Town-Crier Newspaper May 27, 2011

WELLINGTON: $6 MILLION FOR K-PARK SEE STORY, PAGE 3

BENACQUISTO VISITS LOCAL GOP CLUB SEE STORY, PAGE 7

THE

TOWN - CR IER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE Volume 32, Number 21 May 27 - June 2, 2011

Your Community Newspaper

INSIDE Company Eyes Glades For A Major Wind Farm

Soon to appear on Florida’s energy horizon are two cuttingedge projects that aim to produce power cleanly — one by harnessing Lake Okeechobee winds and one near Tampa that will convert waste to electricity while producing some tasty fringe benefits. Page 3

GRADUATION 2011

Royal Palm Beach High School Graduates Celebrate Success

Local Student Art Showcase At RPBHS

The inaugural Royal Palm Beach High School Feeder Pattern Ar t Showcase took place Tuesday, May 17 in the school cafeteria. The show featured selected artworks from local elementary, middle and high school students. Page 12

RPBHS Graduation — Valedictorian Rashaa Fletcher with Stephanie Encarnacion and Julienne Somera.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Pursuing a life of opportunity and making each moment count was the theme of Royal Palm Beach High School’s graduation ceremony Monday, May 23 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Royal Palm Beach High School Principal Jesus Armas welcomed just under 500 graduates and their families, noting that the Class of 2011 is unlike any other graduating class at the school.

“For the last four years you have gone through changes that most graduating classes never had to go through,” Armas said. “And it seems that three is your lucky number. You’ve had three different football coaches, three different band directors, three different and much publicized school See RPBHS GRAD, page 10

Wellington High School’s Class Of 2011 Bids Farewell Crestwood Hosts RPB Relay For Life

The American Cancer Society held its Royal Palm Beach Relay for Life on Saturday, May 21 at Crestwood Middle School.

Students, residents and officials came out to support the cause, staying up all night to raise money to fund cancer research and programs. Page 13

Expert: Impact Of Growth Management Changes Are Not Clear

Growth management had a sweeping year in the Florida Legislature, according to Palm Beach County Legislative Affairs Director Todd Bonlarron, who gave a speech on the past legislative session at last week’s community forum hosted by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria. Page 22

OPINION Take The Time To Remember The Fallen This Memorial Day

Memorial Day is not about the wars we’ve fought, but the people who fought and died in them. And it’s about everyone else, and how they choose to honor and respect the fallen soldier s for giving their lives for their country. This Monday, try to make it out to one of the two Memorial Day observances planned in the western communities. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 17 OPINION ................................ 4 CRIME NEWS ........................ 6 NEWS BRIEFS .......................8 SCHOOLS .....................18 - 19 PEOPLE........................ 20 - 21 COLUMNS .................... 27 - 28 ENTERTAINMENT ................33 SUMMER CAMPS ........ 34 - 35 CALENDAR...................36 - 37 SPORTS .......................41 - 44 BUSINESS ...................45 - 47 CLASSIFIEDS ...............48 - 53 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington High School’s 538 graduating seniors in the Class of 2011, their families and friends participated in commencement exercises Monday, May 23 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Chief Academic Officer Judith Klinek told the graduates they deserve to be proud of their accomplishment. “Be proud of yourself because it’s quite an achievement to graduate from high school,” Klinek said, encouraging students to look at the opportunities ahead. “Think about your decisions because they will affect you today and forever.”

She pointed out graduation is a big achievement because nationwide, only 50 percent of students who enter the ninth grade actually graduate. In Palm Beach County, however, 82 percent graduate.

“I know many of you sitting here already have college credit, and See WHS GRAD, page 9

College Postpones Campus Decision

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach State College Board of Trustees reviewed two applications for a future campus in the western communities during a workshop Tuesday, but held off making a decision until it has more information.

Owners of the Simon Property on Southern Blvd. near B Road and Callery-Judge Grove were the only two of five landowners that had indicated interest who had submitted complete applications, according to College Relations & Marketing Specialist Tabatha McDonald.

“Three were submitted, but only two were complete,” McDonald said, explaining that Wellington had submitted an application with no price for its 64-acre K-Park property on State Road 7.

“We only looked at the two that were [complete], and the representatives for those property owners were at the meeting.”

Wellington has since decided to offer its land for $6 million (see related story, page 3).

Two other property owners who have shown an interest, the 90acre Equestrian Partners/Solar Sportsystems property at the northeast corner of B Road and Southern Blvd., and the owners of property north of the Wellington Regional Medical Center campus

on State Road 7, did not submit applications, McDonald said.

Some of the members of the Simon family attended the meeting, along with their representative, Joseph Lelonek of Land Design South. Callery-Judge was represented by General Manager Nat Roberts.

Roberts told the Town-Crier that Callery-Judge is willing to offer some of its almost 4,000 acres as a contribution to help the economy.

“We have offered to the college 75 acres of land just north of Seminole Ridge High School for the college to build a fifth and final campus,” Roberts said. “We offered them [the land] for free if they will go forward and start constructing it. The idea is not to sit on the land for three or four years, but to actually initiate construction and get some classrooms and administrative space open so that there is really something there.”

Having a college campus would provide elementary school through college without students having to leave the area, he said.

“It is not as close to the Lake Worth campus, so it doesn’t overlap in this area,” Roberts said. “If you move further east, it’s closer to the Lake Worth campus.”

The Simon family asked $4.75 million for 75 acres of their 97See CAMPUS, page 22

AMERICAN LEGION OPEN HOUSE

WHS Graduation — Class of 2011 members Candace Carter and Elizabeth Dongilla after the ceremony. PHOTO BY R ON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Seminole Ridge High School Hawk Grads Urged To Soar

SRHS Graduation — Principal Dr. Lynne McGee with Valedictorian Andrea Comiskey.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Graduates of Seminole Ridge High School were encouraged to spread their wings and consider each opportunity before them during a graduation ceremony Monday, May 23 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

SRHS Principal Dr. Lynne McGee welcomed the more than 500 graduates along with their families to celebrate the occasion.

“Determination and hard work, coupled with a dedicated faculty and staff, and support from families, allowed our graduates to be here today,” she said.

And with that hard work came four years of lasting memories, Senior Class President Precious Johnson said.

“It seems like yesterday that we were all baby Hawks,” she said.

See SRHS GRAD, page 15

Palm Beach Central Graduates A Record 640 In Class Of 2011

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report A record 640 graduating seniors participated in Palm Beach Central High School’s commencement exercises Wednesday morning at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

“Seniors, the time has come to recognize your accomplishments and to honor your families,” Principal Dr. Matthew Shoemaker said. “In 2011, you produced more state science fair finalists than any other school in Palm Beach County. The quality and the caliber of your scholastic achievements were beyond compare.”

The school had its first state See PBCHS GRAD, page 16

Serving Palms West Since 1980

PBCHS Graduation — Christian Jaramillo, John Coury and Cole Fremed celebrate with the Class of 2011.

The American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390 hosted a veterans open house Thursday, May 19 at the Wellington Community Center featuring guest speakers raising awareness about the American Legion and services offered to veterans. Shown here, Past Commander Tom Wenham receives a certificate of appreciation from Commander Thomas Clapp. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO B Y DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Council OKs Dunkin’ Donuts

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report A drive-through Dunkin’ Donuts shop is set to replace the longvacant Mobil gas station in the Wellington Plaza after the Wellington Village Council approved the proposal at its Tuesday, May 24 meeting.

Council members approved a project that consists of a 1,686square-foot fast-food restaurant with a drive-through lane on the half-acre site.

They also voted to allow the shop hours of operation from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. under a new ordinance passed earlier that meeting.

The site, located on the west side of Forest Hill Blvd. near Wellington Trace, was for many years a 24-hour Mobil gas station. The site has been vacant for more than five years.

Bradley Miller of Miller Land Planning Consultants told the council that the project will be a nice addition to the plaza.

“The parcel has been vacant and is a little bit dilapidated,” he said.

“We feel it’s a good improvement to the area.”

Additionally, he noted, the gas tanks have been removed and do not pose an environmental issue.

Planning & Zoning Manager David Flinchum explained that the project comes with several conditions to help prevent disturbing nearby residents.

Conditions include the menu board speaker being limited to 55 decibels and facing away from residents, all exterior lights must be out at 11 p.m., delivery trucks will be limited to 25 feet, and an upgraded buffer would be built between nearby homes and the restaurant.

Miller said that customers will enter on the northwest side of the site, from within Wellington Plaza, and exit onto Forest Hill Blvd.

“It’s a one-way flow,” he said.

“You get your coffee, you get your doughnut, and you exit onto Forest Hill [Blvd.]”

The project will also improve access for pedestrians, with a 6foot-wide paver-block sidewalk that will extend from the site out to Forest Hill Blvd. and across to the original Wellington Mall.

To help with sound, the project will include upgraded buffers.

Currently, there is an existing 5foot berm along the south side of the site. In addition to the berm, there will be a 6-foot hedge and several 14-foot live oak trees that will be staggered.

“By the time they grow in, it will be a very nice buffer for the residents,” Miller said. “The sound will be blocked, we believe, by the berm being there.”

Miller noted that residents probably faced more nuisances from the gas station, which used tools See DONUTS, page 22

Page 2

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 3

NEWS

Wellington Council Offers K-Park Land To College For $6 Million

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council put a price of $6 million on its K-Park property Tuesday in order to make an offer to bring Palm Beach State College to the village.

The 66-acre site is one of five being considered for a new Palm Beach State College campus in the western communities.

Two years ago, the issue prompted outcry from those who opposed leasing the property to the college for $10 a year in a move dubbed by some a “land giveaway.” Discussions between Wellington and the college were dropped when the economy went sour and former Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed state financing for the campus.

PBSC recently announced it has renewed its search after the legislature this year approved $7.3 million for a fifth campus, funding that remains subject to veto by Gov. Rick Scott.

But, when the PBSC Board of Trustees met Tuesday morning, KPark was not considered because

Wellington hadn’t submitted an offer with a price (see related story, page 1).

“It boiled down to the fact that we did not include a price,” Village Manager Paul Schofield said.

“Without a commitment on the price, the board would not consider K-Park.”

But, he said, since a final site was not selected at the meeting, Wellington still has the opportunity to make an offer. The item was added to the council’s agenda at the last minute.

Other possible campus sites include two in Loxahatchee Groves: the 97-acre Simon property at the northwest corner of B Road and Southern Blvd., and the 90-acre Loxahatchee Equestrian Partners/ Solar Sportsystems property, at the northeast corner of B Road and Southern Blvd; as well as CalleryJudge Grove and land north of the Wellington Regional Medical Center campus.

Of those sites, only the Simon property and Callery-Judge Grove submitted offers for consideration.

The asking price for the Simon

property was $4.75 million with about $1.2 million to $2 million needed in roadway improvements, Schofield said. Callery-Judge offered the property at no cost, but approximately $6.25 million would be required in road improvements, he added.

Schofield said that council could choose to retain a 5-acre parcel along SR 7 set aside for community use and a 2.1-acre pond for water retention.

Originally, the village paid $8.5 million for the land, Schofield said. He estimated that the 5-acre parcel would net between $2 and $3 million, and the pond would bring in about $1 million.

Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said that any price the council put forward would be subject to contract negotiations with the college.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore expressed concern that the issue was put on the agenda without enough time to provide public notice. He said he’d like to see future negotiations include public input. “This is not a done deal,” he said. “This is the first step in a

long process, at which time we will have further discussions and input.”

He noted, however, that the situation the council was in now was different from two years ago.

“We’re no longer talking about giving the land away,” he said.

“We’re talking about selling it.

Secondly, we will retain the fiveacre parcel for the community.

Those two items change this.

There is money on the table, and this is a whole new ball game.”

Councilman Howard Coates noted that Wellington would not be bringing just a community college to the area, but a college that offers baccalaureate programs.

“We’re bringing four-year college programs to our community,” he said.

He agreed with Priore that because circumstances had changed and the college was paying for the property, it was a better situation for all involved. “I’d like to see this happen,” he said.

But, he worried that the college was not as interested in the land as Wellington hoped.

“In all the time that this land has sat,” he said, “I’ve not been contacted by anybody at the college expressing an interest in this. Is there an interest in this? We’re being asked to come out and make decisions … kind of in a vacuum.”

Vice Mayor Matt Willhite, who attended the meeting via telephone, agreed.

“My concern is that we’re going through this futile effort,” he said, “to try to market this property that it seems like someone isn’t all that interested in.”

Though Wellington staff had suggested pricing the land at $5 million, Coates said he felt that with the other offers coming in at around $6 million with road improvements included, Wellington should price K-Park about the same. Schofield said that at $6 million, the village could break even if it retains the 7 acres suggested by staff.

Priore felt that the price was fair.

“We’re offering this up,” he said, “we’re not making a profit, but at the same time we’re not at a loss.”

Willhite said that to recoup

costs, they would need to price the property at $6 million and retain the community acres. “We’re not in business to make money,” he said. “But we’re not in business to lose money, either.”

Coates challenged assertions he’s heard that the property is worth upward of $20 million.

“There’s no way that the property would ever be worth that much,” he said, “unless we changed it to a pure commercial use.”

Mayor Darell Bowen said that if the council is serious about broadening its tax base and making Wellington a sustainable community, a college is the first step.

“We need to have higher education here in order to bring some of the employment opportunities here,” he said, pointing to the Palm Beach Gardens PGA corridor, which has a PBSC campus.

The council voted 4-0 to make an offer to PBSC of $6 million, with Wellington retaining the 5acre parcel and 2-acre pond.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig did not take part in the discussion due to a possible conflict of interest.

Company Eyeing Glades Ag Area For A Major Wind Farm Project

Green Essay Contest — Five of the approximately 70 Palm Beach County middle and high school students who entered the essay contest to attend the 2011 Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference last week took home T-shirts and trophies. Missy Strauss (left), host of Radio Green Earth on WXEL and vice president of Eco Advisors, presented the awards during lunch at the conference on Tuesday, May 17. Wendy Spielman (second from left), science manager of elementary and secondary curriculum for the Palm Beach County School District, stands proudly with the winners: from lef t to right, Hannah Brown of Forest Hill High School, Nick Scutari of Palm Springs Middle School, Roman Marcarelli of Jupiter Middle School, Jasmine Mahboob of Palm Springs Middle School and Julia Montejo of Jupiter High School.

Don Kiselewski of Florida Power & Light is shown to the right. To read the winners’ essays, visit www.radiogreenearth.org.

By Chris Felker Town-Crier Staff Report Soon to appear on Florida’s energy horizon are two cutting-edge projects that aim to produce power cleanly — one by harnessing Lake Okeechobee winds and one near Tampa that will convert waste to electricity while producing some tasty fringe benefits.

Presentations about the two initiatives were given during a panel discussion titled “Renewable & Synergistic Energy: From Possibilities to Reality” at the May 1718 Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference/Expo hosted by the Palms West Chamber of Commerce at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

George Gentile, president of the Jupiter land planning and landscape architectural firm Gentile, Holloway & O’Mahoney, described an exciting project his firm is involved in to establish the Southeast’s first “wind farm” in western Palm Beach County.

Wind Capital Group, a St. Louis-based company, is in the final planning stages of establishing a 150-megawatt wind-turbine grid over about 9,000 acres of sugarcane farmland in the Everglades

Agricultural Area. Gentile’s firm started working on this about two years ago, doing the zoning and consulting services for the project.

The location is about 6 to 8 miles due east and a little south of Belle Glade, which puts it west of Wellington across the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, south of State Road 80 and close to State Road 880. Area residents, however, won’t be able to see the sleek, 30story, modern windmills — which will be a quarter- to a half-mile apart — from their windows.

You’ll have to drive to 20-Mile Bend to catch a glimpse on a clear day. Between 82 and 100 turbines will be constructed.

Gentile explained that until recently, Florida was not thought of as a suitable place to develop wind energy, but “we have a tremendous amount of new technologies that are increasingly being changed annually.”

Technological factors such as larger rotor blades and taller turbines have made it feasible to harness the daytime lake-effect winds and sea breezes east of Lake Okeechobee, Gentile said, after intensive wind pattern research has

shown them to be available and constant enough to produce enough power to justify the cost, estimated at $2 million per megawatt. The tops of the towers will swivel to take advantage of winds in any direction.

He pointed out that although the “fuel” cost will be constant for the life of the project, the investment is expected to total between $300 million and $350 million.

The installation, Gentile said, will have a total “footprint” of no more than 20 acres, leased from farmers across the vast fields of the Everglades Agricultural Area.

Farmers still will be able to plant almost right up to the towers’ 20foot-circumference foundations.

Each will have a gravel buffer area around it for maintenance purposes and be situated along existing roads used for cane and vegetable hauling.

Gentile said much of the economic benefit from initial construction will be felt in the immediate area, since local workers will be hired and parts will be brought in through the Port of Palm Beach and trucked inland.

He also noted that Wind Capital Group has retained Florida re-

search firms to do environmental impact studies and added that their meteorological evaluation towers also have monitors to track bat and bird populations and movement in the area to allay concerns about the turbines’ ecological impact.

The project will have to meet U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service guidelines, and new ones for modern wind turbines are being drafted this year in regard to avian and bat issues.

Gentile said that despite the risk of hurricane-force winds, the towers are insurable, noting that wind turbines have been affected by but survived windstorms in Jamaica.

Robin Saiz, director of project development for Wind Capital Group, said he made a presentation about the project before the county’s Land Development Regulation Advisory Board on Wednesday, and that his firm will seek final approval from the county in early December.

He said the company’s goal is to start building the towers in the late spring or early summer of 2012 and that the process would take six to eight months. “We’ve got an extensive list of local venSee WIND FARM, page 22

EXE CUTIVE SUITES S TARTING AT $395./MO*

Imagine Being...

More Productive More Organized Less Stressed

Achieve all three with The Crexent Business Center at

V I STA PA R K CO M M O N S Whether you’re a small business on a budget or a corporate manager ready for an upgrade; we have a solution for you.

Flexible Terms • 24/7/365 Access • Conference Room Packages Utilities Included • Fast Access Internet • Receptionist Services Fully Furnished or Unfurnished • Notary Public Available

VISTA PARK COMMONS 2101 Vista Parkway • West Palm Beach, FL 33411

(561) 623-5463 VIRTUAL OFFICES FROM $89/MO • EXECUTIVE SUITES FROM $395/MO*

9 Beautiful Locations to Serve You Davie • Ft. Lauderdale • Jacksonville • Jupiter • Miami Lakes Naples / Bonita Springs • Stuart • Wellington • West Palm Beach

www.thecrexent.com • www.thecrexentblog.com * Must mention this ad. Valid with a 12-month agreement for executive or corporate offices. Limited time offer.

Cannot be combined with any other incentive. Not redeemable for cash. New clients only. Other restrictions may apply.

Page 4

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

OUR OPINION

Take Time To Honor America’s Fallen Heroes On Memorial Day The Memorial Day holiday is generally a somber time for Americans as they think of loved ones — friends, family members and neighbors — who sacrificed everything so the rest of us can carry on with our lives at home. And though Americans have been feeling more optimistic than usual about military matters following the death of Osama bin Laden, victory comes with a price. War is not cheap, easy or quick, and reflecting on facts like this is one of the reasons we observe Memorial Day. It is not about the politics of war — the what ifs, should haves, would haves and could haves — but the sobering reality that large numbers of Americans die in the hopes that the rest of us will be able to continue enjoying our lives and freedoms in the United States.

However, Memorial Day’s distinction as a national holiday means that over time, its original meaning has been watered-down. All too often it seems Memorial Day is treated as just another three-day weekend. While it’s great that people enjoy a much-needed day off from work or school, it’s not so great if they fail to consider the very people who gave them the holiday. Not everyone has close ties to the military, and it’s not easy for them to understand the realities of war, whether from the point of view of veterans who watched their friends die in front of them, or family members who know that while their loss might have been for the greater good of the nation, that knowledge won’t stop the pain.

Although Memorial Day is observed most fervently by families with military ties, it’s

the proper time for those without such ties to reflect and offer their thanks. Regardless of one’s views on military combat, the fact remains that lives are lost, and this has an effect on every community throughout the nation. Memorial Day is not about the wars we’ve fought, but the people who fought and died in them. And it’s about everyone else, and how they choose to honor and respect the fallen soldiers for giving their lives for their country.

So this Monday, try to make it out to one of these local Memorial Day observances: • Wellington and the Chris Reyka Memorial American Legion Post 390 will honor all veterans at a Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 30. The parade will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center and end at Wellington’s Veterans Memorial at the corner of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards. The ceremony will begin at approximately 9 a.m. For more info., call Community Programs Manager Michelle Garvey at (561) 791-4082.

• The Village of Royal Palm Beach will host its annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park at the corner of Sparrow Drive and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. The ceremony will be led by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, Jewish War Veterans Post 684, Ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367, Boy Scout Troop 111, Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli and other local dignitaries. For more info., call the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thoughts For Memorial Day Editor’s note: Michael Rusciano is a former longtime Royal Palm Beach resident.

Memorial Day perhaps is one of the saddest days of the year for me. It is a day for all Americans to give respect for all Americans who have given the ultimate price for the freedoms we take for granted so that we don’t have to live under any other kind of government other than the type we are accustomed to. It is a very expensive price to pay.

