Town-Crier Newspaper July 16, 2010

AYSO VIPS TAKE TO THE FIELD AT IPC

Reserve Cash Helps Royal Palm Balance Budget, Drop Tax Rate

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Despite a decline in property value of 12 percent, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council reviewed a budget last week that once again decreases its tax rate — but only by 0.01 mills. The reduction would drop the village’s property tax rate from 1.93 to 1.92 mills and would mark the 16th consecutive year Royal Palm Beach has lowered its tax rate.

At a budget workshop Thursday, July 8, the council was told that the upcoming year’s budget had been balanced by taking $500,000 from the village’s $72 million reserve fund accrued by the sale of its water utility to Palm Beach County several years ago.

Village Manager Ray Liggins said all departments were able to hold the line on spending to a 1.6percent increase on average.

“This is a responsible budget that holds the line on spending,”

he said. “Unfortunately, this is the third year we are faced with declining revenues to the point where we are taking $500,000 from our investment portfolio to balance the budget.”

Liggins noted that using the investment portfolio to guard against lean years is “consistent with the council’s direction on the use of that account when created.”

However, Liggins cautioned that if the village experiences a fourth year of property value decline, it might be necessary to increase the tax rate for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The village’s total taxable property values decreased from $2.144 billion in 2009 to $1.894 billion this year.

Finance Director Stan Hochman said that the continued declines in property values, intergovernmental revenue and interest earnings led to a decrease in operating revenue of $200,000. Total operating costs have increased by $300,000, a major portion of

which was related to health insurance. The $500,000 recommended to be taken from the investment portfolio represents 0.671 percent of the total amount in the fund, Hochman said.

For a taxpayer with a home valued at $136,000, which is the average value in the village, less a $50,000 homestead exemption, means that taxpayer would pay $165.12 in local property taxes next year — $17.27 less than the $182.39 levied last year, Hochman said.

The total budget is $52,246,580 with 55 percent in general capital projects, 37 percent in the general operating fund, 5 percent in reserves and 3 percent in debt service.

Councilman David Swift said he was pleased to see that the village is giving its employees a costof-living raise.

“I’m always amazed,” Swift said. “This is another year that we

See RPB BUDGET, page 16

Help From Town Lets LGWCD Avoid Assessment Increase

Wellington Sets Tax Rate Up 5 Percent From Current Year

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council approved a preliminary property tax rate increase for the 201011 fiscal year Tuesday. Council members voted to approve a tax rate of 2.63 mills, up 5.2 percent from last year’s rate of 2.5 mills. The truth in millage (TRIM) rate of 2.63 mills means a property tax of $2.63 for every $1,000 of taxable value. State law requires the village to set its preliminary tax and assessment rates in July. Municipalities may lower the rates before final adoption in September, but cannot raise them.

Next year’s Wellington budget is proposed to be $75.3 million, down about 9 percent from $82.9 million this year.

Public hearings on the final adoption of the proposed budget and tax rates will be held in September, when the council will make its final decision.

While Wellington officials proposed to increase the tax rate, the amount of money Wellington will receive in taxes next year will decline by $1.18 million due to falling property values, Director of Financial Management and Budget Mireya McIlveen said.

The rate is lower than the socalled rollback rate of 2.885 mills, which would have generated the same amount of revenue as the previous year based on current taxable value.

The rate increase was opposed by the Realtor’s Association of the Palm Beaches, which urged the council to maintain the current rate of 2.5 mills. Leslie Boatman, a lobbyist for the association, said

her organization had been pleased with the village’s decision not to raise tax rates in the past and hoped it would continue the trend.

“We acknowledge your commitment to the village in this budget process, but we also ask that you remember the residents scraping by just to make ends meet,” she said. “A couple hundred dollars a year will really matter to these residents. No matter how you decide to divide it over the days to make it seem like a minimal tax increase, the total sum is still an amount that people will struggle to pay.”

Boatman urged council members to do what is necessary in order to keep from raising the tax rate.

“We do not envy your difficult choices, but we do expect that as elected officials you make the decisions you were elected to make,” she said. “It has never been more important than now for you to represent the needs of your citizens by not increasing the millage rate.”

Vice Mayor Matt Willhite defended the raise and noted that there weren’t any taxpayers at the meeting protesting the rate. He said residents are willing to pay to maintain their quality of life, and that the small rate increase is not going to deter people from buying homes in the village.

“I’ve looked through the numbers, and it’s about $5 a month that we’re proposing as a tax increase to our residents,” he said. “I’m hoping the Realtors understand that I understand their benefit to wanting to sell houses. But understand the benefit that our residents

ITID Finalizes ParkLibrary Land Swap

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors gave its final blessing Wednesday to a long-planned land swap with Palm Beach County.

The agreement trades districtowned land east of the Publix shopping center on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road to the county for a library in return for additional county-owned land adjacent to Acreage Community Park.

The county obtained the parkland using FCT money. The trust would not allow the county to give the parkland directly to Indian Trail. Hering said the agency typically will grant a 25-year lease with options of two 25-year extensions.

“If you were willing to accept a 75-year term, we would accept the same term for the library site,” Hering said.

in their neighborhoods and throughout the rest of the community. Page 4

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors adopted its assessment rate for a budget of $1,280,390 for fiscal year 2010-11 at its meeting Monday.

The budget represents a decrease of about 9.7 percent from 2009-10. The proposed assessment rate for the upcoming year remains unchanged since 2007 at $137.95 per acre, District Administrator Clete Saunier said.

The budgeted amount is contingent upon the district receiving $130,000 in gas tax money from the Town of Loxahatchee Groves. Last year, the town granted $240,000 to the district for specified projects.

LGWCD Vice Chairman Don Widing said he was unsure of ap-

proving a budget that does not actually account for all the money. “This is kind of peculiar in that we’re trusting the town to go forward with the appropriate process to put it in our accounting,” Widing said, asking LGWCD Attorney Mary Viator to explain how it will work.

Viator confirmed that the adopted budget would be contingent upon an interlocal agreement with the town. “You will be passing a budget tonight on the promise that the district has received from the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, but as it is right now, you do not have an adopted agreement,” she said.

Town Manager Frank Spence assured supervisors that the $130,000 is in the town’s budget. “We have made the commitment,” Spence said. “It has been presented to the council, the council has

agreed, and it is included in my budget.”

Supervisor Darlene Crawford asked what would happen if for some reason the agreement with the town does not go through. “We don’t suspect that will happen,” Crawford said. “It looks like it’s going to happen, but if it didn’t, do we have a way to go back and amend the budget?”

Saunier said upon adoption of the TRIM (Truth in Millage) rate to be reported to the county, the budget and assessment rate can only be adjusted downward. However, he added, “I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that I have full confidence that Mr. Spence and the town council will support this in every manner possible.”

Supervisor John Ryan made a motion to approve the resolution

See LGWCD, page 4

The agreement finalized years of negotiations. Rather than an outright trade, the swap is set up as a pair of long-term leases.

ITID is ceding about 6.5 acres near the shopping center for a branch library. In return, ITID will receive about 46 acres of county property for the expansion of Acreage Community Park at Orange Blvd. and 140th Avenue North.

County Director of Real Estate and Property Management Ross Hering said library construction should begin in March 2011. “We have the facility designed, and we’re in the platting process,” he said. “We’ve been moving on this.”

Hering said there has been one change in the agreement they had been negotiating. What was originally a 99-year lease was modified to 75 years in accordance with Florida Communities Trust policy.

ITID President Michelle Damone said she had no objection to the change. “This is a historic moment,” she said. “I don’t think there is a reason for any long face whatsoever.”

Damone said the agreement marks a great accomplishment by the district.

“I’ve never been so proud to have my signature on something,” she said, pointing out that ITID began working on an agreement with the county in 2001. “Unfortunately, with some board changes, everything fell apart. Nine years later, I can’t believe it took that long, but I never got disgruntled, and we made it happen tonight.”

Supervisor Mike Erickson asked if the terms of the lease are automatic and whether either party had the option not to renew. Hering said neither party has the option not to renew, but that they need to send notices of intent to renew at least 120 days before the lease expires. “Only if you fail to

Churches, Residents Team Up To Beautify Neighborhood

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Volunteers, homeowners, landlords and neighbors rolled up their sleeves and went to work painting, landscaping and pressure washing in Wellington on Saturday, July 10 as part of a neighborhood beautification project run by the Safe Neighborhoods office. Volunteers from Lifechurch.tv joined with the community to correct code violations and clean up the neighborhood around Periwinkle Place and Lily Court.

“The day was exactly what we wanted,” Neighborhood Services Manager Tracey Lamport said.

“The volunteers, residents and landlords came together to make

their neighborhood beautiful. I think this is what the Wellington Village Council intended when they started the program.”

Using paint, brushes and rollers donated by the Solid Waste Authority, the group painted eight homes, pressure cleaned nine and completed eight to 10 landscape renovations.

Lifegroups/Missions Pastor Jim Meldrim of Lifechurch.tv said he was proud of how much the group accomplished.

“We had over 40 of our own volunteers working with 18 residents,” he said. “I was excited about the task we were able to get done.” Before the project, village code

enforcement issued notices of infringement on several of the properties, and all of the owner-occupied homes were eligible to participate in the beautification project to clean up code violations, Lamport said.

“Wellington is way ahead of its time,” said Joanna Aiken, community service coordinator for the Solid Waste Authority. “The Safe Neighborhoods initiative shows that Wellington knows homeowners in need are not just elderly. They are those who have lost their jobs, who are looking for work and who are struggling to keep their family together.”

The project brought neighbors

Beautify Church, Residents Team Up

continued from page 1 out to help those in need, fostering a sense of community, Meldrim said.

“The greater win for us was that we were able to connect with residents and get to see them meet each other,” he said. “Some of them were meeting for the first time.”

Residents of all backgrounds and needs came out to help volunteers and other residents, Aiken said. “They were all saying, ‘This is great. Thanks so much,’” she recalled.

The project continues Saturday, July 17. With volunteers from Youth for Christ, the group will finish painting, landscaping and pressure washing. “We’re looking forward to providing similar opportunities for residents in other neighborhoods,” Lamport said. For more information, call the Safe Neighborhoods office at (561) 791-4796.

Remaining Active Members Hope To Reinvigorate ALA

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

“Growing the Acreage Landowners’ Association” will be the theme of the next ALA meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20. Members of the ALA board of directors, along with Indian Trail Improvement District Supervisor Mike Erickson, will discuss ways to re-energize the organization into a group that effectively represents the interests of Acreage residents.

In recent years, the once-thriving organization has dwindled to several active members.

At a recent board meeting, members discussed hosting a candidates’ forum for area politicians seeking elective office. At the top of the list are candidates for the ITID Board of Supervisors, with a forum to be held before the August primary election.

ALA President Bob Renna noted that the group has set up a new web site at www.acreageland owners.org and a new hot line at (561) 228-1030.

Renna said the ALA recently mailed postcards inviting former members to rejoin. Another objective is to reactivate the ALA’s monthly newsletter.

Erickson, who announced recently that he will not seek re-election to the ITID board, said he is very interested in helping reinvigorate the ALA.

Erickson noted that in the past, the ALA has been perceived as a

tool for people to get elected to office or for developers to get endorsements for their projects.

“The reality is that unless it’s a strong organization, it’s susceptible to those things,” he said. “If 10 people walked in here right now and became members, they could do anything they want with this organization. It has happened in the past.”

Erickson likened the ALA to the weak leg of a three-legged stool.

“You have the county with their land use and planning, transportation and infrastructure, and taxing authority as one entity,” he said. “You’ve got a second entity, which is Indian Trail with its powers and taxing authority, and then you should have the landowners’ association, which is the watchdog and the voice of the people.”

With additional time on his hands once he steps down from the ITID board, Erickson said he is interested in helping the ALA.

“I believe the Acreage Landowners’ Association not being truly active has hurt this community,” he said.

Current ALA Board Member Domingo Flores said the ALA lost continuity when several former leaders, including Ralph Bair, Carlos Enriquez and Michelle Damone, were elected to the ITID board. Others have moved away from the area.

“When we came in, we were

See ALA, page 7

Motorist Education Tops County Panhandling Ban

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Faced with a broad range of enforcement issues in enacting a blanket countywide ban on panhandling, the Palm Beach County Commission adopted a plan Tuesday to discourage drivers from giving money at intersections and instead route their money to charities that help the homeless and the destitute.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw gave a report on options for controlling panhandling, saying that an ordinance, although enforceable, would cost a great deal of money to operate and would not be high on the state attorney’s priorities for prosecution.

Bradshaw noted that a county panhandling ordinance would only apply to county roads. He said a violation would be classified a misdemeanor. Enforcement is further complicated by a deputy’s presence in his green-andwhite patrol car — panhandlers would quickly vanish, likely just moving somewhere else.

Bradshaw also said a ban would probably face legal challenges, pointing out that a panhandling ordinance in Fort Lauderdale was struck down recently. Bradshaw offered to work with the county attorney to construct an enforceable ordinance to control aggressive panhandlers. “They have to aggressively get in front of a car, you say you don’t want to give money and they persevere,” he said.

Of the 115 arrests in 2009 for loitering in the median or obstructing traffic, 110 walked out the jail door within 48 hours with a shave and a shower paid for by the PBSO at a cost of $130 a day, he said. “The judges aren’t going to keep them in jail,” Bradshaw said, adding that the idea that panhandlers and other money collectors pose a safety threat to themselves is unfounded in that only five people have been hurt at intersections. Alternatives to law enforcement, Bradshaw suggested, might include designing medians so that a person cannot stand on it. He also recommended a campaign to get people to stop giving panhandlers money. “If you don’t give them money, they will stop coming,” Bradshaw said. “There isn’t anything there for them. I don’t think the public understands that there is a good correlation with panhandlers using money to

buy drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. I would urge them to give to a legitimate charitable organization.”

The result would be a campaign urging residents to “Say no to panhandling. Say yes to charity.” Bradshaw recommended a combination of enforcement, design and public awareness for maximum cost effectiveness.

“Take all of them or part of them,” Bradshaw said. “My recommendation is to do all of them.”

Commission Chairman Burt Aaronson said he was concerned about the cost of jailing violators as well as the cost of redesigning medians. He pointed out that state statutes exist to control panhandlers, but said a law is pointless if the sheriff is not going to enforce it and the state attorney is not going to prosecute it.

“It’s my opinion, keep the state law the way it is and encourage people not to give the dollars,” Aaronson said, adding that a county ordinance prohibiting curbside collections will likely raise the ire of legitimate charitable fundraisers. “The firefighters collected over $100,000 last year. There’s no way they can do that in front of Publix.”

Commissioner Jeff Koons recognized the efforts of local charities that have made significant progress in helping the homeless, but said he would favor the construction of an ordinance to control aggressive panhandling.

“Maybe there is something we can do if we begin to track these individuals,” he said.

