Town-Crier Newspaper January 4, 2013

LGWCD HAS A FINALIST FOR TOP JOB SEE STORY, PAGE 3

BIG SURPRISE FOR FAMILY IN MOURNING SEE STORY, PAGE 13

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TOWN - CR IER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

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INSIDE ‘Voice’ Winner Cassadee Pope To Perform At Trump Grand Prix

Volume 34, Number 1 January 4 - January 10, 2013

CAFCI WELCOMES THE NEW YEAR

Mark Bellissimo of Equestrian Sport Productions has announced that Wellington’s Cassadee Pope, winner of NBC’s The Voice, will perform at the Trump Invitational Grand Prix on Sunday, Jan. 6 at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. During the internationally rated show jumping event, $100,000 in prize money will be presented to the riders. Page 3

Recovery Coach Arlene Sherman Authors Book

Drug and alcohol addiction not only affects the user but everyone in that person’s life. Certified consulting hypnotherapist and recovery coach Arlene Sherman understands the problems faced by everyone touched by addiction. She published her first book, The Real Dope on Addiction and Recovery, to aid in the support for all parties involved. Page 9

Tailwaggers Hosts AKC Agility Trials At Brandon

Tailwaggers Agility Club of South Florida held an American Kennel Club–sanctioned agility trial Dec. 28-31 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Page 11

OPINION The Town-Crier’s 2013 New Year’s Wish List

The New Year has arrived, and as part of our annual tradition, the Town-Crier welcomes 2013 with our list of New Year’s wishes for community leaders, institutions and other important figures in the area as well as some nationwide. After a year of seriousness, it’s time we take a break to remind everyone it’s good to have a humble laugh, even if it’s at their expense.

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Wellington Officials Hope 2013 Will Be A Year Of Resolution

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington officials hope that 2013 will be a year for resolution, consensus and progress that will see steppingstones toward greater goals within the community. But coming off a year rife with discontent and community division, there are many issues that remain to be resolved.

Contention over the Equestrian Village site, approvals and subsequent lawsuits is expected to continue to make headlines, along with Wellington’s search for a new village attorney.

But Wellington also hopes to make progress on plans for a completely rebuilt community center

Caribbean Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) held its 23rd annual CAFCI New Year’s Eve Gala on Monday, Dec. 31 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. A buffet was catered by “Chef G” Lloyd Grant, DJ Markey Mark played dance music, and there was a 50/50 raffle. Shown here, the Ingram and Anderson families enjoy the gala. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

over the next year — a year that officials believe could see an upward swing for Wellington’s housing market and tax revenue.

With several lawsuits filed on the issue, and the Wellington Village Council unable to come to a settlement agreement with show promoter Mark Bellissimo, the Equestrian Village issue will remain a hot topic in 2013.

“Unfortunately, I don’t see a resolution to the issue,” Councilman Matt Willhite said. “I think equestrian issues will continue to be in the forefront this year. I think it will end up in court.”

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig agreed, noting that the council has See WELLINGTON, page 7

WELLINGTON GREEN MARKET GOING STRONG

More Outreach The Focus Of 2013 For New ITID Supervisor

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District enters 2013 with new officers and a new board member who aims to be an independent thinker with the goal of making the district more open to Acreage residents.

Supervisor Gary Dunkley was elected in November, replacing former Supervisor Carlos Enriquez.

“My thoughts are simple — for people to be able to have a better voice in their local government,” Dunkley told the Town-Crier.

He also wants to work on projects that will help residents’ property values increase and to give them a sense of security when the major storm occurs. That means finding out why the flooding from Tropical Storm Isaac was so severe, Dunkley said.

“I was stuck in my house for seven days, and up to this point, I still have no answers,” he said. “I just want, really, an open government where the people can have an idea of what we’re doing and

what direction we’re going.”

Dunkley stressed that he is an independent thinker and has not “taken sides” for or against anyone on the board. “I just want people to be able to voice what their opinions are and let them be heard,” he said.

This will require more outreach on the part of ITID, Dunkley said.

“Because we are working people and not able to participate doesn’t mean we don’t care about our neighborhood,” he said. “This is why one of the things that is very important to me is an informative web site that shows the projects we’re doing, the direction we’re going, and suggestions the public would like to make. I would also like a newsletter… There are 40,000 people in The Acreage and less than 10 percent get involved in the local politics.”

Dunkley said he himself works, supports his college-age children and also spends a lot of time maintaining his land and his horses.

Nevertheless, he felt the need to make a public commitment.

As the newly appointed ITID

treasurer, Dunkley has been meeting with the district’s accountant to get a better understanding of the finances.

Major changes are ahead for ITID’s day-to-day leadership. Director of Operations Anthony Las Casas has already left, and District Administrator Tanya Quickel and Finance Director Emily Poundstone might also be leaving their posts. Dunkley said he would rather refrain from commenting on what to do to remedy the personnel situation until after a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 3, which took place after the Town-Crier went to press.

“Everything hit me a half-hour after I got sworn in,” Dunkley said.

“I try to keep an open mind. I didn’t run with any hidden agendas, just for people to have more voice in their local government.”

Supervisor Michelle Damone, who was replaced as ITID president last month, said she wants to keep sight of grants that have been awarded and might be available for the Acreage Community Park comSee INDIAN TRAIL, page 18

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The upcoming year will be a crucial one for the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, with work slated to get underway on the new Palm Beach State College campus on Southern Blvd. and capital improvements that will include paving and expansion of a trail network.

“One thing we have to do is get this college thing behind us,” Vice Mayor Jim Rockett said.

Rockett told the Town-Crier that a petition being circulated to reverse the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council’s approval of the campus appears to be losing momentum, with the committee circulating the petition failing to maintain its requisite 10 members.

“Seeing that conclude and being able to move forward with the campus is important,” Rockett said. “It’s really not fair for the college to be standing around

waiting for something to happen.

That should be resolved early in the year.”

Pulling together a capital plan for the town is the next thing Rockett would like to see achieved.

“We have the traffic light at Okeechobee, which I think dovetails with some of the concerns of people living along that road, and we have the work in conjunction with the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District relative to roadways,” he said, adding that surveying and improvements to Collecting Canal Road top his agenda as far as road projects.

Rockett said attorneys are working on the transfer of road segments paved with open graded emulsified mix (OGEM) from the district to the town. “That is going to take more than a year as far as transferring the roads, but we’re kind of getting our feet on the ground as far as all the legalese,” he said.

Another item for the coming year is a review of the town’s land use code, which gave the council a surprise last year when planning staff recommended approval of commercial development for the Day property on Okeechobee Blvd. based on interpretation of the code. The incident drew a lawsuit when the council rejected the idea.

“The council believes there are some things that need to be revised,” Rockett said. “That’s something that’s probably going to be ongoing for the year.”

Establishing a trail network is another goal that will emerge from a survey of district and town roads.

“There’s a lot that’s tied together, and you just take one step at a time,” Rockett said.

Councilman Ron Jarriel said his goals also include pinning down capital improvement projects and See LOX GROVES, page 18

The Wellington Green Market continues to be held every Saturday at the Wellington Municipal Complex. Each week features a variety of vendors, including crafters and artesian bread makers. It is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through April. Shown here, Le Petit Pain employee Ana Lendejas gives a bread purchase to customer Andrea Lerner.

MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 11 PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

New Park’s Opening, Campus Work To Road Projects, Master Plan Highlight Year Will Be Busy In Lox Groves Royal Palm In 2013

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Royal Palm Beach officials hope that 2013 will be a year of investing in the village’s future by laying out plans and making improvements that will benefit residents for years to come.

Early in the year, the village will cut the ribbon on the eagerly awaited Royal Palm Beach Commons Park, but discussion is expected on other facets of the site, from a dog park to an assisted-living facility.

Members of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council also plan to lay out a 15-year strategic plan for the community that will act as a road map for future projects and decisions.

After nearly a year of delays, Commons Park is finally expected to be complete in late January.

“We’re planning a grand opening in March,” Village Manager Ray Liggins said. “Then we plan

to have about four events a year out there — our Fourth of July celebration, then something in the fall, winter and spring.”

Councilman Jeff Hmara looks forward to seeing the park finally in use.

“We’re all very excited about the possibilities at the park,” he said. “But we’re also frustrated with what has taken a very long time. Once it gets done, we’ll be able to begin to understand how to best utilize that facility. I see it being a community centerpiece to pull us together more often in a large area where we can share the facility as a community.”

Discussion of the park’s expansion is expected to ramp up, with plans for the dog park and a decision on whether to include an assisted-living facility being two key issues.

“The council already agreed to do [a dog park],” Hmara said. “It See ROYALPALM, page 3

IPC’s 10th Anniversary Season Gets Underway Sunday

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Promising 16 weeks of fierce competition and world-class amenities, the International Polo Club Palm Beach invites the community as it kicks off its 10th anniversary season on Sunday, Jan. 6 with the Herbie Pennell Cup. “We are pleased to celebrate our 10th season of producing week after week of championship Sunday polo events that have attractions for entire families,” IPC President of Club Operations John Wash told the Town-Crier Wednesday.

Wash said that IPC has helped elevate Wellington to world-renowned status, drawing thousands of spectators, players and polo enthusiasts to the community each winter.

“Our 10th anniversary is an important milestone because it represents 10 years of consistency in the production of the highest level of polo competition in North America and ongoing events that support both the Wellington community and the club itself,” Wash said.

Fans will have a chance to watch as the world’s 10-goal play-

ers compete on the IPC fields. The eight players who have achieved polo’s highest handicap will be competing in some of polo’s most prestigious tournaments slated for the 2013 season at IPC. “It has taken a great deal of dedication and hard work to get to where we are today,” Wash said.

“We continue to attract not only the top players and teams from around the globe, but we have managed to attract and keep the top polo tournaments in North America with the C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Piaget Gold Cup and the prestigious USPA Maser-

ati 109th U.S. Open Championship.”

Wash said there is much to look forward to this year. “A highlight of every season at IPC is the Outback 40-Goal Challenge in which the eight highest-rated polo players in the world compete in an exhibition charity match,” he said.

To celebrate the club’s 10th anniversary milestone, actress Bo Derek — who rose to fame in the 1979 blockbuster 10 — will throw out the season’s first ball this Sunday.

“We’re thrilled to have Bo on hand to help us celebrate the start

of our 10th anniversary season,” Wash said. “Being someone who loves horses and appreciates polo at a world-class level, she’s a perfect choice.”

This year, fans will have more opportunity than ever to see not only the top-ranked polo players in the world but also the celebrities who frequent the matches.

“In the past, the celebrities we had on hand for the coin-toss ceremony at the start of the game have been unavailable to the general public,” Wash said. “However, we have taken steps to ensure they See POLO, page 18

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January 4 - January 10, 2013 Page 3

NEWS

Former Clewiston Manager The Top Candidate For LGWCD Post

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District supervisors narrowed their list of administrator candidates to three in a recent workshop and have initiated background checks on the preferred candidate, Steve A. McKown.

The list will be discussed and possibly shortened further at the supervisors’ next meeting Monday, Jan. 14, according to Supervisor John Ryan. A final selection could even be made at that time.

“Based on interviews, we came up with three candidates who we

felt we seriously wanted to discuss salaries and other compensation factors with, and to be sure we had whatever legally advised releases were necessary to do detailed background checks and reference calls,” Ryan said. “We’re in the first choice process with Mr. McKown.”

McKown has a master’s degree in public administration and is a certified public accountant, with degrees from Valdosta State University in Georgia. He was most recently city manager in Clewiston from August 2009 to November 2012. Before that, he was as-

sistant city manager in Commerce, Ga., from July 2005 to August 2009.

If selected, McKown would replace Clete Saunier, who led the LGWCD for 15 years before departing in November after being unable to come to terms with the board on a new contract.

Ryan told the Town-Crier this week that he had just talked to the legal firm conducting background checks and expected to hear soon about McKown, and from city officials and department directors in Clewiston.

“That’s a process that has been initiated through the law firm, and

I want to stay somewhat on top of it because we should be having some report-back information for our January meeting,” Ryan said.

Ryan said no employment offer has been accepted or made at this point. “It couldn’t be accepted until we have our next meeting,” he said. “We want to find someone who is not only in our minds fully capable because of background and experience, but that has had acceptable working relationships with others.”

Ryan added that he was impressed by the list of people who applied for the position.

“I feel we were very fortunate to get the applicants that we did, and I felt that our interviews pretty much told us that four of the candidates were fully qualified within the parameters that we felt would work well with our district employees and the residents of Loxahatchee Groves,” he said.

Ryan said the administrator’s responsibility is being reduced, with the district turning over recently paved roads to the town.

“We’re going to be turning over road responsibilities on a gradual basis,” he said. “I think both bodies clearly said they want to work

together and do what’s best for the town and the district.”

Ryan added that he also hopes to get the necessary background information on the other two remaining candidates, W. Erik Olsen and Stephen E. Yohe, in case the process does not work out with McKown.

Supervisor Don Widing told the Town-Crier that he hopes to be in a position to make a job offer at the Jan. 14 meeting. “Right now, I have been working with the district’s attorney,” Widing said. “If Mr. McKown declines, we’ll go down that list.”

‘Voice’ Winner Cassadee Pope To Perform At Trump Grand Prix Mark Bellissimo of Equestrian Sport Productions has announced that Wellington’s Cassadee Pope, winner of NBC’s The Voice, will perform at the Trump Invitational Grand Prix on Sunday, Jan. 6 at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach.

During the internationally rated show jumping event, $100,000 in prize money will be presented to the riders.

Pope will help give back to the community by performing at the event, which benefits the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge.

The Great Charity Challenge raises and distributes more than $1 million to local charities. Pope will sing to open the festivities as well as perform the event’s national anthem before the start of competition.

“After her well-deserved win on The Voice, Cassadee’s popularity

Royal Palm

Big Plans For 2013

continued from page 1 will just be a matter of what it will look like and when we’ll begin to build it.”

Liggins said the money is there, and the council seems to have given the green light on the project.

“It’s already in the budget to fund it for up to $60,000,” he said.

“The design will need approval, and then it will go out to bid. I expect it to be finished by the end of the year.”

Liggins also expects council members to discuss a senior living complex at the front of the park.

“It will probably be discussion

has skyrocketed,” Bellissimo said.

“Despite great demands for her time, she chose to support her local community and to support the FTI Great Charity Challenge event.

It speaks volumes of her character. An amazing talent, we are very proud of her accomplishments and excited to have her at the Trump Invitational. We can’t wait to hear her sing in person.”

Pope is a graduate of Wellington High School, a member of the 2012 Great Charity Challenge firstplace charity (Wellington PTO/ PTAs), which received $150,000 distributed to Wellington’s 12 public schools.

“Wellington and the Palm Beach County community have been so supportive of me and this is an opportunity to give back to the charities in the area,” Pope said.

“It means a great deal to me, and

I’m looking forward to contributing to the event.”

The Great Charity Challenge raises and distributes over $1 million annually for 32 lucky Palm Beach County charities in a proam team equestrian competition, taking place this year on Jan. 26 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington.

The event was founded by Bellissimo and his daughter Paige, and has raised and distributed over $2.7 million over the last three years. The event is targeting to raise $1.3 million this year, making a total contribution of $4 million to 68 charities in its four-year history.

Mar-a-Lago, the former Marjorie Merriweather Post Estate purchased and restored by Donald Trump in 1985, is one of the most spectacular mansions in the world

and in the national register of historic places and a designated U.S National Landmark.

The $100,000 Trump Invitational will be the first-ever equestrian event held on Palm Beach island and will serve as an exciting kickoff to the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, the 12week circuit that runs at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center from Jan. 9 through March 31.

To purchase charity tables at the event, e-mail Anne Caroline Valtin at annecaroline@equestrian sport.com.

More on the 2013 FTI Great Charity Challenge, including sponsor and charity information, can be found at www.ftigreatcharity challenge.com and the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge Facebook page.

more than anything else,” he said.

“Most likely, we’ll see a senior housing ordinance to create a zoning category for independent assisted-living facilities.”

Hmara noted that a study done by the village listed senior housing as an issue the council should address. “I think that’s something we need to look at every year until we begin to move forward with that initiative,” he said.

The village will be looking toward residents as it crafts its 15year strategic plan, Hmara said.

“It’s going to give us a 15-year perspective on where we’re going as a village,” he said. “We’re planning to put together a citizens summit sometime in March or early April to get resident input and give them a chance to see the ideas we

have put together. I don’t know if the village has ever done anything like this before, but I think it’s a really great idea.”

Vice Mayor Fred Pinto said he is glad Royal Palm Beach is taking a pro-active stance.

“We’ll have a game plan and strategy of what we want to do in the next five years,” he said. “We had gotten trapped in the economic downturn where we were looking at things year by year. Now we’ll know what goals we want to achieve, and then we can review them and stay on plan.”

Hmara expects part of that discussion to include what to do with the money Royal Palm Beach made in selling the village’s water utility to the county in 2006.

For four years, the money was

invested, giving the village great returns. Since then, officials have used some of the money to keep the village operating in economic hard times.

“We need to be sure we fully understand the options available to us going forward,” Hmara said.

“This money has served us well in servicing the debt on Commons Park and as a supplemental revenue stream. We need to ask ourselves, ‘Is this an appropriate use of those funds, or do we want to do something different?’”

Also involved in the discussion will be plans for the former stormwater treatment plant site off Crestwood Blvd. “I think it’s probably time to take that down off the shelf and look at it,” Hmara said. “We want to do what’s in the best in-

Cassadee Pope performs on an episode of The Voice last fall.

PHOTO COURTESY NBCUNIVERSAL

terest of the community as far as the land use is concerned, especially in light of what seems to be the economy picking up a little speed in the right direction.”

