Town-Crier Newspaper May 2, 2008

A PLETHORA OF PRESIDENTS

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce held its 25th Annual Installation Gala “The Sil-

ver Celebration” on Friday, April 25 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. John Spillane was installed as the chamber’s new president. Among the special guests were many of the chamber’s former presidents. Gathered here are (L-R): John Spillane

Joanna Boynton

Jess

High Marks For RPB’s Farber

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Village Manager David Farber won high praise Thursday from members of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council on the occasion of his annual evaluation and appraisal.

Farber’s contract requires the council annually review his job performance and accomplishments. “This process is not necessarily pleasant,” Mayor David Lodwick said. “Imagine having five bosses who can’t talk to each other except when they’re here together on television, and then they can critique you, but it’s all done publicly.”

All council members were present except Councilman Matty Mattioli. Vice Mayor

Fred Pinto said he hopes Farber continues to work for the village until he retires. “We constantly exchange information,” he said. “You are an outstanding village manager. I’m thrilled you make our policy making so successful because you and your staff work so well. I hope you finish your career in the village.”

The contract sets forth six areas on which the council can assess the manager’s performance, including employee relations, image, long-range planning, financial management, communications and completion/direction of capital projects.

Councilwoman Martha Webster, who was elected in March, said she ranked Farber on each of those points on a scale of 1 to

5 and came up with an overall ranking of 4.2. “I really don’t have a complete view of what you do yet since I am new on the council,” she said. “But when it comes to working with us, I rated you 5. You’ve had so much patience with me, helping me learn how to be a good council member. You’re always ready to respond to any new and different idea, even when it seems far out.”

Councilman David Swift described Farber as the best manager he’d ever worked with.

“I’ve been doing this, working on the council, for 20 years,” he said. “I’ve seen bad village managers and I’ve seen good ones. I work at the South Florida WaSee RPB COUNCIL, page 2

A DAY OF MUSIC AND CHILI

County Supports Overlay Idea For Acme Ranches

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission is moving forward on an economic development overlay for a quiet 177-acre neighborhood called Acme Ranches behind the Lowe’s home improvement store at the intersection of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7.

The overlay would allow office, light industrial and other non-residential uses alongside the existing homes in Acme Ranches. On Monday, the commissioners approved transmittal of the comprehensive plan amendment to the Florida Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee for review.

County Planner Jorge Perez told the commissioners the overlay is intended to balance the heavy retail development along SR 7 and attract high-paying jobs in order to reduce the heavy east/west commuting patterns that have developed over the past decade.

“It is an overlay. It doesn’t change the future land use classification; neither does it change the zoning for any piece of property,” Perez said. “Any future development would still have to come to this board and the planning commission for any changes in the use of this land.”

Acme Ranches is an unincorporated island governed by Palm Beach County effectively hemmed in by municipal boundaries: Royal Palm Beach to the north, east and south and Wellington’s Little Ranches to the west. The area has a county land-use designation of Residential Low allowing two units per acre.

Perez said potential uses at Acme Ranches would include Commercial Low Office, Commercial High Office, Light Industrial, Research and Development, Civic and Public Uses, along with Residential.

Commercial and restaurant uses would be limited in size and would be allowed only if they are clear accessories to a project within the overlay, Perez said. Restaurants would be intended primarily to serve residents and workers in the overlay area, and drive-through restaurants would be prohibited.

Any development proposals would be a minimum of 40 acres throughout the overlay and residential density would be remain at two units per acre, Perez said. Heavy industrial storage and self-storage would be prohibited. Roads would be publicly maintained, but no interconnectivity would be allowed to adjacent residential areas outside the 175 acres, he said. While county staff recommended approval, the Local Planning Agency recommended denial by a 5-3 vote, Perez said.

The day was fine, the food great and the music wonderful at the first Acreage Music & Chili Fest held last Saturday. Hundreds of people wandered around Acreage Community Park, listening to live music for much of the afternoon with occasional breaks to watch the Chili Chicks, a new Acreage-based line-dancing group. Pictured here are contestants Parris and Chris Everhart, also known as the “Colorado Chili Cowboys.” MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 28

PHOTO BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

By Ron Bukley

space on the 3,746-acre citrus grove bordering The Acreage. Last year, the commissioners turned down a request by the citrus grower to build 10,000 homes and about 3.8 million square feet of non-residential space. Challenged by citrus canker

and overseas fruit growers, the groves owners have said they plan to eventually get out of agriculture. After the county’s rejection of their application for a development of regional impact or DRI last year, the owners are now pursuing a development plan under the auspices of the state’s Agricultural Enclave Act, which grants an agricultural area surrounded by residential development the same density as the properties around it. At less than 3,000 units, Callery-Judge avoids the requirement for a DRI, which requires more scrutiny and review.

Senior Planner Lisa Amara said the grove and the county had fulfilled a state requirement to come to agreement on terms of the development. Amara said they had established intensity of use and densities and identified

75 acres of civic sites. Under the plan, more than 640 acres would be clustered with mixed residential, commercial, office and civic centers, she said.

County Planner Brian Davis said that since this is the first development under the Agricultural Enclave Act on “new urbanism,” they had to reach a definition for the term — a compact mixed-use settlement that takes environmental needs into consideration. The concept cannot be employed in small developments, Davis said, and has to be approached in a comprehensive manner. “You don’t do new urbanism in little parts,” he said.

The Callery plan will have a minimum of 60 percent rural or natural area, Davis said. Forty percent will be suburban with 90 percent of the residential units. The commercial and office ar-

Commissioner Mary McCarty said she was adamantly opposed to the change until she drove around and saw the community. “When I went and looked at it, my mind opened up a little bit,” she said.

eas will be in the form of a traditional marketplace, he said.

“This is a rough configuration of how they will occur,” Davis said, showing conceptual diagrams. “It’s not a master plan, but a bubble diagram with loose configuration of the roads.”

The application establishes portions of Persimmon Blvd. and 140th Avenue North as future “rural parkways.” Davis said rural parkways are typically separated from developed areas with “fingers” of natural areas. Development would transition from less-dense, rural-style housing in its outer areas to suburban homes at one or two units per acre to five or six units per acre toward the urban core of mixed-use and commercial/office space along Seminole Pratt Whitney Road where the Call-

McCarty asked about the main access road, currently a small road behind Lowe’s. “The main egress and ingress should be off Southern,” she told Perez, “don’t you agree?” Perez replied that access is tentatively planned from Southern Blvd. via a small bridge over the C-51 Canal, which separates the area from Southern Blvd. He said the existing road is not platted, but is a series of rights of way, and that details will be worked out following the amendment’s approval.

Commissioner Jess Santamaria asked if there was any municipal interest in annexing the enclave. Planning Director Lorenzo Aghemo said it makes sense for the area to go to Royal Palm Beach, although there has been no formal discussion.

“We know there is interest in Royal Palm, but they are not ready to do so at this time,” he said. “There is nothing official.” Perez said office developers would be granted certain concessions to concurrency requirements as an inducement.

Santamaria asked if that means they would not have to adhere to concurrency requirements, and Perez replied that the only concession is that traffic impacts would be mitigated after developers receive approval. “They would have to meet concurrency,” Aghemo added. “What the overlay is exempting is for the developer to meet concurrency in the long-term transportation plan. There is no exception to concurrency.”

Besides the bending of concurrency rules, Santamaria said, “the other thing that bothers me is when I hear the word ‘job center’ it’s a typical carrot that is put in front of us as a good thing, but the problem is there is no provision of who will provide those jobs.”

Commissioner Burt Aaronson said he supported the overlay. “Hopefully there will be more people going to work, instead of not being employed,” he said. During public comment, Royal Palm Beach Village Engineer Ray Liggins said Royal Palm Beach supports the overlay but not the traffic exemption. “I understand the difficulty in redeveloping an area that is already developed, but the concern of Royal Palm Beach is the failing roadways,” he said.

Matt Reece and other residents of Victoria Groves said they oppose the proposed egress on Southern because it would put excessive traffic there. Acme Ranches resident Brian Hughes voiced support for the overlay. “We’re not at a zoning hearing,” he said. “The overlay is to facilitate getting the property developed. Acme Ranches has 24 property owners. There seems to be some confusion. We’re not at a zoning hearing. The overlay would allow an investor to come in and invest. Without an overlay, we’re going to wind up with the piecemealing. With the overlay, we

See ACME, page 2

ery-Judge packing house currently stands.

“This meets new urbanism to the extent possible,” Davis said. “The negotiation was a long process to arrive at. We got a total of 90 to 95 percent of development on 40 percent of the land. That’s the hallmark. Forty percent of the land will never be developed. We cleared the hurdle that existed in the statute.” The county’s traffic engineering staff took a 15-year snapshot that identified 25 deficiencies not already in traffic plans. Under the provision of the Agricultural Enclave Act, Callery-Judge identified its own Seminole Improvement District as the roadway provider for the area, therefore qualifying it to meet future road needs, according to staff, See CALLERY, page 20

(2008),

(2007), Mike Sexton (2004), Silvia Garcia (2006), Heather Rohan (2003),

Santamaria (2000), Dennis Witkowski (1992), Dinorah Shobin (1998), Judy Arenz (1999), Dr. Brenda Magee (1994), Wanda Smith (1991) and Dorian ZimmerBordenave (2005). MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 36

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Acme Overlay Proposal

continued from page 1 can get the things to work with.”

Attorney Rod Feiner, representing the Folke Peterson Wildlife Center located in Acme Ranches, suggested the commissioners wait until the next round of transmittal hearings and prepare an overall plan for the area, like an urban redevelopment plan. “Have it come back as one area,” he said. “It shouldn’t be done half-baked. Let’s get a unified plan.”

McCarty asked staff to comment on doing it all at once, pointing out there is not one property owner to deal with, and Aghemo agreed. “You have multiple property owners,” Aghemo said, adding that the overlay would not change the land use, while an urban redevelopment-style plan would.

McCarty also took issue with some speakers who alleged that development would disturb animals at Folke Peterson, pointing out that the center is not a refuge as some had implied, but a veterinary facility for injured wild animals.

Folke Peterson Executive Director Heather Landstrom said the center is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and in some cases, release of injured native Florida wildlife. She said the center’s staff consider some potential uses to be detrimental to the center and asked that the proposal be deferred to further analyze the impacts.

RPB Council Manager’s Evaluation

continued from page 1 ter Management District, and I deal with hundreds of managers. Dave Farber is one of the really good ones — the best I’ve ever seen at this kind of work.”

Swift lauded Farber’s ability to plan ahead. “You not only have a long-range vision, but you also think about how to pay for the things we want,” he said. “You did a brilliant job on Veterans Park, and we’re seeing how effective you are on the new Royal Palm Beach Commons. Without you, a lot of the best projects would never have happened.”

Swift said Farber’s communication ability is the key to his success. “You’re the best at that,” he said. “You listen to my views and pass on the general direction of the board. We’ve been able to all work together so well because you’re able to communicate our goals so well and put them into action.”

Lodwick rated Farber a 6 on the 1-to-5 scale. “I’ve met people from all over Florida because of my work on so many different boards,” he said. “Some of them are from smaller places and some from larger, and I always have people ask how you are. The level of respect for you all over Florida is incredible.”

Lodwick selected Farber’s drive to have the best possible people working for him as a great asset. “You’ve surrounded yourself with the best possible managers, and a lot of administrators are afraid to do that,” he said. “As a result, whenever I call you about a problem, you call one of your people in, and 99 times out of 100, we have an answer the next day. In a lot of places, managers treat information as a commodity and hide as much as they can. Here everyone is up to speed.” Lodwick credited Farber with empathy not only for his employees but also for village taxpayers. “We’re the representatives of the people, and we’ve been able to go to them with 13 straight tax cuts because someone’s there with a plan,” he said. “We have the lowest tax rates of any municipality in Palm Beach County.”

While council members were prepared to offer him the maximum merit increase, Farber requested that his annual merit raise be based on the average merit raise of all village employees.

“I think that’s a lovely gesture,” Lodwick said, noting that he had begun contract negotiations with Farber for the manager’s new contract due next year. In other business: • Fred Rapach, director of the South Florida Water Management District’s Palm Beach County Service Center, told the council the state now requires all municipalities to include water resource planning in their comprehensive plans. “Roads, schools and now water resources are tied to growth management,” he said.

Sharon Cox, a 25-year resident of Acme Ranches, said she supports the overlay, noting that zero-lot-line homes at Victoria Groves had displaced the actual fruit groves that once existed there and that their two to three vehicles per home there had created a “horrible impact” on traffic. Cox urged the creation of more employment opportunities to complement the residential development. “It’s time for job centers to be close to residential... Economic opportunity means bringing in new business and new jobs, and that’s what we need. As a longtime resident, I’m sad to see the change, but we have to deal with it.”

Engineer Jerry Gross, who owns 2.5 acres in Acme Ranches, said his family has been there longer than almost any other, having resided there since 1964.

“I just want to say that the overlay is a good thing for the area because for one thing it is an enclave,” he said. “We’ve got to do something about it. To approve the overlay is fine. We have to work with staff and zoning and you people.” McCarty made a motion to support the staff’s recommendation to approve the overlay, seconded by Aaronson. He asked if some of the concerns raised by residents could be addressed by staff before it returns to the commission for final approval.

“There have been some valid points made,” Aaronson said. “I expect some modification and satisfaction of residents.” Aghemo said staff would address some of the concerns. The motion passed 5-0.

Even though Royal Palm Beach is a Palm Beach County water customer, the village is required to present a plan for managing its water resources to the state’s Department of Community Affairs by November.

“Royal Palm Beach will have to examine alternative water resources and increase communication with other agencies to ensure adequate management,” Rapach said. “We will comment on the proposals, which will be part of our ten-year plan, can give technical assistance and will provide funding assistance, although that is likely to be less than we had hoped because of our limited budget this year.” Farber told the council he had begun negotiations with Palm Beach County’s Water Utility Department to allow the village to tap into a reuse water line that will supply the Florida Power & Light plant under construction at 20-Mile Bend. The village wants to use the water for the golf course it is planning as part of the development of the new Royal Palm Beach Commons Park.

“They are building a pipeline for reuse water going out to the power plant,” Farber said. “It will run along Okeechobee Blvd. When I told the county we had a golf course there, they were very willing to allow us to use the water. We will be having discussions with results expected within the next 60 days.” Webster said the idea is a winner. “With the drought, having a good water supply, particularly one that uses reusable water, becomes very important for the success of a course,” she said.

• The council approved the final reading of a change in landuse designation returning a 63acre property near State Road 7 to industrial. The property, north and west of the Regal Cinema on SR 7, most recently carried a residential mixed-use designation.

“This was called the Regal Industrial Center before Lennar Homes asked to change its designation from industrial to residential mixed-use several years ago,” Lodwick said. “Some of the land was to be offered to the school board to build a new elementary school. But the housing market slowed, and this will allow the property to be developed for industrial uses.” Swift made a motion to approve the ordinance, which Webster seconded. It passed unanimously.

• The council approved an amendment to the village’s waste collection regulations to encourage apartment and condominium dwellers to recycle. “We discovered that even though all single-family homes were compelled to recycle, there had been a loophole that allows the multi-family homes to not comply,” Lodwick said. “This changes it as of the start of next year. It also lowers trash collection rates for those buildings.”

• Lodwick announced that Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) would host a Cultural Diversity Day event in Veterans Park from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. “Everyone is invited,” he said.

140th Street/E Road Connection Deleted From

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission deleted improvements and connection plans for 140th Avenue North in The Acreage and E Road in Loxahatchee Groves from its future thoroughfare map and traffic plan Monday.

Linking and improving the roads, which do not join due to an un-bridged canal, would have created a north-south thoroughfare through the two communities reaching from Southern Blvd. to Northlake Blvd. For years, local residents have voiced opposition to the plan, and 40 of them were on hand Tuesday to speak against it.

County staff recommended removing the proposed connection, but retaining improvement plans only for 140th Avenue because that road serves the moresuburban Acreage area, while Loxahatchee Groves has much larger lots and is more rural in character. Commissioners, however, followed the recommendation of the county’s planning commission to delete all improvement plans for E Road and 140th between Southern and Northlake boulevards. During public comment, Indian Trail Improvement District President Mike Erickson reiterated concerns about improving 140th Avenue.

County Road Map

“It was to be studied for complete removal of the corridor, but I feel like it was smoke and mirrors,” he said. “It went to land planning, and they talked about sidewalks and roadways on 140th. This is not a connectivity issue. These would be fourlane highways in 20 years. They should not be in a community.”

Erickson said he did not want an improved 140th Avenue with a dead end in The Acreage. “This road needs to be removed all the way,” he said.

Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor Ron Jarriel agreed with Erickson, saying the thoroughfare status of Okeechobee Blvd. through Lox-

ahatchee Groves has made accessing the road more difficult and the scene of roughly one accident per week. “It is not justifiable to use 140th as a thoroughfare,” he said.

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dennis Lipp also supported Indian Trail’s suggestion to have the entire road removed from the plan.

Loxahatchee Groves Town Councilman Dr. Bill Louda said he urged commissioners to take the roads off improvement plans in 1986 and that his efforts were rewarded with one of the conceptual connections planned to go through his back porch.

Louda said he strongly sup-

ports the northward extension of State Road 7 to Northlake Blvd. and the westward extension of Roebuck Road to SR 7 to provide thoroughfares. He also asked commissioners to adhere to existing policies and put roadways on the periphery of communities where they can be made into scenic roadways.

Commissioner Burt Aronson made a motion to delete the entire E Road/140th plan. Commissioner Jess Santamaria seconded to motion, saying he felt he would be hard-pressed to find anyone among the 60,000 area residents who would want the E Road/140th connection. The motion passed 5-0.

PBSO Seeks Suspects For Credit Card Fraud

The Suspect — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on this suspect, who is believed to have used a stolen credit card at a Walgeens store in Wellington.

Ten-Year Service Awards — At Thursday’s meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, two village employees were given ten-year service awards. Shown here, Mayor David Lodwick presents the awards to village financial analyst Lori Padgett (left) and art teacher Sharon Logan (right). PHOTOS BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

Nicole Hornstein Act: An Idea That Would Save Young Lives

Last year, under pressure to pass some type of property-tax reform, the Florida Legislature went into overtime discussing the issue, finally coming to a vote during a special session in June. This year, lawmakers had a little more time to waste on less crucial issues such as whether to fine motorists with “truck nutz” on their vehicles, or if the state should allow license plates promoting Christianity. However, with just two days remaining in the current session, the House of Representatives approved a bill that would help save lives.

Sponsored by State Rep. Shelley Vana (D-District 85), the bill — known as the “Nicole Hornstein Act” — would require horse riders under the age of 16 to wear a helmet when using public trails and roads. The bill is named after a 12-year-old Acreage girl who died two years ago as the result of a horse-riding accident. She was not wearing a helmet at the time. Speaking to the Acreage Landowners’ Association in January 2007, Nicole’s father Gary Hornstein said he frequently asked his daughter to wear a helmet while riding, but she didn’t always listen. That is why Mr. Hornstein took up the issue shortly after Nicole’s death, and why it is important that the proposed bill becomes law. When it comes to children’s safety, the best approach is to play it safe. Your child may think he or

Don’t

Rush

PBCC Plan

It seems the new Wellington Village Council has a penchant for rushing into decisions prematurely, similar to the old one. It took hundreds of hours of dedicated staff and advisory members over two years just to identify future sites for recreation, and another two years to bring the purchase of K-Park to fruition. The purchase was promised as a future hedge against Wellington running out of open space and park land for a growing community that took pride in its level of recreation service to the residents. It was also a strategic move to ensure that the community would be able to meets its state-mandated comprehensive plan requirements at a time when prices were skyrocketing and land was becoming scarce even for the smallest projects. And the council is going to give it away in two months?

