Town-Crier Newspaper October 30, 2009

GOLF TOURNEY HELPS RIVERA FAMILY

Wellington Council Debates Changes To Village Sign Code

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

Digital signs and “for lease” signs on commercial property would be prohibited under Wellington’s revised sign ordinance if the Wellington Village Council gives final approval to the new rules next month.

On Tuesday, the council approved the first reading of a revised sign code that includes 21 changes.

Event signs and directional Aframe signs will be allowed only if they’re removed promptly, and seasonal equestrian signs and flags that are often seen on public roadways directing spectators to equestrian venues will be replaced by permanent village-installed signs.

Council members, expressing frustration with multiple “for lease” signs speckling commercial properties, agreed that vacancies would have to be advertised on existing monument signs. Also,

hatchee Groves Landowners’ Association. Page 7

plazas will be allowed only one multiple-tenant monument sign per entrance. Under the new ordinance, property owners will have to use these signs to advertise space for sale or lease.

Councilman Matt Willhite said the change was made to prevent monument signs that served no purpose but to advertise available space.

Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore worried that the change would hurt business owners who may be unable to advertise on the signs because of space constraints. “If the sign only allows for X number of places, the guy who may want to buy it and get his name out there is cut out,” he said.

Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said that, customarily, the businesses advertised on the sign pay an additional fee to have their names there.

But a plaza with multiple entrances could include different businesses on each sign, said Eco-

nomic Development Director Martin Hodgkins. Hodgkins said the village is trying to avoid the “ubiquitous gang signs” that can be found in West Palm Beach and feature 20 or more tenants on a sign.

Councilman Howard Coates Jr. said he favors reducing signs around the village but is concerned with real estate signs taking up a place where a tenant could advertise.

“There is going to be a direct cost to landlords in this community because they get premiums from businesses to put their names on that sign,” he said, calling for a compromise with a smaller additional sign to advertise “for lease” space.

Mayor Darell Bowen disagreed and said the for-lease signs were “ridiculous,” and Benacquisto said that if the council gives landlords the ability to put up temporary signs, she was concerned that

See SIGN CODE, page 4

County Unveils Proposal For Inspector General’s Office

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach County’s proposed inspector general’s office could be created along the lines of a similar office that exists in MiamiDade County, and it could be paid for with a charge to the governments who contract for the office’s oversight — those were the recommendations that county staff presented at a two-day workshop this week attended by dozens of state and county leaders.

Creating an inspector general’s office was part of a grand jury report released in May following several indictments of county and city elected officials in recent years.

“Because it was such a serious

matter, we are addressing it today in ordinances that are being proposed that the county commission is imposing on themselves with strong penalties, hoping the rest of the entities join in voluntarily,” said County Attorney Denise Nieman, whose staff drafted the proposed ordinances to create the inspector general and a commission on ethics.

Tom Lynch, president of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, led the discussion that included state senators and representatives, business leaders and representatives from the Palm Beach County School District and various municipalities.

The grand jury report emphasized the Miami-Dade office as a

model, and Nieman said the county legal department researched inspector general offices across the United States.

“We think what we have drafted actually exceeds what we have seen to date, so it’s very strong,” she said. “It addresses all the issues and more that the grand jury recommended to us.”

They also shared their draft ordinance with the Palm Beach County Ethics Initiative and the State Attorney’s Office and made adjustments, Nieman said. “It has been very productive; those discussions are ongoing, and we hope to all be on the same page soon.”

Independence and funding are

See INSPECTOR, page 18

Youth Baseball Leader Under Investigation For Embezzlement

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Former Royal Palm Beach

Youth Baseball President Michael Infante is under investigation for possibly embezzling $50,000 from the non-profit sports league.

Other RPBYB board members approached Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio in September about possible misappropriation of league money, Recchio said Wednesday. The village began investigating, and then brought in the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

“The suspicious transactions were in excess of $50,000 since 2006,” PBSO District 9 Capt. Eric Coleman said. “We are currently investigating that information. There were some large checks issued to Mike Infante that don’t appear to be any authorized expenses.”

Infante, who has not been charged with a crime as of Wednesday, was just recently replaced as RPBYB president. Coleman said Infante is now living out of state, but is cooperating with the PBSO investigation.

“He has taken some responsibility for some of this,” Coleman said, declining to say where Infante is now living. “Once this all comes to a head, it will all be made public.”

Coleman noted that the league has installed Scott Houk as its new president. He credited the RPBYB board for launching the investigation.

“Once this information became known, they did the appropriate thing and went to the village, and in turn went to law enforcement,” Coleman said. “The league, the village and law enforcement are all working together to address this.”

Royal Palm Beach Youth Baseball has had an agreement with

Royal Palm Beach since 2001 to be the village’s official youth baseball league provider. More than 500 youngsters ages four to 16 participate in the program. After Infante moved, the remaining board members informed Recchio that they needed to do some reorganizing. They also informed Recchio of suspicious financial activity. Among the checks Infante wrote to himself were two large ones, one for $35,000 and one for $15,000.

“Those are the ones of most concern,” Coleman said. “The others are a couple of thousand here, a couple thousand there, but it is going to be a long-term investigation that will probably take months. We will have to do a forensic accounting basically for the last eight or nine years to take a good look at everything just to be thorough.”

Recchio said the village is taking steps to see that similar events cannot happen again.

“It’s a fact-finding mission on our part to see if there are any other irregularities in the financial aspect of the league,” Recchio said. “Mike has come forward and has been very cooperative. As a village, we will look into making some changes on our end to make sure we have stricter controls in place.”

Part of that process will be working with the PBSO on the RPBYB investigation.

“We have given the league a written request that we want all their records, and they are in the process of turning all those records over so we can go through them,” Recchio said.

Coleman said Infante had admitted some financial stress and some possible accounting errors. Coleman added that it was too

New Landscape Plan Integrates RPB Village Complex

Ron Bukley

Planning & Zoning Commission. The scheme ties in a new, nearly completed 7,800-square-foot multipurpose building that will house some fire and police operations and a fitness center, and serve as the village’s emergency operations center, said Development Review Coordinator Kevin Erwin. A new plaza will connect the new building with the existing village hall, fire station and police station within the complex, located on 16.58 acres at the southeast corner of Okeechobee and Royal Palm Beach boulevards. Donald Hearing with Cotleur & Hearing Inc. Landscape Architects said the project will improve con-

nectivity between the new and old buildings. The design will include a path to a gazebo that already has been built on the lake in front of the Village Meeting Hall and a roundabout with parking on the south side of the municipal building. “Our goal was to try and change the circulation to allow the area between to be a gathering place,” Hearing said.

Hearing said the new roundabout on the south side of the municipal building will improve handicapped access. The street that used to run between the municipal building and village hall has been removed, and in its place will be a plaza where people can congregate.

The design will preserve certain old elements of the previous landscape, including an old monument and flagpoles. Four large planters will be placed in the plaza. Each will hold two royal palms and also serve as seat walls.

“They will be 20 inches above the ground, and you can sit around the plaza,” Hearing said. “We are also introducing benches and bike racks and pedestrian scale elements to make this more of a pedestrian community gathering place that can be used more for the days that we have functions. It will be a gathering place so people can meet at the post office and enjoy the benefits and amenities here.”

Residents will get more enjoyment from the lake once the new design is complete, Hearing added. “Probably few of you have walked out back to look at the wonderful view that exists all the way around the lake,” Hearing said. “There is a huge patio out back that opens up to the lake that probably 99 percent of the public in Royal Palm Beach never even knew existed.” The remodeling project will create a sidewalk all the way around

the lake that will be detailed with a stainless steel rail.

Although the village’s namesake royal palms will be present in the landscape, the focus will be on native plants. “The dominating landscape feature is on the native vegetation that exists on this site,” Hearing said. “We’re trying to bring out that beauty with pines and cypress. Since we’re adding irrigation, we’re trying to be responsible in terms of where we’re irrigating.”

Some existing grass areas will be removed and replaced with pine mulch around the pine trees, which Hearing said do not thrive with irrigated water. Shrubs, including native fire bush, wild coffee, beauty berry and saw palmetto, will be scattered throughout the pine mulch areas, making them more environmentally friendly for wildlife and reducing maintenance costs.

“Now you won’t have to weed

around every tree,” Hearing said. “That theme is being incorporated throughout. Some smaller trees, some smaller pines, some smaller cypress will begin to take over from where some of the older ones are dying. Some of them have taken a beating through the past few hurricanes.”

The landscapers also plan to add more color with royal poincianas, which have brilliant purple blossoms; tabebuias, also called trumpet trees for their large bright yellow blossoms; and jacarandas, which have blue flowers.

“We’re adding them around the lake for color and to enhance the overall beauty of the campus,” Hearing said. “The overwhelming theme is native; it’s 99 percent Florida native xeriscape plant material.”

Hearing said his firm is being careful not to rip out some of the existing plant material. “We are See LANDSCAPE, page 3

Royal Palm Beach hosted its Fall Fest last Friday at Veterans Park. The event featured magic, games and candy for kids, a scarecrow contest and more. Vendors were on hand to sell seasonal merchandise. Shown here, Christina and Adrian Atti with dog Mila dressed

The third annual James Ryan Rivera Muscular Dystrophy Golf Tournament was held Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Rivera was diagnosed in 2007 at the age of five with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease. Proceeds from the golf tournament will go to the Rivera family to help offset costs related to the illness. Shown here, event committee members gather with the Rivera family. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA MANNING/TOWN-CRIER

paintball.

Costume contest winners in the four to six age group.

The costume contest judges.

Volunteers Valerie Yeakel and Leslie Hernandez.

Catalina Cardone gets her face painted.

Mark and Luke Willhite.

Alyssa and Helen Archer as a mermaid and a witch.

Volunteers run the trick-or-treat station.

Attorney Rob Ostrov To Seek Wellington Village Council Seat

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

Attorney Rob Ostrov announced this week that he will run for Wellington Village Council Seat 2, currently held by the termlimited Lizbeth Benacquisto.

Ostrov is best known in local political circles for his unsuccessful run last year as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Adam Hasner for the District 87 State House seat. Benacquisto, who’s running for State Senate in District 27 as a Republican, will leave office in March at the end of her second four-year term. Ostrov told the Town-Crier Wednesday that he thinks his experience as a criminal prosecutor will help his campaign and benefit Wellington. “The issue I have the most experience with is crime,” he said.

Ostrov, 47, was born in Connecticut and moved to New York City, where he received a joint degree in law and international affairs from Fordham Law School and Columbia University. He was a criminal prosecutor for the district attorney’s office in New York’s Orange and Nassau counties, where he prosecuted white-collar crime. Ostrov also worked on the district attorney’s homicide unit where he investigated and prosecuted several gangrelated murders, and served as a judge in Manhattan.

In 2004, Ostrov moved to Well-

Ostrov

ington with his wife and children to take a job in the private sector. “I have been a criminal lawyer in some sense for many years, but I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into that for the rest of my career,” he said. “I was given an opportunity to move to a nicer climate and receive more money.”

Since the move, Ostrov has worked as the in-house legal counsel for Client First Settlement Funding in Boca Raton and Structured Asset Funding in Hallandale Beach.

Ostrov said he and his family love living in Wellington and are active in the community. “My wife and I coach soccer, and she’s very involved in volunteering in the Wellington public schools,” he said. “She’s there every day.”

Getting into politics was a way for Ostrov to continue to be involved in public service, he said. In 2008, he won the Democratic primary in District 87, but lost the general election to Hasner, taking 40 percent of the vote. He’s the parliamentarian for the Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee.

Qualifying for Wellington’s upcoming election begins at noon Jan. 26 and ends at noon Feb. 9. The election will be held Tuesday, March 9.

Weisman: County Faces Bleak Outlook For Future Budgets

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

One month into the new budget year, Palm Beach County Administrator Bob Weisman already is warning the Palm Beach County Commission that it will have to raise property taxes or make massive budget cuts next year.

“We’re not going to see any substantial increases in property tax revenue for several years, maybe two or three percent at the most,” Weisman said at a commission workshop Tuesday. “You’ve got a huge overhang of housing. We’re still going to have a huge value deduction for the coming year. Let’s just say we have a twopercent increase in property valuation two or three years from now. That only generates about $20 or $30 million in a year. For a budget our size, $20 or $30 million is spit.”

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office budget, which comprises half the county budget, has increased by $40 million to $50 million a year, and dropping to increases of $10 million or $20 million would be considered onerous by the sheriff, Weisman said.

“When you talk about compensation for sheriff’s employees, county employees, fire-rescue employees, everybody’s basically in the same boat, but the sheriff’s budget has those built-in increases in compensation that exceed 10 percent per year. You cannot support that on a two-percent increase in revenue,” Weisman said.

Palm Beach County raised its property tax rate for the budget year that began Oct. 1 from 3.78 mills to 4.34 mills and still cut millions from its budget. Because

Landscape Municipal Complex

of declining property values, the county would have had to increase the tax rate to 4.93 to bring in the same amount of money, Weisman said.

The county’s reserves have been depleted as well, he added.

“It’s going to be pay-as-you-go from now on,” Weisman said. “That requires a major rethinking of what costs are going to be in the future for all personnel, or you’ve got to raise taxes more than what I think boards are going to be willing to raise in the future.”

Another issue will be new programs that commissioners have said they want to create, such as help for the homeless.

“You’re going to have to eliminate something else in order to pay for it,” Weisman said. “Unless you identify a new revenue source, the revenues are not going to be there to pay for anything new.”

Weisman said that will include expanding the jail, because there won’t be money to pay for a construction loan. “You won’t have the money for debt service,” he said, adding that the debt on the old jail and courthouse will be paid in 2015.

“God knows what will be demanded when that comes around,” Weisman said. “I want you to keep that in mind when we talk about the other budget factors, because the future will have limited new revenue that will not support the cost increases of the past.”

Weisman said that commissioners will have to concentrate more on what the actual revenue is rather than the millage rate. “That’s what I would tend to try to do as we go through the budget process in the future,” he said.

continued from page 1 trying to blend the natural with the royal palms and the subtropical,” he said. “It’s a marvelous landscape plan that will really tie the campus together and reduce maintenance.” Commissioners liked the plan, but worried about visibility for drivers in the heavily landscaped parking lot. “I think the plans are beautiful,” Commissioner Genevieve Lambiase said. Commission Alternate Barbara Powell asked about the irrigation source, and Hearing said water would be drawn from the lake. “I think the design looks very exciting,” Powell said. Commissioner Tinu Peña made a motion to approve the landscape plans, which was seconded by Lambiase and carried 4-0.

Rob

Take Proper Precautions To Make Halloween Safe For All Involved

With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, it just made the cut for daylight savings time. The clock doesn’t “fall back” an hour until 2 a.m. Sunday. That means there is still an extra hour of sunlight to make Halloween a safer experience for young trick-or-treaters who’d otherwise be walking around in the dark. Unfortunately, there are many other dangers parents should look out for, from the candy kids collect to the costumes they wear. The right Halloween costume can make a child’s popularity rise among his or her peers. But it can also be a potential hazard. The ideal costume is clearly visible to motorists, does not impede limb movement (or include a hard-to-see-through mask) and is flame-retardant. Once that costume goes on, it’s there for the rest of the day, and sometimes into the night. For children going out without a parent in tow, the next best thing is the buddy system. Young trick-or-treaters should never be walking the neighborhood alone; day or night, it’s just not a good idea.

