Wellington The Magazine May 2015 by Wellington The Magazine LLC

Thank you to the Wellington and Palm Beach County communities for your support of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan速 Global Dressage Festival!

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center www.PBIEC.com | 561.793.JUMP (5867)

Are you looking for a nurturing learning environment for you middle school student? At Wellington Collegiate Academy you’ll find: • Highly qualified caring teachers • Rigorous standards • Training in music performance and character education

Wellington Collegiate Academy Grades 6-8 Opening August 2015 at the corner of Forest Hill and Wellington Trace

Independent, Interfaith College Prep Limited Spots Available

Please visit our website www.gowca.org or call now 561.701.3462

Special pricing during early enrollment New Location: 12794 West Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, FL 33414 wellington the magazine | may 2015 3

“Join us! We’d love you to be a part of our family.”

Photography by LILA PHOTO

– Justin Thompson, General Manager, The Wanderers Club, with his family.

Dues-Only Membership – No Initiation Fee Required Full Golf Memberships Available* Traditional golf with no tee times, tennis, and fitness Casual dining at The Duke’s Bar, Veranda, and poolside • Fine dining at Stables Restaurant A junior Olympic-size pool, kiddie pool, and play area • Year-round social calendar and child-friendly programs The Wanderers Club is Wellington’s family-friendly, private country club. For membership information, call Anna Grzebien at 561.795.3501, ext. 225. membership@wanderersclubwellington.com • wanderersclubwellington.com 1900 Aero Club Drive • Wellington, FL 33414 *Waiting list for Social Memberships. Dues-Only Membership may be recalled once the Club Membership reaches its full complement, beginning with the last in, unless the then established membership deposit is paid. All memberships are prorated as of initiation date.

EQUINE LANE

1-story, 5 bedroom/3.5 bath pool home with office. Located in a gated community. With wood burning fireplace, granite kitchen and natural gas. Open living area. Split bedroom plan. Master bedroom with double walk-in closets. Fully-fenced backyard. 3-car garage. $584,900

OLYMPIA

5 bedroom/3 bath home, on large lakefront lot. Wood look tile in master suite and closet. New carpet in second floor guest bedrooms, stairs and loft. Screened patio and upper balcony. New exterior paint in 2013. 3-car garage. Room for a pool. $485,000

55+ COMMUNITY

Ground floor 3 bedroom/2 bath unit with attached 2-car garage. Neutral colors, open living. Lake and fountain views. Gated community with clubhouse, pool and fitness center. $289,000

PALM BEACH POLO

Jim@JimCorbin.com

561-798-2224

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHASE ESTATES:

Lot 25 - Pinehurst model. 4 bedroom/3 full and 2 half bath. Private pool, Impact glass. On over-sized cul-de-sac lot. A/C Sq. Ft. 3,320, Total sq. Ft. 4,392. $899,990

NORTHUMBERLAND COURT

4 bedroom/2 bath pool home. New kitchen with granite counters, cabinets and newer appliances. New bathrooms with granite and cabinets. New carpet in master suite and living room. Screened pool/patio. Accordion shutters + Impact front door and garage door. New roof in 2012. $394,900

MUIRFIELD COURT

Totally renovated, turn-key. Ground floor, 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment, with dividable suites. Exceptional rental potential as one or two units. Minutes from PBIEC. $299,000

Jim Corbin

MIZNER ESTATES

Tropical oasis with lake and courtyard views. 4 bedroom/5 bath home, including separate 2 bedroom/2 bath guest house. High-end finished throughout. Great outdoor living $2,450,000

Palm Beach Polo: 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath town home. Renovated in 2009. Marble flooring on first floor, including rear, screened patio. Tile bedrooms and baths. Extended living room, with wood ceiling. Detached, over-sized 2-car garage. Golf Views. $375,000

Illustrated P roPertIes 11924 Forest Hill Blvd. #18 Wellington, FL. 33414 www.JimCorbin.com

David Corbin David@JimCorbin.com

561-628-4262

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

We’re Keeping Wellington Clean and Green Through our multi-million dollar investment in a local clean fuel filling station and trucks, Wellington became the first municipality in Palm Beach County to have its trash and recycling picked up by trucks running on compressed natural gas or CNG. And because of that forward-thinking investment, Waste Management is still the ONLY company that can continue to offer Wellington the environmental advantages of CNG trucks. CNG-fueled trucks benefit the Wellington environment and your family by reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by 22 metric tons including: • 75% less carbon monoxide, • 49% less nitrogen oxide, and • 25% less carbon dioxide Our CNG trucks are also much quieter than traditional diesel ones in Wellington’s residential neighborhoods. So sleep soundly and breathe freely.

At Waste Management, we are driven to keep Wellington clean and green.

In 2015, for the 8th year in a row, Waste Management was named “One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere, the only environmental services company to be so honored.

Visit us at wm.com

“The work ethic I gained at American Heritage will allow me to succeed in my years at Yale.” - Cristina Teems, AHS Class of 2015, attending Yale University in the fall

We are Proud of the Extraordinary Accomplishments of Our Students #1 for highest number of National Merit Scholars of all Palm Beach high schools

• #1 private school in Palm Beach in Math competitions

• Best in Show at

State Science Fair

• Robotics Team

qualifies at 2015 World Championship

College Preparatory School for PK3–Grade 12 www.ahschool.com 8 may 2015 | wellington the magazine

• Featured Choir at Carnegie Hall in NYC

• Best in Show artworks in Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

• $13 Million in college scholarships offered to the Class of 2015

6200 Linton Blvd. Delray Beach, FL 33484 (561) 495-7272

D OL TS S JU

GREENVIEW SHORES Beautiful 3BR/2BA home improved well above the price. Kitchen with stainless appliances, granite counters, wood cabinets & breakfast bar. All windows have impact glass. New high energy A/C. Cozy brick paver patio and lovely private garden. Walking distance to Winter Equestrian Festival & Dressage showgrounds. Offered at $329,500. Call Robbie Johnson 561-371-0793

DEER RUN Fantastic 5 acre lot on the canal in the gated equestrian community of Deer Run with miles of riding trails. Perfect for building your dream home and equestrian facilities. Great Schools – Binks Forest Elementary, Wellington Landings Middle and Wellington Community High School. Offered at $195,000. Call Robbie Johnson 561-371-0793

SADDLE TRAIL Equestrian estate, 5BR/5.5BA, plus game & media rooms, 6cg, nestled on 3.61 acres. Two covered patios and screened pool with a waterfall feature. 12 stall barn, feed/tack, 3 wash stalls, groom’s apt. Full size jump arena approx 200’x200’ and 4 large paddocks. Just Sold $4,200,000. Call Robbie Johnson 561-371-0793

NORTHWOOD Totally renovated, Spanish-style 3BR/2BA + Gar. & Income producing 1/1 Cottage w/ fenced-in back yard just 4 blocks from Intracoastal Waterway. Stone fireplace, hardwood floor, Granite/maple/stainless kitchen, sunroom & more. Offered at $289,900. Call Shelley Sandler at 561-371-1075

BINKS ESTATES Stunning 4BR/3.5BA + Den & Playroom home w/ huge screened patio, pool, spa, summer kitchen & bar on beautifully landscaped .41 acre golf view lot. Extensively upgraded and move in ready! Offered at $674,500. Call Shelley Sandler at 561-371-1075

THE PATRICIAN PALM BEACH Recently updated 2BR/2BA corner unit condo w/tiled balcony viewing both OCEAN & INTRACOASTAL! Deeded garage space, ocean front pool, fitness room & more. Best ocean front value! Offered at $199,500. Call Shelley Sandler at 561-371-1075

MEADOW WOOD Don’t miss out on this stunning 5BD/4BA/3CG courtyard home with pool in a great cul de sac location in the Binks school district. Home has 2 master suites and separate cabana. Too many uogrades to list. Come see this home today. Priced to sell at $569,000. Call Kimberley Seow 561-662-4365

WELLINGTON’S EDGE Relax in this spacious 2BR/2BA immaculate home. Enjoy your water view from your screened patio or take advantage of the wonderful amenities this community has to offer. Call to see it today before it’s gone. Priced to sell at $215,000. Call Kimberley Seow 561-662-4365

BRIAR BAY Adorable 3BD/2BA/1CG home in a great location with lots of amenities. Home has tile throughout, new floors in all the bedrooms, recently repainted interior, and is move in ready! Priced to sell at $189,000. Call Kimberley Seow 561-662-4365

30 Years and Counting ROBBIE JOHNSON Broker / Owner 561-371-0793 robbieismybroker@yahoo.com www.mycastlehunters.com

ARI GLOBERMAN

Realtor / Associate / CIPS 561-346-2225 ari@mycastlehunters.com www.mycastlehunters.com Fluent in Spanish & Portuguese

SHELLEY SANDLER

KIMBERLEY SEOW

Realtor / Associate / CDPE, CNE Realtor / Associate 561-371-1075 561-662-4365 ShelleySandlerProperties@gmail.com kseowrealty@gmail.com www.ShelleySandlerProperties.com www.kseowrealtysellshomes.com

There IS no substitute for experience!

A FIVE STAR INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Fun in the Sun

Soaking up some sun by the pool … sinking a putt on the putting green … lazing at the lakeside gazebo. That’s the sun-loving (and fun-loving!) Fountainview senior lifestyle. It’s like your own private oasis in the heart of West Palm Beach – filled with fine dining, entertainment and plenty of classes, clubs and activities.Yet cultural attractions, world class shopping and dining are always nearby.

Discover Your Place in the Sun! • Daily chef-prepared meals • Weekly live entertainment • Clubhouse, heated pool, hot tub and gazebo • On-site pharmacy services, groceries and personal shopping

• Fitness and aquatic programs • Spacious rental apartments (furnished short-term units available) • Large theatre/auditorium • Weekly housekeeping • On-site healthcare services

111 Executive Center Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561-697-5500 • www.FountainviewRetirement.com Assisted Living Facility #7827

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Join us for lunch and a tour.

ADVERTORIAL

Could you have

KENNETH N. WOLINER M.D. , A.B.F.M., A.B.O.I.M.

Food Allergies?

“I can barely leave the house,”Heidi said, squinting her eyes the entire time.

“Perhaps if we turned off the fluorescent lights, you’d be more comfortable. I can see well enough with the light coming through my window treatments.” “Thank you Dr. Woliner. Bright lights definitely make my migraines worse. If you could only fix my IBS with a flip of a switch …” “Tell me more.” “Some weeks I’m constipated, not having a BM for five days or more, even with laxatives. Lately it’s been the opposite; I’m in the bathroom at least ten times a day. My bum is so irritated that I now see blood on the toilet paper each time I go. And the bloating! I can go from being normal to 5 months pregnant in the span of a few hours.” I empathized, “I can see how frustrating that can be. What have your doctors told you?” “The GI looked at me from top to bottom, literally. He said I had acid reflux, so he put me on Nexium. I don’t have Crohn’s, just hemorrhoids that bleed pretty bad.” “Anything else?” “I had ‘sludge’ in my gallbladder, so they took that out. Didn’t help. The ER thought I had appendicitis, so they removed that too.” “Have you ever been tested for food allergies?” “Like peanuts? I had a skin test that came out normal.” “There are many types of adverse reactions to food, and swelling up due to a nut allergy is only one of them. I was actually thinking about the other things: lactose intolerance, gluten allergy, and intolerances to food and food additives, such as MSG [1].” “Dr. Woliner, I brought you all my old records. If it isn’t in there, then I guess not.” I moved onto my physical exam, “Say Ahhhh.” As I looked into her mouth, I saw this white/yellow coating all over Heidi’s tongue, as well as two canker sores on the inside of her cheek. Heidi’s breath didn’t smell too good either … “I think we have our answer. You’re not digesting your food, you’re fermenting it!” “I don’t understand.” “In addition to our teeth (and a fork and knife), we digest our food chemically, with stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and good bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophillus, etc). Acid blocking drugs such as Nexium interfere with that process, allowing bad bacteria to grow and putrefy your food [2]. The byproducts irritate your gut, causing canker sores, dyspepsia, and diarrhea [3]. Proteins you’d normally break down, are absorbed intact, leading to food allergy symptoms of migraines, arthritis, and depression [4].” “How do we find out what I’m allergic to?” “I start with a blood test for 150 different foods and additives to see which ones are most likely to be a problem, but the gold standard is a ‘Double-Blind, PlaceboControlled, Food Challenge’ [5]. I want to know for sure you have a bad reaction, so I don’t restrict your diet unnecessarily.” “So I’ll have to avoid some foods the rest of my life?” “Perhaps not. That bad bacteria, ‘Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)’ is what they call it, causes a ruckus inside your gut [6]. Eliminating the bad bugs, and replacing them with friendly probiotics helps reduce food allergy symptoms [7]. After your GI tract is cleaned up, you may be able to tolerate foods you were previously sensitive to.” In addition to having an overgrowth of Pseudomonas, which happened to be

“

I test for 150 different foods and additives.

”

resistant to several antibiotics; Heidi’s tests showed responses to egg white, pork, onion, chicken, milk and coffee [8]. Challenge testing proved that coffee was a false positive, for which Heidi was extremely thankful. A short course of treatment, combined with a pharmacologic dose of probiotics improved Heidi’s bowel movements to two “Class 4-5 Stools” per day [9]. Upon Heidi’s follow-up visit three months later, “Dr. Woliner, you can keep the lights on; I don’t get headaches anymore [10].” REFERENCES:

[1] Degaetani MA, Crowe SE. A 41-year-old woman with abdominal complaints: is it food allergy or food intolerance? How to tell the difference. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Sep;8(9):755-9. [2] Uzunismail H, et al. PPIs and food allergy. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 Apr;105(4):963-4. [3] Campbell AK, et al. Bacterial metabolic ‘toxins’: a new mechanism for lactose and food intolerance, and irritable bowel syndrome. Toxicology. 2010 Dec 30;278(3):268-76. [4] Zopf Y, et al. The differential diagnosis of food intolerance. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2009 May;106(21):359-69. [5] MacDermott RP. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease using a food and beverage intolerance, food and beverage avoidance diet. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2007 Jan;13(1):91-6. [6] Ghoshal UC, et al. Frequency of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic non-specific diarrhea. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2010 Jan;16(1):40-6. [7] Savilahti E, et al. Pre and probiotics in the prevention and treatment of food allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Jun;8(3):243-8. [8] Breneman JC. Allergy elimination diet as the most effective gallbladder diet. Ann Allergy. 1968 Feb;26(2):83-7. [9] Bristol Stool Scale. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Stool_Scale

Dr. Kenneth Woliner is a board-certified family medicine physician in private practice in Boca Raton. He can be reached at: Holistic Family Medicine; 9325 Glades Road, #104, Boca Raton, FL 33434; 561-314-0950 knw6@cornell.edu; www.holisticfamilymed.com

Kids don’t need to look for trouble. WHEN IT FINDS THEM, FIND US.

PEDIATRIC CARE YOU CAN COUNT ON.

From the moment you pass through our doors you’ll notice we don’t just treat kids, we cater to them. As the only pediatric hospital in the Western Communities, we have a special responsibility to provide the most complete care possible. Every member of our team has been specially trained to care for children of all ages. We offer full-service pediatrics with a host of comprehensive specialties. Our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) uses the latest technology and services to help care for and treat our most critically ill little ones. We know that great pediatric care means making sure that kids can be kids and parents can be comfortable. Our bright, cheery space is decorated with children in mind and includes playrooms and other kid-friendly extras. Complete pediatric care means remembering kids have different needs. Working to meet them is what we do 24/7.

