Town-Crier Newspaper July 27, 2012

CANDIDATES FOR P.B. COUNTY SHERIFF SEE PROFILES, PAGE 7

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

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INSIDE Wellington Zoners OK Bar Designation For ‘The Grille’

Volume 33, Number 30 July 27 - August 2, 2012

QUARTERS AUCTION IN RPB

The Wellington Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board unanimously recommended approval this month of a cocktail lounge designation with extended hours for the Grille Fashion Cuisine on South Shore Blvd.

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Fundraising Dinner For Royal Palm Church

A fundraising dinner Sunday, July 29 at 6 p.m. at the original Wellington Mall will benefit the Royal Palm Covenant Church building fund. The evening promises to be enjoyable with an auction and live entertainment from various artists, including pianist Copeland Davis. Page 5

A quarters auction was held Wednesday, July 18 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center to benefit the Quantum House. A variety of vendors offered food, mak eup, candles, Tupperware, jewelry and more for bid. Shown above are Rene Vazquez, Leann Laspilla, Judy Smith, Cindy Berguard and Brenda Zimmerman. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Project 425 Hosts Exchange Students

Project 425 hosted exchange students from Spain on Wednesday, July 18 at G&M Ranch in Loxahatchee Groves. The focus of the field trip was the use of the Huey helicopter in the Vietnam War and the present duties of the Huey. Students were presented with an American flag, dog tags, a certificate from the Hillclimber crew and more. Page 11

Starbucks Benefit Raises Over $4,000 For Paula Richards

The National Foundation for Transplants, in partnership with Starbucks Coffee, held a benefit for Paula Richards on Saturday, July 21 at Starbucks in the Wellington Plaza. Richards needs a liver transplant, and the event raised $4,020.05.

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OPINION Town-Crier Begins Primary Endorsements

Tuesday, Aug. 14 is primary election day in Florida. Over the next three weeks, the Town-Crier will offer our opinions on some of the candidates voters will find on the ballot. This week, we feature the races for Palm Beach County Sheriff and Palm Beach County Tax Collector. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 11 OPINION .................................4 CRIME NEWS .........................6 SCHOOLS ............................ 13 PEOPLE ........................ 14 - 15 NEWS BRIEFS...................... 17 COLUMNS .................... 23 - 24 BUSINESS .................... 25 - 27 ENTERTAINMENT ................ 29 SCHOOLS SHOWCASE ... 30 - 31 SPORTS ........................ 35 - 37 CALENDAR ...................38 - 39 CLASSIFIEDS ................ 42 - 46 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

Equestrian Committee Delays New Wellington Manure Rules

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Tasked with sifting through possible changes to Wellington’s policies regarding manure handling, the Equestrian Preserve Committee has asked the village to hold off until Palm Beach County sets its new fertilizer provisions.

At a meeting Thursday, July 12, committee members were asked by members of the Wellington Village Council to review proposed changes to strengthen the village’s existing “best management practices” ordinance.

The committee voted 5-1, with Vice Chair Michael Whitlow dissenting, to wait 90 days to see what fertilizer provisions Palm Beach County drafts.

Equestrian Master Plan Project Director Mike O’Dell explained that the changes were proposed both to address the county’s changes and to help Wellington meet federal Environmental Protection Agency water quality standards.

He noted that the county is reviewing its fertilizer and manure management provisions.

The changes would govern how farm owners manage manure and include requiring watertight stor-

age areas and prohibiting the spreading of untreated manure.

“We’re recognizing that for the residents that are here, as the manure bins get inspected over time, we may end up creating some extenuating circumstances where compliance will be difficult,” O’Dell said. “This provides for property owners to understand what the requirements are for mitigating that.”

He explained that though some existing facilities may not meet setback requirements, property owners can comply in other ways.

“There may be some other methods they can employ to still meet these water-quality standards,” O’Dell said. “We want to work with them, and we’re giving them a vehicle to do that.”

One of these ways is composting. “Composting helps break down the phosphorus so it becomes more soluble for the vegetation,” he said.

Even small efforts can help boost water quality. “If the manure sits [in a bin] for three days, it will get up to about 150 degrees,” O’Dell said. “That will kill all the bacteria. So even letting the manure bake for a short period of time

does a whole lot of good, even if you don’t go through the whole composting process.”

The proposed ordinance also would tighten restrictions for waste haulers and waste disposal sites.

Committee Chair Cynthia Gardner said that one of the issues that would need to be addressed, no matter what changes are made, is educating residents.

“We have never had a good educational program,” she said, noting that when the ordinance was first drafted in 2000, committee members wanted to write a series of best management practices and have an educational process.

She recommended that Wellington write a guide in layman’s terms for farm owners. “What would seem to me to be a more engaging process would be to write… a list of simple dos and don’ts that people can understand,” Gardner said.

Several committee members were concerned about requirements that manure bins be covered.

O’Dell said that although it may not be necessary for them always to be covered, Florida’s unpredictSee MANURE, page 18

Children’s Etiquette Classes Start Next Month In Wellington

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Manners, politeness and being humble are characteristics of proper etiquette — imperative lifelong skills that will transform the lives of children.

Tenchy and Yvonne Salas, crusaders for proper etiquette, believe that these skills need to be en-

Etiquette Excellence instructor Yvonne Salas teaches a class.

forced at a young age in order to induce children to become wellmannered adults.

Tenchy and her sister Yvonne have had extensive etiquette training in Washington, D.C., England, France, Spain and Switzerland.

Utilizing this training, they have been sharing their knowledge with others for many years throughout South Florida and Latin America through their Etiquette Excellence program.

“We decided we had to create a vaccination against an illness called bad manners,” Tenchy Salas said. “It’s much-needed, because the more you know about your everyday manners, the better.”

They’re now bringing their expertise to the western communities, with an Etiquette Excellence program offered every Saturday at the original Wellington Mall.

The program will begin on the

first Saturday of August and will consist of classes and workshops for children ages 6-12, with morning sessions from 10 a.m. to12:30 p.m. and afternoon sessions from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The Etiquette Excellence program is designed to teach children various forms of manners, from refined table skills to polite social behaviors, as well as proper speech and dress. The program will also touch on the cultural aspects of refinement ranging from music to fine art appreciation.

This is an opportunity for busy parents to provide their children with knowledge of proper etiquette, Salas said. “Many parents might have the knowledge, but not the time to teach proper manners to their kids,” she said.

Through games and other activities, Salas and her sister introSee ETIQUETTE, page 18

Serving Palms West Since 1980

County Supports Large Anchor Store On Sluggett Land

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report In a 4-3 decision, the Palm Beach County Commission gave preliminary approval Monday to a comprehensive plan amendment that would eliminate a 65,000-squarefoot single-tenant cap on the Sluggett property at the intersection of Southern Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

The vote sent the change to the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity, formerly the Department of Community Affairs, for approval. Once approved by the state, it will return to the county for final approval.

The property had previously been approved for up to 280,000 square feet of low-density commercial property on the 64-acre tract with the 65,000-square-foot cap, but the applicant requested authorization to allow a larger store such as a Home Depot or Walmart on the property.

The site has a commercial low designation for neighborhood uses, and county staff determined that lifting the 65,000-square-foot cap would require an amendment to the comp plan.

The land-use amendment would apply only to the Sluggett property, according to Project Manager Bryce Van Horn, who made the presentation for county

staff, which recommended approval.

“Because this is narrowly focused, it will maintain the integrity of the [commercial low] land use as a neighborhood, and will maintain internal consistency in the plan,” Van Horn said.

At its June 8 meeting, the Local Planning Agency recommended denial in a 5-2 vote.

The Acreage Landowners’ Association sent a letter indicating opposition, citing concern that it would set a precedent allowing additional big-box stores.

Bob Bentz with Land Design South, representing the Sluggett family, stressed that the property has a current land use allowing 280,000 square feet of commercial space. “That number is not changing, no matter what happens today,” Bentz said. “It really is, what is it going to look like, and what kind of uses can you have on this site?”

Bentz said that if The Acreage were a city, it would be the sixthlargest in the county, and geographically it would be the largest, with a relatively small number of commercial uses.

“It is a very large, sprawling, unplanned neighborhood that was platted many years ago, and today we have to deal with that,” See SLUGGETT, page 18

BIG DOG CHALLENGE

Big Dog Ranch Rescue held its $100K Challenge kickoff luncheon Sunday, July 22 at Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists.

The local dog rescue group is one of 50 chosen nationwide to participate in the ASPCA and Rachael Ray’s $100K Challenge.

Shown here, volunteer Tracy Green and Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists event coordinator Andrea Ficocello hand out gift bags to guests. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

LGWCD Lowers Assessment Rate

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District gave preliminary approval to its 2013 budget and assessment rates at a special meeting Tuesday, setting the assessment rate at $137.95 per acre for properties on unpaved roads.

That assessment rate is $13.50 below the current year’s assessment of $151.45. The total proposed LGWCD budget for 2013 is $1,523,846.

The Loxahatchee Groves Town

Council, at its July 17 meeting, formally approved $150,000 to help finance district road maintenance, which allowed the LGWCD to adopt the lower rate, District Administrator Clete Saunier said.

An interlocal agreement will be drafted identical to the 2012 accord that also granted the district $150,000, with appropriate date changes, Saunier added.

Saunier said the council also approved a subsidy suggested by Councilman Jim Rockett to cover See LGWCD, page 18

Port Primary Puts Focus On Little-Known Special District

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Three-term incumbent Port of Palm Beach Commissioner Wayne Richards is being challenged by builder Joseph Anderson in a Democratic primary on Aug. 14.

The Port of Palm Beach is governed by a five-member commission elected by residents in the Port of Palm Beach District, which includes most of the northern half of Palm Beach County, including most of the western communities.

Created as a special taxing district, the port has authority to levy taxes, but has not done so since the 1970s.

Wayne Richards — Richards, a mechanical engineer and attorney, has sat on the port commission

since 2000. He has chaired the commission for the past two years, and is quick to point to the many successes of the port in the past five years, despite a struggling economy.

“The port is extremely important to the local economy here,” Richards told the Town-Crier on Wednesday. “As longstanding chairman of the port, it has been my position that we have a mission to continually attract and bring new businesses to the port.”

Richards views the port as an economic engine for the county.

“We also have a duty to ensure that the product in the Glades has reliable and viable means to be shipped out of Palm Beach County,” he said. “If our port goes down

for any reason and they’re trying to harvest and process sugar or molasses in the Glades, they will just shut down.”

As chairman, Richards said he has led the port through a difficult economic period, but yet the port has flourished. “Some say it’s the worst economy in 50 or 60 years,” he said. “The port under my tenure has been very aggressive at going after new business and diversifying our revenue streams, and I want to keep that going.”

Richards noted that the recently added two-day cruises to Freeport on Bahamas Celebration have been extremely successful.

“The Bahamas Celebration is a tremendous success story,” he See PORT RACE, page 18

Wayne Richards

Joseph Anderson

Page 2 July 27 - August 2, 2012

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NEWS

Wellington Zoning Board Supports Bar Designation For ‘The Grille’

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board unanimously recommended approval this month of a cocktail lounge designation with extended hours for the Grille Fashion Cuisine on South Shore Blvd.

At a meeting July 11, board members recommended approval of a conditional use permit that would allow the restaurant to have a liquor license within 250 feet of residences.

The measure also extended the restaurant’s hours of operation, from 11 p.m. to midnight from Monday through Wednesday, and from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday.

The Wellington Village Council

is expected to hear the item Tuesday, Aug. 14.

Director of Growth Management Bob Basehart explained that though the business had received approval for a liquor license from the state, “we don’t enforce the liquor laws. Our interest is the enforcement of the code. The code says that in commercial portions of the [village] you can have a restaurant.”

Wellington cannot sign off on the liquor license without special approval from the council.

“We cannot sign off on a liquor license that would allow operation of a cocktail lounge, if that type of establishment would violate the code,” Basehart said. “We were approached to sign off on the license, but because the restaurant

is within 300 feet of a dwelling unit, we can’t do that. We can only do so if the council grants a conditional use permit.”

Restaurant owner Juan Gando said that he and his partner, Dustin Parfitt, decided to open the Grille after being successful with Oli’s Fashion Cuisine.

Gando said that he was requesting the extended hours primarily to help offset Wellington’s seasonal nature. “We only make money for five months,” he said.

“Then when it’s done, it’s done.

You don’t make money during the summer.”

Board Member Elizabeth Mariaca asked whether Wellington had gotten feedback from nearby residential communities. Staff liaison Olga Prieto said she has received

only one comment of opposition from a nearby resident.

Board Member Mike Drahos noted that the process to get a liquor license is difficult and asked whether the Grille had obtained its license from the state.

Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said that they had. “There are a couple of types of liquor licenses,” he said. “There is a lottery where they are available for sale. So, there is a cash purchase generally involved.”

Kurtz explained that restaurants operate under a separate license that allows them to serve liquor only while the kitchen is serving food. Additionally, at least 51 percent of their income must come from food.

A cocktail lounge designation,

he said, could allow the Grille to make more of its income from liquor.

“In this case, the applicants have come in and are requesting a conditional-use permit to be considered a cocktail lounge,” Kurtz said. “Once they are dedicated as a cocktail lounge, they are free to disregard the regulations associated with being a restaurant.”

Kurtz noted, however, that the board has the ability to recommend conditions of approval. He pointed to the Players Club, which he said has village-imposed conditions despite its license. “They comply with the [restaurant] regulations, so they are considered a restaurant,” he said.

Board Member Carol Coleman expressed concern that the restau-

rant had already run into issues.

“I’m very concerned by the fact that this restaurant was investigated from November to December last year,” she said.

But Basehart said that going through this process to become a cocktail lounge would enable them to fix those issues.

“We have to keep in mind that if the applicant believes they can operate within the boundaries of a [restaurant designation], they can withdraw their application and there is no problem,” he said. “The reason we are here tonight is because they asked for the ability to have a license that does not require them to meet restaurant standards.”

Gando said that the previous See THE GRILLE, page 18

County Administrator Updates Residents On The Budget Process

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Administrator Bob Weisman explained how the county wound up balancing next year’s budget without raising its tax rate at Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s monthly meeting held Wednesday, July 18 at the original Wellington Mall.

“I want to give you a big picture of how we get the budget done,” Weisman said. “I’ve done this job since 1992, so I’ve been at it for 20 years now.”

Weisman said he faced similar challenges in 1992 when property values did not go up and he had to lay off some employees. “After that, we went through the rest of the ’90s with a slow and steady increase in property values,” he said. “It was a good raise of between 2 and 5 percent every year, and the county commission did not raise the millage rate over that time.”

Around 2000, the demand for housing increased dramatically.

“Property values started to go crazy through 2006,” he said. “Property values started going up 6, 8 and 10 percent every year. The county dropped the millage rate a little bit, but the county’s revenues increased a lot, because we didn’t drop the millage rate as much percentage-wise because the valuation was going up, so we had some very big increases in the overall taxes.”

In 2006 and 2007, the county hit

a brick wall and property values dropped sharply. “There were also a lot of machinations that occurred with the state legislature, public demands to reduce taxes, more exemptions, which further changed the county tax structure,” Weisman said.

He said exemptions such as the homestead exemption sound good, but unless government reduces the total taxes to make up for new exemptions, somebody has to pay for them. “Before 2006 and 2007, we did not lower taxes, so when these new exemptions started coming out, general taxes went up for everybody else,” Weisman explained.

Before 2006, the county enjoyed the experience of increasing services, spending money on things like the rehabilitation of the old courthouse at a cost of $25 million, giving generous pay increases to employees and providing a variety of services it had never offered before.

“It was a shock to suddenly have that dry up, and it comes to staff to try and get the commission through those periods of time with the least impact on the public,” he said. “We have actually been very successful at doing that.”

For the past five years, Weisman said, county staff has found ways to get by, sometimes through skill and sometimes fortunate circumstances.

“Through that time, we did

sharply reduce the budget without substantially impacting the services we provide, and now we’ve seen them come to the next era, which is stabilization of property values,” he said. “We’re probably going to see some small increases in the coming year, certainly nothing significant, and how the commission adjusts to that remains to be seen.”

Weisman said there are three line items that appear on the county tax bill that are significant: the county general fund, which everyone in the county pays; fire-rescue, which everybody in the county’s fire-rescue taxing district pays; and the library, paid by anyone in the library taxing district.

“If you are in Commissioner Santamaria’s district, I think virtually everyone is paying all three of those,” he said.

The county has a great library system, and its tax haul has remained virtually the same for years at about $41 million annually, he said.

“We have been able to accomplish that because we have not increased staff and we actually reduced staff somewhat,” Weisman said, explaining that employees are the top cost for government. “If you’re going to reduce taxes, you’ve either got to reduce the number of people or the compensation you pay them.”

The library has reduced staff because it has provided automation for people to do their own re-

search, as well as self-checkout.

“You can now check the books out yourself by putting them through a scanner,” Weisman said. “When you drop books off, there’s an automatic machine that separates them.”

Also, all county employees including library staff have not received a pay raise in four years, which helps keep the tax rate the same, he said.

Fire-rescue is more complicated, in that it has had a substantial millage increase since 2007 and the payroll costs as a percentage of the total budget are the highest of all county-operated entities.

“While there are fuel costs and other things like that, payroll is the biggest thing,” Weisman said.

“Our fire-rescue is the best there is. You can be sure that if you require their services, you are going to be treated with the best of equipment with the best people.”

He said the problem with firerescue is that the department is in a deficit situation.

“We are spending more than we are taking in,” he said, explaining that a reserve has been built over the years that the department will have to tap into in order to balance the budget, and in 2014 the reserve will disappear unless changes to the revenues or expenses are made or the economy makes a significant recovery.

The sheriff now consumes about two-thirds of the general fund, which is proposed at almost

County Administrator Bob Weisman discusses the county budget.

PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

$626 million in 2013, he said. “When the county commission talks about reducing or not raising taxes in the general fund, I have got to represent to the sheriff that, ‘Hey, you are the biggest part of that now,’ but it comes to the commission to decide how the sheriff is treated.”

Weisman said that county staff thought they were going to have a $30 million budget shortfall for 2013, but that did not happen due

to several changes, including changes to the Florida Retirement System, which resulted in a $20 million savings. The county also got more revenue than anticipated, and the sheriff came in with a budget increase smaller than anticipated, of $4 million to $7 million.

“We were thinking he might come in with as much as $20 million,” he said, “so that’s how we ended up balancing the budget.”

Page 4 July 27 - August 2, 2012

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TOWN-CRIER ENDORSEMENTS

Keep Sheriff Ric Bradshaw; Re-Elect Tax Collector Anne Gannon Tuesday, Aug. 14 is primary election day in Florida. Over the next three weeks, the TownCrier will offer our opinions on some of the candidates voters will find on the ballot. This week, we feature the races for Palm Beach County Sheriff and Palm Beach County Tax Collector.

PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF — Incumbent Sheriff Ric Bradshaw faces two challengers, Joe Talley and Cleamond Lee Walker. It is unfortunate that of Bradshaw’s entire eight years in office, perhaps his most troublesome couple of months have been the most recent. He has been hit by a string of aberrations, including deputy-involved shootings, which, quite frankly, he could have dealt with more diplomatically. He got into a fight with the county over money, but unlike some of the other constitutional officers, he managed to work it out fairly well.

Through the years, he has streamlined the department; there’s far less top brass than there used to be. The end result has been a far more functional department. And the proof is in the pudding: crime is down, and he accomplished this despite a difficult economy. There are deadly parts of this county that he has waded into when he didn’t have to, such as Lake Worth, where he took on the county’s worst gangs. Bradshaw took over the Lake Worth Police Department when he didn’t have to; in fact, his job might be much easier if he didn’t. But he went in and brought down crime there. Four years ago, we asked for an Acreage/Loxahatchee substation, and now we have one. This all happened under Bradshaw’s watch.

Though we wish Bradshaw could work more with the county to try to cut back on the budget, we understand his point of view. The fact of the matter is that crime is down in Palm Beach County, and Bradshaw’s work to crack down on gangs and pill mills has been successful. When it comes to the most important aspect of policing — protecting county residents — the PBSO is doing a fine job under Bradshaw.

Talley has been in law enforcement for a long time, having spent 22 years with the Baltimore County Police Department and five years in the PBSO’s reserve unit, advancing to the rank of lieutenant. He’s a nice guy and could possibly make a fine sheriff. However, while Talley has been high up in police departments, he has never been the top man. Bradshaw has led two departments successfully.

Regarding Walker, Bradshaw’s other challenger on the Aug. 14 ballot, let’s just say we’re

glad we live in a country where anyone can fulfill their dream of running for office.

When we have the strongest person sitting in the sheriff’s office in a generation, there is no reason for change. The Town-Crier strongly endorses the re-election of Ric Bradshaw as Palm Beach County Sheriff.

