MIXED REVIEWS FOR COUNTY FINANCES SEE STORY, PAGE 3
SENIORS CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 5
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Wellington Council To Review Magistrate Appointment Process
Volume 36, Number 19 May 8 - May 14, 2015
Serving Palms West Since 1980
WOMEN’S CLUB FASHION LUNCHEON
The Wellington Village Council approved the renewal of one of its four code enforcement special magistrate contracts last week, but decided to postpone the appointment of another magistrate until the appointment process is reviewed. Page 3
Wellington Garden Club Presents Scholarships, Installs New Officers
The Wellington Garden Club held its spring luncheon and new officer installation on Monday, May 4 at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club. Also at the luncheon, scholarships were presented to those studying horticulture and environmentally friendly fields. Page 5
Elbridge Gale Aftercare Presents Disney Classic ‘The Little Mermaid’
Elbridge Gale Elementar y School’s aftercare program delighted parents, family and friends with a production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid on Friday, May 1 in the school cafeteria. The show was directed by Andrew Spinelli and Ashlley Rodriguez. Page 19
OPINION Open Communication Will Keep Civil Unrest From Flaring Up Here
In the wake of civil unrest in Baltimore over the past few weeks — on the heels of similar unrest in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson last summer — there have been many questions about the likelihood of such unrest taking place in other communities across the nation. The best way of handling a potential uprising is to prevent it from happening in the first place, through sound practices and open communication. That is why the actions taken by Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw this week are a good step in the right direction. Page 4
DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS................................. 3 - 9 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
The Women of the Western Communities presented “Simply Chic: An Afternoon of Fashion” on Sunday, May 3 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. Dress Barn in Royal Palm Beach provided three outfits for each of the six models, while Visions Salon provided hair and makeup. Shown here are Rose Allen, Donna Kuebler, Deena Rubio, Lisa Schwartz, Sky Skeel, Marissa Priore, Kerriann Spratt, Shereen Aziz, Ashley Smith and Andrea Match. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington Zoners OK Movie Theater At Wellington Green
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board recommended approval Wednesday of a variance to allow a new, upscale movie theater to be built inside the Mall at Wellington Green. Wellington Planner Damian Newell said the theater needs a conditional approval since the Mall at Wellington Green, located in the central portion of the Wellington Green development, does not have approval for an indoor movie theater. The mall’s outparcels could have a movie theater, but one has not been built. The 45,000-square-foot theater will have 10 screens and 1,200
seats. It will be located in part of the current Ashley Furniture space. Ashley Furniture is reducing its area to 26,530 square feet. Also, an additional restaurant will be added to the exterior, and the mall’s roof will be raised to about 50 feet in the area of the theater to accommodate the movie screens, Newell said. Planning consultant Chuck Millar with Shutts & Bowen said the applicant is only asking to shift the approved theater location from an existing outparcel, explaining that the proposed theater will have several entrances, and the location would be more strategically located to enhance traffic and stimulate business at other shops
and restaurants within the mall. He pointed out that Starwood Capital, the current mall owner, has 29 malls nationwide, of which 23 have theaters. The company has found that movie theaters on outparcels have less success than those in mall interiors, and minimally increase overall commerce at the malls. Millar pointed out that they would be back for architectural approval and additional review before final approval. Mall at Wellington Green General Manager Marc Strich said that when the original Wellington Green development was approved in 1996, it included a maximum of See THEATER, page 4
Task Force And Committee Support Charter Protections For Equestrian Preserve Area By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington’s Charter Review Task Force and Equestrian Preserve Committee held a joint meeting Monday to discuss the inclusion of the Equestrian Preserve Area and the Equestrian Preserve Committee in the village’s charter. Village Attorney Laurie Cohen said consideration had been given to adding language to the charter to protect the Equestrian Preserve Area, and asked members of the committee to tell members of the task force what they considered most important. “The task force has been through the entire charter, and they have considered all of the provisions. They’ve come up with a fairly limited number of things that they would like to recommend, and they finalized some of that discussion tonight,” Cohen said, explaining that the council will discuss the proposed changes, and possibly consider things that the task force has not considered. If a supermajority of the council agrees to send the changes to the voters, they will likely be on the ballot next March. Ken Adams, who chairs the task
force, said an issue that got much interest at the public forum on charter changes was the equestrian preserve. “I didn’t sense that there was a lot of unanimity between people in terms of what the equestrian preserve is, but they certainly are on your side,” Adams told Equestrian Preserve Committee members. In possible changes not related to the equestrian preserve, the task force had considered a proposal to increasing council compensation, which is currently $300 a month, to $800 a month, but decided unanimously Monday not to carry that question forward. The task force did sent a change to the council that would reduce the requirement to raise compensation from a supermajority of four council members to a simple majority. The task force also discussed filling council vacancies, and decided to recommend a policy similar to provisions for filling a mayoral vacancy. If the remaining term is less than 180 days, the vacancy would not be filled, or if the mayor’s seat is open, the vice mayor would fill in for that time. If the remaining time is greater
than 180 days, a special election would be held. The next recommendation would change the public notice requirement for special meetings. Cohen pointed out that the charter currently requires a 72-hour notice for meetings, but Florida Statutes only call for “reasonable notice,” and the task force is proposing that the 72-hour notice be removed in favor of the state law. Another question pertains to a charter call for a referendum if the village is to levy an ad valorem tax higher than 5 mills. The task force had a lengthy discussion about the question, and task force member and former Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz maintained that the village’s ad valorem tax rate is already higher than 5 mills if law enforcement and fire-rescue funding is factored in. “The original intent was that the village would not exceed 5 mills, and if it ever exceeded 5 mills, the voters would have a right to initiate a referendum and vote on that issue,” Cohen said. “As a practical matter, it is virtually impossible to comply with that. It doesn’t really See CHARTER, page 18
New IB Program A Big Win For RPBHS By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report Royal Palm Beach High School was recently named the sixth Palm Beach County School District high school to offer the rigorous International Baccalaureate diploma program. The new IB program will get underway in the 2015-16 school year. RPBHS Principal Jesus Armas is thrilled that the school was chosen, and also that there is a centrally located IB program for local students. “It’s not that it’s important for Royal Palm Beach High School to have an IB program, it’s that it is important for the western communities to have an IB program,” Armas said. “For too long, our students in the western communities have had to get on buses at 5 o’clock in the morning to travel out of our community in order to get an IB curriculum and an IB diploma. It’s time now that those of us in The Acreage, Royal Palm Beach and Wellington have an opportunity to stay home to be able to earn an IB diploma.” At the district level, it was determined that the western communities needed an IB program, a prestigious international cur-
riculum originating in Geneva, Switzerland, that allows students to obtain college credit. “The minute that we saw that, we began the process of trying to be that school,” Armas said. “We did want to have the IB program here. We do feel that it will benefit all of our students to be able to have that program on our campus.” Armas said everyone in the school is excited about the program, which will increase the opportunities available to Royal Palm Beach students. “It has always been our goal to provide all of the students in the Village of Royal Palm Beach with a comprehensive high school that meets the needs of our students,” he said. “We believe that in these last five years we’ve brought in several programs that will meet the needs of our students.” The school has several special program offerings, including the Excelsior, Global Business, HVAC, Medical Sciences and STEM academies. “Now with the IB program, along with all of the existing programs that we’ve had, we believe that we provide all of the options that a student would want in a See IB PROGRAM, page 18
TEMPLE HOSTS PICNIC
Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington held its annual picnic Sunday, May 3 at Loxahatchee Groves Park. At the event, religious school students received end-of-the-year awards, and everyone enjoyed fun games and socializing. Shown here are Sara Cohen, Hope Greene and Aili Delisi. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 17
PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
Loxahatchee Groves Council OKs Waste Dumping Ordinance
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council approved the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday to immediately stop the dumping of waste material that has been piling up on some residents’ property, possibly at the consent of owners who receive tipping fees from the dumpers. On April 7, the council instructed town staff to draft an ordinance that would prohibit the dumping of waste materials on land within the town limits after hearing complaints from residents. Town Manager Bill Underwood said the ordinance is a stopgap measure intended to immediately stop the dumping of trash. “It will stop future dumping but won’t correct what has already occurred,”
Underwood said, explaining that his staff is working on a more detailed ordinance that would prohibit dumping without infringing on legitimate agricultural operations. “We wanted something that would put a halt to it immediately.” Underwood said that the ordinance would be the town’s first line of defense in halting more dumping, and that further action may be required to incorporate the provisions with the town’s unified land development code. It would become effective upon final approval, set for May 19. The council also added a clause suggested by former Councilman Dr. Bill Louda to prohibit dumping of any material where the property owner receives a tipping fee. Councilman Tom Goltzené said See DUMPING, page 7
SADD Safety Day Urges Caution Behind The Wheel
Students Brianni Guzman, Matthew Pannell and Lazaro Palenzuela with Florida Highway Patrol Trooper First Class Robert Guzman. PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report Royal Palm Beach High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club hosted an eye-opening safety day Wednesday, May 6. Coordinated by SADD sponsor Maureen Witkowski, the students, visiting various stations in three waves, learned how a few easy precautions can make the difference in situations where accidents can be fatal. “I don’t like funerals of teenagers,” Witkowski said. “I don’t want to be at any funerals of anybody sitting here. So, [we have] interactive ways for you to understand that, first of all, driving is a privilege, and there are certain things that can decrease your chances of being in an accident that we’re go-
ing to be discussing today.” She introduced the event’s guest speaker, an identical twin whose life changed in an instant. Emily Slosberg, CEO of the Dori Slosberg Foundation (www. dorisaveslives.org), stressed to the students the need for speaking up and how one small decision can change a life forever. Slosberg and her twin sister, Dori, daughters of State Rep. Irv Slosberg (D-District 91), got into a car one night with other teens. Nine teenagers piled into a twodoor Honda Civic, she told the students, and only four survived. Slosberg pleaded with students to speak up if they had any concerns about someone’s driving, to always wear a seat belt, and to always be careful. “I was lucky enough to have a
twin sister, Dori. Growing up, we did everything together. We shared clothes, we shared a bedroom, we talked about everything… there was never a day that we were apart. She was a built-in best friend,” Emily recalled. “Let me tell you about what happened that changed everything.” Slosberg told the students about a Friday night one February, when she and her sister were having a fun time at a bowling alley in Boca Raton. They were approached by a 19-year-old guy who asked if they wanted to go to a party. Emily and Dori Slosberg and their friends went with the guy and his friend. “The guy almost flips the car, and I’ll never forget looking into my twin sister’s eyes and everybody else in the car — we all See SADD, page 7
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NEWS
Wellington Council To Review Magistrate Appointment Process By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council approved the renewal of one of its four code enforcement special magistrate contracts last week, but decided to postpone the appointment of another magistrate until the appointment process is reviewed. At the April 28 meeting, Village Manager Paul Schofield explained that the contracts for two of Wellington’s four special magistrates — attorneys William Doney and Rafael Suarez-Rivas — expire on June 1. Schofield said Doney does not plan to seek re-appointment, while Suarez-Rivas has expressed an interest in continuing to serve. Schofield recommended reappointing Suarez-Rivas to a second two-year term and utilizing the previous selection of candidates to appoint Doney’s replacement, which would be brought up at a later meeting. Attorney Kevin Michael Wagner had been identified
as the next-ranked candidate from the selection process conducted in 2013, and Wagner has expressed an interest in serving. The council passed an ordinance in 2013 establishing an eight-year limit of four two-year terms for special magistrates. Code Enforcement Manager Steven Koch said his staff is preparing a report on the appointment process by other municipalities and the number of magistrates they have on staff. Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said she had asked Village Attorney Laurie Cohen to go through the procedures on record for magistrate appointments. “It seems to me that we missed following our own procedure on this,” Gerwig said, pointing out that the administrative procedures adopted in 2009 state that public notice should be given 120 days prior to the expiration date. “These appointments expire [in] June, so we have missed the 120 days to advertise that.”
Gerwig added that the requirements include that three of the appointees must be residents of Wellington or have a practice in Wellington. “I think that what we are doing tonight is actually changing our procedures without a vote to change our procedures,” she said. She added that the procedure adopted in 2012 stipulates advertising 90 days prior to the expiration of the magistrates’ terms. “It lays out where it should be advertised and how it should be done,” Gerwig said. “In some ways, we’re already varying from our own procedures and process.” Gerwig added that state law requires the council to be the body that appoints the magistrates. “I’m just asking for clarification on, first of all, why didn’t we follow our own procedures this time, and if there is a reason for us to violate our own procedures?” she asked. Cohen said the 2012 resolution supersedes earlier policies.
“I don’t know why it wasn’t advertised,” Cohen said. “Apparently, the terms are coming up for expiration. We can certainly put it out and request letters of interest and see what we get. I’m not sure what occurred there. It’s not within my department.” Gerwig said council members had discussed whether the appointments were within the Code Enforcement Department or the Legal Department, and decided it was code enforcement, but had asked legal to weigh-in on the process. Cohen said it would be advisable to re-advertise, since it has been two years since the compilation of a candidates’ list. She also advised appointing a selection committee before the advertising is done. Gerwig said she was primarily interested in the council following its own procedures. Cohen said they could ask the sitting magistrates to extend their terms in order to allow them to go
through that process. “We have three magistrates currently who are active, and I’m sure would be happy to cover that, so there’s certainly time to do it,” she said. “Mr. Koch had time to contact a couple of municipalities. In Boca Raton, it’s appointed by the city council with a recommendation from the city attorney and the city manager, so they don’t go through any kind of selection process reviewing the resumes or letters of interest.” Cohen said the magistrates there do not have term limits. Boca currently has two magistrates, but they typically have three, and the magistrates’ performance is not monitored. “Other than if there is some issue that arises, we don’t really monitor their performance here,” she said. She added that in the City of Doral, the magistrate positions are put out for bid using a purchasing model. “We did a hybrid of that the last time,” Cohen said, explaining that in Doral, the village manager reviews the candidates, and they
are contracted for one year, typically with renewal clauses. Doral has two magistrates, and their performance is not monitored. Cohen advised that the council should adhere to its resolution stipulating a 90-day advertisement. Councilman Matt Willhite said he had asked at the agenda review meeting the day before whom the magistrates report to. “They really don’t answer to anybody,” he said. “They are only scheduled by a person in code enforcement.” Willhite also asked if they had appointed any new magistrates since the 2012 resolution was enacted, and Koch said the last two magistrates had been reappointed, and the village would need to re-advertise only for the open position. Cohen said the language of the village’s resolution says that advertising should be done 90 days prior to the end of the term. “You also have the ability, under See MAGISTRATES, page 18
Bock: Continued Economic Improvement, But Problems Remain By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock gave her annual report on the fiscal state of the county to the Palm Beach County Commission on Tuesday. It was a retrospective of the financial position of the county for the year ending Sept. 30, 2014. Bock explained that the state mandates checks and balances for the spending of tax dollars. “Our position at the clerk’s office is to protect, preserve and maintain the public funds with integrity and accountability,” she said. “While you, as elected commissioners, decide the tax rate and how taxes are budgeted and spent, as an independent office, I am elected to receive, audit, adjust and pay all of the monies, contracts and bills.” As the county’s chief financial officer, Bock said she is responsible for keeping accurate financial records and reports. Bock said her current report is a retrospective because it shows how the county spent its money during fiscal year 2014, as opposed to the county budget, which reflects how it plans to spend the money. The budget is prepared by
the county’s Office of Financial Management and Budget. She said the annual budget for 2014 was about $1.63 billion, with expenditures of $1.69 billion, a difference of about $60 million. “By law, we must have a balanced budget,” Bock said. “Even though we brought in less than we spent, this is not the whole picture.” The Government Finance Officers Association and Government Accounting Standards Board examine four components when examining a government’s financial health, she said. “They are net position, revenue and investments, fund balance, and debt and spending,” she said. Shannon Ramsey-Chessman, Bock’s chief operating officer for finance, said the county’s net position is one of the most important indicators of its financial health because changes in the county’s net worth over time show either a growing or weakening position. “Net worth shows your bottom line,” Chessman said. “Just as personal net worth grows when the value of what we own is greater than what we owe, so does the county’s. Decisions to increase or decrease tax rates have a direct
effect on the county’s net worth.” Although net worth has many components, the clerk’s office specifically focused on government activities’ net position, as it is composed primarily of property tax revenue and the cost of day-today expenses, she said, explaining that airport and utility operations were not included because they function more like businesses. At the close of 2014, the county’s governmental net position was $2.2 billion, a decrease of $99 million from the previous year. Three major factors contributed to the decrease: $19 million in additional long-term debt due to a bond issuance, the $33 million loss from the sale of the Mecca Farms property and a $46 million increase in day-to-day operating costs, most notably due to increases in public safety expenses. The county saw an overall increase in revenue of about $5 million, or 0.03 percent, largely from an increase in property tax income, along with gas, sales and tourist taxes. “Looking at real estate is essential, as 50 percent of the county’s revenue is directly tied to the real estate market,” Chessman said. “We can see the local market’s
turnaround is in its fourth consecutive year, beginning in 2011. In 2014, there were more than 16,000 property sales, an almost 16 percent increase from 2013.” The median sales price for single-family homes rose to $275,000, a 4.2 percent increase from 2013, and up 42 percent from the low in 2011, she said, adding that the sales price for condominiums and townhomes rose by 16 percent to $130,000, but the number of sales declined 7 percent from 2013. The millage rate did not increase in 2014, but there was a $29 million increase in revenue due to the increase in property tax assessments. Although it was a significant increase, property tax revenue is still down $83 million from its peak in 2007. Sales tax revenue increased 7.2 percent for a total of $79 million for the county, and gasoline sales tax increased 3.1 percent, amounting to almost $47 million. The county collected a record $33.8 million in tourist development taxes in 2014, representing a 10.9 percent increase from the previous year. “Tourism has continued to strengthen over the last decade,” Chessman said.
