Town-Crier Newspaper May 21, 2010

474 Grads Bid Farewell To WHS

By Carol Porter

Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington High School’s 2010 graduates were urged to use persistence and determination to reach their goals during a graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 18 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

“It’s inspiring to see so many family members and friends this morning,” Principal Mario Crocetti told the graduating class of 474 seniors. “You and all those present should be commended for the love and support you provided these students. If not for your support, many of them would not be sitting here today. Please give yourselves a round of applause.”

Student Government Association President Michele Zangen said nothing should stand in the way of the graduates, and that they should use every tool at their disposal.

“You can do great things,” Zan-

See WHS GRAD, page 11

RPBHS Salutes ‘Shining Stars’

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Seizing each opportunity and making the best of every situation was the theme of Royal Palm Beach High School’s graduation ceremony on Monday, May 17 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach.

Principal Guarn Sims welcomed the nearly 500 students and their families, noting that this time of year is bittersweet.

“I looked in amazement at the line of silver and black caps and gowns, and the smiling faces of excited young men and women,” said Sims, who will be leaving RPBHS for a new post next year. “Memories washed over me as I realized this is the last time I will

See RPBHS GRAD, page 10

Service-Minded Class Of 2010 Leaves Palm Beach Central

RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach Central High School graduated 633 seniors during commencement exercises on Wednesday, May 19 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach.

Principal Dr. Matthew Shoemaker congratulated the students and thanked their parents, family and teachers for their support during the year, noting that the Class of 2010 achieved a graduation rate of 93 percent.

Collectively, the class earned more than $6 million in college scholarships. The class also raised close to $100,000 for charity. Students raised $77,000 in March during the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser for childhood cancer research

See PBCHS GRAD, page 12

SRHS Grads Urged To Dream Big

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The message to Seminole Ridge High School graduates at their commencement ceremony Friday, May 14 was that genius is more than intellectual capacity — it is hard work, commitment and passion. The 500-plus members of the Class of 2010 took to the stage at the Palm Beach County Convention Center to mark the end of a challenging year, but the speakers were optimistic about the future.

Principal Dr. Lynne McGee welcomed the class with words from Dr. Seuss, talking to students about the places they would go and the places they would see in their lives. Would the students succeed? Yes, they would, she insisted.

“Determination and hard work from our students, coupled with a dedicated faculty and staff and support from families, enabled the graduates to be here today,” McGee said.

McGee then introduced Palm Beach County School Superinten-

dent Dr. Art Johnson as a leader who has dedicated his life to education both personally and profes-

sionally. “He consistently encourages staff to exceed expectations,” McGee said. “He builds on success and thinks outside of the box.” Johnson began his comments with words that have become his

trademark, referring to public education as the “genius of democracy.”

“You begin to appreciate the genius of democracy that we call public education,” Johnson said.

See SRHS GRAD, page 9

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

A new Royal Palm Beach emergency operations center is expected to have a certificate of occupancy by next week, in time for hurricane season, which begins June 1.

The 8,000-square-foot building also will serve as a classroom, fitness center and Police Athletic League boxing room. It is behind the District 9 Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in the municipal complex at the southeast corner of Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards.

The building also includes a bathroom and locker rooms to be used by PAL and fitness room participants.

“The building was designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes, 175 mph winds,” Acting Village Manager Ray Liggins said. “It has a generator in it that runs off

The previous generator only ran a few outlets in the police

and about half of the

conditioning, Liggins said. The gas supplier is Florida Public Utilities, which has a natural gas franchise with the village. “They’re all underground lines, and they put people out on call during storms, so that if there is a problem, they’re first responders.” If a hurricane approaches, village staff and representatives from other government agencies will begin meeting, Liggins said. “At some point before the storm hits, a small group just winds up staying here,” he said. “The police will be using this building to stay in and sleep out of.” The village will continue to operate a satellite emergency center at the utility building at Partridge Lane and Okeechobee Blvd. for public works employees, Liggins said.

“Public works will be out of the field operations center. Before the storm, we will be meeting on a

By Ron Bukley

Town-Crier Staff Report

Responding to complaints about lighting planned by the county along Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, the Indian Trail Improvement District has scheduled a public meeting on Thursday, June 3 to hear recommendations from residents living near the roadway.

The county is four-laning Seminole Pratt Whitney Road between Southern Blvd. and Whitton Drive, three blocks south of Okeechobee Blvd.

The project includes two sections, from Southern Blvd. to Harlena Drive and Harlena to Whitton. The county has installed streetlights along Seminole Pratt between Southern and Harlena. The lights have drawn complaints from residents living nearby.

Supervisor Ralph Bair, who grew up in the Glades and The Acreage, said he prefers no streetlights but agrees that some lights might be acceptable.

“If they’re going to put lights in, they should put them at the intersections, so people can read the street signs,” Bair said. “I’ve grown up in the dark sky society

where everybody out here wants to keep the light low, where you can see the night sky. That’s what people like about living out here.” Bair said if people want more security, they can put up lights up in their yards. He pointed out that Okeechobee Blvd. is largely unlighted, although that is primarily due to a disagreement about who should pay for it and how much light there should be.

Bair said he would approve of lower lighting levels where roads come out to Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

Bair said he and Supervisor Mike Erickson have been talking to county officials about reducing the number of lights planned and/ or reducing the planned brightness.

“It’s just not necessary to have that much light,” Bair said. “They talk about safety; well, safety is a good thing if it’s applied properly. I don’t believe having a large amount of lighting out there is all that safe, because you’re going from light to dark, light to dark. I don’t see how that’s safe.”

According to a report by county consultant Erdman Anthony, the

See LIGHTS, page 4

Budget Issues Divide Indian Trail’s Board

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The first public hearing on the Indian Trail Improvement District’s 2010-11 budget will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25.

The district passed the first draft of the budget 3-2 on May 12 with supervisors Mike Erickson and Carol Jacobs dissenting, largely over a three-percent merit pay increase proposed for hourly employees.

The $11.7 million budget calls for assessments to go down or remain the same in all units except Madison Green, where a mistake in the assessment rate was corrected, District Administrator Tanya Quickel said. Assessments will remain the same in two units, while decreases in other units range from $12 to $67.

“The board gave direction that given the economy, we should try to help everyone wherever possible,” Quickel told the Town-Crier on Monday. “The budget that was presented had an average six-pluspercent reduction across the board for all units.”

Key topics of discussion were reducing the district engineer and district attorney contracts, Quickel said.

“Both of those, through healthy debate by the board and a healthy review of each one, resulted in a

17-percent decrease from the district engineer and a 10-percent decrease from the district attorney,” Quickel said. “Those are both very significant cost reductions.”

Another big cost reduction would be in the contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. With ITID President Michelle Damone staunchly opposed, the budget recommends shifting to more electronic remote monitoring of parks and other district facilities through cameras, cutting back on PBSO patrols.

“We have to flesh out the details, but we believe we can have savings of probably $120,000 a year,” Quickel said. ITID would retain a permanent deputy contracted for meetings and special events for 10 hours a week, Quickel said.

Although Damone voted for the budget, she said she did not approve of everything in it, particularly eliminating PBSO patrols in the parks.

“I don’t believe in decreasing public safety at this time, specifically the rotation the deputies participate in at our parks, in particular Acreage Community Park,” Damone told the Town-Crier on Tuesday. “Now that we have the expansion of the park on the hori-

See ITID BUDGET, page 4

SRHS grads make their way down the convention center stairs.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Palm Beach Central High School graduate Robbin Startzman with Ashley Startzman and Marilyn and Douglas Parlette.

PHOTO BY

RPBHS siblings Elaine and Peter Sayre at graduation.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

SURVIVORS JOIN FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT ROYAL PALM BEACH RELAY FOR

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Survivors start on their lap.

The Royal Palm Beach High School Wild Things.

Karen and Timothy Conder.

Survivors Joey and Lorna Johnson.

Palms West Hospital team members.

The Target team sells baked goods.

New Elementary School Will Feature A ‘Green’ Theme

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

When the new Everglades Elementary School opens in August, it is expected to be Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certified gold with a curriculum that promotes environmentalism and eco-friendly programs.

“My goal is to make sure that we implement a green philosophy,” Principal Dwan MooreRoss said. “We’re going to infuse a green curriculum within everything students do.”

The new elementary school is being built on Marginal Road, east of Lyons Road, in suburban West Palm Beach. It will serve as a reliever school for Equestrian Trails, Cypress Trails and Cholee Lakes elementary schools.

Everglades is designed to be eco-friendly with touch-screen computers, chairs and desks made from recycled materials, energyefficient lighting, solar panels and polished concrete floors, which require less wax and fewer chemicals, Moore-Ross said.

“It’s a really nice school that’s designed to protect the environment,” she said. “It was built as a teaching tool to help kids understand why taking care of the envi-

ronment is so important. The children are our future, and we need them to be aware of how important it is to protect the environment.”

The school is expected to be finished in late July, and staff training will take place Aug. 5 to help teachers learn about the school’s green amenities and carry the ideas over into the classroom, Moore-Ross said.

“The building is done,” she said. “They’re just working out the kinks, cleaning and getting everything ready to go. Everyone is really happy.”

Everglades will open with about 640 students but has a capacity for 960, Moore-Ross said.

“And I do think that over the next couple of years, we will get to that number,” she said. Almost 400 students will come from Equestrian Trails in Wellington, where Moore-Ross said overcrowding has been a problem. About 200 students will come from Cypress Trails, and between 60 and 80 students will come from Cholee Lakes.

Moore-Ross said the new students can expect to see a few familiar faces, as she has hired

See EVERGLADES, page 18

Polo’s John Goodman Charged For Role In Deadly February Crash

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

International Polo Club Palm Beach owner John Goodman was arrested this week for his role in the February crash that claimed the life of a Wellington man.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office issued a probable cause affidavit Tuesday detailing Goodman’s role in the accident. He was charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicle homicide and failure to render aid. According to the affidavit, deputies responded to the crash site at Lake Worth Road and 120th Avenue South in the early morning hours of Friday, Feb. 12. An investigation revealed that Goodman, 47, was driving his 2007 black Bentley GTC convertible south on 120th Avenue at a high rate of speed while intoxicated when he collided with a 2006 gold Hyundai Sonata driven by Scott Wilson, a 23-year-old recent college graduate. According to the investigation, Wilson was driving west on Lake Worth Road and crossed 120th Avenue when the speeding Bentley failed to obey a stop sign and collided with the Sonata, which rolled over into a canal. Speed calculations show that Goodman was driving at 63 mph at the time of the collision; Wilson was driving 44 mph. Goodman, according to the report, made no attempt to look for the Sonata and fled the scene of the collision on foot, leaving Wilson to drown in his overturned vehicle, belted in the driver’s seat. Deputies made those conclusions based on evidence at the scene of the accident, a 911 call made to the PBSO, speed calculations and a blood alcohol test showing an illegally high level. Responding deputies and a witness reported that Goodman was not present at the scene of the accident when they arrived. A deputy located a set of boot prints leading away from the scene that matched the boots that Goodman was wearing.

According to witnesses, Goodman had attended a fundraiser at the White Horse Tavern the evening before the collision where he consumed alcoholic beverages and ate dinner. Goodman was then seen drinking at the Players Club. He left the Players Club alone at about 12:50 a.m. According to the affidavit, the PBSO be-

Wednesday, May 26 5:30 p.m.

Joe’s

from his

on Wednesday.

lieves the crash occurred at approximately 1 a.m.

After leaving the scene, Goodman borrowed a cell phone from a resident on 120th Avenue South and called his girlfriend at 1:52 a.m. before calling 911 at 1:55 a.m. to advise that he had been involved in an accident, according to the affidavit. PBSO deputies then arrived and drove Goodman back to the scene. Another deputy responded to Wellington Regional Medical Center, where Goodman was taken for treatment. That deputy reported that Goodman had a strong smell of alcohol and appeared to be impaired. Goodman refused a blood sample, but PBSO officials deemed that there was enough probable cause to obtain a forced blood draw, which was done at 3:59 a.m. and showed a blood alcohol level of .177 percent, according to the affidavit. After the PBSO completed its investigation and issued the probable cause affidavit Tuesday, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe announced the filing of criminal charges Wednesday. McAuliffe assigned Ellen Roberts of the Traffic Homicide Division to the case. Goodman made his first appearance in court on Wednesday, where bond was set at $100,000. While Goodman was later released on bond, several conditions were placed on his release: he is prohibited from driving, drinking and visiting bars; he must undergo random drug and alcohol testing; he is prohibited from leaving Palm Beach County without court permission; among other conditions.

John Goodman’s PBSO booking photo

arrest

‘Green’ School — The new Everglades Elementary School is under construction on Marginal Road near Lyons Road and will relieve overcrowding at schools in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

OUR OPINION

Do What Is Necessary To Strengthen Laws Regulating ‘Pill Mills’

Gov. Charlie Crist is considering calling a special session of the Florida Legislature to deal with the issue of offshore oil drilling, an issue that has moved up in priority in the wake of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But if a special session is held, State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-District 27) wants to tack on another matter as well, one that’s equally calamitous for many Floridians and a serious health concern for the state overall — prescription drug deaths. At issue is a loophole in the state legislature’s recently passed bill regulating so-called “pill mills,” clinics that dispense large quantities of drugs that seem to be more about profit than pain management. The bill overwhelmingly passed both legislative chambers and awaits the governor’s signature. Up until now, it was possible to operate one of these clinics without a physician’s license; anyone with a regular business license could own and operate one. Not only are there non-doctors running pain clinics, but some of them are convicted felons. But now, under the new bill, only licensed physicians can do so. The bill also puts a 72-hour limit on the number of pills that can be dispensed.

But Aronberg, one of the bill’s sponsors, wants to make sure there’s little room for unscrupulous pain clinic owners to skirt the law; after all, many of them are professionals when it comes to operating under the radar. Although the new bill places a limit on the number of pills that can be purchased during a given office visit, by redefining what

Kudos For Judge Bonavita

In my more than six decades, I have rarely been inspired by other human beings. I could count them on two hands, with luck.

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, as I wrote in a previous letter, is one — a gentleman who came here from the Far East and now represents the western communities, our own non-politician! May he do well in his next term, for as he goes, so do we. Unlike others (Burt Aaronson comes to mind), he is beholden to us, the people, not lobbyists and other interests.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure to meet August Bonavita as he was sitting at a table in a restaurant near mine. We were introduced and spoke for a while. Meeting this gentleman has instilled in me a long-lost faith in the potential of people. A man who despite terrible adversity became a great man, far surpassing anything I could imagine even for myself! This gentleman is a county judge who dispenses fairness and a propriety lacking in so many

of our leaders. He is a humble man, and I wish that I were half the man he is.

He will probably not like this, but I ask any and every reader to Google this gentleman’s name and then realize that as long as men as he inhabit our planet, our country, our county, then there is hope!

George Unger Wellington

Gold As A Safe Haven? I Don’t Think So!

Every morning I have breakfast at one of the local meeting places. I can’t help overhearing people saying, “When the market comes back then, blah, blah” or, “I’m waiting for real estate prices to start rising, then I’ll sell.” We should live so long. And another thing: I don’t understand how investing in gold is necessarily safe. I understand that there is presently a market for gold, just as there was a market for asset-backed securities. In both cases we can’t eat gold or paper. In both cases there were buyers

constitutes an office visit and what services it includes, physicians can simply charge a higher flat fee for the office visit and then give the pills away for free. And if that becomes standard practice, then it’s back to business as usual. That is why we support Aronberg’s proposal to address the issue during a special session. While the new bill is good, it can definitely be improved, and the sooner the better. The stronger the state’s measure regulating “pill mills,” the better.

Meanwhile, officials in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and Palm Beach County have been working on the issue as well, having recently voted to place a moratorium on new pain clinics in the area as well as embracing the 72-hour limit rule. Although such pain clinics are rare in the western communities, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t flock here after being run out of other municipalities. And that is something that’s definitely not welcome in our neighborhood. While recent months have seen the pill mill problem finally addressed for real, it’s a problem that’s still far from being solved. We hope that whatever solution is reached finds the right balance of law enforcement and healthcare. Too much enforcement runs the risk of infringing on the rights of legitimate doctors to practice medicine, and makes it more difficult for real patients to receive their treatment. But more of the status quo — a situation that has allowed South Florida to lead the nation in illegal pharmaceuticals — is not an option.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

and sellers and a market price for the commodity.

I’m remembering when in 1933 and early 1934 those who held gold had to turn it in to the government for less than the market value at the time.

If it could happen then, it can damn sure happen now, because the reach of the federal government has increased geometrically since the early ’30s. Who is to say that Obama won’t decide to support the dollar by confiscating the gold we hold? The reason the gold was nationalized the last time was because the government enjoyed a windfall and reaped the whole of the “paper” profit from the rise in the price of gold. If the answer is “the government won’t confiscate gold because it’s valueless,” then why do we want it? The value to the government is that absent gold, we don’t have a choice but to use the stuff the IMF creates.

In the ’30s, contracts that were payable in gold were unconstitutionally voided by the government. Why contracting parties allowed that to happen, I don’t know, but we saw bond holders

Medical Identity Theft A

The Federal Trade Commission fielded more than 1.3 million consumer complaints in 2009. One in five involved “medical identity theft.” It is a crime that has more than doubled since 2008.