Veterans Day celebrates the living servicemen. All the other holidays throughout the year celebrate happy times and events, also famous people, but Memorial Day gives thanks to our dead. I beg God not to have anyone burn a United States flag in my presence, for I will not be responsible for what I do.

I used to read Hemingway, because of how he wrote. He was a “man’s writer.” But why anyone would want to go to a war; the smell of war is totally beyond my senses.

The poet T.S. Eliot once wrote,

“We die with the dying.” I appreciate that statement. Your heart feels like someone stomped it like a grape. Why are some allowed to return and others not? Who decides who lives or dies? I suppose when we meet our maker we might. It has been 40 years since I came back from Vietnam. I’ve had people come up to me and state, “isn’t it grand that they are offering tours of Vietnam, and would I like to go?” Christ, I go there every night.

The deaths of soldiers who died in hand-to-hand combat facing their fate must have had it the worst, the most poignant. Those who died from a bullet, shell, mortar or hand grenade never new what hit them.

I perpetually watch the television show M*A*S*H. I still cry during certain episodes. My wife Linda tries to console me but she’ll never know. And for that, I’m glad.

I do not ever think that I am capable of going to see “the wall” in Washington, D.C., the ultimate honor. I feel very humble to know some of the people on that wall. It was a privilege to serve with them.

Those are the real war heroes. I

would like to visit the wall and, for that matter, cemeteries to pay my respects, for it is the common bond that unites all servicemen, regardless of race, creed or color.

The common denominator is blood. I don’t have to go there and touch the wall, touch the names.

They have, and always will touch me.

I cannot to this date view photographs or watch documentaries on Vietnam. The awards for bravery given to men who risked their lives by charging on to a beach or into the line of enemy fire to save a buddy’s life. Oh well, you had to be there. And if you were, I don’t have to expand, you already know. No soldier ever gives his or her life in vain. Their lives shaped history. Christmas times and Memorial Day I find myself extremely choked up and unable to talk; I always shed tears.

I should call someone who has lost someone in a war, to comfort them in knowing that someone else has remembered and is willing to share their pain. I suppose I should visit a grave to give thanks to my fallen comrades. I know they will hear me.

They have paid the ultimate

price for “peace and democracy.”

And now they have “reached their peace.” And for that, I thank each and every one of you my brothers and sisters.

Michael Rusciano Vero Beach

Protect Seniors, Not ‘Big Oil’ Dear Sen. Mitch McConnell: We deserve an answer from all of the legislators. We have to keep asking questions, and hold them accountable. They need to give us answers. Why are you protecting Big Oil instead of seniors?

You are pushing for cuts to Medicare as part of negotiations over the debt ceiling. But, you have come out against ending tax breaks to big oil companies.

You’ve even said this commonsense solution should not be part of the discussion. Why? Shirley Bass Wellington

Focus On The Real Issues I find it incredulous that all the would-be candidates for the pres-

idency, our legislators and political pundits are talking about making tough choices in cutting the budget. When they refer to “cutting the budget” they discuss hacking away at the domestic programs that actually benefit the American people. Without the programs that protect and enrich our lives, what else justifies having a government in the first place?

Government exists for the sole purpose of ensuring the common good, and taking care of the people they serve. Yet one of the biggest expenditures in our current budget is military spending on wars that have no clear definition or purpose. Our leaders recommend cuts to costly school lunch programs and eldercare, while launching $100 million worth of missiles toward Libya in a single day. Obviously, no budget cut

there. More importantly, where was the public outcry at yet another act of aggression and war by our leaders? Why won’t either side of the aisle discuss cuts to the Pentagon instead of Social Security?

Even the press is ignoring the issues surrounding our presence in the Middle East. While they faithfully report the number of dead on the evening news each day, they fail to press our leaders for the reasons behind our presence in the Middle East. With news that our troops will maintain a presence in Afghanistan until 2014, our presence in Iraq, our actions against Pakistan and now our involvement in Libya, where does our intervention into the affairs of other countries end? What is our purpose? We’re supposed to be the good guy, remember?

See LETTERS, page 22

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com.

OPINION

Progress Being Made In The Fight Against Public Assistance Fraud One of my priorities after becoming sheriff in 2004 was tackling the lawlessness at some public housing complexes where low-income families live on government subsidies.

Some tenants were selling drugs, committing violence and even running criminal enterprises out of their apartments, making life a nightmare for their neighbors. Others were defrauding public assistance programs, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from taxpayers.

The first step I took was to employ a veteran public assistance fraud investigator. We quickly learned that problems started when violent drug offenders falsified their way into these complexes, which are run by independent housing authorities and private landlords. As a

POINT OF VIEW

By PBC Sheriff Ric Bradshaw condition for renting, tenants aren’t allowed to have criminal records, but offenders have routinely lied about their criminal ties, and property managers didn’t have the resources for full background investigations.

For example, our investigator found out that one family underwent a basic back-

ground check in the initial assistance application in 1991. However, no further checks were done after that. Shortly after moving in, members of the family committed violent crimes. Yet, every year at renewal, the head of the family checked “no” in the box asking if anyone in the home had been arrested.

As a result, my agency helped strengthen the language in rental agreements to reduce falsifying documents. We didn’t stop there! My agency added more investigators and created partnerships with the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development, the Department of Agriculture and other agencies to build major fraud cases. We also brought on deputies to patrol public housing complexes and reduce drug-related violence.

Before long, many crime families were ousted under the “one strike” provision in the rental agreement that permits eviction of any family member or guest who has taken part in a criminal activity.

Many other residents were charged with defrauding public assistance programs.

Last year, one sting operation resulted in 16 people being charged with stealing more than $700,000 in government assistance, including a property owner who knowingly allowed his subsidized housing tenants to commit fraud. Another sting, focusing on corrupt store owners operating within a low-income public housing site, resulted in 69 arrests for defrauding more than $1 million from food stamps and housing benefits.

And yet another operation led to the indictments of a housing official and his fiancée, as well as an investigation into several other individuals, for exploiting weak financial controls to embezzle more than $600,000 from public coffers.

The impact is hard to miss. Crime dropped nearly 90 percent over a period of time at properties operated by the Palm Beach County Housing Authority, which is one of the larger housing authorities in the region.

There is still much work to be done. I am proud today that we have three deputies and two volunteers in our Public Assistance Fraud team. They are reducing generational evolution of crime while ensuring the proper allocation of assistance for deserving and needy families.

As The Cost Of Gas Rises, So Do Big Oil Companies’ Profit Margins Next time you pull in to “fill ’er up” at the gas station and have those hellacious prices slap you in the face, remember the names of these five giant oil corporations: Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, BP and my personal favorite, Conoco Phillips.

Why Conoco Phillips? Well, the chairman of this multi-billion-dol-

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin lar moneymaker publicly endorses the idea that anyone who is

opposed to the senseless tax breaks the government is giving the oil barons is “un-American.”

Each of these five “friendly companies” is well on its way to record-breaking profits in 2011.

Each boasted of enormous profits in the first quarter, and there seems virtually no doubt the giddy good times will continue.

And after all, it is only something like $4 billion that the government currently allows them to skip paying.

Recently, the United States Senate turned down a proposal to strip the “frivolous five” of a bevy of subsidies such as ending a domestic manufacturing deduction, which could throw

some $12 billion the government’s way over time. Another winner is the $6 billion that could be generated by closing deductions for taxes paid to foreign governments.

Some even say “big oil” disguises those payments from the real deal of actual royalty payments.

The vote to avoid changing the current oil company subsidies was 52-48. In one sense it was surprising to see 48 “unAmerican” senators stand up and be counted.

Ah, Washington, D.C.… home of “politics and poker and endless fun and games.” Some things never change.

NEWS

RPB Council Finalizes Land Use Change For State Road 7 Parcel

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week gave final approval to a land use change from limited industrial to general commercial for about 4.5 acres on the east side of State Road 7 about a mile south of Southern Blvd.

The council also gave preliminary approval to rezone the property, owned by Pebb Enterprises, from the limited industrial zoning district to general commercial zoning.

Village staff recommended approval of the small-scale amendment, which does not require

transmittal and review by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval last month.

Senior Planner Bradford O’Brien said the use is compatible with surrounding land uses and meets all concurrency standards.

The land is immediately south of the Royal Office Park and just north of the Isla Verde mixed use development in Wellington.

Currently vacant, the parcel was annexed into Royal Palm Beach in December 2003. The village assigned a designation of limited industrial in May 2004, and a site

THE

TOWN-CRIER Your Community Newspaper

Serving The Palms West Communities For 31 Years Published Weekly By Newspaper Publishers, Inc.

12794 West Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31 The Original Wellington Mall

Wellington, Florida 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Classified Ads: (561) 793-3576 • Fax: (561) 793-6090 World Wide Web: http://www.goTownCrier.com E-Mail Address: news@goTownCrier.com

plan was approved in July 2008 to allow for a 48,875-square-foot development consisting of a twostory, 33,000-square-foot office building and a single-story,15,875-square-foot wholesale trade building.

The owner has since submitted a marketing study showing the need for a commercial rather than an industrial designation.

The applicant also plans to provide cross access to Isla Verde and the Royal Office Park, according to the staff report. Water and sewer service will be provided by Palm Beach County Water Utilities.

Councilman David Swift made a motion to approve the application, which carried 4-0 with Councilwoman Martha Webster absent.

The council also approved the rezoning 4-0.

On a related topic, Swift asked for an update on what has happened to the Florida Department of Community Affairs, which reviews land use amendments.

Changes to the DCA were among the legislative changes made this session in Tallahassee.

Attorney Brad Biggs said the DCA is about to become a part of the Department of Community Planning. “There’s some major

BARRY S. MANNING Publisher

JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor

JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher

DAWN RIVERA General Manager

JASON BUD JINSKI Community Editor

RON BUKLEY Managing Editor

EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman • Lauren Miró

changes happening right now,” he said.

One will be that land use changes can be submitted at any time, not just twice a year as they had been in the past. “There’s many, many changes, but we’ll just have to research it as we go on,” Biggs said.

One of the changes removes several state mandates for concurrency in local comprehensive plans, although local governments may retain the requirements, Biggs said. Concurrency refers to rules that require necessary infrastructure such as schools and roads to be in place or planned before

developments are approved.

Councilman Fred Pinto said he thought the changes are sweeping and diverse. “Once all our attorneys and staff get their arms around this, I think we might want to hold a workshop to discuss it,” he said. “The way I would characterize what has happened here from a strategic perspective is as if we were operating on a battlefield without any air cover. The state was our air cover in terms of growth management. Now, that has been stripped away, so it’s up to the county and local governments to continue to try and enSee RPB COUNCIL, page 22

POSTAL STATEMENT The Town-Crier (USPS #021547) is published weekly by Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414-7458.

Periodicals Postage Paid at West Palm Beach, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The TownCrier, c/o Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 334147458.

CONTRIBUTORS/ Josh Hyber • Jules Rabin • Ellen Rosenberg Leonard Wechsler • Deborah Welky ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez

Founded In 1980 By Bob Markey Sr.

ADVERTISING/ Betty Buglio • Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson

Copyright 2011, Newspaper Publishers Inc. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.

STAFF/ Shanta Daibee • Linda Dyer • Carol Lieberman • Geri O’Neil

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 5

NEWS

Binks Forest Elementary School Stages Production Of ‘Peter Pan’

By Jackson Wolek Town-Crier Staff Report The performance of Peter Pan on Friday, May 13 at Binks Forest Elementary School was a huge hit with the audience and a great success for all involved.

This was the first-ever showing of a play on stage at Binks Forest, run by the school’s new drama club.

Principal Stacey Quiñones approached Mary Beth Wedgworth and Robin Peck about creating the club before the school year began, and they came up with the idea of doing the show.

“Mary Beth felt that this would be the best play to acclimate the children to a drama club,” Quiñones said. “The lines were easy and they’re familiar with Pe-

ter Pan, so there was a comfort level.”

Also, Quiñones had seen Royal Palm Elementary School produce Peter Pan several years ago.

The young actors and actresses in the club practiced twice a week starting in October, but that didn’t prevent some stage fright right before the show started — but not among the cast.

The directors of the play, Wedgworth, Peck and Rebecca Gonzales, said they were quite nervous about how the play would turn out, since it was their first time ever directing a show.

The actors, on the other hand, were extremely excited.

“They were incredibly excited.

They were in the back before the show singing and in their cos-

Peter Pan (Chir sten Zubka) walks the plank .

tumes, and they were ready to go,” Assistant Principal Elizabeth Morales said.

The play lasted for about an hour and depicted key parts of the story, such as Peter Pan and the kids flying together, Neverland, and the battle scenes with Captain Hook and the pirates.

Approximately 50 students from the third to fifth grade took part in the play.

It was staged in the school’s cafeteria, and the place was filled to capacity as parents, fellow classmates and friends laughed along together while Peter Pan, played by Chirsten Zubka, and Captain Hook, played by Tyler Taylor, entertained the audience along with the other cast members.

When the show came to its con-

clusion, all the actors and actresses came out to take their bows and received a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience.

Other than the phenomenal acting, the set used in the play looked like a Broadway set. There were 10 scenes in all, requiring many changes in the set.

“Our lovely teacher Robin Peck’s neighbors built us a lot of stuff, and she and I spent many, many long nights painting to get it done,” Wedgworth explained.

Quiñones and the directors of the drama club plan to do another show next year, as a new tradition gets underway at Binks Forest.

Fundraising for the play came from parents, teachers, students and the Binks Forest PTA.

The family in the nursery.

Peter Pan with the Lost Boys.

Alexa Kovi as the mother, R eagan Dowling as Nana, Lillie Case as Wendy, Aiden Funicelli as Michael, Ian Bartlett as the father and Cameron Greetham as John.

AMERICAN LEGION WELLINGTON POST HOSTS AN OPEN HOUSE FOR VETERANS The American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390 hosted a veterans open house Thursday, May 19 at the Wellington Community Center featuring guest speakers raising awareness about the American Legion and services offered to veterans. Representatives from several agencies handed out literature and answered questions. They also provided additional contacts to help veterans handle problems.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Distinctive Home Care’s Sharon Huggins and Allison Phillips.

Past Commander Tom Wenham and his wife Regis with Commander Thomas Clapp and Wellington Parks & Recreation Director Bruce Delaney.

Lt. Col. Hans Hunt, Mik e Carroll, Bill Jeczalik, Bill Arcuri and Major General Wayne Jackson.

Page 6

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

CRIME NEWS

Man Steals Cash, Food From Royal Palm Restaurant

BRING IN THIS FOR A BRINGAD IN THIS AD FOR

MANAGER'S DISCOUNT SUPER BARGAINS! Design a Fan to Fit Your Decor PROMOTIONAL FANS NOT INCLUDED. NOT COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. PRIOR SALES EXCLUDED. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS.

& a Deal to Fit Your Purchase

LARGEST SELECTION OF INDOOR & OUTDOOR FANS ANYWHERE!

20%

SAVE UP TO OFF OF YOUR COOLING COSTS FOR ONLY PENNIES A DAY!

EQUESTRIANS OUTDOOR FANS FOR BARNS & STABLES NEW POLY-RESIN & SYNTHETIC HOUSINGS

LEARN HOW FROM THE FAN EXPERTS

PARTS & SERVICES AVAILABLE 45 STORES NATIONWIDE

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Fan Experts For Over 30 Years Locally Owned and Operated

DAN'S WEST FAN CITY PALM BEACH

BOCA/DELRAY 14466 S Military Tr

4833 Okeechobee Blvd

495-2715

684-3882

(1/4 Mi N of Atlantic Ave)

(1/4 Mi W of Military Tr)

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report MAY 24 — A Wellington man was arrested Tuesday on charges of theft and defrauding an innkeeper after he was caught stealing from several businesses in the area. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was dispatched to a restaurant on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. after the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Jason Westrick, stole money from the cash register and fled. According to the report, at approximately 3:10 p.m., Westrick and his girlfriend entered the restaurant and ate. While the owner was away from the cash register, Westrick went behind the register, and an employee confronted him. After a verbal confrontation, Westrick fled the restaurant but returned a moment later for his girlfriend, who was speaking with the employee at the time. According to the report, the victim said Westrick had taken approximately $120 from the register and did not pay for the couple’s $19 meal. Video surveillance footage showed Westrick and his girlfriend enter the restaurant. Later, Westrick is seen at the register reaching over the counter, opening the register and removing several $20 bills. According to the report, a second deputy who watched the video identified the man as Westrick, and was alerted that the suspect was staying in a room at a hotel on Southern Blvd. The deputy made contact with Westrick and his girlfriend, and Westrick was arrested. He was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where he was charged with defrauding an innkeeper and petty theft. Westrick’s girlfriend was released from custody, as the deputy was unable to prove she was aware of the theft, according to the report.

••• MAY 19 — A Royal Palm Beach woman was arrested last Thursday night following a traffic stop in the Indian Trail Villas community. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was on patrol on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. when he observed a gold Ford Taurus swerve several times and hit the curb, causing its tire to flatten. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, 50-year-old Lovie Averill.

According to the report, Averill showed signs of impairment, and she was arrested after a DUI investigation. She was taken to the county jail, where breath tests revealed she had a .256 blood-alcohol level. Averill was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

MAY 20 — A resident of the Victoria Groves community called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Friday to report a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11 p.m. last Thursday and 6:45 a.m. the following morning, someone stole the rims and tires off the victim’s silver Dodge Charger, which was parked in front of his home. The perpetrator(s) used brick pavers from the end of the victim’s driveway to support the car after they removed the tires. The stolen items were valued at approximately

$1,500. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 21 — A Wellington man and a juvenile were arrested early last Saturday morning on drug charges following a traffic stop near the intersection of Big Blue Trace and Southern Blvd. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was on patrol when he noticed a white Mazda traveling westbound on Southern Blvd. with a temporary tag. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and the car proceeded to pull over into oncoming traffic. According to the report, the deputy made contact with the driver, 18-year-old Joshua Kaufman, and told him to turn off his lights so as not to blind drivers. According to the report, Kaufman appeared nervous and was having difficulty accessing his license. After providing the dispatch with Kaufman’s information, the deputy was told that Kaufman was being monitored by the PBSO’s Juvenile Arrest and Monitoring Unit, which stipulates that he has a 9 p.m. curfew. According to the report, the deputy also made contact with the passenger, a juvenile. During a search of the vehicle, the deputy discovered approximately 13.3 grams of marijuana in a sandwich bag under the front passenger seat. Both Kaufman and the juvenile were placed under arrest.

MAY 22 — Two men and a juvenile were arrested early last Sunday morning on drug charges following a suspicious incident in the Royal Palm Town Center shopping plaza on Belvedere Road. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was on patrol at approximately 1:45 a.m., when he noticed a silver Mazda with three suspects behind closed businesses in the plaza. The deputy made contact with the suspects, 19-year-old Emmanuel Morra of The Acreage, 18-yearold Chase Hartmann of West Palm Beach, and a juvenile suspect.

According to the report, the deputy found that the suspects were in possession of alcohol, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The suspects were arrested. Morra and Hartmann were taken to the county jail where they were charged with underage possession of alcohol and drug possession. The juvenile was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

MAY 23 — A Lake Worth resident called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday to report a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, the victim’s American Express card number was used fraudulently at several stores in and around the Mall at Wellington Green between Nov. 5, 2010 and March 4, 2011. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 23 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home in the Shaker Wood community Monday morning regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9 and 11 a.m., someone shattered the victim’s sliding glass door and entered the home, causing approximately $300 in damage. However, nothing was reported taken.

See BLOTTER, page 22

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Gordon Banks is a white male, 5’10” tall and weighing 300 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 02/23/72. Banks is wanted for issuing a worthless check.

His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Martin Circle in Royal Palm Beach. Banks is wanted as of 05/26/11.

• Lillian Parise is a white female, 5’7” tall and weighing 125 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 10/31/85. Parise is wanted for failure to appear on charges of possession of cocaine and possession/use of paraphernalia. Her occupation is unknown. Her last known address was Mallard Cour t in Royal Palm Beach. Parise is wanted as of 05/26/11.

Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward.

Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.

Gordon Banks

Lillian Parise

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

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 7

NEWS

Sen. Benacquisto Offers Session Overview At GOP Club Meeting

By Eric Woodard Town-Crier Staff Report State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-District 27) recapped her first legislative session in Tallahassee at the Players Club restaurant in Wellington during the May 18 meeting of the Palms West Republican Club.

Benacquisto said her first session was “historic,” calling it “aggressive with regard to legislation.”

“All of the hours that you spend campaigning, raising money, knocking on doors, meeting with folks in groups of a hundred or five, prepare you for that incredible experience of making decisions on their behalf,” Benacquisto said.

She opened her discussion by

informing members of upcoming plans for interactive redistricting meetings slated for the summer that will be one focus of the next session.

“What we’re going to do is ask the public for their input with regard to how they want districts drawn,” Benacquisto said. “Not only will you have the opportunity to come and testify in a public hearing, you will be able, in the comfort of your own home, to draw the districts for the State of Florida.”

The web site, www.florida redistricting.org, provides demographic information such as voter history and income levels to allow users to submit their ideas for where they want to draw their district lines.

Benacquisto then fielded questions about issues ranging from economic development to immigration reform to the Florida School Choice bill. In the end, the session significantly trimmed Florida’s budget, but it wasn’t easy, she said.

