Town-Crier Newspaper July 4, 2008

Three Take Aim At Sen. Aronberg

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

In what has normally been a safe seat, State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-District 27) finds himself battling three challengers in his re-election bid.

Those challengers include two Republicans who will face off during the Aug. 26 primary election — Ed Heeney of Boynton Beach and Matt Caldwell of Lehigh Acres in Lee County — and Aniana Robas representing the Green Party. Florida State Senate District 27 runs across the state from West Palm Beach to Fort Myers, taking in much of the western communities. Aronberg, a Democrat, has

represented the district since 2002. It’s Heeney’s second run for political office. He ran against State Rep. Susan Bucher (DDistrict 88) in 2004, pushing a strident anti-gay agenda that won him a cameo appearance on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He took 30 percent of the vote in that race.

Heeney is running on a similar agenda this time, calling himself the “last straight white man” and warning against the “gay mafia.” Heeney, 54, is a paralegal and owner of a plant nursery in Lantana. He describes himself as “land poor” and a “pauper.” He said he is con-

cerned about mortgage rates and people being driven out of their homes. “This is not a recession; it is a full-blown depression,” he said. “Being a pauper, I’m able to survive.”

Caldwell, whose number is not listed, did not answer calls placed to a phone number supplied by the Palm Beach County Republican Party. Local party officials said they did not know Caldwell. However, media on Florida’s west coast report that he is 27 years old, works for a real estate appraisal firm and has been active in Lee County government.

Aronberg said that Democratic Party officials feel that CaldSee DISTRICT 27, page 18

Baseball Changes Head To Council

By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report

When the Wellington Village Council meets Tuesday, July 8, a proposal on the agenda to combine the village’s recreational and travel youth baseball programs into one organization is expected to generate much discussion and public input.

The plan to fold the village’s two baseball programs into one has generated controversy among parents and coaches. Under the proposal, the council would sunset both existing baseball boards and unify the recre-

ation and travel baseball programs as one organization with one board of directors, and require players to participate in a season of recreational baseball in order to play travel ball. The village implemented changes to its sports provider guidelines last month, which now require that village teams be made up of at least 51 percent residents. That change was requested in part by some parents who complained that tryouts for some travel teams were rigged, particularly baseball,

See BASEBALL, page 18

RPB Drops Tax Rate Again, Despite Cuts

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Despite sinking property values in the Village of Royal Palm Beach and state-mandated property-tax rollbacks, the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year shows an ad valorem tax rate reduction for the 14th consecutive year.

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council is scheduled to review the budget on Thursday, July 11.

Village Manager David Farber is proposing a millage rate of 1.97 for fiscal year 2009, down from a rate of 2.01 in last year’s budget. At 1.97 mills, the village property tax on a home assessed at $200,000 with a $50,000 homestead exemption would be $295.50.

The draft budget forecasts a reduction in total operating expenses of 0.38 percent, due partly to reductions in staff. The budget calls for the elimination and consolidation of seven fulltime and eight part-time positions, representing a nine-percent decrease in the total number of staff positions.

“The voters have made it clear they want us to do more with less,” Lodwick said Thursday “We’re trying not to cut programs, but provide the best service at the lowest possible cost. I hate to lay off employees; they’re good people. But the residents want us to find a way to do things more efficiently.” Lodwick said he will meet Monday with Farber and Director of Finance Stanley Hochman and go through the departmentby-department details of the budget proposal for a more indepth analysis.

“We’re not going to cut services but try to be more efficient,” Lodwick said. “In all honesty, that’s what we’ve been trying to do since I’ve been there.”

Page 27

Business

Rocky’s Ace Hardware: Knowledgeable Staff And A Wide Selection

The new Rocky’s Ace Hardware store in the Wellington Marketplace creates an atmosphere that many homeowners have forgotten or never knew: a place where experienced hardware salespeople know their business and are eager to help customers. Page 33

The Parks & Recreation Department would lose three parttime recreation leader positions, one community events supervisor, one program supervisor for seniors, one secretary and one customer service clerk position.

The Community Development Department would lose one permit technician and one code enforcement inspector. Finance would lose three part-time document-imaging specialists. Public Works would lose two custodians, one part-time and one full-time.

The total operating budget will decrease $70,205 from $18,505,272 to $18,435,067. Once capital improvements, debt service and transfers are added in, total expenditures for the upcoming year will be $64,312,766, up $1.25 million due mostly to long-planned capital expenditures.

Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick told the TownCrier that while he had not yet gone through the budget in detail, he was glad to see the millage lower despite state-mandated cutbacks.

Lodwick said one of largest line items, which cannot be cut, is the contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office at $6,506,553. Law enforcement is the portion of the budget enjoying the largest increase, at 7.79 percent or $470,486. “We need police protection,” Lodwick said. Farber said he does not like laying off people but a large part of the village’s operating expenses go toward salaries.

“Well over 50 percent of costs are personnel-driven,” he said. “Our government, through its elected officials, has attempted to provide the highest level or service to its citizens. Through my entire tenure here, every year it has been the desire of the council to provide a high level of service and provide something back to the citizens in the form of a millage reduction.”

Farber added that the drive for a tax rate reduction was stronger this year than in previous years. “The people spoke in January, and [the tax-reform amendment] overwhelmingly passed in the state and in our city,” he noted. “We heard the public loud and clear. We believe we shrank the government in a fashion that for most people there will not be a decrease of service delivery.”

The budget challenges created by decreasing property values are exacerbated by voter

See RPB BUDGET, page 18

Facing Foreclosure? Doing Nothing Is Not An Option

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The worst thing people who receive a foreclosure notice can do is nothing, said Wellington attorney Neal Taslitz, one of several experts on the subject who spoke at County Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s community forum in June. On Monday, Taslitz told the Town-Crier that 57 percent of people who get foreclosure notices do nothing in response. “Not responding is the same as telling the mortgage holder to proceed with the foreclosure process,” he said. According to the web site www.foreclosures.com, Wellington’s 33414 ZIP code has 1,121 homes in pre-foreclosure, meaning a claim has been filed, and the Royal Palm Beach/ Acreage-based 33411 has more than 1,896. There are 709 such filings in Loxahatchee’s 33470. About 10 million homeown-

ers nationwide are in pre-foreclosure, Taslitz said. “That’s the tsunami that’s coming. More than 19 million homes have mortgages higher than the appraised value. They’re upside down,” he said, adding that about 18 months ago the figure was about a million.

Foreclosures also pull down the value of homes within about a block by three to five percent, Taslitz noted. Vacant homes are inviting to gang members and pose health risks due to uncut lawns and abandoned pools breeding mosquitoes and attracting vermin, he said. All those factors mean homeowners facing foreclosure should not give up, but rather work with their lending institution. “The banks don’t want you to leave the property,” Taslitz said. “They want you to stay there.”

Taslitz and other attorneys plan to make a presentation to

the Palm Beach County Commission on July 8 about the foreclosure issue and possibly suggest solutions.

Attorney Malcolm Harrison, who also spoke at the June 18 forum, said people facing foreclosure should read mail from their mortgage holder very carefully.

“Open your mail,” he said. “Stay in touch with the bank. There may be something they can do for you.” When people are served, they should not forget to answer the complaint in writing, Harrison said. Simply calling the mortgage service will not protect mortgage payers’ rights, and the banks will continue to pursue foreclosure at the same time they are negotiating with borrowers.

Harrison also suggested keeping up with condo or homeowners’ association fees. “These are people who will move much faster to start taking away your

property,” he said. “This is the neighborhood where you live. These are the people cutting your lawn, keeping the pool clean. A lot of these homeowners’ associations are in trouble as well.” Anyone being sued by a homeowners’ association should realize that the association might be willing to reach an agreement without resorting to litigation, Harrison noted. A Royal Palm Beach client owed his homeowners’ association $2,000, while the association’s attorney fees were $4,000, he said.

“I was like, ‘what are you doing?’ We were able to knock that down by working with the lawyers’ firm a bit and put some pressure on them,” Harrison said. “Ultimately, these are small amounts of money. Pay them; keep them current.” He also advised people to save money. Banks typically require some token payment to do

a loan modification, typically between $2,500 and $5,000, he said.

“When you’re talking about a loan modification with a bank, changing the interest rate, changing the terms, reducing the principal, you’re talking about a really big pill that these people have to take down their throat,” Harrison said. “They’re not going to get the return on their investment that they were expecting. In order to get that pill down, they need a little bit of cod liver oil, and that is typically some type of financing fee.” Applicants who qualify for a loan modification and have a stable income should expect to pay a fee, he said. “Don’t come to the modification table with your hands empty,” he said, “because if you do, you will leave that way.” Another important reason to

Pizzazz Hair Design hosted Pizzazz Give Back Day on Sunday, June 29, donating proceeds from haircuts and other services to Hospice of Palm Beach County. Shown above, Pizzazz owner Dennis Marquez paints the fingernails of his granddaughter Marlee. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 17

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Emergency Management Director Chuck Tear

County Emergency Management Hosts Municipal Orientation

Officials with the Palm Beach County Emergency Management Division held a hurricane season update and orientation for municipal representatives and state lawmakers on June 20 at the Emergency Operations Center in West Palm Beach. Assistant County Administrator and Public Safety Director Vince Bonvento introduced a host of speakers, including National Hurricane Director Bill Read; Rusty Pfost, the meteorologist in charge of the Miami National Weather Service; Emergency Management Director Chuck Tear; and Roy Dunn of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Read and Pfost gave updates on the 2008 seasonal forecast, strike probabilities and historical trends of Atlantic storm activity.

Emergency Management staff and branch leaders provided an overview of operations and procedures during an activation, explaining in detail the numerous plans Palm Beach County has developed to assist the public before, during and after a major storm. The informative presentations were followed by a question-and-answer session. For more information about the Palm Beach County Emergency Management Division, visit www.pbcgov.com/pubsafety/ eoc.

Man Dies After Driving Into Wellington Canal

JULY 1 — A West Palm Beach man died after accidentally driving into a canal near Wellington’s Acme Road Tuesday morning. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, 60-year-old Joseph Macean was attempting to park his 1997 Honda Accord on private prop-

erty with its front end facing the canal. However, Macean failed to stop the car before its front end went over the embankment; the vehicle continued into the canal, according to the report. Macean was transported to Palms West Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

RPB Man Hospitalized After Traffic Accident

JUNE 29 — A Royal Palm Beach man was listed in critical condition after a traffic accident early last Sunday morning.

According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a 2003 Lexus driven by 22-yearold William Russell Baptist was traveling northbound on Ponce De Leon Street, north of

Evening On The Green Aug. 23

The American Cancer Society’s Evening on the Green has found a new home at the fabulous Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green.

Set for Saturday, Aug. 23, the party will offer elegant surroundings, sumptuous foods, fragrant wines, and a night of revelry and merrymaking with gourmet creations served by the sister restaurant to New York’s famous Tavern on the Green. This event will feature the popular band Memory Lane and other entertainment, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and much more.

Sponsorship packages are still available at various levels, including Stallion, Pony, Racing Horse, Western Horse, Hunt/ Jump Horse, Trail Horse, Dressage Horse, Signature Drink, Eventing Horse, Vacation Horse and Polo Horse. For more information about sponsorship packages or to donate tax-deductible auction items, call the American Cancer Society at (561) 3660013, ext. 5138, or e-mail michelle.cavanaugh@cancer.org.

Abruzzo

Endorsed By The PBA

Joseph Abruzzo, Democratic candidate for District 85 in the Florida House of Representatives, recently received the endorsement of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Florida State Lodge, District 4. The PBA and the FOP represent thousands of police, sheriff and other law enforcement personnel in Palm Beach County.

“We will ask our members, their friends and families, and all citizens in Palm Beach County who respect the strong and efficient enforcement of our laws to cast their ballots in support of Joseph Abruzzo,” PBA President John Kazanjian said.

Okeechobee Blvd., at approximately 1 a.m. Baptist lost control while driving around a curve and struck a tree on the west side of the road. He was transported via Trauma Hawk to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition at the time of the report.

Abruzzo faces Republican Howard Coates in the race to replace retiring State Rep. Shelley Vana.

Donate Items To Homeless Families

As the economy worsens, more families are in need of basic necessities. Wellington Cares Clearinghouse is currently collecting hotel samples for hygiene kits for homeless families. To donate unused shampoo, soap, lotion, conditioner or other hygiene items, call Ellie Caldwell at (561) 790-5499. Wellington Cares recently delivered 18 boxes of donations from people in the western communities to Food for the Poor in Coconut Creek. These items included children’s clothes and shoes, midwife kits, hygiene kits, children’s books, medical supplies, school supplies, crutches, a sewing machine and fabric. Food for the Poor ships more than 4,500 containers a year to 16 countries in the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.foodforthepoor.org.

Events At Wild Orchids Cafe

Wild Orchids Cafe at Royal Palm Beach Veterans Park has several upcoming events. The first is Fun Day on Saturday, July 19. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests will enjoy a variety of activities such as face painting, a watermelon-eating contest, balloon toss, fountains, surprise characters, prizes, games, a DJ, and plenty of food and drinks. A portion of the proceeds will go to Take Stock in Children.

On Sunday, July 20, Wild Orchids Cafe will host Gospel Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The event will feature live performances, a DJ and an open mic. All performers must register beforehand. For more information, call (561) 252-8633.

Wellington Struggles With Falling Revenues And Rising Costs

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Determined to hold the line on property taxes despite shrinking revenue, senior staff presented the Wellington Village Council a first look at the fiscal year 2009 budget at a budget workshop June 25.

“I think it’s a good budget,” Mayor Darell Bowen said. “I don’t think it’s dire at all. I think it’s an austere, good budget.”

Village staff reported that with tax-funded revenue down by 16 percent, the estimated total budget for the 2009 fiscal year is $103 million, a decrease of 7.4 percent from $111 million this year. Of that money, $43.43 million will be used for general governmental expenditures, as opposed to $51.53 million during the current year.

Village Manager Paul Schofield said the budget was drafted on the premise that the village would maintain its millage rate at 2.34 mills.

“When we are looking at that, we have to take into account increased fuel costs and other issues,” he said. “Then we have to start looking at what our revenues would be. Impact fees will be down by $800,000, and revenue sharing is down by half a million. Our revenues are predicted to be down by $5.4 million. We are looking at Acme [drainage] assessments to stay the same, but the assessment for waste man-

agement will go from 130 to 165 [dollars]. That is the amount based on the negotiated contract. Utility income is down by three and a half million. Total revenue reduction is $9 million.”

Schofield said some of the village’s roads and utilities are aging and need replacement despite the tough budgetary times. Most of the major roadway systems in the village are between 30 and 35 years old, and the budget calls for funding the replacement of some of the pavement. Some water meters also need to be replaced. “The current ones are ten years old,” he said. “We are going to have to replace them as a part of this year’s budget process.”

Director of Administrative and Finance Services Francine Ramaglia detailed the proportionate contributions of the village’s various income streams, noting that growth-based revenues are falling off. “The ad valorem taxes are 35 percent of the budget,” she said. “The assessments are eight percent. The utility taxes, communications and franchise fees are 21 percent. Licenses and charges for services is 14 percent.”

Ramaglia said she expects further declines in the village’s tax base through the next three years due to declining growth and the effects of the recently passed Amendment 1, although utility taxes might increase. “In the year 2012, we

would expect we would no longer be able to balance the existing budget,” she said. “At that point, we would start using the rate stabilization funds, which would cover us for a year and a half.”

Ramaglia also said the state’s shared revenues would continue to decline, from $49 million last year to $44 million this year, to an expected $41 million in two years. “We also don’t have any estimates for gas taxes or communication service taxes,” she said. “The utility service taxes are supposed to decline. The other state revenue numbers show we are $50,000 short.”

Regarding the village’s enterprise funds, consisting of solid waste and utilities, Ramaglia said reduced water usage has resulted in a significant decline in village utility revenues. The village is considering the possibility of increasing utility rates, but will need to undertake a study over the summer to see if it would be viable.

Schofield stressed that the village needs to make sure its utilities pay for themselves, and the study would examine whether the village can afford some capital projects. “One of the things you will see us eliminate from the budget is the perimeter landscaping,” he said. “There was about eight and a half million dollars for that in the budget. We are not going to do it.”

Assistant Village Engineer

Sarah Hauser detailed some items in the utilities budget, including replacement or upgrades of some systems and equipment, such as at the village’s parks. She also noted that the budget includes stabilization of some of the village’s shell rock roads and the resurfacing of Flying Cow Road. “This will be done after the construction of Section 24,” she said. “It’s the second component of the project.”

Hauser noted that one project, the replacement of existing traffic signals with mast arms, had been cut from the budget to save money. Schofield said the mast arm signals cost $300,000 to install, and in the case of another hurricane the village could simply remove the existing signals before the storm as it had before.

“I did not see the value of replacing them,” Schofield said. “During [hurricanes] Frances and Jeanne, we lost a lot of signals. When Wilma came in, we had the signal heads removed, and then we were able to put them back in.”

Operations Director John Bonde agreed with Schofield that the village’s road infrastructure is aging. “There are areas of our road system that need attention now,” he said. “There are some problems that are beginning to appear throughout the village. The base rock is insufficient or submerged in water. The village

‘We tried to look at where we cut so it would not impact the level of service. We are not proposing any layoffs. We have frozen and left positions unfilled. We have delayed some purchases of equipment.’

— Village Manager Paul Schofield

is getting older and our roads are starting to show. We need to start doing something about it.”

Councilman Matt Willhite asked whether an evaluation had been done on the underlying issues facing Forest Hill Blvd. Public Works Director Mitch Fleury said he had looked at some of the roads, and a section between Quercus Court and Southern Blvd. shows particular wear. Willhite asked if the village was aware of that issue when the village took over the maintenance of Forest Hill Blvd.

Schofield said he had discussed the issue with County Engineer George Webb, who assured him of county support. “They have indicated they will step in,” he said. “We will see that George gets that in the budget.”

With council members posing questions about staffing, Schofield said he did not anticipate any layoffs, although he has asked the various departments to find ways of reducing costs at least ten percent.

“We tried to look at where we cut so it would not impact the

level of service,” he said. “We are not proposing any layoffs. We have frozen and left positions unfilled. We have delayed some purchases of equipment.” Schofield also noted that the village’s staff of building inspectors had shrunk from 11 to six, but would not go below five. He also noted that the village is providing building services to the municipalities of Belle Glade and Hypoluxo, which both helps fund village operations and provides the other municipalities services more efficiently than they would get from the private sector.

Bowen said he found the budget agreeable overall, but asked to see it in a format that would be easier for the public to digest.

“Someone in the public might look at this and go, ‘what the heck are these guys doing with all this money?’” he said. “It needs to be in a format that everyone can understand.”

The council is expected to set the preliminary millage rate July 8, after which the rate can be lowered but not raised. The final budget will be adopted in September.

West Palm Election Glitch Doesn’t Bode Well For Fall Vote

It’s not often a presidential election is decided by a margin of 14 percent or more. Though landslide victories have occurred in the past, it hasn’t happened since Ronald Reagan’s 18point victory over Walter Mondale in 1984. In the presidential election of 2000, the margin was paper-thin — and that paper was riddled with chads. With the result of that election hanging on Florida and the confusion caused by Palm Beach County’s “butterfly ballot” debacle, you’d think the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office would find a way to ensure foolproof elections in the years to come. But after last week’s special election for the West Palm Beach City Commission — in which cartridges containing vote totals were mislabeled, resulting in roughly 14 percent of the votes not being counted on election night — it’s hard to feel anything but apprehension as we approach the August primaries and the November general election.

