Town-Crier Newspaper July 27, 2007 by Wellington The Magazine LLC

ellington W Workshop Series Plans

By Ron Bukley, Paul Gaba and Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Faced with the necessity to trim spending, the Village of Wellington kicked off a series of public budget forums Thursday. The village is drafting its budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, and anticipated reductions in revenue due to state-mandated property tax reforms have the village’s staff and council contemplating cuts to various programs and services. The forums, which continue through Saturday, were organized after some village residents expressed fears that leisure and recreation programs may be significantly cut. The feedback gathered is intended to help the council and staff trim the budget and find new ways of keeping revenue flowing in.

Four forums each on Thursday and Friday in the gym at Village Park on Pierson Road focused on particular aspects of the budget equation, with an open forum scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Wellington Community Center off Forest Hill Blvd.

Thursday’s forum subjects included sports providers, local businesses and related institutions, schools and the village’s boards, committees and volunteers.

SPORTS PROVIDERS

In attendance at the sports provider session were representatives of providers of youth sports such as soccer, wrestling and softball, as well as local sporting goods merchants.

Following an introduction by strategic planning consultant Lyle Sumek and village staff, the participants gathered for breakout sessions to discuss their desires and expectations as well

as their contributions and ideas for potential revenue generation.

Financial considerations included increasing the level of sponsorship for sports programs, increasing the number of volunteers to relieve the need for some village employees, providing the village a higher percentage of concession fees and charging higher user fees for nonresidents.

To increase the level of interest in youth sports, sports providers suggested organizing a “sports fair” to showcase the variety of recreational options available to youth, and hosting more tournaments.

Among the issues participants identified were parental behavior at ball games, keeping the kids safe on the fields and keeping the fields well maintained.

Participants discussed the merits of travel versus recreational programs, but most agreed that both have a place in the village, and some kids play both on travel and recreational teams. Some suggested that participants from outside the village pay a little more than residents do, but none favored eliminating the travel programs.

“We have what we need,” said Sam Falzone of the Wellington Wave travel soccer program.

“We just want to maintain it.”

Sports providers also praised village staff for their high level of commitment and support in keeping village fields available.

Wellington resident Connor Hendrix, who is involved in the Western Communities Football League, said that the programs should remain available to all kids. “At what point do you exclude the kids?” he asked.

LOCAL BUSINESSES

During the breakout session on local business, chambers of commerce, area hospitals and the Mall at Wellington Green,

about a dozen area residents were present. Representatives of Wellington Regional Medical Center, Palms West Hospital, the Palms West and Wellington chambers of commerce and the equestrian community dominated most of the two-hour discussion.

Participants noted that Wellington has historically offered a good customer base, excellent schools, a low crime rate and other desirable features which should be maintained, but sev-

POTTER BOOK RELEASE PARTY

Pictured here are Alexandra Garcia and Lillian Rozsa, dressed in uniforms from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry.

MORE PHOTOS, SEE PAGE 22A

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/ TOWN-CRIER

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington branch library held a grand reopening celebration last Saturday. The branch, located at 1951 Royal Fern Drive, has been expanded from 8,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet. Pictured here are Marissa and Angela Priore reading together.

19A

Calling her 18 months of service on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council “the most gratifying thing I’ve ever done,” Barbara Isenberg said farewell on July 19 to her fellow council members and the village in which she has lived for more than 20 years.

Isenberg, who officially resigned her council seat July 19, has moved to the Vero Beach area.

The council is expected to discuss how it will fill her seat at its Aug. 16 meeting. The council can decide to take applications from potential candi-

eral cited a lack of a friendly attitude toward business from the village.

Wellington Chamber of Commerce President Darell Bowen said the village’s onetime business-friendly climate has disappeared.

“Taxes, insurance and the cost of business were fairly low,” he said. “There was ease with being able to get a business started, easy permitting and inspections that are somewhat reasonable, all the things that go

along with starting a business. But today, it’s not so friendly. Today, if I was evaluating the way I did when I came here, I’d never come here. It doesn’t fit the model anymore. Low taxes, insurance, general cost of doing business — there was a high growth curve with a lot of potential growth here, and that’s gone away.”

Participants also pointed out pitfalls Wellington needs to avoid. Palms West Hospital

See BUDGET, page 7A

dates to fill the seat on an interim basis or leave the seat vacant until the March 2008 municipal election.

“This is my greatest honor,” said Isenberg, who covered the council for five years as a reporter for the Town-Crier in the 1980s. “If nothing else, I probably know this community better than most and knew this government better than most. I have to say that based on some of the other governmental entities I covered and have observed, this council and this community are second to none. Things do not run in other places the way they run here. This community has grown through its wonderful leader-

ship. I don’t know if the residents know how truly lucky they are to be living here.”

“I enjoyed having you around as a reporter and serving with you on the council,” Mayor David Lodwick told Isenberg.

“I hope you enjoyed your time here. I know we enjoyed serving with you.”

Isenberg didn’t rule out a role in public service in Indian River County. “I will stay involved,” she said. “I’ve met a few of the county commissioners.”

Isenberg also said she will continue her ties with RPB.

“My mother and aunt are still here,” she said. “You all are here. You are like family to me and always will be. I shall return.”

With Eyes On Stadium Jumping, Committee Debates New Rules

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Equestrian Committee reviewed a long series of changes proposed for the village’s zoning rules for commercial horse show facilities at a special workshop last week.

With show promoter Stadium Jumping planning a new facility in southern Wellington, village staffers have crafted a series of changes to Wellington’s land development regulations concerning commercial equestrian arenas and show grounds. The biggest change would make such facilities a conditional use on properties with a commercial recreation land-use designation, instead of a permitted use. The change would allow the Wellington Village Council, the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board and the Wellington Equestrian Committee to review and influence the development of show facilities.

Community Services Director Paul Schofield told the committee at the July 18 workshop that the zoning text amendment would also streamline the permitting process for show producers, who are now required to request permits annually for their shows.

“It’s almost as silly as if you went to Roger Dean Stadium and got a permit for a baseball game when we know you are going to play baseball there every year,” he said.

Schofield also said that if a

developer seeks to include commercial services above and beyond the scope of a planned equestrian arena, such as restaurants and shopping, the applicant would have to apply for a comprehensive plan change to get them.

“If you want commercial services over and above those that are supportive of the shows and only open when the shows are open, we tell you that you have to do a comprehensive plan change so you can have those purely commercial uses,” Schofield said.

Committee Member Brad Scherer said the committee should support the amendment, but suggested village staff also incorporate provisions restricting any associated commercial uses.

“My point is that if the horse show decides to leave, you have a shopping center or commercial activities within the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District without the horse show in there,” Scherer said.

“I think we should create a new avenue for a commercial arena with ancillary uses. If it discontinues, the commercial activities disappear. Any guy who wants to build a shopping center can call himself a horse show operator and leave, and a shopping center will still exist there.”

Committee Member Elizabeth Plummer noted the amendment allowing the village to place additional restrictions on amplified sound, noting that some horse show events

run past the village’s 11 p.m. cutoff to reduce noise.

Committee members suggested that the village noise ordinance makes the language in the ordinance unnecessary. Plummer also took issue with the amendment’s provisions on manure management, saying facilities might have to go beyond what is already required by the village’s best management practices. She said the idea that livestock waste has caused phosphorusrelated problems in Wellington’s water had never been proven.

Community Development Director Marty Hodgkins replied that the ordinance would apply in the entire Equestrian Preserve Area.

“There may be circumstances where there might be an odor control problem because of the way the parcel is situated,” he said. “This parcel is fairly isolated from a lot of residential uses. But you may have a situation where you have other ones that are closer to the users. Rather than having open manure bins, you might want to have something to put on top of them.”

Hodgkins and Schofield also said health concerns are a factor in addressing manure.

“When you get into larger commercial operations generating hundreds of thousands of pounds of waste a day, and it’s been dealt with mechanically, you want the ability to have some additional control,” Schofield said. “It may not be

‘My point is that if the horse show decides to leave, you have a shopping center or commercial activities within the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District without the horse show. I think we should create a new avenue for a commercial arena with ancillary uses. If it discontinues, the commercial activities disappear.’

— Committee Member Brad Scherer

hauled out every single day. It might be sitting 100 feet over the property line. Do we want to have no control?”

Committee members also raised concerns about how far the new rules would apply to smaller-scale shows and facilities, as well as practice polo matches and other informal, non-commercial competition.

Scherer said he didn’t want an ordinance that would cover both smaller and larger shows.

“I don’t want to have an ordinance that captures both of them,” Scherer said. “It’s not good for the industry. I want to create carve-outs not only for polo and all the other things that should not be over-regulated, whether it’s training facilities, dressage, a horse show, lessons or boarding.”

Scherer also asked whether the committee could suggest language that would keep the roads from being widened in the Equestrian Preserve Area.

“The ordinance is not the right place to do that,” Schofield replied. “The place to do that is in the Village of Wellington’s Evaluation & Appraisal Report. That process is underway right now. We

can do that within the context of the comprehensive plan.”

Scherer and Committee Chairman Don Dufresne also asked if the ordinance could include language that would keep the conditional use in place should the current owner move on.

Dufresne also suggested including language that would allow certain other uses, like a 4-H show, when a facility is not hosting a large horse show.

“If the venue is sitting dark,” he asked, “why not allow another guy to use it to offset the costs? It helps generate tourism dollars for the community.”

Schofield asked the equestrians to list their ancillary uses for further consideration, as long as they didn’t include rock concerts or other uses completely unrelated to horse shows. Hodgkins concurred and said social and charitable events could be included.

The Equestrian Committee is scheduled to make a recommendation on the zoning text amendment Aug. 8, with review by the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board tentatively scheduled for Sept. 6.

Our Opinion

The County Still Hasn’t Learned Its Lesson On Home Rule

More than two years after pushing through its power-play charter amendment on annexation, Palm Beach County is still trying to get it right, without much success. We know how to achieve this — get rid of it altogether and return home rule to the western communities.

Home rule, in this case, refers to a demand that municipalities be given greater self-government within the greater administrative purview of the county government. The concept has allowed freedom from oppressive governments and unfair mandates for centuries.

Unfortunately, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves continue to be denied true home rule, at least as far as potential annexation is concerned. And therein lies the rub. Palm Beach County’s flawed referendum-turned-ordinance is an unfair mandate from an oppressive government seeking to assert political domination, with little regard for the communities negatively impacted by its decisions.

The county initiated its charter amendment on annexation in 2004, after Wellington annexed unincorporated land contiguous to property owned by the Palm Beach Aggregates mining company… which then asked Wellington for annexation into the municipality. Aggregates withdrew the request before the Wellington Village Council had the opportunity to vote on the annexation after the county — spearheaded by former county commissioner Tony Masilotti — offered to remove Aggregates from the proposed Sector Plan and offer it higher density than Wellington would allow.

To punish Wellington for considering westward expansion through Aggregates, Masilotti and his fellow commissioners conceived the annexation referendum. It passed, narrowly, while failing to win majority support here in the western com-

Village Better Off With Code Board

munities. But would it have passed if voters had known that the referendum was rooted in Masilotti’s anger at Wellington for unwittingly stumbling upon a portion of the complicated land scheme that eventually cost the former commissioner his job, his reputation and his freedom?

All of this led to plenty of political antagonism. The county, angered by Wellington’s attempt at home rule, pushed to seize regional control through the referendum, which requires cities to obtain the county’s blessing before initiating voluntary annexations. Wellington was equally angered. First, by the county’s attempt to control its future, and additionally by the enacting ordinance’s language, which many feel goes far beyond what the referendum allows. Wellington, joined by several other municipalities and the Palm Beach County League of Cities, went to court, and the judge sided with the municipalities, striking down part of the language and ordering the county to fix its ordinance. The county has tried to comply with the judge’s order, but its first revision wasn’t much better than the original, and the county must try, try again to make it work.

Last November, a Town-Crier editorial noted that Palm Beach County’s intrusion in both the Aggregates annexation and Wellington’s future growth plans were an attempt to thwart the village’s right of self-rule. Despite all the back-and-forth arguing since November, our position remains unchanged.

The Masilotti-Aggregates land deal and the subsequent annexation referendum were based on fraudulent premises, and leads us on the slippery slope that goes against everything home rule stands for. Area municipalities, the league of cities and all county voters should demand the ordinance be tossed aside, the referendum repealed and annexation decisions be returned to where they belong — with the county’s municipalities.

Letters To The Editor

I write this letter as the individual who held the last position as chairman of the Village of Wellington’s Code Enforcement Board before the Wellington Village Council, with the exception of [Councilman Dr.] Carmine Priore, voted to do away with the board and replace it with special masters, who are lawyers. Their excuse was that the all-volunteer board was too expensive. The village personnel who worked at night had to be paid time and a half. And of course we all know how cheap lawyers are.

TOWN-CRIER

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Now the masters hold meetings during the day. So, since most families in the village work, if someone is cited for a violation and wants to defend themselves, they must take time off from work to appear. The village code enforcement officers — instead of being out patrolling their districts, doing their jobs — are sitting inside waiting for their cases to be called.

Say, to save some money, how come the village council doesn’t hold its meetings during the day? Look how many employees are at council meetings. So what if council members lose a couple days’ pay each month from their jobs? Look at how much they will be saving the taxpayers.

their help for the day on jobs to the east.

The pickup stops along Okeechobee have become so popular that men who live in West Palm Beach come here to wait on the side of the road for work. No doubt some Loxahatchee Groves residents comment that all those Hispanic guys waiting at the end of the “alphabet roads” on Okeechobee are a hazard. The town council members have spoken of passing an ordinance preventing these people from “loitering.”

woman was tied up in the trailer where she lives.

The workers we spoke to said these incidents have been happening daily. These continued crimes are violent, they go unreported most of the time, and the victims seldom get healthcare.

JASON BUDJINSKI Community Editor MARK LIOI News Editor

JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor RON BUKLEY Managing Editor

WRITERS/ Denise Fleischman • Paul Gaba • Lisa Keeney Steve Pike • Carol Porter • Leonard Wechsler

CONTRIBUTORS/ Jules Rabin • Deborah Welky • Ernie Zimmerman

ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez ADVERTISING/ Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson STAFF/ Betty Buglio • Shanta Daibee • Geri O’Neil

The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.

Finally, by law, no one — including politicians — can interfere with code enforcement board decisions, while the special masters are appointed by and paid by politicians.

Now that tax revenue is falling due to property tax reductions, this would be a good way to save some money. Also, how come we never heard how much the village spent on special masters compared to the board in the same length of time?

Stephen Sacks Wellington

Violence Against Illegal Immigrants Unacceptable

It’s another day in the life of a day laborer. Only 9:30 a.m. but it’s already too late for a day’s work. They got here around 6:30 a.m. hoping to be picked up by someone. If no one stops to give them some work, they will have to go home and wait for another chance tomorrow. It’s over 90 degrees and getting hotter, but they are still willing to put in a day of labor for whoever stops and gets them.

Every day it can be a different job at a different place with a different employer. They do construction, nursery work, landscaping jobs and muck horse stalls. Local homeowners come get them for a day of yard work or construction help. Landscape companies from surrounding communities pass through Loxahatchee Groves and stop on Okeechobee to get

The phenomenon really only started becoming noticeable in the past five years. Prior to this time they often rode on their bikes from house to house asking for work. This scared some homeowners. Now it is the day laborers who are scared. There has been an increase in violent attacks on these people, and it is whispered about but there is not too much attention paid by the average citizen.

In the last two weeks there have been several attacks. On July 14 an older Guatemalan man was attacked by two white youths driving in a small blue car. He was beat on the head with a pipe, leaving two large gashes. He had just been paid, his cash and cell phone were ripped from his pockets. Most upsetting to him is that he could not send money home to his wife and children. He missed three days of work because of his injuries. He did not make a police report nor seek healthcare.

On July 18 another worker was sprayed in the face with mace. The week before, a worker on C Road was stabbed with a knife in the leg and a finger was sliced off. Another man told us his friend was robbed by three white youths wearing oversized pants with their boxers showing. They were in a red-and-white pickup truck. The thugs jumped out of the truck and beat him and took his cash. Another time people matching the same description threatened the worker with a weed trimmer after knocking him off his bike. A Guatemalan

These people are easy prey. It is known that these immigrants may not have papers to be here legally. They have very little formal education, do not speak much English and do not use banks, so they tend to carry cash. The “illegals” come here to make money to send home to families in other countries. There are mostly men who have wives and children back home depending on them. They plan to return to their own country. While here, they live several to a dwelling in cramped quarters that most likely are not legally approved rental properties. The men told us that all of the dirt roads are dangerous if they are alone. They try to stick together when traveling on their bikes or walking to the end of the street to wait for work. They know they are targets. They have a wordof-mouth network, and they know who got mugged and when, where and how. They know the end of the day is more dangerous because the thugs assume they got paid in cash and will be carrying it. Friday tends to be the most dangerous day, according to the workers. Most of all, they know that they are targeted by young thugs on lonesome dirt roads.

The men we spoke to do not know how to dial 911 for help if they are attacked. We asked if they were afraid of deportation. Most said they did not think that the authorities were out to get them. They just seem to feel making a report won’t help them.

Many people will read this and think, “that’s what they get for breaking the law and coming here illegally.” No matter how the people came to be here, the fact remains that they are human beings. Being preyed upon because they are unedu-

After My Four-Month Absence, Not Much Has Changed

Seasonal visitors can better attest to this than the rest of us, but sometimes we can be gone for several months and when we return, it’s like we have never been away. The issues, along with the headlines describing them, sound pretty much the same as they did when we left.

I know much has happened during the four months I was away. I’m just not exactly sure yet what has changed. Were issues won or lost or just slightly changed? How were they decided? Who won? Here are examples of some issues I thought about while I was gone and what I know about them now.

Callery-Judge Grove’s “new town” development: when I left, that issue was ready to go before the Palm Beach County Commission. It turns out that the county fix was in against Callery-Judge, and the grove lost the vote on approval of the permit to build the project. While

Letters

continued from page 4A cated and unwilling to use the governmental entities that most of us take advantage of certainly reflects poorly on us as citizens. Many of us use these people either directly or indirectly, so we are partially responsible for “them” being here. Turning the other way and not noticing that this downtrodden group of people are being beaten and robbed on our streets is unacceptable. We continue to wait for a contract between the municipality of Loxahatchee Groves and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. A town council person exclaiming “we have very little crime in Loxahatchee Groves” shows that what is happening to these human beings does not matter. The way people come to this country is a federal matter. The way they are treated once they are here is a local one.

Toni Vorsteg

Darlene Crawford

Loxahatchee Groves

Focus On Real Dangers

What’s wrong with this picture? There is so much going on in this area these days that seems to be low priority; somebody, somewhere needs to wake up. I called the PBSO to question the laws about lawnmowers. Yes, lawn mowers. Kids out here have started turning lawnmowers into mudding vehicles. They spend countless hours working on them, changing pulleys, tires, fixing the carburetors, etc. Then they find mud and have fun, and usually have to spend countless more hours changing pulleys, tires, fixing carburetors, etc.

In my eyes this is time spent well. They learn, the way kids used to learn before they were planted in front of video games all day. They have innocent fun and hurt no one. The PBSO told me that the problem is all the people who complain. I figure these are the same people who complained about

I can’t be certain, size made the difference. It seems that opponents had bigger buses to transport protesters to the meeting than the grove. So bigger is better after all!

Royal Palm Beach has stepped up to hog a soapbox of its own, judging from the debate over roads in the western communities. Mayor David Lodwick appears to be opposed to one or more of the two dozen traffic plans that were circulating when I left. One of those plans was designed to ease traffic in Royal Palm Beach, including the intersection of Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards. I’m not certain what happened in that debate, but one thing is certain. The traffic at the intersection is as bad as ever. Is it time to change the name of the intersection to Lodwick Corners?

When I left four months ago, Wellington was wrestling with its annual budget. I checked in via the Internet a cou-

ATVs, golf carts, etc. What is wrong with these people?

Don’t tell me about the dangers. A 16year-old in a car is more dangerous. A kid walking around with a gun, selling drugs is more dangerous. I’m sure statistics will show that more youth die in auto accidents or gang-related activities than recreational vehicle accidents. The same kid who is disrespectful and dangerous on a recreational vehicle will be disrespectful and dangerous in an automobile, yet he will easily be allowed in that automobile. The same kid who is being told to stop riding the ATV, lawnmower or golf cart, could be the same kid who gets into a car and races down a road, killing himself and others. My mother-in-law was pulled over riding in her golf cart on a dirt road with two eightyear-olds and told by the deputy that she could be arrested. What is wrong with this picture?