Have health questions? Call 561.345.7009 to speak to one of our registered nurses 24/7. Or visit PalmsWestHospital.com. 13001 Southern Blvd. | Loxahatchee, FL 33470

contents 26

may 2015

Features

WELLINGTON’S JORGE LABARGA, FLORIDA’S CHIEF JUSTICE You may remember him as Circuit Court Judge Jorge Labarga, a key player in the disputed 2000 presidential election. Today, the longtime Wellington resident is Chief Justice Jorge Labarga, appointed to oversee the Florida Supreme Court. By Deborah Welky

JUDGE HOWARD COATES: FROM THE COUNCIL TO THE COURT

COUPLE JOINS LAWSUIT TO RECLAIM THEIR DREAM HOME

PROMINENT LOCAL ATTORNEYS TACKLE THE ISSUES

NEW CEO, NEW DIRECTION FOR CENTRAL PBC CHAMBER

WELLINGTON GIVES: ALS ASSOCIATION, FLORIDA CHAPTER

Former Wellington Councilman Howard Coates’ transition from attorney to judge is going pretty well, although there has been a steep learning curve. Coates was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Palm Beach County 15th Judicial Circuit Court bench by Gov. Rick Scott in December. By Ron Bukley Jason and Christine Borowski thought they had found their dream home when they moved to Wellington in 2008 from New York. Instead, two years later, they discovered that they had bought into a Chinese drywall nightmare. By Julie Unger This month, Wellington The Magazine highlights five of the area’s top legal firms: Greenstein & Associates, Kelk Phillips, Principle Counsel, Pike & Lustig and Morris & Shields. In this special section, we profile these selected firms, but also give the attorneys a voice. As the new CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Burns aims to provide a unified voice and essential services for the varied business interests here in the western communities and beyond. By Chris Felker

This month’s Wellington Gives feature highlights the ALS Association, which is fighting to cure Lou Gehrig’s disease. Wellington resident Jackie Alvarez is a big supporter of the group in memory of her son, Stefan. By Deborah Welky

Departments 16 18 20 22 24

WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE Annual GPL Tournament Features Tailgates, Costumes & Great Polo Adrianna Siena Claims Top Prize At Annual Wellington Idol Contest Chamber’s Annual Flavors Of Wellington Brings Crowds To PBIEC Wellington’s Annual Egg Hunt Brings Many Kids To Village Park Wellington Cake Off Event Benefits Children Of Wounded Warriors

WELLINGTON HOME

WELLINGTON TABLE

67 71 75 77 92 94 98

Wellington Home visits a huge estate in the heart of the southern Wellington equestrian area. Sitting on 10 acres, the estate boasts a seven-car garage, four-stall horse barn and 15,000 square feet of living area, some of which is in the guest house. By Deborah Welky Mellow Mushroom has brought its tasty pizza offerings and much more to Wellington. Located along Forest Hill Blvd. in front of the Mall at Wellington Green, the new eatery is a wide-open, bright space filled with enticing scents wafting through the air and a distinctive equestrian design. By Chris Felker

WELLINGTON SPA WELLINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD WELLINGTON REAL ESTATE WELLINGTON HEALTH WELLINGTON DINING GUIDE WELLINGTON CALENDAR AROUND WELLINGTON

71 88

ON THE COVER Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga at his Wellington home. PHOTO BY ABNER PEDRAZA

wellington the magazine | may 2015

publisher’s | message

Wellington THE MAGAZINE

volume 12, number 5 may 2015

executive editor

Joshua I. Manning

publisher

Dawn Rivera

artistic director

Suzanne Summa

graphic designer Nancy Pobiak

account managers

Betty Buglio Evie Edwards Wanda Glockson

bookkeeping

Jacqueline Corrado Jill Kaskel

photography

Alan Fabricant Abner Pedraza Gregory Ratner

contributors

Matthew Auerbach Ron Bukley Chris Felker Denise Fleischman Julie Unger Deborah Welky

Wellington The Magazine

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.WellingtonTheMagazine.com

published by

Wellington The Magazine LLC

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning Wellington The Magazine is published monthly in Wellington, Florida. Copyright 2015, all rights reserved by Wellington The Magazine, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Law & Justice: Our Inaugural Legal Issue This month, we turn our focus to some the area’s top legal experts, who share their knowledge on a variety of legal topics in our inaugural Law & Justice issue. We sat down with attorneys from Greenstein & Associates, Kelk Phillips, Principle Counsel, Pike & Lustig and Morris & Shields. Not only do our legal experts provide advice on a wide array of topics, we also profile each of these local law firms. We are sure our readers will benefit greatly from this special issue. On the justice side of Law & Justice, we profile two prominent residents of Wellington — Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and former Wellington Councilman Howard Coates, who recently became a circuit court judge. You may remember Cuban-born Labarga from his time as a circuit court judge, when he was one of the key players in the disputed 2000 presidential election. We profiled him once before in 2004, and since then, he has risen to become the top judicial official in Florida, and he is the first person of Hispanic descent to lead the Florida Supreme Court. More recently, Wellington residents have come to know Coates from his time on the Wellington Village Council. In December, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to fill a vacancy on Palm Beach County’s 15th Judicial Circuit Court bench. He recently sat down with Wellington The Magazine to discuss the “steep learning curve” of this major transition. Keeping with our legal theme, we also profile Jason and Christine Borowski, a couple who purchased their dream home in Wellington, only to find it contaminated with Chinese drywall. They joined a national lawsuit in an effort to reclaim their dream. Perseverance and finding the right attorney and construction firm have allowed them to return to a completely renovated home. Moving from law to business, we sit down with Wayne Burns, new CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, as he explains the chamber’s new vision, new direction and new home in the original Wellington Mall. This month’s Wellington Gives feature honors Jackie Alvarez, a tireless advocate for the ALS Association, while Wellington Neighborhood profiles the Isles at Wellington, the community nestled behind that twostory cascading waterfall along Lake Worth Road. Wellington Health visits with Dr. George Gounakis, who recently opened his Alpha Dental office in the Woods Walk shopping plaza, and Wellington Real Estate chats with Donald Smith-Browne, who brings many years of experience to his new role as Coldwell Banker’s manager in Wellington. Wellington Spa pops by the quiet and relaxing oasis that is the Sanda Gané European Day Spa, while Wellington Home takes a look inside one of Wellington’s largest equestrian estates. Finally this month, Wellington Table dines at one of Wellington’s newest restaurants, Mellow Mushroom. As we rest after the end of a busy winter season, the staff at Wellington The Magazine wishes all those special ladies out there a happy Mother’s Day!

Dawn Rivera Dawn Rivera, Publisher

From Cuba to the Florida Supreme Court, Jorge Labarga makes Wellington proud!

wellington | social scene

Photos by Julie Unger

Annual GPL Tournament Features Tailgates, Costumes & Great Polo

The JPMorgan Chase and Gordon W. Ross-Re/Max teams on the field during the final match.

The Gay Polo League held its sixth annual International Gay Polo Tournament at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Saturday, April 11. The event featured great polo along with fun tailgates and plenty of costumes. In the end, the JPMorgan Chase team galloped away with the 2015 Senators Cup. For more info., visit www.gaypolo.com.

(Left to right) The victorious JPMorgan Chase team of Mark Bennett, Caroline Anier, Tiffany Busch and Jed Pearsall; Irene Perez of La Martina presents an award to MVP Chip McKenney; Christine DiRocco, Scott Velozo, J.P. Assad, Stephen Mooney and Kevin Clark; and Gert Crawford dials up the 1950s.

(Left to right) Sean Michael, Dr. Philippe Roof, Scott Powers, Ronnie Houck, Tito Sempertegui and Michael Powers; the Eau Spa tent featured a Frozen theme; all four polo teams take to the stage; Justin Brown, Mellani Vee and Chris Finezeo; and Kyle Lee with Joe Wagner.

(Left to right) Daniel O’Boyle, Tricia Quick, Andrew Vanderschaaf and Bryan White; Richard Coté, Gordon Ross and Patricia Whithers; Wellington Mayor Bob and Linda Margolis with Vice Mayor John Greene; and the Gert’s Salon tailgate won Best in Show.

(Left to right) The festively decorated Holla Days tailgate; Jeff Evans, Katie Fullam and Chris Bartick; the Lumber Sexuals; and GPL founder Chip McKenney and friends.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

SIX great schools educating students in Palm Beach!

Why Choose Charter Schools USA? • Tuition-free public charter schools • Personal Learning Plans • Before and after care • Character education and leadership • Meaningful parental involvement • Certified, dedicated teachers

APPLY ONLINE TODAY!

Renaissance Charter School at Wellington Renaissance Charter School at Cypress Renaissance Charter School at Central Palm Renaissance Charter School at West Palm Renaissance Charter School at Palms West Renaissance Charter School at Summit

www.CharterSchoolsUSA.com

K-7 K-7 K-7 K-8 K-8 K-8

WellingtonCharter.org CypressCharter.org CentralPalmCharter.org WestPalmCharter.org PalmsWestCharter.org RECSSummit.org wellington the magazine | may 2015

wellington | social scene

Photos by Julie Unger

Adrianna Siena Claims Top Prize At Annual Wellington Idol Contest

(Left) Adrianna Siena won the top prize, and the title Wellington Idol. (Right) All of the Wellington Idol winners gather on stage.

Wellington held the finals of its annual Wellington Idol competition on Saturday, March 28 at the Wellington Amphitheater. Contestants sang their hearts out in hopes of winning the grand prize. In the end, Adrianna Siena was named Wellington Idol. As the Grand Prize winner, Siena won a $500 cash prize and two hours of studio recording time with Cradle Rock Productions. The three age division winners were Ben Meller in Division 1, Savannah Almeida in Division 2 and Scott Houchins in Division 3. The three division winners received a $250 cash prize.

(Left to right) Judges Rocky Duvall, Julie Schrager and Jason Evan Fisher; Ben Meller sings “Barracuda.” He went on to win his age group; Savannah Almeida sings “Breathe.” She was the Division 2 winner; Scott Houchins wowed the crowd and took home the prize in Division 3; and 2014 Wellington Idol winner Jessica Pereira sings.

The Crowe Team G IN ND PE

LD SO

Isle at Wellington

Fabulous Pool Home -5 bedroom, 3 bath, 3 car garage beauty in the Heart of Wellington Double door entry welcomes you to a unique home with marble floors throughout. Gated community with great schools and in the midst of Polo Activities. Asking $544,900

Oakmont Estates

Elongated Lake View that takes your breath away! 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, in quiet community in Heart of Wellington. Newer home in a gated community that has been well taken care of by Mrs. Clean! Close to shopping and restaurants and great schools.Plenty room for a pool! Asking $360,000

Van Gogh

Rare find for Working farm ! Complete with grooms quarters. Waiting for you to acquire to start the cash flow from potential farm. Grass jump fields, 12 stalls, tack and feed rooms, paddocks and much more, drive by! Asking price $545,000.

WE ARE SELLING OUR PROPERTIES!!

SellingWellington.com 18

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

wellington the magazine | may 2015

wellington | social scene

Photos by Denise Fleischman

Chamber’s Annual Flavors Of Wellington Brings Crowds To PBIEC

(Left) Judges Johnny Meier, Stephanie Mitrione, Anne Gerwig and Michael Stone with John and Saundra Mercer (standing). (Right) Joy Lambert and Brianna House.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce held its 12th annual Flavors of Wellington food tasting event at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Thursday, April 9 to the delight of more than 1,000 attendees who were able to sample items from many Wellington-area restaurants and country clubs. A panel of celebrity judges determined the award winners: Stonewood Grill & Tavern for Best Taste, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza for Best Plate Presentation, Trader Joe’s for Best Display and Chef Shannon Atkins for Best Dessert.

(Left to right) Saundra and John Mercer (standing) with judges Jose Costa, Roxanne Stein and Mike Ferreira; Tony and Mary Alfalla with Herta and Frank Suess; Alec and Melody Domb; and Grand Champions Polo Club Chef Shannon Atkins won for Best Dessert.

(Left to right) Johnny Meier thanks Stephanie Mitrione of presenting sponsor FPL; Pat Evans and Regis Wenham; Tara Murray and Bonnie Lehmann of Whole Foods Market; Steve Good, Ray Sasso, Lisa Gabler and Jessica Ries of the Wild West Diner; and Dr. Randy Laurich with his guests.

(Left to right) Basket winner Mary Jo Watson and Roxanne Stein; the Music Masters International Band kept the crowd entertained; Dr. Xavier Garcia and Birgit Fioravante dressed in Venetian clothing to promote Opera Fusion; and Leslie Pagac of Stonewood Grill & Tavern accepts the award for Best Taste.

(Left to right) Chamber President Johnny Meier thanks PBIEC President Michael Stone for being a presenting sponsor and host venue; Eileen Trimble and Michael Hitt with Jim and Carole Verrochi; the staff from Jimmy Brooklyn’s Pizza Parlor; and Betsy Carroll with Geri Rakosky.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Maria Baiz Photography

The Wanderers Club is the perfect setting for your next event.

Let us make your event unforgettable.

For a private consultation, contact Whitney Garcia at 561.795.3501 or Whitney@WanderersClubWellington.com. WanderersClubWellington.com Full Golf or Social Memberships Available â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dues-Only â&#x20AC;&#x201C; No Initiation Fee

wellington | social scene

Photos by Julie Unger

Wellington’s Annual Egg Hunt Brings Many Kids To Village Park

(Left to right) Brycen, Giovanna and Luca Villar won a basket by finding a pink ticket; Dylan Ottmer and mom Kristy have a picture taken with the Easter Bunny; and Charlee Cable collects eggs.

Wellington held its annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4 at Village Park on Pierson Road. Children came with baskets and left with eggs and sweet treats while also enjoying their chance for a picture with the Easter Bunny. The event was sponsored by the Jacobs family and the Wellington Preservation Coalition.

(Left to right) Briseis Bollanos and Sophia and Emily Rios check out their eggs; Vera and Jemma Lee review their cache of eggs; Aubrey Cramer with her eggs; Mayor Bob and Linda Margolis with council members Anne Gerwig, Matt Willhite with Luke, John McGovern with Emilia, and John Greene; and Eric and Owen Finn found a pink ticket and picked a stuffed animal as their prize.

Consider our team as part of the Family Immigration • Green Card • Deportation • Immigration Court Personal Injury • Auto Accidents • Slip and Falls

Criminal Law • Traﬃc Tickets • DUI Family Law • Divorce/Separation • Custody Establishment/Child Support • Modiﬁcations

561-222-2222 www.greenstein-law.com

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

12500 SUNNYDALE DRIVE - WELLINGTON, FLORIDA - 5 Beds | 4 Baths | 1 Half Bath Approximate Sq. Feet: 5,059 Lot Size: 11360 Sq Ft. Privacy and Views. Rarely available and beautifully appointed, this two story home has everything your family could want. The lush courtyard area, with its heated saline pool and spa, lends itself to the privacy you want, while the expansive fenced backyard has beautiful southeastern exposures of the golf course. The open floor plan is made for entertaining. On the 1st floor is a master suite that will not disappoint with two walk in closets, a sitting area and an oversized marble bathroom. Also on the first floor is an office with a lovely courtyard view. Upstairs, there are 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a spacious loft. Across the courtyard is a perfectly private guest suite. The garage has ample room for vehicles, bikes and golf cart. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this extraordinary home! Offered at $1,195,000

Visse Wedell • Phone: +1-561-972-1177 • visse.wedell@elliman.com 340 Royal Poinciana Way • Palm Beach, Florida

wellington | social scene

Photos by Denise Fleischman

Wellington Cake Off Event Benefits Children Of Wounded Warriors

(Left) James Suarez, event organizer Bobby Simeone, Ensign Alan Law, Capt. Deirdre Krause and Vivian Simeone with a donation to the Navy Sea Cadets. (Right) Chloe, Anna and Devin Kozakoff get a donation from Bobby and Vivian Simeone and James Suarez.

The fourth annual Cake Off event to benefit the Children of Wounded Warriors was held Saturday, April 4 at the Wellington Amphitheater. The afternoon included food trucks, a cake contest, military vehicles and bingo games. The PBSO K9 Unit did a bite demo, and there was live music from the Studio 54 tribute band.

(Left to right) Cake winners David Maieras (honorable mention), Christine Morris (third place), Jeannine Dougherty (first place) and Cookie Santiago (second place); Regis and Tom Wenham of the Wellington Preservation Coalition give a donation to Bobby Simeone and James Suarez of the Children of Wounded Warriors; PBSO Deputy Paul Heckler with K9 Laky; the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Color Guard; and Ali Zaidspiner sings the national anthem.

Put some color in your spring at

Posch Boutique carefully selects the latest in luxury women’s fashion. We provide women with quality statement pieces at affordable prices.

Personal Stylist on premise

ABYSS

BY ABBEY EVENING WEAR

VINTAGE HAVANA HUDSON JEANS

Wellington Green Commons 2605 State Road 7 #430 “The Whole Foods Plaza” Wellington FL 33414

561.793.5424

Shop Online 24/7 at PoschBoutique.com

20% OFF

Any Single Item

SUGAR LIPS SKY

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

@poschboutique

CASUAL & FORMAL HATS & HANDBAGS FASHION JEWELRY DENIM

Look Who Is New In Town All your dental needs in one location

• General and Cosmetic Dentistry • On Staff Periodontist (Gum and Implant Specialist) • On Staff Endodontist (Root Canal Specialist)

George Gounakis, DMD Margarita M. Rodriguez, DMD Lindsay Perkins, DMD

561-855-4914

9897 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth Florida (In the Woodswalk Plaza two doors from Bonefish Grill) AlphaDentists.com

Grand Opening

FREE Implant Consultation D9310-The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for any service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the ad.

Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga has been a Wellington resident for more than 25 years.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Jorge Labarga

Wellington’s Enjoys His Role As Florida’s Chief Justice Story by Deborah Welky • Photos by Abner Pedraza

You may remember him as Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge Jorge Labarga, one of the key players in the disputed 2000 presidential election. Today, the longtime Wellington resident is Chief Justice Jorge Labarga, appointed to oversee the Florida Supreme Court — the first person of Hispanic descent to do so. Born in Havana, Cuba, Labarga moved to Pahokee in 1963 at age 11 so his family could reunite with his father, who had made the move two years earlier. “Following the revolution in Cuba in 1959, Fidel Castro took over,” Labarga recalled. “He had promised the Cuban people an American-style democracy, but then he declared himself a Marxist and started executing people who didn’t agree with him. We were part of the first Cuban migration in the early 1960s.” The American Dream was very real for the future chief justice. He graduated from Forest Hill High School in

1972, received his bachelor’s degree in 1976 and his law degree in 1979, both from the University of Florida. He then began practicing law as a an assistant public defender in West Palm Beach, where he was assigned to the appellate, misdemeanor and felony trial divisions. Three years later, in 1982, he joined the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, trying cases that ranged from theft to homicide. After five years there, he entered the private sector, joining the firm of Cone, Wagner, Nugent, Roth, Romano & Eriksen P.A., where he specialized in personal injury trial work. In 1992, he helped start the law firm of Roth, Duncan & Labarga P.A.

However, his private sector career was short-lived. A mere four years later, Gov. Lawton Chiles appointed Labarga to a seat on Palm Beach County’s Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court. In that capacity, he served in the family, civil and criminal divisions — and had his starring role in Bush v. Gore. “I had gone to lunch with two colleagues that day, and we were rejoicing that another judge had to handle that case,” Labarga recalled. “When we got back, the judge who had been appointed recused herself from the case, and five other judges had as well. Now it was my turn to decide. I saw no reason to recuse myself from the case, and I kept it.” It was, in his own words, “a surreal experience.” “The chief judge handed me a stack of pleading documents that had been filed, then I had to walk into the courtroom with the cameras,” Labarga said. “Here I was hearing arguments and being asked to make rulings that could de-

Gov. Lawton Chiles appointed Labarga to a seat on Palm Beach County’s Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court in 1996. In that capacity, he served in the family, civil and criminal divisions — and had his starring role in Bush v. Gore.

wellington the magazine | may 2015

“Here I was hearing arguments and being asked to make rulings that could decide who would be the next president. We had that case for almost a week, and made rulings that were appealed to the Florida Supreme Court and, eventually, the Supreme Court of the United States... If that doesn’t make your day or break your day, I don’t know what will.” CHIEF JUSTICE JORGE LABARGA

Chief Justice Jorge Labarga with his wife Zulma in their Wellington home.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

cide who would be the next president. We had that case for almost a week, and made rulings that were appealed to the Florida Supreme Court and, eventually, the Supreme Court of the United States. The case had a lot of attention, and there were new legal issues. If that doesn’t make your day or break your day, I don’t know what will.” Then again, Labarga said he remarked to his wife, Zulma, recently that he didn’t recall a time in his life when he wasn’t stressed about something. “There are people who attain inner peace, but I don’t see inner peace in my cards,” he said.