“When you sit in those committees and you hear hour after hour of testimony from folks saying, ‘Please don’t cut my program. It’s so vitally important,’ it is heavy on your heart to have to make any cuts to any of those things,” Benacquisto said, “but I made a pledge to be fiscally responsible, to do the right thing and to preserve the services of those who are most needy.”

Benacquisto said she thought that the cuts to education were rea-

ROYAL PALM BEACH SCHOLARSHIPS

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council awarded $1,000 scholarships to six graduating seniors from Royal Palm Beach on Thursday, May 19. Shown here are: (L-R) Stephanie Encamacion, Justin Strassman and Stephanie Lorelli of Royal Palm Beach High School, Brittany Bennett of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Taylor Christie of Suncoast High School. Not pictured: Emily M. Kraemer of Suncoast High School.

PHOTO BY R ON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

sonable and said that rebuilding them would be her focus as the economy rebounds.

With regard to reducing government, Benacquisto said much of the legislation was aimed at giving counties and municipalities more authority.

“Coming from it myself, I understand the value of home rule, and we think that a lot of those close-to-home decisions should be made by the folks close to home,” she said.

Some at the meeting voiced concern as to what was being done about reducing the level of bureaucracy at the state level. Benacquisto said that she thought there was acknowledgment to weed out unnecessary state agencies and revamp the Agency for Workforce Innovation to provide services using “the sleekest work force that we could provide.”

She spoke about an economic development bill that would provide incentives for those opening businesses in the line of global trade, importing and exporting, saying that she believes business owners should be able to benefit from expanding ports such as the Panama Canal.

“If you’re in that line of work and you can create jobs, or bring jobs from another area, we’re going to give you a certain amount of dollars for each position that you create because we want those businesses to locate here,” Benacquisto said.

After all the attention paid to Wisconsin’s recent collective bargaining disputes between the state and its public sector workers, some questioners expressed concerns about where Benacquisto, and Florida, stand on the issue of pension reform.

“What we did was what every other state in the country now does: ask our workers to contribute to their own future, their own retirement,” Benacquisto said. “I think that’s fair; I think that given our interaction in the committee

State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto with Paul Krayeski, president of the Palms West Republican Club. level and folks giving testimony Despite the cuts in education, ... folks understood the need to do Benacquisto spoke proudly of the it and thought that it was a fair work she did on the state’s School number.”

Choice Bill, calling it a “really Though it was different from great step forward” by redefining the Senate’s position, Benacquis- what are considered failing to said she supported the House’s schools. decision of a flat 3 percent contri“We changed the rules so that bution by employees participating if a school gets a D grade, the chilin the state retirement pension pro- dren that are enrolled in that gram. school can go to any other public The discussion of jobs and the school in the state,” she said. “It local economy led to the issue of doesn’t matter the district boundimmigration. Benacquisto empha- aries, as long as there is space sized the “uniqueness” of Flori- available, they will have the abilda’s economy and work force, ity to transfer and get a better edsaying she believes a strong guest ucation.” worker program to be a viable Benacquisto said she believes solution to the state’s immigration this will not only give Florida’s problems. schoolchildren better opportuni“The more we as states say, ties for their education but also ‘This is hurting our communities, put more accountability on and this is hurting our businesses, help focus toward improving failing us [with] a program that keeps our schools. borders secure and our work force In addition, Benacquisto said known,’ we’ll continue to stand parents would be provided a up,” Benacquisto said. “There are published list of schools in their a lot of really great people who own district to choose from and come here, to America, to start apply to. She noted, however, lives for themselves, and we’re not that if parents chose a school anti-immigrant. Every one of us outside of their district, they came from somewhere, and I wel- must be able to provide their come that.” own transportation.

WELLINGTON ART SOCIETY INSTALLS SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR UPCOMING YEAR

The Wellington Art Society held its annual dinner and awards presentation Tuesday, May 24 at the MarBar Grille at the Madison Green Golf Club. The 2011-12 officers were installed, and President Suzanne Redmond presented numerous certificates of appreciation. For more info., visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Wellington Art Society’s newly installed officers for 2011-12.

President Suzanne Redmond honors Marianne Davidson for her work at the Fall Fling.

Sandy Ax elrod receives the Double Duty A ward.

Jean Talbot receives the Challenger Award.

Ilene Adams won the My Cup Runneth Over Award.

Marianne Davidson, Leslie Pfeiffer and Corinne Ingerman are recognized by Wellington Art Society President Suzanne Redmond for their work on the scholarship committee.

Leslie Pfeiffer receives the Development Chair Award.

Suzanne Redmond awards Judi Bludworth for her scholarship recor d keeping.

Corinne Ingerman, Hugette Berzon and Jean Hennekam each received a Pioneer Award.

Page 8

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

NEWS BRIEFS YWCA Vintage Tea June 15 At The Chesterfield

Some of the Acreage/Loxahatchee Relay for Life committee members at the May 1 wrap-up party.

Wrap-Up Party For Acreage Relay Organizers of the Acreage/Loxahatchee Relay for Life held a wrap-up party Sunday, May 1 at Acreage Community Park.

The top three fundraising teams were Pierce Hammock Elementary School, Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School and Western Pines Middle School. Individuals who raised the most money were Donna Caloia and Regina Rudnick of Pierce Hammock, and Martin Palermo of the Seminole Ridge High School Interact Club.

Other awards included the Spir-

it Point Award (Frontier Elementary School), Shining Star (Palermo), Best Decorated Tent (LGES), Most Creative Theme (Girls With Attitude) and Last Tent Standing (the Hawk Battalion).

The organizers thank Red’s Backyard BBQ, the Indian Trail Improvement District, Zibel Security Services, the Improv Comedy Club, Hendrick Services and Walgreens for their support.

The total amount of money raised was $46,500, which exceeded the goal of $35,000.

Celebrate Palm Beach’s 100th year at the YWCA of Palm Beach County’s Vintage Tea to be held June 15 at 3 p.m. at the Chesterfield Hotel in Palm Beach.

In addition to the classic afternoon tea, guests will enjoy a Chinese auction, an appearance by local historian Ethel Gravett and a few special surprises. Honored guests will include female descendants of some of Palm Beach’s pioneer families.

The presentation of the YWCA’s Grace Dodge Award will conclude the afternoon.

Tickets cost $75 per person. For more information, or to make your reservation, call the YWCA at (561) 640-0050, ext. 134.

Scott’s Place Story Time On Summer Break Due to increasing temperatures and in an effort to accommodate the summer vacation schedules of the volunteers, Story Time at Scott’s Place Reading Corner will take a summer vacation during the months of June, July and August.

The program will resume in September with a special kickoff event.

Since the program began in September 2010, it has delighted children and parents with themed stories and giveaways. Scott’s Place barrier-free playground, located at 12190 W. Forest Hill

Blvd., is designed with large play structures and ramps to ensure that children and parents of all physical abilities can play together.

During the summer hiatus, the Wellington branch library located at 1951 Royal Fern Drive offers story time indoors every Saturday at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. For more info., visit www.pbclibrary. org or call (561) 790-6070.

RPB Firecracker Golf Tournament Returns July 4 It’s that time of year again. The sun stays out longer, the trees are starting to bloom, and Royal Palm Beach’s annual Firecracker Golf Tournament is right around the corner.

Join the annual Firecracker Golf Tournament on Monday, July 4 at the Village Golf Club. The scramble format tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The Firecracker golf tournament will include cart and green fees, 50/50 raffle, prizes, a longest-drive contest and closest-to-the-pin contest, and a barbecue lunch will be provided. Golfers are asked to preregister at one of two locations in Royal Palm Beach — the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way) or the Village Golf Club (122 Country Club Drive).

Register today for an opportunity to reserve your foursome and/ or tee sponsorship in advance and provide your business or organization great exposure at the annual Royal Palm Beach Firecracker Golf Tournament; however, the

village is limited in the number of foursomes and tee sponsorships that are available for the event.

The cost for the annual golf tournament is $60 per player, $240 per foursome and $100 per hole sponsor. For more information or to reserve a tee sponsorship opportunity, call the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149. Call the Village Golf Club at (561) 793-1400 for golf course information.

ty. Since coming to America in 1983 with only a suitcase and a few dollars, Lyons-Heard has coowned a business in Virginia, purchased over 10 real estate properties, and has traveled extensively.

The seminar costs $50. Book Buyers Bonanza will offer refreshments and an array of books to complement this month’s subject.

To register, visit www.bookbuyers bonanza.com or call (561) 2900560.

Seminar June 1 At PBSC Boca

Call To County Artists For PBIA Exhibit

Book Buyers Bonanza will present a seminar titled “Creative Management of Your Paycheck” Wednesday, June 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Palm Beach State College south campus (3000 St. Lucie Avenue, Boca Raton). Joan Lyons-Heard will lead this 90minute session full of clever, practical, painless and easy ways to stretch your paycheck and live the fruitful life you have always dreamed of.

Lyons-Heard will share the realities of sensible living in tough economic times. Her journey began in Kingston, Jamaica, where at 16 she tragically lost her father and his financial support. Not wanting to be dependent on others, that loss shaped her financial resolve so that by age 20, she had purchased her first home. At 22, and wanting to broaden her horizons, Lyons-Heard gave up her worldly possessions and accepted an offer to model in Italy. Her subsequent return to a tough Jamaican economic and political landscape taught her survivabili-

Artists who want their work to receive broad exposure and possibly sell are encouraged to enter their artwork for exhibition at one of the county’s most visited locations.

Palm Beach County’s Art in Public Places Program is issuing a call to visual artists who reside in Palm Beach County to submit artwork to be considered for a four-month exhibition at the Palm Beach International Airport. Exhibition dates are July 13 to Nov. 16. Artists may obtain a copy of the Call to Artists in one of the following ways: • At www.pbcgov.com/fdo/art/ artists/currentcalls.htm • By sending an e-mail request to esinger@pbcgov.org • By sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Palm Beach County Art in Public Places, 2633 Vista Parkway, West Palm Beach, FL 33411.

There is a $10 application fee, and the entry deadline is June 21.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 9

NEWS WHS Grad

The Class Of 2011

continued from page 1 many of you have industry certification, and you are ahead of the nation as you move on with your lives,” Klinek noted.

She challenged the graduates to find opportunities. “The job you think you’d like today might not be at all what you do when you finish college,” Klinek said.

“There will be many doors open to you because you are a high school graduate. If you foul on the basketball court of life, keep playing, because life will be filled with wins, losses and ties.”

Salutatorian Benjamin Aqua quoted Dr. Carl Sagan, who said one has to know the past in order to understand the present. “Let me refresh your memory of what has happened over the past 10 years, from the time we entered elementary school to today, our graduation from high school,” Aqua said.

“In our nation as we sat in our third-grade classrooms, the United States endured the most devastating terrorist attack in its history on Sept. 11, 2001. Ten years later, in our final moments in high school, we learned of the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden,

the mastermind of those attacks.

In politics we witnessed the nation’s first African-American president. In sports, swimmer Michael Phelps used athleticism and determination to win a record-setting eight Olympic gold medals.”

Although the nation has been confronted with difficult times during the past decade, Aqua told his classmates they need to understand the past so they can make their mark in the present and future. “Since 2001, we have enhanced our nation’s security, excelled politically on the world stage, and made technological advances that have improved our lives on a daily basis,” Aqua said.

“Reflecting on the past helps us understand how we got here today.”

Quoting Dr. Seuss, Valedictorian Alexander Small said: “‘Congratulations! Today is your day.

You’re off to great places! You’re off and away!’” Small said graduates might not be exploring the world in a hot air balloon, but in college, a job or fulfilling whatever plans they have.

“Yes, just like him, we will all have problems and difficulties,” he said. “There will be bumps in the road, we may be left behind, but we’ll do what the boy did, rolling around on our way to success.

Life isn’t always easy. We may get

knocked down a thousand times.

We just have to pick ourselves up for 1,001.”

Small reminded his classmates that the Decca recording company rejected the Beatles because the company did not like their sound, but today, over 1.6 billion Beatles albums have been sold. “There’s a reason they call these ceremonies commencement exercises,” Small said. “Graduation is not the end, it’s the beginning. So, let’s get out there and show the world that Wellington’s Class of 2011 is there.”

Senior Class President Niranyan Kanagaraja recounted some of the memories the Class of 2011 will carry with them from WHS, such as defeating the senior class in the powder-puff football game their sophomore year.

Principal Mario Crocetti said the nation’s founding fathers recognized the need for having a literate citizenry in creating a public school system. “At that time, the right to vote was limited to just a portion of the white, male population. Times have changed,” Crocetti said, explaining that voting is not just a right, but an obligation for everyone. “I hope we have given you a good start on the path to becoming intelligent voters and citizens who understand the issues and will make informed decisions

without being awed by 10-second sound bites.”

One of the most important aspects of public education is that it brings together people of all races and religions from all parts of society, Crocetti said. “We live in a pluralistic society. It was once very common to refer to the United States as the great melting pot, but the reality is that when most people used that term, they were referring to the immigrants from central and Western Europe. The vast majority were white and shared the same religion. We are so much more than that today,” he said.

For a long time, he said, it was fashionable to speak of “tolerance” when referring to people who look different or who worship a different god. “It’s time to put tolerance behind us,” he said.

“We must do better than that.”

Rather than just tolerating groups of people who are in some way different, Crocetti urged the graduates to celebrate the actions and accomplishments of individuals who have influenced them in a positive manner.

“I am not asking you to go out and save the world or cure all diseases, or bring about world peace,” he said. “Just go out and treat everyone based on their actions; nothing more, nothing less.”

Principal Mario Crocetti addresses the class.

Senior Class President Niranyan Kanagaraja at the podium.

Aunt Elsie Torres, graduate Norma Guzman and grandmother Vella Torres after the ceremony.

Student Government Association President Brittany Wallrath.

Members of the Wellington High School band perform before commencement exercises.

Frieda Farrell, Scott Hausman and Bud Farrell.

Wilner Blanc, Rose Joseph, David Blanc, Ginseler Saint-Vil and Yvelene Blanc.

Matthew, Sean, Jessy and Shaine Thomas.

Valedictorian Alexander Small addresses the graduating class.

Graduates turn their tassels.

PHOTOS BY R ON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Page 10

May 27 - June 2, 2011

RPBHS Grad

Message From Armas

continued from page 1 grades, three different social networks — Facebook and Twitter, did you forget Myspace? — and, oh yeah, three different principals.”

But through all this, Armas said, the students have persevered through both the high and low moments. “You faced the changes,” he said. “You met the challenges, and you’re here today.”

And when they look back five, 10 or even 20 years from now, Armas said, those challenges won’t matter so much.

“You won’t remember the school’s grade or its FCAT scores,” he said. “You won’t remember the lines in the cafeteria, or what the food tasted like. And maybe, just maybe, you won’t remember that you couldn’t wear jeans these last couple of years.”

But he said he hoped students would remember what was important: the moments they spent with the people who mattered most.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

NEWS “What I do know that you’ll remember are the many relationships you have forged in the last four years,” he said, recalling specific teachers and students he had encountered in his first year as principal and how they positively influenced the school.

“Graduates,” Armas said, “to me, relationships are of the utmost importance.”

Palm Beach County Superintendent of Schools Bill Malone applauded students for their success in graduating, and reminded them that this is just the beginning.

“You have arrived at a pinnacle in your life,” he said. “For 13 years of your life, you have prepared for this moment. Trust in yourself and in the preparation that has brought you to this moment. Tomorrow, the rest of your life begins.”

And in that time, he noted, students will have many choices to make and opportunities to take.

Malone encouraged them to make each decision count.

“What will matter is not your success, but your significance,” he said. “What will matter is not what

you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every action you make out of compassion, courage and sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. Living a life that matters is not an accident.”

Salutatorian Michelle Kautz told students to be proud of themselves and their classmates for what they’ve already achieved, but not to stop now.

“After today, it’s the beginning of a whole new life,” she said. “I encourage you all to exceed the average and aim for your very best, because we all have it in us. Seize all opportunities that come your way and make the best out of whatever life throws you.”

Valedictorian Rashaa Fletcher told students that their true selves would be reflected in the actions they take. She said that in life, she and her fellow graduates will “learn by living” as much as they are taught, something she regretted not doing more of.

“While I may have excelled scholastically, my biggest fault

and regret is that I waited too long to learn by living,” she said. “No matter where we started, all that is important is where we end up.

Forget the regrets, but remember the lessons learned.”

And it’s not just the lessons you learn that are important, Armas stressed, but also the people you learn them with. He reminded students of the famous Robert Frost poem The Road Less Taken.

“When he came to the two divergent roads, he took the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference,” he said. “But I believe that equally important to the road that you travel is who travels it with you.”

Armas encouraged students to prioritize relationships in life, not money, fame or power.

“It doesn’t matter how much money you have if there’s not someone special to spend it on,” he said. “It’s not what kind of car you drive, but who’s sitting in the passenger seat beside you. It’s not whether you’re famous or not. It’s who is waiting for you at home at the end of the day. When it comes down to it, life is about the relationships that you make.”

Superintendent Bill Malone offers words of wisdom.

Valedictorian Rashaa Fletcher encourages students to seek education through experience.

Amelia Seibel receives her diploma from Principal Jesus Armas.

Salutatorian Michelle Kautz at the podium.

Michelle Olivarez and Sadé Robinson show off their diplomas.

Giovanna Ford, Neisys Hernandez, Elizabeth Croft and Lina Veloza.

Graduates Fulvie Philama and Jarlande Pierre.

Donovan Brown and Shanice Payne.

Graduate Shanelia Buckle (center) with family and friends.

Sean Seegars with mother LaTonya, brother Eson and father Sean.

Dondre McLean with family and friends.

Kathy, Mark and Molly Anderson with graduate Maggie.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 11

Page 12

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

NEWS

The Town-Crier

RPBHS HOSTS ART SHOWCASE FEATURING WORK BY AREA STUDENT ARTISTS The inaugural Royal Palm Beach High School Feeder Pattern Art Showcase took place Tuesday, May 17 in the school cafeteria. The show featured selected artworks from local elementary, middle and high school students.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Haley Blythe, Katherine Armstrong, Royal Palm Beach Ma yor Matty Mattioli, Oceana Gershberg and Jason Sedler.

Cypress Trails Elementary School students stand in front of their artwork display.

The RPBHS Advanced Women’s Ensemble performs.

Oceana Gershberg, Serena Rampersab, Claudia Forero and Kierstyn Lockey.

Nicole Valmas with her “Sunrise” series and H.L. Johnson ar t teacher Kim Farnam.

Art teacher Anita Smith and Darriane D’Angelo display D’Angelo’s ceramics.

SHOPPERS FIND BARGAINS AT BUCKLER’S CRAFT FAIR AT THE FAIRGROUNDS Buckler’s Craft Fair returned to the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center last weekend. The fair featured handmade items such as jewelry, clothing, accessories and more.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Kaitlyn Bernath with her handmade items for sale.

Puttin’ on the Dog’s Jodie Kronsberg and Kathy Schultz discuss a dog-cooling mat.

Banana Nut Heads’ Penny Brumbaugh and Anita Gierok give Rosie and Tim Decker samples.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

NEWS

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 13

CRESTWOOD HOSTS THIS YEAR’S RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT IN ROYAL PALM BEACH

The American Cancer Society held its Royal Palm Beach Relay for Life on Saturday, May 2 1 at Crestwood Middle School. Students, residents and officials came out to support the cause, staying up all night to raise money to fund cancer research and programs. For more info., visit www.relayforlife.org.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

Members of Crestwood Middle School’s Think Pink and W.I.S.H. teams.

The Sleepwalkers team supports classmate Carson Ruffa (back row, center) with an Angry Birds booth.

Brooke Lavigna takes her best sho t at the Royal Palm Beachers booth.

The Royal Inn’s David Wiggins, Mary Housch and Debi Wampler.

Cancer survivors take the honorary first lap.

Royal Palm Beach Elementary School team members.

COPELAND DAVIS PERFORMS BENEFIT SHOW AT ST. PETER’S METHODIST CHURCH Renown jazz pianist Copeland Davis performed a benefit concert for the Westervelt family on Sunday, May 22 at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington. Clif ford J.W. Westervelt suf fered an anoxic brain injury and has been in the care of Broward Children’s Comprehensive Care Center for Fragile Children for the past four years. Proceeds from this benefit will go toward his medical expenses.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Copeland Davis performs.

… it s about your complete life It’s not simply about portfolio holdings and account balances.

It’s about your complete life.

You should have a wealth management partner who understands that. Who cares about your personal goals for your family, your business, your future. Who can give you comfort in making decisions that not only support your financial objectives, but that help ensure you have time to do the things you enjoy with those you love.

A N

I N D E P E N D E N T

F I R M

BENJAMIN G. BOYNTON, CFP & JOANNA J. BOYNTON, CFP 12400-B South Shore Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 561.795.9156 Toll-Free 888.795.9156 Fax 561.795.6812 Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

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

Copeland Davis, Caryle, Corrine and Cliff Westervelt, and Mary Davis.

The St. Peter’s Friends Small Group Event Committee.

Page 14

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

NEWS

Executive Women Of The Palm Beaches Honors Women Leaders Dr. Melanie Bone, Nancy Marshall and Dr. Lois Gackenheimer were honored with Women in Leadership Awards by the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches on Wednesday, May 5 at a luncheon at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

Explorer, filmmaker and environmentalist Céline Cousteau gave the keynote address. A sponsor’s reception was held the evening before the event at Old Palm Golf Club. Bone was recognized for her work in the private sector, Marshall for the volunteer sector and Gackenheimer for the public sector.

