Town-Crier Newspaper July 22, 2011

LOX GROVES CREATES ZONING BOARD SEE STORY, PAGE 3

ROYAL PALM FACES CODE CHALLENGES SEE STORY, PAGE 7

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Volume 32, Number 29 July 22 - July 28, 2011

NEW PHARMACY OPENS AT PWH

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce kicked off the 2011 Women’s Summer Golf Clinic on Thursday, July 14 at the Madison Green Golf Club. Head Golf Pro Brian Govi gave individual instruction on how to properly grip the club, position the body and more. It was the first of four Thursday golf clinics. Page 2

Royal Palm Beach residents have the refinancing of a major park project to thank for no tax rate increase next year. The unexpected windfall, however, will not be available in Fiscal Year 2013, said Finance Director Stanley Hochman, who gave a budget presentation during a Royal Palm Beach Village Council workshop July 7. Page 3

Store Marks Opening Of Wellington Location

Hhgregg Appliances and Electronics held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, July 14 at its new store in Wellington. More than 150 people waited in line, and more kept coming to take advantage of the special sale prices and giveaways. Page 9

OPINION Rain A Reprie ve, Not The End Of The Drought The past few weeks ha ve brought a surprising amount of rainfall to South Florida. This comes at a time when Lake Okeechobee is nearing an alltime low and the region is feeling the effects of a record drought. So while the recent wet spell has undoubtedly prevented things from getting worse, the current drought is still far from being over. Local governments and agencies should be taking advantage of this reprieve to push ahead with long-term solutions to the region’s water woes. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 13 OPINION ................................ 4 CRIME NEWS ........................ 6 NEWS BRIEFS .......................8 SCHOOLS .............................15 PEOPLE........................ 16 - 17 COLUMNS .................... 23 - 24 ENTERTAINMENT ................26 BUSINESS ...................29 - 31 SPORTS .......................35 - 37 CALENDAR...................38 - 39 CLASSIFIEDS .............40 - 475 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

James Campbell Named Principal At Seminole Ridge

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report James Campbell, a former assistant principal at Seminole Ridge High School, is returning to the school as principal this fall, replacing the school’s founding principal, Dr. Lynne McGee, who retired this spring.

Campbell, a resident of Boynton Beach, is coming from a twoyear stint at Eagles Landing Middle School in Boca Raton. Two years prior to that, he was principal at Acreage Pines Elementary School.

“I actually had my first position out here in 2004-05 as a dean at Osceola Creek Middle School

P.W. Chamber Hosting Women’s Golf Clinic

RPB Rate Unchanged In 2012, But Trouble Lurks On The Horizon

Serving Palms West Since 1980

Palms West Hospital held a grand opening celebration for its new state-of-the-art pharmacy Tuesday, July 19. The 2,858-square-foo t pharmacy is conveniently located on the second floor of the hospital for easy access to the patients’ rooms. Pictured here, hospital officials gather for the ribbon cutting. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5

when it first opened, and then was able to become an assistant principal for the opening of Seminole Ridge,” Campbell said. “I was here for a little over two years, so I’m definitely familiar with Seminole Ridge. I was on the staff when we opened the school.”

Campbell worked with both McGee and former assistant principal Jesus Armas, now principal at Royal Palm Beach High School.

Armas was also Campbell’s science teacher and coach in high school.

“Dr. McGee and Mr. Armas brought me on before Seminole Ridge opened, and I got to take See CAMPBELL, page 18

A VISIT TO NAZARETH

PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Launches Online ‘Citizens Action Center’ Service

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington residents have a new way to connect and communicate with their local government by using the new Citizens Action Center, which allows residents to give and receive information online.

“It’s a system where residents who are interested in the village can get questions answered or file complaints,” Deputy Village Manager John Bonde said. “It gives them a way of communicating with us directly without using the telephone.”

The Citizens Action Center can be found under the “E-Services” section of the Wellington web site at www.wellingtonfl.gov. It is divided into four sections: find answers, make a request, ask a question and support center.

The find answers section allows residents to navigate through frequently asked questions for easyto-find answers. But if the answers aren’t there, residents can ask a question that will reach the appropriate Wellington staff member.

Residents can also register complaints or report problems under the request section.

The question, request or complaint along with any answer received is logged and accessible through the support center.

Bonde said that the system gives residents an easy way to contact the proper Wellington staff member to get their concerns or questions heard.

“What it does is, no matter what time of day or day of the week, direct your question, comment or concern to the proper staff member,” he said. “It saves you, the resident, from knowing who you need to ask.”

The requests and complaints are a matter of public record, which could help others find answers.

Bonde noted that all submissions can be made anonymously, but that people in some cases — such as for personal requests — would benefit from having resident information included.

“Obviously, if we need to replace someone’s garbage can, we would hope they don’t do it anonymously,” Bonde said. “We can’t help them then. But if it’s a code issue or a public safety issue that could cause problems, it may be better done anonymously.”

The Citizens Action Center

works by sorting requests, comments and questions into categories, which are then routed to the proper department and staff member. Each submission is given a unique routing number, which is then tracked.

“That way we’re able to keep a record of it and record our response,” Bonde said. “The system creates a number, similar to a work order number. We track by that number rather than anyone’s name or e-mail.”

He used the example of a resident with a street light out who might not know where to field the complaint.

“If they don’t know whom to call,” Bonde said, “they can go into [the program] and say where they live and that they have a street light out. It will go into the system and automatically be routed to public works or road maintenance — whoever would be best — and it can be arranged to be repaired.”

Sometimes just knowing whom to contact can be challenging and may lead to resident concerns not being heard, he said.

“First you have to know who to See E-SERVICES, page 18

County Struggles To Balance Tax Rate Against Budget Cuts

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Commission wants to hold the county’s property tax rate unchanged at 4.75 mills next year, but that will mean significant budget cuts due to a continuing fall in property values and declining state and federal revenue, County Administrator Bob Weisman said this week.

Weisman gave an update on the county budget at the monthly public forum meeting hosted Wednesday by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria at the original Wellington Mall.

“This year, I was directed to prepare a budget that came in at the same millage rate of 4.75 that we had last year,” Weisman said.

“This is a very substantial reduc-

tion in revenues to the county, but I did prepare such a budget.”

Keeping the tax rate the same will bring in $21.3 million less money than last year, according to the 2012 budget proposal available on the county’s web site at www.pbcgov.com.

At 4.75 mills, county 2012 property taxes would take in $587.8 million, which is $100.8 million less than in 2007, when property values were at their height.

At a meeting July 11, the county commission set the maximum tax rate at 4.87 mills, which will still involve cuts, Weisman said.

At the time, commissioners said that they would prefer to lower the rate back to 4.75 mills before the final budget is adopted.

About half the cuts came voluntarily from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, which Weisman does not control but whose operations are largely from the county’s revenue stream.

“The sheriff is part of our general fund budget,” Weisman said.

“Actually, it is the largest by far of the general fund budget. Our taxes support about $400 million of his budget.”

The county operating budget is $220 million, Weisman said.

There is another $90 million in debt service that the county has to pay. “It’s impossible to talk about the county budget without talking about the sheriff’s budget,” Weisman said.

Palm Beach County Fire-ResSee COUNTY, page 18

Grace Fellowship Acreage hosted “Hometown Nazareth” as part of its Vacation Bible School this week at Seminole Ridge High School. Families participated in the four-day event for a chance to experience what life was like where Jesus grew up. Shown here, Abigail Smelt and Janairah Danes wait to perform their biblical skit. STORY & PHOTOS, PAGE 13 PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

USTA Grant Will Let Wellington Bring Tennis To Children

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington children 10 and younger will soon get exposure to the sport of tennis thanks to grant money from the United States Tennis Association.

The money will bring the QuickStart Tennis program to the Wellington Tennis Center and local schools.

The USTA, the national governing body for the sport of tennis, awarded the grant to Wellington as part of a movement to encourage children to get active and introduce them to the sport.

Wellington Tennis Center Director Tommy Cheatham and Wellington’s 10 and Under Tennis Coordinator Debbie Ellsworth introduced the program to Wellington last year on a smaller scale.

“We pursued the program and brought it to Wellington,” Ellsworth said. “Because our program at the Wellington Tennis Center has been so successful, the USTA came to us.”

Wellington is one of only three Florida communities and only 25 nationally to receive the grant. The

USTA plans to invest more than $10 million in 100 communities nationally by 2013. The grant has allowed Wellington not only to continue the program at the Wellington Tennis Center, but also to expand it. “We are going to put 10 and under tennis programs into the entire community,” Ellsworth said. “We have it now at the Wellington Tennis Center, but it will be expanded into Wellington’s recreation programs, local schools and after-school programs.”

The program is geared specifically toward younger children. In the QuickStart Tennis program, children play on smaller courts, using smaller and lighter racquets as well as slower-moving and lower-bouncing balls. Additionally, the net is lower to make it easier for them to get the ball across the court.

Ellsworth compared it to tee ball baseball, in which younger players are set up for success in hopes it will make the game more fun and increase the likelihood that players will continue to play.

“It provides children with just See TENNIS, page 18

Oasis Women’s Center Celebrates One Year Of Service

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Assisting women who are in need in the community is the mission of the Oasis Compassion Agency’s Women’s Center.

The center opened last August and is located at 4824 10th Ave. North in Greenacres, across the street from John I. Leonard High School. Since then, it has become a sanctuary for empowering women in distress through counseling and interactive activities.

The Women’s Center offers classes and workshops for women who need assistance in life skills and personal empowerment.

The classes and workshops include makeovers, health and wellness, cooking, biblical counseling,

discovering strengths, mental health counseling and a mini-spa retreat. The classes are open to all women in the community who need the assistance.

The Women’s Center first began as the vision of Sharon Gill, CEO of the Oasis Compassion Agency. Gill wanted to create a place for women to relax while learning how to better their lives.

The Oasis Compassion Agency, a non-profit organization, assists low-income families in the community by providing food from its pantry, clothes from its thrift store and various classes through its six-month life skills program.

Women can join the Women’s Center either through Oasis’s six-

month program or as walk-ins from the community.

Women’s Center Development Coordinator Kay Lasiter witnesses the need for the service in the community. “These women are lost, and they need someone to help keep them on track,” Lasiter said.

The women who come to the Women’s Center are there to gain assistance for many different life limitations, from poverty to depression, Lasiter said.

The center provides 45-minute counseling sessions, $35 for nonOasis members and free for members, to assist women through life mentoring.

“We can work with women who See OASIS, page 7

Helping Those In Need — Women’s Center Development Coordinator Kay Lasiter with Oasis Compassion Agency CEO Sharon Gill in front of the “Butterfly Tree.” PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Page 2

July 22 - July 28, 2011

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The Town-Crier

NEWS

P.W. CHAMBER HOSTING WOMEN’S GOLF CLINIC AT MADISON GREEN GOLF CLUB

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce kicked off the 2011 Women’s Summer Golf Clinic on Thursday, July 14 at the Madison Green Golf Club. Head Golf Pro Brian Govi gave individual instruction on how to properly grip the club, position the body, etc. It was the first of four Thursday golf clinics being held. The cost is $45 each week and includes hors d’oeuvres and wine after each session. Call Maureen Gross at (561) 792-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com for more info.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Clinic participants line up to take a swing.

Head Golf Pro Brian Govi shows Rachelle Crain a shoulder e xercise.

Madison Green General Manager Ron Miranda and his wife, Palms West Chamber CEO Jaene Miranda.

Dorian Zimmer-Bordenave takes aim at the ball.

Maggie Zeller prepares to hit the ball.

Susan Giddings gets instruction from Head Golf Pro Brian Govi.

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July 22 - July 28, 2011

Page 3

NEWS

No RPB Tax Rate Change In 2012, But Trouble Is On The Horizon

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Royal Palm Beach residents have the refinancing of a major park project to thank for no tax rate increase next year.

The unexpected windfall, however, will not be available in Fiscal Year 2013, said Finance Director Stanley Hochman, who gave a budget presentation during a Royal Palm Beach Village Council workshop July 7.

At $43.2 million, the proposed budget is $9.1 million less than the current year’s budget. The general operating budget makes up 45 percent, and the capital budget is 44 percent. The rest of the money is in reserves (6 percent) and debt service (5 percent).

Hochman recommended keeping the tax rate unchanged at 1.92 mills, which would put the village tax bill for a home valued at $150,000 after exemptions at $288.

Since 2008, the village has lost 36 percent of its taxable property value, from $2.8 billion to $1.8 billion. During that time, ad valorem tax revenue declined 40 percent, from $5.5 million to $3.3 million.

The budget proposal would keep the tax rate the same despite a 3 percent reduction in the village’s property values, according

to Village Manager Ray Liggins.

“The most exciting part of this year’s budget is that it includes the opening of our newest and grandest park, Royal Palm Beach Commons,” Liggins said. “That will be a wonderful and exciting park where we can have numerous events in the future.”

The budget was balanced utilizing utility sale proceeds from debt service and carryover money, Liggins said. A significant part of the carryover, about $1.5 million, was primarily the result of a principal payment that did not have to be made this fiscal year due to the refinancing of Royal Palm Beach Commons Park.

Departmental operating cost increases were kept to a minimum due to reduced legal and personal service costs, maintaining police costs and utilizing contract services for much of parks maintenance and public works.

Hochman said the economy is rebounding, but slowly. “The decrease in property value is nowhere near where it was in the past,” he said. “Other tax-related revenue is growing, but it’s growing very slowly, as well, and we still have the increases in building-related maintenance.”

A decrease in revenue of $482,000 amounts to 2.4 percent of the budget, while the total oper-

ating expenditures increased $30,000, or 0.15 percent. “That net change of $511,000 is being funded by available carryover, no tax increases, no reserve funds being tapped,” Hochman said.

Hochman said the anticipated property value decrease of 3.4 percent actually came out at only 2.8 percent, for a taxable value of $1.841 billion rather than the anticipated $1.831 billion, which resulted in an additional $19,000 in the budget. General fund revenue will be $21.7 million. Of that, 15 percent will come from property taxes, Hochman said.

For expenditures, 36 percent would go to personal services and 37 percent to contractual services. “Those contractual services is mainly your police contract, so effectively, your personal services are at 73 percent of the budget,” Hochman said.

A 1.6 percent average cost of living allowance (COLA) will be removed and replaced by a 3 percent COLA retroactive to July 1 to comply with a state statute approved in the last legislative session that enacted a mandatory 3 percent employee contribution to the Florida Retirement System, which would result in a net increase to the village of $85,000, reflecting the 1.4 percent difference.

Liggins explained that the village is required by state statute to pay the 3 percent. “That will start no matter what decision is made tonight,” he said.

Councilman Fred Pinto asked about the refinancing of Commons Park, which eliminated the need for a $1.55 million payment.

Hochman explained that in the current budget, there was a payment that had been required under the existing loan. “When we refinanced, the principal payment required on the current year disappeared,” he said. “However, that money still got transferred in to pay the debt service from budget to budget, so the money was there, the cost was no longer there, therefore increasing the carryover.”

Liggins said that the unpaid principal payment was used to balance next year’s operating budget.

“So, that was huge,” Pinto said.

“I just want to be sure and make that point because we won’t have that for next year. So what you’re telling me is that once we wrap up this budget, we really have to start thinking about next year’s budget because we’re kind of coming into that already.”

Councilman David Swift said that the council needs to begin looking at line items in the budget for more potential cuts. “We need to be doing that in every one of

our departments, because [next year] is going to be very difficult,” Swift said.

Liggins said his staff is aware that the $1.55 million will have to be made up. “As soon as this budget is done, we’re going to be talking about that,” he said. “Obviously, the council has three choices to make: look at revenues, look at expenditures or look at policy on reserves.”

Pinto said he would like to look at those changes from a philosophical mind-set of focusing not on reducing any direct services but rather support expenses. “We really need to ask ourselves how we’re going to be able to do more for less, not keep par for less. We talk about efficiency, effectiveness. We really need to put some teeth behind what that really means,” he said.

Councilwoman Martha Webster was concerned about giving the 3 percent FRS employee contribution and risk having to lay off an employee the following year to make up for it.

Mayor Matty Mattioli said he does not believe the economy will get better quickly, but did not feel the council should agonize too much over the 2013 budget.

“We’ve got $70 million in reserves. What are we worrying about? Let’s get this year’s bud-

get and worry about it next year,” he said.

But Swift was concerned that the council has gone into the reserves the previous two years to balance the budget. “I would like to keep having $70 million in the bank until we all agree on what that money should be spent on,” he said. “We should be frugal, and I think the comments of Mr. Pinto and Ms. Webster are right on target. I don’t want to lay off people; at the same time, I want to come up with a good, rational plan that doesn’t dip into those reserves.”

Pinto said the village had gained the $70 million through the timely sale of its water utility to the county. “We maximized the investment the village made over the years,” he said. “Part of the strategy when we sold the utility was to take the proceeds and create a perpetual annuity.”

That perpetual annuity was netting about 4.1 percent a year, he said, but dipping into the money would reduce the return.

“We never looked at this as money in the bank that we’re going to try and figure out how to spend,” Pinto said. “We looked at this as an internal revenue engine for the village… We cannot operate year in, year out spending more than we’re taking in. That is a recipe for disaster.”

Loxahatchee Groves Town Council Creates Planning & Zoning Board

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council gave final approval Tuesday to an ordinance establishing the Loxahatchee Groves Planning & Zoning Board.