Parents should teach their kids to hold off on the goodies until they get home, at which time the candy can be inspected. And all children should know not to accept unwrapped treats. And regarding tricks, it’s important that the consequences of Halloween-night mischief are understood. Whatever amusement it might provide is far less than the inconvenience it causes.

Where’s The Traffic Study?

Regrettably, I was unable to attend the meeting on Oct. 21 regarding the Madrid Street connection. Since the following points were not mentioned as points of discussion in the Town-Crier article last week, perhaps they are worth bringing up for discussion. First, no traffic study has been conducted, and I have not heard about nor seen any traffic projection information on Madrid Street if the connection to the Western Parkway is made. While Madrid Street would likely see an increase in traffic from those cutting through to Crestwood Blvd., we have no idea as to whether the increased traffic would be minimal or substantial. I don’t think Acreage residents would take Madrid to Ponce De Leon; there are several stop signs between the connection and RPB Blvd. Any Acreage folks who would cut-through would likely bypass Madrid Street and instead take La Mancha Avenue to RPB Blvd. If a large increase in cut-through traffic were to occur after the connection is made, an easy way to discourage this type of traffic on both streets would be traffic-calming devices such as speed humps. I wonder if there was any discussion about using such devices? After all, speed humps are not new, novel, nor would I bet all that expensive to install. These humps should discourage most cut-through traffic, and whether or not the connection is made, La Mancha Avenue would benefit from speed humps. These speed humps would make La Mancha Avenue safer by slowing down traffic and reducing the existing cut-through traffic.

Second, additional cut-through traffic from The Acreage would not occur during the morning rush hour since left-hand turns from RPB Blvd. into La Mancha are not permitted between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. Police enforcement could minimize any additional substantial cut-through traffic during the morning rush hour as they should already be doing for existing cutthrough traffic. So additional cutthrough traffic generated by the connection would likely be greatest during the afternoon rush hour. Folks in La Mancha should ask if perhaps significant additional traffic flow for an hour or two during the evening rush hour is an acceptable trade-off for reduced travel

Sign Code Hospital Has Concerns

continued from page 1 it would open the floodgates to other types of temporary signs. Ultimately the council decided to leave the amendment intact, with one sign per entrance and real estate advertisements to be included in the monument signs.

The council also agreed to eliminate seasonal equestrian signs and flags on public property. Instead, the village will install its own permanent signs to point out landmarks and equestrian venues in Wellington.

Hodgkins cited the large sign on Pierson Road and South Shore Blvd. advertising the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center show grounds as an example of a problematic sign, and council members agreed.

“That’s a publicly owned right of way,” Willhite said. “It seems

time to points east of La Mancha, 24 hours a day.

Third, I wonder if the point was made that most of the folks south of Madrid Street would likely experience a noticeable decrease in traffic, since those of us living north of or near Madrid Street would no longer drive south past Madrid on La Mancha Avenue or Ponce De Leon Street to exit the development via Okeechobee Blvd. when heading east.

Fourth, the argument that crime would increase appears to be facetious. Are we to believe that adding one more entrance to the three ungated entrances into La Mancha is going to make a difference to criminals? If concerns about crime from outside the development are genuine, then I’d expect discussion about adding gates to the existing entranceways to be underway. And if adding gates at both ends of Ponce De Leon Street and the northern end of La Mancha Avenue are not allowed per some state traffic code, then those roads have to be considered at some level above residential, and therefore be expected to have higher traffic density relative to other streets in the development. Yet I’ve not read nor heard anything in my 13 years as a La Mancha resident about crime concerns such that we should add gates to the existing entrances.

Finally, I am disappointed that the four council people who voted against the connection did so before at least a traffic study was conducted. If the article in last week’s Town-Crier is correct that the residents were “about equally divided,” I hope that the half like myself who favor at least giving the connection a trial run (it can always be re-closed if traffic becomes that bad) will take the four votes against the connection into consideration come re-election time.

Andy Rodusky Royal Palm Beach

Madrid Decision Reflects ‘Will Of The People’

I was pleased to see such a large number of residents in attendance at the special meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week. Many residents spoke or submitted comment cards to have their voices heard on the potential Madrid Street connection to the

like Wellington is giving [PBIEC sponsor] FTI a monopoly on advertising in the area.”

Willhite added that business signs should be in front of the businesses so the village does not appear to be advertising for anyone.

Benacquisto said she supported signs with dates and times of events so anyone driving by would know when the equestrian events occur.

Coates suggested that the village signs include a universal number for residents and visitors to call for more information about the venues and events.

To help direct people to Wellington’s events, the council approved day-of-event information and directional A-frame signs as long as they are placed out the morning of the event and removed shortly after the event ends.

Willhite said that medians could become clogged if there were multiple events on one day, and Benacquisto asked who would be allowed to display signs in the

Of course, traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating is not the only way to enjoy Halloween. For a safer experience, especially for younger ones, consider going to one of the following organized events on Saturday:

• Wag-O-Ween — Stores in the Publix Plaza in The Acreage will hold a costumed dog parade and children’s costume contest, as well as giving out treats and canine cookies. The dog parade begins at 4 p.m., followed by a costume contest for children 12 and under at 4:30 p.m. and trick-or-treating around the plaza until 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (561) 333-6536.

• Trunk or Treat — Grace Fellowship Church will hold Trunk or Treat at its Acreage campus (75th Road North and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, just north of Publix). For more information, call Arlene Stabley at (561) 253-4157.

• Costume Parade — The Wellington library will hold a Halloween costume parade on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. for ages two and up. Drop in wearing your Halloween costume for the parade. Hear tales about costume goofs and mishaps. Call (561) 790-6070 for information.

So be sure to play it safe this Halloween. There will be plenty of scary movies to watch on TV this weekend. There’s no need for any real-life horror stories to ruin the fun.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

State Road 7 extension. After several hours of comments favoring and opposing the connection, it was apparent that the majority of the citizens opposed the connection. The council heard the “will of the people” and ultimately voted against the Madrid Street connection.

Personally, I felt the only negative aspect of the special meeting was when several speakers suggested that a “backroom deal” had already been made regarding the potential Madrid Street connection. Since any “backroom deal” regarding this issue would likely constitute a violation of Florida’s Sunshine laws, the speakers’ comments intimated that the actions of the council (or perhaps prior councils) were not above board. I have lived in Royal Palm Beach for more than eight years and have disagreed with some of the council’s actions, sometimes quite vigorously. However, I have never seen anything that would lead me to believe that any member of our council would violate our Sunshine laws by orchestrating a “backroom deal” of any type. I was disappointed by the fact that several citizens made comments that appeared to question the integrity of our council.

Even though I strongly disagree with the “backroom deal” comments made during the special meeting, I understand why such comments were made. In the past few years the residents of Royal Palm Beach have endured watching their former county commissioner go to prison. We have also witnessed our former U.S. representative resign in the wake of a scandal involving Congressional pages. During the same time period, two more county commissioners and two West Palm Beach city commissioners have been sent to prison. Against this backdrop, it is easy to understand why someone would question the integrity of all elected officials.

Trust in our elected representatives appears to be at an all-time low. The only way to restore the public’s confidence in our elected officials is to demand that all of our representatives possess a level of integrity that is beyond reproach. Children in Palm Beach County schools are taught that “character counts.” In order to obtain the quality of representation we deserve, we must hold our elected officials to a higher standard. If we insist that our elected

officials are competent, qualified and trustworthy, then we will be able to restore the public’s confidence in our government. Richard Valuntas Royal Palm Beach

Nielsen Responds To Euell

Editor’s note: The following is in response to Tom Euell’s letter in last week’s Town-Crier I have to say that when someone quotes figures or statements from the World Health Organization that state that infant mortality is better in Cuba than in the United States, it has nothing to do with endorsing the government of Cuba. But it does indicate the U.S. is behind in infant care, and it is of great concern when you consider that in other areas, such as treatment outcome, the WHO indicates the U.S. ranks number three. Though, we spend 2.5 times what any other comparable industrialized nation spends.

The Bay of Pigs, it could be argued, failed because the U.S. could not get the support of the Cuban people, who saw helping the U.S. as a path to the freewheeling gambling days of Batista, who allowed Cuba to become a chattel of the U.S. with its people “economic slaves.” I also not only have Canadians here, but relatives living in Canada. Not one would give up Canadian healthcare for an American style preexisting condition and not paying benefits or canceling policies. I never held up Cuba as an example, but facts are facts!

The Republican Party of no is comfortably beholden to their insurance company masters, and it bothers them not that United Healthcare CEO Stephen Hemsley reportedly spends $1 million each day to defeat any healthcare reform and the 14,000 of their fellow citizens who are laid off and losing their healthcare can “just eat cake.”

I’m almost amused that while Mr. Euell can quote Republican figures ($2 trillion over 10 years), he is oblivious in regard to the 4,000 to 5,000 lives lost in a war we didn’t have to fight against a tyrant who had nothing to do with the destruction of the World Trade Center. Cheap shots like “Germany and my beloved Cuba” used to win an argument are just what they

NEWS

medians. Hodgkins said that the signs were permitted only with a special-use permit given to equestrian, cultural, sporting or religious events with anticipatory impact on the community.

The amendments to the sign code initially removed permission for temporary banners in the Medical Center Planned Development District, but the council decided that the banner hanging on Wellington Regional Medical Center benefited Wellington by advertising community events.

“If the signs are for community benefit, if the banner is telling the community something, I think it serves a purpose,” Priore said.

Coates said the banners were beneficial if they advertised community events, but Kurtz reminded the council that by approving the banners, they couldn’t control the content. “It has to be contentneutral legislation,” he said.

Hospital representative Anna Cottrell asked the council to allow the hospital to place digital signs

on State Road 7. The council agreed to let her present the hospital’s signage plan at the next council meeting.

The final reading of the ordinance will be at the next council meeting on Nov. 10, where the public will have an opportunity to raise concerns.

In other business:

• The council approved the second reading of an ordinance and resolution to rezone 4.2 acres on the north side of Pierson Road, about a half-mile west of South Shore Blvd., to be included in the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District and to allow one home on the 4.2-acre property belonging to Mystic Equestrian LLC.

John Showell, arguing against the rezoning, said he’s lived on the property for ten years. He told the council that he used to work with Mystic Equestrian but now has a lawsuit against it. He said that the land actually sits on two parcels, and three acres of land were going to be subdivided, and he was

are — cheap shots — and beneath most people. At no time did I degrade or insult you; it must be your untenable position that makes you do so. Two trillion over ten years?

Where were you when President Bush was borrowing billions from the Chinese, creating a record deficit, loss of American jobs, and lending the first bailout to the banks with more billions?

Is it socialistic to want us to join every other major industrialized nation in the world and offer a public option and competition in an industry that has no competition? The healthcare bill will not add a dime to the deficit. It’s a funded program, unlike Bush’s war in Iraq! Politics has no place in fighting for our people to be able to contribute to and benefit from such a program. There are many Republicans who do not support Social Security, and to those I would suggest you send back this product of socialist Eugene V. Debs in protest — just go it alone! This is why only 20 percent of voters admit to being Republican!

Richard Nielsen Royal Palm Beach

Off-Shore Drilling Not Worth The Risks

The Florida League of Women Voters has serious concerns about the environmental risks of proposed legislation favoring offshore drilling on our coastlines, for which State Rep. Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) has been gathering support. In full recognition of the dire budgetary woes facing our state, we nonetheless feel that the environmental risks far outweigh the very unconvincing possibility of potential monetary gain. Florida’s biggest assets lie in our emerald waters and sugar white sand. But despite what has been touted as modern technology with minimal risks, right now a massive leak has sprung in Australia, which is estimated to take 50 days to stop with a resulting slick threat-

I fully agree with County Commissioner Jess Santamaria that the county’s prospective inspector general must be chosen by an impartial body so his or her allegiance is only to the people and not the appointing entities. And what’s the most unbiased and neutral group if not members of the judicial system?

Business agents are big on lobbying and can greatly influence the selectee’s decisions, so they don’t fit the bill. Government officials are also taken out of the equation since they’re the ones being put under the microscope.

An objective, nonaligned inspector general, unfettered by the demands of parties pushing their selfish agenda, will go a long way to making our county Florida’s pride.

With his political savvy and practical genius, our county is blessed for having the honorable Jess Santamaria as one of its more even-keeled commissioners. Mario Casuga Royal Palm Beach

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 ening migratory whales and breeding turtles. Closer to home, the Coast Guard has logged more than 33,000 spills from pipelines, platforms and storage tanks, as well as a result of hurricanes Rita and Katrina. These are monumental risks, not only environmentally, but fiscally, for very little prospect of gain. We had 25 years of previous drilling efforts off Florida’s coasts which yielded no commercial quality of oil and additionally, insignificant revenue in proportion to the state’s payout for the purchase of an oil contract in 2005, authorized by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. We oppose doubtful dollars creating a risk to not only our environment but to tourism, the major source of real revenue in our state. Kathe Thompson, President Palm Beach County League of Women Voters Santamaria Is Right About IG

to get his house and 1.2 acres back.

“If you approve this, I’ll be stuck with no house, and my case will be in jeopardy,” he said, asking them to postpone the vote until the matter is worked out in court.

Showell said the judge ruled that the court had to approve any changes made to the property.

But Mystic Equestrian’s attorney Paul Lane said that the judge’s order was regarding only the sale of the property. He said that Showell has been living on the property without paying any fees and is trying to delay the process of rezoning.

Bowen said that the dispute is between the two parties, and not with the village. “Their dispute needs to go to court,” he said. “We are not judge and jury. We have no jurisdiction in this area and would be treading a fine line.”

Willhite noted that Showell had other opportunities to come before the council, but waited until the

last hour to come forward.

• During his report to the council, Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz noted that an ordinance allowing red-light cameras at Wellington intersections was passed by the council earlier this year but has not yet been implemented due to an issue of indemnification that has prevented the village from entering into a contract with American Traffic Solutions.

Kurtz said that under the contract, the company installing the red-light cameras was to get a percentage of ticket money, but the company, ATS, said it would not participate if a judgment against a red-light runner was overturned and money had to be refunded. There has been a lot of litigation over the issue of red-light cameras, Kurtz said. “At this time it does not appear that the issue will be resolved in the courts before the next legislative session,” he said. “We should try to clarify our statutes and make sure this is legal.”

the race was Sebastian’s 5K Run/Walk, held in memory of Sebastian Sarmiento, a nine-year-old Wellington

his battle with cancer. For more info., visit www.wellingtonrunners.org.

who recently

‘HOWL AT THE MOON’ A BARKING GOOD TIME AT WELLINGTON’S DOG PARK

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Carol, Kimberly, Peter and Samantha Caulfield of Lake Worth.

Chrysta Brown, Kylee Decastro and Nicole Murphy of Wellington.

Some of the young runners at the race.

Sandy Urb, Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and Michelle O’Boyle.

Sebastian Sarmiento’s parents Adriana and Francisco with a photo Sebastian.

Mayor Darell Bowen with race organizer John Jorgensen.

The seventh annual “Howl at the Moon” party took place last Saturday at the Wellington Dog Park. Sponsored by Courtyard Animal Hospital, the event offered a wide variety of dog activities from costume contests to grooming.

Joshua Batista and Toby.