My complaint is with the people who spend so much time complaining to the PBSO about the activities that have gone on out here for years. Why did you come here? My complaint is that these people have placed so much focus on these activities and so much more is going on. Last year two boys were shot at a party off of Calamondin. This is a road in Loxahatchee that leads to a dirt road that leads to open area where kids like to ride. When the “no riding” laws went into effect many, many kids were stopped for riding around this area because the deputies were looking for them, because people were complaining. Yet off the same road, a party went on that over 100 kids were at, hanging out inside, outside, on the street, drinking and doing a multitude of drugs, and not one deputy or neighbor seemed to notice until the gun shots.

Too bad they weren’t riding recreational vehicles, maybe then a phone call would have been placed, or an deputy riding by would have taken notice and stopped to see what was going on. I wish

ple of times and the biggest issues had to do with eliminating some nonessential programs such as the annual egg hunt and other activities generally associated with the Parks & Recreation (excuse me, Leisure Services) Department.

Unlike many of the other issues going on in the area, this one may open doors for various sponsorships to save Wellington taxpayers money while keeping the programs. The egg hunt would be a natural for a national company such as Tyson Foods, the giant chicken provider. Or perhaps KFC might want to score some points.

Another problem is the municipal swimming pool, which apparently needs maintenance work that will be a great expense to taxpayers. Let’s sell signage right down to the stripes in the pool and extend that policy to every playground, park and ball field in the community. I can hear the cash ka-

we could get the county to go back to the law that was passed Oct. 1, 2006 allowing vehicles to be used on dirt roads. There really isn’t a logical reason to stop this. There is, however, a logical reason for neighbors to be calling the PBSO and complaining about a party with 100 kids or more drinking and being out of control. There is no reason for someone to call the PBSO about kids fishing on a canal bank, yet there is a reason to call about the drug deals going on in the park.

Dr. [Lynne] McGee at Seminole Ridge High School should be more worried about the fact the school was on the news for its substance abuse reports then missing the “A” grade by one point. The officers at the school should be more concerned about the kid who carries the gun than the boy who doesn’t go to that school but comes there to pick his girlfriend up after school. The deputies in this area need to reach out to the youths

By Don Brown

chinging in right now. How much for a Tom Wenham Village Hall?

More serious in nature, one thing that hasn’t changed a bit is the sloppy, dangerous condition of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7. While the pesky small orange cones are gone, more ominous large orange barrels have replaced them. Conspicuously absent at what must surely qualify as one of the most dangerous intersections in the county (with no relief in sight) is a law enforcement officer. Not a one. Why?

in order to have the best relationship with them, not treat them like they are selling heroin to six-year-olds when they are fishing on a canal bank or riding a lawnmower.

Change is inevitable, I understand. This argument is old, I know. People will say, “move if you don’t like it” and a response would be, “why did you move here and change it if you didn’t like it?” The point is I’m not moving, though many people are. Sometimes I want to, but I have lived here since my oldest was three months old; he just graduated. I know the town, my kids have friends from kindergarten, etc. I just really wish the people who have moved out here and decided that they don’t like our small-town ways would realize the true evils that are lurking and quit complaining about the harmless things that go on.

Michelle Pereira Loxahatchee

Illegally Tinted Car Windows Lead To Drug, Weapons Arrests

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

JULY 18 — A Wellington man called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach last Wednesday after his 1994 Saturn was stolen from the parking lot of the Lowe’s home improvement store on State Road 7. According to a PBSO report, the victim said he left the car locked at approximately 12:20 a.m. and when he returned at 6:45 a.m., the vehicle was gone. The deputy contacted a Lowe’s loss prevention agent regarding pos-

CRIME NEWS CRIME NEWS

sible surveillance videos, but there was no record of the incident.

JULY 19 — A routine traffic stop for a tail light violation resulted in the arrest of a 19-yearold Royal Palm Beach man on weapons charges last Thursday night. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the substation in RPB stopped Emmanuel Perez at the intersection of Okeechobee Blvd. and State Road 7 at approximately 1:05 a.m. Upon making contact with

Perez, the deputy discovered a baseball bat on the rear lower floorboard with the butt end sticking up toward Perez. According to the report, the presence of the weapon, in addition to Perez’s nervous movements and gang-related tattoos, led to his arrest. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a .357 caliber revolver hidden in the rear armrest, according to the report. Perez was arrested on two counts of carrying a concealed weapon.

JULY 19 — A traffic stop last Thursday night led to the arrest of a Wellington man for posses-

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

• Morris Delice is a black male, 5’10” tall and weighing 165 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 03/04/70. Delice is wanted on the charges of lewd or lascivious molestation and lewd or lascivious battery. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Alto Road in Lantana. Delice is wanted as of 07/26/07.

• Anthony Puckett is a black male, 6’1” tall and weighing 260 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 03/31/77. He has a tattoo on his left arm and scars on his right elbow and knee. Puckett is wanted for failure to properly register as a sex offender. His occupation is laborer. His last known address was Latona Avenue in Lake Worth. Puckett is wanted as of 07/26/07.

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

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

sion of marijuana with intent to sell. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the substation in Wellington conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Greenview Shores and Greenbriar boulevards at approximately 11:30 p.m. Upon making contact with the driver, 18-year-old Clayborne Crissman, who was pulled over for illegal window tint, the deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana. The deputy further observed a large bulge in Crissman’s waist band. A subsequent search revealed Crissman was in possession of four bags of marijuana, as well as $659 in cash, which Crissman admitted was drug money, according to the PBSO report.

JULY 19 — A Boynton Beach man’s vehicle was impounded early last Thursday morning after he was caught street racing in Wellington. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the substation in Wellington observed a large group of vehicles racing on State Road 7 north of Lake Worth Road. The deputy followed the group into the Woods Walk shopping plaza, where he stopped a white Honda belonging to 21-year-old Vladimir Valcourt. According to the report, Valcourt had a suspended license for street racing. Also, the deputy reported that Valcourt’s vehicle’s tires were balding and had exposed cords. Valcourt was released at the scene and issued a notice to appear in court.

JULY 21 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested on charges of driving under the in-

fluence and carrying a concealed weapon last Saturday night at the intersection of Okeechobee Blvd. and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. after a citizen alerted the PBSO that a car was driving erratically east bound on Okeechobee Blvd. from Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. According to the report, a PBSO deputy smelled alcohol on the breath of 31-year-old Santos Vicente Escalante. The report also noted that the deputy found three beer bottles and a medium-sized kitchen knife, the latter of which Escalante attempted to conceal under his thigh. Escalante was also issued citations for failure to maintain a single lane, no turn signal and driving too slow. He was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.

JULY 21 — A traffic stop at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace last Saturday resulted in the arrest of two Wellington men for possession of marijuana. According to a PBSO report, the car’s driver, 21-year-old Joey Cintron, consented to a search of his vehicle after a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington pulled him over for illegal window tint. The search revealed Cintron was in possession of a bag of marijuana. Additionally, 21-year-old Miguel Diaz, a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested for having a cigar filled with marijuana. Both men were transported to the county jail.

JULY 21 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Aster Avenue last Saturday regarding

Anthony Puckett

Morris Delice

Binks Forest To Announce Membership Fees

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

From his makeshift office inside the empty clubhouse, Paul Makris looked out at the 18th fairway at Binks Forest Golf Club and smiled.

“Just watching the grass grow,” he said.

And the grass is growing nicely, thank you, as Makris and Aquila Property Company continue to move toward a late September/early October opening of at least nine holes of the course that has been closed for the past five years.

Aquila, which acquired the property in May, will unveil one of the more anticipated steps in

Budget Tough Decisions

continued from page 1A

CEO Ron Lavater said the village must keep on top of congestion and traffic, while Palms West Chamber Executive Director Jaene Miranda and Wellington Regional Medical Center CEO Kevin DiLallo said it is imperative that Wellington retain a unique “small town” feel.

“We need to have an identity, and we’re losing it,” Miranda said. “We have the same old chains that every other town has. Instead of going out there and finding the small boutiquetype restaurants that really have made this town something a little more different, that people would have been excited about visiting, we ended up selling our souls. I know we needed the mall for a tax base, but there could have been some emphasis on what came up around it, and make it more original than the cookie-cutter businesses.”

Participants also suggested the village work at attracting large-scale employers and relax development restrictions to foster the construction of “affordable” housing units for those employed in the service industry, in Miranda’s words, “for professionals that don’t make $80,000 or $90,000 a year.” EDUCATION

Many participants in the education forum said they were inclined to cut back on village funding for education and expect more from the school district.

A balance of teachers and members of Wellington’s Education Committee comprised about ten discussion participants, not including all five council members and several village staff participating in the discussion.

Some participants felt the village should charge the school district for facilities previously provided free by the village, such as rooms and fields.

“What price do you feel they should pay?” asked Leisure Services Assistant Director Ivy Rosenberg, who served as one of the group facilitators. “We let the schools use facilities for free.”

“How much does it cost?”

asked Education Committee Member Murray Rosen. “That’s all you can take.”

“If they are going to use a facility, they need to ante up,” Education Committee Member Theresa Ventriglio said.

Other suggestions for new revenue for recreation activities included charging fees to use

the Binks Forest renovation process on Aug. 1 when it officially releases its pricing and membership programs. Makris gave the Town-Crier a preview of the introductory membership rates, which begin at $4,000 annually for Binks Forest residents, $4,500 for Wellington residents, and $5,000 for non-Binks/Wellington residents. Those prices will allow members to play golf for only a $15 cart fee.

The club’s Founding Member program will be available at $50,000 and is limited to 25 people. A founding membership entitles an individual to lifetime play. Family and social membership plans also will be unveiled

Wednesday, Aug. 1, Paul said.

“We’re going to add some other things, too,” Paul said. “For example, we’re going to have a ‘Wellington card’ for Wellington residents that would entitle them to permanent discounts in the pro shop and for their greens fees.”

Although not yet formally established, Paul said the 18-hole daily fee cost is expected to be in the $95 to $100 range for “in season” play and lower for “off season” play.

“We’re trying to do something for the Binks Forest residents because we recognize that they’re the ones who really had to live with the disaster that this was for several years,” Paul said.

facilities that are presently free, and increasing existing user fees and fees for non-residents.

A village-provided list of Wellington’s contributions to schools and education included seven baseball and softball fields, a football field and track, use of the municipal pool, providing village fields for sports, basketball at the gym, a parking lot at Wellington High School, space for the wrestling team, a site for cross-country meets, crossing guards, a truancy program and internships.

The village also provides each of Wellington’s schools with supplemental funding of $5 per student annually, as well as $25,000 to each elementary school annually to fund reading programs.

One discussion group suggested dropping the $5 per student funding because the program has gotten more costly as Wellington schools continue to grow in number and size, and that the village’s reading funds should be provided according to need rather than equally distributed to each school.

Although participants said the school district should contribute more, they said the village should continue special programs and contribute to maintenance of school athletic fields and parking lots.

The participants also suggest-

Blotter

continued from page 6A

a vehicle burglary. According to the victim, at some time between 12:30 and 8:30 a.m., a water pump and chainsaw were removed from his unlocked pickup truck. The combined value of items is estimated to be $650. The case is inactive pending further investigative leads.

JULY 22 — A resident of Goldenrod Road called the PBSO substation in Wellington

National Night Out Against Crime Aug. 7 In Royal Palm

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office will host National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, Aug. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Target super store at 10155 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. The free event will include kids’ activities such as a bounce house and an obstacle course, as well as hot dogs, hamburgers and soda, and a visit by PBSO K-9 officer Clue. For more information, call (561) 688-3983.

P.B. Central Football To Host Mandatory Meeting Aug. 4

The Palm Beach Central High School football program will hold a mandatory meeting for all interested players and their parents on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. inside the PBCHS gym. Head coach John Timmins will welcome back returning players, others interested in playing and all incoming freshmen. Timmins will then review practice schedules and distribute equipment to the players in anticipation of the first day of practice. Players will complete required school district paperwork. Parents will have an opportunity to meet the coaches, get the information needed for the upcoming season and get acquainted with the PBCHS Football Boosters program during this quick but important meeting.

The 2007 season kicks off with practice on Monday, Aug. 6. In order for players to participate in practice, all Palm Beach County School District required paperwork, including the physical form, must be complete and notarized, and the school district mandated $50 insurance fee must be paid. Athletic paperwork can be picked up at PBCHS Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the front office and turned in during the meeting. The Broncos open the 2007 season with their kickoff classic at Spanish River High School on Thursday, Aug. 24. The regular season starts at home for the Broncos against Cardinal Newman on Friday, Aug. 31.

Bradlee Hedrick Concert

At Studio Theatre Aug. 17

The Studio Theatre of Wellington will feature a performance by pianist Bradlee Hedrick on Friday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.

ed contributions that schools could make to the village. One was adult education computer classes in evenings, especially for seniors. “You’ve got the computers sitting there,” Rosen said.

Other suggestions included making sure evening classes aren’t duplicated, opening to people other than parents and helping with maintenance of village facilities used for school functions.

Participants also identified what they perceive as major challenges facing education and schools. Ranking high were security and safety, maintaining a level of excellent education, meeting challenges of changing demographics and “reverse discrimination” on some funding issues.

Asked to define what would ensure the future success of education in Wellington, the groups ranked safety and security, meeting the needs of all students, reducing gang and criminal activity and remaining a desirable community.

Under services they felt the schools should provide to the village, they listed adult education, community access to school facilities, after-school tutoring, keeping parents informed, inviting parents to be involved in programs and activities, and providing outstanding education.

last Sunday regarding a burglary. According to the PBSO report, more than $5,000 in cash, electronic equipment and other items were taken from the victim’s home, including a plasma television, stereo and motorcycle helmet. Entry was gained through a sliding glass door, according to the PBSO report. There were no witnesses or suspect information available at the time of the report.

Hedrick is an accomplished pianist who has entertained audiences nationwide with his fun and interactive concerts. His classical pop stylings include movie themes and love songs, both traditional and contemporary, from composers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Hedrick himself.

In conjunction with the Arts Access program at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Hedrick shared the stage with Richard Warren Rappaport and Nicole Henry and opened for Jamie Lee Curtis and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. Currently based in Boca Raton, this progressive pianist was active for seven years in the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Tickets cost $15. The Studio Theatre of Wellington is located at 11320 Fortune Circle. Call (561) 2044100 for ticket information and directions.

Round Table Discussion — Equestrian Properties’ Karen Connelly voices concerns to Dr. Sam Falzone and Wellington Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore. PHOTO BY AARON TASLITZ/TOWN-CRIER

Few On Hand To Hear Wellington’s Informative Storm Workshop

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

A hurricane workshop held Wednesday evening at the Wellington Community Center was lightly attended by residents but heavy on information.

Wellington staff members presenting included Gary Clough and Sarah Hauser of Engineering & Environmental Services, Community Liaison Officer John Bonde and Volunteer Coordinator Ginny Shaw.

The agenda included a showing of the Village of Wellington’s hurricane preparedness video narrated by Village Manager Charlie Lynn and recounting the phases of hurricane preparation and recovery including department preparations, lockdown, initial recovery, debris removal, damage assessment, contact information and other issues.

Clough said that most of the information residents need to know is posted on the village’s web site, including emergency numbers and links to other agencies. Clough said that there are five emergency lines with five people answering them, and there are also people on radios who would be in touch throughout the village. Ham radio operators also work with the village in emergencies to get people in touch if traditional means of communication are down.

The Village of Wellington also has access to its Channel 18 cable station where it posts information and access to media outlets that cooperate in getting the word out about an approaching hurricane. The village also

has an emergency radio station, AM 1680, where messages could be broadcast in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

“Typically during the day, you will hear the weather,” Clough said. “We will interrupt that and play our messages. We would tell you something is coming. We would try to get the word out.”

Avondale Woods resident George Himich asked about priorities before and after a storm, and Clough said that before a storm, a crew is locked into Wellington’s Emergency Operations Center. The lockdown includes shuttering buildings, making sure there is enough gas in vehicles, and securing parks and recreation facilities. After the storm passes, village personnel go out and first clear the major arterial roads and then subdivision roads.

“We are ready to respond immediately after the storm is gone,” Clough said. “We will prioritize our roads basically by traffic number. Once we clear them, we move into subdivisions, primarily to get everything out of the road. The second pass is trees and branches, which we cut up and prepare for the debris process.”

Clough said the village’s top priority is clearing the roads to allow emergency crews to reach the places where they are needed. Crews also take care of the drainage systems, pump stations and clearing basins. The village also registers seniors in need of help so that staffers can check on them after the storm.

He suggested that people put out their debris and tree limbs well in advance of an approaching storm because the county will shut down the landfill to prepare for a storm.

“We put out literature telling residents to do your trimming now,” Clough said. “Do it in July. You can’t believe how many people we get calling in six hours before the hurricane and saying they have stuff by the curb.”

Himich asked about distribution centers where food, water, ice and medical personnel are located after a storm. Clough said that the village is a registered distribution site but that most of the activity has taken place at the South Florida Fairgrounds. In the event of a more severe hurricane, the village’s role would become bigger.

“We are pre-registered,” Clough said, “but the county makes the decision. They are saying it’s convenient for everyone to get out to the fairgrounds.”

Clough also said that in worstcase scenarios, the county, state, federal government and the National Guard would step in just as they had in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina.

Himich also asked about Lake Okeechobee and whether there could be a dike breach flooding Wellington or an ocean storm surge here. Clough said that the recent substantial rains had not really made an impact, as most

of the rain had been south of the lake, which remains well below normal. An ocean storm surge would likely stop short of the western communities.

Some of the communities in the Glades, however, are on the edge of Lake Okeechobee, and their municipal leaders would be forced to set up shop somewhere else.

“If it was full, and the dike is breached,” he said, “most of the models show the water would stop at our western limits. Pahokee, however, would move their operations here.”

Lakeside West resident David Case asked about price gouging, an issue during the bad 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. Hauser told Case he could call state officials if he, or anyone else, saw instances of price gouging.

Case also asked about generators at area gas stations, and Hauser replied that several gas stations in Wellington are now equipped with generators so people in the community will not have to worry about electricity

powering fuel pumps in the days after the storm. Before and after the storm, she said, local media and the Emergency Operations Center will be televising which gas stations and other businesses are open with generators running.

“Also, almost all the gas stations in Wellington are getting generators,” she said.

Case asked how much food and water he should acquire before a storm strikes. Hauser advised all residents to have access to five days’ worth of food and water, and also advised residents to stay put after a storm passes.

“Some people want to go out and explore,” Hauser said. “We have guys out there directing people. We would like to have them clearing the roads. It lets us do our job faster if there are less people on the roads.”

Village personnel agreed that Wellington residents are better prepared than they were four years ago. Experiencing several hurricanes made everyone more prepared, Bonde said.

“Its only been in the last two years that I have been worried about hurricanes,” he said. “For most of the time I have lived here, for 29 years in a row, we never had [serious] hurricanes. It has only been the last three years. It goes in cycles. All of a sudden, in three years, we all got a very quick education, and we are much better prepared.”

Gary Clough and Sarah Hauser answer questions.

Crestwood Middle’s Nance Prepares For New Role As Principal

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Although Stephanie Nance is the new principal at Crestwood Middle School, she is by no means a newcomer.

Nance started at Crestwood Middle School in 1996 as a teacher, and quickly moved up the ranks.

“This will be my twelfth year,” she said. “I was an assistant principal at the school prior to being appointed as principal. I

am very excited and humbled to have been selected as principal at the school.”

Nance replaces previous Crestwood principal Karen Whetsell, who has become the new principal at Don Estridge Technical High School in Boca Raton.

While her years at Crestwood have been very good, Nance said the future looks even brighter.

“It has been a great experience. I love the school and the

community,” she said. “I enjoy and will continue to enjoy serving the school and the community. I have had an opportunity to see it grow and see it become diverse. It’s also been great to see the community grow and be so supportive of the initiatives we have implemented for the kids.”

Nance is herself a product of the Palm Beach County school system. She earned her bachelors degree in business economics from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee followed by a master’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She is currently working toward a doctoral degree in educational leadership with a concentration in higher education from the same institution.

Nance said choosing educa-

tion was a natural career choice for her.

“My family is still based here,” Nance said. “I am the first educator in my family. I knew I always wanted to work with other children at a very young age and early on in my academic career in college, I knew that at some point I wanted to go into education. I always had that aspiration. I saw it as an honorable and noble profession. I had some great experiences with my teachers growing up in the Palm Beach County School system. I always wanted to give back to my community.”

