Wellington’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board voted Monday to support a village policy barring youth sports providers from penalizing players who must miss games for religious reasons, although parents urged the board to devise schedules recognizing holidays instead.
The issue arose because of Western Communities Football League games scheduled last month on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, which fell on Sept. 22.
Leisure Services Director Jim Barnes told the board the village’s Leisure Services Department drafted the policy after
determining that arranging schedules that would accommodate everyone’s requirements would be unfeasible.
“We could not accommodate all the different requirements,” Barnes said. “What we are proposing is a policy on how not to penalize any youngsters and leave the sports provider to govern themselves by their own bylaws. We will certainly work without our existing procedures by not trying to schedule any activities during those holidays, as well as other programs that don’t normally operate during the religious holidays.”
Royal Palm Beach resident Jeremy Slusher, whose son did not play because of the Yom Kippur holiday, said the village could easily accommodate
scheduling with a few major religious holidays in mind.
“Our school system and court system have seen fit to recognize Good Friday, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur,” he said. “There is no reason for these three days that the Village of Wellington can’t require the sports providers to recognize them as well.”
Slusher said a policy barring penalties for a child would be insufficient.
“The suggestion is that in lieu of recognizing the holidays and games, we will not penalize the children,” Slusher said. “Having the game that the child cannot play on with his team is penalization enough. I have with me a mom whose son did not play
See HOLIDAYS, page 42A
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
With organizers of the National Horse Show threatening to pull the event out of Wellington over a permit dispute with their new landlord, village officials and equestrian leaders were struggling Thursday to broker a settlement in the latest skirmish between Stadium Jumping and Wellington Equestrian Partners.
As the Town-Crier went to press, it remained unclear whether the 124th Annual National Horse Show would go on as scheduled at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in December.
At issue is a special-use permit that would allow show producer Stadium Jumping to set up tents for temporary stables for the Dec. 5-9 event, as well as the Winter Equestrian Festival scheduled for early next year. Village regulations require the property owner to sign the request for the permit, but Stadium Jumping representatives have said their new landlord Mark Bellissimo of Wellington Equestrian Partners refuses to sign the request without imposing “unreasonable conditions.”
Bellissimo, who is involved in a long-running dispute with Stadium Jumping, bought the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club show grounds in August.
Several sources close to the negotiations expressed hope on Thursday that a temporary settlement of differences was at hand.
National Horse Show Chairman Mason Phelps Jr. told the Town-Crier that an announcement regarding the agreement was to be released Thursday, but by the evening no statement had been issued. Late Thursday, Phelps said the agreement was still “a work in progress.”
Speaking from his office in Canada, Phelps said that all parties had agreed not to comment until the official announcement is released. Bellissimo also declined to comment.
Wellington Councilwoman Laurie Cohen, an attorney and professional mediator, was enlisted this week to help iron out differences and forge some type of agreement, following a Stadium Jumping announcement that the show might be relocated to Jacksonville.
“I was contacted by a board member of the National Horse Show who asked if I could help resolve the dispute between the two parties, at least for the Na-
tional Horse Show,” Cohen said. Stadium Jumping spokesman Dean Turney sent a memo to equestrian interests in Wellington earlier this week stating that the National Horse Show could be moved to Jacksonville if the permitting issue is not resolved. Turney accused Bellissimo of making “unacceptable demands” on Stadium Jumping in order to consent to the permit.
“These demands have made it necessary for Stadium Jumping to reserve the Jacksonville equestrian center for the National Horse Show as a backup,” Turney wrote. Bellissimo has called on Stadium Jumping to guarantee that it will not dismantle the current show grounds as it prepares a new facility in southern Wellington, to support the upgrade of two shows by another producer to a higher U.S. Equestrian Federation rating, and allow Wellington Equestrian Partners to operate a VIP tent at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
In a conciliatory move, Bellissimo wrote Wellington Director of Community Development Marty Hodgkins on Thursday expressing consent for a special-use permit that would be effective from Nov. 1 through Dec. 19, which would accommodate the National Horse Show but not the Winter Equestrian Festival.
On Thursday, Cohen said the idea was a step in the right direction, and that she had spoken with Bellissimo, village officials and horse show representatives “about the possibility of splitting the special-use permits so there would be two instead of one, so that the National Horse Show would not be caught in the middle between Stadium Jumping and Wellington Equestrian Partners.”
Cohen said she was satisfied that both parties recognized the paramount importance of keeping the horse show in Wellington.
“I was able to get everyone to agree, basically, that they didn’t want to harm the National Horse Show,” Cohen said, “and certainly didn’t want to create the level of uncertainty that now exists in the community with respect to what the effect of the National Horse Show leaving would be. I don’t think there are any issues remaining that are insurmountable or significant.”
But when no official announcement had been issued on Thursday afternoon, Cohen
A Halloween tradition returned last Sunday as adults, teenagers and youngsters at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington unloaded a truckload of pumpkins. The pumpkins will be on sale throughout the month of October. Shown here, Graham and Sarah Starks check out some of the pumpkins. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 2A
PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
THE PUMPKINS ARRIVE AT ST. PETER’S CHURCH IN WELLINGTON
Adults, teenagers and youngsters at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington were busy unloading the truckload of pumpkins that arrived last Sunday. The pumpkins will be on sale throughout the month of October. The church’s annual Community Harvest Fest, Bar-BQue and Rummage Sale will take place Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. St. Peter’s is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, call (561) 793-5712.
Volunteers inside the truck unload the pumpkins.
The pumpkins gradually make their way to the patch.
Aaron Sambeli passes along a pumpkin to brother Ron.
Hunter Hullins and Stephen Fisher take a break to relax.
Young volunteers pass a pumpkin along.
Jackson Kennedy makes his selection.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria invites you to his October 2007
COMMUNITY FORUM
Our Opinion
Even If Wellington Will Not Intervene, Holiday Snub Was Rude
The Village of Wellington has found itself in the middle of a heated debate over sports programs, and this time it has nothing to do with funding. The latest imbroglio came after the Western Communities Football League held games on Saturday, Sept. 22 — which was also the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the religion’s holiest day. Not surprisingly, the league was criticized, and rightly so. If it were Easter Sunday or Christmas Day, the game never would have been scheduled in the first place.
The incident was addressed at Monday’s Wellington Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting, where it was mostly left untouched. There are more than 150 religious holidays throughout the year, board members said, and trying to schedule sporting events around them would be too difficult a task. Instead, any team that “penalizes” a player for missing a game on a religious holiday will be barred from village fields, the board voted.
The logic here is that by leaving the scheduling policy in the hands of sports providers, any future accusations of religious insensitivity will be attributed to the team, not the village. Ostensibly, no one is being intentionally singled out and punished. But for the young Jewish football players, having to miss out on a game is a punishment in and of itself. And for parents, their children’s lost
Keep Fluoride Out Of Drinking Water
This letter is in response to a comment made in the article “Water Settlement Would Net ITID $8.5 Million” published in the Town-Crier on Sept. 14. The article reported that resident Gina Parrish was concerned about increasing levels of chemicals in the groundwater as more people move to the area. “I don’t like taxes,” she said, “but I hate that my white shirts are not white anymore, but yellow. Also, I would like
time on the field equals lost money; registration for these recreation programs isn’t free.
While we don’t argue that the village should necessarily get involved, more care needs to be taken with this issue. Surely there can be some distinction drawn between major holidays that require time off from day-to-day activities, such as Yom Kippur or Easter, and those that don’t generally require as strict an observance. In modern America, there are really only about five days when it’s rude to schedule an event due to a Jewish holiday. In Christianity, the number is about the same, depending on one’s level of religiosity. The difference between, say, Christmas and the Pentecost is well-noted and duly observed. That’s why almost nothing takes place on Dec. 25, while this past May 27 (Pentecost Sunday) went by with nary a blip on the cultural calendar.
If Wellington’s Jewish population were small enough to discount, there would be no public outcry and, hence, no controversy. But the village does have a significant Jewish population, one that includes young athletes who deserve the same time on the field as everyone else. The board’s decision put the ball squarely in the sports providers’ court. Let’s hope they learned from their mistake and won’t “penalize” the same youths again.
Letters To The Editor
fluoride in the water to help the children.”
This woman is worried about chemical(s) in the groundwater and then she wants to add toxic chemicals into city water, which is what fluoride is. Although the Environmental Protection Agency and other government regulatory agencies insist that fluoride is perfectly safe to use in the doses typically found in drinking water, toothpaste and other dental products, the fact is that fluoride is one of the most toxic chemicals in the world.
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The fluoride chemical added to water is an unprocessed, industrial waste product from the pollution scrubbers of the phosphate fertilizer industry. Before fluoride was used as an ingredient, no adequate safety studies were ever conducted to determine the potential health risks of adding fluoride to drinking water. Since that time, numerous studies have shown that fluoride is a potent carcinogen that can cause otherwise normal, healthy human cells to mutate into cancerous ones. And, did you know fluoride supplements were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration? So the question remains, if the FDA does not recognize the safety and effectiveness of fluoride supplements, how can we even consider fluoridating water?
There are numerous ways to get the correct information regarding fluoride (and other toxic chemicals), by visiting your local library or through searching the Internet. A good lead for information regarding fluoride is on the web site at www.fluoridealert.org.
tried to do all I can to help solve problems, resolve issues and negotiate compromises. Sometimes, it has not been easy. Sometimes, I think it is a thankless job. But recently, I found out you are here to help me.
I am referring to the article in the Sept. 16 edition of the Palm Beach Post. I am certain that by now, you have read or heard about this story. It left an open-ended impression that could have confused readers.
protect residents include streetlights, guardrails, turn lanes and road widening.
The reporter also thought it noteworthy to inform the reader that developers have contributed to two organizations that I support, the Palm Beach International Film Festival and Floridians for Stem Cell Research and Cures. The impression is given that I am being solicited for or thanked for my support on their projects. The complete story would have told the reader that many companies and individuals have supported my fundraising efforts. During my years as a county commissioner, I have worked to raise funds for the Caridad Center, Queen of Peace, Special Olympics, DEBT (Derail the Bullet Train) and Hospice in addition to the film festival and the stem cell issue.
JASON BUDJINSKI Community Editor MARK LIOI News Editor
BARRY S. MANNING Publisher JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor RON BUKLEY Managing Editor
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The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.
TJ Maki
The Acreage
Aaronson: Lyons Cash Not Prompted By Contributors
During my years as a county commissioner, I have said that I am here to help you. You have brought me your complaints and your problems. You have shared your concerns and opinions with me. I have always
The reader is left with the impression that in August of last year, I made a $2 million contribution using my “discretionary funds” to the Lyons Road project that will connect Boynton Beach Blvd. with Atlantic Ave. for the benefit of developers. The complete story would have told the reader that many residents were asking that the Lyons Road missing link be built as soon as possible to disperse the traffic on Hagen Ranch Road, Jog Road and State Road 7 and to increase response times for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County FireRescue. The $2 million enabled the Engineering Department to accelerate the project.
The county commission initiated discretionary funding to assist each commissioner in meeting particular needs in his/ her district. One project that benefits all residents in District 5 was the installation of illuminated street signs at our major intersections. These were paid for using $750,000 of my discretionary funding. Other $100,000+ projects that help
As a public servant, I am aware of the trust that you have placed in me for nearly 15 years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have called or sent letters expressing your support for me and your confidence in me. I wish I had the opportunity to personally thank each and every one of you.
I will continue to do as I have always done — represent the people of District 5 as well as all the people in Palm Beach County. I will do it with honor. I will do it with dignity. I will do it with integrity. And I will do it to the best of my ability.
Burt Aaronson County Commissioner District 5
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymously sent letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to 793-6090; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com.
Wellington To Observe Vets Day With Parade, Ceremony
To honor, remember and pay tribute to the nation’s veterans, the Village of Wellington will hold its Veterans Day celebration on Sunday, Nov. 11. The ceremony will begin at the Wellington Community Center with a parade commencing at 8:45 a.m. followed by an observance at the Veterans’ Memorial at 9 a.m.
At 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the armistice ending the “war to end all wars” was signed and World War I was over. Since
that time, America’s military has defended the nation’s ideals and principles in every corner of the world. Today, America’s armed forces are in active combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The village urges all residents to join in celebrating the achievements and spirit of all of our servicemen and women.
During the parade, one eastbound lane of Forest Hill Blvd. will be temporarily closed from the Wellington Community Center to the Veterans’ Memorial from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m.
The Wellington Community Center is located at 12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd. The Veterans’ Memorial is located at the intersection of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards.
If you or members of your family are interested in being a part of this ceremony, call Cathy Flocke at (561) 7914770 and your name or a family member’s name will be listed in the formal program for the ceremony. The deadline to be included in the program is 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29.
As ITID Searches For A Leader, Can John Bonde Go Home Again?
Author Thomas Wolfe observed, “you can’t go home again.”
But many fans in The Acreage hope they can refute that notion and coax John Bonde to do just that — return to his old job as administrator of the Indian Trail Improvement District.
As of this writing, ITID has six applicants shortlisted for the vacant district administrator job. Mr. Bonde is not among those applicants. However, he is being heavily recruited to take his old job back. At least two ITID board members have discussed that prospect with him — even after looking over the resumes of the half-dozen applicants for the job.
The position became available several weeks ago with the resignation of Bob Mearns, who followed in the footsteps of several other previous administrators. In fact, the last ITID administrator with any tenure worth men-
tioning was Mr. Bonde himself, who served for a decade before leaving in 2003 to accept a senior-level job with the Village of Wellington. Before that he had served as an ITID supervisor.
ITID advertised for a district administrator after Mr. Mearns’ hasty departure and got the half-dozen applicants.
Among them is Clete Saunier, who currently serves as administrator of the neighboring Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District. As an applicant who actually has experience in Florida “special district” law, Mr. Saunier has high praise as a job candidate, too.
The rest of the candidates have varying degrees of experience and hail from points ranging from Ormond Beach to Delray Beach, but appear to have little support among a majority of ITID board members. However, in the interest of fairness, no candidates have yet been interviewed for the job.
‘No name on the list of applicants is more qualified for the job. Not only does Mr. Bonde understand the mandated duties of ITID, but he also understands the politics of The Acreage and the rest of the western communities.’
Why would Mr. Bonde, who hasn’t even applied for the job, make ITID’s short list? For starters, Wellington’s council has been in a state of dysfunction over the past couple of years. Senior-level employees have either left or are planning to leave, privately blaming some council members for micromeddling. As community liaison officer, the most recent of the long-titled, fairly confusing posts Mr. Bonde has held since arriving at Wellington, he reports to the community development director, who reports to the village manager. Lots of things would have to happen before he would even have the opportunity to advance.
Mr. Bonde was an extremely popular administrator at ITID. He had been referred to as “Mr. Acreage.” He left after being roughed up by an out-ofcontrol board that ruled at the time. That board continued to run roughshod in The Acreage until last year’s election. Mr. Bonde’s popularity and respect hasn’t diminished among the community’s movers and shakers.
In addition, no name on the list of applicants is more qualified for the job. Not only does Mr. Bonde understand the mandated duties of ITID, but he also understands the politics of The
By Don Brown
Acreage and the rest of the western communities. Some might argue that Mr. Saunier also has many of those qualities, and they would be right.
Perhaps one reason Mr. Bonde hasn’t actually applied for the job is the recent history of the district until last fall’s election. However, the current board has brought stability to The Acreage and at least some ITID board members believe Mr. Bonde would provide even more stable leadership.
“He would be a triple-threat candidate,” one board member told me. “He has worked for the county, a municipality and a special district. He knows how things work and how to get the job done.”
Here’s a message to Mr. Bonde: Wellington wants you, but The Acreage needs you. Maybe you can go home again.
RPB: January Election Will Have Far-Reaching Consequences
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
Florida’s early presidential primary on Jan. 29 could save the Village of Royal Palm Beach between $12,000 and $14,000, Mayor David Lodwick told his village council Thursday, but another vote that day could cost the village as much as nine percent of its annual revenue in the future.
The council unanimously finalized moving its municipal election, originally scheduled for March 11, to coincide with the Jan. 29 primary, thus saving the village the expense of holding a stand-alone election. Four council seats will be on the ballot — those currently held by Lodwick, Vice Mayor David Swift and Councilman Matty Mattioli, along with the seat vacated by former councilwoman Barbara Isenberg.
But voters may also be voting on a constitutional amendment that would offer homesteaded property owners across the state the opportunity to claim a “super exemption” of 75 percent of the first $200,000 of their property’s assessed value, and village officials warn that acceptance of such a measure would put the squeeze on the municipality.
While a district court judge struck the measure from the ballot last month because of “misleading and confusing” language, the ruling is currently under ap-
peal, and legislators may simply rewrite the amendment language and put it back on the ballot.
With that in mind, the council reiterated its opposition to the proposed amendment Thursday, saying passage could severely impair some village levels of service and programs.
In general, owners of homesteaded properties worth $500,000 or less would appear to benefit in the short term from the super exemption, but owners of homes valued above $500,000 would appear to be better served under the current Save Our Homes tax cap.
Village Manager David Farber told the council that only one percent of Royal Palm Beach homes, a total of 96, are valued above a half million dollars, and only two are valued at more than $600,000.
Council members are concerned that voters will only see their short-term property tax savings and not the long-term impact on the village as a whole.
“Under the current language, we could lose approximately 26 percent of our ad valorem tax base,” which translates to between eight and nine percent of the total budget, Lodwick said. “We don’t have that much fat. I just want to make sure people understand. Here’s what we look like now and here’s what we will look like in the future. We need to go forth with our story.”
Ad valorem tax is based based on the value of real estate or personal property.
Until the proposed amendment is back on the ballot, the village’s strategy for getting its message out remains to be seen, but council members made it clear that they would be proactive when the time comes.
“The last time we talked about this, I think our initial estimates were maybe a 14 percent decrease. Now we’re looking at something in the 20s,” Swift said. “I’m changing my attitude about getting information out. I think we owe it to the residents to tell them what’s going to happen and at least give them the right information.”
“It’s just a matter of voters needing to understand the whole picture,” Lodwick added. “Whatever the voters want to happen, that’s what should happen, and we’ll all adjust to it.”
In other business, the council marked the first anniversary of the merger of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office by praising the work of PBSO Capt. Tony Araujo, commander of District 9, which encompasses Royal Palm Beach.
“Capt. Araujo, we barely knew you a year ago,” Lodwick said. “A year later we’re thankful you’re here. Speaking for myself, I think you have done a fabulous job on behalf of our residents. You
really have a well-oiled machine running. Our residents are a lot better off because of your leadership.”