Yes, medical records are the “hot button” for identity thieves who have learned a stolen medical record contains a treasure

ITID Budget

Merit Raises Divide Board

continued from page 1 zon, I just feel that law enforcement personnel needs to be patrolling our parks.” However, Damone praised the budget for giving Acreage taxpayers a break.

“Overall, I approved the budget and giving our residents a little break in their taxes, understanding that a lot of our residents have seen a dramatic income decrease,” she said.

Quickel estimated the savings on engineering would be about $110,000 from the previous year. The district attorney’s budget reduction amounted to about $40,000, she said.

“We’ve made changes in how the minutes are done, how some of the advertisements are handled, and we are modifying some of the internal procedures,” Quickel added. ITID is moving toward a paperless agenda and beginning to make better use of its web site, she said.

The district also changed its policy on vehicle replacement, cutting the number in half from six to three.

Erickson said he objects to op-

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

trove of information for their nefarious schemes. What is even more unfortu-

erations and maintenance wanting to buy five new Ford F-250 trucks.

“The highest mileage on one of them was 143,000; all the rest of them had lower than that,” Erickson said. “Diesel F-250s have got to last at least 200,000 miles.”

Several park improvements and maintenance projects were kept in the budget, Quickel said. They include the replacement of playground equipment at Kidscape Park.

“Normally, park equipment has a life span of 10 to 17 years,” Quickel said. “This park is 13 years old. It’s our most heavily used playground equipment. We’ve got that in the budget for $170,000 for next year. There are actually two playgrounds there for different age groups of children, and we will go through the entire process later this year for selection of the design and theme, so that is an exciting change.”

Also scheduled for improvement is a house and barn that were purchased for use at Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park. The work will be done by the Seminole Ridge High School construction academy.

The budget included money for a boardwalk at Acreage Community Park, which will connect the north end to the south end through

stripped of their security in the GM restructuring and no one seemed to care. It is painfully obvious to me that we will never be able to trade in gold instead of the “coin” of the international realm. There is no way that the IMF or anyone else is going to let us use gold instead of the money they print.

So then, why is gold a safe haven? And why are the sellers pushing to get rid of their stock and running more commercials for it than Viagra? If the sellers don’t want it, why should we want it?

Frank Morelli Wellington

Stop Wasteful Spending On Military Projects

While Congress looks for ways to reduce our nation’s overwhelming budget deficit, there are clear pockets of wasteful spending our lawmakers could cut.

I recently read that Congress continues to allocate funds for an “alternative” engine for the F-35

fighter jet. After some research, I have learned the original engine (the F135) has already completed 13,000 hours of testing and more than 160 flights. On the other hand, the alternative engine (the F136), developed by GE, will take many more years and several million dollars to produce. Both President Obama and the Department of Defense do not see the need for the alternative engine.

Here’s my question: Why does Congress insist on paying two separate companies to make the same exact product for our military?

The amount we are spending to fund an alternative engine could

certainly be put to better use for our troops. Not only should we be using our taxpayer dollars to honor troops, veterans and their families, we need to increase funding for critical areas like education, affordable healthcare and retirement security. This is simply another example of wasteful spending. Instead of cutting funds from other important areas of the budget, I urge our lawmakers to terminate funding for the alternative engine.

of Florida

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS

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 letters@goTownCrier.com

Costly (And Truly Sneaky) Form Of Thievery

nate about this type of thievery is that you may have to pay for care you never received, as well as all the other things that have been compromised. Some experts in this area say it averages more than $20,000 out of pocket to eventually conclude a case of medical identity theft.

What to do: First, urge your healthcare provider to ask unfa-

miliar patients for photo IDs. Read all letters from insurers, even if they’re labeled “not a bill” to be sure any doctor’s name or treatment data is yours. If not, call the billing doctor and the insurer pronto.

Next, ask for a benefits list in your name and an accounting of disclosure that indicates who has your records. Do not carry your

NEWS

a natural area. The boardwalk will be built by the county, but the district is paying for the work, Quickel said.

Grant applications have been made for some expansion of the south end of the park. “We may move forward on some specific projects,” Quickel said. “There’s some funding for that.”

Quickel said the most controversial part of the budget was the proposed three-percent merit increase for hourly staff. Erickson said he could not support raises for staff with economic conditions the way they are.

“We froze labor rates last year, and they saved a little money on insurance and turned around and gave that savings right back to the employees,” Erickson said. “I don’t believe that in the last 10 years the employees have ever gone without a raise, and it’s a snowball-out-of-control effect.”

Erickson said the district must rethink the way it prepares the budget.

“I’ve really got a challenge supporting something when I can’t even tell from the budget information what we’re actually going to do with the money we’re assessing,” Erickson said.

Erickson said he would rather see a project-driven budget. “I don’t mind spending money on

successful programs, looking at what projects we want to get done, looking at the maintenance programs we want to move forward with, and determining the cost of those, and then that’s the tax assessment. In my opinion, the approach [currently] is, ‘We got this much money last year. Let’s get this much money this year, then change a few things.’ I’ve had challenges for four years with how the budget is done.”

As an example, Erickson said he would like to have seen more specifics on planning for the R3 road improvement program. “The R3 needs to take place,” he said. “We can’t allocate funds to do network road improvements without having the R3 done, so there’s no traffic calming, there’s no road paving.”

Quickel said the proposed budget meets the board’s goal for a reduction.

“It’s important to remember that the proposed budget does provide overall savings to the vast majority of residents in The Acreage, and that was the goal of the board with the current economy and the challenges facing everyone here,” Quickel said. “It is a very workable budget that provides for a very consistent level of service with some very good cost reductions in some very difficult areas.”

‘We froze labor rates last year, and they saved a little money on insurance and turned around and gave that savings right back to the employees. I don’t believe that in the last 10 years the employees have ever gone without a raise, and it’s a snowball-out-of-control effect.’

— Supervisor Mike Erickson

Medicare card in your wallet. Make a photocopy of it, making sure you delete the last four numbers of your Social Security number. Another good rule is to avoid Internet and unknown offers of free treatment or supplies.

Interested in what else the Federal Trade Commission deals with regularly? Second place for

RPB EOC

Part Of Big Project

continued from page 1 regular basis here in my office,” he said. “When it comes down to the 24 hours before the storm, and we decide to open the EOC, both buildings will be open, this building and the field operations center. The main EOC will be this one right here, and the field operation center will have administration and also the public works standby people getting ready to respond.”

The new building was at the

Lights

June 3 Meet

continued from page 1

roadway plans were drawn up to include street lighting to conform to the county’s standards to light thoroughfare roadways in accordance with the Florida Department of Transportation’s standards for major roads.

The report supplies analyses to determine if another design criteria could be used that would be appropriate and provide a lower lighting level that is more compatible with the rural nature of the corridor.

“Letters have been sent,” Erickson told the Town-Crier on Monday. “My position is there’s a safe and right way to light those corridors. I don’t believe that no light is an option. This is a major arte-

complaints goes to debt-collection harassment, with almost 120,000 problems. Then comes the “he said, she said” battle over Internet services, shop-at-home trickery, catalog sales and that very old buga-boo, counterfeit check crooks. In our world today, the watchword is caution… and keep your eyes open!

center of a large landscaping project to unify the structures on the municipal campus, which include the new building, the substation, the village meeting hall and the administration building. The cost for the project was almost $2 million, with about $1.2 million for the building and the remainder for landscaping, repaving projects and other site improvements within the village complex, Liggins said. The cost was not part of the reconstruction of the cell tower at the site that holds the police communication antennas, which was done by an independent communications firm, Liggins said.

rial corridor that feeds north and south and east and west. You have to include Northlake in this design because they intend on bringing that as part of it. It’s real important to get it right the first time. I want low-impact, safe lighting.” The first section, which is 0.6 miles between Southern Blvd. and Harlena Drive, has poles built on the east side of the road at an average spacing of 113 feet. The poles are 40 feet with 200-watt bulbs. Erickson said he favors limiting the pole height to 30 feet and utilizing the minimum brightness allowable by road construction standards. “Keep them as low as you can and make them directional as possible,” he said. The June 3 meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the ITID office (13476 61st Street North).

Virginia Savietto, President Palm Beach County Chapter of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus

Event sponsors: Tire Kingdom’s Mario Mandara, Republic Services’ David Unversaw and ADT Security’s Herb D’Argenio.

Polynesian dancers Leilani, Nani (Madison Worley), Kaiulani (Chelsey Hadrick) and Hoku (Blayne Vendryes).

Dennis Hines (longest drive winner) with Gary Hines and Ton Zurinskas.

Dancer Leilani (Tiffany Van Lange) with Estee Ramsarran.

Jamie Jerchower works on her hula-hoop skills.

Lilo & Stitch, who posed

RPBHS Medical Advisory Board: Dr. Erin Newkirk, registered nurse Karen Kissel, science teachers Mike Forbes and Crystal Kucharski, and volunteer Lisa Ganton.

Karen Kissel and Crystal Kucharski with the winning team of Erik Olson and David Klebonis of United Health Services.

Mary Jo Garski, Ginny Liguori, Carole Di Florio and Bruce Grear.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Paul Wizman, Erik Olson and David Klebonis.

iPod Stunt Gets Wellington Man In Trouble With Cops

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

MAY 15 — A Wellington man was arrested for obstructing police following a traffic stop last Saturday night in the Wellington Marketplace on Wellington Trace. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was on patrol when he heard a siren approximately 500 feet away. He observed a blue Lexus with blue and red lights flashing in the dashboard, causing several vehicles to move out of its way. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and met with 29-year-old Mark Rosenthal. According to the report, Rosenthal said he used his iPod to play the siren through his car radio, and displayed the redand-blue lights by holding the iPod up to the front windshield. Rosenthal was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where he was charged with unlawful display of blue lights.

• • •

MAY 10 — A Wellington man was arrested on drug charges following a stop on Forest Hill Blvd. for operating a bicycle without a headlight early last Monday morning. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was on patrol when he observed 23-year-old Whanse Polanco riding his bicycle down Forest Hill Blvd. without a headlight or a taillight. The deputy warned Polanco and told him he could leave. According to the report, the deputy then asked Polanco if he had any illegal materials on him such as guns, weapons or narcotics. Polanco responded that he had some marijuana on him. According to the report, Polanco reached into his left front pocket and pulled out a dollar bill, which had marijuana inside. Polanco was issued a notice to appear in court.

MAY 12 — A Royal Palm Beach man and an Acreage man were arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop near the intersection of Sparrow Drive and New Kent Court in Royal Palm Beach last Wednesday afternoon. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation pulled over a 2008 Dodge Charger for going 27 miles per hour in a 15-mph zone. The deputy made contact with the front passenger, 25-year-old Fabian Samuda of The Acreage and detected the odor of marijuana coming from the car. According to the report, the deputy asked if there was any marijuana in the car, and the driver, 26-year-old Fitzgerol Johns of Royal Palm Beach, said there was not. However, when both men exited the vehicle, the deputy found a small marijuana bud on the passenger seat and a plastic bag containing approximately eight grams of marijuana on the floor between the driver’s seat and the driver’s side door. According to the report, Johns said he had borrowed the car from a friend and didn’t know there was marijuana in it. Samuda also denied knowing about the marijuana. The deputy arrested both of them on charges of possession of marijuana. Each was given a notice to appear in court.

MAY 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a truck rental center on Southern Blvd.

last Friday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m. last Thursday and 8:08 a.m. the following morning, someone siphoned 14 gallons of diesel fuel from a 2004 GMC rental truck parked on 103rd Road, next to the business’s office. According to the report, the victim said it was the fourth time fuel had been taken from a truck parked in the area. The stolen gas was valued at approximately $42.70. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 14 — A Wellington woman was arrested for drunken driving following a traffic accident at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace at approximately 11 p.m. last Friday night. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation responded to the accident and met with 50-year-old Chrisitia Shane, who was driving the car that caused the crash. The deputy noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from Shane. He conducted a roadside sobriety test and placed Shane under arrest. She was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where breath tests revealed she had a .221 blood-alcohol level. Shane was charged with driving under the influence.

MAY 14 — A juvenile was arrested on burglary charges last Friday after a Shoma Drive resident called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach to provide suspect information. According to a PBSO report, the victim of a previous burglary called to inform deputies that she had discovered who had stolen her laptop computer. According to the report, the victim had confronted a juvenile suspect who confessed to stealing it. A deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation responded to the suspect’s home. According to the report, the deputy was speaking with the suspect’s mother when the suspect walked out carrying the computer. The deputy checked the computer’s serial number and determined it was the stolen one. The laptop was valued at approximately $600. The juvenile was arrested and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center where he was charged with burglary and grand theft.

MAY 16 — A resident of Polo Gardens Drive called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Sunday afternoon to report an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9 p.m. last Saturday and 1:30 p.m. the following afternoon, someone egged the victim’s gray 2010 Chevy while it was parked outside his home. The victim said he thought several suspects involved in another incident two months ago might have been responsible. The victim said he would have to clean his vehicle before he could assess the amount of damage done to it. There were no witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 16 — A West Palm Beach woman was arrested for shoplifting at the Macy’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green last Sunday afternoon. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was dispatched to Macy’s in response to a theft. Loss prevention officers observed 30-year-old Anabel Sal-

See BLOTTER, page 18

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Jacob Molloy is a white male, 6’1” tall and weighing 180 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. His date of birth is 04/02/89. Molloy is wanted for failure to appear on a charge of dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership to a pawnbroker. His occupation is construction. His last known address was Orange Blvd. in The Acreage. Molloy is wanted as of 05/20/10. • Regina Neiswender is a white female, 5’5” tall and weighing 120 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. She has tattoos on her buttocks and lower back. Her date of birth is 09/09/71. Neiswender is wanted for failure to appear on charges of possession of hydrocodone, possession of alprazolam, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and fraudulent use of personal identification information. Her occupation is waitress/bartender. Her last known addresses were Plantation Blvd. in Lake Worth and Wyeth Court in Wellington. Neiswender is wanted as of 05/20/10. 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.

Jacob Molloy

Regina Neiswender

Acreage Woman Lauded As Good Samaritan For Saving Baby

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

A baby who was abandoned by its mother on a highly traveled Belle Glade road last month was rescued by an Acreage woman who was driving to work on the morning of Tuesday, April 27.

Elizabeth “Liz” Cayson is a Pahokee native who now lives in The Acreage with her husband, a sergeant with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Cayson works as community relations specialist for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County.

Cayson was returning to her Belle Glade office at approximately 11 a.m. after speaking at Gove Elementary School’s career day when she witnessed the incident on Main Street.

“I saw someone reach out of the passenger side of the car, put something on the road, and drive off,” Cayson said. “I wasn’t sure, but it looked like a baby had been left in the middle of the road.”

Cayson, who was across the street on Northwest Avenue D, turned her car around and went to get a closer look. And there, sitting alone on the side of the road, was an alert baby boy dressed in a t-shirt, shorts and socks, Cayson said.

“I immediately picked him up and called 911,” she recalled. “I couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t have been older than eight months.”

There were no other cars around at the time, but Main Street is often busy with traffic, Cayson said.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived quickly and asked Cayson to care for the child while they investigated the case. She remained at the scene for more than two hours with the boy in her arms until Child Protective Services arrived.

Cayson was at the scene when the baby’s mother, 19-year-old Wendi Charlate, returned approximately half an hour later. According to a PBSO report, Charlate

told investigators that she left the baby in the road because his father was supposed to come pick him up.

Charlate was arrested and charged with child abuse and child neglect. The child was placed in protective custody.

“Liz cares deeply about the health and welfare of all the people in our community,” said Dwight D. Chenette, chief executive officer of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. “We are proud of her heroic actions, which reflect her ongoing commitment to those we serve every day.”

Prior to the incident, Cayson had received numerous awards for her outstanding leadership and service as a member of many civic, cultural and governmental committees and organizations.

Cayson has served on the boards of the chambers of commerce in Pahokee and Belle Glade, the Lions Club of Belle Glade, the Pahokee Rotary Club, Glades

Groves Might Take Over County Land

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council agreed Tuesday to consider accepting several strips of property from the county on 22nd Road North.

The strips of property were likely once used as right-of-way easements, said Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp. “The issue for the neighbors is we have to get brush out of the canal so we get adequate drainage,” Lipp said.

Town Administrator Frank Spence explained that Loxahatchee Groves has received correspondence from the county about property it is willing to give to the town. When discussed previously, the council took no action, but did discuss its irregular shape and that it needs to be cleaned up.

“The council decided that if the county would clean it up, we would take it,” Spence said.

Lipp said the county supplied the town with a list of 15 other properties ranging from a half-acre to 7.84 acres, totaling more than 30 acres that the county is willing to give to the town.

“What do we do with these?” Lipp asked.

Lipp added that correspondence from county staff indicates that it might either conduct a survey for the 22nd Road North property or clean it up, but it probably would not do both.

Councilman Jim Rockett said the situation appears to put the town in a weak negotiating posture. “Sounds like they could just do what they want to,” Rockett said. “We find we have few options; they have many.”

Councilman Ron Jarriel said it could not hurt to ask the county for both cleaning and a survey.

“I’ve seen in past years what the county has done for other municipalities like Wellington,” Jarriel said, adding that the town is obligated to see that the residents in that area have decent drainage and decent access to their property. “At least ask the county what their response is and take it from there.”