The Women in Leadership Awards recognize women whose talents and qualities have an impact in the community. They may be unsung heroes who make extraordinary effort for worthy causes, entrepreneurs who translate their enthusiasm and concepts into successful businesses, or public servants who understand the meaning of service and deliver it with pride and excellence.

A gynecologic surgeon and an expert on hereditary cancer syndromes, Bone has practiced in West Palm Beach for two decades.

She graduated with honors from Georgetown University and Albany Medical College and practiced in the Washington, D.C. area before moving to West Palm Beach

in 1991. She opened a solo practice in 1999.

A breast cancer survivor, Bone has written two books, Journey Through Cancer (co-authored with Rev. Richard Cromie) and Cancer, What Next? to provide guidance and insight to cancer patients. Her weekly newspaper column “Surviving Life” is syndicated nationally, and she lectures about hereditary cancer syndromes. Her Zon fitness equipment is sold nationwide in Sports Authority stores. She donates all royalties and honoraria to charity.

Volunteer sector honoree Marshall is president of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to developing and delivering award-winning, science-based, environmental education programs and grassroots public outreach programs essential for the restoration of the Everglades ecosystem. She also serves on its board of directors.

A retired Marriott marketing executive, Marshall is immediate past president of the YWCA of Palm Beach County and a member of the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) board in Washington, D.C. She was president of the Gainesville (Fla.) Fine Arts Association; honorary chair of Belfair Artists Association in Washington, D.C.; an honorary member Phi Sigma Sigma sorori-

ty; and co-recipient in 2001 of the Audubon Society of the Everglades’ Conservationist of the Year award.

In 2009, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recognized Marshall for championing efforts to provide state-of-the-art interpretive Everglades exhibits at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and in 2010 presented her with the Regional Director’s Award. In January, the Everglades Coalition awarded her the prestigious George M. Barley Award for her contributions to Everglades restoration and protection.

Gackenheimer is president and director of the Academy for Practical Nursing and Health Occupations, a charitable organization and accredited nursing school that provides nursing training and job placement to the underprivileged, underserved and underemployed.

Since Gackenheimer became its director in 1990, the school has grown in scope and enrollment.

Today it serves more than 400 students, offering practical nursing, professional nursing and associate of science degrees. Gackenheimer takes pride in assuring that all students have safe shelter, food, clothing and transportation in order to fulfill their dreams of becoming a nurse. Gackenheimer holds a master’s degree in nurs-

ing and a doctorate in education.

She is a registered nurse and a licensed nursing home administrator and has been recognized locally and nationally for her leadership and humanitarian services.

Following the Women in Leadership Awards presentation at the luncheon, Cousteau, granddaughter of famed ocean environmentalist Jacques Cousteau, offered an inspirational look into the worlds of exploration and filmmaking.

Relating what she has learned about working in the most remote locations on earth and about the commonalities shared by women worldwide, she kept guests spellbound with her presentation that included footage of her work with indigenous residents of the Amazon and with a group of courting humpback whales.

The Presenting Sponsor was FPL, Platinum Sponsor was Hermé de Wyman Miro, Sponsor’s Reception Underwriters were Old Palm Golf Club & Pinetree Homes and J.J. Taylor Companies.

The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches promotes the professional and personal advancement of women through networking, resource sharing and leadership development. Luncheon proceeds benefit its scholarship and grant programs. For more information, call (561) 684-9117 or visit www.ewpb.org.

Women in Leadership Award recipients Lois Gackenheimer, Dr. Melanie Bone and Nancy Marshall.

Executiv e Women President Regina Bedoya, Celine Cousteau, and WILA co-chairs Gil Walsh and Beverly Levine.

MORSELIFE 5K RUN/WALK SUPPORTS STROKE AWARENESS AND RESEARCH The MorseLife senior care organization, in conjunction with the Stroke of Hope Foundation, held its inaugural Stroke of Hope 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, May 22 at its West Palm Beach campus. The event was a chip-timed run, combining runners in f ive-year age groups. For more information about MorseLife, visit www.morselife.org.

PHOTOS BY JA CKSON WOLEK/TOWN-CRIER

Participants leave the starting line.

Scott Fabry won the race with a time of 17:37.5.

MorseLife President and CEO Keith Myers participates.

Stroke survivor Bob Murtagh, Deanna Kuebel-Pike and Stroke of Hope founder and chair Liz Blake.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 15

NEWS SRHS Grad

Hawks Urged To Soar High

continued from page 1 “We made many memories together as the Class of 2011 — memories that shall never be forgotten.”

This school year was particularly memorable for the seniors, Johnson said.

The varsity football team was district champion, the band received top scores, the girls varsity basketball team finished its best season since the school opened, the girls varsity flag football team won the district championship, and the boys weightlifting and volleyball teams brought home state championship titles.

“All of these fun and memorable moments have led us to today: graduation,” Johnson said. “We did it. We finished high school.

Congratulations. Today we spread our wings to new heights.”

Palm Beach County School District Chief Academic Officer Judith Klinek lauded students for their success.

“This is an achievement beyond all that you’ve experienced thus far,” she said. “You have worked hard for four years to get to this point in time. I’m so very proud of you. Nationwide, only 50 per-

cent of the students who start in grade nine with you graduate in four years with a high school diploma. I’m hopeful that you are feeling the success today.”

Klinek challenged graduates to consider three things: their success as a graduate, the opportunities before them and the decisions they make.

“Find the right opportunity,” she said. “Doors will open now that you’re a high school graduate, but what you think you’re interested in today may not be so in a year, two or ten.”

Klinek noted that the graduates of 10 years ago are now doing jobs that didn’t exist when they first entered the work force, and that students should be open to all opportunities that come their way.

“I encourage you to keep your eyes open,” she said. “You will be able to find your life’s work.”

Klinek added that the decisions students make would follow them for the rest of their lives, but that should not discourage them from making mistakes. “If you foul out on the basketball court of life,” she said, “just keep playing. You will have wins, losses and ties. That’s perfectly normal.”

Salutatorian Nickolaus Hofmann told graduates that their success in graduating should not be downplayed.

“Today is a big deal,” he said.

“You should not be told otherwise.

Today is not just a celebration of

Valedictorian Andrea Comiskey offers words of inspiration.

what we’ve achieved, it’s a celebration of everything it took to get here.”

And what led them to that point is what is important. “Life is not about the destination,” Hofmann said. “It’s about the journey that you have along the way.”

He encouraged his fellow students to take control of their lives and make the best of each opportunity.

“The moment we walk out of here, our lives are in our own hands,” Hofmann said. “The decisions we make will ultimately come to define us. Do what you love. Because if you do anything else, will you truly be able to say you have lived your life?”

Valedictorian Andrea Comiskey told her classmates that in graduating, they close one chapter of their lives and open a new one.

“Regardless of the chapter you choose to write for yourself, success will always be the ending,” she said. “[We] have been molded into who we are today in order to develop the adults we have always wanted to become tomorrow.”

Comiskey said that she has high hopes that the Class of 2011 is filled with those who will lead the world to a better tomorrow.

“I feel that every one of us holds the potential to become individuals who will contribute toward constructing a bright future for generations to come,” she said.

Salutatorian Nickolaus Hofmann encourages his classmates.

“Nevertheless, today is the day where each one of us creates our own future.”

Students must decide their own paths from this point on, Comiskey said. “It is now our time to become our own muse and create our own opportunities,” she said.

“Now it’s time for us to really live our lives and make our own success.”

McGee reflected upon her memories of the Class of 2011.

“It has been an awesome four years,” she said, “to watch as you’ve transformed from fledgling baby Hawks to Hawks ready to take flight and leave the nest.”

She encouraged students to reflect often on the lessons they’d learned in their life thus far.

“Some lessons ended triumphantly,” McGee said, “while others ended disappointingly.

Through each experience, you learned. So be prepared for life’s twists and turns, and remember that luck is where preparation meets opportunity.”

McGee told students to envision the kind of person they want to be, and then pursue it.

“I know that what you give to others comes back to you,” she said. “And that you must surround yourself with people who lift you higher. I know that you must define your own life. Don’t let others define and write your script.

And I know that the Class of 2011 will exceed expectations.”

Senior Class President Precious Johnson reflects on the students’ time in school.

Amber Rafael, Alisha Tom pson and Diedre Whyte.

Jaclyn Bryant, Daniel Iglesias, Soraya Allen and Sabrina Chen-Shue.

Dannielle Menendez, Natalie Martinez, Katlyn Oliver, Danielle Moore and Morgan Jones before the ceremony.

Demarco and Marcell Jeter show off Demarco’s diploma.

SRHS Principal Dr. Lynne McGee offers advice to the graduates.

Nicole Lehto, Alicia Candlish, Tiffany Misiano and Hayley Rodgers prepare to graduate.

Graduate Tiffany Vongpaphan with her family.

James Benjamin and his family celebrate af ter the ceremony.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

Page 16

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

NEWS PBCHS

continued from page 1 champion athletic team, the boys bowling team. The school band also won its first regional championship and finished fourth in the state, Shoemaker noted.

The Class of 2011 has received scholarships from schools throughout Florida and across the nation, Shoemaker said, garnering more than $5.5 million in scholarships. “In addition, many of our graduates have been accepted into the armed services, and we wish you well as you bravely serve our country,” he said.

Going beyond academic challenges, the school raised money for tsunami relief in Japan, participated in Relay for Life activities and raised money for the Darfur Dream Team to build a school in Africa, Shoemaker recalled.

“Members of this senior class expanded our annual St. Baldrick’s event to beyond our school to include every elementary, middle and high school in Wellington,” he added.

Shoemaker added that they had put in 33,640 hours of community service. “This class has the ability to look beyond the superficial and totally embrace that which

really matters,” he said. “I wish you continued success and blessings on your journey.”

Palm Beach County Superintendent of Schools Bill Malone challenged the graduating seniors to continue in their endeavors.

“Trust in yourself and the preparation which has brought you to this point,” he said. “Tomorrow, the rest of your life begins. What choices will you make? Will you follow your passions? Will you live a life of ease, or a life of service and adventure? Ultimately, the driving questions will be, ‘How will your days be spent, and what will really matter?’What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity and act of courage and sacrifice that enrich or encourage others to follow your example.”

Salutatorian and Senior Class President Alexis Shankman will be attending the University of Miami, where she will major in pre-law. She said the Class of 2011 will be one to remember.

“We have broken the record of the most wins for a senior class at Palm Beach Central High School,” Shankman said. “During our homecoming, we placed first in every single competition. We have proven ourselves as a class to be reckoned with. We are a class of champions, a class of ambitions

Graduate Andrew Douthitt with his mother Ruth.

Graduates Rianna Penn and Yvonne Furnish.

Record 640 Grads

Graduate Gi-Gi Greene with (L-R) Warren Greene, Georgette and Ernest Ferguson, and Samson Miller.

Liliana Sota, Ray Pulles, Cristina Oliveira, Talita Sechler, Juan Pulgar, Carina Sechler, and Yamilys and Jose Pulgar.

and, most importantly, a class of passion.”

She characterized the Class of 2011 as “Generation M” — a generation of multi-taskers. “Generation M stands for much more than media plugged in,” Shankman said. “Generation M is for movement. We are a generation that communicates and inspires.”

Valedictorian Andrea CedeñoTobon will attend the University of Florida to major in biomedical engineering. She said being valedictorian was never on her list of things to do in her senior year.

What was on her list was to find friends, make no enemies and feed her passion for learning.

“Some people confuse being the valedictorian with being Number One, but is that even possible?” she asked. “Is the valedictorian the ultimate student? Looking back at these four years, it is not. Who receives the prestigious honor of being Number One? They are all right here, the Class of 2011, each and every graduating student.”

Cedeño-Tobon said she is aware of her strengths, including her studying habits. “I like to read, and calculus and physics are fun to me, but I’m not the Number One shortstop on the baseball team or the Number One actor who played Ponyboy Curtis in the play The Outsiders. I’m not the

Number One physics student or the three Number One students at the science fair who can build a robot (whoa!) — I’m not any of those. Those Number Ones are sitting right here in this crowd right in front of me,” she said.

Cedeño-Tobon thanked her family for their support, especially for helping her get up and go to school after sleepless nights.

“The only way I could turn that stress into strength was through the help of my family,” she said.

“From them I live life so that taking time to enjoy it is just as important as taking time to control it. They taught me not to take myself too seriously because four years go by quickly, and in the end the hard work wouldn’t be worth it if the time was not enjoyed.”

She also credited the teachers with helping them become Number One. “They taught us what we need to be successful, not only in college, but in life,” Cedeño-Tobon said.

She urged the Class of 2011 to strive for excellence and strive to leave an indelible impression in the lives of others. “Let’s show the world the potential of each and every Number One of the Palm Beach Central Class of 2011, and prove to all that greatness is what we strive for, and so greatness is what we will achieve,” CedeñoTobon said.

Valedictorian Andrea Cedeño-Tobon, Salutatorian Alexis Shankman and Student Government President Alexandra Chiappa stand on stage during the graduation ceremony.

The Traditions and Senior Singers perform the senior song.

Graduate Giannina Gibelli with her mother Milady Bartolovich.

Graduate Rachel Armstrong with her mother Kathy and father Mark.

Graduates Alex Osorio, Brandon Delacruz, Christian Marone and J.P. Passeggiata.

Grad Moises Rodriguez III with mom Azala and dad Moises Jr.

Graduate Lenhart Vo with her mother Lien, father Glenbart and sister Jennifer.

PHOTOS BY R ON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 17

NEWS

Toll Brothers Introduces New Single-Story Plans At Wellington View Toll Brothers, a leading builder of luxury homes, has introduced two new single-story floor plans at its Wellington View community.

“We wanted to offer more home design options to buyers choosing a new home in this outstanding single-family home community,” Toll Brothers Assistant Vice President Alex de Chabert said. “We now offer five different floor plans at Wellington View.”

The newest designs include the Saranac and the Cassien. The Saranac, with 2,519 square feet of living space, features three bedrooms and two-and-one-half baths, while the Cassien has four bedrooms, three baths, a courtyard-entry garage and 3,003 square feet of living space.

The Cassien also offers a second-floor bonus room option with an additional half bath and 3,678 square feet of living space. Both of the new single-story designs include gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, private studies and spacious covered lanais to enjoy the views of the sparkling lakes and natural areas surrounding the picturesque community.

Wellington View is an intimate gated community where homes range in size from 2,189 to 4,700 square feet of living space and are designed with luxurious included features. Homes at the communi-

ty are priced starting in the upper $300,000s.

The recreational amenities at Wellington View include a clubhouse with fitness center, tennis court, hiking and biking rails, and a children’s playground.

Wellington View is located near A-rated schools including Everglades Elementary School, a new elementary school serving students in grades K-5 and offering a gifted Kindergarten program.

The community is also located just five minutes from Florida’s Turnpike and 10 minutes from Interstate 95, making shopping and popular South Florida destinations convenient and easily accessible.

Visitors are invited to tour the designer-decorated Toledo Country Manor model. The model and sales center are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. To visit the community from Florida’s Turnpike, exit at Southern Blvd. (Exit 97) and travel west for one mile to Lyons Road/Sansbury’s Way. Turn left and head south one mile to the Wellington View entrance on the right. For more information, call (561) 3043131 or visit www.wellington view.com.

Toll Brothers’ communities across Southeast Florida also include: Parkland Golf & Country

Toll Brothers has introduced two ne w single-story floor plans, the Saranac (left) and the Cassien (right), at Wellington View.

Club, Frenchman’s Harbor, Frenchman’s Reserve, Azura, Ocean’s Edge at Singer Island and Jupiter Country Club.

Toll Brothers Inc. is a leading national builder of luxury homes.

The company began business in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TOL.” Toll Brothers serves move-up, empty-nester, activeadult and second-home buyers nationwide.

Toll Brothers builds luxury single-family detached and attached home communities; master planned luxury residential, resortstyle golf communities; and urban low-, mid- and high-rise communities, principally on land it develops and improves. The company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development and land sale, golf course development and management, home security and landscape subsidiaries. The company also operates its own lumber dis-

tribution and house component assembly and manufacturing operations.

Toll Brothers, a Fortune 1000 Company, was ranked No. 1 in 2011 and 2010 in financial soundness, long-term investment and quality of product/services in Fortune magazine’s annual “World’s Most Admired Companies” survey in the home building category.

The company is also honored to have won the three most coveted awards in the home building

industry: America’s Best Builder, the National Housing Quality Award and National Builder of the Year.

Toll Brothers supports the communities in which it builds.

Among other philanthropic pursuits, the company sponsors the Toll Brothers Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network, bringing opera to neighborhoods throughout the world.

For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.toll brothers.com.

HEALTHSOURCE CHIROPRACTIC IN RPB HOSTS COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY

HealthSource Chiropractic & Progressive Rehab in Royal Palm Beach hosted its Community/Patient Appreciation Day Saturday, May 21 for area residents and its more than 1,000 patients. Dr. Sandra Hernandez and her staff of licensed massage therapists provided spinal adjustments, examinations and free massages, and there were raffle prizes and gift certificates for the Ritz-Carlton spa, On the Border Mexican Grill and Motor City Car Wash. For more info., call (561) 792-4016.

PHOTOS BY ERIC WOODARD/TOWN-CRIER

Dr. Sandra Hernandez performs a spinal adjustment on Nicole Bache.

Gisela Peraita, Kevin Perez, Dr. Sandra Hernandez, Jessica Iraola and Mack Turenne.

Kevin Perez performs a back massage.

Page 18

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

SCHOOL NEWS

SEMINOLE RIDGE HOSTS Big Accolades For TKA Senior Class Members of the King’s Acade- State University, New York UniGRADUATION BREAKFAST my’sMembers 2011 senior class have ex- versity, North Carolina State Unicelled academically during their versity, Northeastern University, AT MADISON GREEN high school careers. These 95 stu- St. John’s University, Southern dents have navigated the rigors of Methodist University, Texas the King’s Academy’s strenuous academic program including Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment and honors courses, and community service requirements.

High School Principal Sonya Jones was impressed by the seniors’ efforts. “It is gratifying to see their hard work pay off,� she said.

As a result of their efforts, they boast an impressive list of acceptances from highly selective colleges and universities, such as Auburn University, Boston College, Clemson University, Florida State University, Michigan More than 150 members of the Seminole Ridge High School Class of 2011 joined class sponsors and teachers for the annual graduation breakfast May 17 at the Madison Green Golf Club. Pictured above are (front row, L-R) Class officers Keiley Shinn, Alexa Wilheim, Angie Jabouin and Precious Johnson; (back row) SRHS class advisor Marie Pelfrey, Madison Green Golf Club General Manager Ron Miranda and SRHS sponsor Triciana Gray.

CRESTWOOD THANKS ITS VOLUNTEERS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS

Christian University, the University of Alabama, the University of Connecticut, the University of Florida, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Miami, the University of North Carolina and many others.

In addition to these impressive acceptances, the King’s Academy’s 2011 senior class also has received approximately $5.1 million in scholarships to date. Director of College Counseling Heather Najmabadi and her staff meet with each high school student and their families to assist with their college searches including the scholarship application process.

Panther Run PTA Hosts Volunteer Breakfast Panther Run Elementary School PTA board members recognized their “treasured gems� with a volunteer breakfast Thursday, May 12.

The theme of the breakfast was, “Our Volunteers Are Like Treasured Gems.�

Volunteers with 10-plus hours were presented with certificates from the Palm Beach County School District saluting volunteers in public schools.

Along with the certificates, small tokens of appreciation were also give out by Panther

Run PTA President Kristi Bomar and Volunteer Coordinator Marni Alfest.

New Panther Run PTA board members for the upcoming school year were also present. Bomar will be passing the torch to incoming PTA President Melodie Brockway for the 2011-12 school year.

Volunteer of the Year Tanya Thaw was presented with a beautiful bouquet. Thaw had put in 290 hours of volunteer help. Panther Run volunteers put in a total of 6,073 hours during this school year.

POLO PARK HONORS ITS TOP 50 READERS

Crestwood Middle School hosted a breakfast event recently to thank the school’s volunteers and business partners. The guests were treated to pastries, fruit and drinks. The business partners and volunteers each received a note of thanks and a certificate for their service. A special presentation was made to Dawn Fresch for being named Crestwood’s Volunteer of the Year. Fresch has been Crestwood’s PTO president for three years, during which time she has worked tirelessly for the school. The teachers and staff joined together to contribute to purchase a special trip for Fresch. Crestwood would like to send a huge thank-you to all its business partners and volunteers. Shown above are volunteers Karina Fedele, Dawn Fresch and Cheryl Dunn Bychek.

Polo Park Middle School acknowledged its top 50 readers with a delicious luncheon Wednesday, May 11. The 50 students who earned the most Reading Counts points between January and May were treat ed to a catered Italian lunch, compliments of the Polo Park PTSA. Students read books and then took quizzes to earn points. This year, Polo Park students passed 5,041 quizzes, earning 60,149 points and reading 238,825,347 words. The two top readers read 62 books and earned over 1,000 points each. Shown above are the school’s top reader s.

