THINKPINKKIDS HOST BIG DANCE AT WHS SEE STORY, PAGE 3
IPC WINS COUNTY’S TOP TOURISM AWARD SEE STORY, PAGE 18
THE
TOWN - CR IER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
Your Community Newspaper
INSIDE
Lox Council Discusses Speed Hump Design
Volume 34, Number 19 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WOMEN’S CLUB SPRING FUNDRAISER
The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council discussed what model to use for speed humps Tuesday in preparation for paving and resurfacing several town roads. The council may decide as early as next month on a design for the humps as it takes over control of paved roads from the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District. Page 3
RPB Rotary Club Hosts Golf Tourney
The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club held a golf fundraiser Friday, May 3 at the Madison Green Golf Club. Money raised will go toward the Children’s Miracle Network, Royal Palm Beach High School scholarships and Rotary community projects. Page 5
Women of the Western Communities celebrated 36 years at its “Fun in the Sun: A Journey Through Florida” annual spring fundraiser luncheon Sunday, May 5 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. Guests were able to bid on a wide array of items in silent and Chinese auctions. Brunch was served, and the Women of Note chorus performed. Shown here, Women of the Western Communities President Mair Armand (left) YWCA of Palm Beach County CEO Suzanne Turner (right) accepts paper flowers from McKenna Epstein from Brownie Troop 22222 and her mother Karen. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Temple B’nai Jacob Members Enjoy Picnic
Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington held its annual picnic Sunday, May 5 at Okeeheelee Park’s Alligator Pavilion. Page 9
Central Chamber Thanks Teachers
The Central Palm County Chamber of Commerce presented its annual Teacher Appreciation Celebration on Thursday, May 2 at the original Wellington Mall. Page 12
OPINION Stop Roadblocking The Inspector General
Some Palm Beach County officials are doing all that is possible to put roadblocks in front of Inspector General Sheryl Steckler, making it impossible for her to do her job, then criticizing the work that has gotten done. Are we destined to relive the recent past? Let’s hope not. Page 4
DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 13 OPINION .................................4 CRIME NEWS .........................6 NEWS BRIEFS........................ 8 SCHOOLS .....................14 - 15 PEOPLE ............................... 16 COLUMNS .................... 23 - 24 BUSINESS .................... 25 - 27 ENTERTAINMENT .................31 SPORTS ........................ 35 - 37 CALENDAR ...................38 - 39 CLASSIFIEDS ................ 40 - 43 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Western Reservoir Project Gets County Approval To Move Ahead By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Commission agreed Tuesday to move forward with the long-planned C51 Reservoir Project north of 20Mile Bend, even though the project will primarily benefit Broward County, which is in desperate need of potable water. Palm Beach County Water Utilities Director Bevin Beaudet said the C-51 Reservoir Project is designed to capture and use water that would otherwise go to tide and be wasted. It uses rock pits owned by Palm Beach Aggregates. The project started in November 2006 when the utilities department and other entities began a study, Beaudet said, explaining that the South Florida Water Management District has been heavily involved. “The phase one feasibility study was completed in October 2008, and we workshopped that study with the board in September 2009,” Beaudet said. The second phase was completed in February 2010, with the Palm Beach County Water Resources Task Force endorsing the
reservoir concept that fall. In October 2011, the county commission signed a memorandum of understanding to continue to work with others in developing the project. Last July, utility staff started working on a preliminary design report finished in February, with the task force approving a draft resolution last month. Beaudet asked the commissioners to approve that resolution. “The project has changed in that it is now phased to meet the immediate needs in Broward County and other utilities,” Beaudet said. “This is a big change in the project. Rather than have one huge reservoir, which would be very expensive and won’t be needed by many people for 20 or 30 years, a decision was made in this final report to phase the project.” The rock pits needed for the first phase will be available soon. “Phase one is almost complete at this time because they [Palm Beach Aggregates] have been mining that under permit and will be able to deliver that final product in about two and a half years,” Beaudet said. The SFWMD will actually op-
erate the reservoir, pending approval of that board. Phase one will offer about 10,000 acre-feet of storage. “There are a number of utilities interested in participating in phase one,” Beaudet said. “Palm Beach County does not need the water. We would not be a participant in phase one of the project, but we are interested in seeing the project move forward.” Construction on two additional phases will depend on the demand for additional water supply in the future, he said. The project is also designed to mitigate damage to the Lake Worth Lagoon, which has suffered from excessive freshwater discharge, and will help the region adapt to rising sea level. “Keeping the dynamic head in the canals with this water would be an excellent adaptation to sea level and the possible pollution of wells,” Beaudet said. He said the resolution does not commit Palm Beach County to any specific course of action. “Again, we do not need the water for phase one, and I’m not recommending See WATER, page 18
Wellington Expands Popular Senior Transportation Program By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington expanded its senior transportation program this month, allowing senior citizens to catch a ride to more locations throughout Wellington. “We’re removing some of the restrictions on where seniors can go,” Director of Community Services Nicole Evangelista said. “They can still only go within the Wellington boundaries, but we’re not restricting them to certain places.” Previously, rides were provided only to local medical offices and hospitals, pharmacies, religious institutions and food markets. The senior transportation program began in 2010 as a way to help seniors who are unable to
drive, or who do not want to drive, to get around town. The village partners with Wellington Cab to give seniors monthly vouchers that can be used for door-to-door service. Seniors pay $4 a ride, and Wellington picks up the remaining $14, which is partially funded through a grant. “For the most part, people use [the vouchers] to get groceries or go to doctor’s offices, but now they can go anywhere,” Evangelista said. When surveyed, the top request of senior residents was expanding the program to allow more stops. “We want to encourage ridership,” Evangelista said. “We thought this would provide more opportunities for seniors wanting to use the program.”
The vouchers are distributed through the Neighborhood Services Office, and seniors can request up to eight a month. “The goal is to provide safe transportation for our seniors,” she said. “We also want to provide engagement in the community. We want them to be able to attend community events.” The program is open to all Wellington seniors 60 and older, and there is no deadline to request the monthly vouchers, Evangelista said. “We want to provide this service to everyone who needs it,” she added. For more information, or to request vouchers, call Neighborhood Advocate Scott Campbell at (561) 791-4105.
Serving Palms West Since 1980
Board Doesn’t Like Proposal For Bears In Palm Beach Point By Alexandra Antonopoulos Town-Crier Staff Report A divided Wellington Equestrian Preserve Committee voted 3-2 on Wednesday to oppose a proposal to house black bears in a recently created wildlife sanctuary. The committee met to discuss a petition from Matt Carfi regarding his proposal to allow black bears in his newly organized Wellington Wildlife Sanctuary, located within the Palm Beach Point community. Carfi and his wife have housed and maintained exotic animals since the early 1980s and moved to Palm Beach Point in 1992. In August 2012, the couple founded the Wellington Wildlife Sanctuary, receiving nonprofit status last October. The Carfis are currently in the process of gaining approval for a Class 1 Exotic Animals License and have already secured state and federal approvals, with the exception of actually constructing the enclosures and receiving the final approval from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The issue at the center of the debate was whether or not an exception should be made to Palm Beach Point’s exotic animals policy for Carfi’s bears. The two black bears that Carfi is attempting to rescue are currently housed at the Space Farms Zoo & Museum in Sussex, N.J. Wellington planner Cory Cramer presented the proposal on Carfi’s behalf, while Judy Berens, director of the nearby Panther Ridge Conservation Center, sat in on the meeting to give her endorsement of the proposal. Carfi’s petition for conditional use of Class 1 Exotic Animals states that the bears would be housed at his sanctuary, which is on his residential property. Carfi fielded questions from committee members Michael Whitlow and Dr. Kristy Lund regarding the safety and security of his proposed enclosures. “In that enclosure that you see,” Carfi responded, “we are going to double fence it.” He referenced the rendering that See BEARS, page 18
ANNUAL CAKE-OFF AT AMPHITHEATER
Children of Wounded Warriors held its second annual cake-off fundraiser Sunday, May 5 at the Wellington Amphitheater. At the event, organizers Bob and Vivian Simeone made a donation to the family of slain St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Gary Morales. Shown here, the Simeones present a check to widow Holly Morales and daughters Jordan and Brooklynn. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 17 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
ITID Sends Out Request For New Engineering Firm By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors pushed forward in its search for a new engineering firm this week, approving a request for qualifications (RFQ) after a month’s delay to work on its wording. Supervisor Gary Dunkley had made the original request to advertise for a new engineering firm in March after a resident alleged a possible conflict of interest by the district’s current engineering firm, Engenuity Group. Engenuity Group’s name had come up during a proposal by the firm Atkins Engineering in its response to a request for qualifications by the City of West Palm Beach. Engenuity had been listed as a local partner by Atkins, an international firm. Engenuity’s Lisa Tropepe, who serves as ITID’s engineer, said she had not been aware that her firm’s
name had come up in such a context. Tropepe represented ITID’s interests in failed negotiations with the City of West Palm Beach over a pilot project to connect the ITID’s L Canal to West Palm Beach’s M Canal. A draft RFQ for engineering services came before the ITID board in April, but was postponed when Dunkley asked that a clause about transparency of the applicants be included. Resident Alex Larson said she thought the board had taken an excessive amount of time in preparing the RFQ. “I think the time we spent on this is tremendous,” Larson said. “It’s not anybody’s fault, but it seems to take a tremendous amount of time to get anything done. And if we did have to rewrite it, how much did it cost? Hopefully this will be the last of it, it will be done correctly, and there See ITID, page 18
PBSO: Enforcement, Not Stop Signs, Curtail Speeding By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Will more stop signs make traffic in Royal Palm Beach safer? Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Paul Miles doesn’t think so. Instead, it’s all about enforcement. Miles told the Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week that speeders are generally the same scofflaws who also run stop signs. Discussion at the May 2 meeting centered around a group of Royal Palm Beach residents who have been clamoring for addition-
al stop signs to combat speeders. Councilman David Swift, who lives on Ponce de Leon Street in La Mancha, said he had met with other La Mancha residents about speeders on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. who turn right onto La Mancha Blvd. “Those residents came to me and asked about having some stop signs there,” Swift said. Swift said that prior to the opening of the State Road 7 extension, there were similar issues. “What we found out as soon as the Palm Beach County Sher-
iff’s Office came on board to specifically target speeders in the neighborhood was that they weren’t from The Acreage, they were us,” Swift recalled. “They very methodically identified those speeders, gave them tickets and those issues went away. I’m not so sure traffic signs really resolve that issue, because I have a threeway stop right in front of my house. People who obey the law, stop. People who speed, do not. Enforcement is a very important aspect of this.”
Miles said his department has worked on complaints in the area in the past. “As we saturate the area, the problems diminish,” Miles said. “As we started to go away, a few of them came back. When you called me, I sent some more folks back out there and again saturated the area to the point where the deputy I had out there said, ‘I’m out here now, and I’m not getting anybody.’” At Bilbao Street and Barcelona Drive, a resident has complained about people not stopping at the
stop sign, Miles said. “I think you’re right as far as those law-abiders who are going to do the speed limit, or at least allow us to educate them,” Miles said to Swift. “It’s the same thing with stop signs. You can put up a stop sign, but the next complaint will be that they’re running the stop signs.” Miles said that deputies have been monitoring that area as well as several others, including two other locations in La Mancha, two See SPEEDERS, page 4
Page 2 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 3
NEWS
Lox Groves Council Nearing Decision On Speed Hump Design By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council discussed what model to use for speed humps Tuesday in preparation for paving and resurfacing several town roads. The council may decide as early as next month on a design for the humps as it takes over control of paved roads from the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District and assumes maintenance and paving responsibilities. Speed humps have been an ongoing issue since the LGWCD paved portions of A, C and D roads with open-graded emulsion mix (OGEM), installing the bumps ev-
ery 500 feet to control speed and keep people from driving into the canals. The bumps were chosen instead of more expensive guardrails separating the roads and the canals. The speed humps have raised complaints from residents who say they are annoying and difficult for some vehicles to negotiate. LGWCD officials have defended the traffic control devices, maintaining that they are built to current engineering standards and provide a defense against liability to drivers who wind up in the canals. “My intent was to raise the issue so we can actually conclude
it,” said Councilman Jim Rockett, who put the topic on the agenda. “We’ve talked about it, and we know it’s coming.” Rockett said the council needs to know the criteria for speed bumps or speed tables in order to discuss contractors’ road improvement bids. “We’ve talked about speed humps or speed tables that are out to our west,” Rockett said, referring to ones installed in The Acreage on Sycamore Drive. “I think they are a great example of what we can adopt. Various council members at different times have commented about how far apart they are or should be.”
Rockett added that the council will have to decide how to improve B Road from Okeechobee Blvd. to Southern Blvd. as construction begins at the new Palm Beach State College campus. “I think it’s time to make a determination as to what we would adopt as a speed table device, and to me there’s no better way than to figure out what we might like than to take an example,” he said, adding that he prefers the humps on Sycamore near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. Rockett suggested that his colleagues visit the area and test them out. “I’ve asked the council before to take your vehicles out
there,” he said. Rockett said he is especially concerned because he has negotiated the speed humps on the lettered roads with his nursery truck. “It was a 5-mile-an-hour speed hump, not a 30-mile-an-hour speed hump,” he said. Rockett suggested speed tables rather than speed humps, spaced about 1,000 feet apart rather than 500 feet. “That would make it much easier to drive over and still maintain a minimum speed,” he said. “Next meeting we can vote on it, but I’d like to discuss it.” Vice Mayor Ron Jarriel agreed that the council should pick a model to follow. “I definitely think we
need to come up with what we’re going to do,” Jarriel said. “We’ve been talking about it for a long time. I don’t know about next council meeting.” Jarriel said he would like for the town manager to look at the speed tables on Sycamore off Seminole Pratt. “They’re the best that we’ve got in the area,” he said. “I’d like to find out who did those.” Jarriel said he would also like to get cost estimates before a decision is made, and find out whether the town can get discounts for multiple roads. “We need to look at those contractors,” he said. “We definitely need the one who did See HUMPS, page 7
RPB Gives Initial OK For Residential To Commercial Shift On SR 7 By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week approved transmittal of a land-use change from residential to commercial for 10.6 acres on the southeast corner of Pioneer Road and State Road 7, over objections raised by some of the property’s neighbors. Village staff recommended approval, finding that the new use was compatible with adjacent land uses and was consistent with the village’s comprehensive plan and concurrency issues, including traffic and utility requirements. Planning & Zoning Director Bradford O’Brien said the property currently has a communications tower that will be moved during the site plan phase, and that the developer had indicated its ultimate goal is for retail and other commercial purposes. The land is bounded by the Westwood planned unit development in unincorporated Palm Beach County to the north, the new Toys ‘R’Us store to the south, vacant single-family residential to the east and Victoria Grove across State Road 7 to the west. The application failed 3-2 when it came before the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission on March 26. However, most of the discussion at that meeting centered on plans to change adjacent property from single-family to multi-family use. That proposal is on hold pending discussions with neighbors. The village has received letters objecting to the residential-to-
commercial application, asserting that the change would be incompatible with the surrounding area, create visual blight, and increase traffic and criminal activity. At the May 2 council meeting, agent Don Hearing, representing property owner Pebb Enterprises, said the 10.6-acre site is part of a larger tract that extends east. The remainder will remain residential, Hearing said, explaining that Westwood residents also had objected to the multi-family residential plans. Hearing said the developer plans to meet with the residents to see if an agreement can be reached. “We are planning on doing that,” Hearing said. “We’ve put that on hold, and we recognize that there are issues associated with that, so we’re not here tonight to talk about the residential. That will come back in the future. We are here to talk about the comprehensive land-use plan for the parcel in front. Your staff and all our professionals have concluded that the site is best suited for commercial use.” Jan Polson with the land planning firm Cotleur & Hearing said the parcel was part of an 18-acre tract that was annexed into the village in 2004, receiving the singlefamily land use and zoning designation in 2006. Polson pointed out that the parcel is surrounded largely by commercial uses, including the Toys ‘R’ Us store and the commercial component of the Isla Verde mixed-use development to the
south, as well as commercial uses across SR 7. “You can pretty much tell why staff would feel this amendment from single-family residential to commercial is compatible with adjacent land uses in the area,” Polson said. She added that a market study confirms that commercial use is supported in the area, despite residents pointing out numerous vacant commercial properties. “It also found that commercial is consistent with two studies that were completed in this area, the Palm Beach County Commercial Needs Study and also the Palms West Corridor Study,” she said. “Both of those studies supported the need for additional commercial services in this area.” Westwood resident Rick DeMartino said the entire project would have negative effects on his development, asserting that his neighborhood is already harmed by the Shoma Homes neighborhood across SR 7, with spillover crime due to high foreclosures and unemployment in that neighborhood. “Our quality of life has changed with the problems of Shoma,” DeMartino said. “We often find loitering Shoma residents in our neighborhood at all hours of the night. We have experienced thefts and burglaries.” Village Attorney Brad Biggs pointed out, however, that DeMarino was referring to the planned housing element, which was not under discussion that evening. Maria Camacho, president of the Whispering Woods Homeowners’
Association, asked the council to deny the application because it would increase traffic on Pioneer Road, which is used to access Whispering Woods. “During the holidays, I could not believe it,” she said. “I could not make a turn on Pioneer Road because of traffic.” Elyce Werner, president of Westwood Homeowners’ Association, said more commercial uses are not needed because of numerous vacancies in existing commercial areas. “I think this area is completely saturated with commercial,” Werner said. “I think this council would
do a great injustice for not only the Village of Royal Palm Beach but the surrounding communities if you allow more commercial.” Hearing said that area has become a commercial epicenter and that the empty storefronts are smaller bays. He said that Pebb already has commitments for 90 percent of the space it is going to create. Although security issues were not on the agenda that evening, Hearing said the developer has taken steps to improve security in its adjacent Isla Verde shopping center. “The developer has demonstrated its ability to create val-
ue and maintain value,” Hearing said. “This is not a speculative event here.” Marketing consultant Larry Zabik said the commercial market in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington is becoming healthy again. “Over the last three or four years, we struggled in different areas, but on balance, the market remained very strong,” he said, pointing out that large commercial spaces have done very well in Royal Palm Beach. Councilman David Swift made a motion to approve the application for transmittal, which carried 5-0.