Last week’s election in West Palm Beach was considered a “test” of the new optical-scan voting system, which is supposedly better than using touch-screen machines because there will be a paper trail. Of course, there was a paper trail in 2000, though the state could only follow it for so long before the U.S. Supreme Court told it to stop. The problem then and now is the level of voter confusion. The optical-scan ballot requires voters to draw a line connecting the ends of arrows that point to the candidates’ names. This may not sound like the most difficult task in theory, but the same thing was said about the butterfly ballot after

Wellington Can’t Afford PBCC Plan

Last month Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen was correct in asking that all persons involved in the discussions concerning Palm Beach Community College and the K-Park property give the process some time and let the facts and data come out, and give PBCC time to come up with some proposals. PBCC did come up with some positive and interesting ideas, but in their terms they were very tentative and were subject to change. Also, the college’s response seemed to be led by what the village proponents wanted to hear. But the college’s response and subsequent investigation by village staff left more questions than answers. PBCC must rely on state-directed public educational funding for the buildings they want to build. What PBCC did not say is that there are two major projects already requested, including the major nursing building at Lake Worth, and that the likelihood of funding for a new building in Wellington is at least five years out, and a second one is probably ten years out. In addition, all major pro-

grams in place at Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens and Boca will remain, and Wellington and western communities students will have to continue to drive to those campuses. Traffic is another area that still poses a major obstacle. Both surveys indicated fewer than 600 trips are available for that site. That is fewer than one building would need to operate. This does not include the hundreds of students from Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, The Acreage and unincorporated county areas that are cutting across Binks Forest Drive, Big Blue Trace or Forest Hill Blvd. to make their 6 p.m. classes. But the biggest concern is the giving away of a $25 million asset, especially in a time of major expenses facing the village. The council has indicated it wants a $13 million public complex. Village Manager Paul Schofield has indicated that there are major roadway problems and other infrastructure problems (canals, swales, street lighting) that may cost the village millions of dollars in the next few years. What are we doing giving away millions of dollars so 200 students can be 20 minutes closer to class?

And whatever happened to the [Parks & Recreation Advi-

the fact. The problem is that many Palm Beach County voters still haven’t seen what the new ballots look like.

Despite all the criticism that was leveled against former supervisor of elections Theresa LePore, she spent a good year before the 2002 election traveling throughout the county to educate people on the touch-screen machines. The same cannot be said of her successor, Dr. Arthur Anderson. With few exceptions, Anderson has done little to educate the public about the optical-scan system.

The combination of uneducated voters and new, largely untested voting equipment is a recipe for disaster. Given the historic implications of this year’s election — and the fact that all eyes will be on Palm Beach County given its role in the 2000 vote — this is the wrong year to make mistakes.

The only way to change Palm Beach County’s national reputation as a voting wasteland is one perfectly run election at a time. So far, the supervisor who was elected in 2004 on a platform of running better elections has yet to deliver. But the die has been cast, and at this late stage in the game, it’s up to the voters to make sure we all know the new system before entering the polls. To learn more about Palm Beach County’s optical-scan system, visit www.pbcelections.org and click on the “Voting Equipment Demo” link on the left side of the screen.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

sory Board’s] recommendation for a four multi-purpose field practice facility with a price tag of $1.2 million that would satisfy the village needs until 2015 on only 18 acres of land?

Lastly, several weeks ago, a vocal proponent of the PBCC giveaway directed personal comments to myself and family. Not only were the comments inaccurate, but there is no place for this in these discussions. Let’s stick to the facts and hard data.

Steve Haughn Wellington

PBCC A Better Idea Than Med College

I have reviewed the letter from Wellington Regional Medical Center CEO Kevin DiLallo and would like to share with you my observations. I am a director of the Palm Beach Community College Foundation. My comments, however, are based upon my experience in business, healthcare and university education, as well as the many years I have spent living and working in our village. I would like to begin by addressing Mr. DiLallo’s presumption that the proposed donation

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create economic devastation in the Glades.

of the K-Park land to an institution of higher education is “to stimulate growth and jobs in the western communities.”

While the proposed facility would have a material economic impact on our area, the primary focus of the proposed PBCC plan is to continue to build upon Wellington’s historical commitment to high quality education for the residents of our community.

As a director of Florida International University, I have had the privilege of founding and assisting in the development of the medical college at FIU. Based on my experiences, I believe that though this area can greatly benefit from the expansion of a college of medicine or the creation of a new program, the facility proposed by Mr. DiLallo could take a decade to plan, develop and accredit, with the return for the community occurring years after that.

Additionally, we must consider that this college of medicine will attract candidates from all parts of the world. Very few Wellington residents seeking to attend a medical college (less than 10 percent in my opinion) will have the opportunity to attend such a facility. To analyze the student population served by this proposed facility we must take note that most medical school graduates return to their

original community. A minority then stay in the communities where they served their residency, and a smaller percentage yet stay in the area where they went to medical school.

Additionally, our area has limited residency opportunities, which further contributes to the departure of these proposed graduates, and in turn on our community’s return on investment.

The PBCC proposal is designed to facilitate the continued education of our high school students and residents who are in search of an associate’s degree, professional certificate, career development or path to a bachelor’s degree (some bachelor’s degrees will be granted by PBCC). In essence, PBCC provides the opportunity for our students to stay close to home and for our residents to improve their education and earn higher wages, thus contributing to our local economy.

Clearly WRMC is a great corporate citizen and historically a solid economic foundation even in an “unstable economy.” However, a complex as proposed by

Mr. DiLallo provides high risk, substantial unknowns and limited return to our community, particularly when compared to the known and predictable value that a traditional college campus could bring to our residents, both young and old.

Editor’s Note: Mr. Guillama founded the Business, Technology and Education Board of the Western Communities, the group that initially proposed a PBCC campus for Wellington.

Benacquisto

Fights Landfill

As the Palm Beach County Commission, sitting as the Solid Waste Authority, contemplates the location for a new western county landfill, it is vital that they elicit the input and involvement of the public who will be affected by their decision.

Very few citizens in Palm Beach County are aware that the list of potential alternative landfill sites has been developed and

See LETTERS, page 18

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

Making Driving Easier — And Safer — For Senior Drivers

Did you know the projected number of Americans age 55 to 74 will double by 2030? And to accommodate this significant niche in the automobile population, would you believe automakers are researching how to make driving easier and more comfortable for the senior road warrior?

As part of the research and development for this burgeoning group, AAA has partnered with the National Older Driver Research & Training Center at the University of Florida to identify and recommend a gaggle of

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

senior-friendly features that make sense to pursue when you become an active new-car buyer. Of course, this includes my personal favorite, stability control, which helps prevent loss of control during a turn. Another sure bet for the senior buyer is antilock brakes.

Also, there are large/wide-angle mirrors available as well as adjustable foot pedals and poweroperated seats. Here are some others: active head restraints; four doors, rather than two, which make entering and exiting much easier; tilt/telescoping steering wheels; and side-to-side curtain airbags that protect the torso and head. Your best bet is to download a copy of the “Smart Features for Mature Drivers” brochure published by AAA and UF. For more information, visit www. aaa.com/seniors. Good luck!

Wellington Is Giving Away Land? Cool, Count Me In For Some!

Dear Mayor Darell Bowen and members of the Wellington Village Council: Count me in on the K-Park land grab — er, I mean proposals. I saw where Wellington Regional Medical Center now wants to be considered along with Palm Beach Community College for those 60odd acres you’re going to give away. The forprofit WRMC wants to put medical office buildings on the site; however, they’ll add a medical school so as not to be outdone by the tax-supported PBCC.

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the WRMC concept. CEO Kevin DiLallo noted that he has been in discussions with medical schools. I’m thinking somewhere in Burma or Zimbabwe since his discussions involved clinical research and cadaver labs.

“They’re interested,” Mr. DiLallo reportedly said. “They’re very interested, especially if they can get the land for free.” Free! The word hit me like a double shot of sour mash whiskey. How did I miss that? But I digress.

Please consider this letter a formal application for just one of those free acres you’re giving away. Heck, you wouldn’t even know it’s missing. I had this idea a couple of years ago when Royal Palm Beach was soliciting suggestions for its Village Commons (the erstwhile Tradition Golf Course that village bought a few years ago).

I proposed a tiki bar. All I was hoping for was

By Don Brown

maybe that it be named Don’s Place in my honor for having suggested the idea. But all I got was a big fat nothing. Those bums who run Royal Palm Beach didn’t even give me the courtesy of a response. Therefore, I’m formally withdrawing that tiki bar proposal in favor of another idea for you nice folks in Wellington. Your village is much more civilized than that other one to the north. I know this because your budget cuts are much higher and you waste — er, I mean spend — a lot more money than Royal Palm Beach. Anyway, I am formally proposing a tiki bar on just one acre of that free property. Of course, in the spirit of Mr. DiLallo, this wouldn’t be just your basic rum-dumb (hee hee, get it?) tiki bar. It will also be a teaching institution. I will offer a degree in mixology. I will promise (even include it in the site agreement) the best-trained mixologists in the world. I would make Wellington proud. I’m getting teary-eyed just thinking about all the possibilities. We’ll invent new cocktails guaranteed to put

Wellington on the alcoholic map of America. I’m thinking a Martini Bowen, for example, in honor of your current mayor. Double the vodka and forget about the vermouth. The twist of lemon is a nice touch though, because it gives the appearance of civility. Or how about a Tom Wenham, to honor our longtime former mayor? (By the way, isn’t he on the WRMC board of directors?) The Tom Wenham is sort of like the Tom Collins with one change. Instead of powdered sugar, use raw Glades sugar in memory of U.S. Sugar, which is shutting down its operations.

How about a Mai Liz Tai in honor of Lizbeth Benacquisto, the lone woman on your council? We might want to experiment with the syrup, such as change from almond to something sweeter because Ms. Benacquisto is so sweet (that ought to get her vote). Instead of a Split Decision, we could concoct a Margolis Decision cocktail for when Councilman Bob Margolis gets in as the new supervisor of elections. Of course, we’ll double up on all the alcohol... because he’ll need it for sure.

And instead of a Dirty Martini, we could come up with a Dirty Willhite Martini. Dirty because his opponent in the village election a few months ago said Matt Willhite was playing dirty getting all that help from those pesky firefighters in his successful election campaign. Mr. Willhite is a firefighter, too, and his opponent was probably just a bit jealous. I would suggest a Carmine Cuba Libre, a rip-off of the Diet Cuba Libra for the

health-conscious Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore (he’s been trying to get me to stop smoking for years). If the retired dentist prefers Pepsi over Coke, we’ll make that happen. I would add a shot of fluoride for a brighter smile.

Finally, how about a Boxcar Schofield in honor of Wellington’s new village manager, Paul Schofield? He’s a pretty big guy, sort of like a boxcar, if you get the idea. Besides, the Boxcar cocktail has all kinds of neat — some might even say fattening — stuff in it. He might want to consider doubling up on the gin after those mindnumbing marathon council meetings. All in all, I think my proposal has what government people call merit. I would be happy to pay the taxes on Don’s Tiki Bar & University, since I’ll own it. Think of the bartending (make that mixologist) careers we could create locally. There’s plenty of demand since village bars keep getting their hours extended and there is plenty of business. The bar biz is the only business that improves in a tight economy, what with all the accompanying depression that we suffer when times are hard. I’m also thinking about a bouncer curriculum I could spring on the council if I suspect they are losing interest in my scholarly proposal. I have a brother-in-law named Dale Buck in Wichita who is one heck of a shade tree mechanic and body man. I’m thinking the Buck College of Mechanical Engineering & Auto Repair on another one of those free acres…

Noel Guillama Wellington

WHS Grad Competes For Army Soldier Of The Year Honor

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

After just 16 months of military service, 2005 Wellington High School graduate PFC John Carroll Jr. was among three contenders for one of the U.S. Army’s highest awards: Chemical Corps Soldier of the Year.

A distinguished honor graduate during his initial Army training for secret clearance work with equipment that detects biological agents, Carroll also earned distinguished honor graduate and won the Army Physical Fitness Test award during a month-long Warrior’s Leadership Conference in January — a course not many soldiers have the privilege of attending, Carroll noted. Other honors include numerous monthly and quarterly awards for field knowledge and leadership.

While monthly and quarterly awards require formal interviews that assess vocational and military knowledge, the Dragon’s Peak award — as the Soldier of the Year honor is nicknamed — involves days of grueling challenges. Carroll was among 28 con-

tenders who started competing at 4:30 a.m. on June 20 with the Army Physical Fitness Test. Following an assessed 15minute hygiene and redress task, soldiers qualified with M-4 rifles by firing at pop-up targets, then qualified with the M-249 machine gun. Next came land navigation. With a compass, protractor and military grid map, each soldier struggled through thick underbrush and heavily wooded areas to find four designated points within three hours. That was followed by a 100-question written test on each soldier’s job specialty. As darkness fell, a flashlight was added to supplies for a round of night land navigation to end Day 1. “You could get wrapped up real easy in vines,” said Carroll, who was always on the lookout for mountain lions, bears, snakes and ticks. “It was a lot of walking. You had to keep pace over rough terrain that included cliffs and hillsides.”

After just three hours of rest, Day 2 started at 4 a.m. with a 12-mile march carrying a 55pound back rucksack loaded with supplies. Soldiers donned

full gear, including a helmet, combat boots, a supply vest and a rifle for the uphill march. “We had to finish in under three hours,” Carroll said. “I’d be pretty mad if I got really close and they picked me up in the cattle truck.”

Carroll was one of only five to finish, and he did so with three minutes to spare. He then took his aching legs and shoulders and went on to compete in hands-on chemical handling tests. Completely sealed in headgear that allowed for limited vision, rubber gloves and boots, he decontaminated his rifle as judges assessed each step. Next, he cleared, disassembled, reassembled and function-checked an M-249 SAW machine gun.

Now assessments turned to reactions and protocol when spotting explosive devices, followed by a first aid station hands-on test. Carroll evaluated and assisted his casualty, a dummy with a severe leg bleed, which he treated with pressure dressings and a tourniquet before treating for shock.

Day 2 ended with a 10-minute obstacle course that included jumping, climbing, rope work, water, barbed wire, tunnels and equipment carries. “You just can’t quit,” Carroll said, explaining how he mustered the strength to go on. “You have to continue on; it’s what the Army trains us to do.”

Day 3 meant facing a board of four sergeant majors. As Carroll spoke about his military career, board members interrupted with relevant and irrelevant questions in attempt to unsteady him. “They asked questions over top of each other trying to throw me off and see how I perform under pressure,” he said. “I had to keep my military bearing at all times, and manage to answer all the questions.”

His performance during the trials earned him a spot as one of three finalists. Then the waiting began. Nearly a week passed before results were announced on Friday, June 27 at the Green Dragon Ball, a festive annual celebration of the Chemical Corps’ birthday where top awards are announced. This year marked the corps’ 90th birthday.

Disappointed that he didn’t

take the top honor, the former WHS cross country and track star looks ahead to his next goal: winning the Army’s 10-mile run as part of the Fort Polk, La. team and facing an additional quarterly awards board.

Carroll is the son of Capt. John Carroll of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’m extremely proud of him, and I tell him all the time,” said the senior Carroll, who ran for Palm Beach County Commis-

Man Arrested On Assault Charge

JULY 1 — An Acreage man was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with aggravated assault. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a resident of 62nd Street North told deputies a 1991 Chevy pickup truck driven by 20-yearold Joshua Coldiron collided with trash cans at the end of the driveway at approximately 6 a.m. Coldiron then began cleaning some of the mess, according to

sion in 2006. “He plays down how good he’s done so far, and it’s just an absolute great achievement where he is right now and what he has accomplished.”

Capt. Carroll saw his son’s signs of greatness early on.

“I coached his baseball team and went to every one of his track events,” the proud father said. “He’s a great athlete, and I think that has a lot to do with his excelling, because the Army

NEWS BRIEFS

the report. When the complainant told Coldiron to clean the rest of it, Coldiron pulled a gun out from under his shirt, cocked it and threatened to kill him. The victim noted that he recognized Coldiron from his high school yearbook. Coldiron was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.

Youth Explosion

Royal Palm Covenant Church will sponsor its Youth Explosion July 9-11. The event is an opportunity for youth to share their talents while participating in

is so disciplined and you have to be in great physical shape.”

PFC Carroll is proud of being a third-generation military man

“I like the fact that I can serve my country, and that even though I’m not overseas, I make a difference,” he said. “The Army is a great way to gain life experience and discipline. It’s a good way to meet people, travel around and do something with your life.”

seminars and workshops. The festivities end with a concert. The schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, July 9, 7 to 9 p.m.: “Building Family Relationships” discussion.

• Thursday, July 10, 5:30 to 9 p.m.: Workshops addressing teens as they relate to each other.

• Friday, July 11, 5:30 to 10 p.m.: Family fun and activities ending with an open air concert for the whole community featuring a number of artists. This event will be held at Royal Palm Covenant Church, 660 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

High Honor — PFC John Carroll Jr. with Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston at the Green Dragon Ball.

Father And Son — PBSO Capt. John Carroll with his son PFC John Carroll Jr.

Thieves Target Concession Stand At Soccer Fields

By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report

JUNE 29 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to Katz soccer fields last Sunday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, the complainant told the deputy that an unknown suspect forcibly entered the concession stand and removed several items from inside. The investigation revealed that the suspect first attempted to pry open the door but gave up, finally using a drill to remove the lock. The deputy noted that the rear storage door was also open. Stolen from the concession stand were a 689kpm compressor, a cash register and ten soccer shoes. The crime scene was processed for DNA and latent prints, which were placed into evidence. There was no further information at the time of the report.

JUNE 29 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded last Sunday evening to a house on Sailboat Circle regarding a vandalism incident. According to the PBSO report, a deputy was dispatched to the scene after an alarm went off due to the rear door being smashed in by a baseball-sized rock. The deputy searched the residence but found no signs of entry.

JUNE 29 — A resident of Goodwood Terrace called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Sunday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim discovered that his pool pump timer had been cut out of his box. Nothing else near or around the house had been disturbed. The box is valued at approximately $5. There was no suspect information at the time of the report.

JUNE 30 — A Lake Harbor man and a juvenile were arrested Monday afternoon after being caught shoplifting at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a Wal-Mart loss prevention officer told a deputy he observed 18-year-old Robert Castillo and the juvenile select DVDs from the electronics department and pass all points of sale without paying for the merchandise. The DVDs were worth a total value of $47.84.

JUNE 30 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched Monday to the Florida Power & Light service center on Business Park Way regarding a grand theft. According to a PBSO report, at sometime between noon last Friday and 7:45 a.m. Sunday, someone entered the fenced compound and stole three rolls of aluminum wire; each roll is the size of a car tire, and their total value is $932. The suspect gained entry by cutting a hole in the north fence. According to the report, there was no scene to process and no evidence was recovered. There was no suspect information at the time of the report.

