Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board voted last Thursday to recommend an ordinance that would amend several rules governing the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District, including allowing RVs as temporary housing, adding additional restrictions to clustered developments, and adding additional standards for bed and breakfasts.
The ordinance was presented to the board at its Nov. 5 meeting.
If the ordinance is approved by the Wellington Village Council, seasonal residents could apply for a special use permit to hook up RVs as temporary housing on lots of more than three acres.
All properties in the equestrian preserve are permitted one RV for storage only, but the ordinance would allow one additional RV on three to five acres, two additional on five to ten acres, and three additional on more than ten acres.
Property owners would have to show proof of adequate water, sewer and electricity for each RV, and would have to abide by the manufacturer’s recommendation for the maximum number of people allowed in the vehicle.
The ordinance also sets additional regulations for bed and breakfasts. They would be limit-
ed to five bedrooms, with at least one parking space per room for rent, and two spaces for horse trailers. The establishment would have to be part of the existing structure, and the owner must live on the property.
Wellington’s Economic Development Director Marty Hodgkins said there would be a required 1,320-foot separation between bed and breakfasts, and signs would be limited to three square feet.
PZA Board Alternate Alan Johnson said he was concerned that both RVs and bed and breakfasts might function as semi-permanent homes for seasonal employees such as grooms, instead of being used by tourists or participants in seasonal events.
“If we are setting up a way of back-dooring transient employees in the area, we should be doing it with open eyes,” he said.
Hodgkins said that the village can’t limit the amount of time someone can stay in a bed and breakfast — someone can rent a room for months if they wanted. Additionally, he said that both employees and participants bring RVs to stay in during seasonal events, and the village cannot discriminate against employees living in RVs.
The ordinance also restricts
along with bounce houses, games and food to Acreage Community Park on Saturday, Nov. 14. The event will cover an area of more than three football fields and four baseball fields. Festivities begin at noon and last until 10 p.m. The event combines great
The Seminole Ridge High School ROTC will be helping with parking and the high school’s FACE Club will do face painting.
“Instead of giving the donations to somebody else, we’re keeping it here and with the high school for its programs,” Trepp said.
SRHS Project Graduation will receive a percentage of the sales from sodas and pizza. The pizza is being donated by local restaurateur Don Pascalli. “Anybody who buys pizza at the fall fest, a portion of that goes to support Project Grad,” Trepp said.
The Acreage/Loxahatchee Rotary Club and the SRHS Construction Academy also will participate.
equestrian amenities in clustered developments to use by owners and residents only. The board supported the more restrictive language on clustered developments, in which homes would be built on smaller lots and share equestrian amenities such as stables and pastures. It would restrict any commercial use of the amenities, Hodgkins said.
But board members opposed the clustered developments as they’re now allowed in the equestrian preserve.
Hodgkins explained that a 50acre land parcel could have 25 homes on 15 acres, with the remaining land for equestrian amenities. Each home would then be on one-third or half-acre lots. Outside of clustered developments, homes in the equestrian preserve are required to be on a minimum of two acres.
Currently, the rules allow for clustered developments only in the area between Lake Worth and Pierson Roads and South Shore Blvd. and 120th Avenue South. However, no one has built or applied to build a clustered development.
The Wellington Equestrian Committee voted to leave the density regulations for clustered developments as they exist, but de-
RPBHS ROYALS
During halftime at last Friday’s football game against Santaluces, Royal Palm Beach High School held its homecoming parade, followed by the crowning of the 2009 homecoming king and queen, Beau Jensen and Alexis Kane. On the field, the Wildcats lost to Santaluces 19-16 but still qualified for the
By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council, worried about paying too much for its tennis program, agreed Tuesday to try renegotiating its contract with tennis professional Tommy Cheatham and his company Cheatham Inc.
Additionally, the council directed village staff to solicit new tennis proposals and evaluate them by the end of the current budget year next September.
The village has contracted with Cheatham since opening the Wellington Tennis Center in 1999. The contract calls for Cheatham’s company to run the 16-court center. Cheatham provides management, lessons, programs and tournaments, earning nothing directly from the village, but profiting from daily fees, league fees, lessons and the pro shop.
But Wellington spends about $120,000 a year on maintenance and electricity at the tennis center. Under the new proposed contract, Cheatham Inc. would absorb the cost of a customer service employee, saving the village $57,000 annually.
The village has 90 days to renew the contract, which expired Sept. 30.
Alan Medoff, who sits on Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board, called the village’s contract with Cheatham “a sweetheart deal.”
“It’s like if you went to a land-
lord and said, ‘I’m going to rent this property from you for my business, but you’re going to pay for the electricity, Internet and all my supplies,’” he said. “Oh yeah, and you’re not paying him rent, and keeping 100 percent of the profits.”
Medoff urged the council not to renew the contract.
Councilman Matt Willhite said it seemed unfair that residents who are not members of the tennis center only have access to two of the courts. “Even if you’re a Wellington resident and a member, there is no guarantee there will be space for you to play,” he said.
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore explained that the two reserved courts are for walk-ins; however, every Wellington resident has access to all 16 courts.
Community Programs Director
Ivy Fivey said that the purpose of the reserved courts is so anyone can come pay a daily rate and play.
“For someone who might want to use the courts more, they can get a pass,” she said, adding that the center currently has approximately 300 year-round members and serves over 30,000 people annually, including tournaments. The council agreed that the tennis program was being run well by Cheatham, but Councilman Howard Coates proposed that the council try renegotiating the contract.
“This isn’t an issue of quality,” See TENNIS, page 20
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council ended its relationship with its youth baseball provider last week despite a room full of the group’s supporters telling the council the possible embezzlement by its former president had nothing to do with the rest of Royal Palm Beach Youth Baseball Inc.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, the council voted 4-1, with Councilman Fred Pinto dissenting, to seek another entity to provide youth baseball in Royal Palm Beach under more stringent guidelines. Royal Palm Beach is writing those guidelines for all its providers and will put out a request for proposals after the council approves the guidelines, possibly in December, Village Manager David Farber said.
The 100-plus crowd, mostly RPBYB members, asked the council to give the league a chance to reorganize and continue as the primary provider of youth baseball in Royal Palm Beach.
RPBYB board members informed village officials recently that they suspected former league president Michael Infante had written at least two checks to himself totaling at least $50,000. RPB officials brought in the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to investigate. Infante, who now lives out of state, has been cooperating with authorities and has not yet been charged with a crime.
Farber invited a reorganized RPBYB group to be one of the applicants once a request for new providers is issued.
“I see nothing from my perspective that would preclude the same group from being one of these ap-
plicants, or being a successful applicant, presuming they can reorganize,” he said. “It’s one thing to teach kids baseball; it’s another thing to run an organization and manage its funding. No doubt, these folks have the best of intentions, but instead of relying on a single individual to provide the leadership, it really needs to diversify leadership roles and have a series of checks and balances.”
Farber said there are other youth sports providers that might be interested in applying, including one that operates out of the county’s Seminole Palms Park.
“There are at least some other citizens who think that there’s a different way of doing this,” Farber said. “Given the totality of the situation, we are suggesting that this may be a good time to take a step back and open up the process one more time.”
The new guidelines will require that providers submit to more oversight from the village than what has existed, Mayor David Lodwick said.
“We become your partner because we maintain those fields, and we’re putting taxpayer dollars in to make sure that the facilities are right for your programming and all of our kids,” Lodwick said. “To me, there are two or three things that need to be in the agreement going forward. There needs to be a time limit on the provider, we need to be sure there is a review process, and we need to be sure there is a review process on financials.”
Pinto said he did not support the recommendation to remove the existing provider, but rather give
“There are many ways that the different groups can benefit by getting involved in these events, specifically the Acreage Fall Festival. I don’t charge non-profits to come out to the event. We have a 30-by-60-foot tent. I can fit 20plus non-profits in there, and I don’t fill it,” Trepp said, urging more area non-profits to get involved.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the New Beginnings Educational Foundation, a non-profit that Trepp started last year. It helps young adults in the western communities obtain their graduate equivalency diploma or
The villages of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach observed Veterans Day on Wednesday. (Above) Dignitaries parade from the Wellington Community Center to the Wellington Veterans Memorial. (Left inset) Bob Myers of American Legion Post 367 addresses the crowd in Royal Palm Beach. MORE PHOTOS, PAGES 7 & 20 PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER AND DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Marshall Foundation Celebrates Everglades At Wellington Benefit
“Jazz It Up! for the Everglades,” a benefit in support of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation’s Everglades education and outreach programs, was held Sunday, Nov. 8 at the original Wellington Mall.
Roberta Drey chaired the event, while County Commissioner Jess and Victoria Santamaria were honorary co-chairs. Sydelle Meyer and Joyce McLendon, Jewels of the Everglades, were recognized
with other sponsors, dignitaries and committee members by master of ceremonies Tim Byrd. A buffet dinner was catered by the Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant. Highlights included entertainment featuring the Palm Beach Central High School Jazz Ensemble and pianists Copeland Davis and Matt Savage. The second annual “Champions of the Everglades” awards were presented in three categories to
honor those who have made significant contributions to environmental issues. The 2009 honorees were former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria and the Everglades Coalition. The awards were created by Chris Riccardo of the Armory Arts Center.
“We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback from the 200 guests who attended,” said Nancy Marshall, president of the Mar-
shall Foundation. “Guests loved the charming venue, which set the tone for the evening, and included a total makeover of the mall into a New Orleans street scene. The jazz concert couldn’t have been better, the food and service outstanding and the garden items were the showcase of the auction.”
For additional information about the Marshall Foundation, call (561) 805-TREE or visit www.artmarshall.org.
Young pianist Matt Savage entertains the crowd.
Well-known jazz pianist Copeland Davis performs.
Norma Barbee and Norman Gitzen with his hand-forged steel and bronze alligator head, which was the “Jazz It Up!” logo.
Michelle, Jess and Victoria Santamaria, Jasmine Velez, Chris Santamaria, and Mary and Copeland Davis.
John Marshall (center) presents a Champion of the Everglades award to Tara Fain and Mark Perry of the Everglades Coalition.
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham accepts his Champion of the Everglades award from John Marshall as Tim Byrd looks on.
Don Baylor, Paul Rowan, Chef Guy Grass and Colin Jackson from the Gypsy’s Horse, which catered the entire successful event.
The Palm Beach Central High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of James Yaques.
(Left) Attendees dance to the music of Copeland Davis.
(Front row) Josette Kaufman, Charlotte Pelton and Sylvia Pelizza; (back row) Steve Kaufman, Tim Byrd, Alex and Luis Baglini, and Charles Pelizza.
County Commissioner Jess Santamaria accepts his award surrounded by Marshall Foundation board members.
Jess Santamaria with environmentalists Joanne Davis, Rosa Durando and Alex Larson.
Young volunteers at the silent auction.
John Marshall, Event Chair Roberta Drey, Nancy Marshall, and Victoria and Jess Santamaria.
Sheriff Ric and Dorothy Bradshaw with Sen. Bob Graham.
Event Chair Roberta Drey with Tim Byrd and Nancy Marshall.
Harry and Bobbi Horwich with Shelley and Bill Graham.
(Above) Ann Horwich Scholefield and Leslie Garcia-Furey.
(Front row) Peggy VanArman, Renee Rasha and Lee & Sherrill Disbury; (back row) Natalia Consigli, Joel VanArman and Newton & Jane Cook.
LGWCD Seeks Bids For D Road Canal Project
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors agreed Monday to proceed with a canal maintenance project on D Road from North Road to Okeechobee Blvd.
The project, paid for by the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, includes dredging and reshaping the canal and removing vegetation in the right of way, said District Administrator Clete Saunier as he asked the supervisors to approve a request for bid proposals.
The project should cost between $100,000 and $200,000, Saunier said. That’s less than the district has had to spend on other canal segments because this segment has no large trees, he noted.
“Vegetation removal should be done for a fairly small amount of money, especially in this economic situation,” Saunier said. “The competition should be fairly steep. In past projects, we have had 100foot-tall Australian pine trees for hundreds and hundreds of feet that had to be cleared out.”
Saunier said he wants the project to begin in January and be complete before May 2010 to avoid hurricane season. Property owners will be asked to allow the district to use the easternmost 20 feet of their property as a work area during the project.
“There’s a form they will be
asked to sign releasing the district and also guaranteeing that the district will go back and repair and replace anything to like or better condition,” Saunier said, explaining that district staff will put out survey stakes indicating the 20foot work area on residents’ property in case they need to set back fences temporarily. “It’s standard operating procedure we have used on past projects.”
Supervisor John Ryan asked whether water is removed from the canal during the project, and Saunier said he generally leaves that up to the contractor, although contractors have emptied the canal in segments in the past.
“They have to show me or prove to me that they have actually dredged the canal section out to the proper depth,” Saunier said. “Typically, the contractor will build dams out of dirt on each end for 300 feet or more and pump that water out and dredge that section out so I can view it. That’s one of the discussions I have with each of the interested bidders.”
Bids are to be received by Wednesday, Dec. 9, Saunier said, adding that there are usually two or three bids for the canal cleanup and a separate bid for dredging. A local property owner has won the dredging bid for many of the past projects, he noted.
In the past, the contractor had dredged a three-mile section for $25,000 to $30,000, Saunier said,
which he considers a reasonable price.
Ryan made a motion to approve the request for proposals, which was seconded by Supervisor Don Widing and carried 5-0.
In other business, the board agreed to ask residents along C Road whether to pave the road between Okeechobee Blvd. and Collecting Canal Road with open grade emulsified mix (OGEM).
Saunier said the property owners had submitted a petition in September with 43 signatures representing 233.6 acres or 62 percent of the total affected area. But his staff had been able to verify only 29 of the 43 signatures, representing 149 acres, or 40 percent. Many of the calls had not been returned, he said.
“We’re looking for direction on how you want us to proceed, whether you want a majority of acreage represented in this petition or would you like us to proceed to the next step,” he said. “In the past referendum processes, we went out and did a survey after calculating the cost over a 10-year period, asking the landowners, ‘Are you still interested in doing this?’ and have that survey come back to the board, upon which you would make a recommendation to move forward or not with a referendum vote.”
Supervisor Darlene Crawford said she favors going ahead with the approval process.
“I think there is a good representation of people who are interested, and we should allow the people to move forward with the chance to vote on it,” Crawford said, adding that she felt the property owners should have an opportunity to see how much it would cost them. “Other roads have had the opportunity.”
Ryan said he felt the presentation at workshops for prior road improvement proposals gave residents a chance to see the project and evaluate the costs, but there was not a clear majority in favor of those projects. Saunier noted that a clear majority emerged for those projects after the workshops.
For the C Road project, Saunier suggested sending the affected landowners a survey package outlining the expected cost of the project per acre over 10 years and having the results presented at a future meeting where the board would decide whether to put the C Road project to a formal referendum.
“The workshop meetings were essential for the other projects because we were all new to this,” Saunier said. “We’ve gotten a lot of public information out there now, and we know what the process is.”
Crawford made a motion for district staff to prepare a cost analysis and schedule a referendum. It was seconded by Ryan and carried 5-0.
Howard Coates Files To Keep Council Seat
Councilman Howard Coates Jr. announced plans this week to run for a full term on the Wellington Village Council.
Coates, 50, was appointed to Council Seat 3 in January to complete the term of Bob Margolis, who resigned to run for Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. A former Marine, Coates is an attorney with McDonald Hopkins. He is also a licensed real estate broker and Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator. Coates and his wife Cheri have been married for 27 years and have four children: Colby (23), Kelsey (21), Colton (15) and Cameron (11).