Araujo, a longtime resident of Royal Palm Beach, accepted the thanks on behalf of his District 9 deputies. “We don’t do it by ourselves,” he said. “The community has embraced us.”
Swift, who initially voiced skepticism about the merger, also praised Araujo and his deputies. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the professionalism you guys have shown,” he said. “I think it has really benefited the village.”
Mayor David Lodwick
Driver Stopped For Illegal Tint Arrested For Crack Possession
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
SEPT. 29 — An anonymous tip led to the arrest of a West Palm Beach man on drug charges and for fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer following an incident last Saturday in Wellington. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy from the Wellington substation received information that 19-year-old Christopher Garth was driving a vehicle with illegally tinted win-
CRIME NEWS CRIME NEWS
dows. When the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop at approximately 11:15 p.m., Garth continued driving for approximately one mile before stopping. A search of Garth’s vehicle turned up approximately 15 grams of crack cocaine and $541 in cash, according to the report. Garth was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail without incident.
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives:
• Brittany Owensby is a white female, 5’9” tall and weighing 135 lbs. with blonde, black or brown hair and green eyes. Her date of birth is 01/02/86. She has tattoos on her right hip and a scar on her right arm. Owensby is wanted for violation of probation on convictions for grand theft and oxycodone possession. Her occupation is cashier. Her last known address was Emerson Avenue in Palm Springs. Owensby is wanted as of 10/04/07.
• Kayleigh Sebunia is a white female, 5’9” tall and weighing 135 lbs., with brown or blonde hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 05/17/ 88. Sebunia is wanted for violation of probation on a conviction of possession of cocaine. Her occupation is unknown. Her last known addresses were Fleming Avenue in Greenacres and Red Pine Trail in Wellington. Sebunia is wanted as of 10/04/07.
Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.
THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, WHICH IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.
SEPT. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach arrested a man for driving under the influence following a traffic stop near the intersection of State Road 7 and Belvedere Road last Wednesday. According to a PBSO report, the deputy witnessed 39-yearold Stephen Decker of Miami run a stop sign as he exited the Bellgate shopping plaza and then change lanes erratically as he traveled eastbound on Belvedere Road. The deputy made contact with Decker at approxi-
mately 8:50 p.m., noting that Decker’s eyes were red and glassy and that he had a moderate smell of alcohol on his breath, according to the report. Decker failed several field sobriety tests and was transported to the county jail, where breath tests revealed blood alcohol content levels of .111 and .100.
SEPT. 27 — A routine traffic stop for a missing headlight led to the arrest of an Acreage man for driving with a suspended license last Thursday in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach observed 22-year-old Edward Stephen traveling with a broken headlight westbound on Okeechobee Blvd. near Wildcat Way at approximately 1 a.m. When the deputy contacted him, Stephen said his license might have been suspended. According to the report, a computer check revealed that Stephen’s driver’s license had been suspended three times for failure to pay traffic tickets and one time for financial responsibility. Stephen was arrested and trans-
ported to the county jail.
SEPT. 27 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to the Macy’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green last Thursday regarding a shoplifter. According to a PBSO report, 19-year-old Cruz Burnett Juan of West Palm Beach was apprehended at approximately 7 p.m. after attempting to exit the store wearing a pair of shorts he did not pay for. The value of the merchandise is $46.50. Burnett was charged with retail theft and transported to the county jail.
SEPT. 28 — A routine traffic stop on Forest Hill Blvd. led to the arrest of a woman on an outstanding warrant last Friday. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation stopped 29-year-old Rebecca May of Wellington at approximately 1:05 p.m. and discovered she had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of driving with a suspended license. May was arrested and charged with See BLOTTER, page 7A
Loxahatchee Arrest Nets Drugs, Guns, Stolen Goods
OCT. 3 — A man was arrested at a Loxahatchee residence Wednesday morning on drugs and weapons charges. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies armed with a search warrant arrived at a home at 200th Trail North and Cole Lane, where they found 60-year-old Carlos Gonzalez in one of the bedrooms with a rock of crack cocaine. Continuing the search, deputies also found several loaded handguns and rifles, as well as miscellaneous stolen items Gonzalez said he purchased from people in need of cash. Some of the property was identified and the owners were contacted, according to the report.
Kayleigh Sebunia
Brittany Owensby
Wellington Trims Education Cash, But Keeps Popular Reading Grants
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council followed the advice of its Education Committee in trimming the municipal budget, committee members learned Tuesday.
Committee liaison Kathy Tatgenhorst told committee members that the council had followed their recommendation on cutting student enrichment funds for the village’s elementary schools.
The village has traditionally provided each public school within its boundaries $5 per student annually, known as enrichment funding, and gives each elementary school $25,000 to fund reading programs.
The village was faced with the necessity to cut expenses in its budget for the new fiscal year, and the committee learned last month that elementary school principals were more inclined to retain the reading grants if they had to choose only one source of village funding.
The new budget, without the enrichment funds for elementary schools, gained council approval last week and took effect Monday. For the first time, only middle and high schools will receive the funding based on their 11-day count of students.
Tatgenhorst told the commit-
tee she had sent letters to all middle and high schools requesting a precise student count so that the village could appropriate the exact amount of money.
Palm Beach Central High School Assistant Principal Larry Greenberg told the committee that his school had been undercounted in the official 11-day count. He promised Tatgenhorst he would get accurate numbers.
Besides delivering reports on their liaison schools, committee members elected a chair and vice chair for the year. Chairwoman Marcia Hayden was unanimously reelected, and Committee Member Peter Innis was elected vice chair.
Hayden, the liaison for Wellington High School, told the committee WHS has the highest percentage of students taking the SAT in the state and that 94 percent of graduates go on to college. She said the school will soon open a distance learning center that will allow some students to get up to two years of college science credits.
Hayden also said Wellington Regional Medical Center parent company Universal Health Services donated $20,000 for a new marquee for the front of the school.
Principal Marcia Andrews of Polo Park Middle School said her students had gotten off to a
great start. “We have done diagnostic testing to determine both strengths and weaknesses,” she said, “and we will be giving the Common Assessment Test soon, to be able to get a more reliable benchmark to measure criteria of growth for each child.”
Andrews also said the school had just received an FCAT literacy academic grant from the Department of Adult and Community Education that will pay for 60 hours of intense coaching in math, reading and science.
Innis said parents at Wellington Landings Middle School had worked hard to create a strong plan to improve student performance. They are trying to raise money for a new athletic field because the soccer field had not been used properly for years. Innis said he has heard suggestions that the school get businesses to sponsor banners around the field as a fundraising device.
Committee Member Ann Jacobs reported that Binks Forest Elementary School added a couple of primary teachers to its staff, as well as a part-time graphic arts teacher. This year, she said, teachers will focus on learning teams. She said the Wellington Rotary Club is continuing its tradition of delivering dictionaries for all third grade students.
NEW TRASH CANS DELIVERED IN RPB
Royal Palm Beach’s new garbage collection contractor Republic Services was busy last week delivering new trash containers throughout the village. The company took over the contract Oct. 1. (Left) A Republic Services trash truck waits for deployment at the Harvin Center in Royal Palm Beach. (Below) Workers stack Republic Services garbage containers at the staging area near at Harvin Center.
Blotter
continued from page 6A failure to appear in court and operating a vehicle with a suspended license. She was transported to the county jail.
SEPT. 29 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington arrested two men on charges of possession of marijuana last Saturday on Yarmouth Drive. According to a PBSO report, during a routine traffic stop at approximately 1:45 a.m., the deputy found three grams of marijuana in a vehicle belonging to 22-year-old Rafael Martinez of Lake Worth. Martinez
and a passenger in his vehicle, 22-year-old Gerardo James of Boynton Beach, were arrested and transported to the county jail.
OCT. 1 — A PBSO deputy from the Wellington substation arrested a Lake Worth man Monday on SR 7 on a charge of marijuana possession. According to a PBSO report, the deputy was on routine patrol when he spotted 28-year-old Ryan Steindler driving with an expired tag on his vehicle at approximately 3:45 a.m. Upon contacting Steindler, the deputy smelled marijuana coming from
Next Santamaria Forum Oct. 10
County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a community forum on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the original Wellington Mall at the corner of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill Blvd. The forum will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the mall’s center court, and the topic will be “Stewardship of Our Environment.” Speakers will include Calvin Niedrauer of the South Florida Water Management District, Richard Walesky of Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management and JoAnne Davis of 1000 Friends of Florida. For more information, call Commissioner Santamaria’s office at (561) 355-6300.
Book Fair At LGES Oct. 8-12
Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School will hold its Fall Book Fair beginning Monday, Oct. 8 inside the media center. The book fair will continue through Friday, Oct. 12. Hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, contact media specialist Colleen Psoinos at (561) 795-4961.
Health Fair At Cultural Center
MetCare of Wellington, a two-physician internal medicine practice, will host a health fair on Friday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). All attendees will have the opportunity to receive free hearing, glucose, blood pressure and bone density screenings. For more information about MetCare of Wellington, call Kathleen at (561) 793-1713.
Saturday Salsa Nights At Nicole’s
Starting Oct. 6, Nicole’s Village Tavern in Wellington will host Saturday Salsa Nights weekly. In addition to an evening of salsa dancing, Nicole’s will offer a specialty cuisine including tapas, various Spanish dishes and desserts, and plenty more. Nicole’s is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd. For more info., call (561) 793-3456 or visit www.nicolesvillagetavern.com.
Event Helps Retired Greyhounds
The first Race/Stroll for Retired Racing Greyhounds is planned for Saturday, Oct. 13 at Okeeheelee Park starting at 8 a.m. The fee is $25 for the 5k run/stroll and $20 for the one-mile family/ dog stroll. Attendees will be able to learn about adopting a retired racing greyhound and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office K-9s and bloodhounds will give demonstrations. For more info., call Barbara Masi at (561) 737-1941 or e-mail barbaramasi@ comcast.net.
Steindler’s vehicle, according to the report. A search of the vehicle revealed two grams of marijuana and a glass pipe.
OCT. 2 — Deputies from the PBSO substation in Wellington were dispatched to the Macy’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green on Tuesday in reference to a shoplifter. According to a PBSO report, store security officers observed 21year-old Derrick Francis of Greenacres take $500 worth of clothing at approximately 3:37 p.m. Francis was arrested on a retail theft charge and transported to the county jail.
Klein Talks Solar Power, Insurance And Iraq At Town Hall Meet
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Congressman Ron Klein (D-District 22) held a town hall meeting last Saturday in Palm Beach Gardens to update constituents on a range of subjects as well as field their comments.
The meeting, held at the Embassy Suites on PGA Blvd., was hosted by the Palm Beach Gardens Democratic Club. Klein’s 22nd Congressional District snakes and winds through coastal areas of Palm Beach and Broward counties but also incorporates some inland territory such as portions of the western communities.
Klein called his freshman year in Congress a “real whirlwind” experience, and in many ways a lot tougher than the work of a state legislator. He said the Democrats’ narrow majority in both houses means both sides have to work together.
“We’re in the majority in the Senate by one,” Klein said, “and in the House by about 20. Those numbers mean that it’s a dynamic situation and you really can’t get things done in general without the consensus of both political parties. It doesn’t mean you can’t fight for the things that are important, but in terms of building consensus, you have to strike that balance.”
Klein said one of his top priorities in Washington is developing better energy policies, moving the country toward alternative energy sources and away from subsidizing oil companies.
“The oil companies are making more money than any company in the history of the United States,” Klein said. “I think our taxpayers should not have to subsidize them to the tune of $15 billion for more oil drilling off the coast of Florida.”
Klein said the country should be focusing on energy alternatives for several
reasons. “One is there is a recommendation from the environmental community about the renewal issues,” he said. “The environmental community has never been able to advance this politically in Washington by itself. There also is global warming. For those of us who live on the coast, we need to be paying close attention to that issue. My whole district could be under water. You also have a lot of businesses that have figured out there is money to be made in green products and services. That is a positive thing. Why isn’t Florida leading the charge on solar power? Are we the ‘Sunshine State’ or not?”
Klein said getting free of the oil-based energy system should be a focus of present times. “This is the Manhattan Project and putting the man on the moon of this generation,” he said. “This is a matter of national security and an opportunity to be part of the new technology boom.”
Klein expressed frustration with the Bush administration’s conduct of the war in Iraq, continually repackaging a “stay the course” approach to a situation they had not anticipated.
“We are in the middle of a civil war in Baghdad,” Klein said. “The sectarian violence that has been going on there has been going on for hundreds of years. This is not Vietnam. This is something historic and religious. We didn’t understand that fully when we engaged in it. But we need to figure out a way to extricate ourselves that is in our national security interests.”
Getting out of Iraq will not be easy, but it is essential, Klein said. “We have to be getting our men and women in the middle of harm’s way out as soon as possible,” he said. “When that happens, the battle will continue to go on, unfortunately, but the United States cannot continue to be the policeman of every
battle going on in the world. We harm our own military by doing this.”
Klein said President George W. Bush’s tendency to veto legislation is equally frustrating. “It’s been very frustrating because the president keeps vetoing everything we send him,” Klein said. “The only choice we have is to keep sending him things and keep the pressure on, which we are doing, and trying to find Republicans willing to go along with us to override the veto.”
On local issues, Klein said he is battling for millions of dollars to assist with beach restoration in his district, which means “working, prodding and pushing” the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to get their surveys and studies done.
“We fight this battle every year in Washington,” he said. “The rest of the country asks why we’re spending tens of millions of dollars on renourishing the beaches just to come back in four years, and we have to do it all over again.”
Klein said a bill allowing state-sponsored insurance funds to voluntarily bundle their catastrophic risk, called the Homeowners Defense Act of 2007, is making its way through committees and hopefully will get to the House and Senate within the next few weeks. The bill, cosponsored by Congressman Tim Mahoney, won approval from the Financial Services Committee last month by a vote of 36 to 27.
Klein said the ultimate aim of the legislation is to lower homeowner insurance rates nationwide. The risks would be carried by the private market, not tax dollars, through catastrophe bonds and reinsurance contracts. The bill also provides for federal loans to states struck by severe natural disasters.
“What it does is it spreads the risk of natural disasters to all of the states that feel they have a risk,” Klein said. “We have been trying to convince the rest of the country, including the people in Iowa and Illinois, who don’t think they have a threat. Every taxpayer is paying for this. Hurricane Katrina is $200 billion when it’s all said and done. Every one of us is paying for it.”
While the bill is gaining support from both Democrats and Republicans, Klein said, it might come as no surprise that President Bush does not favor it because he feels the private market is effectively addressing the issue.
“President Bush is not supporting this,” Klein said. “He thinks the market is working, and it’s efficient. I had Republicans on the committee beat him up over it.”
Congressman Ron Klein at last week’s town hall meeting in Palm Beach Gardens. PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
New Callery-Judge Plan: Fewer Homes, Far Less Commercial
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
A new Callery-Judge Grove development plan with lower intensity than a proposed county land-use plan would allow has many wondering what the citrus grower is up to.
Owners of the languishing 4,000-acre citrus tract in The Acreage originally envisioned developing a massive “new town” of 10,000 homes and five million square feet of non-residential uses, 3.8 million of that commercial space. Although the Palm Beach County Commission was originally warm to the plan, the commissioners denied final approval in May after hearing vocal opposition from an array of critics.
Callery-Judge General Manager Nat Roberts told the TownCrier this week the new plan calls for 2,999 homes and 235,000 square feet of com-
mercial and office space, well within the limits set by the county’s Central Western Communities Sector Plan, which itself has yet to gain state approval.
“It’s a lot less than the Sector Plan allows,” said Roberts, who maintains that he is only complying with the wishes of area residents. “It’s one of the things we heard. This proposal is much more in keeping with the surrounding area.”
Prior to May, Roberts criticized The Acreage as an area of uniform residential sprawl, without commercial and employment centers to limit traffic in and out of the area.
This week, Roberts said the new plan also complies with an agricultural enclave bill passed by the state last year. The law allows agricultural landowners the same development rights as surrounding properties.
“We have been farming 40 years,” Roberts said. “We have
taken state law, and we want to be treated fairly. The Sector Plan has a lot more cars and homes. We are proposing less. We’ve been a good neighbor for 40 years. We just want to be treated fairly.”
Royal Palm Beach Village Attorney Trela White, who helped represent several municipalities opposing the original CalleryJudge plan, said she suspects the new plan is calculated to pass just beneath the threshold that would require review as a development of regional impact.
A DRI must undergo more state and local scrutiny than a comprehensive plan amendment, which the new plan will require.
“It certainly is less density,” White said, adding that she would need to know more before the opposing municipalities consider the changes satisfactory. “To the extent that the density is lowered, they would be more satisfied. I don’t know the
ramification of not having the amount of commercial.”
Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Marge Herzog, who is also president of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association, said LGLA members sounded off to Roberts about the traffic the original Callery plan would have generated, and said she is awaiting further details about the new proposal.
“The LGLA opposed the density and the need for roads to come through the community,” she said. “We had Nat Roberts at a meeting, and he heard it very clearly. How the density is placed will also be a concern. We want the larger lots placed alongside our larger lots.”
Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dennis Lipp is also a member of the county’s Land Use Advisory Board, and expects he will be among the first to get a detailed look at the new plan.
Lipp said that while the Sector Plan has not yet been approved, county commissioners are using the limits contained in the draft document as a rough guide. Meanwhile, he finds the new approach curious.
“The thing is, Mr. Roberts and Callery could have more development there because the Sector Plan allows more there than the Agricultural Enclave Bill passed by the legislature,” Lipp said. “I’m not sure where Mr. Roberts and the Callery thing is going, but it seems strange to me that someone who was applying for far more than what was allowed is now applying for far less. Everybody has a right to apply for what they want, but it doesn’t add up.”
If the proposal is submitted this month as expected, Lipp said he anticipates the plan will probably be on the county LUAB agenda in January or February.
Well-Known Names Among Those Seeking Top Job At ITID
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Several well-known names are among the candidates applying to be the new district administrator of the Indian Trail Improvement District.
A small handful of resumes have come in and ITID President Michelle Damone told the Town-Crier she has directed Finance Director Marjorie Perez, who has been serving as interim district administrator, to nar-
row down the applications to those that are worthy of serious consideration.
One candidate who appears exceedingly qualified is Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Administrator Clete Saunier. “Clete definitely is qualified,” Damone told the TownCrier
Others are also qualified, but do not appear to have as much background with special districts such as ITID, Damone said Wednesday, adding that the
deadline to submit resumes is Friday, Oct. 5. The district placed ads with the Florida League of Cities as well as the Florida Association of Special Districts, she said.