PALM BEACH COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR — The race for tax collector is an unusual dynamic, pitting the incumbent, Anne Gannon, against Peter Carney, a longtime challenger who formerly held the office briefly, having been appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush after the sudden resignation of former Tax Collector John K. Clark. When Gannon made her first run in 2006, we supported Carney, feeling that Gannon lacked the experience to hold such a position.

However, in the six years she has held the office, Gannon has made definite improvements.

Gannon may not be the perfect tax collector, but she’s worked to do the job as well as can be done under very difficult circumstances. She was thrown huge underfunded mandates by the state and federal governments in the form of taking over the issuing of driver’s licenses (state mandate) and making them Real ID-compliant (federal mandate). This led a flood of people to suddenly show up at the tax collector’s offices when they wouldn’t have before, causing very long lines for a while. People might still complain, but it’s not really that bad now.

Can Gannon be faulted for not working with the county as much? Maybe. Can she be faulted for putting into operation a new computer system that had a few glitches in it? Maybe.

But by and large she has made a hugely bureaucratic office far more streamlined in an era of declining revenues, and it saved money for the county.

Considering that Carney has run as a Republican several times and lost because Republicans generally aren’t elected countywide, his sudden conversion to being a Democrat because of his dislike for the Tea Party seems a little convenient. This is not a random politician looking for whatever opening he can find. Carney wants one job, and he keeps running for it. And quite frankly, he was a better candidate six years ago. He was more up to date and knew the office better. But for every year he’s been away, it has brought him further out of the loop. If the office isn’t broken, there’s no point trying to fix it.

The Town-Crier endorses the re-election of Anne Gannon as Palm Beach County Tax Collector.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Tennis Decision Was Dangerous I notice that the editor of the Town-Crier is somewhat comforted by the fact that the Wellington Village Council voted not to reverse previous council action on some equestrian land use decisions. I wish that I were as optimistic that the new majority will work together for the betterment of the village. I am not optimistic.

The new majority has already blocked the award of a tennis contract that should have been approved. They used the excuse that one aspect of the process should have specifically been addressed at a council meeting rather than at the agenda review. The result of using such a fine-toothed comb will be more expense for citizens, with a clear danger that the tennis program will not be ready this fall, and that future bidders for any village service will wonder if it is worthwhile to make the effort.

My sense of the direction that the new majority is heading is that there are some old scores that will be settled: almost a vendetta, or even more than one. I would not be surprised if an attempt is made to find reasons to dismiss the Village Attorney [Jeffrey Kurtz]. One of the new majority has been antagonistic to Mr. Kurtz in the past.

I also am watchful for various attacks on the village manager.

There are already suggestions that the new majority might move to return the village to a five-day workweek. That would be a direct slap at the manager, who showed that the four-day week saves money and works well. There will probably also be attempts to dig into longstanding policies that can be made to look bad for the village manager. There may even be further efforts at getting the inspector general to do another audit (or whatever she chooses to call the process) of various policies and processes. Never mind that the IG has done nothing positive for the village and has caused us some pretty large expenses.

I hope that citizens will be closely aware of what happens in the near future, and that the local press will be skeptical, as they should.

Phil Sexton Wellington

Empty Promises In Royal Palm One of the oldest and most popular ploys in politics is giving voters the impression that you are supporting a measure you really are not in favor of, and many programs have passed into law only to fail for lack of funding...

In Royal Palm Beach, our current mayor and council can’t get together and fund $17,000 for the inspector general’s office. Now, some might say that’s because these are hard times and great care must be taken, and the reason for the amount thoroughly discussed and proven to be in the best interests of the good residents of Royal Palm Beach. Of course, by the same token, they had no trouble allocating about $57,000 for fire-

works on the Fourth of July.

This is clearly another example of pretending to support an issue that 70 percent of the residents and at least one county commissioner, Jess Santamaria, are in favor of, and then postponing meetings and voting. The current mayor obviously feels that he will be more popular entertaining the residents of Royal Palm Beach than putting in place a much-needed watchdog whose job it is to change the name of “Corruption County” to a name more fitting the residents of Palm Beach County.

Richard Nielsen Royal Palm Beach

Give New Council Some Credit Editor ’s note: The following letter is in response to a Point of View column by Victor Connor published July 13.

While “two wrongs do not make a right,” it seems members on this council are simply slowing down the process to assess and re-evaluate, not trying to stalwart “good” safe equestrian development.

Whether this is legal or the right thing to do is being debated. And whether Wellington’s equestrian future is important to the overall comprehensive plan vision is also under review.

If Wellington can only exist if there is a horse show, then we must question in the first place why Wellington exists and ignore the fact that Wellington is still one of the best master-planned communities in the country, with good schools, lots of parks, trails, recreation options and a year-round climate that is suited to an outdoor lifestyle, not to mention its equestrian zoning for horse-keeping in an almost urban community.

While I empathize with Mr. [Victor] Connor’s position and concern, I do not think individuals on the council are against the equestrian industry, they just don’t want to make a decision that will alter Wellington forever until they really evaluate the long-term costs and ramifications of the rapid fire decisions that were made over the last year. Regardless of their individual beliefs, perhaps naively, I believe our council is spending hours and hours of time trying to understand the issues and make good decisions that will best represent the whole community’s voice. The horse industry in general is not an easy industry to understand and can be very confusing, especially with so many experts voicing various opinions.

Let’s hope that through education, combined with reasonable and rational discussions, we can get through this as a community and use our differences to bring us together toward a common ground. We have some very creative and intelligent folks in our community who could be using their resources for good planning solutions to the number of issues and problems that are arising.

Equestrians communities are built around more than just a horse show, and while the current shows are generally supported by most

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equestrians and businesses associated with the horse industry, let’s not give up good planning, safe transportation, flood management, clean water and a mutually beneficial lifestyle for all residents. It is a sad statement of a community to have to spend its budget evaluating ethics and on lawsuits in the first place. But the decisions made now will affect Wellington’s future forever, good or bad. So “half halting” and making sure any development is done well and in compliance with the comprehensive plan may protect the village from future litigation and ensure a sustainable future.

The people who have voiced concern on both sides have passion for their beliefs and position, and it would be great if they could be directed toward creative solutions to move forward for the benefit of the whole community. If we cannot get along among ourselves as people who supposedly love horses and the equestrian lifestyle, certainly we are not going to get along with others of greater differences or as we face more serious challenges.

As Wellington equestrians, we should be able to resolve our differences and plan for a sustainable future that includes a broad set of values and goals and have open and transparent communication to keep people educated and informed. This is what the equestrian master plan process is supposed to do.

Today may be a struggle, but rarely is something great achieved easily. I commend all those who are willing to direct their energy and time to voice their opinions, give thoughtful ideas and discuss solutions. Let’s roll up our sleeves, stop fighting and work together as a community.

MaryAnn Simonds Wellington

Real Facts About Planned Parenthood Again, I feel the need to respond to a letter by Mr. Daniel Fioramonti from last week’s issue (“Do Your Own Research”). He states that my response to his letter of June 29 about Planned Parenthood did not contain facts. He is correct; I did leave out hard and fast statistics for a couple of reasons. The first was that I felt Planned Parenthood could and would respond with actual numbers (and I still believe that they will). The second, and main, reason that I felt my letter didn’t need actual numbers was that Mr. Fioramonti’s letter was so misinformed that it wasn’t necessary to provide them.

In his last letter, Mr. Fioramonti again states that Planned Parenthood’s literature provides “sex counseling techniques designed to get kids addicted to sex.” This is just not true. Educating people about contraception and safe sex does not get them addicted to sex (even kids). However, if it’s facts Mr. Fioramonti wants about the nonprofit Planned Parenthood, here we go:

• Planned Parenthood provides cancer screening and prevention (14.5 percent of medical services), STI/STD testing/treatment (38 percent), other women’s health services (10.4 percent), contraception (33.5 percent), abortion services (3 percent — no tax dollars are used for this service) and other services such as adoption referrals (0.6 percent).

• Their expenses are broken down this way: medical service (68 percent), non-medical domestic program services (15 percent), management/general support (12 percent), fundraising (4 percent) and international family planning (4 percent).

• Planned Parenthood provides pap smears, HIV testing, STD testing, gynecological exams and much more to women (and men) who are in need of their services.

It also has education programs and counseling services. It does so much more than Mr. Fioramonti mentions, all for the good of the community.

In summation, it is obvious from his last letter that Mr. Fioramonti does not understand any of the good that this organization does (one of the reasons that Congress did not stop funding the organization).

Some people feel helping the poor with health services (see above list), education to make their own life choices and even spiritual guidance in making those choices is a very valuable service to our community. I am one of those people and welcome Planned Parenthood into the western communities.

Andrew L. Rosen Wellington

Stop The New Manure Rules The following comments are from my letter to Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis and to the Equestrian Preserve Committee: Our equestrian community represents a great economic engine to the village. We have always dealt with the animal waste successfully. Now we have an 18-page proposal within the village to simply revoke the few spreading permits existing and require all new regulations for storage bins. This would require removing and rebuilding many bins and relocating them on the property. Perhaps it could end up in the riding ring!

Why go through this? It does nothing to help the ecology and simply dumps our waste on our neighbors. Manure is mostly moisture, and the best solution is to spread it, not pile it up to attract rodents, flies and mosquitoes. We should redirect our efforts to a solution such as burning to produce power or composting at the village level and sell the compost.

Spreading is the best solution for small farms with one animal per acre.

The Equestrian Preserve Committee has wisely voted to ask the council to stop this ill-advised effort. I could not agree more.

Peter Granata Wellington

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EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman Jessica Gregoire • Lauren Miró

Disappointed Manure Rules Have Stalled Regarding the Village of Wellington and horse manure regulations, in June of this year I was glad to hear that Wellington was considering certain regulations regarding the storage of horse manure/bedding.

About 15 years ago, a colleague and I, acting on behalf of the State of Florida Environmental Secretariat, were invited to tour several equestrian facilities in Wellington.

It was a rainy day, and as I passed a manure/bedding storage bin and noted the coffee-colored extract running out of the bottom of the bin and directly into a storm drain and adjacent canal, I remember my stern suggestion, namely, “Put a lid on it!” This was and is such a no-brainer that it now boggles my mind to have now learned that Wellington’s animal waste ordinance failed and that Vice Mayor Howard Coates asked, “Isn’t that a bit of overkill?” to require a lid, even as simple as a tarp, plus storage 100 feet from a surface water body.

Wellington was taken to task for the phosphorous-based pollution emanating from Basin B by the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. That led to some good best management practices (BMPs) such as fertilizers only with a middle number (P) of zero.

I have studied local nutrient pollution and algal blooms for over two decades and have had graduate students even do master’s projects on the extractability of phosphorous (P) from fresh and aged horse manure. Those findings were presented at two separate meetings (2004, 2007) of the Florida Academy of Science.

Horse manure collected from numerous sites in Wellington and Loxahatchee Groves, my home town, averaged 42.7 mg P/gram dry weight of manure, and of that total P, 55 percent was readily extractable with water and mild bicarbonate solution, the same conditions found locally with rain and abundant limestone.

Getting away from the scientific weights and measures, out of the 45 to 60 pounds of wet weight manure, an average of 0.13 pounds (2.1 ounces) of phosphorous is produced and available to pollute your ponds and canals and to be exported to the Everglades. Now, do the math: Multiply that seemingly small amount of P by the huge number of horses in our area and by 365 days per year. Phosphorous enrichment favors cyanobacteria (a.k.a. blue-green algae), and it is only a matter of time, given attitudes such as Vice Mayor Coates’, before one or more of the cyanobacterial blooms is of the toxic variety. Yes, toxic to humans

— Google it! I thank you for your time and, hopefully, consideration of the environment and our future.

Dr. J. William Louda Loxahatchee Groves Editor’s note: Dr. Louda is a senior scientist with the Environmental Sciences Program at Florida Atlantic University.

All Hail Our New King It was good to see that the new Wellington Village Council is fulfilling its obligation to Wellington’s own Super PAC. I had been concerned that they might actually do their job and represent the people of Wellington, but their recent actions have allayed my fears of that.

We keep hearing how out-ofstate Super PACs are trying to influence congressional elections in Florida so that their party will gain control in the U.S. Senate. Well, at least our Super PAC is local — or is it? Could it be a one-man Super PAC who is a very wealthy parttime resident of Wellington? Well, who cares if he is only part time.

He is now the king of Wellington with his own council, and how many communities actually have their own king? He was powerful enough to flood our mailboxes and phone lines with lies and innuendoes that defeated our prior mayor and two council candidates.

Who cares if only a small percentage of eligible voters actually voted, and who cares if his candidates won by only a small amount after recount. They don’t need the people of Wellington behind them when they have a king and his money and influence supporting them as long as they do his bidding and continually attack his enemy, the evil Wellington Equestrian Partners. I mean, what has Wellington Equestrian Partners done for Wellington, other than pour millions into the equestrian center and bring millions of dollars into the Wellington economy?

How can you compare that to the temporary loan of a sports trophy to the village?

Yes, the new council must fulfill its obligation to protect king and castle. They must not allow anything that produces noise or traffic in the vicinity of his castle, even if it means tearing down the previously approved dressage center and making dressage riders go away from Wellington. I mean, who needs their money if it is going to upset our king? Yes, new Wellington Village Council, just keep fulfilling your obligations to our king since it appears that the residents of Wellington are too complacent to really care what you or he does anyway. You just need to pray that they don’t wake up and realize whom you really serve.

Paul Feuer Wellington

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July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 5

NEWS

BIG DOG RANCH RESCUE KICKOFF LUNCHEON FOR ASPCA’S $100K CHALLENGE

Big Dog Ranch Rescue held a kick off luncheon for the $100K Challenge on Sunday, July 22 at Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists. The local rescue group is one of 50 chosen nationwide to participate in the ASPCA and Rachael Ray’s $100K Challenge. The goal of the challenge is to get 467 dogs adopted into homes from August to October through intense community advocacy and involvement, for a chance to win $100,000. For more info., visit www.bdrr.org or call (561) 791-7475.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Volunteers Kristen Cowling and Shellie Winston sign in people.

Volunteers Hollie Moore and Jessica Dodd.

Mindy Riley, Big Dog Ranch Rescue Manager Andrew Diner and Meghan Gochin.

Veterinarian Michael Good, founder of the Homeless Pet Foundation in Georgia.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue President Lauree Simmons gives a presentation on the contest.

Carly Andreatos, Riley and Zoie Weinberger, Milan Bostick and Lily Josephson.

Fundraising Dinner For Royal Palm Covenant Church This Sunday

Pastor Michael Rose TOWN-CRIER FILE PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE

A fundraising dinner Sunday, July 29 at 6 p.m. at the original Wellington Mall will benefit the Royal Palm Covenant Church building fund.

The evening is hosted by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, along with members of My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust and Peter Wein of the WEI Network.

The evening promises to be enjoyable with an auction and live entertainment from various artists, including pianist Copeland Davis.

Known for being the oldest church in Royal Palm Beach, Royal Palm Covenant Church is located at the southern end of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. It opened in 1962

and was previously known as the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Pastor Michael Rose is the church’s fourth pastor, along with his wife Carolyn, who serves as co-pastor. The church has been ministering in the community for 50 years, but is currently $300,000 in debt.

Royal Palm Covenant Church is in desperate need of money and in jeopardy of closing its doors.

The church’s financial troubles were escalated by the devastating hurricanes of 2004-05, which blew off the church’s roof and resulted in significant structural damage.

This, along with the economic downturn, has made it difficult for the church to recover and keep up

with its expenses.

“Royal Palm Covenant has been a community church for the past 50 years,” Rose said. “This year we are celebrating our 50th anniversary. Many people in the community use this church for various reasons, and it’s important that this ministry continues here because it’s very active; it’s fulfilling the needs of people who need help. We want to make sure it stays here. We’re going to do our utmost best to keep the ministry here in Royal Palm.”

The church is not only a place of worship but a community gathering point. Over the years, the church has been a center for assisting people in the community

from all walks of life. The weekly food pantry feeds more than 300 people per week. Many families with small children or homeless people depend on the church’s pantry for sustenance. The church is close to many people’s hearts in the community, from business owners to the elderly, and some have been members for decades.

Many people in the community have used the church for weddings, baby dedications and funerals.

The church is also known for its annual Thanksgiving basket giveaway, partnering with My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust, the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club, the Palm Beach

County Sheriff’s Office District 9 substation, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and J&J Produce to feed 500 to 700 people.

The church has also initiated programs such as the Youth Explosion for young people to learn about important issues affecting them through several days of workshops and entertainment. The after-school tutoring program is the latest program the church has established, which provides inexpensive tutoring for students from low-income families.

Tickets to the fundraising dinner cost $40 per person. For more information, call Rose at (561) 2949258 or the church at (561) 7931077.

Page 6 July 27 - August 2, 2012

The Town-Crier

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CRIME NEWS

Robbers Pose As Oil Company Workers

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report JULY 23 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched Monday afternoon to a home on Morgate Circle regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, a witness reported the incident after observing the burglars. The witness told deputies that at approximately 11:55 a.m., an unknown black male came to his door and handed him a Shell rewards card when he answered. According to the report, the suspect said he was a Shell representative, but had no uniform or company car.

The witness observed him get into a gray Volkswagen and leave.According to the report, the witness then observed the vehicle stop at another house, and a second black male loaded something into the vehicle. According to the report, when the suspects saw him watching them, they drove in reverse at a high rate of speed along Morgate Circle. The witness followed them as they headed southbound on Crestwood Blvd. but could not keep up. According to the report, the residents of the burglarized home were contacted, and the victim said the suspects stole an Xbox 360 game console valued at $360.

She said she believed her side door had been left unlocked. The witness was able to provide license plate numbers, but there were no suspects at the time of the report.

••• JULY 12 — A resident of Folkstone Circle called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Thursday, July 12 regarding an act of vandalism. According to the PBSO report, at approximately 2:15 a.m., an acquaintance of the victim came to the house and tried to get in. When he could not, he began kicking the victim’s vehicle, causing approximately $1,250 in damage. The victim said she heard the kicking but did not see the suspect do it. There was no further information available at the time of the report.

JULY 15 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation responded to a home in the Osprey Isles community Sunday, July 15 regarding an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. the following morning, someone punctured the left front tire of the victim’s truck. The victim said he discovered his tire was flat and tried to inflate it when he discovered the puncture. According to the report, the victim said he has had disagreements with a neighbor over his vehicles in the past. There was no further information at the time of the report.

JULY 19 — A resident of 61st Street North contacted the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation last Thursday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10:30 p.m. last Wednesday and 10:30 a.m. the following morning, someone removed the victim’s homemade trailer from his driveway. The victim said he had four boxes of numerous baseball cards, as well as a toolbox filled with tools in the trailer. The stolen items were valued at approximately $42,500.

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

JULY 19 — AWellington woman was arrested last Thursday afternoon on shoplifting charges after she was caught taking items from the Macy’s department store

in the Mall at Wellington Green.

According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was dispatched to the mall at approximately 4:15 p.m. after 40year-old Ana Guzman was stopped by a loss prevention officer. According to the report, Guzman was seen selecting miscellaneous clothing and jewelry in the store. She then passed all points of sale and proceeded to the exit, where a loss prevention officer stopped her. The stolen items, valued at $368, were recovered. Guzman was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail, where she was charged with grand theft.

JULY 20 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched to a home on Citrus Grove Blvd. last Friday afternoon regarding a theft.

According to a PBSO report, sometime between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., someone took the victim’s mailbox and post from in front of her home. According to the report, the victim said she had an unusual visit from an unknown male who said he came to collect $50 that her son owed him for a cellular phone he sold. After that incident, the victim’s husband noticed the mailbox was missing. The stolen items were valued at approximately $60. There was no further information available at the time of the report.

JULY20 — ARoyal Palm Beach juvenile was arrested last Saturday on burglary charges after his mother noticed some suspicious property in her son’s room. According to the report, the juvenile’s mother contacted the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Friday when she discovered several items not belonging to her son.

According to the report, the items matched those stolen in six recent burglaries. The victims of the burglaries were brought in to identify their belongings. Deputies were able to obtain information about a second juvenile accomplice who was also involved in the burglaries. Both juveniles were arrested and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center, where they were charged with burglary and theft.

JULY 21 — A resident of Sparrow Drive contacted the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Saturday regarding an attempted vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 3:20 p.m., the victim observed an unknown black male at Veterans Park looking at a bicycle. He then observed an unknown white male walking quickly toward the bicycle. According to the report, the black male got into an older fourdoor Honda driven by a second black male. The victim said he spoke to the white male who owned the bicycle, and the man told him that the same black male had been trying to open the victim’s vehicle, which was parked near the gazebo in the park. According to the report, the victim told the deputy that he had observed the suspect throw a white paper bag away in the garbage, which was retrieved for prints.

