Town-Crier Newspaper May 22, 2009

(R-Port St. Lucie) that he plans to retire. The district includes most of Royal Palm Beach. Page 2

Blessing Of The Pets At Temple Beth Zion

In addition to the traditional Friday evening service, Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach held its first Blessing of the Pets ceremony last Friday. Rabbi Bertram Kieffer officiated the event, which was set to appeal to a variety of species, including miniature ponies, dogs and guinea pigs. Page 3

Elbridge Gale Presents ‘Beauty And The Beast Jr.’ Young thespians and counselors from Elbridge Gale Elementary School’s afterschool program entertained students and families last week with two assemblies and an evening performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. The vivid set design, exquisite costumes, and vocal and acting talent brought a Broadway feel to the packed cafetorium. Page 5

FEATURES

Are You And Your Horses Prepared For A Disaster?

Are you and your horses ready if a disaster strikes? Do you know what to do?

Several scenarios will be addressed by Ron Seibly on Sunday, June 7. He’ll be holding a clinic on equine first aid and hurricane preparedness at Red Fences Farm on D Road in Loxahatchee Groves from 1 to 3 p.m. Page 20

Graduation 2009

491 Wolverine Grads Head Into Life After WHS

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington High School graduated 491 seniors on Tuesday afternoon at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

WHS Student Government

President Megan McDonald welcomed fellow seniors, family members and friends with a message of inspiration.

“This is just the beginning of a new adventure,” she said. “There will be opportunities and challenges. It starts now. Make every day count. Class of 2009, we did it. It’s our time to go out and shine.”

Principal Mario Crocetti thanked the school’s staff, guidance counselors, teachers and sponsors for their role in the graduation. “Many of them would not be here today without your love and support,” he said. “Please give yourselves a round of applause.”

Salutatorian Sarah Schlein noted that each member of the Class of 2009 would carry through life at least one indelible memory from WHS.

“We will remember that one AP that you passed or avoided in the courtyard to not get a dress code slip,” she said. “There will always be that one teacher who inspired you to change the way you think and realize your ability goes above and beyond the limits you set for yourselves. There will always be that one teacher or coach who inspired you to persevere through any obstacle and become the best you could ever be. Who could forget that one class that changed your perspective and influenced you to pursue a new passion to become a psychologist, a biologist, a journalist or even a teacher?”

Valedictorian Andrei Santalo stressed that the Class of 2009 is made up of some very promising individuals. “This graduating class is particularly special,” he said. “We have had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing people we will ever meet in our entire lives, including talented musicians, artists and astounding athletes who will go as far as the Olympics one

day, and all-around genuine, dedicated good people. We have also met people who went to class, people who never went to class and people who took our side no matter what. We have a new principal, a district championship baseball team, a state

championship soccer team and a national four-time championship runner. Maybe we even have a future president sitting in the audience right now.”

Santalo said that while change is a scary thing, he and his fellow classmates are

eager to tackle the complexities of a fast-changing world.

“Although the challenges that confront us are great, this class here is prepared to take on every single one of those challenges,” Santalo said. “It is going to be up to us to find See WHS, page 8

RPBHS Bids Fond Farewell To The Class Of 2009

By

to salute the Class of 2009. School Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson greeted the class of 488 graduates and cautioned them that though they all want to be happy and successful, they should think carefully of the journey they would take to reach those goals. While some might be tempted to take shortcuts to fast money, he noted that the current economic crisis and recent corruption scandals are the result of actions taken by individuals in pursuit of immediate gratification.

“When you go through life, you will face many temp-

tations,” Johnson said. “You have to ask yourselves, do I want to have a good time, or do I want to have a good life? You have the advantages. Your parents and your teachers have equipped you with the values, skills and the necessary forces to work hard and to have a good life. You must have the courage to say no when no is the appropriate statement, and the discipline to always choose the right path. Good luck, God bless, and go in peace.”

Salutatorian Jamie-Lyn Richartz advised her fellow seniors to pay attention to key moments in life when something wonderful and unexpected is within their grasp, and to not let it slip away. She encouraged them to take risks when the situation calls for it, and to be passionate. “Take a

leap of faith and follow your heart,” Richartz said. “Do something you have never done before. Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

Valedictorian Lauren Vivar said graduation would be a milestone that caps years of milestones she and her classmates had passed together.

“It is a time for us to reflect on our past and to set new goals for ourselves,” she said. “The next endeavor that we will take on will be very different for each of us. No matter where we go, we will all carry our Wildcat spirit and a piece of everyone sitting here today. If there is something you want, do not hesitate to chase after it. You can do anything.”

RPBHS Principal Guarn Sims told the seniors he

See RPBHS, page 9

Wellington Special Magistrate Fines Golf Course

By Mark Lioi

Town-Crier Staff Report

A special magistrate found the Wanderers Club at Wellington in violation of village noise rules Thursday for operating lawn-mowing equipment on its golf course too early on Sundays.

Village rules prohibit the operation of “lawn and garden equipment” before 9 a.m. on Sundays and 7 a.m. on other days. At Thursday’s code en-

forcement hearing, Village

Attorney Jeff Kurtz told Special Magistrate Richard Doody that the club had been cited in March for violating the noise rules on a daily basis, but after altering its practices, the club was now facing a citation for Sunday violations only.

A village code officer testified to citing the club for the Sunday violation on April 28, and witnessing another violation on May 17. Kurtz as-

serted that the club had violated the ordinance on every Sunday since the original citation.

The exclusive, invitationonly Wanderers Club was the Wellington Golf & Country Club until 2007. In the past year, the village has fielded many complaints from residents living adjacent to the club about greenskeeping noise at early hours and a lack of enforcement on the part of municipal officials. Residents

RPB Council Votes Down State Road 7 Apartments

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

A divided Royal Palm Beach Village Council denied a request Thursday night that could have increased density sixfold on a 27.8-acre site west of Anthony Groves Plaza on State Road 7. The 3-2 vote came after three hours of discussion featuring comments from dozens of residents.

The request called for a land-use amendment from the county’s low-density residential designation to the village’s medium-density residential. The change would have taken the land from a maximum allowable density of two units per acre to 12 units per acre.

The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission, meeting as the Local Planning Agency, recommended approval of the amendment 4-0 on March 24, but discussed prior to the vote that 12 units per acre might be too dense for the site.

The village’s staff report had recommended approval, stating that the change was “consistent with surrounding uses” and was an appropriate “transitional use” between the commercial area on SR 7 to the east, medium-density Shoma Homes to the north, light industrial to the south and the Victoria Grove residential neighborhood to the west.

Approximately 50 Victoria Grove residents attended the meeting to oppose the plan, citing concerns about crime, drug use, trespassing, traffic and gang activity they said would be generated by the development.

Victoria Grove Homeowners’ Association President Bob Connor said his group has met with the developer about their concerns. “This is not personal,” Connor said. “We just think the density is too high. Look at Shoma and this development. The area in between is our common area. We have spent $50,000 in

vandalism repairs. Multiple use is not the best use for our area. The owners have to sell, we understand, but we need to discuss this further.”

Angela Leuke, one of several owners of the property under consideration for the land-use change, said she and her husband had worked to bring together the owners, hampered by one holdout. During the process, they received numerous proposals from developers, she said. “All of them had different development plans,” Leuke said. “Due to fact there was a holdout, they left the land-use designation unchanged. In their mind, the amount of time and effort was too risky. My husband and I have taken action to get our zoning changed, and we have wasted a lot of time and money.”

Leuke said the homeowners in the area annexed into the village in good faith that their property would be part of the Victoria Grove project,

See COUNCIL, page 7

adjacent to the recently restored Binks Forest Golf Course have made similar complaints.

In January and February, the Wellington Village Council considered, at the two clubs’ request, a plan to amend the maintenance start time to 6 a.m. seven days a week. The meetings drew a large turnout of residents opposed to the proposal, and the council chose not to approve it.

On Thursday, Wanderers Club attorney Wade Byrd initially requested a dismissal of the charges against the club, saying he was under the impression that the council had offered a moratorium on the noise rules.

Kurtz asserted that the council took no such action.

“A moratorium on enforcement of an ordinance cannot be issued by fiat whether it’s from the mayor, village manSee VIOLATIONS, page 8

Class Of 2009 — Nikolas Rademacher and Eric Peterson after Monday’s graduation ceremony at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Royal Palm Beach High School held its graduation ceremony Monday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center

New Graduates — WHS Senior Class President Mike Carelli, valedictorian Andrei Santalo, Principal Mario Crocetti, Christina Arco, Student Government President Megan McDonald and salutatorian Sarah Schlein. PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Residents Near Extension Beg For Dust Relief

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Acreage residents living near the outlets of the recently opened State Road 7 extension say dust from the added traffic is making their lives miserable.

The extension, also known as the “Western Parkway,” opened on April 8 to take traffic north from Okeechobee Blvd. to Orange Grove and Persimmon boulevards in The Acreage. About 100 residents, largely from 110th Avenue North and Mango Blvd., attended the May 13 meeting of the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors to complain about dust and traffic on their unpaved roads.

Patrick Sweet of 110th Avenue said the biggest issue is dust control.

“I’m not too sure you can afford to pave 110th, but it has turned into a hellhole,” he said.

Sweet said the heavy traffic has torn up the road to the extent that a car cannot go more than five mph on it. “I assure you I can find silica in that dirt,” he said. “It is creating a health problem. There are people who fly up and down 110th who don’t live there and don’t care. The Western Parkway has turned Persimmon into a nightmare.”

Diane Krysak of Persimmon Blvd. said she has seen a lot of change for the worse in her neighborhood.

“This is really terrible,” Krysak said. “It really makes me sick watching the cars. The speed limit of 40, that’s too high. Children are playing in yards. There’s no more

horses coming down the road. I used to walk on Persimmon, but not anymore. You’re taking everything away from us.”

Krysak said it takes a long time to turn left onto Royal Palm Beach Blvd. from Persimmon because the light only remains green long enough for three cars to go through the intersection.

Cletus Purtell of 110th Avenue asked that his road be paved. “Eighty percent of the people here are for paving 110th,” he said. “People are using 110th to avoid traffic calming on Persimmon.” Purtell estimated that the opening of the roads has doubled the traffic load on 110th Avenue. “We went from being our own pocket to being open to the rest of the world,” he said, adding that residents should not have to foot the paving bill.

“I would like to see the state and county pave 110th,” Purtell said. “Conditions have changed and been exaggerated.”

Louis Galindez of 110th Avenue said his children don’t go outside anymore since the road opened. He added that there is no speed limit sign on the road, and the amount of dust is causing health problems with his family. He agreed that paving would be the best option.

“My children have nosebleeds, and our house is covered with dust,” Galindez said. “Our pets can’t go outside. Something has to be done.”

Tom Stevens, who lives one block north of Persimmon on 51st Court North, See ITID, page 20

Governor Calls Special Election To Replace Pruitt

By Ron Bukley

Town-Crier Staff Report

Gov. Charlie Crist has ordered a special election to fill the District 28 State Senate seat, following an announcement by State Sen. Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) that he plans to retire.

District 28 includes much of Royal Palm Beach, The Acreage and parts of Loxahatchee, and continues north through Martin and St. Lucie counties and the coastal barrier islands of Indian River County.

Crist’s spokesman Sterling Ivey told the Town-Crier Thursday that a special primary election will be held June 30 and a special general election Aug. 4. “We say ‘special election’ because it is an ordered election not occurring at another election time when other elections are already scheduled,” he explained.

Indian Trail Improvement

District President Michelle Damone said Pruitt has served his Palm Beach County constituency well.

Pierce, both former state representatives, and Democrat Bill Ramos of Jensen Beach, are well-established candidates for the seat.

Damone said she expects more candidates to appear now that the shadow of incumbency is off the seat, venturing that former county commissioner Bob Kanjian and Pat Rooney Jr., brother of Congressman Tom Rooney, might be interested in seeking the job. Anyone interested in running for the seat should call their local supervisor of elections, Ivey said.

“Sen. Pruitt has always been well respected,” Damone said. “Any time The Acreage has needed Sen. Pruitt during his tenure, he has always been attentive to us. Unfortunately, we’re going to lose an experienced senator, but I wish him well.” Pruitt, who is expected to leave office in August, has served in the State Senate for 19 years and was its president last year. If he were to serve out the remainder of his term to 2010, term limits would prevent him from seeking reelection.

With that in mind, Republicans Joe Negron of Stuart and Art Agenio of Fort

“Whether it’s in Palm Beach County or Martin County, the supervisor of elections would be the best point of contact to get an interested individual pointed in the right direction,” he said.

The Department of State and Division of Elections will set the qualifying period and deadline for filing qualification paperwork with the state, Ivey said, adding that the usual 90-day qualifying time would be shorter for this election.

“When we’re doing a special election like this, everything is compressed, and it’s probably about two weeks before the primary,” he said.

State Sen. Ken Pruitt

Indian Trail Improvement District supervisors thanked State Rep. Joe Abruzzo last week for his help in passing a bill requiring young horse riders to wear helmets. Known as “Nicole’s Law,” it is named in memory of an Acreage girl who died in 2006.

TEMPLE BETH ZION IN RPB HOSTS BLESSING OF THE PETS

In addition to the traditional Friday evening service, Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach held its first Blessing of the Pets ceremony last Friday. Rabbi Bertram Kieffer officiated the event, which was set to appeal to a variety of species, including miniature ponies, dogs and guinea pigs. A special oneg followed the blessing, with fare for owners and pets.

PHOTOS BY KRISTINA WEBB/TOWN-CRIER

Liz Thal and her daughters Rebecca and Emily with Doogie.

Aliza and Bennett Guerreiro pet newborn pony Goldie from the Good Earth Farm in Loxahatchee Groves.

Xiomara Rivera leads Cookie, a miniature pony.

Zach Abrams pets Sport.

Rabbi Kieffer and Paulette Korn with toy poodle Dylan.

Xiomara and Elizabeth Rivera, Nancy Fried Tobin of Good Earth Farm and temple member Gwen Abrams with newborn miniature ponies Aviv and Goldie and their mothers Ginger and Cookie.

OUR OPINION

Take Time To Honor Fallen Heroes This Memorial Day

Memorial Day is designated as a day to pay our respects to those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country. In an effort to honor the fallen, one day in May each year is dedicated to services where the community can gather to collectively mourn the losses of individual families and honor the service of those who died in service to us all. This year, that day will be Monday, May 25.

It seems, however, that over the years the somber meaning of the day has been lost, and the identity of “first weekend of summer” has been assigned to it instead. The original date of the holiday, May 30, was first observed in 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery who fell during combat in the Civil War. Following World War I, the nation gathered every May 30 to honor not just soldiers who died in the Civil War, but in every American war.

It was in 1971 that Congress passed the National Holiday Act, which took holidays with meaningful dates and placed them conveniently on a Monday or Friday to allow for a three-day weekend. Suddenly, an event that was initially meant to commemorate the passing of courageous men and women began to signify the beginning of summer. A holiday first known as Decoration Day due to the practice of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers became a day of barbecues and pool parties.

Perhaps a better way to spend our time on this day is not to drink beer with

Support For Madrid Street Connection

Having been a homeowner in La Mancha for over eight years, I feel it’s my right (or duty) to express my opinion on the Madrid Street connection. I understand the mayor and others disapprove of opening the connection to the new State Road 7 extension to protect our neighborhood, and especially the residents of Madrid Street, from greater traffic levels. However, this really doesn’t make any sense to me. I live in the northernmost area of La Mancha and now use the SR 7 extension every day, even though it means I have to drive a couple miles out of my way. Therefore, I no longer drive all the way through La Mancha, including Madrid Street, every day. And I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’m sure the residents all along Ponce de Leon find this beneficial.

And as far as Acreage residents, it simply makes no sense whatsoever for them to cut across Madrid Street when they have two ways to access their neighborhood more directly. I find the new road quicker to my home than going through La Mancha or even Royal Palm Beach Blvd. If the connection were opened, my drive would be even shorter — and don’t we all want to save gas these days? So stop being ridiculous and tear down that wall, Mr. Mayor. (Where have I heard that before?) Michael McCabe Royal Palm Beach

My Husband

Is My Hero

In March 2006 my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. This cancer has a very high fatality rate, yet with guts and determination he beat all odds and emerged from the chemotherapy and radiation cancer-free. He even surprised his doctors, one who named him his “poster boy.”

