Town-Crier Newspaper October 23, 2009

Wellington Pioneers

Hope Big Donation Leaves Lasting Legacy

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

Years before Wellington had established its reputation as a top equestrian community, Ken and Arle Adams chased foxes across area fields on horseback. Now they have pledged $5 million to keep Wellington an equestrian community through the creation of an equestrian park. Ken Adams, a longtime Wellington businessman and former member of the Palm Beach County Commission, told the TownCrier Tuesday that the donation is designed to help the village plan and execute a public/private partnership between the Village of Wellington and its equestrian community to make the equestrian park a reality.

According to Village Manager Paul Schofield, the couple offered the money with two conditions: that the money to fund the project would be supplementary to the normal budget, and that the village creates a plan to bring per-

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

Residents of the White Pine/ 12th Fairway area met Wednesday as part of Wellington’s Safe Neighborhoods Initiative to stop crime and beautify the community. The meeting, which took place at the Safe Neighborhoods Office on Wellington Trace, was an opportunity for residents to bring forth various issues, including: lighting, crime, police presence and code enforcement.

Wellington Community Programs Director Ivy Fivey addressed lighting concerns and said that the village is working with Florida Power & Light to get costs for providing adequate lighting in the neighborhood, which residents complain is dark and unsafe.

manence to the already-existing equestrian venues.

“Right now there’s no guarantee that any of the venues will stay for any length of time,” Schofield said. “What would happen if polo were to leave Wellington?”

Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said that the commitment by existing equestrian venues to remain in Wellington is an integral part of the envisioned park’s success.

“The most important element is a commitment by the Winter Equestrian Festival and the International Polo Club that the facilities will continue being intact and will remain as part of the community,” Priore said. “It gives credibility to the donation because it gives substance to believe that equestrians will remain in Wellington.”

The equestrian park would be created through a partnership between the government and the private sector, meaning there would be opportunity for public input in the equestrian venues.

“White Pine will be the test pilot for new lighting,” she said. “I am 90 percent sure that White Pine will be the first neighborhood on the list to receive new lighting once the costs come in.”

Crime was a large concern for many residents, who said that the number of foreclosed properties and Section 8 housing in the area helps breed crime.

PBSO Cpl. Alex Nunes, who helps police the area, said that crime is “substantially down” in the last six months due to increased patrols and more PBSO presence.

Deputy Rob Maione noted that neighborhood patrols include unmarked cars and narcotics units.

“Although you might not see us, I want you to know we are in the neighborhood and the surround-

“All major achievements have been due to a partnership between the public and the private sector,” Adams said, citing Disney as an example. “The public sector can offer many things, such as tax benefits.” Adams said he hopes to create

See ADAMS, page 18

ing neighborhoods,” he said. “It’s not necessarily people in your neighborhood doing things, it’s also people coming from other neighborhoods. That’s the problem — people hopping the fence from one neighborhood to another and committing crimes.”

For residents concerned with people running through their yard, Maione suggested signing a trespassing affidavit at the PBSO substation and posting a sign on the property. “That gives us the right to come on your property if we see people who look like maybe they shouldn’t be there,” he said. Nunes also addressed the two high-profile home invasions that took place in September, both in which residents were shot. “Those crimes were not committed by

RPB Council Votes To Keep Madrid Connection Closed

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

After hearing comment from more than 250 residents who were about equally divided on the issue, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council voted Wednesday to reject the connection of Madrid Street to the State Road 7 extension.

Village Engineer Ray Liggins and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 9 Capt. Eric Coleman both gave brief presentations about the opening before public comment.

Liggins said the La Mancha neighborhood the road would connect to has 1,544 homes with four points of access, but no eastern access, which he said is the direction most commuters want to go.

Liggins said his department has had numerous complaints from residents who have to wait at some of the intersections, including Balboa Blvd. at Okeechobee Blvd. and La Mancha Ave. at Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

Coleman said as a former La Mancha resident, he relates to the concerns about cut-through traffic, truck traffic and speeders. However, regarding fears that opening up the Madrid connection will cause an increase in crime, Coleman said such fears are largely unfounded because people who commit property crimes are usually familiar with the area, whether they live in the neighborhood or work there. “Crime in La Mancha is relatively low,” he said.

“That’s why it’s a nice place to live.”

The positive aspects of opening the Madrid connection would be improved traffic flow overall and quicker access for emergency vehicles, Coleman said, pointing out that the negative aspect is that certain sections would experience increases in traffic, which would increase safety risks for pedestrians and bicyclists. It is also possi-

ble that some non-residents would use Madrid as a pass-through street, he said. During public comment, Tinu Peña, a member of the village Planning & Zoning Commission and a La Mancha resident, said she opposes the connection out of concern for her children’s safety. “My house is not directly on Madrid, but people drive well above the speed limit,” she said. “I don’t let my children play in the front yard. It’s also extremely loud when they drive through.”

La Mancha Ave. resident Janet Robertson agreed, saying she thinks it would make a hazardous situation worse. Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone stressed that Royal Palm Beach and ITID had a partnership to support the SR 7 extension, which included a planned connection at Madrid Street. Mayor David Lodwick said the purpose of the SR 7 extension was to give Acreage residents an easier commute, which he said he felt has been achieved. Rick Lutz, a 23-year resident, said he favored opening the connection because it will actually ease the traffic burden. He compared the traffic openings to holes in a bucket where the flow of water is more efficient with more holes. “I’m in an area that will get more traffic, but it will be better for the neighborhood,” Lutz said. “People on Barcelona [Drive] can’t get out of their driveways.” Jackie Larson, speaking as the chair of the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission, said opening the road would not meet the village’s subdivision design standards. “There are a number of things we would be in violation of,” she said.

Resident Mick McCabe favored opening the connection because it will take three miles off his commute to work. He also pointed out See MADRID, page 18

Indian Trail Outlines Search For New Administrator

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Indian Trail Improvement District is in the process of looking for a new administrator in the absence of Chris King, who was asked to resign last week after unfavorable findings by the district’s risk assessment firm, which checks the district’s records prior to the annual audit. King, who started at Indian Trail in late 2007, was not at the ITID Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 14. His resignation was announced at the start of the meeting but not discussed in depth until the end. Board members discussed their options during supervisor comments. ITID President Michelle Damone said she favored a headhunting process in light of unsat-

isfactory results from the previous request-for-proposals process.

Damone said she is looking for a person such as former ITID finance director Tanya Quickel, who is currently deputy director of the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District and treasurer of the Florida Association of Special Districts.

“The last two administrators did not have special district experience,” Damone told the TownCrier on Wednesday. “They had municipal government or other government type experience, but the district is lacking that key person with special district knowledge. The district also lacks historical knowledge.”

At last week’s meeting, Damone said she wants only topnotch applicants, and the only way

that will happen is by going after them. Damone noted that ITID

Attorney Charlie Schoech had said the district can legally conduct a search for specific people to do the job. “We would go through legal,” Damone said, asking other board members if they have objections.

Supervisor Carol Jacobs said she agreed. “That audit is very disturbing,” Jacobs said. “I totally agree.”

Supervisor Carlos Enriquez asked what kind of experience a candidate needs. Damone replied that professional district knowledge and a strong financial background are the main qualifications.

strong administrative skills — somebody who not just understands the issues but knows how to administrate.”

Prior to King, ITID had a several-year period of cycling through many administrators. Damone said she remained with King for two years to maintain stability. Now, she is looking for an improvement.

“If we can pick up somebody with a historical knowledge, it would be a

said. “And

“If we get a recommendation that Joe in Estero, Fla. or St. Petersburg, Fla. has special district experience… we need to go and bring that district administrator here,” Damone said. Jacobs said in light of past experience, the supervisors need to decide on a compensation package to offer now. “We need to find out what other people are paying,” she said, noting that ITID is go-

ing to have to offer a good salary to get a qualified person. “We have a lot of issues, and we have a large area. You pay for what you get.” Damone told the Town-Crier that King earned $105,000 annually. She compared that to the $189,000 annually earned by Wellington’s manager and to the Northern Improvement District, whose administrator earns $151,000. During the meeting, Damone suggested meeting again to discuss salaries and other strategies before the supervisors’ Nov. 4 meeting. They agreed tentatively to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Enriquez said he agreed with the headhunting concept, but favored keeping options open. He See ITID, page 18

bonus,” she

The Farmer’s Daughter Garden Center in Loxahatchee Groves is celebrating the spirit of the fall season. In addition to its pumpkin patch, the center has a free “haunted forest” designed especially for children open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 31. Pictured above, Makayla Brinson found the perfect pumpkin. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

packed

Callery-Judge Stadium

School

PHOTO BY LAUREN

RPB’s Western Academy Charter School Dedicates New Building

Western Academy Charter School in Royal Palm Beach held a dedication ceremony last Saturday morning for the opening of its new building. The new building is for students in grades three through eight and includes a computer lab, main office, library and art room.

Western Academy Charter School opened in 2003 with 157 students and has grown to 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It has been an A-rated school for three years in a row.

Linda Terranova, principal of the school, recently received the 2009 Innovation Principal of the Year Award at the Project CHILD National Conference.

The conference was held last spring, and Dr. Sally Butzin, president and executive director of the Institute for School Innovation, presented the award during a gala awards luncheon held at the Lake Buena Vista Royal Plaza Hotel.

“In 2003, Linda was among a group of parents who were distressed about the educational services and programs made available to their children at their local schools, so they opened Western Academy as a Project CHILD

school in renovated space in a commerce park facility,” Butzin said. “Under Linda’s leadership, the school has continued to grow and expand.”

Project CHILD, which stands for “Changing How Instruction for Learning is Delivered,” is a three-dimensional learning system that incorporates technology and active hands-on learning into daily instruction. It is used for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Classrooms are organized into cross-grade triad “clusters” using a team-teaching approach. Teachers receive special training to become subject-focused specialists in one of the core academic areas: reading, writing or mathematics.

Classrooms utilize six different learning stations to incorporate computers, textbooks and handson activities. Teachers work with students for three years to build basic competencies throughout the primary grades and intermediate grades.

Western Academy Charter School is located at 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 300A. For more info., call (561) 7924123.

Teachers Ana Lopez, Lindsay Visztenvelt, Ginny Botello, Diana DiIorio, Patty Meoak and Jennifer Walker.

RPB Vice Mayor Matty Mattioli, Commissioner Jess Santamaria, Principal Linda Terranova and RPB Councilman Fred Pinto.

Peter Cummings, Craig Salisbury, Barbara Noble and Carol Culberson by the dedication plaque.

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria receives a plaque from Principal Linda Terranova.

Royal Palm Beach and Palms West Chamber of Commerce officials gather with members of the school family for a ribbon cutting.

Principal Linda Terranova gives general contractor Frank Nasto a card from the students.

The reading classroom for third, fourth and fifth graders.

Board President Barbara Noble welcomes attendees.

Dawn Auerbach unveils the dedication plaque.

Barbara Noble presents Principal Linda Terranova with a gift to thank her for her dedication to the school.

Kindergarten student Miranda Trammell enjoys the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Principal Linda Terranova recently received the Principal of the Year Award from the Institute for School Innovation. She picked up the award at the National CHILD Conference in Orlando. (Above) Terranova surrounded by CHILD teachers and staff members. (Left) Terranova holds the award plaque.

Wellington Begins Four-Day Schedule

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

The Village of Wellington began operating under its new fourday work schedule this week, with most offices closed Fridays.

Under the new schedule, departments such as Planning & Zoning, Code Compliance, Building and Utilities Customer Service will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Public Works and Administration will be open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the same four days, while recreational facilities will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday with added weekend operating hours.

The Safe Neighborhoods office will continue to be open on Fridays, taking incoming calls to the village. Critical services such as water and sewer utilities, law enforcement and fire-rescue will continue to operate on their previous schedule. Privately rented recreational facilities and parks will also be available as before. Additionally, e-services will continue to be available around the clock on the village web site at www.wellingtonfl.gov.

According to Village Manager Paul Schofield, those who call the

village on Fridays won’t notice a difference. “There will be a live person answering calls,” he said. “And there will be a senior member of staff working in the village.”

The village will now be open on three more holidays: President’s Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day, which all fall on Monday. Schofield said the village is trying to close as little as possible and didn’t want to be closed two days those weeks. The four-day work week was initiated to save money and will be tested over a six-month trial period. “This could save close to $300,000, but we are going to continue to re-evaluate the plan over the next six months,” Schofield said. “If we don’t see savings, or it’s too cumbersome, we will go away from the plan.”

In six months, the council will decide whether to keep the fourday work week or to revert to a five-day schedule.

“Other governments have the plan and love it; some don’t,” Schofield said. “It’s all about individual fit. It remains to be seen if it’s going to be cost effective, that’s why it’s a test.”

For more information, contact Tisa Sullivan at (561) 791-4017.

RPB Council Changing Mission And Structure Of Ed Advisory Board

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Following a vote last week by the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, the way in which the village’s Education Advisory Board chair is selected will soon change.

Approved at the council’s Oct. 15 meeting, a new ordinance gives the council and not the board power to appoint the chair. The council already appoints board members on an annual basis. Other reorganizational action will be addressed in follow-up resolutions.

At the council’s Oct. 1 meeting, Councilman Fred Pinto, the Education Advisory Board’s council liaison, presented a rough draft of a resolution reorganizing the board to more adequately meet the needs of the village, in light of recent research by a special committee organized by Councilman David Swift studying the reasons behind poor FCAT grades at Royal Palm Beach High School.

“We had some discussion about this several weeks ago with the advent of information that was brought to our attention through the work of the special committee,” Pinto said at the Oct. 1 meeting. “It just seemed to me an opportunity to look at the structure and model of our Education Advisory Board to reconsider what the mission of that board should be going forward.”

Pinto said he had discussed options with Village Attorney Brad Biggs for giving the council greater flexibility. Biggs suggested an annual resolution outlining the goals of the board. The change to the council appointing the chair had to be done by ordinance because a previous ordinance gave the board power to appoint its own chair, according to Village Attorney Trela White.

Pinto said he envisions a board that works on a more mission-oriented basis, addressing concerns of the council regarding education or local schools.

“We have some specific issues with the high school right now,” Pinto said. “Looking beyond that, once we’ve completed our fact finding, we want to get to a plan of action. I see us using the concept of an education advisory board — and it could even have another name — to address these issues.”

In addition to selecting the chair, Pinto would like the council to appoint members that fit certain needs. He feels the council needs flexibility to restructure the board as it sees fit to address specific issues such as the FCAT grade at RPBHS.

“We would augment the board as we see fit with experts to address a specific mission or specific issue or specific topic that we want to address for some period of time,” Pinto said. “I think that kind of model would give us greater flexibility and use that organization — or that board or that team — to address plans of action.”

The board’s current primary responsibility, to name college scholarship recipients, would continue, Pinto said. “The present board has done a great job at this,” he said. “I think that’s a very, very important mission for the community and an important mission for this council, so that’s a standing responsibility that we would want them to continue.”

‘We would augment the board as we see fit with experts to address a specific mission or specific issue.’

— Fred Pinto

Vice Mayor Matty Mattioli said he liked the idea of revamping the board. “From my experience, this board has become a rest home for school teachers,” he said. “I hate to say it, but that’s the way I found it.”

Mattioli said he would favor reducing the number of teachers on the board. “I’d like to see mothers and fathers on that board who have kids in school,” he said.

“They would really have the pulse of what’s going on.”

Councilwoman Martha Webster said she felt it should be a strong board in light of changes underway in Palm Beach County. “I see where some other cities are changing to charter schools and looking at similar models,” she said. “There are some interesting things going on. I’m not saying that that’s what we should be doing, but we should be following these trends and see what the results are.”

Mayor David Lodwick said the current board members have done good work, and that the council’s action should not reflect disfavorably on them.

During the passage of the new ordinance on Oct. 15, several Palm Beach County School District officials were in attendance: West Area Director Camille Coleman, RPBHS Principal Guarn Sims, School Board Member Dr. Sandra Richmond and School District Chief of Staff Ann Killets. Lodwick addressed the council’s guests directly.

