Town-Crier Newspaper July 3, 2009

GETTIN’ THEIR KICKS IN RPB

Council Ponders Fate Of Forgotten Strip Of Land

By Mark Lioi

Town-Crier Staff Report

It has been part of Wellington all along, but escaped notice until recently. Last week the Wellington Village Council pondered what to do with between 26 and 40 acres of land the village has only just realized it owns. The land is a strip about four miles long and 75 feet wide just south of Southern Blvd., extending from Flying Cow Road to Little Ranches,

3

County Sheriff’s Office, held an open house at the new Safe Neighborhoods Office last Saturday. Page 9

between the platted residential developments on Wellington’s northern edge and the C-51 Canal.

“This property is referred to as the hiatus property, hiatus being defined as the area in between, specifically in between the C-51 Canal and all the developments on the north side of Wellington,” Assistant Village Manager John Bonde told the council at their June 23 meeting. Left vacant and untouched

for 30 years, the strip is covered in a mix of native and exotic vegetation. While some residents whose homes abut the strip have complained about the vegetation encroaching on their property, others have expressed interest in maintaining adjacent portions if deeded to them.

Bonde said that besides the option of leaving the strip in village hands, his staff has explored the possibility of

See COUNCIL, page 18

Schofield: Effects Of New Development Law Unclear

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield explained some aspects of a new Florida law that lifts concurrency requirements on development last week.

The law, known in the most recent legislative session as Senate Bill 360 and titled the Community Renewal Act, was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist and became effective on Wednesday. It allows small and medium-sized Florida municipalities to gain exemption from concurrency requirements that limit development according to the infrastructure and services

available in an area, such as roads and schools, or require developers to provide for them.

The June 24 meeting at the Wellington Community Center was co-hosted by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s Business & Economic Development Committee and the Village of Wellington.

Schofield, who has a background in municipal planning, said there were some misconceptions about what SB 360 would and wouldn’t do, but called it a “good start.”

While some critics have charged that the new law guts established limits on develop-

ers, Schofield asserted that the concurrency rules themselves have contributed to the growth of sprawl by prompting developers to build in lower-density areas rather than fill in vacant parcels in established urban areas.

Schofield explained that the state previously required Florida municipalities to incorporate concurrency requirements into their comprehensive plans, and that SB 360 does not do away with them. Rather, it allows counties and municipalities of a certain size to apply for an exemption from those rules.

“360 only eliminates the

See SB 360, page 18

Bleak Budget Year Comes Into Focus

By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office issued its preliminary tax roll Wednesday, indicating a sharp but expected decline in property values in the western communities and countywide.

The tax roll gives municipal managers a firm idea of the amount of revenue they can expect to collect from property taxes as they prepare their budgets for the fiscal year that begins in October.

Last April, Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits took the rare step of offering an advance estimate of property values to county municipalities in order to allow managers to plan better on the effects of the devaluation.

Wednesday’s tax roll revealed property value declines that for Wellington and Royal Palm Beach were fairly close to April’s early estimates. Wellington, previously expecting a decline of about 18 percent, has experienced a 16.64 percent drop. Royal Palm Beach on the other hand saw its values drop by 19.26 percent, even further than April’s estimate of about 17 percent.

But Loxahatchee Groves suffered the sharpest drop of any county municipality, at 25.95 percent. The April estimate forecast a drop of only 14.69 percent.

Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick said the additional decline in property values would force village officials to bring yet more scrutiny to the budget process. “It’s simply something we’ll have to deal with,” he said Thursday. “We’ll continue to prioritize our projects and find a way to continue to provide the services that our residents expect.”

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council has scheduled a first review of the coming year’s budget for Thursday, July 9.

“We’ll continue to grind through a budget, we’ll continue to be able to get our key capital projects moving forward, but we’ll certainly have to take a look at every single line-item of expenses, but that’s a process that we do every year,” Lodwick said.

“That’s why we reduced taxes 14 years in a row, and we’re trying to find a way this year to make it 15 years in a row.”

Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield said that

Nelson Vows Help Investigating

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (DFL) heard testimony Wednesday from 18 cancer patients and family members at Wellington Regional Medical Center, and promised federal help in investigating reports of possible high rates of cancer in The Acreage. Jennifer Dunsford, who lives on 85th Road west of Avocado Blvd., began gathering information on local cancer cases after learning that several other Acreage children besides her fiveyear-old son Garrett had been diagnosed last year with brain tumors.

Dunsford’s efforts are supporting a Florida Department of Health investigation into the possibility of a “cancer cluster,” or abnormally high incidence of cases, in The Acreage. Dunsford’s husband Gregory said Wednesday that the 18 families at WRMC represent less than half the cases they have identified within about four miles of their home.

Nelson said he has written to President Barack Obama asking that two federal agencies, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Environmental Protection

Agency, provide backup to the Florida Department of Health if necessary.

“This is a serious subject that we want to discuss,” Nelson told about 100 people attending the meeting. “I am here to assist by bringing to bear the federal government resources to assist the State of Florida’s Department of Health and carry out this investigation. When an issue like this arises, it becomes quite serious, and we have to get to the bottom of it in an investigation through the proper authorities.”

Nelson expressed sympathy and concern for the families of cancer patients giving testimony at WRMC.

“If it were our child, we would be just as concerned and want to get to the bottom of this,” Nelson said. “Is there a causal agent, and if so how was it activated, and if so, what is the particular causal agent, when did it occur and how do we go about the remedy of that causal agent?”

Nelson said the federal government has been of assistance to the Florida Department of Health on other incidents of exposure to hazardous materials or activities statewide.

“We are ready to assist you

in your investigation if you so choose,” Nelson said.

“What I would like to do to sensitize the people at the federal level all the more is to hear from you and your particular stories, so that in addition to what I have read already and been relayed by my staff, I will be able to take this back directly to the federal level.”

Jennifer Dunsford, whose son was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January 2008, said doctors weren’t able to remove it completely during surgery. She noted that a neighbor on the street behind her house developed brain tumors and died in 2005 at age 37.

Kathy Slater, a 17-year resident of The Acreage, said her husband developed a brain tumor and died in 2008 from complications related to treatment. Slater lives about four miles from the Dunsfords.

Don Koller, a 30-year resident of the Rustic Lakes community off Northlake Blvd., said he was diagnosed with two brain tumors on May 17 after complaining to his wife of blurry vision. Koller had surgery within a week and has begun radiation therapy at JFK Medical Center. Yvette Peart recounted

even a slight easing in the property value decline from April’s forecast is welcome, but he was not optimistic about a reversal of the overall trend anytime soon.

“We’re encouraged that the values did not drop any further than anticipated,” he said, “but by the same token, we expect those values to continue to drop over the next two years as we work our way through foreclosures and valuation adjustments.”

Schofield said the positive adjustment from the April estimate gives the village about a half millions dollars in revenue that was not forecast two months ago. “Given the fact that we have been reducing the budget steadily — this is the third year in a row for decreases — a half a million dollars is going to make a difference to some program,” he said. “It makes it a little easier to deal with.”

In Loxahatchee Groves, Town Clerk Matthew Lippman was taking the town’s sizeable drop in property values in stride.

“We are so fiscally sound that even though we have dropped over 25 percent, we are lowering the millage from 1.5 to 1.4,” he said. “We have managed our budget very efficiently; we have good reserves — we don’t even have to go into the reserves. We just are managing our expenses so we can lower the millage.”

Lippman said the town’s reserves amount to about $1.2 million. While the total taxable value of the town’s property is about $228 million, that is only a fraction of the values in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, at about $2.1 billion and $6 billion respectively.

Lippman said the town collected $442,000 in property tax revenues last year, and will collect $319,000 this year. But the town contracts its management and does not provide a wide range of services like its larger neighbors, a bare-bones model that serves well in times of economic hardship.

“We have no infrastructure, we own nothing, we provide no services,” he said. “The ‘government lite’ concept clearly defies all odds when it comes to absorbing a blow of lack of revenue.”

Lippman said a second, revised draft of the coming year’s budget would be presented to the town council next week.

how her daughter Regina was diagnosed in 2008 with a tumor along her spinal column, and doctors removed 95 percent of it but could not remove more without risking seizures or paralysis. She lives in the same 33412 ZIP code as the Dunsfords, and their children go to the same schools.

Steve Thibodough said he had a brain tumor removed in March 2007. He lives about a mile and a half from the Dunsfords, and about a block from Andrew Samarripa, who said his 15-year-old daughter Hanna was diagnosed with a brain tumor in December and has undergone two surgeries since then. Tracy Newfield told NelSee CANCER, page 4

“Cancer Cluster” — Gregory and Jennifer Dunsford, parents of brain tumor patient Garrett Dunsford, plot a map of residents with cancer in The Acreage.

PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

The inaugural Kickball Fest fundraiser took place last Sunday at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. The event was held to benefit families of police and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Shown here is the Outback Steakhouse team. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 10

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Sharon Merchant Joins Race For District 27 Seat

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

An expected primary battle between two high-profile Republican women heated up this week as former state representative Sharon Merchant formally entered the race to replace State Senator Dave Aronberg.

Merchant announced her candidacy for the District 27 seat Wednesday. During a press conference at her family business, Equipment Rental Service in West Palm Beach, Merchant discussed her plans with friends and supporters.

Merchant, who lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband Dan, joins Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto as an announced candidate. Both are Republicans running for a seat that has trended Democratic.

Benacquisto announced her candidacy in mid-June in the race to replace Aronberg, who will step down mid-term to run for the Florida attorney general post next year.

District 27 runs across the state from West Palm Beach to Fort Myers, taking in much of the western communities.

Merchant, 46, is president of Merchant Strategy, a business development company. She served in the Florida House of Representatives

from 1992 to 2000. She said she chose her family’s construction equipment rental company as the location to announce her candidacy to show the values she represents.

Her father, business founder Merle Merchant, died six years ago, but Merchant and her siblings have taken over the operation.

“My father is no longer with us, but I worked here with him, and now it is my responsibility to see that it runs properly,” Merchant said. “My father started this business over 40 years ago. It was from him that we learned the value of small business and the responsibilities that come with that… the responsibilities that you have for your employees, and that you have to give back some of what has been given to you.”

Merchant said the current economic climate requires someone in Tallahassee who has both an understanding of how the capitol works and how business works. “We are in tough times, I don’t have to tell you that,” Merchant told the approximately 30 people in attendance. “Our economy is in trouble, unemployment in our state is at 10 percent… It’s the highest un-

Acreage Library Moves One Step Closer To Reality

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

An Acreage-area library came a step closer to reality Monday when the Palm Beach County Commission approved changes to the development order of the shopping center parcel on which it will be located.

During Monday’s zoning meeting, the commissioners approved changes to the decade-old development order for the Acreage Shopping Center at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd. Most of the changes address conditions that applied to commercial development of the 22-acre site, whose anchor tenant is a Publix supermarket. The easternmost seven acres, now owned by the Indian Trail Improvement District and dedicated for civic uses, is vacant and slated for construction of the 30,000square-foot library.

Collene Walter of Urban Design Kilday Studios, who is handling the site planning for the library, told the TownCrier Tuesday that construction should begin in early 2010 for an opening in early 2011.

ITID President Michelle Damone said negotiations have not yet been completed on a proposed swap with the county of the library land for about 42 acres at the countyowned Acreage Community Park, where ITID wants to build a community center and other recreational amenities. But ITID in no way opposes the construction of the library, she added.

“We were discussing exchange of property for a community park and, of course, the board supports The Acreage receiving the library,” Damone told the Town-Crier Tuesday.

A preliminary site plan shows the library situated directly behind the supermarket, with vehicular access from Orange Blvd., 71st Place North and the shopping center parking lot.

The county previously intended to build a library on land provided by CalleryJudge Grove near Seminole Ridge High School, according to the county staff report. The land offer was withdrawn by Callery-Judge after its request for a 10,000-home See LIBRARY, page 7

Rabies Confirmed In Wellington Stray Cat

A stray kitten found in Wellington on June 26 tested positive for rabies Wednesday at the Florida State Laboratory in Lantana.

Three children who found the kitten in the Sugar Pond Manor neighborhood near Greenview Shores Blvd. and Paddock Drive were interviewed for possible exposure, according to the Palm Beach County Health Department.

A parent who noticed the kitten acting irrationally called Animal Care & Control, which sent it to the lab for possible rabies confirmation. At least three individuals were identified as exposed and were to begin a series of rabies shots immediately, according to a health department statement. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured. The virus attacks the nerves and brain tissue of warm-blooded animals including humans. Anyone who may have come in contact with kittens or feral cats in Wellington should contact the health department at (561) 840-4566.

District 27 Race — Sharon Merchant (right) announces her candidacy as supporters Paula Dockery and Alex Villalobos, both incumbent state senators, look on.

INAUGURAL TYLER MCLELLAN FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER

The inaugural Tyler’s Day fundraiser was held last Saturday at Palm Beach Central High School. The event, a benefit for the Tyler McLellan Foundation, featured a football player autograph session and basketball with the players, a 50/50 raffle and silent auction, live music, face painting, interactive children’s games, a bounce house, a classic car show and more. For more info., visit www.tylermclellanfoundation.org.