Liggins said he expects the council to discuss land use changes for the site. “I don’t see anything happening on the property this year, but I think they will discuss the land use,” he said.

Pinto said residents will continue to push to keep the property compatible with the area. “I don’t want to see something there that isn’t compatible with the surrounding area,” he said. “We heard residents’ voices very clearly about that.”

This year, Pinto said he expects Royal Palm Beach to be in a better financial position.

“The last three years, in terms of revenue, we’ve been taking in less and more has been going out,” he said. “This year, we expect the trend to reverse. We think the revenue will be greater.”

Liggins agreed. “I think we’ve already bottomed out on tax revenues,” he said. “We have more activity on nonresidential property. I think it will be slow, but I think it is improving.”

All in all, officials hope to continue to make Royal Palm Beach a great community. “I think Royal Palm is in a great position for the future,” Hmara said.

Pinto agreed. “I am looking forward to continuing to keep it a place where people want to come, settle down and raise families,” he said.

Page 4 January 4 - January 10, 2013

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OUR OPINION

The Town-Crier’s Annual New Year’s Wish List, 2013 Edition The New Year has arrived, and as part of our annual tradition, the Town-Crier welcomes 2013 with our list of New Year’s wishes for community leaders, institutions and other important figures in the area as well as some nationwide. In 2012, many of our past problems continued to drag (the economy), some older ones returned (flooding) and some have finally reached the breaking point (gun violence). To top it all off, it was an election year — as if there weren’t enough things for everyone to argue about. So after a year of seriously dealing with these matters in this space, it’s time we take a break to remind everyone it’s good to have a humble laugh, even if it’s at their expense. Of course, we sincerely wish for a great 2013 for everyone on this list, as well as for our readers. Happy New Year!

Inspector General Sheryl Steckler: A winning lottery ticket — the office has to get funded somehow!

The 14 Cities Fighting Inspector General Funding: A volunteer crime-fighting superhero to weed out corruption for free.

State Attorney Dave Aronberg: A new set of editors at his favorite daily newspaper!

Interim State Attorney PeterAntonacci: Judges who keep quiet and dare not speak their minds.

Former State Attorney Michael McAuliffe: Hope the golden parachute is working out well.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw: More re-election campaigns as easy as his previous two.

Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits: Taxpayers who understand that the tax collector is really in charge of how much you pay.

Palm Beach County Tax CollectorAnne Gannon: Taxpayers who understand that the property appraiser is really in charge of how much you pay.

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria: The authority to appoint his successor.

New County Commissioners Hal Valeche & Mary Lou Berger: Awfully big feet to fill the awfully big shoes left by their predecessors Karen Marcus and Burt Aaronson.

Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher: A year of glitch-free elections that keep her and her office out of the spotlight (and the courts)… and voting software that is not prone to “sequencing errors.”

Palm Beach County Schools Superintendent Wayne Gent: A tenure less stormy than his predecessor.

Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis: More agenda items that allow him to reminisce about his time with Proctor & Gamble.

Wellington Vice Mayor Howard Coates: A“you’re wrong” buzzer to press during legal commentary from other council members.

Wellington Councilman John Greene: A seat on the dais even farther away from Anne Gerwig.

Wellington Councilman Matt Willhite: That he never has to relive the night he thought he lost to Al Paglia.

Wellington Councilwoman Anne Gerwig: Council meetings that don’t run past her bedtime.

The Wellington Village Council: A year looking toward future resolutions, not past transgressions.

Wellington Staff: Purchasing cards for everyone!

Wellington Zoners: Ared-light district for the seedy underbelly of late-night bars and 24-hour businesses in Wellington.

FormerWellington Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz: A new job where he never has to hear the word equestrian again.

Wellington Village Manager Paul Schofield: An ironclad contract.

Wellington Residents: That increasing legal bills don’t result in increasing tax bills.

The Jacobs Family: A nice estate in Amish country — no traffic, no loudspeakers, no problem.

Horse Show Promoter Mark Bellissimo: A time machine, or if not, enough charity dollars to sway council votes in his favor.

Wellington Preservation Coalition Executive Director Tom Wenham: More parks, roads, festivals and fields to adopt.

Former Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen: A redo of the Oct. 26, 2011 Wellington Village Council meeting. Specifically, votes taken after midnight.

Former Wellington Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore: An unopposed path to the Palm Beach County Commission. (Don’t count on it!)

Wellington Seniors: That they live to see the opening of the new Wellington Community Center.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce: A return to the good old days when the Wellington Village Council actually cared about what they thought.

The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce: More special events to promote, because there are still a few free weekends in the year.

The Acreage: A 2013 without flood waters — and long-needed improvements that stop flooding for good. If not, then stilts for everyone!

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors: Less digress, more progress.

ITID President Jennifer Hager: A crash course in Robert’s Rules of Order.

ITID Vice President Carol Jacobs: A district staff that treats her like a Barbie doll, not a rag doll.

ITID Supervisor Ralph Bair: A new voting system on the ITID board that weighs votes by seniority.

ITID Supervisor Gary Dunkley: Hordes more Acreage residents who suddenly decide to take an interest in the Indian Trail Improvement District.

ITID Supervisor Michelle Damone: U.S. Senatestyle filibustering prowess.

ITID AdministratorTanya Quickel: More room in Wellington for Indian Trail castoffs.

60th Street Residents: A road that doesn’t end up like Okeechobee Blvd.

Ibis Residents: A bio dome to protect their community from the outside world.

Royal Palm Beach Village Manager Ray Liggins: A park contractor that actually pays late fees without coming up with more things to bill the village for.

Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli: Amute button for out-of-line council members so he doesn’t have to bother getting up.

Royal Palm Beach Vice Mayor Fred Pinto: More lessons from his political role model... County Commissioner Mary Lou Berger.

Royal Palm Beach Councilman Richard Valuntas: To have a nice entry sign to his community.

Royal Palm Beach Councilman Jeff Hmara: Manuals, procedures and protocols that make this governing thing easier.

Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster: Committee appointment via a musical chairs competition.

Former Royal Palm Beach Councilman David Swift: That the good old boys still have what it takes to get him across the finish line.

Royal Palm Beach Commons Park: Happier looking panthers.

Loxahatchee Groves: That Palm Beach State College offers a mandatory “Loxahatchee lifestyle” course for all first-semester students.

Loxahatchee Groves Town Manager Mark Kutney: “Government lite” that doesn’t weigh heavily on him.

Loxahatchee Groves Mayor Dave Browning: That the council just go ahead and appoint him mayor for life.

Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Jim Rockett: For developers to stop actually reading documents approved by his council.

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Ron Jarriel: A trail legal tractor.

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Tom Goltzené: The authority to redesign the Palm Beach State College campus at will.

Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor Frank Schiola: No more crises to summon his capability as an emergency worker.

LGWCD Supervisor Robert Snowball: More time to work on his racecars.

LGWCD Supervisor John Ryan: For folks to stop questioning his well-researched dissertations.

Former LGWCD Administrator Clete Saunier: A new job with twice the benefits and half the aggravation.

Loxahatchee Groves Drivers: Monster truck–style suspension to get over all those pesky speed humps.

U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch: Better name recognition among his new constituents in Wellington.

U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy: A Congress that is interested in his desire to reach across party lines.

Former U.S. Congressman Allen West: A lucrative Fox News commentator contract while he searches the nation for his next political opportunity.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson: More opponents like the last two Republicans put up against him.

U.S. SenatorMarco Rubio: Vacation homes in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Florida State Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto: Remember your roots as you continue the climb toward the executive mansion.

State Senator Joseph Abruzzo: Passing enough legislation as a freshman senator to top his recordsetting year as a freshman representative.

State Rep. Pat Rooney: A floating dog track in international waters so he can have slot machines (perhaps even card games) without waiting on the state.

State Rep. Mark Pafford: A house majority that takes his speeches seriously... not as stand-up comedy.

Gov. Rick Scott: A third career as an election rights advocate if this whole governor thing doesn’t work out.

Florida Democrats: Agubernatorial candidate with statewide name recognition.

President Barack Obama: Negotiating skills to rival that of his vice president.

The 113th U.S. Congress: The ability to get more things accomplished than the 112th Congress.

Doomsday Prognosticators: Something new to stress over now that the Mayans were wrong.

The Fiscal Cliff: Here’s hoping you don’t become a recurring theme in 2013.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Wellington Should Look To Tamarac For Senior Programs I read in the Town-Crier about the Wellington Senior Advisory Committee meeting about helping seniors (“Wellington Seniors Board Holds Inaugural Meeting,” Dec. 21).

I moved to Wellington three years ago from Tamarac. When I lived in Tamarac, we had the best community center. We had a community bus at a small fare. It picked up seniors around the area and took us to the center, and we could stay all day if we wanted to. We had seniors in excellent health, some disabled, some with slight disability and some in wheelchairs.

While there, I took classes in yoga, aerobics and zumba. We had movies, games, health lectures and places to sit and have coffee and chat. It was great.

Our membership was fairly low, about $20 or $30. After 6 p.m. one side had a gym and they had young adults come after work, and they had classes they could attend and exercise classes. I think Tamarac’s community center was awarded one of the best, so it would be a good model to look into.

Insurance companies sponsored many of the classes, so they were able to keep costs down, and lots of elderly [people] volunteered for many chores.

When I moved to Wellington, it was a big disappointment to find all it had was a seniors social club and some bus trips to take you to

a restaurant and show. I think that’s great for people who enjoy that, but some healthy alternatives would be appreciated.

Anne Dehne Wellington

Building On Wellington’s ProFamily Policies Officials from the Town of Palm Beach and the City of Boca Raton have been scrambling recently, trying to justify why their municipalities still do not provide the same family benefits to their gay and lesbian employees in domestic partnerships as they provide to married employees.

Sound familiar? It should.

For more than 15 years, the Village of Wellington did not provide equal protections and equal family benefits to its gay and lesbian employees. Policies did not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and only married employees were entitled to family benefits such as health insurance coverage, sick leave and bereavement leave.

However, in 2010, things quickly began to change. That year, the Gay Polo League announced it would hold its first international polo tournament in Wellington.

Sensing a great opportunity, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council asked the village to amend its employment policies to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual

orientation, gender identity and gender expression. It has been the prime mover for domestic partnership benefits throughout Palm Beach County for more than two decades.

Prior to the gay polo tournament, Village Manager Paul Schofield sent the council a letter stating that the policies would not be changed as requested. Word spread of the incredible success of the gay polo tournament in the polo and equestrian media worldwide. Many of the articles mentioned that while Wellington welcomed gay polo, it did not provide equal protection and benefits to its gay and lesbian employees.

In light of this international publicity, the village revisited the request made by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and promptly revised its nondiscrimination policies to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. “It is our goal to do the right thing by all of the people who work for Wellington,” Schofield told the South Florida Gay News.

Schofield also informed the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council that the village would look into offering equal family benefits, including health insurance to employees with domestic partners.

Seeking to assist, equestrian promoter Mason Phelps designated the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council as a financial beneficiary of the upcoming gay polo tournament.

On stage at the Holiday HorseFest in West Palm Beach, Phelps introduced me to thenmayor Darell Bowen so that we

could discuss the importance of domestic partnership benefits.

Bowen immediately understood the inequities and became a strong advocate of equal family benefits for all Wellington employees.

At the 2011 gay polo tournament, Bowen publicly pledged to have Wellington promptly implement domestic partnership benefits. “We need to recognize all of the family relationships that make up Wellington,” Bowen told the Town-Crier.

Within weeks, the Wellington Village Council adopted comprehensive policy changes prepared

by Schofield’s staff implementing the full range of domestic partnership benefits, including health/ dental/vision insurance, extended family medical leave, and bereavement leave. As a result, the Village of Wellington continues to hold its well-deserved reputation as a great workplace.

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council continues to hold Wellington out as a model to be used by other municipalities. Now it remains to be seen if other municipalities would follow Wellington’s lead.

Judge Rand Hoch (retired) President & Founder Palm Beach County Human Rights Council

Freedom Means Safe From Gun Violence Every day our children go to school and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. They promise to be loyal to the United States of America, in which this undivided nation is a

place which provides liberty and justice for all — “justice” meaning fairness, equity and quality of being fair and reasonable. “Freedom” means a state of being free within a society from oppressive restrictions imposed by the authority on one’s way of life.

After the children at Sandy Hook Elementary School recited the Pledge of Allegiance on Dec. 14, that pledge of loyalty failed them. We as adults have failed those children, our children, our society and everything that the United States should stand for: liberty and justice for all, not just the few — who hold a gun.

The National Rifle Association wants us to believe that people should be free to hold guns and gun clips in the United States.

That is their purpose; they are a gun club and that’s what they do — promote guns. But in doing so, they have taken away our basic freedoms. Our children are not free to go to a safe school.

After the Sandy Hook gun shooting, my daughter’s school is on lockdown in anticipation of

more school shootings.

We need to remember that the only purpose of a gun is to control another and to kill, and the only purpose of gun clips is to control a lot and kill many. People don’t even have to pass a background check when they purchase guns at gun shows. The NRA is [there] to promote guns, and their idea of each teacher having a gun in each classroom is incomprehensible.

Abraham Lincoln said that “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

As we begin the new year, let’s remind ourselves that the intent of our nation was to apply fairness and justice for all, not just a few.

We need your help in making our country a safe place for all. Let’s all make some noise. E-mail or call your local and federal legislators, and let them know that you not only want a safe America, but you demand it!

Stacy Frank Boca Raton

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor.

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

OPINION

Remembering Tennis Star Art Larsen, My First Sports Interview It was 1950, and I had just started my first job after college as a fledgling sports reporter for the Nassau Daily Review-Star. “Go to the United States Open Tennis Championships in Forest Hills, and get me a feature story for tomorrow’s paper,” instructed Sports Editor Bob Stirrat.

Puzzled by what to pick for a feature story, I mused in the press box for a while, until a fellow scribe suggested, “Do a piece on Art Larsen. He’s good

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin for 10 features every day.”

Larsen, a highly talented southpaw tennis player who ranked in the top 10, was a guy I had never met, so I asked why. “You will find out,” my friend replied.

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After Larsen’s victorious match that day, I followed him into the clubhouse and asked for an interview. “Sure kid,” he said. “Fire away.”

I don’t remember the first question, but it wasn’t being answered since Larsen was conducting a conversation with someone, or something, over his left shoulder that was… invisible! After a short but evidently heated discussion with his imaginary partner, we resumed our interview. The interview

was spiced by two other Larsen flights of fancy over his left shoulder.

It turned out that Larsen, the top-ranked men’s player in the United States and ranked No. 1, had a series of foibles headed by an imaginary eagle which seemingly, much of the time, followed his left shoulder.

Before we dismiss him entirely as a quirky “nut job,” keep in mind that Larsen was also the conqueror of the United States Indoor,

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

United States Hard Court and the United States Clay Court championships.

Larsen was a heavy smoker, heavy drinker and heavy partygoer. Yet despite his disdain for training, he was a complete tennis player with excellent serve, fine ground strokes, terrific foot speed and great hands at the net.

In November 1956, Larsen lost control of his motorbike on a major California highway. The results were partial paralysis and the loss

of his left eye. Following a threeweek coma, many of his buddies from the tennis circuit, including champions Don Budge and Dick Savitt, held a benefit match to pay his medical bills.

After all is said and done, my first professional interview was a lulu. But think what you will; whenever Art Larsen came to New York for the U.S Championships he always came to the press box to say hello. He must have liked the feature I wrote.

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January 4 - January 10, 2013 Page 5

NEWS

CAFCI RINGS IN 2013 WITH NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA AT RPB CULTURAL CENTER Caribbean Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) held its 23rd annual CAFCI New Year’s Eve Gala on Monday, Dec. 31 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. A buffet was catered by “Chef G” Lloyd Grant, DJ Markey Mark played dance music, and there was a 50/50 raffle. At midnight everyone watched the ball drop on TV and celebrated the beginning of 2013 with a champagne toast.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

The Mallor y family celebrates the Ne w Year toge ther.

Herb Parkin and Alicia Shindler share a midnight toast.

(Seated) Sonia White, Germaine Richards and Donna Horsford; (standing) Genieve White and Ruby Faruharson.

Lionel and Pansy Gibbs with Desiree and Frank Cummings.

Daniela and Romane Duval celebrate the moment.

Gwen Ferraro and Aleck Scantlebury.

Beryl Spence and Elet Cyris.

O.G. Smith gets vegetables from “Chef G” Lloyd Grant.

Lauriston Simms, “Chef G” Lloyd Grant and Garth Grant pop the corks for the toast at midnight.

Audrey Gordon, Genieve White and Carol Pyne.

Page 6 January 4 - January 10, 2013

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CRIME NEWS

Woman Assaulted Outside Home In Royal Palm Beach

You Deserve Quality CARE

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS

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By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report DEC. 27 — A resident of the Archstone community called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach last Thursday afternoon to report an assault. According to a PBSO report, last Wednesday at approximately 2:30 p.m., the victim saw two young girls feeding ducks behind her home and went outside to check on them. The victim said the girls were accompanied by an older man in his 60s who did not speak English. According to the report, when the victim attempted to return to her home, the man followed her, pushed her up against the wall and began kissing her on the mouth.

The victim said she ran up the stairs to her home and locked the door, but the man followed and began knocking on her door and continued for the next two hours.

The man was described as approximately 5’8� and 170 lbs. with dark gray hair, wearing a button-down shirt and tan slacks. There was no further information available at the time of the report. ••• DEC. 24 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a restaurant on South Shore Blvd. last Monday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23 and 3 a.m. the following morning, someone shattered the rear driver’s-side window of the victim’s vehicle and stole two wallets containing bank cards, as well as two iPhones valued at $200 each.