Lipp said the process would start with County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, who would turn it over to the county administrator to be put on the commission agenda.

Jarriel said the land could come in handy as a staging area when nearby roads are improved.

Mayor Dave Browning said he did not understand why a survey is necessary if the property is an easement. However, Town Attorney D.J. Doody advised that a survey be done.

Lipp made a motion to look into taking the property, which was seconded by Rockett and passed unanimously.

In other business, the council heard reports that progress on the condemnation

process for derelict properties had been slow.

At recent meetings, council members have talked about a spate of abandoned homes in foreclosure where trespassers are stripping the houses to skeletons in some cases. Rockett said he had talked to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jay Hart about abandoned properties. Hart told him PBSO volunteers are spending considerable time trying to track down property owners, some of whom are in the foreclosure process or absentee landlords, so the property can be posted to inform trespassers that they can be arrested.

“If we can find owners of condemned properties, and they find somebody on the property, they can arrest them,” Rockett said. “[Hart] said they’re making some progress in that area. I think there’s some progress at the state level. We’re seeing some possible relief for towns.”

Spence said the original plan had been to post “no trespassing” signs, but Jarriel said such signs are a waste of time without constant enforcement.

On a related topic, Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor John Ryan noted that bills in the state legislature to provide foreclosure relief to municipalities had both died in committee.

PATCH (Planned Approach to Community Health), the Glades Health Initiative, the Glades Initiative (of which she is a founding member), the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center Advisory Board, the Women’s Club of Belle Glade, Glades ARC, Leadership Glades and as a member of the Palm Beach County Citizens’ Advisory Committee as well as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County. Currently, she is participating in Leadership Palms West.

Although Cayson said she has received extensive training to care for children during her time at the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, she hadn’t expected to come across a case like this.

“I couldn’t believe that happened, but once I realized that was a baby on the road, my main concern was making sure the baby was OK,” Cayson said. “I’m just glad I was in the right place at the right time.”

Wellington Event Raises Money For ‘Courtney’s Wish’ Campaign

By Jessica Gregoire

Town-Crier Staff Report

The Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida hosted the IGKLA (I’m Going to Kick Leukemia’s Ass) Spring Fling on Sunday, May 16 as part of the Courtney’s Wish campaign. Held behind Hampton Inn near the Mall at Wellington Green, the event raised money to build a pediatric outpatient cancer center in Palm Beach County. The idea of a children’s cancer center in Palm Beach County was proposed by Courtney Wolfe, a 14-year-old girl from The Acreage diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia last year. The Kids Cancer Foundation has dubbed the mission “Courtney’s Wish.”

People came out with their children to support Courtney’s Wish. There was live music and fun activities like a corn-eating contest. For the children, there were bounce houses, trackless train rides, carnival games and face painting.

Although there was no entrance fee, people purchased tickets to get on rides, play games and buy food. All the proceeds from ticket sales benefited Courtney’s Wish.

Various vendors, like Mema’s Italian Ice, participated by setting up stands and donating some of their proceeds to Courtney’s Wish. Juice Plus, a nutritional company that makes vitamin capsules from 17 different fruits and vegetables, said a portion of what they made would be given to Courtney’s Wish.

“Even if we don’t make much, we will still donate as much as we can,” Juice Plus consultant Megan Rardin said.

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue personnel participated by volunteering their time to grill up hot dogs and hamburgers. For volunteers, this was a chance to help children with cancer in Palm Beach County.

Rebecka Bruckert, a volunteer with the Kids Cancer Foundation, had leukemia as a child and understands the importance of a local cancer center for children.

“As an adult, going through cancer is hard,” she said. “But for a five- or sixyear-old, it’s painful.” Event coordinator Grace Bondonese said the goal was to raise at least $8,000 toward the $6 million goal to build the cancer center. The total amount raised was not available at press time. “I promised to shave my head if we reach $8,000,” Bondonese said.

According to Courtney’s father Larry Wolfe, his daughter has been dedicated to opening up a cancer center for children in Palm Beach County since her diagnosis. “Courtney wants a place where

children in Palm Beach County can get continued treatment without going to the hospital for a small problem,” Larry Wolfe said. “They need a place where they can get treatment and help, because cancer patients should not be in hospitals. They are prone to many infectious diseases. The cancer center can shield them from that while getting the proper treatment they need.”

Through the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida, Courtney was able to implement her vision by starting the Courtney’s Wish campaign.

The Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with cancer and blood disorders through support and education. Foundation President Michelle

O’Boyle said it is currently dedicated to building an outpatient center for children in Palm Beach County.

“Currently Palm Beach County has the third-largest percentage of children with cancer in the state,” O’Boyle said. “There is no outpatient center, and the children really need a place where they can go that’s near them. Some children [in Palm Beach County] have to travel really far to get care. Courtney saw this problem and wanted to do something about it, so together we started the Courtney’s Wish campaign.”

The pediatric outpatient cancer center will help families in Palm Beach County with treatment and basic essentials for children with cancer. There will be nurses, doctors and state-of-the-art

equipment to provide the best medical care possible.

For the Courtney’s Wish campaign, this is just the beginning. It will likely take years of donations before the dream becomes a reality.

There are many different events planned to benefit Courtney’s Wish. The Face-off Against Kids Cancer ice hockey tournament, held at the Palm Beach Ice Zone May 21-23, is another upcoming event that will benefit Courtney’s Wish. For more information on this event, contact Jennifer List at (561) 261-6175 or e-mail listj@bellsouth.net.

To donate or volunteer for Courtney’s Wish, call O’Boyle at (561) 371-1298, email michelleoboyle@bellsouth.net or visit www.kidscancersf.org.

TEMPLE BETH ZION IN ROYAL PALM BEACH HOSTS A

Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach hosted its “Giant Garage Sale” on Sunday, May 16. About a dozen vendors were on hand selling new and used clothes, toys, tools, knickknacks, flowers and more. Temple Beth Zion is located at 129 Sparrow Drive. For more info., visit www.templebethzion.net.

GARAGE SALE’

Marva Parks raises money for the Royal Palm Beach Panthers girls U-14 team’s softball trip.

Samantha, mom Lori and Alex Colombo show off their tye-dyed shirts, socks, hats and tote bags.

Randy Mescher of Caribbean Plants Service in Loxahatchee sells his orchids.

Larry Wolfe talks about the Courtney’s Wish campaign.

PBCFR personnel provided hot dogs and hamburgers. PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Elizabeth “Liz” Cayson

PHOTO BY JOHN RICKSEN

PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Loxahatchee Groves Mayor Dave Browning gave a certificate of appreciation recently to Sundar and Linda Heeraman, who paid for pine tree seedlings that are being given away to residents by the town. For more information about the seedlings, call the town’s office at (561) 793-2418.

DOMINO HOSTS LOCAL TOWN

HALL MEETING

Diana Galloway Benefit May 22 At Polish Club

A benefit for Lyme disease victim Diana Galloway will be held Saturday, May 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Polish Club (4725 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres). Funds will help provide treatment for Galloway, a Wellington resident who suffers from Lyme disease coupled with metal poisoning. The event will feature food, games and raffles. The cost is $12 per adult and $6 per child. For more information, call Don Galloway at (561) 756-1545 or visit www.helpsavediana.org.

Hurricane Helpers Program In Wellington

If you are a Wellington resident and require pre- or post-hurricane assistance, call the Safe Neighborhoods Office on or before June 1 to register.

In 2009, the Village of Wellington offered a Hurricane Helpers program for the first time. Luckily the village didn’t need to activate the program, but preparations are underway for the 2010 hurricane season, just in case. If you or someone you know requires assistance putting up shutters, doing pre-emergency grocery shopping or just a follow-up phone call to make sure they are OK, Wellington’s Hurricane Helpers program can help. By signing up, residents in need are matched with a neighbor liv-

ing near them, within their community. Many times, in the event of a power outage following a storm, it’s easier for a neighbor to help a neighbor by walking down the street when there isn’t phone service. The village cannot guarantee every person will be matched with a neighbor in their community. However, as long as there is phone service, the Safe Neighborhoods Office will make follow-up phone calls immediately after the storm or visit someone who has registered once the roads have been determined safe.

If you would like to sign up for volunteer assistance or receive a courtesy “check up” by Wellington after the storm, call the Safe Neighborhoods Office at (561) 791-4796 by June 1. All that is required is your full name, address, phone number, neighborhood and the type of assistance requested. You can also call if you would like to become a volunteer and help your neighbors.

The village is recruiting ham radio operators to be stationed in various neighborhoods across Wellington to assist with poststorm neighborhood updates. All ham radio requests will be referred to the Wellington Radio Club.

Bowling For Rhinos Benefit Set For May 28

Lion Country Safari’s chapter of American Association of Zoo Keepers invites the public to join in striking big while raising money for rhino conservation at the annual Bowling for Rhinos on

Friday, May 28 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Palm Beach Strike Zone (6591 S. Military Trail, Lake Worth).

This bowling fundraiser promotes awareness and raises funds to support the rhinoceros, the planet’s second-largest land animal.

Anyone interested may participate in this year’s Bowling for Rhinos by purchasing tickets to the event for $25 each. The ticket cost covers admission to the event and two hours of bowling, shoe rental, pizza and soda, as well as a donation to the Bowling for Rhinos fund. In addition, participants are encouraged to find sponsors to increase individual donations made to the Bowling for Rhinos fund. On the night of the event, prizes will be awarded to participants who collect the highest amounts of sponsorship money. Prizes include Museum of Discovery and Science tickets, IMAX tickets, Chick-Fil-A meal coupons, a Panera Bread gift card and more.

The three organizations benefiting from the Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser are: Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia, home to the last Javan rhinos on earth; Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, home to both black and white rhinos; and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, where one of the largest populations of Sumatran rhinos live. One hundred percent of all donated funds from Bowling for Rhinos go directly to these three conservation organizations to help protect these endangered animals. For more information, call Lion

Country Safari at (561) 793-1084 or visit www.lioncountrysafari. com.

New Physician Lecture Series At MorseLife

MorseLife will launch a new monthly physician lecture series “Voices In Medicine,” featuring leading physicians from throughout Palm Beach County. Dr. Dana Desser, an orthopedic surgeon at the Center for Bone and Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches, will speak about new advancements in hip and knee replacement, on Thursday, May 27 at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Morse Geriatric Center (4847 Fred Gladstone Drive, in West Palm Beach, off Haverhill Road). Desser is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. He earned his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his medical internship at Wellington Regional Medical Center. He completed a preliminary surgical internship at Hershey Medical Center and a residency in orthopedic surgery at Memorial Hospital in York, Penn. Dresser performed a fellowship in adult joint reconstruction at the Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.

“Voices In Medicine” will be held the fourth Thursday of each month at Morse Geriatric Center. Each lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, or to RSVP, call (561) 687-5749.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

State Rep. Carl Domino (R-District 83), a candidate for the State Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Jeff Atwater (R-District 25), hosted a town hall meeting Saturday, May 15 at the Wellington library. Among the topics Domino discussed were the recent legislative session in Tallahassee, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and healthcare reform. (Above) Domino discusses legislative issues. (Below) The audience listens as Domino makes a point.

SRHS Grad

Future Leaders

continued from page 1

“Seniors, you look stunning. You’ve had a good year. Seniors, I want to address the genius in each of you. In the past, we have considered genius to be a gift. Maybe it was Einstein’s intellect; Mozart’s music; or Michelangelo’s mastery of math, science and architecture. A modern view suggests that hard work is the true path to genius. After all, who can argue the genius of Warren Buffett’s financial mind, Oprah’s philanthropy, Bill Gates’ vision and Nelson Mandela’s leadership? Perhaps in today’s challenging world, genius could be as simple as being a good son, a good partner, a good parent or simply a productive citizen.”

Johnson said another component of genius is knowing when to not do something and knowing when to stop.

“One United States president knew when to stop,” Johnson said, “while another did not. Genius is knowing when to stop. In entertainment today, Jay Leno knew when to stop. Tiger Woods did not. What are the implications about that today? Regarding our national debt, stop spending. Personal debt, stop buying. Violence, stop fighting. Drill, baby, drill? Stop the madness. Obesity, stop overeating. Regarding the need for speed, just stop. What’s your hurry? Stop, stop the madness. Seniors, each of you is a genius in the making. Stop wasting your time. The world is yours for the taking, and it’s whatever you choose to make of it. Good luck, God speed and go in peace.”

Class President Kristina DeCarlo told students not to look back at their victories, but to look back at their experiences from their four years in high school.

“We change and we grow,” DeCarlo said, “and we learn from our experiences and from our mistakes. When each of us looks back and tries to define our high school careers, we should not look back at our trophies and awards. We should look at our experiences. Some of us are sad to see this era of our life come to a close. Some of us are glad to walk across the stage and be inside another chapter of our lives. What are we going to do when we walk out these

doors? Nobody can be sure what the future will hold for us, but we will move on to amazing things. We are, after all, the Class of 2010.”

Salutatorian Andres Bernardo asked his colleagues and classmates to consider the message of Pink Floyd, the iconic rock group known for its thoughtful music. He told those present not to expect an awe-inspiring and handslapping speech from him, but one of quiet contemplation and thoughtfulness.

“I ask you to consider the Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon,” Bernardo said. “Breathe, breathe in the air. Don’t be afraid to care. Leave, but don’t leave me. I ask you to take these words to heart. Go through your life at your own pace and choose your own time on earth. Appreciate the simple things. Don’t be afraid to care. Experience everything you wish to experience. I ask you to take your respective destinies in your own hands. Seize control of fate, and don’t let fate control you.”

Valedictorian Shannon Patelsky noted that students must remember their experiences from high school. She also told students to try to do better and be kind to each other.

“I want to do my best and be a good person,” Patelsky said. “I want to thank my friends, and those teachers who taught me about hard work and perseverance. They taught me forgiveness, kindness and peace. I would like to add one last thing. Enjoy yourself. All of us can accomplish great things. All we have to do is try. Congratulations, Class of 2010.”

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Newly minted graduates take part in the turning of the tassel.

Valedictorian Shannon Patelsky.

Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson and SRHS Principal Dr. Lynne McGee.

Class officers stand at their seats in the front row.

Dignitaries wait for the ceremony to begin.

Graduating seniors and school staff enter the ceremony.

Salutatorian Andres Bernardo.

RPBHS Grad

‘Shining Stars’

continued from page 1

see you as a Royal Palm Beach High School student.”

Sims lauded the class for its successful year, noting that 85 percent of all the seniors had been accepted into post-secondary education, including colleges, universities, technical schools and the military.

Thirty percent of seniors had enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, which was a 15-percent increase from 2009, and 16 percent participated in dual enrollment. The class included three Pathfinder Award winners and eight athletic scholarship recipients. In addition, more than $1 million in scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors.

Salutatorian Kevin Huynh said graduation is a time to reflect on memories and on the people who

helped the students get there.

“We have gone through 12 long years of education to arrive at this moment in time,” he said. “We have endless opportunities awaiting us, but we must be able to recognize them, embrace them and use them. We leave today as high school graduates, and we have the rest of our lives to become whoever we want to be.”

Valedictorian Zelisha Siclait

recalled the time before high school when the students were young, impressionable and fearful of the rumors that swirled about “freshman Fridays” and other myths.

“It seems like our time in high school has been long, but in reality, it has been very short,” she said. “The past four years have passed in the blink of an eye.”

Siclait said that as each year passed, the Class of 2010 “remained strong and proud” and grew in knowledge and strength, ready to face the challenges of

each year. “Now that we’re here, ready to toss the tassels, I say the Class of 2010 is ready for the challenges ahead,” she said. “We have persevered together. We have demonstrated from the beginning that our class is different. It is stronger. We have worked hard to overcome whatever obstacles were in our way.”

Siclait noted that the fear many students have of life after graduation is not unlike the fear they had before entering high school.

“There’s an irony that lies in this ceremony,” she said. “We are on the threshold, ready to jump into the unknown, just as we did four years ago when we were those little freshmen. But we are armed with the knowledge of the last four years, not just rumors. We are ready to accept the new challenges that lay ahead in our life.”

Siclait offered one piece of advice: work hard to gain success.

“As a wise man once told me, ‘notice that the only place success

comes before work is in the dictionary,’” she said. “If we want success, we cannot wait idly for it to find us. We must go out and search for it.”

Sims noted that the students were at an important crossroads.

“Graduation is one of life’s major milestones,” he said. “It’s a time of celebration for all the hard work that has been done… and the future opportunities before you. Many of you have had one foot out the door all year, while others are wishing desperately to stay in the comfort of Royal Palm Beach High School and home. But it is time for you to move on and begin the true process of finding your passion in life.”

He left them with a lyric from rap star T.I. and singer Rhianna.

“You’re going to be a shining star, with fancy clothes and fancy cars,” he said. “And then you’re going to go far, because that is who you are: a shining star.”

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

RPBHS Valedictorian Zelisha Siclait.

2007 RPBHS graduate Thomas Craig with 2010 graduates Ashley Wilcox and Jessica Dopman.

Principal Guarn Sims shares advice with the class of 2010.

PHOTO COURTESY JESSICA DOPMAN

Dignitaries listen to Valedictorian Zelisha Siclait’s speech.

RPBHS Salutatorian Kevin Huynh.

Graduate Marisa Gianoutsos with family members.

