skin called a dewlap hangs down at the front of the neck, and bears a tuft of hair on the end of it. They are found in small herds in open habitats of east Africa.
The goats are still “behind the scenes” at the petting zoo. Pygmy goats are known to be affectionate, cute, lovable and playful. Adults range from 16 to 23 inches at the shoulders and weigh between 40 to 70 lbs. They mature at six months; female gestation is approximately five months and they usually produce one to three offspring at a time.
Lion Country Safari, South Florida’s only drive-through safari, is open daily rain or shine from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (561) 793-1084 or visit www.lioncountrysafari.com.
Jon Ingram (left) rides with Jimmy Tucker.
Jon Ingram demonstrates his technique.
Young Rodeo Star — Acreage teen Chris Smith (above left, and right in the saddle) is headed to several to rodeos this summer.
Father Time Vs. My Prodigious Stash Of Craft Supplies
The arts are not dead! They’re alive and well and living in my spare room. Growing up in Wisconsin, we had lots of art supplies. Everybody did. You can’t expect to get through a nine-month winter without lots of books, board games and art supplies. Anyone who watched cabin fever slowly take over Jack Nicholson in The Shining knows that. And he even had a typewriter. Plus, the Milwaukee public school system believed in art. Every grade-school teacher got a whole coat closet full of art supplies at the beginning of the school year. In order to be able to hang a coat in there by winter, they had to assign some art projects. As a result, I know how to make all kinds of crafts and can even draw pretty well. And it’s fun!
When I moved to Florida, I took up needlepoint, and that kept me happily industrious for many years. But when I discovered
Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER
that I could buy a Chinese-made pillow complete with a zipper and tassels for half the price the yarn alone was costing me, it put a damper on the craft. Now collage is my thing. Most recently, I covered my entire four-drawer file cabinet with magazine pictures, in colors to match the room. That utilitarian piece was always a convenient item to have — it was just ugly. Now it looks great!
Still, between the needlepoint and the collage came years of collecting other craft supplies. I couldn’t help myself. I was attracted to them by a lethal combination of nostalgia and a paycheck. Soon I had drawers and bins and, yes, a metal file cabinet full of clip-art pictures and pom-poms and pipe cleaners and yarn. I needed a lot of the more colorful supplies when my kids were small. I also taught crafts in an after-school program at a local elementary school. And every once in a while, I still need to fix something with Modge Podge, a Dremel tool or my hot glue gun. I use the wire to hang pictures and the fake fruit to fluff up store-bought wreaths. But it hardly makes a dent! I recently purchased at auction a four-foottall oak case, used in an old-time bakery to display cakes. It has three glass sides and nar-
row cake-height shelves. It sits on four adorable little legs. Well, I just can’t tell you how yummy my beads and candles and spools of thread look in there! I bought special clear plastic bins that fit in perfectly, and sometimes I just stand in front of it and think about all the cool stuff I’m going to make someday when I have time.
And there’s the rub. I have three scrapbooks full of fabulous ideas I’ve collected over the years. I’m very selective but, still, it’s three. All I need is the time.
Now I’m worrying about arthritis. Some people my age already have it! How am I going to twist pipe cleaners into little reindeer if I have arthritis!?
So the race is on. I need to stay healthy enough and live long enough to use up my craft supplies.
My Patience Vs. The Inanity Of Summer TV Programming
My mother taught me that it is better to say nothing than something negative, but if I did that in this column about summer television, this sentence would simply be followed by a lot of blank space. I cannot understand and will not accept the pathetic garbage that the four main broadcast networks throw our way from early May until late September. The news shows have become tedious. On the broadcast networks, the commentators are obviously chosen for their good looks, not their brains. On the cable news channels, I sometimes wonder if the hosts are chosen for their ability to be contentious. There is usually far more heat than light in the discussions.
What bothers me most about the networks’ paucity of excellence is that basic cable seems to provide far better drama. NBC seems to have given up. They mostly present assorted varieties of Law & Order reruns and reality shows that seem to be of no interest to any-
‘I’
On CULTURE
By Leonard Wechsler
one. Fox mostly reruns its old shows, keeping in mind that it presents fewer than any other network during the year. Watching shows designed to show that the average viewer knows less than the average fifth grader (and some of the adults they select have trouble with the second-grade questions) or to demand that people remember every syllable to songs with totally forgettable lyrics does not qualify as quality television. I must, grudg-
ingly, give them high marks for their new drama Mental, which at least makes an effort at real drama. It may not rise above regular season shows, but during the summer, it is like a brilliant flower on a mulch heap.