Commissioner Priscilla Taylor asked if a pedestrian were to be hit, would the county be culpable to a lawsuit, and legal staff replied that it is a possibility. “Maybe an aggressive panhandling ordinance will be a start,” Taylor said.

Commissioner Shelley Vana said she would favor motorist education first. “I like the ‘don’t give to them, give to charity’ idea,” she said, and made a motion to embark on a program to educate people about not giving to panhandlers. The motion was seconded by Aaronson and carried 7-0. Koons made second motion to work with the PBSO to draft an aggressive panhandler ordinance. That motion carried 5-2 with Aaronson and Vana opposed. Aaronson said he felt Vana’s motion should be tried for six months before commissioners go any further.

Water Experts To Speak At Acreage Meeting

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Local water experts will be the guest speakers at next week’s meeting of the Acreage Community Focus Group.

The group, which is investigating the community’s “cancer cluster” designation, will meet Monday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Indian Trail Improvement District office at 13476 61st Street North. ITID Engineer Lisa Tropepe

will discuss water flow throughout The Acreage. Laura Connolly with the South Florida Water Management District will speak on her organization’s responsibilities in The Acreage area. Department of Environmental Protection representative Jack Long is tentatively scheduled to give an update on soil testing. For more information on the “cancer cluster” investigation, visit www.pbchd.org.

OUR OPINION

Safe Neighborhoods So Far A Success; Funding Must Continue

This past Saturday, July 10, residents living in the vicinity of Periwinkle Place and Lily Court in Wellington joined neighbors and dozens of outside volunteers to work on a beautification project, improving the conditions of homes that were in violation of village code. While several lessons were likely learned for adults and children alike, there are two that stand out. First, although the old method of punishing code violators won’t be disappearing anytime soon, it’s clear there are other, less punitive ways of dealing with the issue. And second, if given the opportunity, Wellington residents will work together to improve their community as a whole. It was a refreshing reminder of what it means to be a community, and another success courtesy of the Safe Neighborhoods office. However, like any village program, it must have the necessary funding behind it in order to continue. The Wellington Village Council is currently putting together its budget for the next fiscal year, and we urge council members to ensure that adequate funding to continue the Safe Neighborhoods program is included.

While it’s too early to provide a full assessment of the Safe Neighborhoods initiative — or even know what all the expectations should be at this point — what we’ve seen so far has been wholly positive, especially its ability to mobilize residents toward making improvements in the community. Previous projects include a food drive last Thanksgiving, monthly “help days” for residents who are unable to make home improvements on their

Congrats To Wellington,

Named ‘Best

Place To Live’

Editor’s note: The following was sent on behalf of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Kudos to Wellington for being touted in Money magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live in America!”

We are honored to be representing our business community, however not surprised Wellington received this honor. What is truly impressive is that Wellington was the only community in all of Palm Beach County to be listed in the “100 Best Places to Live” and one of only three in the entire State of Florida. Equally impressive is that we have only been a municipality for less than 15 years, and we can thank community leaders such as Ken Adams, Kathy Foster and others for having the vision to see the future of Wellington as its own municipality.

Mayor Darell Bowen, our Wellington Village Council and especially the village staff should be complimented and commended for allowing us to receive this national honor. As a chamber, we are receiving calls from all over the country and have even appeared on the evening news!

The Village of Wellington balances a unique hometown, family atmosphere with an attractive natural environment, recreational, cultural and educational activities with facilities for all ages. Businesses and residents alike enjoy the year-round climate that allows the Village of Wellington to maintain its status as one of the nation’s

premier equestrian and businessfriendly communities, all while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in Palm Beach County.

Wellington is an equestrian community and lays claim to outstanding equestrian programs, activities and events, and is known as the “winter equestrian capital.”

We are home to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and Equestrian Sport Productions. We are also home to the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Education is a top priority for families moving to Wellington, and our schools have a reputation of having a high level of excellence. In fact, all of our elementary and middle schools received an A rating this past year. In addition, our parks and recreation facilities are outstanding, providing activities for the young and the young at heart with numerous parks and sports programs. We have grown, but we continue to have a smalltown atmosphere.

Again, thank you Mayor Bowen, village council and village staff for making us feel it an honor and privilege to work, live and play in Wellington. Keep up the fantastic work!

Michela Perillo-Green, Executive Director, Wellington Chamber of Commerce

Kudos For Editorial On Senior Committee

I want to personally thank you for your well-written and meticulously thought-out editorial in last week’s Town-Crier recommend-

own and numerous projects to beautify and reduce crime in the White Pine Drive/12th Fairway area and other transitional neighborhoods across Wellington.

For many projects, the Safe Neighborhoods office partners with other agencies and organizations, such as last December’s Hometown Holiday Toy Drive to benefit the less fortunate, which included partnering with the Wellington Boys & Girls Club, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo, the Citizens Volunteer Organization and local businesses. This past weekend’s project involved partnering with volunteers from the local religious congregation Lifechurch.tv. Also, for anyone who thinks children and teenagers are allergic to yard work, try telling that to the energetic youngsters who dedicated their free time to doing just that.

For these reasons, we feel the Safe Neighborhoods initiative has proven to be an absolutely worthwhile investment in Wellington’s future and should continue to be funded. Wellington residents are finally beginning to take ownership of a project that is a year old. By including the necessary funding for Safe Neighborhoods in next year’s budget, council members are not only acknowledging the success of the program, but offering the encouragement needed for residents to join in the next community project. Speaking of which, the work begun last weekend will continue on Saturday, July 17. Call the Safe Neighborhoods office at (561) 791-4796 for information on how you can get involved.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ing a Wellington Senior Advisory Board to be installed along with Wellington’s other boards and committees.

The Senior Task Force, established and sunset in 2006, was given the task to survey the needs of Wellington’s seniors, but not in an advisory capacity, and was therefore easily dispatched from the list of Wellington’s boards and committees. I do applaud the establishment of a needed senior taxi voucher service by our village manager, and applaud stated goals of some council members to establish a senior center as part of the future function of the old community center. I also fear that these items might “fade away” in future months in the light of budgetary shortfalls.

I am in total agreement with you that a permanent senior advisory board would be there to look after the needs of our growing senior population. Surely, there should be a venue for seniors as important as a Tree Board... Seniors should have at least as much input as trees. Mostly, I am very grateful for your keeping this forum before the public.

Sampson Nebb Wellington

Obama A Failure

Editor’s note: The following is in response to Gwynne Chesher’s letter “Greed, Not Obama Bad For Business” published last week. Rarely have I seen a more antiRepublican letter than the one by Gwynne Chesher of Wellington. Reading her letter, I thought maybe she was a politician from Cuba.

Big business and big govern-

ment are in bed with each other.

BP and big government, which oversees all of BP’s efforts in the gulf, are at fault for the current poor situation that belongs to Obama and his total inability to manage it and him making it worse.

Obama’s treatment of jobs is now historic — more government jobs and good-bye to private-sector jobs. His view of debt generates as much as possible, as soon as possible for his friends and the unions. His management skills are non-existent. His reading skills are excellent but without substance. His advice team of destruction is everywhere in our economy. His justice department is a scam on the American public.

He has never left campaign mode. He is an international disgrace. But that is not enough for Ms. Chesher and her rose-colored glasses while drinking the KoolAid.

Robert Duquet Wellington

Counterpoint Estates Code Enforcement Is Too Lax

The Village of Royal Palm Beach Code Enforcement Department has no teeth when it comes to Counterpoint Estates. I have watched this community go downhill in the last 15 years due to code enforcement not doing their job.

The rest of Royal Palm Beach’s neighborhoods enjoy a robust and at times overbearing code enforcement, while getting code staff to take care of major and minor vio-

lators in Counterpoint is obscene. If you are violating the “flavor of the quarter violation,” you have an iron hammer put down on you to comply. If dump trucks, 18-wheelers and other non-approved commercial vehicles park in our neighborhood, they get a friendly reminder of the code and 10 days to comply. If after the 10-day inspection, they comply for one day, then all is forgiven and back to doing the same thing, knowing it may be months before they get caught and get another 10-day notice. A good sob story and you can get by without correcting the problem. The code inspectors list all of their credentials and yet don’t seem to be able to notice cars that haven’t moved in years, trash cans never being brought up, etc. If these ladies can’t confront homeowners and renters, then the village needs to hire some who aren’t afraid to write violations. Strong code enforcement will get the riffraff out, and those who will take pride in their properties to remain and move in. The way it’s going now, Counterpoint looks like it’s turning into The Acreage with no one caring about the mess they create on their property. I challenge code [enforcement] to do

their job and enforce all codes, and go after repeat offenders aggressively. If everyone would follow the rules, all of our homes would be worth more and we wouldn’t be referred to as “the Royal Palm Beach ghetto.” The code is written; let’s follow it! Bill Wilson Counterpoint Estates

Progressives Or Regressives?

Many Democrats now like to call themselves “progressives” because the word “Socialist” still is associated with Russian Communism. There is nothing progressive about them. In fact, they are regressive. They are taking our country to places no American ever thought we would be going. Places such as having our Constitution rewritten by activist judges and a government that wants to fashion our country into copies of failed European nations. Many now believe and accept that America’s best days are behind us. They might be right, unless we get these regressive progressives out of office.

Morley Alperstein Wellington

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS

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

Wellington Voters To Decide Charter Amendments In November

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council voted Tuesday to approve four potential amendments to Wellington’s charter that will go to the voters Nov. 2. Wellington voters will have the chance to decide whether to increase the mayor’s term from two to four years and whether the village should eliminate runoff elections when a candidate in a race with three or more contenders gains at least 35 percent of the vote.

Voters will also clarify whether the time served on council by an appointed official counts toward term limits and whether to expand the amount of time allowed for vacancies in the mayor’s office.

The changes to the mayor’s term would go into effect for the

2012 municipal election, Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said.

Vice Mayor Matt Willhite said that there were concerns from residents that the changes were selfserving and wondered whether the changes should come into effect after all council members had ended their terms. But Mayor Darell Bowen said it would be at least eight years until that could happen.

Willhite noted that the drastic change was in the mayor’s term.

“If you’d been elected for four years, you’d only be allowed one more term of office should this pass,” he said, suggesting that any change to the mayor’s term not go into effect until Bowen’s term was up.

But Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore noted that Bowen could be re-elected in 2012 and 2014, making it 2016 before it

could be enacted. Bowen also pointed out that he could be defeated in an election and wondered when it would be enacted in that case.

Willhite suggested basing the date on whether Bowen was reelected or simply reached his term limit.

“A caveat could be in [the amendment] that it doesn’t take effect until the end of his term of office or until he leaves office,” Willhite said. “I bring this up because a resident thought it would be better potentially to not have it be enacted under your current regime.”

Bowen noted that the issue will be up to the voters and that he didn’t mind either way.

Councilman Howard Coates, a proponent of extending the mayor’s term, wanted to clear the air regarding the idea that

Bowen is pushing the measure through.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Coates said. “This is something that I suggested.”

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said she had received concerns from residents who noted that the mayor’s term is currently set at two years in order to put a majority of council seats up for vote each election.

“I understand that concept,” she said. “But I think it’s an incredibly arduous task for a position that carries no more vote weight than any other council member.”

Former Mayor Tom Wenham spoke out against the four-year term. He noted that the two-year term was established in 2002 specifically to keep one person from controlling the mayor’s seat for more than two years at a time without continued public support.

“I would hope that you would keep what you have there now,” he said.

Although Bowen initially abstained from voting on the ordinance, Kurtz said it was not necessary. Bowen said he would vote in favor of the council majority’s wishes, and the ordinance passed unanimously.

Willhite and Gerwig both expressed concern with eliminating runoff elections if a candidate in a race with at least three contenders wins more than 35 percent of the vote.

“Many people have been elected in Wellington in a runoff election,” Willhite said. “I can’t support eliminating runoff elections with the potential that someone will take a seat here and manage the village for two or four years with such a small percent of the electorate putting them in office.

I don’t think 35 percent is a high enough threshold… I think it should be a majority.”

Gerwig said she also was uncomfortable with the 35-percent margin and said she would be more comfortable with 40 percent.

“The idea that you could serve with so little of a consensus of people supporting you would be difficult,” she said. “I want to make sure people know that the reason we did this is because it’s costing us a lot of money to do these runoff elections and we’d like to simplify things, but I’m not really comfortable with the 35 percent.”

The council voted 3-2 to pass the ordinance with Gerwig and Willhite opposed. The remaining ordinances governing appointed terms and time the mayor’s office might remain vacant passed unanimously. LGWCD Assessment

Saunier said he would come back with a report on how much replacement vehicles cost so the board could have a say on whether to spend the money. He added that the 10-year capital plan is a tool to keep track of equipment and when it might be in need of replacement, not a guarantee to actually make the purchases.

continued from page 1 adopting the district budget as recommended by staff. Ryan added that he would like to schedule a discussion of the 10-year capital improvement plan at the next meeting. The idea was brought up by Supervisor Robert Snowball, who was absent Monday. Snowball’s concern is regarding the types of vehicles used by the district and the frequency of replacement.

“You’ve heard the old saying that government will spend what you give them?” Widing replied. Crawford responded, “Not this government. We’re in charge of it.”

Ryan pointed out that this was the fifth year that the district had held its assessment rate the same. The motion carried 3-0 with Snowball and Chairman Dave Demarois absent. In other business, the supervisors approved a petition for the dedication of 147th Avenue North

to the district and for the road to be transmitted to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves to consider for town control.

Residents hope to have the roadway paved with open-graded emulsified mix (OGEM). Saunier said the action might serve as a precedent for future road adoptions by the town.

“The town is in a better position to maintain the road than we are,” Saunier said, explaining that an OGEM referendum would be more easily managed by the town

because the referendum would be based on individual voters rather than property ownership. The town also is backed by stronger statutes for maintenance and improvements, he said.

The property owners and residents of 147th Avenue North submitted a petition for the dedication of the road on June 11. The road is aligned on the south side of North Road between C Road and D Road.

The petition was signed by 11 of 15 owners who want the road

to be dedicated to the district and improved with OGEM. District staff recommended that the road be dedicated as a town road. The recommendation was presented to the town council on July 6, according to the staff report. Crawford made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation to transmit the petition to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves for the council’s consideration to accept 147th Avenue North as a town road. The motion carried 3-0.