JUNE 30 — A resident of Indian Trail Villas called the

PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach on Monday regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, at sometime between 4 p.m. last Wednesday and 3:30 p.m. Monday, someone entered the residence and stole several items, including a laptop computer, Nintendo DS game system, a DVD player and miscellaneous DVDs. According to the report, the suspect possibly entered the house through a rear sliding door, which was discovered unlocked. The possible entry and exit points were dusted for latent prints but none were found. There was no suspect information at the time of the report.

JULY 1 — A man and woman were arrested following a traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday evening. According to a PBSO report, 31-year-old Joseph Fulmer of Lee, Fla., was traveling 21 miles per hour above the posted speed limit on Southern Blvd. when a deputy from the RPB substation pulled him over. A records check revealed Fulmer’s license had been suspended for possession of a controlled substance. According to the report, the deputy searched the vehicle and found three baggies containing cocaine in a purse belonging to the passenger, 49-year-old Dawna White of Plantation. After admitting the cocaine was hers, White removed two more baggies from her breast area. Both suspects were arrested without incident and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

JULY 1 — A Daffodil Drive resident called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Tuesday regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim left for work at approximately 6 a.m. When she returned home, she noticed several items were missing and there were soda cans in her bedroom. The victim discovered that the rear sliding door was unlocked and the security bolt was missing. According to the report, missing from the home were three gold rings and some of her prescription medication. The total value of the gold rings is approximately $2,000. The victim said she padlocks her bedroom and the only people in the house were her mother and son. There was no suspect information at the time of the report. JULY 1 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Guilford Way on Tuesday regarding a burglary. According to the PBSO report, the victim was away from her home between 11 a.m. last Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday. When she returned, she discovered the sliding-glass door had been smashed; there was glass both inside and outside the house. The victim could not determine if any property had been stolen. According to the report, a similar incident occurred on April 18. The ground was damp from recent rain, but there were no dried footprints or other evidence to indicate whether the suspect had entered the home.

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Elena Bombart-Carchianu is a white female, 5’4” tall and weighing 120 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 10/21/77. BombartCarchianu is wanted for failure to appear in court on the charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle. Her occupation is unknown. Her last known address was St. Andrews Place in Wellington. BombartCarchianu is wanted as of 07/03/08. • Cesar Javier Madrid-Reyes is a white male, 6’ tall and weighing 170 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 04/23/67. Madrid-Reyes is wanted for neglect of a child causing great bodily harm. His occupation is auto body. His last known address was 23rd Court North in Loxahatchee. MadridReyes is wanted as of 07/03/08. 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.

Elena BombartCarchianu

Elbridge Gale’s Kai Holme Wins Big With Science Fair Project

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

Ten-year-old Kai Holme of Wellington, an upcoming fifthgrader at Elbridge Gale Elementary School, won both first place in the Aviation Division and second place in the Math Division at the district level for his spring science fair project.

The project, titled “Lift or Die,” tested an airfoil’s ability to maintain lift at various angles before stalling.

While Kai loves displaying his winning ribbons, he’s most excited about the award given

by Flight Safety at Palm Beach International Airport. On June 27, Kai successfully landed an airplane in their flight simulator.

“Most people older than me crash on the first landing, but I didn’t,” he said proudly, although his favorite experience was taking off from Denver’s Airport and crashing into a mountainside.

“You feel [the simulator] shaking and then the screen turns red,” he described, adding, “One good thing about the simulator though is that you won’t hurt anything.”

The son of self-proclaimed “science geeks” Carl and Karen Holme, Kai’s interest in flight comes naturally. He’s been riding in his father’s Piper ever since he was a baby. “I like airplanes. I like flying,” he said. Now ten years old, Kai can begin accumulating flight time of his own.

Kai’s mother said the experimental airfoil, an airplane wing he crafted with balsa wood and aircraft hobby paper, surpassed the norm for most aircraft, citing an aircraft manual stating that most aircraft begin to lose

lift at 15 to 17.5 degrees. Kai’s wing stalled at 30 degrees.

“My model wing was much more efficient than what is written about real airplanes,” Kai wrote in his project conclusion. “I think my airfoil was better because it had a real flat bottom, and the cord length was long.”

As for next year’s science project, Kai is thinking about combining the animal kingdom with aviation.

“I’d like to know how much wind a cat needs to fly,” he said, looking mischievously at the family pet.

PHOTO BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS COURTESY KAREN HOLME

Kai Holme shows his science fair trophy and airfoil while parents Karen and Carl Holme look on.

Kai Holme’s dad Carl shows him how to fit the stringers to the ribs of the airfoil.

As a floor fan provides wind, Kai Holme adjusts the angle of his airfoil.

Kai Holme cuts balsa wood with a jigsaw.

Clinton

Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster with County Commissioner Jess Santamaria.

Gov. Richardson with Palm Beach County Democratic Party Chair Wahid Mahmood and Sergeant at Arms Alan Olinsky.

Patrick and Elisa O’Connor.

State Rep. Shelley Vana with Tony Fransetta.

Bob and Linda Margolis (sitting) with Barbara Dreyfus, Rob Ostrov, Ellie Whittey and Ed Oppel.

District 83 State House hopeful Rick Ford, Mid-County Democratic Club President Allen Mergaman and Port Commissioner Wayne Richards.

Sandi Bernstein, Louis Medina, Palm Beach County School Board Member Paulette Burdick and Bobbi Horwich.

Groves Town And District Still Struggling To Hammer Out Pact

By Ron Bukley and Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Although the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council approved an interlocal agreement Tuesday intended to open the way for the town to receive its share of gas tax revenues, council members voted to strike language in the document establishing the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District as the ultimate recipient of the funds.

The LGWCD Board of Supervisors had approved the agreement in its entirety the previous evening.

The LGWCD, originally created in 1917, is responsible for maintaining roads and canals within its boundaries, virtually the same as those of the newly incorporated town. The two entities have spent a month in protracted debates about the gas tax funds, and especially an agree-

Mortgages Contact

The Bank

continued from page 1 have some savings in the bank is to pay for first and last month’s rent and security for a rental unit if a loan modification is not possible, Harrison said.

Homeowners facing foreclosure should always attend court hearings, Harrison advised, and should consult a trusted attorney before considering filing for bankruptcy to avoid foreclosure.

Most importantly, parents should talk about the issue with their children.

“They sense that something is wrong,” Harrison said. “Make sure that they understand that mom and dad might lose the house, but they will not lose the family.”

ment that names the district as the road-maintenance authority for Loxahatchee Groves.

The town voted late last month to repeal a year-old agreement containing such language on the advice of its attorney David Tolces, who warned that any such arrangement might jeopardize the town’s claim to the money, which amounted to about $400,000 last year.

On Tuesday, Tolces again warned that similar language in the latest agreement would pose the same problem, citing the advice of the Palm Beach County League of Cities and state officials.

The wording in question specifies the LGWCD as the “exclusive provider” of road maintenance services and that an annual expenditure plan for the gas tax money be “mutually agreed upon.”

The latter item is of great con-

And while parents may be caught up in their own problems, family money issues harm others as well. Harrison recalled how the daughter of one of his clients attempted suicide because the family faced the embarrassment of losing their halfmillion-dollar home.

People facing foreclosure should not blame themselves, Harrison said, but should take realistic steps to take care of themselves. “We’re in a difficult real estate market right now, but people should focus on an exit strategy,” he said. “There are a lot of different options open to people who find themselves in foreclosure, but the one option you do not have is to do nothing.”

Taslitz said he feels the government should intervene in the mortgage crisis because the market will not take care of itself.

cern to LGWCD supervisors, who are facing a large falloff in revenue and don’t want the town to dictate its work plans, which include paving some of the district’s many dirt roads. Supervisors are also nervous about lessthan-subtle assertions by some town council members that the district’s days are numbered. In a memo to the council, Tolces said he and his firm had reviewed the statutes that govern the water control district, other relevant statutes and the town charter, and concluded the town has jurisdiction to maintain the public roads in the town.

Tolces told the council Tuesday that he was concerned about language that the town would designate the district as exclusive road maintenance provider. “From a legal aspect, you should not limit yourself. It’s not in the town’s best interest,” he

“Instead of battling things out in a confrontational way, we should figure out a way for people to stay in their homes,” Taslitz said. “Otherwise the fallout will affect everyone. It’s not something that should be left to the market. There’s no difference between this and a hurricane.”

Taslitz said people who have had to relocate should be sure and change their voter registration. “That’s going to be a major issue with 3.3 percent of homes in the hopper,” he said. “By November, there will probably be thousands of people in transition.”

said. “It’s the town’s money; the town is going to work administratively to work on roads in the town. The town should not be held to the whim or desire of the water control district for funds the town is entitled to receive.”

Not all the roads in the LGWCD are owned by the district, but the district has no authority over non-district roads. Tolces said the town does not have such restrictions. “Your limitations should not be restricted to the district’s limitations,” he said. “The town has much broader powers than the special district.”

Tolces went on to say that based on his research, the town does not need an agreement at all to receive the gas tax money. The town could go ahead and get the money, and the district could then ask the town to contribute to certain projects in a similar fashion to what it did

when it asked the county for gas tax money.

“We could go that route rather than lobby this back and forth,” Tolces said.

Councilman Dr. Bill Louda said he would like to have some sort of agreement. “I would like to see something where they have a guaranteed figure for maintenance,” he said, adding that the water control district has never had “gas revenue tax” as a line item in its budget.

“I don’t want to see the water control district dictating how the town spends its money,” he said.

“That’s what I’m seeing. I’m primarily upset about this back and forth. I would like to see this work out. This version is a lot closer. I would like to see it worked out so they get some figure.”

Vice Mayor Marge Herzog said she was concerned about language that said the town and the water control district shall mutually agree on maintenance services to be provided in an annual expenditure plan. “I don’t agree with that,” she said. Councilman Dave Autrey said he was disturbed by the tone and lack of cooperation. “I want to remind people it was in the spirit of cooperation during incorporation to keep the water control district an independent district,” he said. Autrey added that during the incorporation process, the LGWCD had pressed for a late inclusion of language addressing gas tax funds in the town’s draft charter, but bill sponsor State Rep. Shelley Vana warned that the change would stall the incorporation effort.

“We’re still dealing with the issue, and it runs up the meter at the law firm,” Autrey said. “Everyone knows there are vast difSee AGREEMENT, page 11

People facing foreclosure can turn to the Fair Housing Project sponsored by the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. The Legal Aid Society can provide information on the foreclosure process and how to answer a complaint for mortgage foreclosure. It can also refer people to other agencies that can assist people facing foreclosure. The

Foreclosure Experts — County Commissioner Jess Santamaria (second from right) with at-

torneys Takesha Miles, James Bonfiglio, Louis Silbur, Neal Taslitz and Malcolm Harrison at Santamaria’s June community forum.

PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Lox Council Bucks Planner To Tighten Commercial Zone

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Loxahatchee Groves

Town Council unanimously approved a strategic plan Tuesday produced after a series of visioning sessions for residents and council members in April and May.

The plan states that Loxahatchee Groves will continue to protect its natural environment and rural character in the midst of an urbanizing region.

“The town will continue to be a rural residential and agricultural community that has great respect for lifestyle choices balanced with historical community needs,” the document states.

Consultants stressed that the strategic plan paints the town’s goals in the broadest strokes.

When Councilman Dr. Bill Louda suggested a shift in the boundary for non-residential uses further south than Collecting Canal Road, planning consultant Shelley Eichner said control of commercial development would be better outlined and mandated in the comprehensive plan and zoning code still under development.

“This is the broadest document,” Eichner said. “It is not changing what you have now, just potentially in the future where residential and commercial should go. I would recommend south of Collecting Canal. You don’t have to change the land use. You have a lot of discretion. All the nitty-gritty will come to fruition in the future.”

Town Attorney David Tolces said whatever is put in the strategic plan will not limit residents’ ability to use their property.

“From a legal perspective I would defer to the planner,” he said. “This gives you leeway by having flexibility.”

Councilman Dave Autrey said concentrating commercial in a small area could pose traffic issues. “To pigeonhole this right now is a mistake,” he said. “Traffic analysis hopefully will bear out our decisions. This is early in the game to be getting this specific.”

But Mayor Dave Browning noted that residents along Collecting Canal do not want com-

Agreement Supervisors Are Wary

continued from page 9 ferences of opinion here and this is being made into a wedge issue. My suggestion is we’re getting closer.”

After a plea from Councilman Dennis Lipp to wind up the discussion, Louda made a motion to approve the agreement with the limiting language removed. The motion was seconded by Herzog and was approved unanimously.

Tolces said he would generate a revised version, which will then require LGWCD approval.

On Monday night, after approving the original language of the interlocal agreement, members of the LGWCD Board of Supervisors discussed a request by the town for a joint workshop prior to July 31 that issued from the town’s strategic planning process in May.

“Action item number three suggested that we hold joint workshops no later than July 31 with the Town of Loxahatchee Groves to discuss and clarify roles and authorities, and how to work collaboratively on projects and how to minimize costs to citizens,” LGWCD Administrator Clete Saunier explained. “The members of the town council directed the town staff to schedule these meetings with the members of the board of supervisors. Essentially the agenda as presented stated two items needing to be discussed: clear lines of authority between the town and the LGWCD as legally stated in the Florida statutes and constitution, and number two, working together with respect to the town’s comprehensive plan.”

LGWCD Chairman David DeMarois suggested more input from the town about its concerns and its proposed comprehensive plan would be in order before a joint workshop takes place.

“If we can get more feedback from the town and both of us can mark down these issues and what they wanted to talk about,” DeMarois said, “then we can have an understanding and we can properly represent the people from our side.”

Supervisor Ron Jarriel

mercial uses encroaching on their property.

Eichner said that when setting boundaries, it is best to try to select natural boundaries such as the canal, and that it would be difficult to fit berming and separation within the 660 feet between Citrus and Southern boulevards.

Tolces said tightening the commercial area would suggest that the council is inflexible about change. Town Clerk Matthew Lippman told the council the authority to make the change was theirs, but “your planner and legal counsel advise you not to do so.”

Louda made a motion to approve the strategic plan with the line limiting commercial activity moved from south of Collecting Canal Road to south of an imaginary line aligned with Citrus Drive extending from C Road east to the boundary of the town.

The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Marge Herzog and passed unanimously.

In other business, the council heard an update on the Sluggett commercial property at Southern Blvd. and Seminole PrattWhitney Road, where property owners are seeking a future land use change from Rural Residential to Commercial Low in order to build a mixed-use project with residential and commercial elements.

The discussion came at the request of Louda, who said he felt the rationale of building commercial uses there is diminished with the Scripps Research Institute locating elsewhere.

“This is an awful lot of stuff real close to people,” he said. “Okeechobee and E Road were both listed as traffic uses for the project. I find that objectionable.”

Louda said he had received requests from neighbors to help them stop the project.

Councilman Dennis Lipp, who is a member of the Palm Beach County Planning Commission, said the request passed 4-2 at their meeting. Commissioner Jess Santamaria had negotiated with the developer, who had lowered the square footage

See SLUGGETT, page 18

agreed. “As far as getting together with the town council,” he said, “we can get together on July 31 and we can find out what they want and what they expect out of us. We can clarify what we have clarified in the past and what our responsibilities are concerning the roads and the canals of Loxahatchee Groves.”

Supervisor John Ryan said he favored getting an opinion from the state attorney general on the district’s rights by law before the two sides sit down together.

“The district is not just a drainage district,” he said. “We started out as one in 1917, and we acquired rights. These have been expanded upon in the 1999 special legislation and again in 2004. For the town council not to recognize the independence of the district, it’s extreme bad faith. The way to resolve it is to not have our attorney at a meeting and their attorney at a meeting and have us there and make our points. We need to make some ground rules through either an attorney general opinion or the Florida statutes. There is a process similar to a workshop but involving qualified mediators that would be more productive.”

Ryan said that establishing from a legal standpoint what the district’s rights are would create a “foundation” upon which a discussion with the town could be based.

“I don’t think having a workshop without a foundation at this point in time would be very productive,” he said. “We have tried on several occasions to have productive discussions reviewing our background documents with the town. We are talking at each other. There is not a common understanding that will be useful to everyone.”

Supervisor Robert Snowball expressed his disappointment that a joint town-district meeting planned for that night had been called off.

“I was hoping we could get everyone into a room,” he said. “The bottom line is this money belongs to all of us. We are in this boat together. Why the fight? We have a certain amount of people on that board who don’t want the roads paved. My cards are out on the table. I said before they incorporated, there was an agenda. They are proving it every day.”

Track And Field — (Front row, L-R): Ian Hunter, Kerrith White, Daniel Hinds and Kenneth McDonald; (back row): Coach Sharon Patelsky, Madeline Harding, Erin Chase, Jamie Chase, Sabrina Belizaire and Zahra Kelleher.

Frontier Sends Ten To State Championships

The 9-10 girls 4x100 relay team of Sabrina Belizaire, Zahra Kelleher, Erin Chase and Jamie Chase won second place. The 11-12 boys 4x100 relay team of

Kerrith White, Daniel Hinds, Kenneth McDonald and Ian Hunter also earned an impressive second place. Individual awards went to Ian Hunter (second place in the 11-12 boys softball throw), Madeline Harding (third place in the 11-12 girls 800 meters), Jamie Chase (fifth place in the 9-10 girls standing broad jump), Daniel Hinds (sixth place in the boys 11-12 400 meters) and Kimberly Smith (sixth place in the 9-10 girls 400 meters).

PBAU Moves Childcare Degree Program Online

Strong Start For RPBHS Med Science Program

The first Medical Science Academy Honors Program in the western communities was initiated this school year at Royal Palm Beach High School.

Nurse Karen Kissel serves as the instructor and coordinator of the RPBHS Medical Science Academy Honors Program. She is the former coordinator of the Palm Beach Gardens High School Pre-Medicine Magnet and is excited to be offering the enhanced curriculum to her own community.

As an American Red Cross instructor, Mrs. Kissel certified 50 of her students in adult CPR, standard first aid and automated external defibrillator.

The advanced curriculum is open to all incoming ninth-grade students who currently have a

3.0 GPA and have taken honors algebra 1. Students accepted into the freshman level honors medical skills and services course learn entry-level skills pertinent to all healthcare providers.

The RPBHS Medical Sciences Academy Honors Program offers its students unique courses and opportunities in preparation for top post-secondary schools and careers in medical sciences.

Students enrolled in the Medical Sciences Academy Honors Program will follow an extensive four-year college preparatory program designed to provide the university-bound student with the academics and skills needed for a pre-med, prevet, pre-pharmacy or pre-dental major.

Poinciana Musicians End The Year On A High Note

At Poinciana Day School, a musical extravaganza closed out the performing arts program for the year. The program showcased three musical components: the string orchestra, chorus and world percussion ensemble. Students participated in their musical choice throughout the year and shared their talents with classmates, friends and family members. The string orchestra also performed at the Poinciana Day School graduation and promotion ceremony at Palm Beach Community College’s Eissey Theatre, and the chorus was featured one evening at the Cottage restaurant in downtown Lake Worth.

then displayed their musical talent and skills with more difficult selections and harmonies. The orchestra includes sixth graders Alec Aubain (West Palm Beach) and Shelley Martin (Atlantis and Royal Palm Beach); seventh graders Rachel Jarvela (Boynton Beach), Xavier ParrisTurner (West Palm Beach) and Tiana Simmons (West Palm Beach); and eighth graders Grace MacLaughlin (West Palm Beach) and Michelle Martin (Atlantis and Royal Palm Beach).

