Town-Crier Newspaper June 11, 2010

TASTE OF THE WEST RETURNS

West chefs Lisette Cabrera, Robert Brovero and Mariel Lopez. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 2

New Name, Rebirth Underway At Long-Dead Wellington Golf Club

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Greenview Cove golf course in Wellington is set to reopen late this year under the new name, Polo West Golf Club, after more than eight years of gathering weeds.

Greenview Cove and the Binks Forest golf course, then under common ownership, closed in the spring of 2002. Binks Forest was taken over by a bank, sold and reopened in 2007. Greenview Cove was purchased by the owners of the adjacent Palm Beach Polo Golf &

Country Club in 2003 and has remained inactive.

Mike Nelson, whose company Effective Solutions acts as an agent for Palm Beach Polo, confirmed Monday that the course would reopen. He directed the Town-Crier to a letter between himself and Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield for details.

A letter from Schofield to Nelson dated May 3 states that the restoration of the property would include relocating trees, grading and shaping the driving range, relocating greens and tee boxes, and

improvements to the existing clubhouse. However, Schofield directed Nelson to the Planning & Zoning Department for the relocation of specimen trees, which are considered unique. The letter confirmed that there would be a restaurant on the premises, and that the driving range could be used for polo exhibitions and occasional practices, so long as no permanent equestrian facilities are constructed. Construction of equestrian facilities would require additional approval.

“Wellington supports and en-

See GOLF, page 18

Two Acreage Men Nabbed For String Of Brazen AC Coil Thefts

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Two residents of The Acreage have been charged with stealing at least 190 air-conditioning coils from abandoned houses, according to a detective from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 15 substation.

Steve Lashley, 33, and William Hord, 32, were arrested June 1 after a neighbor discovered them taking an air-conditioning coil from an abandoned house in The Acreage, said Detective Jim Brown. The burglaries occurred in April and May.

“There’s an estimated 150 burglaries,” Brown said, explaining that two air-conditioning units were taken from several of the houses. Although the thieves made less than $100 from the sale of each aluminum AC coil and copper pipe as scrap, the estimat-

ed value of the units was about $3,500 each. The units were rendered worthless once the coils were cut.

Brown estimated that more than 100 burglaries have not been reported.

“Predominantly, they are from houses that are empty, abandoned or under foreclosure,” he said. “The reason we know how many coils there are is that the recycling center photographs all the items that come into their business for sale. That’s how we know there are 190.”

To accomplish the crimes, the suspects shut off the power, removed the covers and fans, and cut the coils, allowing pressurized Freon to escape, which is a violation that the PBSO is pursuing with the Environmental Protection Agency, Brown said.

“That’s an EPA violation for every single one, for $25,000 upon conviction,” he said. “You cannot discharge it into the atmosphere. That is an extreme environmental hazard.”

Brown said the PBSO had been receiving calls from the area about AC units being destroyed and coils taken, including a June 1 call from a resident on Apache Blvd.

See THEFTS, page 4

Richter Retirement Gives Capt. Jay Hart Wellington Command

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Capt. Jay Hart was named commander of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 8 substation in Wellington last week after the sudden retirement of Capt. Greg Richter. Richter resigned effective Friday, June 4, said PBSO spokeswoman Teri Barbera. Barbera also confirmed that Richter’s resignation came in the face of a PBSO Internal Affairs probe. While Barbera could not comment on the substance of the probe, several sources and other published reports cite allegations made by an ex-mistress as the trigger of the investigation. The investigation ended with Richter’s resignation.

Hart, who was promoted from lieutenant to captain upon his appointment to lead the Wellington substation, was most recently

commander of the District 15 substation serving the Acreage/Loxahatchee area. He has been at that post since the district was created in February 2009.

“District 15 is a smaller district, with 17 deputies and five sergeants,” Hart said, noting that his new command is significantly larger.

Hart is no stranger to Wellington. He was Richter’s second in command from February 2005 until being assigned to District 15. He has been replaced at the Acreage/Loxahatchee substation by Lt. David Combs, previously second in command at the District 9 substation in Royal Palm Beach.

“I was very excited about the direction [District 15] was going, and I was excited about the community,” Hart told the Town-Crier on Tuesday. “I was excited about the direction the deputies had taken, taking ownership of

that community, but I’ve left it in good hands with Lt. David Combs.”

Hart, who took over the District 8 command on Monday, said the direction of the Wellington office will remain the same.

“We will continue with the programs that we have in place,” Hart said. “We’re going to continue suppressing crime and building relationships within the community.”

Hart said building relationships includes encouraging residents to call about situations that at first glance might seem insignificant or trivial. “We’re going to continue with our Safe Neighborhoods project and with our traffic initiatives,” he said. “The initiatives that have been in place the past few years will continue.”

Hart said he will work closely with village officials to make sure

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach Council voted Thursday, June 3 to offer Ray Liggins a one-year contract as village manager.

Liggins, longtime RPB village engineer, has been serving as village manager since David Farber fell ill in February. He was formally named acting village manager in early April. Farber died April 16.

The council voted to make Liggins manager subject to signing a one-year contract that could be renewed subject to a review.

Mayor Matty Mattioli nominated Liggins for the position.

“I think that he is qualified, and that he has had enough experience working for Mr. Farber to carry on the duties of the manager of Royal Palm Beach,” Mattioli said.

“So that is my suggestion.”

However, Vice Mayor Martha Webster said the council is doing residents a disservice by not accepting applications for the position.

“It’s our responsibility to do a search like any other municipality would do,” she said. “We should put this out with a consultant and give everyone the opportunity to apply.”

However, Councilman David Swift said it is best for the village to stay on course.

“Whether we like it or not, we have employees who are still

grieving,” he said. “I don’t think we should change ship.” Instead, Swift suggested a sixmonth trial period, after which Liggins would be subject to evaluation and the council could decide whether to hire him permanently or search for a new manager.

Councilman Fred Pinto noted that most contracts are on a 12month cycle with an evaluation period at the end. He suggested hiring Liggins for the full year and evaluating him at the end of the year. The council voted 4-1 to give Liggins a one-year contract, with Webster opposed In other business: • The council directed village staff to put together a new plan for Royal Palm Beach Commons Park, including cost options for redesigning it. The 160-acre park is under construction at the site of the old Tradition Golf Course on Royal Palm Beach Blvd., but several residents expressed concerns with the height of hills that have been built along the park’s perimeter. Joseph Hosick, who lives on Sandpiper Ave., told council members that he lives near “one of the largest hills in South Florida.” Hosick said he moved to Royal Palm Beach about 19 years ago, and one of the selling points of his home was the golf course and its See PARK PLANS, page 18

Help Local Inventor Improve Lives Of Special-Needs Kids

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

A father’s desire to improve his daughter’s quality of life has become a quest to improve the lives of hundreds of special-needs children across the nation.

Ollie Jones IV of Wellington is seeking the support of the community as he competes for $250,000 to make his dream a reality as part of the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Jones’ nine-year-old daughter Janae has cerebral palsy. She requires several hours of therapy each day to strengthen her legs.

But getting the necessary equipment is not easy, and Jones decided to get creative.

“It all stemmed from the frustrations of dealing with the insurance companies not having the equipment we need,” he said.

“And if the insurance company couldn’t pay for it, that meant we had to pay for it, and that’s very expensive.”

A small piece of equipment, such as a tricycle, could cost $3,000 to $5,000 that the family had to pay out of pocket, Jones said.

“You can get a bicycle for a couple of hundred dollars,” he said. “So that just shows you the

astronomical costs for specialneeds children.”

Often the equipment needed for therapy isn’t even available. This led to the creation of his company, Janae Designs, which offers equipment to special-needs children.

“After Janae had surgery, she needed a wheelchair that allowed her to keep her legs straight,” Jones said. “And there weren’t any out there. So I came up with an idea to make an attachment for her wheelchair, and her school fell in love with it.” That first product, called the

See JANAE, page 7

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce presented its 13th annual Taste of the West & Chocolate Lovers Festival on Thursday, June 3 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Close to 40 area restaurants and caterers offered tasty food and chocolate dessert samples. Breakers West won the People’s Choice award for Best Chocolate Dessert. Shown above are Breakers

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

William Hord Steve Lashley

Local inventor Ollie Jones IV with his daughter Janae.

PALMS WEST CHAMBER’S TASTE OF THE WEST & CHOCOLATE LOVERS FESTIVAL

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Peter Wein of W4CY Radio, Dave Tezanos of Word Company and Ira Greenbaum of Royal Palm Toyota get ready for the donut-eating contest.

Annette Da Vee of sponsor Royal Palm Toyota gives raffle winner Lynda Wheatley a Smart Mirror.

Dawn and Nick Grosso and Diane Greenbaum enjoy Italian ice from Rita’s Water Ice.Renegade Rhythm Dance Team dancers perform.

John and Janice Natale with State House District 85 candidate D.J. Derenzo.

Jennifer Johnson of second-place People’s Choice winner Johnson’s Custom Cakes & More.

Property Value Decline Continues To Hit Area Municipalities Hard

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Municipalities in the western communities showed a slightly larger decline in estimated property value than the overall decline for Palm Beach County municipalities, according to the preliminary tax roll released by Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits’ office last week. Loxahatchee Groves showed depreciation in real property val-

ue of 14.82 percent, while Royal Palm Beach declined 13.68 percent and Wellington dropped 13.75 percent. The overall municipal decline in Palm Beach County was 12.64 percent. This was the third consecutive year that property values have declined.

Wellington’s total real property value decreased from $5.86 billion in 2009 to $5.09 billion in 2010. However, that’s a bit better than

village officials were expecting.

“We thought we were going to be just under $5 billion, and the original assessment was at $4.9 billion,” Village Manager Paul Schofield told the Town-Crier on Wednesday. “We were expecting a 15-percent loss in value, and while 13 percent is bad, it is not as bad as we had thought. We are happy that it did not go any lower than it did.”

Schofield said he anticipates

another loss in assessed property value next year, primarily due to a continued loss in commercial property value as a result of more foreclosures in that sector.

“We have yet to go through those foreclosures,” he said. “The good news on the foreclosure front is that foreclosures from last year are down considerably.”

Schofield said the total taxable value in Wellington (including tangible personal property) has

dropped from its peak three years ago of $7.8 billion to $5.3 billion.

“That’s bad enough on its own,”

Schofield said. “We’re hoping this is the worst of it.”

Schofield said he has proposed a slight millage increase as well as a budget reduction for the coming fiscal year.

“What we’re telling the council right now is that ad valorem tax receipts for this fiscal year are about $14.4 million,” he said.

“The budget we are recommending for next year reduces it to about $12.2 million. The millage rate would go up slightly from 2.5 to 2.63.”

The changes amount to a fivepercent millage increase and a nine-percent budget decrease, Schofield said.

“We have also lost other revenue areas,” he said. “Sales taxes are down, revenue sharing is

See VALUES, page 18

Groves Residents Must Prepare For Self-Sufficiency After A Storm

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Town of Loxahatchee Groves is advising its residents to follow the rules they have in the past for short-term relief during hurricane season — keep the chainsaws operational, be prepared to run backup generators as long as two weeks and keep emergency supplies in stock.

“The Town of Loxahatchee Groves, being a contract city, has all services provided by contract,” Town Manager Frank Spence told the Town-Crier on Tuesday.

As such, the town does not have employees on staff to send out to clear roads immediately after a storm.

“We are under contract with Calvin, Giordano & Associates for debris monitoring and a contract with AshBritt for trash removal,” Spence said.

AshBritt is a large company with a reputation for coordinating

reliable trash removal, Spence said. The town’s contract stipulates that AshBritt use local haulers.

“I’m told that the residents of Loxahatchee Groves during previous hurricanes were very selfsufficient in that many of them have their own chainsaws and bucket trucks and front-end loaders already, and they were able to clear before any official group or the county could come and clear the roads,” Spence said. “The county has also told everyone each year you’ve got to be self-sufficient. Before it was five days; now I believe it’s up to seven days to be on your own before anyone could get there.”

The town also has an outstanding Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) headed by residents Pat and Ken Johnson, who go through regular training with the county’s Division of Emergency

Management. “They head up a group of trained local citizenry to provide in effect the first response to a hurricane,” Spence said. “A couple of meetings will be taking place shortly. Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp has already attended one at the county level.”

At the meetings, participants gather all the relevant information for their areas, Spence said. At the county level, the meetings are chaired by Palm Beach County Emergency Management Coordinator Jeffrey Goldberg. “There are different responses at the county levels and at each of the individual city levels,” Spence said.

The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District will handle a large portion of road clearing for the town, Spence said.

Spence said he was scheduling meetings with LGWCD Administrator Clete Saunier as well as contractors responsible for debris

removal to coordinate cleanup plans if the need arises.

“From what I have been told, FEMA has become more strict in their requirements for documentation, and this documentation is extremely important for cities to be reimbursed,” he said.

Spence said his former municipality, the Village of Biscayne Park with a population of 3,350, incurred $1.3 million in damages from Hurricane Wilma.

“We were able to be reimbursed 100 percent of that money,” he said. “What most people do not realize is the importance of a reserve being kept because the city has to pay costs up front, and then FEMA sends out inspectors, and then months later you may start to get a partial payment, so it’s important to be financially sound going into a hurricane season.”

The reimbursement formula currently is 75 percent federal

government, 12.5 percent state government, with cities being responsible for the other 12.5 percent. After Hurricane Wilma, the state agreed to pay the additional 12.5 percent, otherwise cities would have to pay 12.5 percent of cleanup costs, Spence said.

“We’re going to be expected to be self-sufficient and not expect much help quickly, and we’re not in a high priority area for power restoration,” he said.

One redeeming factor is being in the proximity of Palms West Hospital. “Hospitals have a very high priority, as well as fire and police stations,” Spence said.

Power restoration in Loxahatchee Groves after previous hurricanes was two to three weeks, he said.

Spence said he has had training sessions with the county on emergency preparedness and how to maintain communications, but

again stressed the importance of residents maintaining self-sufficiency. “Get your food, get your supplies, get your medicine and be prepared to fend for yourself, because the cavalry will not be arriving anytime soon,” Spence said.

The town does not have a local emergency operating center. “The only one that would qualify closely, and structurally is not sound enough, is the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District offices,” Spence said. “They do have an emergency generator. Their barn is open, but the offices themselves would not qualify for an EOC.”

He said the town probably would have to rely on Royal Palm Beach and Wellington for immediate emergency assistance.

“We’re keeping fingers crossed,” he said. “The prediction is really high.”

OUR OPINION

District Support Crucial If RPBHS Is To Thrive Under New Principal

At the June 3 meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, recently appointed Royal Palm Beach High School Principal Jesus Armas told council members and village residents in attendance about his hopes for improving the school.

RPBHS hit a rough patch years ago, from its repeatedly low school grade to losing students to magnet programs at other schools and a revolving door of principals. However, while the constant changing of the guard might seem like the root of the school’s problems (with principals leaving before they’ve solved any of them), that’s not necessarily the case. Ideally, a good principal would be able to make an impact and have some say in addressing the school’s problems. But this is one problem that can’t be blamed solely on the high school.

Principals in Palm Beach County simply haven’t been granted the power to run their schools. Instead, the ultimate decision-making is done not at the schools, but at the school district. Of course, Palm Beach County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Art Johnson’s recent admission of failure with his attempt to “centralize” the school district is nothing we didn’t already know. It really should be common sense. Municipalities don’t cede their power to the county commission, so why should the school district be able to run roughshod over the needs of local schools? Schools will only be embraced by their communities if they act as reflections of the community. Trying to use one-size-fits-all district solutions is counterproductive to that goal.

Erickson: I Will Not Run Again

To the residents of the Indian Trail Improvement District:

It is that time in the campaign season when I must make the decision about whether to run for my Indian Trail Improvement District seat for another four-year term. I have decided not to seek another term on the ITID board. It is amazing to think back about how much has changed and also how quickly the time has gone by. Three and half years ago I made a decision to run for ITID supervisor because of a proposal to commercialize the whole Northlake corridor. I was a NIMBY (not in my backyard).

The Northlake proposal was bad enough, but along with the Sector Plan, Scripps, CalleryJudge’s DRI, GL Homes’ DRI, ITID’s unrealistic desire to be a utility, the Palm Beach County proposals for highways through the community, and ITID’s relationship with its neighbors and Palm Beach County, these issues were going to completely destroy the character and lifestyle of the bedroom community that I had come to love so much. I decided I could no longer stand on the sidelines and let it happen. The rest is history, and as one reflects back, it’s actually amazing how much has now changed. When I made the commitment to serve the public, I knew I had to put 100 percent into such an important role as representing the residents of my community through these tough times. Hopefully you as residents have been happy with my performance.

The times have changed; most of these issues are behind us, at least temporarily. With the future, the community faces different issues — economics, the cancer cluster designation, transportation infrastructure, runaway taxes, foreclosures and dropping property values, water resources and acceptable drainage, capital infrastructure investments, and the inability to have “home rule.”

Neither having been in the public sector nor having been in the political ring, I have to say my personal experience has been educational, interesting, frustrating and rewarding all at the same time. My pure commitment to the issues has educated me as to how government and politics work; both the rewarding and good things, and, the bad and ugly things. Coming from private business, I have been extremely impatient with the process and have learned that hard work, common sense and logic don’t always prevail like they do in my business experiences. The success of my own businesses has come from my ability to be a visionary. I have a vision for our community, but I truly believe that the only way this community will become a better place to live in is if we all together can develop that common vision. In other words, to succeed we must figure out what we want to be when we grow up. Change is inevitable; the trick is to be proactive about change, so that when it comes, it is what we all want.