“Clete gave me a courtesy call when he submitted his resume. He was one of the first and he reached out and called,” Damone said. “I asked him why he would want to change, and he said it would be the size of the district. He said it would be a new challenge for him and an
opportunity for him to grow. He does have a background in special districts, and he has an engineering degree.”
Saunier, a resident of Lake Worth, has been district administrator and engineer at LGWCD since 1997. He is president-elect of the Florida Association of Special Districts.
Another local name on the applicant list is former ITID president and construction company owner Bill Gotthelf. He listed his longtime service to the
community and knowledge of special districts among his qualifications.
Gotthelf was an elected ITID supervisor for 12 years, serving the final seven years as president. He has served on numerous boards, including the Acreage Planning Task Force, the county’s Land Use Advisory Board, the Western Communities Task Force and as president of the Acreage Landowners’ Association and the Western
See RESUMES, page 42A
THE NATIONAL POLO MUSEUM BREAKS GROUND ON NEW WING
The National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame held a groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday morning for its new wing, which will serve as the regional office for the United States Polo Association (USPA) and will also become home to Polo Players’ Edition magazine. Representatives from all three entities took part in the ceremony that morning. The groundbreaking ceremony concluded with remarks from museum chair Steve Orthwein and USPA Executive Director Peter Rizzo. The museum is located at the corner of Lake Worth and Lyons roads. For more information about the museum, call (561) 969-3210 or visit www.polomuseum.com.
George DuPont Jr., Melissa Ganzi, Beverly Rafael and Brenda Lynn help break ground on the new wing.
Museum Chair Steve Orthwein says a few words.
National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame Director of Development Brenda Lynn, John Wash of the International Polo Club Palm Beach, Museum Executive Director George DuPont and Museum Chair Steve Orthwein.
Dignitaries gather for the groundbreaking.
USPA Executive Director Peter Rizzo and RCC & Associates President and CEO Beverly Raphael.Tim O’Connor, Thea Wicks, Marla Connor and Norman Gitzen.
Auditors: Former Indian Trail Board Violated Key Regulations
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
While an audit of the Indian Trail Improvement District for fiscal year 2006 found the district’s finances in satisfactory shape, the district violated key regulations during that and previous years, the ITID Board of Supervisors learned Wednesday.
Deborah Diaz of Rampell & Rampell, P.A., presenting the audit, told the ITID supervisors the district failed to comply with its own policies regarding purchase orders and contracts in the fiscal year from Oct. 1, 2005 though Sept. 30, 2006.
During that period, ITID was under the control of a fractious board of supervisors continually at odds with each other, district staff and the public over financial practices. Most of those supervisors were turned out of office in an election last year.
Auditors examined 60 disbursements chosen at random and discovered that nine purchase orders had not been properly authorized, two had been prepared subsequent to purchase, and 11 lacked sufficient information regarding the purchase.
The auditors also examined 13 contracts that exceeded $25,000 and noted the district had no documentation of bidding or evidence of board approval on any of them, contrary to ITID policy.
In eight cases the invoice did not agree with contracted rates,
and in nine the executed contract was not provided.
The auditors also found that the board had no clear process during that year for monitoring utility operations and related expenses, making it difficult to determine whether amounts billed were reasonable and in accordance with agreements.
Although the district administrator set travel and per diem policies in a memo dated Oct. 27, 2003, there was no evidence that the board had approved them, creating serious compliance problems. The auditors selected six transactions and noted that there was an inconsistent use of forms and application of policy, a lack of clear documentation to support business purposes and a lack of official approval for expenses.
Auditors also noted that the district has not provided audited financial statements for the bonds it issued as required by state law. The statements are due for most bonds 180 days after the end of the fiscal year.
The auditors criticized the former board’s “lack of fiscal and operational accountability” in certain areas of the financial reporting process, particularly for their propensity to make multiple adjustments in their budget due to “errors in the application of accounting principles.” According to the report, “These errors resulted in an increase of $28,747,373 and $165,044 in net assets of the government-wide statements for the governmental activities
and governmental fund balance, respectively.”
The audit found that the former board during FY 2006 was probably out of compliance with the requirement to hold public hearings regarding budget amendments. It also noted the district could not provide documentation to support the issuance of a surety bond or municipal bond insurance policy for a 2003 water connection agreement with the City of West Palm Beach, which could result in a breach of contract.
Concerning the district’s money-losing utility venture, auditors determined a rate study had never been performed and the district had billed certain customers a “capacity reservation fee” without being able to provide documentation to support the fees or the methodology used to determine them. Even more seriously, there were no agreements to support monthly invoices of vendors, the district did not allocate administrative costs related to the operation of the utility, and “adjustments were made to the financial statements to record fees that should have been billed to a customer since 2004.”
Auditors noted that employee records were incomplete, increasing the risk of legal problems with the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service. Also, the board at that time was not regularly conducting physical inventory of tangible personal property. It was also out of compliance with
state laws in not providing investment direction to its bond trustees, and laws regarding local government investment policies.
Diaz praised the diligence of the current board, whose members pledged to correct the problems caused by their predecessors. ITID President Michelle Damone, the only supervisor who served on the previous board, promised several workshops over the next few months to bring the board’s policies up to the highest standards.
In other business:
• The board also unanimously supported a developer’s agreement with Bayhill Estates to build drainage facilities on its properties. The developers of the Bayhill, Lennar/Centex at Bayhill LLC asked for an agreement for “Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Services” and requested a permit for “Orange Blvd. and On Site Water, Wastewater, Paving & Drainage.” Lennar also asked for a permit for landscaping along Orange Blvd. next to the development and for another to allow construction of a water main on Mango and Orange boulevards. Under its terms, ITID will have a large say in any work done on the property that would affect drainage or roads that connect with those of the district. Lennar/Centex agreed that they are subordinate to the district in terms of drainage and ITID will have the rights to maintain its facilities on the prop-
erty; make improvement; and alter, maintain and construct road or facilities at Bayhill. Lennar/Centex also agreed that it would move its facilities if needed by the district. It also agreed that it will not use the property in any way that would damage ITID lands or create a hazardous condition. Bayhill will also repair or replace any damaged facilities and will hold harmless ITID and its personnel and supervisors.
• The board approved a special permit for Palm Beach County to pave an M-1 Canal crossing at 40th Street North. Conditions were applied to insure proper installation and proper erosion control measures to guard against stormwater damage to the culvert or pollution of canal waters.
• The board approved a set of conditions for issuing special permits to groups requesting use of the M-2 Impoundment Area. The conditions require a release by parents acknowledging they understand that alligators may be present and dangerous and that the district will be held harmless in the event of injury. Swimming will not be allowed and special portable waste facilities will have to be imported and placed as directed by district staff. No overnight stays will be allowed.
• The board approved a request by Cub Scout Pack 124 to “adopt” Kidscape Park for regular cleanup. The Recreation Advisory Committee voted last month in favor of approval.
Send news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.
West Palm’s Boil-Water Notice Reaches All The Way To ITID
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The boil-water notice issued by the City of West Palm Beach reached all the way out to The Acreage, specifically Pierce Hammock Elementary School. But despite some confusion, no students are believed to have been exposed to potentially tainted water.
West Palm Beach officials began issuing boil-water notices last Friday after tests revealed city water lines had been tainted by fecal matter. The notices applied to the city’s water service area, which also includes the towns of Palm Beach and South Palm Beach. Pierce Hammock also gets water that originates from West Palm Beach, although that wasn’t so clear when the boil-water notice was first put out.
The school receives water from an Indian Trail Improve-
ment District line, but the water itself is supplied by West Palm Beach. Pierce Hammock Principal Jeffrey Eassa called the Palm Beach County School District on Monday before school started to confirm the notice, but was told not to worry because the school was on record as receiving water from ITID.
“As explained by the school district, it purchased water for Pierce Hammock from Indian Trail,” Eassa said. “The routing wasn’t clear where the water came from. We were on it right away, prior to the kids getting on campus. We were just getting started Monday. There was no possibility of drinking contaminated water.”
ITID Vice President Mike Erickson commended Eassa for his attention to the problem, saying the principal then checked with the ITID office, where an employee confirmed that the boil-water order applied to the
school. “It looks like there were some communication issues,” Erickson said. “We should have had someone out there to post notices.”
Although Eassa shut off the school’s drinking fountains, the school was unprepared because the school district did not supply bottled water, Erickson said. “I was a little infuriated,” he said. “I physically took eight five-gallon jugs of water over to them.”
Pierce Hammock is the only school in The Acreage that receives water from West Palm Beach, Erickson said. Other schools in The Acreage receive water from the Seminole Improvement District. ITID has several dozen other utility clients, but they receive water purchased from Seminole and delivered by ITID. Those clients are not under a boil-water notice.
ITID Supervisor Ralph Bair said he was aware of the boil-
water notice and the school district should have been as well.
“The school district should know,” he said. “They know they have to shut off the water fountains and bring out water. I don’t know why it would be different this time. The water passes through lines we own, but we don’t have our own utility.”
ITID President Michelle Damone said Pierce Hammock officials are aware of where their water comes from, although she agreed that there appeared to be some confusion at the district level.
“They are absolutely under boil-water orders,” Damone said. “The school district didn’t tell them. We take water from West Palm Beach and that should be a known fact.”
The fact that Pierce Hammock is one of ITID’s few water customers has posed other problems, Damone noted. The low
demand means water flows slowly through the pipe from West Palm Beach, resulting in a gradual buildup of chlorine that periodically must be flushed out.
“We have brought the issue to the City of West Palm Beach’s attention,” she said.
A Sept. 21 letter to the city’s utility department points out that the flushings result in a net loss of revenue to ITID. From August 2006 through July 2007, the city billed ITID $30,740 for almost 18 million gallons of water, while ITID billed the school $2,247 for 642,000 gallons, a net loss of $28,493.
The letter requested a refund of the amount of the loss from West Palm Beach. “There are challenges with the system being so far out,” Erickson said.
“We’ve been pouring $3,000 to $4,000 worth of water to get the residual chlorine up.”
As of press time, the boilwater order had yet to be lifted.
County Seeks Town’s Help As Emergency Distribution Site
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Palm Beach County is looking to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves as an emergency distribution site for medications in case of a health emergency or disaster.
Philip Levenstein, a public health preparedness specialist with the Palm Beach County Health Department, presented the county’s request to the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council Tuesday.
Levenstein said the Centers for Disease Control has included Palm Beach County as a Cities Readiness Initiative area, meaning the county health department must be prepared to provide emergency medications to its entire population of 1.3 million within a 48-hour period. He said the county is looking to establish 45 distribution points and recruit 5,400 qualified volunteers. Each distribution point would have to serve 625 people per hour, he said. Levenstein cited the World
Trade Center catastrophe of 2001 and the anthrax scares that followed to illustrate the need for such preparedness.
“Not to be scary,” he said, “but what if it happened again? We do have a plan to combat the plans of a bio-terrorist attack. As to what the kill rate could be for anthrax, it depends on how long we are into the campaign. There is a fourto seven-day incubation period for anthrax. A large percentage of the population could be dead if they are af-
fected by the inhalation of anthrax.”
Levenstein said anthrax exposures at the AMI building in Boca Raton and a postal facility in Washington, D.C. infected 23 people and killed five. The county must be prepared to face a similar emergency on a much larger scale, he said.
“We had to activate the strategic national stockpile to get the antibiotics to the people at AMI and their dependents and whole family,” Levenstein said. “The See GROVES, page 42A Philip Levenstein
Groves Town Council Grapples With Development Application
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council approved a request for a daycare facility on Okeechobee Blvd. Tuesday, but the application must still undergo further town and county review.
Planet Kids is requesting conditional use approval for a daycare center on a five-acre parcel on the north side of the road about 900 feet west of C Road. The conceptual site plan outlines a 2,600-square-foot daycare center for 60 children with 36 parking spaces, including eight drop-off spaces, and one access point from Okeechobee Blvd.
County staff attached a list of conditions to the application, including restrictions on lighting the site, restriction of use to daycare and hours of operation, and signage restrictions.
Shelley Eichner of Calvin Giordano, speaking on behalf of the town, told the council the application would continue through the county staff and county commission review process, but the council might want to consider a hands-on approach and hear more details from the applicant. Eichner suggested that the council not approve the attached conditions until the applicant returns with more details.
“If the applicant is willing to bring back the site plan for further review as the next step,” Eichner said, “you would see a full landscaping plan and a full lighting plan, and you will get the opportunity to look at these things more closely. I think the key thing the county has asked for is the deletion of the condition of the right of way for Okeechobee. My recommendation is to approve the conditional use, but to hold off imposing the conditions with respect to signage, lighting and use limitations.”
Kevin McGinley, representing Planet Kids, said the proposal is unusual for the company but suited to the town’s character.
“Planet Kids has developed 20 daycare centers,” he said. “This
is atypical for Planet Kids. They are building two out in the Acreage. One is being constructed on Northlake and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. The typical property serves 150 kids. Because of the traffic constraints on Okeechobee Blvd., they are only permitted to come up with 2,600 square feet and 60 children. Fortunately for us, the water and sewer will be available.”
McGinley said he was amenable to returning with a more detailed presentation. “We have not shown the elevations and other features,” he said. “If it’s the wish of this council, we will do it at that time. This would give us the opportunity to come back and deal with these issues at this time. We do have an issue with the condition of putting a wooden fence around the property. We are putting a hedge around it. It seems redundant. I will come back and listen to your suggestions on the final site plan.”
Vice Mayor Marge Herzog said the C Road and Okeechobee Blvd. intersection had been the scene of traffic-related fatalities. McGinley said that no traffic signal is called for, but said people should take care when leaving the site.
Herzog asked about a suggested extension of operating hours for the facility to nighttime. McGinley said that would depend on public demand, and would not affect outside lighting.
“The nurses, firemen and hospital employees work the night shift,” McGinley said. “They have nobody to watch their kids. They will get picked up in the morning when the shift is over. Who else would come but residents from a local community? It depends on the demand you have from here. We would like to have this latitude and be able to talk to you about it. If it’s open at night, they are not playing outside, and the lights are not on outside. There will be a light on in the building.”
Councilman Dennis Lipp asked about the staffing at the
facility. McGinley said five or six employees plus a supervisor would be likely. Meals would be brought in from outside.
During public comment, Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor Ron Jarriel, a Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue employee, suggested placing a roundabout at the intersection of Okeechobee Blvd. and C Road, and also urged the town to discuss rights of way and easements along Okeechobee Blvd. with the county.
“One remark made this evening was that for the county to go along with this, they would have to give up some of the easements along Okeechobee Blvd.,” Jarriel said. “My question to the board is would that not have to go through you all? We also have been thinking about roundabouts in Loxahatchee Groves. C Road and Okeechobee Blvd. would be the location for a beautiful roundabout. If the county wants some easements, we need to communicate with the county to see if they will give easements. Roundabouts also would change the traffic flow.”
Marcella Blvd. resident Linda Isaacs said she supported a fence around the property to keep wildlife out. She also agreed with the concerns about the traffic on Okeechobee Blvd. “I am nervous about the traffic coming out and going east,” she said. “I don’t even live near there, but I can tell when there is a crash over there.”
Collecting Canal resident Ken Johnson said he was concerned about the number of kids at the facility, saying the limit of 60 might incorporate a revolving number of kids amounting to 60 at any one time, not per day.
“Having been involved with building a 2,000-square-foot preschool with my church,” Johnson said, “the number of 60 kids seems to be low to make it economically feasible. How many trips per day is that going to put on Okeechobee?”
McGinley said the 60-student number is based on concurrenSee DAYCARE, page 42A
Boys & Girls Club Launches Dream Builders Capital Campaign
The Boys & Girls Club of Wellington has launched a $3.2 million Dream Builders Capital Campaign. Many of the honorary and general co-chairs, advisory council and steering committee members who represent the campaign leadership group, along with more than 75 influential Wellington residents, kicked off the fundraising effort at the home of Dr. Veronica Pedro-Alexander and Kirk Alexander last Friday evening.
The Campaign Committee members have set the $3.2-million goal to complete the new Boys & Girls Club of Wellington slated to be built next to the site of the current club at 3401 South Shore Blvd. The new 21,000-square-foot facility will include a learning center, computer lab, game rooms, teen center, arts and crafts center, dance studio, kitchen, office space and a full-size gymnasium. The hope is to break ground in early 2008.
Dr. and Mrs. Krishna Tripuraneni previously pledged $1.5 million for the naming rights of the new club and are honorary chairs for the campaign.
“Generosity is rarely seen these days,” Dr. Tripuraneni said. “We have had the pleasure of making a difference in the lives of the children of this community. We hope that more people will be encouraged to open their hearts and extend their generosity for the various charitable organizations that desperately need support.”
Wellington Board Chair Reed Kellner, who is serving as campaign co-chair, spoke of the tremendous energy already generated through the financial commitments of the leadership team.
“The campaign has already raised nearly $2 million toward our $3.2 million goal,” Kellner said.
The Boys & Girls Club of Wellington is one of 13 clubs in Palm Beach County providing quality after-school care for its 7,500 members. The Wellington club has more than 600 members with 160 children ages six to 18 participating in club activities each day.
“Unfortunately the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington is turning away needy kids every day because we don’t have the facilities and staff to accommo-
date them. By building a brand new Boys & Girls Club in Wellington, we will be able to serve twice as many young people,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County President and CEO Mary O’Connor said.
The Capital Campaign is cochaired by Stacy Chertock, a 17-year resident of Wellington, and Michelle Loibner, also a Wellington resident and vice president of development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. For more information, call Loibner at (561) 683-3287.
Dr. Veronica Pedro Alexander (center) with party guests Ranjita Sharma (left) and Margie Palmer (right).
Tim and Mary O’Connor, Susan and Reed Kellner, Michelle Loibner, Kirk and Dr. Veronica Pedro Alexander, and Stacey and Steve Chertock.
Mayor Tom Wenham and Dennis Witkowski.
Kirk and Dr. Veronica Pedro Alexander with Regis and Tom Wenham at a kickoff party at the Alexanders’ home.
Stacey Chertock, John and Julie Kime, Michelle Loibner, and Mary and Tim O’Connor.