With a second chance and new understanding about what the phrase “stop and smell the flowers” meant, we embraced life to its fullest. However, this was short lived, for one and a half years later the cancer came back in the exact same spot. It was caught very early, and in 2008 a very radical operation was performed to remove his whole esophagus and pull up his stomach and attach it to

In early April, several of our favorite Congress people rose up in their wrath before the TV cameras and general media to denounce federal regulator James Lockhart’s plan to pay 7,600 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac employees retention bonuses amounting to some $210 million. Guess what? Having taken advantage of the “photo

where the esophagus would have been.

In a period of six months after this surgery, my husband lost over 50 pounds. There are still many side effects because of this type of surgery that he will have to live with the rest of his life. But his body is slowly adapting to them, and although he hasn’t started putting back the weight he lost, he has finally stopped losing more.

No one except his family, close friends and his doctors can truly appreciate the braveness of this man and his determination to “beat it.”

This cancer almost always kills, and it kills hard and fast. Three other people we know of were diagnosed with the same esophageal cancer at about the same time my husband was, and they are all gone. His will to live and his inner strength, along with the support of his family, friends and the best doctors in the world located here in Florida, I believe, is what has gotten him this far. Again, he is officially in remission.

The other day, while glancing at different profiles of people I know on MySpace, I came across his son’s “Heroes” list, which sums up my feelings and those of everyone else who knows this wonderful, brave, kind and giving man. The list reads: “My father. He has been through a lot the past few years. Has dealt with all his problems and still fighting. Always there for me and my sister.”

Joan Bennett Kusnetzov Wellington

Support The Golf Courses

Editor’s note: The following letter is addressed to the Wellington Village Council. A copy was sent to the TownCrier for publication. Dear Mayor and Council Members:

On behalf of the ownership of the Binks Forest Golf Club, we are writing to request your support with respect to the modification of an outdated and impractical ordinance that some people are trying to use to place unreasonable restrictions on ordinary and necessary golf course maintenance. As we expressed at council meeting a few months ago, the proposed restrictions would place Binks Forest Golf Club, a privately financed course that depends on public play, at a severe competitive disadvantage that could ultimately lead to its downfall.

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

op” and media exposure, these and other Congressional gargantuans then forgot about the deal, and the reten-

buddies or go to the beach, but to truly honor those who have served our country. As you pass the veterans who stand at the doors of Publix and Winn-Dixie, do not ignore them. Shake their hands and accept the red poppy that they offer to you. The red poppy symbolizes the blood shed by soldiers; it is an honor to wear the flower on your lapel.

Another option is visiting the South Florida National Cemetery, located at 6501 S. State Road 7. The cemetery is the final resting-place of thousands of veterans, and on Monday at 1 p.m. a Memorial Day service will be held. Flowers may be placed on the graves year-round, if you choose to do so. For more information on the service, call (561) 649-6489.

Wellington and Royal Palm Beach will also be holding Memorial Day services. Wellington’s service will take place on Monday at 8:45 a.m. starting with the annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade will begin at the Wellington Community Center and proceed to the Wellington Veterans Memorial, located at the corner of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards, where a ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. For more information, call (561) 791-4733 or e-mail nicolee@ci.wellington.fl.us.

The Village of Royal Palm Beach’s annual Memorial Day service will be held at Veterans Park on Monday at 9 a.m. and will feature various local dignitaries. The park is located at the corner of Sparrow Drive and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Call the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149 for more information.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

It was only two years ago that Aquila Binks Forest Development LLC purchased a dilapidated community eyesore and invested significant money, time, effort and dedication into bringing this once grand jewel of Wellington back to its former grandeur and beyond. This was done with private capital at great economic risk. While this risk has increased as the economy has deteriorated, the Binks Forest Golf Club partners have remained dedicated to the property and the community. Millions of dollars have been spent renovating the club to a standard that all should be proud of. The Binks Forest Golf Club now serves as a true resource and amenity for the people in this community. The club has served as host to numerous charities, the chamber of commerce and local school groups. We are proud to be a supportive community member and want to continue in that role.

While the Binks Forest Golf Club has received local and national recognition for its comeback, it is critical that the council and everyone in the community understand that we are by no means immune to the current economic crisis that is affecting so many people and businesses in our community. Binks Forest is a public course, and the daily number of rounds is a critical component in effectively operating the course. The restrictions and fines that are being threatened for merely maintaining the course in a manner that is customary for the industry are unreasonable and would have a serious negative economic impact that could lead to the downfall of the course.

Our investment in the Binks Forest Golf Club was made with the understanding that we would be allowed to operate it in a manner that was customary for golf courses throughout the state. Prior to purchasing their homes, owners in the communities surrounding the club were required to sign disclosure documents acknowledging the fact that noise from golf maintenance equipment is in fact an ordinary and expected condition of purchasing a home adjacent to a golf club. As Linda Curcio so eloquently stated at the previous council meeting, the complaints about mowers and maintenance equipment from homeowners living adjacent to a golf course are no different from people living in the Aero Club complaining

about airplanes or those in equestrian communities complaining about horses. Maintaining the course early is part of life in a golf course community. The entire village saw the effects of not maintaining the course a few years ago, and we are sure that no one wants to return to those deplorable conditions.

We walked away from the council meeting a few months ago with the understanding that there would be a moratorium on enforcing any mowing restrictions until the council had an opportunity to reconsider the restrictions. As a result, we were shocked and disappointed when we were subsequently cited for continuing our ordinary operating practice and intend to vigorously contest any attempts to impose any unjust fines.

We appreciate the support that the village and the council have shown us to date, but we must request that you seriously and immediately consider the impact of any mowing restrictions that would impact the Binks Forest Golf Club’s competitive position. The club must be allowed to maintain the golf course consistent with industry standards starting no later than 6 a.m. Anything less will make it impossible for us to provide a competitive product and will put us at great economic risk. The end result would most likely be a recurrence of the deplorable conditions that we inherited when we took on this project two years ago.

We are greatly appreciative of the outpouring of support we have received from our members and neighbors. We know that the vast majority of people in our community stand solidly behind us, and we ask for your support in helping us to continue to succeed.

Jordan Paul, Tom Weber, Terry Strongin and Patrick Toomey Aquila Binks Forest Development LLC

Love The ‘Here’s My Card’ Section

I must tell you, the companies I have hired from the Town-Crier ’s Here’s My Card section have been very satisfactory. I just hired a carpenter named Mathew Doherty from said section, listed as “All Variety Home Services,” and he was excellent. He was prompt, efficient, fast and his fees were very reasonable. I purchased

an antique table a few weeks ago and it needed a couple of adjustments that were a bit complicated, but Mathew did an outstanding job. I was very pleased and most impressed with the outcome.

Colette Miller

Wellington

Flavors 2009 A Success!

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce Flavors 2009 was once again a smashing success. Our event attracted over 500 village residents! We wish to thank the our vendors, the village and our residents for this success!

Flavors of Wellington brings together the best Wellington Chamber restaurants, catering venues, wholesale and gourmet markets, as well as country clubs who showcase their businesses, products, menus and exceptional service staff. This event could not happen without their participation, and we are so grateful to each of them for joining us Friday, May 8.

Congratulations to our winners of the evening — Kontiki, “Best Taste”; Binks Forest Golf Club, “Best Plate Presentation”; Wycliffe Country Club, “Best Display”; and Gelato on a Stick, “Best Dessert” — and all our fantastic showcase vendors: Aaron’s Catering, Buca di Beppo, Christy’s NY Cheesecake, Costco, Earl of Sandwich, Michael’s the Wine Bar, Nature’s Table, Nestle Toll House, Pizza Fusion, PyroGrill, Starbucks, the Fresh Market, the Gypsy’s Horse, the International Polo Club Palm Beach and the White Horse Tavern. If you have not visited any of these establishments in the past, please make it a point to stop in and try them out. Each one offers a unique flair, and why go anywhere else when we have so many exceptional choices right here?

Each year our attendees enjoy an evening of dining and dancing to the Music Masters International 20piece stage band. We literally receive calls five months in advance each year with

people hoping to see the Music Masters International Band. Their unique music makes this event unlike any other! We could not be a success without our sponsors and host committee. Our deepest gratitude goes out to FPL, the International Polo Club, Lake Wellington Professional Center, Jonathan Porges (Donald K. Porges, CPA, LLC) and the Law Offices of Alec L. Domb, P.A. Our chairmen for the event were Alec Domb and John Mercer. The host committee included chamber ambassadors Mark Bozicevic, Steve Vlahakis, Bob Wolff, Bob Salerno, Jonathan Porges and Denise Carpenter, and especially Susan Turturici, who works hand in hand with our vendors each year.

Special thanks to our incredible board of directors who supported the outstanding sales for this event: Diana Tashman, Mike Nelson, Darell Bowen, Bill Tavernise, Nan Martin, Priscilla Thomasevich, Victor Connor, Dean Turney, Michael Stone, John Wash and Todd Higley. Celebrity judges were Roxanne Stein of WPTV News Channel 5; Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen; John Wash, Chef Gonzalez and Julie Pickens of the International Polo Club; Carmine Priore III of FPL’s West County Energy Center; and Diane Brockway of Lake Wellington Professional Centre.

The Wellington Chamber also wishes to thank the Village of Wellington for their support. With their consideration, many, many residents learned of our event and attended as a result of their efforts.

Last but not least, we want to thank the Wellington residents who support this event each year! You make it a pleasure hosting Flavors. With your participation, we can only grow this event each year and make it the “signature tasting event” in Wellington. Michela Perillo-Green, Executive Director Wellington Chamber of Commerce

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

to top executives last year.

Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, demanded that the quasi-governmental agencies rescind $4.4 in retention bonuses paid

tion bonuses were paid. Under the plan, 213 employees were to receive bonuses over $100,000, and one Freddie Mac executive was to receive $1.3 million. This in the face of, for example, Sen. Charles Grassley’s stinging rebuke at the time: “It’s hard to see any common sense in management decisions which award hundreds of millions in bonuses when their organization lost more than $100 billion in a year. It’s an insult that the bonuses were made with an infusion of cash from the taxpayers.”

“I’m skeptical that these people have job offers to go elsewhere,” he said. “And in this economy, I don’t think it would be hard to find talented replacements for anyone who leaves.”

Let’s get real about this current retention-bonus travesty. In this job market, these “flighty” executives have a seriously skimpy chance of moving to other high-paying jobs in the real estate world. They simply aren’t available! Perhaps the best solution to this mess is for President Obama to take a hard look at it and then fire James Lockhart, an appointee of President Bush. However you look at it, these retention bonuses are a travesty.

Elbridge Gale Presents Disney’s ‘Beauty And The Beast Jr.’

By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report

Young thespians and counselors from Elbridge Gale Elementary School’s afterschool program entertained students and families last week with two assemblies and an evening performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. The vivid set design, exquisite costumes, and vocal and acting talent brought a Broadway feel to the packed cafetorium. Sloane Naparsteck drew laughs with a flawless French accent as Lumiere the Candlestick. Dishes, silverware and napkins danced in the aisles. Rachel Pincus made the character Gaston believ-

ably masculine and egotistical, while Belle (played by Marissa Dryden) came across tenderly feminine. Counselor Michael Hill played the frightening, frustrated Beast until Belle pronounced her love for him. The Beast’s transformation into the Prince (Hunter McCabe) caught the audience by surprise.

Thrilled by Friday’s performances, Principal Gail Pasterczyk added a Monday morning assembly for the older students. “It was an incredible show by our afterschool children and their high school counselors,” Pasterczyk said. “I’m in awe, as I always am, by the things our children can do.”

PHOTOS BY KRISTINA

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

Chip (Isabella Menta) and Mrs. Potts (Celene Perez)Michael Hill and Anai Colyer sing the closing number.

Fork (Jessica Horne) and Dish (Nicholas Constantino) dance in the aisle.

Madame de la Grande Bouche (Alexa Tolstonog),

Babette (Gabriella Gibbone), Cogsworth (Maxine Furtado) and Lumiere (Sloane Naparsteck).

Belle (Marissa Dryden) tends to the wounds of the Beast (Michael Hill).

Gaston (Rachel Pincus) shows frustration.

Organizers of the Royal Palm Beach Relay for Life held a wrap-up party on Wednesday evening at the Royal Palm Ale House. Event Chair Pam Araujo and American Cancer Society Community Representative Jenny Drozd were on hand

to

of the

teams that participated in the relay. This year’s event brought

Pam Araujo presents Jenny Drozd with

Tula Raba, Jessica Raba, Nicole Stowers, Faith Johnson and Charity Raba of the Re-lei for Hope team.

Relay participant Pat McLean and her daughter Maggie enjoy the wrap-up party.

Drug Busts In RPB, Burglaries In Wellington

By Kristina Webb Town-Crier Staff Report

MAY 13 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach arrested a West Palm Beach man last Wednesday for possession of Xanax and drug paraphernalia. According to a PBSO report, 28-year-old Jorge Bravo was pulled over at the intersection of Okeechobee Blvd. and Sansbury’s Way after a deputy clocked his white Mitsubishi traveling at 60 mph in a 50-mph zone. After researching Bravo’s information, the deputy found that Bravo had an active warrant from Georgia regarding a robbery by intimidation. A search of the vehicle revealed a plastic bag with ten twomilligram Xanax pills in an unmarked medicine bottle. Bravo was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.

MAY 14 — A Royal Palm Beach man and a juvenile were arrested on drug charges last Thursday following a traffic stop in La Mancha. According to a PBSO report, deputies from the Royal Palm Beach substation traveling in an unmarked car pulled over a juvenile driving a 2002 Mitsubishi for running a stop sign. Upon approaching the car, the deputies noticed a strong smell of marijuana and saw small pieces of it on the lap of the passenger, 18-yearold Jerry Gousse. Gousse attempted to brush the marijuana from his lap, which led one of the deputies to place him in handcuffs to prevent him from further tampering with evidence, according to the report. The deputies searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag containing 15.6 grams of marijuana and a marijuana “blunt,” still wet from being rolled. One of the deputies questioned Gousse, who admitted the marijuana belonged to him. Gousse was placed under arrest and issued a notice to appear in court. The juvenile was issued a written warning for running the stop sign.

MAY 15 — A PBSO deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation arrested two Miami men for shoplifting at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road last Friday. According to a PBSO report, Julio Suarez and Everardo Isla Real were spotted by store security officers selecting various items, including clothing valued at $288, shaving blades valued at $229 and a Kodak C913 digital camera valued at $97.84. The men then tried to leave the store with the items, passing all cash registers without making any attempt to pay. Suarez and Isla Real were placed under arrest and taken to the county jail.

MAY 16 — A Royal Palm Beach PBSO deputy responded last Saturday to the Super Target store on Okeechobee Blvd. regarding a shoplifter. According to a PBSO report, from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. an employee of the store was assisting a man and woman in the electronics

aisle. The man distracted the employee while the woman took two Apple iPods valued at $799.98 from a shelf and placed them in her purse. The pair then left the store without paying for the merchandise. The deputy reviewed surveillance footage of the crime, but the suspects were not identified. Security personnel at the store believe that the same pair may be responsible for similar crimes at other Super Target stores in the area.

MAY 17 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded last Sunday to a home on Goldenrod Road regarding a stolen bicycle. According to a PBSO report, an eight-speed, multicolored bicycle was taken from the front of the residence sometime between 3:30 and 8 p.m. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.

MAY 18 — A resident of Meadow Wood Drive called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday to report a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim left the house at approximately 10 a.m. and returned around noon to find that the sliding-glass door on the south side of her house had been smashed. Missing from the master bedroom were miscellaneous items of jewelry, including eight gold rings, two diamond and gold rings, six watches, three necklaces and 12 earrings. The deputy took five DNA swabs but was unable to obtain latent prints. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 19 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded Tuesday morning to a home on Sunrise View Lane regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim’s 2008 black Honda Civic had been broken into between 3 p.m. on Monday and 7:30 a.m. the following morning. The vehicle had been left unlocked. Stolen from inside were a Bluetooth headset, several credit cards and cash. Latent prints and DNA swabs were taken and placed into evidence.