Discussion arose about whether a board member must be a resident, a registered voter or simply a property owner. The council decided that members must be residents; a requirement that members be registered voters was dropped.

While reviewing the ordinance, Councilman Tom Goltzené raised the question about whether a board member had to live in the town and be a registered voter, and Town Attorney Michael Cirullo said the way the ordinance was written, a member must be both.

Goltzené said he did not see why a board member should be

required to be a voter. “For whatever reason, there’s people who aren’t [voters],” he said. “I would suggest removing the ‘electors’ part of it, especially since we had such an issue with ‘electors’ at the water control district the other day.”

Goltzené was referring to a recent Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District referendum on whether one or more of the supervisors should be popularly elected as opposed to a proxy vote system.

Councilman Ron Jarriel agreed that the voting requirement is unnecessary. “I believe that if you live in Loxahatchee Groves, you need to be a resident if you’re going to be on any committee we have,” he said. “But as far as being a voter, I don’t require that because there are some people out there who just refuse to vote. I’m more concerned about them living in town than I am about voter registration.”

Councilman Jim Rockett had a contrasting view. “If they aren’t interested in government enough to exercise their right to vote, I have some reservations about whether they’d be interested in municipal government, certainly sitting on a board,” he said.

Rockett asked if eligible board members must be property owners as well, or if board membership is also open to renters.

Cirullo said the ordinance would require only that they be a voter and resident, not that they own a home.

Rockett said he thought a member should probably be a property owner.

Jarriel said he was more concerned about a potential member’s familiarity with planning and zoning issues. “I would be looking at that aspect more than whether they own land,” he said.

He also stressed that the board

is a voluntary position and said he thought too many restrictions might discourage volunteers. “I’m just hoping that we’ll have five people who will volunteer to take on this committee,” Jarriel said.

“We’re coming up with committees; I don’t want to run out of people. Right now, we’re talking about three committees.”

Vice Mayor Ryan Liang said he would not want to limit membership.

“I would want anyone who is interested in the town. I’m not talking about anyone outside of here, but there’s a lot of folks who own property here who don’t live here, and they do have an interest, and I know they are concerned about things that can happen here and they have no say,” he said.

Goltzené suggested that members be residents or property owners. “That way, if we have a property owner who is not a resident,

or we have a resident who is not a property owner, we’ve basically covered all of our bases,” he said.

Cirullo pointed out that if a person only has to be a property owner, it could be someone who lives outside town. “Yes, that’s the intent,” Goltzené said.

During public comment, former Councilman Dennis Lipp said he had served on the Palm Beach County Planning Commission, where members had to be county residents to serve.

“I think it’s ludicrous to suggest that we have someone sitting on the planning commission who might own 300 acres and want to get something done. I think we’re opening up a can of worms that we will not be able to get back into the can,” he said.

Resident Grace Joyce, who was later appointed to the board, said she believed a member should not be required to own property as

long as the person lives in town and cares about the community.

“However, I do not agree that if you own property and don’t live here that you should be entitled to sit on the board, for the exact reason that Dennis just said,” Joyce said.

Jarriel agreed. “We do have some property owners who own quite a bit of acreage in Loxahatchee Groves, and they’ve got quite a bit of money, and I wouldn’t want them to be able to influence anybody else on the committee,” he said.

Jarriel said he would prefer to require only that potential members be town residents.

Goltzené made a motion to remove “elector” from the requirement, which carried 4-0 with Mayor Dave Browning absent.

Rockett made a motion to allow a member to be a resident or propSee GROVES, page 18

Page 4 July 22 - July 28, 2011

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OUR OPINION

Recent Rains A Reprieve, Not The End Of The Region’s Drought The past few weeks have brought a surprising amount of rainfall to South Florida. This comes at a time when Lake Okeechobee is nearing an all-time low and the region is feeling the effects of a record drought. But while the recent wet spell has undoubtedly prevented things from getting worse — and local governments have been forced to consider the worst-case scenario — the current South Florida drought is still far from over.

It may seem hard to believe Palm Beach County is still in a serious drought after having rain fall nearly every day over the past month. However, just because there may be heavy rain in the western communities doesn’t mean Lake Okeechobee, which serves as our backup reservoir, has been getting all of it. When looking at the bigger picture, the rainy days we’ve been experiencing lately are but the proverbial drop in the bucket. Though the region still has far to go before water shortage is no longer a problem, local governments and agencies should be taking advantage of this recent rainy reprieve to push ahead with long-term solutions to the region’s water woes.

The current model, in which we rely on the chance of rain, is no longer an option. Unfortunately, there is no easy (read: inexpensive) solution to the problem. The most common options include building a desalinization plant, building more water storage or combining various types

of conservation efforts and best management practices. With government bean counters doing everything they can to curb spending, desalinization — the most expensive of these options — is unlikely in the near future. But it’s definitely something to keep on the table for when the economy picks back up, as it is the best of our current options. However, something has to be done in the meantime; we can’t afford to wait for more spending money before we protect our most basic natural resource. This isn’t a road project or a new development. Something as critical to our daily existence as water is not something to be overly budget-conscious about. It should take precedence over just about everything else.

Sooner or later, tough decisions will have to be made. It’s better to do it now while the situation has taken a step back from critical. Meanwhile, if we continue getting moderate amounts of rain, the drought might not worsen, but a recovery is unlikely. No less than a tropical deluge is likely to fix our current shortages.

Cautious optimism is the only type of optimism to exercise here. Otherwise, we stand the risk of falling back on our old habit of excessive water consumption. And if that happens, next spring, we’ll be right back where we were in June, begging for another reprieve from the drought.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Webster: Finish Promised Roads Up from the boggy marshes at the northwest corner of the City of West Palm Beach comes the city’s paid environmentalist, Pat Painter, determined brow, squared jaw, driving hard atop the city airboat; back and forth through the Grassy Waters Preserve, ever alert to wading birds and snails — all destined to demise had Mother Nature prevailed in her most recent drought. He is the leading character in this political farce to stop the State Road 7, Roebuck Road and Jog Road extensions.

There can be no doubt that this old barren dumping ground and shooting range has been revitalized into a pristine preservation area. The current SR 7 extension up to the wetlands is a scenic drive to and from the bustling eastern communities, exemplary of all that is the real Florida. For those who have experienced this bit of nature by car or bike, you can observe how the roadways are well banked and fencing protects the native habitat. You can see where invasive species have been removed and nature flourishes. This is what good planning and cooperation can create — a blend of sound environmental practices and safe, effective communities.

So, can SR 7, Roebuck Road and Jog Road extensions be completed without damaging the environment? Well of course they can; the proof is the West Palm Beach developments of Ibis, Ironhorse, Baywinds, Riverwalk and Andros Isle, all smack in the middle of their “environmental mecca.” West Palm Beach managed to construct five developments, three golf courses, miles of interior roadways, and 7,953 units on 10,669 acres accompanied by more than 150,000 square feet of commercial property. All this construction phasing was to be tied to assured construction of the three roadway extensions supported by the mitigation fees of $200 per unit collected by the city and transferred to the county. FDOT and the county continue to recommend that these roads be funded in the fiveyear transportation plan.

It is hypocritical of West Palm Beach to block the final few miles of promised roadway extensions.

It is also dangerous for all the communities west of Florida’s Turnpike to be isolated and denied this much-needed roadway connectivity, safe evacuation routes and economic support for businesses in and out of the Palm Beach County heartland. The time is now for our elected representatives and board members to make the right decision to honor the promise and complete these critical roads.

Martha Webster Councilwoman Royal Palm Beach

Wrong Priorities On Council I certainly hope our Wellington voters are paying attention to the

underwhelming management and leadership philosophy and capabilities of our [Vice Mayor Matt] Willhite, and find a suitable replacement for him when his term expires.

How in the world can one explain why Mr. Willhite would lead an effort to have the village commit over $500,000 for a “Patriot Memorial” that contributes nothing to the well-being of our village (and which is really honoring 9/11 victims and not American “patriots”).

On the other hand, he opposes spending half that amount over three years to be studying and analyzing how the village should be posturing for the maintaining of our viability as a cohesive, wellmanaged and vibrant community, in concert with Florida Atlantic University urban planning experts.

For the well-being of our future we need leaders with community management vision and fiscal management skills, not ones wanting to build memorials to their own tenures on the council.

Jay Manning Wellington

Unger Responds To Anne Gerwig Editor ’s note: The following letter is in response to a letter from Councilwoman Anne Gerwig published in the July 8 issue of the Town-Crier.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig needs to read more closely my letter to the Town-Crier, the one she calls “silly.” She wrote that I said, and I quote, I “think that the Wellington Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the global recession,” when indeed I said nothing of the sort. That, Anne, is “silly” and untruthful.

I shall explain in plainer English: The national chamber of commerce in concert with big business, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, the real estate industry, agricultural conglomerates, the energy companies (big oil), the financial sector, etc., caused the financial collapse of our nation. Not a single John Q. Citizen is responsible, it was the business sector caring naught for any others. About 5 percent of America made that decision.

On a state level, we have a state chamber of commerce with members who are from big business who through contributions and lobbying run our state, and then to pay back their contributors through legislation. They tried to privatize healthcare, privatize prisons, cut back on their health responsibilities and assorted programs that help poor children and the disabled. As we speak, Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, as is our state legislature and as our village council (brought up by Anne Gerwig), has killed concurrency.

This translates into developers/ builders being able to build without any concern or monies for new roads and new schools. This defeats decades of local government to make the developers pay their

fair share. Instead, only after bumper-to-bumper traffic is an issue, and only after our schools are overcrowded, will the issue be raised again. By then, the developers and builders are gone and the taxpayers will pay through the nose. This will happen!

Once again these are the chambers and big business election contributions and their lobbyists at work. This is not about average citizens but rather about our chambers of commerce, and big business.

No, Anne Gerwig, you never answered my question, conveniently. What did you do to voice your concern about the loss of concurrency, about this disaster that will cost every Wellingtonian monies for schools, roads, etc. in future taxes?

Only County Commissioner Jess Santamaria spoke out at a forum. Anne Gerwig, did you even attend, or was it the wrong party, after all it was a non-partisan meeting here in Wellington?

You wanted activists to speak out, I did, then you misstate me and take a third of your letter defending your business when I never mentioned it. A bit defensive, are we? It wasn’t me who attacked your business during the election, nor did I do so here. Why the defense? I merely asked a question.

Many members of the chamber are estimable and have wonderful businesses here, that my family tries to do business with, but often the average citizen gains nothing from chamber activities. On a state and federal level, they have kept the lowest taxes in 50 years for the rich, whereas then the upper 1 percent only made about 32 times more than their employees.

I dealt with the generality of chambers and not particular members, many whom I find quite estimable, and friends. Methinks thou dost protest too much and take great liberties in your interpretation of my facile post!

In court (or on TV) “asked and answered” has become a known idiom. You failed to address my primary statement, concern and question. Sounds just like a politician!

George Unger Wellington

Wellington Should Stop Spending The expenditures for “improvements” along Forest Hill Blvd. at this time in our nation’s history seem to be ill-timed, and need to be much better discussed. In my opinion, Wellington needs to put the brakes on spending projects, right now.

Remember, governments do not have money, they raise it. Every one of these buildings, parks, bandstands, landscape projects they do becomes a real expense to maintain. We do have parking lots around town with lots of trucks (big ones and little ones) that also need to be taken care of and li-

censed, titled, etc. I think we need to think about lessening the basic operating costs of Wellington by having a complete, complex forensic accounting assessment of our operating costs and projected operating costs as the time to pay the piper comes round.

For we old timers remember when Florida’s Turnpike was pushed as the road that “will pay for itself” in a few years, and then we will all not have to pay tolls as it would pay for itself. (They lied.)

Or remember when the Florida Lotto was going to get our schools to be among the nation’s finest, with highly paid teachers and teacher’s aides, and students would not lack for supplies? (They lied.) Remember when we were promised that if Wellington would incorporate, we would see our costs of living here go down as Wellington would get all of this money we were not getting as we were unincorporated, and incorporation was the next best thing to putting lights in Wrigley Field in Chicago? (They held the vote on incorporation after season as the seasonal people knew better and nobody could understand how it passed, as nobody could figure out who it was that voted for it.) You old timers remember, I am sure (we were shocked), but everything was going to be less expensive, and the quality of living was to improve.

(They lied.)

“Buy local” is the slogan. Why do we buy schools for Wellington from a construction company that is in Massachusetts? Why not buy local? Put the cards on the table and let’s see the salaries of our government from top to bottom, and get that inspector general busy.

Tom Goff Wellington

Stop Planned Acreage Plaza Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to the Palm Beach County Commission. A copy was sent to the Town-Crier for publication.

Dear Commissioners: I recently purchased my home here in The Acreage to get out of a crowded suburban area. It takes me less than a ten-minute drive to get whatever I need either at the Ibis plaza or the Publix plaza on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. I honestly say that in the 39 years of my life, this the best area I have lived in.

The Acreage is a culturally diverse community with hardworking people who have chosen to live here for what it currently offers. Many of the residents in The Acreage have chosen to commute to as far as Miami and Fort Lauderdale, so they can live and raise there families in the Acreage community.

I have worked in the public-service sector for Palm Beach County for 15 years, and it is an honor to serve our county and its citizens. I speak for myself and The Acreage community that another

strip mall taking up agricultural land is not what we want to see, live by or support. Also, the economics and its location are not understandable. Why build a strip mall with a grocery store two miles from the Ibis plaza, when the Ibis plaza currently struggles to keep its units occupied? Doing so would result in the same failure that the old Winn-Dixie plaza on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road suffered.

I urge you, please listen to the people who voted for you. The Shops at Indian Trails plaza is not needed or wanted. Please do not allow the continuation of urban sprawl when it is not necessary.

James Jackson The Acreage

Protect Americans From Big Business “I hope that we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.” — Thomas Jefferson As a favor to our founding fathers, when our right-wing friends rail about government, repeat their statement but replace the word “government” with the words “we the people.”

From my July 2010 letter in the Town-Crier: “Corporations exist for one purpose — profit. Profit to pay dividends to stockholders, profit to pay their CEOs billions in salaries and bonuses, and profit to reinvest. Nothing wrong with that. But greed is part of human nature, so who will watch these corporations and protect the public from the greed that inevitably results in the poisoning of our water from industrial waste or shortcuts in production that injure and kill consumers, from the coal industry polluting the air we breathe and defying safety rules that kills their own employees?

Who will police the oil corporations so they do not cut corners and cause unspeakable damage to American lives, small businesses and destroy all living things in our oceans? Who will protect the public from the greed of multinational banks that tell their investors that they will grow their money while

gambling in high-risk poker instead?”

Tobacco companies had known for years that their product was lethal and addictive, when Jeffrey Wengard, a former CEO of the tobacco industry, testified in a deposition, and then on CBS 60 Minutes in 1995, to the deception and disregard for public health and safety of the entire tobacco industry. For Mr. Morelli to state that the damage they caused was “unintended” is ludicrous. They knew that nicotine was addictive. They hired the smartest advertisers to make smoking appealing to impressionable teens and young adults.

They knew very well that they were killing human beings for profit.

Government exists to protect the public from foreign threats and from unscrupulous corporations.

It is one of government’s essential tasks. Republicans, however, disagree and would have the fox guard the hen house.

From 2000 to 2008, Republicans in the White House and in Congress systematically de-regulated their corporate partners-in-crime (Wall Street banks) and weakened every federal agency that had previously been created by Democrats and Republicans to protect the public. For a verifiably honest explanation of the dangers of Wall Street de-regulation, and an accurate timeline of the collapse of the banks, everyone should see the documentary Too Big to Fail.

The Republican Party and the people on Wall Street who own them, even knowing that Big Oil, tobacco companies, coal companies and many others cut corners to increase its profits, and even knowing that corporate corruption, negligence and disregard for human life is just part of their company profit plan, argues that government agencies have no business telling, for instance, the Kellogg Corporation that they cannot put rat feces or glass shards in my child’s cereal. The far right does not want the EPA to tell corporations that they cannot dump toxic waste into our drinking water or to tell paper mills that they may not cut down every tree in our forests.

When I hear or read right-wing complaints about President Obama’s rules and regulations on corporations, and the right-wing See LETTERS, page 18

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words).

Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 7936090; or you can e-mail letters@goTown Crier.com.

OPINION

U.S. Government Needs To Crack Down On Business Tax Scofflaws Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

At least 3,700 businesses that received federal government stimulus money are delinquent on a mammoth, $175 million-plus in unpaid taxes. What taxes? Corporate income taxes, payroll taxes, excise taxes and unemployment taxes, that’s all.

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And according to the United States Government Accountability Office the figures are probably underestimated. The report does not take into account that huge, “unknown” numbers of businesses have actually thumbed their noses at their government bene-

factor and not submitted any tax returns at all.

What did these losers actually receive from the government largesse? Something like $24 billion for every conceivable purpose from construction to security to you name it.

BARRY S. MANNING Publisher

JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor

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DAWN RIVERA General Manager

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EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman Jessica Gregoire • Lauren Miró

But guess what? Federal law does not require companies to be current with taxes to do business with the government.

“We need to do more to stop the abuse,” U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said. “Tax deadbeats should not be getting tax dollars,

and they shouldn’t be allowed to compete against honest businesses that meet their tax obligations.”