My experience at ITID has allowed me to meet so many good people that are worth the sacrifices I have made in order to repre-

Armas acknowledges that he needs to earn the trust of the village, and it will be a while before anyone can make an assessment of his administration. So far, he has said mostly the right things, expressing a desire to work with the village as well as specific ideas for improving the school, including bringing more Advanced Placement classes and a more challenging curriculum. Also, as a resident of the western communities, he comes equipped with a first-hand knowledge of the area. We just hope that he sticks around for more than a year or two and is able to earn that trust. It would go a long way in quelling concerns from council members and parents that RPBHS principals have not participated with or embraced the needs of the village. But without support from his superiors at the school district, Armas will never be able to affect the changes that RPBHS so desperately needs. On a related topic, as Royal Palm Beach High School gets acquainted with its new head administrator, the village has a new administrator of its own. Ray Liggins, who had been serving as acting village manager, is now officially in charge. The council voted June 3 to give him a one-year contract. Formerly the village engineer, Liggins took over the day-today operations in mid February, after former village manager David Farber fell ill. Farber passed away in April. While Farber’s are some mighty big shoes to fill, Liggins is a longtime village employee who is knowledgeable of village affairs and already has a working relationship with the village’s employees. We wish Liggins and Armas the best of luck in their new positions.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

sent them on the issues. I have truly enjoyed the experience, but it is now time to put community issues back where they belong in my life. My wife, my children, my family, my work, my employees and my career are what I need to focus on at this time. They all have paid more than they should have for me to be allowed to serve the residents of ITID for the past three and a half years. I believe I have helped make a difference. Hopefully good citizens with good motives will step forward to take their turn at public service. The qualifying period to run for the board positions starts and ends next week. I will be more than happy to help anyone seeking office who has the right motives and a good vision for the community. I believe if the residents of this community are ever going to truly tackle these issues and make The Acreage a better community, they must bond together under a common vision and make their voices heard as one. The job of representing them will become much easier if everyone contributes to the community efforts. The power to make change can only come from the people, not from the politicians. This community once had a strong landowners’ association in the Acreage Landowners’Association. Help me and the current association’s leadership succeed in giving this community a cohesive strong voice again. If this community is ever going to get its fair share of tax revenue, solve the issues at hand, and create efficient government, the silent majority must stand up and be heard. I will continue to

stand up and be heard. Join me in making this community a better place.

Mike Erickson, Supervisor, Indian Trail Improvement District

Mourning The Demise Of C-PAL

Having served as president of the Crestwood Performing Arts League for three terms (a long time ago!), I was saddened to hear of the demise of this wonderful organization. Kudos to President Dolly Hughes and all those artsminded volunteers who kept the shows coming for 27 years!

And thanks to the many faithful advertisers whose playbill advertising allowed C-PAL to dispense much-needed cash to the music departments of area schools. Establishing the scholarship program during my first term as president was my single most important contribution to C-PAL, but I knew I would have the unanimous support of the board, and I did. As the western communities’ population increased, the number of schools increased, and C-PAL had to work harder every year to keep up, but somehow they managed it. Particular thanks go to two people: developer-cum-countycommissioner Jess Santamaria for quietly yet consistently buying the most expensive ads in the playbill, and, in the early years, to the late great Bonnie O. Goldberg for soliciting financial support from virtually everyone else.

The wonderful members of CPAL (and the Palms West Chamber of Commerce) helped me

OPINION

grow into the person I had hoped to become even though I was a stay-at-home mom with two little kids at the time — and far from a career businessperson.

C-PAL may be gone, but there’s still time to volunteer with the PWCC or another worthwhile community organization. Whatever your age, I recommend finding out how you can help — because they will end up helping you more.

Deborah Welky Miles Wellington

Support A Wellington Campus

Editor’s note: The following letter, written on behalf of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, is in response to last week’s letter by Bob Salerno, a Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassador.

First and foremost, we are most pleased and proud to see one of our ambassadors take a stand on such a groundbreaking issue as higher education in Wellington. Mr. Salerno’s sentiments echo those of the [Wellington Chamber

of Commerce] Board of Directors in that although funding was vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist, Wellington should fervently pursue getting the campus before we lose out to neighboring communities. Gov. Crist, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors opposes your veto. State Rep. Joe Abruzzo, we commend your exemplary efforts on behalf of Wellington and implore the village to work together with our business community and residents to make the dream of a higher educational institution a reality for Wellington.

Michela Perillo-Green, Executive Director

Too Much

Chlorine

The Village of Wellington is sending loads of chlorine in our water. We can’t even brush our teeth anymore without vomiting, not to mention that many of us grow our herbs and vegetables out of pots. It has killed my basil, dill, parsley, tomatoes and cilantro. They could have warned us. Peter Evans Wellington

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090 ; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com

Looking For Some Wild And Wooly Festivals This Year?

Seeking something different, unusual or perhaps even quirky on your upcoming vacation?

Here are a few weird ideas for you to consider:

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

How about the Hollering Festival in Spivey’s Corner, North Carolina on June 19. This nonfood extravaganza will allow adults to spend four minutes each “shouting, whooping, bellowing and howling.” Just check out the details at the festival’s web site at www.hollerin contest.com.

Or perhaps you prefer the Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival set for June 18-20 in Avon, Ohio. It features a sculpture contest and a parade with the theme of peace, love and duct tape. The floats, of course, are made of duct tape. Then there’s the Dover, Del. Delmarva Chicken Festival June 18-19. Chicken Capers feature fun and games plus there are educational poultry displays and a car show, a carnival and musical entertainment. The 61st edition of this “wunderkind” also has the Delmarva giant fry pan, the world’s largest, constantly cooking up the world’s largest treats.

Don’t forget the Mushroom

NEWS

Here Are A Few

Festival (Sept. 11-12) in Kennett Square, Penn. (www.mushroom festival.org). Chefs compete at this one in a mushroom soup cook-off aside from demonstrating their favorite recipes. There are also farm tours and a town museum devoted to — you guessed it — fungi. Lastly, who could forget the Brooklyn, New York-based

Mermaid Parade Fest on Saturday, June 19 (www.coneyisland. com). This wacky, kitchy, fun parade features mermaid tails and 1950s cars along an 11block route. There will be a stillto-be-announced celebrity mayor. Previous mayor stand-ins were Queen Latifa and Harvey Keitel. Ready, set — have fun!

Health Officials Investigating Tuberculosis Case At Seminole Ridge

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Health Department is investigating an incidence of tuberculosis discovered at Seminole Ridge High School.

In the last week of May, a teenage girl was diagnosed with the lung infection, setting off the investigation.

Thefts

Two Men Arrested

continued from page 1 who had photographed the suspects cutting the lines of a unit.

“He saw the cloud of smoke,” Brown said. “He’s a top-notch mechanic, and he figured out in a couple of minutes that it wasn’t a fire, but that they were cutting a coil. He took his cell phone and photographed the tag of the vehi-

“We are doing our due diligence,” health department spokesman Tim O’Connor told the TownCrier on Tuesday. “The way we do this is we look at those who we feel may have come in contact or feel had a potential of being

cle and the suspects. We put out a bulletin for them, and one of our road patrol officers located the individuals and passed the information on to me.”

Brown said the suspects targeted only Acreage homes.

“They never went anywhere else,” he said. “I’m confident in that information. They were comfortable in the area because they lived here.”

Brown said other charges pending include false verification of ownership of the coils. They had

exposed, and then we do the initial skin tests for the tuberculosis. We just spent the first day of testing.”

Letters have been sent to students, teachers and other staff members identified as close contacts, recommending they receive a tuberculosis skin test through

to sign forms confirming that they were the owners of the materials brought to the recycling centers, Brown said.

The suspects stripped the AC units to feed drug habits, he said. Both the suspects had $200- to $300-a-day oxycodone habits, Brown said.

“That was their main reason, obtaining the money to feed their habit,” he said. “It’s a major problem out here in The Acreage, the prescription drug problem.”

their private doctor or from the health department at the high school. The skin test is a small injection under the skin that leaves a small bump. Two to three days later, a medical professional reviews the bump’s size to see if further testing might be needed.

“When we investigate a TB case, we first get a confirmatory diagnosis from a skin test, chest X-ray and possibly a sputum test,” explained Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Palm Beach County Health Department. “We also determine what antibiotics are effective in the treatment. We then interview and test the immediate family and closest contacts. If evidence warrants, we extend our search into the community.”

O’Connor said health department officials will return Aug. 9 to retest those who tested negative to be certain there were no false negatives.

“At this point, we don’t now if there are any additional exposures related to this case,” O’Connor said. “As soon as there is a case identified, you start with the immediate family, and then go out there in concentric circles.”

If a high rate of incidences is found, the health department might take the investigation into the community, he said.

There is another window of testing 60 days from time of the discovery of the first incident, O’Connor said, explaining that the human body can suppress tuberculosis bacteria for a certain amount of time. Tests are available that detect the latent TB infection, although the carrier may not be sick or contagious, he said. The infected Seminole Ridge student visited a physician because of a chronic cough that would not go away, O’Connor

said, explaining that when the physician diagnosed tuberculosis, he is required to report it. In a confirmed case of TB, Alonso said her staff follows the patient for the entire period needed to confirm a cure. Health department staff also conducts direct drug observation therapy to make sure patients complete their drug regimen. Failure to complete treatment can result in involuntary hospitalization.

Although cases of latent tuberculosis infection and disease are declining in the county, cases are still present and must be investigated, O’Connor said. There are several dozen cases of TB in Palm Beach County each year.

Tuberculosis is contagious; a person with TB can pass it on by coughing. However, it is not extremely contagious and exposure must be for a prolonged duration.

PIANO TEACHER SYLVIA SKOLLER HOSTS A RECITAL

Amanda Liu performs a number.

Brendan Boudreau at the piano.

Elizabeth Mackey with her dog Pepper.

Nina Mangiola plays while Sylvia Skoller looks on.

Ryan Enfield concentrates on his playing.

Sylvia Skoller with her students.

PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Anisa Sookhoo impresses the audience.

Home Burglaries In Wellington, RPB

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

JUNE 2 — Two homes on Sheffield Street in Wellington were burglarized last Wednesday. According to separate Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reports, the victims called the Wellington substation after they returned home to find their houses had been ransacked. According to the first PBSO report, sometime between noon and 5 p.m., someone entered the house through a rear sliding glass door and stole the victim’s coin collection, costume jewelry, a ring valued at approximately $500 and a Movado watch, also valued at approximately $500. In a second PBSO report, sometime between 2 p.m. last Wednesday and 2:30 p.m. the following afternoon, someone entered a home by forcing open the rear sliding glass door, causing $200 in damage. It was unknown what was missing at the time of the report because the owner was out of state. There were no witnesses at the time of the report.

JUNE 2 — An Acreage resident called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Wednesday evening to report a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked his Ford F-250 truck outside a restaurant on Okeechobee Blvd. at approximately 3:30 p.m., and when he returned at approximately 5:45 p.m., he discovered that his rear window had been smashed. The suspect(s) stole two cell phones, a digital camera, a necklace, $30 cash, a purse and several credit cards. The suspect(s) also tried unsuccessfully to remove the television/radio from the dashboard. According to the report, surveillance video of the parking lot showed a white mini van circle the parking lot several times before approaching the victim’s vehicle. A suspect then jumped out and into the bed of the victim’s truck. According to the report, the deputy was unable to determine a description of the suspect, but a copy of the video was taken as evidence.

JUNE 2 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a home in La Mancha last Wednesday afternoon regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim returned home at approximately 12:24 p.m. to find that the stained glass panel of his front door was broken, the door was unlocked and the house had been ransacked. The suspect(s) stole a laptop computer, several pieces of jewelry, medication and a jar of change. The stolen items were valued at approximately $11,500. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. The burglary was timed to sometime after 11 a.m., because that is when the house cleaners had left the home.

JUNE 3 — An employee of the Radio Shack store in Royal Palm Beach called the PBSO last Thursday afternoon to report a theft. According to a PBSO report, someone stole an Archos 5 GPS unit valued at approximately $250 from a wall display. According to the report, an employee witnessed the suspect open an empty camera box on display and act fidgety. The suspect then went back to the area where the GPS was displayed, and minutes later it was gone. The employee described the suspect as a white male, approximately 5’7” and 145 lbs. with

short dark hair and a bald spot wearing a black and white t-shirt and blue jeans. According to the report, two black males wearing jeans and dark shirts accompanied him. One suspect was approximately 5’8” and 165 lbs. with dark short hair, in his 30s. The other was approximately 5’8” and 150 lbs. with dark short hair, in his 20s. A video surveillance DVD was entered into evidence.

JUNE 3 — A Lantana woman was arrested for shoplifting last Thursday at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a store employee observed via surveillance camera 25year-old Laquinta Brown place eight articles of clothing as well as various food and drink items into a large purse as she walked through the store. Brown then passed all points of sale and attempted to leave the store without paying for the merchandise. She was detained, and the items were recovered. The total amount of stolen merchandise was valued at $83.93. Brown was placed under arrest and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

JUNE 4 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home in Shaker Wood last Friday morning in response to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. last Thursday and 7 a.m. the following morning, someone broke into the victim’s Ford F-250 and stole a Garmin GPS valued at approximately $250, and $10 in change. According to the report, the suspect(s) tried to steal the truck, as there was damage to the ignition. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JUNE 7 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home in the Pinewood neighborhood on Monday afternoon after a resident called to report a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9 a.m. and 2:05 p.m., someone used a prying tool on the victim’s rear sliding glass door to gain entry to the home. The suspect(s) then went into the master bedroom and stole a maple wood box along with a gift box filled with miscellaneous costume jewelry. The stolen items were valued at approximately $753. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JUNE 8 — A resident of the St. Andrews community called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Tuesday to report a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s garage through an unlocked door and stole two bicycles. The bicycles were valued at approximately $3,150. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JUNE 8 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded to a home on 59th Street North on Tuesday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim discovered that someone removed the decal from her license plate. The victim reported that someone had peeled off all the decals from her license plate. According to the report, the victim could not determine when the decal was last seen or where the theft occurred. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Miguel Paula is a white male, 6’0” tall and weighing 235 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He has a scar on his right hand. His date of birth is 05/11/88. Paula is wanted for failure to appear on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and fleeing or attempting to elude a marked police car. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Shaker Circle in Wellington. Paula is wanted as of 06/10/ 10. • Kristel Tasane is a white female, 5’9” tall and weighing 120 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 03/ 23/79. Tasane is wanted for failure to appear on a charge of neglect of a child. Her occupation is unknown. Her last known address was Pine Avenue in Greenacres. Tasane is wanted as of 06/10/10. 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.

Miguel Paula Kristel Tasane

New RPBHS Principal Vows To Work Closely With Village Officials

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

New Royal Palm Beach High School Principal Jesus Armas said that creating trust, fostering a safe environment and attracting local students were his top priorities for the 2010-11 school year.

Armas was questioned by residents and Royal Palm Beach Village Council members at a council meeting Thursday, June 3.

Armas is a 14-year resident of The Acreage. He has been principal at Lake Worth Middle School since 2006, but is best known in the western communities for his time as assistant principal at Seminole Ridge High School.

“It’s an honor,” Armas said. “I know what the high school means to the village, and I know what a great high school can mean to the community. Certainly our goal is to make it the school that it should be. We will do everything we can do make it what you’d like it to be, and certainly what everyone in the community wants it to be.”

Armas said he recognized the importance of the high school not only in attracting residents to the area but also educating the students already in the area.

“It will begin with an effort to

create trust,” he said. “That is the most important thing, because in all the articles that I’ve read, and with all the people that I’ve talked to, there seems to be a lack of trust. I know that it’s incumbent on me to begin that trust process, and I will do that.”

Councilman Fred Pinto noted that the school has had constant turnover of principals for nearly a decade.

“We believe that not all the issues we have at the high school are attributed to that, but certainly that is one of the contributing factors,” Pinto said. “We need someone who is going to be able to be there for the long term to take on a long-term strategy. Not all of these issues are going to be resolved overnight, and we recognize that.”

Armas said creating a true community school where local children can attend elementary, middle and high school close to home is his long-term goal.

“High schools are complex beings,” he said. “They’re like an aircraft carrier to turn around. Certainly there are a few things that can get done right away; that’s where the trust comes in. We’ll do that by coming together as a com-

munity and creating a common vision for the school.”

Armas said that although the high school’s crest says “the vision becomes a reality,” no one has been able to tell him what that vision was.

“The goal is to come together as a community, create that vision together and work toward that vision,” he said, noting that Lake Worth Middle School had many of the same concerns.

Councilman David Swift noted that a problem in the past has been principals who don’t participate with the village. He also expressed concerns about recent boundary changes and losing local students to magnet programs.

“I had a meeting with the teachers at RPBHS,” he said. “The opinion of the teachers was that a lot of us on the council here would like to have a higher standard than just getting these kids out of high school. And the teachers didn’t seem to understand. They thought, ‘Well, we have a thousand kids here that we need to graduate and you’re talking about 60 kids.’ But we’re talking about the 1,050 kids who chose to go somewhere else because we don’t have the programs to keep them here.”

Armas said he understood the council’s concerns, but noted that the school has to educate all of the students.

“We teach the kids that we get,” he said. “And at Royal Palm Beach High School, we will teach the kids that we get. Now let me say this, it is a school’s responsibility to provide each and every student with the appropriate education that he or she needs.”

Armas said that the school would look into its programs to see if they meet the needs of all students. He noted that high-level students will soon be able to enroll in an Advanced Placement academy.

“We will, over the summer, create an in-house Advanced Placement academy,” he said. “It’s something we can do right away because it will be in-house with students already enrolled.”

The academy will put students in a smaller classroom environment with high-level teachers.

But Armas said the school would continue to focus on students of all levels.

This year, 47 percent of students would be on free or reduced lunch, Armas said, compared with 11 percent of students nine years ago.

He also said he anticipated a C grade this year, but noted that RPBHS was a C school even with only 11 percent of students on free lunch.

“We need to get away from that C grade,” he said. “We need to move up, and we will. We’re going to start implementing the proper programs to keep our kids here.”

Although RPBHS wants to meet the needs of high-level students, Armas said, the school must provide for those who struggle.

He also addressed safety concerns, noting that the building’s design calls for more supervision, and that it will be provided.

“Royal Palm Beach High School will be a safe place,” he said. “Frankly, I feel that that’s one of the easy fixes. Because if you have attention to detail, and you provide the right personnel in the right positions, then you can make a high school safe.”

Resident Dolores Spitale, whose children graduated from RPBHS in 2003 and 2005, said a large problem in the school is apathy from parents. She also questioned whether Armas had ever been accused of misusing school funds, which she said was a problem in past administrations. Armas noted that managing the budget is a large responsibility.

“The only person who ever accuses me of misusing funds is my wife,” he joked. “High school budgets are big budgets and there are a lot of different sub-organizations that go on. You have to have the proper bookkeeping. That’s part of the management of the organization.”