WHS Grad

The Class Of 2010

continued from page 1 gen said. “Let your instincts, your intellect and your values guide you in that direction. Believe in the incredible power of the human mind, of doing something that makes a difference, of working hard.” The future is theirs for the taking, Zangen told her classmates.

“Anything is possible. There is only one you, and you will pass this way but once. Do it right. As of today, we are officially high school graduates,” she said. “Keep in mind that in a few moments, all 474 of us will walk across the stage, and we will not only leave behind four memorable but overdramatically long years of life in high school, but we will finally embark on a journey we have been waiting for all of our lives.”

Salutatorian Pablo Palomino was thankful for the strong safety net that was provided through elementary school, middle school and high school. Students might think they were independent when they entered the final stage of high school, said Palomino, but they still needed guidance.

“Now, we are going to college, the military or wherever our ambitions may take us,” Palomino said. “We sound like pretty independent people. Guidance is still being offered to us. It’s just that where we find the guidance comes from a broader range of places. Parents, teachers and others will be there for us. As one teacher at one time said, if you ask for my help, it doesn’t matter where I am, I will be there.”

noted how friends and family members seem awed by his status. However, he asserted that all the seniors should be considered valedictorians.

“We all made it here today,” Pandey said. “I am honored to be giving this speech. We have students who will be attending West Point, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and other schools, while others will be serving the country in the military. Now, we are graduating, and we are ready to move on. We have been told that we are the future, but the future is now. I hope the future holds great things for each and every one of us.”

Senior Class President KodieAnn Walcott thanked her parents and teachers for their many years of support. She thanked the staff and teachers at WHS who assigned the students homework and often complained about their salaries, but loved their jobs and their students.

“We have many folks who will go on to be businessmen, lawyers, mechanics, doctors and some crazy folks who will become teachers,” Walcott said. “Even though we can choose where we are headed, we can’t change where we came from. We are leaving WHS with a legacy.”

As the Class of 2010 heads off toward the future, Walcott urged her fellow graduates to stay in touch.

“We learned how much we have in common, and most of us learned that it was OK to be on Facebook the night before the big test because the whole class was on there as well,” she said. “WHS is where things happened. So now we go on with the chapter of this life complete. Dream big. The sky is the limit. Good luck.”

SGA President Michele Zangen with her parents Alan and Kathy.

Class President Kodie-Ann Walcott.

School Board members Bill Graham and Dr. Sandra Richmond with WHS Principal Mario Crocetti.

WHS Valedictorian Aman Pandey, Salutatorian Pablo Palomino, SGA President Michele Zangen and Senior Class President Kodie-Ann Walcott.

Members of the WHS concert chorus during the Pledge of Allegiance.

Megan Cox is recognized by the Melanoma Foundation for her art work. (L-R) School Board Member Bill Graham, teacher Sally Mark, Cox, Tamika Peay of the Melanoma Foundation and Principal Mario Crocetti.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Valedictorian Aman Pandey

Principal Mario Crocetti addresses the Class of 2010

PBCHS Grads Service-

Minded Students

continued from page 1 — more than any other school in the nation, Shoemaker said. Shoemaker stressed that events such as St. Baldrick’s have shown the generosity and kindness of Palm Beach Central students. “I wish you continued success on your journey,” he said.

Shoemaker also congratulated the Future Business Leaders of America for student participation.

Palm Beach Central, with 407 members, had the largest FBLA club in Florida.

School Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson told the graduates that their lives would be full of hard decisions. “The world is yours to make whatever you choose to make of it,” Johnson said.

Salutatorian Gabriela Castro plans to major in architecture at the University of Florida.

“This is a day we have all eagerly anticipated,” said Castro, who congratulated her classmates for reaching out to benevolent causes through the year. “The feeling of being part of something bigger is truly one of a kind.”

It is this desire to get involved and help others that makes the Class of 2010 stand out, she said.

“Class of 2010, we must realize our impact on others and that we do make a difference in this

world,” Castro said. “We have an important role to play in making this world even better. As Michael Jackson sang (in “Man in the Mirror”), ‘If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.’”

Valedictorian Rubaiyat Zinat will also attend UF and plans to major in statistics and pharmacy. Zinat advised her classmates to be aware of the feelings of others and to remember the man who felt bad

because he had no shoes until he met a man who had no feet.

“Appreciate these feet that brought us this far,” Zinat said. “Think of all the people who do not have the feet to take them as far as we have gone now. Just like the man who had no shoes, we must not take our feet for granted.”

Stephanie Tinoco, the senior class president, will attend Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., to major in political science

and business. She gave a farewell speech. “We all have so much to be grateful for,” Tinoco said. “On behalf of the senior class, I thank our parents and teachers. Think of all the late nights writing papers, and the day after struggling to get up, and thank our parents for waking us up when the alarm did not go off.” Tinoco also thanked her brother, who she described as her first friend and her first enemy.

“Somehow those papers and projects were all completed on time,” she said. “Although we cannot walk the halls again as students, we will always remember moments that made our high school experience a powerful one.”

Tinoco said the time now had come for the seniors to go out into the world. “I encourage you to take chances,” she said. “Make mistakes, but try again. Congratulations, Class of 2010, we did it!”

Salutatorian Gabriella Castro.

Valedictorian Rubaiyat Zinat.

Senior Class President Stephanie Tinoco.

Graduates Meghan Pace, Shelby Grant and Morgan Pace.

Graduate Beatriz Morejon with her parents Marisabel and Luis Morejon.

PHOTOS BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Graduates Marisa Ohogue and Andrew Castiglia.

WHS Senior Athletes Sign Letters Of Intent To Play College Sports

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Eight Wellington High School football and basketball seniors signed their college athletic letters on Friday, May 14. Football players Sebastien Thelisma, Brian Pupo, Ben Chapman, Winter Cullen and Mike Reilly joined basketball players Stephanie Weiss, Bruce Fleming and Katey Applegate to sign papers in front of parents, coaches and staff.

Thelisma will attend Wesley College in Dover, Del., where he plans to study education. He was a Wolverine defensive lineman and is a two-year letterman.

Pupo signed with Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss. and will study physical therapy. He played defensive back and was a

three-year starter. He was also captain for two years, and received several county and district recognitions and awards. Chapman also signed with Belhaven University and will study business. He was a linebacker, three-year starter and two-year captain for the Wolverines. Chapman was awarded county and district recognition and awards, and was selected to play in the Outback Bowl in 2009. Cullen will attend the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minn. where he will study biology in preparation to become a radiologist. He is a three-year starter who played wide receiver and defensive back. Cullen graduates with a 3.5 HPA. Reilly signed with Methodist

University in Fayetteville, N.C. and will study criminal justice. He is a two-year letterman and offensive lineman for the Wolverines.

Fleming graduates with a 3.0 GPA and will attend Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga., a division three school. He was the captain of the WHS boys basketball team and led in three-pointers with 44 in the season. He averaged 13.2 points and four assists per game. He won the Coaches’ Award for the outstanding loyalty to his teammates and coaches. He was on the second team All-Conference and Honorable Mention AllArea.

Weiss graduates with a 4.5 HPA and will attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. where she will study sign language in-

terpretation. She is a two-year team captain and three-year varsity player who averaged doubledigit scoring in her last two years. She has consistently ranked in the top three in overall team stats and finishes her high school career with 793 points and 152 assists.

Applegate graduates with a 3.0 GPA and signed with Northwood University in West Palm Beach where she will study business. She is a two-year captain and four-year starter who led Palm Beach County in three-point shooting. She averaged 12.5 points and seven rebounds per game, and led the Lady Wolverines in blocked shots. She tied the team’s three-point record with 178 points, and concludes her high school career with 874 points and 415 rebounds.

The Democratic Haitian American Caucus of Florida held its inaugural

Boynton Beach Recreational Center. Honorees included Rev. Yves Geffrard and Major Joseph Bernandel. The keynote speakers were State Rep. Mack Bernard and State Sen. Dave Aronberg. For more

State Rep. Mack Bernard.

Rev. Yves Geffrard, Mireille Petit-Frere and Major Joseph Bernadel.

Caucus Treasurer Guy Garcia, Caucus President Evelyn Garcia and State Sen. Dave Aronberg.

(Front row, L-R) Stephanie Weiss, Bruce Fleming and Katey Applegate; (back row) Mike Reilly, Ben Chapman, Brian Pupo, Winter Cullen and Sebastien Thelisma.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Football players with their parents, coaches and administration.

Football players Sebastien Thelisma, Brian Pupo, Ben Chapman, Winter Cullen and Mike Reilly sign letters of intent.

Stephanie Weiss, Bruce Fleming and Katey Applegate, parents Michael and Sherry Weiss and Carolyn and Kevin Applegate.

Local celebrity and businessman Greg Rice gave a motivational presentation to the Royal Palm Beach High School Medical Science Academy pre-medicine students on Friday, May 14. He met with the students sharing his thoughts on the importance of being passionate and working hard toward their academic and career goals. The informative talk not only encompassed the course objectives but was relevant and meaningful to the students. Student Jessica Huber, who has a similar disability to Rice, was able to speak with Rice one-on-one as he shared a personal reflection of his life journey and how he and his late brother courageously approached their own individual challenges. Huber is finishing her junior year in the RPBHS Pre-Medicine Medical Science Academy. She completed her Royal Manor and Palms West Hospital clinical rotation using no special accommodations and earned an Allied Health Assisting Certificate. She is a certified

NEW HORIZONS HOLDS ANNUAL CAREER DAY

New Horizons students recently experienced Career Day. Speakers explained to the students why they chose their career and what is needed to pursue that career. Students were encouraged by all of the speakers to explore many careers in order to discover what they really like to do and pursue a career they relish so they will enjoy going to work each day. Students were exposed to a variety of careers. Visiting professionals included choreographer Lawrence Albright, table etiquette instructor Marisa Giardino, Publix florist Coleen Somers and cake decorator Carmella Nona Smith, pharmacist Karen Mangini, civil engineer Marisa Lopez, pilot Kevin Proodian, physical therapist Katie Chiet, surgeon Dr. Jill Bray and many more. New Horizons thanks the many speakers who gave of their time to share and encourage students to stay in school, do their best and pursue a career they enjoy. Pictured above, Japtix race car builder Roger Case shows students a race car.

Binks Forest Students Incubate Eggs, Raise Chicks

While studying animal growth (cells, eggs, life cycles), a fifthgrade student at Binks Forest Elementary School suggested the idea of incubating chicken eggs. When Principal Stacey Quiñones gave permission and supported this inquiry-based, hands-on learning experience in the classroom, the students were thrilled.

Debra Wilson’s and Diane Grosso’s fifth-grade students started incubating chicken eggs in early April. It takes approximately 21 days for a chicken egg to hatch. The first egg hatched on day 19. That first sound of a chirping chicken was heard at 8:10 a.m., and the joyful excitement of the fifth-graders could be heard throughout the school.

“My students and I started this investigation with total support from our school administrators and parents,” Wilson said. “Hatching the chicks and caring for them took a team effort, and it truly was a learning ‘eggs-perience’ for all! Right from the beginning, my students took control of their learning. They researched information about incubators, eggs and chickens to the point that they are now smarter than an ‘egg-spert.’” Adoption day for the 13 chicks took place on May 6. Each chick went home with a certificate of birth including their weight, height, sex and footprints. Most of all, the chicks went home with very “egg-cited” fifth-graders.

Greg Rice with RPBHS student Jessica Huber.

Chicks raised by Binks Forest Elementary School students.

Osceola Creek Middle School Honors Scholar-Athletes Of The Month

Osceola Creek Middle School has announced the recipients of its Scholar-Athlete Award for April.

The award is sponsored by the school police and honors varsity athletes who also excel in academics, effort, behavior and school spirit, and serve as role models for others. April’s honorees carry high grade point averages and play varsity sports.

Boys volleyball honored Brandon Sturrock. “For a first-year player, Brandon has already made improvement in his skills,” coach Shayne Sanderford said. “He is doing a great job as one of our setters, and I look forward to having him back next year.”

Brandon, 13, is a seventh-grader on a team that graduated all but one player from last year’s team. He is carrying a 4.27 GPA. Brandon has not decided on a specific

college, however, he has decided that he will be a criminal justice major, and then enter the law enforcement profession. As a sixthgrader, Brandon received the SECME and Ecology awards.

Boys and girls track and field honored Kerrith Whyte and Anisa Kornegay. Both are 13 and in the seventh grade.

Kerrith, who has a 5.22 GPA, also was a member of Osceola Creek’s basketball team and was just inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. He wants to attend either Florida State University or the University of South Carolina as an engineering major. With the track season only half over, Kerrith has already set personal bests in the 100-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles.

Coaches Pete Drolet and Michelle Wertman said of him,

CAREER DAY FUN AT CRESTWOOD MIDDLE

Crestwood Middle School held its annual Career Day on Friday, May 7. More than 80 presenters came and spoke to the students. There was a variety of careers represented, including everything from doctors, lawyers, electricians, police, secretaries, designers and football players, just to mention a few. The presenters were treated to breakfast and lunch by the school staff. It was an informative and enjoyable day for the students. Pictured above are chef Pat Fagen, crossing guard Tracie Fagen and teacher Shirl Haines.

“Kerrith Whyte is a great allaround athlete. He is a multi-sport athlete as well as an honor student. He is also a team player. When asked what events he would prefer, Kerrith doesn’t hesitate and responds, ‘Wherever you want coach.’ He has run several events yet excels in the hurdles and the 200-meter races. He recently qualified for state finals in the Hershey track meet series. He is definitely an athlete to watch in the future.”

Drolet and Wertman described Anisa as “a team leader. She runs the 100-meter and 200-meter, and anchors the 4x100 relay team. She excels in both track and the classroom. She is an honor student that is enrolled in advanced classes and recently qualified for the state finals in the Hershey track meet series. She has a bright future and will be successful because she

knows how to push herself to be the best.”

Anisa, who has a 5.33 GPA, wants to attend Duke University’s School of Medicine, followed by a career in medicine. Last school year, as a sixth-grader, Anisa was selected as the sixth-grade Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In addition to being on the track team, Anisa also played on Osceola Creek’s girls soccer team and serves as a representative on the student council. She also received the Academic Excellence in Reading Award.

Supporting the Scholar-Athlete Award program are Subway and Burger King (located at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd.) and Dairy Queen (at Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards), which donated free food coupons.

Panther Run Students Get Work Published

Four of Maria Fontaine’s students at Panther Run Elementary School were surprised to find their work published in the April and May issues of Kidzera, a magazine written by kids and distributed in classrooms worldwide. Writing and artwork was submitted by Fontaine, a third-, fourth- and fifth-grade reading/ writing teacher at Panther Run. Fifth-grader Austin Cavallo wrote about professional snowboarder Shaun White. Fifth-grader Rakeen Akim provided artwork to accom-

pany Cavallo’s article on page 5 of the April issue. Also in that issue (on page 10) is an article entitled “The History of Earth Day,” written by fifth-grader Ryan Delvecchio. A poem by thirdgrader Alyssa Angulo titled “Can’t Wait ’Til Summer” was published on page 13 of the May issue. Kidzera includes work from students all over the world, as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal. For more information regarding this classroom publication, visit www. kidzera.com.

In order to complete the prerequisites needed to obtain their credits for high school, the eighthgrade pre-medical sciences students at Western Pines Middle School performed their shadowing rotations in different medical offices of dentists, doctors and veterinarians. This experience gave the students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in class in a real-world setting.

The students were very pleased with the experience and thankful for the opportunity to work with professionals in the medical field.

“Not many kids like me actually get to experience what I did; I got to shadow a pharmacist,” Chad Hamann said. “I was able to see what medicine is made of, how it is packed and learn how different medicine affects people. For someone like me who is so interested in the medical field, it made my day to spend time at an actual medical facility.”

“The rotations were a memo-

rable experience that gave us the opportunity to learn about the real medical field,” said Danielle Lagos, who worked with Janae Moodie.

“We went to a pediatric oncology, hematology office that taught us different procedures that will actually occur in the work force. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Moodie said. Wayne Selogy said it was an experience of a lifetime. “The personnel at the Trauma Hawk are true heroes,” he said. “Thanks to everyone who had to deal with me for two days.” This is Western Pines’ first year doing the medical shadowing rotations, and from all the students’ experiences and doctors’ feedback, the school concluded that the expectations were surpassed and all the objectives were achieved. The members of Western Pines Pre-Medical Academy look forward to next year’s shadowing rotations.

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

Scholar-Athletes — (L-R) Principal Dave Alfonso, Anisa Kornegay, Kerrith Whyte, School Police Officer Sandy Molenda and Brandon Sturrock.

Austin Cavallo, Rakeen Alam, Alyssa Angulo and Ryan Delvecchio with their published work.

Wellington Art Society Awards Scholarships

The Wellington Art Society awarded its annual scholarships to four promising young artists at its annual meeting May 12. President Adrianne Hetherington presented a total of $3,250 in scholarship awards with assistance from the society’s scholarship committee chair Judi Bludworth. The honorees were selected based on a variety of criteria, including the students’ artist statement, academic achievements, creativity, subject matter and technical skills exhibited in submitted artwork. Honored students were: Melissa Laina Rockwerk ($1,000) — Melissa will be graduating from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts and will be attending the Cleveland Institute of Art, ma-

joring in biomedical illustration. Emily Stanton ($1,000) Emily will be graduating from Royal Palm Beach High School and will be attending the University of Florida, majoring in photography and photojournalism.