Kids Fight Breast Cancer With Dance Party By Alexandra Antonopoulos Town-Crier Staff Report It’s a disease everyone is familiar with, and many will be touched by: cancer. Breast cancer, specifically. While there are plenty of fantastic outlets to raise awareness and funds to help wipe out this illness, most are adult-driven efforts, leaving kids who want to help without much to do. That is where thinkPINKkids and a group of passionate and charitable Wellington students come into play. A student-run organization with a mission to raise money for breast cancer research and local patient support, thinkPINKkids brings together students with a common goal: to eradicate breast cancer and assist those fighting it. Launched locally in 2009, think-
PINKkids has raised over $65,000 for the cause and continue to host events that will benefit local breast cancer patients and fund future research. Begun at Wellington High School, the group has expanded to include a number of other schools. Among them are: Binks Forest, Elbridge Gale, New Horizons, Panther Run, Everglades and Hidden Oaks elementary schools; Wellington Landings, Polo Park, Emerald Cove and Bak middle schools; and Park Vista, Palm Beach Central and Suncoast high schools. “We see a lot of carryover from kids who were part of it in elementary school and they continue to participate in middle and even high school,” said Janet Rosenthal, one of the thinkPINKkids coordina-
tors. “They see where the money is going and they realize where all of their hard work is going — right back into their own community.” On Friday, May 10, join in on the festivities at Dance Night for the Fight, a community-wide thinkPINKkids dance party hosted at Wellington High School. The party starts at 6 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. It features a DJ, contests with prizes, snacks and entertainment. Besides the fun that Dance Night for the Fight promises, there is also hope for those who need it most. “The kids who participate realize how important their help is,” Rosenthal said. “Once they get involved, they stay and see it all through.” To contact thinkPINKkids, email tpkwellington@comcast.net.
Page 4 May 10 - May 16, 2013
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
OUR OPINION
County Bureaucracy Must Stop Blocking The Inspector General Some Palm Beach County officials are doing all that is possible to put roadblocks in front of Inspector General Sheryl Steckler, making it impossible for her to do her job, then criticizing the work that has gotten done. Are we destined to relive the shame of our recent past? Let’s hope not. When 72 percent of Palm Beach County voters agreed in 2010 to create the Office of the Inspector General, the goal was to stamp out corruption and toss the “Corruption County” moniker. But before Ms. Steckler has been able to focus on that task, she’s had to face an unexpected foe: a huge, change-resistant bureaucracy. From the moment her office was created, it has faced a slashed budget, staffing woes and legal challenges from 14 cities refusing to pay her, which has tied most of her money up in court. Most recently, County Administrator Bob Weisman has criticized her methods and suggested that the Palm Beach County Commission not renew her contract when it expires next year. That action would effectively fire her, yet also make her a lame duck for the next 18 months. The Town-Crier has long been a supporter of the inspector general’s office, and we adamantly believe that having a fully-funded, functioning and independent office is key to saving the county from the shame of its many disgraced elected officials. Ms. Steckler has had the challenge of starting an office that is not supported by many of those in power. Though her power comes from the people, she has had to jump through
many hoops that have deterred her from her true purpose: preventing and exposing corruption. Deciding now to get rid of Ms. Steckler in a year would effectively neuter the remaining power her office holds — authority that is slowly being chipped away. Though Mr. Weisman may not be happy with Ms. Steckler trying to intervene in the ongoing municipal funding lawsuit, it is not at all surprising — especially given the news this week that the cities are willing to drop their suit... if the inspector general’s office is stripped of its auditing authority. Then again, wasn’t the entire point of ethics reform and anti-corruption oversight to guard against financial improprieties? We must not forget that corruption in Palm Beach County has long been a problem, garnering us national attention. These are not problems of the past, either. It was only three years ago that former County Commissioner Jeff Koons resigned after being charged with extortion, perjury and violating the Sunshine Law. The truth is, no matter who holds the title inspector general, the office cannot be effective until it’s given the power, independence and funding to do what it was intended to do. The office needs time and support — it is not easy to build such a task from the ground up. But Ms. Steckler’s job is crucial to repairing the county’s image, and we believe she has done the best she can, given her difficult circumstances. It’s time for all Palm Beach County officials to back up the residents and stand behind the inspector general, tearing down the walls of bureaucracy and letting the light shine in.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dave Swift’s Sign Fixation Royal Palm Beach Councilman David Swift just can’t seem to move past that fear of political campaign signs. It all started on that fateful Saturday back in March 2006. It was a sunny afternoon at the corner of Okeechobee and Royal Palm Beach boulevards, when an observant Royal Palm Beach police officer leaving the Village Hall sited a pickup truck and several individuals removing candidate signs from the corner and tossing them into the back of the truck. The officer proceeded to follow the truck into La Mancha and on to the driveway of none other than David and Nixie Swift. It was determined that Nixie was caught red-handed with the goods. Despite eluding charges brought by the owner of the signs — not [former Councilwoman Martha] Webster, by the way — as the charges were later suspiciously dropped, the pair swiftly made headlines in the Palm Beach Post. Now it seems that they still have a penchant for signs. This was most obvious when I read that David wishes to limit placing of political campaign signs to only certain areas of the Village of Royal Palm Beach. It surely will work for him, one-stop shopping; no more annoying search for the opponent’s signs and then the distressing task of where to toss them. Atta boy, Dave, keep up the good work. Gary Webster Royal Palm Beach Editor’s note: Mr. Webster is the husband of former Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster.
Knight Letter Lacked Proper Background Mr. [Curtis] Knight’s letter last week concerning the Wastewater Treatment Plant Task Force’s recommendations and the Royal Palm Beach Village Council’s response (Why Did RPB Ignore Its Task Force, May 3) was based upon limited information. Recalling the
public uproar and extensive media coverage at the time, his expression of surprise when reading “now” about these recommendations indicates it is unlikely he was then part of our community. As a former member of the task force and the president of two homeowners’ associations abutting the property in question, I believe I can help place this issue in perspective. In 2010, the council, looking for options to make one of the largest village-owned properties, the old wastewater treatment plant tract, attractive to potential buyers, hired a consultant who produced a study containing a detailed site plan, which supported one option, commercialization. Then-Councilwoman Martha Webster championed the study, which was also accompanied by a proposal to create a new land-use designation specifically designed to support it, when it came before the council. Hundreds of irate residents, many of whom were from nearby neighborhoods and had not even been consulted or informed up to that point, came out to speak and protest at village workshops and other public meetings in order to make their views known. In the end, the council listened to the residents and rejected the land-use amendment by a 3-2 vote. In 2011, the council created a citizen task force to identify an appropriate land use, and appointed Mrs. Webster as chair. With the agenda and the speakers chosen by Mrs. Webster, skewing most discussions toward non-residential use, the task force balked, finally reaching a compromise in which almost all of the tract should be set aside for single-family residential or a passive park. I was chosen by the task force to present its report to the council. Having no single land use to consider and with no expressed interest by anyone to purchase the land, the council accepted the report and wisely chose to take it under advisement for future consideration. Fast forward to this year’s council election, in which the question of what would be developed on this property was a major issue. Residents told the candidates
they wanted the council to wait no longer. It was time to address the single-family land use and draw a line in the sand. In fact, many believe Mrs. Webster’s original and continued support of a land use for something other than single-family was a major factor in her defeat. After the election, listening and responding to the residents, the council voted to again consider the single-family land use designation. This is the right time. The housing market has changed and the commercial growth of the village has become more focused. Questions such as a passive park, traffic, environmental concerns, even RV and boat storage, must be considered. Unlike before, the process will begin with public input even before the drafting of any conceptual plan. I am confident that the council members have listened to the residents, learned from the past, and, as County Commissioner Jess Santamaria stated at a recent council meeting, “will make the right decision.” Joseph Boyle Royal Palm Beach
Boy Scout Troop Choices For those of you looking for a good Boy Scout troop, there are several good choices. If your child has not experienced Cub Scouts, then it is still a good time to check out a Boy Scout troop, because there is no prerequisite to join the Boy Scouts. If you and your child have experienced Cub Scouts, then you know they enjoy camping, craft projects and advancing from one level to another. Boy Scouts are similar; however, one salient difference is that a Boy Scout troop is a scout-led organization where adults simply oversee the progress of the scouts and keep them on track for advancement. The adults are basically the designated drivers and occasionally slip in ideas for the scouts to consider. Although there are more than two in the area, Troop 125 is a large group and has been located at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church for years. If you are looking for a large group with a variety of trans-
portation vehicles and other benefits, they are a very good choice. On the other hand, if you would like a more intimate group, then you may want to consider Troop 160 located at Wellington Landings Middle School, where Binks Forest Drive meets Greenview Shores Blvd. I am more familiar with Troop 160 because that is the troop my son chose when considering the Boy Scouts. In my humble opinion, it is important for the prospective scout to go to a meeting to meet the other scouts and determine if it is the right fit for them. If they are comfortable, they will more likely have an excellent experience in scouting. Troop 160 meets in the cafeteria from 7 p.m. until roughly 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, and anyone is welcome to come unannounced. However, they do take a break for summer. Troop 160 began its charter in September 1997 and the first Eagle earned his designation in 1999. Since that time, there have been 20 Eagle Scouts and there is at least one scout close to Eagle at this time. The peak number of scouts in the troop hit roughly 35 at one point and may come in around 25 or fewer right now. The intimate atmosphere is very conducive to scouts progressing along the continuum to their Eagle goal. If you are uncertain as to the benefits of a scout-led organization, consider that scouting is a leadership organization that teaches values such as loyalty, trustworthiness, obedience and the like. What I realized when my son joined the scouts is that it was reinforcement for those values we were teaching him. It works wonders. The transformation that a scout takes on once they become an Eagle Scout is like moving from childhood to manhood. It is a wonderful transformation to witness. The leadership qualities come from the requirements for each scout as they work through their ranks. They must take on leadership roles and other scouts help them along. It is a very nurturing environment. In addition to all the obvious benefits, the Eagle designation is appreciated by colleges and universities, and many CEOs are Eagle Scouts. You will
not regret their time in the scouts. You will rejoice in it. Steve McGowan Wellington
Where Is Justice? Is anyone surprised that money has destroyed justice once again? We now rate with O.J. Simpson and Ted Kennedy. One foolish elderly man did conduct juror misconduct. Exactly how did that alter the facts that Mr. John Goodman was drunk, speeding, plowed into Scott Wilson and left him to drown while calling his lawyer and girlfriend but not 911? Now his money and his attorney Mr. Roy Black are destroying the very legal fabric of our great country. Congratulations! What will this cost the taxpayers? Peter J. Granata Wellington
Stop Fighting Inspector General Editor’s note: The following letter is addressed to the Palm Beach County Commission. A copy was sent to the Town-Crier for publication. Dear Commissioners, My fellow residents of Palm Beach County and I are tired of living in what has come to be known as “Corruption County.” Three years ago, nearly threequarters of us voted to have an independent inspector general who would erase that stigma. That office was to be funded by onequarter of 1 percent from all vendors doing business in the county. It was a good plan that would
cost the taxpayers nothing. But, as the saying goes, “the best laid plans of mice and men...” From the start, the will of the people was thwarted — first, by a county computer system that couldn’t accommodate charging vendors for their payments. (Note: technology can put a man on the moon but it would take half a million dollars to make a bookkeeping change!) Then, 15, now 14, cities brought a lawsuit claiming the inspector general’s office imposed an unfair tax. (Did you guys forget that the vendors are supposed to pay?) Now it comes out that the cities are willing to drop the suit if the inspector general’s office would be restricted from conducting audits! Next, the clerk of the courts refused to release the money that the honest, non-suing cities had already paid. And the obstacles continue to be thrown in the path of cleaning up our county. Now the inspector general is faulted for not bringing in the kind of money that was expected. Well, how could she, with just half the funding that office needs and half the staff? Conspiracy may be a “four-letter word,” but this really sounds like a case study in conspiracy — a conspiracy to undermine the wishes of the voters, a conspiracy to be able to continue the old ways that gave our county the infamous title and the freedom to deal without oversight. Commissioners, we owe it to the inspector general to allow her to do her job and provide the resources as directed by the voters of Palm Beach County. And you owe it to us to support that vision. Arlene Olinsky Royal Palm Beach
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 TownCrier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail letters@goTownCrier.com.
OPINION
Los Angeles Admits Defeat: City Will Now Charge For Subways Footloose and... By Jules W. Rabin
Only in Los Angeles, where they are accused of having strange substances in the air and water, would think that an honor system for fares on its subway system would work. It turns out that a gateless subway entrance is hardly the way the
daily costs of the system’s expenses can be met. Now L.A. transit officials freely admit that millions of dollars in annual revenue has been lost. “A lot of people, if not the majority, are not paying,” said Zev Yaroslavsky, a county supervisor and
an L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority official. “There is no reason for them to pay. The odds of them getting a ticket are slim and none.” Things will soon completely change. The goal: 192 turnstiles at 42 stations will be locked and read-
ied for accepting money soon. The L.A. Metropolitan Transit Authority estimates that 300,000 riders use the system every 24 hours. At $1.50 per head, that adds up to $164,250,000. Any way you look at it, that ain’t chump change! The free L.A .subway opened
in 1993 with 4.5 miles of underground track and five stations. The current free system encompasses subway and light rail and stretches for 88 miles with 101 stations from Long Beach to Pasadena. And now its users will have to finally pay the freight.
NEWS Speeders
Enforcement, Not Stop Signs
continued from page 1 spots on State Road 7, and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. at Poinciana Blvd. Village Manager Ray Liggins said the speeders usually live in the area. “Not only is it from the people living there, it’s the
routine,” he said. “People come and go to work and whatever they’re doing at the same time each day, and when we have complaints of speeding like that, if residents know of someone specifically like that at a specific time, we can target those times.” Liggins pointed out that the PBSO has a speed monitoring trailer, which not only tells drivers how fast they’re going but also records when the greatest
THE
TOWN-CRIER Your Community Newspaper
Serving The Palms West Communities For 33 Years Published Weekly By Newspaper Publishers, Inc.
12794 West Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31 The Original Wellington Mall
Wellington, Florida 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Classified Ads: (561) 793-3576 • Fax: (561) 793-6090 World Wide Web: http://www.goTownCrier.com E-Mail Address: news@goTownCrier.com
number of speeders are going through the area, so that the PBSO can be there to target them. “We will target speeders if we know the results from the trailer or if people call in and tell us,” he said. Miles said the PBSO has analyzed the data from the trailer and that although it did not show the situation to be as bad as the complaints make it seem, the office sends out enforcement neverthe-
less to try to improve safety. Vice Mayor Jeff Hmara said he had stood at La Mancha and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. to watch the traffic patterns, and that the violators are easily recognizable. “It was so predictable that a color and make and even the driver were identified before traveling down the road at a speed that looked to be faster than the rest,” Hmara said.
BARRY S. MANNING Publisher
JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor
JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher
DAWN RIVERA General Manager
JASON BUD JINSKI Community Editor
RON BUKLEY Managing Editor
EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman Jessica Gregoire • Lauren Miró CONTRIBUTORS/ Jules Rabin • Ellen Rosenberg • Leonard Wechsler • Deborah W elky ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez ADVERTISING/ Betty Buglio • Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson STAFF/ Shanta Daibee • Carol Lieberman • Geri O’Neil
Councilman Richard Valuntas asked Miles whether the additional motorcycle unit he requested for the next fiscal year would help with enforcement, and Miles said it would. “It’s going to definitely help with complaints because I’m going to have someone else who I can dedicate to these issues,” Miles said. “Right now we’re working six different issues with the one motorcycle.”
POSTAL STATEMENT The Town-Crier (USPS #021547) is published weekly by Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414-7458. Periodicals Postage Paid at West Palm Beach, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The TownCrier, c/o Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 334147458. Founded In 1980 By Bob Markey Sr. Copyright 2013, Newspaper Publishers Inc. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.
MEMBER OF
The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce The Wellington Chamber of Commerce
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 5
NEWS
ROYAL PALM BEACH ROTARY CLUB HOSTS GOLF TOURNEY AT MADISON GREEN
The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club held a golf fundraiser Friday, May 3 at the Madison Green Golf Club. Money raised will go toward the Children’s Miracle Network, Royal Palm Beach High School scholarships and Rotary community projects. In addition to the golf game, there were raffles and a silent auction as well as a PBSO helicopter ball drop. For more information, visit www.rpbrotary.org. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Eric Gordon, Roland Amateis, Diane Smith and James Finnerty enjoy Blue Bell frozen treats.
Dipan Patel, Dave Hartwig and Dr. Bruce Elkind watch as Lynn Balch makes the putt.
Second-place winners Ron Mattino, Steve Thibodeau, John Young and Scott Scrivner.
Costco’s Damian Rice, Sherrie Mattatall, Sandi Perron and General Manager Alex Polo, shown with RPB Rotary President Scott Armand. They were honored as “Most Honest Team.”
First-place winners Dan Hopkins, Mike Gaugher, Rusty Lamm and Larry Wood.
Nick Cinilia gets a prize from Royal Palm Beach Rotary President Scott Armand for his hole-in-one on hole 6.
Tiffanie Perez, Dan Young, Ainsley Brown and Alan Pack.
Legion Auxiliary Meeting Focuses On Importance Of May Observances By Gabriel Sanchez Town-Crier Staff Report There is no better time to show patriotism like the month of May. That was the message of Cpl. Burt Richards from the Veterans Speakers Forum. Richards was the guest speaker at the May 1 meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary, Royal Palm Beach Unit 367. At the meeting, Richards, with help from his puppet buddy G.I. Joe, discussed the patriotic May observances of Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day and the designated United Nations observance “Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War.” “It’s important for people to know what went on and never
forget,” Richards said. During the educational session, he informed his audience of the differences in the holidays celebrated in honor of veterans, including a detailed analysis on the topic of what a veteran is. Richards routinely visits schools and has educated over 9,300 students on this crucial topic. The day started with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions of the American Legion Auxiliary. Richards’ talk was far-reaching, with discussions of his influence on the closing of public schools on Memorial Day to the origins of the Pledge of Allegiance. At the end of the entertaining and informative event, all the veterans in attendance stood and announced where they served.
Cpl. Burt Richards holding G.I. Joe, his puppet buddy.
Richards with Marge Herzog of the American Legion Auxiliary, Royal Palm Beach Unit 367.
