Wellington The Magazine May 2009

May 2009

Mother Of The Year Contest Winner Suzanne Schissler

Plus

Six Ideas For A Romantic Night Out Get Your Landscape Looking Great Steve Heinecke Rides To The Top Eco-Friendly Dining At Pizza Fusion

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contents

M AY 2 0 0 9

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departments WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE

16

Wellington Rotary Hosts ‘Art Of Giving’ Gala At The Armory

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Inaugural ‘Wild West For MS’ Raises $100,000 At PBIEC

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55,000 On Hand For Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction

22

Shady Ladies Luncheon Raises $45,000 For Lupus Research

23

St. David’s Church Hosts Charity Golf Tourney At Binks Forest

70 WELLINGTON AT HOME When Clinton and Cheryl Glass bought their Meadow Wood home in 2000, it was quite stylish — for the 1980s! With help from Carl Fadeley at Interiors by Carl, Cheryl transformed the dated home into a stately modern abode. BY DEBORAH WELKY

78 WELLINGTON TABLE Pizza Fusion celebrates the flavors of both traditional and modern pizza, while also addressing contemporary environmental and nutritional concerns. BY COURTNEY WATSON

28 WELLINGTON WATCH 63 WELLINGTON BUSINESS 81 WELLINGTON DINING GUIDE 84 WELLINGTON CALENDAR 90 AROUND WELLINGTON ON THE COVER Wellington The Magazine’s Mother of the Year Suzanne Schissler. Hair design, color and cut by Jacky Zurik, blow dry

by Kacy Gutilla and makeup by Aracely Lyerla, all from Generations A Hair Salon.

PHOTO BY BILL BARBOSA/ PHOTO DESIGNS INC.

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features 26 MOTHER OF THE YEAR CONTEST When 12-year-old Samantha Schissler nominated her mother to be Wellington The Magazine’s Mother of the Year, she had no idea of the excitement in store for her mom Suzanne.

BY DEBORAH WELKY

30 YOUR TABLE FOR TWO AWAITS May is the perfect time for a dinner out with that special someone.

If it’s ambiance you’re looking for, we offer six great dining ideas for a romantic night on the town.

BY DEBORAH WELKY

39 FROM LANDSCAPING TO PEST CONTROL Experts in both landscaping and pest control, Scott, Mary and Michael Armand can help keep your home at its best.

BY DEBORAH WELKY

44 SPRING INTO YARDWORK From proper irrigation to new trees, it doesn’t cost a bundle to have a beautiful landscape, even during times of water conservation.

BY DEBORAH WELKY

52 RIDING HIS WAY TO THE TOP While the world of equestrian competition is perceived as an elitist sport, many of the top professionals started on the bottom and worked their way to the top — among them Wellington’s Steve Heinecke.

BY JENNY ROSS

59 SAY IT WITH FLOWERS From a holiday arrangement to event planning, Debbie Kaplan of Nature’s Bouquet in Wellington can satisfy all your floral needs.

BY DEBORAH WELKY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • MAY 2009

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Wellington The Magazine

A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

Introducing WTM’s ‘Mother Of The Year’ volume

6, number 5 | May 2009 publisher

Lew Blatte executive editor

Joshua Manning marketing director

Dawn Rivera graphic designer

Suzanne Summa circulation coordinator

Betty Buglio account managers

Michelle Deegan Nicola Rogers Lisa Stolz photography

Bill Barbosa Bea Bolton Devin Jacoviello Gary Kane Lisa Keeney Susan Lerner copy editor

Mark Lioi contributors

Jason Budjinski Ron Bukley Denise Fleischman Angie Francalancia Candace Marchsteiner Carol Porter Courtney Watson Deborah Welky Wellington The Magazine

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 791-0952 www.WellingtonTheMagazine.com

Published by Wellington The Magazine, LLC Barry S. Manning

In honor of Mother’s Day, Wellington The Magazine put a call out for nominations to be our “Mother of the Year.” The response to this contest was gratifying, and reading the entries was the highlight of my month. Many were worthy of the title, but in the end, we could only choose one. The winner, Suzanne Schissler, graces our cover this issue thanks to a heartfelt letter from her 12-year-old daughter. Congratulations, Suzanne — you deserve it! A special thanks to our friends at Generations A Hair Salon and the European Day Spa, who were responsible for Suzanne’s day of beauty, and the 12 sponsor restaurants who joined the contest to give Suzanne a year’s worth of special memories.

Speaking of restaurants, May is the perfect time for a special dinner out, and if you’re looking to plan a romantic evening for two, the Wellington area has plenty of unique dining ideas to choose from. In this issue, we feature six great settings for a night on the town filled with charm and ambiance. To make the evening even more special, visit my good friend Debbie Kaplan at Nature’s Bouquet.

Profiled in this issue, Nature’s Bouquet is there to help with all your floral needs, from a quick bouquet to large-scale event planning.

With the summer growing season about to start, now is the perfect time to plan your personal outdoor paradise, and the Armand family is there to help. Experts in pest control and landscaping, Scott, Mair and Michael Armand are civic-minded business owners profiled this issue. And if you’re more of a do-it-yourselfer, Randy Snayd of Snayd Irrigation and Mike Haughey of Big Blue Tree Farm, also featured this month, can give you the assistance you need to help you spring into your yardwork.

On the equestrian circuit, we profile top rider/trainer Steve Heinecke, who worked his way up from humble beginnings to a blue-ribbon future. Wellington at Home visits the Meadow Wood home of Clinton and Cheryl Glass, while Wellington Table heads to the eco-friendly casual dining restaurant Pizza Fusion, newly opened in the Pointe at Wellington Green.

With that, I’m heading out to enjoy the height of spring in our little paradise, and here’s hoping you find a way to keep cool as we look forward to a sizzling Wellington summer.

chief executive officer

Wellington The Magazine is published monthly in Wellington, Florida. Copyright 2009, 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.

Publisher

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Wellington Advertiser List Advertiser Page Acts 2 Worship Center ......................................35 American Heritage School ...............................21 American Top Team-Wellington .......................77 Ankle & Foot Centre of South Florida ..............85 Armand Professional Services ...........................5 Bacalao Tapas & Seafood Grille .......................81 Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon ................................. 64 Bainbridge Companies .....................................14 Bea Bolton Photography ..................................37 Bellini Furniture ................................................73 Binks Forest Golf Club......................................54 Blue Horizon Jets .............................................73 Café Las Palmas................................................. 8 Cambridge School ............................................57 Camp Fusion .................................................... 66 Children’s Dental Place ................................... 47 Claudia Diesti .................................................. 86 Colony Hotel .....................................................61 Dance Unlimited.............................................. 64 Designer’s Touch Jewelry .................................32 DJ Computers .................................................. 87 Doll Factory ...................................................... 69 DoubleTree Hotel ............................................. 51 Dr. Richard Hays ...............................................37 Eclipse Day Spa ................................................32 Eisenman & Eisenman, MDs ...........................37 Equine Legal Resources .................................. 68 Euro Experts......................................................25 Faith Farm Ministries ...................................... 89 Florida Public Utilities ......................................75 Freedom Boat Club .......................................... 88 General Rental Center ..................................... 74 Generations Hair Salon ....................................19 Grayhills & Mohip Dental ............................... 49 Hair Spray the Salon........................................ 65

Hi Lites Hair Studio......................................... 42 Illustrated Properties, Boardwalk Group .......... 9 Illustrated Properties, The Crowe Team...........25 Insurance for You............................................. 89 Isle Casino......................................................... 13 J. Douglas Jewelers ...........................................23 JAW Construction ............................................ 89 Jose Rojas, Stylist............................................. 67 Kontiki Wine & Raw Bar .................................. 43 La Fogata Mexican Cuisine ..............................81 La Hacienda Show Stables ............................... 55 Learning Express ............................................. 49 Lia Sophia Jewelry, Laura McComus-Tate ....... 89 Mamma Mia’s Trattoria....................................83 Max & Erma’s Restaurant ............................... 68 McDermott & Associates .................................37 Michael’s The Wine Bar ...................................83 My Community Pharmacy ............................... 48 My Suit Girl ...................................................... 56 Nature’s Table Café...........................................41 Ncognito Fitness ..............................................75 Network Funding ............................................. 66 Nicole’s Village Tavern .................................... 82 O’Dell Inc. ....................................................... 22 Pain & Rehab Physicians of Palm Beach ........ 46 Palm Beach Day Academy ............................... 67 Palm Beach Psychological Associates .............85 Paradise Tanning Salon ....................................61 Paymaster ........................................................ 89 Perfect Smile Dentistry .................................... 29 PGA National ................................................... 10 Photo Designs ................................................. 87 Players Club ......................................................91 Robert R. Morris, Attorney at Law................... 87 Roderick C. Moe, CPA ..................................... 36 Rooney’s All-In Sports Bar & Grille ................. 82

Royal Inn .............................................................3 Royal Palm Auto Spa ....................................... 74 Royal Palm Mazda ........................................... 66 Sadati Center for Aesthetic Dentistry................ 2 Salon Professional Academy ........................... 69 Sea Breeze Air Conditioning ............................73 Shingo’s Japanese Restaurant ........................ 68 Shop on Impulse ............................................. 48 Shullman Orthodontics ....................................35 Smiles by Jiveh ................................................. 92 Snayd Irrigation ............................................... 64 South Florida Skin & Laser.............................. 28 Spotlight of Wellington.................................... 69 Stonewood Grill ................................................83 Subscription Form ........................................... 89 Tantrums & Couture ........................................ 62 Tony the Tiger DJ ............................................. 87 ToothTown Pediatric Dentistry .........................85 Treasure Consignments................................... 86 Two Men & A Truck ..........................................73 Ultima Fitness ................................................. 84 Ultra Cleaners ..................................................60 Van Dell Jewelers ............................................. 62 Vibe Fitness ..................................................... 67 Villari’s Studio of Self Defense ........................ 89 Visions Hair Salon ............................................ 15 Viso LASIK Med Spa .......................................... 7 Vital Longevity Water, Susan Lerner................ 84 Weiss Chiropractic ........................................... 64 WellingTAN .......................................................85 Wellington Auto Service .................................. 68 Wellington Equestrian Builders, LLC ................ 6 Wellness Experience ........................................ 36 Wellington Regional Medical Center................. 4 West Palm Beach Development Authority.......17 Zen Massage ................................................... 56

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Wellington Social Scene

Photos by Lisa Keeney

Wellington Rotary Hosts ‘Art Of Giving’ Gala At Armory Art Center The Rotary Club of Wellington presented its “Art of Giving” gala on Saturday, March 21 at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach. The event celebrated two charities, Hospice of Palm Beach County and My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust, as well as the Wellington Rotary Scholarship Fund. For more information about the Rotary Club of Wellington, visit www.wellingtonrotary.org.

Event co-chairs Karen Hardin and Susan Giddings.

Wellington Rotary President Don Gross and his wife Maureen.

Commissioner Jess and daughter Michelle Santamaria with Bonnie and Jimmy Matthews.

Carmine Priore III with his wife Terri, and Karen and Bob Cavanagh.

John and Saundra Mercer, Frank Suess, and Regis and Tom Wenham.

Barry Manning and Susan Stone with Joanna and Ben Boynton.

(Above) Dr. Farokh Jiveh served as master of ceremonies. (Below) Debbie Sanacore with Stan Kilbas.

(Left) Bland and Erika Eng with Marie and Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore and Commissioner Jess Santamaria. (Below) Interact Club students with club advisor Carl Rosenberg.

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Lew Blatte and Debbie Levine.

Lefty Ripa and Pat Curry.

Jaene and Ron Miranda.

Jacqueline Rothman and Dr. Juan Ortega.

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Wellington Social Scene

Photos by Candace Marchsteiner

Inaugural ‘Wild West For MS’ Gala Raises $100,000 At PBIEC More than 250 attendees helped the MS Cure Fund raise more than $100,000 on Saturday, March 21 during its first local multiple sclerosis fundraiser “Wild West for MS” held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington during the $400,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix Jumping event. For more information, visit www. mscurefund.org or call (888) 5MS-CURE. Olympian Nona Garson and event co-chair Kim Kolloff with the Chili Chicks.

Peter Rains and Jeanne Kraus.

(Above) MS Cure Fund founder Susan Strachan with Don Fraser and Mason Cavell.

(Left) Wendie Smith teaches a line dance.