Yet Labarga seems to thrive on stress, to transcend it. Perhaps that’s why, in December 2008, he was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, where he had the unique distinction of serving for just one day, before Crist elevated him once again to a seat on the Florida Supreme Court on Jan. 1, 2009. He served as one of the six justices before being elevated to the chief justice position in June 2014. “This is the highest court in the State of Florida, and the cases we hear are very important cases for the entire state,” Labarga explained. “Many of

Wellington’s Premier Choice for Professional Massage Therapy

SPECIAL OFFER First Time Clients One Hour Swedish Massage

$49.95

A Gift From Your Heart For Your Health

(mention this ad)

Massage Makes May Merry

Mother’s Day is May 10th, Book Your Appointment Early!

Increase Energy

More Flexibility

Better Mood Boost Immunity

Less Stress Headache Relief

Ease Muscle Pain

NO Contracts/NO Memberships/NO Monthly Fees

Gift certiﬁcates available in-store or instantly online

close your eyes and count to zen

BOYNTON BEACH

3960 Hypoluxo Road 561.964.1255 lic:MM22404

Open 7 days, Open evenings Same day appointments usually available

WELLINGTON 2465 State Road 7 561.333.5335 lic:MM20994

www.ZenMassageUSA.com

BOCA RATON

21334 St. Andrew’s Blvd. 561.447.8590 lic:MM31173

We proudly use and sell Dermalogica facial products. wellington the magazine | may 2015

Chief Justice Jorge Labarga gets to leave his office in Tallahassee and come home to Wellington about five days every two months. “When I graduated from law school and my wife graduated from UF, we both decided to come back home to Palm Beach County,” he said. “Wellington seemed like a great place to raise a family.” That was 26 years ago, and Labarga is still happy with that decision.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

the cases we hear are death penalty cases. In Florida, they get a direct appeal. We hear all the cases and the motions and everything else up until the moment when the person is executed. Those are difficult cases. Also, Florida is the third-largest state in the country, and growing tremendously in the business world. The business cases we get are getting more and more complicated.” It is here that Labarga encounters his deepest frustration. “We are the third-largest state, yet we are 26th in the country regarding judicial salaries,” he said. “With the lack of proper funding for the judicial branch of government, we can’t offer salaries that will attract the type of lawyers we need on the bench. It’s difficult to leave

a lucrative practice for the salaries that judges are being paid today. It complicates everything else.” Labarga used to be able to work out his frustrations while running — up to nine miles every other day when he was a judge in Palm Beach County. “I did that for about 15 years,” he said. “Given the little time I have now, I’m lucky to get a walk in every now and then.” He also gets to leave his office in Tallahassee and come home to Wellington about five days every two months. “When I graduated from law school and my wife graduated from UF, we both decided to come back home to Palm Beach County,” Labarga said. “Wellington seemed like a great place to raise a family.”

That was 26 years ago, and Labarga is still happy with that decision. “Wellington is a wonderful, wonderful, place to live,” he said. “I’m always impressed how well it is kept; how beautiful the landscaping is and how much effort has been put in. I have been to every inch of this state, and I’m glad that Wellington is my home.” Of course, getting back and forth from Wellington remains a logistical challenge. “It’s a long drive, and there is no money in the budget for flying, so I bought myself a Toyota Prius. It’s great on mileage; I fill the tank in Tallahassee, and it gets me all the way to Wellington. It’s a six-and-half-hour drive, sometimes seven depending on traffic. When my wife is here, she usually drives, and I sit

in the front seat, reading and talking on the phone doing business — you hate to waste all those hours — but, when I’m driving, I can’t text or check my e-mail, so I have to pull over at rest areas and catch up. That makes it an eight-hour drive.” So, beyond avoiding traffic tickets, what are Labarga’s future aspirations? “The chief justice tenure is for a twoyear term,” he explained. “Then I will go back to being a justice. Once I retire from this court, I don’t know what my plans will be. I’d like to teach at a South Florida law school. And I’d love to practice law again — I’ve always loved being a lawyer. I know I cannot sit home and go fishing; it would drive me crazy. I have to work. I have to have something to stress about.”

Proctoring for Equestrian Students

wellington the magazine | may 2015

Judge Howard Coates in his courtroom.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Transition To The Bench An Exciting Experience For New Judge Howard Coates Story by Ron Bukley Photos by Abner Pedraza

Former Wellington Councilman Howard Coates’ transition from attorney to judge is going pretty well, although there has been a steep learning curve. Coates was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Palm Beach County 15th Judicial Circuit Court bench by Gov. Rick Scott in December, although it took him a few months to wind down his legal practice. “I’m in the family probate division,” Judge Coates said. “I’m in North County, so luckily that’s an area where I had a fair amount of experience coming from the private sector. My primary work was civil and commercial. I had enough family and probate experience to gain a comfort level pretty quickly in that division.” But it has taken him a while to hit his stride with his new daily schedule. “I’ve had to change my work schedule,” Coates explained. “I used to always be a second shifter, where I’d go in to work and work into the late evening. Courts start much earlier, so I’m typically in the office about 7:30 a.m. and leave between 5 and 6 p.m., depending on what’s on the agenda.” The work schedule has been quite

intense. “You’re hearing cases nonstop all day long, and when you aren’t hearing cases, you come back into your office where you’ve got a foot-high stack of orders and papers that you have to read and rule on,” Coates said. “It’s a constantly moving position.” Meanwhile, he is also learning the kind of back-office activity in the courthouse, regarding what judges have to deal with, that as an attorney, he never envisioned. “I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s very intense, but I also find it very rewarding. In my division, I deal with a lot of attorneys, but I also deal with a lot of pro se individuals representing themselves. On that aspect of it, at least for me, it’s particularly rewarding, because I know how difficult it can be for people to hire attorneys, and so I like feeling that I’m there to help people.”

Coates had to disengage himself from most previous professional ties to assume the judgeship, but finds that his background as a mediator comes into play, especially in those pro se cases. “Not so much when the attorneys are involved, but when you’re dealing with some of the pro se matters, you’re a judge and not a mediator, but you’re constantly trying to find ways to get the parties… to reach a resolution themselves, if they can,” he said. “Because more often than not, what the judge rules when two parties are in dispute, it’s typically something that leaves both sides unhappy. So if you can find a way for them to decide it themselves, that’s always a better way to go.” Coates went through weeklong judicial training sessions in January and March, and said he has an excellent support staff to help him with his mostly on-the-job training. “Nothing compares to just getting in there and doing it. The very first day I took the bench in the Family Division, I had a full-blown trial that I was presiding over. So, you have to get up to speed very quickly. It’s challenging.”

Coates was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Palm Beach County 15th Judicial Circuit Court bench by Gov. Rick Scott in December, although it took him a few months to wind down his legal practice.

wellington the magazine | may 2015

Getting used to the rhythm of his new job has been an exciting challenge for Judge Howard Coates.

When he first learned of his appointment, Coates, who is 55, thought it was a natural progression in his career. “I was practicing [law] prior to my appointment for about 29 years,” he said. “As far as the breadth of my experience, it’s really very broad and encompasses a lot of different practice areas, so hopefully, the 29 years has brought with it the acquisition of some wisdom and good judgment.” As a three-term former Wellington councilman, the other aspect of his transition is his belief in public service. “This is one of those rare opportunities where I can fulfill my desire for public service yet at the same time pursue what I was legally and professionally trained to do, and that’s how you interpret the law and apply it,” he said. Born in Richmond, Va., Coates grew up in Palm Beach County, where he attended public schools. He met Cheri, his wife of 32 years, while attending the University of Florida. “Me becoming a judge was definitely a family decision,” he said. “We both felt it was the right decision for me at this time in our lives.” They have four children, two boys and two girls. His oldest son graduated from UF with a master’s degree in construction management. His oldest daughter has a master’s degree in busi-

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

ness administration and is a first-year teacher working on her doctorate in teaching. His younger son is a junior at Florida State University, while his 16-year-old daughter is in high school. Coates did not specifically envision pursuing law as a career when he was younger but was exposed to a number of professional options. “My dad always told me he wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer, so that was ingrained in me from the beginning,” he said. “In my junior year of high school, my mathematics teacher really pressed hard for me to become an engineer because I was very strong in math.” But, coming from a family of meager means, he went into the U.S. Marine Corps out of high school for four years in the air-wing maintenance division, then attended UF, largely on the G.I. Bill, then Yale Law School. In 2001, he also earned an MBA from Florida Atlantic University. Coates was the first in his family to attend college. “I grew up from very humble beginnings,” he said. “My father was blue-collar, and my mom stayed at home and took care of us. We had enough to get by, but not much more than that.” Although he has always wanted to

be successful, money has not been a driving force in his life, and he chose a bench appointment rather than to remain in a lucrative position with McDonald Hopkins LLC. “I’ve always taken more satisfaction in trying to live a good life and do things right,” he said. “Some people were surprised that I made the move to become a judge, coming from such a large law firm, but I think that’s just another indication that what motivates me is the public service aspect, and not the wealth or money, because you don’t nearly get paid as much as a judge as you do in private practice.” Coates’ vacancy appointment to the bench is for two years. In 2016, he could face an election challenge. Coates does not tout himself as a role model, but he said he tries to lead an exemplary life. “I’ve always been extremely humble, and that probably comes from my humble beginnings, but I don’t take for granted the struggle that anyone has to make in life to get ahead, because I lived that struggle,” he said. “I hope that people will look at people like me who really started from nothing and can understand that if you do work hard, and I’m such a believer in education, if you apply yourself in school and do the best that you can do, that you can really set the bar very high in terms of what you want to achieve.” He also stressed the importance of honesty and integrity, as well as having a vision and following it through. “The ones who have a vision but can’t see it through seem to be the ones who have a little bit of trouble,” Coates said. “I believe in the Golden Rule and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, and what’s more, treat people with dignity and fairness and that’s the way they’ll treat you.”

wellington the magazine | may 2015

Wellington Couple Joins Large Chinese Drywall Suit In Effort To Reclaim Their Dream Home By Julie Unger

Jason and Christine Borowski thought they had found their dream home when they moved to Wellington in 2008 from New York with their young daughter. Instead, two years later, they discovered that they had bought into a nightmare. The house was beautiful. It fit their needs perfectly, creating a post-work oasis where they could unwind after a long day and enjoy family time. That is, until strange things started happening. “The air-conditioning units — we have two of them in the house — it just seemed that every year, one of them would just break,” Jason recalled. “It just didn’t seem right.” They kept asking their neighbors, Christine said, before they began researching online and discovered that they were experiencing many of the

same house symptoms associated with defective Chinese drywall. Eli Thomasevich, owner of Thomasevich Construction, said that common indicators of a home compromised with Chinese drywall include ground wires within receptacles, outlets and switches looking black and not like copper, and a distinct sulfur odor. “For instance, a coil in your AC handler, the average lifespan should be eight to 10 years,” Eli explained. “If your house has Chinese drywall, you can find yourself replacing it every year.”

In some cases, the house smells strongly of rotten eggs, but some houses have a nearly undetectable smell. There are companies that will come out and check for Chinese drywall, and the Borowskis were referred to a company called Chinese Drywall Screening. “As soon as he walked into the house, he said, ‘I smell it. But now I have to find it,’” Christine recalled. “They came in, started checking the wires and said, ‘Yes, you have it. Every room; every wall.’” Warned by friends that they were breathing in toxic fumes, leaving the home they loved was a devastating experience. “Worry. What do we do? Confusion. Do we walk away? It was very tough,” Christine said, because they couldn’t do

Initial demolition begins on the kitchen and living areas. PHOTOS COURTESY JASON AND CHRISTINE BOROWSKI

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

anything about it. “I still worry about it, even though it’s out.” They were eventually referred to a lawyer, Allison Grant (www.chinese drywall.com), who provided guidance as well as direction in relation to ongoing lawsuits regarding Chinese drywall. Grant is working with approximately 500 of the 4,000 claimants in a mass action lawsuit against Chinese drywall company Taishan. “It’s a very unique type of litigation,” she explained. The Chinese drywall problem stems from an off-gassing of sulfur, resulting in the pitting of various metals, specifically obvious with copper. “The remedy for it is to remove all of the drywall and the components, and that’s extremely costly,” she said. The mass action lawsuit, which is in use to reclaim these costs, is ongoing. “In many lawsuits, a plaintiff or the claimant, files against several parties who are responsible,” Grant said. “Here we have a distribution chain. It starts at the top with the manufacturer, the people or the company who made the product. Sometimes you have distribu-

tors or suppliers, you have people who installed it, you have the builders or the contractors, and what we were able to do is we were able to settle part of that chain.” This collected some money from builders, installers and suppliers, but the process is ongoing, she said. “There were some monies that have already been dispersed to those claimants, but they still are looking for the bulk of their damages, which has not yet been paid, and that’s what we’re trying to do with respect to the manufacturer,” Grant said. Through the court system, it has been determined that the cost, on average, is $86 a square foot to remediate Chinese drywall, she explained, which includes dealing with damaged components, replacing appliances and other expenses people have, including moveout costs. While the lawsuit proceeded, Christine searched online and saw a specific loan for home repairs called a 203(k) Federal Housing Administration rehab loan. The Borowskis were approved and

“They came in, started checking the wires and said, ‘Yes, you have it. Every room; every wall.’” Christine Borowski

moved on to the next step: working with a licensed general contractor with experience dealing with mitigating Chinese drywall. Luckily, their daughter goes to school with Eli and Priscilla Thomasevich’s son, so they already knew someone they trusted in the industry. Eli and Priscilla are not only experts in Chinese drywall, but their home was built with it, too. Reputation and experience, Eli said, are critical when finding a contractor to fix a Chinese drywall home. “There is a certain protocol. Companies that are dealing with this really need to know the proper cleanup steps,” he said. “If you take the Chinese drywall out and they leave the residue behind, essentially they can put back up new drywall and you can still have the same contaminants in the walls and you really didn’t fix the problem.” Originally, Thomasevich was going to fix the home, but the scheduling didn’t work out. The Borowskis began working with a different contractor. However, after a number of complications, they went looking for someone to Jason and Christine Borowski showcase their newly reconstructed kitchen area, free of Chinese drywall. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER

wellington the magazine | may 2015

After demolition, the entire area was cleaned to totally eliminate the contamination. PHOTOS COURTESY JASON AND CHRISTINE BOROWSKI

get the job done, and Eli’s schedule was free. “Within days, he was over here, walking through the house and meeting with us again,” Christine said. “It’s like it was destined to happen.” Contractors who just take down the Chinese drywall that they locate in a home and make repairs is an indicator of a contractor who doesn’t understand the severity of the problem, Eli said.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

“In order to properly remediate a home, you can’t tell exactly where every Chinese board is located,” he said. “If you truly want to remediate with 100 percent peace of mind, you need to completely remove all of the drywall from the ceilings and the walls.” After months out of their home, the Borowskis were excited to return in March.

“I was extremely happy to finally see the house gutted, because it was a long time. From the time we decided to move forward in redoing the house, it was almost a two-year process,” Jason said. A proper tear-down process with HEPA filters and the right cleaning solution is critical, Eli explained, for an effective remediation of a home. Additionally, he added, the drywall that is

The Borowski home has been transformed back to their dream home including a newly decorated family room and stunning master bathroom. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER

taken down needs to be preserved. “A lot of the people who are remediating are involved in litigation. If these contractors take these products out and don’t preserve it, don’t archive it and don’t document it properly,” Eli said, “they could actually be hindering the suit for that person.” As a result of the process, the Borowskis were able to change the tiles in the

main living area, update the kitchen, add crown molding throughout the home and upgrade the home’s three bathrooms. “There’s nothing in the house that needs to be changed or I wish we had done differently,” Christine said. “It’s perfect.” “Everything is 2015 now, rather than 2001,” Jason added.

HGTV Dream Home

Custom Homes

Residential

For the Thomaseviches, being able to help their friends was just an added bonus to a job well done. “We’re more concerned with remediating a home for the structure itself, to preserve the house itself,” Priscilla said. “People just want peace of mind to have it removed and have it replaced.” Over the last few years, the guidelines for builders have evolved, Priscilla said.

Shell Construction

Tenant Improvements

Renovations

Shell Construction 561-209-6808

Commercial

Wellington family owned business since 2002 CGC1521790

CRC1327436

CPC1458499

wellington the magazine | may 2015

GRAYHILLS AND MOHIP

Dental

GRAYHILLS AND MOHIP

561.798.1600 L-R Dr. Laurence Grayhills, DMD, MS, MAGD Dr. Vikram Mohip, DMD, MIDIA Dr. Grayhills is Chairman of Advanced Crown & Bridge at Atlantic Coast Dental Research Clinic and a Visiting Lecturer at University of Florida College of Dentistry.

Dr. Mohip has received Fellowship with the American Dental Implant Association and Masters International Dental Implant Association He is also preferred provider for Invisalign.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Our Services Include:

Dental Implants - 3D Cone Beam • Teeth Whitening Cosmetic Dentistry • Botox® • Juvéderm® Painless Laser Dentistry Oral Surgery (Including Early Cancer Detection) Invisalign • Invisable Braces

GrayhillsMohipDental.com

250 Professional Way, Wellington, FL 33414

A recommended guideline has been established by the court system through litigation, scientists and researchers, Eli added. Drywall was imported from China to Florida starting in about 2001 and continued to be used until as late as 2008. This coincided with boom years in the housing market, where there was a lot of building going on. However, those are not the only people who should be concerned. “Even Home Depot and Lowe’s purchased drywall from China and were selling it to customers,” Priscilla said. “If you remodeled something in your own home, you went to Home Depot, there is a chance you purchased it and installed it yourself.” For more information about Chinese drywall remediation, call Thomasevich Construction at (561) 209-6808 or e-mail eli@ buildwithtci.com. Jason and Christine Borowski in front of their dream home. PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER

FAMILY LAW

Law & Justice Special Legal Section

REAL ESTATE LAW ESTATE PLANNING TRAFFIC LAW FORECLOSURE

This month, Wellington The Magazine highlights five of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top legal firms: Greenstein & Associates, Kelk Phillips, Principle Counsel, Pike & Lustig and Morris & Shields. In this special section, we profile these selected firms, but also give the attorneys a voice, inviting them to weigh-in on important legal topics. This special legal section features a variety of legal categories, designed to educate readers on important issues written by some of our leading legal professionals. In addition, you can read a profile on each of these selected law firms, which are committed to providing the highest level of service to their clients. So, whether you are considering reviewing your estate-planning strategy, find yourself in a legal traffic jam, looking for assistance with real estate law expertise, need more information on family law in Florida, including everything from prenuptials to divorce, or possibly have had to deal with the misfortune of a foreclosure, it is good to know that there are many experienced and knowledgeable legal professionals ready to help.

wellington the magazine | may 2015

G&A is continuously fusing in-depth legal experience, high level customer service, and custom built technology to ﬁnd optimal solutions for our clients.