There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

DEC. 25 — A resident of Sugar Pond Manor called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Tuesday afternoon to report an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8 p.m. last Monday and noon the following day, someone punctured the sidewalls of all four tires on the victim’s Chevy Impala, which was parked outside his home on Goldenrod Road. The victim said he did not have any issues with anyone and did not know who could have done it. The damaged tires were valued at approximately $1,000.

There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

DEC. 26 — ARoyal Palm Beach man was arrested early last Wednesday morning on charges of resisting arrest following a traffic stop in La Mancha. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was on patrol at approximately 12:20 a.m. According to the report, he observed a white SUV driven by 45-year-old Troy Mitchell run a red light traveling northbound on Ponce De Leon Street, across Okeechobee Blvd. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but Mitchell continued to drive on Ponce de Leon Street, even when the deputy flashed his lights and turned on the spotlight. According to the report, Mitchell turned onto Santiago Street and pulled into his driveway, opening the garage door and attempting to pull his vehicle into the garage. The deputy gave Mitchell orders to exit his vehicle.

According to the report, a second deputy arrived on scene and extracted Mitchell from the vehicle.

However, Mitchell resisted the

deputies’ attempts to place him in handcuffs. According to the report, the deputy used a Taser gun on Mitchell and was able to place him under arrest. Mitchell was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail, where he was charged with resisting arrest and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

DEC. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to the Calypso Bay water park last Wednesday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11 and 11:30 a.m. someone entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle, parked in the parking lot, and removed a wallet containing the victim’s driver’s license, resident card, credit cards and bank cards. According to the report, the victim contacted the credit card companies and discovered that one of the cards was used at a gas station for $54, but it was unknown at which location the card was used. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

DEC. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to the Goodwill store on Belvedere Road last Wednesday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked his car on the north side of the building at approximately 11:43 a.m. When he returned to his vehicle approximately seven minutes later, he found that someone had smashed out his front driver’s-side window and stolen a purse containing his wife’s driver’s license, several credit cards and bank cards, and $20 cash. The stolen purse was valued at approximately $25. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

DEC. 26 — A resident of La Mancha contacted the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Wednesday to report a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, between October and December, the victim received three credit cards and a bill from JCPenney in the mail that she had no knowledge of. The victim said she already has a JCPenney card, which was not the one that was billed.

According to the report, the victim contacted the company and was told the purchases were made online. The victim said she does not own a computer and did not purchase anything online. According to the report, the company agreed to close the credit cards and waived the $307.09 bill. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

DEC. 27 — An Acreage man was arrested early last Thursday morning on drug charges following a traffic stop on Civic Center Way in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was on patrol when he observed a Ford SUV stop at the light at the corner of Okeechobee and Royal Palm Beach boulevards. According to the report, the driver, later identified as 18-yearold John Beall, was not wearing a seatbelt. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with Beall and asked him to exit the vehicle. According to the report, a second deputy, who was assisting in the stop, smelled marijuana coming from Beall. During a search See BLOTTER, page 18

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Mary Bradley is a white female, 5’6� tall and weighing 160 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 04/ 22/54. Bradley is wanted for grand theft.

Her occupation is unknown. Her last known address was Hyacinth Place in Wellington.

Bradley is wanted as of 12/27/12. • Jeremiah Flores, a.k.a. Ernesto Valdez, is a white male, 5’7� tall and weighing 235 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He has multiple tattoos. His date of birth is 01/05/85. Flores is wanted for failure to appear on felony charges for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana, and driving while license is suspended, cancelled or revoked; domestic battery (misdemeanor); and failure to appear for operating while driver’s license is suspended, cancelled or revoked (traffic). His occupation is landscaper. His last known address was North Lewis Road in Greenacres. Flores is wanted as of 12/27/ 12.

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.

Mary Bradley

Jeremiah Flores

THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. CRIMESTOPPERS IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT SHOWN HERE.

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NEWS

Pafford: Healthcare Likely To Be On The Front Burner In Tallahassee

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report State Rep. Mark Pafford (D-District 86) foresees mixed blessings for the 2013 legislative session, with increased anticipated revenue offset by a possible loss of $1.6 billion if state employees win a lawsuit to restore lost benefits.

Increased revenue will come because of the continued economic recovery. “That should help at least maintain a lot of what the state is doing in terms of things that we do for the public and keeping a lot of the agencies intact,” Pafford said.

On the downside, the state faces a possible hit from the state employee lawsuit. Pafford explained that the state changed its policy two years ago to require that employees pay a 3 percent pension contribution out of their own salary. It has been challenged in court, with employees alleging that it constituted a tax.

A number of large issues will have to be considered in Tallahassee this year, Pafford said, with the biggest being the implementation of healthcare reform in Florida.

“The state has not done anything in terms of implementation, largely because the governor and attorney general believed it would be found by the U.S. Supreme Court to be unconstitutional,” he said. “So now the state is trying to backtrack and do what it should have been doing, I would argue, for the last year and a half.”

Pafford said that he expects that the federal government will create the insurance exchanges necessary to administer the law. “It would appear that we lost the opportunity to do it ourselves,” he said. “We could have done it any way that we wanted, but nobody ever discussed it, and the timeline

for us to do it ourselves is pretty much over.”

The Florida Legislature also has not acted on Medicaid expansion, another part of the Affordable Care Act package. “Two years ago, the state decided to turn its Medicaid service over to private managed care, which means people are doing it for a profit, as opposed to our historical network, which was nonprofits, some government agencies, some private,” Pafford said.

He said the federal government has been looking at Florida’s plan and that state officials hope the feds will approve it. The Affordable Care Act provides financing for Medicaid through 2020, at almost no cost to the states, while dramatically increasing eligibility to Florida’s poorest people, Pafford said. “Keep in mind that 50 percent of these people getting Medicaid are kids under the age of 18,” he said.

Pafford anticipates yet more corporate tax breaks in the coming year. “Florida has the fifth-best corporate tax system in the United States, as opposed to the bottom of the list, which we’re generally on for things like education or healthcare or mental health,” he said. “The governor wants to continue that trend and move us even higher, but the cost of moving in that direction means less revenue when it comes to things like education.”

Pafford said he anticipates the state will stay on its current course of shortchanging public education.

“What you will see is a continued trend of moving those tax dollars out to charter schools and to corporate vouchers, which basically undercut public spending on public education,” he said. “Peo-

ple need to be very clear that when the governor says ‘education,’ he’s not talking necessarily public education.”

Pafford does not foresee any movement toward gun control in Florida, pointing out that last year the legislature reduced the fee for obtaining a concealed weapons permit by $5. “The year before that, we permitted the ability to carry firearms into local government buildings,” he said. “I don’t think there’s going to be any type of legislation that begins to look at regulating the type of weapons people have.”

While the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School might spur gun discussion in Florida, Pafford does not expect any tightening of regulations. “The system is geared toward policies that are friendly to the gun lobby in Tallahassee,” he said.

Another component of the firearm issue is the lack of financing for mental healthcare, Pafford said.

“In terms of red flags, Florida has a very friendly gun policy,” he said.

“People can generally own what they want, and we also have a mental-health ranking in the United States of 49th behind Texas and Idaho. If there is something positive, we could look at better funding for mental health.”

Financing for Everglades restoration will be a major issue. “Funding the restoration of the Everglades should be mandatory this year,” Pafford said. “Most of the court cases have ended in terms of nutrients in the water, also in terms of Everglades restoration.”

He wants the state to create a recurring revenue source so that it can partner with the federal government on Everglades restoration.

Pafford said he has not filed any

Support Big Dog Ranch Rescue At The Howlin’ Hoedown Jan. 19 Big Dog Ranch Rescue will kick off 2013 with its Howlin’ Hoedown on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Players Club in Wellington.

The evening is sure to provide fun-filled entertainment with a silent auction, live auction, line dancing, barbecue dinner and a live band. All money raised during the Howlin’ Hoedown will support Big Dog Ranch Rescue in their mission to rescue and provide care for dogs of all breeds and sizes, until they are adopted into their forever home. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., with an open bar until 8:30 p.m.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue is a unique no-kill dog rescue situat-

ed on 28 acres in the Wellington area. Its mission is to provide shelter, care and affection to the homeless and unwanted dogs of all breeds. The group has saved more than 4,500 lives since its conception in 2009. While many shelters euthanize dogs with treatable medical conditions, Big Dog Ranch Rescue thinks differently.

It medically cares for them until they are well enough to be adopted. Broken legs, heartworm disease and skin issues are just a few of the commonly treated conditions they fix. With time, love and money, Big Dog Ranch Rescue is able to help.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue volun-

teers and staff members pride themselves on saving the lives of every dog possible, no matter the breed, size or age. They find loving human companions for these compassionate animals. Big Dog Ranch Rescue also promotes animal welfare and celebrates the special bond between dogs and people through education, awareness and community outreach. The group is associated with the Weimaraner Rescue & Adoption of Florida and is a nonprofit organization.

Tickets cost $100 per person and can be purchased by calling Maureen Gross at (561) 753-3389 or visiting www.bdrr.org/hoedown2013.

The committee organizing the Big Dog Ranch Rescue Howlin’ Hoedown.

bills yet but that he’s developing several, one being to require people who provide summer camps to obtain a license from the state and conduct background checks on employees. “Right now, that doesn’t occur,” he said, adding that summer camps are largely unregulated.

He is also looking at restoring an urban infill and redevelopment grant program that was created 10 years ago and financed only once.

“It was only $2 million, but it created a ton of jobs, and it helped West Palm Beach specifically as well as a number of cities throughout the state create community centers, build houses and in some cases helped with law enforcement activities,” Pafford said. “They got rid of it last year, and I was the only member who really spoke for

it because it’s a great program…

Why not provide incentives to developers to go in and improve those areas?”

He is also working on a bill that would make it easier for felons who have done their time to find employment helping others who were in similar circumstances that they had been in, such as the homeless population.

“Let’s say you went to jail for a robbery 20 years ago,” Pafford said. “Because state law is written the way that it is, you are not permitted to find employment in an agency that deals with helping people in a similar situation that you were in 20 years ago. Those are the people who are in the best position to connect with homeless folks or people who are in those difficult situations.”

State Rep. Mark Pafford

JustWorld International’s Annual Gala Jan. 18 At Belle Herbe Farm JustWorld International will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2013 — a milestone that will be recognized at the JustWorld International 10th Annual Gala.

This impressive highlight of the 2013 social calendar will take place Friday, Jan. 18 at the beautiful Belle Herbe Farm in Wellington’s Grand Prix Village.

For the second consecutive year, FTI Consulting Inc. will serve as the presenting sponsor of the celebration.

Maria Newman’s Belle Herbe Farm will be transformed to the world of the 18th century with Venetian streets and scenery, and a breathtaking masquerade. Guests can enjoy the food, drinks and entertainment provided by event planners Dazzle Creative Events.

Local Whole Foods Market of Wellington will provide the food sponsorship, and the Regency Party Rental & Productions team

Wellington

Looking Ahead To 2013

continued from page 1 been unable to come to a consensus.

“There doesn’t seem to be any meeting of the minds in the making here,” she told the Town-Crier Wednesday. “The only way I see this resolving is if it actually goes to court and some decisions are made.”

Village Manager Paul Schofield said he hopes to see some balance in the equestrian community.

“Wellington recognizes the uniqueness of the equestrian community and that it is very important,” he said.

Willhite said he would like to see other issues of importance addressed this year as well.

“I think we need to focus on what’s best for all of Wellington,” Willhite said. “We are a municipality of 58,000 residents, and we need to focus on the issues germane to everyone. I know the equestrian community is important to all of us, but schools, parks and quality of life, these are the biggest issues that pertain to everyone in the village.”

After parting ways with longtime VillageAttorney Jeff Kurtz last year, the council has some big decisions to make in 2013 — among them whether to bring the position in-house or hire another contracted attorney.

“We still have uncertainty with our legal representation,” Gerwig said. “I think we need to decide

will help with the Venetian inspiration.

Along with the masked ambiance of the evening, JustWorld International presents the most sought-after auction items, both silent and live. Rocco Mangel, owner of Rocco’s Tacos, will act as the master of ceremonies for the event, while Lou Galterio will sing and interact with the guests, setting the tone for the masquerade gala.

In addition to the impressive auction items, JustWorld will introduce the first-time showcase of the JustWorld CASCO co-branded helmets, as well as the JustWorld Pilla Sport co-branded performance eyewear.

Pilla Sport will also sponsor the gala as the bar sponsor, providing drinks for all guests throughout the evening.

The JustWorld gala has been the hit of the social scene since its

introduction 10 years ago. As the first event of the equestrian season, it is a sell-out event that attracts people from all parts of the community in an effort to further JustWorld’s mission.

JustWorld continues to work diligently as a humanitarian organization funding life-changing education, nutrition, health and hygiene, and leadership and cultural development programs for impoverished children in Cambodia, Honduras, Guatemala and Brazil.

The 10th annual gala will begin promptly at 7 p.m. at Belle Herbe Farm in Grand Prix Village. Tickets cost $195 per person and include open bar, gourmet food stations, entertainment and dancing. For more information, e-mail jwinfo@ justworldinternational.org or call (561) 333-9391. For sponsorship, benefits and further details, visit the JustWorld web site at www. justworldinternational.org.

how we want to proceed and then proceed in that manner.”

Willhite said he expects a decision early in the year, noting that a study commissioned by the council to evaluate the costs and benefits of both options would be finished soon.

“By February, we plan to have the results of the study back,” he said. “I hope that by March or April we will make a decision on what we want to do and begin the process of hiring a new attorney.”

Willhite also hopes to see important decisions regarding the rebuilding of the Wellington Community Center finalized this year.

“The goal is to have it completed and built by December 2014,” he said. “By the end of this year, I hope to have everything planned and the contractor bid. Hopefully we’ll have the demolition done prior to 2014, and then will have the year to build.”

But Gerwig noted that council members have some tough decisions to make, which could affect the cost of the project.

“We talked about the community center and moving tennis, as well as about different options for K-Park all in one meeting,” she said.

“There are some people who want to move tennis, and as I’ve said in the past, it’s an expensive option.”

Gerwig noted that K-Park land on State Road 7 as well as villageowned property on Lyons Road had been mentioned as possible sites if the council decides to move the Wellington Tennis Center.

“I realize the parking situation is our fault,” she said. “We kept adding to the site. I think it will be expensive to move tennis. I want to make sure we’re not doing some-

thing shortsighted that, in the long run, will cost more than we can afford.”

Though Willhite said he didn’t expect discussion of K-Park to be a major story in 2013, he noted that Wellington would be paying off the purchase of the site this year.

“It’s not going to cost us anything, especially with the farming being done on it,” he said.

Wellington will see the reduction of its debt as a whole, he said.

“We’re continuing to work to pay down our debt,” Willhite said.

“We’re down to $9 million or $10 million, which is pretty good for a municipality.”

Schofield said that he expects an uptick in Wellington’s housing market after several foreclosed properties are initially released.

“You’re beginning to see people invest in their homes,” he said.

“You’re not seeing a lot of new construction, but people are doing things like remodeling their kitchens or adding on rooms. They seem to have a renewed confidence in the value of their homes.”

Schofield expects Wellington’s budget to remain steady until about 2016.

“You won’t see any large changes in the budget,” he said. “There may be some small things here and there, but we expect a flat budget for the next three years at least.”

Most of all, Wellington officials hope the community can move on and look toward the future.

“I want to move on to good things,” Willhite said. “You’re never going to make 100 percent of people happy, but I think Wellington is still prosperous. We want to do what’s best for the community.”

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NEWS BRIEFS Blanchette To Teach Monologue Workshop Jan. 12 The Wellington Children’s Theatre will host a monologue audition workshop Saturday, Jan. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. at its location in the original Wellington Mall. The workshop will be taught by Beverly Blanchette, the recently retired dean of theatre of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts.

The workshop will focus on the tools needed to succeed in any kind of audition, whether it be for a performing arts school, college or conservatory; professional or community theater; or film, television and videos.

Topics will include how to get an agent, how to dress for an audition, how to prepare and acquire proper headshots and resumes, how to perform a winning monologue, and booking the part.

Suggested ages are 10 to 18.

Every participant should be prepared to perform a one-minute memorized monologue from a play (although not required) and be dressed to move. Activities will include group activities/improvisations, receiving direction on the

performance of the monologue, as well as cold-reading and interview skills.

Registration costs $95. To join the workshop, contact Karen Braunstein at karen@wellington childrenstheatre.com or Beverly Blanchette at bblanchette@bell south.net.

Girls Night Out Returns Jan. 10 To Players Club The next Girls Night Out will be held Thursday, Jan. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Players Club in Wellington.

This popular monthly event has become a good excuse for many to get together to enjoy a “night with the girls,” and to simultaneously raise money for a worthy, local charity. This month, the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation has been chosen to be the charity that benefits from the event’s raffle proceeds.

Each month, the Players Club top floor abounds with assorted vendors displaying their high-quality, juried merchandise on tables.

“We are starting off the New Year with a nice group of vendors in the tradition of something

old and something new,” said Maureen Gross of the Phelps Media Group. “We have returning vendors who love to do this show with us every month, but we have a nice mix of new vendors coming with different merchandise, too.”

Adding to the party atmosphere, two bars in the room will offer food and drink specials for everyone to enjoy while they meander through the vendors, and continue to talk and laugh with their friends. The sounds of music by the DJ GFY add to the ambiance.

The monthly Girls Night Out events are designed to be not just a fun night with friends; they are also designed to benefit the community. Each month a different, local nonprofit is selected to benefit from the proceeds of the evening’s raffle ticket sales.

Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, January’s chosen charity, has a long record of community service.

“Hospice has had an impact on the lives of so many people and families in our community; we knew that we wanted to dedicate one of our girls night out events to them,” said Dolores

Schlick, catering manager at the Players Club. “Being after the holidays, January seemed like the perfect month. People should be ready to see their friends for a relaxed night out, and the equestrians should be here in town for season. It will hopefully add up to a good night for everyone!”

The Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Spectrum Health Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The foundation is dedicated to raising funds to support the unfunded patient programs and services offered by Hospice of Palm Beach County that are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. “I don’t think there is anyone who hasn’t been touched by the compassionate services that Hospice offers countless individuals and families in our community during their time of great need,” Gross said. “We are very happy to offer our support to such a wonderful organization this month.”

The monthly Girls Night Out series is sponsored by Phelps Media Group International and the Players Club. For information about becoming a vendor in fu-

ture months, contact Gross at mbg@phelpsmediagroup.com or (561) 753-3389. For information about attending, contact Schlick at pcrcatering@aol.com or (561) 795-0080.

Wellington Chamber Lunch At Wanderers Club Jan. 23 The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host an educational and interactive forum and luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Wanderers Club, featuring Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County President John Shwiner.

Shwiner is an award-winning advocate for assisting law enforcement through programs focused on generating thousands of leads, resulting in arrests and lower crime rates.

Through a combination of his outstanding business career, academic credentials, military service and nearly 20 years of nonprofit activism, Shwiner has implemented a community-wide philosophy to make the public and schools safer through the

alert participation of citizens and students.

Shwiner has been credited for the creation and production of the organization’s web page, the “Creep of the Week” radio program, the TIPS in Lockers program, an organizational fundraising golf tournament and the additional award of “$500 for recovery of a firearm,” suggested by School Police Chief Jim Kelly after the shooting death of teacher Barry Grunow in 2000.

This luncheon event will sell out, so early reservations are suggested. The cost to attend is $20 for chamber members with RSVP, and $30 for nonmembers and the general public. Registration takes place at 11:30 a.m., and the luncheon begins promptly at noon. RSVPs are required to attend. Sponsorship tables and sponsor opportunities are available.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the chamber or online at www.wellingtonchamber.com.

For further information on attending on this or any future Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheons, or for general information on the chamber, call (561) 792-6525.

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NEWS

Recovery Coach Arlene Sherman Authors Book On Addiction

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Drug and alcohol addiction is a significant problem for many people. Addiction not only affects the user but everyone in that person’s life.

Certified consulting hypnotherapist and recovery coach Arlene Sherman understands the problems faced by everyone touched by addiction. She published her first book, The Real Dope on Addiction and Recovery, to aid in the support for all parties involved.

Sherman has a certification in recovery coaching and has been a hypnotherapist for 15 years, with a concentration in stress management. She is also on staff at two addiction treatment facilities in Wellington.

Helping substance-abuse sufferers is close to Sherman’s heart.

She feels it is her duty to address this societal problem.

“Every 19 minutes in our country, somebody dies from a drug overdose,” she said. “That’s about 27,000 people a year, and if that many people were dying in plane crashes every year, we would be screaming bloody murder. But no one is screaming bloody murder about this.”

Through her book, Sherman urges people to recognize the importance of the issue while speak-

ing to addicts and their families, and also serving as a resource for recovery coaches.

One of the most critical times for an addict is after a rehabilitation stint. Without aftercare, the addict’s chances of relapsing are high.

Sherman’s book is a guide for addicts during the recovery process. It touches on how addicts can stay on a clean path with aftercare recovery coaching.

“With aftercare, people who have substance-abuse disorders have double the chance of staying clean,” she stressed.

Sherman’s years of experience are what prompted her to write a book.

“People would tell me that I should write a book,” she recalled.

“So I sat down one day on my patio, and I came up with over 40 topic headings.”

The Real Dope on Addiction and Recovery is the first part of a series of books that Sherman plans to publish.

“I had so much information that I wanted to share with the public about addiction,” she said. “I did not want to overwhelm people by putting it all in one book because I want it to be an easy read that someone with an addiction can pick up and read.”

Sherman is almost finished with

her second edition, I Am Your Recovery Coach.

“Having a recovery coach is critical, but many people cannot afford one,” she said. “So the second book is kind of like recovery coaching in a box so that more people can get access to it.”

Sherman’s current book is divided into four parts. The first part is the introduction and addresses someone who is an addict. The second part is addressed to the loved one of someone who is a addict. Part three is addressed toward those helping, treating or coaching someone with an addiction. The final part of the book is addressed to parents of young teenagers.

“I don’t think that most people realize that 11- or 12-year-olds are doing drugs,” Sherman said.

Sherman hopes that people will read her book and apply some of her experience-guided techniques.

“I want everybody who I address to do these techniques that I mention that I’ve used in my own private practice and seen with my own eyes and with testimonials that they have worked,” Sherman said.

The Real Dope on Addiction and Recovery is available from online booksellers such as Amazon (www.amazon.com) and Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com).

Author Arlene Sherman in front of a promotional poster for her book The Real Dope on Addiction and Recovery.

PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Hospice Foundation’s ‘Swing With The Stars’ Tourney A Success Golf superstars, sports legends and celebrities joined together in support of Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation’s fourth annual Swing with the Stars Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament. The

Polo player Brandon Phillips with Lauryn Barry of the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation.

event was held Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15 at the PGA National Resort & Spa. Festivities kicked off Friday evening with a speakeasy, presented by Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in the Grand Ballroom. Golfers and non-golfers enjoyed great cuisine, sipped on signature cocktails at the exclusive Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin Ice Bar, and mingled with sports legends.

Guests also bid on both live and silent auctions featuring spectacular vacations, spa treatments, jewelry, golf outings and even a trip to New York City for a behind-thescene tour of The Today Show.

On Saturday, the field was limited to only 100 golfers, allowing attendees to fully enjoy playing with the champions on the newly renovated Fazio course.

Following the day on the course, golfers unwound during the Leisure Time Coins awards luncheon.

Professional golfers in attendance included Jean Bartholomew, Michelle McGann, Bob Murphy and Jackie Gallagher Smith. The winning foursome was Taylor Collins, Bill Cunningham, Oscar Ganem and Adam Tsakonas with Pro Les Wally.

“It was a great weekend! The speakeasy was a big hit, and we had a fantastic day on the links,” Hospice Foundation President Greg Leach said. “I thank all of our attendees and sponsors for their generous support. All proceeds benefit the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation and will help to ensure that we can continue to help so many in their time of greatest need.”

The fourth annual Swing with the Stars Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament was made possible by the support of the following sponsors: AMG Marketing Group, Dignity Memorial, ESPN Radio 760

AM, Isador S. Segall Trust, Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, United Healthcare, John Rubino, WPECTV CBS 12, and Dan and Valarie Young.

The Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Spectrum Health Inc. and its subsidiaries. The foundation is dedicated to raising funds to support the unfunded patient programs and services offered by Hospice of Palm Beach County which are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.

As a not-for-profit organization, the foundation relies on the support of individuals and corporate partners who support its mission.

To contact the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, visit www.hpbcf.org or call (561) 4946888.

Chris Fratalia, Kayla Ziegler and Josh Cohen of Wellington.

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NEWS

January 4 - January 10, 2013 Page 11

TAILWAGGERS HOSTS AKC AGILITY TRIALS AT JIM BRANDON EQUESTRIAN CENTER Tailwaggers Agility Club of South Florida held an American Kennel Club–sanctioned agility trial Dec. 28-31 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Owners guided their dogs through multiple obstacles while being timed. There were vendors selling dog-related items including jewelry, glassware and grooming supplies. For more info., visit www.tailwaggers.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Matt Brewi with Luna and Lynne Crawford with Comet.

Linda Fox, Suzanne Ford, Rosemary Badger, Kat Rosenberg and Suzanne Ansell with their Austrailan shepherds.

Lisa Glick with her Siberian husky Boone.

Irene Brewi lets Rosemary Badger hold her puppy Takoda.

Tanya Garcia and Gib take a break.

Phyllis Dobrick and mini Aussie Ranger.

WELLINGTON GREEN MARKET CONTINUES WEEKLY AT THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX The Wellington Green Market continues to be held every Saturday at the Wellington Municipal Complex. Each week features a variety of vendors, including crafters and artesian bread maker s. It is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through April. Call (561) 2835856 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

QT Pie Designs owner Stephanie Zausner with her notepads and planners made from old records.

Sophia Bartolucci looks at flowers made with recycled bottles at the Bottles to Botanicals booth.

Chris Ragoo sells star fruit.

Steven and his father Rick Raid sell locally grown fruits and vegetables.

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NEWS

Community Comes Together To Bring Family A Christmas Surprise

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report It has been two months since Diana Schiro’s husband, Joe, died while serving in Afghanistan.

Christmas was approaching, and she and her three small children were not feeling the spirit of the holiday. Still deeply mourning their loss, the family did not even bother getting a Christmas tree.

All that changed on the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 15, when Schiro heard fire-truck sirens approaching. She peeked out the window and noticed that the truck, accompanied by a parade of cars, was stopping right in front of her house.

She opened her door to find crowds of people and firefighters from the Palm Beach County FireRescue station in Wellington. Before she could say a word, she saw, coming through the crowd with a bouquet of flowers, a familiar face — the Little Blessings teacher at First Baptist Church of Royal Palm Beach, Chrystal Fernandez.

“When all the Little Blessings mommies heard what happened to Diana’s husband, they were so sad about it, and we knew we had to do something special for her,” Fernandez said.

They first agreed to take up a collection for her, but since Christmas was coming up, they decided to wait until then. “We thought we could then go Christmas caroling at her house and give her the collection,” Fernandez said. “But it just snowballed from there.”

They ended up getting someone to dress up as Santa and a professional costume performer to play Cinderella for the children.

They also contacted the Wellington firefighters, who decided to help out. “They were really excited about it and even got Diana and her children a Christmas tree, put it up and decorated it for them, which was really sweet,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez and her friend Anna Perrella organized the event with help from the other Little Blessings mothers, along with Schiro’s mother and sister. “Everyone knew about the surprise except her and the children,” Fernandez said.

Perrella did not know Schiro before the surprise. “I just heard about what happened to her, and I knew that I had to do something to help,” she said. “My son-in-law is serving in the Army. Diana and her husband were a young family like my daughter and her family.”

More than 50 people showed up to surprise Schiro and her children with gifts, money and hugs. The King’s Academy choir, Schiro’s former high school choir, also participated in the surprise by sending 30 students to sing Christmas carols.

“Everything was beautiful, and we ended with 16 cars convoying from First Baptist Church in Royal Palm Beach to the Wellington fire station,” Fernandez said. “We put Santa in one of the fire trucks and then headed over to Diana’s house.”

Chrystal Fernandez receives a thank-you from Diana Schiro.

PHOTOS BY DENNIS JORDAN

When Fernandez handed Schiro the flowers, she smiled and gave her a hug. “She was so emotional that we did all that for her,” Fernandez said.

Schiro received an estimated $2,000 from people to use for Christmas gifts. “That was amazing because we started out with $60,” Fernandez said. “People just kept on giving, and even on the day of the surprise, people were giving.”

Everybody from the neighborhood came outside to see what was going on. “They even joined in the surprise, which was really nice,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez met Schiro when she started bringing her children to Little Blessings, a free outreach

program for mothers and their small children.

“I’ve been teaching this program for 15 years, and I used to bring my children to it,” Fernandez said.

“You don’t have to be a member of our church to come, and we have mothers from all denominations.”

It’s a place where mothers can play with their children. “The mothers are all supportive of each other, and that’s why what happened to Diana affected them so much,” Fernandez said.

Perrella and Fernandez used their planning skills to organize the entire surprise. “We just wanted to see a smile on her face,” Perrella said. “That was our goal, and we accomplished that.”

Chrystal Fernandez presents gifts to Diana Schiro and her family.

Diana Schiro (center) with her children and everyone who came to surprise her.

ArtiGras Selects Steering Committee For The Feb. 16-18 Festival Organizers of the 2013 ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival have announced the steering committee for the 28th edition of the festival, which will be held Feb. 16-18 at Abacoa in Jupiter.

The following are the volunteers and the committee they will chair for the 2013 ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival: Barbara and Brian Cottrell, chairs emeritus; Connie Christman and Ashley Morse, ArtiKids; Alishia Parenteau, artist relations; Beth Kelso, community relations; Corrie Edwards and Stephanie Mitrione, concessions; Jennifer O’Brien, eco art; Debbie Johnson, Entertainment, Skip Miller and Ken Montgomery, hospitality; Barbara Patti, information; Elle Morrison, merchandise; Troy

Holloway, parking; Rebecca Seelig, public relations; Cecilia del Agula, risk management; Dan Ganzel, security; Rudy Chacon and Manny Chacon, site operations; Karen Farruggia, volunteers; and Karen Nobel, youth art competition.

The steering committee guides more than 1,000 volunteers who will make the 2013 ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival the best experience for the more than 100,000 patrons expected to attend the festival.

Festival hours for ArtiGras are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18. The outdoor arts event showcases a juried exhibition of outstanding fine art along with a vari-

ety of activities that include live entertainment, artist demonstrations, interactive art activities for all ages, a youth art competition and the opportunity to meet more than 300 top artists.

General admission tickets to ArtiGras are available online at www.artigras.org for the advance ticket price of $6. Advance tickets will also be available starting Jan. 9 at the Gardens Mall information desk, Maltz Jupiter Theatre and Roger Dean Stadium. General admission at the gate costs $10, and children 12 and under are admitted free of charge.

For patrons who want to take their art experience to the next level, ArtiGras Patron Society memberships are available for as low

as $100 for a single, $150 for a double and $300 for a family. In addition to being recognized in the ArtiGras official program, ArtiGras Patron Society members also enjoy VIP festival access and parking the entire weekend, VIP keepsake credentials, access to the VIP tent where they can partake in gourmet lunches and complimentary beverages, a complimentary commemorative poster, invitations to special ArtiGras events including the ArtiGras kickoff party Red, White & Zin and the exclusive “meet the artists” event at Lilly Pulitzer in the Gardens Mall.

For additional information, visit www.artigras.org or call the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce at (561) 748-3946.

The 2013 ArtiGras Steering Committee — (Front row, L-R) Elle Morrison, Alishia Parenteau, Rebecca Seelig, Karen Nobel, Connie Christman, Erin Devlin, Jane Pike, Skip Miller and Rudy Chacon; (back row) Dan Ganzel, Barbara Cottrell, Brian Cottrell, Scott MacLachlan, Ashley Morse, Cecilia del Agula, Ken Montgomery, Amy Works, Stewart Auville, Hannah Sosa and Noel Martinez.

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NEWS

PURE THOUGHTS HORSE RESCUE FOUNDERS WED AT ‘BARNS, BOOTS & BAUBLES’ Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue held Barns, Boots & Baubles, a fundraiser and wedding, on Saturday, Dec. 29 at its new location at 2833 F Road in Loxahatchee Groves. Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue co-founders CEO Brad Gaver and CFO Jennifer Swanson celebrated a country-style wedding complete with dogs and mini horses walking down the aisle. There was a silent auction of equestrian-themed paintings and drawings in the barn.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Bride Jennifer Swanson, notary Eric Frank and groom Brad Gaver.

Aracelli Hyde, Ami De La Mer, Holly Chaney and Russ Perlman.

Kristina Boysen with Blessing.

Isabella Harding with Teddy and artwork for the silent auction.

Wedding guests gather with the bride and groom.

Brad Gaver and Jennifer Swanson share a kiss as friends and volunteers look on.

SATISFIED PATRONS ENJOY DINNER AT WELLINGTON’S FOOD TRUCK INVASION The weekly Food Truck Invasion continued Thursday, Dec. 27 at the Wellington Amphitheater. Food truck operators from around South Florida gathered to provide an assortment of foods, from tacos to frozen y ogurt. The Food Truck Invasion is held every Thursday until May. Call (561) 753-2484 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

The Paige family — Olivia, Tim, Kijuanna and Timothy Jr. — enjoys food from a variety of trucks.

Danny Ruiz and Michele Giardino share a Zombie Ice.

Joji co-owner Betty Stendik with Shawna Tran, who hands out froyo samples.

Adam, Faith and Dr. Itzhak Nir.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Oxbridge Academy Students Stand Out In Science Competitions Students from Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches recently took top honors in two of the area’s most prestigious science competitions. Three students from the new, independent high school placed in the Palm Beach County Science and Engineering Fair and two students received special recognition at Max Planck Florida Institute’s Neuroscience Discovery Day. Freshman Maria Elena Grimmett made history at the 56th annual science and engineering fair. She received perfect scores from all of the judges — the first time that has happened in the competition’s history — and was awarded first place in the Environmental Science category and Best in Show overall for her project “H20h No: Pharmaceuticals Are in My Groundwa(Left) Maria Elena Grimmett with her winning project.

BINKS FOREST STUDENT COUNCIL GIVES BACK

ter!” This is the fourth consecutive year that Grimmett has received first place at the regional science fair.

Grimmett will now advance to the statewide competition with sophomore Gray Newfield, who took second place in the Engineering division. His project, called “The Automatic Closing Box Net,” detailed his patent-pending invention to capture lionfish.

Fellow sophomore Jake Reinhart finished in fourth place in Mathematics for using statistical analyses to determine a winning field strategy for lacrosse. Other participants from Oxbridge Academy included Dorit Bodnick.

As part of the grand opening celebration for its new research facility in Jupiter, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience hosted a number of interactive brainrelated activities during Neuroscience Discovery Day on Dec. 8.