In addition to serving on the council, Coates is a member of the Wellington and Palms West chambers of commerce, the Wellington Rotary Club, a board member of the Wellington Boys & Girls Club and a member of the Palm Beach County Legal Aid Society Board of Trustees. Coates was a founding member of the Palms West Estate Planning Council and former chairman of the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Western Committee. He has also been an active youth baseball coach for 15 years.
“For the past year, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the village council,” Coates noted. “During that time, the council faced many challenges. But with hard work,
we were able to balance the budget without reducing essential services and keep taxes low. We will soon begin construction on the long-awaited village complex, which will centralize most of our departments and save the village about $500,000 per year. I look forward to continuing to serve our residents.”
Two Wellington council seats and the mayor’s post are up for election in 2010. Other announced candidates include Mayor Darell Bowen, who is
Howard Coates Jr.
RPBYB Embezzlement Mess A Wake-Up Call To All Rec Programs
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council made the tough but correct decision last week when it voted to cut its ties with Royal Palm Beach Youth Baseball Inc. in the wake of a scandal that has put the organization’s former president under investigation for embezzling $50,000 of the non-profit recreation league’s money. Once the financial mismanagement came to light, it left village officials with no choice but to wash their hands of the situation. Unfortunately, that means ending a ten-year relationship with the popular youth baseball provider.
During last week’s council meeting, representatives and supporters of RPBYB argued that the organization shouldn’t be faulted for the actions of one individual. Speaking for the majority of the council (with Councilman Fred Pinto dissenting), Mayor David Lodwick correctly pointed out that while it may have been one person’s misdeeds that put RPBYB in hot water, it was the organization’s lack of oversight that allowed those misdeeds to be carried out in the first place.
The council’s decision to open up the bidding process to new providers is a good way to start over. But it still leaves the village vulnerable to a similar situation in the future. Unless Royal Palm Beach does its own restructuring, giving the village more oversight of its provider agreements and demanding financial transparency, then it will continue to
Little Big Town Trouble In RPB
Thirty years ago when we moved to Royal Palm Beach, we felt like pioneers leaving the big little city of Greenacres behind us. We moved from a little city to a littler village, and loved it then and still do today. Unlike back in the earlier days, there is little reason to leave the area now. We have everything we could want in a tenmile radius, as well as some things we wish we didn’t have. I’m talking about the gang problem that has worked its way out to the western communities.
It’s hard to believe, but we do have a problem in the area. I’d read about some car break-ins, home robberies, shootings and fights, but they seemed more random and isolated rather than organized until it all hit too close to home. To wake up one morning and find out that almost one dozen cars had been broken into on one street during one night was alarming, to say the least. It seemed like any car left outside overnight was targeted. If it wasn’t for a few neighbors telling us about this, we would never have known. I find it quite amazing that there wasn’t any notification or warnings given by the sheriff’s office or the village to make us aware, so we could keep an eye out to report suspicious incidents or people milling around who didn’t live in the area. Then to make matters even worse, we had what looked to be a gang fight in the neighborhood just a few weeks later. I couldn’t believe it. In a matter of seconds, a group of about six teenagers jumped from their vehicles and attacked another group hanging out by a park. It was surreal to watch the fighting, wielding of sticks, rocks and stuff, some punches were thrown, big talk and bravado, and as quickly as it started, it was over, and the street was once again clear and quiet. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would have not believed it — and I would have never heard about it either because few saw it happen.
I still have no idea who in the neighborhood knows that it did. I
did hear that the sheriff’s office came out the night of the fight, but I didn’t see them then or after; though, the local officer I spoke with a few days later did tell me they would patrol the area more often.
I guess this kind of violence was bound to happen to us sooner or later, but when you have two major incidents happen so close together in the same basic area, and not to read or hear about it except from a few neighbors, is troubling to say the least. City officials need to do more to keep residents informed about everything that is going on in our city, not just tell us about the new parks, road beautification or the street corner art they commissioned for $100,000. From what I have seen of this art and heard from other residents about it, the money would have been better spent on funding projects designed to solve the peer problems that many of our local youth have to face on a daily basis.
Peter ReJune Royal Palm Beach
Sunsport
Gardens: Rocks Not From Us
It is my understanding that there are misconceptions in the community regarding large rocks in the North Road canal service road west of the entrance to Sunsport Gardens.
Sunsport Gardens fully supports equestrian use of the service road and had no part in the placement of the rocks. Sunsport Gardens has asked the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District to adjust the rocks to allow easy passage by horses.
Sunsport Gardens welcomes equestrians and has erected a hitching post for use while riders enjoy Sunsport Gardens’ many amenities including our fine restaurant.
Morley Schloss, President Sunsport Gardens Inc.
IG Draft Is Not ‘Independent’
Should the Palm Beach Coun-
have its credibility hang at the whim of others. There needs to be a system of checks and balances, both among the non-profit providers and with their relationship to the village, so all expenditures can be accounted for as they happen — not long after the fact, under the auspices of a legal investigation.
Despite the current bump in the road, RPBYB remains a well-liked organization whose volunteers are still of great value to the community. We hope the volunteers who have made the organization run will either join a new organization or rebuild their existing one. No one wants the volunteer base to go away. However, it was structurally flawed, and the village’s reliance on an outside group to provide its own oversight has led to the current crisis in confidence.
While this particular incident calls into question Royal Palm Beach’s policies, the same can be asked of other local governments. Let the alleged transgressions of one league president serve as a wake-up call for not only Royal Palm Beach, but also Wellington, Indian Trail, Palm Beach County or others. Each should take a look at their providers and their provider agreements to make sure there are mechanisms in place for monitoring the finances. Only then can we be sure this is an isolated problem, and not the tip of an iceberg.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
ty commissioners have veto power over the new inspector general? In the draft of the ordinance establishing an “independent” Office of Inspector General, there is the following statement: “The Office of Inspector General shall be sufficiently independent to assure that no interference or influence external to the Office of Inspector General adversely affects the independence and the objectivity of the Inspector General.” Why doesn’t it read, “will be totally independent?” I will tell you why, it’s because the seven Palm Beach County commissioners will have the following veto power over the inspector general:
• Selection — The selection of the inspector general must be confirmed by at least four members of the Palm Beach County Commission.
• Term — Upon expiration of the inspector general’s term, the commissioners, by majority vote of the members present, may reappoint the inspector general.
• Vacancy — In case of a vacancy, the commissioners will determine whether to confirm or reject the new selection.
• Contract — The contract must be approved by a majority of the commissioners.
• Financial Support and Budgeting — The inspector general’s budget request shall not be implemented until approved be the commissioners.
• Removal — The inspector general may be removed only for cause based on specified charges, upon the affirmative vote of five members of the Palm Beach County Commission.
Another ordinance is included in the plan to restore public confidence in government, a commission on ethics. The composition shall include seven members: a delegate from the State Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office, plus appointments from the president of the PBC Association of Chiefs of Police, the PBC Bar Association, the president of Florida Atlantic University, the president of Florida Institute of CPAs and the PBC League of Cities.
The ethics commission shall select the inspector general, and
be empowered to review, interpret, render advisory opinions and enforce the following: the Palm Beach County code of ethics, the Palm Beach County post-employment ordinance and the Palm Beach County lobbyist registration ordinance.
Now here is the rub. Why is it, with three former Palm Beach County commissioners sitting in jail, is the Palm Beach County Commission given the veto power of anything related to the inspector general? They should be totally hands-off. It makes a lot more sense to have the newly established commission of ethics have the watchdog responsibility. Morley Alperstein Wellington
Wellington Needs More Volunteer Coaches
As a volunteer coach in Wellington for many years, I would like to thank all our volunteer coaches out there. If it was not for us, we would not have a program for our kids. We are the backbone of the system and are never acknowledged by our village council or staff, sad but true. It seems they are to busy honoring others. In fact, we need more volunteer coaches. For the last two years, I’ve been coaching two teams back to back, along with some other coaches, which is not a problem. Plus, my daughter has not played in two years. We do it for the kids and parents who can’t be there, not for council or staff. Hats off to our volunteer coaches and thanks for helping our kids. See you next season, coaches. Bart Novack Wellington
Euell Responds Once Again
Editor’s note: The following is in response to Richard Nielsen’s letter published in the Oct. 30 Town-Crier Sir, the problem seems to be with you and some of your facts and half-facts. That was no cheap
shot re: Germany; that is a fact And with Cuba, can we forget Batista? He’s been gone over 50 years. You never mention Castro, a communist tyrannical dictator, and that’s why Cuba is in decay and Cubans risk their lives to escape. We are not the problem in Cuba, Mr. Nielsen. It’s no secret, and there is no argument that the Bay of Pigs failed because there was no air support. Kennedy changed his mind at the last minute because he was afraid the USSR would jump in. This is not what I read, this is what I remember!
As for the war Mr. Nielsen says we didn’t have to fight, one day we would have. Just like we’re going to have to fight Iran one day, and by then they’ll have nukes. And what about the war we are supposed to fight, in Afghanistan? Obama and all the Democrats say, and have been saying, we should be there. They’re doing a great job aren’t they? In October, they lost more men than in the last five years, given a one-month period. At least Bush won in Iraq. And when the Republicans left office, they left a strategy for the Democrats to follow; the Democrats said to keep it quiet at the time. It’s been in the news. And they’re not following it. You must have seen [former] Vice President Cheney talking about it.
And as far as joining other major industrialized nations, who? Europe? They’re in worse shape than we are, and that euro has been a disaster. It extends a lot further than just everyone using the same currency.
What other nations, Mr. Nielsen? Russia? China? All Europe is socialist. You are definitely an Obama man, continually putting
down the U.S., as does Obama. And that brings me to being afraid to say I am Republican. I can’t speak for the rest, but I am conservative, and will back any proAmerican conservative, Democrat or GOP. But right now, the GOP seems to be leaning in the right direction. Do you know the last Democrat to cut taxes, Mr. Nielsen? I do, it was President Kennedy! And with all the Democrats always promising, Clinton, both times he ran, did not. And remember, Mr. Nielsen, 55 million people voted against Obama, even with a weak candidate like John McCain, of which I am one! I believe he is a socialist and will become another Jimmy Carter. Just wait until inflation kicks in, and it will as long as these socialists keep printing money. Now the fact that we will never agree, I don’t think further replies are necessary, so let me leave you with what I think would save our economy: 1) cut all taxes by 10 percent forthwith; 2) keep the Bush tax cuts; 3) suspend the capital gains tax for at least one year, and then keep it at 15 percent; 4) give tax breaks to small businesses; and 5) cut spending! [Regarding] health care: 1) remove state limits on the purchase of health insurance; 2) eliminate the pre-existing condition clause; 3) tort reform; 4) make better Medicaid as a safety net for the poor; and 5) tax vouchers for those who have to purchase their own insurance. If these ideas don’t work, we can always modify or change it. Once government takes over, we’re done. There is no changing it.
Tom Euell Wellington
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This Good Gift-Giver Should Be Included In The White House Guest Log
Since the TV program
the airways
few
really haven’t been
track of the comings and goings at the White House. But
By Jules W. Rabin
the White House has released, in unprecedented fashion, the list of visitors during the first six months to the presidential mansion. So who is this guy Andy Stern who has been allowed in 22 times? He is president of the Service Employees Internation-
Zoners
Clustering Rules
continued from page 1 bated whether they should exist at all.
Cynthia Gardner, who was the original chair of the Equestrian Committee, said that clustering would endanger Wellington’s equestrian lifestyle.
“When we wrote the overlay district, we asked ourselves what would preserve the equestrian life-
blood,” she said. “Equestrians don’t want roads to be more than two lanes, fast traffic or clustered homes taking away from the rural feel.”
Clustered developments, she said, are just a way for developers to build in the equestrian preserve. Michael Whitlow, who serves on the Equestrian Committee, said that he voted in favor of clustering, but wished he hadn’t. He said he was concerned that clustered developments would bring more people into Wellington who don’t have an interest in horses.
al Union and widely acknowledged as President Obama’s top buddy in the labor movement. But worry not; the president was hardly short of business executive visitors, including the likes of Bill Gates, Rex Tillerson of Exxon/Mobil, Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs and Vikram Pandit, chairman of Citigroup. An interesting collection joining
the incoming parade included John Podesta (17 times), who headed the Obama transition operation, plus his brother and sister-in-law, both very highprofile Washington lobbyists. Let’s not forget our friends from the entertainment field: Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington and George Clooney.
Other visitors of note were Alan Greenspan, David Reilly of Chevron and Jeffrey Immelt of General Electric. Then there was Richard Trumka, new president of the AFL/ CIO, and Maurice Greenberg, who started AIG but was out of the picture when that firm almost went belly up. A couple of others we might wonder about were
Timothy Ryan of the Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association and Scott Talbot of the Financial Services Roundtable.
The White House plans to release its visitors list quarterly from now on. Will it be fun reading or “funny” reading? In any event, what about Jules Rabin? I give good gifts.
He cited the Equestrian Club as an example of a development where not all the homeowners have horses. “They just want to live in Wellington,” he said. Hodgkins explained that the Equestrian Club predates the overlay district, and under current regulations, a similar community could not be built in the equestrian preserve.
PZA Board Member Alan Medoff explained that when the Equestrian Club was proposed, it was to be a two-section project with highdensity homes on half-acre lots on
BUDJINSKI
one side, and a community facility to keep horses on the other side.
Medoff said that when the issue went to the council, the developer said he couldn’t make money with the development sectioned in two and needed to subdivide to five-acre lots, which the council approved. “I was perturbed that it was not how I envisioned the space being used,” he said.
Medoff said he supported clustering in general, but would not support it unless there was a communal area dedicated specifically to equestrian uses.
Hodgkins said that the additional language is intended to ensure that communal areas would only be used for residents and owners, so developers could not change the amenities.
Johnson said he was concerned that the developments would not have a minimum lot size, suggesting instead a minimum two-acre lot per house.
“There may be clusters that change the ambiance of the community,” he said. “If we have no minimum lot size, we could have half-acre lots and attract people to
Wellington who could then ask the council to put up signs saying ‘No Horses’ on their street. People move to an area and try to change it instead of adjusting to the area.” Johnson said that two-acre lots allow a home to have a stable and a pasture, and maintain an equestrian feel.
Medoff and Johnson said they wanted to ask the council to consider a minimum lot size for clustered developments, but ultimately approved the addition of the new language to the existing regulations.
BINKS FOREST HOSTS WELLINGTON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
DARELL BOWEN TALKS POLITICS WITH WELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
WHS Democratic Club President Evan Baumel and Republican Club co-presidents John Cassel and Jack Townsend.
PHOTOS
Mayor Darell Bowen
and Republican clubs. After Bowen spoke to the students, they recognized
some of what he and the Wellington Village Council had achieved during his
for the future in Wellington.
Mayor Darell Bowen explains how the village operates.
Mayor Darell Bowen with members of both clubs.
The 28th Annual Wellington Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic was held last Saturday at the Binks Forest Golf Club. Following the tournament was an awards ceremony, buffet luncheon and a silent auction. For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, visit www.bgcpbc.org.
First place winners Doug Santaniello, Frank Ferante, William Clinkscales and Charles Fall.
Tournament sponsor Gary Thomas of Builtx with Bronze sponsors Pat Evans of Illustrated Properties and Jim Bomar of B/E Aerospace.