Nance’s husband Timothy is in his sixteenth year as a teacher at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach.

“We both love working with children,” Nance said. “It’s a great feeling to know that you

have an opportunity on a daily basis to make a change in the life of a child. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is this love of educating children and to see it come to fruition by seeing them excel and come back and serve the community themselves. I would not want to be in any other profession.”

Nance said the teachers, staff and students at the school very much appreciated the guidance and love of past principals Vera Garcia and Whetsell, and will not be forgotten.

“We appreciate all the contributions that Ms. Whetsell and Ms. Garcia have made,” Nance said, “and we appreciate all the leadership and guidance that both the great leaders have provided for us at the school.”

Volunteers Needed For Mitzvah Program

Volunteers are needed to assist with the Kramer Senior Services Agency’s 11th Annual Homebound Mitzvah Program for the High Holidays.

The Homebound Mitzvah Program delivers meals, traditional holiday items and videotapes of High Holiday services to homebound Jewish seniors throughout Palm Beach County who would otherwise not be able to prepare a traditional celebration on their own.

Rosh Hashanah, the holiday that marks the beginning

of the Jewish New Year begins at sundown on Wednesday, Sept. 12, marking the year 5768 in the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for those of the Jewish faith. It begins this year at sundown on Sept. 21.

Since its inception in 1997, the Homebound Mitzvah Program has delivered tens of thousands of holiday meals to local homebound Jewish seniors. Frail, homebound elders rely on this program, and the volunteers associated with it, to provide them with the tra-

ditional items that make these holidays so meaningful.

Volunteers are needed for preparation of the boxes and putting meals together early in September; delivery day is Monday, Sept. 10.

Literally hundreds of volunteers are necessary to make this program successful, beginning immediately and continuing through Sept. 1. For more information about how you or your business can volunteer for the program, call the Mitzvah Volunteer Center at (561) 687-5337.

Crestwood Middle School Principal Stephanie Nance

PHOTO BY CAROL

Earth Foundation Water Quality/Quantity Class

A two-day water quality and quantity class will be held Thursday, Aug. 2 and Friday, Aug. 3 sponsored by the Florida Earth Foundation.

The first day will be lectures held at the headquarters of the South Florida Water Management District located at 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida in conference rooms 2A and 2B.

The presentation topics are Acronyms and Agencies in Water, Introduction to Nutrient Chemistry in Natural Systems, Nutrients and the Law, Aquifer Storage and Recovery and Operating Systems for Water Supply.

The second day will be a field trip day touring STA-1E, the G-310 Pump Station, a tour of the West Boynton reverse osmosis facility and the Green Cay Wetlands.

A complete program and registration form is posted on the Florida Earth Foundation web site at www.floridaearth.org.

A registration fee of $195 covers all handouts, classroom fees and a copy of the Florida Earth Journal as well as transportation and lunch for Friday’s field trip.

The Florida Earth Foundation is a public-private partnership composed of more than 70 agency, university, industry and nonprofit partners. Chartered in January 2002, with 501(C)3 status, FEF initiates, develops and funds programs and projects in education and outreach regarding Florida’s natural resources. For more information, call (561) 686-3688.

Juvenile Diabetes Support Group Meets July 31

The Juvenile Diabetes Support Group presents “Joining the Team: Making Sports and Exercise Fit With Your Diabetic Child” at Palms West Hospital Tuesday, July 31 at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 2.

Guest speaker will be Palms West

Hospital Director of Physical Therapy Bob Rohack.

A response is requested but not required by calling (561) 798-6067.

SFWMD’s Citizen Information Line

Launched as part of the South Florida Water Management District’s emergency water shortage response, the agency’s Citizen Information Line has responded to more than 21,000 calls since the dedicated customer service line was activated four months ago. Over the same period, the district has replied to more than 1,600 individual e-mail queries submitted through the agency’s water conservation web site.

Since the district’s full response to the water shortage began, more than 9,000 hours of staff and temporary support time alone have been dedicated to personally answering questions and addressing the water-related concerns of residents and businesses throughout the SFWMD’s 16-county region.

“During emergencies such as the current water shortage, taxpayers expect to be able to call their government agencies and speak with a live person who can address their specific concerns,” said SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle. “Our employees respond to every call or e-mail, provide detailed explanations of water restrictions, seek out answers to complicated questions and document any matters that need further follow-up. This agency’s effort to directly engage the community is an extraordinary example of responsive government in action.”

To further serve South Floridians, the district is also gauging public attitudes about proposed year-round water conservation through a brief on-line survey at www.sfwmd.gov/conserve. Visitors to the district’s web site are encouraged to register their opinion on year-round

for and

The

landscape irrigation measures; a link to the new, two-question survey is prominently featured on the main page. Along with the survey, the web site includes helpful water conservation tips, up-todate fact sheets and maps, answers to frequently asked questions and specific information on current water-use restrictions.

The Citizen Information Line number is (800) 662-8876, and staff is on hand to answer the phones Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend callers can leave a message and, if needed, request a return call during weekday hours. The Citizen Information Line will remain activated until the current water shortage emergency is over and phased water restrictions are lifted.

Call volume at the Citizen Information Line, formally activated on March 20, continues to average more than 100 calls per day, with a high of 600 calls logged on Friday, May 11. E-mail queries average more than a dozen daily. Customer inquiries range from basic questions about watering schedules, provisions within the various water shortage orders, and how to report violators to more specific concerns about cleaning septic tanks, using soaker hoses and washing dogs and horses.

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state — 16 counties from Orlando to the Keys. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts.

Senior Field Trip — Members of the Belle Glade Senior Center were treated to a field trip recently after County Commissioner Jess Santamaria arranged

personally funded transportation for a trip to Clewiston.

seniors enjoyed shopping at a local retail center and finished off the trip with lunch at their favorite restaurant.

FPL, Hurricanes And Crime Hot Topics At LGLA Meeting

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Many Loxahatchee Groves residents waited longer than most to have their electricity restored after the powerful storms of recent years, and Florida Power & Light representatives gave Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association members a rundown on their hurricane recovery plans last week.

The representatives, Matt Macon and Phillip Martin of FPL’s West Palm Beach office, spoke at the LGLA’s July 19 meeting.

Macon and Martin said FPL goes into emergency mode 72 hours before a hurricane or major tropical storm is expected to make landfall in Florida, positioning crews, selecting staging sites and contacting out-ofstate utility crews in case additional workers are needed for power restoration.

“At about 72 hours,” Martin said, “we activate our command center, which is in Miami. We actually begin to call our other companies that help the organization and ask them if they have any crews that can help us. We call our vendors that have contracts with us. We start talking to state and local governments. We get a lot of help from outside.”

After a storm, field assessments map out the extent and severity of the damage, and crews work in tandem to repair damaged power lines, large transmission lines, substations and power plants to key facili-

ties such as hospitals and police stations.

“After the winds die down below 35 mph, we go to work,” Macon said. “It’s an important task. A lot of different departments go to work. Folks will go to power plants and check on them to see what damage was sustained and get them back working, making any repairs that are necessary. At the same time, the power supply group takes a look at the high-voltage lines.”

After critical facilities are restored, the work focuses on neighborhoods and individual homeowners.

The restoration plan includes setting up major staging sites in the hardest-hit areas, mini cities with everything from manpower to materials.

In the wake of Hurricane Wilma, FPL fielded a combined workforce of nearly 22,000 that included crews from as far

away as Canada, and 21 staging sites were operating and serving 48,000-plus meals a day and passing out 82,000 pounds of ice. Crews replaced more than 1,000 miles of wire, over 6,300 transformers and more than 12,400 poles. At the same time, thousands of FPL employees were on the phone talking to customers wanting to know when power would be restored.

Macon said the recovery process depends very much on cooperation and teamwork with state and local governments, which identify critical infrastructure customers like hospitals and law enforcement. Residential customers, however, often experience more prolonged outages because even though the main lines and secondary lines are repaired, individual residential connections may need attention.

“A lot of time when you bring up the feeder or lateral you may not bring up the home if they had damage to the individual service,” Macon said. “We go to work right away on our critical infrastructure customers. It’s a huge priority to categorize the critical infrastructure customers.”

Macon and Martin encouraged residents not to call FPL while a storm is still underway except in an emergency, such as a line fallen on a home. Macon also encouraged residents not to drive or walk through standing water after a storm because it might be electrically charged.

“Be careful after a storm,” Macon said. “If there is a

downed power line, don’t stand in standing water.”

In other business:

• Lt. David Kronsperger of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 3 substation gave a status report on law enforcement activity in Loxahatchee Groves for the months of May and June.

Kronsperger said no vehicles were stolen in Loxahatchee Groves in those two months, but one stolen vehicle was recovered. He also said his men had investigated a few incidents of theft and vandalism. He said he didn’t think some recent incidents of robbery indicate a trend or gang activity.

“Our detectives are working the cases,” Kronsperger said. “I don’t believe we have a gang of people in the Groves targeting people. I think these were selected instances. I don’t think these are gang-related at all.”

Kronsperger encouraged residents to keep an eye out for their neighbors. “What we need to do as a community with the remote properties, where there is not as much traffic up and down the road, is to keep an eye out for your neighbors even if you don’t like them,” Kronsperger said. “A group of bad guys will find an area they like, and they will tell their friends it’s ripe for the picking. They will say nobody’s watching them, and nobody’s home. If you see something suspicious, don’t hesitate to call us. We’d rather come out. We’d much rather go out several times for a false alarm.”

Kronsperger also asked resi-

dents to be watchful for signs of marijuana grow houses, an increasing phenomenon in Loxahatchee Groves because of the area’s large, rural parcels. He said the telltale signs of indoor growers, such as covered windows and unorthodox electrical connections, are easy to spot.

“We’ve had a huge influx in The Acreage and in Loxahatchee Groves of marijuana grow houses,” Kronsperger said. “Most of them are discovered by citizen calls where somebody calls and says there is power diverted from a pole to a house. They do all kinds of crazy things. You’ll see these things and wonder if they want to burn their houses down... Keep an eye out, if you see something like that is suspicious, please call us so we can investigate it.”

Kronsperger also told the residents he hasn’t yet seen much evidence of hardcore criminal gang activity. “In the Groves and The Acreage, we are starting to see a lot more graffiti,” he said.

“There are kids who moved out here who are into the gangs, or they are hanging out with the wrong crowd. We have not seen a huge upsurge in crime. It may be that they live out here, and they are spray-painting, and that’s the end of it. They don’t want to stick too close to home when they do things like that. We will keep an eye on it.”

• The LGLA membership voiced support for holding regular business meetings every two months instead of monthly, alternating with social events such as a chili competition. Res-

See LGLA, page 42A

Phillip Martin of FPL PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Erasing E Road-140th Connection Depends On Sector Plan’s OK

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission opted not to remove the proposed connection of 140th Avenue North and E Road from the county’s traffic plan Monday because the Central Western Communities Sector Plan contains a provision to remove it. If built, the connection would link the communities of The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves.

The long-delayed Sector Plan, which would restrict development in unincorporated areas of the western communities, cannot be implemented until the county reaches a settlement on issues raised by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. Monday’s hearing would have transmitted the traffic plan change to the same state agency, because it is a change to the county comprehensive plan requiring state approval.

The Town of Loxahatchee Groves initiated the request, contending that the connection would create a thoroughfare that would bisect the town and subject three schools and a park to cut-through traffic.

County staff recommended denial, noting that a policy to remove the roadway improvements will be included in the Sector Plan once the county settles state objections. The staff report stressed that approving a “piecemeal amendment” to county traffic plans would conflict with the comprehensive approach to settlement of Sector Plan issues.

Indian Trail Improvement

District Vice President Mike Erickson said his board had also initiated a request to County Commissioner Jess Santamaria to remove the roadway from the traffic plan.

“We have three elementary schools within a block, two right on the road, a county na-

ture area, the community park, Indian Trail’s regional park, on 140th,” Erickson said. “That particular road also has a lot of routes to schools, and it’s in the central part of our community.”

Erickson called on affected communities to work together on a comprehensive roadway plan for the area. “Staff shows very little impact on thoroughfares if it is removed.” he said.

“Our board voted to remove it.”

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dr. Bill Louda also urged the commissioners to approve the transmittal. He said he had written the thoroughfare section of the Loxahatchee Groves Neighborhood Plan in June 1996, including a request to remove the connection from future roadway maps in order to preserve the rural nature of the community and avoid the negative impact it would have on existing neighborhoods.

Louda also offered a letter from Loxahatchee Groves Wa-

ter Control District requesting removal of the connection plan.

“This is totally consistent with the Sector Plan,” he said. Louda pointed out another reason he would “like to see it go away.” Holding up a map, he indicated the proposed connection of E Road to 140th Street, and then his home nearby on E Road.

Commissioner Mary McCarty asked for a clarification of the denial recommendation.

“Let me get this straight,” she said. “Staff is not opposed to this; it is opposed to the timing?”

“That is correct,” Planning Director Lorenzo Aghemo said.

“We are concerned it is sending mixed signals to the DCA while we are still trying to negotiate a Sector Plan.”

Commissioner Jeff Koons said he favored following staff’s recommendation to deny transmittal of the amendment and return to it if necessary, pending settlement of the Sector Plan

issues, and made a motion to postpone the item to March or April of next year.

Commissioner Jess Santamaria said he wanted to make clear that most if not all the commissioners want the connection deleted. “If it is the objective of the commission,” he asked, “what would be the harm in postponing it to the next hearing?”

Aghemo replied that with the connection in the comprehensive plan, developers would continue to factor it in their traffic studies, but the decision to approve development still belongs to the commissioners.

“If I go along with the staff recommendation, I want to make it clear that developers are wasting time using this road as part of their plan,” Santamaria said. “With that, I will go along with staff’s recommendation.”

The motion passed unanimously.

Commission Denies Transmittal Of Sluggett Commercial Development

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission on Monday denied a request to build a commercial development at the intersection of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Southern Blvd., but the perceived victory for nearby residents who oppose the plan might be short-lived if the Central Western Communities Sector Plan is implemented.

Owners of the 65-acre Slug-

gett property requested a change in land use for their property from rural residential to lowdensity commercial, and the commissioners held off on transmitting the request to Tallahassee for state review because of ongoing county efforts to settle the state’s issues with the Sector Plan.

The Sluggett property is designated for commercial development under the Sector Plan, a county attempt to regulate development in the largely rural

and unincorporated central area of the county, and would be entitled to 250,000 square feet of “neighborhood commercial” uses under the plan.

However, implementation of the Sector Plan has been held up for years, most recently over objections by the Florida Department of Community Affairs that the county is currently trying to address.

Agent Bob Bentz told the commissioners at Monday’s hearing that the Sluggett family has wait-

ed eight years for the Sector Plan to be implemented. Bentz said buffers planned as part of the development would provide neighbors fewer vision-polluting vistas than they have now, such as traffic congestion on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

Bentz noted that county staff deemed the proposed land use to be consistent with the Sector Plan, which calls for commercial uses at that location, and added that the developer would continue to work to resolve

“minor” outstanding traffic problems.

Property owner Geoff Sluggett told the commissioners his family has waited long enough. “My family has been very patient getting to this point,” he said. “The planning director said it could be several years before the Sector Plan is approved. There’s really no other land use that’s compatible with this property. My family lives there today. The traffic is just abomSee SLUGGET, page 42A

Lox Council Hashes Out Manure Concerns With Experts

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

If the Town of Loxahatchee Groves wants to regulate the dumping of horse manure, it can volunteer to adopt the state’s optional environmental regulations.

That was the upshot of a workshop the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council held Tuesday on manure dumping. The workshop featured a range of speakers including state and local officials and professionals in agricultural industries.

Horse manure dumping is a concern for the town because the waste is high in phosphorus and could add undesirably high levels of nutrients to the soil and groundwater, as well as possibly contaminate the wells residents depend on for water.

Manure haulers have been dumping horse manure carted out of Wellington in Loxa-

hatchee for years, both legally and illegally.

Bob Clark, an environmental specialist with the Office of Agricultural Water Policy at the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, described the state’s system of establishing best management practices or BMPs to lower the impact of agricultural industries on the environment.

Clark said the state’s agricultural BMP program has been in effect since 1995, and the process is mainly voluntary as local municipalities write their own ordinances to comply with agricultural BMPs.

“Total maximum daily loads” developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection specify target levels for various pollutants in impaired water bodies. A part of the compliance process would require a municipality to take samples from its water bodies to test water quality.

Clark said the self-regulation effort has been very successful, with a high degree of compliance, pointing to the strict BMPs enacted by the Village of Wellington as an example. According to Florida law, however, no municipality can adopt rules more strict than those imposed at state level.

Water consultant Jay Foy said the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District previously opted out of the BMP system. He suggested the town wait for an invitation from the state.

“What may happen, and I’m not saying it will, but you may get a request from the Department of Environmental Protection to apply,” Foy said. “The financial requirement shows you are a part of the program. This program to date has been a paperwork effort.”

Foy said state regulation and compliance enforcement will come in the future. “I don’t encourage you or discourage you

to be a part of the group,” he said. “I would say you are better off waiting for the department to come to you. Mostly, in the current stage, it’s filling out paperwork and making sure you have the right forms.”

John O’Malley, director of the Florida Department of Health’s Division of Environmental Health & Engineering, said those who use manure for an agricultural purpose are legally entitled to do so.

“Let’s talk about enforcement,” he said. “If this material is used on an agricultural residential property, and if the property owner wishes to use the material for an agricultural purpose, the Health Department cannot enforce [regulations]. It’s protected under the Right to Farm Act. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has problems regulating normal farming practices.”

O’Malley told the council that use of manure is fine in small

amounts, but the problems begin when the soil can absorb no more of it. “We have private wells and shallow water,” he said. “We are not talking about odor and flies. It’s a question of scale. It’s a bona fide use when it’s used properly. It’s the charge of this council to work on this, and the health department will support it. It’s easy to call someone and say, ‘arrest someone.’”

O’Malley said the Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center in Boynton Beach has its own composting facility, and encouraged people to visit the site. “The health department has permitted a composting facility there,” he said. “From an environmental standpoint, it’s the greatest composting facility in the world. They brought in consultants from Germany and Austria. It’s right here in Palm Beach County. They manage their own waste.”

Loxahatchee Groves Council-

See MANURE, page 42A

Trailways Committee Discusses Safety Measures For Equestrians

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Members of the Indian Trail Improvement District’s Trailways Committee focused Monday on improving the safety of equestrians on Acreage riding trails.

The committee was concerned about automobiles coming far too close to horses, especially those of young and inexperienced riders. Committee Member Brenda Riol said she

would like to see some form of barrier placed between trails and roads, but ITID Operations Director Terry Narrow pointed out that fences and hedges could cause safety problems.

ITID Supervisor Carol Jacobs, the board’s liaison to the committee, suggested use of more small signs telling drivers to slow for horses. Committee

Member Celeste Hathhorn, who is also president of the Acreage Horseman’s Association, said that at present it would make a

lot of sense to urge riders to wear helmets and keep farther away from the roads.

Committee Member Helmut Schmitt stressed that the law requires drivers to slow down when approaching horses. “If you go too fast or too close and cause an accident, you will be liable under the law,” he said. “Most people don’t know that.”

Narrow said the district has new signs marking horse crossings. “They’re yellow, so they’re very visible,” he said.

“They say ‘entering equestrian area’ and then list the ordinance number that says that speeds must be reduced.”

The crossing signs will be posted at several intersections along Grapeview Blvd. Riol made a motion to support posting the signs, which was seconded by Committee Member Deborah Knapp and passed unanimously.

Members of the committee expressed enthusiasm for a cleanup of the ITID’s eastern

trail network this Sunday. “Terry Narrow and his people have done a wonderful job cleaning up the worst problems and getting rid of a lot of the garbage already,” Hathhorn said. “We think we can really move through the whole trail to do a really fine-tuned cleanup.”

Anyone interested in participating can join the Acreage Horseman’s Association and associated groups, which will meet at Hamlin Equestrian Park on Sunday, July 29 at 8:30 a.m.

The Gordon Family Says Goodbye To The Acreage... For Now

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Longtime community activist Fred Gordon and his wife Linda were having the stove and refrigerator replaced at their Acreage home on Monday as they were preparing to rent it out.

The Gordons are packing up all their belongings, including their Rottweiler Lily and four cats.

The 11-year Acreage residents are getting ready for an adventure. Linda, who had been a special education teacher at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School, has accepted a position with the Department of Defense to teach military and civilian children in Schweinfurt, Germany.

