Town-Crier Newspaper May 28, 2010

WELLINGTON ART SOCIETY GALA

Sends Committee Changes Back For Revisions

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council unanimously rejected an ordinance Tuesday that would have required the chairmen of Wellington’s advisory committees and their village staff liaisons to review proposed agendas before a meeting and determine whether a meeting is necessary.

Village staff hoped the ordinance would save money by preparing and holding fewer meetings. It would have amended the chapter of Wellington’s code of ordinances concerning boards and committees so that they meet only when necessary.

Vice Mayor Matt Willhite worried that the ordinance would minimize the public’s input in village business.

“I think a very important thing about our community is the public input about what we do in gov-

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

More than 2,500 food and chocolate aficionados are expected to attend the 13th annual Taste of the West & Chocolate Lovers Festival from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 3 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Palms West Chamber of Commerce CEO Jaene Miranda said last year’s event drew a record 2,200 people.

“We are expecting huge crowds again this year, so we have expanded our space at the fairgrounds to make it more comfortable for our guests,” she said. “We have also added more seating areas throughout the event for our

ernment,” he said. “We appoint members of our community to come meet on a regular basis and discuss things that are important to our community. They do this on a volunteer basis. I find these boards and committees to be very important to us.”

Willhite said that residents who serve on the boards and committees remain because they are given a voice. Additionally, he noted that the Equestrian Preserve Committee helps Wellington maintain its unique lifestyle. Each board offers its own contributions to the village.

“We have a very small scope of boards,” he said. “I think what we do is a good thing. I’d like to see us retain them.”

Willhite also raised concerns about having alternate board members who may feel like they don’t have input at meetings.

Instead, Willhite proposed hav-

guests to be able to relax and enjoy the food.”

Nearly 40 area restaurants and caterers are expected to participate, offering food samples and chocolate desserts. Palms West Chamber business exhibitors also will be on hand.

ing quarterly meetings with seven-member boards and committees, one appointed by each council member and two at-large members decided by the council as a whole.

“When someone thinks of [himself or herself] as an alternate, do they really think they are going to be able to make a difference if they go to a meeting and they really don’t have a vote?” he asked. “We can entice them to attend meetings if they feel that they will have a seat at the table.”

The quarterly meetings would apply to all committees except the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board, which is required to meet regularly under state law. Additional meetings could be called on an as-needed basis.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore noted that some committees are often without items to discuss.

Guests will be able to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award for their favorite restaurant.

A trophy will be awarded to the restaurant or specialty shop offering the Best Chocolate Dessert.

Miranda said the event will include musical and dance performances, local celebrity cupcake

eating contests and cooking demonstrations.

Children ages 5 to 12 will have the opportunity to create sweet chocolate treats with Dianne Morin of Marroc Cooking for Kids, Chamber Marketing Director Deneen Hallonquist said.

This is the second year of the children’s cooking corner, she said. The cooking session is free, but children must pre-register by calling (561) 790-6200 or by visiting www.tasteofthewest.org.

The Taste of the West is presented by Royal Palm Toyota and

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

School

Lake Worth Middle

Principal Jesus Armas has been tapped as the new principal of Royal Palm Beach High School.

Best known in the western communities for his time as assistant principal at Seminole Ridge High School, Armas will replace Guarn Sims, who resigned to become principal of the Village Academy in Delray Beach.

Armas’ appointment was pending final school board approval on Wednesday, May 26.

Armas, who will be 47 on May 31, is a 14-year resident of The Acreage. He has been principal at Lake Worth Middle School since 2006.

Born in Belle Glade, Armas earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Miami in 1986. He returned to Belle Glade as a private school teacher and coach.

From there, Armas went to Haines City High School, where he was boys basketball coach for two years. In 1994, he headed to Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach as a coach, athletic director and chemistry teacher until 1999, when he became athletic director and science teacher at Jupiter High School.

Armas was later named an assistant principal at Jupiter High School. He received his master’s degree in science education from Nova Southeastern University in 2001 and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova.

In 2004, Armas became an assistant principal at Seminole Ridge, coming there with thenJupiter High School Principal Dr. Lynne McGee when she was tapped to open the new Loxahatchee school.

“I went with her the year before it opened to help her,” Armas said. “I was her assistant principal as we began the school.” Armas described his tenure at Lake Worth Middle School as a good experience. “The school was a ‘C’ when I got here,” he said. “It is a ‘B’ now, and we are on the precipice of an ‘A.’ We believe we have a real good shot at getting the ‘A’ this year, and if not, I feel we should get it next year. We feel that we have made progress here.” The middle school established successful choice academies in premedical science and engineer-

Acreage Committee Tables ‘Statement’ On Water Quality

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The issuance of a summary statement of the water testing done in The Acreage by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection prompted an hour-long debate by the Acreage Community Focus Group on Thursday, May 20.

The group voted unanimously to table the issue until it could come to an agreement.

The summary statement would have informed residents that the 28 separate Acreage groundwater stations tested in February by the FDEP found generally good water quality with several substances, including pesticides, herbicides, semi-volatile or volatile organics and metals at or below detection limits.

The statement also would note that the testing covered industrial- and agricultural- related chemical products, including hydrocarbon-based fuel (gasoline, kerosene, diesel and jet/rocket fuel) with no evidence of contamination.

Several panel members suggested including the importance of maintaining a water system and how to do so properly.

But several group members were concerned about the statement’s conclusion that there is no

evidence to suggest that the elevated levels of pediatric brain cancer were related to groundwater contamination.

Stephanie Peskowitz, one of several Acreage residents represented by the law firm Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley, in conjunction with the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg, said her attorney had found documents regarding Pratt & Whitney that could affect the statement.

“The county had looked at purchasing some land in 2000-2001 from Pratt & Whitney,” she said. “What they were looking at purchasing was a Pratt & Whitney water-waste facility. After the environmental consultants took a look at it, the county chose not to acquire this land, and that included the water treatment facility, an underground well and well field. The consultant’s information … concluded that there was … contamination, that there was likely undiscovered contamination, and there was an entire system of underground pipes whose contents were at that time unknown.”

Additionally, Peskowitz expressed concern about whether the FDEP had tested for similar contaminations, including lead and cadmium, which had been found on the Pratt & Whitney property

GROUP, page 18

Despite Rare Complication, Mom & Baby Beat The Odds

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Royal Palm Beach resident Gia Caiozzo-Gilchrist and her baby boy Mateo Gilchrist beat the odds when both survived a rare and often fatal condition known as an amniotic fluid embolism while the mother was in labor at Palms West Hospital.

“I believe that God saved my life,” Caiozzo-Gilchrist said. “He put the right people there to save my life.” An amniotic fluid embolism is an obstetric condition that can occur when the mother’s water breaks, or during or shortly after labor.

Although doctors don’t fully understand the condition, it is believed that amniotic fluid, hair or fetal cells enter the mother’s bloodstream and trigger an allergic reaction. This can cause respiratory distress, a drop in blood

pressure and/or shock, said Dr. Andrea Bayer, who is CaiozzoGilchrist’s obstetrician.

“What happens is typical with a horrible allergic reaction,” Bayer said. The condition occurs at the rate of 1 in 8,000 to 30,000 pregnancies, and is so rare that most doctors will never see one, Bayer said. This was the first case Bayer had seen.

There is an 80-percent mortality rate, and although doctors collect information about each patient, the survival rate is so low that it is hard to study the condition and why it occurs, Bayer said. Additionally, there can be longlasting neurological effects.

“I had no clue that there was such a thing,” Caiozzo-Gilchrist said, adding that her first pregnancy with now two-year-old daughter Liana Gilchrist had been a normal delivery.

But with Mateo, the pregnancy was difficult from the start.

“I started throwing up the day after I found out I was pregnant and it lasted for 30 weeks,” she said. “I just thought it was normal in the beginning. No one ever said there was anything wrong with it.”

Six months into the pregnancy, Caiozzo-Gilchrist said she began experiencing soreness and swelling on her stomach and a lot of pain. When she was 39 weeks and two days into her pregnancy, Bayer suggested inducing labor. The original due date was Easter Sunday, April 4.

Even though the two pregnancies were so different, Bayer said that it wasn’t an indication of an amniotic fluid embolism. A pathology test of Caiozzo-Gilchrist’s afterbirth also came back clear.

“There’s no specific symptoms,” Bayer said, adding that

See EMBOLISM, page 18

See ARMAS, page 4

Gia Caiozzo-Gilchrist with Horace, Liana and Mateo Gilchrist. PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Jesus Armas

The Wellington Art Society installed its new slate of officers for 2010-11 during an installation and awards dinner Tuesday, May 25 at the Links at Madison Green. Outgoing president Adrianne Hetherington recalled her two years leading the organization and welcomed incoming president Suzanne Redmond. Shown here, Redmond gives Hetherington a bouquet of paint brushes.

MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

AN EMOTIONAL, INSPIRATIONAL TIME AT THE 2010 WELLINGTON RELAY FOR LIFE

The 2010 Wellington Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society was held overnight Saturday, May 22 at Village Park on Pierson Road. In addition to the relay, there were dance and vocal performances, a survivor lunch, games, a luminaria ceremony, and stories of courage and inspiration told by survivors. For more info., visit www.relayforlife.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Survivors get ready for their first lap around the track.

Seminole Ridge High School’s Hawk Battalion Honor Guard and national anthem singer Brenda Hickman (back).

Susan Lyle Dance Studio students perform “Inspiration.”

Tara Rogers thinks of her father, who she lost to cancer.

The Your Bosom Buddies II team.

The Village of Wellington team walks the track.

Abruzzo: Money For A Western Campus Is In

State Budget

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Florida Legislature approved $19.75 million for a college campus in central Palm Beach County in its spring session, State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo (D-District 85) said during a legislative update to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council on Thursday, May 20.

Abruzzo was in favor of the money allocated for a western communities campus, but did not vote for the overall $70.4 billion budget because of spending cuts to universities in general.

“A lot of good things were in there,” Abruzzo said. “We were able to secure money for a western communities campus. The money is in the budget, now it’s up to you guys, and all the other municipalities, to decide where that campus will go. That item is there, bearing that the governor doesn’t do a line-item veto.” Abruzzo said the legislature cut funding to universities by 7.5 percent, requiring tuition hikes up to 15 percent. “I could not support that portion alone on the economic hardship that would be put on families,” he said.

Councilman Fred Pinto asked how the funding for a local campus would work, and Abruzzo said Royal Palm Beach and other municipalities would need to work with Palm Beach State College to establish the campus.

“Wellington is making a play as far as where they would like to see it,” Abruzzo said, adding that he has heard that Callery-Judge

Grove has offered land for a campus.

Callery-Judge General Manager Nat Roberts confirmed to the Town-Crier on Monday that Callery-Judge has pledged 80 acres for a campus. “In the legislative session, they were questioning whether there would be land available, and I guaranteed that. We are all waiting to see if the governor is going to sign it,” Roberts said. Mayor Matty Mattioli asked whether the money could be used to purchase land, and Abruzzo said that would need to be worked out with the college. “This really comes down to local government and the state college,” Abruzzo said. “My role is to come up with funds for that construction.”

Acting Village Manager Ray Liggins noted that RPB has received a letter from Palm Beach State College explaining that it has received the $19.75 million. “The overall goal of what they’re looking for is up to 250,000 square feet,” Liggins said.

A letter to the village from Palm Beach State College President Dennis Gallon asked the village to write a letter asking Gov. Charlie Crist to allow the funding to move forward for the campus.

An enrollment growth of 35.5 percent over the past three years has made the establishment of a fifth campus a compelling case for the legislature, according to the letter.

“The college does not provide adequate access to the residents in the western central part of the

See ABRUZZO, page 18

RPBYB’s Michael Infante Arrested On Grand Theft Charge

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Michael Infante, the former president of Royal Palm Beach Youth Baseball, was released on $7,500 bond after his arrest Wednesday, May 19, on a charge of grand theft. A probable cause affidavit released last week by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reported that in 2006, Infante used his position as president of the league to obtain more than $50,000 designated to build a structure on village property for the league. According to the affidavit, Infante deposited the money into his personal account and, under his own admission, used that money for a personal construction project. Infante, 54, hoped to use profits from that project to reimburse the league before the rerouting was discovered, according to the PBSO report. However, the report continued, Infante ultimately lost the money on his personal project.

In October 2009, PBSO deputies were contacted by Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio, who had been approached by RPBYB board members who told him that they had discovered transfers from the league’s account that were not used for league business. Detectives showed Recchio copies of checks that had been written from the league’s account to Infante. Recchio then contacted Infante to discuss the checks, and on Oct. 21, 2009, Infante met with village officials and confessed to the misappropriation of funds, the affidavit reported. On the same day, Infante agreed to a meeting with a detective at the PBSO District 9 sub-station in Royal Palm Beach. Infante was read his Miranda rights and waived his right to an attorney and spoke with a detective. The detective showed Infante two checks, one dated Nov. 9, 2006 for $35,000 that was signed by Infante and co-signed by league treasurer Amy Grushon. The check was endorsed by Infante, who told the detective that he withdrew the money for a building project for the league and that he had deposited that check into his personal bank account.

A second check for $15,000, dated Dec. 18, 2006, also was made payable to Infante. He admitted to cashing the check and claimed that the money was to be used for the building, according to the PBSO report. According to PBSO detectives investigating the case, Infante stated that he has since spent all the money for personal use and loans to friends, noting the construction project unrelated to the league’s project that Infante hoped would allow him to repay the league. This never happened, according to the affidavit.

Michael Infante

In November 2009, sheriff’s investigators met separately with league board members, treasurer Grushon and her predecessor Melissa Mills. Board members told the PBSO that they wanted to prosecute Infante for using league funds for non-league-related activities.

In her meeting, Grushon told the detective that she had been elected to the position of treasurer in August 2006 despite the fact she had no formal training or experience in bookkeeping or accounting. In her interview, Mills said that she was treasurer from 2001-06 and said she had an extensive background in bookkeeping and accounting. The disbursements to Infante happened shortly after Grushon took over as treasurer, leading detectives investigating the case to suggest that Infante “took advantage of Grushon’s lack of knowledge when it came to financial matters,” according to the affidavit.

During discussions with Infante, who now resides in New Hampshire, a detective tried to get Infante to return to Palm Beach County to be interviewed, but Infante never arrived. On April 27, Infante contacted the detective by phone and asked if he could be interviewed over the phone. The detective told Infante that he had been given ample time to provide a statement to investigators and that the PBSO would move forward with the case. Since the financial irregularities came to light late last year, the Village of Royal Palm Beach has dropped RPBYB as its baseball provider. A reorganized group known as the Youth Baseball Association of Royal Palm Beach, made up of many of the same RPBYB volunteers, has taken over that role with a number of added financial oversight controls in place. Royal Palm Beach adopted a revised sports provider policy last November that requires all providers to adhere to stricter financial accounting practices and gives the village better access to the providers’ financial information.

OUR OPINION

Memorial Day: It’s About More Than Just A Day Off From Work

With the controversy over U.S. involvement in the Middle East nowhere near the contentious level it was a few years ago, it’s sometimes easy for the average American to fall into an out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude toward the issue. But for the many servicemen and women serving overseas, they don’t need a daily reminder of the situation there.

According to the most recent statistics, there have been 30 U.S. troops killed in Iraq and 138 killed in Afghanistan so far in 2010. While that’s an improvement from 2007, which saw 904 military casualties in Iraq and 117 in Afghanistan, those deaths are not just statistics for family members and friends. They had names and faces… they had lives. And that is why every year, on the last Monday of May, we come together to honor those who have died serving our nation. Regardless of one’s political views on current U.S. military involvements, or war in general, Memorial Day is held to remember those who put their lives on the line, and to recognize the human element of war. It’s about the people, not the politics.

On Memorial Day, the American people come together across ideological lines. Some of those ideological gaps are bridged by family ties; for others, it’s a matter of friends and neighbors bonding over the loss of someone they know. But it isn’t necessary to know or be related to a fallen soldier to honor his or her memory. They’re out there giving their lives for every American, not just the ones they know. It’s only fair that we reciprocate.