$"3*/( '03 063 $0..6/*5: 4*/$&

&RPPXQLW\ /HFWXUHV

5RERWLF 6XUJHU\ IRU 3URVWDWH &DQFHU 'U (GZDUG %HFNHU 'U 'DPLDQ 3RUWHOD -XQH WK 7XHVGD\ SP /XQFK ZLOO EH VHUYHG

5RERWLF 6XUJHU\ IRU +\VWHUHFWRP\ 'U 0RLVHV 9LUHOOHV -XQH VW 7XHVGD\ SP 5HIUHVKPHQWV ZLOO EH VHUYHG

5RERWLF 6XUJHU\ IRU )LEURLGV 3URODSVH 'U 6DPXHO )DO]RQH -XQH WK 0RQGD\ SP 5HIUHVKPHQWV ZLOO EH VHUYHG

6XPPHUWLPH 7KRXJK 'U 'DQLHO .UD -XQH WK :HGQHVGD\ 5HIUHVKPHQWV ZLOO EH VHUYHG $OO /HFWXUHV ZLOO EH KHOG DW 3DOPV :HVW +RVSLWDO LQ &ODVVURRP

3OHDVH 5693 \RXU DWWHQGDQFH WR

TKA’s 2010-11 Senior Prefect Council member s.

6RXWKHUQ %RXOHYDUG ‡ /R[DKDWFKHH )/ ZZZ 3DOPV:HVW+RVSLWDO FRP

Volunteer Coordinator Marni Alfest, Volunteer of the Year Tanya Thaw, Principal Scott Blake and PTA President Kristi Bomar.

Hawks Compete At PBAU Tourney Seminole Ridge High School math and science Hawks competed on Sunday, May 15 in the annual Palm Beach Atlantic University high school mathematics competition, using tablet computers to solve problems in algebra, trigonometry, statistics and calculus.

The SECME and Mu Alpha Theta teams scored within three points of one another and re-

ceived Best Buy gift cards as their reward.

The school congratulates SECME students Arnold Banner, Edwin Keo, Ronit Liberman, Caitlin Miller, Duncan Miller, Joe Pavicic and Yiro Shimabukuro, and Mu Alpha Theta participants Robyn Exclusa, Raquel Redondo, Summer Roque, Joe Swierzko-Vickers and Mitch Vasquez.

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

E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 19

SCHOOL NEWS

WPMS Honors Its Students Of The Month Western Pines Middle School Principal Robert Hatcher is proud to announce the school’s students of the month for April. These students, selected by their language arts teachers, have shown leadership and academic excellence throughout the school year.

Sixth-grade Student of the Month Nathalie Sutherland is an outstanding student and an upstanding citizen, according to her teachers. They view her as an inspiration to anyone who faces adversity. Throughout this year, Sutherland has shown courage, fortitude and resilience. Her positive attitude has gained her many friends and great respect.

The seventh-grade Student of the Month is Cassandra Ramroop, whose teachers say she is an im-

pressive student who stands out among her peers. Academically, she excels in every area and is an active participant in Western Pines’ Pre-Medical Science Academy. Not only is Ramroop always engaged in class by contributing to discussions with her high-level thinking, but her wholesome philosophy of life shines brightly in her interaction with others.

Kristian Frank is the eighthgrade Student of the Month and an all-around excellent student, according to her teachers. He has consistently been on the honor roll over the past three years at Western Pines. Frank has been involved in various clubs throughout his middle school years, including the yearbook club this year.

Reading Counts Million Words Read winners.

Reading Counts At New Horizons Students Of The Month — (L-R) Kristian Frank, Cassandra Ramroop and Nathalie Sutherland with Principal Rober t Hatcher.

Hands-On Science At Poinciana Day School

Poinciana Day School seventh- and eighth-grade students prepare to dissect frogs in science class.

Poinciana Day School middle school students recently had the opportunity to participate in some hands-on anatomy by dissecting frogs and sharks.

The students, under the guidance of science teacher Daniel Schaffer, watched a virtual dissection prior to performing their own dissection. Fifth- and sixth-grade students dissected sharks in groups. Seventh- and eighth-grade students each dissected their own frog.

The students, dressed in lab coats, goggles, masks and gloves, were very serious about this exciting lesson. “All students bene-

fit from hands-on instruction because it helps the subject come alive,” Poinciana Day School Head of School Ann Simone said.

“At Poinciana Day School, we include experiential learning whenever possible to heighten the students’ participation and retention of information in the learning process.”

Registration is now open for the 2011-12 school year. Special scholarships are available for incoming first- and third-grade students.

For more information, or to schedule a personal tour, call (561) 655-7323.

New Horizons Elementary School students participated this year in the Reading Counts program. The process involves students choosing a book, reading in their spare time, keeping track of the pages read and taking a computer-based test at school on the specific book read. Each year, including this year, students have read more pages than in previous years. Each month, students were challenged by their teachers to read as much as possible, with top readers in each class receiving Reading Counts medals provided by the New Horizons Reading Leadership Committee.

Goals for the most pages read are determined by grade levels.

First-grade student winners participated by reading 80,000 words; second-grade winners read 500,000 words; third-, fourth- and fifth-grade winners read one mil-

lion or more words. These champions each received a trophy, provided by the committee, and a Barnes & Noble gift card provided by the New Horizons PTA. Winners are as follows: firstgraders Samantha Jones, Alexander Wills, Julian Martinez, Katherine Garcia and Hunter Gore; second-graders Alexa Alvarez, Milan Jean-Louis and Kaitlyn Kol; and third-, fourth- and fifth-graders Anahi Cano, Mia Palomba, Bernard Scott, Javier Baliarda, Laine D’Orvilliers, Sarita Martinez, Pablo Estrada, Amaris Fairchild, Brandon Schloss, Kenneth Bowles, Christian Pope, Jonathan Hung, Rodrigo Gomez Morales, Veronica Garcia-Parra, David Wang, Diana Saenz, Zachary Eckstein, Beatriz Gonzalez and Santino Ramos, and the top winner of the contest with four million words, Caroline Camejo.

Page 20

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Eight To Be Honored At The Women Of Excellence Awards June 4 Dr. Julianne Malveaux, an accomplished economist, author and commentator, will be the keynote speaker at the Women of Excellence Awards Dinner held on June 4 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Recognition will be bestowed upon eight Palm Beach County women who have made a tremendous impact on the community, as well as a woman-led organization that has also served as an outstanding example for others to follow.

Presented by the West Palm Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the awards will be given in the areas of the arts, education, business executive, humanitarian, health and

wellness, social action and keeper of the torch, service by an organization. The most esteemed award within the alumnae chapter is the Fortitude Award, which will be given to an outstanding member of the sorority; and a Collegiate Fortitude Award will be given to a member from the local collegiate chapter of Florida Atlantic University (Xi Epsilon Chapter).

Malveaux is the 15th president of Bennett College for Women.

Recognized for her progressive and insightful observations, she has been described by Dr. Cornel West as “the most iconoclastic public intellectual in the country.”

Malveaux’s contributions to the

public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender and their economic impacts, are shaping public opinion in 21st-century America. Well-known for appearances on national network programs, Malveaux has hosted television and radio programs, and appeared as a commentator on networks including CNN, BET, PBS, NBC, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC and C-SPAN. She is an accomplished author and editor, having appeared in USA Today, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Ms. magazine, Essence magazine and The Progressive. Her most recent work is Surviving and Thriving: 365 Facts in Black Economic History.

This year’s distinguished hon-

orees are: Arts Award, Sonja M. Kelly, Founder of Divinity Dance; Business Executive Award, Denise Williams, owner of Mo’Betta Braids and Things; Education Award, Dr. Henrietta M. Smith, University of South Florida professor emerita; Humanitarian Award, Mami Hampton-Kisner, first lady of the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church; Health and Wellness Award, Renee Layman, Parent-Child Center vice president of clinical services; Social Action Award, Tequisha Y. Myles, Legal Aid Society attorney; Keeper of the Torch Award (Organization), Sojourners with Healing Hearts Inc.; Collegiate Fortitude Award, Collene

Wellington’s Cody Lagana To Travel Across Europe With People To People This summer, Wellington Landings Middle School seventh-grader Cody Lagana will be traveling to Europe with the People to People Leadership Forum.

Lagana has been a student ambassador with the People to People program since he was nominated by his fourth-grade teacher Brenda Collier at Binks Forest Elementary School.

Lagana was accepted for this honor based on outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential. He traveled in 2010 with the program to Washington, D.C. for a week to explore some of the United States’ most prominent monuments and institutions.

Lagana will be traveling on a Europe-

an Heritage Trip with a select group of students from the program. The group will travel to England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. This 18-day adventure begins June 18, and the student ambassadors will visit iconic locations and have unparalleled access to extraordinary people and places. They will experience other cultures, as well as share ours.

The organization promotes peace through understanding and has been around for over 50 years.

For more information about People to People Ambassador Programs, visit the organization’s web site at www.peopleto people.com.

Cody Lagana

O’Reilly, Florida Atlantic University student; and Fortitude Award, Freddie Long Calloway.

Corporate Sponsors are Nova Southeastern University, Palm Beach, Florida Power & Light, and the Center for Enterprise.

Tickets cost $75, payable to Delta Heritage Foundation. Proceeds will benefit the School America Literacy Project, Building Strong Families, the Youth Diversity and Multicultural Awareness Program as well as other programs sponsored by the West Palm Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and its Delta Heritage Foundation. For more info., call (561) 667-7883 or (561) 7581277.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux

Shibley Attends Taping Of ‘The Biggest Loser’ As winner of the MultiGrain Cheerios cereal “Be the Biggest Loser at Home” blogger contest, Wellington resident Colleen Shibley recently won a trip to Los Angeles to attend the taping of The Biggest Loser: Couples season finale Tuesday, May 24.

After submitting an original 200- to 300-word blog post describing how she plans to use MultiGrain Cheerios cereal and the features on the MultiGrain Cheerios web site to become her own “Biggest Loser,” Shibley was declared the MultiGrain Cheerios “Be the Biggest Loser at Home” winner.

To view Shibley’s winning blog entry, visit the post on her web site at www.

Colleen Shibley shibleysmiles.com/2011/02/i-am-endingour-relationship-multigrain.html.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 21

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

RPB Rotary Honors Officer Of The Quarter DUBOCQ RECEIVES FIRST On Thursday, May 12 the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club recognized Deputy Jared Garfield as the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Officer of the Quarter.

Garfield, a fourth-generation law enforcement officer, was assigned to the traffic-enforcement unit in January of this year and has made a great positive impact on the residents of Royal Palm Beach.

In addition to his regularly assigned duties, Garfield focuses on traffic safety and enforcement within the village. He takes it upon himself to become familiar with problematic traffic areas, and conducts proactive patrols in these areas in an attempt to reduce the

(Right) Capt. Paul Miles, Deputy Jared Garfield, Lt. Marcos Martinez and Chief Deputy Michael Gauger.

Caroline Fulton Excels In Young Readers Program Rosarian Academy fourth-grader Caroline Fulton outread her peers all across Florida in the Sunshine State Young Readers program.

The Wellington resident is the first fourth-grade student reported since 1983 to complete all of the 30 books on the program’s reading list. Fulton was rewarded with an ice cream party at the school where she received a special certificate from the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Association for Media in Education.

The Sunshine State Young Readers Award Program is a statewide reading motivation program for students in grades three to eight.

The program, co-sponsored by the School Library Media Services Office of the Department of Education and the Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME), was founded in 1983 to encourage students to read independently for personal satisfaction, based on interest rather than reading level.

Sunshine State books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections and/or multicultural

COMMUNION AT ST. RITA

number of accidents and parking infractions taking place within the village.

In addition to this enforcement, Garfield takes a zero-tolerance stance toward DUIs. This stance has led to his arrest of 12 DUI offenders in the past three months, preventing an unknown number of potential injuries and accidents.

Garfield also goes above and beyond in assisting his peers and in helping newer deputies acclimate, and he displays a true passion and dedication for his work.

LINDA SHELBY MOTHER’S DAY MASSAGE WINNER

Alexia Milagro Dubocq was among a group of children that received Fir st Holy Communion on May 1 at St. Rita Catholic Church in Wellington. Dubocq is 10 years old and is enrolled in the gifted program at Binks Forest Elementary School. She celebrated after the ceremony with family and friends at a pool party at her family’s home in Wellington.

Linda Shelby of Royal Palm Beach was the grand prize winner of Madison Green Golf Club’s Mother’s Day Massage promotion conducted as part of the Mother’s Day brunch served on May 8.

More than 100 moms were eligible for the random drawing that earned Shelby a day of pampering. Shown above is Shelby with Madison Green Golf Club General Manager Ron Miranda.

Caroline Fulton representation. Students are encouraged to read books that are above, on, and below their tested reading level in order to improve their reading fluency.

For more information about the Rosarian Academy, call (561) 832-5131 or visit www.rosarian. org.

Send Palms West People 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.

Weiss Graduates Stetson University Brittany Morgan Weiss graduated May 7 from Stetson University in DeLand, where she was awarded a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, with a major in communication studies and a minor in political science.

Weiss was president of Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society, judicial chair of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity for Women,

member of Phi Alpha Delta PreLaw Fraternity, and member of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society.

Weiss is the daughter of Cynthia and Alan Weiss of Wellington and graduated from Wellington High School in 2007.

She will be attending Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla. in the fall.

Sabat Completes Navy Basic Training Navy Seaman Recruit Steven Sabat, son of Heather Sabat of Winter Springs and Frank Sabat of Royal Palm Beach, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Sabat completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot

camp is “Battle Stations.� This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.

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

Sabat is a 2007 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.

8*/ " /&8 %0%(& $)"3(&3 ĹŠ 1MVT 9 1PJOUT t %PHT %SBGUT

10X POINTS

WEE KEN D CE LEB RAT ION

'3*%": .": t ".ĆŤ 1.

Earn an incredible 10X points for your play!

$1 HOT DOGS & $1 DRAFT BEER

4"563%": .": t /00/ĆŤ 1.

Fill up for just a buck at The Wrecking Bar (While supplies last)

RED WHITE & BLUE CHARGER GIVEAWAY 46/%": .": t 1.ĆŤ 1.

Win a 2011 Dodge Charger or your share of $10,000 in cash & prizes!

*Vehicle in image is not actual vehicle.

5550 NW 40th St, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 t TFNJOPMFDPDPOVUDSFFLDBTJOP DPN Must be 21 or older. Details at Seminole Player’s Club. Management reserves the right to change or cancel event/promotion at any time. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-888-ADMIT -IT.

FOLLOW US ON

Page 22

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

NEWS

County Expert: Impact Of Growth Management Changes Unclear

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Growth management had a sweeping year in the Florida Legislature, according to Palm Beach County Legislative Affairs Director Todd Bonlarron, who gave a speech on the past legislative session at the monthly community forum hosted by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria on Wednesday, May 18.

Other speakers included Joanne Davis with 1000 Friends of Florida and State Rep. Mark Pafford (D-District 88).

“This was really a monumental year from a growth management perspective, whether you were an environmentalist, a businessperson, a developer or a local government, and it meant something different to every one of those different constituencies,” Bonlarron said.

He explained that to an environmentalist, it meant dangers created. To a businessperson or developer, it meant ease in creating jobs, growth and development.

However, Davis disputed

RPB Council

Changing State Rules

continued from page 4 force growth management rules and regulations, and it’s going to be a completely different situation.

If anyone remembers what it was like circa 1980, that’s pretty much where we are right now.”

Village Manager Ray Liggins said his staff will look at the new rules as to how they affect the village’s planning department and what it does with land use and zoning changes. “We’ll also look at it as to how it affects our services affected by things outside our village,” Liggins said, explaining that the village has often used rules in the Growth Management Act to protect its roads and other services village residents use that

Campus

Gov. Could Veto Money

continued from page 1 acre property. They said the remaining 22 acres would be developed. The owners of that land have been negotiating development proposals with Palm Beach County, and more recently the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, for several years.

McDonald noted that the Simon property has land use changes applied for that would allow a college campus.

The Callery-Judge property would need significant road improvements and other site work, she said. “The sentiment was that

Wind Farm

Economic Benefit

continued from page 3 dors,” Saiz said, noting that the economic impact would be spread around.

For example, from just one crane vendor working on installing 100 megawatts of capacity, he said, the workers would spend an estimated $2.5 million in the western communities on lodging, food

Letters continued from page 4 Not the aggressor in a huge oil grab. Where is the press? Where is the opposition? Where are the protests?

Whether we’re there in an effort to grab territory influencing the flow of oil in our direction, empire building, seeding democracy or curbing the tide of terrorism, our administration has not defined to the American people our presence as an invasion force.

Neither have they delineated a definition or strategy for victory.

Our leaders’ actions are antithetical to what most of us were taught as core American values and are draining the American budget, preventing domestic investments to ensure the safety and growth of our own society.

What did it take to spark the people of Egypt to overthrow their government? Was it the presence of a non-representative and corrupt government, joblessness, no access to healthcare or a failing infrastructure? Our government and press applauded the actions of the Egyptian youth to rise against autocratic rule and shape their own democratic destiny. Shouldn’t these events be a harbinger of events which could (and perhaps should) occur in this country? If they did occur here, I am certain they would be met with the full force of the National Guard (as they were during protests against the Vietnam War and Kent State), not the laurels that we have bestowed upon the Egyptian youth.

whether easing the application process would create jobs. She noted that 1000 Friends of Florida was created in 1985 as a statewide growth management watchdog.

“Some of the associated things we do with growth management are to take a look at the balance [in] a community’s livability — Is transportation available? Are natural resources protected? Is our water supply safe and clean and protected? Is there equity for the very young, the very old, disabled folks and all races, creeds, colors and nationalities?”

Davis read from a 15-page summary of actions taken during the session that she said compromise transportation, roadways and concurrency.

Before this session, developers were required to assess what types of impacts their projects would have on communities’ infrastructure, such as roads and schools.

“They were required to put money into building schools or improving schools already in the district, along with the roads, also

parks,” Davis said. “They were required to make sure when they were planning their development that they had enough land or could pay into a fund that would provide land for the citizens they were going to bring into the community. That went away. This is probably one of the most egregious things that happened in the legislative session in the name of creating jobs. There is no causal reason why gutting the Growth Management Act and other important acts and rules will do anything to create jobs.”

Davis pointed out that more than 1.5 million homes in Florida are vacant and an additional 1 million homes have already been authorized. “There is no shortage of homes,” she said. “Growth management rules are not the reason these homes are empty, and here we are, gutting the rules.”

She said comp plan requirements for local governments to show that development plans are feasible have been removed, as well as regulations to promote more compact, energy-efficient

communities. “Get ready to spend more money on gas,” Davis said.

She added that tracking development applications will be more difficult for environmental groups, because they can be submitted to governmental bodies at any time, as opposed to twice a year in transmittal hearings.

Bonlarron said local governments are caught in the middle with the new rules.

“One of the issues is dealing with the comprehensive plan process,” Bonlarron said. “Right now, there are two times a year when the comprehensive plan is reviewed and amended. Under the new laws that were put forth, that can be unlimited, and those changes could happen at any time.”

The change will allow more flexibility locally, he said, but complicate the job of government watchers because the applications will become more difficult to follow.

Another issue to be addressed is the elimination of concurrency from a statewide perspective.

may not be physically within the village.

In other business: • Mayor Matty Mattioli read a letter from County Commissioner Jess Santamaria asking for council support for financing the inspector general’s office through vendor fees, rather than from taxpayers as the situation stands now.

The letter pointed out that funding for the office originally had been based on a 0.25 percent fee that would be written into vendors’ contracts, based on the MiamiDade County model that the inspector general ordinance had been based on. That model was subsequently changed to charge the fee from general revenue funds of the county and the municipalities because the cost of $500,000 to reprogram computers was deemed too expensive, according to the letter.

“Now, instead of getting onequarter of 1 percent in profit from the vendors as has been done in Miami-Dade for 13 years, it will be charged to the taxpayers of Palm Beach County and the 38 municipalities,” Santamaria said.

“The $500,000 estimated cost to reprogram computers could be easily recouped if it were looked upon as a loan to be repaid from the 0.25 percent contractor fee.”

The cost of the inspector general should be paid by a small percentage of the profit of vendors doing government business, not by the taxpayers, Santamaria wrote. “This has worked in Miami-Dade County for 13 years,” he continued. “Why is Palm Beach County reinventing the wheel? Palm Beach County taxpayers must demand that we follow the Miami-Dade County model.”

• During council member reports, Swift asked about progress of road construction on Ponce de Leon Street at Royal Palm Beach Blvd., which had been slow due to construction complications.

Swift had asked about the project at a previous meeting after residents complained to him about how long it was taking. “I’m pleased to see we’re making progress there,” Swift said, asking if June 4 was still the projected deadline.

Village Engineer Chris Marsh said June 4 is still the date on paper but that it would probably not be done by then. “We’re thinking 30 days beyond that,” Marsh said.

However, the corner of La Mancha Avenue and Royal Palm Beach Blvd., which has been the most congested due to the work, will probably be done sooner, Marsh said.

these are not apple-to-apple comparisons when you look at property,” McDonald said. “There are some pros and cons of each one.”

Both of the owners noted that future growth is likely to be in the Acreage/Loxahatchee area and further west, not the more developed Wellington and Royal Palm Beach. The Simon family noted that their property is located on Southern Blvd., a major roadway.