There was no further information available at the time of the report.

JULY 21 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to the Walmart Supercenter on Belvedere Road last Saturday evening regarding a shoplifter. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 5:47 p.m., a loss prevention officer observed 20-year-old Bridget Britt enter the McDonald’s restaurant See BLOTTER, page 18

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Derrick Lyewfong is a white male, 6’3” tall and weighing 180 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his left arm. His date of birth is 11/12/91. Lyewfong is wanted for violation of probation on a charge of burglary.

His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Citrus Grove Blvd. in The Acreage. Lyewfong is wanted as of 07/26/12.

• Edward Shade is a white male, 6’2” tall and weighing 175 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 05/10/89. Shade is wanted for grand theft. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Phipps Lane in Wellington. Shade is wanted as of 07/ 26/12.

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

Derrick Lyewfong

Edward Shade

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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July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 7

ELECTION 2012: PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF

Bradshaw Points To Crime Reduction, Many Other Successes

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report After eight years on the job, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw is seeking a third term in office, facing challengers Joe Talley of Wellington and Cleamond Lee Walker of Riviera Beach in the Aug. 14 primary election.

If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to the November general election ballot. Write-in candidate Kevin Coleman of Jupiter has also filed to run.

Bradshaw, 64, has been sheriff for almost eight years. He cites his extensive experience and the manner in which the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has grown since he has been sheriff as key reasons to re-elect him.

Before taking over the PBSO, Bradshaw led the county’s second-largest law enforcement agency, the West Palm Beach Police Department.

“I was police chief there for eight years, which really gave me a lot of preparation to go to the next level, which was the sheriff’s office,” he said. “It’s the same principles, but on a larger scale.”

Bradshaw has been in law enforcement for 41 years, most of it in supervisory roles.

“1980 was when I rose to the captain level,” he said. “Two-thirds of my 41 years is in upper-level management.”

Bradshaw has a bachelor’s degree in human resources management, which he said gives him a good perspective on managing personnel.

“Because we’ve got 4,000 people, that’s an important part of the job,” Bradshaw noted.

His master’s degree is in management with a specialization in emergency management, which gives him good preparation for the position he is in currently as

chairman for all domestic security for South Florida.

“My experience is well-rounded. It’s not all just law enforcement, because in the sheriff’s job, you’ve got a large corporation to manage also,” he said. “With a budget as large as ours is, you’ve got to pay attention to those details, and this year’s budget paid off very well because we had good business practices. We were able to return to the county $10 million.”

Bradshaw cites among his top accomplishments in office a streamlining of the organization in his first six months with the PBSO. “It was very top-heavy when I got in there,” he said. “We had six colonels; we’re down to two. We had a lot of majors; we streamlined that, same with captains. We had people take on a lot more responsibilities and really got the agency to where it was functioning in a much more cohesive fashion.”

Bradshaw said he also brought the office into the 21st century technologically.

“The organization, for the largest law-enforcement organization in the county, was working with 1970s technologies,” he said. “To not have laptops in the cars for the deputies, but a system that was antiquated where every other organization in the county had laptops in the cars, was deplorable.”

He talked county officials into a five- to seven-year program of $80 million to bring the organization up to speed in technology.

“Today, our organization is probably one of the most technologically advanced organizations in the country,” Bradshaw said. “Not only do we have laptops in the cars, we have ticket readers, we’ve got printers, we have a new computer at our dispatch and our jail records system is managed better.”

Two other important accomplishments

have been gaining control of gangs and pill mills. “Nobody has done more against gangs than we have,” Bradshaw said.

“That’s why, when they created the state gang task force, they followed our model.

Three and a half years ago, when nobody really wanted to admit what was going on with the gangs, we took a bold step forward, created the task force for the county, then brought the state and federal people into it.”

The program was so successful that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement created a statewide gang task force and made the PBSO the lead agency for the southeast region, Bradshaw said.

“We’ve done tremendously,” he said “We’ve reduced gang homicides by 50 percent.”

The county was home to some of the largest pill mill organizations in the United States, which have been broken up. “Today, we’ve taken about 75 percent of them off the street, and we’ll take the rest of them out, too,” he said.

Bradshaw is also proud of the office’s Homeland Security Initiative.

“The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office wasn’t even a player in Homeland Security,” he said. “Miami was the lead agency. That meant all the Homeland Security money went to Miami, and they doled it out.”

Bradshaw aggressively worked to get the county on the Homeland Security map.

“Now, all the security money that comes from the federal government through the state comes to us, and we get to hand it out,” he said.

The bottom line, Bradshaw asserted, is that the people of Palm Beach County are reaping the benefits of what the PBSO has been able to do. “At the end of the day, it results in the community being safer,” he said. “This is the fourth year in a

row that Palm Beach County has had a reduction in crime, and we’re very proud of that.”

Meanwhile, the PBSO has expanded into municipalities such as Royal Palm Beach and Lake Worth. Royal Palm Beach came under the PBSO in 2007 after years of resistance.

“For years, Royal Palm Beach kept saying: ‘We don’t want to merge. We love our policemen. We don’t want to lose our police department.’ Finally, when they came to the realization they were not really losing their police department — it’s the same people doing the same job with more resources, they just have a different color shirt, different color car — now they will tell you they wish they had done it 10 years ago,” Bradshaw said.

He said his priority if re-elected would be to finish what has been started. “We’ve got gangs on the run,” Bradshaw said.

“Before it’s over, we’re going to get the worst of the worst out of here. The pill mills, we’re definitely going to get them out of here. If I see those through, and get the level of technology where it’s supposed to be and provide the employees with the tools that they need, then I’ll be happy.”

He said he also wants to put a stronger focus on community-oriented policing, where deputies are assigned to specific areas and get to know the people in that community. Bradshaw said the agency has made great strides in that area but could do better. He also wants to put more resources into the growing crime of identity theft.

Asked if there was anything he would have done differently the past eight years, he said he would have tried to get deputies a higher pay raise. During his second budget, the deputies were the 13th-highest-paid in the county out of 26 agencies.

PBC Sheriff Ric Bradshaw “I went in there and convinced the county to raise them up to seventh. They’re not even the highest paid and probably will never be because of the tax base, but to be the busiest, largest, the chief lawenforcement agency, to be the seventh down the list, I don’t think that’s fair to them,” Bradshaw said.

In the face of financing cuts, with the possibility of more in the future, Bradshaw said the office is adequately funded now, but if future cuts are necessary he has told the county adamantly that he would not take deputies off the street.

Bradshaw said people should vote for him because he has done a good job and has made the community safer. “There’s a lot of things that we want to finish and make the community as safe as it can be,” he said.

The bottom line, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw asserted, is that the people of Palm Beach County are reaping the benefits of what the PBSO has been able to do. ‘At the end of the day, it results in the community being safer,’ he said. ‘This is the fourth year in a row that Palm Beach County has had a reduction in crime, and we’re very proud of that.’

Joe Talley Wants A More Transparent, Community-Minded PBSO

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington resident Joe Talley hopes that his extensive law-enforcement background coupled with an interest in creating more community involvement in law enforcement will drive voters to the polls to vote for him in his bid to become the next sheriff of Palm Beach County.

Talley faces incumbent Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and fellow challenger Cleamond Lee Walker in the Aug. 14 primary election. A write-in candidate, Kevin Coleman, is also seeking the position. If one candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, he will win outright. If not, the top two candidates will advance to the November general election ballot.

Talley, 71, was born and raised in Maryland to a pastor father and a schoolteacher mother. He said it was always his dream to become a police officer.

“I always had my face glued to the window when a police officer was driving or walking by,” Talley recalled. “Later, when I understood what folks in law enforcement do, it drove my desire even stronger.”

At age 21, Talley left college and joined the Baltimore County Police Department.

“I didn’t want to waste another moment,” he said. “I enrolled at the youngest age possible.”

He served 22 years with the department, rising to the rank of major in his final six years. In that time, he also graduated from the FBI National Academy and the Federal Executive Institute, both in Virginia. He also became skilled in numerous other specialized training opportunities.

After he retired, Talley worked in the

private security business for an international oil and gas company in Holland. In 1989, he returned to Philadelphia for similar work.

“I began to establish a crime prevention program,” he said. “At that time, they were averaging a holdup a week.”

It was there that he developed an interest in the equestrian industry and took a job managing a farm.

In 1998, he moved to Wellington, where he currently manages Windsome Farms.

He also spent five years, from 2000 to 2005, in the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s reserve unit.

Talley said that he is proud of his long and successful career in law enforcement.

“It has been simply splendid,” he said. “I had the opportunity to be successful in learning about the business.”

Though he’s been out of it for several years, Talley said he keeps abreast of new developments. “I’ve stayed current through all my alumni associations,” he said.

Talley said that if elected, he would be a good leader who promotes people based on merit.

“The current style of leadership in the office, or lack thereof, is a disappointment,” he said. “Hiring is done for friends of friends. Promotions are given to friends. I am disappointed because folks cannot get through their career and leave feeling they had a level playing field.”

Talley said that minority communities do not trust the PBSO. “When you go to those communities, you never get a good report,” he said.

“You are supposed to be a liaison to the community, and then you turn your back

on them. The community feels like if they are Hispanic, they just find someone who speaks Spanish and tells them to take care of the issues.”

Talley added that areas out west such as Belle Glade are in need of an advocate.

“Belle Glade is synonymous with punishment,” Talley said. “Deputies who screw up are sent there. Those are people who don’t want to be there.”

This poses a problem for the office as a whole, he said, because it creates distrust in the community. “We need people to talk to deputies,” he said. “Where is the accountability?”

The PBSO budget often has been an item of concern for county officials. Talley said he believes there is too much inflation in upper-level personnel.

“With a half-billion-dollar budget, you would think that this would be the smoothest-operating, best-equipped agency,” he said. “The sheriff is inflating in terms of personnel, and giving out perks to buy loyalty. That’s money that we need to see being spent.”

Talley said he would call for a line-item “layman’s budget.”

“The public should have a clear understanding of that money,” he said.

Regarding oversight by the Palm Beach County Office of the Inspector General, Talley said he would gladly provide access.

“I can’t understand why [Bradshaw] would not invite oversight,” he said. “People have asked for it, but he’s saying no. I said that I would give her an office in the building. I don’t have anything to hide.”

If elected, Talley said he would move resources to the service delivery level to help deputies help people.

“We need to improve response time and case clearance,” he said. “We’re only going to do that by focusing training and resources to response on the street level.”

He also said that he would seek national accreditation for the office. “This agency has Florida accreditation,” he said. “But the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies is the gold standard. This organization could not be accredited with its unfair hiring and unfair promotions.”

One major issue he’d like to address is human trafficking, which he said is a problem in South Florida.

“People bring youthful persons from families and adults here to the country illegally, with the promises of an American life, but they become prisoners or bonded,” Talley explained. “They become either sex slaves or they’re forced to work in service jobs, but as prisoners.”

Talley said he would like to address other issues such as homicide and gang violence, which he thinks Bradshaw has not adequately addressed.

“He’s saying that the homicides are because of gangs,” Talley said. “If he moves resources into those areas, then I’ll be convinced he’s serious about gangs and homicides.”

He also criticized Bradshaw’s response to recent shootings by PBSO deputies. In the case of Loxahatchee Groves resident Seth Adams, Talley said he thought that Bradshaw quickly exonerated the deputy without all of the information.

“Within hours, he’d adjudicated the case, before an investigation,” Talley said.

“That creates a chasm between the agency and the public. Why not say that you’re

Challenger Joe Talley sorry the incident occurred, that you’re going to investigate it and that you don’t have a response? A family here lost their son.”

Ultimately, Talley said he would be a leader who gives everyone a fair shake.

“I’m sincere about this job,” he said.

“I’m sincere about this community. This sheriff has been here eight years and has successfully created a huge barrier between the public he’s supposed to be serving and the agency he abused. It’s time for those two entities to come together to reduce the problems that exist in this county.”

For more information, visit www.joe talleyforsheriff.com.

‘I’m sincere about this job,’ challenger Joe Talley said. ‘I’m sincere about this community. This sheriff has been here eight years and has successfully created a huge barrier between the public he’s supposed to be serving and the agency he abused. It’s time for those two entities to come together to reduce the problems that exist in this county.’

Editor’s note: Sheriff candidate Cleamond Lee Walker, who is also on the Aug. 14 ballot, was invited but chose not to meet with the Town-Crier’s editorial board.

Page 8 July 27 - August 2, 2012

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ELECTION 2012: PALM BEACH COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

Bucher: Office Has Made Great Strides, But There’s More To Do

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher hopes voters will recognize her hard work and expertise in election law, granting her a second four-year term.

Bucher faces a challenge from Delray Beach Mayor Nelson “Woodie” McDuffie and former elections office employee Caneste Succe in the Aug. 14 primary election. Write-in-candidate Maxo Marc is also seeking the job.

Bucher told the Town-Crier that she is best qualified for the job because of her experience with the office. “I understand how elections are run and how the interior office needs to operate,” she said. “I have an array of experience in the election process.”

Bucher, 53, was born in California and moved to Florida in 1985. She and her husband, Richard, live in Boynton Beach.

Bucher started as a land planner for Palm Beach County before working on redevelopment projects.

For more than six years, she served as legislative aide to State Rep. Ed Healey.

Upon Healey’s death, Bucher won a special election and took his seat in the Florida House of Representatives in 2000.

Spending eight years in Tallahassee, she served on several committees, including the Ethics and Election Commission.

“I was able to participate in the rewrite of Florida’s election laws,” she said. “I clearly understand election laws, probably more than most attorneys.”

In 2008, Bucher ran for the Supervisor of Elections post, defeating incumbent Dr. Arthur Anderson and now-Wellington

Mayor Bob Margolis in a three-way contest. Since taking office, she has run more than 220 races and 37 ballot questions over 24 election days.

During her time as supervisor of elections, Bucher said that she has worked hard to improve the office, both professionally and physically. “When I got there, there were no operating procedures in writing,” she said. “Meanwhile, the warehouse had fire sprinklers that leaked.”

In addition to creating operating procedures, Bucher also secured a 76,000square-foot warehouse for all the office’s records. “The first order of business was to go out and get a private warehouse,” she said. “We did it ourselves in four and a half months. We now have a warehouse that doesn’t leak water.”

Bucher said another priority has been to review every single contract her office has, resulting in savings to taxpayers.

“We have been extremely successful in returning and saving about $10.5 million in three and a half years,” she said. “That’s about a third of the budget we’ve been allocated. The way we did that was to go through every single contract and renegotiate with everyone.”

Bucher also pointed out that her office was able to get its money back from the state for staging several special elections.

Another improvement Bucher made has been to the allocation and training of poll workers. Now, she said, workers must pass a test.

“It used to be cookie-cutter,” she said.

“Now we allocate them based on voter turnout. We’ve also updated their training. We have been able to monitor what the common issues are [on election days]

and… we rewrote the training manual. We have seen a reduction in errors.”

If re-elected, Bucher said that her top goal would be to fix the way the state tests its voting equipment. “I would want to provide for a more streamlined activity and establish a good practices manual,” she said.

Bucher noted that control over testing the equipment is solely in the hands of the state. “Once we get the equipment, it has been tested and certified by the state,” she said. “You’re not authorized to make any changes whatsoever, even to broken software.”

It was software error that led to the mismatched vote tallies in the recent Wellington municipal election, Bucher asserted. “We’ve been using the software since 2007,” she said. “The election went off just fine. But when we conducted Wellington’s [post-election audit], they did not match the tallies we had on election night.”

Bucher explained that only representatives of the software company have authority to check the code, and a software engineer who was in the warehouse at the time recognized the problem. “The engineer said, ‘We have seen this before,’” Bucher recalled.

Bucher explained that when the system was edited to include ballot titles, the software flipped the sequence of the races.

But because industry standards for testing the machines included plugging in the exact same numbers for each election, the error was not caught.

“We have revamped our procedures,” she said. “We were using industry standard, but what we discovered was that it needed to be enhanced.”

Bucher noted that the high-speed counters later tallied the votes correctly, prior to the hand recount ordered by a judge.

Asked whether she was comfortable with the current voting system, Bucher said she still has concerns about the voter tally issue and other software problems.

“We are upgrading to the new software,” she said. “They said ‘the shortcoming has been addressed in subsequent versions.’

But no, it hasn’t.”

Bucher said that a recent national product advisory notice alerts users that the same error may occur with the new software when ballot titles are put in — something that is mandatory for all elections.

“It says, ‘The contest order on the ballots… can become out of synch,’” she said. “We read the whole manual, and there was no discussion of this.”

Bucher added that her office has found several issues with the software that have not been addressed by the company or the state. “We now do a lot of testing before we let anything out the door,” she said. “I have yet to have any kind of information from the state or from the vendor.”

But, Bucher noted, she does not have the ability to shop around for a better program, with only two available for use in the state.

“The law says that counties don’t have the ability to purchase equipment or software not tested by the state,” she said.

“That tells me there is a problem, not here, but in Tallahassee.”

Though she acknowledged that her predecessors have been voted out of office for similar issues, Bucher said she is different.

PBC Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher “I have provided voters with some answers,” she said. “I know exactly what happened, and I know what policies and procedures to put in place to check for it.”

Bucher said that with Palm Beach County making the front page regularly for its election issues, she knew it would be a hard job.

“When I took this job, I knew it was going to be hard,” she said. “I took the position because I thought it would be a great challenge. I believe I have the skill and attention to detail to be able to get it fixed.”

For more information, visit www. susanbucher.com.

‘When I took this job, I knew it was going to be hard,’ Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said. ‘I took the position because I thought it would be a great challenge. I believe I have the skill and attention to detail to be able to get it fixed.’

McDuffie: Office Needs Strong Leader With Computer Expertise

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Computer analyst and Delray Beach Mayor Nelson “Woodie” McDuffie is challenging incumbent Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher in the Aug. 14 primary election.

A third candidate, Lantana resident Caneste Succe, is also on the ballot. If one candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, he or she will win outright. If not, the top two candidates advance to the November general election. Write-in candidate Maxo Marc has also filed to run.

McDuffie, 66, is a Palm Beach County native who grew up in Delray Beach. He has a degree in management science from Florida Atlantic University that he received in 1970.

“I worked for approximately 21 years with Burroughs Corporation,” he said.

“Since that time, I have been the information technology director for the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser. I’ve been doing your tax roll for 18 years.”

Besides his work as mayor of Delray Beach, McDuffie said that running the Florida division for Unisys was one of his top accomplishments. The firm was the 36th-largest corporation in the United States at the time, installing numerous mainframe computers.

McDuffie has served on the Delray Beach City Commission since 2007, most recently as mayor.

He said that during his term as mayor of Delray Beach, the city has bought numerous recreational fields for youth sports and rebuilt Miller Park, which he said now

stands as a community showplace. “I dramatically improved the quality and availability of fields and facilities for youth sports, which was the reason I got on the commission to begin with,” McDuffie said.

At the property appraiser’s office, McDuffie said he has had 18 years of defect-free tax rolls. “That’s my mission, to put out a tax roll,” he said.

When he first took over computer systems at the office, it was mainframe-oriented, which he updated. He pointed out that when he started, there were 450,000 parcels of property in Palm Beach County and that there are now 628,000 — and the size of the office has not grown.

“If you do the numbers on that, it’s a productivity increase of 40 percent,” McDuffie said.

McDuffie believes that he is the best candidate because he can offer the two things the elections office must provide: professional management and accurate, timely automated services.

“There’s no one else in the race who has professional management training,” he said. “I’m a graduate of management science. Not only that, I’ve been in management 38 years, managing 10 to 800 people.”

At the property appraiser’s office, McDuffie said he could sit back and let his team run the operation, but he works hard to stay up to date technically. “I still have gone to all the programming schools so I can keep myself apprised of how they write the code and what they do so I’m on top of it and can discuss it intelligently,” he said.

McDuffie’s top goal if elected is to pro-

duce timely and accurate election results the first time and every time for every seat in every race. He also intends to be held accountable.

“If anything bothers me more than the errors in that office, it has been the responsibility-shifting to everyone but the people who work there,” he said. “I am the elected official, and the buck stops here.”

As mayor of Delray Beach, McDuffie said he has never blamed anyone else for the problems he walked into there. “I have never looked a reporter in the face and said, ‘Well, that was my police chief ’s fault’ or ‘that was the city manager’s fault,’” he said.

He would also put more emphasis on training. The errors that happened in the recent Wellington election were the result of the totals being out of sequence, which tells him that testing and training in the supervisor ’s office are lacking. “I happen to know that no one has been trained since 2008, and the elected official has never been trained,” McDuffie asserted.

