Town-Crier Newspaper November 30, 2012

NEW ROUTE FOR ANNUAL BOAT PARADE SEE STORY, PAGE 5

SPORTS PROVIDERS VISIT RPB REC BOARD SEE STORY, PAGE 7

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TOWN - CR IER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

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INSIDE RPB Zoning Board Rejects Variance For 25-Year-Old Structure

Volume 33, Number 48 November 30 - December 6, 2012

SANTA VISITS WITH PETS AT THE MALL

The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday recommended denial of a setback variance request for a decades-old accessory structure at a home on Martin Circle in the Willows. Page 3

Bill’s Bikes Memorial Toy Run Set For Dec. 2

Bikers from across the state are convening this weekend for the 30th annual Bill’s Bikes Memorial Toy Run. Hundreds of bikers will participate in the parade, kicking off at noon on Sunday, Dec. 2 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Page 8

Tree Sale At RPBHS

Royal Palm Beach High School is selling Christmas trees now through Dec. 21 while they last.

Money raised benefits teacher appreciation, student council activities and other school projects. Page 9

Food Drive At Royal Palm Covenant Church

Royal Palm Covenant Church held its annual Thanksgiving food drive Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Volunteers packed boxes of food filled with everything needed for a Thanksgiving dinner.

Page 14

OPINION Campus Petition A Misguided Idea

Loxahatchee Groves and Palm Beach State College sealed the deal earlier this year, bringing the school’s new campus to the town. Now it is being threatened by a petition seeking a referendum to overturn the campus approval. Not only is this poorly timed, but its intentions are misguided and dangerous. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 11 OPINION .................................4 CRIME NEWS .........................6 SCHOOLS ............................ 12 PEOPLE ............................... 13 NEWS BRIEFS..................... 15 COLUMNS .................... 21 - 22 BUSINESS .................... 23 - 25 ENTERTAINMENT .................27 SPORTS ........................ 31 - 33 CALENDAR ...................34 - 35 CLASSIFIEDS ................ 36 - 40 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

The Mall at Wellington Green held Paws ’N’ Claus on Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Ice Palace in the Grand Court. People had a chance to bring in their pets and have their photos taken with Santa Claus.

Shown here Santa joins Maria and Bob Friedman with dog Sabrina. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 11 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Plans Hearing On Equestrian Village Settlement

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report After several attempts to settle issues surrounding the Equestrian Village property, members of the Wellington Village Council decided this week to try to hash out details in a public meeting.

Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to set up a hearing early next year with representatives from Equestrian Sport Productions, which manages the property located at the corner of South Shore Blvd. and Pierson Road.

“What I would like to do is bring this issue to a head,” said Vice Mayor Howard Coates, who led the charge. “I believe there is a desire among this council to address this head-on and make some changes, and at least put our best effort forward to find a solution that works for everyone.”

The issue arose again when Equestrian Sport Productions submitted another settlement propos-

al to the village. But because of the state’s Sunshine Law, council members are barred from discussing specifics, as well as counterproposal ideas, with each other outside of a public meeting.

This proved to be a problem last month when council members attempted to respond to another settlement proposal and were advised to use vague terminology.

“It was frustrating. The last time we went through this process, I felt like our hands were completely tied,” Coates said. “We couldn’t even respond to the proposal substantially.”

Rather than respond to the settlement, the hearing would give council members the opportunity to give specific notes on the proposed settlement offers, as well as tell the applicant what they’d be willing to approve on the property, Coates said.

“We can come up with a resolution — come up with a very definitive counterproposal at that

point,” he said. “There would be no handcuffing of this council in terms of what we can propose. I just want to have an open dialogue between the applicant and us. I don’t feel like we’ve had the opportunity to have that.”

Councilman John Greene said that he believed the issue would eventually have to be brought to a hearing, but Councilman Matt Willhite said that was not necessarily the case.

“That is only if we are willing to make changes [to the settlement proposal] or settle,” Willhite said.

“If we were to deny [the proposal] entirely, it wouldn’t go back to a hearing.”

Willhite said Wellington had offered a modification to the last settlement offer, but now was back in the same position as last month because of the new proposal.

“We offered some alternative site plans,” he explained. “Now they’ve come back with another See SETTLEMENT, page 7

Royal Palm Holiday Festival At Vets Park On Saturday, Dec. 1

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Holiday Festival of Lights will take place Saturday, Dec. 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Veterans Park.

In previous years, this popular event has been held on a Monday, but RPB officials decided to hold it on a Saturday this year to let more families attend.

The Holiday Festival of Lights has grown to the point where it’s bulging at the seams at its current venue at Veterans Park on Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

“Each year it gets a little bigger and a little better than the previous year,” Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio said. “All the entertainment is going to be by local school groups. We also have a choral group that’s going to be walking around singing carols.”

Entertainment by local talent will include performances by La Petite Academy, Royal Palm Beach Elementary School, Cypress Trails

Serving Palms West Since 1980

Indian Trail Working On Several Plans To Get More Discharge

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District has two agreements in the works that could resolve its limited water discharge permit with the South Florida Water Management District.

ITID is allowed to discharge only a quarter-inch of stormwater per day into the SFWMD-controlled drainage system. The district has been arguing for years that The Acreage needs more external drainage capacity, but the issue jumped to the forefront in late August when the discharge shortfall was one of the key factors leading to severe flooding during Tropical Storm Isaac.

On Wednesday, ITID Administrator Tanya Quickel met with West Palm Beach officials to begin an agreement to allow the district to discharge water from its L Canal to the city’s M-1 Canal during severe storms. After Isaac, West Palm Beach allowed ITID to discharge by using two large pumps to move water to the M-1 Canal.

“We’re working with the City of West Palm Beach on the L-8 pilot pump project and a pump station,” Quickel told the Town-Crier on Wednesday. “That was one of our initiatives from Tropical Storm Isaac.”

The project would connect the

district’s L Canal with the city’s M Canal, which runs through The Acreage to supply water to the West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area. “We had temporary pumps there after Tropical Storm Isaac,” Quickel said.

Attorneys for both governments have reviewed the draft agreement, and SFWMD and Palm Beach County officials also are reviewing the proposal. “All these people are part of the permitting process, so we’re trying to see if there are any potential barriers,” Quickel said, explaining that the discharge would only occur when ITID has excess water. “That’s one of the initiatives we’re working on it, and it looks great.”

Also in the works, ITID wants to be part of a deal being negotiated for the county to sell the Mecca Farms property to the SFWMD for water storage as well as a “watercourse” to transfer water from the 60,000-acre J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area to the Loxahatchee Slough to restore the water supply to the Loxahatchee River. ITID is attempting to get permission to discharge there during severe storms.

In October, ITID made a presentation in a workshop hosted by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria that focused on lessons learned from Tropical Storm Isaac.

See DISCHARGE, page 16

FOOD DONATIONS IN RPB

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 9 personnel and volunteers sorted donated food Sunday, Nov. 18 at First Baptist Church of Royal Palm Beach. The food was donated through the Unified Local Food Drive, which took place Nov. 1-17.

Shown here, Ralinda Reiley, Linda Smith and Jill Pando gather stuffing and mashed potatoes. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 11 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Elementary School, Giselle’s Dance Studio, Crestwood Middle School, Royal Palm Beach High School and recorded music by DJ Terry Harms.

The tree lighting itself will take place at 6:15 p.m., presided over at the amphitheater by Mayor Matty Mattioli.

“We’ll get a visit by Santa at 6:30 p.m.,” Recchio said, adding that parents should bring cameras for personal photos. “We will have somebody there videotaping the entire proceedings, and we will play it on our web site the following day.”

As always, the event is free, including free hot chocolate and free gifts, games and activities for the children.

A free shuttle will also be available — a large John Deere tractor and trailer supplied by Everglades Farm Equipment. “There will be plenty of parking at Village Hall and at Ewing Park,” Recchio said. “We have a group that will be out there

parking the cars, and the parking lot will be lit, so it will be very orderly, and the shuttles will be running constantly throughout the night.”

As the annual event has grown, it has become more and more constrained because of limited space at Veterans Park, Recchio said. The new Royal Palm Beach Commons Park will likely be the event’s home in the future. That park, located a mile south of Veterans Park on Royal Palm Beach Blvd., is not yet complete due to construction delays.

Despite the constraints, a record number of vendors will be selling holiday gifts and food. “There will be approximately 25 different vendors that will be there, which is larger than we’ve ever had, and there’ll be a lot of crafts and various types of foods that will be available,” Recchio said.

Call (561) 790-5149 or visit www. royalpalmbeach.com for more information.

New Wellington RV Rules Take Shape

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Members of the Wellington Village Council will soon consider changes to the village’s recreational vehicle ordinance.

At a workshop Monday, council members heard proposed changes for the rules governing RVs in the Equestrian Preserve Area.

“Currently they are prohibited within the [Equestrian Preserve Area],” Equestrian Master Plan Project Director Mike O’Dell said.

“We’re establishing code for addressing the use of RVs as temporary housing for the equestrian season.”

The issue was initially ap-

proached last year when Wellington received requests from farm owners to allow the vehicles. Last January, the previous council voted to suspend enforcement against the vehicles while staff vetted the issue with village committees and came up with changes.

The most important change will consider RVs a “permitted use” within the preserve.

“Under this proposed ordinance, we again would have it as a temporary residence,” O’Dell said. “The RVs would be utilized for the housing of equestrian personnel.”

The vehicles would be considSee RV RULES, page 16

LGWCD Offers Former Administrator $80K Severance

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to offer District Administrator Clete Saunier a separation package worth more than $80,000.

Saunier, who is leaving after 15 years on the job, sat in the audience with his attorney during the meeting. There was no indication whether he planned to accept the offer.

Tuesday’s meeting had been recessed from Nov. 13, when the board ended its contract with Saunier after failing to reach an agreement with him on a temporary contract extension.

LGWCD Attorney Mary Viator said that Saunier’s contract, approved in 2003, included a severance obligation if the board chose to discontinue the contract.

Attorney Lara Donlon, a specialist in employment and personnel issues, said she had come up with what she considered a fair assessment of what the district owed Saunier, including an $80,026.01 payout and a Florida Retirement System contribution of $521.82. “That, in my opinion, is the most we can do under the agreement,” Donlon said.

Supervisor John Ryan made a motion to authorize the payment of $80,547.83 after the completion of a satisfactory contract compli-

ance review, saying that he felt it was the responsibility of the board to interpret the contract, rather than continue negotiations, but the motion failed for lack of a second.

Supervisor Don Widing made a motion to make an immediate payment offer of $80,547.83, explaining that he thought that auditor Grau & Associates’ offer to conduct the review on an hourly basis, costing up to $10,000, was excessive.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Widing said. “I think we have adequate records here. They have been public records for a long time.

If someone on the board wants to look at the records and do some

type of audit, I’m fine with that.”

He also pointed out that the contract does not require any type of audit. “A deal is a deal,” Widing said. “We made the agreement, and it has been in place for many years.”

Supervisor Frank Schiola, however, said there were some questions in his mind about Saunier’s performance, including a check to the South Florida Water Management District for the district’s water discharge permit that had not been mailed.

After more discussion, Supervisor Robert Snowball said that he felt Saunier had performed his job within the terms of the contract.

Chairman Dave DeMarois also

said he supported paying Saunier immediately.

Widing amended his motion to include a requirement that Saunier sign a letter releasing the district from any further claims. That motion carried 4-1, with Schiola opposed.

Next, the supervisors discussed finding a new manager, with discussion focused on whether to seek an interim manager and to go ahead and hire a permanent replacement.

Viator said that at the previous meeting, the board decided that since Saunier was not going to be involved, steps should be taken to fill the position. She added that See LGWCD, page 7

Page 2 November 30 - December 6, 2012

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 3

NEWS

RPB Zoning Board Rejects Variance For 25-Year-Old Structure

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday recommended denial of a setback variance request for a decades-old accessory structure at a home on Martin Circle in the Willows.

Development Review Coordinator Kevin Erwin said the applicant was requesting a 4.5-foot rear setback, where the code requires a 20-foot setback, and a 6.5-foot side setback, where a 10-foot setback is required. Erwin said village staff recommended denial because the request did not meet criteria for variance requests.

The applicant, Richard Briant, said he has been a resident for more than 30 years and built the structure himself 25 years ago without a permit but had received no complaints. “It impacts no one; no one has ever really complained,” Briant said. “It was brought to the attention of Royal Palm Beach because a neighbor was selling her house. She has a structure with the same problem.”

Briant is the original occupant of the house and intends to remain there. He asked if a compromise could be reached.

Erwin said Briant had indicated that the structure is not movable

and his only option would be to take it down. Briant said he uses the structure as a shelter for pool chemicals and a barbecue grill.

Commission Chair Barbara Powell asked whether he had any letters from neighbors indicating that they did not object to the structure, and Briant said he could get some.

Commission Alternate Joseph Boyle said that, considering the amount of time the building has been there, he would consider an exception for undue hardship if Briant could get neighbors’ approval of the structure, but there was no precedent to base that on.

Commissioner Darrell Lange said this type of request, an exception for a building that has existed a long time, is always difficult. “I know three of my neighbors have had to remove structures similar to this because they tucked it into the corner of their property,” he said. “If we were looking at this as if you had not built it yet, we would be telling you to reduce it, and not build it as big so you could meet the setback.”

Lange said the commission only makes recommendations to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council but that he had seen the council turn down similar requests.

“It does look nice, but to me,

the size of it is overbearing, but that’s a personal opinion,” he said.

“I can’t really see a site-specific hardship, other than you built it [and] now the hardship is having to remove it. Unfortunately, that’s not in our purview.”

Commissioner Richard Becher said he had spent hours reviewing the codes and found that the structure was built in 1986, the same year the code went into effect. He had agonized how they could allow the structure to remain, but could reach no other conclusion than that the project should have been researched. “It’s a beautiful structure, but if you go strictly by the code, it’s out of compliance,” he said.

Commissioner Michael Newkirk said the decision was difficult, but the responsibility of the commission is to enforce the code. “On a personal level, if I were your neighbor, I’d have no problem with it,” he said. “It looks great and looks like it was built well, but as a planning and zoning commission, that’s not for us to decide.”

Powell reiterated to Briant that he had the option to appeal his request to the council.

Becher made a motion to recommend denial of the variance request, and it carried 5-0.

In other business, the commis-

sion recommended color approval for the Lantern Walk multifamily development to repaint several of its buildings, even though the association had already painted the buildings.

Erwin said the applicants sought permission to paint the buildings beige and the clubhouse and fences gray, pointing out that the development had already painted the buildings before getting architectural approval.

“Phase one of Lantern Walk, which is pretty much north of Sunshine [Blvd.], were constructed prior to the architectural review

ordinance and do not have an approved color scheme; however, the buildings have a white stucco base with gray trim and roof,” Erwin said.

A representative for Lantern Walk said the buildings were painted a year ago and that the association did not know they needed approval. She said the buildings painted white are the older buildings.

Lange asked the representative whether the association had had a contractor paint the buildings, and she said they had, but that the contractor told her he had nev-

er heard of having to get approval. “That’s because he didn’t bother to look,” Lange said. “He is responsible for the code. You’re lucky you’re not in Palm Beach County, which charges five or six times the permit fee for this kind of situation.”

Lange said that other than not receiving approval, he liked the colors. Newkirk said he would have approved the colors had they received the application before the buildings were actually painted.

Lange made a motion to approve the color package, which passed 5-0.

Wellington Council Transfers Money To Cover Legal Costs

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Facing mounting legal expenses, members of the Wellington Village Council voted unanimously Tuesday to transfer $215,000 from its rate stabilization fund to cover the costs.

In June, Village Manager Paul Schofield asked council members to transfer $250,000 in expectation of “unforeseen” costs, but council members said they wanted to see actual figures before making a transfer. “We are now at that point,” Schofield said.

The actual cost of litigation to bring the village up to date for its 2012 budget year came in at $215,000 — $35,000 less than predicted. That amount is in addition to the $456,728 budgeted last year for the village’s legal counsel.

Because there is about $600,000

of available financing in the rate stabilization fund, council members were able to do a line-item transfer rather than a budget amendment.

“That way we’re not taking it out of reserves,” Schofield said.

“There is a fund for that, and we’re not having to take it out of an operating account for this year.”

Councilman Matt Willhite asked whether Schofield expected to need another transfer of funds this year. “This brings us up through October,” he said. “Do you anticipate bringing back another transfer during the remainder of the year?”

Schofield said that although the village will be paid off for 2012, he anticipates going over the 2013 budget for legal costs.

“For fiscal year 2013, the legal budget is about $400,000,” he said.

“Based on litigation, we expect to be over that. I do not anticipate having a firm number for you for that until your first or second meeting in January.”

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said she felt it was necessary to take from the fund, which is typically reserved for storms or other extraordinary events.

“It does seem to be an extraordinary event,” she said. “I think it’s appropriate to take it out of the fund. We don’t have anywhere else to take it from at this point without cutting into some capital improvements.”

She said she would support the measure, but unwillingly. “I just don’t believe that these costs were unforeseen,” Gerwig said.

Willhite made a motion to approve the measure, which passed unanimously.

Indian Trail Improvement District Director of Administrative Services Kim Hutchison sorts the numerous donations to the district’s food drive.

ITID Wraps Up First Food Drive The Indian Trail Improvement District concluded its first food drive on Nov. 17.

The drive kicked off Aug. 1, and 2,350 pounds of food were collected by Indian Trail staff, Acreage residents and the Seminole Ridge High School pep rally team.

All donations are being distributed by the Palm Beach County Food Bank to needy families in The Acreage and the western communities between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

ITID Director of Administrative Services Kim Hutchison was rec-

ognized for her work coordinating this first food drive.

“Thanks to everyone who helped make the first food drive a huge success,” she said. “We are looking forward to working with the community to make this an annual event.”