To help childcare workers keep up with increasing educational requirements, Palm Beach Atlantic University has taken its popular early childhood education and care degree program online. The university’s program is currently the only one available in the state that combines the early childhood courses with general college courses in an accelerated bachelor’s degree program. The early childhood education and care minor offered by Palm Beach Atlantic helps people working in the childcare field complete a bachelor’s degree in organizational management while receiving the online courses necessary to become an effective preschool teacher or move into a leadership position in early childcare and management. The degree program is delivered in two options: completely online or a combination of classroom major courses with online ECEC minor courses. The degree program is offered jointly by the university’s School of Education and MacArthur School of Leadership. Previous college coursework, including associate’s degrees, may be applied as transfer credit toward the bachelor’s of science in organizational management.

Childcare workers who hold a CDA may be awarded 15 hours of credit toward the degree. A seventh, optional course provides eligibility to secure the advanced director’s credential. For more information, call (888) GO-TO-PBA or visit www.pba.edu/leadership.

The string orchestra opened the program under the direction of Susan Rasmussen, director of the Palm Beach Suzuki School of Music. The third- and fourthgrade violinists, new to the program this year, began the concert. Their hard work showed in their discipline and musical accuracy. The students glowed as they walked off the stage after the audience’s exuberant applause. The beginning violinists included third graders Patrick Brannen (West Palm Beach), Daquion Johnson (Wellington), Nelson Olaguibel (Wellington) and Amanda Rossi (Greenacres), as well as fourth graders Julianna Cooper (West Palm Beach) and Tova Jeske (Wellington). The middle school students

The chorus then took the stage under the direction of local jazz performer Jorie Osuna. The chorus consists of second graders Fiona A’Hearn (West Palm Beach), Sofia Carianna (West Palm Beach), Samarah Comrie (West Palm Beach), Rowan McManus (Lake Clarke Shores) and Lili Vavich (West Palm Beach); third grader Eric Mammano (West Palm Beach); fourth grader Maeve A’Hearn (West Palm Beach); sixth graders Carli Bryan (West Palm Beach) and Melissa Pitcher (Wellington); and seventh graders Melissa Agnolucci (West Palm Beach and Wellington), Alicia Hebron (Royal Palm Beach and Wellington) and Sarah Templin (West Palm Beach). The group performed several jazz and contemporary selections.

The world percussion ensemble completed the musical ex-

travaganza under the direction of Rainbow Rhythms co-director Jennifer Griffiths. The world percussion ensemble is unique in that it incorporates numerous percussion instruments from around the world. Students learn not only how to play the instruments, but also about the cultures that use these instruments. The students play different instruments for each of the pieces. The students performed various rhythms and also pieces expressing emotions and moods that they created. The group demonstrated how they create pieces starting with improvisation. Members of the World Percussion Ensemble include sixth

graders Josh Thaw (Palm Beach Gardens) and Alden Thompson (Singer Island and Juno Beach); seventh graders Erin Jarvela (Boynton Beach) and Gabriel Klein (West Palm Beach); and eighth graders Zachary Scott (West Palm Beach), Nat Harr (North Palm Beach and Royal Palm Beach), Shelbie Heisler (West Palm Beach) and Trevor Lang (Jupiter).

“We feel that the arts are a vital component in our students’ education,” Head of School Nixie Swift said. For more information about Poinciana Day School, call (561) 655-7323 or visit www. poincianadayschool.org.

Life Savers — Royal Palm Beach High School students in the Medical Science Academy Honors Program hold their American Red Cross certification cards.

Ten students from Frontier Elementary School in The Acreage competed at the Hershey Track and Field State Championship held at Dade Christian School on June 21. To qualify for this meet, each runner placed either first or second at the county and district level meets held in April and early June.

Frontier

String Orchestra — (L-R) Michelle and Shelley Martin (Atlantis and Royal Palm Beach), Tiana Simmons (West Palm Beach), Grace MacLaughlin (West Palm Beach) and Rachel Jarvela (Boynton Beach) perform at the Eissey Theatre.

Young Cancer Patients Get New Bikes And An Evening Of Fun

The Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida and ImClone Systems Inc., a national oncology pharmaceutical company, held a Family Fun Event on Friday, June 27 at Okeeheelee Park for local kids with cancer.

ImClone Systems recently did team building that built up the spirits of pediatric oncology patients in Palm Beach County. The ImClone team assembled more than 20 bicycles and donated them to local children battling cancer. Together with the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida, members of the ImClone team distributed the bikes to the children who enjoyed an evening with other patients and their families outside the confines of a hospital or doctor’s office.

The children, ages three to 16, enjoyed riding their new bikes and playing at the park far from the battle they face each day taking medication, going for doctor’s appointments and receiving treatment at the hospital.

The goal of the Kids Cancer Foundation is to meet all the medical and supportive care needs of children with cancer or a serious blood disorder including the unique physical, educational, emotional, financial and spiritual needs of the child and his or her family.

The Kids Cancer Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to building a regional outpatient center and providing comprehensive supportive care to children and adolescents with cancer or a serious blood disorder regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

The outpatient center will care for patients from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. At this time, there is no comprehensive outpatient center to provide medical and supportive care services to children with cancer or blood disorders in this area. It will be the only one

of its kind in Palm Beach County, where the third-largest percentage of all children diagnosed with cancer in the state reside. Only Miami-Dade and Broward counties have a larger percentage. Unlike Palm Beach County, however, Miami-Dade and Broward each have several outpatient facilities to care for their children.

The services offered by the outpatient center will be similar to those found at larger teaching hospitals in Orlando and Miami, but patients will not need to travel great distances to receive them. Instead, children

Staska And Gremaux Wed

Matthew Staska of Loxahatchee and Nicole Gremaux of Boca Raton were married on May 25. The wedding took place at the Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club.

The bride’s two sisters, Kendra and Danielle, were maids of honor; the groom’s two brothers, Dustin and Brett, shared the role of best men.

Matt and Nicole each had five other attendants.

Approximately 160 friends and relatives attended the late afternoon ceremony and reception. Staska is a 2001 graduate of Wellington High School. He received a master’s degree in ocean engineering from Florida Atlantic University in 2007.

Gremaux graduated from Spanish River High School in 2002 and received a degree in

with cancer and blood disorders will be able to receive state-ofthe-art medical and supportive care in their own neighborhood. By working with other local organizations, the foundation works to coordinate the supportive care services it provides with services already established in the community. This results in a higher quality of care for all patients and families and makes access to services easier and more efficient.

For more information about the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida, visit www.kids cansf.org.

elementary education from FAU.

Parents of the bride are

Karen and Daniel Gremaux of Boca Raton. Parents of the groom are Diane and David Staska of Loxahatchee. Grandparents of the bride are John and Margie LaRocca. Grandparents of the groom are Elsie Staska and Jim and Dora Lovern. The couple honeymooned at a resort outside of Cancun, Mexico. They now reside in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Diana Schiro

Graduates

Diana (Troisi) Schiro has graduated with honors from Duke University in North Carolina with a degree in psychology and English. Diana is a member of Tsi Chi National Honor Society in psychology. A 2004 graduate of the Kings’s Academy, Diana is the daughter of

and Teresa

Army National Guard Pvt. Brandon Reyes Vasquez recentDiana

Reyes Vasquez Completes

Army

Training

ly graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga.

The training consists of basic infantry training and advanced individual training. During the nine weeks of basic combat training, Reyes Vasquez received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

Reyes Vasquez is the son of Laura Reyes and nephew of Edwin Reyes, both of Loxahatchee. He is a 2007 graduate of Seminole Ridge High School.

Kids Cancer Foundation President Michelle O’Boyle and Treasurer Sandy Erb.

Kids Cancer Foundation Board Member Ron Pomerantz and President Michelle O’Boyle give Peter Caufield a bike.

Alexander Villacis is ready to ride.

Xiomara Rodriguez is thrilled with her first bike.

Nicole Gremaux and Matthew Staska

Fred

Troisi of Wellington.

(Troisi) Schiro

Award Winner — Jupiter artist Russell Gulick creates a custom painting for ArtiGras 2008

Wellington Firm Awarded Silver Telly For ArtiGras Spot

Wellington-based Silver Beach Productions Inc. and Evansewell advertising have been honored for their co-production ArtiGras 2008 at the 29th Annual Telly Awards. They were awarded a Silver Telly, the competition’s highest honor. The commercial was conceived by Robert Evans and Sherra Sewell of Evansewell advertising; Aaron Wells of Silver Beach directed.

The commercial was produced for the 2008 ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival in Jupiter and features Jupiter artist Russell Gulick creating a custom painting for ArtiGras. The entire spot was shot in HD utilizing timelapse photography.

The Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and also work created for the web. Since 1978, their mission has been to strengthen the visual arts

community by inspiring, promoting and supporting creativity. With 13,500 entries from around the world, this year’s competition has been one of the most competitive and successful in the long history of the Telly Awards. Fewer than ten percent of entries are chosen as winners of a Silver Telly. For a complete list of 29th Annual competition winners, visit www.tellyawards.com. Wells, Evans and Sewell have collaborated on several productions that have been honored, including multiple Telly and Addy awards. The ArtiGras 2008 TV commercial can be viewed online at YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v= _6EuMncRA6k). Additional information about Silver Beach Productions can be found at www.silverbeach productions.com. For more information about Evansewell advertising, visit www.evansewell. com.

RPB Man Saves A Life

On the morning of Saturday, June 21, Terri Kriebel of West Palm Beach, her grown son Josh Silvestri, and Mark and Robin Wright of Royal Palm Beach went to the public beach at Singer Island. Mark and Josh went snorkeling on the reef. Terri asked Mark to watch out for the epileptic Josh. While snorkling, Mark saw that Josh was having an epileptic seizure. He grabbed Josh and was going to take him back to shore, but it was too far. Instead, he carried him to nearby rocks in order to get him out of the water. However, the water was deep around the rocks, and Mark had no land to stand on. Still, he cradled Josh above the rocks so he would not get scratched, gave him CPR and called to the shore for help. While doing so, Mark was getting scratched and cut by the rocks and by the barnacles. Terri heard Mark’s call for help and started swimming out to the rocks. Robin ran up and down the shore calling for help. Multiple calls were made to 911 by beachgoers. Two college students swam out and started helping Mark with Josh, who was unconscious and still thrashing.

Two other men also joined them, one taking Josh’s pulse. Another man arrived with his surfboard, and they placed Josh on the surfboard. The Marine Patrol arrived and took Josh and Terri to shore where they were met by paramedics, who took Josh to St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Mark Wright

Meanwhile, Mark Wright — who had held Josh above the rocks while in deep water getting scratched and cut — swam back to shore. He was bleeding profusely and washed his wounds at the beach restroom. He then took Terri and Robin to St. Mary’s to join Josh. The doctors and nurses at the emergency room wanted to treat Mark, but he declined and went home where he soaked his wounds and applied antibiotic cream. On Monday, June 23, he went to the doctor and got a tetanus shot. Josh was tested, medicated and released on Saturday afternoon to his mother. “Without Mark’s vigilance, Josh may have drowned while snorkeling,” Terri said. “Mark’s swift movement of Josh to the nearby rocks, without any thought of his own safety, and his knowledge and application of CPR, without any thought of his own discomfort, surely saved Josh.”

Briscoe Completes Navy Basic Training

Navy Reserve Seaman Recruit Ryan P. Briscoe, son of Fay and Pitsley Briscoe of Royal Palm Beach, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Briscoe completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot

camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor. Briscoe is a 2007 graduate of Inlet Grove High School in Riviera Beach.

Karmelin Named To Hartford Dean’s List

University of Hartford recently announced its dean’s list for Spring 2008. Among those who made the list is Amanda Karmelin of Wellington. The University of Hartford is an

and saddlebronc categories.

Smith In National High School Rodeo

Christopher Smith, a sophomore at Seminole Ridge High School, has earned a position on the Florida high school rodeo team for the second year and will travel with fellow teammates to Farmington, N.M., July 20-26 to compete at the 60th Annual National High School Finals Rodeo in the bareback and saddlebronc competitions.

The National High School Finals is the world’s largest rodeo. Contestants compete for more than $200,000 in prizes and over $325,000 in college

scholarships, and the chance to be named the National High School Rodeo National Champion. To earn the title, contestants must finish in the top 22 after two go-rounds of competition before advancing to the final championship performance. Visit www.nhsra.com for complete results and possible schedule changes and times when the 2008 NHSFR will be telecast. It can also be watched via Horsecity.com. Call (505) 3344592 for more information.

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

Ludovico’s Underwater Images Now Online

The newest image by Tony Ludovico, Isla Mujeres, a photograph of sailfish in action is available online at www.tluv images.com.

The Wellington-based company has also added 55 new images to the stock photography line that can be printed as large as 60” x 90”.

The staff gives special thanks to Anthony and Kin Mendello for having Ludovico on the Lilly M, where he shot the amazing photo. The image is one of several new photos posted to

Ludovico’s web site.

To post feedback, e-mail Ludovico at tony@tonyludovico. com. Ludovico recently signed several agreements with two galleries: the Gallery of Rockport in Rockport, Texas and the Sea Port Gallery in Key West. Ludovico also plans to open his own gallery in West Palm Beach sometime within the next six months. The gallery will feature only Ludovico’s unique underwater images, his underwater video and some other new products.

Florida Gold Coast Grads

Several local students graduated recently from Florida Gold Coast University in Fort Myers.

Valerie Florence Whitaker of Loxahatchee received a bachelor’s of arts in liberal studiescommunications from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Heather Ann Van Olst of Loxahatchee received a bachelor’s of science in nursing from the College of Health Professions.

Cadie Rebecca Sly of Loxahatchee received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the College of Education. Brian Edward Ellis of Wellington received a bachelor’s of science in finance from the

College of Business. Florida Gulf Coast University is provides offers the highest quality educational opportunities to develop knowledge, insights, competencies and skills necessary for success in life and work. For more info., visit www. fgcu.edu.

Rodriguez On NIC Dean’s List

Dahlia Rodriguez of Wellington was named to the dean’s list for spring semester at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene. Students eligible for the NIC dean’s list must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits and obtain a grade point average of 3.75 or above.

Yorick Nathaniel

Sudhyra Haylie Irvin daughter of Karenina and Eduardo Irvin of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on June 15.

Angelina Virginia Solis daughter of Silvana and Rogelio Solis of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on June 16.

Lainsley Merle Stegall daughter of Sarah and Matthew Stegall of Royal Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on

Council Members

Beautiful Wellington Grants - Tiers I and II

In striving to keep Wellington beautiful and to enhance its high aesthetic standards, the Village is once again offering matching grant programs for the purpose of neighborhood enhancement projects. Over the past few years, the Village has been instrumental in promoting the reforestation and beautification of the Village. To further assist in this effort, the Village has modified its matching grant program through our existing Beautiful Wellington Grant Program to encourage neighborhood reforestation.

Under the Tier I and Tier II program there are two (2) grant amounts available, depending on the size of the proposed enhancement. The following are grant amounts available:

Tier I - $10,000 maximum matching amount

Tier II - $40,000 maximum matching amount

These matching grants are available for public thoroughfare improvement and reforestation projects.

Beautiful Wellington Grants - Tier III

The Beautiful Wellington Tier III matching grant of $75,000 is now also available by application. This grant is made available for the replacement of community fences with concrete walls.

Applicants must meet the following criteria for Tier I, II & III Grants:

•

All potential applicants must attend the mandatory pre-application

• informational meeting which will be held July 24, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at The Village Meeting Hall, 14000 Greenbriar Boulevard

• close of business on August 29, 2008

Applications are available and all applications must be received by the

All grants must be awarded prior to construction

For full details and eligibility requirements please visit our website at www.ci.wellington.fl.us or contact the Operations Department at 561-791-4003

Jeremy Terence Key — son of Krystal Smith and Derek Gerard Key of Wellington was born at Palms West Hospital on June 9.

Southard — son of Kassandra Folbrecht and Curtis Southard of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on June 13.

Eliot Sebastian Hernandez — son of Tara Lynne Brown and Eliezer Hernandez of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on June 19. Aiden Charles Wilkins son of Stephanie and Lance Wilkins of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on June 21. Lindsay Allison Candea daughter of Kelli and Michael Candea of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on June 23.

June 23.

Christopher Smith will compete in the bareback

Isla Mujeres

BonitoCoral Reef

CONGRESSMAN ROBERT WEXLER KICKS OFF BOOK TOUR AT DPC

The Democratic Professionals Council hosted Congressman Robert Wexler at a luncheon Monday, June 30 at the Marriott CityPlace in West Palm Beach. The event marked the start of Wexler’s tour in support of his book Fire-Breathing Liberal Books were supplied by Classic Bookshop in Palm Beach.

A true family-style ristorante Italiano… abbondanza! San Gennaro’s is conveniently located at the north end of Crystal Tree Plaza, across from Old Port Cove in North Palm Beach, and offers neighborhood-style Italian food you would only find when you visit grandma’s… it is that authentic!

Owner Vittorio Lanni has brought Little Italy to Palm Beach, and in the style of New York, each portion is large enough to share. Simply put, San Gennaro’s offers some of the best home-style Italian cuisine. The key is to come hungry, bring your appetite, enjoy the hearty portions and eat family style. Normally we review restaurants with four guests; however, we had a heads-up regarding the large portions, so on this occasion we were a table of six. We started our New York experience with baked clams ($17.95), 20 little necks baked oreganato style, and an order of Vittorio’s famous sausage and peppers ($18.95), hot

and sweet sausage with peppers, onions and mushrooms in a lovely marinara sauce, all served over grilled polenta… now that’s Italian! Another appetizer we tried was a fantastic tender fried calamari ($10.95) tossed with cherry peppers, garlic, tomatoes and basil… one of the best we’ve tasted!

The huge salad San Gennaro’s ($16.95) is the among the best salads you’ll find anywhere, chopped greens with black olives, roasted peppers, red onions, tomatoes, gorgonzola cheese tossed with an incredible homemade dressing. Other starters include fried clams, mussels, a fantastic cold antipasto and eggplant rollantini. Pasta, pasta, pasta: linguini marinara, calamari or clam sauce; spaghettini with shrimp, meatballs or broccoli di rabe (it doesn’t get any more Italian than this!); stuffed shells, lasagna and Joe’s favorite and the selection for the table: homemade gnocchi ($24.95), tasty potato gnocchi tossed with basil pesto, pignoli nuts and parmigiano cheese. This specialty was very different from the traditional red

‘Souvenir’ Opens July 5 At Palm Beach Dramaworks

sauce but was equally delicious. How did we know? Vittorio brought us a side of meat sauce; after all, when you dine at San Gennaro’s, you are family!

Entrée selections are endless with chicken, veal or seafood in every Italian style: Francese, Piccata, Marsala, Paillard, Parmigiano, Fra Diavolo, Sorrentino, Saltimbocco and Milanese, covering famous cooking styles from every region of Italy. We also selected jumbo shrimp Parmigiano ($36.95 for two), jumbo shrimp lightly breaded, tossed with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese… marvelous! Our guest Doctor Al, who is a weekly regular, selected the veal chop Milanese ($36.95) a family classic pounded thin on the bone, breaded and sautéed, served over tri-color arugula salad, and topped with a tomato and red onion.