Johnson Simon ($750) Johnson will be graduating from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts and will be attending Western Michigan University, majoring in the fine arts.

Marissa Ullman ($500) Marissa will be graduating from Suncoast High School and will be attending the Ringling College of Art and Design, majoring in computer animation. The society’s scholarship fund is supported by a portion of the

Landon Patrick Dooley — son of Sheena and Jeremy Dooley of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on April 23. Maggie June Miller — daughter of Kassie and Ryan Miller of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on May 7.

Jack Kamryn Ziegler — son of Kristie and Justin Ziegler of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on May 11.

Madison Mae Meegan daughter of Heather Meegan and Jason Meegan of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on May 12.

Bear cubs crossover to Webelos 1.

Tiger cubs crossover to Wolf cubs.Wolf cubs crossover to Bear cubs.

Art Scholars — Judi Bludworth (left) and Adrianne Hetherington (right) of the Wellington Art Society with honorees Marissa Ullman and Melissa Laina Rockwerk.

Wellington Resident Martha Morales Named Nurse, Educator Of The Year

Drama and excitement took center stage at the eighth annual Nursing Celebration, as the Palm Healthcare Foundation announced the winners of the 2010 Nursing Distinction Awards with Academy Award-winning suspense May 8 at the Breakers Palm Beach. Eight winners in different categories were recognized for their contributions and work serving patients and their community throughout Palm Beach County. The event, which celebrated diversity with a theme of “It’s a Small World,” honored registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse educators, nursing assistants, nursing students and volunteers. Wellington resident Martha Mo-

rales, a Palms West Hospital employee, won two awards: Nurse of the Year and Educator of the Year.

Other award winners were as follows: Registered Nurse of the Year Eithne A. Kadri, critical care staff nurse at St. Mary’s Medical Center; Leadership Award and the Palm Healthcare Foundation Nursing Lifetime Achievement Award to Mary Weeks, retired chief nursing officer at Glades General Hospital and Lakeside Medical Center; Nursing Student of the Year Carolyn Mollo, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University and Jupiter Medical Center; Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year Mary Stewart, Hospice of Palm Beach County; Licensed Practical

Nurse of the Year Gloria Musico, LPN, Call Center for Hospice Partners on Call; Extra Mile Award to Judith Miller, instructor and employment counselor at the Academy for Practical Nursing and Health Occupations; and the Hands and Heart Award to Gayle Stevens, community liaison with Vitas Innovative Hospice Care.

A committee of 30 selected the eight honorees from nearly 200 nominations submitted by healthcare professionals and patients/ families. Winners were chosen on the basis of dedication to excellence in an area of expertise beyond the scope of their jobs, commitment to the profession of nursing, and a sense of community.

WPTV Chief Meteorologist Steve

Weagle served as the evening’s master of ceremonies and handed out the awards to the deserving honorees.

“This event is about celebrating heroes,” Palm Healthcare Foundation President and CEO Suzette W. Wexner said. “Behind every one of our Nursing Distinction Award winners is a story about being a champion to a patient, a family or a co-worker that rises far above the call of duty. We are honored to have the opportunity to recognize their meaningful contributions to their organizations and to our community.”

The Palm Healthcare Foundation was chartered in 2001 as an independent community healthcare foundation. Believing that

Gioia Named Outstanding Grad At P.B. Atlantic

Neither a busy work life nor an even busier home life kept Wellington resident Mary Anne Gioia from her goal: earning her bachelor’s degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

In fact, Gioia, a mother of four and a vice president for Regions Bank, has earned one of the top honors in PBA’s MacArthur School of Leadership. At spring commencement May 8, Gioia, who is receiving a bachelor’s of science degree in organizational management, was recognized as the outstanding graduate of her school.

“It is no small thing to obtain a college degree while balancing work and a home, husband and four children,” said Dr. Jim Laub, dean of the MacArthur School of Leadership.

Gioia said she felt honored and humbled at the same time. “I almost felt like I didn’t deserve it because I have so many classmates that I look up to,” she said. Formerly of Florham Park, N.J., Gioia was born to Robert and

Rosemary Harris and has four siblings. She previously attended Marymount University in Arlington, Va., but had to leave school for family reasons. She moved to Florida in 1995 with her husband Michael and their four children, now ages 15, 17, 18 and 20. They decided to move to be closer to her husband’s family and because they had always enjoyed visiting the area. Gioia has been a banking professional for 18 years, starting as a teller and working her way up the ranks.

Eventually, Gioia decided that she wanted to work as a certified financial planner, which motivated her to return to college. Having attended Christian schools all her life, she decided Palm Beach Atlantic was a good fit. Since 2008, Gioia has been taking classes at the school’s Wellington campus. She worships at St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church. After graduation, Gioia plans to continue her studies to pursue a master’s degree and perhaps apply to law school.

“My initial impression of Mary Ann was that she was a dedicated, focused and motivated student who took great care in putting forth high-quality work,” one of her professors said. “Yet when I observed her interactions with peers as the term progressed, my admiration for her deepened as Mary Ann displayed remarkable warmth, empathy and patience in our group discussion and projects, and served as a unifying force in the class.”

Gioia said she never had awards in mind when she returned to school. “I’ve tried to maintain my ethic of giving my all in everything I do,” she said.

Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, independent university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees, with campuses in West Palm Beach, Orlando and Wellington. The university is dedicated to the integration of Christian principles to prepare students for learning, leadership and service. For additional info., visit www.pba.edu.

Baumel, Escalada Win Comcast Scholarships

Twelve students who attend high schools in Palm Beach County will receive $2,000 college scholarships each thanks to this year’s Comcast Leaders and Achievers Awards. Scholarship winners from the western communities include Evan Baumel of Wellington

High School and Erica Escalada of Seminole Ridge High School. To honor the 2009 Leaders and Achievers recipients throughout Florida, Comcast arranged a special celebration at the State Capitol in Tallahassee earlier this month. The celebration took place

on the capitol steps and was attended by Comcast senior leadership and statewide elected officials who honored the achievement of the scholarship winners.

“Comcast is proud to acknowledge the success and potential of such outstanding student leaders, all of whom are preparing for the

next step in their educational careers,” said Marta Casas-Celaya, director of government and community affairs for Comcast. “A commitment to community service is an essential component in the selection of winners of Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarships.”

“Together We Can Do More,” the foundation’s mission is to transform healthcare challenges by bringing together the talents and resources of the community to create innovative solutions that deliver high-impact results. The foundation’s funding priorities are designed to empower nonprofit healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals to create programs and services that improve the quality of life for Palm Beach County’s underserved citizens. Since 2001, the foundation has distributed nearly $40 million to over 90 non-profit organizations in Palm Beach County. To learn more about the Palm Healthcare Foundation, visit www.palmhealthcare.org.

and

On May 5, the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club presented its Teacher of the Year Crystal Apple Award to Marjorie Rowe of Cypress Trails Elementary School. Along with the crystal apple, Rowe was presented with a plaque that is engraved with her name and school, along with the 14 previous winners. Shown above, Rotary members present the award to Rowe: (L-R) Rotary Project Chair Tony Endler, Rowe, Secretary Joan Scherer and President Keith Jordano.

Martha Morales

Mary Anne Gioia

Court Moderate Justice Anthony Kennedy Visits P.B. Forum Club

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Three days before issuing the majority opinion in a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a Florida law that allows judges to sentence juveniles to prison for life for crimes in which no one has been killed, Justice Anthony Kennedy gave some insight on a similar issue in an appearance before the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. Kennedy’s speech to the Forum Club and the Palm Beach County Bar Association was held on Friday, May 14 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ Cohen Pavilion,

In Monday’s ruling, which could reduce the life terms of two teenagers convicted in the Dunbar Village rape case in West Palm Beach, Kennedy wrote that juveniles should be given the chance to be rehabilitated and may not be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

During a question-and-answer session following his speech, Kennedy reiterated his belief that the prison system needs to be changed.

Kennedy recalled a ruling in which he wrote the majority opinion that mandatory sentences were unjust with some younger offenders. He explained that a 20-yearold who had committed a crime cannot grasp that he would find himself in prison for 20 to 25 years. Judges must know the human consequences of their actions when they sentence a youngster for 20 years and realize that the

person will come out of jail as a middle-aged person.

“A 20-year-old doesn’t know how long that is,” Kennedy said. In both cases, Kennedy wrote the majority opinion in 5-4 split votes by the court. Kennedy, who was appointed to the bench by President Ronald Reagan and has served on the court since 1988, often has been considered the swing vote on many of the court’s split decisions.

Kennedy said the court looks to controversial or important cases for consideration, and then makes a decision after consideration and discussion. Following that process, the decision is made as to who writes the opinion.

“Let’s say it’s 5-4,” Kennedy said. “The five in the majority don’t do a lot of back-slapping. We realize that one of us has to write an opinion that commands the allegiance of the others, and it will be an opinion that will teach the principles of law and the principles of the Constitution. We issue that opinion. We make a withdrawal from the trust that the public has in our institution. It is our job to replenish that trust by adhering to our judicial oaths, and by adhering to the principles of the majority and independence in quiet discussion, decency, courtesy and scholarship.”

During the question-and-answer session, Kennedy was asked about his standing as the so-called “swing vote.”

He said the word “swing” brought to mind gyrations and

movement, and he said that he did not swing around the cases, but instead the cases swing around him. He said the process of law was sometimes unpredictable in what it yielded, including the case of the protections in place for burning the American flag, which the court supported as part of First Amendment rights.

“It’s protected speech to burn the American flag,” Kennedy said. “It was a 5-4 decision. I wrote the short opinion on it. The Constitution sometimes requires us to make decisions we don’t like.

Americans were at first furious, but I noticed that over the course of the next three months, that the initial editorial output and the initial reaction had changed. They noticed it was protecting my Constitution and my rights.”

Kennedy, who met with some Palm Beach Lakes High School students who are interested in studying law, said it was important that people understand the rule of law and that documents such as the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence belong to everyone, not just the courts.

“It’s our heritage,” Kennedy said. “It’s handed down from one generation to the next. It’s vital that our young people know what the Constitution means and know the Declaration of Independence. It’s not just officials and the president. The president has the obligation to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution.”

Kennedy did not comment on

President Barack Obama’s nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, but he did talk about the confirmation process in general.

He said he liked his own confirmation process because he got to find out what the legislators were thinking, and that helped him become a better judge. Regarding Kagan, Kennedy said that he, and his colleagues, know the court will go through a period of change.

“It’s group dynamics,” Kennedy said. “When you replace one person on that jury, it’s a different group. For years, we have been arguing, thinking and discussing, mediating and reconciling. Suddenly, it’s a new table. We will miss Justice Stevens. He’s one of the most brilliant lawyers I have ever met. He didn’t follow the standards of professional excellence. He set them.”

Kennedy noted that in the past, regionalism had a tight hold on the court. Today, there is not that much geographic diversity on the court. He recalled speaking to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg about the fact there were three New Yorkers on the bench.

“She said we have Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, and now we need Manhattan,” Kennedy said.

For more information about the Forum Club, visit www.theforum club.net. Gov. Charlie Crist will speak to the Forum Club on Friday, June 4.

Do The Write Thing Challenge Luncheon Held At Kravis Center

More than 500 students, teachers and parents heard from community leaders, a newly elected congressman and a celebrated Miami Dolphins player about the importance of taking a stand against violence at the Do the Write Thing Challenge luncheon held Monday, May 10 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. Presented by the Palm Beach County Steering Committee of the National Campaign to Stop Violence, the Kravis luncheon honored 180 students who were local finalists in the nationwide program to curtail violence in schools and communities. The challenge gives middle school students the opportunity to write essays and poems that explore their experiences with violence and offer solutions through classroom discussions. The students were selected from 13,685 Palm Beach County middle school student entries and were

invited to the luncheon with their teachers, principals and parents. At the event, 36 students read excerpts from their entries, which were judged by volunteer panels of educators, law enforcement officials and judicial leaders.

Jessica Stone, an eighth-grader from Lake Worth attending Palm Springs Middle School, and Maxx Melanson, a sixth-grader from Boca Raton attending Boca Raton Middle School are the first-place ambassadors. Stone and Melanson will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. and be honored in a national ceremony in July.

The second-place winner is Joelishia Banfield, a seventh-grader from Pahokee who attends Osceola Creek Middle School in The Acreage. The third-place winner is Vanessa Guerrero-Cruz, an eighth-grader from Lake Worth who attends Christa McAuliffe Middle School.

Christian Coury, a seventh-

grader from Jupiter attending Watson B. Duncan Middle School, is the second-place winner, and Chad Bonincontri of Loxahatchee, who attends Western Pines Middle School, is the thirdplace winner. All six student finalists received cash prizes.

This is the third year the luncheon has been underwritten by Florida Crystals, North America’s largest sugar producer. The company also underwrites the luncheon and the cost of sending the top boy and girl “ambassadors” to the national Do the Write Thing conference in Washington, D.C.

The schools with the highest participation in the program will receive $500 grants from the William H. Pitt Foundation. The West Palm Beach law firm Larmoyeux & Bone provides administrative support for organizing and directing the efforts of the steering committee.

Making one of his first public appearances in Palm Beach Coun-

ty since being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Ted Deutch addressed the Palm Beach County teens as the keynote speaker. Other speakers included: Palm Beach County Schools Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson; Capt. Jeff Lindskoog from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; Judge Ronald Alvarez, Palm Beach County Circuit Court, Juvenile Division; and Pepe Fanjul Jr., senior vice president of Florida Crystals.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess was the surprise special guest at the luncheon. Bess shared his experiences of growing up in a violent world. Students who have witnessed or been victims of violence at home or school could relate to Bess’ story, as he too saw the horrors first hand, long before he became a star athlete.

For more information about the Do the Write Thing Challenge, call Elaine Meier at (561) 3303610.

West Palm Beach Antiques Festival Returns June 4-6 To Fairgrounds

The next West Palm Beach Antiques Festival show will take place Friday through Sunday, June 4-6. The last of the regular-season three-day shows before the summer schedule of two-day shows begins, the June festival is already sold out of indoor dealer spaces with a few outside booths still available. One of the original Florida Highwayman painters, R.L. Lewis, will be demonstrating his skills at the show, offering his paintings for sale Saturday and Sunday, and one of his works will be given as a door prize to a lucky attendee. Show owners Kay and Bill Puchstein report the first of

the newly scheduled summer shows, July 3-4, is almost sold out for dealer spaces. The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival had another record-breaking show the weekend of April 30 to May 2. The Puchsteins also reported that attendance was up 20 percent over the previous year’s show, and that all inside dealer booths were sold out and 50 dealers were set up outside. The South Florida weather was graciously mild, in the low- to mid-80s, with no rain and light winds, and the early buyer participation was heavy.

A number of Florida dealers had an excellent show including Nan-

Next LGLA Meeting May 27 With Speaker From SFWMD

The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will meet on Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd.).

The speaker for the evening will be Beth Kacvinsky of the South Florida Water Management District, who has been asked to dis-

cuss the Everglades restoration program. She will also discuss how the future looks for successful completion of what the SFWMD has set out to do. For more information about the May 27 meeting, call LGLA President Marge Herzog at (561) 7919875.

cy and Woody Straub with brisk sales of western art, late 18th-/early 19th-century smalls and historic furniture. Jim Antonne of Jacksonville sold a large number of oil paintings, a heated oil operated fan and an eight-foot-long grizzly bear rug. Lyn Kraft, a local Florida jewelry dealer, sold a dinner ring with a 4.7-karat center diamond with an asking price of $30,000. Another Florida dealer offered a stainless steel infinity clock on a pedestal for $2,000 and had brisk sales of oriental figurines, statues and many one-of-kind items from a South Florida estate.

One Florida dealer who almost always has a good show is the “Doll Lady” Jane Greenwalt. She has always had a love of dolls, and when she retired, she began to rehabilitate old dolls to give to charity. Naturally she eventually came across dolls she didn’t want to part with, so she started her own collection, which rapidly grew out of control. Greenwalt then became a doll dealer by accident. And a major dealer at that. At the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival, Greenwalt usually has several hundred dolls on display in addition to bins of authentic accessories such as shoes,

socks, underwear, shirts and other needful things for dolls. She strives to be like an old-fashioned 1930s doll store with everything for the collector and admirer of dolls.

Greenwalt’s inventory ranges from early 1800s “china heads” to newer but interesting 20th-century items. She also does doll restoration for customers including cleaning, restringing and redressing. She really enjoys the “fixer uppers.”

The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is held at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Show hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 4; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 5; and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 6.

Early buyers admission from 9 a.m. to noon Friday is $25 and is valid for the entire weekend. Adult daily admission is $7 ($6 for seniors). Anyone under 16 is admitted free. There is no charge for parking.

For more information, contact the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival at (941) 697-7475 or info@wpbaf.com. Visit www. wpbaf.com for a discount admission ticket.

Send 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.

Everglades Opening In August

continued from page 3 teachers from the other three schools.

“It’s nice because some of the teachers will be familiar to students and their parents,” she said.

“It’s a great way to build a community.” Moore-Ross has already hired about two-thirds of the staff. She held a parent meeting Wednesday to discuss the dress code, which she hopes to keep similar to the dress codes at Equestrian Trails and Cypress Trails.