The county’s investment portfolio, which is managed by Bock’s office, has also increased consistently over the last decade, for a total of $645 million in cumulative investment income since 2005, although interest rates in recent years have made it difficult, leading them to focus more on investment risk management. The county’s return continues to be greater than peer counties such as Broward, which had half the return of Palm Beach County, Chessman said. Darlene Malaney, director of financial services, said the county’s decision to issue debt has had a profound effect on future spending. “Just as revenue has an impact on the county’s financial health, obligations to pay, or debt, also impact the bottom line,” Malaney said. “While revenue might be unpredictable, debt is within the county’s control.” The county’s total debt was $975 million for fiscal year 2014, which was down slightly from the previous year, she said, which amounts to $661 per person in the county. In 2014, the county’s debt service reached a historic high of $180 million, although it
is expected to taper off in ensuing years. “These high levels of debt service come at a time when the economy is recovering, and it also contributes to a reduction in our net worth,” Malaney said, explaining that a comprehensive debt management policy would assist in providing guidance for the future issuance of debt. In 2014, the county issued $13.2 million for Max Planck, $10.7 million for new sheriff’s vehicles and equipment, $28 million for the convention center hotel and $17.8 million for new vehicles for the Palm Tran paratransit service, for a total of about $70 million in new debt obligations. The general fund balance has been decreasing overall from its high in 2007 of $248 million to $161 million in 2014. Bock’s county recommendations for 2015 included developing a strategic approach to align the budget with board priorities, adopt comprehensive debt issuance reserve and fund balance policies, continue the use of technology for financial management, and expand its partnership with the clerk’s office. The complete report is available online at www. mypalmbeachclerk.com.
Measles:
What Parents Need to Know Presented by:
Julie A. Konowitz-Sirkin, M.D. Board Certified Pediatrician Please join us for this important presentation to get answers to your questions about measles and the measles vaccine. Dr. Konowitz will discuss the risks, myths and recommendations for protecting your children from this disease. Background • Symptoms • Risks and Complications Transmission and Outbreaks • Measles Vaccine
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 • 10:00 a.m. Bethesda Hospital West, Classroom A 9655 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach Kids welcome. Snacks will be served.
Tour Bethesda’s Pediatric Emergency Room following the presentation. Seating is limited, please RSVP:
(561) 737-7733, ext. 84405 or register online at www.BethesdaWeb.com
Great for expectant and new parents, grandparents, anyone who helps care for kids!
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May 8 - May 14, 2015
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OUR OPINION
Open Communication Will Keep Unrest From Flaring Up Here
In the wake of civil unrest in Baltimore over the past few weeks — on the heels of similar unrest in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson last summer — there have been a multitude of questions in residential areas large and small, urban and rural, about the likelihood of such unrest taking place in other communities across the nation. This is not the first, nor will it be the last time residents of communities from the smallest village to the largest metropolis ponder these issues. A brief snapshot of the past 50 years shows this to be true: whether the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles (1992), shootings on the campus of Kent State University (1970), the turmoil that destroyed downtown Detroit (1967), the post-Stanley Cup loss riots in Vancouver (2011), or countless other events, there has been a patchwork of upheaval which can make civilized society turn its collective head and wonder whether the world has gone to hell in a handbasket. Residents in Palm Beach County are among those asking these questions, but the makeup of our region seems to suggest such a situation would be fairly unlikely. While there have been protests against law enforcement here in Palm Beach County, and there will almost certainly be in the future, those protests have not devolved into destructive riots. In general, we don’t face nearly the levels of poverty and despair that comprise the demographics of inner city Baltimore or Los Angeles. More importantly, disagreements with law enforcement tend to be incidental, not systemic. That doesn’t mean there aren’t concerns on the local circuit. Since 2000, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office deputies have shot and killed 45 people; another 38 have been wounded. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his investigators found nothing wrong in all but one of the fatal shootings. There is a perception that after the shootings take place, the sheriff is quick to defend his
personnel, sometimes even before a report has been published — or in some cases, filed by the officer in question. While we in the media understand this tactic — and, indeed, when it comes to story deadlines, having quick quotes and details certainly helps in the process — if it comes at the risk of inaccurate or outright conflicting information, it leads to suspicion of the powers that be. An element of trust is crucial in any relationship, and once that trust is violated, the relationship can be ruined. To this end, the PBSO announced Tuesday that it would have an independent agency review its internal affairs investigations, to ensure the PBSO is complying with required law enforcement practices and procedures. This is one of three steps Bradshaw announced as part of a “partnership plan” with the community to ensure transparency and increased community engagement with law enforcement. In addition, the office is working to improve and enhance internal reporting procedures to provide greater accountability, and is in the process of launching regional citizen advisory meetings to better engage the community and have a stronger dialogue about local and regional issues. The goal of these meetings, according to Bradshaw, is to provide greater input from community leaders in all parts of the county about ways his office and the community can better join together to address issues that lead to crime, and ways to work together to enhance community policing efforts. While it may look at face value like a public relations move, given the increased scrutiny law enforcement officials have been under the past 12 months, we believe Bradshaw’s acceptance of increased transparency makes good political and community sense. The best way of handling a potential uprising is to prevent it from happening in the first place, through sound practices and open communication.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR K-Park: Good Decision, Now What?
I applaud the recent Wellington Village Council decision to reject all the developer plans for the K-Park property. Wellington does not need more condos, townhomes or apartments. We have plenty already and many more are on the way. I am sure the money dangled by the developers was enticing, but the council did a good deal of due diligence and acted accordingly. I can understand Mayor Bob Margolis’ sentiment in stating that he wants it to remain a park, having served with him on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board when we fought so hard to acquire the property and forward it for use as a recreation property.
We felt strongly that we owed it to the citizens to keep our word. But things change, and I am willing to listen to alternatives. First, this is a signature piece of property that has long-term consequences to its use. It needs to be a signature piece of development or a first-class project that will continue to keep Wellington a community of the first order, and be a positive for its residents to use and be proud of. To his credit, Village Manager Paul Schofield did a leisure services survey that did assess future needs and current facilities for each sport and activity. In most cases, Wellington came back in good shape except for soccer and lacrosse activities, which have grown exponentially and are in need of more fields and space. So, dedicate much of K-Park
to a new facility for soccer or lacrosse, just make it a first-class facility so that youth tournaments are drawn to our location, as the huge money makers that they are, and the community benefits from the cash inflow, and our own programs flourish with the influx of talent and cash to assist our programs. If not this, look at first-class projects similar to the Harbourside in Jupiter, Atlantic Avenue in Delray, or the Midtown project in Palm Beach Gardens — something that appeals to the young and middle-age adult, which is sadly lacking in Wellington. Please think outside of the box and think signature project that is inclusive to our adult residents and sets our community apart from the others. Steve Haughn Wellington
Charter School Failures Rewarded
One of Palm Beach County’s top-rated charter schools, the G-Star School of the Arts, has had a dwindling bank account since 2011 and the district auditors cited “financial woes.” Yet they still got reduced bonds, despite financial failure. Palm Beach County has the most failed for-profit charter schools in Florida. It was reported that many charter schools got tax subsidies and use of public property/land, but failed within two years and were closed. Concurrently, a charter school in the Ag Reserve got the OK, despite overwhelming residential opposition. However, ignoring statistics
and morals, tax dollars are again diverted from our public school funds directly into these failing private businesses. Someone’s getting richer! Private schools have been around a long time, and everyone understood that when your kids attended, you paid for this privilege. Renaming them “charter schools,” denigrating and
defunding public schools, offering a very weak voucher program and robbing our tax dollars from public schools to subsidize these for-profit businesses gave the greedy another way to fund their kids’ private school education with our tax money. Jude Smallwood The Acreage
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OPINION
Auction Mania: $137,000 Is A Cool Return On A $20 Investment Math was never my favorite subject in school. So when you buy something for $20 and sell it for $137,000, I can’t figure out what the true profit margin is. Well, let’s see. This gentleman, surely my new hero, named
Footloose and... By Jules W. Rabin
James Tumblin, worked in the hair and makeup department at Universal Studios in the early 1960s. That’s when he decided to buy a dress worn by actress Vivian Leigh in the movie Gone With The Wind — for just $20.
Tumblin recently sold the gown, through Heritage Auctions, for $137,000! Tumblin is reputed to have collected many hundreds of items related to the movie over the ensuing years. A portion of
his treasures were shown at the North Carolina Museum of History in 2012. Goodness knows what valuable Gone With The Wind piece of history will go on the auction block next. The recent gold mine auction
for Tumblin had some 150 items on sale. Imagine what you and I missed out on! By the way, Ms. Leigh (as Scarlett O’Hara) wore the aforementioned dress in a paltry four scenes in the famous flick.
“People are known to linger outside,” he said. Drahos also asked if the added restaurant would be affiliated with the theater, and Millar said that it would not, but a restaurant inside the theater would be available for takeout food. “We’re going for an upscale feel with reclining seats and the ability to get food outside other than popcorn,” Millar said. Drahos said he hoped that the theater would create more com-
munity appeal for the mall. “If there has ever been a complaint about the mall it is that residents don’t feel like it is part of the community,” Drahos said. Millar said that the mall does want to engage with the community more. “That was something the previous owner chose not to do,” he said. “We would love to embrace the community.” Drahos made a motion to recommend approval of the variance, which carried 5-0.
Applications can be submitted directly to Rotary District 6930, however, a local club interview and endorsement is strongly encouraged. The formal applications for Wellington Rotary Club review and endorsement are due no later than May 15. To learn more about the program, applicants are encouraged to visit the Rotary Peace Centers web site at www.rotary.org/rotarycenters. Interested local applicants are invited to contact Noel Guillama at (561) 713-3895 or nguillama@ gmail.com.
ings, offers equestrians a unique opportunity to experience nine distinct local ecosystems: basin marsh, depression marsh, dome swamp, hydric hammock, lakes and ponds, mesic flatwoods, prairie hammock, wet flatwoods and wet prairie. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place south of the entrance to the Water Utilities Department’s administrative complex at the intersection of the equestrian trail and the service road adjacent to the cul-de-sac. This area is located southwest of the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Guests should enter the park at 7500 Forest Hill Blvd. and follow the road past the open riding area to the cul-de-sac. Guests with trailers should park at the open riding area and then converge at the trail intersection south of the cul-de-sac. The trails are open daily from sunrise to one hour before sunset. There is no charge to use the trails. Visitors are advised to adhere to the posted rules. Okeeheelee Park and Jim Brandon Equestrian Center are operated by the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department. For more info., visit www.pbcparks.com.
NEWS Theater
Zoners OK Movies At The Mall
continued from page 1 26 movie screens. “We’re using a fraction of the approved number,” Strich said. PZA Board Member Paul Adams asked what provisions are being made for security, and Strich
said they will enhance its existing technical monitoring with private security and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies, who have an almost continuous presence at the mall. “I am concerned that this may become a target,” Adams said, pointing out that heavy attendance could make it attractive for criminals, or perhaps even terrorists. Strich said mall employees go through periodic training for security, and pointed out that he
was at Woodfield Mall in Illinois during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. “It changed our view of public safety,” Strich said. “We need to adjust, and I feel we have that capability.” PZA Board Member George Unger suggested looking at other theaters in the area, including the Regal Cinemas in Royal Palm Beach, which has had security issues with car burglaries and other disturbances. He suggested
having a full-time deputy at the new theater. PZA Board Chair Carol Coleman asked if the added restaurant would detract from other restaurants nearby, and Strich said he received a lot of interest from other restaurants that were interested in locating near the theater, because theaters tend to attract a restaurant-friendly clientele. PZA Board Member Michael Drahos suggested that lighting outside the area be enhanced.
NEWS BRIEFS Cultural Diversity Day May 9 In RPB
Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will host their annual Cultural Diversity Day celebration on Saturday, May 9 from 1 p.m. to sundown with show time at 3 p.m. The event will take place at Veterans Park, located at the corner of Sparrow Drive and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. The event will be a great opportunity to celebrate, share and enjoy the food, arts, entertainment and cultural programs of diverse communities. There will be exciting performances from local and international artists. Food, artwork, international music, sports and dancing will be featured, including entertainment for children. Community organizations and civic groups are encouraged to participate in this free event, which is sponsored by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. For more information, and registration for a display booth, call Event Chair Elet Cyris at (561)
791-9087 or Ernest Garvey at (561) 676-5664.
Transportation Services Job Fair May 14
The School District of Palm Beach County’s Transportation Services Department will hold a job fair in West Palm Beach on Thursday, May 14 to hire drivers to transport approximately 58,000 students each day to Palm Beach County schools. The job fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 14 at the Central Transportation Facility, Safety/Training Section, 3376 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. Applicants must meet the following requirements: be a safe, licensed driver for five years; have an excellent driving record; pass the Florida Department of Transportation physical examination; pass the bus driver training course; communicate effectively in English; and enjoy working with students. The school district offers excellent benefits, competitive pay and health insurance. The district also offers free Commercial Driving
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License (CDL) training for those who qualify. To learn more about the Transportation Services job fair, call (561) 242-6515 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Rotary Seeks Future Leaders For Peace Fellowship
While the world hopes for peace, Rotary International is working to make it a reality by training the next generation of peace leaders. The Rotary Club of Wellington is now recruiting for the Rotary Peace Fellowship, a program that gives up to 100 fellows the opportunity to obtain professional development certificates or master’s degrees in peace and conflict resolution. “Today, there are still far too few mediators who are experienced practitioners in conflict resolution. There is an urgent need to produce another generation of people who can play a mediating role in the future,” said Professor Paul Rogers of the University of
BARRY S. MANNING Publisher JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher
Bradford. “This program is the most significant development in graduate work in conflict resolution in decades.” Launched in 2002, the Peace Fellowship program provides academic and practical training to prepare scholars for leadership roles in solving conflicts around the world. Up to 100 fellows are selected every year in a globally competitive process based on personal, academic and professional achievements. Fellows embark on one to two years of study to earn a master’s-level degree or a threemonth professional development certificate in peace and conflict studies at one of six Rotary Peace Centers at leading universities in Australia, England, Japan, Sweden, the United States and Thailand. “I encourage every eligible Wellington candidate to consider this Rotary program, with the opportunity to study abroad and achieve a needed skill that will provide you with many opportunities to continue the much-needed work in conflict resolution and multicultural understanding with a view to promoting world peace,” Wellington Rotary Club President Tom Neumann said.