Fuego Gonzalez gets a haircut.Diane Smith with Ginger.Linda Haughn with Marley.

Several Vehicles Burglarized In Emerald Forest

By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report

OCT. 28 — Three vehicle burglaries were reported in Wellington’s Emerald Forest neighborhood on Wednesday. According to separate Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reports, deputies from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to three homes in the community regarding vehicle burglaries. According to the first PBSO report, sometime between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, someone entered the victim’s SUV and stole a pink Nintendo DS valued at $150. There were no signs of forced entry. According to a second PBSO report, the victim left her car unlocked around 6 p.m. Tuesday. When she returned to the vehicle at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, the victim noticed her trunk was partially open and the inside of the vehicle had been rummaged through, but nothing was stolen. According to a third PBSO report, sometime between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 5:40 a.m. on Wednesday, someone broke the passenger-side window of the victim’s truck with a hammer and stole a radar detector, GPS and satellite radio. In each case, DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects at the time of the report.

a box full of miscellaneous bottles of liquor. The deputy said it appeared that the suspects had reached inside the mail slot on the rear door and unlocked it to gain entry. Once inside, they went to where the liquor was being kept and removed a green bottle from a box and placed it on the ground, then went to the front of the store and unlocked the front door and left. Fingerprints were taken from the green bottle, but there were no suspects at the time of the report.

OCT. 23 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested last Friday afternoon after a traffic stop on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation clocked a silver Lexus traveling at 55 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone and pulled over the car. The deputy made contact with the driver, 29-yearold Nicholas Raffa, and asked him for his driver’s license, which Raffa said had been suspended. According to the report, the deputy could smell marijuana coming from inside the car and asked Raffa if he had any on him. Raffa responded that he did. Raffa was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams and driving with a suspended license.

• • • OCT. 22 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road last Thursday regarding a shoplifting complaint. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 6:20 p.m. a loss prevention officer observed 52-year-old Victor Velezfeliciano and 34-year-old Michael Truax of West Palm Beach select various men’s clothing and conceal them in Wal-Mart shopping bags. They then went to the grocery department where they continued to select food items and conceal them in bags. According to the report, they placed the bags in two shopping carts and proceeded toward the main exit, passing all points of purchase. A loss prevention officer stopped them and recovered the items. The stolen items were valued at approximately $449.26. According to the report, both men admitted to attempting to take the items. They were arrested and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail. OCT. 22 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a store in the Target shopping plaza on Okeechobee Blvd. last Thursday evening regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between noon last Monday and 7 p.m. last Thursday, someone broke into the store and stole

OCT. 24 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Sunset Point Circle last Saturday afternoon in response to a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1:25 p.m. and 4 p.m., someone manipulated the front door deadbolt of the home and stole an Apple Macbook computer and two Apple iPods. The stolen items were valued at approximately $3,350. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects at the time of the report.

OCT. 25 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Bedford Mews Drive last Sunday regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. last Saturday, someone entered the victim’s home through the rear sliding glass door. The suspects stole several pieces of jewelry, a Nikon digital camera valued at $350 and $650 in cash. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

OCT. 25 — A vehicle was stolen from the Equestrian Estates community on Lake Worth Road in Wellington last Sunday. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation responded to a home in the devel-

Man Dies In Fire At Fox Trail Home

Census Rep To Lox Groves: Community Must Help Count Everyone

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Loxahatchee Groves, a rural community where residents expect their privacy, must get locals involved in the 2010 Census to help get the accurate count essential for the community’s future. That was the message of a U.S. Census Bureau representative at the Thursday, Oct. 22 meeting of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association.

“We ask you to help your community,” said Angela Johnson, partnership specialist with the Atlanta regional center of the U.S. Census Bureau. “Help us get the word out.” Johnson said her job is to get community leaders involved with “Be Counted” committees to see that as many people as possible respond to the census. With some groups, such as undocumented residents, it is especially daunting to gain their trust and convince them that the purpose of the cen-

sus is not to get them deported. “This division is a data collection agency,” Johnson said. “That’s all we want, data. We’re not partners with immigration or ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] or the sheriff’s office.”

Every year, more then $400 billion in federal funds, more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period, is awarded to states and communities based on census data, Johnson said. “That’s why this census is important,” she stressed. The census is done every 10 years during years ending in zero. After residents return their questionnaires, the federal government will hire people to go knock on doors and try to persuade those who didn’t to fill out the questionnaires.

“We will go back and get people to participate,” she said. “It is their constitutional obligation to respond. The reason it is important is that it helps bring monies

to the area where they live. You owe it to your community to respond to the census.”

Johnson used her hometown of Belle Glade as an example of the problems that occur when people don’t return their census questionnaires. In the 2000 Census, the total final response was 38 percent, which resulted in tremendous shortfalls in government services. Building the right number of school classrooms or hospital rooms depends on census data, she explained. “School begins and you wonder why there are so many portables,” Johnson said.

Private firms such as department stores also base the location of their businesses on census data. “Population dictates need,” she said.

Next March, people will begin to receive their questionnaires asking them to fill them out and send them in, Johnson said. “That will determine how many people we need to hire if you do not re-

spond,” she said. “People say, ‘I don’t want you knocking on my door.’ The solution is send in that questionnaire.”

The number of recent foreclosures will make data collection more difficult. Johnson said that in cases where more than one family is living in the same house, each must to fill out a questionnaire.

The bureau has forms that people can fill out if they do not receive a questionnaire. Be Counted applications will be placed in the offices of participating municipalities, churches, and other civic and private organizations. They are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian, and they can be mailed back in an attached postage-paid envelope.

One of the biggest challenges will be to get non-citizens to fill out the questionnaire, and Johnson encouraged local municipalities with known populations of undoc-

umented residents to form local “Complete Count” committees “Each city chooses the best persons in the community to be on the committee to strategize ways to get the census out,” she said.

Municipalities with sizable populations that include AfricanAmericans, Caucasians, Hispanics and/or Creoles need to organize a committee made up of residents trusted by each of the respective groups, she said. “It’s important to get leaders from each of those diversities,” Johnson said. “You need one who speaks Creole and one who speaks Spanish. It’s important to get people they trust to be part of the team.”

It’s also important for the committee members to stress they are not affiliated with other organizations, she said, recalling a rally in Miami that went bad during the last census.

“We had a group leader the people trusted, and we were at this huge complex,” Johnson said.

“We did a good job, but the next day the police showed up with a sweep.”

Loxahatchee Groves Mayor Dave Browning said his town has many undocumented residents with no identified leader and no central employer that community leaders can go to for help. Browning said many are believed to live in small homes around town. He asked whether there’s a way to use cell phone data as a means of accounting for them.

“We have as many as 14 people living in a two-bedroom house,” Browning said. “We have people out here living in the trees. Everybody has a cell phone, but they’re not going to fill out a questionnaire.” Johnson said the documents must be filled out, adding that as a new municipality, it is especially important that Loxahatchee Groves have as complete a response as possible. “You need to get on the map,” she said.

Merchant Stresses Her Experience At P.W. Republican Club Meeting

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Experience in Tallahassee was the theme former state representative Sharon Merchant stressed last week when she was the featured speaker at the Oct. 21 meeting of the Palms West Republican Club.

Merchant, who spent eight years in the State Legislature, is running for Senate Seat 27, which Sen. Dave Aronberg, a Democrat, is vacating to run for attorney general. Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto is also seeking the seat and is expected to face Merchant in a Republican primary.

Democrats who have expressed interest in running for the seat include Fort Myers attorney Pete Burkert and State Rep. Kevin Rader of Delray Beach. The district runs across the state, cutting a narrow path from downtown West Palm Beach to Fort Myers on the gulf coast.

Merchant said she understands

the importance of rising through the ranks, having started in state government as a legislative aide.

“Those of you who have worked your way up, you know that when you start at a staff level, and you work your way up, you have a much deeper understanding of how things really work behind the scenes,” she said.

Merchant, who served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 to 2000, left because of term limits. Since then, she has been running Equipment Rental Service, the West Palm Beach business started by her father.

After her father died six years ago, running the business fell to her, giving her first-hand knowledge of what it means to meet payroll and worry about providing healthcare benefits to employees.

“You are responsible to see to it that they are paid no matter how tough the times are, that healthcare is there for them, and you make sure you choose the right plan for them,” Merchant said.

Merchant said her parents personified the American dream, instilling in their children a work ethic, strong sense of family and a desire to move ahead.

“Watching my mother work with him at home,” she said, “and the kind of teamwork they had, I saw that family is really important. Hard work gets you to where you want to be, as well as honesty and loyalty. There are things you can’t learn outside the home. You either get it or you don’t.”

That same notion could be applied to the workings of the State Legislature, in which elected officials must quickly learn the system to make a difference before facing term limits.

“You’re trying to learn the rules of the House and Senate. It’s a lot to wrap your arms around,” Merchant said.

The solution is to elect good people who have the skills and experience to do well when they get to Tallahassee, Merchant said.

“I served with some of our great leaders such as Dan Webster,” she

said. “[Former Gov.] Jeb [Bush] left a great legacy. I hope you will consider letting me serve you. I would like the opportunity to go back and work again.”

Club members also heard from three Republicans trying to unseat Democratic State Rep. Joe Abruzzo in District 85, and from State Rep. Carl Domino, who is seeking Senate Seat 25, which Sen. Jeff Atwater is vacating in hopes of becoming the state’s chief financial officer.

The three vying for Abruzzo’s house seat — Tami Donnally, D.J. DeRenzo and Austin Parris — all are political newcomers from the Lake Worth area.

“I am running for my grandchildren,” said Donnally, a business administrator for a non-profit organization and the grandmother of two. “I want my grandchildren to grow up in a country like I grew up in. I love my country, and I love what it stands for. I want them to experience these things.”

The former private school prin-

cipal said she’s concerned about family budgets and worried about how small businesses will weather the current healthcare crisis.

“We’ve had to cut our bottom line and our budget,” Donnally said.

“We have been working hard to keep afloat right now.”

FALL FEST A SEASONAL CELEBRATION AT ROYAL PALM

Royal Palm Beach hosted its Fall Fest last Friday at Veterans Park. The event featured magic by the Amazing Mr. A, games and candy for kids, a scarecrow contest and more. Vendors were on hand to sell seasonal merchandise, and Wild Orchids Café offered refreshments.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

DeRenzo, who works for Everglades Polo Club, uses football metaphors to define his campaign.

“I thought our society could learn a lot from professional football players. They all have a common goal, which is to win the Su-

See GOP CLUB, page 18

BEACH VETERANS PARK

Dolly Hughes displays some of her fall craftwork.

Phyllis Katz gives candy to Ashley Konz, Lauren Hogan and Emily Konz.

The Figueroa family makes a scarecrow.

Matt Tkaczow, Matthew Schultz, Laura Tkaczow and Michael Schultz enjoy the evening.

Skylar and Faith Kemph decorate their masks.Amanda and Alyssa Abarca.

Former state rep Sharon Merchant with Palms West Republican Club officials. (L-R) President Charlie Fetscher, Treasurer Bob McKeen, Sharon Merchant, Secretary Maureen Whelihan and Vice President Bob Harvey.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

ACTS 2 WORSHIP CENTER CELEBRATES EXPANSION

Acts 2 Worship Center in Loxahatchee Groves held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Sunday for its new administrative offices, children’s rooms and classrooms. Acts 2 Worship Center is located at 13000 Okeechobee Blvd. For more info., call (561) 7986995. (Above) Pastor Calvin Lyerla and Pastor Christie Lyerla cut the ribbon. (Below) Pastors Keith Burrows, Bob and Esther Ilnisky, Christie and Calvin Lyerla, and Byron Dardon.

Healthy Smiles Family Fun Day

In Wellington

Children can trade in their Halloween candy for a day of fun at the Healthy Smiles Family Fun Day in Wellington on Sunday, Nov. 1.

From 1 to 5 p.m., children and families can trade in Halloween candy for admission to the event, held at Tiger Shark Cove Park (13800 Greenbriar Blvd.). The event will include a free toothbrush, bounce houses, face painting, games, music, raffles, giveaways, prizes and appearances from Elmo, Dora the Explorer and Toothy.

Healthy Smiles Family Fun Day, organized by local dentist Dr. Tomer Haik, will also be raising money for the Florida Dental Health Foundation “Give Kids a Smile” program for children unable to afford dental care. There will be a raffle with prizes such as Oral B Triumph electric toothbrushes valued at $130, Toys “R” Us gift cards and movie tickets.

Last year, Haik raised $160 for the foundation and hopes to raise more this year.

Haik collected 260 pounds of candy last year that was given to students in a local after-school program, who sorted it and sent candy to the troops in Iraq.

For more information about Healthy Smiles Family Fun Day, call (561) 333-8441 or visit Dr. Haik’s web site at www.youngsmiles.com.

Wellington Hosts ‘Soles4Souls’ Shoe Drive

The Village of Wellington will offer drop-off locations for the Soles4Souls shoe drive providing footwear to people in need.

The shoe drive begins Nov. 1 and ends on Nov. 15. Drop-off locations are Village Park (11700 Pierson Road) and the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Suggested shoe donations include new and gently worn sneakers, casual shoes, boots, sandals, flip-flops, work shoes and low-heeled pumps. The charity event is being sponsored by Wellington High School student Alivia Mazzarella.

For more information, e-mail hope4charity@aol.com.

Free Car Wash For Veterans On Nov. 11

Any retired or current member of the U.S. Armed Forces who visits Motor City Car Wash in Royal Palm Beach on Veterans Day (Wednesday, Nov. 11) will receive a free car wash. Veterans need only to inform staff verbally that they are members of the military. The free service is offered as part of the Grace for Vets program.

Motor City Car Wash is located at 135 State Road 7. For more information, call (561) 333-1811 or visit www.motorcitycarwash. com.

Halloween Fun At Lion Country Safari Oct. 31

Guests are invited to Lion Country Safari on Saturday, Oct. 31 to watch the animals “trick or treat.” Lion Country Safari’s lions, elephants and chimps will enjoy Halloween pumpkins and goody bags throughout Halloween.

Lion Country Safari guests are welcome to come in costume and can visit treat stations set up in the walk-through park (including some rides and in the retail shops) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can create crafts and help ChimpanZoo volunteers create enrichments for the chimpanzees.

ChimpanZoo is a program developed by renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall for the research, enrichment and education of captive chimpanzees.

Enrichments/treats are an important part of the animals’ daily lives at Lion Country Safari. They help to elicit the animals’ natural behaviors.

Lion Country Safari is home to Florida’s only drive-through safari where you drive your own vehicle. See the largest herd of zebra in the country and one of the largest herds of rhinos.

Admission includes entry into the safari and the walk-through amusement park. Lion Country Safari is located at 2003 Lion Country Safari Road in Loxahatchee.

For more information, visit www.lioncountrysafari.com.

Make-A-Wish Fall Festival At La Petite Academy

La Petite Academy in Royal Palm Beach will host the MakeA-Wish Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The event is a benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and will feature carnival games, a costume party, food, raffles, a silent auction and cake walk. La Petite Academy is located at 153 Sparrow Drive. For more information about the Make-AWish Fall Festival, call Cathy Webb at (561) 790-2949.

Annual Cypress Harvest Oct. 31

The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation is sponsoring the Ninth Annual Cypress Harvest on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge (10216 Lee Road, just east of State Road 7 between Atlantic and Boynton Beach boulevards). Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes, hats and sunscreen.