“I think our role is changing. We need a much more active dialogue with our school district representatives,” he said. “We’re all friends. I think that’s great; we need to see more of you and communicate directly. You need to be able to get to our building without a map. We need better communications to push for the needs and concerns of our Royal Palm Beach residents.”

Lodwick added that in light of issues at the high school, he felt that the council and residents could not sit back and rely on the school district to take care of their children.

“That’s what I’m reading in what you’re writing, that you want to have a more proactive group of people,” Lodwick said to Pinto.

“The council will set a focus for them, and I am fully in support of that. If we need to be loud and angry, we can be loud and angry.”

Swift said he supported Pinto’s proposals. “I agree that there are going to be some really key issues that we need to get the board on,” he said.

Currently the board meets just four times a year, but Pinto said the language will be changed to reflect meetings at least four times a year and more frequently as deemed necessary.

Swift made a motion to approve the ordinance changing the Education Advisory Board, which was seconded by Pinto and carried unanimously.

Big Changes To Your Community Newspaper Unveiled This Week

Over the years, the Town-Crier has strived to be a strong presence in the western communities, a reliable source of local news that is free and accessible to everyone. Still, there have always been challenges to getting our paper out to the community, from guard gates and HOAs to the unavoidable rainy weather. Since 2002, these distribution obstacles haven’t affected readers in The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves, who have been receiving the Town-Crier in the mail. And this week, we are excited to announce that mail delivery has begun in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach as well. No longer will bad weather or vacant houses be an issue. Now everyone in the western communities has the opportunity to receive the Town-Crier on a weekly basis wherever they live — and it’s still free. While this is good news for us and our readership, that’s not all. The improvements aren’t limited to just the method of distribution; the paper itself offers plenty of upgrades in its structure and content. Beginning with this issue, the paper is wider with more content spread throughout the entire publication. There are no longer separate editions for different communities; Wellington and Royal Palm Beach will now get all news from their neighbors in The Acreage, Loxahatchee and Loxahatchee Groves, and vice versa. This will provide a more regional perspective in a time where over-arching stories often involve several of the western communities. Look for more stories of regional interest as well as expanded Palms West People and School News sections.

Madrid Street Connection Is Bad Planning

Editor’s note: The following letter is in response to Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster’s letter published last week.

As a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission of Royal Palm Beach, a land planner by profession, and a resident of our community for more than a decade, there is no dilemma for the village when considering the Madrid connection: it is simply bad planning and a bad idea. For those like Councilwoman Webster, what makes the Madrid connection so critical? Madrid is only a quarter-mile long; how could this be so important? Take a look at a roadmap and follow the lines. If the east end of Madrid were opened to traffic on State Road 7, a short trip down the length of Madrid puts a vehicle now on Ponce De Leon Street. Head north from the Ponce/ Madrid intersection for about one minute in the car, and you are now on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. See what just happened there? By opening up the west end of Madrid, all of The Acreage and western Royal Palm Beach now would have a short two-minute or less drive through La Mancha and have easy access to SR 7. Simply put: two short sections of pedestrian neighborhood streets were used to connect two major highways and encourage through traffic. Welcome to the “Royal Palm Beach Beltway.”

As a resident of Madison Green or Saratoga, suddenly this is a pretty good deal and a new opportunity: by taking Crestwood Blvd. past H.L. Johnson Elementary and using the “new” La Mancha cutthrough/beltway, I could be on SR 7 in less than two minutes’ time and avoid all of the traffic signals along Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

and Okeechobee Blvd. during rush hour. The route would trim nearly a mile off of my commute in the morning and who knows how much time would be saved in addition. And all at the expense of the neighbors and families who own homes along Ponce and Madrid.

The scenario I just described is the harsh reality of what happens when your neighborhood streets are used to make connections to highways. This is why in the State of Florida’s Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways (Green Book) under Residential Street Design, the manual states in clear language, “local street systems should be designed to minimize through traffic movements,” and that the “street system should be designed for a relatively uniform low volume of traffic.” The opening of the Madrid connection would by default violate these sound planning principles.

Hypothetically speaking, if a developer came to the Planning & Zoning Commission with this same idea in mind, and while I cannot speak for all of the other members of the P&Z, based on my years of history and experience on our board, I would seriously doubt it would pass muster, simply because it creates an unsafe situation at the expense of families living on those streets and violates good planning practice and roadway design. And if sound planning practices were not enough to dispute this connection, then this certainly was: seeing three elementary school-aged kids playing ball in their front yard on Monday afternoon after school at the intersection of Madrid and Ponce, not 10 feet from where all of this traffic would be added. Common sense says that’s more than enough of a reason to vote no. Richard Durr Jr., Vice Chair Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission

Many thanks to the thousands of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach readers who joined our mailing list by submitting cards and forms in our recent subscription drive. Over the past few weeks, we’ve entered stack upon stack of entries into our mailing program. There are sure to be a few errors that will be corrected along the way. Check your mailing label; if there are any errors or name spelling issues, send an e-mail noting the problem to yourtowncrier@aol.com or call (561) 793-7606. By the way, the free subscription drive is ongoing. A form is available on page 17 of this issue. If you haven’t yet done so, please fill it out, sign it and mail it in. All it costs is the price of a stamp.

In addition to these changes, we are in the early stages of building a more interactive newspaper that uses the web and social media sites to better communicate with our readers. If you want to get in on the ground floor of these plans, type the above e-mail address into Facebook’s search function and friend the Town-Crier; you can also join our Facebook business group page.

Six years ago, the Town-Crier began free subscription-based mail delivery to readers in The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves. This week, that same service is now available to all residents of the western communities and beyond. The newspaper may be pushing 30 years old, but we’re still finding new ways to grow. And we plan to do so for many years to come.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Kudos For New Wellington Leadership

It is not often one gets to see history in the making, albeit, negative history. But having moved to Wellington in 1991, I was able to witness a terrible, preventable phenomenon — the waste of millions of taxpayers’ dollars and the unnecessary deterioration of some of our village’s communities.

This did not happen overnight; it took years of neglect and poor leadership. Despite continuous warnings by myself and others, our village council chose to look askance and ignore an obvious problem. In fact, for the first two years of Tom Wenham being in office, there was no village code enforcement at all, and until recently, code enforcement was/is haphazard at best. Only now, under [Mayor] Darell Bowen, are we witnessing any attempt to address this problem.

[Former councilman] Bob Margolis, while serving at the time, initiated firing the citizen volunteer code board because we asked to meet with the council (after two years of no communication), and because I was vocal about lack of enforcement at Binks Forest. Oh, did I mention that the first trial on Binks and another violator, the tapes disappeared, forcing another trial?

If I were to offer one example that shows the dearth of leadership, it would be our veterans park. Oh, I’m terribly sorry (thank you, Ernie Zimmerman, for pointing this out) that our “park” has been demoted to a “monument,” probably because no one goes there 363 days a year (except cleanup crews), and the fact that there is no shade and not a single designated parking space — really, not a single one — making it a hardship if not impossible for some of our veterans to get there. Gee, I left out that Tom Wenham

had built the park, not once, but twice. Now I’m a combat wounded/decorated veteran, but when our dog park outshines our veterans park, something is wrong! Now here we are getting ready for another election, and guess who wants to run again? Rumor has it, Tom Wenham and Bob Margolis. Considering the wide margins they lost by, one might think that they might retire, but no. Our new leadership under Darell Bowen is fixing the problems left to him by Wenham/Margolis, not the least of which is cutting the budget by about 30 percent, so that gives us an idea of the previous waste. The last thing we need is this déjà vu, been there, tried it, and it’s still costing us!

George Unger Wellington

Tom Euell

Responds

Editor’s note: the following is in response to letters in last week’s Town-Crier written by Jane Mades and Richard Nielsen regarding healthcare reform. I am responding to Jane’s and Richard’s comments. I want to congratulate Jane on becoming a citizen of the United States. Who wouldn’t want to be a citizen of the greatest country in the world?

But I must point out that my friend from Montreal says that taxes on $80,000 are much higher than 31 percent. There is also a seven-percent federal sales tax, and with local sales tax added on it comes to 15 percent in Quebec. There’s also the $200 to register your car every year, another form of taxes. And she says it takes six months to get an MRI for any reason, and another three weeks to get the results. Triage, I think not. Her own father was having difficulty getting an appointment with a cardiologist after coming off vacation with chest pains. He finally went to the emergency room and was admitted right away.

Three weeks later he had triple bypass. When he was told he had to wait two weeks, he said he wanted to go home and he would come back. He was told if he left, he wouldn’t get back in.

You talk about lawsuits. Many are ridiculous, but some are justified. In California, you can’t sue the government. You may get a cash settlement, but if they cut the wrong leg off, you can’t sue anyone, and that would happen here. Now, I do believe in tort reform, but if there’s a major mistake made, you should have the right to sue. As for our passion, did you not watch TV regarding the town hall meetings? They were all about healthcare and there was plenty of passion, Jane.

Now let’s look at what our government is running: Social Security, due to go broke in 10 years and no increase in benefits for the next two years, which will hurt the people who need it most, Medicare, also due to go broke by the year 2017. They want to cut $600 million from it to help pay for this new bill — care that will be taken away from the elderly. Yeah, that’s a great plan, 1,300 pages that almost none of our representatives have even read. Got to lose those Democrats.

And now to Richard. So all Cuba’s problems are because of our embargo? Oh well, they can trade with other countries and do. Canadians go there on vacation, Richard. And let’s not forget why there is an embargo. Remember the “Bay of Pigs,” when the U.S. (President Kennedy) promised air support, and then when the Cubans tried to take their homeland

My Canadian friends were just down there, Richard. Did you know that every day soldiers come into their places of business and take a large portion of their proceeds from the day? They are not allowed to have American money. If you give the hotel maid anything — soap, hair supplies, etc. — they must tell the hotel management or you can be arrested. And did you know that the government would give you a bar of soap one month, but the next month you get soap for doing clothes? But anyone who holds Cuba up as any kind of example tells me where they’re coming from. Cubans risk their lives to come here. And lastly, anyone naïve enough to think that this bill, which is estimated to cost $2 trillion over the next ten years, won’t raise taxes is either in denial or doesn’t pay any attention to our current government programs. They are all in financial trouble. Once again, socialism is not what made this country great. It was freedom, the free market and capitalism. Even Germany and your beloved Cuba are looking to bring insurance companies in as we speak.

Tom Euell Wellington

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090 ; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com back, they didn’t get it? They were slaughtered, and the ones who weren’t killed or escaped were put in prison in Cuba. Then Castro brought the Russians in with their missiles. Remember the Cuban Missile Crisis? Under Batista, the people were very poor, as in most of South America, but they were free.

Pesky Airline Fees: The High Cost Of Flying The Not-So-Friendly Skies

What is the cost of an airline trip these days? Well, there may be one price on the face of the ticket, but have you figured in the fees and the surcharges? Better beware of the low-key “extra” charges. Last year, they added up to $3.8 billion!

Footloose

and...

By Jules W. Rabin

That is neither chicken feed nor a joke for today’s traveler, who already has to put up with endless delays when checking in at the air-

port and when awaiting takeoff of a particular flight.

What are some of the quiet revenue enhancers? You are probably aware of checked-bag charges and the fuel surcharge dropped in our laps during the last year.

Now the marketing geniuses who run the airlines have created

“flight surcharges” during busy travel times such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, etc. Many airlines will also charge $5 per bag for checking them at the terminal rather than prepaying for them online. (Didn’t even know you could do that.)

And British Airways is charging up to $90 to select your seat

more than 24 hours before the flight. The fee now for sending an unaccompanied minor can be as high as $100!

One airline mogul crows, “fees have become an easy way to try and fix the fares.” Richard Branson, the renowned chairman of Virgin Atlantic, has a different view. “The extra fees are not a good idea,” he warns. The airlines risk alienating travelers by adding so many charges on top of ticket prices. I surely agree with Branson. Extra airlines fees today are overkill and counterproductive… especially for an industry losing billions of dollars each year.

Lox Council Renews Contract With Embattled Debris Removal Firm

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council decided Monday to extend its disaster debris removal agreement with AshBritt Inc. of Pompano Beach despite several concerns raised about the company. At issue were charges and countercharges as well as a federal investigation of AshBritt in Broward County over alleged inflated charges to the Broward County School District during the Hurricane Wilma cleanup. The council granted AshBritt a one-year extension to Nov. 30, 2010 for emergency debris hauling after a discussion with company representative Jared Moskowitz.

Town Manager Frank Spence explained that the contract with AshBritt is on an as-needed basis, and since there has been no hurricane activity, the contract has not been used.

Spence said he is aware of the situation in Broward, but clarified that there have only been accusations about possible overcharges to FEMA for repairs to portable classrooms. Spence said the FBI is conducting an investigation, but there have been no indictments. Councilman Dr. Bill Louda said he would prefer to not exercise the council’s option, saying he felt there might be a lower bidder and would prefer to look into local contractors. Spence pointed out that in the event of a disaster, ev-

erything is 100-percent reimbursable from FEMA.

Moskowitz said that AshBritt did more than $1.5 billion in work during recent hurricane cleanups and is capable of providing a wider array of emergency services than just hauling, such as emergency shelter and feeding victims and workers.

In 2005, when Wilma came through, the Broward County School District had a contract with AshBritt, he said. FEMA did its own audit, which found no issues. He said AshBritt was later accused by a school board member of overcharging.

Moskowitz noted that while the council recently discontinued its contract with its auditor because

a partner is facing federal charges for Department of Housing & Urban Development violations, the Broward County School District has exonerated AshBritt of all charges.

Moskowitz said he thought it would be premature not to extend the contract just based on accusations. “One good thing is the hurricane season is over,” he said. “Allow us the time to show that we have done nothing wrong.”

Councilman Ron Jarriel said he thought Moskowitz had made a convincing presentation, but Jarriel wanted to make a point of contracting with more local firms. “I have no doubt that when we send out for RFPs, we will have local people,” he said.

Mayor David Browning noted

that most emergency coordinators hire local subcontractors to do the hauling.

Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp said the expertise of the contractor is to coordinate and see that paperwork is done. “Getting a tree stump moved is not the issue,” he said. “The crux of it is documentation and the paper trail, computerization and track record of getting reimbursement.”

During public comment, Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor John Ryan said he objected to comments not to worry, that the town will be reimbursed. He pointed out that the Broward County School District had decided to award its cleanup

contract to another company, not AshBritt.

Ryan said it would make sense to let the contract expire and get additional bids. “Time will pass, and we can make a decision that doesn’t condemn AshBritt, but they have enough problems that we don’t need to become involved,” he said.

Resident John Circett of C&C Hauling, a local company, asked if the council could make it mandatory that local haulers are contracted. Moskowitz said his firm would be more than willing to hire local contractors. He added that the contract, which is over 200 pages long, is not just for picking up debris, but general emergency

See LOX DEBRIS, page 18

Becky Kobussen and B.J. Maxwell in the Riddle House dining room.

Justin Nesselhauf and Hayleigh McClaim atop the 1924 American La France fire truck.

Judy Loftus and “pirate” Tamara Benatti watch Michael Pinkoff and Summer Abbott as they play a game.

The inaugural Fall into Fashion Show presented by Coldwater Creek was held last Friday at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. In addition to the fashion show, the event featured lunch, raffles, a performance by pianist Spencer Wood and more.

Anna Abraham, Joann Perrine, Grace Siegel, Barbara Sucidlo and Bridget Bethune.

Jane Doherty of Coldwater Creek comments on the fashions.

The ladies from the Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement enjoy the show.

Marge Herzog, Carol Perrine and Eleanor Smith.