If elected, McDuffie said he would test the system in every way possible to reduce errors and fix them if they occur in order to be able to rely on it to produce accurate results.

“When we got it to the point that we could no longer break it, then we would say, ‘OK, we’re good. We can rely upon it, and we won’t have things happen like what happened here in Wellington,’” he said.

McDuffie does not intend to get caught in the errors that plagued the last three supervisors, beginning with

Theresa LePore, who he said was caught in a “perfect storm” of errors in the 2000 presidential election. “It was an absolute circus,” he said. “She got caught in a bad situation.”

Some contracts in Delray Beach, including the solid waste contract with Waste Management, have come under scrutiny by the Office of the Inspector General for not getting competitive bids. McDuffie explained that some of the large contracts come up for automatic renewal. “My vote would be to bid it out, not because the inspector general says so, but just because we’ve had the same contract for a long time,” he said.

Bucher has criticized McDuffie and Delray Beach for sending out a set of incorrect utility bills due to a computer error, but McDuffie said that was for one cycle as a result of the installation of new software, and the errors were corrected in the next cycle.

Asked whether the county should move to an appointed elections supervisor, McDuffie said he would not favor that. “I typically don’t like to take elected offices and turn them into appointed offices, because I kind of like voters to have the option,” he said. “But I can tell you from my experience, sometimes it’s more political than it is issues. I happen to think if this race were just issues, I could go home and sit down right now and get elected, but it’s not.”

McDuffie favors elected constitutional officers in general because of the level of independence from the county commission.

He said voters should vote for him be-

Delray Beach Mayor Nelson “Woodie” McDuffie cause he has been a dedicated public servant since 1991 in the property appraiser’s office.

“I never found fame or fortune. I just dug in there and did my job,” he said. “I took over the City of Delray Beach when economics fell over the precipice. Ride through Delray Beach, and you will see no evidence of that whatsoever. We still maintain all our services and the level of services… I’m proud of what we do. I’ve worked hard to be a leader. I’m a leader by example.”

For more information, visit www. woodiemcduffie.com.

‘If anything bothers me more than the errors in that office, it has been the responsibility-shifting to everyone but the people who work there,’ challenger Woodie McDuffie said. ‘I am the elected official, and the buck stops here.’

Challenger Succe Decries ‘Corruption’ In The Elections Office

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Former Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office employee Caneste Succe is running for the office’s top job in order to stamp out corruption and ensure that every vote is tallied.

Succe is running against incumbent Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher and fellow challenger Delray Beach Mayor Nelson “Woodie” McDuffie in the Aug. 14 primary election. Write-in candidate Maxo Marc is also seeking the post.

Succe, 49, was born in Haiti. When he was 18, he moved to Lantana, where he has lived for 30 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from American Intercontinental University and also studied at South Tech Academy. He worked for 13 years as an aircraft mechanic at Palm Beach International Airport.

Succe worked in the corrections department at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for seven years, and also spent four years at the Supervisor of Elections office under Dr. Arthur Anderson. He left that job shortly before the 2008 election.

“I used to do youth outreach,” Succe told the Town-Crier. “I would go to universities and high schools to do workshops and try to get the youth to vote.”

Succe started the Good Shepherd Humanitarian Corp., a nonprofit aimed at combating gang violence. “We were the first ones in the area who addressed the gang violence,” he said.

Succe is still heavily involved in his church and his community, helping to

counsel troubled youth, among other activities.

“I have a lot of respect in my community,” he said. “I love to help people. I feel that working with the youth is the most important. I want to teach them so they can have a better county, a better community and do better for themselves.”

Succe ran twice for Lantana mayor in 2003 and 2009, unsuccessfully — however, outcomes that he believes were caused by errors in the supervisor ’s office. According to election records, he lost those races by a wide margin.

“I was a little guy,” he said. “No one paid attention to me. When people sent in their absentee ballots, they threw them away.”

He said he chose to run for office to make sure the public’s vote is counted. “I want to make sure everyone’s vote is counted,” Succe said. “I am very upset about the problems there have been in the past.”

If elected, Succe said he would work to make sure that the candidates who voters choose are declared winners. “I’m the only one who can fix the problem,” he said. “If a person gets the votes, they should be the winner.”

Though he does not have much name recognition, Succe said he is working hard to get himself out there. “I have been knocking on doors and speaking to people,” he said. “I feel like God chose this for me. He knows my heart.”

Succe asserted that there is a lot of favoritism in the office, something he would

like to change if elected. “I would have zero tolerance,” he said. “I would train every employee who works for me. Right now, there is favoritism. They only train certain people.”

He said he would also like to upgrade the equipment, and work to find better, more reliable software.

“I have spoken to five software companies in Florida,” he said. “We are the worst county who always has problems when it comes to the election. The way to stop that is by choosing the best company to do the job.”

But it’s not just software that is the problem, Succe said. He asserted that the computer equipment also needs to be better maintained.

“I would make sure we are using clean chips,” he said. “We need to make sure they are in good condition when it comes time for the election, and that the machine is upgraded. They have been there for so long, they need to be changed. We need to change the entire system. We need to go to Tallahassee and… make sure we get the right equipment with no excuses.”

If elected, he would also like to make the office more visible in the community, he said. “We need to get involved everywhere,” Succe said.

He also said he would like to bring the larger community together to tackle issues. “I’d like to form a committee and combine all the cities in one seminar so those who want to can speak up about the problems they have in order for us to fix it,” he said.

Succe said he does not believe the Palm Beach County Inspector General should have oversight of the office. “I’m the one in charge,” he said. “I’m the one on the inside to see the problems.”

He addressed allegations that he was simply running as a disgruntled former employee. Succe said he left the office in October 2008 after issues with a co-worker made him feel that voters were being disenfranchised.

“I was working in Belle Glade registering people to vote,” he said. “When I got back, I put all the voter registration forms on my desk, and no one ever touched them.”

Succe said that he had an issue with a co-worker when he went to try to enter the voters into the system, which resulted in deputies being called.

“They didn’t speak to me,” he said. “I went home. I wanted to do the right thing, but I felt like there was so much corruption. It’s all who you know in Palm Beach County. I tried to work for the office, and they treated me like that. It’s very corrupt and needs to be cleaned.”

He said the experience changed him.

“I’m not the same person I used to be,” Succe said. “I have been changed from the past. Sometimes God puts you through things so you have more experience.”

He would not have tolerance for similar “corruption,” he said.

“If you don’t clean up the office, you’re never going to have a good election,” he said. “You need to work from the inside to

Challenger Caneste Succe fix the problems. Everybody has problems; you need to know how to figure out what the problems are in order to work comfortably as a team.”

Succe said he is an honest man who is working hard to stamp out corruption.

“I know I can do a good job,” he said.

“It takes someone who can do the job and who knows that what they are doing is for the community, not for themselves. I will be like a bridge. Everyone who wants to step on me can.”

For more info., visit www.canestesucce. com.

‘If you don’t clean up the office, you’re never going to have a good election,’ challenger Caneste Succe said. ‘You need to work from the inside to fix the problems. Everybody has problems; you need to know how to figure out what the problems are in order to work comfortably as a team.’

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July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 9

NEWS

QUARTERS AUCTION AT RPB’S CULTURAL CENTER BENEFITS QUANTUM HOUSE

A quarters auction was held Wednesday, July 18 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center to benefit the Quantum House. A variety of vendors offered food, makeup, candles, Tupperware, jewelry and more for bid. The next quar ters auction will be Wednesday, Aug. 15.

For more info., contact Julie Br yant at juliebryant@my2.tupperware.com or (561) 797-1501.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Raffle winner Patricia Donovan with Julie Bryant.

Auction organizer Julie Bryant with Quantum House Outreach Coordinat or Laura Belcher.

Winning bidder Rene Vazquez with Tupperware sales rep Julie Bryant.

St. Rita Catholic Church WWC members Caroline Elardi, Sharyn Vowles, Nancy Wall and Kit Weiss with bidder paddles.

Caitlin Cassidy looks over Eliza-Beads with Elizabeth Kusuk.

Elise Grover won a T-shir t designed by Rashelle Young.

PET SUPERMARKET HOLDS GRAND OPENING FOR NEW STORE IN ROYAL PALM Pet Supermarket held a grand opening July 20-22 at the Village Royale shopping center in Royal Palm Beach. There were special merchandise discounts, dog and cat food giveaways, raffles, pet adoptions and more. For more info., call (561) 204-9464 or visit the store at 1125 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Madison Swickley makes friends with a puppy up for adoption.

Liz and Kevin Wheatley help Bella pick out a new harness.

Andrea Emerson, Store Manager Joel Granlee and Assistant Manager Camila Pineda.

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July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 11

NEWS

PROJECT 425 IN LOXAHATCHEE GROVES HOSTS SPANISH EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Project 425 hosted exchange students from Spain on Wednesday, July 18 at G&M Ranch in Loxahatchee Groves. The focus of the field trip was the use of the Huey helicopter in the Vietnam War and the present duties of the Huey. Former servicemen spoke, and DVDs were shown. Students were presented with an American flag, dog tags, a certificate from the Hillclimber crew and a goody bag from Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Hillclimber 425 crew members gather with the exchange students.

Guests, students and the Hillclimber 425 crew.

Brehemy Pierre and John Gomez.

Lucia Ortiz (in helmet) and Patricia Lozano sit in Huey.

Mik e Carroll, Tori Lando, Major General Wayne Jackson and Bill Jeczalik.

Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster speaks as Major General Wayne Jackson and Mike Carroll look on.

Major General Wayne Jackson and Mike Carroll present a certificate to PBSO Sgt. Johnny Hyde.

Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Ron Jarriel (left) and Wellington Councilwoman Anne Gerwig (right) speak.

Curt Rich speaks with Santi Guadilla and Miguel Eiros.

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July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 13

SCHOOL NEWS

TKA Junior Attends National Youth Leadership Forum On Medicine Jordan Gableman, a junior at the King’s Academy, recently returned from the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The 10-day forum introduced Gableman to a broad range of issues in the medical field, including public health, medical ethics, research and general practice, as well as including visits to medical facilities and clinics.

By shadowing and interacting with leaders within the medical field, Gableman received a behindthe-scenes perspective on a medical career. Observing a total kneereplacement surgery as well as a laparoscopic hysterectomy via a live stream from the operating room was a learning experience for Gableman.

“This forum opened my eyes to so many opportunities in medicine and has solidified my desire to pursue a career in this field, possibly in physical therapy,” Gableman said.

Gableman also enjoyed participating in a simulation where she was tasked to diagnose and develop a treatment plan for a fictional patient. The daily schedule was packed from 6:30 a.m. wakeup calls until the last class or lecture at 10 p.m., enabling Gableman to learn from doctors at Duke Medical School as well as some of the nation’s leaders in the medical field. Gableman also loved meeting students from around the world who had similar interests and goals.

“I am grateful for my science classes at the King’s Academy, particularly human physiology, that helped me to understand lectures and grasp detailed concepts that were presented,” Gableman said.

“TKA encourages our students to participate in enrichment opportunities like the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine to broaden their perspectives and immerse themselves in a field in which they are interested,” TKA

Jordan Gableman upon arrival to the program.

Headmaster Kevin Colling said.

“Programs like these help students make informed decisions about their futures, and coupled with our job shadowing and other career exploration tools, our students receive a hands-on education in their fields of interest.”

The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through 12th grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools In-

Jordan Gableman with other delegates from across the nation. ternational and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West

Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach. More information about the King’s Academy is available online at www. tka.net.

Area Students Complete Océ Future Authors Project Writing Workshop Océ, a Canon Group Company and an international leader in digital document management, recently announced that more than 40 middle and high school students in Palm Beach County completed the 2012 Océ Future Authors Project writing workshop, making them eligible to become published authors.

A collection of their works, which they named Pens and Paper: Our Weapons of Mass Construction, will be presented at a formal book-signing event this fall.

Two of the students, Meher

Kalkat and Michael Wang, both eighth-graders at the Bak Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, also will have one piece each published in the online publication, East magazine.

“At the workshop, we had the chance to write creatively in a way we can’t at school,” Kalkat said.

“I enjoyed it because the teachers nitpicked our work and edited everything so well that it really helped me improve my writing. I would recommend this program to anyone who likes to write and wants to learn more skills.”

Francis McMahon, vice president of marketing at Production Printing Systems at Océ North America, speaks to students in the Future Author class.

Wang agreed, saying that he especially liked being around other writers. “The workshop was a place where I could learn how others write and to experience professional editing,” he said. “I’ve never had a real editor before. This was a great way to improve my writing.”

For 10th-grader Julian Stark, this was a perfect way to spend the summer, especially for someone who would like to pursue a career as a writer. “I thought I was a good writer and went into this a little cocky,” said the Boca Raton High School student. “Then, my work came back with writing all over it. I learned a lot and especially enjoyed the creative energy in the room. I got a lot of ideas from the other students.”

Four professional authors gave presentations to the students during the workshop, sharing their personal experiences and offering writing and publishing tips. The authors were Robert Forbes, children’s book author and president of ForbesLife magazine; Mary Monroe, a high school teacher and young adult book author; Nicole Barker, young adult author of Dancing With Ana; and Richard Rosser, the publisher of East magazine.

Francis McMahon, vice president of marketing at Production Printing Systems, a division of Océ North America, said this year’s students displayed incredible skill.

“When I sat with the students during one of their workshop days, I was amazed by their passion and commitment to the craft of writing,” McMahon said. “Their work is creative and thoughtful. I look forward to watching these students grow in their talents and love of writing in future years. We continued to be impressed by the students who choose to spend their summer vacations as Océ Future Authors. Our hope is that this experience will result in a group of young adults with lifelong commitments to writing, reading and learning.”

In its seventh year, the Océ Future Authors Project accepted applications this year from nearly 100 students who wanted to spend part of their summer vacations learning how to become published authors. The program begins with an intense eight-day writing workshop.

Students gain insight into the process of writing, editing and digitally publishing books through interactions with Océ executives, published authors and licensed

Author Robert Forbes addresses the Océ Future Authors Project students. language arts teachers. Writings from each student are then compiled, professionally published and digitally printed in final book form by the Boca Raton-based Océ North America Production Printing Systems division. The finished book is then unveiled at a book signing hosted by the City of Boca Raton at the Spanish River Public Library. Since the program’s inception in 2006, nearly 300 students have participated in the Océ Future Authors Project writing workshops.

The program is a partnership between the School District of Palm Beach County and Océ North

America, and is made possible with generous grants from the Lawrence Sanders Foundation; Maroone, an AutoNation Company; and Xplor International, a notfor-profit educational and networking association serving users and suppliers of document technologies.

For more information on how to support the program, contact Mary Kay Murray, executive director of the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, at murraymk@palmbeach.k12.fl.us.

For more information about the Océ Future Authors Project, visit www.oceusa.com/futureauthors.

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

James Fisher Joins GISELLE’S DANCE STUDIO PRESENTS SHOW AT RPBHS ‘Coalition Of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions’ Group

Giselle’s Dance Studio presented a performance titled “Variations 2012� on Saturday, June 23 at Royal Palm Beach High School. It was a two-hour display of exciting choreographies, costumes and backdrops, all enjoyed by the audience. For more information about Giselle’s Dance Studio, call (561) 753-9543, visit www.gisellesdancestudio.com or stop by the studio at 298 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach. Shown below are some of the dancers who performed June 23.

Navy Pfc. James Fisher, son of Terry Mistler of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kevin Fisher of Loxahatchee, and fellow sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) recently formed a committee called Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions.

Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions is a peer-topeer mentoring program geared toward assisting sailors in making positive decisions in all areas of their lives.

The program was originally created for those in ROTC, JROTC and similar programs. However, it quickly spread throughout the Navy and is now a resource for all sailors.

The purpose of the program is peer mentorship. The goals of its members are to get a group of sailors who, through networking and discussion, can create ways to inform and inspire others to make

better decisions, and to equip all hands with the tools they need to make those decisions.

The coalition has different topics they want to focus on every month in an effort to raise awareness about these issues.

Topics range from addressing problems such as sexual assault to everyday issues such as car buying.

Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions recently held its first meeting and plan to meet at least once per month throughout the rest of the ship’s deployment.

Fisher is a 2002 graduate of Norwood High School of Norwood, Ohio. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2010.

For more information on the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, visit the group’s Facebook page.

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July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 15

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Benefit Raises $27,000 For Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center With nothing but rain for weeks before, the four hours of sunshine that allowed charity golfers to get their game on during a benefit for Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center last month at PGA National Resort & Spa were a welcome respite.

Approximately 80 people showed up to tee off, and 14 teams managed to play a full 18 holes.

As the last team came off the green, the rains returned — once again drenching the South Florida landscape.

“It was a miracle the weather cooperated like it did,” said Laura Stolzman, community connection chair for event sponsor the Association of Legal Administrators.

The second miracle might be the astonishing amount raised on behalf of the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center: $27,425 from sponsorships, golf fees and silent auction purchases. Local businesses such as Tropical Bakery, Weekes & Callaway Insurance and Sabadell United Bank helped make this happen.

Located in Loxahatchee Groves, Vinceremos serves adults and children with cognitive, emotional and physical disabilities such as au-

tism, head injuries, stroke and more, via therapeutic horseback riding that can soothe, foster relationship-building and help build confidence and responsibility.

What will Vinceremos do with the windfall? The organization has a number of ongoing projects and a growing wish list, according to Susan Guinan, Vinceremos director of development. It includes: • Rider subsidies — It costs $125 per lesson (in transportation, instruction, room and board for the horses), yet Vinceremos charges clients just $50.

• Work with area schools — The group has “spectacularly successful” programs in place with the Palm Beach School for Autism in Lantana, and middle and high schools in Wellington and West Palm Beach. For some schools, this means help with transporting students to the farm, in other cases it’s helping with volunteer recruitment or paying for riding lessons. A mentorship arrangement with one school promotes interaction between mainstream and special ed kids at Vinceremos. “The benefits trickle down to the mainstream kids,” Guinan explained. “When the foot-

(Front row, L-R) Karen Luther and Marilyn Fong; (back row) Michele Parcells, Erica Poag, Jim Johnson, Laura Stolzman and Gloria Hernandez. ball captain is a volunteer at Vinceremos, he learns how to have a relationship with someone who isn’t exactly like him.”

• Getting the word out — Updating marketing materials and photo albums is vital to the nonprofit’s ability to attract donors and those who would benefit from Vinceremos’ services.

• New horse trailer — Vincere-

mos has been saving for a new trailer for transportation needs for any of their 20-plus horses, but it’s a substantial expense, in the $20,000 range, according to Guinan.

The Association of Legal Administrators is pleased with the charity golf tournament turnout and the amount of money they were able to raise for Vinceremos.

Ilene Bennett of event sponsor All-Ways Advertising and PBCALA President Gloria Hernandez.

“We hope to make this an annual event,” Stolzman said.

The charity fundraising golf tournament was hosted by the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (PBCALA), with its nearly 100 members representing private law firms, government agencies and corporate legal departments throughout the county. PBCALA

selected Vinceremos as the benefactor of its “Community Connection” efforts because Vinceremos is a homegrown nonprofit doing great work and focusing on a wide range of illnesses and disabilities for maximum impact in the community.

For more information on Vinceremos, call (561) 792-9900 or visit www.vinceremos.org.

Area Students Stunt Weekend At Burt Reynolds Institute Receive Chick-fil-A Scholarships Chick-fil-A Inc. has selected three students — Aixa Navarro of Wellington, and Hannah Gregory and Katie Gregory of The Acreage — as recipients of the chain’s $1,000 Leadership Scholarship.

Navarro and the Gregory twins were nominated by Rob Rabenecker Jr., operator of Chick-fil-A at the Mall at Wellington Green. All three young ladies have worked for Chick-fil-A for more than three years. Navarro currently attends Florida Atlantic University and is studying education, with plans to become a high school teacher.

Hannah and Katie Gregory will both attend Lee University in the fall. Hannah will major in psychology and counseling, and Katie will study nursing. Both plan to add a minor in missions to share their knowledge and kindness with people around the world.

“The program recognizes em-

ployees who demonstrate the leadership and character qualities to build a successful life, while offering tangible assistance to enrich their lives with education beyond high school,” Rabenecker said. “Aixa, Hannah and Katie all have the potential to accomplish great things.”

The Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship Program began in 1973 out of founder Truett Cathy’s desire to motivate restaurant employees to further their education.

Since the program’s inception, more than 3,100 team members have received scholarships, bringing the total amount to nearly $30 million. In addition, all recipients are eligible for Chick-fil-A’s S. Truett Cathy Scholar Award, which provides an additional $1,000 scholarship to the top 25 Chickfil-A Leadership Scholarship recipients each year.

On Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15, students at the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre had the unique opportunity to participate in a stunt workshop taught by Taurus World Stunt Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Glenn R. Wilder.