Santamaria: Thanks For Petition Support

I wish to thank everyone who participated in placing my name on the ballot for the upcoming 2010 elections. In spite of the very short notice, we received 400 more signed petitions than was required by the Supervisor of Elections office. This overwhelming support and encouragement means a lot to me, and I am looking forward to continuing working with you and for you.

Jess Santamaria County Commissioner District 6

Get The Facts On Tennis Center Fees

I read your article about the Village [of Wellington’s] tennis cen-

ter and Tommy Cheatham (Wellington Pushing Forward With Tennis Center Changes, May 14).

I am concerned that you do not have all the facts concerning court costs for use of the facility. Vice Mayor Matt Willhite was quoted as saying residents with memberships to the facility also must pay a fee for each use of the court. That is not so.

The “membership fees” are actually a pre-paid pass for those who do not wish to pay every time they go to the facility to play. The pre-paid pass is collected beginning in October of every year. We are never charged twice for the use of the courts. The tennis center does field seven ladies teams that compete in the Palm Beach County Women’s Tennis Association league. We do pay a $70 fee every month, which covers weekly tennis lessons and balls for every home match. Round robins are held several times a year. There is a fee associ-

Like with any holiday, there are those who view Memorial Day as a day off from school or work and not much else. Of course, these are most likely children and teenagers who are either too young to understand or appreciate the gravity of what Memorial Day represents — at an age when their worldview doesn’t extend much further than the events of next weekend. That is why parents should take the time to educate their children about what Memorial Day means, explaining that the freedoms and privileges they enjoy shouldn’t be taken for granted. So if you can, spend some time this Memorial Day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by visiting one of the two observances planned in the western communities.

The Village of Wellington will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony starting with a parade, which will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center and end at the Veterans Memorial on the corner of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards. The ceremony will commence at 9 a.m.

The Village of Royal Palm Beach will hold its annual Memorial Day Observance starting at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park. The ceremony will be led by the Honor Guard from American Legion Post 367, ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367, Boy Scout Troop 111, Mayor Matty Mattioli and local dignitaries. Young At Heart Club volunteers will serve refreshments following the gun salute.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ated with this activity. However, the fee covers refreshments and balls and a small fee for a nonemployee to organize these functions (which is not an easy endeavor).

Other leagues compete at the center for USTA, Palm Beach County senior leagues and Palm Tennis leagues. If you hold a prepaid pass, there are no additional charges paid to Tommy Cheatham to play in these leagues. This is based on my personal experience, as both my husband and I hold pre-paid passes, play on leagues and play quite often at the center. Anyone may call the center 48 hours in advance and reserve a court to play tennis. The court availability is first call, first serve. Prime time usage is generally 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. At any other time, you should be able to play at your leisure, even without making a reservation. Basically, this comes down to a landlord/tenant situation. The

landlord should be required to provide certain types of maintenance for the property, especially to protect its investment, and the tenant should pay for the use of the property. The tenant should also not be penalized if it is a business and should be entitled to make a profit. In this case, the business is a tennis facility. It is a thriving business because of the talented and professional staff of tennis instructors who make this facility what it is today. These men and women will lose their livelihoods and the ability to provide for their families if the village and Tommy Cheatham cannot come to an agreement that works for both parties. In the end, let’s not forget that this is a public park and should always be maintained as such. It should be well maintained and affordable for all who wish to use it. (Unlike hard courts, these courts are har-true and require daily maintenance.) If people want to

join a country club, let them. Kathy Robinson Wellington Missed The Boat On Med School

After learning about the new medical school that was being established by Florida Atlantic University at the Boca Raton location, I thought to myself, we really missed the boat. I think that most residents of Wellington wanted a college; it was the “land giveaway” and the lack of annual taxes (as a public

institution) that created much of the opposition. With Wellington Regional Medical Center as a “cornerstone” and the increasing medical facilities on the State Road 7 corridor, it would make sense to me to sell (or long-term lease) the property (or part of) to a (private) institution interested in building a medical school. That would give us the increased educational presence we want, plus the price of the land sale and ongoing revenue from taxation… food for thought. Alan Weinstein Wellington

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

Wellington Gets Wide Variety Of Bids For Amphitheater Programs

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

A variety of entertainment acts and management have been proposed for Wellington’s new amphitheater, scheduled to open in time for the Fourth of July. Monday’s soft deadline brought eight to 10 bids that range from an individual act to a management company, Assistant Village Manager Francine Ramaglia said. The village will consider late bids.

“They range from very individual, single comedy type of acts to individual résumés, to complete, wholesale, turnkey operations, management and talent recruitment,” she said. “We actually have

some appointments scheduled with some of the [bidders] next week to go through some of the proposals.”

Ramaglia said she was unsure whether the village would accept one or multiple bids, but that they were “not precluding anything.”

“That’s the beautiful thing about being on the front end of looking at the proposals,” she said. “We have a whole lot of opportunity to consider. I don’t think that we have made any decisions yet on how we’re going to proceed.”

The 3,200-square-foot amphitheater was paid for with an $822,296 county grant. The village accepted the money two years

ago after the collapse of the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches. Originally, the Cultural Trust was to build an amphitheater on village-owned property near the Mall at Wellington Green. Instead, Wellington is building the amphitheater in front of the Wellington Community Center as part of the new “Town Center.” It features an open-air lighted stage, sound hookups, “green rooms” for performers, a staging and loading area, and restrooms.

The capacity is 1,500, and the lawn will seat between 400 and 500 spectators.

Among the bidders is Live Arts Florida, a nonprofit organization

dedicated to bringing culture to the western communities.

“They had a great proposal,” Ramaglia said. “They had three programs that they offered. One was Fridays After Five, another was Saturdays in the Park, and the other was First Night, which is an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration.”

Another bidder is Jody Young, who owns a marketing and promotional firm, and has managed tours for the comedian Gallagher and the performer Michael Israel, Ramaglia said. “He’s a professional,” she said. “It’s a great proposal.”

Sharon Mullen, who sits on the

village’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, also bid, Ramaglia said, and would create a nonprofit organization to manage the facility.

“We have proposals all the way from professional, total turnkey operations to totally communitybased, successful, creative organizations, to individuals trying to put something together,” Ramaglia said. “They’re all great.”

The council is slated to accept one or more bids in August, but there will be regular programming throughout the summer provided by the village.

“There is some standard programming that we’d like to main-

tain,” Ramaglia said. “Like some of our holiday entertainment and our Summer Concert Series.” Additionally, she said that village staff hopes to work with local organizations and schools who wish to use the amphitheater. The facility will open on July 3 with a Family Day at the Wellington Community Center, she said.

“The pool will be open with events during the day,” she said. “Starting around 3:30 p.m. the amphitheater programming will start with local acts. The main headliner is the Brass Evolution, and there will be a laser light show afterward.”

Bank Sign Colors Worry Royal Palm Beach Zoning Commissioners

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission recommended signage approval Tuesday for two former Colonial Bank branches that have been acquired by Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T).

The banks, at Anthony Groves Plaza at 151 State Road 7 and at the Ponce de Leon Office Park at 11317 Okeechobee Blvd., submitted separate applications, and the commission approved the requests separately.

Attorney Stephanie Toothaker, representing BB&T, said the conversion was part of an FDIC takeover of Colonial Bank sites in the village.

“They’ve moved into the locations and have been operating

Armas Taking Over RPBHS

continued from page 1 ing during his tenure. Armas said he considers his appointment as RPBHS principal as a great opportunity, both for himself and the challenge it presents.

Armas added that there are only a handful of schools in the district that take a municipality’s name and are true community schools. “In my mind, those are still the elite, traditional schools, and be-

since last August, but are now converting the signs over to BB&T signs to be consistent with their registered trademark,” Toothaker said.

At the Anthony Groves location, village staff had rejected the bank’s original application for maroon lettering on the wall signs on the east and south sides of the building because the plaza requires that lettering be white.

“We have converted the proposal to be consistent with what staff has said is consistent with the Village of Royal Palm Beach’s requirements,” Toothaker said. Development Review Coordinator Kevin Erwin said the applicant is also proposing to change a single monument sign to put up its maroon logo, which he said is consistent with the center’s allow-

cause of that, I consider Royal Palm one of the elite jobs in this county,” he said. In response to the school’s current “D” grade, community leaders have said that RPBHS is no longer a community high school because boundaries have been redrawn to include economically deprived areas outside the village. Armas said what is happening at Royal Palm Beach High School is true at many high schools in the district, noting that the free lunch program used as an economic indicator has increased overall. “The free or reduced lunch in

ance of national logos. The plaza also requires that monument signs be of consistent design, which includes an orange barrel tile roof. Village staff recommended approval because it complies with all the requirements, Erwin said.

Commissioner Jackie Larson asked for color samples and commented on the contrast of the burgundy lettering for the monument sign with the orange barrel tile. Erwin reiterated that it met the requirements of the center.

Commissioner Genevieve Lambiase said she also approved of the plan except for the monument sign. “I think it’s fine, but I’m a little concerned about the clashing,” she said. Lambiase made a motion to approve the application, which was seconded by Commissioner

recent years has gone from 11 percent to 47 percent,” Armas said. “The free or reduced lunch tells you when you are at or below the poverty line. That is the standard indicator of the level of poverty at a particular school.”

Community leaders also have complained that the village is losing quality students to magnet schools.

“If we are no longer a community school because we are losing some of our community kids, then we need to keep some of those community kids at home,” Armas said. “If we’re losing kids, if that’s

The Ponce de Leon Office Park location has no requirements for monument signs, so Erwin said BB&T has applied to remove the two old Colonial Bank signs and put up its own with the national logo. Village staff recommended approval of the two monument signs and two unlit wall signs with the BB&T burgundy lettering, which is smaller than the existing lettering, Erwin said.

Lambiase asked about the solid maroon color of the ATMs in the drive-through.

“I think it’s going to take away,” Lambiase said. “I like the sign for the bank, but color-wise, I don’t think this is going to look good. I think the colors need to be more

the case, we need to show them we can be the school that they need. That’s the bottom line, really.” Safety at the school has been another concern because of a number of violent incidents.

“My philosophy has always been that if education is No. 1, then safety has to be 1A, because it is impossible to learn in an unsafe setting,” Armas said. “Whether Royal Palm Beach High School is unsafe or not, I don’t know. I’ve been on that campus, and I didn’t find it to be unsafe. However, if there is a perception of it being

in tune with the color of the bank itself.”

Larson said she also did not like the burgundy color of the wall signs in contrast to another orange barrel roof, or the burgundy ATM.

“I cannot support that, and I cannot support the ATM, it has to be a different color,” Larson said.

Commission Chair Darrell Lange said he would not support the burgundy ATM either.

Toothaker said she did not know what to do to resolve the issues, especially when it comes to the tile roof.

“Unfortunately, you get what you get when you take over an existing bank location,” she said, noting that the ATM color is consistent with what is done at all other BB&T locations. “The maroon color is their signature color.”

unsafe, then we need to be sure the perception is not reality, and we need to change that perception.”

Armas said a high statistical occurrence of violent incidents also could indicate that school staff is doing its job by identifying the problem, calling out the problem and reporting it accurately.

“I’ve walked the campus, I’ve been meeting with staff and students, and I did not find an unsafe campus,” he said. “I looked for it because I’m looking to see if that was the case, and it’s not the case.”

Larson said she would concede to the BB&T color wall signs, but make the ATM the same color as the off-white building. Lange asked if the board would support the ATM the same color as the building with a maroon band around the bottom.

Powell said she would favor a toned-down color because it would be of a less distraction while people are banking. “I think if you toned it down, it wouldn’t be hurting your clientele, it would actually be helping them,” she said.

BB&T representatives said they would agree to the changes. Larson made a motion to approve the application, which included the condition on the ATM. Powell seconded the motion, and it carried 4-0.

Armas said he feels RPBHS can meet the needs of all the students.

“There’s the talent of the faculty to do it, there’s the talent within the community to do it,” he said. “Our job is to try to reach that potential. The way to do it is by creating a common vision among all the stakeholders and lay out the appropriate plan to meet and fulfill that vision.”

Armas said he is scheduled to appear at the Royal Palm Beach Village Council meeting on Thursday, June 3, where he will introduce himself and listen to comments and questions.

Barbara Powell and carried 4-0 with Commissioner Tinu Peña absent.

Frank Young, Shawn Whisenhant, golf ball drop winners Don and Maureen Gross, and Tom Neumann.

PBSO Capt. Eric Coleman, John Olea, Blake Johnson and Detective Gabe Carino.

American Legion Post 390 Commander Tom Wenham, Major General Wayne Jackson and Regis Wenham.

American

Society’s Rosemary Reder with American Legion Post 390 Adjutant Mary Castillo.

Karen Hardin, golf pro Mark Rodgers, Glenn and Terri Wescott.

Raina Ruelle with Jordon (front), Glenn Wescott, Bob Johnson, Chip Donahue, Terri Wescott, Sandy Oswald and Ken Blumbek.

Links of Madison Green GM Richard Leconche with first-place golf winners PBSO Deputy Rusty Lamm and Cpl. Todd Ostuni. Not pictured: Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Detective Larry Wood.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Terri Wescott tees off.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Vandals Smash Vehicle Windows In Wellington

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

MAY 23 — Several Wellington residents called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office last Sunday to report acts of vandalism. According to separate PBSO reports, the residents called after discovering someone had thrown rocks through their vehicles’ windows. According to one PBSO report, sometime between 6:30 p.m. last Saturday and 1 p.m. last Sunday, someone threw a rock through the window of the victim’s Nissan Xtera parked outside her home in Sugar Pond Manor, causing approximately $500 in damage. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. In a separate PBSO report, a second resident of Sugar Pond Manor discovered that sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 10:10 a.m., someone threw a rock at his van, breaking his right side door window and causing approximately $500 in damage. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. In a third PBSO report, a resident of Emerald Forest discovered the rear window of her Lexus RX 300 had been smashed by a rock sometime between 10 p.m. last Saturday and 9 a.m. the following morning. The damage was approximately $300. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. In a fourth PBSO report, the perpetrator(s) used two rocks to break out the victim’s driver’s-side and passenger’s-side windows of his 2002 Toyota in the Lakeside Shores community. The incident occurred sometime between 7 p.m. last Saturday and 8:30 a.m. the following morning. The damage was approximately $300. There were no witnesses at the time of the report. In a fifth PBSO report, sometime between 12:30 and 8:30 a.m., someone threw a rock through the rear window of the victim’s BMW, which was parked outside his home in Greenview Shores. The victim said that there are juveniles who hang out at the park across the street all night. The damage was approximately $500. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no witnesses at the time of the report.

• • • MAY 20 — A juvenile from

drug paraphernalia. The deputy also seized $104 in cash. MAY 22 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Calypso Bay water park on Lamstein Lane last Saturday afternoon after someone called to report a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 1:50 p.m., the deputy observed a red Hummer H2 with a broken front passenger side window and locked doors. At noon, the victim left the vehicle, leaving her purse containing her credit cards, check book and $10 cash under the passenger seat. Upon her return, the window was broken and the purse was missing. According to the report, the vehicle was undamaged at approximately 1:30 p.m. when a patrol unit came by. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 22 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home in Greenview Shores last Saturday night in response to a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim returned home at 9:40 p.m. and heard someone exit his home through the rear sliding glass door. An investigation found a small hole in the rear screen door to access the screen door lock, and that the rear sliding glass door had been pried open. According to the report, the suspect(s) had entered the rear east bedroom, accessed the computer and visited approximately eight different pornographic web sites. Nothing was removed from the residence. DNA evidence was taken from the keyboard and sliding door, but there were no suspects at the time of the report.