• Family Law • Litigation • Business Formation and Transactions • Equine Law

• Immigration Law • Real Estate • Wills and Estates • Contract Review and Drafting

561-222-2222 | www.greenstein-law.com Wellington West Palm Beach 12300 South Shore Blvd., Suite 210 1655 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 800 Wellington, FL 33414 West Palm Beach, Fl 33401 42

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Lake Worth 917 N Dixie Highway Lake Worth, FL 33460

FAMILY LAW

Family Law In Florida: The Never-Ending Legal Maze By Blanca Greenstein and Nina Gerardi, Greenstein & Associates

Merriam-Webster defines a maze as a “confusing intricate network of passages” or “something confusingly elaborate or complicated.” Unfortunately, this is exactly what the legal practice of family law can consist of in the State of Florida. The dedicated attorneys at Greenstein & Associates are experienced and knowledgeable and help individuals through even the most complex family law issues. When most people hear the words family law, they immediately think this means a dissolution of marriage, generally known as a divorce. However, there are many different legal issues that fall under the broad category of family law. For instance, in addition to a dissolution of marriage, there are also paternity actions, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, legal separations, custody and parenting agreements, and modifications to previous family law agreements. Family law can also encompass an array of other legal issues, such as the partitioning of title actions and equitably splitting retirement funds and businesses.

Most people do not realize how in-depth a family law case actually is or what it entails. For example, let’s take a couple that has been married for a period of 13 years with two minor children. This couple owns a home together, has a joint bank account and one party has a retirement plan that equals $50,000, and one spouse now wants a divorce. The attorneys at Greenstein & Associates would do an indepth case analysis to determine how to get our client the best results possible under these circumstances. At the very least, this case would involve separating all of the parties’ joint assets and liabilities, creating a parenting plan for the minor children, looking at the parties’ income to see how much child support would be owed, partitioning the title to the marital home, seeing what portion of the retirement plan is subject to equitable distribution, and this could also possibly be a case where one party would owe the other alimony. In Florida, the party that wants the divorce would need to file a petition for dissolution of marriage

at the courthouse and have the other party served. Once the other party is served, that party has 20 days to respond. In addition, certain documents — such as the past three years of tax information and the past three months of bank and credit card statements — have to be exchanged within 45 days after the party is served. This is called mandatory disclosure and helps attorneys and the judge determine if the matter would be an alimony and/ or attorney fee case, and what the amount of child support should be if there are minor children. If you or someone you know wants to file for a dissolution of marriage or any other family law matter, or is served with a petition and has only 20 days to respond, the attorneys at Greenstein & Associates are here to properly guide you through every part of the process. Each case is completely different; no two clients or situations are ever going to be the same in family law. Make sure you have an experienced attorney on your side to help you navigate this maze accurately.

By Deborah Welky

GREENSTEIN & ASSOCIATES Blanca Greenstein has been a practicing attorney for 23 years. As founder of Greenstein & Associates, she has assembled teams of lawyers capable of handling almost any litigious situation. While Greenstein & Associates has several offices, the firm’s original office is located right in the heart of Wellington. The practice includes attorneys who are well-acquainted with the equestrian industry and are able to help clients with everything from horse purchasing to sale disputes, from equine taxes to equine fraud. They can assist with agreements regarding stable leasing, horse leasing, boarding, breeding and training. Equine insurance, liability releases, facilities purchasing and contract drafting are all within the realm of Greenstein & Associates. In addition to horse-related issues, Greenstein & Associates also has lawyers with expertise in estate planning (wills, trusts, probate), family law (divorce), personal injury (accidents,

catastrophic injuries, wrongful death) and civil litigation (banking/lender, hospitality industry, liquor liability, real estate, tax litigation). The firm offers advice to financial services companies (regulatory compliance, creditor rights, real estate transactions) and helps with all aspects of immigration, including deportation and naturalization. Greenstein & Associates also takes great pride in serving the small business community in Palm Beach County. “We utilize the skills learned working with large corporations and employ them to help you grow and develop your small business,” Greenstein said. “We have the experience necessary to act as your personal in-house counsel and to assist you with all of your legal

The Wellington office of Greenstein & Associates is located on South Shore Blvd.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

needs, from formation to dissolution of your business.” To this end, the firm can draft or review contracts, help structure a business and advise business owners on topics such as permits, licenses, franchising and labor law. “I enjoy being a lawyer because I tremendously enjoy supporting individuals and corporations to achieve solutions to their objectives through strategic analysis and technological solutions when possible,” she said. “I would say to any aspiring lawyer that the key is to be ethical and work hard, and all of the pieces will fall into place. Never give up on your dream.” Greenstein & Associates is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd, Suite 210, in Wellington, but there are also five other Florida locations, as well as offices in New York and California. Call (561) 222-2222 or visit www.greenstein-law.com to learn more.

OFFERING in PALM BEACH POLO

Y T BU EE ST STR E B T S BE

Superbly located on the prestigious MAIDSTONE Drive, 5 Bedroom, 6 Bathroom Estate home. This elegant, contemporary custom designed home is an entertainerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delight with flowing floor plan, oversized wood burning fireplace, gorgeous views of the sparkling swimming pool and Cypress golf course .

For more information, please call Halina Sledz at: 561-383-6194 or text at 561-596-9727 For a virtual tour visit: http://tours53.vht.com/STD/T433204022/nobranding

Halina Sledz, M.S. Licensed Real Estate Broker

561-383-6194 Direct 561-596-9727 Texting ameron1@bellsouth.net

wellington the magazine | may 2015

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

REAL ESTATE LAW

Transferring Title Is Not Always As Simple As It Seems By Zachary Phillips, Kelk Phillips

Real estate law is an area of civil law that deals with the use, possession and ownership of real property. One of the most practical and important issues that affects the everyday real estate transaction is the issue of “title.” In order for a purchaser of real estate to have the entire right to the use, possession and ownership of a parcel of real property, they must have a clear chain of title that vests ownership into their name. This might seem pretty straight-forward, because a deed gives ownership from a grantor to a grantee, and it might seem that if you just follow the chain of deeds leading up to the purchaser, you would be able to have a clear title. However, an issue that often arises is when a grantor purportedly signs a deed giving all of his or her rights to the possession, ownership and use of the real property to a grantee — without having the ability to do so. For example, a husband and a wife live in a property as their pri-

mary residence but only the husband’s name is on the title. The husband then signs a deed transferring title to a grantee. This deed may appear to be all that is needed to transfer title, but due to Florida’s Homestead protections, the husband would be required to have his wife join him in signing the deed for it to be valid. Another issue that is very common is a dispute with the property owner’s homeowners’ association (HOA). If you own a property in Florida, and especially in South Florida, you are likely going to have some form of an association that has authority over your property. An HOA is given authority over all the properties that are listed on its governing documents. The most common document is known as the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions. In addition, there are usually other documents, such as incorporation papers, bylaws, amendments and board resolutions, among others.

The Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions is given the highest authority compared to the other documents because it was the initial document required to form the HOA. The best analogy is to think of the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions as the constitution and the other documents as statutes and administrative orders, which are given less precedence. This all means that while you may own the property, the HOA has a lot of say in what happens to your property. In order to challenge any actions of a HOA, the property owner must prove that the HOA was somehow negligent in carrying out some action or that it is in violation of one of its governing documents. Real estate law is a very interesting area, but can be very complex. Always seek the advice of counsel and be wary of anyone offering legal advice who is not a lawyer admitted to the bar in the State of Florida.

By Deborah Welky

KELK PHILLIPS PA The firm of Kelk Phillips PA provides a wide range of services, most notably equine law, real estate law, wills and trusts. Shareholder Zachary Phillips’ field of expertise centers in the areas of probate, real estate, wills and trusts, and family law/divorce. He also writes title for closings. The driving force behind Phillips’ career choice was clear. “I decided to become a lawyer to help people,” he said. Shareholder Laura Phillips, his wife, wanted to help people as well. “We dislike the stigma attached to lawyers and try our best to change views attached to our career,” Zachary said. Kelk Phillips, founded on the premise that customer service and legal expertise should go hand-in-hand, works to provide the highest quality of legal services to clients throughout Florida. “Whether it is to compensate for wrongs committed or to defend against a lawsuit, Kelk Phillips is well-equipped

to serve the needs of our clients,” Zachary said. Zachary obtained his undergraduate degree in finance from Florida State University, then graduated magna cum laude from Nova Southeastern University law school. While in law school, he was on the moot court team, law review and the national trial association. Laura’s extensive knowledge in the equestrian field makes her well-prepared to represent equestrians in legal matters. She received her bachelor’s

Attorneys Laura and Zachary Phillips of Kelk Phillips PA.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

degree with honors at York University in Toronto, then obtained a master’s degree in criminology at the London School of Economics in England. She received her juris doctorate degree at Nova Southeastern University. Both are members of the Florida Bar and the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida and of the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Probate and Guardianship Committee. Zachary encourages hard-working future attorneys by saying, “Don’t give up. It is worth it in the end.” Kelk Phillips PA is located at 12230 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 110-W1, in Wellington. To learn more, call (561) 515-0838 or visit www.kelkphillips.com.

Jim Brandon Equestrian Center Okeeheelee Park

The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center is a multi-discipline rental faciltiy operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. • Special Events • Hunter • Jumper • Clinics • Trails • Dressage • Western • Auctions N

Jog Rd.

Forest Hill Blvd. Pinehurst Dr.

SR-7 / Rt. 441

Amenities include: • 111 acres • Lighted Covered Arena + 5 outdoor rings • Lunge ring • Permanent Barns with fire sprinkler system • 128 matted stalls • Air Conditioned Show Offices • 8 matted wash racks • Wireless sound system • Wi-Fi • Ample parking

The Open Riding Area is open to the public daily at no charge and includes 2 additional lighted rings and 8+ miles of scenic trails.

Okeeheelee Park | 7500 Forest Hill Blvd. | West Palm Beach, FL 33413

Tel: 561.966.7090 | Fax: 561.242.7055 www.pbcgov.com/parks/equestrian/jimbrandon/

Sanda Gane` e u r o p e a n

d a y

s p a

This Mother’s Day...

Treat the special ladies in your life with the pearl treatment

$99.00(reg $300)

Sanda Gane Signature Hyaluronic Pearl Facial combines microdermabrasion, hyaluronic acid (aka fountain of youth serum) with ultrasound penetration and pearl mask to boost elasticity & hydration for a supple, toned, rejuvenated, silky appearance Add a relaxing massage for $49. Expires 5/30/15 Schedule your appointment today

561.792.9696 SANDA GANÉ EUROPEAN DAY SPA | 12300 South Shore Blvd. Suite 204 | Wellington, FL 33414 | (561) 792-9696 wellington the magazine | may 2015

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

ESTATE PLANNING

Five Things You Must Know About Your Financial Strategy By Evan W. Turk, Principle Counsel

When it comes to sound financial advice, there are many barriers, yet few logical solutions. As a portfolio manager, financial advisor and practicing attorney, it is mind-boggling how different the financial “solutions” could be. As a practicing attorney, a client had me review his mother’s financial strategy for long-term care and Medicaid. The prior attorney created an irrevocable trust to protect her assets in time, with no instruction as to how to implement it to ensure that the trust was properly funded. Only focusing on the legal strategy without the financial understanding, the attorney provided the foundation, but his strategy was not properly executed. The client’s financial advisor did not get instructions to change anything, nor did he ask the right questions on his annual review to acquire notice. In essence, the client paid in excess of $5,000 for less than 100 sheets of worthless paper. The paperwork was a good legal foundation, but did not include the financial execution that was vital to the strategy

itself. There were certainly other, more fruitful alternatives for this client that existed outside the practice of law. One of my financial client’s prior accountants was so convinced that the cost of a specific insurance strategy did not justify the tax benefit that the advice led the ultraconservative investor from doing anything other than opening five separate FDIC-insured bank accounts. That advice cost the investor more than $80,000 because of the “unnecessary expense.” Taking over a recent account for a client as a portfolio manager, it was clear that the prior advice they were given was set-up to generate commissions. This was devoid of any significant recognized financial strategy. This is an unfortunate circumstance that can be easily rectified. In my practice, we see hundreds of similar examples. We want to educate our clients so that these common pitfalls are avoided. Here are my five most noted mistakes in the area of finance: 5. Thinking that you do not have

enough money to hire a portfolio manager, financial advisor and lawyer. Nothing could be further from the truth. An investor with $5 million could lose half her money and still be alright. An investor with $30,000 in her name does not have the same luxury. 4. Thinking everything is in place. The truth is that most people would rather avoid knowing a problem exists rather than facing the decision of fixing the problem. 3. Failing to understand how much you will need in retirement. Most people think their expenses will be greatly reduced during retirement. Unless by necessity, nothing is further from the truth. 2. Failing to understand the advisor’s area of expertise. I have consistently noticed that although experts may be proficient in one field, it does not lead to knowledge of the implications of other practice areas. 1. Failing to execute. What point is having great financial advice without the willingness to commit to a decision and execute?

When it comes to sound financial advice, there are many barriers, yet few logical solutions. As a portfolio manager, financial advisor and practicing attorney, it is mindboggling how different the financial “solutions” could be. wellington the magazine | may 2015

By Deborah Welky

PRINCIPLE COUNSEL PL With 15 years of prior experience as a financial advisor behind him, attorney Evan Turk established Principle Counsel PL in 2009 to better serve clients using financially based legal strategies. Through Principle Wealth & Tax LLC, wife Karyn Turk provides services as a portfolio manager and financial advisor. “Working on Wall Street, I saw a lot of legal issues within financial strategies,” Evan Turk said. “I knew that, as an attorney, I could apply my knowledge in finance to the benefit of my clients.” Principle Counsel helps clients protect their hard-earned savings from life-altering changes, creditors, divorce or misuse. It’s a field about which the Turks are passionate. “I enjoy the challenges that come with creating strategic plans and finding ways to maximize a client’s financial potential,” he added. The office focuses on: • Family Law. One of the greatest depletions of wealth is divorce. Although Principle Counsel encourages wellthought-out prenuptial or postnuptial

agreements, the firm treats a client’s divorce like a financial transaction instead of allowing the emotional roller coaster to take control. • Estate Planning. Principle Counsel addresses obvious and not-so-obvious issues, then follows through over a period of time, rather than treating estate planning as one transaction. • Elder Law. Principle Counsel takes pride in understanding government benefits, including VA and Medicaid planning, and in utilizing innovative strategies to protect wealth while availing clients of necessary government resources. • Asset Protection. Principle Counsel understands the complexities and frustrations associated with facing a lawsuit.

Attorney Evan W. Turk of Principle Counsel PL and Principle Wealth & Tax LLC.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

The firm understands the challenges associated with wealth, and associates are proactive in their approach to protect it. • Long-Term Care Planning. A good financial plan includes a legal strategy that addresses the likelihood of having to pay exorbitantly for one’s age-related needs. • Personal Injury. Principle Counsel is highly selective regarding personal injury claims in order to focus on each client’s specific injuries, needs and concerns. “Your decision to engage us in an effective financially based legal strategy today can help protect your legacy tomorrow,” Karyn Turk said. Principle Counsel PL and Principle Wealth & Tax are located at 9897 Lake Worth Road, Suite 201. To learn more, call (561) 665-6570 or visit www.principlecounsel.com.

GLITZ & GLAM BOUTIQUE

Fabulous Fashion and Accessories

(561) 248-8263

By Appointment www.shopglitznglam.com 11496 Pierson Road C-19 Wellington, Florida

New customer discount

15% OFF ALL SERVICES! No hidden charges! $500 maximum

WATER DAMAGE

MOLD REMOVAL

CLEANING AND RESTORATION EXPERTS SINCE 1993 Licensed, bonded and insured

TILE & GROUT

NATURAL STONE

ORIENTAL RUGS

(954) 971-7991 www.CallPerfectionNow.com

CARPET CLEANING

DRAPERY CLEANING

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

“We guarantee your complete satisfaction” —David & Mitch Heitman wellington the magazine | may 2015

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

TRAFFIC LAW

How To Prove That The Other Driver Is At Fault In An Auto Accident By Michael J. Pike, Pike & Lustig

If you sustain injuries in a car accident and you want someone else to compensate you for those injuries, it is necessary to prove that someone else was at fault for the accident. Proving that someone else is at fault will make it easier to receive payments from their insurance company and will also be important if your case ultimately results in a lawsuit. Here are a few different places you can look to determine who is at fault for your accident. Police Reports Prepared as a Result of the Accident — Oftentimes police officers will come to the scene of the car accident to prepare a police report. This is especially the case if someone is seriously injured during the accident. When a police officer prepares a police report, he or she will generally conduct an interview with all of the individuals involved in the accident and also observe the scene of the accident and record observations. Sometimes the police

officer will state his or her judgment in the police report about which drivers violated traffic laws, and if anyone acted negligently or recklessly. No matter what the officer includes in the police report, it will be an important tool for you to determine whether you should seek compensation from another party and to prove to an insurance company or court that you are entitled to be compensated for your injuries. State Traffic Laws — Another important place to look to determine whether you are entitled to be compensated for your injuries is the state’s traffic laws. If another driver violates traffic laws at the time of the accident, then it will be much easier for you to receive compensation for your injuries. This is because of a legal doctrine known as “negligence per se.” An individual who violates a statute will be liable under negligence per se if the injury he caused was the type

of harm that the statute was designed to prevent, and that the person injured was a member of the class of people that the statute was designed to protect. For example, suppose that someone is driving over the speed limit and the driver subsequently hits another car as a result of his speeding. The laws that prohibit speeding are designed to prevent car accidents, and people in other cars are the type of people who are being protected by speeding laws. This situation would meet the elements of negligence per se, and the speeding driver would almost certainly be liable for any injuries he caused to the people in the car that he struck. If you have been involved in a car accident and believe that someone else should be held responsible for the injuries to yourself and to your property, contact the experienced auto accident attorneys at Pike & Lustig LLP for a consultation.