MAY 19 — A Paddock Park resident called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Tuesday regarding a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 7:55 a.m. and 3 p.m., a sliding-glass door at the rear of the house had been broken, and three bedrooms had been ransacked. Several items were taken, including miscellaneous pieces of jewelry valued at $3,000, an Apple iPod valued at $220, a Canon digital camera and a Garmin GPS unit. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 19 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded Tuesday to a report of criminal mischief at a home on Spinnaker Lane. According to a PBSO report, a 2008 black Lincoln Navigator limousine belonging to See BLOTTER, page 20

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

• Michael Fabacher, a.k.a. Adam Fabacher, is a white male, 5’9” tall and weighing 250 lbs., with brown hair and hazel eyes. His date of birth is 02/19/ 66. Fabacher is wanted for failure to appear on the charge of organized scheme to defraud. His occupation is driver. His last known address was Adonider Place in Wellington. Fabacher is wanted as of 05/21/09.

• Roosevelt Johnson is a black male, 6’4” tall and weighing 280 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 10/19/82. Johnson is wanted for violation of probation on felony convictions for sale, manufacture or delivery of cocaine and resisting an officer without violence. His occupation is construction. His last known address was Mil Race Court in Greenacres. Johnson is wanted as of 05/21/09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppers pbc.com.

Michael Fabacher

Roosevelt Johnson

First Class Of Four-Year Hawks Leave Seminole Ridge

By Kristina Webb Town-Crier Staff Report

“Oh, the places you’ll go!”

Seminole Ridge High School

Principal Dr. Lynne McGee said these words as she quoted the great children’s author Dr. Seuss while addressing the Class of 2009 before they received their diplomas on Wednesday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

This year’s SRHS graduating class is unique because the Class of 2009 holds the first students to spend all four years of their high school education at the school.

McGee told the students she felt they were “baby Hawks,” referring to the school’s mascot, and now she was happy to see them ready

Council Votes Down Project

continued from page 1 but that never came to be, and now they face the same or worse security issues with people from surrounding neighborhoods trespassing on their property. Donna Mays, vice president of the Victoria Grove HOA, raised concerns about light pollution and other disturbances. “I know the development will need adequate lighting,” Mays said. “Even if it is not high intensity, it will still encroach on our neighborhood.”

Mays added that she was also concerned about dumpsters needed for the apartment buildings, which she said would lead to foul odors and noise from dumping.

Attorney Al Malefatto with the law firm Greenberg Traurig PA, representing developer Futura Acquisitions Group, said the density was necessary for the current market and told council members that transmittal — sending the plan to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in Tallahassee prior to final approval — would give the developer time to work out differences with residents. “We know there is a lot of opposition,” Malefatto said. “Trans-

to leave the nest. McGee encouraged them to never accept failure. “Don’t worry about failure,” she said. “Worry about chances you miss if you don’t even try.”

Each graduating senior has been equipped with skills for future success, McGee said. She told students to think of themselves as “future custodians of our world,” and to “think clean and think green.”

Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson also spoke to the group of 513 students, noting the importance of public education. “The genius of our democracy is public education, and the crown jewel of public education is commencement,” Johnson said. He incited the students to

mittal will give us time to work with the community.

Malefatto said the council’s decision would also decide the fate of residents who annexed into the village without any change to the comp plan and saw zoning changes to higher intensity all around them. “We’re not asking for something outrageous,” Malefatto said. “It’s not a tower, but sustainable infill development.” What would be built would be moderately priced rental apartments appropriate for teachers or firefighters, Malefatto noted. “Under the existing code, this is what we have to apply for,” he said. “The next [less dense] use of eight units per acre would be townhomes, which does not fit.”

Developer Reinerio Faife said his intention is to build a sustainable community of apartments that would have one owner, unlike Shoma Homes to the north, which Victoria Grove residents asserted as being the source of much crime in their community because individual owners are renting out the units without doing background checks.

Seth Behn, a planner with Greenberg Traurig, said medium residential is one of the few transitions available between the surrounding uses.

Behn said the first option looked at was residential mixed use, but the site was not large enough. Commer-

work diligently and not fall into a trap of instant gratification. “Invest in yourself now and reap the rewards later,” Johnson said. Johnson left the students by congratulating them on a job well done, and reminding them that they have been given the tools to work hard and the discipline to choose the right path.

Class President Aritma Medrano, who will attend Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville to study health sciences, reminded her fellow graduates of the many memories they have shared together, including battles against the dress code and the departures of popular faculty members. She thanked the faculty and staff for their support, and

cial residential mixed use was ruled out because there is enough commercial development in the surrounding area.

Behn added that Royal Palm Beach also has a highdensity designation of 18 units, but they chose 12 units per acre to allow more room for landscaping. “All we’re doing is sending it to the state to look at,” Behn said. If the transmittal had been approved, DCA could have approved the plan without comment or generated an objections, recommendations and comments report to send back to the village.

Behn said Shoma Homes had been built as condominiums at the height of an unrealistic building boom. “What occurred was people were looking to flip,” he said. “Now these people are renting to the first person who will put down a $500 deposit. This is not what we are. We are a Class A single corporate ownership with on-site professional management.”

Behn added that the buffers and fencing to be built by the developer will provide privacy to Victoria Grove that they do not have now. “It appears your issues are many, and we want to work with you to address your concerns,” he said. “This project as presented will be a significant asset to the community. We are asking you to support this project.”

But during time for coun-

ended her speech by saying, “see you in ten years.”

Salutatorian Mark James told students to remember that a journey is more than the difference between the beginning and end points, but rather about the experiences in between. “Regardless of where your travels will take you, never forget those who have helped you along the way,” said James, who will attend the University of Florida to study mechanical engineering and join the U.S. Marines ROTC program at UF.

Valedictorian Jordan Hoke will attend Florida Atlantic University’s Harriet L.

cil comment, Councilman Fred Pinto said the number of people attending the meeting that night opposing the project told him the developer had not done enough to assure them it was an appropriate project. “The number of people here tells me their level of comfort has not been attained,” he said.

Councilman David Swift said the request was contrary to the reduction in density

Wilkes Honors College to focus on pre-medical studies and mathematics. Hoke told her classmates that their commencement is “a day which we will cherish and remember forever.”

“This is an ending, but it is also a beautiful beginning,” Hoke said as she smiled at her

that the council has strived for. “I’ve sat here 20 years, and in the late ’80s and ’90s, when Royal Palm Beach was growing and density was the big deal, we took a long look at the comprehensive plan to reduce density,” he said. “We have a long history of trying to reduce density.”

Vice Mayor Matty Mattioli said he has made his position on density very clear. “For 16 years, I have fought

peers. “I know that the future is bright because I have the pleasure of standing in front of it today.”

As the students prepared to receive their diplomas, McGee presented the class to Johnson and said, “these students have all met or exceeded all requirements for graduation.”

Cheers rang through the crowd, and at the end of the ceremony, tassels were moved to the left and each student threw a red carnation into the air.

The Class of 2009 then filed out of the convention center, where eager families awaited the new graduates.

for less density,” he said. Mattioli made a motion to deny transmittal, which was seconded by Swift. Mayor David Lodwick asked Malefatto to request a postponement to continue negotiations with neighbors, and he agreed. However, Mattioli chose not to amend his motion to decline, which passed 3-2 with Lodwick and Councilwoman Martha Webster dissenting.

WELLINGTON EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE HOSTS GOLF TOURNAMENT IN ROYAL PALM

General A.A. Vandegrift Detachment 068, Marine Corps League of Palm Beach County held its 2009 Annual Golf Tournament last Saturday at the Village Golf Course in Royal Palm Beach. The event featured various contests as well as dining, an awards ceremony, and silent and live auctions. All the proceeds will go to detachment veterans and youth programs. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Corps League

PALM BEACH COUNTY HONORS LOCAL YOUTH GRADUATES

Leadership Palm Beach County hosted the Class of 2009 Youth Leadership graduation ceremony on Tuesday at the Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach. Graduates from the western communities included Hayden Collier and Kristina DeCarlo of Seminole Ridge High School, Robby Chamizo and Madison Dapper of Wellington High School, and Brandon Corsentino and Emily Pain of Palm Beach Central High School. For more information about Leadership Palm Beach County, call (561) 833-4321 or visit www.leadershippbc.org.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Tournament coordinator First Sgt. Carl Bergener with the Chili Chicks.

Bill McKernan, Chris Cook, Josh Choomack and Nick Coniglio line up their shots.

Marine

Auxiliary members Rosie Langevin, Francine Prezioso, Lee Resnick, Sandra Totz, Karen Moreno and Nancy Calleja.

First-place winners Renaldo Nieves, Ed Bosworth, Dominik Montes and Steven Brown.

Ed Portman, closest-to-the-pin contest winner John Porter, Carrabba’s Italian Grill Managing Partner Brian Jacobsen and coordinator First Sgt. Carl Bergener.

L.J. Baker buys raffle tickets from Chili Chicks Lauren “Sunshine” Bratcher and Niki “the Diva” Jaquetti.

Paulette Burdick and Krista Springer Basore.

Eric Hopkins and Krista Springer Basore (far right) honor this year’s youth graduates.

Brandon Corsentino (center) with family and friends.

Last week, the Wellington Village Council recognized Eduardo Tome, a maintenance worker in Parks Operations and a village employee for nearly 16 years, as the village’s employee of the month for April. “Eduardo was nominated because of the pride he takes in his job and caring he puts into all the work he does,” Village Manager Paul Schofield said when presenting the award at the Wellington Village Council’s May 12 meeting. “His attitude and ability to adapt to any situation were key factors in him first being nominated and then winning the award of Employee of the Month for April, and we congratulate Eduardo and thank him for his dedication to the village.” Shown here is Tome (center) with Schofield (far right) and the council members.

PHOTO BY MARK LIOI/TOWN-CRIER

Shermane Reid (left) with new graduates Ashley Amarescu and Claudia Brooks

WHS 491 Grads

continued from page 1 ways to improve this world.

I am sure that we seniors will not be able to thank our leaders enough when they finally leave us with a prosperous and well run economy.”

Senior Class President Michael Carelli concluded the commencement speeches by congratulating his fel-

low seniors for successfully completing their four years of high school.

“Our year will end, but this road we will travel on has been filled with memories and drama,” he said. “The Class of 2009 has the uncanny ability to succeed in the real world that our teachers have talked about so much. It is time to pass the torch of leadership to our younger classmates. It is time to take control of our own lives.”

Violations Golf Course Fined

continued from page 1 ager or council,” he said.

“What we have is a situation where there was a proposed ordinance put before the village council that would have eliminated these violations. The council chose not to pass it at that time.”

Byrd also argued to no avail that the ordinance should not apply to the club, that it was poorly written and contradictory, and that the course must start its mainte-

nance work at the earliest possible hour in order to stay profitable.

“Are you aware of any golf course in the country that can remain in business by starting maintenance after 9 o’clock in the morning?” he asked.

Doody said that the council’s tabling of the amendment earlier this year indicated its belief that the current rules are appropriate. He told Byrd his concerns about the viability of the business should be taken up with the council, as he had no authority to rule on the ordinance itself.

Doody ruled in favor of the village and that the club

should cease and desist from the cited activity by Tuesday, May 26, but declined Kurtz’s request to fine the club $250 for each day of violation since the April citation.

While Kurtz argued that the fine should be stiff enough to encourage compliance, Doody said the village seemed more typically to impose $50 and $100 fines, and that $100 seemed more realistic in view of the offense.

“I think that’s consistent with what I’ve seen that Wellington does with other cases,” he said. “I’m a little bit leery when I get into a situation where I start to look at the economic resources of the respondent and impose a

fine that varies with their ability to pay.”

Also appearing at Thursday’s hearing were Binks Forest Golf Club representatives for certification of fines, having been found in violation of noise rules seven days a week at a hearing last month. However, club representatives asked for and received a continuance until next month’s hearing, saying they were under the impression they were protected by a moratorium and did not have time to prepare. Kurtz noted that the club’s fines would continue to accrue until the certification hearing takes place.

Village Code Compliance Manager Rose Taliau told the

Town-Crier Thursday that she recognizes the frustration and mistrust of some residents about enforcement of the noise violations, but noted that the code compliance process takes time.

“We have to go through a process of several steps to get to a certain point, and it takes

time,” she said. “We’ve gone through, we had to find the violation, we had to document it, we had to get it scheduled. Our process can take two to three months or sometimes longer — usually longer. So we’re doing what we can through he code enforcement process.”

‘I’m a little bit leery when I get into a situation where I start to look at the economic resources of the respondent and impose a fine that varies with their ability to pay.’

— Special Magistrate Richard Doody

Wellington High School seniors gather before (above) and after (below) the graduation ceremony.

Graduate Andrew DiLallo (right) with his family.

Valedictorian Andrei Santalo

Salutatorian Sarah Schlein

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Emily Spotts celebrates with her family.

Graduate Jessica Beckner with her family.

RPBHS Principal Speaks

continued from page 1 would remember them with great fondness and would eagerly await good news about their future endeavors.

“Many of you had wished you could be out the door all year long, while others are wishing they could stay put,” Sims said. “But it is time for you to move on and begin the true process of finding your passion in life. I have truly enjoyed serving as your principal and watching you complete your academic growth as high school seniors.”

Sims also encouraged the Class of 2009 to be passionate about their endeavors rather than worry about winning fame and fortune.

“Money, fame and title are

knowledge

not

sion, money becomes secondary. Take responsibility for your successes and learn from the

If others help you to be successful,

FineArt&Crafts

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER AND KRISTINA WEBB/TOWN-CRIER

Principal Guarn Sims

Salutatorian Jamie-Lyn Richartz

Valedictorian Lauren Vivar

Juan Castellon and Carlos Matute.

Members of the RPBHS Wildcat Chorus on the risers.

Dr. Art Johnson congratulates the graduates.

Annarose Dellatto and Katie Nadau at the

RPBHS Project Graduation party Monday night.

Matthew Lalonde and Stephen Allison sumo wrestle at Project Graduation Monday night.

Natasha Bautista and Alexa Aviles.

Robert Kravetz with his family members.

Couple Billy Ferguson and Jolynn Bohannon.

MY BROTHER’S/SISTER’S KEEPER SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2009

“Good grades and athletic activities are important for students in school, but even more important in today’s world are kindness, generosity, honesty, respect, service to the community and a sincere desire to help others.”

That was the message Jess Santamaria gave the student honorees at the 2009 My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Scholarship Awards held May 8 at the original Wellington Mall.

This worthy project was started by Santamaria in 1996 to recognize young students who are simply “good kids who do good deeds and make life a little better for others

they come into contact with in their daily lives.”

“We must motivate our children early in life and show them that it pays to be a good, caring person. They truly are our hope for a better future,” said Santamaria, founder of the organization that is 100-percent funded by sponsors from area business firms, professionals, individuals, civic organizations and Santamaria himself.

This year’s sponsors were the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, Templeton & Company, the TownCrier newspaper, Riverside Bank, Peggy and Mark Candreva in memory of their son Joshua, Royal Inn,

(Left) The scholarship winners gather with Jess Santamaria for a group photo.

(Right) Seminole Ridge High School student Cody Larson is honored by Michelle Santamaria of the Wellington Mall.

the Vivian Ferrin Memorial Scholarship, Royal Concrete Concepts, Fuchs & Jones, the Tony Santamaria Memorial Scholarship, Herbert Hoffman, Testifying Made Simple, the Wellington Mall, the Royal Plaza, Chris Santamaria, Victoria Santamaria and Jess Santamaria.

A total of 21 students representing 21 area schools received scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 each, which will be deposited in an interest-bearing bank account until the student’s graduation from high school and acceptance to a college or trade school of their choice. In conclusion, Santamaria congratulated the parents for a “truly

great job” in raising their “good kids,” and gave the awardees a “lifetime homework: continue your good deeds and make our world a better place to live.” More than 200 people attended the 14th annual scholarship awards evening at the original Wellington Mall. This included awardees, parents, relatives, school principals, teachers, sponsors and friends. Before the end of the next school year, Santamaria will again ask principals from schools in the western communities to nominate students who best exemplify “caring for others.”