MAY 23 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home in Greenview Shores last Sunday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10:30 p.m. last Saturday and 11 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s unlocked car and stole a radio faceplate and a box of billiard chalk. The stolen items were valued at approximately $220. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

The Acreage was arrested on drug charges late last Thursday night following a traffic stop at Sparrow Drive and Goldfinch Lane in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the RPB substation was on patrol in an unmarked car in the Marathon gas station parking lot when he observed a 2002 Saturn with dark tinted windows park in a handicapped parking space without a handicap decal. The vehicle then drove through the parking lot at a high rate of speed and ran a stop sign. The vehicle then ran another stop sign at Partridge Lane and Sparrow Drive. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the juvenile driver. According to the report, the deputy could smell marijuana coming from the car and observed two marijuana plants in black pots on the passenger floorboard. The juvenile was arrested and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center where he was charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of

MAY 24 — A resident of Tree Tops of Wellington called the PBSO on Monday to report graffiti. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 3:30 p.m. last Tuesday and 3:30 p.m. Monday, someone used a magic marker to draw a hand with the middle finger sticking up and profanity on the victim’s garage door and a piece of aluminum siding on the side of the house. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 24 — A Royal Palm Beach woman was arrested for drunken driving Monday morning after she ran over a traffic barrel near Royal Palm Beach Blvd. According to a PBSO report, a 1996 Ford Bronco dragged an orange traffic barrel into the Publix parking lot at the corner of Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards. A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach made contact with 47-year-old Linda Oxley as she exited her vehicle. Oxley had been arrested the week prior for driving under the

See BLOTTER, page 18

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Christina Lenna is a white female, 5’3” tall and weighing 120 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. She has tattoos on her wrist and arm. Her date of birth is 10/25/ 89. Lenna is wanted for violation of probation on charges of dealing in stolen property and grand theft. Her occupation is hostess. Her last known address was 88th Place North in The Acreage. Lenna is wanted as of 05/27/10. • Peter Lenton is a white male, 6’1” tall and weighing 190 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his back. His date of birth is 06/19/83. Lenton is wanted for sale of oxycodone. His occupation is broker. His last known address was Hunting Trail in Greenacres. Lenton is wanted as of 05/27/10. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc.com.

Christina Lenna

Peter Lenton

McAuliffe, Abruzzo Tout ‘Pill Mill’ Crackdown At Chamber Lunch

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The recent legislation restricting “pill mills” on the way they dispense drugs was a major topic at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday, May 19 at the Binks Forest Golf Club.

State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo (DDistrict 85), who was instrumental in getting the bill through the Florida Legislature, and Palm Beach County State Attorney Michael McAuliffe addressed the issue.

Abruzzo praised McAuliffe for his work in bringing together elected officials to crack down on pain clinics.

The legislation Abruzzo supported significantly toughens Florida’s laws on such clinics. “No. 1, you can [currently] be a convicted felon and operate these pill mills,” Abruzzo said. “So the first thing is that you have to be a licensed physician to be allowed to own and operate them.”

The bill also puts a 72-hour maximum dosage on the amount of drugs that can be dispensed at clinics. “Right now, we have people come down and pick up hundreds of pills and ship them all over the country,” Abruzzo said. “Now only 72 hours worth of drugs can be dispensed. This also gives law enforcement the authority to go in and investigate these

pill mills. I’m very excited about the bill, and I hope the governor signs it soon.”

McAuliffe, the keynote speaker at the luncheon sponsored by Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, said his office had made combating the county’s drug problems, including illegal pain clinics, a priority.

“We got together with the public defender and the drug court system,” McAuliffe said. “We have revamped and recommitted ourselves to the drug court program. That represents our commitment to being tough, and also in terms of accountability, but being creative and open-minded as to what the right measure or what the right manner of punishment is as far as users and addicts, so we get them to the appropriate treatment program.”

Comparing the number of homicides to drug overdoses, McAuliffe noted that there are three times the number of overdose deaths in Palm Beach County.

“We have found we are ground zero on this issue,” McAuliffe said. “We are one step removed from Broward County. We are at the epicenter of the abuse. When we talk about pill mills, we are talking about going beyond pain management and physician or doctors’ offices. We are talking about businesses that are mostly cash-only businesses that go

through and dispense, or try to dispense, hundreds of thousands of prescriptions.”

Law enforcement surveillance has found that cars come from thousands of miles away to visit Palm Beach County pain clinics.

“To develop and prosecute those cases, I have imbedded two prosecutors into that task force,” he said. “We have tough statutes with strong penalties, and I commit to you the use of these men and women, and they will be used wisely, ethically and assertively.”

Dr. Michael Weiner, the director of assessment, education and research at Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, said his agency’s substance-abuse treatment programs accept insurance to help people pay for treatment of their addictions. “We’re going to help people in the community,” Weiner said, “and please do not hesitate to call on us.”

For more information about Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, call (800) 251-9445 or www.bhpalmbeach.com.

McAuliffe also focused on some of the other issues he has dealt with since taking office last year.

McAuliffe said one of his priorities during his 2008 campaign had been to protect and ensure the well-being of children, and he reformed and empowered the Special Victims Unit to handle such

cases. That unit also works in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office using sophisticated technology.

“We use these techniques to identify, investigate and prosecute the worst of the worst child sexual predators in our communities, and also help and assist other agencies in other jurisdictions,” McAuliffe said. “We’ve been operational for about a year, and this month is the first anniversary of our predator unit. I consider it a delivery of the promise I made to help Palm Beach County be the safest place for a child to grow up.”

McAuliffe also noted that his office and Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw have made strides in reducing the threat of gang violence. The combined efforts of the two agencies recently resulted in the arrest of members of gangs in Boca Raton, Lake Worth and Riviera Beach.

McAuliffe praised his new public integrity unit, which combats government corruption. The work of that unit recently led to the conviction of 15 county driver’s license examiners.

“The examiners were being charged with issuing fraudulent licenses to undocumented individuals in our community,” McAuliffe said. “These people have pleaded guilty. Every one of them has received a sentence.”

RPB Salutes Retiring Gale Fulford

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council honored retiring Cypress Trails Elementary School Principal Gale Fulford on Thursday, May 20, in a ceremony attended by many students, teachers and principals from area schools.

“She has been recognized by her colleagues, the State of Florida, the School District of Palm Beach County and the community at large for her excellence as an education leader and innovator for the past 35 years,” Mayor Matty Mattioli said. Fulford, 59, compared her tenure at Cypress Trails to a chapter out of Winnie the Pooh

“Serving as a principal in Palm Beach County has really been extraordinary, but serving as principal at Cypress Trails was a dream come true,” Fulford said, explaining that in 1989 she and her husband were driving through Royal Palm Beach when she spied Cypress Trails. “We were driving through what I thought was the 100Acre Wood because back then there was a lot of woods back here, and then we came up on this little school that reminded me of the little school in the Winnie the Pooh stories, and I told my husband then that one day I want to be principal of that school… my dream did come true.”

Fulford said she enjoyed capping her education career in Royal Palm Beach.

“Royal Palm Beach is a wonderful, wonderful place to be. I’ve met some fabulous people, and I appreciate all the kindnesses that you’ve done and all the work you’ve done for our children,” she said.

Fulford also recognized the young people in the audience who had come to wish her farewell. “I want to admonish my

Mayor Matty Mattioli presents Gale Fulford with a certificate of appreciation.

school leaders in particular to work hard for these children, because with dwindling resources and all the obstacles before them, only you can make a difference for them.”

H.L. Johnson Elementary School Principal Sharon Hench, Royal Palm Beach Elementary School Principal Susan Watson and Crestwood Middle School Principal Stephanie Nance also attended the ceremony.

“Much of what we are is defined by what we do,” Hench said. “As principals, we are required to be highly organized. At times we are both parallel and perpendicular. We like to make lists… We have a daily to-do list for work. We have a gro-

cery list. We have a honey-do list. We have a list of errands to run during our free time. Hopefully, after June 30, Gale will have a list that has leisurely activities like manicure, pedicure, facial …” Hench said she had fifth-graders at Cypress Trails each write one word to describe Fulford’s character and the legacy she will leave there. Words included: best, awesome, amazing, nice, fantastic, caring, fair, respectful, thoughtful, kind, colorful, loving and dozens more.

“My dear friend, mentor and colleague, you will be missed,” Hench said. “During the 35 years that you have devoted to education, you have touched many hearts,

See FULFORD, page 18

Abruzzo, during his comments, noted that he has several bills awaiting Gov. Charlie Christ’s signature to become law.

“One bill I wanted to speak about is truly a Wellington bill,” Abruzzo said. “It’s the Ivonne Rodriguez and Victoria McCullough Horse Protection Act, partially named in honor of a Wellington resident, and part of this bill was written by a Wellington veterinarian, Dr. Scott Swerdlin.”

The aim of the bill is to stop illegal horse slaughter and protect horses from improper veterinary practices.

“We have a big problem in Florida with people stealing horses and slaughtering them for their meat,” he said. “This bill does a few things. It tightens the penalties for those who transport horses illegally, and as far as the veterinarian portion of the bill, the State of Florida will not allow a veterinarian to come in and practice if he has bad marks or animal abuse on his record.” For additional

Royal Palm Beach Adopts Rules For Flags And Flagpoles

Residents and owners of commercial property in Royal Palm Beach who want to put up flagpoles will have to comply with a new set of regulations.

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved an ordinance Thursday, May 20 that regulates the installation of flagpoles throughout the village, except on village property where exceptions were approved.

“The ordinance will require a permit for all ground-mounted flagpoles and wall-mounted flagpoles located on nonresidential properties,” Planning Director Bradford O’Brien explained. “The ordinance also regulates the size of flags and the number of flags allowed on a specific piece of property, the location of the flagpoles and the height of the flagpoles.”

Freestanding flagpoles will not be allowed to exceed 20 feet for residences or 32 feet for commercial use, according to the staff report. A flagpole mounted on a building may not extend more than 15 feet above the structure. Three flags or flagpoles will be the maximum allowed on any structure. Flagpoles greater than 20 feet in height will have to be at least 15 feet from any property line, plus an additional foot of setback for each additional foot in height of the flagpole.

The vertical length of a flag will not be allowed to exceed 20 percent of the pole

height, and the horizontal length will not be allowed to exceed twice the allowable vertical length.

Multiple flags on one pole shall not exceed the combined total allowable area for one flag. A flag attached to a wallmounted flagpole will not be allowed to exceed 5 feet by 10 feet.

Existing flags or flagpoles that do not comply with the provisions of the ordinance will be considered nonconforming signs or sign structures.

Councilman David Swift made a motion to approve the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilman Fred Pinto and passed unanimously.

At first reading of the ordinance on May 6, Councilman David Swift asked whether the village’s flags meet the regulations, and O’Brien said that in public districts, the flags are not regulated by the ordinance. At that meeting, Acting Village Manager Ray Liggins said village staff had surveyed the public sites and decided they should not be required to comply.

“On this site, we would meet that,” Liggins said, referring to the municipal complex. “When we surveyed other sites, specifically Veterans Park, we kind of have a flag garden there at both of the memorials, and when we looked at that, we had to exempt it.”

Swift also asked about existing flagpoles where residents have permits, and O’Brien said they will be allowed to remain as a nonconforming use.

Diana’s niece Sarah Squires and Diana’s uncle Walter Dzubiak hold signs to raise awareness about Diana.

Kathryn Ponsock buys a raffle ticket from Diana’s sister Kelly Henry.

Kershaw with some of Diana’s friends and family members.

State Attorney Michael McAuliffe State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo

above are (left) Serette Cherestal, who lost her son Jordan in a recent drowning incident, and PBSO Capt. Eric Coleman (right).

The Tutoring Club of Wellington awarded a $500 scholarship to Wellington High School graduate Samantha Cameron on Thursday, May

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

CODY LINLEY VISITS BOOMER’S MUSIC

Support Our Troops Cookout At Whole Foods

Just in time to kick off summer in a fun and charitable way, Whole Foods Market in Wellington will host the Support Our Troops Cookout, benefiting Forgotten Soldiers Outreach on Sunday, May 30 from noon to 4 p.m.

This Memorial Day weekend, western communities residents can show their support for veterans both past and present by attending the cookout. With a $5 per person donation, supporters can choose from a fresh-grilled hamburger, cowboy burger or veggie burger, along with coleslaw and choice of drink, all for a great cause.

Attendees can lunch with pride, as 100 percent of the money raised will go to FSO, a non-profit organization that collects, produces and ships care packages to U.S. troops overseas. To make the deal even sweeter, the Wellington store will match up to $500 in donations. “We are so pleased to be able to help this wonderful organization and to allow our friends in the community to contribute as well,” said Lauren Belinsky, marketing and community relations specialist for Whole Foods Market Wellington. “This is an opportunity that hits close to home, as one of our store’s team members was thrilled to receive a care package from FSO while serving in Iraq. We urge everyone in the community to bring their family and friends to have a great time and help us reach our goal.”

FSO founder and executive di-

rector Lynelle Chauncey Zelnar said her group is grateful to Whole Foods Market for organizing the event and supporting the cause.

“Their donation will certainly help our mission of sending a little bit of home to our troops abroad,” she said. “The company is setting a great precedent in this community, and we greatly appreciate it.”

Whole Foods Market is located at 2635 State Road 7. For more information, call (561) 904-4000 or visit the company’s web site at www.wholefoodsmarket.com. For more information about Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, a national charitable organization registered with the State of Florida and the State of Georgia, visit www.forgottensoldiers.org or call (561) 369-2933.

YWCA To Host ‘Tea And Tales’ On June 16

The YWCA of Palm Beach County will host “Tea and Tales” on Wednesday, June 16 at 3 p.m. at the Chesterfield Palm Beach Hotel. Beginning at 3 p.m., the event will include a traditional English tea and the secrets of “the Ladies of Palm Beach.”

Local historian James Ponce will take guests back in time by sharing anecdotes about the rich history of the early women of Palm Beach and the surrounding area. In addition to Ponce’s presentation, the event will include a Chinese auction and the presen-

tation of the YWCA’s Grace Dodge and Youth Racial Justice Awards. Chapeaux are welcomed. Honorary Chair Joyce McLendon and Chair Nancy Marshall promise a relaxing and fun-filled afternoon. Admission is a donation of $50 with proceeds supporting the programs of the YWCA, including Harmony House, Child Development Centers and Y-Girls. The Chesterfield Palm Beach is located at 363 Cocoanut Row. To make reservations for the June 16 Tea and Tales event, call the YWCA at (561) 640-0050, ext. 134.

Summer Savings Pass For Local Theme Parks

Lion Country Safari, Miami Metrozoo, Miami Seaquarium and Wannado City will be offering a Summer Savings Pass for the second year in a row. The Summer Savings Pass will give its buyers admission to all four attractions throughout the summer.

The Summer Savings Pass is available for purchase at each of the participating parks and will be valid for admission to each of the attractions until Sept. 30. At $54.95 per person, this pass grants unlimited admission at Lion Country Safari, Miami Metrozoo and Miami Seaquarium, and oneday admission to Wannado City through Sept. 30. Annual pass holders and members of these attractions will be eligible to purchase this pass for only $29.95 plus tax, per person. For more information on the Summer Savings

Pass, visit www.summersavings pass.com. Lion Country Safari is open daily. For more information, call (561) 793-1084 or visit www.lion countrysafari.com.

Wannado City is located in the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, west of Fort Lauderdale. For additional information, visit www. wannadocity.com or call (888) WANNADO.

Miami Metrozoo will be known as Zoo Miami as of July. For more information, visit the zoo’s web site at www.miamimetrozoo.com or call (305) 251-0400. For more information about Miami Seaquarium, call (305) 361-5705 or visit its web site at www.miamiseaquarium.com.

Wellington Cares Collecting Items

To Give To Haiti

Wellington Cares Clearinghouse is currently collecting items for Food for the Poor in Coconut Creek to send to victims of the January earthquake in Haiti. Donations include non-perishable food items, especially baby formula and canned food, diapers, household items, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and school supplies.

Wellington Cares Clearinghouse is particularly looking for items that could help people make a small living, such as sewing machines or tools. For more information about donating items to Wellington Cares Clearinghouse, call Ellie Caldwell at (561) 790-5499.