ABC seems to think that contests in which out-of-shape people humiliate themselves will draw audiences in. I gave Wipeout about three minutes I watched Battle of the Stars, a remake in which teams of celebrities face off against teams of athletes, and the one thing I got out of it was that the pretty model/actresses have far filthier mouths than the athletes. The athletes were able to accept losing with good grace, and the models were not. As if anyone really cared.
CBS seems to be mainly sticking to recycling old shows. Since more people watched those shows than any others, it works.
However, networks like USA and TNT are creating shows and doing very well at it.
Somehow they get stars like Kyra Sedgewick, Glenn Close, Benjamin Bratt and Timothy Hutton to star in real dramas. Yes, there are fewer car crashes and the casts are a bit more limited in terms of numbers. But they make up for it with better-written shows. The real problem is that there are just too few of them. And, of course, my current favorite show Eureka has just returned on the SciFi channel (now SyFy) on Fridays. I seldom buy DVDs of television series, but I do of this one. It is a pure joy.
So keep an eye out for some decent dramas on basic cable and pick a few favorites. They may just hold you over until the geniuses who run our television networks start up the new shows. And remember, we’re only about six months away from the start of the next American Idol. Time really flies when you’re enjoying good television. Expect a slow summer.
Me Vs. FPL Vs. An Electricity Blackout Vs. My Computer
Last week, during a rare morning thunderstorm, I heard a loud exposition. It sounded like a bomb blew up over my house. The lights flickered for a few seconds, and then everything went dark. I figured there was no need to panic — usually when the lights go out during a thunderstorm, the electricity returns in less than a minute. But that was not the case this time.
After waiting about half an hour, I decided to call Florida Power & Light. The time was 9 a.m. To FPL’s credit, they took my call ASAP. Of course, they didn’t answer with a live person. It was a recording. Not having electricity, I was in no mood to talk to a recording. In my frustration, I pressed the wrong button and started to hear everything in Spanish. This was of no help to me.
After pressing some more buttons, I made it back to the main menu. At this point, if I
Wondering & Wandering
By Ernie Zimmerman
could have reached into the phone and grabbed the person who made the recording, I am sure I would be sitting in jail right now. When the recording figured out who I was, it told me a repairman was on his way, and I should have my power back in three hours. It then hung up on me.
At 9:30 a.m., I called FPL again. This time the recording told me “only 54 homes” in my area were without power, and the repairman
was still on his way, and my electricity would be restored by 12:30 p.m.
At 10 a.m. I looked out of my window and saw one lone FPL worker going from power box to power box. When I finally was able to catch up to him, I asked if he had anyone else from FPL to help him. He either didn’t hear me or didn’t want to answer me. I didn’t see another FPL worker for the rest of the day.
At 12:35 p.m., when my electricity didn’t come on, I called FPL again. I guess by now their records had me listed as a chronic, because this time after a few short questions from the recording, a real live person got on the phone. She reminded me that 54 homes were without power (I guess she figured misery loves company), that FPL was working on the problem and that the power should be back on by 4 p.m. I asked if they would be taking any money off my bill for my loss of power.
After she laughed, she told me no. FPL doesn’t do things like that. I asked why. And she repeated her answer. It sounded like she was reading from a script.
At about 3:30 p.m., my electricity came on. At about 4 p.m., when I went to turn on my computer, I discovered it wasn’t working. I called my son, who can usually fix my computer over the phone. This time he couldn’t. However, he knew what the problem was: the lightning that caused the electricity to go out also broke my computer. I once again called FPL (I now have them on speed dial), only to get their recorded message. I want them to pay to fix my computer, but of course pigs will fly before that happens. I can’t wait to go to the next public hearing when FPL requests another one of their large rate hikes. At least at the hearing I will have real live folks to listen to me.
New Name, Same Service At My Whole Pet Market
Kookaburra’s has been an integral part of the Royal Palm Beach pet community for more than 18 years. But now the store is changing ownership and name, taking on a whole new look! The “new” My Whole Pet Market, owned and operated by Pablo Sanchez, Jill Scott and Selene Devia, will continue in the Kookaburra’s tradition carrying discounted pet supplies and a host of live pets to add to your family. It will maintain its “old-fashioned, family-owned” style.