Wilder has been the “go to guy” for action films for over half a century. Among his better known

Burt Reynolds and Glenn R. Wilder.

movies are The Last Starfighter, The Presidio, Edward Scissorhands, Days of Thunder and Terminator 2. His nearly lifelong friendship with Burt Reynolds began when both worked on the TV series Gunsmoke. Together they have thrilled fans with their action adventure antics in more than 50 movies and TV shows.

Reynolds, appearing relaxed and in good health, spent the weekend sharing stories with students who attended the-two day class. He told those present that the workshop was the first time he and Wilder had actually been on a stage together. Then, with his trademark glibness, he recalled his recent stint on the hit TV show Burn Notice. Wilder coordinated the stunts for the show because, according to Reynolds, “I wanted to beat him up again. I’ve been beating him up forever.”

Brian Hirth, a student who learned how to take a punch, praised the course. “Not only did I learn how hard it is to be a stuntman, I gained a new respect for the athletic abilities of those in

Glenn R. Wilder leads the workshop. the field,” he said.

Another student, Michael Varde, was awed by the opportunity to get up close and personal with both Wilder and Reynolds.

“They were just regular guys — regular, highly talented guys! Their respect for one another was inspiring,” he said.

Students wearing protective pads were taught wrestling moves, including kicks, kneeing, throwing elbows and take-downs.

They learned to take and avoid punches, to fall from the stage without injuring themselves and to faux fight — one of the highlights of the class.

Plans are in the works to offer the workshop again. A waiting list has already begun to form with new and repeat students.

The Burt Reynolds Institute is located at 100 North U.S. 1, Jupiter. For information on classes, call (561) 385-1584.

Page 16 July 27 - August 2, 2012

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The Town-Crier

NEWS

STARBUCKS BENEFIT RAISES OVER $4,000 FOR WELLINGTON’S PAULA RICHARDS The National Foundation for Transplants, in partnership with Starbucks Coffee, held a benefit for Paula Richards on Saturday, July 21 at Starbucks in the Wellington Plaza. Richards needs a liver transplant, and the event raised $4,020.05. The event included live music, raffle prizes, face painting and a surprise visit from Richards’ daughter, who is serving in the U.S. Army. To make a contribution to Richards, visit patients.transplants.org and search for her name.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

Mary Jones, Paula Richards, Michael Powers, Hope Richards, Mariana Gonzalez and Raymond Montalvo.

Paula Richards with friends Marsha and Ted Breil.

Paula Richards with her mother Joanne Overbeck.

Paula Richards hugs her daughter, Hayley Nine.

Paula Richards with her ex-husband, Evan Nine.

Paula Richards with her son, Darryn Nine.

Jose Gonzalez, Mariana Gonzalez, Megan Overbeck and Jayden Melendez with Paula Richards.

RPB SUMMER CAMPERS PERFORM IN TALENT SHOW AT THE CULTURAL CENTER The Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department held a talent show for its summer campers Monday, July 23 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Campers ages 5 to 13 sang, danced and performed gymnastic routines.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Alana Soler and Taylor Gale sing.

Lucas Rogers and Dominic Fusca show their dance moves.

Morea Hodge, Isabella Torres and Annaliz Treadnel perform a gymnastic and dance routine.

The Town-Crier

Next Girls Night Out Event Aug. 9 At Players Club Following a successful event on July 12, the next Girls Night Out will be held Thursday, Aug. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Players Club in Wellington.

For the August event, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County has been selected as the evening’s charity beneficiary.

“We had groups of women arriving at our front door from 6 o’clock on, to enjoy a fun night out with their friends,” said Dolores Schlick, director of catering at the Players Club. “And most of them didn’t go home until it was over!”

The July Girls Night Out evening had plenty of tempting options for the ladies — shopping with more than 20 vendors on site, delicious drink and food specials to indulge in, plenty of raffle prizes to win and DJ GFY playing music all night long.

Not only were the women enjoying a fun night out, but they were raising some money for a good cause, the Kids Cancer Foundation.

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NEWS BRIEFS As part of the event, each vendor was asked to donate a prize to be used as a raffle prize, and the money raised at the July event from the sale of the raffle tickets was donated to the Kids Cancer Foundation. Michelle O’Boyle, founder and executive director of the Kids Cancer Foundation, was on hand distributing information about the work they do.

Each month, there will be a different local charity chosen to benefit from the raffle proceeds.

“We are proud to offer this support to local charities, such as the Kids Cancer Foundation, that are making a difference in our community every day,” said Maureen Gross, director of development and community outreach at Phelps Media Group. “It is organizations like this that make the western communities such a wonderful place to live, and every month there are many women who come out to specifically support that month’s charity.”

Girls Night Out is held from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at the Players Club.

For information about attending, contact Schlick at pcrcatering@ aol.com or (561) 795-0080. For vendor information, contact Gross at

mbg@phelpsmediagroup.com or (561) 714-0887.

July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 17

CAMPAIGN KICKOFF FOR KEN HENDRICK

CAFCI Talent Show Set For Aug. 25 In RPB Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will present its annual youth talent show Saturday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach).

This year’s show will feature “Stars of Tomorrow” from the community and promises to be very exciting and entertaining. Previous CAFCI talent show participants have gone on to perform with the legendary Michael Jackson, on daytime soap operas and America’s Most Talented Kids.

Performers auditions will be held Friday, Aug. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Every talent is encouraged to audition.

For more information, call Marsha at (561) 386-3146, Shirley at (561) 719-6508, Nadine at (561)3516895 or the CAFCI office at (561) 790-4002, or e-mail cafci@pbcc. org.

A campaign kickoff party was held Thursday, July 19 at Kocomo’s Island Grill restaurant in The Acreage for Ken Hendrick, a candidate for Seat 4 on the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors. Supporters turned out to enjoy an evening of good food and fun. Hendrick is challenging incumbent Michelle Damone in the November election. Shown above is Hendrick with supporters.

Page 18 July 27 - August 2, 2012

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NEWS Etiquette

Classes Start Soon

continued from page 1 duce children to classical forms of music, fine art and proper dress codes. “Then their scope widens, and they become better human beings, more tolerant and capable of enjoying different things,” she explained.

The Etiquette Excellence program is more than just a way to teach children proper manners; it’s a way to transform their lives. “It’s introducing them to a more com-

Manure

Delayed 90 Days

continued from page 1 able weather could cause issues.

“You don’t have to be here very long to know that a three- or fourinch deluge makes it so the manure bins are overflowing,” he said.

Whitlow was concerned about enforcing the tightened restrictions for manure haulers.

“There are a lot of big trucks out there hauling manure,” he said.

“I’m not sure that all of them are taking it to the right place. Does code enforcement have the authority to stop people and ask where they are taking it? I think that is probably a necessary and pro-active thing that we need to put in this.”

Gardner noted that Loxahatchee Groves has a system for letting it ticket a hauler.

“If they are found to be bringing in more than they are supposed to, or taking it to a place that they’re not already approved

Sluggett

Commission Votes 4-3

continued from page 1 he said. “The issue becomes sustainability within the Acreage area, and serving the people who live within that community.”

Bentz said not providing nearby services negatively affects not only the residents in that community, but people in the surrounding communities where the residents have to drive, such as Wellington and Royal Palm Beach.

Bentz also pointed out that the Sluggett property is unique, unlike any other property in the county.

Former Department of Community Affairs Director Tom Pelham, also representing the Sluggett family, said he supported the staff report and stressed that the change would not set a precedent.

“This site is unique, and that was the reason for the direction to the board to prepare something that would apply only to this particular site, in terms of its location, its size, and in no way would ap-

Port Race

Richards vs.

Anderson

continued from page 1 said. “They sailed yesterday.

They were 100 percent sold out.”

More than 60 percent of the passengers are from outside the county. “They are bringing in significant vacation dollars to Palm Beach County,” Richards said.

“Every two days, we have 1,200 people on and off that ship. These people have money to spend for their family vacation. They end up getting hotel rooms in South Florida, in Palm Beach County. They end up spending money in the restaurants, the car rentals and the gas stations.”

The port will also soon have the Black Diamond casino catamaran launching next month to replace the Palm Beach Princess, which ceased operation two years ago.

“We aggressively went after a replacement for the Palm Beach Princess,” Richards said. “We believe there is still pent-up demand here in Palm Beach County

The Grille

Council OK Needed

continued from page 3 issue was caused because of the holiday season, with guests ordering more liquor for parties and other events.

Board Member Marcia Radosevich asked about the guidelines for compliance. “Is that monitored daily?” she asked. “Do they have to be in compliance for all 12 months?”

Basehart said that although Wellington does not do the monitoring, he understood that the state would cite them. “If a monthly audit shows you have not met the requirements, you get a notice of citation,” he said.

Kurtz agreed. “There is a hear-

plex world,” Salas said. “Very often you find adults who tell you they don’t like opera, but how do they know if they never heard one and never heard the history of opera?”

Every week, the children will learn a different set of etiquette skills. “We can teach children to appreciate different types of foods, while putting the charm into it,” Salas said. “It’s not the same thing having a slice of pizza on a piece of paper as having it on a plate accompanied with greens.

We make them appreciate doing it with class.”

The classes and workshops

teach children the simplicity of practicing proper etiquette, “teaching them that it takes the same time to do it right as it does to do it wrong,” Salas said.

The program is set up into three levels. Each level includes a year of curriculum, including classes and workshops. After each level is completed, participants are awarded a certificate and are able to move on to the next level.

After the last level is completed, students who receive a certificate are able to become etiquette instructors. “We have other programs where, when they graduate from our three-level program, they

to take it to, they can get a ticket,” she said.

O’Dell said that the ordinance has a provision to audit not only the haulers but also the dumping sites.

“As far as stopping people, that’s something we still have issues with,” he said.

Whitlow noted that farm owners can be liable under the code for haulers not following protocol.

“I don’t think farm owners should be punished for haulers’ misdeeds,” he said.

O’Dell said that Wellington will be promoting approved haulers on its web site, hoping to encourage them to abide by the rules in exchange for more business. “When someone is looking for a hauler, we can point them to the web site,” he explained.

O’Dell said that most farm owners he has talked to don’t know where their manure goes but can identify their haulers.

“One of the components of getting this ordinance passed is an educational component,” he said.

“We want to communicate what we’re trying to do and why we’re

trying to do it, while promoting the haulers that are doing the right thing.”

Gardner said that she was concerned Wellington might be jumping the gun by making changes before it knows the county requirements.

“What I think would be the best situation, is to take the ideas [O’Dell] has and work on educating the community,” she said.

“Then take the next year and wait for the new ordinance to come from the county, and see what we’re forced to do when the new rules come out. That seems like the logical time for us to write a new ordinance.”

Committee Member Myles Tashman asked whether the county was making headway in new regulations, or if it was a distant goal.

Gardner said she was told new regulations should be going before the county in a few months.

The committee voted 5-1, with Whitlow dissenting, to postpone their discussion on the item for 90 days to see what the county proposes.

proval of this plan amendment legally bind or tie the hands of any future county commission,” Pelham said.

He also pointed out that the 280,000 square feet represents only 6.5 acres, or 10 percent of the total acreage of the property.

“The Acreage has 55,000 acres,” Pelham said. “To suggest that development, not even within The Acreage, but on two arterial roadways, would in some way harm or adversely affect The Acreage simply would not withstand scrutiny.”

He noted that the Sluggett project is just a fraction the size of the one proposed several years ago for Callery-Judge Grove.

“It is a very limited, reasonable change,” Pelham said. “Without it, the planning situation is going to continue to get worse and worse.

This is good planning in every sense of the word. It’s a prime commercial location on two arterial roadways.”

Pelham added that the change would provide for a major anchor tenant on the site to support other shopping possibilities, and that a significant store such as a Home

can learn how to become teachers,” Salas said.

According to Salas, Etiquette Excellence is not your typical etiquette program. “It’s very relaxed, and not strict at all,” she said. “We want kids to have fun and enjoy what they are doing.”

The Etiquette Excellence program also teaches adults the fundamentals of etiquette. “We teach couples and all types of people,” Salas said. “For example, we just taught an etiquette class at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio about how to behave at a ball.”

The Etiquette Excellence program classes and workshops are conducted at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, inside the original Wellington Mall, at the space previously occupied by Curves.

For more info., visit www.etiqueta excellencemanners.com or call (954) 655-8820 or (561) 255-0549.

LGWCD

Etiquette Excellence co-organizer and instructor Tenchy Salas in front of the location where the classes are going to be held.

PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

continued from page 1 a portion of the assessments for the four roads paying for road improvement debt assessments, which would normalize the maximum debt assessment rate to no more than $104.17 per acre. “They approved that, and the total amount came to $28,893,” Saunier said.

The debt assessment rate for North D Road was lowered from $113.61 per acre to $104.17 per acre.

The debt assessment rate for South C Road was lowered from $162.70 per acre to $104.17 per acre.

The debt assessment rates for North A Road and North C Road remain unchanged, since they are below the normalized rate of

$104.17 per acre, Saunier said.

He said that the changes due to the subsidy are still subject to approval by the bank that made the loan, which had informed him that legal fees to review the change would not exceed $1,000.

The debt assessments are to be submitted to the tax collector’s office on July 27 and could be changed to a lower amount but not raised. Saunier suggested the amount reported reflect the rate before the town’s subsidy, adding that they could lower the rate after it is signed off by the bank.

The final certification of the tax roll is done Sept. 12.

Supervisor John Ryan pointed out that the board is still using reserves in order not to raise the assessment and suggested that they find further ways to economize to minimize taking from the reserves.

Supervisor Don Widing said

with the OGEM paving, he anticipated a savings in fuel and operating costs for grading and other maintenance of dirt roads.

“I think that’s the expectation of our board, and I think this is the progress we should see,” Widing said.

Supervisor John Ryan made a motion to approve the resolution adopting the proposed budget and assessment roll, and it carried 5-0.

In other business, the board authorized Widing to enter into negotiations for a new contract with Saunier. Widing made the suggestion, saying he did not want to discuss negotiations at a public meeting but would bring a proposed contract back to the board for approval. Widing also passed out suggested incentives for employees for the board’s consideration in lieu of raises.

Depot would provide many employment opportunities.

Commissioner Karen Marcus pointed out that county staff had repeatedly recommended denial of a big-box store on the property, and that the Florida Department of Transportation had indicated that it would put Southern Blvd. over capacity.

“I guess I’m struggling with why it was a bad thing all along, and then what’s changed that a big box is an appropriate use here based on all of the things that we had talked about before, because it hasn’t changed, at least not in my opinion,” Marcus said.

Planning Director Lorenzo Aghemo said staff had recommended approval in 2010 because it was based on the concepts of the now-defunct Sector Plan, that it had recommended approval of commercial low with the condition that the single tenant be limited to 65,000 square feet and that it be in the form of a traditional marketplace. He noted that the county commission in March had directed staff to draft an amendment eliminating the 65,000-square-foot single-tenant cap.

Commissioner Steven Abrams asked whether the amendment constitutes poor planning, and Aghemo said because it doesn’t affect commercial low anywhere else in the county, it does not.

Commissioner Jess Santamaria, who lives in Royal Palm Beach about 5 miles east of the site, said residents have told him the reason they moved there was the low density.

“There are some people who want modernization, but the majority of the people I have spoken to over the years came for the same reason I moved into the western communities, the openness, the isolation, being away from West Palm Beach,” he said.

Santamaria said he attended the ALA meeting a few weeks ago and listened to the arguments, and also met with the Sluggett family and their consultants, including Pelham, in the past week.

“I was highly impressed by Mr. Pelham,” he said. “I agreed with everything he said. Everything he said is good planning. There is no doubt in my mind that he means what he says, not because he’s a paid consultant.”

But Santamaria said that although the property is unique, the community is also unique. “The number-one priority is that the majority of the people who bought homes there over the past years and continue to live there, I have heard over and over again: ‘Leave us alone, this is what we want. This is the lifestyle we bought into,’” he said.

Commissioner Priscilla Taylor asked whether notices had been sent to neighbors, and Van Horn said more than 30 notices had been sent to property owners within 1,000 feet as well as governmental and civic bodies, including the ALA and the Indian Trail Improvement District.

There were three phone responses with one opposed, as well as the letter from the ALA in opposition, he said.

Commissioner Burt Aaronson said he has a similar situation in Boca Raton, where residents opposed an approval for a 240,000square-foot commercial development. Costco came in with 150,000 square feet. “The people objecting to the Costco at that time are now the best customers of the

Costco,” Aaronson said, adding that he agrees with the applicants’ comments that residents without services nearby adversely affect other communities.

Commissioner Paulette Burdick said the members of the community that she had talked to asked her not to approve the amendment because it changes the community.

“I respect that,” Burdick said, pointing out that the Costco approval in Boca Raton was in an urban/suburban area. “This is rural, and I believe that the majority of [residents] really want to keep it rural.”

Commission Chair Shelly Vana said she would support the measure because it is on Southern Blvd., does not change the total square footage of the use, and they had not heard from an overwhelming number of people opposing it.

“We see when people don’t want something,” Vana said. “I’m not seeing that.”

Abrams made a motion to approve the amendment, which was seconded by Taylor. It carried 4-3 with Burdick, Santamaria and Marcus opposed.

for local gaming. They will offer twice-a-day sailings out of the Port of Palm Beach.”

Other recent successes of the port include attracting a Brazilian company that will import guarana seed and extract natural caffeine to be sold to pharmaceutical and energy drink manufacturers. The company will hire about 75 employees making an average of $60,000 plus benefits, Richards said. He added that the port also has a new metal exporter that will be exporting scrap metals to the Far East.

The diversification of the Port of Palm Beach is important because a majority of the revenue was formerly generated in exporting food and building materials to the Caribbean, an area hit hard during the economic downturn.

The result was a major hit to the port, he said. “Over the last four years, we have diversified our revenue base, and for five consecutive years, we have notched increased revenues,” Richards said.

Annual revenues have gone from $12.6 million to $16 million over that time, and in four of the

five years, the port reduced expenses. “Our margins went from 25 percent to 52.1 percent in five years,” he said. “I’m very proud of what we’ve done with the port.”

Richards said he has taken a leadership role in the inland port project, which aims to create an inland transfer station in the Glades. The idea recently received a 4-1 vote of confidence by the commission.

“As CEO of the port, I am 100 percent supportive of the inland port,” he said. “Our mission as an economic engine is to bring jobs to the county. All the studies show that thousands of individuals in the Glades will be employed.”

Joseph Anderson — Challenger Anderson said that he believes not enough people know about the port and what it does.

Anderson, who lives in Riviera Beach, said he is running to make a difference and bridge the gap from the port to the surrounding communities.

“When I look at the opportunities that exist at the port, first of all, many people do not know what the port does,” he said. “As we

go to different venues, there are quite a few people who do not know what the port does, especially in Riviera Beach itself and in neighboring West Palm Beach.”

As a longtime resident, that concerns him. “That is something that has troubled me over the years, especially being born and reared here,” he said. “That is something I want to change, especially when it comes to economic development within the port district.”

Anderson, who owns a construction company, is a 1988 graduate of Suncoast High School. He later earned a degree in accounting from Bethune Cookman University.

Looking at the port from a global standpoint, Anderson said the upgrading of the Panama Canal and the development of the inland port will play important roles.

“First and foremost, with the Glades’ unemployment and the inland port coming in, you have to have enough of a skill set to vie for some of these jobs, and this is something that we have to put in place as of right now,” he said.

“We have to leverage our position

ing process, and you have the potential to lose your license,” he added.

Coleman asked about whether there were regulations for hours of operation imposed on restaurants.

Kurtz said that there are. “As a restaurant or a cocktail lounge, you still need to come before the council, in this case because of the location, and get permission to operate beyond 11 p.m.,” he said.

Basehart said that this was to protect residential areas. “The intent of those provisions is that when we have a commercial operation that is very near a residential area, there is a potential for noise and other issues,” he said.

Coleman said that noise has been a concern for her as well.

“There is no outdoor entertainment being requested, is that correct?” she asked.

Kurtz said that there was not, and that the board could impose a condition of approval that there could not be outdoor entertainment.

Basehart said there had been only two complaints about noise.

“There have been two separate complaints, and there have been several incidents when code officers have gone to the site in the evening,” he said.

Board Member Paul Adams said he was in support of the project but thought it should serve food all night. “I don’t see a large outpouring of opposition from the public,” he said.

Gando said he would be willing to work within the conditions imposed by the board. “I will take

care of anything you ask,” he said.

“I will still serve food. I will still work under the [restaurant] limitations. I won’t have entertainment outside.”

Drahos made a motion to approve the cocktail use designation and extension of hours of operation with several conditions: The Grille would have to continue to serve food while it serves liquor; it must abide by all of Wellington’s noise restrictions; and it cannot have outdoor entertainment.