Page 4 November 30 - December 6, 2012

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OUR OPINION

Petition Seeking To Overturn College Campus A Misguided Idea After two years of negotiations between Loxahatchee Groves and Palm Beach State College, the two sides sealed the deal earlier this year, bringing the school’s new campus to a site on Southern Blvd. Now the whole thing is being threatened by a petition with the goal of reversing the approval of the campus.

If the petition succeeds, a referendum would be called to overturn the town’s decision to approve the campus. The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council voted to move forward with the plan in August, and that vote came after more than a year of meetings and public hearings on the matter. And now there’s a petition? Not only is it poorly timed, but its intentions are misguided — and the consequences could be disastrous.

The petition argues that bringing a college campus to Loxahatchee Groves would undermine the town’s rural character in favor of a large-scale urban development. First of all, Palm Beach State College is hardly comparable to a university with a “party” atmosphere. It’s a commuter school. Many of the students attending the college are adults going back to school. Others are high school students in dual-enrollment programs or adults in job-training programs. This is the type of thing the area needs — something that will create jobs and produce a highly skilled workforce.

Second, a long-standing goal of the town has been to encourage reasonable development along Southern Blvd. and discourage it in the town’s interior. Not only does this project meet

that goal, it is an improvement over the development previously planned for the site.

More important, a college campus is something the western communities has sought for a very long time, and now that we’re on the brink of seeing it become a reality, this petition could undo all the work both sides did in negotiating the deal. Town officials are worried the petition will affect their relations with the college, which could be left holding a $4.5 million parcel of land and nothing to do with it, should the petition succeed. And if that were to happen, it’s likely that cost would ultimately be passed on to Loxahatchee Groves taxpayers. The question is whether people are aware of these consequences when presented with the petition. It’s not as black-and-white as simply being a matter of campus versus no campus. That argument had its time and place, which was at the public hearings. Loxahatchee Groves doesn’t need a new wedge issue to cause another rift in the community, especially when the issue is not a new one at all.

Just think: Students in local elementary schools right now could have all their educational needs met without leaving the area. We supported putting a Palm Beach State College campus in Wellington when those plans were in the works a few years ago, and we were disappointed when they fell through. Now that our area finally has its chance to get a long-awaited college campus — and is much closer to seeing it through this time — it would be sad to see a repeat of the same thing.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Louda Supports PBSC Campus This latest falderal over Palm Beach State College is a bit silly.

The open public process with which PBSC went through over a period of a couple of years allowed more than ample time for opinions, counter-opinions and countercounter-opinions to be voiced, petitioned, cussed and discussed.

This small pack of Johnny-comelatelies and their petition is doing nothing but make our town look stupid, at best.

There are two things that the future of mankind requires. The first is clean potable water, and the second is education. Loxahatchee Groves is not an island unto itself.

We are, like it or not, part of a wider community. Continuing education, whether just out of high school or adults returning for new skill sets, should be revered and pursued.

As to the protection of a rural, actually “ruralesque” in our case if you actually think about it, lifestyle, I feel that the town is doing a great job. We are keeping the impacts on a state highway, not bringing it into the heart of the community. The council, present and future, must stay vigilant to minimize impacts from any and all development along Southern. This will and must include traffic, and pollution, be it noise, light or chemical. I, for one, would hope that the council works for downward direction, low-intensity lighting, and cessation of classes by 9 p.m. with the campus shut down by 9:30 p.m.

To Palm Beach State College, I say, welcome aboard! Let’s sail the seas of knowledge together.

Dr. J. William Louda Loxahatchee Groves

Jarriel: Problems With Petition The following are problems regarding the petition for an initiative to repeal Town of Loxahatchee Groves ordinances numbered 2012-04 and 2012-05: 1) Town ordinances 2012-04 and 2012-05 included comprehensive plan amendments for the Simon property to accommodate the future Palm Beach State College campus. The ordinances involved public hearings and followed the required legal process.

2) The town’s charter does not specifically allow for a petition and referendum process to initiate or repeal comprehensive plan amendments or development orders.

3) There is a state statute that will prevent an initiative or referendum process from being used to repeal the town’s ordinances that amend the comprehensive plan to accommodate Palm Beach State College’s use of the Simon property for a western communities campus.

4) Palm Beach State College relied on the town’s comprehensive

plan amendments in its decision to purchase the Simon property.

The college’s attorney has advised the town that if the subject ordinances are repealed, the town will be liable to reimburse the college for the approximately $4.5 million that has been spent so far for property acquisition and campus development plans.

5) The approximate costs to be assessed to each landowner over the period of five years would be $4,713.

The current petition is a negative process pursued by a few persons who seek to protest the town’s ordinances that they disagree with, despite their opportunities to be heard during multiple town meetings and workshops regarding the comprehensive plan amendments adopted as ordinances 2012-04 and 2012-05.

With no reasonable prospect to legally repeal these ordinances, continuing this petition protest will waste time and money — and damage the town’s relationship with Palm Beach State College. This is not a productive or positive exercise. Please do not sign the petition just because someone asks you to sign and does not provide adequate information, including the significant risk of adverse cost consequences for all landowners.

Please keep in mind, the last petition to change the voting process of Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District supervisors cost the landowners/taxpayers more than $100,000, and it did not change the end results of the last election.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact me at (561) 315-5213.

Ron Jarriel, Councilman Loxahatchee Groves

Not Happy With Wellington Council Aside from the fact that soot from sugar cane burning is coating our roofs, drives, sidewalks and streets, the soot is also coating our lungs. We have heard nothing from the Wellington Village Council about that problem. They appear to be far too busy protecting us from a dressage building and the World Equestrian Games.

(The dressage venue had already been approved by a previous council.)

Oh, and they have also been engaged in firing their attorney (for no known reason), and they may possibly be gearing up to rid us of our very “dangerous” village manager (who has cut spending and taxes drastically without cutting services at all). Are village residents happy about this council?

Phil Sexton Wellington

Was Plato Right?

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Jim Rockett, ironically wear-

ing a proudly American-themed shirt, led an astounding assault on freedom of speech, democracy, the people of Loxahatchee Groves and one Thais Gonzalez, who has dared to exercise her legal right to form a committee to question the wisdom of a college being built in the Groves.

At last week’s council meeting, Rockett claimed he was elected by the people. In fact only 843 (25 percent of the electorate) ever voted for the council at all in 2007, dwindling to a disinterested 414 (13 percent) in 2011. No one voted for Rockett, or the mayor, come to that, in 2010 as no one could be bothered to stand against them.

They were propelled to the podium by inertia! Rockett then declared Ms. Gonzalez the next best thing to an insurgent before asking the (town-funded) lawyer to come up with some legalese to ensure the people could never again question the council under the ordinance Ms. Gonzalez has invoked. A political maneuver reminiscent of an Iranian Ayatollah.

Horrifyingly, the mayor echoed Rockett’s un-American totalitarianism, his face reddening and adventitious anger in his voice.

Councilman Ron Jarriel, normally an avuncular fellow with mostly good to say, also rounded full square on Ms. Gonzalez, threatening code enforcement as retaliation and making a dreadful remark dangerously close to xenophobic as to her rights as a non-registered voter. Councilman Ryan Liang, pointless as usual, agreed with the majority.

Only Councilman Tom Goltzené demonstrated anything close to true statesmanship by maintaining an uncharacteristic silence, although he was spotted at one point with his head in his hands.

In a pathetic parody of the puppet leader Ahmadinejad, Mark Kutney, the town manager, normally the mumbling purveyor of perfunctory trivia, chuckled with undisguised glee as he displayed a letter from one of Ms. Gonzalez’s committee members who had withdrawn from her committee that very day, for unspecified, but no doubt highly suspicious reasons.

If it hadn’t been such a shabby production, and so poorly performed, the pantomime would have been a great, if sinister, comedy. It was more like watching politics in Libya than Loxahatchee!

But we must set aside this circus. It’s a sideshow.

It’s not about the college. (I should say this: I don’t have any strong feelings about the college either way.) It may be the best thing that ever happened to this town as the council rabidly insists, or it may be the end of the world as we know it, as Ms. Gonzalez believes.

No one knows and won’t until it happens. Speculation is inane.

It’s about democracy. I do have strong feelings about oppression and attempts to crush freedom of speech. When politicians react so

strongly to not getting their own way, they often have something to hide, usually something to fear and always something to lose. We can only imagine what.

Ms. Gonzalez has a legal right to do what she’s doing. Any true American politician would recognize that. In the words of Voltaire: “I disagree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.” No chance of the mayor and council finding themselves in mortal danger over this one!

Sure, Ms. Gonzalez’ resistance is late coming. As Rockett and the mayor whined, there were public meetings and workshops before the college was given the green light. That’s true, but here’s the thing: 2,000 years ago, Plato warned us, “If you ignore politics you will be governed by people less intelligent than yourself.” On this performance, Loxahatchee Groves is the 21st-century embodiment of his wisdom. Council meetings are boring. Few are interested. Of the 3,200 residents around, the same 20 people attend. The proceedings are as dull as Loxahatchee canal ditchwater. Folks fall asleep. The council does what it wants.

And there you have it. It’s your fault, you, the apathetic electorate, you, who don’t vote, don’t care and don’t come to council meetings to keep our council honest — the disinterested and therefore unasked residents. The council, for whatever reasons suit them, can approve whatever. At the risk of over-mining philosophy, as Edmund Burke said, “All that is needed for evil to triumph is for men of good character to do nothing.”

Thais Gonzalez is clearly of good character. She’s doing something.

She’ll succeed in getting her committee up to strength again. Maybe she’ll get her referendum. Maybe she’ll get the college stopped.

And maybe she won’t. Regardless, the council should let the people speak.

Come on, Mr. Mayor and councilmen, man up! Stop the cowardly intimidation and the playground-style bullying. Take responsibility. Accept you should have done more to advise your townsfolk about the college in the first place. You are wrong and you know it. Support Ms. Gonzalez’s rights, if not her sentiment. This is your chance to prove Plato wrong!

Tim Hart-Woods Loxahatchee Groves

Glades Need County Support In my last letter, I wrote about the Palm Beach County Office of the Inspector General, for which the county has budgeted $7.6 million from tax dollars and are seeking an additional $1.5 million from local municipalities. An inspector general was created to eliminate the stain of a news article that tagged Palm Beach County “Corruption County.” Now it is time to

eliminate the stain of “unemployment city” and “crime city.” Who will do it and how?

The county has been ineffectual in eliminating the abject poverty that exists in Pahokee. It is a city 30 miles west of Wellington with 6,000 residents, and Matt Gutman of ABC News said, “It’s considered one of the poorest cities in the country, with unemployment sitting at nearly 40 percent.

The average family earns about $26,000, or half the national average.” Next to Pahokee is Belle Glade. It has a crime index that is 109 percent higher than the Florida average.

Unfortunately, after years of unfulfilled promises of new hightech companies and inland ports locating in or near Pahokee, there is still 40 percent unemployment.

On the other hand, there are millions of dollars for the inspector general but no money for jobs for 2,400 unemployed workers in Pahokee. Law enforcement found three criminals in office. I found thousands of victims of crime in Belle Glade and 40 percent unemployment in Pahokee.

For the past three years, I have worked to change “unemployment city” and “crime city.” A few years ago, I was one of many volunteers who distributed Thanksgiving Day meals to residents in Pahokee. Many of the unemployed residents would not have had a meal if it were not for the hundreds of caring people who prepared and distributed meals. I was overcome by the conditions that I found. Everyone I prayed with wanted the opportunity to work. In one family, the only working member was a teen serving his country in the Middle East. He was sending money home to Pahokee in order to support his mother, grandfather and sister. I made a promise to that family that I would do what I could to create jobs for the jobless. I still intend to keep that promise.

I am pleased to say that Pahokee Mayor J.P. Sasser has been doing everything in his power for his constituents, but the money is just not there for him. When the Palm Beach County commission-

ers budgeted more than $4.2 billion to run the county, you would think that they could use some of those funds to create 2,400 jobs for unemployed residents of Pahokee? You would think that protecting hundreds of victims of violent crime might take precedence over a new and, in my opinion, unnecessary $9 million inspector general. Three years ago I proposed a program to deal with the poverty and crime in Pahokee and Belle Glade, and I know it will work.

I drafted new legislation for County Commissioner Jess Santamaria to sponsor. I am still waiting for him to sponsor it. A similar state proposal that I drafted was received favorably by the president of the Florida Senate three years ago. I also submitted that proposed legislation to State Sen. Larcenia Bullard. Last year she sponsored a modified version for Miami-Dade.

I submit that the government must fix its own mess. It is mostly responsible for the 40 percent unemployment in Pahokee. In large part, the 40 percent unemployment is due to the fact that a substantial portion of the western reaches of Palm Beach County have been purchased by the State of Florida, and the land has been taken over by the South Florida Water Management District. Land that used to supply seasonal jobs to workers in Pahokee and surrounding cities is no longer being used to grow sugarcane. This land is now fallow, awaiting funding to restore the land to its natural state in order to meet federal EPA mandates for clean water.

It is unethical to demand that the residents of Pahokee shoulder the burden of creating clean water for the rest of the county. It is immoral to deny jobs to residents of Pahokee, so that the residents of Palm Beach can have clean water; and it is incomprehensible that the county budgeted for a $9 million inspector general because of three convicted criminals but to date has not budgeted for a program that will create 2,400 jobs for residents of Pahokee.

Frank Morelli Wellington

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OPINION

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murky millionaires, Miller’s minions also came up with a pair of female moneymakers who qualify.

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 5

NEWS

New Route For Popular Boat Parade Saturday On Intracoastal

By Chris Felker Town-Crier Staff Report Sometimes it’s hard for Floridians to get enthusiastic about the holiday season, but there’s something about Christmas lights shimmering and seasonal music wafting over open water that can give even the balmiest winter night the requisite holiday cheer.

The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade marks its 18th year this weekend, and its 13th amassing satchels full of toys for disadvantaged children through the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

For spectators who like to watch the procession every year, the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, which sponsors the parade and toy collection drive, is striving to get the word out about a change in the event, said Operations Director Alyssa Freeman.

The parade, set for Saturday, Dec. 1, beginning at 6 p.m., will be led as usual by a fireworks barge, but the route this year will be a few miles shorter, partly because the association was unable to secure bridge opening permits for several of the spans at the old route’s southern end.

“We used to start the parade at Peanut Island and go to the Jupiter Lighthouse. This year, we’re

starting in North Palm Beach,” Freeman said.

She’s expecting approximately 30 entries this year. “If we’re having bad weather the day of the parade, a lot of the smaller boats’ owners decide they just don’t want to make the trip,” Freeman said. “We’re hoping that with the shorter route, it makes it better for a lot of those smaller boats, which make up most of the parade.”

An advancing cold front and windy conditions wreaked havoc on last year’s procession.

According to longtime participant and repeat winner Jerry Oenbrink of Tequesta, the shorter route isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He’s actually looking forward to it because the Intracoastal Waterway is not as wide in the northern stretches of the route, making the parade more intimate for viewers and allowing interaction between boaters and spectators.

The change does, however, diminish viewing areas for the public from good photo-taking vantage points such as the Blue Heron Bridge, Phil Foster Park and Kelsey Park along U.S. 1 in Lake Park. Still, there are good viewing spots at Juno Park, on Ellison Wilson Road in Juno Beach; Sawfish Bay Park, along Alternate A1A in Jupiter; and Lighthouse Park, on North U.S. 1 in Jupiter.

The procession will start at 6 p.m. from the gathering spot in the Intracoastal just south of the North Palm Beach Marina and chug up the waterway to the Jupiter Lighthouse, arriving around 8 p.m. Mo and Sally from KOOL 105.5 will serve as the grand marshals.

A VIP viewing party co-hosted by the Marine Industries Association and the Town of Jupiter at the Riverwalk Event Plaza in Jupiter, under the east span of the Indiantown Road bridge, starts at 5 p.m. and will continue until 9:30.

Food will be catered by Tijuana Flats, and there will be raffles, a DJ, and fun for the kids.

“This is actually a three-part event,” Freeman said. “We have the boat parade, where the decorated boats go down the waterway.

Then we have the Toys for Tots aspect of it, where we have Tow Boat U.S., Sea Tow and some volunteer vessels that are separate from the parade go out onto the water, and they all have flashing amber beacons so people know they’re not part of the parade. And we tell people who live on the water to go out on their docks and wave a flashlight when they see one of these boats. Those boats will pull up to their docks and collect any toys that they have to donate.”

There will be about eight boats

doing that part, some with a uniformed Marine aboard helping to collect the toys.

“The third part,” Freeman continued, “is that we have the Toys for Tots boxes that we take to local businesses that sign up to be collection sites in mid-November and then pick them up in mid-December.”

In case you miss the parade, Freeman noted that at the City of West Palm Beach tree lighting event Thursday, Dec. 6, her group will have some boats going to the downtown docks. “The public will get a chance to judge them,” she said. “We’ll be collecting toys there, too.”

Oenbrink pilots Gettin’ Tanked.

He’s a veteran of the annual holiday parade. “I took Best of Parade three years in a row. Last year would’ve been my fourth, but I missed it by two points to a bigger boat called Nuttin’ Honey, but I took best in my division anyway,” he said.

He remembers when the leadership switched to the Marine Industries Association. “That year we ran two or three parades south, and the following weekend we went north, and they decided that going north was better than going south,” Oenbrink recalled.

“They also changed it around and put the smaller boats up front.”

Boats collecting Toys for Tots will join the boat parade flotilla.

PHOTO COUR TESY MARINE INDUS TRIES ASSOCIATION

When he started participating, his children were young and enjoyed it immensely. “But now they’re grown and married and all have kids,” he said. “So it got to be where I just do it every year. I have some friends with kids, and they enjoy it, and they come along.

Do I like to win? Sure, I’m very competitive. But at this stage of the game for me, it’s more about the kids, and Toys for Tots… Everybody who wants to go on the boat with me, they have to bring a donation for Toys for Tots.”