PHOTOS BY DENISE
My Brilliant Idea For A Multi-Tasking Cell Phone Carryall
Hey! I just got another one of my brilliant ideas! Yes, I know it has only been a day since my last one (chocolate-dipped veggies) but this is what happens when you eat your Wheaties. Synapses keep firing. Anyway, here’s my idea: why not put everything we need into our cell phones? It’s the only thing I “can’t leave home without” anymore. And yes, I know it has a computer and camera in it already, but I’m talking about putting everything I need in there — my Visa card, my insurance card, my driver’s license. In short, I only want to be hauling one thing around — my phone. No purses, no water bottles, no umbrellas, nothing. If I carry a purse at all, it’ll only be because the dog’s sacred feet should never touch the ground. If I need water, I’ll swipe my cell phone at a drinking fountain and Dasani will squirt from the spout. If it starts to rain, I’ll press 911-RAIN (7246) and an Inspector Gadget-type
thing will sprout from the antenna, shielding me from droplets. Wouldn’t it be great not to have to shuffle through the contents of your wallet every time you go to the dentist? And even the most hardened criminal wouldn’t be caught dead without his cell (phone, that is). Traffic stops would be made so much easier! Everyone would have their license — of course, it may be ringing but it’d be there
All those annoying little discount cards could be taken off my key ring because — get this — no keys! I’d simply point my phone at the car’s ignition switch or my front door lock and bam! — it’s open.
Money? Who needs it? A quick pass of my phone over the charge card keypad and everything’s paid for. Best of all, I’ll get an itemized statement next month — over the phone — downloadable, if I so desire.
And why not take it a step further? Why not make it so the phone can be
plugged into my PC or laptop like the flash drive is now? I could come home from a hard day of shopping, poke my cell phone into the computer and play solitaire for a few minutes while my day’s activities are sorted into their proper files. Paid the water bill? It’s in there. Took care of the grocery list? It’s been deleted. Bought a new car? Well, “bought a new car” is a biggie. In addition to filing the receipt, a text message “tickle” file would be created to remind me when to change the oil, the tires, the coolant. The warranty would be filed phone-tophone with the company as well as the dealership. My car registration (which, together with my license, has already been programmed into the phone) would be instantly updated to reflect the new information, and even my will would be changed to reflect who gets the new vehicle should I suddenly drop dead.
Speaking of wills, wouldn’t it be great to have that thing handy in case one of
your kids ticks you off?
“Dropped out of college again? Well, that’s it, Billy. You’re out of the will.” (Delete.)
“Oh, you quit because you won the lottery?” (Restore.)
With all these modern conveniences, the cell phone would take its rightful place as forerunner of the implanted microchip. In the case of the chip, we’d only have to scan our hand or something. You know, for those of us who keep leaving our cell phones in the restroom. Not that I’m naming names.
New Television Series Is Perhaps Too Dirty, Sexy Even For Me
The fall TV season is here. Instead of watching a lot of reality shows with all the charm and spark of drying paint, we actually get to see what our “most creative” people think would truly fascinate us. Thus, Dirty Sexy Money. A better title would be Dirty Sleazy Mess
The show looks like it was put together from the worst of our gossip shows. The Darling family, the focus of the series, makes the worst of our celebrities look good.
Had J.R. Ewing of Dallas been a member of this family, he would be a role model. Yes, J.R. had a few flaws. He cheated on his wife and did a lot of dirty business deals. But he still would have been the good guy compared to this group of dirty, sexy, sleazy Darlings.
Brother Patrick Darling (William Baldwin) is attorney general of New York
and a prospective U.S. senator. Wow! But his first little dirty secret is his transgendered lover who will not go away quietly. Who would have thought the sex lives of Bill Clinton and Larry Craig could be topped? But this show managed to do it.
I particularly enjoyed Glenn Fitzgerald as Episcopal priest Brian Darling. After all, it is so boring watching the typical rich guy turned do-gooder. Here, Brian is a nasty who hates everyone. He has an illegitimate child he refuses to officially accept as his own, and oozes threats to anyone in his way. Torquemada would seem a religious role model for him.
Then we have Juliet Darling (Samaire Armstrong) who would be Paris Hilton if Hilton had absolutely no common sense at all. OK, Paris probably has none, but
at least she is smart enough to know that if you are a celebrity, you don’t walk around telling people “you’re poor” as an insult. And Juliet may have even less talent than Paris. Please, folks, no e-mails from Paris fans over that line!
Juliet’s twin brother Jeremy (Seth Gabel) is like Charlie Sheen in his worst drunken days, without any charm or purpose at all. There was no indication in the first episode that he did anything except live for his own pleasure, while bemoaning his own “miserable existence.” What a horrible fate, having to just enjoy yourself with enough money to avoid the rockier parts of life.
Nick George (Peter Krause) is the son of a lawyer who was the family’s keeper of secrets for 40 years. He watched his mother leave early in frustration and then spent a lot of his youth hanging out while
On My Mind...
By Leonard Wechsler
his father took care of the Darling children. He has a family and wants to avoid giving them the life his father provided for him. When his father dies in a small plane crash, clan patriarch Tripp Darling (Donald Sutherland) asks him to replace his father. After being given $10 million for a variety of charitable projects, Nick immediately takes over. How many episodes will go by, would you guess,
See WECHSLER, page 42A
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY AT LOXAHATCHEE WILDLIFE REFUGE
On Saturday, Sept. 29, local volunteers at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge participated in the 14th Annual National Public Lands Day, a nationwide effort to help preserve America’s 600 million acres of public land. Volunteers devoted the morning to staining a new observation deck, pulling weeds and mulching, as well as cleaning and painting interpretive signs. The refuge is located at 10216 Lee Road, off State Road 7, two miles south of Boynton Beach Blvd. For more info., call (561) 732-7190 or visit http://loxahatchee.fws.gov.
David Underwood of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (second from the left) talks to volunteers.
Asher Thiele of Palm Beach Atlantic University (above) and Melissa Dan and her cousin Sabrina (below) paint the visitor’s center boardwalk.
Charmine Camot paints the outside of the boardwalk.Students from the King’s Academy volunteer at the event.
Refuge Volunteers Sandra Brock and Lester Nelinson.
FUN WITH WORDS AT LITERACY COALITION’S ADULT SPELLING BEE
The Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition’s 16th Annual Spelling Bee took place Thursday, Sept. 27 at the Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace. All money raised will benefit the coalition. Numerous teams took part in the event while members of the audience watched on the upper level of the theater. NewsChannel 5 meteorologist Steve Weagle served as master of ceremonies while Dr. William Mech of Florida Atlantic University was the wordmaster. The teams representing WPBF Channel 25 and the law firm Gunster Yoakley & Stewart tied for first place. For more information about the PBC Literacy Coalition, visit www.pbcliteracy.org.
Delray Beach Mayor Rita Ellis and Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham represent the Wachovia team.
Julie Gennison, Erin Deady and Bob Diffender of the law firm Lewis, Longman and Walker give their answer.
Bob Patterson and Cheryl Crowley before the event.Judges listen as one of the teams spells out a word.
The Palm Beach Post’s Laura Cunningham and “spelling bee” Ken Montgomery.Wordmaster Dr. William Mech and emcee Steven Weagle.
PHOTOS BY CAROL
The Palms West Chamber of Commerce honored new trustees and past presidents Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Loxahatchee home of Chamber President Joanna Boynton and her husband Ben. The highlight of the evening was the announcement by Florida Power & Light’s Don Kiselewski that FPL has pledged $100,000 to the chamber’s building fund. For more information about the chamber, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com.
Jaene Miranda and Joanna Boynton flank Don Kiselewski.
Ben Boynton with Peggy and George Wedgworth.
Palms West Chamber of Commerce Past President Silvia Garcia and former chamber CEO Vivian Palmer. Terry and Kathy Strongin with Karen and Bob Cavanagh.
The Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s newest trustees.
PHOTOS BY LISA KEENEY/TOWN-CRIER
AN AFTERNOON BARBECUE AT LOXAHATCHEE BAPTIST MISSION
Loxahatchee Baptist Mission hosted a barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 29 on the grounds of the church, which is located at the corner of Orange Blvd. and 140th Avenue North in The Acreage. There were games for the kids and adults, a fresh market and live music by the Christian band Crystal River. Proceeds from the event will got toward mission projects. For more information about the church and future activities, call (561) 790-2968 or visit www.lbmission.com.
Doly Donealon with Gigi and Francis Esterby.Ellie Starlind has a sit-down.
Two-year-old Katelyn Nuzzolo.
Gina Sauber shows the kids some alligator bones.
Volunteers Vickie Williams (seated) with Gina Sauber.
The band Crystal River keeps the audience entertained. Phyllis Sisson with a rabbit. PHOTOS
Wildcats Victorious Over West Boca At Homecoming Game
By Steve Pike and Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report
The Royal Palm Beach High School varsity football team upended the visiting West Boca Bulls 22-14 at last Thursday night’s homecoming game.
Last season, the Wildcats’ opponents knew what the team would do offensively. That is, run the ball with 1,000-yard rushers Brandon Pendergrass and Zach Brown. RPBHS coach Eric Patterson still believes running the football ranks up there with hot dogs and apple pie, but his 2007 Wildcats (3-1) have spiced up their offensive recipe.
For example, junior quarterback Marvin Payne threw for 179 and three touchdowns during last week’s upset victory. All three of Payne’s touchdown tosses were to wide receiver Chris Dunkley, who caught a total of eight passes for 131 yards.
Payne connected with Dunkley for two touchdowns in the first quarter. The first touch-
FOOTBALL FOOTBALL
down came four minutes into the game, and Corey Inman successfully kicked the extra point.
After the second touchdown, the Wildcats tried to fake the extra point attempt. They failed to cross the goal line, but a facemask penalty against the defense gave Royal Palm a second chance. Payne scored two points with the quarterback keeper.
In the second quarter, West Boca narrowed the RPBHS lead to 15-7. The Bulls stripped the ball from Ernest Ferguson in the Royal Palm backfield and scored on a touchdown run from inside the 10 yard line. However, Payne found Dunkley in the end zone again in the second half for the Wildcats’ third and final touchdown.
Payne, in his first season as a starter, went into Thursday night’s game at Palm Beach Gardens (1-3) having completed 37 of 86 passes for 514 yards and five touchdowns. Payne
also has rushed for three touchdowns, making him accountable for eight of the Wildcats’ 14 touchdowns this season.
“He’s progressing,” Patterson said. “He’s working out the kinks and improving. That’s pretty much all you can ask — that he gets better each week. We just hope he keeps progressing like he did last week.”
Oh yes, Royal Palm Beach can still run the ball. Ferguson went into the Gardens game with 221 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and halfback Javonti Greene has gained 126 yards and scored three touchdowns.
“As I’ve said before, ‘where the road leads us,’” Patterson said. “That’s how our offensive is growing this year. If the run is open, we’ll run it; if the pass is open, we’ll do that, too.”
Next up, RPBHS will host Boynton Beach on Thursday, Oct. 11.
Last Thursday, Jupiter defeated Wellington 35-0. The Warriors got 101 yards rushing
and one touchdown from running back Ethan Jones and a pair of first-half interceptions from Bryce Wilkinson to hand the Wolverines their fifth consecutive loss. Wellington has been shut out twice this season and has been outscored 178-21.
The Wolverines play at Lake Worth on Oct. 5.
Meanwhile, Palm Beach Central High School tries to right its ship Oct. 5 against area power Park Vista. The Broncos (1-3) have lost three consecutive games and have given up 104 points in three losses and squandered a pair of outstanding performances from senior running
back David Ahola. Ahola ran for a school record 230 yards in Palm Beach Central’s 35-23 loss to Lake Worth on Sept. 20 and gained 139 yards in a 27-24 loss to Inlet Grove the previous week.
The Seminole Ridge High School football team (2-2), which like Palm Beach Central High School had last week off, plays at Jupiter on Oct. 5. The Hawks lost 14-12 to Palm Beach Lakes in the final minutes of their game on Sept. 20 and have scored only 18 points in their past two games after scoring 95 in their first two games.
Jordan Dangerfield celebrates a fumble recovery.
RPBHS junior Perry McIntyre gets a hold of the West Boca quarterback’s jersey, which was already torn by Wildcat junior Latron Green in an earlier sack attempt.
Wildcat junior Luke Tyler tackles the scrambling West Boca quarterback.
Royal Palm Beach senior Ernest Ferguson is tripped up by a West Boca defensive lineman.
Wildcat sophomore Chris Dunkley leaps to bring down a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Marvin Payne. Wildcat cheerleaders celebrate a Chris Dunkley touchdown.
Wildcat Chris Dunkley is knocked off his feet.
Lady Wolverines Cross-Country Team Aims To Keep Improving
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
Competing with or without star Ashley Brasovan doesn’t seem to matter to the Wellington High School girls cross-country team. The Lady Wolverines, without Brasovan, easily won the Suncoast Invitational on Tuesday at Dyer Park in Riviera Beach. WHS runners finished second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the six-team race, paced by senior Star Bollinger, who placed second with a time of 22 minutes, 53 seconds over the 3.1mile course.
Bollinger was followed by sophomores Nicole Murphy and Meagan O’Boyle, junior Nicole Hoskens and freshman Sophie Ingram. Brasovan, the state’s top distance runner, did not run because coach Kara Weber-Fleming decided to hold her out for bigger meets in the coming weeks.
Brasovan did win the prestigious Southern Stars Invitational in Tampa on Saturday with a meet record time of 16:43.
“She has been working hard and raced all summer,” said Weber-Fleming, in her first season at Wellington after several years at Royal Palm Beach High School.
CROSS-COUNTRY CROSS-COUNTRY
“We’ve been doing great without her.”
The Lady Wolverines finished 15th in the highly competitive 21-team meet that featured some of the top cross-country teams from throughout the U.S. It was only the second time this season WHS had not won a meet. The Lady Wolverines finished second at the Seminole Ridge Invitational without Brasovan.
“We’re getting better and stronger,” Weber-Fleming said. “Some of the girls ran track last year and decided to come out for cross-country. Meagan was a swimmer and started running this summer and liked it. Now she’s one of my top four. Her times have been getting better and better. Now she’s really enjoying cross-country.”
Brasovan’s time of 16:43 at 5,000 meters in the Southern Stars was two seconds off her personal best of 16:41, which is the state record.
“There were people around her at mile one, but after that she was by herself,” Weber-Fleming said.
Last month Brasovan won the University of Florida Mountain Dew Classic in Gainesville with a meet record of 17:10.77
at 5,000 meters. She has one more “allstar” type meet, the Great American Cross Country Festival in Hoover, Ala., on Oct. 13. Brasovan finished second in last year’s race with a time of 17.49.1.
When Brasovan returns from Alabama, chances are Weber-Fleming will breathe a sigh of relief. “She really
needs to keep from being injured. My biggest fear is she’s going to get injured,” Weber-Fleming said. “She does high-quality workouts twice a week. She has a lot of high miles, and she does a lot of it on her own because even a lot of the guys can’t keep up with her. She’s on her own a lot.”
The Hanley Center Races Oct. 20 To Raise Recovery Awareness
Members and supporters of the recovery community will help raise awareness during the first-ever “One Step At A Time: A 5K Walk/Run for Recovery” on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Micanopy Pavilion at Okeeheelee Park. All proceeds will benefit the Hanley Center’s new Recovery Ambassadors Program, an innovative effort to train people in recovery to advocate for their rights.
Registration for the walk/run begins
at 7:30 a.m., followed by the race at 8:30 a.m. Participants may sign up online by visiting www.hanleycenter.org/walkrun or by calling Amanda Guelzow at (561) 841-1115 or e-mail aguelzow@hanley center.org. T-shirts are guaranteed to all pre-registered participants.
The Recovery Ambassadors Program is just one of many ways the Hanley Center is expanding its outreach to the community. Hanley’s Resource Center,
part of a $14-million campus expansion, will be dedicated at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 16. The opening of the resource center will give the facility a new entrance on 45th Street. The center will house all nonresidential services and programs, along with a state-of-the-art auditorium which will be used for education and training. In addition, a new 1,600-square-foot Serenity Bookstore will serve the recovery community with the largest assort-
ment of recovery books and recoveryrelated materials in the state.
The new resource center is the first part of a three-phase expansion project. For more information about the Hanley Center’s campus expansion, call Vice President of Development Terry Lehman at (561) 841-1211. The Hanley Center is located at 5200 East Avenue in West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 841-1000 or toll free (800) 444-7008.
Wellington High School Girls Cross-Country — (Front row, L-R) Nicole Hoskens, Star Bollinger, Lindsey Moskewitz; (back) Megan O’Boyle, Evelina Wilga, Nicole Murphy, Emily Hoskens, Kyley Jorgensen, Kelly Breslin and Sophie Ingram.
PHOTO BY STEVE
Seminole Ridge Volleyball Girls Brush Past Palm Beach Central
By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report
The Seminole Ridge High School varsity volleyball girls said a fond farewell to the team’s four seniors — Tiffany Rich, Casey Salicco, Brianna Lauer and Jordan Fritts — before taking on visiting Palm Beach Central High School on Tuesday night.
VOLLEYBALL
The Hawks dropped the Broncos in four sets (26-24, 2325, 25-13 and 25-12).
The Hawks host Centennial Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. and Inlet Grove Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. The Broncos host John I. Leonard on Monday, Oct. 8 before traveling to Palm Beach Lakes the next day. Both games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
SRHS seniors Tiffany Rich, Casey Salicco, Brianna Lauer and Jordan Fritts were honored by the team before the game.
Caroline Flinchum tries to score a point for the Broncos past Hawk Jordan Fritts.
Hawk Lindsay Scheffler returns a Bronco serve. PHOTOS
Brianna Lauer tries to pull SRHS ahead in the first game with the score tied at 17.
The Broncos stand ready as Tiffany Rich hits the ball.
Still Undefeated — The Royal Palm Beach Wildcats Pop Warner MiteyMites (seven to nine years old, 45 to 90 pounds) defeated the Jupiter Mustangs 13-6 last Saturday. It started slow with a defensive battle until quarterback Will McCullough connected with tight end Spencer Longley for a 30-yard touchdown. The offensive line had trouble blocking, but the Wildcats made some tough yards. McCullough also ran a bootleg for a big first down. Running back Dalton Trimble made the game-winning touchdown on a 44-yard break away, thanks to great blocking from David Rodberg, Sean Houck, Spencer Longley, Austin Brown, Drew Matias, Logan Wakefield, Noah Walker and Damon Schmidt. The defensive effort was big with great play from Trimble (11 tackles), Logan Wakefield (seven tackles), Longley (nine tackles), Harley Coffman, Michael Shakes and McCollough. Daniel Joyner had a big interception, and Wakefield recovered a fumble. The Wildcats (5-0) will play the Mustangs on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. at Royal Palm Beach High School. Pictured above, McCollough makes a 30-yard touchdown pass to Longley.
New Winter Hours At Aquatics Complex
The Wellington Aquatics Complex will change to winter operating hours on Nov. 1. The complex will be open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Fridays and Mondays. The operating hours are as follows: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Reserved time is available for private group rentals only.