If you sustain injuries in a car accident and you want someone else to compensate you for those injuries, it is necessary to prove that someone else was at fault for the accident. wellington the magazine | may 2015

By Deborah Welky

PIKE & LUSTIG LLP Michael Pike and Daniel Lustig met while working together at another law firm. Both Wellington residents, they decided to go out on their own. Today, their law firm, Pike & Lustig LLP, tries personal injury cases and business litigation disputes in state and federal courts. Pike has established a reputation as a fierce litigator in both state and federal courts, having grown up in a family that owned an auto repair and body shop in Miami “around regular people who did not tolerate anything less than the truth.” That, he said, is what jurors want — first, the truth; and second, an understanding of that truth. Lustig is fluent in four languages, Spanish and Hebrew among them. He earned an LLM degree in intellectual property, and also practices trademark and copyright law. However, losing his brother-in-law to a car accident expand-

ed his professional interests to include personal injury and wrongful death cases. Pike and Lustig try several cases each year, but welcome a settlement if it is in the best interest of the client. The law firm handles state court cases in the tri-county area, and the firm is no stranger to federal courts across the United States regarding high-stakes business litigation. The two partners are also firm believers in giving back to the community. Pike is an avid supporter of his daughters’ Wellington school and several lo-

Attorneys Michael Pike and Daniel Lustig of Pike & Lustig LLP.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

cal businesses. Lustig is on the board of Families First and is also active with the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Networking Hispanos, several local chambers and the Palm Beach County Justice Association, where Pike served as a past president. Pike is AV rated, which is the highest rating one can receive based on legal ability and ethical standards. Both attorneys are among those selected as Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and Pike has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in the areas of Business Litigation and Personal Injury. Pike & Lustig LLP, Turnpike Law, is located at 2465 Mercer Ave., Suite 204, in West Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 855-7585 or visit www.turnpikelaw.com.

Kim Jenard

Realtor Associate (561)644-9650

kim.jenard@elliman.com www.elliman.com/kimjenard

Need IMPLANTS?

Dental Implant Specialist • Board Certified Periodontist • State-of-the-Art Equipment Digital X-Rays • Most Major Insurances Accepted • Emergencies Welcome

PALMS WEST PERIODONTAL 561-792-1212

www.PalmswestPerio.com

A Healthy, Beautiful Smile Starts Here... 685 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite #203 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 • Regional Professional Building *18 years of experience

Dr. Lauren B. Shack, D.D.S.

Equestrian Club - Reduced to sell!! Highly sought after Stockton Model located in the Equestrian Club. Long, over sized driveway surrounded by Custom Landscaping leads up to the Etched Glass Double front doors. This home offers 5 bedrooms, den, 4 1/2 baths, 3 car garage as well as screened in Pool and Lanai. IPC can be in your backyard and only minutes away from WEF. Schedule your private showing today. Offered at $700,000.00

Don’t Fret...Call Residential & Commercial

Lic & Insured CFC057392, CAC1817688

$65 Off Select Water Heaters

Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air

PALM BEACH POLO CLUB - PRICE REDUCED!! Newly renovated Cowdray Park Condo located on 2nd floor. This unit has 3 bedrooms/3 baths, screened in lanai, granite counter tops and upgraded cabinetry in kitchen, porcelain tile on a diagonal and wood floors in all bedrooms. Complete with one covered and one assigned parking space. Offered at: $375,000.00

Or Save $45 Off Plumbing Repairs.

Not to be combined with any other offer. Restrictions may apply.

hitechplumbingservices.com

561.203.6189

35 years experience ● Same Day Service ● Up front pricing Emergency Services 24/7 ● Unsurpassed Quality ● 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Equestrian Club - Beautifully upgraded Stockton Model located on the lake. This 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, office, 3 car garage pool home has lots of upgrades. The current Owner’s have included extensive Marble, Stone and Granite in this home. Great location with East Exposure in your backyard. Just under 4000 sq ft under air, this one story home offers a great floorplan and is very functional. Offered at $750,000.00

wellington the magazine | may 2015

Morris & Shields Full Page Ad

M •S Morris & Shields Attorneys at Law

Estate Planning Wills and Trusts Real Estate Probate Administration Foreclosure Defense

Robert R. Morris FLLAWMAN@aol.com

Business Law Insurance Claims General Practice Les C. Shields LesCShields@aol.com

561-793-1200

Fax: 561-793-1020 685 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. • Suite 205 • Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 website: www.FLLAWMAN.com 58

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

FORECLOSURE

Have You Been Sued For Residential Mortgage Foreclosure? By Les C. Shields, Morris & Shields

Although residential foreclosures are significantly down in number over last year, there are still lenders filing foreclosure actions on a daily basis in Florida. To most homeowners, the foreclosure action is not a surprise because they have not made their mortgage payments for a number of months. The most common reason that owners cite for missing mortgage payments is a change in circumstances, such as a loss of employment or some other income they had counted on to make their mortgage payments. Most homeowners faced with a change in circumstances or other hardship want to keep their home, but cannot afford to make the monthly mortgage payments at the required time. These homeowners can approach the lender, either before or after the foreclosure suit is filed, and request a loan modification that will reduce the amount of their monthly payments. Lenders have loan modification programs, and if a homeowner fits the guidelines to be considered for modification, the lender will send the homeowner a list of documents required in order to evaluate the modification request. If the homeowner

meets the requirements, the lender will likely offer a loan modification with a reduced monthly payment or some other form of relief. If the homeowner does not meet the requirements of any of the lender’s programs, the lender will move forward with the foreclosure action. In fact, even if the homeowner does qualify for a loan modification or other lender program, the lender will likely continue with the foreclosure action in court at the same time that the homeowner and the lender are working out the details of involvement in the modification program. The lender does this so that in the event that the homeowner does not qualify for the program, the lender will already have the foreclosure action filed and underway. Homeowners who are in default and do not want to keep their homes can also ask the lender for inclusion in a program that allows the homeowner to divest himself from the property, whether it be a deed in lieu of foreclosure, cash for keys, short sale, etc. Using one of these tools can help minimize the homeowner’s cost of mortgage foreclosure, but does require the home-

owner give up his or her residence. Of course, there are legal defenses to mortgage foreclosure, explanation of which is outside the scope of this article. This is why a homeowner should promptly consult with an attorney when served with a mortgage foreclosure lawsuit. A qualified attorney can advise the homeowner as to whether they need an attorney or can handle the matter themselves, and can inform them of any legal defenses that may be available. The defenses rely on the specific facts of each case, which makes it important that the homeowner consult with a lawyer who has significant experience in foreclosure defense law. When served with the lawsuit, the homeowner has just days to file a response, so there is no time to delay. In summary, a mortgage foreclosure action can be tricky to navigate. Further, a mortgage foreclosure action can be stressful, and turn a homeowner’s life upside down. A homeowner faced with mortgage foreclosure should at least consult with an experienced attorney to determine the best way to proceed with a minimum of disruption to the homeowner’s life.

Although residential foreclosures are significantly down in number over last year, there are still lenders filing foreclosure actions on a daily basis in Florida. wellington the magazine | may 2015

By Deborah Welky

MORRIS & SHIELDS Les Shields of Morris & Shields has been in practice for 22 years, a career choice that was partially the result of marrying the daughter of well-known local attorney Robert R. Morris. “My father-in-law loves his work,” Shields said. “Accordingly, I connected with him and went to law school in 1990. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1993, Shields has years of experience representing insurance companies, and experience representing both lenders and homeowners in mortgage foreclosure actions. He has represented residential and commercial builders, Realtors, nursing homes and individuals suing their condominium associations to enforce their rights. Eighteen years of experience in civil litigation have given Shields valuable insight into meeting the needs and protecting the interests of individual clients faced with the need for representation in a variety of legal matters.

Meanwhile, Morris brings to the practice a wide range of experience as an accountant in a CPA firm as well as in computer sales, sales management, real estate brokerage, land development and home building. The broad range of their combined experience enables Morris & Shields to expertly handle estate work (wills, trusts and probate matters), foreclosure defense, and civil litigation matters such as evictions and breach of contract actions. But no matter the case, their mission is “to demonstrate to our clients and the public that there is more to life than just living.” They do this by

Attorney Les Shields, with his wife Terree, at the Royal Palm Beach office of Morris & Shields.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

providing professional, personalized services in a profession often charged with indifference and a lack of compassion. Shields also has some words of advice for those considering entering the field of law. “Specialize in the area of the law that you find most interesting,” he said. “Operating a general practice means that sometimes you take cases in an area of the law that you do not enjoy practicing. When everything clicks into place while practicing law, it is highly enjoyable work… Helping people solve their problems is satisfying. Morris & Shields, Attorneys at Law, is located at 685 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 205, in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 793-1200 or visit www.fllawman.com.

Arthritis Pain?

It’s time to put your foot down. Since it is so important to your mobility, any issue with your big toe can make jogging, walking, or simply standing a painful chore. If nonsurgical treatment has not relieved your pain, you may want to consider surgery. Your doctor may choose from several Wright products to treat your arthritis.

Call one of our five convenient locations to schedule an appointment today!

FFoot Arthritis

Boca Raton West Boynton Beach West Palm Beach Fort Lauderdale Coral Springs

Solutions from So

Dr. Alan A. MacGill DPM, FACFAS

Dr. Kyle J. Kinmon MS, DPM, FACFAS

Dr. Julio C. Ortiz DPM, FACFAS

(561) 995-0229 (561) 369-2199 (561) 357-9330 (954) 533-6396 (954) 753-3030

www.certifiedfoot.com

In any surgical procedure, the potential for complications exists. The potential risks and complications with products used in foot surgery include infection, pain, inflammation and swelling at implant site, allergic reaction to implant material(s), loosening or dislocation of implant resulting in revision surgery, deterioration or loss of bone, over-production of bone, blood vessel blockage, and negative bodily response due to implant rejection and/or implant wear debris. ™Trademarks and ®Registered marks of Wright Medical Technology, Inc. Stock imagery courtesy of Getty Images ©2014 010449A_17-Jun-2014_Ad1

There’s a Contact Lens for That! Contacts for close…contacts for far. Contacts beneath sunglasses in your car. Contacts to make your eyes more blue, Contacts for vacation, overdue. Contacts for lying by the pool, Contacts to see the board at school. Contacts for your wise old eyes, Contacts for the little guys. Contacts to hit the ball out of the park, Contacts to see better after dark. Contacts after LASIK fades, Contacts for all blurred bridesmaids. If Contacts are what you want to wear, You’ve found the place, SeaView Eyecare! Call our office today to schedule an appointment for a contact lens examination!

Dr. Amanda Weiss Optometrist

Wellington Green Commons Whole Foods Plaza - next to AT&T • 2545 S. State Road 7 • Suite 10 www.seavieweyecare.com • 561-790-7290 wellington the magazine | may 2015

CEO Wayne Burns Charts

A New Course For The Central Palm Beach County Chamber Story by Chris Felker • Photos by Julie Unger

As CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Burns aims to provide a unified voice and essential services for the varied business interests here in the western communities and beyond. Now on the job for 18 months, Burns said one of the biggest challenges has been trying to bridge the ever-present gap in Palm Beach County between the interests of the more tourism-oriented coastal businesses, the local companies based in the suburbs, and those of the agricultural and service-related businesses of the county’s western reaches. “It poses great opportunity and challenge because South Florida is a bit unique in that, if you live east by the ocean, or west by the sugar cane and the horses, it’s almost like two different places,” Burns said. The chamber he heads is the product of a merger two years before he took over, between the Greater Lake Worth Chamber, which had a more coastal base, and the Palms West Chamber, dominated by west-central county businesses. But Burns believes that he has hit on a formula to unite chamber members behind a common vision. “When you merge such a difference in culture, you have to look for commonality, and so, that’s what we’ve been really working on,” he said. Along the way, Burns relies on his trustees and board members to help create that vision. “I think the trustees and the board members tell a story,” he explained. “It’s 62

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

an expanded group, and I think a prominent group, of representative leaders from all types of businesses. If you look at their addresses and the cities they’re from, it’s across the entire county, not just within our central area.” Burns threw himself wholeheartedly into his position, taking what he called a “whirlwind” tour of more than 200 businesses that are members. Burns learned what chamber functions are most important to the owners and the viability of their businesses. And he’s moved forward boldly on several fronts, harnessing in tandem the power of the chamber’s Central Palm Beach County Foundation, which he also heads, to spearhead several key initiatives. But first, Burns had to deal with the chamber’s internal issues, concerning board governance and funding of its programs. “The first objective… was to address the governance issue, in terms of the fact that in successful chambers, boards of directors are typically those folks who are top leaders in your county, and they also demonstrate leadership by making a financial investment in your chamber,” he said. Burns explained that because most members of the chamber are small businesses, the funding has to come from alternative sources. That made board

development and board leadership key issues, he explained. He has since recruited a number of new members with hefty economic clout. “We have more members now than we had a year ago, including trustee and board members going up to PGA Blvd., extending down to Boynton Beach and out to Belle Glade. We’ve added members and trustees all the way out to the lake, including the CEO of the Bank of Belle Glade, the CEO of Tropical Shipping in Riviera Beach and the Florida executive director for AIG up on PGA Blvd.,” Burns said. And then, looking to outside relations, he focused on communication with the members. “The first objective was to get the message out to our members and prospective members that we were taking a new strategic direction,” he said, which he worked to achieve through almostdaily trips all over the county. The recent sale of the chamber’s office building at Southern Blvd. and F Road to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves fulfilled one of his operational goals. “We can finally move forward with our strategic plan, and we got out from under something that was a drag on our organization,” Burns said. The chamber’s new office is in Suite 19A of the original Wellington Mall, located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Currently Burns is emphasizing two innovative initiatives: the chamber’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program, through which cham-

CEO Wayne Burns at the chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new office in the original Wellington Mall.

wellington the magazine | may 2015

ber staff members work with local businesses that are encountering obstacles in their decisions to move their offices or expand their current space; and the chamber’s decision to implement the Young Entrepreneurship Academy (YEA), which is offered through a national organization that creates curricula for local chambers of commerce to sponsor in their communities. Burns believes the BRE program is underused, underappreciated and underpublicized, adding that he has a great deal of experience in the area. “I think sometimes people glaze over it as some kind of mysterious buzzword,” he said. “The economic development industry… is an industry — there are formal certification processes that take years, and many have compared the general certification as something akin to taking the law boards or real estate boards.” He holds certification from BR&E International, and is working on his general certification. Burns is determined to get the word out that regardless of whether businesses are chamber members, if they need help with planning or expansion, they should call and see if his staff can assist. He cited several recent examples of how the chamber has aided local small businesses, including the case of East-

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

(Above and below) Wayne Burns, CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, with his assistant, Martina Sanchez.

wind Development in Boynton Beach, which was seeking to build apartment buildings with nice amenities, including a large swimming pool, aimed at the educated, upscale, young family demographic. Eastwind was having trouble dealing with the city commission. “We advocated for them, actually joined them at the commission meeting,” Burns said. “One commissioner cited our language on behalf of the development as a reason for changing his vote from against to for, and [Eastwind was] successful in getting that development through. Now they’re working on the permitting to break ground.” Other efforts have included advocacy on behalf of the Medical Board of Governors, which opposed an effort in Royal Palm Beach to put in a free-standing emergency room. “It would’ve actually been a detriment to local residents, the public and cause some bottlenecks in delivery of critical care services,” he said. Also, the chamber has been fighting for the extension of State Road 7 to Northlake Blvd. “We’re going to continue that effort. It’s not a political issue; it’s an economic issue,” he said. Burns is very proud of the Young En-

trepreneurship Academy. The chamber is one of only three chambers in the county to offer it. “We are working on it now, but at the beginning of 2015-16 school year, this August, we’ll actually launch the curriculum,” he said. “It’s an after-school, extracurricular program.” Students in grades six through 12 are eligible to apply. “We’re working with the local principals and parents to get the word out and get the applications in,” Burns said. “Then there’s an oversight committee formed by local businesses, and they review all those applications. At the end of the school year, those 24 students, when they graduate, will have started their own business, registered in the State of Florida, either in providing a service or a product.” Burns noted that the YEA program has a great track record in helping graduates of the program complete high school on time and get set up for success in the business world. “That’s a pretty strong opportunity, and we’re very excited about that,” he said. For more information about the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.cpbchamber.com or call (561) 7906200.

wellington the magazine | may 2015

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

wellington | spa

Sanda Gané

European Day Spa

A Quiet And Relaxing Oasis Story and Photos by Julie Unger

Conveniently located on South Shore Blvd. is a spa oasis hidden in an elegant office building. Sanda Gané European Day Spa provides a welcoming break from the day with a wide variety of luxurious pampering procedures. With facials, clinical treatments, body treatments, massages, pedicures, body and facial waxing, tinting and more, Sanda Gané European Day Spa offers a one-stop mini-vacation. Co-owner Maxine Turner said that the spa opened in December 2009. However, Sanda Gané, the other coowner, has been a well-known name in

the Wellington spa industry for more than 30 years. On the second floor of the Mizner Place building, Sanda Gané European Day Spa is conveniently located near restaurants and shopping, yet with a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. “Someone said it’s like a little private club up here, because it’s so secluded,” Turner said.