OK, I’m sure we all buy that senatorial wisdom. Now let’s see if Congress does anything to implement those words.

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Page 5

NEWS

WELLINGTON CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW SOLO MEXICAN CANTINA TO THE MALL The Wellington Chamber of Commerce held a member mixer Thursday, July 14 at the new Solo Mexican Cantina in the Mall at Wellington Green. The event was held to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening. In addition to a ribbon cutting, drinks and appetizers were served as members mingled. To contact the restaurant, call (561) 791-8886.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Chamber Vice President Victor Connor with Laura Jaf fe, Aida Liza-Mayor and Dale Grimm.

Chamber members join in the ribbon cutting.

Lew Blatt e with Diana Tashman and John Mercer.

Victor Connor with Brooke Peterson and Elio Ricciardi.

Nina Anschuetz and Deena Buell of Fabulous 40rties magazine.

Chamber board member Cheri Pavlik with Barbara Richardson and Steve Phillips.

PALMS WEST HOSPITAL CELEBRATES OPENING OF ITS FULL-SERVICE PHARMACY

Palms West Hospital held a grand opening celebration for its new state-of-the-art pharmacy Tuesday, July 19. The pharmacy is conveniently located on the second floor of the hospital for easy access to the patients’ rooms. The 2,858-square-foot pharmacy is equipped with an IV prep room, a chemical preparation room and ample storage space for oral and IV medications. For more information about Palms West Hospital, visit www.palmswesthospital.com.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Angel Biag works in the com pounding room.

Palms West Hospital staf f in the new pharmacy.

Laurie Pess puts away the oral syringes.

Page 6

July 22 - July 28, 2011

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CRIME NEWS

Thieves Steal Cash, Equipment From RPB Restaurant

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report JULY 16 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a restaurant on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. near Southern Blvd. last Saturday afternoon regarding a burglary.

According to a PBSO report, sometime between 3 a.m. and noon, someone entered the business’ office and stole a portable safe, two laptop computers, a fireproof safe, several checks and customer credit card receipts. The complainant discovered the rear door on the east side of the property open with minor damage to the doorframe. The complainant said that other employees were in the business earlier in the day but did not enter the office. The stolen items were valued at approximately $6,300, including $5,000 in cash. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

••• JULY 13 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched last Wednesday morning to a home in the Willows II community regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim said that last Monday he left the rear door of his lawn maintenance trailer open, and that one commercial and one residential weed eater were sitting in his back yard near the trailer. The victim discovered last Wednesday morning that the weed eaters, along with a commercial hedge trimmer, were missing.

The stolen items were valued at approximately $1,550. A canvass of the neighborhood yielded no results.

JULY 14 — A traffic accident on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. caused a victim to be airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center early Thursday morning. According to a PBSO report, a Royal Palm Beach man was traveling on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. south of Parkwood Drive at approximately 5:30 a.m. Thursday when his vehicle went over the curb and struck several bushes, clipped a power pole and several trees. The vehicle then crossed the sidewalk and climbed an embankment, hitting another power pole. According to the report, the vehicle continued south, striking a sign pole. It crossed the road and then struck a palm tree in the center median where it finally stopped. According to the report, the vehicle then caught fire, and the driver exited and began walking southbound on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. When deputies arrived, the victim had injuries to the left side of his body and several cuts to his left arm and face.

The victim was airlifted by Trauma Hawk to St. Mary’s, where he was treated and released. The incident closed a portion of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and led to a temporary power outage.

JULY 15 — A resident of the Stamford community called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Friday afternoon to report a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., someone entered the victim’s home and stole two video game consoles, black Nike Air Force sneakers, $10 cash and several video games.

According to the report, the victim’s son said that he believes the perpetrators came in through the kitchen sliding glass door, which he leaves unlocked occasionally instead of carrying his house key.

The victim’s son said he left home at approximately 10:30 a.m. and was swimming with several of his friends until he returned at approximately 2:30 p.m. The stolen items were valued at approximately $500. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JULY 16 — A Pahokee man was arrested late last Saturday night after he was caught shoplifting from the Walmart Supercenter on Belvedere Road. According to a PBSO report, a loss prevention officer observed 61-year-old Paul Rosenstraus walk through the store collecting several items and then enter a fitting room. According to the report, Rosenstraus then continued to the hardware section where the officer observed him open several packages containing drill bits, nuts, bolts and other tools, which he then concealed on his person. Rosenstraus then entered the electronics selection where he used a screwdriver to forcefully remove a car stereo tuner and remote control from a display, damaging the display in the process. According to the report, Rosenstraus then proceeded to the front of the store, passing all cash registers and making no attempt to pay for the items. A loss prevention officer stopped him and recovered the stolen merchandise.

The stolen items were valued at $490.92, while the damage to the display case was approximately $1,000. Rosenstraus was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where he was charged with grand theft and causing property damage.

JULY 18 — A Royal Palm Beach resident contacted the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday afternoon to report a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim went to Whole Foods Market at approximately 1:30 p.m. where she paid for several items. Sometime between paying for her items and returning to her car, the victim’s wallet containing her credit cards, driver’s license and weapons permit was stolen.

According to the report, the victim’s bank called her at approximately 4:20 p.m. to tell her that someone tried to use her debit card at the Target store in Greenacres.

When she went to cancel her credit card she learned that someone attempted to use that card at Target as well. The victim said she did not know when her wallet was taken. Surveillance video footage from Whole Foods showed the victim with her wallet when she left the store. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JULY 18 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to the Mall at Wellington Green on Monday evening regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim was getting food at Aunt Anne’s pretzel store at approximately 9 p.m. She left a bag containing a two-piece, gold, diamond engagement/wedding ring set on the counter. When she returned 15 minutes later, the bag was missing and the employees did not See BLOTTER, page 18

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Nathaniel Dawkins, a.k.a. Johnson Gucci, is a black male, 5’11” tall and weighing 245 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his right arm and is missing two fingers on his right hand. His date of birth is 12/ 06/69. Dawkins is wanted for failure to appear for jury trial on a charge of possession of cocaine. He is also reported as a missing person. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Gardenia Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Dawkins is wanted as of 07/21/ 11.

• Rodger Kennedy is a whit e male, 5’10” tall and weighing 170 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on both arms, and he may have a shaved head. His dat e of birth is 06/19/86. Kennedy is wanted for violation of probation on charges of possession of cocaine and possession/production of drug paraphernalia. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Persimmon Blvd. in The Acreage. Kennedy is wanted as of 07/21/ 11.

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

Nathaniel Dawkins

Rodger Kennedy

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

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Page 7

NEWS

Code Chief: There Are Challenges, But RPB’s Staff Can Handle It

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report A down economy, coupled with budget restrictions, has created challenges for code enforcement in Royal Palm Beach.

Community Development Director Rob Hill said abandoned homes and an increasing number of commercial vehicles in residential areas are among the code issues that have increased noticeably in recent years.

Nevertheless, none of the challenges are insurmountable and no budget or staff increases will be necessary, Hill said at a budget workshop earlier this month.

At the July 7 meeting, Councilman David Swift asked Hill if he would have enough manpower to do his job, and Hill said he would.

“We have gone through our

budget and reduced some of the line items that we can, but I think we’ve got enough manpower to cover the village significantly,” Hill said, adding that he has shifted schedules around so that his department is now conducting weekend inspections and some evening service. “I’m confident that the personnel I have are adequate at this time.”

Councilwoman Martha Webster said she had also been concerned with the escalation of duties for the department, especially with the approval of a recent ordinance that puts RPB code enforcement in charge of monitoring abandoned homes.

Hill said there are new issues to be addressed, but not outside the realm of current capabilities.

“There is a lot more pressure in the business and residential areas,

given the changes in the economy,” he said. “We have put the work vehicles in more of our residential areas, and we recognize there is more pressure. There are different challenges, but I think we’re handling them well.”

Swift was glad to hear that Hill believes his mission can be done without additional employees.

“Some issues, it takes longer than what I would have hoped, but it does happen over time,” Swift said. “I just wanted to ask you if that was a manpower issue.”

Hill said the process related to gaining compliance from abandoned homes can be time-consuming, but the amount of time is not staff-related.

“I believe that the start-up is a little bit slow,” Hill said. “Some of the ordinance changes are going to help implement the chang-

es, but I think once we get through the initial start-up with the enforcement of those [ordinances], that we will be right up to speed.”

Hill also noted that the economic situation has made the village address problems that have always been there, but flew under the radar.

“We’re cleaning up some things that might not have been addressed adequately in the past, or, quite honestly, have increased in numbers so much that it has to be addressed,” he said.

Hill said his department is spending some of its resources in areas where it has not in the past.

“I don’t think that it has created a shortfall, and I haven’t recognized any lack of enforcement in any areas, whether it’s commercial or residential, at this time,” he said.

Councilman Fred Pinto asked if there will be additional expenses related to hiring a company to identify foreclosed homes, adding that he felt that identifying them would be an additional burden on Hill’s staff.

“I’m wondering if we should bring to the table looking at a third-party vendor to manage that,” Pinto said.

Hill said the fees set to manage the foreclosed homes ordinance should be sufficient to cover the expenses of hiring a third party.

“There’s another option that I’m looking at that I’d like to evaluate prior to coming forward with a recommendation,” he said.

Village Manager Ray Liggins said RPB has started accepting applications from banks holding titles on foreclosed homes that they know of and that Hill is eval-

uating resources other than a vendor to identify foreclosed homes, such as the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

“Getting data dumped directly from the county and manipulating the data ourselves, there’s some problems with it, but right now we’re in the process of evaluating our options,” Liggins said.

Swift agreed that looking into other options sounded like a prudent step.

Village Attorney Brad Biggs said the state legislature tried to save some of the code enforcement costs in one area, but the law change did not pass.

“Certified mailing is not cheap,” Biggs said. “It’s over $3 per mailing, and everybody thought it was going to pass just to allow firstclass mail… Somebody tried to do a good thing, but it didn’t catch.”

New Web Site Presents County Data In An Understandable Format

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Organizers gave a demonstration of Palm Beach County Counts (www.pbccounts.org), a new informational web site, at last week’s Palm Beach County Commission meeting.

The presentation was given Tuesday, July 12, the same day the web site went live to the public.

The web site focuses on healthrelated data, but also includes a wide range of economic and governmental data presented countywide, and also broken down by census tract.

The site was developed by the Economic Development Research Institute (EDRI) with six community partners. The new interactive, web-based system provides data at no charge, according to Assistant County Administrator Jon Van Arnam.

Aside from information, the web site also provides program descriptions and links to more than 1,600 county-level resources.

The web site is the product of a two-year project during which county staff worked closely with the partners to identify gaps and outcomes, and create a mechanism that identifies community needs, Van Arnam said.

“We sought to do this in a way that would involve the community and would increase general awareness of local planning and

Oasis

Women’s Center

continued from page 1 don’t have enough income so they can join the program,” Lasiter said. “They would first meet with our intake coordinator, who would

implementation efforts,” Van Arnam said. “This is a multi-agency effort and a true partnership that we believe is going to have positive impacts on our community.”

Director of Community Services Channell Wilkins said EDRI was one of the most progressive groups he had seen, coming together to figure how to address issues in the community and set priorities. He said having one single source for data-driven analysis to help set priorities will be a great advantage.

“It will give us one source that is valid and uniform and allow us to make some really good decisions based on data we all agree on, and that’s very rare in counties,” Wilkins said.

The web site will enable users to see what is succeeding or not succeeding around the nation as well. “This is, most importantly, about the relationships being built amongst the funders,” Wilkins said, explaining that it will enable participants to talk and make good decisions.

EDRI Executive Director Greta Von Unruh, coordinator of the project, said the web site is a free, new resource to the county. “As you know, most of the partners involved in this project have collectively been gathering and analyzing data on important county issues for more than two decades,” she said.

Rather than continue indepen-

dently, this is their first step to come together with an online delivery platform for that information.

“Over the past year, we have been very impressed with this particular project’s ability to have new lines of communication across all sectors, private, public and non-profit, because we all know that whether you’re a parent, a business owner, an elected official or a grant writer, we all need access to good data to better serve and invest strategically in our community,” Von Unruh said.

“That’s what this web site is all about. Unlike a lot of the information you can find online, you can trust the information you find on it.”

Von Unruh said they chose to work with an organization in California called the Healthy Communities Institute, which is affiliated with the University of California and has been providing low-cost data web sites for communities across the country for more than 10 years, currently covering 65 counties, including nine in Florida.

“We use their rigorous data standards to vet what we put on this web site,” Von Unruh said.

“Where it’s cost-effective, we also use their statisticians, but this is absolutely a community-driven initiative. Data offerings that this site will host will be driven by the community.”

Over the next three months, the organizations plan to form a community editorial advisory committee to look at data needs and priorities in the community in order to further develop the web site.

“This web site is intended to make getting informed easier than ever before, and you can see that right on the home page,” Von Unruh said, explaining that the home page contains topics centers where researchers can begin.

Across the top is a sample list of the available data on the web site and where the county stands on addressing issues, shown on a gauge from green to red. “These colorful gauges that you see can let you know at a glance how we’re doing as a community,” Von Unruh said. “You just have to look for the needle. Green means good, red means bad.”

As examples, she noted that Palm Beach County is doing well addressing issues with adult obesity, but doing badly for children with health insurance coverage.

Information on topics such as disparities in gender and ethnicity is available at a glance. Tabs at the top of each indicator show how the community has done over time by an arrow pointing up or down.

“This is a web site that you will not need a PhD to use,” Von Unruh said. “Professionals who need to download the data will be able to link to the sources. Having this information will save a tremen-

help them fill out the proper paperwork and screen them to see where they fall with their income.”

Women’s Center counselor Suzanne Boltson meets one-on-one with each woman to find out her needs.

“The women have many needs, and this is their last resort,” Boltson said. “In my counseling with

the women, I try to work with all their needs and focus on the whole person.”

Boltson has a degree in mental health counseling and focuses on coping skills.

“I also use biblical counseling,” Boltson said. “Many of these women are lost so they need some spiritual healing and counseling to

help them find out their purpose in life.”

People who currently attend the Women’s Center programs have been improving, she said.

“We try to provide a lot of support and encouragement,” Boltson said, “and through the women’s group, they are able to feel comfortable and not judged.”

A screen shot of the new Palm Beach County Counts web site. dous amount of time. Even two or three hours at a time per grant application or report will save thousands of dollars for all our local organizations in Palm Beach County.”

Most of the categories are also linked to the county’s 211 Helpline web site (www.211palm beach.org) by service category as well. The site also has a column of related news stories.

Laurie George, chief operating officer of the United Way of Palm Beach County, one of the organizations that invested money and staff time developing the web site, said the concentration on local data resources is especially impor-

tant to the United Way because it will be using the site to support its own data-driven approach to invest donor dollars in community issues.

“This model is an exemplary platform to help support this standard of excellence, as it provides the confidence that the information on this site is true and unbiased,” George said.

Other participating agencies include the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, the Quantum Foundation, the Palm Healthcare Foundation, the Workforce Alliance and the Palm Beach County Health Department.

The center is currently looking for volunteers who can assist in anything from skills training to answering phones.

All the classes are taught by volunteers from different backgrounds of expertise. The cooking and baking class, which meets every Thursday at 9 a.m., is taught by volunteer Wolfgang Hanau, an award-winning chef. Students are able to learn how to cook with a chef and gain experience for the work force, Lasiter said.

One of most popular classes is the mini-spa retreat class taught by Gidget Berretta of BeautiControl. The room is set up as a spa with spa tables and aromatic candles.

“The women love it,” Lasiter said. “We are always full for that class.”

For more information about the Oasis Compassion Agency and its Women’s Center, visit www.oasis compassion.org or call (561) 9674066.

‘Blow Dry’ Benefit July 22 At Visions Salon In Wellington

Counselor Suzanne Boltson goes over intake paperwork with a new member of the Oasis Women's Center.

Kay Lasiter answers the phone at the front desk lobby.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Visions Salon will host “Blow Drys Only” on Friday, July 22 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to benefit the family of Mitch Mizrahi, who was killed in a motorcycle accident earlier this month.

Visions Salon, located at 12793 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Wellington Plaza, will be taking donations in exchange for an expert blow dry. The suggested donation amount is $25.

Mizrahi was killed July 3 when he was struck while waiting at a light on his motorcycle. He left

behind his wife, Annie, and sons Sammy and Brandon. Annie is a colleague of Visions Salon and a friend to many in the Wellington area.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the family.

“With Annie being a part of the Visions family, hearing about Mitch’s death affected us all,” Visions Salon Manager Clarissa Cornelius said. “Please join us Friday to show your support.”

To reserve an appointment, call (561) 790-1696.

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July 22 - July 28, 2011

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NEWS BRIEFS P.W. Chamber Poker Tourney Set For July 30

Donald Pray (left) presents the flag and certificate to Forgott en Soldiers Outreach’s Lynelle Zelnar and Bob Nichols.

Very Special Flag Presented To Forgotten Soldiers Outreach On July 12, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach volunteer and avid supporter Donald Pray formally presented to FSO an American flag that was flown over the headquarters of the international security force in Kabul, Afghanistan on May 2, the same day that U.S. forces killed Osama Bin Laden.