The store is a 10,000-square-foot pet shop/ pet supply market specializing in organic and holistic food and nutrients for most pets and horses. The store carries live animals, handtrained exotic birds and will now carry puppies and exotic kittens from local breeders and host two weekly “rescue adoption days” in an effort to meet each family’s needs and find the best match for pets.
My Whole Pet Market features aisles and aisles of horse products and supplements. The store also carries unique products from small vendors that can’t be found elsewhere in large chain stores. The store is also able to special order almost anything that a customer needs and can’t find elsewhere.
Customers appreciate the specialized attention and educated sales associates that they find at My Whole Pet Market; people who care about the customers and their pets and who establish a personal relationship with many of the customers. In this day and age, it is difficult to find a competitively priced pet market that offers such one-on-one service and education.
“The ingredients in the foods we carry makes the world of difference to the health of a pet,” Sanchez said. “An educated consumer is definitely our best customer. We
encourage everyone to read the labels of what they are currently feeding their pet. Once a customer reads that label and sees all the byproducts listed, they understand the difference in the natural, healthy ingredients that we sell here in the store. We do not sell any food found in local supermarkets, but it is truly our prices that keep our educated customers coming back.”
My Whole Pet Market is proud of its bird department, where birds stay from hatching to being hand-fed and raised by experts in the field. “Our staff gives the customer a really well-trained, sweet bird with a great personality and great temperament,” Scott said.
My Whole Pet Market carries many species of birds from small caged birds to large exotics. The Australian kookaburra, mascot of the store, still remains an important staff member!
The new owners are all avid pet lovers who envision the store as a valuable resource for pet enthusiasts, both in their actual day-today needs, as well as being able to guide them to services in the community based on their individual needs. They invite everyone to come in and say hello, pick up one of the store’s monthly newsletters, enter the monthly drawing for a $100 gift card and see the items that My Whole Pet Market carries.
The store will offer a delivery service and hold special events such as “Yappy Hours” and “Meet & Greets” for clientele who wish to meet other pet people.
My Whole Pet Market is open seven days a week at 10323 Southern Blvd., the northwest intersection of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd. near Kmart. For more info., visit www.mywholepetmarket.com or call (561) 790-6612.
Staff members at My Whole Pet Market include (L-R) Rachel Scott, Vanessa Sanchez, Jennifer Stuart, Roger Holden, Jill Scott, Stephanie Piccione and Helene Caggiann.
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Area Artist Norm Gitzen Featured In July 17 Gallery Opening
Wellington artist Norman Gitzen will be one of three featured artists at the July 17 opening of ClayGlass-Metal-Stone Cooperative Gallery in downtown Lake Worth. The opening will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. The other artists are Betty Wilson and Tracy Rosof-Petersen.
Gitzen is a passionate environmentalist who cannot separate his love of nature and its survival from the incredible works of art he creates. He is a blacksmith, woodcarver, stonemason and sculptor in clay. Gitzen’s skills intertwine in his work with the need to save the little piece of the planet we share here in Florida, one species at a time. A well-recognized figure throughout the county with his long flowing hair and enormous mythical mer-
maid hitching rides on its own trailer behind his van, Gitzen brings a sense of earnestness and devotion to every piece he creates.
The gallery is filled with Gitzen’s intricately carved mantle pieces, his remarkably alluring lamps, a combination of metal crafts, glass, walking sticks and whatever other materials you might request of him, and his hearts of wood, metal and stone.
Hanging on the wall is a walking catfish modeled after the catfish that walk right out of Gitzen’s ponds at home. This one, a doorknocker, could be recreated as a free standing sculpture or wall hanging. His “Vanishing” series decries the rapid loss of fish, mammals and reptiles throughout the planet. Gitzen co-exists with millions of bees that
regularly inhabit his home, and the thought of grass, and its cost to the water tables in the area will evoke a long and thoughtful discussion on returning our properties and priorities to their natural states. As part of Gitzen’s exhibit, a video will be playing that details his passions and his workspace.
“My mission is to stimulate environment and nature conservation by building awareness,” Gitzen said. “I do this with a series of sculptures designed to call attention to each of our personal and collective responsibilities to halt and reverse the demise of species and destruction of our environment. Through their display via Art in Public Places and other public installations, these sculptures will generate inter-
Exhibit Depicts 1940s Pahokee
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum in Delray Beach is currently presenting “Pahokee Prepares for War,” a photography exhibit that depicts what life was like in the 1940s in Pahokee. It will continue through Sept. 30. It is the first time the Spady Museum has showcased an exhibit entirely devoted to slice-of-life photos from the Glades.