They will not be new to the area. Fred and Linda lived there from 1986 to 1996. One of their cats, now 20 years old, is from Schweinfurt, Linda said.

“We came back,” Fred said. “We decided to go again.”

Ultimately, the couple plans to return to The Acreage, the community they call home. But for now, they’ll be living in Germany for two to six years.

Fred, who will legally be a dependent “house mom” to Linda while in Germany, said he will continue to sell life insurance and do financial planning for American civilians and military personnel. He also plans to do some volunteering at the school and possibly substituteteach, “if Linda lets me,” he said.

The founder of the Acreage Rotary Club, Fred also intends to start an English-speaking

Rotary club in Schweinfurt. They also look forward to being relatively close to their daughter Samantha, whose husband is in the military and due to be transferred from Okinawa, Japan, to Lakenheath, England — an eight- to 11-hour drive from their home, depending on who’s behind the wheel. “If I drive, it will be eight hours,” Linda said.

Samantha was three when the family moved to Schweinfurt the first time. Since she grew up and married into the military, visits have been sparse. “We haven’t seen her in two years,” Fred said.

Fred and Linda still have many friends in Schweinfurt, including one who has found a house for them. “They are like family to us,” she said.

Everything in their Acreage home is going with them, compliments of the Department of Defense, Linda said. “The uncanny thing is the first time we went to Germany, I found out on his birthday on July 21,” she said. “This time I found out two days before. This is the second time I’m giving Fred Germany as a birthday gift.”

Fred said they enjoy traveling and plan to spend weekends and summers doing just that. Many winter weekends will be spent skiing, he said. The couple’s last stay in Germany included trips to the eastern bloc, although they expect it to be far more accessible this time. They also visited the Black Sea, the tip of Spain and Sweden, among other locations. They are planning a trip to Russia next summer with

friends from Bratislavia, Slovakia, who escaped the old Communist regime with twin children in the 1970s and are now United States citizens.

Fred, 73, was born in Brooklyn and has lived in Palm Beach County off and on since 1971. Linda, 59, was born in “the real New York,” she said — the Catskills.

The trip back to Schweinfurt is not all fun and games, said Linda, who added she will be fully employed and working hard as a special ed teacher.

“We’re looking at retirement,” Linda said. “I can’t make enough as a teacher in Palm Beach County. I love my job, but the Department of Defense pays so much more. I’ll be working hard five days a week. I do not think of this as retirement.”

Linda is also active with Rotary-oriented activities. She has sponsored the RotaKids Club at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School, which has been involved with beautification projects at the school and churches. They have provided blankets for migrant children and donated wheelchairs to various groups.

Fred participated in numerous projects for Seminole Ridge High School in its first year. The Rotary club he founded provided a wheelchair to the clinic, sponsors the Interact Club, sponsored a student to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly and hosted the new officers induction dinner. This year, the club provided $250 for pins, two students attending

RYLA totaling $800, and a $1,000 scholarship.

Other recent projects by the club have included participation in Huck Finn Family Day, a bird house construction project with the RotaKids at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and a monthly breakfast for seniors.

“I’m proud to have served as founder and president of the only international service organization in The Acreage,” Gordon said. “I’m also proud of what we have accomplished to serve the community, the nation and the world.”

In addition to the Rotary, Fred has been active with the Acreage Landowners’ Association and ran twice for the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors.

Because Europe is relatively small, the Gordons will be in close proximity to many areas of interest, Fred said.

“When we run out of wine, we’ll go to France and fill up our jugs,” he said.

But despite being situated in the heart of Europe, their stay will be temporary. In the end, The Acreage is still their home.

“We love living in The Acreage,” Linda said.

Heading To Germany — Fred Gordon and his wife Linda will soon be moving to Schweinfurt, Germany.

PHOTO BY

P.W. CHAMBER’S WOMEN IN BUSINESS DINNER AT IDEAL SCHOOL

Continuing its tradition of providing members a first-hand look at area businesses, the Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business group held a business dinner on Thursday, July 26 at the Ideal School in Royal Palm Beach. Wendy Soderman told the story of how she and her husband Dr. Kris Soderman began their unique elementary and preschool where “learning is a journey of endless wonders and discoveries.” The Ideal School is located at 400 Royal Commerce Road. For more information, call (561) 791-2881.

PHOTOS BY LISA KEENEY -

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s Tensy Caine, Joanna Boynton, Joan Scherer and Jaene Miranda. Wendy Soderman speaks about creating the school.Kyle, Wendy and Dr. Kris Soderman.

The Sodermans receive a certificate of appreciation from Palms West Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jaene Miranda.

Ideal School staff members Sophie Delapaz, Andrea Siedman and Debi Ferguson.

Goodbye To You — State Senator Dave Aronberg hosted a retirement/farewell party for longtime staffers Paul Copeland and Lisa Swartz last Thursday at Sweet Tomatoes restaurant in West Palm Beach. Copeland and Swartz were replaced by Danna Ackerman-White, who worked for the Lake Worth Drainage District for more than seven and a half years. Copeland is retiring while Swartz, a Wellington resident, is moving. Shown above is Aronberg with Copeland and Swartz after the two aides opened their farewell gifts. Pictured below is Aronberg with Swartz (left) and Copeland (right) outside the restaurant.

NATURE CENTER HOLDS DEER WALK

On Saturday, July 21 the Okeeheelee Nature Center featured a Deer Walk for ages nine and older. The ten-person sessions are held to educate youngsters about the behavior of whitetailed deer, allowing an up-close view of the animals. While most white-tail deer are skittish and must be viewed from a distance, Bambi, an orphan who was raised by humans, is accustomed to such interaction; he greeted the visitors who offered him a bite of food. The Okeeheelee Nature Center is located in Okeeheelee Park at 7715 Forest Hill Blvd. For more information about programs at the nature center, call (561) 233-1400.

David Rifenberg of RPB, 11, with naturalist John Welch, pours deer food into a bucket. Bambi gets up close to 11-year-old Wyatt

Bunch.

Kids pour out the food while Niles the sandhill crane looks on.

A pair of deer cross through the foliage.

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• Online Appointments at www.pediatricassociates.com

WELLINGTON BRANCH LIBRARY CELEBRATES GRAND REOPENING

The Wellington Branch Library held a grand reopening celebration last Saturday attended by local residents and special guests including County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, County Administrator Bob Weisman, Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham, Library Advisory Board Chair Regis Wenham and Library Director John J. Callahan III. The branch, located at 1951 Royal Fern Drive, has been expanded from 8,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet and features space to house 145,000 volumes, as well as 60 Internet and word processing computers in addition to the library catalog computers and free wireless access throughout the library. The expanded building features two meeting rooms, one for children’s programs and one that can accommodate up to 100 people, and more staff to make possible new and expanded services and hours, including Sunday hours. For more information, visit the Palm Beach County Library System homepage at www.pbclibrary.org.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Mimi Levinson, Jane Udell, Regis and Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham, and John J. Callahan III and his wife Carol.

Silvia Garcia and Tensy Caine.

The children’s area includes 25 computers.

Pianist Allan Young entertains the crowd at the library.

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Pipes and Drums.

Kenny Mikey (L) and Riley Roam (R) perform for the kids.

Buhl and Gigi Fenner eat some ice cream from Bruster’s.

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria says a few words.

Library Director John J. Callahan III

My Daughter’s Latest Wedding Idea Really Takes The Cake

My daughter Jenny is marrying her sweetheart Greg in September. Because both want to be heavily involved with the planning and because both are engineers, the number of databases and spreadsheets that have been created to “facilitate” this planning could wallpaper a room. But the kids are doing a wonderful job and all I have to do is write the checks. Of course, we’ve still had our share of drama — a bridesmaid’s dress arrived in an eggplant color rather than plum, a groomsman’s tie was ordered in wine rather than plum and the desired flowers (in the perfect shade of plum) don’t bloom until spring. We get a little testy when these things happen but, hey, there’s plenty of time to fix things up or make alternate arrangements.

Our most recent conundrum takes the cake, literally.

Somewhere along the line, Jen decided that having a plastic bride and groom atop the wedding cake was dull and boring

but it would be the coolest thing on earth to have marbles spitting out the top and spiraling down the sides.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you correctly,” was my response when I first heard this.

“We could do it! We’re engineers!” she enthused.

“But… why?”

“For the coolness of it, Mom!” she said. “Greg’s sister said that if we would design the mechanization, she would build the cake.

That was six months ago. Somewhere along the line, the sister came to her senses, realizing that the cake-baking was not the hard part. The hard part is that Jen lives in Missouri, the sister lives in New Hampshire and the wedding would be taking place in Georgia, an hour and a half from Atlanta, down a dirt road, with bumps. Logistics reared its ugly head and the sister politely backed out.

Realizing the gravity of the situation

(!), Greg’s parents stepped in. As roller coaster enthusiasts with engineering backgrounds, they often give seminars on how to build coasters. It was the perfect marriage of ability and madness.

“We’ve just spent three hours drawing up the plans for the wedding cake!” Greg said when he called Jen from his parents’ house. “It’s going to be fabulous! We got all the raw materials from the Home Depot and the scrap yard and tomorrow we’re getting them powdercoated!”

Yes, powder-coated. For those of you without mechanical leanings, this has nothing to do with baking powder, powdered sugar or even cocoa powder. A powder coating is chemically adhering, baked-on spray paint — for the safety of the diners, of course!

So now Jen sits at home chewing her nails and worrying about leaving ‘her’ project in the hands of others.

“You’ve got to learn to let go,” Greg

advised. “You’ve got to learn to share.”

“Yes,” I counseled. “Let go.”

“But this cake will only be the second cake Greg’s mom has baked in her life.”

“Trust me, the cake is the least of your problems.”

“But I want to give my guests dessert!” she wailed. “If something goes wrong, will we really have time to fix things up or make alternate arrangements?”

I calmed her in a flash with “two words — groom’s cake. I suggest Publix.”

‘Hairspray’ Like The Hollywood Musicals Of Old... Almost

When people say “they don’t make movies like that anymore” they are usually talking about how much fun we have watching old movies. The studios made those great fun musicals where everyone had a good time, danced and sang well, and people walked out singing the songs.

Hairspray, a movie based on a stage musical based on a movie, almost fits that description in that it was great fun, the dancing was great, the music better than that of most movies although the songs may not be sung all that much. But the storyline has an edge to it that we only got to see in a few select moments and the best ones hide their point. My Fair Lady was really about class consciousness, but who really cared when Audrey Hepburn sang “I Could

Have Danced All Night” and later walked down those stairs in an incredible gown headed for the Embassy Ball for the night of her life?

Hairspray is a lot of fun but its edge is directed at judging people by their looks and it does it in many ways. Its heroine is short and, to put it mildly, chunky. Not the kind of girl who’ll win the heart of the coolest guy around. And, being early 1960s, there are plenty of people around who judge others by the color of their skin. The creators use a series of improbable events to shatter a lot of preconceptions, mixing it in with great fun, adding the necessary “spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down” (to quote another great musical) to make what could have been a sermon into a celebration.

Of course, there is one other minor bit of judging present: that one of the stars, John Travolta, plays a woman. Not as a man in disguise, but as the mother of the heroine. John Waters, the director of the original 1988 Hairspray, had a transvestite playing the role and casting a man in the part is a tradition (bringing up another great musical). Happily, this really never gets in the way.

Travolta plays a big fat, happy soul living through her daughter, in a happy marriage, and while playing it as corny as Kansas in August is never too campy. Younger children may watch the movie never realizing that mommy is a man. And he is a star! At the end of the movie, mama Edna is urged to join everyone dancing and as soon as Travolta started moving (starting with a famous move

On My Mind...

By Leonard Wechsler

from his dance scene in Pulp Fiction) the audience began applauding. Even in a fat suit to look like a 300-pound woman, this is a star (one who danced very well in that fat suit, making like Tina Turner!). The cast is very, very good. Queen Latifah is a great singer and has the best numbers in the movie, dealing with anger at racism and the once-a-month “Ne

See WECHSLER, page 42A

POTTER FANS PACK

BARNES & NOBLE FOR BOOK RELEASE PARTY

The Barnes & Noble book store in Wellington held a party last Friday night to celebrate the release of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scores of kids and adults turned out, dressed as characters from the book. There were also face-painting, a fortune-teller, a wizard who took pictures with kids and other activities to welcome the book’s release. Barnes & Noble is located at 10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., near the Mall at Wellington Green. For more information about future events, call (561) 792-1292.

Skylar Kesselman and Daniel Lederman.

Hannah Schelle and Haley Boodheshwar find a private spot.

Miranda Boodheshwar as “Harriet” Potter.Kristyn Bilous, Brittany Birs and Antoinette Birs.

Fortune-teller Kendra Adams.

Scott Reavy, Sam Nezera and Rachel Rickard with their newly purchased books.

PHOTO BY CAROL

Anniversary — Pianist and vocalist Larry Brendler celebrated his seventh anniversary as an entertainer at the Players Club in Wellington Saturday night. Dozens of patrons joined the festivities, which included cake and a champagne toast. The Players Club is located at 13410 South Shore Blvd. For more info., call (561) 795-0080. (Above) Players Club patrons gather around Brendler at the piano. (Below) Brendler blows out the candles on his anniversary cake. PHOTOS BY

Happy

THOUSANDS ATTEND KIDS FITNESS FESTIVAL AT FAIRGROUNDS

The Palm Beach County Sports Institute held its 13th annual Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches Thursday and Friday, July 19-20 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Presented by Ronald McDonald Charities of South Florida, the event featured more than 40 sports clinics staffed by leading instructors, enabling kids to try sports they might otherwise never would experience. The youngsters took part in interactive games, arts and crafts activities, enjoyed plenty of food music, met mascots and pro athletes, learned about fitness at the various exhibits, and took home gift bags and T-shirts. Also, new sports such as paintball and soft tennis were introduced this year. Ronald McDonald House Charities presented the Palm Beach County Sports Commission with a $20,000 grant. Sports Commission Executive Director Gerry Baron said more than 5,000 children registered for the event, an all-time high. For more information about the commission, visit www.palmbeachsports.com.

Stanley C. Panther of the Florida Panthers hockey team with Kyle Reyer, Chad Lyman and James Threet.

Ronald McDonald, holding a $20,000 check for the PBC Sports Commission, with Sports Commission President Don Dufresne, Ronald McDonald House Charities Executive Director Soraya Moya and Sports Commission Executive Director Gerry Baron.

Kylie Temple of Royal Palm Beach goes up and over the bar at the Gold Coast Gymnastics clinic.

Elijah Porren spins the ball with some help from Ronald.Robbie the Redbird of the Palm Beach Cardinals draws a crowd of young sports fans.

Russell Dillard breaks a cement block with his hand. Devin Herrmann and cousin Ben Herrmann play chess.

John Ianno assists Manuel Padilla with a bench press.

Austin Aubrey takes aim at Florida Atlantic University football player Nick Paris.

Western Communities Football League Begins Season Aug. 25

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

More than 800 players and 200 cheerleaders are participating in the 14th season of the Western Communities Football League that begins play Aug. 25 at Pierson Park in Wellington. The WCFL includes six divisions: Ultimate (six- and sevenyear-olds); Prep (eight- and nine-year-olds up to 110 pounds); Junior Varsity (10- and 11-year-olds up 125 pounds); Varsity (12-year-olds up to 135 pounds); Semi Pro (13-yearolds up to 145 pounds) and High School Prep (13- to 15-year olds who weigh more than 145 pounds).

Each team, composed of 18 to 22 players, will play a ninegame regular season schedule and three playoff games.

WCFL President Mike Pignato said each division is fully loaded with teams and players — so much so that there is even have a waiting list for kids who want to play.

“That’s unfortunate but we can’t find coaches,” Pignato said. “But realistically we’re tapped out as far as the amount of teams we have. We don’t allow any more than 22 players on a team. Obviously being a ‘must-play’ league, we don’t have room for that. We’re very fortunate that the league has such a good reputation that we’re able to fill up these divisions.”

Approximately 70 percent of the players, according to Pignato, are from Wellington. The remainder come from surrounding towns such as Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee Groves and Greenacres.

WCFL rules mandate that each player who starts must play the entire game. If a team has fewer than 22 kids, four of them can play offense and defense.

“That’s been the number-one premise about our program since it was founded by Joe Piconcelli,” Pignato said. “We play by the Florida High School Athletic Association football rules, but we also have some of our own rules that are geared toward our program being a recreational program. We’re not a ‘travel’ program. It’s competition and everybody wants to win, but we want to make sure we teach the kids

football skills and teamwork skills and sportsmanship. This is a recreational league first and foremost.”

That dedication to sportsmanship, Pignato said, is what attracts many parents and players the WCFL and keeps them coming back year after year.

“We get vocal with the kids — football is a loud sport,” Pignato said. “But it’s not an endall ‘we gotta win’ every Saturday.”

The High School Prep Division, Pignato said, serves as a sort of feeder for Wellington High School, which has junior varsity and varsity football teams, but not a ninth-grade team.

“Some of the ninth graders will make Wellington’s JV team,” Pignato said. “The rest, we hope, will come out and play in the High School Prep Division.”

Most of the teams, Pignato said, have one head coach and at least two assistant coaches.

“I think our total coaching count is between 75 and 78 coaches,” said Pignato, an assistant on the Prep Chargers team. Pignato’s son Grant is a center for the Chargers.

“Dads always coach sons,” Pignato said. “We kind of have a rule that we don’t split up brothers unless the parents request it. We try and accommodate cousins and things like that. And every year we start fresh. So even if you had 10 kids on your roster last year that you’d like to have back this year, it’s an open draft. You’re not guaranteed of getting any of them.”

PHOTOS BY STEVE

PIKE/TOWN-CRIER

Michael Infiesta, 10, tries on a helmet.

Varsity Colts coach Tracey Cloth adjusts Joakim Keskinen’s helmet.

Daniel Joiner, 11 (left), and Joseph Guthrie, 11 (right), try on their helmets and pads at the WCFL complex at Pierson Park.

Bassmasters Fish Lake Okeechobee

The Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters held its monthly tournament June 24 out of Clewiston on Lake Okeechobee.

First place was awarded to the team of Mike Gershberg (boater) with four fish weighing 5 lbs., 9 oz. and partner Keith Perron (guest/non-boater) with five fish weighing 8 lbs., 3 oz. for a total team weight of 13 lbs., 12 oz.

Second place went to Randy Houck (boater) with four fish weighing 6 lbs., 14 oz. and partner Jeff Martin (non-boater) with three fish weighing 3 lbs., 3 oz. for a total team weight of 10 lbs., 1 oz. Third place was Nick Lentini (boater) with three fish weighing 3 lbs., 12 oz. and partner Jeff Todd (non-boater) with one fish weighing 1 lb. for a total team weight of 4 lbs. 12 oz.

The “big fish” of the tournament, weighing 2 lbs., 15 oz. was a tie between Phil Northrop and Houck.

For individual heaviest total weight, first place went to Keith Perron. In second place was Houck.

In third place was Gershberg. Anyone interested in joining the club as a boater or non-boater may call Irene at (561) 793-7081 for more information.

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center and tournaments are held the following Sunday. Dues are $25 a year and tournament entry fees are $25 per person.

Shark Week Returns To South Florida Science Museum July

Dah dum… dah dum… it’s back! Shark week returns to the South Florida Science Museum Saturday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 5 with special weekend shark lectures, necklace making and comparative shark anatomy. Expert lectures take place Saturdays, July 28 and Aug. 4 at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Additional lectures take place Sundays, July 29 and Aug. 5 at 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Topics include finding shark fossils, the uniqueness of shark anatomy and sharks in captivity. Visitors can make their own sharktooth necklaces using teeth from lemon sharks, bull sharks, and other species. The teeth come from famous fossil sites and many teeth date back to more than 100,000 years ago. Necklace-makers will learn how to identify the species of shark based on the teeth, and how sharks can

28

lose up to a dozen teeth a day. Various jaws will be on display for comparing different species. Come discover more about nature’s most misunderstood predators, and what makes these toothy creatures so special.

Shark Week activities run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Necklace making activities cost $4 and up, depending on the size and value of the tooth.

The South Florida Science Museum is currently in the middle of the public phase of a $54 million capital campaign to build a state-of-the-art science center. The museum is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach (in the north end of Dreher Park). Admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $6 for children. For more information, call (561) 832-1988 or visit www.sfsm.org.