Marian BynoePamela Schefrin

Iris Levin models a red hat.Ann Robinson

Light-Running Scooter Leads To Man’s Arrest On Drug Violations

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

OCT. 14 — A Lake Worth man was arrested last Wednesday night after a traffic stop on Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was on patrol in an unmarked vehicle at approximately 9:15 p.m. when he observed a red and black scooter run a red light at the intersection of Partridge Lane and Okeechobee Blvd. The deputy initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Okeechobee Blvd. and Wildcat Way and made contact with 23-year-old David Schaffrick and a female passenger wearing a green backpack. According to the report, the deputy observed an open alcoholic beverage in the cup holder underneath the scooter’s steering wheel and questioned Schaffrick, who said it was the alcoholic beverage Spark and that someone at a gas station had put it there. While talking to Schaffrick and his passenger, the deputy reported smelling marijuana and observed that Schaffrick and his passenger appeared nervous. The deputy asked Schaffrick if his license was valid, and he responded that it was not. According to the report, the deputy then asked Schaffrick if there was any marijuana on him, in the backpack or in the scooter, to which he responded there was not. He asked the passenger the same question, and she responded that there was not. Schaffrick consented to a search of the backpack, and the deputy discovered a large clear plastic bag containing 30.7 grams of marijuana, a small glass jar with 56 Xanax pills and a small digital scale with marijuana residue on it. Schaffrick stated that the drugs belonged to him and not the passenger, and that he did not have a prescription for the Xanax. Schaffrick was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where he was charged with various drug offenses.

• • • OCT. 10 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road on Saturday, Oct. 10 regarding a shoplifting complaint. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a loss prevention officer observed 24-year-old Stephany Baisden enter the electronics department and select memory cards, which she placed in her purse. Baisden then went to the women’s clothing department where she removed the tags from underwear, bras and T-shirts and also placed them in her purse. According to the report, Baisden then passed all points of purchase without attempting to pay for the merchandise and proceeded to exit the store. A loss prevention officer confronted her, and the items were recovered from her purse. The stolen items were valued at approximately $71.83. Baisden was arrested and taken to the county jail.

OCT. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a home on Meadowlark Drive last Wednesday regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., someone entered the victim’s home and stole a flat-screen television, a Wii game system, a

laptop, a digital camera, a watch and a diamond necklace. The victim said when she came home, her dining room sliding door was open. According to the report, the deputy discovered that at approximately 1:32 p.m. that day, an unidentified female complainant reported two suspicious white male teenagers in a white SUV next door to the victim’s home. Fingerprints were taken from a mirror near the point of entry, but there were no suspects at the time of the report.

OCT. 19 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to the clubhouse at the Binks Forest Golf Club on Monday morning in response to a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10 a.m. Sunday and 5:45 a.m. Monday, someone gained entry to a storage shed by removing a piece of plywood that was covering a hole in the wall. Nothing was reported stolen at the time of the report. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects at the time of the report.

OCT. 20 — Two vehicle burglaries were reported Tuesday in the Island community off Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. According to two separate PBSO reports, a deputy from the Wellington substation responded to two homes on Headwater Way and Headwater Circle in reference to vehicle burglaries. According to the first report, sometime between 7 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Tuesday, someone opened the door to the victim’s Porsche through the convertible top and stole $10 in change from the center console. There were no suspects at the time of the report. In a second PBSO report, the victim reported leaving her vehicle unlocked from midnight until 8 a.m. Monday, when she found the driver’s-side door slightly ajar, but didn’t think anything of it. Later, she noticed her GPS device, a black designer purse and a makeup bag were missing. The stolen items were valued at approximately $570. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

OCT. 20 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded Tuesday to a home on Wellington Trace regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between Sept. 7 and Tuesday, someone disconnected and removed the timer control assembly from the victim’s residential power source, leaving only the plastic box attached to the side of the house. The victim said she didn’t have the sprinkler system set during the rainy season, but due to the lack of rain, she intended to turn the sprinklers on when she discovered the timer missing. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

OCT. 20 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested Tuesday on drug charges after a traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 11 a.m. a deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach observed 25-year-old Zanriah Daley emerge from behind houses in the Counterpoint Estates community and get in a blue 1995 Honda Civic. Daley then drove down Business Parkway toward State Road 7 where the deputy clocked him doing 60 mph in a 40-mph zone. The deputy initiated a traffic stop See BLOTTER, page 18

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in West Palm Beach, Lantana, Delray Beach and Boca Raton are seeking the public’s assistance with identifying a serial bank robber known as the “Withdrawal Bandit” (pictured above and below) who is wanted for committing numerous bank robberies throughout Palm Beach County. Anyone who

State Official Offers Update On ‘Cancer Cluster’ Investigation

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Residents attending an informational meeting Monday about cancer studies in The Acreage expressed frustration that the studies were not moving along as quickly as they would like and that the results were difficult to interpret.

Organized by State Rep. Carl Domino (R-District 83) and held at the Clayton Hutcheson Agriculture Center building in West Palm Beach, the meeting’s featured speaker was Dr. Sharon Watkins, senior

environmental epidemiologist for the Florida Department of Health.

Others attending the meeting said they resented what they called “scare tactics” by water system peddlers, attorneys offering to represent residents and panic-stricken residents who say there is an undue amount of cancer in The Acreage when state testing has shown no strong conclusions thus far.

Watkins, who has worked at the Florida Department of Health for more than a decade, has been involved in numerous epidemiology and pesticide studies in the state and is the author of more than a dozen scientific articles, noted Todd Bonlarron, county director of legislative affairs, who served as moderator.

Watkins said her department began looking into the situation in May in response to citizen requests. So far, the study shows an elevated level of brain cancer among girls, but the correlation is weak, she said. Watkins said they studied cancer cases from 1995 to 2007 in ZIP code areas 33411, 33412 and 33470.

Watkins said they found 1,369 cases of any type of cancer in that time frame, of which 23 were brain or central nervous system cancers and seven were pediatric brain cancer primarily among females. Pediatric brain cancers included six different types, she said, noting that it is significant that they did not find a consistent type of cancer that would typically be found if it were caused by a particular agent.

The number of total cancers is higher than expected for adults, although there is not a pattern such as brain cancer, she said. Other cancer types were slightly higher, but the pattern points to a problem with the population estimate, which is the 2000 census, the most recent complete demographic analysis.

Watkins said the study focused on more recent years, where there were no excessive numbers of pediatric

cancer overall, but there was an increase in pediatric brain cancer as a group, especially for girls.

Using the county and the state as a reference or control group, Watkins said they would expect closer to three cases of pediatric brain cancer from 2000 to 2007 for a population group where they observed six. She added that they were concerned that there were four additional cases in 2008.

Watkins said researchers felt the numbers deserved a closer look, so they went to a Level II analysis.

“We did see an elevation in this particular type of cancer,” she said, noting that the small number of cases makes the data unreliable. “We identified a small number of cases, which makes analysis very hard and challenging. Statistics work better with larger groups and data. The brain cancers are a diverse group of cancers. They have different development rates and different survival rates. It is important to remember that this was a diverse group of diagnoses.”

Watkins added that other risk factors are not known, such as medical issues in infancy. “The risk factors for brain cancer are not well understood and science is unclear,” she said. “Studies like these cannot connect exposure to a chemical agent to a case of cancer.”

Watkins said she has been asked why the study used population estimates from 2000, and she said that although the data was old, it was the most accurate published data available. “Getting more current data would have taken longer to get initial results,” she said.

Palm Beach County Health Director Dr. Alina Alonso said her department is in the process of developing a questionnaire in coordination with the state DOH and local epidemiologists.

“The Palm Beach County Health Department will conduct interviews,” Alonso said.

The questionnaire will have numerous simple but detailed questions, including details about residential history, jobs held, military service, hobbies, attendance at school, immunizations and other possible exposures. During public input, resident Vanessa Valderrama asked if the survey will include former residents of homes that have been foreclosed on. “A lot of people have moved out because of foreclosures,” she said.

Watkins said her department has been using numerous means to arrive at a reliable population estimate, including FPL data, satellite imagery and school demographics.

Valderrama asked about consistency in well testing conducted by the DOH, saying that of 49 wells tested, 41 of the homes weren’t tested for radium. Jack Long, director of the Southeast District for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said they tested 50 wells, and 46 were OK as far as manmade contamination. Alonso noted that small amounts of radiation occur naturally.

County Administrator Bob Weisman said he has looked into the study, and the levels found on average were enough to create a one-in-10,000 risk of fatal cancer if a person consumed two liters of the water daily over a period of 70 years. Watkins said the presence of radium 226 and 228 in drinking water is most likely to cause bone cancer, and there were two cases of bone cancer, none in children.

Mike Nichols, an environmental engineer and Acreage resident, said the surveys had raised more questions than they answered. He said he felt the results of the Level I study did not determine that it was necessary to go to the Level II study. “My big question is why, with all the negatives, are we stig-

State Rep. Joe Abruzzo Looks Forward To Busy Legislative Session

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Heading into his second year in the Florida House of Representatives, State Rep. Joe Abruzzo (DDistrict 85) discussed what he has done and what he hopes to accomplish at an Oct. 15 meeting of the Jeffersonian Association of South Florida.

The featured speaker of the event, held at the Chesterfield Hotel in Palm Beach, Abruzzo started off by noting that with a budget shortfall, his first legislative session was not a pleasant experience.

“We walked into a multi-billion-dollar deficit,” he said. “There was not a lot of money to be spent anywhere. The Republicans were looking at making drastic cuts, and they actually raised taxes. That is the fact of the matter.”

Abruzzo, whose district covers most of Wellington and parts of The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves, discussed the five bills he was able to get passed, all of which were signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist. The first was Nicole’s Law, named in memory of Nicole Hornstein, a 12-year-old Acreage girl who died in a tragic

horse riding accident in 2006. “That law requires minors 16 years and under to wear a helmet while they are on horseback, and that riding instructors will provide a helmet for them,” Abruzzo said. Under Abruzzo’s next bill, he said, people will be able to take advantage of a program that allows rebates for a multitude of appliances. “I passed an Energy Star rebate program that will be effective from April 16 to April 25,” Abruzzo said. “That means when you go into a retail store and purchase a refrigerator, a freezer, a dishwasher, an air conditioner or a washing machine that’s Energy Star-rated, you are going to receive a 20-percent discount.”

Abruzzo’s third bill deals with the hospitality industry. “[Industry representatives] came to my office in the beginning of session, and they were concerned,” Abruzzo said. “Every single hotel and restaurant pays an extra $10 fee within their yearly licensing fee that is supposed to go to hospitality education. There are currently over 20,000 students enrolled in these courses throughout the state. They were concerned that because of our budget deficit, we were going to take money from them

and use it for general revenue. I filed a bill to not only save the money, but to move all the monies into our public schools for those programs.”

The two other bills that he was able to pass had to do with clarifying language that described the Pine Tree Water Control District and the Lake Worth Drainage District.

In passing those five bills, Abruzzo noted that he had the freshman record, on either side of the aisle, for the most bills passed.

“I actually passed more general bills than any other Democrat in the entire state,” he noted.

Abruzzo spoke highly of fellow Democrat and fellow western communities legislator State Rep. Mark Pafford (D-District 88). “Our districts completely intertwine,” Abruzzo said. “I think we complement our districts extremely well, and we work together very well.”

Abruzzo noted three issues that will dominate the next legislative session — the budget, Seminole Indian gaming and offshore oil drilling. Last year, Abruzzo explained, Crist signed a compact deal with the Seminole Indians that gave the exclusive right to

blackjack. The only problem was that Crist did not file a bill in the legislature. With the whole deal being illegal, Crist was sued by then-House Speaker Marco Rubio. “Crist did this without legislative approval,” Abruzzo said. “Marco Rubio, then Speaker of the House, sued him and the Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal. The compact was void.”

The Seminole Indians, however, still have their blackjack tables because they had a document signed by Crist, Abruzzo said, and they still are allowing play in their casinos. The state legislature responded with several bill proposals, but when it came back to the Seminoles, they did not accept it. The whole thing, Abruzzo said, is now in gridlock with the state getting no money and the Seminoles continuing to use the tables.

“They say they are putting the money into a trust fund, and that if we ever sign a deal, we will be able to collect it,” he said. “That will be an issue that will dominate the next legislative session in many ways.”

Another key issue, Abruzzo said, will be offshore oil drilling. He noted that incoming Speaker of the House Dean Cannon is a

big supporter of offshore oil drilling, so that bill will likely pass because it is supposed to generate revenue for the state. What might slow the process down, Abruzzo said, is a bill filed by State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-District 27) that calls for a comprehensive study to be done on the issue. Nevertheless, Abruzzo expects that a bill will likely pass because nobody wants to raise taxes in a bad economy.

“They’re going to walk into a $5.3 billion budget deficit,” Abruzzo said. “After this session, and the cutting and the fee raises, they will be tapped out. That’s the only way they see billions of dollars being able to come in. I voted against it last year. The only way I might support it is there would have to be sub-sea platforms and they would have to craft a bill that completely bans East Coast drilling, completely bans the Keys and most of the Gulf. If it’s like the bill last year, I will be voting against it.”

Another contentious issue Abruzzo addressed is the possible cancer cluster in The Acreage. Abruzzo said he has been meeting with affected families in the community, and he recently had

teamed up with Aronberg to write a letter to the state’s surgeon general to get some testing done. “They came in and did some testing, but it was not as much as I would have liked,” Abrruzo said. “Sen. Aronberg and I had a vision of a task force coming in to investigate it. We have a community of around 50,000 people, and they can’t sleep at night. I think the media attention to it is a good thing. It will force a certain level of inquiry into the matter.”

PLENTY OF FALL FUN AT THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER IN LOXAHATCHEE GROVES

The Farmer’s Daughter Garden Center (13415 Southern Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves) is celebrating the spirit of the fall season. In addition to its pumpkin patch, the center has a free “haunted forest” designed especially for children open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 31. For more info., call (561) 790-4222.

State Rep. Joe Abruzzo

The Hallenbeck family.

Owner Julie Campbell gives a candy apple to Isabella De Jesus.

Dylan and Bradley Unhjem with Arianna Guerrera.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Dr. Sharon Watkins

See CANCER, page 18

Free Movie Night At Community Of Hope

Acreage Xtreme Cheerleaders To Host Yard Sale

The Acreage Xtreme Cheerleaders will hold a yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 16727 Key Lime Blvd. in The Acreage.

The sale will include furniture, appliances, light fixtures, clothing, baby items, brick-a-brack and housewares. All proceeds will go to competition fees. For more information about the yard sale, call Head Coach Melody Sayles at (954) 410-1709 or visit www.xtremecheer.9f.com.

Veterans Day Observance In Royal Palm

The Village of Royal Palm Beach will hold its annual Veterans Day observance on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park.

Participating in the ceremony will be the Honor Guard from American Legion Post 367, Jewish War Veterans Post 684, Tyler Retzler and the village’s Early Childhood Activity Program participants, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from Troop 111, and local dignitaries. Refreshments prepared by Wild Orchids Café and served by Young At Heart volunteers will be available following the gun salute.

For more information about the event, call the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 7905149.

Reception For Carl Domino Campaign

A special reception for western communities residents in honor of State Rep. Carl Domino (R-District 83) will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the White Horse Tavern (3401 Equestrian Club Road, Wellington). Domino is a Republican candidate for State Senate in District 25; contributions to his campaign will be welcome. The District 25 seat is now held by Jeff Atwater, who is seeking the Florida Chief Financial Officer post. RSVP to Kristine at (561) 948-0406 or kristine@votecarldomino.com.

Wellington Garden Club To Meet Nov. 2

The Wellington Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) featuring guest speaker John Klingel.

Klingel will present some fun and simple ideas on how you can progress from Thanksgiving to New Year’s using the same basic design structure and mechanics in a floral design. Klingel will offer suggestions on the best finds in thrift shops, yard sales and consignment boutiques for those oneof-a-kind containers. He will demonstrate how to create a floral arrangement that will transition through the holidays.

An artist, floral designer, former retail shop owner, author of The Frugal Florist: Do-it-Yourself Flowers on a Budget and currently director of the South Florida Center for Floral Studies in West Palm Beach, Klingel has worked in many aspects of the floral industry. He has also participated in regularly televised interviews about flowers on the NBC and PBS affiliates in West Palm Beach. Klingel, a floral designer for notables such as Vera Wang, Chris Evert and Janet Jackson, will now bring his vast talent to the Wellington Garden Club, showing how to frugally create designs that can extend your holiday dollars.

The public is invited, and a light lunch will be served. Seating is limited. RSVP to (561) 793-6013 or (561) 798-9217.