Not that the concept of having a community college nearby is a bad one, but let’s clear up a few misconceptions floating around. Some have made the statement that it would be important to have a high-profile institution in Wellington. Palm Beach Community College is a community college with many branches, and although unfortunate, it is the school of last resort for many high school graduates because of academics or finances. It is not high on the list of Wellington or Palm Beach Central [high school] graduates when selecting a post-secondary institution, and is way down the list after UF, FSU, UCF, USF, FAU and UNF. One council member has stated “that it will bring high-paying jobs to the village.” The majority of instructors are part time or contract paid by the hour, and the largest percentage of employees will be maintenance, landscaping and administrative, all hourly employees, most of whom do not live in Wellington.

K-Park has been made out to be the perfect spot for a community college branch campus. Since a large portion of the classes will be held in the evenings, can you imagine 2,500 cars and persons trying to make their 6 p.m. class all at the same time off of State Road 7 and Pierson Road, or even Fairlane Farms Road?

The largest percentage of students who would attend this branch campus will be coming from Greenacres, Royal Palm Beach, Haverhill, Loxahatchee, Boynton Beach and The Acreage. I am sure the parents in those communities will want to thank the residents of Welling-

ton for donating this expensive piece of land so their sons and daughters won’t have to drive as far, or the nighttime students who live in those communities and can save 15 to 20 minutes on their commute. But I wonder what the residents of Wellington will think when after the 2010 census, it is discovered that the community is way short of meeting its comprehensive plan requirements for recreation land and open space, and must find a way to buy another 60 acres and come up with another few million. Why the rush?

Steve Haughn Wellington

Thanks For Relay Help

This year’s Relay for Life took place last weekend, and I would like to thank those who helped make this event a huge success. If you weren’t one of the fortunate ones to attend, it was the most satisfying community event in the recent past. All night on Friday, April 25, the community came out to listen to entertainment by some wellknown and local talent. They came and supported the numerous teams that had set up on site fundraising by purchasing products and food. They took tickets for chance drawings and they made donations on luminaries to help remember and celebrate those touched by cancer. Put aside the money raised for the cause. The community bonded together and businesses and schools pulled together for a hometown event to share compassion, stories and just outright have a good time with each other. Large or small, businesses did what they could. Target, Macy’s, Starbucks, Walgreens, Palms West Hospital and Best Buy were some of the big companies, and Guardian Insurance, the B Network, Smoothie King, JTNL Limousine and Family Medical & Wellness Center were some of the smaller businesses involved. Individuals such as the Town-Crier’s Don Brown and organizations such as Your Bosom Buddies II and CAFCI were there, too.

The most satisfying participation was done by our youth. Royal Palm Beach High School, a group from Wellington High School, Polo Park Middle School and the hosting school Palm Beach Central High School’s teams were all but amazing. In a day and age where we constantly hear of the shortfalls of our youth, these kids, led by some very special teachers and advisors, showed us all that there are some very special children that should be used as role models for our younger popu-

she is a seasoned equestrian (and may have the awards to prove it), but even the most accomplished rider is not immune from accidents. Just last year, professional polo player Summerfield “Skeeter” Johnston III died after falling off his horse. Though Johnston was engaged in a more high-action activity than the average equestrian out for a ride, that doesn’t mean they aren’t faced with their own set of dangers. For all their rural qualities, The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves communities see their share of automobile traffic. Not only are vehicle collisions a threat (one that every child at play faces), but horses are often spooked by the noise and physical presence of automobiles. Nicole died after being thrown from her horse, which became spooked when a car moved too close to it. While it has been approved by the House of Representatives, it appears that the bill will likely fail in the State Senate, where it faces an uphill battle with the clock winding down. Hopefully, movement will be made in the Senate and Gov. Charlie Crist will sign the Nicole Hornstein Act when it lands on his desk. Whether it becomes law or not, shelling out $50 for a helmet is a small price to pay for your child’s safety. They may be initially upset for having to wear it, but that will pass. Who knows? By the time they turn 16, helmets might be the norm… for all ages.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

lation. My hat goes off to you all. You were great. This is a classic case of no matter how large or small you are, you can make a difference. Thank you Debra Fox for making the luminaries a touching and huge part of the evening. Thank you Robin Benjamin for working to have the survivors come and let us celebrate their good fortune. Thank you to Stas Politis for working on the teams efforts. Big, big thanks to Beef O’Brady’s of Royal Palm Beach for donating the survivors’ dinner. Thank you Suzanne Stafford for supplying a wonderful Relay for Life cake. Thank you to the community for coming out in force and supporting this event. I am very proud to have had the honor of chairing the event.

I hope that you will keep the words Relay for Life in your mind as it is not over. This year’s campaign will continue through the summer and it will never be over until we get rid of this disease once and for all.

Peter Wein, Chairman 2008 Relay for Life Wellington

Lipp Responds To Voren Letter

The April 25 edition of the Town-Crier printed a letter to the editor over the signature of Howard Voren. The letter was titled “LGWCD Power Play.” There are several errors in Mr. Voren’s letter that need to be corrected.

Mr. Voren reports that I “tipped off” the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District about a moratorium on all road paving. This is a complete fabrication. On Monday, April 14, an e-mail was sent to LGWCD District Manager Clete Saunier from Town Clerk Matthew Lippman, with copies to the town council, confirming their discussions on Friday, April 11 about road stabilization. This was the first I heard of any delay on stabilization. According to Mr. Voren’s letter, “the town council wished to honor the request of the planning company hired to compile the comprehensive plan.”

But the town council had not yet made this request due to the fact that we had not yet held a public hearing on the issue!

The letter from the town clerk concerning the upcoming agenda item on roads was simply a courtesy sent by our clerk to the LGWCD. Mr. Voren goes on: they wanted to formally ask the LGWCD to hold off on any road paving for seven months until the comprehensive plan was complete.” Who are they? It could not be the town council

as a whole, because we had yet to meet and discuss the issue. So where is Mr. Voren getting this misinformation?

The LGWCD monthly meeting was held on Monday, April 14. There were several members of the public in attendance including Vice Mayor [Marge] Herzog and myself. When this agenda item came before the LGWCD, the board of supervisors asked for one of their members to attend the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, April 15 to inform the council that delaying road stabilization was not acceptable. Mr. Voren reports that the town council meeting “was filled with 20 residents” who wanted to impress upon the town council their feelings concerning OGEM stabilization. Through what thread of logic do 20 residents expressing their opinion to their elected officials turn into a sinister plot by the LGWCD’s “political machine?”

Mr. Voren goes on to mislead the reader with his final sentence: “now we will see how the average landowner will hold up to the second mortgages they will need to pay for the LGWCD’s and Councilman Lipp’s road paving.” Reality check! In 1999, the Florida Legislature granted the LGWCD the authority to impose “special assessments” on a property to pay for improvements that included roads and/or culverts only if the affected landowners vote in favor of the improvement. If property owners along a segment of road vote for OGEM stabilization, the cost for this improvement will be done as a special assessment tax over a specific period of time, not a second mortgage. Ignorance of the system is no excuse for publishing lies. If Mr. Voren is so concerned about what happens to our roads, where was he on Monday, April 28? Town councilmen [Dr. Bill] Louda, [Mayor Dave] Browning, [Dave] Autrey and myself, and LGWCD District Manager [Clete] Saunier, supervisors [Ron] Jarriel and [John] Ryan, as well as a host of Grovers took time off from work to spend the entire day at the Board of County Commissioners meeting to support the planning commission’s recommendation to remove E/140th from the county’s future transportation map. There were over 40 public comment cards on this issue. E/140th ended up being the last item of the day. Mr. Voren is a resident of E Road, south of Okeechobee. If this thoroughfare had stayed on the map, 100 properties in the Groves, including Mr. Voren’s, would have been condemned and seized for right-of-way.

Where was Mr. Voren? Community involvement requires more than pontificating at town meetings and publishing misleading letters for the readers of the Town-Crier

Dennis Lipp, Councilman Loxahatchee Groves

Protect Groves Property Rights

The overwhelming reason for incorporating the Town of Loxahatchee Groves was to maintain our rural lifestyle. The overwhelming majority of us believe that (1) as long as you are not infringing upon the rights of other property owners to enjoy their property and (2) as long as you do not present a safety or health hazard, we adhere to the Loxahatchee Groves unofficial motto “love it and leave it alone.”

Recently, a Loxahatchee Groves resident bragged about closing down the flea market on Okeechobee Blvd. through code enforcement. Did the flea market infringe on the property rights of its neighbors? No. Did the flea market present a safety or health hazard? No. Did the flea market support the incorporation effort by allowing us to have tables and assisting us at their flea market to raise needed funds so we could become a town? Yes. Does the flea market continue to show community support by offering to use their property as a staging area for the Loxahatchee Groves Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)? Yes. The flea market was part of our lifestyle before and after becoming the Town of Loxahatchee Groves. They are rural. They should have been left alone.

All candidates running for our town council campaigned that they wanted to maintain our rural lifestyle. The ball is now in the court of the town council. What are they going to do to right an unconscionable wrong and take measures to prevent it from happening again?

Dr. Laura Tindall

Loxahatchee Groves

In The Groves

On April 5, I sat near the front entrance to the Loxahatchee

Groves Elementary School cafeteria during the first session of the strategic visioning forum. A few days later, my picture appeared in the Town-Crier with a caption saying that I was protesting a “dispute with my neighbor.” This greatly diminishes the issue — it is much bigger than a neighborly dispute. The issue is that the Unified Land Development Code is defective in its inclusion of “aviculture” into bona fide agriculture without putting any restrictions on the bird breeders. That is why my neighbor is able to take such liberties. Perhaps there are many respectful bird breeders in Loxahatchee who try to live peacefully within their community. Unfortunately, my neighbor has made no such effort and, quite to the contrary, he is aggressively adding bird cage after bird cage. The real problem is that when bird breeders lobbied Palm Beach County to include aviculture into the definition of agriculture, they appeared to be only considering their own industry and not the effect it would have on the neighboring residents. We live in an A/R district but this is way over the top. And it’s not just A(griculture); it’s also R(esidential). Both need consideration; otherwise, change the zoning to just agriculture. If you were to come out here and witness the injustice that this bird breeder has brought upon us, you would wonder, as I do, how such an oversight occurred. Perhaps the bird breeders were under the impression that the noise ordinance would control the noise level of the birds. Unfortunately, they were incorrect, for there is no such restriction under bona fide agriculture. This is what I am up against. The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council does not want to touch it — you know, “the slippery slope” of agriculture and residential. I cannot help but think that if this bird breeder moved in next to a town council member, this section of the ULDC would be the first code to change. I have my home up for sale. Those who have looked at it say, “it is a beautiful home,” but do not want to listen to screaming birds. My husband wrote up a

ington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com See LETTERS, page 20

Move Quickly On Bringing A PBCC Campus To Wellington

Kathy Foster, Wellington’s first mayor, was making the rounds this week armed with a compelling argument for a Palm Beach Community College campus on the K-Park property on the east side of State Road 7 at Pierson Road.

The suggestion — it has been talked about for years — actually sprouted wings recently when members of the Business, Technology & Education Board of the Western Communities made the campus pitch to PBCC President Dr. Dennis Gallon. The idea has reached the Wellington council chambers, and a public workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 8 to discuss the plan.

The plan being touted by former mayor Foster and a host of community leaders was artfully detailed to Wellington Rotary Club members on Tuesday. On Wednesday, she had lunch with a small group that included me. She was the mayor I have always remembered — driven, forceful but demure, and knowledgeable about everything she gets involved in. Wellington has always been for-

By Don Brown

tunate to have her in our midst.

If you read my column a couple of weeks ago, you learned that PBCC has made a formal proposal to build its fifth campus in Wellington at the 62-acre K-Park site. The immediate problem that would have to be worked out is to convince a village council majority to change the use of the property from a large recreational project to a smaller one with a college campus and perhaps a cultural venue. Of course, the village would have to turn over the property to PBCC. The original

67-acre site was purchased several years ago for $9 million. Five acres were sold off at $5 million for an assisted-living facility, which means Wellington’s actual current investment is only $4 million. Ms. Foster suggested the campus, when completed, could conceivably infuse as much as $65 million into the local economy annually — competing with the area equestrian industry as a huge economic engine. She calls the plan a win-win for the village and PBCC. I politely corrected her in my recent column, pointing out that she missed one of the wins. The project would be a win for PBCC, a win for Wellington and perhaps even a win for the beleaguered Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches, which could use a win these days. That would make it a perfect trifecta. It now appears that two councilmen, Bob Margolis and Matt Willhite, might be backing away from likely opposition to the proposal now that they have heard more details. Mayor

long championed a college campus for Wellington.

The deal that has already garnered much support from PBCC officials would set aside and build several multi-purpose fields to satisfy future parks and recreation requirements in the village charter. It would also allow for an amphitheater (a longtime dream of the Cultural Trust) and a performing arts center and curriculum. The equestrian community would also be pleased to know that it could also include an equestrian curriculum.

In my opinion, the council should consider and act favorably on the concept. The prospect of a college campus in this upscale community is simply too good a deal to pass up. Especially when there are so many wins available.

Darell Bowen, Vice Mayor Carmine Priore and Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto already appear to be receptive to the idea. Ms. Benacquisto is probably feeling giddy because she has

A HEARTY PIRATE-THEMED DEDICATION FOR EMERALD COVE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Many dignitaries turned out for Emerald Cove Middle School’s dedication ceremony on Thursday, April 24. Speakers included Emerald Cove Principal Dr. Nancy Lucas, Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson, West Area Superintendent Dr. Janis Andrews, School District Chief Academic Officer Ann Killets, Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and Wellington Education Committee Chair Marcia Hayden. The school’s cheerleaders, step team, chorus, dance team, band, handbell chorus and other groups performed. Students read poems, sang songs and donated for a time capsule in the form of a treasure chest, in keeping with the event’s “pirate” theme. The school is located off State Road 7 near Olympia in Wellington.

Students dressed in pirate costume for the event.

A “pirate” plays the steel drum.

The Emerald Cove cheerleaders in an ending pose.

Valerie Haines of Freedom Shores Elementary School with Emerald Cove Principal Dr. Nancy Lucas.

Principal Dr. Nancy Lucas with Ron Anderson, who taught her in high school.

The Emerald Cove chorus performs. Erin Luconbe and Megan Bailey.

Palm Beach Central High School Principal Butch Mondy, School District Chief Academic Officer Ann Killets and West Area Superintendent Dr. Janis Andrews.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Principal Dr. Nancy Lucas, Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson and West Area Superintendent Dr. Janis Andrews cut the ribbon to dedicate the school.

Teen Tries To Rob Gas Station With BB Gun

By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report

APRIL 20 — A Royal Palm Beach teen was arrested early last Sunday after an attempted holdup of a gas station on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy from the RPB substation was dispatched to the Exxon station just north of Okeechobee Blvd. in response to a report of an armed robbery in progress. The suspect was described as a thin white male dressed in black with a black cap, sunglasses and a covered face. Pulling in to the south entrance of the station, the deputy reported spotting a person matching that description running past the rear of the building. On foot and following noises in the bushes behind the station, the deputy discovered 18year-old Eian Gosselin lying on the ground and wearing black clothing, according to the report. Another deputy brought the station clerk to the rear of the station to positively identify the suspect. A BB pistol was found outside the front door of the station, which the clerk said the suspect had pointed in his face and demanded the money in the cash register. The clerk said the suspect fled when he reached back to grab a broom. According to the report, PBSO deputies took Gosselin to the District 9 substation where he confessed to the attempted holdup. He was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail, and his statement and the pistol were placed into evidence.

prints with negative results.

APRIL 24 — A vehicle parked in front of a residence on Park Forest Way in Wellington’s Tree Tops subdivision was burglarized sometime last Wednesday night or the following morning. The victim told a PBSO investigator that he parked the vehicle Wednesday evening and the following morning found the interior of the vehicle in disarray, and an old DVD player in the rear of the vehicle was missing. According to a PBSO report, there were no signs of forced entry and the victim believes the vehicle was left unlocked. Investigators took DNA swabs from the glove compartment, from which other items were apparently taken.

APRIL 25 — Two vehicle burglaries took place either late last Friday or Saturday on Trianon Place in Wellington’s Versailles subdivision. According to PBSO reports, one resident reported that someone entered his unlocked 2004 Toyota Sequoia SUV between 11 p.m. Friday and 7:20 p.m. the following day and stole two checkbooks. Another nearby resident reported that someone entered her unlocked 2003 Chevrolet Yukon SUV sometime between 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and stole a cell phone valued at $170 as well as $110 in cash.

APRIL 21 — The PBSO is searching for two men suspected of making off with $40,000 worth of cell phones in an early-morning burglary last Monday. According to a PBSO report, a deputy responding to a burglar alarm at the T-Mobile retail store at 157 S. State Road 7 at about 6:30 a.m. found the store’s glass front door smashed and propped open. After backup units arrived, a search of the interior of the store revealed that a steel door to an inventory storage closet had been broken open. According to the report, a review of store security video showed two white male suspects had used an ax to gain entry to the store at about 6:08 a.m., and then had used a large green garbage can and a duffel bag to haul out the contents of the inventory closet. The suspects left behind a crowbar that investigators traced to a Home Depot store. The surveillance video revealed that the culprits wore gloves during the burglary to avoid leaving fingerprint evidence.

APRIL 26 — A home in Wellington’s Paddock Park neighborhood was burglarized recently. According to a PBSO report, perpetrators entered the home on Wellington Trace sometime between 7:30 a.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Tuesday, stealing a 37-inch flat-screen television, a DVD player, two laptop computers, a printer and a Vonage telephone handset. Investigators found no signs of forced entry and the victim could not recall if she had locked the door of the residence. Attempts to gather fingerprint evidence were unsuccessful, according to the report.

APRIL 27 — An employee of the Bamboo Club restaurant in the Mall at Wellington Green was arrested Sunday on fraud charges. According to a report, restaurant staff notified the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office that an employee, 25-year-old Kimberly Noto of Royal Palm Beach, had improperly charged 12 customer credit-card slips for a total of $421.27 between March 18 and April 5.

APRIL 27 — A pickup truck was reported stolen from a parking lot at the Mall at Wellington Green on Sunday. A Wellington woman told PBSO investigators that her truck, a one-ton 2004 GMC 3500 dual-wheel model, disappeared from the parking lot sometime between 1 and 2 p.m. that day.