Sunday Morning Sunshine Rentals will continue to be offered for parties or large group gatherings. Rental of the facility is available every Sunday morning from
9 a.m. to noon for all group functions. For $319 (plus tax) groups will have access to all areas of the main pool, sprayground, diving boards and baby pool. For $427 (plus tax) groups will receive exclusive access to the main pool, sprayground, diving boards, baby pool and dual twisting water slides. All rental rates include the entire group’s admission with lifeguards on duty.
For more information about hours of operation and pool rentals, call the Wellington Aquatics Complex at (561) 753-2484, ext. 2836.
Feldman Wins State Tennis Championships
Longtime Wellington resident Jeff Feldman won the Florida State Closed 55s Tennis Championships held Sept. 26-30 at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton. In his semifinal match, Feldman faced triple match point and subsequently came back to win the match.
“I should have purchased a few Lotto tickets after that comeback,” Feldman said. “After that match, I felt it was my destiny to win the title, and I took that momentum into the finals to win the tournament.”
Feldman is a local real estate investor and developer who has developed, among other things, the new Chevron gas station in Royal Palm Beach on Southern Blvd. across from the Home Depot shopping center. Feldman attributes his success to his tennis coaches at the Wellington Tennis Center and Indian Springs, and to his trainers at Club FitnessWorks in Wellington. Jeff Feldman
Taste Of Victory — The American Youth Soccer Organization 345 U-8 Golden Eagles played in the mud to achieve a 7-1 victory against the Green Sharks at Okeeheelee Park last Saturday. Their coach is
Florvil and Philip Waldbart.
Simon Febres-Cordero. Shown here are (L-R) Owen Vera, Eaven Spatz, Gabriel Veliz, Christian Philstine, Kharym
WELLINGTON ROTARY DONATES DICTIONARIES TO THIRD-GRADERS
Members of the Wellington Rotary Club visited Wellington Elementary School third-graders on Monday to deliver brand-new student dictionaries to each of them, as part of the Dictionary Project. The Rotary Club has been involved in the project for three years. The goal is to provide every third-grader in Wellington schools with a dictionary in order to promote literacy. According to Rotarian Steve Deinema, that translates to between 1,200 and 1,500 dictionaries a year. For more info., visit www.dictionaryproject.org.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Rotarians Steve Deinema (left) and Robert Hole (right) give new dictionaries to Wellington Elementary School Principal Mike Borowski and Assistant Principal Kim Harrington.
Robert Hole shows Chelsea Brinkmann the longest word in the English language.
Principal Mike Borowski gives Student of the Week Ayanna Quashie a dictionary.
Wellington Rotary Club members hold new dictionaries while speaking to Barbara O’Toole’s third-grade class about the importance of developing good reading skills.
Third grade students in Barbara O’Toole’s class proudly show off their new dictionaries.
Substitute teacher Carolyn Hellmann shows the old dictionary they were using.
Seminole Ridge Students Join In The Fight Against Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Awareness Month began this week and Seminole Ridge High School wants to continue to do its part in the fight against the disease. On Lee National Denim Day Oct. 5, Seminole Ridge has pledged to help donate money to the cause All proceeds go to women’s cancer programs that fund breast cancer research and treatments. Participants will receive a pink ribbon pin to wear that Friday and throughout the month of
October to show their support for this important cause. Last year the school raised $465, and organizers hope to raise more this year. To join or make a donation to the Seminole Ridge Team, Denim Day coordinator Mrs. Debbie Schepp asks that people go to the team page at https://register.denimday.com//team webpage.cfm?tid=17544. To donate online, click on “Donate to our Team” and select “Donate Online.”
Freshman Football Eclipses Suncoast — The freshman football team hosted Suncoast High School last Wednesday night at Callery-Judge Stadium. The Baby Hawks remain undefeated so far this season, defeating their rival by the score of 41-0, the third shutout by the defense. Scoring for the Hawks were Ethan Howell who had two rushing touchdowns and two extra points, Tommy Fragale who had a rushing touchdown, Kenny Riggins
who scored a touchdown and Josh Richey who scored on a fumble recovery. Max Neilsen and Jarryd Klaffka kicked the extra points. Linebacker Tyler Butler put in outstanding defensive play in recovering a muffed punt. Pierson Massillion had two quarterback sacks and Erik Goodhead had three quarterback sneaks. Stephen McPherson had three sacks rushing from his middle linebacker spot.
Students Have A Blast Learning Science At Poinciana Day School
Science is a class full of fun and discovery at Poinciana Day School. While learning about the scientific method, fifththrough eighth-grade students recently had the opportunity to blast off a Mentos rocket.
Students were discussing the scientific method involving predicting an outcome (hypothesis), testing it and comparing the results to determine what happened and why.
In order to give students an opportunity to practice these concepts, co-teachers Ms. Jessica Wilson and Mrs. Judy Hildebrandt helped the students create rockets using Mentos candies and bottles
of cola. Students discussed what type of reaction would occur with differing opinions in the class. At the end of the discussion, the classes went outside to test their hypotheses.
Mrs. Hildebrandt was dressed in “cola” color for the occasion. Students donned their safety goggles, set up their experiment and “whoosh!” — created a geyser-like eruption as the Mentos candies reacted with the cola.
Afterward, students discussed their results and why they occurred.
For more information, or to schedule a school tour, call (561) 655-7323 or visit www.poincianadayschool.org.
Palms West Hospital Joins In Safe Kids Walking Day ate safer, more walkable communities. The goal of the initiative is to prevent pedestrian-related injuries to children. Since the launch of the program in spring 2000, Safe Kids Walk This Way has spanned the globe, engaging Fed Ex volunteers to reach families in more than 13 cities throughout the United States and on three continents.
On Thursday, Oct. 4, more than 870 children at Elbridge Gale Elementary School in Wellington participated in “Safe Kids Walk This Way.” As part of International Walk to School Day, volunteers from Fed Ex, the Safe Kids Coalition and Palms West Hospital escorted children to and from school. Along the way, they were taught safe pedestrian behaviors through enjoyable and engaging safety activities.
Safe Kids Worldwide and program sponsor Federal Express created Safe Kids Walk This Way to teach safe behavior to motorists and child pedestrians and cre-
Palms West Hospital partnered with the West Palm Beach chapter of the Safe Kids Coalition and Elbridge Gale officials to teach children in the community pedestrian safety.
Science Studies — (L-R) Fifth-grade teachers and students Naomi Carter of Royal Palm Beach, Samantha Boyd-Cupp of West Palm Beach, Mrs. Judi Hildebrandt of Wellington, Ms. Jessica Wilson of Boca Raton, Trevor Dachene of Royal Palm Beach and Matthew Ridgeway of Lantana.
Wellington High School Debaters Excel At Phifer Invitational
Walking For Heart Health — Members of the Palm Beach Central High School Interact Club participated in the American Heart Association’s annual Heartwalk, which took place Saturday, Sept. 29 on Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. The club had more than 50 students on hand to support the cause. Shown here are some of the club members during the walk.
The Wellington High School Debate and Forensic Team enjoyed amazing success at the first-ever Gregg Phifer Invitational Debate Tournament on the campus of Florida State University the weekend of Sept. 2830, as seven students were recognized for their hard work and abilities.
First-year debater Christine Simmons took home two awards, including first place overall in the Prose Interpretation category. Simmons also placed fifth in Poetry Interpretation.
Polo Park Teacher
Earns Success Grant
John Shoemaker, the lead reading teacher at Polo Park Middle School in Wellington, was awarded a Citibank Success Grant during an awards dinner on Sept. 25 at the West Palm Beach Marriott. Shoemaker received $500 for his grant “Motivating Low-Level Readers Through Podcasting.” For more information, visit www.mrshoemaker.com.
Teachers Guild Conference Oct. 13
The Teachers Guild of Palm Beach County will hold its eighth annual Teachers Guild Conference on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Palm Beach Central High School. For more information, call Tracy Rudnick of the Education Foundation at (561) 434-8428.
Senior Sloan Shaffer also brought home two awards: second place overall in Impromptu Speaking and third place in Extemporaneous Speaking.
In Student Congress, all three Wellington legislators advanced to the “Super Congress” finals.
Junior William Fetzko placed second, junior Amanda DeStefano placed third and senior Kevin Sopczak placed fifth in the event.
In Public Forum Debate, the team of seniors Hayley Kolich and Alex Woolf placed second overall, falling in the final round
in a 2-1 decision.
Wellington’s next competition is at Jupiter High School on Saturday, Oct. 13. In addition, the team will host its second Fuddruckers Benefit Night of the school year on Monday, Oct. 8 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Fuddruckers restaurant near the Mall at Wellington Green.
For more information about Wellington Debate, contact Coach Paul Gaba at (561) 7954911, e-mail him at gaba@ wellingtondebate.com or visit the debate team’s web site at www.wellingtondebate.com.
Panther Run Poster Winners — Two students at Panther Run Elementary School were recently selected as finalists in the Wellington Rotary Club’s Peace Contest. The students, Chelsi Quo and Melissa Posner, both won $50 from the Rotary Club for their poster submissions. “Community and Peace are important themes at Panther Run, and we are proud of Chelsi and Melissa for representing Wellington and Panther Run so well,” Panther Run Principal P.J. D’Aoust said. Pictured here are Quo and Posner.
Sloan Shaffer
Christine Simmons
Saturday, Oct. 6
• The fall edition of the Palm Beach County Home Show will continue Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and 7 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). The show will feature more than 100,000 square feet of displays, including interior decorating, furnishing, kitchen and bathroom design, pools and spas, landscaping and outdoor living. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children age four to 12. For more info., visit www.pbchome show.com or call (800) 3216164.
• Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds will continue through Wednesday, Oct. 31 starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, concluding on Halloween night. Tickets cost $10 general admission in advance ($15 at the gate) and $20 for unlimited access ($25 at the gate). For more info., call (561) 793-0333 or visit www.southflorida fair.com.
• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will offer a one-hour walk in John Prince Park on Saturday, Oct. 6. Enter the park off Congress; turn right at the stop sign and left into the first parking lot. The walk begins at 7:30 a.m. Call Paul at (561) 963-9906 for more info.
• St. Peter’s United Methodist Church (12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will hold its second Community Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 6. The event will feature a rummage sale, BBQ dinner, bake sale, entertainment and craft booths. For more info., call Al Bennett at (561) 753-6784.
• St. Michael Lutheran Church (1925 Birkdale Drive, Wellington) will hold a pasta dinner on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be good food, warm fellowship, a raffle and fun times. Guests are invited to learn about the future of St. Michael and its “Believe in the Future” campaign. The cost is $10 for adults and a donation for children. Call (561) 793-4999 for more information.
• The 26th annual South Florida Fair Scholarship Golf Classic will take place Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Breakers West Country Club. Presented by the Barrett Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction, this year’s event will feature an inaugural Classy Ladies “Tee Time” and luncheon. Activities include makeup tips, wine tasting, chair massage, sushi demonstrations, floral arranging and more. Limited space is available. To reserve a foursome or a spot in the Classy Ladies “Tee Time,” call Lorie Stinson at (561) 790-5245 or e-mail lorie@ southfloridafair.com.
Sunday, Oct. 7
• The American Cancer Society will host Western Communities Making Strides Against Breast Cancer inside the Mall at Wellington Green on Sunday, Oct. 7. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., and the walk will start at 8:30 a.m. The walk will take place on both levels of the mall. For more information, visit www.cancer.org/strides online or call Julie Tannehill at the American Cancer Society at (561) 366-0013.
• The Acreage Xtreme Competition Cheerleading Squad will host a community yard sale on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 8 a.m. at Acreage Community Park on 140th Ave. North. The
cost for vendors of resale items is $10 per booth. For people who want to sell new items or advertise a business, the cost is $20 per booth. For more info., call Karen at (561) 602-6540.
• Beach Cuts (6266 Congress Ave., West Palm Beach) will hold a cut-a-thon on Sunday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Hearts & Hope. Call (561) 6429693 for more info.
Tuesday, Oct. 9
• Na’Amat USA Sharon Club will meet at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Speakers from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will talk about senior protection. A mini lunch will be served. For more info., call Annette at (561) 793-1484.
• Did you ever want to know what the Talmud is? Study Introductory-Level Talmud parlor style in a relaxed atmosphere at the Wellington Jewish Center every Tuesday at 8 p.m. Call Rabbi Mendy Muskal at (561) 333-4664 or e-mail rabbim@bellsouth.net for info.
Thursday, Oct. 11
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present the popular comedian Sinbad on Thursday, Oct. 11. For info., call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.
Saturday, Oct. 13
• The inaugural Richard S. McFarland Memorial Golf Tournament will take place Saturday, Oct. 13 on the Haig Course at PGA National Golf Course in Palm Beach Gardens. Proceeds will benefit the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Communication Arts Department. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. An awards banquet will follow the tournament. Registration fees are $150 for individuals or $500 for a foursome. Tickets for the awards banquet only are $50. For more info., call (561) 622-3630 or email debimcfarland@aol.com.
• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will conduct trail maintenance and a survey on part of the Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 8:30 a.m. Call Paul at (561) 963-9906 for more information.
• The Cuillo Centre for the Performing Arts (201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach) will present Music and the Art of Life on Saturday, Oct. 13 in the lobby and main stage. Proceeds will benefit artist Gipsy Alcala. The evening will include a fine art exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring Alcala’s work, followed by a concert on the main stage with John Carey and his blues band. Tickets are $20. For more info., call (561) 835-9226 or visit www.cuillocentre.com.
• The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will hold its Annual Friendship Ball on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Donations for this fundraising event are $85 per person. The evening will feature live musical entertainment provided by Sweet Justice Band and DJ entertainment. For tickets, call Alvin Nembhard at (561) 333-8891, Millie Hampton at (561) 7901751 or Lawrence Logan at (561) 791-0162.
• The Royal Palm Beach Acoustic Musicians Guild will hold an Acoustic Musicians
Showcase on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Way). Admission is $7. Coffee and cookies will be served. For info., call (561) 790-5149. Sunday, Oct. 14
• The Mounts Botanical Garden and the Junior League of the Palm Beaches will present the 11th annual Fall Family Festival on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the garden (559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach). The festival will offer a pumpkin-painting booth, bounce house, rock climbing wall, petting zoo, pony rides, kiddy train rides and more. There is a $3 entrance donation; Mounts Botanical Garden members and children under age 10 are admitted free. For more info., call (561) 2331757 or visit www.mounts.org.
Monday, Oct. 15
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold a special luncheon and seminar on Monday, Oct. 15 at Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Learn secrets to world-class customer service from John DiJulius. Lunch begins at 11:45 a.m., followed by the seminar from 1 to 5 p.m. The fee is $50 for members or $75 for non-members and must be pre-paid to hold a reservation. Call (561) 790-6200 to RSVP.
• The deadline for submissions to the first-ever Palm Beach PopStar has been extended until Monday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. Talented singers ages 18 and up are invited to compete, with the winner appearing live in concert with the Palm Beach Pops and winning a cash prize of $500. For info., visit www.palm beachpops.org or call (561) 832-7677.
Tuesday, Oct. 16
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother in the Rinker Playhouse on Tuesday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 4. Describing her experiences both as a gay mother of two sons and as the daughter of a quintessential Jewish mother, Emmy Award-winning stand-up comedian Judy Gold mixes autobiographical commentary with snippets based on more than 50 interviews with Jewish women across the United States. Tickets are $28, available by calling (561) 832-7469 or visiting www.kravis.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 17
• Seminole Ridge High School (4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road) will present Business Partners in Action on Wednesday, Oct. 17 in the auditorium from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with an optional school tour. Events will include presentations by Principal Dr. Lynn McGee and Academies Director John Walker, as well as entertainment by students. RSVP by calling Walker at (561) 4222600 or e-mail walkerjo@ palmbeachk12.fl.us.
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Clint Black with special guest Laura Bryna in Dreyfoos Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (561) 8327469 or visiting www.kravis.org. Send calendar items to: TownCrier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier. com.
Agencies Partner To Launch Project Lifesaver In November
The Autism Project of Palm Beach County (APPBC) recently announced a pilot Project Lifesaver program that will launch countywide in November. It will be conducted in collaboration with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Beach County School District, Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (FAU/ CARD), the Southeast Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Community Care and Autism Speaks.
Project Lifesaver is an international organization that has been recognized for its outstanding programs and has used radio-tracking and locating technology to save the lives of 1,575 people who have wandered and become lost due to autism spectrum disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.
“The APPBC has been selected to serve as lead agency for seeking funding and kicking off a pilot Project Lifesaver program in our county,” said APPBC President Richard Busto. “The collaboration of agencies that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorders and Alzheimer’s disease is critical to ensuring that wandering or lost persons do not suffer from avoidable tragedies in the future. We are grateful to the several foundations, including Wachovia Foundation, who has funded the start of this program.”
Project Lifesaver has a 100-percent success rate in locating individuals with autism spectrum or Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders that have wandered, and has established excellent programs in 580 public safety agencies in 41 states within the United States and Canada.
“The PBSO is looking forward to working with the APPBC in implementing this technology in our canine cars and helicopters, and training our officers and volunteers,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.
FAU/CARD helped identify the initial need for this area. FAU/CARD Di-
rector Dr. Jack Scott said he believes that “as the number of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in our Palm Beach County registry continues to increase, the need for tracking technology to locate wanderers continues to grow.”
Ellen Brown, CEO of the Southeast Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, added that “there are approximately 50,000 persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders in Palm Beach County, and the numbers are steadily increasing as the age 65-plus segment of our population grows.”
For more information about Project Lifesaver, call Michelle Damone at (561) 748-3299 or (561) 315-2973, or e-mail appbc@comcast.net. Contributions to the APPBC for this program may be sent to 5800 Corporate Way, West Palm Beach, FL 33407.
(Above) Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Alzheimer’s Association of Southeast Florida CEO Ellen Brown and Autism Project of Palm Beach County President Richard Busto. (Below) FAU/CARD Director Dr. Jack Scott with PBSO Captain Jeff Lindskoog.
Wellington Extends Water Reuse Program
In January 2005, the Village of Wellington took its first step toward using reclaimed water and began irrigating Village Park by using its new reclaimed water facility. Last month, the village applied for and received funding from the South Florida Water Management District in the amount of $1,745,900 through their Alternative Water Supply Program. This will enable Wellington to extend its water reuse program to three additional parks: Olympia Park, Tiger Shark Cove Park and Community Park (home of the Wellington Boys & Girls Club).
According to village officials, Wellington has recognized the need and importance of reusing treated wastewater from its wastewater treatment plant by implementing a system of collecting water that would otherwise have been injected into the ground and redirecting it to the park irrigation system. This program is particularly important for South
Florida due to persistent water shortages. Village Park has been successfully irrigated this way for over two years.