Veterans C.T. Hand and Clyde Eaton. PHOTOS BY GABRIEL SANCHEZ/TOWN-CRIER
Page 6 May 10 - May 16, 2013
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
CRIME NEWS
Pickup Trucks Reported Stolen From The Acreage
You Deserve Quality CARE
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS
SPECIALIZING IN: (BTUSPFOUFSPMPHZ t )FQBUJUJT .BOBHFNFOU 3FTFBSDI &OEPTDPQZ $PMPOPTDPQZ t "CEPNJOBM #MPBUJOH t $PMJUJT $POTUJQBUJPO t $SPIO T %JTFBTF t %JBSSIFB t )FBSUCVSO (&3% )FNPSSIPJET t 3FDUBM #MFFEJOH t 6MDFST ."55)&8 + 4.*5) % 0 '"$0* .*5$)&-- / %"7*4 % 0 '"$0* 45&7&/ 3 4"$,4 % 0 .FEJDBM 1BSL #MWE 4VJUF 8FMMJOHUPO '- 0LFFDIPCFF #MWE 8FTU 1BMN #FBDI '- 7JMMBHF #MWE 4VJUF 8FTU 1BMN #FBDI '-
| XXX NZHBTUSPEPDUPST DPN
By Alexandra Antonopoulos Town-Crier Staff Report MAY 7 — An Acreage resident awoke Tuesday morning to find that his 1995 Ford F-150 pickup truck was missing from his driveway. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim’s truck was parked at the front of his property on Tangerine Blvd. with a “For Saleâ€? sign attached to it in the days before it went missing. On Monday, a man inquired about the truck and left his contact information, but did not contact the victim after their initial meeting. The deputy filed a stolen vehicle affidavit but no further leads were found. The case is currently inactive pending further investigation. MAY 7 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded Tuesday evening to a home on 62nd Lane North in The Acreage regarding the report of a stolen vehicle. According to the report, the victim’s 2004 Ford F-250 pickup truck was parked and locked behind his residence, as it usually is, when he left for work at 8 a.m. When he returned home at 9 p.m., the vehicle was missing. The victim had not given anyone permission to use his vehicle, and he signed a stolen vehicle affidavit. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report. ••• APRIL 28 — A resident of the Isles at Wellington reported the theft of two BMX bicycles and $10 from his home on the morning of Sunday, April 28. A PBSO deputy was dispatched to the scene and conducted a canvass for possible suspects, with none found. According to the report, unknown perpetrator(s) approached the victim’s vehicle, which had been left unlocked, and removed $10 from a wallet sitting on the front console, discarding the wallet in the back of the vehicle. The perpetrator(s) then opened the vehicle’s rear door and removed a blue 24-inch BMX bike and a blue 20-inch BMX bike. The perpetrator(s) fled in an unknown direction on Paradise Cove Lane. Each bike is valued at approximately $1,500. DNA evidence was recovered at the scene. APRIL 29 — A PBSO deputy was called to a construction site on Fortune Circle in Wellington’s Commerce Park last Monday morning in reference to a burglary. According to the report, a representative from the construction company noted that 68 Viking brass upright sprinklers and one quarter-inch brass gauge kit had been stolen from the property sometime between April 19 and April 29. The site had no doors or cameras. The deputy checked the PBSO Rapid Pawn system and did not find anything matching the description of the missing items. The construction company will pursue charges, but there were no suspects or witnesses available at the time of the report. APRIL 29 — An employee at Victoria’s Secret in the Mall at Wellington Green contacted the PBSO at approximately 11 a.m. last Monday morning regarding a shoplifting incident. The PBSO arrested 29-year old Jennifer Paramithis of Wellington at the scene on charges of retail theft. Paramithis was accused of attempting to shoplift underwear worth $170.
APRIL 29 — A PBSO deputy was called to the scene of a home burglary in Wellington’s Aero Club community last Monday evening. Upon returning to his home at approximately 9 p.m., the victim discovered that the residence had been burglarized and that the perpetrator(s) used a ladder to gain entry through an upstairs window after attempting to force entry through a downstairs rear glass door. A 32-inch television, a diamond ring and a watch were stolen. DNA evidence was recovered at the scene, but there were no suspects at the time of the report. MAY 1 — At 11:40 p.m. last Wednesday evening, a PBSO deputy was dispatched to the scene of a burglary in progress in Royal Palm Beach’s Counterpoint Estates neighborhood. According to the report, 20-year old Billie Dillon had kicked in the door of a residence and, at the time the officer had arrived, was violently kicking the victim’s vehicle until he was ordered to stop. The victim was at home with his family during the incident and claimed that he did not know Dillon, but did identify him as the burglar. Dillon was subsequently arrested on charges of burglary, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. Damage costs to the victim’s door and vehicle are estimated to be over $1,000. MAY 3 —A report of shots fired in Royal Palm Beach’s Crestwood neighborhood last Friday evening brought two PBSO deputies to the scene. A witness reported seeing a beige four-door sedan being followed by a silver SUV on the corner of Euston Court and Sparrow Drive. According to the witness, the driver of the SUV then fired four or five shots into the air. The two cars then took off in a westbound direction on Sparrow Drive. Two different caliber shell casings were found within close proximity of the intersection, but no property damage or victims were identified. MAY 4 — A resident of Deer Run contacted the PBSO in regard to a vandalized mailbox last Saturday afternoon. According to the report, the residents had returned after a month’s absence to find their mailbox knocked down and their mail shredded. Afamily member, who was in the area while they were away, confirmed that the mailbox had been intact until at least last Friday evening. The deputy who responded to the call referred the victims to the postal inspector and provided the family with a case number for their investigation. The case is classified as inactive pending future investigative leads. MAY 6 — A PBSO deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was dispatched Monday evening to Seminole Palms Park on Lamstein Lane regarding a concession stand burglary. The deputy examined the locked concession stand for possible points of entry and determined that the roll-up door had been pried open, allowing the perpetrator(s) to make off with several hundred dollars’ worth of concession items and cash from the stand’s lock box. These items included shirts, hats, small tools and nonperishable concession food. Latent prints were recovered at the scene but the case is inactive pendSee BLOTTER, page 18
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Jonathan Lozano is a white male, 6’ tall and weighing 175 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 10/14/1989. He has multiple tattoos. Lozano is wanted for felony failure to appear on charges of possession of cocaine, possession and production of drug paraphernalia and no valid driver’s license; misdemeanor failure to appear on two charges of possession of marijuana; and two traffic violation counts of failure to appear for operating a vehicle with driver’s license suspended, cancelled or revoked. His last known address was Royal Pine Circle in Royal Palm Beach. He is wanted as of 05/02/ 13. • Justin Sweatt is a white male, 5’10� tall and weighing 155 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 12/15/1989. He has a scar on his left eye. Sweatt is wanted for felony possession of oxycodone and possession and use of drug paraphernalia; and traffic charges of failure to appear for operating a vehicle with driver’s license suspended, cancelled or revoked and failure to appear for no driver’s license. His last known addresses were Kensington Way in Royal Palm Beach and Guilford Way in Wellington. He is wanted as of 05/02/13. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stopper s at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc.com.
Jonathan Lozano
Justin Sweatt
THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. CRIMESTOPPERS IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT SHOWN HERE.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 7
NEWS
Town To Negotiate Expanded Road Services Contract With LGWCD By Karen Bagwell Special To The Town-Crier The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council agreed Tuesday to authorize the town manager to negotiate a contract to provide residents with emergency and basic road services. Such services will include road grading, mowing of road rights-ofway and removing vegetation — including 24-hour service during emergencies. The purpose of negotiations is to bridge a gap in services not historically covered by a contract. The council clarified that if a contract provider cannot meet service demands in an emergency such as a severe storm, the town is free to draft others to perform the service promptly. According to Town Manager Mark Kutney, town roads are organized into 100 identified road segments comprising more than 29.5 miles. The town expects all road segments to be graded at least twice a month, if needed. In addition, the town will expect the service provider to perform gravel road grading on an as-needed basis. Other repairs might also be needed, such as pothole fixes and patchwork on existing paved roads, such as Marcella Blvd., Compton Road and Bryan Road. The bidders were ranked by an advisory group of experts. They
were evaluated based on unit costs in the bid proposal form, willingness to commit to timely services and the ability to provide 24-hour emergency service. Based on information from Town Attorney Michael Cirullo, the council agreed to waive a technicality in the town’s submission requirements to allow negotiations to proceed with the low bidder, the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District. Kutney advised that all bidders turned in sufficient information, including the LGWCD. The controversy over the waiver arose after one bidder, Sirdar Trucking Inc., pointed out that it submitted a complete package that included all five copies of all forms plus the original, as the town requested, but not all bidders did. Kutney affirmed that the LGWCD turned in sufficient information and that “all of the boiler plate was submitted.” However, representatives from Sirdar Trucking asked that the council consider disqualifying bidders that did not submit all copies of the forms. In the end, the council authorized the town to negotiate with the LGWCD based on its status as low bidder. “Without a doubt, the low bid is in the best interest of the town,” Vice Mayor Ron Jarriel said. Councilman Jim Rockett sug-
gested that the town consider whether the LGWCD might need to increase its staff to fulfill a negotiated contract, and whether that might cost community residents more. The town manager and attorney will negotiate with the LGWCD for the following services: road grading at $110 per mile unit cost, road repairs at a $50 hourly rate and emergency call services at a $50 hourly rate. Council members decided that it is practical to group road grading and rock material bids together. However, the LGWCD was not the low bidder on rock materials. At $12 per unit, the district was nearly a dollar higher than the bid from Rio Bak at $11.05. But on grading, the LGWCD came in far lower at $110 to Rio Bak’s $300. So, in the interest of keeping the bids together, the council authorized Kutney to negotiate with the LGWCD on a combined bid, for greater savings to the town. The council also authorized negotiation with C&C Loader, which was the low bidder on mowing services. C&C Loader also bid the lowest on removing vegetation and on dumping vegetation. The town will expect the mowing contractor to perform mowing and maintenance of road segments no less than eight times a year. The firm would also trim or
remove trees and shrubbery to eliminate hazards to motorists on an as-needed basis. Council members discussed working from a revolving list of multiple service providers to ensure the town has backup coverage during emergencies. Howev-
Humps
Decision Soon?
continued from page 3 Sycamore, and we need to know the cost per speed table. That will give the council some idea of what we’re jumping into.” He noted that plans are coming up for paving or resurfacing of Collecting Canal, Compton and Bryan roads, as well as Marcella Blvd. “There’s not going to be that many speed tables on them, especially if we don’t put them 500 feet apart,” he said. Jarriel agreed that they need to come up with a plan quickly. “I agree with Jim for the simple fact that we’ve got them 500 feet apart. We’re punishing our residents with what we’ve got,” he said. “We did it for a reason, but the truth of the matter is if we want to keep people out of the canals, and we want to stop speeders, give residents a decent road, and for people who want to abuse that road,
er, they opted to let the town negotiate a contract with the lowest bidders instead. “Once a contract is negotiated, it will be negotiated with these contractors,” Mayor Dave Browning said. “At that point, we can still go with someone else in an
emergency, but whoever we negotiate a contract with will get the work, there will not be a rotating list later on.” Approvals on the items were made by 3-0 votes with councilmen Ryan Liang and Tom Goltzené absent.
pay the PBSO extra to write tickets and stop it.” Town Manager Mark Kutney said he understood the council’s desire to move quickly. “We’re going to be taking over the roads from the district,” he said. “The issues with speed humps are the type of speed humps being utilized and the distance issues.” Kutney suggested having a traffic engineer look at the situation. “We are very close to having our traffic engineer on board,” he said. “One of the things we could do — and I don’t think it would be a very expensive study — is to have him go out and look at road conditions. I’ve been told the district used a study based upon the Institute of Traffic Engineers, but I think since we’re going to have maintenance issues, it would behoove us to at least have a study done so we can get a recommendation.” Mayor Dave Browning said he did not want to create a safety issue with speed tables that would allow drivers to go faster. “Some
humps are worse than others,” Browning said. “On D Road, I’ve watched people on a fairly regular basis going 45 miles an hour down the road, and it doesn’t seem like it slows them down at all. I don’t want to see them jumping up to 60... I would love to say we’ll just put the deputies out there to write tickets, but in reality, that’s hard to do.” Browning agreed with Kutney that they should have the traffic engineer examine them, taking into consideration the roads’ proximity to the canals. But Rockett said he did not want to wait for another engineer’s report before making a decision. “When we had dirt roads, we had no speed humps and the speed was unlimited,” he said. “We added OGEM. “We’ve said this before, roads with OGEM are safer without speed humps than dirt roads were.” Council members agreed to gather more information and have a more complete discussion on the issue next month.
PALM BEACH CENTRAL’S BRONCO PLAYERS BRING MUSICAL ‘HAIRSPRAY’ TO LIFE Palm Beach Central High School’s Bronco Players brought their ninth season to a close with a production of Hairspray staged May 2-4. The cast did a great job setting the tone for the popular musical. Songs include 1960s-style dance music and downtown rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program. Tracy wins a role on the show and becomes an overnight celebrity. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. The production was directed by Gail K. Marshall in cooperation with Larry Greenberg, Music Director Chris Douglas, Choreographer Shenise Nunez and Music Rehearsal Director Scott Houchins. SEE VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Megan Rochford plays spoiled Amber Von Tussle in “Cooties.”
Edna, played by Thomas Riccobono, enjoys a night on the town.
Tracy Turnblad, played by senior Meagan Dobson, kicks off the show with “Good Morning Baltimore.”
Wilbur, played by Nicholas Priore, reminds Edna, played by Thomas Riccobono, “You’re Timeless To Me.”
The cast of Hairspray celebrates with the closing number, “You Can’t Stop The Beat.”
Link Larkin, played by Lorenzo Waguespack, serenades Tracy, played by Meagan Dobson, before he busts her out of prison.
Motormouth Maybelle, played by Princess Victome, captured the audience with her rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been.”
Keagan Cerny, as TV host Corny Collins, gets the audience going during “The Nicest Kids In Town.”
Page 8 May 10 - May 16, 2013
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
NEWS BRIEFS PBC Property Appraiser Helps Drowning Prevention Group Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits is happy to announce an innovative water safety program in association with the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County. “Our deputy appraisers will place pool safety door tags on residential properties with pools,” Nikolits explained. May is National Water Safety Month, noted Anna Stewart, manager of the Drowning Prevention Coalition. The door tags list water safety tips for people in singlefamily homes with pools. “We are very pleased that the Property Appraiser’s Office is helping provide public information about pool safety in our effort to prevent drowning and to encourage water safety,” Stewart said. The partnership between the Property Appraiser’s Office and the Drowning Prevention Coalition is the first of its kind. “We look at it as a valuable community service that our deputy apprais-
ers can help spread the word about pool safety to the public,” Nikolits said. To kick off May’s pool safety campaign, the deputy appraisers will distribute 500 door tags in neighborhoods countywide. The door tags are produced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and provided courtesy of the CPSC’s pool safety campaign. “Our best advice is to make sure everyone knows how to swim and never swims alone,” Stewart said, adding that pools should be fenced to prevent easy access. Contact the Drowning Prevention Coalition at (561) 616-7068 or www.pbcgov.org/dpc for facilities that offer swimming lessons. April and May are the months most likely to see increases in drowning. In 2012, nine people drowned in a pool in Palm Beach County. Fortunately that is a decline from 2009, when 13 people drowned in a pool.
Mother’s Day Concert In RPB The Royal Palm Beach Community Band will present a free Moth-
er’s Day concert on Sunday, May 12 at 4 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Refreshments will be served during intermission. Call the Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149 for more info.
Wellington Offering Tuition Reimbursement Wellington is now accepting applications for its “SOAR” tuition reimbursement program. The name SOAR stands for Skills, Opportunity, Achievement, Reward, and represents the key focuses of the program. The program is designed to improve access to education and jobs for low- and moderate-income residents of Wellington by reimbursing up to $1,000 of tuition costs for residents that qualify based on family size and income. Eligible education programs must prepare the student for a career on the Regional Targeted Occupations List. The SOAR program is fully funded through the United States Department of Housing & Urban
Development’s Community Development Block Grant and is administered by the Village of Wellington. For program guidelines, information and the online application form, visit Wellington’s SOAR web site at www.wellingtonfl.gov/ community/neighborhood-services/grants/soar.html. For more information, call the Community Services Department at (561) 791-4000.
Na’Amat Sharon Closing Luncheon Gloria Terminello, president Na’Amat USA’s Sharon Chapter, invites members to the closing chapter luncheon on Tuesday, May 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. RSVP to Marce Ingber at (561) 790-0404 or Gloria Terminello at (561) 7982882. The chapter’s board of directors wants to show their thanks and appreciation to all those members who have given so unselfishly of their time, efforts and support over the years. The chapter’s board of directors includes Doris Fishler, scholarship and tribute fund chair; Cecille Millman, program chair;
Marce Ingber, spiritual adoption; Joan Berkowitz, tikvah chair; Adele Cohen, rree of life; Pearl Layne and Marta Machnik, bulletin; Evelyn Schneider, membership, dues and Calendar; Harriet Mushel, treasurer; Lila Fait and Phyllis Wasserstein, greeters and hostesses; and Gloria Terminello, donor chair.
Freedom Riders Summer Camp Freedom Riders Academy is now accepting summer camp registrations. Freedom Riders Academy is a nonprofit equestrian organization that offers week-long sessions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with before and after care available. Each weekly session will include a daily one-on-one lesson with instructor Alison Weissman. There are also daily water-play sessions and daily activities that include crafts, scavenger hunts and themed classroom lessons. There is one counselor to every two campers, allowing for a safe, enjoyable camp experience. Visit www.freedomridersacademy.com or e-mail freedomridersacademy@ gmail.com for more info.
Quarter Auction May 15 In RPB A quarter auction will be held to benefit the South Florida Bengals boys traveling baseball team on Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Palm Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). For info., contact Julie Bryant at (561) 7971501 or tupperchick2@gmail.com.