Well Pump Stolen From Foreclosed Acreage Home

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

JULY 12 — A man called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation Monday to report a theft. According to the report, the complainant regularly inspects foreclosed properties and was notified by e-mail that someone had entered the property, located on Key Lime Blvd., and stolen the electric water well pump motor and timers. The stolen items were valued at approximately $950. The complainant said the property is not fenced in and anyone can gain access to the yard where the items were located. He said he inspected the property last Thursday and didn’t notice anything missing at the time. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

• • •

JUNE 29 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched Tuesday, June 29 to a medical office on State Road 7 regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked her car along the north side of the parking lot when she went to work at approximately 7 a.m. When she returned at approximately 5:25 p.m., she discovered that her driver’s-side window had been smashed out. Nothing was taken from the car; however, the driver’s-side passenger seat had been pulled forward and twisted as if someone had been trying to access the trunk of the car. Nothing had been taken from the trunk. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JULY 2 — A resident of Olympia neighborhood contacted the PBSO substation in Wellington on Friday, July 2 to report a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6 and 8 a.m., someone entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle parked outside his home on Alexandra Circle and stole a transponder valued at $40. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JULY 2 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a vacant home in the Versailles community on Friday, July 2 after receiving a complaint about a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between June 1 and July 2, someone stole the coils from the home’s air conditioning unit. According to the report, the home is for sale and has been vacant for two years. A Realtor discovered the theft. The stolen coils were valued at approximately $4,000. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JULY 7 — A Wellington woman was arrested last Wednesday afternoon for shoplifting at the Macy’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was dispatched to Macy’s after a loss prevention officer observed 18-year-old Alyssa Nappi steal two American Rag women’s shirts, valued at $44.97. Nappi was arrested and issued a notice to appear in court.

JULY 9 — A resident of 80th

Lane North called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation last Friday afternoon to report a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6:30 p.m. last Monday and 3 p.m. last Thursday, someone stole four surveyor sticks, valued at approximately $600, from the victim’s yard. The sticks were placed on the property for a metal fence that was going to be installed. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JULY 9 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched to the intersection of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Southern Blvd. last Friday morning in response to found property. According to a PBSO report, the deputy recovered a revolver, cartridges, three wallets, a wooden jewelry box with two sets of cuff links, a gift box with two safe deposit keys and an empty jewelry box. The items were found on the east side of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. According to the report, the owner of the items was burglarized last Tuesday. The items were returned to the owner.

JULY 9 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to Lakeside Challenger Park last Friday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9:44 and 10:15 a.m., someone broke into the victim’s truck and stole approximately $400 cash, her driver’s license and a digital camera valued at $125. The victim said she saw a maroon vehicle parked next to the truck with the trunk open, and a white male with a towel in his hand looking in their direction. There were no signs of forced entry to the vehicle, but the victim said the truck was locked.

JULY 13 — A Palm City woman was arrested on drug charges Tuesday in Royal Palm Beach following a complaint about suspicious activity. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was dispatched to Palm Beach Trace Drive after a complaint that a dark vehicle was parked in the area and its occupants might be involved in drug activity. The deputy observed the dark vehicle backed into a parking space on the south side of the building. When the deputy shined his spotlight, he observed a female passenger reaching toward the floorboard area of the front passenger side of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, 24-year-old Jatavian McLemore of West Palm Beach, and the passenger, 21year-old Kelsey Carrick of Palm City, and asked them to step out of the vehicle. The deputy then observed in plain view a clear bag under the passenger seat with small burnt cigarettes inside. He also observed burnt cigarettes in the ashtray and an open beer bottle in the center console. The cigarettes tested positive for marijuana. According to the report, Carrick indicated that the marijuana was hers. She was arrested and issued a notice to appear in court. McLemore was issued a citation for possession of an open container.

Street in Jupiter and Valencia Blvd. in The Acreage. Elsworth is wanted as of 07/15/ 10. 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.

Nikolits: Property Value Woes Will Likely Continue Next Year

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach County Property

Appraiser Gary Nikolits and the managers of the four area communities were the speakers at the July 12 luncheon meeting of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce at La Reina Supermarket in Greenacres.

Greenacres City Manager

Wadie Atallah, Royal Palm Beach

Village Manager Ray Liggins, Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield and Loxahatchee Groves Town Manager Frank Spence joined Nikolits in discussing the economy and the budget problems that confront the region.

Nikolits noted that most Palm Beach County communities had seen sharp declines in property values in recent years, but he was hopeful that the downward spiral is slowing.

Nikolits noted that commercial and industrial property values are the slowest in rebounding, but surprisingly, he said, the “cancer cluster” designation in The Acreage had not affected property values as much as many residents thought.

“While sales volumes are lower than they are in most areas,” Nikolits said, “they are not appreciatively lower. We had some 300 sales of homes in The Acreage over the last year.”

Nikolits gave chamber members a sneak preview of what property tax notices would look like this year. They will be on 11by-17 paper rather than 8-by-11 or 8-by-14 because the State Legislature wanted a larger format to include more information, such as the millage rate, the proposed budget, the current budget and the rollback rate. It might serve to inform taxpayers more, he noted, but there is also the probability it will confuse many residents.

In this difficult real estate market, homeowners have turned to renting their homesteaded proper-

ties, but would-be landlords need to know the regulations, Nikolits said.

“There are some caveats,” he noted. “You can’t lease it for more than six months at a time, and you can’t extend the lease past Jan. 1. The lease cannot occur in consecutive years. If you lease it for longer than six months or in two consecutive years, it’s considered a commercial operation, and you will lose the homestead exemption.”

Nikolits said it is likely there will be one or two more years of negative trends, but hopefully there will be improvement in 2011 or 2012. He also expects that drops in commercial properties will not be as hefty as in the past.

“We think one more year of bad numbers,” Nikolits said. “But that also depends on the national economy as well.”

Atallah said his community of Greenacres is working to find ways to handle the decline in revenue.

“We have tried to adjust the rates as they were going down,” he said. “We are cutting expenditures. We are trying to rely on fund balances to balance them. Since 2007, we’ve had a 44-percent decline, and our revenues went down by 32 percent.”

Making cuts without harming core services is a tall order, Atallah said.

“I’m not sure how many businesses would handle such a decline without significantly impacting the quality of the services they provide,” he said. “We have tried to think ahead. We have a fiveyear outlook on what needs to be done. We’ve managed to deal with these continual declines without having to significantly impact the levels of service.”

Liggins agreed with Atallah about the decrease in funding. His community of Royal Palm Beach is undertaking a balancing act of

keeping most services in place, including new parks on the horizon.

“Parks are not a moneymaker for us,” Liggins said. “They never have been. Neither is the police department, the roads, the public works or administration. We have elected to be positive and not listen to all the gloom and doom. We have to think more like a business.”

What has helped are funding sources from the village’s investment portfolios, and Liggins was optimistic that Royal Palm Beach could uphold its tradition of lowering its tax rate yet again this year. However, that reduction is likely to be very small.

Schofield said Wellington is doing its best to deal with budget shortfalls. The village addressed some of these problems by cutting back on projects and the number of village employees.

“Our total budget four years ago was $120 million, and the one that our council will get this year is $75 million,” he said. “That’s about a 38-percent decrease. We have also reduced our staffing by 30 percent.”

However, that decrease has forced Wellington to make hard decisions. “I am not going to say we did not reduce services. We did. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. We took a look at how we provide services and the things we need government for,” Schofield said. “Wellington’s [total taxable] property values have dropped from a high of just over $8 billion to $5 billion. We expect them to drop another billion. We have not seen the decline of commercial property values, but in the commercial centers, you will see the vacancy rates pushing 40 percent. That’s why we are doing novel things. We are looking at medical development in our Medical Arts District, and how we can get jobs and keep people employed.”

A robust economic recovery will take government and the private sector working together, he said.

“The recovery is going to be written by the private sector, and is going to be regulated by the government,” he said. “Government will provide the framework to make it successful but get out of the way of things we don’t understand.”

Spence finished the presentation by noting the benefits of the contract form of government that Loxahatchee Groves has implemented.

“Loxahatchee Groves is the smallest of the four cities here,” Spence said. “It’s a rural-dominated area of 12.5 square miles. The town has no employees. The town has no assets. I provide the manager, the town clerk, the finance manager and other services. I have been the manager for many cities and counties over the last 45 years. The expenses that an average city has are hard to control. We have one of the lowest millages in Palm Beach County.”

Spence praised the chamber for its forward-thinking economic development initiatives.

“We are getting together a list

of developable land, and we are working with different developers,” he said. “That’s the good news I see coming… This chamber has put together an economic task force for all of us to work together. You are on the right track.”

The luncheon was sponsored by Romeo Chicco of Paymaster and Joel and Janelle Dowley of Two Men and a Truck. Chicco noted how Paymaster works with companies in providing payroll services. He also explained the Hire Act Tax Credit and other incentives for businesses to consider when hiring unemployed workers. The Dowleys noted that their firm is currently celebrating its five-year anniversary serving the western communities this month. For more information about the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com.

Rooney, State Senate Hopefuls Address Palms West GOP Club

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Congressman Tom Rooney (R-District 16) told members of the Palms West Republican Club last week that the 2010 mid-term election and the 2012 presidential election will carry great weight on what direction the country takes.

“If we don’t do it this year, it will be very difficult to unring the bell as Rep. Adam Putnam says. We will be on a very different course than we have ever been,” Rooney said. “I think that’s why you are seeing people come out of the woodwork who have never been political before. You are see-

ALA Meeting

July 20

continued from page 3 trying to keep up an organization that we weren’t aware of how to run,” Flores said. One of the significant things Erickson learned was that the ALA has an Acreage Neighborhood Plan approved by the county. The downside is that it is supposed to be updated annually, but has not been revised since 1995 — a fact that developers use to their advantage.

“The organization that owns that document is the Acreage Landowners’ Association. It is the only approved planning document for this specific area down at Palm Beach County, and it hasn’t been updated since

ing people getting mobilized and organized like they never have before. You are seeing independents by a large majority identifying with us rather than with the Democrats.” Rooney, who was among the keynote speakers at the July 7 meeting held at the Players Club in Wellington, said Republicans had spent much of the past two years saying what they were against, but not what they were for, and that must change.

The passage of the federal stimulus package and the healthcare reform plan meant added debt passed on to future generations, said Rooney, who also asserted

it was invented,” Erickson said.

One of his key goals is to help the ALA update the Acreage Neighborhood Plan to function as a vision for the community’s future.

Flores, a Realtor, moved to The Acreage because of qualities that he would like to accentuate.

“This community can be one of the nicest in the southeast,” he said, adding that he feels the recent hits of the real estate crash and the cancer scare are over.

“Things have hit bottom, and I think they’re changing,” he said.

Renna said they will talk more about making the ALA stronger from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 17 at the Acreage Community Jam at Acreage Community Park.

The 7 p.m. meeting on July 20 will be held at the ITID offices.

that the Obama administration has been ignoring national security and has not done enough to combat unemployment.

“There was a promise that 90 percent of the jobs created would be private-sector jobs, and just 10 percent would be government jobs,” he said. “We lost millions of private-sector jobs, and the funding runs out this fall. Then, we will be talking about stimulus No. 2… That sounds like the government saving government jobs that we sustain for a year.”

While the present administration had indicated that unemployment would not get above 8 percent, it currently sits around 10 percent, Rooney said.

“There is also the fact that spending is through the roof. There is regulation with healthcare and other mandates from the federal government on how you are going to run your company. Who’s going to hire in this climate?” Rooney asked. “There is no incentive for small businesses and small business owners.”

Also speaking were state representatives Ellyn Bogdanoff (RDistrict 91) and Carl Domino (RDistrict 83), who are running in next month’s Republican primary for State Senate Seat 25, which is being vacated by Senate President Jeff Atwater.

Bogdanoff, a native Floridian, focused on her background as a small business owner — a viewpoint she has worked to maintain through her years in Tallahassee.

“District 91 goes from Dania Beach through the South County area,” she noted. “I have repre-

sented Palm Beach County for about seven years. I have been fortunate in my political career. I was a sophomore under the leadership of Speaker Marco Rubio, and I served as his whip. It was the best job I ever had.”

Faced with a $3.2 billion budget shortfall, Bogdanoff noted that the Florida Legislature has tried to stimulate the economy by getting involved in the marine, space and entertainment industries. She said it is important that great attention be given to the space industry, especially since the Obama administration plans to shut down the space shuttle program.

“We are doing retooling now,” Bogdanoff said. “We need to do a lot more. There are plans to create Florida as a tax-free enterprise zone. Hopefully, it will encourage businesses who have gone overseas to come here.”

Domino, who was born in New Jersey, served in Vietnam and has worked as a financial manager who helps turn small companies into profitable enterprises. In that vein, he spent the bulk of his time speaking about finances and job creation.

South Florida and the state in general has for too long depended on tourism, agriculture and real estate. New industries are needed to diversify the economy, he said, calling attention to how Scripps Florida and the Max Planck Institute are changing South Florida.

“I think it has transformed South Florida,” Domino said. “I believe we have to move Florida in a different direction. Life sciences works so well because it’s

non-polluting, and as we get older, there will always be needs for the kinds of products they develop.” Domino concluded by saying that he had represented North County’s District 83 for the past eight years, and he would like to continue to represent the area in Tallahassee. He also wants to see Republicans focus on the governor’s race. “It’s important that we work very hard for the governor’s office and get our person in,” he said.

Also at last week’s meeting,

Palms

JUPITER-TEQUESTA DOG CLUB HOSTS ALL-BREED SHOW AT THE FAIRGROUNDS

THE POPULAR ‘WINTER IN JULY’ WEEKEND RETURNS TO THE PALM BEACH ZOO

The Palm Beach Zoo hosted “Winter in July” Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11. A crowd of excited children enjoyed playing in the 40 tons of snow that was provided. The Snow Queen was on hand as well. For more information about upcoming programs at the zoo, call (561) 547-WILD or visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR CRAFTMAKING PROGRAMS AT YESTERYEAR

Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds is accepting donated items that can be made into crafts. Donations may include empty toilet paper rolls, empty paper towel rolls, dryer lint, baby food jars with lids, old Christmas cards, glue sticks, egg cartons and used postage stamps. Local schools and summer camps take tours through the old buildings and the kids make crafts. Also crafts are used to decorate the old buildings for the holidays. For additional information, email Arlene Ferris at arlene @southfloridafair.com or call the fairgrounds at (561) 7930333.

Teen Catches 40-Pound Fish In Lake Wellington

Mid-County Dems To Meet

On July 19

The Mid-County Democratic Club will meet on Monday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Tree’s Wings & Ribs in Royal Palm Beach. The club invites attendees to come early and get to know local active Democrats in the western communities, noting that the meeting will be an excellent opportunity to meet 2010 Democratic candidates for elective office on the local, county, state and federal level.

Tree’s Wings & Ribs is located at the northeast corner of Royal Palm Beach and Southern boulevards. For more information, call (561) 255-0724 or visit www.mid countydems.com.

Filmmaking Workshop July 20 In RPB

James B. Brown of Kidz Korner TV Inc. and founder of the Art of Filmmaking has awarded Acreage resident Gary Davis with a special grant to teach a one-time workshop on “The Art of Filmmaking.” It will be held Tuesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. at Studio D114 in Royal Palm Beach. This workshop will be free and open to the public, young and old alike. The workshop is designed to teach people how to create movies (there may be one especially for actors as well). It is Brown’s dream to allow everyone an opportunity to learn about how mov-

ies are made, especially children. Davis has been making movies since he was 10. He has produced more than 20 independent movies and hundreds of local TV shows, in addition to music videos and TV spots (and even taught Brown as well). Davis decided to open Studio D114 especially for the local independent filmmaker to make and show movies.

