ROYAL PALM AWARDS 10 SCHOLARSHIPS SEE STORY, PAGE 3
A BUSY SUMMER AT WELLINGTON REC SEE STORY, PAGE 4
THE
TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
Your Community Newspaper
INSIDE
Nepal Native Wants To Rebuild Schools In Quake-Stricken Nation
Volume 36, Number 22 May 29 - June 4, 2015
Serving Palms West Since 1980
LOCAL MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCES
The Wellington Village Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday in support of the citizens of Nepal and their families, supporting the relief efforts in the aftermath of the recent earthquakes and the ensuing devastation in that Asian nation. The resolution was requested by Wellington resident Bijaya “B.J.” Kattel, a native of Nepal. Page 3
Canal-Clearing Project Angers Nearby Residents
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Four of the five Wellington Village Council members were on hand for a public hearing Wednesday about a controversial canal clearing project already in progress. The meeting was attended by about 120 residents who were angry that trees and other plants are being removed from the canal rights of way behind their homes. Although the council could not take action at the meeting, members promised that the village would not proceed further until the council had considered the comments they had heard that evening. The item was not on the agenda for the council’s regular meeting
Palms West Hospital Hosts CPR Training
(Above) Royal Palm Beach held its Memorial Day Observance at Veterans Park. Shown here are Carolyn Hmara, Sgt. Darrell Langworthy, Airman 1st Class Sarah Langworthy and RPB Councilman Jeff Hmara. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 (Left) Wellington held its Memorial Day parade and ceremony Monday. The ceremony included a wreath laying at the Wellington Veterans Memorial. Shown here, Mike Pancia salutes the Coast Guard wreath as Councilman John Greene looks on. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7
On Wednesday, May 20, Palms West Hospital staff members held a CPR training session free to the public. The session focused on a compression-only technique that’s easy to learn. This training session is part of an effort by the hospital to save more lives by giving the everyday people the skills to do so. Page 5
Tuesday, but about 50 residents, mostly from the Paddock Park and Sugar Pond Manor neighborhoods, attended anyway to speak during the time for public comment. None of the residents spoke in favor of the project, which is part of an effort to improve flood control in the village. The residents were angry that their objections had not been taken seriously. Village Manager Paul Schofield pointed out that the project had begun in 2008, when the village was mandated to reverse its drainage to the north, away from its previous outfall into the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, and explained that the See CANALS, page 18
FIRST RESPONDER DAY
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN AND JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club Installs Officers For 2015-16
The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club celebrated its 25th anniversary awards dinner and 2015-16 officer induction on Friday, May 22 at the Police Benevolent Association Hall in West Palm Beach. Dr. Bruce Elkind was sworn in as the new president of the club. Page 19
OPINION Be Prepared For A Storm As Hurricane Season 2015 Arrives
Sem Ridge Graduates Lauded For Compassion, Hard Work
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Writer More than 600 seniors graduated from Seminole Ridge High School at a ceremony held Friday, May 22 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. “These young men and women have put in a great deal of work to get here today, and I want to thank everyone for joining us in
honoring this outstanding class,” said Principal James Campbell, who was joined on the stage by many officials, including Superintendent Wayne Gent, School Board Member Marcia Andrews, Chief Academic Officer Keith Oswald, Assistant Superintendent Karen Whetsell, Area 3 Superintendent Dr. Matthew Shoemaker, and senior class sponsors Andrea
As we enter storm season, many take comfort in knowing that, since Hurricane Wilma in 2005, southeast Florida has been relatively unscathed by Mother Nature. But this comfort is tempered by the knowledge that past performance is not an indicator of future outcomes. Take the advice stressed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association and the National Hurricane Center: be prepared. Page 4 Alexa Perez, Carolina Pereira, Jocelyn Garcia and Rafaela Breves-Mesquita celebrate Seminole Ridge’s graduation.
PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER
DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 12 OPINION.................................. 4 CRIME NEWS.......................... 6 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 8 PEOPLE................................. 13 SCHOOLS........................14- 15 COLUMNS...................... 16, 23 BUSINESS......................24 - 25 SPORTS..........................31 - 33 CALENDAR............................ 36 CLASSIFIEDS.................38 - 41 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Caceres-Santamaria and Rose Carbone. Gent, who is leaving his post next month, said the school district would have about 11,500 seniors graduating this year. “I believe you’re here because of three things: Number one, you had a goal; number two, you maintained your balance; and number three, you never lost your focus,” he said. “You’ll need those same attributes for the rest of your life.” Senior Class President Blake Selogy said Seminole Ridge has been defined by the nine graduating classes that walked before them, the community and the faculty, including its founding principal. “While our community has helped define us, we have built our own legacy,” Selogy said. “On Aug. 5, 2005, Dr. Lynne McGee opened the doors to Seminole Ridge High School. Under her leadership and help from some amazing assistant principals, who have become amazing principals themselves, she began the process that has helped make Seminole See SRHS GRAD, page 9
WHS Bids Fond Farewell To An Award-Winning Class Of 2015 By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington High School’s Class of 2015 graduated Thursday, May 21 at a ceremony held at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. Principal Mario Crocetti saluted the approximately 600 graduates, and also thanked senior class
advisors Susan Cooperman and Amalie Farris, who made sure the day went off without a hitch. It was the 30th graduation ceremony organized by Cooperman, Crocetti noted. Student Government Association President Heather McGarity provided a message of inspiration.
New WHS graduates Ashleigh Coffman and Ashley Amaya.
PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
“One fine afternoon, a young woman arrived at the scene of a terrible plane crash. Devastated and lost for words, she fell to the ground just several feet away from the pilot and his plane. She knew right away that she couldn’t change what had happened. Her dad had just been killed instantly on impact and her entire life had changed instantly. It was February 2014 and she was 17 years old, a junior in high school. That girl was me,” McGarity said before quoting Socrates’ famous quote about focusing energy on building the new rather than fighting the old. Though we cannot choose our circumstances, McGarity explained, we are able to control how we react to them. “Dr. Seuss put it best when he said, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,’” she said. “This is a phrase that we can each apply to our lives. With that being said, I’m not angry that my father is gone. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to spend 17 years with my loving See WHS GRAD, page 12
The Wellington High School Fire Science Academy hosted First Responder Day on Saturday, May 23 on the school grounds in Wellington. It was a free, family-friendly event with entertainment and games, along with local first responders and an emergency vehicle showcase. Shown here are Ashli and Kason Stewart with PBCFR Special Ops Dive Rescue Team member Chris Seay. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington OKs Phone Contract For Office Park By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Writer The Wellington Village Council approved a three-year contract for a new telephone system for the Lake Wellington Professional Centre on Tuesday, amid concerns that the facility might be torn down before the contract ends. Councilman Matt Willhite questioned why they should enter a three-year contract if they might not need or want the system for that long. “Nowhere in this contract did I see that we had an out, so we’re stuck in this contract at this cost for three years no matter what?” Willhite asked. “If we don’t want this system after two years, we have to pay for it?” Finance Director Ed De La Vega said he had spoken to a Mitel representative, who told him the village would have the option of moving the equipment. “He told me that if, two years down the road, we decided we
were going to do whatever we were going to do with that building, the only option we would have would be that we could relocate the equipment,” De La Vega said. “We could continue to use the equipment in another location if we so choose, but we are responsible for paying for the three-year term.” Councilwoman Anne Gerwig asked about the current rental cost, and Administrative & Financial Services Director Tanya Quickel said it was about $900 a month. “The three years went down to $803 a month,” Quickel said. Vice Mayor John Greene asked whether staff had inquired about a year-to-year contract. “If there is some uncertainty about what’s going to happen with this building, two years from now versus three years from now, do we save anything, or is it more expensive?” Greene asked. De Le Vega said they had gone from a five-year to a three-year See PHONES, page 18
RPB Getting Ready For Storm Season
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report Hurricane season begins Monday, June 1, and Royal Palm Beach officials have been brushing up on emergency plans to make sure that the village is ready for a storm emergency. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, released a statement May 26 predicting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with a 70 percent likelihood of six to 11 storms, where three to six might become hurricanes, with possibly two major hurricanes. But that optimistic forecast doesn’t change village plans for a robust emergency response. “In June, we do a full review and update of the storm emergency response plan, including associ-
ated sub-plans such as emergency evacuations, emergency road plans, etc.,” Village Engineer Chris Marsh told the Town-Crier on Wednesday. “We go through the plan and refresh the data that changes from year to year.” The village is updating its mobile geographic information system to perform live mobile updates while in the field surveying storm damage. “We’ll be utilizing iPads in lieu of pencil and paper,” Marsh said. “What that will allow us to do is to utilize GPS technology to take pictures based on location, automatically impart parcel attributes… and do a whole lot more work back in the office. As they’re collecting this information — provided the cellular networks See STORMS, page 18
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NEWS
RPB Council Awards $10,000 In Scholarships To Local Grads By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council awarded 10 scholarships of $1,000 each last week to graduating seniors selected by the Education Advisory Board. The recipients were Susmi Chowdhury, Andre Ferreira, Sara Iman, Zerin Islam, Javeon Thompson, Odalys Vieda and Nia Williams from Royal Palm Beach High School; Elisabeth Anne Christie and Aagam Vakil from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts; and Cher Marie Nicholson from the King’s Academy.
At the May 21 meeting, Councilman Jeff Hmara, liaison to the Education Advisory Board (EAB), thanked the board members for their work over the past year. “They took on some really significant issues this year, and I think they’ve done it in a very professional and thoughtful way,” he said. “As always, we appreciate their work on the scholarship selection process. We started off with 52 scholarship applications, went through all of them and ranked them and identified the 14 finalists, then spent a Sunday afternoon being impressed by all
of them, as you can tell, to come up with these 10 recipients.” He especially thanked Chairman Lynn Balch for his leadership and each of the members for their contributions, as well as secretary Jacqueline Davy. Hmara said that at the last meeting of the EAB, Palm Beach County School District lobbyist Vern Pickup-Crawford gave a presentation about issues that will affect education in the area, including changes to standardized testing under the Education Accountability Act. “One thing it does is it requires
Royal Palm Beach awarded 10 scholarships last week to a group of graduating seniors carefully selected by the Education Advisory Board.
a third party to take a look at these standardized test results to see whether they seem to be valid,” Hmara said. “That will have to take place before these test results are used for school grades or for teacher evaluation.” Crawford added that the amount of testing will be limited to 5 percent of the school year. “I’m sure that’s a substantial reduction,” Hmara said. Crawford also noted that a more balanced approach to student evaluations will be required. “There will be three components, each of equal weight,” Hmara said. “One will be the FSA (Florida Student Assessment) test results. Another will be the principal’s evaluation, and then the teacher’s evaluation. All of those taken together will evaluate the student’s performance. Of course, without a balanced budget, of which there isn’t one yet, the student funding issue remains uncertain. Crawford said the legislature is expected to adopt a budget that provides about a 3 percent increase over last year’s budget, which will cover enrollment growth.” In other news, Hmara added that the directors of the Palm Beach County League of Cities had a special meeting recently to select a replacement for Wellington’s Dr. Carmine Priore, who resigned May 1 from the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics,
and picked former North Palm Beach Mayor Judy Pierman, who will complete Priore’s term, which expires in 2018. Hmara also attended the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council meeting on May 15, where Ron Book, executive director of the Florida Regional Councils Association, reported on state changes to regional planning councils. A bill passed and signed by the governor reduced the number of regional planning councils from 11 to 10, and limited the review of developments of regional impact by the planning councils. “Book went on to say that smart developers will work with all local governments affected by their proposals for development,” Hmara said. “We’ll see if that turns out to be the case.” Hmara said Book also discussed the current state budget stalemate, which led to an abrupt end of the regular session after a deadlock over Medicaid expansion issues and a special session due to reconvene on Monday, June 1. He pointed out that the state legislature is not allowed to pass a continuing budget resolution as Congress can. “If the legislature cannot agree on a budget, the logical default would be to adopt the same budget as the 2014-15 budget,” Hmara said. “There are a couple of guesses as to how this might play out.
We’ll just have to wait and see. Clearly it will have big impacts on things like FDOT funding, school funding and a lot more things, but that will be addressed in the June special session.” Vice Mayor Dave Swift reported that the Florida Department of Transportation will host a public hearing on the design phase of the State Road 7 extension to Northlake Blvd. at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. “Although this meeting is largely procedural, I would expect probably a large crowd from the City of West Palm Beach to attend as another opportunity to oppose the project and get press headlines,” Swift said. “As vice chair of the Western Communities Council, I’d like to ask our elected officials and concerned Royal Palm Beach residents to attend this meeting to show our continued support for the project. I expect there to be representation from our neighbors in Wellington, The Acreage and Loxahatchee, as well as Royal Palm Beach,” he said. Councilman Richard Valuntas added that he had attended the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting on May 21 and that the SR 7 extension was still in the Transportation Improvement Program, although it has met with opposition from West Palm Beach representatives.
Nepal Native Wants To Rebuild Schools In Quake-Stricken Nation
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday in support of the citizens of Nepal and their families, supporting the relief efforts in the aftermath of the recent earthquakes and the ensuing devastation in that Asian nation. Wellington resident Bijaya “B.J.” Kattel, a native of Nepal, asked for the resolution at the council’s April 28 meeting. Earthquake-prone Nepal experienced a series of quakes during the past month, including the 7.8 magnitude event on April 25 that is believed to have been the worst since 1934. The earthquakes are believed to have killed more than 8,000 people and injured more than 21,000, with the aftershocks leaving people afraid to go into
their homes or businesses, instead camping out in open areas. “You might have heard [of] or seen the devastation at 7.8 on the Richter scale, and more than 70 aftershocks have damaged that country badly,” Kattel told the council. “I have been living here more than 17 years in the village, and I love it; there are many other native Nepalese living in the village. What I would wish is that the council put some kind of statement recognizing the devastation and damage. That would give some kind of relief that is soothing to people like me, because many people have relatives there who are homeless, [including] my wife’s family.” Kattel, a wildlife ecologist with the South Florida Water Management District, said he worked in Nepal and did his doctoral dis-
sertation in the foothills of Mount Everest, which had quake-related avalanches that killed 20 people on the mountain and left more than 200 people missing in nearby villages. Kattel said his wife’s family is safe, but their house was destroyed. “They’re living with their relatives,” Kattel told the TownCrier on Wednesday. “They are kind of refugees.” He said that many organizations, including the Florida Association of Nepali Societies, have been raising money for relief efforts that have already been undertaken. “Now, I would like to see more of a rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, rather than jumping into immediate relief,” he said. “The best thing is bringing up the future. Children and education is the thing that I would like to fo-
cus on in the recovery phase. The schools and all the institutions — all the buildings are gone. Out of 75, 36 districts have been affected, so anywhere we can go and do this recovery in the education sector. That is what I would like to see, because we always have a focus on education.” His wife, Archaia, has a nonprofit organization, the Abi Kattel Memorial Foundation (www. abikattelfoundation.org), established in memory of their son, who died in 2005. “It focuses on education,” Kattel said. “We have been involved in Nepal through scholarships in the past, and one of the goals and objectives is to help institutions in Nepal. This falls in this category. I would like personally to focus on that, because there is so much to be done. If we pick up one or two schools,
for example, and bring them up to the extent that children, the future citizens of Nepal, can get education, then they will have a future.” Kattel would like to start small, with possibly 40 children being furnished with school books and clothing, and eventually helping to rebuild a library and a school. He said the web site will have a special portal added for those who wish to donate to earthquake relief efforts. “It will be put into a separate account,” he said, emphasizing that donations for earthquake relief will be specifically for educational purposes. “Let’s bring that country up every way we can, because that’s where I grew up. I used to work for the national park service in Nepal, so I have traveled almost the whole country on foot.” Kattel can be reached at (561) 358-6549 or bijkat@gmail.com.
Bijaya “B.J.” Kattel
Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District - Seat #1
Election - June 22, 2015 Loxahatchee Groves,
101 West D Road, LGWCD Office 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Turtle Waters
Laura Danowski
for Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District, Seat #1
Laura Danowski
11-Year Resident & Local Equestrian With 10-years professional experience in lake bank restoration, industrial water controls and large-budget management, I desire to improve the LGWCD in financial accountability and transparency of our tax dollars for services rendered. It is time the whole community gets what it pays for.
150515
Wholesale Customers ~ Please bring copies of your Resale/Tax ID Certificate in order to get Wholesale Pricing.
150515
Resident Devin Curphy, E Road & Collecting Canal, shows his long-standing frustration of LGWCD road grading, resulting in property frontage lost and perpetual, standing mud waters. The LGWCD collects over $1 million annually from property owner tax assessments at $150/acre. This ad is approved and paid for by the LJ Danowski, LGWCD, Seat #1 campaign account.
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May 29 - June 4, 2015
The Town-Crier
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OUR OPINION
Be Prepared For A Storm As Hurricane Season 2015 Arrives Things that are a fact of life in Florida: snowbirds, political wrangling in Tallahassee, lousy drivers and hurricane season. It is that last item on the list that’s in the spotlight this week. After all, the Atlantic hurricane season begins on Monday, June 1. As we enter storm season, many take comfort in knowing that, since Hurricane Wilma in 2005, southeast Florida has been relatively unscathed by Mother Nature. But this comfort is tempered by the gnawing knowledge that lingers in the back of our individual and collective minds: like mutual funds, past performance is not an indicator of future outcomes. And as Hurricane Preparedness Week 2015 draws to an end this Saturday, we would be remiss if we didn’t offer the same advice stressed by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC): be prepared. Flooding, storm surges, even tornadoes can strike impacted areas. According to NOAA, since 1963, storm surge has caused nearly half of the hurricane-related deaths in the United States. Water, not wind, has accounted for nearly 90 percent of all tropical cyclone deaths in the U.S. during that time. Should you stay or should you go? If the former, make sure your residence is secure, and stock up on essentials — water, non-perishable food items, batteries, flashlights, candles, matches and the like. A portable propane stove can also come in handy. In the event of a direct hit, there’s no guarantee when power will be restored.