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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
New Equestrian Trails To Open At Okeeheelee
At 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, Palm Beach County will officially open more than nine miles of equestrian trails in Okeeheelee Park, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by County Commissioner Paulette Burdick. Development of the trails included extensive removal of exotic vegetation. The resulting scenic system of equestrian trails, winding through hundreds of acres of natural, picturesque surround-
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NEWS
ROYAL PALM YOUNG AT HEART CLUB MEMBERS CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO
Royal Palm Beach Young at Heart members celebrated Cinco de Mayo a bit early on Friday, May 1 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Lunch was provided by Joshua’s Catering. The Voces de Americas Mariachi Band provided the entertainment. For more information about the Young at Heart Club, call Jeanine Delgardio at (561) 790-5189 or e-mail jdelgardio@royalpalmbeach.com.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Leona McCauley, Rose Zexter and Peggy Geores.
Steven Massey, mom Marie Massey and Roseann Shea.
Club President Margie Bonner with Al Magersuppe.
Roberta Hennessy, Mary Ann Robinson and Lee Messina of the decorating committee.
Mariachi players Marco Sanchez Jr. and Marco Sanchez Sr. with Margaret Ramirez.
Dolores Valentine and Linda Isaacs.
Voces de Americas Mariachi Band with trumpet player Edwin Ubarte.
Victoria Lang and Phyllis Katz.
WELLINGTON GARDEN CLUB PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS, INSTALLS OFFICERS
The Wellington Garden Club held its spring luncheon and new officer installation on Monday, May 4 at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club. Also at the luncheon, scholarships were presented to those studying horticulture and environmentally friendly fields. For more information, visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
Garden Club President Twig Morris and Scholarship Chairman John Siena with Ruth Rhodes, Bryan Wackes, Yan Ortiz, Lisa Ferrano and Toni Riebe.
Luncheon co-chairs Candace Abdella and Donna Guibord.
Kathy Siena presents Emilie Palmieri with a book.
New board members Barbara Hadsell, Carol Coleman, Doreen Baxter, Linda Motzer, Kathy Siena, Bobbi Ziegler, Silvia Chestnut Evans and Danese Sloan Kendall.
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CRIME NEWS
Landscaping Truck Stolen From Home In The Acreage
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report APRIL 30 — A deputy from the Acreage/Loxahatchee substation of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was called to 62nd Court North in The Acreage early last Thursday morning regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 2:45 and 3 a.m., the victim heard his dogs barking and went outside to investigate. When he went outside, his work vehicle, a 2005 Isuzu NPR dump truck, with a trailer containing work equipment, was missing. According to the report, the trailer contained numerous pieces of landscaping equipment valued at more than $13,000. ••• APRIL 28 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to the Super Walmart store on Belvedere Road last Tuesday evening regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, Vernell Owens was observed pushing a shopping cart full of clothing items, a child seat, a bicycle and beer, together valued at $456, out of the store at 7:42 p.m. without paying for the items. According to the report, deputies chased Owens on foot before apprehending him. Owens was taken into custody and arrested for petit theft and resisting an officer. APRIL 29 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was contacted by an Acreage resident last Wednesday afternoon regarding a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, when the victim attempted to get a loan, he was denied because of two outstanding Verizon accounts, with balances of $530 and $2,596, opened in April and October of 2014. The accounts were opened in Georgia without the victim’s knowledge. According to the report, the victim attempted to open an account in October of 2014 and was denied due to an existing account, but did not think to look into the discrepancy. APRIL 29 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was canvassing the parking lot at Palms West Hospital last Wednesday afternoon and noticed suspicious activity. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 7 a.m. and 5:45 p.m., a wheel and tire, valued at $600 were stolen from a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 truck. Fingerprint evidence was collected from the rim of one of the truck wheels. APRIL 30 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was called to a business
on Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves last Thursday morning regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 6:30 p.m. last Wednesday and 8 a.m. last Thursday, someone cut through the chain link wall of a produce business and removed items from a locked cooler and the cash register. According to the report, 10 Red Bull drinks, 20 Monster drinks and $175 cash were removed from the business. MAY 1 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was contacted by a Miami Gardens resident last Friday regarding a case of forgery. According to a PBSO report, the woman noticed that a counterfeit check for $289.31 had been processed against her Space Coast Credit Union account. According to the credit union, the counterfeit check was processed at the Marshalls store on Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach on April 19. MAY 1 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was contacted by a resident of 126th Drive North in The Acreage last Friday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim noticed last Friday afternoon that the decal from her 2003 Ford F-250 truck was missing. MAY 1 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation met with a Royal Palm Beach resident last Friday afternoon regarding a case of credit card fraud. According to a PBSO report, the victim was at Palm Beach International Airport last Friday when her wallet, valued at $300, containing paperwork, credit cards and cash, was either stolen or fell from her purse. When the victim went to cancel her credit cards, she discovered that several had already been used at stores in the Boynton Beach Mall for purchases totaling more than $1,500. MAY 1 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to the Super Walmart store on Belvedere Road last Friday evening regarding a shoplifting incident. According to a PBSO report, between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., Gardy Laguere placed 58 items, valued at $420.81, into a shopping cart before concealing them in Walmart bags that he previously had and walking out of the store. According to the report, he was stopped by a loss prevention officer and later arrested by the PBSO. The merchandise was recovered. MAY 1 — A deputy from the See BLOTTER, page 18
PBSO Seeks Man In Connection With Robbery At 7-Eleven MAY 4 — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding an unknown man who entered the 7-Eleven convenience store on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach on Monday, May 4 at 2:29 a.m. and demanded cash, implying he had a gun. The suspect appears to be in his 20s, 5’6” to 5’8”, with an average build, possibly Hispanic. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS.
The PBSO is seeking information about the man shown here.
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Leonardo Contreras, alias Leonardo Contreras-Morales, is a white male, 6’0” tall and weighing 225 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 06/20/79. Contreras is wanted on felony charges for attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His last known address was Alcazar Street in Royal Palm Beach. He is wanted as of 04/30/15. • Betty Mallory, alias Betty Hill and Betty Davis, is a white female, 5’3” tall and weighing 130 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 02/23/47. Mallory is wanted on felony charges for grand theft from a person 65 years of age or older. Her last known address was Sweetwater Bend in Royal Palm Beach. She is wanted as of 04/30/15. 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.
Leonardo Contreras
Betty Mallory
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 SADD
Safety Day At RPBHS
continued from page 1 looked scared, but nobody says anything. About 10 seconds later, he goes over the curb, head-on straight into another car,” she said. “As a result, the seven of us in the back fly out. The driver and the friend, who are wearing their seat belts, they’re fine — minor injuries. The car we hit had three people all wearing their seat belts — minor injuries. The seven in the back, five are dead, including my twin sister. I am the walking survivor.” There was only one other unbelted survivor. “Maribel — my friend — she’s a quadriplegic,” Slosberg recalled. “She sits in a wheelchair to this day. She can only move her right arm, and she breathes on a respirator. She has not been able to move a leg in the last 19 years.” Immediately after the accident, when Slosberg was in the hospital, torn up, bruised, battered and in more pain than she could ever imagine, the worst part, she said, was not seeing her sister. After writing to her friend, her grandfather, and then her father — she couldn’t talk, she was on a respirator — she was given a newspaper. “So I read in the newspaper that my twin sister is dead,” she said. “Everything changed from that moment. It was so surreal.” In critical condition, Slosberg wasn’t even able to attend her sister’s funeral. “My twin sister will never get to graduate high school, she’ll never get to go to prom, she’ll never get to go to college,” she said. “I’m here to tell you that, in her honor, stuff like this can happen. I’m real. I’m a real person. I’m not made up, I’m not an actress. It happened to me… drive carefully. Wear your seat belts. Don’t text and drive. Don’t drink and drive. Pay attention. If you’re in a car with people and you don’t think it’s cool, speak up and say ‘slow down.’ In a flash, that’s all it takes. One bad decision, one bad choice.” Brian Neal, chairman of Operation Safe Driver (www.operationsafedriver.org) urged students to take Slosberg’s story to heart. “Emily’s story is enough for you to hear about the things related to unsafe behaviors. Seat belts save lives,” he said, before taking the students outside to explore the various demonstrations and activities. Attorneys Scott Murray and Jason Guari, who sponsored Battle of the Belts, moderated an activity
Dumping
Ordinance Approved
continued from page 1 he thought prohibiting dumping where a tipping fee is involved would be effective. He pointed out that mulch grinding for personal use is an agricultural operation, but felt that prohibiting the dumping of material where haulers pay a tipping fee would prevent dumping of material that is considered a nuisance. The ordinance would impose a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, $400 for the third offense and $500 for all additional offenses. The town may also file charges in court for any offense where the penalty would be a fine of $500, imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, or both, for each violation. The town would also recover its costs of prosecution. Mayor Dave Browning said residents had told him about
where students were timed getting into vehicles — donated for the day by Arrigo Dodge — and buckling their seat belts. The students, in groups of four, cycled through each position in the vehicle in a quick race to emphasize just how fast and simple it is to buckle up a seat belt. FedEx drivers came from as far as Tennessee and Kentucky to participate in the day’s activities, Witkowski said. For one of the demonstrations, students climbed up and into a truck and were asked if they could see a car, a minivan and a person’s feet, from various angles. For those 5-foot-5 and shorter, raising the seat height made quite a difference; otherwise, seeing over the wheel 20 feet or less directly ahead was challenging. Students simulated driving while impaired, with “beer goggles” and “high goggles,” as they navigated an obstacle course. Driving golf carts without the goggles first, students were able to notice just how much of an impact driving while impaired made to their accuracy and ability to control the vehicle. Florida Highway Patrol officers talked to the students about safety laws, specifically noting how important it is to slow down and move over a lane for any safety vehicle. FHP Trooper First Class Robert Guzman demonstrated the scales used to weigh trucks and explained some of the unique gear and situations that FHP officers encounter daily. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office taught students about dogs that are used to sniff out contraband. Royal Palm Beach High School was chosen to host the South Palm Beach County Safety Fair after recently finishing in second place nationally for the educational campaign on seat-belt usage. More than 700 students attended the event Wednesday, which Witkowski thought was a great showing of enthusiastic students. “There was a student who just died in a car accident in The Acreage, and we want to educate students so this doesn’t happen again,” she said. “Remember, wear your seat belt. Don’t drive distracted, which means eating, changing the station, texting and talking on your phone. Be safe, because every life has a meaning.” To join SADD at RPBHS, the first step is to talk to Witkowski. Committing to be alcohol-free and drug-free in high school, and signing a contract, is the second step students must take to join SADD. To learn more, visit www. floridasadd.org. mulching operations going on that involve the use of noisy grinders. “To me, for an agricultural operation to grind it and use it, that’s ag,” Browning said. “To grind it and sell it is commercial.” Solid Waste Authority Executive Director Mark Hammond complimented the council on its action and pointed out that there are laws in existence that prohibit the practices that had been described. “This is an important step that you’ve taken,” Hammond said. “Clearly, one of the things is protecting the environment, surface water and ground water, and reducing the nuisance activities.” Hammond offered for the town to use the SWA as a resource for further development of regulations, and urged the town to report any materials that they consider unacceptable, explaining that two Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies are trained and available to enforce dumping violations.
Hundreds of students participated in the SADD Safety Day event at Royal Palm Beach High School.
PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
Attorneys Scott Murray and Jason Guari with RPBHS SADD sponsor Maureen Witkowski.
Sierra Arriaga, wearing “day-drunk goggles,” drives through an obstacle course with Dan Rhoden from FedEx.
Conway’s Paul Agostin, FedEx’s Andy Bryant, Public’s Larry Ahern, and FedEx’s Wayne Crowder, David Magee, Tommy Triplett, Brian Neal and Brooks Washburn.
Sponsor Jason Guari with students Patricio Gonzalez, Kymani Durrant, Andrew Nutall and Randy Johnson.
Vice Mayor Ron Jarriel asked whether the deputies could investigate several properties that have been specifically identified by the town. Hammond said that they could investigate the sites, and the owners could be cited for already existing violations. “If somebody does something illegal already, it doesn’t mean they get a pass,” he said. “It is illegal for any of those activities to take place.” Councilman Ryan Liang made a motion to approve the ordinance with a tipping fee prohibition, and it carried unanimously. In other business: • The council approved the first reading of an ordinance changing the terms of Planning & Zoning Board members from three years to one. Town Attorney Michael Cirullo said the change would make the length of terms the same as those for members of other advisory committees. Planning & Zoning Board Chair
Dennis Lipp said he hoped there would be few changes on the panel due to the historical knowledge of the board. The ordinance passed unanimously. • The council approved the engagement of its engineer, Keshavarz & Associates, at a cost of $154,500, to commence with B Road improvements associated with the development of property including the Palm Beach State College campus and a commercial parcel on the west side, and commercial property on the east side. The town will use more than $1 million in funds provided by the three developing parties to pave the road, which includes asphalt paving from Southern Blvd. to the college entrance on B Road, and open-graded emulsified mix (OGEM) from the college entrance to Okeechobee Blvd. Liang made a motion to approve the contract, which carried 4-0. Goltzené recused himself due to work he is doing with one of the developers.
• The council approved a motion to authorize a letter to Palm Beach County requesting that Folsom Road be withdrawn from the thoroughfare map in order to move ahead with traffic calming and other safety devices. Browning explained that some residents had met with Commissioner Melissa McKinlay asking for traffic calming. “The county is saying that they will pay for it, as well as a traffic light at Folsom and Okeechobee,” he said. Liang made a motion to approve the letter, which carried 5-0. • The council postponed a hearing on the possible forfeiture of office by Liang, who had pled guilty to disturbing spiny lobster traps in 2001 in Key West. Underwood explained that the attorney for Keith Harris, who had filed complaints against Liang, was out of town, and Liang’s attorney did not object to the postponement. Harris narrowly lost the election for Seat 3 to Liang in March.
• During his manager’s report, Underwood announced that the town engineer had been able to get 162 of 212 homes out of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood plain using light detection and ranging (LIDAR) aerial laser scanning, and asked the council for piggyback funding the next time the county conducts a flyover to locate other homes that might be exempt. Underwood added that the new town hall offices at Southern Blvd. and F Road are open and functioning, and he hopes to hold June’s second council meeting at that location. He also noted that town staff is working with the PBSO to establish a Citizen Observer Patrol (COP) division for the town. They are looking for 30 volunteers to participate in the program. • The council agreed to a joint workshop with the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District on Tuesday, June 16 at 6 p.m. to discuss the development of equestrian trails.
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May 8 - May 14, 2015
USPS Food Drive May 9
Stamp Out Hunger — the nation’s largest one-day food drive — will be held Saturday, May 9. The United States Postal Service encourages customers to place a sturdy bag containing non-perishable food next to their mailboxes prior to regular mail delivery on May 9. Letter carriers will collect the food, which will be donated to local food banks. “For more than two decades, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Postal Service have worked together to stamp out hunger in America. This year, we’ll come together once again to help feed families in need,” Postmaster General Megan Brennan said. Approximately 50 million people face hunger every day in the United States, including almost 17 million children. Stamp Out Hunger has collected more than one billion pounds of food since the annual drive began in 1993. In addition to the National Association of Letter Carriers and the USPS, sponsors include the National Rural Letter Car-
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NEWS BRIEFS riers’ Association and Feeding America, a national network of food banks. For more information, visit www.nalc.org/food.
Programs Manager Michelle Garvey at (561) 791-4082.