Wellington Council Agrees To Raise Water Rates For Two Years

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington residents can expect a 15-percent increase on their combined water/wastewater rates over the next two years after the Wellington Village Council authorized the rate increase Tuesday.

Utilities Director Bill Riebe told the council that village staff was recommending the 7.5-percent increase in fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12 to offset inflation and a population increase. It also would help pay for the department’s anticipated $3.6 million in capacity costs and $45 million in renewal and replacement needs during the next 10 years.

Riebe said that a household using 6,000 gallons of water each month would see a $3.75 increase — from $49.95 to $53.70 each month — on their combined water/wastewater bill next year. The

rates will rise by $4, from $53.70 to $57.72, the following year.

“If we don’t do anything, if we hold with our existing rates today… by 2017 we’ll barely have any money,” Riebe said. “And then in the later years, we will actually go in the hole.”

The rates include inflation and are designed to promote conservation, he said. The council was also asked to institute automatic rate increases consistent with the consumer price index to offset inflation in the future.

Vice Mayor Matt Willhite asked how long it had been since Wellington raised its water rates before the past year. Village Manager Paul Schofield said it had been about 15 years.

Willhite noted that the rate increase would be less for residents who do not get wastewater services, but that the raises

were necessary to combat increased costs.

“I think that’s something important to say that previous councils didn’t raise rates for the residents,” he said. “But the unfortunate part is last year we realized that we were going to start to suffer for the future. I think it’s important to mention that we’re not trying to raise rates just to increase our revenue.”

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig noted that it was important to keep up with the repairs and renewal of the water facilities in order to prevent problems.

Schofield agreed, noting that by raising the rates now, the village could afford to repair facilities without borrowing money, which could cost up to 25 percent more than if the village paid out of pocket.

“It’s just a better business mod-

el to pay for it as you go,” he said.

“That $45 million in spending that we need to do over the next 10 years, if we borrowed that money, we would not pay back $45 million, we would pay back $90 million and the rates would have to be adjusted to compensate for that.”

Mayor Darell Bowen noted that even after the rate increase, Wellington would still be below the average water and sewer rate in Palm Beach County.

“We are now on a pay-as-yougo plan, unlike many of the other municipalities,” he said. “When they need to replace their equipment, they’re going to have to go borrow money.”

In other business, the council voted unanimously to accept an ordinance creating uniformity in the number of board and committee members. Each board and

committee will have seven members, five appointed by council members and two decided by the council as a whole. It also appointed its board and committee members for two-year terms. The appointees are:

Architectural Review Board

Tom Orlowski, Karyl Silver, Richard Logan, Robert Camerlinck, Kimberly Sundook, Douglas Henry and Ken Jacobsen.

Construction Board — Frank Ferrano, Nicholas Duffy, Mike O’Dell, Michael Grosswirth, Damon Robling, Mike Sexton and Gene DiFonte.

Education Committee — Kay Brown, Marcia Hayden, Peter Inniss, Terri Priore, Sharon Wedgworth, Karen Holme and Nanee Maffeo.

Equestrian Preserve Committee — Barbara Richardson, Donald Dufresne, Dr. Scott Swer-

dlin, Myles Tashman, Tamara Seely, Michael Whitlow and Ryan Beckett, with ex-officio nonvoting members John Wash and Michael Stone. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board — Mike Pignato, Tom Wenham, Dr. Jeffrey Zipp, Anthony Forgione, Dr. Samuel Falzone, Dr. Stacy Clark and Brad O’Brien. Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board — Al Bennett, Bob Margolis, Carmine A. Priore III, Elizabeth Mariaca, Tim Shields, Craig Bachove and Mike Drahos. Public Safety Committee Keith Jackson, Kevin Shaw, Joie Talley, Ernie Zimmerman, Steve Cheatham, Jacqueline Hutman and Jim Lewis. Tree Board — Debbie Evans, Ken Roundtree, Charles Sandell, Ellen Garzione, Christopher Gilette, Stormi Bivin and Lisa Ferrano.

County Approves ITID Request To Tone Down Sem Pratt Lighting

By Ron Bukley

Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission on Tuesday approved a request by the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors to reduce the intensity of the streetlights being installed on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. The approval followed an ITID meeting Thursday, June 3, at which many residents complained that the lights were too bright for rural standards.

County Engineer George Webb, who attended the ITID meeting, recommended at the commission meeting that the county adopt a rural standard for lighting.

“It’s a less amount of light,” Webb said, explaining that the standard will have almost half the

Janae

Vote In Contest

This Month

continued from page 1 Legster, opened up a new door for Jones. Soon his daughter’s school, Arc Potentials School, asked him to design a new piece.

“They came to me and said,

‘We’ve had in mind a device to stretch a kid’s hamstrings and adductor muscles,’” he recalled.

“They gave me an idea of what they wanted, and I came up with the Wedgester.”

The Wedgester, which is the piece up for a $250,000 grant from Pepsi, is a hamstring/adductorpositioning device that helps children stretch these muscles. It sits children in an upright position and helps to stretch their legs.

After surgery, a child’s legs need to be stretched at least two hours a day to prevent additional damage, Jones said. Most insurance companies cover only two to three hours a week of therapy, which requires a parent to bring the child to the doctor.

The Wedgester can be used instead at home or at school while the child reads, eats or watches television.

The equipment has gained support from several doctors and therapists. Jones is in pursuit of government grants to run a long-term study with Dr. Michael Tidwell of Miami Children’s Hospital to see if using the Wedgester could decrease the need for surgery.

Jones has built several pieces for the school and for parents to use in the home. Although the cost

intensity of streetlights that had been installed by FPL on the south portion of Seminole Pratt near the Sluggett property where the road is being four-laned. Those lights drew widespread objections from residents who said the lights compromise their view of the night sky. “It is a substantial reduction,” Webb said.

Commission Chairman Burt Aaronson asked what effect the change would have on liability for the county, and Webb said the standard is approved by the Florida Department of Transportation.

“Since this is an adopted standard that is recognized, you are no more liable for this standard,” Webb said.

During the ITID meeting, several people spoke in favor of re-

of the equipment is much less than buying from an insurance company, Jones dreams of being able to provide every child in need with one at no cost.

“I wish I could give them away for free,” he said. “I hate the idea of having to charge anyone. I just haven’t won the grant yet. That’s why I’m going after this Pepsi Refresh Project grant.”

That’s where the community comes in. Every day in June, supporters can log on to the Pepsi Refresh Project web site at www.refresheverything.com/janaedesigns and vote for Jones’ Wedgester. At the end of June, the top two vote-getters will win a $250,000 grant. With slightly less than 20 days left, Jones’ Wedgest-

ducing the lighting intensity, and some spoke in favor of lighting only at intersections. Webb said that would not be acceptable by state standards because of the repeated transition from lighted to dark areas.

Webb explained that the county has for years been planning on widening Seminole Pratt to a fourlane, divided roadway, which usually takes the brighter lighting that had been installed. The county worked with FPL installing the streetlights, and by coincidence FPL was hardening some of its lines, particularly along Seminole Pratt north of Southern Blvd., in preparation for the hurricane season.

FPL put up lights on the east side of Seminole Pratt from South-

er is in 57th place. If Jones wins, he plans to provide 365 needy children across the nation with free equipment to help improve their quality of life.

“I hate the idea of having to charge parents for my devices,” he said. “If I win this thing, I can use that money, build 365 devices, and ship them to children all across the nation. No money out of their parents’ pockets. It would be like I’m Santa Claus and it’s Christmas for the children. And they’re getting something that would help improve their quality of life and reach their fullest potential.”

For more information about Janae Designs, visit www.janae designs.com. There is a link to the Pepsi web site on the home page.

ern Blvd. north to Harlena Drive because that is where the distribution lines are, Webb said. At Harlena, the lines cross over to the west side up to Sycamore Drive, which was the area under discussion. “It sort of fits our opportunity as far as what lighting to provide,” Webb said. He explained that the same standard for lighting four-lane divided roadways has been used for about 15 years, adding that eventually a second row of lights will be added on the opposite side of the road. “There’s going to be twice as much light, because with a divided roadway you want that,” Webb said. “But it raises questions immediately, first for the need for lighting and secondly, the intensity of lighting,” he said.

County staff asked design consultants to see what other standards were available, and they found the rural standard. That standard is accepted by the American Association of State and Highway Transportation and by the FDOT, Webb said.

“We have not used it in Palm Beach County, but with that national standard, I certainly have no problem asking the Board of County Commissioners to consider it, going down to a lower lighting level,” Webb said.

Eventually all of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Northlake Blvd. will be widened to divided four-lane roadways, and the rural standard might be adopted for that entire system, he said.

Richard Sluggett, owner of the

Hart Now In Command

continued from page 1 the PBSO-Wellington relationship remains strong.

“I spoke with [Wellington Village Manager] Paul Schofield yesterday. He is happy with the direction the department is going,” he said. “I’m going to build on the foundation that has been set in place.”

Hart said the policies are similar for the Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and Acreage/Loxahatchee districts put in place by Major Tony Araujo, who is Hart’s immediate supervisor. Araujo set up the model when he was commander of the Royal Palm Beach district, Hart said. “His philosophy is all of our districts should have community-based policing where we get out in the community, we speak to the community and we find out what’s going on,” Hart said. “The more we can interact with our community, the easier it is to help solve problems.”

property that is under application for a land-use change from agricultural to commercial, spoke in favor of the higher intensity lights that were recently installed along his property. That lighting will not be removed, Webb said. Aaronson said at the county commission meeting that he favored the reduced lighting because it was a cost savings for the county. “If we don’t put as many lights in, we’ll have money saved for the engineering department, and then maybe places that have to be done can be done faster,” he said.

Commissioner Karen Marcus made a motion to reduce the lighting, which was seconded by Commissioner Shelley Vana and passed 7-0.

Pianist Copeland Davis Concert June 13 In RPB

There are still tickets available to My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust’s fundraiser “An Evening with Copeland Davis & Friends” on Sunday, June 13 at 6 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Tickets cost $40, which covers a buffet dinner; soft drinks, wine or beer; silent and live auctions; and, of course, a performance by world-renowned pianist Copeland Davis. Every dollar raised will go to charitable purposes. Tickets will be available at the door. Join MBSK and plan to have a wonderful evening. For more information, call Chris Santamaria at (561) 753-7555.

Despite his previous experience in Wellington, Hart still has much to review, given the short notice of his change of command.

“With the distraction that has occurred, my job is to keep everyone on track and focused on their current assignments,” he said. “The deputies have done a tremendous job throughout the last several years in reducing crime and reducing traffic crashes and doing what they do best.” Hart said he is a hands-on commander and plans to be out in the field often. “I like to be in the mix of things,” he said. “I’m very accessible to the public. When they call me, they’ll get me.”

Schofield, who learned of Richter’s abrupt retirement late last Thursday night, said he was pleased with Hart’s appointment. “Our PBSO contract does not give us a choice in who the district commander is,” Schofield said. “I am genuinely pleased with the fact that they appointed Jay Hart as our new district commander. He not only knows Wellington, he lives here, he has worked here, he knows the people, and I believe

he will be a good captain. The circumstances under which he ended up here are clearly not what we would have preferred, but in terms of Jay, we are happy. This all happened really, really fast.” Schofield said Hart has been deeply involved with the way the Wellington district operates.

“A good deal of the programs that are in place, he had a hand in formulating,” Schofield said. “It was just a year ago that he had left. He’s familiar with the command structure. He’s familiar with the deputies here. I believe that they are comfortable with him and that he will be an effective commander. I don’t believe that our residents will notice a difference. I think that we will continue to get the quality service that we are accustomed to receiving.” Despite the personal issues that led to his abrupt departure, Schofield said that Richter had been an effective commander. “We have gotten good service from him. We are supportive of the work that he did,” he said. “As our district commander, and effectively as a police chief, we will miss him.”

Jesus Armas

Ollie Jones IV works with his daughter Jaene to demonstrate the use of the Wedgester, currently up for a Pepsi Refresh Project grant.

Pianist Copeland Davis

AUTHOR VISITS WITH PANTHER RUN STUDENTS

Award-winning children’s author Lisa McCourt visited Panther Run Elementary School on Tuesday, June 1. McCourt spoke to students about writing, as well as her books, which include Yummiest Love, Granny’s Dragon and the Stinky Face series, to name a few. For more info., visit www.lisamccourt.com. (Above) McCourt talks about writing. (Below) Panther Run students welcome McCourt. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Kids Cooking Camps At Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market Wellington is celebrating summer with a series of weeklong children’s cooking camps under the direction of local children’s cooking instructor Dianne Morin, who has been teaching children how to cook for more than seven years.

Open to children ages 6 to 15, the three-hour, Monday-throughFriday camps will be full of funfilled activities including cooking recipes from south of the border to Italy, a pajama party, a backyard bash with perfect picnic items, and a special day in which campers will prepare lunch for their visiting parents.

Space is limited to the first 20 registrations. For Friday, parents need to arrive 45 minutes before pick up to enjoy what their children have made for them.

To register, parents must stop by the Whole Foods Market Wellington customer service desk for a registration form. Forms and checks then have to be mailed to Morin. The cost is $165 for the week. Payments can also be made online at www.diannemmorininc. com.

Dates, hours and prices are as follows: June 14-18 from 9 a.m. to noon (parents should arrive at 11:15 a.m. on Friday); June 2125 from 1 to 5 p.m. (parents should arrive at 4:15 p.m. on Friday); July 19-23 from 9 a.m. to noon (parents should arrive at 11:15 a.m. on Friday); and July 26-30 from 9

a.m. to noon (parents should ar-

rive at 11:15 a.m. on Friday).

Whole Foods Market is located at 2635 State Road 7. The cooking camp will take place in the Lifestyle Center. For more information, call (561) 904-4000.

Seminole Ridge To Host Girls Basketball Camp

The girls basketball program at Seminole Ridge High School will host a girls youth basketball camp for ages 7 to 14 this summer in the SRHS gym. There will be two different sessions. The first session will take place Monday, June 14 through Thursday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to noon (with 8:30 to 9 a.m. registration). The second will take place Monday, Aug. 2 through Thursday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. The camp will cover all basketball fundamentals through drills and games, and the players will be coached and instructed by coaches and players from the Seminole Ridge girls basketball program.

Each session costs $50. T-shirts, daily snacks and awards will be provided to all campers. Space is limited, so parents should call girls varsity basketball coach Scott O’Hara at (561) 818-5733 or (561) 791-9878 to register; registration will also be held the day camp begins if space is available. There are also registration forms available in the Seminole Ridge front office.

Tree’s Wings Celebrating 15

Years In RPB

The owners and staff at Tree’s Wings & Ribs are excited to be celebrating the restaurant’s 15th anniversary in Royal Palm Beach, and there are some fun things planned over the next year during the celebration. Tree’s Wings is inviting everyone for their birthday party on the 15th day of each month to enjoy special menu items at anniversary prices. One menu item is made especially for Tree’s birthday celebration — a 15-piece order of buffalo wings for $8.99 with the purchase of a beverage.

Tree’s Wings & Ribs has award-winning buffalo wings and fall-off-the-bone ribs. The restaurant opens seven days a week at 11 a.m. and is located at 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the Royal Plaza just north of Southern Blvd. Tree’s offers dine-in, take-out and delivery. Tree’s also offers a private room for parties as well as a large menu of party trays and onsite catering. To contact Tree’s Wings & Ribs, call (561) 791-1535 or visit www.treeswingsandribs.com.

CVB Seeks

Providencia Award Nominees

Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has announced that the CVB is

now accepting nominations for the prestigious Providencia Award.

“The Providencia Award is Palm Beach County’s most important symbol of recognition for the local tourism industry that employs tens of thousands of hardworking men and women and adds more than $2.6 billion annually to the local economy,” Pesquera said. “The annual award celebrates local businesses, organizations and/or individuals who are making an extraordinary contribution to the vitality and prosperity of Palm Beach County as a major tourist destination.”

Previous Providencia Award winners include the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens, the Breakers, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Burt Reynolds, the Ritz-Carlton, the Norton Museum of Art, the Boca Raton Resort & Club, SunFest, Jack Nicklaus, the Marathon of the Palm Beaches, Delta Airlines, Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. and the Palm Beach Kennel Club.

“The CVB’s 15-member Public Relations Committee will evaluate and score all submitted nominations and select the winner of this year’s Providencia Award,” said Committee Chair Gary Schweikhart.

The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2010 Providencia Awards is Friday, July 30. Nomination forms and guidelines are available online at www. palmbeachfl.com (click “Partners/ Members” at the top right of the page).

ROYAL PALM ROTARY INSTALLS OFFICERS AT LION COUNTRY SAFARI CEREMONY

LIZBETH BENACQUISTO CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISER

Past District Gov. Betsy Owen, President Eric Gordon and District Gov.-elect Louis Venuti.

Lyn Cacella, former Florida governor Claude Kirk and Lizbeth Benacquisto. Dr. Scott Swerdlin with Lizbeth Benacquisto.

Former Wellington councilwoman and State Senate District 27 Republican candidate Lizbeth Benacquisto held a campaign fundraiser on Monday, June 7 at the Binks Forest Golf Club. Benacquisto is seeking the seat being vacated by State Sen. Dave Aronberg in his run for Florida attorney general.

Eric Gordon was sworn in

were presented to Russell Miller and Sandy Dominique.

Eric Gordon takes the gavel from Mike Gauger.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Charter members Tony Endler, Lynn Balch, Dr. Bruce Elkind and Joan Scherer.

Terri Wescott presents Joan Scherer with the Rotarian of the Year Award.

RPB Rotarians who received Distinguished Service Awards.

Past District Governor Betsy Owen, Eric Gordon and Scott Armand with Royal Palm Beach High School Interact officers.

Without A Current Home, Royal Playhouse Looks To Settle In Wellington

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report

For 18 years, the Royal Playhouse has been bringing quality community theater to the western communities. With more than 75 performances throughout the years, people have been captivated by Royal Playhouse productions, turning out to the various venues the production company has called home.

However, a year ago, the nonprofit troupe was forced out of its then home in a shopping plaza on Forest Hill Blvd. near Military Trail when the plaza went bankrupt, said Peter Pagliaro, the group’s executive director and founder.

Since then, the Royal Playhouse has been inoperative, postponing all plays until a new theater location can be found.

According to Pagliaro, the Royal Playhouse Board of Directors is eying the Wellington area for the troupe’s new home.