“We want to make sure it’s cohesive and what the students are already used to,” she said.

Moore-Ross said that the school will encourage recycling and sustainable living, and will be growing plants and vegetables in a hydroponics garden.

“We’re going to grow our own vegetables,” she said. “It will give children a firsthand experience. We hope that what they learn here at school will carry over to their homes.”

One of her first goals as principal will be to foster a communitylike atmosphere.

“It’s in a very nice community, and I want to build a working relationship with parents,” MooreRoss said. “I’d like to have a strong parent-teacher association and build a partnership with local businesses. You can’t be successful unless you involve the people who the school was built for.”

Moore-Ross comes to Everglades after three years as principal at Frontier Elementary School in The Acreage. She was replaced by Sharon Brannon this year.

Moore-Ross said leaving Frontier was hard, but that she was excited by the new challenge.

“I’m really honored by this opportunity,” she said. “It’s not every day you get to open a new school. I’m looking forward to a new start.”

Moore-Ross, a Louisiana native, graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge. She started teaching at Cooper City High School in Broward County in 1995 before transferring to John I. Leonard High School in 1998. She taught there for one year before being promoted to assistant principal.

In 2002, Moore-Ross worked as an instructional specialist for the Palm Beach County School District’s south area coordinator, where she remained for three years.

In 2006, she worked with West Area Superintendent Dr. Janice Andrews for one year before she was hired as principal at Frontier.

Moore-Ross lives in Royal Palm Beach with her husband Grady and two-year-old daughter Regan.

“I’m honored and privileged to have this new opportunity to work with the parents of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach,” she said. “I’m pleased to be part of a gold-certified school, and I look forward to working with parents and staff.”

continued from page 6 vador select a shirt and place it in her purse. She then passed all points of sale and exited the store. Store officers stopped her and recovered the shirt, which was valued at approximately $29. Salvador was arrested and issued a notice to appear in court. MAY 17 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched to a home on 86th Street North on Monday afternoon in response to a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between noon last Saturday and 1 p.m. Monday, someone stole the air conditioning coils from the victim’s air conditioning unit. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 18 — A Lake Worth man was arrested on charges of burglary and dealing in stolen property Tuesday after stealing from

his girlfriend’s parent’s house. According to a PBSO report, the victim said that her daughter’s boyfriend, 20-year-old Victor Ortiz, had spent the night and was in her home Tuesday morning when she left for work. Her daughter had already gone to school, and Ortiz was home alone with her son. According to the report, at approximately noon, Ortiz used a drill to gain access to the victim’s bedroom, where he stole $16,000 in cash and a loaded Skyy 9mm pistol. He then said goodbye to the victim’s son and took public transportation back to his home in Lake Worth. According to the report, Ortiz sold the pistol to an unknown man for $150. According to the report, Ortiz is on probation for possession of cocaine and burglary. He was arrested and taken to the county jail, where he was charged with burglary, theft of a firearm, dealing in stolen property and violation of probation.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy at the Forum Club.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Justice Anthony Kennedy chats with pre-law students from Palm Beach Lakes High School.

Blotter

Lourdes and Pepe Fanjul, sponsors of the Do the Write Thing Challenge luncheon, with Miami Dolphins player Devone Bess and top winners Maxx Melanson and Jessica Stone.

Jane Greenwalt, a.k.a. the “Doll Lady.”

Cody Linley Special Guest At May 22 Cancer Benefit

Well-known actor and Dancing With the Stars alumnus Cody Linley (Jake Ryan on Hannah Montana) will make a guest appearance at the inaugural “Face-off Against Kids Cancer” hockey tournament on Saturday, May 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Palm Beach Ice Zone in Lake Worth. Page 24

Emerald Cove Track Team Wins Championship

Emerald Cove Middle School took home the championship trophy at the second annual Wellington Middle School Championship May 11. The track meet marks the only time all three Wellington middle schools competed against each other in a regular-season event in any sport. Page 35

A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

WaterWorks4U Offers New Product To Create Safer, Healthier Drinking Water

Peter Goodgold, owner of Water Works4U, is an innovator of healthy water solutions. Goodgold, a resident of Royal Palm Beach, has been a local business owner for 25 years. Waterworks4U is now offering a product that he says will solve concerns over having a ready supply of clean and uncontaminated water.

Page 31

Spor ts

Seminole Ridge Volleyball Boys End Their State Run With Loss In Semifinals

The Seminole Ridge High School boys varsity volleyball team rallied to defeat Miami Coral Park 20-25, 21-25, 28-26, 25-23, 159 in the state volleyball quarterfinals Friday, May 14 in Boca Raton. However, the Hawks’ state title run ended the next day with a semifinals loss.

Page 35

The Other Side Of Horse Racing: Life After The Track

Even people who don’t regularly follow horse racing turn on their televisions the first Saturday in May to watch the Kentucky Derby, one of the oldest Thoroughbred races in the world. A field of 3-year-old colts and fillies race 1.25 miles for fame and glory.

The sports announcers and color commentators give us interesting tidbits about this jockey’s background or that owner’s history. We hear about this horse’s wins or that horse’s breeding. We watch the horses getting groomed and tacked up; we see the stands full of wealthy women wearing ridiculous hats. Everyone clutches a mint julep as they stand and sing “My Old Kentucky Home.”

During the next five weeks, we tune in and watch some of the same horses and jockeys and owners as the Preakness and Belmont Stakes are run — the last two legs of racing’s Triple Crown.

Most people assume that race horses live cushy lives. As yearlings, many of them are bought at auction for fabulous sums of money. They’re cared for by grooms, carefully fed and exercised, and turned out to stud or allowed to become broodmares after their careers are over. Right? Well, sometimes.

Horses live an average of 30 years; some less, some more. One horse year is about equivalent to three human years. Horses finish growing from age 5 to 7, depending on the breed and size. Ideally, horses are backed (have a person on their back) briefly at 2 or 3, and then are turned back out to grow and mature another year. After they’re 5, it’s fairly safe to do normal work.

But young Thoroughbreds are put in train-

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

ing as yearlings, at around age one and a half, which puts a lot of stress and strain on immature joints and tendons. As a result, they sustain a wide range of leg injuries, including splints, bowed tendons and sometimes fractures, such as the horrific Barbaro leg fracture in 2006. Even horses who survive relatively unscathed are prone to arthritic joints down the road.

While some Thoroughbreds do, indeed, live happy and comfortable lives, the slower ones or the ones who have broken down are viewed by the industry as more or less useless. Racing is a business, and there’s a great deal of money involved. Keeping a horse in training or at the track is expensive, so many owners cut their losses. A horse who isn’t running and winning, isn’t earning. As a result, an awful lot of really nice Thoroughbreds go looking for new homes each year.

A number of organizations help find homes for Thoroughbreds that can no longer race. There are clearinghouses such as the National Thoroughbred Racehorse Association’s Racehorse Adoption Referral Program, and ROAN, the Racehorse Outplacement Assistance Network. There’s also TROT, Thor-

oughbred Retirement of Tampa. They rehabilitate these horses and find them new homes.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was founded in 1982 to rescue Thoroughbreds that no longer can race due to neglect and abuse. TRF also runs a program in cooperation with state prisons in New York, Kentucky, Florida, Indiana, South Carolina and Virginia in which inmates participate in a vocational training program and learn equine care and management. The program benefits the inmates and the horses equally. Many of the horses go on to successful careers as show jumpers, hunters or just backyard pets.

CANTER, the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses, is perhaps the largest and best-known of the Thoroughbred rescue groups. It has chapters in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, New England, Illinois and the Mid-Atlantic region. It works to bring new owners together with owners and trainers who have Thoroughbreds ending their racing careers.

Locally, Calder Race Course, Gulfstream Park and the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association have partnered with the Florida Thoroughbred Rehabilitation and Placement Program, a division of Pure Thoughts Horse & Foal Rescue in Loxahatchee to help place some retiring Thoroughbreds. “We’ve taken in 83 off-the-track Thoroughbreds since March of 2009,” said Jennifer Swanson, founder and director of Pure Thoughts. “We’ve successfully adopted out 36 of them. When we get them, we do a full rehab on them, whatever medical is needed, and we retrain them.”

The situations of these Thoroughbreds upon arrival vary greatly.

“There are a lot of great trainers out there who treat their horses well and will always do the right thing. Then there are some who should never be allowed in this business,” Swanson said. “Some of the calls we get from trainers are heartbreaking. One trainer called and begged us to take a horse he’d had in training for six months. The horse took a wrong step and injured his knee. The owner said to get rid of the horse immediately, even if it meant putting him down. The trainer was in tears — this horse was his friend. When we agreed to take him, he said we’d made his day. But that’s how it goes a lot of time at the track — when the horse is done racing, he’s done. Period.”

However, just because they can’t race, doesn’t mean they are not excellent horses.

“Thoroughbreds make fabulous horses for all sorts of people. We’ve adopted some out as children’s or adult’s show horses, and some make fine trail horses,” Swanson said. “We have one cute little mare who looks and acts like a stocky little quarter horse — I have no idea how she ever made it to the track in the first place. As with all horses, Thoroughbreds have individual personalities. Some are hot and always ready to go, some are quiet and laid-back. They’re great horses who can easily learn how to do all sorts of things and go on to terrific second careers.”

For more information, contact CANTER (Mid-Atlantic) at (301) 980-0972, TROT at www.tampatrot.org or Pure Thoughts at (561) 753-6555 or (561) 951-2100.

Differences In Communities Can Be Found In The Obits

I went up to North Florida last weekend to see if our retirement home is still standing. It is, so I came back.

I am exceedingly lucky to be able to live with one foot in the present and one foot in the future like that. You’d think it would be hard to adapt, but not if you’ve spent years in the print media. Not if you hopscotch between writing about what happened last week, what’s happening right now and what’s supposed to happen next month. Your brain is already in some weird time warp. I never know what day it is today

And you get to be a print media junkie. You want to see what happened, is happening and will happen in other places.

Last weekend, I was reading the local newspaper and I had to marvel at the similarities and differences between north and south Florida. The headlines are similar — the government has lost everyone’s trust. Elected officials on all levels are viewed with a wary eye until they prove them-

Ridley

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

selves. Then they often get cocky and betray us after all. Nothing new there. That’s been going on since 1776.

And the local news is similar. Kids excel in school, everybody likes sports and the effects of drugs are permanently ruining a lot of lives.

The newspaper advertisements have some similarities and some differences. In South Florida, ads focus on banking, investing, foreclosures and golf. In North Florida, it’s mud bogging, produce stands, foreclosures and NASCAR.

Then there are the obituaries. I say, if you want to know who inhabits your town, read the obits. Stan and Billy Bob may be gone, but their “peeps” remain. South Florida is composed of a lot of WWII veterans who love boating, fishing and their families.

It’s the same in North Florida.

Sort of.

Last weekend’s listings included Donny, who will be “sorely missed by family, friends and fellow members of the National Rifle Association”; Darlene, whose hobbies included “yardsaling and sitting on the front porch”; and, my personal favorite, James, who “loved his family, his friends, his 1968 Ford Ranger and his pet coon.”

Paying homage to the dear departed’s truck is one of the things that makes North Florida different. Just when I think I know how people are, I read something like that and realize I don’t know squat. Not knowing squat keeps me in a childlike state of wonder.

I have to admit that the “pet coon” is another thing that puts me in a state of wonder.

First of all, don’t raccoons have sharp, pointy teeth, shredder claws and a propensity toward rabies? Do you keep them in cages? Can you actually pet them? Can you walk one on a leash? How in heaven’s name do you bathe a pet coon?

Second of all, I want one.

When I’m reading about banking and investing and golf, and all of a sudden the option of befriending a raccoon pops up — I mean, that piques my interest. Why invest in stocks and bonds when you can leave all your money to a raccoon? Even one share of AT&T buys a lot of fish. Think how happy he’d be. And I’d be happy, too. On the way home from the stockbroker’s office, I’d drive my 1968 Ford Ranger by the lake, roll down the window and let Coonie hang his head out. Give him a whiff of the riches to come.

I would.

I just never knew it was an option.

Scott’s Movie Not The ‘Robin Hood’ You Remember

Remakes of classic films require a certain amount of chutzpah. When someone has pretty much already hit the bull’s-eye, what can you do but hope to come somewhere on the outer rim?

Robin Hood probably was best done more than 70 years ago with Errol Flynn as the lead. But moviemakers keep coming back to the story, usually claiming they are mining some hidden treasure; more likely they are simply grabbing our money.

Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood is a really nice film with a lot of adventure and derring do. The performances are excellent; Robin is the good guy, the sheriff and the king are the bad ones. We had a good time.

Russell Crowe as Robin is a great choice. He has the gravitas to play Robin as a warweary veteran, hoping mostly for peace. With any lesser actor, the movie would have simply collapsed around his ears. He carries an inner dignity that was vital to the role. Even better, Cate Blanchett provides a strong counterpart as Marion (no longer a maid), fully his equal. Watching the two of them act superbly is a real treat. They don’t have to

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

scream and yell, but simply show their emotions through small expressions, tiny body moves. Her growing respect for him, the beginnings of affection come through beautifully. The acting in last week’s Iron Man 2 was a joke in comparison.

This is a startlingly new version of the old story. Traditionally, Robin is portrayed as the first socialist, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. In this film, he becomes the first Tea Partier, standing up against the crushing demands of big government led first by King Richard the Lionheart and then by his brother King John (Oscar Isaac). John, completely amoral and interested in taking as much money from his people as possible, sets his mar-

shal, Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong, actually the lead villain in the piece and very good) on a mission to force higher tax collections. To help persuade everyone that Godfrey is actually evil, he also is a traitor and brings along a group of French soldiers to enforce his will. French tax collectors!! Mon Dieu! Crowe, actually a yeoman, pretends to be a dead nobleman named Robert Loxley (shades of The Return of Martin Guerre) and works out a deal with John that wins enough support to beat back a major French invasion (on ships that looked like wooden versions of the landing craft from D-Day, but then again, the French never made that invasion). Eventually, of course, John betrays Robin, who then becomes the outlaw of the usual legend.

As an old history teacher, I bear certain resentment toward those who twist history. On the other hand, Scott provides a great deal of entertainment value for your admission price. The exceptional cast: everyone is excellent, particularly for those who play traditional Robin Hood roles. Max Von Sydow as Loxley’s father (and I do know that in most books

it’s written as Locksley, but this is how it is spelled in this movie) could give acting lessons to most of our young performers. His key role, as a man who uses the hero to protect his daughter-in-law and the people on his land, was played perfectly.

The thing to remember in this Robin Hood version is that it’s not a rehash of the old film, certainly not of some of the remakes done over the years, but a tough war movie. There is little glamour in it. Watching the English attacking a castle in France, seeing casual attacks on women and children to collect taxes and finally the big battles scene on the English beach, simply reminds us that human cruelty is not a new feature in human life.

So go ahead, go buy the popcorn and sit through a picture that, while it messes up the legend completely, provides a fun movie experience. It won’t make as much money as Iron Man 2, but I’m far more likely to buy the DVD of this picture. The hero is a hero, the heroine plays herself as a tough lady, and there are enough twists and turns in the plot to make it a great bit of summer entertainment.

Linley Special Guest At May 22 Cancer Benefit In Lake Worth

Well-known actor and Dancing

With the Stars alumnus Cody Linley (Jake Ryan on Hannah Montana) will make a guest appearance at the inaugural “Face-off Against Kids Cancer” hockey tournament on Saturday, May 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Palm Beach Ice Zone in Lake Worth.

Linley will sign autographs and pose for photos with anyone who makes a donation to the Kids Cancer Foundation and Courtney’s Wish.

Beginning June 1, Linley will star in the Broadway musical Over Here in New York City. He will also appear in several episodes of Hannah

Montana in the series’ final season. Linley, now 20, was the youngest DWTS performer in 2008 when he partnered with Julianne Hough. They finished fourth.

Linley is also a veteran movie actor, having appeared in Jimmy Buffett’s Hoot as Mullet Fingers as well as My Dog Skip with Kevin Bacon, Cheaper by the Dozen with Steve Martin and Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock. Linley is the special guest of Kelly Jacobs of Wellington, whom he befriended two years ago. The Palm Beach Ice Zone is located at 8125 Lake Worth Road (Lake Worth Road and Florida’s Turnpike).

Face-off Against Kids Cancer is a major fundraiser for the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida, a not-for-profit charity that provides hope and support to local children battling cancer and their families, and whose ultimate goal is to build an outpatient cancer center in the community.

This weekend event will be held in honor of Courtney Wolfe of The Acreage, who is battling cancer. Wolfe has made it her wish to get the word out about the need for this clinic and help raise the money needed to make it a reality.

Wolfe has joined forces with the Kids Cancer Foundation, who

have aptly named their ongoing capital campaign “Courtney’s Wish.” All of the proceeds will go to benefit the Kids Cancer Foundation’s Courtney’s Wish capital campaign.

For more information on the Kids Cancer Foundation, visit www.kids cancersf.org or for information regarding donations, volunteering or sponsorships for Face-off Against Kids Cancer, contact Jenn List at (561) 261-6175 or via e-mail at listj@bellsouth.net. Donations should be made payable to: Kids Cancer Foundation, c/o Jenn List, 7385 Via Leonardo, Lake Worth, FL 33467.