If you are leaving, make a plan before the storm hits. If you need to evacuate, where will you go? Both Seminole Ridge and Palm Beach Central high schools are American Red Cross shelters in our area. Have a pet? Make sure the shelter you are considering is pet-friendly. Just as vital: knowing when to go. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, many either chose not to leave or waited until traffic was so snarled that leaving was no longer an option. If you are going to leave the hurricane zone, leave early. Keep a list of emergency numbers with you — and mark important numbers in your cell phone with ICE (In Case of Emergency) designations. Speaking of cell phones, it’s not a bad idea to download important hurricane-related applications, such as those of the Weather Channel (www.weather.com/apps) or the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/ hurricane-app). And remember, when the power is out, it’s more difficult to keep those cell phones charged, so don’t rely solely on cellular technology. Closely connected to the previously stated essentials is ensuring that you’re stocked on prescriptions. Don’t wait until the last minute to make sure you have what you need; if they are vital to your health, take care of refilling your prescriptions in advance. Again, if a storm hits, pharmacies may be closed. If not, there may be long wait times for refills. For a complete list of recommended supplies, emergency numbers and more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the NHC web site at www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Ann Gerwig And Canal Cleaning
It doesn’t seem so long ago that I wrote a letter to this paper when we had our last uproar about canal bank cleaning and Councilwoman Anne Gerwig. I’m not going into the necessity of the village canal bank cleaning; it is a necessity to prevent homes from flooding in the event of a heavy rain/hurricane. Because Florida was developed through canals for drainage, the canals must be free of trees, bushes and anything that could end up in our canals and back up the water. We are speaking of a potential hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, and many people don’t even have flood insurance. We cannot treat FPL rights of way as our own, nor can we do so on the village canal banks; that’s why they are called rights of way or easements. Yes, we can feel for the loss of vegetation, and as a master gardener, I fully understand love of plants and homes for animals, but safety must come first. Now, the last time this happened, Anne Gerwig got involved, and I wrote that she was actually politically motivated, succoring favor and really not asserting her responsibility, like the rest of the council. False hope she gave (and denied) but here we are again, this time a flyer, exempting Gerwig from responsibility, whilst the rest of the council is blamed. Call these people to complain... everyone but Gerwig, because she’s on our side. This is déjà vu, Gerwig offering solace instead of doing her job. The flyer appears obviously to be political, one week after another article about Gerwig possibly running for the mayor’s seat.
As with most anonymous fliers, truth is foreign, and it is a cowardly way to run politics. I’m sorry, but too many coincidences here. While Gerwig may not have written the flyer, certainly her supporters did, including e-mail addresses and when their next election is. What could be more political? Also wrongly including one member who was not even on the council at the time. Perhaps Anne is merely testing the waters, before stepping into the mayoralty race, but in this case, the water seems a bit hot! There used to be an expression, and it seems appropriate now, “If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck.” Of course there will be denials, but the facts speak for themselves, twice bitten on the same subject, and her name off the flyer, blaming everyone but her. If this was but her first venture here, but it is not, this is her second dance, same tune. The last denial seems to be flat now. Strange how things happen prior to our election cycle! George Unger Wellington
Wake Up, Lox Groves!
Just like that, our Loxahatchee Groves, aka the last frontier, will go from a no-light town to a twolight town. During the commercial approval of the property at Folsom and Okeechobee, the developer informed the town that Folsom and Okeechobee will be getting a traffic light. In addition, D Road and Okeechobee will be getting a light thanks to Minto. Loxahatchee Groves was incorporated in order to “preserve and protect the distinctive rural characteristics of the community.”
Unfortunately, this is far from what is taking place. Our town council has not turned away one commercial developer! The council is welcoming with open arms any commercial development that is proposed. Mayor [Dave] Browning wanted to incorporate specifically because of a loud dog kennel that the county allowed which greatly disturbed his lifestyle. He did not want anyone in the future to endure the pain and suffering he endured having a kennel across the street from his home. Less than a month ago, Mayor Browning and the council approved a 500 dog kennel right in the middle of Loxahatchee Groves. Just this past week, this same council approved yet another fast food restaurant in Loxahatchee Groves on Okeechobee. Now there will be a McDonald’s on B Road and Southern and a Dunkin’ Donuts on Okeechobee! Where are the people who voted for incorporation? Why isn’t anyone at the council meetings stopping this commercial development of our agricultural town? We were promised that the residents of Loxahatchee Groves would have control and we would not be developed. This council has approved three major commercial developments, a state college, a 500-dog kennel and approved changing yet another residential property to commercial. What will be built on that site? Another fast food restaurant? Another dog kennel? Okeechobee is going to go from a two-lane, no-light road to four lanes with two lights completely bisecting the town. Prior to incorporation, in the entire history of Loxahatchee Groves, the county approved less than this council has approved in just a few years. We are comparing
approximately 100 years versus eight years! This town council is ruining our town. The current council has made things more difficult for the common citizen and agricultural operations. The Florida Attorney General sent a letter to the town because the council was trying to illegally enforce land development codes against agricultural businesses. Another resident had to jump through many hoops for months just to simply put a pool in their backyard. Under the county, the pool would have been permitted in days. Horse trails? Forget about it! But apply to build commercial development and this town will make it happen. Please wake up, people, and see what is going on. It is almost too late. Todd McLendon Loxahatchee Groves
Upset By Mayor’s Comment
I was shocked and disgusted at the uttering by Mayor Matty Mattioli of what can only be characterized as a derogatory ethnic slur during his introduction of Father Andrew Rudnicki at the Memorial Day observance by stating that “unfortunately, his father was born in Poland.” What purpose was served by such comment other than a feeble attempt by the mayor to solicit laughs based on a hackneyed stereotype of “the dumb Pollack” at the father’s expense. It was apparent that Father Rudnicki was thrown off by the insult by the ad-libbed, revised opening of his invocation confessing that yes, his father was born in Poland, but he was preparing that day to travel on a mission to the Czech Republic.
I find it not only appalling, but also ironic that the mayor would stoop to making such a comment at a ceremony intended to honor those of all colors, creeds and races who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to defend the American ideals of liberty, freedom, justice and equal opportunity. As both a second-generation American of Polish descent and a second generation U.S. veteran, I know that at the instant of hearing his comment, I didn’t only feel like I had been thrown under the bus, but also a stinging sense of humiliation of what it must have felt like in the past to be told to go sit in the back of it. Mr. Mayor, wake up and get with the 21st century. Ed Palmowski Royal Palm Beach
Where Is The Turtle River?
“Turtle River” — that is the meaning of the word Loxahatchee. The residents to the south of Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves can enjoy dropping a line in a canal and fish with their children, as we all have in the past. Not long ago, Loxahatchee Groves Town Council members were up in arms because people who did not live in our town were taking turtles on trout lines to sell for meat. The same councilmen are still there but no longer care about the turtles. The canals on the north side of Okeechobee are dry, no turtles, no fish, no birds that feed on fish. What is happening to
the structure of our canals being always dry? This is also driving critters into our yards that would normally drink from the canals. How can the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District and the town council not be responsible for the destruction of this longlived habitat? Our council does not hold the LGWCD responsible for any negative impact of our town or environment, and that makes them responsible for the destruction as well. Half of them have bounced back and forth from council to board. Is there anyone out there who can help get the water back into our canals and restore the wildlife? The mighty LGWCD is now dredging the canals. Are they aware of or care about spawning and breeding seasons for the fish, birds, turtles and other wildlife, as many animals are having offspring now? That should be a part of “water control” in such a place. LGWCD board members and town council members, why do you live here? Why do you need control to destroy what people love about Loxahatchee Groves? Why is it called a water control district, if there is no water to control? Stop the stupidity. Vote out the current LGWCD board members, vote out current town council members. Let’s take our town back from these self-serving, political backstabbers who are ruining our place to live and going to sell us out to the urban machine. Phillis Maniglia Loxahatchee Groves
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words suggested). Submit letters, with contact name, address and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail letters@goTownCrier.com.
OPINION
Can You Believe It? Baseball Legend Yogi Berra Has Turned 90 We come across 90th birthday celebrations for celebrities on a semi-regular basis. A glance at the headline, a split-second reaction… and move on. But Yogi Berra reaching 90 — that is special. OK. Let’s start with the most notable of “Yogi-isms” — “It ain’t over until it’s over.” Then it is al-
Footloose and... By Jules W. Rabin
most mandatory to mention Yogi’s pure baseball talents: 10 World Series Championships with the New York Yankees, and manager of the New York Mets, in 1973, to a National League pennant. Oh, and somewhere during those glorious years he came up with, “I never answer an anonymous letter.”
In New Jersey, they declared Yogi Berra Day on his 90th. The ceremonies, spearheaded by his granddaughter Lindsay, featured a stirring plea for people to retrieve an online petition that seeks to make Yogi the recipient of a Medal of Honor! Did I mention Yogi also coined the phrases “Its déjà vu all
over again” and “You can observe a lot by watching.” Yogi, who has three sons and 11 grandchildren, isn’t quite as mobile these days, but it is still hoped he will make the Yankees “Old Timers Day” this year. Perhaps he will trot out his old saw, “If the people don’t want to come
out to the ballpark, nobody’s going to stop them.” I’ve reserved my two favorite “Yogi-isms” for last: “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.” And the iconic, “Nobody goes to that restaurant anymore. It’s too crowded.” Happy 90th birthday, Yogi. I’m looking forward to 91!
NEWS
A Busy Summer Planned At Wellington’s Recreation Venues By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon at the Wanderers Club on Wednesday, May 20, and the special guest speakers were Wellington Parks & Recreation Director Bruce Delaney and Cultural Programs & Facilities Manager Joe Piconcelli. The two discussed many of the exciting upcoming events, as well as the unique offerings that Wellington provides for the community. Starting off the list were the many activities, live music, food truck events and free movie nights hosted at the Wellington Amphitheater. The village also offers summer camps from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for ages 5 to 15. There are many camps and academies available, including the aerial trapeze circus academy, the basketball academy, the fishing
academy, tumblekid camp, volleyball camp and more. There is also open play available at various parks within Wellington, including Village Park, Wellington Green Park and Community Park. The Wellington Aquatics Complex, a great place to splash around and beat the summer heat, will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. this summer. Admission varies from free for those 2 and under to $5 for adults 18 to 54, with summer passes available from May 26 to Aug. 31. Swim classes and lessons are available for all ages. There are even facility rentals available for pool parties. For more information, call (561) 791-4770. Wellington offers the two environmental preserves — the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat and Peaceful Waters Sanctuary. Both offer beautiful views,
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walking trails and more. There are also a number of special events coming up this summer: • On Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to noon, is Make a SPLASH, a special event at the Wellington Aquatics Complex. Visitors can learn about water safety from Palms West Hospital pediatric residents, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue first responders and other vendors. Admission is free, and there will be a live water rescue demonstration. • On June 6 and 7, the Palm Beach Blast lacrosse tournament will be at Village Park and the International Polo Club Palm Beach. For more information, visit www. flunitedlax.com. • The new Wellington Tennis Center, located at 3100 Lyons Road, will celebrate its grand opening on Tuesday, June 9 at 9 a.m. BARRY S. MANNING Publisher JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher
• On Sunday, June 21 at 7 a.m., the third annual Father’s Day “Daddy Dash” 5K run to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will return to Village Park. For more information, visit www. active.com. • Wellington will host its free Fourth of July celebration with live music, games, face painting, bounce houses, a petting zoo and more at Village Park from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, culminating with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. For those people who follow Wellington events, there soon will be a free app available to notify residents of field, weather and event alerts. The program will alert residents if an event has been canceled, rescheduled, postponed and more. Users can sign up for e-mail or text alerts, download the free app or view current statuses online. Volunteer opportunities are always available with the Parks & JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor
DAWN RIVERA General Manager
RON BUKLEY Managing Editor
EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman • Paul Gaba • Julie Unger CONTRIBUTORS/ Jules Rabin • Ellen Rosenberg • Leonard Wechsler • Deborah Welky ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez ADVERTISING/ Betty Buglio • Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson STAFF/ Jacqueline Corrado • Shanta Daibee • Jill Kaskel • Geri O’Neil
Bruce Delaney, Tom Wenham, Joe Piconcelli and Michela Green at last week’s chamber luncheon. PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER Recreation Department. Contact Meridith Tuckwood to learn more, including how to earn community service hours, at (561) 753-2476
or mtuckwood@wellingtonfl.gov. For complete listings, as well as additional information, visit www. wellingtonfl.gov.
POSTAL STATEMENT The Town-Crier (USPS #021547) is published weekly by Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414-7458. Periodicals Postage Paid at West Palm Beach, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Town-Crier, c/o Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414-7458. Founded In 1980 By Bob Markey Sr. Copyright 2015, Newspaper Publishers Inc. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.
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NEWS
ROYAL PALM BEACH OBSERVES MEMORIAL DAY WITH SERVICE AT VETS PARK
The Village of Royal Palm Beach held its Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 25 in Veterans Park on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in conjunction with American Legion Post 367. Cub Scout Pack 120 and Boy Scout Troop 111 led the Pledge of Allegiance. There was a flag folding demo, an honor guard and a bagpiper. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Father Andy Rudnicki gives the invocation as Royal Palm Beach officials look on.
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Tony Harris, past senior vice commander of Military Order of Purple Hearts Chapter 717, was a guest speaker.
American Legion Post 367 Chaplain Jim Park.
George Fisher, a decorated World War II Veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, was one of the speakers.
Marge Hertzog of the American Legion Auxiliary gives Eddie Zazycki a poppy.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class John Castro and Sgt. Mark Hermann during the flag demo.
PBSO Honor Guard bagpiper Richard Dittmyre.
Jonathan, James, Shannon and Isabella Farell.
American Legion Commander Ray Nazareth, scouts Nathan Kelly and James Jean and Mayor Matty Mattioli lay a wreath.
PALMS WEST HOSPITAL HOSTS CPR TRAINING SESSION FOR THE COMMUNITY
On Wednesday, May 20, Palms West Hospital staff members held a CPR training session free to the public. The session focused on a compression-only technique that’s easy to learn. This training session is part of an effort by the hospital to save more lives by giving the everyday people the skills to do so. PHOTOS BY JENNA BELLACH/TOWN-CRIER
Paramedic Kevin Meehan and EMT Andrew Van Otteren.
Nurses Joe DeBaise and Rhonda Stoop, Tom and Pat Gamage, paramedic Kevin Meehan and EMT Andrew Van Otteren.
Danielle Horsfield receives instructions from nurse Rhonda Stoop.
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May 29 - June 4, 2015
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CRIME NEWS
By Lynette Laufenberg, CPT Fitness and Wellness Director at Ultima
Small Group Training: The Latest Trend in Fitness What makes someone successful in their drive to a healthier lifestyle? Tracking, accountability, motivation and education all contribute to meeting one’s goals. Utilizing a personal trainer provides all of these, and thanks to recent trending, comes in many forms including traditional oneon-one sessions, semi-private sessions (two clients), or small groups (three to six clients). The recent surge in popularity of small group training is due to several factors. Small group training is affordable! Offering group training allows certified fitness professionals to drop their price point and provide fitness instruction to more clients at once. Most sessions start around $25 per person.
Also, each of us wants to be part of a group, which provides the opportunity to feel a sense of belonging and connects us to others who share similar traits and goals. If you need a boost to your current exercise program (or lack thereof), consider getting a group together from the office, your mom’s night out group, your church or the gym and join a community of like-minded individuals. Your trainer will create programming that is safe, effective, and fun! For more information on Small Group Training, please call 561795-2823, email our Fitness Director Lynette@UltimaFitness.com or stop by Ultima Fitness 12799 W. Forest Hill Boulevard.