“Wellington is a great place for a theater,” Pagliaro said. “We re-

ally, truly feel that Wellington will be the up-and-coming cultural community in the west.”

Wellington currently does not have a community theater, and Pagliaro said the Royal Playhouse’s theater will begin a cultural movement in the area.

“The theater would put Wellington on the cultural map,” Pagliaro said. “It really is a great area, but there is no true cultural organization. There have been a couple that tried, but none in Wellington have lasted as long as we have.”

Pagliaro believes the success of the Royal Playhouse can be attributed to the quality and consistency of its plays. “Our motto is we would not go out and perform a show if we could not give 100 percent,” Pagliaro said. “People walk out there saying, ‘I’m coming back.’”

Performances from the Royal Playhouse have included musicals, dramas, comedies and Shakespeare. “For five years, we did sold-out shows,” Pagliaro said.

The playhouse has even done performances for children to expose them to the arts. “We are an advocate for children’s cultural arts,” Pagliaro said. “And we try to involve the whole community in cultural arts.”

With a new theater in Wellington, the Royal Playhouse board plans to provide entertainment in the arts for the community. Families will be able to watch plays, see shows, and enjoy visual and live art right in their own neighborhood. There will also be a program for children interested in the performing arts.

All the workers at the Royal Playhouse, from the actors to the set developers, are volunteers. “Some volunteers come from as far as Miami,” Pagliaro said. “We’re not interested in making money.”

Pagliaro founded the Royal Playhouse in 1992 in Royal Palm Beach. A former professional actor, Pagliaro has done movies and commercials. He wanted to continue his love of acting by creat-

ing a community theater where he could, “stay in acting, without traveling, and be with my family.”

With the development of a new board of directors, the Royal Playhouse has been on a mission to seek out a new theater location in Wellington. The board members, consisting of mostly Wellington residents, have been planning fundraisers to gain support for a new location in the community.

And community support for a new theater is a crucial goal. “We are looking for people to get involved in the business aspect,” Pagliaro said. “People who can come up with some good ideas.”

But the biggest priority is finding a place. “We need our own space where we don’t have to share,” he said. “We don’t care what it looks like.”

Pagliaro and his board are looking for anyone who can donate a location in Wellington for their new theater. “There’s a lot of open space in town,” he noted.

Pagliaro said that while he

would be grateful for any location in Wellington, he would prefer to be in a shopping center. “We would be good for the retail stores in a plaza,” he said. “People could walk around, eat and shop before going to see a play.”

Royal Playhouse board members will be talking with Wellington village officials to promote and gain support for the new theater.

“We are meeting with them not for financial support, but we want their blessings,” Pagliaro said.

They are hoping that through the support from Wellington village officials and residents, they will be able to create a fresh start for the Royal Playhouse with many more years to come.

“It’s like starting all over again,” Pagliaro said. “But getting the support is the most important element in making it work.”

In addition to a new location for the Royal Playhouse, Pagliaro is also looking for a few more board members who will assist in fundraising and support for the new theater.

LOCAL FUNDRAISER SUPPORTS ARONBERG’S ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPAIGN

A campaign fundraiser for State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-District

State Rep. Joe Abruzzo with hostess Victoria McCullough.

State Sen. Dave Aronberg with Regis Wenham, Ed Tautiva and Tom Wenham.

27) was held Tuesday, June 1 at

Wellington home of equestrian activist Victoria McCullough. Aronberg is running for Florida attorney general. In attendance at the reception were State Rep. Joe Abruzzo (D-District 85) and District 16 Democratic congressional hopeful Ed Tautiva. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Peter Pagliaro

Norm Gitzen, Dave Aronberg, Carol Coleman and Jody Young.

PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

SRHS Cadets Present For Relay, Memorial Day

The Seminole Ridge High School Army JROTC color guard presented the nation’s colors on Saturday, May 22 to open the “Relay Cruises the World” walk, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event at Wellington Village Park. The Hawk cadets were also in attendance at the South Florida National Cemetery for its annual Memorial Day ceremony May 31, where they assisted in the presentation of the colors. The event featured a number of prestigious speakers, honored guests and representatives of veterans’ organizations.

“Our cadets participated in the procession of the presentation of colors,” Seminole Ridge JROTC instructor Lieutenant Col. (ret.) Hans Hunt said. “It was an honor for them to be there and be part of a ceremony to commemorate the brave men and women who have given their lives in military service to our country.”

• Dual Enrollment for Fall 2010 — The date has changed for students interested in dual enrollment classes for the fall. A guid-

ance counselor will be available on the SRHS campus Wednesday, July 28 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to answer questions and complete any dual enrollment permission and registration forms. Registration and permission forms will not be available after July 28. Make sure all your dual enrollment paperwork is completed on or before that date. For additional information, call the guidance office at (561) 422-2610.

• Stats Confirm Reading Success — SRHS media specialist Carole Koester said the end-ofyear statistics make her proud and grateful to work there. The school’s reading program, she said, “is making such a difference, and we are creating an atmosphere where reading is an enjoyable activity.”

Seminole Ridge students read an average of nine books during the past school year, and earned an average of 148 “BookIt!” points for passing the quizzes on their reading. In each case, the numbers this year represent a more than 10-percent increase over last year’s reading stats.

Temple Beth Zion School Honors Award Winners

Students of the Ben and Mildred Lieber Religious School at Temple Beth Zion recently participated in a year-end awards ceremony. The award-winners are as follows: the Hebrew Fluency Award - Jordan De Boer, Richie Wyman, Rebecca Kokot and Brittany Abrams; the Outstanding Hebrew Reading Award - Abby Marcus, Joshua Solomon, Maxime Rothschild and Sloane Naparsteck; and the Most Improved in Hebrew Award - Matthew De Boer, Amber Marcus, Zachary Jacobson, Marcus Antonelli, Noah Katz and David Shenkman.

and

NEW HORIZONS FIFTHGRADERS CELEBRATE THE END OF THE YEAR

New Horizons Elementary School fifth-graders participated in an end-of-the-year celebration. They enjoyed a magician, dancing and a luau. The school congratulates the fifth-graders as they head off to middle school.

READING COUNTS AT NEW HORIZONS

New Horizons Elementary School students participated in the Reading Counts program by reading books, keeping a log of the number of words read, and taking computer generated comprehension assessments for each book. The school congratulates all New Horizons students for participating. Special congratulations go to Gwen Lyons’s kindergarten class for reading more than 75,000 words; Mia Palomba for reading 500,000 words; Santino Ramos, Veronica Garcia-Parra, Elijah Albright, Katie Tolman, Beatriz Gonzalez, Diana Saenz, Megan Ihle, Nicholas Letherbarrow, Brody Lombardo, Brandon Georges, Trevor Lenzi and Juliana Aughey for reading one million words; and Samantha Taliercio, Bryce Wilson and Claudia Gundersen for reading two million words.

Matthew De Boer, Amber Marcus, Zachary Jacobson and Marcus Antonelli.

Abby Marcus, Joshua Solomon, Maxime Rothschild and Sloane Naparsteck.

Jordan De Boer, Richie Wyman, Rebecca Kokot and Brittany Abrams.

Noah Katz

David Shenkman.

JROTC cadets with instructor Lieutenant Col. (ret.) Hans Hunt and Principal Dr. Lynne McGee.

Cadets with WPTV NewsChannel 5’s Roxanne Stein.

BINKS FOREST STUDENTS CELEBRATE CULTURE

Binks Forest Elementary School held its Multicultural Day on May 14. Principal Stacey Quinones was instrumental in bringing the event to the school. Students were presented with hands-on experiences from various cultures such as African, Polynesian and square dancing. Binks Forest’s sister school, Gove Elementary School in Belle Glade, delighted Binks students with performances by their steel drums group and chorus. The students from Gove spent the day with Binks students enjoying the many multicultural activities in dance, storytelling and music from around the world. (Above) Binks Forest girls learn to hula dance. (Below) Polynesian dancers perform.

Western Pines Supports McDonald House

Twenty-two students and staff from Western Pines Middle School traveled to the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Lauderdale with 388 pounds of pop tabs on May 19. That total equals 491,596 individual tabs.

This has been an ongoing service project at Western Pines. Students made their first trip with tabs when the Fort Lauderdale house opened in 2004. This delivery brought Western Pines’ total to more than two million tabs. The tabs are sold at a recycling center, with the money raised used to purchase consumables at the residence. House Manager Flora Nwalupue took the students and staff on a tour of the facility.

“Three hundred eighty-eight pounds of tabs is an amazing

achievement,” Nwalupue said. “You can all take pride in knowing that the pop-tab collection will be recycled to help us to raise funds for our house. The money will serve the needs of our facility and directly benefit the children and families residing here. I enjoyed very much to meet and host you at our house. It is extremely refreshing to see young individuals who enjoy serving the community.”

After a tour, the group was treated to lunch at McDonald’s.

To participate in the pop tab program, bring your tabs by Western Pines (5949 140th Ave. N.) during the school day. For more information about the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Lauderdale, visit www.rmhcsouthflorida.org.

Golden Grove Tops At County Science Fair

Golden Grove Elementary School excelled at this year’s Palm Beach County Science Fair.

Winners included: first place, fifth grade, Andrew Meyer“Which Wood You Choose?”; second place, fifth grade, Amandalyn Christian - “Pass the Salt Please”; honorable mention, fourth grade, Fiona Boldt - “Will Bruce React?”; and fourth-grader Joseph Furia was acknowledged for participation for “Ready Set Roll.”

Students Andrew Meyer and Amandalyn Christian, both from Marcia Moodie’s fifth-grade science class, placed first and sec-

ond, respectively.

Andrew was on a quest to find out which wood absorbed the most water. His project titled “Which Wood You Choose” tested cedar, maple, poplar, red oak and white pine. After careful testing, he determined that poplar absorbed the most water.

Amandalyn was all about salt concentration in the Gulf Stream, shoreline and inlet. Her project was titled “Pass the Salt.” Her detailed experiment revealed that the Gulf Stream had the highest salt concentration.

Moodie noted that Andrew and Amandalyn are Honor Roll stu-

dents who always strive for excellence. She is very proud of them. Fiona Boldt’s science fair project was titled “Will Bruce React?” The purpose of the project was to see if Fiona’s pet nurse shark would react to the ringing of a bell when given food and when food was not given. Fiona trained Bruce for one month by ringing the bell and then giving him food. After the month was over, she tested to see if Bruce would react when she rang the bell, but gave him no food. Fiona found that Bruce did react to the bell even when no food was given. Fiona’s favorite part of the

project was seeing Bruce react excitedly whenever she rang the bell — food or no food. Fiona is a student in Stephanie Field’s fourth-grade class. Joseph’s project focused on skateboarding and the surface that was the most conducive to speed and the distance at which a skateboard could go. This was an interesting project, and it was well organized. Joseph’s teacher is Terri Haggerty.

Principal Kathryn Koerner, Assistant Principal Linda Edgecomb and science fair coordinator Peg Pervenecki are extremely proud of the students’ achievements.

Western Pines students and staff at Ronald McDonald House of Fort Lauderdale.

Northwood Univ. Honors Mary John Sullivan

Northwood University bestowed Wellington resident Mary John Sullivan with its honorary doctorate degree at the 2010 commencement ceremony held May 19 at the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center.

The doctor of humanities, honoris causa degree was awarded to Sullivan, who received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. from New York University, because of her long history of contributing to the arts. She served Northwood’s National Arts Program and Arts Endowment of Northwood University’s Texas campus, by developing its arts program and arts funding plan, and was instrumental in helping the University win the 1989 City of Dallas Obelisk Award. As a 1973 Distinguished Woman of Northwood University, she served as a role model to its students, assisting them in their educational goals through a scholarship established in her name.

“Mary John Sullivan has been instrumental in supporting Northwood University’s relationship

between business and the arts, and for that we recognize the contribution she has made to our institution,” Northwood University Florida Campus Provost Rose Bellanca said. “As a university which stresses free enterprise and entrepreneurship, we realize that creativity and artistic insight are more important than ever before, and therefore, value her contributions immensely.”

Northwood University is a private institution specializing in business, management and entrepreneurship. Northwood emphasizes the importance of free enterprise, creativity and the arts, global business, and ethics. With residential campuses in Midland, Michigan; Cedar Hill, Texas; and West Palm Beach, the university offers associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in advertising; accounting; automotive marketing; aftermarket management; business management; computer information systems; entertainment, sport and promotion management; banking and finance; and more.

Northwood University is committed to the most personal at-

tention to prepare students for success in their careers and in their communities. The university promotes critical thinking skills and personal effectiveness, and the importance of ethics, in-

dividual freedom and responsibility.

For more information about Northwood University, visit the school’s web site at www.north wood.edu.

Hoag Makes Wellington Her Year-Round Home

bestselling mystery writer and Grand Prix dressage rider Tami Hoag has traveled from coast to coast each year to live the winters in Florida and the summers in California. This year marks a big change for Hoag as she has decided to stay in Wellington year round.

Hoag will continue to create her thrilling and heart-stopping murder mystery bestsellers while she trains and competes in Florida.

“The stress of traveling back and forth is a lot for the horses, and this is a great opportunity to settle in and make Wellington home,” she said. “The best resources are available in the area,

including boarding, training and showing.”

Hoag released her latest mystery novel Deeper Than the Dead this year, and it quickly became her 15th New York Times bestseller. Hoag is in full swing with the sequel to Deeper Than the Dead called Secrets to the Grave

“It is already scheduled to go on sale in December of 2010, so no time to dilly-dally,” Hoag said. “My day consists of riding in the morning, the gym in the afternoon and working in the evenings.”

This season, Hoag made the switch from adult amateur grand prix rider to professional grand prix rider. Hoag had been riding

since she was a child and is preparing a stable of what may be her “best horses ever” for the fall dressage circuit.

Wellington has become the goto place for equestrians all over the world, providing international level competitions for hunter, show jumping and dressage riders. Competitions such as the Nations Cup for jumpers, the Exquis World Dressage Masters and dressage CDIs throughout the season have proved that Wellington is great location for achieving success in any discipline. For more information about Tami Hoag, or to see a list of her novels, visit her web site at www. tamihoag.com.

John Yackulics Graduates From Rhodes College

John Peter Yackulics of Wellington was among graduates who received degrees at the 161st commencement exercises of Rhodes College on May 15. Rhodes President William E. Troutt presided over the ceremo-

ny held on campus in Memphis, Tenn. The son of Peter and Pam Yackulics, John Peter Yackulics graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history. Founded in 1848, Rhodes is a private, coeducational college of

liberal arts and sciences. It aspires to graduate students with a lifelong passion for learning, a compassion for others, and the ability to translate academic study and personal concern into effective leadership and action in their com-

munities and the world. Rhodes College occupies a 100acre wooded campus in an historic neighborhood near downtown Memphis, Tenn. For more information, visit the school’s web site at www.rhodes.edu.

The Palm

annual

to attend the colleges of their choice. Dick will be attending Palm Beach State College to pursue a future career as a firefighter/EMT with Palm Beach County FireRescue. Mitchell will be entering Florida Gulf Coast University where she will major in music. Her plans are to become a professional musician. 4-H is a national youth development program in Palm Beach County in partnership with the University of Florida. Youth membership begins from ages 5 to 18 where youth participate as they learn life skills and leadership through project discovery. For more information about Palm Beach County 4-H, visit the 4-H web

receive

Beach County 4-H

scholarship winners for 2010 were Christian Dick of Wellington and Samantha Mitchell of Jupiter. Each will

$4,000

Dr. Rose Bellanca, Dr. Mary John Sullivan and Dr. Keith Pretty.

Champ Alexander Espana — son of Ricardo Junior and April Christine Espana of West Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on April 6.

New York Times

Tami Hoag with some parrots.

4-H scholarship winners Samantha Mitchell and Christian Dick.

‘Golf Out The Vote’ In Wellington

A full field of 72 golfers partic-

ipated on Saturday, May 22 in the Palm Beach County Democratic Party’s first-ever “Golf Out the Vote!” competition, held at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Tournament participation, sponsorships, and an after-play “19th Hole” cocktail hour and dinner resulted in a complete sell-out for the inaugural event.

Golfers followed a scramble format and special contests were held for Longest Drive, Marshmallow Drive and Closest to the Pin. There were hole-in-one contests on all Par 3s.

Following the afternoon on the course, players joined non-golfers for the 19th hole celebration in the Eagles Nest Clubhouse. Party Chair Mark Alan Siegel introduced former gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride, who accepted the inaugural “Legacy at the Links” Award and spoke to the crowd on behalf of gubernatorial candidate and Florida CFO Alex Sink. Master of ceremonies State Rep. Mark Pafford (D-District 88) introduced elected officials and special guests, and awarded the trophies and prizes.

The winners were as follows: first place, Score 63, Team 1 — Fred Ronai, Mike Grean, John Meikle and Dr. Mark Marciano (Candidate for House District 83); second place, Score 63, Team 9 — George Conroy, Joe Edgely, Guy Garcia, Luke VanWoensel; and third place, Score 65, Team 13 — Ron Beasley, Bob Eastberg, Mike Mayo and A.J. O’Laughlin

(PB Firefighters/Paramedics Team). In the individual contests, the winners were: Longest Drive Men, Luke VanWoensel; Longest Drive Women, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel; and Marsh-

mallow Drive Contest, Dominique Fornage. Closest to the Pin winners included Mindy Koch, Joe Edgley, Lois Frankel, Joe Edgley, Kate Wilde, Mike Coleman and Jeff Clemens.

YWCA Announces Finalists For Grace Hoadley Dodge Award

The YWCA of Palm Beach County recently announced the three finalists for its 2010 Grace Hoadley Dodge Award: Chandra Bill, Sally Chester and Kelly Fason. The award is presented annually to a woman residing in Palm Beach County who has overcome adversity and

Chandra Bill, longtime local

news anchor, recently retired from WPTV Channel 5 after more than 20 years on the air. The mother of two teenaged boys, she is very active in many local charities and her church.

Sally Chester, a registered nurse, is a full-time caregiver

Former gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride with State House District 78 candidate Steve Perman and his wife Irene.

PHOTOS COURTESY RSC PHOTOGRAPHY

Mike Grean, John Meikle, Fred Ronai and Dr. Mark Marciano.