Desserts are 100-percent Italian: cannoli, tartufo, tiramisu, ricotta cheesecake (just like mom’s!), gelato, and assorted berries zabaglione, priced $4.95 to $7.95, all so delicious so we opted for an assorted dessert plate ($15.95), a perfect ending

to a most relaxing evening. San Gennaro’s is open for dinner only. For reservations, call Victorio at (561) 6250611 and please tell him you heard about his fantastic restaurant from Joe and Kathryn, the Phantoms.

P.S.: Oops, we forgot to mention their pizza, so if you are looking for some of the best pizza anywhere, you have to try San Gennaro’s brickoven pizza, dine in or take out, and for one of the best meal deals, every night is lobster night: a two-pound Maine lobster, flown in fresh every day, steamed, baked or spicy Fra Diavolo for only $28.95, served with your choice of a Caesar or chopped salad, roasted potatoes, vegetable and dessert, dine in or take out, and for $5 more you can have it stuffed with shrimp and scallops. Why go anywhere else?

Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are featured writers for the Town-Crier newspaper and www.yournews.com. Comments and recommendations are welcome at the phantomdiners@aol.com.

Palm Beach Dramaworks will present Stephen Temperley’s hilarious play with music Souvenir when it launches its summer season on Saturday, July 5 at 8 p.m. at the intimate downtown Studio Theatre at 322 Banyan Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The production will run through Aug. 17.

Staged by J. Barry Lewis, the comedy surrounds the poignant and true story of the musical career of Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy New York society eccentric of the 1930s and ’40s.

Souvenir is an affectionate salute to the fascinating story of a unique artist who suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano, told in flashback from the point of view of her longtime accompanist. Unfortunately, the artist had no ear for pitch, and those in her circle of friends, mostly out of politeness, would compliment her voice to the point where she decided to hold small recitals for charity.

The cult status of Jenkins’ regrettable singing spread through New York, culminating in a smash hit record and a sold-out Carnegie Hall solo concert. Elizabeth Dimon and Tom Kenaston will star as the singing sensation and her suffering

times are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 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 at 322 Banyan Blvd. in downtown West Palm Beach. For ticket information, contact the box office at (561) 514-4042 or visit www.palm beachdramaworks.org.

Congressman Wexler with Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock.

Congressman Robert Wexler signs a copy of his book.

Wexler signs a book for Wellington resident Neal Taslitz.

Kristina Marquez of Pizzazz with Tina Lartitegui.

Stylist Georgina Garcia with customer Noreen Rice.Stylist Teresa Shannon highlights Kristina Quinto’s hair.

Tina Quinto of Loxahatchee with her daughters Maryjo and Kristina.

Stylist Ken McBriar works on Michele Schwartz.

Stylist Ken McBriar with Heather Schwartz.

News From Congregation

B’nai Avraham

Congregation B’nai Avraham in Wellington invites the community to attend Family Softball in the Groves. Join the co-ed softball team Avi’s Avengers on Sunday, July 20 at 10 a.m. for a family softball outing at Loxahatchee Groves Park at the intersection of Southern Blvd. and E Road. Parents can run the bases with their kids, and a few lucky participants will receive a free batting lesson. Bring a glove if you have one.

B’nai Avraham will host an open house to celebrate its first year on Sunday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include plenty of food and fun. Membership signup will be available, along with Hebrew school registration and High Holiday tickets. There will be bagels, coffee, birthday cake and entertainment for the kids.

The Sisterhood of Congregation B’nai Avraham is sponsoring a kosher honey sale in celebration of the upcoming High Holiday season. The sisterhood project allows you to ship a personalized package, including a festive eight-ounce jar of kosher clover honey, a gift card and the blessing for the New Year, anywhere in the United States. The package will arrive in time for Rosh Hashanah. Ordering is quick and easy online. The cost is $9 per jar (including shipping) with a portion of each purchase benefiting the sisterhood. To order, visit www.congregation bnaiavraham.com and click on the honey link on the “News & Events” page, and use group code “CBA.” Orders must be placed online by Aug. 12 to avoid extra shipping fees. Orders can be placed through Sept. 19. For more information, call Ella at (561) 656-1916

The synagogue is located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6, in the original Wellington Mall on the southeast corner of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill Blvd.

B’nai Avraham is a dynamic, diverse religious community committed to traditional Judaism as interpreted by the Conservative movement and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. For more information and directions, call the synagogue office at (561) 793-4347 or e-mail info @congregationbnaiavraham. com.

‘Music For The Mind’ At The Himmel Theater

On July 15, City Cellar will host a mixer for Overtures, Young Friends of Palm Beach Opera and guests from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. prior to the Music for the Mind season preview concert at 7 p.m. at the Harriet Himmel Theater. City Cellar will provide one complimentary cocktail and gourmet appetizers to Palm Beach Opera’s Overtures members and guests. This is the second time City Cellar and Overtures have partnered to put on a fun social event. Overtures is a group of professionals between the ages of 25 and 49 who share an interest and curiosity about opera. Members enjoy a wide range of benefits including invitations to exclusive networking events, specially priced opera tickets and much more. Since 2002, Music for the Mind concert series, presented by Kretzer Piano, has been generating funds to support music education programs in Palm Beach County. This will be Palm Beach Opera’s sixth year involved and more than ten organizations participate in the series each year. The entertaining season preview concert will feature Palm Beach Opera resident artist Susan Jean Hellman and guests Carelle Flores, Ceci Grasso

Sluggett Sem Pratt

Project

continued from page 11 of the project from 250,000 to 161,000. “It has the commissioner’s support,” Lipp said. “It is something that is pretty much going to happen.

Property owner Geoff Sluggett told the council the traditional marketplace concept with mixed residential and commercial use is a component of the county plan.

Sluggett said although Fox Trail homeowners have recently voiced opposition to the landuse change, he had a 2005 letter from the Fox Trail Homeowners’ Association indicating members would favor a tradi-

Dadisman, Brian Cheney and Ron Loyd singing operatic favorites by Verdi, Mozart, Puccini and other composers. Wellington’s Dr. Robert Sharon will accompany them on piano. Hosted by Director of Artistic Operations Daniel Biaggi, the concert will benefit Palm Beach Opera’s educational programs. Ticket prices are $10 for Overtures members and $20 for non-members including the mixer and concert. The mixer will start at 5:30 p.m. at City Cellar in CityPlace, followed by the concert at 7 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under 12. Call the Palm Beach Opera box office at (561) 833-7888.

Palm Beach Opera is dedicated to producing world-class opera and diverse educational programs which play an integral role in the artistic and overall enrichment of the communities it serves. It is a proud member of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. For more information, visit www.pbopera.org.

Winter In July

At P.B. Zoo

It’s snowing again at the Palm Beach Zoo! Bring your gloves and dive into 40 tons of snow at the “coolest” event around — “Winter in July.” From Saturday, July 12 to Sunday, July 13, come and witness the zoo’s transformation into a winter wonderland. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. This celebration was founded to educate local children about the importance of sun safety while providing them the opportunity to experience the wonders of winter without leaving South Florida. The animals even get into the act with “cool” animal enrichments; tigers get blocks of ice in their pools, monkeys get frozen fruitsicles and bears get a snowman with treats hidden inside. Events will include children’s entertainment such as interactive games, educational arts and crafts and the Banana Peel Circus, where kids learn to juggle with Glass Productions. The zoo’s “Snow Queen” will be on hand reading arctic-themed stories at the Florida Pioneer House. The Palm Beach Zoo is a non-profit zoological organization located at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach, housing over 1,500 animals within 23 acres of lush tropical habitat. Its mission is to provide an outdoor classroom of living creatures to foster awareness, appreciation and respect for the natural world. All activities are free for Palm Beach Zoo members or with regular paid admission. The zoo is located at 1301 Summit Blvd. Regular zoo admission is $12.95, $9.95 for seniors 60 and older, and $8.95 for children 3 to 12. Admission for those under three years and zoo members is free. For more information, visit www.palmbeach zoo.org.

CAFCI Business Expo Aug. 16

The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement Inc. (CAFCI) will host their annual business expo on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way, RPB). This year’s theme will be: “Small Business Survival Guide for Tough Economic Times.” The event will host a mix of small businesses, government and non-profit organizations all gearing up to participate, network and share. Companies and individuals can display their business in a designated area for a donation of $50. The public will be admitted free. For more information, contact J. Amanayea Abraham at (561) 791-1618 or amanayea @aol.com, or Tinu Peña at (888) 609-8791 or tpena@motreco.com.

tional marketplace development.

“Now they are going in a different direction,” he said.

Sluggett said the area was designated in the county’s Sector Plan as a commercial center. He said he is prevented from building more than 60,000 square feet per tenant, which eliminates a big-box store.

The project has traffic concurrency for 161,000 square feet, Sluggett said, adding that he will try to keep the original character of the community. Louda asked about the development’s impact on Okeechobee Blvd. and Sluggett said he hopes the development will actually improve traffic conditions there because it will attract people who would otherwise drive farther away to shop.

Bronson Urges Vaccinations For Horses

Florida Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is urging all horse owners to get their animals vaccinated as the number of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) cases is on the rise.

As of June 30, there are four times as many EEE cases compared to the same time period during the two previous years. There have been 45 confirmed cases covering 21 counties as far south as Palm Beach County. In the first six months of 2007, there were 11 cases, and the same number in 2006.

“We have had two relatively quiet years in a row, and I am concerned that horse owners may get complacent and delay having their animals properly vaccinated,” Bronson said. “But with the rainy season starting to

District 27 Aronberg Faces Five Challengers

continued from page 1 well was recruited by the Republican Party to run in retaliation to Democrat Walter “Skip” Campbell running against Republican State Sen. Jeff Atwater in District 25.

Although Caldwell has not yet reported campaign donations to the state, Aronberg said the Republican Party has spent over $100,000 on attack fliers and a negative television ad in Lee County.

“The Republican Party spent $100,000 attacking me. There’s nothing positive, just misleading, negative ads,” Aronberg said.

Democratic Party officials also believe that Robas was also put up as a candidate to dilute

Baseball Schofield: Plan Will Streamline Services

continued from page 1 with coaches from other communities reserving spots for non-resident talent.

Although some parents also have called for the combination of the travel and rec baseball programs, others oppose the change, saying it is designed to ensure the demise of the successful travel program.

The village’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board unanimously approved the reorganization of baseball into one organization in May 15, but three of the six members opposed the requirement that travel players participate in the recreation program. Some parents argue that

RPB Budget $32 Million For Capital Projects

continued from page 1 approval of Amendment 1, which increased homestead exemptions from $25,000 to $50,000. The impact of those changes resulted in a reduction of the village’s net taxable value from $2.8 billion to $2.5 billion, a decrease of 10.6 percent, which was offset by $60 million in new construction, according to the Farber’s budget report. Ad valorem tax revenue is anticipated to be $4.8 million for

Letters

continued from page 4 that a final selection among these sites will be made in August.

Two of the three proposed locations are west of Wellington, off State Road 80. I am adamantly opposed to these proposed dump locations (referred to as Smith and Hundley) because of the negative impact they will have on our community. Increased noise, dust, odor and gas emissions, scavenging birds, traffic volume, and trucks entering and exiting on our only cross-county roadway are just a few of the problems these sites will present to residents. Their proximity to water marshes used to clean water as part of Everglades restoration is another problem.

I realize that landfills are both a current fact of life and a necessity, and that no one would wittingly choose to have a dump located in their community. The outcry of the public would be deafening in response to the current proposals, if only the public knew. The silence of residents

resume, we are likely to see a lot more mosquitoes than we have during the two years of drought.”

EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90 percent of the cases. In addition, the first case of West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a horse in Madison County.

Bronson says the majority of cases of EEE and WNV can be prevented through proper vaccinations against mosquitoborne illnesses, and he is reminding horse owners that now is the time to take action. Horse owners are urged to check with

the vote, Aronberg said.

“She was an independent and switched,” he said. “She lives in Tampa and describes her political views as moderate. Her intention is not to win, but to take away Democratic votes. The head of the Green Party has never heard of her. I wish we could have a fair election instead of these shenanigans.”

Aronberg said his primary focus in his six years as senator has been consumer protection, public safety and Everglades restoration. His focus on consumer protection stemmed from his work as assistant attorney general in economic crimes, focusing strongly on fighting identity theft. Aronberg has sponsored a bill that imposes privacy requirements on companies that control personal information, and as chair of the Joint Committee on Everglades Oversight, Aronberg said he led the fight for Everglades restoration.

Other issues Aronberg is

the double requirement would overburden the already-busy schedules of their children.

According to village staff, unifying the travel and recreational baseball programs would be more efficient and provide greater community focus. Village Manager Paul Schofield told the Town-Crier that the proposal is based on common sense. “The argument on both sides is emotional, but for us it’s a simple matter of economic reality,” he said Thursday. “We have facilities that will be open less hours with fewer dollars to maintain them.”

Schofield also cautioned that even though the village is looking at restructuring baseball first, it is not singling out the sport, because economics will force the village to make adjustments in coming years to the way it operates all its recreational programs and facilities.

And while the competitive travel program has been very

fiscal year 2009, down from

$5.3 million collected in fiscal year 2008. Other larger revenues the village anticipates collecting in the 2009 fiscal year include $1.96 million in electric franchise fees, $1.91 million from electric tax and $1.48 million in telecommunications service taxes. Revenue from development applications is not expected to decrease substantially in the coming year, although the village is nearing build out. During the past two fiscal years the village annexed about 281 acres of vacant land that is expected to be the focal point of much new development in the village, according to the budget report.

should not be mistaken by the Solid Waste Authority as indifference or an endorsement of their plan.

I for one will do everything in my power to inform the public of the landfill plan and offer opportunities for individuals to express their opinions and concerns over this proposal. After all, it is their community and their tax dollars that will be most affected.

If a new landfill site must be selected, then the selection process should take place in the open and with the full knowledge and input of the residents of the western communities.

Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto

A Travel Baseball Takeover

There are very jealous people in the Village of Wellington, jealous of Wellington Travel Baseball’s success, and they have assumed powerful positions in village government with

their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against WNV and EEE, and that these shots are kept up to date. There are ongoing efforts to keep the mosquito populations down but, because there is no foolproof method to prevent the diseases, vaccinations are critical.

Bronson says EEE can also be contracted by people and is often deadly. Floridians and visitors, especially in rural areas that don’t have regular mosquito control programs, can take simple steps to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases by following a few simple steps:

• Limit time outside during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

working on include restaurant safety and reducing food-borne contaminants by increasing the number of heath inspectors. He serves on the Medicare Task Force that he said has saved millions of dollars by reducing fraudulent claims. Aronberg plans to continue to work on the issues of homeowners’ insurance and tax reform.

“I think we’re going to face a crisis when it comes to rising insurance rates and a state tax structure that can’t support the state’s basic needs,” he said. “We will need bold moves by government to adopt a catastrophic insurance plan, otherwise it will never make a sharp decline.”

Education remains a big issue, Aronberg said. “We are still at the bottom percentile on funding for our greatest resource, our children. We actually cut education funding this year,” he said. Another issue Aronberg has

successful, the village’s mandate is to provide recreational youth sports first, Schofield said, and that the economic climate dictates that some reductions be made.

“Our core mission is recreation,” he said. “It is what we’re there first and foremost to provide. We are recommending a budget that has nine million fewer dollars, and we have had to add $4 million in roads and water infrastructure to maintain... cuts are going to be made someplace.”

If the council approves the measure, village staff will have a month to recommend a new

• Wear light-colored, longsleeved shirts and long pants to cover skin and reduce the chance of being bitten when outside between dusk and dawn.

• Eliminate standing water in yards, such as in birdbaths, kiddy pools, old tires and other receptacles, as stagnant water is an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes.

• Use insect repellent that contains DEET, which is an effective repellent.

• Keep window screens in good repair.

• Clean out rain gutters and keep them unclogged to avoid pockets of standing water. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services web site at www.doacs.state. fl.us.

been working on is broadening legislation to restrict sex offenders from coming within 300 feet of parks, schools or libraries.

“The current focus is only on where they get their mail, but it doesn’t apply to where they hang out during the day,” he said.

board to the council to begin coordination of the fall baseball season, for which registration would begin in August. The council may decide to mandate a sanctioning body rather than leave the decision to the new board, in which case staff is recommending Little League over the Babe Ruth and Pony baseball organizations. While both Babe Ruth and Pony are more closely aligned with Major League Baseball, the staff report suggests Little League would have more community appeal, offering playing opportunities for all ages and skill levels.

‘Our core mission is recreation. It is what we’re there first and foremost to provide. We are recommending a budget that has nine million fewer dollars... cuts are going to be made someplace.’

— Village Manager Paul Schofield

Non-residential development is continuing along Southern Blvd., but not at the rate of recent years. Construction is expected to begin within the next year on 11.56 acres annexed in 2006. Infill will continue along Southern Blvd. and State Road 7 until the remaining areas open to development have been exhausted or traffic concurrency becomes unavailable, according to the report.

The recently annexed Minto property north of Okeechobee Blvd. near State Road 7 is planned for 443 single-family homes, of which 60 are anticipated to receive permits by the end of fiscal year 2009. The Cypress Key mixed-use develop-

the goal of shutting down Wellington Travel Baseball and forming a new travel baseball organization. These people have intimidated and lied to village staff and broken sunshine laws in the process. Wellington Travel Baseball has done nothing wrong; it has followed its bylaws without question. People behind the scenes have already formed the new board and picked coaches for an organization that does not exist yet. It does not make sense to shut down a travel baseball organization that has not violated any rules just to create another travel baseball organization.

Keith Canavan

Wellington

Editor’s note: Mr. Canavan coaches a 12-U travel baseball team

‘Blindsided’

By Board

Editor’s note: The following letter refers to proposed sports provider changes in Wellington. I agree with the 51-percent residency rule. My husband

ment on Southern Blvd. is planned for 23 single-family units and 123 multifamily units. Opportunities remain available for future annexations of developed and vacant land west of SR 7 and south of Southern Blvd., according to the report, which also projects that due to current market conditions, renovations to older single-family and multifamily homes will increase. The general capital improvement fund has $32,683,527 budgeted largely for improvements to the northern half of Royal Palm Beach Blvd., infrastructure at Royal Palm Beach Commons, stormwater and drainage enhancements, and wastewater treatment plant demolition.

Jorge Ramos coaches the ten and under Wellington travel baseball team. Our team has about 90 percent Wellington residency. Our team has always been composed of Wellington residents. We also can’t discriminate against children who live in our neighboring towns of Belle Glade, Loxahatchee, Royal Palm Beach, etc. Since the issue was brought up last year, the travel baseball organization has complied with the 51 percent residency as a whole. Now the [village’s] advisory board blindsided our organization in the past month, and the issue isn’t the residency rule but now merging the Wellington recreation and travel boards into one. Why? Every other recreational program in Wellington is run by the Village of Wellington. Why can’t the Village of Wellington run the recreational program? All programs should be treated fairly and equally.