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Vehicle Thefts In RPB’s Counterpoint Estates Community By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report MAY 20 — A deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was called to a home in Counterpoint Estates last Wednesday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8 p.m. last Tuesday and 5 a.m. last Wednesday, someone entered the victim’s Toyota Tundra and removed a Shindaiwa weed whacker and a McLane grass edger from the truck bed. The stolen items were together valued at $700. MAY 20 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to a home in Counterpoint Estates last Wednesday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9:30 p.m. last Tuesday and 7:30 a.m. last Wednesday, the rear window of the victim’s 2009 Toyota Tundra was pried open, and three green power drills and five silver power drills, together valued at $350, were stolen from the vehicle. The victim’s dog was barking around 2:30 a.m. DNA evidence was gathered at the scene. ••• MAY 19 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was called to Palms West Hospital last Tuesday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6:50 and 8:55 a.m., someone stole the victim’s purse, containing her driver’s license and $10, from the nurses’ lounge. MAY 19 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was called to a home on Paradise Trail in Loxahatchee Groves last Tuesday morning regarding a stolen tag. According to a PBSO report, sometime between noon last Monday and 9:40 a.m. last Tuesday, someone stole the vehicle tag off of the victim’s 2001 Nissan Maxima. MAY 19 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a home on Haymarket Court last Tuesday regarding an instance of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, sometime between noon May 15 and 12:43 p.m. last Tuesday, someone threw a rock through the back kitchen window of the residence. MAY 19 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to a home on Linda Court last Tuesday afternoon regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. last Tuesday, someone entered the home through a sliding glass door and stole a Microsoft Xbox One, $4,000 in cash, $3,500 in jewelry and $2,500 in electronics. According to the report, a neighbor saw three men pull up to the home with a black truck and a gold Cadillac. MAY 19 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was contacted by a resident of Madison Green last Tuesday regarding a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, the victim was called by a man who identified himself as a “West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office” lieutenant. He told her that there was a warrant for her arrest. She was instructed to go to the PBSO headquarters on Gun Club Road and provide PayPal account information for a
$985 charge. According to the report, the victim called the PBSO to confirm the claims and discovered that the call was a scam. MAY 20 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was called to a home on Key Lime Blvd. in The Acreage last Wednesday regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5:30 p.m. last Tuesday and 6:30 p.m. last Wednesday, someone stole a 6-foot-by-12-foot utility trailer with a spare tire, valued at $1,500, from the victim’s front yard. MAY 21 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a home in Palm Beach Point last Thursday afternoon regarding the delayed report of a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim last saw his black 2012 Carry-On 15-foot car hauler on May 15. According to the report, the trailer was hooked up and locked to the hitch of a truck when it was stolen. MAY 22 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a home on Polo Lake Drive East last Friday morning regarding an instance of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, someone unloaded a yellow powder on the victim’s 2013 Chevy Cruz, parked in her driveway. According to the report, this is the fourth time the same thing has occurred to her vehicle, costing $200 to clean up each time. According to the report, this is the first time that a fire extinguisher was left behind. The PBSO deputy found a second discharged fire extinguisher near the development’s exit. MAY 23 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a home on Stratford Street last Saturday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 7 a.m. last Friday and 7 a.m. last Saturday, someone removed the victim’s wheelbarrow and fertilizer spreader from the bushes along her property line. MAY 23 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to the Walmart store on Belvedere Road last Saturday evening regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, Breane Wheeler and Angela Sudsbury were observed opening store merchandise and concealing the items in bags. The pair removed merchandise worth $1,124.13 from the store. The items were later recovered, and the women were charged with aggravated retail theft. MAY 23 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to the Walmart store on Belvedere Road last Saturday afternoon regarding an aggregated assault. According to a PBSO report, Douglas Armond loaded a cart with $392.80 worth of merchandise and attempted to leave the store without paying when two employees attempted to stop him. According to the report, Armond threw a syringe at one of the employees and fled. He was later found and arrested for retail theft and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, in addition to a charge of possessing drug paraphernalia. MAY 24 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to the Walmart store on Belvedere Road on SunSee BLOTTER, page 18
Located on the corner of 441 & Lake Worth Road 4115 State Road 7, Suite Z • Lake Worth, Florida www.facebook.com/rudinosflorida
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Leslie Cohen is a white female, 5’5” tall and weighing 130 lbs., with blond hair and hazel eyes. Her date of birth is 08/19/78. Cohen is wanted on felony charges for two counts of child neglect. Her last known address was Yarmouth Court in Wellington. She is wanted as of 05/21/15. • Sabrina McNeil is a black female, 5’4” tall and weighing 175 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 11/16/87. McNeil is wanted for failure to appear and violating probation on felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the possession of marijuana and for grand theft for possessing an anti-shoplifting counter-measure device. Her last known address was 13th Street in West Palm Beach. She is wanted as of 05/21/15. 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.
Leslie Cohen
Sabrina McNeil
THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. CRIME STOPPERS IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT SHOWN HERE.
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Page 7
NEWS
WELLINGTON HONORS MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY WITH A PARADE & SERVICE
The Village of Wellington remembered those whose lives were lost Monday, May 25 during a Memorial Day parade and ceremony starting at the Wellington Municipal Complex and making its way to the Wellington Veterans Memorial, where wreaths were laid in honor of all branches of the United States Armed Forces. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
The PBCFR Honor Guard marches in the parade.
Veterans attending the ceremony in front of the memorial.
Ernie Zimmerman and James Napuli honor POWs and MIAs.
Mathias and Esteban Silva show their patriotism.
American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390.
Maxwell Nelson joins Mayor Bob and Linda Margolis to lay the U.S. Army wreath.
Councilman John McGovern and John Isola honor the U.S. Merchant Marines.
Talia Fradkin read her award-winning essay.
Former Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham addresses the gathering.
Dennis Masch, Loren Heistand and Councilman Matt Willhite with the U.S. Navy wreath.
Marc Piven, Councilwoman Anne Gerwig and Henry Tocci with the Marine Corps wreath.
WELLINGTON HIGH’S FIRE SCIENCE ACADEMY HOSTS FIRST RESPONDER DAY
The Wellington High School Fire Science Academy hosted First Responder Day on Saturday, May 23 on the school grounds in Wellington. It was a free, family-friendly event with entertainment, games and music, along with local first responders and an emergency vehicle showcase. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Natalie Honzik gets into bunker gear with help from Wellington High School Fire Science Academy student Brandon Yurick.
Fire Academy Lt. Julius Cruz with his sister Angelina Amaya.
Julian Granison gets help holding a fire hose from cadets Chandler Loiseau and Alexus Brown.
PBCFR’s Bradley LaBar, cadets Justin Shain, Aymara Gaddi and Michael Mirra, and PBCFR Lt. Scott Stanton prepare for a demo.
May 29 - June 4, 2015
FLARA Meeting Set For June 1
The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans invites the community to its Monday, June 1 meeting at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church (12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington). A business meeting begins at noon with the featured program at 1 p.m. FLARA President Tony Fransetta and Royal Palm Beach Councilman Jeff Hmara will discuss senior housing issues in western Palm Beach County. For more info., call Nancy Tanner at (561) 793-9677.
County Road 880 Is Closed For Five Months
Some motorists in western Palm Beach County will need to find alternate routes now that a section of County Road 880 has closed for approximately five months. Crews are installing new slopes along the L-13 Canal from Sam Senter Road east to 20-Mile Bend. County Road 880 is also known as East Canal Street South and Old State Road 80.
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NEWS BRIEFS The roadway closed to all traffic this week and will remain closed until Saturday, Oct. 24. Traffic will be detoured via County Road 700, New State Road 80, Hatton Highway, Gator Blvd. and Sam Senter Road.
Wellington Plans Family Game Nights
Throughout the summer months, Wellington’s Community Services Department will offer a series of “Family Game Nights” at various parks in Wellington. Family Game Nights are designed to offer families the opportunity to engage in fun, familyfriendly games. They will be held Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. The first Family Game Night will be Tuesday, June 9 at Tiger Shark Cove Park. On June 16, it will be at the Community Services Office, followed on June 23 at Primrose Park. On June 30, the event will be at Goldenrod Park, followed by July 7 at the Community Services Office, returning to Goldenrod Park on July 21.
Family Game Night will resume at Primrose Park on July 28, then will be at the Community Services Office on Aug. 4, before ending at Tiger Shark Cove Park on Aug. 11. For more information, call Wellington Community Services at (561) 791-4764.
‘Fantastic Food Giveaway’ June 12 In Belle Glade
Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, State Sen. Joseph Abruzzo and State Rep. Kevin Rader will host the “Fantastic Food Giveaway” on Friday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Avenue D Loading Ramp in Belle Glade. At the event, families will receive a free carton of food, including fruits, vegetables, bread and other staples. Pre-registration is not required. Approximately 500 food cartons are being provided by Farm Share, a nonprofit dedicated to recovering, sorting and distributing nutritious food for people in need. For more info., contact Kel-
ley Burke at (561) 355-2206 or kburke@pbcgov.org.
TWBA Social June 18 At Oak
Enjoy a great evening with old and new friends at the Western Business Alliance’s June social on Thursday, June 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Oak Bistro & Wine Bar in Royal Palm Beach. Oak is the perfect combination of classy and casual, where you can come to “wine down” after a long day. Guests will find a wellthought-out, eclectic menu created especially to pair with any wine. Oak Bistro & Wine Bar is located at 11051 Southern Blvd., Suite 210. The restaurant offers happy hour daily from 4 to 7 p.m. and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit www.thewesternbusiness alliance.com to register for the June 18 social.
Beta Sigma Phi Membership
Beta Sigma Phi International, Chapter XI XI Tau, is a soror-
ity dedicated to social, cultural and service projects. It is known around the world as the “friendship” organization. The chapter meets the second Monday of every month. If you are interested in learning more about the chapter, or becoming a member, call Carol at (561) 247-7697.
Palmer Singers Seeking New Members
School’s out and many church and community choirs are on hiatus. Where can a singer keep in shape over the summer and blend their voice in harmony with others who enjoy singing year round? The Palmer Singers at Wellington invites local singers on Monday evenings at 7 p.m., starting June 8. The group will pursue Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, Bach’s Christ Lay in the Bonds of Death, spiritual arrangements by Parker and Shaw, a madrigal and more. A concert is planned for the late summer. There is no fee to audition. The Palmer Singers were first organized in the 1960s and influenced the start of a number of
musical endeavors in Palm Beach County. Director Edward Palmer holds a degree from the American Conservatory of Music. The group meets at St. David’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church in Wellington, located at the northwest corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For more info., e-mail Palmer at cep12@bellsouth.net or call (561) 659-3641.
Fourth Of July Sponsorship Opportunities In Wellington
The Village of Wellington has announced that sponsorship opportunities are available for the village’s annual Family Fourth of July Celebration at Village Park. This event begins at 6 p.m. and concludes with an extended fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities include sponsoring a specific area, an exclusive featured sponsor or joining as a vendor. For more info., call Michelle Garvey at (561) 791-4082 for specific guidelines and amounts.
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A FIVE STAR INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY
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The Town-Crier
SRHS Grad
The Class Of 2015
continued from page 1 Ridge more than just a school, but the center of our community.” Selogy encouraged his classmates to chase their passions and have an open mind. “Without an open mind, success is hard to come by,” he said. “No matter what path life takes you down, follow your dreams, because in the end, it is your happiness that matters most.” Salutatorian Parth Patel said he will miss the great friends that he has made and the memories they created together. “Now it is time to enjoy our accomplishments and move forward,” Patel said. “Congratulations and good luck, Class of 2015.” Valedictorian Victoria Dukharan thanked everyone who helped the Class of 2015 reach this milestone, and also took time to remember classmate Brittany Baxter, who died in an automobile accident last month. “Brittany Baxter was a true friend to many, an excellent softball player and a genuinely good person,” Dukharan said. “I am truly saddened that she couldn’t be graduating with all of us here, but I know that Brittany will live on in our hearts and memories.” Dukharan told her classmates that they had spent the last 13 years working toward this day, and life had not been as simple as they would like. “It’s like a jumbled-up Rubik’s Cube,” Dukharan said. “Most of us don’t have a clue; however, we have all overcome challenges, big and small, and you will always have to do so. At Seminole Ridge, I had the opportunity to witness the growth of my peers and have come to understand that success is an ongoing journey, not just a destination.” The education they received so far also was only the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. “Whether your pursuit is as a doctor, lawyer, teacher or mechanic, the basis of the knowledge you develop is your time as a student,” Dukharan said. “As Albert Einstein said, education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” Over the past four years, Dukharan said she has been overwhelmed by the broadening of topics of study at the school, from TV production classes to the great work of the construction academy. “You all have so much to offer,” she said. “It would be unfair to define us solely by our grades. When I look around our campus, I see service in all forms, whether it be tutoring in the math department or donating blood, we all play a role in impacting the world around us… It is obvious that though we can succeed as individuals, we can
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Page 9
NEWS accomplish even more as a group.” Campbell asked the graduating seniors to give a round of applause to their parents, family and friends who supported them along the way. “They worked with you, encouraged you and, when needed, pushed and prodded you to reach this day,” he said. He then asked seniors to applaud the teachers and staff who helped them get there. “Every year I try to find a theme for this speech,” Campbell said. “For this class, two words kept coming up again and again. Those words are community and compassion.” The Acreage/Loxahatchee area is a community where families grow up together and where people know each other from the parks and ball fields, as well as from the feeder elementary and middle schools. “Even students who come to our school from outside our boundaries through our choice academies quickly integrate as members of the Seminole Ridge community,” he said. “In 2007, I was named principal at Acreage Pines Elementary. At that time, there were 80 students in the fifth grade. I counted recently, and 63 of those students are sitting in this group of graduates today.” Campbell added that compassion goes hand-in-hand with community. “This class has demonstrated that compassion for each other, as well as outside of this community numerous times,” he said. As an example he cited quickly organized fundraising efforts in support of a fellow senior who had been diagnosed with cancer, including participating in the Light the Night walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and later a kickball tournament. “Time and again, they were there to support their friend,” he said. He was also impressed by the Dance Marathon event to benefit the Shands Children’s Hospital. “They were excited to be raising money for families who were facing severe medical issues,” Campbell said. “When the day of the event arrived, more than 150 students showed up to dance for the kids who can’t. Two things stand out for me from that evening. First was a surprise visit from one of the families benefiting from the event. The elation from the faces on the students as the family walked through the door was overwhelming.” The second thing that struck Campbell was the amount of money raised. “They had set what they had thought was a reasonable goal of $12,000,” he said. “Needless to say, everyone was astounded when at the end of the night it was revealed that the event had raised $18,656.38.” Campbell urged the Class of 2015 to keep that same compassion alive as they move on after high school.
Katherine Bjarano, Christopher Pugliese, Monique Gonzalez and Joe Pugliese.
PHOTOS BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER
Principal James Campbell addresses graduates.
Valedictorian Victoria Dukharan speaks to the graduates.
Amanda Ramella and Joshua Castillo.
Class President Blake Selogy reflects on his high school journey and the future.
Daniel Harvey conducts the SRHS band.
The SRHS chorus sings the alma mater.
Camila Yepes and Dagnes Mosqueda.
Emmely Cordero and Tanairi Rivera.
Graduate Aleesha Choksi with her family.
Mirelly Ledesman, Steven Vecino, Alondra Morales and Valentina Vecino.
Fritzlynn and Richie Laurent.
Graduate Nalina Chawdhry with her family.
Aaron, Martha, Alexia and Jacinto Navarro.
The Village Patriot Wellington News You Can Use Informative, Educational, Inspirational, Truthful, Fearless and Provocative
www.TheVillagePatriot.org Read online Send your comments Share with friends
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Page 11
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May 29 - June 4, 2015
WHS Grad
Graduates Bid Farewell
continued from page 1 dad and one of my eternal biggest fans.” Sharing her story was emotional for McGarity, whose loss resonated with the audience. “That afternoon, I knew that I needed to get up off the grass, walk away from my dad’s plane, graduate from high school and make the rest of my life the very best that it can be,” she said. “And so, to the Class of 2015, I leave you with this: No matter what you’ve done, or what has happened to you, don’t dwell on the past — you can’t change it. Fighting the old wears us down and wastes too much energy that we can spend being happy and making positive impacts on the lives of other people.” Crocetti thanked family members, friends, educators and everyone else who has supported the students of the Class of 2015. He recognized the school’s retiring educators, who have a combined 342 years of service, before calling upon Superintendent Wayne Gent. “Graduates, as I stand before you this afternoon, looking out at the faces of all the young men and all the young women who will walk across the stage today,” Gent said, “I’m truly inspired. I look at your lives, so filled with promise, and I contemplate what it took for you to get to this moment today.” Goals, a sense of balance and focus, Gent said, is how he believes the students achieved their goals. “You’ll need those same attributes for the rest of your lives,” he said, showing a video of a tightrope walker to demonstrate the importance of balance. “Congratulations, graduates. Best wishes for a bright future.” Salutatorian Thomas Dash gave a lighthearted speech, thanking family, friends, faculty, friends of friends, friends of friends of family, friends of faculty, family of faculty, and so on, to great applause. “The beginning of our high school years is somewhat like trying Pop Rocks for the first time. As we began our freshman year, not much was expected from us from the upperclassmen, but then — bam — we exploded in all different directions, and we helped the school win amazing titles all year long,” Dash said. In addition to many sports accolades, the chorus members and drama class organized one of the best performances in the school’s history, with The Addams Family, he said. “Whether you believe it or
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NEWS not, each and every one of us has been slowly preparing for this next phase in our lives,” he said. “Whether it’s through an increase in academic intelligence, a development of self-confidence and ingenuity in public presentations, or simply the gradual accumulation of street smarts that can help us in almost any situation.” Dash suggested that students follow one of the many philosophies of Apple’s Steve Jobs: if today was the last day of your life, would you want to do whatever you’re about to do today? If the answer is “no” for too many days in a row, then it is time to change things. “I want all of you to ask yourselves that same question every morning, and I will bet that all of you will be grateful for doing just that, at least one time,” he said. Valedictorian Brett Gileau explained that their schooling has had its ups and downs, but everyone there had made it through. For those who do not have a concrete plan for the future, Gileau was not concerned. “You, me, we still have time to figure that out in college. What you want to do is not as important as how you want to be,” he said. “People change their minds all the time… everyone has his or her own strengths or weaknesses.” Personality is important, he explained, and building upon weaknesses and bringing them to become strengths is a positive change. “As we move on past high school, don’t forget how you’ve gotten here today, good or bad, because that’s what made you who you are,” he said. Senior Class President Ian Cormier continued on the theme of self-discovery and self-improvement. “Over the course of high school, our dreams have changed and paths shifted,” he said. “We have all grown up so much over the past few years of schooling. The experiences we have had have shaped us into the people we are today.” As he said goodbye to the new graduates, Crocetti read from poet Robert Frost and discussed the roads the students may take. “The decision is yours. Honestly, I do not believe that your selection of a path will guarantee your success or failure,” he said, explaining that he believes that will be determined by what is done on the chosen path. “Students, it has been an honor and a privilege to have been your principal,” Crocetti said. “On behalf of the faculty and staff at Wellington High School, we wish you the very best. We look forward to hearing from you and hearing about your future accomplishments.”