Additionally, Drahos said that the approval was not transferable if they were to sell the restaurant, and that failure to comply with any of the conditions would subject them to code enforcement penalties such as monetary fines or revocation of the permit.

The motion carried 6-0, with Vice Chair Tim Shields absent.

with Palm Beach State College to make sure that these young men and women can vie for some of these jobs.”

Anderson said other ports and colleges have entered into partnerships to offer young people the skills to work successfully in port jobs. “They can vie for some of these jobs at these seaports, which is stevedores, longshoremen and crane operators,” he said. “When they graduate, they can have some of these skill sets.”

Anderson said there has been a lack of presence by the port under his opponent’s leadership. “[Richards] had been admonished from the South Bay dais by Commissioner [John] Wilson about his presence, and lack thereof,” Anderson said. “Also, he walked out of the negotiations when they were negotiating the inland port, so there’s some displeasure with his lack of presence and lack of interaction in fighting and advocating for the people in the Glades, as well as in Riviera Beach and other areas.”

Anderson said the commission needs a person who will work for the people and not special interests.

“There’s just a litany of things that go on that I feel this adminis-

tration has done that haven’t been keen to the desires of the people who reside in the port district,” he said.

Anderson said he realizes that he has a daunting task ahead of him in trying to unseat a threeterm incumbent, but he said not too many people know Richards.

“He’s known among some of the politicians, and he’s known among some of the people in politics, but to the average lay person, most people can’t tell you who he is,” Anderson said. “It is an uphill battle, but we remain optimistic about our outcome on Aug. 14.”

Anderson has not held elective office, although he has been active in various political and civic organizations, including the Voters League of the Palm Beaches, Together We Stand Democratic Club, the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, the Florida Democratic Black Caucus of Palm Beach County, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Office of Small Business Advisory Committee and the Lambert Advisory Committee for the City of West Palm Beach.

The winner of the primary will face Republican George Allen Black and two write-in candidates in November.

Budget Approved

Blotter continued from page 6 with a shopping cart containing several items she had selected in the store. According to the report, Britt exited the restaurant at approximately 6:31 p.m. and continued to push the shopping cart past all points of sale and head toward the exit without paying for the items. The loss prevention officer stopped Britt and recovered the items, which totaled $94.94. Britt was arrested and issued a notice to appear in court.

JULY 23 — A Lake Worth man was arrested Monday for shoplifting from a liquor store on Southern Blvd. According to a PBSO

report, an employee contacted the Royal Palm Beach substation after two Hispanic men stole several cigars from the store. According to the report, the employee said that at approximately 3:30 p.m., the men asked for access to where the cigars are kept. The employee said that one of the men, later identified as 42-year-old Carlos Vento, proceeded to take seven cigars valued at $41.93 and exit the store, passing all points of sale. Vento got in a 2009 white Ford truck and fled the area, but the employee was able to get the tag number. The deputies were able to track down Vento, and he was arrested and issued a notice to appear in court on charges of shoplifting.

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See the Semifinals & Finals! ¦ at the Amphitheater ¦ August 3rd & 4th ¦ 8:00pm

FREE Events at the Wellington Amphitheater July 27

Wellington Talent Search: Live Auditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8PM

28

Wellington Talent Search: Live Auditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8PM

August 03

Wellington Talent Search: Semifinals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8PM

04

Wellington Talent Search: Finals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8PM

10

Movie: Night at the Museum (PG) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8PM

11

Neil Diamond Tribute Concert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8PM

17

Movie: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8PM

24

Movie: The A-Team (PG-13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8PM

25

Rod Stewart Tribute Concert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CANCELLED

Events are FREE and subject to change.

Please bring seating!

For more information on FREE Amphitheater events scan the QR code to the left with your smart phone, or call 561.753.2484.

July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 19

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Neal Shapiro Recalls Being In The 1972 Munich Games

With the 2012 Summer Olympics set to kick off this week in London, retired Olympic show jumper Neal Shapiro recalls his experience riding at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, including the panic caused by a group of Palestinian terrorists.

Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23

July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 21

Benefit Softball Tourney At Acreage Community Park

Friends, family and supporters of firefighter Chris Bradley joined in the War on Cancer Co-ed Softball Tournament last week end at Acreage Community Park. Bradley, a firefighter employed by the Greenacres Fire/Rescue Services Division, was diagnosed last year with metastatic melanoma, which requires costly treatment. Page 35

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business The Banyan Group Offers Professional Counseling Help For People Of All Ages

When there is nowhere else to turn, the Banyan Group is there to assist with a variety of counseling services. With five locations countywide — including ones in Royal Palm Beach and suburban Lake Worth — the agency has eight to 10 therapists and two psychiatrists available to help. Founded in 1990, the Banyan Group is the vision of owner and founder Richerd Whittemore, a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of counseling experience. Page 25

Sports WCD’s Dressage In The Tropics Returns To The Jim Brandon Center

Wellington Classic Dressage hosted Dressage in the Tropics on Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The show offered all levels of competition, including chances for participants to qualify for the United States Dressage Federation.

Page 35

THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES ........................ 23-24 BUSINESS NEWS.................................. 25-27 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ...................... 29 SPORTS & RECREATION........................ 35-37 COMMUNITY CALENDAR ......................38-39 CLASSIFIEDS ........................................42-46

Merchants of Wellington!

U EQ

E S T R I AN

Wellington Equestrian Business Group

WE

LCOME

S

The active, involved, and creative business leaders who form the Wellington Equestrian Business Group are working to help attract Wellington’s seasonal and resident equestrians to their businesses through common advertising, promotions and creative marketing, and they invite you to be a part of this exciting, upcoming season.

Call us for more information at 561-790-7888 www.WellingtonEquestrianBusiness.com

Page 22 July 27 - August 2, 2012

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July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 23

FEATURES

Neal Shapiro Recalls His Time At The 1972 Munich Games The London Olympics begin this week. Ever wonder what it’s like to ride in the Olympics?

Neal Shapiro knows. Forty years ago, he was there.

Even as a youngster, Neal always wanted to ride. He lived down the block and was friends with my older brother. He owned a horse, which he boarded at a stable, which is why, when I was little, I wanted his family to adopt me. His family moved to a small farm in Brookville, further out on Long Island. Whenever my brother got my dad to drive him out for a visit, I begged to go along.

“I started competing seriously in 1959 on the Long Island Circuit on a little mare named Buttons,” Neal recalled. “At 15, I showed Music Man in Madison Square Garden in 1960.”

Everything changed that summer. During a Fourth of July picnic, a car towing a horse trailer drove up to Neal’s farm. A stranger got out and asked, “Where do you want him?”

Neal was confused. The man insisted he was supposed to drop off the horse and pick up another one, plus a check. Neal tells the rest: “‘Oh, yeah,’” my dad, Doc, mumbled. “‘I forgot to tell you. Someone spotted this horse down in Pennsylvania and thought he’d make Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/ HorseTalkFL or stop by the Tales from the Trails page on Facebook and click “like.”

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg a good jumper. I’m trading our gaited trail horse plus some money.’”

Uncle Max, a tall gray ex-rodeo gelding, did, in fact, make a good jumper. He was named Green Horse of the Year the next year, and won the big Saturday night jumping PHA class in Madison Square Garden. That was 1961.

Neal was 16, the youngest rider ever to win. In 1964, he was invited to join the U.S. Equestrian Team with another of his horses, Jacks or Better.

“The four-day USET Trials in Gladstone, New Jersey, were a real workout,” Neal said.

“I never thought I was that capable. Each day we worked on something else: flat work, dressage, cavaletti and gymnastics, and Grand Prix jumping. I’d never had a lesson or worked with a trainer, couldn’t do any of the dressage, but I was selected as one of two young riders, along with four regular members, and that winter I trained in Gladstone.”

Neal said he didn’t know he’d ride in the Olympics until he was already there.

“That was a very unusual year. A bunch of our horses went lame; it was very up in the

air,” he explained. “My horse, a Thoroughbred named Sloopy, caught a bad virus in July, but he recovered. Then he got a bad cut while schooling and ended up with stitches in a hind leg, but he toughed it out.”

Indeed, Sloopy went clean in the class and first jump-off, then had two rails down the third time. The results: The U.S. team got silver, and Neal won the individual bronze.

“Riding in the Olympics absolutely feels very, very different from riding in any other big show,” Neal said. “These are tough, enormous courses. There’s a lot of pressure. You’re competing against the elite, the best in the world. It can elevate your game, but you also hope to not fold under all that pressure, plus your horse has to be ‘on’ on that particular day, able to tolerate the crowds and noise. It takes training, willpower and concentration.

It’s hard to describe what getting the medals felt like. Who would ever think you’d be there, accepting the ultimate prize? It’s amazing, indescribable.”

But there’s one more thing. The games Neal competed in weren’t just any Olympics. They were the 1972 Munich Games, Aug. 26 through Sept. 11, which a group of terrorists turned into a tragedy.

At 4 a.m. on Sept. 5, eight Palestinian terrorists, members of Black September, broke into the Israeli team’s rooms in the Olympic Village, killing two and taking nine others hostage. Negotiations continued throughout the day. At about 10:30 that night, the terrorists and hostages were flown by helicopter to a

nearby military airport, where their plans fell apart. All of the Israelis and five terrorists died.

A month later, on Oct. 29, Germany released the three surviving terrorists in exchange for the group’s release of a hijacked Lufthansa jetliner.

“The morning it happened, they really ramped up security measures in the Olympic Village,” Neal recalled. “We’d gotten up early, 5:30 or 6, to go down to the café for breakfast, then head out to the underground staging area to catch a bus out to where the horses were stabled, about 45 minutes outside the city.”

There were a lot of officials and guards around, people with rifles running on the rooftop. “At first, I thought some big dignitary was visiting. There were rumors of a fight between the Israeli and Egyptian delegations,” he said. “When we got to the underground bus area, we heard some weird noises. I walked around a corner and saw soldiers and a tank. That’s when we knew it was something serious. When we got to the stable, we watched it all on a TV in the tack room. They’d sealed off the Olympic Village, so we were temporarily stuck at the barn. Then, that night, it all fell apart.”

The games were very different after that point.

“They held a one-day memorial the next day and postponed the games for that one day, but then they continued,” Neal recalled.

“The whole atmosphere changed. They See ROSENBERG, page 24

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FEATURES

Visiting A Family Fun Center, I Got To Be A Kid Again!

I went to Daytona a few weekends ago to play with the grandkids and had a blast.

Turns out there’s a lot to do in Daytona Beach. The best part, for me, is when you visit the local amusement center, where you get to play with things you haven’t played with for years because, well, you need small children along as an excuse. Otherwise, you just look silly on those go-karts.

Oh, man! I had forgotten how much fun gokarts are! The kids were too young to drive so, thank goodness, they needed an adult with them. While their mother demurely stayed behind guarding belongings and manning the camera (like all mothers are required to do), 9year-old Cade and I jumped into what we had ascertained to be the fastest kart and took off Get your Sonic Boomer humor every day!

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The Sonic BOOMER around that track like bats out of heck. (You have to say “heck” because if you say the other word, they will repeat it to their parents at their first opportunity and both of you will be in big trouble.)

So we zipped around with our pedal to the metal, cutting off the kart with Cade’s father, Brad, and brother Brayden in it and locking wheels with other drivers whenever the teenage authorities weren’t looking. (Bashing into other karts is strictly forbidden, so you have to be sneaky about it.)

The minute our time was up, we ran right

around and got back in, with me revving the engine impatiently and rolling my eyes during an impromptu lecture on driving safely “because there are children in there with you!”

Yada yada yada.

We had a need for speed!

Next I wanted to go on the seat that creeps up into the air 20 feet and then suddenly drops, but I misunderstood the girl in charge when she kept yelling, “Four!” I thought she meant we needed four riders and was busily rounding up my small friends, but, as it turned out, she meant you had to be under 4 feet tall.

Shucks.

“Four” of another kind came next — namely, “Fore!” — and we headed out to the miniature golf course. That would’ve been fun but it was hot out there, and I felt myself longing for the stiff breeze that comes with maniacal go-karting, so back we went for Round Three.

Long story short, I’m saving up for a gokart of my own. They can’t be that expensive.

Back inside, I stood at the entrance to the

rock wall with a plaintive face until someone came over to strap me in. Cade and Brayden scooted to the top like little monkeys, but it took me two tries. I had to downgrade myself from the challenging side to the easy side, but I got up there — twice.

Then I needed a Slurpee.

The minute your stomach is filled with frozen blue ice, it’s time to run around playing laser tag. The only other time I’d played laser tag, I was scared stiff. It turned out I have an unnatural fear of people jumping out and pointing guns at me. This time, however, I did OK. Before I knew it, several hours had flashed by. I was a hot mess and broke. Mark (a.k.a.“Grandpa”) said it was time to be going.

Awwwwwww — just one more… no? Well, OK. Daytona had been fun for both of us.

Even though he didn’t go on many rides, Mark had enjoyed watching son Brad fly his jet over the opening ceremonies of the NASCAR race.

To each his own.

New ‘Dallas’ Reboot Is Fast-Moving And Amusing To Watch The new Dallas demonstrates not only that everything old is new again but how modern drama has changed into a runaway train kind of process. The old show from the ’80s was filled with melodrama. It was a struggle between good guys and bad guys, but the stories took a lot of time to develop and people watched the program avidly. The discussion over “Who shot J.R.?” took up an entire summer, with viewers forgetting that he, like all the other characters, was fictional.

Now the TNT Network has revived the old franchise. J.R. (Larry Hagman) and Bobby (Patrick Duffy) are back, symbolizing evil and good. But the plot now runs on steroids. In a half-dozen episodes so far, the battle of the Ewings has gone through more plot than was generally seen in a season or two in the old days.

Since the two original characters have both more or less aged out of handling the chores of starring in a show, their sons have supplanted them as the main characters, but the

Rosenberg

Neal Shapiro

continued from page 23 checked everyone’s credentials carefully. It was a lot harder getting in and out of the Olympic Village. Before, everyone hung around and socialized, watched other events. Afterward, it was much quieter, all business.”

I asked Neal if he was ever worried, being Jewish. Another Jewish athlete, American swimmer Mark Spitz, who’d won seven gold medals at the games, was rushed out of Germany as a precaution.

“No, I was never worried,” Neal answered.

“They wanted the Israelis, not me. What would they want with me?”

That was 40 years ago. After his show jumping career, which included two wins at the Aachen Grand Prix, Neal spent 30 years racing Standardbreds. Now, he lives in central New Jersey, where he owns and runs Hay Fever Farm, a top boarding and training facil-

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler struggle between good and evil continues.

Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) is Bobby’s adopted son, a nephew of his dead wife, Pam. You know he’s a good guy because instead of loving oil, he’s into renewable fuels. Even more to the point, since he represents Bobby, he’s more or less a fool. He faces off against J.R.’s son, John Ross (Josh Henderson), who seems almost as unprincipled as his dad. We know he’s really bad since he’d even drill under South Fork, the Ewing ranch.

The series began with Christopher breaking up with Elena Ramos (Jordana Brewster), ity. Neal’s Olympic medals, framed, hang on the wall. There are other honors. In 2010, he was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.

His advice for others aspiring to Olympic glory?

“It takes a lot of hard work. Get the proper training from confident and skilled teachers,” he said. “Find a nice horse with talent and ability.”

Neal’s Hay Fever Farm’s motto says it all: “Always set high goals.” Visit Hay Fever Farms’ web site at www.hayfeverfarm.com.

This year ’s London Olympics will hold equestrian medal events on the following days: Individual and team eventing: July 31; team jumping: Aug. 6; individual jumping: Aug. 8; team dressage: Aug. 7; individual dressage: Aug. 9.

For more information about the terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics, view One Day in September, a great documentary that won an Academy Award.

the family cook’s daughter, on their wedding day because of a misunderstanding. She’s a gifted geologist who, after the breakup, works for John Ross and begins a romance with him.

Christopher then marries Rebecca (Julie Gonzalo), who we eventually learn engineered the misunderstanding to break up Christopher’s marriage so she could get her hands on some of the Ewing fortune. Christopher (who still carries a torch for Elena) is convinced that John Ross was involved in the breakup, although his cousin seems not to have been directly involved.

Added to all of this, J.R.’s ex-wife Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) is a successful politician whose actions helped cause strain in the relationship between J.R. and John Ross as the boy grew up and who might play a role in some of the decisions. And Bobby’s new wife Ann (Brenda Strong) has a powerful ex who begins to get involved. And Rebecca’s brother Tommy (Callard Harris) gets in the middle of things.

We also get to see some of the old regulars doing a few turns along the way.

And that’s just the first half-dozen episodes of the show. So far, the overall plot is the struggle for control of South Fork. Things will undoubtedly get a lot more bitter, more convoluted and more dirty before we’re finished.

The cast is fine; they do what is expected,

and the old vets play the old parts well. Larry Hagman still seems to have a blast manipulating people, even if it’s mostly for his own entertainment. I’m glad Sue Ellen is now far stronger; actually, all the women are. Back in the old version, only the bad girls did anything proactive. Now, they all do their own fighting.

My only complaint is that in this soap, just like most of the others, the good guys all are incredibly stupid. Christopher, for example, gives up on the girl he loves far too easily and screws up so badly that it seems nothing can overcome it, while his cousin John Ross certainly has his number. Somehow, I have the feeling that a very important rule for the writers is to make any decent person as close to an idiot as possible, but in a way that persuades audiences to actually like them.

And why are all of these shows seemingly about the rich? I’m certain there are plenty of poor people who back-stab and cheat regularly. Of course, in many of those cases, the results wind up on the news.

Is Dallas worth watching? Well, it is enjoyable, and moves quickly. It provides a lascivious glance at the world of the rich and infamous. It is not great television, but on a hot summer night when the choice is Marlins games or idiotic reality or game shows, it serves quite well.

Shulamit Triple Swap Aug. 15 In Wellington

Admission costs $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. RSVP to Shirley at (561) 2041894 or Lisa at (917) 355-3867.

Join Shulamit Hadassah for a Triple SwapOpportunity on Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Station 30 (9910 Stribling Way, Wellington).

Participate in one or all. Bring your Enjoy the City book and exchange coupons with Shulamit Sisters for the ones you want. Do you have gently used clothing, purses or shoes you would like to exchange? Bring an item; take an item. Bake at least one dozen of your favorite cookies, and bring 12 copies of the recipe and an empty container to take cookies home to enjoy.

FLARA Candidate Forum July 31 At Wellington Library The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, Mid-County Club, will host a candidate forum Tuesday, July 31 from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the Wellington branch library. The event is free and open to the public. The library is located at 1951 Royal Fern Drive. Call Nazareth Hattwick at (561) 585-6440 for more info.

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BUSINESS NEWS

The Banyan Group owner and founder Richerd Whittemore in his office.

PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER

The Banyan Group Offers Counseling Help For All Ages

By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report When there is nowhere else to turn, the Banyan Group is there to assist with a variety of counseling services. With five locations throughout Palm Beach County — including ones in Royal Palm Beach and suburban Lake Worth — the agency has eight to 10 therapists and two psychiatrists available to help.

Founded in 1990, the Banyan Group is the vision of owner and founder Richerd Whittemore, a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of counseling experience.

Whittemore began his career in Michigan, where he counseled foster-care children.

“These children were thrown out of foster care for the most part,” he said. “Then I worked as the director of the Youth Services Bureau, court referee for probation, mental health worker and school social worker.”

After receiving his master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University, Whittemore moved to Florida, where he worked for companies such as the Comprehensive Alcoholism Rehabilitation Programs (CARP) and the Haven. After several years working for other organizations, Whittemore decided to open his own counseling center.

Whittemore was motivated to start the Banyan Group because of the lack of uniformity and simplicity in counseling agencies and services. “I’ve been through many agencies that make it difficult for patients to get access to care,” he said. “There are many types of policies and loopholes that patients have to go through just to receive care.”

With the Banyan Group, Whittemore’s goal is to make the lives of his patients easier when it comes to care. “I wanted a simple and easy functioning agency, and I knew if I ran one, I could do it,” he said.

The Banyan Group offers a variety of experienced therapists.

“When I hire therapists, I look for every specialty I can find,” Whittemore said. “I have

therapists who work with children, adolescents, adults, marriage, substance abuse, geriatrics, chronic mental illness, and many other different types of areas.”

The psychiatrists work at the Lake Worth office, and the therapists rotate between the five locations. “This way I can get services to any office very quickly,” Whittemore said.

“What that means is that if somebody in Palm Beach Gardens needs someone to work with their child who has ADD, I say yes, because we can easily send a therapist to that location who can work with them.”

The Banyan Group works with children as young as 3 years old. “Anything below 4 and 5, we are dealing with mostly parental work,” Whittemore said. “How to deal with your kid, and especially with autism, they start very young.”