Stacy Serrano and Joe Frazier Jr. of Market America.

Shania and Kiana Leone of Dreamin’ Petting Zoo with Coco the skunk.David M. Ginsberg and Thomas Attonito of Allstate.

Event coordinator Karen McLellan with volunteers Milena Camgero and Eunice Munoz.

Event coordinator Kevin McLellan (center) with Pierre Garcon of the Indianapolis Colts (left) and Scotty Begovich of the Miss Geico speedboat race team.

PHOTOS BY KRISTINA WEBB/TOWN-CRIER

Scholarship recipient Willie Johnson (center) with Pierre Garcon of the Indianapolis Colts and former NFL tackle Lional Dalton.

OUR OPINION

Economic Initiatives Put Wellington On Path To Success

For the past year, the Village of Wellington has been working on a series of economic development initiatives to help prepare the community for the future. Most of these concepts are not expensive ideas, but rather adjustments in governing and zoning philosophy. For example, last week the village adopted a new “flex zoning” category planners hope will attract new businesses to Wellington. Joined to that approval, the Wellington Village Council adopted a “streamlined” permitting process for employers looking to bring jobs here.

This week, Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board considered the creation of a “medical arts district” centered around Wellington Regional Medical Center. This is another low-budget, high-return concept designed to bring more medical- and healthcare-related businesses to the community.

Those are just two parts of an eight-part plan village officials hope will put Wellington at the forefront of the coming economic recovery. Details of the entire economic development initiative can be found at the bottom right of the village’s home page at www.ci.wellington.fl.us.

Perhaps the most exciting of part of the initiative is called “Forest Hill Boulevarding.” One of the more expensive parts of the overall plan, the goal is to recreate Forest Hill Blvd. as Wellington’s “main street.” It is estimated that the entire project will cost $8 million, but thanks to the stimulus money being doled out by the federal government, Wellington will be receiving $3 million to get the project rolling.

That money, provided through the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization with lobbying help from Wellington’s MPO representative Council-

Celebrate Fourth Of July’s True Meaning

We have reached the halfway point of the year, the 2009 legislative session is finished, and Gov. Crist has acted on all the bills. The session was guided by three legislative priorities — to preserve services that meet critical needs of Floridians, pursue avenues to strengthen Florida’s economic foundation and improve our government’s efficiency and effectiveness.

As we return to our districts, we are continually reminded that Florida is facing challenges of historical proportions. Florida’s communities are hurting, businesses are struggling, and families are under significant pressure. Despite the harsh economic realities, as we celebrate Independence Day, my confidence in our country’s resolve endures. Over 200 years ago, our forefathers withstood monumental challenges, remaining courageously dedicated to bringing the dream of freedom out into the bright light of day.

As I reflect on the challenges our forefathers faced, I know Americans still possess that same determination to overcome any obstacles put before us. I am confident that Florida’s future is strong because the same spirit and dedication evident in those who fought to make our dreams of freedom a reality are still abundant today.

As we celebrate America’s birthday, U.S. soldiers are around the world using their

talents and strength to defend democracy and freedom. That same brand of strength and determination is evident in the brave citizens who fight for the rights of Florida’s most vulnerable. From those who advocate for children, the elderly and disabled to others who volunteer time or resources to help those in need, we continue to aspire to the ultimate dreams of our forefathers: “liberty and justice for all.”

I hope you take a moment to proudly and properly display the flag, thank a veteran or soldier, ensure your children understand the meaning of Independence Day and above all, never forget the sacrifices made for each of us every day by those who are on the front lines of freedom.

State Sen. Jeff Atwater Senate President

Daycare Center Will Only Add To Acreage Traffic

This letter is an update concerning the construction of the La Mensa Daycare on Northlake Blvd. (one lot east of Hall Blvd. on the south side). Working as a safety engineer, I look at the new problems on our roads, Hall and Northlake. We do not need more traffic and children in this area. A review of the information on the building and grounds for an unneeded daycare center is a problem. With 283 children in this area and more cars to come in and out of this daycare center, safety will be a problem. People

woman Lizbeth Benacquisto, is one the largest single slices of stimulus road money being awarded countywide. The project will include sidewalks, lighting, drainage, landscaping, street furniture, signage and more — a series of aesthetic changes that village officials hope will turn Forest Hill Blvd. from an ordinary roadway into something truly special.

There is something incredibly appealing about the thought. The main street concept is one that will catch the eye of non-residents traveling through the village. Informational and directional signs combined with a possible bike lane will make the area more appealing to pedestrians and help with traffic congestion. To further add to the community feel, Wellington plans to create decorative crosswalks and more crossing signals.

At the center of the improved Forest Hill Blvd. will be an expanded civic area around the current Wellington Community Center. While village officials hope this “town center” will include a new village hall to consolidate village services under one roof, work is further along on plans for an outdoor amphitheater funded by county bond money — a welcome improvement from the portable stage the village currently uses for outdoor concerts — and Scott’s Place, a handicapped-accessible playground sponsored by Del and Barbara Williamson in memory of their son Scott.

With construction costs at record lows and millions out of work, now is the perfect time for Wellington to be investing in its future. What is spent today on laying the groundwork for future economic success will be returned to the community tenfold in the years to come.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

moved to this area to get out of business areas and have large lots and private, quiet homes. Added reasons: the area now has lots of homes empty and not cared for; higher added taxes; homes are down approximately 35 percent in value; and cancer research is being done.

We don’t need to have more people on the roads and a daycare center to cause more traffic and noise, and to lower our home values. P.S.: My home and extra lot are up for sale.

Carrol D. Alexander The Acreage

Where Was The ALA?

This is in response to the April 25 letter from Leanne Reid, the vice president of the Acreage Landowners’ Association. Ms. Reid said the ALA is a liaison between us and government. Where were they when the negotiations between the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department and the Indian Trail Improvement District were in progress? Where was the ALA when the deal [was made] to trade land for our library to add amenities to Acreage Community Park when the county always buys the land for libraries? The Royal Palm Beach library is now, as I speak, being totally rebuilt (the old one demolished) and Wellington’s refurbished.

At the Publix meeting with the ALA at Seminole Ridge High School for the gas station, only the ALA votes counted. All non-member votes were ignored. Robert Trepp was president. Mr. Trepp made a free chili

cookoff into a money-making venture for himself (Tromsi Inc.) during his one-year term as ALA president... Carlos Enriquez, former president of the ALA, now sits on the ITID board and works for Florida Power & Light. Where was the ALA when FPL’s West County Energy Center was proposed and when all the hearings were going on?

Where was Ms. Reid or the ALA in the five and a half years I have been going to Board of County Commissioner meetings and the evening meetings at ITID? It is my personal experience that e-mails are never mentioned at BCC or ITID meetings. They can be hidden away or numbers misrepresented or nonexistent. To be effective in my experience, only what is said in public, on the record, in the authority we have as taxpayers, counts. Where are they?

Sharon Waite The Acreage

Tax Increases And Medicare Reductions

Cap-and-tax is already showing its effect on the energy sector. The Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.2 percent as a group. Not many economists and stock analysts were calling for deflation and high unemployment. Only a few have said that we will see deflation. More experts are beginning to join in and saying that it’s not prudent to pay 18 times earnings for an economy with a “deflationary burden on its shoulders.”

Soon we will be asking,

OPINION

what do we do now? When the question should be what did we do to get here? If the economic decline during the Bush administration between the years 2000 and 2008 was due to government spending on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, how can economists continue to say that World War II and the WPA got us out of the last depression? Are we not allowed to blame in part the marriage between Fannie and Freddie, who provided loans to low income minorities who weren’t working at Bethlehem Steel and making high wages? They didn’t have high-paying jobs because the EPA has destroyed industry in the U.S., and as yet there are very few high-paying jobs in green industries that can’t make a profit.

I’d like to say that the economy has bottomed out, but I doubt it. The dollar index fell 0.9 percent to 79.69. China is abandoning the dollar and diversifying its currency reserves, which are the world’s largest at $1.95 trillion. So next time you hear a congressperson claim that China can’t afford environmental restrictions because it has an infant industrial sector, know that it’s more politics than truth. Our industry can’t compete now, what do you think will happen to it (and jobs) if the cap-andtrade bill is passed?

China owns a huge amount of U.S. treasuries and is

dumping them overboard faster than their fishermen are dumping dead dolphins out of their fishnets. China just divested themselves of another $4.4 billion of worthless treasuries. China still owns almost $800 billion in treasuries, and you can watch for more dumping in the near future. That will mean your taxes will skyrocket. Is now the time to be passing a universal healthcare bill? That sector is slumping. Today it slumped by an additional one percent. The Congressional Budget Office thinks it might be $1 trillion over the next ten years. That’s the plan that the president is proposing. At least that’s what the CBO seems to say it will be, and we know they are very conservative with their future debt predictions. One last thing for senior citizens, this young president wants to cut services from Medicare and give you pain medication instead of lifeextending treatments, because he wants to cut medical costs. We were told it’s no problem. President Obama said he can walk and chew gum. We can do it all now. We need to rush to judgment, and experimentation is better then experience. Write to your congressman and demand they not tax energy and reduce your Medicare benefits, or you will vote them out of office.

Frank Morelli Wellington

Trying To Make Sense Of Citibank’s Huge Employee Pay Raises

So you surely thought the “big bonus-paying banks” like Citibank have learned their lesson. Think again.

Those genius Citibank managers, who guided the bank’s stock to a plunge of 84 percent in a year and have already taken two “rescue” payments of billions and billions and billions of taxpayer dollars, are now planning to raise em-

Cancer Residents Speak Out

continued from page 1 son how doctors removed a tumor the size of an orange from her 15-year-old daughter Jessica, but she has now developed another. They live about a mile and a half from the Dunsfords.

Richard Cotromano, who moved to The Acreage in 2002, said his five-year-old daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed in 2004 with an inoperable tumor on her optic nerve at six months of age, and she is now legally blind. He lives two or three miles

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

ployee salaries up to 50 percent!

The Citibank thinking — despite the government taking a 34-percent interest in

from the Dunsfords.

Bill Featherston recalled how his 20-year-old son was diagnosed with a benign tumor in 2005. After surgery and radiation therapy, he was clear for three years, but was diagnosed in December with a cancerous brain tumor and is undergoing treatment at Duke University. Featherston said the government should do something quickly. “The longer this goes, the more everybody suffers,” he said. “Half the suffering comes from not knowing.”

The other half, Featherston said, is watching his assets depreciate in a faltering economy while trying to pay med-

the bank as collateral for the billions — is that they don’t need approval to jack up salaries to offset smaller or lost bonuses. And Citibank also intends to award millions of dollars in new stock options to employees. This financial chicanery will, they feel, transfer the spotlight from their program of outlandish bonus payments. And, guess what — they say it will help them “retain employees.” Sure, just look at those huge “help wanted” signs in bank windows seeking to pirate Citibank and thousands of other unemployed bank people. Or maybe a look at the unemployment offices and at job fairs would be more realistic appraisal of the employment picture.

ical bills. “My home is the last thing that I have left as far an asset,” he said. Featherston is also concerned about neighbors who show disregard for water quality in a community that relies almost entirely on well water.

Several people at the meeting said they suspect that pesticide and fertilizer use on citrus groves in the area might be to blame for the cancer cases.

The Palm Beach County Health Department’s Acting Director Dr. Alina Alonso, who accompanied Nelson on his visit to WRMC, said the incidence of cancer in the northern part of The Acreage

Parenthetically, Ken R. Feinberg, the new special

would be compared to that of other random areas to determine if there is an unusually high concentration of cases in the area.

Alonso declined to speculate on whether something unusual is happening in The Acreage before collecting appropriate data. “It’s important to go through a methodical analysis,” she said.

Nelson said the gathering at WRMC was the first step in the process. “That’s the purpose for getting everybody together here, to get a focus that there certainly appears to be a problem in a specific geography,” he said.

Nelson said he would stay on top of the issue with fed-

master or “pay czar” of the government, is limited to setting compensation for just the top 100 employees at “troubled” companies. Since Citibank has received not one but two federal bailouts, Citibank is near the top of his list of companies to check on. Yet while he can and most assuredly will request payroll information, the bank does not have to accept his guidance!

eral authorities. “I can’t tell them what to do, but I can sure have the force of friendly persuasion,” he said. “We will be happy to get the federal government involved where it is appropriate, with EPA and CDC.”

Jennifer Dunsford is still gathering information on cancer incidence in The Acreage. The information will be forwarded to the proper authorities. For more info., contact Dunsford at (561) 5124554 or braintumorinfo@bell south.net.

(Right) U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson speaks to cancer patients and their families at a conference Wednesday.

Perhaps the Citibank plan to issue stock options is even more curious. It could theoretically open a tsunami of millions of stock options that could be cashed during the next few years. By the way, the last I heard, the Citibank corporate jet fleet was still flying high. Executives who have learned a lesson? I don’t think so.

Swamp-Themed Vacation Bible School At Wellington Presbyterian

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

More than 175 campers sang, danced, laughed and learned about being fearless last week during Wellington Presbyterian Church’s Vacation Bible School, “Crocodile Dock.”