The young participants of Everglades Through the Eyes of Children will be taking photographs during the Annual Cypress Harvest. This student photography project is sponsored through a grant from the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and Palm Beach County. To RSVP or pre-register, call (561) 805-TREE (8733) or e-mail plantcypress@aol.com.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS

New members Wes Hamilton, Dr. Jose Llorens and Pete Morris. Dale Pickford, Scott Armand and Greenacres Mayor Sam Ferreri.

Palms West Chamber CEO Jaene Miranda with Havana Restaurant owner Rafael Perez, Mya Cigars’ George and Jorge Rodriguez, and Royal Palm Toyota Manager Ira Greenbaum.

T.J. Tsanadis and Bobby Bradley of Bradley Heating and A/C.

Andrea Plevin, Michael Smith and Linda Seyevin.

Eric Gordon watches Carlos Questa of Mya Cigars roll a cigar.

The third annual James Ryan Rivera Muscular Dystrophy Golf Tournament was held last Saturday at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Rivera was diagnosed in 2007 at the age of five with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease. Proceeds from the golf tournament will go to the Rivera family to help offset costs related to the illness.

Guillermo Rivera, Terry Clark, Kim Swass and Ted Clark.

James Rivera (front) with Jim Sackett, Milagros Rivera, Harold Hendricks (James’ grandpa), and Peter and Guillermo Rivera.

Daisy Nelson gives Diane Armet her prize for being closest to the pin.

Pafford Urges Local Residents To Pay Attention To Tallahassee

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Higher user fees, oil drilling, gerrymandering and gambling are among hot topics coming up in the 2010 legislative session, according to State Rep. Mark Pafford (DDistrict 88).

Pafford gave an update on what to expect in the upcoming session at the monthly forum held by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria at the original Wellington Mall on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Pafford led a string of speakers who talked about various topics of their choosing.

Pafford’s district includes most of Royal Palm Beach, along with parts of Greenacres and West Palm Beach. “It’s quite a district,” Pafford said. “As you know, we gerrymander things quite well. Hopefully some of the attention we’re putting on politicians who do bad things might fix that also.”

With Tallahassee more than 400 miles away, Pafford said it is difficult for Palm Beach County residents to keep up with activities going on there, such as the first round of workshops that happened this month.

“How many of you here are aware that oil drilling was dis-

cussed today in a workshop?” Pafford asked. Two people in the audience of about 30 raised their hands. “That’s quite scary, actually,” Pafford said. “There are a lot of things that happen in Tallahassee that nobody knows about.”

The physical distance enables some legislators to do things their constituency might disapprove of if they were aware of them, Pafford said.

“What I wanted to do is share just a little bit about how important it is that you take the time to pay attention and keep our feet to the fire,” Pafford said. “Being a legislator is a wonderful opportunity to do some very, very good things, but being so far away, there’s a lot of time to do some very bad things. This year we’re going to talk about gambling, we’re going to talk about oil drilling. We’re going to talk about raising taxes, but we call that raising fees.”

Pafford said more fee hikes will be talked about and could bring increases similar to the driver’s license renewal fees, which almost doubled in September. A Class E non-commercial driver’s license renewal went from $27 to $48.

“You’re paying quite a bit of money,” Pafford said. “It’s frightening, but it’s more frightening sitting in a committee meeting or the house chamber and not seeing anybody from my community, District 88 or Palm Beach County show up and raise hell.”

The second round of committee meetings will begin on Nov. 2. “These are very quiet committee meetings where issues are discussed, and nobody knows about them,” Pafford said, adding that another round of committee meetings will be held in December.

In January and February, the pace picks up, leading to March 2, 2010 when the regular legislative session begins and lasts 60 days.

“Unfortunately, the session can be very good or it can be very, very dangerous,” Pafford said. “Seniors are affected. How many of you know that this year we left out 30,000 low-income and frail adults who need help, say, brushing their teeth or going to the market? Somebody to help around the home? We left 30,000 of those folks on a waiting list. There are so many people on waiting lists that you don’t know about unless you have a child with a disability

or unless you have some kind of program that you depend on.”

Pafford said there is a waiting list of 6,000 children in Palm Beach County alone who need early learning and daycare, which would have allowed their parents to go to work.

Pafford thanked Santamaria for holding the monthly forums and said he hopes more elected officials will take time to listen more closely to members of the public. “We are nowhere near being experts in our jobs, he said. “We really depend on you to help guide the process and make public policy.”

Following up on Pafford’s comments, environmental activist Rosa Durando pointed out that local residents can provide some input without going to Tallahassee in a series of five Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation meetings to be held in various locations throughout the county.

Durando said she has filed to speak at the delegation’s first meeting on Nov. 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the South Florida Water Management District Headquarters at 3301 Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach.

Durando said environmental

groups will continue a beleaguered campaign to purchase more public land. During the last legislative session, Durando said she and members of other environmental groups met with the governor to campaign for Florida Forever funding for public land purchases. “He authorized it until we all left town, and then it died,” Durando said. “I think that needs to be brought up again.”

Durando stressed that Florida public land is not for recreational use, but preservation of the environment.

“We need to be buying land and let it replenish our aquifer,” she said. “That’s where our water is from. We don’t have a Hudson River like New Yorkers. We’re not that blessed. We’re depending on rain, and when it doesn’t rain and the aquifer is depleted, we’re in trouble.”

Durando also called for the continuation of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, which controls development in the state. The legislature has considered getting rid of the DCA. “They haven’t been the best all the time, but it’s better than nothing,” she said.

Other speakers included Acre-

age resident Mark Blanchette, who announced a new web site serving that community. It can be found at www.acreageforum.org or the.acreageforum.org.

The goal of the new web site is to provide an organized and unbiased way for residents to share information and opinions. “Let me start by telling you what it is not,” Blanchette said. “It is not a web site where we’re going to be selling pills or potions or asking for money. It is entirely devoid of advertisements or sponsorships. Having worked in IT for over 25 years, one of the main goals of technology and information is to help people make solid decisions; decisions that affect your life and your families and even those of your neighbors.” Blanchette invited everyone to join in on the discussion. “If you know something that might be important, post it,” he said. “If you want to look through old posts, you can search for it without going through piles and piles of web sites trying to find information that you need. We all need to be the eyes and ears of the community and post information that we all care about and can all make use of.”

WELLINGTON PAP CORPS INAUGURAL DINNER DANCE FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS

The Wellinton PAP Executive Board: (L-R) President Eileen Friedman, Secretary Barbara Rockoff, VP Communications Karen Paull, VP Fundraising Leah Nettis, VP Programming Serena Burke and VP Membership Anita Rizzo. Brian and Serena Burke, Jerry and Barbara Rockoff, Anne and Harvey Beaver, and Judy and Harvey Shapiro.Madeline and Bill Bischoff.

CHARACTER COUNTS AT NEW HORIZONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

WCS SECOND GRADERS MEET WITH THE MAYOR

Seminole Ridge Community Yard Sale Nov. 7 To Benefit Band, Chorus

Seminole Ridge High School will hold a community yard sale

Saturday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be sponsored by the band and chorus. Admission is free, and there’s fun for the whole family, including the chance to test drive a new Ford vehicle (Ford will donate up to $6,000 to the Hawk band and chorus). The yard sale will feature new and used clothing, toys, computer games, electronics, plants, tools, furniture, handmade crafts and knick-knacks galore. There will be funnel cakes, popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, and hot and cold drinks. Vendor spaces are available. Call Marcia at (561) 385-5439 or Dee Dee at (561) 790-0792 for info.

• NHS Cleans Up Okeechobee

— As part of an “adopt a road” event, the SRHS National Honor Society students joined local scout troops, the American Legion and Community of Hope Church on

Oct. 17 for a cleanup along Okeechobee Blvd. from Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School to Royal Palm Beach Elementary School. The event was organized by the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association and the Loxahatchee Garden Club. Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful provided the cleanup materials, and the Solid Waste Authority picked up the collected trash.

• Hawk Golfer Off to Regionals — In district tournament play Oct. 19, Hawk golfer John Love shot a 76, placing him fifth among more than 50 competitors from 10 teams. Love’s score qualified him for regional play Oct. 26 in Melbourne.

• Freshman Hawks Top Broncos — The final score was 40-0 after the Seminole Ridge freshman football team defeated the Palm Beach Central Broncos on their home field.

Coach Marty Flynn’s defense

delivered its second consecutive shutout. The SRHS defensive demons consistently had the Bronco offense going in reverse. Joe Mack had a fumble recovery and Mike Almonte picked off an errant Bronco pass, almost returning it for a pick six. Linebackers Mack, Justin Daher and Colton McKillican all turned in a strong effort, shutting down the Bronco running game. The stalwart Hawk offense features the triumvirate of fullback Dan Correa, and Omar PierreLouis and Mike Pacillo as wingbacks. Correa and Pierre-Louis each had a touchdown, while Pacillo had two 50-yard touchdown runs. Coach Ken Klammer let the Baby Hawks air it out a little when quarterback Antwan Washington connected twice with wide-out Rayfield Dixon. The aerial assault was a great change of pace for the hard-running, undefeated freshman squad.

RPB Dreyfoos Student Wins Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest

Madison Pazienza of Royal Palm Beach recently received recognition from Gov. Charlie Crist and a four-year college scholarship to any public state university or college in Florida. Living in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood and passing a street daily named Ponce de Leon was the inspiration for an essay that won Pazienza a four-year scholarship.

A senior majoring in visual arts at the Dreyfoos School of the

Arts, she has been honored as a winner of the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award student essay contest. Crist made the announcement at a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Pazienza is one of three students statewide to receive the recognition. Each student will receive a four-year tuition scholarship to a Florida college or university of their choice, provided by the Florida

Prepaid College Foundation.

“It wasn’t really an awards ceremony; it was a gala,” Pazienza said. “There was a supreme court justice, the commissioner of education, politicians and business people present. I went with my mom, and we got back at three in the morning. The director of the Florida Prepaid Foundation made the presentations, and I spoke with Gov. Crist very briefly. They paid for our very swanky hotel. It was very nice.”

The essay topic this year for middle and high school students was, “Florida’s history is deeply rooted with Hispanic influences. Describe how the early Hispanic explorers impacted our state in the 1500s, and how that has influenced Florida’s culture today.”

“I’m Italian,” Pazienza said, “but where I live in Royal Palm Beach has a large Hispanic population. The essay came from my pre-existing knowledge and

Polo Park Student Excels At Writing Workshop

Polo Park Middle School eighth grader Alexis Coleman has an incredible gift. No, she’s not a great three-point shooter or a whiz with the saxophone. She can’t smack home runs or sing like the next American Idol. Alexis’ gift is her mind — more specifically her creativity. This creative gene manifests itself in Alexis’ writing and makes her one of the top writers in all of Palm Beach County.

This past summer, Alexis was invited to participate in the Oc Future Authors Book Project, an eight-day summer writing workshop designed to help students become published authors that was run in conjunction with the

Palm Beach County School District.

While at the workshop, Alexis excelled to the point where she was honored as one of the three star writers and asked to present one of her works during the release of the book So You Think You Can Write? on Oct. 8. The program ran from June 818 at Spanish River High School and included 60 students in grades six through 12 from all over Palm Beach County. Alexis was invited based on her outstanding entrance essay explaining why writing means so much to her.

During her time at the workshop, Alexis wrote a pair of poems titled “The Beast” and “Re-

flected,” along with an essay titled “The Beach.” She was praised for being one of the top poets at the workshop, and her writing style was described as unique and creative.

“I love writing,” Alexis said. “To me, writing is much more than a hobby. It is a part of me that won’t leave me, and I won’t leave it. I can’t help but smile when I am writing, because it is so powerful.”

Since its inception in 2006, more than 120 students have participated in the Oc Future Authors Book Project. Students gain insight into the process of writing, editing and digitally publishing books through interactions with

Oc executives, as well as published authors, who speak to the students. The program is made possible due to generous grants from its sponsors, the Lawrence Sanders Foundation, the BankAtlantic Foundation and Xplor International.

Being honored at such a young age for her writing skills is only the beginning for such a talent like Alexis. However, she has bigger goals. “My writing is the most important thing in my life, other than my family,” Alexis said. “I will do anything to accomplish my dreams to become a best-selling author, and I hope that others will love what I write for years to come.”

what we have studied in school. Plus there is a lot of history in the State of Florida. I learned that Florida means Little Flower in Spanish. My lead [to the essay] was about Ponce de Leon. I pass by that street every day.”

Pazienza has ambitious college aspirations, but admits that the plans don’t include Florida schools. “I’m interested in fashion and costume design,” she said, “and they don’t offer what I’m interested in. But I did find

out that the scholarship is transferable.”

“I congratulate the winners of this year’s contests for their extraordinary participation and am pleased to recognize their achievements,” Crist said. “Hispanic Heritage Month is always a wonderful opportunity to showcase and highlight the positive impact the Hispanic community has both culturally and economically here in the Sunshine State.”

RPBHS Debate Program Nationally Recognized

The Royal Palm Beach High School Speech and Debate Program would like to commend Coach Dario Camara for his leadership skills. The program has earned significant recognition from the National Forensic League. The chapter achieved 100 degrees or more last year, which placed it in the top ten percent of NFL chapters nationwide and qualified it for the NFL 100 Club.

The award demonstrates the program’s commitment to teaching essential life skills — communication, research, listening, writing and organization — to a

large number of students. In other news, the RPBHS Speech and Debate Program will host a dessert theater on Friday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The dessert theater will showcase RPBHS students performing in their various events. Dessert and coffee will be served. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone curious about debate to see the hard work these students put into this excellent academic program. The cost for adults is $5 and students $3. For more information, call (561) 753-4021.

Seminole Ridge National Honor Society members help clean up Okeechobee Blvd.

HALLOWEISS HORROR HOUSE NOW ON DISPLAY

For the past nine years, Michael and Sherry Weiss, along with their children Stephanie, Samantha and Max, have set up their home as the “HalloWeiss Horror House.” Located at 1227 Reading Terrace in Wellington in the Greenview Shores I neighborhood, the Weiss’ home is again decorated as a “house of torture,” complete with a cemetery, smoke machine and special lighting. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, there will be some extra special tricks and treats. The home will be on display through Nov. 2. For more info., e-mail Michael Weiss at caribplumb@aol.com.

Salvation Army Honors Local Leaders For Helping The Northwest Community Center

The Salvation Army Northwest Community Center in West Palm Beach held its fifth annual awards luncheon on Friday, Oct. 16 to recognize individuals for their outstanding leadership and commitment to the organization. Those recognized included Pat Rooney Jr. and Mary Helen Keim for their gifts of time and resources to positive change in the northwest neighborhood of West Palm Beach.

The event began at 11:30 a.m. at 600 N. Rosemary Avenue and drew nearly 150 supporters. Guests were greeted by the Northwest Community Center staff and guided on a tour of the facility before a catered lunch was provided.

Other attractions included testimonials by parents and individuals who have benefited from the programs offered at the Salvation Army Northwest Community Center. The event acts as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army while also allowing the organization to highlight one of the many services it provides to residents of Palm Beach County.

The Northwest Community Center opened in April 2000 due to a collaborative effort between

Brandon Richard Langley — son of Brooke Eadicicco and Joshua Langley of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept.23.