Mari Ramos Wellington

State Sen. Dave Aronberg

FIELD DAY HELPS PALMS WEST RADIO CLUB

The Palms West Amateur Radio Club held Field Day operations last Saturday and Sunday at the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Station in Loxahatchee Groves. Local amateur radio operators worked around the clock both days to set up field radio communications stations, get on the air and contact thousands of other operators in 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 traditional communication outlets. For information about the club, call Rob Pease at (561) 358-9999.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

GET READY FOR AN EMERGENCY

SEN. DAVE ARONBERG KICKS OFF RE-ELECTION DRIVE AT THE PLAYERS CLUB

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-District 27) kicked off his re-election campaign with a fundraiser on Thursday, June 26 at the Players Club restaurant in Wellington. Many local officials were on hand to offer support for Aronberg.

State Sen. Dave Aronberg with Dean and Priscila Turney, and Ashley and Joe Maguire.

Palms West Amateur Radio Club President Rob Pease inside one of the campers.

An outside view of the Field Day setup.

Carol Bailey and Al Medina use one of the radios.

Wellington Councilman Bob Margolis and his wife Linda with Al Malefatto.

Aronberg addresses his supporters.

Al Medina climbs one of the towers to check the connections. Rich Handwerg, Carol Bailey and Ken Johnson.

Link McGarrity goes on the air.

Local Thespians Star In Lake Worth Playhouse’s ‘Seussical

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

In Seussical Junior, several kids from the western communities joined their Wellington director Marla Gideos and more than 20 other children ages seven through 18 for summer theater camp at the Lake Worth Playhouse. In March, 62 children auditioned for 30 parts. The cast practiced every Saturday afternoon through April and May then moved to four-hour rehearsals five days a week in June. Matinees ran June 26-28.

Lainie Shearouse, 12, attends the Bak Middle School of the Arts. In Seussical, she played the Whoville mayor’s wife, who has a son named JoJo. “My character is like any parent who wants to be perfect, but when she’s singing, she shows how much she really cares about her son, who is not like other kids,” she said. “JoJo has an active imagination.”

Shearouse is no newcomer to theater. She played an orphan in the Lake Worth Playhouse Christmas show, a queen monkey in The Jungle Book and performed in the ensemble of Godspell Jr. In July, she plays the lead in Royal Playhouse’s Artie In that play, Artie is a boy with Down syndrome and her best friend, but now that she’s be-

coming a teenager, Shearouse’s character finds the need to fit in and is under pressure to abandon her friendship with Artie. Shearouse has big theater dreams. “I really love theater as an art form because you get to dress up and pretend to be someone else,” she said. “I’d like to take my acting to Broadway and Hollywood. I want to go all the way.”

For now, however, Shearouse said she hopes to continue her career at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts.

Akilah Etienne, 12, is gearing up for eighth grade at Berean Christian School where she played Diana Barry, the lead character’s best friend in the spring production of Anne of Green Gables . In Seussical , she’s the Sour Kangaroo. “She’s the ruler of the Jungle of Nool,” Etienne said. “She sets all the rules, and she’s kind of a bad guy if you get on her nerves. If you do anything wrong, you have her to deal with.”

Acting is something Etienne takes seriously. “I want to become that person, that character as best as I can, so that when I get off the stage people see a completely different person,” she said.

Etienne said the 1920s-built Lake Worth Playhouse is cool. “I like the different passages and

secret ways to get places,” she said.

Jenny Bermudez, 13, attends Holy Name of Jesus private school where she’s active in sports. Theater is something she does for fun and hopes to continue when she attends public high school. She played a Wickersham brother in Seussical “The Wickershams are mean monkeys, like a gang,” she explained.

Bermudez is also building quite a theatrical resume, having been a chorus member in the Playhouse’s Christmas show, an ensemble member in Godspell Jr. and as Rikki-Tikki-Tavi the mongoose in The Jungle Book

“I like singing and dancing with my friends,” Bermudez said. “We like to socialize a lot and study our scripts together, but basically we just talk. At camp I learned a lot about how to work hard and always do your best — be your own person.”

One of the youngest thespians, seven-year-old Claire Oberlin is a third grader at H.L. Johnson Elementary School. She knows exactly what she wants to be when she grows up. “I want to be somebody famous who does a lot of plays,” she said confidently.

For now, Oberlin is a Who child floating on a speck of dust.

“There’s a lot of things I like

about Seussical,” she said. “I get to be a little person, be all quirky and crazy in the play. I get to be with a lot of people who are my friends.”

During the final week of sixhour dress rehearsals, Oberlin said that at the end of the day, “I’m tired. It is hard work. The dances usually make me tired because there are a lot of moves.”

“It is exhausting,” agreed Summer Marchsteiner, 12, a seventh grader at Emerald Cove Middle School. “It’s exhausting because you dance and sing and you have to go over stuff over and over again.”

Marchsteiner plays several parts, including a Who mom, the ocean in JoJo’s imagination, Vlad Vladikoff the vulture, a hunter, a fish and a sleepy circus bear.

“This is way better than anything I’ve ever done,” she said. “We have great teachers and a great director.”

Gideos, the director, started summer camps at Lake Worth Playhouse in 2003. “The best part for me is watching 30 kids who didn’t know each other gain friendships,” she said.

“Some have never been on stage and are like ‘Wow! Look at what I can do!’ Putting a show together is exhausting, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

Jenny Bermudez as a Wickersham brother.

Ashley Gideos as Gertrude McFuzz.

Who mom Summer Marchsteiner with Who children Emma and Graham Harris.

Keon Walters with Who sister Claire Oberlin and Who mom Marina Aguirre.

Lainie Shearouse as Mrs. Mayor, Ross Kaplan as JoJo and Riley Bankert as Mr. Mayor.

Bird girls Taylor Kaplan, Danica Taylor and Haley Lower.

FEATURES

Decorating Mags Derail My Sense Of Function Over Fashion

In honor of the Fourth of July, I’m asserting my independence! Well, sort of.

I read all the home design magazines and I try to keep up, I really do. I have tried to get rid of all my nice mahogany furniture and replace it with chipped, painted furniture that has been sitting out in a barn somewhere. I have tried pulling the wallpaper off my walls and to leave the glue and shreds there for “texture.” I have even gone “eclectic” by making sure nothing matches anymore. (“Matchy-matchy” is the disparaging term now in vogue.) But when it comes to my home office, I was having a hard time.

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

I love solid oak office furniture, just like everyone else. If it has been sitting in a library in London for most of its existence, I want it. If it has a hundred drawers and little brass plates that say “Correspondence” and “Post” instead of “Letters” and “Mail,” I’m ecstatic. If it comes with a green glass lampshade, I’m drooling. But here’s the thing. I actually work in my office. I churn out a lot of words in there. I also do all the bookkeeping for my shop, put together a couple of special events and publish the family newsletter. Right now, I’m even working on a novel — a huge task even though the how-to book I bought said I’d be done in 30 days (30 leap year days, maybe).

The point is that when I’m being productive, I want to reach for a paperclip and have it in my hand right away without having to stop and look for the drawer marked “Ye Olde Clippes.” If I need a rubber band, I don’t want to have to burrow to the bottom of a trendy little basket or disentangle it from a batch of pens. My office has to be functional, not fashionable. And, for functional, there’s nothing like modern — plastic cubes for pens, brushed aluminum trays for letters and a nice laminate desktop upon which I can sketch things out on in pencil and then rub out with an eraser later. Ahhhh

So, when decorating, there was only one thing I was having trouble with — the four-drawer metal file cabinet. I’ve had my hideous gray file cabinet for 15 years, and it’s not scratched or dented or ruined in any way. For filing, there’s nothing like it. For aesthetics, ugh.

So one day when I was all hopped up on decorator magazines, I decided to decoupage it. First I measured the broad, ugly, flat side of the cabinet adjacent to my desk, and then I sketched that shape onto my laminate desktop in pencil (to be erased later, of course). Then I spent four blissful hours cutting pictures from magazines — but only pictures generally the same shade as the walls of the room (so the file cabinet would blend into the walls, see — like camouflage). Then I arranged all the pictures on the laminate until I considered them to be in a somewhat artistic format. Then I glued them all onto the metal cabinet in the same configuration using my bottle of Modge Podge left over from the ’70s. (I can’t throw things away! I always need them later!) And — voila! — a really cool filing cabinet. Of course, it’s taken me 12 hours so far and only one side is done, but it looks really good.

I’d Rather Watch Reruns Of 1970s Sitcoms On Saturday Nights

I recently bought my wife the DVDs of the early years of the Mary Tyler Moore show. Like most adults of at least a certain age, we have a fondness for the show about the woman who “can turn the world on with her smile.”

So we sat back and began to enjoy them. After a while, my daughter and her boyfriend joined us. Neither of them had ever seen the show before. It ended before they had been born. They vaguely knew the actors, all of whom starred on later shows, but even the later shows probably predated their own existence.

‘I’

On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

But, after watching for a short time, the two of them sat back and enjoyed the shows as much as the older folks. The series was funny. There were no smarmy lines. Mary never really had much of a boyfriend on the show, but it just didn’t matter. The stories were funny. They were varied. The cast, led by Moore, was exceptional. Lou Grant (Ed Asner) was always blustery but had his mushy core. Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) became the ultimate news reader/airhead. Gavin MacLeod as the inimitable Murray was so good that his contributions tended to be overlooked, at least until he starred in his own series, The Love Boat. Valerie Harper as Rhoda provided a lot of laughs. Later on the show added Cloris Leachman and Betty White to the cast. Every one of them was topnotch. We seem to have lost the knack for situation comedies like that. Many of the current ones simply go over the same material over and over. Two and a Half Men is always about one brother who’s uptight and another who is overly successful. And

that is the most successful of today’s comedies. Each episode is mostly a variation on the last. Moore’s show could have an episode like the one above and the next week have something about Rhoda’s frustrations with her mother, and the week after deal with death (in the famous “Chuckles” episode).

A few weeks ago, a cable station spent a week showing a few episodes of a group of old sitcoms. I got to watch Barney Miller; WKRP in Cincinnati; Welcome Back, Kotter; Taxi; and The Bob Newhart Show again. They showed the opening episodes for each, a couple of best episodes, and then the last show. It is a shame we lost those kinds of shows. I would gladly ignore most of what television is showing now, particularly since we are going through the summer doldrums with the networks providing shows that are now reaching new lows.

Perhaps some television genius will come up with another one of those networks doing old shows. Nick at Nite, of course, only runs at night,

and TV Land has a fascination with westerns and a lot of other shows that I have lost interest in until the other oldies network goes on the air. And, unfortunately, both like to overload us with the same series until we get tired of them. Why not a network where we could have real appointment television? Let’s have All in the Family at 8 p.m., Mary Tyler Moore at 9 p.m. and so forth. It worked very well in the 1970s. Those shows were so good that people stayed home Saturday nights. Now they show reruns of the previous week’s episodes on Saturdays. We need a “people’s movement” to bring back the old comedies. All the networks have old series that people once loved. Why not run Saturdays as “old comedies” night? Anything is better than what they have now on Saturdays. And the old sitcoms are probably better than almost everything being shown at any time. Our kids need to learn how to laugh at something more than old sex jokes told for the fiftieth time.

How Long Until My Wife Decides I’m Going Out With The Old?

In years past I wrote about my wife Sharon buying a new bedroom set and a new dining room set, when in my humble opinion we didn’t need either, just because what we had was old. Not because they were damaged or looked ugly, they were just old Now my wife is doing it again. She has decided all by herself that we need a new master bathroom. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with the master bathroom we presently have. The shower works fine, the toilet flushes and doesn’t leak (what more could you ask of a toilet?), the sinks look and work well, the tile is OK... and in my opinion, the cabinets are beautiful.

Of course my wife disagrees with just about all of that. The only thing she agrees on is that nothing in our beautiful bathroom is broken. She goes on to say that everything is old and needs to be replaced. I’ve noted that everything in the bathroom is younger than our youngest son, but she

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

doesn’t want to hear this or any of my other very logical reasons why we don’t need a new bathroom. Every time my wife replaces something in my house because it is old, I start getting very concerned about my marriage. I keep wondering, sometimes aloud, how long she will keep me before she decides to toss me out with the garbage because I too am “too old.”

Anyway, the quest for the new bathroom start-

ed in earnest about two months ago. I decided not to tag along during the hunt for a new bathroom. I would have only gotten aggravated and experienced a blood-pressure increase (it is high enough already). And I am positive my wife would not have listened to any advice I certainly would have offered.

After months of shopping, my wife finally made her choice. She broke the news to me very slowly. I guess she didn’t want me to have “the big one.” When she told me what her bathroom was going to cost, I must admit I almost did have “the big one.” It’s going to cost me more than my first house — a lot more. I couldn’t believe the numbers my wife was throwing at me. I was a good baseball player in my day, especially on defense (baseball scouts liked my playing ability, but kept telling me I was too small to play in the bigs). But for some reason I kept missing and dropping the numbers my wife was toss-

ing. I also think that was when my hearing problems started. My wife had my entire family over at my house when she was giving me this news flash. To my great disappointment, all the adults agreed with my wife. No one agreed with me. Of course it wasn’t their money paying for this bathroom. My wife stacked the deck against me. One son put in a new bathroom last year, by the same company that is putting in my new bathroom. Another son lives in a brand new house. Consequently, all his bathrooms are brand new. I now have a steady flow of folks coming and going at my house. I never realized it took so many people to put in a new bathroom. Even the moths are happy. When I opened my wallet, they were free, free at last. And for my kids, I have a news flash: the money I am spending on the bathroom would have been part of their inheritance. I wonder how they would have voted if they knew that bit of information.

• ABSOLUTE DANCE OF WELLINGTON —When prices everywhere are rising daily, isn’t it refreshing to know that a business is committed to keeping their prices down? Absolute Dance is freezing their monthly tuition for yet another year so young children can keep dancing. It is our goal to ensure that every child has a positive experience, whether it is a two-year-old taking their first Mommy & Me class or an 18-year-old dancer wishing to perform with the Miami City Ballet. Experienced teachers, observation cameras in both studios, yearly themed recital (this year is Peter Pan), and all at a price you can afford! For more info., call (561) 7981388 or visit www.absolutedanceofwellington.com.

• BOOMER’S MUSIC — The recording studio at Boomer’s Music is nearly complete. Summer workshops are available for beginners to intermediate students. Co-owner Jeanie O’Neill has taken over as drum instructor and revised the lesson program. Boomer’s instructors give their all to students and are able to bring out the best in them. For more information, call (561) 656-1259.

• GLADES DAY SCHOOL — Founded in 1965, Glades Day School offers a balance of academic, athletic and extracurricular programs. Serving students from kindergarten through grade 12, Glades Day provides the opportunity for students to develop to their fullest potential. Accelerated math and science programs are offered to advanced students, and all students are offered a full range of programs from computer technology and foreign language to the performing arts. Registration for the new school year is on-going and financial aid is available to those who qualify. Glades Day School is located at 400 Gator Blvd., Belle Glade. For more information, call (561) 996-6769 or visit www.gladesdayschool.com.

• SACRED HEART SCHOOL — NCEA-FL Catholic Conference-accredited, Sacred Heart School has an established history of excellence in education. We offer a low student-to-teacher ratio, pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, before and aftercare, and bus transportation. Preparing your child for life... with love! Call (561) 582-2242, ext. 150 for a personal tour, or visit www. sacredheartschoollakeworthfl.com.

• TEMPLE BETH TORAH LEONIE ARGUETTY PRESCHOOL — Temple Beth Torah’s pre-school is committed to providing a nurturing and positive educational experience for children ages two to five, while developing an appreciation and respect for Judaism. Our curriculum is designed to foster children’s natural curiosity while encouraging their social-emotional, cognitive and physical development. Call (561) 793-2649 for more information.

• TEMPLE BETH ZION RELIGIOUS SCHOOL AND PRE-SCHOOL — At Temple Beth Zion’s pre-school, children of all faiths learn and play together. “My First Jewish Experience” is a fun Montessori-style experience for children ages 5 & 6, including vocabulary games, art, musical activities, Jewish holidays, prayers and customs. “More Jewish Experiences” (ages 6 & 7) is a continuation of the program, learning to read and write in Hebrew. For more information, call (561) 798-8888 or visit www.templebethzion.net. The temple is located at 129 Sparrow Drive in Royal Palm Beach.

• WELLINGTON BRANCH OF THE JCC OF THE GREATER PALM BEACHES — Prevent summer boredom by checking out the Wellington Branch of the Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches. It’s bursting with programs, including Camp Sunshine at the Good Earth Farm for kids who love horseback riding and working with animals, and Camp Rising Stars for budding performers ages 7-12. Call (561) 253-6030 for more info.

• WELLINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL — Wellington Christian School has been serving the western communities since 1981, offering a Christ-centered education for pre-K through 12th grades. Accredited by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and CSF (Christian Schools of Florida), WCS offers a competitive athletic schedule, diverse fine arts program, and extra-curricular activities. For more info., call (561) 793-1017 or visit www.wellingtonchristian.org.

CONTENTS PREPARED BY THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT

TOWN-CRIER SPORTS & RECREATION

Palm Beach United Soccer Shuts Out Orlando, Puerto Rico

By Paul Gaba Town-Crier Staff Report

Using a tenacious defense and timely passing, the Palm Beach United amateur women’s soccer team scored back-to-back shutouts last weekend, keeping its dreams of post-season action alive and well.

On its home field at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, PBU blanked Orlando 8-0 on June 27, then slipped past Puerto Rico 1-0 on June 28.

The victories improved PBU to 5-12 on the season, making this Sunday’s contest at first-place Brevard a potential battle for who will advance to regional competition later this month.

“We’ve got a very big weekend coming up,” PBU Coach Brad Partridge said, noting his team was also scheduled to take on Lake Mary on Friday, July 4. The victory over Puerto Rico was a hard-fought contest, with four yellow cards recorded, three against PBU.

“Puerto Rico is a very scrappy team, very physical,” Partridge said.

The lone goal of the game came in the 53rd minute. Monique Cabrera’s corner kick was blocked by a Puerto Rico player, but rebounded back to Cabrera. The Florida Atlantic University player’s recovery shot crossed in front of the goal, where a waiting Stephanie Svaboda headed it past Puerto Rico goaltender Julie Arroyo.

While Partridge was thrilled with the final result, he expressed frustration at opportunities his players lost. “We had over five opportunities in the first half that were opportunities we get into the goal on any given day, but just missed,” he said. “I knew if we kept playing the way we were, eventually we would get a goal in.”

Those opportunities included two headers that sailed inches over the Puerto Rico goal following corner kicks.

Puerto Rico had several chances of its own to tie the contest, including one shot that went off the PBU goalpost late

in the game, and another that was saved by PBU goalie Erin Switalski on a diving stop.

The tight win over Puerto Rico came 24 hours after a blowout victory against Orlando. The 8-0 win saw four PBU players net goals, including Michelle Provenzano’s hat trick. Kimberly Keener and Casey Luckhurst scored two goals apiece, while Kristin Ruef was credited with the final point. Luckhurst also had four assists in the game.

“Orlando doesn’t have the talent Puerto Rico does,” Partridge said, noting that PBU loaned Orlando three players so the visiting squad could field a full team. “They had some injuries the week before and couldn’t recover from it, so the league asked if we would be willing to give them three players so we could play the game.”