For Robert and Carol Curtis of Royal Palm Beach, this is their third

year of joining in the parade, and they’re making it a family tradition to deck out Off Course Again.

“Usually we have the grandkids and our daughter come help decorate the boat, and then they go out with us and wave to all the people,” Carol said. “We get together and just have fun decorating, and we’ve been working on it for weeks.”

Freeman noted that there is still time to donate toys through midDecember. Visit www.palmbeach boatparade.org for a list of dropoff locations or more information about the parade.

AESTHETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY OF WELLINGTON CONCLUDES ITS CANDY DRIVE Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of Wellington’s fourth Halloween Candy Drive for the Troops was a huge success. Last year the office collected only 40 lbs., but this year it mailed off 200 lbs. Dr. Steven Miller and his staf f would like to thank the community for their support. On the last day of the drive, the office received 60 lbs. from an after-care program that chose to be anonymous.

Kena Farley, dental assistant Stefanie Braun, dental hygienist Chris Zarini and Dr. Steven Miller.

Nathaly Montoya (hygiene recare) and Kena Farley (office manager) with some donations.

Dr. St even Miller with his daughter Samantha at the post office.

Page 6 November 30 - December 6, 2012

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CRIME NEWS

Gun, Ammunition Stolen From Home In Royal Palm Beach

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report NOV. 20 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a home in the Palm Beach Trace community last Tuesday morning regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim left his home at approximately 10:55 a.m. and returned about 40 minutes later to find that his rear door was unlocked and ajar. The victim said that someone had entered his home and ransacked his bedroom, stealing a PBSO-issued Glock 40caliber pistol. According to the report, the perpetrator(s) also stole two fully loaded magazines from the victim’s gun belt. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

••• NOV. 16 — An employee of the UPS Store on State Road 7 contacted the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach on Friday, Nov. 16 regarding a delayed theft. According to a PBSO report, the employee went on the roof of the store on May 13 and noticed that four rooftop air compressors were missing from the building. The employee said he reported it to the property manager, who asked that he report it to PBSO. The stolen items were valued at approximately $10,000. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

NOV. 16 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a home in La Mancha on Friday, Nov. 16 regarding a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between Friday, Nov. 2 and Wednesday, Nov. 14, someone entered the vacant house and stole a washing machine, dryer and refrigerator. According to the report, the glass window of the side door had been broken, and the perpetrator(s) removed a piece of plywood securing the door to enter the home. The stolen items were valued at approximately $600.

There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

NOV. 20 — Two residents of the Bella Terra community called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Tuesday to report vehicle burglaries. According to separate PBSO reports, the victims parked their cars outside their homes last Monday and returned the following day to find their belongings missing. According to one PBSO report, sometime between 9:30 p.m. last Monday and noon last Tuesday, someone smashed the driver’s-side window of the victim’s vehicle and stole a black designer purse from the front passenger seat. The victim said the purse also contained a designer wallet and sunglasses. The stolen items were valued at approximately $1,100. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. According to a second PBSO report, sometime between 6 p.m. last Monday and 8:30 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s unlocked car and stole a 9mm Ruger pistol from inside the center console. The victim said he checked the rest of the car and his home, but he was unable to locate the gun. According to the report, the stolen gun was valued at approximately $379.

There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

NOV. 23 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was called to the Wellington Mar-

ketplace last Friday afternoon regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 3 and 4 p.m., someone punched in the driver’s-side lock on the victim’s vehicle and stole his wallet, containing $80 cash as well as a watch valued at approximately $300. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

NOV. 23 — Several employees of Publix at the Courtyard Shops contacted the PBSO substation in Wellington last Friday to report vehicle burglaries. According to separate PBSO reports, the victims parked their cars in the parking lot and went to work, returning to find their cars damaged or belongings missing. According to one PBSO report, the victim arrived at work at approximately 4 p.m. When she returned to her car approximately two hours later, she discovered that someone had caused damage to her door handle in an apparent attempt to enter her vehicle. According to the report, it appeared that the perpetrator(s) never made entry to the vehicle and nothing was missing. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. In a second PBSO report, the victim parked his vehicle in the rear of the parking lot at approximately 3 p.m. and returned at approximately 8:15 p.m. to find that his driver’s-side door lock had been punched out and someone had stolen a pair of Bushnell binoculars. The stolen item was valued at approximately $100. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. According to a third PBSO report, sometime between 5 and 8:30 p.m., someone punched out the victim’s driver’sside door lock and stole an iPod from the vehicle. The stolen item was valued at approximately $300.

There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

NOV. 24 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a farm in the Little Ranches community last Saturday evening regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5 and 6 p.m., someone shattered the rear passenger-side window of the victim’s vehicle and stole approximately $200 cash, the victim’s bank cards and driver’s license, a house key and a bottle of prescription Xanax. A witness observed a black sedan enter the property and back in near the victim’s vehicle at approximately 5 p.m., but the occupants of the vehicle were not identified. There was no further information available at the time of the report.

NOV. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Regal Cinemas parking lot Monday night regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8:30 and 10:50 p.m., someone used an unknown object to shatter the driver’s-side window of the vehicle and stole $10 cash, along with a purse. The victim said that her purse contained her bank cards, a check written in the amount of $426, her house keys, Social Security cards and more.

According to the report, the victim’s bank alerted her that at 10:22 p.m. someone had used her bank card at a store in West Palm Beach, making an initial charge of $1 and having it declined. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • John Moreira is a white male, 5’8” tall and weighing 185 lbs., with black hair and green eyes. His date of birth is 03/29/72. Moreira is wanted for lewd or lascivious molestation. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Timber Pine Trail in Wellington.

Moreira is wanted as of 11/21/12.

• Donald Nusser is a white male, 6’2” tall and weighing 225 lbs., with blond hair and blue eyes. His date of birth is 10/02/55. Nusser is wanted for burglary of a dwelling and petit theft. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Bent Oak Street in Royal Palm Beach. Nusser is wanted as of 11/21/ 12.

Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.

John Moreira

Donald Nusser

THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. CRIMESTOPPERS IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT SHOWN HERE.

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 7

NEWS

Mixed Reports As Sports Providers Update RPB Recreation Board

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Some Royal Palm Beach youth sports are flourishing, while others are still recovering from economic challenges that had parents cutting back on participation, according to providers who spoke at the Nov. 19 meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Advisory Board.

The most positive outlook came from Mal Hasan, president of Royal Palm Beach Youth Soccer, who said the league had just completed its fall season with a record number of participants.

“Normally, we would offer a recreational and competitive program. This season, we introduced an all-star program for our rec members,” Hasan reported. “From the under-10 through under-18 teams, we were able to put together nine all-star teams, a boys and girls team for each age group, [and] an extra girls team in the under-18 group because there was such high demand and so much talent.”

In addition to the regular recreation season, these kids met as an all-star team once or twice a week to practice. “We decided that at some point during the season, we would send these kids off to par-

ticipate in a recreation tournament somewhere else in the state,” Hasan said.

The tournament they located was in Cocoa Beach, where seven of the nine teams participated in the finals and five won the championship. “I think that speaks volumes for the recreation program itself, and if we were able to do that pretty much in a trial run, we really look forward to the upcoming season,” he said.

The past season had 473 members in the recreational program, and 34 in the competitive program.

Hasan, who also coaches the Royal Palm Beach High School boys soccer team, said the league is developing a feeder program that will help players develop their skills.

“We would like our recreation program to be the feeder system for the program as a whole, as opposed to these other clubs that go around recruiting from city to city bringing in teams from other clubs,” he explained.

Hasan anticipates the spring registration to top 500. “I’ll be a little disappointed if that’s not the case,” he said. “Everybody is very excited after this fall season.”

Royal Palm Beach Youth Soc-

cer’s spring season will tentatively start with practice on Feb. 18 and the first games on March 2. It will run until the end of May. In other soccer news, Hasan noted that the Palm Beach Soccer League has asked RPB to host the playoffs for its competitive program, which features more than 60 teams in a single-elimination tournament.

“That’s something we hope to continue to do,” he said. “The village has been very supportive of them, plus, we would like to think down the line in possibly hosting our own tournament, which would help generate additional revenue for the village and for our program.”

In summary, Hasan said the future looks bright for soccer in Royal Palm Beach. “We have a really neat situation here in that we have all these kids starting in this program at 4 years old,” he said. “We have a middle school coach here at Crestwood who’s involved with our recreation program, so we start them here, we send them to somebody in middle school who’s still part of us, and from middle school they go to the high school where I am the boys’ coach.”

Parks & Recreation Director Lou

Story Time At Scott’s Place To Feature Horses This Saturday It’s a first in the winter equestrian capital of the world — real, live horses visiting Scott’s Place barrier-free playground — and it’s designed to help young children develop a love of literacy.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, two ponies will join Shelly LeConte, South Florida coordinator of the Horse Tales Literacy Project, in the picnic area outside the Scott’s Place playground as LeConte reads Little Black, a Pony by Walter Farley.

Once the story is finished, each child will receive a goody bag and

will have an opportunity to visit with the ponies.

Story Time takes place at Scott’s Place, located at 12190 W. Forest Hill Blvd., on the first Saturday of every month through May. Participants are encouraged to enjoy this equestrian-inspired playground before and after the event.

The park is designed with large play structures and ramps ensuring children and parents of all physical abilities can play together.

Conceived in 1999 by Tim Farley, son of the late Walter Farley,

and Mark Miller, creator and owner of the Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction, Horse Tales Literacy Project has reached more than 600,000 children in the United States and Canada. This nonprofit organization combines live horses with stories to spark the imagination of children.

For more information, visit www. horsetalesliteracy.org or call LeConte at (561) 357-8729.

For more information about Story Time at Scott’s Place, call Community Projects Manager Kim Henghold at (561) 791-4137.

St. Peter’s Church In Wellington Will Present Handel’s ‘Messiah’ Dec. 15-16 St. Peter ’s United Methodist Church in Wellington will present the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. each evening. The choir will be 40 voices strong, accompanied by a 13piece orchestra. Joseph Farrar will conduct, Mei Mei Luo will be concert mistress, and Barbara Thompson will play continuo.

The soloists will be soprano

Settlement

Hearing Planned

continued from page 1 potential offer. We can choose to accept or deny it.”

Coates made a motion to deal with the settlement proposal in a hearing.

“I just don’t think it’s a constructive process, the way we’re doing this,” he said. “We can’t talk amongst ourselves as to what we’d want to see changed — that would have to be at a public hearing. We can’t really have discourse with the applicant because we’re precluded by attorney’s advice that we can’t make an offer or counterproposal without a public hearing. So what are we doing? I have an idea that we’re really doing nothing but wasting time.”

Greene said he’d like an opportunity to read the new proposal before scheduling a hearing.

“Maybe we can get a feeling for

Jennifer Jeffries, altos Ann Petersen and Annaleah Morrow, tenor Drew Personaire, and basses Tom Close and Joseph Farrar.

Messiah was written by George Frideric Handel in 1741. It was first performed in Dublin, Ireland in 1742. When the “Hallelujah” chorus was played, King George II stood, as was the custom of that time, and everyone stood when he did. It has become traditional now

to stand when the chorus is sung.

St. Peter’s is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd., about one mile west of the Mall at Wellington Green. The performance will be held in the church sanctuary.

There is no charge for the event.

Rev. Dr. Rainer G. Richter is senior pastor of the church, and Joseph Farrar is director of music.

More information is available at www.stpeters-umc.org.

what direction we want to go in,” he said.

Willhite agreed. “Staff didn’t even get this in time to put it on the agenda,” he said. “We just got this handed to us prior to the meeting. I think before we decide to do a [hearing] to hammer things out, I’d like to see what this says and see what issues there are.”

Coates said he didn’t have a problem setting a date in the future but wanted to reach a consensus on the idea of trying to work the issues out at a public hearing. “What I want to avoid is wasting time,” he said. “We spent several hours discussing it last time, and at the end of the day we gave them three or four plans that we think maybe we might approve and told them to figure out what we were thinking.”

Mayor Bob Margolis agreed.

“We’re just continuing to circle around and around,” he said.

“Eventually, we have to open up a dialogue and talk amongst ourselves in a public forum.”

He suggested that council members vote on Coates’ motion and then take time to figure out when would be the best time for the hearing, finalizing a date at the council’s next meeting on Dec. 11.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said she would agree with the motion but that she thought the hearing would be pointless.

“I think delaying this litigation is futile,” she said. “I think it’s going to be decided in court. I don’t see this council being able to come to any kind of agreement amongst ourselves, let alone with the applicant or the other interested parties.”

But Coates said he is an optimist.

“I know this is a lightning-rod issue for the council, but I want to be done with it,” he said. “I think the time is now that we could find a resolution if we all work together. I sense there’s been a change in the community and change in this council, and that the timing is right.”

Recchio added that the village has been working on taking over the multipurpose fields at Seminole Palms Park. This will add the flexibility of additional field space, allowing the village to host larger sporting events.

Tedd Kenny, president of the Youth Baseball Association of Royal Palm Beach, said his program has been undergoing a transition.

Kenny has been involved in local youth baseball for about 18 years and took over as president of the program last January.

“We’re trying to build the program back up to what it used to be just a few years ago,” he said.

The league recently finished its fall season. “Things went fairly well,” Kenny said. “Fall is an instructional season, focusing more on the kids who are moving from a younger age group to an older age group. The spring is when we have the competitive season that leads into all-stars and travel.”

Membership is up from fall 2011, when registrants totaled 272, compared with 295 for the season just completed. The program has 210 residents and 85 non-residents.

Spring registration was also up, rising to 325 from 305 a year earli-

er, which Kenny attributed partly to adjusting prices to be more competitive with other leagues and focusing more on fun and learning.

“At some point there had been some focus on travel ball, and not really on recreational baseball and teaching the fundamentals,” he said, adding that the league does have five travel teams, accounting for an additional 60 youth who play outside the recreational league.

Registration for 2013 is now open, and Kenny anticipates tryouts in late January with the season opening Feb. 23. He expected registration to be about 350.

Royal Palm Beach Wildcats Football League President Mike Wallace said the league plays under Pop Warner Football League rules.

“We don’t make up things as we go. A lot of the rec football programs in Palm Beach County do that,” he said, pointing out that weight divisions are standard across the nation. “Those rules are made by Pop Warner national up in Pennsylvania.”

The enrollment numbers were down to 211 in 2012 from 265 in 2011. “Speaking with some of the

other programs in the Treasure Coast Football Conference, they all had reductions also,” Wallace said. “They kind of chalked it up to money and finances and the economy.”

The cheer program in 2011 had 115 girls. This year it ended at 67 after starting the season with 85.

The league had three cheer teams, two of which were competitive and did well. The oldest group placed second in local competition, which sent them to Orlando last month for regional competition.

Football had eight teams this past season, down from 10 the previous season.

Most of the board members are new, and the league was left with outstanding bills from the previous year, but managed to finish with a balanced budget, Wallace said.

One of the things that he likes about Pop Warner Football is that the players also have to do well in school, he said. “You have to show your coach your report card,” Wallace said. “We’re one of the few sports programs that do that.”

Of the 278 kids in the program the past year, 24 were scholastic All-Americans, he noted.

Lighthouse ArtCenter Holiday Art Gift Market Sunday, Dec. 2 The Lighthouse ArtCenter will host its annual Holiday Art Gift Market on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members of the Lighthouse ArtCenter’s faculty, as well as local artists and craftspeople, will offer a variety of paintings and pottery.

Proceeds support the ArtCenter’s programs, and refreshments will be served.

“Some of the region’s top artists will be on hand for this annual event,” said Katie Deits, executive director of the ArtCenter.

Meet the artists and see interesting pottery and painting demonstrations by Justin Lambert (wheel-throwing), Ted Matz (painting) and others.

“Have a snack while you learn something and engage in a little light shopping for yourself or for those on your gift list,” Deits said.

The Lighthouse ArtCenter is a member-supported not-for-profit community arts organization, providing excellence in art exhibitions, instruction, education and outreach for all ages. Programs are

LGWCD

Choosing A Replacement continued from page 1 legal staff placed notices in newspapers, on the web and with the Florida Association of Special Districts. A total of 22 responses had been received.

“Now that we have a group of candidates, the board needs to provide direction on how you want to continue,” Viator said.

Widing said he had worked with staff to assemble the list, which had been flagged for permanent and interim applicants.

“I think we should boil this down to a list of no more than five people we think would be suitable for either the permanent or interim [position],” Widing said, inviting discussion on whether they want to pursue an interim or permanent manager.

Widing recommended that the board move forward and find a permanent replacement now.

“Based on the strength of some of the candidates that are avail-

funded in part by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council and the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners.

For more information on the Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, School of Art, exhibitions, programs and events, visit www. lighthousearts.org or call (561) 7463101. The LighthouseArtCenter is

located in Gallery Square North, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, one-half mile west of U.S. Highway 1. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with admission free for members and $5 for nonmembers age 12 and up. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free admission.

For more information about the Holiday Art Gift Market, call (561) 748-8737.

A table filled with ceramics at last year’s Holiday Art Gift Market. able, I’m ready to consider [that],” he said, adding that he has been impressed with how board members and staff have performed in the time that Saunier has been gone. “Each one of you has done an outstanding job of taking responsibility, jumping in and doing the job.”

Schiola agreed with Widing and made a motion to pursue a permanent administrator, explaining that he did not want to go through the process again in three or four months.

“Let’s just go ahead and do it,” he said. “The district is running relatively well. The employees stepped up to the plate. The board members stepped up to the plate.

Mary and her team stepped up to the plate.”

Schiola pointed out that the position had been advertised publicly as required. “We have plenty of names and businesses here, and I recognize a few of them,” he said. “I think most of them are probably very well-qualified.”

Snowball said that at the last meeting, Widing had volunteered to narrow the list to three to five

candidates, and Widing said he was still willing to take on the task.

He asked whether Ryan would be able to help with the process by looking at qualifications, credentials and background checks, because he was not in a position during the day to conduct some of the necessary research. “Mr. Ryan and I can sit here and boil these applications down,” Widing said.