William Douglas Manger son of Krista and Doug Manger of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 3.

Khloe Ashlyn Law — daughter of Tiffany Tudor Law and James Law of The Acreage was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 3.

Aiden John Egert — son of Victoria and Jesse Egert of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 4.

Samuel David Stull — son of Jean and Matthew Stull of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 5.

Jaxson Cooper Rogers son of Amber and Christopher

the City of West Palm Beach and the Salvation Army.

The Northwest Community Center, located on Rosemary Avenue, was developed to serve the residents of West Palm Beach by offering recreational, educational, social and community development activities for the uplifting and improvement of the overall quality of life.

The facility includes a full stateof-the-art gymnasium, a large community room, a stage and a full kitchen. There are two fullsized activity rooms, a weight room and a computer lab. The center has a large fenced-in sports field for outdoor activities. Current programs available include Friday Night Live, summer camp, Young Ladies of Grace, College Tour, athletic programs, an afterschool tutorial and music programs.

Membership to the Salvation Army Northwest Community Center is available for $20 and covers the entire family. Membership ensures you or your child’s participation in programs held at the facility.

For more information about the programs, or how to enroll in membership, call (561) 8336767.

Rogers of Royal Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 5.

Courtney Rose MahoneyRoss — daughter of Kari Mahoney and John Ross of Royal Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 5.

Makayla Alexandria Elizabeth Henry — daughter of Gabrielle Barnes-Henry and Michael Henry of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 5.

DeJuan Jalen Stanley — son of Erica Willis and Douglas Stanley of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 5.

Damien Stanley Clements — son of Sonia and Michael Clements of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 6.

Madelynn Regina Lutein daughter of Michelle and Robert

Lutein of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 6.

Websler Orelus — son of Carole and Wisler Orelus of Lake Worth was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 9.

Brett Scott Evans Barnwell — son of Julie Evans and Scott Barnwell of Loxahatchee was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 13.

Jackson Harvey Chiu — son of Katie and Asa Lam Chiu of Wellington was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 14.

Audrey Eve Coldwell daughter of Robin and Steve Coldwell of Royal Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 15.

Gabriel Juan Estopinan son of Evelyn and Jesus Estopinan of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 15.

Hukleberry Chandler — son of Taryn and Richard Chandler of

Christopher Erik Johannes Simons — son of Marilin and Erik Simons of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 18.

Khloe Elizabeth Mecca daughter of Kristine and Mark Mecca of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 20. Angel Jadon Norman Torres — son of Christina Norman and Orlando Torres Jr. of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Oct. 20.

Ashton Connor Noble — son of Michelle and Adam Noble of Royal Palm Beach was

Regional Medical Center on Oct. 21.

William

Loxahatchee was born at Palms West Hospital on Oct. 16.

born at Wellington

(Above) Pat Rooney Jr., co-chair Beatrice McCoy, Mary Helen Keim, Major Thomas McWilliams and event chair David Ackerman. (Below) Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher, West Palm Beach Police officer Stephanie Patterson and City Commissioner Molly Douglas.

A HALLOWEEN-THEMED MEETING FOR CUB SCOUT PACK 120 IN ROYAL PALM

Woodside Graduates Air Force Training

Air Force Airman Donna Woodside recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Woodside completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training

turnout. Most scouts arrived in Halloween

their achievements, made Halloween

earn four credits toward an associate’s in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Woodside is the daughter of Angela Russell of Palm Beach Gardens and John Woodside of The Acreage. She is a 2007 graduate of Seminole Ridge High School.

Gilpin, Cintron

Navy seamen recruits Alun

Gilpin and Michael Cintron recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Gilpin and Cintron completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to suc-

ceed in the fleet. Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

Gilpin, son of Delroy Gilpin of Loxahatchee, is a 2008 graduate of Seminole Ridge High School. Cintron, grandson of Drew Flynn of Loxahatchee, is a 2009 graduate of Dunnellon High School.

Thisamazingtechnologyisdesigned tooffersurgeonsgreaterprecision,control andaccesstohard-to-reachareas,allowing extremelycomplexoperationstobe performedthroughjustafewsmallincisions. Now,minimallyinvasivetechniquescanbe usedforprocedureswhosecomplexity oncedemandedtraditionalsurgery. Benefitsmayinclude: • Smallincisions • Lesspain

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Donna Woodside

Send Palms West People items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090.

WELLINGTON SENIORS CLUB’S ‘SHOWTIME 2009’ A FUN-FILLED NIGHT FOR ALL

The Wellington Seniors Club presented “Showtime 2009” last Sunday evening at the Wellington Community Center. The event featured comedy, dinner and dancing, as well as music provided by Very Musically Yours DJ Bob Flaster. For more info., visit www.wellingtonseniorsclub.org.

BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

COMMUNITY OF HOPE CHURCH’S FREE

NIGHT IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH

students in the church’s youth group pay for camp retreats and mission trips. For more info., call (561) 753-8883 or e-mail info@gocoh.com.

Inspector Does It Go Far Enough?

continued from page 1 the key issues to resolve for the office, she said.

“We feel that we’ve significantly dealt with the independence issue in a number of ways,” Nieman said, adding that the only way to assure a truly independent inspector general would be to have a special act passed by the legislature.

“Without that, we feel we have gotten as far as we can go with a real functional independent process and procedure to have an inspector general and an ethics commission,” Nieman said.

One of the points of contention has been autonomy of the inspector general from the county commission, but Nieman said the Miami-Dade inspector general originally reported to the ethics commission.

“In 2005, that was changed by the county because they felt it was more transparent and accountable to have the inspector general under the county commission authority, and by authority, I don’t mean control, I mean some authority that operates in the public,” Nieman said. The county commission would not be involved in the selection process, Nieman said, and would confirm the ethics commission

appointment by a simple majority.

The removal process is unique, she added, explaining that experts recommend that either a separate entity be set up or have for-cause clauses for removal in the ordinances.

“We’ve gone way beyond that,” Nieman said. “Not only do we have clearly for-cause provisions in our ordinance, which will also be in the contract, but it’s in the law that’s being proposed.”

Removing the inspector general would require two public hearings by the county commission.

Removal would come only after the ethics commission requested an independent investigation and made a recommendation to the county commission for removal. A super majority vote would be required at both of those hearings to remove an inspector general.

“That goes way beyond any model that we have seen,” Nieman said, adding that the ordinance would make it a crime for anyone, including a county official or staff, to interfere with an investigation by the inspector general.

Deputy County Administrator Brad Merriman said the funding structure is similar to what MiamiDade has, with a charge to governments that contract with the county for oversight by the inspector general’s office. He estimated that a one-quarter-percent charge would generate about $750,000 per year. Additionally, if any enti-

Blotter continued from page 6 opment after the victim discovered that her Honda Civic was missing from the driveway. The victim said the car was stolen sometime between 1 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. and that she was not behind on payments and still had the keys to the car. According to the report, security for the community said there were no tow trucks in the area during the time the car was stolen. Security tapes were requested, but there were no suspects at the time of the report. OCT. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded to a home on 46th Place North on Monday regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., someone entered the victim’s home and stole several pieces of gold jewelry and two designer handbags. The victim said that her son came home around 4 p.m. with a friend and then left, and when she came home, she noticed eight of her jewelry drawers were open and placed neatly on top of her dresser. The stolen items were valued at approximately $17,000. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

ty asks the inspector general to participate, whether it is the school board or a municipality or taxing district, the inspector has the ability to enter into contracts with them. The initial ordinance also provides for startup costs, which Merriman said will probably be between $300,000 and $500,000.

Assistant County Attorney Lenny Berger said the inspector general would be selected by a committee made up of the five-member commission on ethics, plus the state attorney and public defender or their designees.

The five members of the commission on ethics would be selected by appointees from the president of the Palm Beach County Association of Chiefs of Police, the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the president of Florida Atlantic University, the president of the Palm Beach chapter of the Florida Institute of CPAs and the Palm Beach County League of Cities, Berger said.

Infante $50,000 Missing

continued from page 1 early in the investigation to reveal what had become of the money or what it might have been used for.

“There is no indication at this point that anyone else was involved,” Coleman said.

Recchio said the money had been in a fund reserved to construct a building at the Bob Marcello Baseball Complex at Willows Park. “They wanted to put up a building to hold meetings, store their trophies and store their equipment,” he said.

Coleman said the missing money will have no direct impact on the function of the league. “The league is still intact. It’s moving forward,” he said. “We don’t expect any interruptions in allowing the kids to play baseball. It’s just an unfortunate situation that’s becoming all too common around the country.”

Coleman said when their investigation is complete, a report will be turned over to the State Attor-

“The one advantage that these five entities have is that they are all collegial bodies or academic institutions that will never be subject to the inspector general or the commission on ethics,” Berger said.

Once selected, the inspector general is confirmed by a simple majority of the county commission.

In addition to appointing or removing the inspector general, the commission on ethics will serve as an administrative body similar to a code enforcement body at municipal levels, hearing and meting out penalties for violating policies of the local code of ethics, which the county is also trying to adopt, Berger said.

The committee would be able to levy an administrative fine of up to $500, order a public reprimand and order restitution for illgotten gains, Berger said. The commission will also render advisory opinions and refer matters

ney’s Office in conjunction with the Financial Crimes Division.

“They have people who are experts in that field who will go over those records,” he said.

Recchio said the league functions largely outside the village’s scrutiny, raising its own money through registration fees, concessions, sponsorships and fundraisers. It has its own board of directors. The entire organization is made up of volunteers.

A staff member from the village usually attends the league meetings as an observer, and the village maintains the baseball fields, Recchio said. “We just go there to keep an eye on things if there’s anything wrong,” he said. “If there’s anything they need from us, that’s where we get the request.”

Recchio said the village is considering putting out requests for a new organization to provide youth baseball.

“We’re discussing how to pursue this,” he said. “We may put out an advertisement like we did years ago. If there’s a group out there interested in running a baseball program, they can apply.”

as appropriate to the inspector general as well as state and federal law enforcement authorities, he added.

Wellington Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore, sitting as the representative of the Florida League of Cities, said he welcomes the creation of an inspector general’s office and the commission on ethics. “I support that wholeheartedly,” Priore said.

Palm Beach County School Board Member Dr. Sandra Richmond she would like her board to review the draft ordinances. She also asked Nieman to outline what the advantages would be to the school district to contract with the inspector general’s office. “I can understand what the advantages would be, but I would like it clearly outlined,” she said.

District 6 County Commissioner Jess Santamaria said he feels the grand jury reached a good conclu-

GOP Club Candidates Speak

continued from page 7 per Bowl. But they all have an individual goal, which is for each of those people to do their best at their job every day.”

DeRenzo said that everyone must come together and find a way to work as a team. “Everyone needs to be working together and pick up one another,” he said. “The common goal is for each of us to show up for practice. If we have a job, we need to do our best at the job, and if you don’t, we are pulling for you to find a job. I know as a state representative, I want to be here to help people bring businesses here so they can hire more people.”

Twenty-one-year-old Parris said he’s running to bring fresh ideas. “I don’t feel it’s appropriate to wait until a certain age to get involved 20 or 30 years from now,” said Parris. “I want to do it when we have a stake right now.”

The Palm Beach Community College student said he’s concerned about the state’s education-

sion, but questioned the execution in the draft ordinances.

“The most important word of the grand jury report is that there be an ‘independent’ inspector general,” Santamaria said, questioning the confirmation of the inspector general by a majority of the county commission. “The final draft of this ordinance, we hope, will be considered independent by the general public.” Santamaria said he does not consider someone approved by a vote of the county commission to be “independent,” and changes are needed if Palm Beach County is to shed its image of corruption.

“The public is going to have the final say, and the question is going to be, do they feel that this draft is independent,” he said. “With four county commissioners having the final seal of approval, will they feel that it is truly independent?”

al system. “We have to start in 2010 with our educational system,” Parris said. “If we don’t, Florida’s educational system faces a dire future. We will have uneducated people who grow up and the jobs are smarter than they are.

I have a few ideas about that.”

Domino, who holds an MBA from Harvard, has served in the State House since 2002. He said he believes that citizens, not career politicians, should be in the legislature.

“You have an obligation to be a businessman, a lawyer, a real estate agent, a housewife, a teacher, and then you can be a legislator,” he said.

Domino has worked in money management since retiring from the U.S. Navy as a commander. He said he was proud to have pushed for “homestead portability” legislation, which enables homeowners to transport their Save Our Homes tax caps to new homes. Next year, he wants the legislature to pass a first-time homebuyer’s exemption.

“Hopefully, it will pass,” Domino said. “We need our

PHOTOS

Mary and Tony Alfalla and Estelle Rubin and Howard Trager dance.

Event committee members Bob and Helen Prior, Joan Kahler, Mary and Tony Alfalla, Estelle Rubin and Howard Trager.

(Front row) Elaine Vaccaro, Eda LoVerso and Gloria Virga; (back) Chuck Vaccaro, Hermine Palmer and James Mandolos.

Emmanuel Gonzales and Ursula Fernandez.Some of Emmanuel Gonzales’ artwork.

Florence Descalis-Sabran, Huguette Berzon, Ursula Fernandez and Cassandra Kennedy.

Alexis Puszczewicz does face painting.

The Reuhl family celebrates the fall spirit.

Luke and Noah Faino.Megan Froehlich.

Twenty Years Of Horse Trailer Experience

John and Catey Stomski of Stomski Horse Trailer Sales were running a boarding facility while selling new and used horse trailers from their farm on Melaleuca Lane in Greenacres before much of Palm Beach County was developed. SEE ELLEN ROSENBERG’S COLUMN, PAGE 23

It’s Amazing I Survived The Halloweens Of My Youth! With Halloween arriving this weekend, humorist Deborah Welky wistfully recalls celebrating the holiday as a youngster — back before safety precautions took away all the fun! All she had to worry about was making sure her mom and dad didn’t steal all the “good” candy. SEE COLUMN, PAGE 24

Big Selection, Low Costs At Wellington’s Big Blue Tree Farm

Landscaping is one of the cheapest ways to give your house a new, updated look — and Big Blue Tree Farm in Wellington wants to help. Located on Flying Cow Road, the farm is only minutes from anywhere in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and the surrounding areas. Page 31

Spor ts

District Victory Earns WHS Girls Golf Team A Trip To Regionals

The Wellington High School girls golf team recently wrapped up an impressive season. On Oct. 19, the team, coached by Laurie Bawinkel, won the District 18 Championship at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. Page 37

Stomski Horse Trailer Sales: Serving The Area For Two Decades

They’ve been in the same business in the same location for more than 20 years, which says a lot in this day and age. John and Catey Stomski were running a boarding facility while selling new and used horse trailers from their farm on Melaleuca Lane in Greenacres before much of Palm Beach County was developed.

Secretary Linda Cook said there are currently more than 30 horse trailers on the property, everything from two-horse bumper pulls to eight-horse head-to-heads, waiting for new owners. They specialize in trailers made in Ocala by Trailers U.S.A. and Sundowner Trailers, which Cook characterized as “the Mercedes of horse trailers.”

“You can get a basic model, or you can add as many extra features as you’d like,” Cook said. “Many people like loading lights in the rear, so you can see what you’re doing if you’re loading up horses in the dark. You can have fans or AC installed, both in the horse and dressing room. You can order custom holders and shelves for everything from bridles and saddles to pitchforks and helmets. People have to pack all sorts of stuff when they trailer their horses. Whatever a customer wants, we can build it.”