Ed Portman with Lisa and Brian Jacobsen of Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
John Cruz, Bob Wilson, Matt LeConche and Tom Zuidema.Kevin Moore, Keith Riolino, Alan Cooke and Jonathan Moore.
Wellington Boys & Girls Club Vice President Victor Rivera is presented a check for $9,325 from the Florida League of Cities by Wellington Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore.
Burglaries, Thefts In Wellington, RPB And The Acreage
By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report
NOV. 3 — A Wellington woman’s vehicle was vandalized last Tuesday in an incident that is being investigated as a hate crime. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim contacted the PBSO substation in Wellington after discovering that her 2004 Buick Century had been vandalized while parked at the West Palm Beach nursing home where she works. Sometime between 9:10 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., someone carved swastikas and an anti-Semitic term into the victim’s car. The victim, who is Jewish, said she has had ongoing problems with several co-workers, but there were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.
NOV. 6 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a home in Bella Terra last Friday evening regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10 a.m. and 5:50 p.m., someone entered the victim’s home through a sliding glass door and stole a digital camera and two lenses valued at $2,000. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.
NOV. 6 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded to a home on 75th Lane North last Friday night regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8 and 10 p.m. the victim parked his car at the Regal Cinemas on State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach. He returned to his car to find a note with his license plate number written on it. When the victim arrived home, he noticed his license plate was gone. There was no surveillance video available, and there were no suspects at the time of the report.
NOV. 6 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home last Friday evening regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1 and 6 p.m., someone entered the victim’s home on Anhinga Drive through a sliding glass door and stole several pieces of jewelry. The stolen items were valued at approximately $1,050. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.
NOV. 6 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home on Regal Court last Friday evening in response a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., someone gained entrance to the victim’s patio through an unlocked gate and stole a Trek mountain bike. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.
NOV. 7 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road last Saturday evening regarding a delayed shoplifting complaint. According to a PBSO report, on Friday evening a Wal-Mart employee observed a black male and a white female steal a 26-inch flatscreen television by leaving
through a fire exit door. A loss prevention officer reviewed the surveillance video and confirmed that the suspects did not pay for the television. The employee provided the suspect’s license plate number, and the video was entered into evidence, but no arrests had been made at the time of the report. NOV. 7 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to the Mall at Wellington Green last Saturday evening regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked his 1996 Acura Integra outside the mall at approximately 5 p.m. and returned at 9:30 p.m. to find it was missing. He then contacted his mother, who said she did not have the vehicle. Mall security checked all the parking lots and video surveillance but could not find the car. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. NOV. 8 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded to a home on 42nd Road North last Sunday evening regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, between 11:30 p.m. last Saturday and 1 p.m. last Sunday, someone entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole a wallet containing a credit card, driver’s license and $45 in cash from the center console. The victim said he found his empty wallet in front of his neighbor’s house. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.
NOV. 8 — Two women were caught shoplifting from the Dillard’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green last Sunday evening. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to the store after 57-yearold Phyllis Mounds and 41-yearold Theresa Edwards of Boynton Beach took $477 in clothes and fled from the store. They resisted being taken into custody. According to the report, both women have a history of theft and were charged with felony retail theft and resisting a merchant. They were also banned from the mall for life by mall security. NOV. 9 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched on Monday to a vacant home on 63rd Place North in reference to a residential burglary. The complaint was made by a Realtor showing the property. According to a PBSO report, the home’s potential buyers had come by at approximately noon and discovered that the door leading from the garage to the house had been pried open and several appliances were missing. The Realtor noted that the appliances were in the home when he last visited three weeks prior. According to the report, there were large pry marks at the doorknob lock and the deadbolt lock. Missing from inside were a General Electric dishwasher ($250),
refrigerator ($799),
washing machine ($300) and GE clothes dryer ($200). The deputy made contact with the property owner, who said he would press charges if anyone is caught.
Sean Kingsley Thomas
VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH HOSTS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE
The Village of Royal Palm Beach held its annual Veterans Day Observance on Wednesday at Veterans Park. The Royal Palm Beach Community Band played patriotic songs and local veterans spoke in honor of military members past and present. Due to the recent tragedy at Fort Hood in Texas, a performance of “Taps” and a moment of silence were held instead of the gun salute. Refreshments prepared by Wild Orchids Café were served by Young At Heart Club volunteers.
Palms West Chamber Luncheon Features Equestrian Leaders
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Members of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce got an insider’s view of the equestrian industry at a Monday, Nov. 9 luncheon, including scheduled events, attendance forecasts and information about how local business people can reach the thousands of seasonal residents and visitors to the world-class equestrian facilities in Wellington.
Featured speakers were John Wash of International Polo Club Palm Beach and Mark Bellissimo of Wellington Equestrian Partners and Equestrian Sport Productions, owner and producer of the Winter Equestrian Festival. The luncheon was held at Bellissimo’s White Horse Tavern.
Wash gave attendees an overview of the 2010 polo season.
“Our season kicks off on Jan. 3 with our first event at the Interna-
tional Polo Club,” he said. “Believe it or not, it was 30 years ago right around this time that the first polo match was played in Wellington. The sport has been here for a long time. We hope to have it here for a long time. Our goal is to make the International Polo Club the permanent home of the U.S. Open. That’s what we are working on right now.”
Wash said that while everyone knows the financial impact of the equestrian industry in Wellington, he wants to increase that impact by getting more people to take advantage of what equestrian venues have to offer.
“Our goal and objective, at least at International Polo, is that we want people to come to Wellington and walk away knowing they have been somewhere,” he said.
Wash also focused on giving young and upcoming riders greater opportunities. Some of the rid-
Business Planning
Chamber President Carmine
with a certificate of appreciation for his support of the chamber’s recent sixweek Business Planning Academy.
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
ers, including Nacho Figueras, fresh off a visit with Oprah, serve as great role models. Although he has a reputation as a heartthrob, Figueras is idealistic and has worked with inner-city youth in Philadelphia, teaching them about horses, Wash said.
“Nacho has done so much for our sport and for our club,” he said. “We are looking to see what he can do for polo in Wellington.”
Wash added that area residents can expect to see a more outgoing, community-supportive equestrian industry.
“We try to support many of the social activities and fundraisers going on,” Wash said. “We’re involved with the South Florida Fair. One of the things we also try to do is utilize the land we have sitting out here. Eight months of the year, it is vacant. Hopefully, we can make that into revenue-producing income not only for us, but for the residents and business owners right here.”
One such attempt is IPC’s role in hosting the American Youth Soccer Organization’s national championships next year. “About 20,000 people will be coming to the area,” Wash said. “With everyone’s support, we can show them a great time and hopefully attract other businesses and organizations into the community.”
Wash concluded by showing a video highlighting IPC and some of its top players and polo personalities.
“All indications show that we are going to have a great year,” he said. “We have almost 31 teams signed up right now — almost double what we had last year, so it will be a good year.”
Bellissimo’s talk also focused on how he wants to partner with the community through equestrian events and activities. To that end, he is working to end the perception that equestrian activities are elite sports, not welcoming of outsiders from the community.
“There was the perception that this is an elite sport for the jumpers and an elite sport for polo,” Bellissimo said. “A lot of people
don’t identify with that, especially in these difficult times.”
Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, said that his group has put millions of dollars of investment into the community.
“Our partnership has invested about $230 million in the licensing and the infrastructure,” he said. “Last year, we spent $17 million just upgrading the facility… This is something that is a great opportunity for anyone in this room who has a business.”
Bellissimo noted his support for a riding academy for youngsters who cannot normally afford to ride and also his efforts to expand the reach of Wellington’s equestrian activities. The goal, he said, is to be able to expand the use of the facilities and to try to turn it into an almost year-round endeavor rather than something seasonal.
“Part of the challenge,” he said, “is to take it from two to three weeks to 12 weeks, and now turn it into three, four, five or seven months. Until the community supports these events, it’s hard for us to do that.”
One of the best ways to expand the season, Bellissimo said, is to bring in more types of equestrian sports — which is what he has done with the creation of the Palm Beach Steeplechase, set for Saturday, Nov. 28. Steeplechase events around the nation often bring out 20,000 spectators or more.
Steeplechase is a way to draw more people into the equestrian community, and also as an engine for the riding club, which will train younger riders and give them the hope to emulate the participants they see at the horse shows, Bellissimo said.
“Once it becomes profitable, we will take these resources and reinvest them within the community,” he said.
For more information about upcoming equestrian events, visit www.palmbeachsteeplechase.com, www.equestriansport.com or www.internationalpoloclub.com.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Eagle Scout Jordan Davis with mom Rhonda Ferrin-Davis.
U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corey Reece, with son Doug (a Sea Cadet training instructor) and Brayden (a Cub Scout).
Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster, Marge Herzog and Dolly Hughes.Veterans Joseph Murratti Jr. and Joseph Murratti Sr.
Rabbi Bertram Kieffer of Temple Beth Zion gives the invocation and salutes veterans.
Hunter Johnson and Chris Claridge meet veterans Leo Stanley and Joe Doogue.
Academy — Incoming Palms West
Priore III presents Bob Bloom
Mark Bellissimo John Wash
Whole Foods Event Helps Transplant Recipient
More than 100 people turned out last Sunday for a $5 brunch at Whole Foods Market in Wellington, with all of the proceeds going to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association in support of Belle Glade teen Skii Sumerall, who only weeks ago received a lifesaving liver transplant.
“We are so grateful to everyone who came out today,” Skii’s mother Landy Brown said. “Words can-
not express our gratitude.”
A total of $600 was raised, which will help Skii and her family with post-operative expenses. If anyone would like to organize a fundraising event for Skii and her family, call Wellington businessman Bill Underwood at (561) 267-2632. To make a donation to COTA on behalf of Skii, visit www. cotaforskiis.com.
DR. MILLER’S CANDY BUY-BACK A SUCCESS
Wellington dentist Dr. Steven Miller and his staff would like to thank everyone from the community who helped make the recent Halloween candy buy-back event a huge success. The sweet treats are being sent to military troops overseas. Dr. Miller’s office is located at 12788 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 2001. For more info., visit www.wellingtonsmiles.com. Pictured above are Mirada and Haley Boodheshwar.
ITID Agrees To Sem Pratt Widening Permit
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors agreed last week to withdraw its objections to a drainage permit, allowing Palm Beach County to widen Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. The Nov. 4 decision was made because the county has added plans for additional stormwater retention areas.
The board also discussed working more closely with the county on future projects so such water retention areas could be combined with recreation areas.
ITID Engineer Lisa Tropepe
Santamaria To Host Forum On Nov. 18
County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a community forum on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. center court in the original Wellington Mall, located at the southeast corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. Santamaria will be discussing a series of topics of his choice. Refreshments will be served. For more information about the community forum, call Santamaria’s office at (561) 355-6300.
WHS Dance Company Yard
Sale Nov. 21
The Wellington High School Dance Company will hold a yard sale on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 6:45 to 10 a.m. at the WHS bus loop. Funds will go toward purchasing costumes, paying for guest artists and attending the Florida Dance Education Organization’s Conference. For more information, call the main office at (561) 795-4900.
Next LGLA Meeting Nov. 19
The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd.).
The guest speakers for the evening will be representatives from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach
explained that the county had applied in September 2005 for a drainage permit for widening Seminole Pratt Whitney Road from two to four lanes from south of Okeechobee Blvd. to north of Sycamore Drive. Both ITID and the Seminole Improvement District, which provides drainage to the adjacent Callery-Judge Grove, objected to the permit issued by the South Florida Water Management District, Tropepe said. “The water management issues have been addressed, and there are now nine retention ponds in the plans,” she said.
County Fire-Rescue, who have been asked to give an overview of the types of services that are available during a time of crisis when their assistance may be needed. They have also been asked to discuss the response times that a person can expect when requesting assistance from either agency.
For more information, call LGLA President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.
Groves Garden Club To Meet Nov. 21
The Loxahatchee Groves Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves).
The guest speaker will be a representative from the Rare Fruit Council, who has been asked to speak about the many varieties of tropical fruit that can be found in South Florida. The representative has also been asked to discuss the benefits people can get by growing tropical fruit in their yards.
For more information, call Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.
Book Fair To Benefit WHS Band Nov. 21
The Wolverine Band Boosters Association, the support organization for the Wellington High School band, will host its third annual book fair on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Wellington.
Now that the plans have been updated, the SFWMD asked ITID to lift the objection so the project can move forward, she added.
Supervisor Mike Erickson told the Town-Crier this week that improvements have begun for Seminole Pratt Whitney Road between Southern and Okeechobee boulevards, adding that the new road section is scheduled to start and be finished in 2010.
At the meeting, Erickson made a motion to withdraw the district’s objection, which was seconded by Supervisor Ralph Bair. The motion carried 4-0 with Supervisor Carol Jacobs absent.
There will be music performances by WHS band members, as well as story time readings by the WHS Majorettes. Twenty percent of all designated purchases during the afternoon will be donated to the band program. Funds raised through the event will help band members raise money for music, festival entry fees and travel to their many performances. For more information, contact any WHS band member or parent, or Director of Bands Mary Oser at (561) 753-9444.
Children’s Holiday Fishing Classic Dec. 19
The 19th Annual Children’s Holiday Fishing Classic will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Wellington Community Center dock (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Families and friends are invited to come and see this free children’s fishing bonanza. The tournament starts with registration at 8 a.m. at the dock area, with the tournament to follow from 9 to 11 a.m. from the dock and the surrounding shore (no boats, please). Awards and “fish tales” will follow from 11 a.m. to noon. Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place based on the total weight of fish caught and released in each age group: six and under, seven to nine, 10 to 12 and 13 to 15. Rods and reels will be available for use, courtesy of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, an event co-sponsor. Bait is provided with live worms from Gander Mountain of Palm Beach Gardens and bread from
After the vote, Erickson said that in the future, he would like to see coordination of wet and dry retention areas between the county and ITID for possible parkland or other uses.
“It would be nice going forward if the county would work with us on the placement of some of these, instead of just going out and buying the properties and letting us know where they want to do it,” Erickson said. “We could have ended up with a wet retention next to Downers Park that could have been tied in, and you could have got something more like Coconut
See ITID, page 20
Publix in the Wellington Courtyard Shops. Trophies are courtesy of Visual Images. The fishing tackle award prizes and the many door prizes are provided through a donation from Lake Wellington Professional Centre and Gander Mountain. Each child entering will receive a free tackle gift from Gander Mountain. For more information, call (561) 753-2484, (561) 790-5124 or (561) 793-2675.
Wheels For Kids Holiday Trunk Show Nov. 21
Wheels for Kids will hold its inaugural Holiday Trunk Show on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the show will feature more than 40 vendors selling items such as designer clothing, handbags, skin care and jewelry. The event will also feature holiday performances by local students.
Wheels for Kids is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Denise Jungbert in honor of her daughter Ashlee, who has cerebral palsy. The organization was originally established to provide wheelchairs to handicapped children afflicted with cerebral palsy living in Palm Beach County who are financially unable to purchase them on their own and who do not qualify for public funding or other charitable sources.
Tickets for the trunk show cost $20. For more information, call (561) 577-3800 or visit www. wheelsforkids.org.
Skii Sumerall (second from the right) with siblings Sommer and Xavier, mother Landy Brown and Whole Foods’ Lauren Belinsky.
Toy and John Wash with Mayor Darell Bowen.
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Volunteers Madeline Blodgett and Aurora Bailey sell shirts.
The Wailers perform.
Gicela and Mo Mirzadeh enjoy the concert.
Jeff and Denise Landman with Marla and Bill Abraham.