Viator suggested that any meetings between the two be announced and posted due to Sunshine Law requirements.

Ryan asked for comments on what pay scale board members thought would be appropriate, considering that there was general agreement that the workload for the position would diminish as more district roads are turned over to the town.

After discussion, the board reached a consensus on a range of $70,000 to $95,000 a year with benefits the same as other district employees.

Schiola made a motion to proceed with the selection process, which carried 5-0.

Page 8 November 30 - December 6, 2012

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NEWS

Bill’s Bikes Memorial Toy Run Kicks Off At The Fairgrounds Dec. 2

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Bikers from across the state are convening in Palm Beach County this weekend for the 30th annual Bill’s Bikes Memorial Toy Run. Riding all types of motorcycles, hundreds of bikers will participate in the parade, kicking off at noon on Sunday, Dec. 2 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Riders cruise a 45-minute, 7-mile route to Dreher Park, where the event ends with music, food, drinks and vendors. All that is needed for admission is at least one new toy per rider or $10 per person, collected once riders reach the park.

Palm Beach County Motorcyclist Toys for Tots Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Marine Corps,

Some participants in last year’s run donned costumes.

puts on the event every year. This year’s event organizer is Jerry Watson, president of the organization. “I’ve been doing this since 1989, but I started out riding in it,” she said.

After years of being a participant in the parade, Watson became a volunteer. “I’ve seen it grow from about 200 riders to, in recent years, around 2,000,” she said.

Bill Casperson, who owned Bill’s Bikes in West Palm Beach, started the initial toy run in 1982, along with other motorcycle enthusiasts.

“Back then, they had only one minivan full of toys, and now we have a huge truck, provided by the Marine Corps, full of toys,” Watson said.

After Casperson’s death from cancer in 1995, supporters kept his legacy alive by naming the run in his honor. “Bill started this thing, and we could not stop,” Watson said. “It has become one of the biggest contributors to Toys for Tots in the county.”

The group will be giving all the toys and money raised to the Marines’ Toys for Tots program, which distributes the toys to underprivileged children throughout Palm Beach County. “They actually have nonprofits and churches throughout the county fill out forms for children to get on the list to receive a toy,” Watson said.

The money that is raised will be used to purchase missing toys on the list. “Say, for example, we are

missing a toy for a 12-year-old boy on the list. We will go out, along with the Marine Corps, and purchase whatever is missing,” Watson said. “We want to be sure that every child gets what they want.”

Toys will be available for purchase at Dreher Park, and Walgreens will be matching every toy purchased there. “If bikers don’t have enough room to carry toys on their bikes during the run, they are able to purchase toys once they arrive at the park,” Watson explained.

The parade attracts thousands of spectators as it makes its way through West Palm Beach. “People come out with their folding chairs and sit on the sidelines while they watch the bikers come through,” Watson said. “The children wave at us, and it’s a really fun parade.”

Bikers will be coming from throughout the state to participate.

There will be more than 300 volunteers, many of whom are bikers, who want to give back to children who are less fortunate. “Motorcycle groups like the United States military vets group will be volunteering their time to provide safety and organization along the way,” Watson said.

With bikers typically perceived as rough-natured, Watson believes that the run gives the public an opportunity to witness how that image has changed. “Bikers are of a different breed,” she said.

“This is actually one day where they can show a different side other than what people have believed them to be.”

Backwoods Barbeque will provide the food. “The owner, who has been donating his services for many years, has created a large custom grill just for this event,” Watson said. “So many people are involved in volunteering and donating that we have more money to buy toys for the children.”

Antique cars also participate.

“We typically have them toward the end or the beginning because we want to keep them away from the bikers,” Watson said.

Riders must arrive early and meet at the fairgrounds. No preregistration is required. For more information, visit www.billsbikes toyrun.com or call (561) 687-0365.

Palm Beach County Motorcyclist Toys for Tots board members sell T-shir ts.

Bikers line up at the South Florida Fairgrounds for last year’s toy run.

GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY HOSTS ITS ANNUAL SHOW AT THE S.F. FAIRGROUNDS The Gem and Mineral Society of the P alm Beaches presented the 47th annual Gem, Mineral, Jewelr y, Bead & Fossil Show on Nov. 1718 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. A vast array of gemstones and beads were offered for sale. Some were already fashioned into jewelry and others were loose.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Daniel Heller and Jeff Ursillo crack a geode.

Ingrid Webster with the Neverending Necklace.

Laurie Bye makes a leather and crystal beaded bracelet.

Skyler, Karver and Shelly Pritchett mine for gems.

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 9

NEWS

CHRISTMAS TREE SALE NOW UNDERWAY AT ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL Royal Palm Beach High School is selling Christmas trees now through Dec. 21 while they last. Money raised benefits teacher appreciation, student council activities and other school projects. This is the fourth year for tree sales. Sale hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Rosario Fontes stands by as Andre Ferreira, Garrett Johnson, Randy Atkinson and Justin Vernon tie a tree to her roof.

Randy Atkinson, RPBHS Activities Coordinator Justin Arnone and Will Neder.

Shyanna Lewis and Christi Porter water the trees.

Katie and Jonathan Krieger look on as Andre Ferreira and Randy Atkinson tie down their new Christmas tree.

RPBHS Activities Coordinator Justin Arnone with former students Jessica (holding Ari) and Hernan Zurita.

Elizabeth and Katharine McKean look at a fraser fir tree.

WESTERN COMMUNITIES SHOPPERS GET AN EARLY START ON BLACK FRIDAY Black Friday started on Thursday, Nov. 22 for many shoppers who waited in line at local stores that opened as early as 8 p.m. that day.

Hoping to garner merchandise at deeply discounted prices, people lined up as early as Thursday morning. The main items sought were TVs, iPads and toys.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

First in line (since 4:30 a.m. Thursday) Pablo Lopez and second in line Carol Bryant each wanted to buy a 50” TV for $349 at the Royal Palm Beach Super Target.

Elite Health & Wellness Gym’s Brendan Rubenstein, CEO Joseph Maria, J.R. Washington and Kevin Whitmore pass the time while waiting at Best Buy on State Road 7.

Erin Franklin, Candy Lobeck , Annika Eder, Ashley Frost and Mar y Machiela wait in line at Toys “R” Us on State Road 7.

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 11

NEWS

PET OWNERS BRING THEIR FURRY PALS TO THE MALL FOR PHOTOS WITH SANTA

The Mall at Wellington Green held Paws ’N’ Claus on Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Ice Palace in the Grand Court. People had a chance to bring in their pets and have their photos taken with Santa Claus.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Sean Lauer, Isabella Waters, dog Luna and Santa, and Luke and Theresa Waters.

Emilio Maco, Coco, Santa and Veronica Villa.

Bryant Velez with Nala, Santa, Samantha Velez with Snowy and Susan Mar tinez with Daisy.

Santa with Max, owned by Frank Hernandez.

Santa with Bagpipes and Kailyani Finlayson.

Radar, owned by Garr y and Dee Gierlicz, gives Santa his paw.

VOLUNTEERS SORT DONATED FOOD AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN ROYAL PALM

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 9 personnel and volunteers sorted donated food Sunday, Nov. 18 at First Baptist Church of Royal Palm Beach. The food was donated through the Unified Local Food Drive, which took place Nov. 1-17. After sor ting the food, volunteers assembled more than 300 bags that contained the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Chloe Pino, London Soles and Kayleigh Pino separate donated food.

Janice Lyes, Linda Smith, Reva Harris and Deputy Doug Carranza sort canned vegetables.

Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster and Carole Gecina check expiration dates.

At South University, West Palm Beach, we celebrate students.

If you’re ready to take your career in a new direction, join us for our upcoming open house. You’ll discover we offer degrees in nursing, business administration, criminal justice, psychology, healthcare, and more. We have a faculty that wants to see you succeed. And our academic environment will push you to your potential. When you commit to us, we commit to you. Call South University today at 1-800-894-5349 for more information.

Join us for an open house on December 15

80 0 - 5 0 4 - 5278 | s o u t h u n i ve rs i t y. e du See SUprograms.info for program information. Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, License No. 2987. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by campus. You can visit us at 9801 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411.

Page 12 November 30 - December 6, 2012

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SCHOOL NEWS

Bronco Band Wins Silver At FMBC State Championship Competition The Palm Beach Central High School Bronco band wrapped up another great season at the Florida Marching Band Competition Championships held Saturday, Nov. 17 in Tampa.

More than 100 bands came to Tampa to compete in five classes for the chance of earning a state title. The Bronco band competed in Class 3A against 20 other bands that qualified at regional events for the semifinals performance. With only the top five bands advancing to finals, the Bronco band advanced to finals at Tropicana Field for the fourth time in five years.

“The Broncos saved their best performance of the season for the finals performance,” said James Yaques, director of bands.

“After the performance, the students knew that regardless of outcome, their hard work had paid off, and the true victory was

earned by the feeling of accomplishment they had worked so hard to achieve since the summer.”

After the results were read, the Bronco band was named FMBC 2012 state runner-up. Only 0.3 points separated the Broncos from the first-place winner , Braden River High School.

Palm Beach Central Band Leader Cameron Douglas shared his thoughts with the entire band, saying, “I cannot express the amount of honor I hold as being able to lead all of you through this season.”

Tenor player and senior Adam Yorke recounted his time with the band over the past four years. “I couldn’t think of a better way, or a better performance rather, to end off my senior year with PBCHS,” he said. “Thank you so much for a fun four years and really for changing my life.”

NEW HORIZONS SPONSORS FOOD FOR FAMILIES DRIVE

(Above) Bronco band members gather after receiving their second-place win at the FMBC Championships. (Right) Band leaders Cameron Douglas and Alex Ingebritson.

Yaques took a moment to thank not only all of the Bronco band members but also the techs, staff and especially the Bronco

Band Boosters, for Yaques knows that the parents play such a huge part of Palm Beach Central’s successful band program.

Seminole Ridge Band Takes Tampa Bronze The Seminole Ridge High School Winged Regiment competitive marching band recently traveled to Tampa, where it was one of 20 Class 2A bands statewide competing in the 2012 state marching band championships.

With its best performance of the year, the Winged Regiment placed third in the semifinals, and the SRHS color guard, performing its best, received the third-highest score of all guards in Class 2A. Being one of the top five finalists qualified the band to perform again, this time that evening at the Tampa Ray Dome. The SRHS band’s finals performance earned it the title of third-place finalist in Class 2A. “They again brought pride and

honor to Seminole Ridge High School,” Band Director Tim Skinner said of the musicians and guard.

• Cheerleaders First at UCA Regionals — Seminole Ridge congratulates Hawk competition cheerleaders and their coach Tamara Licavoli. Their first-place win and score recently at the Universal Cheerleading Association regional competition in Orlando qualifies the team to compete in the UCA national tournament this coming February.

“The girls have been working very hard and are very excited,” Licavoli said.

• Hawk Battalion Hosts Drill Meet — The Seminole Ridge Army JROTC Hawk Battalion recently

hosted a countywide drill meet, with more than 190 cadets from six schools competing.

The results are as follows: Female Unarmed Squad competition, first place – Melissa Chalkley, Desiree Galavan, Shaina Gallagher, Alyssa Laux, Emilee Marshall, Elizabeth Outten and Shelby Shackleford; Male Unarmed Squad competition, first place – Devon Breen, Benoit Cloutier, Michael Garrity, Cody Kline, Jose Ruiz, Jeremy Searchwell and Durhan Williams; Color Guard competition, second place – James Bukowski, Desiree Galavan, Hunter Grabbe and Timothy Ruback; Male Armed Squad competition, third place – James Aspenwall, Dominick Barnes, Brandon Buono, John Chris-

tian, Nathan Core, Hunter Grabbe, Dylan Reinhardt and Vincent Sileo; Individual Armed Exhibition, first place – Ashley Rice, second place – Timothy Ruback; and Unarmed Drill Knockout, first place – Benoit Cloutier, third place – James Aspenwall.

• Financial Aid Night Dec. 5 — For Seminole Ridge junior and senior parents and students, the guidance department will host a college financial aid night Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Dr. Lynne K. McGee auditorium.

Get valuable information about paying for your college education.

All interested students and parents in junior and senior classes may attend.

TKA To Feature ‘Hunchback Of Notre Dame’ Once again this year, the New Horizons Elementary School Student Council sponsored Food for Families. During this weeklong event, students participated by bringing 1,526 pounds of nonperishable food to school. The food was donated to Grandma’s Place in Royal Palm Beach for distribution to needy families. Pictured here is Student Council teacher sponsor Pat Klammer with the Student Council Executive Committee: President Jesse Blecher, Vice President Samantha Bussell, Secretary Juan Rodas and Historian Breana Maisano.

In a groundbreaking move in 2000, the King’s Academy Theatre Company collaborated with Disney Executive Studios to produce Beauty and the Beast for the amateur stage. Beauty and the Beast has now been produced on hundreds of school and amateur stages across the country since that first collaboration and production on the King’s Academy stage. The King’s Academy Theatre Company is collaborating once again with

Disney Executive Studios to produce and premiere the stage adaptation of its well-known animated film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which debuted in theaters in 1996.

The film is based on Victor Hugo’s novel, with musical score written by renowned lyricists and composers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, famous for the musicals Beauty and the Beast and Wicked. Disney Productions has

been discussing the setting of this film classic for the stage for quite some time. Menken and Schwartz have composed 11 new songs for the show, and the film script has been adapted for stage by TKA performing arts faculty and staff.

Auditions for this production were held Saturday, Oct. 6, with more than 180 students in attendance. Rehearsals for this spring production began in November.

There is much excitement and en-

ergy surrounding this project, with everyone thrilled to be part of this special TKA event. The show will open April 18 and run through April 27.

Disney Productions will work alongside cast and crew throughout rehearsals and performances.

The production team will come to West Palm Beach to view a series of rehearsals in February as well as come back for opening weekend.

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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB HOSTS THANKSGIVING MEAL FOR FAMILIES

Approximately 200 people from the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, entertainment and fun Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Wellington Community Center. This will be the last year the club will need a different space to celebrate holidays as it anticipates moving into the new club in the spring.

Shown above, board members and volunteers serve families.

November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 13

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Garden Of Hope Thanks SRHS, Seeks Support The Garden of Hope would like to thank Seminole Ridge High School Student Government members for helping collect and organize care packages for children at Palms West Hospital.

Seven years ago, Garden of Hope’s Tracy Newfield and her family spent Thanksgiving in the hospital, where her daughter had surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Newfield knew she would do something to show her gratitude one day.

The garden is growing with many seeds planted courtesy of donations from people who are excited for the garden to be constructed. It has been approved for an area in the second phase of the Acreage Community Park expansion project. Bricks can be ordered and purchased from the Garden of Hope’s web site (www.garden-ofhope.net) at a cost of $50. These bricks will form a “Ribbon of Hope.”

Garden of Hope is requesting letters from local residents to help

move it to the first phase. Letters can be sent to the Indian Trail Improvement District at 13476 61st Street North, West Palm Beach, FL 33412. To contact the group, write to 7309 Banyan Blvd., Loxahatchee, FL 33470.

Donations and sponsorships go toward care packages to someone who is in need of heartfelt support during a traumatic time.

So far this year, Garden of Hope has donated 60 care packages.

Sponsorship from a business will get your name on the Garden of Hope web site and Facebook page. This page is for all residents to post their thoughts and prayers or tribute to a loved one.

The web site is up and running, but it is growing and will be upgraded in the next month so that anyone can leave notes to someone you would like to honor or support. Garden of Hope members will be on hand in January at the Acreage Landowners’ Association’s Community Park Jam, selling popcorn, hotdogs and other

SRHS Student Go vernment members Austin Taylor, Natalie Fisher, Taylor Gouveia, Wayne Selogy, Brad Hargesheimer and Frankie Ricarrdi with Tracy and Jessica Newfield, Joyce Gorring and Anaya, Sandy Semande, and Jeanne and Morgan Lauer deliver care packages for children at Palms West Hospital. items, with proceeds going to a family that has just lost a loved one and a family that has had a terrible car accident in the community.

The Garden of Hope is an incorporated entity and has been in

search of someone with experience in applying for 501 documentation to help. All documentation is ready and waiting, and the group has the funds to file.

For more information, e-mail tracy@garden-of-hope.net.

Hospice Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament Dec. 14-15 At PGA Join golf superstars, sports legends and celebrities for Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation’s fourth annual Swing with the Stars Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament, set for Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15 at the PGA National Resort & Spa. This exciting weekend of golf and glamour begins Friday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. as guests saunter into the speakeasy, presented by Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, and party with the stars in the Grand Ballroom.

Golfers and non-golfers can enjoy exquisite cuisine, sip on signature cocktails at the exclusive Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin Ice Bar, mingle with celebrities and dance to the hottest tunes.

Guests can also bid in both live and silent auctions featuring spectacular vacations, luxury spa treatments, incredible jewelry and golf outings, even a trip to New York City for a behind-the-scene tour of The Today Show.

On Saturday, Dec. 15, golf with champions on the newly renovated Fazio Course beginning at 7 a.m. with breakfast and a chance to win cash in the helicopter ball drop.

Following the day on the course, golfers can unwind and enjoy the Leisure Time Coins Awards Luncheon. Professional golfers scheduled to appear are Beth Bader, Jean Bartholomew, Olin Browne, Mark Calcavecchia, Michelle McGann, Bob Murphy, Alena Sharp, Jackie

Dustin Provenzano Makes President’s Honor Roll Dustin Provenzano of Royal Palm Beach has been named to the president’s honor roll at the University of Central Florida. He was also recognized as a student of distinction for earning a 4.0 grade point average as an undergraduate student in 2012.

Provenzano was initiated into

the UCF chapter of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in recognition of scholarship, leadership and service.

Provenzano is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is involved with the Student Accounting Society.

Gallagher Smith and football great Steve Walsh.