APRIL 22 — A pickup truck was burglarized in the parking lot of the Royal Inn in Royal Palm Beach last Tuesday. According to a PBSO report, the victim, a Wauchula resident, told a PBSO deputy that his 2002 Ford F-150 pickup had been burglarized sometime after 2 a.m. Entry was gained by smashing the passenger-side window. The victim reported a touch-screen radio, two speakers, an amplifier, a pool cue and case, a cell phone and charger, and a bag containing tools had been taken, according to the report. A container from inside the vehicle was found behind the truck and processed for finger-

APRIL 28 — Several vehicles were reportedly burglarized on Equine Drive in Wellington’s Equestrian Club Estates late Monday or early Tuesday, according to PBSO reports. One victim told PBSO investigators that someone entered his unlocked BMW at his residence sometime between 10 p.m. Monday and 7:25 p.m. the following day and stole a radar detector worth $150, a pair of sunglasses worth $180 and four music CDs. Attempts to gather See BLOTTER, page 7

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

• Jonas Aroncho, a.k.a. Jonas Colon, Javier Nueves or Jose Santiago, is a white male, 6’2” tall and weighing 200 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 03/30/76. He has tattoos on his chest, left leg, neck, right hand, both arms and abdomen. Aroncho is wanted for dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership to a pawnbroker. His occupation is tree cutter. His last known address was Martin Avenue in Greenacres. Aroncho is wanted as of 05/01/08. • Avinaash Joseph is a white male, 5’7” tall and weighing 180 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 02/12/83. Joseph is wanted for trafficking in hydrocodone and grand theft. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was 41st Lane North in The Acreage. Joseph is wanted as of 05/01/08. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.

Jonas Aroncho

Avinaash Joseph

Wellington’s Ultima Fitness Concludes 90-Day Fitness Challenge

By Don Brown Town-Crier Staff Report

Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae

Kwon Do in Wellington concluded its Sixth Annual 90-Day Wellington Challenge last week with a celebration honoring participants and other guests.

Alex Molares of Royal Palm Beach, a 28-year-old teacher and coach at Glades Day School, won top honors and a cash prize of $1,800 for dropping 24 pounds during the challenge. Christine Armstrong came in second, and Randy Berman won third place.

Contestants were judged by a third party, who determined which of them improved their overall fitness level the most. Weight loss was not the sole deciding factor. Contestants were also asked to write an essay about their training experience, including what motivated them to lose weight and how the challenge brought change to their lives.

“This has been one of the best things to have happened to me in my young life, as well as one of the toughest things I’ve had to do,” Molares wrote in his essay. “This has been a great motivating factor for me to get back in shape, eat healthy and to live right.”

Molares, a football, basketball and baseball coach at his old high school, wanted to get back in the shape he was in while playing running back at Cumberland University in Tennessee.

“I’ve always been motivating kids to push themselves every day in the classroom and on the athletic field, but I couldn’t push myself to go to the gym,” Molares said.

His weight had shot up to 198 pounds before the start of the challenge. He set himself a goal of 180 pounds, but he got to 174 pounds.

“My coaches have been rag-

ging me for a while about my weight and being out of shape. When I started the challenge, I was at the heaviest I’d ever been in my life,” Molares said. “In order to do a competition such as this, it requires a lifestyle change, and I’ve completely changed my lifestyle, and I love the way I feel and look. I’ve got a great deal of confidence now, and I want to continue my success. Thank you, Ultima, for the motivation and confidence you have given me.”

Armstrong won $900 for her second place showing, and Berman received $300 for coming in third. In the youth division — a first this year — 14-year-old Lacy Bollinger of Wellington won a $300 gift card from National City Bank. In addition to the money, all winners received gifts valued at more than $2,500 from local businesses.

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce and the Town-Crier newspaper were partners in the 90-Day Challenge. Other sponsors included the Boynton Financial Group, Gym Ratz for Kids, Visions Salon, the Diabetic Support Program, National City Bank and Wellington Plaza. The winners’ essays were displayed throughout the gym.

“We post the essays around the gym so everyone can read them,” said Jill Merrell, coowner of the family-owned fitness center. “They inspire people and prove that any goal can be reached if you’re willing to work hard and stay committed.”

Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do is located in the Wellington Plaza at 12799 W. Forest Hill Blvd.

For more information, call (561) 795-2823 or visit the gym’s web site at www.ultima fitness.com.

continued from page 6 fingerprint evidence were unsuccessful. Another victim told investigators that someone had rummaged through two of three vehicles parked in her driveway between 4 p.m. Monday and 5:45 a.m. Tuesday. Although the two disturbed vehicles, which were unlocked, contained valuables, investigators noted that nothing seemed missing. The third vehicle was locked and undisturbed. A third victim report-

ed that someone had gained entry to her unlocked 2005 Lexus sedan sometime between 6 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday, stealing her cell phone and iPod. Investigators were able to gather DNA and fingerprint evidence from the vehicle.

APRIL 29 — A Lake Worth man was arrested on multiple charges Tuesday morning in Wellington following a traffic stop on Forest Hill Blvd. According to PBSO reports, after stopping 47-year-old Arnaud

Elizias near the Wellington Regional Medical Center at 7:58 a.m., a PBSO deputy arrested him on the charges of knowingly driving with a suspended license, no registration and no valid insurance. Elizias was also charged with resisting arrest without violence and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.

APRIL 29 — A landscape maintenance worker reported the theft of his equipment while working in Wellington’s Saddle Trail Park neighborhood Tues-

day. The victim, a Greenacres resident, told PBSO investigators that between noon and 3:30 pm., while he was performing maintenance at a home on Appaloosa Trail, someone took a weed trimmer, edgers, a blower, a pruner and a chainsaw from his equipment trailer. According to the report, the victim noted a blue two-tone pickup in the area at the time, but did not notice anyone near his trailer. Investigators were able to gather fingerprint evidence at the

Blotter

scene.

Third-place winner Randy Berman.

Participants and friends pose for a group photograph.

Ultima co-owner John Merrell with What’s 4 Dinner/What a Cupcake co-owner A.J. Hurwitz.

Alex Molares receives gifts from Ultima co-owner Jill Merrell for his first-place win in the Ultima 90-Day Challenge.

Jill Merrell with second-place winner Christine Armstrong.

PBSO Official: Lox Groves ‘Crime Wave’ Rumors Unfounded

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The top cop for The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves told members of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association last week that rumors of a surge in crime in Loxahatchee Groves are unsubstantiated.

Capt. Chris Calloway, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 3 commander, told LGLA members April 24 that he had the facts to back up his assertion. “It was brought to my attention that there is a certain school of thought amongst some of the residents that crime has increased or it has gotten out of control in Loxahatchee Groves,” Calloway said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I am going to give you a quick update so you can understand what is happening rather than what you are hearing from certain individuals in the community.” Calloway summarized the

criminal incidents that took place in the community since February 2008, and said he didn’t think they could be considered a crime wave.

Since the beginning of February, he said, there had been three stolen vehicles, three business burglaries, two residential burglaries, five vehicle burglaries, six minor thefts and two sexual batteries. However, he noted, the two sexual batteries involved family or acquaintance situations and did not indicate someone prowling in the community. Also, there had been four incidents of vandalism, mostly to mailboxes, which Calloway said were probably some kids knocking the boxes off their poles.

“Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of this real quick so I can set your minds at ease,” Calloway said. “As for the three stolen vehicles, one was a golf cart, and another was a ’99 green Ford. Witnesses observed two

white males and a white female take it, and it’s being investigated by our auto-theft unit. There also was an auto theft to a silver Ram. The suspect called the victim after he parked it, and she refused to prosecute.”

Calloway said two of the business burglaries involved nurseries. “In one case, the window was pried open and cell phones were taken,” he said. “In another, the suspect smashed the side window and took $200. He left blood on the scene, which we have. The last one of the three was in the 13000 block of Okeechobee, where a suspect entered through a fence, removed money from the register and drank a soda. That sounds like a child or a juvenile, or potentially a homeless person looking for something to eat.”

The residential and vehicle burglaries, Calloway explained, involved unlocked doors, and the stolen items were objects such as tape players or GPS sys-

tems that could be removed quickly. He once again urged residents to lock the doors of their homes and vehicles.

“There was no evidence left at the scene because all the suspect had to do was open an unlocked door and go in,” Calloway said. “That makes it difficult for us to try and investigate it.”

As for real serious incidents, Calloway said, two had occurred in February and in March. An armed robbery in February involved a black Dodge Ram pickup containing two black and one white male suspect. The driver of the truck knocked a person off his bike and stole his cell phone. Calloway noted that the victim and witnesses said they were unable to identify the suspects, but the PBSO has strong leads.

“We think we know who the driver is, so we will go after the driver,” Calloway said. “We are still working on this one.”

In March, a day laborer was

‘It was brought to my attention that there is a certain school of thought amongst some of the residents that crime has increased or it has gotten out of control in Loxahatchee Groves. Nothing could be further from the truth.’

— PBSO Capt. Chris Calloway

struck from behind by a red pickup truck, breaking his femur, and the occupants also stole money from him. Because of its severity, that incident is being investigated by the PBSO’s Violent Crimes Division, Calloway said.

After providing details of some vandalism cases and suspicious incidents, Calloway said he had summed up the recent lawlessness in Loxahatchee Groves.

“That is the totality of the outof-control crime that is occurring in Loxahatchee Groves,”

Calloway said. “It is absolutely not like that. I hope that by coming here tonight, I have dispelled some of the concerns that you may have had.”

After his presentation, LGLA President Marge Herzog asked how many calls for service District 3 had received. Calloway said about 240 calls for service had come in from February to April 18, and that less than 10 percent of them were crime-related. He noted that the district includes not only Loxahatchee Groves but the much larger Acreage area.

As Visioning Process Ends, Groves Residents Offer Final Thoughts

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Town of Loxahatchee Groves held the last of its visioning sessions in preparation for its strategic plan on Saturday, April 26 at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School.

Moderator Herb Marlowe of the consulting firm Analytica asked participants a series of questions, ranging from how willing they are to pay for service providers to their opinions on building heights, speed limits on Okeechobee and Southern boulevards, the possible construction of a post office to replace the current facility on Southern Blvd., codes and code enforcement, cell towers, greenways for a variety of uses, commercial development, road improvement and other issues.

The sessions concluded with comments from town council members, who thanked residents for attending the meeting and asked them to send further input to town staff. Toward the end of the public session, Marlowe asked for feedback on whether residents want to combine the Town of

Loxahatchee Groves and the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District.

A large majority of residents present said they wished the option would be considered. There was also strong support for a referendum on the approval of a comprehensive plan.

Regarding service providers, a majority of residents at the sessions wanted the speeds dropped on roads such as Okeechobee and Southern boulevards, and also on the feeder dirt roads, with some residents supporting a cost toward enhancement of law enforcement to enforce speed limits.

A majority of residents at the session also supported a possible delay in the continued stabilization of roads until the comprehensive plan is developed. Residents varied in their views regarding code enforcement for noise pollution and other issues.

The retreat for developing the strategic plan will take place Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17. The location is yet to be determined.

Herb Marlowe of Analytica.

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dr. Bill Louda makes a point.

Moderator Herb Marlowe (left) talks to Loxahatchee Groves residents about their ideas on regulating future development.

County’s Extension Service Offers Many Useful Programs

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Executive Director Audrey Norman gave members of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association a survey of the ways her agency serves county residents last week. Whether one is seeking information on designing a more energy-efficient house, caring for native plant life, or developing a youth leadership program, the Palm Beach County Extension office can offer answers.

A joint program of the county and the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the county extension is involved in a variety of fields such as agriculture, horticulture, and family and consumer science. It also organizes 4-H youth programs and operates the Mounts Botanical Garden on Military Trail in West Palm Beach.

Speaking to LGLA members April 24, Norman said the extension tries to remain responsive to the needs of area residents and visitors, taking a leadership role in disseminating the latest technological information.

One of the extension’s primary fields is agriculture, and Norman noted that there is continual debate as to whether agriculture or tourism is the largest industry in Palm Beach County. Depending on the figures used, she said, Palm Beach County has either the third, the fourth or the fifth largest agricultural economy among counties in the United States. The county’s row crops generate over $2 billion annually. While the county’s equine industry is not the largest in the country, that industry’s economic value spikes impressively at certain times during the year. The effects of these industries on the land and the population must be studied, Norman said.

“We do have an agriculture and natural resources program in this county which is important,” Norman said. “We also have a very large urban area, so there is a demand for land and water use. We have to consider the impacts of some of the chemicals that are used or naturally occurring as a result of ag-

riculture and what impact they have. We also have a manure problem most of the year, and in the winter season that becomes a bigger problem. We have to think about those natural resources and how agriculture impacts them.”

The extension system nationwide is federally funded through the United States Department of Agriculture. “It is a pretty unique partnership,” Norman said. “It’s not only in Palm Beach County but all across the 67 counties in Florida and all across the United States and several of the territories. We have a research system that is replicated in every state across the United States, and that research really allows for the concerns that the public and the community bring to bear, and we do research to help solve those problems.”

Norman said Florida has 17 research stations, each geared to area-specific concerns, with one in Palm Beach County studying sugarcane and rice issues. Part of the role of extension services is to provide an outlet for that research, she said.

Programs provided by extension services vary from county to county based on local needs, Norman said.

“The unique thing is that each county has advisory committees that really decide what the most important concerns are in each community, and we see what concerns we can really address,” she said. “So the programs we have in Palm Beach County would be different than those throughout the rest of the state.”

An important activity for the local extension is providing training in the application of restricted-use pesticides, used not only on crops but also public buildings, offices and homes.

“When you call a company or a landscaper who may go ahead and apply those pesticides, that all falls within agricultural safety,” Norman said. “We do all the training for the restricted-use applications. We do it in both English and in Spanish, because the vast majority of farm workers are Spanish speakers of one variety or another, so it’s really important that we do it in Spanish.”

Norman said the extension service also provides guidance

to environmental and horticultural activities including nursery operations, the development and management of golf courses and athletic fields, and the landscaping industry. Part of that oversight includes not only best management practices for commercial establishments, but advice to individuals on houseplants.

“If you have your favorite houseplant, and the leaves are turning yellow or it has spots on it, we’re happy to answer your questions,” she said. “If we don’t know the answer, we will find that out for you.”

Norman said the Palm Beach County Extension also has a large family and consumer sciences division providing nutrition and food safety information, such as safety and sanitation training for restaurant staff.

“We try to emphasize the importance of food safety,” she said. “More Americans are eating out than ever before. We are eating a lot of meals in restaurants. Food safety is extraordinarily important in terms of cleanliness and in terms of temperature and in terms of crosscontamination. Those are some of the issues that cause foodborne illnesses. We also know that half of the food-borne illnesses do occur at home.”

Norman said other extension programs provide nutrition information and are focused on limited-income families with children, and also provide assistance to childcare providers.

“We have about 57,000 individuals in Palm Beach County receiving food stamps,” Norman said. “The vast majority of them are children. Children are usually responsible for 12 of their own meals a week. It’s

important that they understand their choices. We spend a lot of time training family professionals, especially those working in the childcare industry. We have more than 900 licensed childcare centers and childcare homes in Palm Beach County, so there are continuous efforts to raise the bar on childcare standards.”

With the floor open to questions, LGLA President Marge Herzog asked how Palm Beach County would be affected by the worldwide food shortage combined with the drive to grow crops for ethanol.

Norman said ethanol’s impact on food supplies is a huge concern both locally and worldwide, given the rising cost of fuel. “Much of the corn is being diverted to ethanol production so consequently corn chips, tortillas and cornmeal are more expensive,” she said. “I think that’s a serious issue to debate.”

LGLA Treasurer Ken Johnson asked about the impact of free-trade agreements on the agricultural industry. Norman said such agreements mean more competition from cheaper foreign produce, but she noted a recent trend toward consumption of locally grown products.

“The other issue is that many people want locally grown produce,” Norman said. “They do want it. Much of it is put on a rail and transported out of the county. It may eventually come back here. We’re working on what we’re calling some farmto-plate initiatives. There are some local restaurants getting local produce, but they need it the same day or the next day. That’s why we have some of the green markets that offer them so that the growers can get some

Booster Club Golf Tourney May 4

The Seminole Ridge Athletic Booster Club is hosting a golf tournament, the Ridge Classic 2008, on Sunday, May 4 at the Ironhorse Golf & Country Club in West Palm Beach. Ironhorse is a private course that was recently enhanced. There will be limit of 100 golfers with 150 spectators. The goal for the event is to raise $10,000 to purchase equipment for student athletes and to con-

tinue the athletic scholarship program. The event starts with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start in a four-person scramble format. Refreshments and a silent auction begin at 5 p.m., and the banquet dinner begins at 6 p.m. For more information, call Sandra Love Semande at (561) 723-3898, Nicole Love Weber at (561) 649-1500 or Greg Williams at (561) 795-0804.

local produce into the green market system.”

Loxahatchee Groves Mayor David Browning said it must be frustrating for growers and farmers that while the price of food has gone up substantially in the past few years, they are not seeing any benefit from those increases.

“People need to know how little the farmer gets out of a bag of corn chips,” Browning said. “We, as consumers, are also getting ripped. The middleman gets rich. Farmers have been going out of business for the last 50 years and still will.”

The Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service is located at 559 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 2331700 or visit www.pbcgov.com/ coopext/home.

Association Presents Teen Awards

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Acreage Horseman’s Association President Celeste Hathhorn presented its Teen Equestrian Awards on Monday to two young equestrians in The Acreage. Checks for $200 each went to riders who “excelled in showing and/or competing,” she said.

Teen Male Equestrian Award winner Christopher Smith, a Seminole Ridge High School student, currently holds first place in bareback riding, third

place in

the

Female winner

mone was awarded

Pony

for

and

as well as grand

ner in the

by the

Beach County

Association. Hathhorn also invited riders to join the AHA for a trail ride starting at Hamlin Park and heading west on May 17 at 3 p.m. All riders are welcome.

Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Executive Director Audrey Norman speaks at last Thursday’s Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association meeting.

saddle bronc riding

fourth in boys’ all-around with

Florida High School Rodeo Association.

Marissa Da-

High Point

Hunter

2007

champion circuit win-

Large Pony Hunter Division

Palm

Horseman’s

Teen Equestrian Awards — Celeste Hathhorn presents the checks to Marissa Damone and Chris Smith.

Horseman’s

ITID Trailways, Parks Committees Merge

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

After unanimously voting to merge with the Indian Trail Improvement District Parks & Recreation Committee Monday, ITID’s Trailways Committee began discussing matters related to the district’s parks.

The merger of the two committees was prompted in part by poor attendance at Parks & Recreation Committee meetings. Parks Director Tim Wojnar, the Trailways Committee’s new staff liaison, told members that after a five-month hiatus, he would see to it that committee recommendations get prompt attention.

“As far as I am concerned, this is the first day of the committee,” Wojnar said. “And I believe in moving forward as quickly as possible. Tell me what you want, and I will bring it to the supervisors right away.”

The district has $120,000 available in its budget for improvements to Hamlin Equestrian Park, and committee members initially urged that some of it be spent immediately to improve poor footing in the park’s main ring. However, Wojnar cautioned that the situation is complicated by a proposal to enclose and cover a canal that separates the park from adjacent land intended for expansion of the park.

“The park grows in size a lot if we do the work,” Wojnar said. “But it is not all that simple. We will have to deal with pumping water through because we use the canal water now to irrigate the park. But we should do it now because the cost of doing the work will rise quickly. Also, the county is ready to re-pipe Northlake Blvd. right around there, and that will force us to move on it.”