Sally Chester Chandra Bill

Kelly Fason

State Reps Domino, Sachs Talk Politics At Forum Club Luncheon

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

State representatives Maria Sachs (D-District 86) and Carl Domino (R-District 83) were lastminute replacements for Gov. Charlie Crist at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches luncheon on Friday, June 4. Crist was the scheduled keynote speaker, but cancelled to join President Barack Obama in inspecting damage from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Domino and Sachs, who are both running this year for seats in the State Senate — Domino in District 25 and Sachs in District 30 — gave updates on the recent legislative session. Sachs also focused on the effects of the oil spill on Florida and Palm Beach County.

“Of all the 67 counties in this state, this is the only one that contains the word beach,” Sachs said. “Our beautiful Palm Beach County is about to experience the worst environmental disaster in the history of the United States of America. It is not if the oil hits the beaches, it’s when.”

That eventuality will bring with it an economic impact, Sachs said.

“We have a $20 billion tourism industry here,” she said. “People not only come from all over the country, but they come from all over the world. They come for our beaches and for our beautiful waters.” Sachs noted that Florida residents are used to preparing for hurricanes, but preparing for the

effects of an oil spill would be different.

“We need to come together as a community to find out what we need to do,” Sachs said. “Members of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation don’t know this, but we are going to get together soon and figure out as a delegation what we can do to help. We need to come together with the cities and as community leaders to protect our shores. We need to protect our environment and protect our way of life.”

The wide variation in reports of how much oil is being spilled makes it very difficult to plan, Sachs said.

“The people at BP are saying they are close to being able to cap the spill. The scientists are saying that there is a more than a 50-percent chance that they will not be able to cap it, and it will have to wear itself out and spill until it’s completed,” she said. “That’s projected until sometime in August, and that’s right in time for hurricane season.”

Domino noted that Florida’s budget problems are something that every state in the country faced this year. On the budget, he said the focus was put on fighting unemployment. “We need to do the things that would help create jobs in the State of Florida,” Domino said.

The success of Scripps Florida in Jupiter is an example of the kind of new business that needs to be brought to Florida and Palm Beach County, he added. “That should be a model for

what we need in Florida,” Domino said. “We need to get rid of the dependence on tourism, development and agriculture. We tried to do the same thing this year with energy grants and subsidies. We try to encourage companies to come and establish jobs in Florida. We sometimes do it with grants, and we more often deal with tax credits.”

But biotech and energy are just some of the industries targeted, he said. “We also try to emphasize industries that have a national advantage, like the entertainment industry,” Domino said. “There was a time when many movies and television series were filmed in Florida. It creates local jobs and gives us worldwide publicity. We also allocated a good deal of money to offset the consequences of the shutdown of the space shuttle [program]. We don’t want to lose the thousands of jobs associated with that industry.”

Domino also touched on corruption charges that have hit Palm Beach, Broward and other Florida counties. He noted that state legislators had worked hard with State Attorney Michael McAuliffe to confront the corruption issue.

“If you remember,” he said, “we started off with a speaker who was indicted, and he had to step down. The corruption issue was pervasive, and it was prevalent in some of the issues that we wanted to deal with.”

When it came time for questions from the audience, one focused on Gov. Crist’s decision to break from the Republican Party and run

for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

“I have said publicly that I think he should have run as a Republican,” Domino said. “I think the reality was he felt he would have difficulty getting the Republican nomination. Ronald Reagan was a Democrat. He became a Republican. Generally, that’s unsuccessful. He has the right to run. I believe in the tenets of the Republican Party. I wish he would have stayed.”

Sachs said Crist might have considered switching to the Democratic Party since he has supported many of its issues and causes.

“The governor has been good with our issues,” Sachs said. “I would like to see an independent governor. As you know, we have a Florida House that is dominated by one party. We have a State Senate that is dominated by one party. You are going to get more done if you have a little more diversity. I think we need more balance.”

Another question centered on Crist’s veto of $19.8 million in funding needed to build a Palm Beach State College campus in the western communities. Both Sachs and Domino said they supported the idea, noting that investing in community colleges is a good idea in lean economic times.

“I did support the legislation,” Domino said. “The greatest irony is that in our economic downturn, many of our citizens desire to attend [community colleges]. I did vote for it. I thought the veto was unfortunate.”

The legislators also were asked

whether they would support a strict immigration law similar to the one recently passed in Arizona.

Domino said he supported some parts of the law, but understood the issues on both sides. He said the Arizona law is built out of frustration with people coming into the country illegally.

Sachs said that immigration reform must be addressed.

“Arizona is in a difficult situation,” Sachs said. “They have a common border with Mexico. They have immigrants from Mexico and from all over the world.

My opinion is that every nation’s sovereignty is based upon protect-

ing its borders. We need to do it now. It’s a hot political issue.” Sachs then touched on the related issue of human trafficking.

“We are one of the top states in the country for human traffick-

When

the federal government. Florida is vulnerable not just on oil, but on this.” For more information about the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, visit www.theforumclub.net or call (561) 304-0570.

WHS STUDENTS AMONG THOSE HONORED AT PBC YOUNG DEMOCRATS MEETING

A ‘GOLF CLINIC WITH THE LEGENDS’

was not a result of the citations.

The African American Golfers Hall of Fame presented the free “Golf Clinic with the Legends” on Saturday, May 29 at the West Palm Beach Golf Course. Jim Dent, James Black, Charles Owens, Gordon Brown and others took part in the clinic and teaching inner-city youngsters how to play golf. For more info., visit www.africanamericangolfershalloffame.com. Jim Dent shows fundamentals.

line to get rid of the hills.

continued from page 1 view. But now he can’t see beyond the hills.

“They’re ugly,” he said. “They have no artistic value. They don’t belong in South Florida.” Liggins said that there were three areas in which they planned to lower hills, but that lowering or removing other hills would be complicated. He suggested that once phase one of construction was done, the council could decide whether it liked the hills and landscaping.

“If the council is not happy with this park, then we can just put it on hold or regrade it and redesign the whole thing,” he said. “It would come at a delay, and it would come at a cost.”

Pinto was worried about the impact of the hills, and suggested that the council look at the issue earlier rather than later.

“I’d like to see a plan that says, ‘Let’s get rid of the hills’ and what we have to do to do that,” he said, adding that council members were not able to see the contours and elevations when looking at the flat plan. “At the end of the day, these hills are not going to fly. They’re not going to fly, and they’ve got to go.” Pinto made a motion for the council to direct village staff to look at the cost impact and time-

Liggins noted that the village spent $800,000 to design Commons Park and is spending $2.3 million to construct it. He said that the redesign and removal of some hills could come at a “great expense.”

“What you’re asking for is a redesign,” he said. “We will go back to our consultants, and we will ask them for a redesign of the park without hills. We’ll get a cost back from our consultant, but I can assure you it will not be insignificant, and the time [delay] will not be insignificant.”

The council voted 4-1 to seek cost options to redesign the park, with Councilman Richard Valuntas opposed.

• A plaque set to hang outside the new training center being built at the village municipal complex will likely bear the name of David Farber.

Mattioli recalled Farber’s passion for the building, and said he felt that naming the building in his honor would be fitting.

“I don’t know how many days I walked through that building with David Farber,” he recalled. “He told me where every light switch was going to be, where every door was going to be, the showers, the bathrooms. But more importantly, when he finally got to the physical fitness room, and the equipment started coming in, he was like a kid who had just woken up on Christmas morning. He couldn’t wait for that to be

completed. He put a lot of effort into that building; I think that was his jewel.”

Mattioli made a motion to name the building “The David B. Farber Training Center.”

Pinto said he agreed with the name, but wondered if Farber’s family had approved. Mattioli amended his motion to specify the name would come only with family approval.

Webster agreed that the building should be named after Farber, but suggested “The David B. Farber Business & Training Center.”

She said that the building has the potential and the facilities to be a business center as well and offer seminars.

But Mattioli said that the building is to be used primarily for police and fire-rescue officers, and he didn’t see private businesses using the facility. “I thought that’s what the cultural center is for,” he said.

Valuntas said he could see it being a future business center, in coordination with other villageowned buildings in the area.

Swift wondered whether the facility was set up for business seminars or similar activities. Liggins said the room would seat 48 and has a podium that makes it a good classroom setting.

Pinto said that he felt that the council should postpone a final decision until Farber’s family could be contacted. The council agreed to table the item until the family grants approval.

Golf Work Is Underway

continued from page 1 courages the decision to reopen the course as Polo West Golf Club,” Schofield wrote in the letter.

Greenview Cove Homeowners’

Association President Ken Valdespino said the community was made aware of the possible reopening by Nelson. He noted that the community would welcome the golf course.

“There’s nothing there right now,” he said. “The golf course would be an asset to the community and to the entire village.”

The property, which had deteriorated since its closing, was cited in January for landscape maintenance violations by the Village of Wellington.

In the notice of violation issued by the village, the property was cited for dead and bare areas, weeds, no irrigation or fertilization, dead trees/palms throughout the golf course and pests (rodent burrows) throughout the golf course.

Wellington Director of Growth Management Bob Basehart said the discussion to reopen the course

Values Budget Crunch

continued from page 3 down. These are round numbers, but we’re down $5 million total in revenue.”

The budget that will be recommended to the council will be about $75 million, compared to this year’s budget of slightly more than $83 million.

The principal reductions are in capital improvements and general government, primarily in planning, zoning and building. Slight increases are recommended in police, operations and maintenance.

Loxahatchee Groves Town Manager Frank Spence said the property value decline was great-

“My understanding is that they were considering and looking into what it might take to get the place back under operations again,” he said. “They intend to bring it back into good condition. They have a lot of work to do if they’re looking to get it open by the end of the year.”

In a Village of Wellington Special Magistrate stipulation agreement dated March 18, the village granted two months, until midnight June 20, for the violations to be corrected. Additionally, the village issued a tree removal permit on May 24 for “the removal of dead, diseased or invasive trees/palms and the relocation of trees from the driving range area (holes 1 and 9) and clubhouse parking lot…” Basehart said that the village strongly supports the club’s reopening.

“It’s an amenity that has served the village well for many years,” he said. “You hated to see it close when it did.”

er than the nine percent the town anticipated.

The total real property value went from $220.29 million in 2009 to $187.95 million in 2010.

Spence said the budgetary process is just getting underway in Loxahatchee Groves and that he had a meeting with the town’s Financial Advisory and Audit Committee on Wednesday, June 9, and probably would set a special council meeting this month to review a proposed budget. Royal Palm Beach saw a total real property decline from $2.03 billion in 2009 to $1.77 billion in 2010.

Village Manager Ray Liggins said his staff is holding the line on new hiring and other expenditures. “I think our total budget, inclusive of personnel expenditures, with some significant increases in

insurance and things like that, we held it to under a two-percent increase in total budget. We were able to make the budget balance by keeping expenditures to a minimum.” The current budget as written has a millage rate reduction from 1.93 to 1.92, which would continue more than a decade of consecutive tax rate reductions in Royal Palm Beach. Liggins said that has been possible because of a carry forward of funds remaining from this year’s budget, combined with interest from the village’s utility sale fund. The budget will be presented to the council June 30, Liggins said. Ad valorem revenue will be $3.61 million and the total operating budget, not

State representatives Maria Sachs (left) and Carl Domino (right)

Beaches

Work was underway this

WHS Young Democrats President Evan Baumel, District 16 U.S. Congressional candidate Ed Tautiva, State House District 89 candidate Jeff Clemens, WHS Young Democrats Vice President/Programming Victoria Davy and WHS Young Democrats Vice President Jesus Hernandez.

Takeata King Pang, Matt McWatters, Evan Baumel, Victoria Davy and Jesus Hernandez with a plaque of recognition.

Palm Beach County School Board candidate Marcia Andrews.

The Palm Beach County Young Democrats held their monthly meeting at Brogue’s in Lake Worth on Tuesday, June 8. Guest speakers included candidates for various offices on the county, state and federal level. The Palm Beach County Young Democrats and the Wellington High School Young Democrats also were recognized with plaques for their advocacy and hard work. Both chapters were recognized at the recent Young Democrats of America convention in Tampa.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

James Black shows a youngster how to grip the club.

Inner City Youth Golfers Golf Director Clewis Wright Jr.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

A New Look

GROCERY

Publix

DINING

China Hut

Cofftea Cafe Coming Soon

IHOP

DuringConstruction

BEAUTY/HEALTH

Sam Jon’s Hair Studio

Supercuts

Love Nails

SPECIALTY

Cartridge World

Kontiki Restaurant Now Open

Pizza Hut

Tijuana Flats

Quiznos Subs

SERVICES

AT&T

Commerce Dry Cleaners

Eagle Shipping Center

Palm Beach Super Tae Kwon Do

State Farm Insurance

Tutoring Club

Crown Wine & Spirits

KaBloom

Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supply

Wellington Vacuum Now Open

Treasure Consignment

HEALTHCARE

Dental Associates of the Palm Beaches

Eyes of Wellington

Family Chiropractic Center

Courtyard Animal Hospital

With Proper Handling, A Blind Horse Can Thrive

Some years back, a friend told columnist Ellen Rosenberg that all blind horses should be put down. So when Rosenberg learned about Beth Bland and her horse Braille, she was thrilled to see that blind horses can manage quite well, with a bit of help and a lot of understanding. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23

Annual Heath Evans 7-On-7 Championship June 12

Football players from Royal Palm Beach High School and the King’s Academy will take the field this Saturday against several state champions at the fifth annual Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7 Championships starting at 9 a.m. at the King’s Academy. The event is a benefit for the charity founded by NFL star Heath Evans. Page 35

A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

Let Air Depot Keep Your Home Cool Throughout The Hot Summer Months

Specializing in air conditioning, heating and ventilation services, Loxahatchee-based Air Depot is ready to keep you cool all summer long. Air Depot has an extensive service area, covering north to Fort Pierce and south to Miami, specializing in both residential and commercial customers. Maintenance services are also available for all system brands. Page 31

Spor ts

Vinceremos

Strong At Special Olympic Games

The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center has returned from the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games, where students took home five gold medals, nine silver medals, nine bronze medals, five fourth-place ribbons, two fifthplace ribbons and one sixth-place ribbon. Page 35

Meet Braille: With Proper Handling, A Blind Horse Thrives

Some years back I was riding with a friend, and I mentioned that I met someone who owned a blind horse that she rode out on trails almost every day.

“Blind horses should all be put down,” my friend said.

“Why?” I was aghast. “This horse does fine. You’d never even know he was blind. I didn’t until I got up close and asked about his sunken eyes.”

“It’s cruel, letting a blind horse live,” she said. “Horses are such flighty animals. If they can’t see where they’re going, they feel trapped, like they can’t get away.”

“But the horse trusts her,” I pointed out. “He seemed perfectly relaxed going down the road.”

“She can’t be there for him all the time. What happens if he panics in the pasture and no one’s around?” she shook her head. “Horses rely on their sight for about 90 percent of what they need to do. If I had a horse who went blind, I’d have it put down the next day.”

The conversation ended there, with our agreeing to disagree. We were both sure of our positions and neither one was going to sway the other. So when I learned about Beth Bland and her blind horse, Braille, I was glad to see that, indeed, blind horses can manage quite well, with a little bit of help and a lot of understanding and trust.

Beth grew up in Barbados, and her family had horses until she was 7 or 8. It wasn’t until many years later, when her daughter Hanna was 6 and decided that she wanted to learn to ride, that horses came back into Beth’s life.

“We lived on the south end of the island,

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

and the riding stable was on the north end, about an hour and a half drive,” she said. “The instructor said that since I was driving that far for Hanna, I should take advantage of the horses as well, so I started riding again.”

In 2004, Beth, Hanna and son Marcus moved to Lake Worth to live with Beth’s parents. They tried riding at several local stables but didn’t find anything that clicked. In 2008, Beth met Randy Bland on eHarmony.com. Randy had two sons of his own. They married and drove up north to meet Randy’s parents.

“Randy’s friend lived nearby on a 300-acre ranch filled with cows and horses,” Beth recalled. “I don’t know how or why it happened, but we absolutely fell in love with one of his horses. Lucky was a little chestnut-colored draft/mustang cross, and he was an ornery little brat, such a character, into everything. We spoke to Richard Tisdale, the owner, and he said most of his horses sold for $1,500, but we didn’t have that kind of money. We went back to visit Lucky a lot, and I think Richard realized we weren’t going to be able to come up with that much, so he asked if we’d like him for $500, and I told him, ‘sold!’”

Beth and her family returned to South Florida and moved to The Acreage in 2008.

“That Christmas, we went back up to get Lucky,” Beth said. “When we got there, we loaded him into the trailer, and Richard started off to ride out on one of his horses. ‘Wait,’ I called after him, ‘we have to settle up.’ I hadn’t paid him the $500. He just smiled, gave me a hug, and said, ‘Merry Christmas.’”

Beth kept Lucky at her friend Laurie’s place, because she wasn’t set up for a horse yet. Laurie also helped Beth work with Lucky to regain some of her riding confidence. One day, Laurie got a call from someone in Naples who had two horses who needed a new home. Beth rode across the state with Laurie to pick up the horses, a pair of grays.

The first horse loaded up without any problems, but the second one did not want to get into the trailer. At all. The horse had gone blind years earlier, and getting around in strange, unknown environments clearly scared it to death.

“You could see the horse was terrified,” Beth said. “And the girl who owned them both was clearly in a rush. She got really harsh with him, started yelling and hitting him with a broom. I had to bite my tongue and turn away. I was silently begging him to get into the trailer, please get in the trailer, and finally, he did.”

Laurie and her family decided to move out of state. They found homes for every horse except the blind one.

“No one wanted to take on a blind horse,” Beth said. “She was getting desperate. So I

said I’d keep him until I could find him the perfect home.”

That’s how Braille ended up in his perfect home: Beth’s. Rather than repeat the trauma of getting into a trailer, they hand-walked him over. It was August 2009.

“Braille was one of those cast-off horses that no one wanted,” she said. “Passed from See BRAILLE, page 24

Beth Bland with Braille.

Watching My Parents, I Find Myself Pondering My Future

My parents were in town recently, and that’s always an eye-opening experience for me. By the time they leave, I feel for kids who were adopted and have no idea where their various quirks come from. They probably blame themselves.

I know where my various quirks come from — boy, do I.

If, like me, you moved away from your biological family — say, to Florida — and now spend most of your days around sane, normal people, you tend to forget certain things that were vitally important once upon a time.