Wellington Seeks Young Student Artists
Frontier Elementary School will hold its second STEM Night on Wednesday, May 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. Twenty hands-on STEM activities will be offered to all students free, provided by the South Florida Science Center & Aquarium. Also, Frontier will be holding its annual Kindergarten Roundup on Wednesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 7 p.m. Frontier is located at 6701 180th Avenue North. For more info., call (561) 904-9900.
tal Shredding from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue will be on hand to show off some of its equipment. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The club is seeking a minimum donation of $5 for a letter-sized box and $10 for a legal-sized box. It’s the perfect time to go through personal papers that need to be disposed of after tax season, while also helping to support a worthy cause. For more information about the event, contact Bob Salerno at (561) 512-8247 or bobultracleaners@ gmail.com.
Rotary Club Shredding Event Set For May 16
Kindergarten Roundup At Lox Groves El
There is a new opportunity for young Wellington artists to see their creations on public display. Wellington is once again teaming up with the Wellington Art Society for the Student Art Program, which puts youth artwork on display at the Village Park gymnasium. Elementary school students who either live in Wellington or attend a Wellington school are invited to deliver their original framed works of art to Village Park at 11700 Pierson Road on Wednesday, May 13, between 4 and 6 p.m. The exhibit will open on Monday, May 18. The artwork will be on display during a four-month rotation, ending in September 2015. Information and entry forms with program dates and guidelines are available from Community
Two Events At Frontier May 13
The Wellington Rotary Club will host a paper shredding fundraiser on Saturday, May 16 to help support the club’s charities and scholarships. The club will sponsor the shredding event in conjunction with To-
Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School will host Kindergarten Roundups on Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, May 13 at 8:15 a.m. in the school cafeteria. For more information, call (561) 904-9200.
South Florida Fair Golf Tournament
The South Florida Fair’s John Picano Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament will take place at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club on Friday, June 26, starting at 11:30 a.m. The event will benefit the South Florida Fair Scholarship Fund. For more information, call Lorie Stinson at (561) 790-5245 or e-mail lorie@ southfloridafair.com.
Filmmaking Camp Starts On June 8
Filmmaking Camp 2015, an 8-week workshop for children ages 12 to 18, will be offered at #1 Education Place in Wellington starting June 8. Participants will create their own short films and have access to professional camcorders and editing software. The hands-on workshop will meet Monday through Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. Featuring a comprehensive approach to the elements of film-
making, the workshop will include instruction and practice in acting, cinematography, directing, editing, sound and scriptwriting. The instructor, Marc Linden, has more than 30 years of filmmaking/ teaching experience. No previous knowledge of filmmaking is required. Enrollment is limited, and early registration is encouraged. For more information, call Linden at (561) 200-0888 or e-mail marclinden88@gmail.com. Additional information is available online at www.1educationplace. com/edu/filmmaking-camp. #1 Education Place is located in the original Wellington Mall at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 23.
Super Mommas Club A New Support Site
The Super Mommas Club is a new online community and web site for single mothers. The organization, based in West Palm Beach, recently began offering webinars, Skype calls, videos, articles and blogs to help support single mothers. For more information, visit www.supermommasclub.com.
By Amanda Haar, RD, LD/N
The Wellness Center at Ultima Fitness
Reach Your Goals One Bite at a Time Do you want to feel good and look great at every age? I do! We haven’t found the Fountain of Youth yet, but thankfully, through research, we’ve been learning amazing things that food can do for our bodies! Consuming enough Vitamin A makes your skin more radiant, calcium and Vitamin D help keep our bones from getting brittle, and Vitamin E protects against effects of the sun. This all sounds great, but how can you make sure you get the right amount of these vitamins and minerals? Through balanced meal planning, smart shopping and healthy cooking methods. We have a fast-paced, temptation rich world, but once
you have the tools and support to overcome your barriers, you will certainly reach your goals. If you would like an engaging, fun and motivating program to help you make the changes you want to see and feel, consider our upcoming Nutrition Boot Camp 4-Week Program in partnership with Whole Foods Wellington, starting May 19. I’ll let you in on “secrets of a dietitian” and help you prepare for your best self! For more information or to register for Nutrition Boot Camp, please call 561-795-2823, email our Wellness Director Lynette@UltimaFitness.com or stop by The Wellness Center at Ultima Fitness 12799 W. Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington.
Health Coaching • Acupuncture • Weight Management• Workshops & Lectures Therapeutic Massage • Corporate Wellness Programs
A FIVE STAR INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY
Soaking up some sun by the pool … sinking a putt on the putting green … lazing at the lakeside gazebo. That’s the sun-loving (and fun-loving!) Fountainview senior lifestyle. It’s like your own private oasis in the heart of West Palm Beach – filled with fine dining, entertainment and plenty of classes, clubs and activities. Yet cultural attractions, world class shopping and dining are always nearby.
Discover Your Place in the Sun! • Daily chef-prepared meals • Weekly live entertainment • Clubhouse, heated pool, hot tub and gazebo • On-site pharmacy services, groceries and personal shopping • Fitness and aquatic programs • Spacious rental apartments (furnished short-term units available) • Large theatre/auditorium • Weekly housekeeping • On-site healthcare services
Fun in the Sun 111 Executive Center Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561-697-5500 • www.FountainviewRetirement.com
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Page 9
NEWS
WOMEN’S CLUB HOSTS FASHION SHOW BRUNCH AT THE WANDERERS CLUB
The Women of the Western Communities presented “Simply Chic: An Afternoon of Fashion” on Sunday, May 3 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. Dress Barn in Royal Palm Beach provided three outfits for each of the six models, while Visions Salon provided hair and makeup. There was a wonderful brunch, a large silent auction and a Chinese auction. Money raised will go toward scholarships. For more information about the club, e-mail Mair Armand at mair@wwc-fl.com or call (561) 635-0011. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Board members with master of ceremonies Jay Cashmere.
Allyson Samiljan and Lynda Chicano look over auction items.
Lisa Schwartz during the fashion show.
Fashion show coordinator Terri Priore with Marie Priore.
Jo Cudnik, Marge Specht and Betsy Carroll.
Stylists Andrea Match, Shereen Aziz and Ashley Smith with Rose Allen of Dress Barn and models Deena Rubio, Kerriann Spratt, Lisa Schwatz, Donna Kuebler, Marissa Priore and Sky Skeel.
Joan Iadaresta and Mary Rowe.
Marissa Priore on the runway.
RIVERWALK TOASTMASTERS CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY WITH OPEN HOUSE
The Riverwalk Toastmasters Club 8664 celebrated its 12th anniversary on Thursday, April 29 at the Royal Palm Beach Fire Station. The guest speaker was author Pamela Toussaint, who spoke about personal branding. The club meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Fire Station. For more info., visit http://riverwalk.toastmastersclubs.org. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Koffi Ahlijah presents Will Neder with the Competent Communicator award.
Lynette Rainey and Ken Kline.
Lisa Calloway and Cindy Beckles.
Secretary Will Neder, Vice President Cindy Beckles, David Moore, guest speaker Pamela Toussaint, Rachid Boukrim and President Koffi Ahlijah.
The Village Patriot Wellington News You Can Use Informative, Educational, Inspirational, Truthful, Fearless and Provocative
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PALMS WEST PEOPLE
Annual Philippine Summer Festival Returns To The Fairgrounds On June 6 The public is invited to attend the 16th annual Philippine Summer Festival, hosted by the Philippine American Society (PAS) of Palm Beach County, on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival will be held indoors at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Enter through Gate 8. This year’s festival, with a theme of “Filipiana,” is dedicated to providing scholarships to deserving local Filipino students and to financially support the creation of a much-needed Mission Hospital in Pambujan, Northern Samar — one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. The opening ceremony will kick off at 10 a.m. with a traditional Catholic Filipino mass delivered in Tagalog, the native language of the Philippines. Festival attendees
can see cultural shows, traditional dancing demonstrations and heritage clothing worn by local Filipinos. Guests can taste authentic cuisine, listen to Filipino music, and hear speeches about the country’s culture. Children can participate in traditional Filipino games. Admission is $8 per person, with children ages 7 and under admitted free. Filipinos around the world will celebrate the country’s Independence Day six days after the festival on June 12. This year’s festival once again gives recognition to this important part of the Philippines’ history. Vendors and sponsors for this year’s festival are still welcome, and sponsorship information can be obtained by contacting Mercy
Mercy Abellana, JoJo Bendico and Marlyn Sepanik at the 2014 festival. Abellana at (561) 315-2316. For information about the festival, contact Marlyn Sepanik at
(561) 289-0837, Christina Regino at (561) 723-9323 or Conchita Mateo at (561) 386-1209.
Brock On USEF Observation Squad Grand Prix dressage rider Allison Brock has been named to the United States Equestrian Federation’s 2015 Pan American Games European CDI Observation Event Squad. As one of eight horse and rider combinations, Brock — along with Claudine and Fritz Kundrun’s Rosevelt — will compete in designated European CDI Observation events at the Grand Prix level. The results will help determine the members of Team USA for the Pan American Games to be held July 10-26 in Toronto, Canada. Brock, a USDF Gold and Silver medalist based out of Wellington and Keswick, Va., will be joined by top dressage riders Steffen Peters, Kathleen Raine, Kim Her-
slow, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, Sabine Schut-Kery and Kasey Perry to vie for places on the team. While competing in Europe, Brock said she will focus on keeping the 13-year-old Hanoverian stallion Rosevelt happy with his job while riding as powerfully and cleanly as possible. She relies on products from World Equestrian Brands to help her achieve her goals. “I use an Amerigo Classic Dressage saddle, a Mattes girth, a Mattes correction pad and Mattes saddle pads — all from World Equestrian Brands,” she said. For more information about World Equestrian Brands visit www.worldequestrianbrands.com or call (888) 637-8463.
May 8 - May 14, 2015
Page 13
Poole Receives Leadership Award
Leadership Palm Beach County has given its 2015 Leadership Excellence Award to Michele Poole. Poole, a 2014 LPBC graduate, received the award Friday, April 24 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach in front of more than 300 alumni, sponsors and other supporters of LPBC who came together to honor and celebrate the work being done to make Palm Beach County a better community. Poole was one of five Leadership Excellence Award finalists. She stood out for her work as a passionate advocate for children. About 21 years ago, Poole found out that her son had shaken one of his twin infant daughters so hard that the baby developed permanent, severe brain damage attributed to Shaken Baby Syndrome. She fought for and was awarded permanent custody of her two granddaughters. Since then, she has been a passionate advocate for children and sits on the board of the National Center on Shaken Baby Prevention. Through that organization, she crafted legislation in 25 states to mandate Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention ma-
Michele Poole terials for all newborns and raised money to have the prevention program translated into 11 languages. As president of Arc Florida, she helped to craft legislation providing relief for people with developmental disabilities from laws that prohibit their ability to earn money and not lose their benefits. The bill, known as the Able Act, was recently signed into law by President Barack Obama and is touted as the single biggest reform since the ADA.
RPBHS DANCE TEAM HOSTS SPRING SHOW
McKinlay Named NACo Rep
Allison Brock and Rosevelt have been named to the USE 2015 Pan American Games European CDI Observation Event Squad.
PHOTO COURTESY ROBIN MOORE
Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay has been named the South Region representative of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Next Generation Network. NextGen provides a forum for young county officials to network and help develop a new generation of NACo leaders. The network identifies and serves the unique educational and professional development needs of young officials and draws on their talent and ex-
pertise to form NACo’s strategic plan and programs and services for the future. “I look forward to representing the next generation of elected leaders throughout the southern region of the United States and NACo,” McKinlay said. “It is important that we work together to develop our potential as the new leaders of tomorrow.” The NACo represents 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs throughout the United States.
The Royal Palm Beach Dancers and the Wildcat Dancers Dance Team performed their spring show, “RPB: The Musical,” on April 30 at the Royal Palm Beach High School auditorium. The show was based on songs from classic stage and movie musicals, with artistic and choreography by teacher Michele Blecher. This was the first time that tap dancing was introduced into the show. It took place in the opening number, “Be Our Guest,” performed by the Wildcat Dancers Dance Team. This routine also included a waltz, hip-hop, contemporary dance and a rotating kick line. The show featured a variety of dance routines from tap, jazz, contemporary and musical theater. The 24 dance routines also included a senior spotlight, where several graduating seniors from RPBHS performed their senior projects, a self-choreographed solo or duet.
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May 8 - May 14, 2015
Joshua Marker Set To Graduate From RPBHS And Palm Beach State
Joshua Marker
Royal Palm Beach High School senior Joshua Marker will graduate from Palm Beach State College before his graduation from high school. Marker participated in the dual enrollment program, and with his associate’s degree from PBSC, he is on his way to fulfilling his career goal of becoming an electrical engineer. Also an Eagle Scout, Marker’s service project focused on beautifying the Stations of the Cross at his church. He is employed as a math tutor at PBSC’s Learning Center and plans to attend Florida Atlantic University in the fall.
Rebecca Stanek Chosen For FPL STEM Externship Royal Palm Beach High School science teacher Rebecca Stanek has been selected by NextEra Energy for its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) paid externship, which will take place over four weeks this summer within the FPL Environmental Services group and will involve working on the manatee
viewing center project. “The goal is to give teachers real-world experience in STEM-related industries and businesses, take their experiences back to the classroom, and inspire students to continue their study in STEM subjects,” explained Nancy Kinard, the school district’s K-12 STEM curriculum manager.
Amanda Ng Creates Dress For Earth Day Crestwood Middle School art student Amanda Ng, 12, created a dress out of recycled cereal boxes for a school Earth Day project and was asked to model it at the Earth Day ECO Fashion in Orlando. Jerianne Johnston taught the children how important it was to recycle and that just about anything can be reused. Ng’s brother, Alex, created a water bottle trash can last year, and she wanted to be more creative and fun with her project. As a pageant queen who has also participated in many community service pageants, Ng wanted to make something she could share with her sister queens and really get the word out. She asked friends and family to donate used cereal boxes and created the dress. She is now working on her next project for
Amanda Ng in her dress. the Models for Miracles pageant in June benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. She is looking for donations of used Starbucks cups and coffee bags.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Husted Wins Big In ‘Hawks Soaring’ Program
Now in its second year, the Seminole Ridge High School “Hawks Soaring” program once again provided one surprised student with a $500 voucher good toward a class ring. The program, created by the school’s climate committee, is designed to produce positive effects campus wide. Committee members believe that Hawk students should be recognized and rewarded for their unprompted good actions in and out of the classroom. This year, those actions earned students school spirit dog tags throughout the year, and each nominated student was eligible for the end-of-the-year grand prize drawing. Nominated by psychology teacher Rebecca Bush and chosen at random, Hawk junior Cheyenne Husted received the program’s grand prize, presented by Joe Griffin of class ring provider Herff Jones, in a surprise ceremony at lunch. “I had no idea this was happening,” Husted said. “My mom had said something to me about a surprise, but I had no clue, and when we went in to the cafeteria, she said ‘Let’s get something from
the vending machine.’ Then I saw the rest of my family walk out.” Husted says she was nominated because, “I finished my FLVS class really quick — the first semester of the class is online — and when I was done, I just went around and helped everyone else out with it however I could.” Decision Day: Where Will Hawks Attend College? — May 1 was a big day in the college admissions process, across Florida and across the nation. That was the day by which seniors nationwide declare what they want to do with their futures and decide where they will go after high school. Seminole Ridge, along with many other state high schools, took part in Florida’s inaugural College Decision Day, congratulating the Class of 2015 in making this important decision to achieve greatness via college, trade school or the armed forces. Principal James Campbell was pleased that many Hawk seniors participated. “We were excited to be a part of College Decision Day and to provide the Class of 2015 a collective opportunity to show pride in their college choices,” he said. “Through their participation,
Cheyenne Husted with mother Barbara Grabbe, stepfather John Grabbe, sister Brittany, stepmother Amy and father Jon Husted. our seniors helped to reinforce Seminole Ridge’s goal of making all our Hawks college and career ready.” College Decision Day seniors, wearing their college shirts, signed a banner declaring their decisions for their futures, then received stickers to wear with pride. Thespians Choose Officers — The SRHS chapter of the In-
ternational Thespian Society has chosen its officers for the coming school year. Please congratulate Kyle Schneider, president; Julie Weber, vice president and activities chair; Jessica Quiggle, secretary; Rowan Pelfrey, treasurer; Amber LeBrun, historian and tech liaison; and Hannah McLeod, house manager and public relations officer.