Supervisor Carol Jacobs said the district would save $40,000 by using ITID workers to enclose the canal, enough savings to pay for improving the footing.

ITID President Mike Erickson suggested the possibility of moving the main ring once the park is expanded. “If we put in more facilities, we might want to move that ring,” he said. “We can make sure the footing is right once we have a good site plan and we know where the ring will actually be.”

The committee voted to recommend creation of a new site plan for the park once the planned canal, irrigation and fencing work are completed.

The committee also discussed incorporating the district’s trail system with trails of the Northeast Everglades Natural Area, in order to provide connections

and also qualify for funding.

“Brett Baranak, who runs multi-modal trails for the county, visited here last year and is very willing to come back,” Erickson said. “The federal government as well as the county has been doing funding not all that far away to expand and connect the system. If we want to be part of that, we have to start planning now.”

The committee voted unanimously to recommend the district state that its vision for its trails should be part of the NENA plan and set its priorities accordingly.

Committee members also said riders have requested that the district mow and clean up trails more frequently than once a year. “Doing this work can be expensive,” Wojnar replied. “And taking people from doing other jobs to handle the trails is a real change in priorities.” Erickson said the district would not see an excessive expense in hiring one full-time person to handle the job. “We need to buy a specific piece of equipment,” he said. “We need a tractor with a brush in front so it can clean the trails, as well as sidewalks next to them. We should match the size of the brush to the sidewalks and trail… That one person should be able to handle the job all around the district.”

Committee Member Brenda Riol agreed that the new position should be added to the budget for the coming year. “We came out here for the equestrian lifestyle,” she said. “If we don’t do enough to keep it up here, we’ll be kicking ourselves 20 years down the line.”

The committee also voted to recommend the immediate installation of equestrian gates on 94th Street to access the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and the L Canal. Wojnar said the gate at Seminole Pratt could go in right away and that he would check on the one at the L Canal, which must be wider to allow district mowers to pass through. Wojnar said he hoped the work could be complete in a week or two. Wojnar also promised to look into complaints that a horse staging area supposed to be located at Northlake and Grapeview boulevards is not in place. “It’s in the plans, but there really is no safe place to wait and watch traffic,” Riol said. Wojnar promised to visit the site next week. The committee’s next meeting, which will incorporate members of the old Parks & Recreation Committee, is scheduled for May 12.

New Horizons Elementary Celebrates Earth Day, Arbor Day

H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach held a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Tuesday, April 29. The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Nadine Ghaddar. In addition, volunteers were treated to a production of

WHS Band

Hosts Spring

Concert Series

The Wellington High School Band Program will present its annual Spring Concert Series on May 5, 7 and 13.

On Monday, May 5, the WHS wind ensemble and symphonic band will present “Americana,” a concert featuring music of America. The performance will be held in the Palm Beach Central High School auditorium at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, May 7, the band’s percussionists will present a concert of percussion music, along with guest percussionists from Wellington Land-

Chamber Visits WLMS — Members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce set up displays and answered questions for students at Wellington Landings Middle School on Wednesday, April 23. Pictured above, Costco’s Lisa Bauer talks about the importance of marketing with students.

The Groundworks crew plants a tree.

ings Middle School, Emerald Cove Middle School and Coral Reef Elementary School. The program will be held in the Emerald Cove Middle School auditorium at 7 p.m.

Finally, on Tuesday, May 13, the WHS jazz band will perform in concert along with the jazz bands from Wellington Landings Middle School and Osceola Creek Middle School.

This jazz concert will be a benefit for the Paul Chafin Memorial Scholarship Fund, and donations will be taken at the door. The concert will be held in the Wellington Landings Middle School gym at 7 p.m.

Admission to all concerts is free. For more information, visit the band’s web site at www. whsband.com.

Sock Hop Event Benefits WCS

Dressed in poodle skirts and saddle shoes, ready to dance to the oldies by the Fabulons, more than 150 guests arrived at Wellington Christian School’s fifth annual auction. The Rock Around the Clock Sock Hop

Students at New Horizons Elementary School in Wellington celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day on Thursday, April 24. Guidance Counselor Lynne Bray organized the event as a way to promote citizenship — working together to make the community a better place in which to live.

Students cleaned the campus, decorated Publix grocery bags to remind everyone to recycle and learned about the importance of planting trees from Wellington Landscape Maintenance Supervisor Mark Stephens.

Each student received a tree

seedling from the village to take home and plant. Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen read a proclamation from the village of Wellington. Wellington High School senior and former New Horizons student Rene Gustin sang the national anthem. Teacher Johnetta Scott and her students provided the flags. Groundworks, owned by George and Melissa Nottingham (whose children Trident and Dylan attend the school), donated a tree that was planted in the front of the school to replace a tree lost in one of the hurricanes.

was held recently at the Wellington Community Center to benefit the school’s program of educational excellence.

The dinner dance featured both a live and silent auction, door prizes such as an iPod Touch and a Wii game system, games with prizes, as well as the purchase of balloons filled with gift certificates from various businesses in the area.

Some of the items up for auction included a one-week stay at a Tuscan vacation home, hot-air balloon rides, and the “Sheriff for the Day” experience that included a helicopter ride.

Lissette Castro, Karen Ferreri and Nancy Schurter chaired the event. Patricia Anthony, Karen Curran, Michelle Korte, Stacey Martin, Elizabeth Marull, Don Stimely and Kelly Waldt were instrumental in coordinating the major Wellington Christian School fundraiser.

For more information about Wellington Christian School, call (561) 793-1017 or visit the school’s web site at www. wellingtonchristian.org.

Volunteer of the Year Nadine Ghaddar (second from right) is recognized.

Principal Sharon Hench and Assistant Principal Donna Eldredge recognize Judi Bludworth for her public relations work for the school.

Angela Bloom of Chick-fil-A in the Mall at Wellington Green (second from right) is recognized.

Volunteer Mary Chadwick with Sharon Hench and Donna Eldredge.Students perform a scene from The Wiz

Nadine Ghaddar says a few words.

Mark Stephens and Lynne Bray talk to students about the environment.

Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen (back) joins students for the national anthem.

Volunteer Traci Mikus with her sister Tara Rogers.

Principal Sharon Hench and Assistant Principal Donna Eldredge serve cake.

Don Stimely as the Fonz.

Kristian Stemples as Marilyn Monroe.

Faith Austin, Pat Melvin and Kathy Britt.

Frontier Students Excel At Science And Math Fair

Eleven students from Frontier Elementary School earned high awards at the Palm Beach County Science and Mathematics Fair held April 21-24 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

First-place Science winners were third grader Alexandra Guevara and fourth grader Joshua Clarke. First-place Math winners included first grader Dominique Fullwood, second grader Harrison Harding and fourth grader Madeline Harding. Second-place winners in Science were first grader Alexander Baker and fifth grader

Heather Virgo. Third place went to second grader Jasmine Parson. Honorable mention was awarded to first graders Kennedy Driscoll and William Humbugger.

Tracy Eppolito’s third-grade class won second place for their class project in this year’s science fair. Their experiment “Space Seeds” compared the growth of regular seeds with seeds that had been in outer space with NASA. Frontier’s Science and Mathematics Fair coordinator is Molly Harding.

Acreage Pines Elementary School student Denise Rodriguez was selected from hundreds of national entries to receive a National Award of Merit in this year’s AAA National School Traffic Safety Poster Program. Denise entered the contest through the Art Program at APES under the supervision of art teacher Ray White. Shown here, Denise is presented her National Award of Merit by teacher Nicole Janowiak.

Tracy Eppolito’s third-grade class won second place for their project “Space Seeds.”

WHS Academy Open House May 7

Wellington High School will host its Choice Programs Academy Open House on Wednesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. The program will include an introduction to the Equine/Pre-Veterinarian Academy (which is entering its third year) and two new academies that open in the fall. The Marketing Academy and Drafting and Design Academy will include incoming ninth graders and 10th graders who are currently enrolled in classes at WHS in the necessary programs.

The Equine/Pre-Veterinarian Academy will welcome 50 new invitees picked from the Palm Beach County School District Choice Program lottery that took place the week of March 24. The applicants were qualified on the basis of three favorable teacher recommendations and a prerequisite math requirement. This coming year’s class will represent a broad diversity of students from across the county.

The Marketing Academy is designed to give high school students the opportunity to learn about and prepare for college or a career in business. Emphasis is placed on a college preparatory curriculum that is directly linked to the business world through marketing principles and practices. All students applying for the program must meet and maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout the program.

The Drafting and Design Academy will offer two distinct strands designed to challenge students with laboratory and classroom-based curriculum, which promotes the use of critical thinking and computer technology skills. In the drafting courses of study, students will employ the use of AutoCAD computer-aided design software for architectural, mechanical and 3D projects. In addition, students will take a sequence of challenging courses preparing them for post-secondary school, college and careers in the architectural and engineering fields.

The communications technology strand incorporates the study of the processes, use and technical skills found in visual

technologies, multimedia productions, computer graphics, web page design, electronic media, and other new and emerging technologies. This strand of study will focus on the understanding and demonstration of the technological tools, machines, instruments, materials, processes and systems in business and industry, as well as prepare the student for successful entry in college or the workforce.

Eighth grade students presently zoned for Wellington High School for 2008-09 who are interested in participating in one of these two new academies may enroll by marking the appropriate box on the WHS Eighth Grade Course Selection Form. These forms were distributed by the WHS Guidance Department on the campuses of Wellington Landings and Polo Park middle schools during the third week of April. Any students or parents with questions regarding the application to the academies can direct their questions to the WHS Choice Programs office at (561) 792-9538. In Wolverine football news, the team is holding a fundraising golf tournament at Binks Forest Golf Club on Saturday, May 10. The golf tournament will help reach the goal of providing outstanding football facilities and equipment for Wellington players. The $125 fee includes green fees, cart, lunch, raffle and prizes immediately to follow. Call (561) 784-7703 for more information.

The football program is running two one-week clinics in June for ages eight to 12. The clinics are run by Wellington High School coaches with Wolverine football players as their assistants. This is an outstanding opportunity to learn football skills in an environment that will focus on lifelong behaviors to promote health and wellness. The overall goals of the program are football and fun. The cost is $150 per session. Call (561) 7847703 for more information. Space is limited, so register soon.

The Crestwood Middle School Student Council and National Junior Honor Society members spent four hours cleaning along Crestwood Blvd. during the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 19. The students collected nine full and three partial bags of trash. Shown here are the students with advisor Annette Marquez.

Second-place, third-place and honorable-mention winners.

Frontier’s first-place winners.

A Civics Lesson For H.L. Johnson Students

Fifth grade students at H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach recently had an opportunity to learn how they can become good citizens through studying our legal system.

Assistant State Attorney Dan Galo visited the school, sharing information about the branches of government and how the legal process is a part of a citizen’s

everyday life. By participating discussion groups, students were given the opportunity to analyze situations, explore decision making and learn how making good choices helps make a community run smoothly. Students also conducted a mock trial, “The Case of the Stolen ‘Sponge Bob’ Backpack.”

Galo has been a regular guest speaker at H.L. Johnson.

HLJ Students Win At Science And Math Fair

What do popcorn, smart lizards and pupating caterpillars have in common?

Those were some of the winning projects in the 2008 Palm Beach County Science and Math Fair held April 2124 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach came home with 11 winners in the Science division and eight winners in the Elementary Math division. These future scientists and mathematicians represented all grade levels, kindergarten through fifth grade, in regular, gifted and ESE classes. In the Science division, two second-grade students and one kindergarten student won first place. Second grader Mohammed Saleh’s project involved

observing the effect of heat and cold on pupating caterpillars.

Gabby Foursa conducted a race to see who was the smartest lizard. Kindergartener Hunter Free investigated solids and liquids with a project titled “Sink, Float or Both?” The school’s science wizards also won four thirdplace and four honorable mention awards.

First-place Mathematics awards went to first grader Harrison Dean and second grader Madeline Gaugler. A secondplace award went to third grader Savannah Marino, and a third was given to first grader Jakob Billane.

Honorable mentions were given to third graders Andrew Gonzalez, Reilly Dean and Christopher Rice, and fourth grader Dominique Tyson.

LGES STUDENTS HAVE A BLAST AT THE SPRING CARNIVAL

The Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School PTO hosted its annual spring carnival and silent auction on Friday, April 25 on the school grounds. The carnival is a family activity that brings everyone from the school and community together for a day of fun. New events this year included obstacle courses, a laser-tag maze, bumper cars, a bounce house, rock-climbing wall, a rascal rocket and a gyro space ball.

Sylvan Learning Center Honors Students Of The Month

Sylvan Learning Center, a pre-K-12 education services company in Royal Palm Beach, recently announced its students of the month: Tyrese Stephenson and Elena Dingle. Stephenson, eight, is in the third grade at Royal Palm Beach Elementary School. He has been attending Sylvan for the past three months to receive help with comprehension, writing and understanding. His parents, Elsie and Richard Stephenson, say Sylvan has made a big difference.

“Last month he got student of the month at school,” Elsie Stephenson said. “He understands a lot more, and his grades improved with the individual attention.”

Tyrese’s favorite subjects are math, reading and science. His hobbies include playing games, reading books, and playing foot-

ball, basketball and soccer. Ty-

rese’s favorite NFL team is the New York Giants. When he grows up he would like to be a professional builder like his father. Tyrese will celebrate his ninth birthday on June 12.

Dingle, seven, is a first-grade student at Gove Elementary in Belle Glade. She has been attending Sylvan since last summer for help with her reading and writing skills. According to her mother Mercedes, the academic coaching Elena has received has made a big difference.

“Her grades improved from a C to an A in writing and English,” Mercedes Dingle said.

“She will continue coming here for another six months. I love it. It’s great.”

Elena said her favorite subject is math. When she’s not in school, Elena enjoys riding her

bike, VTech learning games and her Bratz doll. VTech has set her sights high on being a doctor when she grows up. She will celebrate her eighth birthday on Aug. 22.

Sylvan Learning Center in Royal Palm Beach is located at 1169-B Royal Palm Beach Blvd. For more information, call (561) 422-6176 or visit www. sylvanpbc.com.

Tyrese StephensonElena Dingle

Civics Lesson — Assistant State Attorney Dan Galo speaks to fifth grade students at H.L. Johnson Elementary School.

The bumper car course was a popular activity.A student braves the gyro space ball.

Youngsters take to the greens on the putt-putt golf course.A student tests his aim at the Tic Tac Toe Toss.

Ironhorse To Host Ridge Classic For SRHS Athletic Boosters

The Ironhorse Golf & Country Club in West Palm Beach will host the 2008 Ridge Classic golf tournament on Sunday, May 4 to benefit the Seminole Ridge High School Athletic Booster Club. This beautiful private course is not only a challenging experience for any golfer but also a great deal. The cost is $125 for adults and $75 for students. The tournament charge is usually $200 minimum. Whether you’re an everyday

golfer or just want to come out and have fun with friends and family, there will be lots of prizes, great food, dinner and entertainment. Tournament slots are filling up fast, so register today — you may be the winner of a beautiful car from Maroone Lincoln. Call (561) 649-1500 or (561) 723-3898, or visit www. yourenchantingevent.com and click on charity events to register. Lifter Takes Third In State

The boys weightlifting team, coached by Justin Hilliker, competed at the state championship recently. Colton Coss brought home a third-place finish in the 119-pound weight class with a 420-pound total. Other placers in their weight classes were: Tommy Rodriguez, 154, ninth; Jeff Moise, 139, tenth; Josh Hawks, 183, 11th; Sean Rochefort, 129, 12th; Chauncey Pikini, 219, 13th; Curtis Griswold, 199, and Austin Rodriguez, 119,

14th; Matt Collado, 169, 16th.

Hawk Senior Signs With Avila — Hawk defensive/offensive tackle Peter Kondracki has signed to play football for Avila University in Missouri as part of a four-year scholarship agreement valued at over $80,000. “Peter set a goal to become a better student and play football in college,” head football coach Matt Dickmann said. “Our football coaches are proud of him and the hard work, dedication

Crestwood Middle Celebrates Earth Day

Crestwood Middle School

joined Royal Palm Beach’s village-wide celebration of Earth Day with a ceremony of their own last week. After an introduction by Principal Stephanie Nance, School Board Member Dr. Sandra Richmond reminded those attending to “honor the creator by honoring the creation.” Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster read the council’s Earth Day proclamation then presented a plaque and an Earth Day flag to Ms. Nance. The flag was then raised on the flagpole by members of the school’s Garden Club. Trees and plants donated by Art of Palms Nursery & Garden owner Robert Miller were then put into the

ground. The choral group under the direction of Veronica Johnson performed a rendition of “Colors of the Wind.”

Prior to the festivities, a school-wide poster and essay contest was organized, of which the many submissions were displayed along the front windows of the school’s office. The winners of the contests were announced at the celebration, and excerpts from two of the winning essays were read aloud by the authors.

Ms. Nance recognized the contributions of the many groups that participated in the celebration — especially Crestwood teacher Nicole LeFloch, who spearheaded the many Earth Day activities at the school.

Western Academy Civics — Jameel Khan of Royal Palm Beach, shown here at a judge’s bench, and his seventh-grade civics classmates from Western Academy Charter School in Royal Palm Beach visited the 15th Judicial Circuit of Florida Main Judicial Complex in West Palm Beach recently. Students had learned about the rights and responsibilities of the justice system. The field trip was an extension of valuable lessons that have been taught throughout the year, which consist of citizens’ rights and responsibilities integrated with important character qualities. The students learned how to become good role models in school and in their community.

Students Join International Science Fair

Seven Palm Beach County high school students are headed to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta May 11-16.

The students are: Zaki Moustafa of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Rachel Goldberg of Boca Raton High School, Melanie Kabinoff of Park Vista High School, Lucas Ortiz of Seminole Ridge High School, Dalton Hughes of Suncoast High School, Richard Bertrand of Wellington High School and Frdja Kadrabasic of West Boca Raton High School. They were winners in the Senior Division of the State Science Fair held in Lakeland April 16-19.

“These students are anxious-

ly awaiting their new competition and are looking forward to making new friends with students from all over the world,” said School District Science Fair Administrator Debrah Bowen.

Forty Palm Beach County students participated in the State Science Fair.

The students who were invited to participate were selected from competition results of the Palm Beach County Regional Science Fair held in December.

“The students represented the county well and were rewarded with many place and special awards,” Bowen said. “I am very proud of these students not only for their accomplishments in the competitive arena but also for the leadership and group support skills they exhibited throughout the competition.

and sacrifice he made to reach those goals. He will be a great asset to Avila.”

Band Students Earn District

Honors — SRHS band director Tim Skinner has announced that two Hawk Marching Band students, baritone horn player Mark James and flautist Michael Villar, were chosen as members of the All-District Honors Band. James and Villar performed with other district honorees April 25 at Spanish River High School.

and show event a success. And thanks as well to the Hawk parents who graciously donated their time: Veronica Bernardo,

Camba,

and

They supported and encouraged each other and graciously acknowledged the abilities of the other students in their categories.” For more information, call Bowen at (561) 434-8267.

Calling Young Artists In Wellington

The Village of Wellington and the Wellington Art Society are once again asking elementary school student artists who attend Wellington schools or live in Wellington to submit their work for selection in the Student Art Program.