Dive-In Movie This Saturday At Wellington Aquatics Complex

The Wellington Aquatics Complex will present its July “Dive-In” movie on Saturday, July 28 from 8 to 10 p.m. featuring the film Night at the Museum. The movie is about a newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History who discovers an ancient curse that causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc. The movie is rated PG for the whole family. This is a night for the entire family to enjoy at the main pool and a $5 per person entrance fee applies. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own beverages; alcohol and glass containers are

prohibited and coolers will be checked. Concession food and beverages are also available for purchase. Parents can relax under the stars while the children enjoy the movie. Patrons are permitted to bring their own floats to this special event.

For more information on pool programs, contact the pool office at (561) 753-2484, ext. 2836.

For information on other village programs, events and activities or scheduled maintenance projects, visit the village’s web site at www.ci.wellington. fl.us or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.

Mike Gershberg

Randy Houck

Phil Northrop

Saturday, July 28

• The Lake Worth Playhouse (713 Lake Ave.) will present The Rocky Horror Show on Saturday, July 28. Tickets cost $21 to $50. For more info., call (561) 586-6410 or visit the playhouse web site at www.lakeworthplay house. org.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will continue the mod musical Shout! through Aug. 5. Shout! brings together five groovy girls who celebrate the music of Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield and Lulu, performing new arrangements of hit songs that made England swing in the ’60s. Tickets cost $21 to $50. Call (561) 832-7469 for more info.

• A Gigantic Garage Sale is set for Saturday, July 28 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the South Florida Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. A portion of the admission will be donated to the South Florida Fair Scholarship Fund. For more info., call the South Florida Fair at (561) 793-0333 or visit www.south floridafair.com.

• The Petapalooza Adopta-thon will take place Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, 3200 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. Reduced adoption fees will be offered. Call (561) 686-3663 or visit www.hspb.org for more info.

adults. Call the box office at (561) 793-0333 or visit www.southfloridafair.com for more info.

Sunday, July 29

• Shark Week will take place at the South Florida Science Museum (4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach) from Sunday, July 29 to Aug. 5. From noon to 6 p.m. each day, there will be expert weekend lectures, comparing shark jaws, making your own shark-tooth necklaces and other bite-sized activities. Call (561) 832-1988 for more info.

• The Acreage Horseman’s Association will host a clean up of the Indian Trail Improvement District’s eastern trail network on Sunday, July 29. The cleanup will be held in conjunction with several other groups, businesses and other area volunteers. Volunteers will meet at Hamlin Equestrian Park at 8:30 a.m. and begin cleaning up debris that has built up along the path of the existing multipurpose trail. For more information, visit www.acreage horseman.com.

Tuesday, July 31

• The Acreage/Loxahatchee Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at 7:29 a.m. at Sneaky Pete’s Restaurant in the Grove (Winn-Dixie) Plaza on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. For more information, call President Richard Helton at (561) 792-5379.

Thursday, Aug. 2

• Sean’s Dance Factory will present Big Bang VII Saturday, July 28 at 7 p.m. in Dreyfoos Hall at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). Call (561) 8327469 for info.

• The third annual Dreher Park Dash 5K & Cookout will take place Saturday, July 28 at 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Home Team of the Lord’s Place. The familyfriendly event will include a 5K race at 7 p.m. followed by the Kids’ K (.74 mile) at 7:45 p.m. and a barbecue dinner provided by Park Avenue BBQ. Registration fees are $22 for Running Club members, $25 for non-members who pre-register and $30 on race day. Registration for students is $15 and $5 for children participating in the Kids K. Dreher Park is located at 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. For information, call (561) 8389424 or visit www.runpalm beach.com.

• The Palm Beach Idol Talent Show will take place on Saturday, July 28 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre (1001 East Indiantown Road, Jupiter). Prizes will be awarded in three age groups for the most talented individuals in the area. Call (561) 575-2223 for more info.

• Wellington Parks & Recreation will present its Dive-In Movie Night series on Saturday, July 28 at 8 p.m. at the Wellington Aquatic Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Call (561) 7532484 for more info.

• On Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29, the South Florida Fairgrounds will be the site of the Great Train Expo, a traveling show that caters to model railroad enthusiasts. Model train dealers will be there to offer a variety of products. Admission is $7 for

visit www.emcexpos.com.

Saturday, Aug. 4

• On Saturday, Aug. 4, the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will offer a one-hour walk in John Prince Park. Enter the park off Congress Avenue, turn right at the stop sign and left into the first parking lot. The walk begins at 7:30 a.m. For info., call Paul at (561) 963-9906.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present “The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute” on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. in Dreyfoos Hall. For more info., call the box office at (561) 8327469 or visit www.kravis.org.

• Toastmasters will host “How to Speak With Humor, Substance and Style” on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the South Florida Water Management District office (3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach). The featured speaker is David Brooks. RSVP to Sheila Zayas at sheila_zayas @yahoo.com or (561) 2425639.

Sunday, Aug. 5

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will offer a nine-mile walk in Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Jupiter on Sunday, Aug. 5. Meet at the entrance parking lot at 8 a.m. For more info., call Mary at (561) 391-7942.

Monday, Aug. 6

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) invites teens ages 12 through 18 to Teen Potter-Palooza on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Don your wizard gear, make your own wand, dine in the Great Hall and partake in other Potter-inspired fun. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

Friday, Aug. 3

• Every Friday at 10 a.m. the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) invites parents to bounce, sing and move with their babies to nursery rhymes and favorites songs. The program is for babies under one year. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Human Resources: A Guide for Business Growth” on Friday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. Kathy Coughlin of Team HR will talk about the function of human resources for small business, how to develop positive employee relations and the requirements of the Department of Labor. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Maltz Jupiter Theatre (1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter) will feature The Kid From Brooklyn Friday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Sept. 9. The smash musical is based on the life of New Yorker Danny Kaye. Tickets are $30 for matinee and $35 for all evening performances. Group tickets are available for 20 or more. Visit www.jupiter theatre.org or call (561) 5752223 for tickets.

• The Life and Family Tour, a new home and lifestyle show for the entire family, will debut Friday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug. 5 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach. The cost is $5 for adults and free for children under 12. Bring two canned food items for the Ronald McDonald House food drive and receive a $2 discount on admission. For more info.,

• To celebrate National Clown Week, the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present Clownin’ Around for ages two through five on Monday, Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. featuring stories, songs and a special craft. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will offer the program “Butterflies of South Florida” on Monday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.). The featured speaker will be Alana Edwards from Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Environmental Studies. Call (561) 2331400 for more info.

• Palms West Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Vacation Bible School Aug. 6-10 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each day. The cost is $8 per child and $16 per family. For more information, call Candi McLeod at (561) 795-1854. Palms West Presbyterian Church is located at 13689 Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves.

Tuesday, Aug. 7

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen” on Tuesdays, Aug. 7 through Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Based on the parenting guidance groups of child psychologist Dr. Haim Ginott, the workshop teaches parents how to communicate more effectively with their children through audio tapes, role playing and exercises. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Monday, Aug. 13

• The James Ryan Rivera Muscular Dystrophy Golf for the Cure will take place at the Links of Madison Green on Monday, Aug. 13. Registration starts at 7 a.m. with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The fundraiser will help James Rivera, a five-year-old diagnosed with MD. Call Terri Wescott at (561) 2534724 or Dawn Dallin at (561) 309-5864 for more info.

New Guinea Singing Dogs Star In ‘Wild Things’ Show At Zoo

Two year-old New Guinea singing dogs, Mic and Sydney, were brought to the Palm Beach Zoo in June. These interesting additions to the collection are stars in the zoo’s new “Wild Things” show at the wildlife stage.

New Guinea Singing Dogs (NGSDs) are considered an ancient breed of dog. Numerous fossil findings prove that this species of dog lived with primitive man more than 5,000 years ago.

Although they are now considered a recognized breed with the United Kennel Club, they retain many primitive traits. They are amazing hunters and have 10percent larger, longer carnassials (gnawing teeth) than the average domestic dog. They are great climbers and can scale trees and walls with ease. NGSDs also have more reflective eyes than domestic dogs, which “glow” in very low light levels.

Of all of these interesting traits and differences, the most unusual (and endearing) is their lovely singing voice. The New Guinea singing dog does not bark but emits a howling, almost wolf-like vocalization. Some compare these unusual sounds to whale songs.

The Palm Beach Zoo is a non-profit zoological organization located at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach, housing more than 1,500 animals within 23 acres of lush tropical habitat.

The Palm Beach Zoo is located at 1301 Summit Blvd., just east of I-95 between Southern and Forest Hill boulevards. Regular admission is $12.95, $9.95 for seniors 60 and over, $8.95 for children three to 12, and free for zoo members and children under three. The zoo is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.palmbeach zoo.org.

New Guinea singing dogs are recent additions to the Palm Beach Zoo’s “Wild Things” show.

Seminole Ridge Marching Band Plays Its Way To The Gator Bowl

PBSO To Drivers: School Starts Soon

Summer is almost over and the opening of the new school year is near.

Once again school crossing guards from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and municipal law enforcement agencies will be at elementary and middle schools to ensure children’s safety.

The PBSO encourages parental assistance in alleviating the traffic congestion around the schools by allowing children to ride their bicycles or walk to school.

Deputies will enforce the 20-

mph school speed limit, as well as the required helmet law for bicyclists under the age of 16.

The PBSO reminds drivers that passing a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading children is a violation of the law.

Back-To-School Immunization

With the school beginning in August, now is the time to get your child ready.

The Palm Beach County Health Department is reminding parents to check their child’s immunization records. If updates are needed make an appointment with a physician, visit

the immunization van or stop into one of the clinics.

The Health Department clinics are open Monday through Friday for people to walk in, though appointments are recommended. Locations and times can be obtained by calling the Health Department Immunization office at (561) 840-4568 or (800) 810-1225.

JAFCO Collecting School Supplies

The Wellington Chapter of Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) invites residents to join its back-toschool drive.

The Seminole Ridge High School Hawk Band has accepted an invitation to compete and perform at the Toyota Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, 2008 in Jacksonville.

The band was selected because of its reputation for excellence in music and marching, although the school and the band have existed for only two years.

Seminole Ridge band director Tim Skinner has led the young musicians to consistently earn superior ratings at competitions and assessments.

More than 100 students are in the Hawks marching band, including wind, brass, drum line and color guard. These sections, as well as individual students, have received many honors, including superior ratings at district and state level competitions.

Now that they have been in-

Help is needed collecting school supplies for the children of JAFCO. Pickups and donations will be available at the following locations:

• Wellington Jewish Community Center (13889 Wellington Trace), Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Aug. 17.

• Strathmore Bagels (State Road 7 and Lake Worth Road), where volunteers will be outside collecting the school supplies on Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Suggestions of needed items include pocket folders with fasteners; lunch boxes; No. 2 pen-

vited to the Gator Bowl, band members and parents are thinking of creative ways to fund the trip to Jacksonville. The band will be participating in four days of preparation and competition prior to the bowl game.

The parents of these students are now faced with the challenge of raising the $60,000 to cover the cost of travel and lodging. Students and parents are planning fundraisers and seeking donations and sponsors.

The band is also willing to travel in small groups to perform for functions. Anyone interested in helping is asked to visit the band’s web site at www.seminoleridgeband.com, where they will find all the information on sponsorship, donations and whom to contact. For more information, call Elizabeth at (561) 719-2153.

cils; mechanical pencils with No. 2 refills; backpacks; inexpensive calculators; Post-It Notes; white wide-ruled, looseleaf paper; wide-ruled spiral notebooks; pencil cases; standard/metric rulers; highlighters; large glue sticks; white school glue; any color ballpoint pens; black or blue erasable pens (no gel pens); 24-packs of crayons; 12-packs of colored pencils; kids’ safety scissors; large boxes of facial tissues; index cards and Mead perforated notebooks with 50 pages each. For more information, call Louise Marks at (561) 7989700 or Fran Lerner at (561) 795-6085.

Jonathan Hoke with last year’s Seminole Ridge High School marching band.

What

Organizational Management?

Organizational Management (ORM) is a broad based program that emphasizes management theory and

that and practice.

What will the degree do for me?

You will enhance your career opportunities while you develop the knowledge and skills to compete with other college graduates. Learn how to lead effectively and apply sound business and management principles as you enhance your understanding of human behavior and its relationship to today’s global work environment.

How long will it take?

credit to Professional Education

The ORM program is ﬂexible in applying previously earned college credit to your degree. Professional Education Credit may also be awarded for professional licenses and certiﬁcates. If you have earned an Associate of Arts Degree or the equivalent you should be able to complete your

certiﬁcates. If have earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1½ to 2 years.

How ar e classes of fer ed?

Classes are accelerated and meet in the evening from 6 - 10 p.m.. Attending two nights per week gives you full-

time status.

“Palm Beach Atlantic’s Wellington location suits my busy schedule and the evening classes allow me to complete class assignments throughout the week. My education will help me move up the ranks.”

Brenda Smith of Belle Glade, lieutenant for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department, Palm Beach County Jail

Ask about the Master of Science degree program starting this fall.

student status, the number of credit hours transfer

Earning an evening college degree is an investment that will pay off. Your total cost and your cost per semester will depend on several factors: Full-time or part-time student status, the number of credit hours you transfer to PBA, the type of ﬁnancial aid you qualify for Florida residency and tuition assistance from your employer. Full-time students who are Florida residents receive the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) fall and spring

Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) fall and spring semesters, $1500 each semester.

• GLADES DAY SCHOOL founded in 1965, offers a balance of academic, athletic and extracurricular programs. Serving students from K-3 through grade 12, Glades Day School provides the opportunity for students to develop to their fullest potential. Accelerated math and science programs are offered to advanced students and all students are offered a full range of programs from computer technology and foreign language to the performing arts. Registration for the new school year is on-going and financial aid is available to those who qualify. Glades Day School is located at 400 Gator Blvd., Belle Glade. For more information call (561) 9966769 or visit www.gladesdayschool.com.

• WELLINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL is a Christ-centered, Bible-based school that is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Christian Schools of Florida. Students from early childhood education through high school will experience a rich academic environment taught by certified teachers whose goals are to achieve superior scholastic results. Students will also be enriched with foreign language, music, art, choral band, drama and varsity sports programs. The school is located at 1000 Wellington Trace. For more information and to schedule an appointment to visit our campus please call us at 793-1017.

• SUMMIT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL is an independent non-denominational Christian school that has been educating youth in our community for over 30 years. Serving children from six weeks of age to grade 12, we train students to think critically and biblically and act morally and responsibly — in a learning environment that gives them security and significance. Summit Christian offers a cohesive and systematic collegeprep curriculum, the most unique fine arts programs available and an extensive athletic program that includes varsity football. “Summit Saints” athletic offerings begin in K-5 and continue through high school. Summit Christian School is also home to Summit Productions, our school’s film and television program. Busing, extended care, fine arts after-school programs and summer camps are also available. For more information, call (561) 686-8081 ext. 319 or visit www.summitchristian.com.

• TEMPLE BETH ZION RELIGIOUS AND PRESCHOOL — “My First Jewish Experience” is a fun, Montessori-style experience for children ages 5 and 6 including vocabulary games, art, musical activities, Jewish holidays, prayers and customs. “More Jewish Experiences” (ages 6 and 7) is a continuation of MFJE, learning to read and write in Hebrew. At our preschool, children of all faiths learn and play together. For more information call (561) 798-8888 or go to our web site at www.templebethzion.net. We are located at 129 Sparrow Drive in Royal Palm Beach.

Contents Prepared by the Marketing Department

• PLANET KIDS a family owned and operated child care center for 25 years, offers a safe, fun and educational environment for children from six weeks thru eleven years. Their state-of-the-art facility includes a theatre, computer/library, science/ art, music/gymnastics, multiple intelligence discovery class, Spanish/French, and specialty rooms. Your child will learn foreign languages as well as sign language. The three safe, age-specific playgrounds are the coolest in town. They offer a creative, hands-on curriculum to prepare your child for Kindergarten. The staff is warm, loving, and specifically trained for each age level. Planet Kids has five convenient locations in Palm Beach County.

• DILLON COUNTRY DAY is an accredited non-denominational private independent college preparatory school serving the western communities since 1995, Grades 6 thru 12, providing the “bridge” to high school & college. Individual attention is given with a low student/teacher ratio of 5 to 1. Music, fine arts, marine sciences – scuba & surf, are just a few of the unique and interesting programs we offer. We participate in the McKay Scholarship program. Our motto is “Leadership Through Service and Commitment.” To find out more, call us today at (561) 798-4748.

• UNITY FOR KIDS EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER is a non-profit non-denominational preschool and therapeutic center for children with and without special needs. Our inclusive setting allows children to learn, play and socialize together. Children can realize their full potential and achieve high levels of self-esteem. We are a center where school readiness skills such as phonics, reading, numbers and language skills are stressed. Some of our important activities include Spanish, sign language, computer, music, drama, arts and crafts. We will be a voluntary pre-K program beginning in August, as well as a family central provider. Many special-needs children can receive speech, physical and occupational therapy right at our center. We are accepting sponsors for some children who otherwise would not be able to attend our program. For further information please call Sharon Green at (561) 478-7477 or visit us at the center located at 1063 N. Haverhill in West Palm Beach.

• DANCE ARTS CONSERVATORY is a professional school of performing arts located in the heart of Wellington. We are a family owned business proudly celebrating our 4th year of service to the community. It is our mission to provide a professional, creative environment for our students to flourish in artistically, all the while providing the highest quality of training. We look forward to instructing and inspiring each and every one of our dancers through a dance curriculum which is designed for students ranging from the novice to the professional, from 3 years old to adult. Classes are administered by a knowledgeable staff of dance educators all with broad experiences in stage performance and professional companies; each possessing a great and contagious love for dancing. We are located in the Wellington Marketplace next door to the Wellington Cinema at 13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A-23. For details and information visit us on the web at www.danceartsconservatory.com or call us at 561-296-1880.

Carley, White Plan Wedding

Mr. William and Robin Carley of Royal Palm Beach and Dr. Christopher and Linda White of Murfreesboro and Shelby, North Carolina recently announced the upcoming wedding of their children Karen Lee Carley and Andrew Christopher White.

Karen, a graduate of Florida State University, works in pri-

vate investment management at Lehman Brothers in Palm Beach.

Andre, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is a portfolio manager at AVM, L.P. in Boca Raton.

The wedding will be held in December at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach.

Brodbeck Graduates

From Saint Leo

Mary Brodbeck of Wellington received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Leo University on May 5. She was one of 745 graduates from the college, located about 45 minutes north of Tampa.

Malefatto On

Clark Dean’s List

Anna Malefatto of Wellington received first honors on the Clark University dean’s list to mark outstanding academic achievement during the Spring 2007 semester. To be eligible for first honors, students must have a grade point average of 3.8 or higher, out of a maximum of 4.3 (all “A” grades). Clark University, a co-educational liberal arts research university, is located in Worchester, Mass.

Students Graduate

From Emory

Three Wellington students graduated from Emory University in Atlanta during its 62nd commencement ceremony on May 14.

Joseph Poveromo, son of Lisa Lyn Poveromo and Harry Damien Suchich, received a bachelor of business administration from the Goizueta Business School.

Noah Weiss, son of Dr. Bradley Weiss and Dr. Cetty Maria Weiss, received a bachelor of business administration from the Goizueta Business School.

Leila Bucary, daughter of Adiiza Bucary, received a mas-

ter of public health from the Rollins School of Public Health.

Douglas Horn of Wellington was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Washington University in St. Louis Mi.

Horn is a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach and is enrolled in the university’s college of arts and Sciences.

To qualify for the dean’s list in arts and sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Washington University is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching and research and draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 120 nations. More than 13,500 undergraduates, graduates and professional students enroll each year.

The university’s 3,098 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Olin School of Business, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law, School of Medicine and George Warren Brown School of Social Work. Twenty-two Nobel laureates have been associated with Washingon University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research there.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad spec-

trum of traditional and intersdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

Cassi Graduates From JWU

Robert Cassi of Wellington received a bachelor of science in culinary arts from the Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts at the Providence, R.I., campus ceremony in May.

Johnson & Wales — “America’s Career University” — has campuses located in Providence, North Miami, Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C.

The school was founded in 1914. With an enrollment of more than 16,000 students, Johnson & Wales is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, food service, education, hospitality and technology.

Preparing students for successful careers is the cornerstone of the university’s educational philosophy. A benchmark of the University has been its 29-consecutive-year employment record.

Within 60 days of graduation, 98 percent of its students from the 50 states have jobs in their chosen career fields. For more information about Johnson & Wales University, visit www.jwu.edu.

Send people items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

Karen Lee Carley and Andrew Christopher White

Wellington Twins Help With Museum’s Wetland Cleanup

Thirteen-year-old twins Jonathan and David Lucien were among the Wellington residents who braved the heat recently to help the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation’s summer interns “rejuvenate a wetland” at the South Florida Science Museum in West Palm Beach.