County Students Excel At State Science Fair
Nearly half of the students representing Palm Beach County earned top awards at the 2015 State Science & Engineering Fair, and five students from district-operated schools are among the eight top winners who will head to international competition next month. A total of 38 students represented the Palm Beach Region at the State Science & Engineering Fair, held March 31 through April 2 in Lakeland. The students qualified for the state competition at the Palm Beach Regional Science & Engineering Fair in December. “Their projects covered many areas of scientific investigation in the physical and biological sciences,” School District Science Program Planner Greg Goebel said. Robert Halfon, Maria Elena Grimmett, Amy Polen, Anthony Olive, Alexander Naum, Michelle Moore, Sean Elia and Lila Mish have been invited to represent Palm Beach County at the 2015 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). This year’s ISEF will be held from May 10 to May 15 in Pittsburgh. The 31 winners from Palm
Beach County are divided into junior and a senior divisions. The junior division winners, students in grades six through eight, are: first place and grand award, Hannah Herbst, A.D. Henderson University School; first place, Jacques Coury, Bak Middle School of the Arts; second place, Anam Ahmed, Loggers’ Run Middle School; second place, Alyssa Alvarez, A.D. Henderson University School; second place, Alexis Base, A.D. Henderson University School; third place, Karen Copeland, Bak Middle School of the Arts; third place, Cassandra Messinger, St. Mark’s Episcopal School; fourth place, Daniell Perez, A.D. Henderson University School; fourth place, Glenn Grimmett, the Weiss School; honorable mention, Tesla Radulovic, Loggers’ Run Middle School; honorable mention, Charlotte Justak, the Weiss School; recognition award, Mason Pallatto, Jupiter Middle School of Technology. Senior division winners, from grades nine through 12, are: first place and grand award, Robert Halfon, American Heritage School
Palm Beach County students did well at the State Science Fair. of Boca/Delray; first place, Maria Elena Grimmett, Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches; second place, Amy Polen, Palm Beach Central High School; third place, Anthony Olive, Palm Beach Central High School; third place, Alexander Naum, Palm Beach Central High School; third place, Michelle Moore, Suncoast High School; third place, Sean Elia, Spanish River High School; third place, Lila Mish, American Heritage School of Boca/Delray; fourth place, Paulina Scarlata, Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts; fourth place, Jacqueline Chen, Suncoast High School; honorable mention:
Christian Coury, Suncoast High School; honorable mention, Will Bertrand, Suncoast High School; honorable mention, Neeraj Patel, Park Vista High School; honorable mention, Carle Dugan, Palm Beach Central High School; honorable mention, Jada Campbell, American Heritage School of Boca/Delray; recognition award, Ashlyn Merchant, Palm Beach Central High School; recognition award, Sarah Rotenberger, Palm Beach Central High School; recognition award, Tristen Wise, Palm Beach Central High School; and special award, Goda Graudinis, Palm Beach Central High School.
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‘Dead City’ Author Visits Polo Park James Ponti, author of Dead City, recently visited Polo Park Middle School in Wellington. Dead City is one of this year’s Sunshine State Young Reader Award books. Ponti spoke to students about the importance of reading, the writing process, and the difference between screenwriting and writing a novel. Ponti wrote for the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, PBS, the History Channel and he currently works for the Golf Channel. There were three scheduled sessions throughout the day and a lunch session. Members of the Million Word Club, Battle of the Books teams, and On a Roll
students were invited to lunch with Ponti. Lunch was from Park Avenue BBQ Grille and included barbecue chicken, potatoes, salad and coleslaw. This author visit was made possible through fundraising efforts in the library media center and through a SAC mini-grant. Every student attending the sessions received a copy of Dead City, which Ponti personally autographed. Many of the students are now reading the sequel Blue Moon, and his third book in the trilogy will be out in October. The participating teachers were Nora Bernstein, Sheryl Beach, Leslie Benhardus and Sandra Hruska.
May 8 - May 14, 2015
SCHOOL NEWS
NEW HORIZONS SECME CREATES CONTRAPTIONS
New Horizons Elementary School’s SECME Club recently participated in the 29th annual “Drop It, Build It, Launch It, Float It, Thrill It” engineering event at the South Florida Science Center. Student participants included Gavin Vollrath, Brunny Joasil, Jake Pizzi, Isel Neira, Sarah Ballard, Isabella Sanchez and Gavin Robbins. They had great time brainstorming and creating various contraptions at each event station. Gavin Vollrath’s egg container won in the “Build It” event by surviving in the 25 to 50 foot drop category. Shown above are event participants with New Horizons SECME alumni Eduardo Sayago and Kayla Schuler.
Author James Ponti signs books for students.
Palm Beach State College Students Win Scholarships From The Cooke Foundation until they could surprise the two students at a meeting with PBSC President Dennis Gallon. They gave each of the winners a bouquet of roses as they told them about the scholarship. “I was very surprised because I thought I was not going to get it,’’ said Guevara, 21, the youngest of five children. “Now I feel relieved because I know that I will able to go to college without worrying about how I’m going to pay for it. I feel grateful for the opportunity that I’m given because I going to be able to continue my education and give back to the community that has supported me throughout my time at Palm Beach State.” The news comes as the two students are preparing to graduate from Palm Beach State College on May 11 with their associate’s degrees. “I’m so proud of you,’’ Gallon told them as he gave them tissues to dry their eyes. “I hope that you have a very bright academic future, and afterward a very happy and productive professional life. You deserve it. You are committed, you’re talented and you have perseverance. I’m just happy that this institution had an opportunity to play a small role in getting you where you are today.” Medina, 41, a New York native and married mother of twins, began working right out of high school as a receptionist, but she
CHOLEE LAKE MARKS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
Scholarship winners Ana Guevara and Patricia Medina. later realized that she had some cal science. Her goal is to become unfinished business — she wanted a White House press secretary and to complete her education. She en- eventually return to PBSC to teach. rolled at PBSC in the fall of 2012 Guevara, 21 of Lake Worth, and quickly became involved. is president of ASPIRA and a She serves as editor of the Beach- member of Phi Theta Kappa and comber student newspaper and the EQUAL (Equality Unites All of Sabiduría, the Honors College Lives) student club. She is curacademic, peer-reviewed online rently a fellow for Young People journal. She is a member of the For, a leadership development Phi Theta Kappa International initiative. She plans to pursue a Honors Society and a volunteer bachelor’s degree in finance with on the Human Trafficking Aware- a minor in economics and work as ness Committee on the Lake an investor for socially responsible Worth campus. Earlier this year, investments. she was named to the All-Florida Serving 48,000 students annuAcademic Team. She plans to get ally, Palm Beach State College a bachelor’s degree with a major in is the largest institution of higher mass communications and politi- education in Palm Beach County.
Cholee Lake Elementary School’s staff and students wore blue to honor World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the United States. Autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized at different levels in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. There isn’t any medical detection or cure. Autism affects one in 68 children and one in 42 boys. This was the eighth annual awareness day, and Cholee Lake was proud to be a part of it. Shown above are teachers Marinella Portillo, Kristina Garcia, Jessica Frouge, Carole Emile, Ivonne Stewart, Michelle Carter and Dr. Madge Linton.
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When Ana Guevara and Patricia Medina walked into a meeting with Palm Beach State College administrators, they didn’t expect to end up in tears. Overcome with joy, the two Honors College students cried after learning Tuesday that they each had won a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The coveted scholarship provides up to $40,000 a year to cover tuition, living expenses, books and required fees for the two to three years needed to complete their bachelor’s degree. While they are not the first PBSC students to earn the scholarship, this is the first time that two from the college have won in the same year. Only 90 students nationwide were selected by the Virginia-based foundation from more than 2,000 applicants. “I am in complete and utter shock,’’ said Medina of Boca Raton, who is the 2014-15 student trustee. “It’s because of everything I’ve learned and done at Palm Beach State College that this is possible. This school has been life changing for me. It’s like being given a ticket to anything. Every possibility is now open. I’m just so overwhelmed by it.” Marcella Montesinos, manager of the Floyd F. Koch Honors College, and Dr. Ginger Pedersen, interim vice president of academic affairs, kept the news a secret
Page 15
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May 8 - May 14, 2015
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FEATURES
My Ideal Mother’s Day Has Changed As I Have Gotten Older
Sunday is Mother’s Day, and, for me, it has changed dramatically through the years. I didn’t even realize it until lately because it has been a slow process. When I was in my late 20s, what I wanted on Mother’s Day more than anything else was to be a mother. Luckily for me, that worked out. I have fabulous, wonderful, gorgeous children — just like every other mother in the world. When I was in my 30s, what I wanted on Mother’s Day more than anything else was for those fabulous, wonderful, gorgeous children to be in bed by 9 p.m. so I could sit down for a minute.
Deborah Welky is
The Sonic BOOMER When I was in my 40s, what I wanted on Mother’s Day more than anything else was for those now-teenaged children to be home by 11 p.m. so I could finally quit worrying about them and get some sleep.
These days, I get plenty of sleep. This Mother’s Day, I’d just like to see them. Oh, they’ll send cards and flowers and candy. They’ll call. I am not whining about being neglected. I’m simply mourning the fact that the rudimentary realness of life now separates us for long periods of time. My daughter is in Missouri, my son is in Wellington. I can be with one or the other, but to get them both together at once is both challenging and expensive. When we’re all together is when I’m happiest. I can look them in the eyes and see that they’re OK. They can tell me how things are going in their lives, and
I can relax a little bit, even take pride in how they’re handling the obstacles. They can hug me if they want — that’s always a bonus. On one of the happiest days of their lives — their high school graduations — I cried and cried. I knew it was the beginning of the end. Their independence was my loss, to some extent. They were teetering on the edge of the familial nest. Yet it was the beginning of my independence, too, and how I had missed it! I don’t think any 20-something mother can foresee the vastness and magnitude of the undertaking ahead of her. Fathers,
too, but that diatribe will have to wait for Father’s Day. And mothers have a physical closeness that began nine months before anyone even saw that little face. I will tell you a secret. My daughter Jen and I get along extremely well, but we did have one fight. And it was a big one. It happened when she came home from a date at age 18, engaged. I knew she was “an adult,” but I simply thought she was too young to tie herself down. She hadn’t even been to college. She didn’t know anything about the world! She, of course, did not agree. She sat on her bed, crying See WELKY, page 18
New ‘Avengers’ Movie Has Great Action, But A Muddled Story The new movie The Avengers: Age of Ultron is a whopping blockbuster to open the summer season. It is fun, and it moves quickly through plenty of high-action scenes. Unfortunately, it is a bit too clogged with superheroes and regular heroes to create much real dramatic interest. It is pretty good, but not in the same league as the original film. Our six original heroes from the first movie, Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans), Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Clint Barton/ Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) begin the film by attacking a fortress held by survivors of the old Nazi Hydra mob in Sokovia, a mythical land in Eastern Europe. Unlike in their usual attacks, they are somewhat befuddled when they face a pair of Hydra-created superheroes, the Maximoff twins: Quicksilver (Aaron
‘I’ On CULTURE By Leonard Wechsler Taylor-Johnson), who is superfast, and his sister Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), who is telekinetic. She can move things with her mind and really mess with people’s heads. After the good guys get together, they return to their favorite activity — carping on each other’s behavior. Then Stark and Banner work together to create a worldwide defense system based on Stark’s private computer system, JARVIS. Instead, they get the robot Ultron (voiced by James Spader), who decides the best way to have peace is to kill off the hu-
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
man race. That leads to very long action scenes with our heroes seemingly battling an unending series of robots and others. A very real problem is that there are so many heroes that they get lost in the shuffle. Most become stereotypes. Stark is Wile E. Coyote, always finding out his inventions come back to become his enemies and never learning. Banner is afraid to have a relationship with anyone, particularly Black Widow, because of his other, larger half. Captain America is such a dull stick that he never finds a woman. Thor has found one (in his movies), but she’ll die on him soon enough since he’s immortal. Black Widow was sterilized as part of her training. Essentially, all are locked into their roles, appreciated only when killing bad guys. There is an attempt to humanize Hawkeye, generally seen as the least effective of the heroes, by showing him in a sweet family life not far from The Brady Bunch. Much of his dialogue seems to focus on
projects he’ll do around the house as soon as he kills off the people planning to kill off humanity. He seems the most human of the heroes, the Everyman among them. And we have to learn to appreciate Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, who turn out to be more complex than at the start. There were at least a half-dozen other heroes and superheroes from the franchise in small roles. The actors are all fine, particularly since most of the roles are basically two-dimensional. Writer/director Joss Whedon appears to have created the movie as a series of wild action scenes, heavily reinforced with computer-generated images, and then tried to fill in the spaces in between with mawkish love or comedy scenes. There are plenty of cute quips to keep us amused until we get a chance to see our heroes leaping from the sky or performing insane stunts as a way of keeping our interest. And, unfortunately, as the action jumps from one
hero to another and back again, dramatic continuity goes out the window. On the other hand, the movie was fun. I found it a nice way to spend more than two hours, since anytime I began to feel my attention wander, there was another battle scene. Some of the fights went on for amazingly long periods of time, and Whedon’s use of clever humor, mixed with occasional bits of pathos, worked well to keep me involved. It is an effective use of craft. There was not much art involved; the drama was a bit mawkish, and since we already know that most of the characters will have their own movies coming up, there seemed little danger that the important ones would perish. But everyone in the audience seemed to have a good time — and what else can we ask of a summer movie? More people will see this film than, with the exception of American Sniper, all the nominated Oscar movies from last year combined, and probably all in the first weekend or two.
Please join us for our next social at Buffalo Wild Wings in Wellington on Thursday, May 21st. 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
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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NEWS
TEMPLE B’NAI JACOB HOLDS ANNUAL PICNIC AT LOXAHATCHEE GROVES PARK
Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington held its annual picnic Sunday, May 3 at Loxahatchee Groves Park. At the event, religious school students received end-of-the-year awards, and everyone enjoyed fun games and socializing. For more information about the congregation, call (561) 793-4347 or visit www.templebnaijacob.com. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
High school volunteers with the religious school teachers: Jake Sukienik, Rabbi Dr. David Abrams, Randy Feldman, Joyce Siegel, Becky Oblon, Marion Westfal, Sheila Katz, Rabbi Janie Grackin, Alexis Blumberg, Lexi Ramey, Emily Thal and Rachel Cohen
Religious school students with their awards, joined by teachers.
Ken Delisi and Oliver Chase play ball.
Morry Silverman and Robert Solomon man the grill.
Picnic committee members Mel Kohan, Adam Miller, Rabbi Dr. David Abrams, Robert Solomon, Morry Silverman, Joe Grossman, Andrea Cohan, Earl Jacobs, Susan Feldman, Alan Cohan and Liz Thal.
Tsiri and Adam Miller enjoy the picnic.
Jake Sukienik with his father, Dr. Leonard Sukienik.
Marion Westfal and Sheila Katz.
WELLINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MEMBERS ENJOY SPRING FESTIVAL
Wellington Presbyterian Church held its spring festival on Saturday, May 2. There were bounce houses, face painting, crafts, a petting zoo and vendors, along with snacks and a bake sale. For more info., visit www.wpcfl.com. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Dennis Walsh grills hotdogs and Rev. Peter Bartuska roasts corn.
Brendan Thomas with a duck at the petting zoo.
Jillian Ackley and Kristen Powell with gospel bead bracelets.
Wellington Presbyterian Church event volunteers.