Studio D114 is located at 9250 Belvedere Road. Anyone interested in the workshop should call the studio at (561) 795-6339.

Fred Eisinger Hosting Internet Radio Show

Seagull Industries for the Disabled, a nonprofit social service agency, is producing The Fred Barzell Show on Internet radio www.w4cy.com. The program airs live on www.w4cy.com on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. The show is hosted by Seagull Executive Director Fred Eisinger, a resident of Wellington. Seagull is one of the first nonprofits in the nation to produce an Internet radio show.

The one-hour format is a combination of entertainment and information, and also promotes Seagull’s programs. Listeners are invited to call in to express their opinions and chat with Eisinger.

Seagull Industries provides educational, residential and work programs for intellectually challenged teens and adults. Seagull’s programs include a charter high school, adult work achievement center and two adult residential

programs. Seagull has been a part of the Palm Beach County community for 31 years and today operates programs in Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, Singer Island and Indiantown, and a thrift store in Greenacres.

For more information, visit the Seagull Industries for the Disabled web site at www.seagull.org.

Free Queso For Moe’s 10-Year Anniversary

Moe’s Southwest Grill, the fastgrowing, fast-casual burrito chain with over 400 locations nationwide, is celebrating its tenth anniversary by giving each guest a free six-ounce cup of its famous queso at all locations all day on July 21, no strings attached and no purchase necessary.

In the western communities, Moe’s is located at 2605 State Road 7, Suite 410, Wellington.

“This once-in-every-10-years offer will be the first and only nationwide giveaway since the company’s inception,” Moe’s Southwest Grill President Paul Damico said. “We are excited to share this company milestone with our guests by giving away one of our best-loved and most-celebrated products.”

Additionally, Moe’s is encouraging fans to express themselves and their love for Moe’s hot, flavorful, melted white cheese sauce by entering the “I Love Queso” video contest at www. ilovequeso.com for a chance to win $1,000 and free queso for a year.

For more information, visit www.moes.com. To contact the Wellington location, call (561) 792-5712.

Homeless Coalition Hosts Project Connect

The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County is sponsoring Project Connect on Friday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Salvation Army West Palm Beach Corps (2122 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach). Project Connect is a “one stop” for those in need of services. This community outreach event provides a wide range of services to homeless individuals, families and those at eminent risk of becoming homeless. Services being provided include identification cards, haircuts, food, drinks, health screenings, donations of clothing, toiletries, a hot lunch, information on housing, education, health insurance, employment and other direct services. With every day, more and more people are becoming homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This is an important community event because it will bring numerous service providers to a single place to provide assistance to the homeless and those at risk. To see the impact of Project Connect, watch a short video at www.youtube. com/user/homelesscoalitionpbc. For more information about Project Connect, call (561) 4785351 or visit www.homeless coalitionpbc.org.

Poinciana Day School Camp Razzmatazz’s Summer Of Creativity

Kindergarten through eighthgrade campers have been having a blast at Poinciana Day School’s Camp Razzmatazz this summer by stretching their creative energies.

Campers have been learning graphic design skills and new computer techniques; getting messy with hands-on science; making crafts of all types; creating stories, plays and word puzzles; exploring new games and activities; and other fun events.

Camp Razzmatazz is organized into ten one-week sessions throughout the summer, and all activities relate to the week’s theme. Some of the activities during Adventure Week included creating treasure maps on the computer as well as in 3-D, creating treasure chest piñatas, writing messages in a bottle, making spyglasses, filling a pirate ship with pirate and nautical terminology,

playing games outside, going on an extreme treasure hunt that lasted all morning long and winning prizes. Not only are campers having fun all day, but they are keeping fresh with their academics and will be set to jump into the school year in the fall. “I’ve never had this much fun before,” seventh-grader Jonah Baumgartner of West Palm Beach said. “I don’t want to miss a single day of camp all summer!”

Camp Razzmatazz runs through Friday, Aug. 8. There are still a few open spots in the last couple of weeks. The camp fee is $165 per week with a one-time $35 registration fee, which includes camp shirts. The remaining themes are: Super Hero Week, Western Week, Splish-Splash Week and Olympics Week. The camp day is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with before-care and after-care available.

Poinciana Day School is a small independent private school for students in pre-K3 through eighth grade where “every child is an honored student.”

An integrated curriculum is infused with a strong arts and technology program. All students participate in visual arts, performing arts, Spanish, technology and physical education.

A hands-on curriculum is individualized for students along the gifted to challenged spectrum. Registration is now open for the 2010-11 school year. Scholarships are available.

Anyone interested in learning more about Camp Razzmatazz or registering for camp can contact Poinciana Day School at (561) 655-7323 or e-mail brigaudon@ poincianadayschool.org.

For more information about the school, visit www.poincianaday school.org.

Seminole Ridge Biotech Students Win At National Competition

Seminole Ridge High School Biotechnology Academy students are national champions in the United States Army eCybermission Competition that recently took place in Baltimore, Md.

ECybermission, a web-based science, math and technology competition, had more than 2,000 teams nationwide made up of 12,000 students in sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Their online research focused on proposed solutions to their local community’s challenges and concerns.

Students collaborated using discussion forums, chat rooms and instant messaging. A project by Seminole Ridge High School students Melanie Bean, Berenice Cortez, Megan Crumb and Rose-

mary Murray and their team advisor Karensa Wright was initially selected as the southeast regional winner, and the team then traveled to Baltimore to present their project at the national judging. On Friday, June 25, eCybermission officials announced that the Seminole Ridge team had won first place out of all the ninth-grade teams. Each of the students received a medal and an $8,000 savings bond. The students’ project was a study on the effects of variables on bacterial growth in makeup. The students tested expensive versus inexpensive makeup to compare which provided the best protection against bacterial growth.

Local Philanthropist Helps Parents Save The Arts At Bak MSOA

In mid-April, Bak Middle School of the Arts’ magnet budget was reduced by 10 percent for the 2010-11 school year, significantly impacting its Artist in Residence Program. The program provides vital small group and individual arts instruction in addition to reducing student-to-teacher ratios and offering additional course offerings, a vital component of Bak’s success. Immediately, the Middle School of the Arts Foundation issued a $100,000 Save the Arts challenge to raise the needed funds to keep Bak’s Artists in Residence Program and to provide for vital arts and academic classroom supplies next year. In less than two months, Bak parents generously donated more than $60,000 toward the $100,000 goal. Parents value the world-class education their children receive at Bak and understand the role that visiting artists play in their artistic development. Families have sent in letters of encouragement along with taxdeductible donations. But the economy that led to the budget reductions has also affected many Bak parents.

With a June deadline looming and still $40,000 under goal, arts patron William I. Koch, a local philanthropist and Oxbow business owner, helped Bak parents reach the goal of saving the arts

at Bak with a significant donation. Koch, a longtime supporter of the arts and of Bak, pledged the approximately $40,000 needed to reach the goal, and then some.

In addition, Koch donated $75,000 to the school’s exceptional student education department to provide a mobile laptop computer lab. The purpose of the lab is to help students with learning differences, many of whom

are underprivileged, have the opportunity to perform on par with their peers by taking better class notes and enabling them to work on projects that require technology that they may not otherwise have access to.

In total, Koch has pledged a half million dollars. The majority of the money will be used as challenge grant funds for future Artist in Residence campaigns.

Koch’s intention was not to re-

place parent and community support, but to encourage it well into the future. Funds will not be used to fully subsidize any one year’s needs, so parents and community members will need to continue fundraising for 2011-12 and into the future.

To donate, contact Middle School of the Arts Foundation Executive Director Jody Dragon at (561) 882-3828 or e-mail msoa foundation@msn.com.

Chris Swindler Earns Eagle Scout Rank

Boy Scout Christopher Swindler passed his board of review on Monday, June 28 and is now an Eagle Scout.

Swindler has been with Troop 105 for five years. He started in Broward County as a Tiger and worked his way up to being a Boy Scout. When he and his family moved to West Palm Beach in 2005, Swindler continued with the Boy Scouts and worked his way up to the rank of Eagle Scout.

On Nov. 7, 2009, Swindler completed his Eagle Scout project. With help from the Solid Waste Authority’s Paint Your Heart Out Program, he painted the Royal Palm Beach house of a family in

need. Swindler was able to get the SWA to donate the paint. And he also went to several Sherwin-Williams locations and asked for donations of brushes, paint pans, rollers and roller holders.

Swindler has served in his troop as a patrol leader, chaplain’s aid, assistant patrol leader and troop librarian. He has also earned his Totin’ Chip, Firem’n Chit and the Good Turn for America Award for service to the community. He has earned more than 30 merit badges.

Swindler turns 18 next April and plans to attend Florida Atlantic University. He would like to follow a career as a high school biology teacher.

United Health Foundation Scholarship For Brown

Jayson Brown of Wellington has won a scholarship from the United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative to pursue a career in healthcare. Brown is an honor roll student studying biology at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Ala. He plans to go to medical school and become a doctor.

Brown hopes to help improve the health of individuals in his community through disease prevention and physical fitness. He also hopes to make an impact in the healthcare field through the treatment of specific illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, stroke and cancer.

The United Health Foundation is awarding more than 200 students from diverse, multicultural backgrounds a total of $1,225,000 in scholarships for the upcoming academic year. By cultivating health professionals from diverse,

Thompson Receives Air Force Promotion

Leonardo Thompson has been promoted to the rank of master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.

Thompson is a senior launch controller/noncommissioned duty officer assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. He has served in the military for 12 years.

Thompson is the son of Mary

multicultural backgrounds, the Diverse Scholars Initiative is designed to increase culturally competent healthcare delivery, close the healthcare disparities gap and improve health outcomes over the long term.

The scholarships, averaging $5,000 per student, are awarded to African-American, American Indian, Asian-American and Latino/Hispanic students who plan to pursue careers in healthcare. Since 2007, the United Health Foundation has committed more than $3 million to the initiative for scholarships benefiting more than 585 students. Brown’s scholarship will be administered through the United Negro College Fund.

“These outstanding scholars will be an integral part of the future of our nation’s healthcare system and a healthcare workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our country,” said Jeanine Rivet,

Jones of Royal Palm Beach and Herbert Thompson of Delray Beach.

Joseph Salazar Graduates Army Basic Training

Army National Guard Pvt. Joseph Salazar has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, Salazar studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core

UnitedHealth Group executive vice president and interim president of the United Health Foundation. “Helping to support and develop these diverse future healthcare leaders is one way that the United Health Foundation works to improve our communities’ and our nation’s health and well-being.”

To recognize and celebrate the scholars and inspire them to work toward strengthening the nation’s healthcare system, the United Health Foundation held its second annual Diverse Scholars Young Minds, Bright Futures Forum in Washington, D.C., June 23-25, which Brown attended. This year’s event provided an opportunity for the talented, young future healthcare professionals to meet and interact with members of Congress and healthcare policy experts. The Diverse Scholars Initiative

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

Salazar is the son of Oswaldo Salazar of Royal Palm Beach and grandson of Jenny Criollo of Yonkers, N.Y. He is a 2003 graduate of Yonkers High School.

is administered through partnerships with a variety of non-profit and civic organizations. While the United Health Foundation does not select the recipients, scholarship recipients must demonstrate financial need, the pursuit of a degree that will lead to a career in a health field, and a commitment to working in underserved communities, including through community health centers. Additional requirements and application deadlines vary by organization. The organizations are experienced in scholarship administration and have reputations for achieving excellence with these programs. They also have the ability to identify and engage with students who are most in need of financial support. For more information about the Diverse Scholars Initiative, visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org/ dsi.html.

Kathryn Finsness Receives Honors At Brooks School Wellington resident

Finsness received honors last semester at the Brooks School in North Andover, Mass. Located 30 miles north of Boston, Brooks is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades nine through 12. For more information, visit www.brooksschool.org.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Names New Officers For 2010-11

Peter Brock, immediate past president of the Palm Beach Area Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, announced the election of the 2010-11 officers and board of trustees of the chapter recently at the organization’s annual volunteer reception. Dr. Robert Burke assumed the presidency of the local chapter beginning July 1. Burke has been involved with the local board for the past three years. He has served annually on the chapter’s golf tournament committee and served as its cochair for the past two years. Patrick Quinlan, an attorney with Searcey, Denny, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley, and Michael Becker of BNY Mellon Wealth Management will serve as vice presidents; Dr. Melissa Singer of Palm Beach Pediatric Hematology Oncology was elected secretary; and Andrew Wieseneck of Gunster Yoakley will be the treasurer.

New board members include: Dr. Barbara Abernathy, Jonathan Duerr, Jason Guari, Robert Patterson and Charles Sisca. Returning

trustees are Richard S. Bernstein, John Bulfin, Madelyn Christopher, Rosanne Duane, David Eiler, Samantha Schosberg Feuer, Ron Gache, Mary Ann Grant, Heather Greenhill, Christopher Havlicek, Michele Jacobs, Zakir N. Odhwani, Patti Patrick, John Picano, Ari Rifkin, Dr. Abraham Schwartzberg, Bradford Smithy, Dr. Jerome J. Spunberg and Shari Winkelman.

The chapter honored Brock as the outgoing president, recognizing his two years of leadership.

“Dr. Burke has been a dedicated supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” Brock said as he turned the leadership over to Burke. “We are thrilled to have him take on this role for our chapter. His passion to find a cure for blood cancers is personal, and we anticipate great strides being made under his leadership.”

For more information about the Palm Beach Area Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, call (561) 775-9954 or visit www.lls.org/pb.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., with 63 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

The society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the society has invested more than $660 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lym-

phoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the society made more than five million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. For more information about blood cancer, visit the society’s web site at www.lls.org or call the LLS Information Resource Cen-

Hearts And Hope Board Member Takes On Two Big Challenges

Hearts and Hope Board of Directors Vice President Sherrye Sammons has taken on two huge challenges. One is to climb 19,340 feet to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro on Aug. 7. Her second challenge is to stabilize and strengthen Hearts and Hope Inc. so the organization will remain in the community to support children and families now and into the future.

The Penny a Foot Challenge kickoff party was held on June 17 at Biro’s Tuscan Grille in the Gardens Mall, where friends and Hearts and Hope supporters gathered to celebrate Sammons’ climb. During the event, the Mount Kilimanjaro Penny a Foot Challenge

was unveiled by Sammons. Sammons asked guests to join her campaign to raise money for Hearts and Hope.