Pray also presented a certificate that was sent to him, along with the flag, to present to FSO from Capt. John Tucci, a member of the United States Air Force presently serving in Afghanistan. Tucci is a family friend of Pray and also an FSO recipient. Tucci wanted to show his gratitude to the organization so he forwarded the flag

and certificate to Pray to personally present to FSO. FSO National Chairman Bob Nichols and Executive Director Lynelle Zelnar were honored that their organization was the recipient of such a special flag commemorating a very special day in the nation’s history.

“We simply want to send that little bit of home to assure they are not forgotten, and to receive such an honor from a recipient is truly special and is what keeps our mission alive,” Zelnar said.

For more information about FSO, or to make a donation, visit www. forgottensoldiers.org or call (561) 369-2933.

The 2011 Palms West Chamber Poker Tournament will take place Saturday, July 30 at 6 p.m. at the Palm Beach Kennel Club (1111 N. Congress Ave., West Palm Beach).

The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000 as well as a seat at the World Series of Poker Circuit, which will be held for the second year in a row at the Palm Beach Kennel Club in February 2012.

The tournament entry fee, which includes a seat, dinner and two drinks, is $75 per person, or you can reserve a table of 10 for $750.

For those not interested in playing poker, there is a dinner buffet and the dog races for $30.

For more information, or to register online for the tournament, visit www.palmswest.com, e-mail marc@palmswest.com or call Marc Schlags at (561) 790-6200.

First-Ever Xbox Tournament July 23 In WPB Do you think you are the best gamer out there? Put your skills to the test! On Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Our Father ’s Project Inc. will bring the inaugural Get Your Game On Xbox 360 Tournament to West Palm Beach.

The event will be held in the spacious Palm Beach County Convention Center located at 650 Okeechobee Blvd.

Our Father’s Project (OFP) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization whose mission is to build family cohesion by establishing stability, maturity and responsibility through fatherly involvement.

All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit’s highly anticipated father/ child bonding summer activity.

This year it is OFP’s goal to 30 fathers and two of their children to celebrate the event “A Day With Dad at Disney.”

Tournaments will be played in Madden 2011, NBA2K11, Black Ops, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 and Mortal Kombat.

Register in advance for $25 to enter into each gaming tournament. Registration will cost more at the door. Each tournament has a $250 cash prize.

For more information about this event, or to become a sponsor, email info@ourfathersproject.org.

Poker Run For The Animals Set For Sept. 25 A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue will host its inaugural A Dog’s Day main event and Run for the Animals poker run Sunday, Sept. 25 at Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.).

The main event, A Dog’s Day, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Micanopy Pavilion.

The Run for the Animals poker run will start at Harley-Davidson Palm Beach (2955 45th Street) and end at Okeeheelee Park.

Sponsors include HarleyDavidson of Palm Beach, Majes-

tic Princess Cruises, Knockdown Band, Ink Link Tattoos and Piercings, Budweiser, Cloud 9 Helicopters and Hooters of West Palm Beach.

The event will have a host of vendors and entertainment featuring food, drinks, adoptions, live music, raffles, contests, canine demos and pet photography.

A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue Inc. is a nonprofit, all volunteer, no-kill and the largest foster-based rescue in Palm Beach County.

The program is devoted to saving pregnant and nursing dogs, cats and their offspring, keeping them in a safe, healthy, foster environment and finding them forever loving families, while promoting animal welfare and the prevention of homeless animals by means of spay/ neuter programs.

The event is free for adults, children and well-behaved, leashed dogs. Parking is free.

For more information, call Erica Polites at A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue at (949) 903-9518, e-mail erica@ asecondchancerescue.org or visit www.asecondchancerescue.org.

Yesteryear Village ‘Spooky’ Walking Tours It is said that if you quietly stroll by the Riddle House in historic Yesteryear Village at night, especially late evening, you could experience a chilling sighting or sound. Climb the creaking, wooden stairs inside and you might just

bump into someone or something very frightening.

Do you dare? Do you have the bravery to see what’s really going on in Yesteryear Village?

For years, there have been whispers of hauntings, ghost sightings and cloaked figures in several of the town’s buildings.

Some spirits have been chronicled on national television. Paranormal experts from throughout the nation have visited to conduct their own investigations and document evidence. Now, see for yourself!

Beginning next month, “An Evening in the Dark: A Ghostly Affair Walking Tour” will be offered. Scheduled stops include the Riddle House, where a soul believes he was wronged in death and cannot move on.

From there, step to the mysterious Corbett shack where legend says bodies were once found. What about the abnormal clock at the Pineapple Processing Plant that stopped working at midnight and was found on the floor stuck at 3 a.m., the identical time a soldier was killed a century ago?

As you eerily wind your way through Yesteryear Village, your tour guide reveals the haunts, history and bizarre sightings of these buildings and others. The first tour is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5 and is presented every first Friday of the month thereafter (except January) from 9 to 11 p.m. Tour capacity is limited.

Admission costs $15. Reservations can be made online at www. southfloridafair.com/ghosttours or by calling (561) 790-5232.

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NEWS

HHGREGG CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF CHAIN’S NEW WELLINGTON STORE

Hhgregg Appliances and Electronics held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, July 14 at its new store in Wellington.

More than 150 people waited in line, and more kept coming to take advantage of the special sale prices and giveaways. Hhgregg is located at 10560 W. Forest Hill Blvd., near the Mall at Wellington Green. For more info., visit www.hhgregg.com.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Serta sheep winners Mika, Taylor, Kaylee and Madison McIntyre.

The store’s managers and em ployees at the grand opening.

Happy shopper Darlene Tyson from Loxahatchee.

First in line Altavia Evans and Sacha Franklin-Jeune look for a TV on sale.

WILD 95.5’s Jason Pennington has Sammy McCoy roll the dice for a prize.

Electronics Sales Manager Steve Basar, General Manager Dave Barber, Appliance Sales Manager Linda Barber and Atlanta store General Manager Joel Padgett.

MUSICIAN CHRIS YOUNG MEETS WITH FANS AT RPB WALMART SUPERCENTER Country singer Chris Young held a CD signing Saturday, July 16 at the Walmart Supercenter in Royal Palm Beach. Young’s third CD Neon made its debut last week. Young was the opening act for Jason Aldean, who performed at the Cruzan Amphitheater later that PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER evening.

Country singer Chris Young with fan club co-founder Fay Francisco.

Paul Carroll and his daughter Heather, Katie Myers and Joan Floenzano with their autographed merchandise.

The line forms.

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NEWS

Grace Fellowship Acreage Hosts ‘Hometown Nazareth’ At SRHS

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Grace Fellowship Acreage Church hosted “Hometown Nazareth” as part of its Vacation Bible School this week at Seminole Ridge High School. Families participated in the four-day event for a chance to experience what life was like where Jesus grew up.

The auditorium and hallway at Seminole Ridge were set up into tents that represented either a place or activity in Nazareth.

The families were split up into the 12 tribes of Israel and were able to visit the different tents

where they learned about Nazareth through various activities available at each station.

Children’s Ministry Director Cindy Potts was the event coordinator.

“We have never done it this way before,” Potts said. “We break the kids up in tribes instead of age groups because it makes it more cooperative instead of competitive, and the whole family gets to participate.”

There were 10 tents the tribes could visit. Church members working in the tents were dressed in costumes from the time of

Jesus. Some of the tents included were a rock quarry, basket weaving, carpentry, farming, food market, olive oil grinding, bead making and the tent of Mary, mother of Jesus.

Members of the church also put on biblical skits for the families, which where randomly done between the tribal tent browsing.

There were also sing-along songs, dancing and a surprise guest appearance by Jesus.

Potts described it as a familyoriented Vacation Bible School.

The event was free and open to the public, and parents were able

to sign up their families at the school.

Grace Fellowship Acreage spreads its message of faith by embracing all cultures, said church Pastor Jim Sims. Sims welcomes and encourages all people to visit the church’s service.

The church holds services every Sunday in the Seminole Ridge High School auditorium at 4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

For more information about Grace Fellowship Acreage Church, visit its web site at www. gfacreage.com or call (561) 3334222, ext. 244.

Michelle and Mikalah Bethune with Crystal Leonard.

Aleeah Singletary and Music Ministry leaders Michael and Rachel Little sing a song about Jesus.

Pastor Jim Sims and Children’s Ministry Leader Cindy Potts act out a biblical skit.

Kemi Adeagbo and Liz Fitzpatrick at the basket-making station.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

RARE FRUIT COUNCIL CHAPTER HOSTS TREE SALE AT FAIRGROUNDS AGRIPLEX The Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council hosted a Rare Fruit Tree Sale on Saturday, July 16 in the Agriplex at the South Florida Fairgrounds. A large selection of tropical fruit trees as well as herb and spice plants were available. Visit www.southfloridafair. com for more info.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

4-H volunteer Cour tney Ludwig helps customers transport plants.

Members of the Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council.

Rare Fruit Council member Andy Hartmann helps Jeff Matinelli decide on a mango tree.

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SCHOOL NEWS

TKA Sophomore Attends Georgetown Junior Statesman Program The King’s Academy sophomore Jordan Gableman has been busy this summer experiencing a unique combination of rigorous academics and hands-on learning in Washington, D.C. as a participant in the Georgetown University Junior Statesman Summer School.

Gableman recently returned from the three-week program that brought students together from around the world for the experience of a lifetime. Admission into the Junior Statesman Summer School is very competitive. Gableman’s selection was based on her academic achievement, leadership ability, maturity and interest in politics, history and government.

From the ten courses of study offered, Gableman chose to take the U.S. Government and Politics track at the summer school. This

track enabled Gableman to complete one semester of AP U.S. Government and Politics, a college level-course, and a Congressional workshop practicum. She attended classes six days a week for a total of 100 hours over the three-week period.

Gableman was also able to meet and question national leaders on current issues and tour sites such as the Pentagon, Supreme Court and Capitol Hill.

Gableman said the thing that affected her more than anything else was the independence she experienced in this program. “I loved the dorm environment and having to rely on myself for everything from getting to and from classes across campus to doing the all of the coursework on time,” she said.

Gableman also felt the high-lev-

el Speakers Program and nightly student debates complemented the coursework and made it more practical and applicable. Gableman now hopes to start a Junior Statesman chapter locally.

“Across the nation, JSA chapters are recognized as the place to go for students who are interested in politics,” she said.

Gableman said she feels the lively debates and discussions with other chapters in the Southeast region would create a venue for learning about current political issues and expressing opinions.

“At TKA, we encourage our students to participate in competitive and selective summer enrichment programs that complement our college preparatory curriculum and augment their future ambitions.”

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through 12th grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach. More information about the King’s Academy is available online at www. tka.net.

Jordan Gableman arrives at Georgetown University for the Junior Statesman Summer Camp.

Palm Beach State College Appoints Ariella Klein Student Trustee

Ariella Klein

Lunch Program Policy Announced The Palm Beach County School District’s School Food Service Department has announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals for students under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program.

Household size and income criteria will be used to determine meal benefit eligibility. Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown in the application may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. An application cannot be approved unless

Ariella Klein, an aspiring attorney and diplomat with a passion for community and public service, has been named the new student trustee for the Palm Beach State College District Board of Trustees.

Klein will begin her term in August and serve for the 2011-12 school year. A committee that includes students, employees and a member of the district board of trustees selected her for the nonvoting position after a formal application and interview process.

The position, created by college trustees in 2001 to give students a voice on the board, is open to all Palm Beach State students with at least a 3.0 grade point average

who have completed at least 24 credit hours.

Klein said she is excited about her new leadership role. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to represent the students and bring issues to the board of trustees as the student representative,” she said.

Klein is no stranger to leadership roles and community service at the college and in the community. She is working this summer as an intern in U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s West Palm Beach office. In addition, she is working as a volunteer intern for the local American Cancer Society and the American Red Cross.

Klein helped established the new Law Society on the Lake

Worth campus during the 201011 school year and served as vice president. She also served as the 2010-11 president of the Creative Writers Alliance, a student club.

Klein has received a National Science Foundation Scholarship through the college and has served as Lake Worth campus editor for the Beachcomber student newspaper. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society and has been on the dean’s list since enrolling at Palm Beach State College in 2009.

Klein was selected earlier this year for the AmeriCorps Students in Service volunteer program, through which she helps local organizations and individuals in

need. She tutors a high school student through the Take Stock in Children Program.

In 2010-11, Klein was among 89 community and junior college students from around the nation chosen to participate in the National Community College Aerospace Scholars program. As part of the program, she spent three days at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston working with NASA engineers and learning about careers in science and engineering.

After completing her associate’s degree at Palm Beach State, Klein plans to pursue a bachelor ’s degree in philosophy and then a law degree. She hopes to serve as a

U.S. ambassador in the future.

“I think it’s my humanitarian nature,” Klein said of her work.

“I really love to help other people.”

Serving more than 52,000 students annually, Palm Beach State College is the largest institution of higher education in Palm Beach County.

Established in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, it offers more than 100 programs of study at locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens and Belle Glade.

For more information about Palm Beach State College and its courses, visit the college’s web site at www.palmbeachstate.edu.

it contains complete eligibility information. Once income applications are approved, meal benefits are in effect for the remainder of the school year. You do not need to notify the School Food Service Department of changes in income and household size unless the application was selected for verification. If the household income is reduced, you may reapply.

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, visit www.palmbeachschools.org/sfs, or households may complete the application that was mailed, and

return it to the school site or the School Food Service Department Office. Additional copies are available at the school site office.

The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

Households that receive food stamps or TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) are required to list on the application only the child’s name, food stamp/ TANF case number and signature of adult household member.

Any interested person may review a copy of this policy by contacting: School Food Service Office, 3661 Interstate Park Road N., Suite 100, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. For more information, call (888) 383-2025.

ed States Department of Agriculture Best Practice Awards in the Increasing Participation in School Lunch or Breakfast category. The receipt of these awards acknowledges the district’s on-going efforts to provide high-quality nutrition services to the children of Palm Beach County.

In 2008, the District School Food Service initially partnered with HealthCorps to create a marketing plan that educates and empowers teens to make healthful choices. Using this creative marketing plan and a “nutritious dishes” serving line, students were involved in weekly taste tests and

meetings to determine what nutritious foods they would like to have on their menu. A dedicated reimbursable line was created to serve regular menu items in such a way that a more healthful nutritional value is offered to students each day.

The marketing program and serving line has been successful in getting students excited about nutrition.

Schools currently participating in the program are Atlantic, Boynton Beach, Forest Hill High, John I. Leonard, Santaluces and Wellington high schools, and Independence Middle School.

School District Recognized By Ag Department The School District of Palm Beach County School Food Service Department has been recognized at the State and the Southeast Regional levels with the Unit-

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Wellington Ballet Theatre To Hold Auditions For Winter ‘Nutcracker’ Wellington Ballet Theatre is holding auditions for its inaugural Nutcracker Tea. The performance will feature highlights of the ballet The Nutcracker and also showcase the company’s winter repertoire.

High-level dancers are invited to attend the audition and will be expected to dance en pointe. Apprentice-level and beginning-level ballet students are also encouraged to attend. The audition will consist of a classical barre given by Artistic Director Jesse Hammel and the execution of various technical steps for the student to perform in center and across the floor.

The audition will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Dance Arts Conservatory in Wellington, located at 12260 Fortune Circle, Suite J1.

An RSVP is required by Aug. 13 in order to participate in the audition. To confirm your attendance, contact Wellington Ballet Theatre at wellingtonballet theatre@yahoo.com or (561) 296-1880.

To further encourage young dancers to come out for the audition, Wellington Ballet Theatre will be offering complimentary ballet classes to help prepare the students for the auditions. Classes will be held on Mondays from July 25 through

David Hylton Graduates Army Basic Training Army Pvt. David A. Hylton has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, Hylton studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core

Aug. 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for beginning and intermediate level students.

All students who participate in these classes will be invited to enroll in the Wellington Ballet Theatre Apprenticeship Program for the fall and winter seasons.

For more info., or to confirm your attendance for these preparatory classes, email wellingtonballettheatre@yahoo. com or call (561) 296-1880.

Wellington Ballet Theatre is a not-forprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the dance arts in the community. It provides a cultural experience by dancing historical and classical ballets as well as original and innovative choreographies. The auditions, workshops, master classes and dance demonstrations are open to all members of the community, providing an outlet for all students of artistic merit to express themselves and learn more about classical dance as a form of art.

In June, the new company premiered its repertoire at the Dance Arts Conservatory Dance Expo where its dancers performed two selections from Swan Lake, White Swans and the White Swan Queen Solo, and Firebird Fantasy, choreographed by Hammel. The company

values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, the military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field-training exercises.

Hylton is the son of Longsworth

will perform at the Wellington Amphitheater on Dec. 17 to be featured in the holiday winter festival performance.

Additionally, they are looking forward to holding winter performances at the Lake Worth Playhouse, Lynn University in Boca Raton and at Dance Arts Conservatory in Wellington. The company currently features eight dancers, most graduates of the Bak Middle School of the Arts and the Dreyfoos School of the Arts programs.

Wellington Ballet Theatre maintains strong leadership through its board of directors, artistic directors and choreographers. It is through their collective vision and excellent guidance that Wellington Ballet Theatre is able to implement concentrated upper-level programming, enabling the dancers to achieve a high level of technical skill and artistic interpretation. Having such knowledgeable and passionate experts coming together in business and artistry provides dancers from diverse backgrounds, with the necessary broad skills and knowledge to develop as versatile dancers, so that they are better able to meet the demands of the changing environment of professional dance today.