Page 18
May 8 - May 14, 2015
NEWS
Wellington’s Dance Arts Conservatory To Present ‘Annie Jr.’ In Delray Beach May 9
Dance Arts Conservatory’s Broadway Stars will present the musical Annie Jr. at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts/Crest Theater on Saturday, May 9 at 3 and 7 p.m. Based on the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Annie, and inspired by the popular 1920s Chicago Tribune comic strip by Harold Gray, the show tells the rags-to riches story of little orphan Annie, an optimistic girl who wins everyone’s heart despite her dim start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the mean Miss Hannigan. Annie escapes to the wondrous world of New York City, where she finds a new home with billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell and a mutt named Sandy. Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased online at www.delrayarts.org or by calling the box office at (561) 243-7922, ext. 1. Seating
IB Program
A Big Win For RPBHS
continued from page 1 comprehensive high school,” Armas said. Armas and his team have been working hard to improve the school’s image. “It has always been our goal to be a source of pride for this community. We will continue to work toward that, and we believe that we are,” he said. “We believe that our interactions with the community, with the way that our students continually step up at charitable events and in being a part of the community, we believe that we are a real part of the fabric of this community.”
Charter
Equestrian Protections
continued from page 1 accomplish what it was intended to accomplish.” Cohen explained that there are numerous provisions in the way the budget is prepared and the millage rate set that provide the ability for the public to weigh in, so the recommendation to the council would be to remove that provision. The task force is also recommending the removal of language that referred to the transition of the village from a special district
Blotter
continued from page 6 PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation met with a Royal Palm Beach resident last Friday evening regarding a case of embezzlement. According to a PBSO report, the victim discovered that someone had transferred $11,000 from her Bank of America savings and checking accounts into a third account that was created using her personal information. According to the report, the victim did not give anyone permission to access her accounts and did not open the third account. MAY 3 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to the Victoria Grove community early last Sunday morning regarding a suspicious incident. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 11:30 p.m. last Saturday, deputies were called regarding young males who were observed pulling car door handles to see if the vehicles were unlocked. According to the
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Enrollment Underway For Camp Gan Israel
The cast of Dance Arts Conservatory’s Annie Jr. is reserved. The Delray Beach tion will be The Little Mermaid Jr. check for the audition fee. Contact Center for the Arts/Crest Theatre Auditions will be held Saturday, Studio Manager Randy Ballen at is located at 51 N. Swinton Ave. May 23 at Dance Arts Conservato- (561)-296-1880 or e-mail info@ Dance Arts Conservatory’s ry, 11260 Fortune Circle, Suite J-1, danceartsconservatory.com for Broadway Stars summer produc- in Wellington. Bring $10 cash or more info.
Enrollment is now underway for Camp Gan Israel in Wellington. “Camp Gan Israel has a program geared for your child, understanding that all kids are unique and are drawn toward different activities,” Rabbi Mendy Muskal said. “Camp Gan Israel offers something for everyone. We have professional sports instructors, baking experts, dance instruction, jewelry making, karate instruction, trips to exciting venues, swimming, boating, scrapbooking, edible art and so much more.” “Camp Gan Israel understands the heart of a parent: We all want our children to be in a warm and caring environment,” Rebbitzin Miriam Muskal added. “That is why our counselors are handpicked, dedicated and go beyond measure to ensure the safety and concern for the children.” This year, Camp Gan Israel will run for five weeks, from June 15 through July 17. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with aftercare and pre-care available (pending
minimum enrollment) for a nominal extra fee. Campers can attend the entire five-week season or individual weeks. Hot lunches are included. The camp has a younger division for ages 4 and 5, and an older division for boys and girls ages 6 to 13. “Camp Gan Israel provides an opportunity for children to spend their vacation time in a Jewish environment where Judaism is fun and alive and something that they can relate to — not just parts of it, but the whole environment,” Rabbi Muskal said. “In the past, we’ve seen that the experience of the campers has an effect on the parents and siblings. It’s a wonderful way to reach out to families.” “We feel that every Jewish child and every Jewish soul is so important that we want to spend a lot of time and resources on making their experience positive,” Rebitzin Muskal added. For more information, call (561) 333-4663 or visit www.wellington jewishcenter.org.
Armas called RPBHS “a beacon for the community.” “All we want is for people to just look at the great things that are going on at Royal Palm Beach High School, and we believe we are a source of pride for this community,” he said. Royal Palm Beach Councilman Jeff Hmara said that adding the IB program is important to the community at large. “We’re filling a need here in the western communities,” he said. “We, of course, are excited about it being brought to Royal Palm Beach High School, but when you look to the western communities in general, there’s a lot of growth, a lot of development, a lot of new and exciting opportunities to bring new people into our community.” When potential residents look
for a new location to call home, they often focus on the schools. “One of the things that is going to attract them here is a high-quality educational system,” Hmara said. “One of the real indications of a quality educational system is programs like the IB program, the academies and also the Advanced Placement and honors programs, which Royal Palm Beach High School has had going for a while.” Hmara taught for several years as an adjunct professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University and knows the reputation of the IB curriculum. “It’s great for the school, the community and everybody involved,” Hmara said, noting that village officials are working diligently to support the efforts of Armas and the staff at RPBHS.
Prior to Armas taking over as principal, the school had an image problem, Hmara said. Under Armas’ tutelage, he has been able to bring the kind of staff, programs and education to the school that have changed it for the better. “It’s really an extraordinary school made up of really dedicated, highly competent teachers with an excellent leader,” Hmara said. The school district, the school board and parents are showing their support for the school through the IB program, Hmara said, calling it a turning point for RPBHS. He said that’s evident in the number of students already interested in the program. As of Wednesday, 31 spots in the IB program have been applied for.
“That’s a number that more than meets our expectations for a firstyear program,” Armas said. The school will have teachers teaching IB-level classes in all of the core subjects. To start, three teachers with IB certification will handle the classes. “The diploma program is the program that we’ve asked the International Baccalaureate to sanction. We’re in the process of becoming a candidate school,” RPBHS Choice Academies Coordinator Laurie Cotton said. “That is a program for juniors and seniors.” The students entering in August, she said, will spend their first two years at the school getting ready for the rigorous IB program. “Another reason why we believe it is important for our com-
munity is because once we have the diploma program in place, what will happen is that we will get the middle years program — for ninth-graders and tenth-graders — and Crestwood Middle School will get the middle years program also, which will cover their seventh-graders and eighth-graders,” Armas said. “Then, down the road, there is the primary years program for elementary kids. Eventually, our students in Royal Palm Beach will be able to attend their neighborhood schools and go K-12 in an IB program. We are very excited about that.” To learn more about what the IB program entails, visit www. ibo.org. For more about the new IB program at RPBHS, contact Cotton at (561) 792-8659 or laurie. cotton@palmbeachschools.org.
to a municipality because it is no longer needed. The task force also discussed whether to remove the charter requirement for a referendum if the village wants to establish its own police or fire department, initially because committee members thought the requirement would weaken the village’s position when negotiating with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue. However, negative comments at the public forum caused the task force to back down. “Initially, there was support for that measure to pass that on for the council to consider, but as of today,
there is no support to make that recommendation,” Cohen said. She added that the task force had discussed removing provisions for special taxing units in the village because they were not necessary but had decided not to carry that proposal forward. “Today, the decision was that they are not really hurting anything being there, so leave them in,” Cohen said. The final question regards giving the Equestrian Preserve Area protection under the charter. The question proposed was whether the preserve could be expanded by application, but reduced only by referendum.
“The language that was originally contemplated left some people wondering whether land could be brought in involuntarily into the equestrian preserve,” Cohen said, explaining that the task force wanted to get input on that question from the committee members before voting on the question. Equestrian advocate Victoria McCullough, vice chair of the task force, said she considered the equestrian preserve the “jewel of Wellington” and that it was important to protect it with charter provisions. Equestrian Preserve Committee Member Houston Meigs agreed and favored future expansion of the equestrian preserve. He asked whether two properties along Fly-
ing Cow Road might be included at some point. They are surrounded by the equestrian preserve and commonly believed to be part of it but are not. “That’s a curious anomaly because it creates an island that might have uses that are not compatible,” Meigs said, adding that he thought any charter amendments should be backed up with zoning and land use regulations. Cohen said that during the public hearing, there was a misunderstanding that property could be added involuntarily, and explained that in the proposed version, the overlay could be expanded by application but property cannot be removed except by referendum. Equestrian Preserve Commit-
tee Vice Chair Michael Whitlow said he liked the proposed charter amendment. “I think what Ms. Cohen proposed is a very good suggestion,” Whitlow said. “This charter revision is to be an equestrian bill of rights. I would like to see that in the charter.” Whitlow added that he would like to see a charter provision protecting the Equestrian Preserve Committee itself, explaining that he has heard council members advocate eliminating advisory committees.
report, when confronted, three juvenile suspects told deputies that they were just walking. According to the report, the three consented to be searched and were found with plastic bags. One had a Garmin GPS unit on him, which might have been stolen. MAY 3 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to a home in Counterpoint Estates on Sunday morning regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between last Friday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 a.m., someone entered the victim’s home and removed an Xbox One gaming system, valued at $400. DNA and fingerprint evidence was gathered from the residence. MAY 3 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a home on Montauk Drive on Sunday regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim’s bicycle, valued at $300, had been stolen
from underneath his stairwell. MAY 4 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to the Wellington Town Square shopping plaza parking lot on Forest Hill Blvd. on Monday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11 and 11:20 a.m., someone removed the victim’s Aerodynamics speed bike, valued at $3,000, from a bike rack near the Publix supermarket. MAY 5 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a home on Lakefield North Court on Tuesday morning regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5 p.m. on Monday and 9 a.m. on Tuesday, someone entered the residence with a key and removed the washer and dryer, valued at $1,600, along with many tools, including a clipping hammer, valued at $800. The home is currently under construction.
Magistrates
Contract Renewal
continued from page 3 the resolution and under code, to remove a magistrate at any time, so I don’t see an issue, since you agreed to do it in that manner at that time,” Cohen said. “If you feel that it’s important to put that out and advertise it, then that’s certainly your call.” Willhite said he was on the council the last time they went through the process and thought it was cumbersome to go through it every two years for four positions. “My intention was to have some sort of term limits, and my intention was to have all of them from outside the Village of Wellington,” he said. “We don’t require the manager to live in the Village of Wellington; how can we require a magistrate on a 25
percent rotation basis [to live in Wellington]?” Willhite said he thought they should reappoint Suarez-Rivas and advertise for the fourth position. Mayor Bob Margolis said he thought three magistrates would be plenty for the village until they advertise the open spot. Councilman John McGovern said that since the existing list of candidates is two years old, it should be updated. Willhite said he thought that neither the village attorney nor code enforcement should be involved in the selection process. Schofield suggested that the finance, operations and purchasing directors be on the selection committee. Willhite made a motion to reappoint Suarez-Rivas, and for staff to come back with a revised policy recommendation for filling magistrate vacancies. The motion carried 5-0.
Welky
Mother’s Day Dreams
continued from page 16 and clutching a stuffed animal (thus proving my case before I even started), and I sat on the edge of the bed and tried to tell her of my dreams for her. At one point, I reached out and touched her bare foot, and she snapped it back, away from me. I was cut to the core. How many times had I washed that foot? Kissed that foot? Put that foot into booties and sneakers and ballet slippers? How many times had I taken that foot to school? To the doctor? To movies and games and plays? Just who did she think she was, owning that foot? Well, the owner, of course. In the end, we compromised. She agreed to give the ring back and wait a year. I agreed to embrace her decision after that. Luckily for me, that worked out. And this Sunday, we’ll both celebrate being mothers together.
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May 8 - May 14, 2015
Page 19
NEWS
ELBRIDGE GALE AFTERCARE PRESENTS DISNEY CLASSIC ‘LITTLE MERMAID’
Elbridge Gale Elementary School’s aftercare program delighted parents, family and friends with a production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid on Friday, May 1 in the school cafeteria. The show was directed by Andrew Spinelli and Ashlley Rodriguez. For more about Elbridge Gale’s aftercare program, call (561) 422-9300. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
Matthew Theroux (Flounder), Matthew Grace (King Triton), Amber Shea Brown (Ariel), Spencer Shapiro (Prince Eric), Naalia Rajkumar (Ursula) and Justin Wallace (Sebastian).
Mermaids Valentina Munoz, Shannon Bransom, Amber Shea Brown, Kaitlin Touchet, McKenna Wickers, Gernanda Blanc and Amelia Marshall.
The sailors gather on stage.
Amber Shea Brown (Ariel) with her family: Ron Carhart, Elyse Brown, Courtney Carhart, Hunter Brown and Debbie Gillespie.
Directors Ashlley Rodriguez and Andrew Spinelli with leads Amber Shea Brown and Spencer Shapiro.
The evil Ursala (Naalia Rajkumar) appears on stage.
Ashley Lirette (Jetsam) and Mia Dominguez (Flotsam) hold back Ariel.
WE ROCK THE SPECTRUM KID’S GYM OPENS ROYAL PALM BEACH LOCATION
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym held its grand opening Saturday, May 2 at its new Royal Palm Beach location at 10225 Southern Blvd. There was face painting, music, raffles, treats, a trampoline, a zip line and swing fun for the kids. For more information, visit www.werockthespectrumroyalpalmbeach.com. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
Owners Tahnia and Jean Borgella with their son, Dylan.
Cameron Forrest enjoys swinging around.
Brayden and Brianna Eddy have a great time at the gym.
Gail Field, Tahnia Borgella, Tina Norwood and Dana Aghassi.
“We love being part of The Wanderers Club family.”
Shelby Eaton Photos
– Scott and Teri Harris, with their children.
Dues-Only Membership – No Initiation Fee Required Full Golf Memberships Available* Traditional golf with no tee times, tennis, and fitness • Casual dining at The Duke’s Bar, Veranda, and poolside Fine dining at Stables Restaurant • A junior Olympic-size pool, kiddie pool, and play area • Year-round social calendar and child-friendly programs The Wanderers Club is Wellington’s family-friendly, private country club. For membership information, call Anna Grzebien at 561.795.3501, ext. 225. membership@wanderersclubwellington.com • wanderersclubwellington.com 1900 Aero Club Drive • Wellington, FL 33414 *Waiting list for Social Memberships. Dues-Only Membership may be recalled once the Club Membership reaches its full complement, beginning with the last in, unless the then established membership deposit is paid. All memberships are prorated as of initiation date.
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Horizon Pool Celebrates Major Milestone
Thirty years in business is a milestone for any company. For Horizon Pool & Patio, it’s also a family celebration. What began in 1985 as a small pool retail store is now a multi-generational family business focused on bringing pools to the next generation. Page 25
Features
The Fascinating Life Of Top Equestrian Judge Linda Zang
Linda Zang is a well-known and highly respected judge who has graced the booth of many shows, large and small. Just being in the same room with such a renowned woman felt like an honor. Zang is a U.S. Equestrian Federation “S” rated judge, the first U.S.-based judge to reach FEI 5* status, and one of only 25 FEI “O” level dressage judges in the world. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23
Sports WHS Volleyball Defeats Park Vista To Take District Title
On April 30, the Wellington High School boys volleyball team took home its second district title in a row with a win over visiting Park Vista High School. The host Wolverines won the District 6 championship in three sets (25-17, 26-24, 2522). A.J. Starkins and Alex Ng combined for 14 kills. 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
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Seminole Ridge Flag Football Wins District Title
The Seminole Ridge High School flag football team hosted the District 23 playoffs April 29 and closed out the tournament by taking the team’s fourth title in the last five years with a 33-0 win over Glades Central High School. The Hawks shut out Wellington High School 42-0 in the semifinals. Page 31
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Shopping Spree
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FEATURES
May 8 - May 14, 2015
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The Fascinating Life Of Top Show Judge Linda Zang
Linda Zang is a well-known and highly respected judge who has graced the booth of many shows, large and small. Just being in the same room with such a renowned woman felt like an honor. Zang is a U.S. Equestrian Federation “S” rated judge, the first U.S.-based judge to reach FEI 5* status, and one of only 25 FEI “O” level dressage judges in the world. She is one of only six FEI “O” judges in the world who conduct educational forums and seminars to educate and test FEI judges for both dressage and eventing. Zang was a member of the technical coaching staff for the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2012 London Olympics. How she came to be a judge makes a fascinating story, one I heard when she spoke as a guest at Dressage Canada’s Fortnight event earlier this year at the Wanderers Club. “My husband always tells me that no one wants to hear about my past, because they weren’t born then,” Zang started, and we laughed. Her husband was wrong. We did want to hear, and the more she told us, the more interesting it became. “When I was young, living in Maryland, my parents bought me a pony at an auction,” Zang began. “We drove it home in the back of our Ford pickup truck. I rode and showed in local hunter and jumper shows, and went Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/Horse TalkFL.
