Page 16 September 6 - September 12, 2013
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Kids Helping Kids To Host Princess And Pirate Ball Nov. 3 At IPC The second annual Kids Helping Kids’ Princess and Pirate Ball will take place Nov. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. Amie Swan and Abigail Beebe will serve as chairwomen of the event. Max Silverstein and Emma Guieri will serve as co-chairs of the kids committee. A program of the Center for Family Services, Kids Helping Kids increases awareness of philanthropy among youth, while making a difference in the life of another child. The Princess and Pirate Ball will include cocktails and mocktails, dinner by the bite, a treasure hunt,
face painting, crafts and more. The Princess and Pirate Ball is for children of all ages and their parents and/or grandparents. Casual attire and themed costumes are encouraged. Tickets for adults are $150 and tickets for children are $95. For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Stanton Collemer at (561) 616-1257 or e-mail scollemer@ ctrfam.org. Proceeds from the event will be used to support the Pat Reeves Village Shelter. The shelter provides life-changing services to families with children who are either homeless or at risk for homelessness.
The Kids Helping Kids program starts to teach philanthropy at an early age teaching children to help other children less fortunate through hands-on projects and events. The program takes place at the Pat Reeves Village Shelter in West Palm Beach, the only emergency homeless shelter in Palm Beach County for families with children. Kids Helping Kids has been in existence since 2012 and has programs and events throughout the year, including a monthly “family night” at the shelter. Nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation, the Center for Family Services is a 51-year-
old nonprofit social services organization with a mission of strengthening families through counseling, education and homeless intervention. The agency provides a full spectrum of services for homeless families with children and families at risk for homelessness, substance abuse treatment programs, as well as specialized therapy for children who are victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. For more information, visit www.ctrfam.org. (Right) Two children who attended last year’s event. PHOTO BY LUCIEN CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY
ECLIPSE TEAM SHINES WITH LULI FAMA IN MIAMI
Media and celebrities recently washed ashore onto Miami’s sunny, sandy beaches for another exciting Mercedes Swimwear Fashion Week, and hairstylist Jorge Briceno, owner of Eclipse Salon & Spa in Wellington, was selected to lead the team that would create the looks for one of the leading runway shows this year, Luli Fama. Lourdes better known as “Luli” to her fans continues to cover pages of Seventeen, Us Weekly, Sports Illustrated and many other fashion magazines with her designs inspired by the Caribbean and nightlife of South Beach. After consulting with Luli on several styles Briceno asked close friend and seasoned runway stylist Claudia Diesti to assist in coordinating the models. Impressed with their work, they are now in talks for another collaboration for New York Fashion Week. (Above) Luli Fama with Jorge Briceno and Claudia Diesti. (Left) Briceno works with Luli Fama.
PalmCon Heads To The Palm Beach County Convention Center Sept. 21 Fans of comics, anime, video games or popular movies and shows such as Star Wars, Superman or The Walking Dead can attend the one-of-a-kind PalmCon: The Palm Beach Comic Book and Collectibles Show, which moves to the Palm Beach County Convention Center on Sept. 21 to occupy more than 50,000 square feet of convention space. Since its beginning in 2011, PalmCon has striven to bring Palm Beach County the best in comics, animation and pop culture, while providing a fun and safe, family friendly atmosphere. The show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the convention center, located at 650 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Admission is $9 for adults at the door, $7 in advance (online), $5 for kids 413 at the door and $4 in advance (online). It’s free for children 3 and under. This event grew out of show organizer Martin T. Pierro’s love for the small hotel and mall comic shows that were a staple of his childhood days in West Palm Beach. With the heightened interest in comic book characters in recent blockbuster hits (The Avengers, Iron Man 3 and The Dark Knight Rises), it was a perfect time to bring the shows back to Palm Beach County. Organizers are happy to have film and television actor Deep Roy as a guest. He is widely recognized
Golf Carts
Lox Council Divided On Proposal
continued from page 1 not present then, said he was concerned about safety and security issues and wanted no action taken. “I’ve read through all this, and unless I’m wrong, the way I interpreted this from legal [staff] we need to leave this alone and keep it like it is,” Jarriel said. “For us to start dedicating roads for certain types of vehicles, whether it’s a golf cart, and then they said the minimum age was 14 — a 14-yearold does not have a driver’s license. If you’re going to operate a vehicle in the Town of Loxahatchee, I expect you to carry anything from a restricted license up to a driver’s license, so when PBSO stops you, you’ve got identification of who you are and where you live, and whether that golf cart comes from your residence.” Jarriel pointed out that thieves use golf carts to case potential targets surreptitiously.
for his role as all of the Oompa Loompas in Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Roy also holds the honor of being the only actor to appear on screen in all three major science-fiction franchises: Doctor Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. He has also appeared in Transformers, The NeverEnding Story, Flash Gordon and Return to Oz, including a recurring role in the HBO series Eastbound and Down. Other media guests include Jim Decker (known for roles in Little Creeps, My Name is Earl and Mantrap) and Robert Z’Dar, actor and film producer best known for his roles in Maniac Cop, Cherry 2000 and Tango and Cash. PalmCon will also play host to some top names in comics including Ethan Van Sciver, known for his work at DC Comics on Green Lantern, the Flash and most recently Batman. Returning this year will be comic book legend Jose Delbo, an industry veteran working on titles such as Wonder Woman, Transformers, The Twilight Zone and The ThunderCats. Joining for the first time will be special guest artist Allen Bellman, best known for his work on Captain America in the 1940s at the start of the “golden age of comic books.” Also making a rare convention appearance will be Carlos Castellanos, the co-creator of the wildly popular, nationally syndicated comic strip Baldo.