Things like gum.

Gum may not seem like a biggie to most people, but there is a whole range of tradition and customs surrounding the gum ritual for anyone raised by Welkys. In the first place, you do not ask for gum. You wait until it is offered. It may be extricated from

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

the deep recesses of a glove compartment during a long trip or fished from the inner folds of a leather handbag if you’ve been particularly good but, until then, it is guarded like gold.

Once you have been offered gum, you may accept or decline, but don’t think you’re getting more than half a stick. Does money grow on trees? It does not. Half a stick is fine for you. Say thank-you. And do not ask for more. No one on God’s

Green Earth needs two half-sticks of gum. You’d look like a cow, chewing a big wad of gum like that. Aren’t you kids ever happy?! Oh, sorry. Slipped back into my youth, I did.

Another thing is blame.

Initially, I thought the tradition of finding someone to blame rested with the fact that there were four kids in our family. A lot went wrong and, when it did, there were plenty of probable perpetrators. If one had an airtight alibi, there was always another one to blame.

Now, I wonder if this tradition didn’t filter down from above — not way above — parentally above.

“Marge, where are my socks?”

“Did you look in your drawer?”

“I looked in the drawer, and they’re not in there.”

“Then you must’ve taken them out. Where did you put them?”

“I didn’t take them out! Did you forget to put the laundry away?”

Eventually the socks will turn up, usually in the dresser drawer, but no apologies will be offered regarding baseless accusations. That would be admitting culpability.

Then there are the myriad physical anomalies. Mom’s limber; Dad’s lanky. Mom’s hearing suffered when she fell while crosscountry skiing; Dad’s finger got bent when the dog he was walking took off after another dog. Mom can’t eat gluten; Dad can’t have lunch without a beer. I take meticulous mental notes.

By observing my parents as they age, I’m hoping to discover what to expect for myself. So far, it seems that I’ll be OK as long as I don’t fall or eat bread.

And I’ve never been a fan of beer, but I’m watching for early warning signs. Maybe being adopted is a good thing.

Good Action, Lowbrow Humor In ‘Get Him To The Greek’

Get Him to the Greek has been heralded as another buddy movie out of the stable of Judd Apatow. You know the kind of film I mean. A couple of strange guys bond over some sort of nonsense, featuring gross jokes, drug and alcohol use, and some naked female flesh. Actually, it comes closer to being a remake of a very good movie, My Favorite Year. A young man has to get a drunken star sober enough and sane enough to a place where he can be great. But the early movie was more a gentle poke at ethnicity and middle-class complacence while dealing with someone completely out of the norm. This movie deals much more harshly with the vagaries of stardom.

Russell Brand, repeating a role created in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, plays Aldous Snow, a has-been rocker with enough money left to live well and indulge all his wants. As the movie begins, we see African Child one of the funniest and worst (and I mean absolutely dreadful) rock videos of the star and his girlfriend. Snow has so totally freaked himself out that he no longer finds pleasure

Braille

A Blind Horse Thrives

continued from page 23 owner to owner, this blind, gorgeous Quarterhorse cross finally ended up with me and my family. What was supposed to be a temporary home became permanent when we fell head-over-heels for the big lug.”

Braille and Lucky, who live together at Beth’s house, get along famously. When they run together in the pasture, Lucky stays on the outside, near the fence. If Braille gets too close to something dangerous, Lucky nudges him away. They do everything together. They’re best friends.

Beth has patiently taught Braille to listen to her voice commands. She taps his feed bucket to orient him, tells him if a gate is open or closed, and says “car” when a car’s approaching on the road. She settles him if dogs

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

in anything. Jackie Q (Rose Byrne), his girlfriend, is a vacuous moron who has become a rock star herself (we see a gross rock videos she’s done, and it probably would not even be shown late at night on MTV). She leaves Snow and immediately takes up with just about every rock star in the world.

Into all of this comes chubby Aaron Green (Jonah Hill), who wants Snow to appear at a 10-year anniversary concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Told by his boss Sergio Roma (Sean “P. Diddy” Combs) to get to London and bring the star back, Green goes there, loses control of the situation and goes through some of the absolutely grossest com-

rush a fence and talks to him constantly. He is quiet for grooming and having his feet done, and even loads quietly into a trailer. “I used large plastic pallets to teach him to step up and step down,” Beth said. “Once he mastered that, we worked on stepping up into and off of a trailer. He now loads beautifully.”

Randy and Beth ride Lucky and Braille at home and out on the roads. They enjoy visiting Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park in The Acreage.

“Braille used to be a great jumper and was trained in dressage,” Beth said. “At the park one day, we met a teenager who asked if she could try doing barrels with him. So she did, and now he can canter up to the barrels and then trot around them.”

Call it a story of providence.

“Braille is a very sweet and trusting horse who now has a best friend and a happy life again,” Beth said. “I am one very proud mom. I can’t thank God enough for bringing this amazing boy into our lives.”

edy ever seen on the screen. Eventually, after a number of harrowing situations, he gives up and then finally comes to Brand’s call for help.

The cast is uniformly good. Brand is very funny and very gross. Hill plays the lovable shlub perfectly. Combs is funny, although impossible to quote since just about every line out of his mouth is either obscene or profane. There are more than a dozen cameos in the film, and most of the people play themselves very well.

This is a very funny movie, but I must warn readers that it is only for the very broad-minded. One of the funniest sequences has Snow demanding Green stuff a bag of heroin into a body part. In another tender scene, Snow persuades Green’s girlfriend, Daphne (Elizabeth Moss, who is very good), that he should join her and Aaron in a threesome. He turns to Aaron and says, “Having a threesome is just having sex with your girlfriend while someone else is having sex with her.” If things like that bother you, Shrek is doing quite well.

One of the things I liked best about My

Favorite Year was its brand of gentle humor. The humor in this film is ferocious. Green is more or less raped by a young woman (Carla Gallo) in a hysterically funny scene. There is just about nothing held out of bounds in Get Him to the Greek

Yet there is also a softer side as somehow Green makes Snow try to understand the reasons for his unhappiness. Snow eventually comes to understand that his greatest pleasure is performing, making fans happy. The film is not merely a smutfest, although it does come close to the line.

I, being a low creature, laughed a lot.... as did most of the audience. This is not a great movie, but it never really tries to be. There’s a lot of typical formula movie in it. Some of the scenes are over the line, and there are some that could have been left on the cutting-room floor.

But in a season of big-budget movies filled with explosives and shooting, a comedy works very well. It’s an enjoyable way to spend a few hours as long as you’re broadminded about very broad humor.

Muck City Fest This Saturday

James Lee, a former Belle Glade resident and Glades Central High School standout football player who now plays in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is coming back home for the Muck City Fest 2010 on Saturday, June 12 at Belle Glade’s Lake Shore Park.

Lee is the first of many who made it into the NFL through Glades Central (via South Carolina State University). He will be offering an NFL football camp for the kids. “I’m blessed to be able to do this for the kids,” Lee said. “It has always been a dream for me.”

Lee and many of his NFL teammates and friends will run a skills camp from 9 a.m. to noon. At 1:30 p.m., there will be flag football games with the pros playing on the same teams as the kids. Some of the confirmed players are: Emmanuel Cook (Buccaneers), Damien Berry (University of Miami), Randy

Phillips (Detroit Lions), Demar Dotson (Buccaneers), Davin Joseph (Buccaneers), Corey Sheets (Miami Dolphins), Albert Mack (Buccaneers), Josh Johnson (Buccaneers) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Arizona Cardinals).

It is a free event for all; the first 350 children registered will receive a camp t-shirt, Hungry Howie’s pizza and Title sport drinks, along with a Muck City Fest 2010 wrist band, courtesy of Lee. Event coordinators Kevin and Karin McLellan and Lee’s mother Elaine are all excited about the event.

For those on the sidelines, there will also be food vendors, music, bounce houses, a boxing ring, as well as a fire truck from the Belle Glade Fire Department.

For more information, call the Tyler McLellan Foundation at (561) 215-3717 or visit www.tylermclellanfoundation.org.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Houbrick Featured In Lighthouse Center For The Arts Exhibit

An oil painting by Loxahatchee artist J.R. Houbrick is now on display at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts in Tequesta, as part of an exhibition titled “Multiple Sins, an Exhibition of Indulgence.”

The exhibit features the work of 25 South Florida artists. “Multiple Sins,” which features “the tempting, the tantalizing and the delicious” according to the Lighthouse Cen-

ter’s web site, runs through Sept. 25. Admission to the museum’s galleries is free for members and $5 for non-members. The Lighthouse Center for the Arts is located at 373 Tequesta Drive, half a mile west of U.S. Highway 1 in Gallery Square North. For more information, call the center at (561) 746-3101 or visit its web site at www.lighthouse arts.org.

Stuart School Of Music To Perform At Himmel Theater

The Stuart School of Music has been invited for the ninth year to present a concert on Tuesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace in West Palm Beach.

The concert will feature 20 honor students of faculty members Dr. Susan Joyce, acclaimed Juilliard concert pianist; William Borovina, Manhattan School of Music baritone; pianist Lynn Haynes; pianist Luanne Dwyer; and Cynthia Kessler, pianist and graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University and Martin County Arts Council 2004 mARTies Outstanding Performing Artist.

This concert is part of the “Music for the Mind” cultural series presented by Kretzer Piano and the Harriet Himmel Theater. The Stuart School of Music is the only group outside of Palm Beach County invited to participate in this con-

Shakespeare By The Sea Presents ‘Macbeth’ July 15-25 At Carlin Park

“If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me.”

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the macabre tale of regicide performed as the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival’s inaugural production 20 years ago, concludes the festival’s celebratory season July 1525 at the Seabreeze Amphitheatre at Carlin Park in Jupiter. Witches, warlords and a rumored historic curse are sure to whet the appetites of all visitors to this year’s production.

“It seems fitting that we round off 20 years of work by returning to this magnificent drama,” said Dr. Kevin Crawford, Shakespeare by the Sea director, performer and founding festival company member. “It has remained a favorite of mine since my first youthful encounter with the play, and I have literally been saving it and planning on how best to perform it for this momentous occasion.”

This creativity is part of the reason for the company’s two decades of success.

“The sponsors, residents and visitors have been the driving forces behind our long years of success,” Shakespeare Festival co-founder and Producing Director Kermit Christman said. “We could not have done this without them, and this

entire season is our gift to the community. There will be visitors in the audience who will have seen the first Macbeth and can enjoy the history behind the company’s growth and maturation. New audiences will see us in our new home, with our veteran performers bringing to life one of the Bard’s most famous works. For the members of the festival’s company, this is definitely a sentimental and sensational journey.”

The Tragedy of Macbeth, Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, tells the story of Scottish Lord Macbeth (played by Kevin Crawford) and his wife Lady Macbeth (Heidi Harris), and Macbeth’s desire to become king after hearing his future foretold by three witches (Krys Parker, Trinna Pye and Greta Von Unruh). Lady Macbeth encourages her husband to murder the reigning king, which results in an aftermath of tragic events until the final, climactic conclusion. The play enjoys a rich history on stage and on screen, and even comes with its own supposed “curse.” Audiences are invited to bring blankets, beach chairs and picnic baskets or to enjoy on-site Tropical Sno concessions.

Carlin Park is located at 400 S. State Road A1A, Jupiter. Show times are 8 p.m. with the court jest-

er presenting pre-show entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. Call the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department hotline at (561) 966-7099 or visit www.pbshakes peare.org for more information. The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit professional theater company dedicated to enhancing the accessibility and appreciation for Shakespearean, classic and contemporary theater for all ages and socioeconomic levels. For more information about the festival, visit www.pbshakespeare.org or call (561) 575-7336.

FAU’s Summer Rep Begins June 19

cert series. The concert series has raised more than $174,000 for local music education programs and has featured more than 7,100 young musicians since the program’s debut in 2002. All proceeds will benefit music education and for music scholarships.

The Stuart School of Music has had four first-place winners of the Palm Beach Post Pathfinder Awards over the past nine years. These students were recognized for their achievements in academic and musical accomplishments at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, the school has been honored to have two students receive the mARTies awards for “Outstanding Student Performing Artist” from the Arts Council of Martin County.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students. For tickets call (866) 449-2489.

Florida Atlantic University’s department of theater and dance has announced the performances in its 2010 Festival Repertory Theatre. Included in this year’s lineup are a musical revue titled Celebrating 60 Years of Broadway’s Best Musicals, the William Shakespeare comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Shipwrecked, a play by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donald Margulies.

The musical revue, which opens Saturday, June 19 and runs through Thursday, July 22, will include songs from many well-known musical numbers including “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific, “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha, “Memory” from Cats and many more. Performers will include professional actors Bruce Linser and Laura Wayth as well as graduate students and faculty from FAU’s department of theatre and dance.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which opens on Friday, June 25 and runs through Sunday, July 25, is William Shakespeare’s most playful, whimsical and fantastic play. It has been called “perfect summer theater.” The play is set in a mythi-

cal world of Athens where two young men and two young women sort themselves out into marriageable couples but only after their magical encounters in the world of the fairies. This magical world exists alongside the world of mortals and in the forest near Athens the two worlds intersect.

It is a play packed with a bounty of extravagant and buoyant characters, who transport the audience to a world of imagination as the characters confront us with mysterious images of romantic desire,” said Jean-Louis Baldet, director and professor of theater at FAU. “Throughout this play, Shakespeare reveals love’s whimsical faces, as it is driven by jealousy, pity, contempt, sensuality, lust, generosity, empathy and finally a mature appreciation of humanity.”

Shipwrecked! An Entertainment: The Amazing Adventures Of Louis de Rougemont, which runs from Friday, July 9 through Saturday, July 24, is a show for the entire family. “It is a fantastical romp of good old-fashioned storytelling,” said Dawn-Elin Fraser, director of the play and assistant professor in FAU’s department of theater and

dance. “We sail off to the far side of the world with Louis and relive his amazing adventures with him. Louis retells his stories of adventure, daring, intrigue and dissolution… but in the end, fills our hearts with joy and laughter. We are left to wonder if imagination holds more genuine value than truth.”

FAU’s summer repertory theatre is performed by equity actors, along with graduate students in the FAU department of theatre. Festival Rep 2010 is presented by Bank of America, Jim and Marta Batmasian, Maroone, WXEL, the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council. For more information, call (561) 297-3810.

The series, which opens Saturday, June 19 and closes Sunday, July 25, will take place in Studio One theater on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road. Ticket prices are $20, with senior and student tickets for $15. Package prices of $10 are available for all three shows and for groups. There is also special pricing for students, FAU faculty and alumni. A full schedule of plays can be found at www.fauevents.com or by calling (800) 564-9539.

Ladies of the Night by J.R. Houbrick.

Kevin Crawford and Heidi Harris as Lord and Lady Macbeth.

Let Air Depot Keep Your Home Cool During The Hot Summer Months

By Damon Webb Town-Crier Staff Report

With the temperature heating up, now’s the time to make sure your home stays cool inside. Specializing in air conditioning, heating and ventilation services, Loxahatcheebased Air Depot is ready to keep you cool all summer long.

Air Depot has an extensive service area, covering north to Fort Pierce and south to Miami, specializing in both residential and commercial customers. Maintenance services are also available for all system brands.

Owners Tony and Karen Widrig have enjoyed the decision they made to go into business for themselves, launching the company in 2007. However, the past three years have been built on a lifetime of experience. Having been in the air conditioning industry since 1984, Tony has extensive job experience and an abundance of knowledge. He pulled his resources together and followed through on his journey to pursue his own business.

“Since we live in the area, we wanted to make the western communities our focal point for the business,” Tony said. “We have been able to assist many homeowners. We have been able to build a strong base of customers in the area, and we look forward to getting to know more home and business owners in the future.”

The entire Air Depot team each has decades of industry experience. With this amount of experience on hand, each job is handled with a high level of workmanship and attention to detail. Warranties are provided for labor and parts for a limited amount of time. As a member of the Better Business Bureau, Air Depot

has set systems in place to ensure a consistent level of professionalism and dedication for quality work on all projects.

“In today’s economy, you have to look out for your customers,” Tony said. “There are many ways to save money. It’s important to be fair and honest. When we take on a new customer, we make sure to review all the options with them and let them make a choice with the information provided. Everyone has a family to look out for. We make sure to treat people the same way we would like to be treated when conducting business.”

Air Depot offers a unique ability to customize services and cater to their customers’ needs from the beginning consultation. Discounts are offered when multiple services are performed for the same job. Solid and trusted relationships with vendors make it possible for Air Depot to have the needed materials on hand to have their jobs completed on schedule if not before.

Tony stressed that everyone in need of an air conditioning upgrade should look into it now, while special government incentives are being offered to homeowners. There is currently a 2010 tax credit available, as well as an FPL rebate program. “One of the best ways we have been able to help our customers is by keeping them informed and up to date with important information,” Tony said. “These incentives are available, and people should take advantage of them. In the end, the customer will save more money by having high-efficiency equipment in use in their home.”

For more information about Air Depot, contact Tony Widrig at (561) 662-4354 or via email at airdepot.tony@gmail.com.

Tony and Karen Widrig with their children (L-R) Emily, Abigail, Tony Jr. and Sylvia.

RIBBON CUTTING HELD FOR ROCK STAR CLEANERS IN WELLINGTON

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Rock Star Cleaners in Wellington. Located at 12160 South Shore Blvd., Bay 107, Rock Star Cleaners is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. One-day service is available. For more info., call Al Patel at (561) 798-4444. Pictured above are Rock Star Cleaners staff members with Palms West Chamber ambassadors.

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

Red Cross Names Levin Chapter CEO

The Palm Beaches-Treasure Coast Region of the American Red Cross has announced the appointment of Rob Levine as chief executive officer effective June 21.

In this role, Levine will lead a team of some 2,500 volunteers and staff as they help people across the seven-county region prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Levine most recently served as chief executive officer for the Vermont and New Hampshire Valley Region of the American Red Cross. During his five-year term, Levine

led a volunteer team through an innovative reorganization that increased service delivery to residents across the 12,000-square-mile region while significantly reducing operating costs. He served as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council for Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas and has been active in a number of national Red Cross roles, ranging from membership on the presidential advisory council to disaster response assignments across the country.

For more information, visit www. redcross-pbc.org.