In addition to craft, snack, song, video and Bible-story sessions, the group started and ended each day with a hillbilly skit that drew howls and shrieks from the excited audience.

“The skit brings the theme to life and gives it personality,” Pastor of Students & Families Matt Wilson said.

Wilson, along with student ministry intern Matt Greenberg and volunteer teen actors, developed the storyline day by day as the Swamp family spent the week trying to rid their bayou of trespassers.

Enthusiasm carried into each session, including sign language lessons to worship songs in the Swamp Stomp room. In Bible Bayou, however, attentive children learned of the Israelites’ experiences as slaves under the oppressive Egyptian Pha-

raoh. One of their most profound experiences, according to teacher Bonnie Sturgis, was painting the door with red paint that represented lambs’ blood used by Israelites. The families entered the protection of their homes as the Angel of Death, the tenth and final plague, swept through the countryside, killing the firstborn in each household, including Pharaoh’s son.

Director Jennie Peters said this was one of the best camps to date.

“It’s amazing the way God put volunteers with different talents in just the right places to make this an awesome week,” she said. “We had a good, faithful crew.” Even the weather seemed to cooperate. Campers reported “God sightings” each day, and on the day they learned about God’s power, a thunderstorm resounded outside.

Last Friday, the church hosted a lunch for campers’ parents. Ninety guests listened as Senior Pastor Eric Molicki introduced the church, conveyed its importance to family life and invited the guests to make it their

church home. Parents also enjoyed the week’s highlights in a video and photo show put together by recent Wellington High School graduate David Witwer.

Wellington Presbyterian Church is located at 1000 Wellington Trace. A traditional service is held at 8:30 a.m.

and a contemporary service at 11 a.m. on Sundays. High school and middle school groups meet weekly throughout the summer, while elementary programs run during the school year. For more information, call (561) 793-1007 or visit www. wpcfl.com.

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

PROCER HOSTS ‘FIESTA EN EL BATEY’ EVENT AT OKEEHEELEE PARK

The Puerto Rican Organization for Cultural Enhancement and Reaffirmation (PROCER) held a family picnic titled “Fiesta en el Batey!” (Party in the Yard) last Sunday at the Micanopy Pavilion at Okeeheelee Park. The event featured music, dance, food, games, a domino tournament, a Puerto Rican dessert-tasting contest and more. For more information about PROCER, call (561) 439-5631 or visit www.procercultural.org.

It’s

You

Event committee members Victor Rivera, Israel and Maria Pabon, Olga Alvarez and Clara Colon.

Song leaders Todd Wells, Mitch Gibson, Ellen Parmar and Alice Molicki.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

The Wellington Presbyterian Church prayer team: Susan Nungesser, Janice Doolittle and Penny Brumbaugh. Not pictured: Karen Dammeyer.

Gabriella Besosa and Nina Villalobos make pizza cracker snacks.

Crystal Rodriguez receives a goody bag from Gregorio Luque of Humana.

Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Santos Arroyo and PROCER President Israel Pabon.

Thieves Target Pizza Delivery Vehicle In RPB

By Kristina Webb Town-Crier Staff Report

JUNE 22 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched June 22 to the Papa John’s Pizza on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 7:45 p.m. a Papa John’s driver returned to the restaurant following a delivery. Soon after, he noticed a man and woman parked in a four-door Saturn near his car. The driver watched as the man got out of his parked car, entered the driver’s Nissan 200SX and stole a black iPod Touch worth $300, a blackand-silver Cobra radar detector worth $100 and several CDs. The victim returned to his car and chased the two suspects west on Okeechobee Blvd., but stopped when it appeared that the man was brandishing a firearm at him. The suspects are a black male, between 20 and 25 years old with black shoulder-length dreadlocks and a thin build and a black female, between 18 and 20 years old with black hair, wearing a purple tank-top shirt.

JUNE 26 — Three tailgates were stolen from the vehicle lot at Al Packer Ford West in Royal Palm Beach last Friday. According to a PBSO report, the tailgates, worth $4,500, were removed from three trucks sometime between 5 p.m. last Thursday and 1 p.m. the following day. A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched; however, no evidence could be collected because of the rain. A dealership employee was unable to provide the deputy with serial numbers, surveillance videos or suspect leads.

JUNE 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to investigate a simple battery incident at the Best Buy store in Wellington last Friday. According to a PBSO report, a 79-year-old man hit the store’s manager after being denied a refund. The man was issued a notice to appear in court, and the surveillance footage was placed into evidence.

JUNE 27 — A Wellington man was arrested for disorderly intoxication following an incident at the Taco Bell restaurant in Royal Palm Beach early last Saturday morning. According to a PBSO report, a Taco Bell employee called the PBSO at approximately 2:30 a.m. regarding a person banging on restaurant windows. When the deputy arrived, he found 19-year-old William Moneymaker and asked him what he was doing there. Moneymaker said he had gone to a concert at the South Florida Fairgrounds, but his ride had left him there and he wanted to use Taco Bell’s phone. Moneymaker said an employee

wouldn’t let him use the phone, so he decided to walk home. While speaking to Moneymaker, the deputy noticed that his speech was slurred and there was a strong odor of alcohol. The restaurant employee said that Moneymaker had left for a short time, but returned to begin banging on the windows again. When the employee asked Moneymaker to leave, Moneymaker yelled obscenities at her and then walked toward Southern Blvd. The deputy placed Moneymaker under arrest for disorderly intoxication and transported him to the Palm Beach County Jail.

JUNE 29 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched on Monday to investigate a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m. on June 25 and noon on Monday someone stole a 2004 John Deere model 310 rubber tire backhoe worth $74,500 from a construction site on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. There was no video surveillance available, and there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. The backhoe has several distinguishing additions, including a cluster of pressure gauges on the right side of the boom, a chrome stack exhaust and a quick-connect bucket.

JUNE 29 — A Horseshoe Trace resident called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. someone broke into the house by smashing the rear sliding glass door. Stolen from inside were several items of jewelry, including a black antique men’s watch worth $6,000 and a gold ring with diamonds worth $5,000. Also taken were a video recorder and a portable DVD player. A four-year-old Rottweiler weighing more than 100 pounds was inside the house at the time. The victim stated that he has not had any workers around his home who would be familiar with the dog, so it is not known how the suspect was able to get past it. An alarm on the home had been activated, but was not triggered. DNA swabs and latent prints were attempted.

JUNE 30 — Two women were arrested for shoplifting at the Dillard’s store in the Mall at Wellington Green on Tuesday. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was dispatched after store security caught 38-year-old Niurka Pena-Brito of West Palm Beach and 45-year-old Lourdes de la Torre of Royal Palm Beach attempting to steal 14 items valued at $823. Pena-Brito and de la Torre were transported to the county jail.

of 07/02/09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.

Carey Holmes

Prince Reynolds

PBSO CEREMONY CELEBRATES PALM BEACH COUNTY’S CENTENNIAL

The Palm Beach County centennial was marked in a special way at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday. PBSO representatives re-enacted the 1909 swearing in of the county’s first sheriff, George Baker.

Rick Howell of the PBSO stood in for Baker, along with Howell’s wife Marianne. Civil Judge Paul Damico did the honors of swearing in the sheriff. Capt. Ed Jablonski gave welcoming remarks, Sharon Leonard sang the national anthem, and Jose Rendon did the benediction. The ceremony was followed by refreshments in the atrium.

Art Show At Whole Foods Market Benefits Habitat For Humanity

By Laura Hampson Town-Crier Staff Report

Whole Foods Market in Wellington held a wine and cheese reception last Friday night for local artist Carin Wagner.

While her art has previously been featured only in galleries, Wagner said the Whole Foods exhibit was a good fit.

Her paintings of natural scenes and landscapes can be described as “green art,” which is just right for a store known for its green approach to business.

Proceeds from the entrance donations and silent auction went to Habitat for Humani-

ty International, which builds homes for those without sufficient shelter. Wagner said she chose the housing charity when she thought about the many people without homes because of the economy.

The reception program at the Wellington store draws attention to artists in the community by showcasing their artwork on the walls of the café, Whole Foods Marketing and Community Specialist Lauren Belinsky said.

Belinsky said she was very impressed with the event’s turnout and expected to raise about $500 in donations for Habitat for Humanity.

PHOTOS BY LAURA HAMSON/TOWN-CRIER

TWO AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS HOST FIELD DAY AT OKEEHEELEE

The Palms West Amateur Radio Club and the West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Club held Field Day operations last Saturday and Sunday at Okeeheelee Park’s Osceola Pavilion. Local amateur radio operators worked around the clock both days to set up field radio communication stations, get on the air and contact thousands of other operators across the U.S. and Canada as part of participation in the American Radio Relay League’s Field Day. The tests helps make sure that the radio operators are ready to help out should an emergency shut down other communication channels. For information about the Palms West Amateur Radio Club, call Rob Pease at (561) 358-9999.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Carin Wagner with one of her paintings.Sharon Nealy and Melanie Brooks.

Pianist Barbara Gomulka provided live music.

Carin Wagner’s friend Terry Daum views her art.

Whole Foods Market’s Lauren Belinsky and Kim Nguyen collect donations for Habitat for Humanity.

Jerry Grant, John Fulford and Rob Pease look over a map.

John Samuels uses Morse code to make contacts.

Palms West Amateur Radio Club President Rob Pease makes some contacts.

Rob Pease, Field Day coordinator Jerry Grant and West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Club President John Fulford.

William Miller tries to make contact while Carol Bailey looks on and Ian Benison records contacts.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Major Dan Smith and Col. Mike Gauger.

Zada Baker-Rogerson, a descendant of George Baker.

Sharon Leonard sings the national anthem.

Judge Damico swears in “George Baker” (Rick Howell).

PBSO members gather for an old-fashioned photo.

Members of the PBSO Honor Guard present the colors.

Western Executives

‘Salad

Days’

The Western Executives will host its inaugural Salad Days on Saturday, Aug. 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. It will be a delicious healthyeating experience and celebration of a greener planet.

Troy Webster, founder of Western Executives, sees the event as an opportunity to help raise money for the Farmworker Council, a local farmworkers’ charity. Western Executives members volunteer their time and do not get compensation; all profit goes directly to the charity. Residents of the western communities are being called to participate and come together in order to support this meaningful fundraising event. For more information

about the Farmworker Council, visit www.farmworker council.org. Webster said the International Polo Club is a perfect place to showcase this feast of the senses, and he believes people will support the idea of helping farmworkers’ kids with school supplies while enjoying an afternoon of healthy food and entertainment. Visitors may bring crayons, pencils, backpacks, calculators and other school supplies for chances to win fabulous prizes. There will be plenty of food sampling, a best salad competition, demonstration by a local home brewers club, business expo/ fair, raffle and silent auction. The event will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance and are available online, or $15 at the door. Vendor applications can be e-mailed to westexec @earthlink.net.

The Western Executives is a social club for business owners primarily in the western communities of Palm Beach County. For more information, call Ingrid Webster at (561) 7935509 or visit the Salad Days web page at www.western executives.net/saladdays. htm.

Legion 390 To Install Officers

American Legion Post 390 in Wellington will hold its first official installation of officers on Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at Fire-Rescue Station 30 (9610 Stribling Way, Wellington).

Former Wellington mayor Tom Wenham will be installed as the new commander with other local members installed to other positions.

David Knapp has acted as commander since the post received its charter but has now been elected to a higher position. He will serve as the southern area commander and oversee all of South Florida. This will include four districts and roughly 13,700 veterans of the American Legion.

New District Commander Paul Bosco of the 11th District will perform the installation with his district staff.

Refreshments will be served at the installation. For more information, call (918) 810-2520.

Benefit For Project Lifesaver

Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 S. State Road 7) will host a gourmet

LION COUNTRY GOES ‘BOWLING FOR RHINOS’

Lion Country Safari staff members had fun at the bowling alley while raising money for rhino conservation organizations on June 25. Animal keepers and other participants sponsored a bowling fundraiser at Palm Beach Strike Zone in Boynton Beach to promote awareness and raise money in support of the world’s second largest land animal, the rhinoceros. The event will benefit the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia. Pictured here are: (front row, L-R) Elaine Andrews, Andrea Starkins, Rhonda Beitmen and A.J. Starkins; (back row) Tommy Smith, Ashleigh Kandrac, Ila Mikulas, Jessica Devonport, Richard Evers, Jennifer Rucker, Meghann McCarren, Sean Mallee and Jason Bennett.

macaroni and cheese/wine tasting benefit on Friday, July 24. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

Guests will be able to taste their way around Whole Foods Market and end in the café to enjoy some live entertainment with local band the Electric Hearts and a silent auction. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit (and its bloodhound Clue) will be on hand as well.

A $20 donation will be collected at the front entrance. All proceeds will go to Project Lifesaver of Palm Beach County, a non-profit organization that provides equipment to track individuals who wander and go missing because of autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other related disorders.

To RSVP, call (561) 9044000 or e-mail Michelle Damone at appbcdamone@aol. com. For more information about Project Lifesaver, visit www.pbcprojectlifesaver. org.

St. Peter’s Chancel Choir To Perform

The St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Chancel Choir will present its performance “Of Faith and Freedom” on Sunday, July 5 during the church’s 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services. Music Director Joseph Farrar

will be joined by special guest pianist Copeland Davis. St. Peter’s United Methodist Church is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-5712 or visit www.stpeters-umc.org.