“For each foot I climb, I’m asking everyone in our community to donate one penny to Hearts and Hope Inc.,” Sammons said. “Whether it is 10 feet or 19,000 feet, every penny will make a difference. I will do anything in my power to keep the doors open at Hearts and Hope, so that they can continue the great work they do in our community. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is my personal challenge to raise money for Hearts and Hope Inc. Anyone who would like to join my challenge

can visit the Hearts and Hope web site, www.heartsandhope.org.”

Recently, Hearts and Hope experienced a major grant loss causing the agency to drastically cut its budget and lay off staff in order to maintain the specialized services that have been supplied to the community for 15 years.

“Sherrye’s goal is to support Hearts and Hope by filling in the deficit so that the families of Palm Beach County can continue to experience the unique professional support that Hearts and Hope provides,” CEO and founder Patrice Austin said. “We are lucky to have her on our team.”

The six-day climb will chal-

lenge Sherrye and 10 other women including Liezl Els, wife of golf pro Ernie Els. “Making this climb will be very spiritual and empowering experience,” Sammons said. “Joining 10 other incredible women making this climb is a once-ina-lifetime experience.”

Sammons’ sensitivity and commitment to the children and families of Hearts and Hope have ignited her challenge to the community, her friends, family and colleagues to support her climb to raise the much-needed money for Hearts and Hope. For more information, visit the Hearts and Hope web site at www. heartsandhope.org.

List

Yacaman Named To Delta State President’s

Delta State University has announced that Jazmin Yacaman of Wellington was recently named to the president’s list of Delta scholars for compiling a 3.80 to 4.00 grade point average while attempting 12 or more academic hours during the 2010 spring semester.

Delta State University is located in Cleveland, Miss. For more information about Delta State University, visit the school’s web site at www.deltastate.edu.

Donnelly Named To Marist College Dean’s List

Christina Donnelly of Wellington was named to the Marist

College dean’s list for the spring semester. Donnelly is a member of the Class of 2010 and is majoring in English/writing concentration.

Marist is an independent comprehensive liberal arts college with an enrollment of 4,500 full-time undergraduate students from 36 states and 13 countries.

Marist College is located in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. For more information, visit the Marist Col-

lege web site at www.marist.edu.

Two Named To Dean’s List At Samford

Lauren Elizabeth Fritz and Ashley Elizabeth Hurme, both of Wellington, were named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Samford University.

To qualify for the honor, a stu-

dent must have earned a minimum 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 while attempting at least 12 credit hours of coursework. The dean’s list is the highest academic recognition given by the school at the end of each semester.

Samford University is located in Birmingham, Ala. For additional information about Samford, visit the university’s web site at www. samford.edu.

Morgan Named To Hartford Dean’s List

The University of Hartford has announced that Demar Morgan of Wellington has been named to its dean’s list for the spring semester. The University of Hartford is located in West Hartford, Conn. For additional information, visit www.hartford.edu.

Wellington’s Visions Hair Studio Debuts New Arrojo Hair Care Line

By Damon Webb Town-Crier Staff Report

Visions Hair Studio in Wellington is celebrating its recent debut of hair care products by celebrity hairstylist Nick Arrojo, formerly of the reality television series

What Not to Wear

Several Visions staff members recently returned from an advanced seminar in New York City, which covered advanced razor cutting and product performance as well as product knowledge.

Owners Tom and Linda Monticello received a phone call about the high-performance hair care line after meeting Arrojo at an industry hair trade show two years earlier. At that time, the Monticellos expressed interest in the hair care line once it was completed and ready to launch.

“We were very excited to receive the call about the product line making its debut,” Tom Monticello said. “One of our main goals here at Visions is to remain on the cutting edge of the latest trends. This allows us to stay ahead of the curve and know what to offer and recommend to our cli-

ents. They rely on us to inform and educate them about what’s going on in our industry as well as interpret what’s new, now and next in pop culture.”

Being chosen as an Arrojo ambassador salon comes with a lot of recognition. Visions Hair Studio is one of a select few in the country to carry the entire product line of Arrojo. Its hair care products are made of multiple nutrients and are vitamin based. Because the hair care line is high performance driven, it was formulated to be highly concentrated.

Monticello said he likes the Arrojo line for that very reason — it fulfills the client’s needs, using less product and maximizing the value of the product. He said he feels fortunate to have the opportunity to bring this groundbreaking hair care line to the western communities.

Visions Hair Studio has been a staple of the community since the salon opened in 1989. The Monticellos relocated to the area from New Jersey, where they previously owned and operated a salon for 10 years. They were pleased to see Wellington’s budding business

community and wanted to be a part of that growth.

“There is a great sense of loyalty in the community,” Monticello said. “We have seen it change so much over the 20 years we have been here. We plan on continuing to support the community as they have us. There’s no place like it.”

Monticello noted that his salon’s goal is to make the customers look and feel great. “We offer complimentary consultations for new clients,” he said. “We specialize in hair strictly; that’s our only trade. We have a forte for hair coloring. We have trainers and educators on hand who teach new professionals in the trade. I am proud to see the progress and development we all have achieved by consistently setting and keeping the bar at a very high standard of excellence.”

With the economy still in a state of flux, Monticello said some industries have been hit harder than others. The hair industry is one that still remains to thrive and stay afloat, he said, pointing out that there is a connection between feeling good about yourself and the perception you give the world.

“Hair is a very important accessory,” Monticello said. “It’s the first thing people see when they encounter us. It lets the world know who we are and what we are about. It’s a fashion statement. The Arrojo hair care line is very performance driven. It was formu-

lated by professionals to allow them to create the desired looks for their clients.”

Arrojo is scheduled to appear at Visions Hair Studio in the early part of October. During his trip, he will be conducting a special training seminar with his new line of hair care products and will be on hand for a reception with clients.

Visions Hair

or

Acreage Middle Schooler Heads To The National Special Olympics

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report

Acreage resident and Special Olympics athlete Joey Barncord is hoping to go for the gold next week in the National Special Olympics Summer Games.

Barncord, 15, will represent Team Florida in the 100- and 200meter races at the games, from Monday, July 19 through Friday, July 23 in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more than 40 years, the Special Olympics has provided training and competition in an Olympic-like setting for people with intellectual disabilities. Participants can compete in a wide variety of sports. Each participant is matched for

the competition according to his or her ability. To make the national championship, the athlete must advance out of county competition to area competition and then state competition. Each athlete advances through a randomized draw from his or her group, a measure to ensure a level playing field and equal opportunity for athletes of all abilities.

Barncord comes from a family of sports lovers. His father Bill is a sports enthusiast who played softball. Joey’s brother Billy, 18, also competes in the Special Olympics. Both of his parents are die-hard Steelers fans, and Joey developed a love for football and sports as he helped cheer on his

Land Swap Years In The Making

continued from page 1 send that notice should there be a problem,” Hering said.

Erickson said he was concerned about follow through. “Who the heck is going to be here in 25 years?” he wondered.

Hering said the agreement could be structured so that proper notice is given before the lease expires.

Erickson made a motion to approve the agreement, which was seconded by Supervisor Ralph Bair and carried 5-0. In other business, Robert Bentz of Land Design South gave a presentation on the Shops at Indian Trails, a shopping center planned at the intersection of Northlake and Coconut boulevards.

The 2.5-mile, 150-acre tract on the south side of Northlake Blvd. is one of the more significant pieces of undeveloped property in The Acreage, Bentz said.

The actual shopping center will occupy only 30 acres on the eastern end of the tract, he said. The center will include a gas station, shops and a grocery store for a maximum of 106,566 square feet.

Money From Reserves

continued from page 1 can offer a COLA increase. I work for a state agency, and no one I know has received raises.” Swift said he agreed with Liggins’ comment that in the face of decreasing revenues, it would probably be the last year the village will be able to reduce the tax rate and give raises to employees.

“It will be different next year,” Swift said. “I hope that’s not the case, but the crystal ball is looking very black right now.”

Councilman Fred Pinto was critical of the decision to take money from the reserve in order to achieve another millage de-

The center will have five access points with three to Northlake. The rest of the land will be mostly water retention preserves and civic use, he said.

Northlake Blvd. calls for design as a rural parkway, Bentz said. A 25-foot buffer with an equestrian trail is planned on the south side of Hamlin Blvd.

By working with various parties that have bodies of water on the tract, Bentz said they are working on having a unified lake and preserve. “Eventually it’s the goal that the lakes will be linked together,” he said.

The gas station on the southeast corner, which will not offer auto repair, will be equipped with double wall tanks to assure against spillage, similar to the one built at the Publix shopping center recently.

Supervisor Carlos Enriquez noted that the Acreage Landowners’ Association had amended its Acreage Neighborhood Plan to allow the Publix gas station, and Bentz said he planned to meet with that organization to ask for a similar amendment.

“Palm Beach County required us to go to the ALA for approval,” Bentz said. “It is our intention to use the same technology on this property.”

crease, although he wound up voting for the plan.

“About two years ago, when we started into this downward trend, we entered a trend where revenues declined because of overall property values going down,” he said.

“I said then that I was looking at the future in saying that the times of continuing to reduce the millage rate are really coming to an end. The analogy I used then was, ‘We’re going to have to start taking our medicine,’ and I think the sooner we do that, the better.”

Pinto pointed out that adopting the so-called rollback rate of 2.18 mills — the rate at which Royal Palm Beach would take in as much tax revenue next year as it did this year — would erase the $500,000 shortfall being made up for by drawing from the reserves.

favorite team. “It just happened naturally,” Bill Barncord said. “His older brother was really into sports because I watch a lot of sports, and it just happened.”

Three years ago, Joey decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps. With help from Western Pines Middle School coach Karen Woods, he began competition in the 100- and 200-meter races and bowling.

He competes against his brother in the 100 and 200 and has competed on a team with him in bowling. And he’s not afraid to get competitive.

“I really saw it the first time this year,” Woods said. “[Joey] uses a little bit of the indoor track stuff with elbows to beat his brother. When it’s on the playing field, that’s good.”

Next year he will enter Royal Palm Beach High School as a freshman. He and Billy, who will be a senior, will compete together on the high school team.

This year marks the first time Joey has attended the national competition, but he is no stranger to standing on the podium. He took gold in the 200-meter dash at the 2009 Summer Games at Walt Disney World in Orlando, with a time of 42.30 seconds. This year he won both silver and bronze medals in the 100- and 200-meter races.

“That last state game, in the 100-meter, he came off the line and he was 20 feet ahead of everyone else,” Bill said. “He was off that line like a rabbit.”

Joey has earned a room full of ribbons and medals in several sports, showing both talent and diversity in the competition. This year, radio station ESPN-760 spotlighted him, and he was also one of the Special Olympians asked to meet former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Joey said he loves all types of sports, including basketball, roller hockey, water sports and bike riding. In the fall he enjoys football and plays running back, something that he takes to naturally because of his quickness.

He trains with the Acreage Athletic League at Western Pines each Saturday and throughout the week with Woods.

Although he is excited to compete, Joey said he enjoys the traveling, the opening and closing ceremonies, and the special dance for athletes as much as he enjoys winning.

Another favorite for him is getting to see other friends on the team, and meet new people from other states.

“All of his family and friends are wishing him all the best of luck on his trip,” Woods said. “He’s got a lot of people cheering for him.”

Next LGLA Meeting Set For July 22

The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will meet Thursday, July 22 at 7 p.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd.). The speaker for the evening will be a representative from the Division of Forestry who has been asked to discuss the Firewise and

Wellington Coates Dissents

continued from page 1 ask for — living with the quality of life we provide right now. They’re asking for the levels of service and the quality of life that we provide them.”

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore noted that the village needs the revenue to maintain the community.

“If we don’t put the monies aside and spend those to maintain our roads, to maintain our properties, to maintain our code compliance, how will this community look?” he asked. “If we keep dropping the millage to the point where we can’t collect the taxes for us to be able to provide services, we’re going to lose out, all of us.”

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig noted that she will pay less in tax-

If property values continue to decline, it will leave a larger gap to be made up for next year.

“The point I’m trying to make is we are going down a path that could become a slippery slope that becomes steeper and steeper each year we go forward,” Pinto said. “I think we should make a course correction now rather than later. If we don’t do this now, we’re going to be standing up here next year saying we have to cut services.”

Hochman disagreed. “We’re not like other cities,” he said. “We have almost $80 million in reserves.”

Hochman said that last year, former Village Manager David Farber, who died in April, indicated that he planned to ride out the deficit for three years.

Fire Safe grant program so those in attendance can find out if they are eligible and learn how to get assistance with clearing land to keep living areas safe from potential wildfires.

For more about the July 22 meeting, call LGLA President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.

es this year than she did last year.

“When I look at my taxes going down, I don’t see that as a tax increase,” she said. “As we set this TRIM rate tonight, it is the cap. It is the maximum we can do. It’s definitely not our ideal. Our ideal would be to hold the line for these families.”

However, Councilman Howard Coates wondered whether the village could maintain a rate of 2.5 mills without major cuts. Village Manager Paul Schofield said his staff could not create a budget at 2.5 mills that does not cut services. The council voted to approve the rate increase 4-1 with Coates opposed.

In other business:

• The council approved a $25per-unit increase in the Acme Improvement District’s drainage assessment to assist in paying for swale maintenance and the Section 24 project. The council also

However, Pinto said it’s the council’s prerogative to set healthy financial goals.

“I want to talk about what the policy should be going forward,” Pinto said. “It’s our responsibility to make policy decisions based on what is in front of us. I don’t want to be locked into something we decided two years ago.”

Liggins said the $500,000 from the portfolio will be there each year unless a change occurs on the revenue side. Next year, the $500,000 will be designated for operating costs at Commons Park.

“We are able to use that half million this year and still be consistent with the council’s policy on the use of that portfolio money,” Liggins said. “You are absolutely, 100-percent correct that any gap not filled is greater next year and

Santamaria Budget Forum July 21

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s next community forum will be held on Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m., center court in the original Wellington Mall, located at the southeast corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace.

County Administrator Robert

voted to maintain solid waste collection and recycling rates at $160 per unit for curbside service and $125 for containerized service.

Coates wondered whether the Acme increase could be put off for another year.

Village Manager Paul Schofield said that it could be done, but would make the annual maintenance more expensive. He pointed to the construction on Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores, noting that it cost the village $800,000, but would have been less than $200,000 had there been swale maintenance done.

The council voted 4-1 to increase the Acme assessment with Coates opposed. The solid waste collection and recycling rates passed unanimously.

• The council also approved the final reading of a 15-percent increase on water/wastewater rates over the next two years.

McIlveen noted that village

would have to be corrected. “ Pinto said his primary concern is that the village not take money out of reserves that should not be spent. “I’m not comfortable taking away from something that is reserve,” he said. “I don’t look at the reserve as something to go to just to reduce the tax rate.”

Swift said he appreciated what Pinto was saying. “I think we will be reducing services next year, and we will be looking at staff more critically next year than we are this year just because that’s the nature of the beast,” Swift said.

Vice Mayor Martha Webster pointed out that ad valorem taxes make up just 16 percent of the village’s revenues.