PBSC To Host MLK Celebration Jan. 17 Morris Dees, co-founder and chief trial attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., will be the keynote speaker at the Palm Beach State College 14th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 17.

The celebration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8:15 a.m. The activities will take place in the outdoor plaza on the Lake Worth campus named in King’s honor and the Duncan Theatre. It is free and open to the public.

During the celebration, the college will recognize the recipients

The Binks Forest Elementary School Student Council has been busy giving back to the community. In November, the council collected multiple carloads of food items for its annual Thanksgiving Food for Families drive. The food benefits many local families in the community. In December, the council collected hundreds of toys to donate to sister school Gove Elementary School in Belle Glade. The toy drive is an annual event for the Binks Forest Student Council. Pictured here are student council members from grades three through five.

bridge Academy, students learn through engagement in academic and community-based projects that speak to their talents and interests, and spark their curiosity and passion.

The 56-acre campus features classrooms equipped with advanced technologies, a university-modeled “information commons,” a fully equipped digital media center, a 400-seat performance center and auditorium, visual arts and dance studios, a fullsize gymnasium and a fully equipped fitness center. School grounds include an expansive lake, six lighted tennis courts, a swimming pool and several basketball courts.

Oxbridge Academy is now accepting applications for the 201314 school year. Upcoming open houses will be held Jan. 9 and Jan. 12. For more information, call (561) 972-9600 or visit www.oapb.org.

NEW HORIZONS MEDIA SPECIALIST RETIRES

of its Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award.

Dees founded the SPLC in 1971 with attorney Joseph J. Levin Jr.; civil rights activist Julian Bond became the center’s first president.

Early cases included integrating the Alabama State Troopers and desegregating the Montgomery YMCA. The SPLC, funded by donations from more than 300,000 citizens across the nation, quickly grew into one of America’s most successful and innovative public interest law firms.

For more information about the celebration, visit www.palmbeach state.edu/mlk.

The Pound Press At Berean Christian The journalism club at Berean Christian School has been quite busy this fall, writing articles, conducting movie reviews, taking polls of the student body and much more.

Under the direction of advisors Adrianna Paneque and Jennifer Pinkerman, this club, composed of students in the ninth through 12th grades, has creat-

Oxbridge Academy junior Samantha Schneider competed against nearly 30 other area high school students in the Neuroscience Inspires Art Contest and Exhibition, and won “Most Creative” for her digital photography piece. Sophomore Corey Beckford was “Best Scientific Content” runner-up in the Battle of the Brains scientific poster competition. Other students who presented their work included Stephen Berkner, David Gorski, Madison Outlaw and Megan Zimmerman.

Oxbridge Academy was founded by William I. Koch and opened September 2011. The school’s mission is to provide a challenging and dynamic education in the classroom, laboratory, art studio and athletic fields that produces leaders through integration of meaningful student research, collaboration, creativity and lifechanging service learning. At Ox-

ed a newspaper that is distributed among the student body, faculty and staff.

Each issue features a sports column, various news articles, an advice column, a devotional and even a “Remember When” throwback picture section.

To learn more about Berean Christian School, visit the school’s web site at www.bcsbulldogs.org.

Elaine Lee, longtime media specialist with the Palm Beach County School District, is retiring after 33 years of service. As a “21st Century Librarian,” she has been a member of the Educational Media Association and a Florida member of the Media in Education Association. In retirement, Lee plans to enjoy spending time with her husband Ed and her family both in Florida and North Carolina. She will carry her love of reading to retirement as she now has time to read for pleasure. Scores of children have been touched by Lee, and she will be greatly missed. Pictured here is Lee with third-grade students.

Send school news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090.

E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

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RPB DANCERS DONATE TOYS FOR NEEDY KIDS

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Groves Woman Authors Cookbook For Pets Loxahatchee Groves resident Gemma Maguire Koder has written a book of recipes for cats and dogs. Titled BonzAppetit.com: Cooking with Napoleon, the book was published by AuthorHouse.

Proper eating has become a popular issue recently, but it’s not limited to just humans. The book offers recipes to make nutritious meals for cats and dogs, and Koder’s dog, a Yorkshire terrier named Napoleon, takes center stage.

BonzAppetit.com came to fruition through Koder’s efforts to make better quality food for Napoleon and Koder’s cat, Kim Choi Pei. Though Koder has always tak-

en exceptional care of the animals in her life, she sees more and more people making similar efforts for their pets. “Good pet care is becoming an awareness,” Koder said. “Pets are considered family members.”

Koder assures readers that her recipes are easy, simple and — as important to many people during this time of economic hardship — affordable. “Good pet care is a commitment,” she said. “They rely on us.”

BonzAppetit.com helps pet owners give their cherished friends and (to many people) family members the care they deserve.

Koder worked in the beauty

business for 40 years as a salon, supply and school owner. Having recently retired, she transitioned into the insurance field and founded Pet-Trust.org. “This is a way for true pet guardians to make provisions for their pets to receive quality care if the guardian becomes ill… or, sadly, passes on,” Koder said.

Championing her cause of animal protection, she also started several organizations and sites, including ProtectTheAnimals.org and PussyCatBags.com. After having recovered from a stroke, Koder, along with Napoleon and Pei, will resume working various pet events with all profits from

BonzAppetit.com being donated to no-kill animal shelters.

St. David’s Nativity On Display For Community

The RPB Dancers from Royal Palm Beach High School recently donated approximately 125 gifts to Children and Family Charities Inc. Each year for the past 15 years, the dancers pick a charity and help out by donating holiday gifts for the whole family to enjo y.

Under the direction of their teacher, RPBHS Dance Director Michele Blecher, the dancers donated gifts to DCF, the chosen charity this year. Blecher’s goal was to teach her students to give from the heart and not for some type of reward. Blecher’s philosophy is that giving is the best gift of all. Shown above is DCF specialist Roz Davis with Blecher.

For the 18th year, St. David’s in the Pines Episcopal Church in Wellington displayed its living nativity as a gift to the local community.

The shepherds, angles, wise men, holy family and baby Jesus come from the congregation, Sunday school and are open to anyone else who would like to participate. Jennifer Elmore is in charge of organizing this gift each year by signing up volunteers, getting the crèche built and seeing that everything runs smoothly. St. David’s thanks all who stop by to look and those friendly honks of the horn when passing by.

St. David’s is located at 465 W. Forest Hill Blvd., at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For more information, call (561) 793-1976 or visit www.saint davidsinthepines.org.

(Right) Shown L-R are shepherds Irene Oknewski and Lucas Joseph; angels Jayden Blinston and Victoria Gonzalez; Mary (Laura Gonzalez) and Joseph (Chris Blinston); angel Debbie Piconcelli; wise men Danny Snead, Carlos Belgrave and Ray Liberti; and angel (on the roof) Anne Guillaume.

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

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January 4 - January 10, 2013 Page 17

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Marissa Damone Gets Young Rider Sponsorship From Pierre Jolicoeur Internationally acclaimed FEI course designer Pierre Jolicoeur, who trained Olympic legends Eric Lamaze and Mario DesLauriers, has his sights set on giving back to support the next generation of talented young riders in equestrian sport. With the commencement of the 2013 horse show season, Jolicoeur recently launched his own young equestrian support initiative, the PJ Saddles Junior Rider Sponsorship Program, providing trainers across the nation the opportunity to nominate deserving young riders for sponsorship by his high-end saddle company, PJ Saddles.

Ideal candidates chosen for recognition by Jolicoeur’s program are responsible young riders who demonstrate good horsemanship, sportsmanship and unwavering commitment to equestrian sport.

One example is local junior rider Marissa Damone of The Acreage, who was the first young rider selected for the program, receiving a brand-new PJ Saddle and sponsorship by Pierre Jolicoeur for the 2013 show year.

Damone, who practices six days a week with trainer Sean Jones at Palm Beach Riding Academy in Wellington, is an experienced show rider with numerous championships and wins through the highest AA ranking at the Winter Equestrian Festival in both hunters and equitation.

What makes Damone’s situation unique to that of many of her peers at this level of competition is that she does not own a horse, and instead has to work off her lessons and training, riding and competing on others’ horses whenever possible. Damone’s previous saddle was well worn, with several holes beneath her leg and seat from years of hard use, and while her parents both work overtime to assist in her passion, a new saddle was simply not in the budget. Despite the holes in her saddle, and being surrounded by many fellow riders and friends fortunate to have the finest equipment and apparel, Damone always remained a good sport and did not give up, continuing to make do and work hard with what she had.

(Front row, L-R) Mackenzy Hasan and Julia Hasan; (back row) Jenna Brooker, Amanda Ng, Holly Garfield and Danielle Nelson.

Pierre Jolicoeur, Marissa Damone and PJ Saddles representative Kristin Corragio.

“I’m just a proud father, and so thankful of this opportunity for her,” her father Ralph Damone said upon Marissa being recognized by PJ Saddle’s Junior Rider Sponsorship Program.

“These are the young riders that I have a passion to help,” Jolicoeur said. “These kids have put in the time and committed themselves fully to riding. They have shown their honest hunger for the sport,

Sergioi Fedele, Andre Ferreira, Devin Wallace and Alex Ng with kids from the Pleasant City aftercare program.

Marissa Damone, with mother Michelle (left), receives a new saddle from Pierre Jolicoeur. and have often gotten themselves where they are through hard work and determination, despite possible limitations. This program is one I feel passionately about, providing assistance and recognition

to deserving young riders across the country.”

Trainers interested in nominating a junior rider can e-mail their interest to nominations@pj saddles.com.

Monty Foster of Kool 105.5 and Amanda Ng collect toys at Walmart for Children’s Medical Services.

Alex And Amanda Ng Wrap Up Another Holiday Season Of Giving Alex and Amanda Ng have been busy helping others this holiday season.

Alex and his friends recently made their annual visit to Pleasant City Elementary School. Alex has been visiting the school since 2007; Andre Ferreira joined in 2008, and Devin Wallace and Sergio Fedele joined in 2009. The boys have been making this annual visit ever

since. The boys work hard all month texting, posting on Facebook and e-mailing friends and family members to donate dollar store toys. As the collection builds up, the boys then pack the toys and make their way to Pleasant City Elementary School and hand them out to the aftercare program.

The boys sit and talk to the kids, and let them know that someone

out there is thinking of them. One fifth-grader said, “I’m going to miss their visits.”

Amanda Ng has just completed her annual visit to the Royal Manor nursing home. Her great-grandmother was a resident there, and when she passed away in 2008, Amanda was scared and said she never wanted to go back.

However, at Christmas, she

thought about her great-grandmother and the other residents who so enjoyed her visits and decided to conquer her fear. Wearing her soccer uniform, she convinced some of her teammates to go with her to hand out a little holiday spirit. She has since made this an annual visit.

This year, Amanda was named the Royal Palm Beach Hometown

Queen for the Dream Girls USA pageant and will compete for the state title in March 2013 in Orlando. She is now using her title to bring smiles to the faces of those who are in need of some joy. Amanda and her friends made their visit this year wearing their crowns and sashes from her birthday party. She also helped out with the Kool 105.5 Children’s Medical Services toy

drive and handed out candy canes at Pleasant City’s aftercare program.

Amanda has now written a book about colors and is seeking a children’s hospital or school that would like her to come and share these books and read it to the children. If you are interested, contact her mother Sandi Ng at (561) 779-8818.

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Page 18 January 4 - January 10, 2013

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NEWS Lox Groves

Town To Consider Capital Projects

continued from page 1 moving forward with the college campus.

“Last year we set aside $1 million for capital improvements,” Jarriel said. “My vision this year is that we’ll take that money and pave more roads.”

He also wants to invest in equestrian trails, opening existing trails and possibly purchasing property that could be used to create a multipurpose trail network.

“I’m glad to see Palm Beach State College is moving forward,” Jarriel said. “I would like to see

Indian Trail

Better Drainage

continued from page 1 munity center, and to take advantage of increased drainage opportunities that should be available with the attention drawn by Tropical Storm Isaac.

“My No. 1 priority moving into 2013 is to grab hold of all the drainage opportunities that will be given to Indian Trail due to Tropical Storm Isaac and Gov. [Rick] Scott’s attention,” Damone said. “There are lots of opportunities around us, and I just hope that this board doesn’t let go of any of them.”

The board approved a contractor for the community center early last year, but postponed the plans

them break ground as soon as possible.”

Jarriel would also like to continue to expand the positive working relationship between the town and the LGWCD. “I believe we’ve got a good relationship,” he said, adding that both entities should work together to resolve drainage issues that came up during Tropical Storm Isaac.

With a new administrator about to be hired at the district, Jarriel hopes communications will continue to improve. “I think the better we work together, the more benefits the residents will receive,” he said.

LGWCD Supervisor John Ryan said the district’s top propriety is to get a new administrator in place.

“We need a new district administrator who is capable of doing the necessary work and who un-

derstands the need to work effectively, openly and constructively with not only the supervisors and district employees, but all of the landowners, residents and town officials,” Ryan said.

The new administrator could be in place by the end of the next LGWCD board meeting Jan. 14.

Another key goal for Ryan is to convert the district’s perpetual easement deed for its roads and canals to fee simple ownership.

“This will make for a more direct transfer of the OGEM road segment to the town. We do want to transfer those road segments to the town with the speed humps as we have them,” he said, explaining that the hump design was based on extensive safety studies and that the district does not want continued responsibility for the roads if they are modified as some residents have requested. “We

understand the residents’ concerns. I drive a truck over these speed humps every day. I wish that they weren’t there, but I understand why they are there.”

Ryan explained that the roads are rural, non-standard roads with widths in some places that aren’t safe for cars passing each other at anything but very low speeds.

“The problem is that in today’s litigious world, we don’t want to spend the district’s money on lawsuits,” he said. “If we get called into court on a lawsuit, we want to be able to say we used the best engineering recommendations for a safe, controlled speed.”

Ryan also wants to continue to work with the town effectively and fairly, especially on future paving projects, such as on Collecting Canal and South B roads.

The district is also working on grants to help pay for drainage

improvements, the need for which became obvious after Tropical Storm Isaac. “The banks need to be reshaped, and we can get some money to fix damage that was done to roads, and possibly some money to repair damage that was done to some of the culverts,” Ryan said.

There’s also a berm around the Royal Palm Beach Pines Natural Area that needs to be raised because water flowed into Loxahatchee Groves during the storm, hampering drainage efforts, Ryan said.

“We’d like to get some grant money, working with the county, because that’s a county preserve, to improve the safety,” he said.

“The berms that are there were not adequate to prevent additional flood exposure.”

Supervisor Don Widing shares Ryan’s enthusiasm for finding a new administrator. “What I’m look-

ing for is getting a new administrator on board, and hopefully the board members will readjust their strategic thinking,” Widing said.

“The role of the water control district, in my view, has changed with our interlocal agreements with the town and with the introduction of OGEM… I want to see the mission and operational part of the district adjusted to reflect those changes.”

Widing also wants to simplify the issue of district and non-district roads.

“We need to get past that, and I want to focus on taking care of the community and quit worrying so much about whose authority and whose jurisdiction,” he said.

“I think we’re getting closer to that. I think the cooperation between the district and the town is good, but there’s always room to strengthen it.”

after the storm. Grant money for the project will expire if not used.

“We’ve already received a $200,000 grant,” she said. “We have an opportunity to receive a $500,000 grant, and on behalf of the community, I don’t want to see us miss that opportunity. I fully believe that we can still receive our drainage improvements and still be able to provide the community center.”

Supervisor Ralph Bair said he hopes to resolve conflicts that have arisen on the board and make progress in 2013. He expressed reservations about changes in the management process advocated

by ITID Vice President Carol Jacobs, who wants the administrator’s responsibility reduced to a managerial position and to have the operations manager report di-

rectly to the board.

“I guess the way it is going to be is the board makes the final decisions on what gets done in the district,” Bair said. “In other words, we’ll have to work through every nook and cranny of the work package and how the money is spent.

I’d rather not do it that way because you’re going to have department heads fighting for money. Who’s going to decide who gets it if you have no overall person?”

Bair said he thinks such a change would lead to too much board interference in the day-today operation of the district. He noted that a non-interference policy was in Quickel’s contract but would no longer be in place should she leave.

Bair also wondered who would

speak for the district at public meetings across the county, such as before the Palm Beach County Commission or at regional planning meetings. He pointed out that new ITID President Jennifer Hager is a teacher and cannot easily take off time during the day. “She’s not going to be able to do that,” Bair said.

He added that his other hopes for the coming year include getting the community center built and finishing up the funded portions of Acreage Community Park’s southern expansion.

“If we don’t put up that building, we’re going to lose close to $2 million in grants and funding that we would have to upgrade the building and finish the south part of the park,” Bair said. “A lot of the money will be lost, gone, be-

cause we applied for all these grants and if we don’t build the building, we don’t get the grants.”

ITID is also working to get at least partial refunds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for as much as $1.8 million spent on road repairs after the flooding from Isaac.

“FEMA is working on it through the district administrator we have right now,” he said. “The problem

is, if she leaves, we lose a whole lot of coordination that we had with other governmental agencies from the local level to the county level to the state level to the federal level because she knows what’s going on, and she has been personally involved as our representative.”

Attempts to contact Hager and Jacobs for this article were unsuccessful.

Polo

IPC’s 10th Season

continued from page 1 will be more accessible to our friends and fans this year.”

And car enthusiasts will get a chance to have a look at dozens of high-performance Maseratis, Ferraris and Lamborghinis for the preview of SuperCar week during the 20-goal Herbie Pennell Cup match.

The event is one of the many ways in which IPC has expanded Sunday polo and use of the club beyond just the world-class matches.