The village requested $992,500 for the Olympia Park reuse installation and $1,465,000 for the Boys & Girls Club and Tiger Shark reuse installations. The SFWMD has funded the projects in the amount of $684,600 and $1,061,300 respectively toward the cost of extending the water pipes and retrofitting the parks to handle the reuse. The water reuse program not only saves South Florida’s fresh water, use of reclaimed water can defer expenditures for future injection wells, delay the dates by which water plant expansions might be required and potentially reduce the ultimate water treatment plant size.
For more information on the water reuse program, call the Environmental & Engineering Services Department at (561) 791-4003.
Wellington Garden Club To Host Federation Fall Meeting
Gavin Scott Venoff and David Benjamin Venoff — sons of Wendy and Hal Venoff of West Palm Beach were born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 1.
Sarah Cohen — daughter of Bridget and Jason Cohen of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 12.
Austin Guerra — son of Anabel and Alan Jossue Guerra of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 12.
Navan Delano Rheingold — son of Nettecha and Neith Rheingold of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 12.
Ethan Daniel Asensio — son of Anne and Lazaro Asensio of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 13.
Genesis Garabis — daughter of Yamille Dominguez and Giancarlo Garabis of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 13.
Gavin Ricardo Aranda — son of
The Wellington Garden Club will host the District X Fall Meeting of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) on Friday, Oct. 19 at the Atlantis Country Club.
Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham will be on hand to welcome attendees on behalf of the village. Wellington Garden Club President Linda Leemon will greet guests and host the day-long program. Chairing the day’s events will be Twig Morris and Cass Stryker of Wellington. The program starts at 9:30 a.m. with lunch at noon.
The meeting is the final event of the annual fall tour of the FFGC’s newly in-
Melanie Miller and Eduardo Aranda of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 14.
Riley Bianca Barhite — daughter of Shauna and Neal Barhite of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 15.
Daniella Marie DeSarti — daughter of Flavia Dotto and Anthony DeSarti of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 17.
Mia Olivia Grau — daughter of Sue and Ed Grau of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 17.
Kassidy Anne Esquivel — daughter of Kari and Ivan Esquivel of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 17.
Albert Matthew Oppedisano — son of Carissa and Matthew Oppedisano of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 20.
Nickolas Michael Zinaman — son of Elissa Zinaman of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Cen-
stalled executive team. During the twoweek statewide tour, the team visits each of the 12 garden club districts in Florida. The team includes President Cinny O’Donnell of Pensacola, First Vice President Carol Hall of West Palm Beach, Second Vice President Jan Silik of Jacksonville and Third Vice President Sue Angle of Sarasota. FFGC District X Director Joleen King of Port St. Lucie will preside at the meeting. District X includes garden clubs from Indian River County to Palm Beach County and as far west as Okeechobee and Glades counties.
The featured speaker will be Carol Cloud Bailey, garden columnist for the
ter on Sept. 20.
Isaiah Mikhail Myers — son of Megan Segal and Cliff Myers of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 21.
Emmy Sloan Esquivel — daughter of Kristin and Eli Esquivel of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 22.
Austin Cory Brennan — son of Michelle Wilcox and John Brennan of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 22.
Joshua Matan Abrams — son of Sharon and David Abrams of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 23.
Regan Marguerite Kelleher daughter of Erika and Michael Kelleher of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 25.
Kayla Lanore Trevino — daughter of Andrea and Richarrd Trevino of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 26.
Scripps Treasure Coast newspapers in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie and Jupiter. She has a master’s degree from Florida A&M University and has worked in the gardening industry for 30 years. Additionally, Bailey teaches as an adjunct professor at Palm Beach Community College and works as a landscape counselor.
Some of the events include the raffle of a garden theme quilt hand-made by members of the Wellington Garden Club. Members of District X may bring guests to the event, which begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and includes continental breakfast and lunch. The cost is $25; advance registration is required. The Atlantis Country Club is located at 190 Atlantis Blvd. For more information, call Morris at (561) 434-6629 or Stryker at (561) 790-6353.
4-H Club To Hold Open House Oct. 6
The annual Palm Beach County 4-H Open House will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Palm Beach County 4-H office (559 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach).
This year’s activities will include exhibit displays, demonstrations and illustrated talks by 4-H youth; officer training orientation and instruction on parliamentary procedure for all 4-H Club officers; a barn owl presentation, owl dissection, and creation of owl boxes; a sewing clinic and instruction on creating a sewing box; lassoing; and animal handling techniques. Homemade refreshments will be served.
Youths ages five to 18 interested in joining the 4-H Club can register at the event. Call (561) 233-1731 or visit www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/coopext/4H/ index.htm for more info.
Carol Cloud Bailey
The Mall at Wellington Green treated shoppers to a roaring good time last Saturday as Paw Print Productions brought in exotic and domestic animals to show eager spectators. The event, sponsored by Comcast Spotlight, included a spinning wheel and prizes such as a Sony PlayStation, as well as music by Kenny Mondo Productions. For more information about Paw Print Productions, call (800) 207-2287 or e-mail pawprintproductions@att.net. (Above) Paw Print’s Jerry Kelley shows off Dundee, a bearded dragon. (Below) Kelley with Taboo, an African serval.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
FRIGHT NIGHTS ARE BACK!SECOND CHANCE GARAGE SALE
The annual Fright Nights returns to the South Florida Fairgrounds Oct. 5 through Oct. 31. This year’s attraction features three new haunts: “Dead End,” “The Scourge” and “Rats.” “The Smiths” and “Country Bill’s Meat Market” will return as well. Fright Nights is for teens and adults, but not for the faint of heart (or small children). For more info., visit www.frightnights.net. (Clockwise from top left): The Windigo; Craig McInnis, operations manager and designer of “The Smiths” and “The Scourge”; and Jeremy Schroader of Underworld Creations.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
The Second Chance Garage Sale took place Saturday, Sept. 29 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. Because of the overwhelming response to the Gigantic Garage Sale on July 29, the Second Chance Garage Sale was held for those who missed out or simply couldn’t wait another year. (Above) Iris and Larry Kamerman of Royal Palm Beach look over some china. (Below) Angela Williams of Earth Essence Spa Therapy gives Joanne McLaughlin a quick massage.
Holidays Leagues Will Keep Control
continued from page 1A in the games on Yom Kippur. In addition to the child being upset with the games being played without him, he went to practice on Wednesday night, and he was not allowed to practice… In my 31 years residing in Florida, I have never seen a Little League game on Easter. Nobody would show up except for maybe the Jewish kids.”
West Palm Beach resident Driscoll Ugarte said he didn’t think it would be difficult to fashion a policy that would address parents’ concerns.
“The court system has done it,” Ugarte said. “The school system has done it. I just don’t think it’s difficult. You would be approving a policy that would work… I am a minority myself. This nation was founded on those principles. We should not be discriminating against minorities. I don’t think it’s your intention to discriminate, but I think minorities need to be recognized, and minorities have to be protected in order to preserve the principles the nation was founded upon.”
Board Member Tom Dongilla said he understood parents’ concerns, but the board had to find a middle ground. Dongilla said village staff oversees the calendar and scheduling, but noted that parents upset with the way things go could try for a seat on the board or on the boards of the sports providers. Either agency could use their participation, input and support.
“You could run for the board and change it,” Dongilla said. “We don’t over-
NHS Settlement?
continued from page 1A stressed that both sides seemed intent on reaching a resolution.
“If things have changed, that’s always possible, but when I spoke with both of them I strongly had the opinion that they really wanted to make this happen,” Cohen said. “I do think honestly that they really have tried to diminish the negative impact on the village by doing this.”
Cohen, who was the lone dissenting vote in last month’s Wellington Village Council approval of Stadium Jumping’s new show grounds, stressed the eco-
Resumes ITID Applicants
continued from page 9A Communities Council of Governments.
Other applicants include:
• Ronald Blank of Delray Beach has been economic development manager for the City of West Palm Beach since 2006. His resume lists more than 14 years in management of economic development programs. He holds a master’s degree in finance and international business and a bachelor’s in industrial engineering.
• Bruce Alan Mowry of Ormond Beach is currently a temporary employee for a consulting firm in Palm City. He left a position as executive director for the Water Authority of Volusia in Daytona Beach in August where he had worked since 2003. He holds a doctorate in civil engineering.
• T. Michael Self of Jupiter was direc-
Wechsler Sleazy Television
continued from page 18A before his wife is ready to toss him out?
To help things along, there is Karen Darling (Natalie Zea), oldest daughter of the family, who lost her virginity to Nick years ago and now has him working on a pre-nuptial agreement for her fourth husband. She also obviously has feelings for Nick.
Those feelings might be genetic in that her mother Letitia (Jill Clayburgh) is said to have had a 40-year affair with Nick’s father. The father might have been murdered and if you think that somehow the
see every single schedule. That is staff’s responsibility with our blessing. We don’t micromanage the providers and the staff. This gives us the middle ground that works for everyone. It was wrong, however, that your kid could not practice. That was wrong. That is what this policy should address. We have to stand behind it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Board Member Ellie Halperin, who is Jewish, said she didn’t know how Muslim youngsters observing Ramadan would deal with such a situation. After fasting all day long, she said, it would be hard for them to play at night.
“It’s hard to fulfill being observant of any religion,” Halperin said. “It’s not an easy thing. To try as a group to schedule things and avoid scheduling things would be difficult. There was no language I could come up with that would work in every situation. It’s not easy. It’s a difficult choice to make for the child, but you’re helping them become observant.”
Board Member Mary Jo Shockley concurred and said the board would likely offend someone that evening with the policy, but it is not their desire to offend anyone. Shockley also said she wanted to apologize for any animosity generated by the Yom Kippur incident.
“I want to apologize for any unpoliteness that went on during this time,” Shockley said. “I’m sure it was no one from the board. I have grown children. My house once looked like the United Nations. I am aware of the framework and makeup of Wellington, which is very, very diverse. If we were to take into consideration the 177 holidays or however many holidays there are, it would be wonderful. It’s just not feasible.”
nomic importance of keeping the shows in Wellington.
“I believe that both sides are trying to do what is in the best interest of the village, our business owners and the people who are relying on the horse show for income,” she said.
Cohen expressed gratitude to both sides for coming to the table. “I’m very proud of both sides for trying to move this forward. It may be possible there are some sticky issues that have to be ironed out, but I don’t think that it’s going to blow the whole thing,” she said. “I think that it will be OK. At the end of the day they realize they are hurting themselves if this does not go through.”
tor of safety at St. Mary’s Medical Center from 2006 to 2007. He was director and owner of EHS Solutions from 2000 to 2007, where he managed training and safety program audits and healthcare emergency management programs. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida.
• Glenn Vann of Port St. Lucie lists 15 years of managing federal, state and local programs and grants in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Among his experience he lists director of the Community Redevelopment Agency for the City of Port St. Lucie. He holds a master’s degree in political science with emphasis on public administration.
• James Vardalis of Stuart, former city manager of North Bay Village from 2003 to 2005 where he managed more than 100 employees, according to his resume. He holds a doctoral degree in public administration and an undergraduate degree in human services.
Darlings were not involved, you might call me for a good price on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Is the show amusing and interesting? Well, the cast is very good. What actor would not want to portray a sleaze? But who could really care about any of them?
But, frankly, after the first episode I began to wonder what could be done to keep our attention. Will there be interspecies relationships? How can Nick avoid getting sleazy? Will he bother much?
If this sort of thing attracts you, keep watching. It will be quite a ride. On the other hand, I already know there are people who like to watch car crashes.
Board Member Liz Stockton said she also didn’t know how a policy could be crafted that would take everyone’s religious background into account. If you did such a thing, she said, Buddhists and Hindus would ask to be included. “I think a sports game is not the same as school,” Stockton said. “When the courts ruled on it, I think that was for school. We are trying to make things right for as many people as possible.”
Stockton also asked Barnes whether the board has any jurisdiction over game schedules. “The final approval lies with me,” he replied. “It does not go to this board. It’s not an issue of approval of days, but of fields, and when they are allowed to use them.”
Stockton asked if there was a way for the advisory board to suggest to providers that they look at the schedules carefully and look at the holidays and try to be as “politically correct” as possible, and to try not to schedule games during religious holidays.
“If we could ask the sports provider to look at their calendar, and try to be as politically correct as possible,” Stockton said. “At least we know that you tried.”
Vice Mayor Bob Margolis, who is Jewish and has served as a youth coach, said he had received many e-mails and phone calls on the issue. It reminded him of the unpleasant Nativity scene controversy the village faced in 2005.
“People who were friends are now hating each other,” he said. “We’re better than that. We need to talk about it… As a parent and a resident, we can look at the schedule for the next couple of years. We can talk about it. We can agree to disagree. Diversity is the key that brings everyone together.”
Groves Emergency Distribution
continued from page 13A stockpile is authorized by the CDC, and it augments our own materials. Our health department has limited supplies.”
Levenstein said the county health department’s Office of Emergency Preparedness has established emergency residential distribution points by agreement with residential and homeowners’ associations. The health department would arrange for the delivery of medications, antidotes or vaccines, and assist in training resident volunteers.
Levenstein noted that potential emergencies are not limited to terrorist acts or disasters, but also disease epidemics such as the avian influenza virus, which is not yet a concern in North America but could be soon. He cautioned residents not to get too close if they ever come across a cluster of dead birds.
“If you see dead birds like that, don’t touch them,” he said. “Put on gloves. They could be carrying the disease. At the moment, we are not aware of anything jumping species. But it has happened overseas. Three people were exposed to avian flu.”
Councilman Dennis Lipp made a motion that the request be placed on a future council agenda for discussion, and also that members of the newly formed
Daycare Conditional Approval
continued from page 14A cy, with the 2,600 square feet all they could build. However, it is possible that in a few years time they might be asking for more. McGinley also said that this is a daycare center and not a preschool, which means kids would not be lined up outside waiting to get in at a certain time.
Town Attorney David Tolces also noted that daycare centers must be constructed in accordance with state laws regarding size and number of children. Regarding the number of students at the school, Councilman Dr. Bill Louda suggested clarifying the document to expressly state 60 enrolled kids.
Mayor David Browning said local resi-
Board Chairman Randy Phillips noted that he had been a coach and a youth league administrator, and said he knew from experience how hectic it is to be responsible for scheduling games.
“You have 600 kids and 60 teams and not only are you scheduling your own team, you have inter-league play,” Phillips said. “That doesn’t mean the interleague schedule will recognize it.”
Phillips said even coordinating team pictures can be a challenge, and although two days are set aside, some parents and kids could not make either day. “Some people have multiple children doing multiple sports,” he said. “They are trying to juggle all that. Basically, you do the best you can. Some kids don’t make it at all.”
Phillips added he had never encountered a coach penalizing a player by telling him he could not play. “In all the years I’ve have been doing this, I’ve never known a coach who would do that,” he said. “My wife and I, we had four kids. We took our kids four nights a week to practice. It was insane. We wore out four cars trying to do that. It’s a difficult thing… I don’t think anyone would try to slight anyone.”
Dongilla made a motion to approve the policy as drafted by staff, which was seconded by Shockley. It passed unanimously.
Dongilla also praised the parents for coming out even though he did not support their position. “I want to commend you folks for coming out tonight,” he said. “I want to commend you for doing what you thought was right for your children. We need more of that. I commend you for coming out and stating your case. It’s for the kids.”
local Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) follow up with town staff and Levenstein if necessary. The motion was seconded by Councilman Dr. Bill Louda and passed unanimously. Town Clerk Matt Lippman also noted the subject would figure in future discussions about an overall emergency plan for the town. In other business, the council approved the first reading of a one-year moratorium on the processing and review of applications for development orders, permits and amendments to the town’s comprehensive plan, as provided in the town charter.
Councilman Dave Autrey initially suggested that the effective date be extended until Jan. 1, 2009, but Interim Town Attorney David Tolces suggested that might not be a good idea. If necessary, the council could consider an extension in a year’s time, but he didn’t recommend doing it now.
“A year is a long time with respect to a moratorium being in place,” Tolces said. “I would be concerned about the 15 months. A year is defensible. It may not be enough time for [completion of] a comprehensive plan, but it gives you time to get it going or underway. You can then come back and have staff tell you why we feel we need additional time.”
Louda made a motion to approve the one-year moratorium, which was seconded by Autrey. It passed unanimously.
dents would use the daycare center, so traffic might not increase much. Despite that, Browning said he still has worries about the turn lanes and flow of traffic on Okeechobee Blvd.
“I have mixed ideas about the turn lanes and everything else,” he said. “We need to keep a constant flow of traffic on Okeechobee Blvd. I would rather have four-way stops to allow breaks in the traffic and to allow people to get in and out. When the traffic increases, the breaks will occur less and less.”
Tolces said that the town might be able to talk with county representatives about the easement issue and set up a process to address that. Vice Mayor Marge Herzog made a motion to approve the conditional use application, excluding the conditions for landscaping, lighting, signage and use limitations. It was seconded by Louda and passed unanimously.
PALMS WEST
A TOWN-CRIER Publication
Paradise T ParadiseT ParadiseTan an At W Wellington Green T ellingtonGreenT ellingtonGreenTakes Pride In Client Care akesPrideInClientCare
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Paradise Tan partners Dana Ashdown and Tsvetti Ivanova recently celebrated the successful first year of their salon near the Mall at Wellington Green.
They love their work and they love the area, although they confess they spend more time at work than out on the town. They operate the shop themselves to make sure their clients receive excellent care.
“We want to know our customers are getting the best service,” said Ashdown, who met Ivanova when they were managers at a tanning franchise and attending Northwood University in West Palm Beach.
Drawing from their experience as managers and seeing the need for better service in the tanning business, they forged out on their own. “We found the place, we got the lease and we found financing,” Ivanova said. “We already knew a lot of the distributors. From there, we started our own business.”
They opened Paradise Tan on Sept. 15, 2006 and their business has been growing ever since, due to loyal clients and a great location, they said.
Ivanova said it is much
healthier to receive a tan in a controlled environment than in the severe South Florida sun.
“Tanning is safer and quicker in the controlled environment of a salon,” she said.
The salon also offers a completely ultraviolet-free spray tan, which takes only five minutes and is one of their clients’ favorite products, Ivanova said.
“It’s a very pretty bronze that lasts seven to ten days,” she said. “People like the color, and it lasts for a while.”
Appointments are suggested for the spray tan due to high demand and limited availability.
Appointments are usually unnecessary for one of the seven tanning beds, Ivanova said, although the salon is bustling with clients, most of whom are repeat customers.