“Ad valorem tax is not our only source of revenue, and I think that is something that the village as a

Weisman will be on hand to provide an update on the county’s fiscal year 2010-11 budget process. Refreshments will be served. For additional information about the July community forum, call Santamaria’s office at (561) 355-6300.

staff was recommending a 7.5percent increase in fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12 to maintain cash reserves. “If we kept the rates at the same they are now, we could not meet minimum cash reserves going into the future,” she said. The increase will also help pay for the department’s anticipated $3.6 million in capacity costs and $45 million in renewal and replacement needs over the next 10 years.

A household using 6,000 gallons of water each month would see a $3.75 increase — from $49.95 to $53.70 each month — on their combined water/wastewater bill next year. The rates will rise by $4, from $53.70 to $57.72, the following year. The rates go into effect Oct. 1. Willhite noted that the village had not increased water rates for 14 years before last year. The council passed the resolution unanimously.

whole has to remember,” she said.

“We have assets that you have chosen in the past to use very wisely and managed very wisely that have brought in revenue that we can use.”

Councilman Richard Valuntas agreed that tough choices must be made down the road, but was ready to approve the budget as presented. “Hopefully we can make this the last year,” he said. Mayor Matty Mattioli said residents have been asking him whether services would be cut or taxes raised, and he has told them no on both accounts. “This may be our last hurrah,” he said. “Let’s enjoy it.”

Webster made a motion to approve the staff’s budget recommendation, which was seconded by Valuntas and carried 5-0.

Visit The Animals At The Good Earth Farm

There are more than 160 animals on the 15-acre Good Earth Farm, a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Loxahatchee Groves. Visitors can wander around the farm and interact with the animals, ride and wash the ponies, enjoy a hay ride, a petting zoo and more. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 21

Wellington Rotary Club Honors Suess, Patel

Frank Suess and Amit Patel were given Paul Harris Fellow awards at the Wellington Rotary Club luncheon Tuesday. Suess and Patel were not able to attend an earlier presentation where three other community leaders were given Paul Harris Fellow awards. Page 22

A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

Features

Subscription Tickets Currently On Sale For Kravis On Broadway’s New Season

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is now offering subscription tickets for the 2010-11 Kravis On Broadway series, which includes five smash-hit musicals: the new Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein , West Side Story, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Dreamgirls and The Color Purple. Subscription tickets for the series range in price from $141 to $419. Page 26

Spor ts

The International Polo Club Hosts The 2010 National AYSO Games

The 2010 American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) National Games were held July 4-11 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. The games saw nearly 200 teams competing from across the United States and 20 other countries as well. Page 33

Spend Some Time With The Animals At Good Earth Farm

I was paging through the paper the other day when I came across a blurb about the Good Earth Farm.

A nonprofit animal sanctuary at 2141 B Road in Loxahatchee Groves, the Good Earth Farm is open for visitors from 9 a.m. until noon every Sunday during the summer and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. the rest of the year. The cost is $5 per adult and $10 per child.

There are more than 160 animals on the 15-acre farm, said owner/director Nancy Fried-Tobin. “Some just walk around loose, some are in paddocks, some are in cages,” she said. “Some you can only look at, and some you can touch.”

There are 10 miniature horses, a lot of ponies and regular-sized horses, donkeys, peacocks, cockatoos that sing and dance, geese, cats, pigs, sheep, llamas and alpacas.

Fried-Tobin started her Sunday farm visiting hours last year. She said they do fairly well and typically have 40 to 50 visitors during the winter, fewer during the hotter months, but enough to keep it going.

“One of the unique things about visiting this sanctuary is seeing how an actual farm operates,” she said. “It’s not just the pretty stuff. You see everything: mucking out stalls, spreading manure, washing the horses. This is a real farm, not Disney World.”

Visitors can buy snacks, drinks, pies and ice cream. There are bags of sheep, llama and alpaca wool for crafters. (“It makes a great Santa Claus beard,” she noted.) One of the more creative sale items are bags of llama manure called Llama-Doo.

“The Llama-Doo is the best fertilizer in the

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

world,” Fried-Tobin said. “Flowers, veggies and plants of all sorts love it. It’s a small hard pellet without any smell, very high levels of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. It’s completely organic and won’t ‘burn’ your plants.”

In addition to wandering around the farm and interacting with the animals, visitors get pony rides and can wash the ponies, enjoy a hay ride and wander through a petting zoo.

Another offering is called Horsing Around on Saturday night. It runs some 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays.

“This is basically group baby-sitting,” Fried-Tobin said. “It’s available for kids ages six to 12 and costs $45, with a discount for siblings. The kids get dinner, participate in a scavenger hunt, go on a hay ride, play with the horses, and get to roast marshmallows around a campfire. We can take up to 25 kids. Parents should call in advance for reservations.”

She also heads up a llama and alpaca club, and a miniature horse club for children eight and up. “These animals are great, really sweet,” she said. “We train them to do agility classes and show them at the South Florida Fair each winter. We also bring them to grand

openings, parades, and into hospitals and nursing homes.”

Ana Gonzalez of Lake Worth recently visited the Good Earth Farm with her husband and three children.

“It was very pleasant and quiet, not at all boring, cool,” she said. “The kids loved it. We have a five-year-old and six-year-old twins. They adored it and are looking forward to going back. They really liked the horses and the petting zoo. I thought it was a good experience — out of the ordinary. I’ve told a lot of people about it.”

That tells Fried-Tobin that her message is

getting out. “My goal is to share all of our animals with everyone, give people a taste of what farm life is like,” she said. “This is such a busy world. It seems like everyone’s always in a rush to get everything done, and time is short. When people come here, they can sit back and relax and be with the animals. They can slow down, meditate, refresh and enjoy life a little. I call it relaxation for the soul. It’s very calming and healthy to be with animals like this.”

For more information, call the Good Earth Farm at (561) 792-2666 or visit www.good earthfarm.info.

Good Earth Farm’s Nancy Fried-Tobin with Arken, her Gypsy Vanner horse.

Eating Healthy Is Not For Me... But I’ve Certainly Tried!

OK, I’m going to say it: I will never eat what the doctors want me to eat. I have tried and tried, but I’m just too picky.

It’s my own little weight-loss program. In fact, the only reason I’m not big as a house is that I am able to walk that fine line between eating the bad stuff I love and not eating at all. Eating good stuff is completely out of the question.

In the past, I thought that a private dietician and personal chef might be able to conjure up a recipe or two that I could choke down, but I just don’t like vegetables. Or soy. Or brown rice. Or 2 percent milk. Or, or, or. The list goes on. It has nothing to do with dieticians and chefs. It has everything to do with flavor.

Take health bars, for instance. They look good in the picture on the wrapper — all choc-

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

olate-y and nutty and tempting. Then you bite into one and realize it’s nothing but carob and pine seedlings and oatmeal held together with some non-dairy fake butter. A bait and switch!

To my mind, the best thing to do with a health bar is put it onto a graham cracker between two slabs of a Hershey bar and a couple of marshmallows and toast it over a campfire. Even then, the outside will taste better than

the inside. And yes I know how ridiculous I’m being. I will probably die of clogged arteries with a Twinkie in my mouth and then you can bury me with this column in a “told ya so” kind of way, but I probably won’t read it.

And fast food! I will admit it doesn’t taste as good as when they were cooking everything in those delicious trans fats, but I am a sucker for good marketing. A red and yellow cardboard box makes anything look tasty. And all this commotion about the free toys! “Free” or “toy” — which of those two words could be less offensive?!

The world is getting more grown up and I, for one, am bucking the trend. I will fight this to the death. Free toys and French fries for all!

That said, I have to comment about the

Burger King. When my kids were tots, a real person dressed as a king came to herald the opening of the Burger King in Royal Palm Beach. But this thing with a gigantic plastic head lumbering around? My kids would’ve screamed in terror, and I wouldn’t blame them. Keep the king if you must, but that immovable massive orb of a head must be replaced. We love eating out too much to put up with that thing.

Back in the day, it was, “Can I have a celery stick, Mom?”

“No, we’re going out for a hamburger soon, and I don’t want you spoiling your appetite.”

Luckily, my kids knew that they must rebel. It’s what offspring do. So now both pop vitamin pills every day and one is even a vegetarian.

Two carrots up for reverse psychology.

‘Predators’ Offers Action, But Mediocre Acting And

Predators is a strange movie in our new world of slam-bam sci-fi films. It is a lowbudget sequel (not a remake) of the classic Predator film from 1987 that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In that movie, a group of mercenaries on a bungled mission to Central America ran into an alien predator that killed almost all of them… except, of course, Arnold; that would have ruined the spirit of the film. That film was eventually praised as a classic of its kind. The new film sets a group of human predators on a strange world where they are the prey. The humans are chosen, fairly obviously, to represent the whole spectrum of human types. There’s the tough mercenary (Adrian Brody, obviously working to change his typecasting), a much more humane Israeli sniper (Alice Braga), a Japanese yakuza (Louis Ozawa Changchien), a Russian special forces type (Oleg Taktarov), a Mexican drug cartel enforcer (Danny Trejo), an African death squad soldier (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), a condemned rapist-murderer (Walton Goggins) and a doctor who seemingly is lost and out of place (Topher Grace).

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

In the opening of the movie, they meet, not always peacefully, and figure out where they are and the general rules of the hunt. It is very taut with actual time for character development. Several of the performers shine briefly as they become the center of attention. They get hunted a bit, and the action shooting is excellent. Then they run into a strange survivor, Noland (a very overweight Laurence Fishburne), and the action starts to sag and drag. It never quite picks up steam again, even though the film certainly tries hard enough. Somewhere buried in the action is the idea that our predators deserve a term as the prey. There are constant reminders of special tricks that have been used by all of them to fool the

people they have gone out to kill. The first time the device is used, it makes an interesting point. As each of the very tough humans talks about something they have done that helped them do their job, it becomes repetitious. To add to the confusion, some of the characters demonstrate a far more honorable side. The yakuza, having found an ancient Japanese katana, a fighting sword, faces one of the predators in a direct contest instead of running and trying to kill from ambush. The sword battle, bereft of the bang-bang special effects, is a far more powerful moment than the more obvious battles.

Brody seems out of place as the tough mercenary. Schwarzenegger, just by existing, seemed an incredible warrior. Brody never really moves up to take center stage the way the earlier leader did. He certainly demonstrates intelligence and even occasionally some more human traits, particularly toward the one woman there, but his lack of charisma gets in the way. And Braga, while very pretty, seems to show far more vulnerability than anyone could expect. But it fits with the plot, so we are expected to accept it.

Plot

Too often in action films like this, we have to quickly accept stereotypes. The rapist talks of wanting more rape and drugs. The death squad killer talks about how to kill women and children. The drug enforcer talks about putting people in oil drums and then setting them on fire.

There is plenty of action in the movie, despite much of it being sort of brainless. There are a couple of tricks used to move the action along; I will not reveal them in case you see the movie. But the movie opens with action; one character shoots at another within the first minute, and the action lasts pretty much until the last minute of the film.

It might be the ideal movie for teenage boys. On the other hand, it is not that badly done, and if you like real action, not comedy action or goofball action, or simply special effects action, this might be the film for you.

It may seem like I am damning the film with faint praise, but that is probably what it deserves. It was not very good, a symbol of a summer season that so far has not provided anything excellent.

Wellington Rotarians Honor Frank Suess And Amit Patel

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Frank Suess and Amit Patel were given Paul Harris Fellow awards at the Wellington Rotary Club luncheon Tuesday.

Seuss and Patel were not able to attend an earlier presentation at the Rotary’s annual installation dinner where three other community leaders — County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, former Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham and Palm Beach Central High School teacher Carl Rosenberg — were given Paul Harris Fellow awards.

“These five people have helped us out very much through the club’s 30 years,” said Rotarian Don Gross.

Paul Harris founded Rotary International in Chicago with three business associates in 1905. The Paul Harris Fellow award was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation for Rotary’s contributions to humanitarian and educational programs.

“These activities are funded, implemented and managed by Rotarians and Rotary clubs around the globe,” Gross said.

Rotarians also designate a Paul Harris Fellow to recognize people whose life demonstrates the objectives and mission of Rotary International to build world understanding and peace. “These two gentlemen have supported us monetarily and with their support of being there for us to make sure our projects were able to be done,” Gross said.

Rotarian Barry Manning said the Wellington club recognizes people who have supported its charities and the community over and over again.

“Those of you who know, understand why Frank and Amit are standing here before us,” Manning said. “Those of you who don’t know need to know that Frank Suess and Amit Patel have been contributing and contributing and contributing to practically anything that we ask them to undertake.”

Tickets On Sale For Kravis On Broadway’s New Season

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is now offering subscription tickets for the 2010-11 Kravis On Broadway series, which includes five smash-hit musicals.

“The 2010-11 Kravis On Broadway season boasts a powerful lineup, which includes the new Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein and straight from the great white way, a superb revival of West Side Story,” said Lee Bell, the Kravis Center’s senior director of programming. “Add to this, NETworks Presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Dreamgirls and The Color Purple, all making their West Palm Beach debut at the Kravis Center. The upcoming Kravis On Broadway season promises a world of excitement and escape for our audience.”

Subscription tickets to the upcoming Kravis On Broadway series cost $141 to $419 and will be avail-

able for purchase at the box office and by phone. Dates are as follows:

• Nov. 23-28, Dreamgirls — Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Hopeful talents Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White are performing as the Dreamettes when ambitious agent Curtis Taylor Jr. discovers them and begins to guide their quickly rising career. However, when the beautiful Deena emerges as the star of the group rather than the full-voiced Effie, the girls are brought to personal and professional crossroads.

The original Broadway production of Dreamgirls opened Dec. 20, 1981, ran for 1,521 performances and garnered six Tony Awards. The original Broadway production was directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Bennett and Michael Peters. Dreamgirls was adapted into a motion picture and opened in December 2006 receiving two Academy Awards and six Golden Globes. This all-new production of Dreamgirls premiered at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater in New York City on Nov. 22, 2009, before embarking on this international tour.

• Jan. 4-9, Beauty and the Beast — Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the smash-hit Broadway musical, is coming to West Palm Beach featuring the Academy Award-winning score from the feature film. The show features original music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with added music by Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. This eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide in 21 countries. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and

dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Kravis Center.

Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

• Feb. 1-6, Young Frankenstein — The new Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein, a comedy from the creative team of the 12-time Tony Award-winning smash The Producers, opened on Broadway in November 2007. Based on the 1974 comedy film Young Frankenstein, it features a book by three-time Tony Award winner Mel Brooks and three-time Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Brooks. The show was directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. Young Frankenstein was named Best Broadway Musical 2008 by the Outer Critics Circle Award and was hailed by Clive Barnes of the New York Post as “the Broadway musical at its dizziest, glitziest and funniest.”