The group — which included members of the Boy Scouts, families and concerned citizens of all ages — helped remove exotic plants and install native vegetation on a quarter-acre area of land behind the museum. Congressman Ron Klein cut the ribbon to the newly planted natural area while County Commissioner Jeff Koons, who is the chairman of the museum’s board of directors, rolled up his sleeves to help plant cypress trees, coco plum and other native vegetation. Also on hand was South Florida Science Museum Vice Chairman Rhys Williams.

The wetland will be used by science museum staff to provide visitors with environmental education about Florida’s ecosystem. The project was organized by the Marshall Foundation’s collegeaged summer interns as part of their effort to complete an 11-week “crash course” on Everglades ecology.

The interns are University of Central Florida graduate Kristina Richards of Palm City; Diana Aranda, a recent graduate from the University of New Mexico who will soon begin work on a master’s degree in coastal zone management at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale; Scott Holtz, a Plantation native and University of Florida law student planning to study environmental and land-use law; and David Cox, who is attending a marine science graduate program at the University of Miami.

“The project went really well,” Richards said. “The volunteers were wonderful and everything turned out pretty much perfectly.”

Aranda concurred. “We had incredible support from the community, the Science Museum and the Marshall Foundation,” she said. “It feels so good to know that we’ve helped create something that will benefit the environment for years to come.”

The 2007 intern class will graduate on Thursday, Aug. 2 at a ceremony at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach.

To arrange an interview with the Marshall Foundation interns or inquire about attending their Aug. 2 graduation ceremony, contact Susanna Laurenti at (561) 805-8733 or susanna.laurenti@art marshall.com.

Each year several high-achieving, college-aged students participate in the foundation’s award-winning summer internship program. The program is designed for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in the environmental sciences.

Hospital Pediatrician Wins Award — Palms West Hospital pediatric oncologist Dr. Melissa Singer recently won the title of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Woman of the Year” on both the local level and the national level. Dr. Singer’s practice, Palm Beach Pediatric Hematology Oncology, treats children of all ages with blood diseases and cancer, and is located on the Palms West Hospital campus, Medical Building No. 9. For more information, contact her office at (561) 798-9119 or visit her web site at www.pbpho.com.

Pictured above is (L-R) Dr. Singer (center) with Kristen

from Channel 25 and Mo and Sally from 105.5 at the

Annaya Sky Bradford — daughter of Diana Esmeralda Velasquez and Dustin Paul Bradford of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 15.

Tony James Welden Jr. — son of Melissa and Tony Welden of Royal Palm Beach was was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 18.

Alana Schrecengost-Brand daughter of Devin Schrecengost and Moises Brand of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 18.

Raul Armando Flores — son of Heather Marie and Leopoldo Armando Flores of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 18.

Ariana Nicole Anderson — daughter of Ashley Lacagnina and Travis Anderson of Royal Palm Beach was born at

and Jon

Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 18.

Dylan Joseph Butz — son of Tracy L. and Shawn P. Butz of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 19.

Marli Blair Wilhoit — daughter of Pam and Adam Wilhoit of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 20.

Mason James Miller — son of Beth and Patrick Miller of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 20.

Asmaa Linah Assad — daughter of Nazeema and Rizwan Assad of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 20.

Noah Edgar Ignjatovic — son of Lisa Marie and Aleksandar Ignjatovic of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on July 21.

David and Jonathan Lucien.

Hoke

Shainman

LLS Grand Finale Gala.

HGTV’s Tim Luke Featured At Appraisal Extravaganza Weekend

Tim Luke, host of HGTV’s Cash in the Attic and local appraisal columnist, headlines a full weekend for antique and collectibles lovers Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10 and 11 at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts in Tequesta.

The Appraisal Extravaganza kicks off with a cocktail party Friday, Aug. 10 starting at 6 p.m.

Luke will share a fun-filled, behindthe-scenes look at “Fantastic, Fun & Freaky Finds,” unusual items from Cash in the Attic

An auction will be held with Luke as auctioneer. Some of the items up for bidding include a one-hour appraisal in the high bidder’s home, the opportunity to be an “appraiser for a day,” a VIP brunch with Luke and a luxury spa treatment for two.

Advance reservations are required. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Open to the public on Saturday Aug. 11, the Lighthouse Center will host an appraisal day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Luke and business partner Greg Strahm, both accredited members of the International Society of Appraisers, and their team, which includes a certified gemologist to evaluate fine gems and watches, will appraise up to three items per person. The cost is $20 per item, three items for $50. No guns, knives, coins or stamps will be appraised.

Formerly the director of the collectibles department at Christie’s, Luke is an independent appraisal consultant with an extensive background in antiques and collectibles. He has appeared as a participating appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow and is also featured weekly in the Palm Beach Post’s “Appraise This!” column.

The Lighthouse Center for the Arts, a

Collectibles appraiser Tim Luke

501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides a bridge to the visual and performing arts for the community through unique collections, engaging exhibitions and cultural programs, a dynamic school of art and diverse outreach activities. The Lighthouse Center has provided arts education and culture programs for northern Palm Beach and southern Martin counties for 43 years.

Summer hours at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours during special events such as the Appraisal Extravaganza Weekend. For more information, visit the center’s web site at www.lighthousearts.org.

Lighthouse Center for the Arts is located at Gallery Square North, 373 Tequesta Drive in Tequesta. For more information or to RSVP, call (561) 7463101.

Now that’s Italiano!

The Phantoms Visit Grotto Ristorante

207 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach (561) 659-1440

We would like to be one of the first to welcome Grotto Ristorante to Palm Beach. Located at the former site of Chuck & Harold’s, a Palm Beach landmark, the restaurant is known for its retractable roof in the main dining room, adding that extra touch of class and elegance to your dining experience. Now you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you to the cozy setting of an Italian trattoria.

At Grotto Ristorante, everything on the Neapolitan-influenced menu is homemade on premises; it’s part of their unsurpassed passion for detail. Their menu changes constantly based on season and availability of fresh ingredients. They offer a nice variety of entrees and pastas made from scratch, and their sinful desserts are sure to please. Great food paired with their award-winning wines from Italy and impeccable service is a winning combination. Grotto is the perfect location for friends and family to enjoy a fabulous meal and have a great time!

On first sight you can’t help noticing the fresh grilled vegetable antipasti display on the bar, a tradition found in the old country, and very affordable. Selections from the hot and cold antipasti display are four for $8.95, six for $11.95 or eight for only $13.95. This could even be a meal in itself, as we love to sit at the bar and graze on Italian comfort food.

You must start with their special Romancrust pizzas from their wood-burning oven, with choices ranging from the simple margherita ($10.95) to pepperoni, roasted chicken or sausage and peppers — this will add a whole new dimension in pizza appreciation! Also we highly recommend the Zuppa Maritata ($6.95), a traditional wedding soup, broth with chicken, meatballs, Italian greens and pasta.

Salads are another treat, like pear carpaccio, tomato Caprese, crispy shrimp & calamari, grilled chicken or Italian home-style Grotto Salad all unique, all delicious and only $6.96 to $14.95.

When it comes to pasta, Grotto makes beautiful renditions daily from their imported pasta machine, including our favorite gnocchi Modenese ($14.95), delicious potato dumplings with an incredible homemade Bolognese sauce. Other pasta selections include ravioli alla vodka, lasagna al forno, pappardelle alla campagnola with chicken, mushrooms, peas, mozzarella tossed in a zesty sugo rosa sauce and the number-one pasta treat throughout Italy, linguine alle vongole ($16.95), linguine smothered with clams, garlic, white wine and extra virgin olive oil.

Entrees are truly spectacular. Whether you choose fish, chicken, veal or shellfish, you can be sure of the most authentic and delicious Italian food outside of the Bay of Naples. Shrimp paillard ($24.95) is eight jumbo shrimp pounded thin to make one enormous shrimp, seared and topped with jumbo lump crab, roasted bell peppers and a zesty lemon sauce and served with the delicious crispy roasted potatoes. Another winning dish is risotto gamberoni ($16.95), a creamy rice dish with an explosion of flavors amid a shrimp feast that defies description; it is a defining moment for Risotto appreciation.

The best treat of all is the dessert cart, piled high with sinful desserts, all at only $7.95. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a memorable meal. We would return for the melt-in-your-mouth strawberry and ricotta angelfood bombe, or the Italian ricotta cheesecake dusted with crushed pistachios, or the flourless chocolate cake beautifully rich and moist and the tiramisu.

Grotto is open for lunch and dinner. For reservations, to schedule a private party or for additional information, call (561) 659-1440, and please tell them that Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, highly recommended you call.

Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are featured writers for the Town-Crier newspaper and Seabreeze Publications. Comments and recommendations are welcome at thephantom diners@aol.com or (561) 309-4406.

Visions Hair Studio In Wellington Hosts Haircut-a-Thon

By Paul Gaba and Aaron Taslitz Town-Crier Staff Report

Brianna Julius had a vision of helping raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through her job as a hairstylist. Next month, that vision becomes reality. Julius is spearheading Visions’ first-ever Haircut-a-Thon, scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 12 at the salon on Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington.

Visions will offer only haircuts during the five-hour fundraiser, and is requesting a minimum $25 donation for each. Normally, cuts cost at least $50 at the salon. All donations will go toward finding a cure for leukemia and lymphoma. “I just felt like I’ve been blessed with great family and friends and health, and I wanted to give back to the community,” Julius said.

In creating the Haircut-a-Thon, Julius said her personal goal is to raise $3,000 for leukemia and lymphoma research.

After receiving positive feedback from several co-workers, she approached Vi-

Manure Groves Workshop

continued from page 13A man Dr. Bill Louda, a professor of environmental chemistry at Florida Atlantic University, said that if the Village of Wellington’s solution to phosphorus loads in Basin B of the Acme Improvement District were applied in Loxahatchee Groves, residents might not be able to afford to live there.

“Take a look at Loxahatchee Groves and the size of Acme Basin B,” Louda said. “It’s within 50 acres of being the same size. We’re not just worried about phosphorus going into the Everglades and the C-51 Canal. We are part of the Lake Worth Lagoon system.”

Loxahatchee resident and veterinarian Deborah Marshall cautioned the council

Sluggett Development Plans Denied

continued from page 12A inable. There are a couple of minor traffic issues to work out, but we would like to move forward at this point.”

Area residents joined representatives from the Town of Loxahatchee Groves and the Indian Trail Improvement District in speaking against the project.

Dean Squires of Fox Trail said it is a short distance to the Sluggett house from the property he has lived on for 20 years. He agreed that traffic is getting bad in the area. “In the morning when I go out to get the paper, the traffic is backed up a half mile,” he said.

But Squires questioned whether heavy traffic justifies additional commercial development, noting that there are already 12 shopping centers in the area. He asked the commissioners to wait until the Sector Plan is completed to approve the development.

Loxahatchee resident Bill Tyson said the 300-foot buffer proposed for the development would be insufficient, and showed a picture of the back of the Lowe’s store at Southern Blvd. and State Road 7 looming 200 feet away from a resident’s yard.

“We in Loxahatchee are concerned about preserving the rural nature of our communities,” he said.

Tyson also objected to the potential for light and noise pollution.

“The ability to see the Milky Way at night and stroll down a canal and see a family of otters is important to us,” he said. “By approving this kind of project, you are going to take that away from us.”

Tyson said a commercial project is not needed in that area. “In rush hour traffic it takes me seven minutes to get to any

sions owner Tom Monticello, who embraced the idea wholeheartedly. Julius said this is the first time the salon has ever held a fundraiser, and that she believes it is for a good cause. “We thought it would be good for clients and family and friends to donate in that way and get a nice haircut,” Julius said.

Also cutting hair for the cause will be co-workers Tara Weldon, Jan McCarry, Amy Kuper, Jamie Sirkus, Susan Chasteen, Katherine Buscemi, Annie Mizrahi and Lilianna Carr. Ghilsy Hage will be assisting, and Monticello will be in the salon as well.

Julius said that while walk-in customers are welcome, it is advisable to make an appointment. She is hoping to make it an annual event. “I believe Tom said we can do this every year,” Julius said.

The hair-trimming experience runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 12. Visions Hair Studio is located at 12793 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Wellington Plaza. For more information, call (561) 790-1696 or visit www.vhsalon.com.

that the equestrian industry in MiamiDade County was destroyed because of the manure issue. “I looked very carefully into the zoning around me,” Marshall said. “I did not want to be surrounded by high density or residential again. It was supposed to be permanent agricultural zoning for one [unit] in ten [acres]. None of that is left. I’m starting to lose my clientele. I am in my 50s. I have another ten years of pushing these horses around. I would like to feel I am welcome in my community. I can’t say in all honesty that I feel this way.”

Marshall suggested partnerships between the nurseries and horse owners.

“My waste could help grow the plants at the nurseries,” she said. “The nurseries could help me plant. We could work hand in hand.”

one of any four grocery stores. I can get to any large-box store to get anything I need within 15 minutes.”

Fox Trail resident Nancy Gribble also opposed the development for traffic reasons and Sector Plan mediation.

“Over these last eight years, the Fox Trail Property Owners’ Association has always been opposed this large-scale development on this property,” Gribble said. “This is not the normal development in Palm Beach County. This is the rural tier with specific guidelines you must address. This is urban development in the rural tier.”

Commissioner Karen Marcus inquired about traffic. “I guess the traffic issues are not resolved?” she asked Assistant Traffic Director Allan Ennis.

“No, based on what they submitted on Friday there are some serious issues that could prevent compliance,” Ennis said.

Ennis later noted that the Sector Plan would provide the developer exemption on some traffic issues. Commissioner Jess Santamaria rebutted the developer and staff’s pessimism on the viability of the Sector Plan. “I am confident that this will move forward,” he said. “I am more optimistic than others about the Sector Plan.”

Santamaria urged planning staff to maintain a positive attitude about eventual implementation of the Sector Plan. “I am convinced there will be movement,” he said.

Planning Director Lorenzo Aghemo said county representatives will meet with DCA officials about the Sector Plan in August.

Santamaria made the motion to deny transmittal, seconded by Marcus. It passed 4-1 with Commissioner Mary McCarty dissenting. Commissioner Jeff Koons was not present for the vote, and former commissioner War-

Aug. 12

The Village of Wellington’s Jose Sanchez described his work checking compliance with the village’s BMP rules. He said Wellington has agreements with all the haulers, and anyone caught dumping illegally would have their permit revoked and may face fines.

Sanchez also said he inspects manure storage containers in Wellington to make sure they are constructed properly, and monitors fertilizer use on golf courses and other sites to make sure it contains two percent phosphorus or less.

“If they are using anything about two percent we do ask for a soil sample, and the reason why they used such a fertilizer with such a high phosphorus level,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez also noted that private companies are negotiating with the village to

ren Newell resigned July 17.

Afterward McCarty told residents they must understand that the Sector Plan would give the developer the right to commercial development.

“The thing that intrigues me about this

LGLA

continued from page 11A idents also supported meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month, rather than the third.

LGLA President Marge Herzog noted that Sharyn Browning, Mayor David Browning’s wife, won an ice cream social for LGLA members through an online contest sponsored by Edy’s Ice Cream. The ice cream social is scheduled for Aug. 11 at Good Earth Farm, so that would take the place of an August meeting, Herzog said.

Wechsler

continued from page 20A gro days” on television. I enjoyed hearing Michelle Pfeiffer, as the uptight villain, singing again. She has a good voice and was smart enough to play the role for laughs. James Marsden, who has played a lot of rather boring very straitlaced supporting roles, is excellent as the star of the TV show the movie is centered on.

But the kids are the real treat in the film. Zac Efron plays the coolest kid in town (the kind of role Travolta played in Grease). He sings well in what seems to be a vanilla role until the moment when his character suddenly changes everything by taking a real chance.

Amanda Bynes, usually seen on Disney-type products as the sweet little thing, begins that way and then turns everything around when falling for Elijah Kelley, playing Latifah’s son, a young man who is one of the best things in the

treat and dispose of livestock waste.

Waste hauler Justin Hickey said he no longer hauls manure to Loxahatchee Groves, but rather 27 miles west of Wellington to farms that want it for spreading.

“I do everything I can for my business,” Hickey said. “Lots of time people take it for free. They wanted it for their plants and trees. If not used properly, people will get upset. As far as Wellington, none of that comes here. That is shipped directly to the farms. It should not be an issue any more.”

Engineer Dan Shalloway, who was part of Wellington’s Surface Water Action Team charged to find a solution to the village’s phosphorus problem, urged the town to follow Wellington’s lead. He said most would comply, although a small percentage won’t be happy.

area is the opportunity for people in the Glades to work,” she said. “I want to put people on notice that the Sector Plan does envision commercial here [although] we need to address the light issues and the noise and traffic.”

Changing the LGLA meeting schedule would require amending the association’s bylaws, so the decision must be approved by the membership at the next general meeting in September.

• Regarding hurricane preparedness, resident Pat Johnson encouraged members to contact her about the possibility of forming a Community Emergency Response Team for Loxahatchee Groves and The Acreage. She said 15 people are needed. Residents who want to follow up on forming a CERT team can call Pat or Ken Johnson at (561) 793-0188.

movie. When he sings and dances, he’s magic. But the movie belongs to Nikki Blonsky, a newcomer playing the young heroine, Tracy Turnblad. She can sing, she has more spunk and personality than the norm and makes it totally believable that a short chubby girl can beat out a glamorous rival for the hand of the coolest guy in town.

You say, perhaps, the message that those who are looked down upon can win is subversive. We look back at the status quo of Baltimore in 1962 and realize how the old messages have become ridiculous: that white is right, that love has boundaries, that parents always know what is best for their children and that the powerful should rule. Times have changed.

And the movie brings all that forward with such charm and wit that we cheer every inch of the way. Go see it. It’s great summer fun… and you can dance to it.

Visions Hair Stylists — (L-R) Katherine Buscemi, Brianna Julius, Jamie Sirkus, Amy Kuper, Lilianna Carr, Ghilsy Hage and salon owner Tom Monticello. Not pictured: Jan McCarry, Susan Chasteen and Tara Weldon.

PALMS WEST

Farmer Farmer’’s Daughter sDaughter Has Fr HasFr HasFresh Of eshOf eshOfferings For feringsFor All Customers AllCustomers

By Lisa Gartner Town-Crier Staff Report

Have you heard the one about the farmer’s daughter and the traveling salesman? Julie Campbell has.

The founder, owner and operator of a produce market, plant nursery and landscaping business called the Farmer’s Daughter, Campbell has been getting her hands dirty and fielding customers’ dirty jokes since she opened the business in 1992.

To Campbell and the rest of the green thumbs at the Farmer’s Daughter, this isn’t a problem. Rather, they say familiarity with their customers is at the core of their enterprise.

“I have customers that have been shopping with me for 15 years,” Campbell said. “And a lot of folks come in two or three times a week, and they just like to talk. They get to know us and our families, and they’ll know about the baby… It’s a community business.”

“Our real fun starts the first week of October, when we get our pumpkins in,” Campbell said. The Farmer’s Daughter boasts the largest pumpkin patch in Palm Beach County, an exciting draw to the under-ten crowd.

“We set up the Haunted Forest, and the kids have the best time,” Campbell said. “And it’s free. They run in the pumpkin patch and climb on the haystacks, and they just have a grand old time.”

Between renting out plants for free to local middle schools and weddings alike, the Farmer’s Daughter is indeed a “community business.”

“As soon as there’s a holiday, as soon as there’s anything school-oriented, this is the first place they come for donations,” Campbell said. “They know we donate. If they need a raffle ticket or free plants or anything, we do that kind of stuff because I think you should give back.”

To hear Campbell gush over the season’s produce is enough to convince anyone of her commitment to all that grows in the ground. “We have the best watermelons right now that you have ever put in your mouth,” she said. “Ever, ever, ever. I am not kidding.”

Campbell selects all of her produce directly from the pickers.

“During the season I go to Immokalee, and the pickers come right from the field and open their trucks. The smell…” she said, her nostrils flaring as

she inhaled. “The smell just hits you.”

Still, her intoxication doesn’t cloud her head for business. “When I buy produce, I look in every box,” Campbell said. “The way I look at produce is if I wouldn’t buy it, I don’t expect you to buy it either.”

Campbell said she is unconcerned with going spade for spade with home and garden monoliths like Home Depot and Lowe’s.