The next exhibition will begin at the end of May and will run through September. Wellington elementary student artists who are interested in participating in the exhibition are asked to deliver their artwork to the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) on May 15 between 4 and 6 p.m. The artwork will be judged and selected by the Wellington Art Society. Information and entry forms with program dates and guidelines are available from the Wellington Art Society at (561) 795-1691, the art teachers at Wellington’s schools and on the Village of Wellington’s web site at www.ci.wellington.fl.us.

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

Stacey

Rehana Gaffar, Liliana Melendez, Martha Piroozgar, Wendy Reyes, Shearon Shippey

Esther Twigger.

(Above) Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster reads the Earth Day proclamation. (Right) School Garden Club members raise the Earth Day flag.

The Wellington Rotary Club held its quarterly dinner the evening of Thursday, April 24 at the Links at Madison Green clubhouse in Royal Palm Beach. The club honored students from Wellington and Palm Beach Central high schools for their special scholastic achievements as well as their civic and community involvement. Pictured here are (L-R) WHS Interact Club advisor Johnny Bostick, WHS students Shawn Fink and Anna Maria Castillo, PBCHS student Deshanta Lester, and PBCHS Interact Club advisor Carl Rosenberg.

Puckett Graduates From Montana State

A Montana State University Billings student from Royal Palm Beach is among the largest graduating class in school’s history. Laurie Ann Puckett, an applied science major, is one of 917 students who will cross the stage this Saturday at the school’s 81st commencement ceremony.

A regional, comprehensive liberal arts university with six colleges, MSU Billings is located in the state’s largest city — the regional hub for business, industry, communications and healthcare. MSU Billings offers unique advantages, including

real-world education through on-the-job internships in hundreds of careers.

With about 5,000 students, MSU Billings is able to provide students individual attention from award-winning professors, while offering more than 160 academic options ranging from two-year programs to a variety of master’s degree options. The university also continues to be Montana’s leader in online education.

For more information about Montana State University Billings, visit www.msubillings. edu.

Local Band ‘One Moment Please’ Announces Shows

The band One Moment Please, featuring Royal Palm Beach residents Luke Hoffman and Abby Westmark, has three performances scheduled in May and June.

The first is Saturday, May 10 from 8 to 10 pm. at Gizzi’s Coffee (2275 S. Federal Highway, Suite 380, Delray Beach). Admission is free. For more information, call (561) 2669797.

The duo will perform Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 21 at Starbucks in Royal Palm Beach (11377 Southern Blvd., Suite 100). The show will run from 8 to 10 p.m. both nights. For more information, call (561) 333-2161.

One Moment Please features Westmark on vocals and Hoffman on guitar and vocals. Many of their songs are originals, written by Hoffman, including “Sylvan” and “Ringxiety.” The duo also performs

Abby Westmark and Luke Hoffman

covers including songs by the Moldy Peaches, Van Morrison, the Beatles and Nightwish. For more information about One Moment Please, or to hear audio samples, visit www.my space.com/1momentplease.

Sharon Hench Receives CTA Principals Award

H.L. Johnson Elementary School Principal Sharon Hench was recently recognized as one of 16 outstanding principals in Palm Beach County. The award is presented by the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association (CTA). Each school’s faculty completes an annual survey rating their principal’s performance. The rating must represent at

least 50 percent of the school’s CTA faculty members. Eligible recipients must show a 90-percent approval rating on these annual surveys.

Hench was presented the award by CTA President Theo Harris at the CTA Representative Assembly on April 22. This is the third consecutive year Hench has been honored by her fellow educators.

H.L. Johnson Raises ‘Pennies For Patients’

Raising $1,100 in only a few weeks sounded like a gargantuan task to the Peace Patrol and the Conflict Mediators at H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach. Yet through promotions in the school’s newsletter, morning announcements and in the classrooms, the students did just that and more. At the end of the first week they had exceeded their goal, collecting $1,179.68 for their charity “Pennies for Patients.” Pennies for Patients is an out-

Lockhart

reach of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, with the goal of fighting blood cancers. The national goal ($1,100 per school) was met and surpassed through hard work and commitment on the part of the entire H.L. Johnson population.

As of April 25, $2,026.75 had been donated. Under the direction of Guidance Counselor Lu Ralya, the caring students looked forward to raising even more by the end of the fundraising campaign on Friday, May 2.

of

nis and

Nine-Year-Old Leads Great Strides Walk In Wellington

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Having cystic fibrosis and being nine years old didn’t deter Tim Schwab from leading last Saturday’s Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis in Wellington.

Not only was Schwab one of the first out on the 5K walk from the Binks Forest Golf Club to the Fire-Rescue Station #20 on Greenview Shores Blvd., but he was also the inspiration for more than 35 students from Palm Beach Central High School who took part in the fundraising walk — some of them doing so right after leaving the Wellington/ Royal Palm Beach Relay for Life at their own school.

Palm Beach Central teacher Stuart Greydanus organized the

team. He met Schwab because his wife is school librarian at Starlight Cove Elementary School where Schwab is a student. And though he’s only nine, Schwab’s influence on the high school students has been significant.

Palm Beach Central student

James Thomas said that after meeting Schwab, the decision to walk was an easy one. “When you meet him and see what a great kid he is, you get inspired,”

Thomas said. “The group we have here is made up of students from all over the school, from all the different groups.”

Tim’s mother Tanya Schwab said despite his condition, he is a normal kid.

“So far the disease has not really limited him in any way,”

she said. “But we have to be concerned about the future.”

More than 100 people walked last Saturday to help raise money to fight the disease. “We are thrilled at the turnout,” Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Palm Beach County Executive Director Claudia Kirk Barto said. “We have children from all school levels here and a lot of concerned adults.”

Barto suggested that people visit www.cff.org/chapters/ palmbeach for more information and to find ways to help.

“Our foundation is one of the most efficient in the country,” she said. “Ninety cents of every dollar goes to vital programs, and these walks are the biggest fundraising events around the country.”

ASTRONAUTS ATTEND ‘LAUNCH PARTY’ IN WELLINGTON

Astronauts Mike Foreman, Richard Linehan and Robert Benken visited the Wellington home of Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jay Hart and his family last Sunday for a “launch party.” The party concluded with a presentation by the astronauts. Various posters and other memorabilia also were auctioned off. The Hart family and their friends have ventured north to Cape Canaveral for many a space shuttle launch and became friends with the three astronauts.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER AND SUE ROGERS

BETH TORAH HONORS TOM AND REGIS WENHAM

Astronaut Richard Linehan with Dr. Laura Hart and Lt. Jay Hart.

Lt. Jay Hart, astronaut Mike Foreman and District 8 Capt. Greg Richter.

Sgt. Mike Tranchart, astronaut Mike Foreman, Lt. Jay Hart and Capt. Chris Calloway.

The crowd gathers for a group shot.

Tim Schwab

PHOTOS BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

Taylor Neuman, Payton Travis and Jordy Pincus.

The group from Palm Beach Central High School.

Zachary Goetz, Elijah Elkins and Kasey

Goins of Wellington Landings Middle School.Debbie, Patrick and Jessica Hughes with Pat LaPorta.

Wellington Garden Club Members’ Homes Chosen For Mounts Tour

Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach will sponsor a Mother’s Day Weekend Connoisseurs Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11. Featured are ten exceptional gardens in the West Palm Beach and Wellington communities.

One of the gardens chosen for the tour is the property of Wellington Garden Club President Stormi Bivin and her husband Tom. Bivin has always had many potted plants on her patio and small gardens in her front yard. But in October 2006, she designed and installed a “secret garden” in the backyard, adding winding paths behind her pool, a lovely arbor, a fountain, and many varieties of trees, shrubs and plants. A recent garden extension on the north side of the home now welcomes bromeliads and other shade-loving plants. Bivin loves to experiment with new varieties, seeing what works and replacing those that don’t. Also on the tour, Linda De-

Santi is an active and dedicated member of the Wellington Garden Club. Along with her husband Leonard, Linda has quite a large yard filled with many different themed gardens, some loving full sun and others enjoying cooler areas under the shaded canopy of many sizable trees. A rare jade vine, now in full bloom, covers a quaint seating area. The expansive property allows for a wonderful potting area and two very peaceful water gardens. Water lilies abound, and the tinkling of the fountain adds to the delight in roaming this beautiful, tranquil property. Both master gardeners, Bivin and DeSanti invite you to visit their carefully planted and tended gardens on Mother’s Day weekend. Brochures containing all garden descriptions and ticket purchases can be obtained from Mounts Botanical Garden or other ticket outlets. Mounts Botanical Garden is located at 559 N. Military Trail. For more info., call (561) 2331757 or visit www.mounts.org.

FINAL PERFORMANCE FOR ‘COOL CATS’

AT WES

The Wellington Elementary School “Cool Cats” recently hammed it up for the camera after their last performance of the year. Under the direction of WES music teacher Beth Smalling, the Cool Cats showed off their talents to students and parents. Last week, several concerts were performed by the group of talented students who have learned to play the recorder. Hours of after-school practice have made this a welltuned group of musicians. Shown above are the Cool Cats with Smalling (back row, right).

Sound Affects

Concert May 17

The Village of Wellington’s Parks and Recreation Department welcomes you to check out the soothing jazz of Sound Affects on Saturday, May 17. The free concert starts at 7 p.m. on the front lawn of the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs to this family friendly event. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information, call Dwayne Hetherington at (561) 791-4773.

Girl Scouts Host Animal Benefit

As part of their effort to earn the Bronze award, the girls from Junior Girl Scout Troop 1623 will be collecting items to benefit the Peggy Adams Animal

Rescue League. On Saturday, May 3, the scouts will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington branch library (1951 Royal Fern Drive), where there will be free pet treats, animal information, crafts and goodies to give away. The Petmobile will also be there, full of furry friends available for adoption. For more information, call Diane Hair at (561) 262-9030.

Earth Day Celebration In Wellington

The Village of Wellington will hold an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). This event is designed for the whole family to enjoy and is open to all who wish to at-

tend. Admission is free and there will be plenty of parking, along with the opportunity to explore the following activities: a coloring booth for children, a children’s Everglades adventure funhouse and seedling planting booth, Smokey the Bear, recycling bins, raffles for a variety of prizes, food and tree seedling giveaways. Presentations will be given by the Okeeheelee Nature Center, Folke Peterson Wildlife Center, University of Florida/Palm Beach County and Florida Yards & Neighborhoods. There will also be performances by children from several local schools. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive useful information. There will be demonstrations on tree pruning as well as fertilizing and planting techniques. For more information, call Susan McCown at (561) 791-4134.

Volunteer At

Folke Peterson

The Folke Peterson Wildlife Center (10948 Acme Road, Wellington) is looking for a few volunteers to assist its education coordinator with presentations and other facilities. Applicants will be trained to handle educational animals during presentations, assist with children’s birthday parties and other group visits to the center, and supervise and/or conduct tours of the Findlay Educational Trail. This opportunity is for ages 18 and older, and offers a great chance for hands-on interaction with native wildlife. Volunteers must have their own transportation. Experience is not necessary, just love and respect for native wildlife and the environment. For more information, call Terry Timberlake at (561) 7932473 or (561) 635-0676 or email education@fpwildlife.org.

Stormi Bivin’s carefully manicured garden.

A water lily pond in Linda DeSanti’s garden.

H.L. Johnson Elementary Presents ‘The Wiz’ This Weekend

Students at H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach are clicking their heels, ready to follow the Yellow Brick Road onto the school’s stage. After rigorous tryouts and five months of after-school practices, student thespians are excited and prepared to present their version of the musical The Wiz Kindergarten through fifthgrade students were invited to audition for parts in the play, and ultimately three sets of actors were chosen for most of the roles. All have had an opportunity to appear before a live audience through in-school performances the week of April 28 to May 1. The producer and brainchild of this extravagant perfor-

Synaplex

Shabbat At

RPB’s Temple

Beth Zion

Israel is celebrating its 60th birthday, and as part of the celebration, Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach is hosting its popular Synaplex Sabbath observance on Saturday, May 10. Activities will start at 9:30 a.m. and will continue through the early afternoon.

Some of the activities the temple will offer include Service in the Round, a traditional Shabbat morning service (mostly in Hebrew) held in an intimate location and led by Hazzan Ed Berkovits. In addition, there will be sessions on Israeli dancing; Jewish spirituality (a short, spiritual session in English, led by Rabbi Bert Kieffer); the Matzav, a group discussion on the current Israeli situation moderated by Rabbi Craig Ezring; a fun-filled trip through Israel’s history; a kosher luncheon featuring popular Israeli and American dishes; and Birkat Hamazon & Kadur Basees.

Baseball is popular now in Israel as well as at Temple Beth Zion. Bring your own mitts and bats because the ball field just north of the temple will be reserved from 1 to 3 p.m. There will also be Bible with

Letters continued from page 4 little flier titled “Homejacked: Freedom Suspended.” This is an accurate description of our current situation. This faulty ULDC code has done just that. This can happen to any resident in the Groves (and given enough time, probably will). It is my assessment that there are a very few who hide behind the good name of a farmer, but in fact use this good and noble title to rip off that which is another person’s rightful property. They categorize those who stand up for their rights as “sensitive.” Is it “sensitive” to not want to listen to noise that is 64 times louder than what is considered a nuisance by our noise ordinance? What business is it of others to care about our level of sensitivity? This is our property! The noise from normal agricultural activities is one thing; the noise from hundreds of exotic Amazon birds is quite another. These attitudes are convenient to excuse poor behavior, and yet very shallow and harmful to the community at large.

We may not live in Loxahatchee Groves for the same reason that others have come here to reside. Maybe some moved here because they want to get away with behavior they could never get away with elsewhere, as if the basic laws of decency and consideration don’t exist out here. However, from the recent flood of code complaints to the town, it appears that many citizens want their basic property rights respected. They want a rural experience like we do, but don’t want a lawless “wild west.”

We have purchased our property, we pay the property taxes, we try to maintain it and want to contribute to the community. My prior neighbor had rusty cars and did not keep his yard mowed. I wasn’t crazy about it, but I planted a hedge and tried to be neighborly. I am pro-agriculture; we have lived next to and enjoy horses, cows and pigs, and always hear agricultural machinery; no problem. But birds are a special case, something widely acknowledged by code around the world as different because they are, individually, among the loudest animals in the world. Put a few hundred of the loudest birds together, and what you have is beyond the pale.

I get the feeling that the reason that the residents’ rights are not being supported by some members of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council is the

mance is Media Specialist Sandy Trujillo. Many volunteer hours helped make this theatrical event possible. The elaborate backdrop was produced by artist-stagehand Armando Trujillo, and director/choreographer Sara Trujillo has made sure every scene goes smoothly. Both volunteers are members of Sandy Trujillo’s family. Performances for parents and the public are scheduled for Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m. in the H.L. Johnson Elementary School cafe-torium.

For more information, call Sandy Trujillo at (561) 7954955.

Bennett, more Israeli dancing and, of course, a birthday cake for Israel.

Temple Beth Zion is a contemporary Conservative synagogue. It is one of over 170 synagogues throughout the United States that has joined Synaplex, an initiative that welcomes people back to the synagogue with imaginative programming.

“Activities start at 9:30 a.m. Come at whatever time works for you; stay as long as you like,” said Rabbi Bert Kieffer, spiritual leader of Temple Beth Zion. “Wear clothing suited to your chosen activities and choose the activities you would like to take part in. Shabbat shouldn’t be one size fits all, so come and explore Synaplex at Temple Beth Zion and find out what fits you!”

Temple Beth Zion is located at 129 Sparrow Drive in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call Dianne at (561) 798-8888 or visit the temple’s web site at www. templebethzion.net.

B’nai Avraham Celebrates Israel’s

60th

The Sisterhood of Congregation B’nai Avraham in Wellington will host a free “Israel at 60” celebration Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. in the syna-

concern that it is a threat to the agricultural industry here. Doing the right thing and developing a peaceful co-existence between agriculture and residential is critical, and will bring prosperity. You put a false concept of prosperity first before peaceful co-existence and you will find that not only are the current problems unsolved, but many new ones will be generated. We voted for the current town council because we felt they had the backbone to make the tough decisions and confront difficult issues head on.

The majority of people like to live in a place that embraces a sense of justice for all its residents.

Maureen Lefkowitz Loxahatchee Groves

Attack On Lipp

Unwarranted

Howard Voren’s personal attacks on Loxahatchee Groves Town Councilman Dennis Lipp are reprehensible (“An LGWCD Power Play,” Letters , April 25).

Councilman Lipp did not “tip off” the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District to the town council’s plan as Voren states. The LGWCD learned that the council was going to request a moratorium on paving via a letter from Town Clerk Matt Lippman. This letter was not initiated by Councilman Lipp. (But you need not look very far from Mr. Lipp’s seat on the dais to find the source.) In a “standing room only” event, many residents showed up at the last town meeting to speak overwhelmingly in favor of OGEM stabilization for our “letter” roads. The decision to not interfere with LGWCD’s democratic process of allowing the residents of each road to choose the surface for their own roads was made by a 3-2 vote of the town council. All of this is public record. So why did Mr. Voren completely distort the facts and single Dennis Lipp out for his diatribe? Is it because Mr. Lipp has often been the most outspoken opponent of unwanted development? Is it because Mr. Lipp and his wife led the charge in gathering signatures against the 10,000 homes proposed for the Callery-Judge project on our northern border? Is it because Mr. Lipp has more than once spent his own money running ads in the Town-Crier to alert residents to county commission meetings which have agendas that may negatively impact our lifestyle (such as last week’s

gogue (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6, in the original Wellington Mall).

Congregation members and the Jewish community are invited to participate with Israeli dancing, singing, and of course food! Sample a taste of the culture and flavor of Israel by learning several Israeli dances — those of the pioneers as well as more modern dances. The food selection will feature authentic recipes such as hummus, tabouli, falafel, pita and baba ganoush.

The celebration is free and open to the community. Coffee will be served before the meeting at 9:30 a.m. For more information, or to make reservations, contact Ella at (561) 656-1916.

B’nai Avraham is a dynamic, diverse religious community committed to traditional Judaism as interpreted by the Conservative movement and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Stuffed With Hugs At The Build-A-Bear Workshop

Everyone in the West Palm Beach-area is invited to help Build-A-Bear Workshop in the Mall at Wellington Green stuff

full-page ad regarding turning E Road into a thoroughfare)? Is it because of Mr. Lipp’s recent appointment by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria to the county’s local planning agency, where he has already established a good record of voting against unwanted development in our surrounding areas?

Mr. Voren complains that the LGWCD is elected by large landowners. Yet, ironically, he himself owns 20 acres. On whose behalf is Mr. Voren speaking? It seems quite obvious to me there are factions who wish to stir up trouble between the town and the LGWCD.

My feeling is that our government should be trying to work amicably together with our water control district for the benefit of our new town.

Cindy Lou Corum

Loxahatchee Groves

Voren Wrong About Lipp

Mr. Howard Voren’s letter to the editor last week contained misinformation, incorrect assumptions and inappropriate criticism of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council and several resident landowners who voiced their opinions in public comment regarding a possible moratorium on the district’s road surface stabilization projects.