The Wailers’ Chizzy with Kim and Sonny Martin.Anthony Watson signs and gives drumsticks to Shelly Reid. A kickoff fundraiser for Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen was held last Thursday at Nicole’s Pasta & Grill in Wellington. Friends and family members turned out to support Bowen’s campaign for a second term as mayor.
Toy Wash, Alison Bowen, Charles Kohlhepp and Sherry Bowen.
Mike Nelson, Katherine and Mark Bellissimo and Michael Stone.
A FUN AND FIT TIME AT THE WELLINGTON COMMUNITY FITNESS RUN/WALK
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER
Ashley Pickford, Taryn Lentz and Nina Mangiola.
A team of runners from Palm Beach Central High School.The Gaherty family enjoys the event.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 208 lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance before the race.
Joanna and Ben Boynton.
Ultima Fitness trainers provide entertainment.
Participants from Wellington Regional Medical Center.
Jessica Wittenbrink sings the national anthem.
Members of the Wellington Rotary Club.
And they’re off! Runners depart from Wellington Plaza.
Festival All Day
Saturday
continued from page 1 go to a technical school or obtain a college degree.
“I wanted a non-profit out here that we would be able to contribute to and keep the money in the community while helping the local youth and young adults further their education,” Trepp said.
Trepp said his goal is to keep costs low so the festival is a good value for residents. “We run all of this on a shoestring,” he said.
“That’s the only way that we can keep admission costs at $10 for adults and $5 for the kids.”
The festival will have a main stage with national, regional and local entertainment, and a second “All-Star” stage for local dance academies, school groups and amateur bands.
Entertainment begins on the main stage at 1 p.m.
“The first two groups on the main stage get 20 minutes each; it’s a little showcase set for each
of them,” Trepp said. “After that, starting at two o’clock, all the bands have a 40-minute set… It’s a lot of entertainment, but it’s scheduled real well. For $10, we give one heck of a variety of entertainment all day.”
Entertainment will include Bucky Covington, whose first album was a bestseller in 2007 with three hit singles: “A Different World,” “It’s Good to Be Us” and “I’ll Walk.” His second album, I’m Alright, includes the newly released single “Gotta Be Somebody.”
Steve Azar is known for the country hits “I Don’t Have to Be Me (’Til Monday)” and “Waitin’ on Joe.” The Trailer Choir, which gained notoriety on the Toby Keith tour, is known for its party anthem “Rockin’ the Beer Gut.”
Alabama native Tim Dugger is a singer-songwriter who began performing at the age of seven with his sister, singing gospel music. Dugger’s current album is Gettin’ There . His new single “Tennessee” is now being played on radio stations across the country.
Also returning to the Acreage Fall Festival are the popular Chili Chicks. Since getting their start at the Acreage Music & Chili Fest in 2008, they have performed with numerous artists, including Billy Currington, Lady Antebellum, the Trailer Choir, Carolina Rain, Dean Brody, Justin Moore, Halfway 2 Hazard and the Eli Young Band. The Chili Chicks are about to wrap up their 2009 tour, which took them from West Palm Beach to Tampa, Orlando, New York City, Charleston, Nashville, Mobile and beyond.
Other performers include Fort Lauderdale-based rock band Rough Shot featuring 12-year-old drumming prodigy Bryce Kretz; Casey Raines, who has performed at a variety of clubs and outdoor festivals and has been featured on Radio Disney; and 10-year-old Emily Brooke of Wellington, who won the 2009 Colgate Country Showdown.
In addition to monster talent, there will be monster vehicles, including the F-650, 7,000-horsepower monster jet truck “Street Legal,” the only street legal jet
truck in the world. The truck is powered by a supercharged piston engine under the hood, as well as an operational jet engine in the bed of the truck. There will also be a four-by-four display, swamp buggies and four-by-four golf carts.
Flow Bee Studios will provide karaoke for attendees to test their singing ability. Plus Home Healthcare will offer flu shots onsite for a charge. Costco, Sunbelt Rentals and Schumacher North Palm Beach are among top event sponsors, Trepp said. Also part of the event is a backyard barbecue contest for local entrants’ bragging rights. “It’s not a sanctioned event like our chili cookoff,” Trepp said. “Our backyard barbecue contest is for guys like you and me who live out here and go out and fire up their grill… It’s free to enter, and it’s a nice, neighborly, fun part of the event.” Plenty of food will be available for sale from vendors, including barbecue ribs, Trepp said. “We have hamburgers, hot dogs, elephant ears, cotton candy, snow cones, ice cream and coffee.
General admission is $10, $5 for children ages four to 10 and free for ages three and under. Active-duty military will also be admitted free. Acreage Community Park is
For
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Top national acts performing at the Acreage Fall Festival include Steve Azar (left) and Bucky Covington (right).
BOO BINGO EVENT AT PANTHER RUN ELEMENTARY
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Panther Run Elementary School PTA held its annual Boo Bingo event. It was a great success for all involved, with more than 300 Panther Run family members and friends in attendance, as well as some school alumni serving as volunteers.
SRHS Student Collects Books For Abused Children
Seminole Ridge High School junior Karlee Luaer wanted to make a difference in the lives of the children who have been victims of abuse in Palm Beach County. For this reason, she decided to provide them with books that would make them smile, learn and overcome past experiences. Luaer, along with the Palm Beach Diocese Council of Catholic Women, contacted friends, family members and people in the community and started a book collection. “The response from all my friends and family members was amazing and encouraging,” Luaer said. She was able to collect more than 500 books that were distributed around safe houses in the cit-
ies of Delray Beach and West Palm Beach. One shelter that they work closely with is ADVA (Against Domestic Violence and Abuse), a shelter for victims of domestic violence and abused children.
“I’m very thankful to all the people who collaborated in my efforts, especially my mom Jean Luaer for driving me around, and Mrs. Jean Waddington and Joanne Springer from the diocese,” Luaer said. In the future, she hopes to continue with this project and would like other students in the county to participate. She believes that everybody can make a difference and would like to see her project go national some day.
Jean Waddington, Karlee Luaer, Joanne Springer and Deborah Stewart.
Second graders Ashleigh Alfest, Olivia Bomar and Julie Miller.
Guidance counsler Joe Loverso, kindergarten teacher Amy Evans, first-grade teacher Sherrie Miller and kindergarten teacher Lisa Kenny show off their Halloween costumes.
Kendra and Katherine Howe with their parents.
Jesse Grillo, Shane Ploof and Dominque and Larissa Grillo.
PTA member and volunteer
Traci Bartick with daughters Blair, Kaylie and Jaden.
Seminole Ridge High School Hosting Annual Business Bash Nov. 19
Seminole Ridge High School
will host its annual Business Bash on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the school campus. Business owners and community organizations will have the opportunity to learn how the school can support their business, and in turn, how businesses can support the school.
The event begins at 5 p.m. in the gymnasium with a tour of academy, academic, fine arts and athletic displays from the classes, clubs and sports. A reception in the media center follows at 6 p.m., and the evening concludes with an academy program presentation at 6:45 p.m. in the auditorium.
Bash attendees are eligible to receive a 50-percent discount on front fence banner advertisements. For more event information, contact academy coordinator John Walker at (561) 422-2600 or walkerjo@palmbeach.k12.fl.us.
• Interact Wants Your Food
The SRHS Interact Club is sponsoring a food drive competition among the first hour classes until Monday, Nov. 23. The class with the most canned or boxed food
donated will win a doughnut party and a special teacher gift. Interact members assigned to each first hour classroom will count the food collected each Thursday and bring it to club sponsor Mrs. Katie Wright in Room 6-103. Students may also be able to earn community service hours in return for their food donations; check with individual first hour teachers regarding “donations for hours.”
• Blood Drive The SRHS National Honor Society and SECME students will host a blood drive on Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The theme “Give Blood, It’s Not Rocket Science!” spotlights students’ achievement in STEM classes (science, technology, engineering and math).
Florida’s Blood Centers will donate approximately $20 per unit of blood collected to the Scholarship Assistance Foundation to support tuition assistance for students attending colleges, universities, community colleges, institutions and technical centers. For every pint of blood donated, SECME students will launch a
New Horizons Marks Red Ribbon Week
Students at New Horizons Elementary School in Wellington celebrated Red Ribbon Week Oct. 26-30. The week was set aside to focus on lessons such as “Just Saying No to Drugs” and “Just Saying Yes to Making Good Choices.” On Monday, students dressed in red, white and blue because “good citizens elect to be drug-free.” On Tuesday, students wore crazy hats to say, “hats off to people who just say no to drugs.” On Wednesday, students wore crazy socks because they choose to “sock it to drugs.”
Throughout the day and evening on Thursday, the school celebrated “Just saying Yes to Books” as students, teachers and parents participated in reading activities. They dressed as their favorite book characters, listened to guest readers from the community, played “Book Bingo,” watched as classes presented “Reader’s Theater” and enjoyed reading together. The week concluded with students dressed in their favorite team shirts because “we have better things to do than drugs!”
water bottle rocket — a two-liter soda bottle filled with compressed air and water.
“Designing, building and flying a water bottle rocket ignites students’ minds with a real-world application of STEM,” SECME coordinator Erich Landstrom said.
To donate blood, students must be in good health, be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have turned in a signed parental consent form and present a photo ID. The quick and simple donation process includes registration, a health history survey, and blood pressure and iron level checks. A technician performs a brief medical screening to check blood pressure, pulse, and temperature and hemoglobin levels. This helps assure safe blood for patients, and also provides a quick check-up for donors. The entire process takes about 45 minutes, while the actual donation will only take about 10 minutes. Each donor also receives a free cholesterol screening.
For more information, contact NHS sponsor Shawna Ahmad at ahmadsh@palmbeach.k12.fl.us
• Fizzix Funday SRHS physics students will showcase their skills on Tuesday, Nov. 24, testing their “Fizzix Funday” research projects.
Students chose to either “drop it,” “build it” or “launch it,” creating the ideal container to protect an egg from a three-story drop, building the best roller coaster model or blasting off the ultimate water bottle rocket.
STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is America’s key to cultivating experts with the skills to create new “green” technologies. Responsible for a large portion of this nation’s economic growth over the past century, scientists and engineers are in the best position to solve the nation’s pressing challenges.
Want to know more about this annual event? Look for the “Fizzix Funday 2008” video on YouTube.
• Lord of the Rings A Seminole Ridge student is once again the winner of NASA’s annual “Cassini Scientist for a Day” essay contest. And once again, it’s
the same student. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory delivered the out-of-this-world congratulations to Hawk senior Anthony Bass, the first-ever essayist to win its contest twice.
“Cassini Scientist for a Day” challenges students to “become NASA scientists” studying the planet Saturn through the robotic spacecraft Cassini. Participants examine three target images taken by Cassini and choose the one they think will yield the best science, supporting their choice in a 500-word essay.
• Artists Share on Artsonia
SRHS 2-D art teacher Ms. Gwenn Seuling has teamed with Artsonia, the world’s largest online student art museum, to display her students’ artwork. View the school gallery by vising www.artsonia. com. Visitors can browse the gallery artwork by grade level or by specific exhibits. SRHS students have now joined thousands from more than 100 countries whose artwork is showcased on Artsonia. For more information, visit www. artsonia.com.
event.
Panther Run Students Recycle To Compete
Throughout the month of October, Panther Run Elementary School students participated in the Village of Wellington’s competition “Cash for Cans.” Wellington’s Citizens Volunteer Organization placed lined containers at the participating schools. Once the lined bags were full, the CVO collected them and replaced them throughout the month.
A school representative and a CVO member each signed forms stating how many full bags were collected. The school with the most cans won. The first place
school gets $500 cash, second place $300 and third place gets $200. The competition ran among elementary, middle and high schools in Wellington. A trophy will also be awarded to the winner for each of the three different categories (elementary school, middle school and high school). Panther Run competed against Wellington Elementary School.
Panther Run second grade teacher Susan Bryant was the school representative for the contest. She is the creator of the “Green Team” at the school.
WHS Student Makes All-State Concert Chorus
Wellington High School would like to congratulate sophomore Deborah Marcus. Marcus, a WHS chorus member, was recently accepted into the Florida Music Educators 2010 All-State Concert Chorus.
Marcus successfully completed two rounds of auditions and will be singing next January with the top vocalists from across Florida, performing works by composers such as Mozart, Bernstein and Purcell.
Fizzix Funday — Erich Landstrom and Ramiek Campbell on the launch pad during last year’s
Students dressed in red, white and blue for Red Ribbon Week.
Panther Run students C.J. Mills, Lauren Andres and Alyssa Foglia take part in Wellington’s recycling contest.
Kreitzman Honored For Helping At-Risk Children
When Eileen Kreitzman goes to work every day, she never knows what type of situation she’ll face — she is on the front line of protecting vulnerable children in Palm Beach County.
The Royal Palm Beach resident has spent the past 17 years as a dependency case manager (DCM), working with at-risk children who are either in foster care or living in home situations that require close monitoring, as mandated by the courts.
In recognition of her dedication to her profession — and to the young clients and their families she serves — Kreitzman recently received the Child Welfare Professional of the Quarter award from Child & Family Connections (CFC), Palm Beach County’s lead
agency for community-based care. The award spotlights exemplary staff who have demonstrated excellence and dedication to children and their families involved with the dependency case management system.
“Eileen has been an outstanding and amazing dependency case manager,” CFC Executive Director Judith Warren said. “Over the years she has gone above and beyond when it comes not only to helping the young people she works with, but also in helping mend and oftentimes reunify families.”
As a DCM with one of CFC’s partner agencies, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Kreitzman said she feels humble and honored. “I’m just doing my job,
but it is nice to get recognition for what I do, and I sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment,” she said.
Kreitzman not only spends time with some 20 at-risk children at her job, but comes home to her husband and two young girls of her own, which helps her focus on the importance of families. CFC congratulates Kreitzman on her accomplishments.
As the lead agency for community-based care in Palm Beach County, Child & Family Connections, a non-profit organization, is charged with management of the organization, enhancement, coordination and oversight of foster care and related services to ensure the safety and security of its children and families.
‘HAUNTED PADDOCK’ RETURNS TO THE PATA HOUSE
Wellington Honors Teens In Student Art Program
At a recent Wellington Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting, the Village of Wellington officially recognized 12 local high school students for their participation in the village’s Student Art Program, which is coordinated by the Wellington Art Society. The artists were introduced at the meeting and presented with certificates of appreciation by Wellington Art Society President Adrianne Hetherington. In addition, the students’ work will be on display through Jan. 13, 2010 on the lower level of the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Since its inception in 2006, the program has presented three exhibits per year of exceptional art-
work from students ranging in age from elementary through high school.
The Wellington Art Society coordinates the program for the village as part of its educational mission. Any student who would like to participate in future exhibitions, or any parents or teachers who are interested in helping as volunteers should contact the Wellington Art Society at (561) 784-7561.
The Wellington Art Society is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, providing both local and regional artists the platform to share their work, learn more about their craft and serve the community through their art. For more information, visit www. wellingtonartsociety.org.
Eileen Kreitzman with her award.
Teen Artists — Hailey Garrett, Marissa Ullman, Kayla Palma, Robert Costa, Andrea Padron and Daniel Bumgardner with Leonarda Mangiola (left) and Adrianne Hetherington (right) of the Wellington Art Society. Not pictured: Allison Parssi, Amanda Nascarella, Megan Byrne, Constantine Awad, Jessica Hardendoff and Brenda Rodriguez.