S.F. Kids Consignment

July 23-26

South Florida Kids Consignment, a four-day megaevent, will take place July 2326 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Instructions for tagging merchandise are available online at www.southfloridakids consignment.com. Sellers can drop off their merchan-

SUMMER AT BUCA!

WELLINGTON HOSTS OPEN HOUSE AT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS

The Village of Wellington, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, held an open house at the new Safe Neighborhoods Office last Saturday. Residents met neighborhood advocates, received information on services and activities, and signed up for the Citizens Volunteer Organization and new crime watch groups. There were also basketball games, free goodies and more. The office is located at 1100 Wellington Trace. For more info., call (561) 791-4733.

SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC AT BREAKERS WEST

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Anne and Jessica Gerwig give out sno-cones.

Village employees Nancy Miller and Angie Butler.

Deputies Rick Jackson and Kurt Lipinski with Lt. Bill Bruckner.

Members of the Wellington Village Council and family members with village and PBSO representatives.

Deputy Greg Wyble, Corporal Roy Demarco and Sgt. Larry Poston.

Jakeece Dewberry and Rudaejah Atkins with Cindy Allen of the Citizens Volunteer Organization.

Raffle winner Patrick Martin and Keith Jackson.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

The 29th Annual South Florida Fair Scholarship Golf Classic was held last Saturday at the Breakers West Country Club. A total of 25 foursomes played golf. All participants received souvenir gifts in addition to prizes, a continental breakfast and buffet luncheon. Thirteen students received scholarship checks at the 2009 South Florida Fair to help them pursue their higher education goals.

Fair PR Manager John Picano with Bobby Nichols.Harry Brock and Eric Jackson watch Sean Krauell putt.

PLENTY OF KICKS AT KICKBALL FUNDRAISER IN ROYAL PALM BEACH

The inaugural Kickball Fest fundraiser took place last Sunday at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. The event was held to benefit the families of police and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. In addition to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, sponsors included Duffy’s Sports Grill, Max & Erma’s restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, Hooters and the Brass Ring Pub.

PBSO JOINS IN THE ‘DOG DAYS OF SUMMER’ AT ROGER DEAN STADIUM

The “Dog Days of Summer” returned to Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter last Saturday, with the Jupiter Hammerheads hosting the Clearwater Thrashers. This dog lovers’ event featured the Palm Beach County

and

the

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

PBCFR Battalion Chief Nigel Baker

PBCFR’s Michelle Shaw heads for first base.

PBSO Sgt. Ed Suszczynski gets ready to kick the ball.

The PBCFR team gathers before hitting the field.

The PBSO and PBCFR teams shake hands after their game.

Members of the Brass Ring Pub team.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Sheriff’s Office Animal Kindness Unit,

Col. Mike Gauger threw out

first pitch.

Catherine Engel with Ginger.

Tanya Lahti and Berniece House with Yip.

PBSO Col. Mike Gauger throws out the first pitch.

The Catuogno family arrives with their dogs.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, July 4

• The 2009 Tournament of Roller Hockey Series Nationals will continue through July 5 at Palm Beach Skate Zone (8125 Lake Worth Road). This major roller hockey championship features approximately 220 teams and 3,000 athletes. Call (314) 7797755 or visit www.torhs.

com for more info.

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold an exercise walk in John Prince County Park on Saturday, July 4 at 7:30 a.m. Participants should enter the park at the entrance on Congress Ave. south of Sixth Avenue. Go to the stop sign and meet at the little parking lot on the right. For more info., call Paul at (561) 963-9906.

• The Village of Wellington will present a patriotic lineup for the entire family on the Fourth of July. The event schedule is as follows: A Patriotic Pool Party will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the Wellington Aquatics Complex (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Regular pool entrance fees apply. The Family Fourth Celebration will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). A fireworks extravaganza will be presented at Village Park at 9:15 p.m. For more info., call Community Projects Manager Nicole Evangelista at (561) 791-4733.

• Royal Palm Beach’s Firecracker Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, July 4 at the Village Golf Club. The scramble-format tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and will include cart and green fees, a 50/50 raffle, prizes, a longest-drive contest, a closest-to-the-pin contest and a barbecue lunch. Golfers can pre-register at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way), the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center (100 Sweet Bay Lane), or the Village Golf Club (122 Country Club Drive). Businesses and organizations can reserve tee sponsorships in advance for $100. Costs are $60 per player or $240 per foursome. For more info., call (561) 790-5149.

• The Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Palm Beach County and the City of Greenacres will hold “Encienda la Noche (Light the Night)” on Saturday, July 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Greenacres Community Park (at the northwest corner of Jog Road and 10th Avenue). Live music, food and refreshment, games and other family entertainment will be offered, with a fireworks display at dusk. No personal fireworks will be permitted. Admission is free. For more info., call the chamber at (561) 889-6527 or (561) 806-1550.

Sunday, July 5

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold a sevento nine-mile walk in Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Jupiter on Sunday, July 5 at 8 a.m. This park is located on U.S. Highway 1, a few miles north of the Jupiter Lighthouse. For more info., call Paul at (561) 9639906.

Monday, July 6

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Baby Story Time” on Mondays in July at 9:30 a.m. for ages under nine months and at 11:15 a.m. for ages 10 to 18 months. Babies will love the rhymes, fingerplays, songs, books and toys. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold Bookmaking Classes on Mondays, July 6, 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. for ages eight to 12. Create a different type of book each week. To preregister, call (561) 7906070.

• The Florida Trail Association will offer a program on invasive exotic plants and animals that are becoming a problem in South Florida on Monday, July 6 at 7 p.m. at the Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.). The program will be presented by Serena Rinker of the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. The public is welcome, and the program is free. Call Paul Cummings at (561) 9639906 for more info. Wednesday, July 8

• The Wellington library

(1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Teen Advisory Group Scrapbooking” on Wednesday, July 8 at 4 p.m. for ages 12 through 17. Help make a scrapbook of photographs from past teen programs. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Stories & So Much More” on Wednesdays in July at 6:30 p.m. for ages five through eight. The library is taking story time to the next level for school-age children with games, activities, crafts, stories and more. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Elliot’s Stars Horseshoes Tournament & Party will be held Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m. at Hotel Biba (320 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach). The party will offer teams of three the chance to compete in a horseshoes tournament for great prizes. The night will also feature signature drinks, free valet parking, raffles and a DJ. A team of three can register for $50 and a VIP team for $100. Event sponsorships are available. For more information, e-mail ehorseshoes @hotmail.com or visit www. elliottsstars.org.

Thursday, July 9

• Florida United Numismatists will hold its Summer Fun Show Thursday through Saturday, July 9-11 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) featuring top coin dealers and collecting enthusiasts from the United States and around the world. Call (561) 366-3000 or visit www.funtopics.com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Discover Okeeheelee Natives” on Thursday, July 9 at 2 p.m. for ages five and up. John Welch of the Okeeheelee Nature Center will share facts and stories about some of the center’s native inhabitants. To preregister, call (561) 7906070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a meeting of the Teen Advisory Group on Thursday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 7906070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Pizza & Pages: One Piece, Vol. 1” on Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. for ages 12 through 17. Can Luffy become a pirate even though he doesn’t know how to swim? Copies of Oda Eiichiro’s manga are available at the children’s desk. Pizza will be served. To preregister, call (561) 7906070.

Friday, July 10

• The Jupiter Tequesta Dog Club will hold shows at the Americraft Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.) Friday through Sunday July 1012. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. General admission costs $3; children under 12 will be admitted free. Call (561) 6979634 or visit www.jtdc.org for more info.

• The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will hold a Garden Sunset Stroll on Friday, July 10 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Summer nights in South Florida are something special, especially when they are augmented with taiko drums and a cultural backdrop that can’t be beat. General admission is $5. Call (561) 495-0233 or visit www.morikami.org for more info.

Saturday, July 11

• Pistache French Bistro on Clematis Street will host a free, Parisian-themed street party on Saturday, July 11 from noon to 5 p.m. in honor of Bastille Day. The event is free and open to the public. For more info., call (561) 833-5090 or visit www.pistachewpb.com.

Monday, July 13

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon on Monday, July 13 at 11:45 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). RSVP to Anitra Harmon at (561) 790-6200 or anitra@palmswest.com.

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

Golden Grove Students Volunteer Services

As part of its aim to promote reading, the Teachers of Tomorrow Club at Golden Grove Elementary School sponsors an annual book drive. This year, the club had a membership of 22 fourthand fifth-grade students and was sponsored by Dr. Elaine Ealy, who has sponsored the club for ten years. The club worked hard to contribute the gift of reading to other elementary students. Each year the club collects new and gently used books for Golden Grove’s sister school, K.E. Cunningham/ Canal Point Elementary School. The book drive runs for approximately three weeks, but books are usually collected up until their delivery day. The sister school is always very appreciative of Golden Grove’s annual gift of books.

There has always been a high level of school and community participation in the annual book drive. Students from each class at Golden Grove collected books on a daily basis, and after school the Teachers of Tomorrow club members devoted their time to collecting the books from the classrooms.

The class that collected the highest number of books this year was Louise McGinnis’ kindergarten class. The class collected over 400 books, and the students were rewarded with a pizza party.

This year, over 1,200 books were collected and were given to the sister school. The gift was made to K.E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary to help with their summer reading program. The Teachers of Tomorrow Club will sponsor its eighth book drive during the 2009-10 school year.

Another goal of the Teachers of Tomorrow Club is to volunteer in the community. Each year, the members give some of their time volunteering on Saturdays at the Royal Manor nursing home in Royal Palm Beach. The students always enjoy helping with the activities in which the residents participate. Some of the things they did included partnering with the residents in bingo games and picking up balls/balloons during the ball toss exercise activity.

Club members also coordinated a holiday card distribution to the residents of the facility. Each year, the classes at Golden Grove participate in creating cards to cheer up the Royal Manor residents during the holiday seasons. The club members then deliver the cards individually to the residents of Royal Manor. They also read the cards to many of the residents who have difficulty reading their cards.

Dream Eighth Graders Learn First Aid, CPR

The eighth-grade class at Dream Middle School recently completed the Emergency Care & Safety Institute’s certification course for First Aid, CPR and AED.

Dream

The six-week course, taught by Dave Magruder and sponsored by Life Safety Solutions, allowed the students to test their knowledge and practice emergency response procedures.

After completion of the course and passing the final exam, each student was presented with a certification card.

“It is interesting to learn about [CPR],” eighth grader Jennifer Mezzetti said. “It is beneficial in case someone is choking.”

Fellow classmate Saman-

tha Bodner agreed. “As a babysitter, [the certification] is good to have, and helps toward completing the babysitting certification,” she said.

Ideal Elementary School and Dream Middle School are privately owned schools located in Royal Palm Beach, offering preschool through eighth grade. The curriculum for both schools is based on Dr. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligence. For more information, visit the schools’ web site at www.idealelementary.com.

A YOUNG AVIATOR

Elbridge Gale Elementary School fifth grader Kai Holme won the Aviation category at the School District of Palm Beach County’s recent Math and Science Fair district competition. Flight Safety International judged and awarded this category. As the winner of the first-place ribbon, Holme also won a ride on one of Flight Safety’s flight simulators. Holme chose the Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter simulator. On Friday, June 26, he took off from Manhattan and flew around New York City, performing takeoffs and landings under the direction of an expert flight instructor. Pictured above is Holme with his winning project display.

Bank Of America Recognizes Students As Volunteers, Leaders

Already answering the nation’s call to service and eager to lead the effort moving forward, 230 high school juniors and seniors — including two from the western communities — are rolling up their sleeves and heading to Washington, D.C. July 19-24 for the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s weeklong Student Leadership Summit. Participating student leaders are Kristina DeCarlo of Loxahatchee, rising senior at Seminole Ridge High School, and Jodie Mitchell, a Wellington resident and recent graduate of Boca Raton High School. The students will intern at Communities in Schools, located in West Palm Beach. The summit, which aims to inspire students to serve their communities and effect change, brings together civic-minded high school juniors and seniors who have been selected as student leaders for their leadership and passion for community service as part of Bank of America’s signature philanthropic program, the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative.

In addition to attending the summit, student leaders participate in eight-week internships, paid for by the bank’s foundation, at nonprofits in their local communities to gain hands-on experience, and learn the finer points of nonprofit management and leadership. “At Bank of America, we recognize that the health of our business and

the health of the economy are inextricably linked,” said Fab Brumley, Bank of America’s Palm Beach County Market President. “We have long believed that an investment in leadership plays a pivotal role in revitalizing our communities and providing opportunities for the neighborhoods we serve to thrive.”

Through a series of workshops and hands-on activities, the weeklong summit will provide students with an understanding of how service creates positive change in communities, how corporate, nonprofit and government collaboration is instrumental in community revitalization, and the important role that nonprofit organizations play as community anchors.

Golden Grove students volunteer at the book drive.

Middle School students practice CPR.

A Golden Grove student at Royal Manor nursing home.