Actor Cody Linley visited Boomer’s Music in Wellington on Sunday, May 23 to record a duet with Boomer’s student Kelly Jacobs. While at Boomer’s, Linley signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed for fans. Linley is best known for his role as Jake Ryan on the TV show Hannah Montana. For more info., visit www.boomersmusic.com. (Above) Linley with Boomer’s Music owner Melody Stuart and Kelly Jacobs. (Below) Linley with Lexi Laucirica.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

PASO FINO CLUB HOSTS TREASURE HUNT

Adrianne Hetherington presents Linda and Chuck Leemon with a certificate of appreciation.

Dollie Unger on Tootsie and Gary Unger on Lady reach for the same card (Dollie got it).

Jean Hennekam installs the new

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Barry Manning accepts certificates of appreciation on behalf of the Town-Crier and Wellington The Magazine

Suzanne Redmond accepts the gavel from Adrianne Hetherington.

Adrianne Hetherington and Suzanne Redmond give a certificate of appreciation to Judi Bludworth and her husband David.

ELLYN

Ellyn Bogdanoff

Diana Tashman, Rocky Goins, Ellyn Bogdanoff, Wellington Councilman Howard Coates and Myles Tashman.

State Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff with Marie Priore and Wellington Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore.

Lisa and Joe Glucksman.Snow White chats with a youngster.

Donald Duck entertains some of the temple children.

PHOTOS BY

Lenore Glickman sells t-shirts.

David Abrams with his son Josh.

The Finkel family enjoys the picnic.

PHOTOS BY CAROL

BMX STUNT RIDERS VISIT PANTHER RUN

Panther Run Elementary School students were recently treated to a very special event. Sponsored by the PTA, the program featured BMX stunt riders Rob Nolli and Tom Haugen. Nolli and Haugen are part of the Perfection on Wheels program, whose riders visit schools across the country to entertain and promote a positive message regarding drug awareness, anti-bullying and character building. For more info., visit www.perfectiononwheels. com. Shown above, Nolli jumps over Panther Run’s very daring Principal Scott Blake.

PANTHER RUN STUDENTS WIN AT SCIENCE FAIR

The Palm Beach County School District held its annual Mathematics and Science Fair competition April 29 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. It included science project displays from students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Winners were awarded ribbons by grade level. Panther Run had three winners: Laura Hildebrandt’s kindergarten class, first place, “Smooth Sailing”; Tedd Lester (teacher Heather Turpen), honorable mention, “Flight of the Paper Airplane,” fourth grade; and Cole Chalhub (teacher Trish Begens), honorable mention, “The Power of Fruit,” fourth grade. Fourth- and fifth-grade math and science teacher Jodi Thomas coordinated the science fair at Panther Run. Shown above is Hildebrandt with her kindergarten students and their winning project.

Western Pines Honors Students Of The Month

Western Pines Middle School

Principal Robert Hatcher is once again proud to present the school’s students of the month. These students have been selected by their science teachers for exemplifying the characteristics of leadership and academic excellence in and out of the classroom.

Sixth-grader Xavier Gorriti is a shining example of a student who exemplifies leadership characteristics. Not only is he an academic superstar, but Xavier is kind, polite, thoughtful and an inspiration to fellow students. He has been very successful at Western Pines, although his busy schedule of outside activities prevents him from participating in every school activity.

Seventh-grader Christopher Pugliese’s teachers view him as an all-around outstanding student. He is a wonderful role model for other students in the classroom and around the school. Christopher always gives 100 percent in everything he does, and is well-respected by his teachers and his peers. Finally, Western Pines eighthgrader Danielle Lagos is another outstanding young lady and student. She is responsible and self-disciplined, and teachers love having her in their classrooms. Outside class, she volunteers at Golden Grove Elementary School as well as at Western Pines sporting events. Danielle is well-liked and destined for success.

Binks Forest Students Enjoy Reading Program

Each year, 15 books are recommended for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders to read as part of the Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award program.

This year’s list was received with great anticipation at Binks Forest Elementary School. Students had fun reading these suggested books. At Binks Forest, the students read the Florida Sunshine State books and completed a crossroad puzzle on each book read. If they read four or more, they were invited to a celebration in the library media center with Library Media Specialist Sharon Wedgworth. The students enjoyed cake, ice cream with toppings and prizes.

The Binks Forest students who read all 15 are Shawn Steuerer, Katie Gulkis, Praveen Anbu and Niki Patel.

This year’s list of books includ-

ed: The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin, The Middle of Somewhere by J.B. Cheaney, The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies, The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candance Fleming, Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It by Sundee T. Frazier, Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke, Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Defiance by Valerie Hobbs, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell, Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy, The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin, Highway Cats by Janet Taylor Lisle, Punished by David Lubar, Night of the Howling Dog by Graham Salisbury and A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. In the end, Haddix’s Found was chosen as the winner for 2009-10.

RPBHS Students Win Gold At State Competition

Royal Palm Beach High School Medical Science Academy students participated in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Competition that took place in April in Orlando.

Mariel Manuel won first place in the Pathophysiology category,

and Michelle Kautz took first in the Veterinary Assisting competition. Both students met the eligibility criteria and will be competing at the HOSA National Leadership Conference & Competition in June. Additional Medical Science Academy students placing in the state competition are Ky Des-

marattes, who finished fourth in the Nutrition category, and Stephanie Encarnacion, Alexandra Satchell and Katelyn Webster, who placed fifth in the Biomedical Debate Team competition.

HOSA is a nationally recognized professional organization for medical science academy stu-

WPMS Students Of The Month — (L-R) Danielle Lagos, Xavier Gorriti, Chris Pugliese and Principal Robert Hatcher.

Binks Forest students Shawn Steuerer, Katie Gulkis, Praveen Anbu and Niki Patel.

BINKS FOREST STUDENTS VISIT PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT PALMS WEST HOSPITAL

Smiles from the classroom were extended to children in hospital rooms as a part of the Binks Forest Elementary School PTA/School Services program. Program coordinators Lisa Shields and Lisa Weger, along with several Binks Forest students, distributed coloring books and crayons to some of the pediatric patients at Palms West Hospital on May 18. The donations were part of a community service drive completed at the school, part of the Helping Hands program done throughout the year.

TKA Class Has Impressive Accolades

The King’s Academy 2010 senior class has excelled academically during their high school careers. These 120 students navigated the rigors of the King’s Academy’s strenuous academic program, including Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment and honors courses, and community service requirements.

High School Principal Sonya Jones is impressed by her students’ efforts. “It is gratifying to see their hard work pay off,” she said. “One of the things that we stress is pro-

ducing Christian leaders who will go out and change their world. I’m sure that this class has both the knowledge and the opportunities in higher education to do just that.” As a result of their efforts, the King’s Academy class of 2010 boasts an impressive list of college acceptances from more than 30 highly selective colleges and universities including: Auburn University, Clemson University, Duke University, Florida State University, New York University, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, Tulane University, the University of Alabama, the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, the University of Miami, the University of Mich-

igan, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of South Carolina, the University of Virginia, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rice University, Vanderbilt University, Wake Forest University and many others.

In addition to these impressive acceptances, the Class of 2010 has received approximately $7.6 million in scholarships to date, over $63,000 per student. Director of College Counseling Heather Najmabadi and her staff met with each high school student and their families to assist with their college searches, including the scholarship application process. “Our primary goal is to assist and guide

our students and their families through the myriad of information and decisions concerning their college search,” she said. “We are always looking to provide students with the best possible support.”

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through 12th grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry

counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach.

More information about the King’s Academy is available online at www.tka.net.

Panther Run

To Offer VPK

Panther Run Elementary School will be offering voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) in the fall. Anyone interested in having their child attend should contact Mat-

thew Childs or Karen Olshansky at (561) 804-3930.

SRHS Blood Drive A Success

During a successful blood drive held Wednesday, May 19 under the supervision of student coordinators Kevin Babb and Cassidy Heitman, Seminole Ridge High School collected a total of 120 donated units from students and staff. This was a 20-percent increase from last year’s drive. “Thanks for a terrific, recordshattering year — and for so many lives saved in our local hospitals,” National Honor Society drive sponsor Shawna Ahmad said.

Child Life Specialist Nicole Guererri with Holden Kapsos, Maximo Roldan, Blake Weger, Kayla Brusie and Eavan Spatz.

Alyson Brusie, Skylee Bollinger, Holden Kapsos, William Shields, Nicholas Kapsos, Blake Weger, Max Goldman, Eaven Spatz, Brittany Weger, Benjamin Shields and Kayla Brusie.

Brittany Weger, Blake Weger and Benjamin Shields.

WHS Think Pink Kids Walk Raises Over $10,500

—

Bowen,

Travis Michaud vividly remembers the day last year that Think Pink Kids became more to him than a club.

“My mother, with tears in her eyes, told me she had been diagnosed with breast cancer,” Michaud said. “It can affect any of us at any moment.”

The club, which was just forming at Wellington High School at the time, helped sustain him, and he helped sustain it, working on the executive board. This year, with his mother Ellie Michaud cancer-free, Travis gave a thankyou speech Friday, May 7 to the hundreds of participants at the second annual Think Pink Kids Walk to Win the Battle Against Breast Cancer.

“My family will always be thankful to all those who were there,” Michaud told the crowd before this year’s walk. “Thank you so much for being there for us.”

About 450 students and adults participated, raising more than $10,500.

Adopting the idea from students who started it in Minneapolis, Think Pink Kids has about 30 active members, said President Lindsay Rosenthal. And the members have spread the concept to several other Wellington schools, which participated in the fundraiser.

Several major sponsors donated money to the club’s cause, including “four ribbon” sponsors Visions Clinical Research, Boynton Financial Services, Zasa Clinical Research, Comprehensive Pain Care and Wellington Regional Medical Center. Three-ribbon sponsors were South Florida Radiation Oncology, Premier Family Health and the Goldhaber family. Think Pink Kids will donate to the Scripps Research Institute and Your Bosom Buddies II, a breast cancer support group.

ST. PETER’S CEC TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

The teachers and staff at St.

Child Enrichment Center (CEC) preschool in Wellington were treated to a 1950s-style teacher

appreciation luncheon on Wednesday, May 12. Parents of the school volunteered their time and cooking skills to provide a diner-

onion rings, homemade milk shakes and more. Parents and teachers got in the spirit of the event with poodle skirts, pedal pushers and fun ’50s-style garb. Pictured below, teachers and parents enjoy the afternoon.

Laurie Morden, a graduating senior from Wellington High School, recently won the prestigious Travel for Teens International Friendship Contest. Morden will be traveling to Cinque Terre, Italy, this summer to participate in a meaningful community service project before exploring the splendors of Rome, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. This unique trip combines service, sea and history in Italy. Ned Clark, vice president and program director of Travel for Teens, flew down from Philadelphia on May 13 to present the award to Morden at the Senior Awards Assembly. To read Morden’s essay and learn more about Travel for Teens, visit www.travelforteens. com. Shown above are Clark, Morden and WHS Principal Mario Crocetti.

Troisi Graduates From

Monica Troisi has graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in English and double minors in economics and business administration. Troisi completed her four-year degree in three years. A 2007 graduate of the King’s Academy, she is the daughter of Fred and

Wellington Students Win May Haitian Heritage Month Essay Contest

The Haitian Heritage Month Essay Contest Committee is proud to announce the winners of this year’s contest. The first-place and second-place winners are from Wellington High School. Respectively, they are Claude Emmanuel David (11th grade) and Kelsey Stroze (12th grade). Jupiter Cham Fleurimon, an 11th-grader at Palm Beach Lakes High School, placed third.

David, the first-place winner, demonstrated outstanding thinking and writing skills in his composition, excelling in content, originality, grammar and spelling, according to the judging committee members, comprising four district administrators and teachers.

The essay topic was, “How can you play a concrete role in the reconstruction of Haiti after the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake that devastated the country?” David brilliantly expressed his thoughts on how he believes he can contribute to the reconstruction of Haiti and help make a positive difference in the lives of the people who were victims of the earthquake. Stroze and Fleurimon are also excellent students whose behavior and academic performance are praised by their teachers.

The Palm Beach County essay contest began in 2004 in commemoration of May as Haitian Heritage Month. Its goal is to motivate students to practice their thinking and writing skills in order to increase their achievement level in assessments like the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), to increase their selfesteem by promoting their history and culture while asking them

to conduct historical research about their country and people and their contributions to the history of the world. Forty students from high schools throughout the district submitted essays for this year’s competition.

The winners were recognized during the Palm Beach County School Board meeting on Wednesday, May 19 at the Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center in West Palm Beach. The prize for first place was an award certificate and a check for $250. The second-place prize was a certificate and $150, and the third-place prize was a certificate and $100. All the participants will receive a copy of the Haitian Heritage Month resolution and a certificate of participation.

Cancer Walk

(L-R) Wellington Mayor Darell

Think Pink Kids President Lindsay Rosenthal, Vice President Ben Aqua, Juliana Pesh and Travis Michaud.

Peter’s

style lunch complete with burgers,

Monica Troisi

Local Officials Visit Project 425 Crew In Loxahatchee Groves

The crew of Project 425 welcomed State Rep. Joe Abruzzo (DDistrict 85) and other local officials to G&M Ranch in Loxahatchee Groves on Wednesday, May 12. Event attendees took a tour of the Project 425 helicopter and talked about their time in the military. Dennis Koehler was master of ceremonies, and Deputy Grand Knight Ralph Guriere led in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Alicia Branch sang the national anthem.

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Ron Jarriel and Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp were introduced, along with Wellington Councilwoman Anne Gerwig and Royal Palm

Beach Vice Mayor Martha Webster. A short video was shown of Project 425 crew member Chris Noels’ past and present achievements as a Vietnam troop entertainer and later as an advocate for homeless veterans in Palm Beach County.

There was also a video of Project 425’s newest crewman, Bill Arcuri, being held and released in North Vietnam’s “Hanoi Hilton” POW camp after he was shot down in a B-52 bombing raid in 1972. A brief question-and-answer session was held, and everyone enjoyed snacks and refreshments.

Katie Gardner Memorial Tourney A Success

The 13th annual Katie Gardner Memorial Golf Tournament was held May 14 at the BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens. According to Cindy Pijanowski, director of VSA Arts’ Palm Beach County chapter, it was a huge success, netting more than $20,000 for the nonprofit organization.

More than 120 people, including 84 golfers, attended the “afternoon of golf, fun and excitement.” The chairs of the event were Eric Call and Shelley Hill. West Construction, the tournament’s title sponsor, also fielded the winning team of Matt West, Chris Capario, Marco Viteri and John Adler.

“Proceeds from this special fundraising event will help to provide artistic and cultural opportunities to individuals with physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities who reside in Palm Beach County,” Pijanowski said.

The annual tournament is named after Katie Gardner, a 13year-old girl with spinal muscular dystrophy who passed away in April 2003. “Katie was a charming young lady with an incredible artistic talent who participated in many VSA arts programs and exemplified the strength, character and courage of a VSA arts artist,” Pijanowski said.

For more information about VSA Arts, visit www.vsapbc.com.

RPB Siblings Graduate Northwood University

Graduating college together this semester, siblings Jacklyn Gardner and Jonathan Farina feel the sky is the limit, and that they are now one step closer to achieving the American dream.

The two will dedicate the milestone to the memory of their grandmother who served as a professor in Venezuela, and encouraged them to pursue a college education.

With college completed for now, Farina, 21, looks forward to embracing the work force and to using his business education toward a career in corporate finance.

“As I remember my home country, I realize that over the past 10

years, the president of Venezuela has taken the economy from close to a free-market capitalist society to a socialist system which is now heading more toward communism,” he said. “This is why a Northwood education, which stresses free-enterprise and capitalism is more beneficial than ever before. Grandmother would be smiling.”

Gardner, 26, is looking toward possibly staying at Northwood to achieve her MBA degree.

After attending business classes at Royal Palm Beach High School, Farina began working in the mortgage industry and became intrigued with the profession of banking and finance. It was then

that he began researching finance programs at area universities. After researching larger state colleges, he turned to Northwood to learn more about its business focus and embracement of free-enterprise, entrepreneurship and capitalism.