(Left) Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School student Sonja Thomas is honored by Jess Santamaria.

(Right) Esther Benette of Lake Shore Middle School is honored by Victoria Santamaria.

(Left) Wellington Landings Middle School student Megan Perry is honored by Chris Santamaria on behalf of Fuchs & Jones.

(Right) Equestrian Trails Elementary School student Julia Korzeniowski is honored by Chris Stack of Templeton & Company.

(Left) Golden Grove Elementary School student Sabrina Moser is honored by attorney Chris Santamaria.

Jess Santamaria

(Left) Panther Run Elementary School student Julie Anne Gerrits is honored by Herbert Hoffman.

(Right) Western Pines Middle School student Tabitha Bickman is honored by Juan Miguel Santamaria of the Tony Santamaria Memorial Scholarship.

(Right) Eagle Academy student Michael Iaboni is honored by Jess Santamaria.

(Left) Royal Palm Beach Elementary School student Brandon Smith is honored by J.J. Santamaria of the Tony Santamaria Memorial Scholarship.

(Right) Glades Central High School student Raul Barajas is honored by Chris Santamaria of the Royal Plaza.

(Left) Crestwood Middle School student Braden Hartigan is honored by Wally Sanger of Royal Concrete Concepts.

(Right) H.L. Johnson Elementary School student Alyssa Williams is honored by Rhonda Ferrin-Davis of the Vivian Ferrin Memorial Scholarship.

(Left) Binks Forest Elementary School student Alan “A.J.” Bollinger is honored by Ron Bukley of the Town-Crier newspaper.

(Right) Wellington High School student Breanne Weaterford is honored by Peggy and Mark Candreva in memory of Joshua Candreva.

(Left) Royal Palm Beach High School student Joseph Fleming is honored by Frankie Santamaria of the Royal Inn.

(Right) Lake Shore Annex student Vinessia Gray is honored by Victoria Santamaria.

(Left) Cypress Trails Elementary School student Amanda Alli is honored by Alisha Melott of Riverside National Bank.

(Right) Pierce Hammock Elementary School student Madeleine Daly is honored by Michelle Santamaria of Testifying Made Simple.

(Left) New Horizons Elementary School student Alison Liquori is honored by Jaene Miranda of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce.

(Right) Pahokee Middle/ Senior School student Angel Hernandez is honored by Jess Santamaria.

FRONTIER STUDENTS

TAKE TOP HONORS AT COUNTY FAIR

Frontier Elementary School Science and Mathematics Fair Coordinator Molly Harding recently announced that eight Frontier students earned high honors at the Palm Beach County & Mathematics Fair held May 5-7 at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Southern Blvd. First-place mathematics winners were Jackson Harding from Mrs. Beth Price’s kindergarten class and third grader Joseph Molodowitz from Ms. Jennifer Eddy’s class. Third place in mathematics went to third grader Harrison Harding from Ms. Eddy’s class. Honorable mention in mathematics was awarded to Chase Goodall from Mrs. Rosie Cabrera’s first-grade class, Emily Keogh from Mrs. Lori Parson’s fifth-grade class and Amanda Vargo from Mrs. Heather Alfonso’s fifth-grade class. Third grader Allison Smith from Mrs. Tara Levine’s class and fourth grader Hunter Jarrell from Ms. Kate Burda’s class each earned honorable mentions in science. In addition, Mrs. Phyllis O’Brian’s first-grade class won second place for their class project “Magnetism,” in which the young scientists tested different materials to see if they were attracted to a magnet. (Above) The individual winners gather for a group photo. (Below) Mrs. O’Brian and her students with their winning project.

King’s Academy Students Area Organizations

The King’s Academy’s middle and high school students were excited to participate in the school’s spiritual emphasis week called Rush 2009, which emphasized a 180-degree turn from self to service to aid several nonprofit organizations throughout Palm Beach County.

Approximately 700 students set aside time from their academic pursuits in order to engage in community service activities by assisting six charitable organizations in their respective pursuits to help provide aid to others.

TKA students worked to collect and provide more than 1,400 non-perishable food goods for C.R.O.S. Ministries, and supplied and created 361 care packages filled with school supplies for Community Life Center. The

students also made 41 children’s blankets for St. Mary’s Hospital. They wrote letters to more than 210 soldiers stationed in Iraq, and 115 personal messages of encouragement for a speedy recovery to Carson Klawonn, a classmate who has fallen ill.

The special guest speaker during the weeklong event was Sean Blakeny, senior youth pastor at Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens.

In addition, all 700 students participated and volunteered their time at Grassy Waters Preserve, which is dedicated to the promotion of environmental education and recreation programs at the 20-square-mile wetland nature preserve and water supply for the City of West Palm Beach.

Hawks Meet With Rooney

Through the help of the Close Up Foundation, Seminole Ridge High School social studies teacher Mrs. Amanda Rosenfried took three AP Government students on the field trip to Washington, D.C. during spring break. Along with 130 other students nationwide, Justin Bullard, T.J. Gitto and Ashley Richey experienced not only the sights and sounds of the nation’s capital, but an educational journey taking

Panther

them from the bare bones of policy creation to participation in a domestic issue debate, and finally to the U.S. Capitol itself.

SRHS students, welcomed by U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney, learned about the inner workings of Congress. They received valuable feedback to their questions on bailout plans, the budget and more. Rooney encouraged the students to apply for an internship with his office.

HOLOCAUST LESSON

Run Kids Get Fit During Field Days

Panther Run Elementary School held its Field Days Week beginning Monday, April 27. Physical education teacher C.J. Cain coordinated the event. All classes in kindergarten through the fifth grade participated. A week full of dance contests, tug of war, sack races, obstacle courses, relay races, class races and Jeopardy was enjoyed by all. School classes accumulated points for themselves through competing in many different events. One of the main events was a choreographed dance performed by each class.

During the three hours of each Field Day, the teachers had to keep moving. Each teacher was given a pedometer. The teacher who had the most steps (which were also translated to miles) had points added to their scores. The winner was fifth-grade teacher Heather Turpen, who had 23,365 steps, which translates to approximately 4.8 miles. With her mileage, and the students’ competitive edge in all the events, Turpen’s class came in first place for the fifth-grade Field Day. The day was concluded with a game of sports-related Jeopardy.

Karen Giguere runs with fifth graders Katty Joseph, Chris Berg, BB Valle, Amy Velez and Patrick Yule.

Letters From Home — King’s Academy middle school students write letters to soldiers stationed in Iraq.

Holocaust survivor Lisl Bogart recently visited fifth-grade students at Binks Forest Elementary School to tell her courageous story. Bogart is the sole survivor of her family and survived the Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Shown above is Bogart with Alexandria Nichols, Sasha Bhasin, Samuel Wortman and Ian DeRosa.

SRHS Scholarship Winner And Service King

During their last year of high school, Seminole Ridge High School seniors are busy applying for scholarships, preparing for college and getting ready for the day they can walk across the stage during graduation and receive their diplomas. But it’s not an easy ride. Seniors are trying hard to get their grades up, getting through their “senioritis,” and rushing to get their 20 community-service hours in so they can graduate.

But for Cody Larson, 20 community-service hours wasn’t enough; he earned more than 1,000 hours and was awarded the annual My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust Scholarship. Larson was active in community services mostly during his sophomore and senior years, and was active in coaching youth hockey, where most of the hours came from.

Getting a scholarship and 1,000 community-service hours is a great achievement.

“When I found out about the scholarship and the hours, I was equally excited and surprised,” Larson said.

He can be considered a role model, and now it can be said that Larson is the “Community Service King of Seminole Ridge.”

Christina Montecillo • SRHS TV Production Sweeps FAME Awards

The Hawks’ TV production program has won again, this time in the Florida Association of Media Educators (FAME) Jim Harbin Student Media Festival. Hawk students nearly swept the district level of the contest, winning the gold in six of the eight high school categories. SRHS also had two secondplace winners and a third place. All six first-place videos advanced to the regional level.

The school would like to congratulate the following students: Juan Cazares, Angel Dickinson, Chris Justin, Anthony Medrano, Andrew Miller and Darrel Wilkinson: first place, Comedy, Working Habits; Michael Schwartz-

Cody Larson PHOTO BY CHRISTINA MONTECILLO

berg: first place, Documentary, Anne Frank ; Justin Kelsey, Michael Schwartzberg, Leata Sodupe and Kendra Stevens: first place, Drama, The Uninvited; Joseph Rivera and Sam Santiago: first place, Instructional, Math Cab; Hilary Mears and Michael Schwartzberg: first place, News, SECME: Build It, Drop It, Launch It; Justin Kelsey: first place, PSA, Florida KidCare; Adam Castle, Hailey Mears and Nicole Waldron: second place, news, Every Student Has a Story; Casandra Brescasin and Anthony Medrano: second place, PSA, What’s a Vegetarian? Ask a Librarian!; and Casandra Brescasin, Angel Dickinson, Hailey Mears, Anthony Medrano and Nicole Waldron: third place, PSA, Feeling Confused? Ask a Librarian!

• Baker’s Dozen to Play College Ball — Head football coach Matt Dickmann and the entire Hawk family congratulate the Seminole Ridge “Baker’s Dozen.” The 13 Class of 2009 football players will attend the following colleges and universities for academics and football: J.J. Falk, Averret, Virginia; Mike Fioramonti, Case Western, Ohio; Kyle Irish, Carnegie-Mellon, Pennsylvania; Will Jones, Bethune-Cookman, Florida; Brandon King, Springfield, Massachusetts; Kyle Lager, Ohio Northern; Jeff Moise, Dubuque, Iowa; Dejay Perkins, West Virginia Wesleyan; Zac Prevatt, Beloit, Wisconsin; Le’Antwon Roker, Ferrum, Virginia; Jor-

dan Schumacher, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York; Daryl Thomas, West Virginia Wesleyan; and Tyler Wilhelm, University of South Dakota.

• Hawk Teacher Wins State Economics Award — SRHS social studies teacher

Mrs. Andrea Caceres-Santamaria has won second place in the Entrepreneurship category of the Florida Council for Economics 2009 Governor’s Awards, presented for excellence in teaching economics.

For more than 25 years, the council has recognized Flor-

ida educators for their innovation and creativity in teaching economics, free enterprise and financial literacy by integrating them into everyday coursework. In Caceres-Santamaria’s class, students placed themselves in the roles of innovative entrepreneurs, created a new good or service (or improved on an existing one), conducted market research, created advertising and developed a marketing plan, and considering both costs and profits, formulated a business plan for selling the product.

BINKS STUDENTS SUPPORT TROOPS

The Binks Forest Elementary School Student Council sponsored a “Forgotten Soldiers” drive that lasted two weeks and filled two truckloads with a variety of items including peanut butter, cereal bars, razors, sunscreen and magazines. The items were delivered on Friday, May 15. “The staff at Binks Forest Elementary is thrilled with the kindness of our students and parents,” Media Specialist Sharon Wedgworth said. Pictured above are the student council members with council sponsor Lisa Gifford.

Art students from Panther Run Elementary School entered this year’s Jr. Duck Stamp Contest sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The winning artwork will be on display at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel, Fla. until October. An award ceremony will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24. Shown above are the students who entered the contest: (front row, L-R) Madison Root, Matthew George, Katharina Quijada, Nooc-Han Tran, Julianne Dragunat, Sydney Brooks, Joy Sohn and Megan Miller; (back row) Susan Monisera, Alexa Azzinaro, Victoria Garcia-Pech, Abigail Kerner, JeanPierre Cuestas, Paige Arneson, Julian Adesso, Brett Costanza, Sophia Beaubien and Shianne Duplantis.

The SRHS “Baker’s Dozen.”

Western communities residents Matt Hanley and Zach Moustafa recently ran for sophomore co-vice presidents at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts. On election day, big brothers and last year’s alumni Chris Hanley and Zaki Moustafa were campaigning for them along with little sister Lauren Hanley, who attends H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach. Hanley and Moustafa won the election. They are pictured above with their siblings.

ROYAL MANOR NURSING HOME IN ROYAL PALM HOSTS HEALTH FAIR

The Royal Manor nursing home in Royal Palm Beach hosted a health fair last Thursday as part of National Nursing Home Week. The purpose of the fair was to acquaint the community with the services the home provides as well as to meet the vendors they do business with. For more information about Royal Manor, call (561) 798-3700.

Canova Participates In Yale Day Of Service

Wellington resident, physician and WJTW 100.3 FM radio host Dr. Andres Canova participated in the worldwide Yale Day of Service on Saturday, May 16 at the Quantum House in West Palm Beach. The annual event is held worldwide and is a time when Yale alumni give back to the communities where they live and work. May 16 collectively embodies Yale’s tradition of service to others. Service took place at all 50 states and locations around the world.

Canova took on the role of “Chef for a Day” at the Quantum House. The Quantum House is a unique facility adjacent to St. Mary’s Medi-

cal Center. It provides temporary lodging and emotional support to parents and families who have children with a critical illness. The Chef for a Day program enables members of the community to come in and “host a meal” for families under stress.

“It was a natural choice for me, on my Yale Day of Service, to work at the Quantum House,” Canova said. “They provide a real and necessary service to the community. I am pleased to serve in any way I can.”

Canova, a partner in Jupiter Hematology Oncology of Jupiter, also serves the community weekly with a local radio show, Leaders in Med-

icine , heard Friday afternoons from 3 to 4 p.m. on WJTW. For more info., visit www.jupiterhematology oncology.com and click the

“Humanities in Medicine” link. More information about Yale programs can be found at www.yalealumni.com.

Local DAR Chapter Installs New Officers

The Spirit of Liberty Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution installed new chapter officers during a meeting on May 9. The ladies were sworn in by State Officer Donna Cullen. In keeping with the conservation theme, outgoing chapter regent and newly elected State Officer Anneliese Mouring presented each newly elected officer with a live plant. Virginia Davis, the new chapter regent, is a longtime DAR member and a senior officer for the Children

of the American Revolution Chief Tiger Tail Society. She is actively involved in the community and enjoys working with children.

Talia Fradkin, a fifth grader at Binks Forest Elementary School, received an award for writing Florida themed book reviews for the Orange Blossom, the state newsletter for the Children of the American Revolution. Talia is an active member and vice president of the Chief Tiger Tail Society of the Children of the American Revolution.

Four Wellington residents recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University.

The students and their degrees are as follows: Alexander Luis Perez, who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Professional Studies; Lisa Marie Stella, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the College of Professional Studies; Kimberly Pearl Sokoloff, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the College of Health Professions; and Lindsay Marie Bergquist, who graduated with a master of science degree from the College of Professional Studies.

Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va., recently announced that Faith Corsaro of Wellington was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester.

The dean’s list recognizes the superior academic performance of students who maintained an overall grade point average of 3.7 or greater on a four-point scale.

WHO’S NEW

William Frank Lawrence — son of Susie and Willie Lawrence of Belle Glade was born at Palms West Hospital on May 1. Makayla Josephine — daughter of Angie and Maury Nunez of Loxahatchee was born at Palms West Hospital on May 1. Deon Alvin Williams — son of Damasha Brown and Leon Williams of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on May 1. Kian Pierce Schmitt — son of Erika Lynn Schmitt of Lake Worth was born at

Palms West Hospital on May 1. Carter Dean Wright — son of Karensa and Earle Wright of Loxahatchee was born at Palms West Hospital on May 15. Camille Elizabeth Hudson — daughter of Amy and Eric Hudson of Royal Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on May 15. Amanda Sofia Delgado — daughter of Daymi Quinyana and Juan Delgado of Belle Glade was born at Palms West Hospital on May 15.

Day Of Service — Dr. Andres Canova with Quantum House residents Angela West and Donna Russ.

Virginia Davis and Anneliese Mouring.

Talia Fradkin and Anneliese Mouring.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Mederi Caretenders representatives Jake Miranda and Heather Hendrix.Oasis Home Care Client Services

Director Sacia Forbes. Vitas Innovative Hospice Care’s Tina Anderson and Royal Manor Administrator Grace Achille.