“Big-box companies like Lowe’s and Home Depot are dipping their fingers heavily into landscape, but they’re selling plants without the necessary advice or education,” Campbell said. “When you go to buy a plant and talk to someone who doesn’t know the plant itself, then you’re probably going to take that plant home and kill it.”

“People come in here and they make comments: Home Depot this, Home Depot that,” she said. “And I say, ‘hey, they’re just up the road.’ I’m not Home Depot. I’m not Lowe’s. I don’t try to compete with them.”

Lately, it seems the Farmer’s Daughter is competing with Mother Nature. When the rain dried up and the county announced new water restric-

tions, the community didn’t jump to install more landscaping. “But that was misinformed,” Campbell said. “You have 30 days to water new landscaping. We informed our customers, and that kept us going during the drought.”

She recommended using soaker hoses to conserve water. Campbell knows something about hardiness. The Farmer’s Daughter’s lush, green nursery calls the curbside of busy Southern Blvd. home.

“A lot of people come in and say ‘I’ve been driving by here for ten years and I never stopped to come in,’” Campbell said. “And I say, ‘well, what kept you?’” The Farmer’s Daughter is located at 13415 Southern Blvd. in Loxahatchee and is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call the Farmer’s Daughter at (561) 790-4222.

Farmer’s Daughters — Patricia Boce and owner Julie Campbell in front of the store’s produce.

Tree’s Wings & Ribs: Great Food And Deep Community Roots

By Paul Gaba Town-Crier Staff Report

What do the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers and Tree’s Wings & Ribs have in common?

If you guessed “names that don’t seem to go together,” you guessed correctly. If you guessed “organizations that maintain a winning tradition,” you also guessed correctly.

Tree’s Wings & Ribs is known locally as the “wing king.” And given the success Tree’s has enjoyed the past dozen years or so it’s hard to argue the moniker is wrong, even if the name sounds like a foliagetrimming operation, not a restaurant.

Tree’s is named after original owner Glenn “Tree” Thompson, who got his nickname from his six-foot-ten, 400-plus-pound build.

Current owner Andy Maynard, who bought Tree’s with then-partner Michael Beemiller in 1995, kept the name.

“We thought at the time the name had a lot more value to it, so we were always reluctant to change the name and start over again,” he said. “There was some discussion about changing the name early on, but we never got that serious in terms of picking names. And now we’re sort of a cornerstone of the community, so we certainly don’t want to change it now.”

Maynard said the name still causes some confusion. But customers have no problem enjoying the food, which is pre-

pared using special, secret recipes.

“When we bought the place, Tree had all of us sign confidentiality agreements,” Maynard said. “Including to this day, all of our employees have to sign it, because his house dressing is secret, along with his barbecue sauce. You can’t squeeze it out of anybody.”

In addition, the restaurant guards several books containing Tree’s original recipes. Regular customers can tell if a recipe is altered. Maynard noted that the restaurant’s hot sauce supply was interrupted for a month in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and the substitution did not go unnoticed.

There have been adjustments to the menu. Recently, Tree’s started offering a Wednesday special — chicken tenders and fries all day for $3.99, more than 50 percent off its normal cost. The restaurant also started a box lunch special — for $8.95, customers get a large deli sandwich, bag of chips, potato salad and soda.

But wings and ribs will always rule. Maynard said that while the restaurant is always looking at what competitors are offering and considering possible additions to the menu, “we’re cautious and hesitant to make any changes, because what we’ve been doing for 12 years works. We don’t want to make a kneejerk reaction for the sake of change.”

Tree’s welcomes large groups who meet and eat there. The Asphalt Angels classic/antique

car club meets once a month at Tree’s, and the Mid-County Democrats meet there the third Monday of the month.

“We’re trying to attract more groups,” Maynard said, adding he would love to have the Palms West Republican Club meet at Tree’s, in part to “let people know we’re neutral.”

Maynard said there have been occasions where the Mid-County Democrat meetings have taken up half the restaurant — in particular, when Janet Reno was their guest speaker — and

incoming customers unaffiliated with the political party were confused as to which side of Tree’s to dine.

“One time, the counter person just came out and asked, ‘Democrat or Republican?’” Maynard said, laughing. “It was creative, but it didn’t go over too well. I had to set him straight.”

“We decided in order to stay successful, we would stay in one location,” Maynard said.

However, Tree’s has expanded its current operation. In 2001 Tree’s took over an adjoining property — a television repair shop — and virtually doubled in size, allowing space for a second kitchen. The restaurant now covers 3,650 square feet, See TREE’S, page 4B

Tree’s management is not considering adding new locations, but it has done so in the past. Maynard said at one point the restaurant was licensed to franchise out and take advantage of its success. But the more the idea was analyzed, the less enticing it seemed.

Tree’s Wings & Ribs — Owner Andy Maynard, front-of-house managers Heather Anderson and Jason Black, and kitchen managers Chris Barrios and Dennis Leffler.

PHOTO BY PAUL

C.R. Insurance Agency Offers Experience And Variety Of Coverage

By Jenna Fugate Town-Crier Staff Report

C.R. Insurance Agency is an invaluable local business that helps customers protect what is most valuable to them. What sets C.R. apart are the outstanding customer service and the wealth of experience its staff can claim.

C.R. Insurance founder and owner Robert Cusenza deals with all types of insurance and aims to get the best rates for all his customers by placing them with the right insurance provider. He works with such reputable providers as AIG and Progressive to make sure his customers get the best deals. “I’m able to put people where the best value is,” the Wellington resident said. “I can put everyone with the best fit for them. I can put people with the better rates.”

Cusenza moved from New York when he was a teenager and has lived in the western communities ever since. He founded C.R. Insurance in 1990 in Lake Worth and moved the agency to West Palm Beach six years later. He said his breadth of experience in this field has made C.R. the agency many people turn to. “I have 17 years of experience in insurance and my staff has had almost as many years,” he said.

C.R. has been around so long, Cusenza said some of his first customers now have kids who also trust C.R. for their insurance needs. “We know all the customers and the kids of the customers,” he said. “We still see the kids that were ten when

they first came in and now have cars and are looking for car insurance.”

In its 17-year history C.R. has built a strong customer base, mostly by word of mouth. “We get a tremendous amount of people who are happy with us and they refer us to someone,”

Cusenza said. “Those are the kinds of customers you want.”

Although C.R. serves a large area stretching from Port St. Lucie to Boca Raton to Loxahatchee, the friendly familiarity has not been diminished. Cusenza said he still treats each customer like his first.

“Pretty much everyone who comes in here we know what their name is,” Cusenza said.

“We are very familiar with some of our customers. They come in here because they want to, not because they need to.”

With hurricane season already underway many customers are looking to C.R. for insurance. “We specialize on homeowner’s insurance, auto insurance and commercial insurance,” Cusenza said. “Lately we’ve got a lot of people walking in for the homeowner’s.”

Cusenza said customers can trust that C.R. will find the right deal and the right company for them no matter what type of insurance they’re looking for. Years of experience have taught Cusenza how to do just that while still maintaining a friendly atmosphere, he said.

C.R. Insurance is located at 1195 N. Military Trail, Suite 1B in West Palm Beach. For more information, call Cusenza at (561) 683-6333.

Tree’s Community Involvement

continued from page 3B and seating increased from 41 to 153.

And two years ago, Maynard purchased seven delivery vehicles to take advantage of the growing demand for home delivery. Tree’s coverage area stretches from the southernmost point of Wellington north to Orange Ave., and from Seminole Pratt Whitney Road to Florida’s Turnpike.

Tree’s is also known locally for its generosity, assisting nu-

merous community and school organizations over the years.

The entrance to Tree’s is adorned with a multitude of thank-you letters and plaques from grateful groups that have benefited from the restaurant’s financial assistance.

“We have some strong months and some weak months, and when times are good we try to do the best we can to give back and help the community,” Maynard said. “When times are bad, we realize that giving is a form of advertising. We support ball teams, and these teams in turn come in and become patrons.”

Maynard said his partner Beemiller left three months ago after getting burned out on the restaurant business. While Beemiller is “relaxing and trying to figure out what he’s going to do,” Maynard said, Tree’s tradition of preparing the best possible wings for the western communities will continue.

Tree’s Wings & Ribs is located at 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the Royal Plaza. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. SundayThursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call (561) 791-1535 or visit them at www.treeswingsandribs.com.

They Know Insurance — C.R. Insurance Agency owner Robert Cusenza with Marie Montoya (left) and Michelle Castillo (right).

PHOTO BY JENNA FUGATE/TOWN-CRIER

Forum Club Elects Malefatto President

Greenberg Traurig shareholder Alfred Malefatto was recently elected president of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Florida’s largest non-profit, non-partisan political and public affairs organization.

The Forum Club functions to inform and educate the community’s business, political and social interests and to promote participation in the democratic process. The club hosts meetings that feature prominent speakers, including former U.S. presidents and world leaders, on state, national and international matters. Speakers this past year included Gov. Charlie Crist and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. Upcoming speakers will include Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

“Having the opportunity to present world-class speakers and leaders to the greater Palm Beach community enhances the lives of our citizens at many different levels,” Malefatto said. “I am excited at the opportunity and grateful for the fantastic team we have in place at the Forum Club who make it all happen. When the club began about three decades ago, membership was limited to 200. We are now at nearly 500 and have grown into Florida’s largest non-partisan political and public affairs organization.”

Malefatto focuses his practice on environmental, land use and administrative law. He represents Fortune 500 companies, developers, small businesses and local governments in a variety of environmental permitting, enforcement and transactional matters, and land use proceedings. He received his J.D. from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law and his B.A. from New York University.

Greenberg Traurig is an international, full-service law firm with more than 1,700 attorneys and governmental affairs

professionals in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The firm is ranked seventh on the American Lawyer’s Am Law 100 listing of the largest law firms in the U.S., based on number of lawyers.

Acreage Network Referral Group

The Acreage Network Referral Group (ANRG) is a select group of respected and dedicated businesses people who reside and do business in The Acreage. They offer prompt, courteous and professional services at reasonable rates.

Their purpose is to provide the western communities the convenience of local respected and dedicated professional choices. Only one business from each category is allowed in the group so as to protect your business.

Donna Flynn was introduced to ANRG in March. “I have been growing my business through networking in the western communities,” she said. “Networking works. What I like about ANRG is the community feeling. We really have a heart for our community. Why not support and keep business where we live and raise our families? The Acreage has much to offer local professionals.”

The group meets every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. at Sneaky Pete’s restaurant, located in the Grove (Winn-Dixie) shopping center on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. If you are residing and doing business in The Acreage and would like to grow your business in the western communities visit www.anrg.biz or call Flynn at (561) 308-3075 for more information.

Gilmer To Appear On Golf Channel Series

Wellington resident Diane Gilmer just may have discovered the next big idea in golf. She will put her invention to the test on Fore Inventors Only, a new Golf

Channel original series that premiered Tuesday, July 10 at 10 p.m. Gilmer’s invention, the Fairway Fan, is a six-inch portable fan that attaches to a golf cart roof and is powered by the cart battery. The Fairway Fan keeps golfers cool while playing a round of golf, and works with both electric and gasoline-powered carts. An accountant and grandmother, Gilmer has invested $33,000 so far toward her invention.

PGA Tour professional Fulton Allem, golf instructor Bill Harmon and Golf for Women senior editor Stina Sternberg will be tasked with critiquing and paring down the 103 inventors to five finalists, while uncovering inventions from brilliant to ludicrous along the way.

Hosted by Vince Cellini, Fore Inventors Only scoured the country interviewing and auditioning more than 1,000 inventors to find the cast who will compete in the series. Following the first stage of competition, the judges will oversee field testing and consumer product pitches before narrowing the candidates to five finalists. Ultimately, viewers will cast their votes to determine the winner on the series’ live season finale on Sept. 4. The winner will receive shelf space at golf retailer Golfsmith for one year, a fully-developed infomercial and $50,000 worth of commercial and promotional air time on the Golf Channel.

For more information, visit www.golf channel.com.

Area Activist Leads Effort Against Property Tax Plan

Radio talk show host and Wellington resident Joe Raineri was incensed with the state legislature’s plan to offer a onetime super homestead exemption to homeowners. After hearing about the plan he talked about creating a grassroots organization to defeat it. And listeners to his show What, Are You Kidding Me? The Real Estate Show With an Attitude

on 1290 AM WJNO in West Palm Beach took him seriously.

“Listeners responded and pushed for it,” Raineri said. “The citizens of this state have been screaming for property tax reform and the plan our legislators have come up with is not good enough!”

The new organization, Not Good Enough is now in full gear. Raineri says as word of it spreads, people from across the state are visiting the web site to sign up and join the effort.

In January 2008, for the property tax plan to become law, voters will need to approve it because it requires a constitutional amendment. The plan, passed by lawmakers in special session, would create a “super homestead exemption.”

Backers of the reform plan claim most homeowners will see their tax bills drop by 44 percent. They say the proposed amendment would eliminate inequities in the current property tax system.

But Raineri said the plan is nothing more than a temporary fix and creates more uncertainty for property owners. “This proposed super homestead exemption does not address the long-term needs of the citizens of Florida,” Raineri said. “We the people wanted meaningful property tax reform for all classes of property owners — not just primary homeowners.”

“Our elected officials must know we will not settle for short-term fixes to longterm issues,” Raineri said. “Florida citizens deserve better than this.”

Raineri is advocating for a plan originally proposed by House Speaker Mark Rubio. It calls for an increase in the sales tax and a total elimination of property taxes.

For more information about Not Good Enough, visit www.notgoodenough florida.org. What, Are You Kidding Me?

The Real Estate Show With an Attitude airs Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit www.talkshow joe.com.

P.W. CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTINGS

Hurricane Grill and Wings — The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Hurricane Grill and Wings in Royal Palm Beach. The menu includes appetizers, platters, sides, wings (with and without bones), 33 sauces, Philly sandwiches, entree salads, side salads, desserts, beers and wine. A very bright and beachy décor welcomes guests inside. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Hurricane Grill and Wings is located at 11071 Southern Blvd., Suite 170, in the Southern Palms Crossing shopping center. For more information, call (561) 7534868. Pictured here are owners Robert Clark and Mickey Galbraith with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.

Copper Tan — Located at 11021 Southern Blvd. in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping center in Royal Palm Beach, Copper Tan is a high-tech tanning salon that offers customers the latest in safe tanning. The salon is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (561) 784-9929 or visit www.coppertanusa.com. Shown above are (L-R) Hank Verne, Joyce Verne, Shawn Verne, Celeste Cunningham, owner Lizabeth Olszewski, Michelle Reckseit, Rachael Reckseit and salon manager Danielle Horth.

Choosing Their Charities — Employees of the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s office after voting on which charities to partner with next year. Pictured above are (L-R) Anitra Burgess, Linda Brown, Chris Churrey, Jennifer Mahoney, Bryan Hyland, Scott Bramer, Karen Clarke (of Marketing Concepts Inc.) and Anna Garcia.

Tax Collector’s Office ‘Elects’ Charity Partners For Next Year

The employees of the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s office recently “elected” next year’s charity partners using the Supervisor of Elections’ electronic voting machines. The winning charities are: Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and the Lord’s Place.

The Tax Collector’s office partnered with the Supervisor of Elections office to hold voting activities. Each branch office and department had electronic voting equipment available for employees to cast ballots. The employees will decorate the voting areas and are organizing activities to celebrate Selection Day, including a barbecue lunch in Royal Palm Beach and a pot-luck lunch in West Palm Beach.

“I believe it is important for the employees of the Tax Collector to be involved in their community,” said Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon.

Building on a history of community involvement, the employees chose three different charities in three different categories. The three categories are “Workout for a Cure” (walks/runs), “Helping Hands” (home improvement/community development) and “Share Our Bounty” (targeted drives/collections).

• • •

“Selection Day” was created and organized by the employees on the Community Relations Committee. The committee surveyed the organization to identify charitable activity preferences, created charity options based on criteria determined in the survey process.

“Our Selection Day process is a great way for the Tax Collector’s office to become visible in the community in a way that citizens may not be accustomed to seeing us,” said West Palm Beach branch manager Jim McConnell.

“Choosing charities through the voting process will be a great way to ensure that each charity has a special place in the hearts and minds of our employees.”

“We, as an organization that services the public, should also have a keen since of social responsibility,” said Senior Customer Service Specialist and Community Relations Committee member Danielle Dale.

“I’m proud of our employees’ heartfelt efforts to organize such an important initiative,” Gannon added. “Charitable activities not only improve the communities in which we live and work, but they also improve our office morale.”

For more information about the Tax Collector’s office, visit its web site at www.pbcgov.com/tax.

Send business news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

Property Assessments Approved For 2007

Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits recently announced that the Florida Department of Revenue has approved the 2007 assessment roll.

“This marks the 15th consecutive year of approval without defect,” Nikolits said. “It is a significant achievement for our employees because it means the policies and procedures within my office often exceed those required by the Department of Revenue, the agency that oversees the operations of all Property Appraisers in the state.”

Next month, more than 680,000 notices of proposed taxes will be mailed to property owners in Palm Beach County.

“Our office mails the notices to property owners on behalf of the taxing authorities,” Nikolits said. The notices include the property appraiser’s Jan. 1 market value estimates for the current and previous year. “The new values will be added to our web site, pbcgov.com/ papa, after we mail the notices to property owners. If a taxpayer has a question about their market value estimate or exemption status, I encourage them to call our office and speak to a deputy appraiser.”

Telephone numbers will be listed on the notice. The notices will be mailed Aug. 21, and include a listing of last year’s taxes and each taxing authority’s proposed tax levy for 2007. The name, address and telephone number for the taxing authorities also are listed. Questions about taxes should be directed to the specific taxing authority shown on the notice.

The notice also provides the locations, dates and times for the various budget hearings, at which time taxpayers have the opportunity to speak directly to their elected or appointed officials about their proposed taxes.

For more information, call the Property Appraiser’s office at (561) 3553230.

SFWMD Small Business Enterprise Program

In less than one year since the South Florida Water Management District obtained rulemaking authority to create its Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program, the agency has certified 1,000 small businesses as potential vendors and contractors — twice its original first-year goal of 500 certified small business vendors.

To build on the progress, the SFWMD has unveiled a new, Internet-based Certified Small Business Enterprise Directory, located on the agency’s dedicated SBE web site at www.sfwmd.gov/sbe. Searchable by company name, county, industry or commodity type, the public database will make it easier for large contractors to find subcontractors qualified to work on district projects. With contact information for each district-certified small business, the database also will foster new relationships among the SBE vendors, helping them to expand their respective businesses.

“The South Florida Water Management District typically requires prime contractors to subcontract a substantial portion of their work, and this directory is the easiest way to find top notch subcontractors that already meet the District’s selection criteria,” said SFWMD Procurement Director Frank Hayden. “We believe the directory will serve as a tool for expanding participation and attracting more local businesses to the program.”

The SBE program was adopted by the district’s governing board on May 10, 2006 and became effective after rulemaking on Aug. 3, 2006. Since then, the SFWMD has received more than 1,213 SBE applications and certified 82 percent of all applicants.

“The aggressive pace at which the district has certified such a large pool of qualified vendors suggests that it is among the most progressive agencies in the State of Florida in providing oppor-

tunities for small businesses,” said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Eric Buermann. “Small businesses play a vital role in our state economy, and through the district’s SBE program, these firms will have new opportunities to participate in numerous, important regional initiatives.”

The SBE program offers additional consideration to small businesses in the District’s solicitation process. Specifically, the SBE program rule (40E-7, Part VI of the Florida Administrative Code) includes provisions for bid equalization, sheltered markets, points for SBE participation in proposals and SBE subcontract participation goals. A participating firm must be certified by the district and demonstrate that its three-year average gross receipts, together with those of its affiliates, do not exceed $13 million for construction, $5 million for commodities and $6 million for services.

The SFWMD’s track record of consistent, exponential growth in the hiring of minority-owned and small businesses over the past six years is among the most notable in the State of Florida. From 2000 to 2005, the district managed one of the most successful minority business enterprise programs in the state, with more than 800 certified minority vendors and an increase in minority expenditures from $14.7 million to nearly $55 million during that timeframe — a surge of more than 370 percent.

To ensure the successful launch of the new SFWMD SBE program, an active public involvement plan that included direct outreach to more than 4,000 South Florida businesses and a host of special events was implemented during the summer of 2006. A dedicated web site also was created to assist interested firms in the application process and provide all the requisite forms online.

For certification information, call the SFWMD Procurement Department’s SBE section at (561) 682-2847 or 561682-6446, or visit the web site at www.sfwmd.gov/sbe.