However, a good trailer does not come cheap. New, basic Sundowner trailers start at around $16,000.

Stomski also offers horse trailer repairs and annual service, such as repacking the bearings, rotating the tires and checking all the electrical wiring. However, they don’t paint trailers. “After Hurricane Wilma, people

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

brought in damaged trailers,” Linda recalled. “A lot of them hadn’t been parked safely and had flipped. We saw a lot of bent and broken axles.”

They saw so many damaged horse trailers that they printed up a sheet of tips for horse trailer hurricane preparedness. These include choosing a safe, non-flooding location to park it, away from trees, power lines and flying debris, facing it east-west (into the wind), chocking the tires, closing and securing all hatches, vents and doors, and insuring it with a separate policy.

“We’ve been selling horse trailers since 1985,” owner Catey Stomski said. “We always have a good variety of used trailers. We can help anyone find just about whatever it is they’re looking for.”

Some of the trailers come in on consignment, and some are traded in for new trailers. Normally, they do more business on new trailers, but in today’s economy, Stomski has seen many more used trailers moving down the driveway. It’s an atypical market, compared to previous years, she said.

Stomski said some people are looking for

steel trailers, because they’re typically much cheaper than the newer, aluminum trailers. But she warned that steel trailers don’t last in Florida’s hot and humid climate. They rust and deteriorate, having a lifespan of perhaps 15 years. Newer aluminum trailers with steel frames may last up to 20 years, and all-aluminum trailers last even longer. “The older steel trailers have one foot in the grave,” she said. “The climate kills ’em.”

Stomski said that people don’t realize how important their tow vehicle is. She advises always buying the trailer first, and then making sure the tow vehicle will be appropriate and able to safely haul the fully loaded trailer.

“The worst case is when someone’s just bought a new truck or SUV and comes down here to buy their dream trailer, and then they find out the new truck can’t pull it,” Stomski said. “Either the vehicle’s not going to be able to haul that much weight, or the turn radius is wrong. An empty two-horse trailer is 3,500 pounds. Then you’re adding another 2,000 pounds of horses and another 500 pounds of hay and equipment. The vehicle and the hitch have to be able to safely handle it all.”

Stomski is not happy when a customer insists that someone at the car dealership assured them that the new truck or SUV would easily be able to pull the trailer, then they get to her lot and find out it’s not going to work.

“The dealership says yes, yes, yes, and then I feel like the bad guy telling them no,” she said. “Often times the salesperson didn’t do it on purpose. I think it’s ignorance more than

greed or deception. But you know, the dealerships are just trying to sell as many vehicles as they can.”

People who own horse trailers should definitely keep up with maintenance, Stomski said, especially if they don’t use the trailer often.

“A trailer should be serviced every 12 months or 12,000 miles,” she said. “And you shouldn’t wait for the day before a trip to suddenly look it over. Make an appointment and have it checked a few weeks in advance. Brake light wires can break, tires can age and wooden floorboards can rot. Preventive maintenance may be the best money you invest. One thing you don’t want is to have trouble out on the road when you’re hauling horses.”

Stomski Horse Trailer Sales is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call them at (561) 9683508 or visit www.stomskihorsetrailers.com.

Catey and John Stomski of Stomski Horse Trailer Sales

Ah, The Halloweens Of My Youth... It’s Amazing I Survived!

Tomorrow is Halloween, and I’m wishing I were a kid again — aren’t you?

I don’t know what trick-or-treat night was like when you were little, but when I was a kid, it rocked!

In the first place, there were none of these ridiculous safety precautions. Heck, no. We’d just slap on a sheet, have our brother use scissors to poke two eyeholes in wherever he thought our eyes would be, and off we went.

We weren’t carrying flashlights. We didn’t have sneakers that lit up or reflective tape. We just took our chances out there with the cars and the highways and the weirdoes. The most scared I ever was was when a woman answered her door dressed as a witch. This was a holiday for kids! So that must mean she was a real witch who dressed like this every day! “Hansel and Gretel” came to mind. I took her candy, but I never walked past her house again.

Back when I was growing up, we never

The Sonic BOOMER

had our candy x-rayed. In fact, x-rays were still considered, by some, to be more dangerous than anything that might be stuck inside candy.

Our big fear was apples.

In Wisconsin, apples are at their best in late October, but once they freeze, it’s all over. So some misguided adults (who obviously had never been children themselves) would view Halloween as the perfect time to unload several bushels of apples on the neighborhood kids.

They’d smile benevolently while dropping a big, heavy apple into each bag, and we kids, with our short little legs already straining to get to as many houses as humanly possible, would suffer under the weight of what would soon be a dozen apples.

Some children (the “bad” kids) were on to this and would just toss the apples back onto the giver’s lawn while they darted ahead of the pack, footloose and fancy-free. But we “good” kids would trudge heavily along ’til our legs gave out, and then mom would gather up the apples for pies. (We already had two apple trees ourselves, but “waste not, want not,” you know.)

As much as we worried about not having the stamina to get to every house, we did pretty well back then. Almost everyone on the block was giving out something. And if there were deadly mosquitoes or if the swine flu was going around, we didn’t know anything about it. It could have been lack of communication

on our parents’ part. It could have been denial. But, more likely, it was that they enjoyed having us out of the house for an evening at any cost.

When we got home, they knew we’d had fun because our makeup was smeared, our costumes were torn and our bags were bulging. We’d organize our candy by size, brand and popularity, trading with each other until the two older siblings had all the chocolate and the two younger kids were stuck with the hard candy and peppermints, which is as it should be.

Our parents would ask if anyone felt like sharing, and four little hands would dart out, offering up Mary Janes and candy corn and, occasionally, the coveted Baby Ruth. You know, maybe I’ll send my mom and dad a care package, heavy on the chocolate and with one apple thrown in as a reminder. Yeah, that’s how I’ll celebrate Halloween this year.

New TV Show ‘FlashForward’ A Fascinating Mix Of Genres

The new television series FlashForward, seen on ABC on Thursdays at 8 p.m., is a fascinating mix of genres. Although it was portrayed in preview clips as a science fiction series, it dips heavily into a variety of show types to create a fascinating mosaic of portrayals, all dealing with the show’s central theme.

The premise is that on Oct. 6, 2009, everyone on earth blacks out for exactly 2 minutes, 17 seconds and has a vision of six months into the future. The question then becomes whether what they see is inevitable, or can it be changed? Just knowing what might happen could change the future. Or could it?

The lead character, FBI Agent Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes) sees himself, a recovering alcoholic, drinking again and dealing with a wall full of evidence from the case. His wife, surgeon Olivia (Sonya Walger), sees an intimate version of herself with another man. His partner, Demetri Noh (John Cho), has no vision at all and convinces himself that he will be dead. There are dozens of charac-

By Leonard Wechsler Deborah Welky is

‘I’ On CULTURE

ters, all generally assuming that what they saw will be the truth. But will it?

The show switches genres repeatedly. There’s the science fiction element because everyone blacks out. But then the FBI discovers that not quite everyone did black out and begins a search to find out what did happen, and the show goes into detective mode, blending in a bit of CSI. Why did people black out? Clues hint that a 1991 incident in Somalia might hold the answer. Benford becomes the lead investigator, following clues that he saw posted on his bulletin board during his flash forward. But in that vision, he was impaired because he was drinking.

Then there is the soap opera element. Olivia meets the man she is with in her vision, Stanford University academic Lloyd Simcoe (Jack Davenport), the father of young patient Dylan (Ryan Wynott) who recognizes her from his vision. This tosses in a hint of Grey’s Anatomy. She loves her husband and daughter, knows cheating could ruin her marriage, but does not know whether the visions actually portray the future.

Then the action shifts to Washington, D.C., and the show looks a bit like The West Wing. Does the shifting work? You bet it does. The acting is uniformly excellent, and the writers make the possibilities fascinating. They have made it clear that not all the visions are necessarily true. Aaron Stark (Brian F. O’Byrne), Benford’s Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and friend, sees himself talking with his daughter who died in Afghanistan. He is convinced she might still be alive. But DNA tests reveal that the body sent home was indeed the girl.

So is the future unchangeable? If we have foreknowledge, can we be warned and do

something to alter it? That is a question stretching back to antiquity. The show is a great example of how science fiction can present fascinating problems and do it in an entertaining way. Some characters become better because of their visions; some go the other way. There are lots of complications, something totally appropriate as the importance of answering the key question becomes clear. Things will change, but will they change as they were meant to change? Do the visions change the future or merely ensure that it will follow an intended path? Is there an intended path?

Frankly, I have no idea. But I do know that I will be watching the show on Thursdays. The producers use their excellent regular cast along with a variety of guest appearances to create a fascinating world of people trying to work through unanswerable questions. Even better, producers promise the riddle will be solved by the end of the season. Watch the show. Check with ABC.com to watch the previous episodes so you have the background. This show is worth the effort.

Retirement Eating Hasn’t Been Kind To My Blood Pressure

A few weeks ago, I went to my favorite doctor for my bi-annual physical. Of late, my doctor and I have a little game we play. On my visits, when my blood pressure is taken, it is borderline high (my opinion, not my doctor’s).

For several years now, my doctor has been trying to put me on blood pressure medicine. And me being the big jerk I usually am, fight her tooth and nail about taking the medicine. I just don’t like taking pills — even pills that may save or prolong my life.

I tell my doctor the same story every exam. I tell her I have “White Coat Syndrome,” and every time she walks into the room I get nervous. Of course, she doesn’t buy this excuse at all. (I think it’s very logical.) It’s a shame my doctor cares more about my health than I do.

We usually make a deal. She will give me four to six weeks to lose weight, eat healthy

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

and bring my blood pressure down on my own. So far, every year I have been able to eat healthy, bring my weight down and bring my blood pressure down. That is, until this year.

This year, I have tried my best to eat healthy and lose weight and bring my blood pressure back to the so-called “normal range.” So far I haven’t lost the war, but I am losing the battle of the bulge.

I have been on my so-called rabbit diet for

four weeks. And so far I have only lost two pounds! Of course, I know the reason why my diet isn’t working this time. The answer is simple. I am cheating — no, not on my wife; on my diet.

Usually I have complete control over what I do, but not this time. I still have more friends than I thought I had. (I know, it’s a surprise to me, too!) They are still calling me up on a daily basis and asking me to go to breakfast or lunch. And of course, I have a very hard time saying no. I thought when I retired, this eating out thing would go on for a few weeks. I never dreamed that after three months of retirement, I’d still be eating out on a daily basis. Well, at least I feel loved! When I go to breakfast, I try my best to eat healthy, but I just can’t get used to egg whites. But to my credit, I am not eating potatoes. I am eating grits or oatmeal instead. I now find myself eating whole-wheat toast. But I still

have to have my three- or four-egg omelet. It tastes sooooo good! But I now order only vegetable omelets. No breakfast meat allowed inside my beautiful body. The pigs love folks like me. OK, I do put cheese in the omelet. Aren’t I allowed some pleasures in life?

As you are reading this column, I am most probably sitting in my doctor’s office, waiting to have my blood pressure taken. In my mind, I know it was a waste of time to come here. With the loss of only two pounds and me eating the way I’ve been eating for the last month, I have a pretty good idea of how my blood pressure will be reading.

I have already told my doctor I’m under a lot of pressure, and I will no longer be fighting with her over my use of blood pressure medicine. My doctor was very happy to hear this news. So now there are two people in the world who care about my health, my doctor and me.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Wellington Art Society Meeting To Feature Nancy Tilles

The November meeting of the Wellington Art Society will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center and feature award-winning portrait artist Nancy Tilles, who will demonstrate the techniques she uses in her unique work.

Tilles’ paintings are based in realism with a strong attention to detail, complemented by a vibrant palette of many rich colors. In addition to commissioned portraits, she also paints a variety of subjects from

animals and flowers to underwater scenes.

Tilles, a Wellington Art Society member and a University of Miami graduate, teaches art at her home/ studio. Her work has been in numerous publications and exhibited at Palm Beach International Airport and in shows such as Artigras and Sunfest, among others.

The Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center is located at 151 Civic Center Way, near the southwest corner of Okeechobee Blvd. and Royal

P.B. Pops To Present ‘A New York Night’

Prepare yourself for a New York state of mind featuring Broadway singing star Rebecca Baxter. Join Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops for a journey to “A New York Night” to experience the incredible music inspired by the Big Apple... the sounds of Leonard Bernstein, the Beatles, Carnegie Hall, Billy Joel, Tin Pan Alley, Broadway and more.

Baxter recently received rave reviews in the New York Times for her portrayal of Muriel in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opposite Joe Piscopo at the Gateway Playhouse in Long Island. Rebecca has performed on Broadway, national and international tours, and performed alongside such legends as Leslie Uggams, Jean Stapleton, Kelsey Grammer, Reba McEntire, Eddie Bracken, Jane Powell and countless Broadway stars. She has appeared on several daytime dramas, as well as on Law & Order: SVU. She is currently seen on the televised Live from Carnegie Hall’s South Pacific, starring Reba McEntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell on PBS.

Show times are 8 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens, Nov. 6 and 7

at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, and Nov. 8-10 at the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

To purchase tickets, call the Palm Beach Pops box office at (561) 8327677 or visit www. palmbeachpops. org.

Palm Beach Blvd. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a brief business meeting at 7 p.m., with the demo starting about 7:15 p.m. While the meeting is free and open to the public, there is a $5 fee for the demo for non-society members. Registration for Wellington Art Society membership will also be available at the meeting.

The Wellington Art Society is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, providing both

local and regional artists a 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 encourage 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, visit www. wellingtonartsociety.org.

KRAVIS TO FEATURE CHINESE DRUMMERS

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Jigu! Thunder Drums of China on Friday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. Hailing from China’s Shanxi province, birthplace of the drum and gong, this exuberant ensemble of drummers, percussionists and musicians has thrilled audiences around the world with its presentation of hypnotic folk melodies, blended with mesmerizing high-tech special effects to create a primal, visceral experience like no other. Tickets cost $15 to $48. Visit www.kravis.org or call (561) 832-7469 for more info.

Roger Dean Stadium To Host Holiday Lights Spectacular

“Bright Nights: A Holiday Lights Spectacular” is South Florida’s newest holiday tradition. Three nightly shows will run on 22 nights between Nov. 27 and Dec. 27 at Roger Dean Stadium in Abacoa. Bright Nights features a 20-minute dazzling light show synchronized to holiday music.

This holiday lights spectacular is the first light show of its kind anywhere in the U.S. The 20-minute show will feature over 140,000 LED lights displayed on 50 steel “trees” (including one 55 feet tall), leaping arches, fireworks-styled

aerial displays and a “twinkle wall” as long as a football field. All will be synchronized to music and come alive for a dazzling holiday experience.

Free holiday activities will be run to celebrate the season. Special events include Snow Days (Nov. 29 and Dec. 20) and Holiday Marketplace (Dec. 12 and 13). Thursdays will be Holiday Hound Nights: fourlegged friends are welcome and local pet agencies will offer holiday pet adoptions. Evening activities vary; visit www.brightnightspb.com for schedule of activities.

This special holiday event is being produced by SunFest of Palm Beach County. Bright Nights is illuminated by Winterland, the country’s foremost designer of holiday themed light attractions.