Celebrate Libraries 2013 The Palm Beach County Library Association will host its second annual library advocacy event “Celebrate Libraries 2013” on Sunday, May 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the third floor of the Mandel Public Library at 411 Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness on the importance of libraries and to showcase the many unique library programs that exist at Palm Beach County libraries. The afternoon will consist of a library events/programs showcase, hands-on library instruction, networking and a panel presentation from local leaders. For more information, visit www.pbcla.info.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 9
NEWS
WOMEN’S GROUP CELEBRATES SPRING WITH LUNCHEON AT WANDERERS CLUB
Women of the Western Communities celebrated 36 years at its “Fun in the Sun: A Journey Through Florida” annual spring fundraiser luncheon Sunday, May 5 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. Guests were able t o bid on a wide array of items in silent and Chinese auctions. Brunch was served, and the Women of Note a cappella chorus performed the members. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
The Women of Note chorus performed at the event.
Deborah Nuessly looks over the silent auction items.
Treasurer Faye Ford, President Mair Armand and Vice President of Membership Carol O’Neil.
Tracy and Amelia Hartig with Marge Hartig-Specht.
Julie Tannehill, Maureen Gross and Allison Samiljan.
Lucky raffle winners: (front row) Marion Feldman, Laurie Piel and Teresa Harrington; (back row) Ruth Mansmith, Janice Downs and Stacy Kaufman.
TEMPLE B’NAI JACOB MEMBERS ENJOY ANNUAL PICNIC AT OKEEHEELEE PARK
Tem ple B’nai Jacob of Wellington held its annual picnic Sunday, May 5 at Okeeheelee Park’s Alligator Pavilion. Aside from great food, the event included outdoor activities, watermelon-eating contests, face painting and more. For more about the congregation, visit www.templebnaijacob.com.
Joshua Abrams gets his arm painted by Samantha Solomon.
Jerry and Florine Bank sample the food.
Jacob and Lara Weiss enjoy the picnic.
Elizabeth Thal (center) with Clarance and Ellen Hoffberg.
Page 10 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013
Page 11
Page 12 May 10 - May 16, 2013
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
NEWS
CENTRAL CHAMBER HONORS EDUCATORS AT TEACHER APPRECIATION MIXER
The Central Palm County Chamber of Commerce presented its 16th annual Teacher Appreciation Celebration on Thursday, May 2 in the center court of the original Wellington Mall. The event was held to thank teachers and other educators for their hard work and dedication to students. Carrabba’s Italian Grill provided food, and there was live music, karaoke and dancing. Teachers enjoyed raffles and free goodie bags from local vendors. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
The evening was hosted by the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee.
The Wobble dance proved to be very popular among the guests.
Erika Woerner-Goldrich from Seminole Ridge High School and Linda Childers from Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School were winners of Pandora bracelets from Brighton Collectibles.
Pioneer Park Elementary School’s Gary Ishizaki sings karaoke.
Wellington High School teachers Bonnie Raye, Linda Carrano and Arlene Einhorn.
Pierce Hammock Elementary School teachers enjoy the event.
Globetrotters To Perform At ‘Do The Write Thing Challenge’ Luncheon Players from the iconic Harlem Globetrotters will demonstrate their basketball finesse and famous tricks at the “Do the Write Thing Challenge” luncheon on Monday, May 13 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. Globetrotters “Buckets” Blakes and “Ants” Atkinson will also present what it means to be part of a team and how kids can offer support to one another to help stop bullying. The 850 guests will include DTWT student finalists, their parents, teachers and principals. “The ABCs of Bullying Prevention,” a new Globetrotter community outreach program, will be briefly introduced. The program, in
coordination with the National Campaign to Stop Violence, targets young children, ages 6 to 12. It involves Globetrotter players discussing the three key words in the ABCs — action, bravery and compassion — and tools that kids can use on a daily basis to reduce bullying. The program dovetails seamlessly with the Do the Write Thing Challenge, a program also developed by the National Campaign to Stop Violence. DTWT gives sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students an opportunity to examine the impact of violence on their lives through written essays or poems reflecting on what they can do as individuals to reduce youth violence. More than 24,000 Palm
Beach County middle school students participated this year. Also participating at the luncheon will be teens from the West Palm Beach Youth Empowerment Center Audio & Video Program, who wrote and produced a video depicting the experiences of the top six recipients. For the sixth consecutive year, the DTWT luncheon has been completely underwritten by Florida Crystals Corporation. The William H. Pitt Foundation will provide $500 grants to the school principals who had the highest participation in the program. The law firm of Larmoyeux & Bone P.L. is providing administrative support. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has underwritten the entire
cost of publishing the writings of the 282 students from the 28 traditional schools that fully participated in the program and two alternative schools who selected one of their best submissions. This year’s DTWT first place “ambassadors” are Della Gaylor, a seventh-grader from Greenacres, and Brandon Schloss, a seventhgrader from Wellington. Both students attend Okeeheelee Middle School. Gaylor and Schloss will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in July, where they and other “ambassadors” from around the country will be honored. The iconic Harlem Globetrotters is one of the most recognizable franchises in sports. The organi-
zation began in 1926 as the Savoy Big Five and now, more than 85 years and 20,000 games later, continues to be synonymous with family entertainment, great basketball skills, breaking down barriers, acts of kindness and a commitment to fans that goes beyond the game. “We are fortunate and grateful to have the Harlem Globetrotters participate in this year’s DTWT luncheon,” said West Palm Beach trial lawyer Bill Bone, chairman of the local steering committee of the Do the Write Thing Challenge. “They will deliver our important message in a fun and entertaining way.” For more information about the Do the Write Thing Challenge, call Bone at (561) 832-0623.
“Ants” Atkinson of the Harlem Globetrotters.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013
Page 13
NEWS
FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS OUTREACH OPENS NEW THRIFT STORE IN GREENACRES Forgotten Soldiers Outreach held a “Supporting Our Troops” grand opening for its new thrift store at 3080 Jog Road in Greenacres’ Buttonwood Plaza on Saturday, May 4. Volunteers accepted and organized items donated by the public, while people toured the new store. Proceeds from the store go to troops serving overseas and to veterans. For more info., visit www.forgottensoldiers.org. PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Executive Director Lynelle Zelnar with Greenacres Mayor Sam Ferreri.
Volunteers Benjamin Arnold and Nancy Reid organize donations.
Volunteer Lori Crawford and FSO Finance Manager Sue Beard admire a donation to the thrift store.
FSO Board Member Capt. Chuck Debevec, Executive Director Lynelle Zelnar and National Chairman Bob Nichols.
Volunteer Levi Zelnar hands out Forgotten Soldiers Outreach shirts to volunteers.
Volunteer Toni P aige with Lynelle and Mike Zelnar.
ORANGE SUNSHINE BRINGS BACK MEMORIES AT WELLINGTON AMPHITHEATER The Wellington Amphitheater hosted a free concert by the ’60s tribute band Orange Sunshine on Saturday, May 4. Attendees enjoyed music from the decade of peace and love, with songs reminiscent of that period. For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov. PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
Orange Sunshine performs on stage.
Maria and Walt Stiger enjoy the music from their seats.
Richard and Cookie Phillips listen to the music of the ’60s
Page 14 May 10 - May 16, 2013
RPBHS Health Care Students Place At State Competition Recently, 13 Royal Palm Beach High School students headed off to the 2013 Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference in Orlando. Among a turnout of 3,600 competitive students, two RPBHS students excelled in Health Care Management at the state level. With numerous students competing in each division, it is extremely rare to have two students place in the top five from a single school. Sophomore Melanie Deoroop received fourth place, while senior Kevin Deal received fifth place in Health Care Management. All of the students from RPBHS competed extremely well and should be congratulated on outstanding work. Mahendra “Randy” Deoroop,
David Alves, Melissa Hatton and Bryan Baker represented RPBHS seniors in the Business Law category, while Quincy Jeanty and Martina Sandoval, also seniors, competed in Economics. Rounding out the senior competitors was Megan Webster in Health Care Management. Juniors Christopher Micciche, Candace Tavarres and Alexander Holmstock competed in Accounting I, Extemporaneous Speaking and Personal Finance, respectively. All of the students performed well and were dedicated participants in their respective events. For additional information, contact Tiffany Taylor at (561) 7534000 or tiffany.taylor@palmbeach schools.org.
Ideal And Dream Schools Announce $500 Scholarship Ideal Preschool, Ideal Elementary School and Dream Middle School, located in Royal Palm Beach, has announced that for the 2013-14 school year, active police, firefighters and military personnel will each receive a $500 scholarship per family. The scholarship is part of the school’s ongoing commitment to the “Pay it Forward” movement. Principal and owner Wendy Soderman said that this scholarship is called the “Buddy Pass” in honor of firefighter Buddy Yarbrough, whose twin children completed the journey from preschool Firefighter Buddy Yarbrough and his wife Wendy at a recent fundraising through eighth grade at event for Ideal and Dream. Ideal and Dream. “What better way to reward these brave professionals cel in academics, arts and characwho put their lives on the line for ter. The school’s lessons and curriculum are based on Harvard Prous every day?” Soderman said. Ideal Preschool, Ideal Elemen- fessor Dr. Howard Gardner’s Thetary School and Dream Middle ory of Multiple Intelligence. For School are private schools in Royal more information, visit www.dream Palm Beach for students who ex- ideal.com.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
SCHOOL NEWS
Loxahatchee Groves Elementary’s PTO Carnival And Silent Auction Set For May 18 Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School will hold its annual PTO carnival and silent auction Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the school grounds at 16020 Okeechobee Blvd., at the corner of Okeechobee and 162nd Drive in Loxahatchee Groves. This event is a family activity that brings everyone from the school and community together for a day of fun. Activities planned include a rock climbing wall, dunk tank, obstacle course and plant sale. The event will feature inflatables, waterslides, a bungee trampoline, entertainment, local ven-
dors and, of course, plenty of food. Admission is free, though tickets or wristbands are needed for rides, games and food. These can be purchased before the carnival at a discounted rate or during the carnival at regular price. The PTO is also looking for community businesses to help sponsor the carnival activities. Sponsorships range from $250 to $900, and all sponsors will be recognized in the carnival brochure. Next to each sponsored activity there will be a sign with the sponsor’s name. Sponsors also receive a beautiful plaque in appreciation
of their assistance. Also, sponsors may hand out flyers and business cards at the event. Attendance at past carnivals has been between 1,000 to 1,500 visitors. The carnival will also feature a silent auction of items and services from local businesses. The PTO is accepting donations for these silent auction items, and anyone who donates an item or a service will be recognized in the carnival brochure. Vendors can secure their place at the carnival for $50 per space and must bring their own table, tent and chairs. There will be no electricity available.
Silent auction donations must be made by May 10. Arrangements can also be made for the PTO to pick up the donated items. For more information on ticket sales, vendor applications, silent auction donations or to be one of the entertainers or sponsors, call PTO President Lisa Zuver at (561) 904-9238. Silent auction donations are tax deductible and all proceeds directly benefit the children and teachers of Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School to provide resources and materials that are needed in the classroom.
Rosarian Students Glean Corn For Hungry The Rosarian Academy’s National Junior Honor Society led a schoolwide gleaning event Friday, April 26 to provide food for those less fortunate in Palm Beach County. From pre-school through eighth grade, over 75 students, parents and staff members spent part of their school holiday picking corn later delivered to the Palm Beach County Food Bank and then distributed to local agencies and shelters that feed the hungry. This hardworking group of gleaners filled 241 boxes, totaling 7,500 pounds of corn. CROS Ministries, the event organizer, works with local farmers to allow volunteers to glean, or pick, the crops that are left after the harvest. These crops are per-
fectly edible but do not meet supermarket standards. Each year, farms waste 52 million pounds of produce, demonstrating the importance of gleaning. This community service project was the third gleaning event of the year for the NJHS, but Rosarian’s first effort as an entire school community. During the last two gleans, Rosarian students and parents picked 2,000 pounds of corn and 13,000 to 14,000 pounds of bell peppers for the Palm Beach County Food Bank. Through this project, the students and families experienced the power of the Rosarian community making a positive difference in the lives of others through service.
Sixth graders Harper Murphy and Emma Quattlebaum glean corn with other Rosarian students, parents and staff in the background. Founded in 1925, the Rosarian Academy educates students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The private, coeducational
school is located on Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. For more information, visit www. rosarian.org.
WHS DECA Students Compete For Awards And Scholarships At California Conference Wellington High School’s DECA chapter members earned the organization’s highest honors at DECA’s 67th annual International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, Calif., held April 2427. Several students and advisors received recognition at the international level. Euda Fils competed in Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling, placing first overall, while Valentina Ferreira placed second overall in Hotel & Lodging Management. Travel & Tourism Team Decision Making duo Matthew Gold-
man and Kamil Baska took Top 10 Overall, as did Andrew Porath and Jack Campbell in the Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making category. Rounding out the rest of Wellington High School’s competitive cast were Cassandra Dalla Riva, placing in the top 10 overall for Sports & Entertainment Promotion Plan, and Sara Vogel, Nicole Caballero, Amanda Nardi and Kristina Skaryd’s Advertising Campaign work, which scored them places in the Top 20 as event finalists. During the school year, approx-
imately 120,000 of DECA’s 200,000 student members take part in the organization’s competitive events program, allowing them to compete for local and regional titles. The competitions are designed to simulate real-life business scenarios and test students’ academic understanding and skills development. The top state and provincial winners put their talents to the test during the program’s final round of competition in Anaheim. The DECA International Career Development Conference was the pinnacle of competition where nearly
10,000 students vied for international honors. Nearly $500,000 in scholarships and awards were presented to students and teachers for their achievements. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA enhances the preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, apply learning, connect to business and promote competition.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
SCHOOL NEWS
Tenenbaum Will Attend Holocaust Program Fawn Tenenbaum has been selected to participate in the Holocaust and Jewish Resistance Teachers’ Program/American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors. Approximately 30 teachers are selected each year to participate in this summer program. Its aim is not only to educate teachers about the Holocaust and Jewish Resistance, but to apply the lessons from this part of history to today’s world and to current lessons in the classroom.
This year’s trip will begin in Washington, D.C at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and continue to Germany, Prague and Poland with stops in Frankfurt, Berlin, Lodz and Warsaw. Tenenbaum’s longtime interest in Holocaust studies stems from a teacher who taught her early in life about man’s inhumanity to man. She strives to teach the lessons of kindness, empathy and respect for others to her students through literature, writing and life lessons.
Currently, Tenenbaum is a teacher at Crestwood Middle School and has taken part in many seminars given by the school district and Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education. In addition, she is the National Junior Honor Society sponsor for her school. Tenenbaum has been an educator for 20 years, teaching 15 of them at Palm Beach Lakes High School and serving as coach for the debate team, editor of the school newspaper and Title I Co-
ordinator for the school. The School District of Palm Beach County focuses on teaching the history of the Holocaust in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior; an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism and stereotyping; and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person. For more information, contact Maureen Carter at (561) 434-8933 or via e-mail at maureen.carter@ palmbeachschools.org.
May 10 - May 16, 2013
Page 15
CHARACTER COUNTS AT NEW HORIZONS
Oxbridge Singer Hits High Note In Regional Competition Oxbridge Academy sophomore Allison Taylor can add another credit to her impressive list of musical accomplishments. The talented singer was named one of just 10 finalists from the southeast region in the 2013 Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook High School Vocal Academy and Competition. Taylor will now advance to the regional competition on May 11 in Atlanta, where she’ll attend master workshops and go head-to-head with the nine other finalists from North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Taylor was among more than 100 high school hopefuls from 22 states to enter this year’s vocal competition by submitting audio recordings of two contrasting songs from the Great American Songbook. The entries were reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges made up of music educa-
tors and industry professionals and narrowed down to 10 finalists in each of the five regions across the country. Two singers from each regional event will move on to the last round of the competition, a five-day “boot camp” running July 21-26 at the Feinstein Initiative’s headquarters in Carmel, Indiana. Singers will be instructed by Michael Feinstein and other top music industry professionals on interpreting and performing the music of the Great American Songbook before taking center stage at the 1,600-seat Palladium Concert Hall at the Center for the Performing Arts for the final performance of the competition. The first-place winner will receive $3,000 and the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to perform with two-time Emmy and fivetime Grammy Award-nominated entertainer and founder of the Fein-
Allison Taylor stein Initiative, Michael Feinstein. The first-place winner will serve as the Great American Songbook Youth Ambassador for one year and will have opportunities to perform throughout the year. Second place will receive $2,000 and third place will receive $1,500.
In addition to being an accomplished singer, Taylor, a West Palm Beach resident, is a talented violinist, actress and pianist. In November, she was one of approximately 72 students in the state in grades 9-10 selected to perform in the Florida Orchestra Association’s All-State Orchestra. This was her second time to perform as a member of the All-State Orchestra, having been a selected violinist in seventh grade as well. Taylor has performed with a number of other renowned musical groups throughout the state, including the Florida Youth Orchestra in Davie, the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County and the Boca Raton Symphonia. She was also selected to attend the premier Interlochen Arts Camp last summer. For more information on Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches, call (561) 972-9600 or visit www.oapb.org.
New Horizons Elementary School fifth-grader Jesse Blecher was recently honored as a top recipient at the district Character Counts celebration. He was nominated by his teachers and chosen by district personnel for showing a sense of caring in all he does. As president of the student council, Blecher leads the way in promoting endeavors that help others, including Food for Families and Toys for Needy Families. As an honor student, he goes above and beyond with his schoolwork. As a great helper, Blecher reaches out to others through by peer tutoring and as an ambassador in welcoming new students to school. Pictured here is award recipient Jesse Blecher with his parents Michele and Carey.
Page 16 May 10 - May 16, 2013
Jeffrey Schneider To Be Installed FSEA President The Florida Society of Enrolled Agents will hold its annual convention June 6-8 at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott on RCA Blvd. The convention will be an opportunity to network with other tax professionals and earn 17 continuing education hours on many topics. The president’s reception and installation dinner will be June 7, when Royal Palm Beach Enrolled Agent Jeffrey Schneider will be installed as president of the FSEA. For information about the event, hotel accommodations, the continuing education that is available to all tax professionals, and the registration form, visit www.fsea online.org.
Jeffrey Schneider
Brian Fowler, a seventh-grader at Wellington Landings Middle School, has been admitted to the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP),which identifies academically talented students based on ACT or SAT test scores. The top 5 percent of over 70,000 seventh-graders taking the ACT or SAT are eligible to participate in the TIP Academy for Summer Studies. Fowler is among the very highest scorers eligible to participate. Of the 7,011 students admitted to TIP this year from Florida, Fowler is among the 2,419 who are eligible to participate in a state recognition ceremony to be held this month.