“This 10th season, the club is offering more than just polo,” Wash said. “We feel that as the club has developed and matured, it has become a Sunday afternoon destination for anyone looking for excitement and social interaction, along with some of the best polo in the world.”

It’s truly a family affair, with a “fun zone” just for kids, live music and contests for all and, of course,

divot stomping. “Our fun zone continues to be available to entertain the younger attendants,” Wash said, “while tailgate and hat contests seem to energize even the most sophisticated polo followers.

Jazz bands and celebratory trophy presentations continue to highlight the Sunday activities as we cheer on our favorite players and teams.”

Ticket prices for Sunday range from $10 general admission to $120 box seating. Sunday brunch at the Pavilion and Pavilion reception packages range from $55 to $330 for the Veuve Clicquot brunch package for two.

The International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 2045687 or visit www.international poloclub.com.

(Right) Zacara, last year’s U.S. Open champions, with the prestigious U.S. Open Cup at the grand finale of last year’s polo season at IPC. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILA PHOTO

POST Program Director Barbara Abernathy and Care Coordinator Terrie Johnson with a plaque from the June C. Baker Foundation.

Baker Foundation Thanks WPB POST The June C. Baker Foundation to Benefit Kids with Cancer recently presented the Pediatric Oncology Support Team (POST) of West Palm Beach with a plaque of recognition for all they do to assist families of children with cancer.

Having a child diagnosed with cancer can be devastating for the entire family; POST steps in with its highly qualified team of professionals to help with counseling, case management, care coordination, school advocacy and much more.

The June C. Baker Foundation, established by George “Archie” Baker in memory of his beloved wife June, whose wish was to help “kids with cancer,” has provided financial support to POST since the foundation’s inception in 2004.

Funds are used primarily for prescription drug payments, various co-payments, and costs of travel to out-of-area clinics and hospitals, specifically for gasoline cards.

The foundation also underwrites costs of POST’s respite program that provides funds for families who are unable to afford to celebrate a child’s birthday or other special event in a restaurant or for other needs such as school supplies, uniforms or clothing.

The foundation is a public charity staffed by volunteers and governed by a board of directors who volunteer their services. All operating expenses of the foundation are paid by family members to ensure that 100 percent of donations and proceeds from fund-raising activities is disbursed to children with cancer in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties.

For more information on the June C. Baker Foundation or POST, visit their web sites at www. jcbfund.com and www.postfl.org.

Blotter continued from page 6 of Beall, the deputy found marijuana residue inside his left jacket pocket. According to the report, the first deputy went inside a business on Civic Center Way, leaving Beall with the second deputy.

The second deputy said that Beall was unruly and tried to intimidate him, causing the deputy to perform a leg sweep to take Beall to the ground. According to the report, Beall grabbed the deputy’s leg and squeezed it. Beall was arrested and taken to the county jail, where he was charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams and resisting an officer without violence.

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January 4 - January 10, 2013 Page 19

Page 20 January 4 - January 10, 2013

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LILA PHOTO

LILA PHOTO

ALEX PACHECO

The Perfect Match – Polo and Brunch

Enjoy fabulous cuisine, entertainment, fashion and, of course, world-class polo every Sunday, January 6 through April 21.

Entrance at 2 p.m. | Polo match at 3 p.m.

Ticket Prices

Champagne Brunch

January-April

January-February: $100 March-April: $120

m (FOFSBM "ENJTTJPO #MFBDIFS 4FBUJOH m /PSUI BOE 4PVUI 4UBEJVN -BXO 4FBUJOH m $FOUFS 4UBEJVN -BXO 4FBUJOH m #PY 4FBUT MJNJUFE BWBJMBCJMJUZ

The Pavilion Reception Pass January-February: $55 March-April: $65 r 1SF NBUDI DIBNQBHOF UPBTU r 1BTTFE MJHIU IPST E PFVWSFT r 5XP DPNQMJNFOUBSZ ESJOL UPLFOT

r 1BWJMJPO SFDFQUJPO r -BWJTI HPVSNFU CSVODI r 7FSBOEB TFBUJOH r 5XP DPNQMJNFOUBSZ ESJOL UPLFOT

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch (for two) January-February: $300 March-April: $330 r $PNQMJNFOUBSZ WBMFU QBSLJOH r 1BWJMJPO SFDFQUJPO r -BWJTI HPVSNFU CSVODI r " DPNQMJNFOUBSZ CPUUMF PG 7FVWF $MJDRVPU

For tickets, please visit InternationalPoloClub.com or call 561.204.5687. Polo HOTLINE 561.282.5290 3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington, Florida 33414 *Tax inclusive. Parking additional, unless otherwise noted.

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New Wellington Home For Everything But The Horse

Stacey MacLeod’s eclectic store/collection of equine stuff for sale was previously located in her house out in Deer Run. But it now has a new home. Business is going strong at its current location in the business park section of Wellington off Pierson Road.

Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 25

January 4 - January 10, 2013 Page 21

Football Coach Matt Dickmann Leaving SRHS

Seven years after he was named Seminole Ridge High School’s first head football coach, Matt Dickmann announced last month that he would be taking a new coaching position out of state. Next season, Dickmann will coach at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Ga. Page 33

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business Attorney Steven Duhl Uses Expertise In Divorce Law To Fight For His Clients

Attorney Steven Duhl is a no-nonsense divorce lawyer who protects his clients through the entire process. He understands that going through a divorce is one of the most difficult things someone can experience. Duhl’s tough approach to divorce helps his clients get what they are entitled to. He uses a combination of negotiation tactics that allow him to protect his clients’ interests while not being intimidated by the opposing side. Page 25

Sports Savon’s Academy’s Holiday Basketball Camp In Royal Palm

Savon’s Academy held its Holiday Basketball Camp Dec. 2628 and Jan. 2-4 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center.

Nearly 20 campers attended to improve their skills of the game. The academy brings an experienced staff of volunteers to assist with each camp.

Page 33

THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES ........................ 23-24 BUSINESS NEWS.................................. 25-27 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ...................... 29 SPORTS & RECREATION........................33-35 COMMUNITY CALENDAR ...................... 36-37 CLASSIFIEDS ........................................39-43

Page 22 January 4 - January 10, 2013

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January 4 - January 10, 2013 Page 23

FEATURES

New Wellington Location For Everything But The Horse The last time I visited Stacey MacLeod’s eclectic store/collection of equine stuff for sale, it was a few years back and was located in her house out in Deer Run. I was glad to hear that her business is still going strong. It’s doing so well, in fact, that last August, she decided to move it to a more convenient location, in the business park section of Wellington off Pierson Road.

“We were actually near this location once before, back in 2007-08,” said store manager Beth Matz. “Then stuff happened, and Stacey had to move it all to her home. But now we’re back here again and open for business.

We’ve been doing fairly well. The business was growing so much that we decided it was time to open a regular store again.”

MacLeod is also trying something new and has partnered with Barbara Berneit in California, adding new fashion items such as Pikeur breeches, Asmar shirts, cold weather schooling jackets, other high-end riding apparel, as well as Windsor leather goods.

Of course, there are lots of other items as well: knickknacks, bridles, saddles, girths, stirrups, halters, tons of saddle pads, blankets, boots, shirts, coats, breeches, chaps, helmets, buckets, barn supplies, custom tack trunks — a little of everything. Wandering through the store is a little like visiting a good equesGet 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 trian flea market; you never know what you might find.

This year, they’ll also be doing a few trunk shows at local dressage events, and they’ve signed up to attend the Treasure Coast hunter/jumper shows in Stuart.

“We’ve always been around the dressage shows, but this year we want to start branching out to the hunter/jumper customers as well,” Matz explained. “We’ve always been heavily into dressage, but there are a lot of hunter/jumper people out there as well, and we’d like to reach out to them.”

They keep a three-ring binder with clients’ requests so they can fill specific needs.

“If someone’s looking for something special, say a particular saddle, I can call them as soon as it comes in, even before I offer it for sale,” MacLeod explained.

And they’ve added something new this year: Palm Beach Recycled.

“Many of our clients are in the process of selling their homes, and they typically have a lot of household goods which they’d also like to sell,” Matz said. “That’s where we come in.

We’ll take large items in, bigger ticket items like nice furniture or whatever, and sell it on consignment. The split is typically 60-40: the client keeps 60 percent.”

So yes, interspersed throughout the saddles and bridles and buckets and boots were couches and tables and lamps, original art work and two elk heads. The antlers sit on a nearby table; they slide onto slots on the heads.

Two elk heads?

“They were brought in by a client,” Matz nodded. “Her husband shot them and had them mounted, but she couldn’t stand having them in her home, so she called and asked if we’d sell them for her. And here they are. We’ll take just about anything.

We like to keep a brisk turnover on the inventory.”

Inventory includes a pair of very nice stall doors, resting up against a wall, a huge Breyer barn and horses, a parrot cage, and a 6foot-tall coin-operated popcorn and peanuts machine that would look right at home on any midway.

“We’re even available to pick up items,” MacLeod said. “We’re very flexible, always willing to help someone out.”

This year, she’s also offering a limited amount of hay, grain and shavings.

“We’ve partnered with Larsen Farms in Ocala,” she said. “They have fabulous alfalfa hay. Customers can buy one bale at a time, or a whole barn full. We’ll also be offering biweekly deliveries once the season starts. Our

Beth Matz and the elk heads. motto is try us by the bale; love us by the ton.”

MacLeod said that hay and feed sales have picked up a lot. “I’m very optimistic,” she said.

“I think this’ll be a good year for us.”

Starting this month, there are expanded store hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Sunday by appointment. For more information, call (561) 790-6786, or visit www.everythingbutthehorse.com.

Page 24 January 4 - January 10, 2013

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FEATURES

In My Day, Growing Up Required ‘Survival Of The Fittest’ I was having a conversation with my friend Nic, and we were talking about how the concept of “survival of the fittest” seems to have fallen by the wayside, especially when it comes to humans, especially children. I hate to start any sentence with “In my day…” But: In my day… you had to be tough right from the get-go.

Those were the days when daddies balanced their tots on one outstretched palm and put them to bed in cribs with bars exactly one head’s-width apart. Mommy came in to check on Little Stevie later and generally found him struggling to free himself. He didn’t know to turn his head sideways — he was only four months old! No matter, Mommy would poke him back into the crib and give him a bottle to 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 fall asleep with and pack blankets around him.

All no-no’s today due to drowning, suffocating and other stuff like that.

But this was the beginning of Little Stevie realizing it was survival of the fittest!

I put up a vintage toy display in my store for Christmas and was amazed by some of the things we played with, like made-in-Japan tin toys with razor-sharp tabs inserted through equally razor-sharp slots during assembly. Or cap guns that, if held close enough to your ear, would render you deaf.

Or, my favorite, the child-size fencing set.

No, not fencing like you stretch carefully around your land to protect it — fencing like two children vigorously stabbing at each other with swords while screaming, “I’m Zorro!”

But let it not be said that the inventors of the 1950s didn’t have one eye on safety — they did. The set came with masks made of metal screening (which poked out at the sides) and had straps so loose that they instantly slipped around the neck and were discarded. In fact, the reason the inventor only had one eye on safety was that he probably lost his other eye in a tragic product testing accident.

But Nic agreed we grew up fine.

Remember Quicksilver? It was a plastic maze game filled with mercury. Every kid on the block tried to get the mercury through the maze once, got frustrated, and smashed the game with a hammer. Everyone I know had a

palm full of mercury sooner or later. Those with cuts on their palms went insane, I guess.

Survival of the fittest!

Back then, we kids routinely ate the paint off the wall. There was a little peely part, and it got bigger and bigger as we fiddled with it instead of falling asleep. It tasted chalky. And, in case you’re wondering, of course it was loaded with lead. Admitting to having ingested lead paint as a child has become my No. 1 excuse as an adult. (“Deb missed the deadline again?” “She ate lead paint as a child, you know.” “Oh, that explains it. Poor Deb.”) But when you get right down to it, I had something far more dangerous in my household than razor-sharp toys, loud cap guns, pointed swords and lead paint.

I had a brother.

When angered, Jimmy would throw a brick at my head. I would duck. It would go through the window. Jimmy would get punished.

Survival of the fittest.

New Film Version Of ‘Les Misérables’ Is Not To Be Missed The millions of people who have seen Les Misérables as a show and loved it will be thrilled to see the epic new movie. If you have not seen it, you might well fall in love with its incredibly strong (certainly for a musical, maybe for any film) story. But you should also keep in mind that it is not only soap opera, but real opera. Just about every line is sung. But, as in opera, the strong feelings present, the deep loves and rigid hates, hold you spellbound. These are real people being shown, not superheroes who we know will win in the end. They suffer, they love, they sacrifice, and they die.

The story, classic Victor Hugo, is packed with plot. Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), jailed for 20 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed a starving nephew, is hounded by Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) for years. At first a resentful thief, he is caught stealing from a bishop (Colm Wilkinson), who swears he gave him the loot and tells Valjean that he has “bought your soul for God.” Valjean reforms and becomes the owner of a factory. There he sins by not helping Fantine (Anne Hathaway), a single mother whose salary goes to pay for the upkeep of her daughter Cosette (Isabelle Allen) by the cor-

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler rupt innkeepers Monsieur and Madame Thénardier (Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter), which results in Fantine being forced to sell her hair, some teeth and finally herself. When he finds the almost-dead woman and realizes what he has done, Valjean swears to take care of the child. Even though Javert is after him, he buys the girl from the innkeepers.

The film then jumps nine years, and Valjean and an adult Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) now live in Paris where the Thénardiers, now thieves, recognize Valjean. In the middle of this, young student Marius (Eddie Redmayne) sees Cosette and finds out from the Thénardier daughter Eponine (Samantha Barks) who she is and where she lives.

Marius and Cosette fall in love at first sight,

disappointing Eponine, who adores the young man. In the middle of all of this, the students rebel against the government. Marius is in great danger, Valjean saves his life and deliberately allows his nemesis Javert to escape.

Eventually, the lovers are reunited and married, and Valjean has found redemption through keeping his promise to Fantine. And every line of that has been sung.

The cast is uniformly excellent. Jackman, the center of it all, has never been better. He sings an incredibly difficult role well, and in this film all the singing was done live, not in a studio. Hathaway is fabulous. She should probably set aside some room on a mantelpiece for an Oscar. Her song, the most famous of a superb score, “I Dreamed a Dream,” can rip your guts out. Cohen and Carter provide needed comedy relief. Crowe’s voice is a bit weak, but his performance as the inspector is very strong. Samantha Barks, a newcomer, is wonderful as the tragic Eponine, and her “On My Own” is lovely.

I admit that I have history with Les Mis. Many years ago, I took my oldest daughter to see the show on Broadway. She wanted to see Phantom of the Opera and we saw it, but this show was a block away and we got tick-

ets for the next day. Both of us were blown away by the far stronger story and score. And then a few years later, it became a first major date with my Maria. By “I Dreamed a Dream” she was grabbing my hand. And we’re together 20 years later. So I admit a bias.

But the story, with its themes of love and salvation, is magnificent. Valjean is punished and pursued for what we would consider a negligible crime, but it is his sin, of allowing bad people to hurt someone else, that drives his life. Many critics have trouble with the religious element within that. But Hugo was a devout man of the 19th century who believed there was a real difference between good and evil. As a result, he wrote of a world that was filled with inequities but also provided a way for people to redeem themselves. Valjean punishes himself for something he has not done but which has horribly damaged someone else, while the state, represented by Javert, is after him for a very minor crime. In the end, Javert realizes his own blindness.

But this story of love, revolution, sin and salvation is very powerful. It may not be for everyone, but there are many people who will be moved and touched. This is a great story about human beings; see it.

CGMS Gallery To Host Martin Luther King Celebration Jan. 17 Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone Gallery in downtown Lake Worth will host a musical performance by Kim and Reggie Harris on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. as part of a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday event.

Kim and Reggie Harris have spent decades entertaining audiences from coast to coast.

Defenders, through song, of civil rights, civil liberties and the environment, they have done extensive work for the Smithsonian and school districts nationwide.

Kim and Reggie have performed widely and to great acclaim for more than three (Left) Kim and Reggie Harris bring their message to CGMS Gallery on Jan. 17.

PHOTO BY R.L. GEYER

decades. Creative curiosity, years of road and stage experience and interactions with performers such as Pete Seeger, Ysaye Barnwell, Jay Leno, Tom Paxton, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Harry Belafonte and others have led them to produce music that entertains and inspires.

Kim and Reggie are members of the People’s Music Network, a group of performers nurtured and promoted by Seeger for their songs of freedom and struggle.

The gallery is located at 605 Lake Ave. in downtown Lake Worth. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m.

For additional information, or to purchase tickets, call (561) 588-8344 or visit the gallery’s blog at www.cgmsgallery.blogspot.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Area Attorney Steven Duhl An Expert In Divorce Law

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Attorney Steven Duhl is a no-nonsense divorce lawyer who protects his clients through the entire process. He understands that going through a divorce is one of the most difficult things someone can experience.

The pressure on both sides is enormous, and tensions are high.

Duhl’s tough approach to divorce helps his clients get what they are entitled to. He uses a combination of negotiation tactics that allow him to protect his clients’ interests while not being intimidated by the opposing side.

Duhl has been practicing law for 29 years, having received his juris doctor with honors from the University of Florida School of Law in 1983. After graduation, Duhl worked at a law firm in Palm Beach doing litigations before landing a position as a criminal trial lawyer with the Palm Beach County Office of the Public Defender. For several years, Duhl worked for other firms until he realized he had a talent working with divorce clients. “I had a lot of divorce clients who thought I was really good at it,” he said.

From then on, Duhl decided to focus on divorce cases. “I was always told that you had to focus in on something,” he said. “Although I still do criminal and some bankruptcies, I specifically focus on divorces.”