The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District’s decision to continue stabilizing certain district road surfaces with open graded emulsified mix (OGEM) is part of an ongoing process that has wide community support. A 2005 survey indicated that 60 percent of landowners were dissatisfied with their existing dirt road surface, that 68 percent believed airborne dust was a problem, that 55 percent wanted paving and that 52 percent would agree to a special assessment to pay for the paved surface over a fixed period of time. During the past three years, the district confirmed community support, evaluated alternative road surfaces in an engineering study, reviewed other communities’ experience with OGEM road surface stabilization, and obtained experience from our own trials of OGEM on two district road segments. When combined with appropriately placed speed tables, the OGEM road surface stabilization provides lower overall cost compared to maintaining dirt roads, a stable nonwashboard surface, dust reduction and improved safety. OGEM stabilization of a road segment is formally considered

puppies with extra hugs and love for children’s health and wellness, literacy and humane education programs.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, the first 150 guests at the Build-A-Bear Workshop store are invited to participate in “Stuffed with Hugs: Your Gift, Your Choice” and make a white fluffy puppy for free that will be donated to one of three causes. Guests can choose where they would like their furry friend to be donated. Choices include various children’s health and wellness organizations, SuperSibs! and the Sunshine Kids Foundation; literacy programs through First Book; or humane education programs through Pet Shelters Across America.

Build-A-Bear Workshop stores in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa are participating in the eighth annual Stuffed with Hugs charitable program. Through this worldwide effort, more than 50,000 furry friends will be stuffed with love.

For more information, call (561) 790-3367.

Palm Beach Idol Auditions At Maltz Theatre

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre announced it will be holding auditions for Palm Beach Idol,

by the district only after a petition from the majority of landowners on the road segment is received. Follow-up communication with all landowners on the petitioning road segment will include expected construction cost, project timing, and an estimated annual acreage assessment that considers offsets and project financing over several years. A final vote of landowners identified with the road segment is carried out before OGEM surface stabilization and speed tables are installed.

Loxahatchee Groves land — including district roads that paralleled the area’s interconnected drainage canals — was originally platted in 1925. The district roads are established transportation corridors that provide the traffic circulation system within the Groves. The only area that is expected to involve any significant road modification and future traffic growth is the anticipated town commercial area south of Collecting Canal, possibly extending from F to B roads. Formal study and consideration of OGEM road surface stabilization on district road segments north of Collecting Canal was begun before town incorporation was voted on and approved. The process of landowner petitions for road improvements and a confirming vote by road segment is consistent with the district’s statutory authority, and it mirrors the process adopted by other special districts.

Because OGEM road surface stabilization is not anticipated to change the established traffic circulation system in Loxahatchee Groves, the LGWCD Board of Supervisors determined that the ongoing road segment improvement process was not appropriate for an extended delay while the town undertakes its visioning and comprehensive plan preparation and approval. Appropriately, the town council recognized the district’s determination that the road segment surface improvement process should continue. The district and the town have a record of cooperating with each other on common interest matters such as qualifying for a share of county gas tax revenues and obtaining the recent fire protection canal water variance from South Florida Water Management District. Reasoned cooperation should continue and future issue discussion in letters to the editor should be balanced and factual.

John Ryan, Supervisor Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District

the county’s original talent search, produced by the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Guild.

Auditions for Palm Beach Idol will be held on Saturday, June 21 from noon to 8 p.m. by appointment only.

Palm Beach Idol auditions are open to all ages. Singers, dancers, ventriloquists, musicians, actors, etc. are encouraged to audition for a chance to win cash prizes in three age categories: three to 12, 13 to 20, and 21 and over.

All selected performers will compete in Palm Beach Idol on July 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Call Rachel at (561) 743-2666, ext. 120 for appointments and for more information.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is a professional nonprofit regional theatre dedicated to the performing arts whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire the community. The theater is located at 1001 E. Indiantown Road and State Road A1A in Jupiter.

PBC Historical Society Honors Commissioners

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners recently received the 2007 Judge James R. Knott Award from the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.

The commissioners were recognized for saving the 1916 County Court House from destruction, providing funds for

Callery Headed To Tallahassee

continued from page 1 although no specific funding for roadways has been defined.

To alleviate the increase in traffic their development would spur, Callery-Judge is recommending the widening of Southern Blvd. from six to eight lanes between Big Blue Trace and Forest Hill Blvd. and the widening of Persimmon Blvd. from two to four lanes between Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. County staff recommended excluding the widening of Persimmon, instead dividing the traffic increase between Persimmon and Orange boulevards.

County Administrator Bob Weisman advised that commissioners go with the staff recommendation and negotiate for changes with Callery-Judge, noting that public hearings on the application will resume after DCA review.

Commissioner Jess Santamaria asked what, if anything, can be done to the plan. “As an example,” he said, “what are we able to do in regard to flow ways and conservation?”

“This is a unique application; we have nothing to compare it to,” Planning Director Lorenzo Aghemo replied. “The question has to be answered by the DCA. We have done our best to provide analysis, and we recommend approval.”

Weisman said the South Florida Water Management District has said it will take no responsibility for a flow way on the plan.

“Is there anything deleterious to the neighborhood [in the application]? I don’t think so,” he said. “It’s not necessarily the plan we would approve, but we do not disapprove.”

Santamaria called the plan an improvement on the first Callery-Judge proposal. “I will be one of the people recommending moving this along,” he said. “But I want to do everything possible to make this as good a plan as possible, to be beneficial to both the applicant and the neighbors.”

Santamaria asked Aghemo what efforts have been done for flow ways and conservation.

“We don’t have everything we would like to see in the plan,” Aghemo said. “Specifically

its restoration and granting space to the Historical Society for the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum and offices. Deputy County Administrator Verdenia Baker accepted the award on behalf of the commissioners at the society’s annual membership meeting held at St. Ann’s School on April 29. The award is named for the late Judge James R. Knott, who served as president of the historical society from 1957 to 1969. The commissioners voted to restore the courthouse in April 2002, and allocated the funding. In February 2003, the commissioners voted to grant space to the Historical Society. Removal of the wraparound façade and demolition of the annex and its connecting structure began in January 2004. The county commissioners authorized the restoration contract in September 2005, and the notice to proceed was issued in January 2006. The restoration was completed in November 2007.

Every year since 1989, the Judge James R. Knott Award has been given to recognize the achievements of an individual or organization that has contributed to the preservation, promotion or enrichment of Palm Beach County history. The Palm Beach County Commission joins the list of distinguished awardees that includes Yesteryear Village (2006) and the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum (2005).

about the flow ways, we cannot put in such a requirement without agreement from the applicant.”

Planner Kieran Kilday, the agent for Callery-Judge, said the water management district did not require land for flow ways in the property.

“As we come forward with future development — that is not today — we will work with staff and county departments,” he said. “Official government agencies have indicated it is not required. It does not behoove us to provide that at this point. This is not the appropriate time today.”

During public comment, lawyer Lisa Interlandi of the Everglades Law Center said the enclave act does not give a developer license to build. “The Ag Enclave Act does not provide an entitlement,” she said. “The commission will retain its full power of review. As we move forward, I urge staff to continue to work with the developer to offset the impacts.”

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dr. Bill Louda said that as a private citizen he considered the proposal a much better plan than the earlier one, although he urged commissioners to check carefully that the area’s median density was not calculated based only on populated areas, without including recreation or public lands in the estimate. “Please consider doubledipping, otherwise the plan is all right,” he said.

Indian Trail Improvement District President Mike Erickson said his biggest issue is the traffic distribution assumptions using what he called “voodoo science” of traffic predictions.

“I would like to get everyone together, sit down and do a reality check on long-range transportation and get away from some of the smoke and mirrors,” he said, adding that he supported the distribution of traffic on two lanes to the north and two lanes to the south rather than the four-laning of Persimmon Blvd. Santamaria made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation to amend the land use map to allow the development, but reiterated his entreaty for the developer and staff to continue working to improve the plan. Commissioner Burt Aaronson seconded the motion, which passed 6-0.

Cast members Zachary Johnson (the Tin Man), Hannah Schelle (Dorothy), Alaa Kaki (the Lion), Sydney Parks (the Good Witch) and Haley Boodeshwar (the Scarecrow).

The Wiz casts gather for a group photo.

ANNUAL RELAY FOR LIFE BRINGS THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER TO PBCHS

Residents of the western communities gathered the evening of Friday, April 25 at Palm Beach Central High School for the Wellington/Royal Palm Beach Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. Beginning at 6 p.m. and continuing into Saturday morning, teams of volunteer fundraisers kept members continuously walking or running on the school’s outdoor track. The Acreage/Loxahatchee Groves Relay for Life will be held May 2-3 at Acreage Community Park. For more information about the Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen welcomes the crowd.

A team from Polo Park Middle School.

Sara Sohn sings the national anthem.

Event Chair Peter Wein with survivor and Town-Crier columnist Don Brown.

Georgia Jacoviello, Don Brown and Maureen Budjinski.

Laurie Benjamin at the Hugs for a Dollar booth.

The team from Best Buy.Survivors Sandy and Phil Cohen.

Doris Riggs and Marlene Roberts.

Zen Massage owner Rob Proctor with massage therapist Tina Robello.

A team from Macy’s department store.

Robin Benjamin with her daughter Lillie.

The Eighth Annual Sweet Corn Fiesta was held in Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Sunday, April 27. The event featured plenty of fun for the family, food, live music, sweet corn eating contests, an old-fashioned bathing suit contest and a corn-shuckin’ contest. Last year’s winner Jason “Crazy Legs” Conti tried to hold onto his title, and 2005/ 2006 winner Jammin’ Joe LaRue tried to recapture it as well. But it was 100-pound Sonya “Black Widow” Thomas who ate 32.5 ears of corn in 12 minutes to win $1,500 and the trophy.

The Petco store in Wellington hosted the “$5 Mile Walk” last Saturday. The fundraising event was a joint collaboration by A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue, Paws2Help, the Adopt A Cat Foundation and the South Florida Bull Terrier Rescue League. Approximately $4,500 was raised. Petco is located at 920 S. State Road 7. For more info., call (561) 333-5714.

PHOTOS BY

Ann Holt of Twin H Farms and George Shea of the International Federation of Competitive Eating present Sonya Thomas with the first-place trophy.

RPB Councilwoman Martha Webster with daughter Genevieve.

Old Tyme Bathing Suit Contest winner Mary Tantanella with South Florida Fair CEO Rick Vymlatil.

Ladies amateur corn eating contest winners: Virginia Pugh, second place; Chrissy Oldman, first place; and Michelle Moreau, third place.

Yesteryear Village volunteer Gina Sauber cooks corn over an open fire

Corn-shuckin’ contest winners Ayden Colby (left) and Kelby Rothenberg (right), both of Wellington.

Annabelle Van Olden, Janet Diamond and Camille Bondi with puppies that were available for adoption.Gertrude Maxwell cuts a cake celebrating the inaugural walk.

Mollie Lamb, Save-A-Pet founder Gertrude Maxwell, Sera Lamarca and Petco manager Peter Torres.

Earth Hour Sneaked Up On Me And Then Left Me In The Dark

April 22 was Earth Day, and I celebrated it just like I celebrate every Tuesday — by going to thrift shops. Yes, being the Ultimate Junker has finally paid off — I’m no longer a person in well-worn khakis but a caring, conscientious recycler.

On Earth Day, I’m sure you did your part as well. But did you also observe Earth Hour on Sunday, March 30?

Yes, that was my response, too: “huh?” I’d never heard of it, but I guess this is only the second year, the first worldwide. It began as an Australian thing in 2007.

So I was blissfully unaware on March 30, while in Kansas City visiting my daughter Jenny and her new husband Greg. Suddenly, Jen leapt up from her Internet-surfing and shut off the light.

“Hey!” I said. “We’re in the middle of a game of Scrabble! I can’t see my letters!”

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

Mom,” Jen said. “What would we be saving?”

“My eyesight! A trip to the opthalmalogist! Stronger glasses!”

The only response I got from this was Greg getting up to say he was going downstairs to make dinner — on the grill. What a guy, I thought. Still, as the game dragged on and I dripped soy all over my tiles trying to see them, I got a little testy. At 8:45, I flicked on the light. Unfortunately, Greg chose that moment to appear with dinner.

16 semifinals! I’m going to celebrate Earth Hour twice next week!”

Still, I voiced my opinion that Earth Hour was affecting my game. I could barely see in the light much less the dark. Jen lit a soy candle.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to have Earth Hour when the sun is out?” I complained.

“Yes, and I’m going to convert to Judaism — but just for Lent,” Greg remarked.

Hmph

“It wouldn’t make sense to do it during the day,

“It’s Earth Hour, Mom! I almost forgot!” Jen patiently explained that we were all supposed to conserve electricity from 8 to 9 p.m. in one small attempt to save the planet. I laugh, but it is no laughing matter. Evidently, Homo sapiens is the worst genus and species ever conceived (or evolved, if you prefer). We do nothing but stumble across the world destroying it... then, in one small hour, try to fix it up. Very responsible.

“Hey!” he chastised. “What’s this?!”

“I’m old! I’m blind! I’m —”

The light clicked off. Hmph.

Not wanting to bite the hand that feeds me, I took a hamburger off the tray and Greg retreated downstairs. But when he opened the door at the bottom of the steps, my eyes grew wide. “Jen!” I whispered. “He’s got the basketball game on down there!”

She listened. “He does!” she screeched.

We thundered downstairs like the Gestapo and flung open the door. Greg looked up, a deer in the headlights. “I, I....” he stammered. “It’s the Sweet

“And postpone Lent?!” I hollered. I strode over and turned off the set. He hung his head. Jen glared. I took another bite of my hamburger. An unhappy silence followed. How thoughtless of the Australians to plop Earth Hour on my vacation week and the Sweet 16. Still — “I guess I can make it,” Greg admitted. “Of course you can,” Jen soothed.

“I suppose I won’t go blind right away,” I offered and sneaked a peek at my watch. “Hey! It only lasts another eight minutes!” We stuck it out in silence and, when the gong struck nine, we came to life. Greg jumped for the TV, Jen and I raced upstairs to our game, and sanity followed. I tell you this because I want you to know exactly how committed our family is to Earth Hour and all it stands for. Not very. But we’ll do better next year — maybe even without the pouting. I’ll move up my vacation plans... and Greg is getting Tivo.

‘Sarah Marshall’ Satisfying Comedy For Jilted Lovers Everywhere

Who hasn’t looked at a former partner and thought, “wow, did I dodge a bullet”? Those who are now settled down can look back with a bit of nostalgia, as well as perhaps a bit of personal buttkicking about their own stupidity. The new movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall takes the idea one step further. A hapless composer (Jason Segel, who also wrote the film) hears his TV actress girlfriend Sarah (Kristen Bell) say she has found someone else and is leaving him. After a bit of depression, he vacations at a Hawaiian resort she had mentioned. There he encounters Sarah and her new, hotter, rock-musician boyfriend (Russell Brand). Through a variety of not-totally-believable events, he winds up staying there, totally miserable. He begins a relationship with a gorgeous hotel receptionist (Mila Kunis) who is far more natural and a much better fit for his malaise.

‘I’ On

CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

The best part of the comedy, and it is a good comedy, comes when Sarah begins to realize that the grass is not necessarily greener with the new boyfriend. She finds out at the last minute that he is headed for an 18-month tour, and he suggests she become the head groupie for the band.

Segel is excellent as the likable schlub who somehow manages to crawl out of the mud of self-doubt to find his own life. Bell is really good

as the self-centered woman who somehow manages to be likable. Kunis fills up a potentially cardboard role, making her character both strong and vulnerable. Brand comes close to stealing the movie. He manages to be an incredible jerk and a nice guy at the same time.

Judd Apatow produced the movie, and those of you who enjoyed Knocked Up and Superbad are likely to enjoy this. The humor is quite “rude,” which now means lots of talk about sex and some full frontal nudity, this time male. The lead, Peter, gets an opportunity many would relish. After having his nose rubbed in his ex’s new sex life, he winds up with a beautiful women in the suite next door, hearing the ex trying to have as good a time as he is... and obviously failing. Even better, she comes crawling back and he is able to reject her.

What a great story. Who has not been treated

badly somewhere along the way? Who has not suffered the blues, knowing that a loved one has moved on? Many hope early on that the former love realizes the error and comes back forlorn and reformed. That seldom really happens. That is why this movie is such a kick. As in most Apatow movies, the central character is a lost child, not truly self-aware. Earlier filmmakers centered their tales on heroes; Apatow lauds the slackers among us. They are good,

Segel’s Peter learns to take chances, to follow his dreams. He moves ahead, learning to take on life and is rewarded with love. That, at least, is a wonderful fairy tale that can come true. Once upon a time, I learned the same lesson and have been happy ever since.

Enough Election Coverage, Now Please Get Back To The News

It has been going on for at least the last two years, and I for one have had enough. What am I talking about, you ask? I am talking about the presidential election campaign that will end in November. It started with more people running for office than I have fingers and toes to count them on. Now three major candidates are left standing. For some strange reason, our major news media are consumed with covering this non-story, day in and day out. Primary elections that meant nothing in the past are now called “major events.” As the election results were coming in from the great state of Pennsylvania, CNN had the state map broken down into light blue and dark blue. For a moment I thought I was watching the 2004 election results all over again. NBC broke into its regular programming at 8:25 p.m., telling the viewers it was too early to project a winner. They

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

used their lead newsreader to tell us this shocking news. I and millions of others were watching a comedy show so we wouldn’t be bothered by the election comedy show. But much to our regret we couldn’t escape the madness of the night. Time and time again it has been proven the American voter only remembers what happens six weeks prior to an election. So why are we getting all of this unwanted news coverage? I think

if the news outlets are really looking for a story, they should follow the trail of green money being contributed to these so-called candidates. Because of the deep coverage of this election, it has pushed stories such as the war in Iraq, the terrible housing market and many other important news items to second-class coverage. One good thing coming out of this election is no matter which of the three candidates becomes our next president, it will be a first for this great country. If Barack Obama wins, he will become the first black person to serve as our president. Even though he is only half black, he will be considered the first black president. If Hillary Clinton wins, she will become the first female president to serve our country. Considering that the population of this country is over 52 percent female, I am very surprised we have never elected a female to lead us. In this area we are very far be-

hind England, Israel, India, Germany and many other countries. It will be very interesting to see how Bill Clinton handles the role as first gentleman. The really big question is, if Hillary wins the election, will she pull the plug on her marriage? Will she tell Bill to take a walk? The late night shows will have a field day! The jokes about her and Bill will never end.

If John McCain wins the election, he will be the oldest person ever to first be elected president in our country (yes, he will be thee years older than Reagan was). Some are saying his running mate selection will be very important. I agree. All three candidates are U.S. senators. Can someone please tell me where I can get a job that pays well over $100,000 per year, offers great benefits and retirement package, and I only have to show up about once every month? Makes me wonder whether we really need senators.

Food And Entertainment At The Acreage Music & Chili Fest

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

The day was fine, the food great and the music wonderful at the first Acreage Music & Chili Fest held last Saturday.

Hundreds of people wandered around Acreage Community Park, listening to live music for much of the afternoon with occasional breaks to watch the Chili Chicks, a new Acreagebased line-dancing group.

Country singer Beau Deutsch sang and served as master of ceremonies while children took part in Rick Hubbard’s Kazoobie Kazoo show on another stage. In between, the Chili Chicks taught line dancing to willing volunteers.