Diana Paxton samples the buffet.

(Above) Sonia Domkarova of the MS Cure Fund with Jesse Morgan, Lee Havens and Chase Fitzgerald. (Below) Arnie Gervasio and Cindy Hennessy.

(Above) Erin O’Brien gets into the western spirit.

(Below) Phyllis Finn, most creative costume winner, with Florence Wood, Randy Burmester, Richard Wood and Joanne Burmester.

(Above) Joseph Maniscalco, Brenda Doneth, Melissa Burns, Nona Garson and Bridget Fleming. (Below) FTI Chairman Dennis and Mary Kay Shaughnessy with FTI CEO Jack Dunn. FTI sponsored the grand prix held the evening of the “Wild West for MS” party.

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Wellington Social Scene

Photos by Denise Fleischman

55,000 On Hand For Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction

The auction drew a large crowd of bidders and onlookers.

(Above) Gunnery Sgt. Jason Marshall with Barrett-Jackson Chair and CEO Craig Jackson.

(Above) Jet dragster racing champion Elaine Larsen from Orlando. (Below) First Lt. Mark Little and Barrett-Jackson VP of Consignment Gary Bennett with the “Project American Heroes” 1969 Camaro.

(Above) Craig Jackson and Darrell Gwynn of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation present Raquel Gil with a new wheelchair. (Below) This 2007 Dodge Charger nitro funny car sold for $107,000 to benefit the Darrell Gwynn Foundation.

The Seventh Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction was held April 9-11 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The event recorded more than $20 million in total sales while featuring muscle cars, classics, customs, specialty cars and NASCAR racecars. The “Project American Heroes” 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS custom fetched $500,000 to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation.

More than 55,000 people attended the auction. For more info., visit www. barrettjackson.com.

This 1959 Pontiac Bonneville sold for $87,000.

(Above) This custom “Gotham Cruiser” sold for $110,000. (Below) This 1954 Cadillac Coupe de Ville sold for $36,000.

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Wellington Social Scene

Shady Ladies Luncheon Raises $45,000 To Fund Lupus Research More than 100 “shady ladies” joined the Lupus Research Institute at its Fourth Annual Shady Ladies Luncheon and Celebrity Sunglass Auction held Sunday, March 15 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. The event raised $45,000 for the institute.

The luncheon, co-chaired by Hillary Dobbs and Brianne Goutal with honorary chairs Jenny Oz LeRoy, Mark Badgley and James Mischka, focused on the importance of urging people with lupus to shade themselves from the sun, which can trigger and exacerbate the illness.

Beth Beattie, Lisa Skiffington, Danielle Norcross, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Chelsea Irwin, Rena Toppe and Teri Wood

Allie and Chris Paradysz

Alan Wasserman with Susan and Morrie Golick

Co-chairs Hillary Dobbs and Brianne Goutal

Mary Howes

Brian and Corry Walker

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Wellington Social Scene

Photos by Denise Fleischman

St. David’s Church Hosts Charity Golf Tourney At Binks Forest

The winning foursome of Stan Zabytko, Mike Sofranko, Larry Muirhead and Wally Les.

(Above) Betty McKee, Jim Searcy, Shirley Fenner and Laurie Cohen.

(Left) Bob Wilson presents Debbie Piconcelli with her raffle winnings.

Co-chairs Bob Wilson and Barbara & Tim Hadsell.

St. David’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church hosted its Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Dinner & Auction on Monday, March 23 at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington.

The day started with registration and lunch, followed by the tournament, auctions, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The event was a benefit for St. David’s outreach projects and the Child Life Institute.

(Above) Child Life Institute CEO Jim Sugarman, auction co-chair Pam McCarthy, Erin Thomas and Father Steven Thomas.

(Right) Miss Florida 2008 Sierra Minott models a Badgley Mischka necklace up for bid.

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In Memoriam Wellington Loses Opera Aficionado Francesco Pace

BY MARK LIOI

Maestro Francesco Pace was unequivocal about his love of opera. “Opera makes you happy,” he told Wellington The Magazine in 2006. “Opera opens your heart and makes you love people.”

The man who spent the last years of his life sharing his love of opera with Wellington and the surrounding communities passed away March 20. He was 91.

Pace worked hard to bring small-scale, high-quality opera productions to Wellington through the South Florida Opera Company, which he founded. “The South Florida Opera Company never had any employees,” said longtime friend Sarah Merrill, who served as Pace’s stage manager and was a member of the opera company’s board of directors. “It was Pace and whoever wanted to help — it was volunteer.”

Pace, an Italian native who came to the United States at 17, had begun both a furniture-making apprenticeship and piano and clarinet lessons while he was a boy. He made his debut on the clarinet in a symphony at age 13.

In California, Pace found work in the prop departments of big Hollywood studios and then as a furniture maker. It was a romance that drew Pace into the world of opera, and he recalled that inspiration in his 2006 interview. “I met this lady,” he said.

“We were dating. She said she couldn’t see me on Wednesday evening. She had rehearsal for the opera. I asked her if I could go with her. When I got there, this guy was charging five dollars to watch the rehearsal. I said to myself, if he could do that, so could I.” On a shoestring, Pace founded the Los Angeles Civic Grand Opera Association in 1948. Today it is known as the Los Angeles Opera Company.

After 50 years in Los Angeles, Pace retired to Wellington. Although at first he took a seat on the Palm Beach Opera’s board of directors, in 1990 he established the Society of Classical Arts in the western communities, which became the South Florida Opera Company in 1995.

Pace started with semi-staged performances featuring minimal

Maestro Francesco Pace had a smile on his face whenever discussing opera.

WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE FILE PHOTO BY LISA KEENEY

props and piano accompaniment. Subsequent productions saw more musicians, full stages and backdrops. “He was persistent in what he believed in, and he wanted to leave an opera company in Wellington the way he had in Los Angeles even though we’re not as big a city,” Merrill said. “He believed that you start really small, and you keep it small at the beginning.”

Along the way, Pace tirelessly sought volunteers and patrons to support his company. Among them were Joanna and Ben Boynton. Joanna said she and her husband had a great deal of respect for Pace due to his “character and his old-school way of doing things.”

“It didn’t matter whether he wanted $50 of your money to have an advertisement in his program — he took you to lunch,” she recalled. “He did it the formal way. ‘Hi, I’m calling and I want to have some lunch,’ and you knew he was going to ask you for money, and it was so sweet, because even if you only did a nominal amount, he treated you the same as someone who certainly gave more.”

Boynton also noted that young singers and musicians eagerly sought to contribute to Pace’s productions, and that Pace relished his role as their mentor.

Pace hired Garrett Keast, now considered a rising star among American conductors, to conduct a chamber orchestra for his 2003 production of Madama Butterfly. In a eulogy he wrote for Pace’s funeral, Keast noted that it was his first chance at a fulllength opera.

“A small production is every bit as difficult as a big production, and you have to do more with less,” Keast wrote. “I learned important lessons in Wellington, with Maestro Pace at my back.

Since then I have conducted 28 operas all over the country. As I mentioned to him a few weeks ago, I have him to thank for it.

Many young artists have similar stories.”

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Meet Suzanne Schissler, Wellington The Magazine’s

Mother Of The Year

STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY PHOTO BY BILL BARBOSA/PHOTO DESIGNS INC.

When 12-year-old Samantha Schissler handed her mother Suzanne an envelope and asked her to mail it, Suzanne asked her daughter what was in it — just like any protective parent would. Samantha said she was entering a contest, and Suzanne dutifully followed up with, “what kind of a contest?”

The secret was out of the bag — Suzanne Schissler was being nominated as Wellington The Magazine’s “Mother of the Year.”

In her entry, Samantha was up-front with the facts. “I think my mom should win this because she is a single mom taking care of three kids,” she wrote. “One of them has a disability called cerebral palsy.

This son also has epilepsy. She managed to take on a job at Temple Beth Torah and has also helped me with my Torah studies for the past month… She also always helps me and my two brothers with our homework. I know it is a hard time for her now… On the weekends though, she tries to spend every waking moment with us. Sometimes it gets annoying, but most of the time I love spending time with her.”

There’s nothing like the honest, candid opinion of a 12-year-old to win a contest for you.

As Mother of the Year, Suzanne received a full day of pampering, including a spa manicure and pedicure, European facial, Swedish massage and hairstyle/makeup consultations — plus a photo session and 12 dining certificates provided by sponsor restaurants.

Wellington The Magazine’s “Mother of the Year” Suzanne Schissler with her daughter Samantha and sons Corey (front) and Seth.

Yet informing Suzanne that she’d won

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wasn’t so easy. “First they contacted me where I work, but I wasn’t there that day,” Suzanne recalled. “When I finally got the message, Samantha said, ‘you have to call!

You probably won!’ But I told her I was maybe just one of the finalists. I wanted to low-key it so she wouldn’t be disappointed.

I finally returned the call Monday morning. When they told me I’d won, I ran into my daughter’s room, jumped on her bed and hollered, ‘We won! We won!’ We’re both very animated. Besides, what’s not to be excited about? I had told her I was a winner already just because she submitted her letter.”

In addition to Samantha, Suzanne is mom to ten-year-old twins Seth and Corey. Seth is “computer-oriented and an artist,” Suzanne said, and Corey is “more sports-oriented. Plus, he changes all the light bulbs, fixes all the appliances and tells me what’s wrong with the car.”

And what does Suzanne think of Samantha’s essay? “She won’t let me read it until the magazine comes out,” Suzanne laughed. “All my friends have read it, but not me.”

Thank You To Our Mother Of The Year Contest Sponsors!

BEAUTY SPONSORS European Day Spa 12783-G W. Forest Hill Blvd.

Wellington (561) 790-0505

Generations A Hair Salon 10240 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 170 Wellington (561) 753-2232

RESTAURANT SPONSORS Bacalao Tapas & Seafood Grille 10140 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 170 Wellington (561) 753-2836

The Melting Pot 3044 S. Military Trail Lake Worth (561) 967-1009

Café Las Palmas 7750 Okeechobee Blvd., Suite 3 West Palm Beach (561) 697-1786

Michael’s The Wine Bar 12793 W. Forest Hill Blvd.

Wellington (561) 202-6525

Centanni Italian Restaurant 10107 Southern Blvd.

Royal Palm Beach (561) 792-7677

Nicole’s Village Tavern 12300 South Shore Blvd.

Wellington (561) 793-3456

Kontiki Wine & Raw Bar 13860 Wellington Trace, Suite 21-22 Wellington (561) 296-0404

The Players Club 13410 South Shore Blvd.

Wellington (561) 795-0080

La Fogata Mexican Cuisine 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd.

Wellington (561) 422-1641

Shingo’s Japanese Restaurant 9859-19 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth (561) 963-5050

Mamma Mia’s Trattoria 8855 Hypoluxo Road Lake Worth (561) 963-9565

Stonewood Grill & Tavern 10120 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 110 Wellington (561) 784-9796 WELLINGTON THE THE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• MAY MAY 2009 2009 WELLINGTON

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Wellington Watch

BY JOSHUA MANNING

Wellington, PBCC Drop Plans For Campus On State Road 7 After a year of negotiations, Palm Beach Community College and the Village of Wellington have given up the effort to bring a PBCC campus to the village. Both entities released a statement April 23 announcing the end of lease discussions.

Village Manager Paul Schofield said it became clear that the college could not meet several of the village’s requirements, in-

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cluding a clear timeline on construction, a partnership with other universities and insurance issues. Schofield noted that the two sides worked toward an agreement with fundamentally different philosophies: the college was expecting a gift by leasing a 67-acre parcel basically for free, while the village was looking for a partnership in which it would have more

say. Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore for weeks expressed frustration that the negotiations had gone on too long without any firm commitment on key issues. “We had a contract that covered many, many subjects, but didn’t address the subjects that were deal-breakers in my mind,” he said. Mayor Darell Bowen, a staunch supporter of the proposal, was amenable to ending negotiations, but still hopes to bring the issue back once the timing is better. But Councilman Matt Willhite, a critic of the campus idea, said he hopes the controversial issue is settled. “It divided the community and the council, and it has affected us all,” he said. “There has been a huge cost to this, not only monetarily, but emotions and feelings.”

PBCC’s Richard Becker said the college will continue its search for a campus to serve the western communities. “Our desire to have a campus in the central western communities started way before this piece of land,” he said.