SGA President Heather McGarity, Salutatorian Thomas Dash, Principal Mario Crocetti, Valedictorian Brett Gileau and Class President Ian Cormier.
McKenna DeCastro and Valentina Rojas.
Andres and Christian Weisz with graduate Sol Maria Di Ciurcio.
Robert, Jeff and Nichelle Meldrim.
Adrienne and Austin Sasko, Kyle Gee, Matthew Forrester and Derf Sasko.
Graduate Katherine Munden with her family.
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Katlin Dupont, Nathan Dupont, Zachary Kent and Ashley Dupont.
Justine Fern, Adriana Osorio and Emily Guelli.
Superintendent Wayne Gent addresses the graduates.
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Cierra Allen with her brother, graduate Christian Allen.
Andrea, Andrew, Emily and Hortensia Estevez.
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PALMS WEST PEOPLE
Wellington’s Anthony Ward Joins Mensa B’nai Jacob Honors Rabbi David Abrams
Wellington resident and Polo Park Middle School seventh grader Anthony Ward has been accepted into Mensa, the society for people with high IQs. Ward joins just fewer than 3,000 other youths under the age of 18 worldwide with Mensa membership. “He was reading at age 2, so we started him in preschool just before his third birthday. The teachers said it would be OK as long as he was able to keep up, and we are so proud of him!” mom Kimberly Joy said. Not only did Ward keep up being a grade ahead, he excelled in the gifted programs at Wellington
Christian School, Binks Forest Elementary School and now Polo Park Middle School. “I am hoping my membership will help me and give me an edge in the future when applying for jobs and being accepted into a good college,” Ward said. “I am also looking forward to attending the events and meeting other members.” Mensa was founded in England in 1946, and the society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2 percent of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other’s company and participating in a wide range of
social and cultural activities. The average adult IQ score is 100, with those topping 140 considered to be geniuses. Mensa has three stated purposes: to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity; to encourage research in the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence; and to promote stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members. Ward is looking forward to the challenges of eighth grade. He actively serves in his church, loves roller coasters and hopes to be spending a lot of time fishing and reading this summer.
Anthony Ward with his Mensa letter.
Rotarians Sponsor Lord’s Place Dinner
The Rotary Club of Wellington Florida recently completed a community outreach project with the Lord’s Place. Members of the club had dinner and an evening of camaraderie on Thursday, May 14 with the men of the Lord’s Place shelter in Boynton Beach, a homeless shelter for men who are reaching out for help. The Lord’s Place not only gives these men shelter, but teaches them job skills and helps them get back on their feet and back into society. The members of the Rotary Club “broke bread” with the men and learned about many of their
circumstances. The members of the club were also given a tour of the grounds, including the vegetable garden, as well as the living quarters for the residents. For all of members of the club who attended, it was an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The program was coordinated by Maggie Zeller, community outreach director of the Rotary Club of Wellington. The club plans to hold the event next year and in years to come. For more information about the club, contact Bob Salerno, public relations director, at (561) 512-8247.
YOUNG SINGERS HOST SPRING CONCERT
On Sunday May 17, the congregation of Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington came together to honor Rabbi David Abrams as he celebrated his 25th year in the Rabbinical Assembly. A cocktail party attended by invited guests was held at the home of Dr. Mel Kohan, the inaugural president of the temple. Abrams traveled to New York City with his son Joshua to receive an honorary doctorate degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary prior to returning home to Wellington and celebrating with his temple family. The special event was further accentuated by the celebration of temple member Rabbi Bernie Eisenman’s recognition for 50 years of service in the Rabbinical Assembly.
Rabbi David Abrams Temple B’nai Jacob, serving the western communities, is a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and is located in the original Wellington Mall.
FAMILY CHURCH WEST TEACHER APPRECIATION Local Rotarians with residents of the Lord’s Place.
DANCE ARTS BROADWAY STARS STAGE ‘ANNIE JR.’ Family Church West hosted a Teacher Appreciation Day for teachers and staff at Benoist Farms Elementary School on Wednesday, May 6. The church will continue making a difference and partnering with the school in the upcoming school year. Family Church West thanks the following businesses for partnering with them: Rita’s Italian Ice, Subway, Anita’s Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-A and Jismarie Photography. Family Church West holds services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays at the King’s Academy, located at 8401 Belvedere Road. For more information, visit www.gofamilychurch.org.
Kochlany Finishes Air Force Training The Young Singers of the Palm Beaches held its Spring SingsSpiration Concert at the Kravis Center on May 17. The choir has 350 singers in grades two through 12 from all parts of Palm Beach County, including a new choir in the Glades for grades three through five. For more information, visit www.yspb.org. Shown here, local residents attending the sold-out show included Mickey and Lizz Smith, Mary Anne and Young Singers of the Palm Beaches Board Member Brian Hanley, and Herta and Frank Suess.
Dance Arts Conservatory’s Broadway Stars presented Annie Jr. on Saturday, May 9 at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts’ Crest Theatre, staring Emily Moreland in the role of Annie. Shown here is the Annie Jr. cast: (front row) Elijah Agbi, Hayden Bonner, Talia Pamatat, Madison David, Aiedan Duvall and Janine Fishback; and (back row) Will Anderson, Samantha Kalish, Rachel Robinson, Jade Master, Graham Bell, Emily Moreland, Aliyah Pike, Valen Adams, Samira Agbi, Demi Master and Tobias Smith.
Air Force Airman Tyler J. Kochlany recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. Kochlany completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core
values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Kochlany is the son of Cynthia Cisson and stepson of Ryan Cisson of Royal Palm Beach, and grandson of Cheryl Gamebrotti of Orlando. He is a 2013 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.
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NEW HORIZONS HOSTS CAREER CARNIVAL
New Horizons Elementary School students enjoyed learning about careers at the annual Career Carnival. Students experienced 15 presenters with job-related vehicles and 15 table presenters sharing materials used in their jobs. Shown (above) are students listening to parent Danielle LaBlanc from Lion Country Safari and (below) parent Kirsten Braden with a polo pony and trailer.
SCHOOL NEWS
Seminole Ridge Construction Academy Receives Donation Of New Equipment May 11 was an exciting day at Seminole Ridge High School’s Weitz Academy of Construction. Its instructors accepted an equipment donation of almost $8,000 from the Construction Association of South Florida (CASF). “Some of our equipment is 10 years old and has been used hard,” teacher Rick Terkovich said. “Our air compressor and some of our scaffolding are pretty much worn out. The generosity of CASF will really help the academy out — this new stuff is great!” CASF is dedicated to promoting the skilled trades as career choices for youth throughout Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, supporting local construction academies to build a skilled workforce for a future South Florida. The SRHS construction academy is currently working on its fourth house for Habitat for
CASF representatives with construction academy students, instructor Rick Terkovich and SRHS Principal James Campbell. Humanity and looks forward to putting the new equipment to good use. Cotromano Wins $20K Scholarship — Seminole Ridge junior Richie Cotromano has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship
in the H&R Block Budget Challenge, a financial education program simulating the effects of real-life events on a high-school student’s finances. Contestants, faced with a variety of setbacks to imaginary budgets, demon-
strated money management skills to overcome those setbacks and keep their finances on track. Cotromano was one of 22 winners from among over 16,000 students who took part in the H&R Block challenge.
Students From Emerald Cove, Western Pines Take Honors In Do The Write Thing Challenge
SPANISH IS FUN TOO JOINS RED NOSE DAY
Spanish Is Fun Too students and Maria Gomez participated in Red Nose Day recently to help raise money for children and young people living in poverty in the United States.
Two students from the western communities, Chad-Aaron Walker, a seventh-grade student at Western Pines Middle School, and Alphonse Alfred, an eighthgrade student at Emerald Cove Middle School, were among the top 10 students from the more than 27,000 Palm Beach County public middle school students who participated in this year’s Do The Write Thing Challenge. They were honored at an awards ceremony and program at the Kravis Center of the Performing Arts on May 5. Those in attendance offering their congratulations included Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County School Superintendent Wayne Gent, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg and Palm Beach County Public Defender Carey Haughwout, along with Do The Write Thing Challenge Steering Committee Chair Bill Bone. In his award-winning essay, Walker wrote about getting bullied in school. He was named first runner up. “I get bullied in school for various things, such as my personality,
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religion and the way I dress. Most days in school, children make nasty comments toward me, especially because I am Jewish. I don’t understand why some people are treated differently if they participate in a different religious belief,” he wrote. Walker added that he stopped wearing a yarmulke because of it. “I bet if the bully knew how that made you feel, he would stop. Believe me, if you stand up for yourself or tell a trusted adult such as a parent or guidance counselor, things will get better,” he wrote. In his essay, for which he was award fourth runner up, Alfred described witnessing the shooting of his friend in Belle Glade. The friend died three days later. A couple of weeks after that murder, his friend’s uncle was also murdered. “Seems what you care about gets killed right in front of you,” he wrote. “If I was old enough, I would build a program where kids could come to when they [have] nothing to do.” He suggested that additional after school and extracurricular programs for teens in the Glades might help reduce the violence he has witnessed in his young life. Alfred now lives with his adult
Anne and Alphonse Alfred sister in Wellington and is a star player on a travel basketball team, working toward a brighter future for himself and his family. “The essays and poems written by the students were both heartbreaking regarding the physical abuse and mental anguish they experienced due to domestic violence and bullying, while at the
Chad-Aaron Walker and Nichole Walker same time inspiring to see how the students have positively addressed these challenges in their young lives and have committed themselves to helping others affected by violence and helping to prevent violence,” Bone said. The 2015 Do The Write Thing Challenge is part of the National Campaign to Stop Violence.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Dream Middle School’s Jack Donovan Organizes Habitat For Humanity Project
Every year at Dream Middle School in Royal Palm Beach, the faculty challenges students to think outside the box and find a way to help their community. Thirteen-year-old student Jack Donovan, who has a passion for helping others, was motivated to get creative and inspire his classmates to feel the satisfaction of helping their community. Donovan organized a group of students to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. The students assembled at 8:30 a.m. on Plymouth Road in West Palm Beach to participate in building and creating a home for a deserving family. Students and even some parents turned out to take part in this allday event for a good cause. “Everyone was excited to have a reason to get together to make a positive impact on their community,” Donovan said. “We were able to spend time together on a Saturday, working, having fun
and accomplishing something important. I wanted everyone to experience how good it feels to help others — and we got to have fun in the process. We even got to meet and work with the family whose home we were helping build. It was really nice to get to see the people whose lives we were touching.” Donovan has also participated in the annual St. Baldrick’s Day event for the past two years. The event involves the volunteers to shave their heads in order to raise money to fund research to cure childhood cancer. His hair is now growing back, but he’s ready to do it again next year. Donovan also joins friends once a month to serve at a soup kitchen in Riviera Beach and was an assistant coach for his sister’s basketball team last fall. The Dream Middle School faculty recently selected Donovan as one of the recipients of this year’s
Jack Donovan and other Dream Middle School students at the Habitat for Humanity site. “Extraordinary Minds” award, in their community. which recognizes students who Donovan is proud of the award, excel in their academic efforts, but his real motivation is the show compassion for others and satisfaction he feels by making a take initiative to make a difference difference.
Wellington Dreyfoos Student Daniela O’Neil Named To U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Dreyfoos School of the Arts student Daniela O’Neil, a dance major from Wellington, has been named as a 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholar. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently announced the 51st class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 141 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics or the arts. “Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenge themselves, set the highest standards and commit themselves to excellence,” Duncan said. “These scholars are poised to make their mark on our nation in every field imaginable: the arts and humanities, science and technology, law and medicine, business and finance, education and government — to name a few. Their academic and artistic achievements reflect a sense of purpose that we should seek to instill in all students to prepare them for college, careers, civic responsibilities and the challenges of today’s job market.” The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Barack Obama, selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 4,300 candidates qualified for the 2015 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by chief state school officers or the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts competition. The 2015 Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,000 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. The 2015 ceremony will be held June 21, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion. The Dreyfoos School of the Arts, located in downtown West Palm Beach, continues to be a powerhouse of artistic talent and academically gifted students, this past year ranking #46 in the nation and #5 in the state in U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools listing.
Daniela O’Neil
May 29 - June 4, 2015
Page 15
Frontier Students Win Big At Palm Beach County Science & Math Fair Frontier Elementary School students won six awards at the Palm Beach County Science & Mathematics Fair held May 12-13 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. In the science category, second grader Wyatt Ortlip won third place, and fourth graders Weston Clark and Brandon Steiert earned honorable mentions. In the mathematics category, third grader Michael Allen was awarded second place. In the overall STEM environmental green award category, third grader Colton Hernan won second place overall, and Ortlip took third place overall. “This is Frontier’s first year as an Environmental & Animal Science Academy Choice School, and I am thrilled that two of our students placed in the overall environmental category,” said Molly
Michael Allen, Brandon Steiert, Colton Hernan, Weston Clark and Wyatt Ortlip. Harding, Frontier’s science fair coordinator. “We hope the students at Frontier will become lifelong environmentalists and advocates for all animals.”
RENAISSANCE PALMS WEST STUDENTS THANK LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS
May 4 was International Firefighter’s Day. It is a time when communities around the world recognize and honor firefighters, who sacrifice their lives every day to protect other people’s lives. At the Renaissance Charter School at Palms West, Chelsea Sousa’s second-grade class learned what it takes to be a community hero. Knowing all the hard work firefighters do to keep the community safe, Sousa’s class decided to write letters and create a sign for local firefighters. The letters they wrote thanked the firefighters for their hard work. Some students wrote about experiences when they needed help from a firefighter. The firefighters from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Station 23 were very thankful.
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May 29 - June 4, 2015
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FEATURES
Festival Day Is Supposed To Be Exciting, But Not This Exciting! Last weekend was the Blue Crab Festival in historic-yet-decaying downtown Palatka, where my store is. When I first got my store, the Blue Crab Festival was all the local business owners could talk about. I started to realize that they needed this event to stay alive as the long, hot summer descended upon them. I’m not quite so desperate, but I do look forward to this event as a moneymaker, primarily because we have something that a lot of the shops in town do not have — air conditioning. I have had festival-goers stumble in the front door, red-faced and panting, ready to expire on the nearest Oriental rug. Just in time, they collapse into the
Deborah Welky is
The Sonic BOOMER nearest vanity bench and its little pink legs creak under their weight as we dash to the back to get them some water. I mean, lives have been saved. We also allow people to use our bathroom. This seems the only humane way of doing things, yet “out of order” signs
sprout up on bathroom doors up and down Main Street during the festival. I know it can be an added expense, but does toilet paper really set us back that much? Last weekend was our 12th Blue Crab Festival. It has been going on decades longer, but we didn’t open our doors until 12 years ago. It’s a four-day festival, and Friday night was good. They used to have activities all day long on Friday, and we made some real money, but I’ll take a little uptick in traffic right before I close. It’s OK. On Saturday, typically our biggest day, a transformer blew and our power was out between noon and 2 p.m., our
peak hours. Then a power line fell down across the awning of a neighboring store and singed it badly. I wasn’t sure if the power line was related to the transformer mishap, but I was getting irritated. Come on, people. Must it always be our block? Because we had not yet had our daily dose of heart palpitations, at 3 p.m., the trash container behind our store burst into flames. Fire trucks rushed to the scene, extinguishing the blaze and tying up traffic for another hour. Cause of the fire? The owners of the store on the other side of us “were pretty sure” the charcoal from their barbeque was out before they threw it away. Guess not. And really —
grilling out back? Your store is 100 feet from a restaurant. I was seriously miffed. After all was said and done, sales were up $1,400 over the previous year, but I can’t help wondering how we would’ve done if the customers could’ve shopped with the lights on, not been distracted by the smell of smoke permeating through our back door and been able to get into parking spaces suddenly required by fire engines. There’s nothing I can do about it now. There was nothing I could do about it then. And there’s no fixing stupid. I can hardly wait until the Fourth of July. We’re closed.