“With a speakeasy and a day of great golf, this weekend is enjoyed by golfers and non-golfers alike,” Foundation President Greg Leach said. “All proceeds from this outstanding event benefit the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation. With the generous support of our attendees and sponsors, we can help every family in our community have this precious care in their time of need.”

The fourth annual Swing with the Stars Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors: AMG Marketing Group, Dignity Memorial, ESPN Radio 760 AM, Isador S. Segall Trust, Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, United Healthcare, John Rubino, WPEC-TV CBS 12, and Dan and Valarie Young.

The field is limited to 100 golfers, so register now for the tournament by calling Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation at (561) 494-6884 or visiting www.hpbcf. org. To become an event sponsor, e-mail Lauryn Barry at lbarry@ hpbcf.org.

The Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation is the philan-

Joel and Cynthia Hirsch. thropic arm of Spectrum Health Inc. and its subsidiaries. The foundation is dedicated to raising funds to support the unfunded patient programs and services offered by Hospice of Palm Beach County not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. As a not-for-profit organization, the foundation relies on the support of individuals and corporate partners who generously support the mission of Hospice of Palm Beach County.

For more information about the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, call (561) 494-6888 or visit www.hpbcf.org.

Stacy and Steve Politziner with Michelle McGann.

Barry Snader, Mark Calcavecchia, Meredith Snader, Ron Ackerman and Bryan Davidson.

PHOTOS COURTESY SOUTH MOON PHOTOGRAPHY

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NEWS

ROYAL PALM COVENANT CHURCH IN RPB HOSTS THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE Royal Palm Covenant Church held its annual Thanksgiving food drive Tuesday, Nov. 20 in partnership with My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust, the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club, the Palm Beach County Sherif f’s Office District 9 and West Palm Beach Family Doctors. Volunteers packed boxes of food filled with everything needed for a Thanksgiving dinner. The boxes supplied more than 400 people with food for Thanksgiving. For more info., visit www.rpcchurch.com.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Pastor Mike Rose (center) and volunteers with food that was passed out on Thanksgiving to those in need.

Volunteers Terry and Gladys Brown pack tur keys in boxes.

Pastor Mike R ose with volunteer Milta Kyles.

Mary and Jayla Jean receive a box of food from volunteer Oona Brown.

Michael Cordero and Nancy Colon carry out a box filled with food for Thanksgiving.

Volunteers Anthony Taitt and Drew Flynn pack turkeys.

Marshall Foundation Hosts Champion Of The Everglades Reception John and Nancy Marshall, board chair and president of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades, recently hosted a VIP reception honoring recipients of the nonprofit organization’s annual Champion of the Everglades Awards.

Held at Trump Plaza in West Palm Beach, the event was co-hosted by Pat, Jody and Chris Gleason.

More than 40 friends of the Marshall Foundation attended the VIP reception, including Grace Nelson, the wife of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, a 2010 Champion of the Everglades award winner; Mark Perry, a board member of the Everglades Coalition, which won the

award in 2009; and Everglades enthusiast Ron Bergeron of the Florida Wildlife Commission, who is receiving this year’s Champion of the Everglades Award for an individual.

The other two 2012 recipients of the award are U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and the Florida Wildlife Federation, which is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary.

“The Marshall Foundation is proud to spotlight individuals and organizations that have made an outstanding contribution toward Everglades restoration over many years,” Nancy Marshall said. “Individually, each of our three Champions of the Everglades 2012 con-

tinue to inspire us for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the River of Grass. But collectively, they have been instrumental in forging both popular and governmental support for reviving, restoring and preserving one of America’s greatest natural treasures.”

Based in Palm Beach County, the Marshall Foundation champions the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem through science-based education and outreach programs.

Annually, more than 25,000 elementary and high school students in Palm Beach County actively participate in the Marshall Foundation’s various education programs.

Founded in 1998, the nonprofit organization has in recent years awarded more than $450,000 in scholarships and internships, planted nearly 100,000 native Florida trees in wetland areas, and involved more than 5,000 volunteers in hands-on restoration projects.

The awards will be presented at the Marshall Foundation’s seventh annual River of Grass Gala, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Colony Hotel Pavilion (155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach). Tickets cost $350 per person.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (561) 233-9004 or visit www.artmarshall.com.

John Marshall, Grace Nelson, Bill Nelson Jr. and Nancy Marshall.

PHOTO BY CORBY KAYE’S STUDIO PALM BEACH

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 15

NEWS BRIEFS Wellington Holiday Parade Returns Dec. 9 The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Village of Wellington, will bring the 29th annual Wellington Holiday Parade to thousands of spectators of the western communities on Sunday, Dec. 9.

The parade will begin at 1 p.m., and this year’s theme “Holiday in Paradise” will feature floats, marching bands, dance troupes, costumed characters, live music and more. Wellington residents and prominent Olympian equestrians Margie Engle and Todd Minikus will serve as the parade’s grand marshals. “We thought it fitting in this Olympic year to feature some of our own equestrian Olympians who reside in Palm Beach County,” said the chamber’s Mary Lou Bedford. “The equestrian season is upon us, so this is the perfect timing for our parade. We are thrilled that we can feature both Margie and Todd as our grand marshals.”

This year’s theme, “Holiday in Paradise,” will bring out some re-

ally fun and creative floats with a tropical-influenced décor. The parade route begins at Wellington Trace and continues down Forest Hill Blvd., ending at Town Center and the Wellington Amphitheater.

In an effort to provide a safe procession for the parade, Forest Hill Blvd. will be closed from the north intersection at Wellington Trace to South Shore Blvd. beginning at 12:30 p.m.

For the first time this year, the day’s events will end with the official tree lighting at the Wellington Amphitheater in the Holiday Fun Park. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors Waste Management and the Wellington Preservation Coalition, the Holiday Fun Park will include many more family-oriented activities such as a carousel, a skating rink, a kids train ride, bounce houses, food and exhibit booths and a live concert immediately following the parade with a Billy Joel tribute band. The tree lighting is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

There will be plenty of food, fun and entertainment for the whole family all day long.

Holiday Park hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater. Before the parade, lace up your running shoes for the

Holiday Mile Run/Walk beginning at 12:45 p.m. at Forest Hill Blvd. and Country Club Drive. Pre-registration costs $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under.

The race application is available at www.cpbchamber.com. For more information, call (561) 790-6200.

The day of festivities would not be possible without the cooperation of Wellington, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the generosity of presenting sponsors the Schumacher Family of Dealerships and the Wellington Preservation Coalition.

‘Drews Crew’ Benefit Dec. 5 At Roxy’s In WPB The community is invited to become a part of “Drew’s Crew” and help Andrew “Drew” Dawson and his family in their ongoing battle against leukemia at an event Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Roxy’s Pub (309 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach).

It will be a fantastic night of eating, socializing, shopping and giving. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door and include an

appetizer buffet and two drinks. A variety of vendors will be on hand, so people can get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping. The event will also feature raffle prizes, a DJ and a green screen photo booth.

Dawson, a Wellington resident, was a typical, healthy 3-year-old, until his world was turned upside down this past July. Dawson’s parents brought him to the doctor with what they thought were cold symptoms and leg pains. The diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia on July 26 was a shock to all. Dawson was admitted to Palms West Hospital and braved nine days of intensive chemotherapy and multiple spinal taps. Following this, he underwent massive doses of steroids, which left him unable to walk due.

Luckily, Dawson has responded well to the chemotherapy, which has brought the cancer cells in his bone marrow from 70 percent to less than 1 percent. He has gone through physical therapy and now has the ability to walk once again.

Despite his great success thus far, for the next three years Dawson will have to undergo treatments weekly to have the best chance of being cured, without any possibility of relapse.

Tickets will be sold Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to noon in front of Strathmore Bagels (corner of State Road 7 and Lake Worth Road). Strathmore will offer a free cup of coffee or buttered bagel to anyone who purchases a ticket at its location on those days.

For further information, call Valerie Mendelsohn at (561) 252-9935.

Next Acreage Community Park Jam Dec. 15 The Acreage Landowners’ Association and the Indian Trail Improvement District will host the free monthly Acreage Community Park Jam on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Acreage Community Park (6701 140th Ave. North).

The Acreage Community Park Jam features musicians, comedians and any other artists of all ages, styles and skill levels. The Holy Cow food truck will be onsite, so bring your appetite. For classic car lovers, there will be a Classic Cruisers Car Show. Attendees are invited to bring and display their classic vehicles or motorcycles.

For anyone feeling lucky, there will be a 50/50 raffle. Join your friends and neighbors while enjoying an evening of diverse entertainment. Event organizers recommend bringing a chair or something to sit on, as well as mosquito repellent. No glass containers are allowed.

This event is open to all ages.

Acreage Community Park also has a playground and skateboard park adjacent to the jam area. Adult supervision is required for playground use. A consent waiver is required for minors wishing to use the skate park and available by visiting www.indiantrail.com and clicking “Our Parks.”

For more information, or for a signup application, visit www. acreagelandowners.org. Go to “Events,” and then select the “Community Jam” link. To sign up as entertainment or make general inquires, contact Bob Renna at (561) 602-0676 or bobrenna@ bellsouth.net.

Sign in and walk up entertainment the day of the jam is also welcome. The stage includes some instruments and public address system and will be set up for all to use. Volunteers to set up and break down are needed.

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Page 16 November 30 - December 6, 2012

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NEWS

KidSanctuary Benefit Luncheon Held At Ibis Golf & Country Club The annual Frankino Luncheon benefiting KidSanctuary Campus Inc. was held Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Ibis Golf & Country Club.

Chaired by Ginny Bordi, Carole Crysler and Cheryl Abrams Shaller,

Advisory Chairs Madeline Fink and Cindy Mandes, and Honorary Chair Connie Frankino, the event featured an exclusive popup store from Saks Fifth Avenue where guests could shop followed

Event chairs Ginny Bordi, Carole Crysler and Cheryl Abrams Shaller.

RV Rules

Allowed In Equestrian Preserve

continued from page 1 ered seasonal and allowable under a seasonal equestrian use permit, he said.

Councilman Matt Willhite asked whether, by issuing a permit, the village would have the authority to make sure all the requirements are being met. “Can we go on site to make sure the electric, water and sewer are being properly utilized?” he asked.

Village Manager Paul Schofield said that all applicants would have to show that they have proper hookups for water, electricity and sewage disposal.

But Willhite asked whether village staff could check to be sure that applicants continue to comply.

“I don’t want them to cancel their pump-out service a month [after they get the permit] and just put [sewage] in a 55-gallon drum in the ground,” he said. “I want to make sure we have the ability to verify that they are in compliance.”

Schofield said that could be added as a condition. “We can develop those conditions and put them in front of you,” he said.

“Then you can recommend

changes to that once you see them.”

Another primary change to the ordinance, one that probably will extend through other equestrianrelated code, updates the term “equestrian season” to reflect the influx of people into the village.

“We’re proposing it be changed to Oct. 15 to May 30,” O’Dell said.

“Even though you can identify our equestrian season being possibly December through the end of April, the reality of it is that many of the grooms, trainers and people associated with taking care of the horses arrive much earlier and stay a bit later.”

Language defining what an RV is will also be changed to fall in line with the state definition, O’Dell added.

He said that RVs will have to meet the same setback requirements as houses, barns or other structures on a site. “They will need to be screened, have proper electrical, water and sanitary sewer services,” O’Dell said.

The most prominent rule would govern how many RVs each property can host — an issue that worried some residents last year when the issue was first raised. “It’s based on lot size,” O’Dell said.

Lots of 2.5 to 4.9 acres would be allowed one RV, while lots of 5 to 9.9 acres would be allowed two.

Properties with 10 or more acres would be allowed three RVs.

by lunch and a Saks Fifth Avenue fashion show.

Saks Fifth Avenue of the Gardens served as the grand corporate sponsor with Donna Peters as the grand raffle sponsor. A lucky raffle winner was chosen for a oneweek stay at the Grand Luxxe Residence Club in the Riviera Maya, the deluxe, five-star resort which features a Jack Nicklaus–designed course, stunning architecture and sleek interior finishes, shimmering pools, and the exclusive Brio Spa & Fitness Center.

KidSanctuary Campus Inc. is a charitable organization located in Palm Beach County committed to assisting children who have been removed from their home because of neglect and abuse. With land donated by Palm Beach County, and a capital campaign currently in place, the first house, sponsored by the J.M. Rubin Foundation, will open this December. The Dodero Family Cottage will be the Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said she thought that it would be difficult to manage RVs once they are allowed. “I don’t understand why someone would build a barn for their horses without having a plan for grooms’ quarters,” she said. “I think that this presents an environmental hazard risk. I don’t know that we have staff to monitor this sort of thing. I have a problem with it.”

Gerwig said she’d be more likely to support the ordinance if RVs were allowed for a limited time frame while property owners build an apartment or similar dwelling.

“I didn’t have a problem with this being done on a site that was set aside for it and could be managed,” she said, referring to a controversial proposal last year for an RV park. “It seems to me that it’s taking what could be a problem and spreading it throughout the community.”

Schofield noted that many of the RVs currently in the community aren’t being lived in.

“They’re being stored on the property,” he said. “Where we are having a problem is not in the places where there’s one or two, it’s the very few properties where we have five or six.”

Schofield said the ordinance would next go before the Equestrian Preserve Committee and possibly come back before council members in January.

second home to be built on the property with a groundbreaking estimated to take place early next spring. The capital campaign, led

by Edward M. Ricci, Esq., will continue to raise the necessary funds

for the construction of two additional homes and a recreational/ therapy building.

The mission of Kid Sanctuary Campus Inc. is to ensure that each child receives the benefits of a

sense of belonging and permanency in a caring and positive environment that nurtures self-esteem and hope. For more about KidSanctuary, call (561) 653-8274 or www.kidsanctuarycampus.org.

Christmas At Yesteryear Village Opens On Dec. 7 The spirit of traditional Christmas comes alive at historic Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds for two weekends in December. Sponsored by Publix, Yesteryear Village volunteers will present “Christmas In Yesteryear Village,” reminiscent of a simpler era. Christmas in Yesteryear Village will take place Friday through Sunday, Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 14-16 from 5 to 9 p.m. each evening.

Imagine a Christmas with ice skating, hot chocolate or apple cider and gingerbread houses celebrated against a backdrop of strolling carolers vocalizing your favorite holiday melodies.

Discharge

Plans For Mecca Land

continued from page 1 “Another of our initiatives is potentially seeking some sort of a permit for discharge or storage through Mecca Farms,” Quickel said. “There appears to be some sort of a reservoir, which is being talked about in the plans now.”

However, an agreement probably will not move forward until the sale closes.

“There is nothing we can do until South Florida has full ownership of it. What we have right now is the weir in place across what I call the Corbett Road,” Quickel said, referring to the Seminole Pratt Whitney Road easement that extends from Northlake Blvd. to the Corbett Youth Camp.

Mecca Farms served as an emergency water storage area to bring the Corbett water level down during the flooding. The SFWMD built a weir on a levee that separates the Corbett water from Mecca Farms, which allowed water to flow from Corbett. It had been so high after Isaac that it threatened to breach a levee to the south that separated Corbett from residential

“Christmas In Yesteryear Village” is all about tradition, good times and the most wonderful time of the year. Marvel over a towering and fully decorated 30-foot Christmas tree and a synchronized light show. Check out more than 20 historic buildings festooned in thousands of sparkling Christmas lights and garland. Vote for your favorite Christmas tree in a community tree trim competition.

There will also be many special holiday food offerings.

As you wander through “Christmas in Yesteryear Village,” capture the distinct holiday atmosphere in the air. A magnificent and

live Nativity scene proclaims the reason for the season. Shop at special holiday crafters, and be sure to browse the General Store for gift giving. Bring the kids and grandchildren for pony rides and children’s games. Both Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there.

Admission costs $10. Children age 2 and younger are admitted free. If you purchase an advance admission ticket to January’s South Florida Fair at any Publix in Palm Beach County, you’ll receive a free admission ticket for a child ages 3 to 11. Parking is free. For more info., visit www.southflorida fair.com or call (561) 793-0333.

areas of The Acreage.

“They built the weir, which got Corbett down to its permitted elevation,” Quickel said. “It’s still in place right now. I don’t know if it will stay there permanently.”

Since Corbett has receded to its normal level of 21.5 feet, water is not currently flowing over the weir, she said.

SFWMD representative Randy Smith said the deal is being worked on to use the 1,900-acre Mecca Farms as a water storage area for the Loxahatchee River restoration project and provide the Loxahatchee Slough and the Loxahatchee River with a year-round water supply.

“Once the SFWMD completes the purchase of the Mecca Farms property from Palm Beach County, there is an existing retention area that could be used almost immediately to provide water to the Loxahatchee Slough using the C18 Canal as the transfer,” he said.

“Then the plan would be to develop a system where you would put berms up around the property to create an even larger storage area.

Its sole responsibility would be for providing water for the Loxahatchee.”

The berms would be similar to the levee around Lake Okeecho-

bee, with water control structures to release the water. “It does involve building infrastructure,” Smith said.

He said the deal is a win-win situation because it gets the county out from under a purchase that was intended to become the site of the Scripps Research Institute.

That idea went sour when it was opposed by environmentalists. “It creates really an ideal spot for an important restoration project,” Smith said.

The weir allowing water to spill into Mecca from Corbett was a short-term emergency plan, but it put a rough model in place for what the SFWMD hopes to accomplish eventually. However, Smith was unsure of the future status of the Corbett weir. “We said we were going to leave it in through the wet season in case we had any more storms,” he said. “I don’t know what the timeline is for removing that.”

The county and the SFWMD are negotiating a $60 million deal for the Mecca land, involving about $30 million in cash and several pieces of property owned by the district that it no longer deems usable for water restoration but could be of greater value to the county, Smith said.

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 17

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Thrilled To Spend My Black Friday At The Tackeria

Though Black Friday can be a hassle at some stores, the Tackeria offered a different experience. The store was full, but there was no shopping frenzy. And there were adequate, helpful employees throughout the establishment, ready to answer questions.

Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 21

November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 19

National Field Hockey Festival Held At IPC

The 2012 National Field Hockey Festival was held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington from Thursda y, No v. 22 through Sunda y, No v. 25. The tournament brought more than 200 teams and 3,500 athletes from across the world to Wellington. Page 31

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business Get Authentic Jamaican Cuisine At Top Taste Restaurant In Royal Palm

Top Taste Restaurant, which opened in July in Royal Palm Beach, has brought Caribbean flavors to the western communities. The Jamaican restaurant offers all the Caribbean island’s staples such as jerk chicken and Jamaican beef patties. Owner Delroy Blake has been in the restaurant industry for more than 20 years, from working as a cook to owning his previous Jamaican restaurant in West Palm Beach.

Page 23

Sports 31-7 Victory Over Broncos Puts Hawks In Regional Finals

The Seminole Ridge High School varsity football team stifled Palm Beach Central 317 on Frida y, Nov. 23 at Callery-Judge Stadium. The Hawk defense came through in the contest, limiting the Broncos’ blustered rushing attack to just 91 yards and seven first downs. Page 31

THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES ........................ 21-22 BUSINESS NEWS..................................23-25 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ...................... 27 SPORTS & RECREATION........................ 31-33 COMMUNITY CALENDAR ......................34-35 CLASSIFIEDS ........................................36-40

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 21

FEATURES

I Was Thrilled To Spend My Black Friday At The Tackeria Black Friday: the day many businesses hope to finally move from the red ink column of the ledger book into the black. The day some dedicated shoppers head out well before midnight or line up for hours outside mega-stores, hoping to be the first ones to snag the tempting door-buster deals. The day when some of us avoid any and all big stores altogether. And by “some of us,” I mean me.

You couldn’t pay me enough to brave the crowds at a big-box store or a mall. It’s the crowds, the pushing, the noise, the hunt for a parking space. In fact, I had only one item on my list this Black Friday, and only one store in mind: I needed a jar of Ichthammol hoof ointment, and I was going to buy it at the Tackeria.

They opened at 9 a.m., but I arrived at 10, pleasantly surprised to find the place nicely full but lacking the crazy, frenzied feeling sometimes engendered by people overcome with the shop-’til-we-drop mentality.

“It’s still early, so we’re not as crowded as we’ll be later on,” Jennifer, an employee, confirmed. “We’re doing all right, so far.”

Indeed, there were adequate, helpful employees throughout the establishment, ready to answer questions or help you find exactly what you were after. Owner Tony Coppola and manager Lou Cuthbertson had made sure the store was stocked and ready.

Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/ HorseTalkFL or stop by the Tales from the Trails page on Facebook and click “like.”

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg “We brought in a lot of extra inventory just for the sale, as usual,” Lou told me. “We have some very nice riding breeches and show coats. We’re discounting just about everything 10 to 70 percent, which is quite a savings. Some of the breeches start at $25, which is unbelievable. And, as usual, we’ll be giving away all sorts of door prizes throughout the weekend, and a new M. Toulouse saddle and a riding helmet on Sunday.”

In addition, some vendors had tables and booths set up just outside the store. Lee Middleton had a display of his Point Two company’s inflatable air vest. It is similar to a car’s inflatable cushion — the rider wears what looks like a normal riding vest and hooks a strap to the saddle. In the event of a fall, it inflates to protect the chest, spine and neck. “Jockeys and event riders wear these,” Lee explained.

“We supplied vests to 14 Olympic teams. I think they will catch on with show jumpers, as well as rodeo bareback and bull riders.”

Shoppers perused the aisles, fingering bridles thoughtfully, considering saddles, collecting pairs of breeches.

Shoppers in Tackeria for the big annual sale.

“This is fabulous, a very good sale,” said Kim, from White Fences, had her shopping Janice of Portland, Ore. She’d coordinated her cart filled with saddle soap, bridle brackets visit to her daughter and son-in-law, trainers and assorted items: stuff for the barn, and in Wellington, to be able to take advantage of stuff for her, personally. the savings. “I’ve gotten some show breech“I don’t usually get here this early,” Kim es and a jacket. A lot of stuff is marked way said. “But I had off today, so I thought I’d get down, and that helps a lot.”

See ROSENBERG, page 22

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FEATURES

On Black Friday, My Inner Child Escapes And Runs Amok I got a chance to do some serious Black Friday shopping last weekend, and here’s what I learned — don’t even bother making a list and checking it twice. BF (best done with your BFF) is all about splashy ads and impulse buys. Toss in the feeding-frenzy mentality indigenous to the day and you’re a goner.

It is so much fun.

I had a budget of $500 for Day One of this shopping extravaganza. I had read the ads, circled those few items that actually seemed to be at their lowest prices ever and confidently entered the first store on my list. I expected to be home by 10 a.m.

By 1 p.m., I had spent $1,000 and was still in Get your Sonic Boomer humor every day!

Follow Deborah Welky on Twitter at twitter.com/TheSonicBoomer. On Facebook, stop by “The Sonic Boomer” page and click the “Like” button.

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER the same store — and still shopping. Why? Because I hadn’t bought anything on my list.

I had pulled a bait-and-switch on myself. I came; I saw; I changed my mind.

But it’s not all my fault. The store’s marketing department has spent a boatload of cash to lure me in with fabulous advertising, and they have gotten very good at this. Store managers further tighten the noose by putting tempting items at the end of each aisle and setting things up sort of like a maze so that I have to walk by each one. The music is

peppy, the theme is gift-giving and, if they have carts, the carts are big — so big that I don’t even realize how monstrously huge they are. In fact, it seems almost a shame to have just a couple of items rattling around in the bottom of that immense cart. So you can see how all the overindulgence is not my fault.

The thing is, I know what’s happening but am powerless to resist.

Somewhere deep in my DNA, down below the strength and the fortitude and even the preteen tomboy years, there lurks a girly girl who waits all year for this day. She sits down there, dressed all in pink and carrying a namebrand handbag, hair in curls and face all tricked out with expensive makeup, and she counts down the days until Black Friday. She does her nails and watches the soaps and changes the outfits on her Collector ’s Edition Barbies and watches the calendar like a rabid honey badger.

On Thanksgiving, she picks at her food —

not because it isn’t good but because she doesn’t want to feel bloated at 4 a.m. when she laces up her high-heeled sneakers and sprints down dark city streets to the Apple Store. She may reward herself with a frothy latté and half a biscotti a little later, but right now, she is a woman possessed. The wild eyes, the wild hair, the unladylike “seek-anddestroy” competitive nature — to see her on Christmas morning, one would never believe it.

On Christmas morning, she and I are again one as we sit primly and properly in tasteful footed pajamas and look on with demure rapture as our family enjoys the bounty of our hunt.

They will say, “Wherever did you find this?!

The stores have been sold out for weeks!”

And we — I — will smile a knowing little smile and wipe the blood from the corner of my mouth.

I am Woman. I am Huntress.

‘Life Of Pi’ Is Fascinating, But Far Too Long For Allegory The problem with the new movie Life of Pi is that it is an allegory, and allegories work well when the real point of the story is made clear from the start. This film, while incredibly beautiful in its visual brilliance and clever in its use of the situations from the celebrated book it is based upon, winds up not making its point clear until its last minute — and even then muddles it a bit. Yet, there is little doubt that it is a strong, vital film.

The story is about a young man, Piscine Molitor Patel (Irrfan Khan plays the adult), named for a French swimming pool, who renames himself “Pi.” The opening part of the film focuses on his speaking to a British writer (Rafe Spall) sent to him because of his “fantastic story.” His family lives in French India; however, most who see this movie will not be aware that a small part of India was Frenchdominated. That area, mostly surrounding Pondicherry, did not join the country until 1954.

His family owns a local zoo, and he grows up (young Pi is played by Suraj Sharma) learning about the animals, particularly a fierce tiger named Richard Parker — a name given because there had been an amusing error when the animal was shipped and the tiger was list-

Rosenberg

Black Friday At The Tackeria

continued from page 21 everything before it got too busy. I have a whole list of what I’m after. It’s nice seeing all the people out here today.”

She hurried off with a cheerful, and taller, store employee to help hand down the saddle racks, stored too high for easy access to height-challenged shoppers such as ourselves.

Meanwhile, Tony, the store’s owner, periodically bellowed out customers’ names to hand them door prizes. You had to be present to win the door prizes, but all the names went back into the box for the big saddle and helmet drawings on Sunday afternoon; you

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler ed under the name of the hunter who caught him. His father decides that the family should move to Canada, and they sail off on a small Japanese freighter that capsizes in a storm.

Young Pi finds himself alone on a lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena and an orangutan. The hyena kills the other two animals, and then it and Pi realize that the tiger has been sleeping under a tarp. It kills the hyena, and then Pi must survive alone with it.

They go through a many adventures and are almost capsized by a whale that leaps over the boat. This starts a battle between them, when suddenly Pi is saved by the appearance of a large number of flying fish that land in the boat, an interlude on a strange carnivorous island. Eventually, after 200 days, the lifeboat washes ashore in Mexico. Pi collapses on the didn’t have to be present to win those.

“If you buy a saddle in the next hour, all the fittings, including girth, stirrups and leathers, are 25 percent off,” Tony hollered, and some shoppers migrated to the saddles to see what they could find.

“Unfortunately, most of what I’m buying today isn’t on sale,” said Whitney, a Wellington resident. “But you can come here for a lot of laughs.”

Nicole, from Parkland, a first-time customer, had managed to snag some sale items: tack, blankets, grooming supplements, hoof polish and breeches. “This is all stuff I need,” she said.

Wellington resident Sheila was another firsttime customer. “I got everything I needed,” she said happily. “Plus some extra items. I got shampoo, horse treats, leg wraps, fly spray. I saved more than $65, which is a good amount.

beach, and Richard Parker just walks off into a nearby jungle.

The last part of the movie is Pi’s attempting to explain what happened to a couple of Japanese insurance executives. They are not willing to accept his story, so he gives them another about human brutality that they, and a writer listening to Pi’s story, feel simply replaces the animals with human characters. Pi asks which they prefer, and they eventually use the story of Richard Parker.

Effectively, the film puts this in a religious metaphor. Pi, born Hindu but also worshipping as both Christian and Muslim, seems to say that we choose to believe things happen because of God, rather than as random events.

The cinematography is superb. Director Ang Lee finds many ways to look at water: sometimes ferocious, sometimes incredibly peaceful and often luminescent. This is one of the few movies that really gains from 3D; the visual effects are stunning. The movie could almost be a travelogue, and that is its weakness. Everything moves slowly; Pi could simply have waited for a while and not fed the tiger. Without fresh water and food, it would have died far more quickly, but the young man reveres life.

The acting was very good. Sharma was great as young Pi, charming in the early part of the film as he chased a beautiful young woman, more and more frantic as the film progressed. Yet he constantly ensured we could see the humanistic side of the young Pi; while terrified of Richard Parker, he came to care for the beast. Khan, one of India’s finest actors, is very good as the older Pi, narrating and commenting on the action. Spall is good as the writer.

Allegory should be to the point, which usually means brief. This one went on… and on… and on. It is a good movie, but the producers at least should have cut a bit out of the center.

There were far too many times when the action between Pi and the tiger (which was a computer-generated one, but so realistic that it was fully believable) seemed repetitious.

If you like that kind of movie (and, I admit, I prefer more plot and less symbolism), go see it. It probably will be nominated for many awards and also probably deserves an Oscar for the cinematography. But, while the movie I saw last week, Skyfall, felt as though it took only minutes to fly by, this one dragged. It is a good, but — unless you are a mystic — not great, film.

This sale definitely brings in business and helps us out as well.”

Still another first-time customer was Patty from Orlando.

“I’m very happy to be here,” she said, paying for her shirt and socks. “I wanted to come last year, but I couldn’t find the store. Now that I know where it is, I’ll be back next year.”

Some people do travel a good distance just for this sale. Melanie drove across the state from Fort Myers.

“I make a yearly trek just for this sale,” Melanie told me. “There are no good tack shops like this one in Fort Myers, no place

there to buy things like this.”

Her collection included five pairs of breeches, gloves and fly spray. “The thing with breeches — you have to try them on to see how they fit, and you want to touch them to see what they feel like,” she said. “You can’t just order them from a catalog. It’s very touchyfeely.”

Melanie had been worried: her postcard announcing the sale had arrived only the day before. “I was getting stressed. But it all worked out right in the end,” she said.

Yes, it did. I bought my Ichthammol and headed back home. I was happy.

In fact, I had only one item on my list this Black Friday, and only one store in mind: I needed a jar of Ichthammol hoof ointment, and I was going to buy it at the Tackeria.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Top Taste Restaurant owner Delroy Blake in front of his Royal Palm Beach restaurant.

PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Get Authentic Jamaican Cuisine At New Top Taste Restaurant In Royal Palm

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Top Taste Restaurant, which opened in July in Royal Palm Beach, has brought Caribbean flavors to the western communities. The Jamaican restaurant offers all the Caribbean island’s staples such as jerk chicken and Jamaican beef patties.

Owner Delroy Blake has been in the restaurant industry for more than 20 years, from being a cook to owning his previous Jamaican restaurant in West Palm Beach.

Blake recently decided to sell his West Palm Beach restaurant and relocate to the western communities to open Top Taste Restaurant.

“This is a better location,” Blake said. “Although we are open to everybody coming here, there are lot of Caribbean people living here.”

Top Taste Restaurant has a Jamaican vibe as soon as customers walk in the front door.

With items such as a collection of framed pictures of Jamaican notables, from athletes such as Usain Bolt to iconic musicians such as Bob Marley.

Once customers enter Top Taste Restaurant, they have the option of either dining in or ordering takeout. Customers who choose to dine in are free to grab any seat they like, and one of the three employees will take their order. For takeout, customers have to make the line and pick out whatever they like from the menu. The food is contained in a heated area behind the counter with a glass partition.

“We have glass separating the food from the customers so that they get to see while we prepare their food for them,” Blake said.

The meals include either a fish or meat such as curry chicken, with two sides of vegetables, fried plantains or rice. “We make sure to always have what the customers want on the

menu,” Blake said. “If it’s on the menu, then we have it.”

Some of the popular menu items include ackee and saltfish, oxtail, curry chicken and fried chicken. “Our fried chicken is what makes us the best,” Blake said. “I have a special secret sauce for it that all the customers like.”

The restaurant also serves breakfast, which features typical Jamaican-style options. “We have fried dumplings, ackee and saltfish, callaloo, liver, kidney, bananas and soups,” Blake said. “These are all things that we eat in Jamaica in the morning, and it reminds people of the islands.”

At Top Taste Restaurant, customers can enjoy a refreshing Caribbean drink along with their meal. The restaurant offers beverages such as Cola Champagne, which is a fruity soda popular throughout the Caribbean.

Blake noted that a true Jamaican cook, who learned how to cook in Jamaica, makes the food. “He is the real deal, and he knows how to cook like they do in Jamaica, and our customers can taste that,” Blake said.

Blake added that he has always known he wanted to be in the restaurant business. “I love cooking,” he said. “That’s why I take pride and joy in what I do.”

Originally from Jamaica, for many years Blake lived in New York, where he worked at another Jamaican restaurant as a cook. He believes that his experience in the industry has also given him the expertise to run a successful restaurant. “If I see any little mistakes, I can immediately correct them because I know exactly all the mistakes that I have seen made in other restaurants,” Blake said.

Top Taste Restaurant is located in the Target Plaza at 10233 Okeechobee Blvd., Suite B11, Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 795-8440.

SEE VIDEO FROM TOP TASTE RESTAURANT AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 23

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BUSINESS NEWS

Clerk Awarded For Palm Healthcare Foundation Financial Reporting Names Bradley President & CEO The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office is the recipient of two of the most prestigious awards in government financial reporting.

The Government Finance Officers Association honored the clerk’s office with its “Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting” award for the Fiscal Year 2011 edition of the office’s easy-to-read citizen’s report, “Checks and Balances: Your Guide to County Finances.” This is the sixth consecutive year that “Checks and Balances” earned this honor from the GFOA. Also recognized by the GFOA for the 23rd consecutive year was the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, also produced each year by the clerk’s office. The report received the association’s prestigious “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” for the Fiscal Year 2011 version of the CAFR. The “Checks and Balances” guide for FY 2011 contains helpful information about how Palm Beach County tax dollars are spent, economic factors that affect county rev-

enues, and how property taxes are calculated. The information is drawn mostly from the more detailed CAFR. Both reports are produced at the end of each fiscal year and are available, along with other financial information, on the County Financial Reports section of www.mypalm beachclerk.com.

“It’s an honor to once again receive these recognitions from the GFOA,” Palm Beach County Clerk Sharon Bock said. “We strive each year to provide financial information to the public that is both comprehensive and easy to understand. I’m grateful that the GFOA continues to honor us for our efforts.”

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association that offers benchmarking and independent analysis of public accounting practices and financial reporting. As the independently elected chief financial officer of the county, the clerk’s office provides a check and balance as the accountant, treasurer and auditor, handling finances, investments and county financial reporting.

For more info., visit www.mypalm beachclerk.com or call (561) 3552996.

Palm Healthcare Foundation trustees recently announced they have chosen Andrea Bradley as the foundation’s new president and CEO. Bradley, 51, an attorney and healthcare leader in South Florida, comes to Palm Beach County from Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, where she was vice president of development and marketing.

“Andrea brings an extraordinary range and depth of skills in nonprofit executive management,” said John S. Lacy, foundation chairman. “She excels in strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, collaborative programming and grant-making, and her enthusiasm and visionary approach have energized our board and staff.”

As a member of the senior management team at Holy Cross Hospital, Bradley was responsible for raising $10 to $12 million a year and creating collaborative healthcare programs such as a $15 million comprehensive women’s center and the hospital’s Institute for Nursing Excellence. She previously served as president and CEO of Women in Distress of Broward County and was market manager/charities for the Sun-Sentinel Children’s Fund, a

grant-making organization.