Marcus Lugrand Graduates U.S. Air Force Basic Training Air Force Airman Marcus Lugrand recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. Lugrand completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Lugrand is the son of Michael Lugrand of Royal Palm Beach. He is a 2011 graduate of Wellington High School.
PALMS WEST PEOPLE
Cody Lagana Receives Award For Participation In SWA Adopt-A-Spot
Cody Lagana received the Anita Lankler Award for outstanding participation in the Solid Waste Authority Adopt-A-Spot Program at the SWA’s 2013 volunteer brunch on April 27. Lagana started his Adopt-ASpot Group called the Litter Busters over a year ago, and the group has grown from nine members to 20. The group received the award for the many volunteer hours they have contributed to the program. Litter Busters not only clean their own adopted location quarterly, but the group also participates in a number of events
Fowler Admitted To Duke Talent Program
Brian Fowler
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
Airman Marcus Lugrand
throughout the year, most recently Wellington’s Great American Cleanup and the Coastal Cleanup. Lagana also volunteers at other events for the SWA such as the South Florida Fair and SunFest. Lagana is a freshman at Wellington High School and a member of the People to People leadership program. If you would like to become a Litter Busters member, contact Lagana at codylag2010@aol. com. (Right) Cody Lagana receives his award from SWA representative Linda Moreno.
Local Chorus Takes Medals In Regional Contest The Women of Note Chorus was victorious once again in regional competition, taking home two medals at the Region 9 Sweet Adelines International Chorus
Competition on April 20 in Daytona Beach. This is the 10th year in a row that the chorus has received two medals for its competition perfor-
Women of Note Chorus members wear their new medals.
mance. This year’s competition was especially exciting as the chorus welcomed six new members onto the competition stage. This exceptional women’s a cappella barbershop chorus, with 43 members on stage and competing against choruses two to three times its size, excelled with another impressive performance, capturing third place in the regional midsize chorus division and fourth overall. In the meantime, the chorus ends the season volunteering at SunFest again this year in West Palm Beach and is gearing up for the 2013-14 season that will include a youth workshop, a holiday show in December and additional performances throughout South Florida. For a current calendar of events, visit www.womenof note.com. The award-winning Women of
Note Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a nonprofit music education association for women. Made up of teachers, nurses, lawyers, legal assistants, bookkeepers, artists, business owners and homemakers, among others, the Women of Note delights audiences with four-part a cappella harmony, innovative choreography and dazzling costumes. The Women of Note holds open rehearsals and welcomes any woman who loves to sing and wants to have fun while making new friends. The chorus rehearses every Monday night at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Lyons Road. For more information about the Women of Note, call (877) WONSING (966-7464), visit www.women ofnote.com or like them on Facebook.
Wellington’s Adams Fourth At IEA National Finals Julia Adams, Wellington resident and freshman at Suncoast High School, recently competed in the 2013 Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Hunt Seat National Finals and placed fourth in the nation in her division. The event was held April 18 at the coliseum at the New York State Fairgrounds in New York. More than 800 high school participants competed at local, regional and zone shows for a chance to ride at a national level. The mission of the nonprofit
Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is to introduce students in private and public middle and secondary schools to equestrian sports and to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction regardless of their financial status. Through the IEA, student riders have the opportunity to earn scholarships toward their college education through awards in competition and through sportsmanship activities. Qualified riders are frequently sought out by many
prestigious universities such as the University of Florida and Brown University to ride for their respective equestrian teams. Throughout the season, Adams consistently placed high in several local, regional shows and received a third place finish at this years’ zones competition in Tennessee. She also trains four to five days a week after school at Dala Horse Farm and as an IEA team member at Wallstreet Farm in Wellington.
Julia Adams
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
NEWS
May 10 - May 16, 2013
Page 17
MIKE SOPER MUSIC CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY WITH TALENT SHOWCASE Mike Soper Music in Wellington held its one-year anniversary celebration Saturday, May 4. Students showcased their talents by singing covers and original songs for a crowd of attendees. For more info., call (561) 223-3194. PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
Adrianna Siena sings “Girl on Fire.”
Victoria Hockton sings “Safe and Sound” as owner Mike Soper plays the piano.
Taylor Renee and Wellington Idol winner Lexi Luca.
Mike Soper with young protégé Shane Treloar.
Daniel Rabinowitz sings for the attendees.
Josh Radford performs an original song.
CHILDREN OF WOUNDED WARRIORS HOSTS ANNUAL CAKE-OFF FUNDRAISER Children of Wounded Warriors held its second annual cake-off fundraiser Sunday, May 5 at the Wellington Amphitheater. There was decorated cake judging and a cake auction, as well as a silent auction, raffles, bingo and live musical entertainment. At the event, organizers Bob and Vivian Simeone also made a donation to the family of slain St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Gary Morales. For more info., visit www.childrenofwoundedwarriors.com. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Anju Senan from Wellington with her cake entry.
Merrilee Reese helps Gabby Glisson decorate a cupcake.
Event organizer Bob Simeone presents first-place cake winner Dina St. Andrew with her prize.
Page 18 May 10 - May 16, 2013
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
NEWS
International Polo Club Awarded County’s Top Tourism Honor The Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau this week recognized the International Polo Club Palm Beach with the 2013 Providencia Award, based on the organization’s significant and substantial impact on the tourism industry. The honor was fittingly awarded during a luncheon at the Marriott Hotel West Palm Beach to celebrate Travel Rally Day, the national day of observance within National Travel and Tourism Week, sanctioned by the U.S. Travel Association, aimed at generating awareness of the importance of travel and tourism. “The Providencia Award is Palm Beach County’s most important symbol of recognition for the local tourism industry, which em-
ploys 45,000 county residents and contributes over $5 billion annually to the local economy,” CVB President & CEO Jorge Pesquera said. “I could not think of a better time to celebrate this award, its recipient, and the many worthy nominees, than today, when industry representatives from around the country are rallying together to recognize the extraordinary economic contribution of tourism here in the United States.” IPC President John Wash accepted the award on behalf of the club. “The International Polo Club is home to American polo’s triple crown — the three highest-rated polo tournaments on the continent: the USPAC.V. Whitney Cup, the Piaget USPA Gold Cup and the
USPA Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship,” Wash noted. “And now, we couldn’t be happier to be home to the 2013 Providencia Award. Our 10th anniversary season broke all records. Winning the Providencia Award is truly the icing on the cake.” The International Polo Club was chosen as one of three finalists by the CVB’s five-member Providencia Committee, who evaluated and scored 15 different nominations. Those three finalists were then put to a public vote on the Palm Beach Post’s web site. This year’s finalists also included Lynn University and the Honda Classic. More than 2,640 people voted through the online poll. The other 12 nominees for this year’s Providencia Award includ-
ed: the Allianz Championship, Flavor Palm Beach, Eau Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, Delray Beach’s Arts Garage, the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, the Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative, the Palm Beach International Boat Show, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo, Palm Beach Dramaworks, the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival and Palm Beach International Raceway. The Travel Rally Day luncheon was attended by more than 380 industry partners who, in addition to hearing the 2013 Providencia winner announced, also heard from both Pesquera and keynote speaker Susannah Costello, vice president of global brand for Visit
ITID
NEWS BRIEFS WEI Network Launches ‘The Leopard’ Peter Wein of WEI Network and Dr. Neil Berliner have announced the grand opening of the Leopard, a state-of-the art recording, rehearsal and performance space in Royal Palm Beach. The studio will serve musicians, as well as comedians and lecturers for CD/DVD launch parties and meetings for up to 20 people. Wein heads the WEI Network, a large compendium of radio shows and media services. Berliner is best known for his comedy writing for roasts on Comedy Central, the New York Friars Club, and The Howard Stern Show. He is
Bears
Sanctuary In Palm Beach Point
continued from page 1 he had included with his proposal showing the exact positioning of the proposed enclosures on his property, relative to his neighbor’s property. Carfi stressed that his proposal goes well above and beyond all state requirements. Although impressed with the completeness of the proposal, Committee Chair Cynthia Gardner wanted to know how deeply the village had researched black bears in local wildlife sanctuaries and whether they had consulted any experts before bringing it to the committee. “What backup due diligence was done on this?” she asked. “Did you talk to any experts or get any outside opinions; call any
Water
Project In Phases
continued from page 1 that the board provide any kind of expenditure whatsoever,” Beaudet said, explaining that any expenditures by the county would be brought back to the commission for approval. Beaudet strongly recommended that the commissioners give the plan their blessing. “I think it sends a strong message that this reservoir is important to the future of Southeast Florida,” he said. Commissioner Priscilla Taylor agreed with the concept of the reservoir, even though the county does not have immediate need of the water. She asked if the county would be able to reap water benefits in the future. “It probably could in a future
also Mad magazine’s newest writer. Come down to the studio grand opening on Thursday, May 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 9. Bring your guitar, bass or other instrument for some jamming, refreshments and fun. For more information, contact Wein at (561) 290-4597 or peter@ weinetwork.com.
Food will be available for purchase, everything else is free. Call Betty Resch at (561) 329-2706 for further information.
As part of the ongoing Lake Worth centennial celebrations, an Old-Fashioned Family Fun Day will be held Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is a free event for kids of all ages.
The event is being hosted by the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 2000 North D Street at the corner of 22nd Avenue North and D Street, near the north ball fields in Lake Worth. Featured will be lots of old-fashioned games like sack races, water balloon tossing, jump rope and more. There will be a toddler tent for younger kids to play safely. There will also be free pony rides and kiddy train rides taking children for tours of the Grey Mockingbird Community Garden. Costumed volunteers will be there to explain life in early Lake Worth. Music will be provided by the Conch Stomp String Band and Station J. At 12:30 p.m., Judge Nelson Bailey will present his talk on Florida Cracker history.
people who have similar facilities with regard to bears?” Cramer explained that Carfi had supplied her with numerous letters of recommendation and information along with the application. Carfi jumped in and cited the credentials of the FWC expert who approved the license and the fact that the inspector would be able to conduct surprise inspections on the facilities. When the floor was opened to public comments, Berens testified to Carfi’s knowledge of exotic wildlife and to his ability to manage the animals. However, not everyone was convinced that the bears wouldn’t pose a safety issue for the community. Palm Beach Point resident Jim Whisenand said that he felt the proposal was “factually deficient” and that it, “violates the restrictive covenants that have governed Palm Beach Point since 1981 and still continue to do so.” Whisenand relayed his fears at
living in such close proximity to the sanctuary and urged the committee to consider the danger it might put residents and their animals in. “It’s a really disquieting feeling,” he said. Additionally, Whisenand was concerned at how many of wildlife sanctuaries might be approved in Palm Beach Point if Carfi’s petition was approved and set a precedent for future applicants. After public comments, Gardner revealed information that she had received prior to the meeting after speaking to several area experts on black bears and wildlife sanctuaries. “As I said before, it looks like such a wonderful, complete, thorough presentation, and my first reaction is, ‘this is wonderful.’ But then I started to think about it a little more and made some phone calls,” Gardner said. She noted her concerns about the predatory nature of the bears, especially considering the commu-
nity they are proposed to become a part of. “Bears that have been in captivity are more dangerous than bears in the wild,” Gardner said. “We’re a community that takes great pride in being an equestrian community. This is our goal, this is our pride… With all respect to what you’re trying to accomplish, does it really serve the community?” Gardner said that while many people do not have an issue with the Carfi proposal, after weighing the documentation and her own research, she felt that she could not support the idea. Committee Member Linda Smith Faver made a motion to not recommend the proposal to the Wellington Village Council, which was seconded by Committee Member Carlos Arellano. The committee voted 3-2 to reject Carfi’s petition, with Gardner, Smith Faver and Arellano opposing the proposal, and Whitlow and Lund in favor.
phase,” Beaudet said. “But I think it’s important that Palm Beach County lend support to the overall project.” Commissioner Mary Lou Berger said she was not excited when she was appointed to the Water Resources Task Force but became fascinated with the concept after she sat through the presentation. “I’ve taken a helicopter tour over the area, and I think this is a really great project,” Berger said. But Commissioner Paulette Burdick was concerned about the cost. “I support the concept,” she said. “My issue here is I’d like to have a workshop to have better information on those costs. In the report it was $755 million, but we have heard from entities that I met with earlier in the year that we’re really looking at a billion dollars of investment on this project.” Burdick pointed out that the L8 Canal project, which utilizes a
reservoir at Palm Beach Aggregates, is still not usable due to salinity. “I would like to see that particular project be successful first,” Burdick said. “I can’t support this before us. I do value the quality of drinking water. I do think we should be working collaboratively with all the entities on a regional basis.” Commissioner Hal Valeche asked about the salinity issues at the L-8 Reservoir, and Palm Beach County Water Resources Manager Ken Todd said it is gradually decreasing as the reservoir is recharged. “We know from past studies that when the path is exercised and fresh water is brought in, it is diluted and it is not a problem,” Todd said. “When it sits for a long period of time, because the pit is not totally impervious, there is some inflow, although it is very minimal.
It’s not that it’s super-salty, it just doesn’t meet the criteria for water supply.” Commissioner Jess Santamaria said that because of past negative experiences related to the L-8 project, the participants in the project would need to exert a special effort to back up its findings. “You’re going to be under a lot of public scrutiny this time around, and just be aware that it’s coming,” he said. Mayor Steven Abrams said he expected other entities needing the water to finance the project. “Mention was made of Broward County,” Abrams said. “Broward and others in South Florida that are desirous of seeing this project go forward I assume will pay in spades for the benefit that this will bring them.” Taylor made a motion to approve the resolution, which carried 6-1 with Burdick dissenting.
Lake Worth Centennial
Florida. Both shared insight and knowledge on the impact of tourism and the importance of tourism marketing and branding in today’s world. Pesquera also made remarks regarding the 30th anniversary of the founding of the CVB and the significant achievements in terms of visitation and economic impact for this important economic sector. “According to a CVB study conducted in 1988, visitor spending was equivalent to $1.57 billion in 2013 dollars. Today, the industry generates more than $5 billion to the local economy — that is triple growth over the past three decades,” Pesquera said. “It is a truly incredible sign of our industry’s resilience that we have made a full recovery after some challenging
‘Unlocking Social Security’ A TransAmerica seminar titled “Unlocking Social Security” will take place Tuesday, May 14 at the Binks Forest Golf Club. Gus Chaves of Evershore Financial Group in Boca Raton will discuss how Social Security can play an important role in your retirement income planning. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., and dinner will be served. There is no cost to attend. To RSVP, call Chaves at (561) 910-2503 or e-mail gchaves@ evershore.com by May 12.
Engineer And Audit
continued from page 1 will be no more arguments about it.” Supervisor Michelle Damone agreed. “I don’t want to see this on the agenda again,” she said. Dunkley said he had asked for the sentence at the request of resident Alan Ballweg, which would require that the responding firm give full disclosure of its past and possible conflicts. “What the paragraph said is that whoever goes up for this RFQ in essence has to tell their past, if they have any type of encumbrances,” Dunkley said. “When people go for a job, history is important.” Dunkley said he would be willing to omit the sentence if it was creating a problem in moving the RFQ forward, but Damone said the sentence did not get in because the board had not agreed on it. Attorney Mary Viator said the new RFQ had minor revisions without the transparency sentence. Dunkley asked how much the newly written RFQ cost, and Viator said it was minimal. “There was a statement that we rewrote the RFQ,” Viator said. “We did not rewrite the RFQ other than tweaking. We made revisions based on what you said. We sent it out to everyone and asked for response.” Regarding the transparency sentence, Viator said that the board did not agree to include it. “There was not a concurrence on that. We didn’t want to have any Sunshine Law issues, so we made minor changes that are included in the RFQ that I handed out, and they were not major changes,” she said. Dunkley was not happy with how the situation was handled. He noted that Viator and her staff had sat with him and revised the paragraph so it would be acceptable. “Instead of just saying, ‘You know something? The board didn’t accept it. If you take it out, it would go through,’ you wasted time. All
economic times, and are close to our all-time peaks in virtually every tourism performance category.” Pesquera also took the opportunity to remind partners that each Palm Beach County household saves $890 in taxes annually, thanks to tourism. He noted that a 10 percent increase in visitors would positively impact the county’s economy through $550 million more in visitor spending, 5,000 more local jobs and $82 million in additional state and local taxes. For more on the International Polo Club Palm Beach, visit www. internationalpoloclub.com. For more about the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau, visit www.palmbeachfl. com. you had to say is, ‘It’s not going to go through.’” Damone made a motion to approve the RFQ as revised, and it carried 5-0. In other business, the board approved the firm Kerkering, Barberio & Co. to conduct a forensic audit of the district’s finances. The audit had also been at Dunkley’s request, in response to a request by Larson. During public comment, Larson said she was particularly concerned about $1.8 million that was spent during last year’s flooding. “Where did it go?” Larson asked. “We did it very quickly.” Resident Patricia Curry said that focusing on spending during Tropical Storm Isaac might be appropriate. “Your contracts and procurement all year round would be another great thing to look at,” Curry added. Damone pointed out that with FEMA funds received, the district is required to do an audit afterward. ITID Attorney Charlie Schoech said the board has the ability to look at it twice. Resident Anne Kuhl said she appreciated the board’s desire to save money but thought a full forensic audit would be good for the community so they could see that nothing has gone on that was not above-board. “I think governmental agencies spend fifty or a hundred thousand dollars without blinking an eye,” Kuhl said. “I think this is something that we should do and get it over with.” Former ITID Supervisor Mike Erickson called the forensic audit a waste of money. “Don’t get me wrong,” Erickson said. “I believe that as a board you have a financial responsibility to the taxpayers’ dollars. I believe that if we’re really going to get this community on track, we need to be moving forward with projects in a positive manner and make this community what it has the ability to be. We can learn from the past, but to continually look back is a complete waste of time and money.” Dunkley made a motion to approve a forensic audit, which carried 3-2 with Damone and Supervisor Ralph Bair opposed.