“I was impressed with how Northwood could educate me regarding the essentials of free-enterprise and how I could use that to my advantage,” he said.

It was soon after Farina began classes at Northwood, that he encouraged his older sister Gardner to transfer her associate’s degree from Palm Beach State College to Northwood in order to achieve her bachelor’s degree.

“As a human resource office employee at Brown Distributing Company, I now feel much better equipped to serve in management positions,” said Gardner, who looks forward to additional studies at Northwood. Northwood University is committed to the most personal attention to prepare students for success in their careers and in their communities. The school promotes critical thinking skills and personal effectiveness, and the importance of ethics, individual freedom and responsibility. For more information about Northwood University, visit the school’s web site at www.north wood.edu.

Master of Ceremonies Dennis Koehler addresses the crowd.

(L-R) Bill Gardner, Caroline Gardner, Marco Viteri, John Adler, Cindy Gardner and Kelly Gardner.

Taste Returns

June 3

continued from page 1 sponsored by Americraft, DiSalvo’s Trattoria, Humana Marketpoint, Nicole’s Pasta & Grill, Roger Dean Stadium, Two Men & A Truck and Wellington Vacuum. Participating food vendors as of May 18 include: Domino’s PizzaWellington, Chick-fil-A at Well-

ington Green, Foster’s Grille, Golden Corral Buffet Restaurant, Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant, Havana Restaurant, Rita’s Italian Ice, Starbucks, Nicole’s Pasta & Grill, Philly Connection, Tree’s Wings & Ribs, Rooney’s All-in Sports Bar & Grille, Breakers West Country Club, Kabayan Oriental Mart, Roma Ristorante Pizzeria & Deli/All About You Catering, The Cottage, Kilwin’s of Lake Worth, Uncle Louie G’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Shane’s

Rib Shack, Tasty Image Florida, California Pizza Kitchen, DiSalvo’s Trattoria, Westside Bagel, On the Border, Tijuana Flats, Hoffman’s Chocolate & Ice Cream, Johnson’s Custom Cakes, Costco Wholesale, Chris Papanayofou, David Toole’s Original Roadhouse and Christy’s New York Cheesecake.

Tickets are available at the gate for $15. Advance tickets are $12 online at www.tasteofthewest.org or by calling (561) 790-6200.

Embolism Survival

A Miracle

continued from page 1 some mothers have suffered from an amniotic fluid embolism after having a miscarriage or during a C-section.

Caiozzo-Gilchrist said she was nervous about inducing labor and worried whether the baby would be healthy. “That whole weekend I had an uneasy feeling,” she said. Ultimately she decided it would be best to induce labor at the hospital, a decision she thinks may have saved her life.

“The research that I’ve done on my own said that, if it was to happen, it could have happened when my water broke on its own,” Caiozzo-Gilchrist said. “If that would have happened at home, I probably would have had a 100percent chance of losing my baby

Focus Group Statement

Tabled

continued from page 1 according to the December 2001 report titled “Final ESA Report.”

Several members were concerned that they didn’t have the Pratt & Whitney documents to review before the meeting. “It would have been nice had someone presented it in a black and white document for us to at least have a way to address that,” said Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone, a member of the focus group. “Those are the type of things this group is formed to work through.” Regarding the county transaction with Pratt & Whitney, Damone said that is something the committee could investigate further. “All of the testing done at that time and anything that says why they didn’t purchase the land is a matter of public record,” she said. “We can request it on behalf of the Acreage Community Focus Group.”

Fulford Retiring Principal

continued from page 7 you have touched our hearts and you have touched my heart.”

and losing my life. The way I look at it at this point is I believe in God, and he put me in the situation that I was in for a reason. He put the right people there to save my life.”

Bayer agreed, and said that had Caiozzo-Gilchrist opted for a home birth, she probably wouldn’t be alive today. At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, Caiozzo-Gilchrist checked into Palms West Hospital. But she remembers little of the night. “I remember showing up, and I remember them putting me into the room,” she said. When she woke up, she was told that around 9 p.m., Bayer came in to break her water. Soon after Bayer left the room, Caiozzo-Gilchrist’s husband Horace Gilchrist said he could tell something wasn’t right. “All of a sudden she looked at me and her eyes just opened like sunshine and she said, ‘I can’t breathe,’” he recalled. “My initial

Peskowitz said she had only seen the document and did not have a copy, but brought it up because of the issuance of the summary statement.

Attorney Mara Hatfield, representing Peskowitz and other Acreage residents, said she had not released the documents earlier because she hadn’t had an opportunity to discuss them with her clients. Additionally, she said her copy of the documents couldn’t be shared because she had notes that could violate attorney-client privilege.

“The reason we are concerned now is because there seems to be an effort by this group to announce finality to the water testing that has been done,” she said. “In light of this information, that might be premature.”

Tracy Newfield said she was confused about the connection between Pratt & Whitney and The Acreage and whether the contamination could have affected an area so far away. Hatfield said that although Pratt & Whitney is a distance away, The Acreage is “proximately downstream” from the facility.

Fulford, a lifelong resident of Florida, is married with two daughters and two grandsons. From 1975 to 1985 she taught grades one through five. From 1985 to 1992, she worked in the school district’s Department of Federal Programs. From 1993 to 2001, she worked in the Area Four administrative office and was principal at Glade View Elementary School in Belle Glade. From 2001 to 2003, Fulford was principal at Village Academy Elementary School and an adjunct professor at Barry University. She has been principal at Cypress Trails since July 2003. Fulford will be replaced at Cypress Trails by Maria Bishop, currently the principal at North Palm Beach Elementary School.

Blotter continued from page 6 influence. She was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail, where breath tests revealed she had a .337 blood-alcohol level. She was charged with driving under the influence.

MAY 24 — A resident of 35th Place North called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation Monday evening to report a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, the victim’s son visited a club in West Palm Beach and brought home a female dancer “to hang out.” According to the report, the son fell asleep and the dancer took the keys to the victim’s silver 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse and left with the car.

MAY 25 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded to a home on 82nd Lane North on Tuesday after a resident reported he had been

verbally threatened. According to a PBSO report, in the past few months the victim and his wife have noticed a small white Chevrolet truck belonging to a pool service company speeding up and down the street. Around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, the victim noticed the vehicle speeding down the street and went outside to confront the driver. When the victim attempted to speak with the driver about his speed, the driver became angry and he and the victim began shouting at each other. According to the report, the driver told the victim “that he had a nice home, and that it would be a shame for it to blow up.” According to the report, the victim walked away and the driver exposed his buttocks to the victim. The victim’s wife told deputies that they had reported the driver to the pool cleaning company, who said he would be reassigned.

reaction was, ‘Calm down, relax, don’t panic, it’s a normal procedure.’ But she said to call the nurse. The last thing she said to me before she went out was, ‘Call the nurse,’ and she just fell back.”

He said that it seemed like only seconds after she had gone out before the nurses “kicked the door in” and people began to flood inside.

Bayer said that although she wasn’t sure, she suspected it could be an amniotic fluid embolism that caused Caiozzo-Gilchrist to pass out. “I was pretty suspicious,” Bayer said. “There are a limited number of things that could cause her to stop breathing. During an emergency, you run through all the possible conditions in your mind that could be the cause.”

Bayer said that when she got there, it was a “devastating” situation. Caiozzo-Gilchrist had no blood pressure and no pulse. Im-

“When you have things that are emanating off site in their surface water or in their groundwater, which are not treated by some sort of water treatment system, there is concern that those materials leak or did leak at some time into your groundwater,” Hatfield said.

Vice Chairman Mike Nichols, an environmental consultant, said the documents were speculative, while the summary statement is based on facts and evidence.

“What we’ve put out here is accurate,” he said. “It’s substantiated by fact. What you’re talking about just now is a speculation that has no basis in fact. You said there was a possible connection between Pratt & Whitney’s contamination and pediatric brain cancer in The Acreage. What we’re saying is that the evidence is contrary to that, and it’s actual data that has been provided by the DEP.”

Committees Quarterly Meetings

continued from page 1 He has received feedback from committee members and staff liaisons that boards sometimes lack a clear mission from the council. “I have a real problem with committees not having their mission clear,” he said.

Priore supported quarterly meetings and wanted to review the mission statements that the boards operate under.

Councilman Howard Coates worried that the proposal is step one in phasing out the committees — something he said he couldn’t support.

“Concern has been expressed to me that this ordinance is the first step in trying to eliminate the committees,” he said. “I am adamantly opposed to eliminating the committees, because I think they serve a very inclusionary role in assisting us as a council. And not just in what we decide… but as a source of new ideas.”

Campus Money

continued from page 3 county,” Gallon wrote. “Establishing a full-service campus in the area will provide targeted occupational programs to foster economic development in the area as well as the associate in arts and bachelor’s degree programs.” In other legislative action, Abruzzo reported that the Horse Protection Act was signed by Crist on May 14. “This is a very impor-

mediately, Bayer began working on resuscitation.

Horace Gilchrist said that even though doctors suggested he leave, he remained in the room.

“I was doing a lot of praying to God,” he said. “All I knew was that I couldn’t talk to my wife. I kept calling out for her, telling her ‘I’m here.’ It was surreal. It was like a bad dream.”

He remarked on how calm Bayer remained through the entire process and as she told doctors that they had to perform a C-section.

“And just like that, I saw purple,” he recalled. “I couldn’t believe it. She pulled the baby out, but he wasn’t making any noise; he wasn’t crying.”

Bayer said that Mateo also had to be resuscitated because when Caiozzo-Gilchrist stopped breathing, it cut off the blood flow.

The entire Palms West Hospital community, from ER doctors

Bill Featherston said that while the statement might be accurate, he didn’t think the issue of groundwater has been resolved. Additionally, he took issue with the presentation of the statement, which included bold, underlined and capitalized statements.

“I think that there are a lot of accurate statements,” he said. “My concern is that as an unbiased, impartial group that we would highlight the word ‘not’ or bold the entire statement at the bottom. That’s not objective presentation; it’s a declarative statement.”

Featherston also was concerned that he was hearing about the Pratt & Whitney issue secondhand, even after asking the Florida Department of Health about possible effects from the facility.

Other members were concerned about cross-contamination and the mixing of chemicals in the

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig agreed with a standard number of members and quarterly meetings, but agreed with Priore that all the mission statements should be reviewed.

“We looked at some of these mission statements, and they were a little dated,” she said. “I think they need to be updated. In the meantime, I want the people to know that what they say has value and that they are experts in what they are appointed to. But I also want them to know that they need to be focused on what we want from them.”

Mayor Darell Bowen agreed that the mission statements were outdated and occasionally “ridiculous.” But he also noted that if the committees seem unused, it is partially the council’s fault.

“We’ve had all sorts of issues that we could have referred to the committees and chose not to do it,” he said. “Even you guys who want to make them a lot more relevant have not even piped up and said, ‘Hey I want to submit it to the committee.’ If you all want to do it, then just

tant bill, and it’s truly a Palm Beach County bill,” he said, pointing out that part of the bill was written by Wellington veterinarian Scott Swerdlin. “We have come into the situation here in Florida where people are stealing horses and butchering them and selling the horse meat. This bill toughens the penalties for those who steal horses, transport them and consume horse meat illegally.”

The new bill also will protect polo ponies after 21 horses died in 2009 from overdoses of an incorrectly mixed vitamin supplement. “This bill has a veterinary

to lactation consultants, jumped in to help save their lives.

“I saw a lactation specialist jump in and start doing CPR,” Bayer said. “I later found out she was an old ICU [intensive care unit] nurse. So many people came running to help.”

Caiozzo-Gilchrist awoke four days later on Easter Sunday.

“Which I truly believe is a miracle,” she said.

It was apparent how many people had cared for her while she was out, Caiozzo-Gilchrist said.

“When I woke up, doctors and nurses from all different departments… were like ‘Wow you’re alive. Good to see you awake,’” she said. “They said that on the fourth floor, in maternity, you don’t have cardiac arrests. I was in a room that was not equipped to save someone’s life.”

Caiozzo-Gilchrist attributes the fact she’s alive to God and the Palms West Hospital staff, in par-

groundwater that might have caused contamination. But Nichols said the FDEP had tested for all possible contaminations twice and found nothing. Additionally, he said that the Pratt & Whitney documents had no effect on the summary statement.

“You’re making a speculation that some contamination can travel miles through the groundwater to reach these homes,” Nichols said. “And it’s impacted them in such a degree, with such concentration, that it has caused health problems. If you’re making that speculation, you would expect to see some minute contamination.”

The panel voted unanimously to table the issue until it could read the documents and make a betterinformed decision.

In other business: • FDEP Southeast Director Jack Long said that the soil test results

say it. Until then, we’re making that decision because we haven’t used them.”

The council voted unanimously to reject the ordinance, instead directing staff to create an ordinance in which most of the boards and committees would meet quarterly, have a seven-member panel, and get reviewed and updated mission statements.

In other business, the council unanimously voted to place a oneyear moratorium on new pain management clinics.

The item was tabled at the May 11 meeting in hopes that the state legislature would pass its own regulations, which it did this month.

The proposed state law goes into effect on Oct. 1 and mandates that clinics cannot dispense more than a three-day supply of pills to patients, Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said.

Since the village’s ordinance would go into effect immediately, Kurtz wondered whether the council wanted to include the three-day provision and whether it wanted to ban clinics with pharmacies on site, which the state law

portion where we will no longer allow a veterinarian to practice in the state of Florida if they have a bad background, marks on their record for animal abuse,” Abruzzo said. “That is actually a law; the governor signed it last week.”

The legislature also passed a transportation bill that was on the governor’s desk last week awaiting signature that would require the state to receive local approval when it builds or improves roads. “When we build a median or turn lane on a state road, we can’t just wave our magic wand in Tallahassee and do it,” Abruzzo said.

ticular Bayer, Gwen

and Shearan

Now two months later, Caiozzo-Gilchrist said there are still many unanswered questions about amniotic fluid embolisms. She hopes to start a fund to research the condition and how it can be prevented, or at least detected. Still on medication, CaiozzoGilchrist is also waiting to see if there is any lasting neurological damage on either her or Mateo. However, the experience changed her for the better.

“I’ve always been a person of faith,” she said. “I’ve always believed in him and to always do the right thing and treat people with respect. But now that I’m awake, I’m actually awake. When I’m outside I hear the birds singing, the crickets at night — I hear them. Before, I was so focused on something else. Now I’m living.”

would be at the lab by May 31, and they would be certified and the data tabulated by mid-June. Residents could expect packets by the beginning of July with information, and the results would go public in mid-July.

• Realtor Carl Knottnerus reported that home sales in The Acreage had slowed as a result of the “cancer cluster,” but prices had remained stable. He added that getting lenders in The Acreage is a continuing problem.

“Many lenders have made decisions to put a hold on all loans until the soil tests come in,” he said, adding that from Feb. 2 to May 11 there were 58 homes sold. Twenty-six of those were cash transactions, which suggest investors are buying in the area. In the same time period last year, there were 115 sales, Knottnerus said.

does not directly address.

Priore worried that the threeday supply would limit legitimate medical practices that deal in pain management.

“I believe that this impacts legitimate practices that are operating and sometimes dispense more than three days of medication,” he said. “Is this going to send the message that offices that deal with pain management in their operations are going to be limited to dispensing no more than three days’ worth of medicine to their patients?”

Kurtz said that only clinics that fall within the village’s definition of pain management clinics would be affected. Gerwig wondered whether the ordinance addresses advertising, and Kurtz said that the village’s definition classified anyone advertising pain management as a pain management clinic.

Willhite made a motion to approve the ordinance with the inclusion of the three-day supply rule, which was seconded by Coates and passed unanimously.

“Under this law we have to come to local government to get approval first.” The Department of Transportation holds public hearings for roads, but in the past has not been required to approach local governments for approval, he said.

“Now you have a bigger say when we have construction on our state roads, and I think this is a very good thing for businesses, particularly when we just do it up in Tallahassee and do not take an exact look at how it’s going to affect businesses or private property owners,” he said.

Abruzzo

Johnson, Marie Previlus

Shippey.