Tales From The Trails By Ellen Rosenberg through Pony Club. In 1965, I received my ‘A’ Pony Club status and also a BHSAI certificate. I started eventing and competed in National Pony Club championships as a ‘B’ and ‘A’ rated rider, winning both the U.S. and Canadian national rallies as an ‘A’ in 1966 and 1967.” It was when Zang decided to continue her education by traveling to Ireland to train in eventing for three months in 1967 at Burton Hall that her life changed in dramatic fashion. She was jumping a horse over a double-oxer, when the horse flipped, and she ended up with a concussion. “That was a huge turning point for me,” Zang recalled. “I was scared. My heart was gone. I knew I’d never jump again.” However, that didn’t mean she’d never ride again. Across the road, she started watching an old gentleman long-lining some horses. It looked intriguing. Zang began working with him. “Within a month, he’d taught me the basics of how to train a horse to the grand prix level in dressage,” she recalled. “It was a light bulb moment. I knew I could still be great one day, but in this new discipline of dressage.”
Zang returned home to Maryland, then jaunted off to Sweden to visit a friend of her mother’s in Denmark. Joining in a horsebuying expedition, she unexpectedly spotted a 3-year-old bay gelding named Fellow Traveler. “I looked at him and knew he was the horse who was going make me tops,” Zang said. “He was $2,000, which was about $2,000 more than I had. I left him there, came home and worked for a year, then went back to buy him.” That was 1968, and Zang stayed in Sweden and enrolled at Stromsholm, the national school for instructors, for two years. “It was basically a Swedish cavalry school, and I learned Swedish. There were 10 of us students, all from Scandinavia, except me,” she said. Sweden still had a cavalry back then. The state trained the horses, then gave them to civilians to keep and use, with the understanding that, if they were needed for the cavalry, they had to give them back in time of war. “We learned how to do everything, working with the top military dressage riders, and it was a great education,” Zang said. “We used to gallop horses across frozen lakes. I received my instructor’s certificate in 1970, then was asked to stay on and train in Flyinge, Sweden with Viebka until 1972. When I headed back home, I brought two horses. That was some trip. We traveled in a container ship. It cost $500 to ship each horse, and the voyage took 22 days. I didn’t have a pitchfork, so I used to collect the manure in a sheet, take it up the elevator, then throw it overboard.”
Back home, Zang looked around for the best dressage instructor in Maryland and found Bengt Ljungquist. “I trained with him until he passed away,” she said. “By then, I was competing at the national level.” Zang competed at the 1978 World Championships in Goodwood, England, was a member of the U.S. Dressage Team for the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico, and a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, the year the United States boycotted the games hosted by Russia. “I gradually became more involved in educating riders and judges,” Zang said. “I got involved with the USDF, where I became vice president, was on the board of directors of the USEF, and chairman of the Dressage Committee for the U.S. Pony Club. I started the ‘L’ (for ‘learners’) program at the USDF as a step for people to become dressage judges.” Linda has judged one Olympics and three World Equestrian Games. She hosted and organized four U.S. national and international dressage judges forums at her Idlewilde Farm in Davidsonville, Md. She organized the 1997 FEI North American Dressage Championships held in Maryland, which also hosted the first Junior Team Championships. In 2013, the USEF awarded her the Pegasus Medal of Honor for lifetime achievement. “I’ve had a very good life,” Zang concluded. Not to mention somewhat amazing. Learn more about Zang by visiting www. lindazang.com.
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BUSINESS NEWS
April Shop Talk Reveals Secret To Good Sponsor-Rider Relations
Winner Kay Doyle (center) with Brian Jacobsen and Jathynia Garcia.
Hi-Tech Plumbing Names Its First Gift Card Winner
Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air conducted its first gift raffle as part of its “Thank You to Loyal Customers” promotion to celebrate the company’s 15th anniversary in 2015. The first winner of the $100 gift card for Oak Bistro & Wine Bar was Kay Doyle. She was awarded the gift card by Brian Jacobsen, owner of Oak Bistro, and Jathynia Garcia of Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air. Doyle received fresh flowers and a “Congrats” balloon in honor of
being the raffle’s first winner. Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air will continue announcing monthly winners at the end of each month. People who “like” the company’s Facebook page and stay vigilant could be the next winner. To enter, call and use Hi-Tech’s services before December, and you will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card. For more information, visit www. hi-techplumbingandair.com.
ShowChic dressage boutique continues to impress the dressage community with its extraordinary lineup of speakers at its monthly Shop Talk events. Last month, ShowChic hosted four renowned professionals of the dressage world. The April Shop Talk, titled “The Sponsor-Rider Relationship: What’s In It For You,” featured Grand Prix dressage champions Lars Petersen and Mikala Gundersen, and their sponsors, Marcia Pepper and Janne Rumbough, respectively. In the dual presentation, Petersen and Pepper discussed their journey with Pepper’s Danish Warmblood mare — Petersen’s winning partner, Mariet. Likewise, Gundersen and Rumbough shared their experience working together with Rumbough’s impressive Danish Warmblood mare My Lady. The two pairs explained how to make the relationship between sponsor and rider as successful as they each have. Just this season, Petersen on Mariett and Gundersen on My Lady were the top two most winning riders at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Adding to the excitement of the April Shop Talk was their recent
ShowChic’s Krystalanne Shingler (left) and Michele Hundt (right) with Mikala Gundersen, Janne Rumbough, Marcia Pepper and Lars Petersen at the April Shop Talk event. return from the 2015 Reem Acra rider. Both pairs explained that they FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in don’t actually use formal contracts. Las Vegas. They were two of three Instead, they base their work on muriders chosen to compete for their tual goals for their horses. They are native Denmark, and among only all driven to invest in their horses’ 19 total riders selected to compete. health, happiness and future, even “We’re thrilled to host such amaz- after retirement. ing riders and sponsors, and to Thanks to sponsor Diamante welcome Lars and Mikala back Farms, anyone who missed this after riding so well in the World Shop Talk or any other recent one Cup,” said Michele Hundt, owner will be able to view the videos interof ShowChic. actively on the ShowChic YouTube During the Shop Talk presenta- page. tion, the four speakers discussed For more about ShowChic, visit the importance of sustaining a www.showchicdressage.com or call friendship between sponsor and (561) 319-2121.
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BUSINESS NEWS
May 8 - May 14, 2015
Page 25
Wellington’s Horizon Pool & Patio Celebrates 30 Years Thirty years in business is a milestone to make any company owner proud. For Horizon Pool & Patio, it’s also a family celebration. What began in 1985 as a small pool retail store serving the growing western communities is now a multi-generational family business focused on bringing pools to the next generation. Owner Chuck Grove credits his family for the business’s success. “A lot of our success has to do with the fact that almost from the start, it was family,” Grove said. In 1985, Horizon Pool & Patio opened as a small retail store in Royal Palm Beach. It sold pool accessories and provided maintenance to the growing list of backyard pools in the area. Two years later, the owners opened a Wellington store at Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace, which has since became their flagship location. By the early 1990s, Chuck and Linda Grove had bought out their original partner and refocused for the future. Today, the Groves’ two daughters and sonsin-law, as well as several grandchildren, are involved in the operation. Shannon started as a store manager and has been involved for most of Horizon’s history, and Jennifer is Horizon’s bookkeeper and office manager. Shannon’s husband, Dave Ballard, is vice president and general manager, having worked in the business since he was in school. Jennifer’s husband, John Kenbeek, is the service manager. “And my wife, Linda, has been an integral part since the inception,” Chuck added. The Groves count hundreds of pool owners
among their clients and are proud that some of their earliest customers remain customers today. “I still do business with the Groves and people who still know my name,” said Chuck Schaefer, owner of Schaefer Drugs and customer number three for Horizon Pool & Patio. “That means a lot.” Horizon is anything but static. It has evolved as the pool industry evolved. Following a trend in the early 1990s, when several major pool builders were undercutting each other with prices too good to be true, Horizon began its renovation business. “Some of the pool builders were offering these unbelievable deals,” Chuck recalled. “I know how much a pool costs. I thought, there’s no way they can make any money. They had to be skimping somewhere. The pool walls got thinner, the beams cracked where the tile goes on. The size of the plumbing pipes got smaller. All those things eventually had to be fixed.” Today, pool maintenance, repair and renovation are the backbone of the business, and Horizon’s store dedicates as much space to new tile and pool finishes as to the pool supplies and toys that were the core business in the 1980s. The trends in pool building today mirror those in kitchen and bath design, with glass and natural stone finishes. State-of-the-art technology means salt conversion systems, which now are more affordable and provide a gentler water purifying system than the traditional chlorine systems, Chuck said.
Three generations of family are among the crew at Horizon Pool & Patio. Owners Chuck and Linda Grove (seated, front), started the company in 1985. Sons-in-law and daughters Dave and Shannon Ballard (far left) and Jennifer and John Kenbeek (far right) and grandson Jordan (standing third from right) are also on the team. Although the pace of new home building has slowed from the 1980s and 1990s, many longtime residents like the Groves now are putting their money into renovations. “There are a lot of people like me,” he said. “The kids are gone. They might downsize, but they decide, ‘I’m staying here. I’m going to put my money into my house and make it a place I want to retire to.’” That includes renovating their pools — not only with new finishes, but perhaps with water
features, colored lights and automation systems that can be operated from a smart phone. Horizon also has begun offering construction of outdoor kitchens. But one thing will remain the same. “I think it’s going to be in the family for a long time,” Chuck said. Horizon Pool & Patio is located at 12785-A W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Wellington Plaza. To learn more, call (561) 790-0665 or visit www.horizonpool.com.
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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. Register at www.bootzculturecamp.com. Space is limited. Camp Cambridge in Wellington offers programs for children from two years old through second grade, with an experienced and mature staff, bilingual programs, in-house weekly field trips, specialty camp sessions, an on-site swimming pool supervised by Red Crosstrained staff, flexible schedules, weekly sessions, and private and group swimming. Nine weeks of camp will be offered at Cambridge Schools, which is located at 1920 Royal Fern Drive in Wellington. For more information, visit www.cambridgepreschools.com or call (561) 791-0013. 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 June 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) 601-5248 or visit www.buildingupsportsacademy.com Casperey Stables Horse Camp is a small, fun-filled day camp for children ages 7 to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts and crafts, and outdoor games, campers find little time to be bored. The low counselor-child ratio ensures that each child receives individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks and during the summer. Each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. Casperey Stables has a weekly swim party and ends each session with a horse show and family barbecue. To learn more about the camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call (561) 792-4990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.
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STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) learning into exciting, one-of-a-kind and fun experiences for your child every day. This summer at The Goddard School in Wellington, children can take part in summer camp themes that include That’s a Wrap, Kitchen Chemists, the Great Outdoors, Epic Explorers and Mega Mathletes. The camp runs from June 8 through Aug. 13 and is for children one year old to six years old. For more information, visit www.goddardschool.com or call (561) 333-2020. The Goddard School is located at 2665 State Road 7 in Wellington. 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. Mad Science Summer Camps are full of fun and excitement. Kids can enjoy week-long science camps, sparking their imaginative learning while school is out. Campers will become junior scientists for the week, having the opportunity to experience real, live science by building bridges, solving mysteries, dissecting owl pellets, flinging catapults, making solar nachos, launching rockets, building robots and many other stellar experiments. Children will design, create, build and assemble a variety of interesting projects and will take at least one project home every day. Mad Science offers its unique summer science camp for rising first through sixth graders at Greenacres Christian Academy on the following weeks: July 6-10 (Rocketry/Robotic Combo), July 20-24 (Science in Motion) and July 27-31 (Spy Academy). Choose one themed week or choose them all. All camps run weekly, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other locations around Palm Beach County are available. To register, or for more information, visit www.madsciencepb.com or call (561) 747-3033. Mad Science is also available for awesome birthday parties at your location or in its Jupiter lab, and can provide classrooms and businesses with “we come to you” field trips and stage shows. Wellington Children’s Theatre will present its annual Summer Musical Theatre Camp for children ages 6 to 16. Two sessions of camp include Summer Spotlight: The Best of Broadway, “Glee style” June 8-19 and Summer Stage June 22-July 10 with a full musical theater production. Camp includes daily classes in acting, voice, dance, art, and electives in theatre, creative and performing arts. An ice cream treat is served each afternoon. Aftercare available is available. Wellington Children’s Theatre is located at 13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A23, Wellington. For more info., call (561) 223-1928 or visit www. wellingtonchildrenstheatre.com.
May 8 - May 14, 2015
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SPORTS & RECREATION
May 8 - May 14, 2015
Page 31
Seminole Ridge Flag Football Squad Wins District Title
By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report The Seminole Ridge High School flag football team hosted the District 23 playoffs Wednesday, April 29 and closed out the tournament by taking the team’s fourth title in the last five years with a convincing 33-0 win over Glades Central High School. The Hawks shut out Wellington High School 42-0 in the semifinals. Seminole Ridge (14-0) combined for 75 points without giving up a score in those playoff games. The win also means that the Hawks remain unbeaten this season. They are currently ranked No. 1 in the state in the Florida High School Girls Flag Football Power 25 Rankings. Seminole Ridge quarterback Emily Coulter threw for three touch-
downs, and defensive back Yazmin Salguero intercepted two Raider passes for scores to lead the Hawks to the district title. “The win means a lot to this team because most of these girls were sitting behind the girls who played the last few years and were mostly starters since tenth grade,” coach Austin Bowe said. “They wanted to get in there and show they could do this, too, so it means a lot to them.” Coulter connected with Madeline Harding for a short touchdown pass, the game’s first score. The Raiders suffered consecutive interceptions, both returned for touchdowns by Salguero, to give the Hawks a commanding 20-0 lead minutes into the game. Coulter then met up with receiver See SRHS FLAG, page 33
Hawk rusher Christine Schergen lunges for the pull on the Raider quarterback.
The 2015 Seminole Ridge High School flag football team won the district title last week.
Madeline Harding manages to avoid the pull for a score.
Hawk receiver Gabi Oliver stretches out for a touchdown catch. PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER
WHS Volleyball Defeats Park Vista To Take District Title By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report On Thursday, April 30, the Wellington High School boys volleyball team took home its second district title in a row with a win over visiting Park Vista High School. The host Wolverines won the
District 6 championship in three sets (25-17, 26-24, 25-22). A.J. Starkins and Alex Ng combined for 14 kills to lead the way for the Wolverines. The Wolverines had to get by Palm Beach Central High School in the semifinals, and took that contest in three (25-14, 25-19, 25-20) to ad-
The Wellington High School boys volleyball team after winning the 2015 district championship.
vance to the finals. Yannick Seurich had 15 kills against the Broncos to lead the Wolverines. In the finals, Wellington took the first set in convincing fashion, 25-
17, but Park Vista battled back in the second set, knowing that if they conceded a second set, it would be a tough road ahead. The Cobras managed to take a
10-7 lead early in the second set, but the Wolverines clawed back to regain the lead, holding at 11-10 and forcing Park Vista to call a time-out. See VOLLEYBALL, page 33
Wellington’s Alex Ng and Keegan Sullivan go up for a block at the net.
Wellington’s Jason Rosen keeps the ball in play in the final match against Park Vista.