In her new role, Bradley will work with Palm Healthcare’s board and staff to develop a blueprint for the foundation’s future. She will seek to bring critical healthcare issues to the attention of the board and community and bring community partners together to address them.

“My passion is to create systemic change that will benefit our generation and the next,” Bradley said.

“I’m eager to work with the board, staff, community partners and volunteers on a plan to strengthen healthcare in Palm Beach County and create lasting solutions to help those in need.”

As a triathlete and former Masters swimmer, Bradley is also passionate about the importance of good health for physical and mental well-being. “So much of our lives centers on our own health and that of our loved ones,” she said. “I will be dedicated to helping the people of Palm Beach County achieve greater health and live greater lives.”

Bradley succeeds interim president and CEO John Peters, who will continue as the foundation’s CFO. Bradley began her new duties Nov.

Andrea Bradley 12, when she also joined the foundation’s board of directors. Bradley’s first official public appearance was Nov. 14 when she participated in the World Diabetes Day Walk to Good Health at Tropical Ridge Fitness Park in Lake Worth. The park’s new Fitness Zone, supported in part by Palm Healthcare Foundation, Quantum Foundation, the Lake Worth CRA and other essential community funders, was dedicated that day.

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November 30 - December 6, 2012 Page 25

BUSINESS NEWS

New Re/Max Direct Office Joins Wellington Chamber A big red, white and blue Re/Max grand opening balloon was well inflated and lit up Thursday night, Nov. 8 in the Pointe at Wellington Green.

Re/Max Direct had recently opened up its new office, located at W. 10240 Forest Hill Blvd., and it was an evening full of people with smiles, live saxophone music, and plenty of food and drink.

Entering into the new Re/Max Direct office, one steps into a refreshing, modern, airy, open environment.

Floors are wood; walls are white; the furniture is modern. There is a flow of positive energy in the air. There are cozy booths to do business in and chat. The conference room is divided with glass walls and doors; the table is made of concrete, which is unique and fits well with the decor.

Computer access is everywhere.

The office has a feel of high-tech combined with simple, neat and modern. This location of Re/Max Direct is owned and operated by Brian Russo and Andrew Burrow, who own other locations as well.

Russo was born in Queens, N.Y., and raised on Long Island. He went to college in Rhode Island and earned a degree in business finance in 1993. Soon after Russo moved to Palm Beach County, he started buy-

ing and investing in real estate. He was buying single-family and multiunit properties. This worked well for him, so he decided to get more involved in the real estate industry.

Russo spoke with a friend who was a real estate broker and decided to open his first Re/Max Direct location in Boynton Beach in 2001. In 2003, he opened another office in Lake Worth. Both offices became successful, so in 2004 he purchased another four Re/Max Direct offices that were already operational. Shortly thereafter, Russo added a seventh office in Delray Beach.

“Then the market changed and it turned on us, so we quickly went from expansion to cost-cutting consolidation,” he said.

Russo and Burrow developed a new concept for their office that would include more location visibility, more light and more openness.

They also wanted to move the activity up to the front of the office so clients could feel the energy and get excited.

Burrow was born in South Florida. He grew up in Coral Springs and Parkland and then graduated from the University of Florida in 1999 with a degree in business. He earned his real estate license in Gainesville before he moved back to South Flori-

da, where he had a job lined up in real estate.

“I loved it,” Burrow said. “I was always interested in architecture, houses and looking at houses.”

In 2002, Burrow went to work for Russo at Re/Max Direct. They became partners in 2012. Today, Burrow and Russo have two offices open and two in the process of being opened.

“We modeled this office after the Apple Store — clean, simple, modern, open and inviting,” Burrow said of the new Wellington location. “We want our agents to meet clients here instead of at Starbucks. We provide the coffees, espressos and the atmosphere, along with the technology to showcase our business.”

Russo noted that in the past, clients would sit with agents for hours.

They would research properties with their clients in an old conference room, determine which ones they wanted to look at, make appointments to visit properties, then go out and physically look at them.

“Today the flow of information has increased and has become less time-consuming,” Russo said.

“Now buyers are very informed about the inventory that’s out there that is specific to their needs and

Re/Max Direct partners Andrew Burrow and Brian Russo (center) with agents and Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors. desires before they come into the office. They are on their computers at home researching the properties, and they have a real good grasp of where they want to be. We used to have an interview process between the agent and the client that used to last a couple of hours. This has now shortened down to 10 to 15 minutes.”

Burrow and Russo noted that Re/ Max is the No. 1 real estate company in the world and has the most

brand recognition. “It is the No. 1 company regarding online presence and all other media,” Russo said.

“They have the best resources available regarding technology, knowledge of the business and support.

Re/Max will provide the most advertising of your property.”

For more information about Re/ Max Direct, contact Russo at (561) 880-2660 or (561) 702-8870, e-mail him at brusso@homesbydirect.com or visit www.direct.florida.remax.com.

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens Gearing Up For Holiday Time The elves over at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens have been busy with sorting, pricing, tagging and identifying items for its Holiday House that runs in conjunction with its annual Festival of Trees. The fantastical holiday fantasy will commence Friday, Nov. 30 with community days following from Dec. 1-9.

Holiday House Chairman David Miller has been preparing items for months, perusing objects that he knows will fly off the shelf with proceeds that benefit the gardens. Miller is a certified personal property appraiser who has been involved at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens for more than 20 years including past president of the board of trustees. Miller has also served as a trustee for several organizations including the Palm Beach State College Foundation Board, Palm Beach Art in Public Places and as honorary director of the American Red Cross Palm Beach and Treasurer Coast Region.

“I love the gardens,” Miller said.

“I am so happy to be able to assisting in the important fundraising effort, and the Festival of Trees is a truly wonderful event to support.”

Hundreds of guests are expected

to merrily mingle around the sixth annual Festival of Trees event, titled “Musical Masterpiece,” while admiring and scooping up hard-tofind treasures.

“We always enjoy creating a fashion, gift and home décor boutique at the gardens, and the proceeds generated from the Holiday House account for a large percentage of revenue created by the Festival of Trees,” said Cynthia Palmieri, executive director of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.

Co-chaired by Millie Dayton, Helene Lorentzen and K.C. Pickett with Jennifer Garrigues serving as the design chair and David Miller as the Holiday House chairman, Honorary chairs Karyn Lamb, Mieke Van Waveren and Honorary Design Chair Joseph Pubillones will also be celebrated for their ongoing commitment to the gardens and to the Festival of Trees.

The 2012 Festival of Trees Committee members are Katy Amling, Christine Beall, Amy Bernstein, Kolleen Bylciew, Kristen Cashel, Joanne Colt, Chrissy Colton, Paige Crawford, Peter Geisler, Irene Goodkind, Pansy Hallowell, Karyn Janssen, Paige Kelly, Dana Kretschmar,

Karyn Lamb, Sue Levin, Helene Lorentzen, Dr. Howard Lybolt, Stephanie Mahoney, Amy Middleton, Ali Moss, Carrie Murray, Tara Nicoletti, Dack Patriarca, Joseph Pubillones, Jennifer Rodriguez, True Rodriguez, Denise Silverman, Sandy Singer, Linda Soper, Tricia Taylor, Mieke Van Waveren and Barbara Wille.

Tickets for the Festival of Trees Gala and its Community Days can be purchased on line by visiting www.ansg.org. The Gala Reception takes place Friday Nov. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. followed by its Community Days, Saturday Dec. 1-9 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the gala cost $225 for adults and $25 for children.

Community Days tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for children.

To learn more about the Festival of Trees and how to participate, email festivaloftreees@ansg.org or call Pamela Larkin Caruso at (561) 832-5328.

The historic Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens Inc. is a nonprofit foundation established in 1977 by prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton.

The organization has grown to be an important cultural institution giving the community and visitors an

Karyn Lamb, Joseph Pubillones, Mieke Van Waveren and David Miller.

PHOTO COURTESY LINDA LANE PR & MARKETING

opportunity to explore nature and art in an environmentally conscience urban environment.

Dedicated to preserving the historic beauty of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, the nationally designated property and 2.2-acre urban gardens are home to more than 300 species of tropical palms and native plants — one of the most significant collections in Florida. The

gardens are located at 2051 S. Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Available services include exhibitions, guided tours of the gardens and Norton’s original sculpture studio, guest lectures, and educational programs.

The Phantom Recommends ‘The Music Man’ At Maltz Theatre One of my favorite Broadway classic musi- es, gorgeous barbershop quartets, propulsive The Music Man will star Carbonell-winning cals of all time, The Music Man, has marched character songs, exuberant song-and-dance performer Matt Loehr as Professor Harold Hill, into the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. This will be my numbers, achingly beautiful ballads and soar- who made his debut at the Maltz Jupiter Thefifth time enjoying The Music Man, and it ing love songs,” Martino said. “All of these atre two seasons ago as the leading role in won’t be my last — this is Broadway at its songs are supported by a book that is popu- Crazy for You, for which he received the Carbest! lated by an eccentric, funny and lovable group bonell award, and also starred as Cornelius With performances now through Dec. 16, of River City citizens — and centered by a Hackl last season in the theater’s production this classic American musical takes audienc- truly moving love story.” of Hello, Dolly! The role of Marian Paroo will es on a toe-tapping adventure with fast-talkMartino, a director and choreographer who be played by Mandy Bruno, who has starred ing salesman Professor Harold Hill, who con- works at some of the nation’s best regional on Broadway in Les Miserables and Patti vinces the townspeople of River City, Iowa, theaters, is well known locally for his work on LuPone’s Gypsy. She also spent six years in that they need a band, instruments and uni- the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s past productions the role of Marina Cooper on CBS’s Guiding forms. His plans to skip town with their mon- of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Light, for which she earned a Daytime Emmy ey come to a crashing halt when he falls in Dreamcoat, the Carbonell Award–winning Award nomination. love and has to face the music. This Tony Crazy for You, Beehive and the Carbonell“Bring the whole family, and hop on the Award–winning sensation is a treat for the nominated La Cage aux Folles and The Boy Wells Fargo Wagon to the Maltz Jupiter Theentire family.

Friend. atre this holiday season for an enchanting “This show is entertaining for everyone.

The musical became a Broadway hit in 1957, evening that’ll be as sweet and American as The tunes are irresistible, the lyrics are funny winning five Tony Awards and running for apple pie — and as thrilling and exciting as and clever, and each song pulls the audience 1,375 performances. The cast album won a Fourth of July fireworks!” Martino said. in,” said Andrew Kato, Maltz Jupiter Theatre Grammy Award and was No. 1 on the BillNow celebrating its 10th season, the notproducing artistic director. “The Music Man board charts for 245 weeks, and the show’s for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become is a fun-filled tale of risk and redemption, and success led to a popular 1962 film adaptation one of Florida’s preeminent professional theI think that audience members of all ages will starring Robert Preston. aters, committed to production and education delight in the story’s sense of adventure and Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s version is unique through its collaborations with local and naclassic American sound.” because it is being choreographed by Car- tional artists. Currently the state’s largest A production photo from The Music With book, music and lyrics by Meredith bonell-winning choreographer Shea Sullivan, award-winning regional theater, it draws more Man at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

Willson (and based on a story by Willson and who led the dance moves for Crazy for You at than 70,000 people annually, serves a subFranklin Lacey), The Music Man features un- the theater. Since the majority of the musical’s scription base of more than 7,550 and has Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excelforgettable songs such as “’Til There Was performers are “triple threats” — meaning they world-class classroom facilities in support of lence in 2012.

You,” and “Seventy-six Trombones,” and will can sing, dance and act — Sullivan is adding its Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of The Music Man is sponsored by Peggy and star 30 multi-talented performers. It will also more complex dancing than is usually seen in Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of Rick Katz. Tickets are now on sale for the thefeature a full orchestra, more than 100 daz- the production. The theater is also including youth and adults. Maltz Jupiter Theatre is a ater’s entire 10th anniversary season. For a zling costumes and a versatile set. nine local children among the show’s profes- member of the prestigious League of Resi- complete schedule and tickets, as well as in“The Music Man offers some of the most sional cast, cast through a series of high-pro- dent Theatres and has earned numerous Car- formation about other shows and the theater’s thrilling and innovative scores ever written file First Step to Stardom auditions during the bonell Awards, South Florida’s highest honor conservatory, call (561) 575-2223 or visit www. for musical theater, including stirring march- spring and fall. for artistic excellence, including the prestigious jupitertheatre.org.

Joe Nasuti, the Phantom, is a featured writer for the Town-Crier, Forever Young and www.yournews.com. Comments & recommendations are welcome at thephantomdiners@aol.com.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

31-7 Win Over Broncos Puts Hawks In Regional Finals

By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report The Seminole Ridge High School varsity football team stifled the Palm Beach Central Broncos 31-7 on Friday, Nov. 23 at Callery-Judge Stadium.

The Hawk defense came through in the contest, limiting the Broncos’ blustered rushing attack to just 91 yards and seven first downs. Equally effective was the menacing Seminole Ridge run game, headed by running back Silas Spearman. Spearman finished with 148 yards on 23 carries, and E.J. Elien contributed 124 yards on 10 carries. Turnovers at crucial points prevented the Broncos from getting back into the game.

With the emotional intensity of this rivalry, it was not surprising to see 173 combined yards in penalties.

The opening kickoff indicated a

slow start for the Broncos as the ball was mishandled, causing them to eventually punt from their own end zone.

The Hawks, on a fourth and short, ran directly into the heart of the Bronco defense to move the chains. Seminole Ridge running back Omar Pierre-Louis scored on a touchdown run from 3 yards out. Derek Falk’s point-after kick gave Seminole Ridge the early lead 7-0.

On the ensuing drive, the Hawks recovered a Palm Beach Central fumble on the Bronco 35 yard line but were unable to muster anything from the turnover. The Broncos appeared as if they were on their way to the drive that may tie the contest, but in mid-field, the tough Hawk defense would not break. With 1:38 left in the half, Spearman darted off to the left sideline and ran 47 yards for the

Bronco quarterback Kevin Bramhall passes down field.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

score. Falk’s point-after kick doubled the Hawk lead to 14-0.

Falk added an 18-yard field goal late in the third quarter, extending the Hawk lead to 17-0. Early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos finally reached pay dirt, when running back Ray Wilson caught a short screen pass in the center, broke several tackles and raced 64 yards for the score.

Cameron Golob’s point-after kick brought the score to 17-7. The Bronco defense came up big, holding the Seminole Ridge offense and regaining possession. A block in the back call and then a costly interception for the Broncos ended their hopes of chipping away at the Seminole Ridge lead. The interception gave the Hawks the ball on the Bronco 22 yard line. Spearman eventually scored on a 2-yard run, and Falk’s kick put the Hawks up 24-7.

Again Palm Beach Central moved to mid-field on a Lloyd Howard 30yard run but turned over on downs, after another stifling Hawk defensive stand. Hawk fullback Alberto Hidalgo took in the final Seminole Ridge score on a 4-yard run to make the final score 31-7.

Seminole Ridge recorded zero passing yards but apparently none were needed with 326 yards total rushing on 51 carries and 16 first downs. The Broncos combined for 223 total yards on offense to end their post-season play, and in their course, managed to earn the school’s first playoff victory with a win over Palm Beach Gardens a week ago.

Seminole Ridge will host Broward County Cypress Bay in the Class 8A regional final game Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Hawk running back Silas Spearman runs around the left side for a 47-yard touchdown.

Hawk E.J. Elien runs up the right sideline for a big gain.

National Field Hockey Festival Held At Wellington’s IPC

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The 2012 National Hockey Festival was held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington from Thursday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 25.

The tournament brought more than 200 teams and 3,500 athletes from across the world to Wellington. Athletes competed in the Under 16, Under 19, Women’s and Mixed divisions and were further separated into pools to compete.

Detroit Club and Red Rose players battle for ball control.

The winners in each category pool are as follows: U-19 A, Maine Majestix; U-19 B, Sutter’s Brigade; U-19 C, Nook Red; U-19 D, Firestyx; U-19 E, Jersey Intensity Black; U-19 F, San Diego Flyers; U-19 G, South Jersey Edge Pink; U-19 H, High Styx Stampede; U-19 I, GoA Red; U-19 J, Rush; U-19 K, Polar Bears; U-19 L, Spirit Eagles FHC; U-19 M, Hudson Valley; U-19 N, True North Academy; U-19 O, IFHCK Warriors; U-19 P, ADK; U-19 Q, Gilroy FHC; U-19 R, Spirit of USA North; U-16 S, Spirit of USA East; U-16 T, WC Eagles White; U-16 U, XCalibur Gryphons; U-16 V, Mystx Fierce; U-16 W, Aim Field Hockey; U-16 X, South Jersey Edge Black; U-16 Y, Pa. Mavericks 1; U-16 Z, Saints Hockey Rocks; U16 YY, Sutter’s Brigade; U-16 ZZ, Horizon Flash; Women, Detroit Club; Mixed, True North Blue.

For more information, visit www. teamusa.org/USA-Field-Hockey.

Charise Young (left) of Head to Toe outruns a Members Only player.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

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SPORTS & RECREATION

YANKEES 10-U BASEBALL Bronco Runners Race In State Finals Palm Beach Central High School Smale finished fifth at districts, state finals. The Broncos lost the CHAMPIONS IN RPB cross country runners Lauren 13th at regionals and 46th out of tie-breaker and just missed qualiCastillo and Tim Smale recently 182 runners at the state meet. He fying. competed in the Florida High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Finals in Tallahassee.

Castillo finished third at districts, 10th in regionals and 33rd out of 181 runners at the state meet.

At the regional meet in Boca Raton, she ran her personal record of 19:48.31 for the 5K course.

also ran his personal record at the regional meet in Boca Raton, which was a time of 16:30.16.