Family Fun Fair

At St. Michael Church Nov. 14

St. Michael Lutheran Church in Wellington will host its annual Family Fun Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

There will be something for everyone in the family: A classic car show, a Vietnam-era helicopter, Christmas and assorted handmade crafts, a huge plant sale, a silent auction, raffle baskets, a bake sale, games and crafts for the kids, a bounce house and slide, a one-eighth-scale steam locomotive, and plenty of food and beverages. Admission is free. The classic car show will be held in the church parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be

owner judging for first, second and third place, and trophies will be awarded. If you have a car you would like to enter, contact the church office at (561) 793-4999 for more information. The car entry fee is $10 with the proceeds going to the church’s building fund and a Glades-area church food pantry. Cars must be registered prior to the event. St. Michael Lutheran Church is located at 1925 Birkdale Drive (at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Birkdale Drive).

Community Fitness Run/ Walk Nov. 7

After a year’s hiatus, the Palms West Community Foundation, along

BRASS EVOLUTION LAUNCHES INAUGURAL LIVE ARTS FLORIDA CONCERT SERIES

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Volunteers from St. David’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church.

Andrew and Amy Panzer with Alan Johnson.

Miles Levitan sings the Spider-Man theme song.

Jeffery Harris and Astrid Pazmino sing.

Denise and Jeff Smith with Peggy and Mark Candreva.

Mason Phelps, Ron Neal and Nappy Tranter.

Live Arts Florida founders Shelley and Win Blodgett.

Jody Marlow sings while Brass Evolution’s “Sick Puppy Horn Section” backs him up.

Maureen and Don Gross, Maggie Zeller, and Ray and Susan Giddings.

Wellington High School held homecoming festivities last week, culminating with a pep rally on Thursday and the crowning of the king and queen during Friday’s varsity football game. Pep rally activities included lip-syncing and boys cheerleading performances. Chase Watters and Gloria Kelly were crowned homecoming king and queen respectively.

PHOTOS BY PAUL GABA/TOWN-CRIER

MAKING STRIDES WALK RAISES OVER $126,000 FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

The Palm Beach County Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk took place last Saturday at Okeeheelee Park. More than 1,000 “striders” joined together for the Making Strides walk and helped raise more than $126,000 to support American Cancer Society breast health programs, research, advocacy and education.

Seniors perform their winning lip-sync presentation.

Teachers Mary Inglis and Brian Bausch show school spirit.

Robby Chamizo impersonates Tom Cruise in Risky Business

Principal Mario Crocetti, 2008 queen Marlee Carnevale, 2009 queen Gloria Kelly, 2009 king Chase Watters and 2008 king Elliot Joffe during last Friday’s varsity football game.

Robby Chamizo and Michele Zangen enter the pep rally.

Sophomore representatives Kaitlin Samulkayvitsch and Tyler Vanacore.

Seniors Jovaniel Paisley and Juliana Pache.

Freshmen Sarah Acevedo and Brandon Swass.

Laura Pucker, Lourdese Marzigliano, Jessica Wittenbrink, Kelly Fason, Katrina Ziralli and Neeza Abraham.

Event Chair Dorothy Bradshaw cuts the ribbon to start the walk.

Team Recruitment Chair Amy Bradshaw receives a plaque from ACS Area Executive Director Linda Spielmann.

Osceola Creek Middle School Honors September Scholar-Athletes

Osceola Creek Middle School recently announced the recipients of the Scholar-Athlete Award for September. The award is sponsored by the school police and honors varsity athletes who also excel in academics, effort, behavior and school spirit, and serve as role models for others.

This month’s honorees carry high grade point averages as well as play varsity sports. Both of September’s honorees are eighth graders. Boys baseball honored 13-yearold Zack DeCosta. “Zack has been chosen as the boys Scholar-Athlete,” Coach Ryan Hotaling said.

“He has been part of the baseball team for all three years here at

Osceola Creek. He has started for two of those years at shortstop, third base and as a pitcher. Zack is a quiet leader on and off the field. He is in advanced classes and is very successful in these classes. He is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society. He leads by example both on the field and in the classroom.”

Zack carries a 4.2 grade point average and was selected as Athlete of the Year when he was in sixth grade. He wants to attend the University of Florida as a physical therapy major, followed by a career as a physical therapist.

Softball player Jamie Hamilton was selected as the girls ScholarAthlete. “She is one of the cap-

tains on the girls softball team,” girls softball Coach Deb Galavan said. “She has played for Osceola Creek for three years. Jamie has grown in many ways with the team. She has developed into a wonderful athlete, but even more importantly, a lovely young lady. Her ability to take the bull by the horns during practice has been invaluable. Jamie has been an integral member of the team. She is a true leader both on and off the field. She talks to her teammates, giving them encouragement and guidance when needed. She exemplifies a true sportsmanshiplike attitude even in adverse conditions. She plays hard and always gives 100 percent whether she is

at bat, pitching or playing first base. It’s for these reasons and many more that Jamie was selected as our scholar athlete this month.”

Jamie, 13, runs track and has perfect attendance for the year and is carrying a 3.1 grade point average. She is undecided on a career; however, she has her heart set on attending the University of North Carolina.

Supporting the Scholar-Athlete Award program are Subway and Burger King (located at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd.) and Dairy Queen (at Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards), which donated free food coupons.

Western Pines Recognizes Three Students

Once again, Western Pines Middle School Principal Bob Hatcher is proud to announce the students of the month for October. These students have been selected by their math teachers as outstanding students and future leaders in the community.

Rebecca Patterson represents the best of the school’s sixth graders. Rebecca is in an advanced class and has received straight A grades. She is always willing to help others in class and participates in class willingly. She is a pleasure to have in class and liked equally by her peers and teachers.

Debby Ilarraza, from the seventh grade, has the ultimate “can-do” attitude while taking on all tasks with positive energy. She always participates and is willing to help out wherever needed. She is an intelligent, thoughtful and personable young lady. She always maintains high standards for herself and her school work.

Finally, the eighth grade Student of the Month is Mario Reis. Mario stands out above his classmates due to his positive attitude. When he is challenged, he rises to the occasion and will go the extra mile to meet and surpass expectations. Mario exhibits qualities that make him a true leader: willingness to work hard, refusal to quit when facing a challenge and dependability.

Poinciana Day School Student Council Elected

Students at Poinciana Day School recently held student council elections for the 2009-10 school year in which 15 students were elected. The students were nominated for positions, campaigned, made campaign speeches and were elected by their classmates by secret ballot. A separate campaign was conducted for leadership positions on the student council.

The elected officers are: eighth grader Alden Thompson of Singer Island and Juno Beach, president; eighth grader Shelley Martin of Atlantis and Loxahatchee, vice president; sixth grader Maeve A’Hearn of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth, secretary; seventh grader Mat-

thew Ridgway of Lantana, treasurer; sixth grader Justin Lubin of Palm Beach, historian; fifth grader Patrick Brannen of West Palm Beach, class representative.

Other student council members include: eighth graders Alec Aubain of West Palm Beach and Melissa Pitcher of Wellington; sixth graders Blake Clement of Lake Worth, Julianna Cooper of West Palm Beach, Cole Fendrich of Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, and Kaitlyn Rivers of Lake Worth; fifth grader Ethan Ridgway of Lantana; fourth graders Fiona A’Hearn of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth and Christina Bacon of West Palm Beach.

The

For more information about Poinciana Day School, call (561) 655-7323 or visit the school’s web site at www.poncianadayschool. org.

RPBHS Speech And Debate Team Excels

The Royal Palm Beach High School speech and debate team dominated the 33rd Annual Nova Titan Invitational held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17 by finishing in the top five for every event. The Nova Titan Invitational invites teams from all over Florida and some schools along the east coast. With more than 110 teams and 2,200 students, Royal Palm Beach came out on top.

After five preliminary rounds that took place throughout Friday evening and Saturday morning, RPBHS advanced into the afternoon with 10 students in the elimination rounds. From those 10, four made it to the finals in Duo Interpretation of Literature, one made the finals in Dramatic Inter-

pretation and one made the finals in Original Oratory. RPBHS was ranked as the number-one school overall from Palm Beach County, beating out Jupiter and Suncoast, and was ranked number-one overall in Interpretation.

Yvonne Goode was the firstplace invitational champion in Dramatic Interpretation of Literature, Bryan Piverotto and Jordan Roe won second place for Duo Interpretation of Literature, Julie Marcelus and Natasha Jean-Pierre won fourth place for Duo Interpretation of Literature, Bastion Pieri won fifth place in Original Oratory, Luis Hernandez and Marco Lopez were semifinalists in Duo and Marco Lopez was a semifinalist in HI.

Crestwood Launches Education Initiative

Crestwood Middle School in Royal Palm Beach has created a program in which students who want to improve their skills in reading, math or science can work with volunteers and fun computer programs to achieve their goals. The program is called Eagles’ Excellence Hour and takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. in Room 823. On the first day, 65 kids turned out to ask for help; on the second day there were 90!

No special skills are required — just a heart for helping kids who are trying to better themselves. The school wants to reward their desire and initiative with enough adults or high school students to make them feel that their efforts are valuable. Anyone who can help from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays is needed, even if it’s only once a month. For more info., call (561) 753-5093 or e-mail crestwood.pto @palmbeach.k12.fl.us.

Scholar-Athletes Of The Month — Principal Dave Alfonso, Jamie Hamilton, Zack DeCosta and School Officer Sandy Molenda.

Students Of The Month — Debby Ilarraza, Rebecca Patterson and Mario Reis with Principal Bob Hatcher.

The 2009-10 Poinciana Day School Student Council.

student council includes fourth through eighth grade students and is advised by Mr. Dan Schaffer and Ms. Brooke Rigaudon.

Seminole Ridge SECME Students Meet With Professional Engineers

On Oct. 7, Jim Kunard, a professional engineer and past president of the Florida Engineering Society’s Palm Beach chapter, joined electrical engineer Shams Moghadam in a visit to the Seminole Ridge High School SECME Club. They began their talk with a review of the technical drawings for the emergency generator building at school district headquarters and brought it home by reviewing students’ technical drawings for the mousetrap-powered cars to compete in April’s districtwide SECME Olympiad. Their demonstration of engineering expertise showed the Hawks a flowchart — from classroom to college to career — and emphasized the importance of engineering innovation to our everyday lives.

The SRHS SECME chapter, sponsored by Mr. Erich Landstrom, provides many such opportunities for students to participate in hands-on activities that involve engineering problem-solving techniques. The club provides not only a deeper understanding of the engineering profession but also a foundation for college-level engineering education.

In other news, SRHS students competed Oct. 9 in the second annual Engineering Olympics, hosted by Florida Atlantic University’s chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Teams competed in a series of timed engineering challenges using a “brown bag” of supplies for each event — pasta tower, popsicle stick bridge, marshmallow cat-

apult and aluminum foil boat. The Hawk heroes included captain Kayleigh Previte, co-captains Aleen Touma and Daniel Lowenthal, Ralph Regis and Zack Wiggins.

• Hawk Teacher Honored At their Sept. 29 banquet, the Florida Council for the Social Studies honored Mrs. Kara Macsuga as “Global Educator for the State of Florida.” The award recognizes a teacher who conveys to her students an appreciation of diverse cultures and infuses a global awareness through her teaching. During the presentation, officials said Macsuga “encourages students to value and respect multiple perspectives on the state of the world, and helps them to realize the interdependence of nations in the increasing globalization of the world’s cultural, political, economic and social spheres.”

• Cadets and a Caterpillar On Oct. 8, as part of the nationwide “Read for the Record” incentive, Seminole Ridge Army JROTC cadets read to a group of second grade students at Melaleuca Elementary School. The book of choice was Eric Carle’s classic picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Cadets and students alike finished the event with smiles on their faces and the joy of hearing a book read well.

• Hawks Shut Out Warriors

— The SRHS freshman football team traveled to Jupiter on Oct. 14 for its fifth game of the season, and the outcome was never in doubt because the Warriors forgot to bring their battle gear. The final score was 43-0.

The defense recorded its second shutout of the season. Mike Almonte picked off a Jupiter

pass, returning it 20 yards to set up a Hawk touchdown, and Cody Ehrlund recovered a Jupiter fumble. Wingback Mike Pacillo had a strong offensive game, scoring three touchdowns — two rushing and one a 40-yard pass from quarterback Antwan Washington.

Omar Pierre-Louis, in to sub at quarterback, scored his eighth touchdown of the season, running a naked bootleg from 30 yards out. Fullback Dan Correa scored a touchdown, as did supersub Randy Nicholson, hitting pay dirt for his first score. Washington, who holds on extra points, got the ball on the tee for Derek Falk three times, and he kicked it through. Washington and Pierre-Louis ran the ball into the end zone twice for two points each.

(Above) Jim Kunard with Jonathan Leon and Amanda Shimabukuro. (Below) Aleen Touma, Kayleigh Previte, Ralph Regis, Zack Wiggins and Daniel Lowenthal.

JROTC cadets Eddy Perez, Alex Martinez, Samuel Buckley and Ryan Espinoza with Melaleuca Elementary students.

Kara Macsuga with SRHS colleague Stuart Sabin.

Wellington’s Briana Weiser To Pursue Doctorate At Scripps Florida

Wellington resident Briana Weiser is among six new graduate students who have chosen the Scripps Florida campus as the place to pursue their doctoral degrees. “Like last year, the level of excellence and accomplishment for these students is exceptional,” said William R. Roush, Jupiter-based associate dean of the Kellogg School of Science and Technology, which operates graduate programs on both Scripps Research Institute campuses. “We continue to work very hard to recruit topnotch candidates, and that’s what we’ve got. They are all first-rate and will make terrific scientists by the time they graduate.”

Roush is also executive director of the Translational Research Institute Medical Chemistry Division and a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute Of the 24 students currently enrolled in the Scripps Florida graduate program, about a quarter have some connection to Florida. For Weiser, becoming a new graduate student at Scripps Florida is like coming home twice. The 22-year-old grew up in Wellington, attended public school in the community and then went north to Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology —

JOSH HYBER WINS JOURNALISM AWARD

Wellington High School student and Town-Crier columnist Josh Hyber recently won the MVP award for a sports writing class at the University of South Carolina. Offered by the Carolina Journalism Institute, the class allowed students to interview college and professional athletes and hear from professional sports writers before writing a feature story. Hyber’s story “Autographs” took top honors for the class. Pictured here is Hyber with a certificate of achievement for winning the award.

with a minor in chemistry on top of that.

Last summer, she was an intern in the laboratory of Scripps Florida Assistant Professor Tim Tellinghuisen, who has a national reputation for his studies of the hepatitis C virus, in what Weiser calls a “crash course” on the virus.

As a graduate student, Weiser is once again working in Tellinghuisen’s lab. “One of the best things about Tim’s lab is that I’m learning about the link between a virus like hepatitis C and diseases like diabetes,” she said. “It’s that human side of science that interests me. I couldn’t work in a place where I wasn’t helping people in some way.”

And she gets to do it in her own back yard.

“That’s why I applied here,” she said. “The resources here can’t be found at other research institutes. Plus it’s a top-ten Ph.D. program right here in the place where I grew up, so I can be with my family. What could be better than that?”

The Scripps Florida graduate program is part of the Scripps Research Kellogg School of Science and Technology, which currently has about 250 students on both the La Jolla, California and Jupiter, Florida campuses. The quality of the Scripps Research graduate program has been widely recognized by independent

sources. For one, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Scripps Research program among the top ten in the country in its fields, specifically seventh in the biological sciences and sixth in chemistry.

In addition to the graduate program, Scripps Florida and neighboring Florida Atlantic University have a joint education agreement to promote education and research between the two institutions in areas involving biomedical science and related fields, including collaborations in postdoctoral training, undergraduate education, internships and community outreach activities.

Eiseman Completes Eagle Scout Project

(Front row) Jordan Davis, Patrick Eiseman, Ross Pantone, Frankie Calas, Andrew Eiseman and Johnathon Germain; (back row) Johnathon Galdos, Jerrid Kosma, Amy Sooklal, Tyler Neumann, Inee Green, Simeon Lyons, Vanessa Calas, Theresa Brustad, Larry Neumann, Sabrina Worsly, Paul Eiseman and Evan Slayden.