“The board decided not to make a decision,” McDonald said. “It was a workshop for them to explore the sites of the property owners that completed the questionnaire.”

McDonald noted that purchasing the land is not the college’s ideal situation. “There is money in the state budget for this project,

not for a land purchase, but for building,” she said, noting that the $7.3 million in this year’s budget is still subject to a veto by Gov. Rick Scott. “I don’t know what the governor’s plans are as far as what he is actually going to cut. He has announced there are a lot of things he is going to cut… so everyone is waiting and watching to see what he does.”

The board of trustees could meet again as early as Tuesday, May 31 to review prospective properties further, McDonald said.

However, that meeting may be postponed until after Gov. Scott finalizes next year’s budget.

Roberts noted that his property would not require as much work as some have suggested.

“This is a permitted use in our

agricultural enclave,” Roberts said. “It’s a short, simple process.

It will bring classes and teaching a lot closer to the western communities area than what it is now in Lake Worth, and it would be done where it isn’t next to houses… I think that’s a good place for it, across from the shopping center and just north of the high school.”

Roberts said he felt it is significant that Callery-Judge is offering the land for free so that the college could use those development dollars to create more construction jobs, build a college campus and employ people more quickly.

“Clearly, there is a need for more jobs in this area, and obviously, we have a sufficient amount of land to do that,” Roberts said.

and services during construction.

The other new energy plant will be located in eastern Hillsborough County, on a 3,000-acre former phosphate mine site on State Road 60 between Valrico and Plant City, east of Tampa. The land is now being reclaimed and leveled in preparation for construction of the Infinitus Renewable Energy Park.

Wetlands mitigation work is also underway.

Kyle Mowitz, president of Imperium Development Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, which will develop

and operate the park, described the ambitious, nearly $600 million plan for conference attendees. He said it will begin with a 150-megawatt waste-to-energy installation, in which all recyclable glass and metals will first be removed from household waste. The remainder will then be burned along with agricultural wastes known as biomass via semi-suspension combustion and made into a synthetic gas that can be converted into electricity or fuel.

Byproducts such as nitrogen,

waste heat and water, and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide will be reused, Mowitz said, in a hydroponic growing system that will produce about 60 million pounds of tomatoes per year and in a fish farm that will produce from 4 million to 6 million pounds of tilapia and striped bass annually. Fish waste will also be used to fertilize the tomatoes. The plant eventually will also use biofuels produced from algae. The park also will include a 700-acre industrial, research, educational, hotel and retail component.

What’s the point of government if it isn’t in place to promote the common good and certain inalienable rights such as access to healthcare and food? When did our country stop caring for those who can’t take care of themselves?

Social Security is the only retirement plan millions of Americans have ever counted on. Yet our politicians find it easier to discuss depriving our elderly from sustenance and make no suggestions about cuts to war funding...

Corruption in our government appears to be widespread and ignored. Lobbying ensures that the American people get the best government “money can buy.” How have we permitted this to have replaced the very core of our democratic process? We are no longer government of the people, by the people and for the people, but government for and of the corporate intent. I don’t know why our government chose to bail out the perpetrators of our current financial crisis and do virtually nothing for the victims (the people they serve).

Actually, the people who created and oversaw the financial debacle unfold are some of the same people that President Obama has placed to oversee the recovery. As long as the profiteers are supervising the process, middle- and lower-income individuals are going to bear the brunt of the recovery while the rich get richer.

Meanwhile, corporations continue to receive tax breaks while shipping valuable jobs overseas.

Local governments and taxing

authorities are asking their constituents to do with fewer governmental services while taxation continues to escalate. I can’t see a more hypocritical standard. Furthermore, how can a corporation perpetrate the largest Medicare/ Medicaid fraud in the history of this country while its CEO escapes deposition and still gets elected governor of Florida? While the average person would probably be sitting in a jail cell somewhere for a much lesser offense, the Florida governor has somehow escaped accountability for his involvement in a billion-dollar fraud against the American people, all with the silent dismissal of our press. Meanwhile, like our federal government, Gov. Scott continues his fiscal cuts to the programs in Florida which benefit teachers, police, firefighters and those programs which generate jobs (and revenue) for the people of Florida (such as the high-speed rail project). I’m not sure who he’s working for, but it doesn’t appear to be the people of Florida.

How much are the American people going to take before they are sparked to action to right the wrongs that have silently pervaded our government, society, ethics and our way of doing business?

Perhaps everyone is too busy watching Charlie Sheen, Donald Trump and Dancing With the Stars instead of the events that are affecting their daily lives and shaping their future.

Dr. Lawrence Grayhills Wellington

“Traffic concurrency is something that I think we in Palm Beach County take a lot of pride in, as far as making sure that before we develop and grow in a particular area, we have the infrastructure in place,” Bonlarron said.

While the state has eliminated the need for concurrency, it has not excluded local governments from continuing to impose its own standards. “I don’t believe that is something our county is looking to change, but we’ll see as time goes on,” Bonlarron said, adding that whether the statewide changes are good or bad remains to be seen.

The Florida Department of Community Affairs, which reviews comp plans and amendments, will become part of a new department to focus on economic growth in Florida, Bonlarron said.

Pafford said switching the burden of proof for a development application from the developer to any challenger to show that it is detrimental was one of the most

Donuts

Longer Hours

continued from page 1 throughout the day. “It would have been considerably louder than the speaker we will have here,” he said.

Councilman Howard Coates noted that the residences to the south are two-story. He was concerned about the buffer being large enough to block sound. “That’s superior to what is on the site right now?” he asked.

Miller said that currently the trees between the two sites are exotic trees and would have to be removed under Wellington code.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said that the current buffer is made of trees that can cause a hazard in a storm.

“What you’re putting in is a live oak,” she said. “It’s going to be something that has long-term canopy growth and will add to the buffer.”

Miller said that at planting, the buffer will be 19 feet and should obscure the view from the second story.

Additionally, delivery hours will be limited to the hours of operation, and all trucks would park on the north side of the restaurant, away from the homes.

Blotter continued from page 6 There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 24 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home in the Greenview Shores community Tuesday afternoon regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., someone entered the victim’s home and stole an Xbox gaming system, a Magnavox television and a Sony Playstation. The stolen items were valued at approximately $730. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

MAY 24 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested late Tuesday night on charges of drunken driving following a traffic stop on Southern Blvd. Ac-

significant things done during the session. “Unfortunately, we’re going to move ahead without that burden of proof being on the right party,” Pafford said.

Bonlarron said one of the legislative victories for Palm Beach County was passage of statutes intended to control pain management clinics.

“We’ve always recognized that there is a legitimate need for these pain clinics, but we have basically become sort of a rogue portion of America where individuals fly in, get their prescription drugs filled, and next thing you know they’re peddling to our kids on the streets throughout America, and making a tremendous amount of profit,” Bonlarron said. “We think that some of the sweeping laws and changes are actually going to contribute to helping us close down these illegal pain clinics that we’re seeing popping up.”

Bonlarron commended Attorney General Pam Bondi and recently appointed drug czar Dave Aronberg on their work in that area.

Mayor Darell Bowen said he felt that the restaurant was a better and less noisy option than the gas station had been.

“I feel that this is a better alternative than what we had there before,” he said. “I remember the service station very well, and it was loud at all hours.”

The council voted 4-0 to approve the project, with Vice Mayor Matt Willhite absent.

In other business, the council extended its pain clinic moratorium until July 1, when the state’s regulations roll out.

Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz recommended that the council amend the ordinance to cover the time when Wellington’s current moratorium sunsets and the state regulations become law.

“The law is to be effective on July 1,” he said.

Additionally, he noted that the council had discussed that it wanted an amendment to revoke the village’s role in pain management regulation.

Coates said he wanted the law to sunset in order to “avoid using land development codes to regulate something that should be controlled by the state.”

“We’re comfortable that the law that will go into place will be adequate to protect us,” he said.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the ordinance. cording to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was on patrol when he observed 58-year-old Larry Dennard driving eastbound on Southern Blvd. in the westbound lane. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with Dennard. After administering roadside tasks, Dennard was arrested and taken to the county jail.

MAY 25 — A resident of Farmington Estates called the PBSO substation in Wellington early Wednesday morning to report an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 3:30 a.m., someone smashed the windows on two of the victim’s vehicles in the driveway. A flashlight and wooden handle were found at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 23

Page 24

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Rescuing A Stuck Horse A Task Requiring Expertise

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue has helped horses stuck in mud, ponds, fences and other difficult places, with a good success rate.

Should your horse end up in a similar situation, rescue should be left up to professionals with specialized eq uipment and trained in the right techniques. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 27

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 25

Wellington Wolves Gear Up For Summer Travel

The Wellington Wolves Travel Basketball Association teams have had a winning season, culminating this summer when the majority of age groups will travel to compete among top talent in the national championship. The Wellington Wolves fosters basketball among the top talent in the area. Page 41

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business Personalized Care, Warm Atmosphere Found At Hair I Am Salon In The Acreage

Hair I Am owner Jennine Jones is enjoying much success these days. Her home salon business has taken off and created a following since opening in January. Hair I Am is a beauty salon with its main services being hair coloring, cutting and styling.

Additional services include e yebrow w axing and keratin treatments. Jones aimed to create an atmosphere that is warm and inviting. Page 45

Sports Wolverines Fall To King’s Academy In Spring Football

The Wellington High School varsity football team fell to the King’s Academy 48-7 in the Spring Football Classic May 19 at TKA. In a matchup that saw the Wolverines commit seven fouls to the Lions’ two, WHS struggled early and fell apart in the second half. Page 41

THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES .......................27-28 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ..................... 33 COMMUNITY CALENDAR .....................36-37 SPORTS & RECREATION ......................41-44 BUSINESS NEWS .................................45-57 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 48-53

Page 26

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Ma y 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 27

FEATURES

Rescuing A Stuck Horse A Challenge Requiring Expertise Darcy Murray of Loxahatchee Groves knew that Momma was old. She’d had the 30-year-old Quarter Horse for 20 years, after having taken her in as a rescue after Hurricane Andrew. She even sort of had a plan... just in case.

“Momma was my first horse, my buddy,” Darcy said. “We rode a lot of trails together.

She loved Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies.”

Momma was fine, running around the pasture Saturday night. Sunday morning, April 10, Darcy’s neighbor spotted the sorrel horse lying in the pond, still alive but unable to stand.

“It wasn’t quite 8,” Darcy recalled. “I called 911 and our vet. My husband Michael jumped into the pond to hold Momma’s head up above the water.”

In no time, all sorts of help had arrived: the vet, Animal Care & Control, a crew of firerescue specialists. They attached a harness to Momma and, using a neighbor’s brush truck as an anchor point, lifted her out of the pond.

“The vet said all of her vital signs were good, but she wasn’t able to get up,” Darcy said. “They tried everything, but she was just too old and exhausted. At 10:30, we made the choice to end her suffering and euthanize her. I was glad I was with her at the end. I have nothing but high praise for everyone who came and helped.”

However, Darcy was not able to carry out her plan.

“Even though I’d sort of had a plan, I was an emotional wreck. I was going to bury her

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg out back and plant a garden, but someone told me it was illegal,” Darcy said. “I couldn’t watch them drag her away and put her on the truck. I didn’t want to know where they took her. I wish I’d kept a piece of her tail to make into jewelry.”

District 2 Chief Robin Herring of Fire Station 21, Special Operations, was there that morning. “The horse was submerged in the pond with just her nose sticking out,” he said.

“She was exhausted. We didn’t know how long she’d been struggling. Once she was out, we got her up several times, but she had no strength and couldn’t stand.”

Herring has been with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue for 17 years and has been district chief for the past four. He’s proud of his staff’s ability to help with large animal rescue. They have specialized equipment and are trained in a variety of techniques, including high-angle and small-space rescue. “We always try to do it right.”

Herring recalls one memorable horse rescue eight years ago in Little Ranches, when a horse fell into a septic tank.

“We were there seven hours, all night,” he said. “The horse had already been in the tank for two hours when we arrived. It was a 4- by 8-foot tank, full, of course.

The horse had broken through a lid. Its front feet were out, but his back end was in. The vet sedated him; we had FP&L cut the power; we had the septic tank pumped out. There were thousands of roaches scuttling over everything, but it was successful, and we got that horse out.”

Capt. Houston Park is with Station 34, Battalion 9, Special Operations. He’s been with the department for 20 years and has been captain the past four. His station has held the large animal rescue training sessions, focusing on horses since there are so many in the area. “Horses are very creative,” he said. “We’ve helped horses stuck in the mud, in ponds, in fences, in a culvert pipe, in overturned trailers. Our success rate is pretty good. The training has really helped us know what to do Darcy Murray with her late horse Momma. and how to do it so no one gets hurt. All horse owners should have an emer- responsible person with emergency numbers gency plan, and the first step is contacting in case they’re out of town and something their vet, then 911, then Animal Care & Con- happens. Being prepared can save lives.” trol, and mention that it’s a large animal resTom Cook is a member of Station 34. He’s cue. They should also provide a designated See ROSENBERG, page 28

Page 28 May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

FEATURES

I’m Spending My Springtime Making Halloween Crafts My husband Mark walked innocently into the kitchen last night, only to be met by a naked plastic baby doll, upside down with its head in a bucket, its legs sticking up in the air, anchored in place by a pair of salad tongs and a rubber band.

“Now that is interesting,” he said, reaching into the refrigerator. He used to freak out at the simplest thing, but he’s become jaded over the years. Thank goodness.

“Is it... Voodoo?” he asked.

I looked at him hard before I answered.

Sometimes I think he doesn’t know me at all.

“Yes, it’s Voodoo. While you’re at the office, I’m home here shaking gourd rattles and sacrificing chickens. Don’t be ridiculous. It’s a Halloween craft project.”

“Uh-huh. You do realize it’s only Memorial Day.” “I wasn’t sure how many attempts it would take.”

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER “What is it?” he asked, reaching over to wiggle the doll’s foot.

“Don’t touch it!” I screamed. “It’s setting up. It’s a rubber cast of a doll’s head. When it sets, I can make as many plaster doll heads as I want.”

“How many do you want?” he asked, tentatively.

“I’m hoping for seven.”

“But you’re not making Voodoo dolls.”

He seemed to want clarification and reassurance on this, but I snapped, “Voodoo

dolls have cloth heads! You have to be able to stick the pins in! Honestly, what you don’t know about Voodoo could fill a book.”

“I never considered that a character flaw until now,” he said. “Why don’t you just explain what you’re doing?”

So I told him about the fabulous store I visited in Kansas City, gone now, that decorated for Halloween without using the color orange. Everything was black, white or driftwood-colored. There were crows and vultures everywhere. There were paperback murder mysteries with the covers torn off, stacked in piles 3 or 4 feet high. There was gauzy white fabric draped from the tops of ladders and a huge canvas tent erected in the center of the room with crazy sideshow banners hanging from the ceiling. There was a jar full of plastic hypodermic needles that turned out to be ballpoint pens. And, at the front of the store, there was a display bowl containing an assortment

of decorative plaster balls on a bed of excelsior — except, upon closer inspection, the balls weren’t balls at all but plaster doll heads. So creepy!

“But they were really expensive so I decided to make my own,” I said. “I’m thinking of putting mine in a pharmacy jar with a bunch of black feathers.”

“How much has this project cost you so far, in materials?” Mark asked.

“Twmnnfphh,” I mumbled.

“What did you say?”

“25 bucks.”

“For one head,” he said. “Not counting the pharmacy jar or the feathers or the inevitable repairs to our kitchen sink.”

“What?”

“Don’t pour anything down the sink, that’s all I’m asking.”

Sigh. Sometimes Mark doesn’t give me enough credit. I already figured that out when the garbage disposal quit working.

New ‘Pirates’ Movie Is Amusing, But Far From Original The biggest problem of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is that it is also Pirates IV. In other words, we have visited the world of Captain Jack Sparrow three previous times and are back for another visit. The film will make a lot of money. It has a built-in audience base, and chances are it may earn close to $100 million in its first weekend, although it may have to fight some word of mouth that is less than fully complimentary.

Is it worth your hard-earned dollars? Johnny Depp plays the same warmly wicked Captain Jack that he played three times before. It was wild fun watching him sashay around a ship the first time and less fun each subsequent voyage. If you like, really like, Depp, you will enjoy the film. Of course, there is the problem that you have seen him play this character before and he never seems to change.

For watchers who are not female, Penélope Cruz as Angelica is on hand as a sort of balance weight. She is, as is usual in these kinds of films, not exactly his friend, not exactly his enemy, although the film does show them doing more than a bit of bonding — and not just discussions about methods for applying the heavy layers of eye liner they both wear.

Rosenberg

Horse Rescue

continued from page 27 the “horse rescuer extraordinaire,” and most of the special equipment used to rescue horses was bought by him personally and donated to the cause. He’s been with the department for 30 years.

“We have a lot of horses in Palm Beach County. I saw a need for the horse-rescue training,” he said. “I’m a horse owner. My heart was there.”

Cook said people from all over South Florida attended the training classes. The equipment ranges from a truck with a winch, to pulleys, straps, ropes, hobbles, a spreader bar, a boat hook to safely move ropes around a downed horse, an air compressor with a long plastic pipe to

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler The obvious plan is to present two attractive people who are not able to trust each other but certainly show some desire and, under it all, perhaps some love. They almost manage to pull it off.

The plot is a muddled mess. I have often criticized films, particularly blockbusters, for not really having much in the way of plotting.

Or character development. This film suffers from both. Everyone seems to be searching for the Fountain of Youth. There are three separate groups: the Spanish; the British, led by Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Sparrow’s old enemy; and Blackbeard (Ian McShane), who uses magic to control his ship and a lot of his men.

Blackbeard’s two major weaknesses are love for his daughter, Angelica, and a prophecy

help free a horse from viscous mud, a cane to safely manipulate a horse’s legs, halters, lead ropes, a fly mask and towel to protect a horse’s eyes, pruning shears, bolt cutters, plastic trowels and a plastic shovel (lightweight that won’t cut a horse) — and amazingly, most of this fits into one plastic tote box.

“It’s all together in one place,” Cook explained. “When it’s needed, it’s all there and easy to transport. People think firemen are crazy.

Yes, we are. But helping out is fun.”

Cook is retiring this year, but his horse-saving tote will stay at the station. There’s one more piece of equipment he wishes they had: a Rescue Glide. It’s a thick piece of plastic, 4 by 8 feet, that slides easily across rough terrain.

“We could easily drag a horse to

that he will be killed by a one-legged man, obviously Barbossa. Most of the picture focuses on the rivalry between Blackbeard and Barbossa, reflected in the relationship between Sparrow and Angelica. Along the way, there are a handful of special effects (don’t bother with the more expensive 3D version of the film; there are not enough special effects to make it really special) and a lot of clever quips that attempt to cover up the lack of a real story.

All of the Pirates movies attempt to give the feel of a roller coaster, not surprising since the whole franchise is actually based on a Disney ride. But to do that, a film has to keep moving constantly. As soon as it comes to rest, the audience may notice that there is not much character development and that most of the sub-plots are more or less meaningless.

In this picture, there is an extra love story between Philip, a young religious man (Sam Claflin) imprisoned by Blackbeard, and young mermaid Syrena (Astrid Berges-Frisbey). Of course, to make things more interesting, in this film, mermaids have a strong streak of vampire in them, killing and then feeding off sailors. Probably the best sequence of the

movie is the fight between the sailors and mermaids. And that takes place in the dark.

Despite the creakiness of the plot, however — and the fact that probably most of the really great action sequence ideas were done in the first (excellent) movie, the second (decent) and the third (almost pitiful) one — the film is pretty good. The quips, particularly for an audience that already enjoys the characters, work pretty well. The romance is played for all its worth, greatly assisted by the very charismatic stars.

Depp has played Sparrow for so long that he slides into the most ridiculous elements of it with few problems. Paired with Cruz, who is one of the most beautiful of Spanish women, they become eye candy, although they do carry off their very weird relationship.

There are a few interesting twists at the end where director Rob Marshall and the committee of writers (the fact that more than a halfdozen are credited may explain why the plot is messy) try to deal with some interesting moral issues, but they do not ruin the mood of the reasonably good summer movie. Notice: good, not great.

Tom Cook (left) with some of the horse-rescue equipment he uses (right). safety on one of those, but it costs ing to donate so we can add that to If you would like to donate toabout $1,000,” Cook sighed. “Who our tools. It could save a horse’s life ward the purchase of a Rescue Glide, knows? Maybe someone will be will- one day.” call Park at (561) 790-6051.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 29

Page 30 May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

• ACADEMY F OR CHILD ENRICHMENT — In the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Academy for Child Enrichment offers free VPK. Infants through after school day and night care, 6:30 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. Meals included. Se habla Español. Special rates for fall registration. Visit www.smallworldpbc.com for more info. The academy is located at 700 Camellia Dr., RPB. Phone: (561) 798-3458. Fax: (561) 793-6995.