• March 8-13, West Side Story

More than 50 years ago, one musical changed theater forever. Now it’s back on Broadway, mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by its twotime Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents, West Side Story remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway

cast album of West Side Story recently won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theater as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”

• May 10-15, The Color Purple — A soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg, The Color Purple is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds her unique

voice in the world. Nominated for 11 Tony Awards, The Color Purple is a landmark theatrical event, a celebration of love and a Broadway phenomenon. With a joyous Grammy-nominated score featuring jazz, gospel and blues, The Color Purple is capturing the hearts of young and old, and uniting audiences in a community of joy.

The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through the summer. For more information, call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org/ broadway.

CityPlace Art Exhibition Features Colombian Artist Fernando Botero

An art exhibit featuring the original posters of Colombian artist Fernando Botero is now on display at the new Daniels Center for the Arts in CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach. The exhibit, titled “Botero, Poster Collection,” is produced by artist, producer and entrepreneur Carlos Daniels, and Colombian art dealer German Chaves. The exhibit is a collection of hundreds of original posters by Enrique Michelsen. Many of them will be part of this show.

The exhibit will allow the audience to understand the magnitude of Botero’s career and the importance of his art around the world. The collection reunites almost four decades of original posters used by the most important museums and galleries around the world to promote Botero’s exhibits. Among those important venues are the Hirshharn Museum & Sculpture Garden; the House of Culture in Bogotá, Colombia; the Claude Bernard Gallery in Paris; International Amnisti

Netherlands; the Queen Sofia Art Center in Spain; the Miami International Art Exposition; the Marisa del Re Gallery in Montecarlo; the Luis Angel Arango Library in Bogotá, Colombia; the Pushkim Museum in Moscow, Russia; el Palais Des Papaes in Avignon, France; the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires, Argentina; the Public Art Fund of New York; and others in a long list of museums and galleries in countries such as Finland, Rome, Tokyo, Canada, Swit-

zerland and more.

Original drawings, original posters, lithographs and books will be available for sale during the exhibit for art lovers and collectors.

“Botero, Poster Collection” will run through July 25. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children. The Daniels Center for the Arts is located at 700 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 102. For more information about the exhibit, call (561) 904 6549 or visit www.danielscenterforthe arts.com.

Next ABWA Meeting Set For Aug. 11

The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will host its monthly meeting Wednesday, Aug. 11 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.

There will be no speaker at the August meeting. The program will

feature a discussion on chapter structure and teamwork.

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 grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking, support and national recognition.

To make reservations, or for more information, call Sharon Maupin at (561) 624-3816. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 4431 PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. For directions, call the hotel at (561) 6222260.

For more information about the ABWA, call Chapter President Carol O’Neil at (561) 389-1227 or visit www.abwapbflorida.org.

Clerk Pushes To Clear Foreclosure Cases

The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller’s office will hire as many as 15 temporary employees devoted solely to helping clear a backlog of nearly 53,000 pending foreclosure cases, Clerk Sharon Bock announced this month.

The Clerk’s office is using $403,000 it received from the Florida Legislature to hire the temporary employees. Each of the state’s 67 clerks received a share of $3.6 million appropriated by the 2010 legislature to help Florida’s courts speed up its handling of foreclosure cases.

The money is helpful, but Bock said it won’t be nearly enough to process the thousands of pending foreclosure cases in Palm Beach

County. She estimated the $403,000 will be enough to help her office move about 16 percent, or about 8,400, of the pending foreclosures in Palm Beach County.

“We’re grateful for the money to hire additional employees,” Bock said. “However, a one-time appropriation is not a long-term solution to the crippling backlog we’ve seen in our courts.”

After foreclosure judgments are entered, each individual case still requires an average of two hours’ work for the Clerk’s office. That includes time to copy, mail and docket judgment information for all attorneys and parties involved in a case; preparing and issuing notices of sale; conducting the sale; process-

ing motions in a case; and preparing certificates of sale, certificates of title, and writs of possession.

In approximately one-quarter of cases, sales are canceled and subsequently reset, which requires clerks to repeat much of the same work over again. “We’re going to do the best we can to work quickly,” Bock said. “However, people must understand that the role Florida’s clerks play in handling these foreclosure cases is complex and involves multiple steps.”

Bock’s office lost $7.1 million to budget cuts and was forced to eliminate 109 jobs since last year. Bock estimated her office will have a $3.2 million budget gap to close during the fiscal year that started July 1.

Business Of The Month: The Lake Wellington Professional Centre

Lake Wellington Professional Centre has been named the Pyrogrill July Business of the Month for the staff’s efforts in supporting U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pyrogrill is working hard to make the local business culture one of community involvement and would like to reward others like them for making the right choices. Each month, Pyrogrill offers lunch for 10 people for the business the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Selection Committee chooses. Criteria is based on community involvement and good deeds done locally.

Located near the Wellington Community Center, the Lake Wellington Professional Centre offers the only offices directly on Lake

Wellington. Just minutes from local restaurants, banks, boutique shops and grocery stores, Palm Beach Polo, equestrian venues and the Mall at Wellington Green, as well as the newly renovated, stateof-the-art swimming facility, Wellington Amphitheater and the soonto-be Town Center.

Pyrogrill offers catering services starting at $5.80 per person. The restaurant is located at the Wellington Green Commons, 10590 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., call (561) 798-4099 or visit www.pyro grill.com.

For more information about the Pyrogrill Business of the Month, call the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at (561) 792-6525.

Dufresne Reappointed To Equestrian Preserve Committee

Donald P. Dufresne, a partner at Greenspoon Marder, P.A., has been reappointed by Wellington Vice Mayor Matt Willhite to serve on Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve Committee. His two-year appointment will continue through May 31, 2012. He currently serves as the committee’s chairman.

Dufresne, an accomplished equestrian and equestrian law practitioner, will act as a voting member of the Equestrian Preserve Committee,

which provides advice upon the request of the Wellington Village Council or the Wellington Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board on various matters, including protecting and preserving land in the preserve for equestrian purposes; safety of riders; flooding and drainage in the preserve; having representation within the village on policy and planning; permitting, zoning and code enforcement within the preserve; designating the equestrian preserve as

permanent and inviolate; land development regulations as they apply to the preserve area; recommended equestrian projects for inclusion in the capital improvements program; and the design and/ or configuration of equestrian capital projects.

“The Equestrian Preserve Committee serves a vital role, not only to the equestrian industry and equestrian community, but to the entire village,” Dufresne said. “It is through the dedication of my

fellow committee members that the committee works to preserve the equestrian lifestyle and maintain our village as the premier equestrian destination in the world.”

Dufresne is a partner in the West Palm Beach office of Greenspoon Marder. He specializes in equine law and matters involving the equestrian industry. Other primary areas of practice include real property; lending and business transactions, including asset and equities transfers;

condominium law; title insurance; financing; acquisition; development; leasing; and 1031 exchanges. He also assists clients in general corporate and partnership matters including domestic and international transactions. Dufresne has extensive experience in the drafting and negotiation of agreements involving asset purchases, employment, shareholders, software development, licensing and Internet hosting. For info., visit www.gmlaw.com.

Lakeside Medical Center Gets Breast Cancer Screening Grant

Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade was recently awarded a $16,000 grant from the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.

The grant allows Palm Beach County’s only public hospital to provide free, potentially lifesaving mammograms to underinsured and

uninsured county residents who qualify.

“Mammograms are a proven screening tool for the detection of breast cancer,” said Jeffrey A. McRoberts, Lakeside Medical Center’s director of nursing and project director for the hospital’s grant.

“We want all area residents to have access to this preventive screening, and we’re grateful for the support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in helping us provide that ser-

vice to those who need it most.”

Funded in part by a generous grant from PNC Bank, along with a Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Community Development Block Grant, Lakeside Medical Center’s GE Senographe Essential digital mammography machine generates electronic images in seconds, allowing physicians to provide patients with faster and more comprehensive

diagnoses, which can save lives.

“Lakeside Medical Center offers technologically advanced digital mammography screenings for earlier detection of breast cancer,” Hospital Administrator Brian P. Gibbons Jr. said. “We appreciate the ongoing support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its recognition of our focus on women’s health services, which include primary care, maternal and child

care, and bone densitometry.”

Two Lakeside Medical Center ob/gyn physicians, Dr. Marian Sampson and Dr. Sherida Williams, offer women’s health services at Lakeside Physician Practice in Belle Glade. Giving their patients greater access to important diagnostic services supports the work they do every day to help women through all stages of personal health.

“Educating women in this community about their over-

all health is a priority,” Dr. Williams said. “Mammograms go a long way in enabling early detection of breast cancer when it’s treatable, and I’m excited that through this generous grant, many of my patients will be able to learn first-hand the value of mammography screening.”

Lakeside Medical Center is located at 39200 Hooker Highway. For more info., visit www.lakesidemedical.org.

International Polo Club Hosts 2010 National AYSO Games

The 2010 American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) National Games were held July 4-11 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.

The games saw nearly 200 teams competing from across the United States and 20 other countries as well.

On Saturday, July 10, the AYSO welcomed VIP players to take part in the games. VIP players are those whose physical and mental disabilities make it difficult for them to successfully participate on mainstream teams. VIP players can include those who are blind or visually impaired, have impaired mobility, are mentally or emotionally challenged, autistic, have Down syndrome or cerebral palsy.

The VIP program allows those with disabilities to participate in a supportive and fun environment.

The AYSO is one of the largest single youth sports organizations in the United States, including more than 50,000 teams and 650,000 players, all supported by 250,000 volunteers. It is a national, nonprofit organization that provides soccer development and instruction for children between ages 4 and 19 in all 50 states and some U.S. territories. The AYSO is mostly run at local levels by teams of volunteers, including administrators, coaches and referees, many of whom are parents or family members. For more info., visit www.aysosection14.org.

11-U Wellington Colts Win AAU National Gold Championship

The 11-U Wellington Colts put on a superb display of baseball in winning their last seven games in route to capturing the AAU National Gold Championship. The prestigious week-long event was held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando and concluded on July 2.

The team’s hit brigade was led by the power of Tarik Latchminsingh, Justin Wahid, Austin Hughes and Joe Kelly, and the high on-base percentage of Javier Carrasquillo, Nick Shumilla and Morgan Mendez. Almost everyone contributed to the excellent pitching, which was led by Morgan Mendez, Latchminsingh, Carrasquillo, C.J. Sothen, Alec Mendez and Michael Carhart. Strong defense was provided by Myles Cohen and Brandon Clark. For their efforts, Wahid, Hughes, Shumilla, Cohen, Sothen and Clark were selected by their teammates to be on the all-tournament team.

The tournament victory capped

off a 34-17-2 spring season for the Colts, which finished first in overall points in the FPBL, second place in the competitive 11-U Blue Division, and third in the 11-U FPBL playoffs.

Alexis Vega, who was unable to participate in the tournament, made outstanding contributions all season long. The team is coached by Miguel Mendez, Barry Cohen and Chris Sothen. Send sports news items

OKEEHEELEE ALL-STARS WIN AT STATE TOURNEY

July 3-4

won its bracket, defeating teams from Winter Springs, South Lakeland and Ocala Rotary to advance to the state semifinal game against the host Palm Beach Gardens All-Stars. Okeeheelee defeated Gardens 4-3 to advance to the state championship game and qualify for the southeast regionals. Okeeheelee finished state runner-up after losing to the Eagle Lakes All-Star team. Eagle Lakes will also advance to the southeast regionals in Winterville, N.C. beginning July 15. The Okeeheelee 8-U All-Stars are: (front row, L-R) Jacob Baughman, Gavin Ross, Raul Cepero, Freddy Leederman, Cameron Faurot and Fernando Zermeno; (middle row) Kyle Palmer, Griffin Lampton, Stephen Passeggiata, Zachary Epstein, Guillermo Garcia Jr., Michael Hamm and Charlie Nichols; (back row) Coach John Baughman, Manager David Epstein and coach Tim Lampton. Not pictured: Coaches Mike Hamm and Guillermo Garcia.

Smith Set To Compete At National Rodeo Finals

Christopher Smith, a recent graduate of Seminole Ridge High School, has earned a position on a high school rodeo team that will be traveling with fellow teammates to Gillette, Wyo. from July 1824 to compete at the 62nd annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in the bareback and saddle bronc competitions. Smith is also a member of the Wrangler all-star team.

Featuring more than 1,500 contestants from 41 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia, the National High School Finals is the world’s largest rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $200,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants will also be vying for more than $350,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named the National High School Rodeo National Champion. To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 after two goarounds of intense competition before advancing to the

final championship performance.

Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NHSFR contestants have the opportunity to represent their team in a volleyball tournament, enjoy nightly contestant dances, participate in a talent contest, compete in an NRA rifle

shooting competition, test their skills in a knowledge bowl competition, have the chance to shop the ever-popular NHSFR western trade show, and visit the historical attractions of the Cowboy State.

To follow Smith at the NHSFR, visit the NHSRA’s web site daily for complete results at www.nhsra.org.

Dance Arts Conservatory Hosts ‘Tribute’ Performance

Dance Arts Conservatory held its sixth annual recital “Tribute” on Saturday, June 12 at the Palm Beach Central High School theater.

The recital featured students age two through adult performing routines in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theater, rhythmic gymnastics, tap and pointe.

The show opened with a tribute to Michael Jackson and ended with Momentum Dance Company performing their award-winning competition dance to “August’s Rhapsody.”

The show featured performances by owners/artistic directors/teachers Rocky and Dorie Duvall. It also featured the award-winning Momentum Dance Company. Junior company dancers were Christina Kohlbeck, Quinn VanPopering, Francesca Herman, Alexandra Ramey, Jordyn Kelley and Cassandra Wiesner. Senior company dancers were Amanda Aggen, Julia Prosen, Maya

from Momentum Dance Company.

Schwartz, Daria Taylor and Jessica Watts. Special guests included the Arya Dancers. Always trying to keep up with the growing needs of their students, a special announcement regarding the launching of Wellington Ballet Theater (WBT) was made. The WBT will be a not-for-

profit company. Dance Arts Conservatory is located at 11260 Fortune Circle, Suite J1, Wellington. The studio is currently accepting registration for the fall dance season, which begins Aug. 23. For info., call (561) 296-1880 or visit www. danceartsconservatory.com.

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

• ALL-STAR KIDS — Every parent wants a safe, clean and caring childcare center for their child. At All-Star Kids, they address all of your child’s needs in a fun and loving environment. Small classes with caring, certified teachers, giving your child the attention they need to be successful. The children are exposed to a wide range of experiences to foster an excellent learning environment. All-Star Kids offers programs for children six weeks old to pre-K as well as after school. Visit All-Star Kids to see this wonderful school in action — they would love to meet you and your child! All-Star Kids is located at 14390 Orange Blvd., Loxahatchee. For more info., call (561) 792-5440.