Crowds descend on last year’s Taste of the West & Chocolate Lovers Festival.

Taste-tempting chocolate treats will be one of the event’s highlights.

Tips For Choosing The Right Summer Riding Camp

Summer vacation is almost upon us. If your kids are horse crazy, a horse camp might take up at least part of the summer. But how do you choose just the right program for your child? Columnist Ellen Rosenberg talked to four camp owners to get their advice.

Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23

Eventful Year For Wellington High Sports Programs

The baseball team recorded its first no-hitter in 10 years, the football team beat Spanish River 37-0, and the girls varsity soccer team beat its two arch-rivals. Those unexpected events highlighted the 2009-10 athletic season at Wellington High School.

Josh Hyber’s Column, Page 35

A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

BUSINESS

Palms West Hospital Offering Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Surgery Cases

Physicians at Palms West Hospital became the first in the western communities to implement the next generation of minimally invasive surgery by utilizing the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System in early May. The da Vinci system combines computer and robotic technologies with the skills of a surgeon to create a new category of surgical treatment. Page 33

Spor ts

Wolverines Defeat The Visiting Wildcats 24-7 In Football Spring Classic

The Wellington High School varsity football team dominated Royal Palm Beach High School on Friday, May 21, winning the Spring Classic 24-7 at home.

“The sign of a good team is making the other team pay for their mistakes,” WHS head coach Chris Romano said. Page 35

A Few Tips For Choosing The Right Summer Riding Camp

It’s almost upon us: the much anticipated (children), much-dreaded (parents) summer vacation. What to do with all that (wonderful/horrible) free time? If your kids are horse crazy, a horse camp might take up at least part of the summer. But how do you choose just the right program for your child?

Four owners offer their advice: Judie Jenner, owner of Camp Giddy-Up at the Ravenwood Riding Academy in Wellington; Pam Livecchi, owner of the Ranch Colony Equestrian Center in Jupiter; Patti Morin, owner of Foxtail Farm in Loxahatchee; and Lori Cooper, owner of Casperey Stables in Loxahatchee.

Facilities: “Your first impression should be that this is a clean, organized, well-kept environment,” Jenner said. “Is the grass mowed? Are fences mended and gates working? Are rings dragged smooth and barns free of clutter?”

“It should look like it’s well-run,” Cooper said. “It should also have a comfortable atmosphere. The horses and the people should all look like they want to be there.”

“Does it look like a secure place to leave your child?” Livecchi added. “It should be a safe, clean environment run by competent, knowledgeable, caring adults.”

Trainers/counselors: Livecchi said trainers should be of the highest quality. She hires only top-level instructors who have shown at the Winter Equestrian Festival and other Arated shows. She also has the campers meet and talk with the trainers.

“Our camp is geared for the more serious riders,” Livecchi said. “We teach a va-

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

riety of disciplines: Western, Dressage, Hunter/Jumper and basic English. Our students can go as far as they’d like in learning horsemanship and deciding if they might have a future in riding, showing or training.”

Cooper said you should always ask about the instructor-to-rider ratio. Her classes of six students have one instructor and an assistant. Her instructors also have at least five years’ teaching experience. She suggested stopping by the farm and watching the instructors giving lessons so you can observe the procedures and get to know the horses.

“And ask a lot of questions,” Cooper said. “You can get a good feel for someone by watching and talking to them.”

Jenner makes sure that all her counselors have at least four years’ riding and teaching experience. She also likes for there to be a low, 1-on-1 ratio of counselors to campers with rank beginners. She holds a camp preparation program for all her counselors two weeks before camp starts so they can roleplay different situations.

“This way, we’re prepared for anything,” she said.

Horses: Jenner said that it’s critical that riders be correctly matched with their mounts. She has both horses and ponies, so even young children will be appropriately mounted. Some are suited for beginners; some for more advanced riders.

Livecchi agreed that there should be a wide range of horses, so each child won’t be overmounted or bored.

Morin added that one important consideration when matching a horse with a rider is any negative experiences the child may have had with horses.

“If a child has been hurt or scared around horses, he’s going to feel fearful. He’ll be tense,” she said. “Horses are very sensitive. They pick up on that right away. Camps need to have horses that can recognize a rider’s fear and don’t react by shying or moving quickly. They have to be kind, patient and infinitely forgiving. They play a big part in building confidence.”

“All of our horses have been specially trained and chosen for their calm, quiet nature,” Cooper said. “We have more advanced horses, but all of them have the right temperament to teach someone how to ride or how to ride better.”

Safety: Morin recommended checking on the camp’s history of insurance claims, and how many years it has been in business.

“They should also require that the children wear helmets, long pants, and either riding boots or appropriate shoes,” she said. “Everyone should be aware of any allergies, whether to foods or insect bites, and the children should be constantly supervised.”

Jenner said one of the first things you should check is that the camp is licensed and carries at least a $1 million insurance policy. Ask to see the license, and also ask to see a history of accidents and how they were handled. Ask for referrals, and follow up on them.

“Horses are horses,” Jenner said. “They’re big and unpredictable. Anything can happen in an instant. You never know what might sud-

See HORSE CAMPS, page 24

Campers have fun at Camp Giddy-Up at the Ravenwood Riding Academy in Wellington.

I Can Do Many Things, But I’m Not Good At Judging Food

Mistaking me for someone who knows about food, I was asked to judge a cook-off recently. I begged that they instead ask my husband, Mark, a culinary wizard, but that was a no-go.

Now that the contest is over, I’m pretty sure they’ll request Mark next year.

The theme for this cook-off was blueberries. Had it been anything less innocuous — say, seafood — I would’ve had to decline. But even I can eat a blueberry.

I don’t know what happened to me during my childhood that I am such a picky eater, but I am. If something doesn’t look, smell and feel perfect, it’s out. I won’t even give it a try. To this day, I haven’t tried coffee. Why? It looks kind of watery.

But off I went, trying to be a good sport about this dubious honor.

If you’ve ever judged a food competition, you already know this, but I didn’t: It’s serious business.

I made my first mistake by trying to dress

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

“appropriately.” Turns out that even farmers don’t wear overalls these days. A white blouse is a poor choice. And crowns made of spraypainted berries are reserved, it turns out, for the Blueberry Queens. Oops.

Fortunately, no one made me undress. They were too busy.

First, the women had to give each of the four judges a nametag. Second, they had to tell us where to sit. Then they had to explain the rules. This took 15 minutes. You wouldn’t think a blueberry could be

graded on appearance, taste and “originality,” but it can. Oh, it can.

Have you ever had blueberry Rice Krispie treats? Me neither. They’re purple. And they taste kind of bad.

It didn’t matter. The women came running over with glasses of ice water to cleanse our palates.

The second blueberry thing tasted OK, but it didn’t look like it was going to. “Blueberry Balls” (yes) are made when blueberry jam and cream cheese are rolled up together and eaten atop a cinnamon graham cracker. Once I got past the look of the thing, I had to score it pretty high.

There were 30 concoctions in all — jams, cakes, pies, tarts — everything but muffins, which was the only thing I had expected to see.

And here’s what we four judges had in common — we liked blueberry creations that also featured lemon, strawberries and/or whipped cream. The winning cooks all had used them.

Of course, we only knew them by their entry numbers, but the first-place winner was a woman who had driven 100 miles to enter. The third-place winner wins every year. And the second-place winner, well, she’s the one I really felt for.

Her dessert, still warm from the oven, was tasted later in the competition, which meant that all its whipped cream had melted into the cake itself. If you’d seen it when it first came in, you would’ve had to take off points for its appearance by the time you tasted it. But we judges hadn’t seen it come in. We didn’t know or care that a major portion of it had melted into oblivion. Warm is good, and we loved the thing.

When the second-place winner was announced, the lady started crying.

So there you have it.

Not only do I dress like a hick, I make the contestants cry.

Just who do you want judging your competition next year? Mark.

Good Guys’ Does A Poor Job At An Old TV Genre

The Good Guys, supposedly a witty buddy comedy about cops, was previewed on Fox last week. It half succeeds in being witty, being half-witty. It is an appallingly bad show, so weak that I was glued to the set waiting to see if it could get any worse... and it always seemed to succeed. The commercials were better written than the script.

The premise, in the grand tradition of television, is hardly new. Take two mismatched partners and have them somehow bond through acts of either heroism or comic heroism. At first, the show seemed to do that. Dan Stark (Bradley Whitford) is an old-time cop, a hero 25 years ago who still seems to live back in the ’80s when cops could more or less do whatever they wanted. Whitford generally does best when he plays someone really intense and driven as he did so well on The West Wing. He might have done better playing the uptight one, but that was not the choice of the producers.

To balance him, the police, in their infinite personnel wisdom, found Jack Bailey (Colin Hanks, and yes, he’s the son of Tom), a bythe-book careerist. Sounds like fun, right?

Horse Camps Rosenberg Column

continued from page 23 denly startle even a calm horse. And a lot of times, in camp, we have riders who aren’t used to being around horses.”

Jenner makes sure everyone is prepared to act quickly in the event of any emergency, whether a child is just frightened, has fallen, is seriously hurt, or having an allergic reaction. She makes sure every parent has signed a release form, listing all emergency phone numbers, and also has permission to call an ambulance in an emergency if she can’t reach a parent.

There also should be a definite plan in case of bad weather or, especially, lightning.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

Forget it. These cops are assigned to “routine cases,” such as chasing down the person who stole a humidifier. We all know how quick the police are in a vital case like that. I had a friend whose Cadillac Escalade was stolen. He was told to come and file a report that probably never saw the light of day. But in this magic world, why not send two cops on a case where their combined hourly pay could buy that humidifier in less time than it took to do an interview? Of course, somehow the two cops get involved with the world’s “second-best assassin,” who somehow despite that reputation can manage to fire dozens of bullets at them and assorted innocents without hitting anything. And you know

Jenner provides an air-conditioned room where everyone can relax and watch videos.

“It’s all about basic safety,” she said. “The kids should have fun, be safe, and be allowed to grow and learn.”

Making sure it’s a good fit: How often will the children get to ride? At some camps it’s once a day, at some, two or three. What other activities are offered? Many have swimming and crafts; some have team sports like volleyball. Are there field trips or trail rides? Are there guest speakers or horse shows? How many campers attend each session? Are riders grouped by age and/or experience? Will they ride English, Western or both? Another important consideration is the level of competitiveness or overall camp atmosphere.

Livecchi gives each prospective camper a

that if they have the second best, sooner or later, you’re going to see the No. 1 guy. And, of course, we did.

The show is a muddle. For some reason, Stark lives in a trailer. Longtime detectives generally make enough money to live better, but I’m sure there’s a reason for having him there. And the by-the-book cop continually just forgets the book because of his partner and joins in the craziness. This was done pretty well in the movie of Dragnet, which had Hanks’ father as the crazy one. And he did a better job. Of course, why wouldn’t a careerist and former date of the assistant district attorney want to handle the most useless possible cases?

I originally decided to see this pilot for a series because during the summer, TV programmers are notorious for their lack of interest in anything good (someday they’ll do a reality show called “lawn wars” where we can watch grass grow), and I hoped that I might find something to watch. Then I found out that this will actually be a regular TV series next year.

I assume the people at Fox Television ei-

tour of the horses and farm, and also lets each child ride in a lesson before camp starts, so she can accurately gauge the child’s riding ability and match the camper with the best horse.

“We can customize each camper’s program,” she said. “They can learn to run a barn or focus on how to do better at shows. We encourage our campers to select and work toward a specific goal.”

Cooper’s camp is all about horses in a more laid-back environment.

“Our kids can ride three times a day,” she said. “We do lessons, trail rides, a little of everything. We’re geared for the less-competitive rider who just wants to hang around horses and have fun.”

Jenner suggested that children try camp for a week to see if they like it. Her camp isn’t all about riding; campers also learn about groom-

ther have a relative working on the series or have simply lost their minds in putting this show on television. It led into American Idol and still was fourth in its time slot behind such classics as Minute to Win It, getting fewer viewers than a lot of series that have been canceled, and that was despite getting a lot of network promotion with constant commercials for it. And shows like this generally do worse after the first episode.

This is almost, although I must admit not quite, the TV equivalent of Planet 9 from Outer Space, considered by some the worst movie ever made, but how a TV network could put this on and actually consider it for regular fall viewing is almost beyond belief.

We will be seeing a lot more basic cable series coming on now that almost all the regular series have had their season (or complete) finales, and most of the new shows will be made for far less money and be far better. Skip this series unless you like to watch car wrecks … or maybe some of those long, endless chases so popular on California highways.

ing and caring for horses, stable management and horse anatomy. She also insists on meeting every child.

“There’s no blind enrollment,” she said. “I show them around the facility and the horses, so they’ll feel comfortable. I ask them to list their riding skills and ability, and also check their behavior. I want to know if they’ll be safe in this environment. If a child is kicking stones at his mom and she tells him to stop and he doesn’t, that’s not going to fly around horses. I want this to be a win-win experience.”

For more information about the camps, call Camp Giddy-Up at the Ravenwood Riding Academy at (561) 793-4109, Foxtail Farm at (561) 255-4037, the Ranch Colony Equestrian Center at (561) 3463113 and Casperey Stables at (561) 7924990.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Clematis By Night Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary June 3

Clematis by Night will unveil a new look on Thursday, June 3 as it celebrates its 15th anniversary in downtown West Palm Beach.

Since June 8, 1995, the City of West Palm Beach has staged more than 700 Clematis by Night weekly celebrations on Thursday nights. Its 15th anniversary will offer a new spin on this classic weekly street party. The event’s venue will spin 180 degrees to take advantage of the city’s new waterfront. Look for a new beer garden with added tables and seating, as well as new activities with local cultural partners, including the Armory Art Center, the Palm Beach Photographic Museum, Northwood Village and more. Guests will be able to watch laser light shows choreographed to musical favorites shown at 8, 9:05 and

9:30 p.m. each Thursday.

The evening’s entertainment includes national recording artists Fastball singing their hits “The Way” and “Out of My Head.” The opening musical act will be Ruling Mercury. The Dub City Derby Girls will present a roller derby demonstration, and there will be a performance by the West Palm Beach Boys & Girls Club drum line.

In addition to live entertainment, there will be a host of other activities. Meet the Jupiter Hammerheads’ mascot and try your luck in the Hammerheads’ batting cage. The “15 Minutes of Fame Awards” will be presented to those who have helped make Clematis by Night fabulous for 15 years. Come to see the “CbN celebs” walk the red carpet. There will also be a “Hot Spot to

Chill Contest.” Guests can register on site to win a fabulous grand prize; the winner will be announced on stage at 9 p.m.

Event sponsors include Heineken, Coors Light, Coca-Cola, Wachovia, Gater 98.7 FM, WILD 95.5 FM, KOOL 105.5 FM, WJNO 1290 AM, Mia 92.1 FM, the West Palm Beach Marriott, The Palm Beach Post and La Palma

The event starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 3. Presented by the City of West Palm Beach Mayor’s Office and the Division of Community Events, the party is free and open to the public.

For more information about the anniversary party or future Clematis by Night events, call (561) 8221515 or visit www.clematisbynight. net.

Lighthouse Center Exhibit Features Children’s Book Illustrator

Beginning June 10, visitors to the Lighthouse Center for the Arts Museum can journey into an enchanted forest full of magical trees, whimsical creatures and fanciful paintings.

A new exhibition features children’s book illustrator Jacklyn Laflamme’s original artwork from the delightful children’s books Will and the Magical Forest, Will and the River of Enchantment and Will and the Crystal Fairy, written by Dani Lynn.

The storybooks are based on the tale of an old man who takes a journey with his grandson through a magical forest and becomes a young boy again, learning to embrace his inner child. Accompanying each painting will be storybook text viewers can read as they wander through the magical land.

The first book, Will and the Magical Forest, will first be exhibited as a sneak preview at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts School of Art on

Seabrook Road in Tequesta through June 5. It will then join the second book, Will and the River of Enchantment, at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts Museum on June 10. Also exhibited in the museum will be the new third book, Will and the Crystal Fairy, in its first unveiling. Fans of the storybooks can meet the author and illustrator on Thursday, June 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the exhibition opening reception in the museum.