Strong Growth For Area Valpak Franchise

Despite today’s economy, Steve Michaels, a Wellington-based Valpak owner, is helping businesses maintain and grow their customer base by developing coupons to maximize their traffic.

Michaels works with local businesses to determine their longterm goals and helps create specific offers based on their needs analysis.

Even through difficult economic times, Michaels’ coupon volume and number of offers has steadily improved as many businesses have

realized their customers can greatly benefit from Valpak offers.

“Every business is different. However, there are similarities within given categories,” Michaels said. “Our goal is to offer affordable products that generate a positive return on investment.”

Michaels currently provides 130,000 residents throughout central and northern Palm Beach County with Valpak’s signature blue envelope. Despite the economy, Valpak of Palm Beach expanded greatly in retail, dining, car wash and

women’s beauty categories. His Valpak envelopes include frequently redeemed free-estimate, percentage-off or buy-one-get-one offers, all of which drive customers through his clients’ doors. Michaels plans to expand his envelope distribution in the future.

Headquartered in Largo, Fla., Valpak is owned and operated by Cox Target Media, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.valpak.com.

Rob Levine

Wycliffe Supports Quantum House

The Quantum House is excited to announce a charitable gift from the Wycliffe Charities Foundation in the amount of $5,000. The donation is part of the foundation’s ongoing support of organizations in Palm Beach County that deliver programs related to healthcare issues.

“We are a community that cares for our neighbors, and that is how we are known,” Wycliffe Charities Foundation co-president Susan Webber said.

The Wycliffe Charities Foundation is the charitable arm of Wycliffe Golf & Country Club. The organization raises money to support local charities through several events including an annual golf tournament, annual raffle and tribute cards distributed to club residents. The successful fundraisers raised more than $60,000 this year.

“Wycliffe Charities makes a tremendous impact by giving back to those in need, especially grassroots agencies like ours. Quantum House is honored to be recognized by this philanthropic organization,” said Robi Jurney, Quantum House executive director. “This gift will help fund our Family Pantry Program, which serves hundreds of guests every year.”

The Quantum House, a nonprof-

Charity Check — (L-R) George Feinsod, Wycliffe Charities Foundation co-president; Susan Webber, Wycliffe Charities Foundation copresident; Robi Jurney, Quantum House executive director; Marge Goldner, Wycliffe Charities Foundation director of programming; and Carol Goldberg, Wycliffe Charities Foundation contributing member.

Property Tax Certificate Sale Recovers $122 Million For County

Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon recovered $122 million in delinquent property tax revenue in the tax certificate sale held Tuesday, June 1.

The successful sale recovered 99.94 percent of all 2009 unpaid real estate tax dollars, at the low interest rate of 3.59 percent. The low interest rate means that property owners pay less to recover the tax certificate held on their property.

rate, and the certificate is awarded to the lowest bidder. Palm Beach County’s interest rate of 3.59 percent is one of the lowest rates produced over 26 Florida county auctions conducted by Realauction this year.

The low interest rate is the product of more bidders, which means that when a person pays back their property taxes, they will pay the lowest interest rate established by statute of 5 percent.

For additional information, visit www.quantumhouse.org.

it hospital hospitality house, is the only facility of its kind between Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. It was established to provide temporary lodging and emotional support to families with children who are being treated for a serious medical condition in local hospitals. Through funding from organizations like Wycliffe, the Quantum House is able to support families during a time of medical crisis.

A tax certificate is a statutory lien on property created when a third party pays the delinquent taxes and associated fees on a property. The tax collector is required by law to conduct a sale of tax certificates to collect the preceding year’s unpaid real estate property taxes. A third party who holds a tax certificate on a property doesn’t own the property.

The interest rate on the certificates begins at 18 percent. Certificate buyers bid down the interest

“I am pleased that this year’s tax certificate sale attracted a large number of bidders, driving down the interest rates, and ultimately making it easier for property owners to pay back their delinquent taxes,” Gannon said. “In these economic times, everyone deserves a little break.”

For more information about the Office of the Tax Collector, visit www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/tax or call (561) 355-2264.

Annual Heath Evans 7-On-7 Championship This Saturday

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Football players from Royal Palm Beach High School and the King’s Academy will take the field Saturday, June 12 against several state champions at the fifth annual Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7 Championships starting at 9 a.m. at the King’s Academy.

The 7-on-7 tournament, which benefits the Heath Evans Foundation, boasts state champions Miramar (6A), Tampa Plant (5A), Dwyer (4A), American Heritage-Delray (1A) and Glades Day (1B) as well as Class 2A finalist Glades Central and Class 3A finalist Belen Jesuit from Miami.

Other teams include MiamiBooker T. Washington, Daytona Mainland and Broward County powerhouse Boyd Anderson, along with Park Vista, Olympic Heights, Atlantic, South Dade, Carol City and John I. Leonard high schools.

“This is quickly become one of the premier high school 7-on-7 events in the state,” Heath Evans Foundation President Glenn Martin told the Town-Crier Tuesday.

“We’ve been asked to be a play-in site for USA Today’s National 7-on7 Championship.”

The tournament is a chance for the athletes to highlight their talent and gain leadership skills.

“This is a great opportunity for some of the best high school players in the country to showcase their skills, and for all of the players to become better leaders — to become men of leadership, integrity and character,” said Evans, who is entering his 10th NFL season and second with the New Orleans Saints.

Evans graduated from the King’s Academy in 1997 and is the starting fullback for the Super Bowl champion Saints.

Evans said several NFL players are expected to attend the tournament, providing tips to the high school players and watching the competition.

New England Patriots teammates Randy Moss, Vince Wilfork and Kevin Faulk, along with New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, Abe Elam of the Cleveland Browns and David

Clowney of the New York Jets are expected to attend. Several are also expected to participate in the Beat the Pro competition.

The high school teams will be split into divisions and play a roundrobin format in the morning. There will be single-elimination competition in the afternoon with the championship game scheduled for 4 p.m.

In addition to the skill players, high school linemen will have their own competition.

The Lineman Challenge features a series of events, including a 185-pound bench press rep combine-style and flipping a large tire over a 30-yard course for time. An individual champion will be crowned as well as an overall team champion.

For young football enthusiasts, there will be a KidZone with a radar gun to measure how fast you throw a football, an area to throw footballs at targets and bounce houses.

Tickets for the event, presented by Hulett Environmental, cost $5 and are available at the King’s Academy (8401 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach). Profits will benefit the Heath Evans Foundation.

Evans started the foundation after learning that his wife Beth Ann was sexually abused as a child.

“She was this tall, blonde, beautiful wife of an NFL player, but inside she was suffering from so much pain,” Martin said. “Many marriages don’t survive that, but the last thing Heath is, is a quitter.”

Together they started the Heath

Evans Foundation, which provides free counseling in order to foster hope and healing in the lives of children and families affected by sexual abuse. The foundation is committed to breaking the cycle of abuse through healing the psychological, physical and spiritual wounds inflicted on innocent children; to bring hope and healing to the young victims of sexual abuse.

The 7-on-7 tournament is an opportunity for the foundation to not only raise money, but more importantly, educate the community on

sexual abuse. “One in four girls and one in six boys under age 18 will be sexually abused,” Martin said. “To be able to get in front of 350 to 400 football players and all their friends and fans and say… ‘You’re a bunch of athletic football players, but if you have 12 guys, chances are that two of you have gone through the pain of sexual abuse,’ it helps to spread awareness.”

For more information about the 7-on-7 Championships or the Heath Evans Foundation, visit www.heath evans.org.

Vinceremos Strong At Special Olympic State Equestrian Games

The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center recently returned from the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games, held May 21-22, where 16 of their top students had the opportunity to compete. This year’s competition was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.

Vinceremos took home five gold medals, nine silver medals, nine bronze medals, five fourth-place ribbons, two fifth-place ribbons and one sixth-place ribbon. The Vinceremos team included 16 riders who participated in 19 events. The events included English and western equitation, trail ride competition, dressage and pole bending. Vinceremos had numerous riders compete in the level “A” classes that required them to walk, trot and canter unassisted. Pole bending proved to be one of the most successful events for Vinceremos, as all of the athletes maneuvered exceptionally well through the poles.

Carrie MacMillan of Vincerem-

os earned the gold medal in English equitation as well as dressage. “I was nervous and excited all at the same time,” she said. “The horse I was riding, Will, did a great job, and we enjoyed every minute of the competition.”

The riders, horses and volunteers arrived at the Bakas Equestrian Center at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 21. This gave them enough time to walk through the Working Trail Course, which they would be competing in over the weekend. The volunteers and coaches helped explain to each rider what they needed to do at each point throughout the course. The horses also had the opportunity to walk through the trail before the opening ceremonies, which got underway at 6 p.m. The riders from Vinceremos had a wonderful time representing their organization and participating in the many activities held during the event.

Vinceremos was founded 27 years ago and has been participating in the Special Olympic Eques-

trian Games for 23 years. There are four levels for the event: county, area, state and international. Vinceremos Executive Director Ruth Menor has had students compete at the international level and has also served as an international games coach.

Vinceremos is a nonprofit organization based in Loxahatchee Groves that provides recreational and therapeutic riding instruction to people of all ages with varying developmental, physical and psychological disabilities. The organization, founded in 1981, assists more than 350 adults and children every year, helping them gain a sense of accomplishment, greater independence and a higher quality of life. Vinceremos has received a “Premier Accreditation” rating from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

For more information about the Vinceremos Therapeutic Equestrian Center, visit the center’s web site at www.vinceremos.com.

Heath Evans with players from Miami’s Booker T. Washington, the 2009 7-on-7 champions.

Football star Heath Evans.

PHOTOS COURTESY THE HEATH EVANS FOUNDATION

Brandon Boterf and Freckles garnered a gold medal in Western Stock Seat Equitation, as well as a silver medal in Working Trails at the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games.

PHOTO COURTESY VINCEREMOS

Crestwood Wins County Track Meet

The Crestwood Middle School boys and girls won the Palm Beach County Middle School Track Meet recently at Park Vista High School.

The teams were led on the boys side by James Jasmin, Jerry Jones, Philip Charles-Pierre, Stephen Louis and Tyler McGrath. Jones won the shot put event, and Louis won the 110-meter hurdles, while McGrath pulled in for a close second in the mile run.

The team was excited to win its first boys county track championship and attributed its success to the long practices they have had, as well as to hard work and determination.

The girls were led by Erin Ford and Danielle Livingstone. Ford swept all three sprint events, the 100, 200 and 400 meters. She was complemented with a win by Danielle Livingstone, who won the 100 meters hurdles. Also contributing to the team were Arion Span, Dania Williams, Rose Antoine and JaPrincess Ford.

Ford and Rose placed fourth in the shot put and high jump, respectively. Arion Span placed third in the 400-meter run.

It was first time in the school’s history that both the boys and girls won the title simultaneously.

Lorenzo Hampton Football Camp In PBG

This July

Former Miami Dolphins running back Lorenzo Hampton is teaming up with Mark “Super” Duper, Keith Byars and other NFL alumni to teach football fundamentals to players ages 7 to 14. The week of training will begin Monday, July 26 and run through Friday, July 30 at Mirasol Park in Palm Beach Gardens. Participants will be challenged to test and improve their agility, speed and endurance. Instruction will be provided on passing and receiving mechanics and techniques, as well as fundamentals on offensive and defensive formations.

The camp gives youth participants the opportunity to train with former NFL athletes who have tested their skills at the highest level.

Hampton was a first-round draft pick and played five seasons (19851989) as a running back with the Miami Dolphins. Mark “Super” Duper also played with the Dolphins from 1982-1992 as a wide receiver and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Keith Byars, another Pro Bowl selection, played fullback and tight end for the Dolphins, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles, the New England Patriots and the New York Jets.

To register for the Lorenzo Hampton Football Camp, call (678) 773-1160. Registration fees are $300 including lunch or $250 if participants bring a lunch. An event flier can be found at www.palmbeach sports.com.

Lacrosse League Coming Soon To The Acreage

Seminole Ridge High School varsity girls lacrosse coach Ken Larson is looking for players in The Acreage and surrounding areas who are interested in learning the sport of lacrosse. Larson hopes to set up instructional lacrosse camps this summer for the following: incoming SRHS freshman girls, high school girls who might be interested in playing for SRHS next year, or girls and boys in elementary and middle schools.

Lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in the nation, with more than 1,200 colleges that have now established lacrosse programs for men and women. For additional information about Acreage lacrosse, call Larson at (561) 790-4940 or e-mail him at landsharklax10@aol.com. Additional information will soon be available on the Acreage Athletic League web site at www.acreage athleticleague.org.

The Crestwood boys (above) and girls (below) track teams.

WELLINGTON WAVE U-9 BOYS TAKE SECOND AT DISNEY TOURNAMENT

The Wellington Wave U-9 travel soccer boys made it to the championship game at the Disney Memorial Day Soccer Shootout by going undefeated in their scheduled matches. They defeated Weston FC Arsenal, South Miami FC Grey and the Fishhawks. The Wave defeated the South Miami FC Grey again in the playoff game, which advanced them to the championship game against the Weston FC Arsenal Grey. The Wave boys lost their final match, earning them second place in the tournament. Team members are: Blake Weger, Dustin Nicholson, Morgan Suarez, Logan Fenimore, Casper Gundersen, Luke Mattessich, Zelden St. Surin, Luis Cano and Jack Schmell. Coaches are Alfonso Undiano and John Mattessich.

Barrios Takes Second In BC Open World Cup Grand Prix

In another strong week of competition, Pablo Barrios of Wellington finished second in the $55,000 BC Open World Cup Grand Prix on Saturday, June 5 at the BC Open Tournament at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

Barrios rode G&C Quick Star 11, owned by G&C Farm and Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal, to the top placing. G&C Farm’s state-of-theart jumper facility is based in Wellington.

Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11, a 12-year-old KWPN mare, were one of 26 entries in the World Cup qualifying grand prix. The course designer was Peter Grant.

“It was a pretty tough course,” Barrios said. “There were a few tall verticals, and the oxers had a good spread. The track was very nice, and it was good for our first World Cup qualifier [this season].”

In the jump-off, Barrios was chasing the winning time set by Rich Fellers and Flexible. Barrios gained valuable points to qualify for the 2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals, which will be held in April in Leipzig, Germany. Barrios is al-

ready qualified for this year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, held in October in Lexington, Kentucky. The pair also finished fourth in the $30,000 Thunderbird Show Park Spring Classic Grand Prix, CSI 2*. There were 30 entries in the class.

G&C Farm and Pablo Barrios will participate in five weeks of competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for the Spruce Meadows Tournaments, taking place June 9 through July 11. Visit www.farmgc.com for more info.

PHOTO BY TOTEM PHOTOGRAPHICS.COM

Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11.

CampHours: 8:30am-3:00pm

ExtendedHours: 7:00am-6:00pm

2’s,3’s,4’sACTIVITIES: •ComputerLab•AnimalShows •AlphabetGames•Water/SensoryPlay •CreativeWriting•PuppetShows •Science&Cooking•Music&Movement •Swimming(3’s&up)•TrainRides

ENTERINGKINDERGARTENACTIVITIES: •On-SiteSwimming•Reading/MathGames •WritingCenter•CreativeWriting •ScienceThemes•GeographySkills •Sports&PlayBall® •VideoGameRoom •ComputerLabs•In-houseFieldTrips

FIRST&SECONDGRADEACTIVITIES: •On-SiteSwimming•Sports&PlayBall® •ComputerLabs•ScienceLabs •MusicClasses•CreativeWriting •ArtClasses•EnrichmentEvents •VideoGameRoom•In-HouseFieldTrips

Private&GroupSwimLessons byAmericanRedCrossCertifiedInstructors Experienced&MatureStaff

Dianne M. Morin Home Cooking Summer Camp — The Home Cooking Summer Camp program is a hands-on experience where all campers will work in groups based on their level of cooking experience. Everyone will participate in making various aspects of their meal. In addition to general cooking techniques, campers will be instructed on safe food handling, equipment safety and table etiquette. Campers will learn how to read a recipe, prepare and cook delicious and healthy dishes with an emphasis on nutrition. All campers will take home a copy of the recipes which they create. For more information or to register, call (561) 722-4429 or visit www.diannemmorininc.com. .

Good Earth Farm Summer Camp — At the Good Earth Farm, home of Chocolate Chip Animal Rescue Inc., a not-for-profit large animal sanctuary, children ages seven to 11 learn to care for and respect animals on a real farm at the Horseback Riding & Animal Lovers Camp. The farm features horses, miniature horses, ponies, a donkey, pigs, ducks, geese, sheep, parrots, llamas and alpacas. Summer camp runs from June 6 through July 30, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each special half day for kids includes working with horses, miniature horses, alpacas, llamas and exotic birds, riding lessons, fine arts and crafts, candy, soap making and felting, grooming horses and llama/alpaca care. Sign up now. The camp needs 10 children minimum and 25 maximum. Call Nancy Fried-Tobin at (561) 792-2666 for details. Also, every Wednesday, Good Earth Farm offers group riding for $35 a class, ages four and up at 4 p.m. with an adult walking the child while on the pony; register separately. Fifteen years and up needed as counselor assistants includes one free riding lesson per week plus community service hours.

High Touch High Tech — High Touch High Tech has been providing hands-on science experiments to children in South Florida for over 15 years. They bring science to life for children in preschool through middle school. Up until now, Ann and Mike Ezratty, the owners of the South Florida region, and their team of professional scientists, have gone into your child’s school. Now, for the first time ever, they have a facility in Wellington offering summer camp programs and birthday parties beginning June 2010 at a new location off of Pierson Road. The camp offers affordable pricing, hands-on science experiments with lots of cool science take-homes, nature experiences as well as art projects that relate to the scientific investigations. High Touch High Tech knows that children are naturally curious and taps into their natural curiosity to provide them with safe, exciting and fun experiments to help them understand the world around them with the ultimate goal of giving children the tools to be able to think scientifically in order to solve problems. Expect really awesome fun as kids erupt volcanoes, pan for gems, launch rockets, make ice cream, grow plants, make fossils, dissect owl pellets and much, much more! Come visit as High Touch High Tech creates their all new hands-on science laboratory! Space is limited to 20 young scientists. High Touch High Tech is located at 3080 Fairlane Farms Rd., Suite 2. Call (561) 7923785 today.