Eiseman completed his Eagle Scout project on Sept. 19, which included a wooded nature trail directly behind Palms West Presbyterian Church in Loxahatchee Groves. Members of Boy Scout Troop

Briana Weiser

SCOUTS SELL POPCORN IN ROYAL PALM BEACH

Komen’s Warriors In Pink Gear Up For 2010 Race

The South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure named eight Warriors in Pink, who represent the courage and spirit of breast cancer survivors in the battle to eradicate the disease.

The Warriors in Pink will lead thousands of survivors who approach the stage to be recognized during the Survivor Ceremony at the 19th Annual Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure.

The race, set for Jan. 30, is the largest fundraiser for the Komen South Florida Affiliate and has the distinction of being the first race of the year among all affiliates.

The Komen South Florida Race for the Cure is now accepting sponsorship applications and race registration for participants. The affiliate serves Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The eight “Warriors in Pink” are:

• Shari Zipp, a 43-year-old resident of Wellington, is marking five years as a breast cancer survivor this year. She is the fourth generation of her family who has had breast cancer; her mother is a 41-year survivor. Zipp, who has participated in races for 15 years, has been very active as a cancer survivor and has coached many

people along the way. Her advice:

“never give up, hold your head up and think positive.” Shari and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Zipp have one son.

• Nancy Brinker of Palm Beach founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982 after promising her dying sister she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. An ambassador, Brinker is considered the leader of the global breast cancer movement for her role in Komen.

• F. Bud Gardner, 59, is a male breast cancer survivor, whose doctor found a breast lump while checking a suspicious mole. After his diagnosis in 2005, Gardner began arranging golf tournaments to raise awareness that men aren’t immune to the disease.

• Susan Kristoff, 47, who was diagnosed in 2003, has worked with Komen for several years and is on the Speakers Bureau and Advocacy Alliance.

• Margaret Oathout, 74, is a 12year survivor who lives in Boynton Beach. Oathout, who retired from the New York State Office of Developmental Disabilities after 22 years of service, has volunteered with Komen for a decade, joining the race for the first time

in 2000 and designing the team contact system in 2001.

• Marie Seide, 48 of Boca Raton, had a bilateral mastectomy in 2006 at the same time her mother was dying with cancer.

• Stephanie Siegel of Boca Raton is honorary chair of the 2010 race and a member of the Komen Advocacy Alliance Board

Hansens To Chair B&G Club Dinner Dance Dec. 5

The Boys & Girls Club of Wellington is delighted to welcome doctors Arthur Hansen and Lori Lane Hansen as the chairs of the 22nd Annual Boys & Girls Club Wellington Dinner Dance. The dinner dance, themed “Mardi Gras Masquerade,” will take place the evening of Saturday, Dec. 5 at Wycliffe Golf & Country Club.

The black-tie optional event is known for kicking off the busy social season in Wellington. It will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, dancing and a spectacular live auction.

The Hansens started LA Podiatry Group with offices in Wellington and West Palm Beach. Dr. Arthur Hansen was raised in West Palm Beach and attended Palm Beach County public schools and the University of Florida. He received his degree in podiatric medicine from Barry University of Podiatric Medicine in Miami. He trained for residency in Miami and New York City. Hansen’s wife Dr. Lori Lane was raised in Texas

and graduated from Texas State University. She also received her podiatric medicine degree from Barry University but had residency training at Wellington Regional Medical Center.

The Hansens have three sons: Anthony, Colby and Alex, who attend Equestrian Trails Elementary School and Emerald Cove Middle School in Wellington.

The couple became involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington to help motivate and inspire children to follow their dreams and realize their inner strength no matter what the circumstance.

“We hope all children will realize there is no limit to what they can accomplish,” Dr. Lane Hansen said.

Tickets to the event cost $200 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Proceeds from the dinner dance will directly benefit the members of the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. The club provides services during non-school hours, as well as sum-

2010 Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure Warriors in Pink: (L-R) Stephanie Siegel, Shari Zipp, F. Bud Gardner, Susan Kristoff, Marie Seide, Liz Yavinsky and Margaret Oathout.

PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH MOON PHOTOGRAPHY

to more than 750 boys and girls from ages six to 18. For more information on sponsorship opportunities for this year’s Wellington Dinner Dance,

Doctors Lori Lane and Arthur Hansen will chair this year’s Wellington Boys & Girls Club Dinner Dance.

The following young adults made their confirmation on Sunday, Oct. 11 at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Wellington: Chad Zubka, Benjamin Mille, Allison Kiss, Sarah Farrell and Bryan Farrell. They are shown above with Pastor Marjorie Weiss.

Lawrence Mohr and his son Carl recently sold popcorn to family, friends and neighbors to help raise money for a camping outing with Royal Palm Beach Boy Scouts Pack 120. Pictured above, the Mohrs sell popcorn to Liliane Grossman.

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Madrid Connection Stays Closed

continued from page 1

that if Madrid is not opened, there will be no advantage for village residents when the SR 7 extension is continued to Northlake Blvd.

La Mancha resident Crystal Collins, who opposed the opening, said she feels the traffic burden more and more on La Mancha Ave., explaining that she used to ride her bicycle with her son to Robiner Park, but they now have to take their car because of traffic hazards.

Mark Scully favored the open-

ing because it would make it easier for people to get in and out. “I heard a lot of scary things, but I heard no proof that crime is going to increase,” he said, adding that that as a resident of La Mancha, Councilman David Swift should excuse himself from voting.

“While I appreciate this forum, a lot of them live in La Mancha

and on Madrid Street and are directly impacted,” Scully said. During council discussion, Swift read an excerpt of a letter from Planning & Zoning Commission member Richard Durr, a certified planner, stating that local streets should minimize movement, that the existing streets will never handle the traffic because

White Pine Progress On Crime

continued from page 1 someone in the White Pine/12th Fairway neighborhood,” he said.

“They were committed by known parties from outside that came into the area.” Nunes and Maione are part of the PBSO’s community policing division and, according to Nunes, were “hand picked to be here because we have the experience needed to get crime out,” he said.

“If you bring us your problems, we will solve them.”

Nunes encouraged residents to come to meetings to address concerns that he and other officers may be unaware of. “You could take myself, Officer Maione here and ten other deputies and ask us what’s important in that neighborhood, and we’d say burglaries are important, armed robberies and stolen cars are important,” he said. “But one of you might say there’s some guy speeding up and down your street all day.”

ITID Using A Headhunter

continued from page 1 also agreed that the successful candidate must have strong special district knowledge. “We’re going to hit the same rock again if we don’t get somebody with special district knowledge,” he said. In light of employees who have come and gone in the district office, Enriquez said he felt a search for a specific candidate for admin-

Adams A WorldClass Facility

continued from page 1 an equestrian foundation to oversee the funding and development of the park. It would be modeled after the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, which he said has raised millions to support the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be hosted by Kentucky next year. It is a model the village would love to emulate.

“We’re looking at the facility in Kentucky and the mechanisms they used,” Priore said. “There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel when there’s already a well-established plan for what we want to achieve.”

Schofield said that the Kentucky Horse Park is a good model for what he hopes to achieve, and that although it is larger than any single event venue in Wellington, in combination, Wellington could

Lox Debris AshBritt Retained continued from page 4 management. “You need us to manage everything,” Moskowitz said. Town Attorney Mike Cirullo pointed out that there is a mechanism in the contract so the council can provide that

Fivey stressed the importance of using the resources at the Safe Neighborhoods Office and bringing issues to the staff there. “It’s going to be the fastest way to get an answer,” she said.

Fivey added that residents can get help from the Helping Residents with Needs hotline at (561) 791-4796.

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County President John Shwiner explained to attendees how to use Crime Stoppers to anonymously report crime and help clean up the community. The Crime Stoppers number is (800) 458-TIPS.

Another issue raised by residents was the deteriorating state of several foreclosed properties in the neighborhood, which they said violates code enforcement, mars the look of the neighborhood and has attracted rodents.

Fivey said that there is a nuisance abatement program under which the village can clean up properties that have been abandoned and are not being cared for. She said that property owners receive two notices over 35 days to clean up their property before the

istrator might be a better approach. “We’re looking for something with longevity,” he said. “We need to put someone there who’s going to do the job. It was a little disheartening to me to see all the turnover.”

Supervisor Ralph Bair said he was afraid that sought-after candidates would ask for high salaries, but Damone said she was tired of training administrators. “I want to get it right, and I just want to get it done,” she said. Erickson said they need someone to move the district forward.

be as large in area as the Kentucky facility.

The Kentucky Horse Park was established in 1978 by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and attracts nearly one million visitors each year. It covers 1,224 acres and has hosted several world-class events, along with numerous competitions in various equestrian disciplines throughout the year.

Adams said that there are many equestrian disciplines represented in Florida that compete elsewhere during the winter that he hopes would be attracted to an equestrian park in Wellington. “We want to expand beyond the horse show and polo, and become the winter equestrian capital,” he said. “The western competition is huge, and they compete outside of Wellington.” Adams added that there could even be a possibility of expanding the winter competition season with the creation of the park and an indoor arena.

“I’m not sure, but I anticipate some discussion involving a world-class, air-conditioned arena as part of a complete equestri-

AshBritt’s contract to Nov. 20, 2010, which was seconded by Lipp and passed 4-1 with Jarriel dissenting. Jarriel said he would have preferred that the contract be reviewed by the Financial Review & Audit Committee. In other business, the council agreed to spend $15,000 to extend its comprehensive plan for traffic to 2035 to shore up defenses against possible challenges from Callery-Judge Grove, which has filed as an intervener with the Department of Commu-

village can come in and cut the lawn or repair broken windows. However, village workers are not permitted to go inside the homes.

This was a problem for several residents who claimed that some neighboring properties have been sitting empty for years breeding rodents. Fivey said that the office would review the situation to see if anything can be done, especially considering there could be a health concern.

Nunes said that beautifying the neighborhood is a priority for the office, but cannot be done without residents’ help. “I don’t live in the area, but I take pride in the area because I work there,” he said. “We need help from the neighborhood. We bring volunteers in, but some neighbors don’t bother to come out and help. Everyone needs to be involved.”

As part of the initiative to improve the neighborhood, the Safe Neighborhoods Office will be holding a painting party on Nov. 7 to paint four sections of wall along Wellington Trace.

The Safe Neighborhoods Office will also hold Trunk or Treat on

“I’m more interested in the person and the qualifications, and I don’t think we should talk about price right now,” he said. “That’s all part of the art of negotiation.”

Erickson added that he felt that the board should hold workshops to define policies and empower staff to have the flexibility to make decisions, explaining that too many decisions that should be staff level are coming to the board. Bair made a motion that Damone take the lead in headhunting for a new administrator. The motion passed unanimously.

an park,” he said. “That might expand the season a bit. But you have to look at the disciplines and where they compete now. Who would we have to compete with to get these disciplines to Wellington?”

Currently the proposal is in the planning stages. Schofield said that the village has only begun to talk to the major players within the equestrian community. However, he said he hopes to have an agreement with Adams finished over the next week to present at the Wellington Village Council’s first November meeting.

Including the equestrian community in the planning of the park is important to Adams.

“There are more world-class equestrian athletes with roots in Wellington than anywhere else in the world,” he said. “We have Olympic medallists and world champions who have competed in the best centers in the world. They know how a world-class equestrian center should look.”

Adams said that the equestrian park would be “a tide that lifts all ships,” from which all businesses

nity Affairs over the town’s road plan.

Cirullo explained that in conversations with Callery-Judge, their concerns were over improving traffic efficiency around Okeechobee Blvd. “The discussions seem to be going positively, but in order to continue, we will have to provide them an additional review of that roadway,” Cirullo said.

Browning explained that they are trying to work with CalleryJudge to drop objections to the

the rights of way are too narrow.

“There’s a lot of things going on there,” Swift said. “It’s about the kids. It’s about the neighborhood.”

In attendance at the meeting was County Engineer George Webb, who was asked by Councilwoman Martha Webster to comment on the connection.

Webb described what he believed was an “interesting exercise” that evening because he is accustomed to seeing an overwhelming body of people either for or opposed to a question. “The numbers are somewhat balanced here,” he said.

Webb said he was inclined to agree with the resident who used a “holes-in-the-bucket” analogy for traffic openings, that traffic flow would actually improve.

“The county had a vision that Royal Palm Beach will benefit from an opening,” Webb said, adding that if the residents of the village want to opt out, it’s not a big deal to the county.

“This was seen as an opportunity,” Webb said. “The road that we built was to allow access in and out of The Acreage and improve the quality of life for The Acreage. The county just wants to be cooperative and honor whatever you want.”

Councilman Fred Pinto said he appreciated the input from residents both for and against the

Deputy Rob Maione reassures residents that although they may not always be visible, police are patrolling.

Halloween from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in its parking lot so families can come and safely trick or treat.

A series of neighborhood meetings have been scheduled for residents of several Wellington communities served by the Safe Neighborhoods Office. For more information, call Neighborhood Advocate Meridith Tuckwood at (561) 753-2476.

Erickson asked who will be in charge in the absence of the administrator, and ITID Attorney Mary Viator said that in the past, the president has been put in charge.

Damone said she has talked with administrative assistant Allison Fay about being the main communications person with other board members.

Erickson made a motion to put Damone in charge during the administrative transition process. That motion also passed unanimously.

and taxpayers in Wellington would benefit.

“When Wellington was incorporated, they released a report that projected the revenue from the horse grounds,” he said. “At the time, they thought it was overstated, but really it was understated. We’d like to advance that study and see the projected revenue from the equestrian park.”

According to Schofield, it’s the equestrian aspect of Wellington that boosts the community.

“People say they move to Wellington because of the great schools and parks,” he said. “But they wonder why their home values are higher than any comparable neighborhood — it’s because of the equestrian preserve.”

Adams, who has lived in Wellington for more than 30 years, said he and his wife are eager to give back to the community they love in a way that offers lasting impact.

“We have an opportunity, if we plan to work together, to create something unique to Florida and to North America,” he said.

town’s comp plan. Lipp suggested taking the town’s road plan out to 2035 to match the county’s 2035 road plan. Louda saw the merits of Lipp’s suggestion, although he also foresees the county’s 2035 road plan changing as well.

Louda made a motion to go forward with the Okeechobee Blvd. study, not to exceed $15,000, which would be conducted by consultant Calvin, Giordano & Associates. The motion carried unanimously.

opening. “Those opposed struck a chord of what this village is about — keeping it a village and keeping it a local neighborhood,” Pinto said. “It’s not just a matter of numbers, but a passion of controlling what goes on in residential communities.”

Vice Mayor Matty Mattioli said during his 16 years on the council, he could not remember a time that they did not reduce density.

“Why we would want to increase traffic is beyond me,” he said. “From what I heard tonight, I will not support opening that road.” Lodwick said despite of the perceived advantages of the connection, he could not accept the harm to the Madrid Street neighborhood and would not vote for the connection. Swift made a motion to deny the opening and put up a berm at the proposed opening. The motion was seconded by Mattioli.

Village Manager David Farber noted that the village cannot put up a berm because Royal Palm Beach does not own the property, although the village can request that the county do so.

“On the area we control, we can ensure there is no connection,” Farber said.

The motion to keep the connection closed passed 4-1 with Webster opposed.

Wellington Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic Nov. 7

The 28th Annual Wellington Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic, presented by Builtx Land Development, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Binks Forest Golf Club (400 Binks Forest Drive, Wellington). The event is the longest-running golf tournament supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The committee invites golfers to join them at 7:30 a.m. for registration, breakfast, a putting contest and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Immediately following the tournament will be an awards ceremony, buffet luncheon and a silent auction. Entry fees cost $175 per golfer. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information about the 28th Annual Wellington Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic, call the Boys & Girls Clubs Special Events Department at (561) 683-3287 or visit the club’s web site at www.bgcpbc.org.

STATE LAWMAKERS VISIT MID-COUNTY DEM CLUB

Cancer Public Comments

Varied

continued from page 7 matizing the community and causing undue alarm?” he asked. Watkins said assuming that there is contamination, researchers are thinking it is environmental rather than manmade. Long said the study tried to find some link of radium contamination, and all they identified was background radioactivity.