Scout Pack 120 Attends Meg-O-Ree Show

Royal Palm Beach’s Cub Scout Pack 120 traveled to St. Lucie County on May 8 to attend the annual Meg-o-Ree show. Campers included Carl Mohr, Cameron Whalen, Christopher Rice and Joshua Minear, among others.

The night was casual, with rodeo entertainment and time to explore the area. The scouts built a zip-line out of large tree logs and rope lashings, and a bamboo gateway for the central Ring of Flags.

Saturday morning started with a traditional flag parade ceremony, with Joshua Minear presenting the Pack 120 flag. The pack’s Carnival Games activity booth was very popular, decorated with colorful circus images the Webelos designed. It included Nerf dart target shooting,

Connor Elder’s fishing competition, Sheridan and Bennett Aikey’s beanbag toss and Cameron Whalen’s golf ball putting event.

Several scouts arrived to spend the day on Saturday, including Tristan Onofry and Randy Savastano. Pack 120 received one of the “Best Scout Booth” awards. Other activities included a climbing wall, long-range balloon catapults, air rockets, dunk tanks, climbing into U.S. Army tanks and jeeps, Busch wildlife demonstrations, Council Pinewood Derby and sailboat regattas. More than 1,000 scouts enjoyed the Big Show on Saturday night, which included the Hitchiti Dancers, and ended with a WW II reenactment of U.S. soldiers storming a building. Christopher

Sherriffe Completes Air Force Training

Air Force Airman Shamal A. Sherriffe has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Sherriffe completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Sherriffe is the son of Lyndon and Stephon Sherriffe of Loxahatchee. He is a 2008 graduate of the G-Star School of the Arts in West Palm Beach.

Brian Deem Finishes Navy Program

Navy Seaman Recruit Brian Deem, son of Sabrina and Timothy Deem of Wellington, recently completed an eight-week program, which included a variety of skill training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. Training included naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety, survival, physical fitness and shipboard/aircraft safety. Deem was promoted to squad leader and

mail petty officer and graduated as an E-2 seaman. He is now stationed at Fort Meade, Md., where he will continue his training in mass communications.

Steven Smith

Promoted

Steven J. Smith has been promoted to the rank of private PV2 in the U.S. Army National Guard. Smith, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. He is the son of Kevin J. Smith of Royal Palm Beach and Mandee Nelson of Jacksonville. He is a 2002 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.

Laura Seaman Graduates From Wooster

Wellington resident Laura Seaman, a graduate of the Benjamin School, received a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Wooster during commencement exercises on May 11. While at Wooster, the studio art major received the George Olson Prize in art. The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college located in Ohio. It is

nationally recognized for an innovative curriculum that emphasizes mentored, independent research.

Established in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 1,800 students. For more info., visit www.wooster.edu.

Patrick Roy Completes Navy Basic

Navy Seaman Recruit Patrick L. Roy, son of Elvire and Jean Patrick Roy of Loxahatchee, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Roy completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. Its distinctly “Navy” flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor. Roy is a 2008 graduate of Seminole Ridge High School.

For more info., call (561) 795-6292. Pictured above are: (L-R) Analeigh Casto, Will Everest, Jack Zazee, Amelia Kepler, Brandon Neal, Gordon Polson, Sarah Smith and Zachary Fix. Not pictured: Steven Jones, Jeffrey Rodriguez, Neil Stitt and Matthew Smundin.

Rice and Joshua Minear explore a tank.

Shamal A. Sherriffe

Brian Deem

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, May 23

• The Wellington Art Society will present “Hot Art… Cool Place,” a free indoor fine art and craft exhibit and sale celebrating all things spring on Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). More than 30 artists will be showcasing their work. For more information, call Jean Talbott at (561) 963-9755, Linda Rovolis at (561) 753-7840 or Adrianne Hetherington at (561) 784-7561 or visit www. wellingtonartsociety.org.

Sunday, May 24

• Join the Florida Trail Association for a walk in Palm Beach County’s Yamato Scrub Natural Area on Sunday, May 24. Yamato Scrub Natural Area is located in northern Boca Raton near I95. Participants will meet in the parking lot at 7:30 a.m. For more info., call Alan at (561) 586-0486.

• The Puerto Rican Organization for Cultural Enhancement and Reaffirmation (PROCER) will hold a friendship meeting on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Players Club restaurant (13410 South Shore Blvd., Wellington). Admission is free with a complimentary drink and hors d’oeuvres. Meet the board of directors, members and sponsors and learn about the organization’s goals. For more info., call PROCER at (561) 439-5631.

Monday, May 25

• The Village of Wellington will honor all veterans at a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25. The Memorial Day Parade will begin at the Wellington Community Center at 8:45 a.m. and end at the Veterans Memorial located on the corner of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m.

• The Village of Royal Palm Beach will hold its annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 25 at 9 a.m. in Veterans Park. The morning ceremony will feature the honor guard from American Legion Post 367, members of the Jewish War Veterans Post 684, a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Jessica Stiles, the Pledge of Allegiance by Tyler Retzler and the Royal Palm Beach Early Childhood Activity Program participants, Boy Scout Troop 111, Brownie Troop 515 and various local dignitaries. For more info., call (561) 790-5149.

Tuesday, May 26

• The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center. For more info., call (561) 791-4000.

Wednesday, May 27

stroll on the Green Cay Wetlands Boardwalk on Sunday, May 31. This is as leisurely as you can get, with plenty of time to view the wetland environment. Meet at the entrance to Green Cay wetlands on Hagen Ranch Road at 7 a.m. For more info., call Sherry at (561) 963-9906.

• South East Rods & Customs and Cars of Dreams Museum will present a Car Show to benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County on Sunday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cars of Dreams Museum (133 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach). The car show will be free to the public. Car entry fee will be $15 pre-entry and $20 the day of the show. For more info., call (561) 7533279 or visit www.serodsn customs.com or www.carsof dreams.com. • The Village of Wellington and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce will kick off the summer with a Block Party at the Wellington Community Center on Sunday, May 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. Enjoy free pool admission all day, come out and get to know your neighbors, and learn about local restaurants, businesses and services while enjoying familyfriendly entertainment. For vendor information, call Nicole Evangelista at (561) 791-4733 or e-mail at nicolee@ci.wellington.fl.us.

Monday, June 1 • Norwalk Furniture (2515 State Road 7, Wellington) will present “An Evening of Fine Art” featuring artwork by Karen Knight on Monday, June 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Food will be provided by deVine Bistro & Bar. Admission is a $10 donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For more info., call (561) 422-9901.

Tuesday, June 2

• The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council will meet on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District office (101 West D Road, Loxahatchee Groves). Call (561) 793-2418 for more info.

Wednesday, June 3 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Famous Authors Live: James Grippando” on Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. for adults. Meet this best-selling author, chat, ask questions and get the scoop on Grippando’s novel Born to Run. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 for more information.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold its VolunTeen Orientation on Wednesday, May 27 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 30 at 9 a.m. This is a mandatory meeting for students ages 12-18 interested in volunteering during the summer. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Thursday, May 28

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold a “Battle of the Books” informational meeting for parents and participants on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. Interested book lovers entering grades six, seven or eight will need to read three books over the summer and then participate in a trivia competition. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The next meeting of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will be on Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd.). The meeting will include a speaker from the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office as well as a Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors candidates forum. For more info., call Marge Herzog at (561) 818-9114.

Friday, May 29

• The American Cancer Society will hold its Diamond Derby Gala on Friday, May 29 at the Breakers West Country Club (1550 Flagler Parkway, West Palm Beach). Tickets cost $125 each. Sponsorships are available. Call (561) 6500136 for more info.

Sunday, May 31

• The Florida Trail Association will hold a leisurely

• No Doubt and Paramore will perform at the Cruzan Amphitheatre (6017 Sansbury’s Way) on Wednesday, June 3 at 8 p.m. Lawn and reserved seating is available. Call (561) 795-8883 or visit www.livenation.com for more info.

Thursday, June 4

• The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will meet on Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall (1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). Call (561) 790-5100 or visit www.royalpalmbeach.com for more info.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s 12th Annual Taste of the West & Chocolate Lovers Festival will be held at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) on Thursday, June 4 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. This family fun event features musical entertainment, celebrity chef appearances, cooking and pie eating contests, delectable chocolate samplings and more. General admission is $12; children under five will be admitted free. Call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com for more info. Friday, June 5

• The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will be held at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 7. Known as one of Florida’s biggest and best antique shows, the festival attracts dealers from all over the country who sell a vast array of antiques, collectibles and decorative accessories. Call (561) 640-3433 or visit www.festivalofantiques. com for more info. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier.com.

David Glickman To Intern At Wellington Chamber Of Commerce

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce recently announced that David Glickman will work as this year’s summer intern. Glickman will be instrumental in implementation of summer chamber events, working on subcommittees and community outreach.

Glickman is a fourth-year student at the University of Florida, studying political science and urban planning. Glickman’s family moved to Wellington in 1995, and he looks forward to playing a role this summer in improving the community he grew up in. Glickman hopes to learn how local businesses and local government interact with each other, with the possibility of seeking a future career in government. He is currently looking to apply to graduate schools.

“David will be an exceptional addition to our team,”

Executive Director Michela Perillo-Green said. “His talents, coupled with his dedication to our community, will no doubt make David a future Wellington business leader or even governmental leader, and we are so excited to have him with us.”

For more information about the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, or intern opportunities, call (561) 7926525.

Palms West Chamber’s Annual Taste Of The West Returns June 4

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce and Royal Palm Toyota will present the 12th Annual Taste of the West & Chocolate Lovers’ Festival on Thursday, June 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The Taste of the West & Chocolate Lovers’ Festival has become the western communities’ premier food-tasting event and business expo. Hundreds of people from all over the county visit this fun community festival to savor delicious food and engage in chocolate tasting from an array of local restaurants, caterers and country clubs. They can also watch the cooking demonstrations and competitions by student chefs from the Florida Culinary Institute and a fun-filled celebrity chocolate pie-eating contest.

This is all done while enjoying music and entertainment throughout the evening.

The Kids Cooking Corner has been added this year. Sponsored by Whole Foods Market, kids will wallow in chocolate as they learn how to make a yummy chocolate dessert with Dianne Morin of Marroc Cooking for Kids. They can also learn about “the science of chocolate” from the South Florida Science Museum. Parents must pre-register their children for this activity by visiting www.palmswest.com and clicking the event icon, or by calling the chamber office.

Tickets cost $10 in advance and are available online at www.palmswest.com until Wednesday, June 3. Tickets cost $12 at the door. Children five and under are admitted free. For more information, call (561) 790-6200.

PALMS WEST HOSPITAL

Cindy

Rebecca

South Florida Fair Elects Officers For 2009-10

At its recent annual organizational meeting, the South Florida Fair elected officers, trustees and directors to serve the 2009-10 term.

C. David Goodlett was reelected chair, along with Vice Chair Robert Broadway. Craig K. Elmore was named treasurer, Jonathan “Jack” Frost was named secretary and Richard J. Vymlatil was named president. Elected to the South Florida Fair’s Board of Trustees were Pamela E. Adams, William E. Bowman Jr., Robert Broadway, Michael W. Bubis, H. Michael Burkhardt, Sam L. Ellington, Craig K. Elmore, Jonathan “Jack” Frost, C. David Goodlett, Dennis Grady, Daniel P. Hrabko, Robert J. Jarriel Sr, Herbert F. Kahlert, William

E. Pruitt, Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria (ex officio), Charles “Chuck” Syrfrett, Robert J. Underbrink and County Administrator Robert Weisman. A total of 58 directors also serve the fair.

The South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions Inc. is a private, not-forprofit organization. It annually produces the South Florida Fair each January, Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest outdoor event.

The South Florida Fairgrounds is home to the Americraft Expo Center, the Cruzan Amphitheatre, the Fair Agriplex and historic Yesteryear Village.

For more information, call (561) 793-0333 or visit www. southfloridafair.com.

ABWA Hosts Annual Fashion Show And Luncheon

The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will host its 13th annual fashion show and luncheon on Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the PGA Doubletree Hotel in Palm Beach Gardens. The cost is $40 and it is open to the public.

Fashions will be provided by Harbor Clothing Boutique. Proceeds from the event will help to support member education and scholarships. Come and see the fashions and take a chance to win some of the door prizes from area businesses. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for fabulous items

such as a set of tires, fitness center memberships, hotel stays, gift baskets and more. For tickets or more information, call Janice Kuhns at (561) 281-0468. The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professional through leadership, education, networking, support and national recognition. For more information on the American Business Women’s Association, call Chapter President Marianne Kohlmer at (561) 741-4912.

David Glickman

Palms West Hospital celebrated National Nurse’s Week May 3-9 with many fun activities, events and recognition for its nursing staff. Among the many events were a luau and awards ceremony in which the nurses of the units and nurses of the year were announced. The winners were selected by votes from their peers. (Above left) Nurse of the Year Brenda Bell-Smith with Chief Nursing Officer Silvia Stradi and CEO Bland Eng. (Above right) Nurses show off their recognition awards after the luau (front row, L-R): Tiffany Deckard, Debbie Ladd, Pam Bialczak and Cindy Stowers; (back row) Stradi,

McVey, Pat Simon, Brenda Bell-Smith, Terrilynn Wilsey, Katrina Germain, Joe Debiase,

Riche, Sandy LaFoy and Eng.

South Florida Fair Officers — (L-R) President/CEO Richard J. Vymlatil, Secretary Jonathan “Jack” Frost, Chair C. David Goodlett, Treasurer Craig K. Elmore and Vice Chair Robert Broadway.

Legion Post 390 Begins Summer Baseball

On Saturday, May 9, Wellington’s new Post 390 started a new beginning for American Legion baseball. The post’s first game was a success as Wellington 390 won the game vs. Post 367 of Seminole Ridge 4-3.

The 17-U team, which draws primarily Wellington players in their mapped-out region, has used Post 258 of Greenacres for many years for their team sponsorship number. But through the efforts of Region Commander David Knapp and many others needed to form the new local post, it became a reality. Post 390 Head Coach Brice Miller of Wellington is excited about finally having the new post. “We appreciate very much what the fine post at Greenacres has done for our teams through the years,”

he said. “But now we have a post we can truly call home.”

Post 390 has a set season schedule that plays against other Palm Beach County posts and will also host a Memorial Weekend tournament scheduled May 21-24 at Wellington High School. The third annual Fred Lippner American Legion Tournament will again have the American Legion Riders attending, Knapp speaking and a host of dignitaries and some special guests during the Saturday, May 23 ceremonies, which will begin at 1:30 p.m.

“American Legion baseball is the oldest and one of the most successful organizations in our country’s sports history,” Miller said. “These young men are a part of something special and also play very competitive baseball at the same time.”

Wellington’s Makkos Wins BMX State Plate

Eight-year-old Niko Makkos of Wellington took home the number-one state plate for BMX at the Sarasota Championship last weekend.

Makkos has played both soccer and baseball locally, but it was an instant attraction when he discovered the Okeeheelee BMX track. After months of practice and traveling to four state qualifiers, Makkos was in second place by 11 points going into the final race. Makkos needed to win every moto and his main race at Sarasota to get the number-one state plate. Five races later, he had won his three motos and then had to race both a qualifier and a semi race to get to the main — not an easy task for a kid who had been diagnosed with bronchitis four days earlier. Makkos finally met his competition in the main and was in third place for most of the championship race, saving everything he had until the last strait. In an unbelievable last few seconds, Makkos made his charge and stole the lead, cutting in tight on the last turn and crossing the finish line in front by less than a bike length. His Force Team friends, including 15-yearold BMX expert Angelo Cor-

rado and his mentor local Okeeheelee pro Eric Soletzki, surrounded him at the finish line cheering and threw him into the air. It was an amazing, hard-fought fight for first. Makkos is now the number-one BMX eightyear-old rookie in the State of Florida.

Makkos was born with a rare medical condition. He was immediately airlifted to a NICU and spent the first year of his life in and out of Dupont Children’s Hospital in Delaware. His parents were cautioned that he would have physical limitations and sports would be a challenge. Thankfully, Makkos never got that memo. Today he is a happy, healthy third-grade student attending Binks Forest Elementary School. Makkos has raw natural talent combined with an attitude that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to if he wants it bad enough. His medical condition will always be a carefully monitored part of his life, but certainly not a limitation. With the nickname of the “Energizer Bunny” proudly embroidered on the back of his Force Team jersey, Makkos will just keep going and going.