Other attractions at PalmCon will include an appearance by the 501st Legion and the Mandalorian Mercs known for their movie-accurate Star Wars costumes and community involvement. Also arriving in time for the show will be a replica of the Ghostbusters car Ecto-1 along with the Carolina and Miami Ghostbusters fan groups. And as an added bonus to PalmCon this year, the Art of Akira exhibit features original, hand-panted cells and production art from Japan’s most famous animated film, Akira. PalmCon is represented by most
of the major comic shops in South Florida with more than 100 vendors, artists, publishers and filmmakers. Attendees will enjoy raffle drawings, a costume contest, and the indie-film screening room showing short films created by local filmmakers. Interested in exhibiting at the 2013 PalmCon? Contact Pierro at PalmCon@CosmicTimes.net or call (561) 601-4137. Tickets are now available and can be purchased at the door or online. For more information, visit www.cosmictimes. net/palmcon.
The Jeff Annas Memorial Firefighters 5, presented by the Professional Firefighter & Paramedics Benevolent Fund, will take place Saturday, Sept. 14. It will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater, and there will be a free kids run at 8 a.m. Each year, many firefighters from departments all around South Florida run in bunker gear to show their commitment to physical fitness as well as a tribute to everyone in uniform — all of the first responders on the ground here in this country and all of the troops here and overseas. This year, several firefighter wives are also running in
bunker gear to show their support for their husbands and their dedication to public service. As each year, the proceeds are split between Little Smiles of Florida, which helps children in hospitals, and the Jeff Annas Memorial Scholarship Fund. Last year, Little Smiles got a check for $6,000, and $9,000 was given in scholarships, all to local kids for college. It’s a great way for the Professional Firefighter & Paramedics Benevolent Fund to give back to the local community. For more information, visit www.jeffannas5k.com or find the event page on Facebook.
“People like to ride around on golf carts and four-wheelers and scope out residents, and then they like to steal if nobody’s around,” Jarriel said. “They’re quiet, they’re sneaky, and I just don’t like the idea. This council shouldn’t be designating a road for people to ride golf carts on without the residents agreeing to that, because the residents are the ones affected.” Jarriel pointed out that nursery work vehicles and other low-speed vehicles such as tractors are already covered, which are required to have equipment including mirrors, turn signals and lights. “If you look at the golf carts, they don’t have that stuff,” Jarriel said. “I personally think we’re opening a can of worms. I say we leave it alone and concentrate on more important things at this time.” Jarriel added that he was also concerned about the town’s liability if someone is hurt or killed in an accident. Councilman Tom Goltzené said he did not have a strong opinion on the question, pointing out that it was something that had been discussed by the Roads & Trails Committee. “I would say we should allow
golf carts on the town roads, but I’m not going to fight for it,” Goltzené said. “I don’t have a golf cart. I was trying to help it out for people who did and try to make things easier for residents. I would hope, though, that the PBSO makes sure that people who do, understand that they are breaking the law and treat them as such, because we can’t have unequal enforcement.” Councilman Ryan Liang favored the use of golf carts. “I know a lot of folks do use the golf carts just to check the mail or go to their neighbor’s house, but then I also understand there are folks who take advantage of using golf carts or ATVs. But I don’t want to penalize the property owner who wants to use their golf cart to check their mail or take their garbage out.” Councilman Jim Rockett said he uses a golf cart to check his mail and take out his garbage but never leaves his property. “I don’t need to go on town roads or district roads,” Rockett said. “Quite frankly, I’ve seen too many times where we have recreational golf carting on the roads, and it’s dangerous.”
Rockett also pointed out that statutes require posting roads where golf carts are allowed and that cost has not been determined. Mayor Dave Browning said he was among the people interested in a golf cart ordinance. “I would have been sure it had been a licensed driver to drive the golf cart,” Browning said. “We already allow horses on the road, we allow tractors on the road, we allow the utility vehicles from the nurseries on the road. The ATVs are already illegal, the dirt bikes that aren’t licensed are already illegal. My thought was, what would it hurt to designate the roads with licensed drivers to use the golf cart to go to their neighbor’s house?” Goltzené made motion to allow golf carts on town roads and also require that the operator be a licensed driver. It carried 3-2 with Jarriel and Rockett opposed. Attorney Michael Cirullo pointed out that authorization of golf cart operation on town roads would still have to come back to the council for approval in an ordinance, which he would prepare for a future meeting.