“We have great customers,” Ashdown said. “Most are yearround residents, but we have a lot of equestrians during the season.”
Their clientele includes participants in bodybuilding shows, beauty pageants and fashion shows, especially for the spray tan. “We get people from as far as Delray Beach and Jupiter,” Ashdown said. “Nobody wants to experiment with a spray tan.” Ivanova, originally from Bul-
garia, came to the area five years ago to attend Northwood University, where she got a job at a tanning salon across the street from the university. At work she met Ohio native Ashdown, who was also a Northwood student.
Once in South Florida, Ivanova decided she did not want to leave. “You can’t beat the area,” she said. “It’s pretty and the weather is nice all year round.”
They feel passing the oneyear mark successfully is a significant milestone, but they don’t have any plans to open additional locations because it might compromise the quality of care to their clients. “We’ll take it one thing at a time,” Ashdown said. “We consider ourselves the best. It’s our life now. The nice thing about having us here is we know our customers are getting the best service available.”
The salon offers three treatment packages that can be paid for either by the session or by the day, week or month with unlimited sessions. Their most popular offering is the “Platinum” standup treatment in a Supersonic tanning machine lasting seven minutes. “Gold” service includes a 10-minute standup treatment in a Delta tanning unit and a 15-minute laydown session in a Lumina tan-
ning bed. “Bronzer” service involves a 20-minute lay-down session in an Onyx tanning bed.
Tanning sessions for all levels, as well as airbrush tanning, can be purchased singly or in packages of three, six, 10, 20 or 30 sessions. Unlimited UV tanning packages can be bought by the week or two weeks; one, three or six months; or a whole year.
The salon also carries top-ofthe-line products including tan extenders and lotions that ex-
tend the airbrush tan. Paradise Tan also offers special packages for high school and college students.
Paradise Tan is located in the Wellington Green Square shopping plaza at 10680 W. Forest Hill Blvd., near the Fresh Market, and is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call (561) 333-3115 or visit www.paradiseimaging.net.
Tanning Time — Paradise Tan partners Dana Ashdown and Tsvetti Ivanova outside their Wellington salon.
PHOTO BY RON
Pre-Paid Legal: Have An Attorney On Call When You Need One
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
No matter who you are, you may need the services of a lawyer someday. With Pre-Paid Legal, you’ll never go bankrupt to pay legal fees.
Pre-Paid Legal was one of the first companies in the United States organized solely to design, underwrite and market legal expense plans. Memberships in the company offer a variety of plans in a manner similar to medical reimbursement plans or HMOs.
The 30-year-old company, headquartered in Oklahoma, provides legal services to over 1.5 million families across the U.S. and Canada, and benefits are delivered through a network of independent law firms. Pre-Paid Legal offers preventive, motor vehicle, trial defense and IRS audit legal services as well as identity theft protection services.
Pre-Paid Legal was founded by Oklahoma schoolteacher and insurance salesman Harland Stonecipher, who was involved in a serious car accident in 1969. While his insurance covered his medical and car repair costs, he had no coverage for the resulting legal bills.
After researching the European legal expense plan industry, he founded Pre-Paid Legal in 1972, and the business has since expanded throughout the United States and into Canada. The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and was recognized as a top-performing
company by the Wall Street Journal.
Wellington resident Nancy Pena-Brink began using PrePaid Legal as a client and liked the product so much, she went to work for them as an independent associate and group benefits specialist.
Pena-Brink said that even though the United States is a litigious society, most Americans have no legal coverage. But for a small monthly fee, Pre-Paid Legal will cover you against anything from a traffic ticket to a major lawsuit.
“Right now, about ten percent of people get legal coverage through the public defender’s office because of their situation,” Pena-Brink said. “About ten percent have enough money that they can pay for attorneys if they ever get into a situation that they need an attorney for. But about 80 percent of individuals out there don’t have any coverage at all. If a legal situation comes up because of a lawsuit, they have nowhere to go... You are two and a half times more likely to end up needing an attorney than you are to be in the hospital.”
Pena-Brink learned this from personal experience, when a paperwork snafu related to her daughter’s hospital stay resulted in the hospital threatening to resort to a collection agency, which could have ruined her credit. Pena-Brink relied on PrePaid Legal.
“The attorney wrote a letter to the hospital and found out that according to the insurance com-
pany, the hospital did not get the proper authorizations for this, and told them the client does not owe any money,” she recalled. “We saved $2,500 from that. We would have paid it if we didn’t have the service because normally you wouldn’t fight it.”
Pena-Brink said Pre-Paid Legal offers round-the-clock coverage. A call to their toll-free number will put a client in touch with a lawyer no matter what time it is.
Another advantage to PrePaid Legal membership in these modern times is identity theft coverage and credit monitoring. A lawyer can come in handy if a driver’s license check during a traffic stop returns with inaccurate information, Pena-Brink noted. Identity thieves use victims’ information for a wide range of purposes, such as collecting insurance benefits.
“Not only do we do your credit report and continuous
monitoring, but we do identity restoration,” Pena-Brink said.
“We will write letters on your behalf. We will go out and research and find out what’s going on. That’s work you would normally have to do on your own. We will go one step beyond that, and we will make sure that your identity is restored back to its good name.”
Pre-Paid Legal services also cover the important area of wills
LEGAL, page 4B
Your Legal Connection — Pre-Paid Legal representatives Andrea Serratore, Annemarie Masone, John Kilinski and Nancy Pena-Brink.
PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
At Loxahatchee Feed & Hay Supply, The Food Comes First
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
Loxahatchee Feed & Hay Supply is a local business focusing on the needs of rural citizens, and its staff treats its customers the way neighbors like to be treated.
Located a block south of Okeechobee Blvd. near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Loxahatchee Feed is a busy place where owner Kendra Wilson and her staff take the time to discuss the needs of her customers.
“I am a feed nutritionist,” Wilson said. “I go to a lot of seminars to discuss the specialized needs of all our domestic animals.”
Wilson is a horse owner herself, and goes out of her way to assist the area’s large equestrian community. “I carry a full line of equine and livestock feed along with bagged bedding and mulch shavings,” she said. “We can provide them in small lots and by tractor-trailer load. We even have specialty items for deer hunters like Acorn Rage and cracked corn.”
Besides bulk wood shavings, customers can buy Suncoast and Stampede brand shavings by the bag. But of course, as the name implies, Loxahatchee Feed & Hay Supply is centered on supplying feed. Loxahatchee Feed carries straight alfalfa hay, straight timothy hay, timothy-alfalfa mixed (“T&A”) and coastal hay, both first and second cut. “Some people order 900 to a thousand pounds of coastal round rolls,” Wilson said, “although most people prefer the small bales of coastal hay.”
Of course there’s more to feed than just hay. “Right now we’re carrying bags of T&A cubes and alfalfa cubes,” Wilson said. “These are small cubes that are chopped and compressed. They work well because we have a hay shortage because of the unpredictability of
rainfall. Sometimes there’s just too little and sometimes just too much. People soak the cubes in water and feed them to their animals.”
Wilson worked at Polo Pets & Feed on State Road 7 in Wellington until it closed in 2006, and then bought her current business from its previous owner.
“I got to know many of the people who are my customers now, and they got to know me,” she said. “When I took over Marc Stucker’s Feed out here in December 2006 and renamed it, a lot of them became my customers here. We’re on a first-name basis with just about all our customers.”
Wilson is very upbeat about her prospects. “We have the best hay, the best prices and the friendliest people,” she boasted. “We specialize in feed and hay, unlike some of our competitors. They carry all sorts of hardware and other items. All we focus on is making certain that we take care of hay and feed.”
Wilson has worked hard to upgrade Loxahatchee Feed. “We’ve put in a new parking lot to make things easier for our customers,” she said. “And I put in new trailers. I want our customers to be happy.”
Wilson said the people of the western communities are close to her heart. “My customers are the ones who make it worthwhile for me to get out of bed every day,” she said. “And it’s been such fun working with some of the people who move and have just started with horses. We’re able to make sure their horses are properly fed.”
Loxahatchee Feed & Hay Supply is located at 16244 East Brighton Drive in Loxahatchee and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., although Wilson said other times are available by appointment. Call (561) 798-2929 for more information.
Legal Variety Of Services
continued from page 3B and living testaments, documents no American should be without but most don’t have, Pena-Brink said. Pre-Paid Legal also allows small businesses with small budgets the ability to retain an attorney.
“Small businesses, like families, don’t always have extra cash to be able to call on an attorneys when they need to,” she said. “Small businesses end up with accounts receivable, and no matter how many times they ask people for money, they can be blown off. They’re small. With our small business plan, people can have letters written on their behalf for
collection. They can have contracts reviewed so they can have legal representation for suits.”
No matter what the question, PenaBrink said, Pre-Paid Legal members can contact an attorney. “If you are thinking of buying property, call him,” she said. “If you end up in a situation where you need to do a contract, you can send him the contract, and they will review it for you before you sign it. This is really good because you never know when a situation is going to come up when an attorney speaks louder than your letter coming in.”
For more information on joining PrePaid Legal, call Pena-Brink at (561) 5129728 or visit the company’s web site at www.prepaidlegal.com.
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For moreinfo or private showing please call Shane O’Shea at 561.704.7277
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Enjoy this W.Lake Worth friendly equestrian neighborhood. Great place to raise your horses, run your business or both.
In this custom 3 BR/3 Bath ranch with a new pool & custom grill, aTiki Hut, huge master bedroom, big walk-in closet, office/den, wood floors a fireplace in the family room, 2stables/barn, professionally landscaped, no HOA. Virtual Tour - http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1054307 asking $629,900 For more info call Karl Davis 561.596.3752 Boynton Beach FL 561. 736.6553
Feed Suppliers — Kendra Wilson and Jill Blaylock of Loxahatchee Feed & Hay Supply with some of their merchandise.
PHOTO
PALMS WEST CHAMBER HOSTS RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES
Blind Shack of Palm Beach County — Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors recently participated in a ribbon cutting at Blind Shack of Palm Beach County. Owners Roy and Joy Wright have opened this home-based business in Loxahatchee. Blind Shack offers quality custom blinds, plantation shutters and solar films. For more info., call (561) 422-1987. Pictured here is Wright with chamber ambassadors.
Firehouse Subs — Firehouse Subs recently opened its first Palm Beach County location at 10229 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. Firehouse Subs serves generously sized hot subs that are prepared with high-quality meats and cheeses served on a toasted sub roll. For more info., call (561) 790-7911. Pictured here are owners Rich and Heidi Robatin, and employees Rafael Rosario and Ricky Marszalski with chamber ambassadors.
Palm Beach Laser Eye Institute — Located at 2515 State Road 7 in Plaza II at Wellington Green, Palm Beach Laser Eye Institute offers LASIK with European spa appeal. Starting in November, services will include microdermabrasion, laser facials, laser hair, vein and wrinkle removal, and Botox and Restylane injections. For more info., call (561) 795-4772. Shown here is Medical Director Dr. Salvatore DeCanio with chamber ambassadors.
Dr. Bruce Elkind — Located at 9100 Belvedere Road, Suite 208 in Royal Palm Beach, Dr. Bruce Elkind offers all phases of family and cosmetic dentistry, including mercury-free tooth-colored fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, implants and removable dentures, as well as root canals, extractions and comfortable painless cleanings. To schedule an appointment, call (561) 7984077. Pictured here is Dr. Elkind with employees and chamber ambassadors.
WRMC Names Noegel Director Of Critical Care And Telemetry
Wellington Regional Medical Center recently announced that Nurse Darlene Noegel has been appointed the new director of critical care and telemetry at the hospital. With 24 years of experience as a registered nurse, 20 of those years in critical care, Noegel brings experience in leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration to her role in the Intensive Care Unit at WRMC.
Holding a master’s degree in nursing from Barry University, Noegel most recently served as director of telemetry at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, and before that, as director of nursing support services at Good Samaritan Medical Center, also in West Palm Beach. Prior to these positions, she served as director of critical care and dialysis at Boca Raton Community Hospital.
Committed to serving the growing needs for critical care services in our community, the 16bed intensive care unit and 31-bed telemetry unit at Wellington provides some of the latest available technologies coupled with an experienced interdisciplinary critical care staff and intensivist physicians who focus on providing essential support to critically ill patients.
“I am pleased to join the team of critical care professionals at Wellington Regional Medical
Darlene Noegel
Center working together to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of quality and compassionate healthcare to our critically ill patients,” Noegel said. For more information, call (561) 798-8500 or visit www.wellingtonregional.com.
Customer Service Guru To Speak At Palms West Chamber Luncheon
The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host world-class customer service authority John DiJulius at a special luncheon and seminar Monday, Oct. 15 at the Wellington Community Center, located at 12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
Regarded as a customer service pioneer and one of the most captivating and charismatic speakers of the day, DiJulius will share “behind-the-scenes” concepts and techniques that are easy to use and translatable to fit small business models.
The seminar will take place from 1 to 5 p.m., following an 11:45 a.m. luncheon catered by Panera Bread. Seats for this power-packed seminar are still available. The cost is $50 for chamber members and $75 for non-members, including lunch.
For more information about DiJulius, visit www.johndijulius.com. For more information about the event, or to register, call the Palms West Chamber of Commerce at (561) 7906200 or visit www.palmswest.com.
Travel Club Leaders To Meet On Oct. 10
Members of the travel association Group Leaders of America (GLAMER) will meet at the Embassy Suites Hotel (4350 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens) on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Group Leaders of America, an association of 25,000 volunteer group travel planners, meet in
60 cities nationwide for networking, travel workshops and discussion on extended trips and day trips.
The West Palm Chapter of GLAMER has a membership of 550 with an average of 105 planners in attendance at the annual meeting.
For more information on becoming a GLAMER member, visit www.glamer.com.
The meeting is free, and open to anyone who plans travel for a group or social club. The meeting also includes a continental breakfast and complimentary lunch. Anyone interested in attending should call (800) 6280993 to reserve space.
John Di Julius
Event Planner Garcia-Furey Relocates To Wellington Area
Leslie Garcia-Furey, an experienced corporate veteran and recent Wellington transplant by way of New Jersey, has announced that her company LGF Events Planner is poised to service the social, private and corporate sectors throughout the Palm Beaches.
With more than 28 years invested in the corporate arena, Garcia-Furey has the skills needed as an events planner. What stands out in her career?
“There was a ‘Winter in NYC’ theme for a corporate holiday gathering of approximately 300 quests,” Garcia-Furey said. “The entrance to the dining hall was decorated as the Holland Tunnel. The hall was festively decorated with cascading lighting of shimmering white and blue against the magnificent props, which gave the illusion of New York City sidewalks and storefronts, trees with icicles hanging from their branches, images of people strolling about and food vendors dressed in winter attire with snow dust on their hats and shoulders. There were carving stations of roast beef, tenderloin, chicken, and turkey, along with a seafood, sushi and a dessert station.”
It is the experience and success of this very event, and many others like it, that LGF Events Planner brings to the western communities and beyond.
LGF Events Planner will take care of all the details, such as the music, food and drinks, locations and logistics. An event planner usually specializes in coordinating large-scale special events. A party planner or party coordinator specializes in showcasing smaller scale gettogethers such as birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, corporate and holiday parties. Each is a separate disci-
pline. LGF Events Planner does both. Aside from planning and organizing significant corporate events, Garcia-Furey continues to awe family and friends with social events and elaborate dinner parties.
Garcia-Furey is organizing an event for November that will showcase her skills as an events planner. “There will be fine tidbits, wine, jazz sounds by vocalist Jannell Coss and raffle prizes,” Garcia-Furey said.
For more info., call (561) 514-1609 or visit www.lgfeventsplanner.com.
PBC Home Show Returns Oct. 5
The fall edition of the Palm Beach County Home Show will take place Oct. 5-7 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach. Known as Palm Beach’s upscale home show, the home and garden event attracts tens of thousands of visitors looking for the latest in home design and remodeling products and services.
The show will feature more than 100,000 square feet of displays, including interior decorating, furnishing, kitchen and bathroom design, pools and spas, landscaping, outdoor living and much more.
Visitors will browse among hundreds of products, including tile, stone, and surfacing materials; window treatments and accessories; and storm protection and home security systems. In addition, for the first time, the show will feature a special arts and crafts village, a showcase for talented artisans working in sculpture, glass, pottery, painting, jewelry, photography and metalwork.
As the show’s grand prize, one lucky
family will have its 2007 property taxes paid courtesy of the Palm Beach County Home Show (up to $5,000). In addition, home and garden experts will share their expertise on a range of topics daily, including appearances by remodeling expert Courtney Cachet, the Palm Beach Post’s “Green Blogger” Christine Stapleton and real estate developer Charles Andrews, author of Risk & Grow Rich
Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for ages four to 12. Seniors and ladies will benefit from two-for-one admission on Friday, opening day, while seniors also will receive $2 off the regular admission price on Saturday and Sunday.
Show hours are Friday, Oct. 5, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The convention center is located at 650 Okeechobee Blvd., with parking available on site and across the street at CityPlace.
For more information, visit www. pbchomeshow.com or call (800) 3216164.
Leslie Garcia-Furey
Never Been On A Cruise? Here’s Advice For Your First Trip
By Ernest Lemoncelli Maxima World Travel Service
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), North America’s largest cruise industry organization, only 15 percent of the U.S. population has actually taken a cruise. Here in Florida, with three of the top ten cruise ports in the world, it’s more like 25 percent. Marketing studies consistently tell CLIA that about 80 percent of the people they poll want to cruise in the next three years. So if you are one of folks considering a first cruise, here’s some information that may help.
First, cruising is a great value. The price includes transportation, accommodations, all meals, snacks, onboard activities and entertainment. Generally, alcohol is not included but room service is, and usually on a 24-hour basis. You may choose accommodations from an inside stateroom, which is the most economical, to a suite that is much larger and may have butler service. Staterooms usually sleep up to four passengers, although special family accommodations and suites can hold more. Some suites
with multiple rooms sleep as many as 14 guests. You may also choose an ocean view or balcony stateroom. Cruises range from three nights to more that 100 nights with the seven-night itinerary being very popular.
All cruise ships feature an onboard spa. Here you can indulge in a variety of exotic body and beauty treatments, aromatherapy and massage for individuals or couples. And if you have kids, there are children’s programs grouped by age, which offer age-appropriate activities for toddlers to teens. Children’s areas are limited-access areas and the crew that monitors the programs has specialized training.