Pahokee, a principal agricultural center of the Glades area in Palm Beach County, lies in the rich black soil that borders the southeastern edge of Lake Okeechobee. A major producer of vegetables for the northern market since the late 1930s, the town came alive each year from Christmas to April as black and white migrant workers poured in to harvest the crops.
The packing plants and trains of refrigerated cars kept going throughout the night, as did the stores, bars, gambling houses and juke joints. Early 1943 brought excitement and apprehension to the community as preparations began in earnest for World War II. Security around the lake was heightened, the locals took classes in first aid preparation and plane recognition, and Bahamian labor was imported to harvest snap beans, the main crop.
“Pahokee Prepares for War” examines the town at work and play as it faced the realities of World War II, and provides a rare glimpse into the community at a pivotal moment in history. The work of an unknown local photographer who was intimately acquainted with his subject, these detailed images and the associated captions offer a sense of events as they unfurl.
est in and lay the foundation for continued education and action specific to earth’s preservation.”
A wine tasting, courtesy of artist and wine broker Barbara Eden, takes place at every opening.
Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone Cooperative Gallery is sponsored by the Flamingo Clay Studio, a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide affordable studio and gallery space for three-dimensional artists. The gallery is located at 605 Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth. Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Gallery openings are held the first and third Fridays of each month. For more information, call (561) 5888344 or visit the gallery’s web site at www.clayglassmetalstone.com.
Warm Glass Exhibit Opens At The Armory Art Center
The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach will open a new exhibit this week. Premiere Warm Glass Exhibition runs July 10 through July 25 and is the first glass show of its kind in the center’s Colaciello Gallery. Artwork from both faculty and students in the newly established Warm Glass Department at the Armory Art Center will be featured. Awards, including Best in Show, will be presented by Tiffany & Co. of Worth Avenue Store Director Jeffery Sabean. Tiffany & Co. is providing the Best in Show recipient with an exclusive crystal Tiffany & Co. bow box with etching. A formal presentation of this award will be made at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 10 at the opening reception.
also enables the use of molds and forms to create desired shapes for both functional and sculptural work.
Armory Art Center Programming Director Ann Fay Rushforth and Warm Glass Department Manager Camille Perrin have been instrumental in facilitating the growth of the glass offerings at the Armory, developing a year-round teaching staff of four, in addition to recruiting a visiting artist in glass to participate in this winter’s Visiting Master Artist Workshop Program. Since 2005, the program’s annual enrollment has grown more than fourfold due to exciting new course offerings in glass, made possible by the studio improvements at the Armory Art Center.
“The Glades area has such a rich history, known for its fertile soil and crops, the stories of the people who worked and live there are just as rich,” museum educator Brandy Brownlee said. “This exhibit is an opportunity to look at the community, its history and the contributions of the migrant workers.”
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is located at 170 NW Fifth Avenue in Delray Beach. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (561) 279-8883 or visit www.spadymuseum.com.
This is the first time in the Armory’s 23 years that a show in its galleries is dedicated to featuring works in warm glass. Due to two phases of facility renovation in the past five years, the jewelry department at the Armory has been able to add ventilation, enameling kilns, cold working equipment and saws to meet the growing interest and demand for a Warm Glass program. The term warm glass refers to fusing, slumping, and other glass processes which take place at temperatures between 1,100 and 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit (600 to 925 Celsius). Another term for these processes is kiln-forming, as pieces are fused together in a closed kiln. This process lends itself to careful design layout possibilities prior to entering the kiln. Since the glass is not actively manipulated while it is hot, this
Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Celebrating its 23rd season, the Armory Art Center is a not-for-profit community-based visual arts education and exhibition center providing opportunities for individual growth, self-expression, increased awareness and appreciation of the arts through participation in studio, exhibition, lecture and other educational programs.
With more than a dozen state-of-the-art studios, more than 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. For more information on the Armory Art Center, visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 832-1776.
A fish sculpture by Norm Gitzen.
A photo from the exhibit “Pahokee Prepares for War.”
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GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO
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ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. U14736. 7988978.
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COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident.
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ELITE POOL CLEANING —"You dealt with the rest now deal with the best" All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinator, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073. Inquire about 1 mo. free service.
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ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING
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