Hylton of Wellington. He graduated in 2010 from Palm Beach Central High School.

Stein Completes National Guard Training Army National Guard Pvt. Joshua T. Stein has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit

The Wellington Ballet Theatre dancers.

Wellington Ballet Theatre is registered with the State of Florida as a not-for-profit charitable organization and may be found on Sunbiz.org. To further develop its reputation in the community, the Wellington

Training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. The training consists of basic infantry training and advanced individual training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, Stein received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions.

Ballet Theatre is available for black-tie performance events and other fundraiser entertainment opportunities. For bookings, call Rocky Duvall at (561) 2961880.

Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

The advanced individual training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and

anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills.

Stein is the son of Saul Stein of Lake Worth and Marry Wallace of Lowell, Mass.

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

RPB’s James Cox Releases Second Book CAMPERS AT SPOTLIGHT Royal Palm Beach resident Dr. James E. Cox has published and released his second book through PublishAmerica titled One Planet Under God. One Planet Under God is the second book of a three-part series, according to Cox, who is a Christian minister and teacher. His first book is titled Universal Peace and Harmony. The third book of the trilogy is expected to be released in November.

Cox’s books are generally found listed under the category of Spirituality and New Age, but they entail much more, according to the author. The trilogy presents a new economic, political and theological social theory of civilization. He describes a future where the earth is united: under one world government, one world economic system and one basic universal sys-

tem of moral code and ethics.

In One Planet Under God, Cox explains that all human beings must come together in a spirit of harmony and cooperation to manage the global problems that face all of mankind. “In order for civilization and the human race to survive, we must come together,” he said. “We can save this earth and humanity, if we are truly united.

The many problems that we face are global in nature and all of humanity needs to work together in a spirit of unity and concordance, if we are to survive this apocalyptic, trying time.”

The major issues that threaten all of humanity are discussed and solutions are presented. Cox said that global issues such as global warming, the threat of collapse of the world’s economy, depletion of the earth’s natural resources, dis-

tribution of food, water and medical supplies and the threat from pollution and nuclear waste can be managed and solved, if the leaders and people of the world change their priorities and attitudes.

Through stories and parables, Cox gives lessons on morals and ethics. He believes that all humans are one family. He also believes that although humans are one family, there is diversity of ethnicities, cultures and faiths, and that people of all ethnicities, cultures and faiths should mutually respect one another and live together in peace.

Cox’s books are inspirational, uplifting and spiritual, as well as thought provoking. They are also enjoyable to read and easy to comprehend, he said.

For more information, or to order a copy of One Planet Under God, visit www.publishamerica.

OF WELLINGTON PUT ON A BROADWAY SHOW

net. The book is also available at www.amazon.com, www.barnes andnoble.com and www.booksa million.com.

Diane Escalera’s Latest Novel Now Available Wellington romance author Diane Escalera has announced the release of her latest novel, Dangerous Desire. Set in sultry South Florida, it’s a witty tale about a second chance at love.

Sienna Diaz is desperate to find her missing beagle, no matter what it costs. She hires Cruz Santino, the best — and hottest — in the business. He’s an ex cop, dangerous on many levels, which comes in handy when all evidence indicates her beloved pet was snatched to use in a dog-fighting ring. Cruz will do whatever it takes to find Sienna’s lost pet, but he also wants results from the smoking hot attraction between them — and he

isn’t above breaking his own hands-off-clients rule to get there.

However, until he brings her dog home safely, he won’t have Sienna’s undivided attention... and affection.

Dangerous Desire has garnered four-star reviews. People have asked where Escalera got the idea for the novel. She said that while she was brainstorming ideas, Michael Vick’s dog-fighting scandal broke, which spurred the plot for her novel. Escalera is quick to point out that she is an animal lover. Still, the story called out to her because she likes to write about real-life issues that readers can relate to. Escalera noted that while

the plot lends the book a suspenseful edge, at the heart of the story is a sizzling hot romance.

Born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., Escalera has lived in Wellington for the past 20 years. She is married, has two children and a dachshund. Her novels are published by Kensington Publishing and Lyrical Press.

Dangerous Desire is available now in e-book format at Lyrical Press, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders and digital bookstores everywhere. The print edition will come out in October. Escalera’s next release, Still Hot for You, is slated for March 2012.

For additional information, visit

Red Hat Ladies Support The Quantum House Diane Escalera www.dianeescalera.com, www. facebook.com/dianeescaleraofficial or www.twitter.com/dianeescalera.

Kramer To Address Jewish Genealogy Conference

Phyllis Kramer

Palm Beach Gardens resident Phyllis Kramer will be a guest speaker at the 31st International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Washington, D.C. Kramer, a member of Jewish Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County, will discuss “Online Research Techniques: Mastering the Internet” on Sunday, Aug. 14.

The conference, sponsored by the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, takes place Aug. 14-19. The annual event brings together 1,200 attendees from 17 countries.

Kramer is an internationally

recognized educator and genealogist. She serves as vice president of education for JewishGen, and is a member of the JewishGen Advisory Board.

Kramer has created an online education program for more than 1,400 students at JewishGen.org.

She has taught genealogy at Norwalk College, the Savannah JCC, the Jewish Genealogical Society of Palm Beach Jewish County and the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. Until her retirement, Kramer served as a business consultant for IBM. According to Conference Coordinator Marilyn Newman, there is

There was a breeze of Broadway earlier this month as Spotlight of Wellington summer campers brought their talents to the stage in A Tribute to New York. The production was a culmination of the two weeks of hard work during the performing arts camp at Spotlight of Wellington. True to the nature of the Broadway spirit, the performers spent long hours learning various aspects of singing and dancing (modern, ballet and tap), all to bring one singular sensation to the stage. To learn how your little performer can become a star, visit www.spotlightofwellington.com, check out Spotlight of Wellington on F acebook or call (561) 790-7758.

Shown above are the performers from A Tribute to New York.

no better place than Washington, D.C. to do family research. Attendees will be able to learn from the best, and network and research family roots in a city famous for its numerous records facilities.

Many members of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County plan to attend this summer’s conference.

There is no reservation deadline for the event. Newman encourages additional members to join the Palm Beach County group for a remarkable learning experience.

To learn more about the conference, visit www.dc2011.org.

Quantum House staff and guests accepted a check from the Red Hat Ladies during a ceremony Wednesday, July 13 at Courtyard Gardens Rehabilitation Center in Jupiter.

The group of eight women raised $500 for Quantum House, a hospital hospitality house in West Palm Beach, by selling raffle tickets. Virginia Hemhauser, who is a key member of the group, presented the check to two children from Quantum House. Residents, guests and staff members purchased the $1 raffle tickets to support the latest charity the Red Hat Ladies have chosen.

The group chose to raise money for Quantum House because they love to help children. The Quantum House is hospital hospitality house for families whose children are receiving treatment in Palm Beach County for a serious medical condition.

The women meet every Tuesday with a financial report of how much money they have raised, and then go out and sell more tickets.

Aside from being an important

Virginia Hemhauser presents a check to two Quantum House guests. member of the Red Hat Ladies, Hemhauser is also president of the Resident Council and has been named Florida’s Resident of the Year. She will be heading to Orlando Aug. 15 to accept her award.

For more information about the Quantum House, call (561) 4940515 or visit www.quantumhouse. org.

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July 22 - July 28, 2011

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NEWS E-Services

Citizens Action Center

continued from page 1 call,” Bonde said. “And then it can be a challenge to get hold of the right people.”

He said that although it may take a day or two for a staff member to do the research and get a response back to a resident, it can be more timely than calling or even e-mail.

“We’re trying to set some performance standards with regard to how long it takes for a resident to get a response,” Bonde said. “We don’t want the requests to go into limbo where they don’t get responded to. But sometimes it will take a day or two, depending upon the issue. Sometimes we’ll get back to you right away.”

Another advantage to the program is that it saves on wasted paper caused by letter-writing or having to take notes on an issue.

“When we receive letters from residents, we have to scan them in,” Bonde said. “A lot of work goes into it. This program is efficient in terms of savings on cost.

It doesn’t leave a big stack of paperwork or involve a great number of people.”

Bonde said that Wellington had a similar system in the past but that it had fewer options for residents.

Now, not only can residents communicate with the village, but Wellington can seek out resident responses.

“Say we see that we’ve had a large number of complaints that street lights are going out,” Bonde said, “then we could do a poll and ask our residents if they have had problems with street lights in their neighborhoods.”

Just keeping track of issues

could alert Wellington staff to emerging concerns before they become a major problem, he noted.

“The system keeps a record of it automatically,” Bonde said. “We can look at the trends. It’s not like a telephone message where you rely on someone writing things down. It’s all there.”

Wellington could also use the system to get resident input before starting a project.

“Say we’re proposing something and want to get input on it,” Bonde said. “We could put it out online and ask residents what they think. There would be an area for them to give their opinion on it.

It’s another tool the government can use to make decisions and justify spending the money the way it does.”

And with the ability to track the responses, Wellington will be able to record and pull data to help make decisions.

“We could ask it, for example, to pull the number of complaints we’ve had for nonworking street lights in the last year,” he said.

Above all, Bonde said, it’s a way for residents to more easily communicate with Wellington.

“Any way they feel comfortable communicating with their local government is good,” he said.

“This is just a new way to do it. I think, as we’re in the 21st century, people are becoming more comfortable with the use of computers to do these things. I think it will become standard the way the phone did years ago.”

And that will enable residents to get their concerns heard.

“It’s good for residents,” Bonde said. “That’s the bottom line. It’s a way for them to communicate with their government… Some of the requests are simple but meaningful to residents, and sometimes they get lost trying to get an answer. This will help.”

‘The system keeps a record of it automatically.

We can look at the trends. It’s not like a telephone message where you rely on someone writing things down. It’s all there.’

John Bonde

County

Budget Problems

continued from page 1 cue is funded through an independent taxing district, which is keeping its millage rate the same, which means its revenue will also go down, Weisman said.

“It was my job to tell the board how to reduce the budget for this coming year,” Weisman said.

He prepared proposals including 70 layoffs, the elimination of 170 vacant positions and various cutbacks in services. “We’ve actually reduced the budget $100 million since 2006-07 when the money was rolling in,” Weisman said. “We’ve done that with remarkably little impact on the citizens.”

Weisman said the county is not mowing grass, collecting garbage or cleaning bathrooms as often as it did, but if the budget is to be seriously cut, it has to be with personnel. “That’s where the money is, and we’ve saved most of that money by eliminating 900 positions out of around 6,000 that we had,” Weisman said.

Some of the cuts he proposed turned heads.

“One that was particularly notorious was I proposed to cut several positions from our Victims Services operation,” he said. “This is certainly a fine service that we provide to help the victims of crime. I was not proposing to eliminate the program, but we had about 23 people doing that, and I’m saying if we’re going to cut the budget seriously, perhaps we can get by with 19 instead of 23 doing that work.”

The lifeguard cuts that received publicity, where he proposed to lay off some lifeguards and cut

Blotter continued from page 6 know who took it. Surveillance video from the mall did not show who took the bag because a kiosk was in the way, and the deputy was unable to view the store’s video. The stolen ring set was valued at approximately $1,800. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JULY 18 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested Monday night on trespassing charges after residents of the Wellington Lakes community called to report a group of people in the pool. According to the report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to the community pool where he observed a group of four teens. The deputy asked the teens to let him in, and one used a key to do so. According to the report, the deputy observed one of the male teens throw

Tennis

Wellington Gets Grant

continued from page 1 the basics,” she said. “It’s for children to take an interest in the sport, help them get exercise and learn coordination. It gives them a chance to learn tennis like many children learn tee ball. There hadn’t really been a program like that for tennis before.”

The program is unique in that it will be offered to all students 10

and younger by way of their physical education classes in school, as well as after-school programs for those students who attend.

Ellsworth said that all of the physical education teachers and after-school care instructors would be given training in order to teach the program. “We will be giving them the equipment they need to play and the instruction they need to learn the skills,” Ellsworth said.

“Students will get to take a week or two weeks of tennis in their regular physical education classes. If they’re interested and want to

come for additional lessons, we’ll be providing them at the Wellington Tennis Center.”

There is a fee for lessons, Ellsworth said, but participants get USTA membership included.

The Wellington Tennis Center will also be providing other ways to bring young children together to play.

“We hope to host some free play and tournaments,” Ellsworth said.

“We have what they call ‘play dates,’ where we have open tennis and anyone who wants to come can play. We also want to set up a

little tournament for the children that would be non-competitive, where everyone gets a prize.”

Additionally, the USTA offers its own tennis tournaments for competitors 10 or younger, and Ellsworth said that Wellington hopes to start teams to compete.

The Wellington Tennis Center will hold a clinic in September for anyone interested in the program, which is expected to start in October.

For more information, contact Ellsworth at debd1756@bell south.net or call (561) 791-4775.

Tim Snell instructs Andrea Andre.

Dalinda Barry shows Ashley Kulberg how to serve the ball at a USTA event held in Wellington last October.

Debbie Ellsworth leads a game to teach the kids ball control.

Michael Ellsworth helps Ryan Koppada perfect his serve.

TOWN-CRIER FILE PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ

Campbell

New SRHS Principal

service hours, was only cutting service hours when there was the least demand by the public, he said. “We were still going to be there 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the main beaches where people really use them,” Weisman said.

Another controversial issue was Palm Tran, one of the most heavily subsidized services the county provides. He proposed raising fees 50 cents to $1, which was heavily opposed, especially by the disabled who depend upon the service.

Weisman also proposed parking fees at parks and beaches, which he said he did not favor because they are such popular attractions.

He also proposed closing the nature centers at county parks, which also had a faction of strong opposition. He proposed cutting hours of operation for pools, as well, which are among the most expensive county services offered but are lightly used.

Weisman said the county commission has been criticized because it set the maximum tax rate at 4.87 mills, which is higher than the current rate, but he stressed that it will still mean less revenue, and the rate may still be reduced.

“The budget is not going to be determined by the tax rate,” Weisman said. “The budget will be determined ultimately by what programs the board decides to keep and cut, and whatever that dollar amount is, that’s what the millage rate will end up being. If we keep the tax rate at 4.75, the total revenues to the county go down by more than $10 million, so I can’t see how one can argue that we’re raising taxes when we’re getting less taxes.”

The first public hearing on the county budget is set for Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.

continued from page 1 part in everything that occurred in order to develop the school and hire the staff,” he said. “I’m kind of coming home again. It’s obviously a very familiar setting for me, and it’s good to be back.”

In his first year at Seminole Ridge as assistant principal, Campbell said he was heavily involved with technology and hiring decisions, in addition to overall supervision of students.

“I supervised the science department and dealt with technology issues and various facility issues related to technology,” Campbell recalled. “With the opening of a school, everything was something that had to be dealt with and everything was brand new — implementing it, getting teachers trained on it.”

Campbell, who has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in educational leadership, said he has always had a love for technology.

“I always picked up anything on the computer fairly quickly, so when it came to deciding who was going to cover different areas of the school, Dr. McGee let me handle that area,” he said. “Because I was a science teacher previously, I supervised the science department.”

Campbell started his educational career as a science teacher at Suncoast High School from 1997 to 2000. “I also coached just about anything they allowed me to coach — football, basketball, baseball,” he said. “I was assistant athletic director there for a couple of years.”

For three years, Campbell worked as a specialist in the instructional materials department at

an object, which fell and broke.

The deputy discovered it was a glass marijuana pipe and found a clear plastic bag containing marijuana nearby. According to the report, one of the males, identified as 19-year-old Christopher Salerno, said that the marijuana was his.

Salerno was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with trespassing.

JULY 18 — A resident of Folkestone Circle called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday night to report an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, the victim was home at approximately 10:30 p.m. when he heard a loud sound coming from outside. He looked outside his window and observed approximately six unknown juvenile males walking away from his mailbox, which had been broken at the base. According to the report, it appeared to have been pushed over. The perpetrators

caused approximately $100 in damages.

JULY 19 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched Tuesday morning to a home in Olympia following an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1:30 and 7 a.m., someone spraypainted in large black letters “WP KKK” on the victim’s garage door. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JULY 19 — A resident of Village Walk contacted the PBSO substation in Wellington on Tuesday evening to report a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim had locked his Nishiki bicycle to the fence surrounding his pool. Sometime between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., someone removed the bicycle, which was locked with a combination lock. The stolen bike was valued at approximately $225. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

the school district before in one of the academy heading to Osceola programs, a sports team Creek. or a club.

Campbell said he does “I think the extracurnot anticipate extreme riculars really play a changes at Seminole huge role in the success Ridge, partially because of a lot of our students, much of what is in place so we want to have a there now, he had a hand wide variety of options,” in setting up. he said.

James “I was here when it Campbell said he is Campbell was instituted,” he said. very excited to be return“I’ve only been gone four years, ing to the Acreage/Loxahatchee and there have not been a lot of community. “My experience bedrastic changes to what we imple- fore was extremely positive, and mented from the very beginning that was one of the reasons that I back in 2005. I know we have a looked to return here, because I strong focus on creating a safe en- knew the community,” he said. “I vironment where kids can learn.

That’s always going to be an issue wherever you go, and it’s always going to be the main focus.”