White Wins Scholarship

Palm Beach Central High School senior Julia White was recently honored at a luncheon in Chicago to celebrate the inaugural recipients of the 2008-09 ULTA Enrich, Empower and Enlighten Scholarship.

Out of the hundreds of students who entered nationwide, White was one of the 16 deserving young women selected based on academic achievements, community involvement, leadership qualities and commitment to continuing her education. In addition to receiving a $5,000 scholarship to the educational institution of her choice, White was offered a special

Two Finish Air Force Training

Air Force Airman 1st Class

Joshua Pastore and Airman Eric Crowley recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Pastore and Crowley completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Pastore is the son of Randy and Stacey Pastore of The Acreage. He is a 2008 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School. Crowley is the son of Wendy Crowley of

trip to Chicago for a shopping spree at ULTA State Street, mini makeovers and a personal meeting with ULTA CEO Lyn Kirby. White is at the top of her class, ranking third out of 607 students. She is an athlete on both the cross-country and soccer teams, and volunteers her time at the community hospital and church. She has wisdom and insight beyond her years and has taken each one of life’s experiences as an opportunity for personal growth and discovery. This fall, White plans on attending the University of Miami in Coral Gables to major in neuroscience.

New Bedford, Mass., and Ron Crowley of Wellington. He is a 2004 graduate of John I. Leonard High School.

Venturing Crew Heads To The Bahamas

Boy Scouts of America, Venturing Crew 2125 of Wellington, just returned from its first-ever seven-day, live-aboard scuba diving cruise in the Bahamas, aboard the 65-foot sailing sloop Sea Explorer, operated by Black Beard Cruises out of Freeport, Bahamas. To prepare for this awesome summer activity, the scouts became scuba certified at the Scuba Club in West

Jurado Family Celebrates Graduation, Quinceañera

Kyle Edward Jurado, son of Edward and Johanna Jurado and Wellington High School’s Class of 2005 valedictorian, graduated from Columbia University with an economics major and minors in math and jazz studies on May 20.

Kyle was named the 2009 recipient of the Albert Asher Green Memorial Prize, which is awarded to the graduating senior who has made the best record of scholarship (highest GPA) in the graduating class at Columbia University. He was also named as corecipient of the Sanford S. Parker Prize, awarded to a member of the graduating class who intends to pursue a PhD in economics. Kyle has accepted an economics PhD

Palm Beach. This was the first time many of the scouts have been to another country. Just about everyone had to get passports. Ten youth (two young women, eight young men) and three adults made three and four dives each day, with some additional snorkeling, sightseeing, lighthouse-climbing and horseplay. They felt the wind in their face, heard the snap of sails catching the wind and a rolling deck underfoot. They also stood watch, took the helm, learned some navigation, raised and lowered the sails, cleaned the heads and swabbed the decks. At this level of scouting, the youth are the leaders, not the adults. The adults came along only to ensure the scouts’ safety.

faculty fellowship at Columbia University beginning in September.

Also, Kyle’s sister Jenna Kelsey Jurado celebrated her Sweet 15 in Hispanic tradition with a quinceañera on Saturday, May 30. Jenna chose a full “quince” court of seven damas and seven chambelanes, who were by her side during this special day and who performed a waltz and merengue dance number at the reception. A religious ceremony and formal reception was held at the Poinciana Country Club in Lake Worth. In the presence of family and friends, Jenna was able to publicly make a commitment to God and emphasize her passage from childhood to adulthood.

The venturing crew also enjoys rock climbing, bouldering, skeet shooting, whitewater rafting, camping, backpacking, playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band, fishing, halyard swinging, knot-tying, snorkeling and kayaking. Anyone ages 14 to 21 who would like to join the crew should call Dusty McGee at (561) 317-4783 or Cheryl Nagle at the Gulf Stream Council at (561) 694-8585. Previous scouting experience is a plus, but not required. Venturing Crew 2125, Troop 125 and Cub Scout Pack 125 are all chartered by St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington, which supports and nourishes the program as one of its community outreach missions.

Wooley, Bernd Lembcke and Grant Kazi.

First Class Boy Scout Grant Kazi and Tenderfoot

Ivan Wooley of Troop 143 in The Acreage had a special opportunity to tour the Mara-Lago Club in Palm Beach to help fulfill a Citizenship in the Nation merit badge requirement.

Managing Director Bernd Lembcke gave the boys booklets and historical information on Mar-a-Lago and a tour of the grounds and public rooms, explaining the history of the estate completed in 1927.

Rothman Awarded Scholarship

The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators recently sponsored the 2009 Patricia J. McNamara Higher Education Scholarships. June recipients included Adam Rothman of Wellington (Powers, McNalis, Torres & Teebagy) and Carly Giordano of Port St. Lucie (McCarthy, Summers, Bobko, Wood & Sawyer).

Shannon Completes

Army Basic

Army Pvt. Joquetta L. Shannon recently graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, Shannon studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills.

Marjorie Merriweather Post (Mrs. E. F. Hutton) built the estate, now a national historic landmark, after searching years for a good location near the ocean. She imported many different tiles from all over the world that are seen all around the property.

Donald Trump purchased the estate in 1985, modernizing different parts of the property and adding the grand ballroom in 2005. Trump opened up the estate as a private club in 1995.

Jennifer Broxton Cohen and Avery Cohen celebrated the birth of their son Nolan Reese (above) on June 9. The Cohens currently live in Port Orange. Jennifer is the daughter of Bob and Fran Broxton of Wellington, and Avery is the son of Eric and Jill Cohen of Wellington.

Kyle Edward JuradoJenna Kelsey Jurado

PHOTO BY STACIE FREUDNBERG /AP IMAGES FOR ULTA

Julia White with ULTA CEO Lyn Kirby

Shannon is the daughter of Gwendolyn Davis of Royal Palm Beach and granddaughter of Nicy Fuller of Belle Glade. She is a 2008 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.

Ribbon Cutting For The Flying Mop In RPB

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for the Flying Mop Inc. in Royal Palm Beach.

The Flying Mop is an integrated cleaning and lightmaintenance service company serving all of Palm Beach County.

The Flying Mop provides an array of cleaning and maintenance services. Commercial cleaning services include janitorial service from one to seven days a week, tile and grout cleaning and sealing, carpet cleaning, VCT stripping and waxing, pressure cleaning and window washing. Services such as lighting system maintenance, paint touch-up and minor re-

Eat Free At Chick-fil-A

As part of Chick-fil-A’s fifth annual Cow Appreciation Day celebration, the Chick-fil-A restaurant in the Mall at Wellington Green will offer a free breakfast, lunch or dinner to any customer who visits dressed as a cow on Friday, July 10.

Chick-fil-A is encouraging customers to dress “head to hoof” as a cow, rewarding them with an entrée of their choice, along with a side item and beverage. Customers who are dressed in partial cow attire (such as a cowspotted scarf, purse, hat or other accessory) will receive a complimentary entrée.

“Cow Appreciation Day

pairs can be included at a very low price when hiring the janitorial service.

The Flying Mop’s residential services include housekeeping, pressure cleaning, window washing, tile and grout cleaning, and sealing. This month, the Flying Mop will begin offering crime scene and trauma cleaning services through its new addition, AmBioTech. More information about these specialty cleaning services is available online at www. ambiotech.net. Additional information is now available online at www. flyingmopmd.com. For a free estimate, call (561) 281-8322 or send an e-mail to info@ flyingmop.com.

gives us a chance to interact first-hand with our most loyal and creative customers,” franchise operator Rob Rabenecker said. “If you’re willing to dress up like a cow for a free meal, that says a lot about how much you love Chick-fil-A! While the day is intended to be a fun way to reward our customers with free food, my team and I enjoy seeing the creativity of the Wellington community at this event each year.”

Chick-fil-A has launched a special web site dedicated to the occasion, www.cow appreciationday.com. In addition to providing further details about the event, the site offers cow costume tips as well as downloadable cow spots, masks and other bo-

More Pediatric Services At P.W. Hospital

The Children’s Hospital at Palms West Hospital recently partnered with pediatric nephrologist Dr. Ashraf Beharrie to provide 24-hour pediatric nephrology services, including dialysis, to the western communities.

Effective June 1, Palms West Hospital can now treat pediatric patients who require treatment for everything from common kidney problems to acute renal failure, or those who require renal dialysis. Pediatric nephrology services will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This will help ease the burden on area families by providing comprehensive care closer to home instead of traveling to Broward or Miami-Dade counties for 24hour pediatric nephrology services including dialysis.

“I am looking forward to partnering with local pediatricians in the area, as well as the Children’s Hospital at Palms West to provide this specialized level of care to children in our community,” Beharrie said.

Beharrie is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric

nephrology. His education includes a combined undergraduate and medical degree from the University of West Indies in Jamaica. He completed a portion of his residency and fellowship training at Jackson Memorial Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami. In July, Beharrie will bring an associate into his practice, Dr. Hans Hubsch. Both physicians are looking forward to partnering with Palms West Hospital to provide pediatric nephrology services to the community.

Farm Credit Returns Millions To Borrowers

Farm Credit of South Florida recently returned millions of dollars to its member-borrowers in the form of patronage refund checks during the firm’s 2009 annual stockholders’ meeting.

The 93-year-old credit cooperative held its annual stockholders’ meeting at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Royal Palm Beach where Chairman Jack Coker kicked off the luncheon meeting with a financial state-of-the-association report for the 200 guests and members.

“Once again, Farm Credit of South Florida had a successful year, and we are pleased to be able to share that success with our mem-

vine-themed accessories for customers to use to create their costumes. The site also will host two online photo contests, one contest for adults 18 and older and another for children 10 and under. Both contests will award free Chick-fil-A products for a year to the best cow-dressed customers, and children will also have the opportunity to win a $1,000 U.S. savings bond and a digital camera through the kids photo contest.

NPBC Chamber Breakfast

The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Com-

ber-borrowers by sharing the profits,” CEO and President Don Rice said. “Unlike commercial banks that pay dividends to their Wall Street investors, as a cooperative, Farm Credit pays dividends to our member-borrowers in the form of patronage refunds. Our patronage refund is equivalent to returning 16 cents of each dollar in interest paid back to our memberborrowers.”

Since 1988, the agriculture credit association has distributed more than $84 million back to its borrower-members. Under Rice’s direction, Farm Credit of South Florida has experienced record performance in recent years

merce will present its Tenth Annual Legislative Update Breakfast on Thursday, July 9 during Business Before Hours at the Jupiter Beach Resort (5 North A1A, Jupiter).

State legislators representing Palm Beach County will provide some perspective on the recent legislative issues.

The cost is $20 for chamber members in advance, $30 for members at the door and $40 for non-members. Registration and networking begin at 7:15 a.m., and the program begins at 8 a.m. This breakfast is made possible by AT&T Florida. Each attending legislator will address the group on topics relevant to business, and

with regard to loan volume and credit quality. The four branch offices of Farm Credit are located in Homestead, Royal Palm Beach, Okeechobee and Vero Beach. They serve many of Florida’s leading growers, packers, processors and producers of fresh citrus, leafy greens and vegetables, refined sugar, processed rice and tropical fruit, as well as equestrian, cattle and dairy agricultural businesses.

“Qualified business owners from all agribusinesses as well as those from non-traditional industries, like lifestyle farmers and hobby farmers, are excellent candidates for Farm Credit of South Flori-

legislators will give their year-in-review perspective.

Potential topics include the state budget, economic development, education, government-owned/operated utilities, transportation, infrastructure, early-stage funding, affordable housing and tourism.

“We are very excited to host our senators and representatives for this informative breakfast,” Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nicole Christian said. “A well-educated public is the key to the sustainability of our community.”

The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization whose more than

da’s quality products and services,” Coker said. “The nontraditional agricultural business owners are learning what traditional farmers have known about Farm Credit for more than 92 years — that we are the largest single lender of dependable, competitive agricultural credit in America.” Farm Credit of South Florida currently has more than $600 million in outstanding loans to businesses and individuals directly involved with agricultural products or services in Southeast Florida. For more information, contact Lyn Cacella at (561) 4324156 or lcacella@farmcredit sfl.com.

1,000 members represent all aspects of business and industry. Its continuing mission is to be the unified voice of business driving sustainable growth and prosperity. The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce focuses on the development and retention of businesses, taking an active role in business, providing meaningful member services and improving the quality of life for all residents in their community.

For more information about the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce or to sign up for the July 9 event, visit the chamber’s web site at www. npbchamber.com or call (561) 746-7111.

Dr. Ashraf Beharrie

The Flying Mop staff with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

LIVE IT IN WEST PALM BEACH

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES

Every Monday, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

West Palm Beach Public Library

View first-run blockbuster movies for free. Call 868-7700 for details.

PILATES MAT CLASSES

Every Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The Harriet Himmel Theater, CityPlace Open to all ages and fitness levels. Call 281-5895 for details.

LEARN TO DANCE THE ARGENTINE TANGO

Every Thursday, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. West Palm Beach Public Library Call 868-7700 for details.

CLEMATIS BY NIGHT

Every Thursday, 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Centennial Square Call 822-1515 for details.

FREE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Every Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

CityPlace Plaza Call 366-1000 for details.

DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN

FREE YOGA CLASSES

Every Saturday, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. West Palm Beach Public Library Call 868-7700 for details.