Wellington Christian Baseball Season Ends

The Wellington Christian School Eagles baseball team concluded their season with a 5-4 district semifinal playoff loss to Community Christian School. Bryan Clark put the Eagles ahead in the sixth inning with a clutch two-out double to drive in two runs. The Eagles were sitting on a 4-3 lead until the seventh inning when a walk, infield error and pop-up single led to the loss. The team defeated Community Christian twice this year with scores of 4-1 and 3-1. The 2009 season was perceived to be a retooling year after losing 11 out of 15 players from the 2008 roster. Wellington surprised their fans with another winning

season as they finished with a 17-5 record. Moving forward, the expectation could be high for the 2010 season, as the Eagles will only lose three players — Clark, Kevin Goff and Robert Giarla — to graduation.

Clark transferred to WCS this year from Palm Beach Central High School and provided immediate pop in the middle of the lineup while producing several clutch hits for the Eagles. Clark’s final batting average was .500 while leading Palm Beach County with 41 runs batted in. He will attend Northwood University, trying out for first and third base.

Goff was a six-year varsity player for WCS and this

year had the highest batting average in Palm Beach County at .600. He also held a pitching record of 8-2 with an earned runs average (ERA) of 1.00. Goff will be attending college in Pennsylvania where he will be given the opportunity of playing first base and pitching.

Giarla joined the team late after finishing basketball season, but handled his position at centerfield well. Giarla will attend Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he will play shooting guard for the basketball team.

“Wins and losses are nice, but the biggest thing we take pride in at Wellington Christian School is sending our players off to college,” WCS

Coach Mike Drahos said. “If a player comes to our school interested in taking his game to the next level, we are going to help him find a place to play provided he has done his share academically and on the field.”

Last year, six players graduated from the team and headed to college. The success of the 2010 season will rest on pitcher Dan Roselli’s shoulders. Roselli’s junior year was a success, finishing with a 7-3 record, 1.05 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Dartmouth College have already approached him, but interest has also been shown by Florida colleges.

Heath Evans Foundation Tournament June 20

Perennial football powerhouse Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Daytona Seabreeze, Ely and Park Vista are among the final teams who have accepted an invitation to play in the Fourth Annual Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7 Championship. Joining them will be top small schools Glades Day, Benjamin, the King’s Academy and Cardinal Newman. The invitation-only, 16team tournament that benefits the Heath Evans Foundation is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 at 9 a.m. at the King’s Academy in West Palm Beach. Teams who have previously accepted invitations to participate are two-time Class 1B state champion Jupiter Christian, Glades Central, Class 2A finalist Miami Gulliver Prep, Dwyer, Miramar, Boyd Anderson, Naples and Daytona Mainland. Evans, who signed with the New Orleans Saints in the off-season and is about to enter his ninth NFL campaign, is looking forward to this year’s event. He has also invited several NFL players, including Randy Moss, Vince Wilfork and Matt Cassel, to attend the

event and interact with the high school players.

“I started this tournament because I wanted to bring something back to Palm Beach County while raising awareness and money for my foundation,” said Evans, who graduated from the King’s Academy and attended Auburn University. “We expanded the tournament to include schools from around the state. This event gives the kids an opportunity to hear from NFL players about the integrity, discipline and character that are needed to help them reach the next level.”

The tournament is open to

the public. Tickets are $5 person and available at the gate. The King’s Academy is located at 8401 Belvedere Road, approximately one mile east of State Road 7. Proceeds will benefit the not-for-profit Heath Evans Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering hope and healing in the lives of children and families affected by sexual abuse. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Heath Evans Foundation President Glenn Martin at (561) 282-6345 or by e-mail at glenn.martin@ heathevans.org.

PBC Sports Commission Wins Web Site Award

The National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) recently recognized the Palm Beach County Sports Commission with the 2009 Outstanding Web Site of the Year Award during its recent NASC Sports Event Symposium. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission won against six other nominees out of over 500 NASC members. Submissions are required to have a web site that clearly communicates the organization’s mission, goals and objectives. The web site must market the community as a sports destination, be used to

solicit corporate sponsorship or membership, or inform others about the organization. In the spring of 2008, thenpresident Don Dufresne said it was his goal to rebrand the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. “My objective for the web site was to make it the portal to all sports in Palm Beach County,” said Dufrense, a Wellington resident. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission then developed a strong descriptive summary of the commission’s activities and accomplishments. That set the platform for branding, graphics

and web site design. A new brand identity arose, drawing inspiration from elements found in Palm Beach County: blue skies, palm fronds, blue water, bright sunshine, golden sand beaches, sun and a ball representative of sports.

Also, to convey the commission’s primary business, sports destination marketing, a new slogan was created: “just bring your game.”

The site is also designed to allow local recreation leagues and organizations to post their schedules and events on the web site, with the intent to create one central searchable database of all sports

Justin “J.J.” Falk, a senior at Seminole Ridge High School in Loxahatchee, has agreed and been accepted to play football in the NCAA as a kicker for Averett University in Virginia. Averett competes in the USA South Athletic Conference and was the 2006 champion. Falk, a four-year football and soccer player at SRHS, was recruited in February. As a Hawk, he had a 77-point scoring record his past two years as the varsity kicker and holds the current field goal record of 42 yards. At Averett, Falk will study sociology/criminal justice and minor in coaching. He trains with Tony Bugja of One on One Kicking in Wellington. Pictured above are (seated) Roberta, J.J. and Artie Falk; (standing) Coach Justin Hilliker, Athletic Director Scott Parks, Principal Dr. Lynne McGee and Head Coach Matt Dickmann.

activities in Palm Beach County. This is the genesis of the portal concept. Along with the interactive search feature, the web site has enhanced the grants, membership and events programs by allowing online access to applications, ticket sales, etc.

“Winning this award is a testament to the hard work and long hours attributable to the entire team involved in the development of the web site,” Palm Beach County Sports Commission Executive Director Gerry Baron said. “I encourage everyone to take a look at www. palmbeachsports.com.”

The Wellington Roller Hockey League’s Player of the Week is eight-year-old Ryan Inguanta, who plays defense for the Training Division’s Sharks. His jersey number is 30, and he shoots right.

When he is not on the rink, Inguanta loves to collect sports memorabilia, eat chicken wings and play his favorite video game, “Call of Duty.” His favorite hockey team is the Florida Panthers, and his favorite hockey player is Wayne Gretzky.

Inguanta is a first-year player and has shown tremendous improvement over the course of the short season. His skating and puck-handling skills have developed at an incredible rate. Inguanta is easily the most improved player in the league. His defensive play is his biggest attribute to his team, and he is well liked by his teammates and a pleasure to coach. The Wellington Roller Hockey League’s upcoming season will begin in November and end the following April. For more information, call Wally at (561) 252-5478. Ryan Inguanta

Second grader Ashley Cozad has been swimming with the Wellington Swim Team for more than two and a half years. Although she is only seven, her hard work and dedication has paid off tremendously in the pool. Cozad swam at the St. Andrews swim meet and placed well in her events. She recently earned a B time in her 100freestyle while swimming in a long course meet in Jupiter. Cozad is a competitive swimmer who enjoys the thrill of winning. Her goal is to one day qualify for the Junior Olympics. Cozad’s work ethic and talent will indeed allow her to reach her goal in the future. Besides swimming, Cozad

The Royal Palm Beach High School boys basketball team has some exciting upcoming events for young people interested in improving their skill level. On Saturday, May 30, the program will be holding an offensive skills clinic at the RPBHS gymnasium. The clinic will feature drills to enhance individual skills, as well as instruction on playing in game situations.

The cost of the clinic is $20. Call Coach Drew Quinn at (561) 398-8341 for more details. Athletes in kindergarten through the fourth grade will meet between 9 and 11:30 a.m., followed by grades five through eight from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Quinn will also be running

Cozad enjoys being a kid. She loves the beach, long bike rides and all other outdoor activities. She swims every day and hardly misses a practice. Cozad excels

the summer basketball camps for Royal Palm Beach Recreation. The camp will feature individual drills, a five-onfive league and tournament, three-on-three league and tournament, one-on-one champ, and shooting competition. The camp will teach the basics of the game as well as offer the more advanced player an opportunity to match up against good competition. The cost of the camp is $75 for residents and $90 for non-residents.

Session I will take place June 8-12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. Session II will be held July 20-23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at RPBHS. Call the recreation center at (561) 790-5124 to sign up.

Post 390 — (Front row, L-R) Manny Cabrerra, Brian Wallace, Kyle Perkins, Brandyn Rojas and Brandon Swass; (second row) James Lovett, Alex Maxon, Clint Knoblauch, Peter Rivera, Matt Passiggiata, Richard Glazer and Trent Bellemy; (third row) Assistant Coach Arie Rojas, Jordan Feick, J.P. Passiggiata, Sean Ryan, Jessie Obregon, Cory Ayers, Bradley Miller and Head Coach Brice Miller. Not pictured: assistant coach Nelson Obregon and team organizer Lorrie Miller.

Ashley

Wellington BMX racer Niko Makkos with his trophy.

Are You (And Your Horses) Prepared For A Disaster?

Let’s say you bring your horse in from the pasture and there’s a horseshoe-sized swelling on its knee. Or a chunk of skin missing from its flank. Or he’s starting to exhibit signs of colic. Or maybe Hurricane Chaos, a Category 3 storm, is bearing down on your farm. Are you ready? Do you know what to do?

These are exactly the types of scenarios that will be addressed by Ron Seibly on Sunday, June 7. He’ll be holding a clinic on equine first aid and hurricane preparedness at Red

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

Fences Farm on D Road in Loxahatchee Groves from 1 to 3 p.m.

Seibly has been involved with horses all his life. He ran a stable in Massachusetts for 17 years and then moved to South Florida in 2002. He has a bachelor’s degree in animal science and has also been involved with pony clubs. He presented a similar clinic in May 2008 that was well received.

“This clinic is geared toward anyone who’s interested in knowing about how to help horses who may be in trouble, or for horse owners who want to be ready to handle a crisis,” Seibly said. “It has a lot of must-know information for novice horse owners, and is also a great way for more experienced horse people to review what they should know.”

The first half of the clinic will deal with basic first aid. It includes being able to recognize the normal signs of a healthy horse, such as an alert expression, a glossy coat, appro-

priate weight, an even gait and moist droppings. Some of the common ailments discussed include colic, minor and severe wounds, infection and swellings.

Seibly goes over ways to clean and bandage wounds, what to do (and not do) until the vet gets there, and how to take vital signs, including pulse, temperature and respiration. The clinic will also have hands-on demonstrations so participants can practice checking a horse’s respiration and pulse.

“Three places where you can take a horse’s pulse are behind the knee joint, below the jawbone and behind the eye,” Seibly said. “Behind the eye’s the easiest. If you can feel a pulse in the pastern, above the back of the horse’s hoof, then you have a bad problem and should call a vet immediately.”

Seibly goes over the items that should be included in a first aid kit, such as bandages, antibiotic ointments, medications, a thermometer and emergency phone numbers.

The second part of the clinic deals with hurricane preparedness: something we don’t really want to deal with, but should always be thinking about, especially now that hurricane season is upon us once more.

Seibly discusses how to assess the stormworthiness of your barn and how to create a personal plan for taking care of your horse in the event of a storm.

“You need to have thought out having a week’s worth of feed, hay and water on hand,” Seibly said. “You need containers for all of them that will protect them from the elements. Your plan should also include who’s responsible for doing what, when it all gets done, and how and where you’ll move your horse if you have to evacuate. There’s a lot to think about, and having a plan in place is a real necessity.”

Another thing to think about now is getting ready to attach some form of ID to your horse, in case it gets loose in a storm. Some good ideas are using livestock spray to paint your phone number on its side, attaching an information card in a waterproof baggie to its halter, or braiding a luggage tag into its tail.

The time to think about what you’ll do in case of a disaster is now, when you’re clearheaded and have the time to get ready. If you’ve waited until the storm’s already made landfall, or your horse is rolling around and collicking, it is too late.

“It’s a lot easier and safer for you and your horse to get prepared now,” Seibly said. “Having everything thought out and having a written plan handy relieves a lot of stress and can even save lives.”

The cost of the clinic is $15. To sign up, call Seibly at (561) 547-7083 or Red Fences Farm at (561) 333-3018.

ROTARY CLUBS HOST JOINT ‘POKER FOR POLIO’ TOURNAMENT

The Rotary clubs of Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Acreage/ Loxahatchee, Belle Glade and Pahokee came together last Friday for the Poker for Polio Charity Tournament at the Links at Madison Green. The event featured a cash bar, hors d’oeurves, live and silent auction items, and a lot of poker-playing. An awards ceremony took place as well. Terri Wescott was named Rotarian of the Year. Proceeds were pledged to Rotary International and have been marked for a matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

WELLINGTON HIGH HOLDS AWARDS EVENING

Wellington High School seniors were recognized last Thursday during the school’s annual awards ceremony in the media center. Students who excelled in a number of areas were recognized.

Susan Cooperman.

Services At

Wellington’s B’nai Jacob

Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington invites everyone to enjoy a wonderful night of prayer and learning on Thursday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Shavu’ot commemorates the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. It is customary to stay up the entire first night of Shavu’ot and study Torah as well as to eat a dairy meal during the festival. Services begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a cheesecake dessert and classes such as “Jewish Viewpoints of Messianism,” taught in four parts by Rabbi David J. Abrams, Rabbi Nason Goldstein, Cantor Jacob Ephron and Jack Menkow.

Temple B’nai Jacob is Wellington’s conservative Jewish congregation — a dynamic, diverse religious community committed to traditional Judaism as interpreted by the Conservative Movement — and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Following the recent merger of B’nai Avraham and Temple B’nai Jacob of Palm Springs, the newly formed Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington is located in the original Wellington Mall at (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6). Plans are in progress

to secure land in Wellington for a permanent temple structure. For more information or directions, call the Temple office at (561) 793-4347 or e-mail info@templebnai jacob.com.

Free Hurricane Preparedness Seminar

The next hurricane is coming someday, whether it is this season or beyond. What can you do to get ready for it?

At 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, local hurricane preparedness expert John Klemas will lead a seminar providing guidance concerning what you can do to be ready for a future hurricane Jeanne or Wilma. The seminar is free and open to all interested parties. It will be conducted at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Wellington at 990 Big Blue Trace (on the northeast corner of Big Blue and Wellington traces).

For more information about the seminar, call Colin Baenziger at (561) 707-3537.

Live Concert

At Royal Palm Veterans Park

The Village of Royal Palm Beach will host its

monthly Community Concert Series on Monday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Park (corner of Sparrow Drive and Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). Derrick Hadley and the Motowners will be the evening’s entertainment. For more information, call (561) 7905196.

Outdoor Concert In Wellington

The Wellington Parks & Recreation Department will continue its Outdoor Concert Series on Saturday, June 13 with Rumour Hazit, a local band that plays a diverse mix of classic and modern rock songs. It is the second concert of the series and will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on the front field of the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Admission and parking is free, and there will be food and refreshments available for purchase. Remember to bring a blanket or lawn chairs for your enjoyment. This great family event is sponsored by the Palm Beach Post For more information, call the Wellington Community Center at (561) 753-2484. For information or updates on other village services and programs, watch Channel 18 or visit www.ci.wellington. fl.us.

ITID

Pave 110th?

continued from page 2 said he had to get rid of his horses. “There’s no way they can survive,” he said. “My kids can’t play outside. My two dogs cough because of the dust.” Stevens said he has talked to law enforcement officers, who told him they couldn’t enforce the speed limit because there are no speed limits posted. “They are flying down to the other road instead of taking Persimmon,” he said. “It’s dangerous and a health concern.”

Carol Parker of 110th Avenue also asked for paving. “The dust is unbelievable; the kids and animals can’t take it anymore,” she said.

Supervisor Mike Erickson said the district should implement a traffic-calming program for all of The Acreage. “I’m frustrated,” he said. “I hear every one of you on 110th. It’s really good to have you come to a meeting.”

Erickson and Damone both commented that residents of 110th Avenue and Mango Blvd. had previously demanded that their roads remain unpaved.