The Pata family hosted their fifth annual “Haunted Paddock” attraction Oct. 30 and 31 at their home in Wellington. Parents Maureen and John Pata and sons Anthony and John provided guests an evening of spooky backyard thrills. Pictured above, guests line up at the entrance (left) and make their way through one of the haunts (right).
PHOTOS BY TERRI MONAHAN
Wellington resident Keilly Pike (pictured above center) celebrated her 16th birthday with the Florida Atlantic University women’s softball team. The Lady Owls are participating in the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation in which teams from colleges and universities from around the country adopt a young person battling cancer. Pike, a sophomore at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, is battling a brain tumor and recently returned from two months of treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Army Reserve Pvt. Thomas Trentman has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla.
During the nine weeks of training, Trentman studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.
Trentman is the son of Nancy Lamont of Loxahatchee and is a 2008 graduate of Seminole Ridge High School.
Matthew Calloway
Vincent Capo
Three Graduate Air Force Training
Air Force airmen Matthew Calloway, Aric Shott and Vincent Capo recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The airmen completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force
core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate’s degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force.
Calloway is the son of Christopher and Deborah Calloway of
GROVES CERT LEADER SPEAKS
Wellington and a 2009 graduate of Palm Beach Central High School. Shott is the son of Richard Shott of Wellington and a 2009 graduate of Wellington High School. Capo is the son of Esteban and Elizabeth Capo of Wellington and a 2009 graduate of Palm Beach Central High School.
TO AUXILIARY
UNIT
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 President Marge Herzog invited the Loxahatchee Groves CERT leader Ken Johnson to speak to Auxiliary members at their monthly meeting on Nov. 2. Members of the unit were interested in learning more about the CERT program because it is now one of the many community activities that the National American Legion Auxiliary has asked its members to get involved with. Johnson made it clear that there would be plenty of things that almost anyone could do to offer help during an emergency. He explained how the CERT program involves training for all members so that they gain an understanding of what will be expected when they are called to action. The CERT members are trained to assist if called upon during a natural disaster. Some CERT groups, such the Loxahatchee Groves group, have become points of distribution locations to be activated during a pandemic. For more info., call Johnson at (561) 793-0188. Pictured left are Johnson and Herzog.
A FESTIVAL OF HEALTHY, FUN ACTIVITIES!
Featured speaker, Dr. Matthew Symons of Symons Family Chiropractic Center leads a talk entitled, “Achieving Maximum Health in Your Golden Years.” Friday, November 20th • 10:00–11:30a.m.
• Dance Lessons & Performance
Complimentary Massages
PLUS Gift Card & Gift Basket Giveaways! In Nordstrom Wing, Lower Level
Professional Shoe Fittings & Gait Analysis
FREE Continental Breakfast
Terrain Membership is FREE!
Aric Shott
PARADE, CEREMONY MARK VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE IN WELLINGTON
The Village of Wellington held its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, beginning with a parade that kicked off at the Wellington Community Center and ended at Veterans Park at the corner of South Shore Blvd. and Forest Hill Blvd. Following the parade, a number of dignitaries spoke. Chief among the speakers’ comments were the recent deaths in Fort Hood, Texas. The ceremony also included remarks from Rev. Jeff Stanford of Wellington’s First Baptist Church, singing from vocalist Lou Galterio, a laying of wreaths in recognition of veterans, a gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”
Ivy Fivey and County Commissioner Jess Santamaria with a
New Legal Agency Aims To Save State Money On Hiring Lawyers
When Gov. Charlie Crist made initial appointments to the five Offices of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel back in 2007, Phil Massa of Baywinds was chosen to head up the Fourth District.
Massa’s office, which opened in January 2008 in downtown West Palm Beach, is one of five coinciding with each of the five appellate districts in the state.
The agency’s mission is to provide representation to indigent citizens in criminal and civil cases that the public defender’s office cannot handle due to ethical conflicts, Massa explained. The state saves money because it doesn’t have to contract with private firms.
Massa and Crist’s other four appointments were the result of Senate Bill 1088, which created the Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.
“Prior to the agency being created, these cases went to the private bar, and the costs were rising to well over $100 million a year,”
Tennis Will Solicit New Bids
continued from page 1 he said. “This is an issue of cost.”
Priore was concerned because the council hasn’t asked to negotiate with other programs in the village. “As far as I know, we don’t tell the soccer program that we want more money,” he said. Many other rec programs in the village are run by non-profit organizations, which only charge fees to cover operational costs, Mayor Darell Bowen noted.
Several council members agreed that the village has the right to know what profit Cheatham is making each year from the tennis center, and Bowen suggested the
Baseball RPBYB Dropped
continued from page 1 them the opportunity to reorganize.
“By virtue of the fact that we are going to get from the staff a new set of recommendations on additional control components that we should include in contract providers, we are going to ask all providers to adhere to that,” he said. “We don’t really know whether there are issues with the other groups that we have contracts with, so to single out this group because of a bump in the road, I think is inappropriate and precipitous.”
Pinto noted that he is a parent and a coach with RPBYB and has an inside view of the organization.
“This is a wonderful program,” he said. “This program is about moms and dads who contribute their skills and talent and passions free of charge. This is totally volunteer.” Pinto asked that RPBYB be given a time frame to demonstrate that they have made appropriate
said. “It was not becoming cost effective.”
Before the agency was formed, in cases where the public defender had a conflict, such as in cases with co-defendants, one defendant would have gotten representation from a private attorney, Massa said. The private attorney would represent the client and send a bill to the Justice Administrative Commission. Florida is one of several states that has recently implemented conflict agencies, Massa said.
“We had our first fiscal year 2008-09 and we’re saving on preliminary calculations $2.5 million to $3 million a year,” Massa said. “Those are our calculations just for this district. The other districts are doing similar savings or more.”
The operating budget is $39 million for the offices statewide and about $7 million for District 4. Although some cases are still referred to the private attorney registry, about 80 percent remain inhouse, Massa said. Recently, Massa said, they did a case count for the number of cases that his office has handled. From the time of his appointment
village put out a request for proposals to see if other companies might offer the village a better deal. “We can put something out there that says we have a 16-court facility and see what bids we get,” he said.
However, Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto worried that Cheatham had already hired employees for the year and began selling year-round memberships. Willhite agreed and suggested renewing the contract through September 2010, instead of the proposed 18 months, while the village researches other options.
Village Manager Paul Schofield said that it would take months to request and evaluate proposals, but that the village could continue the contract on a month-tomonth basis.
corrections in how the league is administered.
But RPBYB as a corporation may continue to have issues, Farber said.
“There is some dirty laundry out there that could put that corporation in a less-than-positive light,” he said. “Don’t take this as a personal issue. It has to do with your legal entity. There is a board of directors that has obligations to see that certain checks and balances are in place. Royal Palm Beach Youth Baseball Inc., just like a person in the face of the law, has legal issues, and it may be in your collective interest to start over.”
Farber thanked members of the organization’s board for coming forward with the information about Infante.
“They came to village staff and cooperated in every fashion,” Farber said. “There should never be a suggestion that, by this action, the folks involved are not of the highest character and honest, committed citizens.”
During public comment, newly appointed RPBYB President Scott Houk asked that the council reconsider withdrawing the working relationship with the league and allow the league to demon-
in 2007 to the present, the office has handled more than 15,000 cases. Statewide, the agency handled more than 66,000 cases.
Before joining the Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Massa was with the Attorney General’s Office in Fort Lauderdale. He served under current Attorney General Bill McCollum, as well as Crist when he was attorney general.
“Prior to that, I had my own private law practice for 11 years where I did almost exclusively criminal law,” Massa said.
Massa said he was intrigued by the challenge of starting a new state agency from the ground up.
“I also believe that people are entitled to quality representation, and I also believe that the taxpayers are entitled to state agencies being fiscally sound,” he said.
Massa has a staff of 63 employees for District 4, with 20 in the West Palm Beach office. The district covers six counties: Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Broward.
“We’re still in the process of building the office,” Massa said. “It’s a major undertaking. It’s a big
The council decided to try renegotiating with Cheatham for this year’s contract and evaluate other proposals by the end of the fiscal year.
In other business, the council agreed to give some preference to companies from the western communities as the village revises its purchasing manual.
Under the revisions, local companies would be given priority for village contracts. If a local company was not the low bidder, but came within five percent of the price, the council would give that company the opportunity to adjust its price.
Additionally, the revisions would institute a policy for tiebreakers, such as choosing companies with a drug-free work place, or even a coin toss if two
strate that it has effectively reorganized.
“While our organization recognizes the severity of the situation at hand, all indications are that this is the action of one individual,” Houk said, explaining that the league is continuing its own internal investigation as well as cooperating fully with the village and the PBSO.
Houk said the league is in the process of putting in tighter controls, amending its bylaws and establishing semiannual audits.
Richard Valuntas, who chairs the village’s Recreation Advisory Board, said he was shocked to learn that the village has no oversight in the financial matters of the youth sports providers.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea to advertise,” Valuntas said, adding that he felt the current provider should also have the opportunity to reapply.
Darrell Lange, who is a member of the village’s Planning & Zoning Commission, said he is proud to be an RPBYB coach and volunteer. “I think this is a rush to condemn the league,” he said.
“I’m proud that we have people on teams from other municipalities who are eager to participate.
agency, and I believe it’s the first time an agency of this size has been built from scratch in several decades.”
Over the past year, Massa’s office has litigated 15 death penalty cases at a significant savings to the state. “In a lot of those, the death penalty has been waived,” he said. “The death penalty cases are significantly expensive, and we’ve managed to handle those at a reasonable cost. We’ve done any type of felony, capital felony, capital sexual batteries, armed robberies, prison release re-offender cases, 10-20-life cases; we’ve represented every type of felony you can imagine.”
But assisting the public defender in conflict cases is only one part of the agency’s mission.
“On the civil side, we represent fractured families,” Massa said. “We do a lot of dependency cases. We do guardianship cases. We represent the elderly. We represent single moms. Those are very hard issues. I have a good team on board. These people are very dedicated. It’s more than law. You get very involved with the lives of the families.”
companies bid equally.
Priore said he thought that the village should break up the bidding process into two parts so it’s not focused only on price.
Coates said he was in favor of deciding on a company’s price and other qualifications “in one fell swoop” in order to save money.
“In the ten months that I’ve served, I’ve seen money flowing out of the village that should go to residents,” he said. “I don’t want to prioritize local companies and have residents lose more from the surrounding communities.”
Coates said he was concerned that other communities might institute a policy to penalize Wellington contractors if the village chose to accept bids only from local companies.
“We have to broaden our idea
You cannot condemn them after 10 years.”
But Lodwick said the league’s problem is larger than one person.
“I’ve got to be straight with you because I always have been,” he said. “You talk about, ‘it’s the fault of one person’ — it was the fault of the board. One person did it; there wasn’t the oversight in place that I know must be there.”
Lodwick said he felt the village is compelled to open bids to any interested youth sports provider.
“I’m going to support making sure we have the right group to do it,” he said. “I’m not telling you you’re not the right group. I’m telling you that you need to deal with your issues. It’s not a shot at you, but make sure you get it reformed so your board is accountable to your organization. With our new rules, I know we’ll have the public better protected.”
Councilwoman Martha Webster made a motion to withdraw RPBYB’s sport provider recognition and solicit for youth baseball providers, clarifying that a reorganized RPBYB could also submit a proposal. The motion was seconded by Councilman David Swift and passed 4-1 with Pinto opposed.
of local companies,” he said. “I think we should define the boundaries to the western communities.”
Benacquisto said she, too, was wary of using only Wellington companies. “Let’s face it, there aren’t a lot of big businesses in Wellington,” she said.
Priore was concerned that if the village gave priority to local companies, outside companies might not even bid.
“Some of these companies pay thousands of dollars just to draw up a bid,” he said.
Willhite said that the village should take into account a company’s qualifications as well as price. “If they have a good history, and we know they’ll give us a good product, that’s better than focusing on the low bid and getting a bad product that we might have to rebuild in two years,” he said.
Ultimately, the council decided
continued from page 8 Park with a health trail around it.
I’d like our staff as we go forward to start looking at those options as a possibility.”
Erickson said he feels that there is potential for such discussions during the next phase of widening from 60th Street North to Northlake Blvd., especially along the north end where the district does not have as many parks.
ITID Engineer Keith Jackson said that there might be an opportunity to put together an agreement for land along that stretch.
“There has been some discussion about whether these ponds are OK,” Jackson said. “If that’s something you want to look at in advance, I can certainly bring that to you.”
Erickson said he would like to meet with county representatives to discuss retention areas planned on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road along the curve between 60th
to institute a two-tiered policy that would focus on qualifications and give additional points to local companies and those who plan to subcontract to companies in Wellington. The second tier will deal with price. The council defined “local” to mean from Okeechobee Blvd. to Lantana Road and from Florida’s Turnpike to the western county line. A second provision would allow the village to retain a bid bond from any company that withdraws a bid proposal on a bid exceeding $25,000. A bid bond is money submitted by a company when it makes a bid proposal, generally five percent of the total project. The council agreed that there should be penalties for companies that do not come through with the proposal.
“It’s a big deal to pull back and not perform on a bid,” Coates said.
Street North and Orange Blvd.
The county plans call for retention areas on the northwest corner of 61st Place North, the southwest corner of 64th Place North, an area west of the terminus of Tangerine Blvd., north of 66th Court North and south of 68th Street North. Erickson said discussion should also begin for improvements north of Orange Blvd. “I know once we start looking at design on Northlake, there is serious potential for a 10-acre park around a lake area,” he said. Most of the retention areas are one-acre plots, and Erickson said he would like to see some of the areas combined to create a larger water feature.
Jackson said the county has been cooperative in previous discussions about changes to road plans, including redesigning the median openings. The original plan would have closed every other intersection, but ITID officials reworked it so it coordinated better with through roads.
“It’s amazing when you work with the county what you can accomplish,” Erickson said.
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Councilman Matt Willhite’s son Luke and mother Mary.
Wellington’s
wreath.
Members of American Legion Post 390.
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen with Regis and Tom Wenham.
Cub Scouts from Pack 123.
Local officials stop for a moment of silence.
State Rep. Joe Abruzzo with veteran David Knapp.
By Carol Porter and Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Massa
Phil Massa, Fourth District director of the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.
It’s Not Your Ordinary Trail Ride Experience
Sandi Johnson of Sandi Trails is all about giving her customers what they want, as long as what they want is an upscale, enjoyable trail ride, the kind she used to enjoy as a child.
SEE ELLEN ROSENBERG’S COLUMN, PAGE 25
Huge Crowds Expected At Third Annual SalsaFest
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend Palm Beach County’s spiciest event, SalsaFest, on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Greenacres Community Park, located on Jog Road just north of 10th Avenue North. Gates open at 11 a.m., and the festivities will continue until 10 p.m. SEE PREVIEW, PAGE 30
BUSINESS
Shoe Authority: Fashion, Comfort And Hands-On Service In Wellington
When Bob and Roz Miller opened a store in the Wellington Marketplace in November 2007, they called it “Shoe Authority.” The name was no exaggeration. Between the two of them, the Millers have more than 85 years of experience in the shoe business. They moved here in 2003 after they sold off a string of Pittsburgh-area shoe stores they owned and operated for 50 years. Page 33
Spor ts
RPB Heads To Playoffs Despite 19-16 Loss
Despite losing the district title to Santaluces High School last Friday night, the Royal Palm Beach High School varsity football team will advance to the playoffs as the district runner-up. Both teams fought hard during the game, bringing the contest into overtime. Santaluces clinched the win 19-16 with a final touchdown. Page 39
Sandi Trails: It’s Not Your Ordinary Trail Ride Experience
Sandi Johnson of Sandi Trails is all about giving her customers what they want, as long as what they want is an upscale, enjoyable trail ride, the kind she used to enjoy as a child, before everything got bulldozed and paved. This avid trail rider was born in Minnesota. Her family moved to South Florida when she was four. A few years later, she got Susie, her first pony.