4TH ON FLAGLER

Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Flagler Drive, between Fern St. and Lakeview Ave.

Free 4th of July celebration featuring a spectacular fireworks display, live music by national recording artist Kevin Rudolf, food and beverage vendors, an interactive children’s area, and much more! Call 822-1515 for details.

BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATION

Saturday, July 11, 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.

100 block of N. Clematis Street

Free Parisian-themed street party hosted by Pistache French Bistro, featuring special menus, wine tastings, cooking demos, art exhibits, live music and more! Call 833-5090 for details.

PREMIERE OF NOËL COWARD’S PRIVATE LIVES

July 17 – August 16

Palm Beach Dramaworks, 322 Banyan Blvd. Call 514-4042 for details.

LEARN TO DANCE THE RUMBA Monday, July 20 & Monday, July 27, 6:30 p.m. Palm Beach Public Library Call 868-7700 for details.

SUNDAY AT THE MEYER

Sunday, July 26, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Meyer Amphitheatre

Free concert by Ambrosia. Call 822-1515 for details.

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit www.wpb.org/citycalendar.

Kids’ Fitness Festival Returns July 16-17

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is excited to welcome back the Bennie Blades 36 Foundation to the Kids’ Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches. With the help of ExpoZur Sports Management Group, the role of the Bennie Blades 36 Foundation in this year’s festival will be expanded through the creation of a “mini NFL combine” experience at the event.

The Bennie Blades 36 Foundation will be providing instructional sessions in the basic fundamentals of football and will be a featured sports clinic at the Kids’ Fitness Festival. The booth will consist of four different stations showcasing football fundamentals. There will be a 40-yard dash, a defense station where kids will maneuver through blocks and tackle full-size dummies, a tire rings station consisting of different agility drills, and a touchdown station where kids will catch the football while running and maneuvering their way to score a touchdown.

In addition to providing an NFL style workout, the Bennie Blades 36 Foundation will give kids the chance to meet and interact with former NFL players. Bennie Blades, former Detroit Lion and University of Miami alum and brother Brian Blades, former

The Wellington Travel Basketball Association (WTBA) recently announced plans for its inaugural Fundraising Golf Classic at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington.

The 18-hole tournament will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29 beginning at 7:30 a.m. with a complimentary continental breakfast, followed by a putting contest and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. There will be closest-tothe-pin contests, a longdrive contest and a chance to win a new car with a hole in one. There will be complimentary beverages provided during the tournament courtesy of Cheney Broth-

Seattle Seahawk and University of Miami alum will be in attendance. Other confirmed player participants include Bobby Harden, James Pruitt and Troy Drayton from the Miami Dolphins, Reggie Givens from the San Francisco 49ers and Kenny Berry from the San Diego Chargers.

“The Bennie Blades 36 Foundation is pleased to be associated with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and the Kids’ Fitness Festival again this year,” Bennie Blades commented about the event. “This is a premier youth sports event that we are happy to get behind. We look forward to conducting our daily clinics, which will teach kids the importance of health and wellness, while learning a little more about sports — all sports, not just football!”

The Kids’ Fitness Festival offers something for every child under the age of 13. Elementary and middle school children can learn the basics of more than 40 sports from the area’s leading instructors, or they can hang out in the midway, play games and interact with professional athletes and mascots. Parents will also enjoy the educational expo, food and interactive games.

In addition to the Bennie

ers, Presidente Beer and Coastal Wine & Spirits. The tournament will be followed by an afternoon buffet lunch and prize ceremony for the top three teams. The day will also include a silent auction plus a large collection of raffle prizes. Entry fees are $150 per person and include green fees, cart, breakfast, lunch, on-course refreshments, goody bag, Wellington Wolves golf shirt and plenty of prizes. For $15, non-golfers can attend the luncheon and bid on the silent auction items and enter to win raffle prizes. Various sponsorship opportunities are available for

Blades 36 Foundation, the festival will feature more than 40 different prominent organizations conducting interactive sport clinics and activities such as the Florida Panthers, Florida Atlantic University, Roger Dean Stadium, the United States Tennis Association, the AMF Off Shore Geico Powerboat Race Team and the American Youth Soccer Organization. The Kids Fitness Festival promotes both traditional sports such as football, baseball and basketball, and non-traditional sports such as archery, badminton, fencing and netball.

last year’s festival.

Florida Marlins Community Foundation, Parenting Plus, Primetime Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach Post

BULLDOGS WIN BIG

The festival will be held at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The advanced ticket price is $12 per child before June 19 and $17 per child after that. Parents are admitted free.

The Kids’ Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches is presented by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. Other supporting sponsors include ESPN Radio 760, KOOL 105.5, the

area businesses and individuals.

“Events such as this are only possible through the participation and sponsorship of generous individuals and organizations,” Tournament Director and WTBA Board Member Chris Fratalia said.

“This tournament is one of the best values out there. You can enjoy a great day of golf, on a great golf course for a great cause.”

Proceeds from the tournament will support the WTBA’s basketball program. The WTBA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create an environment for youth in the western communities in which the fundamen-

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the county as a sports and sports tourism destination. The commission’s focus is to bring sporting events and activities to the county. For more information, visit www.palmbeachsports. com/kff or contact Rachel Miller at (561) 233-3178 or rmiller@palmbeachsports. com.

Aug. 29

tal skills, strategy and history of the game of basketball is taught, enabling the participants to have successful middle and high school careers.

The WTBA is privately funded through participation fees and the generosity of sponsors in the community. Funds raised by the WTBA Golf Classic will provide the program with the money needed to function during tough economic times.

For more information on the golf tournament, visit the organization’s web site at www.wellingtontravel basketball.org, e-mail at wellingtontravelbasketball @yahoo.com or call Chris Fratalia at (561) 252-9530.

The Okeeheelee All-Stars 14A travel baseball team went undefeated to win the prestigious Palm Beach Gardens Father’s Day Tournament. The Bulldogs, led by Manager Tom Amburgey and assistant coaches Dave Corbin and Joe Moore, opened up play on Thursday night, sweeping a double header over the Acreage All-Stars and Key West. Continuing their impeccable play, the Bulldogs shut out Hollywood Hills the following night and earned the number-one seed and a bye for the first round of the playoffs. Sunday brought a mercy rule victory over Boca Raton and a spot in the championship game against the number-two seeded Jupiter team. Okeeheelee completed the undefeated week with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Hammerheads. The Bulldogs continue play at the district championships and a hopeful return to the state championships in July. Pictured above are: (front row, L-R) Kyle Lockwood, Kyle Shafer, Dillon Crosby, Raige Hasko, Tyler Corbin and Matt Paciello; (back row) Coach Joe Moore, Cody Wager, Trey Amburgey, Manager Tom Amburgey, Alston Austwick, Franklin Diaz, Jason Moore and Coach Dave Corbin.

Swimmer Of The Week: Monica Cozad

Swimmer of the Week Monica Cozad has been swimming with the Wellington Swim Team since the summer of 2005. In 2006, she swam in her first Junior Olympics and has participated in every Junior Olympics since then. Last week, she swam in the two-mile open water Key West Swim Meet and brought home the firstplace trophy for the 11-12 age group. Cozad has won the Coach’s Award for several years in a row. Head Coach Rich Whalen explained that the award is given to the swimmer who best exemplifies excellence, dedication and commitment to the sport. Cozad faithfully attends daily practices, and her enthusiasm shines through with every stroke she takes. At every practice, she strives to

Cozad

perfect her swimming strokes and technique as well as improve her personal best times. She looks forward to attending the Junior Olympics in July. Besides swimming, Cozad enjoys playing the piano. She excels in school and is on the honor roll.

Bennie Blades works with kids at

Wellington Travel Basketball Golf Classic

Monica

Caloosa’s Brian Payne Discovers The Pleasures Of Driving

Six years ago, Caloosa resident Brian Payne had absolutely no experience with horses, and had you asked him about them, his reply probably would have been a good-natured shrug. But then fate stepped in, in the shape of an oversized Belgian draft horse.

Payne’s mother had bought a horse and had it shipped to a farm in New Smyrna Beach for training. Payne visited the farm to see his mom’s new purchase. While there, he wandered around for a bit, and found another horse that was commanding a lot of attention.

“There were about eight people standing around this horse’s stall,” Payne recalled. “So I went over to see what they were looking at. It was a pretty big horse, really beautiful, and even though everyone was calling it, it wouldn’t come over to them. It was at the back of the stall, looking out the window, ignoring everyone. So I went over and just started talking, and she turned and came right over to me and started visiting. I didn’t pick her — she picked me.”

Turns out the horse, a mare named Bell, was for sale. The farm owners asked Payne if he wanted to try her, but he didn’t know how to ride, so his girlfriend rode the mare. By the time she had brought Bell back to the barn, Payne had bought her.

“I’m still not quite sure how that happened,” Payne said. “She was the most beautiful horse

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

I’d ever seen, not that I’d seen that many. I just fell in love with her, and that was that.”

Payne kept Bell at his parents’ farm in Edgewater, and horse and novice owner both learned to drive at the same time. For the first week, a trainer came out and worked daily with Bell, who was untrained in riding or anything else, every day. By the time Payne went back out to visit Bell the following weekend, she was already pulling a cart.

Payne rode along with the trainer, learned how to drive, and how to put on and take off the harness. Bell loved every minute of it, and as Payne said, it just kind of went from there.

He joined the Florida Whips, a statewide driving group. He attends some of their shows and clinics, and enjoys the timed speed events where he has to drive quickly around a course while avoiding hazards and obstacles. Payne now runs a small boarding barn in Caloosa and also helps others teach their horses to

drive. He’s introduced about five horses to driving, and helped perhaps six others.

Payne loves driving and said it’s entirely different from riding, providing the same satisfaction and feeling of oneness but adding an extra dimension to the friendship between horse and owner.

“Driving is a unique way to share the fun of being with your horse,” he said. “For one thing, you can bring along friends when you go out. You can’t do that when you’re riding, unless they’re real little people. And it’s very relaxing, having the horse trot along a road. You can sit back and enjoy the scenery.”

Payne said driving is also easier on a horse. It’s a great discipline for a young horse who’s not ready to carry a rider’s weight, but can still learn about listening to a person, getting in shape and seeing a world full of potentially scary objects.

Driving is also a great alternative for older show horses that are already trained but are ready for a slower, easier life. Driving a retired show horse is a terrific way to continue the relationship while providing a job for the horse. “Horses need a job,” Payne said. “They love to work and to have something to look forward to. A horse with nothing to do all day gets bored, and that can lead to bad habits and a sour attitude. It’s nothing for a 20-yearold horse to pull a cart. They love it.”

Brian Payne with Bell.

Payne said he has heard that driving is the fastest-growing equine sport in the country. One good reason is that it’s easier for people to drive than to ride, especially older people. Horses and people are both living longer than they used to, and driving is a great alternative.

“We get more brittle as we get older,” Payne said. “Falling off a horse can do a lot of damage. Riding in a cart with a well-trained horse is a whole lot safer and more comfortable. It’s also very social, a good family sport.” For more info., call Payne at (561) 5962354, or Peggy Belvin of the Florida Whips at (561) 798-1718, or visit www.flawhips.org.

LOCAL KIDS STAR IN ‘WEST SIDE STORY’ AT MALTZ JUPITER

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Conservatory of Performing Arts featured West Side Story June 26-27 with two Palm Beach Central High School students in the lead roles of Tony (Taylor Rivera) and Maria (Cali Weinstein). The production was directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Jo Patrick. For information about upcoming shows, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call (561) 575-2223.

BEEF O’BRADY’S HOSTS FUNDRAISER FOR BRAIN TUMOR RESEARCH

Council Extra Strip Of Land

continued from page 1

deeding the property either to the South Florida Water Management District or to adjacent homeowners, in which

SB 360 Cities Now In Control

continued from page 1 state requirements,” Schofield said. “It does not eliminate the components in comprehensive plans.”

In order to take advantage of SB 360, the Village of Wellington must amend its comprehensive plan, Schofield said. The Florida Department of Community Affairs, which reviews municipal comprehensive plan amendments, is conducting a study to interpret SB 360 and examine its effects, and Schofield said it would not be ready until the end of the year. With cities allowed to submit amendments to state review twice in a year, he said the village would not be making

case it would increase village tax revenue.

“Now the upside for the village, I suppose, is that it would add to the tax base of the village because this is currently not taxable, it’s held in government hands,” Bonde said. “That would give some value to the adjacent proper-

any attempts to secure exemption status until next year, he said.

“The soonest we can amend the comprehensive plan would be in November of next year, and in terms of eliminating the traffic concurrency exemptions, it would be Christmas of 2010 and Easter of 2011,” he said.

Part of the difficulty in interpreting the new law and its effects, Schofield noted, is a requirement for cities to incorporate alternative transportation into their planning. There is no clarification in the law on how municipalities are to fund such alternative transportation, he said, making the Community Renewal Act something of an unfunded mandate.

Other factors that weigh in on the new law’s effects include cooperative agree-

A fundraiser for the Florida Brain Tumor Association was held Monday at Beef O’Brady’s in Royal Palm Beach. Fifty people were in attendance at the event, and a portion of the evening’s sales went to the FBTA. For more info., visit www.sfbta.com.

ty owner, they may be able to use that property to the extent they could, so there would be some advantage.”