Winterland has produced similar light displays for Las Vegas, Nev., Gendale, Az. and Melbourne, Fla.

Seeing the growth in the north end of Palm Beach County and a need for more family based and holiday events, SunFest recognized a unique opportunity to create the Bright Nights event to become a

new holiday tradition in South Florida.

To purchase tickets, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000, visit the Roger Dean Stadium box office in Jupiter or visit www.brightnights pb.com. For more information about the event, call (561) 8378061.

Community non-profit organizations can raise money with Bright Nights. Approved schools, nonprofits, churches and groups can earn money for every ticket they sell. Schools or groups that sell at least 100 tickets receive many ben-

efits beyond fundraising: “own” a show, easy online and gate ticket codes, recognition on the scoreboard, a representative who will “flip the switch” to start the show, a performance by a school band or choir, and the ability to set up a booth to raise additional funds.

A one-of-a-kind show means a one-of-a-kind holiday party. Various party spaces are available for groups of 10 to 200 guests, each offering customized catering options to fit any budget with buffet pricing starting at $30 per person for buffet and admission.

Nancy Tilles

Rebecca Baxter

Big Blue Tree Farm Offers Big Selection, Low Costs

With today’s economy, you really need to get the most for your money. Big Blue Tree Farm in Wellington understands and wants to help.

Landscaping is one of the cheapest ways to give your house a new, updated look. Carefully replacing old, outdated or just bad landscaping with new, high-quality plants can transform even the simplest house into a tropical paradise. Looking to sell? New landscaping will give your house the curb appeal you need, adding value to your home and making it easier to sell.

Planting trees also helps reverse global warming. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, one of the major contributing factors to the Greenhouse Effect. Trees also provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife. Strategically planting will greatly reduce street noise and other sounds that might be a nuisance. During the summer months, shade can reduce cooling costs. In the winter, trees help block the wind, helping save money on heating.

Mike and Mary Haughey own and operate Big Blue Tree Farm, which has been in operation for more than 35 years. Located on Flying Cow Road, it is only minutes from anywhere in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and the surrounding areas.

“We can handle all of your landscape needs, and at the same time, save you money,” Mike Haughey said. “For your convenience, we can design, deliver and install the perfect landscape package. For the do-it-yourselfer, we offer low prices on all of our plants and trees. Pick up what you need or have it delivered.”

The holidays are just around the corner,

which makes this the perfect time to get your yard looking great. Do it all at once or a little at a time.

“Years ago, oak trees were just about all we grew,” Haughey said. “But today we have many different varieties of trees on site. We are also partnered with several other nurseries to supply almost any tree you can think of. You can choose any tree grown at our nursery and usually have it delivered and installed within one week. This includes trees such as royal palms, foxtail palms and Christmas palms. We also have bottlebrush, pink tabebuia and royal poinciana, if you are looking for flowering trees. Gumbo limbo, dahoon holly and green buttonwood are a few of our native trees, and we still have the most popular of the shade trees, the live oak.”

Regarding cost, Haughey noted that Big Blue Tree Farm offers very affordable prices. “We grow what we sell, so we can do it cheaper than the other landscape companies,” he said. “Whatever the job, large or small, we can get it done for less. Landscaping also makes a great gift. Ask about our gift certificates. We accept most major credit cards.”

To see pictures of some of the trees available at Big Blue Tree Farm, visit www.big bluetreefarm.com. If you don’t see what you are looking for, call for price and availability. You can also visit the farm in person at 4153 160th Avenue South/Flying Cow Road, four miles south of Southern Blvd. Big Blue Tree Farm offers discounts for larger landscape jobs. For more information, directions or hours, call (561) 793-4370 or e-mail bigblue treefarm@bellsouth.net.

Big Blue Tree Farm co-owner Mike Haughey with some royal palms.

Mark Bozicevic Named Wellington Chamber’s Ambassador Of The Month

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has announced that Mark “Boz” Bozicevic is its Ambassador of the Month for October.

Bozicevic is a regional vice president at Primerica Financial Services. He is licensed to provide a wide variety of financial services, specializing in term life insurance, retirement plans and long-term care. Bozicevic is excited to help families with a financial plan that eliminates debt and secures their future. He hires and mentors others interested in pursuing either a part-time or full-time career in financial services. Bozicevic has a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Palm Beach Atlantic University. As a longtime leader of the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches, Bozicevic became the liaison between the Ski Club and Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation. He competes as a nationally ranked slalom skier, serves as a senior judge at tournaments and has been cochairman of five national championships and one world championship tournament.

Bozicevic volunteers at Welling-

ton Landings Middle School, teaching seventh graders personal economics. He also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. Bozicevic has been a member of the Wellington Chamber since 2003.

Primerica Financial Services is located at 500 NE Fifth Ave., Suite 2E, Delray Beach. For more information, call (888) 241-9417, visit www.primerica.com/mbozicevic, or e-mail mbozicevic.fac19@ primerica.com. For more on the Wellington Chamber’s Ambassador Program, call (561) 792-6525.

WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES

Dermot MacMahon, P.A. — Located at 12230 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 188 in the Lake Wellington Professional Centre, Dermot MacMahon is Florida Barcertified in real estate law. The practice includes but is not limited to corporate and estate planning. To make an appointment, call MacMahon at (561) 2271523. For more info., visit www. macmahonlaw.com or e-mail dmacmahon@macmahonlaw. com. Pictured here is MacMahon and staff with Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.

Romeo’s Pizza Ristorante Italiano — Romeo’s offers authentic Italian cuisine, gourmet pizza, nightly specials, catering, dining and takeout and delivery. The restaurant is located at 13889 Wellington Trace. For reservations, catering or delivery services, call (561) 793-7100. For more about Romeo’s, visit the restaurant’s web site at www. romeosofwellington.com. Pictured here are Romeo’s staff members with Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.

Mark Bozicevic

Breastfeeding Week At P.W. Hospital

Palms West Hospital celebrated World Breastfeeding Week Oct. 1216. The hospital recognizes that human milk is the preferred way to feed newborn babies and celebrated the week with daily in-services for day and night nursing staff and breastfeeding awareness. All breastfeeding mothers received a gift bag packed with items they will find useful in the first weeks as a new mom.

The World Breastfeeding Week Committee at Palms West Hospital worked diligently on making this year’s event a success. The committee included the following employees: Margie Forrest, Kim Bass, Ellen Rodriguez, Darlene Belair, Elenore Millien and Dorrit VizelSchwartz.

This year’s educational topic, “Breastfeeding During and After Emergencies,” shed light on the issue of breastfeeding during natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis and pandemics. In short, “breast is always best,” and in such situations formula feeding often compounds the problem and adds to cases of diarrhea and dehydration. The highlight of the week was the daily drawings for breast pumps for breastfeeding mothers supplied by Medela Inc. The grand prize, a deluxe breast pump valued at more

parents Shana Phelan and Dean

Mikayla

and

than $250, was won by new parents Shana Phelan and Dean Shuler, who welcomed their daughter Mikayla Marie on Oct. 15.

Palms West Hospital’s Lactation Corner is a full-service facility providing help and encouragement to inpatients, outpatient follow-up appointments, as well as a variety of breastfeeding supplies available for rent or purchase. Most of all, the lactation consultant provides reassurance to new

mothers as they learn to rely on their own instincts.

The Lactation Corner also offers a prenatal breastfeeding class for expectant parents. Classes are complimentary for mothers who are preregistered to have their baby at Palms West Hospital, and there is a nominal fee otherwise. Breastfeeding classes and follow-up care are available to new mothers in the community. To register for classes, call (888) 256-7723.

Lydian Bank & Trust Names Rendina To Regional Board

Lydian Bank & Trust has appointed Richard Rendina to its Palm Beach Regional Board of Directors.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Richard to Lydian’s regional board,” Lydian President & CEO James Meany said. “We look forward to having the benefit of his guidance, support and counsel to strengthen our presence throughout Palm Beach County.”

Rendina is chair and CEO of the Rendina Companies, a leading fullservice real estate development company with headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens and La Jolla, California.

Rendina joins Ray Celedinas, Gregory Coleman, Martin Dytrych, Charlotte Pelton and Brian Waxman as directors of Lydian’s North Palm Beach Regional office.

“Having been associated with Lydian for a number of years, I continue to be impressed with the firm’s professionalism, integrity and expertise as well as their dedication to enriching our local community,” Rendina said. “I’m privileged to be affiliated with Lydian and to have

an opportunity to take part in the leadership of Florida’s premier private bank.”

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Rendina holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and entrepreneurship. For more information, call the Lydian Bank & Trust office in North Palm Beach at (561) 776-2525 or visit www.lydianbank.com.

Proud

Shuler with their daughter

Marie

lactation consultant Margie Forrest.

Richard Rendina

Broncos Fall To Visiting Boca Raton In Tough 35-0 Loss

By Paul Gaba Town-Crier Staff Report

Due to a mix-up at the Palm Beach School District’s bus depot, the transport carrying Boca Raton’s football team to its Friday, Oct. 23 contest at Palm Beach Central High School was late, delaying the opening kickoff by nearly 40 minutes.

Unfortunately for the host Broncos, Boca Raton made up for lost time in a hurry, using an explosive offense and stifling defense to post a 35-0 victory over Palm Beach Central.

“It was a tough day for us, but we lost to a better football team,” Palm Beach Central Coach Rod Harris said after the game. “But the team hasn’t quit, and they haven’t quit on each other or the staff. We’ll take that and move forward.”

It was the second time Palm Beach Central has been held scoreless this year.

The proverbial dagger in the Broncos’ collective heart happened early in the third quarter. Trailing 14-0, Palm Beach Central (2-5) was doubly blessed on its opening second-half possession. First, it recovered a surprise onside kick opening the stanza; the recovery, plus an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Bobcats (5-2), gave the Broncos excellent field position at the Boca 48 yard line. Then, after stopping the Broncos, Boca Raton muffed Spencer Foley’s punt, and Palm Beach Central recovered at the Bobcats’ 10 yard line. But the Broncos were stopped on fourth-andgoal, turning over the ball on downs.

One play later, Boca Raton run-

ning back Jerome Bradley darted up the middle, cut to the left and scampered untouched for a 93-yard score, destroying any momentum Palm Beach Central had achieved during its initial possession.

“That really hurt us, but I credit [Boca’s] defense for shutting us down for the three plays after the onside kick, and on the turnover,” Harris said. “That hurt us. Then it was 21-0. We haven’t scored 21 points in a while. We were in deep trouble.”

For Bradley, it was his second rushing touchdown of the game. He had earlier scored on a five-yard run late in the first half. He also scored the last of Boca Raton’s five touchdowns on the contest, a 26-yard reception from senior quarterback Eddie Sullivan, early in the fourth

quarter. The senior ended up with 116 of Boca Raton’s 178 rushing yards in the game.

Sullivan was hitting on all cylinders, finishing with 268 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Palm Beach Central’s offense was stymied time and time again by the Bobcat defense. The quarterback combination of Torrance Kearney and Chris Weatherford hit only four of 20 passing attempts for 24 yards. The ground game managed 157 yards, but on 39 attempts — four yards an attempt, but not enough to effectively drive the ball downfield.

The Broncos are at home Friday, Oct. 30 against Palm Beach Gardens in their final home game of the season. Palm Beach Central will travel to Atlantic on Friday, Nov. 6.

Strong District Showing Earns WHS Lady Golfers Trip To Regionals

It is no secret that the soccer, baseball and football teams dominate Wellington High School sports.

But even with less hype, the girls golf team has managed a pretty impressive season. On Oct. 19, the team of five — under the leadership of Coach Laurie Bawinkel — won the District 18 Championship at the Wanderers Club in Wellington.

Senior Rosie DiMatteo shot a score of 119, junior Melissa Welch scored an 83, sophomore Kaci Bennett got an 86, sophomore Allison Parssi scored a 142 and freshman Mary Dixon a 98. With a cumulative low round score of 386, the team gained a bid to the regional championship.

In Viera on Oct. 25, the girls competed with the best golf talent in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin counties. There, the team shot a similar score of 392, but with a more competitive talent pool, they earned a sixth-place finish. However, this did not qualify the team for the state finals.

More known for her play on the girls soc-

Wolverine Watch

By Josh Hyber

cer team, junior Melissa Welch is also the school’s top female golfer. Welch has been on the team since her freshman year and is a team captain. At regionals, she shot a team low of 82.

Welch said her score could have been better if not for a slow start. “I screwed up the first four holes,” she said. “My score could have been about five strokes lower.”

Welch regained her composure though and shot a 40 on the front nine holes. On the back nine, she hit her best shot of the day, which came on her second shot of Hole 15, when Welch placed the ball mere inches from the

cup. She tapped in her next shot for a birdie. Welch’s day was followed closely behind by Bennett, who shot a score of 90.

DiMatteo, the team’s other captain, shot a score of 122. Although she has only played the sport for two years (she also plays hockey), she is certainly an important aspect of the team, not only on the course, but off it.

DiMatteo jokingly told me to write “Missy’s score as mine” and that she “kept the team awake past midnight the night before regionals.” On the course, she possesses the important trait of being able to forget a bad shot and move.

In short, she can be described as a more loving version of Adam Sandler’s character in the movie Happy Gilmore. DiMatteo, like Gilmore, has translated her hockey skills into golf, and points out Welch as someone who has helped her play.

“She has helped with the fundamentals, but more than that, we’ve become really good friends,” she said.

Although they do not receive as much pub-

licity

Josh Hyber’s Wolverine Watch column covers sports at Wellington High School. The Town-Crier is looking for students or other school supporters to write similar columns about sports at Seminole Ridge, Royal Palm Beach and Palm Beach Central high schools. Interested? E-mail a

as WHS’s other sports, the girls golf team deserves more recognition for their fine year. And while girls golf will likely never become a main athletic attraction at WHS, they definitely play like one.

The WHS girls golf team with Coach Laurie Bawinkel.

Bronco Steven Williams tackles Boca Raton’s Cameron Lewis.

PHOTO BY CARMELLA DIMATTEO

Steven Williams tackles the Bobcats’ Jeremy Retzsch.

Boca Raton’s Antarius Walter is tackled by Milton Pizarro. PHOTOS BY PAUL GABA/TOWN-CRIER

Carol Cohen’s Mare Honored With ‘Best Tail Award’

Thanks to her long and luxurious black tail, an elegant Westphalian mare owned by Carol Cohen won the TailRx “Best Tail Award” at the Wellington Classic Dressage’s Autumn Challenge of Champions show. Cohen and her mare Sam’t Und Seide were awarded a TailRx prize basket at the show, which was held in conjunction with the USDF Region 3 Dressage Championship at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center.

Cohen, who owns Two Swans Farm in Wellington, was thrilled to win the award from TailRx, a revolutionary new mane and tail restoration system for horses. John Zopatti rode Cohen’s mare, whose name means “silk and velvet,” and the pair also won the third level championship during the show. Zopatti was equally pleased that the mare won the TailRx award, as he uses the product with great success on all of the horses in his barn.

“Our tail regimen up ’til now has been to just keep her tail clean and not brush it,” Cohen said, after winning the TailRx basket. “I guess that will change.”