The three books will be for sale in the museum store, as well as other Fairytale Project merchandise. Jacklyn Laflamme and Dani Lynn will be available for autographs.

Also scheduled is a children’s enchanted reading adventure on Saturday, June 19 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the museum, as children and parents are guided through the magical forest and taken on an imaginary storybook adventure. Both events are free for members of the Light-

house Center for the Arts and $5 for non-members age 12 and older.

The Lighthouse Center for the Arts is a member-supported not-forprofit community arts organization, providing excellence in art exhibitions, instruction, education and outreach for all ages. Programs are funded in part by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council and the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners.

For more information on the Lighthouse Center for the Arts Museum, School of Art, exhibitions, programs and events, visit the the Lighthouse Center’s web site at www.lighthousearts.org or call (561) 746-3101.

The Lighthouse Center for the Arts is located in Gallery Square North (373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta), one-half mile west of U.S. Hwy. 1. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

New Theater Company Debuts With ‘Hair’ At Caldwell Theatre

Veteran theatrical producer Vicki Halmos, founder of the Palm Beach Principal Players, has announced the formation of the new theatrical production company Entr’Acte Theatrix and its debut presentation — the tribal rock musical Hair. The production will run for June 10-13 at the Caldwell Theatre (7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton).

“Entr’Acte was founded to answer the needs of a very unique brand of performer — the emerging professional talent from Palm Beach County and the surrounding areas,” Halmos said. “These talented young people, many of whom are finishing their college careers, have

great abilities that would enhance any professional company, but lack one of the major pre-requisites for success in theater — a professional resume. Our goal is to provide these emerging talents with that opportunity and more.”

Entr’Acte Theatrix will produce at least two musical shows each season that will be edgier and more relevant than those traditionally presented by the Palm Beach Principal Players. “Our debut production of Hair will feature a large 30-person cast, most of whom are graduates of local high schools, colleges and universities,” Halmos said. “For many of the cast members, this show will be their first professional

experience — the first time they have actually been paid to perform, even though they may have appeared in previous local productions by the Principal Players, the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival, the Mosaic Theatre, Theater Zone and on college stages from Palm Beach Atlantic University to NYU.”

With book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, and music by Galt MacDonald, Entr’Acte’s production of Hair is directed and choreographed by K.D. Smith, a protégé of Michael Bennett, the mind behind Broadway hits including A Chorus Line, Seesaw and more. Carol Suhr is providing vocal direction for Hair. The cast for

Hair includes

Show times are as follows: 8 p.m. June 10-12, and 2 and 7 p.m. on June 13. Tickets range in price from $10 for students to $30 for premium seating, and are available by calling the Caldwell Theatre box office at (561) 241-7432 or online at www.caldwelltheatre.com.

An additional five performances of Hair will be presented June 1720 at Palm Beach Gardens High School (4245 Holly Drive, located southeast of N. Military Trail and Lilac Street). For tickets or more information, call (877) 710-7779 or visit www.entractetheatrix.com.

Fastball will headline Clematis by Night’s 15th anniversary June 3.

Jessica Kris (Sheila), Ben Michaels (Berger) and Kyle Christopher Schnack (Claude).

Actress Jessica Kris will play the role of Sheila.

Fork In the Road by Jacklyn Laflamme.

Adding Fiber, And Other Simple Steps To Improve Digestion

To Your Digestive Health:

The benefits of adding fiber to one’s diet is multifold. Fiber assists in promoting weight loss, moderating blood sugar (thereby improving diabetes management) and lowering cholesterol (thereby reducing the risk of heart disease). In addition, dietary fiber and fiber supplements have a significant role in alleviating constipation, thereby preventing hemorrhoid progression and the potential for colon polyp development.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in the United States. Remember, colorectal cancer may not have any signs at all, which is why a baseline colonoscopy should be performed starting at age 40 or even earlier if you have any risk factors, which include, but are not limited to: rectal bleeding, rectal and/or abdominal pain, family history of colon cancer, or a personal history of polyps and/or colon cancer. Nevertheless, rectal bleeding requires further investigation. A colonoscopy may locate polyps. If removed when found early enough, that can prevent progression of colon cancer. Fiber has also been shown to prevent colon polyps by reducing transmission of toxins through the colon, possibly preventing colon cancer; it also controls the pH in the intestines, which may prevent microbes from producing cancerous substances.

Various rectal conditions can be prevented by establishing a good digestive routine. Many people are unaware that recurrent loose stools can cause spasms (creating narrow stools), strictures (or tightening) of the rectum as well as itching. Fiber assists in moving bulk through the intestines and controls the pH in the intestines, which can prevent both of these issues. Whereas chronic constipation may increase one’s chance for hemorrhoids and fissures (small tears in the rectum which may create pain, bleeding and itching), fiber can help to prevent these conditions as well.

It may be difficult to achieve the recommended fiber within daily dietary intake, which is why adding

Nurse Practitioner

Sheri Grisso

fiber makes good digestive sense. Eating the recommended five daily servings of vegetables and fruits, as well as adding a fiber powder supplement will help you successfully achieve the recommended 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day. Balancing fiber in your daily diet, avoiding alcohol, decreasing caffeine intake, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight are all measures to improve your quality of life. However, even with the addition of fiber, hemorrhoids may still be bothersome with symptoms including, but not limited to: bleeding, pain/ pressure and/or itching. The Relief Center specializes in treating these conditions, so don’t put off an evaluation any longer.

Dr. Robert Cutler, a board-certified proctologist, and board-certified Nurse Practitioner Sheri Grisso have specialized in using the infrared coagulation (IRC) for effective in-office treatment of hemorrhoids for over 15 years. This treatment does not require any preparation and you may return to work the same day (in most cases). A majority of insurance companies cover this procedure, even Medicare. In many cases, these treatments can prevent a painful surgical hemorroidectomy, which often leads to a long recovery. We also offer the rubber band ligation for treatment of hemorrhoids. We are focused on improving quality of life for all individuals; at the Relief Center, we approach each condition with compassion and professionalism. Many conditions can easily be treated in our office setting, and we will formulate a plan that specifically fits your needs. Hemorrhoids (and other rectal disorders) are no longer a condition one must suffer in silence.

Contact the Relief Center at (561) 842-5050 to schedule your personalized consultation at either our Palms West location or our Port St. Lucie location. Mention this ad for a free fiber sample at your initial visit.

Cultural Care Au Pair Hires Labes As Area Care Coordinator

Responding to the increasing demand for quality livein childcare, Cultural Care Au Pair has recently added Julie Labes to its field staff for Palm Beach County. As a Cultural Care Au Pair local childcare coordinator, Labes will provide service and support to host families and their au pairs throughout the program year.

A Royal Palm Beach resident, Labes is part of a nationwide network of more than 400 Cultural Care Au

Pair local childcare coordinators dedicated to promoting global understanding through intercultural exchange.

Labes will advise area au pairs and their host families on educational opportunities, as well as organize fun activities for the entire extended Cultural Care Au Pair family to enjoy.

“Our hands-on local childcare coordinators are a key part of the success of Cultural Care Au Pair, and one of

BNI Visitors Day June 17 At Binks Forest Golf Club

BNI, an international networking organization specializing in business referrals among its members, is hosting “Visitors Day” for it Business Builders Chapter.

The event will take place on Thursday, June 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington.

The guest speaker for Visitors Day will be Sandy

Donovan, executive director of BNI’s Palm Beach County chapter.

BNI is a way for businesses to experience growth by maximizing their marketing efforts through word of mouth.

The organization generated more than 6.2 million referrals in 5,500-plus chapters last year alone, which gener-

ated more than $2.6 billion in business for its members. There are more than 118,000 members in 43 countries.

The public is welcome to the June 17 meeting. For reservations, call Ilene Adams at (561) 346-0172. For additional information about the local BNI chapter, visit www. bniwesterncommunities. com.

many reasons why families come back to us year after year for flexible and affordable live-in childcare,” said Keri Charles, director of program development for Cultural Care Au Pair. “Julie is a terrific and knowledgeable source for anyone in the Palm Beach area who is interested in getting more information on hosting an au pair.”

With more than 25 years of experience working with children and families both as an au-pair herself in London,

Switzerland and the U.S., and then later as a kindergarten teacher and pre-school center director, Labes brings a lot to the table.

“Having been an au pair myself, I can identify with these young girls,” Labes said. “I know what it feels like to be in a new country with a different language and new customs. This is a very exciting time for them, and I can guide and assist them while they settle in their new homes. As a mom of two, I

also know the importance of finding someone you trust completely in the care of your children.”

Labes is currently interviewing families who are interested in hosting an au pair. As a community resource on alternative childcare and intercultural exchange, she can be reached at (561) 792-6144 to answer questions. Interested families may also visit Cultural Care Au Pair’s web site at www.culturalcare. com.

NPB Chamber Women In Business Luncheon June 3

The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce will host a Women in Business Luncheon on Thursday, June 3 at the PGA Doubletree Hotel (4431 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens). The event will feature guest speaker Missy Tancredi, an eco-consultant and host of WXEL’s “Radio Green Earth.” Tancredi will offer

guidance on green building, sustainable business and corporate social responsibility issues. She is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional and holds a certification in sustainable business leadership from Green Mountain College. The luncheon is sponsored by Toshiba Business Solutions.

Registration will be at 11:30 a.m., and the luncheon will take place from noon to 1 p.m. The cost is $35 for chamber members with reservations, $40 for chamber members at the door and $45 for non-members.

For additional information, call (561) 746-7111. To register online, visit www.npb chamber.com.

Julie Labes

Palms West Hospital Performing Robot-Assisted Surgery

Physicians at Palms West Hospital became the first in the western communities to implement the next generation of minimally invasive surgery by utilizing the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System in early May.

The da Vinci system combines computer and robotic technologies with the skills of a surgeon to create a new category of surgical treatment.

These first minimally invasive gynecologic procedures were performed by ob/gyns Dr. Moises Virelles and Dr. Samuel Falzone.

“From the viewpoint of a surgeon, the biggest advantage of robot-assisted surgery compared to traditional laparoscopy is the visualization in 3-D, which provides greater depth perception, and the dexterity that is provided by the instruments,” said Virelles, who performed the very first robotic case at Palms West Hospital. “The system provides the ability to do finer dissections and provide potentially better outcomes than other minimally invasive surgeries.”

Falzone said he is excited to be involved in this next level of surgical technology, noting that robotic-assisted surgery offers increased accuracy and precision, and will make minimally invasive surgery an option for more difficult cases where it wasn’t in the past. “Like everything in medicine, nothing is designed for everyone, but this will make it possible to treat a broader range of conditions using a minimally invasive approach,” Falzone said.

The daVinci Robotic Surgical System is operated by a surgeon sitting a few feet away from the patient at a console. Using a high-powered camera, the surgeon guides the arms of the robot that hold surgical tools inserted into the patient through small, keyhole-sized incisions.

The daVinci’s highly accurate instruments allow the surgeon to move his or her own hands — and the robot’s — to conduct precise movements with extraordinary control and range of motion. The daVinci’s video monitor-

ing system provides a threedimensional view of the surgery with magnification ten times that of the naked eye. Robotic surgery has become increasingly popular as surgeons seek more advanced ways to perform complex procedures with the least amount of risk and recovery time for patients.

According to Virelles, robotic surgery provides less pain and less blood loss for the patient. He noted that his patients have been very impressed by the way they felt following the surgery and were able to be discharged from the hospital the very next day.

While the robots are not true autonomous robots that perform surgical tasks on their own, they are lending a helping hand to surgeons who use them for unprecedented control and precision of surgical instruments in the least invasive surgical procedures available. Simply speaking, the unit enhances the physician’s experienced surgical techniques. The surgeon has complete control at

all times, as the unit replicates his or her movements.

Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery with the da Vinci currently report less pain, blood loss and scarring than those undergoing conventional surgery. In addition, reduced in-

stances of infection, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times and quicker return to normal activities have been reported.

Palms West Hospital will host an open house for the community to debut the new 3-D daVinci Robotic Surgi-

cal System on Thursday, June 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities and experience the dynamic scope of the robotic device.

For more information, call (561) 798-3300 or visit www. palmswesthospital.com.

DaVinci Robot OR Team — (L-R) Kimberly Bernard, Maggie Kielszek, Connie Tasker and Bob Loback.

Wolverines Defeat Wildcats 24-7 In Football Spring Classic

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington High School varsity football team dominated Royal Palm Beach High School on Friday, May 21, winning the Spring Classic 24-7 at home.

In the first play of the game, the Wolverines fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Royal Palm Beach. But the Wolverines got lucky when the Wildcats fumbled the next play to return control of the ball.

“It really put us in the hole,” head coach Chris Romano said. “But then they did the same thing, and we were able to recover. I think it was a matter of both teams getting their jitters out.”

For the first quarter, both teams couldn’t capitalize on their possessions and the game remained scoreless.

It wasn’t until the second quarter when Derik Madorma ran the ball into Wildcats territory that Wellington got an opportunity to score. A personal foul against Royal Palm Beach gave the Wolverines a 15yard advantage, and Romano called Ty Bugeja in for a 32-yard field goal that put Wellington on the board 30.

“That first goal was a big play,” Romano said. “Anytime you put points on the board first, it’s always a big thing for the team.”

Once the Wolverines scored, the momentum shifted and the team seemed to take on new life. Wellington quickly recovered posses-

sion of the ball, and quarterback Tyler Vanacore drove in a four-yard touchdown to bring the Wolverines’ lead to 9-0. An extra-point kick from Nick Brewer made it 10-0.

The Wolverines continued to capitalize on Royal Palm Beach’s mistakes. Late in the second quarter, linebacker Derek May intercepted a pass and ran 35 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good, making it 17-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats held Wellington back in the third quarter, but Ryan Higbee broke through Royal Palm Beach’s defense in the fourth quar-

The baseball team recorded its first no-hitter in 10 years, the football team beat Spanish River 37-0, and the girls varsity soccer team beat its two arch-rivals.

Those unexpected events highlighted the 2009-10 athletic season at Wellington High School.

ter to score a rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 24-0.

It seemed like it would be a shutout, but with 33 seconds left, a pass from Wildcats’ quarterback T.J. Abrams found Tremaine McCullough, who ran 10 yards for a touchdown. The extra point made the final score 24-7.

Romano said that although both teams made mistakes, the Wolverines were better able to capitalize.

“I have a lot of confidence in our offense,” he said. “The sign of a good team is making the other team pay for their mistakes.”

An Overall Eventful Year For Wellington Sports Programs Wolverine Watch

Senior female and male Athlete of the Year awards went to softball player Ali Lowe and football/lacrosse player Nick Young, respectively.

“I am very honored that I was chosen, because sports have played such a major role in my life,” Young said. “I am very privileged to have received the award.”

Lowe was also honored. “I was really happy I won,” she said. “I felt like I deserved it because I work hard for everything I do. When I found out I was one of the top three nominees, I was pretty pumped. It was a great way to make a name for myself at Wellington High School.”

As always, football kicked off the year’s festivities. A drop in enrollment moved the Wolverines from Class 6A to 5A, meaning the team faced smaller schools. The team ended its season with a 5-5 record.

Right tackle Brynjar Gudmundson and left tackle Austin Peavler are two key offensive

By Josh Hyber

prospects to look out for next year. Gudmundson has several Division 1 scholarship offers (including Syracuse University) and has been looked at by Florida and South Florida. Linebacker/fullback Chris Thomas and kicker Nick Brewer also hope to get Division 1 offers as well.

“Even though we made the playoffs, we still aren’t satisfied,” Thomas said. “Next year we’ll be looking for more than a winning season.”

The soccer teams at Wellington had similar seasons. The boys team finished with a 14-5-2 record. Seniors Max Zoete, Brandon Servellon and Andres Londono were the offensive leaders. The team’s backbone, senior goalkeeper Aaron Dupere, will attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

The girls team finished with a 16-6-2

record. Junior Natalie Puñal, who played sporadically because of concussions, scored 24 goals, bringing her career total to 71. The team’s highlight victories came against Stoneman Douglas High School 1-0 and Palm Beach Central High School 3-2.