Loxahatchee Country Preschool — The Loxahatchee Country Preschool has been here for 20 years and provides a safe environment with small ratios for summer campers, which means children are well supervised. Throughout the summer, the camp program offers arts and crafts, field trips (which the management team attends), swimming lessons in the school’s swimming pool, Spanish lessons, movies, a bounce house, golf, bowling and more in-house activities. A free pizza lunch will be provided on Fridays. It’s a safe environment while providing an excellent educational program! In a letter sent to the school, the Kings Academy wrote, “What preschools are better prepared for Kings? Loxahatchee Country Preschool was mentioned with enthusiasm!” Call (561) 790-1780 for more information.

Noah’s Ark — Noah’s Ark is located on Okeechobee Blvd in Loxahatchee Groves. They offer free allday VPK. Lower rates and special registration for fall. Meals are included. Noah’s Ark offers care for infants and preschool children as well as after-school care. Se habla Espanol. Conveniently located at 14563 Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves elementary schools. Call (561) 753-6624 for more info.

R R Ro o o oyal P yal yal Palm Beac alm alm Beac Beach Elementar h h Elementar h h y’s Bobcat Summer Cam Camp 20 p 20 p p 201 1 1 10 0 0 0 — is committed to provide an exceptional quality camp that is fun, comfortable, warm and friendly. Our Staff is professional trained and experienced. The magnificent schedule includes field trips 3-4 times per week and on campus activities. Field trips include Skate and Strike Zone, Discovery Museum/IMAX Theater, Rapids Water Park, Omni Auditorium, Fitness Festival, Chuck E Cheese, Wannado City, Fun Depot, Library, Wellington Pool, Parks, Movies, Lion County, and a trip to Orlando. On campus activities include dance, sports, crafts, carnivals, computers, academics, game room, shows D.J. Parties, fishing and more. Contact Director, DebPagliaro at 561-633-4431 or 561-633-4430 for registration information.

Select Soccer Training — Select Soccer Training is pleased to offer Summer Camps 2010 to the western communities at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. As soccer grows in participation in Palm Beach County and with the excitement of the World Cup this summer, this camp will offer children the opportunity to learn skills and techniques from a licensed, experienced professional. Soccer will be instructed in the mornings with water breaks, lunch and then off for more fun at Calypso Bay Water Park. Registration includes a soccer ball, camp t-shirt, snacks and water at break times, daily admission to the water park and professional soccer instruction. The cost to register a camper is $215 per camp with a sibling discounted cost of $195 per sibling. Groups of three or more are also $195 per camper. The multi-camp discount for both camps is $175 per camper when registering for both camps. Contact Tim Miller of Select Soccer Training at (561) 212-6330 or tmillerupr90@yahoo.com to register by June 1 for the first camp and July 20 to register for the second camp.

TNT Gymnastics Center — TNT is offering a great summer program with flexible hours and fun-filled days. They provide a safe, positive environment for your child to enhance self-esteem and physical fitness through gymnastics, trampolines, rock climbing, group games, arts & crafts, water play, martial arts and much more! TNT owner Tina Tyska is a former Class 1 gymnast coached by two-time Olympian Kim Chase. She has 25 years of coaching experience, including toddlers thru Level 9 gymnasts as well as special-needs children. TNT Gymnastics is located at 3120 Fairlane Farms Road in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 383-TNT1 (8681).

Zolet Arts Academy — Zolet Arts Academy is in its 20th year offering professional fine arts classes in the original Wellington Mall. The summer camp program runs Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with four separate weekly schedules starting June 7 for ages 6-8 and 9-14 in drawing, painting, sculpture and crafts. No two days are alike and feature rotating subjects and media: acrylics, watercolors, tempera, fingerpaints, chalk and oil pastels, charcoal, pen and inks, block and mono printing, 3D collage, wood, clay, tile, papier mache, textiles and observational drawing/shading for audition prep. Zolet offers individualized instruction for all skill levels and a perfect time-limited curriculum for rainy afternoons. Take-home completed work daily. The total cost of $165/week includes all free supplies. For more info., call (561) 793-6489.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, June 12

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Make Waves on the Sidewalk” Saturday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. for ages 11 to 17. Decorate the sidewalks in the garden with sea themes. Refreshments will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Kids Cancer Foundation will host a family picnic on Saturday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tiger Shark Cove Park (13800 Greenbriar Blvd., Wellington). Call (561) 798-9119 for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Make a Splash” on Saturday, June 12 at 11 a.m. for ages 6 to 9. Participate in a beach relay race, do a bottled-vs.-tap water taste test, and play “Sink or Float?” Call (561) 790-6030 to preregister.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Mystery at the Library” on Saturday, June 12 at 2 p.m. for ages 10 to 15. Play a live-action mystery game investigating other players’ characters to discover who committed the crime. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its monthly Chess Club meeting Saturday, June 12 at 2:30 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Basic chess knowledge is required. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Sunday, June 13

• Are you an “Anthony?” If so, stop by one of the Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza locations on Sunday, June 13 for a special St. Anthony’s Day celebration. If your first or last name is “Anthony,” you will receive a free order of meatballs with ricotta cheese (one per party). In the western communities, Anthony’s is located at 1000 State Road 7, Suite 4, in Wellington.

• John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach) will host a Bluegrass Music Jam on Sunday, June 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. Acoustic musicians are welcome. The event is free with park admission. For more info., call (561) 624-6952.

Monday, June 14

• The Lupus Support Group at St. Mary’s Medical Center (901 45th St., West Palm Beach) will hold its final meeting of the season on Monday, June 14 in the main entrance conference room. The group provides a relaxed, supportive atmosphere in which

individuals may share their feelings, learn about lupus and other related syndromes, meet friendly people and hear informative speakers. For more info., call the Lupus Foundation at (800) 339-0586.

• The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will offer an Orienteering Program on Saturday, June 12 at 10 a.m. for ages 9 and up. Pirates had little more than a compass to navigate the oceans in search of loot. Learn how to read a compass and search for “gold” as you try to find a pirate’s hidden treasure in the forest. The cost is $3 per person. Call (561) 233-1400 to RSVP.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Puzzle it out!” on Mondays, June 14, 21 and 28 at 10:15 a.m. for ages 3 to 5. Make guesses with lift-the-flap stories and try your hand at completing a puzzle. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Do You Have a Clue?” on Mondays, June 14, 21 and 28 at 11:15 a.m. for ages 6 to 10. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Salute to Flags” on Monday, June 14 at 2 p.m. for ages 4 to 7. Celebrate Flag Day with stories, crafts and music. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors will meet Monday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the district office. Call (561) 793-0884 for more info.

• Temple Beth Tikvah (4550 Jog Road, Greenacres) will offer its Summer Adult Education Program from June 14 through July 15. Six courses will be taught running two to three days each with class times from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $15 for nonmembers and $10 for members. Call (561) 967-3600 for more info.

Tuesday, June 15

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Brent Gregory: Make a Magical Splash at Your Library” on Tuesday, June 15 at 3:30 p.m. for all ages. Enjoy magical illusions, puppetry, comedy and storytelling with audience participation. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Teen Advisory Group meeting Tuesday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. for ages

See CALENDAR, page 42

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 41 12 to 17. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Wednesday, June 16

• The YWCA of Palm Beach County will host “Tea and Tales” on Wednesday, June 16 at 3 p.m. at the Chesterfield Palm Beach Hotel beginning at 3 p.m. The event will include a traditional English tea and the secrets of the “Ladies of Palm Beach.” Local historian James Ponce will take guests back in time by sharing anecdotes about the rich history of the early women of Palm Beach and the surrounding area. The Chesterfield Palm Beach is located at 363 Cocoanut Row. RSVP to (561) 640-0050, ext. 134.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Socrates Café on Wednesday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. The Society for Philosophical Inquiry initiated the concept for this discussion led by Marji Chapman. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a Community Forum on Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m., center court in the original Wellington Mall (southeast corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace). Topics will include the fiscal year 2011 budget and the proposed sales surtax to fund fire-rescue services. Refreshments will be served. For more info., call (561) 355-6300.

Thursday, June 17

• Curious George swings onto the stage June 17-20 at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). For tickets, call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Visit www.kravis.org for info.

• BNI, an international networking organization specializing in business referrals among its members, is hosting “Visitors Day” for its Business Builders Chapter on Thursday, June 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. The guest speaker will be Sandy Donovan, executive director of BNI’s Palm Beach County chapter. The public is welcome. RSVP to Ilene Adams at (561) 346-0172.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present the movie Jaws on Thursday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 and up. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will meet Thursday, June 17 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall (1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). Call (561) 790-5100 for more info.

Friday, June 18

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civ-

ic Center Way) will present the puppet show “Oceans of Fun” on Friday, June 18 at 11 a.m. for all ages. When Ali Gator and Polly Parrot want to go to the beach, it’s raining. But they don’t let the weather spoil their fun. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Odyssey Road band, winner of the 2010 South Florida Fair Tribute Band Contest, will perform a “Tribute to Journey” on Friday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse (713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth). For more info., call (561) 586-6169 or visit www.lakeworthplayhouse.org.

Saturday, June 19

• The 2010 Wellington Health & Wellness Festival will take place Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pointe at Wellington Green in front of LA Fitness. The registration deadline for vendors is June 14. Call (561) 792-6525 or visit www.wellington chamber.com for more info.

• The Mounts Botanical Garden (531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach) will present the vegetable growing workshop “Farm Your Backyard” on Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Scrapbooking for the Family” on Saturday, June 19 at 2:30 p.m. for ages 5 and up. Bring your own pictures and memorabilia. Basic materials will be supplied. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation will be hosting a Summer Bus Trip to Miami on Saturday, June 19. The bus will depart from the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center at 3 p.m., for the tailgating party and the game between the Florida Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays. Bullpen box seats, picnic-style grilled foods and cold beverages will be provided. The cost is $40 per person. For more info., call (561) 790-5124.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Creative Writing for Teens” on Saturday, June 19 at 3 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Give and receive constructive criticism and do writing exercises to improve your skills. Bring a writing sample. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

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

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

A/C SALES & SERVICE — New, used, scratch & dent. If you used anyone but Glover’s A/C, you probably paid too much! U10163. 7937388

EAST COAST AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. — Service • Sales • Repairs • Installation ALL MAKES & MODELS. Call us before you replace you’re A/C Unit! FREE 2nd Opinion. 561-4782662. Credit Cards Accepted.

J.C. TEETS & CO. — Concierge Accounting. discreet, confidential, individualized service to manage all of your personalized financial needs.Visit us at www.jcteets.com or call 561-632-0635

MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CLEANINGS SPECIALISTS — • Pressure Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Residential Cleaning • Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608

HOUSECLEANING - 20 years experience. Excellent local references. Shopping available. 561572-1782

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

DRIVEWAYS — - Free estimates. A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed. Licensed & Insured. 100045062 561-667-7716

DADS DOORS & WINDOWS, INC. IMPACT WINDOWS & HURRICANE SHUTTERS — Sliding Glass Doors, Mirrors & Shower Doors. 561-355-8331 U 19958 U20177

SUNDOWN ELECTRIC, INC.-

Residential, Commercial & Service. All calls answered promptly work done by owner. Lic. EC13002248 561-386-6711

STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For info l 1-888-333-9903

CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING 1 INC. — Residential/Commercial, remodels, roofing, structural repair, painting & waterproofing. Superior workmanship 561-6679927 561-722-7681. State Lic. Bldg. Contractor. Lic. #CBC 059348 State Lic. Roofing Contractor Lic. # CCC1327722

THE MASTER HANDYMAN — no job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers Tom (954) 444-3178

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior Trim, crown molding, rotttenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets/ countertops,wood flooring. Bonded Insured U#19699.791-9900 Cell: 628-9215

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

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

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

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

561-248-2611

D.J. COMPUTER - Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3339433 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach We accept major credit cards.

ADDITIONS, ROOFING, PATIOS & REMODELING - Cell 561-202-7036 561-798-6448 Lic. & Ins. CBC 1250306 CCC1326386

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

RJA PAINTING AND DECORATING, INC. - Interior , Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial. License #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561-793-5455 561-662-7102

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. - Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964. Lic. #U18473

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Well. Resident.

WOMEN, MEN NEED AN EXTRA PAIR OF HANDS? — I will cook, take you to museums, clean, go to parties, classes, shop, golf, tennis, wash the car, computer, write letters or poems, decorating etc. anything fun that’s legal. $15/hr min 4 hrs. MadelynPage22@Gmail.com 561-422-2910

LICENSED PLUMBER - Beat any legitimate estimate. A/C service lowest price. Complete service, new construction, replacement. CFC1426242 CAC058610 Bonded & Insured. 561-601-6458

POOL PLASTERING AND RESURFACING — Lic. U19996. 561722-7690.

ELITE POOL SERVICE — You dealt with the rest now deal with the best.” All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinators, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073

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

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

LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE - Your local Geico office has been saving people money for over 70 years. Contact (561) 616-5944 for a free rate quote.

BOB CAVANAGH ALLSTATE INSURANCE Auto • Home • Life • Renters • Motorcycle •RV • Golfcart • Boat Serving the Western Communities for 24 years. Call for a quote 798-3056, or visit our website. www.allstateagencies.com/rCavanagh GET REAL AUTO INSURANCE Good Drivers Get Great Rates! Farm Bureau Insurance Auto • Home • Life Marc Piven, Agent 561635-1168

HOME TURF — Lawn maintenance, landscape, irrigation, tree removal, hurricane prep, stump grinding, HOA/POA specialists. www.hometurfservice.com 561333-5989. Call for a No Obligation FREE QUOTE.

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

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC —

Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004 Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990 CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

INSTALLING TILE IN SO. FLORIDA FOR 25 YRS — Free est. res./com. bathroom remodeling, floors, walls, backsplashes, custom design GOLDEN TILE INSTALLATION 561-662-9258Lic.& Ins. U21006

HOME TURF — TREE TRIMMING, tree removal, hurricane prep, stump grinding, hurricane prep, HOA/POA specialists, 561.333.5989. Call for a no obligation free quote. www.hometurfservice.com

ClubZ! In-Home Tutoring

SPECIAL SUMMER ACADEMY Great Rates!

All Subjects: PreK- Adult 561 •333 •1980 • CLUBZ.COM America’s Largest In-HomeTutoring Co.

PAPERHANGING BY DEBI — Professional Installation,Removal. Repair of Paper. Neat, Clean & Reliable. Quality work with a woman's touch. 30 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263

A CLEAR VIEW — Window Cleaning, Pressure Cleaning, Lawn Maintenance, & Property Maintenance. P.B. County Lic. #14807 Insured. “Let a Firefighter Do It Right” 561252-5648

VOLUNTEER AT AN ANIMAL SANCTUARY HORSE FARM - 14 + up, community Service. 792-2666

TEACHERS/TUTORS P/T

Flexible Hrs. Great Pay. MATH • STUDY SKILLS SAT/ACT Certification/Experience Required Fax: 828-8128

Email:tutorking@wpb3331980.com

LEAD PRESCHOOL TEACHERSMust have 45 hr. certificate & current CDA a plus. 3 year old & VPK Teacher needed F/T 561-793-5641

P.T. MEDICAL ASSISTANT — NEEDED for busy medical office. Pediatric Experience a must. Fax resume. 561-793-0490

DENTAL ASSISTANT - Wellington upscale dental office, 2 Saturdays per month a requirement, must have experience and expanded duties certificate, excellent pay and benefits. Please call 561 204 4494 and fax resume to 561 204 2840.

DENTAL OFFICE ASSISTANT MANAGER — Minimum two years dental experience, two Saturdays per month required, must have knowledge of PPO dental insurance, breakdowns and verification. Excellent pay and benefits. Please call 561 204 4494 and fax resume to 561 204 2840.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR CHAIR RENTAL — Stylists, Barber, Nail Technician. For immediate Hire. Shampoo Assistants. Call 333-2838 or 784-3948

P.T. SECRETARY/ASSISTANT NEEDED — Must be organized & computer literate. Flexible hours. fax resume to 561-793-1470

HELP WANTED EXPERIENCED LANDSCAPER — clean record, FL Drivers License, Bi-lingual plus. Must speak English. 561-337-0658

BUSY NEW SALON — in Whole Foods Plaza seeking talented stylists. Great pay, medical, dental, PTO, 401K and more. Only a few positions available. Must be FL licensed. Call Tracy at 772-4640902 or visit careers by Haircuttery.com. EOE

This Saturday June 12th, 9 am - 2pm BLACK DIAMOND COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Lots of homes, great deals. Huge Inventory.1242 & 1245 Canyon Way (cul-de-sac) Located on SR7/441 btwn. Southern & Forest Hill Blvd’s. (turn onto Old Hammock Way)

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY

WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, res/comm.reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted. 561-842-6120 or 561-784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598

TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

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

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

SECURITY - American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

ROOMMATE WANTED - Female seeking female roommate to share furnished single family waterfront home in nice Wellington neighborhood. All utilities included plus, directTV & Internet. $750 per month. References & stable employment required. For more information call 561-385-5199

BARN EFFICIENCY APARTMENT — $450 Tile & A/C. Also available STUDIO APARTMENTTile & A/C $650. 966-8791. References required.

PONTOON 24’ SUNCHASER — with 48 volt electric motor. Designed for Lake Wellington. Fun in the sun, seats 14 guests, AM/FM, CD Player, lights, ladder & extras,must sell. Asking $4,495 OBO. 561-602-4383

OUTSTANDING BLOODHOUND PUPPIES — born 4/26/10 AKC, CKC, UKC registered parents & grandparents one property. Taking deposits hurry they won’t last. 321728-8986

DOGS FOR ADOPTION — AMERICAN BULL DOG — F, 1yr. spayed, gorgeous, strong/active, needs love, $100 donation, 305326-1718 ALSO BULLMASTIFF/ AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE — M, 1yr, neutered, brindle, strong/ active, needs love, $100 donation. 305-326-1718

CUTE, CUDDLY ALPACAS — 2 young males - $1,800 for pair. 561792-2666. Easy to care for and fun to have.

1997 GREY SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE — new a/c, clean & well maintained. Engine & transmission in excellent condition and new top. Feel free to take it to a mechanic & check it out. Mint cond. $3,300 (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422

1999 SUZUKI CRX 600 — New tires, brakes, front black shield, Yoshimura muffler. Needs new carburetor to get running. Asking $2995 will take $600 off if purchased by June 18th. 561-3151508