Calling Card Companies Under Investigation

Concerned about questionable marketing tactics employed by companies selling prepaid calling cards, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum recently launched a formal investigation into several entities in the prepaid calling card industry, including multiple distributors and service providers. The investigation will work to identify prepaid calling card providers and examine their marketing practices which have been called into question as deceptive or deliberately fraudulent.

“Calling cards make it possible for our citizens to maintain essential lines of communication with their family and loved ones,” McCollum said. “I am deeply concerned about the fraudulent behavior alleged in this industry and my office will aggressively address this issue on behalf of our state’s residents and guests.”

A series of subpoenas, served by the attorney general’s Economic Crimes Division, seek information related to potentially fraudulent advertisements on posters and over the airwaves about the number of minutes provided on various cards. A particular focus of the investigation will concentrate on the marketing of the calling cards to individuals who don’t speak or read English and are trying to call other countries to reach their relatives or friends.

The investigation will examine the allegations that immediately after the first call is made on a card, companies begin deducting various fees, service charges, taxes, and in some cases, round call times up in three minute increments so that the stated minutes are not available.

The attorney general’s office encourages Floridians who believe they might have been victimized by unfair practices when purchasing and using prepaid calling cards to contact the fraud hotline at (866) 9-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at www.myfloridalegal.com.

SALSA CALIENTE HOSTS SALSA BASH AT RPB’S PALMS BALLROOM

On Saturday, July 21 Salsa Caliente Dance Company presented Salsa Bash 3 at the Palms Ballroom in Royal Palm Beach. DJ Joey G provided non-stop Latin music while salsa fans from throughout South Florida danced the night away. Instructors Lisa and Eddy Rodriguez dazzled everyone with their spectacular salsa demonstration. Salsa Caliente Dance Company holds classes Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. at the Palms Ballroom (543 N. State Road 7, Suite 101). Call (561) 204-2404 for more information.

PHOTOS

Jorge Falsafix, Puerto Rican Pete and Joey Gonzalez (aka DJ Joey G) practice a crossover step.

Salsa Caliente dance instructors Eddy and Lisa Rodriguez, Danielle Vega and Christian Taboas.

Shura Avaloff and David Furshban enjoy the evening.

Christian Taboas and Daniella Vega perform a spin.Lisa and Eddy Rodriguez show off some fancy moves.

Inga Govsyeyeva and Hector Higuera.

I Just Got Back From Two Weeks On America’s Last Frontier

“Way up north… North to Alaska…” That is where my wife Sharon and I have been for the last two weeks. It was a very interesting two weeks to say the least. Number-one son Brian picked us up a half-hour late for our ride to the Fort Lauderdale airport. Brian is never on time for anything. When we arrived at the airport for our 7 a.m. flight we found out the airline changed it to 7:45 a.m. While waiting at the airport our flight was changed once more to 8 a.m. This gave us exactly five minutes to catch our connecting flight in Salt Lake City.

Luckily, when we landed the connecting flight was at the next gate. We all looked like O.J. doing an old Hertz commercial running for the plane. We made it, and as soon as we were in our seats the plane took off.

We landed in Seattle on time. But of course, our luggage was damaged and wide open. Clothes were missing and there were grease stains on others. The airline took a report, but have so far done nothing else.

We had a rental car waiting for us. We spent the rest of the day visiting the sights in Seattle. When that was done we took a three-hour ride to Vancouver. We didn’t have to board the ship till 3 p.m. the next day, so we saw the sights of Vancouver.

Our first port call was Ketchikan. My wife loved the shopping and the storekeepers loved my wife. The next day we spent in Juneau the state capital. Once again the storekeepers and my wife got along great. It was

Wondering And Wandering

With Ernie Zimmerman

now starting to get cold (highs in the mid-50s). My wife took a small boat tour to see the whales and get up close and personal with some glaciers. I didn’t go because I get seasick on small boats. The next day we arrived in Skagway. Here we took a bus and train excursion to the Yukon. The next day we sailed through Glacier Bay National Park. We saw more whales and a lot of glaciers and icebergs. The following day we spent at College Fjord looking at more glaciers and icebergs, seals and otters.

When we got to Whitter we said goodbye to our ship and went to Denali National Park by rental car. It was about a seven-hour drive, but a very good sevenhour drive. You name the animal, we saw it. While on the tour bus taking us through the park, one very large blond grizzly bear came up to the bus to say hello, and stayed with us for about 20 minutes. We stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast. It had a postcard view.

We liked it so much we stayed for two days. We then drove to Palmer (about five hours away) and stayed in a new log cabin for two days. We had to use the fireplace both days.

At this stop my wife went whitewater rafting and glacier walking. On the walk my wife decided to fall down the glacier. I thought the rest of the trip would be spent in the hospital, but despite falling about 50 feet, my wife hurt only her pride. (I keep reminding her she is a grandmother.)

I saved the best story for last. When we were checking in at the Anchorage airport to come home, right under the sign that says, “it’s a federal crime to bring guns and knives aboard an aircraft,” federal agents came and grabbed my wife. Something about her having three knife sets in her carryon bag. They were all set to haul my wife away to jail. What a way to end a vacation. After about two hours of negotiations it was decided my wife could put the knives on the plane as luggage and she would be allowed to board the plane.

Of course when we arrived in Fort Lauderdale my daughter-in-law Allie was about an hour late in picking us up. Something about her going the wrong way on the turnpike. Yes, she is married to my son Brian. Space will not allow me to tell you more about Alaska, so if you see me on the street, ask me and I’ll give you the real scoop on this beautiful state.

P.S. Welcome home to Don Brown!

You Can Grow Your Own Veggies Even In The Summer Heat

If you’re a person that likes fresh vegetables in abundance, try growing them yourselves. Many vegetables grow very well here and we have an important commercial vegetable industry in Palm Beach County as well.

You have to select vegetables for the specific growing season. There are ones that will take our hot summer conditions, when many people don’t think vegetables do well. The traditional gardening season for many people begins in late September and goes to late April, but diehard gardeners do it year round; they just select vegetables that are more heat resistant for the hot summer months.

You might try various types of beans, eggplants, okra, pepper and heat-resistant tomatoes. If you want vining-type vegetables, you can grow some types of melons this time of year, too.

When planting a garden, select areas that have at least a half-day or more of direct sunlight since few vegetables do very well in dense shade for long periods. Make sure you have good drainage, too. Vegetables will drown if left in standing water more than 36 hours.

Since our soils in most areas are very sandy, many people add organic material to improve them. Peat moss, manure, compost or other products can be gen-

erously tilled in or worked into the soil down to a depth of three to six inches. These will help retain moisture and will add nutrients as they break down. Remember vegetables need regular watering and fertilizing, and the key is “regular.” Some people start out fine and then they get busy doing other things and kind of forget the garden and things begin to suffer. Set up a schedule you can follow, and inspect the garden at least weekly for pests or diseases. If you’re not the type with previous experience gardening vegetables, don’t attempt to do too much your first time. Start out slowly with a few vegetables

Gardening With Gene

By Gene Joyner Extension Agent Palm Beach County

and as you get practice, each year you can increase the size of the garden and the number of vegetables. You can get information on vegetable gardens by calling the Extension Service Hotline at (561) 233-1750.

$18-$25/HR — Teachers/Tutors P/T. All subjects PreK to Adult. Certification/ Experience required. Palm Beach County Areas Fax 561-828-8128 or Email Tutorking@adelphia.net

HELP WANTED/BOOKKEEPER EXPERIENCED; Familiar with QUICKBOOKS - Full-Time position. Pay commensurate with experience. Fax resume to A. Silver - 561-432-2825

CLEANERS RESIDENTIAL FT — Car required, Pd. Training. North and West Palm Beach Cty. Up to $10/hr Start. 561-756-2282

RECEPTIONIST - For Lawyer and Accounting Office. Some bookkeeping. Fax resume to 561-333-2680.

NEEDED: Experienced home care providers for a 65-year old woman with health problems. Flexible part-or-fulltime/9AM--5PM. Must have references and driver’s license. Spanish-speaking preferred but not required. Wellington 561-793-2903

HELP WANTED

Earn $800 - $3200 Monthly to drive brand new cars with ads placed on them. www.AdCarDrive.com

WORK FROM HOME NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Let your home computer work for you! Your House. Your Business. Our proven system.Free personal coaching earn up to $500 - $5,000 PT/FT visit our website www.kmm.Theonlinebusiness.com

HELP WANTED IRRIGATION FOREMAN — Great Pay/Full Time. 7 years experience minimum. Residential/Commercial Clean Class D Drivers. Lic. Drug Free (561) 436-3621 OR (772) 260-3691

PINCH PENNY - POOL STORE — Forest Hill & South Shore in Wellington Perm Position - FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

- No nights - M/B avail some weekends. 18 yrs. - Will train - Apply in person.

KENNEL ATTENDANT - Permanent

Part-Time help needed for local animal hospital. Flexible hours. Fun work environment. Must have reliable transportation and be detailed oriented, dependable and compassionate. 561-798-2900.

CARETAKER NEEDED — for 27 year old mentally handicapped male, needs to be compassionate, motivated. No Felony convictions, needs drivers license & car. Weekdays 6am to 4 pm 561-352-4010

SMALL PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL IN

ROYAL PALM BEACH — Looking for energetic, multi-tasking, strategists experienced in any of the following: Math, Science, English, History, or Spanish. Call 561-795-6886 for more information. Part time or full time positions available.

PART-TIME EXPO ADMINISTRATIVE

ASST. — Mon. – Friday 10-5 Computer & organization skills needed. Filing, phones, ability to handle fast paced environment/good communication skills. Call HR Dept. 561-790-5223

LANDSCAPING & ELECTRICAL SUPERVISOR — positions available. South Florida Fair is searching for 2 team players with a great attitude willing to work outdoors performing various landscaping and electrical duties. Both positions are FT with benefits. Call HR Dept. 561790-5223.

DOUBLE NICHE IN ROYAL PALM MEMORIAL GARDENS MAUSOLEUM — Includes 2 openings & closings. Current price $2,800 asking $1,995 OBO. 772219-8153

MATTRESSES QUEEN/KING $189. Call 561-848-8765 brand new in the plastic.

6 FT. RED OAK 3 ROLLER QUILT FRAME $400 OBO. White gift bags, approx. 250 pieces. $20. 561-493-9896

GE MONOGRAM DISHWASHER — With custom door panel kit. Model ZBD 4200. New $989/Remodel Sale $95. Works great best model. 561-790-6809

OAK TWIN CAPTAIN BED — bookcase, headboard, dresser w/mirror, corner unit, computer desk with hutch, nightstand, mattress & bedding. $390 OBO. 561-6444098, 561-791-2176

POST OFFICE NOW HIRING — Avg. Pay $20/hour or $57K annually including Federal Benefits and OT. Paid Training, Vacations. PT/FT. 1-866-497-1015 USWA

GRANDVIEW AT CRESTWOOD - spacious 3/2/1 CG in security gated community. Includes water, cable and all amenities. Located near shopping and schools. No Pets. $1,400/mo. 561-3296078

GREENWAY CIRCLE — 1 BD/1 BA Condo $850/Mo. and THE TRAILS — 2 BD/2BA Condo $1,250/Mo.

with

Fenced

$985/MO. 561-775-0717 WELLINGTON PLACE TOWNHOUSE — 3/2/1CG, screened patio, walk to New Horizon and High School. Available immediately. Call for details. $1,375/Mo 954-494-3020

SEMINOLE LAKES TOWN HOUSE - Furnished room with private bath, gated community, Female, $600/MO. Includes utilities. No pets. 561-722-5660 2 ROOMS FOR RENT — 1 in Royal Palm Beach and 1 in West Palm Beach. Both with private bath. $675/each. 561-4222910

COMPANION/AID – To do your shopping, errands, pet sitting, light housekeeping. References available. Please leave message. 561-693-8761

LOWEST PRICES! — Nobody beats our Price! Free Est. Complete A/C units from $1,150. Repair Specialists. Lic./ ins. 561-795-1130 toll free 888-981-9815

Air Conditioning Special — REDUCE

ELECTRIC BILL!! ALL POINT TUNE-UP

Including: Freon, Relay, Air Flow, Voltage & Ampage Draws, Cooling Loss, Condenser Coil, Drain Lines, Calibrate Thermostat. FREE Reusable Filter. BEAT THE HEAT CALL NOW! 561-333-7274. AIR CONDITIONING Repairs • Installation • Immediate Services. Mazella Mechanical Inc. Lic. #CMC1249709

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. - Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996.

COMPLETE AUTO SHOP LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF LOXAHATCHEE!!Services provided; Brakes, Steering and Suspension, Belts and Hoses, Complete Engine Repair, Oil and Filters, Motor Tune Ups, Custom Exhaust Systems, A/C Repair, And Much More!!! Pick-up/Deliver Mark Hamilton Auto Repair "ASE Certified" Office: 561-793-1010 o Cell: 954-605-8416 MV#62390 Visa/MC/Amex accepted.

The only non-profit petting zoo in the area. - featuring parrots, mini horses, ponies, pony rides, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and Llamas and more and farm club. 561-792-2666

HOUSE CLEANING AVAILABLE — Over 13 yrs. experience. Great references. Very Dependable. Karen. 561-632-2271 HOUSE CLEANING — Available flexible hours/No Job too Big or Too Small. References upon Request. Please call Dina 561-951-2770

MAURILIA - CLEANING SERVICE - 561985-4137 Houses, new & used. Also stalls cleaned. Dependable & Honest. References Available.

CLUTTER FREE CLOSETS — For all your organizing needs. Custom closets. NOW OFFERING THE AMAZING BOOKSHELF BI-FOLD CLOSET DOOR. Robert Powell/Owner. FREE ESTIMATES. 561-422-7999 Lic. & Ins.

D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-333-9433 or Cell 561252-1186 Lic’d- Well. & Palm Beach

MOBILE -TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/Software setup, support & troubleshooting www.mobiletec.net 561-248-2611 $25 Off Labor Home & Office e-Masque InteractiveHas your computer gotten slow? Do you get unwanted Pop-Ups? Does your computer seem to have a mind of its own? Would you like to connect multiple computers to the internet? Spyware & Virus Removal•Repairs •Websites•Networking Upgrades•Programming•Security call: 561-795-0559 we do make house calls www.e-masque.com

CONCRETE RESURFACING — Pools, decks, patios, & interior floors, spray deck, kook deck, stone design, Paver Repair & Resealing. 561-790-4588

ROCKANDRECORD.COM - A professional DJ and Videography Service. Disc Jockey • Music • Entertainment • Professional MC's • Weddings • Bar/ Bat Mitzvah • Sweet 16/Birthday Parties • Anniversaries • Private & Corporate Events • Holiday Parties 561-4224336

QUALITY HOME IMPROVEMENTS Af-

fordable Prices — Painting Interior & Exterior, Drywall, Knockdown Texture, Fire & Water Rest., Crown Moldings, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Tile & Marble. AND MUCH MORE... 10% OFF with this ad! One Stop Shop. Creative Concepts Construction 561-4717874 Lic. & Bonded Home repair. Quality Work. Free estimates. Fast on time service. "For all your home improvement needs" Lic. & Ins. 561-685-5360 561-308-6677.

LITL AUDIO/VIDEO SERVICE — specializing in Home Theatre Installation Satellite Services and communications. “I will Beat Retailer’s cost & Installation fees”! Call George for immediate service at 954-263-4189 561-784-4858 Office. Res./Comm. Lic. & Ins.

COMPLETE IRRIGATION — PVC/PIPE

supplies.Citrus ,Vegetables, Power units. Water Wheels, design services, Fairways Polo fields, Pumps/Engines mowing of all types. 1-863-675-6333.

RENT

systems installed from 15 to 200KW “More Practical and much quieter” Maintenance & Service for all types of generators. Factory Authorized Dealer. 561-707-0575 Palm Beach. Tropical Power Systems, Inc.

CAN FIX IT — build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494. TFN BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, remodeling, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 561-791-9900

I’M A HANDYMAN — Rent me hourly/ job. Slightly used craftsman practicing all trades while designing & constructing own home. Any job from hanging a fan to remodeling.Textured walls, painting, flooring, cabinets/vanities etc. Make your repair honey-do-list, free estimates, Greg. 561-531-3141

"I'LL DO IT HANDYMAN SERVICES — All interior/exterior. Repairs and renovations. Painting & Plumbing. Affordable & professional. 561-452-5033.

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

ATLANTIC SHORE HOME IMPROVEMENT — Kitchen & Bathrooms/Remodel, Ceramic & Wood Floors, Carpentry & Handyman Services, Doors & Windows. References upon request. 561-756-0428 Anthony Palermo Lic. #CGC057252 Ins. MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-723-5836

UNIVERSAL IRRIGATION SERVICE & INSTALLATION — New Installations sprinkler repair pumps/Time Clocks. We Service all brands. Monthly Maintenance. Fast Response. Lic. #U-10740 Bonded Insured. 561-795-9735

FRANK’S BUSHHOG SERVICE — Lot mowing, Lawn Maintenance, Landscaping, Lot cleaning and TREE TRIMMING reasonable rates. 722-4403 Lic.& Ins. TNT LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE 561-644-8683 — Lic. & Ins. Landscape design, low maintenance gardens, professional plant installation, mulching, monthly property maintenance, sprinklers maintenance & repair, expert hedge & tree trimming.

EVERGREEN LANDSCAPING INC.

Let us take care. Residential & Commercial, Lic. & Ins. Professional landscape design & installation. Reasonable & reliable. Waterfall & Ponds, exotics, landscape & flatstone. Butterfly gardens, tropical and Mediterranean. www.evergreensgardens.net 561-7236166

LAWN MAINTENANCE CARL SAMUELS LAWN CARE — Complete lawn maintenance, mowing, edging, trimming & much more. Free estimates. Quality work at affordable prices! Lic. & Ins. 561-6333687

ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. ––Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. No. U14736. 798-8978. BD

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. ––– Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. Call 798-4964. Lic.#U18473

LARRY’S PAINTING & WALLPAPER — Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Interior/ Exterior painting. 561-309-2845. Wallpaper - Luanne 561-801-2018

Painting • Residential • Commercial • Historical Restoration • Faux Finishing • Stucco Repair • Roof Painting • and Pressure Cleaning • Sand Blasting • Mold Removal. FLEISCHER’S PAINTING • 561833-6661.

LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Ask for Paul 561-309-8290. COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/ Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident.

RJA PAINTING & DECORATING — interior, exterior, custom colors, faux artwork, all work guaranteed. Lic. Bonded & Insured. 561-616-2255

MMP PAINTING - Pressure Cleaning, Interior/Exterior Painting, Paver Sealers, Driveways, Ins.&Bonded. Lic. #U-18263. Office 561-790-4026 Cell 561-719-0516

Exterior Savings Call For More Details.

561-601-4707 THE DOG NANNY — Wellington and individualized pampering for Wellington & Western Communities. Dogs at their Home & Office surrounding. Dog walks, Doggie Moi Play Sessions & sleepovers. American Red Cross Pet CPR/FIRST Aid Certified.

AT YOUR SERVICE PET CONCIERGE

- pet sitting, play dates, sleep overs, arrange pet grooming, vet visits, flea & tick products, Holistic/Natural pet foods. Come home to a well stocked fridge & your plants alive. Upscale services for all your beloved four legged friends. Bonded & insured. 561-791-2086

AQUATIC SPRINKLER,

“You dealt with the rest now deal with the best” maintenance and repairs. Inquire about 1 months FREE service. 561-7915073 ELITE POOL CLEANING

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

SIGMA III CORPORATION PRIVATE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE — Domestic investigation, surveillance, missing persons. Background investigation into that new boyfriend or fiancé, hidden assets located and more. Lic. & Ins. 561-312-4386 Member of Better Business Bureau Lic. #A2300091LRD: 09-14

PRIMROSE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC — Full Service. Residential Home Care for full or part time residents. Weekly inspections, repairs, Monthly reports. Reasonable rates. 561-602-6857 or email: primrosepm123@aol.com

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS – Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U9 865. 9675580. BD

SHAKE ROOF SPECIALISTS –– New roofs, repairs, preservation. License #CC025465. Shake Masters, Shake Chem. Members of Shake Bureau. 4396668 BD

ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING ––Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded, insured. Lic. #U-11006.790-0763 or 641-4592. BD

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207 BD A ROOFING REPAIR SPECIALISTS INC. — All work guaranteed. 40 years exp. Family owned & operated. Radio dispatched 791-8855 BD

JOHN’S SCREEN SERVICE –– Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight, wrinklefree, guaranteed!Lic.#9001390.7983132.

ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 863-0955

AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 561-5686099, 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213