Wellington’s A.J. Starkins fights for the ball with Park Vista. PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER
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SPORTS & RECREATION
Dates Set For Palm Beach County Summer Golf Croquet League The annual Palm Beach County Summer Golf Croquet League will begin on Tuesday, July 7 and run for six weeks. The competitive matches will be split into two leagues, one on Tuesday evenings and one on Wednesday evenings, running for five weeks. Then on Tuesday, Aug. 11, there will be a final playoff between the top teams from each night's amateur and championship blocks to determine overall winners. Last year, 74 teams competed from across Palm Beach County in this doubles tournament. They were organized by families, friends or
business associates. Many entrants were croquet beginners. This year, registration will be cut off at 96 teams. All teams are required to have a team name. Teams can register two to four players for the six-week event for a single fee of $75. Medals will be awarded to the first and second place finishers in the championship block. Certificates will be awarded for winners and runners-up in the amateur block. Special recognition certificates will also be awarded after the finals on Aug. 11. The public is welcome to attend all summer league activities.
JONATHAN HAINES HEADED TO WELLS COLLEGE
Palm Beach Central High School volleyball middle blocker Jonathan Haines recently committed to play at Wells College in New York. Signing day was held April 30.
Golf croquet is the easiest version of croquet to learn and to play. Complimentary teaching and practice sessions will be offered from 1 to 3
pm. on Saturdays, June 13, 20 and 27 at the National Croquet Club for anyone interested in entering a team. The Croquet Grille & Lounge will
be open for drinks and light dinner fare throughout the tournament. For more information, call (561) 478-2300, ext. 3, and ask for Marie.
GENBU-KAI KARATE NINJAS PROMOTED
Genbu-Kai Karate in Wellington recently tested and promoted seven ninja students to their next belt level belts. The 16-month Ninja program is specifically designed for preschool children ages 4 to 6. Emphasis is placed on improving fine and gross motor skills, while teaching life skills. (Front row) Agustin Barcenas, Cecilia Marin, Santiago Gollarza, Donovan Kelley, Jack Silverstein, Samuel Honzik and Benjamin Honzik; and (back row) Instructor Brent Bedwell, Chief Instructor Sensei Keith Moore and Assistant Instructor Roy White. For more information on classes, call (561) 804-1002 or visit www.floridagenbukai.com.
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SPORTS & RECREATION
May 8 - May 14, 2015
Page 33
Team Wellington USTA Florida State Baton Twirling Champs On May 2, Team Wellington gathered competed against twirling teams from across Florida at Northwood University in West Palm Beach at 2015 USTA Florida State Baton Twirling Championships. The
team became USTA state champions in 14 events and won 19 awards in total. Under the instruction of coach Adrienne Brady, Team Wellington won in several age levels: Wellington
Elementary School won four events in the Juvenile Division, Wellington Landings Middle School won five events in the Junior Division and Wellington High School won five events in the Senior Division.
SRHS Flag
District Champs
continued from page 31 Gabi Oliver for a couple of scores to end the half with a dominating 33-0 lead. Despite a scoreless second half, it was all the Hawks would need for the win. “We played well tonight, and our corner [Salguero] made huge plays,” Bowe said. “Our quarterback [Coulter] could not be playing better, and I think we have two of the best quarterbacks in the state.” The Hawks defeated John I. Leonard High School 33-0 in the first round of the state play-in on Saturday, May 2 at Park Vista High School. The win marks three shutouts for Seminole Ridge in post-season play and a combined 108 points. The Hawks played Palm Beach Gardens High School in the regional final Tuesday night, but results were not available by press time.
Front row: Taylor Shackleford, Dania Kanhai, Kayli Figueroa, Jessica DeMaria, KerryAnne Farrell, Grace Essery, Carly LaBorde, Eve Essery, Camryn Strode, Carley Owens and Erin Crossey; middle row: Brianna Keller, Avery Redlich, Jessica Schneider, Trisha Beharry, Kayden Mueller, Aylin Leal, Britney LaBorde and Grace Hoskens (captain); and back row: Laura Perez, Evelyn Kassel, Celine Chasteen (captain), Victoria Flora, Macrae Reilly, Kelly Gerboc, Katelan Beharry, Lauren Dunkley, Stacie Kistela, Shaye Deegan, Hannah Schoenfeld and Kerriann DeMaria.
Volleyball
WHS Victory
Seminole Ridge corner back Yazmin Salguero runs back an interception for a touchdown.
PHOTO BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER
continued from page 31 Both teams pushed back, but Wellington squeezed out a 26-24 win. In the third set, Park Vista played a tight set, tying it at 15-15 after a 4-point run, but the Wolverines regained the lead 16-15. The Cobras coiled up and struck back with a second 4-point run, but the stubborn
Wellington squad regained the lead 21-20, and eventually deflated the Cobra rally 25-20, taking the third set and earning the District 6 title. Ng is credited with 44 assists, three kills, three digs and one block. Starkins had 11 kills, four digs and two blocks. Wellington advanced to the first round state play-in hosting Royal Palm Beach High School, but results were not available by press time.
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OFFER EXPIRES: 6/30/15 Valid only at participating Little Caesars® locations. Not good with any other offers. Plus tax where applicable.
May 8 - May 14, 2015
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May 8 - May 14, 2015
Saturday, May 9 • Woof Gang Bakery in Wellington (2205 State Road 7) will participate in the company’s annual adopt-a-thon event on Saturday, May 9 during National Pet Week. Call (561) 790-2232 or visit www.woofgangbakery.com for more info. • The West Palm Beach Gun & Knife Show will return to the South Florida Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. Admission is $10. For more info., visit www.flgunshows.com. • Healthsource Chiropractic Progressive Rehab & Wellness (125 S. State Rd. 7, Suite 103, Royal Palm Beach) will host a community/ patient appreciation day on Saturday, May 9 beginning at 9 a.m. The event will include free health checks in exchange for donations to the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach program. For more info., call (561) 792-4016. • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host Archery for Beginners for ages 8 to 15 on Saturday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. Learn the basics of archery. Equipment is provided. Call (561) 233-1400 or visit the nature center to pre-register. • The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Dinosaur Train Live: Buddy’s Big Adventure on Saturday, May 9 with shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets start at $10. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info. • The Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden will host its annual Connoisseurs Garden Tour on Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can visit eight extraordinary gardens in Delray Beach, North Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org. • Palm Beach Outlets and the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation will hold an event to raise melanoma awareness on Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the center court. Call the Melanoma Foundation at (561) 655-9655 or Palm Beach Outlets at (561) 515-4400 for more info. • The Missoula Children’s Theatre will present The Jungle Book, an original musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, on Saturday, May 9 at the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center in Belle Glade. Shows will be at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, call the box office at (561) 993-1160 or visit www.dollyhand.com. • The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will host Cultural Diversity Day at Veterans Park in Royal Palm Beach on Saturday, May 9 from 1 p.m. to sundown with showtime at 3 p.m. For more info., call Elet Cyris at (561) 791-9087 or Ernie Garvey at (561) 676-5664, or the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Board Game Day for all ages on Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon playing a variety of classic and contemporary board games. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host RPB Teen Xpressions for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. Share your original poems, writings or art work. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host an NFL Post Draft Discussion for adults on Saturday, May 9 at 2:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Anime Club for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, May 9 at 3 p.m. Watch anime, eat Pocky and share your knowledge about manga. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Moms Are Marvelous for ages 5 to 10 on Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m. Mother’s Day honors moms, grandmas, aunties and other mother figures. Show them how much you care by inviting them to celebrate with you and make a special gift for them. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register. • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a free “Billy Joel’s Birthday Party” concert featuring the Turnstiles band on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. Sunday, May 10 • The Acreage Green Market will take place Sunday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Acreage Community Park (6701 140th Ave. North). For more info., visit www.acreagegreenmarket.com or call (561) 723-3898. • The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will host a family Mother’s Day craft activity on Sunday, May 10 from noon to 3 p.m., free with paid museum admission. For more info., visit www.morikami.org or call (561) 495-0233. • The Royal Palm Beach Community Band will host a Mother’s Day Concert on Sunday, May 10 at 4 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Refreshments will be served during intermission. For more info., call (561) 790-5149. Monday, May 11 • The Beta Sigma Phi Chapter of Xi Xi Tau Sorority meets the second Monday of every month at 2 p.m. at a member’s house in the West Palm Beach area. The sorority is dedicated to social, cultural and service projects and is known around the world as the “friendship” organization. Call (561) 247-7697 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Art Club for ages 6 to 12 on Monday, May 11 at 3 p.m. Live through art by exploring different mediums. Dress to get messy. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Chess Club for Adults on Monday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. Tuesday, May 12 • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host Science for Seniors: Gopher
Tortoise for ages 50 and up on Tuesday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. Call (561) 233-1400 or visit the nature center to pre-register. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Sit ’n’ Stitch for all ages Tuesdays, May 12 and 19 at 5 p.m. Socialize while you work and share knowledge with others who are just learning to crochet. Some materials are provided. Call (561) 681-4100 for more info. • Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School will hold Kindergarten Roundups on Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, May 13 at 8:15 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Call (561) 904-9200 for more info. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Pizza Chat for ages 12 to 17 on Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. Bring a book, comic, short story, fanfic or manga. Chat with the group about it while enjoying pizza and drinks. Call (561) 6814100 to pre-register. • The Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will hold a free book discussion on Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. in partnership with the Palm Beach County Library System. The featured book will be The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama. Call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org for more info. • The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info. Wednesday, May 13 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Noodle Necklaces for ages 6 to 11 on Wednesday, May 13 at 3:30 p.m. Celebrate Mother’s Day and create noodle necklaces and jewelry for the special lady in your life. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Musical Toddlers & Tykes for ages 4 and under on Wednesday, May 13 at 3:30 p.m. Join in a fun musical jam session. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register. • Osceola Creek Middle School (6775 180th Ave. North) will present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Wednesday, May 13. Dinner will be provided by Mario the Baker at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. Call Barbara Mayer at (561) 422-2590 for more info. • The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will meet Wednesday, May 13 at the Embassy Suites Hotel (4350 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens). Networking starts at 6 p.m. The speaker will be author Marni Spencer-Devlin, founder of a direct marketing company. To RSVP, call Karen Dooley at (561) 543-5641 or Pat Key at (561) 622-2713. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Gamerz Nite for ages 12 to 17 on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. Play Smash Bros. or Mario Kart on the library’s Wii or try out other games. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register. • The Wellington Art Society will hold its last meeting of the season on Wednesday, May 13
at Bootz Culture Camp (420 State Road 7, Suite 120). A meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a member spotlight and a brief meeting. The demonstration for the evening will be presented by artist and illustrator Laurie Snow Hein. For more info., visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org. Thursday, May 14 • Cypress Trails Elementary School (133 Park Road North, Royal Palm Beach) will hold its Kindergarten Roundup on Thursday, May 14 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Call (561) 904-9000 for more info. • The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host food trucks with music by the Making Faces Band on Thursday, May 14 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. • The Maaco-Wellington Star Hands Auto Body Shop at 3132 Fortune Way will hold its grand opening on Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. For more info., visit www.maaco-wellingtonfl.com, call (561) 328-6969 or e-mail maacowellington@ gmail.com. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Card Sharks for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. Play Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, or just a regular card game. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 7906070 for more info. • The Safety Council of Palm Beach County will hold a Beginning Motorcycle Rider Course on Thursday, May 14 from 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wellington High School (2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.) Visit www.safetycouncilpbc.org for more info. • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Acting Up for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. Come hungry for drama, laughs and pizza while working on basic acting skills. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Repurposed Book Pages Bird Craft” for adults on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. Make a small decorative bird with repurposed book pages. Supplies will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Friday, May 15 • Palm Beach Dramaworks concludes its 15th season with Lanie Robertson’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, a joyous look back at the too-short, turbulent life of Billie Holiday, opening on Friday, May 15 and continuing through June 7 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre (201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach). For more info., call (561) 514-4042 or visit www. palmbeachdramaworks.org. • The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Spotlight on Young Musicians on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $10. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414 or e-mail news@gotowncrier.com.
Health Bar Fitness
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Adults and Kids Programs Morning, Evening, and Weekend Classes Women’s Self Defense and Kids Anti Bullying Private Training Available
Fast food for SMART people!
YOGA Vinyasa Style Stretch and Flow A Healthy Meal Protein Smoothie
SELF DEFENSE CLASSES Saturday 10am • $ 6 Includes:
Camp
Z UMFIT
After the class and Tea and aloe drink for energy and digestion before the class.
Morning, Lunch, and Weekend Classes
SAVE on Zumfit Classes Visit The Groupon Link
SAVE on Yoga Classes Visit The Groupon Link
http://touch.groupon.com/deals/health-bar-fitness
http://touch.groupon.com/deals/health-bar-fitness-1
Health Bar Fitness Coach Nancy • (561)-329-4267
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Self Defense Professor Dave (561)-414-1645
1167 Royal Palm Beach Blvd • Royal Palm Beach HealthBarFitness
HealthBarFitness
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May 8 - May 14, 2015
Page 37
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
A/C AND REFRIGERATION
PRESSURE CLEANING
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
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
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 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.
DRIVEWAY REPAIR 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
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
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
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 JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473 COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Int./Ext. Residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident
PLUMBING JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458
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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
EMPLOYMENT
REAL ESTATE
BOOKKEEPER NEEDED — part-time, experienced in QuickBooks, flexible hours. Please fax resume to 561-791-0952
FOR RENT - GREENACRES
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. CLASS A - CDL DRIVERS — We are a South Florida-based transportation carrier. Our Company seeks experienced OTR drivers to join our team. Selected candidates will have an excellent work record and meet the requirements listed below. REQUIREMENTS: A Valid Class A CDL 5 Years of verifiable over the road experience Clean MVR. Be able to run in all 48 states Good knowledge of DOT regulations Good English language written and verbal communications skills Apply in person: Trophy Transport 4003 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road Loxahatchee, Fl 33470
SECURITY Drivers: New Pay!
SECURITY — American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600
Consistent Freight, Great MIles
SCREENING
on This Regional Account, Werner
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio re-screening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com
Enterprises: 1-855-517-2488
$2,500 Sign-On Bonus!
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
PETS FOR SALE
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
SWEET BELGIAN MALINOIS — Needs a home. Age 4 purebred. Gorgeous. No cats. Energetic. Female name Santana. Well behaved. Needs play and yard. 561-463-2826.
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.
AUTOMOBILES FOR SALE 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — Low Miles, clean, good condition, cold air, new battery, $4999,00. Call 561-312-6187.
HERCK — male brindle pitbull needs a new home. Looking for a dog lover that’ll take good care. Three years old, neutered, and current on shots. 561-373-0313.
ROOMMATE TO SHARE — 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment - Purdy & Jog Road. $550 per month. Looking for under 35 years old. 954-296-3748
FOR SALE OUT OF AREA LAKE WEIR NEAR OCALA, FL — 89 Acres Large Lakefront home, apartment and caretaker residence, citrus, pasture and over 1/2 mile of Pristine lake frontage. All details. www.maryadsit.com Mary L. Adsit, Realtor 863-285-7118
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
The Town-Crier Newspaper is looking for a community photographer to chronicle local events and happenings in and around the Western Communities. May include some weekends. This is an entry level position. Applicants must have transportation and their own digital camera. For more information,
GARAGE / YARD SALE
e-mail: news@gotowncrier.com
LOXAHATCHEE
or call (561) 793-7606
SATURDAY MAY 9TH AND SUNDAY MAY 16TH 8 A.M. - 2 P.M. — Good quality furniture. Have to see! Living room, desk, outdoor furniture, Air Mover. 13376 Compton Road, Loxahatchee
and ask for Dawn Rivera, General Manager
WELLINGTON S A T U R D AY M AY 9 T H 8 A . M . NOON — 13617 Northumberland Circle. Juniors & Ladies Clothes, Sporting goods, tools, household goods & more.
PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL THE TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS AT 793-7606
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May 8 - May 14, 2015 Page 39
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 8 - May 14, 2015
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H E R E ’ S M Y CA R D
PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S
WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS FOR AS LOW AS $21 A WEEK*
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PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S
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May 8 - May 14, 2015 Page 41
WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
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