The girls and boys cross country teams both qualified for the regional meet by placing in the top four teams at districts.

At regionals, the girls cross country team tied for sixth place.

The top six teams move on to the

Palm Beach Central’s girls varsity team members are Lauren Castillo, Morgan Hull, Elizabeth Le, Isabella Lynch, Malina Morales, Alivia Perrone and Michelle Trak.

Boys varsity team members are Braeden Davies, Matthew Guinazu, Edward Lynch, Derek Smale, Tim Smale, Lionel Vera and Kenny Wong.

Wellington Open Crowns Champions

The Royal Palm Beach Youth Baseball 10-U Yankees capped off a great 11-1 season by winning the championship on Saturday, Nov. 17.

The team would like to thank all the coaches. The champion Yankees are (front row, L-R) Giovanni Davila, Cole Hamilton, Justin McGrath and Dillon Benedict; (middle row) David Munoz, Robert Moore, Jack Walter, Lincoln Riddle and Danny Gomez.

On what could be described as a “chamber of commerce day” with clear skies and temperatures in the mid-70s, the inaugural Wellington Amateur Championship was conducted Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington.

Not only were there many local participants, but players came from Sarasota, Clearwater, Orlando and Miami to compete in the one-day event that benefited the summer junior golf program conducted by the Wellington Parks & Recreation Department.

The tournament provided a trophy to the champion of each division and a plaque to the net champion.

The Open Division consisted of players under the age of 50 and was won by Matt Damon of Sarasota, who shot a 79.

The net champion in the Open Division was Paul Masolitti of Wellington with a 72.

The Senior Division was closely contested, with Tim Fuller of Wellington winning with a low score of 82.

The Senior Division low net win-

ner was also a Wellington resident, Paul Phelps, with a 69.

“While only a few walk away with hardware, everyone who competed and junior golfers are all winners today,” said Bruce DeLaney, Wellington’s Parks and Recreation director.

Wellington resident Michael Danzey won a Las Vegas vacation getaway raffle conducted in conjunction with the tournament.

For more information about the Binks Forest Golf Club, call (561) 3335731 or visit the club’s web site at www.binksforestgc.com.

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

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Karate Master Visits Kenbu-Kai In Wellington Shihan Fumio Demura, master instructor, ninth dan Shito-Ryu Karate, recently made a special visit to Genbu-Kai Karate School in Wellington for training and seminars.

Demura is credited for being the first person to introduce Shito-Ryu Karate and Okinawan Kobudo (weapons) outside mainland Japan in 1965.

Demura settled in southern California, and since has grown his organization throughout the United States, Canada and South America, amassing a total of 32 countries. Demura is also noted for being Pat Morita’s student double in the original Karate Kid movies. Currently, HBO is producing a documentary on Demura’s life titled The Real Miyagi.

Also in attendance were students from Demura’s California location, instructors from different U.S. GenbuKai locations and a disciple of Demura from Japan, Ken

Black Belts — Shihan Fumio Demura (center) with (front row, L-R) Yokohama, Japan, instructor Ken Nishiki and New York Genbu-Kai instructor Mike Hritcko; Virginia Genbu-Kai chief instructor Andre Serrette, North Carolina chief instructor Dave Jones and Florida Genbu-Kai chief instructor Keith Moore.

Nishiki. Nishiki is a fourth dan black belt in shoto-kan karate and had a tremendous impact on everyone’s training. Students trained in basics techniques, forms, weapons, sword and selfdefense applications. A great learning experience was had by all.

Genbu-Kai is a traditional Japanese martial arts school located at 13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A-21, in the Wellington Marketplace.

For more information on classes, call (561) 804-1002 or visit the Genbu-Kai web site at www.floridagenbukai. com.

Wolverine Wrestlers Start New Season On High Note

The Wellington High School wrestling team got off to a 4-1 start to the season and a third-place team finish at the fifth annual Wellington Duals wrestling tournament Saturday, Nov. 17.

Wellington started with a dominant 72-12 victory over Centennial by winning 12 of 14 weight classes, and cruised through the next two rounds with a 64-18 win over Lake Worth and a 52-21 win over Mater Academy. In the final round of pool play, Wellington faced Riverdale, which is currently ranked second in Florida’s 2A state rankings.

Riverdale jumped out to a big 18-0 lead with pins in each of the first three matches.

Wellington closed the gap a little before falling by a final score of 49-22.

In the third place match, Wellington defeated Boca Raton by a score of 52-23.

Undefeated wrestlers for the Wolverines were junior Briar Macfarlane (120 pounds), jun-

(Front row, L-R) Chase Denhar t, Andrew Mitchell, Colton Macfarlane and Briar Macfarlane; (back row) coach Juan Ferro, Noah Coulter, Josue Arce, Devin Gillotte, Angel Lopez, Coach Travis Gray, Alex Korum, Andy Leal, Brandon Paz, Brandon Des Jardins, Nik Bonadies, Giovanni Fundora, Brandley Gomez, Mathew Wunderlich, Bryce Pfeil and coach Chris Forte. ior Brandon Paz (138) and sophomore Noah Coulter (195). “I was very pleased with our performance in this tournament, and it gets us very excited about our potential in the future, considering we

didn’t have one senior in our lineup the entire day,� coach Travis Gray said. “Noah Coulter really stood out with a perfect 5-0 record with four pins, including a 6-2 win over a wrestler from Riverdale that he lost to last year 10-2.�

Make a child’s holiday

Sparkle

...and we’ll do the same for you.

We’ve teamed up with Back to Basics to collect the following necessities for local boys and girls between 5 and 12 years old:

Sneakers | Underwear | Socks Bring in items worth $20 or greater and receive one of these offers:

free manicure with purchase of a pedicure

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50% off one facial or massage

Our way of saying “thank you� for being beautiful inside and out.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday, Dec. 1 • The 2012 Bark! for the Cure 1-mile walk hosted by the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will take place Saturday, Dec. 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Ave. South, Wellington). Check-in and registration is 7:30 a.m., and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. with judging at 10 a.m. For more info., contact Catie at catie@komensouthflorida.org or visit www.komensouthflorida.org.

• The Wellington Green Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex. Call (561) 283-5856 or visit www.wellingtonfl. gov for more info.

• The Palm Beach County Thrift Store (2455 Vista Parkway, West Palm Beach) will hold its monthly auction Saturday, Dec. 1.

Store hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with bidding from 8 to 11 a.m. Call (561) 233-2256 or visit www.pbcgov.com for more info.

• The Junior League of the Palm Beaches will host a Premier Shopping & Community Fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. A $25 VIP ticket offers an opportunity to sip and stroll through the market from 9 to 10 a.m. Shopping from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. costs $5 per ticket, with more than 75 vendors, a children’s area and gift wrapping. “A Nutcracker Sweet,” an exclusive affair of afternoon tea and tastings with Nutcracker ballet variations, will be offered at 1:30 p.m. at $50 per ticket. E-mail jlpbholidaymarketplace@yahoo. com or visit www.jlpb.org for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will begin accepting applications for “Be a Teen Reading Buddy” on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. Applicants must be in grades six through 12, have at least a 3.0 GPA and provide two references. Pick up an application packet. Call (561) 681-4100 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Shape Sensation” for ages 2 to 6 on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 10:30 a.m.

Listen to stories and use different shapes to create a unique picture. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• Wellington High School Project Graduation will host its annual golf tournament Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Wanderers Club. The tournament will feature a shotgun start scramble format at 12:30 p.m. To register, contact Karen Herrick at (561) 790-2726 or Pam Yackulics at (561) 628-1435 or wellingtonprojectgrad2013@gmail.com.

• Royal Palm Beach will host its annual

Holiday Festival of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. at Veterans Park. Vendors will be selling food as well as holiday gifts and crafts.

There will be a children’s crafts pavilion, roving entertainment, games and photos with Santa starting at 6:30 p.m. Local schools and organizations will entertain. Free cookies and hot cocoa will be available. The 30foot tree will be lit at 6:15 p.m. A shuttle will be available from Village Hall and Ewing Park.

Call (561) 790-5149 for more info.

• Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host a Holiday Evening Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. RSVP to (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org for more info.

• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host Winterfest 2012 on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The evening will begin with a show jumping competition at 6 p.m. with Winterfest officially kicking off at 7 p.m. Festivities include musical and dance performances by local talent, a visit from Santa, kids activities, a food-and-wine-tasting expo, a VIP sponsor party, a salute to the troops, retail shopping and food vendors. For more info., contact Michela Perillo-Green at (561) 7926525 or info@wellingtonchamber.com, or visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.

Sunday, Dec. 2 • The Holiday Shopping Extravaganza will take place Sunday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Players Club in Wellington. The Players Club will be transformed into a unique, one-day holiday boutique with more than 40 vendors on hand, displaying their merchandise and helping shoppers with their holiday shopping list. For vendor info., contact Maureen at mbg@phelpsmedia group.com or (561) 753-3389. For event info., e-mail pcrcatering@aol.com or call (561) 795-0080.

Monday, Dec. 3 • The deadline to register for the sixth annual Flags for the Cure Flag Football Tournament is Monday, Dec. 3. The tournament will take place Jan. 2-6 at Acreage Community Park. Registration costs $45 per player with a participant T-shirt provided. Sponsors and raffle items are needed. For more info., visit www.flagsforthecure.com.

• The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Holiday Luncheon will take place Monday, Dec. 3 at 11:30 a.m. at the Breakers West Country Club (1550 FlaSee CALENDAR, page 35

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 34 gler Par kway, West Palm Beach). Call (561) 578-4807 or e-mail marylou@cpbchamber. com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Simple Seasonal Origami” for age 8 and up Monday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. Try your hand at simple origami paper folding.

Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Adventures in Babysitting”for ages 9 to 16 at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Dec. 3 and 10, and Tuesdays, Dec. 4 and 11. Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue will teach important babysitting information and give participants a certificate of completion. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host its Crochet Club for ages 9 to 14 on Mondays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17 at 5 p.m. Learn basic stitches and socialize while you work on projects. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register.

Tuesday, Dec. 4 • The Palm Beach County Commission will meet Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the government center’s Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers (301 N. Olive Ave., Sixth Floor, West Palm Beach). For more info., visit www.pbcgov.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Games for Tweens” for ages 8 to 12 on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. Play Wii, Nintendo and board games with a holiday twist. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Crochet Club on Tuesdays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 at 5 p.m. for adults and age 9 and up. Learn introductory stitches or bring current projects and socialize. Yarn will be available for new participants. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Drawing Basics” on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. for age 12 and up. This is a basic introduction to drawing a two-dimensional still life. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council will meet Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District office (101 West D Road). Call (561) 7932418 or visit www.loxahatcheegroves.org for more info.

Wednesday, Dec. 5 • The Palm Beach County Commission will hold a zoning meeting Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the government center’s Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers

(301 N. Olive Ave., Sixth Floor, West Palm Beach). For more info., visit www.pbcgov. com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Penguin Pals” for ages 6 to 12 on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. Chill out with a cool story and make a penguin to take home. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Holiday Card Creation with Microsoft Publisher” on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Some computer experience is required. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

Thursday, Dec. 6 • Wellington’s Food Truck Invasion will take place Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Between 15 and 20 food trucks will participate in this event every Thursday through May. Families, patrons and park-goers are invited to bring picnic blankets to the amphitheater grounds to enjoy their purchases. Call (561) 753-2484 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Writers’ Critique Workshop for adults on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Share, offer and accept constructive criticism to improve your fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere led by Caryn DeVincenti of the Florida Writers’ Association. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Friday, Dec. 7 • Wellington Ballet Theatre will perform The Nutcracker Friday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington). Call (561) 7532484 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

• Community of Hope Church (14101 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves) will host its annual interactive outdoor family event “Back to Bethlehem” Friday through Sunday, Dec. 7-9 from 7 to 9 p.m. nightly. For more info., call (561) 753-8883 or visit www.gocoh.com.

Saturday, Dec. 8 • The Wellington Green Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex. Call (561) 283-5856 or visit www.wellingtonfl. gov 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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HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER — in W ellington needs EXAM PREP COORDINATOR Bachelors Degree- Demonstrate Solid Performance on SAT and ACT (either verbal or math sections) Available to work evenings and Saturdays. Also needed: EXAM PREP TUT ORS Now Hiring SAT/ACT Preparation Tutors. Must have a 4 year degree preferably in Mathmetics or English. Be available to tutor on Saturdays. Please e-mail resume tomarlenegiraud@hlcwellington.com FRONT DESK — Loxahatchee/ Boynton Beach. Busy Dermatology practices, full-time, experience preferred, must be available for flexible hours, evenings and weekends.

Fax resume to 561-790-7568 MEDICAL ASSISTANT NEEDED IN LOXAHATCHEE/BOYNTON BEACH — Busy Dermatology practice, full-time, experience preferred, must be available for flexible hours, evenings and weekends. Fax resume to 561-790-7568 DRIVERS — DEDICATED ACCOUNT! TOP PAY! $2,000 sign on bonus. Benefit s, miles, great hometime and more. 1-888-5674854 Werner Enterprises.

AVON START YOUR OWN BUSINESS - $10! Sell everyday products that people love! Little risk lot of rewards. FREE ongoing training.

Avon store. 798-9011

DRIVER'S WANTED —Full-Time/ Part-Time Retirees welcome. Night Dispatcher for Wellington TownCar. Call for details. 561-333-0181 TEACHING ASSISTANT FOR PRESCHOOL — Experienced preferred. 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mon. - Fri. 561-793-5860 TEACHER— 3 Year Old Class.

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. CDA Required. 561-790-0808 GREAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATE — F/T pre-school assistant Teacher CDA required. Experience a plus. Call Sheryl 561-792-6909 E.O.E. PART -TIME KENNEL HELP/ GROOMING ASSISTANT— to work Saturday, Sunday and Monday, possibly more. Call 561-7911234 to set up interview DRIVERS: $2000.00 SIGN-ON BONUS! -Top Pay, Benefits, Miles.

Great Home-Time & More! Werner Enterprises: 1-888-567-4854 PART-TIME LEARN TO SWIM INSTRUCT OR FOR KIDS: — Year round, indoor heated pool, weekday morning classes, plus room to grow. Must have lifeguard certification, we will train. 561-855-7043 PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE CALL 793-3576

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JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent particip ating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225.

Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

WE CLEAN OFFICES & PRIVATE HOMES — Licensed & Insured. Call for an estimate and to schedule your ap artment. Discount for Central Palm Beach County Chamber members and to all new clients for first cleaning. 561-385-8243 Lic. #2012252779

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/Sof tware setup, support & troubleshooting w w w . m o b i l e t e c . n e t .

561-248-2611 D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jef f 561-3331923 Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach. W e accept major credit cards.

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

HOUSECLEANING — 20 yrs experience. Excellent local references.

Shopping available. 561-572-1782 HOUSECLEANING — affordable cleaning services, Royal Palm Maids. 561-666-7738 “For all your cleaning needs”

HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACTORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffit s, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561791-9777

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

RJA PAINTING & DECORATING, INC. — Interior Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial.Lic. #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561793-5455 561-662-7102 J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 or visit our website at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

CC'S CLIPPING — Equine Body Clipping, Clean-ups, excellent references. Wellington, FL year round resident.443-995-2607 cori.correra@gmail.com

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473 COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Int./ Ext. residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est.

Ins. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured.

CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

THE MASTER HANDYMAN — All Types of Home Rep airs & Improvements. No job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers. See me on Angies List. Tom (561) 801-2010 or (954) 444-3178 Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS INC. REMODEL & REPAIRS — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood rep air, door inst allation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets / countertops, wood flooring. Bonded and Insured U#19699. Call 7919900 or 628-9215 HANDYMAN AND CLEANING SERVICES — Caza Services for all your handyman and cleaning needs.

18 years experience. No job is too small. Call us today. Insured 561802-8300 or 754-242-3459

ANMAR CO .—James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back!

Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior p ainting.

Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS DON HARTMANN ROOFING — Roof painting, Carpentry. Lic. #U13677 967-5580 ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

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

SECURITY — American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening.

Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed!

CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com

561-577-9176 We answer our phones!

Build all type ENCLOSURES, repair, reinforcements & RESCREENING, slabs/footers/fascias.

If u don’t like sloppy jobs Call us! Recession rates AAA Pro Screeninglic # U-21289/ins ACCORDION SHUTTERS — Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985.

U-17189 561-791-9777

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

SPECIALIZING IN BATHROOM REMODELING — Free estimates serving South Florida since 1980.

Quality you expect, service you deserve. Lic. bonded & Ins. U21006 561-662-9258

TREES TRIMMED AND REMOVED — 561-798-0412 D.M. YOUNG TREE SERVICE. Family Owned & Operated Lic. & Insured 1992-12121 Visit our website at dmyoungtreeservice.com

HIST ORY/SOCIAL STUDIES TUT OR, — Accredited teacher 4 subject s, available in your home. All subject s come alive, you will not forget when tested! Middle/High School $25/hr. 561-702-0891

PAPERHANGING BY DEBI — Professional Inst allation,Removal.

Repair of Paper. Neat, Clean & Reliable. Quality work with a woman's touch. 30 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263

ROOM FOR RENT — with private bath, $600/month Private. 561-9854910 ROOM T O RENT - Utilities included, furnished, pool, LaMancha Community. $600 per month. Call 561-667-3475

FURNISHED HOUSE FOR RENT/ SHORT OR LONG TERM — situated in a cul-de-sac and 5 minutes away from S pruce Meadows, this 2000 sf. 2 story newer house in Shawnessy has hardwood floor throughout and 2.5 bathrooms.

Leather furniture, 48” TV and a Piano in main floor. Master bedroom has Jacuzzi. 2 large size bedrooms and bonus room. Wireless Internet, double att ached garage, fenced backyard with BBQ. W eekly housekeeping, linen service and lawn cutting plus all utilities included. For more details call (403) 808-7254 OR (403) 700-2065

TOWN-CRIER NEWSPAPER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 561-793-7606

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