Disney’s New ‘Tomorrowland’ Film A Mixed-Up Mess Of A Movie The new Disney movie Tomorrowland is a mixed-up mess of a movie that almost manages to work. Ads for it indicate it is an adventure film. Actually, it doesn’t even quite fall into Adventureland or even its own title, but as a sort of slightly amusing version of “It’s a Small World.” The first half of the movie seems designed for the youngsters. Then the leads wind up in an adventure story that is punctuated by an extended debate on the hateful nature of most people, followed by a preachy happy ending. The writing is atrocious. Characters are called on to make preachy speeches that go nowhere. The film begins with young Frank Walker (Thomas Robinson) bringing a not-quite-completed jet pack project to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Although rejected by the judges, a young woman (Raffey Cassidy) gives him a special pin. Wearing it, he gets transported to a
‘I’ On CULTURE By Leonard Wechsler magical land that has all sorts of futuristic devices. Then we see young Casey (Britt Robertson), a spunky mechanical genius of today who uses her abilities to try to block the demolition of Cape Canaveral, where her father works, as a way of keeping him on the job. After some adventures, she also gets a pin leading to Tomorrowland. But after a few minutes there, she gets pushed back to our world and becomes the target of bad guys who turn out to be ro-
bots. A young girl, the same one that Frank met 50 years ago, rescues her. It turns out she’s Athena, a robot, and she drops Casey off at Frank’s house, where he has become a crusty old crank (George Clooney). They argue, the bad guys come and there’s a battle in which an older man and the teen kill a platoon of fighting robots and then fly a rocket to Tomorrowland, where they learn that our world is going to end in 60 days. Joining with Athena, the two work to overcome the problem. Casey has been chosen, it seems, not only because she’s a genius, but because she’s a total optimist. And, as might be expected, she comes up with an answer to the real question of why we all on Planet Earth are killing ourselves, and even comes up with the solution. There is more fighting between humans and robots, and Athena dies but manages to have a very long death scene in which
she seems to display all the human emotions she had continually insisted she didn’t have. And then, world rescued, Casey and Frank send out human-looking robots to recruit dreamers. Wow! The cast is good. Clooney, always charming, even when being crusty, is the key fulcrum. Robertson as Casey has the larger part and is also charming. She manages to be just about perfect without being obnoxious. Cassidy was quite good as robot Athena. Forced to emotionally underplay just about every scene, she managed to pull it off. Hugh Laurie as the governor of the future place was appropriately nasty for the bad guy. The major flaw of the film is that it just could not decide what kind of film it wanted to be. It is a good movie for children with a nice feel of optimism and hope for the future. Most of the early focus is on the young boy and then the teen. It’s a happy
little movie until about an hour in, when Casey, trying to find out about the magic pin, gets trapped in a weird store. It’s like going from Mary Poppins to Saw in about three seconds flat. Then it becomes a chase with robots that do almost no damage to the good guys until the end. Strong science fiction needs a real back story, an explanation for why things are as they start out in the plot. This film barely touches on it except to occasionally refer to so-called earlier history when it needs a plot point. Think of the huge back story on Star Wars, which could have (and probably did) fill up books with information. Here, there was almost nothing. But it is a nice kid’s movie. A lot of cute touches, and, except for robot Athena, only the bad guys get hurt. And there’s even a nice treacly Disney message at the end about dreamers. But be warned, it’s not much else.
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Page 17
NEWS
GREEN SCHOOLS RECOGNITION PROGRAM HONORS SEVERAL AREA SCHOOLS
Florida Atlantic University’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center held its annual Green Schools Recognition Program on Wednesday, May 13 at the West Palm Beach Marriott to recognize schools that have achieved excellence in their environmental endeavors. Several local schools were honored, including Elbridge Gale, Equestrian Trails, Golden Grove and H.L. Johnson elementary schools, along with Palm Beach Central High School. Several schools were also given awards from Kim Jacobs of the Jacobs Family Wellington PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER Charitable Fund. For more information about the program, visit www.ourgreenschools.com.
Equestrian Trails Elementary School was named a Green School of Excellence. (L-R) Jennifer Jenkins, Megan Webb, Antoinetta D’Aqui, Lisa Asch and Sherri Beswick.
Jessica Young and Toni Riebe of Palm Beach Central High School with the school’s Green School of Excellence award.
Golden Grove Elementar y School won the United Healthcare Health & Well-Being Judge’s Choice Award.
Kim Jacobs and Tom Wenham present an award to Chad Phillips and Gail Pasterczyk of Elbridge Gale Elementary School.
Adam Miller and Patricia Packard accept for Golden Grove Elementary School, which was recognized as a Green School of Quality.
Elbridge Gale Elementary School was recognized as a Green School of Excellence. (L-R) Laura Corzo, Ben Scozzaro, Nicole Crane, Assistant Principal Chad Phillips, Emily Sagovac, Principal Gail Pasterczyk, Kim Jacobs, Sarah Hamilton, Tom Wenham, Laura Arena and Jessica Picciano.
Equestrian Trails Elementary School accepts an award from Kim Jacobs of the Jacobs Family Wellington Charitable Fund.
Connie Ingram and Darcy Murray accept as H.L. Johnson Elementary School is recognized as a Green School of Excellence.
COOKOUT AT WHOLE FOODS SUPPORTS FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS OUTREACH
Whole Foods Market in Wellington hosted its Support Our Troops Cookout to benefit Forgotten Soldiers Outreach on Saturday, May 23. The Memorial Day weekend event helped area residents show their support for the troops. For a small donation, supporters were able to choose from a fresh grilled hamburger or veggie burger, along with coleslaw and a choice of drink. All of the money raised will go to FSO, a nonprofit organization that collects, produces and ships care packages to U.S. troops serving overseas. Learn more at www.forgotten soldiers.org.
Hephzibah Mercado, 6, fills out a postcard to send to troops overseas. She is shown with Staff Sgt. Andrew R. Spencer.
Working the grill in front of Whole Foods Market was concierge Bonnie Lehmann and demo specialist Gina Music.
The Western Business Alliance, Inc. A new era in building business relationships. www.TheWesternBusinessAlliance.com 561-600-3820 9 Round Royal Palm Beach ............................................................... Lawrence Karp A One Stop Garden Shop Inc ............................................................ Raina Adams A Vacation of a Lifetime .................................................................... Marcia Berwick Aaron’s Catering and International Polo Club Catering ................... Aaron Menitoff Alan S. Zangen P. A............................................................................ Alan S. Zangen AllState Insurance - Tom Neumann Agency ..................................... Tom Neumann Anderson House Auctioneers and Real Estate ................................. Andrew Burr Angelo J. Valverde, LLC ..................................................................... Angelo Valverde Aubin Robinson & Associates, PA ..................................................... Aubin Robinson Babbsco Auto Collision ..................................................................... Paul Spencer Bank of America................................................................................ Susan Wallerstein Barron & Kogan, CPAs, P.A. .............................................................. Hope Barron Barry’s Jewelry Spa ........................................................................... Natalie Stolbach BB&T - Royal Palm Beach ................................................................. Michelle Haines Bell Business Forms .......................................................................... Ken Bell Bruce L. Elkind, DDS, PA.................................................................... Bruce L. Elkind, DDS Buffalo Wild Wings ........................................................................... Cisco Castro CAP Photography .............................................................................. Carol Porter Card Solutions International ......................................................... Jay Broder Cardinal Security, Inc. ....................................................................... Denise Smith CEO Financial Services ...................................................................... Carol O’Neil Cerrito Electric .................................................................................. Tom Cerrito College Planning Masters ................................................................. David Eisenson Community Outreach Systems ........................................................ Martha Webster Computer Resolutions ...................................................................... Dennis Barnish Costco ................................................................................................ Deadra Bryan Creative Marketing Products ............................................................ Kameel Gaffoor Dale W. Grimm & Co., P.A. ................................................................ Dale Grimm Don and Maureen Gross - Keller Williams ...................................... Maureen Gross Eric M Gordon Consulting ................................................................ Eric Gordon Evergreen Insurance Agency............................................................. Maggie Zeller Family Care Nurses Registry ............................................................. Carmen Johnson, RN Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill ....................................................... Tom Sheppard Floridian Community Bank ............................................................... Joanne Dee Florida League of Neighborhood Associations, Inc.......................... Joe Boyle
Healthy Eating & Green Mission Specialist Amanda Fernandez welcomed visitors to the special event and shared upcoming happenings with shoppers.
Please join us for our next social at Oak Bistro and Wine Bar in Royal Palm Beach on Thursday, June 18th. The fun starts at 5:30 PM. Log onto www.TheWesternBusinessAlliance.com to register.
Global Carpet and Upholstery .......................................................... James Jeanbaptiste Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group ................................................ Rob Khurana Harriet Offerman - Darell Bowen Realty........................................ Harriet Offerman Hilary’s Restaurant ....................................................................... Mary Rakoff Hilda M. Porro, P.A............................................................................ Hilda Porro Hill Audio Visual................................................................................ Tom Hill Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air ..................................................................... Jathynia Garcia Horizon Pool & Patio, Inc. ................................................................. Chuck Grove Hugs and kisses, Inc. ..................................................................... Jean Morris Hulett Environmental Services ......................................................... Gary Scher Hurricane Grill & Wings - Wellington ............................................... Rob Green India Grill + Bar ................................................................................. Mahendra Patel International Polo Club Palm Beach ................................................. John Wash J Campbell Decorative Concrete Resurfacing, Inc. ........................... Michael Shinkevich JJJ Automotive Inc. ........................................................................... John Lawsom John Carroll - Advocare Independent Distributor ............................ John Carroll Jordano Insurance Group Inc. ....................................................... Keith Jordano K&E Travel ......................................................................................... Mark Elie Keane Telecom Solutions, Inc. .......................................................... Lynne Keane KPA Promotions Inc .......................................................................... William Brasman Law Offices Of John P. Marinelli, LLC ................................................ John Marinelli Lorrie Browne Interiors .................................................................... Tim Chance Lebrun Insurance Agency, Inc ........................................................... Philippe Lebrun Lion Country Safari ........................................................................... Jennifer Berthiaume Mario The Baker ............................................................................... Kevin Puebla National Planning Corporation ......................................................... Stas Politis NRI Institute of Health Sciences ....................................................... M. Daniel Splain Oak Bistro and Wine Bar .................................................................. Brian Jacobsen Ocean’s Electric of South Florida, LLC............................................... Fred Farnes Office Depot 2115 ............................................................................. Jonathon Rice Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. ................................................................... Eric Willer Palm Beach Aquatics Inc ................................................................... John Natale PBC School District Choice and Career Options ............................... Tara Kobel Palm Beach Habilitation Center........................................................ Gary Strother Palm Beach SCORE ............................................................................ Bob Bloom
&
Bistro Wine Bar
Palms West Monthly......................................................................... Robert Harris Palms West Hospital ......................................................................... Madeline Nava Paul and Jann Seal - Exit Premier Realty .......................................... Jann Seal Phelps Media Group International ................................................... Julie Tannehill PHR Solutions.................................................................................... Laurel Bennet PNC Bank, NA - Wealth Management .............................................. Lidy Mata Primerica ........................................................................................... Mark Bozicevic Print It Plus........................................................................................ David Leland Professional Family Eyecare ............................................................. Jolene Reiter Quad S Solutions ............................................................................... Selena Smith Richard W. Schwartz, C.P.A. .............................................................. Richard Schwartz Richard’s Lawn Service ..................................................................... Richard Velten Royal Inn Hotel.................................................................................. Chris Santamaria Royal Palm Covenant Church............................................................ Rev. Michael Rose Royal Palm Dental Associates,P.A. ................................................ David Goldberg D.D.S. Royal Palm Mazda............................................................................. Larry Tynes Royal Palm Pharmacy ....................................................................... Rayhan Ahmed RPB Technologies, LLC....................................................................... Ron Tomchin Sea Breeze Air System, Inc. ............................................................... Nancy Cook Sharp Shopper Magazine.................................................................. Barbara Chaiken Silvia Garcia Insurance Advisors, Inc. ............................................... Silvia Garcia SunTrust Bank - Boca Raton.............................................................. Claudia Camacho SunTrust Bank - Jupiter Abacoa ........................................................ Mario Camacho The Legend Group............................................................................. Lynn Balch The Town-Crier Newspaper .............................................................. Barry Manning The White Elephant .......................................................................... Lori Markevich The World Entertainment and Information Network ..................... Peter Wein Tindall Company, PA ..................................................................... Greg Tindall Total Shredding ................................................................................. Monica Lewis Tree’s Wings & Ribs........................................................................... Erin Townsend US Building Inspectors, Inc. .............................................................. Patti Neri VMB Solutions .................................................................................. Vicky Major-Bell Well Life Group ................................................................................. Bob Still Wild West Diner ................................................................................ Steven Good Your Computer Guy, Inc. ................................................................... Dave Okeefe
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May 29 - June 4, 2015
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NEWS
ROYAL PALM YOUTH BASEBALL CELEBRATES A SUCCESSFUL SPRING SEASON
On Saturday, May 16, the Youth Baseball Association of Royal Palm Beach held its annual end of season awards party for family, friends and baseball players. The day included free hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and desserts. With bounce houses and water sides, a home run derby and a popular dunk tank, fun was had by everyone. The afternoon festivities were capped off with awards and trophies given not only to the champions of each age division, but to all participants who joined in an exciting spring season of baseball, and for the first time, girls softball. For more information, or early registration for the upcoming season, visit www.youthbaseballrpb.com.
Newly elected League President Chris Birch meets coaches and players before the awards ceremony.
Phones
Three-Year Contract
continued from page 1 contract, and that the five-year contract was about $680 a month. “The shorter the term, the higher the monthly [cost],” he said. “If we get into a one-year or two-year, we’re probably going to be over what we currently pay.” Greene asked about the agreement terms with the tenants at the facility, which was purchased by the village in December 2013, and Quickel said that the telephones are part of the agreement, including how many phones they want and how they want it set up. De La Vega said the current contract is month-to-month and automatically renews every six
Storms
Royal Palm Prepared
continued from page 1 are up — we’ll be getting that data live back to our [Emergency Operations Center], which we’ll be able to process and get to the Palm Beach County EOC quicker.” The goal for the county EOC, he said, is to tabulate the damage as fast as possible, determining whether the situation can be declared a state of emergency, which allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to kick in. A new EOC, which can withstand 150-mph winds, has been built as a place for key village personnel to ride out the storm. The center will be the primary EOC, which is connected to the secondary EOC field operations center. The two centers are linked by fiber optics. “It’s an ongoing effort,” Marsh said, explaining that hurricanes are a big thing, but the village has created a manual for operations, before, during and after all sorts of different disasters. Each department has a certain set of procedures to follow before a storm, and then after recovery, it becomes department-based. The Palm Beach County web site is a great resource for infor-
Blotter
continued from page 6 day evening regarding a shoplifting incident. According to a PBSO report, Christopher Lloyd was observed attempting to leave the store with a shopping cart containing 12 bottles of motor oil, valued at $280.18. He was arrested for retail theft. MAY 25 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called Monday morning to a home on Van Gogh Way regarding a vehicle robbery. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 7 p.m. last
League Commissioner Joe Mazzeo in the dunk tank.
months. “We have been automatically renewing since we took over the building, and it appears that the previous owner was doing the same,” he said. Greene added that he had been examining the records and found that the village might not be collecting business tax receipts (BTR) from all the tenants. “It appears that when we look at the potential savings or revenue streams, the one thing that we’re not capturing fully is the BTR,” he said. “Can you tell me that every tenant in that building is in compliance with their business tax receipt?” Quickel said that was a specific focus for the BTR season coming up. “We issue the letters for that, we prepare them in June, and these tenants are being specifically
reviewed for that compliance,” Quickel said. Greene said he thought it was important for Wellington to apply the same rules to its tenant businesses as it does to other businesses. “I want to make sure that we are setting that standard for anybody that is part of our government now,” he said. “As a tenant, you kind of fall under that umbrella. We have to be consistent in making sure that same standard is being applied to our tenants as they should to any business in this municipality.” Councilman John McGovern asked why they were changing the phone system, and Quickel said the issue was getting parts for the old system. Gerwig made a motion to authorize the contract, which carried 5-0.
mation before and after a storm, Marsh said. A great deal of information can be found at www. pbcgov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement. For example, a free app called the PBC Disaster Awareness & Recovery Tool (DART) is available for smartphone and tablet use. There is also something called “Know Your Zone,” which provides guidance for residents in making a storm plan, building a storm kit, getting involved and staying informed. Minimizing the impact of a storm is important, and that includes making sure structures are ready to withstand a storm. As buildings have been built, building codes have changed. Older buildings may be more susceptible to damage, but taking precautions can make a big difference. “Damage assessment is a big part of it,” Marsh said. “The sooner we’re able to figure out what’s damaged, and the value of that damage, and take that documentation and submit it to FEMA or insurance companies for reimbursement, the sooner that we are able to get that funding in place and start getting things rebuilt after the storm.” Once the village is up and running again, it becomes a stronger resource for residents who have been affected by the disaster. “Whether you have flooding
or not can greatly impact how you respond to a storm,” he said. “Once we’re in that storm window, and as long as we stay in that window, every 12 hours, different operations take place up until that storm. Then, after the event passes, we assess what’s happened and we react to it in an organized manner.” Hospitals and emergency response corridors are the top priority for returning to normalcy. Flooding, wind, electricity and building structure are all variables that influence which plan the village uses to prepare and react to a storm. “You prepare as much as you can, and then you deal with the event afterward,” Marsh said. The village has adopted the system of incident management as suggested by FEMA, which helps in its efficiency. The EOC chain of command for recovery after a storm event starts with the local government, then county, state and federal, as resources are overwhelmed. Resources are then allocated, based on where they can have the largest impact. Royal Palm Beach also has message boards that will be utilized before and after a storm, as well as its television station and web site to convey pertinent information to village residents. If needed, residents can also be contacted through the reverse 911 system.
Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Monday, someone entered the victim’s unlocked 1999 Dodge Ram and removed a check book and $100 in Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets. DNA and fingerprint evidence were gathered from the vehicle. MAY 26 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to Nevis Place in the Village Walk community Tuesday morning regarding an instance of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, sometime between last Wednesday at noon and Tuesday at 7 a.m., someone keyed the
victim’s 2010 Toyota Yaris in a single line all the way down the passenger side of the vehicle, causing approximately $700 in damage. MAY 26 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to the Eagle Arts Academy charter school Tuesday regarding a case of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, someone entered four school buses and sprayed a fire extinguisher inside, and cut a seat on one of the buses. There were no witnesses at the time of the report.
The girls 10U softball champions.
Eight Sports Featured At Sunshine State Games Palm Beach County Fest June 13
It’s a safe bet on Saturday, June 13, the Palm Beach County Convention Center will be the center of the State of Florida’s amateur sports universe as more than 3,000 athletes, coaches and attendees will be a part of seven Sunshine State Games sports at the Palm Beach County Festival. The fashion of the day will be martial arts gis, fencing masks and weightlifting and wrestling singlets for those competing in fencing, judo, karate, powerlifting, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling. No other venue among those on the 2015 Sunshine State Games calendar of events will host as many sports, with as many athletes as the Palm Beach County Convention Center on Saturday, June 13.
Canals
Residents Upset
continued from page 1 canal rights of way needed to be restored to enable heavy equipment access to the canals to remove obstructions in the aftermath of a storm. Schofield also pointed out that the first five phases of the project had been completed, and future phases would have to be approved by the council because contracts had not been awarded. “We’re here about a project that is not very popular, and it never is when we get working in the rights of way,” Schofield told those attending Wednesday night. Schofield added that village staff had visited about 35 homes that day and would visit any individual’s property if the resident had concerns. On Tuesday, Public Works Director Mitch Fleury said the surface water management program includes roadway, swale and culvert reconstruction, as well as canal clearing, pointing out that the cleaning and maintenance of many of the canals in the drainage system had not been done for 30 years, and that many of the culverts were at the end of their useful life. In 2009, inspections revealed several areas of concern, including clogged pipes and obstructed outfalls limiting the carrying capacity to only 50 percent in some areas. Repairs have included canal clearing, culvert replacement, vegetation removal, creation of storage areas and pump station upgrades. “We went through every neighborhood,” Fleury said, with workers cleaning, repairing or replacing culverts. “We started from oldest to newest. Our ultimate goal is to go through 100 percent of Welling-
“Through our partnership with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, we have the opportunity to transform one of the county’s finest facilities into an outstanding venue for a multitude of sports,” said Stephen Rodriguez Sr., vice president of the Florida Sports Foundation. “As always, the focus of the Sunshine State Games is to provide athletes with a first-class stage on which to perform. For 2015-16, that stage is the Palm Beach County Convention Center.” Among the 2014 gold medal winners from Palm Beach County who have registered to compete in their own backyard this year are fencer Olivia Varughese of Delray Beach; Loreen Tilley of Jupiter in judo; powerlifters Gabriel Vega-Lara of Boca Raton and
Vanessa Watt of Okeechobee; and Aidan Dietrick of Wellington, who will compete in taekwondo. Besides the sports at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Okeeheelee Park will host BMX cycling on Saturday, June 13. The 2015 Palm Beach County Festival marks the third time that the Sunshine State Games has paid a visit to Palm Beach County for an Olympic-style sports festival. The games were previously held in Palm Beach County in 1991 and 2002. Registration is currently open for the eight sports of the Palm Beach County Festival, with some online registration deadlines falling as late as June 11. Visit www.flasports.com to check competition and registration information.
ton’s drainage system, which we feel we can have accomplished in the next three to four years.” He said the village already has done an extensive amount of canal cleaning, starting with the easiest projects. “A lot of that is what we call low-hanging fruit, where we were able to go in and get to these fairly easily, and now in the last couple of years, you’ve noticed that we’ve had to dig with dump trucks. Every bit of that dirt, there’s no place to put it. We’ve had to load it into a dump truck.” He said the project is currently in Phase 5, the Sugar Pond Manor area. The objective is to clear the canal banks to 25 feet to allow equipment access in the event of an emergency. So far, workers have cleared about 8 miles of canal banks, using a barge with a loader to knock trees and brush into the canal and remove it using the barge. He also pointed out that the 25-foot right of way is owned by the village, and that one tree or other obstruction could block access to several thousand feet of canal bank. Fleury added that of the approximately 300 homes along the banks, about 140 have obstructions. Director of Operations Jim Barnes said the affected residents receive notice several times, starting 12 weeks before the project is to begin, but several residents denied that that has happened. Curt Siegmeister of Barberry Court said he was against the methodology being used, but not necessarily the intent, which is to mitigate flooding. “I commend this council for the Herculean task for being the first in the canals’ history to try and reclaim them,” Siegmeister said. “Every single person supports this project. What we’re opposed to is
removing every piece of foliage within 25 feet on both sides of the canals.” He also questioned the usefulness of a canal bank for heavy equipment in flood situations, where the bank would be soggy, if not underwater. Joseph Holt said some of the homes back up to rental property and that removing the foliage denied those residents their privacy, and pointed out that he had received permits to install a hedge. “We need to compromise and find alternatives,” Holt said. “We already survived hurricanes and flooding, and honestly, it hasn’t been that bad.” Carol Brody said her canal bank has already been done and that village workers destroyed 15 years’ worth of landscaping, including four pine trees. “Our back yard was our pride and joy,” Brody said. “Our canal has been raped of a number of trees that had graced the area. What tree city would agree to such a boneheaded project?” On Wednesday, council members tried to assure residents that they had listened to their complaints and they would take appropriate action. Vice Mayor John Greene said he regretted that some residents believed they had been ignored or misled by the village. “We make decisions that are brought from staff to us,” Greene said. “We don’t get to know how this impacts you on a daily basis and how it affects your lives unless you come to meetings like this or to council meetings.” He said he was there to work with the residents. “Whether you like me or not, I work for all of you,” Greene said. “That’s my job, and this is clearly something that is having an impact on every single one of you in this room tonight.”
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May 29 - June 4, 2015
Page 19
NEWS
ROYAL PALM BEACH ROTARY CLUB INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS FOR 2015-16
The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club celebrated its 25th anniversary awards dinner and 2015-16 officer induction on Friday, May 22 at the Police Benevolent Association Hall in West Palm Beach. Dr. Bruce Elkind was sworn in as the new president of the club.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
District 6930 Governor-Elect Eric Gordon, Wellington Rotary President Tom Neumann, District 6930 Governor Dr. Juan Ortega and Wellington President-Elect Henrik Nordstrom.
25-year charter members Dr. Bruce Elkind, Joan Scherer, Lynn Balch and Dr. Randall Dugal.
Officers Taiye Sangoyomi, Diane Smith, Joan Scherer, Keith Jordano and Steve Logan are installed by District 6930 Governor Dr. Juan Ortega.
Peter and Jean Morris with Keith and Lois Jordano.
Dr. Bruce Elkind is sworn in by his wife, Lisa.
Jaene Miranda and Dr. Juan Ortega.
Incoming President Dr. Bruce Elkind with outgoing President Diane Smith.
CAFCI HOSTS ITS 23RD ANNUAL STUDENT ASSISTANCE AWARDS CEREMONY
The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) held its 23rd annual Student Assistance Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 16 at the Village Golf Club in Royal Palm Beach. The theme this year was “Building Now for the Future,” and scholarships were presented to seven students. The CAFCI Scholarship awards are based on academic achievement, an application and essay, grades, community service and financial need. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Dr. Elaine Ealy, with guest speaker Dr. Ronald Romear receiving a certificate from CAFCI President Dennis Wright.
CAFCI 2015 Scholarship recipients LeOndra Strowbridge, Ariana Simmonds, Brian Phillips, Brandon Hernandez, Elisabeth Christie, Elijah Brown and Lourdjina Auguste.
Scholarship Committee members Dr. Elaine Ealy, Dr. Cedric Lynch, Junette Powell and Nadine White-Boyd.
Page 20
May 29 - June 4, 2015
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Alissa Kinsey Keeps To A Budget Showing At WEF
Showing at the Winter Equestrian Festival and living on a budget. Some might view that as an oxymoron, but Alissa Kinsey is living proof that it can be done well and successfully. Originally from Sayville, Long Island in New York, Alissa grew up riding. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23
Business
Health Care District Of Palm Beach County Elects New Chairman, Officers
At its annual meeting on May 13 in Belle Glade, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s Board of Commissioners elected its new chairman and officers. In a unanimous vote, the board elected Vice Chairman Philip H. Ward III to serve as chairman of the volunteer district board, along with Brian R. Lohmann as the new vice chairman and Nancy C. Banner as secretary. Page 25
Sports Wolverines Top Lake Worth 28-21 In Spring Football
The Wellington High School football team hosted Lake Worth High School for its annual spring game on Wednesday, May 20, and held on to defeat the Trojans 28-21. The spring game serves as a test for both coaches and players, to determine what areas need to be worked on for the fall. Page 31
THIS WEEK’S INDEX TAILS FROM THE TRAILS............................. 23 BUSINESS NEWS....................................24-25 SPORTS & RECREATION.........................31-33 COMMUNITY CALENDAR............................. 36 CLASSIFIEDS..........................................38-41
Page 21
P.B. Central Shut Out By American Heritage
On Thursday, May 21, the Palm Beach Central High School football squad hosted American Heritage Delray in a spring football contest, falling to the Stallions 33-0 in a game that was called midway through the third quarter, due to lightning. Page 31
A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION
INSIDE
May 29 - June 4, 2015
Shopping Spree
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May 29 - June 4, 2015
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2015 Equestrian Sport Productions Summer Series at
USEF , NAL & MARSHALL & STERLING LEAGUE
Global Dressage Facility 13500 South Shore Blvd. Road Wellington, FL
approved
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September September 11- 13, 2015 Comp. #4049 “A” National and Jumper 2*
Summer II August 14-16, 2015 Comp. #307815 “A” National and Jumper 2*
Florida State Fall September 18-20, 2015 Comp. #2807 “A” National and Jumper 2* Rita & Irish Flynn Memorial September 26-27, 2015 Comp. #315415 “C” Regional 1 and Jumper 2*
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Main Grounds at PBIEC • 3400 Equestrian Club Drive • Wellington, FL 33414 www.pbiec.com • 561-793-JUMP
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May 29 - June 4, 2015
FEATURES
Page 23
Alissa Kinsey Shows At WEF Without Breaking The Bank Showing at the Winter Equestrian Festival and living on a budget. Some might view that as an oxymoron, but Alissa Kinsey is living proof that it can be done well and successfully. Originally from Sayville, Long Island in New York, Alissa grew up riding. “I was practically born on a horse,” she said. “I started riding western when I was a baby, and by the time I was two or three, I was riding that pony all by myself. I watched my cousins jumping and knew that was for me. Jumping! I couldn’t wait. I started setting up small rails across overturned buckets, and pretty soon, I’d left the western saddle behind for an English one.” Alissa did well with her new passion. “By my first year of showing, I’d moved up to 3-foot-6 jumps and was winning everything in the Junior Hunters division,” she said. “I qualified for the medal finals after my first four horse shows that year, did the regionals and won the warm-up class, then made a mistake and didn’t make it to the finals. I kept showing and doing well, and eventually moved to New Hampshire when my boyfriend got a good job there. I started showing at WEF in 1996, and I’ve managed to come back each year all on my own and without any big bucks.” Alissa is one of those lucky and determined people. She established a trusted contact in Germany and goes over every few years to Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/Horse TalkFL.
Loxahatchee Groves, Turtle Waters
Laura Danowski for Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District, Seat #1
Tales From The Trails By Ellen Rosenberg buy and import her own Warmbloods. Since she cuts out the middleman and trainer fees, she can get a great horse for a great price, Alissa explained. “Let’s say a horse costs $50,000,” she explained. “The add-ons could be $10,000 to ship it over, another $10,000 for the trainer’s fee, and at least $15,000 or more in commissions. By the time you’re done, the price of the horse has doubled. Everyone makes money in this business. I find a few good horses, bring them over and campaign them, then sell them, making enough to go back and find a few more. The benefit for people buying a horse from me is they can watch it go, try it out, and save some money.” Alissa went back to Germany this past fall and bought two horses, bringing her total to four. She’s especially bonded with Grisset, a mare she’s had for 10 years. “She’s a really great mare, and we’ve won a lot together. I’ll never sell her. We’re completely synchronized, an amazing horse, one in a million. She’s getting older, so I was hoping to find something younger to bring along,” Alissa said.
Congratulations to the residents who spoke, and continue to influence the Loxahatchee Town Council and Water District into agreement and forward action on our trails system.
Laura Danowski
11-Year Resident & Local Equestrian With 10-years professional experience in lake bank restoration, industrial water controls and large-budget management, I desire to improve the LGWCD in financial accountability and transparency of our tax dollars for services rendered. It is time the whole community gets what it pays for.
This ad is approved and paid for by the LJ Danowski, LGWCD, Seat #1 campaign account.
Alissa Kinsey rides at Devon. PHOTO BY JAMES PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY She typically looks for different qualities, depending on what she plans to do with the horse. For herself, she looks for one 5 or 6 years old with less training, reflected in a lower price. For sale horses, she wants one older who’s been there and done that, adjustable to any sort of rider. Geldings tend to be more tractable, while mares tend to bond more with their riders. She doesn’t deal with stallions at all. One of the new horses, an 8-year-old gelding aptly named Qualifying, is working out
even better than she hoped. She imported him just a few months ago, started him in the lower divisions, then brought him along when that proved to be not too much of a challenge. “We basically won everything,” Alissa recalled. “He was second on Friday, then won the next day. On Sunday, Jan. 25, we entered the International Arena for the Adult Jumper $10,000 Classic and won! That was only our third show. Qualifying is a total diva, dropdead gorgeous, and lovely to ride. So easy and See ROSENBERG, page 33
Page 24
May 29 - June 4, 2015
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BUSINESS NEWS
Health Care District Elects New Chairman And Officers
At its annual meeting May 13 in Belle Glade, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s Board of Commissioners elected its new chairman and officers. In a unanimous vote, the board elected Vice Chairman Philip H. Ward III to serve as chairman of the volunteer district board, along with Brian R. Lohmann as the new vice chairman and Nancy C. Banner as secretary. Ward was appointed to the board by Gov. Rick Scott in October 2011. He also serves on the district’s finance committee. “It is an honor to serve as chair of the Health Care District board,” Ward said. “At a time of great change in healthcare in Florida and across the country, I take pride in the safety-net programs that the Health
Care District provides to keep our community healthy.” Ward is president and managing partner of Ward Damon, a law firm that he co-founded in 1987. From 1980 to 1984, he served as legislative counsel and assistant to U.S. Sen. Warren Rudman of New Hampshire. He is a member and former chairman of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and the Internet Coast Tri-County Economic Development Council, former director of the Forum Club of Palm Beach County, as well as the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. Ward succeeds Carol Roberts as board chair. Roberts, a former Palm Beach County commissioner, was appointed to the Health Care District
board by the Palm Beach County Commission in 2008, and then re-appointed in 2012 for a second four-year term. Also serving on the seven-member board are Dr. Alina M. Alonso, director of the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County, Leslie B. Daniels and Angeleta Gray, a former Delray Beach city commissioner. The board’s annual meeting was held in Belle Glade at Lakeside Medical Center, the Health Care District’s 70-bed, acute care hospital serving the Glades communities. The Health Care District of Palm Beach County provides adult and pediatric services at the C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics throughout the county, health coverage programs for uninsured residents,
Members of the Health Care District board choose new officers. Acute care hospital services are a pharmacy operation, a nationally recognized trauma system, dedi- provided at the Lakeside Medical cated nurses in nearly 170 public Center, the county’s only public schools and a long-term skilled hospital, serving the rural western Palm Beach County communities. nursing and rehabilitation center.
Florida Cancer Specialists Moves To New Offices On SR 7 In Wellington Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) recently announced that its Wellington office has moved to a new location. The new office is at 1037 State Road 7, Building B, Suite 303, in Wellington. At approximately 11,000 square feet, the new cancer center is much larger than the previous location. It will provide an expanded and
comfortable location for patients to continue receiving the most advanced and personalized cancer treatment available. Physicians practicing at the new location include doctors Todd Gersten, James Harris, Elisabeth McKeen, Carisa Pearce, Marilyn Raymond, Daniel Spitz and Sumithra Vattigunta-Gopal. Florida Cancer Specialists & Re-
search Institute offers a full range of oncology and hematology services, including clinical research and the use of evidence-based medicine and proactive patient support services. FCS is also a strategic site of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, one of the largest community-based clinical trial organizations in the United States. Founded in 1984, FCS is the largest independent medi-
cal oncology/hematology practice in the United States. With more than 170 physicians, 120 nurse practitioners and physician assistants and 80-plus locations in its network, FCS is committed to providing world-class cancer care in community-based settings close to home. Recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology with a national Clinical Trials Participation
Award, FCS offers patients access to more clinical trials than any other private oncology practice in Florida. FCS serves patients on the gulf coast from Naples to the greater Tampa Bay area, in Central Florida and on the east coast in Daytona Beach/Palm Coast, Vero Beach/Sebastian and in Palm Beach County. For more info., visit www.flcancer. com.