All People’s Day Inc. and One Throughout the years, the Planet United need donations of school has been able to develop new or gently used clothing and strong athletic programs to com- school supplies for its second anplement the students’ academic nual Back to School Brown Bag subjects, he said.

Special Clothing Drive. The drive “I really haven’t determined a helps local families that could not reason to have a wholesale change otherwise afford to purchase new for many of those guidelines,” school supplies and clothing for Campbell said. “We just want to the upcoming school year. Donacontinue building upon what was tions are being accepted through in place. We want to continue to Friday, Aug. 19. To make a donafocus on student achievement, but tion, contact Michelle at (305) also continue building on all of our 490-5097 or Cookie at (561) 736extracurricular programs, because 2221.

I’m a firm believer that that is as The actual event will be held crucial to the students’ success as Saturday, Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to what’s going on in the classroom.” 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Campbell said many students Church (188 S. Swinton Ave., do well because of programs Delray Beach). In exchange for they’re involved in, whether it’s making a small $5 donation, fam-

know it’s a great community to be in because of the support that they give to the schools.”

He said it will also be good to have his old friend and mentor, Armas, just down the road.

“He and I have known each other for over 20 years,” Campbell said. “I’ve known him since I was 14 years old. He has helped me a great deal. He’s one of my closest friends in the whole world. We’re going to be at rival high schools now.”

Born and raised in Belle Glade, Campbell, 38, is married to wife Amy and has a son, Jacob, age 10, who is going into fifth grade.

Donations Sought For School Drive

Groves

Town Council

continued from page 3 erty owner, which failed in a 2-2 tie.

Rockett then made a motion to approve the ordinance, which carried 4-0.

In other business: • The council went in detail through the wording of a request for proposals for a town management firm.

The council set deadlines for review, which will correlate with the evaluation of Town Manager Frank Spence, who has been criticized recently by some council members regarding his job performance.

The draft of the request for proposals went through a review by the Financial Advisory & Audit Committee on Thursday, July 14, and a final draft is scheduled to

ilies are allowed to fill a shopping bag with school supplies and/or clothing. All of the proceeds raised from the Back to School Brown Bag Special Clothing Drive will help pay for expenses for the third annual All People’s Day Diversity Festival, to be held in March 2012.

All People’s Day is a celebration of peace and diversity featuring cultural arts, performances, music, workshops and a variety of ethnic foods. Susan BerkowitzSchwartz, a Delray Beach resident, created the holiday so that people of different backgrounds could have a day to celebrate together. For more details about the All People’s Day Diversity Festival, visit www.allpeoplesday.org.

be back before the council Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Rockett made a motion to direct the town attorney to make a series of changes to the draft ordinance, which passed 4-0.

• The council also approved a resolution asking the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization to keep the extension of State Road 7 to Northlake Blvd. in its five-year transportation plan.

Spence said the resolution has garnered widespread support from the western communities and the Palms West Chamber of Commerce. The plan is strongly opposed by the Ibis development and West Palm Beach, whose mayor lives in Ibis.

Rockett made a motion to approve the resolution, which carried 3-1 with Goltzené objecting.

Goltzené called it an example of the Palm Beach League of Cities setting the agenda.

“I personally oppose this project, having seen where the

road is to go,” Goltzené said. “It is across a very sensitive wetland.

We have very little wetlands in Florida, and the time for everything other than the environment winning out has passed. I think that the road should be redirected to take into account the sensitive environmental nature of the area.”

Jarriel disagreed. “We need another emergency evacuation route, and that’s probably one of the best ones we’ve got,” he said, pointing out that he worked many years as a firefighter in The Acreage and remembered a time when the land that Ibis is built on was environmentally protected.

“Now, they’ve got their homes built there, and they’re a gated community, and they don’t want us to have access,” Jarriel said.

“We need a road out of Royal Palm Beach that would benefit not only Royal Palm Beach residents, but The Acreage and the residents of Loxahatchee Groves and the western communities.”

corporate profits, which, rather than creating jobs, has provided obscene CEO salaries and given the richest one percent more financial wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined. According to the non-partisan Politifact, the net worth of the nation’s 400 wealth-

iest individuals exceeds the net worth of half of all American households.) And now, so-called conservatives want more de-regulation and more tax breaks for the aristocracy.

Gwynne Chesher Wellington

Letters continued from page 4 insistence that the very rich need more money, I wonder how long it will take for the vast majority of Americans to see that liberals and progressives fight for the middle class, while conservatives and tea partiers fight for de-regulation/

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Page 19

NEWS

JUPITER-TEQUESTA DOG CLUB HOSTS ALL-BREED DOG SHOWS AT FAIRGROUNDS The 66th and 67th All-Breed Dog Show and the thir d and four th Obedience and Rally Trials hosted by the Jupiter-Tequesta Dog Club took place July 16-17 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. There were 1,084 dogs in 127 breeds or varieties entered in the “Dog Days of Summer” show sponsored by Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food Company. Safe Harbour and Greyhound Pets of America were distributing information.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Judge Doris Cozart and handler-owner Guiseppe Renculli with rottweiler Gigolo, winner of Best Working Dog Gr oup Saturday.

Judge Gloria Geringer and handler Frank Jewett with English bulldog Zeus, Saturday’s Best Non-Sporting Dog Group winner.

Yellow labrador retriever Jack with his handler Guiseppe Renculli.

Daniel De La Rosa and Barbara Masi with Hero, a service dog in training.

Dr. Maria Vianna and Michele Tremblay with Chesapeake Bay retrievers Addie and Misty.

Obedience judge Deborah Neufled awards a ribbon to Nancy Locke and her dog Ralph.

Executive Women Of The Palm Beaches Announces New Board Executive Women of the Palm Beaches announced its board of directors for the 2011-12 year at a dinner reception held recently at PGA National Resort & Spa. The officers are President Monica Manolas, CEMEX, USA; President-Elect Ellen Block, the Jay Block Companies Inc.; Secretary Minx Boren, Coach Minx Inc.; Treasurer Nanette Norton Winzell, Lamn, Krielow, Dytrych & Co. CPAs; Treasurer-Elect Jessica Cecere, CredAbility; and Immediate Past President Regina Bedoya, RB Financial Advisors Inc. Directors include Nancy Banner, Nancy Banner, P.A.; Tish Carlo, Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation; Rosemary Dailey, Shutts & Bowen LLP; JoAnn Gooding, J.J. Taylor Companies Inc.; Jackie Halderman, Gracelyn

Hodge, Ernst & Young LLP; Sandra Kaplan, Bravo K.B. Inc.; Trish Lowry, Florida’s Blood Centers Inc.; Virginia Spencer, Illustrated Properties Real Estate; and Misty Travani, Travani & Richter P.A. The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches’ mission is to provide a dynamic presence dedicated to the professional and personal advancement of women through networking, sharing resources and encouraging leadership.

Through Executive Women Outreach, the organization provides financial support to scholarships and community projects.

For more information regarding Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, call (561) 684-9117 or visit www.ewpb.org.

Ellen Block, Monica Manolas, Minx Boren and Nanette Norton Winzell were elected as EWPB officers for 2011-12.

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ecurities and investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

Executive Women Outreach officers Virginia Spencer, JoAnn Wagner and Deborah Jaffe. Not pictured: Tish Carlo.

Page 20

July 22 - July 28, 2011

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The Town-Crier

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Seller’s Remorse: Teen Wanted Her Horse Back

Loxahatchee resident Nicole Nezbed and her horse Smokey did just about everything together. But after taking on a second horse and realizing she couldn’t afford both, Nezbed decided it was time to sell Smokey. It was a decision she soon regretted.

Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23

July 22 - July 28, 2011

Page 21

Mounted Posse Barrel Show Raises Money For Trip

The Palm Beach County Mounted Posse hosted a benefit show Saturday, July 16 to raise money to send a dozen teens to the Youth World Championship National Barrel Horse Association show. Riders turned barrels, enjoyed carriage rides, bought bake sale items and won raffles to help support the kids. Page 35

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business Taste Of India To Celebrate Its First Anniversary With Special Event July 27

Coming up on its first anniversary, Taste of India, located at 7750 Okeechobee Blvd., is becoming a neighborhood staple for Indian food. The restaurant offers an authentic Indian buffet for lunch and dinner, as well as dishes from its plentiful menu. It specializes in northern and southern Indian cuisine.

Taste of India’s first anniversary celebration will take place July 27. There will be live music by the Singing Birds Band and South Indian dishes. Page 29

Sports Hundreds Turn Out For Pop Warner Football Camp In Royal Palm

The Royal Palm Beach Wildcats Pop Warner football program hosted two weeks of camps at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach, July 11-14 and July 18-21. More than 270 players ages 5-15 participated in the camps, with registration open to players from any league. Page 35

THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES .......................23-24 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ..................... 26 BUSINESS NEWS .................................29-31 SPORTS & RECREATION ......................35-37 COMMUNITY CALENDAR .................... 38-39 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 40-45

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July 22 - July 28, 2011

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Page 23

FEATURES

Seller’s Remorse: Nicole Nezbed Wanted Her Horse Back Nicole Nezbed of Loxahatchee is a recent graduate of Seminole Ridge High School. Her future plans include attending the Lincoln Culinary School and one day being a chef — but she’d rather make a living by working with her first love, horses.

“I started riding when I was three,” Nezbed said. “I began riding English, then I switched to western, and then I started barrel racing.”

She owned a pony, and that was fine — until she outgrew it. She went looking for a new horse and found an Appaloosa gelding named Smokey.

“My friend knew about him and said I should go and see him,” Nezbed recalled.

“The day I went he was so lame he could barely walk, but there was just something about him that I really liked. I told my mom I needed him. I went to see him again the next day, and he was perfect. Eventually he blew out an abscess in his hoof, and he’s never been lame or had any problems since.”

Smokey came home with Nezbed, and they did “just about everything together” — trail riding, running barrels, even jumping.

“I always trusted him,” she said. “He always did anything I asked, even if he wasn’t sure how to do it, like the jumping. He’d just try his best, and we’d manage.”

Smokey was pretty good running barrels.

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

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg Nezbed showed him at the local posse shows and in Indiantown. “He was no slow horse,” she laughed. “We won some money and two saddles. He was my best friend.”

Then one day, a friend asked Nezbed if she wanted another horse. The horse, a bay Appendix Quarter Horse mare named Dazzler, was about a hundred pounds underweight and had a bad case of rain rot — a lot of her hair was missing. Her hooves needed trimming and her teeth needed floating. This was a horse in need of a good home, and she was free.

“I saw her, and I felt so bad for her,” Nezbed said. “Even though she looked so rough, she had a sweet, soft eye, and you could tell she had a good heart.”

Dazzler came to live with Nezbed and Smokey at her parents’ place on Nov. 3, 2010.

But, that meant feeding two horses, and Nezbed, who works part time at the Burger King in Loxahatchee, couldn’t afford to feed them both. Dazzler seemed to need her help more, and she wasn’t doing too many shows anyway, so she decided to put Smokey up for sale.

Nicole Nezbed of Loxahatchee with Smokey.

“I was so busy caring for Dazzler, I didn’t want Smokey to go to waste,” she said.

Many people came out to look and try, but he was too much horse for most of them. Fi-

nally, a woman came who wanted a trail horse.

She rode Smokey a little, then had Nezbed ride him, and she decided to buy him. In JanSee ROSENBERG, page 24

Page 24 July 22 - July 28, 2011

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FEATURES

Turns Out, All The Heroes In My Life Are Actually Heroines I don’t know why, but I was getting introspective today and thinking about all the people who have had a dramatic influence on my life — my heroes, if you will.

Then I realized that all my heroes are heroines.

There’s my mom, of course — the woman who, beginning at age 22, took my rudderless dad and (eventually) four squalling brats and fashioned them into a pretty solid family.

There’s the late, great Bonnie O. Goldberg — a former elementary-school teacher who creatively and diligently wrote for The TownCrier and who dedicated huge chunks of her “leisure time” to the Crestwood Performing Get your Sonic Boomer humor every day!

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

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER Arts League — all missions dear to my heart.

There’s Sharon Edelman Reuben — the marketing genius who got people to leave the coast and buy homes in landlocked Wellington through good PR, intriguing special events and sheer willpower.

There’s Dottie Clayton — a fabulous coworker, a quietly adventurous soul and one of the first women I knew to wholeheartedly embrace being a single mom.

And there’s Fran Hines — a fellow antiques

lover who is somehow able to draw the line between collecting and hoarding, a woman so able to roll with the punches that she can actually sell off her entire collection and start fresh in a new city whenever health issues so dictate.

Taking a moment to realize who my true heroines are also has allowed me to notice a few common threads — vision, dedication, hard work and the ability to keep at least one foot grounded in reality.

I notice there are no movie stars or politicians on the list. Nor is there anyone who is best known for his or her personal appearance alone. Nor is there anyone who is noticeably wealthy.

Evidently, beauty, fortune and fame mean diddley-squat to me. No wonder I look like I do, never have any money and have only 12 Facebook friends. All of a sudden, it seems crystal clear.

So now I have to take this exercise one step further. I have a daughter. Did I inadvertently raise her to be slipshod, destitute and friendless all the days of her life?

Evidently not. As I wrote that last sentence, she called to say she had been summoned to an unscheduled meeting at work this morning where she was lauded for her accomplishments and given a surprise bonus. I suspect she was wearing a nice outfit at the time, and I know for sure she had her hair cut by professional haircutters just last week.

So now I have a new heroine, a younger heroine, a heroine with hundreds of Facebook friends, a heroine to whom appearance matters and a heroine who, when offered a hefty check, will graciously but quickly accept it.

I need to learn from this girl.

Because a willingness to evolve is important, too. All my heroines would agree.

‘Deathly Hallows, Part 2’ A Fitting End To The Potter Series Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 provides a great ending to the recordbreaking series. There’s as much action in the one film as any two of the seven preceding movies. It moves quickly through a series of set actions that provide both entertainment and thought. It is the best film in the series, although that may be because it is the climax of a series of events that clearly began in the first film (and book). It also comes closest to bringing the power and excitement of the series since the third.

In the J.K. Rowling series, Harry Potter discovers he is a wizard when he is 11, and soon after being sent to Hogwarts, a special school for witches and wizards, discovers he is the particular target of the worst of all the wizards, Voldemort. We learn along the way that there is a prophecy that one may not live if the other one does. After a long series of battles shown in previous movies, it is in this last film where the final confrontation takes place.

The themes within the series, while oriented primarily in the early books for younger children and getting more adult as the books go on, are important ones. Death is an important theme: Characters die, characters impor-

Rosenberg

Nicole Nezbed

continued from page 23 uary, Smokey got onto a trailer and headed up to his new home in Ocala.

So Nezbed had Dazzler, and she had her work cut out for her.

“Although Dazzler was six years old, it was more like she was only three years old,” she said. “She didn’t know how to do anything, and she was a slow learner. It got to the point where I felt as if there was something inside of her pushing against me. There was no real connection between us like there’d been with me and Smokey. I decided to sell her and get Smokey back. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think about him and miss him.

Every time I came out of the house, he’d always whinny to me. Selling him was the worst mistake of my life.”

tant to Harry. Rowling, who follows in the Christian-influenced tradition of Tolkien and Lewis, provides constant allusions to the themes of death, life after death, and sacrifice for others. Although some critics have complained that the books promote witchcraft, there have been biblical quotes, Christmas celebrations and godparents all mentioned with frequency.

These are important themes and, as a lifetime educator, I would point to the reaction of young people to the books as one that demonstrates they are far more willing to read difficult material if it has meaning for them, even while ignoring the pap that generally is presented as part of the school-based material they are forced to endure.

One of the best elements of all the movies

has been the exceptional actors in them, the best of English performers willing to play smaller but very interesting roles. While the younger actors, playing Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), have grown into their roles, making the transition throughout the series more comfortable, and they do well, it is the other actors who really shine.

This movie is not an exception. We see most of the characters we’ve met before, generally as part of the great battle that takes up most of the last half of the film. The best performance was by Alan Rickman as the ambiguous Professor Snape. Throughout the series he has sneered at Harry, who hated him in return, but was defended by Harry’s mentor, Professor Dumbledore.

In one remarkable sequence, one that could lead to an Academy Award, we see why Snape has behaved as he had and learn that all our preconceptions were wrong. But there are also excellent performances by Michael Gambon (as Dumbledore, sort of back from the dead) as well as Julie Walters, Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith and, of course, Ralph Fiennes, who really gets to chew up the scenery as the villainous Voldemart.

Matthew Lewis, who as young Neville Longbottom played the typical goofy nerd in early films gives a great performance as his grown-up self, still goofy but now heroic, in this film. There were at least a dozen other actors who came back to do cameos, and all of them did beautifully.

There is one small proviso, however. If you have never seen another one of the movies or read the books, you will have a great deal of trouble understanding a lot of what is going on. We had a friend with us in that situation, and he was constantly whispering, asking for explanations that all Rowling fans can give — but generally not during the middle of a movie.

This last Potter film, however, does bring magic to the screen. Yes, good people die, but they die because they believe in fighting for their freedom. There is sacrifice, but in the end, all is well.

If you’re a Potter fan, this is a must-see. If you’ve been to others in the series, this is a good note to end with. Although limited by the fact that it is part of a series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 is an excellent film, certainly worth the time and the ticket price.

So Nezbed tried to sell Dazzler but couldn’t find any takers. Finally, a friend of her father took Dazzler and gave her a good home.