Palm Beach United’s final home game this season at Palm Beach Central High School is scheduled for July 12 when the team will face Miami at 7:30 p.m.

in as Kicy Motley gets into position.

prepares to throw the

Newman Shines

At Kentucky Show

Seventeen-year-old Katherine Newman of Wellington triumphed for championship honors at the Country Heir II Horse Show, which was held last week at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Newman piloted Lifetime Guarantee for Lisa Mckee-Cole in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunter division and came home with the top prize.

After they won two blue ribbons and one third place in the over fences classes, the duo rode to first place in the under saddle, which secured them the tricolor.

“Lifetime Guarantee was great this weekend,” Newman said. “We know each other a lot better now, and I really feel comfortable with him in the show ring.” Newman also showed Cool Blue for Paris Sellon and came home with high placings in the older Small Juniors.

In the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter division, Newman received the reserve championship aboard All the Answers, owned by Sherri Crawford. “He was first and second over fences, which tied him for reserve,” Newman said. “We had to hack off to break the tie, but we ended up winning. I’m really pleased with how he did.” Newman resides at her farm Allwyn Court in Wellington. She trains with her parents, Kathy and Gerry, and with grand prix rider Todd Minikus. This summer she will continue to compete at shows across the country and plans to attend the indoor horse shows in the fall.

Be A Part Of Pure Thoughts’

‘Miracle Save’

Following Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue’s record-breaking rescue of

163 horses from a May horse auction in Ohio, the local horse community has rallied to form a unified front against horse abuse.

A normal sale day at the Sugarcreek auction house starts with horses offloaded by their owners, tagged for auction, then crammed into pens with other horses, no matter their size, age or gender. After a sad parade of horses for sale, most are bought by meat buyers.

But on May 23, all the horses there were safe thanks to Pure Thoughts with help from Wellington residents Victoria McCullough and Richard Schecter, the Fans of Barbaro and many others. Before it’s over, the costs for this rescue mission will be well over $225,000.

Pure Thoughts has developed a sponsorship program specific to May’s “Miracle Save.” Individuals and organizations may sponsor one of the rescue horses for a donation of

$500. The program is critical to the group’s ability to vet, feed, board and care for the horses.

Send your sponsorship or tax-deductible contribution to Pure Thoughts Sponsor a Miracle Save Horse, 19181 Capet Creek Ct., Loxahatchee, FL 33470. Call (561) 2540415 or visit www.pthr.org for more info.

Humanitarians Welcome Lilly And Cacella

The Humanitarian Society welcomes new “head honchos” for its Challenge of Champions World Class Charity Horse Show for 2008. Emily Lilly, community resources specialist for the City of Boca Raton, and Lyn Cacella, vice president of Farm Credit of South Florida, have joined forces with Dr. Wayne T.

Moses, Bonnie Phillips and Louis J. Labadini, chairmen of the Challenge of Champions.

The group expects a record-breaking crowd at their 10th annual horse show, set for Nov. 13-15 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. Exhibitors will come from all over the country with beautiful American Saddlebreds, Morgans, Friesians and more to entertain the spectators.

Plans for an outstanding show include a large Avenue of Shops, dog shows, box seats, “When the Pigs Fly” 50/50, concerts, parties and more.

Lilly and Cacella come from years of experience in organizing huge and successful fundraisers.

Ray Cloninger will again manage the show. For more information, call the Humanitarians at (561) 362-8530, Emily Lilly at (561) 393-7827 or Lyn Cacella at (800) 432-4156.

This Fourth Of July Weekend, Be Considerate Of Horses

Barbecues, picnics, a day off from work, pool parties, fancy desserts, a night filled with fireworks — almost everyone looks forward to the Fourth of July. This year, the holiday on a Friday, so a lot of people will be celebrating right through the weekend. But while most people enjoy a day of fun and relaxation, many horse owners dread the approach of this holiday. The reason? Horses and fireworks just don’t mix.

There are a lot of horses in South Florida, especially in areas like Wellington, Jupiter Farms and The Acreage. Some of them are in big stables, some in backyard barns, and some are kept out in pasture. What many people don’t realize is that horses fear sudden loud noises, especially at night, and especially when they’re accompanied by bright bursting light. A frightened horse can be a danger to itself and others. Panicked horses may jump fences or run right through them in blind fear. They can kick people, other horses, or the sides of their stalls. Frightened horses can colic and become deathly ill. Horse owners can face such disastrous results as loose horses, injured horses, or in an extreme situation, dead horses. What can horse owners do to prevent such accidents, and how can neighbors help?

One of the best ways to help horses safely survive the Fourth of July is to desensitize them to fireworks well in advance. Horse owners can have friends set off firecrackers well away from the barn area, while the owner stays with the horse and reassures it. Gradually, over a period of days

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

or weeks, the owner can have firecrackers set off progressively closer, all the while assuring the horse or distracting it with food. In this way, many horses can learn to ignore the sound of fireworks, and therefore won’t be so frightened when the real thing hits. However, some horses are still unable to relax. Some owners, if they keep their horses near where a fireworks display is presented, opt to temporarily stable their horses elsewhere, in a quieter barn. Another choice is borrowing a quiet horse that doesn’t mind fireworks. Horses often take their cues from herd members. If a dominant horse says something isn’t scary, it can reassure a less dominant, frightened horse into staying relaxed. Other horse owners rely on tranquillizers to keep their horses quiet through the stressful ordeal. If the problem stems from neighbors, however, horse owners face a stickier problem. How do you ask the neighbors, who have gone to some trouble and expense, and probably have guests waiting to see the show, not to set off fireworks? Tak-

ing time to explain the problem in advance may help, or asking them to move their show further away may be an option. But often, whole neighborhoods set off all sorts of fireworks come the Fourth of July, and it’s not practical to talk to everyone. Plus, you run the risk of alienating or offending neighbors who may just not get it and think you’re being silly or overreacting.

A few years back, my neighbor two houses down decided to set off a real display. He had bought an impressive amount of rockets and starbursts, Roman candles and all sorts of things that go bang in the night. I sat on a chair in my pasture and watched the beautiful lights burst in the sky overhead. My horses milled about in the pasture (I didn’t have a barn) where I’d put out extra hay to keep them occupied. I think my presence there helped reassure them that nothing awful would creep up and get them. To my horror, my neighbor actually managed to set fire to the two palm trees in his front yard! The fire was extinguished, and the fireworks finally ended. The horses and I survived unscathed, but we were lucky. My herd leader found the spectacle fascinating rather than frightening, so the other horses followed his lead and remained calm. Calling the cops doesn’t always work, and reminding people that their display is illegal probably won’t help. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the American Pyrotechnics Association, sparklers are the only legal fireworks. Specifically prohibited items include “firecrack-

ers, skyrockets, Roman candles, and any fireworks containing explosive or flammable compounds.” In other words, everything else, and exactly the sorts of things people love to shoot off on the Fourth of July.

“The use of personal fireworks is illegal,” said PBSO Capt. Greg Richter of the Wellington substation. “During the Fourth, we have extra patrols, especially in the western communities and around horse areas. We also coordinate with the media and the Wellington Village Council in encouraging people to attend the public displays rather than putting on their own. I think that most people are sensitive to the fact that many horses are frightened by fireworks. Fireworks are dangerous at any level: they are explosives, and people can lose fingers or start fires. If someone is setting off fireworks, we respond with a warning. If they continue, we may have to warn them twice. The last thing anyone wants is to get arrested on the Fourth of July.”

The best advice is to be prepared in whatever way best helps your horse, whether it’s desensitizing techniques or moving your four-legged buddy elsewhere. Have emergency medical supplies on hand such as antibiotic ointment and bandages. Also keep in mind that by acting in a relaxed manner, you can have a calming influence. The goal is to survive with a minimum of stress and fear. This holiday will find me, along with other concerned horse owners, camping out in the barn or pasture, keeping a watchful eye on things.

PHOTOS BY PAUL GABA/TOWN-CRIER

PBU’s Kimberly Keener and Stephanie Svaboda talk to Coach Brad Partridge.

PBU’s Stephanie Svaboda threads between Puerto Rico’s Christina Rodriguez and Carmen Reyes.

PBU’s Kimberly Keener and Puerto Rico’s Patricia Chapa.

PBU’s Kimberly Keener and Puerto Rico’s Patricia Chapa.

PBU’s Casey Luckhurst and Stephanie Svaboda approach the ball.

PBU’s Melanie Haraldson

ball

Palm Beach United’s Kristin Ruef approaches the ball while Puerto Rico’s Denisse Soltero gives chase.

Wellington Boys & Girls Club Karate Girls, Sensei Earn Accolades

The Wellington Wild 10-U Red softball team captured first place in the Okeeheelee Summer Slam Tournament held June 23-24. The team dominated with a 13-0 win over the Palm Beach Lady Gators white team and 6-1 victory over the Parkland Shockers in the seeding games to capture the number-one position going into the single-elimination bracket Sunday. The Wild girls won their first game 3-1 to advance to the championship game, which they won 10-1 over the Lady Gators. The team showcased strong defense with only three errors the entire tournament, along with solid hitting and baserunning. The Wellington Wild 10-U Red softball team is (front row, L-R): Toni Pancione, Katie Wolpert, Althea Smith, Megan Granitto and Leah Heysler; (back row): Jessica Onega, Emilee Quesada, Kelsey Lay, Jordan Ray and Britney Schmidt. Not pictured: coaches Jenny Schmidt, Tracey Lay, Chris Pancione and Tina Heysler.

One of the largest national martial arts tournaments was held Saturday, June 14 in Jupiter. The 31st Battle of Florida brought competitors from all over the country. The event drew about 300 competitors, and the Wellington Boys & Girls Club was represented by two of its team members — Charlene McGhee and Tia McIntosh.

McIntosh is about five-feet tall and weighs about 90 pounds, but she packs a punch. She has had two major ear operations this year and is getting ready to have another. But after not competing for almost two years, she has shown she still has it.

“I had people coming to me all day saying what spunk she has. She is quite a little fighter,” instructor Sensei Kevin McLellan said.

McIntosh had no one to fight in the Beginner division and automatically took first place. However, McLellan decided McIntosh came to fight and sent her up to the Green Belt division. Even though the match didn’t count in the ratings, McIntosh had a great time and opened more than a few eyes.

When it was her turn to compete, McGhee did a perfect bo kata that should have given her the first-place trophy, but she knocked herself out of first place by making a crucial mistake and coming too close to the judges with her weapon. She ended up placing fourth in weapons, third in kata and second in fighting.

“Charlene clearly had this division and all the judges agreed, until that happened,” McLellan said. “This was a good day for them, and I am very proud of these two girls for their hard work. These girls are great representatives of our martial arts program and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.”

“This was a great surprise as well as an honor for me to have my family there being inducted with the likes of past inductees such as Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace and Michael DePasquale Jr., as well as the local inductees Paul Knight, Kathy Carchia, and Nicki, Mary and Dominic Bruscino,” McLellan said. “These are the local people in the dojo working every day, teaching the classes, getting the students ready for competition, coaching and judging at the tournaments, and it’s a great feeling to be rec-

ognized like this. I want to thank the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County for supporting our programs and giving me the opportunity to work with the children in the many different communities they serve here Palm Beach County, to my wife Karin, my kids Matt and Chris, and my students and their parents, past and present — I couldn’t have done it without you!”

For information on the Wellington Boys & Girls Club karate program, call (561) 7408272.

American Legion Baseball Season Coming To An End

With wins against Seminole Ridge Post 358, Lake Worth Post 47 and Boynton Post 164 over the past week, the Wellington-based American Legion 17U baseball team brought its overall season record to 17-5.

Strong pitching performances by Evan White, Alex Hummer, Ryan Cwick, T.J. Malone and Justin Haig kept their opponents’ scores low, while key

Also on June 14, McLellan was inducted into the “Battle of Florida Hall of Fame” by Grandmaster Danny Zaino and his wife Master Theresa Zaino. McLellan was inducted for his continued dedication in teaching, judging and shaping the lives of children and adults throughout his martial arts career. This is McLellan’s second induction into a Hall of Fame; in 1998 he was inducted into Krane Ratings International Hall of Fame as “Man of the Year.”

The Acreage 10-U All-Stars won the district championship for southeast Florida by defeating Okeeheelee 8-7 in the final game. The team also went undefeated with a 4-0 record to be crowned the champions of the tournament at Phipps Park in West Palm Beach. The Acreage 10-U All-Stars headed to the state championship held in Oviedo July 2-4. Scores were not available at press time. Pictured here are (front row, L-R): Nicolas Fernandez, Jeremy Raymond, Joey Schergen, Joshua Lojewski, Colton Randle and Heath Carr; (second row): Justin Caprio, Dylan Jones, William Butzbach, Richie Cotromano, Anthony Elias, James Park and batboy Jacob Lojewski; (back row): Coach John Caprio, Coach Keith Lojewski and Manager Rick Raymond.

then enter the district

where they will have a chance to advance to the state playoffs, which take place July 25-28.

The Wellington Wolves tenth-grade girls travel basketball team is headed to the Girls 2008 USSSA National Championships over the Fourth of July weekend. After winning a few local tournaments (Palm Beach County’s Jupiter Jam and Daytona Beach’s Battle of the Beach) and winning the state tournament in Port St. Lucie, the girls have committed themselves to bringing the national title home to Wellington. Shown here are (front row, L-R): Alex Miles, Dominique Morgan, Mercedes Queen, Stephanie Weiss and Amanda Collins; (second row) Jayla Bostic, Shay Garland, Chelsea Karosas, Jessica Hundley, Porsche Shakes and Chantol Edwards; (back row) coaches Michael Weiss, Denis Miles and Joe Collins.

hitting by Joe Stark, Andrew Istler, Alex Tannone, Zack Turturrici, Paul Conti, Brett Alfreddson, Mike Garifine and Joe Barbera produced the offensive power needed for the victories. Post 258 continues its season through July 10. The team will

playoffs,

Karate Champs — Charlene McGhee and Tia McIntosh with Sensei Kevin McLellan and their awards.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, July 5

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will lead a Walk for Health on Saturday, July 5. Participants will take a one-hour stroll in John Prince Park in Lake Worth. For more info., call Paul at (561) 963-9906

• A Gun Show featuring a wide collection of guns, ammo, knives, hunting supplies and accessories will be held Saturday and Sunday July, 5 and 6 at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults and free for ages 12 and under. Call (561) 7930333 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Hurray for the Fourth of July!” for ages two and up on Saturday, July 5 at 11 a.m. Enjoy patriotic songs played by the Clarion Handbell Choir and hear the stories that inspired the songs. Call (561) 7906070 for more info.

Sunday, July 6

• Pianist Copeland Davis returns to St. Peter’s United Methodist Church (12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) on Sunday, July 6 to participate in worship services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Following the third service, everyone is invited to stay for lunch in Fellowship Hall. There is no cost, but a love offering will be received with proceeds going to the Carson Ruffa Fund and the St. Peter’s operating budget. Call Rachel Lever at (561) 793-5712, ext. 21 for more info.

Monday, July 7

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will continue Summer Story Times for ages nine months to five years Mondays through Aug. 1. Call (561) 790-6030 for more info.

• The Wellington Aquatic Complex (12165 West Forest Hill Blvd.) will offer Swimming Lessons every two weeks this summer with the next session beginning July 7. Swimming lessons are $55 for eight 30minute sessions for all levels from parent and child to adult lessons. The Aquatic Complex also offers swim & dive and diving sessions throughout the summer. The cost is $100 for expert instruction offered by Jennifer Floyd. For more info., call the Aquatic Complex at (561) 753-2484, ext. 2836.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Around the World in Eight Weeks” for ages six and up on Mondays at 2 p.m. Library staffers use stories, music and crafts to travel to a different area of the world each week. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6030.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Creative Writing: Poetry” for ages eight and up on Mondays at 3 p.m. These classes will focus on turning all the great ideas in your head into poems. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will offer “A Southeast Asian Adventure” of recent travels in Thailand, Cambodia and Burma on Monday, July 7 at the Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.). The program will start at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more info., call Paul at (561) 9639906.

Tuesday, July 8

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Craft Club: Sculpture” for ages nine through 12 on Tuesday, July 8 at 3 p.m. Create works of art from clay. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.

• Edward Jones Financial Advisor Marc Kleiman will host a free educational seminar titled “Smart Choices in Your Retirement” on Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. at his office (1168 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 200-B). Participants will learn principles to help them make their money last in retirement. To RSVP, call Kleiman at (561) 790-3702.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, July 8 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center. For more info., call (561) 7914000.

Wednesday, July 9

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Kamishibai for Kids” for ages seven and up on Wednesday, July 9 at 2 p.m. Kamishibai (kah-mee-she-bye) or “paper theater” started in Japan in the late 1920s as a part of a long tradition of picture storytelling. Enjoy a live performance of Kamishibai with a related origami craft. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Socrates Café: A Nationwide Dialogue” for adults on Wednesday, July 9 at 6 p.m. Marji Chapman of the Society of Philosophical Inquiry will lead a thoughtful discussion on a variety of subjects. To preregister, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will host its monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 9 at the PGA DoubleTree Hotel (4431 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens). Networking will take place from 6 to 6:30 p.m.; dinner and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to Dee Weber at (561) 626-2027.

Thursday, July 10

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present Suzy Hammer as “Millennia the Muse” for grades kindergarten and up on Thursday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. Visit with a classical Greek visitor from ancient times. To pre-register, call (561) 7906030. In addition, Hammer will appear at the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) at 2 p.m. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• Let your opinions be heard at the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meeting for ages 12 through 17 on Thursday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive). Enjoy snacks, conversation and good ideas. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Friday, July 11

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “There Was an Old Woman” for ages four and up on Friday, July 11 at 11 a.m. She tried living in a shoe and swallowing flies. With so many stories, she didn’t know what to do. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Friday’s Family Fun Faves: Nanny McPhee” on Friday, July 11 at 2 p.m. A mysterious nanny tames a widower’s naughty children. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• Members of Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach will participate in the second annual summer Lay Rabbi Series starting July 11. Harriet Mushel, David Bernstein, Kerry Baron, Alan Johnson, Lottie Robins and Ruth Baraoidan will deliver brief sermonettes to the congregation during Sabbath services Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. The temple is located at 129 Sparrow Drive. For more info., call (561) 798-8888. Saturday, July 12

• The Jupiter-Tequesta Dog Show will be held at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13 in the Expo East. This is one of South Florida’s major dog shows, featuring more than 1,000 entries in categories including obedience, grooming and presentation. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults. Parking is $3. Call (561) 7930333 for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present Hamilton R. Head for ages two and up on Saturday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m. In anticipation of “Library Night” at Roger Dean Stadium, the Jupiter Hammerheads’ mascot will visit to celebrate the Summer Reading Program. To preregister, call (561) 790-6030. The mascot will visit the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) the same day at 2 p.m. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.

• The Wellington Aquatic Complex (12165 West Forest Hill Blvd.) will feature Alvin & the Chipmunks at Dive-In Movie Night on Saturday, July 12. The entrance fee to the pool is $5 per person or $15 for a family of four. The movie will begin at 8 p.m. All spectators are urged to bring floats or noodles to relax on while viewing the movie. For more info., call (561) 753-2484, ext. 2836. Monday, July 14

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host its Meet the Candidates Luncheon Forum on Monday, July 14 starting at 11:45 a.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds Americraft Expo Center. Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Florida Legislature will be featured. Admission is $15 for members, $25 for non-members. For info., call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 7936090. E-mail: news@gotown crier.com.