When dealing with adolescents, the counseling sessions become more personal and confidential. “If we are working with a child who is 12, there is a level a confidentiality with what that adolescent tells me, so no, I’m not going to tell a boy’s mom that he kissed a girl at school,” Whittemore said.

The counseling sessions are for 50 minutes. “The therapists sometimes go over, especially if they have to fish something out. So we are not going to kick somebody out just because we got to 50 minutes,” Whittemore said. “The typical response for someone who is going for counseling is that they are not going to bring out the big one until 10 minutes before the session is over.”

The Banyan Group has locations in suburban Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton.

The counseling sessions are on a pay-as-yougo service, and only PPO insurance plans are accepted.

The Banyan Group’s Lake Worth office is located at 3898 Via Poinciana Dr., Suite 13. For more information, call (561) 967-2566 or visit www.banyangroup.com.

July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 25

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New Auction Company To Serve Wellington Area White Glove Auction Company (AB 3187) is a newly founded business in Palm Beach County practicing one of the oldest forms of business known in the world — auctioning.

The National Auctioneers Association reported that the gross revenue of the auction industry was at one time approximately $268.4 billion, with the fastest growing sectors being agricultural, machinery and equipment auctions, and residential real estate auctions.

Karl Lindholm (Auctioneer AU4383) launched White Glove Auction Company based upon the premise that helping his clients receive a “true and fair” value for their property is the most important aspect of the auction business. Lindholm also brings years of theatrical experience to the auction business and is known to have extensive ties to many celebrities in the fine arts, musical and theatrical worlds.

“Magnificent auctions must have a strong theatrical presentation to be successful,” Lindholm said.

“When you are responsible to help someone liquidate their prized possessions, you must entertain the buyers to gain the most proceeds

for the seller and yet still have the buyers feel that it is worth their effort to participate.”

In addition to helping private sellers liquidate their assets, White Glove Auction Company intends on having a strong presence in the charity and benefit auction arena.

“We believe we can help raise more money for nonprofit organizations through using our professional knowledge and abilities than if these organizations went it alone,” Lindholm said. “We are constantly creating new, dynamic ways to raise funds for these worthwhile organizations. The secrets we use can earn a higher yield on the services and/ or products being auctioned.”

Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to inquire about the firm’s services.

White Glove Auction Company is a member of both the National Auctioneers Association and the Florida Auctioneers Association. If you live in the Wellington area and have items you need to liquidate, or are a buyer and wish to attend a dynamic auction production, call White Glove Auction Company at (561) 381-7979 or visit www.white gloveauction.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Leadership Palm Beach County Names Its Officers For 2012-13

Leadership Palm Beach County has announced its 2012-13 Executive Committee and Board of Governors.

The are as follows: Board President Monte Resnick, executive director, J.P. Morgan Securities; First Vice President David Greene, partner, Fox Rothschild LLP; Second Vice President Tammy Clarke, director at Alpern Rosenthal; Treasurer Kim Jones, district manager, ADP/Total Source; Immediate Past President Tom Jensen, vice president, ARCADIS; and Legal Counsel Rob Vargas, attorney, Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs P.A. The 2012-13 board members are as follows: Sarah Alsofrom of the Hanley Center Foundation; Sally Chester, a community volunteer; Vicki Chouris of the South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions; Chris Cortez, attorney with Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs P.A.; Linda Culbertson of the Clerk & Comptroller of Palm Beach County; Pedro del Sol; Gregory Demetriades of the Community Partnership Group; Gary Fechter of Romano’s Macaroni Grill; Silvia Garcia of Insurance for You; Terry Gearing of

The 2012-13 Leadership Palm Beach County board members.

Florida Atlantic University; Eric Hopkins of Hundley Farms; Lisa Johnson of the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida; Randy Levitt of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Maria Marino of the Marino Realty Group; Dorritt Miller, deputy city administrator of the City of West Palm Beach; Shuly Oletzky of Frigibar Industries; Ike Powell; Christine

Radentz of Wells Fargo; Oren Tasini of Haile, Shaw & Pfaffenberger P.A.; and Gary Walk of Casy Ciklin Lubitz Matens & O’Connell.

Board alternates are William Lynch of Corradino Water & Environment LLC and Mark Montgomery of Celedinas Insurance.

For more information, visit www. leadershippbc.org.

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July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 27

BUSINESS NEWS

Leach Named New Lakeside Medical Center Administrator The Health Care District of Palm Beach County has announced that Thomas Leach has joined Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade as the hospital’s administrator.

Lakeside Medical Center, which is owned and operated by the Health Care District, is Palm Beach County’s only public hospital, treating over 38,000 patients a year in the rural area of western Palm Beach County known as the Glades. In March, Leach retired from the U.S. Navy after a 23-year career. Over the

past 14 years, Leach served as a medical service corps officer/healthcare administrator for multi-specialty medical practices and roles onboard the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and the Naval Medical Clinic in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

“Leach’s experience and multifaceted healthcare career in the U.S. Navy is a great asset to Lakeside Medical Center,” said Benjamin Frank, Esq., chair of the Health Care District Board of Commissioners.

“His strong hospital leadership,

combined with his commitment to community, make him uniquely qualified to take the hospital into the future.”

“We appreciate Leach’s experience in delivering medical services to diverse patient populations and payer mixes,” said Dr. Ronald J. Wiewora, the Health Care District’s chief executive officer and chief medical officer. “That experience is extremely important when leading a safety net hospital like Lakeside Medical Center.”

Mailloux Joins Elite Networking Pros Elite Networking Pros has announced the addition of its newest member, Stephen Mailloux, a business solutions consultant with Sprint.

Mailloux has worked for 15 years as a professional consultant in the telecommunication industry with seven of those 15 years with Sprint.

His primary focus is small- to medium-sized businesses, to analyze and make recommendations on wireless solutions that will benefit the customer. Every business has unique needs and Sprint offers tailored solutions for streamlined communications, data access, mobile produc-

tivity and more. “Building relationships and providing the best customer service to my customers is my top priority,” Mailloux said.

Originally from Branford, Conn., Mailloux moved to Boca Raton in 1982 to attend Florida Atlantic University. He currently resides in Royal Palm Beach with his wife, Simone, and two children: Amanda, 25, and Alex, 23.

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. They 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 more about the club or to attend one of its weekly meetings, visit www.elitenetworkingpros.com.

Leach most recently served as officer in charge of the Naval Branch Health Clinic at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Fla. There he oversaw the delivery of primary medical and dental services to active-duty military, as well as to families and retirees living in Santa Rosa County. Prior to that, Leach led the Naval Branch Health Clinic at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, which provides care to more than 25,000 active duty personnel in Pensacola. Leach’s experience also includes several leadership roles within Naval Hospital Pensacola, a 60-bed family medicine teaching hospital.

“My military background helped instill in me a sense of purpose to serve the greater good,” Leach said.

“I feel very fortunate to join Lakeside Medical Center, a community hospital that has a staff so dedicated to delivering quality care to its patients.”

Leach received his bachelor’s degree in healthcare management at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. He earned his master’s degree in education at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., and his master’s degree in administration at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

Thomas Leach “We welcome Leach to Lakeside Medical Center, Palm Beach County’s newest hospital. We look forward to his operational expertise in the areas of patient care, quality and safety, as well as fiscal responsibility,” said Juan Cocuy, chair of the Glades Rural Area Support Board, which governs the hospital.

For more information, visit Lakeside Medical Center’s web site at www.lakesidemedical.org.

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Parade Productions Announces Its 2012-13 Schedule Boca Raton’s newest theater company has two productions planned for its second season: Michael McKeever will star in Joe Mantello’s adaptation of David Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries, and McKeever’s collection of short plays, The Whole Caboodle, will run for four weeks in February.

Both plays will be produced at the Studio Theatre at Mizner Park. Parade Productions debuted solidly last winter with an entirely sold-out run of Donald Margulies’ Brooklyn Boy. “Last season we took a leap of faith, and the community followed right behind us,” said Candace Caplin, the company’s executive producer and the driving force behind Parade Productions. “We’ve had tremendous support, and we’re grateful. People have asked us to continue bringing more, quality theater to Boca Raton, and that’s just what we’re going to do. We’re excited about how we’ve begun, and where our partnership with the community is going. This year our fo-

cus is on humor, and with Michael McKeever, we’ve got the best.”

From Dec. 13-23, McKeever will star in The Santaland Diaries, the one-person performance piece written by humorist David Sedaris and adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello. This hilarious piece of theater relates Sedaris’ own experiences as he reluctantly worked as an elf in Macy’s Christmastime Santaland display, offering an uproarious, behind-the-scenes look at how department stores manufacture Christmas spirit.

And from Feb. 2-24, audiences will discover what Stephen Sondheim, Abe Lincoln, munchkins and ambivalent lesbians have in common, as they all get the McKeever touch in The Whole Caboodle , the award-winning playwright’s wickedly funny collection of some of his most celebrated short plays. With a razor sharp sense of humor and extra-keen insight, The Whole Caboodle takes apart and reassembles an entire series of loveably flawed characters and pop

culture icons with hilarious results.

Along with McKeever himself, Parade Productions has assembled a top-notch cast for The Whole Caboodle: Elena Maria Garcia, Jacqueline Laggy, Clay Cartland, Casey Dressler and Candace Caplin.

Both productions will be directed by Kim St. Leon.

McKeever, who recently won a CarbonellAward for Best New Work for his play Stuff, explores every aspect of the human condition in his work, which incorporates a wide variety of styles and subject matter.

His plays have entertained audiences throughout America and Europe. From the deep-rooted prejudices of small town America to the delicate dysfunction of society’s wealthiest homes, the playwright creates stories that entertain and enlighten.

McKeever has been honored with an NEA Residency Grant (New Theatre, Miami) and has been a threetime finalist for Humana Fest’s nationally renowned Heideman Award.

He is the proud recipient of three

Carbonell Awards; four Curtain Up Awards; and two Florida Individual Artist Fellowships. Six of his plays have been produced at City Theatre’s prestigious Summer Shorts Festival in Miami. He has been a finalist several times at both the Key West Theatre Festival and the Sarasota Festival of New Plays.

He is also an award-winning actor and designer. He resides in South Florida and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Actors’ Equity.

The Santaland Diaries opens Dec. 13, and runs through Dec. 23, with performances Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $35 ($30 for groups of 15 or more).

The Whole Caboodle previews on Jan. 31, opens Feb 2, and runs through Feb. 24, with performances Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $35 ($30 for groups of 15 or more). A special two-show package price of $30 per ticket is also

Michael McKeever available. All seating is reserved.

Tickets are available at www. paradeproductions.org or by calling (866) 811-4111. For group sales, call (561) 291-9678.

The Phantom Recommends Thai Room Restaurant In WPB Looking for delicious and authentic wooden tables and chairs, as well as comfy keteers (sautéed chicken, beef and pork served Thai food? Then head to the Thai Room benches upholstered in patterned fabric and on a bed of veggies, topped with sizzling Thai Restaurant for lunch and dinner daily! a Thai statue on the service bar, round out garlic sauce), Crispy Duck (deep-fried, batThe Thai Room Restaurant is a charming the simple decor. Thai music, which plays tered half-duck, served with steamed broccoli and welcome addition to the expanding West overhead, inspires relaxation. and carrots, and a sweet black been sauce on Palm Beach dining circuit. Owners Ken and From the first bite, you can sense that they the side) and Shrimp Fuji (grilled jumbo Patty Ekkhot, who were both born in Thai- are dedicated to using fresh ingredients in all shrimps, served on a bed of veggies, with a land, are local residents who are fulfilling their of their dishes. Each dish is made to order, for sizzling Thai chili sauce). dream of having their own restaurant. Ever each diner, by Chef Ken. Patty’s mother, Additionally, diners can order a wide array since they opened their doors on May 23, Varaport Paisanvit, creates all of the sauces of stir-fried dishes by choosing chicken, beef, their popularity has grown with locals and from scratch daily. Diners can taste the differ- pork, tofu, veggies, shrimp, squid or scallops visitors. ence in her plum sauce, peanut sauce, ponzu (or a combo) and then choosing one of eight Thai food enthusiasts truly enjoy Chef sauce, sweet and sour sauce, and garlic sauce. different sauces (including garlic, basil, ginKen’s unique mixture of delicious, authentic There are plenty of menu standouts, includ- ger, sweet and sour, cashew nuts and soy Thai dishes, created from his own recipes, ing appetizers ($3.25 to $9.95) such as Tom sauce, or oyster sauce) or choosing one of along with a swell variety of yummy Ameri- Kha Gai (coconut milk soup with chicken, four curry sauces (Panang, red, green or Mascan-style Thai offerings. If first impressions mushrooms, scallions, lemongrass and kaffir saman). There are also 11 enticing noodle dishmean a lot to you, wait until you meet Patty. leaves). This soup is truly superb and one of es, including Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles, Her warm and welcoming demeanor is inspir- the best soups I have ever had at any restau- and all of these can also be enhanced with ing. rant. Another must-try starter is their Winter chicken, beef, pork, tofu, vegetables, shrimp, This is a husband-and-wife team grew up Shrimp (three shrimp, wrapped with ground squid, scallops or a seafood combo. All dishin the business. They both worked for Ken’s chicken and dough, deep-fried and served es come with diners’ choice of white or brown Ken and Patty Ekkhot great aunt, Wattana Sumonthee, who has with plum sauce). Other appetizers worthy of rice. owned Wattana Thai Restaurant in West Palm your consideration are curry puffs, crispy caFor dessert, sweet treats provide the perBeach for more than 20 years. Hospitality runs lamari with plum sauce, marinated chicken fect finale to any meal. I opted for the scrump- Okeechobee Blvd., Suite D-15, in West Palm on both sides of their family, as Patty’s aunt satay, papaya salad (papaya, carrots, toma- tious fried bananas — which are offered with Beach, in the Lake Point Centre (anchored by also owns Siam Square on U.S. 1 in North toes, peanuts and shrimp, tossed in a dress- or without ice cream, but of course, I went the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at the Palm Beach. Obviously, they were trained well! ing of sweet and spicy lime juice) and the Thai with the ice cream — a perfect pairing well northeast corner of Jog Road). The restaurant After they found the location for their res- Room Salad (shrimp, squid and imitation crab worth the extra calories! There is also fried is open for lunch, dinner and small bites daily. taurant, they transformed the space — meat, red onions, scallions, tomatoes, and cu- vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, sticky Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday which formerly housed an Italian spot — cumbers, mixed with Thai chili paste). rice topped with vanilla or chocolate ice cream, through Friday, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday by painting the walls bright red. One wall is Among the outstanding entrees ($11.95 to or rainbow sherbet. and Sunday. Call the restaurant at (561) 689distinguished by an oversized, pale yellow $24.95) from the Chef’s Recommendation secThe lunch menu features a wide array of 1830 or visit www.thairoomwpb.com for resPo tree, which they also painted. The tree, tion of the menu, I selected Lobster Curry stir-fried dishes from $7.99 to $9.99, served ervations, take-out items or additional infornative to Thailand, is a symbol of good luck (broiled lobster tail, broccoli, mushrooms, bell with diners’ choice of chicken, beef, pork, sea- mation. Please tell Ken and Patty that the Phanand a long life. The other main wall of the peppers and squash in a sauce of red curry food, tofu, vegetables and/or noodles, as well tom Diner highly recommends that you try restaurant is home to characters from well- paste and coconut milk) because I love lob- as diners’ choice of sauces. During lunch, din- the wonders of Thailand at the Thai Room known Thai epics. The comfy, black booths ster and I love curry. Wow, did I make the right ers may add an order of spring rolls and a Restaurant! are punctuated with brightly colored pil- choice! However, I feel no matter what I would glass of soda to any entree for $1.50 per perComing soon: Ken and Patty plan to offer lows, which were sewn by Patty’s mother have selected from their vast menu would have son. dinner delivery to the surrounding neighborusing fabric from Thailand. Nicely spaced been the right choice, including Three MusThe Thai Room Restaurant is located at 6901 hood.

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

• LA PETITE ACADEMY — At La Petite Academy in Royal Palm Beach is passionate about providing children with the tools they need to be successful in all aspects of their lives. La Petite offers a range of educational and care programs for infants to school-age children who come to the academy before and after school. Through its Whole Child Education approach, La Petite promotes children’s critical-thinking skills and natural curiosity to actively learn at their own pace. The school is now offering a newly remodeled environment, flexible hours, Smar tBoard computer technology, free VPK and nutritious federal food program meals. Call (561) 790-2949 to schedule a tour.

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

• OXBRIDGE ACADEMY —Located on a beautiful, 40-acre campus in West Palm Beach, Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches is an independent, coeducational college preparatory school that opened September 2011. Teachers use advanced technologies and a projectbased curriculum to engage students in rigorous academic programs, meaningful student research, collaboration, creativity and life-changing service learning. Generous need-based financial aid is available to ensure an exceptional and diverse student body. Visit www.oapb.org to learn more.

• SACRED HEART SCHOOL — Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth is now accepting applications for 2012-13 pre-k through eighth grade. State scholarships, VPK, McKay, Step Up for Students

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accepted. The Cathleen McFarlane Ross Learning Lab, which teaches the Morning Star Program, opened in the fall of 2011 allowing children with learning differences to receive a quality Catholic education. These children may have ADHD or an autism spectrum disorder, to name a few. Sacred Heart believes that all of God’s children have a right to a Catholic education. The positive is accentuated to help the students recognize their potential. Building self-esteem and self-confidence is integrated into the curriculum of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, computer, librar y, art and music. Sacred Hear t offers a technology-based curriculum. The Learning Lab has all new technology, and there is also updated technology throughout the school. There are Promethean boards in all classrooms and 25 iPads. All the desktop computers, laptops and iPads are loaded with the Rosetta Stone program, and the students have access to learn 30 different foreign languages. For more information, call (561) 582-2242 or visit www.sacredheartschoollakeworth.com. • TEMPLE BETH TORAH LEONIE ARGUETTY PRESCHOOL — Temple Beth Torah Preschool has been in Wellington for over 20 years with a strong reputation for high quality early childhood education. They are the only area preschool with NAEYC accreditation, assuring parents that the program meets high national standards for quality and professionalism. The preschool offers a variety of learning experiences that prepare your child for private and public elementary schools. Then there are also the intangibles: the caring teachers, the warmth and sense of community that permeates the halls. Come see what makes this school so special. Temple Beth Torah Preschool is located 900 Big Blue Trace in Wellingt on. Call (561) 793.2649 or email psdirector@templebethtorah.net for more information. • TINY TIKES ACADEMY — Tiny Tikes is new to the western communities but not new to the childcare community. With three locations, Tiny Tikes have been serving the families of Palm Beach County for more than 20 years. Their ne west center is located at 16245 Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee featuring a great staff that shares a commitment to excellence. They have maintained the top VPK scores in the county for over 5 years. With the recent addition of the child care food program, which provides nutritious meals and snacks to children at no extra cost, Tiny Tikes of fers parents and children a great program at an af fordable cost. To learn more, call (561) 790-1780.

Enroll Now and Get Free Registration!* Learning is everywhere. Especially here. h )I=J;@œœD 9F< GI= CAF<=I?9IK=F h (G=F 9E GE h =IKAl=< K=9;@AF? JK9>> h %AK=I9;P 9F< E9K@=E9KA;J >œ;LJ h -@= D9K=JK ,& +- œ9I< AFK=I9;KAM= N@AK=:œ9I< K=;@FœDœ?P >œI 9DD 9?=J

153 Sparrow Dr, Royal Palm Beach 561-790-2949 License #50BID1824036

www.lapetite.com

*Programs and hours of operation may vary by school. Offer is for free registration for new enrollees only. Offer is valid on a space-available basis for all age groups; no cash value. Offer available only to those accounts when full tuition is paid in advance; must be paid by check or ACH payment. Limit one coupon per child. One time use. Family must enroll for a minimum of three half-days per week and must not have been previously enrolled at a Learning Care Group school. Learning Care Group is not responsible for and cannot replace or redeem lost, stolen, destroyed or expired coupons. Offer not valid for Learning Care Group associates or their immediate families. Offer valid at participating locations only and subject to availability. Offer does not guarantee enrollment. La Petite AcademyÂŽ is an equal opportunity provider. Offer expires November 16, 2012. Coupon code FE13 Free Reg.

July 27 - August 2, 2012 Page 31

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Benefit Softball Tourney Held At Acreage Community Park

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Friends, family and supporters of firefighter Chris Bradley joined in the War on Cancer Co-ed Softball Tournament on Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21 at Acreage Community Park.

Dozens of softball teams came

out to play and raise money. Bradley, a firefighter employed by the Greenacres Fire/Rescue Services Division, was diagnosed last year with stage 3 metastatic melanoma, which requires costly treatment.