Leah Oberlin said that as an environmental engineer, she is not afraid to live in The Acreage. “The study has been misused,” she said, explaining that she feels people,

Blotter

continued from page 6 on Southern Blvd. and made contact with Daley. According to the report, Daley told the deputy he had left his driver’s license at home, but when the deputy began a computer check, Daley said it was suspended. Daley was arrested for driving with a suspended license, and when the deputy searched him, a small clear bag containing marijuana was discovered in his left rear pants pocket. Daley was taken to the county jail where he was charged with driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. OCT. 20 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington

including water system salesmen and attorneys, are getting involved to make money by capitalizing on the fears of residents. However, Mara Hatfield, an attorney with the firm Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley, which has partnered with a firm represented by activist Erin Brockovich, said the attorneys will not “make a dime” until they complete a successful court case. Hatfield added that she felt the DOH should give more consistent answers, pointing out that according to sources on the web, radium causes more than just bone cancer, including brain cancer. “How do you know it’s naturally occurring?” she asked, pointing out that it is being found at higher levels near the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area.

was dispatched to the Mall at Wellington Green on Tuesday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 8 p.m., 56-year-old James Calvin was observed by security cameras in the Dillard’s department store putting items into a blue bag he was carrying. Calvin passed all points of sale and exited the store without paying for the merchandise. He was stopped by Dillard’s security and found to have five pairs of pants and a leather jacket valued at approximately $817. According to the report, Calvin was released from jail in September on early release. He was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with grand theft and violation of probation.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Several Florida lawmakers were present for Monday’s meeting of the Mid-County Democratic Club at Tree’s Wings & Ribs in Royal Palm Beach. Pictured above are State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-District 27), State Rep. Kevin Rader (D-District 78) and State Rep. Mark Pafford (D-District 88).

Royal Palm Beach village officials listen as members of the public speak for and against the Madrid Street connection.

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All You Need To Know About Your Horse’s Teeth

Most of us have heard the old saying “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Did you ever stop to wonder where the saying came from? It has to do with a horse’s teeth, which is the subject of this week’s Tales from the Trails column by Ellen Rosenberg. SEE COLUMN, PAGE 23

My Gift Out Of The Blue Is Neat! But Am I Cheating?

Several weeks ago, humor columnist Deborah Welky wrote about her beloved old Mixmaster and how it will do virtually anything except mix. Last week, a box arrived for her at the Town-Crier office. It was a brand new Mixmaster... but as soon as she began to use it, the pangs of guilt began. SEE COLUMN, PAGE 24

BUSINESS

MD Now Urgent Care Centers

Opens New Location In Boynton

MD Now Urgent Care Centers, a Palm Beach County-based company that provides urgent and medical care to the public and occupational healthcare services to businesses, has opened another new location at the corner of Gateway and Congress in the Shoppes at Boynton. Page 31

Spor ts

13-0 Shutout To

Gardens Tempers

Seminole Ridge

Homecoming Fun

A packed homecoming crowd watched as the Seminole Ridge High School varsity football team was shut out by visiting Palm Beach Gardens last Friday night. The Gators topped the Hawks 13-0. Also last Friday, Wellington High School topped Forest Hill 31-10 in the Wolverines’ homecoming game. Page 37

The Chompers: All You Need To Know About Your Horse’s Teeth

Most of us have heard the old saying “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” meaning, don’t ask questions if someone’s giving you something for nothing. Did you ever stop to wonder where the saying came from? It has to do with the horse’s teeth, which is the subject of this week’s column.

Horses are usually born without teeth. The first baby teeth, or “milk teeth,” erupt shortly after birth. Typically, the first to arrive are the top two and bottom two middle incisors, along with 12 “cheek” teeth, or pre-molars, set further back along the jaw, three top and bottom on each side. More front incisors follow, always moving out from the center: four at about six weeks, and then the last four at six to nine months. This is when a horse has his first full set of choppers!

Horses’ baby teeth are called deciduous because just like us and most other mammals, they lose them when the adult teeth come in. These teeth push out the baby teeth in the same order in which the baby teeth arrived, starting with the center incisors, top and bottom, and then gradually moving outward. Baby teeth are small and don’t have deep roots, so they fall out relatively easily.

The permanent teeth, which are larger and more rectangular, start arriving when a horse is about two years old. That is when the middle four incisors (two top, two bottom) push out. The following year, the next four arrive, and then four more each year until all the permanent teeth are in place by the time a horse turns five. The horse will also add 12 additional cheek teeth, or molars. The pre-molars

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

are called “caps” and are easily displaced when the new teeth erupt.

Think you have problems when your human baby is teething? Imagine what happens when a horse is teething. They tend to be fussy and out of sorts, and sometimes try to refuse a bit being put in their mouth.

Teething horses will chew on anything solid and substantial to try to ease the discomfort and also to help dislodge the baby teeth. I’ve spent hours wiggling and wiggling my horses’ baby teeth to help them loosen up.

One time, I had a horse stabled at a barn while he was teething. The stalls had automatic water systems. Each stall was equipped with a stainless steel bowl which had a trigger at the bottom. When the horse was thirsty, he pushed his nose against the trigger, and the bowl filled with water. But my horse wasn’t thirsty; he was teething and looking for something strong to chew. Stainless steel is fairly strong. Unfortunately, the bowl wasn’t attached to the wall strongly enough to withstand my horse’s chomping.

The next morning, we arrived to find a flooded stall! The horse had ripped the bowl

right off the wall, and the water had simply flowed, unchecked, all night long. We moved the horse to a paddock, where he could chomp on the wooden rails all he wanted, until those teeth finally settled down.

Wolf teeth are sharp teeth that sometimes erupt just in front of the cheek teeth. Some horses get four wolf teeth, some get two, and some don’t get any. They usually arrive sometime during the first year and only cause problems. They sit just next to the “bars,” the area between the incisors and molars where there aren’t any teeth and where the bit rests. Wolf teeth can interfere with the bit and cause a horse pain. Veterinarians generally remove these teeth as soon as they come in.

Horses’ teeth continue to grow as they age. The term, “long in the tooth” has a very literal meaning. Older horses have much longer teeth, which can interfere with chewing and

nutrition. A knowledgeable person can determine a horse’s age by looking at his teeth. After all the permanent teeth have arrived, they grow and wear out.

Vets and horse dentists regularly grind down teeth (this is called “floating” the teeth) with small rasps to make chewing easier. Horses chew with a circular motion, which leaves high, sharp ridges on the molar edges. These points can cut the insides of a horse’s cheek, interfere with correct bitting, and prevent him from chewing his food thoroughly. Young horses, two and under, should have their teeth checked and floated every six months. Older horses should be done once a year.

And yes, that saying about not looking a gift horse in the mouth? It means you don’t really want to know how old the horse is. Just accept it and say thanks.

Fundraiser Oct. 24 At Free Spirit Riding Academy

The non-profit organization Elliott’s Stars will present a Halloween-themed fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Free Spirit Riding Academy in Wellington.

The event will start at 3 p.m. and feature games, prizes, face painting, a pumpkin hunt, pumpkin bowling, a costume contest and haunted house. Guests are welcome to arrive in costume. The purpose of the event is to raise money so more children have the opportunity to participate in the riding programs. Donations are welcome.

Elliott’s Stars is named after a beloved horse

Elliott, a loving and caring creature that made a difference in many lives. Elliott’s Stars is a non-profit organization that provides children in need tools necessary to live meaningful, productive lives. Some of the skills children learn are self-esteem, socialization and teamwork. The organization is connected to Child Life. It is a non-profit institution providing support to children with cancer and their families.

Free Spirit Riding Academy is located at 16028 Rustic Road. For more information, call Shanna at (561) 352-3301.

My Cool Gift Out Of The Blue Is Great! But Am I Cheating?

Last week, a gigantic box arrived for me at the Town-Crier office.

Odd, since I hadn’t ordered anything.

Nor was I a reporter of the caliber to attract anthrax, especially four cubic feet of anthrax.

So I opened it on the spot, sure the box had been misrouted, and do you know what was in there? A brand new Mixmaster!

Several weeks ago, I wrote about my beloved old Mixmaster and how it will do virtually anything except mix; how I’ve had it longer than just about anything else I own; and how I’ve come to love its little Airstream trailer shape.

Because she could relate to the column, someone sent me this fabulous new mixer as a thank-you! I didn’t even know Sunbeam still manufactured the Mixmaster brand! I was pumped.

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

Not wanting the rest of the staff to get jealous, I spirited the present off to my car and rushed it into the house, where I excitedly freed it from several layers of cardboard and some form-fitting Styrofoam.

Oh. My. Gosh.

You have no idea the improvements to mixers in the last 36 years! This new model is shiny and black and streamlined, yet it has the same cool shape as my old mixer. There’s

a tilt release, an “eject” button and a special setting for “aerating.” It has stainless steel bowls and a chrome medallion where the headlight would be if it were a scooter. It sports not only beaters but also dough hooks and whisks. Best of all, it still makes that same great sound, as if you’re accomplishing something.

From inside my pantry, I thought I heard a whimper.

Suddenly I felt like I was cheating.

I opened the door and took out my old Mixmaster, the one I’d used just the day before to bake my husband his favorite yellow cake. The cake hadn’t come out right, but I refused to blame the mixer.

Now I sat it on the counter next to the Cadillac of mixers.

I tried not to compare them, but suddenly I knew why people have affairs. You just want

to give the new model a try. You just want to turn it on and see what happens. And it’s not like the old mixer is going anywhere. Who’d have it? I’ll keep it around for emergencies. Maybe use it to mix paint. No!

What am I saying? No, I have to be loyal! I have to remember everything I’ve been through with Ol’ Reliable (well, Ol’ UNreliable) — the cookies, the banana bread, the victory cake I made when the kids’ Academic Games team came in number one.

Maybe if I keep the new one on the counter but don’t put the beaters in… does that count? Maybe use the beaters but not the whisks. Maybe the beaters and the whisks, but not the dough hooks. Oh, I don’t know. What would Bill Clinton say?

Listen, I’ve got to go. I suddenly feel the need to go to confession.

Our Schools: Let’s Keep The Focus On Educational Results

Watching Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson and Chief Academic Officer Jeffrey Hernandez looking like deer in the headlights at recent meetings about testing and educational frameworks at the Palm Beach County School District was a sad experience. There has been an unrelenting campaign focusing more on what makes people happy rather than on educational results.

Do critics really believe that school leaders love standardized tests? When students take these tests districtwide, it is Johnson actually being graded. If more students pass, he looks good. If they do not do well, he gets the blame.

Johnson did not create the tests. The standardized testing is a result of the federal No Child Left Behind law. While Florida tested students before the law passed in 2001, other states did not, and the feds wanted to know that their funding, which is aimed at improving disadvantaged youth, was actually being well-spent.

Most educational leaders hate the test. They fit Wechsler’s First Law of Educational Administration that the further away from responsibility for results decision-makers are,

‘I’ On

CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

the less responsible they act. The law is a great example. It sounds wonderful, demanding improvement each year. That means that you might meet goals this year, but it will be more difficult next year, and even harder the year after that. The final goal is that all students will be above average, which is, sadly, impossible.

Even worse, as far as local leaders are concerned, the measurements now focus on the weakest students, the ones who have learned the least over time. Referring back to First Law, do critics really believe there are no reasons for weakness, that simply telling teachers to work with these students really will lead to change? We should all recognize that no one really knows how to teach our weakest

kids, at least in overall terms. Occasionally, gifted teachers make breakthroughs, but on a macro level, there are no real answers. However, again referring to First Law, why should politicians and critics care? Successes belong to them, failures to the educational leaders. Since no one in our own system knows how to make the kind of improvements demanded, they go to outside sources. Which leads to Corollary One of First Law, that educational experts not inside the schools are usually wrong. Jonathan Kozol, who spent one year teaching in an inner city school followed by a lifetime of telling the public that teachers are uncaring idiots, is the archetype for these specialists. They all have wonderful cures that they will be glad to share for large amounts of money, and will write papers combining cheers for their own brilliant work and disdain for the teachers who ruined any chances of progress.

Hernandez and Johnson chose a route to improvement that is not actually wrong-headed. Students need time on task to learn the required skills and concepts. A teacher who skips over some topics may hamper progress. Weaker students need the time on task even

more than stronger ones. There is a strong correlation between poverty and learning disabilities, and students with problems need more structure.

Change in education comes in waves. Both in the 1950s and 1970s there were similar attempts to “teacher proof” education. Neither worked. However, claims that “teaching to the test” is bad are simply incorrect. The FCATs measure success in skills: reading, writing and math. It is unfair for students to fail a test because their teacher avoided teaching square roots (I was never taught them and without a calculator would be lost if I actually needed to do one) or did not know that students did not already possess certain concepts required to learn new material. Thus, all the tests.

The problem in the county really has been that the leaders imposed the changes. “You must follow our frameworks” does not win over people as strongly as “look at this valuable new tool we have available.” Empowerment does not mean forcing your will on teachers and parents. It means showing them the benefits of using the frameworks as a way of reaching more students.

Wellington Budget A Reasonable Response To Hard Times

In September, the Wellington Village Council held two meetings to discuss and pass the budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. In my opinion, the council passed a very reasonable budget. Village staff worked very hard to put the budget together, and then the council passed it on a 4-1 vote. Even though the millage rate went up a little bit, most people will see a very small increase in their tax bill for the Village of Wellington.

In 2008, Wellington residents paid about $2.34 for each $1,000 in taxable value of their property. This year they will pay about $2.50 for each $1,000 in taxable value of their property. That sounds like an increase in taxes, but in some cases it won’t be an increase at all. How? The answer is quite simple. Because of the times we are living in, most of our homes have gone down in value. I know of a house in my neighborhood that just three short years ago sold for almost $400,000. Last

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

month, that same house sold for $250,000. The sale of that house, and others like it, has caused the value of many houses in the neighborhood to go down. The good part about the houses losing value is the fact that some homeowners will be paying less in taxes even though the millage rate has increased. Homesteaded houses, however, may go up a little bit because of the fine print in the “Save Our Homes” law passed years ago by state voters.

The thing that surprised me the most about these two council meetings was the lack of public participation. Only one person came to speak on the budget. You read it right. Only one person in two meetings.

The last time I checked, the population of Wellington was about 55,000 folks. The way I read the tea leaves, folks in Wellington don’t mind paying a little more in taxes to keep the service we enjoy at the present level. Or could it be that people just don’t have the time to worry about things like a tax increase?

From the people I know and talk to, they don’t mind paying a little more to keep up the lifestyle that we enjoy in Wellington. Of course, when you get your tax bill, you will see the Village of Wellington is not the only part of your tax bill that will be increasing.

Palm Beach County, fire-rescue, the library, schools, the South Florida Water Manage-

ment District, the Children’s Services Council, the Health Care District and even the county debt was slated to increase the last time I looked.

I am sorry to report just about every entity we pay taxes to has increased. Only F.I.N.D. has been able to hold the line on a tax increase.

The only question I have for all of these folks who have increased our taxes, will they be just as anxious to lower our taxes when the price of real estate begins to go up? Yeah, I believe real estate prices will go up again. Of course, it may take quite a few years to get to the price level we were at. That is, if we don’t have any serious hurricanes come our way. Northerners just don’t want to buy here when the hurricanes start arriving. And to tell the truth, I don’t really blame them. Hurricanes are the only thing on this beautiful planet that scare me (aside from my wife)!

Seidman Exhibit Opens

Nov. 13 At P.B. Yacht Club

Fine art photographer Barry Seidman will present “Selections from Six,” a compilation of photographs or excerpts from six of Barry Seidman’s fine art photographic series at the Palm Beach Yacht Club, Nov. 13 and 14. A portion of all sales will benefit the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and their arts programs.

For this exhibition, Seidman chose excerpts from his “Beached, Bloomers and Drinks” series, which have been exhibited in major, solo-exhibitions in New York City and South Florida, and excerpts from his three newest series: “Art-chi-textures,” “Hot Peppers” and “Smoke.”