Tragedy At Polo — Tragedy struck Wellington’s close-knit polo community on Sunday, April 19 when 21 horses became fatally ill and died under mysterious circumstances just before the start of a semi-final round of the U.S. Open at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The deaths of horses belonging to the Lechuza Caracas team made headlines worldwide and drew the village and the sport under intense media scrutiny. After days of speculation on the cause of the deaths, an Ocala pharmacy confirmed April 23 that it had made a mistake in compounding a supplement administered to the horses shortly before they were to play, but did not name the medication or the problem ingredient. At press time, lab results and a definitive cause of death had not been released. IPC President John Wash noted that while all the facts are not yet known, the tragedy is likely to lead to changes in how the “sport of kings” is regulated. If so, IPC has a responsibility to take the lead in implementing such reforms.

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“Change is going to have to happen at the governing-body level,” he said. “If reform needs to be made, the International Polo Club will get behind whatever efforts and champion those efforts. Safety of the horse and player has always been our number-one concern.”

Green Light For New Village Hall — The Wellington Village Council voted April 14 to proceed with the design and construction of a municipal complex expected to cost between $12.5 million and $15 million. The site for the complex is along Forest Hill Blvd. near the Wellington Community Center. The new facility will be adjacent to a planned playground and a 3,200-square-foot amphitheater already in the design stage. Project Manager Richard Greene noted that the village is launching a series of redevelopment projects, one of them a major facelift to Forest Hill Blvd. “At the heart of that particular project is our town center,” he said.

Greene touched on the many benefits of a municipal complex to house the village’s various departments and services, which are presently scattered in separate locations. The facility would save the village almost $350,000 in annual rental expenses as well as other expenses created by travel and communication between different offices, he said, adding that it would improve the public image of the village and also provide economic stimulus by creating jobs. The council voted 4-1 to approve the project, with Councilman Matt Willhite dissenting. “The manager can look at this and say we can build this without raising taxes, but three and a half to five million dollars of this will come out of the general fund — that is your taxes,” he said. “We could have lowered our tax rate and given people a rebate this year and not built this.”

mously to deny a proposal to allow the construction of stables in the neighborhood. However, the ordinance divided the Paddock Park community, granting the right to building stables only to homeowners adjacent to canal easements and equestrian trails. Council members stressed the unequal bestowal of stable rights as part of their motivation for denying the idea. Supporters noted that the division was the suggestion of village staff

and vowed to bring back the idea granting stable rights for all. It will take at least six months for a new ordinance to make its way through the approval process and may require a new survey of residents.

Joshua Manning has served as executive editor of the Wellington Town-Crier since 1999. In that position, he monitors life in our community week in and week out.

Setback For Paddock Park Stable Fans — Residents of Wellington’s Paddock Park I neighborhood who were hopeful they would win the right to keep horses went home empty-handed in April. The Wellington Village Council voted unaniWELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • MAY 2009

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Michael’s The Wine Bar recently opened in the Wellington Plaza. It’s the perfect place for a romantic conversation while you eat and drink.

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Table for

o w T

Six Great Dining Ideas For A Romantic Night Out Story by Deborah Welky

Photos by Lisa Keeney

With the winter season over and the kids still a few weeks away from summer vacation, May is the perfect time for a romantic dinner out. Wellington and the surrounding areas have a plethora of restaurants — something for every taste. But what if it’s ambience you’re looking for? We’re glad you asked!

Michael’s The Wine Bar Michael’s The Wine Bar is newly opened in the Wellington Plaza at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. It’s a perfect place to go if you want to have a romantic conversation while you eat and drink.

The wine and beer bar at Michael’s covers the gamut from a $6 glass of wine up to a $250 bottle of wine, and the bar features live entertainment until 10 or 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with quiet jazz the rest of the time.

“You just walk in the door and you feel like you’re at home,” owner Michael Owenn said. “We have couches and stuffed chairs in the corners. We don’t have a TV, and we do that for a reason — we want people to come and talk. It’s fun. People sit at the bar — you get these conversations going on between strangers.”

Michael’s opens for lunch and stays open until 2 a.m.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “If we’re open, the kitchen’s open,” Owenn said. “You can come in at 7 and eat ’til 2 a.m. We don’t even take reservations because we want you to come in and not feel rushed.”

And the food? There’s plenty to choose from. “We have what we call small-plate appetizers and smallplate entrees,” Owenn said. “For appetizers, we have spinach artichoke dip, crab cakes, pan-seared scallops; for entrees, we have duck breast, heritage pork, fish, salads and wagyu beef — a cross between the steer they use for Kobe and an angus steer.”

For more information, call (561) 202-6525.

The White Horse Tavern The White Horse Tavern has been open just two months and is already a hot spot for equestrians, as well as the general public. Patrons come in straight from the stables in their riding gear, in blue jeans for a quick drink, or dressed for a party.

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The White Horse Tavern offers private dining for 10 to 150 in a variety of configurations with a full bar in the center.

“It can be a very romantic place depending on you and what you’re celebrating,” General Manager Angelo Liquori said.

“The dining room overlooks the lake, which overlooks the show grounds for equestrian jumping. It’s beautiful, day or night. We have linen tablecloths and exquisite service, but it’s not too ritzy or too stuffy for the average person. It’s a relaxed atmosphere.”

The food is tempting, too. “We do a couple of features every evening as well as the regular a la carte menu,” Liquori said. “We have two or three fish dishes, a couple of pastas, fillet, skirt steak. The fish is excellent. We also have a couple of different types of risotto, and our appetizers range from mixed green salads to shrimp cocktail to calamari to tuna tartar.”

The White Horse Tavern is located on Equestrian Club Road, adjoining the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Spring/summer hours have the restaurant opening at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and there’s a buffetstyle Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (561) 333-1150 for more information.

Mamma Mia’s Trattoria Heading east? Mamma Mia’s Trattoria at 8855 Hypoluxo Road (at Lyons Road) has brought a little bit of Tuscany to Lake Worth.

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Owned by brothers Frank and Joey Lograsso, Mamma Mia’s has melded the best of contemporary and Old World.

“We have gas lanterns on the wall, candles on the tables — everything is very Tuscan-looking,” Frank said. “We have brick walls. It’s quiet and dark. We have linen tablecloths out on our covered patio and gas lanterns there as well.”

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Of course, the food is the real reason people keep coming back. Oak-grilled lamb chops, a wide variety of pasta dishes and chef’s specials every night keep the brick oven busy. The dinner menu features six kinds of pasta with your choice of a dozen sauces, and diners are tempted by a long list of appetizers such as calamari and mussels marinara.

Top off dinner with any of a number of homemade and imported desserts, specialty coffee drinks or even a heartshaped cake to share. There’s live music with dancing on the patio Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 10 p.m.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. six days a week and from noon on Sundays. Enjoy hot or cold subs, chicken or veal cutlets, baked pasta or your choice of five signature salads.

Reservations are suggested for parties of five and up at (561) 963-9565; otherwise, just stop by! For a preview, visit www. mammamiastrattoria.com.

(Above) The White Horse Tavern offers white linen tablecloths and exquisite service in a relaxed atmosphere. (Below) Experience the Old World charm of Mamma Mia’s Trattoria.

Bacalao Tapas & Seafood Grille Bacalao is the place to go if you want to experience the best of Spanish fare, with a hint of other Latin flavors. In fact, the name “bacalao” refers to a type of codfish, appropriate for the restaurant, as seafood tops Bacalao’s menu.

“We sear it and then put it in a clay pot with the customer’s selected sauce and oven-bake it,” explained Silvio Diaz, one of the restaurant’s owners. “Our signature sauce is cabrales, the Spanish version of bleu cheese but without the strong smell or taste. We also have roasted garlic cream sauce, tomato marmalade, mushroom brandy almond sauce, capers and lemon butter sauce.”

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flagship restaurant in Puerto Rico. “Our food is mainly Spanish, from Barcelona,” Diaz said. “We have been in business with a restaurant in Puerto Rico, and we decided to try it here.”

If your idea of romance has something to do with the sun and the sea, Bacalao has the atmosphere you’re looking for.

“All the colors are pearl and teal — it’s an ocean type of atmosphere, very simple, casual, clean lines. We have an outdoor terrace facing the lake. It’s a very comfortable setting,” Diaz said.

And food? It’s all fresh. “In addition to shellfish and seven or eight different cuts of seafood, we have salads and chicken and steaks — a little bit of everything,” Diaz added.

(Above) Enjoy sangria and Spanish cuisine on the outdoor terrace at Bacalao Tapas & Seafood Grille. (Below) Fieldside patio seats are only one of the many dining options at the Players Club.

For more information, call (561) 7532836 or visit www.bacalaoseafoodgrille. com.

The Players Club Neil Hirsch’s fieldside Wellington restaurant will never go out of style. Whether you want to dine inside near the piano or outside “al fresco,” a romantic mood abounds at the Players Club.

“We have a nice, quality, relaxed atmosphere,” General Manager Michael Nadeau said. “On the outside patio, there are bougainvilleas and torches; we burn the fires — it’s romantic.”

Inside, you can cozy up to your sweetheart in a private corner or host a party for up to 250 of your nearest and dearest friends. The “fireplace room” has seating for 20; the “trophy room” for 40. Beyond that, you’ll probably want to look into the upstairs ballroom.

Executive Chef Charles Campbell, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, gets rave reviews for his entrees. “He is unique,” Nadeau said. “He thinks the 34 MAY MAY2009 2009••WELLINGTON WELLINGTONTHE THEMAGAZINE MAGAZINE 34

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‘We are very attentive to our guests. We have positive attitudes, and we go overboard to make them feel pleased.’

Michael Nadeau of the Players Club specials through and matches wines to them. He takes a lot of time planning them.”

And Larry Brendler’s prowess at the piano bar on Friday and Saturday nights is legendary. Feel free to make a request — Brendler usually knows the score.

Diners generally arrive dressed in “smart casual” attire with Saturday nights being a bit more relaxed than Fridays. Of course, if you want to propose marriage, celebrate a birthday or have some other surprise up your sleeve, you might want to give Nadeau or Director of Operations Paul Griffo a heads-up before you arrive, at (561) 795-0080. They have all kinds of capabilities to make your “special night” all the more special. Personalized cakes are just one possibility. “We are very attentive to our guests,” Nadeau said. “We have positive attitudes, and we go overboard to make them feel pleased.”

The Players Club is located at 13410 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington.

Kontiki Wine & Raw Bar Sisters Vanida Coquin and Sue Porter have created a cool, quiet refuge in Wellington’s Courtyard Shops serving EuroAsian fusion cuisine.

“We have a restaurant in Jupiter the same as Kontiki here,” Coquin explained. “We make it warm and welcoming — homey.

People can choose the section where they want to sit — the atmosphere. We have candles, and we dim the lights. People feel romantic.”

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Coquin described Kontiki’s food as “eclectic — European, Asian and sushi.

The sushi bar is really popular.”

Kontiki also has a wine and liquor bar.

Or you can snuggle down into a cushy upholstered sofa with your drink. Kontiki is less than a year old, and it’s very, very busy. “We’re still not sure if we’re busy because we’re new or because we’re good,” Coquin laughed.

‘We make it warm and welcoming — homey.

People can choose the section where they want to sit... We have candles, and we dim the lights.

People feel romantic.’

Vanida Coquin of Kontiki Wine & Raw Bar The food, like the seating arrangements, is eclectic at

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at

But she admits locals are already coming back for more. “They like crispy duck, hot Thai stir-fry noodles and pork.

We use everything fresh, not frozen,” Coquin said. “We don’t go somewhere and pick it up. Everything is made from scratch. We make our own sauce, everything.”

Kontiki is in the Courtyard Shops at 13860 Greenview Shores Blvd., Suite 21 and opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 5 p.m. on Sundays.

For more info., call (561) 296-0404.

They don’t take reservations, so you’re welcome to grab your date and come on by to see what’s cooking.

Special events, eclectic food, fieldside seats, dancing on the patio, quiet jazz or deep conversation — whatever you’re looking for in a romantic evening, it’s right here in our midst. So call up that special someone and make plans tonight!

Kontiki Wine & Raw Bar in the Courtyard Shops.