Blotter continued from page 6 ing additional suspect(s) or witness information. MAY 7 —A PBSO deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation responded Tuesday morning to a report of a burglary at the Renaissance Charter School construction site on Southern Blvd. According to the report, padlocks on a metal storage container had been cut off and the electrical wire inside had been stolen. According to the victim, the container had been secured with two padlocks, and the stolen items include 12-, 10- and 8gauge electrical wiring valued at
more than $1,300. A canvass of the area produced no suspects, and the case remains inactive pending investigative leads. MAY 7 — A PBSO deputy was dispatched Tuesday afternoon to the scene of a vandalism incident that occurred on Mandarin Blvd. in The Acreage. The victim at first thought someone had shot into the front window of her residence, but later discovered a quarterpound rock on her couch. No further damage was discovered upon investigation, but the deputy did provide the victim a vandalism case number.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013
Page 19
Page 20 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
Elena Oleinikova Now Offers Equine Massage
Elena Oleinikova came a long way to live in Wellington. She grew up and began her riding career in Moscow. Eventually coming to the U.S., she began to study dressage, which led to her latest endeavor: equine massage. She took an extensive course to learn this unique art. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 21
Stellar Season For Wolverine Basketball
The 2012-13 Wellington High School boys varsity basketball team made their mark by winning 20 games and a state playoff game, advancing to the “Sweet 16” regional semifinal playoff game for the first time since 2002. Page 35
Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION
INSIDE
Business SeaView Eyecare In Wellington Offers Complete Vision Services
Proper eye care is crucial to maintaining good vision, and SeaView Eyecare in Wellington offers patients comprehensive vision services. Among SeaView’s services are eye exams, emergency eye care, diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, Lasik procedures, and cataract pre- and post-operative care. SeaView is owned by optometrist Dr. Amanda Weiss. Page 25
Sports Women’s Soccer Program Gets Underway At PBSC
Seven months ago, it was just an idea. Today, it has become reality — Palm Beach State College now has a women’s soccer team. College staff member and head coach Paulo Bodnar spearheaded the idea, and in no time fielded a full squad featuring local talent. Page 35
THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES ........................ 23-24 BUSINESS NEWS.................................. 25-27 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ...................... 31 SPORTS & RECREATION........................ 35-37 COMMUNITY CALENDAR ......................38-39 CLASSIFIEDS ........................................40-43
Page 22 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 23
FEATURES
Wellington’s Elena Oleinikova Now Offers Equine Massage Elena Oleinikova came a long way to live and work in Wellington. She grew up and began her riding career in Moscow. “I feel lucky,” she said. “You would think that living in Russia might be scary, but it wasn’t. They had a different system, nothing to be scared of. I always loved horses, and when I was 3 years old, the state built the Bitza Equestrian Complex, a huge, wonderful equestrian facility right in the city, near the park. It had a hotel and a swimming pool. It’s where the Olympic pentathlon athletes trained.” The facility had many components — indoor arenas, more than a dozen outdoor training areas, a stadium jumping field, a full-sized cross country course, rings with all sorts of footing and the best horses in the country. “Back then, no one owned horses privately. They were all owned by the state,” Oleinikova recalled. “They offered everything — jumping, eventing and dressage, which I had seen on TV and fallen in love with. I wanted nothing more than to ride and train there, but I was too young. They didn’t take students less than 12 years old. Somehow, I was allowed to start riding with them, just basic, general riding, when I was 11. I had to take three different buses to get there.” After her first year, Oleinikova was allowed Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/ HorseTalkFL or stop by the Tales from the Trails page on Facebook and click “like.”
Tales From The Trails By Ellen Rosenberg to work more with the horses, to ride and train them and get them conditioned. “There was no such thing as riding as a hobby back then in Russia. Everything had to be done as part of the official sport program, so you were always working at different levels and trying to improve and move up. I started out in jumping, but I always loved dressage,” she said. “I wanted to earn my degree in horse breeding, but it was very hard to get into that program. So I ended up studying animal husbandry. It gave me a very solid base in being able to understand and work with all kinds of animals. But what I wanted was to work with horses.” With the fall of the old Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s, new opportunities opened up. “Private business was allowed. I got a job caring for and training horses, and started my own riding program for teenagers. But the economy got really bad, so I had to shut it down,” she said. Oleinikova eventually found work in a completely different field: as a casino croupier on See ROSENBERG, page 24
Elena Oleinikova with her mare.
Page 24 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
FEATURES
Public Service Announcement: Mother’s Day Is On Sunday This Sunday is Mother’s Day. I say this as a public service announcement, to give you time to buy jewelry, clothing, purses, candy, a Wet-Vac, whatever you think your mom would enjoy the most. Hopefully you’ve already sent a card and, on Sunday, will make that all-important phone call. It’s a misconception that we mothers look forward to this day with rabid expectation. Often, we don’t even think about it until it’s upon us. A small child carrying a tray that has a bowl of cereal sloshing around on it is wakeup call enough. We will stifle our “Careful!” and let the vase with the rose fall over the side. “It’s OK,” we’ll smile. Because it is, really. But for grown-up children who forget, it’s Monday you have to watch out for. Get your Sonic Boomer humor every day! Follow Deborah Welky on Twitter at twitter.com/TheSonicBoomer or stop by “The Sonic Boomer” page on Facebook.
Deborah Welky is
The Sonic BOOMER Because on Monday, some of our female co-workers will come in wearing new earrings, bracelets and rings. Some will be hiding a box of chocolates in one of their desk drawers. Some will be in new blouses that may or may not fit, but they will be wearing them proudly. Compliments will be exchanged. “That blouse may be riding up over your belly button, but it sure is a lovely color. I have always loved fluorescent orange.” “My 10-year-old son picked it out.” “Of course he did.” “My husband told him I’d like it.”
“Of course he did.” “I feel like I’m on the roads crew.” “Of course you do.” But the point is, the kid picked it out, the father was with him, they conversed. It was a good Mother’s Day prequel. For adult children, it’s harder — especially if you don’t live close enough to take mom to Sunday brunch. In that case, you must plan well in advance and do things that will take time from your busy schedule. (Yes, we know you have a very busy schedule. We had other plans the night you were born, too, but we went to the hospital instead.) The Internet has made it possible to put your boss’s clients on hold while you order your Mother’s Day gift online, but you’re still going to need to allow for delivery time. Online games and e-cards can be sent at the last minute, but you better have the kind of mom who appreciates that kind of thing. “What did you get from your daughter on Mother’s Day?”
“My computer tells me it has something called an e-card waiting for me, but I don’t know how to open it. She comes for a visit in three months; I’ll have her open it then.” “I got an e-coupon, but I’ll have to wait until Thanksgiving to find out what it’s for.” And for the offspring who forgets the day entirely? Let’s look in on his mother’s Monday morning: “What did you get for Mother’s Day?” “Mmmphf.” “Nothing?!” (Whimper) “Does that kid know how long you were in labor with him? Does he realize you still have a scar? Did he even call you?” (No response, soft thump as mom’s head flops down onto her desk.) I’d like to be more encouraging about this, but the truth is, you have 364 days to make it up to her. And that’s exactly how long it’s going to take.
‘Iron Man 3’ Is An Amusing Film, But It Needs A Tighter Plot Iron Man 3 is a sprawling, exciting, fun bit of a mess. It is a good film; the mob scene at the filming we attended stayed in their seats enthralled throughout. But compared with the first film and with The Avengers, it had a far weaker story. Anything I write will barely matter; the crowds are enormous, and it is the first really massive hit of the year. But in retrospect, I wish the writing had been tighter. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is easily the most enjoyable of all the superheroes. Let’s face it: Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Captain America and Thor could never do a stand-up comedy routine. They are, minus special effects and good writing, rather boring. But Stark is snarky and complicated, getting more complicated with each film. In this movie, he is suffering from more than a little post-traumatic stress disorder. Unable to sleep, he builds dozens of Iron Man suits, stretching himself far too thin. His actions stress out his partner (both life and business), Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). He winds up challenging the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), a terrorist who seems to be everywhere and can find ways to blow things up that defy
Rosenberg
Equine Massage With Elena Oleinikova
continued from page 23 a cruise ship, which gave her the opportunity to travel. The cruise line was based in Florida, so that’s where she ended up. And although she liked meeting new people and traveling, she missed horses. Eventually she bought a car and found Wellington, which she describes as “an awesome place where there are so many things for horses.” Lots of dressage, too. In 1999, Oleinikova started scribing for dressage judges, writing down all their notes and comments during classes, and also riding a
even Stark’s imagination. In a particularly dumb move, Stark challenges the Mandarin only to have his home destroyed and, through a computer glitch, winds up in rural Tennessee with a non-functional Iron Man suit and a computer that also isn’t working. There, he meets an adorable young boy, Harley Keener (Ty Simpkins), who convinces them to go on and create his own tools to fight the bad guys. The plot becomes convoluted as other villains rise. Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), a mad scientist has his own plans for domination and, working with a rather ambivalent DNA specialist Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall), who years ago had a one-night stand with Tony, creates a truly credible enemy that leads to a
long, intense climax for the film. The cast, as expected, is superb. Downey is one of our best actors and has this character pretty well set, not surprising since this is his fourth movie in the part. Paltrow has a larger part than we’ve seen her in before and provides an excellent balance. She even winds up putting Stark in his place, something not easy to do. Don Cheadle as his loyal friend, a top-ofthe-line colonel called “Iron Patriot,” is mostly a joke while inside the device, but appropriately heroic as an action hero when on his own. Kingsley is superb in his characterization; his part is not as large as has been advertised, but it is always fascinating. Pearce does his usual excellent job, and Hall, a relative newcomer, is great as Hansen. Simpkins almost steals the film from Downey in their scenes together, and director Shane Black is smart enough to let that character be more fully developed than might normally be the case. There is enormous chemistry between Downey and the young boy. So, if all of that is great, why is this not as good as a couple of its predecessors? The
first issue is the use of 3-D. I have become convinced that, all by itself, the technology gets in the way of exceptional movies. Sets become enormous, and the camera focuses on that. The final scene takes place on a huge ship and dock facility, chosen mostly because it allows a lot of characters to run and leap toward the screen while also allowing many building parts to fall spectacularly. Hollywood, it seems, has never heard of the phrase “less is more.” The final battle section is visually spectacular but runs far too long. Even more to the point, the really interesting action involved takes up only a short time, while fighting with nameless bad guys gets a bit boring. Another problem is Stark’s brooding. In past films, he was really a lot of fun. Here, he is grumpy a lot of the time, and it takes away from the real fun. But we had a great time, as did the absolutely full theater. This is the first of the really big summer movies, and it will make a fortune. It provides fun and action, and everyone there seemed to have a great time. In short, a really good summer movie: not great like the first Iron Man but a whole lot of fun. See it.
little. She wanted to learn more and volunteered at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, then became a full-time instructor for a year. She took dressage lessons and fell into a great deal where she worked with a friend’s stallion for a year and, in return, got a lovely gray mare, La Maja, with whom she’s now schooling in Grand Prix. “She’s a lot of fun to train,” Oleinikova said. All of which leads to her next endeavor: equine massage. Oleinikova took an extensive six-month course with Mike Scott and learned the art through practical sessions, reading assignments, lectures and hands-on practicums. “My background in animal husbandry gave me an excellent understanding of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, which gives me a deeper perspective on what’s wrong and how to ease problems,” Oleinikova said. “Nu-
trition also plays a very important role in a horse’s well-being. The wrong diet can produce a very uptight horse. Even before I start a massage, I pay attention to everything about the horse and form an overall impression: how he stands, how he moves, how he reacts. Is he comfortable? Uncomfortable? Is he happy to see me?” She then methodically checks the horse’s body. “I start with the head, jaw and TMJ joint, check all the stress points and massage the ears. There are a lot of interconnected muscles there. I move down the neck to the spine and check his range of motion for any tightness or soreness,” Oleinikova explained. “It’s very important to work on the stress points, especially in a horse doing dressage. Some of those horses only get to go from their stall to the arena and back again. They may not get
turned out often, and working the same group of muscles over and over can cause stress and soreness from overtraining, and lead to an injury. Massage is a good way to release some of that tension. It feels good, and it’s also preventative.” Oleinikova enjoys making horses feel comfortable. “I can also work with the rider to evaluate what work the horse is ready to attempt,” she added. “I work with all sorts of horses, everything from backyard pets to high-end competitors — old horses, young horses, retired horses. A massage is something every horse enjoys and benefits from. It feels great, and makes them happy. What could be better?” For more information, call Oleinikova at (561) 449-6446 or visit www.massagefordressage. com.
‘I’ On CULTURE By Leonard Wechsler
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
BUSINESS NEWS
SeaView Eyecare office manager and optician Jennifer Childress with owner and optometrist Dr. Amanda Weiss. PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
SeaView Eyecare Offers Complete Vision Services By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Proper eye care is crucial to maintaining good vision, and SeaView Eyecare in Wellington offers patients comprehensive vision services. Among SeaView’s services are eye exams, emergency eye care, diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, Lasik procedures, and cataract pre- and post-operative care. Owner and optometrist Dr. Amanda Weiss knew early on that she wanted to become a doctor. She decided to become an optometrist while in school, helping patients in the hospital. “I had a patient who had macular degeneration, and working with her had a profound effect on me,” she said. Weiss, originally from St. Louis, observed several optometrists and decided that was the type of doctor she wanted to become. She went on to receive her degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn., in 2004, and did her residency in family practice optometry with an emphasis in ocular disease, also through Southern College of Optometry. After eight years of experience at other practices, Weiss decided to open her own practice. “It has taken a while to come into fruition,” she said. “I’ve worked in a number of places, but I’ve always practiced in Florida.” Her experience working at other practices gained her the knowledge necessary for her own practice. “I floated around to a number of practices to learn how I wanted my practice to be when I opened it,” Weiss explained. Weiss previously worked in an office that specialized in glaucoma and macular degeneration. “We did clinical trials for new drugs that came into the market, and I gained a significant amount of expertise in the field,” she said. Weiss is pleased to have opened her practice in Wellington. “I love it because it’s sunny and I love the sun,” she said. “I don’t miss the overcast days of the Midwest.”
SeaView offers a variety of comprehensive eye care needs for all members of the family, which include eye exams that check for disorders of the visual system and eye muscle, and prescriptions that aid in correcting these problems. For emergency eye care issues, SeaView offers patients immediate assistance, whether it’s for a case of pink eye or any other eye malady. In addition, SeaView is able to provide clients with contact lenses and glasses. There are hundreds of frames on display, from designer models to more economical ones for children. With licensed optician Jennifer Childress on staff, SeaView is able to fit, make, dispense and troubleshoot eyeglasses and contact lenses for corrective vision. “We have worked together for many years and make a great team,” Weiss said. The practice takes walk in appointments for checkups and consultations for glasses and contacts. Patients typically come in for three common reasons. “They’re usually, number one, ‘my vision is blurry,’ number two, ‘my eye is red,”’Weiss said. “And number three, which I see often because I tend to see children in addition to adults, is ‘my child is not doing well in school and I’m concerned that he or she may have an eye problem.’” When clients come in to SeaView, the visit will begin with an eye exam to see if the eye is in focus. Weiss and her staff also educate clients on their condition and options for treatment. “They decide if they want to do eye glasses or contact lenses also,” Weiss said. “If they decide to wear contacts, we teach them how to use them.” SeaView Eyecare is located at 2545 S. State Road 7, Unit 10, near Whole Foods Market in Wellington. For more info., visit www.seaview eyecare.com or call (561) 790-7290.
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 25
Page 26 May 10 - May 16, 2013
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
BUSINESS NEWS
Wellington Chamber Welcomes New Member Tru Art Studios The Wellington Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Tru Art Studios in Wellington. Anthony Paul is the director/owner of the business with the help of his wife Cheryl. If you are looking for a unique, memorable piece of artwork to hang on your wall or to give as a gift, Tru Art Studios is the place to contact. Paul was born and raised in Rockland County, N.Y. After graduating from college, he worked at Lederle Laboratories, where he was part of
the Centrum Vitamin team. He started as a tablet press mechanic and worked his way up. He helped build an industry standard machine to deliver vitamins to the market. He was also on a creative team developing shapes for the Sea World character vitamins. After 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Paul went into the music entertainment industry. For 10 years, he worked with various artists and consulted on projects, including one for Alicia Keys.
Tru Art Studios Ribbon Cutting — (L-R) Carmine Marino, Kathleen Birmingham, Bob Salerno, Cheryl Paul, Anthony Paul (with scissors), Joanne Dee and Denise Carpenter.
In 2007, Paul and his wife moved to West Palm Beach, and then later to Wellington. Seeking to make a change in their lives, they wanted to work with local artists. Being a photographer, Paul wanted to turn his photos into paintings. “We had a lot of photos we transferred into paintings, and that’s when I started to love what I was doing,” he said. “I’ve been doing it now for five years.”
Tru Art Studios currently works with about six local artists. Paul said that Tru Art Studios’clientele is mostly homeowners who like to decorate their homes. They focus on converting photos of horses, pets, self portraits and family shots into paintings. Paul noted that they can turn anything a client wants into art. In addition, Tru Art Studios produces a finished product. Paul
stretches and frames all the artwork so when he delivers the art, it’s ready to be hung on the wall — all for competitive prices. For more information about Tru Art Studios call (561) 633-5965 and e-mail info@truartstudios.com. For more information about businesses in the Wellington area, call (561) 792-6525 or visit the Wellington Chamber of Commerce web site at www.wellingtonchamber.com.