“When it comes to traffic calming, we need to look at a complete, comprehensive program,” Erickson said. “One of the problems in the past with traffic had been that

DEMS MEET IN RPB

The Mid-County Democratic Club held its monthly meeting Monday at Tree’s Wings in Royal Palm Beach. The main speakers were State Rep. Mark Pafford and State Sen. Dave Aronberg, who talked about the legislative session. For more info., visit www.midcountydems.com.

the squeaky wheel gets the bumps.”

Erickson said calming measures on Persimmon and Orange Grove boulevards have proven effective, and speeders are now avoiding those roads. He said the county has given the district a half million dollars to continue traffic-calming measures in that area and added that he favors a four-way stop at 110th Avenue and Persimmon Blvd. Damone asked that staff come up with a plan to put barriers at the edges of canals by the traffic circles on Persimmon and Orange Grove boulevards. She pointed out that there is no lighting there and was concerned that someone trying to avoid the traffic circle would wind up in the canal. “If they are abiding the speed limit during the

day it’s OK, but at night, they can’t see the canal because it’s black,” she said.

Erickson said that network roads such as 110th Avenue and Mango Blvd. need to have milling bases, to be capped eventually with paving before the base is lost.

Erickson made a motion to direct staff to develop a plan to have millings applied on Mango and 110th Avenue and bring back a plan in 30 days to have it done with money in this year’s budget. Supervisor Carol Jacobs seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Damone suggested a workshop to analyze further traffic calming and paving in the area. She also wants to discuss the issue with county staff. “The county needs to be held responsible for some of this,” she said.

Blotter continued from page 1 a company from Palm Beach was parked in front of the home between 7 p.m. on Monday and 2:25 p.m. the following afternoon. When the driver of the vehicle returned, he discovered that one of the rear windows had been broken. Shattered glass was found on the dashboard. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. MAY 20 — Two men were arrested Wednesday for shoplifting at the Solstice Sunglasses Boutique in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, a deputy responded after one of the men, 20-year-old Taylor Kaiserman of Loxahatchee, was seen selecting three pairs of sunglasses valued at a total of $720. Kaiserman then handed one pair to 21-year-old Adam Unger of The Acreage. A store employee then observed Kaiserman and Unger exit the store without paying for the sunglasses. They were apprehended and charged with felony retail theft. Kaiserman and Unger were transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

Rotarians Roland Greenspan (The Acreage), Don Gross (Wellington), Scott Armand and Terri Wescott (RPB), Randy Pfeiffer (Wellington), Eric Gordon (RPB) and Royal York (Pahokee).

Terri Wescott and Betsy Owen.District Gov. Betsy Owen presents Scott Armand with an award.

Jasmine Velez wins a sizeable pot while fellow Rotarians look on.

Raffle winners Jon Taffer, Nicole Taffer and Don Gross.

A scene from last year’s clinic.

Senior Ashley Brasovan and Athletic Director Patti Fitzhugh.

Christopher Waldreck and

Principal Mario Crocetti recognizes Alex Brunner with the Principal’s Leadership Award.

Rep. Mark Pafford

State Sen. Dave Aronberg

Shamed Into Heeding The Lessons Of The Great Depression

It’s what history teachers always tell you: “you must study history so society’s mistakes aren’t repeated.” My question to them remains, “then how did we get World War Two?” Perhaps presidents and Congress aren’t required to study history.

So here we are again, with another economic depression. Good job, guys.

My parents suffered through the Great Depression (not the one we’re in now which may well be called the Not-So-Great Depression, or even the This Depression Sucks) and my siblings and I suffered the aftermath. We had to waste valuable hours of our precious free time (time when we weren’t studying history) to crush cans, bundle newspapers and cut up rags. We felt like we were growing up in the Great Depression, but it was just a trickle-down effect of “waste not, want not.”

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

In a way, it worked. I can’t say we ever wanted for anything. We had food and clothing and shelter and the annual family vacation to Alpha, Michigan where my grandma lived. Our needs were met. But, being kids, we still pined for things — our own rooms, doll clothes that were “storebought,” a whole stick of gum instead of a half. High on my brother’s wish list was a ten-speed bicycle,

and he got one — when he was 16. These days, a kid gets a car at that age. Still, I couldn’t wait to get out of the house and on my own so I could be in charge of my own finances. I wasn’t gone a month before I crammed a whole stick of gum into my mouth. You know what? That’s too much gum. I felt like a cow, chewing my cud. Plus I felt guilty. Was this the way I had been raised? As a glutton? No.

Probably the worst thing I did was to throw soda cans into the garbage. But when they brought those recycle bins out to the house, I dutifully recycled, muttering under my breath as to why I had to come home from work and do this when there were prisoners sitting around in jail with nothing to do. Let them do the county’s recycling. But that wouldn’t be safe. Some poor prisoner might accidentally

get poked with a dirty hypodermic needle, and we wouldn’t want that. Nonetheless, when the kids lived at home, I tried to set a good example. When they moved, however, I somehow lost a recycling bin and got lazy again. Soda cans were once again relegated to the trashcan in the kitchen. It wasn’t until the kids came back for a visit that I felt guilty — or rather, was made to feel guilty. “What the heck did you just do?!” my daughter screeched. “Did you just throw an aluminum can into the garbage?” My son stared down into the trash container and shook his head. “Don’t you recycle at all anymore?”

So I’m back at it — guiltily crushing cans, tying up newspapers and cutting Mark’s old T-shirts into rags. I have to. I don’t want World War III around here.

‘Angels & Demons’ And Flashy Bits Of Arcane Information

The problem with Angels & Demons is not that it is a bad movie. Actually, as adventure movies go, it is not bad. The Catholic Church is threatened and a huge number of people in Vatican City might be destroyed by antimatter. Of course, those who saw Star Trek last week know that antimatter is very valuable.

As Harvard professor Robert Langdon, Tom Hanks is properly wooden. Unlike most of his fellow warriors, he is cerebral and has no interest at all in the pretty physicist (Ayelet Zurer) who works with him. As a result, his flashy moments seem to be when he comes up with bits of arcane information. The film is one long chase as the symbolist that Hanks plays is drafted to save four cardinals, the men most likely to become the next pope as the old one has died, from horrible deaths. Most of the film involves driving rapidly through Rome, looking at ancient churches and finding bodies. It is reasonably gripping.

The real problem is that the movie’s pur-

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

pose is not the saving of the people but to denounce the repressive nature of the Roman Catholic Church. The most sympathetic character, the papal chamberlain Father Patrick McKenna (Ewen MacGregor), constantly discusses past practices by not only admitting to real flaws but creating them from scratch. And, somehow, stem cell research gets in the middle of discussions of ancient wrongs.

One key feature is forcing the Vatican to give up a paper by Galileo, the one where he wrote that the earth goes around the sun and

that planets follow elliptical orbits. Wow! Since Copernicus came out with the first idea well before Galileo was born, and Kepler came up with the second idea, who would really care now? But it is used as proof of repression.

Galileo’s trial by the Vatican on charges of heresy was far more complex than the movie presented it, as well. His accusers, two Jesuits, fathers Scheiner and Grassi, were both well-regarded astronomers and pretty well knew the facts, but Galileo had offended them and nearly everyone else, often with personal attacks. And some of his ideas were wrong. Not helping Galileo was the fact that although Pope Urban VIII was both interested in science and a friend, Galileo had alienated him by presenting the pope’s views in the mouth of a character, Simplicio (simpleton).

What does this have to do with the movie?

I always work on the notion that when the people who put out a movie do it primarily to

make an argument, in this one that the Catholic Church is now and has been for centuries blocking scientific progress by using terror, then it is the argument that must be examined as well as the action or lack of it.

And the argument holds no water. Until the final two or three minutes, the Catholic Church is presented as the enemy. But director Ron Howard does show some religious sensitivity. The kidnapper/assassin, a Muslim in Dan Brown’s book, is now a Christian.

The problem is that the director decided to focus too much on arguing against the church and too little about a real plot. I personally would have preferred more action and less propaganda. Of course, as an old history teacher, I admit I really hate when major arguments stem from incorrect facts.

It was a decent movie. I’ll avoid the DVD, although I might watch it some night on cable if I have insomnia. It is better than average, but that does not say much these days.

Social Security Is Going Bust? Wake Me Up If It Happens

Just as millions of us baby boomers are starting to come close to the end of our working days, Washington is telling us Social Security and Medicare are in big trouble. The feds are hinting that there may not be enough pie on the plate to cover the baby boomers in their so-called golden years.

Even though I hear this gloomy news blasting out of my TV and radio on what seems to be a daily basis, I am not concerned at all.

I have been paying into Social Security for the last 50 or so years. The government over the years (without my approval) has taken thousands of dollars out of my paychecks. I have also been paying a so-called Medicare tax since it showed up on my pay stub many years ago.

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

all, aren’t the senior citizens of this country just as important or maybe even more important than some banks, car companies and insurance companies?

Every person in this country who ever ran for public office is well aware that on Election Day the seniors come out in force. And if Social Security is allowed to go broke, the elected officeholders know who the seniors will and will not vote for.

go, my first Social Security check should be arriving in my mailbox in about four or five years. (I don’t believe in direct deposit, I want to feel that check in my hand.) At about the same time my first check is arriving, I plan on paying my doctor a visit to see how well socialized medicine works.

All the feds have to do is restart the printing press and print more greenbacks. After

Now the feds are telling me I may not be able to collect on my investment. (Maybe they should’ve let me and millions of other boomers invest the money on our own… No, not with Bernie.) Of course, I don’t believe the feds for a New York minute. Why, you ask, am I not concerned? Haven’t you been following the news since the last presidential election? Washington has been spending billions bailing out banks, auto companies and insurance companies. So do you think they will really let Social Security and Medicare fail? I don’t.

I don’t think any sitting elected rep in Washington is ready to sign his or her own death certificate. So in my opinion, you can take it to the bank that Social Security or Medicare will not die in my lifetime or yours. They will most probably still be around when our grandchildren are ready to collect their fair share of the benefits of Social Security and Medicare. (Who says we don’t have socialized medicine in this country?) If things go the way I planned for them to

From most of the older folks I talk to, I keep hearing that Medicare is not as good as they would like it to be, but it is better than nothing. So as I await the arrival of my socalled golden years, I am very confident my leaders in Washington will take very good care of me and the rest of my generation.

I’m starting to wonder why they call them the “golden years.” Most older folks I’ve been talking to have told me that whoever invented the saying didn’t have a clue what he or she was talking about. They go on to say there isn’t much that’s golden about the golden years. I am hoping they are wrong.

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Center is now open in CityPlace Tower.

Armory Art Center — The Armory Art Center is excited to bring a series of theme-based sessions to elementary through high school students, for this year’s summer camp. Experienced instructors have developed projects relating to the themes of each week. Activities are age-appropriate and focus on your child’s artistic and creative development. Oneweek sessions run from June 8 through Aug. 7. Extended care is available. For more information, call (561) 832-1776 or visit us at www.ArmoryArt.org.

Camp Giddy-Up — Ravenwood Riding Academy has been located in Wellington for 20 years. Learn to ride at Ravenwood’s Camp Giddy-Up! Meet new friends and have fun all summer long learning about horses. The summer program consists of weekly sessions from June through August for children six years and up, with a focus on riding, and an emphasis on safety. Riding lessons are daily, learn to groom and bathe horses and ponies, as well as hands on horse care. All riding equipment and safety stirrups are provided. The program features demonstrations with veterinarians, blacksmiths and equine dentists. Save $25 per session with May registratin. Ravenwood is licensed and insured. Register today by calling (561)793-4109 or visit www.ravenwood ridingacademy.com. Hurry, sessions fill up quickly.

Future Stars Basketball Camp — Held in Summit Christian School, Future Stars is a fun and instructional camp for boys and girls ages five to 15 of all ability levels featuring basketball drills, competitions and games. Campers are grouped by age and ability. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt. Awards will be presented the last afternoon of camp for team winners, competition winners and special recognition. The instructional staff is comprised of high school coaches who are teachers. Lunch may be bought or brought. There will be three weekly sessions available running from June 22 through July 6. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call (561) 400-3397 for more information.

Hands On Day Camp — What to do this summer? Come on down, boys and girls, to Hands On Day Camp June 8 through July 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages five to ten years of age. Throughout the four weeks, the summer camp program offers arts and crafts and weekly field trips. All-day hands-on activities include basketball, baseball, kickball and movies. Enroll your child today for all four weeks and receive a 10 percent discount, or choose your themed week: Kick-Off Week June 8-12, Circus Week June 15-19, Water Week June 22-26 or All-American Week (come in your red, white and blue) from June 29 through July 2. Either way your child is going to love their creative play. Hands On Day Camp is conveniently located at Temple Beth Tikvah, 4550 Jog Road, Greenacres, south of Lake Worth Road. There are NO registration fees! Don’t miss out... book today by calling (561) 967-3600.

Junior Golf Foundation — Attention, kids! Join us this summer for golfing fun featuring camps, tournaments and leagues. The Junior Golf Foundation is proud of the quality and attention that each individual receives during camps.. The foundation has hired a strong team of professionals to enhance the on and off course skills of junior players. Becoming a better player is a process through experience, good mental preparation and self discipline. The camp environment will be fun and challenging. Each student will walk away from the camp with improved skills and golf knowledge. Jun-

ior tournaments are held monthly, May through October, for kids ages four to 18 years old. For more information, call (561) 964-4653, ext. 107.

Kevin Perkins Golf Academy — The Kevin Perkins Golf Academy is now enrolling for their world-class Junior Summer Golf Camp at Palm Beach National Golf & Country Club. Palm Beach National is conveniently located on western Lake Worth Road, a short drive from Wellington/ Royal Palm Beach. Kevin Perkins, a PGA Master Professional, personally conducts each camp. The KPGA Junior Summer Golf Camp is unique from all of the area camps for many reasons: small size, each camp limits enrollment to 16 juniors; located in a country club setting, lunches served in the clubhouse dining room; an air-conditioned academy classroom; private short game area for academy only; academy complete with large teaching awning protecting campers from sun; numerous cool zones keep junior golfers cool and comfortable; state-of-the-art detailed video/computer analysis accelerates the learning process. Visit www.kevinperkinsgolfacademy. com for more information.

Loxahatchee Country Preschool — The Loxahatchee Country Preschool has been here for 19 years and provides a safe environment with small ratios for our summer campers, which means our children are well supervised. Throughout the summer, our camp program offers arts and crafts, field trips (which our management team attends), swimming lessons in our swimming pool, Spanish lessons, movies, a bounce house, golf, bowling and more in-house activities. A free pizza lunch will be provided on Fridays. Our school provides a safe environment for our children, while providing an excellent educational program! In a letter sent to our school, the Kings Academy said, “What preschools are better prepared for Kings? Loxahatchee Country Preschool was mentioned with enthusiasm!” Call (561) 790-1780 for additional information.

Movement Arts Dance Academy — Movement Arts will be holding affordable, fun-filled summer dance camps for kids age three and up throughout June, July and August. We have three great dance camps to choose from, including: special half-day “Mini Camps” for kids ages 3-6, full-day dance camps for ages 6-11 that follow a new theme each session, and dance intensives for the more serious dancer age 11 and up. Half-day and single-day rates are available during some of the camps. For more information, call (561) 7929757 or visit www.movementartsdanceacademy.com.

Palm Beach County 4-H 2009 Summer Day Camps — Palm Beach County’s 4-H Youth Development Program is again offering educational, fun day camps for youth this summer. The camps are a five-day experience in specialty areas, challenging campers through hands-on experiences. Camper to staff ratio is 4:1. You can learn more about the camps and obtain registration forms at www.pbcgov.com/coopext/4h. Palm Beach Riding Academy — Palm Beach Riding Academy will be offering spring and summer camps for 2009. We are proud to offer a unique equestrian experience including riding lessons and instruction in horse care, as well as games for children. There will be trips to the horse show and polo grounds. We will also be able to offer adult sessions. The academy is located at the corner of Pierson Road and South Shore Blvd. Recently featured events have included the Palm Beach Steeplechase and the Palm Beach Jump-

er Derby. Times and dates to be announced to accommodate school schedules. For more information, Call Kate Turner at (561) 644-7179.