The experience of being a trial lawyer has given Duhl the extra edge to be a successful divorce lawyer. “That’s how you learn how to try cases — working with people who can’t afford a lawyer,” he said. “How do the rest of these people learn how to try cases, if someone is not giving you a case and saying, ‘here go’?”

Trial lawyers are more experienced lawyers, Duhl said. “They are better lawyers because they know how to try a case, which is very important when you are in mediation,” he said.

As an experienced divorce lawyer, Duhl knows the ins and outs of divorce. “Doing this has become second nature to me,” he said. “I know what works, and I don’t even have to think about it.”

Part of this experience has taught him how to use his clients’ money and time more efficiently. While other lawyers may spend hours doing research looking for basic information

Steven Duhl about the other side, Duhl just asks a few simple questions. “Most have the information they spend hours and money looking for because the client already knows,” he said.

“All it takes is 10 seconds to ask the client for this information.”

Duhl has a reputation for being relentless.

“It’s what you have to do; it’s part of being a divorce lawyer,” he said. “I don’t want anyone messing with my clients.”

In order to maintain a balance, from the stress of being a divorce lawyer and keeping his health and sanity, Duhl has developed other talents. He opened a scooter rental and sale shop, iScoot Palm Beach, located below his law office in downtown West Palm Beach.

It’s a way for him to escape. “After working for my clients all afternoon, it’s nice to have something calming to do,” Duhl said.

Duhl also has a blog, where he is able to express his opinions freely and openly. “I write about my experiences from my travels or daily activities,” he said. “It’s enjoyable, and it’s a good way to get my point across.”

Attorney Steven Duhl’s office is located at 325 S. Dixie Highway in downtown West Palm Beach. For more information, visit www.steveduhl.net or call (561) 624-6306.

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Page 26 January 4 - January 10, 2013

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BUSINESS NEWS

Local Farm To Be In Platinum Luxury Auctions Commercial If you have never visited Two Swans Farm in Wellington, you’ll soon have the opportunity to see it on television. Platinum Luxury Auctions and Blue Ocean Photography, both of Miami, recently shot a TV commercial at the 10-acre, Mediterranean-style farm, and the stars of the show were of the four-legged variety, including owner Carol Co-

hen’s champion mare, Sam’t Und Seide. Cohen recently retained Platinum, a high-end auction firm specializing in the sale of luxurious residences, to sell the property.

Platinum’s Trayor Lesnock and David Enriquez were on hand at the shoot as part of the firm’s preparations to market the property in advance of the auction on Feb. 9. Co-

ABWA Meets Jan. 9 At Embassy Suites The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will meet Wednesday, Jan. 9 at the PGA Embassy Suites Hotel in Palm Beach Gardens.

Networking will take place from 6 to 6:30 p.m., with the dinner and program beginning at 6:30 p.m. The January speaker will be certified nutritionist and personal trainer Angela DaGrosa, co-owner of DaGrosa Natural Products. The program title is “Take Hold of Your Life and Achieve All Your Desires.”

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.

The PGA Embassy Suites Hotel is located at 4350 PGA Blvd. For directions, contact the hotel at (561) 622-1000.

The cost to attend is $30, and guests are welcome. To make reservations, call Dottie Smith at (772) 545-7145 or Sharon Maupin at (561) 329-4485.

For more information about the Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the ABWA , call (561) 908-4798 or visit www.abwanpbflorida.org.

hen, who is also co-owner of the European stallion Comeback II, plans to continue to devote her energies toward equestrian interests in the United States and abroad.

The commercial highlights Two Swans Farms’ amenities, including its 12-stall, Euro-style courtyard stable with Argentine granite cobblestone. The stable features three grooming stalls, a tiled and air-conditioned feed room, lounge for casual entertaining with custom storage for tack and equipment, laundry room with separate half bath, and a professionally decorated and furnished tack room with walk-in storage and full bath. The two-bedroom, two-bath owners quarters features Brazilian cherry wood floors, a stateof-the-art kitchen, and huge master suite offering a private terrace and master bath finished in marble.

Platinum Luxury Auctions, which initiated the TV commercial shoot, performs auction services on behalf of wealthy sellers who prefer a datecertain sale in lieu of the uncertainties that plague the traditional sales process. It is the only auction firm founded exclusively on a portfolio of experience in this type of nondistressed auction sale.

The firm has built an unparalleled reputation in the ultra-luxury auction

One of Carol Cohen’s Danish horses graces the entryway of Two Swans Farm during the taping of TV commercial footage that will intr oduce bidders to the unique equestrian property.

PHOTO COURTESY MATT JOHNSON

sector, making Platinum a perfect fit to present Two Swans Farm to the well-heeled individuals who make up the world’s equestrian marketplace. Bidder registration for Two Swans Farm will require a deposit of $200,000, to be refunded if not de-

clared the high bidder.

To review the video tour of Two Swans Farms, visit the property’s dedicated page at www.twoswans luxuryauction.com or visit Platinum’s web site at www.platinumluxury auctions.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS

S.F. Fair Names PR Czar As Its Public Relations Agency Rick Vymlatil, president and CEO of the South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions Inc., has named the PR Czar Inc. as its public relations agency. PR Czar President Doreen Poreba is now handling all of the public relations duties associated with the 2013 South Florida Fair.

“Vicki Chouris, the fair’s chief operating officer, and I have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Doreen, and we welcome her to our team,” Vymlatil said. “Doreen has

been involved with the promotion of many of this area’s largest events, including SunFest and ArtiGras.”

Poreba — an award-winning, accredited professional with more than 25 years of experience in public relations, marketing, community relations and journalism — founded her PR agency 15 years ago. Based in Stuart, she serves clients in Palm Beach County, the Treasure Coast, South Florida and nationally.

Additionally, Poreba is a

freelance photojournalist for publications that include Palm Beach Gardens Lifestyles magazine, Hobe Sound magazine and Tequesta magazine.

A magna cum laude graduate of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, Poreba has won more than 60 professional, public relations and photography awards during her career.

The 2013 South Florida Fair runs Jan. 18 through Feb. 3. Advance discount tickets are on sale through Jan.

17. Adult admission costs for 12 and older are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Seniors 60 and older pay $7 in advance and $9 at the gate. For children under 12, the cost is $5 advance and $8 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free of charge. Bring two cans of food or dry goods to be entered into a drawing to win a variety of prizes.

For more information about the 2013 South Florida Fair, call (561) 7930333 or visit fair’s web site at www. southfloridafair.com.

Doreen Poreba

Elite Networking Pros Hosts Holiday Party For Members

Elite Networking Pros members enjoy the group’s holiday party.

To celebrate another year of successful sharing of business, the Elite Networking Pros Board of Directors threw an end-of-theyear holiday party for members and their families.

The holiday event was held at the new Mojitos Latin Cuisine and Bar in CityPlace.

Mojitos owner and newest Elite Networking Pros member Dixon Li served the guests unlimited food and drink throughout the evening.

It was a fantastic way to end a successful year of business and prom-

ise for continued success in 2013.

Elite Networking Pros brings together a group of Palm Beach County business owners and professionals who are truly best-inclass in their respective industries.

Its members bond together to help each other succeed in business.

Belonging to Elite Networking Pros is like having a team of salespeople working for you. Every member interacts with friends, clients and business associates who could use your products or services.

Elite Networking Pros members will refer you with confidence because of the trust that builds as a result of being a part of Elite Networking Pros.

Elite Networking Pros meets every Friday morning for breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in Royal Palm Beach.

For additional information about Elite Networking Pros, or to attend one of the group’s weekly meetings, visit the club’s web site at www.elitenetworking pros.com.

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

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Elite Decorative Arts To Host Art Auction Jan. 12 In Boynton Elite Decorative Arts will host a fine artwork and decorative arts auction Saturday, Jan. 12 at the firm’s gallery located in the Quantum Town Center (1034 Gateway Blvd., Suites 106 and 108, Boynton Beach). It will include original works of art by noted artists such as Jean Dufy, Antoine Blanchard and Avinash Chandra.

Offered will be a magnificent array of quality antiques, including fine artwork, porcelain, estate jewelry, silver, bronze, art glass, ivory and more. Previews will be held Friday,

A pair of Franz Dorfl fine porcelain vases, each showing mythological views.

Jan. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 12, the date of sale, from 11 a.m. until the first gavel comes down at 1 p.m. Internet bidding will be facilitated by Live Auctioneers.com and Artfact.com.

The painting by Jean Dufy is an original gouache depicting a park scene with horses. Titled Paris Cavaliers Vers le Bois, it is artist signed lower right and mounted in a gilded wood frame. Measuring 10.5 inches by 17 inches, the work is expected to bring $15,000 to $25,000. Dufy was an internationally renowned painter with frequent expositions in Paris.

An oil on canvas street scene by another well-known French artist, Antoine Blanchard, has a pre-sale estimate of $6,000 to $8,000. The painting, showing people, carriages, trolleys, buildings and trees, is signed lower right, mounted in a gilded wood frame and measures 20 inches by 24 inches.

The painting by Indian artist Avinash Chandra is an oil on canvas depiction of seven standing female figures. The untitled work, dated 1983, is signed lower right by the artist and measures 30 inches by 40 inches. It is expected to fetch $30,000 to $40,000.

A stunning pair of Russian enameled silver lidded urns, each having a winged angel design with scrolled

flowers, carries a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 to $12,000. Another Russian decorative object — a silver enameled card box with hinged cover and multicolored scrolled floral design throughout — should reach $6,000 to $8,000. The front depicts the King of Spades, while the verso shows the Queen of Hearts.

There is also a pair of Franz Dorfl porcelain vases with each one expected to hit $2,000 to $3,000. Each vase is signed E. Heider to the side and features stunning scenes with beading and elegant scrolled gilded designs over cobalt ground.

A gorgeous Tiffany Studios Spanish bronze desk clock, made circa 1910 and showing a gold tone face with black enamel numerals and notches, carries a surprisingly modest pre-sale estimate of $1,000 to $1,500.

Returning to artwork, an oil-oncanvas rendering of a nude female

by American painter Patrick Nagel, untitled and signed lower right, is expected to realize $3,000 to $5,000.

The work is substantial, measuring 36 inches tall by 30 inches wide.

A bronze sculpture of an old woman with a walking stick by the noted Mexican artist Ramiz Barquet has a pre-sale estimate of $1,000 to $1,500.

The work was signed to the back of the leg by the artist and is mounted

An original gouache work of a park scene with horses and carriages by Jean Dufy. on a 1-inch wooden base. The sculpture stands 26 inches in height.

All purchases will be subject to a 15 percent buyer’s premium (for inhouse and phone bids) or 18 percent if bidding online. Phone and absentee bids will be accepted. Elite Decorative Arts is now accepting consignments for its Feb. 16 fine decorative arts sale. To consign and item or collection, call (800) 991-3340 (toll-free) or e-mail info@elite auction.com.

The next sale after that will be a

Chinese works of art auction, planned for March 16-17 to coincide with Asia Week, a big annual event in New York City. Elite Decorative Arts will also be exhibiting at the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show, a huge annual event that will be held from Jan. 31 through Feb. 4 in Miami Beach. Elite Decorative Arts will exhibit in Booth #2105.

To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts and the firm’s calendar of upcoming auctions and events, visit to www.eliteauction.com.

Phantom Recommends ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ At Maltz Theatre The classic MGM musical will sary of the classic MGM film that Blackman as Kathy Seldon (Offfeature dashing leading men, inspired the musical. Singin’ in the Broadway: A Tree Grows in Brookglittery showgirls and an Rain follows silent movie star Don lyn, Next Thing You Know), Brian onstage rainstorm.

Lockwood who has everything he Shepard as Cosmo Brown (BroadGrab your raincoat and head to could ever want: fame, adulation and way: Follies, Guys and Dolls, Young the Maltz Jupiter Theatre for an icon- even a well-publicized romance with Frankenstein, Spamalot) and Emily ic MGM classic musical that is sure his co-star Lina Lamont. But hilarity Stockdale as Lina Lamont (Geva to leave you happy again! The fast- ensues when a new kind of film al- Theater, NY Philharmonic’s Compapaced, beloved romantic comedy ters everything: the kind of film ny).

Singin’ in the Rain bursts onto the where actors talk, sing... and even Singin’ in the Rain is produced theater’s stage Jan. 8-27. Overflow- dance! as a co-production with the Fulton ing with splashy song-and-dance “I have directed this show six Theatre in Lancaster, Pa. numbers, this high-energy musical times before, but I have never had Singin’ in the Rain is sponsored extravaganza features glorious the opportunity to produce it exact- by the John McDonald Company songs such as “Good Morning” and ly as I wanted,” said director and and California Closets. Tickets are “Make ’Em Laugh,” as well as the choreographer Marc Robin, who now on sale for the Maltz Jupiter show-stopping title number “Singin’ last directed the Carbonell-nominat- Theatre’s entire 10th anniversary in the Rain,” complete with an on- ed musical The Sound of Music at season. For a complete schedule and stage rainstorm. the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. “I am so tickets, call (561) 575-2223 or visit “This is the first time in the Maltz excited because for the first time, I www.jupitertheatre.org.

Jupiter Theatre’s history that we are have the ability to spread the rain Now celebrating its 10th season, creating a full rainstorm onstage, and effect over the entire stage, not to the not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Thethe effects will be dazzling,” said mention having the absolute best atre has become one of Florida’s preAndrew Kato, the theater’s produc- cast a director could ask for.” eminent professional theaters, coming artistic director. “We are delightThe golden age of movie musi- mitted to production and education ed to be bringing such a magical cals comes alive with an eight-piece through its collaborations with loCurt Dale Clark in a production still from Singin' in the Rain.

PHOTO COURTESY URDANETA PHOTOGRAPHY musical to life, right here in Jupiter.” orchestra, as well as the debut of cal and national artists. Currently Theater patrons who are seated three black-and-white mini-films, the state’s largest award-winning rein the first four rows (the designat- seen in the creation stages and also gional theatre, the theater draws hundreds of youth and adults. The Maurer Award for Theatrical Exceled “splash zone”) will be given com- screened onstage as part of the more than 70,000 people annually, Maltz Jupiter Theatre is a member of lence in 2012. plimentary ponchos prior to each musical. serves a subscription base of more the prestigious League of Resident For more information about the performance to protect their clothThis production stars Curt Dale than 7,530 and has world-class class- Theatres and has earned numerous Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s upcoming ing from the possibility of being Clark as Don Lockwood ( Sunset room facilities in support of its Paul Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s shows and Conservatory, visit splashed.

Boulevard, Hairspray, Chitty Chit- and Sandra Goldner Conservatory highest honor for artistic excellence, www.jupitertheatre.org or call the This year marks the 60th anniver- ty Bang Bang , Spamalot), Lauren of Performing Arts, which serves including the prestigious Bill Von box office at (561) 575-2223.

Joe Nasuti, the Phantom, is a featured writer for the Town-Crier, Forever Young and www.yournews.com. Comments & recommendations are welcome at thephantomdiners@aol.com.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Football Coach Matt Dickmann Leaving SRHS Next Season

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Seven years after he was named Seminole Ridge High School’s first head football coach, Matt Dickmann announced last month that he would be taking a new coaching position out of state.

Next season, Dickmann will coach at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Ga. He told the Town-Crier last week that the move was made for financial and personal reasons.

“The number-one thing for us was finances,” he said, noting that his wife, Kelly, is also a teacher and coach at SRHS. The couple commutes from their home in Jupiter daily. “We spend a lot of money and time at the school, but on different schedules,” Dickmann said. “With the economy and gas prices the last five years, it was starting to take its toll.”

But he said the move wasn’t going to be easy.

“The financial situation will be better, but it wasn’t an easy decision,” Dickmann said. “After spending 26 years in the same area, we

have friends and family here. It’s going to be hard to leave, but we felt it was the right decision for our family.”

Dickmann began his coaching career at Jupiter High School, where he coached freshman football for several years before moving up to offensive and defensive coordinator. In 2005, he took the head coaching job at the newly constructed SRHS. In 2010, Dickmann won the Lou Groza Award as Palm Beach County Coach of the Year, and this year was named the Miami Dolphins Coach of the Year for Palm Beach County District 8A. The decision to leave came as a shock to the community, but Dickmann said he has always stressed the importance of family with his team.

“Some of them took it pretty tough,” he said. “It wasn’t easy for me to [tell them]. But we’ve always talked about family first.”

With three straight district titles and regional bids under his belt, Dickmann has helped bolster Hawk

pride and winning spirit, but he also leaves behind a legacy of players who have learned to respect their school, their community and the game.

“I think I’m most proud of the way we impacted the young men we coached,” Dickmann said. “We got a lot of calls and comments from people who have said a lot of nice things about our players. I hope that we’ve had an impact on their lives.”

Dickmann said he felt that not only was he coaching his team to be good players, but also good people.

“If you’re coaching football and you’re just looking at wins and losses, you shouldn’t be coaching,” he said. “If you do things the right way — do them with class and character — good things will happen and you’ll have a lot of success. We didn’t cut corners at Seminole Ridge.

We tried to do things the right way.”

Not only did the Hawks see several winning seasons under Dickmann’s guidance, but they saw the community rally around them, estab-

Matt Dickmann walks with his team onto the field at a 2009 game.

FILE PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

lishing customs and traditions Dickmann hopes will be carried on for years to come.

“I want to thank the community for all their support,” he said. “It’s a

great school and a great community. I hope people will still come out to support the sports teams especially, but also all the other great activities at the school.”

Savon’s Academy Hosts Holiday Basketball Camp In RPB

By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report Savon’s Academy held its Holiday Basketball Camp Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. The event was a success, as nearly 20 campers, both boys and girls, attended to improve their skills of the game.