•LOXAHATCHEE COUNTRY PRESCHOOL — Loxahatchee Country Preschool at 16245 Okeechobee Blvd. has been serving the area for more than 20 years. It is Apple and Gold Seal accredited. Owners Anita and Frank Rizzo purchased the school in 1998. They introduced educational diversity into the curriculum. A Quality Counts School for 21 years! The school tuition includes Spanish lessons, gymnastics, computer and swimming lessons. Their method of self-paced discovery recognizes that all children do not mature and develop at the same rate. They striv e to achiev e a feeling of self-esteem through per sonal discover y and accom plishment. The non-sectarian philosophy promo tes social development through understanding diversity and appreciation of cultural dif ferences. Snacks are included in the tuition price. For more info., call (561) 790-1780.

•NOAH’S ARK — Noah’s Ark is located on Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves. They of fer free VPK, low rates and special registration for fall. They offer care for infants and preschool children as well as after-school care. Se habla Español. Noah’s Ark is conveniently locat ed at 14563 Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves elementary schools. Call (561) 753-6624 for more info.

•SACRED HEART SCHOOL — Sacred Heart is committed to cultiv ating the intellectual, creative, social, moral and spiritual needs of each student. They provide students with an environment that will challenge and encourage them to reach their potential, preparing them for the competitive nature of the w orld. Sacred Heart’s bask etball, soccer and softball teams consistently rank in the top three in the league; the marching, concert and jazz bands have taken top honor s locally and in statewide competitions; their Odysse y of the Mind teams have placed in the top five at the state level. Sacred Heart School will prepare your child for lif e… with love! For more info., call (561) 582-2242 or visit www.sacredheartschoollak eworth.com.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

• ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL — St. David’s is a small Christian school located at the northwest corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. Their mission is to minister t o each child and family by providing an environment of love, security, belonging and learning. They are committed to low student-teacher ratios (Kindergar ten and fir st grade never have more than 12 students per teacher). A combination of the A Beka and Creative curriculums is used for all students ages two and a half through f irst grade. The combined curriculum allows for teaming through student play and exploration, along with the use of workbooks and teacherguided activities. Visit www.stdavidsepiscopalschool.com or call (561) 793-1272 for info.

• THE LEARNING FOUNDATION — The Learning Foundation is a private school located in Royal Palm Beach. The academic program f ocuses on the diverse needs of students. The program, for third through 12th graders, helps build a student’s self-esteem in order for them to achieve their academic goals. Elementary and middle school hours are Monda y through Friday, 8:30 a.m. t o 2 p.m. with before and after care service available. High school hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; students are required to attend 5 hours each day. The Learning Foundation’s motto “Teaching our Youth How t o Learn” is intergraded into every lesson. For more information, call (561) 795-6886.

• THE LITTLE PLACE PRESCHOOL — The Little Place Preschool has served the western communities for more than 33 years. There are two convenient W ellington locations now taking fall registrations. The Little Place offers preschool programs for ages one through five, of fering full-day and half-day programs, and school-aged programs are offered for ages 6 through 8. Named “Best of the West” for tw o years. Contact the Little Place at 1040 Wellington Trace at (561) 793-5860, or 2995 Greenbriar Blvd. at (561) 790-0808.

• ST. ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL — St. Ann Catholic School opened as the first parochial school in Palm Beach County on Sept. 24, 1923. The school served students in Kindergar ten through grade 12 until 1960 when the high school was transferred to Cardinal Newman High School.

St. Ann School continues to ser ve the West Palm Beach area. As the school approaches its 88th bir thday, they celebrate their status as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for both the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Primary Years Programme (PYP). St. Ann School is proud to have been the fir st Catholic school in the nation to of fer both IB programs!

St. Ann Catholic School is located at 324 N. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 832-3676.

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 31

Page 32

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 33

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

WPB Antiques Festival Wraps Up Regular Season June 3-5 The next West Palm Beach Antiques Festival show will take place Friday through Sunday, June 3-5. It will be the last of the regular-season of three-day shows before the summer schedule of two-day shows begins in July.

Festival owners Kay and Bill Puchstein reported another sold-out house for the May 6-8 show with Florida dealers having an especially good weekend. It is no longer necessary to leave the state to find rare and outstanding antiques. The Friday event had some rain, but it was long gone by Saturday and Sun-

A cir ca 1930s wall box offered by Larry Roberts.

day, and sunny South Florida put on its best display for the record crowds on hand to enjoy it.

Len Bartkowiak of Fort Meyers, a dealer in specialty smalls, reported selling over $100,000 worth of ivory on Friday to get the weekend off to good start with other dealers following the lead.

Greg Biaggi took a minimalist approach to the festival, bringing only a very small number of artfully restored pieces to each event. This time he sold a 1948 5-cent CocaCola machine for $6,800 and two slot machines, leaving him with only a 1953 10-cent Coca-Cola vending machine left in his inventory.

Micanopy dealer Larry Roberts of fered a hanging wall box with drawers acquired over 30 years ago at Brimfield for $875. James Holmes of Wellington had a child’s-size period Hepplewhite chest with an old refinish and a good price of $795; he also had good movement on many of his modernist pieces.

Other Florida dealers reporting a good outing included Pete Hahn of Wilton Manors, who always has a great selection of books and decorator items at every show, Deborah Gentile of Boca Raton, with her stacks of vintage suitcases along with her wonderful display of linens and fabrics, and Elizabeth Bar-

This Boone kitchen cabine t has three lifting doors with slats. tholomew of Juno Beach, who set up in the lobby of the expo building. She was chosen Dealer of the Month for her inventory of handwoven Oriental clothing and accessories.

The summer season kicks off the two-day shows with the July 2-3 event. The format for the entire summer season will be Saturday and Sunday instead of the normal threeday event during the regular season.

Summer show dates will be July 23, Aug. 6-7, Sept. 3-4 and Oct. 1-2,

Greg Biaggi’s 10-cent and 5-cent Coca-Cola vending machines. with a full day of setup for dealers from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each Friday before the show. 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. Saturday before the regular show opening time of 10 a.m.

West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is held the first full weekend of every month at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Show hours are noon

to 5 p.m. Friday, June 3; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 4; and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 5. Daily admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and free for anyone 12 and under. Early buyers admission on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon costs $25 and is good for all three days. There is no charge for parking at the fairgrounds. 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.

Phantoms Visit Russell’s Blue Water Grill In P.B. Gardens Celebrity chef Charles Coe of the popular reality television show Catch Clean Cook, with his friend and business partner Russell Beverstein, recently opened an exciting new eatery, Russell’s Blue Water Grill in Palm Beach Gardens. This warm and inviting eatery is already the talk of the Palm Beaches, as the hip new place to go.

The atmosphere is casual and inviting, with plenty of wood, stone, greenery and tile. Diners can choose from comfy leather booths or nicely spaced tables in the dining room, or sit at their great meeting bar as well as the chef’s counter at the edge of the kitchen. The open kitchen, framed with copper and aqua tile, provides diners with a view of the culinary action. Coe and Beverstein, along with their staffers, ensure that diners always feel welcome. They are also dedicated to serving sublime food and refreshing libations at prices that are easy on the wallet.

It is not often that you can enjoy the culinary talents of a celebrity chef who actually prepares your food. In addition to running a restaurant, this extremely talented chef just launched Catch Clean Cook, a reality television show airing on the Lifetime Real Women network and the Pursuit Channel in which the cast goes on the water to visit beautiful destinations, meeting the locals along the way.

During their trip, experienced divers compete for that evening’s meal, bring their catch to Coe, who then uses his culinary talent to cre-

ate an array of delectable dishes. To pair with this fantastic meal, a bar chef whips up creative cocktails or finds a fine wine to complement the dish. The show airs on the Lifetime Real Women network on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10 a.m., and on the Pursuit Channel from 10 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday evenings and 1 to 2 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

There are fewer than 25 items on the menu, and there is pretty much something for everyone. Start your meal with two delicious soups: cognac lobster bisque ($7.95) or smoked French onion ($5.95), or order the excellent ahi tuna tartar ($12.95) or the shitake duck spring rolls ($12.95) — all of which will set the mood for an outstanding evening.

Blue Water Grill’s coconut curry snapper ($20.95), as seen on Catch Clean Cook, is a must. This dish is prepared with local yellowtail snapper, which is poached in a light coconut curry broth, and served over steamed rice with braised rainbow greens. You can taste the freshness in every bite. There is no telltale frozen aftertaste, just yummy goodness, as nothing here is frozen. Another featured item from Catch Clean Cook is the mango lobster tempura ($22.95), which is a delightful dish of fresh Maine lobster pieces that are fried and then tossed in a spicy mango glaze and served with steamed rice and grilled pineapple… getting hungry?

Other stellar menu items at this wonderful

restaurant include the pan-seared duck breast, grilled New York strip steak, wild oven-roasted citrus salmon, white truffle mac and cheese, seafood pasta, Asian braised short rib of beef and ahi tuna. This is one place where no matter what you choose, it is the right choice.

Furthermore, every dish is ocean-to-table and farm-to-table, and served with just the right touch of elegance for a most enjoyable dining experience.

To sum it up, we went mid-week and the restaurant and bar were packed — a strong indication that all the good things we heard were true. Coe has his own following of friends and celebrities who savor his culinary creations. Case in point: world-renowned and local golf great Jack Nicklaus was at the table next to us, with about 20 family members and friends, celebrating someone’s birthday.

Perhaps because the food is so good and everything is made from scratch — from the finest ingredients that are available that day — locals and visitors alike keep returning for cocktails and bar bites, lunch and dinner.

We were also not surprised to learn that they don’t even have a freezer or a microwave here.

Furthermore, Coe enjoys speaking with diners and explaining where each ingredient comes from for each of his dishes. He is extraordinarily knowledgeable about food, and he truly takes pride in every dish that he creates.

Russell’s Blue Water Grill is located at 2450

Chef Charles Coe PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens (at the SE corner of Prosperity Farms Road in the TJ Maxx shopping plaza). It serves lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner nightly. There is live music on Friday and Saturday evenings from 8 to 11 p.m. For reservations and further information, call (561) 3186344 or visit www.russellsbluewatergrill.com, and tell Russell and Chef Charles that the Phantom Diners highly recommended that you call.

Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are featured writers for the Town-Crier and www.yournews.com... Comments and recommendations are welcome at thephantomdiners@aol.com.

Page 34

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Academy for Child Enrichment — In the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Academ y for Child Enrichment offers free all-day VPK. Infants through after-school day and night care, 6:30 a.m. t o midnight (Monday through Friday), meals included. Qualified staff. Se habla Espanol. Special rates for all registration. The Academ y for Child Enrichment is located at 700 Camellia Drive in Royal P alm Beach. Call (561) 7983458 or visit www.smallworldpbc.com for info.

Breaker s West Summer Camp — For the summer of a lif etime, children ages 5-14 are invited to join the 2011 summer camp at Breakers West. Enjoy wildlife demonstrations, science e xperiments, magic shows, arts & crafts, cooking classes, golf, tennis, baske tball, soccer, daily swimming instruction and much more!

Camp runs June 6 - Aug. 19 (excluding July 4-8), Monday –through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sessions are $300 per camper, per week , plus a one-time registration fee of $50, which includes a camp essentials bag. Discounts are offered to families regist ering multiple children and/or for multiple sessions. Af ter-care is available. Space is limit ed. To register for Breakers West Summer Camp, call (561) 653-6333.

Camp Giddy-Up — Ravenwood Riding Academy has been located in Wellington for 21 years. Licensed and insured, with all safety equipment provided, they are located on a beautiful, safe and clean f arm with plenty of shade. Ravenwood is now accepting 12 students per session, ages 6-14. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Campers learn safety, horse care and grooming, with riding lessons daily, as well as scheduled visits with a blacksmith, horse vet and equine dentist. Weekly sessions are $185. Sibling discounts or multi-session discounts are available. Camp Giddy-Up has a full staf f and a hands-on director. Register today by calling (561) 793-4109 or visit www.ravenwoodridingacademy.com.

Hurry, sessions f ill up quickly!

Casperey Stables Horse Camp — Casperey Stables is a small, fun-filled day camp for children ages seven to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts & crafts and outdoor games, camper s find little time to be bored. The lo w counselor-child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer, each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. Casperey Stables has a weekly swim party and ends each session with a horse show and family BBQ. Call soon — this small, q uality program fills quickly! To learn more about the camp, locat ed at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call (561) 7924990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.

High Touch High Tech — High Touch High Tech has been providing hands-on science experiments to children in South Florida for over 15 y ears. The program brings science to life for children in preschool through middle school. They are happy to introduce “The Lab,” a hands-on science facility now open in Wellington. The y offer summer cam p programs, after-school enrichments and bir thday parties at a new location off Pierson Road. The camp offers af fordable pricing, hands-on science experiments with lots of cool science take-homes, nature experiences, as well as art projects that relate to the scientific investigations. High Touch High Tech knows that children are naturally curious. They tap into that natural curiosity and provide safe, exciting and fun experiments to help them under stand the world around them. The ultimate goal is to give children the tools t o be able to think scientif ically in order to solve problems. Kids will erupt volcanoes, pan for gems, launch rockets, make ice cream, gro w plants, make fossils, observe live animals, dissect o wl pellets and much, much more! Come visit and explore the all-new High Touch High Tech science laboratory! High Touch High Tech is at 3080 Fairlane Farms Rd., Suite 2. For more info., visit www.ScienceMadeFunSFL.net, call (561) 792-3785 or e-mail info@ScienceMadeFunSFL.net.

Call now to book a free tour.

The King’s Academy “Camping Around the World” — TKA’s summer cam p welcomes ages 5 through 8th grade. Experience different cultures through craft projects, science experiments, f ield trips, music and more. Counselors are q ualified teachers, first aid certified and offer a lo ving environment. Day camp/ sports camp with daily lunches run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m with many options and before/after care. Field trips to Calypso Bay, the South Florida Science Museum, the Palm Beach Zoo, Lion Countr y Safari and more, all for one inclusive price. Regist er now at www.tka.net and sa ve $25 when you mention this offer.

Call Helga Van Wart (56 1) 686-4244 for more info.

The Learning Foundation of Florida’s Academic Summer Camp — TLFF’s Elementary, Middle, & High School Summer Academic Camp Program has several different ser vice options available to assist the diverse needs of students. TLFF’s kindergarten thr ough eighth grade summer program focuses on individualized academic remediation using thematic units and a varie ty of teaching strat egies, including a multi-sensory, hands-on approach. TLFF’s high school program focuses on grade f orgiveness and or acceleration. Students who have received Ds or Fs in classes can redo them for a higher grade. Both programs are open Tuesday through Thur sday from 8:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. For more information, call (561) 795-6886.

Loxahatchee Countr y Preschool — Loxahatchee Country Preschool will start of f this summer with a “home run!” Baseball, football and soccer activities will take place throughout the summer. The school has been here for 20-plus years and provides a safe environment with small ratios for summer campers, which means the children are well supervised. Throughout the summer, the camp program offers ar ts and craf ts, field trips (attended by the management team), swimming lessons, Spanish lessons, movies, a bounce house, bowling and much more. A free pizza lunch will be pro vided Fridays. The school provides a safe envir onment for the children, while providing an excellent educational program. In a letter sent to the school, the Kings Academy wr ote, “ What preschools are better prepared for Kings? Loxahatchee Country Preschool was mentioned with enthusiasm!” Call (561) 790-1780 for more info.

Movement Arts Dance Academy — Movement Ar ts will be holding five w eeks of fun-filled summer camp from June 20 through July 29. Weekly themed mini camps (Monday through Thursday from 9 - 1 1:30 a.m.) for ages 3-5 will include arts and crafts and games in addition to learning se veral styles of dance.

Full day camps (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) for ages 6-11 will include ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and more. Early care and af ter care are available at an additional fee for the full-day camps. A pizza par ty and performance will be held each Friday of the full-day camp sessions. The studio is conveniently located on State R oad 7, just south of Okeechobee Blvd. F or more information, call (56 1) 792-9757 or visit www.movementartsdanceacademy.com.

The Royal Palm Beach Elementar y Bobcat Summer Camp — Bobcat Summer Camp offers a magnificent schedule of f ield trips, four or five times per week, which include: bowling, skating, swimming, the Discovery Museum & IMAX Theater, Rapids W ater par k, fitness festival, Chuck E. Cheese, Fun Depot, Veterans Park, movies, Lion Country Safari, Super Play USA, U-Bounce, Golf World, the zoo, Carnival Fun Station and an Orlando trip. On campus activities include: sports, craf ts carnivals, computers, academics, game room, shows, carnivals, D.J. par ties and more. The professional staf f is dedicated to providing a q uality summer camp. It is Gold Seal certified and an award-winning camp. For a summer of fun, call Deb Pagliaro at (561) 633-4431, ext. 30.

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 35

Page 36

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday, May 28 • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Writing for Children & Teens” on Saturday, May 28 at 9 a.m. Do you write picture books, middle grade fiction, or young adult fiction? This series is for beginning to intermediate writers who want to improve their craft and learn about publication. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host VolunTeen Orientation for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, May 28 at 11 a.m. All summer VolunTeens must attend this basic training. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Chess Club meeting for age 8 and up Saturday, May 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Chess fans unite to practice strategy skills.

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

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host a Teen Advisory Posse meeting for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, May 28 at 2:30 p.m. Find out what’s coming and share your ideas for future programs. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Anime Club” for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, May 28 at 3 p.m. Watch anime, eat Pocky and check out the library’s newest manga titles. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Comedian, television host and political commentator Bill Maher will perform Saturday, May 28 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. Tickets start at $30. To purchase tickets, call (561) 832-7469 or visit www. kravis.org.

Sunday, May 29 • Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host a “Support Our Troops Cookout” benefiting Forgotten Soldiers Outreach on Sunday, May 29 from noon to 4 p.m. With a $5 per person donation, supporters can choose from a hamburger, hot dog or portabella burger with a side and choice of drink. All the money raised will go to FSO, a nonprofit organization that collects, produces and ships care packages to U.S. troops overseas. Whole Foods Market will match up to $250 in donations. Call (561) 904-4000 for more info.

Monday, May 30 • Wellington and the Chris Reyka Memo-

rial American Legion Post 390 will honor all veterans at a Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 30. The parade will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center and end at Wellington’s Veterans Memorial at the corner of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. Active or retired veterans attending the ceremony will be recognized. For more info., call Michelle Garvey at (561) 791-4082.

• The Village of Royal Palm Beach will host its annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park at the corner of Sparrow Drive and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. For more info., call the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149.

• The Palm Beach Jerk Festival will be held Monday, May 30 at the Meyer Amphitheatre in downtown West Palm Beach. Enjoy an infectious groove of music with live performances from some of the Caribbean’s leading musical luminaries. Enjoy a variety of foods such as jerk chicken, jerk pork, jerk fish, rice and peas, and more.

There will be activities for all ages, including a fashion show, dance contest and kiddies corner all day beginning at 2 p.m. Admission is $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Children under 12 are admitted free.

For more info., call (561) 856-8478.

Tuesday, May 31 • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Caring for Yourself in Challenging Times” on Tuesday, May 31 at 2 p.m. A representative from Hospice of Palm Beach County will provide information on how you can use massage, aromatherapy, breathing techniques and meditation to de-stress. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host “Block Party: Health Starts Here” on Tuesday, May 31 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of health samples around the store with nutrient-rich ingredients and vote for your favorite Health Starts Here dish. Each department will present cuisine based on the four principles of the Health Starts Here program (whole foods, plant strong, healthier fats and nutrient-dense). There is no charge and no registration is necessary. Call (561) 9044000 for more info.

Wednesday, June 1 • The Caldwell Theatre Company (7901 See CALENDAR, page 37

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 36 N. Federal Highw ay, Boca Rat on) has booked film and television star Ed Asner to star in Dore Schary’s one-man show FDR. Per formances will run Wednesday through Sunday, June 1-5. There will be seven performances in total with limited seating. For ticket info., call (561) 241-7432 or visit www.caldwelltheatre.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature the Library Adventure Museum Pass program on Wednesday, June 1 at 10 a.m. Bring your library card to the get tickets for access to local museums.

Tickets are offered on a first-come, firstserved basis while supplies last. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• Free Cholesterol and Diabetes Screenings will be offered Wednesday, June 1 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Winn-Dixie pharmacy (1135 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach). For more info., call Cholestcheck at (800) 713-3301.

• A joint meeting of the Palm Beach County Commission and the Palm Beach County League of Cities will be held in the Clayton E. Hutcheson Agricultural Service Center (559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) on Wednesday, June 1 at 2 p.m. Visit www.pbcgov.com for more info.

Thursday, June 2 • The Traffic Safety Committee of the Palm Beaches will host its 26th annual Traffic Safety Distinguished Service Awards on Thursday, June 2 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Palm Beach Airport Hilton (150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach). Call (561) 3861348 for more info.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will present its 14th annual Taste of the West & Chocolate Lovers Festival on Thursday, June 2 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.). For more info., call Marc Schalgs at (561) 790-6200 or e-mail marc@palmswest.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host VolunTeen Orientation on Thursday, June 2 at 6 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The season’s final meeting of the Wellington Women’s Club will take place Thursday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club. In addition to a buffet dinner, the evening will include the presentation of a check to the YWCA of Palm Beach County and the awarding of college scholarships to area high school seniors. Club meetings

and activities will resume in September.

RSVP to Cindy Yurecka at (561) 514-1497.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Writ ers’ Critique Workshop” on Thursday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Share, offer and accept constructive criticism and comments to improve your fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere led by Florida Writers Association member Mark Adduci. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will meet Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall (1050 R oyal Palm Beach Blvd.).