Firefighters Against Melanoma is a group of fire service professionals, friends, family and com-

munity volunteers who have come together to assist Bradley and his family.

In addition to the tournament, vendors were on hand offering food, drinks and other items.

For more about Bradley, or to make a donation, visit www. firefightersagainstmelanoma.com.

Lisa Stanford of the Non-Athletics pitches.

Kathy Kimmel steps up to the plate.

Courtney Dobkins of the Bad News Beers readies for the pitch.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Jeremy Stingo winds up a pitch.

Ryan Monaghan gets ready to take a swing.

DRESSAGE IN THE TROPICS AT THE JIM BRANDON EQUESTRIAN CENTER Wellington Classic Dressage hosted Dressage in the Tropics on Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The show offered all levels of competition, including chances to qualify for the United States Dressage Federation. Competition returns in September with the Wellington Classic Fall Challenge Sept. 15 and 16. The 2013 show schedule is now available. For more info., visit www. wellingtonclassicdressage.com.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER

Maria Hallet and Devereaux in the show ring.

Johnny Robb and Zerbino Interagro in the Grand Prix.

Kristy Lund and Fabio show off for the judges.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Wanderers Club Offering Family Course For Kids Wanderers Club at Wellington has announced that it now features the PGA Family Course, which allows kids and families to enjoy the game of golf more by playing from appropriate yardages based on ability.

The unique program, which was launched in a partnership with the PGA of America and U.S. Kids Golf, gives families the chance to play golf at the Wanderers Club in a non-intimidating environment.

The PGA Family Course program enables the Wanderers Club to turn the regulation golf course into a “short course” course experience through the use of PGA Family tee markers.

The Family Course tee markers are set at yardages that allow golfers to reach greens in regulation, shoot lower scores, play in less time and most important, have fun.

“The traditional golf course setup is not conducive to families enjoying the game together, because most regulation golf holes are far too long for kids and beginners,” said Justin Thompson, director of golf at the Wanderers Club. “The Family Course program is a perfect fit for the Wanderers Club’s

overall vision as a private club for the entire family to relax and enjoy themselves, so we’re delighted to have added this option to our golf experience.”

The introduction of shorter, family-friendly courses coincides with Play Golf America’s Family Golf Month and Get Golf Ready initiatives, both of which are designed to make the transition into the game easy for golfers of all ages.

The Wanderers Club becomes one of more than 1,400 golf courses nationwide that have installed the PGA Family Course.

For more information on the Wanderers Club at Wellington, visit www. wanderersclubwellington.com. To learn more about the Family Course Program, visit www.uskidsgolf.com/ familycourse.

Information on Play Golf America can be found at www.playgolf america.com.

RPBHS DANCERS PERFORM AT DISNEY

Several members from the Wildcat Dancers Dance Team from Royal Palm Beach High School performed Tuesday, July 17 at Downtown Disney. The audience tripled in size by the end of their performance, and the team was invited back to per form again by the staf f at Disney’s Performing Arts. Shown above are (L-R) Andres Cazares, Alexa Blecher, Tatyana Blackmon, Anna Solomon, Kim Benavente, Loren Estebanez, Bryce Blecher, Michele Blecher, Chary Baez, Stephanie Ligorria, Bianca Lababy, Bri Gribble, Lorida Jimenez and Raul Santiago.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Jupiter Lanes To Host International Family Tournament Some 60 teams representing 25 states are expected to descend upon Jupiter Lanes July 26-29 to bowl for $70,000 in scholarship money at the International Family Tournament (IFT) presented by QubicaAMF and hosted by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America.

The annual parent-student scholarship tournament is the only sporting event in the United States in which parents, grandparents, stepparents and the like can participate with youth and teens for a chance

at an international championship and college scholarship money. To get to the finals, contestants from across North America compete in state competitions to qualify for a trip to the IFT and a shot at scholarship dollars.

Teams compete in two divisions: Parent/Youth (age 11 and under) and Parent/Teen divisions (age 12 and older). After competition on Friday, July 28, each division’s top eight teams advance to a match play final round on the morning of Saturday,

July 28. At the conclusion of the eight games of match play, the top three teams in each division then compete in the stepladder finals to decide the titles on Saturday afternoon.

Both first-place teams each win $5,000 scholarships to go toward their college education. Overall, scholarships totaling $70,000 will be distributed. Additional scholarships of $500 each for boys and girls in each division are awarded to youth and teen division bowlers with the

highest six-game scratch total during the qualifying round.

The IFT is but one of many scholarship opportunities for youth bowlers.

As an industry, bowling offers over $6 million in scholarship money each year through proprietors, bowling associations, councils and certified tournaments around the United States.

The Embassy Suites in Palm Beach Gardens is the host hotel for the finalists. After competition on

Friday, July 28, the teams will be treated to a Safari Night at the Palm Beach Zoo. During the break Saturday there will be a trick shot demonstration

by PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke.

The weekend will conclude with an awards banquet Saturday night at the hotel.

For additional information about the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, visit the BPAA web site at www.bpaa.com or call (800) 343-1329.

Junior Golfers Compete In Optimist International Championships This weekend, 600 of golf’s top young players will compete in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.

The tournament will bring together some of the world’s most talented young competitors, many of whom have the potential to become leading collegiate and professional golfers in the future.

The following junior golfers in the Boys 16-18 and Girls 15-18 divisions from Palm Beach Gardens are competing in the second phase of the championships on July 26-

29: Wellington resident Mary Janiga and Palm Beach Gardens residents Annie Dulman, Luke Graboyes, Gage Marino and Zachary Smith.

Junior golfers ages 10 to 18 are traveling from throughout the world to play in the annual tournament, which started July 21 and continues until July 29. Boys in the 10-11, 1213 and 14-15 divisions and girls in the 10-12 and 13-14 divisions played July 21-23. The boys 16-18 and girls 15-18 divisions will have their turn July 26-29.

The Optimist prides itself as an international event, with players rep-

resenting 42 states, six Canadian provinces and 31 total nations.

Former champions and top finishers of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships include PGA Tour members Jonathan Byrd, Jason Day, Bill Haas and Jeff Overton in addition to LPGA members Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lincicome and Lexi Thompson.

A number of other well-known professional golfers have participated in Optimist-sponsored championships, including Ernie Els, Nancy Lopez, Davis Love III, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

The Optimist will return to PGA National for the 17th consecutive year. Three of PGA National’s championship layouts will be used for the event — the Champion, Palmer and Squire courses. PGA National is home to the PGATour’s Honda Classic and has been host to the PGA Seniors Championship, the 1987 PGA Championship and the 1983 Ryder Cup. Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations with nearly 100,000 adult and youth members in 3,000 clubs worldwide. Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in Kids,”

Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than 6 million young people each year. The Optimist Junior Golf program is one of the organization’s most prominent projects.

Scores, photos, news stories and tee times will be updated daily throughout the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Results are available under the tournament’s information at www.optimist. org/golf. News items will also be included on the Optimist Junior Golf Facebook page at www.facebook. com/optimist.golf and Twitter feed @OptimistGolf.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Saturday, July 28 • The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold an 8-mile hike in Apoxee, West Palm Beach’s magnificent 20-square-mile water catchment area, Saturday, July 28 at 8 a.m. Plenty of water is a must. Call (561) 616-8790 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Chihuly Like that Sculpture” for ages 10 to 14 on Saturday, July 28 at 2 p.m.

Design a sculpture like the famous artist Dale Chihuly using recycled materials. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• Nature’s Center (5301 State Road 7, Lake Worth) will host a bromeliads class Saturday, July 28 at 2 p.m. Learn the basics of bromeliad care and artwork, the different kinds of bromeliads, where they are found naturally and how to integrate them into your garden. Call (561) 434-5777 or e-mail info@ thenaturescenter.com to register. Classes are free to the public, and walk-ins are welcome. Visit www.thenaturescenter.com for more info.

Sunday, July 29 • Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host a “This2That: Fit to a ‘T’ Tote” class for ages 6 to 12 on Sunday, July 29 at 1 p.m. Bring an old T-shirt, and Resource Depot will show how to re-purpose it into a unique bag. Light refreshments provided. A $5 fee will benefit Resource Depot.

Call (561) 904-4000 for more info.

• A fundraising benefit for Royal Palm Covenant Church will take place Sunday, July 29 at 6 p.m. at the original Wellington Mall. For tickets, call the church at (561) 793-1077.

Monday, July 30 • Royal Palm Beach’s All Sports Camp will begin Monday, July 30 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. Participants will learn the fundamentals of basketball, football, kickball and other fun sports. To sign up, visit www.royalpalmbeach.com.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will present “National Ice Cream Month: Sweet Treat” for ages 3 to 5 on Monday, July 30 at 1 p.m. Listen to stories about ice cream, sing, dance, and make a cool craft to celebrate. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will present “Shake Rattle & Yum” for ages 6 to 12 on Monday, July 30 at 4 p.m. Celebrate National Ice Cream Month by shaking up your own ice cream. Dress to get messy.

Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

Tuesday, July 31 • Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host a Savvy Shopper Tour on Tuesday, July 31 at 11 a.m. Experts will show you how to shop the store’s private label, weekly specials and family-sized savings. There is no charge. Call (561) 904-4000 for more info.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host a Gluten-free Cooking Class on Tuesday, July 31 at 6:30 p.m.

Learn how to prepare a gluten-free meal that tastes great and is easy for anyone to prepare. There is no charge. Call (561) 9044000 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will present “Planes, Gliders & Whirligigs” for ages 6 to 8 on Tuesday, July 31 at 7 p.m.

Put on your aviator goggles and learn how to make a squadron of different paper fliers.

Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council will hold a budget workshop and special meeting Tuesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. at the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District office (101 West D Road). Call (561) 7932418 or visit www.loxahatcheegroves.org for more info.

Wednesday, Aug. 1 • Palm Beach Executive Network will hold its weekly breakfast meeting Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 7:30 a.m. at Friendly’s Restaurant (1001 State Road 7, Royal Palm Beach).

For more info., call Kendra Rosenfeld at (561) 795-3240.

• The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly breakfast Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 7:30 a.m. at Palm Beach State College (4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth). For more info., call Mary Lou Bedford at (561) 790-6200 or e-mail marylou@cpbchamber.com.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host a “Reading Buddies” volunteer oppor tunity Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. If you enjoy working with children, become a Teen Reading Buddy. The program runs Sept. 5 through Dec. 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Pick up an application. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host “Read-In” for ages 8 to 12 on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. Enjoy snacks and catch up on the last of the summer reading program. Call (561) 681-4100 to preregister.

• The Gold Coast Down Syndrome OrganiSee CALENDAR, page 39

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 38 zation will kick off the 18th annual Buddy Walk with “Buddy Walk… Uncorked,” a wine tasting Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Wine Cellar at Renaissance Commons (1500 Gateway Blvd., Boynton Beach).

Guests will enjoy a variety of wines and food.

Tickets are $20 per person with reservations and $25 at the door, space permitting. All ticket proceeds and 30 percent of any wine purchased at the tasting will benefit the new Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization Resource Center. To order tickets, visit www. goldcoastdownsyndrome.org. You can also mail your check (with guest names) to GCDSO, 915 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. For more info., contact Anne at ad.gcdso@bellsouth.net or (561) 752-3383.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will feature “Family Puzzle Night” for all ages Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. Pick a puzzle and put it together with the help of family and friends. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation Volunteer Task Force will hold its first meeting of the 2012-13 season Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Palm Beach Post Auditorium. Executive Director Lisa Richman and staff will give a brief presentation. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP to Barbara at bkeller@melanoma foundation.com or (561) 655-9655. For info., visit www.melanomafoundation.com.

Thursday, Aug. 2 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Dog Days of Summer” for ages 8 to 12 on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Escape the dog days of summer with dog crafts. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The next session of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Small Business Roundtable will take place Thursday, Aug. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Speakers include Pin Point Strategic Solutions CEO Woody White, Hedrick Brothers Construction Director of Business Development Cheri Pavlik and SharpShooter Marketing Group owner Monica Kallas. The cost is $10. RSVP by calling (561) 792-6525 or visiting www.wellingtonchamber.com. E-mail info@wellingtonchamber.com for more info.

• The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce will host a Meet the Candidates Forum on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.). Contact Scott

Brown at (561) 578-4810 or scott@cpb chamber.com for more info.

• The Marshall Foundation’s 2012 Summer Intern Class will share their experiences and knowledge with program mentors and sponsors Thursday, Aug. 2 during a graduation celebration at the Lake Worth Golf Course at 6 p.m. A light buffet will be included. Tickets are $50 each and proceeds go to the 2013 summer intern program. For more information or to RSVP call (561) 2339004 or e-mail info@artmarshall.com.

• Beginning Thursday, Aug. 2, Community of Hope Church will offer a free 13-week GriefShare Series on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in Madison Green. Participants can join at any time during the 13-week series. To register and get directions, call (561) 753-8883 or e-mail info@gocoh.com.

Friday, Aug. 3 • The Nor ton Museum of Art (1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach) will present “Watercolors from the Collection” Friday, Aug. 3 through Oct. 4, featuring 14 rarely exhibited works on paper by European and American artists. For more info., visit www. norton.org.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “Crafternoon” for age 2 and up Friday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. Drop by the VolunTeens’ craft table to make a small craft to take home. Call (561) 790-6030 for more info.

• Wellington Talent Search Semifinals will take place Friday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Finals will take place Saturday, Aug. 4. Call (561) 753-2484 for more information.

Saturday, Aug. 4 • Golf teams from churches throughout Palm Beach County will compete in the inaugural Pastor’s Masters Golf Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Binks Forest Golf Club. The event will benefit Royal Palm Covenant Church. The scramble format event will tee off at 1 p.m., followed by an awards dinner, auction and raffle. Player entry fees cost $75. Non-golfers may attend the dinner and auction for a $50 donation. For more info., call the church at (561) 294-9258 or visit the golf shop at the Binks Forest Golf Club (400 Binks Forest Dr., Wellington) for an entry form.

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

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FOR

RON BAKER

To Benefit Bene t the Southeast Heart/Kidney T Transplant ansplant Fund

Sunday, August 12th 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Greenacres Bowling Center 6126 Lake Worth Rd. Greenacres, FL 33463

$20ȱinȱadvanceȱ $25ȱatȱtheȱdoorȱ Includesȱ3ȱhoursȱofȱbowling,ȱȱ pizza,ȱsodaȱ&ȱshoeȱrentalȱ ȱ

50/50ȱRaĝeȱ

Forȱregistrationȱform,ȱvisitȱhĴp://bit.ly/RonBakerBowlingȱorȱcontact:ȱ TammyȱFarley,ȱ561Ȭ718Ȭ5208ȱorȱtfarley71@bellsouth.netȱorȱAmy,ȱbeloved_rn@yahoo.com.ȱ ContribuƟons are tax deducƟble to the extent allowed by the law. This campaign is administered by HelpHOPELive (NaƟonal Transplant Assistance Fund, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing fundraising assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury paƟents. InformaƟon: 800.642.8399. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLLͲFREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1Ͳ800ͲHELPͲFLA. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. FLORIDA’S REGISTRATION NUMBER CH296.

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\ FLEA MARKET - INDOOR Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center 151 Civic Center Way FRIDAY JULY 27TH 12:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. FREE ADMISSION!

TRUE DELIVERANCE CHURCH OF GOD — Pastor Lionel Whitehall hosting first annual Banquet & Gospel Concert on July 28TH, 7 - 11 P.M. Adults $40, Children under 18 $20.

Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center 151 Civic Center Way. Dress Formal. Please call for reservations 561-252-0929

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225.

Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

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. #2012-252779

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support & troubleshooting w w w.mobiletec.ne t.

561-248-2611 HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER — in W ellington needs EXAM PREP COORDINAT OR Bachelors Degree- Demonstrate Solid Performance on SAT and ACT (either verbal or math sections) Available to work evenings and Saturdays. Also needed: EXAM PREP TUTORS 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 your resume to marlenegiraud@hlcwellington.com ENTRY LEVEL RECEPTIONIST — Computer literate. Heavy phones & filing. Fax resume 561-333-2680 WINDOW INSTALLERS WANTED Subcontractors only. Top Pay. No Brokers. Call Matt 561-714-8490 FRONT DESK — Loxahatchee/ Boynton Beach. Busy Dermatology practices, full-time, experience preferred, must be available for flexible hours, evenings and weekends.

Fax resume to 561-790-7568 MEDICAL ASSISTANT NEEDED IN LOXAHATCHEE/BOYNTON BEACH — Busy Dermatology practice, full-time, experience preferred, must be available for flexible hours, evenings and weekends. Fax resume to 561-790-7568 GENERAL MAINTENANCE PERSON NEEDED — for Residential, Community Association FT/Part Time, 24 hours per week,Mon-WedFri, 7:30am - 4:30pm. $10.00 per hour. Background Check & Drug Test Required. Fax resume to 561967-7675 or call 561-967-3337 for an appointment-or email resume to tkiser@capitalrealtyadvisors.com DRIVERS: DEDICA TED ACCOUNT! — Top Pay, Benefits, Miles, Great Weekly Home-Time & More! Werner Enterprises. 1-888567-4854 CDL DRIVER — Minimum 2 years experience produce experience preferred. Excellent pay and benefits. Appy @4003 Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470

PRESCHOOL TEACHERS ASSISTANT Needed for 2 Year Olds 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Experience preferred.

Afternoon Assistant needed Mon.-Fri. 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Experience preferred 790-0808

D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3331923 Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach. We 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

FULL SERVICE DESIGN/BUILD —contractor offering architectural design, engineering and construction in South Florida, Commercial, Residential and Industrial construction specializinig in custom design utilitizing concrete,stone and timber. Post and beam, ornament al iron and conventional styles. New England builder since 1973 in the timber frame style and in Florida since 1989 offering all types of cmu and concrete construction. Additions, alterations and improvements to equestrian out buildings. Florida State Certified Building Contractor.

Project list and references upon request. Free Consultation. Email: dvdros@bellsouth.net or phone 561-632-8061 or visit our website www.drosettabuilding.com

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 561-802-8300 or 754-242-3459

JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured. CFC1426242. 561-6016458

TREES TRIMMED AND REMOVED — 561-798-0412 D.M. YOUNG TREE SER VICE. Family Owned & Operated Lic. & Insured 199212121 Visit our website at dmyoungtreeservice.com

HAY FOR SALE — From our farm to yours. New York State Organic Hay. Top Quality. Small Square, Large Square, Round. Call or Email for pricing. We Deliver. 607-538-9685 Scotchvalleyranch@gmail.com

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

ARE YOU SERIOUS? Call Coach Cristina or visit www .results44.com for more info. (561) 288-0124 30 day $ back guarantee

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” FAMILY OWNED CLEANING BUSINESS IS EXPANDING — We are honest, reliable and dependable. Over 20 years experience in the Western Communities. Call today to get started. Norma 561-3555044

HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACTORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffit s, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777

BOB CAVANAGH ALLSTATE INSURANCE — Auto •Home • Life• Renters •Motorcycle •R V • 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

THE MASTER HANDYMAN — All Types of Home Repairs & Improvements. No job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers. See me on Angies List. Tom (561) 801-2010 or (954) 444-3178 Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS INC. REMODEL & REPAIRS — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood rep air, door installation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinet s/ countertops, wood flooring. Bonded and Insured U#19699. Call 7919900 or 628-9215

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 T OWN-CRIER NEWSPAPER CLASSFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL T ODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD AD HERE 561-793-7606

CARD/PSYCHIC READINGS — p ast, present, future. Advice, love, marriage, business, help with all problems. By appointment only. Call 561-293-0405 or 561-683-5164

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS DON HARTMANN ROOFING — Roof painting, Carpentry. Lic. #U13677 967-5580 ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in rep airs. 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 561-3090134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207 TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS CALL 561-793-7606 JOHN C. BEALE BUILDING & ROOFING — Additions, remodeling, roof repairs & replacements, screened porches. Licensed & Insured. Call for Free Estimates. 561798-6448 ccc1326383 ccc1250306

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 HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE —Jupiter Aluminum Products for your • Windows • Doors • Shutters 561-747-4166

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990

SPECIALIZING IN BATHROOM REMODELING — Free estimates serving South Florida since 1980.

Quality you expect, service you deserve. Lic. bonded & Ins. U21006 561-662-9258

PAPERHANGING BY DEBI — Professional Installation,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

FURNISHED HOUSE FOR RENT/ SHORT OR LONG TERM — situated in a cul-de-sac and 5 minutes away from Spruce 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. Weekly housekeeping, linen service and lawn cutting plus all utilities included. For more details call (403) 808-7254 OR (403) 700-2065 106.33 ACRE EQUESTRIAN FARM NEAR AIKEN, SC — Please call Debbie Harrison, Realtor with Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Co., at 803-480-5245 for details.

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