Pine Jog Environmental Education Center/Florida Atlantic University — Pine Jog offers parents several summer options. The Everglades Youth Conservation Camp provides week long, sleep-away sessions focusing on environmental education and outdoor adventures including archery, fishing, canoeing, swimming and hiking. The Pine Jog Summer Camp provides full-day/all-summer or full-day/weekly options. Each week has a different environmental theme with outdoor exploration, nature crafts, recreation and more. All programs provide low child-to-instructor ratios, qualified staff and a safe environment for your child to engage in new experiences and learn more about our natural environment. For more information, call (561) 686-6600 or visit www. pinejog.fau.edu.

St. Peter’s Child Enrichment Center (CEC) Summer Camp & VPK — Enroll your child, age three through entering first grade, child in our fun summer camp with all on-site activities — no buses and no additional activity fees! We offer multiple daytime schedules and sessions to meet your time and budget needs. You can enroll in camp for as little as $40 per week. The camp is conveniently located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. Campers remain on-site for all activities, which include themed week events with arts and crafts, indoor/outdoor games, videos, creative play and more. Four two-week sessions are available. Two, three and five-day options are available, with a choice of 9 a.m. to noon or 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The first two-week camp session starts June 8, so register today! For a registration form, pricing and more information, visit www.stpeterscec.com or call (561) 798-3286. Mention this listing to get half off the registration fee per camp session if you enroll before June 3 — you’ll save up to $10 per camp session! NEW... we are now offering VPK this summer. Space is limited, and the program starts June 8 and ends Aug. 14. For VPK information, call school director Pat Banks at (561) 798-3286.

Villari’s of Wellington — The Villari’s of Wellington team is pleased to invite families in the western communities to join in an exciting camp that combines the benefits of stretching, cardio and self defense. The camp will run in two-week sessions, five days a week. Drop-off will start at 8:30 a.m. with camp gettting underway at 9 a.m. There will be snack breaks, craft time and lunch breaks. Pick up is between 3:30 and 4 p.m. The cost is an affordable $179 per week. Villari’s looks forward to introducing your child to the wonders of the martial way. Camp will be limited to 20 participants. Call (561) 792-1100 or e-mail senseidave@villarisofwellington. com today to reserve your spot.

Zolet Arts Academy — Come and have fun this summer at Zolet Arts Academy, located in the original Wellington Mall for 18 years. Register now for four separate weekly sessions offered Monday through Thursday, June 8-11, June 15-18, June 22-25 or June 29-July 2. Classes are held from 1 to 4 p.m. and all supplies are free. Professional, individualized instruction in all media with rotating subject matter is offered. The total fee is $150 per week, per child. Registration for the Zolet summer program is Tuesdays at 6 p.m. or Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call (561) 793-6489 for more information.

Everglades Youth Conservation Camp

American Camping Association Accredited

Send Your Child for 5 Nights & 6 Days of Sleep-Away Camp. Boys & Girls Ages 8 -14

6 Fantastic Weeks of Camp Starting June 28

$325 - $420/Week

Environmental Education • Outdoor Adventure • Fishing • Hiking Archery • Canoeing • Swimming

Pine Jog Day Camp

9 Weeks of Full - Day Camp

June 8 - August 7 • 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks Provided Full Summer or Weekly Options

$25 - Registration Fee • $150 - $175/Week

Weekly Environmental Themes & Activities Low Student-to-Instructor Ratio

For More Information Call 561-686-6600 or visit www.pinejog.fau.edu

Meet The New Face Of Keyes Real Estate In Wellington

Despite a sluggish real estate market, Keyes Realtors in Wellington has been growing!

Keyes has been a real estate leader since 1926. Founded by Ken Keyes, and later purchased by the Pappas family, it remains the leading independently owned real estate firm in Florida. Chairman Ted Pappas and his sons Mike and Tim still run the company, and the chairman is still active in its day-to-day business and is very accessible.

One of the top 100 real estate companies in both sales and transactions (out of over 700,000 nationwide) Keyes is anchored in family and community. In a real estate world of mega-corporations and single-office brokerages, Keyes is a refreshing and extremely successful alternative!

Keyes has purchased or merged with over 30 companies in the last 10 years, retaining the majority of seasoned professionals at those firms.

Keyes is very proud of its management team as well. The years of experience from “The Team” are also what make Keyes the choice for many real estate professionals and new associates coming into the business today.

“They are hands on,” President Mike Pappas said. “With experience in all aspects of the industry, as well as past and present board members of the National Association of Realtors, we listen to our team, and our offices are their offices.”

Keyes is fortunate in the quality of its associates and the professionals it attracts. The Wellington office is managed by Bill Tavernise. Tavernise is an active real estate broker and has been in the real estate industry since 1986. Former president and owner of Lifestyle Under the Sun and Florida Style Real Estate, Tavernise was chosen to lead the Keyes office in Wellington not only for his knowledge of the industry, but his strong community ties and involvement.

Tavernise is the current president of Little Smiles children’s charity, incoming president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and has chaired various boards in the Wellington community and throughout Palm Beach County.

If you are interested in a career in real estate, visit with Tavernise! Whether you are a seasoned professional or just getting into the business, call for a confidential interview.

Come see the new face of Keyes, located at 12012 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington, or call (561) 967-4300.

Bill Tavernise

Tenth Annual Culinary Creations Dinner Set For June 15

The American Culinary Federation’s Palm Beach County Chefs Association will hold the Tenth Annual Culinary Creations dinner on June 15 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). The spectacular culinary dinner, inspired by some of the region’s most talented chefs, will benefit Quantum House and the Palm Beach County Chefs in Distress Endowment Fund.

It is nearly impossible to have more than 20 of the most gifted executive chefs and pastry chefs and their teams throughout South Florida in one place at the same time to prepare you a meal. At this unique culinary extravaganza, local chefs including co-chairs Jeff Simms, executive chef of banquets at the Breakers, and Chef Dominic Lau-

dia of the Culinary Café, as well as Don Sedivy, executive chef at the Sailfish Club and president of the ACF Palm Beach County Chefs Association, will gather to create one of the most delectable menus ever imagined. Guests will begin the evening with a champagne reception and signature tasting. Attendees will graze among silent auction items highlighted by private inhome chef dinners donated by talented ACF chefs.

The Culinary Creations dinner will feature four courses with five different dishes prepared for each. Guests will share each tantalizing dish presented by the creative chefs.

A total of 20 items can be tasted throughout the evening, such as Quinoa Salad wrapped with panseared duck breast, Caribbean Sea-

food Plantain Tower and Chocolate Mirrored Praline Mousse. The diners will leave with a full stomach and a full heart, because 100 percent of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit deserving charities.

“The chefs do an astounding job highlighting their talents, and Quantum House is thrilled to be a part of this fantastic event. It is amazing to see how they come together to prepare such a fabulous gourmet feast,” Quantum House Executive Director Robi Jurney said.

The mission of Quantum House is to provide “a caring place to call home” for families when their children are critically ill or injured. Tickets cost $125 per person and can be purchased at www.quantum house.org. For tickets or more information, call (561) 494-0515.

The Clematis By Night Summer Season Starts June 4 In WPB

Looking for a hot spot to chill?

The City of West Palm Beach recently released the summer schedule for Clematis by Night, which takes place every Thursday night in downtown West Palm Beach from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Square, located on Clematis Street between Narcissus Avenue and Flagler Drive. This free weekly event features the area’s best rock, R&B, reggae, Latin, blues, soul and swing music.

The summer Clematis by Night schedule is as follows:

• June 4: Clematis by Night at City Center featuring Raquel Williams (www.raquelwilliamssings. com) — Clematis by Night will be moving the fun and music up the street to the new City Center courtyard at the corner of Clematis Street and Dixie Highway. Raquel Williams is a world-class vocalist and a favorite among South Florida music fans. Boasting a four-octave range and an eclectic style, Williams effortlessly moves through a variety of genres, from jazz, motown and R&B to big band, swing and dance. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Broadway Re-Investment Coalition.

• June 11: Clematis by Night at City Center featuring Terry Hanck (www.terryhanck.net) — Terry Hanck is well known for his hardblowing sax, incredible range and

gusty vocals. The blues, soul and jazz music of the ’50s and early ’60s heavily influenced Hanck, and he now plays a signature mix of New Orleans gumbo, west coast jump and east bay funk, all delivered with a heavy dose of blues and soul. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Okeeheelee Youth Baseball All-Stars.

• June 18: Mighty Quinn (www. mightyquinnband.com) — Experience the phenomenon of the “Mightiest Band in the Land” when they perform your favorite rock classics at Clematis by Night. This high-energy, interactive band is guaranteed to bring your recommended daily allowance of great rock from yesterday and today including everything from Guns N’ Roses to Green Day. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Palm Beach County Chapter of the ACLU.

• June 25: Marijah & the Reggae All-Stars (www.marijahmusic. com) — Move your feet and soul to the stirring island sounds of Marijah and the Reggae All-Stars. This local artist will perform your favorite reggae tunes as well as some original songs. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the 1st Studio Arts & Cultural Center.

• July 9: Ego Tripp (www. myspace.com/egotrippband) — This rocking local band delivers

the best of alternative and classic rock with passion and energy to spare. Ego Tripp has been touring Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches and will now make their way to Clematis by Night. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Palm Beach Roadrunners.

• July 16: O.P.M. (www.theopm band.com) — O.P.M. stands for Other People’s Music because this band plays the best covers of vintage rock, R&B, funk, jazz and oldies. These five road-weary musicians have accumulated over 165 years of playing experience between them, and as a result, you get some of the greatest music of all time played flawlessly. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Joseph Laurore Foundation.

• July 23: Tony Succar and Mixtura (www.tonysuccar.com) — It’s Latin Night, so get ready to salsa, merengue and mambo. Born into a family of musicians, Tony Succar is quickly making a name for himself in the Latin world. He has had the honor of playing several times with the great trumpet player Arturo Sandoval, with Puerto Rican flutist and Grammy winner Néstor Torres and with other great artists such as Tania Libertad, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle and Richie Zellon. A portion of the evening’s

proceeds will benefit the Poinciana Park Neighborhood Association.

• July 30: Ben Robinson (www. benrobinson.com) — Ben Robinson is a 22-year-old guitar player taking the blues world by storm. He has received rave reviews from acts like Paul Shafer and ZZ Top, and has even played on The Late Show with David Letterman. Robinson has been called the “real thing” with talent that will make you turn up your stereo and come back for more. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Northwood Hill Neighborhood Association.

• Aug. 6: Jahfe (www.myspace. com/jahfejahfe) — With cool vibes and hot rhythms, Jahfe, which means “creation,” will bring their Haitian-influenced rock reggae to the stage. This seven-member band is known for raising cultural awareness and singing a message of peace. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Sunshine Park Neighborhood Association.

• Aug. 13: Cooper & the Beach Boomers (www.getcoop.com) — Cooper Getschal is an ordinary guy trying to accomplish some extraordinary things. His soulful, edgy and energetic music has consistently been included on a variety of Internet-based top ten charts from country to rock to production vocals. Getschal’s vocal stylings include jazz, country, soul and rock, and his

talents have led him to work with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, James Brown and many more. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Prospect Park Neighborhood Association.

• Aug. 20: Biscuit Miller & The Mix (www.biscuitmiller.com) — Biscuit Miller is a born entertainer who is loaded with persona and charisma. Biscuit, named so after eating a whole pan of his grandma’s biscuits, has pulled out a recipe from the past and stirred in a brand new flavorful mix of funk, blues, and old style rock ’n’ roll soul. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Old Northwood Neighborhood Association.

• Aug. 27: Dee Dee Wilde Band (www.tropicsentertainment.com) — Dee Dee Wilde is one of South Florida’s most dynamic and captivating entertainers, known for her talent to sing low and sweet like Sade, tempestuous like Chaka or dramatic like Whitney Houston. Wilde has performed as a soloist on the recordings of some impressive artists including James Brown, Phyliss Hyman, Howard Hewitt, INXS, Gerald Albright and Gerald Alston. A portion of this evening’s proceeds will benefit the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

For more info., call (561) 8221515 or visit www.clematisby night.net.

Sailfish Club of Florida Executive Chef Donald Sedivy, Quantum House Executive Director Robi Jurney and Breakers Executive Chef of Banquets Jeff Simms.

BLUE WATER HOME SERVICESNow hiring house cleaners. PartTime-Experience preferred. Good pay & Good hours. Call 561-7841611

EXPERIENCED LABORERSWanted. Slab Prep/Form Carpenters. 561-790-0178

DATA ENTRY POSITION - Must be detail oriented. Minimum associates degree, $14.00 hourly. 561-6624498

TEEN COMMUNITY SERVICEHELP WANTED - Are you 14 and over? Looking for something meaningful to do this summer? Join us at the Good Earth Farm. JuneAugust 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mon. - Fri. Call for more info. 792-2666.

IRONING - in your home. I also do Housekeeping/Childcare & Pet Sitting.Experienced with references. 561-379-8357

THIS SATURDAY! — MAY23rd

POTENTIAL TO EARN EXECUTIVE LEVEL INCOME - No personal Selling. NOT MLM! Call 1800-934-3473 Ext. 1470

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. HUGE SALE ! Quality misc. furniture including dining room, living/family room, antique and accent pieces. Artwork, electronics, 3 refrigerators, sports equipment, home decor, books, luggage, TONS of clothes mens/ womens- Jr's through plus sizes. Big Screen TV. Don't miss this one! (14755 Ranchwood Ct. - Big Blue to Paddock - Right on Horseshoe Trace)

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

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

$2,500

1976 Mercedes 450 SL - Light blue w/navy leather interior. 3 cars in one. Convertible, soft top & hard top included. 83,000 Original miles. Good condition. Asking $7,500 Call Bob 561-758-9938

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

P.B. Plantation—5BR/3BA/3CGAR, $2,150 Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434

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

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

Estates of Royal Palm Beach - 4BR/ 2.5BA/2CGAR,335,000Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-7917434

HOME LITE TRIMMER GAS — $30 OBO 433-2751

1982 22' CLASSIC DONZI - w/ Bimini TOP & TRAILER. 454 Engine. Good condition. Ready for Inland Waterways on the ocean. Top speed approximately 70 MPH. Asking $7,500 Call Bob 561-758-9938

CABINS, LODGES,LAKE FRONT, TRADITIONAL HOMES - Land for sale in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. Serving, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and Hiawassee, Georgia. Great time to invest in your 2nd home. Pat Macey. 706-455-6294 cell RE/MAX AROUND THE MOUNTAINS ENOTAH REALTY. 1800-346-0455.

JUNK CARS, TRUCKS WANTEDTop prices paid. Call Now for FREE pick-up. 561-512-9606

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. —Service & new installation

FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

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

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

JJJ AUTOMOTIVE, INC. - "We're Looking Out For You!" Complete Auto repair, foreign & domestic. We'll beat any written estimate. Free Oil Change with any service. ASE & MITSUBISHI Certified Master. 561-309-9098. Lic. MV 52657

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

RESIDENTIAL CLEANING SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!- Cleaning supplies furnished. Over 16 years - references available. Call now to secure your space. Call Hope 561-502-6607

SAVE TIME & LET US DO THE DIRTY WORK - Blue Water Home Services offers professional cleaning with earth friendly and HEPA filter equipment. Lic. Bonded & Insured. Call 561-784-1611

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 COM-

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

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

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

HIGH QUALITY LAMINATE

FLOORING — at affordable prices. Hardwood floors. No deposit until delivery. Contractors welcome. Western Communities resident. Family owned and Operated. Licensed and Insured. Se Habla Español 561-568-6099

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

CAN FIX IT — build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494.

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

ANMAR CO. —James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-2488528

MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-7235836

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

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

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

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

ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS,

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

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

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident.

CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE EST.Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years exp. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Ins. Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701

Waterheaters, garbage disposals, faucet repair & replacement service. New construction. Licensed. Bonded. Insured. Wellington Resident 25 years. 561-601-6458. Jeremy James Plumbing, Inc.

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

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING —

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

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

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

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

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

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY

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

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

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

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

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

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC —

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

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

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

WATER CONDITIONERS FROM

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