Don Pascalli — owner of Kocomo’s Island Grill, Sneaky Pete’s and Pascalli’s Italian Ristorante — won first and second place in the chili cookoff.

“The food is great,” Royal

Palm Beach resident Sam Hirsch said. “I’ve been going around tasting the chili [recipes], and all of the them are great.”

Event organizer Robert Trepp, who spent a lot of his time walking around and thanking the dozens of volunteers who made the day a success, said that while the chili cooking part was great, the real story of the day was how Acreage residents were able to have a great family day with their neighbors.

Patrick Lemke, owner of A Perfect Party — which brought out the many inflatable obstacle courses and events — said that for a first-time event, the music fest went very well. “It’s mid-afternoon now,” he said, “and we have well over 500 people at any given time here. By this evening, when the big acts perform, there will be thousands. They’ve done a great job here.”

PHOTOS BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

Briana Haefele and Corina Slayton of the Kocomos Island Grill chili team.

Singer Beau Deutsch (back) with ITID supervisors Sandra Love Semande, Carol Jacobs and Michelle Damone.

The Legally Hot team: Mike and Monica O’Keefe and Sue and David Zornes.

New Harvest Baptist Church Minister Sam Lee with his daughter Kaylee.

A fest-goer tests his skills on the rock wall.

The Chili Chicks: (front row) Lizamary Molina and Marygrace Cox; (back row) Wendie Smith, Niki Jaquetti, Alex Graham, Sofia Rossi and Kara Misnik.

The Sweet Cheeks chili cookoff team of Shelly Sarros and Diana Sirola.

Pascalli’s Italian Ristorante owner Don Pascalli with his chili team: Brittany Gault, Taylor Samson and Sarah Burns.

• CASPEREY STABLES HORSE CAMP — Casperey Stables is a small, funfilled day camp for children ages seven to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts & crafts and outdoor games, our campers find little time to be bored. Our low counselor/child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer, each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. We have a weekly swim party and end each session with a horse show and family barbecue. Call soon — this small, quality program fills quickly! To learn more about our camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call us at (561) 7924990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.

• RAVENWOOD RIDING ACADEMY — Ravenwood Riding Academy has been located in Wellington for 20 years. Proprietor and instructor Judie Jenner has been professionally involved with horses for over 30 years. Learn to ride at Camp Giddy-Up! Meet new friends and have fun all summer long learning about horses. The summer program consists of weekly sessions from June through August for children six years and up, with a focus on fun, and an emphasis on safety. Lessons daily, groups are limited to 10 to 12 campers per week and grouped by skill level. All riding equipment and safety stirrups are provided. The program features demonstrations with veterinarians, blacksmiths and equine dentists. Call (561) 793-4109 to register today. Hurry, sessions fill up quickly.

• VILLARI’S SUMMER CAMP — For the first time in 25 years, Villari’s of Wellington is pleased to announce a full-day, nine-week summer camp. After years of research and preparation, we have decided it is time to offer a camp tailored to developing the mental as well as physical skills of your child. Through stretching, strengthening and balancing the bodies and minds of our children, we open a world less intimidating, more interesting and less confusing to them. Let your child experience a summer full of fun, fitness and friends. Call (561) 792-1100 for more info.

• THE LEARNING FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA — The Learning Foundation is a private school, including elementary, middle and high school. We pride ourselves on the personal commitment and attention offered to every child. Our students’ individual educational needs are first — “one to one can make the difference.” McKay and Pride scholarships are accepted. Grade forgiveness and/or acceleration is available for grades nine through 12. Join us for elementary and middle school summer academic camp beginning June 17 for elementary grades and July 8 for high school grades. For more information, call director Debra Thornby at (561) 795-6886.

• DREAM BELIEVER STABLES — Enjoy a summer filled with horses at Dream Believer Stables! Learn how to groom, tack and of course ride. Each day has a lesson for campers to learn safety and control of horses. After lunch, we have a fun ride with games or bareback. Space is limited; only 12 campers per week starting May 26 through August; homeschoolers welcome. Camp is for ages five through 16. Call Andrea at (561) 289-8515 for more info.

• OKEEHEELEE / PARK RIDGE / JOHN PRINCE SUMMER GOLF CAMPS

— Learn the basics of the golf swing and beyond: putting, chipping, pitching and more; personal swing tendencies and swing drills for improvement; on course laying etiquette and strategies; and sound etiquette and knowledge of the basic rules of golf. Okeeheelee camp dates: June 10-13, June 17-20, June 24-27, July 8-11, July 15-18, July 22-25 and Aug. 5-8. Park Ridge camp dates: June 17-20, July 8-11, July 22-25, July 29-Aug. 1, and Aug. 5-8. John Prince Park camp dates: June 10-13, June 24-27, June 30-July 3, July 1518 and July 29-Aug. 1. For complete information, call Michele Berger at (561) 964-4653, ext. 107.

• XTREME TAE KWON DO SUMMER CAMP Join us again for a funfilled summer camp for children ages four to 14. We offer physical and mental fitness and ways to improve your child’s balance and coordination while learning self defense. We also enjoy arts and crafts, and field trips to movies and gymnastics. Come and experience the best summer camp in the west. Two sessions will be offered: Session I from June 9 to June 20 and Session II from July 7 to July 18. Register before the end of April and receive an Xtreme T-shirt. Space is limited; register today. Instructor is child CPR and heartsaver AED certified. Located at 12799 W.Forest Hill Blvd. inside Ultima Fitness. Call (561) 795-2823 for more information.

• FUTURE STARS BASKETBALL CAMP — Held in the Palm Beach Central High School gymnasium, Future Stars is a fun and instructional basketball camp for boys and girls ages six to 17 of all ability levels featuring basketball drills, competitions and games. Campers are grouped by age and ability. All campers will receive a camp T-shirt. Awards will be presented the last afternoon of camp for team winners, competition winners and special recognition. The instructional staff is comprised of high school coaches who are teachers. Lunch may be bought or brought. There will be three weekly session available running from June 16 through July 3. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Call (561) 400-3397 for camp information and registration.

• ARMORY ART CENTER GET CREATIVE SUMMER ART CAMP — Jump Start for ages five to seven; Adventures in Art for ages eight to 11; and Studio Art Shops for teens (middle and high school students). An adventure in the visual arts for your young artist! Six sessions starting June 9. The center is located at 1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 832-1776 or visit www.armoryart.org.

• TUTORING CLUB OF WELLINGTON — Tutoring Club of Wellington can make a difference! Tutoring Club helps students become more knowledgeable and successful in school. Our educational programs help students raise test scores, grades and attitudes toward education. We offer a well-rounded process that is proven to work well not only with students, but also with parents, teachers and the community. Helping students take a triumphant step in their educational future is our number-one goal. Summer camp registration is June 2 and June 12. For more information, call directors Gale Nelson and Jeff Santoloci at Tutoring Club of Wellington at (561) 784-4434.

• IBIS FARM — Now located in Little Ranches, Wellington Summer Camp at Ibis Farm starts July 7 for ages six and up. Instructors and owners Lauren Briggs, Monique Loehrer and Melody Shapiro have over 30 years in the industry and are on the “A” Circuit. Its a great way for kids to get involved with animals and meet new friends! Daily riding, horsemanship, arts & crafts, games and a horse show every Friday afternoon. Camps run from Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring lunch and plenty of drinks. Call (561) 616-7246 for more information.

TOWN-CRIER SPORTS & RECREATION

Wellington Shuts Out Boca Raton, Advances To Regional Semifinals

By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff report

Before shutting out Boca Raton 6-0

in the regional quarterfinals Tuesday night, the Wellington High School baseball team traveled to Jupiter last Friday for the district championship, where the Wolverines posted a 5-3 victory (see photos).

Senior left-hander Evan Stermer pitched the full seven innings for Wellington in Jupiter and helped out on the offensive front as well; his third-inning single brought home junior Bryan Adametz.

The scoring started in the first inning, though, with a two-run homer by se-

BY

nior Lee Reumann. In the third inning, Reumann’s base hit brought home junior James Alfonso, who was pinch-running for junior Roberto Gonzales. Another single — by Wolverine junior Nick Ferraresi — brought home Reumann. Meanwhile, Jupiter remained scoreless.

Wellington’s 5-0 lead lasted until the fifth inning, when Jupiter scored on a solo home run. Jupiter then added two more runs in the seventh inning, but failed to catch up to the Wolverines.

Wellington’s win over Boca Raton on Tuesday advanced the Wolverines to the regional semifinals Friday at home against Park Vista.

last Friday.

RPB’s Inman Signs

With Jacksonville

Royal Palm Beach High School football player Corey Inman recently signed a letter of intent to play for the Jacksonville University Dolphins this coming fall. Inman has been the placekicker/punter for the Wildcats the past two seasons. During that time, he had one of the best kicking records in school history. Because of his talents, Inman had one of the most successful kicking campaigns in the county. This catapulted him to the forefront of area kickers, and he was nominated by Coach Eric Patterson for the prestigious Lou Groza award. Inman also made All-Conference for Palm Beach County in his senior year. In addition to football, Inman takes his studies seriously. When not kicking the football, he volunteers at a local elementary school and works at

After Winning District, Hawks Flag Football Team Falls To Jupiter

By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report

After defeating Wellington High School 20-12 to win the District 17 championship game last Wednesday, the Seminole Ridge High School girls flag football team lost to Jupiter 6-0 Tuesday night. At last Wednesday’s district title game (see photos), Seminole Ridge senior quarterback Brianna Lauer led her team’s offense by throwing all three touchdown passes. The first touchdown pass came in the first quarter to Hailey Mears. The extra point gave SRHS a 7-0 lead.

Hillary Mears scored less than four minutes into the second quarter with a reception in the end zone. Hailey Mears lunged into the end zone for the extra point and a 14-0 lead.

Lauer’s next pass into the end zone during the second quarter was intended for Casey Salicco, but Wellington’s Amanda Deem edged out Salicco and made the interception. The Wolverines were unable to capitalize on the opportunity and turn Deem’s interception into a touchdown, but the Hawks found the

end zone again before halftime. Seminole Ridge’s Charlene Thome helped set up the touchdown by running about 20 yards for the Hawks. Lauer found Hillary Mears again for a touchdown with less than 20 seconds left in the half. The scoreboard remained at 20-0 in favor of Seminole Ridge until Wellington rallied in the fourth quarter. Wolverine senior quarterback Nicole Loshelder scored on a keeper from inside the five-yard line with less than four minutes off the clock. Wellington’s Christina Brown tried for the extra point, but was blocked just shy of the goal line by Hillary Mears and Lacey McCoy, who made the flag pull.

Wellington scored again with less than five seconds left in the game as Tipyana Tuvamontolrat dove into the end zone.

In other girls flag football action, Palm Beach Central High School captured the District 18 title last Wednesday with 12-7 victory over Lake Worth, but the Broncos finished the season with a 32-19 loss to Atlantic on Tuesday.

the Brass Ring Pub in Royal Palm Beach. Inman plans on majoring in sports management while playing football at Jacksonville University.

Bronco Wrestlers Receive College Scholarships

Warriors To Host Golf Tournament

The Wellington Warriors 11-U travel baseball team

Palm Beach Central High School senior wrestlers Nick Marcus and Justin Sitzer recently received scholarship offers from Buena Vista University, an NCAA Division 3 school located in Storm Lake, Iowa. Marcus and Sitzer will be accepting the scholarships. Both boys will have their entire college cost paid for over the four years they will attend. Both were coached by National Hall of Fame inductee wrestling coach Jon Henry. Marcus and Sitzer were two-time state qualifiers while wrestling for Palm Beach Central; Marcus holds the school record for most career wins with 99.

Wellington players line the dugout fence during the district championship game

WHS senior Lee Reumann hits a home run.

WHS pitcher Evan Stermer celebrates after the Wolverines won the district title last Friday.

Letter Of Intent — Royal Palm Beach High School football player Corey Inman signs a letter of intent to play for Jacksonville University while Coach Donald Louvier looks on.

Evan Stermer pitched the full seven innings for Wellington in the district final match.

Wolverine freshman Andrew Istler safely steals second base.

Wellington senior John Brebbia catches a high throw intended to pick off a Jupiter runner.

Wolverine sophomore Sean Murrell handled a ground ball and throws to first base for the out.

Hillary Mears pushes the ball across the line for the extra point as Wellington’s Jessica Beckner pulls her flag.

Hawk quarterback Brianna Lauer threw three touchdown passes in the district final.

SRHS ball carrier Charlene Thome collides with Wellington’s Megan Smarinsky and Christina Brown.

Hawk Casey Salicco tries to get the ball into the end zone but is stopped at the one yard line by Wellington’s Christina Brown.

The Seminole Ridge High School freshman flag football team completed this year’s season undefeated. They recently participated in a freshman tournament at West Boca High School. Each team competed in three games, with the trophy going to the team with the most wins and giving up the fewest goals. The Hawks went on to win all three games and outdid themselves by not allowing one goal to be scored against them. They brought home the trophy to be proudly displayed at the school. Pictured above are (front row, L-R) Courtney Cotromano, Morgan Deutsch, Morgan McClain and Angeleigh Adorno; (back row) Coach Sam Walker, Rebecca Lane, Diedre Whyte, Ashley McGinnis, Savannah Drake, Karlee Lauer, Katlyn Oliver and Coach Cathleen Riveira.

BEREAN SOFTBALL DISTRICT CHAMPS

Berean Christian School’s Lady Bulldogs won the girls district softball championship for the first time in school history on Thursday, April 17 at Seminole Palms Park. They defeated Wellington Christian School in a 16-0 shutout. The Lady Bulldogs finished the season 11-5, and pitcher Amber Johnson had two no-hitters. The team has raised the bar for the 200809 season and reflect the quality of Berean’s growing athletic program. Shown here are (front row, L-R) Danielle Hartman, Allison Flinn, Angelica Peralta, Emily May, Jane Baldwin, Jordyn Elardo, Rachel Terrana, Eden Millard, Neph Lesperance, Amber Johnson and Chloe Pinkston; (back row) Ashley Romnosky, Kayla Wade, Emily Diaz, Rebecca Baldwin and Jamie Nickerson.

The Wellington Wave U-9 boys blue soccer team were undefeated in the inaugural Matt DeOrsey Palm Beach Cup held last weekend in Palm Beach Gardens. On Saturday, April 26, the Wave played the Palm Beach Soccer Academy Nomads blue and red teams, with scores of 8-0 and 4-3. On Sunday, April 27, the Wave posted wins over the PBSA white team (80) and Team Boca (7-0). Almost everyone on the squad had a goal in the tournament. Yonatan Spencer and Tyler Whittaker had an outstanding tournament, each scoring goals and playing great in the middle. Wave goalkeepers Anthony Grnja, Brayden Ivaniszyn and Alec Sunshine allowed only three goals in four games. Alec-Michael Petrizzi, Daniel Hart and Nicolas Martinez were the backbone of the team offensively, and Michael Suarez had another great tournament, providing strong support for the team defensively.

COBRAS TAKE SECOND

The Pro Ball Cobras 10-U team won second place at the 2008 Seminole Spring Baseball Tournament in Hollywood. The Cobras went undefeated throughout the tournament and lost in the championship game. The players are (front row) Logan Goldenberg of Lake Worth, Jake Eder of Boynton Beach, Mathew Sternola of Wellington, Dylan Santalo of Lake Worth, Austin Dempsey of Lake Worth and Brandon Betchel of West Boynton Beach; (middle row) Brian Hernandez of West Palm Beach, Jordan Dobson of West Palm Beach, James Vaughan of Lake Worth, Bruce Martin of West Boynton Beach, Keaton Baird of Royal Palm Beach and Joey Polak of Boynton Beach; (back row) coaches Yosvani Hernandez, Rich Polak, Gary Goldenberg, Oscar Santalo, Bruce Martin and Jeff Church.

The Acreage Athletic League Pro Division Packers defeated the Jaguars to win the Super Bowl on Saturday, April 19. It was the second Super Bowl victory for Packers coach Willy Freundlich. Pictured here are (front row, L-R) Brittany Doyle, Emily Dudley, Katie Freundlich and Francesca Micelli; (back row) assistant coach Don Hernandez, Nadia Frye, Brandy Johnson, Ashley LaCroix, Mariah Travis and head coach Willy Freundlich.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, May 3

• The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets American Legion Chapter will hold a golf tournament to raise money for equipment and field trips on Saturday, May 3 at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Signups will be at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The cost is $150 and includes golf and cart, lunch, a free club and a monogrammed shirt. For more info., call Dan Lawrence at (561) 798-9204.

• The West Palm Beach Antique & Collectibles Show will continue at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4. The show attracts dealers from all over the country. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. For more info., call (561) 793-0333.

• The Village of Wellington will hold a USTA Doubles Championship with men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4. The cost is $28 per person; $18 for a second event. Participants must be USTA members. Sign up online at www.usatennis florida.usta.com. Call the pro shop at (561) 791-4775 or Joanne Smith at (561) 7980474 for more info.

• The King’s Academy (8401 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach) concludes its 2008 spring musical Children of Eden on Saturday, May 3. Tickets are on sale for $15 center reserved and $12 reserved. Group discounts are available. For more info., call (561) 6864244, ext. 353 or visit www.tka.net.

• In anticipation of the Chili’s Charity Golf Classic at Bear Lakes Country Club on May 5, Little Smiles will host a VIP reception and auction Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Players Club restaurant in Wellington (13410 South Shore Blvd.). The May 3 event will offer food, cocktails and an auction. RSVP by calling (561) 383-7274. Sponsorships and foursomes are available for the tournament. Applications are available at www.littlesmiles.org.

Sunday, May 4

• The Wellington Women’s Club will hold its annual spring fundraiser “Champagne and Couture” on Sunday, May 4 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mayacoo Lakes Country Club. The event will include a brunch buffet, a fashion show and silent auction. Tickets are $40 per person. Call Faye Ford at (561) 790-7625 for more info.

• The Seminole Ridge Athletic Booster Club will host the Ridge Classic 2008 on Sunday, May 4 at the Ironhorse Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start in a fourperson scramble format. Refreshments and a silent auction begin at 5 p.m. and the banquet dinner begins at 6 p.m. For more info., call Sandra Love Semande at (561) 723-3898, Nicole Love Weber at (561) 649-1500 or Greg Williams at (561) 795-0804.

Monday, May 5

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Baby Story Time” on Mondays, May 5, 12 and 19 at 10:15 a.m. for newborns through eight months and 11:15 a.m. for ages nine to 12 months. Baby will love the rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

Tuesday, May 6

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Masquerade!” on Tuesday, May 6 at 3:30 p.m. Children ages nine through 12 will learn about masks in traditions from around the world and create a mask of their own for a masquerade. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• Oh So Savvy (11081 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach) will host a fundraiser for the Greater West Palm Beach Women’s Club on Tuesday, May 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. Store purchases made during the event will benefit the club. There will be door prizes as well. For more info., call (561) 753-0749.