“Susie was a saint, the love of my life,” Sandi recalled. “I rode her all over, bareback, sometimes down to the 7-Eleven store to get a soda. She always took care of me, and she’s the model for the horses I have now. I always measure them up against Susie, because she was the horse everyone wanted to ride.”
Today, Sandi has 15 horses, all rescues, which she keeps on a private farm in Jupiter Farms. She said her trail rides are not your normal nose-to-tail affair where you feel sorry for the often too-thin, unkempt hacks who appear to stand around saddled up all day long and go out on ride after ride.
“My horses are my family,” she said. “And we go out on wilderness trails. There hasn’t been something like this since the stables in Jonathan Dickinson Park closed 20 years ago. I offer high-quality trail rides.”
Sandi began her business in 2007. She also runs school-break camps for kids and does cowboy/cowgirl-themed birthday parties. All of her trail rides are booked in advance, and she personally leads each ride and tacks up each horse. She has a knack for matching her riders with just the right horse. Some of her clients are adults with fear issues, and she
Tales From The Trails
By Ellen Rosenberg
knows just how to help them get past that. Her demeanor is warm and welcoming, and she’s ready to answer whatever questions people have if it will help them learn and grow.
“My horses are a real herd,” Sandi said. “They function as a cohesive team. They live together and really get along well. They all know each other very well. So if a rider isn’t too experienced and lets his horse run into another horse’s butt, there’s no kicking or bucking. Safety is a major concern.”
When Sandi accepts a rescue horse, it has to meet her strict criteria to become sweet, safe, kind and able to deal with inexperienced riders. In exchange, she offers these horses a permanent home. She doesn’t turn around and resell them. They have security and a job, which she said is what horses really want. Trail riding keeps them fit and in shape, and keeps their minds working so they don’t become sour or bored. She uses gentle methods to retrain her horses and won’t tolerate cruelty or roughness.
Sandi’s lead horse, the one she rides, is a critical component of each trail ride. Her horse
has to have a high status rank in the herd, so the others will naturally follow. It has to be spook-proof and a horse she can count on to remain calm, especially if there’s some sort of emergency. She also sometimes needs to “pony” another horse from her horse — lead another horse on a lead line, for the rider’s safety.
Sandi plans the rides carefully, keeping in mind the riders’ abilities and how adventurous they want the trail to be. Her rides last from 90 minutes to three and half hours. Some rides are just around the neighborhood, and for others, she trailers out to Jonathan Dickinson State Park or natural areas such as Dupuis or Atlantic Ridge. She can accommodate up to ten riders and will mix groups only if she’s checked with them in advance and received permission.
“I won’t mix experienced riders with beginners unless that’s what the riders want,” she said. “We always ride to the ability of the least experienced rider in the group.”
Some riders enjoy a leisurely stroll through the woods with an occasional trot, while others are more gung-ho and want to do long gallops. Sandi wants people to enjoy their experience and feel as if they got their money’s worth. Her busiest time is between November and April. She gets many people from out of state who are here on vacation. She has ponies for children who are at least eight years old,
and horses that can put up with anything from less experienced riders.
“My clients don’t have to be perfect riders,” she said. “My horses are very forgiving and will ignore a lot while remaining calm and just going along. I meet a lot of really nice, interesting people. When people are really novices, I coach them along and demonstrate, so they get to improve by the time the ride is over.”
Sandi is proud that she can show people areas of Florida that appear almost untouched.
“The wooded trail rides allow people to see what Florida was like before the bulldozers came,” she said. “We go through cypress swamps and piney woods. It’s so beautiful and peaceful, you can’t help but be refreshed.”
For more information, call Sandi Trails at (561) 373-3952 or visit www.sanditrails.com.
A Sandi Trails trail ride in action.
Less Fun And Whimsy In My Holiday Shopping Nowadays
During all the years they were growing up, my children accepted whatever they got for Christmas with a smile. Even as teenagers, when they unwrapped out-of-date legwarmers, bell-bottom jeans and too-big sweaters in hideous colors, they would smile wryly and say, “Thank you, Mom.” They were polite Now, as adults, they’re still polite, but they’re leaving nothing to chance.
Charlie makes out a list in his signature handwriting — so small and precise that one needs a magnifying glass to make it out. This list generally is comprised of books. I run down to Barnes & Noble and hand them the list, and we’re done.
Jenny sends me an e-mail complete with web sites, product numbers and the dates that offers expire on free shipping. You’d think I’d be happy about this, that ordering online would eliminate impulse buying and be easier on my feet. Not so.
I don’t spend all day at my computer, so I
is The Sonic BOOMER
have to make an appointment with it for web browsing. And the impulse buying is actually worse. Scrolling down through ads, departments and links, I am easily drawn to items I don’t need and nobody wants. The only thing missing is a nearby shopper to hear me exclaim, “Aw-w-w, that’s cute!”
And my feet may have gotten a break, but my popo is tired instead. Too much sitting!
Still, I try to be a good mom and to get my kids things they want for the holidays. I visited Barnes & Noble this morning, and this
afternoon, began my online shopping for Jenny.
The first thing she wanted was an herb keeper. She was part of a farmers’ co-op this year, and that meant a refrigerator full of fresh food at all times. But keeping some of it fresh was hard when there were new crops coming in every week. Unfortunately, she saw this herb keeper in a fall catalog, and now the store is on to their winter catalog. It took me three attempts, but I found it. I was willing to pay anything for it — and I did. I could’ve bought her a lifetime supply of herbs instead. But we’re not going to go there.
The second thing she wanted was a CD. Sounds simple, right? No. My kids always have to have music recorded by some underground artist from the U.K. or somewhere whose name is recognizable only to speakers of Swahili. Unbelievably, I found this CD. I was so ecstatic I felt like I was finally able to put a pony under the Christmas tree.
The third thing she wanted (and I realize the timing is off on this, but we Welkys are in our own little time/space continuum) was a set of table-size decorative Indians for a Thanksgiving party she’s already planning for 2010. You’d think with over a year to prepare, I could locate a tribe. I typed in “Indians,” “Native Americans” and even “victors over Gen. George Armstrong Custer” to no avail. Oh, Indians popped up all right, but they weren’t cute Indians. I was so frustrated I was ready to fall on my tomahawk, but then I found them. Disastrously, the company was out of the matching Pilgrims. What good mom gives her child Indians without Pilgrims? I went offline and called the company. They told me they were already out of the Pilgrims. Noooooooooooo! And then, a pause. Miraculously, the woman on the end of the phone line actually found one set that was unaccounted for.
Yay! The magic of the holidays lives on.
New Series ‘V’ Features Great Special Effects And More
The new television series V is clearly an instant hit. It had more viewers than any other new TV series that was not a spinoff this year. It is one of those series that grabs you by the throat and demands you watch. Of course, that is just the first episode. Can the series continue on this kind of track? Many shows are brilliant at the start. Both Lost and Heroes won plaudits for their originality, but both were unable to keep the excitement going past one season.
The series, sort of a remake of a 1983 miniseries by the same name, begins brilliantly. A whole group of characters are carrying on with their normal lives when enormous space ships carrying aliens appear over 29 cities. An image of Anna (Morena Baccarin), the leader of the aliens, appears on the bottom of the ships and asks for water and some common resource for her people, the Visitors. Anna promises friendship and ultra-modern technology in exchange for resources before they move on.
The first few minutes of the series hooked me. The characters all seem reasonably
By Leonard Wechsler Deborah Welky
‘I’ On CULTURE
drawn, and the potential for confrontation is exciting. A small group of people, categorized by others as being paranoiac, are concerned about the real goals of the Visitors. FBI Agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell), originally skeptical, discovers that the aliens have infiltrated both terrorist organizations and government agencies for years and joins a small resistance along with a skeptical priest (Joel Gretsch) and an alien who has gone over to the humans’ side (Morris Chestnut).
The controversy already has begun, because the aliens, in their attempt to win over the people, use words and phrases like “hope” and “change,” which some critics feel is a slap
the Obama Administration. Since the idea for the series is the 1935 novel It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis, some of the criticism is at least a bit over the top. In Lewis’ book, President Buzz Windrip takes power by promising the people what they want and then betraying them. Ironically, an over-sensitivity to criticism is one of the major themes of the book, a warning about the rise of Fascism buried in a cult of personality worship.
The original sci-fi series reflected its time with a deep suspicion of science as well as a nod to fear of the Nazi regime. Some critics back then thought it was critical of Ronald Reagan, often accused by political opponents of using his personality to his advantage.
In today’s polarized America, some critics already have demanded changes in the series (freedom of speech, anyone?) and, frighteningly, already have won. The original producers have suddenly been replaced. Now that is something Buzz Windrip could certainly understand. He found a way to get rid of troublesome critics as well.
Complaints have also been made that the
series condemns the current administration because of the sub-plot of the indoctrination of young people by the Visitors. Since that element was used both in the original series and the book, the current political critics have probably over-stepped again. Obviously, any movement would try to win over the young. What I find scariest is how a series about meeting space aliens that has basically avoided even showing politicians becomes an argument about politics. All good science fiction reflects its own times.
Critics like Keith Olbermann are convinced V is somehow a reflection of “paranoia by tea party goers” might remember that the paranoiacs in this show are actually right. But the people who watch the show are more interested in good entertainment than in political posturing. There was plenty of both subtle and open criticism of the Bush Administration for eight years on TV, and it was accepted. That is what freedom of speech is about. My advice? Watch the show as long as it stays interesting. If the politics gets too strong, the public will punish it.
Paying My Taxes Early Offers A Better Deal Than The Bank
Times must really be bad if the Palm Beach County Tax Collector can give me a better deal on my money than the banks in Palm Beach County can. What am I talking about, you ask?
The Tax Collector has given me an offer I can’t refuse. According to the Tax Collector’s Office, if I pay my real estate tax during the month of November, I will get a 4 percent discount off of my tax bill. In past years, when banks were paying over 4 percent interest on Money Market accounts and CDs, the 4 percent discount wasn’t that appealing to me. But nowadays, with local banks paying less than 2 percent interest on FDIC investments made for a year or less, the Tax Collector, it turns out, has the best and safest deal in town. As I rushed over to the Tax Collector’s office in Royal Palm Beach, I expected to see lines out the door with folks happy to hand over their hard-earned money to the tax man.
Wondering & Wandering
By Ernie Zimmerman
Boy was I wrong. As I pulled into the parking lot, I expected to have trouble finding a parking spot. To my surprise, there was only one other car in the parking lot. And of course, there were no lines of folks pouring out of the front entrance of the building.
The first thought that went through my mind was that maybe the office was closed. As I approached the front door of the building, I was sure I would find a sign informing me that the Tax Collector’s Office had moved.
Sure enough, there was a sign on the front door, but it wasn’t for the Tax Collector’s Office. It was a sign telling me that the Property Appraiser’s Office had moved. Once inside the building, I found my way to the Tax Collector’s Office. Once again, at first glance I thought the office was closed. At first I didn’t see anyone inside. As I went to pull the office door to open it, much to my surprise, the door opened (I expected it to be locked). Once inside, I was able to see at least eight people working behind the counter. None had customers to serve. As I approached the sign-in counter, I was trying to figure out why I was the only non-employee there. I felt like I was having a dream, and I was a star in a Twilight Zone show. The young lady at the check-in counter took my name and said someone would call me. I asked her how long it would take before I was called. With a straight face, she told me I was lucky
that today’s waiting time was less then 30 minutes. I figured the wait time quote must be a joke, and it was. Before I could walk away from the check-in counter, I heard my name being called.
The Tax Collector’s Office has several ways you can pay your tax bill. You can show up in person like I did, you can mail in your payment, or you can pay through the computer. If you pay through the computer, you can pay with a credit card. So as I tried to present my credit card, the nice young lady behind the counter told me “no can do.” Cash or check only. I couldn’t believe my ears. No credit cards allowed if you pay in person? I told the clerk this has to be some sort of discrimination, but I was assured it was not.
As I left the office, I actually was in a good mood. After all, how many times in one’s life can you get a better deal paying taxes than you can at a bank?
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Huge Crowds Expected At Third Annual SalsaFest Nov. 21
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend Palm Beach County’s spiciest event, SalsaFest, on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Greenacres Community Park, located on Jog Road just north of 10th Avenue North. Gates open at 11 a.m., and the festivities will continue until 10 p.m.
SalsaFest is produced by the Palms West Chamber of Commerce. In its third year, the event will heat things up with three worldrenowned salsa musical acts, including headliner Rey Ruiz (8:30 p.m.) and Puerto Rican international sensations Lalo Rodriquez (6:30 p.m.) and Anthony Cruz (5 p.m.).
• Rey Ruiz — Born in Havana, Cuba, Ruiz demonstrated an early interest in becoming a salsa singer and was often showcased on Cuban television. Ruiz performed in the well-known group Cabaret Tropicana. During a tour in the Dominican Republic, Ruiz defected. It took Ruiz three years after he arrived in the United States for him to release his first album, the self-titled Rey Ruiz, produced by Sony Records. The album also earned Ruiz a number of awards including “Salsa Singer of the Year” with hits “No Me Acostumbro” and “Amiga.” Ruiz’s initial success as a singer translated into small screen success as well, as he was hired by Pepsi, Miller Beer and Sony to film commercials. In 1993, Ruiz released his second album, Mi Media Mitad (My Other Half), featuring “Si Te Preguntan” (“If They Ask You”), a large hit in the U.S. that gave him his second platinum album and a special performance at Madison Square Garden. Ruiz’s success continued with each album release. In 2008, Ruiz fulfilled a lifelong dream by performing onstage at the
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami with some of his closest musical colleagues, including Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval. Ruiz’s latest album is topping the charts. He is sure to be a great closer for the main stage at SalsaFest.
• Lalo Rodriguez — Rodriguez, a two-time Grammy Award winner with five Grammy nominations was born in Puerto Rico. In 1988, he jumped on the Salsa Romántica bandwagon and achieved massive success with the chart-topping and Grammy-nominated album Un Nuevo Despertaron; it was still riding high in the Billboard Salsa Top 10 in mid-1989. The track “Ven Devórame Otra Vez” (“Come and Devour Me Again”) was a smash hit during the summer of 1988. It was the first release to sell more than a million records in Spain alone. Rodriguez and Eddie Santiago (2008 SalsaFest performer) were special attractions at the annual New York Salsa Festival — a traditional gathering of the year’s best artists at Madison Square Garden. In 1990, Rodriguez was involved in music industry press speculation about multinational labels poaching top Salsa Romántica stars.
• Anthony Cruz — Salsa vocalist Cruz was born in New Jersey, footsteps away from the simmering New York salsa scene. As a child of five, Cruz distinguished himself via talent shows and competitions as a sonero to watch. He began working shortly thereafter, singing with Pedro Conga y Su Orquesta Internacional, as well as singing sessions for Roberto Lugo, Pedro Arroyo and Mario Ortiz, to name a few. He was signed to the label Musical Productions, releasing his solo debut album Algo Nuevo (Something New) in
1990. The disc went gold, generating radio hits such as “Si Supieras” and “Tu Traicion.” Cruz’s third selftitled release featured the popular song “Cuanto Te Amo” (“How Much I Love You”) getting him back on the charts. One of few artists who has stayed with one label for the majority of his recording career, Cruz released two more records with Musical Productions: Un Nuevo Amanecer (A New Day) in 2002 and Para Mi Gente (For My People) in 2007. The former generated a good deal of radio play through 2003 and 2004 with songs such as “Que Bombon” and “Ven.”