Cody Linley

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Paisley, Rucker Among Acts On H20 World Tour At Cruzan

Brad Paisley recently announced the first leg of his highly anticipated 2010 tour, the H2O World Tour presented by Chevy, which comes to the Cruzan Amphitheatre on Saturday, Aug. 14.

Paisley has partnered with Hope Through Healing Hands’ campaign for clean, safe water. With donations made to the campaign at each tour stop, HTHH will be digging wells and purifying water in America and around the world.

The H2O World Tour will hit more than 75 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe over the next 12 months. Chevy is title sponsor for the tour, and special guests will be Darius Rucker and Justin Moore. Appropriately, Paisley’s current single is “Water,” from his album American Saturday Night.

The H2O World Tour will include a “Water World Plaza,” sponsored by Sea Ray Boats and Skinny Water, and will turn every city into a water festival. The focal point in the plaza area will be the Water World Plaza Stage featuring emerging new stars Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia and Josh Thompson. The tour ex-

travaganza will open each day at 4 p.m. with music starting at 5 p.m. In addition to the music stage, there will be multiple water-themed activities, including a Chevy H2O FLW fishing simulator, dunking booth, Hope Through Healing Hands’ campaign booth and more.

Chevy will be providing a Corvette driving simulator for concert goers to test the latest Corvette ZR1 series as well as their individual driving and racing skills against Paisley himself. “If they can beat me, they can meet me,” Paisley laughed. “I’ve never been this excited about a tour. After one of the worst winters I can remember, we’re going to make-up for it this summer.”

The tour will kick off May 21-22 in Virginia Beach, Va. and Washington, D.C. Live Nation is the national tour promoter.

Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has earned him three Grammy Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards and 13 Country Music Association Awards. Paisley has released eight critically

Judith Berk King Exhibit Now Showing At PBSC

The Art Gallery at Palm Beach State College’s Eissey Campus in Palm Beach Gardens is currently featuring a number of drawings, paintings and ceramic sculptures by mixed-media artist Judith Berk King. The exhibit, titled “Memento Mori,” will be on display through Friday, Sept. 3.

King is a Miami-based artist who studied fine art at Kensington and Chelsea College in London and received her master’s degree in fine arts from Miami International University of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited in London, New York, Los Angeles and South Florida as well as a number of other national and international venues. She is currently on the faculty at the Miami International University of Art and Design and is a fellow of the Hambridge Center for Creative Arts & Sciences.

“Memento Mori” is defined as a reminder of death or mortality, or of human failures or errors. King defines her art as “a common thread that is carried throughout [my] work in mysterious, ambiguous or humorous ways. The artworks are investigations that have evolved and changed over the years, but never strayed far from these persistent themes.”

Serving more than 50,000 students annually, Palm Beach State College is the largest institution of

acclaimed studio albums and has accumulated sales of more than 10 million units. His most recent album, American Saturday Night, was ranked as Time magazine’s 2009 No. 1 album of the year in any genre of music. Paisley’s most recent No. 1 single, “American Saturday Night,” was his 16th No. 1 — the last 12 consecutive. Paisley’s innovative and entertaining tours have consistently placed in the Top 5 in Pollstar for attendance, and his 2009 American Saturday Night tour played to nearly 1.2 million fans in eight months.

Paisley has always considered the fans first and foremost when planning a tour, and the H2O Tour is no exception. “Brad’s vision was to have a full day of activity at each of the shows, and also provide a great value for the fan’s dollar,” Live Nation’s Nashville Touring President Brian O’Connell said. “Introducing Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia and Josh Thompson to the tour on the ‘Water World Plaza Stage,’ and Darius Rucker and Justin Moore sharing the main stage, continues Brad’s commitment to bring the hottest acts

higher education in Palm Beach County, providing bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees, professional certificates, career training and lifelong learning. Established in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, it offers more than 100 programs of study at locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens and Belle Glade.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. The Art Gallery at the Eissey Campus is located in the BB building (3160 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens). Gallery hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about the exhibit, call gallery assistant Karla Walter at (561) 207-5015.

in country music to enhance his spectacular show, and deliver value to the fans each and every night. The H2O Tour will prove to be the kickoff to a great fun-filled summer!”

Tickets cost $58 and $38 for reserved seats and $23.25 for festival lawn. There is also a $69 festival lawn four-pack available in advance

Two Exhibits Now

only (includes parking and most fees). All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, parking and service and handling charges.

Tickets are on sale now at www.livenation.com, charge-byphone (800) 745-3000 or the PNC Bank box office at the amphitheater.

Open At Armory Art Center In West Palm Beach

The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach opened its gallery doors Friday, May 21 to the “Fibers & Printmaking Studio” and “Palm Beach County Schools: K-12” exhibits. “Fibers & Printmaking Studio” will continue through June 31. “Palm Beach County Schools: K12” will run through June 11.

“Fibers & Printmaking Studio” will feature works by Armory Fibers and Printmaking Studio instructors Isabel Gouveia, Marsha Christo, Leora Klaymer Stewart, visiting master artist Anna Tomczak and their students.

Marsha Christo, whose unconventional ethnic influence entwines with subtropical light and color, creates eclectic works on paper and cloth. She uses a wide range of printmaking and mixed media tech-

niques. She received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Tufts University and the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston and attended the Art Institute of Boston.

Isabel Gouveia is a graduate of the Arts Foundation Armando Alvares Penteado in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She studied etching at Liceu de Art e Oficios and also at Museu Lasar Segall. Her works are exhibited in Brazil, Europe and the U.S. Gouveia’s images come from observing the arid savannas of her native country, then distilling and simplifying their elements to form visual metaphors.

Leora Klaymer Stewart has degrees from the Art Institute of Chicago. She taught as a professor of art in the Textile Surface Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York from 1987-2007. Leora has been awarded grants and fellowships including the Art Institute of Chicago Travel Grant (1986-1989), National Endowment for the Arts Craftsmanship Fellowship (1973-1974 and 1977-1978) and artist-in-residence at the Ox-Bow School of Painting in Saugatuck, Mich., fall 2006.

Anna Tomczak earned a bachelor’s in theater arts-film studies from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in fine art photography from the University of Florida. This combination of theater,

film and photography provided her the foundation for the development of dramatic imagery realized in her current work. Tomczak’s work has been featured in exhibitions at and collections of the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Florida Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Harn Museum of Art, McGraw-Hill, Museum of Florida Art, the Norton Museum of Art Polaroid Collections, the Polk Museum of Art, Sony Latin America and the Tampa Museum of Art.

The Armory Art Center is located at 1700 Parker Ave. For more information, visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 832-1776.

Brad Paisley

Darius Rucker

Inside Break by Judith Berk King.

An untitled piece by Marsha Christo.

A piece by Leora Klaymer Stewart.

WaterWorks4U owner Peter Goodgold with his product.

WaterWorks4U Offers Product To Create Safer, Healthier Drinking Water

Peter Goodgold, owner of Water Works4U, is an innovator of healthy water solutions. Goodgold, a resident of Royal Palm Beach, has been a local business owner for 25 years. Waterworks4U is now offering a product that he says will solve concerns over having a ready supply of clean and uncontaminated water.

Clean water has long been an issue in parts of the western communities. The issue has been in headlines recently due to reports of a “cancer cluster” in The Acreage. Some have suggested that the area’s well water is to blame. Whether or not that is the case, Goodgold said his product offers perfectly clean water to residents of The Acreage, or anywhere in the world.

The name of this innovative breakthrough is the Avatar HD/H2O. What makes this product exceptional is that you do not need to hire a plumber to install it, nor do you need to wait for approval from the county or other agencies, because you are not treating the water with more chemicals. All you need to have pristine, safe and healthy water with the Avatar HD/H2O is air

The machine takes humidity and transforms it into purified, ionized drinking water. This proprietary atmospheric water generator can be installed in your home in less than 10 seconds. All you do is plug it in. No additional storage is required as it has a five-gallon stainless holding tank. The Avatar HD/H2O can easily create more than five gallons of purified high-definition water a day. Maintenance is minimal. Filters need to be changed only once a year.

Alkaline-ionized high pH water is fundamentally different from conventional water

because it has a high pH, 9.5 or higher, and the size of the water molecule cluster has been reduced in size, and shape of the water molecule becomes hexagonal. The smaller-sized water clusters pass through our body tissues more easily, removing toxins from the body, Goodgold said. Because of its micro-clustered smaller size, alkaline-ionized water is up to six times more hydrating than conventional water, he noted.

Research shows there are many additional advantages of drinking alkaline-ionized water.

“It will detoxify your body and remove the acidic waste and excess fat from your body,” Goodgold said. “Ionized water hydrates your body six times faster and more effectively than conventional water. Ionized water slows the aging process and helps prevent disease and promotes wellness.”

WaterWorks4U will be bringing this product to countries with severe water crises such as Africa, Nigeria and India in late 2010.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a glass of water and know that it is free and comes from the air, and you are not drinking water with chlorine, fluoride, pesticides, pharmaceuticals or contaminants?” Goodgold asked. “WaterWorks4U offers a product solution to water concerns in The Acreage and beyond.”

For additional information about the Avatar HD/H20, visit www.waterworks4u.com/ hdaiR210.htm. Waterworks4U is offering Acreage residents packages of four, six and eight machines for group discounts.

For more information about how to take advantage of this opportunity, call (561) 7902004, visit www.waterworks4u.com or e-mail h2o@waterworks4u.com.

Wellington Chamber’s Medical & Wellness Festival June 19

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has announced that Dr. Blake Kendall and Dr. Randall Laurich will serve as chairmen of the 2010 Wellington Health & Wellness Festival. The event 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.

Presented by the Medical Committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the goal of the festival is to create awareness of the many dimensions of wellness through booth exhibits. It will show-

case a variety of specialties including medical screenings, cuttingedge fitness trends, integrative and holistic medicine, aromatherapy, pet therapy, free massages and hearthealthy food samples. The festival has something for everyone.

The presenting sponsors for the festival are the Village of Wellington, the Pointe at Wellington Green, Emergency Specialists of Wellington, the Wellness Experience and MedExpress Urgent Care.

Laurich, of the Wellness Experience, has been practicing chiro-

practic wellness care since 1998 when he graduated from the Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic. Laurich’s special focus and passion is helping people change the patterns and habits that are preventing their body from healing itself.

Kendall, of Emergency Specialists of Wellington, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and attending physician and director of marketing and business development at Wellington Regional Medical Center’s Emergency De-

partment for the past four and a half years.

MedExpress is a full-service urgent care center dedicated to providing great care in a timely manner. Focused on the treatment of urgent illnesses and injuries for all ages, MedExpress offers these services with no appointments and no long waits. Every clinic is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and has on-site X-ray facilities and laboratory services to provide prompt, comprehensive medical care in a welcoming environment.

Aside from Kendall and Laurich, the host committee includes Kimberly Freedman of MedExpress Urgent Care, Marge Sullivan of the Palm Healthcare Foundation, Jerry Fonda of Diabetes & Nutrition Centers, and representatives from the Village of Wellington.

The registration deadline to be a vendor at the 2010 Wellington Health & Wellness Festival is June 14. Call (561) 792-6525 for more information. For additional information about the chamber, visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.

Area Doctor Seeks Children For New Type I Diabetes Trial

Dr. Richard Hays, chief of the Department of Family Practice at Wellington Regional Medical Center, has announced he is now recruiting children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes for Protégé Encore, a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial.

This is the second of two Phase III studies testing the safety and efficacy of an investigational drug called teplizumab. The first study, known as Protégé, has completed enrollment of more than 530 sub-

jects with type 1 diabetes. There is currently no approved therapy to slow the progression of type 1 diabetes.

In patients with type 1 diabetes, T cells of the immune system attack and destroy beta cells that are located in the pancreas and make insulin. Teplizumab works by binding to CD3 receptors on the surface of the T cells and, by doing so, may modulate the autoimmune attack on pancreatic beta cells and preserve or protect these cells. If effective,

patients may require less injected insulin and their blood glucose levels may be easier to control.

In an earlier trial of teplizumab, a small group of subjects with diabetes of recent onset were noted to have improved function of their beta cells, improved glucose control and reduced insulin requirements for up to two years. These findings are being further studied in the Protégé and Protégé Encore clinical trials.

The Protégé Encore trial is designed to determine if teplizumab

can preserve pancreatic insulin production, which may make diabetes easier to manage. “We have a lot of enthusiasm about the teplizumab studies and their implications,” Hays said. “It is hoped that one day we can offer a new treatment option to help patients better manage their disease.”

Approximately 125 study sites across 16 countries will be enrolling 400 individuals who have been to a physician with signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes within the

past 12 weeks. Most study sites are enrolling individuals 8 to 35 years old, but Hays is enrolling individuals 8 to 17 years old. Subjects will receive one of three study treatment regimens, or placebo. Subjects will be followed over a two-year period.

Additional information on Protégé Encore and all participating study sites is available at www. protegediabetes.org/news. Hays can be reached directly at (561) 6417736.

A Latte Fun Opens New Gardens Location

Capitalizing on the success of its previous locations, A Latte Fun opened its newest indoor playground and café at the revitalized Downtown at the Gardens on Saturday, April 10.

With a weekend of activities and events, the new A Latte Fun location welcomed record crowds and dignitaries from throughout South Florida.

Grand opening activities began on Friday, April 9 with a special VIP reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Palm Beach Gardens Mayor David Levy and A Latte Fun President Leigh Kendall cut the traditional ribbon, opening the expanded playground and café amidst a swirl of confetti and cheers.

“We are so thrilled to be at our newest location in Downtown at the Gardens,” Kendall said. “The larger playground and café allows us to provide new programs for our members in addition to our signature birthday parties and fun play.”

The VIP reception included a Chinese raffle of gifts

provided by Downtown at the Gardens merchants with all proceeds benefiting Hearts and Hope, an organization that provides support to children who have suffered a loss in their family due to death.

After a sneak peak at the facility on the evening of Friday, April 9, A Latte Fun opened to the public on Saturday, April 10.

Members and guests enjoyed the larger playground, two trampolines, tree house, slides, foam pits and play areas designed for children six months to six years of age. Additionally, the expanded café, decorated with sophisticated décor, was a huge hit for the adults who accompanied their children.

On the evening of April 10, Downtown at the Gardens welcomed A Latte Fun with a property-wide “Parti-Gras.” Cirque characters, the band Brass Evolution, fire-eaters, jugglers, balancing acts and various other strolling entertainers were on hand as the property welcomed its largest crowd in recent memory.

A Latte Fun is located at

Members of A Latte Fun’s management team during the grand opening weekend.

11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Suite 3115, in Palm Beach Gardens. For additional information, call the

Downtown at the Gardens location at (561) 627-1782 or visit the company’s web site at www.alattefun.com.

‘Lunch With Lois Frankel’ Next P.W. Chamber Women In Business Program

The Palms West Community Foundation has announced the next event in its Women in Business series. The foundation will present a luncheon on Thursday, June 24 at 12:15 p.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. The featured speaker will be West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, who will be sharing some of her insights and experiences as a woman involved in the political and business community.

Frankel began her career as an attorney and in 1986 was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. She served in the State House for 14 years. During that time, she rose to the position of House Minority Leader — the first Democratic woman in Florida’s history to achieve such an honor. In 2003, Frankel was elected mayor of West Palm Beach.

Frankel is very active in the community and has earned a reputation as a champion of women, children and seniors.

During her time as mayor, Frankel has made quality of life a priority for the City of West Palm Beach. She will be sharing her experience and insights with luncheon attendees, sprinkled with a few humorous stories.

The cost for the luncheon is $25 for Palms West Chamber of Commerce members and $30 for nonmembers. The Binks Forest Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive in Wellington.

For reservations, visit the chamber’s web site at www. palmswest.com and click on the “Women in Business” icon on the right-hand side, or call Scott Brown at the Palms West Chamber office at (561) 790-6200.

Sem Ridge Volleyball Boys End State Run In Semifinals

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Seminole Ridge High School boys varsity volleyball team rallied to defeat Miami Coral Park 20-25, 21-25, 28-26, 25-23, 15-9 in the state volleyball quarterfinals Friday, May 14 in Boca Raton.

However, Seminole Ridge’s chance at the title in its first state tournament experience ended the next day when the Hawks lost 2512, 25-16, 25-23 to Orlando’s Bishop Moore Catholic High School in the semifinals.

In Friday’s victory, the Hawks got off to a slow start and had to rally from a two-game deficit.

“I don’t know what it is. They have to start slow and make me yell at them and try to get them fired up,” coach Austin Clubb said. “It makes things interesting, but it makes things frustrating at times.”

Clubb partially attributed the sluggish start to that day’s 8 a.m. graduation ceremony, in which four starting members participated.

“I had to throw in a couple of rotations that I don’t normally throw in to get the guys sitting on the

bench and realizing that they’re not in the game,” he said. “I really needed to get them going and focused.”

After losing the first two games, the Hawks (24-3) trailed 25-24 in the third game when Jon Moore hit a kill out of bounds and it seemed like the Hawks were done.

But a net violation against Coral Park (23-4) gave new hope to the Hawks. A kill by Austin Williams and a block by David Frazee gave the Hawks the final two points to win the game.