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From Landscaping to Pest Control THE ARMAND FAMILY CAN HELP KEEP YOUR HOME AT ITS BEST STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY

PHOTOS BY BEA BOLTON AND COURTESY SCOTT ARMAND

Dedication — it’s a word that often comes up when you’re talking about family-owned businesses. After all, families who have enough confidence in their knowledge and ability to strike out on their own are going to take pride in what they do and make sure their customers are cared for well. And that’s the story with Armand Professional Services and Armand Exterminating.

(Left) Scott (seated), Mary and Michael Armand run Armand Professional Services and Armand Exterminating.

(Far right) The front entry to this home, designed by the Armands, features dwarf bougainvillea bush for color, a juniper turolosa topiary and a decorative rock and stepping stone path that leads past foxtail palms. A natural boulder highlights a bougainvillea used as a focal point to view from the bay window.

(Right inset) A Barbara Karst standard bougainvillea is a great way to add color to a landscape.

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While still in high school, Scott Armand moved from New Jersey to Palm Beach County with his family. Here he met his wife Mary, who was born in Pennsylvania but had been a resident of Palm Beach County for years. Both worked for a well-known pest control firm when they met, and they realized that together with Scott’s brother Michael (who was also working in pest control) they had over 40 years combined experience. In late 2005, the three founded their own company under the name Armand Exterminating.

They expanded their business when customers began to request additional services. A second company, Armand Professional Services, offers landscape design, installation and maintenance; rock, sod and mulch installation; and design work such as rock walls, pavers, water features, irrigation and landscape lighting. Pest control remains high on the list, together with lawn care and fertilization, flea/tick treatments, wild animal trapping, ficus whitefly treatments and the control of fire ants, rodents, flies and termites. In short, if you’re looking

(Above) Enter this tranquil location in the corner of a back yard beneath an arbor set in Chattahoochee stone.

It may be used as a children’s play area or a meditation spot, starring a yellow cassia tree with hibiscus framing the fence line, blue plumbago edging the arbor and a natural boulder for seating.

(Right) At this Versailles home, Armand Professional Services added height to the landscape by bringing in additional soil.

They also added a fountain and a slate patio finished with river rock instead of mulch.

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‘When we’re in a drought, the top layer of dirt is bone dry. But if the root system is six, eight, ten inches deep, you’ll get more water to the plant.’

Scott Armand of Armand Professional Services

at your yard, you’re looking at the Armand family’s field of expertise.

A favorite among clients is something the Armands call “EOM” (every other month) pest control. The exterior of the property is treated bimonthly to keep the interior free from pests. The work is guaranteed, and no one needs to be home for the work to be performed. Options for lawn care include integrated pest management (IPM) and fertilization as well as a guaranteed once-a-year fire ant control program.

The Armands are authorized and certified Termidor and Sentricon professionals, specializing in both corrective and preventative subterranean termite services as well as dry-wood termite control including tent fumigation.

When it comes to a healthy landscape, Scott stressed the importance of developing a strong root system. “When my wife and I built our house back in 2000, we purposely let the lawn get stressed,” he recalled. “For the first two months, our lawn wasn’t as nice as it could’ve been.

But the longer you wait to water, the deeper the root system goes into the soil … When we’re in a drought, the top layer of dirt is bone dry. But if the root system is six, eight, ten inches deep, you’ll get more water to the plant.”

Proper mowing technique is also key to a healthy landscape. “Keep the blades sharp, and let the grass grow taller,” he said.

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(Left) The perfect solution for an area that does not get sun! This walkway encircles a pool and spa area that is in 90 percent shade. Using the proper plant materials provides color and a tropical feel without having to constantly replace plants due to a lack of sunlight.

Given South Florida’s recent cycle of rain and drought, choosing the right plants for your landscape is of critical importance.

“Seasonal plants like annuals do require more water,” Scott said. “Bougainvillea likes to be watered, and also likes it dry — it’s not one that needs to be constantly watered. When you see a bougainvillea that is not full of color, it has been overwatered. Too much moisture robs the color.”

The company’s landscaping service also offers complete landscape makeovers and “hurricane cleanups” for before or after a storm.

“We’re into everything,” Scott said.

“About a year ago, we had a brainstorm session and came up with the Diamond program — pest control for the home, pest control for the lawn and ornamental plants, fertilization and maintenance — cutting, edging, trimming and blowing off — all for one economical monthly charge.”

And if you gather ten of your neighbors together, you may qualify for Armand’s group service discount.

Scott said that thanks to the customerdriven expansion, they’ve provided an “economic stimulus package” to themselves.

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“It helped us from an economic standpoint,” he said. “Our business fluctuates seasonally. Now, when one of the divisions slows down, another picks up.

We’re unique in that we’re a landscape company as well as a fully licensed pest

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‘Our family owned and operated company is passionate about our superior level of customer service, both in the field and in our corporate office.’

Scott Armand of Armand Professional Services control company — for indoors and out.

We’re able to keep our employees working. In my previous life — working for other people — we’d go out on a complaint call and the pest company would say it was landscapers and vice versa. It is our goal to become the leader in customer service, while providing the most effective pest control and landscaping techniques available.”

Scott and Mary are involved in their community as well. As longtime residents of Royal Palm Beach, they are very involved in the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club, the Wellington Women’s Club and the Palms West Chamber of Commerce. The chamber honored them in 2007 with the Small Business of the Year award. Scott and Mary have five children ranging in age from 11 to 26, and two grandsons.

Michael lives in Lake Worth and has two young children.

“Our family-owned-and-operated company is passionate about our superior level of customer service, both in the field and in our corporate office,” Scott said. “We believe it is that passion, coupled with our exceptional techniques, which have made us successful in our endeavor to become a leader in our industry.”

Armand Professional Services and Armand Exterminating are headquartered at 11388 Okeechobee Blvd., Suite B, in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 793-3700 or visit www. armandpest.com for additional information.

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SPRING

Into Yardwork

From Proper Irrigation to New Trees, It Doesn’t Cost A Bundle To Have A Beautiful Landscape STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY PHOTOS BY SUSAN LERNER

It’s springtime, and even in South Florida there’s a feeling of renewal that has us folding up the comforters, shaking out the blankets and taking the draperies in to be cleaned. This clean-up, paint-up, fix-up mood transcends the indoors when we take a break, step outside and notice all the room — for improvement.

(Right) Randy Snayd of Snayd Irrigation can help keep your lawn looking in tip-top shape, even in these days of droughts and watering restrictions.

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Yes, you’ve been trying to avoid it, but it’s right outside your front door — lurking, waiting, silently taunting you. You’ve tried closing the blinds, using a side door, pretending it’s not there, but in your heart, you know you have a (gulp) dry, patchy lawn.

how turned brown and crisp. You can blame the weather: lack of rain, a drought, punishing sunshine. You can even blame the government: “outrageous watering restrictions have thwarted my every good intention.” In desperation, you can even hope “it’s chinch bugs.”

Go ahead, admit it. Your lawn, once lush and green, moist and healthy, has some-

Relax. No one is blaming you. We know how busy you are.

But wouldn’t it be nice if the problem went away? If you could wave a magic wand and restore that thick, deep mat of grass that attracted you to your home in the first place?

Well, there’s no magic wand, but there is Randy Snayd. His company, Snayd Irrigation (561-722-5160), knows how to save your lawn before it’s too late. And it’s a lot more cost-effective than you might think.

“We tell our customers that if they spend a little bit of money on fixing their sprinklers to get optimum coverage, they’ll reduce the amount of water they use and ultimately save money,” Snayd explained.

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Snayd Irrigation experts can take one look at your lawn and make minor adjustments that could mean the difference between life and death for your tender shoots. “Different houses have different exposures to the sun — north, south, east or west,” Snayd said. “So when the amount of time you’re allowed to water is limited, it’s especially important to take that into consideration. In winter, the north side of your house doesn’t get direct sunlight, so we cut back on the watering time for that particular zone. We can then apply that time to a zone that really needs it.”

a zero lot line. “The front yard may be dry, but the yard between two houses may be swampy,” Snayd said. “This needs attention. We take the time to explain to people that sprinkler heads in the sun that are on for 15 minutes may be fine, but between the homes it’s too much water. We design our systems around that, and ultimately it saves water. Saving water saves money, especially if your system is on municipal

water. Plus, when you only have a fourhour window in which to water, you may be wasting time in some areas where you could benefit your yard more by using the water in the proper areas for the proper length of time.”

Snayd Irrigation also checks for adequate coverage, sprinkler to sprinkler. “The ideal situation is to have the lawn covered

Taking these exposures into consideration is key, especially for homes built on

A properly working irrigation system is crucial to every beautiful landscape.(Above) Randy Snayd examines an electric zone valve.

(Left) Snayd with a rotary head.

‘We tell our customers that if they spend a little bit of money on fixing their sprinklers to get optimum coverage, they’ll reduce the amount of water they use and ultimately save money.’

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head-to-head to provide even watering,” he said. “Often, there’s not enough overlap — we see that a lot. Certain areas are getting oversprayed, and then there will be a dry spot a foot from the sprinkler head. Another head 12 to 15 feet away should be aimed there, to cover that area around the head.”

Snayd also makes sure sprinklers are activated during the best time of day. “Generally speaking, early morning is best,” he said. “If water sits on a lawn all night, you tend to get fungus. If you’re watering at 8 p.m., that water is sitting on the lawn ’til morning. The blades of grass hold moisture. It’s best to water thoroughly in the morning and then let it dry so it doesn’t hold moisture.”

The professionals from Snayd Irrigation will evaluate your sprinkler system, then give you an estimate of what it will cost to fix it — often less than you feared.

“But sometimes a homeowner will ask if their money might be better spent putting in a whole entirely new system,” Snayd said. “In effect, they don’t want to ‘put new tires on a 30-year-old car.’ They want to know their ‘car’ is going to run every day. They know that if their grass dies, then they’ll have the expense of re-

‘Your lawn is an investment. Not only do you get to enjoy the rewards of looking out on a beautiful yard that’s also appealing to other people, but you’ve improved the resale value of your home. People want to pull up to a nice picket fence, a nice yard — it’s their first impression.’

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placing their dead sod, their dead plants, their landscaping — in addition to their sprinkler system.”

On a quarter-acre lot, the cost of a new sprinkler system can range from $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the “hardscape” (sidewalks, driveways, decks) and individual planter areas that may need focused attention.

“Your lawn is an investment,” Snayd said.

“Not only do you get to enjoy the rewards of looking out on a beautiful yard that’s also appealing to other people, but you’ve improved the resale value of your home.

People want to pull up to a nice picket fence, a nice yard — it’s their first impression.”

First impressions are also enhanced by trees and shrubs, the anchors of any good landscaping plan. Mike Haughey and his wife Mary own and run Big Blue Tree Farm (561-793-4370), and he said homeowners (Below) Mike Haughey of Big Blue Tree Farm with a line of silver buttonwoods, a popular tree native to South Florida.

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have been sprucing up for spring. “We’ve gotten rather busy lately,” he said. “We’ve been busy since maybe mid-February.”

Big Blue Tree Farm hustles to keep supply and demand in sync, just as they have for the last 35 years. Palms, oaks and flowering trees all thrive on this sprawling property off Flying Cow Road in Wellington.

“My father-in-law, Dr. John McCarthy, never actually ran the farm, but he was the purchaser of the land,” Haughey explained. “He absolutely loves it. He’s on the Wellington Tree Board. He’s like a tree farmer in a doctor’s profession.”

The company web site at www.bigblue-

treefarm.com shows pictures of the wide variety of trees and shrubs available and lets buyers know what’s available at any time of the year. Right now, Big Blue Tree Farm has 1,000 gumbo limbo trees ready to go, a large supply of 30-gallon live oaks and a fine selection of areca palms.

Other offerings include single or multitrunk silver buttonwoods, dahoon holly, royal poinciana, wax myrtle, orange geiger, Italian cypress, pink tabs, green buttonwoods, red cluster bottlebrush plants and lots and lots of palms — foxtail palms, roebelenii palms, queen palms, royal palms, Christmas palms and carpenteria palms in both singles and doubles.

(Ab0ve) Mike Haughey of Big Blue Tree Farm with bottlebrush trees, an interesting ornamental landscape tree.

Enthusiastic homeowners can drive over, fill up a trailer or pickup truck, and go home to do it themselves. If they don’t own a truck, Haughey will have someone deliver the chosen purchases (at no charge within Wellington and for a nominal fee outside the village). Or (perhaps the best-case scenario), he’ll bring in the professionals. Big Blue Tree Farm contracts with several companies for larger landscaping jobs. In that case, happy homeowners can just sit by the pool with an ice-cold lemonade and watch their yard become a showpiece.

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DoubleTree Palm Beach Gardens

Opens New Executive Meeting Center

T

he DoubleTree Palm Beach Gardens is proud to announce the opening of its Executive Meeting Center. After a multi-million-dollar renovation, and the construction of the first IACC-accredited, built-to-LEED-Gold standards executive meeting center, the DoubleTree has quickly gained recognition among leading meeting planners for being on the cutting edge.

“With elements of South Beach, cascading water walls, hints of aromatherapy in public areas and our true DoubleTree welcome, we have transformed your stay from the ordinary to that of a spa for your mind,” Hotel Manager Sig Varela said.

With the addition of the new meeting facility, the DoubleTree continues to raise the bar in the community and set the standard for the most dedicated learning environment. “We have also made a conscientious effort to build our Executive Meeting Center with a strong focus on sustainability by abiding to all LEED Gold requirements. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the epitome of the green movement as

it relates to purpose-built facilities, and ensures that it operates with the least amount of negative impact on the environment and community,” General Manager Peter Winters said.

“We have spared no expense in our quest to build the most dedicated learning environment,” Varela said. “Our meeting rooms come equipped with non-glare writing surfaces and the world-renowned Mirra ergonomic chair by Herman Miller.

With the highest level of technology already built in, you can easily gravitate between the different visual aids to make your presentation exciting and memorable. And our rooms come equipped not only with individual climate and lighting controls, but also with carbon dioxide sensors that fill the room with fresh air and help keep your attendees focused at all times. After years of research on how air quality enhances information reten-

tion, we have equipped the facility with the PURE hypoallergenic air purification system, thereby eliminating 99 percent of air particulates that cause allergies and other distractions in the meeting room.”

The center offers a refreshing prospect to the meeting planner by implementing “hassle free” planning through several popular meeting packages designed to cover all needs in one price, easy to budget and offering a seamless billing process. The property also offers flexible continuous break areas that remain open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and present lavish displays of food planned to enhance your receptivity, boost your energy and lower stress. The all-inclusive packages not only allow meeting planners to accurately budget their costs, but also prevents unforeseeable charges from impacting the overall cost of a conference.

For more information on the property, visit www.doubletreewestpalmbeach.com, or contact us directly at (561) 776-2919 for a copy of the DoubleTree Palm Beach Gardens Stimulus Meeting Package.

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R

iding His Way To The Top

Steve Heinecke’s Dedication Has Taken Him From Modest Beginnings To A Prized Future STORY BY JENNY ROSS PHOTOS BY SUSAN LERNER

Many outside the world of equestrian competition perceive the sport as elitist and assume that the majority of equestrians were born into an aloof tax bracket. Despite the image, however, many professionals in the industry started on the bottom and worked their way to the top. Rider and trainer Steve Heinecke earned his well-respected position in the equestrian community by setting his sights on particular goals at an early age and never looking back.

(Right) Horse trainer and rider Steve Heinecke’s many successes are clearly evident from the many ribbons he has accumulated. (Left) He has been riding for decades, but Heinecke never tires of spending time in the ring.

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Heinecke winters in Wellington and spends the rest of his year on the road, showing hunter/jumper horses and coaching his students. Born into what he describes as a middle-class family, the Connecticut native grew up on his family’s hunter/jumper farm and spent every day taking care of horses in order to stay in the saddle.

The family farm was unlike Wellington’s

grandiose estates and picturesque polo barns. It was a small, simple farm with much-loved horses that competed at the local level. “We didn’t have the kind of horses or the money to compete at the top shows,” Heinecke recalled.

But Heinecke refused to let the high costs keep him from the show ring.

“These days bridles cost around a thousand dollars,” he said. “When I was a

kid, I bought my first pony bridle, and it was $90. That was a lot of money to me, and I thought it was the best bridle!

It was beautiful, and it never stopped me from winning.”

As a child, Heinecke competed at local horse shows and was soon asked by horse owners and trainers to show their ponies. “It really went from there,” he said. “I got to show a lot of nice ponies for other people, and it was something I caught onto really quickly. I did well, so I kept going.”

Heinecke then competed in the junior classes at small shows, and at 15 years old decided to ride with Timmy Kees, one of the top trainers in the hunter/ jumper business. Heinecke’s goal was to win the Maclay Finals at Madison Square Garden, one of the most competitive national championships for junior riders.

Kees was one of the few trainers who could help him get there.

While training with Kees and professional rider Jeffrey Welles (now one of the top grand prix riders in the nation), Heinecke continued to ride and show other people’s horses. He did well in the junior ranks, winning ribbons at the prestigious year-end indoor horse shows.

In 1985, he reached his goal and won the Maclay Finals at Madison Square Garden.

‘When I was a kid, I bought my first pony bridle, and it was $90.

That was a lot of money to me, and I thought it was the best bridle!

It was beautiful, and it never stopped me from winning.’

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“Without sounding too corny, there was a moment when I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life in the horse business,” Heinecke said. “I don’t know how old I was, but I was young, because I had to take the bus to school. Our house was at the top of a hill, and I had to go right to go to the bus stop or left to go to the barn. I remember that I just wanted to go left. I know it’s not glamorous mucking a stall or cleaning up after a horse, but every second that I had, I just wanted to be at the barn.”

necticut. During this time, he was taking college classes as a part-time student. “I really wanted to finish school and just get it done,” he explained. “So I stopped showing and earned my bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in marketing.”

After earning his diploma, Heinecke got back in the show ring and accepted a riding and training job in Connecticut. The

opportunity led him to rent a farm in 1996 and start his own business, Huntfield Farm. “Becoming a professional rider was never a question in my mind,” Heinecke explained. “Honestly, I have a hard time empathizing with people who don’t know what they want to do in life. I just always knew.”

Having competed at the Winter Equestrian Festival since 1979, Heinecke was

Heinecke turned professional soon after he graduated from the junior division.

He worked for Kees and Welles as an apprentice for a year and then moved on to another riding job at a farm in ConAs a youngster, Steve Heinecke wanted nothing more than to be at the barn... and he can still be found there!

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no stranger to the Florida show scene.

Eventually he purchased a second home in Palm Beach Polo. In 2000, he sold his home in Connecticut and permanently set up shop in Wellington.

“As a kid, it was always exciting to come to Wellington,” he said. “It has always been my favorite show, and it still is. When I

‘I would like to see equestrian sport become less expensive. I wish it was more affordable and everyone could be involved with it. It’s really about the animals and our love for these animals; it shouldn’t be about money.’

Heinecke at the barn, spending quality time with Cortina, owned by Madison Manners.

Rider & Trainer Steve Heinecke

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first started showing here, we were at the South Florida Fairgrounds off Southern Blvd. Then the show moved to the corner of South Shore and Pierson Road, and it was where the polo field is now.”

Heinecke now works full time as a rider and trainer for Hi Hopes Farm outside of Charlotte, N.C. He travels in the summer and fall with his students and competes at the very best horse shows in the country. “I am really lucky, because I love my job,” he said. “I love the riding part. I love to develop and show young horses. I would like to see equestrian sport become less expensive. I wish it was more affordable and everyone could be involved with it. It’s really about the animals and our love for these animals; it shouldn’t be about money.”

Many young riders work as apprentices in hopes of turning professional. Heinecke advises younger generations to decide what they want out of the sport and then to enlist those in the industry who can help make it happen.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have help from other people,” Heinecke said. “I had people who sponsored me, as well as incredibly supportive parents at home. They taught me that, in life, you find something you love to do, and then you find a way to do it. My parents told me to never let money be the reason for not doing what I love. The sense of self-worth that comes from achieving your dream is far greater and more valuable than anything money could ever buy.”

Heinecke in the ring with Mid-Accord, owned by Lucie Oken.

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Say It With

Flowers

From A Holiday Arrangement To Event Planning, Nature’s Bouquet Can Satisfy All Your Floral Needs STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY PHOTOS BY BEA BOLTON AND COURTESY NATURE’S BOUQUET

Magnificent flowers with luscious blooms; endearing buds amidst fragrant roses; arches, columns and topiaries that make a majestic statement — sometimes you want the floral style of Palm Beach, but here at home.

At Nature’s Bouquet, Debbie Kaplan has taken the experience she gained as a floral designer at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and brought it to Wellington.

“At Mar-a-Lago, we organized and designed the flowers for an Escada brand fashion show; on another occasion, for Celine Dion’s dressing room; for performances by Jay Leno and the Beach Boys, people who were there either doing benefits or for other purposes,” Kaplan recalled.

“We did all the house flowers on a weekly basis for the guest rooms, the spa. The venue was just gorgeous, and I was doing all the ‘doing.’ At a lot of clubs, you do whatever needs doing — it’s very similar to being a business owner.”

Kaplan opened Nature’s Bouquet in 1999, and the business is presently located in the Wellington Business Centre. “We’ve been in business for ten years, the last four at this location on Fairlane Farms Road,” she said. “We were formerly in the Courtyard Shops, but the focus of the business shifted when we moved.”

While Kaplan built her business on birthdays, anniversaries and holidays such as Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day — and she still appreciates

(Left) Shari Carney and Debbie Kaplan in the Nature’s Bouquet showroom

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every order that comes in — she noticed that more and more of her customers were larger commercial venues such as country clubs and retail establishments who needed flowers for special events.

“We had the good fortune to have as clients Trump International, the Wanderers Club, Banyan Golf Club, Breakers West, the Falls, and we do work for Tiffany & Co. down in Boca,” Kaplan said. “We have come to be known for our themed events as well.”

(Above) Nature’s Bouquet is located in the Wellington Business Centre on Fairlane Farms Road.

(Left) The “Scarecrow” centerpiece from a Wizard of Oz themed bat mitzvah is a sample of the unique party creations Nature’s Bouquet can design. photo by CYNTHIA CONLEY

On display in the Nature’s Bouquet studio are several pieces that served as decorations for a bat mitzvah with a Wizard of Oz theme. “The centerpieces were threeto-four-foot tree sculptures,” Kaplan said.

“There was a Scarecrow tree, a Wicked Witch tree, a Tin Man tree — they were awesome. We had lots of different elements incorporated into each of the different trees… We put live poppies at the base of each tree and used yellow rose petals for a yellow brick road and blueand-white ribbons reminiscent of Dorothy and eight-foot-tall apple trees that we had built to create the illusion of forest.”

Nature’s Bouquet works with event planners and clients to customize each event.

They once did a birthday celebration for an 85-year-old man who was a world traveler.

“For him we designed centerpieces with three-foot balloons with an imprint of the world on them,” Kaplan recalled. “Each table was a different continent, and at the base of each centerpiece were flowers and references indigenous to that continent.”

This month, Nature’s Bouquet is doing a carnival-themed event for which they have hired a stilt walker, a juggler and a clown. The occasion will also feature cotton candy and popcorn vendors as well as carnival games. “We do provide those services when it is helpful,” Kaplan said. “It depends on how dynamic the event is.”

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Of course, table decorations fall directly under the Nature’s Bouquet jurisdiction.

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“The children’s table is the midway, and each of the adult tables has a roller coaster or Ferris wheel — different things,” said Kaplan, who isn’t one to sit around her shop. “We’re on site the day of the event to coordinate the various talents and elements for the day so it’s a smooth transition from element to element to element.”

With all this going on, you might wonder if Nature’s Bouquet even has time for something as typical as a wedding. Yet one of the biggest events Kaplan orchestrated was just that.

“We did a wedding that was one of our over-the-top events,” she recalled. “We had lighted trees, room dividers, large pedestaled arrangements around the dance floor, lighted floral centerpieces and an arbor. All had antique green hydrangea, oriental lilies, roses, French tulips and magnificent foliage.”

For an event that labor-intensive, Nature’s Bouquet usually does as much prep work as possible, as soon as possible — things like containers, ribbons, anything that can be done ahead of time.

“We begin foliating the centerpieces at the beginning of the week; work on the roses midweek and put together the more fragile flowers like tulips just before the event,” Kaplan said. “Everything is monitored to get the flowers to the height of their maturity for the event. It’s not like delivering a dozen roses that you want to open slowly over the course of a few days. For events, we want the flowers to the point that they’re the most gorgeous on delivery. We want impact.”

For Mother’s Day, Kaplan stocks up on the most-requested flora — feminine, pastel colors in hydrangeas, roses and lilies. For grandmothers, there are teapots with flowers in them (the lid is sensibly attached so the pot can be used for tea later on). “We custom design each arrangement,” she said.

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A sample of the wonderfully designed creations available at Nature’s Bouquet.

You might also take a look at Shari Carney’s fused-glass work, on display in the studio. “Shari is an incredibly talented person who has been with me for seven years,” Kaplan said. “She has 35 years of experience in the floral industry, and we display her glass here. People have come to recognize it and purchase it.”

A Wellington resident since 1998, Kaplan has raised two daughters here: Rachel, age 14 and Shauna age 11.

But Kaplan’s family is in a way far more extensive. “We build relationships with residents,” she explained. “Our customers have become friends. It’s a life-cycle business, the floral business. There are people we delivered to when their babies were born and now those babies are getting ready for bar and bat mitzvahs. We’ve done multiple weddings for some families. We’ve done ‘sympathies’ for people we’ve done weddings for because they’ve lost a family member. We interact with people at their most joyous and most bereaved times. This yields relationships that I’m incredibly grateful for. Every order that comes through is very meaningful for us.”

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To get a sneak peek into Nature’s Bouquet, visit www.natures-bouquet.com or visit the shop at 3380 Fairlane Farms Road, Suite 5. A word of caution: if you’re planning a big event, call ahead to (561) 798-4018 to schedule a consultation.

4/21/2009 11:13:47 AM

Wellington Business

Get Mom-And-Pop Service At My Community Pharmacy If you are looking for a pharmacy with a personal touch, check out My Community Pharmacy in Wellington.

Meroeh Rabieifar, owner and pharmacist at My Community Pharmacy, graduated from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

Upon graduation, he went to work for a chain drug store, but did not enjoy his work at a corporate-run pharmacy because he felt it lacked personal

attention and service. Rabieifar left the corporate environment to work as a pharmacist at a local hospital, where he had the opportunity to learn how to give individual care to patients and increase his knowledge.

Now Rabieifar has ventured into the world of owning a “mom and pop” pharmacy.

He feels because the pharmacy is not corporate-owned,

he has the freedom and opportunity to give each patient the individual care he or she deserves.

Another advantage of My Community Pharmacy its ability to offer compounding and infusion (IV) medications.

The compounding pharmacist on staff has 12 years of knowledge and experience.

My Community Pharmacy

can transfer your medications from your current pharmacy and can deliver them directly to your door! Their goal is 100 percent individualized service to patients, and they welcome the opportunity to meet and exceed your expectations.

My Community Pharmacy is located at 9312 Forest Hill Blvd. in Kobosko’s Crossing.

For more information, call (561) 753-6763.

Doll Factory Direct A Hidden Gem In Royal Palm Beach Currently located in Royal Palm Beach, the Doll Factory was launched by Dianne and Gary Hedrick in 1971 in Huntington, N.Y. At the time, the company manufactured old-fashioned boudoir dolls and catered to the New York area. But in 1974, after seeing an increase in national sales, the factory relocated to West Palm Beach.

As the market taste for boudoir dolls

diminished, the Doll Factory began importing and distributing baby dolls from Spain, both wholesale and mail-order, as well as in the retail store in West Palm Beach. Clothing was designed here and made in Mexico, allowing the Doll Factory to compete in the industry.

In 1992, the retail outlet was closed so that all efforts could be directed to the burgeoning wholesale market, and the

factory was moved to its current location in the Royal Palm Beach Business Park.

For the next 15 years, the factory opened to the public four times a year, for three days each time, as an outlet store for discontinued and closeout merchandise.

But in 2007, the outlet store became permanent, open Thursday through Saturday every week. The expanded hours have been successful, and customers flocked to buy dolls and accessories at discount and wholesale prices.

The Doll Factory has a 2,000-square-foot retail store next to its distribution warehouse, still located in the Royal Palm Beach Business Park. Specializing in baby dolls and clothing for the popular American Girl dolls from Mattel, the store has become a favorite for grandparents to find very special clothing and accessories for their loved ones’ dolls. A trip with the grandkids becomes a highlight of their visit to Florida. Grandparents can also direct the children to the Doll Factory web site at www.dollfactory direct.com so gifts can be pre-selected.

A visit to the Doll Factory in Royal Palm Beach is often a highlight of a grandchild’s trip to Florida.

Doll Factory Direct is located at 260 Business Park Way, Suite B, Royal Palm Beach.

For more info., call (561) 795-8777.

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Wellington The Magazine Special Advertising Section

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Wellington The Magazine Special Advertising Section

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Got a

CRAVING?

Shingo’s

Authentic Japanese Restaurant

(561) 963-5050 (Located in the Woods Walk Plaza) 9859-19 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL 33467 Business Hours 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Tues-Fri) 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Tues-Sun) Closed on Mondays

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W ELLINGTON at Home

Creative Design Turns The Glass Family Home Into A Stately Abode STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY

PHOTOS BY BEA BOLTON

When Clinton and Cheryl Glass bought their Meadow Wood home in western Wellington in 2000, it had a cedar shake roof and a concrete band as an accent feature of its exterior walls. In short, it was quite stylish — for the 1980s. Yet the previous owners had added 1,700 square feet, giving it a spacious appeal. At its current 5,000 square feet, the home has six bedrooms, four and a half baths, and a gym.

“The interior was all pickled floors, white walls, and black and red furniture,” Cheryl recalled. “The previous owners did everything beautifully — it just was the opposite of our taste.”

Seven months pregnant at the time, Cheryl began to do some of the redecorating work herself, but soon realized she needed help — fast! Enter Carl Fadeley of Interiors by Carl. “He was doing a friend’s kitchen down the street, and she kept saying I had to meet him,” Cheryl recalled.

(Left) The kitchen is majestic, but underneath it all, a hickory laminate floor puts up with all the scrapes, crumbs and scratches the Glass children can dish out.

(Inset) Slate tile, wrought-iron gates, pecky cypress doors and a carriage light now define the entrance to the home of Clinton and Cheryl Glass.

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Glass, who owns the marketing and consulting firm Cheryl Glass Associates, joined forces with Fadeley. The boys’ bathroom was their first project together.

It has a nautical theme, a nod to Clinton’s many years as a yachtsman, in crisp blue and white. Clinton was so thrilled with the progress of the room that he himself installed white bead board and a beamed ceiling, suggesting a ship’s cabin.

But this bathroom is not Cheryl’s favorite. Hers would be a compact little powder room just off the hallway. It features a bow-front vanity, marble top and an elegantly framed mirror. The room’s floor is composed of pumpkin-colored Turkish travertine tile that extends throughout the entire front of the house. “When Carl brought this in I said, ‘I love it, but my husband is never going to go for orange,” Cheryl said. “Yet when we laid out the samples, Clinton pointed right to it and said, ‘that’s the one I want.’”

Walls have been faux-finished to match, and a golden orange Oriental screen brings the color right out from the walls.

“I got the screen at a furniture store up north,” Cheryl said. “It had that orangeygold feel, and it picked up the turquoise from the dining room carpet.”

In front of the screen are two wingback chairs and a large silk floral arrangement

by Carl. “This was a big passageway that was kind of dead before we added the screen and chairs,” Cheryl said.

The living and dining rooms have switched duties. The “new” living room is to the left of the front door and has become more of a sitting area with slipper chairs, two Lloyd Buxton end tables and a settee upholstered in contrasting yet complementary fabrics. All the draperies in the house were designed by Carl, who specializes in window treatments. “Carl

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The dining room table expands to 16 feet, but even that is not enough for some Glass family soirees.

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has an eye and a memory for color like no one I’ve ever seen,” Cheryl said. “This is his gift.”

Dominating the “new” dining room are more fabulous draperies, a beautiful buffet and chandelier, and an English 1920s mahogany table with burl inlay. Its three leaves allow it to expand to a length of 16 feet. “I really wanted a place to have Thanksgiving for everybody,” Cheryl said.

“And we entertain a lot.”

The heart of this home, as with most, is the kitchen. With a ceiling that peaks at 16 feet, Cheryl and Carl worked magic to fill the space. There’s a 13-foot “hearth” for the stove, a five-by-five-foot pantry, a “cat station” under one counter for cat food and water, and in addition to the refrigerator, something called an “icebox” — a computer/DVD player/TV/radio combination designed especially for use in kitchens. “I go onto Foodnetwork.com and download recipes to my hard drive right there,” Cheryl explained.

(Below) Structurally sound, an old “Jetsons” bar was covered with wood panels to produce a statelier watering hole.

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‘When we started on the kitchen, I knew I wanted it to be grand. Carl and I had plans. We were going to do a white, French country look. But when we went out shopping for finishes, we saw this Italian black-and-gold marble slab, and we had to have it. It’s the stuff of which Rome is made. So we rethought the whole color scheme and feel.’

Homeowner Cheryl Glass Soaring South American mahogany cabinetry in the kitchen, as well as the cabinetry in the family room and playroom, was done by Susanna Vargas of La Cuisine Interiors. Corbels and “little feet” make the kitchen island look more like a piece of furniture. A randomly distressed hickorylaminate floor and a well-used chopping block of exotic Bolivian wood lend additional warmth to the room.

“When we started on the kitchen, I knew I wanted it to be grand,” Cheryl said.

“Carl and I had plans. We were going to do a white, French country look. But when we went out shopping for finishes, we saw this Italian black-and-gold marble slab, and we had to have it. It’s the stuff of which Rome is made. So we rethought the whole color scheme and feel.”

“I think it’s the prettiest kitchen I’ve ever done,” said Carl, giving the marble slab a hug.

“He says that about every kitchen he does,” Cheryl confided.

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dren, ages seven, eight and 15, enjoy toasting marshmallows in the winter. A ceramic rooster takes pride of place on the mantel. “I started collecting roosters, and when my mother came for a visit she said, ‘it’s so amazing that you’re so like your grandmother,’” Cheryl laughed. “I hadn’t even known she’d collected roosters!”

Another conversation piece is a bright red 1939 tricycle above the pantry, “on loan” from Carl’s own collection.

(Above) A red trike, circa 1939, is the result of Carl Fadeley’s overenthusiastic eBay shopping.

(Below) A stone fireplace draws the family close in cooler weather. A colorful rooster echoes Cheryl’s grandmother’s favorite collection.

In the back of the house, the children’s bedrooms are decorated with the stamp of each individual personality and a group “art wall” displays the best classroom endeavors. The master bedroom

is currently being redecorated, but the playroom is open for business. There’s a big overstuffed sofa and a 72-inch television (Cheryl is a huge football fan) with pullout racks on either side for DVDs and music. In addition, there are three important tables — an antique game table for Clinton’s poker nights, a worktable with room for the children’s laptops and Cheryl’s jigsaw puzzles, and a billiard table that can be converted to air hockey or table tennis.

Then there’s the bar. “The bar was an asset to the home, but it was ultra-contemporary,” Cheryl said, pulling out pictures of a shiny black laminate space replete with mirrors and what her children used to call the “Jetsons chairs.”

Since the bar was structurally sound, Cheryl, Carl and Susanna decided to cover it with wood panels, appliqués and medallions instead of tearing it out. “It was a great solution, and so cost-effective,” Cheryl said. “We did add a sub-zero fridge with icemaker and new faucets and fixtures, but the black granite countertops were here. Now when we entertain, we hire a bartender and he’s ready to go.”

Outside, an aging roof served as the catalyst for a complete remake of the home’s elevation. A bell tower added drama to the roof, Spanish barrel tiles replaced faded cedar shake shingles, the 1980s concrete banding was stripped away and stone trim was added to the entrance. Massive pecky cypress doors now offer a stately welcome to guests, and the boring old garage doors have been faux-finished to match.

Eight too-tall Washingtonian palms were removed from alongside the driveway and donated to the Village of Wellington (they now grace Aero Club Drive). And neat, square, commercial-looking landscaping has been replaced by wildflowers and other plantings reminiscent of an English garden.

In the back, a pool, hot tub and barbe-

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(Top) Designer Carl Fadeley used a faux tree and wall fans to lead the eye up and maximize the height of the living room. (Middle inset) A tableau composed of wing chairs, silk plants and an Oriental screen help soften a wide, stark hallway. (Bottom inset) A prized “family gallery” looks pleasing now, but Carl and Cheryl have their eye on moving it if they decide to relocate the door to the master bedroom.

cue area with breakfast bar and kitchen pass-through see a lot of action. Outside the screening, a weathered trellis built by Clinton over the vegetable garden awaits Cheryl’s tomato seedlings.

Cheryl and Carl’s efforts on the home blossomed into a continuing partnership in which they offer their experience, contacts and negotiating skills to clients looking to remodel or build. Cheryl brings in trusted subcontractors and negotiates to get trade pricing, while Carl concentrates on interior design and decorating, all to bring the cost of a project down as

much as 30 percent. “I get to do the ugly stuff and he does the pretty stuff,” Cheryl joked.

While Cheryl remains local, waiting for the school year to end and making the selections for her new master bedroom, Carl jets to Texas, the Bahamas and Costa Rica where satisfied Wellington clients have hired him to work on their second or third homes.

“For me as a designer, Wellington has been a wonderful place to live and to do business,” Carl said.

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Wellington Table

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(Left) Pizza Fusion’s bar features organic beers and wines. Shown (front) are staff members James Yorke, Steve Mann, Beth Kitson, Justin Traxinger and Carlos Mothe. (Below) The Greek pizza is a visually appealing, tasty feast.

atin g

PIZZA FUSION E y l a s t T i n d g t , n e a E i r c e F o r G

STORY BY COURTNEY WATSON PHOTOS BY DEVIN JACOVIELLO

Pizza Fusion, one of Wellington’s newest restaurants, is an eco-friendly pizzeria that celebrates the flavors of both traditional and modern pizza, while also addressing contemporary environmental and nutritional concerns.

With “saving the earth, one pizza at a time” as the Fort Lauderdale-based national chain’s slogan, this modern pizza parlor is a new kind of restaurant: a fusion of ecological consciousness, environmental responsibility and absolutely phenomenal flavors. The restaurant in the Pointe at Wellington Green has a warm, casual atmosphere, perfect for family dinners, long lunches or intimate gatherings.

On arrival, we were greeted by manager Steve Mann and led to a table in the colorful dining room. Mann explained that even the furniture at Pizza Fusion is ecofriendly. The countertops are fabricated from recycled glass and the paneled walls are made with wood sold by a company that dedicates a percentage of its profits to re-seeding forests. The tops of all of the tables in Pizza Fusion’s dining room are made from recycled barn floors, and the restaurant’s delivery vehicle is a hybrid car.

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Wellington Table Mann stressed that everything that happens at the restaurant is done with an eye toward overall health and environmental responsibility. “Pizza Fusion is about giving back,” he said. “You get an education when you come here, and we think that that’s important. This place is more of a destination.”

A pair of Pizza Fusion’s popular salads, the roasted beet and feta salad (back) and the pear and gorgonzola salad (front).

The Flatbread and Dip Trio appetizer is served with organic marinara sauce, olive tapenade and garlic olive oil.

Pizza Fusion’s barbecue chicken pizza is a non-traditional, savory delight.

The fresh homemade brownie dessert is a great way to end your meal at Pizza Fusion.

Mann said 75 percent of the products served by Pizza Fusion are organic, including the beer, wine and natural soda, which is made with cane sugar rather than corn syrup. The restaurant also offers soy cheeses and gluten-free crusts, which are great for people with health issues who usually can’t enjoy pizza because of ingredients that might do them harm.

Mann then brought out two of the restaurant’s most popular salads for us to enjoy, starting our lunch out with notes of the sweet and savory. Pizza Fusion’s roasted beet and feta salad features arugula, beets, feta, candied walnuts and roasted red onions. The beets are richly colored and incredibly fresh, while the sweet candied walnuts balance the bite of the arugula and the richness of the feta cheese and roasted red onions beautifully, creating a mosaic of flavors in every bite. The pear and gorgonzola salad, which featured arugula, romaine, pear, gorgonzola cheese and candied walnuts, was also very satisfying. The perfectly ripe organic pears add a wonderful sweetness to the greens and gorgonzola.

We next sampled Pizza Fusion’s Flatbread and Dip Trio appetizer. To create this dish, crispy flatbread is brushed with herb-infused olive oil and served with organic marinara sauce, olive tapenade and garlic olive oil to create three different flavor combinations. In addition to being a great complement to the salads, the Flatbread and Dip Trio happens to be one of owner Anja Eckbo’s favorite dishes. Eckbo sat down and joined us for a bite of the appetizer and discussed the philosophy behind the Pizza Fusion chain.

“People often don’t understand that organic food can taste really good, but it does,” Eckbo said. “Pizza can be healthy, and we use no additives or preservatives.

Once people find us, they never leave us.

We provide people with a good experience that benefits their health and the environment, and because of that our customers come back.”

After the salads and appetizers, it was time for the main course. Pizza Fusion offers a selection of signature pizzas, ranging from traditional cheese to the Founder’s Pie, a multi-grain crust topped with free-range chicken, Kalamata olives, roasted red onion, tomato sauce and a selection of cheeses. The first one we sampled was the barbecue chicken pizza. This delicious pie features free-range chicken glazed in tangy barbecue sauce, topped with roasted red onion, fresh garlic, basil, and mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheeses. Although not a traditional pizza combination, the flavors were robust and savory.

Next we sampled Pizza Fusion’s Greek pizza. In addition to tasting great, this pie is also a visual feast. The crispy crust is topped with Kalamata olives, sliced Roma tomatoes, tomato sauce, feta cheese, mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan and fresh parsley. The pizza tastes rich and authentic, the flavors fresh and hearty. Patrons hungering for more can create their own pizzas with a large selection of organic cheeses, meats and fresh vegetables.

Though stuffed, we couldn’t resist ending our meal with one of Pizza Fusion’s sweet treats. The restaurant offers warm homemade chocolate chip cookies, and we shared a fresh homemade brownie that nearly made us melt. Being eco-friendly never tasted so good!

Pizza Fusion is located in the Pointe at Wellington Green at 10160 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite G-130. For more info., call (561) 7219020 or visit www.pizzafusion.com.

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Wellington Dining Guide Enjoy the ocean’s freshest, most succulent seafood and mouthwatering cuts of beef at Wellington’s hottest new culinary gem, Bacalao Tapas & Seafood Grille. One nibble and you’ll be hooked! Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. For full menu, visit www.bacalaoseafoodgrille.com or call (561) 753-2836 for more info.

Backstreets Neighborhood Bar & Grill serves the finest seafood, steaks, salads, burgers and pizzas as well as daily specials. Stop by on Sunday for a 14-ounce prime rib dinner. Backstreets is located in the Wellington Plaza and is open for lunch and dinner. Call (561) 795-0100 for info.

Café Las Palmas, located at 7750 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach, has an international menu with a focus on Cuban and Colombian cuisine. It is open for lunch and dinner, and features live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. For more info., call (561) 697-1786.

Voted Best of the West!

Happy Hour Sunday - Thursday 4:30 - 6:30 PM Tuesdays House Margaritas 99¢ (with purchase of entrée no coupons)

Campagnolo Italian Restaurant offers a taste of New York’s Little Italy in Wellington. In the Marketplace at Wycliffe, Campagnolo serves family-style Italian cuisine with huge portions meant to share. For an appetizer, try the stuffed artichokes or mussel soup.

For an entree, try the Chicken Campagnolo, veal pizzaiola or penne con broccoli rabe. Located at 4115 State Road 7, it is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. For more info., call (561) 434-9427.

Centanni Café & Restaurant in Royal Palm Beach serves up delicious Italian dishes cooked to order. It is located at the corner of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd. near Kmart. Call (561) 792-7677 for info.

The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach has added a hip new element to its 60-year tradition of offering the finest steaks and ribs with the Polo Steakhouse.

For “ladies that lunch” there is a lighter menu, and now the hotel proudly introduces the Palm Court Al Fresco with lounge seating and billowing curtains in a lush garden setting. Open for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. Located at 155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach, call (561) 655-5430 for info.

Field of Greens, located at 10140 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Pointe at Wellington Green, serves some of the freshest and healthiest food in town. It is a quick, contemporary restaurant specializing in salads and sandwiches. Enjoy customized salads with homemade dressings, as well as signature salads and wraps. For more info., call (561) 795-4345.

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.

Drop by the Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant and relax in a warm, traditional Irish setting complete with oak-barrel tables and a full bar with many types of beer flowing from the tap. Regular live entertainment is offered. The Gypsy’s Horse is located in the original Wellington Mall at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Call (561) 333-3700 for more info.

Ironwood Grille, located in the PGA National Resort & Spa, is now open to the public providing an amazing new contemporary American dining experience.

The heart of the menu is a tempting list of steaks and fresh seafood. Guests will find room for private dining and a wine room featuring a floor-to-ceiling collection of 2,000 bottles. For reservations, call (561) 227-2681 or visit www.ironwoodgrille.com.

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Wellington Dining Guide Social Scene When you are planning an outing to the Isle Casino Pompano Park, make sure to include a first-class dining experience. Start out with a specialty themed buffet or a meal at Farraddays’ Steakhouse, where the bar features live jazz every Friday and Saturday night. For more info., visit www.theislepompanopark.com or call (877) ISLE-2WIN. The Isle Casino is located at 777 Isle of Capri Circle off Powerline Road, south of Atlantic Blvd. in Pompano Beach.

Kontiki Wine & Raw Bar is located in the Courtyard Shops of Wellington at the corner of Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores Blvd. Steaks and seafood are featured, prepared with a Euro-Asian fusion flair. Enjoy the full sushi bar and a glass or bottle of wine from a large and varied list. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For more info., call (561) 296-0404.

La Fogata Restaurant serves delicious Mexican cuisine. The restaurant, located in Wellington Town Square at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd., features a tequila bar. Call (561) 422-1641 for info.

Family owned and operated, Mamma Mia’s Trattoria has served South Florida since 1983. Huge portions; open for lunch and dinner; featuring New York style brick oven pizza; specializing in fresh seafood, oakwood-grilled lamb chops, slow-roasted ossobuco and frutti di mare. Mamma Mia’s is located at 8855 Hypoluxo Road at Lyons Road. Call (561) 963-9565 for more info.

Max & Erma’s restaurant is now open in Royal Palm Beach serving gourmet hamburgers, steaks, chicken, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Call-ahead seating and carryout available. It is located at 11111 Southern Blvd. in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping plaza.

For more info., call (561) 383-8878 or visit www.max andermas.com.

Fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience at The Melting Pot, where patrons can dip into something different and discover all the ingredients for a unique dining experience. The Melting Pot, located at 3044 S. Military Trail in Lake Worth, features a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and signature fondue dinners. It’s a little different, and a lot of fun. For more info., call (561) 967-1009.

Michael’s, The Wine Bar, located in the Wellington Plaza, offers wines from around the world selected by an in-house sommelier. Pair your wine selection with the small plate menu offering a variety of items, including pan-seared duck breast and heritage port tenderloin. Daily wine and food specials, wine flights and tastings enhance this casual, relaxed dining experience. Entertainment every Friday and Saturday evening. Call (561) 202-6525 for more info.

Nature’s Table Café is located in the Wellington Marketplace and offers a wholesome menu featuring hearty soups, specialty salads, gourmet wraps, signature sandwiches and fruit yogurt shakes. Free Wi-Fi access is available, as well as online ordering.

For more info., visit www.ntcwellington.com or call (561) 383-8343.

Continental cuisine, steaks and seafood are on order at Nicole’s Village Tavern, conveniently located at 12300 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. Visit Wednesday night for their prime rib dinner special. For more info., call (561) 793-3456 or visit www.nicoles villagetavern.com.

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The Players Club Restaurant & Bar (13410 South

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Shore Blvd., Wellington) features gourmet cuisine along with a popular piano bar, outside dining, two outside smoking bars, live entertainment and catered events. Call (561) 795-0080 for more information.

Got a craving? Master Chef Shingo at Shingo’s Authentic Japanese Restaurant can satisfy that craving with so many sashimi and sushi varieties, you could never taste them all! Try them a la carte or in combo platters. The restaurant also features many other Japanese specialties. Shingo’s is located in the Woods Walk Plaza at the corner of Lake Worth Road and State Road 7. For more info., call (561) 963-5050.

Stonewood Grill & Tavern in the Pointe at Wellington Green serves up exciting flavors in a casually sophisticated setting. The gourmet American fare features delicious entrees with the perfect wines to accompany. Call (561) 784-9796 or visit www.stonewoodgrill. com for more info.

A family tradition since 1905, Strathmore Bagels 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.

Too Bizaare Café wine, sushi bar and gallery in Jupiter has a varied menu and wine list. There are a variety of tapas, and the sushi bar features various sushi and sashimi as well as classic and hand rolls.

Specialty dishes include pastas, seafood and chicken dishes. Too Bizaare Café is located at 287 E. Indiantown Road. For more info., call (561) 745-1032 or visit www.toobizaare.com.

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. Specialties include signature overstuffed sandwiches, chicken noodle soup and traditional deli classics. For more information, call (561) 784-9055 or visit www.toojays. com.

Trees Wings & Ribs is located at 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the Royal Plaza. Eat in or pick up your order of signature wings, ribs, chicken and more.

Tree’s also delivers mouthwatering menu items, and caters events and parties. Visit www.treeswings andribs.com or call (561) 791-1535 for more info.

Tub Tim Thai Restaurant in the Marketplace at Wycliffe features authentic Thai cuisine and decor. Thai dishes made with fresh seafood, juicy duck and authentic ingredients are prepared for you to enjoy. For more information, call (561) 641-5550 or visit Tub Tim Thai Restaurant at 4095 State Road 7 at Lake Worth Road.

The White Horse Tavern, located at 3401 Equestrian Club Road adjacent to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, features an eclectic Italian-American menu and a patio dining area overlooking a tranquil lake and lush gardens. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday for cocktails and dinner from 5 p.m. and Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cal (561) 333-1150 for more info.

Zensai Asian Grill & Sushi Bar features Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine offering something for everyone. Sushi is made fresh to order daily in an upscale, soothing atmosphere. The restaurant is located at 10233 Okeechobee Blvd. in the Super Target shopping center. Call (561) 795-8882 or visit www. zensairestaurant.com for more info.

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Wellington Calendar SATURDAY, MAY 2 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Saturday Morning Drop-in Story Times” on Saturdays, May 2, 9 and 16 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. for ages two and up. Celebrate the renewal of spring with stories of things that bloom, flutter and weave. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• Maltz Jupiter Theatre (1001 East Indiantown Road, Jupiter) will present The Three Little Pigs on Saturday, May 2 at 2 p.m. Three unique piglets find themselves home alone when a certain wellknown wolf invites himself to dinner. Admission is $12. For more info., call (561) 743-2666 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 3 • Temple Beth Torah (900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington) will host a party showcase on Sunday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Party-related vendors from all over the area will be on hand to showcase services and products. Photography, videography, reception halls, music, catering, entertainment, invitations and bakeries are just some of the businesses that will be present. For more info., call (561) 793-2700 or visit www.templebethtorah.net.

MONDAY, MAY 4 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Baby Story Times” on Monday, May 4, 11 and 18 at 9:30 a.m. for ages up to nine months and at 11:15 a.m. for ages ten to 18 months. Your baby will love the rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

TUESDAY, MAY 5 • Executive Women of the Palm Beaches will hold its Women in Leadership Awards luncheon at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on Tuesday, May 5. The keynote speaker will be Jeannette Walls, best-selling author of The Glass Castle.

Tickets are $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers. Call (561) 833-4241, e-mail info@ewpb. org or visit www.ewpb.org for more info.

• The Palm Beach Kennel Club (1111 North Congress Ave., West Palm Beach) will host a Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Tuesday, May 5 at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $1. Call (561) 683-2222 or visit www.pbkennelclub.com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Job Searching on the Internet” on Tuesday, May 5 at 2:30 p.m. for adults. The business librarian will show participants how to use the Internet and library databases to help with job searches. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Mother’s Day Pop-up” Wednesday, May 6 at 4:15 p.m. for ages nine to 12. Create unique pop-up Mother’s Day cards for a special lady in your life. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

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THURSDAY, MAY 7 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Mothers Are Great!” on Thursday, May 7 at 3 p.m. for ages five to eight. Hear stories about the wonderful things mothers do and make a craft to show how much you love and appreciate her.

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

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• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a “Teen Writing Workshop” on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Dorian Cirrone, author of Prom Kings and Drama Queens, will offer writing advice. Bring a sample of your work to share. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

FRIDAY, MAY 8 • The 5k “Walk to Win the Battle Against Breast Cancer” will be held Friday, May 8 at Wellington High School (2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.) at 7 p.m. The registration fee is $20 per person, which includes a thinkPINKkids T-shirt. Pre-registration will be held May 2 and 3 at Ultima Fitness from 9 a.m. to noon and May 2 at the Olympia baseball fields during youth baseball games. Pre-registration is also available online at www.thinkpinkkids. com and at 6 p.m. on the day of the walk. For more info., e-mail fouroses22@aol.com.

• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host Flavors 2009 on Friday, May 8 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. More than 20 of Wellington’s finest dining establishments will offer up their most tasty samplings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Call (561) 792-6525 for info.

SATURDAY, MAY 9 • Royal Palm Beach Ale House will hold its second annual charity golf tournament at the Village Golf Club on Saturday, May 9 benefiting area youth sports programs. It will begin at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start. Call John Baker at (561) 753-3779 for more info.

• The Wellington Women’s Club will hold its annual spring fundraiser the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. The event will feature a lavish lunch with an auction. Prizes will be awarded for the best hat in several categories. Proceeds will support the YWCA of Palm Beach County Harmony House and college scholarships. Tickets cost $40. For more info., call Faye Ford at (561) 790-7625 or Allyson Samiljan at (561) 798-6741.

• The Village of Royal Palm Beach will host Cultural Diversity Day on Saturday, May 9 from noon to sunset at Veterans Park in Royal Palm Beach. The free community event will feature international music and dance, cultural displays, ethnic foods and entertaining children’s activities and performances. If you are a vendor seeking space, call Elet Cyrus at (561) 791-9087.

• The Village of Wellington will host its Mother-Son Sports Prom on Saturday, May 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Village Park gym (11700 Pierson Road). The prom is open to boys between ages five and 14. Tickets cost $50 per resident couple and $62.50 per non-resident couple. Additional single tickets are available at a discount. Call (561) 791-4005 for more info.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 • A Mother’s Day Celebration will be held at the Palm Beach Kennel Club (1111 North Congress Ave., West Palm Beach) on Sunday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. The club honors all ladies with free admission, carnations and the Mother’s Day Feature, plus delicious dining specials. Call (561) 683-2222 or visit www.pbkennelclub.com for more info.

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Wellington Calendar MONDAY, MAY 11 • The 2009 Chili’s Charity Golf Classic to benefit Little Smiles will take place on Monday, May 11 at Bear Lakes Country Club. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and foursomes can be registered on the Little Smiles web site at www. littlesmiles.org or by calling (561) 383-7274.

TUESDAY, MAY 12 • The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center. For info., call (561) 791-4000.

THURSDAY, MAY 14 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Pizza & Pages: Shades of Simon Gray” on Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Copies of Joyce McDonald’s book are available at the children’s desk. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

FRIDAY, MAY 15 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Science Club: Airplanes” on Friday, May 15 and 22 at 3 p.m. for ages eight and up. Participants will make paper airplanes and watch them fly. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

SATURDAY, MAY 16 • The Florida Trail Association will hold an Okeeheelee Park Stroll on Saturday, May 16.

Strollers will meet at 7:30 a.m. Enter the park at the west entrance and head to the first parking lot on the right. Call Daisy Palmer at (561) 439-5780 for more info.

• The United States Coast Guard Station at the Lake Worth Inlet will hold an Open House on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in recognition of National Safe Boating Week. Activities will include helicopter rescue and K-9 demonstrations. Boats will be on display. This event is free.

The Coast Guard Station is at 3300 Lakeshore Dr., Riviera Beach. Call (561) 844-4470 for more info.

• The Palm Beach Kennel Club (1111 North Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach) will feature the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 16 at 11:30 a.m. with simulcast wagering, plus 15 greyhound races with superfectas, track-side BBQ, drink specials, prizes and an Armed Forces Day salute.

Admission is $1. Call (561) 683-2222 or visit www. pbkennelclub.com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Meet the Author: Michael Sheetz” on Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m. for adults. Meet Kill for Thrill author Michael Sheetz and get the scoop on his book about a crime spree that rocked Pennsylvania. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

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TUESDAY, MAY 19 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its “Poetry Discussion Series” on Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Engage in a provocative discussion of several published poems. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Anime Grab Bag” on Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12-17. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

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Wellington Calendar WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Flick Lit: Jumanji” on Wednesday, May 20 at 4:15 p.m. for ages six and up. When Judy and Peter find a board game under a tree, it becomes a jungle adventure they hadn’t bargained for. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Socrates Café” on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. For more info., call (561) 790-6070.

House Promo

THURSDAY, MAY 21 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host an “Everyone Is Special!” workshop on Thursday, May 21 at 11 a.m. Preschoolers ages three to five and adult family members will work together through interactive play to recognize and respect differences in themselves and others. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host an After Hours Networking Mixer on Tuesday, May 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington). For more info., call (561) 790-6200.

• The Cancer Caregivers Support Group meets the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m., center court in the original Wellington Mall.

For more info., call (561) 798-4110 or e-mail palm beachcancerfoundationinc@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 22 • A Health and Safety Fair will be held at the My Gym location in Royal Palm Beach on Friday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring a cash and toy donation drive and a charity raffle to benefit the Children’s Coalition. Activities will include a bounce house, car seat safety checks and health vendors. Call Tom Copeland at (561) 860-3231 or e-mail tommycopeland@aol.com for more info.

MONDAY, MAY 25 • The Village of Wellington will honor all veterans at a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25. The Memorial Day Parade will begin at the Wellington Community Center at 8:45 a.m. and end at the Veterans Memorial located on the corner of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards.

The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. If you would like to honor a veteran by having his or her name and service branch listed in the program, call (561) 791-4733 or e-mail nicolee@ci.wellington.fl.us.

TUESDAY, MAY 26 • The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center. For info., call (561) 791-4000.

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SUNDAY, MAY 31 • The Village of Wellington and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce will kick off the summer with a Block Party at the Wellington Community Center on Sunday, May 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. Enjoy free pool admission all day, come out and get to know your neighbors, and learn about local restaurants, businesses and services while enjoying family-friendly entertainment. For vendor information, call Nicole Evangelista at (561) 791-4733 or e-mail at nicolee@ci.wellington.fl.us.

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The Directory Villari’s

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Wellington The Magazine Special Advertising Section

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Around Wellington

Easter Festivities At The Polo Club — Events at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington on Easter Sunday, April 12 featured plenty of holiday festivities. An egg hunt was held before the U.S. Open Polo Championship match between Pony Express and Zacara, and the Easter Bunny made an appearance. A ladies’ hat contest and a tailgate contest were held as well.

(Left) Kathryn Maguire with her collection basket. (Right) Kids run onto the field to gather eggs. (Below left) Hat contest winners Lieghann Fischer (most creative), Dr. Sandra Knuth (most elegant) and Judith Behren (most comical). (Below right) Kaitlyn and Madison MacKenzie of Wellington.

Photos by Denise Fleischman

Palm Beach Central Raises Big Money For St. Baldrick’s — Palm Beach Central High School’s Key Club held its inaugural St. Baldrick’s Day event to benefit cancer research March 26.

The Key Club exceeded its goal of $20,000 and presented St. Baldrick’s with a check revised on the spot from $40,000 to $45,000. PBCHS ranked as the number-one high school nationwide for donations and number of volunteer “shavees.”

Photo by candace marchsteiner

(Below) Key Club co-sponsors Don Meyers and Patrice Elysee are flanked by student event organizers Natalia Vighetto and Brandon Corsentino.

Elbridge Gale Assistant Principal Kevin Krieger with participating students.

Wellington Students Think Pink — In conjunction with Wellington High School, Elbridge Gale Elementary School hosted Think Pink Day on Friday, April 17. Students wore pink ribbons in their hair or pink shirts to raise money and show their support for breast cancer research. The event was part of the thinkPINKkids Wellington initiative started by a group of WHS students. The group also plans a 5k “Walk to Win the Battle Against Breast Cancer” Friday, May 8 at Wellington High School. may 2009 2009 •• WELLINGTON WELLINGTON THE THE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 90 may

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Photo by Carol Porter

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