Radiofrequency and Swiss Diamond Abrasion treatments are some of the spa’s most popular treatments, she explained. “Radiofrequency is one of the newer technologies, where radio waves are used to penetrate the skin, and that stimulates collagen and elastin,” Turner said, noting that the treatment helps to wellington the magazine | may 2015

“If you’re not drinking enough eliminate fine lines and wrinwater, your system is not going kles. “It penetrates deep into to be able to flush all of that out the derma layers, so it is helpof your body.” ing the skin to rebuild itself That knowledge, and spefrom inside out.” cific instructions, are common Lymphatic drainage for the at the spa, which has 15 highly body and the face is a specialty trained employees and late at the spa, where trained techhours. nicians increase the movement “Give us a try; you will not of fluids through the body, be disappointed,” Turner said. helping the lymphatic system. “Our staff is very knowledgeBody sculpting is another able. We do continuing educaspecialty the spa offers that proMaxine Turner, Fran Broadhead, Marianne Porto, Rebecca tion constantly. We go to all duces noticeable, immediate Hager, Patricia Morris, Adriana Suarez and Vivian Medina. these trade shows, and we try benefits. “If you have a special occasion and you want to fit into that Drinking plenty of water, Turner to stay on top of the latest technology. dress, you come and have a sculpt ses- said, is important to increase the ben- We’re always learning, and because we sion, and that will help to tighten up ev- efits of the many treatments the spa of- are always learning, it gives us the opportunity to deliver first-class service to erything,” Turner said. “It lasts if you do fers. a series of treatments, usually a series of “If you’re not drinking enough water, our clients.” Some of the elite skincare products four or five, I have one client who said then you’re not able to move whatever she lost 3.5 to 4 inches after five treat- we’re breaking up, whatever stagnation utilized at the spa include Circadia, ments… It’s not just the sculpting, but that the massage, lymphatic drainage Swiss Line and SkinCeuticals, as well as it’s also diet and exercise.” or facial is breaking down,” Turner said. Essie and OPI nail products.

inic

Anima l Cl

All P a

NEW

Pal m B

PET CARE REWARDS CARD Our Pet Care Rewards Membership rewards you for giving your pet the best chance to live a long and healthy life. We have developed a rewarding membership plan that unleashes the savings by giving back rewards and supporting a great cause at the same time! • Instant Rewards of 5% Cash Back • With every dollar you spend at All Paws Animal Clinic We Will Donate 2% of the total bill to the Veterinary Care Foundation • Many other exclusive benefits that members will get throughout the year!

1011 North State Road 7 • Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 790-9225 • www.allpawsanimal.com 68

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

“When Only The Best Will Do”

Premier Landscape Management EQUESTRIAN • RESIDENTIAL • ESTATE PROPERTIES

561-531-3723 LANDSCAPE DESIGN • SOD • IRRIGATION TREE TRIMMING • FERTILIZATION MONTHLY MAINTENANCE PEST CONTROL (Clean & Treat Co. Jb6356)

vividgreenlandscaping.com Serving Wellington & The Palm Beaches Since 1998

wellington | spa

The products are constantly changing, and the lemon zest facial is one of the newest offerings. This Mother’s Day, there will be a special package available that includes a pearl facial, pearl mask, microderm abrasion and a massage. “We constantly run specials,” Turner said. “Each month, we send you an e-mail as to what the specials are.” The spa frequently partners with charities to help raise money while providing pampering in the six rooms that are used for waxing, massages, facials

and body treatments. There are also nail tables, pedicure stations, a relaxation room, a changing room and other areas to relax. “We take pride in what we do,” Turner said. “Everyone here is very compassionate and passionate about what they do, and that compassion is transferred

into the services that we offer our clients. Our clients walk out feeling revived and rejuvenated, and, of course, we deliver great results.” Sanda Gané European Day Spa is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd., Suite 204, in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 792-9696 or visit www.sandagane.com.

Serving all of Palm Beach County FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FOR 20 YEARS

561.798.5722 www.pmi1call.com

Quality Repairs at Competitive Prices Complete Home Remodeling

KITCHENS • ADDITIONS • BATHROOMS • PATIOS

Attention Equestrian/ Snowbirds!

Lic# CBC057941 • Insured & Bonded

Reserve your kitchen and/or bathroom remodels today and let us transform your home during the off season. (ask for details) Proud Member of

All Work Warranteed wellington the magazine | may 2015

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

wellington | neighborhood (Below) Dennis Slattery, vice president of the Isles at Wellington master homeowners’ association.

The Isles At Wellington

A Family-Friendly Community With Great Amenities Story and Photos by Julie Unger

From the entrance at Lake Worth Road, all you can see is a two-story cascading waterfall — a magnificent, towering staircase of water surrounded by lush vegetation. There’s an aura of elegance, mystery and beauty that only hints at what is contained inside. After entering through the gates of the Isles at Wellington, visitors arrive in a community of 759 single-family homes spread throughout 10 neighborhoods, each with its own association. Construction on the Lennar-built community began in 1998 and ended a decade later. Some of the neighborhoods are as small as 68 homes and range up to 135 homes, explained Dennis Slattery, vice president of the master homeowners’ association. “Each of the neighborhood HOAs elect a person to go on the board. I’m the vice president of the master HOA now, and I was the president for two and a half years,” he explained. The neighborhoods include Bahia Bay, Bluff Harbor, Grande Bay Estates, Manderly Bay Estates, Marina Bay Estates, Mariners Cove, Regatta Bay Estates, The Estates, Windsor Bay Estates and Windward Cove. Along with Slattery, Joe Castelli, Michael Mishkin, Richard Westwood, Joe Moura, Doreen Desantis, Brent Crowe, Paul Almond and James Napuli are on the master board. The Isles has a quarterly newsletter put together by one

of the residents. It offers updates, information, phone numbers and community reminders. The Isles also uses the My Community Alert system. “There are messages that can come up on your smart phone,” Slattery said. “It lets people know what’s going on, if there’s a problem with the gate, if something is happening… We’re one of the few neighborhoods to have that.” Slattery noted that the Isles is a family-friendly community. “We have two major schools within a quarter mile,” he said. “It makes for a family neighborhood. We also have the bus that we allow to come in and pick up the kids here at the clubhouse for the high school and the middle school.” Resident diversity is one of the things that Slattery feels makes the area unique. “It’s a very diverse neighborhood,” he said. “I think it happens because where we started with building, being a new neighborhood, people felt comfortable coming here, and, of course, they wanted the nearby schools, especially young families.” The Isles offers many amenities — 10 sparkling lakes, a mitigation area, grassy areas and courts for basketball and tennis, heated pools, playgrounds, a clubhouse with a fitness center and exercise classes, and cable television and alarm systems for each home.

wellington the magazine | may 2015

The main pool area was just recently updated with new pavers and new landscaping. A renovation is in the works for the inside of the clubhouse, since the outside was just redone. Houses range in price from $300,000 to more than $1,000,000, offering a wide variety of different sizes, layouts,

exterior and interior details. Regardless of the price or the size of the home, every home has the same access to the amenities. “People come from all walks of life here,” Slattery said. “Everybody gets along. We’ve never had any real problems.”

VISIT US FOR OUR GRAND OPENING MAY 29th 3-7PM

13912 WELLINGTON TRACE, STE 200 • WELLINGTON, FL 33414

9082 Alexandra Circle Wellington Four bedroom, three full baths in this Montecito model with soaring ceilings located in Olympia. The master suite is spacious and includes a sitting area. One bedroom and full bath on first floor. The other two bedrooms are located on the second floor and share the third bathroom. Large private yard and walking distance to the Olympia Clubhouse that offers resort style amenities including a fitness center,indoor/outdoor basketball, volleyball court, tennis courts, playground, kiddie water park and a gorgeous pool with cabanas and a spa. SOL

9862 Scribner Lane

SOL

2912 Shaughnessy Drive

Properties available in Olympia, Buena Vida, Thoroughbred Lake Estates, Loxahatchee Groves, The Shores

Maria Furtado Keyes Real Estate 13912 Wellington Trace, Ste 200 • Wellington, FL 33414 mariafurtado@keyes.com • 561-209-8350 Direct Line 508-728-8760 Cell Phone

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

UC T IN A

ION

9821 Via Grande W

All of the lakes within the Isles flow to the mitigation area, which is monitored and outflows into Wellington canals during the rainy season. “We also test it for water quality, and it always exceeds the quality parameters,” he said. “It actually cleanses the water as it goes through. It’s full of alligators too, they like it out there.” A focal point of the community is its iconic waterfall, which has proven to be a popular location for prom and wedding pictures. It has, however, also been the source of a few headaches, as soap and other things have been poured into the water. Such mischief has drastically decreased, though, since the addition of cameras. “It is a nice place to live. We have a lot of long-term residents,” Slattery said. “It’s quiet. The neighbors are friendly… and it’s a very, very subdued neighborhood.” The houses are generally Mediterra-

wellington | neighborhood nean-style, he explained, and The Estates, the last community to be built, had property values up to $1.8 million at the height of the housing market. That area is more Mediterranean in style than the rest. There’s a bike path around the community that many residents utilize. “One of the main reasons, too, that people come here once they’ve seen the area is that Wellington’s Village Park is within two miles of our entrance,” Slattery said. “It has all of the sports for the young kids, so that’s a big, big draw besides the two schools.” The proximity to the Mall at Wellington Green is also great, and many equestrians gravitate toward the Isles because of its proximity to the polo fields and show grounds. “The Isles is a good place to live, to raise a family and to be close to the schools,” he said. “It’s going to stay that way for a long, long time.”

wellington the magazine | may 2015

elcome to YorktowneÂŽ, where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll discover unexpected appeal and casual elegance crafted to last a lifetime. Take delight in Americanmade kitchens and baths that have an abundance of style and innovative storage solutions.

561-676-0540 jaimpressions.com

3220 Fairlane Farms Road, Suite 8 Wellington, Florida lic# FL cbc1259870 lic# DE 2014605188 lic# PA 09855

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

wellington wellington | real estate | spa

Coldwell Banker Manager

Donald Smith-Browne

Brings A Wide World Of Experience To Wellington Story by Matthew Auerbach • Photo by Abner Pedraza

Donald Smith-Browne grew up an Army brat — the start of a journey that would eventually lead him to the Sunshine State. “I grew up living on several different bases. I lived in Germany, Central and South America,” he said. “I was also in the Army and, when I got out, I went to Florida State University.” After college, Smith-Browne wound up in California, working in the entertainment industry. After marrying his wife, Carrie, they moved to Florida in 2003. (Carrie was born and raised here.) They have two sons, ages 10 and 6. “I love living here,” Smith-Browne said. “It is very familyfriendly and has amazing schools. The abundance of outdoor activities is a huge plus. This is such a great place to raise a family, and that was a major reason for coming back to Florida.” Besides a change of address, returning to the Sunshine State also meant a change of careers. “I had an interest in real estate and decided to pursue it,” he said. “I was licensed in May 2004 and started working with Coldwell Banker.” Smith-Browne is now manager of the Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate office in Wellington, a position he achieved through hard work and service to the company. “I began as an associate and, after a couple of years, I switched from an associate to a marketing coordinator for Coldwell Banker, covering Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties,” he said. After serving in that position for two years, he was offered an opportunity to manage an office. “I accepted the position and have been managing ever since,” Smith-Browne said. “I started with our Palm Beach Gardens office, moved to our Jupiter office and have been with the Wellington office for just over a year now. I enjoy managing and the challenges it brings.” Smith-Browne was initially attracted to Coldwell Banker

because of the training they offered newcomers to the world of real estate. “I came into this business with zero experience, and through their training, I was able to become a successful associate and continue to work my way up through the company,” he said. He also appreciates Coldwell Banker’s commitment to stay ahead of the technological curve. “In the past year, Coldwell Banker has launched several programs to help agents,” Smith-Browne said. “Coldwell Banker is continually looking to bring the latest technology to its agents and help them grow their business.” He believes the local real estate market is healthy and will only get stronger in the months and years ahead. “The market is continually improving,” Smith-Browne said. “January started a little slow, but that is expected after the holidays. February and March were strong months. The market has settled, and we are not seeing such big swings anymore. Homes are starting to appreciate at a normal rate. With interest rates still at low levels, it continues to make real estate a good investment. As the economy continues to improve, I believe the real estate market will remain stable and continue to see gains.” Donald Smith-Browne’s office is at 12300 South Shore Blvd., Suite 100, in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-3400 or e-mail donald.smithbrowne@floridamoves.com. wellington the magazine | may 2015

We make math make sense. Score big with Mathnasium this summer!

CALL OR VISIT TODAY! Now Enrolling for Summ er

Avoid the Summer Slide!

(561) 320â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1225 Mathnasium of Wellington

Next to L.A. Fitness and Stonewood Grill

mathnasium.com/wellington Mathnasium of Boynton Beach

Next to Bed Bath & Beyond and Old Navy

mathnasium.com/boyntonbeach

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Enroll now and receive

FREE

Registration & Assessment!

A $149 value! An in-depth analysis of your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number sense, grade readiness and other math strengths and weaknesses.

wellington wellington | health | spa

Dr. George Gounakis

Opens New Alpha Dental In The Woods Walk Plaza Story by Ron Bukley • Photo by Abner Pedraza

Dr. George Gounakis recently opened Alpha Dental, a full-service dental office in the Woods Walk shopping plaza at the corner of Lake Worth Road and State Road 7. “It is a general dentist office with a multi-specialty aspect to it,” Gounakis said. “We’re going to have two general dentists; myself, I’m the periodontist; and an endodontist who is a root canal specialist. We’re going to have just about all the dental services under one roof.” One of the general dentists, Dr. Lindsay Perkins, has experience treating children. “The service we’re going to provide here is going to be unlike most dental offices, where we can do everything in one location,” Gounakis said. “Patients don’t like leaving someplace where they’re comfortable and then going to someone who they don’t know and don’t have a relationship with.” Gounakis, who received his dental degree from Nova Southeastern University, has been practicing periodontics for the past 11 years at other dental offices. As a periodontist, Gounakis specializes in gum and bone related issues, with his primary focus being implants. He said his particular field has molded itself over the years toward implant-related services rather than trying to save a tooth that the patient winds up keeping only one or two years. As an implantologist, one of his specialties is dentures, both permanent and removable, mounted on implants. “We take either a scan or an X-ray and evaluate the bone that the patient

presents with, and if we have adequate or close-to-adequate amounts of bone, either we go straight to placement of the implants, or we can do some bone augmentation to give the patient the foundation we need for me to place the implants,” he said, explaining that with advances in materials available, bone transplants are no longer necessary for augmentation. “The beautiful thing about the implant is that once the implant is in the bone, it puts pressure on the bone and keeps the volume of the bone in place.” The office will also offer in-house “dentures-in-a-day” service. “We’re going to have a lab technician coming in, and typically, if you take an impression, it takes 10 to 14 days to get a denture made,” Gounakis said. “We’re going to have one made within two hours here at the office. If you’re missing one tooth and you can’t afford a bridge or an implant, then we’re going to offer the service where we can make a denture with one single tooth on it, and it’ll take us two hours to make it for you here inside the office.” The office opened with five chairs in private rooms and has enough space to expand to seven, with two full-time dentists and three full-time hygienists, he said. All the rooms are fully equipped, including digital X-ray in each room and a TV monitor that accesses both X-ray images and distractions for the patients.

The rooms are appointed with calming wood tones and wallpaper. “These rooms are designed so they’re nice and private,” Gounakis said. Office Manager Christine Mathews said the office ambiance is unlike many other dental offices. “What we’re trying to do is give them that atmosphere where it’s not as stimulating in a stressful way for the patients,” Mathews said. The initial visit includes a blood pressure check, cancer screening and full oral examination. “A majority of the time, and a lot of people don’t realize this, is that anything that’s wrong with you health-wise, your mouth will tell you before anything else,” Mathews said. “If there are issues, that’s where we’re trying to get that to the patients so they are aware and understand.” Alpha Dental is located at 9897 Lake Worth Road in the Woods Walk shopping plaza. For additional information, call (561) 855-4914. wellington the magazine | may 2015

Wellington’s Jackie Alvarez A Tireless Advocate For The

ALS Association By Deborah Welky

Think “Lou Gehrig” and two things come to mind: his amazing career with the New York Yankees and the disease that ended his life at age 37. The baseball great so catapulted the illness into the public’s consciousness that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease to this day. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively paralyzes its victims by attacking nerve cells and pathways in the brain or spinal cord. Patients slowly lose the ability to walk, to eat, to speak and, eventually, to breathe. Every 90 minutes, another victim is diagnosed. Every 90 minutes, another victim dies. In Florida alone, 1,600 people are currently suffering with ALS. For Wellington resident Jackie Alvarez, it was her 35-yearold son, Stefan. “My father had a construction company and Stefan was working with him when one of his fingers started going 78

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

numb. He didn’t think much of it — you know, young people. Even we thought it was probably a pinched nerve. A few months later, he was having trouble breathing. The doctors thought it was pneumonia, or maybe a virus. They put him on antibiotics.” Antibiotics didn’t help, and this type of misdiagnosis is common. ALS is often the furthest thing from anyone’s mind, yet it can strike anyone at any age. There is no known cause and no known cure. “He ended up moving back with me,” said Alvarez, who is a registered nurse. “He had a serious girlfriend, but when she heard the diagnosis, she moved away. It made everything extra sad for him. I guess she just couldn’t face it.” Stefan’s hands went first. “His fine motor skills were gone,” Alvarez recalled. “He began having trouble feeding himself. Then his legs got weak, his speech became garbled and he had difficulty swallowing. He would choke.” That was a particularly cruel blow, as Stefan had always

ALS Association Sees A Cure On The Horizon

(Above) Jackie Alvarez with super heroes from Stefan’s Dream Team. (Left) Stefan’s Dream Team at the Walk to Defeat ALS held in March.