In addition to the music, SalsaFest has something for everyone searching to add a little spice to their weekend. Appearances by costume characters, Chihuahua races (3 p.m.), bounce houses, a dominoes competition (1 p.m.), a battle of the bands competition, safety fair and business expo will round out the flavor of the spicy Latin festival.
Back for the third straight year is the Sizzling Salsa Cooking lineup,
which includes La Cucina de Niños (the Kids Kitchen, 11:15 a.m.), competitions by young chefs from the Palm Beach County School District (2:30 p.m.) and salsa cooking demonstrations (4 p.m.). The fiery competition peaks as the event features the mayors of Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Greenacres, Loxahatchee Groves and the president of Indian Trail Improvement District in the Sizzling Salsa Caliente Showdown (1:30 p.m.). Loxahatchee Groves Mayor David Browning will have the opportunity to defend his “Best Salsa” title in the cookoff.
This year’s event was made possible by the generous support of Honorary Chair Dr. Jose Ortega through Palms Wellington Surgical Center, the Center for Bone & Joint Surgery and Optimal Wellness.
“Not only do we have Grammynominated and award-winning acts, this Hispanic-targeted festival provides an opportunity for business owners who are searching for creative ways to improve their bottom
line by expanding their reach into the community we all serve,” Ortega said.
Royal Palm Toyota General Manager Ira Greenbaum has also been extremely supportive of SalsaFest.
“Our Hispanic advertising efforts during the last few years have helped to penetrate that growing segment of the community,” Greenbaum said. “SalsaFest puts us face to face with our customers and allows us to give back to the community.”
Admission to SalsaFest is $10 for adults and free for children seven and under; a family four-pack is available for $30. Advance tickets are available for purchase for $8 (a savings of $2 per individual ticket) at Havana Restaurant, El Bodegon and online at www.salsafest.net.
A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to the City of Greenacres Department of Leisure Services to support its award-winning youth programs for underprivileged children in the community.
C-PAL To Present Gold Coast Dance Band Nov. 15 In RPB
The Crestwood Performing Arts League (C-PAL) will hold the first concert of its 2009-10 season, featuring the Gold Coast Dance Band at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way) on Sunday, Nov. 15.
The concert will feature a 16piece band and vocalist playing swing era and popular music selections. The band is composed of professional musicians who have performed with great big bands including Charlie Spivak, Guy Lombardo and Tito Puente.
Tickets for all concerts this season are $15 for adults, while student admission is free. Tickets go on sale at 3 p.m. the day of the show,
with performances beginning at 4 p.m.
Further performances in C-PAL’s 2009-10 season include:
• Sunday, Jan. 24 — The Coastmen Chorus of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society will bring a unique form of a four-part a capella harmony to the stage.
• Sunday, Feb. 21 — Hot Latin Rhythms features a Tropicana-style review that highlights the heritage, culture and pulsating rhythms of that famous Latin sound. They will also salute some of South Florida’s favorite Latin recording artists.
• Sunday, March 21 — Two shows featuring pianist Al Carmen
Guastafeste and Rene Casey will entertain audiences. Guastafeste has performed throughout the United States and abroad as a piano soloist and guest artist with orchestras and symphonic bands. He will perform pops, jazz and classical pieces. Casey comes direct from Las Vegas and will entertain with songs from a variety of musical shows and productions.
C-PAL is a non-profit organization that has provided quality performances for citizens of all ages for 27 years.
Concerts are subject to change without notice. For more information, call (561) 798-0627 or (561) 793-2984.
The Gold Coast Dance Band
Anthony Cruz
Lalo R Lalo R Rodríguez odríguez odríguez odríguez odríguezRey Ruiz
Shoe Authority owners Roz and Bob Miller
Shoe Authority: Fashion, Comfort And Hands-On Service In Wellington
When Bob and Roz Miller opened a store in the Wellington Marketplace in November 2007, they called it “Shoe Authority.” The name was no exaggeration. Between the two of them, the Millers have more than 85 years of experience in the shoe business. The couple moved to the western communities in 2003 after they sold off a string of Pittsburgharea shoe stores they owned and operated for 50 years.
The Millers’ goal was not much different than many other successful northeastern businesspeople — retire, move to South Florida and play golf every day.
It was not long, however, before they grew tired of teeing it up on a daily basis. They returned to work part time in a Boynton Beach shoe store, and after they grew even more restless, began to scout around for a location to open a store of their own. “We did a lot of demographic research and everything pointed to Wellington,” they said.
Sticklers for details, the Millers looked at 17 locations around the Wellington area before settling on the Wellington Marketplace location.
The store features an eclectic inventory that includes popular shoe brands such as MBT, Naot, Merrell, Fly Flot, Helle Comfort, Aravon, Sofft, Spring Step, Dezario, Minnetonka, Sebago, P.G. Lites, Drew, Brooks, New Balance and Florsheim for men and women. Special orders are gladly taken and handled promptly.
Fitting is the lifeblood of the business. “Our motto is fashion comfort,” Roz said. “Our approach is very hands-on.”
The Millers explained how they measure each customer’s feet with a system called IStep that provides a digital printout of each foot. “It shows all the pressure points of the feet and any deformities,” Roz said. “It shows your arch condition and recommends what kind of arch should be used.”
The Millers do some orthotic work in house, but work such as custom arches are done by orthotic specialists.
“I do not tolerate what I call halfway measures when it comes to taking care of somebody’s feet,” Roz said. “We are very particular. We do not prescribe without a prescription. If we think someone has a problem, we will send them to medical people.”
The Millers said most Shoe Authority customers are looking for personal service, fit, comfort and fashion. “We are not shoe droppers,” Roz said. “We do not drop a shoe on the floor and see if it fits. We sit down and measure your feet — each of them — and find out your shoe size.”
The Millers noted that their referrals from doctors and physical therapists are increasing daily, but most of their business has been from people happy to find someone who can fit them with the proper size and width footwear.
Shoe Authority is located at 13857 Wellington Trace, Suite D-2 in the Wellington Marketplace. Store hours are 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
For more information about the Shoe Authority in Wellington, call Roz or Bob Miller at (561) 333-0334.
RPB Moms Create Instructional Product For Developing Infants
Babies don’t come home with a manual. That’s why Caroline Epstein and Carrie Garramone, two stay-athome mothers from Royal Palm Beach, have created a playtime experience that enhances infant cognitive, emotional, social and physical development during the first year.
Bee Minor LLC presents Time to Play Baby, a packaged kit that contains an instructional DVD with 10 toys for more than 90 minutes of
developmental play. The kit includes six interactive play sessions broken down into three age groups, 70 guided activities and over 25 chants, songs and rhymes.
Time to Play Baby provides the flexibility and convenience of instructional classes brought home for all family lifestyles and schedules.
“Early infant development is the key to creating a solid foundation for optimal brain growth,” said Epstein, who
has a master’s degree in education. “Time to Play Baby sets the cornerstone for future building blocks.”
Time to Play Baby provides a year’s worth of activities saving the consumer hundreds of dollars.
“Time to Play Baby helps families save money, time and stress,” Garramone said. “It is never too early to start investing in a child’s future.”
Bee Minor LLC was formed to enable all families
to partake in educational infant classes during the most important year of their child’s development. Early infant education is an important part in developing a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth. It’s never too early to start investing in a child’s future.
For more information about Time to Play Baby or Bee Minor, call (800) 6103435, e-mail info@beeminor. com or visit www.timetoplay baby.com.
Tobacco Costs: Don’t Let Your Financial Future Go Up In Smoke
The impact of smoking on your health is well documented. But experts at Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast know that it can also wreak havoc on a person’s financial health. Whether it’s helping people struggling with credit card debt or trying to avoid foreclosure, counselors find that tobacco use adds a significant amount to monthly household expen-
ditures, and they advise consumers to consider reducing or quitting smoking to save money.
A pack-a-day smoker spending an average of $5.15 per pack could save $1,879 per year by quitting smoking. These funds could be used to cover living expenses, reduce household debt or start a savings plan. Invested in a basic savings plan paying just three-percent interest, you would have in excess of
$21,000 after 10 years. Over 30 years, that figure climbs to more than $91,000.
“Quitting smoking is good for more than just your physical health,” CCCS President Jessica Cecere said. “Reducing or eliminating tobacco use can significantly increase the amount of money consumers have to use to pay off outstanding debt.”
This year’s Great American Smokeout is Nov. 19, but any day is a good day to give
up smoking. Here are some incentives:
• Increased Employment Opportunities and Productivity — Some employers have begun hiring only nonsmoking employees or instituting “no smoking” policies in an effort to reduce overall healthcare costs and increase productivity.
• Reduced Healthcare and Insurance Costs — Nonsmokers often enjoy lower health and life insurance pre-
miums and general healthcare costs than smokers. Many states have enacted similar policies for smokers, including higher deductibles and increased co-pay rates. Average life insurance premiums for smokers can be double that of non-smokers. Non-smokers may also be eligible for discounts on homeowners’ insurance premiums.
• Decreasing Values on Assets — According to Car-
max, a used vehicle owned by a smoker will narrow the market of potential buyers and can result in lower tradein or resale values than comparable vehicles owned by non-smokers. General maintenance costs on a home are higher for smokers, and a home that has been smoked in can be harder to sell. For more information about CCCS, call (800-330CCCS) or visit www.cccsinc. org.
Carrie Garramone and Caroline Epstein
New Book Serves As Area Shopping Guide
Where are the best consignment, thrift and vintage stores in Palm Beach County? Many shoppers in this economy want to know. And a new book covering all resale shops from Boca Raton to Tequesta — including some in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach — answers that question.
The $12.95 paperback Bargain Shopping in Palm Beach County: 199 Consignment, Thrift & Vintage Shops, written by Palm Beach resident Paulette Cooper Noble, includes detailed descriptions of stores ranging from highend women’s consignment shops to rock-bottom thrifts. Included in the 137-page
book are money-saving coupons to over 50 of the stores, along with descriptions of the shops featuring resale women, men and children’s clothes and accessories, affordable antiques, jewelry, furniture, gifts, etc., plus store outlets, special sales and more. There are walking/ driving tours of eight shop-
ping areas, and not only are the stores described, but so are their price ranges, sale information, where nearby (similar) stores and restaurants are located, and more.
Bargain Shopping in Palm Beach County is available at selected shops throughout the county and at www.shopping inpalmbeach.com.
Mobberley NPBC Chamber Woman Of The Year
The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Nancy Mobberley of the Financial Investment Network has been honored as 2009 Woman of the Year through its Women in Business Council.
“The chamber is proud to provide Nancy with this distinguished award,” President & CEO Nicole Christian said.
“Her lengthy dedication of leadership and service to the north county business community exemplify the qualities of an individual that is worthy of this award.”
Mobberley has been in the
financial services industry for 30 years and opened her own practice, Financial Investment Network, more than 10 years ago. She has been a certified financial planner for 19 years.
Mobberley is an active member of the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and has been for nine years. She is a former trustee and serves on the Small Business Membership Council and the Women in Business Steering Council. Mobberley is very active in the community and is on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm
Beach County and Gulfstream Goodwill Industries. Mobberley is also on the advisory board for First Southern Bank.
Mobberley founded Business to Business for Women, an organization that brings female professionals and business owners together to form relationships for betterment of themselves and for the community. She is also a member of Professional Women’s Network, another organization that brings together women to network.
Mobberley resides in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband David and their two
fluffy “children,” Saylor and Irwin.
For more information on the chamber, visit www.npb chamber.com.
County Clerk Issues Warning About RecordRetrieval Companies
Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock is urging residents to be wary of solicitations from private companies possibly charging too much for copies of records. The effort, which appears to be resurfacing after about a year’s hiatus, comes in the form of an official-looking letter advertising the importance of citizens having certified copies of their records, such as property deeds.
“In the past, some residents have paid for the services of these companies and never received their certified documents,” Bock said. “It’s also important for the public to know that copies of these records can often be obtained from our office for a few dollars or free — not the excessive $40 to $60 these companies charge.”
So far, there have been no reports of solicitations here in Palm Beach County. However, the Collier County Clerk
reported that residents recently received letters from Florida Record Retrieval Inc., a company based in Plantation.
“Historically, if the offer appears in one part of Florida, we’ll see it here, too,” Bock said.
Copies of deeds, mortgages, liens, courts judgments, marriage licenses and other public records are available from the Clerk & Comptroller’s office for $1 per page and can be certified for an additional $2. Uncertified copies may be downloaded and printed for free by using the official records search on the clerk’s web site at www. mypalmbeachclerk.com.
As the county recorder and custodian of legal records, the clerk maintains and ensures the integrity of the Official Record Books of Palm Beach County dating back to 1909. For information on receiving copies of your public records, call the Records Services Center at (561) 355-2976.
Nancy Mobberley
RPB Heads To Playoffs Despite 19-16 Loss To Santaluces
By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report
Despite losing the district title to Santaluces High School last Friday night, the Royal Palm Beach High School varsity football team will advance to the playoffs as the district runner-up.
Both teams fought hard during the Nov. 6 game, bringing the contest into overtime. Ultimately, it was Santaluces who took the district title, clinching the win 19-16 with a final touchdown.
Early in the game, the Wildcats fumbled a kick return in their own end zone. Tayshawn Martinez recovered the ball for a Chiefs’ touchdown. A successful kick by John Hilaire put Santaluces in the lead 7-0. It would be the only score for the remainder of the first half.
Both teams appeared gridlocked on the field as the ball was repeatedly turned over, with minimal advancement in either direction. With 11 seconds left in the half, Chiefs linebacker Artez Fulton intercepted a pass from Wildcat quarterback Malcolm Pendergrass, but was unable to capitalize on the turnover before the whistle.
The next score came with 7:19 left in the third quarter. The Chiefs sat on the Wildcat 20 yard line when quarterback Justin Patterson ran in another touchdown, bringing the score to 13-0
But minutes later, the Wildcats responded with a 13-yard touchdown by Javonti Greene, putting RPBHS on the scoreboard 13-6.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jarrod Dangerfield jumped to intercept a pass, turning the ball back over to the Wildcats. Greene capitalized on the turnover and ran in a touchdown with about eight minutes left in the
The Wildcats and Chiefs square off for the district championship.
game. An extra-point kick tied the score 13-13.
Minutes later, Darrel Felder intercepted another pass on the Wildcats own 12 yard line, but the team was unable to score.
With 3:44 left in the game, Santaluces attempted a 44-yard field goal, but the kick was unsuccessful.
On their next possession, the Chiefs lost the ball when Roland Baptiste grabbed a third interception for the Wildcats with 1:30 left in the game. The Wildcats drove the ball 26 yards, missing a field-goal attempt with just 21 seconds left.
The score remained tied at the end of the game, sending the contest into
overtime. Both teams were given an opportunity to score from the 10 yard line.
Royal Palm Beach won the coin toss and scored a 25-yard field goal, making the score 16-13. However, on the Chiefs’ second attempt, Jerrod Lacy cut up the middle of the field through the Wildcats’ defense to score the winning touchdown.