Call (561) 790-5100 or visit www.royalpalm beach.com for more info.

Friday, June 3 • The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will be held Friday through Sunday, June 3-5 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.). Visit www. festivalofantiques.com for more info.

• Free Movie Nights will take place at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) on Fridays, June 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 8:30 p.m. Call (561) 253-2484 for info.

Saturday, June 4 • Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Militar y Trail, West Palm Beach) will present “Farm Your Backyard Vegetable Garden” on Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This hands-on workshop will show how to successfully grow vegetables. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Summer Reading Program kickoff event “Midnight Magic” on Saturday, June 4 at 10:30 a.m. Master magician Gary Midnight will delight all ages with his mesmerizing illusions. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “It’s a Mad World Tea Party” on Saturday, June 4 at 2:30 p.m. for ages 9 to 17. Kick off summer Wonderlandstyle. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Sunday, June 5 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “The Magic World of India” on Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m. for adults.

Discover the culture, food and dancing of India. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

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.

Ma y 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 37

Page 38

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 39

Page 40

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 41

SPORTS & RECREATION

Wolverines Fall To King’s Academy 48-7 In Spring Football

By Bryan Gayoso Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington High School varsity football team fell to the King’s Academy 48-7 in the Spring Football Classic held Thursday, May 19 at TKA. In a lopsided match-up that saw Wellington commit seven fouls to the King’s Academy’s two, the Wolverines struggled early and fell apart in the second half. The win gives the TKA Lions a positive outlook for this fall while leaving the Wellington Wolverines with some re-

building to do if they hope to repeat as district champs.

Wellington won the toss and elected to receive. The Wolverines moved quickly, picking up a first down in Lion territory, but they were unable to continue the momentum and had to punt. The Wolverines’ defense tried to keep the charged-up pace when they put the Lions in a dangerous position by sacking the Lions’ quarterback at the TKA five yard line. The Lions, appearing confused by the charge of the Wolverines, quickly punted.

Wellington running back Andrew Lemay runs the ball.

The Wolverines were on the move again, only to be slowed by a holding penalty. With 1:50 left in the first quarter, the Lions brought the ball down to the Wellington 31 yard line. The Wolverines saw the threat and responded with an interception with just over a minute left in the quarter. The Lions quickly recaptured the ball with 49 seconds left in the quarter and scored a touchdown, with a successful extrapoint, making the score 7-0.

Wellington charged back, despite See FOOTBALL, page 42

The Lions’ Zack Fraga reaches for the end zone.

Wolverines bring down the Lions’ Brian Grove.

Wolverine Danick Duffus avoids a tackle.

Wellington Wolves Basketball Gears Up For Summer Travel

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Wolves Travel Basketball Association teams have had a winning season, culminating this summer when the majority of age groups will travel to compete among top talent in the national championship.

“All but one team made it to nationals this year,” Board President Chris Fratalia said. “All but one team is in the top ten this year. We’ll be traveling as far as Virginia to compete.”

The Wellington Wolves is a nonprofit organization formed in 2002

and fosters basketball among some of the top talent in the western communities and nearby area. The Wolves include boys teams from second to 11th grades, and girls middle and high school teams.

The Wolves foster talent from a young age, helping to develop and feed players into the local high school programs, Fratalia said. Each player must try out for his or her age division, and at least 50 percent of the more than 200 players must be Wellington residents.

For more information about the program, visit www.wellington wolves.com.

Daniel Iscoe and Thomas Driscoll race down the court for a basket.

Japhet Medor dribbles the ball.

Jorden Steiger looks to pass.

Will Randolph runs the ball around Zach Warner during practice.

The Wellington Wolves fifth- and sixth-grade teams before practice.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

Page 42

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

SPORTS & RECREATION

Football

WHS Loss

continued from page 41 an illegal block call and a delay-ofgame penalty. At the start of the second quarter, the Lions intercepted a Cole Smallridge pass and capitalized on yet another Wolverine penalty, bringing them to the Wellington 10 yard line. The Lions ran in a touchdown and made the extra point, bringing the score to 14-0.

The remainder of the first half went back and forth, with Wellington racking up more penalties. With just four seconds left in the half, Wolverine Jake Giordano intercepted a Lion pass but was unable to get out of bounds, ending the half.

The collapse of the Wolverines continued into the second half, allowing the Lions to score five times, including senior running back Brian Grove’s 68-yard touchdown run, senior tight end Kevin Stypulkows-

ki’s reception of Dane Gerwig’s 33yard pass and sophomore Garret Larson’s 80-yard touchdown run.

The Wolverines managed to avoid a shutout with a Smallridge pass to Corinthian Neal, who ran 79 yards for a touchdown with 31 seconds left in the third quarter.

Wellington’s performance improved late in the fourth quarter when they were able to pick up four first downs, but the Lions sealed it with Larson’s run.

PHOTOS BY BRYAN GAYOSO/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington’s Michael Perez brings down the Lions’ running back.

Wolverine David Arco makes a tackle.

Wolverine James Foster looks for an opening.

Lions running back Brian Grove looks for an opening.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 43

Page 44

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

SPORTS & RECREATION

Team Step By Step Riders Top Competition In Kentucky

Hector Florentino aboard Stransky Mission Farm’s Ultimo.

PHO TO B Y REBECCA WALTON/PHELPS MEDIA GROUP

The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, held May 11-15, featured the exciting debut of the 2011 Hagyard Challenge Series, consisting of seven Grand Prix classes to be held during the 2011 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Following the final event, a cash prize of $45,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series. The top riders from across the nation gathered to compete over a challenging course during the lead off event on Thursday night’s $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2*. At the end of the two-round competition, it was Hector Florentino aboard Stransky Mission Farm’s Ultimo in the winner’s circle.

Florentino, the head trainer and rider at Stransky Mission Farm in Wellington, now leads in the standings.

The talented rider from the Dominican Republic is not only riding for owner Liliane Stransky but is a member of Team Step by Step, a group of riders of different levels, ages and countries who compete on the Hunter & Jumper A Circuit to help raise awareness and funds for her international children’s charity, Step by Step Foundation.

Florentino kick-started the stable’s winning streak by piloting Ultimo to victory against a field of 37 riders. Staying in the ribbons all week, Florentino put in solid rounds on the bay jumper to place fourth during the $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix CSI2. Riding another mount from Stransky Mission Farm, Florentino rode VDL Vinzell to the fifth place in the $5,000 Open Jumper Class.

Daniela Stransky of Stransky Mission Farm showed her winning style by riding her gray gelding Ikarus to the Junior Jumper Low Championship. This was the first time back in the show ring for the 15-year-old since she had a terrible accident at the Winter Equestrian Festival in March. Stransky had been kicked in the face during a jumping competition, losing many of her teeth and ending up in emergency surgery.

Despite massive dental work, Stransky was all smiles after her she piloted Ikarus to the first-place and sixth-place slots in the Junior Jumper Low classes, and to the secondplace ribbon in the $2,500 Junior Jumper Classic in the Rolex Stadium. The determined teen also placed third aboard Clever Captain,

another lovely gray from Stransky Mission Farm in the Junior Jumper Lows.

The victories kept coming Week I at the Kentucky Horse Show for the Florida-based stable and Team Step by Step.

Jose Fernando Bonetti rode another Stransky Mission Farm mount named Light to the blue ribbon in the $1,500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic. The teen, competing for the first time on the speedy jumper, took on 21 young competitors to win the class and placed second in the $2,250 Children’s Jumpers.

All of the riders from Stransky Mission Farm, as well as other competitors from Team Step by Step, were back in the arena the next week to continue to raise funds and awareness for the international charity Step by Step Foundation. The Kentucky Spring Classic, May 1822, hosted the second the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2* on Thursday, May 19.

For additional information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, visit www.kentuckyhorseshows. com. For further information about the Step by Step Foundation, visit www.stepbystepfoundation.com.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

BUSINESS NEWS

The home-based Hair I Am salon has a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Personalized Care, Warm Atmosphere At Hair I Am Salon In The Acreage

By Damon Webb Town-Crier Staff Report Hair I Am owner Jennine Jones is enjoying much success these days. Her home salon business has taken off and created a following since opening in January.

Hair I Am is a beauty salon with its main services being hair coloring, cutting and styling. Additional services include eyebrow waxing and keratin treatments. “I find having my salon at my home gives me some advantages over the traditional salon concept,” Jones said. “I wanted to create an atmosphere that was warm and inviting. The salon is an extension of my house, and I want my customers to feel that as soon as they enter into the space. I want to ‘wow’ them.”

A color specialist, Jones has been in the hair industry for 30 years. Born in New York, she has lived in many places that have helped shape her career. “I believe it all started when I was younger,” Jones said. “I used to help my mother with her hair. From there it grew into a passion for me. I was hooked.”

Jones has opened other home salons in other states she has lived in. The concept fits her personality and allows her to be free and flexible. “I don’t want someone to tell me how to take care of my customers,” Jones said. “In the past I have been limited on what I was able to do when I worked for others.”

After moving back to Florida from South Carolina, Jones worked for various salons in the region before she decided to open up her third home salon.

“Another advantage for me as the owner is I am able to work with people on an individual basis,” Jones said. “My prices are reasonable and very competitive with the other salons in the area. With that said, times are tough for people, and I try to work with everyone’s budget. Having your hair done does wonders not only for your physical appearance but also for you emotionally. Your self esteem is raised

Hair I Am owner Jennine Jones.

PHOTOS BY DAMON WEBB/T OWN-CRIER

and you carry yourself with confidence. I want to make people feel good.”

Jones looks forward to the future of her salon. She is hoping to get more involved with social media and incorporate it into her web site.

“I want to grow my business one customer at a time,” she said. “It’s all about creating a memorable experience. I have so many ideas and things I would like to try. I have a creative spirit, and I find myself always interested in new ways to channel my creativity. Life is too short not to do the things you love. I am going to keep living to the fullest. I have my family and friends who support me, and I couldn’t ask for more. I love my life.”

Hair I Am is located at 4391 120th Avenue North. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (561) 348-0728 or visit the salon’s web site at www.hair-i-am.com.

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 45

Page 46

May 27 - June 2, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

BUSINESS NEWS

Seagull Industries Gets Bank Of America Foundation Grant Seagull Industries for the Disabled, a nonprofit social service agency, has recently been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Bank of America Foundation.

The grant will be used to support Seagull Industries’ homeless program, an initiative that rescues homeless people with intellectual disabilities. For more than four years, Seagull Industries for the Disabled has been providing persons with disabilities who were living on the streets a home, job and training. Seagull Industries has worked with these clients, most of whom have no family, to secure healthcare and the appropriate services needed to rebuild their lives.

Initially, Seagull Industries began this initiative without funding. But

the agency has come to realize that addressing the problems and number of homeless persons with disabilities in the community will require more extensive financial backing. The Bank of America Foundation is the first organization to provide funding for Seagull Industries to assist homeless persons with intellectual disabilities and to recognize that these people, most of whom have trouble communicating and can barely read at a third-grade level, are ill-equipped to survive without assistance.

“Seagull Industries for the Disabled is honored by a $10,000 grant from Bank of America,” Seagull Executive Director Fred Eisinger said. “We applaud its support of our efforts on behalf of children and

adults who are homeless and developmentally challenged. We sincerely hope that others in our community — businesses, private donors, private foundations and government funders — will follow this example and support our work on behalf of this very vulnerable population.”

Seagull Industries provides educational, residential and work programs for teens and adults with intellectual disabilities. Its programs include a public charter high school, adult vocational program and two adult residential programs. Seagull also operates a thrift store in Greenacres and was named the 2010 Nonprofit of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

For additional information, visit www.seagull.org.

Anne Dichele, Fred Eisinger and Kelly Sobolewski.

Learn How To Fight Identity Theft At Shred Fest Event June 4 Buried in a mountain of paper?

Concerned about identity theft?

Then attend Shred Fest 2011, a complimentary service provided by the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents, Palm Beach County Chapter. It will take place Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1070 E. Indiantown Road in Jupiter (in the parking lot of the America Plaza). It is free to

anyone concerned about identity theft and who wants to dispose of personal and sensitive documents.

This complimentary service is provided by the Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents, Royal Palm Beach. Identity theft is a major problem in the United States. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, it re-

ceived 250,854 complaints about identity theft during 2010 — nearly one-fifth of the entire number of complaints received by the agency.

For the 11th year in a row, consumers complained about this subject more than any other.

The FTC’s identity theft statistics show that Florida had the highest per capita rate of reported ID theft,

with Arizona and California following close behind. With the increased awareness of identity theft, it is important to dispose of records carefully.

Enrolled Agents will be on site to answer your tax document retention questions. Enrolled Agents are federally licensed tax practitioners with technical expertise in the field of

taxation. They are empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections and appeals.

For more information about Shred Fest, visit the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents web site at www.fseaonline.org.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

BUSINESS NEWS

Marshall Foundation Names Robinson To Advisory Board The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, which champions the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem, recently announced that Deborah “Dee” Robinson has joined the nonprofit organization’s 25-member advisory board.

Robinson brings more than 20 years of management experience and related development work with nonprofits. She is currently a Ph.D. student completing her dissertation on strategic thinking and its relationship to vision integration.

Since 2009, Robinson has been the chief development officer for the Haven, creating and implementing a comprehensive sustainable funding model for the nonprofit.

Since 2006, Robinson has also worked with Network4Leaders Inc. strategy consulting services, including editing new business proposals, franchise prospectus development, prospect development and higher education focused strategy objective development.

“With her years of experience working with nonprofit organizations, particularly in the critical areas of development and strategic planning, Dee Robinson will certainly be an amazing asset to our advisory board,” Marshall Foundation President Nancy Marshall said.

Based in Palm Beach County, the Marshall Foundation champions the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem through science-based education and outreach programs.

Annually, more than 15,000 elementary and high school students in Palm Beach County participate in the Marshall Foundation’s various education programs.

Founded in 1998, the nonprofit or ganization has in recent years awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships and internships, planted nearly 100,000 native Florida trees in wetland areas, and involved more than 5,000 volunteers in hands-on restoration projects. For

Deborah Robinson more information about the Marshall Foundation, call (561) 2339004 or visit the foundation’s web site at www.artmarshall.com.

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.

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 47

Gannon: State OKs More Funding For New License Duties Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon has announced that the Florida Department of Revenue has approved a $2.02 million budget amendment to fund the budget shortfall resulting from the 2010 legislative mandate to take over issuing driver licenses and state identification cards.

The transfer of issuing of driver’s licenses from the Department of Motor Vehicles to local tax collectors was a measure to cut the state budget. “This mandate created challenges,” Gannon said. “We were in the midst of our fiscal year and our budget did not include funds to cover these costs. Our service locations are small and were never designed to issue driver licenses.”

Another huge challenge was implementing the federal Real ID Act of 2005, which Florida began in January 2010. This anti-terrorism measure requires every resident prove his or her identity by producing specific and original documentation prior to being issued a Real ID driver license or state identifica-

tion card. This federal requirement has increased the number of people who must visit an office as Real ID compliance prohibits online or mail transactions.

The addition of full-service driver licenses required hiring and training of additional new staff. Service centers needed special equipment, counter space and driving courses.

Gannon submitted a $2.002 million budget amendment to Department of Revenue, as required by law, to fund the additional 41 staff and equipment needed to issue driver licenses. Gannon’s budget is not funded in the state or county budget. It receives a fee from each transaction. All excess funds are returned to the county and local taxing authorities.

Today things are running smoothly. “There is a learning curve, but we are improving every day,” Gannon said. “We fully expect lines to pick up again when tax season begins in November and people return to Florida. So now is a good time to get your license to drive.”

Page 48 May 27 - June 2, 2011

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 TEACHERS/TUTORS P/T SAT/ACT/FCAT- MATH Flexible Hrs. Great Pay. PB County Area Experience required Fax:828-8128 E-mail clubztutoring@wpb3331980.com 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.

CAMP COUNSELORS NEEDED FOR CAMP GIDDY UP NEEDS COMMUNITYSERVICES HOURS? — Call for info 793-4109 14 and over w/horse experience.

ATTN: COMPUTER WORK — work from anywhere 24/7.

Up to 1,500 part-time to 7,500 full-time. Training provided. www.jdincomenow.com or 754-244-2760 PART-TIME HELP NEEDED — For busy Accounting office. Must know Excel, Microsoft Word. Fax resume 561-333-2680.

PART-TIME LEGAL ASSISTANT — wanted for busy Legal office. Must know Word Perfect, Wills,Trusts & Estates & heavy phones. Fax Resume to 561-333-2680 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — Men & Women for god’s creatures, rescued and abused cats. Cat Sanctuary.

561-460-4317 ATTN: COMPUTER WORK anywhere 24/7 up to $1500/ monthPart-Time to $7,500/month Full-T ime. Training provided www.earnincome77.com or 847-658-8500 EARN UNLIMITED RESIDUAL INCOME — Part-time From Home Mailing Postcards. Call Today & I’ll Send You the Postcard 1-855-8600003 ext. #1 HIRING FIRE EXTINGUISHER TECHNICIANS — needed Full-Time will train. Benefits include paid vacation, holidays, sick days, must be 18 or over. Employee Health insurance available. Clean Driver’s License. Mon-Fri 8am - 4;30pm 561863-1333

PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE CALL 793-3576 TODAY FOR INFORMATION

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

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

AUDIO PLUS ELECTRONICS — for all your electronic needs, home theater, stereo, plasma TV, satellite, security systems, computer systems. 561-471-1161

JJJ AUTOMOTIVE,INC. — we’re looking out for you! John Lawson.

561-204-2855 600 Royal Palm Commerce Rd. Suite E, RPB. Lic. #MV52657

HOUSECLEANING — 20 yrs experience. Excellent local references. Shopping available. 561572-1782 HOUSE/OFFICE CLEANING — 30 yrs experience in the Western Communities. Honest-Reliable and plenty of references. Call Anytime Norma 561-719-9242 Ins. & Lic. VERAS HOME SER VICES — Housecleaning, pet sitting, home organization, and much more! References, honest & reliable. 561598-0311

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Sof tware setup, support &troubleshooting w w w.mobiletec.net.

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.

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 BACHE DEVELOPMENT INC. — General Contractor Christopher G. Bache 561-662-8353 CGC 1510884. New construction, barns, kitchens, baths, complete remodeling, flooring, painting. Residential and commercial visit us at www.bachedevelopment.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

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

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 TNT LAWN CARE — Quality Work & Dependable Service. In Business Since 1989 Monthly Lawn service, yard clean-up & mulching. Expert hedge & tree trimming 561-6448683

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 J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 visit our website at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

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

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473 COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666.

Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident

TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded and Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & p atio rescreening.

Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed!

CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior p ainting.

Certified pressure cleaning & p ainting 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

www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS DON HARTMANN ROOFING — Roof painting, Carpentry. Lic. #U13677 967-5580 HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SER VICE — Free estimates, Residential /commercial .

Rep airs: Shingles, Flat s & tiles, Rotted Facia, & Decking. We also do Flat Roof Coating and Pressure Cleaning credit cards accepted.

561-293-0891 Lic.#CCC1328598 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

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

ClubZ! In-Home Tutoring SPECIAL SUMMER ACADEMY

Great Rates!

All Subjects: PreK- Adult 561 •333 •1980 • CLUBZ.COM America’s Largest In-HomeTutoring Co.

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

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

STUDIO APT. FOR RENT — sp anish tile, furnished on farm. References required. $595/month 9668791 2/2 NEW APPLIANCES — good condition “The Trails” good area. pool and amenities. 561-714-8376 561-793-1718 $900 monthly. Cable included.

T OWNHOME FOR RENT—2/2 2 car garage. Lakefront seasonal or annual lease. No Pets 561-6442019 PLACE YOUR AD REAL ESTATE AD HERE CALL 793-3576 TODAY

CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

RLS4634 DPBR STATE OF FLORIDA — Serving Acreage, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Palm Beach Country Est ates, Jupiter Farms and Coastal areas East Florida Site Planning, Dep Compliance Assured Mapping. 561-5960184 Cell Call for a Quote.

ESTATE SALE! SATURDAY, MAY 27 & SUNDAY MAY 28 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Furniture, Household Goods, BOOKS and MUCH MORE Madison Green 1136 Oakwater Drive Royal Palm Beach (Wyndham)

HUGE MOVING SALE SATURDAY JUNE 4 & SATURDAY,JUNE 11 Bedroom & Dining Room sets, file cabinets, & Lots More!

15165 87th Road North (954) 290-8486

May 27 - June 2, 2011 Page 49

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT — in Wellington Commerce Park off Pierson Road. Furnished or Unfurnished 575 Sq. Ft. with beautiful view of water. 2 upscale private offices, reception area, bathroom and storage loft. AvailableImmediately $600 per month (561) 722-7195

2000 HONDA ACCORD — 209,000 miles, red w/cream leather interior good running condition, good A/C $5,000 OBO 561-7137794

RV MOTER HOME 2005 31 ft. fourwinds, Chateau Class C, 4,700 miles, V10 Ford Chasis, Fullyequipped, 1 slide out $48,000. Offers considered. 561-398-1825

Page 50

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011 Page 51

Page 52 May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011 Page 53

Page 54

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

May 27 - June 2, 2011

Page 55

Page 56

May 27 - June 2, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier