Town-Crier Newspaper April 9, 2010

EASTER SUNDAY AT THE POLO CLUB

Wellington Zoning Board Favors Village Crackdown On ‘Pill Mills’

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board voted Wednesday to recommend an ordinance that will define, limit and set standards for pain management clinics, as well as put a one-year moratorium on new pain clinics in the village.

The Wellington Village Council requested an ordinance be drafted last month, passing a resolution to create an ordinance to define pain management clinics and establish the moratorium, in hopes that the state legislature will better regulate such clinics by the time the moratorium lapses.

“The reason for this is that there has been substantial abuse in the U.S. and particularly in South Florida,” Director of Growth Management Robert Basehart said. “A lot of communities have called for moratoriums or ordinance amendments to manage these clinics. We recognize that

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Health Partners held a topping-off party for NuVista Care at Wellington Green on Tuesday, April 6. The new senior care facility will be located off State Road 7 north of Stribling Way.

The 120-bed skilled nursing facility and 52-bed assisted living facility will be the first of several planned by NuVista Care during the next several years, according to the firm. It is the first senior care facility to be built in the western communities in 25 years.

About 60 people attended the ceremony, including Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and NuVista partners Elizabeth Fago, William Meyer, Steven Tendrich, Palm Health Partners CEO Paul Walczak and staff from Wellington Regional Medical Center. Walczak said he looks forward

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everyone believes that the best way to take control of the issue is through the state legislature. There are bills before the legislature, but we don’t know what will happen, and in all likelihood, it might not be enough.”

The ordinance defines a pain clinic as “a privately owned pain management clinic facility or office which advertises in any medium for any type of pain management services or employs a physician who is primarily engaged in the treatment of pain by prescribing or dispensing controlled substance medications…”

Under the ordinance, the clinics would be considered a conditional use, meaning that after the moratorium has ended and new clinics are allowed, they would have to go before village officials for approval, Basehart said.

Additionally, the clinics would only be allowed in five zoning categories: medical arts, mixeduse planned development, multi-

ple-use planned development, community commercial and the medical center planned development district, which encompasses the Wellington Regional Medical Center campus.

There are currently three such pain management clinics in Wellington and two in Royal Palm Beach, Basehart said. The clinics within the village have been given notification of the ordinance, but Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said they would be allowed to remain and operate in the village.

“They become legal, nonconforming uses,” he said. “They aren’t allowed to expand, and they don’t have to worry about competition for at least a year.”

A set of “supplementary use standards” is included in the ordinance. It requires that pain management clinics be at least 1,500 square feet in size, that they take insurance as a form of payment and that they cannot be within

By Ron Bukley

Town-Crier Staff Report

Half is a start, but not nearly enough. That was the message of Palm Beach County officials Tuesday as initial participation results for the 2010 U.S. Census were released.

A less-than-satisfactory number of returned census forms countywide had county staff and officials expressing the importance of being counted. About 55 percent of county residents have returned the forms, but in some areas the return rate is as low as nine percent.

“It is not too late for people to return the

forms,” County Commissioner Jeff Koons said at a Tuesday news conference. “Residents have about two weeks left to mail their census back and avoid having a census taker visit you in early May and knock on your door.”

The western communities fell somewhat higher than the average county return rate.

Royal Palm Beach Geographic Information Service Coordinator Jeff Sullivan has taken a leading role in getting a complete count for the village. The result has been positive, he said, with a 63-percent response rate in Royal Palm Beach, which is higher than all neighboring municipalities except Wellington with 65 percent.

“Without anything else to go on, we consider that a good result,” he said.

Royal Palm Beach’s final count was estimated at 81 percent in 2000.

Royal Palm Beach started several months ago making presentations to groups in the village, Sullivan said. The village receives about $4.7 million from the state each year, much of which is determined to some degree by population, he said, which comes to about $150 per person.

A census worker is stationed at the recreation center at 100 Sweet Bay Lane to answer questions and help people fill out the forms, Sullivan noted.

Wellington Village Clerk Awilda Rodriguez, who works with the village’s Complete Count Committee, confirmed that the return rate for the village as of Wednesday was 65 percent. “We’re doing fairly well,” Rodriguez said. Wellington also is working closely with Census Bureau representatives providing census information in its offices and has opened facilities for them to use as training centers for census workers, Rodriguez said.

Wellington officially launched its census education campaign proclaiming March as “Census

Groves Residents Blast Council On Development Code

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

A turnout of about 70 residents for the first review of the Town of Loxahatchee Groves’ Uniform Land Development Code led the town council to schedule another workshop to air concerns about the document. The workshop/public forum will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 at Palms West Presbyterian Church, located at 13689 Okeechobee Blvd. The ULDC drafting process has been under way for more than a year, and the town has held four lightly attended workshops. Town Manager Frank Spence said 1,200 surveys were mailed out and fewer than 150 were returned. The town is still technically under the county’s land development code, and Spence said it has been suggested that the town simply adopt the county regulations, but consultant Michelle Melgren, who wrote the ULDC draft, said that is not advisable because of mistakes in the county’s document. Spence stressed that the council will have the authority to grant See ULDC, page 20

PBSO Captain: Violent Crime Down In Royal Palm Beach

By Ron Bukley

here in Royal Palm Beach,” Coleman told the council on Thursday, April 1. The department received 22,000 calls for service in 2009, of which 15 percent were crimerelated, Coleman said.

Seventy-five people were arrested on burglary charges in the village over the past year, compared with 53 in 2008. At least 10 of the burglaries were to foreclosed, vacant homes, Coleman said.

Larcenies have remained the same, at slightly more than 1,000, with shoplifting at a little more than 400 incidents. “Shoplifting is our No. 1 issue in the village,”

Coleman said. “It’s about 27 percent of our crime.”

Coleman was encouraged that, considering the stresses in families associated with unemployment, domestic violence was down 2.5 percent this year.

The county’s new burglar alarm ordinance resulted in a 40-percent reduction in alarm responses, from 2,235 to 1,325. The ordinance requires residents with home burglar alarms to pay a fee and register with the PBSO in order for a deputy to respond to an alarm. Coleman said that deputies did not respond to 786 alarms due to the new rules. Traffic accidents decreased for

the third straight year. Citations have remained consistent but are carrying heavier fines.

“The legislature has continued to fix some of their budgetary problems by attaching high fines to these things, and at some point it is going to become counterproductive, because a 15-mile-perhour over the speed limit citation is $256. For some parts of the county, that can be a week’s pay.” The result is that more people are going to court to fight citations, which has resulted in a

EASTER EGG HUNT BRINGS CROWDS OF KIDS TO WELLINGTON’S VILLAGE PARK

The Village of Wellington held its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 3 at Wellington Village Park on Pierson Road. Ages one through 10 took part in the

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Camellia Park in Royal Palm Beach will reopen at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 10 with free hot dogs and lemonade.

“This will be a rededication for the renovations we’ve done in the park,” Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio told the Town-Crier on Monday.

“We added to the playscape, we refurbished the four bocce courts that were there. We actually ripped them up and redid them.”

The courts were redone with a Har-Tru clay surface, which is used on most clay tennis courts, he said. The two three-wall racquetball courts have been replaced with four four-wall courts, Recchio said. “We used to have two three-sided courts that were destroyed in a hurricane,” he said.

“We have now replaced them and put up four four-wall courts so

they’re totally enclosed.”

Two full basketball courts have been added at the 10-acre park, replacing an underused T-ball diamond.

“When they put Seminole Palms Drive through the area, it eliminated the basketball court there,” Recchio said. “We took out a little T-ball field that was constructed there years ago when baseball was really at its peak.”

The six existing tennis courts have been resurfaced and the nets replaced. Part of an existing pavilion has been enclosed to create a tennis pro’s office. “He’ll be right on site,” Recchio said.

The park also was landscaped and new irrigation was installed.

The $600,000 project was partially funded with a $200,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program.

Liggins Formally Named Acting RPB Manager

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week formally named Assistant Village Manager Ray Liggins acting village manager.

Liggins, who is also the village engineer, has been filling in for Village Manager David Farber for the past six weeks. Farber has been away from work battling a serious illness since Feb. 18.

At a council meeting April 1, Liggins was given a five-percent raise until Farber returns.

“As you all probably know, our village manager is critically ill, and we hope and pray that he makes a complete recovery,” Mayor Matty Mattioli said.

However, Mattioli said, the village is at a crossroads where a decision is needed to keep Royal Palm Beach functioning smoothly.

Mattioli said issues come up that a manager should sign or handle without having to get council approval. “Now he is our manager, so to speak,” he said. “I think we should do this tonight.”

Vice Mayor Martha Webster made a motion to appoint Liggins acting village manager. The motion was seconded by Councilman Richard Valuntas and passed 5-0. Councilman David Swift then made a motion for the council to consider a five-percent raise for Liggins until Farber returns. “Not having David here is big shoes to fill,” Swift said. “I think Ray can do that, but he’s got a lot of work to do… It’s really kind of two jobs at the same time, so that’s why I would recommend that increase.” Swift’s motion also passed unanimously.

In other business, Webster reported that the Palm Beach County League of Cities Transportation Committee reviewed the county’s traffic performance standards amendments last week, which in-

cluded moving the traffic standards for Royal Palm Beach Blvd. to Jog Road.

Webster asked Liggins how the change affects the western communities, not just for the planned Roebuck Road extension, but roads to the north, including the planned connection of State Road 7 to Northlake Blvd.

Liggins noted that the county removed a CRALLS (Constrained Roadway at Lower Levels of Service) designation on Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and Military Trail following the opening of the SR 7 extension, which has taken a significant amount of traffic off Okeechobee Blvd.

“A couple of major improvements have happened. The construction of State Road 7 took a lot of cars off that portion of Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach Blvd and State Road 7, making that roadway link not in need of a CRALLS,” Liggins said.

“It’s working at the correct level of service, and the county didn’t see a need for keeping the CRALLS on that section.”

The section of Okeechobee Blvd. from SR 7 to Jog Road recently was widened to eight lanes and now is under capacity, he said.

“That is a good thing for us because it reduces the capacity of the roadway and developments can be approved, therefore pushing the need for Roebuck Road sooner, rather than later.”

Liggins said the SR 7 extension has also had a significant impact on Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

Webster said she wants to remain proactive in monitoring the level of roadway use.

“I want to be looking out for the interests of the roads that are developing here and what constraints we may have on the type of development we may want,” she said.

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

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

OUR OPINION

Environmental Stewardship Is More Than A Once-A-Year Effort

Next weekend residents from our communities will donate their time and effort to help pick up litter, clean the landscape and beautify roads, parks, schools and neighborhoods as part of the Great American Cleanup. In their efforts, they join thousands of Americans who have logged millions of hours over the past 10 years beautifying communities across the nation.

In 1999, Keep America Beautiful, an organization dedicated to litter prevention, waste reduction and community beautification, launched the Great American Cleanup. Over 10 years, it has grown into the nation’s largest community improvement program. Although the program runs from March 1 to April 31, its “official” date falls on the Saturday before Earth Day. Since Earth Day is April 22, many cleanups are set for Saturday, April l7. Earth Day and the Great American Cleanup are a natural pair. U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970, a year after he witnessed an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, CA. He aimed to fight environmental degradation and inspire worldwide awareness about the Earth and its environment, as well as garner support for a political environmental agenda.

The first celebration of Earth Day was a grassroots movement. Roughly 20 million people in 2,000 colleges and universities, 10,000 primary and secondary schools and hundreds of communities across the U.S. participated in “teach-ins” and peaceful demonstrations for environmental reform. Its success had resounding consequences for environmental policy. In its wake, Congress passed the Clean Air Act of 1970 and formed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Thank You, Jess Santamaria

Elections are a difficult time for me. Do I vote for those of my party? Do I cross party lines? Do I vote according to promises made (and too often forgotten)? Do I vote for big business or the little guy (which it seems to come down to lately)?

Yes, I’m guilty. I’m one of those people who accosted County Commissioner Jess Santamaria in a parking lot, and then did something I have never done. I came as close to begging as I am able. I beseeched Jess to represent us for

another term. I pleaded with him. I cajoled! This was one of the easiest choices of my life, but it wasn’t and isn’t for Jess. Although he won’t say it aloud, I believe that he is saddened and disheartened by the lack of involvement by our citizenry to assist our elected officials, not only with our time, and also by our complacency too often by not even voting. I know that Mr. Santamaria believes in representative democracy, so unlike any other elected official, he holds town hall meetings (before they became, recently, tools), and he solicited our

Forty years later, we find ourselves amidst new environmental crises, along with a push toward a greener, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. And although lawmakers have since helped to create more environmentally friendly policies, the importance of grassroots organizations has not diminished.

The Great American Cleanup’s success has come not from political policy, but from residents who give up their time to beautify the community that we all share. While the program will come and go each year, its message of taking responsibility for the environment should stick with us all year long.

Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, the county’s affiliate to Keep America Beautiful, hosts year-round opportunities to take an active role in keeping our environment clean. To learn more about their efforts, visit www.keeppbcbeautiful.org.

Some projects require time, resources and manpower, but it only takes one person and one second to pick up and dispose of a piece of trash. It’s the small efforts by individuals over a long period of time that will make a difference.

So we encourage you to get out, volunteer and keep our community looking bright and beautiful. But when the day is over, remember that every day is a great opportunity to clean up.

Wellington and Royal Palm Beach will be hosting community cleanups on Saturday, April 17 (see related story, page 18). For more information about Wellington events, call Meridith Tuckwood at (561) 791-4796. For more information about Royal Palm Beach events, call Michael Cheatham at (561) 790-5199.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

voice. He begged for our attendance and input, and although some came, it was/is wholly insufficient. This is a national dilemma; people come out to complain and ridicule but, more often than not, offer nothing constructive. Such is the electoral plight of our esteemed country. We have met the enemy, and it is us. We are failing from within, the cancer of laziness (and greed). I find few bright spots on our horizon, but Jess Santamaria is certainly one. He has both my support and an apology from me, for I have indeed been one of those lazy people. I expect Jess to carry

my load without my assistance, shame on me!

George Unger Wellington

Acreage Needs

To Incorporate

I think it’s time for the residents of The Acreage to incorporate. We need a heck of a lot more representation than we are getting now. The county could care less about us out here. We pay very high taxes only to see our money go east, and west to the Glades. We need more of our money to stay here in this community. Sorry Jess, you’re

a nice guy, but not a good commissioner. You are just concerned about the Glades, it seems. Another thing, forget Indian Trail. They are suggesting not spending any more money on our community because of the cancer cluster. What is that about? Why do we need them in the first place? We

need to incorporate and take care of our community. Hooking up to county water for $17,000 is certainly not the answer to our woes. I urge all Acreage residents to start the incorporation movement immediately.

Mark Trudel The Acreage

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

Perhaps The New Congressional Ethics Rules Have Teeth After All...

It sure sounded like another high-flown, low-performance congressional con job when the semi-independent, new Office of Congressional Ethics was created. Its job: to check allegations of mischief against lawmakers for its “master,” the House Ethics Committee.

My initial thought was that it was kind of another do-nothing, investigative shield, more to cov-

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

er the transgressions of members than to provide transparency. Not quite factual, at least in the recent case of former Georgia

Congressman Nathan Deal. He had been accused of improperly using his congressional office, and position as chief of staff, to pressure Georgia state officials to protect the hundreds of thousands of dollars his auto salvage company was collecting from state vehicle inspections. Congressman Deal denied the charges, along with another possibly shady deal where he was accused of falsely conceal-

ing the fact that his salary from the company violated ethics standards. But the Office of Congressional Ethics, in a 128-page report, refused to turn a blind eye and forwarded the case to the full Ethics Committee. Our suspect, Congressman Deal, then resigned from the House minutes before the committee faced a deadline to take action. He will now make a run for governor of Georgia.

NEWS

In the old days, since Deal was no longer a congressman, his resignation would have ended the inquiry.

This time, however, the bi-partisan Ethics Committee voted 6-0 to make the report public. “Providing information to the public and providing transparency is a central element of the OEC’s mission,” the accompanying release indicated.

Hurrah to this new group of public servants. It surely is about time that serious public rip-offs, practiced by less-than-serious legislators, face the glare of the public eye. And surely the good people of Georgia are entitled to know about the depth of the possible “shenanigans” covered in the committee report. After all, he is now a candidate for the state’s highest office.

County Commissioners May Demand More Oversight Of RSM Fill

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach County Health Department officials say the use of recovered screened material (RSM) to build up elevations in areas such as The Acreage is acceptable as long as it is covered with two feet of soil.

But a report on the use and regulation of RSM by the health department on Tuesday led Palm Beach County commissioners to suggest that more oversight and regulation is needed.

RSM is made up largely of ground-up construction debris and demolition material. Commissioners were troubled that the purveyors of RSM conduct their own monitoring of material that goes into it. Indian Trail Improvement District Supervisor Mike Erickson also raised concern about the lack of prompt response to issues by the Department of Environmental Protection. Commissioners ordered a review of RSM regulation proce-

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1,500 feet of a licensed pharmacy. Further, they are prohibited from having a pharmacy on site and dispensing more than a threeday supply of drugs to patients. A clinic must also report the name and address of its medical director to the village, and he or she must maintain regular hours at the clinic and be available at the clinic’s office in Wellington at least two days a week.

The goal is to hold accountable the listed medical director, Kurtz said. “We want the medical direc-

dures by the health department after the subject came up during a community forum on cancer issues in The Acreage. While there is no direct link between RSM and cancer, several community members asked that the possibility be studied. The ITID Board of Supervisors wrote a letter to the county last month asking for such a study.

After the issue came up, the health department did a regulatory check on the primary RSM distributors, but ongoing checks are not currently planned. Erickson said that random selfregulation by a private business such as the RSM manufacturers is problematic.

“This is a for-profit company,” Erickson said. “Profits are generated based upon efficiency. The more tonnage they put in to recycle, the more they get paid money for that tonnage, so there’s a motivation. I’m not saying they’re dishonest, but you have a profit incentive. I believe you truly need to continue monitoring.”

tor to be on line with what’s going on at the clinic,” he said. “That way they can’t claim ignorance.”

PZA Board Alternate Alan Johnson wondered if the village had the authority to limit the dispensed dosage to a three-day supply.

“It’s a close call,” Kurtz said. “The clinics that have caused problems, or contributed to the problem, have characteristics. They are typically associated with a pharmaceutical operation that operates out of a doctor’s office. They are less stringent on reporting the required numbers than a pharmacy is. That’s coupled with the fact that pain management clinics that don’t take insurance are not regulated.”

Although health department officials said an initial investigation found no health risk in the use of RSM, Erickson said the suspicion is an offshoot of the concerns of Acreage residents.

“It comes from the cancer cluster information and everything else that is going on,”

Erickson said. “People are opening up their eyes; they’re looking around and starting to be aware of their environment. Obviously, as the process goes along, there’ll be more opportunity for testing.”

Erickson said that RSM monitoring is not just a cancer-related issue. It’s a general safety concern, he said.

“One of my concerns that the health department mentioned that this fill has to be two feet underground,” he said. “But I’m looking at a lot of sparkly yards out in The Acreage. There isn’t two feet on top of it. I’m not saying it has anything to do with cancer. I’m just saying let’s look at this issue. I truly believe we need more of a

Abusive clinics typically accept cash only and distribute the pills themselves, Kurtz said. The village hopes that by prohibiting the clinics from having a pharmacy, it will curb unregulated distribution of medication while still getting patients the medication they need immediately.

“It’s not unusual for a doctor to give a patient a few days’ supply of prescribed drugs so they have time to get to a pharmacy,” he said. “A three-day supply is the industry standard and will get you through the weekend, or give you enough time to get the prescription filled.”

By prohibiting in-house pharmacies, patients will have to go through a licensed pharmacy to

regulatory process on stuff like this.”

Palm Beach County Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso reported a low potential for RSM leaching into the soil or water. “The Department of Environmental Protection ensures that it is disposed of in a manner that is not unhealthy,” Alonso said.

However, Erickson was sharply critical of the DEP, recalling an overturned dump truck on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road that spilled 200 gallons of diesel fuel into a swale.

“It was on a Sunday,” Erickson said. “I called immediately, and they said, ‘We’ve already been out there. We told them they’ve got to clean it up in 30 days.’ Leave 200 gallons in the swale? This is not about a cancer cluster. This is about the environment. This is about normal situations.”

Alonso said the department looked at RSM from a standpoint of epidemiological surveillance, toxicological data and scientific analytical data, as well as some

get their medication, Kurtz said.

The pharmacies are regulated, so the village hopes the regulation will eliminate drug dealers obtaining medication from the clinics and selling it on the street. Regulation also comes by requiring clinics to take insurance, Kurtz said. Although Johnson noted that one person could have insurance and others could pay with cash, Kurtz said that the clinic would still be regulated and have to report cash exchanges.

Johnson also asked if the village has the power to place an outright ban on self-titled pain clinics.

Kurtz said the village has the ability to ban almost any use, or set regulations to limit an operation’s activities, but he fears that

previous research studies.

She said the facilities conduct sampling themselves under DEP guidelines. “Self-monitoring is an industry standard that is in rules by the state,” Alonso said. “In order to change this self-monitoring, it would require a revision at the state level. Based on our review, we’ve determined that the stateregulated recovered screened material presents minimal potential for public health concerns as long as it is properly used.”

Alonso said the health department will provide a more thorough report in 45 days that will include taking random, unannounced samples at the recycling facilities, in addition to inspections already conducted three times a year, and will also provide reports on sampling that has been done in The Acreage. “We actually took samples two feet down of this material to be analyzed,” she said.

At that point, Alonso said her department will sit down with representatives from agencies including the DEP and the Solid Waste

an outright ban could be harmful to legitimate patients who need the medication to live daily. Instead, the village’s plan is to regulate the clinics and bring them out into the open.

“The zoning districts we selected are those where you usually find large medical establishments,” he said. “We don’t want them hidden away in a shopping plaza. We want them in an area where other medical professionals will be around, and hope it will cause self-regulation. People with medical expertise can see what’s going on and say if something’s not right.”

PZA Board Member Eugene DiFonte was concerned with how the village would regulate these is-

Authority and draw recommendations for possible changes to rules.

Commissioner Shelley Vana said she was wary of the existing regulation policy. “I am also concerned about the self-monitoring because it is self-monitoring,” Vana said. “I would be interested in taking a look at what other things we are just allowing selfmonitoring on.”

Commissioner Jess Santamaria said he shares concerns about self-monitoring. “We all agree that we have got to start doing independent monitoring,” Santamaria said. “I just want clarification on how we are going to get involved in this monitoring system so it is more reliable.” Alonso stressed that the monitoring rules are set by state guidelines. “We would come in when there is a complaint or concern such as there is now,” she said. “If we want to make changes, then that would require a state change in that law or a local change. The community has the power to make those changes.”

sues. Kurtz said that the clinics will have to submit a land-use application and agree to any conditions before they will be permitted. “This may be difficult for the village to enforce, but we have to do what we can,” Kurtz said. The board voted 4-1 to recommend the ordinance, with Johnson dissenting. “I want to be clear that I think this is the lesser of two evils,” Johnson said. “I’m not voting for it because I think that they should be banned.”

DiFonte and PZA Board Chairman Carmine Priore III agreed with Johnson’s reasoning, but chose to vote for the measure.

“I think in this case doing nothing would be worse than doing something,” Priore said.

Organizers: Inaugural International Gay Polo Tournament A Success

The inaugural International Gay Polo Tournament held Saturday, April 3 was deemed a huge success on and off the field.

Equestrian Life, led by 6-goaler Juan Bollini, edged Bluhorse 43 to win the championship game played in front of almost 1,500 spectators at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington.

Bollini scored both of his goals in the final chukker to lead Equestrian Life. Gay Polo League Founder Chip McKenney and Gordon Ross also scored for the winners.

Former 5-goaler John Wigdahl of Bluhorse, currently the president of GPL’s Southern Florida chapter, was named the MVP Amateur. His 40-yard penalty shot in the third chukker gave Bluhorse a 3-2 lead. In the preliminary game, 7-

goaler Jeff Blake scored on a breakaway with 31 seconds remaining to lift Step by Step Foundation over Buchanan Screen, Rail & Windows 5-4.

“Wellington is the polo capital,” said the 51-year-old McKenney, who lives in Los Angeles. “If you want to be taken seriously, you have got to play here. The pros were amazing. I think we’re all leaving as better players. In the fourth chukker, in every game, we were better than we were in the first chukker. We want to return next year and make this a tradition.”

Each of the four teams were anchored by a professional player: 9-goaler Nicolas Roldan (Buchanan), 7-goaler Jeff Blake (Step by Step), 6-goaler Juan Bollini (Equestrian Life) and 5-goaler Joey Casey (Bluhorse).

Man Robbed At Knifepoint In Wellington

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

APRIL 2 — A Wellington man was robbed at knifepoint on South Shore Blvd. near Pierson Road early last Friday morning. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a deputy from the Wellington substation responded to the scene after the victim reported being robbed by two unknown suspects. The victim reported that at approximately 6:15 a.m., the first suspect approached him and asked him if there was work available. After he replied that there was not, a second suspect ran up from behind and put the victim in a chokehold. Both suspects threw the victim to the ground and demanded his wallet, and the first suspect put a knife to the victim’s stomach. One of the suspects then reached into the victim’s left rear pocket and took a brown wallet containing approximately $2,855, an unknown amount of pesos and a Social Security card. The suspects also took the victim’s keys and cell phone before fleeing east on Pierson Road in a black, four-door Honda.

APRIL 2 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched to a home on Apache Blvd. last Friday morning in response to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. last Thursday and 6 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s vehicle through the passenger-side door and stole her iPod Touch, valued at $250, and approximately $200 in cash. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

APRIL 3 — A Greenacres man was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop near the intersection of Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores Blvd. early last Friday morning. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation pulled over a 2005 Volkswagen and smelled marijuana as the car came to a stop. The deputy observed the passenger place an item in his waistband and could see a clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance in plain view on the center console. The deputy made contact with the passenger, 21-year-old Melvin Maldonado, and discovered a marijuana cigarette in his waistband. Maldonado was arrested for possession of the marijuana cigarette and the clear plastic bag of marijuana. He was released at the scene with a notice to appear in court.

PBSO: Man

APRIL 2 — A man found dead outside a Wellington daycare center on Friday, April 2 is believed to have died of natural causes. Charles Toker, 62, of Boynton Beach collapsed near his van in the parking lot of the Neighborhood Kids Preschool on Wellington Trace where he was found by firefighters at approximately 9 a.m., Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said.

APRIL 3 — A resident of 127th Trail North called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation last Saturday morning to report a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6:30 p.m. last Friday and 7 a.m. the following morning, someone entered two vehicles belonging to the victim and her husband and stole an unknown amount of change. No other items were stolen and there was no damage done to either vehicle. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

APRIL 3 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested on drug charges last Saturday afternoon following a traffic stop on Sandpiper Avenue. According to a PBSO report, deputies from the Royal Palm Beach substation were patrolling in unmarked police cars when they observed a blue Mitsubishi with custom graphics pick someone up on Hibiscus Drive and leave the area. Knowing that a suspected drug dealer had used the vehicle, one deputy conducted surveillance on the car and observed it roll through a stop sign at the intersection of Oleander Drive and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. When the vehicle turned onto Sandpiper Avenue and stopped in the roadway, forcing other vehicles to move into oncoming traffic to get around it, the deputy conducted a traffic stop. According to the report, as he approached the car on foot, the deputy could see the front passenger holding something covered in a white cloth. As he approached, the passenger dropped the item and kicked it under the seat. According to the report, the deputy made contact with the driver, 18-yearold Joshua Zetty, and asked for his license and registration. Zetty appeared unable to focus and later began cursing at the deputy. As a second deputy arrived for backup, the deputy asked the passenger if anything illegal was in the car, and the passenger said there was marijuana and a gun. A search of the vehicle found .44 grams of marijuana in a bag in the center console and a loaded .38 caliber revolver under the passenger seat. The gun had been reported stolen from Boca Raton. According to the report, Zetty said the marijuana was his and that the gun belonged to his drug dealer, who had left it in the vehicle. According to the report, Zetty said he did not know about the gun until he was on his way to the passenger’s house. Zetty was arrested and tak-

See BLOTTER, page 20

County medical examiners concluded he died from natural causes and believed his death was related to pre-existing health issues, Barbera said. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Toker was at the daycare delivering magazines when he collapsed. The daycare was not open, and no children were present.

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

Interim Pastor Arrives At P.W. Presbyterian Church In Lox Groves

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Rev. Jim McNaull has been appointed interim pastor at Palms West Presbyterian Church in Loxahatchee Groves.

McNaull replaces the Rev. Gary Cecil, who left for a position in Georgia after nine years at the church.

Pastor Jim, as McNaull is known, originally is from Columbia, S.C. He is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta and has worked in radio, written newspaper columns and has been a popular speaker.

His wife Pam, also from South Carolina, is a Presbyterian elder and deacon. She works as a life coach and a paralegal.

McNaull worked in ministries in Florida, Georgia and Texas before retiring. Five years ago, McNaull and his wife formed an executive and life coaching nonprof-

it corporation called The Place Ministries in Houston. That was what the McNaulls were doing when a search committee from the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale persuaded McNaull to become interim pastor in May 2007. He served in that capacity until April 2009.

“Palms West Presbyterian Church found out about me and asked if I would be interested in doing this,” McNaull said. “I said I would.”

An interim pastor signs on for one year, and at the end of the year, the contract can be renewed or terminated. Normally, an interim pastor stays until the next permanent pastor arrives.

“This church is 20 years old, and it has had two permanent pastors and two interims,” McNaull said. “I have been retired for five years as a Presbyterian preacher,

and normally interims are retired Presbyterian ministers. As an interim, you go through an interview process. They interviewed three people besides me and chose me. I’ve been here for about a month. One of my strongest gifts is preaching, and so the crowds have been pretty good.”

The First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale has 3,500 members. By comparison, Palms West Presbyterian has about 300 members. “That’s OK,” McNaull said. “I like the people here, so this is a good thing.”

Growing up in South Carolina, McNaull was active in football and graduated from the University of South Carolina. During his time coaching high school and college football, he decided to be a minister.

“I was a high school football coach in Columbia, and got the call to the ministry,” said McNaull,

whose grandfather also was a Presbyterian minister. “I took the whole family and went into the seminary.”

McNaull continued his sports background as part of his religious service.

“I have been chaplain for professional teams, including the Orlando Renegades [of the old United States Football League]. I also have been chaplain for several high school and college basketball teams,” he recalled. “I was a minister of one church, and on Friday night, they would have a chapel service before a football game. I would lead that service in a locker room. It was smelly, and not your typical church, but I would lead services in there.” Palms West Presbyterian Church is located at 13689 Okeechobee Blvd. For more info., call (561) 795-6292 or visit www.pwp church.com.

PBSO AND EASTER BUNNY JOIN FORCES TO BRING SMILES TO YOUNG PATIENTS

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Easter Bunny Foundation visited Palms West Hospital and Wellington Regional Medical Center on Saturday, April 3 to bring smiles to children spending time in the hospital over the Easter holiday. Diane Smith of PBSO District 9 in Royal Palm Beach coordinated with Lt. Jay Hart from District 15 in The Acreage/Loxahatchee and Captain Greg Richter from Wellington’s District 8. PBSO Explorers also joined in for the day. The team visited over 45 children at Palms West Hospital and then over 20 people of all ages at WRMC.

NuVista New Senior Care Facility

continued from page 1 to working with WRMC in providing additional healthcare services to the Wellington area.

“They are a tremendous asset and benefit to the community and to us here at NuVista at Wellington Green,” Walczak said.

The patient-centered environment will embrace design principles that create an atmosphere proven to improve the healthcare of patients and provide efficient conditions for staff, along with real-time documentation and reports to healthcare providers, Walczak said.

All patient rooms will be private and have “smart room” technology. Everyone entering the building will have a sensor badge that indicates whether they are an employee, guest or healthcare provider. When a nurse takes a patient’s temperature and blood pressure, or medication is dispensed, the information is immediately entered electronically into a data entry console in each room. A screen in each room will display when the patient’s doctor is in the building and which nurses are taking care of the patient.

“Healthcare continues to move toward being a more consumerdriven model as the Baby Boomer generation ages,” Walczak noted. A grand opening is planned for the spring of 2011. For more information about NuVista, call (561) 330-3610.

ees; the

R ecent studies show that women are six times more likely to suffer from runner’s knee and ACL tears than men. Although runner’s knee is not usually a chronic problem, it can get in the way of an active lifestyle. One of the most common kneecap problems is called PFPS, or Patella Femoral Pain Symptoms, aka - runner’s knee. This syndrome is characterized by a rough or soft spot on the cartilage surface of the knee cap. This damaged spot causes additional pressure on the sensitive area behind the knee cap when the knee is bent, thus causing pain.

“One of the main reasons that makes women more susceptible to PFOS, is they have naturally wide pelvises, which causes the knee cap

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to NuVista officials speak; and company officials William

Steve Tendrich in front of the NuVista facility under construction

Runners Knee...

and thigh to meet at a different angle than in men,” says Dr. Gary Wexler, orthopaedic surgeon with the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institutes. :The result is extra pressure on women’s knees.” Dr Gary Wesler is a Board Certified and Fellowship Trained Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in knee and shoulder injuries. Dr. Wexler received his subspecialty training in the arthroscopic treatment of complex knee disorders; such as ACL Reconstruction, Cartilage Repair and Meniscal Repair/Transplantation.

“Symptoms of runner’s knee include pain, a feeling of catching and stiffness,” says Dr. Wexler. “This is a painful situation that may make simple tasks, such as going up and down stairs, difficult. also,

sitting with your knees bent or squatting for any length of time is very uncomfortable.” Another symptom is a “giving out” or grinding and loud popping sound.

A simple way to reduce the pain from runner’s knee is to change to swimming instead of tennis. Also, check your running shoes to see if they are in top condition to cushion your arches and joints. If your knees ache and you have sharp pain between your shinbone and kneecap, you may be suffering from tendinitis. Tendinitis occurs when the tendons connecting your knee cap and shinbone become inflamed. This can be caused by overuse or stress. “To ease the pain and swelling of this condition you can try ibuprofen, apply ice, rest and elevate your

CAFCI EASTER PICNIC

First Community Jam April 17

The Acreage Landowners’ Association and the Indian Trail Improvement District will host the Acreage Community Jam on Saturday, April 17 from 4 to 10 p.m. at Acreage Community Park (6701 140th Ave. North). The event features local musicians, poets, comedians and other artists. Local artists of all styles and skill level are encouraged to participate. There will be a stage, lighting, and sound and video capture of each performance. The event is free and open to the public. Volunteers are needed. The Acreage Community Jam will be held every third Saturday of the month. Performers may sign up in advance, but walk-ups are also welcome. For more info., visit www.acreagecommunityjam.com or call Bob at (561) 228-1030.

Zoning Board

Vacancies In RPB

The Village of Royal Palm Beach is accepting applications to fill two vacancies for alternates on the RPB Planning & Zoning Commission, which meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Village Meeting Hall. Residents of Royal Palm Beach who would like to volunteer their service and expertise on a local government board can pick up an application at the village clerk’s office, or visit www.royalpalmbeach.com and download the form. Completed applications should be returned to the village clerk’s office. For more info., call (561) 790-5102.

RPB Garage Sale Set For May 1

The Annual Royal Palm Beach Community Garage Sale will be held Saturday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Park (1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). The park will be filled with vendors selling their treasures. There will be musical entertainment and refreshments available through Royal Palm Beach Primary Providers. A free shuttle will provide pick-up and drop-off for overflow parking available at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. For more info., call (561) 790-5149.

‘Bowling For Cookies’ April 25

The Olivia Grace Armand Foundation will hold its fundraiser “Bowling for Cookies” at Greenacres Bowl (6126 Lake Worth Road) on Sunday, April 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the foundation, which provides nursing scholarships to nurses studying or continuing their education in pediatric nursing. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and Skip Kelly of Kool 105.5 FM will host the event and provide music. There will be a silent auction, raffles, door prizes and airbrush body art, along with other surprises. The cost is $18 for adults; $12 for kids 12 and under. Prices include shoe rental, pizza, soda and bumpers if needed. Participants are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, April 20. To RSVP, contact Trish Armand by e-mail at trish@OliviasCookieJar.org or

by calling (561) 906-0623. For more information about the Olivia Grace Armand Foundation, visit www.OliviasCookieJar.org.

Fin Fan Fest April 10 At PBCHS

Fin Fan Fest 2010 will be held

Saturday, April 10 at Palm Beach Central High School from 2 to 6 p.m. with a celebrity autograph signing and the Sports Celebrities vs. Teachers & Coaches basketball game to follow at 7 p.m.

The event will benefit the Wellington-based Tyler McLellan Foundation, which supports youth sports in South Florida. Founders Kevin and Karin McLellan are trying to set a record at this year’s event for the most “Dolfans” present at a non-game event.

There will be a contest for the “Most Fanatical Fan,” who will receive $250 cash and a “Dolfan” trophy. “Everybody wear your colors and come out and scream for your ‘Most Fanatical Fan,’” Kevin McLellan said.

The event features familyfriendly entertainment including bounce houses, a Jet dunk tank, clowns, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, live entertainment and food.

“This has grown since last year, and we want everyone in South Florida from Miami to Melbourne to be part of it,” McLellan said.

“We are bringing in current and former sport celebrities from all over. We have football players, race boat drivers, and a 17-yearold stock car driver.”

Confirmed athletes include: World Boxing Association heavyweight Jameel McCline, Indianap-

olis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon, Baltimore Ravens former defensive tackle Lional Dalton, Buffalo Bills former safety Daryl Porter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Emanuel Cook, Miss Geico powerboat racer Scott Begovich, former University of Miami and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Steve Walsh, former Miami Dolphins

The eighth annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction returned to the South Florida Fairgrounds April 1-3. The cars offered some people a chance to relive a youthful fantasy by owning a muscle car. Others got to own a piece of their past with a car sporting graceful fins from the ’50s. For more info., visit www.barrett-jackson.com.

Valiente Tops Lechuza Caracas In Easter Sunday Action At IPC

Valiente, playing in its first 26goal season, rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Lechuza Caracas 8-6 in an opening-round match of the U.S. Open Polo Championship on Sunday, April 4 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.

Nine-goaler Nacho Astrada led Valiente with five goals. Astrada scored two of his goals in the fourth chukker when Valiente stretched its 3-2 halftime lead to 5-3. His final goal gave Valiente an 8-4 lead before Victor Vargas and Sapo Caset scored for Lechuza Caracas. Magoo Laprida of Valiente was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, and Bob Jomayvaz’s Ponchito received Best Playing Pony honors. Jomayvaz also plays for Valiente. In other weekend matches, Audi defeated Piaget 11-10, Los Monjitas got past Bendabout/Wanderers 12-4, and Crab Orchard stopped Pony Express 11-3. Audi played Orchard Hill and Piaget faced Crab Orchard on Wednesday, April 7. Results were not available at press time.

On Saturday, April 10, Pony Express will play Piaget at 1 p.m., and Orchard Hill faces Crab Orchard at 3 p.m. Games also are

scheduled for noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 11. The championship game will be played on Sunday, April 18. Tickets for Sunday polo at the Nespresso Grande Pavilion range from $50 to $100. General admission tickets are available for $20, lawn seating for $35 and box seats

for $125. The Wellington Zone is open to the public and free of charge. Parking is $5. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.inter nationalpoloclub.com or call the box office at (561) 282-5334. For field assignment, call the polo hot line at (56) 282-5290.

Louise Serio Claims Hunter Derby Win In WEF’s Final Weekend

Louise Serio rode Castlerock to a first-place finish in the $50,000 Chronicle of the House/USHJA International Hunter Derby to highlight the final week of the 2010 Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. It was Serio’s first derby victo-

ry and the biggest victory of her career. Scott Stewart and Summer Place were second, and Tamara Provost aboard Peridot finished third. The class was scored cumulatively over two rounds, and the final round took place Saturday night. Judges awarded competi-

tors with a score for their jumping rounds, as well as a bonus point for any large height option they chose to jump (out of five available), and a bonus score out of 10 points rewarding riders for their handiness.

Serio earned the highest score of her career when the second panel of judges awarded her a 99 after her second round.

“I have to say I thought it all came up really well,” she said. “I liked my turns, I liked my jumps, and my last jump was long. But once you commit to something like that, you just have to keep going.”

Riders said the derby classes are advancing the hunter sport and industry.

“I think the derby is just the whole new level of hunters,” Serio said. “It is exciting, challenging and moving forward to become more and more difficult.”

Kate Levy aboard Gralli won last Wednesday’s $2,000 Western

Hay Co. & Suncoast Bedding 1.30m Jumpers Time First JumpOff class. Osvaldo Ornia Pacher and Beach Blonde were second. Third place went to Jeffrey Welles on Hudson.

In the $2,500 Camping World 1.35m Jumpers, the winner was Favorite Lady ridden by Ray Trexel. In the $2,000 Western Hay Co. & Suncoast Bedding 1.30m Jumpers, Christina Kelly and Camirage finished first. Kate Levy won the $8,000 Sentient Jet 1.45m Jumpers on Vent du Nord. The first Junior/Amateur-Owner Zone Team Competition was held last Friday night. Riders from various zones competed on teams in sections of Low, Medium and High. The winning team in the High Section was Zone 3 & 4, consisting of Alise Oken, Catherine Pasmore, Paulena Johnson and Rachel Cline. The Zone 2 team of Katherine Steenberg, Cindy Fuller, Heather Irons and Cynthia McGrath won the Medium

Section. The Low Section team winner was Zone 7, with Wilton Porter, Meagan Nusz, Audrey Trimble and Alexandra Elkins. Shane Sweetnam and Little Emir won the $20,000 Suncast 1.50m Classic on Saturday, April 3. Schuyler Riley and Navalo de Poheton were second, followed by Georgina Bloomberg aboard Metropolitian. Sweetnam and Little Emir were efficient through the course, made great turns throughout and finished in 40.371 seconds.

Madeline Cox on Kix had a clear round and finished in 67.569 seconds to finish first in the Modified Adult Jumpers. Sarah Becker and Church Road were second, and Alicia Gamboa aboard Kyu finished third.

There were 11 competitors in the $1,500 Masters Jumper Time First Round class. Elizabeth Clark Lamotte on her horse Katherine won the class in 67.582 seconds. John Tredennick rode Trueman’s

PBSO OFFICIALS VISIT SUMMIT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TO READ TO PRE-K

Deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Special Events/Animal Kindness Unit visited pre-K students at Summit Christian School on Tuesday, April 6 to read the book On the Force with Finnagan and Dakota to the children. The unit authored the book, and the character of Finnagan is named for Carol Verdigi’s three-and-a-half-year-old white Labrador retriever, who visited the school as well. Other PBSO attendees included John Churchill, Capt. Eric Coleman of District 9, and Eric Davis of the media relations department.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

WHS To Present Show ‘Curtains’ April 16-17

The Wellington High School Performing Arts Department will present the Palm Beach County premiere of the Broadway musical Curtains on April 16-17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Wellington High School Theatre. From the creators of Chicago and Cabaret, Curtains boasts a book by Rupert Holmes, lyrics by Fred Ebb and music by John Kander, with additional lyrics by Kander and Holmes.

Based on the original book and concept by Peter Stone, the musical is a send-up of backstage murder mystery plots, set in 1959 Boston. It follows the fallout when the supremely untalented star of “Robbin’ Hood of the Old West” is murdered during her opening night curtain call. Can a police detective who moonlights as a musical theater fan save the show, solve the case and maybe even find love before the show reopens

— all without getting killed himself?

The entire company comes under suspicion, and Lt. Frank Cioffi of the Boston Police Department, played by Patrick Sylvester, is called in to solve the homicide. Believing that the perpetrator is still in the building, he sequesters it. The suspects include the hardbitten lady producer Carmen Bernstein (Megan Henn), her husband Sidney (Cameron Calderwood), financial backer Oscar Shapiro (Jackson Garber), the show’s flamboyant director Christopher Belling (Malcolm Aldrich), divorced songwriting team Aaron Fox and Georgia Hendricks (Drew Spinelli and Vanessa Plasencia), stage manager Johnny Harmon (Matthew Gagne), choreographer/leading man Bobby Pepper (Rory Jenkins), ingénue Niki Harris (Lauren Radcliff) and ambitious company member Bambi Bernét (Alyx Theus). The production features a cast of 42 and an orchestra of 26 under the direction of Dennis Schaber with musical direction by Brad-

ford Chase. This “musical comedy whodunnit” is the perfect gift for anyone who loves a Broadway musical. Tickets can be purchased at www.showtix4u.com.

Fox Family Festival May 7

Acreage Pines Elementary will hold its annual Fox Family Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 7. The event is free and open to the public. It will feature fun, food and entertainment for all. Vendor and sponsor space is available. For more info., contact the PTA office at AcreagePinesPTA@ gmail.com or call (561) 904-9500.

Golden Grove Spring Festival April 30

The Golden Grove Elementary School PTO is seeking sponsors, vendors and crafters for its annual Spring Festival and silent auction on Friday, April 30. The cost to sponsor the event is

between $150 and $500. Sponsors will be recognized in Golden Grove’s monthly newsletter and with a sign displayed at the event, or sponsors may elect to display an approved banner instead. In addition, sponsors will have the opportunity to set up a table and distribute flyers or business cards to the community. Vendor spaces are available for $40 per spot. The festival runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and will feature a midway with inflatables, games and carnival food. There will also be a silent auction with wonderful baskets and many great items. The Chili Chicks will provide entertainment and hold a meet-andgreet with fans.

For more info., or to sponsor or reserve space, contact the Golden Grove PTO at (561) 904-9734.

‘A’ Grade For School District Web Site

Sunshine Review, a non-profit organization dedicated to state and

local government transparency, has given the web site of the Palm Beach County School District an “A” grade.

Sunshine Review analyzed over 5,000 government web sites, including 3,140 counties, 805 cities and 1,560 school districts. The Palm Beach County School District was one of only 31 web sites to receive a perfect score or “A” grade.

The school district launched a new and improved web site in January of this year.

The 5,000 websites were evaluated by Sunshine Review for information on budgets, meetings, elected and administrative officials, permits and zoning, audits, contracts, lobbying, public records and taxes.

“We got an ‘A’ grade for our new web site, which is great, but not a perfect grade. I aspire to get a perfect grade next time,” said School District Chief Information Officer Deepak Agarwal.

Going forward, the district web site will highlight school tax information with a separate link,

For more information, call Agarwal at (561) 434-8773.

The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross hosted a luncheon on March 26 to recognize major gift donors who help the local organization raise nearly $1 million for January’s earthquake disaster in Haiti. Some of Palm Beach’s most philanthropic youth, adults, companies and organizations gathered to celebrate their collective achievements. At the luncheon, the Palm Beach County School District was recognized for its monetary contributions to the support of the Haiti relief effort. A check for $56,827.54 was presented on behalf of district schools, departments and staff to the American Red Cross.

TKA Fourth-Grade Class Visits St. Augustine

The fourth-grade class at the King’s Academy recently took a trip to St. Augustine to explore Florida history.

Students saw the Castillo de San Marcos (the fort), the St. Augustine lighthouse, an alligator farm, the Spanish and Indian villages, the oldest jail, the heritage museum and the church that Henry Flagler had built for his daughter and granddaughter.

The students took a trip by tram to see St. Augustine as it was in years past. They met the jailer who joked with the students that if they spit on the sidewalk, he would have to put them in jail. The students were very obedient, so they visited the jail as visitors, not inmates. The students climbed the 219

steps to get to the top of the lighthouse. Even after the steep climb, they were able to enjoy the view of St. Augustine below. The children especially enjoyed going to the Spanish and Indian villages because while there they were able to do many hands-on activities. They made candles, jewelry, played games and worked on digging out a canoe. They had fun getting their faces painted like the Timucuas Indians.

“This trip is an excellent opportunity for students to see first-hand about what they are learning in history class. They especially enjoyed seeing the Castillo de San Marcos. Their faces lit up when they saw the magnitude of the fort,” fourth-grade teacher Kim Phillips said. Kim Phillips’ fourth-grade class on the St. Augustine trip.

Wellington Christian School Hosts Father Daughter Dance

Wellington Christian School’s Parent Teacher Fellowship hosted its annual Father Daughter Dance on Friday, Feb. 19.

The dance has rapidly grown and become an anticipated tradition at the school since its debut in 2006. More than 150 dads and daughters danced the night away participating in events including hula hoop contests, the chicken dance, conga lines and the covet-

ed father-daughter dance-off. In slower moments, dads and daughters could be spotted sharing special moments and making memories to last a lifetime. Wellington Christian School is located at 1000 Wellington Trace in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-1017 or visit the school’s web site at www. wellingtonchristian.org.

The horrific aftermath from the earthquake in Haiti has motivated the world to assist in any way possible. Whether it is money, supplies or physical help, people worldwide have come together to help Haiti in their time of great need.

Presbyterian Church and Wellington Christian School joined the effort, partnering together to encourage members and students to bring supplies to be sent to Haiti through Missionary Flights International. In

Dean’s List At Calvin

Calvin College freshman Karlie Krieger of Wellington has been named to the fall 2009 Dean’s List. To earn a spot on the Dean’s List at Calvin College requires that a student maintain a 3.5 grade point average for the semester and have a 3.3 cumulative grade point average. Karlie is majoring in psychology. A graduate of Wellington Christian School, she is the daughter of Kevin and Jeannine Krieger.

Calvin College is one of the country’s top Christian, liberal arts colleges. It has been honored by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best colleges in the Midwest. Established in 1876 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Calvin has a 2009-10 enrollment of 4,092 students.

MorseLife Salutes Royal Palm Volunteers

The catch-phrase of the baby boomer generation is: “they changed the world in the 1960s... now in their 60s, they are ready to do it again.” At ages 50 and 52, respectively, MorseLife volunteers Joe Schelork and Beth Kaplan of Royal Palm Beach are a bit younger than the first wave of boomers, but they have been making a difference through volunteerism since they were teenagers.

Schelork and Kaplan began volunteering at MorseLife two years ago, first for the Homebound Mitzvah Program, then for the meals-on-wheels program. Most recently, they served at the first night Seder for residents and families at Morse Geriatric Center in sharing their celebration of Passover. Both are retired and spend

Cub Scout

their time volunteering for a number of worthy organizations, including SunFest, the South Florida Fair and horse shows in Wellington, but Morse remains their favorite.

“At Morse, we are treated like a member of the family,” Kaplan said. “While the outcome of our work is most important, everyone we deal with at Morse makes us feel appreciated.”

Both agree the reward of volunteerism is in knowing that you can touch someone’s life in a meaningful way. “You can really change the world, if you give the effort,” Schelork said.

The one volunteer experience that will stick in their minds forever is their work in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the World

Trade Center in 2001. “We were watching the TV coverage, and agreed that we needed to do something to help,” Kaplan recalled. They served meals, provided supplies and offered a caring voice and even some laughter to those who were working so hard at the site. “We trust that we made a difference to people who were dealing with such tragedy,” Kaplan said.

Through their volunteer work, Schelork knows that they are doing something for people who need a hand. “That’s the reward for us,” he said. “At the end of the day of plating meals for people less fortunate, we know that some people will have a nutritious and delicious meal that they otherwise would not have had.”

The theme of National Volunteer Week, which this year is April 18-24, is “Celebrating People in Action.” Joe and Beth are two such people to be honored by MorseLife during that week for their unselfish acts of caring.

More than 500 people volunteer at MorseLife. “Volunteers of today are looking for opportunities that allow them to pass along their knowledge, or make a considerable difference to the lives of people served,” said Nadine Greenberg, director of volunteers for MorseLife. “We are pleased to see so many people choosing to give back through volunteerism at MorseLife.”

For more info., call (561) 6875871 or visit www.morselife.org.

RPBHS Grad Harrison Woerner Learning How To Defuse Bombs

When the Academy Award-winning movie The Hurt Locker showcased the dangerous business of defusing bombs in Iraq, actor Jeremy Renner put his acting talents to the test in a portrayal of an Army EOD expert. But for a 2003 Royal Palm Beach High School graduate, being successful at defusing deadly explosives can mean the difference between life and death.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Harrison Woerner, son of Jim and Diana Woerner of Royal Palm Beach, is a student at the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School where he will spend over a year learning the delicate techniques of how to recover, evaluate, safely render and dispose of live ordnance.

For Woerner, paying attention to the details of such things as ordnance identification, disarmament, transportation and disposal, along with rigging principles, recon procedures, and biological and chemical training, can literally save lives in the very difficult and different battlefield of the 21st Century. “The training is very intense,” Woerner said. “Physically intense in the dive school and mentally

intense here at EOD school.”

The Navy-supported school trains close to 2,000 students each year from all branches of the service. Woerner, like his fellow classmates, volunteered for the difficult school for a reason.

“I became an EOD technician because of job satisfaction,” he said. “Also, I will never have to worry about getting bored with my job.”

More than just a Hollywood fascination, Woerner and his fellow EOD students feel that what they learn during this extensive training plays an important part of the life they will lead in the military, especially in danger spots like Iraq and Afghanistan.

“(EOD is) very important,” Woerner said. “Lots of places have IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that hurt innocent people. Someone or somebody has to take care of it or render it safe.”

After his training, Woerner looks forward to serving that crucial need.

“Judging by the length of the training and how intense it is, the first time I go down range on a bomb, I think I will be very prepared,” he said.

Work By Sho Clothes’ Michele Hundt Will Be Featured In Fort Lauderdale Juried Art Show

dressage boutique in Wellington, has been selected to appear in the 2010 International Juried Fine Art

Painting Competition at the Artists Haven Gallery in Fort Lauderdale. Hundt was one of 45 artists chosen for the juried art show, April 19 to May 15, which will feature more than $10,000 in cash and awards.

Hundt’s painting will appear in the Figurative/People/Portraiture category. “It was such a surprise to me to have my work accepted, it doesn’t even seem real,” Hundt said. “My hope is that this is just the beginning of a new adventure.”

Hundt has been a fixture in the Wellington dressage community for many years. Her successful dressage boutique not only sells the latest in dressage clothes and accessories, but also features Hundt’s artistic skills as she designed the Sho

Clothes logo, which appears on the Sho Clothes bags and coolers. “My career has been diverse, but art has always been at the center of it,” Hundt said. “In addition to owning Sho Clothes, I was a designer art director for over 20 years.”

Hundt began painting in 2008, and is looking forward to her painting — an oil on canvas titled Marta — appearing in the gallery. A meet-the-artists reception and awards presentation will take place at the gallery on Saturday, April 24 from 6 to 9 pm. For more information, visit www.artisthavengallery.com.

For more information on Sho Clothes, Hundt’s dressage boutique located at 3220 Fairlane Farms Road in Wellington, visit www.shoclothes.com.

Scout Troop 111 To Celebrate 100 Years Of Scouting May 2

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America have helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible and productive society.

On Sunday, May 2, Boy Scout Troop 111 from Royal Palm Beach will be host-

ing what promises to be a fun-filled evening as the troop celebrates “100 Years of Scouting.” The public is invited to come out and support scouting by attending the troop’s silent auction, scout talent show and banquet from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Tickets can be purchased for $10, and donations to support Troop 111 are being accepted by calling (561) 795-0873.

Lake Worth Gallery Plans Sidewalk Sale April 16-17

The Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone Gallery in downtown Lake Worth will participate in an end-of-season sidewalk sale on Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17. An event preview will be held inside the gallery, located at 605 Lake Ave., on Friday, April 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. with extra-special savings gallery-wide. This includes discounts on artisan jewelry by Karen McGovern, Theo Sable and Norman Gitzen, and on pottery by Susan Bordas.

On Saturday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the sale will take place on the sidewalk in front of the gallery. It will feature pieces from the gallery along with items from several other shops and vendors along Lake Ave.

The sale is a fond farewell to visiting “snowbird” friends and an opportunity to make room in the gallery for new creations and designs. Original jewelry, functional and decorative ceramics, glass, sculpture and other one-of-a-kind designs will be available at a great savings. The Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone Cooperative Gallery is sponsored by the Flamingo Clay Studio, a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to provide affordable studio and gallery space for artists. The gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info., visit www.ClayGlass MetalStone.com or call Joyce Brown at (561) 588-8344.

Wellington Gears Up For Three-Pronged Cleanup Event April 17

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Village of Wellington will join thousands of communities nationwide in the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 17.

From approximately 8 a.m. to noon, volunteers will clean three areas: the Folkstone/Yarmouth neighborhood, the Goldenrod/ Hyacinth neighborhood and Wellington Elementary School’s Milo Mosser Nature Trail. Afterward, there will be a volunteer block party at the Safe Neighborhoods office, with food, entertainment and other items provided by Walgreens and Whole Foods Market.

“We’re really excited about the event,” Community Programs Director Ivy Fivey said. “We already have several different groups who are planning to participate.”

The Great American Cleanup is a program launched in 1999 by Keep America Beautiful, an organization that focuses on litter prevention, waste reduction and beautification by encouraging individuals to improve their communities.

The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program. In 2009, volunteers spent 5.2 million hours to improve more than 32,000 communities in all 50 states. The program runs from March 1 through May 31, though the “official” Great American Cleanup day is the Saturday before Earth Day, which is held April 22.

Wellington’s programs have been made possible in part by Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, which provides spon-

sorship opportunities for community beautification programs. Folkstone/Yarmouth and Goldenrod/Hyacinth volunteers will pick up litter along the roadway and in nearby Tiger Shark Cove and Azure parks. Other beautification efforts will also be included.

For the Safe Neighborhoods Office, the project is one of many steps in its larger goal to bring the community together and maintain a safe community, Fivey said.

The village hopes that the family-friendly event will draw volunteers from the target neighborhoods, along with Wellington as a whole. The Citizens Volunteer Organization has pledged its help, and the village hopes to have 25 to 30 volunteers at each site.

American Legion Post Open House

Wellington and American Legion Post 390 invites all veterans to attend a Veterans’ Open House at the Wellington Community Center on Thursday, May 20. The open house will provide awareness to veterans in the community of Post 390 and feature guest speakers and services offered to veterans. The open house will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call Keith Ullman at (561) 317-0774 or email ka.ullman@yahoo.com.

“Cleaning up our community is something we are trying to do year-round,” Fivey said. “The Great American Cleanup is a great way to kick start the upcoming year.”

Volunteers at Wellington Elementary will be beautifying the school’s nature trail with mulch, stepping-stones and new plants. The nature area is used by all grades as an outdoor teaching space. It hosts picnic tables, different types of plants and even a great horned owl.

This year, Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful awarded the school a $1,000 grant to beautify the nature walk, according to teacher Madeline Myers. The group also donated class sets of books on environmental issues and teacher manuals. The money has been used to provide outdoor

Garden Club Marks Earth Day

A celebration of Earth Day will be held Sunday, April 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, located at 11760 Pierson Road in Wellington. The Wellington Garden Club will have two tents housing its special events. Young attendees will pot tree seedlings of live oak, cypress and crepe myrtle that were obtained by the garden club from the National Arbor Day Foundation. Milkweed plants and flower seeds will also be available to take home and nourish.

Keynote speaker Jason Mc-

storage benches made of recyclable materials for items such as binoculars, books and magnifying glasses that allow students to enhance their studies of the nature area.

Volunteers will be planting plants, including an array of moth and butterfly host plants to attract those creatures to the area. Volunteers will also place mulch along the entire nature trail and plant some flowering bushes around the picnic table. Stepping-stones, which have been painted by the school’s art club, will also be laid. The first 15 child volunteers will have the opportunity to paint the remaining stepping-stones. All volunteers will receive t-shirts donated by Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful. After the cleanup, volunteers will meet at the Safe Neighbor-

Cobb will discuss sustainable gardening and do a presentation on vermiculture (worm habitats). This year’s junior winners of garden club essay and poetry contests will be featured. Participants will learn how to make a rain barrel and properly recycle trash. At the close of the celebration, a sabal palm tree will be planted by the garden club in honor of former member Bruce Cook.

RPB Cultural Diversity Day

The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will

hoods Office for a block party. Whole Foods Market will have a “make your own wrap” station, and there will be chips and drinks. The Safe Neighborhoods cleanup begins at 9 a.m., and those wishing to participate must register by Thursday, April 15. To register, call Meridith Tuckwood at (561) 791-4796 or stop by the Safe Neighborhoods Office at 1100 Wellington Trace. The cleanup at Wellington Elementary begins at 8 a.m., and volunteers can stop by the school for a registration form or call (561) 651-0600 for more information. Volunteers will be provided with water and snacks at all three sites, but bringing extra water is recommended. Volunteers should bring sunscreen and garden gloves, and wear closed-toed shoes.

host the annual Cultural Diversity Day celebration on Saturday, May 8 from noon to 7 p.m. at Veteran’s Park on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. at Sparrow Drive. The event promises to be more exciting than ever this year and a great opportunity to celebrate, share, learn and enjoy different and diverse cultures and heritage. There will be performances, international music, displays, artwork, food, dancing and much more. Community organizations are encouraged to participate. The event is free to the public. For more information and registration for a display booth, call Elet Cyris at (561) 791-9087.

Budget, Jobs Top Darell Bowen’s Do-List As Second Term Begins

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen told the Town-Crier this week that his focus over the next two years will be to continue making Wellington a self-sustainable community.

To achieve this, Bowen hopes to attract high-paying jobs and attract higher education to the area, expand the Safe Neighborhoods initiative and deal with the continuing foreclosure crisis.

After he is sworn in for a second term Tuesday, April 13, Bowen plans to focus on a key issue: job creation. “After tackling the budget, job creation is No. 1 on my list,” he said. “We have to do everything we can to try to attract employers.”

Wellington is working with the Palm Beach County Business

ULDC

Another Workshop Planned

continued from page 1 exceptions to residents who find themselves with nonconforming uses.

Although the 215-page document is considerably smaller than the county’s ULDC, several council members said they would like to cut the document to about 100 pages. Governments are required to have a ULDC in place one year after passage of their comprehensive plan. The town is expected to have its plan in place after litigation with Callery-Judge Grove is resolved.

More than 30 people spoke about the draft document, many expressing concern that the document would lead to changes in their lifestyles or deprive them of businesses they conduct, including animal breeding and agriculture.

Because of the large number of people who wanted to speak, Councilman Jim Rockett suggested that the council schedule another public input forum to allow better input and exchange of ideas.

RPB Crime PBSO Urges Pill Mill

Crackdown

continued from page 1 pain clinic in Lake Worth with people lined up outside to get into the clinic.

“There’s seating for 50 still inside,” he said. “You’ll notice all the out-of-state tags. This is very reminiscent to me of the crack cocaine problem that South Florida suffered back in the ’80s.”

In a six-month period, from October 2009 to March 2010, more than two million doses of OxyContin were prescribed in Palm Beach County, Coleman said. “Of the top 100 prescribing

Census Special Events Planned

continued from page 1 Education Month” in Wellington, Rodriguez said.

Marge Herzog, a member of the Loxahatchee Groves Complete Count Committee, said her group is making every effort to get an accurate count as a newly incorporated municipality.

“This is the first time the town has actually had a census that will reflect exactly what is the population within our borders,” Herzog said. “Before, it was part of the county. We never got a breakdown as to what our count was, and we think it probably is a lot higher than what the records show.”

Loxahatchee Groves has been hard-pressed to get migrant work-

Blotter

continued from page 6 en to the Palm Beach County Jail, where he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana.

APRIL 4 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded to a home on 62nd Place North last Sunday regarding a delayed vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6 p.m. last Thursday and 11 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s 2006 Toyota Tacoma and stole her wallet. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

APRIL 5 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to the WalMart Supercenter on Belvedere Road on Monday night in re-

Development Board, which helps communities attract employers to their area, Bowen said. Although Wellington has set the wheels in motion with a new expedited permitting process and the creation of the Medical Arts District, it faces stiff competition in luring highwage employers to the area.

“We’ve already done a lot of things to make it easier for employers to come here,” Bowen said. “We hope the Medical Arts District will bring in medical-related businesses and give residents greater employment opportunities.”

He said Wellington is well prepared to attract these businesses, and thinks that the village will be successful.

“We have beautiful weather and low tax rates overall,” he said. “We have a great standard of liv-

Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp said he favors another workshop, although the previous workshops were sparsely attended. Councilman Ron Jarriel agreed. “It’s good to see people, but there are many faces I have not seen,” he said.

During public comment, resident Bill Gurney said he was concerned about uses that are going on while the regulations are being developed. “Are we enforcing Palm Beach County regulations now or is it just the wild west?” Gurney asked.

Town Attorney Mike Cirullo said what exists now and is there legally but not in the code is considered a nonconforming use. “If the use is abandoned for six months or destroyed, the use must be brought up to code,” he said.

“Through attrition, over time, nonconforming uses will become conforming under code.”

Cirullo said that whatever the town decides to do, the ULDC must be consistent with the comprehensive plan.

Cirullo also explained that the ULDC is not a static document like the comp plan.

“You can change it whenever you want,” he said. “This document can be amended section by section, paragraph by paragraph as issues come up. You can con-

physicians of OxyContin in the nation, all were right here in Florida,” he said. “Every burglar and thief that we arrest, with the exception of maybe one or two, lists a drug problem as the cause that forced them to engage in that activity.”

Coleman said the profits for the resale of pain pills from the clinics are phenomenal, where the physicians writing the prescriptions make $800,000 to $1 million a year. “These are not neurosurgeons, just the bare necessities, they can write a prescription,” he said.

Coleman said the PBSO is working with legislators including State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo and State Sen. Dave Aronberg to enact laws to address the problem. “We don’t feel we have the right

ers living in the town to fill out census forms. Many of them are not legal and fear the information will get them deported, Herzog said, although the census information is confidential and cannot be used for immigration purposes.

The Loxahatchee Groves committee has organized a Guatemalan festival from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 10 at the Portuguese-American Club (13265 Okeechobee Blvd.). Free food, music, games and a raffle are planned.

A free raffle ticket will be given out to everyone who fills out a census form, said Committee Member Cindy Lou Corum.

The effort is being coordinated with the help of Acts 2 Worship Center Pastor Byron Dardon, who works with laborers at the Buena Fe day labor center on the church campus.

“We’ve also been handing out flyers to businesses where we

sponse to a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8 and 8:34 p.m., someone stole the victim’s white 1999 Chevrolet Silverado truck from the parking lot. It was last seen parked near the store’s north entrance, and the victim has the keys. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

APRIL 5 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested for drunken driving early last Monday morning following a hit-andrun on Bilbao Street in La Mancha. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was investigating a suspicious incident at the intersection of Ponce de Leon and Barcelona streets when he observed a blue truck make a wide turn onto Barcelona Street, nearly hitting the deputy’s vehicle. He

ing and good quality of life. With the ocean nearby and several golf courses in the area, it’s a very attractive place to live. There are many positives, we just need to add to those and become more competitive.”

One thing Bowen hopes to do is to bring higher education to the area. “We’re sorely lacking in higher education,” he said. “It’s no mystery why businesses choose to locate in the PGA corridor. They have access to new employees, training for current employees and research opportunities.”

The village was unable to complete a campus pact with Palm Beach State College (then Palm Beach Community College) last year, and Bowen in particular was criticized for offering the college a long-term lease on villageowned land essentially for free.

tinue to review it as long as you are a town council.”

Mayor Dave Browning pointed out that the comp plan also protects such things as the right to farm.

Aviary owner Todd McClendon said the document needs something that says “legally nonconforming.” McClendon added that he felt that the consultant had ignored the recommendations of residents during workshops.

Resident Paul Rylo said the town was founded to protect its unique lifestyles. “The citizenry is upset because every council member ran on a platform of keeping things unchanged,” Rylo said.

Susan Clubb said she came to Loxahatchee Groves in 1992 because she wanted to be in a rural community, breed birds and be in an environment that was tolerant of her business. She said she has a county occupational license to have an aviary and has state and federal licenses to build a veterinary clinic, but the new restrictions that would be placed on her would severely limit the use of her property.

Resident Cassie Suchi said she never got a survey and was surprised at the ULDC draft. “Why do we need all these restrictions?” Suchi asked. “We have a certain

ammunition,” Coleman said. “There’s a lot of loopholes. The State Attorney’s Office is working strongly on this. The sheriff put together a task force… We’ve already arrested the first couple of doctors involved in this type of activity. You can see the money involved. The clinics are buying the pills for a dollar apiece and sell them for $2 apiece. The doctor visits are $200. This is all cash money.”

Many of the clients are not addicts, he said. “There’s hierarchies here, there’s sponsors, there’s people who have the initial startup cost. They send them in there in an organized scheme to obtain these things,” Coleman said. “All these out-of-state tags you just saw, those pills that hit the street here for $16 sell up there for $35

know there are a lot of Guatemalans in order to get the message out,” Herzog said.

For English-speaking residents, the Loxahatchee Groves committee recently held a bluegrass and covered-dish event.

The incorporated areas in the western communities seem to be ahead of other county areas.

Deputy County Administrator Verdenia Baker said several areas in the county, such as the Glades and western Boca Raton, show less than a 40-percent response rate.

“The purpose of this conference today is to get the county’s participation rate up and do our fair share,” Koons said. “We need you to mail back these forms. Why this is so important is to make sure Palm Beach County receives its fair share of federal dollars. Federal funds for affordable housing, public healthcare, senior services, education, transportation and

later observed the truck traveling west on Barcelona Street with white smoke and the smell of burning rubber coming from it. He conducted a traffic stop on Galiano Street and made contact with 41-year-old Hugh Lewis. According to the report, Lewis appeared to be impaired, and the deputy conducted a DUI investigation. During the investigation, dispatch advised that there had been a hitand-run on Bilbao Street. During the investigation, it was found that the truck had caused the hit-andrun, according to the report. Lewis refused to provide a sample of his breath. He was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with driving under the influence.

APRIL 6 — Several vehicles parked outside Wellington Christian School were burglar-

Currently, Bowen plans to put out a request for proposals on the site, which he hopes will occur in the next 90 days. Although he is unsure what proposals will come back, he doubts that colleges or universities will be willing to pay much, if anything, for the land.

“People who think that a school will come back and say they are willing to give us $30 million for the land are dreaming,” he said.

“Communities have generally embraced schools coming into their area and offered them incentives. We have to be realistic about that. Some communities offer 10year tax breaks, waive impact fees or give them free land.”

Bowen also hopes that bringing higher education to the area will help continue to lower crime rates.

“It doesn’t affect just business,” he said. “It would help bring im-

lifestyle. We are a unique community. Don’t punish us for our lifestyle.”

Resident Damon Howell said that for most residents, a balance has not been reached. “When you read the document, you are shocked,” Howell said. “This is something I would give to my attorney and ask what it means. I have lived in communities where there are strict community association rules. We voted to keep it rural and keep it simple.”

Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor John Ryan agreed that a balance has to be reached. “The underlying theme has been that we have a rural lifestyle we want to preserve,” Ryan said. “We also want consideration of neighbors, which was a major consideration. Consistently we have said we don’t want people in uniforms and white trucks going out and enforcing code.”

Resident Frank Schiola urged people attending Tuesday to be at the next workshop. He said an erroneous e-mail had been sent to a large number of residents that the council was going to approve the ULDC that evening.

“Where were these people at the workshops?” Schiola asked. “We need everybody at the workshops

or $40. It’s a huge, huge enterprise, and frankly quite embarrassing for the State of Florida.”

Truancy is another issue being addressed, Coleman said.

“In Royal Palm Beach, we collect the second-highest number of truants in Palm Beach County,” he said. “This is a major concern of folks in the Willows, and I need to talk to [Royal Palm Beach High School] Principal [Guarn] Sims about shutting the gate there. We’ll work on that. They’ve cut holes in the fences, and this is a real issue for folks in the Willows.”

In another point of interest, Coleman said that of the 49 Royal Palm Beach Police Department members who were sworn in with the PBSO in a merger three and a half years ago, 31 remain in the village.

many other services are targeted directly to the population.”

Legislative bodies for congressional, state and county district representation also are determined by the number of people in the census count, he said.

Gary Hines, senior vice president of the Palm Beach County Business Development Board, said businesses use census data to base expansion and retention of companies in the county. More than $400 billion is allocated by the federal government nationwide based on census data, he added.

Patrick Franklin, president and CEO of the Urban League of Palm Beach County, who also sits on the governor’s Complete Count Committee for the statewide census initiative, said the Urban League has been active on the census for the past year.

“We have hosted job preparation and training for the census,

ized Tuesday afternoon. According to separate PBSO reports, the victims called the Wellington substation after returning from the school to find that their vehicles had been broken into. According to one report, the victim parked her car at approximately 2:10 p.m. and went inside the school to get her children. She returned at approximately 2:30 p.m. to find her front passenger window had been smashed and unknown suspects removed her purse from the vehicle. The stolen items were valued at approximately $400. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. In another report, the victim parked her car at approximately 2:25 p.m. and returned 20 minutes later to find her front passenger window smashed and her

proved education to the area and lower crime rates, which ties in with Safe Neighborhoods. It’s part of a bigger picture.”

Bowen wants to expand the Safe Neighborhoods initiative and has set lofty goals for the program.

“I’d like to see us have no crime,” he said. “I want us to be able to keep all our neighborhoods safe.”

Another problem he plans to continue addressing is residential foreclosures. The problem is getting better, he said, but there’s still a ways to go.

“I think it’s easing,” Bowen said. “More and more homes in foreclosure are being sold, which is solving a lot of problems. I think that in 12 to 18 months it could be worked out in residential areas.

But we have to stay on top of the issue and help those folks who are still in distress.”

so we can have open dialogue.”

Browning said residents should not feel that the council is trying to shut them down. He pointed out that the town’s ULDC draft is much simpler than the county document.

“There are people out here doing things that don’t conform,” he said. “We have to have a document. I’ve been out her for over 30 years and people say, ‘We have to keep it simple.’ OK, well how about the neighbor who’s got 47 Coke machines in his driveway? ‘Oh, well, no, I don’t want that.’

OK, how about the guy who’s got 14 cars up on blocks? ‘Well, no I don’t want that.’ OK, how about the guy who has 14 dogs that bark all night? ‘Well, no I don’t want that.’ These are documents we’re trying to put together. We’re trying to keep it simple. We’re trying to protect the agriculture. At the same time, we must protect people so that they’re not kept up all night, so they’re not bothered by trucks starting at four in the morning, so they have the right to live in peace and enjoy our community.”

Chick-fil-A Holds Fundraiser For Area Woman Biking For A Cause

Chick-fil-A restaurant at the Mall at Wellington Green will host an event Saturday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., to support a West Palm Beach resident who will cycle across the nation to raise money and awareness for affordable housing.

Florida State University student Olivia Matheson is preparing to bike 4,000 miles this summer with Bike & Build and will participate in one building project each week throughout the 74-day ride.

Customers who mention Matheson’s name when ordering will have 20 percent of their meal purchase price provided to fund her trip. Matheson will be on-site from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to meet customers and answer any questions regarding her quest.

“Our Chick-fil-A team is thrilled to help Olivia accomplish her goal of raising $4,000 for her Bike & Build trip,” Chick-fil-A’s Rob Rabenecker said. For more information, call (561) 333-4242.

and every day now we host individuals answering questions from the communities about the census,” Franklin said. “It is very important that all of our residents, especially our minority residents throughout the county, participate in this process.”

As a provider of family services, the Urban League depends on census data to receive funding, he said.

The Rev. Leo Abdella, chair of the Faith Based Complete Count Committee, also representing the Homeless Advisory Board, said he is glad that religious organizations have been included in obtaining an accurate census.

“Many people think that the census is not that important because it only comes around once every 10 years, however, understanding the numbers is the key to understanding the value of the census,” he said. “Many people in the faith community respond with

Louis Vuitton purse stolen. The stolen items were valued at approximately $4,700. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

APRIL 6 — A resident of Lakeside Shores called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Tuesday morning to report a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1 and 9 a.m., someone entered the victim’s home through an unlocked rear sliding glass door and stole a Polaroid 42-inch flat-screen television from the living room. The stolen item was valued at approximately $475. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

APRIL 6 — Several vehicles parked outside homes on Headwater Circle were burglarized early Tuesday morning. According to

a heart of compassion. They do work in the streets with people who are in need. We know those needs cost money, and we know that the federal dollars will only come to the communities that have stepped up and are counted.” Gloria Battle, senior partnership specialist with the U.S. Census, said she is concerned about areas in the Glades and western Boca Raton that have less than a 40-percent response. “We are targeting 30 tracts within your county,” she said.

On Saturday, the bureau will participate in a nationwide neighborhood blitz to encourage people to return the filled-out forms. Residents who have not received a form can call the 2010 Census number, which is (800) 872-6868 in English or (800) 9282010 in Spanish. Census information is also available at all county libraries. For more information, visit www.2010census.gov.

separate PBSO reports, deputies from the Wellington substation were dispatched to the homes after the victims discovered their vehicles had been broken into. According to one report, sometime between 2 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole a cell phone charger and a GPS. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. In a second report, the victim left several vehicles parked in the driveway unsecured. Sometime between 11 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. the following morning, someone stole the victim’s black Juicy Couture purse and wallet and an iPod Touch. The stolen items were valued at approximately $825. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

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• 2 years teller experience or equivalent retail or cash handling experience

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To apply, visit pnc.jobs and search by the requisition number listed above.

SEMIFINALS

“The 2010 Palm Beach Polo Season has welcomed the largest crowds since IPC’s inception in 2004, confirmation that polo at IPC is attracting scores of new fans from Miami to Jupiter.” - John Wash, President of Operations for IPC.

“It is like the old days at Palm Beach Polo and Country Club. I am so pleased that Piaget has taken such an active part in this great game.” - Mr. Yves G. Piaget.

‘Unexpected Guest’ April 15-18 At Eissey Theater

The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival continues its 20th anniversary “Season of Sensation” with Agatha Christie’s celebrated whodunit play The Unexpected Guest for a limited engagement April 15-18 at the Palm Beach State College Eissey Campus Theater in Palm Beach Gardens. Page 30

B&G Club Visits WEF With Thank-You Plaque

Representatives of the Wellington Boys & Girls Club visited the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday, April 3 to thank Mark and Katherine Bellissimo of Equestrian Sport Productions for their work organizing the FTI Great Charity Challenge last month at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Page 42

A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

Professional Home Service From Molly Maid Fits The Diverse Needs Of Clients Wellington and West Palm Beach now have access to a residential cleaning service that sophisticated consumers across the country have used for more than 25 years. Molly Maid has cleaned more than 17 million households around the globe. There’s a reason Molly Maid is the most trusted name in residential cleaning services: the company loves to clean, and it shows. Page 33

Spor ts

Wildcat Softball Squad Falls 6-5 To Visiting Boca Raton

The Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity softball team fell to Boca Raton 6-5 at home on Monday, April 5.

“We had a few errors that ended up costing us, but we came together in the end,” Wildcats coach Diane Gibbs said. Page 39

Nancy Medrano Enjoys Her Time Volunteering At ERAF

Nancy Medrano wanted a change. She ran a pet store in Chicago and was getting tired of winter’s deep freeze. She visited South Florida and found the weather suited her perfectly. She moved to Greenacres in 2005, leaving her mother to run the pet store.

As a child, Medrano had owned horses, and now as an adult, she wanted to be around horses again, more than just taking an hour’s lesson each week. She decided to investigate volunteering at a horse rescue operation. She figured it would be a way to get back into the world of equines, not to mention saving a little money. After all, riding lessons aren’t all that cheap. Medrano called a few places, but didn’t really feel a connection until visiting the Equine Rescue & Adoption Foundation.

“I spoke with them, and they invited me right out,” Medrano recalled. “I figured they’d be like a lot of operations I’d seen, kind of run-down, not much clear direction. But I was pleasantly surprised. Their place was incredibly beautiful, clean and well run. Claudia invited me to come in and sit down, and I was treated like family. Between the wonderful people and the smell of the hay, I was hooked.”

Claudia is Claudia Gunner, a staff member who, along with her husband Joe, is devoted to ERAF.

ERAF was founded in 2000 to help find homes for the increasing numbers of unwanted, neglected or abused horses. The organization gets referrals from Animal Care & Control, show barns and private individuals. When the organization began, horses were

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

placed in foster homes until ready for their “forever homes.” In 2005, ERAF leased a barn and property from the Pegasus Foundation. A horse that doesn’t work out can always be returned to the foundation.

The agency’s offices are in Jupiter and the farm is in Martin County’s Hobe Sound. ERAF has successfully re-homed 90 horses. It also offers seminars on horse care and training. Horses are unpredictable and can act quickly and dangerously, especially when frightened. A novice owner can be traumatized and hurt when trying to deal with a horse whose needs are beyond the owner’s level of expertise. ERAF seeks to prevent those situations, which often result in a horse being labeled dangerous and then being passed around. Unfortunately, this is the horse that can end up starving in a field or waiting in a kill-pen at an auction.

Medrano was so impressed with ERAF that she immediately signed up to volunteer every Wednesday. She especially enjoys a class held by Kirsten Nelson, who teaches people how to handle horses and be with them in a way that is safe and comfortable.

“I’ve owned and been around horses all my life,” Medrano said. “But this class has taught me a lot of important techniques, like making sure the horse knows and respects your personal space. This place really helps both people and horses learn, especially the horses that have trust issues.”

ERAF currently has about 20 horses, including Buddy, a five-year-old bay Paso Fino that “no one can handle,” Medrano said. “I like working with the skittish ones, especially Buddy,” she said. “I’m learning how to lead him past scary things like little bridges. I’m learning to understand why horses get this shy, and why people give up on them. It’s so sad, but I’m building up his confidence and mine as well. I know I can break the cycle for him.”

There are a lot of horses like that at ERAF, along with older horses and horses rescued from an illegal Miami slaughterhouse. Medrano sees such sadness in horses that have

no permanent homes, but she’s also touched by the people who help out. She remembers one little girl who gave up her communion money to feed a horse for a month.

“Working with a rescue group has opened up a whole other world to me,” Medrano said. “It gives me such pleasure. It’s so peaceful, being there with them. I love being with people who take time to teach other people who have never been around horses. It’s really wonderful. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help out.”

Medrano has bought a place in Loxahatchee, where she’ll be able to keep horses of her own. Naturally, she’s thinking of adopting some of the rescues, especially Buddy.

“He’s so adorable,” she said. “Maybe I’ll take him home. Maybe this year I’ll even get to ride him. He’s such a good little horse. He just needs some TLC.”

For more information about ERAF, call (772) 220-0150, or visit www.eraf.org.

Earth Day At Okeeheelee April 17

Friends of Okeeheelee Nature Center will host an Earth Day celebration at Okeeheelee Nature Center in Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) on Saturday, April 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local environmental organizations will come together for this family-fun-filled day to promote celebrating Earth Day every day. Children and adults will have the opportunity to learn about the surrounding ecosystem

through a wide variety of activities. There will be live hawks and owls on display, nature crafts for kids of all ages, a raffle, a silent auction, nature walks and animal programs throughout the day. McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary will provide animals to view. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. Reservations are required for some programs. For more info., call Maria Rigsby at (561) 233-1400.

After A Brave Battle, Cancer Claimed My Nephew Brooks

What were you doing when you were 18 years old?

Wasn’t it just one of the best times of your life? There was football and prom and going off to college. There was a feeling of being all grown up without any of the real responsibilities. No mortgages and electric bills and insurance. It wasn’t that you had a sense of entitlement; it was just that you were still blissfully ignorant.

Well, most of us were.

Brooks wasn’t that lucky.

At 15, my sister’s son Brooks fell off his skateboard and hit his knee on a concrete step. The pain was excruciating and, when it didn’t go away, his mother took him to a doctor. The diagnosis? Osteosarcoma.

None of us had heard of it. Reading online, we learned it was a rare form of cancer with a survival rate of 67 percent.

Cancer? Couldn’t be, not for Brooks.

Brooks was six feet tall, growing like a weed, and a keyboardist for a rock band.

‘Clash

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

Still, the doctors wanted to amputate his leg, before the cancer spread.

Were they kidding? Since when did the word “amputate” become a part of our daily conversation?

But amputate they did, and the problem was solved. At 16, sense of humor intact, he had a “peg” made so he could dress as a pirate for Halloween. His costume was very authentic. None of the neighbors could figure out how he had done it.

Brooks endured chemotherapy and, at 16, got a used car for his birthday. He was able

to drive the car using his new prosthetic leg.

But the cancer did spread. When he was 17, it showed up in his lungs. Doctors decided to operate, and that was OK with Brooks. “Chicks dig scars,” he said. And I guess they do. He had a very hot date for prom.

Brooks graduated from high school and, at 18, went off to UCLA. His singing ability got him accepted to the Scattertones, an elite vocal group.

But the cancer traveled again. My frantic sister was told about proton therapy, available in a nearby city, and friends pitched in to drive the 140 miles round trip to get Brooks there. Every day. For seven weeks. And that worked... for a while.

Then the cancer went for the base of his skull, his spine, his hips, his pelvis. We were reeling. Didn’t this disease know how sweet and considerate, how kind and smart this boy was? Didn’t it know he was planning to become an anesthesiologist? Wasn’t there a

mass murderer out there it could attack instead?

Brooks began to have trouble seeing and hearing.

He had to leave the university he loved. Unable to walk, he became bedridden. He got pneumonia. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t swallow. The pain was unendurable, even with morphine as a constant. He wrote notes that asked his friends to tell him funny stories and asked his mother to remind him of how things were when he was little.

Then last week he promised his younger brother, “I will be your guardian angel” and, during the night, died in his sleep. He had triumphed over his pain at last.

When his mother read his final journal entries they were, “I tried. I tried.” and “Thank you for a flawless childhood.”

I guess he and I have different definitions for “flawless.”

Brooks would have been 19 on April 8.

Of The Titans’ A Fun Flick, But A Waste Of Potential

Clash of the Titans is a fun popcorn movie. It slides down easily, and you barely realize that a couple of hours have gone by.

This is not a great movie by any means. It is not much more than a remake of a not-verygood sword and sorcery flick of 30 years ago by the same name. But the special effects now are computer-generated and modern. And you can see it in 3-D. It’s too bad the script was not similarly upgraded.

The story is more or less the same as in the original film. Perseus (Sam Worthington), the illegitimate son of Zeus (Liam Neeson), is left with a poor fisherman. After the people of Argos rebel against the gods, Perseus gets involved in trying to prevent Zeus’ brother Hades (Ralph Fiennes) from releasing the feared Kraken to destroy mankind, or at least Argos (it is not terribly clear in the film). Also, the Titans were conspicuously missing from the film, a minor point of mythology.

The main point of the film has been changed from a love story in which the gods play a pivotal role to a game of political muscle flexing. The gods, who behave abominably, are not worshipped out of love but out of fear. And some people have stopped fearing

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

them. There is a complicated subplot surrounding the Princess Andromeda (Alexa Davalos), whose parents decide to stop worshipping the gods and are cursed for it. Thus, this becomes a movie about revolution in which, indeed, the peasants pretty much are revolting (in the Mel Brooks sense of the term).

It is not a bad change in itself, but it could have used more time focusing on the setup before drifting over into what essentially became a whole series of action sequences that dominate the final half of the film. Unfortunately, while the battles are entertaining, we have seen far better in a whole series of films.

Worthington is not much of an actor. He

tends to play leading roles with limited acting demands, except occasionally for flexing muscles. But the part does not ask him to do much more than that, allowing an exceptionally good supporting cast to create interesting soldiers and others around him.

The best performance is turned in by Gemma Arterton, playing the crucial role of Io, a woman cursed by the gods for not giving into their sexual demands by being made ageless, forced to stay young while all around her wither and die. For some reason, she shepherds Perseus around for much of the film. She is a stunner, which is certainly another reason to watch the film.

The special effects were disappointing. After watching the recent Avatar, any moviemaker should have learned that special effects really need to be spectacular. The 3-D elements are disappointing, which is not surprising since the film was not originally shot in 3-D. The effects in this film are sort of pedestrian. There is a battle with giant scorpions that is not close to being as good as the ones in 1997’s Starship Troopers. The battle against Medusa was not only not great, but less enjoyable than the struggle against her in the

recent Percy Jackson and the Olympians movie, which at least had a sense of humor. And Kraken, the horrible sea monster, was actually not even more frightening than in the original movie.

I do wish really good actors like Neeson and Fiennes could do some really useful, important acting. Most of what was done seemed basically designed to show their eyes shining out of strange makeup while playing role playing games. Both deserve better than this film.

However, all of that being said, the movie was a nice way to spend a couple of brainless hours. The characterizations by the supporting actors, the lovely scenery and the enjoyable, if not spectacular, action scenes carried the audience along.

People are flocking to see the film. Why? Well, as stated earlier, it is fun. The mythology is mostly bogus and there are a lot of interesting sidebars that should have been developed more, but, let’s face it, we all want to let our hair down a bit and enjoy a guilty pleasure like this. So go, if you must, and hope that films of this genre will improve.

TurtleFest 2010 Returns To Juno Beach On Saturday, April 10

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center will host TurtleFest 2010 on Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Loggerhead Park, located at 14200 U.S. Highway One in Juno Beach.

TurtleFest is an annual event, produced by volunteers, which aims to build awareness about marine conservation and endangered sea turtles on local beaches. It is a day of fun for the whole family that features marinethemed activities such as “Vet for a Day” and an expanded Little Loggerhead Children’s Area with a bounce house, an inflatable obstacle course, bungee jumping, arts and crafts, sea turtle viewing, educational presentations, prizes and more.

The event also includes a marketplace with

more than 50 vendors, food, drinks and live entertainment.

“The event has grown from a small free community event to a major festival attracting thousands of families and supporters,” Loggerhead Marinelife Center Executive Director Nanette Lawrenson said.

Admission to TurtleFest is free, but there is a $5 children’s activity fee for unlimited fun and games. Proceeds from food and merchandise sales will help to raise funds for the rehabilitation programs and overall programming costs at the center.

Free parking and a shuttle will be available at the Florida Power & Light office at 700 Universe Blvd. Additionally, there will be a TurtleFest Kick-Off and Children’s Fun Run

on Friday, April 9 at 6 p.m. in Loggerhead Park at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. It will feature art and merchandise from local vendors and the Food Oasis with tropical libations.

Event sponsors include AccuDial Pharmaceutical, Anchor Commercial Bank, the Benjamin School, DD’s Cupcake Shoppe, Florida Power & Light, Genesis Dermatology, KOOL 105.5 FM, the Loggerhead Club & Marina, the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, The Palm Beach Post, the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, the Palm Beach County Department of Parks & Recreation, the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council, Paramount Chiropractic, Physicians Choice Laser Center of Jupi-

ter, the Healey Family, the Town of Juno Beach and Waste Management.

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a nonprofit organization, is committed to the conservation of marine life through public education, research and rehabilitation with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. In addition to providing educational programs, the center operates a sea turtle rehabilitation program and features aquariums and other marine exhibits.

The center, located at 14200 U.S. Highway One in Juno Beach, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.marinelife.org or call (561) 6278280.

Armory Art Center — The Armory Art Center is excited to bring a series of theme-based sessions to elementary school children for this year’s summer camp. Experienced instructors have developed projects relating to the themes of each week. Activities are age-appropriate and focus on your child’s artistic and creative development. One-week sessions run from June 7 through Aug. 6. Extended care is available. For more information, call (561) 832-1776 or visit at www.ArmoryArt.org.

Breakers West Summer Camp — Enjoy the summer of a lifetime! Breakers West Summer Camp offers something for everyone.Campers, ages five to 14, are invited to join the Breakers West counselors for daily swimming instruction, as well golf, tennis, basketball and soccer play. Campers will also enjoy arts & crafts, cooking classes, wildlife demonstrations, science experiments, magic shows and much more. Breakers West Summer Camp is available Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 7 through Aug. 13 (excluding July 5-9). Weekly sessions are $300 per camper, per week, with a one-time registration fee of $35, which includes a camp essentials gift bag. Discounts are available to families registering multiple children and/or for multiple sessions. This summer, Breakers West is also pleased to offer sessions for professional golf and tennis instruction and after care. Space is limited, so don’t wait to reserve your place at Breakers West Summer Camp 2010. For more information, or to register, call (561) 653-6333.

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

Loxahatchee Country Preschool — The Loxahatchee Country Preschool has been here for 20 years and provides a safe environment with small ratios for summer campers, which means children are well supervised. Throughout the summer, the camp program offers arts and crafts, field trips (which the management team attends), swimming lessons in the school’s swimming pool, Spanish lessons, movies, a bounce house, golf, bowling and more in-house activities. A free pizza lunch will be provided on Fridays. It’s a safe environment while providing an excellent educational program! In a letter sent to the school, the Kings Academy wrote, “What preschools are better prepared for Kings? Loxahatchee Country Preschool was mentioned with enthusiasm!” Call (561) 790-1780 for more information.

“SUMMER OF FUN” ENRICHMENT CAMP

Noah’s Ark — Noah’s Ark is located on Okeechobee Blvd in Loxahatchee Groves. They offer free all-day VPK. Lower rates and special registration for fall. Meals are included. Noah’s Ark offers care for infants and preschool children as well as after-school care. Se habla Espanol. Conveniently located at 14563 Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves elementary schools. Call (561) 753-6624 for more info.

Ra Ra Ra Ra Rav v ven en enw w ood Riding A Riding ood Riding A Riding Academ cadem cadem cadem cademy y — has been located in Wellington for 20 years. Learn to ride at Camp Giddy-Up! Meet new friends and have fun all summer long learning about horses. The summer program consists of weekly sessions from June through August for children six years and up, with a focus on fun, and an emphasis on safety. Lessons daily, groups are limited to 10 to 12 campers per week and grouped by skill level. All riding equipment and safety stirrups are provided. The program features demonstrations with veterinarians, blacksmiths and equine dentists. We are licensed and Insured. To register today call (561) 793-4109 or visit www.ravenwoodridingacademy.com. Hurry, sessions fill up quickly.

Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool If your child is between 2 and 6 years old, “Summer of Fun” Enrichment Camp at Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool is the place to be! Here, your child will enjoy a variety of fun activities that will make them smile, while promoting learning and social development. Activities include: arts & crafts, gymnastics, computers, sports, nature, cooking, water play and our new, state-of-the-art playground. They’re sure to love our weekly entertainment, including magic shows, storytellers and animal shows. All of this in a loving and nurturing environment. Eight Weeks, Full & Part-Time. Free summer VPK. Now enrolling for Preschool 2010-2011. Call Sandy for more info (561) 7932649 or psdirector@templebethtorah.net

Temple Beth Zion Preschool — Temple Beth Zion is where children of all faiths learn and play together. The preschool offers a fun-filled summer program in a safe, loving environment. The ratios are small and the staff is dedicated and caring. TBZ has a strong academic program with small classes during the school year. Registration is now open for the summer and for fall sessions of preschool and religious school. The school is APPLE accredited and offers free VPK pre-kindergarten with no hidden fees. Temple Beth Zion is located at 129 Sparrow Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 798-3737 for more information.

The Camp at St. David’s — The Camp at St. David’s is designed for young children ages three to eight and summer VPK is also available. This year’s theme is “Under the Sea” and each week, campers will investigate creatures that live in God’s oceans. Activities include Bible stories, crafts, water play, music and movie day. Camp runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Sign up for two days or five days, one week or the whole summer. For more info., call (561) 7931272.

‘The Unexpected Guest’ April 15-18 At Eissey Campus Theater

A beautiful woman, a dead man and a mysterious stranger arriving at a fog-covered house by the sea — thus begins the celebrated whodunit by the original crime writer of all times, Agatha Christie. The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival continues its 20th anniversary “Season of Sensation” with Christie’s play The Unexpected Guest for a limited engagement April 15-18 at the Palm Beach State College Eissey Campus Theater in Palm Beach Gardens.

Considered the “Queen of Crime” Agatha Christie’s broad appeal is revealed in The Unexpected Guest. All is not what it seems to be in this classic Christie mystery. Arriving unexpectedly one night, Michael Starkwedder (played by festival veteran Patrick Wilkinson) happens upon the dead body of Richard Warwick with Richard’s wife Laura (played by Greta Von Unruh) holding the gun. Appearances are deceiving, however, and the tale unfolds in a series of secrets revealed and plot twists unraveled, leaving the audience guessing the identity of the murderer to the very end. The cast also features Drama Desk winner Margot Hartman Tenney, and festival performers Krys Parker, David Hyland, Alan Gerstel, John Carlisle and Kyle Schnack.

Coming after the successful run of the festival’s season-opening show The Woman in Black at the company’s new home in Carlin Park, The Unexpected Guest is a selection that is a long time coming, according to Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival Executive Director Kermit Christman. “The entire season is a celebration of all the festival has accomplished in 20 years,” Christman said. “We have chosen to present three wildly popular se-

lections of shows as a way to give back and to say thanks to our thousands of supporters who have made our 20 years such a success.”

Among those longtime supporters are the Molly Bee Fund, the Hartman Foundation, Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and Publix Supermarket Charities.

The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival’s production of The Unexpected Guest runs April 15-18 at the

Eissey Campus Theatre at Palm Beach State College (11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens). Show times at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $25 general admission and $10 for students. For tickets and group information, call the Eissey Campus Theatre box office at (561) 2075900. Visit www.pbshakespeare. org for more information about the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival’s 20th anniversary season.

Palm Beach Opera Presents Carmen April 9-12 At Kravis

Palm Beach Opera is presenting its last opera of the 2009-10 season with Georges Bizet’s Carmen April 9-12. All main-stage performances will be staged at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). All operas feature English supertitles.

Noted designer-director John Pascoe returns from his recent success with Fidelio and has Palm Beach Opera “going green” as he redesigns the Fidelio set to create a stylish and colorful new production of Carmen reminiscent of the architecture of Old Town Seville.

For this production sung in French, Palm Beach Opera hands the baton to acclaimed young French conductor Jean-Luc Tingaud. Tingaud is a specialist in the French repertoire, including Fauré, Massenet, Auber and Bizet, and is associate conductor at the Opéra Comique in Paris, where Carmen received its premiere in 1875.

Viktoria Vizin, who has sung the title role at the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Washington National Opera, Covent Garden and all over Europe, stars in the title role alongside Andrea Carè, a student of the late Luciano Pavarotti, making his United States debut as Don José on Friday and Sunday. The two will also perform in the Carmen Family Opera on Saturday, April 10 at 1 p.m.

Magdalena Wór, a semi-finalist in last season’s vocal competition and graduate of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at the Washington National Opera, and Puerto Rican tenor Rafael Dávila, whose opera appearances have tak-

en him to New Zealand, Canada, all over Europe and the U.S., will perform the roles of Carmen and Don José respectively on Saturday evening and the Monday matinee.

The Family Opera performance is an abridged 90-minute version of Carmen, featuring musical highlights sung by Palm Beach Opera’s Young Artists as well as narration of the story and English translations projected above the stage. Set changes are conducted with an open curtain, providing a “behind the scenes” peek at an opera production. After the performance, families are invited to meet the artists for photos and autographs in the lobby.

Georgia Jarman returns to Palm Beach Opera as Micaëla after her successful performances in Palm Beach in the title roles in Thaïs and La Traviata, and two-time Grammy Award winner Nmon Ford sings the role of the matador Escamillo. In addition to several members of the Young Artist Program singing comprimario roles, the production also features the Palm Beach Opera chorus, dancers and supernumeraries, as well as a guest appearance by the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches.

Palm Beach Opera’s season culminates on April 25 with its always exciting 41st annual vocal competition and grand finals concert. Ticket prices range from $23 to $175 for single tickets with group rates also available. Single tickets may also be purchased through the Kravis Center at (800) KRAVIS-1 or www.kravis.org. For additional information about Palm Beach Opera, call (561) 833-7888 or visit www.pbopera.org.

‘Culinary Creations’ Dinner Set For May 17 At Kravis Center

The American Culinary Federation Palm Beach County Chefs Association will hold the 11th annual Culinary Creations dinner on May 17 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). The spectacular culinary dinner, inspired by some of the region’s most talented chefs, will benefit Quantum House and the Palm Beach County Chefs in Distress Endowment Fund.

Culinary Creations celebrates the extraordinary talents of some of the finest chefs in South Florida. This unique evening is unlike any other food and wine event in Palm Beach County. Guests enter into an amazing champagne reception featuring delectable hors d’oeuvres. A crowd

favorite in 2009 was the slider bar prepared by the Kravis Center chefs. The foodie-themed evening flows into the silent auction. Guests can bid on private chef dinners, wine tastings and even a year’s supply of Panera bagels and coffee.

The once-in-a-lifetime dinner features four amazing courses served round robin style. Guests have the opportunity to experience a dish from each of the 20 chefs such as lobster and roasted corn pot pie, lamb osso bucco cannelloni and crab-crusted local yellowtail snapper. Some of the participating clubs and restaurants include the Riverhouse, the Sailfish Club of Florida, Top of the Point, the Breakers and Café L’ Europe.

Diners will leave with a full stomach and a full heart because 100 percent of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit deserving charities.

“The chefs do an astounding job highlighting their talents, and Quantum House is thrilled to be a part of this fantastic event,” Quantum House Executive Director Robi Jurney said. “You’ll never have a chance to have all of these awardwinning chefs under one roof preparing such a gourmet feast.”

Tickets are on sale now for only $125 per person or $1,000 per table of 10 and can be purchased at www.quantumhouse.org. For more information about the Quantum House, call (561) 494-0515.

Professional Home Service From Molly Maid Fits The Diverse Needs Of Clients

Wellington and West Palm Beach now have access to a residential cleaning service that sophisticated consumers across the country have used for more than 25 years. Molly Maid, the home service professionals, cleans two homes every minute across the United States. In fact, Molly Maid has cleaned more than 17 million households around the globe.

There’s a reason Molly Maid is the most trusted name in residential cleaning services: the company loves to clean, and it shows. Molly Maid is renowned for reliability and dependability. It services time-strapped families who prefer to spend their personal time pursuing leisure and recreational activities rather than cleaning their homes.

Molly Maid sends out a trained team of two uniformed service professionals to your home. They arrive in vehicles marked with the Molly Maid logo, complete with all cleaning equipment and supplies. Each Molly Maid cleaning professional is required to complete an extensive training program that emphasizes quality. You’ll feel safe and comfortable knowing Molly Maid’s employees are screened and properly insured and bonded. They are always polite and respectful. A minimum of one team member speaks conversational English; you will always be able to communicate and understand them.

The Molly Maid program is simple: clients provide a list of their priorities from the menu. Molly Maid then customizes the cleaning schedule in accordance with the client’s needs. The fee is based on the time it takes to complete each assigned task to their satisfaction.

Clients can choose from any number of tasks including: dusting fans, baseboards, air conditioning vents, furniture, window blinds, picture frames, knick-knacks or anything they can think of. Change sheets and linens from a single bed or all the beds. Clean all the glass sliders and tracks or just the heavily used ones. Clean and sanitize all the bathrooms or only the master bathroom. Expecting overnight guests? It’s time to freshen the guest room. You can change your priorities from appointment to appointment. Pet fur accumulating? No problem. Molly Maid knows just what to do. You tell their professionals the tasks that

are important to you, and they’ll do it. It’s that easy!

Molly Maid services all of Palm Beach County, and accepts appointments Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Molly Maid offers a wide variety of service plans. Clients may book a cleaning team for as little as an hour or have them stay until everything is cleaned and refreshed.

Molly Maid’s most popular plans are every-week service or service every other week. If you don’t need or want service as often, the company is happy to accommodate every three weeks or once a month. It also offers service seasonally or annually.

Clients never sign a contract with Molly Maid. Client satisfaction with the company’s performance is the contract. Molly Maid is confident that if you’re satisfied with the job they do, you’ll want them to keep coming back, and likely refer them to your friends as well.

Molly Maid offers free in-home estimates by appointment. Find out what 17 million households already know. For additional information, call (561) 361-1461 or visit www.mollymaid.com.

BUSINESS

RPB-Based Farm Credit Will Return Millions To Members

In these difficult financial times, when most banks are broke and asking taxpayers and governments for help with stimulus packages and bailouts, Farm Credit of South Florida is planning on returning millions of dollars back to its member-borrowers in the form of patronage refund checks at the Royal Palm Beach-based firm’s upcoming annual stockholders’ meeting.

The 94-year-old agricultural credit cooperative will hold its annual stockholders’ meeting in April at the Binks Forest Golf & Country Club in Wellington and will distribute checks to those members in attendance. Chairman of the Board Woody Larson will kick off the luncheon meeting with a financial

state-of-the-association report for the expected 100 to 200 guests and members.

“Our patronage refund is equivalent to returning 14 cents of each dollar in interest paid back to our member-borrowers,” said Don Rice, CEO and president of the 800-member association. “Once again, Farm Credit of South Florida had a successful year, and we are pleased to be able to share that success with our member-borrowers by sharing the profits. Unlike commercial banks that pay dividends to their Wall Street investors, we pay dividends to our member-borrowers in the form of patronage refunds.”

Since 1988, the agriculture credit association has distributed more than $87 million

back to borrower-members. Under the direction of Rice, Farm Credit of South Florida has experienced record performance in recent years with regard to loan volume and credit quality.

The four branch offices of Farm Credit are located in Homestead, Royal Palm Beach, Okeechobee and Vero Beach, and serve many of Florida’s leading growers, packers, processors and producers of fresh citrus, leafy greens and vegetables, refined sugar, processed rice and tropical fruit, and the equestrian, dairy and cattle industries.

“Qualified business owners from all agribusinesses, as well as those from non-traditional industries like lifestyle farmers and

SunPass Now Available For PBIA Parking

Officials from Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise and Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) are pleased to announce that SunPass customers can now enjoy the ease and convenience of using their SunPass transponder to pay for parking at PBIA by opting into the SunPass Plus program.

“Shared services such as this are an additional value for SunPass customers,” said SunPass Deputy Director of Toll Operations Orlando Torres. “This should prove to be of great value to them.”

PBIA is the first of the South Florida airports to implement SunPass Plus.

“Business customers like the fact that their parking receipt is e-mailed to them automatically via their SunPass account. Everybody likes the fact they don’t have to wait in line,” said PBIA Deputy Director of Finance & Administration Michael Simmons. SunPass Plus is also available at the Tampa and Orlando airports. Eventually it will be available at the Fort Lauderdale and Miami Inter-

national airports as well.

SunPass customers must elect the “easy pay” replenishment option. Then look for the SunPass Plus logo when entering and exiting the airport’s parking garage. If their e-mail address is registered with SunPass, an electronic parking receipt will be sent to them immediately. The parking charge will also appear on their account activity statement. The easy pay replenishment option can be selected at www.sunpass.com or by calling customer service at (888) 865-5352.

hobby farmers, are excellent candidates for Farm Credit of South Florida’s quality products and services,” Larson said. “The nontraditional agricultural business owners are learning what traditional farmers have known about Farm Credit for almost 100 years — that we are the largest single lender of dependable, competitive agricultural credit in America.”

Farm Credit of South Florida currently has over $600 million in outstanding loans to businesses and individuals directly involved with agricultural products or services in Southeast Florida. For more information, contact Lyn Cacella at (800) 432-4156 or visit www.farmcreditsfl.com.

Riverside Donates To Food Bank

Riverside National Bank recently donated $1,000 to the Treasure Coast Food Bank.

Riverside Bank St. Lucie County President Pat Alley heard there was a real need at the food bank and wanted to do something to help.

“Riverside feels strongly about giving back to our community, and this donation will help assist many good folks in our community that are having a difficult time feeding their families,” Alley said.

The mission of the TCFB is to obtain and distribute food and needed products through partner agencies to help alleviate hunger in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties. Every $1 donation provides five meals to hungry people. This means that Riverside Bank’s donation will stay local and will feed 5,000 people in the four county areas.

Riverside Bank was able to make this donation because of the bank’s self-serve coin machines, which are located in most Riverside banking locations. The bank charges a fivepercent fee but donates 100 percent of the money back to local charities.

For more information about the Treasure Coast Food Bank or to

regional area manager Diana Miskow.

make a monetary or food donation, visit the food bank’s web site at www.treasurecoastfoodbank.org or call (772) 489-5676.

Since 1982, Riverside Bank has been helping people across Florida manage their money and achieve financial goals through a hometown style of banking. The bank is known for friendly service, helpful solu-

tions and local decision-making, as well as local community involvement. Its hometown style of banking has made Riverside one of Florida’s fastest-growing, independent and locally owned community banks serving customers in 40 communities throughout Florida.

For more information, visit www.riversidenb.com.

ABWA Chapter To Meet May 12, Celebrates 28 Years

The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will host its monthly meeting Wednesday, May 12 at the PGA Doubletree Hotel.

Networking will take place from 6 to 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and program beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $35, and guests are welcome.

The speaker for the evening will be Katie Deits from the Lighthouse Center for the Arts. The topic will be, “How an appreciation and interest in the arts can help you personally and professionally.”

To make reservations, or for more information, call Sharon Maupin at (561) 624-3816.

The Doubletree is located at 4431 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens.

In other American Business Women’s Association news, the Northern Palm Beach Chapter was

recognized by the national headquarters for its 28th year of operation.

In a congratulatory letter to the chapter, ABWA Executive Director Rene Street wrote, “Each member of the organization is part of a dynamic national network of women who are achieving extraordinary personal and professional goals through ABWA. As we recognize our past accomplishments and expand our horizons for the future, we focus on this year’s national theme, ‘Celebrate the Success.’”

The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others.

For more information about the chapter, call Carol O’Neil at (561) 389-1227.

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

‘Let’s Move’ To Create A Healthier Generation

By Lynette Laufenberg Special To The Town-Crier

It’s our move. Our kids need to eat healthier food. They need to be more active. We — parents, teachers, doctors, grocers and businesspeople — need to join together. We can’t let this generation grow up more likely to get diabetes, cancer or heart disease.

“Let’s Move” on this crisis! Childhood obesity or excess weight threatens the healthy future of one-third of American children. We spend $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions, and that number is growing. Obesity rates tripled in the past 30 years, a trend that means, for the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents.

“Let’s Move” has an ambitious but important goal: solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. There are four parts to this goal, each of these working interdependently with the other.

It starts with making healthy choices. Begin with healthy shopping at the grocery store, and this turns into healthy cooking, which turns into healthy eating. Helping our schools to become healthier by establishing rigorous standards for schools’ food quality, provide more physical activity like recess and physical education, and teach nutrition education. Increase physical activity to a minimum of 60 minutes a day in order for children to grow up at a healthy weight, and modernize the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge. Lastly, create a

We need to get moving. Community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads will join First Lady Michelle Obama in “Let’s Move,” a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.

movement toward more grocery stores in communities where access to affordable, quality and nutritious foods is limited, along with encouraging convenience stores to carry healthier options.

Our work, work, work, all-digital-all-the-time world isn’t healthy for us or our kids. We need ways for the whole family to band together. Parents are looking for tips and tools to help our kids choose good food; to help them learn that shooting hoops with friends beats shooting aliens with a laser. Kids were meant to move! Bodies are meant to be used! The best way to encourage this is for their parents to move with them.

We also need to ask ourselves the following questions: Do I exercise on a regular basis? What type of foods do I buy at the grocery store? If you put it in your house, your family is going to eat it! Do you want to treat your body as the one and only

that it is? Start taking care of yourself and your family!

If you are looking to make a change for the better in your whole family, Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do has the tools for you to do just that. At Ultima Fitness, we are doing our part to influence the next generation. Kids can join the gym, either working out with a parent or on their own. You can do your part as a parent by setting the example. There is something for everyone, including the youngest members of your family. Xtreme Tae Kwon Do has classes for kids to start at age three. Feel free to come in and experience what we have to offer with the free one-week pass below to the gym and a free tae kwon do class. What have you got to lose, other than a few extra pounds?

Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do is in the Wellington Plaza at 12799 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For

more information, call (561) 7952823 or visit Ultima’s web site at www.ultimafitness.com.

Lynette Laufenberg is fitness/program director at Ultima Fitness/ Xtreme Tae Kwon Do. She is an ACE-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

Health & Fitness Spotlight Sponsored By Ultima Fitness Of Wellington

SPORTS & RECREATION

Wildcat Softball Squad Falls 6-5 To Visiting Boca Raton

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity softball fell to Boca Raton 6-5 at home on Monday, April 5.

“Their team had a nice hit,” Wildcats coach Diane Gibbs said. “We had a few errors that ended up costing us, but we came together in the end.”

The Bobcats took the lead in the third inning when Natalie Fraley singled to left field and stole second base. Wildcats pitcher Cara Veclotch walked Lauren Brooke. Brooke LaCasse followed with a ground ball that bounced off the glove of shortstop Tarin Knott to load the bases. After Pepper Butler swung at a pitch and missed, catcher Alex Marionakis tried to pick Fraley off third, but the throw went into left field and Fraley scored.

Marionakis atoned for the mistake when she walked and moved to second on a single by Erica Lloyd. Marionakis scored on Jenna Bellach’s hit to tie the game at 1.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lauren Nickerson hit a home run to right field to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. Knott singled to right field and took second on a hit by Veclotch. Knott scored on a Marionakis hit to center field for a 3-1 RPBHS lead.

The Bobcats cut the lead to 3-2 in the sixth inning when Butler walked, advanced to second on a hit by Carly Camito, stole third and was driven in by Kendra DeLong.

But the Wildcats answered with a bunt by Gloria Carrion that was dropped by the infield, allowing her to score, making it a 4-2 game.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Bobcats took control. Julie Kalpakjian singled to left field. Fraley drove her to second with a hit, and another hit by LaCasse loaded the bases. Butler then tripled to center field to drive in all three runners for a 5-4 lead. Butler scored on an error to make it 6-4.

But the Wildcats didn’t lose heart, Gibbs said. “They brought each other back up,” she

said. “When we were up to bat it was just cheering and chanting nonstop.”

Lloyd and Bellach were walked, putting them on base with no outs. Then Brandy Peterson hit a ground ball to the infield and charged to first base, where the Bobcats first baseman was standing over the plate just as the ball came toward them, which resulted in a collision that took both players down, causing the first baseman to drop the ball. But it gave Lloyd the opportunity to score the last run of the game.

“The short game is going to be pivotal in these next couple of games,” Gibbs said, adding that they were particularly looking forward to the upcoming game against Wellington. “It was a close game last year, but we won, so I think they’re looking for a little revenge.”

The Wildcats hosts Grandview Preparatory School on Friday, April 9. They travel to Wellington on Tuesday, April 13 for a 7 p.m. game.

Spring Sports Teams Head Down The Home Stretch At WHS Wolverine Watch

To steal a line from NBC horse racing announcer Dave Johnson, “and down the stretch they come.” The final nine weeks of the Wellington High School year are here, and the school’s athletic teams are ready for a strong finish. Baseball, softball, boys volleyball, boys lacrosse and boys tennis are still in full force.

With six games remaining in the regular season, the boys varsity baseball team stands at 18-1.

Led by pitchers Andrew Istler (6-0), who has a 1.75 ERA and Julian Ovalle (3-1), the Wolverines’ only loss came against area powerhouse Park Vista on March 26. Senior Sean Murrell (.591), Istler (.543), sophomore Peter Rivera (.467) and senior T.J. Malone (.684) lead the Wolverines in hitting. Murrell leads the district in home runs with four and runs batted in with 21. Palm Beach Central’s Alex Hernandez trails closely in home runs, and the Broncos’ Joey Stark is

By Josh Hyber

near the lead in RBIs. Istler leads the district in runs scored.

Wellington defeated Palm Beach Lakes 201 on Tuesday, April 6. The team concludes its regular season with tough games against Lake Brantley, West Boca Raton and Palm Beach Central.

According to Max Preps, a high school sports web site that ranks high school teams throughout the country, the Wolverines rank 33rd in the state, with crosstown rival Palm Beach Central at 39. Wellington visits Palm

Beach Central in the regular season finale April 20.

The Wolverines’ softball team has a 12-5 record. Behind the play of senior shortstop Ali Lowe and freshman pitcher Corrie Boggess (10-4), the team is on pace to make the district playoffs, which start April 19. The final home game, Senior Night, will be Tuesday, April 13 against Royal Palm Beach.

For the boys volleyball team, senior Jose Cabrera and juniors Scott Witkowski and Rex Kirby have led the team to a 7-5 record. The squad had a promising start, with a solid showing at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. The team ranked as high as sixth in the state. Recently though, losses have dropped the team out of the top 10.

The boys lacrosse team finished its regular season with a 4-7 record. On Feb. 25, the team had its high point of the year with a comeback victory over Belen Jesuit. Once trailing by five goals, the Wolverines came back to

win 9-8. The team defeated Park Vista 8-7 behind three goals by Brad Bentz in its first playoff game Tuesday, April 6. The leading goal scorers are senior Zach Shulman and junior Bentz, each with more than 20 goals.

The boys tennis team has won all 11 matches this year, extending its regular-season consecutive winning streak to 26. Juniors Travis Michaud and Ben Aqua, the No. 1 and No. 2 players, have gone 7-1 and 7-0, respectively. Freshman Ennio Matute and senior Juan Lopez have also made notable tennis contributions. Along with freshman Arthur Strappazzon, they have filled in the holes that were left after last year. The Wolverines will play in the district tournament on April 13, where they are favorites to advance to the regional finals.

As summer looms and seniors count down days until graduation, something other than vacation is on the minds of many at WHS: playoff sports.

Royal Palm Bassmasters Fish On Lake Kissimmee

On March 13-14, the Royal Palm Bassmasters held its monthly tournament out of Lake Kissimmee.

The first-place team was Darrell Waite (boater) with nine fish weighing 21 lbs., 7 oz. and partner Randy King (non-boater) with 10 fish weighing 29 lbs., 14 oz, for a team weight of 51 lbs., 5 oz.

The second-place team was Mike Gershberg (boater) with 10 fish weighing 21 lbs., 11 oz. and partner Dan Washington (non-boater) with seven fish weighing 9 lbs., 7 oz. for a team weight of 31 lbs., 2 oz.

The third-place team was Larry Payne (boater) with eight fish weighing 12 lbs., 13 oz. and partner Hoot Decker (non-boater) with eight fish weighing 12 lbs., 14 oz. for a team weight of 25 lbs., 11 oz.

Big Fish and Lunker Fund on Saturday was awarded to Darrell Waite with a bass weighing 8 lbs., 2 oz. Big Fish and Lunker Fund on Sunday was awarded to Mike O’Connor with a bass weighing 8 lbs., 3 oz.

If you are interested in joining the Royal Palm Bassmasters, call Mike Gershberg at (561) 371-5652.

P.B. FOOLS, WHS Football Coaches Team Up For Fundraiser

It’s an old-school sport played for a modern-school cause. It’s an event that emphasizes the “fun” in fundraiser.

The Palm Beach FOOLS charitable group and Wellington High School have teamed up for the first FOOLS Coaches’ Dodgeball Challenge. It benefits FOOLS charities and Wellington High School’s football team.

Head Football Coach Chris Romano and his team from the WHS

coaching staff will challenge all teams, but in this game, the teams should be age 18 and over.

“For the guys my age, they’ll get into it,” Romano said. “I think it will be fun, and I’d like to use the harder balls than what the students use.”

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Lt. Tony Andrewson will be bringing a team to represent the FOOLS, the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society, which promotes training, camaraderie and charitable works

among firefighters. He invites all the fire-rescue battalions to enter teams. Even the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office might want to put together a challenge team, Andrewson said. Each team will have six people with a few subs allowed.

“Remember the movie, Dodgeball. If you get hit with the ball, you’re out. If you can catch the ball, the thrower is out,” Andrewson said.

The event takes place in the WHS gymnasium Sunday, May 23 from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The teams will gather afterward at the Gypsy’s Horse.

“Bring your banners and your cheering section,” Romano said. “Teams are welcome to get sponsors as well.”

The event is open to the first 48 teams to register. Registration is $100, and the deadline for registration is May 15. For more information, call Andrewson at (561) 6320009.

Legion Post 367 Baseball Tryouts April 11 & 18

Tryouts for the 17U American Legion Baseball Post 367 team will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 11 and Sunday, April 18 at Acreage Community Park, located on 140th Avenue North south of Orange Blvd. For more information, call manager Robert Pettet at (561) 790-6543.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day

As part of a nationwide effort to encourage kids to get moving, the YMCA of the Palm Beaches will host YMCA Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Edwin W. Brown YMCA branch at 2085 S. Congress Ave., West Palm Beach.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is the nation’s largest health day for kids and families. The event will feature music, arts and crafts, painting, dancing, kids zumba, food, entertainment, immunizations, games and more.

YMCA of the Palm Beaches will also provide resources to help educate adults about making healthy choices for their families. The event is a part of the YMCA’s larger efforts to help more people to become physically active. For more info., call Lizette Matias at (561) 727-3771.

Wellington Offers Summer Programs

Spring has sprung, and now it’s time to begin making plans for the summer. The Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) has a variety of special camps for children from toddlers to teenagers. Residents can choose from art, Spanish, acting and drama, ballet, tumbling, cheerleading, hip hop and karate. The Wellington Community Center also offers a variety of fitness programs such as pilates, yoga or yogilates. For specific details on programs at the Wellington Community Center, visit www. wellingtonfl.gov, call (561) 753-2484 or stop by.

B&G CLUB VISITS WEF WITH THANK-YOU PLAQUE

Representatives of the Wellington Boys & Girls Club visited the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday, April 3 to thank Mark and Katherine Bellissimo of Equestrian Sport Productions for their work organizing the FTI Great Charity Challenge last month at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The Wellington Boys & Girls Club was one of the event’s big winners, taking home over $100,000. Club members brought along a special plaque in recognition of the donation.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, April 10

• The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 2010 Great Strides Walk will take place on Saturday, April 10 at 8 a.m. at Wellington Landings Middle School. For more info., visit http://greatstrides.cff.org or call (561) 6839965.

• Emerald Cove Middle School in Wellington will host a Giant Garage Sale on Saturday, April 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school courtyard. Participants can rent a table for $20 or come to pick up some bargains. Profits will be split between St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and to purchase technology for classrooms. E-mail freese@ palmbeach.k12.fl.us for more info.

• Registration for the coming season of Acreage Tackle Football will take place at Acreage Community Park on April 10 and April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and April 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. The $180 registration fee includes a game jersey with the player’s name on the back, game pants, belt and matching socks. There is a $5 per child discount for parents who register more than one child. Visit www.acreageyouthfootball. com for more info.

• The Wellington Garden Club will feature “A Garden Tour & More” on Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Six area gardeners will open their natural wonders to the public as part of the fundraiser. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Giverny Garden Center in Jupiter (550 Center St.), Whole Foods Market on State Road 7 in Wellington or the Delray Garden Center (3827 W. Atlantic Ave.). Day-of-event tickets are available for $20 at the First Baptist Church of Wellington (12700 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Children 15 and under are free. For more info., visit www.wellington gardenclub.org, e-mail gardentourtix@aol. com or call (561) 790-4347.

• The Asphalt Angels and the Make-AWish Foundation will host the 16th annual Spring Fling Dinner Dance & Car Show on Saturday, April 10. The car show will take place at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, with registration from 10 a.m. to noon. The dinner dance will start at 6 p.m. at the American Polish Club on Lake Worth Road. For more info., call Larry Weld at (561) 7956281 or visit www.asphaltangelscarclub. org.

• Muriel “Mickie” Siebert will speak at the League of Women Voters’ 90th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon on Saturday, April 10 following its annual meeting at 10

a.m. at the Crown Plaza Hotel (1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach). Tickets cost $35 each, and non-members are welcome. For more info., call Emily Rosen at (561) 477-8727.

• Registration for the new Acreage 2010 Pop Warner Football League will take place on Saturday, April 10, 17, 24 and May 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Fellowship Church (13969 Orange Blvd.). The league is open to all Acreage and surrounding area kids ages 7 to 15. Call Lance Bradford at (561) 792-5492 for more info. Visit www.popwarner.com for information about Pop Warner football.

• The Seminole Ridge High School athletic department will host the second annual Ridge Classic Golf Tournament fundraiser Saturday, April 10 at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Entry is $125 per golfer, $500 for a foursome and $100 for SRHS students. Tee time is 1:30 p.m. For more info., call (561) 422-2611.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Meet the Author: Pam Carey” on Saturday, April 10 at 2:30 p.m. for adults. Meet the author of Minor League Mom: A Mother’s Journey through the Red Sox Farm Teams. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• St. David’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church in Wellington will host an Art Show on Saturday, April 10 in the parish hall. There will be a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception to preview the art from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and a live auction from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. The church is located at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For more info., call Samantha Conroy at (561) 319-6111.

• Life coach Cary Bayer will teach a class titled “How to be at Peace with Anyone” on Saturday, April 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Yoga Inner Peace (3964 Lake Worth Road). The cost is $15. For more info., call (561) 641-8888.

Sunday, April 11

• Community of Hope Church in Loxahatchee Groves will celebrate the groundbreaking of its first-ever worship facility on Sunday, April 11. Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with an outdoor worship service on church property (corner of Okeechobee Blvd. and E Road). Following that will be a picnic, family-oriented activities and sports. For more info., call (561) 753-8883 or visit www.communityofhope.org.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 44

• MorseLife Inc., Tradition of the Palm Beaches, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and the Jewish Family and Children’s Service will host a Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Event on Sunday, April 11 at Tradition of the Palm Beaches (4920 Loring Drive, West Palm Beach). The event is free and open to the public. For more info., or to RSVP, call (561) 687-5749.

Monday, April 12

• The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors will meet Monday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the district office (101 West D Road). Call (561) 793-0884 for more info.

Tuesday, April 13

• The Armory Art Center (1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach) will feature “Take Home a Nude” on Tuesday, April 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. The event is one of the Armory’s major fundraisers to benefit the center’s visual art programming. Call (561) 832-1776, ext. 33 or visit www.armoryart.org for info.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, April 13 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 for more info.

Wednesday, April 14

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach) will feature “Titanic Science” on Wednesday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. for ages nine to 12. Explore the science behind the sinking of the Titanic and check out books about this famous disaster. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Safety Council of Palm Beach County will offer a Basic Driver Improvement Course on Wednesday, April 14 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Wellington High School (2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.). Visit www. safetycouncilpbc.org or call (561) 8458233 or (800) 640-2415 for more info.

• The Wellington Art Society will meet Wednesday, April 14 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Wellington Community Center (12165 West Forest Hill Blvd.). Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a brief business meeting at 7 p.m., then a live demonstration by visual artist Harlan Hoffman. The meeting is free, but there is a $5 fee for non-members who wish to participate in the demo. For more info., call (561) 784-7561 or visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Writers’ Critique Workshop on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Share, offer and accept constructive criticism and comments to improve your fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach) will offer “Spring into Meditation” on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. John Bednarik will describe a meditation technique and invite you to practice a short meditation. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Johnny Mathis on Wednesday, April 14. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info.

Thursday, April 15

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Looking for the Perfect Book?” on Thursday, April 15 at 2:30 p.m. for adults. In celebration of National Library Week, the library will share one of its favorite tools, NoveList Plus. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will meet Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Call (561) 790-5100 for more info. Friday, April 16

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach) will feature “Off the Bookshelf & Into the Woods” on Friday, April 16 at 11 a.m. The Tales and Trails Storytellers return with their signature brand of lively audience participation story telling. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register.

• The Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College (4200 South Congress Ave., Lake Worth) will present Pilobolus on Friday and Saturday, April 16-17. Call (561) 868-3309 or visit www.duncantheatre.org for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Off the Bookshelf & Into the Woods” on Friday, April 16 at 3 p.m. The Tales and Trails Storytellers return with their signature brand of lively audience participation story telling. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

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

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SALES CULLIGAN WATER — is hiring Palm Beach County Commercial Sales Reps Call 847-4301417or Jim.Olsen@culligan.com

DEPENDABLE RANCH WORKER

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HAIR STYLIST CHAIR FOR RENT — in Royal Palm Beach Salon call 561-317-1579 for info.

1997 GREY SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE — new a/c, clean & well maintained. Engine & transmission in excellent condition and new top. Feel free to take it to a mechanic & check it out. Mint condition. $3,300 (561) 793-5569 (917) 494-3422

1991 TOYOTA CAMRY - 4 door white, A/C radio runs great. $3,000 call 798-0270

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE -3 bedroom, 2 baths, single wide 3 car parking. $8,500 OBO. (561) 2018805

J.C. TEETS & CO. — Concierge Accounting. discreet, confidential, individualized service to manage all of your personalized financial needs.Visit us at www.jcteets.com or call 561-632-0635

MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL

BUILDING CLEANINGS SPECIALISTS — • Pressure Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Residential Cleaning • Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608

HOUSECLEANING - Reliable with long term clients. Over 12 years experience. References available. Karen 561-632-2271

HOUSECLEANING - 20 years experience. Excellent local references. Shopping available. 561572-1782

20 YEARS IN THE CLEANING BUSINESS — in Western Communities and surrounding areas. Great references. Call for free estimates.Brenda 561-460-8380

CLEANING & MORE - House Cleaning - Errands - Childcare & More. Available 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday - Friday Very organized, honest & experienced Woman having good driving record & references. Call 561-255-3607

COMPUTER REPAIR — We come to you! After hours and weekends services available. Spyware/ Adware/Virus Removal, Networking, Wireless, Backup Data, Upgrades. Call Anytime. 561-7135276

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support &troubleshooting www.mobiletec.net. 561-248-2611

D.J. COMPUTER - Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3339433 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach

ADDITIONS, ROOFING, PATIOS & REMODELING - Cell 561-202-7036 561-798-6448 Licensed & Insured. CBC 1250306 CCC1326386

DADS DOORS & WINDOWS, INC.

IMPACT WINDOWS & HURRICANE SHUTTERS — Sliding Glass Doors, Mirrors & Shower Doors. 561-355-8331 U 19958 U20177

CASTLE ROCK, A DRYWALL CO. — “BUILDING ON EXCELLENCE” Framing /Hanging /Finishing Popcorn and Wallpaper Removal Drywall Repairs & Remodels Custom Built-Ins “TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR GREAT PRICES”Licensed & Insured Lic. #SCC131150623 Eric Rouleau 561-307-5202

STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For info l 1-888-333-9903

GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, Leather repairs, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689

THE MASTER HANDYMAN — no job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers Tom (954) 444-3178

ANMAR CO.— James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528

HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inpections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811

LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE - Your local Geico office has been saving people money for over 70 years. Contact (561) 616-5944 for a free rate quote.

GET REAL AUTO INSURANCE — that comes with a Real Agent. Farm Bureau Insurance. Auto • Home • Life, Marc Piven, Agent 561-792-1991Wellington.

Mold & Mildew Inspections — Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811

RJA PAINTING AND DECORATING, INC. - Interior , Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial. License #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561-793-5455 561-662-7102

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. - Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964. Lic. #U18473

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Well. Resident.

LOVIN PETS HOUSECALLS

GREAT RATES- pet sitting. Lic. Bonded & Insured. Call 561-3085167 Mornings & Evenings only.

LICENSED PLUMBER - Beat any legitimate estimate. A/C service lowest price. Complete service, new construction, replacement. CFC1426242 CAC058610 Bonded & Insured. 561-601-6458

POOL PLASTERING AND RESURFACING — Lic. U19996. 561722-7690.

ELITE POOL SERVICE — You dealt with the rest now deal with the best.” All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinators, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 309-6975

GRIME STOPPERS - Pressure cleaning, commercial & residential, houses, driveways, patios, screen enclosures, sidewalks. Ref. available. 561-779-1081

PSYCHIC READINGS

$10.00 Special by Samantha. 1 FREE QUESTION by phone 561-541-0113

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting.Carpentry.Lic. #U13677.967-5580.

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, res/comm.reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted. 561-842-6120 or 561-784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598

ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC0067207

SECURITY - American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 798-3132.

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004