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BUSINESS NEWS
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Women Lawyers Group Starts Certification Boot Camp
The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) recently announced the launch of an innovative new program titled “Board Certification Boot Camp” that will educate women lawyers on the benefits and criteria for becoming Florida Bar board-certified. After researching the gender statistics with the Florida Bar, chapter leaders learned that the
gender gap for board certification statewide is 80 percent men to 20 percent women. With such a marked gender disparity in board certification, the chapter decided to implement an educational series of programs designed to help create more awareness about the benefits of board certification and to assist qualified female lawyers in securing the credits necessary to apply. “Our chapter is committed to
developing innovative programs for our members, and the Boot Camp program is the latest example of these efforts,” FAWL President Lindsay Demmery said. “The program was developed in furtherance of our chapter’s platform this year of developing advancement opportunities for women attorneys.” The program is a win-win for FAWL and the Florida Bar. “Board certification is one of the more effec-
tive ways for women to gain credibility in a specific practice area and advance their careers,” said Adam Rabin, a board-certified attorney who co-developed the idea for the program and serves as the FAWL chapter’s co-chair of programming. Co-chair of programming Adrienne Rabinowitz agreed. “I’m excited to help plan the Boot Camp training and mentoring sessions and will also be participating in the
program as a candidate for board certification,” she said. “We’re looking forward to increasing gender balance in this area and hope the program will be adopted statewide.” For more information about the program, contact Demmery at (561) 833-8773 or ldemmery@ thkpa.com; Rabin at (561) 659-7878 or arabin@mccaberabin.com; or Rabinowitz at (561) 315-1891 or adrienne.rabinowitz@usdoj.gov.
Local Tax Agent Discusses Laws With Members Of Congress, Aides
Jeffrey A. Schneider of SFS Tax and ended the day with a celebratory practitioners who specialize in tax- program does little to ensure that & Accounting Services in Royal reception at which Rep. Xavier Bec- ation and have unlimited rights to taxpayers are not taken advantage Palm Beach recently traveled to erra (D-Calif.) spoke. represent taxpayers before the IRS. of by incompetent or unscrupulous Washington, D.C., to meet with Schneider met with Scott Parkin- Enrolled agents specialize exclu- preparers.” several members of Congress and son, deputy legislative director for sively in taxes — that’s why they’re Participants educated legislators staff members as part of the annual Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.); fresh- known as America’s tax experts. and their staff about issues affecting National Association of Enrolled man Rep. Gwen Graham (D-Fla.), “I was greatly encouraged by tax return preparers and obstacles Agents (NAEA) “Fly-in Day” on and Hill Thomas, legislative direc- my visit and all the individuals I preventing the tax code from being May 13. tor; Christopher Fisher, deputy chief met with,” Schneider said. “Many fairly applied and reasonably enSchneider was among more than of staff for policy for Rep. Patrick of the provisions in the current tax forced. “I participated in this true 100 enrolled agents from across the Murphy, (D-Fla.); and Jenny Jacobs, code are not permanent, making grassroots effort to promote the tax country who visited Capitol Hill to legislative correspondent for Sen. it difficult for both businesses and preparer profession and protect the speak with elected representatives Bill Nelson, (D-Fla.). individuals to develop annual plans American taxpayer,” Schneider said. about tax return preparer oversight, The Royal Palm Beach tax pre- that allow them to lower their tax As a member of NAEA, Schneithe Enrolled Agents Credential parer holds the enrolled agent des- burdens through smart tax strategies. der must adhere to a code of conduct Act (HR 828/S 422) and tax code ignation from the U.S. Department I was also glad for the chance to and meet annual continuing educastability and reform. They started of the Treasury. Enrolled agents focus attention on tax return pre- tion requirements that surpass those Jeffrey A. Schneider their day of meetings on Capitol Hill are the only federally licensed tax parer oversight. The IRS voluntary established by the IRS. Send business news items to: The Town-Crier Newspaper, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090 | E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.
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#1 Education Place is a small, private Montessori school for students in grades one through 12. The school features a year-round academic year, flexible scheduling, individualized instruction and an accredited curriculum. Many of the school’s students are now professional athletes or performers. #1 Education Place has been serving the western communities since 2001 and is conveniently located in the original Wellington Mall at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 23. #1 Education Place is currently welcoming new students for the summer and fall terms. For more information, call (561) 753-6563. The Academic Link, a Christian private school, has a learning environment that allows teachers to fully invest in the individual student’s learning differences, strengths and struggles. The school provides developmentally appropriate instruction within a safe, orderly, caring and supportive environment. It offers NILD (National Institute for Learning Development) therapy and employs specialists in reading, math, science, writing and Spanish. Each student’s self-esteem is fostered by positive relationships with peers and staff. The school encourages parents to be actively involved in their children’s learning, including class and curriculum choices, homework, community service and field trips. The Academic Link now accepts McKay scholarships. The school serves grades one through 12 and is located at 970 Pike Road in West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 469-7533. All About Music School is one of the premier music learning centers in Palm Beach County. It features a fun and exciting environment for kids of all ages to learn music. Many schools have taken away music from their programs, and through many studies, music is important for a child’s education. That’s why All About Music goes above and beyond just teaching. Family owned, the school is proud to share its passion for learning music. Open since 2010, students come from Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Greenacres, Palm Springs, Lantana, Boynton Beach, and many other areas. Classes are available in a wide variety of instruments, such as piano, guitar, drums, voice, bass guitar, brass and woodwinds, mandolin, violin, kazoo and tambourine. All About Music also strives to provide role models and mentors to all of its students. It is located at 6334 Forest Hill Blvd. in Greenacres. For more info., call (561) 649-7770. Home Away From Home Preschool is growing, with five convenient locations in Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, West Palm Beach, Palm Springs and a new Royal Palm Beach location. Its new state-of-the-art facility in Royal Palm Beach is located in the Shoppes at Regal Centre at 1013 N. State Road 7. To schedule a tour, call Ms. April at (561) 790-9244. Home Away From Home Preschool offers parents peace of mind from any place in the world by simply logging in via secure live webcam services and watching your babies grow and thrive at school. With more than 15 years of experience, you can trust Home Away From Home Preschool. Staff members are experienced in early childhood education and are caregivers dedicated to the academic, emotional and physical well-being of every child. The school offers programs for infants through pre-K, free VPK, as well as after school and holiday camp for school-age children. For more information, visit www. homeawayfromhomechildcare.com. Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring solution, whether a student is looking for a better report card, help with a specific subject or a higher score on a college entrance exam. The center can help with academic skills, subject tutoring or exam prep for the SAT, PSAT and ACT. Huntington Learning Center is located at 2655 State Road 7 in Wellington Green Commons. For more information, call 1-800-CANLEARN or visit www.huntingtonhelps.com. The NRI Institute of Health Sciences and its affiliate the Ultrasound Medical Institute offer programs in nursing and diagnostic medical sonography. Nursing
May 29 - June 4, 2015 Page 27
programs include an RN program through the associate of science in nursing degree and a practical nurse diploma through the practical nursing program. The school also offers an associate’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography. Financial aid is available to students who qualify. The school features small class sizes and personalized instruction. For more information, visit www.thenriinstitute.com or call (561) 688-5112. NRI is located at 500 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool has been in Wellington for more than 20 years with a strong reputation for high-quality early childhood education. It is the only area preschool with NAEYC accreditation, assuring families that the program meets high national standards for quality and professionalism. It offers a variety of learning experiences that prepare children for private and public elementary schools. Then there are the intangibles — the caring teachers, the warmth and sense of community that permeates the halls. Though these elements can’t be quantified, they can be found at Temple Beth Torah. Come see what makes the school special. The school is located at 900 Big Blue Trace in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-2649 or e-mail psdirector@templebethtorah.net. The Renaissance Charter School name has become synonymous with high-quality education. In Palm Beach County, parents have six high-performing charter school options from which to choose: Renaissance Charter Schools at Palms West, Wellington, Cypress, Central Palm, West Palm and Summit. All are currently accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year. Parents should be able to expect more from their child’s school. Renaissance does not settle for the status quo and encourages students to reach higher to reach their goals. Visit www.charterschoolsusa. com or call (866) KIDS-USA for more information. The Rosarian Academy educates the whole person for life, offering an accelerated education from 12 months to grade 8. The Rosarian Academy fosters each student’s unique spiritual, physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs at every developmental stage. Known for academic excellence and a welcoming faith-centered community, Rosarian’s curriculum is enhanced with 21st century technology and unsurpassed athletic and fine arts programs. Rosarian is the only independent Catholic school in Palm Beach County. For more information, or to schedule a tour, call (561) 345-3106 or e-mail maryr@rosarian.org. The Wellington Collegiate Academy is an independent, college prep middle school dedicated to the well-being of its students. The academy offers a broad curriculum of rigorous classes in an uplifting environment. Students develop discipline and confidence through its music performance program. Small classes allow highly qualified teachers to give individual attention to each student. Faith-friendly character education classes help students interact with professionalism. An interdisciplinary curriculum is strong in science and technology, where classes focus on teamwork and career preparation. The Wellington Collegiate Academy opens this August with a select group of students in grades 6 through 8. For more information, visit www. gowca.org or call (561) 701-3462. Western Academy Charter School was designed as an innovative alternative to traditional public school education. Open since 2003, the school has been designated by the Florida Department of Education as a High-Performing Charter School and a 5 Star School. An “A” rated school since 2006, it currently serves 430 students in grades K-8. The school’s mission is to equip all children with the skills necessary for success on both an educational and social level. Programs address the whole child through a multi-sensory approach to learning. At Western Academy, families and the community are essential participants in educating children for a successful future. The school is located in the Royal Plaza at 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 400, Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 792-4123.
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Explore. Question. Learn. Lead. 12 Months - Grade 8
• Superior academic achievers • Acceptance into competitive secondary schools (day and boarding) • Qualified students are eligible to receive Math and Spanish high school credit • Unsurpassed athletic and fi ne arts programs • Spirit-centered community welcoming families of all faiths Founded in 1925 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Rosarian Academy’s mission is to educate the whole person for life in a global community in the light of Gospel values.
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SPORTS & RECREATION
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Wolverines Top Lake Worth 28-21 In Spring Football
By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington High School football team hosted Lake Worth High School for its annual spring game on Wednesday, May 20, and held on to defeat the Trojans 28-21. The spring game serves as a test for both coaches and players, to determine what areas need to be worked on for the fall. Receiver/safety and University of Miami commit Ahmmon Richards provided most of the scoring for the Wolverines, with two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and a touchdown reception. The game did not start well for the defending District 9-8A champions. Lake Worth capitalized on an early Wellington fumble, then scored on its third play to take a 7-0 lead. Another turnover by the Wolverines gave the Trojans the ball on Wellington’s 23-yard line, but this
time Richards bailed the Wolverines out of a hole, and tied the game with a goal-line interception returned 99 yards. Logan Robinson’s point-after kick tied the game at 7-7. Lake Worth responded with an 80-yard drive for a score to regain the lead at 14-7 to close out the first quarter. Turnovers and penalties continued to clutter most of the first half for both teams, which is typically evident in spring games. Teams only get a maximum of 20 days to practice for spring ball. Wellington threw the ball effectively, moving the ball down field, but could not shake the turnovers. An interception by Chris Atkinson gave Wellington an opportunity to respond and tie the game from midfield. Quarterback Johnny Giordano connected with Atkinson for a 40yard touchdown pass. Robinson’s kick tied the game at 14-14. Wellington took its first lead of
Wellington’s Chris Atkinson comes up with a 40-yard reception to the Lake Worth 4-yard line that seals the win in the fourth quarter.
the game when Richards reeled in his second interception on a Lake Worth fourth-down play, returning the ball 75 yards. Robinson’s kick made it 21-14. With 2:36 to play in the first half, Richards caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Giordano to extend the Wellington lead. Robinson’s kick made it 28-14 to close out the half. The second half was a battle in midfield with more turnovers. This time, it was the Trojans capitalizing on a Wellington fumble. Lake Worth put together a 20-yard touchdown run to close the gap 28-21. Ben Schmikle stepped in as quarterback for Wellington and helped lead the Wolverines on a fourthand-18 to the Trojan 4-yard line.
Wellington’s Austin Gilman leaps up for a high pass.
Schmikle connected with Atkinson for a 40-yard gain. With seconds left, Schmikle took a knee, and Wellington held on to the 28-21 win. The teams combined for 11 turnovers. Giordano threw for two
touchdowns. Atkinson is credited with a score and an interception. Richards tallied three scores and two interceptions, and Tyler Somers anchored the defense with a sack and forced fumble.
Linebacker Alex Brosseau tries to stop a Trojan running back.
Wolverine quarterback Johnny Giordano looks to throw.
Receiver Ahmmon Richards crosses the goal line after a catch. PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER
Palm Beach Central Shut Out By American Heritage
By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report On Thursday, May 21, the Palm Beach Central High School football squad hosted American Heritage Delray in a spring football con-
test, falling to the Stallions 33-0 in a game that was called midway through the third quarter, due to lightning. The three-time District 10-8A champions had a difficult time han-
Quarterback Jordan Travis scrambles to find an open receiver.
dling the Class 3A state runner-ups. The Broncos started the game by surrendering a safety to the Stallions. Palm Beach Central quarterback Jordan Travis, on the first play, could not leap high enough to corral a snap
that sailed over his head. Travis had to fall on the ball in the end zone and gave Heritage an early 2-0 lead. Things did not get any better for the Broncos. From the Stallions’ first See FOOTBALL, page 33
The Broncos’ Savion Harris finds an opening for a gain.
Palm Beach Central’s Michael Dean finds his running room. PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER
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SPORTS & RECREATION
Berean Christian Defeats Jupiter Christian, St. Edward’s The Berean Christian School Bulldogs football squad, the 2014 Gulf Atlantic Division champions, traveled to Vero Beach last Thursday to compete in a spring game jamboree. The Bulldogs played one half against Jupiter Christian School and one half against St. Edward’s School. In the first game, Jupiter took an early 8-0 lead on a bad punt snap, giving Jupiter the ball on Berean’s own 18 yard line. Berean’s quarterback Chris Mauck took his offense and quickly began to carve up the Jupiter secondary. Two great catches with super runs by Daniel Pinkerman took the ball to the 32 yard line. On first and 10, Mauck hit Keilon Stube for a 32-yard touchdown pass to make it 8-8. The Berean defense went three
and out and gave the ball right back to Mauck. After good runs by Luke Langsam and Kasey Montrois, Mauck hit one of his young receivers on a quick slant, but the ball was fumbled. Stube alertly scooped it up and raced 35 yards for a touchdown. Two points later, and the Bulldogs led 16-8. Later, Mauck once again hit Pinkerman on several passes to move the ball to the Jupiter 1 yard line. Langsam dove in for the score, but the conversion failed, making it 22-8. On the last play of the game, Berean’s defense allowed a 15yard pass, which resulted in a 62yard run for a Jupiter touchdown. The game ended with Berean up 22-16. In the second game, St. Edward’s drove 70 yards on its first posses-
sion and took an early 6-0 lead, after missing the two-point conversion. Berean’s offense stalled on two holding penalties, and St. Edward’s drove down again, but the defense held, only giving up a field goal, making it 9-0. Starting on his own 30, Mauck got his receivers clicking and moved his offense methodically down the field. He then hit a deep 30-yarder to Pinkerman, whose great run after the catch gave the Bulldogs their first touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, and left Berean narrowly behind, 9-8. The next Saint Edward’s offensive series proved to be short. On the second play from scrimmage, sophomore Brendon Oakes intercepted a quick out pass and took it
back 40 yards for the touchdown. The two point try was good, and the Bulldogs led 16-9. Saint Edward’s came right back after a horse collar call gave them a first down. They took great advantage of the penalty, as well as draining the clock. A score and the two-point conversion, gave St. Edward’s at 17-16 lead with three minutes to go. Starting from his own 30 with 70 yards to go, Mauck directed his team in their fast-paced, Oregon-style, no-huddle offense. A few quick passes moved the ball to the 50 yard line, but a sack and a penalty put them in a third and 18. Mauck then looked to his wide receiver, Nick Doucette, fresh off of a recent spleen injury. Mauck pin-pointed a 40-yarder
to Doucette, who made a fantastic leaping catch to keep the drive alive. On the next play, Mauck hit Stube on a quick swing pass, and the junior broke tackles all the way down the sideline to the 3 yard line. Stube then darted off a tackle for the final three yards, giving Berean the lead. However, the extra-point pass was incomplete. With 55 seconds on the clock, Berean led 22-17. Saint Edward’s wasn’t done just yet. The team’s next two plays resulted in huge gains, all the way to the Berean 35. However, the Bulldogs defense held firm, and with 11 seconds to go, a deep corner pass was intercepted by sophomore cornerback Jarod Hammond. Mauck took a knee, and Berean earned its second win of the day, 22-17.
12U YANKEES WIN IN RPB YOUTH BASEBALL
RPB 12U STRIKERS SOCCER END SEASON WITH BIG WIN IN ORLANDO
The Youth Baseball Association of Royal Palm Beach concluded its annual spring 2015 playoffs with the crowning of the 12U Yankees. Going undefeated through the playoffs, the Yankees successfully defended their fall 2015 championship by defeating the Cubs 9-5. Thanks to the coaches, parents and the players for an exciting 17-2 spring season. The league is currently accepting early registration for the upcoming fall season. To contact the league, e-mail info@ youthbaseballrpb.com or visit www.youthbaseballrpb.com.