Jeff Annas Memorial Run Returns Sept. 14
Clerk & Comptroller’s Office Accepting Property Appraisal Petitions Palm Beach County taxpayers have until Sept. 16 to challenge their property’s market value, classification or an exemption by petitioning the county’s Value Adjustment Board, or VAB. Hearings on petitions filed in 2013 will begin Sept. 30. Last year, Palm Beach County property owners filed 6,390 VAB petitions, down 18.2 percent from 7,809 VAB petitions filed in 2011. Taxpayers have three options to file VAB petitions: online at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com using myVAB, in person at the clerk’s governmental center or branch locations, or by mail to 301 N. Olive Ave., Room 203, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Nearly 30 percent of petitioners used the clerk’s myVAB system to file their VAB petitions last year. The myVAB system gives realtime access to petitions, allows petitioners to view scheduled hearings and submits supporting materials electronically. “More than 13,000 petitions have been filed online through myVAB since we launched the service in 2008,” Palm Beach County Clerk Sharon Bock said. “For those property owners who choose to contest their tax bills, myVAB is a simple, convenient way to file a petition and get updates throughout the VAB process.” Petition forms for those who choose not to use the online myVAB option are available from the clerk’s office, the property appraiser’s office or the Florida Depart-
Meetings
Cell Tower Heads To PZA Board
continued from page 1 erty, agreed to resubmit the plans in an effort to cease litigation with the Village of Wellington. If the two sides cannot agree on the applications, however, the lawsuits could continue. The project is scheduled to go before the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board on Oct. 2 before heading to the Wellington Village Council at the end of October, Stillings said. On Monday, Planning, Zoning &Adjustment Board members will hear an appeal by Clearview Tower Co. regarding a variance required by Wellington staff before the company can seek approval for a 120-foot cell phone tower in the Wellington Marketplace. Stillings said that because the tower is adjacent to homes and taller than 61 feet, Wellington staff has interpreted village code to mean that the tower must be set at least 600 feet from homes and meet setbacks. “[Clearview’s] position is that the code provides an option,” he said. “We’re suggesting that the language is not an option.” Originally the company was requesting two variances — one for the setback requirement and one for the height of the tower. Wellington requires a variance for structures larger than 120 feet, and Clearview initially requested a tower of 140 feet. “The reason for the height is that they wanted to include a larger number of [wireless] providers in the tower,” Stillings said. “At 120 feet, they can have three providers.” Wellington staff has recom-
Wechsler
‘Blue Jasmine’
continued from page 14 interior designer if she could take courses for which she has no money, and then decides online courses might be good, if only she were computer literate. She cannot compete except through lies. On the other hand, the “common people” are the survivors. They have skills, and they have learned to enjoy their pleasures. Jasmine
ment of Revenue’s web site. All VAB petitions, whether submitted in person, online or by mail, must include a $15 filing fee. Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits notified taxpayers of their property’s assessed and market values in a truth in millage (TRIM) notice that began arriving in mailboxes on Aug. 23. The VAB, which consists of two county commissioners, one school board member and two citizen members, approves and hires special magistrates to settle any disputes between property owners and property appraiser. It is an independent entity that is not affiliated with the property appraiser or tax collector. As clerk to the VAB, the clerk’s office receives and processes petitions, schedules and coordinates hearings, records the hearings and more. For more information, visit www.mypalmbeachclerk.com or call (561) 355-6289. The Florida Constitution established the independent office of the clerk and comptroller as a public trustee, responsible for safeguarding public records and public funds. Bock is directly elected by and accountable to Palm Beach County residents. In addition to the roles of clerk of the circuit court, county recorder and clerk of the board of county commissioners, Bock is the chief financial officer, treasurer and auditor for Palm Beach County. mended denial of the application. “Beyond that, we are somewhat hampered by legislation for wireless communications,” Stillings said. “If this application is denied, we have to work with them to find a suitable location.” The board has to decide first whether to support Clearview’s appeal of the staff’s interpretation of the code, Stillings said. “If PZAB supports their appeal, they would no longer need the variance or separation requirement,” he said. “The board would just make a recommendation to the council regarding the conditional use request.” But denying the appeal would mean the board must then consider the company’s request for a variance. “If that is denied, then the application is effectively dead,” Stillings said. “The council can’t act on a conditional use if the variance is not granted.” The tower would be visible to nearby communities such as Goldenrod, some parts of Sugar Pond Manor and Periwinkle. Stillings said the company has submitted several renderings of what the tower would look like from 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 feet away along a public road. “There is still visibility,” he said. “Currently they’re proposing for it to be a flagpole.” Stillings said although staff had recommended denial of the application, he is prepared to work with Clearview. “Staff isn’t taking a position other than recommending denial,” he said. “It’s up to the board if they want to support the application. We’ll be ready to work with them on any conditions or other positions.” For more information, or to read the applications, visit www. wellingtonfl.gov/departments/ planning-and-zoning/projectspaz.html. looks down on them, insults them. They return decency and generosity. This is a really fine film. Allen, who can reach great heights, has managed it again. His “comedy of manners” is different from the usual ones. Regular people are those whom we have to learn from. Jasmine will never learn, will forever be tripped up by her own self-centeredness. And with Blanchett giving one of the best performances I have seen in a long time, Blue Jasmine is a winner.