As a member of the Palm Beach Yacht Club, Seidman thought it appropriate that club members be the first to see excerpts from these new series, as well as favorites from the others.

Seidman is known as one of the top advertising, print-media photographers in the country. He specializes in still-life photography and has worked for the top major brands in the world, eventually expanding his work to include celebrity photography and television commercials.

Seidman now devotes much of his time to fine art photography, using his vast techniques and knowledge of lighting as a foundation. He has had numerous solo and group exhibitions, all while still connected to the advertising business.

A few years ago, Seidman and his longtime business partner and wife Mary Ann Kurasz relocated to Palm Beach Gardens, where Seidman built a studio designed to focus on his fine art work. He also maintains a studio presence in New York where he continues to shoot for advertising clients.

“Barry’s work is phenomenal,” Palm Beach Yacht Club General Manager Elaine Ragon said. “We thought it would be a tremendous

06 by Barry Seidman.

benefit for our members to see his work in our new Commodore’s Room.”

Seidman will be at the exhibition, which takes place Friday, Nov. 13 from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14 from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 p.m., for a member and private VIP benefit party. The Palm Beach Yacht Club is located at 800 N. Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. Non-members must call ahead for entry.

To RSVP for this special exhibition, call Carey Reed of the Palm Beach Yacht Club at (561) 655-8711. Space is limited. For more information about Seidman and his work, visit www.barryseidman.com.

Jacobson Wellington Art Society’s Featured Artist

The Wellington Art Society has named local abstract painter Harold Jacobson as the Featured Artist for the Month for November on the society’s online gallery show.

Jacobson, a resident of West Palm Beach and Wellington Art Society member, uses vivid colors and loose brush strokes to convey his unique views on life in a free-form style. Although the artist was raised in an artistic family, he did not pursue his artistic dreams until retirement. Primarily selftaught, Jacobson has attended many workshops to help enhance his artistic abilities. His work has been exhibited in juried and non-juried fine art shows, and included in private and corporate collections.

The online one-man show features 12 of Jacobson’s paintings and runs through Nov. 30. All works are available for purchase. You can view the exhibit by visiting the “gallery show” section on the society’s web site at www.wellingtonartsociety.org.

The Wellington Art Society is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, providing both local and regional artists the platform to share their work, learn more about their craft and serve the community through their art. A charitable organization, its mission is to educate and en-

courage originality and productivity among its members and area youth through programs designed to further the advancement of cultural endeavors in the western communities.

For more information, call Wellington Art Society President Adrianne Hetherington at (561) 784-7561.

VITAS To Present Play About End-of-Life Care

A free one-act play about a terminally ill woman and the choices that she and her family must make as she approaches the end of her life will be presented by VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of the Palm Beaches. Vesta will be presented in two performances on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Delray Beach Playhouse.

Written by Bryan Harnetiaux, directed locally by Randolph DelLago, and distributed by the Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life in Durham, N.C., Vesta introduces the audience to the real-life issues surrounding a terminal diagnosis, offering an in-depth look at how to deal with the loss of independence, economic hardship, family dynamics and caregiving.

Part of VITAS’ ongoing effort to use community partnerships to promote conversations about end-of-life care issues, this intimate play examines a family’s struggle when the matriarch is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. The title character is a grandmother in her late 70s who confronts the loss of independence after a stroke, a series of complex medical, economic and personal issues following a fight with cancer, and, inevitably, her death.

“The conflicts focus on the relationship between Vesta, her daughter and her granddaughter, and the decisions they must make about her healthcare. The goal of the play is to open a dialogue to a subject many are uncomfortable discussing,” VITAS community liaison Margaret Thorne-Henderson said. “The power of art can provoke people and

open that dialogue. The point of Vesta is to take the way the elderly are treated during the last few years of their lives out of the shadows. We’re asking how we can bring dignity to end-of-life issues.”

The afternoon performance begins at 2 p.m., with refreshments at 1:30 p.m.; the evening performance is at 7 p.m., with refreshments at 6:30 p.m. The playhouse is located at 950 NW Ninth Street in Delray Beach.

Tickets are free with a suggested donation of $10 to benefit the Foundation for End of Life Care (also known as the VITAS Hospice Charitable Fund). All proceeds will go to supporting specific and immediate special needs of individual dying patients and families that go beyond the services that hospices can provide. Seating is limited. For reservations, call ThorneHenderson at (561) 891-2320 or Sheila Daly at (561) 733-6300.

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care is one of the nation’s oldest and largest providers of end-of-life care. A pioneer and leader in the hospice movement since 1978, VITAS has been caring for the terminally ill and their families in Palm Beach County since 2002.

The Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life, based at Duke Divinity School, works to improve the care of suffering and dying patients and their families by sharing knowledge about caring for people at the end of life with special attention to spiritual support and care.

Hot Peppers 16 by Barry Seidman.

Art-chi-textures

Harold Jacobson

BUSINESS NEWS

MD Now Urgent Care Centers Opens New Location In Boynton

MD Now Urgent Care Centers, a Palm Beach County-based company that provides urgent and medical care to the public and occupational healthcare services to businesses, has opened another new location at the northeast corner of Gateway Blvd. and N. Congress Avenue in the Shoppes at Boynton.

The upscale urgent care center, owned by Dr. Peter Lamelas, is the fifth of its kind to open in Palm Beach County. Lamelas, a board-certified emergency physician and former ER director for more than 17 years, hit a home run when he opened his first MD Now center in Lake Worth in January 2005.

The new urgent care clinic boasts an atmosphere more reminiscent of a day spa than a cold and sterile medical clinic, with bottled water in the waiting room, granite countertops and artwork of natural surroundings throughout. Every patient room is private and is equipped with its own flat-screen television set. But patients shouldn’t get too comfortable, because most of them will be seen, treated and released in less than an hour.

All MD Now Urgent Care Centers are staffed with board-certified physicians and open 12 hours a day, every day, evenings, weekends and all holidays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All of the centers have onsite digital Xray, in-house labs and provide EKGs for those who need them. The facilities provide comprehensive walk-in medical care for any of life’s little unexpected injuries or illnesses, as well as have appointments available for even speedier service. In addition to accepting selfpay patients or those with commercial insurance plans, MD Now Urgent Care is a provider for all major insurance companies, including Aetna, Vista, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, Humana, AvMed, Multi-Plan, Medicare and many others.

The centers also provide flu shots and flu

treatments; school, sports and camp physicals; DOT physicals; immigration exams; confidential HIV and STD testing; treatment of cuts, wounds and lacerations; FAA pilot medical exams; and all school and travel vaccines.

To what does Lamelas attribute MD Now’s success? “Our centers are successful because I am involved in every aspect of our business,” he said. “When I opened my own place, I wanted MD Now Urgent Care to be the opposite of a crazy hospital emergency room. I focused on making our entire staff patient service oriented, having our patients seen, treated and released promptly and efficiently, being affordable and providing the highest quality professional medical care in a beautiful state-of-the-art facility.”

Lamelas’ urgent care centers utilize a sophisticated computer system with all electronic medical records. Patient waiting times are monitored, and providers will be alerted immediately if they have reached the maximum threshold for wait times. “As owner and medical director, I oversee my operations every day, both personally and via computer,” Lamelas said. “I monitor the wait times, the courtesy and efficiency of the ancillary staff, and the quality of the medical care being provided — every day! No hospital or corporate medical entity could ever do that.”

MD Now’s medical centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are located in Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Boynton Beach. Another new location on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. in West Palm Beach is scheduled to open in two months. For more information, visit www. mymdnow.com or call (561) 622-2442.

The Royal Palm Beach location is located at 11551 Southern Blvd. Call (561) 798-9411 for details.

The new MD Now Urgent Care Center in Boynton Beach.

Viso LASIK Medspas In Wellington Hosts ‘Martini And A Lift’

Viso LASIK Medspas in Wellington invited guests to fall into season with its “Martini and a Lift” event on Friday, Sept. 25. More than 50 guests attended the open-to-public soiree, which kicked off at 4 p.m. and extended well past the slated completion hour of 7 p.m. Guests received medspa treatments and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere into the evening.

Complimentary Nuvo martini cocktails set the mood with spa-time snacks provided by Cabot cheese. Guests schmoozed and passed the time taking tours of the facility, receiving complimentary massages and chatting with Viso LASIK Medspas’ team of skilled medical staff, who debriefed guests on laser vision correction and non-invasive anti-aging treatments.

Special medspa promotions for guests who booked during or before the event included 25 percent off Dysport; $100 off dermal fillers; $100 off Laser Genesis and 25 percent off laser hair removal packages. The biggest hit of the night was the discounted Dysport.

Lucky raffle winners were able to indulge in a gift basket from dentist Dr. Farokh Jiveh (a tooth-whitening kit and accessories valued at $470), two VIP tickets to the Mi-

ami International Wine Fair ($150 value) or Viso’s new Pumpkin Peel, this season’s “must have” facial ($150 value). Guests in attendance did not leave empty handed. Swag bags, compliments of DermaQuest, were stuffed to the brim with skin therapy remedies.

Viso LASIK Medspas provides vision and beauty excellence in a Euro-spa environment. This newly integrated concept of a LASIK center with a medspa features a relaxation room, concierge services and added beauty incentives through a VIP Passport program. The professional team of beauty experts combines progressive medical attention and superior service in each of the luxurious medical spa treatment facilities nationwide.

Viso Medspas offer clients an unparalleled experience using stateof-the-art technology and a team of top-licensed estheticians to perform services such as laser hair removal, Smart Lipo, Botox, Latisse, facials and cosmetic dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm Ultra Plus and Radiesse.

Viso LASIK Medspas is located at 2515 State Road 7, Suite 210. For more information, call (561) 7954772 or visit www.visolasikmed spas.com.

Tricia Ward Walman, Barbara McMillin and Bernadette Green.

Abbi Johnson and Diana Wright.

Nina Yurick and Kristen Curry Jenkins.Alexia Davis, Andrea Plevin and Lucy Bukowski.

Lakeside Medical Center Now Open

For the Palm Beach County communities bordering Lake Okeechobee, Oct. 15 was a momentous day as Lakeside Medical Center, the new hospital constructed by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, officially opened to the public. Lakeside Medical Center replaced Glades General Hospital, which closed its doors last week after more than 60 years of service.

Starting at 5 a.m. on Oct. 15, new patients were directed to Lakeside Medical Center, located at the intersection of Main Street and Hooker Highway in Belle Glade. The emergency room at Lakeside Medical began receiving new patients at that time. A total of 28 in-patients as well as medical equipment were safely transitioned from Glades General to Lakeside Medical Center. The obstetrics department was the first to move, followed by the critical care unit, telemetry and medical surgical, and pediatrics.

“Our hospital staff has been planning this move, down to the smallest details, for more than a year now,” Hospital Administrator Brian P. Gibbons Jr. said. “Thanks to their hard work and the support of collaborative agencies, we are pleased that we made this transition rapidly without any disruption of service or

discomfort to our patients.”

Staff from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center and American Medical Response Ambulance provided logistical support for the move, which took five hours to complete. Originally planned to open in early 2010, Lakeside Medical Center was completed four months ahead of schedule and more than $6 million under budget. As the newest hospital in Palm Beach County, Lakeside Medical features all pri-

vate in-patient rooms and the latest medical technologies. The new hospital was designed with the care, comfort, convenience and safety of patients and visitors in mind.

“We have been waiting for this day for a very long time,” said Chief Nursing Officer Mary Weeks, who has served patients in the community for the past 30 years. “With the opening of Lakeside Medical, one era is ending and a bright new one is dawning. The residents of this region will all now have access to quality medical care in a very modern, comfortable environment.”

Palms West Chamber’s ‘Hometown Holidays’ Celebration Dec. 13

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce invites the community to connect with family, friends and neighbors at its “Hometown Holidays” parade celebration on Sunday, Dec. 13 beginning at 1 p.m.

This favorite community tradition will once again usher in the holidays for thousands of parade lovers who are drawn each year to view the creative floats, local high school marching bands, twirlers and dance troupes, magnificent horses, colorful clowns and costume characters, as well as the many celebrity guests, along Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. And much to the delight of the thousands of children lining the parade route, Santa Claus always makes his annual appearance. Each year, the event raises thousands of dollars for scholarships awarded to deserving high school students from the western communities.

The 26th annual holiday parade is a production of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, with the invaluable co-operation of the Village of Wellington, the Palm Beach

County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, and through the generosity of presenting sponsors Royal Palm Toyota, Royal Palm Nissan and Royal Palm Mazda.

Community partners include the South Florida Fair, Republic Services of Palm Beach, Southern Palm Crossing, the Village Shoppes at 441, Fidelity Investments, the City of Greenacres, Wellington Golf Cars, Wellington Regional Medical Center, Pepsi Americas, Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Royal Palm Beach, J.J. Muggs, Boynton Financial Group, Grapeseeker Advertising & Design, Christine Rose Photography and Hill Audio Visual. Media partners include the Town-Crier, Wellington The Magazine, the Palm Beach Post, the Forum Group, Wellington Neighborhood News and Around Wellington

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, call Anitra Harmon at (561) 790-6200. For parade applications, visit the chamber’s web site at www.palmswest. com.

Lakeside Medical Center is now open in Belle Glade.

Wellington Grabs 31-10 Homecoming Win Over Forest Hill

Wellington High School linebacker Chris Thomas is no Joe Namath. Of course, Thomas is a junior in high school, while Namath is an NFL Hall of Famer. But both share one similar quality — confidence.

The week before Super Bowl III in 1969, Namath sat on Miami Beach and guaranteed a New York Jets victory. Like Namath, Thomas made a guarantee of his own, to a lesser degree, the day before Wellington’s homecoming game against Forest Hill High School. While Namath’s audience was the entire nation, Thomas spoke to a much smaller WHS student body in the school’s gymnasium. After the team was announced by Offensive Coordinator Tom Abel, each team captain was given a chance to speak.

The outspoken Thomas grabbed the microphone. I’ve been friends with Thomas since sixth grade and I’ve heard him make some uncanny remarks — and last Thursday, he may have trumped them all.

“I had a dream!” he began. “That we beat Forest Hill by 21 points tomorrow night! But then I woke up thinking, ‘we can beat them by more than 21!’”

Although Namath’s guarantee was for the most important game in football, Thomas had something unique — a score. While at completely different ends of the importance spectrum, both players were correct. The final score of last Friday’s game was exactly as

Wolverine Watch

By Josh Hyber

Thomas predicted: Wellington 31, Forest Hill 10 — exactly a 21-point spread.

The Wolverine offense was led by sophomore Tyler Vanacore with two touchdowns and 146 all-purpose yards. It was senior Winter Cullen who led the defense, snagging two interceptions.

The Wolverines opened the scoring at the six-minute mark of the first quarter on a 22yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Brett Alfredson to Vanacore. Junior Nick Brewer’s extra point gave the Wolverines an early 7-0 lead.

Brewer’s ensuing punt was downed deep inside Falcon territory. Several plays later, Wolverine linebacker Max Maltby recovered a fumble. However, a penalty pushed the blue and white backward, setting up an incomplete field goal attempt by Brewer.

Cullen caught his first interception of the night late in the first quarter. From there, Alfredson led a Wolverine drive to put Brewer

in field goal range once again. For the second time, he missed. “I was snaking to the ball,” Brewer said. “I need to take a better path to the ball before I kick.”

Three minutes into the second quarter, Vanacore scored again, this time on a 37-yard run. “I didn’t know at all that I was going to have [such] a big game,” he said. “But I think the real success was because everyone did their job and executed well.”

In all honesty, Vanacore’s play has made him the team’s most valuable player to this point in the season. He leads the team in reception yards (154) and rushing yards (224).

With seven minutes to go in the half, Alfredson threw his lone interception. On the next play, though, Cullen regained possession for the Wolverines with his second interception of the night. Alfredson strolled back onto the field and brought Wellington into field goal range once again. Brewer nailed the kick, which brought the Wolverine lead to 17-0.