New Technology Helps Lower Crime Rate The Isles at Wellington community has seen a significant drop in burglaries since the installation of new MyCommunityAlert (MCA) text and e-mail alert technology. MCA is a real-time, web-based system designed to provide critical information and emergency notification to community residents and local officials. MCA is the only service of its kind that monitors public safety and municipal web sites to provide complete and updated information. The findings were derived from statistics compiled by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Specifically, the statistics show significant drops in residential and automobile burglaries since the adoption of the easy-to-use MCA
technology. Residential burglaries were reported to have declined 86 percent and automotive burglaries dropped 96 percent during the two and a half years measured. “While our neighborhood is a safe one, we are always seeking cost-efficient ways to further protect our residents and their property,” said Greg Cafaro, president of the Isles at Wellington. “When we learned about MyCommunityAlert, we thought it would be a very helpful tool in protecting the community and keeping residents informed.” MCA was created by a team of experts that includes a law enforcement official with 26 years of experience. MCA provides information via text messages and e-mails to regis-
tered users within minutes — anything from public emergencies and crime warnings to community activities and construction information. MCA is currently in use with more than 5,000 homeowners in Palm Beach County, including Versailles, Olympia, the Isles at Wellington and the Wellington Equestrian Club. “The impact MCA has had on further lowering crime at communities like the Isles at Wellington clearly demonstrates the return on investment the technology can deliver,” MCA Vice President Renee Leibler said. For more information, or to schedule a demonstration, visit www. mcalert.net or contact Leibler at (914) 319-3779 or renee@mcalert.net.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 27
BUSINESS NEWS
Small Business RoundTable Session Focuses On Facebook The third session of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s six-part Small Business RoundTable series took place Thursday, April 25 at the Lake Wellington Professional Centre. The hands-on, instructional session focused on learning how to utilize Facebook as a powerful, costeffective marketing tool to increase
business revenue. Participants were required to have an active business Facebook page. The evening started with a mixer where attendees enjoyed food and wine as they socialized with their peers. The event was sponsored by Ivan Velasquez of TSG Realty. The speaker/instructor for the evening was Alexandra De Armas
of Simply Shmily and A Horse Box. Her credentials include many years of experience in social media marketing and a decade of experience in business relations, corporate and organizational communications, brand management, marketing, editorial writing and event planning. De Armas helps maximize media potential for brands through traditional public relations as well as through digital publicity and social media such as Facebook. De Armas began the session by providing a brief history of Facebook. She then explained all the back-end features and what they do. With her computer and Facebook
pages visible on a screen, she showed exactly where they are located within the account. De Armas then discussed and demonstrated how to utilize these features to increase visibility in target markets, create “likes” and boost sales. She explained several successful marketing strategies she uses for her business accounts, including the psychology behind them. Considering she recently started up five new Facebook accounts that gained 1,000 “likes” each within six months without paid advertising, everyone paid close attention to her strategies. Overall, the session was informative, relevant, interactive and well
received by the attendees. The next session of the Small Business RoundTable will be Thursday, May 23. That session will focus on Pinterest and the speaker will be Amy Panzer of Think Big Media Productions. Attendees will need to bring their computers and have an active business Pinterest account in order to enroll. For more information about the Small Business RoundTable, call Michela Perillo-Green at (561) 7926526 or e-mail info@wellington chamber.com. Visit www.wellington chamber.com to register for the next Small Business RoundTable session. Seating is limited.
Next ABWA Meeting June 12 In PBG
Small Business RoundTable guest speaker Alexandra De Armas.
The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will host its monthly meeting Wednesday, June 12 at the PGA Embassy Suites Hotel. Networking will be start at 6 p.m., with the dinner/program at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $20, and guests are welcome. The June speaker will be Carol O’Neil, owner of CEO Financial Services. She will discuss “First Impressions.” You have 30 seconds to
make a first impression. Too many leave the introduction to chance. The reality is that developing your first impression is a crucial discipline in the promotion of your product. If you can’t come up with a compellingly simple presentation, chances of progress drop precipitously. To RSVP, or for more information, call Dottie Smith at (772) 545-7145 or Sharon Maupin at (561) 329-4485. The Embassy Suites Hotel is located at 4350 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach
Gardens. For directions to the hotel, call (561) 622-1000. 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. For more information, visit www. abwanpbflorida.org.
Page 28 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
Camp Giddy-Up at Ravenwood Riding Academy has been located in Wellington for 23 years. Licensed and insured, with all safety equipment provided, they are located on a beautiful, safe and clean farm with plenty of shade. Ravenwood is now accepting 12 students per session, ages 6-14, for Camp Giddy-Up. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Campers learn safety, horse care and grooming, with riding lessons daily, as well as scheduled visits with a blacksmith, horse vet and equine dentist. Sibling discounts or multi-session discounts are available. Camp Giddy-Up has a full staff and a hands-on director. Register today by calling (561) 793-4109 or visit www.ravenwoodridingacademy.com. Hurry, sessions f ill up quickly!
Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, call Debra Thornby at (561) 795-6866.
Casperey Stables Horse Camp is a small, fun-filled day camp for children ages seven to 14. With four riding oppor tunities each day, ar ts & crafts and outdoor games, campers find little time to be bored. The low counselor-child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer. Each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Da ys, Circus Days and Medieval Days. Casperey Stables has a weekly swim party and ends each session with a horse show and family barbecue. To learn more about the camp, located at 2330 D R oad in Loxahatchee Groves, call (561) 792-4990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.
Movement Arts Dance Academy is offering a variety of camps this summer. Each weekly dance camp has an exciting theme that is age-appropriate and fun. Dancers age 3 to 12 will participate in several dance classes a day including hip-hop, ballet, tap and more. Additional activities include arts & crafts, story time for younger campers, a pizza party and weekly dance showcase for the older campers. This summer, Movement Arts will also be offering an art camps. Artists will take classes in drawing and painting. The facility is located at 1241 N. State Road 7, Suite 11. For more information, visit www.movementartsdanceacademy.com or call (561) 792-9757.
Dance Theatre Summer Dance Camp is available for ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 11. Three sessions are offered June 10-28, July 1-19 and July 22 - Aug. 9. The camp offers ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, flexibility, hip-hop, acro, musical theatre, drama, modeling, ballroom, ar ts & crafts and more! As well, Dance Theater offers intensive for intermediate and advanced dancers. A $100 deposit is required to hold space. Space is limited, so reserve today. The cost is $450 per session (3 weeks) from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with aftercare available until 6 p.m. for as little as $15 per day. Weekly rates and daily rates are available as well, as are multiple-child and multiple-session discounts. Dance Theater is located at 10620 W. Forest Hill Blvd, Suite 30 (between Pei Wei and Fresh Market). Call (561) 784-4401 for info.
At Noah’s Ark Summer Camp, children will enjoy field trips and activities such as swimming, bowling, skating, South Florida Science Museum, movies and picnics. Tuition includes camera surveillance, creative curriculum, computers and all meals. Registration is now being accepted. Registration is free for new customers only. Noah’s Ark is located at 14563 Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves. For more information, call (561) 753-6624 or visit www. smallworldpbc.com.
Join the Summer Junior Golf Camp at Okeeheelee Golf Course, Park Ridge Golf Course and John Prince Golf Learning Center through the Junior Golf Foundation of America Golf Camp. New or seasoned golfers will de velop skills while having a blast doing so. The JGFA provides junior golfers with the tools to enjoy the game for a lifetime. Professional PGA/LPGA golf instructors, trained coaches and staff are carefully picked for their love of junior golf, teaching abilities and inspirational approach. The pr ogram emphasizes safety, fun, spor tsmanship and personal attention. Camps run June 10 through Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extended camp available until 3 p.m. at Okeeheelee. Written evaluation repor ts, prizes/trophies, of ficial JGFA items, a certificate of completion and a pizza party on the last day is included. Also available: camps for 3-5 year olds, camps for advance/tournament golfers, Junior Golf tournaments, weekly programs and leagues, walk-up clinics and more. Visit www.JGFA.org or call (561) 964-GOLF for more information. The Lab/High Touch High Tech brings science t o life with hands-on experiments provided by High Touch High Tech, the leader in science education for the last 18 years. Each day will be a new adventure, from interacting with real lab critters to launching rockets and panning for gems. Conveniently located off State Road 7 and Lantana Road, this unique facility offers affordable pricing, experiments with lots of cool take-homes, arts and crafts, physical activities and more. The Lab taps into children’s natural curiosity and provides them with safe and fun activities that help them learn about the world. Children can expect to have fun while they make slime, erupt volcanoes, make ice cream, make tie dye t-shirts and more. Call (561) 4443978 or visit www.thelabforkids.com for info. The Learning Foundation of Florida’s (TLFF) Academic Summer School/Camp 2013 has several options available to assist the diverse needs of community students. The program begins June 18 runs through Aug. 8 and allows for attendance flexibility in scheduling. TLFF’s K-8 summer program focuses on individualized academic remediation using weekly themes and a variety of t eaching strategies. Middle school students can take FLVS courses for promotion to the next grade level. There are two sessions available: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and/or 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. TLFF’s high school summer program allows students to accelerate and/or redo classes for higher grades. The session is open on Tuesdays through
The Little Place Pre-School has served the western communities for over 35 years. They are now taking summer camp registration at their two convenient Wellington locations. The Little Place offers a pre-school program for children 2 to 5 years old, and a program for children ages 6 to 8. Various classes are offered as well as arts and & crafts and much more. The Little Place will make y our child’s summer fun! Contact them at 1040 Wellington Trace (561-793-5860) or 2995 Greenbriar Blvd. (561-790-0808).
The School of Roc k of the Palm Beaches offers private, individual lessons on guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, drums and horns combined with weekly group band rehearsals leading to live concert performances. Past venues have included the Lake Worth Playhouse and BB Kings. “Boy, I wish they had this when I was a kid,” exclaim visitors as they walk the halls. The School of Rock offers comprehensive summer camp experiences appealing to all ages and skill levels. At the end of the week, campers perform a live rock show for parents and friends. Reserve your spot today at one of two locations: North Palm Beach (11650 U.S. Hwy. 1) or South Palm Beach (7743 S. Military Trail). For inf o., call Mary Mandel at (561) 420-5652. The Scientastic Institute is taking hands-on science to a whole new level. Developed exclusively for students entering grades 6 through 8, its Scientist-In-Training summer camp takes advantage of the power of curiosity to turn everyday students into extraordinary scientists. Through a wide variety of activities — such as hands-on projects, edible experiments, creature features, DIY labs, scientist spotlights, dynamic demonstrations and much more — each week addresses an amazing new theme that relates to essential academic content. Students can have fun all summer and get a head start for the fall. The Scientastic Institute offers competitive rates, extended hours, organic lunch options and one amazing summer experience in the heart of Wellington. Visit www.scientasticinstitute.com or call (561) 459-1724 for more information. Are you looking for a convenient and fun place to send your kids this summer? Look no further than Camp Eagle at Wellington Christian School. They offer an exciting 9-week program for children ages 3-12, which includes VPK, local field trips for older campers, oncampus sports and group building activities, daily devotions, silly songs, crazy competitions and much more. You can choose one of the themed weeks or come all summer long. For more information, call (561) 793-1017. Tiny Tikes Preschool Camp is geared t oward the elementar y-age camper. Daily activities are sure to keep the campers happy, busy and engaged. Trips include bowling, skating and weekly movies, as well as special trips to the zoo, the science museum and more. Tiny Tikes has three conveniently located centers, which are open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities occur throughout the day, both at the center and out on the bus. Meals are included. Call (561) 7901780 now to reserve your space or visit Tin y Tikes Academy at 16245 Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 29
Page 30 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 31
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
‘Dancing At Lughnasa’ Opens May 24 At P.B. Dramaworks Brian Friel’s finely etched memory play Dancing at Lughnasa will conclude Palm Beach Dramaworks’ 2012-13 season, with performances beginning on Friday, May 24 at 8 p.m. at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre in West Palm Beach. The touching story of five adult sisters will play a strictly limited engagement through June 16, with specially priced preview performances slated for May 22 and 23. Set in 1936 in rural Ireland, Danc-
ARTWORK BY FRAVER
ing at Lughnasa tells the poignant story of the Mundy sisters, who make the most of their uncomplicated existence. The Tony and Olivier award-winning play is narrated by the adult son of one of the sisters, who looks back with affection, sensitivity and insight to a summer in his aunts’ cottage during his childhood. Palm Beach Dramaworks’ production will be directed by J. Barry Lewis and features Cliff Burgess, Margery Lowe, Declan Mooney, Meghan Moroney, Gretchen Porro, Julie Rowe, Erin Joy Schmidt and John L. Thompson. Choreography is by Lynnette Barkley, set design by Jeffrey Modereger, costume design by Brian O’Keefe, lighting design by Ron Burns and sound design by Steve Shapiro. Dancing at Lughnasa was originally presented at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1990. It transferred to London’s National Theatre later that year, and won the 1991 Olivier Award for Best Play. Dancing at Lughnasa opened on Broadway in October 1991 and went on to receive the Tony Award for Best Play. It was made into a film in 1998, starring Meryl Streep. Born in 1929, Friel is widely recognized as one of the great contemporary playwrights. His break-
through as a playwright came in 1964 with the Dublin premiere of Philadelphia, Here I Come!, which went on to have successful runs in New York and London. Subsequent plays include Lovers (1967), The Freedom of the City (1973), Aristocrats (1979), Faith Healer (1979), Translations (1980) and Molly Sweeney (1994). The performance schedule is as follows: evening performances take place Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Matinee performances are on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Individual tickets cost $55 for all performances. Preview performances cost $47 and opening night tickets (May 24) cost $70. Student tickets are available for $10. Group rates for 20 or more and discounted season subscriptions are also available. The Don & Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach at 201 Clematis Street. For ticket information, call the box office at (561) 514-4042, open Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit www.palmbeachdrama works.org. For 13 years, West Palm Beach’s only professional, multi-award-win-
Julie Lowe and Margery Lowe in a scene from Dancing at Lughnasa. PHOTO COURTESY ALICIA DONELAN
ning resident theater has brought to the Palm Beaches a distinguished roster of plays under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director William Hayes. Palm Beach Dramaworks is a nonprofit, professional theater and is a
member of the Theatre Communications Group, the South Florida Theatre League, Southeastern Theatre Conference, Florida Professional Theatres Association, Florida Theatre Conference and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council.
May 11 Auction In Boynton To Offer Estate Jewelry & Artwork A wide selection of estate jewelry, fine artwork, bronzes, sterling silver and Chinese works will cross the auction block on Saturday, May 11 at Elite Decorative Arts, in the firm’s gallery located at the Quantum Town Center in Boynton Beach (1034 Gateway Blvd., Suites 106 and 108). The auction will start promptly at 1 p.m. The Chinese items — a category for which Elite Decorative Arts has become renowned in recent years — will feature ivory, jade, marvelous red coral carvings and stone carvings, porcelain and more. Many of the lots can be viewed online at www.eliteauction.com, and Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com and Artfact.com. Phone bids will also be accepted. Chinese carved white jade is enormously popular with collectors and this sale has several pieces certain to spark bidding wars. One is a fine-carved white jade ceremonial coupe with figural floral handles and a silver inlay wooden fitted base. The glowing translucent specimen, measuring 2.5 inches in height and weighing 197 jade grams, should sell for $30,000 to $50,000. Another is a carved white jade relief boulder depicting a scholar ’s mountain scene. Like its predecessor, this lot is also a glowing translucent specimen, with russet suffusions. It is larger, however, measuring 9.75 inches in height by 7.25 inches in width, plus a wooden base height of 2.25 inches. The jade weight is 3,152 grams. The piece is estimated to command $15,000 to $25,000. Chinese carved red coral sculpture pieces
and groups are also highly collectible and will be offered in abundance in this sale. One lot certain to get paddles wagging is a stunningly carved 19th century sculpture depicting a covered urn adorned with flowers, vines, peaches and birds. It should sell for $20,000 to $30,000. Two other red coral lots expected to do well include a fine hand-carved group depicting immortals with flying dragons and attendants, plus flowers and crashing waves, 10.5 inches tall on a fitted silver inlay base (estimated value $20,000 to $25,000); and a sculpture of Shou Xing standing with peach and dragon staff, attendants and children, on a fitted wooden base (estimated value $15,000 to $25,000). Rounding out the star lots of the red coral category are a standing Buddha on a lotus blossom base with lilies, 11 inches tall, with a fitted wooden base (estimated value $10,000 to $15,000); and a finely carved 19th-century sculpture depicting a standing Guan Yin holding a platter with flowers, 19th century, standing 7.5 inches tall on fitted silver inlay wooden base (estimated value $10,000 to $15,000). Hand-carved Chinese jadeite will also be offered. Lots include a blue beast group of two mythical animals shown in a playful pose, in a color emulating Ru ware, a favorite of Qing Dynasty ceramic artists, 2.5 inches tall (estimated value $10,000 to $15,000); and a jadeite meiren figure with translucent white and apple green to spinach colors, 10.25 inches in height (estimated value $8,000 to $12,000). Moving from China to France, an early 20th-
century French ormolu mounted porcelain centerpiece with hand-painted gold decoration over cobalt glaze ground and gilt bronze horses and putti mounted throughout is expected to fetch $10,000 to $12,000; and a Samuel Marti French bronze and marble mantle clock with a striking roaring lion mounted on the top and a beveled glass case housing a mechanical movement, 21 inches tall, should gavel for $8,000 to $10,000. Wonderful estate jewelry is bound to dazzle the assembled bidders. Anticipated top lots will feature a stunning and heavy ladies 18kt yellow gold charm bracelet holding fourteen 14kt yellow gold charms, most with a golf theme (estimated value $8,000 to $12,000); and a ladies Harry Winston designer 18kt yellow gold necklace holding 3.15ctw round cut diamonds, 1.95ctw sapphire stones with featured pear cut pendant and 0.45 ctw cabochon rubies (estimated value $6,000 to $8,000). Rounding out a short list of the day’s expected top lots are a ladies 18k yellow gold and diamond Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch featuring a black face with nine set round and baguette diamonds and bezel holding 40 round cut diamonds (estimated value $6,000 to $8,000); and a pair of cut crystal Baccarat vases in the Thistle pattern, each vase having silver plate mounts and each holding the impressed Baccarat mark to the bottom of the metal base (estimated value $8,000 to $10,000). A preview will be held Friday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. until the first gavel comes down at 1 p.m. All purchases will be subject to a 18 percent
A Samuel Marti French bronze and marble mantle clock. buyer’s premium (for in-house and phone bids) or 21 percent for bidding online. Elite Decorative Arts is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. For more on this, call (561) 200-0893 or e-mail info@eliteauction.com. To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts and the May 11 auction, visit www.eliteauction.com.
Page 32 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 33
Page 34 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 35
SPORTS & RECREATION
Women’s Soccer Program Underway At Palm Beach State By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report Seven months ago, it was just an idea. Today, it has become reality — Palm Beach State College now has a women’s soccer team. College staff member and head coach Paulo Bodnar spearheaded the idea, and in no time fielded a full squad of local talent from Palm Beach and Broward counties. “Many area high school graduates who attend Palm Beach State now have the opportunity to play soccer at the collegiate level,” Bodnar said. Bodnar held a series of tryouts last October and was overwhelmed by the response and commitment from the women who made the inaugural team. “The team is self-funded for the time being,” added Bodnar, who hopes to gain additional support from the school’s administration and athletic department. The school’s initial idea was to provide an intramural league for the PBSC campuses to play against each other.