“I told them if we get through this game [Game 3] and we carry the momentum, we’re going to take this match,” Clubb said. “After we won that third game, and I saw the way that the Coral Park team lost their energy and their fire, I knew we had a real chance at it.”

The Hawks tied the fourth game 11 times before they were able to take a 24-23 lead on a spike by Williams. A mistake by the Rams gave Seminole Ridge the game point.

In the fifth game, the Rams took a 3-1 lead, but the Hawks responded with five straight points for a 63 lead. From there, the Hawks con-

tinued to play strong, and three straight points from Joey DeCamillo brought a 12-6 lead. They went on to win the game 15-9.

Clubb said that the shift of momentum was the key for the Hawks.

“In those first two games we were quiet, we were going through the

motions,” he said. “We had to come out and change our attitudes.”

Williams led the Hawks with 15 kills. Raymond Collet added 14 kills. Frazee contributed 10 blocks and junior David Specian had 42 assists.

Clubb said the win was the result of a team effort. “It wasn’t an individual effort,” he said. “It wasn’t just one guy hitting well. They came together.”

Bishop Moore went on to win the state title by defeating previously unbeaten Miami Southwest in the championship match.

Emerald Cove Track Team Wins Middle School Championship

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Emerald Cove Middle School took home the championship trophy at the second annual Wellington Middle School Championship on Tuesday, May 11.

The track meet marks the only time all three Wellington middle schools — Wellington Landings, Polo Park and Emerald Cove — competed against each other in a

regular-season event in any sport, Polo Park coach Stephan Hanson said.

“The kids look forward to it all season long,” he said. “It’s a chance for them to see their friends from other schools that they don’t compete against normally.”

Emerald Cove finished in first place with 123 points, followed by Polo Park with 95 points and Wellington Landings with 23 points.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

The Hawks celebrate after winning in the quarterfinals.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Aubrey Megrath finishes first in the girls mile.

Austin Williams serves.

Polo Park’s Larissa Werneck clears 11 feet, 11 inches.

Anjelique Coleman-Williams of Polo Park in the long jump.

Wellington Landings’ Neil Brown and Emerald Cove’s Joe Villano race for the finish in the boys mile.

K.C. Mayne of Emerald Cove takes second in the boys hurdles.

JUNIOR DIVISION MARLINS WIN WELLINGTON LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Wellington Recreation Little League Junior Division Marlins won the Wellington Little League Championship on Saturday, May 15, defeating the Cardinals 12-2. Owen Miller pitched six innings and was the winning pitcher. The Marlins go on to play in the Palm Beach County Tournament beginning Saturday, May 22. The Marlins received their championship trophies after their win. Shown above are players Nick Cotrone, Billy Koshollek, Josh Elpern, Marcos Capo, Joey Pryzyk, Brian Vega, Owen Miller, Jack Campbell, Jonathan Molina, Mohawk Miller, Tyler Trent and Darian Gonzalez with team mom Betty Miller, coach John Swigert, head coach Brian Miller and coach Matt Miller.

Liz Mirson Helps Lead Team To Victory

Led by three riders from Florida, Virginia Intermont College won the 2010 Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championship on Saturday, April 23 making it Virginia Intermont’s third national championship in five years.

This year’s championship was hosted by St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C. Elizabeth Mirson, a sophomore from Wellington; Gigi Good, a junior from Boca Raton; and Claire Almon, a junior from Longwood, Fla. each finished second out of 12 competitors in their respective divisions, accumulating sufficient points that the other schools could not overcome. Mirson was the only returning rider from last year’s team, the 2009 reserve national champion. She was determined to return and finish what she started. The University of Florida finished second, and Virginia Tech place third.

All three Floridians were the individual regional champions in their respective divisions. Chelsea Dressler, a senior from Covington, Va., the fourth member of team, finished fourth in her division.

The Intercollegiate Dressage Association was formed in 2001 and now has a membership of 55 colleges and more than 600 individual

riders. Intercollegiate dressage competitions have a unique format in that the rules require each rider to randomly draw a horse from a pool of horses selected for each division. The rider then has 10 minutes to get acquainted with his or her mount before entering the ring. Virginia Intermont is located in Bristol, Va. The college-bound in-

vitational held in Newberry, Fla. each year appears to be the common thread that first attracted these riders to the school. Coaches Eddie Federwisch and Lisa Moosmuller focused their attention on recruiting some of this nation’s most promising young riders many years ago via the college-bound invitational, and it has clearly paid off for them.

Liz Mirson, Chelsea Dressler, Gigi Good and Claire Almon.

MJ’s Place Presents ‘Pocahontas’

MJ’s Place Dance Studio at Royal Palm Beach High School’s community education program presented its annual recital on Wednesday, April 28.

This year’s Broadway-style production was “Pocahontas.” The production was choreographed and staged by Dance Director Michele Blecher. The story of “Pocahontas” is about a strong young woman willing to take risks to defy and defeat bigotry and destruction of nature. Pocahontas was portrayed by grad-

uating senior and female principal dancer Alexa Blecher, and Capt. John Smith was portrayed by male principal dancer Lucas Gonzalez. Their emotional tenderness was only rivaled by the lifts throughout their duets. Zory Laboy, as Grandmother Willow, was graceful as she played her character’s wisdom and knowledge. Humor and playfulness was present in the dancing of Delany Brown (Percy) and Clarissa Rivas (Ratcliff). The scene-stealer was Bryce

Blecher in his portrayal of Chief Powathan, the wise father of Pocahontas. The crowd-pleasers were the multitude of butterflies of the forest with sailors (preschool dancers), flowers of the forest and sailors (beginner dancers), Indian maidens (intermediate dancers), Indian princesses and seamen portrayed by the Tapazz dance troupe. Beginner dancers Dajiah McCrary and Victor Rivas did a lift sequence in “Skirmish.” Next year’s production will be “Horton Hears a Who.”

CRESTWOOD’S ANNUAL FACULTY VS. STUDENT BASKETBALL GAME

As is tradition at Crestwood Middle School, a faculty vs. student basketball game recently took place in the gymnasium. The Crestwood boys basketball team stayed ahead of the male staff members for most of the game, but the faculty pulled ahead and won by a single point with seven seconds left on the clock. The women staff members acted as cheerleaders to cheer on the team. Pictured above are members of the faculty basketball team with the cheerleaders.

Several “flowers of the forest.” Alexa Blecher and Lucas Gonzalez.

Academy for Child Enrichment — In the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Academy for Child Enrichment offers free all-day VPK. Infants through after-school day and night care, 6:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, meals included. Qualified staff. Se habla Espanol. Special rates for all registration. The Academy for Child Enrichment is located at 700 Camellia Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 798-3452 or visit www.smallworldpbc.com for more info.

Camp Giddy-Up — Ravenwood Riding Academy has been located in Wellington for 20 years. Licensed and insured, with all safety equipment provided, they are located on a beautiful, safe and clean farm with plenty of shade. Ravenwood is now accepting 12 students per session, ages 6-13. Camp hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Campers learn safety, horse care and grooming, with riding lessons daily, as well as scheduled visits with a blacksmith, horse vet and equine dentist. Weekly sessions are $180. Sibling discounts or multi-session discounts are available. Camp Giddy-Up has a full staff and a hands-on director. Register today by calling (561) 793-4109 or visit www.ravenwood ridingacademy.com. Hurry, sessions fill up quickly!

Casperey Stables Horse Camp — Casperey Stables is a small, fun-filled day camp for children ages seven to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts & crafts and outdoor games, campers find little time to be bored. The low counselor-child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer, each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. Casperey Stables has a weekly swim party and ends each session with a horse show and family BBQ. Call soon — this small, quality program fills quickly! To learn more about the camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call (561) 792-4990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.

CampHours:

8:30am-3:00pm

ExtendedHours: 7:00am-6:00pm

Experienced&MatureStaff WeeklySessions

FlexibleSchedules

Age-AppropriateGroups

ThemeBasedFun

Before&AfterCare

ContinuedLearningEnvironment

EducationalEnrichmentEvents

NutritionalHotLunches

SPANISHBILINGUALClasses

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

VPK SummerClasses 561-791-0013

license#50510415323

CambridgePreschools.com

1920RoyalFernDrive•Wellington

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 R R Ro o oyal P yal yal Palm Beac alm Beach Elementar h h h y’s Bobcat Summer Cam Camp 20 p 20 p p 201 1 1 1 10 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, May 22

• Seagull Industries (6250 N. Military Trail, Riviera Beach) will hold a Garage Sale on Saturday, May 22 from 8 a.m. to noon sponsored by the parents advisory group. All proceeds will benefit Seagull Industries’ programs for developmentally challenged teens and adults. Donations are needed, and pick-ups can be arranged. For more info., call Fred at (561) 842-5814, ext. 131.

• The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will hold a Canoeing Basics Class on Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to noon for age nine and up. Suit up for this guided paddling excursion as participants explore the waters of Okeeheelee. Wear a swimsuit and water shoes, and bring sunscreen, a water bottle, a hat, a towel and a change of clothes. Participants must know how to swim, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The fee is $10 per person. To pre-register, call (561) 2331400.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Let’s Make a Scene” on Saturday, May 22 at 11 a.m. for adults. Challenge Ethel and Seymour Goldstein with your knowledge of famous plays and movies, demonstrate your reading skills and listen to great stories. Music will be courtesy of Rhoda Brauer and Roberta Katz. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host the kids cooking program “All Wrapped Up” for ages 6 to 14 on Saturday, May 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. Participants will create a healthy Mexican wrap. The cost is $15 per child. Register by phone at (561) 904-4000 or at the customer service desk.

• The Wellington Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society will take place from Saturday, May 22 at 2 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following morning at Wellington Village Park. For info., call (561) 366-0013 or visit www.relayforlife.org/wellingtonfl.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold VolunTeen Orientation on Saturday, May 22 at 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. This is a mandatory meeting for students ages 12 to 18 interested in volunteering during the summer. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Atlantic Theater (6743 West Indiantown Road, Jupiter) will feature Brainerd Duffield’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and 23. Show times are 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday

and 3 p.m. Sunday. Call (561) 575-4942 or visit www.theatlantictheater.com for more info.

• CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach will present Brazilian jazz artist Noel Lorica on Saturday, May 22 from 7 to 11 p.m. as part of the weekly series “Party on the Plaza.” For more info., call (561) 366-1000.

• The Maltz Jupiter Theatre Conservatory of Performing Arts (1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter) will present Fame: The Musical on Saturday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. For more info., call (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org.

Sunday, May 23

• Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool (900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington) will host a Character Breakfast on Sunday, May 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. Admission is $5, and children under 2 will be admitted free. Admission includes one free raffle ticket. To purchase tickets, call the preschool office at (561) 793-2649 or e-mail psadmin@ templebethtorah.net.

• Wellington CrossFit (11596 Pierson Road) will host the fundraiser workout “Beat the Streets” on Sunday, May 23 at 9 a.m. to support at-risk youth fitness and the nonprofit organization Steve’s Club. Teams of four will compete against other teams across the country in a 15-minute workout. Every $1,000 raised will sponsor an at-risk athlete for an entire year. Visit www.wellingtoncrossfit.com for more info.

• Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington will host a free, family-friendly Picnic in the Park on Sunday, May 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the main pavilion at Wellington Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). For more info., call the temple office at (561) 793-4347 or e-mail info@templebnaijacob. com.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will hold a Vietnamese Cooking Class on Sunday, May 23 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Chef Joe will teach authentic Vietnamese cooking using the freshest ingredients. Participants will be able to take home the recipes and taste the dishes. Pre-register by calling (561) 904-4000.

• Actor Cody Linley will be recording at Boomer’s Music (12789 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite C, Wellington) on Sunday, May 23 at 4 p.m. Linley is best known for his role as Jake Ryan on the TV show Hannah Montana. Boomer’s student Kelly Jacobs has written a duet, which she and Linley

See CALENDAR, page 42

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 41 will record. For more info., call (561) 6561259 or visit www.boomersmusic.com. Tuesday, May 25

• The 2010 South Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference/Expo will take place May 25-26 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach. For more info., visit www.floridagreen conference.com or call Anitra Harmon at the Palms West Chamber of Commerce at (561) 790-6200.

• The Bamboozle Roadshow, featuring headliners Boys Like Girls and All Time Low, will come to the Cruzan Amphitheatre on Tuesday, May 25 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $32.50 and are available through the amphitheater’s PNC Bank box office, at www.livenation.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. For more info., visit www.the bamboozleroadshow.com.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host “Block Party: Party Eats” on Tuesday, May 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Experience a new way to shop for dinner. Enjoy free samples around the store and vote for your favorite sample. Pre-register by calling (561) 904-4000.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Teen Game Night on Tuesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will feature “Bikini-Ready Low-Sodium Cooking” on Tuesday, May 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Join guest chef and yoga instructor Ursula Rafer from Divine Dining Florida as she teaches you to slim down this spring to be bikini ready by summer, make a delicious dinner, dessert and learn how Rafer lost more than 80 pounds while still eating great-tasting foods. Call (561) 904-4000 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). For more info., call (561) 791-4000.

Thursday, May 27

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “Cartooning 101” on Thursday, May 27 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 9 to 12. Do you love comic books and Manga? Learn the basics of creating your own comic strip or comic book. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will feature “Chef Chris Paul’s Good Cookin’” on Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m. The cost is $35 per person. Enjoy a five-course, five-star meal prepared by Master Chef Chris Paul from Wild Orchids Fusion. The night will begin with an introduction to the three wines that guests will taste throughout the evening before moving on to the delectable dishes. Call (561) 904-4000 to pre-register.

Saturday, May 29

•“Science in Toyland” will be on display May 29 through Sept. 12 at the South Florida Science Museum (4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach). “Science in Toyland” will utilize toys such as cars and Tinkertoys to demonstrate scientific principles and encourage children to experiment. Museum admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors 62 and up, $6 for children 3 to 12, and free for children under 3 and museum members. For more info., call (561) 832-1988 or visit www.sfsm.org.

• The African American Golfers Hall of Fame will present a free Golf Clinic with the Legends on Saturday, May 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the West Palm Beach Golf Course (7001 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach). Join Jim Dent, James Black, Charles Owens and Gordon Brown, as well as the Inner City Youth Golfers and others. Call (561) 582-8733 or visit www.african americangolfershalloffame.com for more info.

Monday, May 31

• The Village of Wellington will host a Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 31 starting at 8:45 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The parade will lead to the Wellington Veterans’ Memorial, where the ceremony will take place. For more info., call (561) 791-4000.

• The Village of Royal Palm Beach will host a Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 31 at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. A flag-raising ceremony will be followed by a motivational presentation. Enjoy free refreshments and a live musical performance by the Royal Palm Beach Community Band following the ceremony. For more information, call (561) 790-5149.

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

BOBBINS AND THREADS -Offers quality clothing construction, alterations, personal fittings, window treatments & home accessories. 561-252-2156

MY CONTRACTOR THE ONE YOU TRUST. — Repairs/remodeler.Get an expert that can do it right! EUROPEAN QUALITY AT AN affordable price. 30 years experience, licensed and insured. Homes, condos, bath, kitchens, additions, small stuff. Call 561-723-5837 561-7922666. ALAN TOBIN CONSTRUCTION, INC. CGC1513577

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

Highly Desired & Experienced Companion/Caregiver for Elderly. Assist with shopping, Dr. Appt., light housekeeping. References available. Flexible with vehicle. 561-7290277

LET’S PARTY — I will cook, clean & shop. Lets have a fresh dinner every night. Theatre, golf, parties, tennis, riding & museums. $125/per day,12-10 p.m. preferred Call Madelyn 561-422-2910

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

ADDITIONS, ROOFING, PATIOS & REMODELING - Cell 561-2027036 561-798-6448 Lic. & Ins. CBC 1250306 CCC1326386

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

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

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

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.

GET REAL AUTO INSURANCE — that comes with a Real Agent. Farm Bureau Insurance. Auto • Home • Life, Marc Piven, Agent 561-792-1991Wellington 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.

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.

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

OUTDOOR KITCHENS FROM $1290 - increase home value while you save gas and electricity. Entertain your friends with your custom bar & grill. Custom built quality, material. Low priced add on bar. Use your grill or economical cart grill. www.outdoorbbqisland.com Greg. 561-531-3141

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. PIANO LESSONS FOR CHIL-

DREN — Ages 4 – 17 Lessons are effective, stress free, and FUN. Serving all of Palm Beach County. 561-358-3932

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.

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

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

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

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 and up, community Service. 7922666

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.

PLACE

PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL 793-3576 TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION. CUTE, CUDDLY ALPACAS — 2 young males - $1,800 for pair. 561792-2666. Easy to care for and fun to have.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR

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

PUPS — picture perfect, stunningly beautiful. Wisconsin Champ Line. Registered health certificate. Parents on site. $300. 772332-1333 Margaret O’Chat — I am looking for you! Please call or write: 607-988-9068. Ray Hyer Box 245, Sisson Hill Rd. Unadilla, N.Y. 13849

PAINTERS NEEDED — must have 5 years experience and transportation. Drug Free Workplace. 561793-5455

CALLING ALL MOMS! — Moms helping moms earn extra at home! www.ilove2behome.com

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

LOOKING FOR TOP CLOSERS/ PHONE SALES AGENTS — for a debt settlement company. We pay top commissions. Call 561-2532281or email Jay@bailmydebt.com