• LOXAHATCHEE COUNTRY PRESCHOOL — Loxahatchee Country Preschool at 16245 Okeechobee Blvd. has been serving the area for over 20 years. It is Apple and Gold Seal accredited. Owners Anita and Frank Rizzo purchased the school in 1998. They introduced educational diversity into the curriculum. The school tuition includes Spanish lessons, gymnastics, computer and swimming lessons. Their method of self-paced discovery recognizes that all children do not mature and develop at the same rate. They strive to achieve a feeling of selfesteem through personal discovery and accomplishment. The non-sectarian philosophy promotes social development through understanding diversity and appreciation of cultural differences. Snacks are included in the tuition price. For more info., call (561) 790-1780.

• MOVEMENT ARTS DANCE ACADEMY — Movement Arts will be holding two auditions for their new dance company. The auditions will be on Saturday, July 17 with an additional audition on Saturday, Aug. 21. The company will be for students ages 6 and up who are interested in competing and performing at local events. The studio is also currently accepting registration for the 2010-11 school year. Movement Arts offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hiphop, baton twirling, boys-only classes, and more for students age 2 through adult. For more information on auditions or classes, call the studio at (561) 792-9757. More information about the studio can be found at www.movementartsdanceacademy.com.

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

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

• ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL — St. David’s is a small Christian school located at the northwest corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. Their mission is to minister to each child and family by providing an environment of love, security, belonging and learning. They are committed to low student-teacher ratios (kindergarten and first grade never have more than 12 students per teacher). A combination of the A Beka and Creative curriculum is used for all students ages 2½ through first grade. The combined curriculum allows for teaming through student play and exploration, along with the use of workbooks and teacher-guided activities. Visit www.stdavidsepiscopal.com or call (561) 793-1272 for more info.

• TEMPLE BETH TORAH PRESCHOOL — A quality educational foundation is the basis for future academic success. If your child is between 15 months and kindergarten, Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool is Wellington’s oldest and most respected preschool. Your child will enjoy a variety of activities that will make them smile, while promoting learning and social development. Activities include reading and writing skills, computation skills, gymnastics, computers, foreign language, and art and music appreciation. The school also features a state-of-the-art playground. All of this is available in a secure, loving and nurturing environment. Gold Seal, NAEYC-accredited program with full-time and part-time programs. Now enrolling for preschool 2010-11. VPK is available. For more info., contact Sandy at (561) 7932649 or psdirector@templebethtorah.net.

• TEMPLE BETH ZION PRESCHOOL AND RELIGIOUS SCHOOL — At Temple Beth Zion’s preschool, children of all faiths learn and play together in a loving, nurturing learning environment. The school is Apple accredited school using the Creative Curriculum program. The school is accepting applications for ages 2 through 5. They offer free VPK classes that have no hidden fees or required extra hours. Ask about the “Mommy & Me” program. “My First Jewish Experience” and “More Jewish Experience” (ages 5-6 & 6-7) is a fun Montessori-style experience including art, music, holidays, prayers and customs. For more information, call (561) 798-3737 (preschool) or (561) 798-8888. Visit www.templebethzion.net for details.

• THE KING’S ACADEMY — The King’s Academy is a private, non-profit, college-preparatory, interdenominational Christian school. Located on a beautiful 60-acre campus, the school community consists of grades K-4 through 12. The academic program is designed to challenge motivated students of good moral character who are in the middle to upper range of academic ability. Honors and Advanced Placement classes are available for all students in preparing for college-level work. Students may participate in a multitude of clubs, athletic and fine arts programs. For more information, visit www.TKA.net or call (561) 686-4244, ext. 335.

• THE SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE MUSEUM — The South Florida Science Museum reaches more than 55,000 students each year through educational programs at the museum and outreach to local schools. Programs explore all fields of science and are aligned with the Sunshine State Standards. These programs are adapted to reach students in many different learning environments, including public and private schools, out-of-school time, scout troops and other community organizations. For more info., call (561) 832-1988 or visit www.sfsm.org.

• WELLINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL — Established in 1981, Wellington Christian School is celebrating 30 years of educational excellence. WCS offers preschool through high school (PK3-12th grade). Wellington Christian School’s award-winning curriculum has set the path for students to be successful with 98 percent of graduates attending colleges and universities all over the country. The mission of Wellington Christian School is to impact the world by educating students in a Christ-centered, loving atmosphere that pursues spiritual and academic excellence. WCS is accredited by SACS and CSF and provides a low faculty-to-student ratio, a college preparatory academic program, interscholastic and intramural athletics, and fine arts programs. Call (561) 793-1017 or visit www.wellingtonchristian.org for more info.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, July 17

• Hospice of Palm Beach County’s 11th annual Horizon Fishing Tournament is set for Saturday, July 17 at the Riviera Beach Marina. The registration fee of $150 to $300 is based on date of entry and includes one boat entry with up to six anglers, one tshirt and two tickets to the awards ceremony dinner. Proceeds benefit the children’s bereavement programs provided by Hospice of Palm Beach County. To register, call (561) 494-6884 or visit www.hpbcf.org.

• The Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches Foundation will host a First-Time Home Buyers Seminar on Saturday, July 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches Conference Center in Lake Worth (1926 10th Ave. North, on the fourth floor). The free seminar will address a variety of topics of interest to firsttime home buyers. There are a limited number of seats available, so RSVP to Ruben Frias at (561) 688-1352 or e-mail rfrias@ rapb.com.

• Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host a Versatile Bromeliads Workshop on Saturday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members, and includes materials. To pre-register, call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org.

• Miami Dolphins Players will be on hand Saturday, July 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. center court at Downtown at the Gardens (11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens). Join Dolphins Cameron Wake, Sean Smith and Jared Odrick for an afternoon of autographs and pictures, courtesy of Palm Beach Autographs. For more info., visit www.palmbeachautographs.com.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Creative Writing for Teens” on Saturdays, July 17 and 31 at 3 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Learn how to give and receive constructive criticism and do writing exercises to improve your skills. Bring a sample of your writing to share. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

Sunday, July 18

• The Wellington Aquatic Complex (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host the annual American Red Cross Lifeguard Competition on Sunday, July 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. All interested parties are invited to watch the competition, which will host teams from throughout Palm Beach County. The pool will open for public swimming at noon. For info., call (561) 753-2484.

• The Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach) will host a multimedia presentation by award-winning author/photographer Joel M. Curzon titled “Listening to the Everglades: Reality, Humility and the End of Growth” on Sunday, July 18 at 2 p.m. in the visitor center auditorium. Profits from a book signing will be donated to the NWRA Gulf Oil Disaster Relief Fund. Visit www. loxahatcheefriends.com or www.light fading.com, or e-mail Stephen Horowitz at stephenjayme@yahoo.com for more info. Monday, July 19

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Checker Challenge” on Monday, July 19 at 2:30 p.m. for age 6 and up. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Sea Turtles” on Monday, July 19 at 3:30 p.m. for age 4 and up. Jennifer Royce from the Loggerhead Marine Life Center will visit. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Grace Fellowship Acreage will host its Vacation Bible School “Saddle Ridge Ranch” the week of July 19-23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each day at Seminole Ridge High School. Saddle Ridge Ranch is for children ages 2 through the sixth grade and will feature a week of food, fun and learning. The event is free of charge and open to everyone. For more info., call Cindy Potts at (561) 301-5205 or visit www.gfacreage.com. Tuesday, July 20

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Let’s Make Music” on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. for ages 2 to 5. Music lovers will gather to dance, sing and move to the beat of their favorite songs. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Bookmaking II: Key Chain & Cookie Cutter” on Tuesdays, July 20 and 27 at 4 p.m. for age 10 and up. Make a book to carry with you wherever you go. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Anime Grab Bag” on Tuesday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. View new anime titles from the library’s grab bag. Pocky will be provided. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council will meet Tuesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. at the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District office (101 West D Road). Call (561)

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

CALENDAR, continued from page 40 793-2418 www.loxahatcheegroves.org for more info.

• Palm Beach Opera will present a season preview concert as part of Kretzer Piano’s Music for the Mind Concert Series on Tuesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. at the Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace (700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach). Palm Beach Opera General Director Daniel Biaggi will host the concert, featuring nationally recognized singers including Irene Roberts, Wendy Jones and Graham Fandrei singing operatic favorites. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students. Admission is free for children under 12. Tickets are available through the Palm Beach Opera box office at (561) 833-7888 or online at www. pbopera.org.

Wednesday, July 21

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Anime Club” on Wednesday, July 21 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Watch anime, eat Pocky and check out the newest manga titles. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Socrates Café” on Wednesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. The Society for Philosophical Inquiry initiated the concept for this discussion led by Marji Chapman. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Thursday, July 22

• South Florida Kids Consignment returns for all your back-to-school needs during the weekend of July 22-25 at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). For more info., visit www.southfloridakids consignment.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Library Fear Factor” on Thursday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Friday, July 23

• The Wellington and Royal Palm Beach libraries (500 Civic Center Way) will host Roger Dean Stadium Mascot Visits on Friday, July 23 at 1 p.m. (Wellington) and 3:30 p.m. (Royal Palm Beach) for ages 2 and up. In anticipation of “Library Night” at Roger Dean Stadium, mascots will be on hand to celebrate the Summer Reading Program. Bring a camera.

• A Brass and Woodwinds Concert will be held Friday, July 23 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. center court at Downtown at the Gardens (11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave.,

Palm Beach Gardens). Enjoy saxophone, trumpet and other brass and woodwind musicians as they breathe excitement into the night air. For more info., visit www.down townatthegardens.com or call (561)3401600.

Saturday, July 24

• A Gigantic Garage Sale will be held Saturday, July 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo East (9067 Southern Blvd.). More than 80 vendors will be on hand offering a variety of garage sale and novelty items. Call (561) 790-5219 for a booth reservation. Admission for buyers is $2 at the gate. Visit www.southfloridafair. com for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host a meeting of the Teen Advisory Posse on Saturday, July 24 at 2:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Find out what’s coming and share your ideas for future teen programs. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Beastly Book Discussion” on Saturday, July 24 at 3 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Discuss Alex Flinn’s modern take on the story of Beauty and the Beast. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

Sunday, July 25

• Palms West Presbyterian Church (13839 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves) will host Vacation Bible School July 25-30 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. There will be five nights of classes, and the sixth night will be a family potluck dinner and program night. The theme this year is “Galactic Blast.” For more info., call Candi McLeod at (561) 6350740 or e-mail rgm427bb@aol.com.

Monday, July 26

• Former NFL stars Lorenzo Hampton, Mark “Super” Duper, Keith Byars and others will host a Youth Football Camp to teach the fundamentals to players ages 7 to 14. The week of training will begin Monday, July 26 and run through Friday, July 30 at Mirasol Park in Palm Beach Gardens. To register for the camp, call (678) 773-1160.

Tuesday, July 27

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Teen Game Night” on Tuesday, July 27at 6 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 7906070 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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DENTAL ASSISTANT - Wellington upscale dental office, 2 Saturdays per month a requirement, must have experience and expanded duties certificate, excellent pay and benefits. Please call 561 204 4494 and fax resume to 561 204 2840.

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LANDSCAPER — clean record, FL Drivers License, Bi-lingual plus. Must speak English. 561-337-0658

IF YOU MUST WORK, WORK FROM HOME. FULL TIME PART TIMEwww.sam83.com

TOWNHOME FOR RENT — 2/2

2 car garage. Lakefront seasonal or annual lease.No Pets 561-644-2019

4 BEDROOM 2/1 BATH POOL HOME ON CANAL — in Sugar Pond Manor $2,200/mo. First and security,available immediately 561389-9826.

ROOMMATE WANTED — Female seeking female roommate to share furnished single family waterfront home in nice Wellington neighborhood. All utilities included plus, directTV & Internet. $750 per month. References & stable employment required. For more information call 561-385-5199 LAND FOR SALE IN OKEECHOBEE

5-10Acres gated EQUESTRIAN Million dollar neighborhood. Paved roads,riding,trails, pasture&trees. www.sundancetrailsranch.com starting 59K with owner financing 863-697-7547

THIS SATURDAY, JULY 17, 9am1pm — Equestrian items for horse and rider RV items for motor home or trailers, 5th wheel, hitch, tripod,stabilizers, plus more. Tools, electric items, audio books, paperbacks, rolltop desk, medical scooters one used/and one new with paper work, household items, silver pieces, plus many more items. 16592 84th Court North (Off of Seminole Pratt & Banyan) 561-4221966

ALL KIDS ITEMS and Maternity, Bigger than a Garage Sale at the South Florida Fair Grounds, Gate 8 July 22-25th Thur 3p-6p, Fri 9a-6p, Sat 9a- 5p, Sun 9a-4p www.southfloridakidsconsignment.com 561-594-3992

1997 GREY SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE — new a/c, clean & well

CUTE, CUDDLY ALPACAS — 2 young males - $1,800 for pair. 561792-2666. Easy to care for and fun to have

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. —Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 793-3576 TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD!

A/C SALES & SERVICE — New, used, scratch & dent. If you used anyone but Glover’s A/C, you probably paid too much! U10163. 7937388

EAST COAST AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. — Service • Sales • Repairs • Installation ALL MAKES & MODELS. Call us before you replace you’re A/C Unit! FREE 2nd Opinion. 561-4782662. Credit Cards Accepted.

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

BUSHHOG SERVICE — Bushhog Service specializing in overgrown lots. Call for free estimate. Bankers & Realtors welcome! 561-6447463

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

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

RESIDENTIAL HOUSE CLEANING — call for a free estimate, responsible, reliable, 20 years experience. No job too big or too small. 561-351-0904

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 We accept major credit cards.

ADDITIONS, ROOFING, PATIOS & REMODELING — Cell 561-2027036 561-798-6448 Lic. & Ins. CBC 1250306 CCC1326386

DRIVEWAYS — Free estimates. A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed. Lic.& Ins. 100045062 561-667-7716

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

IMPRESS CONSTRUCTION CORPORATON — All phases ofGeneral Construction Robert Betancourt 561-722-7681 CGC1512363

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

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior Trim, crown molding, rotttenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets/ countertops,wood flooring. Bonded Ins.U#19699 791-9900 628-9215

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

CAVANAGH ALLSTATE INSURANCE Auto • Home • Life • Renters • Motorcycle •RV • Golfcart • Boat Serving the Western Communities for 24 years Call for a quote 798-3056, or visit our website. www.allstateagencies.com/rCavanagh

HOME TURF — Lawn maintenance, landscape, irrigation, tree removal, hurricane prep, stump grinding, HOA/POA specialists. www.hometurfservice.com 561333-5989 No Obligation FREE QUOTE.

MOLD & MILDEW INSPECTIONS

Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811

RJA PAINTING & DECORATING, INC. — Interior, Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial.Lic. #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561793-5455 561-662-7102

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. Ins. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident

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

POOL PLAS TERING AND RESURFACING — Lic. U19996. 561722-7690.

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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

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