Wednesday, May 7

• Renowned painter Rosemond Hammond will teach classes in acrylics, charcoal and more at the Wellington branch of the Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches (13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A-15). Classes take place Wednesdays, May 7 to June 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $125. For more info., call Sharon at (561) 253-6030.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Book Discussion Series for adults on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. Sara Har-

ris will lead a discussion of Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Thursday, May 8

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Mothers Are Special” on Thursday, May 8 at 3:30 p.m. Children ages six through 10 will read favorite books and make a card and gift for mom. For more info., call (561) 7906070.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Teacher Appreciation Social on Thursday, May 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. For more info., call (561) 790-6200.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meeting on Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. Teens ages 12 through 17 will enjoy snacks, conversation and good ideas. Call (561) 7906070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Pizza and Pages” Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. Teens 12 through 17 will eat pizza while they discuss The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.

Friday, May 9

• Allison Levine will be the guest speaker for the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches’ 25th Annual Women in Leadership Awards on Friday, May 9 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). An avid mountain climber, Levine was invited in 2002 to serve as the team captain of the first American women’s Everest expedition. For more info., call (561) 833-4241 or visit www.ewpb.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “I Love You, Mommy, Oh, Yes I Do!” on Friday, May 9 at 11 a.m. Children ages two through five will hear stories about special mothers and make their mom a gift. To preregister, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Butterfly Gardening” on Friday, May 9 at 2:45 p.m. Children ages five through eight will hear stories about butterflies, make a craft and learn about creating their own butterfly garden at home. To preregister, call (561) 790-6070.

• Wellington’s finest dining establishments will offer dinner by the bite at Flavors of Wellington , the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s signature event. It will take place Friday, May 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington). Entertainment will be by the 20-piece stage band Music Masters International. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more info., call (561) 792-6525. Saturday, May 10

• A Spring Cleaning Garage Sale will be held at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) on Saturday, May 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Individuals will offer garage sale items, toys, clothing, furniture, books, videos and music. Spaces are available for $60 to $80. Admission is $2. For more info., call (561) 7930333.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Mothers Are Special” on Saturday, May 10 at 10:30 a.m. Children ages five and up can get together to read a book and make a special gift just for mom. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6030.

• The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will present Cultural Diversity Day on Saturday, May 10 from noon to 7 p.m. at Veterans Park in RPB (corner of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and Sparrow Drive). For more information, or to register for a display booth, call Elet Cyris at (561) 791-9087 or Sheryl Sawyer at (561) 7905149. Tuesday, May 13

• The Wellington Art Society will hold its annual dinner Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grill and Pub at Madison Green (2001 Crestwood Blvd. North, Royal Palm Beach). For more info., contact Adrianne Hetherington at tilemaker@aol.com or (561) 784-7561, or Karen Knight at artforum9@aol.com, (561) 798-3240 or (561) 352-4075. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill

Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 7936090. E-mail: news@gotown crier.com.

High Style And Low Cost At Prodiso Kitchen & Bath In RPB

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

A rapidly expanding nationwide business is offering lowpriced granite countertops and cabinetry from its Royal Palm Beach showroom.

Prodiso Kitchen & Bath offers Italian-designed countertops and cabinets that are manufactured in China to provide both style and affordability, the company’s Royal Palm Beach location manager Margie Moore said.

Starting with one store in Miami in 2002 called Panda Kitchen & Bath, the Huang family has opened more than 40 locations nationwide, Moore said, with the Royal Palm Beach location opening six months ago. The company, which operates its own manufacturing facility in China, produces a high-quality line of products under the Panda brand.

“All the countertops are real granite,” Moore said. “All our cabinets are maple. The doors are solid maple, the boxes are three-quarter-inch plywood.”

Moore said the company can provide as much or as little as a customer requires in goods and services. “We consider ourselves semi-custom because with our materials, with our panels, with our molding, we can pretty much make custom bookshelves, cabinets, basically anything,” she said. “We offer the cabinets along with or without installation. Some contractors just purchase the cabinets and not the installation service. We also offer the service of installing granite and tile.”

Prodiso also carries Pandamanufactured faucets, sinks and shower enclosures at competitive prices. The company keeps a large inventory of materials in stock and can do a complete installation in as little as a week or two, Moore said.

Looking at the well-appointed showroom can be a little intimidating for a shopper concerned with costs, but Moore said Prodiso’s products are within the reach of many budgets.

“For the product that we carry, it’s a fair price,” she said. Moore said that her own look at the local market suggests Proviso sells its products up to 40 percent less than other kitchen and bath suppliers.

“Most of our customers say that we’re competitively priced, because they went somewhere and got a kitchen estimate for $11,000, and we can probably do it for nine or eight,” she said.

Prodiso also runs promotions on cabinetry lines every month.

“Right now we have specials on the Shaker, Beaded Rose and Coffee lines,” Moore said.

The Beaded Rose style resembles an Italian Tuscan look, with a raised panel, square at the top as opposed to cathedral, in a sandy blond color, she said. The Shaker is natural maple color in a clean design with its roots in a Shaker style of minimalism, while Coffee Kitchen is the biggest seller because it has linear features and a rich brown color.

“It has variations in the stain, so it really picks up light in a great way,” Moore said. “It can either be bought in a traditional look,

or it can have a modernized look without the crown molding, so it can go either-or, but it has a really rich look to it.”

All the cabinets can be sized in three-inch increments and can be modified to fit in non-standard dimensions such as diagonal walls or over an irregularity such as a pipe or column.

“In most cases, you wouldn’t put anything there,” Moore said. “With us, we would cut out the back and top and bottom, and put in panels to cover it, so when you look inside the cabinet, it looks like the finish of the cabinet. The shelves can be modified as well.”

Prodiso also installs tile at a competitive price, Moore said. “We provide that service because we want them to be able to do everything in-house, and most people want everything to be in one place instead of having to go here for the tile and there for the countertop and someplace else for the cabinets,” she said. “We try to be a onestop shop where you can get everything you can possibly need in one place.”

Prodiso has a staff of cabinet installers that travels around the state. The only aspects not yet covered are plumbing and electrical, for which the Royal Palm Beach store has not yet engaged local companies.

Moore said one of Prodiso’s strengths is making it simple for the customer to place an order. Typically, she said, once customers tell her what they are looking for, she will show them the actual models in the showroom and then lay out a model

kitchen or bath for them on computer.

“We try to find a style that suits them,” she said. “We sit down with preliminary measurements from the customers themselves to give them an idea of what it is going to cost them. I do a 3D model design in the computer so they can see it, to give them an idea of what their kitchen would look like with the cabinets laid out in different ways, or possibly the color.

After the free consultation, Moore said, the company sends workers to the home to take actual measurements if the customer has agreed to the design.

“We charge for them to mea-

sure, but that charge, if they purchase the cabinets, goes back into the cost of the cabinets,” she said. “Once they are in agreement, we schedule to go out and tear out the old cabinets and install. If there are no complications, it could be a matter of a week to two weeks. Most everything here in the showroom we carry in stock.”

The company has about 30 cabinet styles that can be special ordered, Moore said, and delivery of those items takes about 45 to 90 days because they must come from the plant.

Soft-closing drawers, for example, fitted to shut quietly instead of slamming, are consid-

Kitchen Maker — Prodiso Kitchen & Bath manager Margie Moore shows a kitchen display at

the Royal Palm Beach showroom.

PHOTO

PALMS WEST CHAMBER CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AT ANNUAL

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce held its 25th Annual Installation Gala “The Silver Celebration” on Friday, April 25 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. John Spillane was installed as the chamber’s new president, and current president Joanna Boynton and outgoing officers were honored for their service. To round the evening off, there was an open bar as well as hors d’oeuvres, dinner courtesy Outback Steakhouse, silent and live auctions, and music and dancing.

DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria swears in John Spillane as the new chamber president.

Wellington Regional Medical Center CEO Kevin DiLallo toasts the new officers.

The 2008-09 Palms West Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Event co-chairs Mary Armand and Susan Giddings flank Executive Director Jaene Miranda.

(L-R, seated) Dan Dennis, Regis Wenham, Herta Suess and Laurie Cohen; (standing) Virgie Catella, Tom Wenham, Frank Suess and Irwin Cohen.

Chandra Bill of News Channel 5 served as master of ceremonies.

Dale Butcher of Florida Public Utilities with Denise Smith of Cardinal Appraisal.

Palms West Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jaene Miranda (right) presents plaques to outgoing officers Dorian Zimmer-Bordenave, Keith Jordano and Silvia Garcia.

Wellington Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore with wife Marie and Mayor Darell Bowen with wife Sherry.

Mark Bellissimo, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and South Florida Fair Trustee Bob Jarriel.

Kim O’Dell with her silent auction purchase.

Tropical Island Pools: Convenient, Full-Service Maintenance

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Tropical Island Pools wants to make your swimming pool an inviting place to spend more time. “People don’t want to drive around so much because of the high price of gas,” owner Reggie Dion said, “and we can make sure that your family’s pool experience is great.”

A full-service pool maintenance company, Tropical Island Pools also provides leak-detection services, repairs and conversions to saline systems.

Dion, a longtime resident of Royal Palm Beach, said more pool owners are choosing saltgenerating systems, which create chlorine instead of requiring the chemical be added manually. “You can take a regular pool, have us put in the pumps, the special cells, and it will not only give you salt water, but it turns part of it into chlorine to help clean the pool,” he said.

Dion said saltwater pools offer advantages over traditional chlorinated fresh water. “They don’t tear your pool to shreds because they use a lot fewer chemicals,” he said. “Many women like the fact that it doesn’t turn colored hair green. It’s also a lot easier on the eyes than regular pools because of the lower chlorine component. The water feels wonderful on your skin; it doesn’t feel sticky when

you get out. And it’s a lot more buoyant. Kids who don’t know how to swim all that well will be able to float easier.”

Dion explained that maintenance of a saltwater pool is simpler and often cheaper than that of a fresh water pool. “Once it’s all charged up,” he said, “you only use a bag of salt about every three months, and that costs eight or nine dollars. You’ll still have to keep watch on the pool’s chemicals, but salt water is easier to keep up. That means fewer trips to the pool supply store.”

Some automated saltwater systems can be operated by remote control, Dion said. “You can change a lot of the chemicals, raise the temperature of the water, start the salt with remote controls,” he said. “Some people have already asked to hook the controls for the chemicals to their computers, and I’ve had requests for controls that would allow homeowners to control their pools even when they are out of town.”

Dion said he and his crew keep their service visits as convenient as possible for clients. “We do regular service for our clients’ pools, and I never hear complaints,” he said. “We’re like clockwork. We try to be at your home at the same time and day each time so you know to expect us.”

Licensed to repair as well as

maintain pools, Dion is enthusiastic about his leak detection service. “I bought the equipment last year,” he said.

The equipment includes a sounder to detect leaks underground, and equipment to check the pressure in the pipes. “We’re expert at finding leaks,” Dion said. “When water is at a premium, water prices going up, and shortages everywhere, people call us to make sure they are not losing water.”

Clients can choose either to simply have their pool’s chemical levels checked periodically or take advantage of full service. “For chemicals only, we come in, do the right tests, and check the chemicals,” Dion said, “We want to keep the pool blue and healthy.”

The full service is more extensive. “We do the chemicals,” Dion said, “but we also clean and vacuum the pool, check the baskets and the pumps, as well as the filters and the pool’s timing.”

Dion, who has been in the pool business since 1976, said he or his people can fix virtually anything wrong with a pool.

Dion was born and raised in the Vermont town of Winooski.

“My dad was a builder,” he said.

“We all had streets named after us, and we all lived on Dion Street.”

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon cutting for the Little Clinic, located in the Crestwood Square Publix in Royal Palm Beach. Little Clinic locations are staffed with licensed and board-certified advanced registered nurse practitioners and/or certified physician assistants, specialists in family practice. They are authorized to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses such as bronchitis; respiratory, sinus and ear infections; and the flu, as well as for minor injuries. For more information, visit www.thelittleclinic.com or call (561) 209-2056. Pictured here is the Little Clinic staff with chamber ambassadors.

He moved to Florida after graduating from high school in 1973.

“I was a laborer for a couple of years, but that was too tough,” he joked. “I was thinking about mowing lawns but instead took

over a one-day-per-week poolcleaning route in Broward County. That built up fast, and I decided to move up here to Palm Beach County 13 years ago.” For more information on Tropical Island Pools visit

www.tipools.com or call (561) 795-0476 or Dion’s cell phone at (561) 685-4172. “Use my cell,” he said. “You’re more likely to reach me.

To Hold Networking Event May 8

The Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County will hold its monthly chamber business and educational networking event Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Don Ramon restaurant in West Palm Beach.

Guest speakers include Business Loan Fund of the Palm Beaches Chief Executive

Officer Laurence Davenport Jr., who will explain how business owners can obtain financing; attorney Jorge Maxion of Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain & Williams; and Palm Beach Circuit Court Judge Diana Lewis. Don Ramon restaurant is located at 7101 S. Dixie Highway between Forest Hill Blvd. and

for

Admission is

and $10 for

including one

drink and hors d’oeuvres. Table exhibitions are available. To RSVP or reserve a table exhibition, call the chamber at (561) 889-6527 or (954) 806-1550. For more information, visit www.prhchamber.com.

Wellington Chamber’s ‘Flavors’ Event Coming May 9

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce still has tickets available for Flavors 2008, the chamber’s signature event. Flavors will take place Friday, May 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm

Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington). More than 25 restaurants are signed up, and the cost for tickets is $25, which works out to less than $1 per restaurant. Adding to the evening is a 20-piece

big band, dancing and celebrity judges. Call Michela Perillo-Green at the chamber office at (561) 7926525 for tickets. For more info., visit www.wellingtonchamber. com.

PHOTO BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

The Pool People — Bob Lauden, Xavier Santana and Reggie Dion of Tropical Island Pools provide maintenance, leak-detection services, repairs and conversions to saline systems.

‘FITNESS-INSPIRED EVENING’ AT FIT2RUN IN WELLINGTON

The Fit2Run store in the Mall at Wellington Green held a “Fitness-Inspired Evening” on Thursday, April 24. On hand for the event were vendors from Ultima Fitness, Boca Tan, Fit Studio, Moda Salon, Spa Zen, WineStyles, Symons Family Chiropractic and Zrii natural herbal drink. Fit2Run staff offered guests free videotaped gait analyses, which identify foot problems and help find the right shoe type. For more information about Fit2Run, call (561) 753-9343.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Chipotle Mexican Grill Opens New Restaurant In Wellington

The new restaurant brings the total number of Chipotle locations in southeast Florida to ten. With each new opening, Chipotle continues to spread the word about its mission of “food with integrity,” which means identifying like-minded suppliers that share Chipotle’s commitment to raising animals and growing produce in ways

that demonstrate respect for the land, animals and farm workers.

Chipotle burritos and tacos are made with naturally and humanely raised meats from animals that are never given antibiotics or added hormones, and fed a pure vegetarian diet.

“We are changing the way the world thinks about and eats fast food,” Chipotle founder, chairman and CEO Steve Ells said. “We’re making gourmet food — the kind that has traditionally

been used only by the best chefs in the best restaurants — available and affordable so everyone can eat better.”

Chipotle is committed to using fresh, socially responsible ingredients for its gourmet burritos and tacos. The secrets are simplicity and a chef’s attention to detail: fresh ingredients, nothing frozen or processed, prepared on-site and in plain view of customers. Patrons can choose whether they’d like chicken, pork or

beef wrapped in a burrito, stuffed in tacos or atop a burrito bowl or salad. From there, diners pick a variety of delicious ingredients such as cilantro-lime rice, whole black or pinto beans, freshly grilled vegetables, house-made guacamole and a choice of fresh salsas.

In addition to serving more naturally raised meat than any other restaurant, including all of its pork, about 80 percent of its chicken, and nearly half

of its beef, Chipotle recently became the first national restaurant chain to serve dairy products (cheese and sour cream) that are made with milk from cows that are not treated with the synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone).

The burrito chain has also been working to increase the supply of organically grown beans. This year, about 25 percent of all of its beans are organically grown and the com-

pany plans to add to that as additional supply becomes available.

Chipotle’s Wellington restaurant is located at 1000 State Road 7, Suite 2. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For those who need to get in and out quickly, Chipotle offers “DSL” (don’t stand in line) ordering directly at www.chipotle.com; customers may also fax in to-go orders at (561) 204-2819. For more information, call (561) 204-2816.

Pedorthist Jodie Michael points to a display that measures foot pressure and arches.

Isabella De Rosa buys a jogging outfit.

Ian De Rosa gets a gait analysis from Eric Lyoes.

Assistant manager Jim Wheeler helps fit Bob Milhorn with A-6 walking shoes.

Ben Jensen and Gabriel Figueroa mix up a carrot-juice smoothie.

Leadership Palm Beach County held its fourth annual Leadership Excellence Award Banquet on Wednesday, April 16 at the Marriott West Palm Beach. Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Sharon Bock was the 2008 Leadership Excellence Award recipient. Patti Hamilton and Frank Compiani served as honorary co-chairs, along with committee chairs Bob Bertisch, Terry Gearing and Dorothy Bradshaw. For more information about Leadership Palm Beach County, visit www.leadershippbc.org. Pictured here is Bock with Al Malefatto and Silvia Garcia (above), and Don Dufresne and Tony Plakas (below). PHOTOS BY STU ULRICH/TOWN-CRIER

TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS

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ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. No. U14736. 798-8978. BD JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. ––– Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. Call 798-4964. Lic.#U18473 LARRY’S PAINTING & WALLPAPER — Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Interior/Exterior painting. 561-309-2845. Wallpaper - Luanne 561-801-2018 LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Ask for Paul 561-3098290. COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/ Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident. PAINTING — HOME PAINTING Interior – Exterior. $1290 +tax up to 2500 sq. ft. (walls area) 561-674HOME(4663) J&C’s Faux Painting Service, Inc. Lic./Ins. U14092 CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE ESTIMATES. Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years experience. License #U-18337 • Bonded • Insured Owner/Operator George Born. 561686-6701

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS – Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U13677. 9675580. BD SHAKE ROOF SPECIALISTS –– New roofs, repairs, preservation. License #CC025465. Shake Masters, Shake Chem. Members of Shake Bureau. 439-6668 BD ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763. BD 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 RC-0067207 GARABAR, INC. ROOFING & GENERAL CONSTRUCTION — 561-3376798 www.garabar.com Lic. #CGC 1510976 CCC1327252. “Deal” Direct withowner. Please see our display ad* Major credit cards accepted. Fast Free Estimates. Insurance claim specialists. IDEAL ROOFING SYSTEMS Residential • Commercial • Licensed Bonded • Insured. New Construction Reroofs • Repairs • Roof Tile • Shingles Metal Roofs • Flat Decks • MaintenanceContracts info@idealroofingsystems.com.

“You dealt with the rest now deal with the best” maintenance and repairs. Inquire about 1 months FREE service. 561-791-5073 ELITE POOL CLEANING TROPICAL ISLAND POOLS, INC. — Pool Maintenance, repairs, automatic pool cleaners, Salt Generators, Specializing in LEAK DETECTION. Tipoolsinc.com ONE CALL DOES IT ALL. 561-685-4172 561-795-0476. Since 1975

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SALES, SERVICE AND INSTALLATION FOR ALL TYPES — Windows, doors, accordion & panel shutters. Impact glass. USA IMPACT WINDOWS & DOORS. 561-502-1518

HURRICANE PROTECTION — Accordian & Bahama Shutters, impact doors & windows, sales, service & installation financing available. RAINGUARD,Inc. 561-969-9005 Lic. Bonded. Ins. U15212. Owner/Installer.

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