loved to cook — and to eat. Yet he was soon on a feeding tube. “He chose not to be put on a breathing machine, and that was very difficult for me,” Alvarez said. “I even had the doctors ask him, ‘Are you sure?’ It’s sad, because when ALS patients go, their mind is all intact. They always know what’s going on.” Stefan’s deterioration also took its toll on his younger siblings, brother Matthew and sister Nancy. “People don’t think about that,” Alvarez said. “It’s very draining. Everybody tried to help as much as they could. As a nurse, it was interesting to be on the other side, to see how a handicapped person is treated. You have to go everywhere with them, but there are never any handicapped parking spaces. People still look the other way — it’s hard. And it’s hard to watch them go in front of your eyes.” Stefan died a year and a half after his diagnosis, in March 2005. “Stefan was very brave, but his dream was that they find a cure,” Alvarez said. To that end, Alvarez has been participating in the annual Walk to Defeat ALS every year since 2006. The Okeeheelee Park event is organized by the Florida chapter of the ALS Association, and that’s where Alvarez was on Saturday, March 21. “My team is called ‘Stefan’s Dream Team,’” she said. “In the beginning, it was just me. Now my team numbers about 34.” All told, there were 60 teams and almost 1,000 walkers at the Palm Beach Walk to Defeat ALS. A one-day bicycling tour — the Ride to Defeat ALS — is another ALSA event and one Alvarez hopes to participate in soon. This year, it will take place Saturday, Nov. 7 at Indian Rocks Beach in Pinellas County and will include a 5K run. Last year, ALSA events raised almost $1.5 million in Florida. “We had a great turnout for the Palm Beach Walk to Defeat ALS this year,” said Kim Hanna, president and CEO of the Florida chapter of the ALS Association. “We are so very thankful for the hard work and generosity of the Palm Beach

The ALS Association feels primed for a breakthrough leading to a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis due to three promising research areas: ▶ First, the identification of genes has exploded in recent years. Since the first gene was discovered more than two decades ago, approximately two dozen genes have been identified that are factors in either sporadic or familial cases of ALS (only 5 percent to 10 percent of cases are familial). More genes lead to better models, more specific targets and a deeper understanding of the disease. Many ALS scientists propose that ALS is actually a family of diseases caused by a genetic vulnerability combined with an environmental risk factor. For some unknown reason, military veterans are twice as likely to contract it, regardless of their branch of service, the era in which they served and whether they served in peace or wartime. ▶ Second, researchers are working to identify a biomarker. A biomarker would shorten the length of time for clinical trials because scientists could measure something besides function or survival. A biomarker would also reduce the time it takes to receive a proper diagnosis. Because ALS is a diagnosis of exclusion, all other possible diseases must be ruled out before concluding the patient has ALS. It is not uncommon for it to take years for a patient to finally get a proper diagnosis. ▶ Third, the ALS Registry, launched in 2010, is analyzing data provided by ALS patients to identify potential risk factors. The registry is, in effect, the largest and most comprehensive research study on ALS. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is conducting a feasibility study on adding a biorepository that would aid researchers. Not only would scientists be able to access tissue samples, but those samples would be connected to risk survey data. The first data set was released last year, and the second report with additional data is due this spring. Learn more about the Florida Chapter of the ALS Association by calling (813) 637-9000 or by visiting www. alsafl.org. wellington the magazine | may 2015

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

wellington | gives County Sheriff’s Office, our volunteers, sponsors, teams and walkers who helped us make this event happen.” The ALS Association is the only notfor-profit health organization leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy. The association invests millions of dollars annually in research conducted by the best and brightest scientists in the world. It also has a more human side — helping people with the disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassion, care and support, even as they empower them through education and advocacy. As for Alvarez, she only wishes Stefan had had a child, “so there could be something left of him.” In the meantime, her work to raise awareness and money for an ALS cure continues. “Life has to go on, and I like to think that something positive can always come out of everything,” she said. “I left the walk feeling very positive and so good about being there. I think Stefan would be smiling down at us — that people are spreading the word and helping others.” For more information, visit www.alsafl. org or call (813) 637-9000. This year, Wellington The Magazine is featuring “Wellington Gives,” a monthly profile giving readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into 12 nonprofit organizations serving the Wellington area. Through this series, readers can learn how people are helping each other and how they, too, can give back to the unique community we call home.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Jeffrey L. Wisnicki, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Surgical Training: Stanford University Medical Center Stanford, CA Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Limited Scar Facelift, Necklift Eyelid Rejuvenation • Nasal Reshaping Botox® • Dysport™ • Sculptra™ Juvéderm® • Restylane®, Perlane® Ultrasonic Liposuction & Body Contouring Breast Enlargement, Lift & Reduction Abdominal Tuck Laser Wrinkle Removal In Office Local Anesthesia Liposuction

Call for a complimentary cosmetic consultation Come visit us at www.drwisnicki.com to see testimonials, detailed list of services and our before and after photo gallery!

Dr. Wisnicki has practiced in Palm Beach County Since 1986 Voted “Best Plastic Surgeon” by readers of Palm Beach Post & Palm Beach Illustrated

(561) 798-1400

13005 Southern Blvd., Suite 133

(Located on the Palms West Medical Campus)

The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or to be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee service, examination or treatment. Photo on ad not an actual patient.

John F. Froehlich

Accounting Audit IRS Representation Business Profit Coaching Tax Services: Domestic & International Cost Segregation Studies for Commercial & Residential Real Estate

Betty De La Rua

For over 20 years Froehlich and De La Rua have proudly served businesses and residents in the western communities. We’ll work with you to reassure you that your financial records are in order... that you receive the maximum benefit available.

Se Habla Español

12008 South Shore Blvd., Suite 210 Wellington, Florida (561) 795-9500 www.froehlichcpa.com wellington the magazine | may 2015

Wellington Renew, Refresh, Revive Interior Design Center

David Bias comes to the Wellington Design Center with more than 30 years of decorating and design experience. With a background that ranges from major department store visual merchandising to residential design, David has a unique and varied perspective to help you fulfill your design dreams.

David has spent the last 13 years working with a prominent Palm Beach design firm. Starting with the nuts and bolts of space planning and logistics, and moving to having regular design clients, he was also heavily involved in the firm’s participation in charitable events. David has installed multiple Red Cross Designer Show Houses, the Veranda Show House at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, the Adamsleigh Estate for the Junior League of Greensboro, N.C. (where his personal artwork was also shown), and even personally produced pet clothing and table linens for the Broward County Humane Society PAWS To Help fundraiser at DCOTA in Dania. Having a keen eye for line, balance and color, David was also the stylist for all of the firm’s photography for publication. “At the end of the day, design should be fun,” he explains. “The client needs to enjoy the process. My job is to take the frustration away and replace it with a sense of joy and accomplishment. The Wellington Design Center is the perfect environment in which I can make this happen for my clients.”

Spring is upon us. What does this signify for you? For those of us who hail from colder climes, it brings to mind the warm feel of the sun, the riot of color as the flowers bloom, blue skies and the feel of crisp, new grass beneath our feet. It might remind you of throwing open the windows to let in the fresh air after the house was buttoned up for the winter. Maybe you remember your mother or grandmother tearing everything apart, room by room, and cleaning like crazy so that everything was fresh and shiny. While the season change is less dramatic in Florida, we still like to spruce things up come spring. A great way to bring in the spring is with new fabrics and fresh colors. You don’t have to completely redesign your home to give it a new look. A new valance, new toss pillows or a fresh table skirt can make an entire room look new. By replacing your chair pads and putting out new placemats, you will transform your breakfast space or kitchen. If you have a neutral bedding set, try adding cheerful shams or a bright and spicy colored boudoir pillow to perk up the bed. If these things are out of your comfort zone, or you cannot find what you are looking for, come in to the Wellington Interior Design Center. We offer custom services that you

cannot get in your favorite department store. The only limit you have in our showroom is your imagination. Whether you have your own ideas or you need ours, it can all become reality through the various workrooms and craftsmen that we work with and the fabrics we offer. When it comes to fabrics and spring, I love the feel and vibrancy of Lilly Pulitzer by Lee Jofa. While Lilly is no longer with us, her bright, sunny and coastal fabrics still continue to add flair to any home. Lilly may have been dubbed “the queen of prep,” but these fabrics can translate into almost any home’s language. Available in spring-echoing colors such as dandelion, hibiscus, lily pink and island coral, these designs are perfect to add new life to any room.The plaid line is called “happy plaids” for a reason. These are color rich in beautiful combinations that, if simply used as pillows, can transform a sofa from dull to dynamite. These fabrics are available in polished cottons, cotton duck and even upholstery-grade silks. There really is a fabric for every need. So, if you are one of the many who say, “I don’t want to redo everything in my house, but I want to freshen it up,” then come see us. The Wellington Interior Design Center is always ready to help you make your house the home you need it to be. W

“Ask David” - E-mail your design questions to WellingtonDesignCenter@comcast.net. For more information, visit us online at www.wellingtondesigncenter.com

Formal Dining Room: The unusually spacious formal dining room provides ample room for guests. There are two built-in display cases, and French doors lead to the koi pond on one side and the oversized pool on the other. Main Kitchen: The sunny, well-lit kitchen of the main house features a double oven, sub-zero refrigerator, walk-in pantry, generous island and plenty of storage. In addition, a butlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen just out of sight offers the use of a third oven and an extra sink.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Secondary Living Room: In addition to a grand living room, the secondary living room offers the comfort of a wood-burning fireplace and views of a koi pond just outside. Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams add to the ambience. A guest suite with its own bathroom and balcony is tucked away on the exposed corridor above. Main Living Room: The homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s large main living room is light and airy with a high vaulted ceiling, a wood floor and distinctive chandeliers.

Family Room: With a Spanish tile floor, several sliding glass doors, a fireplace and a ceiling with gorgeous wooden beams, the family room is a comfortable space for gathering. Townhouse Kitchen: This woodclad kitchen with its handy breakfast bar is part of the cozy townhouse located on the estate. It offers a walkout veranda with fabulous views and its own private elevator. Front Entrance: Dual lanterns welcome visitors to the front entrance of the home, while vintage-looking bricks and mature landscaping present a picture reminiscent of the European countryside.

wellington | home

Huge Wellington Equestrian Estate Features Unique Design Elements Story by Deborah Welky

• Photos courtesy Anita Lamberti

Privacy and serenity are two words that come to mind when visiting this unique home, hidden in plain sight right in the heart of the southern Wellington equestrian area. Sitting on 10 pristine acres, the estate boasts a seven-car garage, four-stall horse barn and 15,000 square feet of living area, some of which is part of the estate’s guest house — an on-site townhouse complete with a private elevator. Among the largest homes in Wellington, the main house features a butler’s kitchen, a double-sided French fireplace in the master bedroom and guest suites complete with their own bathrooms. In total, there are nine bedrooms, 11 full baths and one half bath.

For a tour CLICK HERE

wellington the magazine | may 2015

Master Bedroom: A French stone wood-burning fireplace is the focal point of the spacious master bedroom. It’s double-sided — take a step outside the door, and you’ll find its twin on the other side of the wall. Lake: The townhouse balcony overlooks this lake, an additional layer of privacy. Guests can take a stroll across the bridge to the main house or just enjoy the serenity of the view. Townhouse Bath: The estate’s townhouse offers guests two bedrooms and two baths, including this huge master bath with soaring cove ceilings, ivory and jade green tiles, a tub with ornate brass grab bars, a separate shower and dual sinks.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

wellington | home

Pool Area: This evening view of the custom, oversized heated pool area conveys the plush lifestyle of the homeowners. The pool includes an adjoining spa and a backdrop of lush greenery, as well as a fully-equipped summer kitchen. Courtyard: The spacious courtyard area features brick pavers, mature landscaping offering plenty of shade and a distinctive arch hovering protectively over the private drive. Private Drive: From a horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s point of view, one of the more exciting scenes on the property is this private drive, which leads from the barn to an equestrian practice ring. The stable features four stalls, as well as groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quarters.

wellington the magazine | may 2015

Mellow Mushroom Brings Its Tasty Pizzas (And Much More) To Wellington Story by Chris Felker • Photos by Julie Unger

Much to the delight of the crowds that swarmed the restaurant for its grand opening, Mellow Mushroom has opened its new Wellington location. It couldn’t have come soon enough for the folks who were peering through the windows and knocking on the door for weeks before the March 16 opening, said Sean Russell, co-owner of the Atlanta-based chain’s third location in Palm Beach County. Located along Forest Hill Blvd. in front of the Mall at Wellington Green, Mellow Mushroom is a wide-open, bright eatery filled with enticing scents wafting through the air. “We were unbelievably overwhelmed,” Sean said of Mellow Mushroom’s opening days. “It was a very big turnout.” 88 may 2015 | wellington the magazine

“Wellington has been waiting a long time,” added his wife Kathy, co-owner of the restaurant. The couple, originally from Columbus, Ohio, were new to the restaurant business and the area. They had to not only learn the business and Mellow Mushroom’s systems for sales and marketing, but also hire staff, participate in their training, choose a design for the 5,000-square-foot space, then put all the pieces together. The result is meant to be an inviting, comfortable space. “It was designed to be a very rich, high-end barn,” Sean said. “So when people walk in, it makes them feel just warm and comfortable, like they don’t want to leave.” There are reminders of equestrian sports everywhere one looks, to carry

through the theme. Kathy researched décor and found artists to help them achieve their vision, which Sean said the chain then “mellowizes.” “Mellow Mushroom has an entire art department to bring the look and the feel of the community into your restaurant. No two are alike,” Kathy explained. “Our art director came in, looked around and said, ‘This place makes me feel like it’s hugging me.’” The first thing that draws your eye is the huge, colorful equestrian mural with riders and horses stretching the length an entire wall above the windows, but there are hints everywhere of the area’s fascination with life in the saddle. The same Clearwater-area artist who created the mural on canvas in his stu-

wellington | table

Kathy and Sean Russell own Wellington’s new Mellow Mushroom location.

The House Special Pizza features a red sauce base with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, ham, applewood smoked bacon, mushrooms, black olives, roma tomatoes, green peppers and onions.

The Meatball Trio offers three tasty meatballs grilled with fresh mozzarella on a bed of red sauce with shaved Parmesan cheese and basil, sprinkled with breadcrumbs.

The Bruschetta has diced tomatoes, basil and seasonings tossed in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, topped with feta cheese and fresh basil, served on garlic toast points and drizzled with balsamic glaze.

dio also freehand-painted an archway to resemble a stall wall with mushrooms hidden in the wood grain pattern. Huge dressage bits adorn another wall near the bar, under which hang some special purse hooks. “They’re horseshoes; we found those at the Tackeria,” Kathy said. “Mellow funk is what I’m going to call it.” The décor hints at the funky menu offerings. A chain established in 1974, Mellow Mushroom evokes warm, fuzzy memories of that era with its “hearthbaked, spring water dough” and the names of dishes on its menu. While the menu offers “Magic Mush-

room Soup,” we sampled some luscious bruschetta featuring diced tomatoes, basil and other seasonings topped with feta cheese on garlic toast points and drizzled with balsamic glaze, plus a meatball trio, grilled with a thick slice of mozzarella and topped with Parmesan, basil and breadcrumbs. Then we tried the “Enlightened Spinach Salad,” a crunchy-fresh, leafy delight topped with dried cherries, apples, candied pecans and feta cheese before moving on to the “Kosmic Karma” and “Funky Q. Chicken” pizzas, which were appropriately psychedeliclooking, but also wildly tasty.

Kosmic Karma had a pesto swirl atop a red sauce base piled with feta and mozzarella, spinach, sun-dried and Roma tomatoes, topped with even more mozzarella. The “Funky Q.” had an irresistibly tasty combination of moist, flavorful barbecued chicken, mozzarella and cheddar, with smoked bacon and caramelized onions, topped with a circle of tangy yet sweet barbecue sauce. Sean noted that the portions at Mellow Mushroom are so large that they send lots of leftovers out the door. “You can get two meals out of a large pizza for two adults,” he said. wellington the magazine | may 2015

wellington | table

Scott Zepeda, Maggie Alvarez, Genesis Fernandez, Chris Engle, Nia Woodard, Arianne Fernandez, Amanda Schaaf and Alex Rooney with owners Kathy and Sean Russell.

We also enjoyed the thoroughly meaty House Special, which featured the same sauce base layered with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, ham and applewood smoked bacon, then topped with mushrooms, black olives, Roma tomatoes, green peppers and onions, with the double mozzarella. It was pizza nirvana. The menu also offers more than a dozen hoagies and five salads with many build-your-own options, and the same wide variety of alternatives for calzone and pizza creations. There’s a full bar with its own menu, including eight hand-crafted libations; about 20 red and white wines, champagne and sparkling wines; and 24 beers on tap, plus more than two dozen bottled varieties, including a few from the area “We’re all about supporting local. Seven of our draught beers are local Florida beer,” Sean said, adding that they get their fruits and vegetables from a local produce company as well. The couple decided on a career switch while they lived in Hilton Head, S.C., about four years ago. There, they

The popular Funky Q. Chicken Pizza includes BBQ chicken, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, caramelized onions and applewood smoked bacon, finished with a barbecue sauce swirl.

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

became close friends with people who owned two Mellow Mushroom locations. “We were looking for something new and to start something different in our lives, a new chapter, and they said, ‘If we can do this, you guys can do it.’ So we took that as a challenge,” Kathy said. “And three years later, we’ve finally opened a Mellow Mushroom.” The career choice required a move south. “We did want to stay in Hilton Head, we loved it there, but the reason why we came down here was because we couldn’t really compete with our friends there,” she said, adding that while they currently live in Palm Beach Gardens, they plan to move to the Wellington area soon.

Kathy noted that some bar and restaurant specials, plus local additions to the menu, will be coming soon. After their first 90 days open, they’re allowed to go beyond the core items. Also, each Mellow Mushroom, by company policy, gets involved in the community where it’s located, and the couple can’t wait. “We would love to eventually sponsor a team,” Sean said. “Kathy and I would like to be a huge part of the community.” Open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight, Mellow Mushroom is located at 10600 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Call (561) 3339939 or visit www.mellowmushroom.com/ wellington to learn more.

The Enlightened Spinach Salad features fresh spinach topped with dried cherries, apples, homemade candied pecans and feta cheese.

Kosmic Karma Pizza has a red sauce base with feta and mozzarella cheeses, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and Roma tomatoes with a pesto swirl.