Custom Framing, Fine Art And More At Frame N Art In

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Frame n Art is a new store offering custom framing and fine art in Royal Palm Beach’s Crestwood Square shopping plaza. “We opened on Friday, June 13,” co-owner Lorraine DeStefano said. “We’re not superstitious.”

DeStefano said her store stands apart from most others because all the work is done on the premises. “You go into a lot of places, and they send the work out,” she said. “That means you’ll wait four or five weeks to get your painting or other art back. And what happens if they damage it? At Frame n Art, we do the work here. If we think there might be a problem, we can call right away. There is no chance for travel damage. And we generally get your work back to you framed in about a week.”

Many homeowners are sprucing up their interiors as the economy weakens, DeStefano noted. “They are looking more at their houses,” she said. “They want to make them look better because they’re home more.”

DeStefano said she and her husband Mike decided to open a business because they were not completely ready for retirement. “We’re young enough to want to do something, but we want to do something we like,” she said. They have friends who were very successful in the framing business for over 30 years.

“We’ve trained for several years, and we’ve learned a lot about frame-making,” DeStefano said. “Particularly custom frame-making.”

DeStefano is a former massage therapist and administrative assistant. Her husband still works for the U.S. Postal Service but will retire in October. DeStefano said that having friends to go to for assistance provides several benefits. “We have really experienced people to check with if there is a complicated problem,” she said, “although that has not happened yet. But we also have access to specialized equipment most places do not have.”

For example, DeStefano has a machine that creates giclee prints. “It can take a photo and makes a copy that looks like it is an oil painting,” she said. “It’s really fabulous.”

The DeStefanos have lived in Wellington since 1985, most recently in the Binks Forest neighborhood. They have a grown son who now serves in the U.S. Army. Framing paintings and photos is only part of the DeStefanos’ business. Many people are now framing souvenirs. One customer brought in his daughter’s prekindergarten diploma along with her tiny cap and gown to be framed as a keepsake. DeStefano showed a framed autographed football jersey worn by Will Allen of the New York Giants. “If you have a great sou-

venir and want to preserve it and show it off really well, have it framed,” she said.

Frame n Art also deals in fine art. “We sell a lot of art,” DeStefano said. “People come in here looking for frames and sometimes buy our art. We have a nice collection of paintings, photos and posters.”

Frame n Art has hundreds of different frame styles available, from colored frames perfect for posters and children’s art to elegant frames that will set off the best oil painting. DeStefano stressed that all work done at the store is custom.

“We don’t try to jam your art or your souvenir into a pre-made frame,” she said. “Everything is done carefully to show off your art. We can use acid-free mats and museum glass, which blocks UV and other dangerous rays, to protect valuable work. It helps keep the work fresh forever.”

For cost-conscious customers, Frame n Art can also provide conservation glass, which while better than standard glass is not as effective as museum glass but less costly. “Another benefit of bringing your work here is that you get friendly, personalized, knowledgeable service,” DeStefano said. “This is a family-owned business, and you will be talking directly to us.”

Frame n Art is located in the Crestwood Square shopping plaza at 11945 Southern Blvd.

in Royal Palm Beach. The store is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and also by appointment. For more information, call (561) 798-6294.

‘We don’t try to jam your art or your souvenir into a pre-made frame. Everything is done carefully to show off your art.’

— Lorraine DeStefano

PHOTO BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

For The Love Of Art — Frame n Art owner Lorraine DeStefano with a framed autographed football jersey worn by Will Allen of the New York Giants.

BleachBright Smile Offers Whiter Teeth In Just 15 Minutes

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for BleachBright Smile in Royal Palm Beach. Looking for a whiter and brighter smile? BleachBright Smile is a teeth-whitening service started in March by owners Mario and Claudia Camacho.

BleachBright Smile is a revolutionary and innovative service performed in a short amount of time. The process takes 15 to 20 minutes and will increase the brightness of a customer’s smile from two to six shades whiter. “We are seeing extraordinary results from our product,” Claudia said. “People are noticing an average of four to five shades whiter within 15 minutes.”

BleachBright Smile uses patented foam inserts that are placed into a soft, pliable form

that fits comfortably into your mouth. There are no messy gels or trays to take home. The foam pads accelerate the whitening process. BleachBright Smile’s state-of-the-art blue light combined with foam inserts whiten your teeth. Another concern to some is the sensitivity of the teeth after a session. “Our clients are not experiencing any type of sensitivity with our product,” Mario said. “This has been a major issue with clients who have had their teeth whitened in a dentist’s office or have used over-the-counter whitening strips.”

The whiteness will last up to 18 months, depending on whether the client drinks coffee, tea, red wine, dark soft drinks or other foods that tend to stain. Such items will cause your smile to fade faster. However, BleachBright Smile of-

fers a remarkable bleaching pen — the KeepBright Pen — that allows clients to touch up their smiles in between whitenings.

BleachBright Smile does not have a storefront. They are portable and have the capability to come to a client’s home. Clients are booking shows and inviting their family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to their home for teeth whitening events.

Anyone hosting a show and having seven people in attendance who purchase a whitening session will receive free teeth whitening themselves.

BleachBright Smile is also offering special pricing to the Palms West Chamber of Commerce members for only $99; the regular cost is $149.

For more information, call BleachBright Smile at (561) 791-1924.

More Young Adults Starting Businesses

An increasing number of young adults, specifically recent college graduates, are more interested in growing a business of their own than working for a company, trends are showing. In fact, according to an article on National Public Radio’s web site, www.npr.com, 18- to 24-yearolds (“Generation Y”) are starting their own businesses at a quicker rate than 35- to 44year-olds.

“Starting a business at a young age comes with many advantages,” said Wellington business coach Don Gross of the Entrepreneur’s Source. “Young business owners are at an early stage in life where they can take that chance without worrying about other financial responsibilities such as a mortgage, a spouse and children.”

In today’s new career economy, according to a government study, people from ages 18 to 38 will have on average ten jobs in their lifetime.

And from an employer perspective, each year about one third of the nation’s workforce changes jobs, largely to take

advantage of better opportunities.

There are many examples of entrepreneurs who became successful during their young adult years, including billionaire Bill Gates, who founded Microsoft in his early 20s. Gross said young entrepreneurship, including franchising, brings with it many advantages:

• Guaranteed learning experience — As entrepreneurs, young individuals will expand their overall skill set through complete responsibility for every facet of their business. During the startup phase and throughout the growth of the business, Gross said, they will learn from their decisions around organization, finances, leadership challenges and brand building.

• No resume, experience or references necessary — When seeking employment positions with companies, the proper interview skills and other related protocols are not only important, but necessary. However, those who want to start their own businesses are the primary decision-makers and do not

need to “apply within” or interview for a position. A business owner determines the role and future of their company, but can often benefit from the guidance and support of a business coach in making the right decisions.

• Franchising, a proven system — Franchising can be a good choice for young people because instead of building on an idea of their own and starting completely from scratch, they are investing in an established concept that has proven successful for others. Each franchise typically comes with a good amount of training and support to help a startup get their business up and running.

• Financial benefits Business owners are limited only by their imagination and ability to think of new ways to profit, and all the while building a company that has potential value. In addition, there are tax advantages a young entrepreneur can reap that will help them keep the money they earn.

“Instead of choosing traditional employment positions in the corporate world, they’re

choosing a more personally rewarding option such as running a business of their own,” Gross said. “They have more of an opportunity to learn and invest in success at a young age, which is the start of a promising future.”

The Entrepreneur’s Source is a leading business coaching firm that specializes in helping people to discover the right business for their lifestyle, goals and needs. Business coaches such as Gross offer services such as finding the right business, increased profitability, communications and leadership, marketing and business planning, exiting a business, and expanding operations.

The Entrepreneur’s Source has more than 240 offices in the United States and Canada. With its unique E-Source Coach Advantage, the firm offers a full range of services to individuals seeking alternate career options and to small-tomedium size companies looking to increase performance. For more information about TES, call Gross at (561) 7238461.

Conservancy Backs U.S. Sugar Buyout

The Nature Conservancy recently announced its support for the South Florida Water Management District governing board to go ahead with its approval of a plan to acquire U.S. Sugar Corp. and its l87,000 acres of land in the Everglades.

“This is the boldest action anyone has taken in years to restore the critically important Everglades,” Nature Conservancy State Director Jeff Danter said. “This is a historic moment, a time of tremendous opportunity for environmental progress. We praise Gov. [Charlie] Crist, SFWMD Board Chair Eric Buermann, Vice Chair Shannon Estenoz, Executive Director Carol Wehle and their staffs for the vision and leadership in taking this monumental step.”

The Nature Conservancy and its partners have helped acquire 355,000 acres over the past 50 years in the Everglades watershed, which extends from Orlando through Florida Bay to the Florida Keys. To continue to add to the water

storage needs for the Everglades system, the Nature Conservancy has been working north of Lake Okeechobee to restore wetlands on ranchlands.

“The Nature Conservancy has been working for many years to help improve the flow of water into Lake Okeechobee. This landmark purchase will provide more opportunities for water storage, thereby reducing the potential for harmful discharges into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers,” Danter said. The purchase will make possible the reconnection of Lake Okeechobee to the remnant Everglades system and bring much closer to reality the historic flow of the Everglades.

“Restoring one of the world’s largest wetland systems takes big thinking like this,” Danter said. “The action by the SFWMD board makes me think we have a fighting chance to succeed.” For more information about the Nature Conservancy, visit www.nature.org.

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

BleachBright Smile — Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors with BleachBright Smile owners Mario and Claudia Camacho at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Knowledgeable Staff, Wide Selection At Rocky’s Ace Hardware

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

The new Rocky’s Ace Hardware store in the Wellington Marketplace creates an atmosphere that many homeowners have forgotten or never knew: a place where experienced hardware salespeople know their business and are eager to help customers.

“We want people greeted as soon as they come in the store,” Manager Paul Zimmerado said.

“Then we let them wander through a bit. After a few minutes, one of the staff will ask what kind of project they’re working on.”

Zimmerado said many customers want interaction with a knowledgeable person. “We ask open-ended questions,” he said.

“Someone might have a small plumbing project or a bigger one in another area. We want to make certain that anyone who’s working on a project leaves here with everything needed to complete it. If someone is painting a room, we can make sure the color is right but also recommend the right roller or brushes, make sure they have painter’s tape and drop-cloths.”

Zimmerado explained that Rocky’s is an 83-year-old company based in New England that owns many hardware stores.

“Rocco Falcone founded it back in 1926, and his grandson now runs the company,” he said.

“There are 35 stores, and we are now the third-largest Ace hardware dealer in the country. The company is successful because of good service to customers.”

Rocky’s opened this spring in central Wellington at the former site of a Winn-Dixie supermarket which closed two years ago.

Zimmerado said his customers are pleased with the store thus far. “They tell me and the staff that this is what the area has needed for a while — a really good hometown hardware store,” he said. “We’re fast, and we’re friendly.”

For many years, the hardware business has been moving away from local stores and more toward big box stores, but Zimmerado said the big box stores took the human touch out of the business.

“They cater to the contractors,” he said. “The average homeowner can walk into the store, wander around and hope to find the right items, and then check out with their automated cashiers, never talking to anyone. Well, if you have a problem or you’re not sure about anything, where do you go?”

Zimmerado gestured across his store. “We hire people who have experience,” he said. “Much of the staff has worked in construction. When we set up our time schedules, we make certain that we always have someone around who’s a real expert. Also, we have manuals and online sites we can go to for more information. Someone will research a problem to gives answers to the customer as soon as possible.”

The store also does not look much like a big box stores. The hardware section is in the back. Up front, Rocky’s carries patio furniture, grills, lawn care products and housewares.

“It’s a shoppable place,” Zimmerado said. “Everything is laid out well, and all the products are marked and priced... And the hardware part of the store is as large as you’ll find almost anywhere. We have everything from nails to power tools, paints and painting tools, as well as a lot more. We sell Ace hardware products but a lot of other things as well.”

Zimmerado said he always has someone available to handle some of the special services, like making keys.

“We’re here and waiting for you to drop in and visit,” he said. “We’ve got customers who come in here almost every day. We’re working very hard to please everyone.”

Rocky’s Ace Is The Place (Above) Cashier Rachel Lima makes a sale to regular customer Jim Lance at Rocky’s Ace Hardware in Wellington. (Right) Manager Paul Zimmerado goes over specifications with Mike Sirucek and David Delacruz. PHOTOS BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

Rocky’s Ace Hardware is located in the Wellington Marketplace at 13837 Wellington Trace and is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (561) 753-9998 or visit www. rockys.com.

‘It’s a shoppable place. Everything is laid out well, and the products are marked and priced... And the hardware part of the store is as large as you’ll find almost anywhere. We have everything from nails to power tools, paints and painting tools, as well as a lot more.’

— Rocky’s Ace Hardware Manager Paul Zimmerado

COMPASS HONORS ROMANO AT ANNUAL STONEWALL BALL IN WEST PALM

Compass Inc. hosted its seventh annual Stonewall Ball on Saturday, June 21 at the Harriet Himmel Theater in West Palm Beach’s CityPlace. This year, the ballroom was decorated in an 18th-century colonial American theme. The event featured live entertainment, a silent auction and dancing. Washington Mutual, McGladery and Pullen, HomeRule Strategies, Express South Florida and Creations Productions were among the sponsors. Other dignitaries in attendance included Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, State Rep. Susan Bucher and Supervisor of Elections Dr. Arthur Anderson. Former Lake Worth mayor Rodney Romano was this year’s honored guest and recipient of Compass’ Plakas Leadership Award. The award was named in 2006 by the Compass Board of Trustees to honor the leadership of former CEO Tony Plakas and to affirm Compass’ ongoing commitment to inclusive social justice. Additionally, Michael Brown was posthumously awarded Compass’ Faces of the Community Award. For more info., call (561) 533-9699 or visit www.compassglcc.com. (Left) Bucher and Gannon join Romano for a photo. (Right) Compass Director Scott Fox says a few words.

Study: Economic Slowdown Won’t Hinder Florida’s Future Growth

Despite the current slowdown, Florida’s gross state product will nearly triple and the state’s population and number of jobs will increase by more than 50 percent in the next 30 years, according to a University of Central Florida economic forecast released recently.

The challenge will be to enact economic policies that ensure that recent struggles don’t drive longer-term woes, said Sean Snaith, director of UCF’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness.

Snaith recently made predictions through 2038 for Florida and its 12 metropolitan regions. Those areas are Naples, Daytona Beach-Deltona, Gainesville, Ocala, Lakeland, Palm BayMelbourne, Pensacola, MiamiFort Lauderdale-Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Tampa Bay and Orlando. His report also provides a detailed look at economic indicators through 2010.

“Today’s economy feels like a three-ring circus, with the housing meltdown, credit crunch and skyrocketing costs for energy and commodities,” Snaith said. “And the Florida consumer right now is forced into a balancing act between $4a-gallon gas prices, soaring food prices and plummeting home equity.” But as they say under the Big

Top, the show must go on. Despite today’s troubles, Florida’s economy will grow — although at a slightly slower rate for the next few years — and remain one of the nation’s major economies, Snaith said. Orlando and Naples will lead the Sunshine State in population, employment and personal income percentage gains over the next 30 years, he predicts. Personal income and job growth will be the smallest in Tallahassee and Gainesville.

“Despite the current malaise, growth will come, and preparing for it means sufficiently financing state and local governments to keep up with our water, infrastructure and educational needs,” Snaith said. “As the state’s economy gets larger, the shortcomings of the current boom-bust model of funding government will be amplified, and we’ll be pining for the easy times we had dealing with budget issues in 2008.” To view Snaith’s full report, visit www.iec.ucf.edu. Other highlights include:

• Population — Florida’s population is expected to hit nearly 30 million by 2038. Its real gross state product will be $1.75 trillion (versus $625 billion in 2007), with real personal income topping $1.68 trillion (versus $597 billion in 2007).

• Job Losses — The bleeding will come to an end, but don’t expect an employment transfusion anytime soon. Unemployment rates will rise through the first half of 2009, stabilizing at 5.8 percent before declining slightly in 2010. Total employment in 2038 will be almost 60 percent higher than it was in 2007.

• Unemployment — Ocala will lead the state in population growth rates through 2010, but will also reach an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent, the highest in the state. Pensacola’s personal income, per capita income and population growth will be among Florida’s lowest.

• Housing — Florida’s housing construction sector bottoms out in the fourth quarter of this

Chamber Will Host Candidates

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host a reception with candidates for upcoming state, county and congressional offices on Thursday, July 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green,

3401 Equestrian Club Dr., Wellington. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be available. Networking is complimentary to chamber members and their guests. RSVPs required. Call (561) 792-6525 for more info.

year. Housing starts will climb at a very slow pace. In 2010, housing starts will have recovered but at levels that will be 100,000 starts fewer than the peak level reached in 2005.

• Retail spending — After the brief burst from the federal income-tax rebate checks, retail spending will decline slightly in the fourth quarter of 2008. This will be the first decline in retail sales since the aftermath of the 2001 recession.

Snaith is the director of the UCF Institute for Economic Competitiveness. He is a na-

tional expert in economics, forecasting, market sizing and economic analysis. He authors quarterly reports about the economy. Snaith is also a member of several national forecasting panels, including the Western Blue Chip Economic Forecast panel, the National Association of Business Economics Quarterly Outlook Survey Panel, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Survey of Professional Forecasters, Bloomberg U.S. Economic Indicator Survey and the USA Today Economic Sur-

vey Panel. Blue Chip named him the most accurate forecaster for California in 2006. The UCF Institute for Economic Competitiveness’ mission is to expand public understanding of the economy by convening business leaders, scholars, policy-makers, civic groups and media to discuss critical issues. The University of Central Florida, founded in 1968, is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the fifth largest in the nation with more than 48,000 students.

Sylvia Schaefer Promoted To Unit Manager At Lia Sophia

With an approach that offers its sales managers a foundation for success, fashion jewelry company Lia Sophia recently announced the promotion of Sylvia Schaefer from advisor to unit manager. As a celebration of her entrepreneurship, Schaefer has met or exceeded her personal sales and recruiting goals to achieve this prestigious level of leadership. Schaefer has earned the promotion through personal sales accomplishments and by motivating others to achieve success.

The promotion offers her the opportunity for special benefits such as additional earnings, overrides, monthly bonuses and jewelry premiums.

“This company has given me an awesome opportunity,” Schaefer said. “I’ve been able to be my own boss, build my own team and help other people to be as successful as I have been. Lia Sophia is really committed to helping its people reach their fullest potential.”

For more information about Lia Sophia in Wellington, contact Sylvia Schaefer at www.

liasophia.com/sylviaschaefer. Lia Sophia is a unique direct selling opportunity offering fashion jewelry through personalized in-home demonstrations. The company’s goal is to improve the lifestyles of its advisors, hostesses and customers with products and opportunities. Lia Sophia aims to connect women to their dreams, from obtaining jewelry to empowering their financial futures. For further information, visit www.liasophia.com or call (800) 487-3323.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

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