Bodnar and the team decided to compete on a larger scale. The Panthers are currently a club team. This means they play organized matches against other schools with certified officials and participate in collegiate tournaments, with a limited budget from the school. Most of the financial support comes from fundraisers from the team and coaches. “This is a big step, since soccer didn’t exist prior to the inception of this team,” Bodnar said. “We have to start somewhere, and eventually we would like to be officially a part of the school’s athletics as a varsity squad.” The team practices at the school’s main campus in Lake Worth, but team members attend classes at the various campuses. “The girls wanted more than just intramural soccer playing against each other,” Bodnar said. “They wanted to represent their school, wearing the colors, playing against other schools, and we were able to get that done.” The team is young but motivated. The squad is preparing for final exams and summer break, but man-
aged to play a total of seven games, including a collegiate tournament in Orlando at the University of Central Florida. The team has been competitive in every game, playing schools across the state. Bodnar also stressed that student education is a priority. The See SOCCER, page 37
Panther midfielder Marjorie Castro takes her shot in a match against Florida Gulf Coast.
Palm Beach State’s Pascale Pham takes control of the ball.
The Palm Beach State College inaugural women’s soccer team.
Panther midfielder Cara Quinn passes the ball upfield. PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER
Stellar Season For WHS Basketball The 2012-13 Wellington High School boys varsity basketball team made their mark by winning 20 games and a state playoff game, advancing to the “Sweet 16” regional semifinal playoff game for the first time since 2002. The Wolverines started the season 6-0 led by senior captains Alex Peavler and Stephon Gordon. Along with stellar play by junior guard Dondre Duffus, WHS competed with the best teams in the state, in(Left) Coach Matt Colin and the Wellington High School boys varsity basketball team.
cluding a nailbiter against nationally ranked and eventual state champion Pompano Beach’s Blanche Ely High School. Along the way, there were some significant team accomplishments. For example, coach Matt Colin earned his 100th win as WHS head basketball coach during an earlyseason thriller at home against Lake Worth High School. It was also the second time the Wolverines had won 20 games in the past five years under Colin. Duffus earned first team all-area and first team all-conference honors. Gordon earned second team all-
area and first team all-conference honors. Peavler and Arthur Strappazzon earned honorable mention all-area and second team all-conference honors. Along with Peavler and Gordon, NickArena, Mike Morosco and Stanley Erie made numerous winning contributions in their senior year and will be missed. With their departure, a number of opportunities will present themselves for the 2013-14 basketball season as Colin, player of the year front runner Duffus and the rest of the team make another run at the state title.
Page 36 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
SPORTS & RECREATION
Golfslinger.com Tour Visits Wellington’s Wanderers Club Ryan Armour of Jupiter made back-to-back eagles Tuesday, April 30 at the Wanderers Club enroute to a four under par 68 to earn his fourth victory on the Golfslinger.com Tour. Armour holed a 125-yard wedge shot at the par-4 16th hole, then also eagled the par-5 17th hole. He won by two strokes despite bogeys at the first and 18th holes. Armour won his first two Golfslinger starts in November 2009, and
BASS KIDS FISH AT JOHN PRINCE PARK
added a third victory in April 2011. Tuesday’s title was worth $700 from the $3,525 purse, raising his career Golfslinger earnings to $23,180. The Golfslinger’s 44th tournament of the year drew 25 entries. It was also the tour’s 999th event since starting in August 2004. No. 1,000 will be played Friday at the Legacy Golf & Tennis Club in Port St. Lucie. For more information, visit www. minorleaguegolf.com.
Celebrate Miniature Golf Day At Boomer’s With Free Golf On Saturday, May 11, the world celebrates the sport of miniature golf. Palace Entertainment is inviting guests to join in on the fun by offering free mini golf on National Miniature Golf Day at its 21 family entertainment centers across the country. Palace Entertainment family entertainment centers include Boomers, Mountasia, Malibu Grand Prix and SpeedZone parks in five states. Miniature golf became an official competitive sport in the U.S. in the 1930s and has been a beloved leisure activity worldwide for even
longer. Palace parks entertain millions of guests of all ages every year on and off the miniature golf course. Each family entertainment center offers hundreds of rides, arcade games and attractions in addition to multiple mini golf courses with unique themes and obstacles. In Palm Beach County, Boomers is located on Airport Road in Boca Raton. To print a coupon for a free round of golf on May 11, visit www. boomersparks.com. Palace Entertainment owns and operates 40 theme parks, water parks and family entertainment centers.
On Saturday, April 27, the Bass Fishing Kids tournament trail stopped off at John Prince Park in Lake Worth. The weather was perfect to catch some fish. There were a total of 31 fish caught that day. In the Small Fry Division, Preston Reiter came in first place, and second place went Dawson Ball. In the Junior Division, Jesse Saunders came in first place, second place went to Nick Nestor and third place went to Daniel Friedman. There were two fish caught in the 2-pound range, three fish caught in the 3-pound range, one fish caught in the 4-pound range and one fish caught in the 5-pound range. In the Junior Division, Nestor landed Bass Fishing Kids’ largest fish to date — a 5.75-pound largemouth. The next tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 18 at Okeeheelee Park.
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 37
SPORTS & RECREATION
RPBHS Dancers Perform ‘Chicago’ The Royal Palm Beach High School dancers performed Chicago for their spring show on May 1 in the school auditorium. The show was choreographed by master teacher and choreographer Michele Blecher. The dancers dedicated their spring show to James McClendon, whose life ended very sadly at a young age. The spring dance performance is always filled with mixed emotions; happiness for the performance and a touch of sadness for it was the last time senior dancers will grace the RPBHS stage. There were 20 graduating seniors out of the 150 participating dancers. Graduating senior soloists included “Here Comes Goodbye” by Olivia Kuebler, “Girl on Fire” by Loren Estebanez, “Shot Gun” by Stacey Broder, “Slow Dance” by Anna Solomon and “Lights” by Kim Benavente. The dancers performed to a full capacity audience. Highlights of the group dance routines started with “Overture/ All That Jazz” performed by the Wildcat Dancers Dance Team. Their use of the free standing stage settings were flawless, dancing up and down staircases, tables and chairs along with intricate lifts and a variety of blended dance styles. The next highlight was the
Period 4 Dancers performing “They Both Reached for the Gun.” This routine was uniquely choreographed as a puppet and puppeteer routine, where dance partners are attached by red ribbons. This routine highlighted Bryce Blecher as Billy Flynn and Kim Benavente as Mary Sunshine lip-syncing to the music and dancing as a musical theater routine. Period 5 Dancers were technically perfect using their derby and canes in their dance routine “Funny Honey.” Period 6 Dancers performed
“All I Care About Is You,” which not only highlighted Andres Cazares but also included a soft-shoe segment. Period 7 Dancers performed a fun-filled character routine to “When You’re Good to Mama.” This dance included many difficult lifts and a musical theater flair. After the grande finale “Love Is A Crime,” featuring all 150 dancers, Dance Director Michele Blecher gave an emotional speech to each individual graduating senior and presented honor chords to the fouryear dancers.
Defender Casey Cinilia slide tackles to get control of the ball.
Soccer
New Team
Graduating seniors and senior soloists.
continued from page 35 players must maintain at least a 2.0 to be able to play on the team. “Their motivation and commitment is admirable,” he said, recalling the most memorable victory of their first season against the varsity team from Florida College. The Panthers won that contest 3-1. The inaugural team includes mostly Palm Beach County players, from Seminole Ridge, Palm Beach Central and Royal Palm Beach high schools, as well as the Kings Acad-
PBSC goalkeeper Katherine Diaz-Benza makes the save. emy and other schools. Bodnar hopes to one day implement a varsity team with the approval of the college, offering scholarships to area athletes desiring to play at the next level. “We need to take baby steps first,” he said. Palm Beach State College varsity teams participate in the NJCAA. On the horizon for next year, the Panthers will join the Broward Women’s Soccer League and already have a scheduled match against the College of the Bahamas on Oct. 10. To follow Palm Beach State College women’s soccer, visit www. palmbeachstatewomensoccer.com.
Page 38 May 10 - May 16, 2013
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Saturday, May 11 • Helping Stamp Out Hunger is as easy as checking your mailbox. Leave a bag of nonperishable food items by your mailbox on Saturday, May 11 and your letter carrier will pick up and deliver the food to a local food bank. For more info., visit www.helpstamp outhunger.com or www.facebook.com/ StampOutHunger. • The Palm Beach Zoo (1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach) will host its inaugural Save the Tigers 5K on Saturday, May 11 beginning at 7:30 a.m. This unique run through Dreher Park finishes inside the zoo at the Fountain Plaza. Money raised benefits the world’s remaining Malayan tigers. The certified and timed race is open to runners of all ages. The first 500 participants to register will receive a special edition tiger-striped race T-shirt. Register at www.palmbeachzoo. org. • The Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host a “Connoisseurs Garden Tour” of private gardens throughout Palm Beach County on Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a horticultural tradition for Mother’s Day Weekend. Participants can take one day or two to visit numerous private gardens. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. To register, or for more info., call (561) 233-1757. • Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 State Road 7) will feature a free Whole Body Fair with summer samples, chair massages and mini-makeovers Saturday, May 11 from noon to 3 p.m. There will be a special gift and recycled craft activity for Kids Club members. Call (561) 904-4000 for info. • Singing sensation Celtic Woman will perform at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 11 at 2 and 8 p.m. For tickets, visit www.kravis.org or call (561) 832-7469. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Lego Builders Club for ages 6 to 12 Saturday, May 11 at 2 p.m. Meet fellow builders and work together or alone on creative projects each month. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Teen Advisory Posse for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, May 11 at 2:30 p.m. Find out what’s coming and share your ideas for future teen programs. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to preregister.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Intro to Polo with Melissa Ganzi” for ages 6 and up Saturday, May 11 at 2:30 p.m. Meet this professional polo player and learn the basics of the game. See the equipment players use and try your hand at swinging a polo mallet. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Anime Club for ages 12 to 17 on Saturdays, May 11 and 25 at 3 p.m. Watch anime, eat Pocky and check out the newest manga titles. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. Sunday, May 12 • CityPlace continues its Family Fun Fest on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, with a free “Mom & Me” event. Moms and children of all ages can spend the day together getting creative with arts and crafts, making memories in the photo booth and enjoying live entertainment on the plaza. The event will include flowers, chair massages for moms, and other activities for the whole family. For more info., visit www.cityplace.com or call (561) 366-1000. Monday, May 13 • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Mother Goose on the Loose” for ages 3 to 7 on Monday, May 13 at 3:30 p.m. See Mother Goose bring classic nursery rhymes to life with story narratives, music and 3D arts and crafts. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register. • The Indian Trail Improvement District’s Annual Budget Public Hearing will be held Monday, May 13 at 6 p.m. at the ITID office (13476 61st Street North). Call (561) 7930874 or visit www.indiantrail.com for info. • The Wellington High School and Wellington Landings Middle School jazz bands will give a Spring Concert on Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Admission is free but donations will be collected for the Erin Fernandez Memorial Scholarship Fund, an award given annually to a senior in the Wellington High School Band pursuing a music degree. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of jazz under the stars. For info., e-mail mary.oser@palmbeach schools.org or visit www.whsband.com. • The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors will meet Monday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the district office (101 West D Road). Call (561) 7930884 or visit www.lgwcd.org for more info. See CALENDAR, page 39
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 38 Tuesday, May 14 • The Palm Beach County Commission will hold a workshop meeting Tuesday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the government center’s Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers (301 N. Olive Ave., Sixth Floor, West Palm Beach). For info., visit www.pbcgov.com. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Tween Tuesdays: Gaming” for ages 8 to 12 on Tuesday, May 14 at 3:30 p.m. Bring a friend for fun, food, Wii gaming and other great interactive games. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Crochet Club for adults and ages 9 and up Tuesdays, May 14 and 21 at 5 p.m. Socialize and learn fundamentals or work on current projects. Knitters are welcome. Materials will be provided for new participants. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register. • The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). For more info., call (561) 791-4000 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov. Wednesday, May 15 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Art Club for ages 8 and up Wednesday, May 15 at 4 p.m. Dress to get messy. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Craft It Yourself: Smashing Gift Bags” for adults Wednesday, May 15 at 6 p.m. Design, score and fold decorative paper into a personalized gift bag. Supplies will be provided. Call (561) 681-4100 to preregister. • Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 State Road 7) will feature Dinner from Nature’s Bounty on Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. Florida home gardeners often have a bumper crop of vegetables this time of year. Learn how to make zucchini stuffed with turkey, walnuts and vegetables, and fettuccine with ricotta, asparagus and pine nuts. Call (561) 904-4000 to pre-register. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Craft Night: Scrapbooking Memories” for adults Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. Create a scrapbook from scratch using paper, stamps, ink, ribbon and trinkets for decorations. Bring three to five photos and scissors or a paper trimmer. Other supplies will be provided. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register. Thursday, May 16 • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic
Center Way) will host “Artistic Afternoon” for ages 6 to 11 on Thursday, May 16 at 3:30 p.m. Use old magazines and books to create collages. Call (561) 790-6030 to preregister. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “May Flowers” for ages 8 and up Thursday, May 16 at 3:30 p.m. Plant a flower and create your own flower pot. Dress to get messy. Call (561) 790-6070 for info. • Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 State Road 7) will feature The Sushi Stop on Thursday, May 16 at 5 p.m. with great sushi creations. There is no charge. Call (561) 904-4000 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Anime Grab Bag” for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, May 16 at 6 p.m. View new anime titles. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • Kindergarten Roundup will be held at Cypress Trails Elementary School on Thursday, May 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Come and meet the teachers and hear vital information to help register your child for the upcoming 2013-14 school year. For more info., call (561) 904-9000. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “A Peek Inside the World of Polo” for adults Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. Learn about the sport with a special focus on Wellington’s local history and events presented by the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Friday, May 17 • Seagull Industries for the Disabled will host its 12th annual golf classic and silent auction at Bear Lakes Country Club (1901 Village Blvd., West Palm Beach) on Friday, May 17. The tournament includes breakfast, buffet luncheon, long drive entertainer, contests and prizes, giveaways, raffle and silent auction. The cost is $200 per person and $800 for foursomes. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. For more info., call (561) 842-5814, ext. 111 or visit www.seagull.org. Saturday, May 18 • Wellington will host “Murder in the Wild West” mystery theater Saturday, May 18 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). Call (561) 791-4005 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info. 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.
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 39
Page 40 May 10 - May 16, 2013
NEXT SATURDAY, MAY 18TH 7 A.M. till NOON — 15960 Barnstormer Ct. Located in the Aeroclub
PART-TIME LEGAL SECRETARY — for legal/accounting office. Fax resume 333-2680. WANTED DRIVERS — Full-Time or Part-T ime. Wellington Cab/ Wellington Town-Car. Retirees Welcome 561-333-0181
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS AGES 14 AND UP — to help out our non-profit animal sanctuary . 2 days a week for 4 hours a day. Get community hours and have fun. Call 561-792-2666
ON FARM SINGLE STUDIO APT. — s panish tile & A/C $525/ mo.References required. 561-9668791 YOU ARE NOT DREAMING!— Beautifully furnished of f season rent al. 3/3 in exclusive gated Equestrian Club Est a t e s , Wellington 3,500 a month, not including utilities, pet friendly CALL NOW, MOVE IN TOMORROW! Cheri Wellman Cell 561-371-3871 Office 561-472-1236 Keller W illiams Realty W ellington
WWW.GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
EXPERIENCED ACCOUNTANT —For Individuals and Small Businesses who need assistance with their books as well as their taxes. Hack Tax and Accounting Services LLC 561-214-6171
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 CLASSIFIEDS 793-7606
WE CLEAN OFFICES & PRIVATE HOMES — Licensed & Insured. Call for an estimate and to schedule your apartment. Discount for Central Palm Beach County Chamber members and to all new clients for first cleaning. 561-385-8243 Lic. #2012-252779 ALL AMERICAN HOUSE CLEANERS — Residential , Commercial, Move-In/Move-Out, Organize. Call Elizabeth for all your cleaning need. 561-313-4086
D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561333-1923 Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach. We accept major credit cards.
WWW.GOTOWNCRIER. COM
DRIVEW AYS — Free estimates A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed. Lic.& Ins. 100045062 561667-7716
THE MASTER HANDYMAN — All Types of Home Repairs & Improvements. No job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers. See me on Angies List. Tom (561) 801-2010 or (954) 444-3178 Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties. BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS INC. REMODEL & REPAIRS — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door inst allation, minor d r y w a l l , k i t c h e n s / c a b i n e ts / countertops, wood flooring. Bonded and Insured U#19699. Call 7919900 or 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
HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACTORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, sof fit s, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561791-9777
BOB CAVANAGH ALLSTATE INSURANCE — Auto • Home • Life• Renters • Motorcycle •RV • Golfcart • Boat Serving the Western Communities for 24 years Call for a quote 798-3056, or visit our website. www.allstateagencies.com/ rCavanagh
RJA PAINTING & DECORATING, INC. — Interior Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial.Lic. #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561793-5455 561-662-7102 J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential. Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 or visit our website at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com
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. — Int./ Ext. residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident
PLACE YOUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LISTING HERE
JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured. CFC1426242. 561-6016458
J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Est ablished 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential. Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS DON HARTMANN ROOFING — Roof painting, Carpentry. Lic. #U13677 967-5580 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 561309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207
SECURITY — American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 41
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com
ACCORDION SHUTTERS — Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777
AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990
SPECIALIZING IN BATHROOM REMODELING — Free estimates serving South Florida since 1980. Quality you expect, service you deserve. Lic. bonded & Ins. U21006 561-662-9258
TREES TRIMMED AND REMOVED — 561-798-0412 D.M. YOUNG TREE SER VICE. Family Owned & Operated Lic. & Insured 1992-12121 Visit our website at dmyoungtreeservice.com
TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 561-793-7606 TODAY
TROPICAL WATER SYSTEMS — Whole House Reverse Osmosis, Sale & Repair of Water Systems, Well Drilling, pumps, and sprinkler installation repair . 561-795-6630 561-718-7260(Cell)
PAPERHANGING BY DEBI — Professional Inst allation,Removal. Repair of Paper. Neat, Clean & Reliable. Quality work with a woman's touch. 30 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263
Page 42 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 43
Page 44 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013 Page 45
Page 46 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
May 10 - May 16, 2013
Page 47
Page 48 May 10 - May 16, 2013
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
The Town-Crier