Mary Brunetti, founder of TailRx, said Cohen would definitely be able to brush Sam’t Und Seide’s tail in the future. “TailRx adds volume

and makes the tail three times as strong with the first use, just like it does with humans,” Brunetti said. “TailRx also keeps the scalp in such tip-top shape and so healthy that it can’t help but grow good hair because it starts at the follicle first.”

Cohen will join hundreds of other riders who have discovered TailRx, a professional hair care system for horses. Following an article in Lucky magazine that touted the product’s benefits for humans, Brunetti said TailRx has been hard to keep on the shelves. “TailRx works on humans as well because we are all mammals and share the same hair follicle structure,” she said.

Brunetti, an award-winning celebrity hair stylist, developed TailRx, and the product has revolutionized how horse owners care for their horse’s manes and tails.

“TailRx is an easy-to-administer three-step treatment, and all horse owners need to do is follow the simple five-minute application routine,” Brunetti said. “Horse owners they can expect noticeable improvements from TailRx in the first week, and then expect thicker, stronger and longer hair in just a few months.”

For more information on TailRx, visit www.tailrx.com.

P.B. Central Runners Tops At Tourney

The Palm Beach Central High School boys and girls cross-country teams earned first and second place respectively last Friday at the Western Conference Championship held at Freedom Park in Greenacres.

The boys team finished with a score of 30, with six team members qualifying for the All-Conference Team: Greg Curtin, Ramiro Melendez and Benji Alix qualified for the first team, while Travis Morrison, Glen Castillo and Tim Smale qualified for the second team.

The girls team finished with a score of 49, with five team members qualifying for the All-Conference Team: Zoe Rodriguez qualified for the first team, while Rachael Davies, Isabella DeRosa, Vicki Wong and Kristin Vitale qualified for the second team.

The Palm Beach Central crosscountry team competed this Friday at South County Regional Park, but the results were not available at press time. The team will compete in the district qualifier on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach.

Best Tail Award — TailRx founder Mary Brunetti presents John Zopatti with a TailRx prize basket at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center.

PRO BALL COBRAS WIN HALLOWEEN TOURNEY

Pro Ball

team won the

Tournament in the 12-U division. The team went undefeated and averaged more than 10 runs per game, with a total of eight home runs for the tournament. Pictured above, the team members are: (front row, L-R) German Torres, Dylan Santalo, Manny Bejerano, Mathew Careccia and Alejandro Rodriguez; (middle row) Raphael Castillo, Joey Polak, Bruce Martin, Bryan Hernandez, Jorge Hernando and Rylan Snow; and (back row) coaches Rich Polak and Yosvani Hernandez and Manager Oscar Santalo.

Bassmasters Fish Lake Kissimmee

The Royal Palm Bassmasters held their monthly fishing tournament on Oct. 10 and 11 out of Lake Kissimmee in Central Florida. This was a two-day tournament format.

First place was awarded to the team of Mike Gershberg (boater) with 10 fish weighing 17 lbs., 13 oz. and partner Dan Washington (non-boater) with six fish weighing 8 lbs., 7 oz. for a team weight of 26 lbs., 4 oz.

Second place was awarded to the team of Walt Zajkowski (boater) with eight fish weighing 12 lbs., 5 oz. and partner Hoot Decker (nonboater) with eight fish weighing 10 lbs., 13 oz. for a team weight of 23 lbs., 2 oz.

Third place was awarded to the team of Shawn Lennon (boater) with eight fish weighing 8 lbs., 9 oz and partner Phil Northrop (nonboater) with five fish weighing 10 lbs., 3 oz.

The Big Fish on Oct. 10 was awarded to Mike Gershberg for a bass weighing 2 lbs., 10 oz.

The Big Fish on Oct. 11 was awarded to Mike O’Connor for a bass weighing 3 lbs., 8 oz.

Bassmasters meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach

Recreation Center (100 Sweet Bay Lane). The club is now accepting new boater and non-boater members. Come and check out the fun you have been missing. For more information about the Royal Palm Bassmasters, e-mail Gershberg at doctorrehab@aol. com.

Dan Washington

Mike Gershberg

Mike O’Connor

The

Cobras 12-U travel baseball

USSSA Okeeheelee Halloween

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, Oct. 31

• Lion Country Safari (2003 Lion Country Safari Road) will hold “Halloween SafariStyle” on Saturday, Oct. 31. Guests are invited to watch the animals “trick or treat.”

Lion Country Safari’s lions, elephants and chimps will enjoy Halloween pumpkins and goodie bags throughout Halloween weekend. Admission is $24 for adults, $22 for seniors 65 and up, $18 for children ages three to nine, and free for toddlers two and under. For more info., visit Lion Country Safari’s web site at www.lioncountry safari.com or call (561) 793-1084.

• Grace Fellowship Church in The Acreage will hold Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 31. The church is located at 75th Road North and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road (just north of Publix). For more info., call Arlene Stabley at (561) 253-4157.

• Walk for Lupus Now will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Anchor Park in Delray Beach (across from the beach, several blocks south of Atlantic Avenue). Check in starts at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. For more info., visit the Lupus Foundation of America’s web site at www. lupusfl.org or call (800) 339-0586.

• “Canine Candids” will be taken at the Gardens Mall on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 8 to 11 a.m. Bring your costumed canine or feline for photography by Wolf Camera’s Jay Kravetz. The cost is $20 per pet. All proceeds will benefit Safe Harbor. Guests and their pets are asked to enter the mall near P.F. Chang’s. To make an appointment, visit the mall’s information desk or call (561) 775-7750.

• The Seminole Ridge High School girls basketball team will hold a Car Wash on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Publix shopping plaza at the corner of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd. For more info., call Brenda Greeley at (561) 762-9946.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold a Halloween Costume Parade on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. for ages two and up. Drop in wearing your Halloween costume for the parade. Hear tales about costume goofs and mishaps. Call (561) 790-6070 for info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Scrapbooking for the Family” on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2:30 p.m. for ages five and up. Scrapbooking is a great way to preserve memories. Learn new techniques and create new designs. Provide

your own pictures and memorabilia. Basic supplies provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Sunday, Nov. 1

• The Muscular Dystrophy Association is seeking individuals and teams to participate in its Stride & Ride “Walk of Hope” on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Gardens Mall (3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens). Those using wheelchairs and scooters are encouraged to participate. Money raised will be used to help provide services to MDA members in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The walk begins at 9 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony at 11 a.m. To register, call Elise Qvale at (561) 742-3748 or e-mail eqvale@ mdausa.org.

• A “Salute to Veterans” Picnic will be held Sunday, Nov. 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the Alligator Pavilion at Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.). Hosted by the Lake Worth West Democratic Club, the event will feature many veterans organizations. Music will be provided by DJ Mark Rodriguez and Susan Walzer. The cost is $12.50 per person. RSVP to Estelle at (561) 968-4123.

• Vesta, a free one-act play about a terminally ill woman and the choices that she and her family must make, will be presented by VITAS Innovative Hospice Care in two performances on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Delray Beach Playhouse (950 NW Ninth Street) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 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). For reservations, call (561) 891-2320 or (561) 733-6300.

Monday, Nov. 2

• The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 will meet on Monday, Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves). For more info., call Membership Chair Joan Shewmake at (561) 792-2317 or Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.

• The Wellington Garden Club will meet Monday, Nov. 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Guest speaker John 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. RSVP to (561) 793-6013 or (561) 7989217.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 42

• Free Cholesterol and Diabetes Screenings will be offered from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 at the Winn-Dixie pharmacy, 5042 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee. For more information, call Cholestcheck at (800) 713-3301.

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will host a presentation about the Palm Beach History Trail and the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum on Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Okeeheelee Nature Center (1175 Forest Hill Blvd.). The event is free and open to the public. For more info., call Sherry at (561) 963-9906.

• The National Firefighter Games will be held at various locations in Palm Beach County Nov. 2-15. This multi-sport event will consist of 54 different sports with a variety of age groups and gender competitions. Visit www.nationalfirefighter games.com or call (866) 233-4263 for more info.

Tuesday, Nov. 3

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Stories in Sign” for ages six and up on Tuesdays, Nov. 3 and 17 at 3:30 p.m. Back by popular demand, learn to share stories, songs, the ASL alphabet, colors and numbers in sign language. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Wednesday, Nov. 4

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Express Yourself: Book Discussion Series” for adults on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Sara Harris will lead a discussion of The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Thursday, Nov. 5

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Finger Puppets” for ages six and up on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. Make your own crazy finger puppet. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will present the lecture “One Hundred Years of Sharing Paradise” on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $7 for members and $10 for non-members. Advance registration is required. Visit www.morikami.org or call (561) 495-0233, ext. 235 for more info.

Friday, Nov. 6

• The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will take place Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Americraft Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.) at the South Flor-

ida Fairgrounds. Known as one of Florida’s biggest and best antique shows, the festival attracts dealers from all over the country. Visit www.festivalofantiques.com or call (941) 697-7475 for more info.

• The Feast of Little Italy will be held at Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12. For info., visit www.feastoflittleitaly.com. Saturday, Nov. 7

• The Palms West Community Foundation will present the Wellington Community Fitness 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Nov. 7. Participants will gather at the Wellington Plaza with race kickoff at 7:30 a.m. To register, or for sponsorship information, visit www.communityfitnessrun.com or call Maureen Gross at the Palms West Community Foundation at (561) 790-6200.

• The 28th Annual Wellington Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic will be held Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Binks Forest Golf Club. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Immediately following the tournament will be an awards ceremony, buffet luncheon and a silent auction. Entry is $175 per golfer. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more info., call (561) 683-3287 or visit www.bgcpbc.org.

• The Seminole Ridge High School band and chorus will hold a Community Yard Sale on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school (4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road). Admission is free. Come test drive a new Ford vehicle, and Ford will donate up to $6,000 to the band and chorus. The sale will feature new and used clothing, toys, computer games, electronics, plants, tools, furniture, hand-made crafts and knick knacks. Food will be for sale. Vendor space is available. For more info., call Marcia at (561) 385-5439 or Dee Dee at (561) 790-0792.

• The Second Annual Acreage Thanksgiving Parade will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. in the south parking lot at Acreage Community Park and will feature floats and appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the Chili Chicks and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Mounted COP. To register a float, visit www.indiantrail.com. For more info., e-mail Allison Fay at afay@indiantrail.com.

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.

VOLUNTEER AT AN ANIMAL SANCTUARY HORSE FARM - 14 and up, community Service. (561) 792-2666

MEDICAL ASSISTANT - part time

evenings 4 p.m .- 8 p.m. Good pay and good benefits. Fax resume to 561-798-4351 Wellington

VPK TEACHER NEEDED FOR SMALL CHRISITIAN SCHOOL — In Wellington A-BEKA experience helpful. Call 793-1272

BOOKKEEPER WANTED PARTTIME - to maintain Quicken GL, perform monthly/annual reconciliation for 15 bank accounts for AAL. Proposals requested 561-795-5908

1995 TOYOTA COROLLA DX - 92K, cold A/C, power windows, power door locks, great on gas, cruise, $2,500 OBO. (561) 201-8805

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE -3 bedroom, 2 baths, single wide 3 car parking. $8,500 OBO. (561) 2018805

HONDA CIVIC 95’ — Hatchback, 5 speed, A/C, clean, good condition, up kit rims, $3,100 or best offer. Call 315-8642

1997 GREY SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE — new a/c, clean & well maintained. Engine & transmission in excellent condition and new top. Feel free to take it to a mechanic & check it out. Mint condition. $3800 (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422

1995 OLDS CUTLASS CIERRAHighest offer over $500 or first $1000.00 561-792-3397

HOOVER CANISTER WIND TUNNEL — $70.00 O.B.O. Call 561433-2751

LAWN MOWER - SNAPPER 38"

LAWN TRACTOR - Excellent condition. Delivered $799 firm. 7932039

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT - New featherweight motorized wheelchair & rehab chairs at no cost to you, if eligible. Medicare & Private Insurance accepted. ENK MOBILE MEDICAL: 1-800-693-8896

TEACUP CHIHUAHUAS FOR SALE — Call for info 561-506-2247. Ask for Priscilla. Shots included. 5 BLACK 5 MONTH OLD PUPS — Shots, personable & smart. Cross between Golden Retriever & Australian Shepard. Will charm you. Call 561-434-4719

VILLA - freshly painted and tiled villa 2/2. Utility room with washer and dryer, vaulted ceilings, split bedroom. Fenced courtyard with storage room. $850 monthly walk to school. 561-775-0717

ROOM IN LARGE HOUSE - Full amenities, full run of the house. No Pets. Working person, quiet neighborhood. 561-602-2995. Call for details

CARS, TRUCKS WANTED

GOOD OR BAD

$200 - $2500 Call 561-512-9606

MOBILE ACCOUNTANT — I come to you. Payroll, Financial Accounting, Corporate and Personal Taxes. Weekend and evening appointments. 561-714-7093, ask for Tony.

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. —Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted SeaBreeze Air Systems, Inc. — for Air Conditioning and Heating Indoors and Outdoors. Let us heat your pool for year round enjoyment. Call 561-964-3817 Lic.

STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For more info. Call 1-888333-9903

D. FRITZ ELECTRIC SINCE 1978 - Install, Repair. We do it all. Free Estimates. Call Ray today. 561-3125070.

GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO — For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, Leather repairs, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689

GUITAR LESSONS GIVEN — by a professional jazz, classical & blues guitarist. Classically trained. 561753-7328

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 791-9900 Cell: 370-5293

AND

Pressure Cleaning

Office Cleaning

Residential Cleaning

Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608

HOUSECLEANING - Reliable with long term clients. Over 12 years experience. References available. Karen 561-632-2271 CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

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

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

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

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

CAN FIX IT - build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494

MASTER HANDYMAN - Over 40 years quality service. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall. All types. Repairs & improvements. Call Tom 954-444-3178. Satisfaction Guaranteed!

HEALTH MARKETS - Health Insurance personalized to fit your needs and budget! Call Elizabeth Feraco 561-358-3528

ANMAR CO. —James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-2488528

MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-7235836

WWW.GARABAR.COM —Discount pricing. Remodeling & Repairs•Kitchens•Baths • Additions • Painting • Doors • Windows. No Deposit Until Permit • Credit Cards Accepted. 561-337-6798 Lic. #CCC1327252 & GC1510976

KGS LLC — Water damaged, drywall, remodels, Kitchens & baths, woodwork, flooring, paint & textures, stucco, windows & doors, all concrete work, design, additions, enclosures,solar installation & sales, excavating and more prompt, honest & reliable. cbc056820 CVC56757

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

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

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

ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS,

INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. U14736. 7988978.

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

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident. CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE EST.Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years exp. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Ins. Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701

JUDY'S-LOVE-YOUR-PET pet sitting service - TLC in your own home while you are away. References call Judy 561-255-5484

PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL 793-7606

PIANO LESSONS - Special rates 2009 - 2010. My piano or yours. Experience in music (Piano-Vocal) Over 38 years. References available. 561-313-7662.

PIANO & VOCAL LESSONS - By experienced & caring, credentialed teacher. Studio or home lessons available. 561-714-7707

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

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

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-3096975 BD

GRIME STOPPERS - Pressure cleaning, commercial & residential, houses, driveways, patios, screen enclosures, sidewalks. References available.561-779-1081

RESUMÉ’S R US — Resumé writing, cover letters, advice/counseling. Mention this ad for special rates. www.Ineedaresumenow.com 561-228-1378

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

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

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