With less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Forest Hill responded with 10 quick points, the first of which came on a 33-yard touchdown pass. A strong defensive stand gave the Falcons the ball back with 42 seconds remaining — just enough time to score. On the last play of the half, the Wolverines committed an offside penalty. According to FHSAA rules (and even by NFL standards), a half or game can not end on a defen-

sive penalty. Therefore, with no time remaining, the Falcons kicked a successful field goal. The score to end the half was Wellington 17, Forest Hill 10.

Forest Hill fumbled early in the third quarter and Thomas picked up the loose ball. The linebacker ran it into the end zone for a touchdown. If you thought Thomas’ game prediction was bizarre, the touchdown is even more so. Thomas called the play “divine intervention,” saying that he saw the play’s results before it happened. “As the ball was fumbled, I kept thinking, ‘I cannot believe it,’ and when I was in the end zone, I kept yelling, ‘I saw it, I saw it!’”

The lone score of the fourth quarter came on a nine-yard touchdown run by senior Mike Garafine.

For those of you who know him, Chris Thomas says a lot, sometimes meaningful and other times irrelevant, but what he said before the homecoming game sparked a Wolverine victory. And exactly by what he said, 21 points.

Behind the incredible play of Cullen and Vanacore — and Thomas’ “spiritual influence” — the Wolverines won their second consecutive homecoming game. The win brought their record to 3-4. The Wolverines have a bye on Friday, Oct. 23, but will continue their play at Spanish River High School on Friday, Oct. 30.

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13-0 Shutout To Gardens Tempers Hawks Homecoming Fun

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

A packed homecoming crowd watched as the Seminole Ridge High School varsity football team was shut out by visiting Palm Beach Gardens last Friday night. The Gators topped the Hawks 13-0. It was Gardens’ first victory of the season and dropped the Hawks’ record to 4-2.

The Hawks’ defensive line fought to hold the Gators back, but halfway into the first quarter, sophomore Alex Clark slipped through the defense and ran the ball down the field, putting the Gators on the 15 yard line. Jimmy Lera picked up the ball on the next attempt and ran it in for a touchdown. The kick by Ryan Nixon gave the Gators a 7-0 advantage.

Although the Hawks’ Gary Holmes received the ball often throughout the first quarter, he was quickly taken down by the Gator defense.

Midway through the second quarter, the Gators pushed into Hawk territory. It was a march capped by another touchdown run in by Chip Browne, putting the Gators up 130.

While Seminole Ridge kept the Gators from scoring for the rest of the game, they also sabotaged their own attempts to score. Small mistakes and penalties kept the

Hawks from putting points on the board.

With 1:21 left in the first half, the Hawks fumbled the ball, resulting in a turnover just as they made their way down the field and onto the Gators’ 35 yard line.

The second half saw the Hawks sitting close to a touchdown but unable to execute it. With 6:11 left in the third, the Hawks sat on the goal line, but a string of incomplete passes and failed attempts resulted in a fourth down and later turnover of the ball to Palm Beach Gardens.

The Gators even managed to block a field goal attempt by Matt Johnson at the end of the third quarter. At one point, the Hawks accrued 22 yards in penalties on one series and were saddled with a second down and 32 yards to go. They received some luck when a Gardens penalty resulted in a first down for the Hawks, but they were unable to capitalize. A few attempts later, a pass to Javian Wrisper in the end zone fell incomplete, and the Hawks lost the ball.

During halftime, Seminole Ridge crowned Hart Collier and Kristina DeCarlo as the respective homecoming king and queen.

Seminole Ridge hosts Atlantic High School on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. before visiting Park Vista for a 7 p.m. game on Friday, Oct. 30.

Seminole Ridge’s Javian Wrisper runs the ball.

Hawk Gary Holmes is tackled by the Gators.

The Hawks and Gators square off. PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRO/TOWN-CRIER

Gary Holmes with the carry.

Josh Hyber’s Wolverine Watch column covers sports at Wellington High School. The Town-Crier is looking for students or other school supporters

about sports at Seminole Ridge, Royal Palm Beach and Palm Beach Central high schools. Interested? E-mail a cover

WHS Girls Golf Team Wins District Tourney

The Wanderers Club at Wellington played host to the 2009 District 18 girls golf championship on Monday, Oct. 19 with players from 11 schools competing for the chance to advance to the regional finals.

The Wellington High School team finished first, with a cumulative score of 386. The runner-up trophy went to second-place Jupiter, with a total score of 409. Royal Palm Beach finished third with a score of 427. All three teams —

along with individual players from Palm Beach Gardens, Santaluces and John I. Leonard — will compete in the regional championship tournament in Viera on Oct. 25. A win there, and it’s on to the state championship.

“We can’t thank the Wanderers Club enough for their hospitality,” Wellington coach Laurie Bawinkel said. “The course was in great condition, and the staff made everyone feel right at home.”

Registration Available For St. Peter’s Upward League

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington is registering boys and girls for basketball and cheerleading as part of its Upward League.

The league runs from January through March and is for children in kindergarten through seventh grade. It focuses on every child winning, not just the score of the game, by promoting children of all talents and giving each child equal playing time.

“This league is designed to build each player’s confidence and self esteem,” League Director Chris Moore said. “Every child plays, every child wins in our league.”

Each team practices one evening during the week, and all games are played on Saturdays in the St. Peter’s gymnasium (12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd.)

For more information, call the St. Peter’s Upward League at (561) 793-5712, ext. 22.

Wellington Wrestlers Win Big

Wellington Wrestling Club grapplers had great finishes last Saturday at the South Broward High School USA Wrestling tournament. Sophomore Eric Melamed won the championship in the 119-pound Cadet division. Melamed has been working hard all summer and fall at the wrestling club, and his work is now starting to pay off.

Wellington also had a secondplace finisher, sophomore Ryan Nilsson, and three third-place finishers, junior Jake Ferrara, sophomore Collin Bachi and sophomore Cody Walker.

The Wellington Wrestling Club will travel to Coral Springs High School for its last off-season tournament before the high school season begins.

The Wellington Wrestling Club serves all ages and runs on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for kindergarten through eighth grade, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for grades six through 12. For more information on joining the club, e-mail Travis Gray at graytra @palmbeach.k12.fl.us.

Head Coach Laurie Bawinkel with Rose DiMatteo, Melissa Welch, Kaci Bennett, Mary Dixon and Allison Parssi.

Members of the Warriors basketball team.

NINJAS RECEIVE THEIR NEXT RANK

Four ninjas from Wellington High School karate classes were recently tested and promoted to their eighth kyu (second level) belt ranks. The students have been with Sensei Keith Moore at the school since the classes began in April. The ninjas have a total of eight belt levels to test through before they are ready for the junior karate class. Ninjas are taught eight basic skill levels, which include focus, teamwork, control, balance, memory, discipline, fitness and coordination. Ninja classes are offered for children from four to six years old. For more information, call (561) 214-5299 or visit www.florida genbukai.com. Pictured above are: (front row, L-R) Ari Goodman, Cory Goodman, Keon Pinkney and Aiden Murray; (back) assistant instructor Maritsa Moore and Sensei Keith Moore.

Wave U-14 Blue Team Wins Again

Under a blistering sun, the Wellington Wave U-14 girls blue team defeated the Palm Beach Soccer Academy 3-1.

In the first half of play, both teams showed some offense, but it was the defense that really stood out. Both goalkeepers displayed some great skill, making several outstanding saves. It was in the 29th minute that mid-fielder Lindsey Guthrie took a ball from mid-fielder Claudia Petrizzi up the right sideline and curled toward the goal, sending a rightfooted shot into the net, taking a 10 lead at the end of the half.

The Wave took the lead and would maintain it for the rest of the match, as the defense locked down their back third, clearing any Academy attempts at goal. The Wave continued to pressure the Academy defense with good passing and possession.

The Wave struck a second time in the 44th minute when forward Alyssa Randell grabbed the ball from inside the 18 and scored, making it 2-0. Minutes later, Petrizzi took the ball off a shot that bounced from the left bar, and put it into the net, making the score 3-0. Academy denied the shutout minutes before the end of the match, when they found room for a shot. The initial

Natalie Kelly and Marissa Sunshine defend the goal.

shot was saved by the Wave keeper Antoinette Walton, but bounced in favor for an Academy follow-up shot for the score, making the final 3-1 in favor of the Wave.

Solid midfield play came from Makayla Barrantes, Kayla Puzon, Christina Barbera, Marissa Sunshine, Savana Stawicki and Michelle Hyde. Coach Kevin Bovett was pleased with Randell’s

performance at forward. She is usually a defender. The defense is stacked with Walton as keeper, Molly Cuthbertson, Natalie Kelly, C.J. Konopka, Amanda Nardi and Tanairi Rivera.

The Wave have put together 10 goals in six games, and have a record of 3-3. Coach Bovett is pleased with his team’s progress through the early season.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, Oct. 24

• Buckler’s Craft Fair will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Americraft Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.). Browse through unique one-of-a-kind gifts, custom home décor, jewelry, furniture, country and traditional crafts, folk art, dolls, hair accessories, candles and more. General admission is $7. For more info., call (386) 860-0092 or visit www.buckler promotions.com.

• The St. Rita Council of Catholic Women will hold a White Elephant Sale on Saturday, Oct. 24 in the church parking lot and pavilion (13645 Paddock Drive, Wellington). The sale will run from 8 a.m. to noon and will benefit the parish. The council is renting parking spaces for $20 to anyone who would like to set up a table and sell items. Sellers may sell only non-food and nonclothing items. For more info., call Ann at (561) 798-5153 or Caroline at (561) 7982853.

• Wellington’s pampered canines will strut their stuff at the seventh annual “Howl at the Moon” party on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Wellington Dog Park (2975 Greenbriar Blvd.). The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon and offer a wide variety of dog activities for all to enjoy. For more info., call Dr. Marc Pinkwasser of Courtyard Animal Hospital at (561) 784-PETS.

• The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will hold “Reptile Mania” on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. for all ages. The cost will be $3 per person. To RSVP, call (561) 233-1400 or visit www.pbcgov. com/parks/nature.

• The third annual James Ryan Rivera Muscular Dystrophy Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Registration begins at noon with a shotgun start 1:30 p.m. The tournament follows a four-person team scramble format and will include contests for putting, longest drive, hole in one and closest to the pin, as well as team awards, dinner, door prizes, a raffle and live and silent auctions. For more info., call Dawn Dallin at (561) 309-5864 or Daisy Nelson at (561) 543-4920, or visit http://home. jamesriverabenefit.com.

• The “Guns & Hoses” charity hockey tournament will take place Saturday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. at Palm Beach Ice Works (1590 N. Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach) to benefit West Palm Beach Police Capt. Danny Sargent, a Wellington resident who

is battling ALS. Palm Beach County law enforcement officers will compete against firefighters from Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Admission is $10. A barbecue will follow the tournament at the Police Benevolent Association office (2100 N. Florida Mango Road). For more info., call (561) 689-3745.

• The Harriet Himmel Gilman Theater (700 Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach) will hold “Girls’ Night Out” on Saturday, Oct. 24. Participants will dine, dance, drink and shop at a discount. The evening will begin with a trip to “Vendor Village” where ladies will try the latest beauty products, shop with friends and sip cocktails while they wait for the fashion show that will feature the most stylish trends for fall. After the show, mix, mingle and bid on handsome law enforcement officers and firemen at the bachelor auction. For more info., call (561) 3661000.

• The Oasis Compassion Agency will hold its fourth annual fundraising gala on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). Tickets are $150. For more info., call (561) 967-4066 or visit www.oasiscompassion.org.

• Kids Bingo Night is back at Temple Beth Tikvah. Opening night is Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The price of $8 includes one card and one snack. Refreshments will be available for sale. This event is for ages three to 17. The community is invited. The temple is located at 4550 Jog Road, Greenacres, one-half mile south of Lake Worth Road. Call (561) 967-3600 for more info. Sunday, Oct. 25

• The Wellington Runners Club and the Village of Wellington will present the Fifth Annual Horse Country Ten-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 25 starting at 7:15 a.m. New to the race is Sebastian’s 5K run/walk, held in memory of Sebastian Sarmiento, a nineyear-old Wellington boy who recently lost his battle with cancer. The race will start at 13900 Greenbriar Blvd. in front of New Horizons Elementary School. Race day registration begins at 5:45 a.m. Pre-registration is available online at www.active.com or pick up a registration form at Fit2Run in the Mall at Wellington Green, the Wellington Community Center and Village Park. Application forms are available at www. wellingtonrunners.org. For more information, call (561) 801-3420. See CALENDAR, page 44

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 42

• The Wellington Seniors Club will feature “Showtime 2009,” a comedy show/dinner/dance, on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The evening’s entertainment will include comedian Todd Charles. Music will be provided by DJ Bob Flaster, and dinner will be catered by Park Avenue BBQ Grille. To make reservations, call Joan Kahler at (561) 798-9052.

• Planco Veterinary Care (11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 9, Wellington) will host a Dog Wash Benefit on Sunday, Oct. 25 for the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, which provides equine-assisted therapy to people with special needs. To schedule an appointment for the Oct. 25 dog wash, call (561) 795-9507. For more info., visit www.plancovetcare.com.

Monday, Oct. 26

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Stretch Out Neck & Back Pain” on Monday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Certified fitness instructor Cheryl Alker will demonstrate how to incorporate stretching and flexibility into your lifestyle. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

Tuesday, Oct. 27

• Wacoal will continue its battle against breast cancer with its annual Fi(GH)t for the Cure on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 10 to 4 p.m. at the Dillard’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green. For every woman who participates, Wacoal will donate $2 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for breast cancer research and community health programs. For more info., call Dillard’s at (561) 227-5470.

• Binks Forest Elementary School chorus alumni are being sought to perform in a special Alumni Chorus Celebration performance being held in early November. Alumni who would like to participate are invited to attend the first of three rehearsals in the Binks music room on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Alumni who cannot make it but would still like to sing should e-mail loisinfla@aol.com.

• The Royal Palm Beach Fall Community Band will continue its free concert series at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Refreshments will be served. Call (561) 790-5149 for more info. Wednesday, Oct. 28

• The Acreage/Loxahatchee Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 8 a.m. at

Sneaky Pete’s Restaurant in the Grove (Winn-Dixie) Plaza on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. For more info., call John Thomas at (561) 818-2505.

Thursday, Oct. 29

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Sesame Street Live’s “Elmo’s Green Thumb” Thursday, Oct. 29 through Sunday, Nov. 1. For more info., visit www. kravis.org or call (561) 832-7469.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Introduction to Ghost Hunting” on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. for adults and teens. The Gold Coast Paranormal Society will discuss some of the basics, from equipment and research techniques, to evidence review and debunking, to general safety and etiquette. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register or for more info. Friday, Oct. 30

• Join the South Florida Science Museum (4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach) for “Spooky Science” on Friday, Oct. 30 to explore the science behind things that are spooky. Guests can participate in a “spooky” design challenge and participate in lunar and planetary observation with the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches. For more info., visit www.sfsm.org or call (561) 832-1988.

• Good Shepherd Church (2341 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host Trunk or Treat on Friday, Oct. 30. Youngsters will work their way through a parking lot of decorated cars all loaded with sweet treats. The event is free and open to the public. Call (561) 965-4311 for more info.

• A “Homeschooling With Excellence” workshop will be held on Friday, Oct. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Certified teacher and experienced homeschooler Nancy Moral will answer questions. Admission is free. For more info., call (561) 721-3683 or visit www.myftps.com.

• The Palm Beach Kennel Club (1111 North Congress Ave., WPB) will hold a Halloween Celebration on Friday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. Activities will include a costume contest for kids, adults and greyhounds, free treat bags and food/drink specials. Admission is $1. For more info., visit www. pbkennelclub.com or call (561) 683-2222. 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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ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC —

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

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

TREE TRIMMING & REMOVALWE DO IT ALL. Free Estimates. Licensed & Insured #200403394 Call Jimmy 329-0213 BIG BLUE TREE FARM, INC. GO GREEN! Growers of Quality Landscape Trees www.BigBlueTree Farm.com. Any Tree up to 12 feet $249 +tax Free Delivery & Installation 561-793-4370 Bus. 561-202-7679 Cell

PAPERHANGING & PAINTING BY

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

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

PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL 793-7606