“I definitely think we’re going to come back stronger than anyone is expecting,” defender Brittany Wallrath said.

The boys basketball team had ups and downs throughout the season and finished with a 17-8 record. The team will return guards Scott Witkowski and John Harvill along with forwards Rex Kirby and Davis Martin, the nucleus of this season’s team. Also returning will be Kendell Johnson and Stephen Beneche.

The girls basketball team finished with a 12-10 record. Senior Katey Applegate led the team in scoring and rebounding and was a force on offense and defense. Other seniors included guards Stephanie Weiss, Samantha Margiotta and Sarah Knoess. Point guard Mercedes Queen and forward Debra Gerrits will be the only returning players next season.

“Overall we are going to be a very young team, and because we only have two returning players, our whole offensive style is go-

ing to have to change,” Gerrits said. “We can no longer focus on our outside shots.”

The baseball team won the Moment of the Year Award with senior Travis Holloway’s nohitter on Feb. 23 against Forest Hill. Although the 22-5 record looks good on paper, the team had hopes of going deep in the state playoffs. Pitcher/outfielder Andrew Istler returns as one of the area’s top prospects.

The girls softball team had its best season to date with a 17-10 showing. Lowe, sophomore Alyssa Cheatham and freshman Corrie Boggess led the team throughout the year.

“This season was memorable,” Boggess said. “I think we will continue to get better and better. We have a lot of talent, and I think we can go even further next year.”

The boys volleyball team was the “last man standing” toward the end of the school year. At 20-7, the team won the district title but lost in the regional final to Seminole Ridge. Jose Cabrera was the team’s leader and, along with fellow senior Pablo Palomino and juniors Scott Witkowski and Rex Kirby, helped make the team one of the best in the state.

“The year was wonderful,” Athletic Director Patti Fitzhugh said. “We look to improve a little each year, and we have done that.”

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Ty Bugeja kicks a 32-yard field goal.

Tyler Vanacore runs past William Matthews and Mohamed Rafiq.

The Wildcats’ Lloyd Howard runs the ball around the Wolverines’ Mike Perez and Derek May.

Wellington Figure Skaters Place At Sunshine State Games Competition

Palm Beach County figure skaters earned a total of 28 medals during three days of competition at the Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships, held May 1416 at Incredible Ice in Coral Springs. A total of 39 Palm Beach County skaters won eight gold medals, seven silver and 13 bronze medals.

Among those competing were three skaters from Wellington. Annabella Rockwell placed first in Solo Artistic Gold and third in Intermediate Ladies Free Skating Restricted. Megan Scheffer-Herman placed first in Pre-Preliminary Girls Free Skating Unrestricted Group 2. And in Beginner 5 Compulsory

Moves Group 1, Nicole Adams placed third.

Winning more than one medal from Palm Beach County was Alexandra Luce of Lake Worth, and Molly Ade and Emily Arnoid, both of Boca Raton. Thirteen-year old Luce won a silver in the Juvenile Girls Free Skating Restricted and a bronze in the Solo Artistic Gold events. The 15-year-old Ade won a silver in the No Test Girls Free Skating and a bronze in the Pre-Preliminary Compulsory Moves. Nineyear-old Arnoid won a silver in the No Test Girls Free Skating and a bronze in Pre-Preliminary Compulsory Moves.

The 2010 Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships were held at Incredible Ice in Coral Springs for the sixth consecutive year with more than 300 individual skaters and three teams competing.

Registration continues for upcoming Sunshine State Games events, the Summer Games Festivals in Alachua and Polk counties, fast pitch softball, inline hockey, lacrosse and water polo championships.

Visit www.flasports.com for more information about upcoming Sunshine State Games events statewide.

Final RPBHS Basketball Clinic May 29

The Royal Palm Beach High School boys basketball team will be offering its final skills clinic of the 2009-10 school year on Saturday, May 29. Summer basketball camps will be held June 7-11 and July 26-30 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center (100 Sweet Bay Lane, Royal Palm Beach).

High school sports programs are self-sufficient, meaning the school does not provide them with any financial support. The funds raised from the clinics, car washes, etc. go directly toward sending the children to summer basketball team camp, paying for shoes and uniforms, and any and all supplies.

Royal Palm Beach High School

basketball coach Drew Quinn said the program is committed to offering the Royal Palm Beach community an outstanding clinic once a month in exchange for their support.

For more information about the May 29 clinic, call the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center at (561) 790-5124.

Cody Walker Takes Third Place In State Championships

Cody Walker of the Wellington Wrestling Club placed third at the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association State Greco Championships last weekend.

Walker improved his club-leading win total to 28 wins this year and has been requested to wrestle on the Florida Cadet National Team that will be competing at the Cadet National Dual Championships in Rochester, Minn., June 15-19.

The Wellington Wrestling Club meets for practice every Monday and Wednesday for kindergarten through fifth grades and every Tuesday and Thursday for sixth through 12th grades. If you are interested in joining the Wellington Wrestling Club, contact coach Travis Gray at graytra@palmbeach.k12.fl.us or (561) 827-8595.

Cody Walker

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

Wellington Swim Team Excels At Meet

With the Wellington Aquatic Complex being renovated, training hasn’t been an easy task for the Wellington Swim Team.

“We have a core group of swimmers here who continue to impress me with the loyal dedication and commitment to Wellington swimming,” Whalen said. “They have shown that if you have values and good character, you can flourish when faced with adversity.”

The Wellington Swim Team brought 22 swimmers to the Jupiter Invitation swim meet last weekend to compete in the long course meet.

The Wellington swimmers had an outstanding meet. Kamil Baska brought home two medals in the 13-

and 14-year-old age group — the 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. Other swimmers in the 14-and-under age group performed well. After moving up an age group, Emily Deem continued to impress her coaches with early season swims in the 100 fly, 200 IM and taking a medal in the 200 free.

In the 12-and-under division, Wellington swimmers produced 16 personal-best times. Eleven-yearold Cody Cline earned the majority of the best times. He improved his times in the 50, 100 and 500 freestyle, 50 and 100 fly, 50 and 100 back.

Monica Cozad posted a personal-best time in the 100 freestyle. Sydney Mutschler also posted per-

sonal best swims in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, and the 50 and 100 fly. Lacy Phillips swam well, posting best times in the 50, 100 and 800 free, and 100 back.

In the 10-and-under age division, Grace Cozad swam personal-best times in the 50, 100 and 200 free, 50 fly and 200 IM. Ashlyn Smith swam the 50, 100 and 200 free besttime. Dominique Olive swam the 50 fly in a personal best as well.

The pool is scheduled to reopen May 29. Anyone interested in joining the Wellington Swim Team may attend tryout hosting every Monday and Friday from 4:45 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the team’s web site at www.wellington swimming.com.

RPB’s Jon Octeus Signs With GCCC

The Royal Palm Beach High School varsity basketball team’s senior point guard Jon Octeus recently signed a scholarship to continue his basketball career at Garden City Community College in Kansas.

Octeus is a 6’4” point guard and averaged 14.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 3.1 APG this past season in leading the Wildcats to the most successful

season is school history (18-8), including the basketball program’s first ever appearance in the top 10 in the state.

In addition to his successful basketball career, Octeus also served as president of his senior class. He plans on majoring in pharmacy in college.

“Jon has made himself into a tremendous college prospect through

hard work and dedication,” RPBHS head basketball coach Drew Quinn said. “He is a young man who decided he was going to be a great basketball player, and he put in the time to make it happen. Most importantly, he is an outstanding person and has a bright future in front of him.”

Octeus is the son of Jacinte Doucet.

Major Marlins Advance To District 7 Tourney

During the Palm Beach Little League championship game on Monday, May 17 at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach, the Major Division Marlins defeated the Padres 8-4 to claim the title. With this win, the Marlins will move on to the District 7 Strong Team tournament.

After losing the second game of the playoffs 7-6, the Marlins came from the losers bracket to win the

next four games in a row, going 5-1 overall to capture the championship. The Marlins finished the regular season with a 13-0-1 record and earned a top seed for the Strong Team tournament. The Major Division is for ages 11 and 12.

The Major Division Marlins are managed by Rick Raymond, and the assistant coaches are Vince Casas and Luis Bonavilla. All the players live in Loxahatchee.

Major Division Marlins — (Front row, L-R) Johnny Caprio, Bryan Bonavilla, Christopher Casas, Logan (L.T.) Thomas and Tyler Hannan; (back row) Manager Rick Raymond, Jeremy Raymond, Richie Cotromano, Joey Schergen, Cristian Hodges, Justin Caprio and coach Vince Casas. Not pictured: Pitching Coach Luis Bonavilla.

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

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

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

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

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

R R Ro o oyal P yal yal Palm Beac alm Beach Elementar h h

committed to provide an exceptional quality camp that is fun, comfortable, warm and friendly. Our Staff is professional trained and experienced. The magnificent schedule includes field trips 3-4 times per week and on campus activities. Field trips include Skate and Strike Zone, Discovery Museum/IMAX Theater, Rapids Water Park, Omni Auditorium, Fitness Festival, Chuck E Cheese, Wannado City, Fun Depot, Library, Wellington Pool, Parks, Movies, Lion County, and a trip to Orlando. On campus activities include dance, sports, crafts, carnivals, computers, academics, game room, shows D.J. Parties, fishing and more. Contact Director, DebPagliaro at 561-633-4431 or 561-633-4430 for registration information.

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

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

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

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, May 29

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

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

• Downtown at the Gardens (11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens) will present the Gene Matthis Orchestra playing big band tunes on Saturday, May 29 at 7 p.m. The event is free. For more info., visit www.downtownatthe gardens.com or call (561) 340-1600.

Sunday, May 30

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host the Support Our Troops Cookout, benefiting Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, on Sunday, May 30 from noon to 4 p.m. For more info., call (561) 904-4000.

• The inaugural Forgotten Soldiers Celebrity Bartending Charity Event will be held Sunday, May 30 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Blue Martini (550 Rosemary Ave., Suite 244, West Palm Beach) in support of troops serving overseas. For admission, bring three foil packages of tuna, a disposable camera, a big bag of beef jerky or a Fusion razor and receive a free drink and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. For more info., call Jeanelle Lenow at (561) 369-2933 or email jeanelle@forgottensoldiers.org.

Monday, May 31

• The Village of Wellington will host a Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony on Monday, May 31 starting at 8:45 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The parade will march down Forest Hill Blvd. to the Wellington Veterans Memorial for the ceremony starting at 9 a.m. For more info., call (561) 7914000.

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

Tuesday, June 1

• The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council will meet Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District office. Call (561) 793-2418 for more info.

Wednesday, June 2

• Free Cholesterol and Diabetes Screenings will be offered on Wednesday, June 2 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Winn-Dixie pharmacy (1135 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach). Appointments are not necessary. For more info., call Cholestcheck at (800) 713-3301.

• AmTrust Bank (2625 State Road 7, Wellington) will host a Business Networking Event on Wednesday, June 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Call (561) 795-3240 to RSVP and for more info.

Thursday, June 3

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will present its annual Taste of the West & Chocolate Lovers Festival on Thursday, June 3 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). For more info., call Marc Schlags at (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com.

• Clematis by Night’s 15th Anniversary Party will take place Thursday, June 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. along the waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach. Headlining the event will be national recording artists Fastball. There will be other performers and activities. The event is free and open to the public. For more info., call (561) 822-1515, or visit www.clematisbynight.net.

• The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors will meet Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m. at the district office (13476 61st Street North). Call (561) 793-0874 or visit www.indiantrail.com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a “Battle of the Books” informational meeting on Thursday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. Interested book lovers entering sixth, seventh or eighth grades will need to read three books over the course of the summer. Contestants will then participate See CALENDAR, page 42

CampHours: 8:30am-3:00pm

ExtendedHours: 7:00am-6:00pm

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

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

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

Private&GroupSwimLessons byAmericanRedCrossCertifiedInstructors

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 41 in a trivia competition. The meeting is for parents and participants. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will meet Thursday, June 3 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall (1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). Call (561) 790-5100 for more info. Friday, June 4

• The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival show will return Friday through Sunday, June 4-6, to the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Adult daily admission is $7 ($6 for seniors). Anyone under 16 is admitted free. For more info., call (941) 697-7475 or e-mail info@wpbaf. com. Visit www.wpbaf.com for a discount admission ticket.

Saturday, June 5

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will kick off its Summer Reading Program on Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all ages. Sign up, get your summer reading log, check out books and make crafts. A kickoff party for preschool age and older will take place at 2 p.m. Call (561) 790-6030 for more information.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Midnight Magic: Gary Midnight” on Saturday, June 5 at 2:30 p.m. for children and families. Master magician Gary Midnight will delight children with his mesmerizing magic tricks. Call (561) 7906070 for more info.

Monday, June 7

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Lego Mania” on Mondays, June 7 and 21 at 1 p.m. for ages eight and up. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Art Fest” on Mondays, June 7-28 at 2:30 p.m. for ages six to nine. Explore your creative side by making different kinds of art. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Summer Monday Matinee: Finding Nemo” on Monday, June 7 at 2:30 p.m. for all ages. Marlin must rescue his son Nemo after they get separated. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Palm Beach Atlantic University, in partnership with Bank of America, will present “Science Days at PBA,” a science summer camp for children in first through eighth grades, at the university’s main campus

from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 7-11. Camp organizers are working with local schools to select deserving scholarship recipients. For more info., call Bryant at (561) 8032706 or Dr. Mireille Aleman at (561) 8032296. For more info., visit www.pba.edu.

• St. Michael Lutheran Church in Wellington’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday, June 7-11 from 6 to 8 p.m. daily. VBS is open to all children from age four through the sixth grade. For additional info., call the church at (561) 793-4999 or e-mail stmelc@bellsouth.net.

Tuesday, June 8

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Battle of the Books Practice Session I on Tuesdays, June 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 11 a.m. Book lovers entering sixth, seventh and eighth grades will begin to prepare for the Battle of the Books with games, activities and trivia contests. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Science Club: Water Works” for age eight and up at 2:30 p.m. each Tuesday in June. Four weeks of fun science activities come to life when you “just add water.” Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Sealife Origami” on Tuesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 11 to 17. Be challenged by some serious origami folding. Participants must be able to follow very specific and detailed instructions. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, June 8 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 for more info.

Wednesday, June 9

• The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will meet on Wednesday, June 9 at the PGA Doubletree Hotel (4431 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens). Networking will take place from 6 to 6:30 p.m., with the dinner and program beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $35, and guests are welcome. The speaker will be author Marilyn Murray Willison. To RSVP, call Sharon Maupin at (561) 624-3816.

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

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

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

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

DENTAL OFFICE ASSISTANT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABSOLUTE AUCTION

June 6th

Paid $303K Starting Bid $49,900 approximately 8 acres. Sherman Wood Ranches. Call 561-932-9627 for details.

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. $3,300 (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422

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

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

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

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

LIVESTOCK LAMBS — $50-$65 Loxahatchee. 561-827-1941

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE MASTER HANDYMAN — no job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers Tom (954) 444-3178 BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior Trim, crown molding, rotttenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets/ countertops,wood flooring. Bonded Insured U#19699.791-9900 Cell: 628-9215

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

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

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

BOB CAVANAGH ALLSTATE INSURANCE Auto • Home • Life • Renters • Motorcycle •RV • Golfcart • Boat Serving the Western Communities for 24 years. Call for a quote 798-3056, or visit our website. www.allstateagencies.com/rCavanagh.

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

Mold & Mildew Inspections — Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811 CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

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

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

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

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

PERSONAL ASSISTANT — $125/ DAY 10 hours, preferably 12 - 10 p.m. Parties, cook ,clean, theatre, museum, golf, tennis, computer. Let’s Party - anything fun and legal. Madelyn 561-422-2910

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

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

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

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

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

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

PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL 793-3576 TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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

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

SECURITY - American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by