Basketballs bouncing from the floors echoed through the gymnasium. “We’ve been conducting these camps since 2009,” camp founder Savon Smith said.

Smith founded Savon’sAcademy to help kids improve their skills while focusing on the fundamentals of the game, with an emphasis on respect and discipline.

Savon has been working with kids for many years, and credits his inspiration from the well-known basketball legend Willie Worsley, who Savon had the opportunity to play for in his earlier days. Worsley was a member of the famous 1966 Texas Western College, now known as the University of Texas El Paso, the team coached by Don Haskins. The movie Glory Road tells the story of that team.

The academy brings an experienced staff of volunteers to assist with each camp.

“We try to put on several camps throughout the year for kids of all ages, from kindergarten to high school,” Smith said. “We also coor-

dinate fundraisers as well, working together with the community.”

Each session of the holiday camp took place over a three-day period as kids from the western communities came together to develop their skills. Campers later had the opportunity to put their skills to the test in full scrimmages. The camp also contributes in the efforts to bring competitive basketball to Royal Palm Beach.

“There are great facilities in the village, and a great recreational program,” Smith said. “We are very close to bringing a travel program here as well.”

For more information, visit www. savonsacademy.com.

Dexter Dixon works with a camper as Savon Smith looks on.

Campers work on their dribbling skills.

Camp leader Dexter Dixon demonstrates the proper way to perform a lay-up.

Savon Smith demonstrates with Dexter Dixon.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

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SPORTS & RECREATION

HAWK WRESTLERS FINISH FIRST IN KUNTZ DUALS AT BOCA RATON HIGH SCHOOL

The Seminole Ridge High School wrestling team took first place at the Kuntz Duals held Dec. 21-22 Boca Raton High School. In team competition, the Hawks beat every team in the tournament, including Olympic Heights. The dual came down to the final match, when freshman 113-pound wrestler Chris Godfrey pinned Olympic Heights wrestler McMann to seal the victory for the Hawks. Undefeated wrestlers for the Hawks include Trace Thome (145 pounds), Ryan Artiles (160 pounds), Nick Keller (182 pounds), Zach Hallman (220 pounds) and Troy Artiles (285 pounds). Junior Robert LaPeter had the fastest pin at 14 seconds. The Hawks are coached by Frank Lasagna.

Send sports news items to: The Town-Crier Newspaper, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414.

Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

Rooney’s Golf Tourney Raises $40,000 For Local Charities

The 11th annual Rooney’s Golf Foundation Charity Tournament was recently held at PGA National Resort to benefit four local charities.

A total of $40,000 was distributed to the following charities: the Autism Project of Palm Beach County, Florida Atlantic University Honors College, Pathways to Independence and Potentia Academy.

Local Rooney family businesses the Palm Beach Kennel Club, Rooney’s Pub and Rooney’s All-In coordinated the tournament with a committee of volunteers. This year ’s honorary chair was Tommy Hutton, former Major League Baseball player and color analyst for the Miami Marlins.

“We enjoyed a beautiful day at the PGA National Resort and want to thank our generous sponsors, hardworking committee and volunteers, and the many participants and contributors,” Rooney’s Golf Foundation Tournament Director Alexis Barbish said. “Without them, the tournament would not be possible.”

The tournament was played on the Champion, Palmer and Squire courses at PGA National Resort, and 260 golfers participated. The event

Rooney’s Golf Foundation Committee — (Front row, L-R) Theresa Hume, Sue Buechele, Karen Bradley and Janice Meeks; (back row) Bert Premuroso, John Buechele, Alexis Barbish, State Rep. Pat Rooney (R-District 85), Bill Dunn, Duane Meeks and Dick Busto. featured Dr. Dunn’s Instructional class, delicious lunch and a deluxe buffet dinner and awards ceremony at the resort. Funds were also raised through the tournament raffle featuring vacation getaways, a flatscreen HD TV, golf outings, dinners, sports and concert tickets and much more.

Rooney’s Golf Foundation has donated $363,000 to local Palm Beach County charities since 2001.

For more information on Rooney’s Golf Foundation events, call (561) 683-2222, ext. 141 (Jessica Davis) or ext. 146 (Alexis Barbish), or visit the foundation’s web site at www.rooneysgolffoundation.org.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Allianz Championship Gearing Up For Tournament Feb. 4-10 As the Allianz Championship gets ready to tee off for its seventh consecutive year in Boca Raton, Boca Raton Champions Golf Charities, the organization that directs the annual PGA Champions tournament event, presented tournament beneficiary Boca Raton Regional Hospital with $50,000 from the 2012 event. Tournament Director Ryan Dillon presented the donation to Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation President Jan Savarick and BRRH President Jerry Fedele at during the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast sponsored by BRRH with more than 500 in attendance.

In addition to engaging, benefiting and promoting the greater Boca Raton community, area businesses and lifestyle, the nonprofit BRCGC board serves as the operational and financial oversight group for the annual event as well as the oversight group for the distribution of all charitable funds. According to Dillon, the 2012 tournament donation will benefit the BRRH Ron & Kathy Assaf Center for Excellence in Nursing.

The 2013 Allianz Championship

Representatives from the Allianz Championship and Boca Raton Regional Hospital during the check donation. will hit the links Feb. 4-10 on the Old Course at Broken Sound Club, located at 1401 NW 51st Street (Yamato Road), Boca Raton. It is the PGA Champions Tour’s first full-field tournament of the season and the first in the early-season Florida swing. The Golf Channel will televise live all three rounds of championship play featuring a roster of golf

legends, including 2012 defending champion Corey Pavin, 2011 champion Tom Lehman (2011 and 2012 Schwab Cup winner) and 2010 champion Bernhard Langer.

Tickets cost $20 for adults, and admission is free for age 16 and younger. For more information, visit www.allianzchampionship.com or call (561) 241-GOLF (4653).

King’s Academy Athlete Commits To Middlebury College

King’s Academy football player Tyler Chaisson’s commitment to play football for Middlebury College was a decision he knew would shape not only his next four years but would lay the foundation for his next 40 years.

Chaisson is committed to his goal of playing college football, and his decision to join National Collegiate Scouting Association Athletic Recruiting provided him with the opportunity and technology to be proactive in his recruiting process, while also being educated on the steps he needed to take to achieve his goal.

Chaisson has enjoyed academic and athletic success at the King’s Academy as a dedicated student-athlete, earning a 3.71 GPA and being a two-year varsity starter and All-County selection for his team.

Chaisson’s dedication and trust in the recruiting process has rewarded him with the opportunity to play football at the next level, attending Middlebury College — a four-year liberal arts college located in Mid-

Tyler Chaisson dlebury, Vt. — to play for the Panthers.

The National Collegiate Scouting Association is a team of 300 former athletes who use the lessons of sports to help empower student-athletes to succeed and lead.

For more information about the NCSA, visit its web site at www. ncsasports.org.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday, Jan. 5 • The Wellington Art Society will present ArtFest on the Green, a two-day event with artists and vendors, on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 5 and 6 at the Wellington Amphitheater. The event hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. More information is available at www.wellingtonartsociety.blogspot.com.

• The Wellington Green Market will take place Saturday, Jan. 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex. Call (561) 283-5856 for more info.

• The South Florida Science Museum will offer “ExerScience,” a weekly Saturday Zumba Class beginning Jan. 5 at 9:30 a.m. where parents burn off those holiday cookies while young scientists ages 4 to 12 enjoy a fun and interactive science program. The cost is $85 for a four-week session for one parent and one child. Additional perks include admission to the museum, top-notch science instruction, a Health Science nutritional guide and a Subway coupon. Call Lila at (561) 8321988 or visit www.sfsm.org for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Teen Gaming for ages 10 to 15 on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy snacks while you play Wii games. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

Sunday, Jan. 6 • The International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington) will begin its 10th Anniversary Season on Sunday, Jan. 6 with the Herbie Pennell Cup. For tickets, visit www.internationalpoloclub.com or call (561) 204-5687.

• Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Militar y Trail, West Palm Beach) will host “The Art of Close-Up Photography” on Sundays, Jan. 6, 13 and 20 in the Garden Conference Room. Join noted nature photographer John J. Lopinot for a three-day close-up photography workshop to teach participants how to shoot close-up photos in the garden. The cost is $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers. For more info., call (561) 2331757 or visit www.mounts.org.

Monday, Jan. 7 • The Wellington Garden Club will meet Monday, Jan. 7 at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) with a business meeting at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at 11:30 and a program at 12:30 p.m.

The topic is “Sugarland Wind: A Wind Project,” presented by Robin Saiz of Wind Capital Group. Guests are welcome and there is no admission fee, but seating is limited.

RSVP to Jayne at (561) 791-0273. Visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Happy New Year!” for ages 4 to 6 on Monday, Jan. 7 at 3:30 p.m. Celebrate the New Year by decorating a calendar and listening to songs and stories about the months in a year. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Crochet Club for ages 9 to 14 on Mondays, Jan. 7, 14 and 28 at 5 p.m. Learn basic stitches and socialize while you work on projects. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

Tuesday, Jan. 8 • The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans will host “The Fiscal Cliff: Myths, Truths and Options” Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. at the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive).

Speakers include economist Dr. Richard Hattwick and representatives from the offices of Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Ted Deutch.

Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Games for Tweens” for ages 8 to 12 on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m.

Play Wii, Nintendo and board games. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Crochet Club for adults and age 9 and up on Tuesdays, Jan. 8, 15 and 29 at 5 p.m. Learn introductory stitches or bring current projects and socialize. Yarn will be available for new participants. Call (561) 6814100 to pre-register.

• Community of Hope Church (14055 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves) offers a Free Women’s Zumba Class on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Call (561) 753-8883 or email info@gocoh.com to register or for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Home School Open House” for all ages on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. Join library staff for a tour and a presentation about all the resources the library can offer homeschooling families. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 Forest W. Hill Blvd.). For info., call (561) 791-4000 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov.

Wednesday, Jan. 9 • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Between the Covers: Adult Book See CALENDAR, page 37

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 36 Discussion Series” for adults Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 4 p.m. Staff will discuss Friendship Bread by Darien Gee. Sign up and check out the book. Call (561) 681-4100 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “American Girls: Kaya” for ages 6 to 12 on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 4 p.m. Celebrate Kaya, the first American girl, with games and crafts related to Native-American culture. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “Reading Buddies” for children in kindergarten through fifth grade beginning Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 4:30 p.m. Children work once a week with a teen to read together and play literacy games. Pick up an application. Call (561) 790-6030 for more info.

• The Wellington Village Council will host a Community Center Workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).

For more info., call (561) 791-4000 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov.

• Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches (3151 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host open houses Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. To register in advance, call Chris Marino at (561) 972-9617, e-mail admissions@oapb.org or visit www. oapb.org.

Thursday, Jan. 10 • Palm Beach Round Table will host a speaker luncheon Thursday, Jan. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Beach Club in Palm Beach with guest speaker John Browne, a former member of Parliament. For more info., call (561) 832-6418 or e-mail info@palmbeach rt.com. Pre-register at www.palmbeach roundtable.weebly.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Meet the Author: Donna Gruber Adair” for adults Thursday, Jan. 10 at 2:30 p.m. In An American Odyssey, Gruber crafts a riveting tale of her family’s pioneer travels through the early American frontier. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Wellington’s Food Truck Invasion will take place Thursday, Jan. 10 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 753-2484 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

• Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 State Road 7) will host “The Sushi Stop” on Thursday, Jan. 10 featuring Miso Tonkotsu Ramen Noodle, and Thursday, Jan.

24 featuring the Green Dragon Crunch Roll from 5 to 6:30 p.m. both days in the prepared foods department. There is no charge and no registration is necessary. Call (561) 904-4000 for more info.

• The Palm Beach County Citizen’s Justice Academy will present a free 10-week course beginning Thursday, Jan. 10 at 6 p.m.

The course provides residents with an opportunity to learn about the local, state and federal criminal justice systems. For more info., call the Criminal Justice Commission at (561) 355-4943.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Anime Origins” for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a Japanese snack, check out the latest anime, and learn about the Japanese culture that inspired it. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• Community of Hope Church will offer Grief Share, a free support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one, on Thursdays beginning Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. The group will meet at a home in the Madison Green community in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 7538883 or e-mail info@gocoh.com for info.

Friday, Jan. 11 • Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Militar y Trail, West Palm Beach) will host “Stories in the Garden: Veggies” on Friday, Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. in the Mounts Pavilion. This free program is targeted for children ages 2 to 6 and includes interactive stories and songs followed by an activity in the garden.

Call (561) 233-1757 for more info.

• The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will present a free screening of the movie Total Recall on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Bring your own seating. Call (561) 753-2484 or visit www.wellingtonfl. gov for more info.

Saturday, Jan. 12 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Tween Scrapbooking” for ages 9 to 12 on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m.

Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington Children’s Theatre will host an audition and monologue workshop for children ages 11 to 19 on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m taught by Beverly Blanchette. Pre-registration is required. Call (561) 223-1928 or visit www.wellington childrenstheatre.com 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.

January 4 - January 10, 2013 Page 37

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HORTICULTURAL TECHNICIAN — Excellent opportunity for highly motivated individuals. Seeking career minded individuals for commission based income in the green industry. Experience a must. In this position the harder you work, the more money you make - Everyone shares in the profits . Background check required. Must have a clean, valid, FLDL. Email resume: aaronsenviro1@bellsouth.net. FAX RESUME: (561) 740-1210 HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER — in W ellington needs EXAM PREP COORDINATOR Bachelors Degree- Demonstrate Solid Performance on SAT and ACT (either verbal or math sections) Available to work evenings and Saturdays. Also needed: EXAM PREP TUT ORS Now Hiring SAT/ACT Preparation Tutors. Must have a 4 year degree preferably in Mathmetics or English. Be available to tutor on Saturdays. Please e-mail resume tomarlenegiraud@hlcwellington.com DRIVERS: Home Daily and Weekly Openings! - No-Touch, Great Pay and Miles! Dedicated Miami Account. Werner Enterprises: 1-888-567-4854 TEACHING ASSISTANT FOR PRESCHOOL — Experienced preferred. 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mon. - Fri. 561-793-5860 TEACHER— 3 Year Old Class.

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

CDA Required. 561-790-0808 PART-TIME KENNEL HELP/ GROOMING ASSISTANT— to work Saturday, Sunday and Monday, possibly more. Call 561-791-1234 to set up interview FULL TIME PERMANENT POSITION — Available immediately. Female wanted for local produce market. Must have knowledge of fruits & vegetables. 561-329-5000 TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 793-3576 T O PLACE YOUR AD HERE WELLINGTON CAB/TOWNCAR Talented assistant. Duties include phone, dispatching. Must be computer literate, and proficient in Excel Spreadsheet. Must be able to pass background check. 561-3330181

T OYOTA YARIS 2010 — 36,500 miles. Very good condition. 10K. call 561-784-5122 or 561-252-7783 for appointment.

FURNISHED HOUSE FOR RENT/ SHORT OR LONG TERM — situated in a cul-de-sac and 5 minutes away from S pruce Meadows, this 2000 sf. 2 story newer house in Shawnessy has hardwood floor throughout and 2.5 bathrooms.

Leather furniture, 48” TV and a Piano in main floor. Master bedroom has Jacuzzi. 2 large size bedrooms and bonus room. Wireless Internet, double att ached garage, fenced backyard with BBQ. W eekly housekeeping, linen service and lawn cutting plus all utilities included. For more details call (403) 808-7254 OR (403) 700-2065

REAL EST ATE FOR RENT WELLINGTON — Wellington Place Mediterranean Style, quiet & pretty.

Steps away from community pool.

No Pet s, or Smokers. 1 to 2 bedroom/2.5 bath: Email: calife@gmx.de FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT — Pool home - will share bath with 2 male roommates. Internet/cable included. Access to home. Washer/ Dryer included. $550/mo. Annual or Seasonal. 561-386-5568

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JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent particip ating 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

WE CLEAN OFFICES & PRIVATE HOMES — Licensed & Insured. Call for an estimate and to schedule your ap artment. Discount for Central Palm Beach County Chamber members and to all new clients for first cleaning. 561-385-8243 Lic. #2012252779

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/Sof tware setup, support & troubleshooting w w w . m o b i l e t e c . n e t .

561-248-2611 D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jef f 561-3331923 Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach. W e accept major credit cards.

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

THE MASTER HANDYMAN — All Types of Home Rep airs & 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 rep air, door inst allation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets / countertops, wood flooring. Bonded and Insured U#19699. Call 7919900 or 628-9215 HANDYMAN AND CLEANING SERVICES — Caza Services for all your handyman and cleaning needs.

18 years experience. No job is too small. Call us today. Insured 561802-8300 or 754-242-3459

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

HOUSECLEANING — 20 yrs experience. Excellent local references.

Shopping available. 561-572-1782 HOUSECLEANING — affordable cleaning services, Royal Palm Maids. 561-666-7738 “For all your cleaning needs”

HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACT ORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, sof fits, 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

STOP SCRATCHING AND GNAWING — Promote healing & hair growth. Stamp out ITCHAMCALLITS! Shampoo with HAPPY JACK® itch No More. Apply Skin Balm add Tonekote to diet. Goldcoast Feed. 793-4607 www.happyjackinc.com JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured.

CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior p ainting.

Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 793-3576

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 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC0067207

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

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening.

Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed!

CRC1329708 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

EXPERIENCED TAX PREPARER — With expertise with individuals and small businesses - Hack Tax and Accounting Services 561-2146171

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 SERVICE. Family Owned & Operated Lic. & Insured 1992-12121 Visit our website at dmyoungtreeservice.com

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 TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 793-3576

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