The Royal Palm Beach Strikers U12 boys competitive team concluded the season by winning the Orlando City BIMBO B-Active Memorial Day Tournament. The Strikers have won seven tournaments this season, as well as finishing in first place in Division 1 of the SFUYSA, perhaps one of the strongest leagues in Florida. Over the past four seasons, the team has either played in or won more than 20 championship games. The achievements of this group of boys has far exceeded expectations and has illustrated the philosophy of the Royal Palm Beach Soccer Club, building successful competitive teams from within the recreation program, using licensed volunteer coaches to develop and teach aspiring athletes. Shown here are: (L-R) assistant coach Duane Thomas, Oneil Dawes, Adam Morales, Rafe Moreira, Caleb Walker, Trey Thomas, Matthew Palma, Esteban Ramirez, Luis Sanchez, Vicente De Brito, Nicolas Ramirez and head coach Mal Hasan.
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Alissa Kinsey
continued from page 23 responsive, just point and shoot. And, he’s only 15.2 hands tall, an unbelievable little horse. He was the smallest one in the schooling area, but he showed those bigger horses that he had the heart and ability.
Football
Broncos Fall To Heritage
continued from page 31 play from scrimmage, running back Devin Singletary took off 80 yards for a touchdown. The point-after kick was no good, giving the Stallions an 8-0 advantage. The Broncos showed some signs of momentum offensively on their ensuing drive, but a fumble negated the early chance to close the gap, and the Stallions drove in another score to make it 14-0. The Palm Beach Central defense dug down and held Heritage from scoring again, after driving into the red zone. The stand gave the Broncos back the ball on their own 10-yard line. But the turnover
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SPORTS & RECREATION I’ll be sad when someone comes along to buy him. It’s hard to not get attached to a horse with that much personality. I’ll just enjoy him while I have him.” Grisset, who was overall circuit champion in the Adult Jumper Division for seven years in a row, will have a home with Alissa for life. One year, she won over $100,000 in prize money, which paid for Alissa’s trips to Germany and WEF.
“No one else ever rides her or cares for her,” Alissa said. “At home, she lives in my back yard. When we come to WEF, I rent a lovely fourstall barn in someone’s back yard, a beautiful and private facility with grassy paddocks. I park my horse trailer next to the barn and stay in the living quarters in it, so I can be with my horses any hour of the day or night. It’s better for me and them. They don’t have to deal with
virus struck again, and a fumble returned the ball to the Stallions with another scoring opportunity. Heritage continued to capitalize on the Bronco miscues, and extended its lead to 20-0 before the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Heritage added two more scores after stopping the Bronco offense to take a 33-0 lead going into halftime. The Palm Beach Central offense just could not seem to get going on all cylinders. The second half took a brief turn to favor the Broncos. The Stallions attempted to go on a fourth-and-4 on the Palm Beach Central 29-yard line and were denied by a stingy, motivated Bronco defense. The failed conversion gave the Bronco offense the break they needed. They drove to the 1-yard line, and it appeared
they would chip into the Heritage lead, but a fourth-and-goal attempt to score was shut down by the tough Stallion defense. With 4:41 left to play in the third quarter, the officials gathered in midfield with the coaches from both teams and informed them they were going to call the game due to lightning in the area, so the contest ended at 33-0 in favor of the Stallions. The brief spring season ended, but it provides coaches an opportunity to evaluate players and work on things necessary to prepare the teams for the fall. The Broncos will look to regroup in August to get ready for the fall season in one of the toughest districts in the county. In District 9-8A, Palm Beach Central will have to battle with Seminole Ridge, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington and Jupiter high schools.
all the noise, lights and commotion of being on the show grounds. It’s perfect. I do have to deal with the ‘Wellington price bracket’ for feed and hay, which is just insane. Nice hay on Florida’s west coast goes for $12 a bale. Here it’s $18 to $20. At home in New Hampshire, it’s $6.” Alissa’s goal is to one day own a Grand Prix horse. But they’re hard to come by, unless you have unlimited funds, which she doesn’t.
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“A Grand Prix horse has to be super-talented to jump those high fences and stay sound in the long term. It takes a lot of raw talent, ability and desire. They go for millions of dollars. That’ll never be me.” Still, sometimes one finds oneself in the right place and time, looking at the right horse for the right price. Until then, Alissa keeps buying and showing and selling horses, and hopes to one day get lucky.
Palm Beach Central defensive end Taejon Thomas pressures the Heritage quarterback.
PHOTO BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER
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Bootz Culture Camp, a fun art studio, offers an engaging summer camp for ages 5 to 13. In the studio, students get to explore a variety of cultures through the arts. The focus shifts to a different region every two weeks. However, each day brings new artmaking activities of the culture being explored. The artwork then becomes a souvenir. Campers also play games, learn dances, taste foods, listen to music, play instruments and more from that culture. Space is limited. Register at www.bootzculturecamp.com. Camp Varsity Summer Sports Camp is a full-day sports camp during the summer located at Wellington Landings Middle School (1100 Aero Club Dr., Wellington). The camp is action-packed, combining a mix of team sports with fishing and fun recreational games for ages 5 to 13. No matter the theme or week, campers will have the opportunity to participate in many different sports and recreational games. Most camp activities are indoors with 2 to 3 hours max daily for outdoor activities. Sports included every week are basketball, soccer, baseball, football, kickball, fishing, recreational games and more. There are also specialty camps such as dance and cheerleading, volleyball and itty-bitty camps. Camp dates are J une 8 through Aug. 7 and are held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with before and after care available. For more info., call (561) 6015248 or visit www.buildingupsportsacademy.com. Horsey & Artsy Camp at the Good Earth Farm Children’s Zoo & Animal Sanctuary teaches children to be independent. They learn to take care of their tack, along with animal grooming. The camp offers horseback riding, hunt seat, dressage, trail and vaulting lessons. All kids will have supervision at all times, with no more than 10 campers at a time. After riding, campers may swim in the crystal-clear pool or clean lake with filters and floats, then start on weekly art projects with qualified art instructors. Good Earth Farm is located at 2141 B Road in Loxahatchee Groves. For more information, visit www.goodearthfarm.info or call (561) 792-2666. Home Away From Home Child Care Learning Center allows your child have fun in the sun, meeting new friends while having an adventure every day and going on fun-filled field trips. Activities include field trips at least three times a week. Enjoy the zoo, the park and science projects. Meals are included, and there is hip-hop, indoor-themed weekly activities, bounce houses and more. The facility features live webcams for parent comfort. Register now at www.homeawayfromhomechildcare. com or call 1-877-94-CHILD (24453). There are six locations in Palm Beach County to serve you. Wellington Summer Camp & Sports Academies offer children a summer. The all-day, weekly summer camps are for campers ages 5 to 15. They participate in a fun-filled schedule of activities, including athletics, arts and crafts, animal exhibits, games and entertainment, magicians, movies, rock wall climbing, field trips, visits to the Wellington Aquatics Complex and more. Other summer sports camps include the aerial trapeze circus academy, basketball, fishing, soccer, speed and agility training, co-ed volleyball and more Camps are located at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). Learn more about Wellington camps, including ages and session dates, at www.wellingtonfl.gov under “Parks and Recreation,” or call (561) 791-4005.
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Saturday, May 30 • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host DIY Nail Art for ages 13 and up on Saturday, May 30 at 2:15 p.m. Learn to make nail polish appliqué strips. They’re an easy way to get a perfect manicure every time and make it easy to replicate patterns or pictures. All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. • The Eagle Arts Academy Charter School for the Arts (1000 Wellington Trace, Wellington) will hold its first Spring Carnival on Saturday, May 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be bounce houses, carnival games, face painting, pony rides, food trucks and more, Admission is free. For more info., e-mail president@eagleartspto.com. Tuesday, June 2 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Game Day for ages 8 to 12 on Tuesday, June 2 at 3 p.m. Bring a friend for Wii gaming and board game fun. Call (561) 790-6070 for info. • Wellington will host a town hall meeting regarding the Future of K-Park on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov. • The Audubon Society of the Everglades will meet Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. at FAU’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center (6301 Summit Blvd.). Ricardo Zambrano, regional biologist for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, will discuss wildlife use of new and restored habitat in the Lake Worth Lagoon and the Florida Shorebird Alliance. For more info., visit www. auduboneverglades.org. Wednesday, June 3 • The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting about the State Road 7 Extension to Northlake Blvd. on Wednesday, June 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center, Building 10. For more info., visit www.sr7extension.com.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Thursday, June 4 • The Norton Museum of Art (1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach) will host its first free summer Thursday for Florida residents on June 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., which includes an Art After Dark performance by singer-songwriter Josh Miles, a chef demo, a docent-led tour, a presentation by Florida Wildlife Corridor Director Mallory Lykes Dimmitt and more. For more info., call (561) 659-6786 or visit www.norton.org. • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will offer Story Time for ages 2 to 5 on Thursday, June 4 at 10 a.m. Class activities are specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers. The cost is $2 per child. Call (561) 233-1400 to RSVP. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Writer’s Critique Workshop for adults on Thursday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. Share, offer and accept constructive criticism to improve your fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere led by Caryn DeVincenti. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • The American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390 will hold its annual Veterans Open House on Thursday, June 4 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Village Park Gymnasium (11700 Pierson Road). For more information, e-mail wellingtonlegion390@gmail.com. Friday, June 5 • The West Palm Beach Antiques & Collectibles Show will return to the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center from Friday, June 5 through Sunday, May 7. For more info., visit www. wpbaf.com. • The Audubon Society of the Everglades will hold a bird walk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (13206 Jog Road, Delray Beach) on Friday, June 5 at 7 a.m. Visit www.auduboneverglades.org for more info. • The Women’s Chamber Foundation will hold its 12th annual Linking Women to Learning
Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, June 5 at noon at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion. During the luncheon, 11 scholarships will be awarded. The foundation is the educational arm of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce. For more info., call (561) 659-0285 or visit www.womenschamberfoundation.org. • Ghost Tours: An Evening In The Dark will be held at Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m. The cost is $18 per person. For more info., call (561) 790-5232. Saturday, June 6 • The Norton Museum of Art (1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach) will offer free Saturdays for Palm Beach County residents beginning June 6, made possible by a gift by Damon and Katherine Mezzacappa. The gift also provides for expanding the museum’s Family Studio program to every Saturday, and dramatically lowering that program’s cost from $8 to $1 per child. For more info., call (561) 659-6786 or visit www. norton.org. • The Boca Raton Dog Club Annual AKC Show will take place at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7. For more info., call (561) 271-9506 or (561) 368-6334. • Wellington lifeguards and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue will teach water safety and drowning prevention at Make a SPLASH (Safety and Prevention Leaves All Swimmers Happy) on Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wellington Aquatic Complex. Call (561) 753-2484 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info. • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will offer Archery for Beginners for ages 8 to 15 on Saturdays, June 6 and 13 at 9:30 a.m. Learn the basics of archery and develop a great new skill during this two-hour program. Equipment is provided. Call (561) 2331400 to RSVP.
The Town-Crier • The 16th annual Philippine Summer Festival, hosted by the Philippine American Society of Palm Beach County, will take place Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds. For more info., call Marlyn Sepanik at (561) 289-0837, Christina Regino at (561) 723-9323 or Conchita Mateo at (561) 386-1209. • CAFCI will hold its “A Home of Our Own” Fish Fry Fundraiser on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Downers Park (16700 E. Downers Drive). A $12 donation includes a fish dinner. There will be games, music, a bake sale and more. For more info., call Millie Hampton at (561) 790-1751 or Lawrence Logan at (561) 791-0162. • The Wellington Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 State Road 7), will host Get Out and Have a Healthy and Fit Summer with three seminars on Saturday, June 6 from noon to 4 p.m. There will be vendors, healthy food, live music, gift baskets, raffles, a scavenger hunt for kids and more. E-mail info@wellingtonchamber.com or visit www.wellingtonchamber.com for more info. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host its Anime Club for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, June 6 at 12:30 p.m. Meet other teens who enjoy watching and talking about anime. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “The British Brass Band Tradition in America” on Saturday, June 6 at 2:15 p.m. Members of the Orchid City Brass Band, South Florida’s premier British-style brass band, will guide a lively discussion of the all-brass band tradition in England and America. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414 or e-mail news@gotowncrier.com.
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Page 38 May 29 - June 4, 2015
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
A/C AND REFRIGERATION
PAINTING
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
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
CLEANING - HOME/OFFICE WE CLEAN OFFICES & PRIVATE HOMES — Licensed & Insured. Call for an estimate and to schedule your apartment. Discount for Central Palm Beach County Chamber members and to all new clients for first cleaning. 561-385-8243 Lic. #2012-252779
COMPUTER REPAIR
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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
EMPLOYMENT BOOKKEEPER NEEDED — part-time, experienced in QuickBooks, flexible hours. Please fax resume to 561-791-0952
NEWSPAPER CARRIERS WANTED — Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, and Lake Worth Area. Early Morning hours. 901. Sansbuary Way, West Palm Beach. Valid Drivers License. 561-904-2600.
PET CARE PRODUCTS
FAST GROWING LAWN CARE COMPANY — hiring experienced professional for lawn maintenance. Clean DL is a plus. Call Mr.Green 561-644-8780
HAPPY JACK LIQUIVIC ®: — Recognized safe & effective against hook & roundworms by US Center for Veterinary Medicine Grand Prix 561-792-2853 www.happyjackinc.com
$2,500 Sign-On Bonus!
Drivers: New Pay!
D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-333-1923 Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach. We accept major credit cards.
PLUMBING
Consistent Freight, Great MIles
JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458
on This Regional Account,
DRIVEWAY REPAIR
PRESSURE CLEANING
D R I V E W AY S — F r e e e s t i m a t e s A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed. L i c.& Ins. 1 0 0 0 4 5 0 6 2 5 61-667-7716
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 & painti n g c o n t r a c t o r. L i c . # U 2 1 5 5 2 C a l l Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com
GUITAR LESSONS GU I TA R L ES SON S — Learn to play as effectively as you learned to speak. Music is simply another language. I teach blues, jazz, and classical. My method is based on understanding, not just memorization. Call Peter at 561-753-7328
HOME IMPROVEMENTS ANMAR CO.— James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftsman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC1327426 561-248-8528
HOUSE CLEANING HOUSE CLEANING/AFFORDABLE MAID SERVICE — Stop cleaning start enjoying life. www.royalpalmmaids.net or call 561-666-7738
INSURANCE ALL COUNTY INSURANCE — Let us help you with your insurance needs Homeowners., auto, commercial, www.allcountyinsurance.com. 561-688-8090
LAWN SERVICE YELLOWHAMMER LAWN SERVICE — Serving Loxahatchee, Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves ONLY High quality, affordable yard maintenance. NO CONTRACTS! Locally owned and operated. 561-320-1118 PAUL HANZLIK LAWN CARE — Licensed and Insured 30 years experience. Owner operated. 561-753-9719
LOCKSMITH C.K.s L O C K & S E C U R I T Y 561-7329418 Full Service Security Since 1960 — Service and installation of locks, safes, camera’s alarms, monitoring, duplication of keys, car remotes and so much more.
NEW FLOORING BUY IT HERE FLOORING — Kitchen and Bath. Now available. Complete one stop shopping. Stop on By! Pike Road - Between Southern and Belvedere. West Palm Beach - Open 7 Days!!! 561-333-2300
PAINTING 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
ROOFING ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763. ROOFING REPAIRS RE-ROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC-0067207
SECURITY SECURITY — American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600
SCREENING JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio re-screening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS 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
TREE SERVICE TREES TRIMMED AND REMOVED — 561-798-0412 D.M. YOUNG TREE SERVICE. Family Owned & Operated Lic. & Insured 1992-12121 Visit our website at dmyoungtreeservice.com
WALLPAPERING 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
WATER SUPPLY & TREATMENT WELL WATER AND CITY WATER — Supply, Service and water treatment. 561-7845210. Loxahatchee Irrigation Supply Inc.
TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS PLACE YOUR CALL 793-7606
Werner Enterprises:
REAL ESTATE FOR RENT - GREENACRES ROOMMATE TO SHARE — 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment - Purdy & Jog Road. $550 per month. Looking for under 35 years old. 954-296-3748
OFFICE SPACE WELLINGTON EXECUTIVE AND VIRTUAL OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE — Wellington, Florida Furnished or unfurnished office space available. Unlimited use of conference rooms, reception, kitchen with no extra fees. Utilities included. The best LAKE VIEW in Wellington! Please contact Steve at 561-227-1500 or at info@LakeWellington.com
GARAGE / YARD SALE
1-855-517-2488 WEST PALM BEACH
VOLUNTEERS NEEEDED
MOVING SALE! Saturday May 30th — 8:00 a.m. Furniture sale, miscellaneous and TOOLS 13255 61st Street North, West Palm Beach, Fl 33412 561-723-4477
NEEDED ASAP TEEN VOLUNTEERS FOR HORSE CAMP NON-PROFIT AGENCY — Community service hours given must be 14 years old. 561-792-2666. Nancy-Fried. Nancyspettingzoo@gmail.com.
THE TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS
PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL
AT 793-7606
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HERE’S MY CARD CGC023814
Niagara Contracting Service Home Repairs Remodelng to Rebuild Minor Repairs Tile • Drywall • Painting • Window • Door • Installation
561-329-9086 Lic. Ins.
Lic & Insured CFC057392, CAC1817688
SEPTIC & DRAINFIELD SPECIALISTS
Page 40 May 29 - June 4, 2015
PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S
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WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
H E R E ’ S M Y CA R D
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS FOR AS LOW AS $21 A WEEK*
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PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S
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WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
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