Nezbed contacted Smokey’s new owner in Ocala, and she was willing to sell Smokey back.

Smokey hadn’t worked out so well for her; he was a little faster than what she wanted. All Nezbed needed was the money — money to buy him back and money to trailer him home.

“I cry about him all the time. I wish I’d never sold him. When I get him back, he’ll be the horse I keep for the rest of his life,” she said.

“He’s definitely a special horse. I just need to get him back.”

On June 30, Nezbed posted an ad on craigslist.com titled, “I need my horse back,” and I happened to click on it. I called her and learned all about Smokey. At that time, Nezbed was looking for extra jobs to earn the money to bring him home. A few days later, I saw a different ad at Wellington-WEF; someone was

bringing down a trailer load from Ocala to the West Palm Beach area and had room for an extra horse.

I called and explained Nezbed’s plight to the lady who posted the ad, named Angela, and she quoted a really reasonable rate. I put the two in touch, and things worked out perfectly. By Wednesday afternoon on July 13, Smokey was back home.

“He stepped off the trailer and looked around and headed right for his pen,” Nezbed said. “The next morning when I went out, he whinnied to me. He’s just as perfect as he ever was. We went for a trail ride, and you could tell he was really happy. Having him home again is awesome. I went through too much pain when he was gone. He’s never leaving again.”

So Angela filled her trailer, Nicole Nezbed got her best friend back, and as for me — well, I got to write a column about it.

Nicole Nezbed and Smokey on the barrel racing course.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

WPB Antiques Festival Returns To The Fairgrounds Aug. 6-7 The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will continue its two-day summer show schedule with events Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6 and 7 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The first of this year’s festival summer shows, held July 2 and 3, had plenty of competition from the Fourth of July holiday and a crowded local events calendar. But rainy weather gave customers an opportunity for some dry, air-conditioned fun searching out antiques. Festival owners Kay and Bill Puchstein reported good attendance and good sales among the wide variety of dealers and merchandise on display at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

While many of the attendees were regular repeat customers, some were pleasantly surprised at finding an antiques show operating in Florida in mid-summer and not having to wait until the fall to continue their antiques quests. The Puchsteins’ slogan for two years has been, “Everyone knows there is not a whole lot of antiquing going on during the summer in Florida but we are going to make West Palm Beach a year-round destination for antiques and collectibles.” The slogan is getting around as more people discover the festival every summer.

One of the dealers who really likes the summer shows because of a constant stream of repeat customers is Karen Kronimus, who will be at the Aug. 6 and 7 event. Kroni-

mus has been around the antiques business most of her life. As a child and teenager she attended shows and auctions with her mother, who was a dealer. Kronimus said she feels like she was an original American Picker, going to rural auctions and first scouting out the outbuildings for hidden treasures for her mother.

As a newlywed, Kronimus did antiques shows on her own on the weekends and held a variety of regular jobs during the week, including working in a hardware store and on a Thoroughbred horse breeding farm. Fifteen years ago she had the opportunity to acquire the entire leftover stock of a Bakelite factory that was going out of business. Not really knowing what to do with it but not wanting to miss a chance, Kronimus acquired 13 tons of Bakelite stock in the form of raw bars and unfinished inventory like dice without markings and incomplete sets of dominoes and lots of domino blanks.

With her father as an accomplice, Kronimus set out to drill correct patterns in the faces of the blank dice and insert colorful beads. She also drilled and painted blank dominoes to complete unfinished sets.

On the first weekend, Kronimus set up at a show to sell her Bakelite inventions she sold $11,000 worth of dice, dominoes and poker chips.

Those items are now part of the in-

ventory she displays at West Palm Beach along with Bakelite bracelets and other jewelry she and her father make. All of the jewelry is signed by Kronimus or her father so as not confuse any of her work with original Bakelite.

But there is a lot more to Kronimus’ booth than just Bakelite. She also is a serious postcard collector and dealer with more that 20 boxes of postcards in her booth. Kronimus also has 24 showcases of costume jewelry and a staggering array of buttons as well as tables with shelves to display glassware and silver. She estimates she displays over 10,000 individual items in her booth.

And you can’t miss her. Kronimus’ is one of the first tables you see when entering the festival. She feels like she has two chances at customers — coming and going.

Often she makes a sale to a customer on the way out when they didn’t find what they wanted inside. Kronimus is happy to buy or trade with a customer and is happy to give an informal opinion of the authenticity and value of a customer’s items.

The format for the entire summer season will be the two-day affair, Saturday and Sunday, instead of the normal three-day event during the regular season. Summer show dates will be Aug. 6 and 7, Sept. 3 and 4 and Oct. 1 and 2 with a full day of setup for dealers on Fridays from 8

A selection of the unique handmade Bakelite jewelry in the booth of Karen Kronimus. a.m. to 7 p.m. The Puchsteins have lowered dealers’ booth rent for the summer season. The popular early buyers admission feature will be continued in the summer starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday before the regular show opening time of 10 a.m.

Summer show early buyers admission has been reduced to $10 and is good for both days of the show.

Daily admission is $7 for adults and $6 for seniors, with a $1 discount coupon for adult admission avail-

able on the web site. Anyone under 16 is admitted free. There is no charge for parking at the fairgrounds.

The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is held at the South Florida Fairgrounds located off Southern Blvd. just west of Florida’s Turnpike. For additional information about the festival, call (941) 6977475, e-mail info@wpbaf.com or visit the festival’s web site at www. wpbaf.com.

Science Museum Will Host Health & Wellness Expo July 23 The South Florida Science Museum invites you to come to your senses at its Green, Health & Wellness Expo on July 23. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. guests can taste fresh, organic and healthy snacks; feel the comfort of natural beauty and spa products; see what the use of dieting and green resources can do to promote a healthy lifestyle; smell the wonders of natural, organic and healthy products; and listen to soothing sounds throughout the expo.

The event will feature fun and educational activities for the whole family, all promoting a healthy lifestyle and balanced living. Guests can indulge in a day of healthy demonstrations and educational presentations, vendor exhibits, giveaways, healthy cooking demonstrations and tastings, crafts for kids and much more. The South Florida Science Museum is partnering with Whole Foods Market for this event.

“Basic health and wellness is of first importance to us all,” South Florida Science Museum President and CEO Lew Crampton said. “Our multi-event expo will help people understand how to make good choices leading to a healthy lifestyle

and balanced living. We’re stepping up to offer plenty of fun and family-friendly activities, while introducing museum guests to new products and services provided by our partner vendors. This year, we’re particularly pleased to welcome Whole Foods to our Health & Wellness Expo family, and we’re expecting a great time to be had by all.”

Vendors at the expo include American Laser Skincare, Costco Wholesale, Florida KidCare, Healthy Tomorrows with Juice Plus, Holistic Healing Oasis, PRP Wine and Shtulman Family Chiropractic.

The South Florida Science Museum delivers entertaining and educational journeys through the many worlds of science and technology for curious minds of all ages.

The museum features more than 50 hands-on exhibits, a digital planetarium, fresh and saltwater aquariums, as well as natural history exhibitions.

New happenings at museum include the exhibits “Attack of the Bloodsuckers” and “Tree Houses,” both open through Sept. 12, the Amateur Radio Center open on weekends and holidays, and Nights at the Museum the last Friday of

each month. Each year the museum welcomes more than 125,000 visitors and reaches more than 45,000 students through workshops at the museum and outreach programs to local schools.

The South Florida Science Museum is located at 4801 Dreher Trail

North in West Palm Beach. The Green, Health & Wellness Expo is for families of all ages and is free with paid general museum admission. Museum admission is: $11.95 for adults, $10.45 for seniors 62 and older, $8.95 for children ages 3-12, and free for children under 3 and

museum members.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about the South Florida Science Museum’s Green, Health and Wellness Expo or sponsor information, call (561) 832-1988 or visit www. sfsm.org.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Ser vers and chefs at Taste of India invite you to visit the West Palm Beach restaurant.

PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Taste Of India To Celebrate First Anniversary With Special Event July 27

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Coming up on its first anniversary, Taste of India, located at 7750 Okeechobee Blvd., is becoming a neighborhood staple for Indian food. The restaurant offers an authentic Indian buffet for lunch and dinner, as well as dishes from its plentiful menu.

Taste of India has four owners, Sunil Kayalchirayil, Anil Vadaparambil, Ravi Kesavan and Jomon Lukose. The restaurant specializes in northern and southern Indian cuisine.

“We cover all the regions of Indian food,” Kayalchirayil said. “And we have maintained consistency with the quality of our food, and that is why everybody comes here.”

Taste of India’s first anniversary celebration will take place July 27. There will be live music from the Singing Birds Band and South Indian dishes, Kayalchirayil said.

Taste of India offers specialty dishes unique to the restaurant, from tabz-maz, rack of lamb marinated in the chef’s special herbs and spices, to kumarakum snapper, a whole red snapper fish cooked in a tandoor.

The restaurant’s buffet has a wide assortment of southern and northern Indian food.

The Monday-to-Friday lunch buffet features naan bread, rice, tandoor chicken, goat curry, chicken tika masala, two appetizers, five kinds of vegetarian dishes, salad and dessert.

The weekend buffet offers a chaat station, a famous Indian streetside snack, as well as fresh seafood dishes, and its most popular dish, masala dosa.

In its drinks, Taste of India incorporates a variety of all-natural ingredients, such as in the lassi, a freshly made specialty smoothie that comes in flavors of mango and strawberry.

The chefs at Taste of India come from different regions of India. They each bring a distinctive style of cooking to the restaurant.

Taste of India soon will offer cooking classes for the public so that people can experience the distinctive styles of Indian cooking and food in their own homes.

For first-time diners at Taste of India, Kayalchirayil recommends the chicken korma, chicken cooked in mild cashew and creamy almond sauce. “That is a very popular dish from north India. Everyone likes it, and the kids like it,” he said.

Taste of India has three other locations, in Melbourne, Tampa and Brandon. The West Palm Beach location is its fourth, and the owners are working to open another location in Boca Raton, which will specialize as a catering facility for events. “We always get people who say, ‘Why don’t you allow parties in here?’” Kayalchirayil said. “They want to do the parties inside the restaurant, and not have to worry about renting plates or things like that. So that is why we plan to open a bigger place.”

Taste of India caters parties and events only outside of the restaurant. Before opening its West Palm Beach location, Taste of India catered many events and parties in the area, and that’s why the owners opened a new location here.

The first Taste of India location opened in Melbourne seven years ago. The owners decided to start an Indian restaurant because of their combined culinary experience, Kayalchirayil said. “We all studied in culinary school in India,” he explained.

For more information about the restaurant and its upcoming anniversary celebration, call (561) 721-8600.

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RIBBON CUTTING FOR SALON EDGE IN THE MALL AT WELLINGTON GREEN

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of Salon Edge in the Mall At Wellington Green, located in the lower level near JC Penney. Salon Edge is a full-service salon for both men and women. Salon hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. To make an appointment, call (561) 790-3562 or visit the salon’s web site at www. salon-edge.com. Shown above are salon staff members with Palms West Chamber ambassadors.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Toll Brothers Holding Its ‘Dream Home’ Sales Event Through July

Luxury home builder Toll Brothers will host its National Dream Home sales event in southeast Florida and all of its communities nationwide through July 31. Although Toll Brothers’ home prices already offer an amazing value, buyers who are considering the purchase of a luxury home will get even more for their money during the event.

In order to get special savings and incentives, buyers must make a deposit on or before July 31, and sign an agreement of sale within 10 days of deposit. Sales and incentive packages vary among communities, so buyers should contact their community of interest to learn more.

Toll Brothers has several communities in southeast Florida, including Wellington View, located just north of Forest Hill Blvd. on Lyons Road. The community features single-family homes priced from the upper $300,000s. The sales center is located at 760 Edgebrook Lane.

For more information, visit www.wellingtonview.com or call (561) 304-3131.

“Buyers have nothing to lose and everything to gain by visiting a Toll Brothers community during this na-

Toll Brother s’ National Dream Home Sales Event will include Wellington View, located on Lyons Road near Forest Hill Blvd. tional sales event,” Toll Brothers Vice President Jim McDade said.

“They will find amazing deals and incentives that could add even greater value to their dream homes. If anyone is even considering a luxury home right now, this is the place to be.”

For those buyers seeking mortgage information, representatives from TBI Mortgage Company, a subsidiary of Toll Brothers, will be

on hand throughout the event. TBI has an excellent selection of mortgage programs with low interest rates including both fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages. Home buyers should visit or call their community of interest to learn about specific details. Sales centers are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Kravis Center Names Bateman To Board, Elects New Officers William A. Meyer, chairman of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, has announced that Jeffrey Bateman has been named to the nonprofit organization’s board of directors.

Also announced was the election of the Kravis Center’s officers for the coming year.

Bateman, regional vice president of the legendary Tiffany & Co., is also a caring and compassionate philanthropist and active community leader in the Palm Beaches. In addition to the Kravis Center, he has worked with many outstanding local and national organizations.

Bateman is currently or has been a member of the boards of Turtle Nest Village, Young Friends of the Opera, the Foundation for the Advancement of Cardiac Therapies (FACT) with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Leaders In Furthering Education (LIFE).

Bateman will serve as chair of the Kravis Center’s Corporate Partners Executive Committee for the coming year and has served on the cen-

ter’s Palm Beach Wine Auction Committee for several years.

At Tiffany & Co., Bateman is responsible for all operations and retail sales for the world-renowned jeweler’s Southeast region. He has spent more than 12 years with Tiffany’s developing the market into one of the firm’s most successful worldwide.

As part of his position, Bateman chairs a number of committees that have U.S. retail responsibilities, which include management and professional staff development and fiscal management.

A graduate of Georgia Southwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing, Bateman resides in West Palm Beach with his wife Elizabeth.

Additionally, the following Karvis of ficers were elected to a one-year term: Meyer, chairman; Amin J. Khoury, vice chair; Jane M. Mitchell, vice chair, Garrison duP. Lickle, treasurer; and Stephen L. Brown, secretary.

Jeffrey Bateman For additional information about the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, or to see a complete list of upcoming performances, visit its web site at www.kravis.org.

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

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KUTZS & STYLE OPENS IN ROYAL PALM BEACH

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Kutzs & Style, located at 10229 Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. At K utzs & Style, the company’s goal is to provide excellent customer service and to mak e each experience one that is enjoyable and pleasant. Ser vices include hair cuts and style for women, men and children, color, perms, specialty services (up do, braiding), waxing and chemical hair straightening. The company uses and recommends Redken and Matrix products. For more info., or for a free consultation, call (561) 333-4246 or visit the company’s web site at www.kutzsandstyle.webs.com.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Hundreds Turn Out For Pop Warner Football Camp In RPB

By Bryan Gayoso Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Wildcats Pop Warner football program hosted two weeks of camps at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach, July 11-14 and July 18-21.

More than 270 players ages 5-15

participated, with registration open to players from any league. Ages 59 wore shorts and T-shirts and ages 10-15 wore shoulder pads and helmets.

Various skills were covered by accomplished coaches including former University of Miami star and

NFL player Kenny Berry, incoming high school head coaches Brad Carney (Berean Christian School) and Willie Bueno (Royal Palm Beach High School).

For more about Royal Palm Beach Wildcats Pop Warner football, visit www.rpbwildcats.com.

PHOTOS BY BRYAN GAYOSO/TOWN-CRIER

Quar terbacks work on their skills.

Coaches introduce young players to the camp.

Coach Bruce Hoffman teaches proper form.

A camper works on tackling form.

Ali Abdul runs a drill.

Older campers are instructed on how to come off the line.

PBC MOUNTED POSSE BARREL SHOW RAISES MONEY FOR TEEN TRIP The Palm Beach County Mounted Posse hosted a benefit show Saturday, July 16 to raise money to send a dozen teens to the Youth World Championship National Barrel Horse Association show. Riders turned barrels, enjoyed carriage rides, bought bake sale items and won raffles to help support the kids. For more info., call Renee Kitching at (561) 436-2909 or visit www.pbcposse.com.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRĂ“/T OWN-CRIER

Youth World Championship contender Sara Milstead flies around the barrels.

Youth World Championship contender Courtney Kitching competes aboard Twinkie.

Youth World Championship contender Samantha Snyder turns a barrel.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

RPB Duo Win Beach Volleyball Tourney

Rickles Drafted By Oakland A’s

Stetson University junior Nick Rickles was drafted on June 7 to the Oakland A’s in the 14th round (436th overall) of the Major League Baseball draft.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound catcher from Loxahatchee is the only Hatter to be selected with 30 rounds in the books. This season, Rickles led Stetson to 43 wins, an Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season championship and a trip to the NCAA Regional in Columbia, S.C. Rickles was voted Athlete of the Year and finished the season as Stetson’s leader in batting average (.347), hits (85), doubles (20), home runs (12) and slugging percentage (.600). He was second on the team in RBIs (62) and led the A-Sun in runners picked off (seven) and runners caught stealing (23).

Rickles also is ranked seventh in NCAA Division I as one of the most difficult players to strike out. Rickles struck out just 10 times in 245 at bats.