Anita Lamberti, P.A. Member of:

“Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate”

Anita Lamberti, P.A. CIPS, TRC REALTOR Certified International Property Specialist Luxury Home Specialist Certified Home Marketing Specialist Relocation Specialist Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, LLC. 600 No. Pine Island Rd. Suite 150 Plantation, Florida 33324

Share your wedding story with us!

Mobile # 954-829-9305 • Office# 954-452-1999 Ext. 4008 Email: Anita.Lamberti@floridamoves.com www.floridamoves.com/anita.lamberti www.anitalamberti.com

Come visit the area’s newest family restaurant!!! WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE’S

Mention this ad and rece ive a

FREE 12

Cheeze P

”

izza

with the pu rch any 16 inc ase of h piz (Dine in on za ly) Offer Go od Throu gh 5/31/15

Happy Hour from 3pm to 7pm $3.00 House wine Beer and Wells

(Also at 9pm to close with half off appetizers Mon-Sun)

Get a free slice of cheese pizza with every drink from 7pm to 9pm Wed - Ladies night $5.00 Martini’s What makes Rudino’s Pizza Different? The ﬁrst time you try Rudino’s pizza you’ll taste the delicious difference. That’s because we place your topping under the cheese so the ﬂavors permeate the pie.

Live entertainment Friday at 8pm and Karaoke on Sat at 8pm.

Hours Mon - Thur 11am - 12am • Friday, Sat and Sun 11am -2am

561.318.5613

Visit Us At www.wellingtonthemagazine.com

Located on the conrner of 441 & Lake Worth Road 4115 State Road 7, Suite Z • Lake Worth, Florida www.facebook.com/rudinosﬂorida wellington the magazine | may 2015

wellington | dining guide Arrabiatas Italian Restaurant serves up traditional Italian cuisine. The restaurant is in Aberdeen Plaza at 8260 Jog Road. For more info., call (561) 336-3862 or visit www.arrabiatas.net. For a touch of the Florida Keys in your own back yard, visit Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grille. Located at 10880 W. Forest Hill Blvd. near the Mall at Wellington Green, Bonefish Mac’s offers excellent food in a family-friendly environment. For more information, visit www.bonefishmacs.com or call (561) 798-6227. Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant is located on Forest Hill Blvd. near the Mall at Wellington Green. Specializing in family-style Italian cuisine, Buca di Beppo is known for its large portions designed to serve several people. For more info., call (561) 7903287 or visit www.bucadibeppo.com. Casa Tequila, a restaurant featuring a wide variety of delicious Mexican Cuisine, opened recently in the Wellington Plaza at 12795 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 11A. For more info., call (561) 557-1378 or visit www. casatequilafl.com. Coach House Restaurant & Bar (13410 South Shore Blvd.) features gourmet cuisine along with a piano bar, bistro area, outside dining, smoking bars, entertainment and more. For more info., call (561) 795-0080 or visit www.coachhousefla.com. Gabriel’s Cafe & Grille is Wellington’s oldest restaurant. Serving breakfast and lunch, Gabriel’s is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in the Wellington Plaza at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For more info., call (561) 793-0675. From delicious antipasti to a fine selection of wines, Italian food lovers will feel right at home at Franco Italian Bistro. For an authentic, elegant Italian experience, visit Franco Italian Bistro at 10160 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 103, in the Pointe at Wellington

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Green. For more info., call (561) 615-1551 or visit www.francoitalianbistro.com. The Grille Fashion Cuisine (12300 South Shore Blvd., Suite 10) is open for lunch and dinner daily. It is also a popular gathering place, open until 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. For info., call (561) 7932110 or visit www.thegrillefashioncuisine.com. India Grill & Bar is now open in Royal Plaza at 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. serving authentic north and south Indian cuisine. For more info., call (561) 2497168. Offering delicious cuts of steak and succulent seafood dishes, Jordan’s Steak Bistro serves up delicious meals and craft cocktails in a stylish environment. The restaurant is located in the Pointe at Wellington Green at 10140 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., call (561) 793-9394 or visit www.jordans steakbistro.com. Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at La Fogata, featuring a full menu for lunch and dinner, including food and drink specials. The restaurant is located in Wellington’s Town Square shopping plaza at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., call (561) 422-1641 or visit www.lafogatawellington.com. Experience the tastes of the world atop a burger at Lindburgers Restaurant in the Wellington Courtyard Shops at 13860 Wellington Trace. From Florida to the Far East, Lindburgers will take you on a trip as you bite into one of its 50 famous burgers. For more info., call (561) 753-0555 or visit www.lindburgers.com. Oli’s Fashion Cuisine & Bar is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks on Forest Hill Blvd. near the Mall at Wellington Green. For info., call (561) 7922220 or visit www.olisrestaurant.com. Stonewood Grill & Tavern in the Pointe at Wel-

lington Green serves up exciting flavors in a casually sophisticated setting. Call (561) 784-9796 or visit www.stonewoodgrill.com for more info. A family tradition since 1905, Strathmore Bagels & Deli is a real New York delicatessen, serving everything from smoked fish to corned beef. It is located in the Marketplace at Wycliffe at the corner of State Road 7 and Lake Worth Road. For more info., call (561) 357-0044 or visit www.strathmorebagels. com. Taste of India is located at 7750 Okeechobee Blvd. Aside from a full menu, it offers a bountiful buffet for lunch and dinner on weekdays and brunch on weekends. For more info., call (561) 721-8600. Drop by the award-winning TooJay’s Original Gourmet Deli in the Mall at Wellington Green for breakfast, lunch or dinner. TooJay’s is reminiscent of your favorite New York delicatessen. For more info., call (561) 784-9055 or visit www.toojays.com. Tree’s Wings & Ribs is located at 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the Royal Plaza. Eat in or take out wings, ribs, chicken and more. Visit www.treeswings andribs.com or call (561) 791-1535 for more info. Located in the original Wellington Mall, The White Elephant serves American-style cuisine with a wonderful ambiance. For more info., call (561) 469-1109 or visit www.whiteelephantwellington.com. With a wide and varied menu, the Wild West Diner serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is located at 12041 Southern Blvd. at the corner of Crestwood Blvd. For more info., call (561) 469-2333 or visit www.wildwestdiner.com. A wide variety of food choices can be found at Welli Deli, located at 13501 South Shore Blvd. For info., visit www.wellideli.com or call (561) 784-5884.

wellington | calendar Friday, May 1 • The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Pippin as part of its Kravis On Broadway series from Tuesday, April 28 through Sunday, May 3. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info. • The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will return to the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center from Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3. Visit www. wpbaf.com for more info. • Ghost Tours: An Evening In The Dark will be held at Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Friday, May 1 at 8 p.m. The cost is $18 per person. For more info., call (561) 790-5232. Saturday, May 2 • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host Meet the Animals for families and all ages on Saturday, May 2 at 10:30 a.m. Meet a variety of the nature center’s live educational animals and learn why the nature center has them. Call (561) 233-1400 or visit the nature center to pre-register. • The Florida Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America will hold its Walk to End Lupus Now on Saturday, May 2 at the Palm Beach Zoo (1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach). Visit www.lupus.org/florida for more info. Sunday, May 3 • Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington will host a picnic at Loxahatchee Groves Park on Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more info., call (561) 7934347 or visit www.templebnaijacob.com. • The Women of the Western Communities will host Simply Chic: An Afternoon of Fashion on Sunday, May 3 at 11 a.m. at the Wanderers Club (1900 Aero Club Drive, Wellington). RSVP to Mair Armand at (561) 635-0011 or mair.armand1@gmail.com. Monday, May 4 • The Hair Cuttery (11991 Southern Blvd, Crestwood Square, Royal Palm Beach and 2655 State

Road 7, Wellington) and the National Network to End Domestic Violence will team up for Hair Cuttery’s Share a Haircut program on Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5. For every haircut purchased at Hair Cuttery salons, a free haircut certificate will be donated to a victim of domestic violence. Visit www.haircuttery. com for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Craftapalooza for ages 2 to 8 on Monday, May 4 at 2:30 p.m. Create multiple crafts from the library’s fun selections. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Tuesday, May 5 • The Western Business Alliance will host a Speed Networking Luncheon on Tuesday, May 5 at 11:30 a.m. at Oak Bistro & Wine Bar (11051 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach). The cost is $20. For more info., visit www.thewesternbusinessalliance.com. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Game Day for ages 8 to 12 on Tuesday, May 5 at 3 p.m. Bring a friend for Wii gaming and board game fun. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • A total of 437 local nonprofits will participate in the Great Give Palm Beach & Martin Counties, a 24-hour online fundraiser that starts on Tuesday, May 5 at 5 p.m. and continues until Wednesday, May 6 at 5 p.m. This community-wide event, hosted by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the United Way of Palm Beach County and the United Way of Martin County, will raise critical funds for local nonprofits. Make a secure donation of $10 or more to the charity of your choice by visiting www.greatgiveflorida.org. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Zumba on Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. Bring a towel and water. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Thursday, May 7 • Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host Story Time for ages 2 to 5 on Thursday, May 7 at 10 a.m. Class activities are specifically designed

for toddlers and preschoolers. Call (561) 233-1400 or visit the nature center to pre-register. • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host food trucks and music by the Jamie Mitchell Band on Thursday, May 7 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Collage Art for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Create a work of art using magazine pages and wrapping paper. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Writer’s Critique Workshop for adults on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. Share, offer and accept constructive criticism to improve your fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere led by Caryn DeVincenti of the Florida Writers’ Association. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Friday, May 8 • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a free screening of The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water on Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. Saturday, May 9 • Woof Gang Bakery in Wellington (2205 State Road 7) will participate in the company’s annual adopta-thon event on Saturday, May 9 during National Pet Week. Call (561) 790-2232 or visit www.woofgang bakery.com for more info. • The West Palm Beach Gun & Knife Show will return to the South Florida Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. Admission is $10. For more info., visit www.flgunshows.com. • The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Dinosaur Train Live: Buddy’s Big Adventure on Saturday, May 9 with shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets start at $10. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www. kravis.org for more info. • The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will

This is The Money Shot!

Full Service Restaurant Appetizing

Catering

561-357-0044 Fax 561-357-3074 Call Us For Your Catering Needs! 4095 State Road 7, Wellington, FL 33467 www.strathmorebagels.com 94

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

Wycliffe SHOPPING CENTER

441 / STATE ROAD 7

Delivery Available From Wellington to Waimea Bay

LAKE WORTH ROAD

host Cultural Diversity Day at Veterans Park in Royal Palm Beach on Saturday, May 9 from 1 p.m. to sundown with showtime at 3 p.m. For more info., call Elet Cyris at (561) 791-9087, Ernie Garvey at (561) 676-5664, or the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149. • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host Archery for Beginners for ages 8 to 15 on Saturday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. Learn the basics of archery. Equipment is provided. Call (561) 233-1400 or visit the nature center to pre-register. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host an NFL Post Draft Discussion for adults on Saturday, May 9 at 2:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Pace Center for Girls will host its Birdie Bash on Saturday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at the North Palm Beach County Airport with Landmark Aviation (11600 Aviation Road, West Palm Beach). The event includes putt-putt games inside an airport hangar, a silent auction, drinks and food. Register online at www.pacecenter.org/ centers/palm-beach/birdie-bash. • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a free concert “Billy Joel’s Birthday Party” featuring the Turnstiles band on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. Sunday, May 10 • The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold its Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk on Sunday, May 10 at 8:30 a.m. at Jonathan Dickinson State Park (16450 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound). For more info., call Sherry Cummings at (561) 963-9906. Monday, May 11 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Art Club for ages 6 to 12 on Monday, May 11 at 3 p.m. Live through art by exploring different mediums. Dress to get messy. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will

host Chess Club for Adults on Monday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $10. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info.

Tuesday, May 12 • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host Science for Seniors: Gopher Tortoise for ages 50 and up on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. Call (561) 233-1400 or visit the nature center to pre-register. • The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

Saturday, May 16 • A March Against Monsanto will be held in Wellington on Saturday, May 16 with a rally beginning at 9 a.m. at the center court of the original Wellington Mall on Forest Hill Blvd. The public is invited to join in. Visit www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsanto. WellingtonFL for more info. • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a Deer and Raptor Walk on Saturday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. Go on a behind-the-scenes tour and see the animals up close. Call (561) 233-1400 or visit the nature center pre-register. • There will be an information session about the Girl Scout Program on Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m. at the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive). Call (561) 385-3209 for more info. • The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce will present its Annual Grand Celebration on Saturday, May 16 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington) starting at 6:30 p.m. Thomas Bean of FPL will be installed as the chamber’s new chairman. For more info., contact Jackie Morales at (561) 389-2250 or jackie@cpbcchamber.com. • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a free concert featuring Barracuda’s tribute to Heart on Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info.

Wednesday, May 13 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Noodle Necklaces for ages 6 to 11 on Wednesday, May 13 at 3:30 p.m. Celebrate Mother’s Day and create noodle necklaces and jewelry for the special lady in your life. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Thursday, May 14 • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host food trucks and music by the Making Faces Band on Thursday, May 14 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature Card Sharks for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. Play Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, or just a regular card game. Play against others, trade cards and make new friends. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Repurposed Book Pages Bird Craft” for adults on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. Make a small decorative bird with repurposed book pages. Supplies will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Friday, May 15 • The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Spotlight on Young Musicians on Friday, May 15

Sunday, May 17 • Bubbles & Bouquets to benefit Petals With Purpose will be held Sunday, May 17 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Five prominent couples will compete in a floral arrangement contest. There will be live and silent auctions. Learn more at www. bubblespwp.com. Monday, May 18 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will

wellington the magazine | may 2015

may 2015 | wellington the magazine

wellington | calendar host Fun Folding for ages 6 to 12 on Monday, May 18 at 3 p.m. Enjoy the art of paper folding known as origami. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Wednesday, May 20 • Palm Beach Central High School will hold graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2015 on Wednesday, May 20 at 8 a.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Thursday, May 21 • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host Story Time for ages 2 to 5 on Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m. Class activities are specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Call (561) 233-1400 or visit the nature center to pre-register. • The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce will host an Economic Forum Luncheon on Thursday, May 21 at 11:30 a.m. at Breakers West Golf & Country Club. RVSP to Heidi Breen at (561) 578-4817. • Wellington High School will hold graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2015 on Thursday, May 21 at noon at the South Florida Fairgrounds. • The Western Business Alliance will host a social event on Thursday, May 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings (2837 South State Road 7, Wellington). The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. For more info., visit www.thewestern businessalliance.com. • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host food trucks and music by the Whitestone Band on Thursday, May 21 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. Friday, May 22 • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a free screening of Planes: Fires & Rescue on Friday, May 22 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. Saturday, May 23 • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a Nature Walk for ages on Saturday, May 23 at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a free guided nature walk through the pine flatwoods forest and learn about the plants and animals that live in the local community. Reservations are not required. Call (561) 233-1400 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host May Flowers for ages 2 to 6 on Saturday, May 23 at 11 a.m. Stories, songs and a craft will celebrate May flowers. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Monday, May 25 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Lego Bricks for ages 6 to 12 on Monday, May 25 at 3 p.m. Create vehicles or buildings out of Lego bricks. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Tuesday, May 26 • The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info. Wednesday, May 27 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Not Your Grandma’s Bingo for ages 5 to 12 on Wednesday, May 27 at 3:30 p.m. Create your own card, and see if luck is on your side. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Thursday, May 28 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Teen Game Night for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m. Enjoy Wii games and more. Bring a friend or make new ones. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Library. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Teens, Tweens and Technology: What Parents Need to Know about Bullying, Mental Health and the Internet” on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Elaine Rotenberg and Greg Schiller will offer insight into bullying, its warning signs, its effect on mental health and what parents can do about it. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

wellington the magazine | may 2015

around | wellington

Photos by Denise Fleischman and Julie Unger

Quilters Donation — Members of the Wellington Quilters Bee gave the Child Protection Team of Children’s Medical Services 60 handmade pillow pals last week. Pillow pals are given to children in times of emotional upheaval. Shown here are Wendy Rosenfeld, Peggy Houck, Marietta Bowie, Eleanor Yura, Jean Occhiogrosso, Elaine Smith, Doris Rickles and Phyllis Goffe with Jim Izzo of Children’s Medical Services.

National Walking Day — Wellington Regional Medical Center hosted a walk around the hospital parking lot on Wednesday, April 1 in honor of National Walking Day. The event was led by WRMC CEO and 2015 Palm Beach Heart Walk Chair Robbin Lee. Shown here, Lee cuts the ribbon to begin the walk.

Art Scholars — The Wellington Art Society held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 8 at Bootz Culture Camp in Wellington. Scholarships were awarded to five students who plan to further their education pursuing the arts. Shown here are scholarship winners Aleksi Turkki, Austin Heredia, Kirsten Kelly, Melissa Posner and Lauren Posner.

Wellington Cleanup — Wellington residents took part in the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 18 in the 12th Fairway/White Pine community and along Wellington Trace. Shown here are Wellington’s Jonathan Sales, James Poag, Shelly Williams, Meridith Tuckwood, Jim Fackrell and Scott Campbell.

Addams Family A Hit At WHS — Wellington High School’s Performing Arts Department presented the musical comedy The Addams Family in the Wellington High School theater last month. The show was directed, designed and choreographed by Dennis Schaber with additional choreography by Emma Parssi, musical direction by Bradford Chase and stage management by Matthew Harter.

(Above) Morticia (Emma Parssi) dances with Death, while Wednesday (Emily Offenkrantz) tortures her brother Pugsley (Christian Ledger). (Left) The cast and crew of The Addams Family on stage.

98 may 2015 | wellington the magazine

GIF GIF TT CA GIF T CCA RRDD A RD

Clinic Name

1234 Street Name, Ste #123 This Street and That Street (555) 555-5555

ROYAL PALM BEACH

WELLINGTON

11021 Southern Blvd #100 Next to Costco (561) 422-8889

2615 State Rd 7 #500 Next to Whole Foods (561) 692-7777

Open 7 Days: M-F 8am-10pm, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 9am-8pm wellington the magazine | may 2015

MM#24770, 30338

100

may 2015 | wellington the magazine