Councilman Howard Coates asked Bonde whether village staff had conceived any possible use for the strip. Bonde said the village in any case might want to retain an

ments the village has with its neighbor municipalities and Palm Beach County. Wellington cannot simply amend the transportation element of its comprehensive plan, he explained. The village is bound to coordinate with other governments in its planning, particularly with roadways such as State Road 7, which the village does not control but does not want to see further widened.

“One of the things we would be subject to is whatever rules Palm Beach County leaves in place,” Schofield said. “I don’t know for certain what the county commission is likely to do… To some extent, State Road 7 is problematic. It is scheduled to be ten lanes.”

Schofield said the dust has far from settled when it comes to understanding the impacts and potential benefits of the new law, and that individual governments would each take their own approach.

“In summary, SB 360 is a good start,” he said. “We as local government and our local community have to decide where our vision is. We have to decide whether we want traffic concurrency exemptions and whether we want to make traffic concurrency exemptions available to the entire village. Forest Hill Blvd. and Lake Worth Road are the only places that have traffic problems and any developments that would exceed their capacity limits.”

easement on the land for future development of a trail or natural area, but there is no funding or plan in place at present.

Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said she was opposed to giving the land to anyone except the residents themselves. “The caveat to that is this is no time to be putting an extra tax burden on anyone,” she said. “And you could not utilize that avenue of disposal unless everyone signed on... I don’t think it’s a viable option to have a checkerboard.”

Councilman Matt Willhite said the strip poses a liability if retained by the village. “If something were to happen on it, we could potentially be held liable, because we’re the property owner,” he said.

Attorney Robert Rosillo, sitting in for regular village attorney Jeff Kurtz, told council members he had performed a title search on the land and warned them against deeding it to residents. “What is out there is clearly a quagmire,” he said.

Coates said he was hesitant to deed the strip to residents and lose control of a buffer

Merchant District 27

Candidate

continued from page 2 employment we’ve had in our state in 34 years.”

Merchant said even people who aren’t unemployed are worrying. “Tallahassee needs to understand what we need to be successful and what we need to keep our employees gainfully employed,” she said. Issues such as healthcare insurance, retirement funds and workers’ compensation are things Merchant said she grapples with daily. She

that benefits the community as a whole. “The best course may be to do nothing and let it sit,” he said. “If we have trees overhanging some resident’s yard, we need to take care of that... but I don’t see any pressing reason to make a decision on this particular tract right now.”

After some discussion of possibly setting a precedent by clearing vegetation on behalf of adjacent property owners, Village Manager Paul Schofield said that deciding to do nothing at present would be sufficient answer regarding the question of disposal of the property. Bonde said the intent of placing the item on the agenda was mainly to raise the council’s awareness of the existence of the property.

In other business, the council heard the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s semi-annual presentation on law enforcement in the village. Capt. Greg Richter, commander of the PBSO’s substation in Wellington, told the council the village is doing very well by its law enforcement arrangement.

“Our clearance rate is one

promised to use that knowledge, coupled with her experience in Tallahassee, to be an effective state senator.

“We need somebody who knows how Tallahassee works, who knows when to be involved with our business and when to step aside,” Merchant said. “I stand before you as a businesswoman, a former member of the House, a lifelong Floridian. This is a great opportunity, but it is also a challenge. The district I’m asking you to support me on is a microcosm of our state. It literally goes from the Intracoastal to the Gulf.” Republican state senators Alex Villalobos (District 38)

of the highest in the nation,” he said. “The industry average is somewhere around 20 percent, the county average hovers somewhere around 19 to 20 percent, and we’re solving about one out of every three crimes that does occur,” he said. “We send out a survey to everyone we have contact with and on a five-point scale, it’s coming back at 4.8.”

Richter said the village’s results in law enforcement are enviable among municipalities of similar size. While 10 percent of Wellington’s budget pays for law enforcement, Palm Beach Gardens allocates 29 percent of its budget, Jupiter 21 percent, Boca Raton 20 percent and Delray Beach 15 percent. Wellington pays a lower dollar amount than those cities, gets by with fewer deputies per thousand residents and remains among the safest communities in the county, he said. “This partnership we have is certainly making sense not only with our crime rate and with our clearance rate, but it certainly makes a lot of sense when it talks about dollars and cents,” Richter said.

and Paula Dockery (District 15) were at the press conference to speak on Merchant’s behalf. Villalobos said he will be traveling with Merchant and Dockery to the west coast to garner support there. In addition to Dockery and Villalobos, Merchant said she has received endorsements from Republican state senators Lee Constantine, Nancy Detert, Rudy Garcia, Dennis Jones, Evelyn Lynn, Durell Peaden Jr. and Stephen

Liz Jeffery, Max Evans, Nikolas Polanis, director Jo Patrick, Cali Weinstein, Taylor Rivera and Celestial Tost-Fliss.

Taylor Rivera as Tony and Cali Weinstein as Maria.

Liz Jeffery, Taylor Rivera and Cali Weinstein.

The DeCarlos peruse the menu items.

The Santoro family enjoys a relaxing evening.

Guests have fun while dining for a good cause.

Wise. Merchant ran for the District 27 seat once before in 2002, losing a five-way Republican primary the year Aronberg went on to win the seat.

Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield explains the ramifications of SB 360 at a meeting last week.

Not Just A Newspaper, But A Friend On The Fourth Of July

I want to be a part of your Independence Day celebration. And by “I,” I mean this newspaper.

“I” am best known for my commitment to bringing you community news in a fair-minded, timely fashion so you can see what’s happening at the local government level, the PTA level and the church-and-temple level. My photos allow you to catch glimpses of your kids on the sports fields, get a heads-up on local successes when you peruse the grip-’n’grin congratulatory handshakes, find out who’s making a difference by handing over a giant-size check, and be among the first to know about the newest restaurant or medical office in town because you’ve seen the photo of people holding a giant pair of scissors.

But that’s just the news. I’m so much more.

This July 4, you have my full permission to pull me completely apart; then fold, crease

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

and even staple me into a series of triangular hats. With my ends pointing forward, every youngster at your barbecue is a soldier in your backyard army. With my ends pointing out to the sides, “avast, ye landlubber! Ye’ve got pirates on ye hands!”

And, speaking of barbecues, what do you reach for when the coals need a start? Me! I’m always ready, willing and able to act as kindling.

In an emergency, I can mop up spills or shield the driveway from leaking transmission fluid from Uncle Ted’s beater.

Feel free to put me to work well before your guests arrive. Even the experts recommend cleaning your windows with newspaper, not paper towels. It’s because I’m milled in such a way that I don’t streak!

Want the tots on site to think you’re the best magician ever? If you roll me up tightly and cut slits six inches down one end every half-inch or so, when you pull out my inner core, I’ll blossom into a huge paper tree. Did you know that?

Kids love me! Girl Scouts and Brownies sew me inside little mats they call “sit-upons,” and take me along when they go camping or to the jamboree. I’m just saying.

And when Mom packs everything into the cooler for a picnic and the casserole dish is

flopping around in there, threatening to spill its precious contents, she might choose me to stuff me down in there as packing material. I’m OK with that. I’ve been abused in worse ways. For instance, where would the Palm Beach County school system be without papiermâché for its art programs? I’ve been told I’m the backbone of that art program. I’ve been twisted and shaped into soggy renditions of dragons, elephants, cats and dogs. I’ve even done a volcano or two. And what self-respecting theater department hasn’t thrown me together with a little flour, water and chickenwire to come up with rocks and boulders? So read the headlines, make a hat, stuff a cooler, take me camping. Or you can simply read the humor column and throw me into the recycling bin. That’s fine, too.

‘Transformers: Revenge’ Is Entertaining And Forgettable

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is one of those movies whose terrible reviews don’t affect its box office draw at all. Perhaps it is because of the rainy season, but movie theaters around the area have experienced traffic jams from all the people rushing to get in. According to press reports, it earned close to $200 million in its first five days. And the movie is, when you get right down to it, a lot of fun.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a sequel, of course, to 2007’s Transformers, about two sets of gigantic extraterrestrial robots at war, with the earth in between. This time around, the Autobots, the “good guy” Transformers, once again align themselves with humanity and face off against the evil Decepticons, who are bent on destroying Planet Earth. It is simply the good guys against the bad with a lot of smart machines and a huge amount of noise.

Director Michael Bay, who brought us Ar-

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

mageddon The Rock Bad Boys II and Pearl Harbor in addition to the first Transformers installment, is back at the helm. The film’s human cast is basically the same as in the first movie. Most of the human actors are ciphers. You could probably fill the parts with the drama clubs of any of our local high schools. The one exception is John Turturro, who steals just about every scene he is in. There is more than a bit of Paradise Lost in the film. Decepticon baddie the Fallen, which is a name often given to Lucifer, actu-

ally looks like a mechanical version of the devil. There is no good at all in him, no redeeming qualities. He wants to destroy our planet and will use any human weakness to do so.

On the other hand, the Autobots are characters in the mold of those of old World War II movies. Some of them are funny, one is sentimental, and their leader, Optimus Prime, is extraordinarily noble, a combination of ObiWan Kenobi and Henry V. There is even a moment when an elderly Transformer willingly sacrifices his own life to give his energy source to the weakened Optimus.

Although some have called this the first “anti-Obama” movie since the national security advisor does everything possible to sell out the good guys, the film basically turns him into a buffoon who eventually gets what he deserves and the rest of the military performs well in support of the cast.

Understand that if you decide to take in a

screening of Transformers: Revenge, you’ll be buffeted by loud noises and long computer-generated battle scenes in which it is occasionally barely possible to tell one side from the other. However, the filmmakers do provide some human moments. Our hero Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), the human race’s main link to the race of giant robots, is back, a bit more grown up and off to college, and his experiences there are very funny. Happily there are some amusing moments occasionally even with the machines. The filmmakers actually provided personalities for them. If you like strong drama with shades of right and wrong, this is not the film for you. But I was struck by the fact that the audience in the theater was having a wonderful time. If you want a fun movie that asks for practically no thinking, has rather obvious comedy and a lot of computer-generated special effects, you’ll probably like it. It is in that class of films that are both enjoyable and forgettable.

On Esophagogastroduodenoscopy And Other Fun Stuff

It’s that time of the year again, time for my annual physical. So like a good patient I went to my doctor’s office. If I say so myself, she checked me over very well. It was now time for me to go to the lab and submit to the usual tests. Typically, within a couple of days my doctor calls with the results. It is usually very routine. She talks to me about my test results and then asks to see me next year. That is what I expected to hear when I answered the phone and heard my doctor’s voice on the other end. After some small talk, she finally told me she didn’t like one of my test results. She said I would have to see a specialist in gastroenterology as soon as possible. I didn’t like the tone of her voice. It scared me. I knew I was not due to have a colonoscopy ’til next year. But being a person who lis-

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

tens to my doctor, I went to see the gastroenterologist. He took one look at me and my test results and set me up for a colonoscopy the following week. For good measure, he told me he would do an esophagogastroduodenoscopy at the same time. (Don’t worry, I never heard of that word either — as it turns out, it’s like a colonoscopy, but starting from the other end of the digestive tract.) For a week, I worried about the procedures

I was going to have done to my body. A lot of strange thoughts were going through my mind, for instance, that I was going to leave Planet Earth and start on a new journey. I talked to the man upstairs and told him I was not ready. I was enjoying my current trip on Planet Earth and requested to remain here for at least another 40 years (more if possible).

The day before the procedures I had to take a medicine called OsmoPrep. I had to take four pills every 15 minutes for an hour, then repeat the pill-taking routine again four hours later. These pills looked like they were made for horses, not human beings. Because of the pills, I became very good friends with my bathroom. The only foods I was taking at the time were liquids. When the day of my procedures arrived, I was sad and happy at the same time. I was glad the day had arrived, but

worried about what the doctor might find.

As they put me on a table, they took my blood pressure. I didn’t know blood pressure could go so high on a living human being. The nurses weren’t concerned about the high blood pressure. They told me everyone is nervous before the test. They said they would give me some medicine to calm me down.

The next thing I remember, they were waking me up and telling me to get dressed and to go home. I now know somebody up there likes me.

Other than a few small polyps (one in the front end of me and another in the rear) everything turned out OK. The doctor cut both polyps out. And the lab results also came back encouraging. And yes, my blood pressure is back to normal. However, I don’t think I myself will ever be back to normal. Just ask my wife Sharon.

THIS WEEK’S BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Update Your Home With Help From First Impressions

Before you install new kitchen and bath countertops, be sure to get the facts from First Impressions Granite & Marble. That way you can be sure that you are “comparing apples to apples.”

If you’re planning to purchase new granite and marble countertops for your home, there are many facts you should know before choosing a company. Here are just a few:

GRANITE IS REALLY AFFORDABLE

— Often, granite is even more affordable than synthetics! There are several factors that add or detract from the cost, so be sure you know the difference. Are you purchasing select or commercial grade materials? Are you getting the slab width you desire? Does your quote include the cost of the edge you really like? Even the color of a slab can add to or detract from the cost. First Impressions Granite & Marble will steer you to colors that are both a match for your kitchen and within your budget.

GRANITE IS THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR BEAUTY AND DURABILITY

Unlike many synthetic counter materials, granite countertops allow you to really slice, dice and put those hot pots and pans directly on the surface without worry or a patch kit! Granite countertops are also easy to wipe clean and stand up to continuous and everyday use. While many people prefer the look of marble in the bath, it is much more porous than granite and can sometimes stain, scratch or scuff. Children, daily makeup applications and heavy bathroom use are good reasons to consider granite in the bathroom. It’s much easier to clean, and there are hundreds of colors from which to choose, from warm neutral tones to reds, pinks and blues.

GRANITE IS TRULY UNIQUE — Each slab of granite is quarried from exotic locales around the world. Just as no one snowflake is the same thanks to Mother Nature, no two granite slabs are the same. They each have their own unique coloring and movement, offering you your own distinctive look.

GRANITE CAN HELP INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME — Whether you’re looking to upgrade to that deluxe cook’s kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, or are looking to sell your home, Granite countertops are your best bet. Most Realtors say the kitchen and bath are either a major turn-off or a major turn-on for home buyers. If you want to maximize the value of your home, granite countertops are a key selling point!

Don’t install granite or marble with just any company. When considering granite or marble for your home or business, the stone itself is only part of the project. The choice you make in the hiring of a company is even

First Impressions Granite & Marble owner Michael Clahane

Let First Impressions help modernize your kitchen.

more important. Along with getting the best prices available, you also need to know that someone is personally responsible, accountable, available and guarantees their work unconditionally. First Impressions Granite & Marble does just that and has been named the best as featured on “The Best of Everything VIP Edition” web site www. floridatboe.com, and more importantly by their clients.

First Impressions Granite & Marble truly believes that an educated homeowner is their best customer. They have hundreds of referrals from satisfied clients who they’ve helped to update and renovate their homes with confidence. For more information, call (561) 5867556.

The Phantoms Recommend A Local Weekend Getaway

The Kravis Center invites you to lose yourself in your own back yard and spend the night.

President Obama recently made headlines when he attended a Broadway show on a romantic date night with the First Lady. The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is suggesting you do the same with your significant other and “lose yourself in your own back yard.”

From Aug. 4-9, the West Palm Beach performance venue is inviting Floridians to take a “stay-cation” and “spend the night with us” to see the smash Broadway hit musical Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of ABBA, and afterward stay at one of the Palm Beaches’ finest lodging establishments, including Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast, the Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club in Palm Beach, and the West Palm Beach Marriott, among others.

First purchase your tickets to Mamma Mia! choosing your seat online at www. kravis.org/mammamia, or by calling the Kravis Center box office toll-free at (800) 572-8471. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster.

Next, go to www.kravis.org/mamma to choose from a variety of getaway specials, including discounted hotel rates with valueadded extras such as dinner for two at the Brazilian Court’s Café Boulud in Palm Beach and VIP double accommodations at Grandview Gardens, including breakfast and welcome amenities as well as other discounts.

You can also enjoy free cocktails and breakfast during your stay at the West Palm Beach Marriott.

Whether it’s a romantic weekend for two or a day trip for the whole family, the hotel packages suit any budget. Tickets to Mamma Mia! start at just $25, making for an affordable trip from most any location in Flor-

ida. For added savings, take advantage of additional discounts through the Palm Beach County Cultural Council’s Culture Key program. For more information on Culture Key discounts, visit www.palmbeachculture.com/ ck or call (561) 471-2901.

See you at Kravis... we love Mamma Mia!

Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are featured writers for the Town-Crier newspaper, This Week Shopping Spree and www.YourNews.com... comments and recommendations are welcome at ThePhantomDiners@aol.com.

‘Private Lives’ Opens July 17 At Palm Beach Dramaworks

Palm Beach Dramaworks, West Palm Beach’s only resident professional theater, will present Noel Coward’s sophisticated comedy of manners Private Lives when it launches its summer season on Friday, July 17 at 8 p.m. at the company’s downtown theater (322 Banyan Blvd., West Palm Beach).

Specially priced preview performances are slated for July 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. The production will run through Aug. 16.

Private Lives takes place in a swanky hotel in France where divorced couple Elyot and Amanda happen to meet while they are both on their respective second honeymoons. With hotel rooms that share adjoining terraces, their love is quickly rekindled and they reunite only to fall back into their volatile relationship. It soon becomes apparent than these two individuals can’t live without one another, and yet can’t seem to live together.

“In an effort to complement our winter season, Private Lives is the perfect summer com-

edy,” Managing Director Sue Ellen Beryl said. “It’s wickedly funny, elegant to watch and heartwarming to root for these over-thetop lovable characters.”

Resident director J. Barry Lewis will direct the production, which will feature Wynn Harmon, Caroline Strong, Katherine Tanner and Cliff Burgess, along with scenery designed by Michael Amico, costumes designed by Brian O’Keefe, lighting designed by Ron Burns and sound designed by Steve Shapiro.

The four-character play made its Broadway premiere in 1931, starring Noel Coward himself. It has a long history with six Broadway revivals, most recently in 2002, and a long list of well-known cast members including Laurence Olivier, Tallulah Bankhead, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Alan Rickman.

Sir Noel Coward made his professional stage debut as a dancer at age 11. As a teen-

ager, he was introduced into high society and became a respected and accomplished performer, writer and director. Coward composed hundreds of songs, wrote the novel Pomp and Circumstance and had more than 50 plays published.

Among Coward’s many well known plays are Design for Living, Present Laughter and Blithe Spirit, currently running at the Shubert Theater on Broadway. Coward was awarded an honorary Academy Award and a special Tony Award for his immortal contribution to theater.

The performance schedule is as follows: evening performances will take place at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with select Sunday performances at 7 p.m. Matinee performances will take place Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., with select Fridays at 3 p.m.

Individual tickets are $42 for evening performances and $40 for matinees. Group rates

for 20 or more and discounted season subscriptions are also available.

The theater is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, at 322 Banyan Blvd., between Dixie Highway and Olive Avenue. Parking is offered across the street for a nominal fee, or in the city garage on the corner of Olive Avenue and Banyan Blvd. for $1 per hour with the first hour free.

For ticket information, call the box office at (561) 514-4042, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or visit the Palm Beach Dramaworks web site at www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

Palm Beach Dramaworks is a non-profit, professional theater and is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the South Florida Theatre League, Southeastern Theatre Conference, Florida Professional Theatres Association, Florida Theatre Conference and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council.

PHOTOS BY CAROL ROSEGG

The cast of Mamma Mia!

Michelle Dawson

TEEN COMMUNITY SERVICEHELP WANTED - Are you 14 and over? Looking for something meaningful to do this summer? Join us at the Good Earth Farm. JuneAugust 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mon. - Fri. Call for more info. 792-2666. JUNK CARS, TRUCKS WANTEDTop prices paid. Call Now for FREE pick-up. 561-512-9606

AN ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN FOR YOU: The Most Exciting And Lucrative Mail Marketing/Internet Income Opportunity to "Hit the Scene" in Years! Imagine, a 2x2 re-cycler that pays $800 per 2x2 cycle (including 100% Matching Bonuses)! You Cannot Lose, and You Do Not Have To Personally Sponsor Anyone to Make Fast and Consistent Money! www.regenesis2x2.com/d.cgi/4989/ members.html. If You Need Money Now You Need This Today!

1997 GREY SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE — new a/c, clean & well maintained. Engine & transmission in excellent condition and new top. Feel free to take it to a mechanic & check it out. Mint condition. $3500 (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422

1990 RED MAZDA MIATA CONVERTIBLE — mint condition incl. hard top. New clutch, tune-up in excellent condition. Great on gas. (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422

$2,500

HOME LITE TRIMMER GAS — $30 OBO 433-2751

APPLIANCES/FURNITURE —

Stainless Steel Refrigerator $300, Kenmore Washer & Dryer Like New. $275, Blonde Queen Size Bedroom Set $250, Dining Room Set. Table, 6 chairs, lighted hutch & buffet, light wood $300. 561-667-3372 or 978806-1993.

MOBILE HOME - For Sale at $26,000 OR Assume the loan for $435.00 per month. 1999 Fleetwood Wave Mobile Home. DOUBLE WIDE - 56' (1520 sq. ft.) 4 bedroom/2bath island in kitchen/ roman bathtub in master bedroom. For more details, call Joe (786) 4029891 * Buyer must move home to own location.

(3)

Equestrian Club — 5BR/4BA/ 3CGAR/Waterfront/Pool, $949,000. Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561791-7434

Wellington - 4BR/2.5BA/2CGAR/ Pool, $269,777Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434

BEDROOM, 2 BATH HOME - For rent, $1,900 per month. Available March 1st. For more information call (561) 385-3605 FOR RENT 4BR/3BA/2CG SINGLE FAMILY HOME - Curb appeal, light, bright. New tile, A/C, paint (11/08). Huge enclosed, private patio. $1,850 (561) 319-1292 EFFICIENCY FOR RENT - $450 per month on a farm. Spanish Tile and A.C. References required. 9668791

1 MONTH FREE - 2/2, utility room, washer & dryer, tile floors, vaulted ceilings, fenced patio, storage room. $850 a month and short term available. 561-775-0717

½ DUPLEX FOR RENT IN WELLINGTON - 2/2 waterfront, washer & Dryer, maintenance free. $1000 per month. first & last, plus $250 Security. Call 561-358-3302

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. Credit Cards Accepted

SeaBreeze Air Systems, Inc. — for Air Conditioning and Heating Indoors and Outdoors. Let us heat your pool for year round enjoyment. Call 561-964-3817 Lic. CAC039717

ARE YOUR TREES READY FOR A HURRICANE? — Florida Arborists has highly trained professionals to provide superior and quality services. 561-568-7500

MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL

BUILDING CLEANINGS SPECIAL-

ISTS — • Pressure Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Residential Cleaning

Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608

HOUSECLEANING - Reliable with long term clients. Over 12 years experience. References available. Karen 561-632-2271

FRANKIE'S MAID OF HONOR - Exceptional cleaning. Wellington references. Supplies also included. 561-790-3881.

COMPUTER REPAIR — We come to you! After hours and weekends services available. Spyware/ Adware/Virus Removal, Networking, Wireless, Backup Data, Upgrades. Call Anytime. 561-713-5276

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support & troubleshooting www.mobiletec.net. 561-248-2611

COMPUTER REPAIR - We come to you. Spyware/Virus Removal. Reinstall operating system with/without backup. After hours service available. On-Site/Carry In Service. 561-713-5276

STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For more info. Call 1-888333-9903

GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO

— For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, Leather repairs, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 791-9900 Cell: 370-5293

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 561-2488528

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. 561-7235836

WWW.GARABAR.COM —Discount pricing. Remodeling & Repairs•Kitchens•Baths • Additions • Painting • Doors • Windows. No Deposit Until Permit • Credit Cards Accepted. 561-337-6798 Lic. #CCC1327252 & GC1510976

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

A Personalized Lawn Care Service that you can afford. Call Dave for a free estimate 561-262-4623 or email dmtonkin@bellsouth.net Monarch Lawn Care

RIDING MOWER & SMALL ENGINE REPAIR — All Brands – Reliable – Service. Also Push Mowers & Generators. 561-685-0170

Mold & Mildew Inspections — Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811

CLASSIFIED ADS 793-3576 GET RESULTS CALL TODAY!

ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. U14736. 7988978.

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. 7984964. Lic.#U18473

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident. CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE EST.Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years exp. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Ins. Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701

PIANO LESSONS — Affordable. Call this month for special rate for 2009-2010 Call 561-603-8118

ELITE POOL CLEANING —"You dealt with the rest now deal with the best" All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinator, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073. Inquire about 1 mo. free service.

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-3096975 BD

GRIME STOPPERS - Pressure cleaning, commercial & residential, houses, driveways, patios, screen enclosures, sidewalks. References available.561-779-1081

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U13677.967-5580.

ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING

ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC0067207

WWW.GARABAR.COM — Now is the time for the Best Prices. Re-roof & Repairs. No Deposit Until Permit Credit cards accepted. Free Estimate. Call 561-337-6798 Lic.#CCC1327252 & CGC1510976

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY

WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, residential, commercial, reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.561-842-6120 or 561784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598

ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 8630955

AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC —

Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004 Lic. #U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990

INSTALLING TILE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR 25 YEARS — Free estimates, residential/commercial, bathroom remodeling, floors, walls, backsplashes, custom design GOLDEN TILE INSTALLATION 561-662-9258

PAPERHANGING & PAINTING BY DEBI — Professional Installation & Removal of Paper. Interior Painting, decorative finishes, clean & reliable. Quality work with a woman’s touch. 26 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263

WATER CONDITIONERS FROM $499.00 —- Reverse osmosis units for the whole house. Mention this ad for equipment checkup and water analysis $19.99 561-6896151

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 798-3132.

Gutters, downspouts, vinyl/aluminum siding, windows & doors, aluminum railing. Screen enclosures (Repaired & Replaced), carports, porches, and patios. Lic. U17189. P&M Siding Contractors. 561-7919777