A First Team All-Conference selection and two-time A-Sun Player of the Week, Rickles was among the final 13 catchers on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List and was also named on the mid-season Golden Spikes Award Watch List for the top collegiate player in Division I. As Stetson’s catcher, Rickles has also been named Second Team AllAmerica by Baseball America and was selected Louisville Slugger Third Team All-America by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

In addition, Rickles recently was named Honorable Mention AllAmerican by CollegeBaseball

Nick Rickles Insider.com. The honor places Rickles in the top five among catchers in the country, according to CBI. Rickles grew up in Loxahatchee and graduated from Palm Beach Gardens High School in 2008.

Sign Up For Women’s Softball In WPB The two-man team of Alex Ng and Devin Wallace won first place in the 14 and under division at the Florida Beach Volleyball Tournament held Sunday, July 17 at Deerfield Beach. Former Crestwood Middle School students, Ng and Wallace will attend high school this fall. Ng will go to into Wellington High School’s equine vet program, and Wallace will be entering Royal Palm Beach’s medical program.

Though they will be attending separate schools, the two plan to continue playing volleyball together. Pictured above are Wallace and Ng with their medals.

The Greater Palm Beaches Gumbo Limbo League is offering a slowpitch women’s softball program for women living in the greater West Palm Beach area.

Games for the spring 2011 sea-

son will be played on Sundays at Howard Park in West Palm Beach.

Howard Park is located at 1302 Parker Avenue.

Registration for the spring season is now open to place players and

register teams. All players must be 18 or older. For fall league program requirements, sponsor package information or other questions about the league, call (561) 758-8082 or e-mail softballgalhere@aol.com.

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

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Wellington Golfer Learns From Legends At Captains’ Clinic Wellington resident Mary Augusta Janiga was part of a group of 43 junior golfers who took part in a captains’ clinic Wednesday, July 13 led by some of the legends of the game, including past U.S. Ryder Cup captains Billy Casper, Dow Finsterwald and Hal Sutton during the Ryder Cup Junior Academy at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie.

Casper, a World Golf Hall of Fame member and three-time major champion; Finsterwald, the 1958 PGA champion; and Sutton; the 1983 PGA champion, each took turns during the clinic to teach the students about the intricacies of the

golf swing, preparation for both stroke-play and match-play formats, and the many mental aspects of the game.

“This has all been so exciting and you can tell that each of these juniors is eager to learn and get better,” said Sutton, the 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup captain. “There is a true appreciation for what we are doing, and I know that these kids have what it takes to be great.”

Finsterwald, the victorious 1977 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, was also impressed by the students’ ability and willingness to learn and improve.

“These kids have pretty fine

PGA Honorary President Jim Remy makes opening remarks at the Ryder Cup Junior Academy.

games already, and the changes they need to make are minimal,” said Finsterwald, who owns a playing record of 9-3-1 in the Ryder Cup. “The three of us are here to offer little tips and minor changes that they can take with them when they go back home. We want to see the game of golf grow, and these are the type of people who can make it happen.”

The Ryder Cup Junior Academy offers a full week of instruction to selected juniors.

The academy, developed in response to recommendations made by past United States Ryder Cup captains, is designed to provide aspiring junior golfers, regardless of ethnic or economic background, an elite player-development experience with focus on competing in match-play and stroke-play formats.

Casper, the 1979 U.S. Ryder Cup captain who also competed on a record-tying eight U.S. Ryder Cup teams, was excited to participate and has been overwhelmed by the whole experience.

“This is a special group of juniors who are getting an unbelievable opportunity this week at this academy,” said Casper, whose 23-and-ahalf points are the most by any U.S. Ryder Cup player. “We are happy

Hal Sutton, Dow Finsterwald, Mary Augusta Janiga and Billy Casper at the Ryder Cup Junior Academy dinner.

PHOTOS BY PG A OF AMERICA

to play a small part in it, and hope we can leave a positive impression on them for their future and the future of our great game.”

The trio also fielded questions from students and observed individual golf swings on the practice range.

The academy, a unique, once-ina lifetime experience, celebrates the passion of the Ryder Cup, while inspiring participants to achieve greatness and to improve their lives

through the game of golf.

As part of the 2010 United States Ryder Cup Team’s outreach commitment, which has already impacted U.S-based organizations and students at colleges and universities nationwide, the team designated $50,000 each to create and support the Ryder Cup Junior Academy.

The Ryder Cup Junior Academy will be a seven-day program conducted annually each summer. For more info., visit www.pga.com.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Saturday, July 23 • The Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation will host its 12th annual Horizons Fishing Tournament on Saturday, July 23. Weigh in is at the Riviera Beach Marina. The weekend begins Thursday, July 21 at 5 p.m. with a captains meeting offering dinner, enter tainment and raffle prizes. To register, call (561) 494-6884 or visit www. hpbcf.org.

• The Palm Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will host a one-day Consignment Sale on Saturday, July 23 from 7 a.m. to noon in its exhibit hall. The Salvation Army will be on site to collect unsold items registrants wish to donate. Booth spaces range from $40 to $50. Entrance admission is $2 before 9 a.m. and free after. For more info., call Laurie Long at (561) 366-3008 or visit http://sale.pbconventioncenter.com.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Manga Fest” for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, July 23 at 1 p.m. featuring manga and Japanese culture with trivia, crafts and activities. Eat pizza and Pocky and enjoy Ramune soda. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Chess Club Meeting for age 8 and up Saturday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Basic game knowledge is required. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will present its 16th annual Talent Showcase on Saturday, July 23 at 6 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). The show will feature local stars of tomorrow. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Proceeds will benefit the CAFCI Scholarship Fund. Call Nadine at (561) 3516895 or visit www.cafcipbc.org for more info.

Sunday, July 24 • MacArthur Beach State Park (10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr., North Palm Beach) will hold “Birding at MacArthur Park” on Sunday, July 24 at 9:30 a.m. Bird lovers can join a ranger-led educational walk identifying many species of birds that make their home in the park. Reservations are recommended. The walking tour is free with park admission. For more info., call (561) 6246952.

• Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves) will hold vacation bible school with

the theme “Shake it up Cafe” July 24-29 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be available for pre-K through adults, with fun lessons, crafts, music and games. The cost is $8 per person, with a maximum of $24 per family. Call Candi at (561) 635-0740 for more info.

Monday, July 25 • The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will conduct a workshop to present information on the management plan and permitting guidelines for gopher tortoises Monday, July 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Florida Department of Transportation of fice (7900 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach). The workshops are free, but registration is required as space is limited. To register, send your name and the name of your organization to alexandra.perr yman@myfwc.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Masks Around the World” for age 5 and up Monday, July 25 at 1 1:15 a.m. Decorate a mask with inspiration from other countries. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Art Exploration: Painting” for ages 8 to 12 on Monday, July 25 at 3:30 p.m. Explore art techniques using paint. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Legos” for age 8 and up Monday, July 25 at 4 p.m. Builders create their own vehicles or buildings out of Lego pieces. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Tuesday, July 26 • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “CPR for Infant, Child & Adult” on Tuesday, July 26 at 2 p.m.

Learn to perform CPR and basic first aid in an emergency situation until paramedics arrive. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Summer Book Madness: The Lightning Thief” for ages 8 to 12 on Tuesday, July 26 at 2 p.m. Celebrate the book with a Lightning Thief-inspired trivia game. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Colts 11-U Travel Baseball Team is looking for talented, dedicated players for the upcoming fall season.

Players and parents must be dedicated and committed to travel baseball for the seaSee CALENDAR, page 39

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 38 son. Tryouts will be held Tuesday, July 26 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Olympia field 6 in Wellington. Players must not turn 12 before May 1, 2012.

For info., call coach Mike Sasson at (561) 676-9578 or e-mail coltstravel@aol.com.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 for info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Teen Drama Performance” for all ages Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. Watch a performance put on by talented teens. Call (561) 790-6030 for info.

• The Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth will present Much Ado About Nothing July 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/ duncantheatre for more info.

Wednesday, July 27 • MorseLife will present a program on the Mediterranean diet at “Lunch and Learn” on Wednesday, July 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Morse Geriatric Center (4847 Fred Gladstone Drive, West Palm Beach).

The program, led by the Morse’s team of registered dietitians, will focus on the components of the Mediterranean diet. The program will also include a cooking demonstration by members of MorseLife’s culinary staff and lunch. The cost of the program is $5 per person, which includes lunch. To register, call (561) 623-2922. For more info., visit www.morselife.org.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a Networking Mixer on Wednesday, July 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Florida Community Bank (2001 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach). Call Mary Lou Bedford at (561) 790-6200 or e-mail mar ylou@palmswest.com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a “Novel Fashion Show” for all ages Wednesday, July 27 at 6 p.m. See the fashions created out of old books designed and modeled. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• A leadership information meeting for the Acreage/Loxahatchee Relay for Life will take place Wednesday, July 27 at 6 p.m. at the Indian Trail Improvement District office (13476 61st Street North). All community members are welcome to share leader ship ideas for the 2012 Relay for Life. For more info., call Teri Lane of the American Cancer Society at (561) 650-0134.

Thursday, July 28 • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Food Around the World Story Time” for ages 4 to 6 on Thursday, July 28 at 2 p.m. Listen to stories about food from around the globe, sing songs and make a simple craft. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Meet the Author: Scott Eyman” for adults Thursday, July 28 at 2:30 p.m. The Palm Beach Post book editor will talk about his celebrity biography Empire of Dreams: The Epic Life of Cecil B. DeMille.

Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Friday, July 29 • The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County will host its eighth annual Golf Classic on Friday, July 29 at the Madison Green Golf Club (2001 Crestwood Blvd., Royal Palm Beach). R egistration starts at 8 a.m. with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

The entr y fee of $150 per player includes the scramble golf event, lunch, hole-in-one prizes and awards afterward. Proceeds will support chamber charities including the Triunfo scholarship program. For more info., visit www.pbhchamber.com or call the Madison Green golf shop at (561) 78 4-5225, ext. 100.

• The Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way) will host a Flea Market on Friday, July 29 from noon to 4 p.m.

This will be a community indoor flea market with vendors selling household items, crafts, hand-made goods and antiques.

Enjoy musical entertainment with DJ Terry Harms. Admission is free. For more info., call (561) 790-5149.

• The South Florida Science Museum (4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach) will present “Mid-Summer’s Nights at the Museum” on Friday, July 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. Families will be swept away into a land of fairies and festivities as the museum becomes one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated works. Enjoy a backyard-style barbecue with live enter tainment and special outdoor activities. Visit www.sfsm.org for more info.

• The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 Forest Hill Blvd.) will show a free screening of the movie The Fantastic Mr. Fox on Friday, July 29 at 8:30 p.m. Call (561) 7532484 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for info.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. Email: news@gotowncrier.com.

July 22 - July 28, 2011

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HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER in Wellington needs CERTIFIED PART TIME TEACHERS new and experienced elementary & secondary teachers wanted to instruct K-12 in Reading, Math, SAT/ACT Exam Prep. No lesson plans or homework, paid training and flexible hours.

Please e-mail resume to marlenegiraud@hlcwellington.com or call 561-594-1920 and leave a message VOLUNTEER NEEDED — 14 years and over for community service. Have fun with animals & kids 792-2666 WINDOW INSTALLERS W ANTED Lic. & ins. subcontractors only. Top Pay. No Brokers. Call Matt 561714-8490 DRIVERS WANTED — Full-Time/ Part-Time W ellington Town-Car NIGHT DISPATCHER — for Wellington Town-Car. Call for details 561-333-0181 CHRISTY’S BAKERY NEEDS — Counter help. Experienced only.

2 shifts 5:30am - 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Drop of resume.

The Pointe@Wellington Green.

10160 Forest Hilll Blvd.

NANNY/AUPAIR Needed urgently for 3 kids Car provided. Must have working experience/good record. $640/wk Please respond by e-mail to g.evans12@aol.com PART-TIME HELP NEEDED — For busy Accounting of fice. Must know Excel, Microsoft Word. Fax resume 561-333-2680.

PROFESSIONAL LEGAL ASSISTANT — Seeking part-time employment no health insurance required.

561-333-4928

PART-TIME LEGAL ASSISTANT — wanted for busy Legal office. Must know Word Perfect, Wills,Trusts & Estates & heavy phones. Fax Resume to 561-333-2680 CUSTOMER SER VICE REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED — Available for flexible 20 hours Monday, Thursday, Friday work week. Proficient in Quickbooks, Excel, and Word.

Please email resume with salary history and work references to SJOHNOH1@GMAIL.COM We Deliver Boats & RV’s WANTED part-time/full-time drivers — Must be experienced and have clean Driving Record. email:Paulton@aol.com NEED 15 PEOPLE TO WORK FROM HOME: Own a computer?

Put it to work! Earn up to $1,500/mo - $7,500/mo PT/FT Will Train. No Telemarketing. BBB Accredited. Apply Online. www.team30in30.com PART -TIME CNA NEEDED IN ROYAL PALM BEACH AREA — 10 Hours/Mon. thru Fri. (Mornings) Looking for caring, mature, & experienced CNA to assist elderly woman with shower, light housekeeping, light laundry, meal preparation. Must speak english, have reliable vehicle/ drivers license. Fax resume/references to 561-422-9015, or call 561281-5595 to set-up interview. (No agencies please!)

COUCH LIKE NEW TAUPE COLOR. Asking $250 792-7002

TRAVEL TRAILER —20 ft. 2010 Trail-Lite Crossover $12,000. Please call 561-889-8201

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

Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted LARRY’S AIR CONDITIONING — Air purification and service. Air Purifier, RGF, REME Air purifier.

Commercial & Residential service and installation. Servicing Western Communites and Palm Beach County. 24 Hour Emergency Service. CA CO49300. 561-996-5537

CARING & COMPASSIONATE CNA — with 20+ yrs hospit al & private experience; FL licensed & insured; W ellington resident; excellent references.Visit us online at ElderCareNotebook. (561) 5314179

AUDIO PLUS ELECTRONICS — for all your electronic needs, home theater, stereo, plasma TV, satellite, security systems, computer systems. 561-471-1161

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Sof tware setup, support &troublew w w.mobiletec.net. shooting 561-248-2611 D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jef f 561333-1923 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach We accept major credit cards.

STOP SCRATCHING & GNAWING — Promote healing &hair growth.

St amp out ITCHAMCALLITS! Shampoo with Happy Jack Itch No More, apply Skin Balm A d d Tonekote to diet. Goldcoast Feed (793-4607) (www.kennelvax.com)

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

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

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

HOUSECLEANING — 20 yrs experience. Excellent local references. Shopping available. 561572-1782 HOUSECLEANING AND MORE — affordable high quality work. Flexible, honest reliable, years of experience with excellent references.

For more info call 561-319-7884

HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACTORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777

PROFESSIONAL DOG WALKER/ PET SITTER WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE — I am bonded, licensed and insured.

Please view my website: www.chrisscrittercare.com or call 561-795-5164

DRIVEWAYS — Free estimates.

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

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

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS INC. REMODEL & REPAIRS — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood rep air, door inst allation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets / countertop s, wood flooring.

Bonded and Insured U#19699. Call 791-9900 or 628-9215

www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall rep air & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator . Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473 COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666.

Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident

JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded and Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

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

Interior & Exterior p ainting.

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

ACCORDION SHUTTERS — Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985.

U-17189 561-791-9777

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990 SPECIALIZING IN BATHROOM REMODELING — Free estimates serving South Florida since 1980.

Quality you expect, service you deserve. License, bonded and insured. U21006 561-662-9258

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

WE DO WINDOWS — 20 years professional window cleaning. Residential/Commercial references available. Lic. & Ins. 561-313-7098

www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

Blue Whale Apps – Need a iPhone app developed? There's a company for that. Blue Whale Apps can assist you and your business enter the mobile app market. Call us at 561-753-0776 or email gregg@bluewhaleapps.com

®

®

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

Interior & Exterior p ainting. Certified pressure cleaning & p ainting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 visit our website at

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

GREENTEAM LANDSCAPING — We make your grass look greener than the other side Call now 561337-0658. www.greenteamllc.com LANDSCAPE & DESIGN — Commercial & Residential. We meet your needs. Free Est. Tree Trimming, Landscape & Maintenance, Small & Large Gardens. 954-4718034

MOLD & MILDEW INSPECTIONS Air Quality Testing, leak detection.

US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811.

RJA PAINTING & DECORATING, INC. — Interior Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial.Lic. #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561793-5455 561-662-7102

PSYCHIC READINGS — Psychic Samantha is able to help you in all aspect s of life. No question is to difficult or too small. I will be your spiritual guide and lead you in the direction you were meant to be.

Specializing in love, career, finances, or confusion. You were meant to live your best life now! Call today to change your tomorrow.

561-396-5475

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

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable.

Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-3090134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207 ROBERT CHERRY ROOFING INC Reroofing - Repair Waterproofing 561-791-2612 or 954-741-4580 State Lic.& Ins. #CCC-1326048

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

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

Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed!

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

5 ACRES OF LAND FOR SALE — between Okeechobee & Southern North of Palms West Hospital off Folsom (West on Casey Rd.) motivated to sell $130,000 561-5028026

2/2 NEW APPLIANCES — good condition “The T rails” good area. pool and amenities. 561-714-8376 561-793-1718 $900 monthly. Cable included.

TOWNHOME FOR RENT — 2 / 2 2 car garage. Lakefront seasonal or annual lease. No Pets 561-6442019 STUDIO APT. FOR RENT — spanish tile, furnished on farm. References required. $595/month 9668791

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