The Wildcats host Seminole Ridge High School on Friday, Nov. 13 to conclude the regular season. Post-season begins the week of Nov. 20, when the Wildcats will travel to Bayside High School in Palm Bay for the district playoffs.
The history says it all. With previous blowout victories of 31-6, 40-7 and 62-6, Seminole Ridge High School’s varsity football teams have dominated Wellington High School’s in recent years. As 24 Hawk seniors were introduced to the crowd last Friday night, and with countless cars honking their horns in support, Wellington’s fate did not look encouraging.
The Hawks not only defeated the visiting Wolverines, but did so in another lopsided manner, with the final score 36-10. Hawk quarterback Hayden Collier threw three touchdown passes, two of which were caught by Jeacky Charles. For the Wolverines, the defense prevented a greater loss with three interceptions.
The pounding started early with the Hawks’ opening possession. In less than four minutes, Seminole Ridge put together a touchdown drive, capped off by a touchdown run by Gary Holmes. To that, the Hawks added insult to
Wolverine Watch
By Josh Hyber
injury by successfully converting a two-point conversion. Wellington Head Coach Chris Romano, however, did not hold it against the Hawks, saying it was a “good move.”
With six minutes left in the quarter, a 72yard screen pass from Collier to Charles pulled the lead to 15-0. As Seminole Ridge traveled down the field again, Wellington senior Erich Davis intercepted a pass thrown near the sideline. Two long runs from seniors Mike Garafine and Ken Konn set up a Wolverine field-goal attempt. Junior Nick Brew-
er nailed the 42-yarder to put Wellington on the board. “I wish it was farther because I easily had it from 50 [yards], even though there was a lot of wind,” Brewer said.
The score at the end of the first quarter was Seminole Ridge 15, Wellington 3.
With just 42 seconds remaining in the half, the Hawks secured their already strong lead with another Gary Holmes touchdown run. This brought the score to 22-3 at the half.
The point spread increased in the second half. Again, the Hawks scored a touchdown just four minutes in, even though Wellington had the ball to start the quarter. The play, a pass from Collier to Javian Wrisper, pulled the lead to 26 points, 29-3.
As the Hawks were ready to add to their lead, Wolverine senior Brian Pupo came up with his second interception of the night. Pupo perfectly judged a slant pass just inside the five yard line to prevent a Hawks passing
touchdown. (For the record, I predicted a Pupo interception before the play.)
In the fourth and final frame, both teams scored touchdowns. Jeacky Charles scored first for Seminole Ridge on a catch. With just 3:47 remaining, Wellington senior Mike Garafine ran a two-yard touchdown run to get the Wolverines in double digits. The final seconds rolled off the clock with the Hawks having the ball, and a 36-10 Hawks victory.
The win brought the Hawks’ record to 6-3, and the Wolverines’ to 4-5. “We just have to focus on this week and Suncoast,” Wolverine senior quarterback Brett Alfredson said. “The fact that it’s our Senior Night all the seniors should come out pretty fired up.”
“We’re preparing hard and are going to be ready,” sophomore Tyler Vanacore added.
Seminole Ridge travels to Royal Palm Beach on Friday, Nov. 13 to conclude its season. Also on Friday, Nov. 13, the Wolverines host Suncoast High School.
PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRO/TOWN-CRIER
(Above and below) Wildcat Javonti Greene runs around the Santaluces defense.
WLMS Softball Girls County Champions
The Wellington Landings Middle School girls softball team had a goal this season — to win the county championship. With a total of 17 players on the roster, including a powerhouse of eight eighth graders, the team displayed outstanding talent and great heart. Through hard work and determination, they captured the county championship with a perfect 13-0 season.
The Lady Gators played 10 regular season games in which they were undefeated to secure first place in the Western Division. With a total of six divisions in Palm Beach County, only the top two teams with the best record in each division advance to the county finals. The Lady Gators earned their spot to compete in the postseason single-elimination tournament for the county championship title, along with 11 other top teams in Palm Beach County. The WLMS softball team defeated Jupiter Middle School 5-4 in the first round of play to advance to the semifinals. Next, the Lady Gators faced one of their familiar division opponents and continued their winning streak with a dominating 13-1 victory over Western Pines Middle School.
The Western Pines victory put the WLMS team in the top spot of the
northwest division, setting them up to face the winner of the southeast division, Woodlands Middle School, for the county championship.
Luckily for the Lady Gators, all of the postseason games were hosted at WLMS, giving the team homefield advantage. In front of a large crowd, the team defeated Woodlands 7-1 to win the 2009 county championship title.
WLMS will greatly miss its graduating class of eighth graders, in-
cluding Chelsea Boretti, Kelsie D’Aoust, Savana Freyman, Brianna Gonzalez, Kelly Kirchner, Jaime Lowe, Amanda Peck and Stephanie Schmidt. Seventh graders include Rebecca Gomez, Brittany Griswold, Madi Miller, Toni Pancione and Emilee Quesada. Sixth graders include Kaylin Kramer, Makenzie McMullen, Mary Rodriguez and Britney Schmidt. The team was managed by Jenny Schmidt, along with coaches Dave Lowe, Bob Schmidt and Mark Boretti.
OKEEHEELEE INDIANS HALLOWEEN CHAMPS
The Okeeheelee Indians 8-U red travel baseball team won the USSSA Okeeheelee Halloween Tournament in the 8-U division. The team went undefeated and used great defense en route to the championship. The Indians defeated the Acreage Arsenal 8-U travel team 102 in the championship final. Pictured above are: (front row, L-R) Greyson Snow, Junior Garcia, Cameron Faurot, Gavin Ross, Stephen Passiagiatta, Michael Hamm and Justin Gregory; (middle row) Jacob Baughman, Mitchell Knight, Griffin Lampton, Raul Cepero, Zachary Epstein, Charlie Nichols and Fernando Zermeno; (back row) Coach Rob Snow, Coach Tim Lampton, Manager David Epstein and Coach John Baughman.
The Wellington Landings softball team.
TITANS TAKE SECOND
The TPX Titans 12-U travel baseball team recently finished in second place in the Nations Baseball Fall Invitational at Tradition Field, the New York Mets’ spring training facility in Port St. Lucie. The team went 2-0 in pool play and defeated the Miami Astros in the playoff round to make it to the championship game against Frozen Ropes. It was a great experience for the players as they gear up for their competition at Cooperstown Field of Dreams Park in June. Team members are: (front row, L-R) Ryan Stark, Brett Fiore, Chandler Miles, Neil Brown, Alex Hernandez and Tanner Brown; (back row) Adam Bilkis, Dante Cook, Kyle Lamb, Eddie D’Eusanio and Armando Rodriguez. Not pictured: Logan Rogers.
Varsity Falcons Advance To Championship
The WCFL Varsity Falcons defeated the previously unbeaten Giants 22-20 on Oct. 31 to advance to the WCFL Varsity Division’s championship game. The Falcons improved their record to 9-3 with the win, and the Giants ended their very successful season with a 10-1 record.
After the Giants were stopped deep in their own territory, the Falcons’ Anthony McAfee scored his first of two touchdowns in the game on a 13-yard run up the middle behind solid blocking from linemen Jordan Himelfarb, Nikolas LaFountain, Brandon Guyn and Carson Hutchins. McAfee then added the two-point conversion. It was a seesaw battle throughout the contest with both defenses stopping the opposition at critical times, including one Giants drive that was stopped with a fumble recovery by the Falcons’ Griffin West. The Falcons were led by Matias Gonzalez’s 10 and Jermaine Griffin’s nine tackles on defense. Luke Ferraro, Connor Rog-
ers, Ian Posada, Sterling Valentine, Nathan Winters, Jesse Schietz and Jacob Guelli also played well in stopping a strong Giants running game.
Late in the third quarter, the Giants’ Izak Dominguez broke free and outraced several Falcons for a length-ofthe-field touchdown to put the Giants up 20-15. The Falcons’ offense took the field and put together a 79-yard fourth-quarter game-winning touchdown drive led by quarterback Ben Schmickle.
On the drive, Falcons running backs Ricky Sherrod and McAfee made several hard runs, and Schmickle completed four of four passes for 70 yards, including a crucial fourth-down reception and a one-handed diving catch by receiver Logan Rogers and a key 30-yard reception by Matt Miller behind the Giants secondary. The drive ended in a one-yard touchdown run by Schmickle. Rogers kicked his second extra point of the game to make the score 22-20. The Falcons balanced offense passed for 113 yards and
rushed for 92 yards in the contest.
With time running out on the clock, the Giants began driving down the field and made it deep into Falcon territory. However, they were stopped short of a score as Posada sealed the Falcons’ victory with a game-saving recovery of a Giants fumble caused by McAfee.
The Giants were led by quarterback Maleke Orozco, standout running backs Keenan Duggan and Dominguez, center Austin Brown and defensive back Peter Boyd. Duggan scored two touchdowns for the Giants, and Dominguez scored one touchdown and a twopoint conversion in the contest.
WHS WRESTLERS INDUCTED INTO NHS
Five members of the Wellington High School wrestling team were recently inducted into the National Honor Society. They are (L-R) Matt Philmus, Matt Hyde, Brandon Lustgarten, Collin Bachi and Eric Melamed.
COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR
Saturday, Nov. 14
• The Acreage Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Nov. 14 from noon to 10 p.m. at Acreage Community Park. The festival will feature live bands, Nashville recording artists, games, giant slides, a backyard barbecue and rib cookoff. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages four to 10 and free for children three and under and members of the military. For more info., call (561) 420-9509 or visit www.acreage fallfest.com.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Drop-in Story Times: Drums” for ages two and up on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Celebrate International Drum Month through stories and songs. Call (561) 790-6070 for info.
• St. Michael Lutheran Church (1925 Birkdale Drive, Wellington) will host its annual Family Fun Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be something for everyone. Admission is free. For more info., call (561) 793-4999.
• The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will present the family fun program “Chigirie: Paper Collage” for all ages on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. The cost is $2 with paid museum admission. Reservations are not required. For more info, call (561) 495-0233, ext. 237.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Chess Club for ages eight and up on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2:30 p.m. Basic game knowledge is required. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• The Cahill Foundation will hold a blacktie dinner to benefit families of The Acreage touched by the possible “cancer cluster” on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Wanderers Club at Wellington. A cocktail reception will be held at 6 p.m. For more info., e-mail vanessa@thecahillfoundation.com, call (561) 601-0581 or visit www.thecahill foundation.com.
Sunday, Nov. 15
• Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach) will hold its Holiday Bazaar on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. offering one-stop shopping for all your holiday needs. There will also be live entertainment and food. For more info., call (561) 798-8888.
• Temple B’nai Jacob in Wellington will present “An Afternoon of Entertainment” featuring magician/ventriloquist Mr. A and the international singing sensation Shonee
on Sunday, Nov 15 at 2 p.m. Mr. A presents a variety show incorporating magic, ventriloquism and comedy. Seating is limited. Tickets cost $15. Call (561) 793-4347 or e-mail info@templebnaijacob.com for more info.
• The Crestwood Performing Arts League (C-PAL) will present the Gold Coast Dance Band on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). The concert will feature a 16-piece band and vocalist playing swing era and popular music selections. Tickets cost $15 for adults and are free for students. Tickets go on sale at 3 p.m. the day of the show. For more info., call (561) 798-0627 or (561) 793-2984.
Monday, Nov. 16
• The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will hold a behind-thescenes presentation with director Clive Pinnock on Monday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. Call Linda Humphries at (561) 742-7791 or email hlindaase@aol.com for more info.
Tuesday, Nov. 17
• Palm Beach International Raceway (17047 Beeline Highway, Jupiter) will hold five full days of ET Bracket Racing from Tuesday, Nov. 17 to Saturday, Nov. 21. The event is one of the largest ET Bracket events in the country. Visit www.racepbir.com or call (561) 622-1400 for more info.
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host the Farm City Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sundy Feed Store at the South Florida Fairgrounds. RSVP to Anitra Harmon at (561) 790-6200.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a meeting of the Teen Advisory Group on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Anime Grab Bag” for ages 12 to 17 on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Pocky will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
Wednesday, Nov. 18
• The League of Women Voters will hear Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher talk about what she has done since taking office on Jan. 1 and what the office has planned for 2010 on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. in the Compass Building (201 N. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth). Call (561) 5339699 for directions. For more info., call (561) 276-4898 or visit www.lwvpbc.org.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern
COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR
CALENDAR, continued from page 44 Drive) will hold “Let’s Make Music!” for ages three to five on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 10:15 a.m. Sing, play instruments, hear stories and make a music-themed craft. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host its traditional “Kickoff to the Equestrian and Polo Season” luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the Wanderers Club at Wellington. Guests will be treated to exhibition polo, a luncheon and an opportunity to meet the speakers, sponsor and the chamber’s Man and Woman of Distinction honorees. Speakers will include John Goodman and John Wash of the International Polo Club Palm Beach and Mark Bellissimo and Michael Stone of Equestrian Sport Productions. Networking and the polo demo begins at 11:30 a.m. with the program beginning at noon. The cost is $20 for chamber members in advance, $25 for members at the door and $30 for non-members. VIP tables start at $250. Call (561) 792-6525 to RSVP. For more info., visit www.wellington chamber.com.
• Temple Beth Tikvah (4550 Jog Road, Greenacres) will hold a “Lunch and Learn” on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 12:15 p.m. Rabbi Leonard Zucker will speak on “Sex, Religion & Humor: Do They Go Together?” Lunch will be catered by Moni. The cost is $12.50 members and $15 non-members. Call (561) 967-3600 to RSVP.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Socrates Café” for adults on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The Society for Philosophical Inquiry initiated the concept for this discussion led by Marji Chapman. Find out this month’s thoughtprovoking topic when you pre-register at (561) 790-6070.
ary Presents Florida Animals” for ages five and up on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• Barnes & Noble in Wellington will host a Book Fair to benefit Wellington Christian School’s library on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. The choir, jazz band, drama class and former WCS student Michael Anderson will perform. Face painting, story time and pictures with Eddy the Eagle and the Cat in the Hat will be available for younger children. A portion of every item purchased (with the exception of gift cards and memberships) will be credited toward the WCS account. For more info., visit www.wellington christian.com or call (561) 793-1017.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Teen Game Night” for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Play Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero and board games. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Friday, Nov. 20
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Express Yourself: Book Discussion Series” for adults on Friday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. Barbara Harnick will lead a discussion of The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.
Saturday, Nov. 21
• A Free Workshop for the parents of college-bound high school students will be offered on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10:15 a.m. at the Palm Beach Atlantic University campus in the Wellington Reserve. The workshop will be taught by college planning specialist Jeffrey Schneider. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat, call (800) 524-0868.
• Nationally acclaimed voiceover artist and coach Nikki Lowe will introduce the techniques, marketing strategies and perks of working in the voiceover industry on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Royal Palm Beach High School. Call Paula Brownson at (561) 753-4070 to pre-register.
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., WPB) will present Verdi’s La Traviata by the internationally acclaimed Teatro Lirico D’Europa on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. Visit www. kravis.org or call (561) 832-7469 for info. Thursday, Nov. 19
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Busch Wildlife Sanctu-
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Drop-in Story Times: Alphabet” for ages two and up on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s annual SalsaFest will be held Saturday, Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Greenacres Community Park (corner of Jog Road and Constitution Way). The family event celebrates the diverse heritage of Hispanic populations from many backgrounds. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate. Visit www.salsafest.net or call (561) 790-6200 for more info.
Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. Email: news@gotowncrier.com.
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