One of the great features of a cruise is that you unpack once, but visit multiple locations. Cruise ships travel at night while you are enjoying dinner, dancing at the clubs, taking in a show or trying your luck in the casino. When you awake, you’re at a new destination and have the day to explore. At the end of the day, you’ll re-board your ship and have another night to enjoy all that the ship has to offer. Depending on the cruise
line and ship, on-board activities include Las Vegas-style shows, art auctions, cooking lessons, dance classes, bowling, ice skating, miniature golf, golf simulators and golf competitions, lectures, bridge, bingo, planetarium shows, basketball, boxing, rock climbing, surfing, casino gaming lessons, an Internet café, video game rooms, wine tasting, creative arts classes, talent shows and trivia competitions. You can even arrange to tour the ship’s galley where all that fabulous food is prepared.
And there is a lot of food and it is as good as you’ve heard it is. On a typical six-day transatlantic crossing of the Queen Mary II, the guests and crew consume 50 tons fresh fruits and veggies, 12 tons of meat, eight tons of poultry, 13 tons of fish and seafood and 20 kilograms of Russian caviar. Luckily, you can burn off some calories in the fitness center or by walking or jogging on the promenade deck. You certainly won’t be bored
or hungry on one of these floating resorts.
While you can do a lot of research on the web, your best resource for planning a cruise is an experienced and knowledgeable travel agent. They can explain the differences among cruise lines and make recommendations based on personal experience. Many travel agencies have CLIA-certified cruise counselors on staff. These travel agents have completed a curriculum of cruise sales training and have personally sailed or inspected a wide variety of cruise ships. It doesn’t cost any more to book your cruise through a travel agent, and you get the added benefit of personal attention and experience.
Ernest Lemoncelli is a partner in MAXIMA World Travel Services, a full-service Travel Agency located in Lake Worth. To contact him, e-mail ernest@maxima worldtravel.com.
Macy’s To Hold Second Annual Shop For A Cause Day Oct. 13
Macy’s recently announced that it will continue last fall’s successful charity shopping event “Shop for a Cause,” which raised nearly $10 million for charities across the United States. This year’s Shop for a Cause will take place in Macy’s stores and on www.macys.com on Saturday, Oct. 13, including the location in the Mall at Wellington Green.
“Macy’s charity shopping days are an extremely effective approach to supporting important causes and celebrating our connections to our local communities,” said Macy’s Florida Senior Vice President/Director of Marketing Lisa
Kauffman. “Last fall, we were able to roll it out to a national audience for the first time ever, raising nearly $10 million for the local charities that matter most to our communities and customers. This year, we are hosting our second national Shop for a Cause event with the hope that it will continue to gain notice and momentum as a compelling and simple way to support important charitable work across the country.”
Here’s how the program works. Macy’s donates tickets to regional and local charities in all of its markets around the country, including the American Heart
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Association as an extension of Macy’s national support of the Go Red for Women movement. The tickets are then sold by the charitable organizations for $5 each. They keep all of the ticket proceeds. Ticket holders redeem their tickets at any Macy’s store on Oct. 13 to receive a coupon for 20 percent off most men’s, women’s, kids’ and accessories merchandise, and 10 percent off most home items. Tickets are also sold at www.macys.com and at the door leading up to and on the day of the event, with the proceeds for those tickets also distributed to charitable organizations.
Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy’s stores are operated by seven regionally based retail divisions — Macy’s East, Macy’s Florida, Macy’s Midwest, Macy’s North, Macy’s Northwest, Macy’s South, Macy’s West and an online store at www.macys.com. The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, visit the mall’s web site at www.shopwellingtongreen.com.
WINESTYLES HOSTS FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT THE HEART GALLERY
WineStyles in Wellington hosted a business after-hours networking and fundraising event last Thursday to benefit the Heart Gallery of Palm Beach County. According to Ultimate Health Massage’s Brenda Ammon, who organized the event, more than $700 was raised for the Heart Gallery, which seeks to increase the number of foster and adoptive families and bring attention to area children who still need homes. For more info., visit www.heartgallerypbc.org.
PHOTOS
Linda Coffin, Kitty Callan and Linda Norris of the Heart Gallery.
Millie Inoa, Elaine Seth, Rhonda and Sam Bouchlas, Andy Bouchlas, and Brenda Ammon at the WineStyles event.
Event organizer Brenda Ammon gives chiropractor Dr. Craig Selinger a goody bag as he writes a donation check.
Max Green entertains.Chris Adair and Nikki Robinson of Results Fitness Studios.
WineStyles proprietors Gary and Tanya Meade, Glenn and Sandi Kahn of Metro Woman Directory, Brenda Ammon of Ultimate Massage Therapy, and Howard Sohn of Cartridge World all donated coupons for services for the goody bags.
We Need The Rain... But Must We Get It All At One Time?
Rain, rain, go away, come again another day (like in January or February).
I know we need the rain, but enough is enough. For the last couple weeks it has been raining almost every day and night. I thought we live in the Sunshine State. You could’ve fooled me. The state needs to change its nickname. We can now call it the Rain State or the Cloudy State, or the Partly Cloudy, or the Very Humid State. Take your pick; they all fit (if the shoe fits…).
I know better than most that we needed rain in March and April. It appears the rain we needed back in the spring has now arrived. It feels like it will be here for a long time. So far the weather guys keep telling us the rain we have been getting is not enough and falling in the wrong places. (They also say a tropical storm or a hurricane may bring the amount we need!) They tell us the coast is getting more rain than Lake O (you could’ve fooled me). The coastal rain empties out into the ocean. It doesn’t help the wells.
Lake O must have a very large tarp covering it. The weather guys keep telling us the lake is still four feet below normal. I took a ride to the lake last week. I wanted to see with my own eyes if it really needed
Wondering And Wandering
With Ernie Zimmerman
more rain. I am sorry to report that even though we have gotten plenty of rain in the last couple of weeks, the lake still has some dry spots. More rain is needed, and I am sure we will get it.
Because of the rain, I haven’t been able to open up my ragtop in over two weeks. My tan is fading fast. I am also spending more and more time indoors. It sort of reminds me of the winter months up north. No one left the house ’til the end of March. Here it is just the opposite — we get stuck indoors during the summer rainy season. (Good thing we all have air conditioning!)
Three of my grandsons haven’t been able to play a
Little League baseball game in more than two weeks. I don’t have a how they will make up the games that have been rained out. Last week, number-one grandson Max had four games cancelled because of rain or wet fields. The way it has been raining, the ball fields have not been dry for weeks.
Now the big question is whether the South Florida Water Management District will lift the water restrictions. So far they haven’t. It appears the water restrictions are here to stay. I can live with water restrictions, but the rain, well, that’s another story. I know we need it, but do we need it all at once? I realize this is beyond man’s control, but something has to be done.
In cowboy times when they couldn’t listen to the “rhythm of the falling rain” they would hire a rainmaker. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. With all of the technology we have, isn’t there a way we could seed the clouds during the so-called dry season? There has to be some real life rainmaker out there… Maybe an ad in the Town-Crier will bring some of these rainmakers to our area. What have we got to lose? Everything else we’ve tried isn’t working. So I say bring on the human rainmaker.
Now Is The Time To Start Planning Your Winter Flowerbeds
This is the time of year many people start to think about adding color to the landscape in the form of bedding plants or annual flowers. October officially begins our dry season, so we shouldn’t be getting a lot of heavy rainfall on a regular basis from here on. The problem with heavy rains is that many bedding plants are very susceptible to serious fungus diseases or root rot.
Garden stores and nurseries have dozens of different types of plants, so what you choose depends on preference and the amount of space available. Some flowers available this time of year include begonias, impatiens, geraniums, salvia, marigolds, gaillardia and torenia.
The number-one planted annual is impatiens, and these are generally put in this month and then taken out in April when it gets too hot. Impatiens comes in dozens of colors, and each year it
seems there’s a favorite color everyone wants. Impatiens is popular because it does equally well in blazing sun all day or in deeply shaded corners where it gets little if any direct sunlight. Few other flowers are that well adapted for a range of lighting conditions.
Begonias are also popular, because they produce a solid cover of blooms from early fall until late spring.
Remember that flowers that are put in will require a little more attention than existing perennials and permanent plantings. You will have to water them a little bit more often and keep them well supplied with fertilizer. Flowering plants expend a lot of energy, and if they don’t receive enough fertilizer they slow down or even stop their flower production.
Flowering plants can also present more pest and disease problems than permanent landscaping. You should inspect
flowerbeds at least once or twice a week to identify any potential problems. Failure to correct problems in early stages often results in large areas of the flowerbed dying out, and replacing them can be expensive.
It would help to amend or build up relatively sandy or poor soils with organic products such as manure or peat moss, or even add some topsoil. Better bed preparation before planting will always result in a much more attractive flowering bed with less problems. Also, mulch flowering beds wherever practical to keep weed competition under control. Nothing is worse than seeing a beautiful bed of flowers that is almost hidden by heavy infestations of weeds. Mulching will eliminate most of the weed competition for the entire growing season and will add nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.
Gardening With Gene
By
Gene Joyner Extension Agent Palm Beach County
Drainage is also very critical, and many people plant flowering plants on slightly elevated beds. It doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of money putting in beds of flowers only to lose them when flooded by a few hours of heavy rain. If you have questions about proper flower selections for our area and climate, you can get printed information and free advice from the Palm Beach County Extension office at (561) 2331750.
LARGE 4/3 ON 2 1/2 ACRES — 5 Stalls, 3 paddocks. Owners would like to stay on as groundskeepers in the In-laws house. $595,000. 561-767-0731
WELLINGTON LAKES — 4/2 1/2/2CG
$18-$25/HR — Teachers/Tutors P/T. All subjects PreK to Adult. Certification/Experience required. Palm Beach County Areas Fax 561-828-8128 or E-mail
Tutorking@WPB3331980.COM
HELP WANTED/BOOKKEEPER EXPE-
RIENCED; Familiar with QUICKBOOKS - Full-Time position. Pay commensurate with experience. Fax resume to A. Silver - 561-432-2825
CLEANERS RESIDENTIAL FT — Car required, Pd. Training. North and West Palm Beach Cty. Up to $10/hr Start. 561-756-2282
OVER 62?? — Minimum $1,000 after 2 closings. Fund your own reverse mortgage and get paid to teach others. MadelynPage@BellSouth.Net 561-4222910
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO DE-
VELOPMENT DIRECTOR — For small local children’s hands on Charitable Organization, 20 hours a week. Work from home- must be proficient in Microsoft Excel. Attend fundraising events, meet with healthcare professionals, telephone and mail correspondence. Please fax resume 561-383-7207 or e-mail michela@littlesmiles.org for immediate consideration.
TUTORING CLUB — is expanding needs P.T. upper level Mathematics instructor. Please call 561-784-4434
INSURANCE CSR — needed for Wellington office. 440 Lic. or experience preferred. Fax resume with qualifications to 561-214-6165
PEST CONTROL TECH NEEDED — salary plus commission, paid holidays/ benefits/FT. Experience preferred/will train 561-791-0263 or apply in person at 11360 Fortune Circle. E-13, Wellington, FL.
WANTED – F/T BABYSITTER — in my Wellington home for 2 and 3 year old. References / background check. Call (954) 734-0670 after 6:00 P.M.
POST OFFICE NOW HIRING — Avg. Pay $20/hour or $57K annually including Federal Benefits and OT. Paid Training, Vacations. PT/FT. 1-866-497-1015 USWA BUSINESS FOR SALE — Pizza/Deli/Sub Shop listing wanted. Please call Wayne Durfee 561-827-0107 www.apexbb. RPB or surrounding area, I can sell your business.
HOST A PAMPERED CHEF PARTY — Earn discounted or even free gifts. Cherie Reese Independent Consultant for Pampered Chef. 214-4509
CLERICAL/DATA ENTRY/TRANSCRIBING 60+wpm. Part time hours home or office. Microsoft Word+. Call Marlene @561-798-8061
CHRISTIAN WOMAN SEEKS — P.T. office/or sales help, phones, typing, filing, etc. Dependable & honest 3 or 4 days per week, hours negotiable. $12/hr. Call Cristine 561-371-7807
HOUSEKEEPER WITH REFERENCES seeks position cleaning, ironing, shopping, & driving. 561-683-1758
DOUBLE NICHE IN ROYAL PALM ME-
MORIAL GARDENS MAUSOLEUM — Includes 2 openings & closings. Current price $2,800 asking $1,995 OBO. 772219-8153
TOOLS FOR SALE — Wetsaw dualspeed QEP Model 60010, new blades, Bolen 15.5 HP 38" cut riding lawn mower tractor, bench saw-pro-tech, Sears 10" cut model 4106, 4800 RPM, ¼ router Craftsman 1 HP “Sears” 561-790-0053
MULTI-FAMILY SALE THIS SATURDAY, OCT. 6TH, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. — 13802 Exotica Lane. COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE — Wellington’s Edge 30 plus families — October 6th, 7 a.m. – Noon. ¼ mile West of 441/SR 7 on North side of Forest Hill Blvd. Electronics, furniture, toys, household items. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! SATURDAY, OCT. 20th 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
LOWEST PRICES! — Nobody beats our Price! Free Est. Complete A/C units from $1,150. Repair Specialists. Lic./ ins. 561-795-1130 toll free 888-981-9815
RANDY POULETTE AIR CONDITIONING, LLC — 561-790-3275 Personalized service for all your Air Conditioning needs. Residential/Commercial. 24 Hr. Emergency Service Available. We Service All Makes and Models. Service contracts available.
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.
The only non-profit petting zoo in the area. - featuring parrots, mini horses, ponies, pony rides, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and Llamas and more and farm club. 561-792-2666
HOUSE CLEANING AVAILABLE — Over 13 yrs. experience. Great references. Very Dependable. Karen. 561-632-2271 NEED HELP CLEANING? — We clean your house, your office, etc. Call us for reliable, responsible and immediate service. Eddie. 876-2120
D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-333-9433 or Cell 561252-1186 Lic’d- Well. & Palm Beach COMPUTER REPAIR - We come to you! After hours and weekends services available. Spyware/Adware/Virus Removal, Networking, Wireless, Backup Data, Upgrades. Call Anytime. 561-7135276
ROCKANDRECORD.COM - A professional DJ and Videography Service. Disc Jockey • Music • Entertainment • Professional MC's • Weddings • Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Sweet 16/Birthday Parties • Anniversaries • Private & Corporate Events • Holiday Parties 561-422-4336
“Bella” young female pointer mix. Sweet disposition socializes well with other pets. Please open your home and heart. Fully vetted. Inquiries 561-632-6144
WYRE ELECTRIC — For all your electrical needs. Panel upgrades, installations, repairs, lightening protection, troubleshooting. Licensed, Insured, Free Estimates. 561-313-0134
HIGH QUALITY LAMINATE FLOORING — at affordable prices. Hardwood floors. No deposit until delivery. Contractors welcome. Western Communities resident. Family owned and Operated. Licensed and Insured. Se Habla Español 561-568-6099
GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO — For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, upholstery services, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689
HOME STANDBY GENERATORS — Complete packages including fueled system - Best Prices & reliable new Generator systems installed from 15 to 200KW “More Practical and much quieter” Maintenance & Service for all types of generators. Factory Authorized Dealer. 561-707-0575 Palm Beach. Tropical Power Systems, Inc.
NEED CROWNMOLDING? — Repairs? Remodeling? New construction? or Just about anything. SHORE COUNTRY CONSTRUCTION. Doug 254-6503 #CGC032864
CAN FIX IT — build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494. TFN
BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, remodeling, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 561-791-9900
THE HANDYMAN CAN! — Craftsman with years of experience. Repairs, water damage, painting, wall/ceiling, texturing, moldings, flooring, organizers, plumbing, tile. Remodeling bath/kitchens. Big Savings on outdoor kitchen & bar using your grill or just hang a fan. Make your repair HONEY DO LIST. I show up & want your return business. References. Hourly/job. Call Greg 561531-3141
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 561248-8528
*TOP RATED* by www.AngieList.com Atlantic Shore Home Improvement. Call Anthony Palermo 561-756-0428
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. 561723-5836
LITL AUDIO/VIDEO SERVICE — specializing in Home Theatre Installation Satellite Services and communications. “I will Beat Retailer’s cost & Installation fees”! Call George for immediate service at 954-263-4189 561-784-4858 Office. Res./Comm. Lic. & Ins.
COMPLETE IRRIGATION — PVC/PIPE supplies.Citrus ,Vegetables, Power units. Water Wheels, design services, Fairways Polo fields, Pumps/Engines mowing of all types. 1-863-675-6333.
AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPING — Brick pavers/patio/driveway. Basic landscaping services. Offered 3D Landscape Design. Including water features, and outdoorkitchens. for more information : www.affordablelandscapingflorida.com Lic. & Ins. 561-459-6166
HOMESCHOOLING? - Include music education! Piano lessons give your child the basics of music and a sense of accomplishment. Call Miss Sharon 7902906.
LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Ask for Paul 561-309-8290. COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/ Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident. RJA PAINTING & DECORATING — interior, exterior, custom colors, faux artwork, all work guaranteed. Lic. Bonded & Insured. 561-616-2255 BOB NICHOLS PAINTING — Serving the Palm Beaches for 19 years. Quality interior & exterior finishes. 561-248-6070. Lic. #16555 PAINTING — HOME PAINTING Interior – Exterior. $1290 +tax up to 2500 sq. ft. (walls area) 561-674-HOME(4663) J&C’s Faux Painting Service, Inc. Lic./Ins. U14092
AT YOUR SERVICE PET CONCIERGE - pet sitting, play dates, sleep overs, arrange pet grooming, vet visits, flea & tick products, Holistic/Natural pet foods. Come home to a well stocked fridge & your plants alive. Upscale services for all your beloved four legged friends. Bonded & insured. 561-791-2086 “You dealt with the
and
Inquire
561-791-
PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-309-6975 BD
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! Lic.#9001390. 798-3132.
ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 863-0955
AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 561-5686099, 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213
SALES, SERVICE AND INSTALLATION FOR ALL TYPES — Windows, doors, accordion & panel shutters. Impact glass. USA IMPACT WINDOWS & DOORS. 561-502-1518 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
PRIMROSE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC — Full Service. Residential Home Care for full or part time residents. Weekly inspections, repairs, Monthly reports. Reasonable rates. 561-602-6857 or email: primrosepm123@aol.com
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS – Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U9 865. 9675580. BD SHAKE ROOF SPECIALISTS –– New roofs, repairs, preservation. License #CC025465. Shake Masters, Shake Chem. Members of Shake Bureau. 4396668 BD
ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING ––Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded, insured. Lic. #CCC-058317 790-0763. BD
ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207 BD
Largest In-Home Tutoring Co.
PAPERHANGING & PAINTING BY DEBI –– Experienced in all phases of installation, removal and repair. Quality work with a Womans touch. Lic. Insured. References. 561-795-5263
